Ecological and agriculture impacts of bakery yeast wastewater use on weed communities and crops in an arid environment

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of using yeast wastewater (YW) on weed communities. The study showed that all ecological parameters...     

New Poly(aniline-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-phenylenediamine)/Kaolinite Microcomposites for Water Decontamination

Copolymers of aniline and o-phenylenediamine/kaolinite composites were synthesized by 5:1 molar ratios of the respective monomers with different percentages of nanoclay via modified in situ chemical co-polymerization. The results were verified by measuring the FT-IR and UV–vis absorption spectra for PANI-o-PDA/kaolinite composites. The thermal behaviour of the copolymer and composites was studied. PANI-o-PDA/kaolinite composites were thermally more stable than pure copolymer. Surface morphology of copolymer composites was recorded at different magnification power by SEM which revealed whitish micrometric beads distributed all over the field with particle size in the range of 0.122–0.233 μm. This work demonstrates that the PANI-o-PDA/kaolinite composites particles can be considered as potential adsorbents for hazardous and toxic metal ions of water from lake El-Manzala, Egypt. All of Cd(II), Cu(II), and Pb(II) posed dangerous health risk to the local population via fish consumption.     

Antibacterial and antimutagenic activitiy of extracts and essential oil from (Tunisian) Pistacia lentiscus

Aqueous and flavonoid-enriched extract as well as essential oil (EO) obtained from leaves of Pistacia lentiscus were assessed for antibacterial and antimutagenic activities. Antibacterial activity of different extracts and EO were evaluated against six bacterial strains. A marked inhibitory effect was observed against Salmonella typhimurium, whereas lower activity was observed against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella enteritidis. EO showed significant inhibitory effects against Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella enteritidis and Staphylococcus aureus. The antimutagenic activity of the different extracts against Aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) and sodium azide was demonstrated with the Salmonella typhymurium assay. The number of revertants per plate decreased significantly when the plant extracts were added to the assay system using Salmonella typhimurium TA100, TA98 and TA1535.     

Ludwigia stolonifera for remediation of toxic metals from simulated wastewater

The present study investigated the phytoremediation of simulated wastewater, mimicking wastewater generated by industrial processes containing significant amounts of toxic heavy metal ions. The wetland plant Ludwigia stolonifera was used to study its efficiency in the removal of the three toxic metals Pb, Cd and Cr. Survivability of the plant has been studied in solutions at different concentrations of three metals separately or as a mixture, and the accumulation of these toxic metals for a prolonged period has been evaluated. The plant performed very successful in eliminating Cd, Cr and Pb as single metals of up to 65%, 97% and 99%, respectively, within four days. In addition, the trend of metal uptake revealed negligible dependence on different masses of plant and on various pH-values. L. stolonifera has high potential in eliminating various toxic pollutants from aquatic environments.     

Correction to: Hydrogen production,storage, utilisation and environmental impacts: a review

Environmental Chemistry Letters -     

Coagulation of highly turbid suspensions using magnesium hydroxide: effects of slow mixing conditions

Laboratory experiments were carried out to study the effects of slow mixing conditions on magnesium hydroxide floc size and strength and to determine the turbidity and total suspended solid (TSS) removal efficiencies during coagulation of highly turbid suspensions. A highly turbid kaolin clay suspension (1,213?±?36 nephelometric turbidity units (NTU)) was alkalized to pH 10.5 using a 5 M NaOH solution; liquid bittern (LB) equivalent to 536 mg/L of Mg²⁺ was added as a coagulant, and the suspension was then subjected to previously optimized fast mixing conditions of 100 rpm and 60 s. Slow mixing speed (20, 30, 40, and 50 rpm) and time (10, 20, and 30 min) were then varied, while the temperature was maintained at 20.7?±?1 °C. The standard practice for coagulation-flocculation jar test ASTM D2035-13 (2013) was followed in all experiments. Relative floc size was monitored using an optical measuring device, photometric dispersion analyzer (PDA 2000). Larger and more shear resistant flocs were obtained at 20 rpm for both 20- and 30-min slow mixing times; however, given the shorter duration for the former, the 20-min slow mixing time was considered to be more energy efficient. For slow mixing camp number (Gt) values in the range of 8,400–90,000, it was found that the mixing speed affected floc size and strength more than the time. Higher-turbidity removal efficiencies were achieved at 20 and 30 rpm, while TSS removal efficiency was higher for the 50-rpm slow mixing speed. Extended slow mixing time of 30 min yielded better turbidity and TSS removal efficiencies at the slower speeds.     

Carbon sequestration via afforestation as a sustainable action to mitigate climate change in Western Iran

Climate change involves increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration which is driven by anthropogenic emissions. Afforestation, which is the establishment of forests on previously non‐forested lands, could be a suitable climate change mitigation strategy. The aim of this research is to evaluate the carbon sequestration capability of the Eucalyptus and Prosopis species in the Reza‐Abad afforestation park in western Iran. For this aim, three stands of any species were selected. For quantitative assessment, a transect was implemented at the length of 100 m. In trees located of transects, the general characteristics of species were measured. Also, for estimating the amount of litter, a sample plot has been measured at the center of the quadrate. These samples were taken from the afforested area, the control area inside the afforested area and another control area outside. In each stand, species were selected randomly and one‐eighth of the whole stand was taken for calculating the percentage of carbon and aerial biomass. Then the aboveground organs were weighted and after the transfer of different plant organs to the laboratory, the conversion factor of carbon sequestration of the plant organs was determined individually by combustion method. Also, soil samples were also collected from two depths of 0–15 and 15–30 cm in each of the cultivated and control parts. The results showed that there is a significant difference between the species and Prosopis has higher carbon sequestration than Eucalyptus. The carbon sequestration among different organs showed a significant difference, carbon sequestration was 19.24 t/ha for Eucalyptus and 18.43 t/ha for Prosopis. After an economic calculation, it was concluded that afforestation has a positive effect on the reduction of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Hence, these results allow decision makers to change land use from desert area to forest, and planting the Prosopis species is more recommendable than Eucalyptus for afforestation in such areas which are economically profitable.     

Health risk assessment of occupational exposure to styrene in Neyshabur electronic industries

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Styrene is one of the essential components in making thousands of everyday products. Occupational exposure to styrene causes pulmonary, neurological,...     

The influence of human activity and morphological characteristics of beaches on plastic debris distribution along the Caspian Sea as a closed water body

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The Caspian Sea is the largest land-locked lake in the world that includes numerous endemic species. Because of its enclosed nature, the pollutants...     

Predictors of poor outcomes among patients of acute methanol intoxication with particular reference to Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Methanol intoxication is a global problem with serious morbidities and mortalities. Apart from the lifelong disabilities experienced by methanol...