Petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations in ten commercial fish species along Tamilnadu coast,Bay of Bengal,India

Background, aim, and scope  

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the distribution of petroleum hydrocarbons in ten commercial fish species and water samples in three estuaries along Tamilnadu coast, Bay of Bengal, India.     

Photocatalytic degradation of triclocarban in aqueous solution using a modified zeolite/TiO2 composite: kinetic,mechanism study and toxicity assessment

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The current work aimed to investigate the degradation of the triclocarban (TCC) in aqueous solution using a modified zeolite/TiO2 composite (MZTC)...     

Co-pyrolysis of sewage sludge and biomass for stabilizing heavy metals and reducing biochar toxicity: A review

The huge amounts of sewage sludge produced by municipal wastewater treatment plants induce major environmental and economical issues, calling for advanced disposal methods. Traditional methods for sewage sludge disposal increase greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. Moreover, biochar created from sewage sludge often cannot be used directly in soil applications due to elevated levels of heavy metals and other toxic compounds, which alter soil biota and earthworms. This has limited the application of sewage sludge-derived biochar as a fertilizer. Here, we review biomass and sewage sludge co-pyrolysis with a focus on the stabilization of heavy metals and toxicity reduction of the sludge-derived biochar. We observed that co-pyrolyzing sewage sludge with biomass materials reduced heavy metal concentrations and decreased the environmental risk of sludge-derived biochar by up to 93%. Biochar produced from sewage sludge and biomass co-pyrolysis could enhance the reproduction stimulation of soil biota by 20‒98%. Heavy metals immobilization and transformation are controlled by the co-feed material mixing ratio, pyrolysis temperature, and pyrolysis atmosphere.

     

Strategies to save energy in the context of the energy crisis: a review

Environmental Chemistry Letters - New technologies, systems, societal organization and policies for energy saving are urgently needed in the context of accelerated climate change, the Ukraine...     

Optimizing hydrogen production by alkaline water decomposition with transition metal-based electrocatalysts

Burning fossil fuels account for over 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions and over 90% of carbon dioxide emissions, calling for alternative fuels such as hydrogen. Since the hydrogen demand could reach 120 million tons in 2024, efficient and large-scale production methods are required. Here we review electrocatalytic water splitting with a focus on reaction mechanisms, transition metal catalysts, and optimization strategies. We discuss mechanisms of water decomposition and hydrogen evolution. Transition metal catalysts include alloys, sulfides, carbides, nitrides, phosphides, selenides, oxides, hydroxides, and metal-organic frameworks. The reaction can be optimized by modifying the nanostructure or the electronic structure. We observe that transition metal-based electrocatalysts are excellent catalysts due to their abundant sources, low cost, and controllable electronic structures. Concerning optimization, fluorine anion doping at 1 mol/L potassium hydroxide yields an overpotential of 38 mV at a current density of 10 mA/cm². The electrocatalytic efficiency can also be enhanced by adding metal atoms to the nickel sulfide framework.

     

A Critical Review on Natural Fibers Modifications by Graft Copolymerization for Wastewater Treatment

Graft copolymerization is a distinctive approach to modify the inherently cheap natural fibers (NFs) using different initiators to incorporate synthetic polymer side chains allowing development of novel types of hybrid materials. This method has been widely applied to develop a variety of NFs based adsorbents for decontamination of toxic pollutants from the aqueous environment. However, the development of high-performance adsorbents from NFs is steady challenged by the need to preserve the sustainability during graft modifications and applications. This article critically reviews the progress on modifications of NFs by graft copolymerization of polar monomers on NFs using various initiating methods and their applications in wastewater treatment. Particularly, the applications of the grafted NFs in removal of heavy metal ions, synthetic dyes, oil spills and extraction of precious metals from wastewater are elaborated. The critical challenges to the viability and sustainability of NFs-based adsorbents with respect to functionalization by graft copolymerization and environmental impacts are discussed and the future research directions are also outlined.

     

Exfoliation and Decoration of Graphene Sheets with Silver Nanoparticles and Their Antibacterial Properties

High quality graphene sheets (GRP) have been exfoliated using facile one pot method through direct ultrasonication of graphite in the presence of polyvinyl alcohol. The GRP were decorated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) producing graphene–silver nanoparticle composites. The effect of variation of graphite and silver salt mass ratios on the morphology and performance of produced composites was studied. The size of AgNPs decorated on GRP has been tuned with synthesis method optimization. The average size of AgNPs was found to be in the range of 8.6–15.6 nm. Cotton–polyester blend textile fabrics were treated with the new smart developed composite as antibacterial agent producing new composites. A significant inhibition of bacterial growth has been observed for graphene–silver nanoparticle composite and the antibacterial efficiency was optimized. The clear inhibition zone for textiles treated with new developed composite and AgNPs alone was recorded as 12 and 1.75 mm respectively, achieving more than six fold improvement.     

Thermal barrier coated diesel engine running on biodiesel: a review

Thermal barrier coated diesel engine, also known as low heat rejection (LHR) engine have offered the promise of reducing heat rejection to the engine coolant and increase the combustion temperature which results in increase of thermal efficiency, decrease of fuel consumption and emission rate of the engine. Biodiesel derived from the vegetable oils are a promising alternative fuel for diesel fuel. The viscosity of vegetable oil after transestrification is still higher than that of diesel fuel. The various researchers have reported that the energy of the biodiesel could be released more efficiently with the concept of LHR engine. In the case of LHR engine running on different biodiesel blends, almost all experimental studies has predicted improved performance. This paper analyses and discussed the operating conditions under which the experimental studies are carried out and the factors which affect thermal efficiency and exhaust emissions in LHR engine.     

Potential harmful elements in coal dust and human health risk assessment near the mining areas in Cherat,Pakistan

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study was aimed to investigate the potential harmful element (PHE) concentrations in coal dust and evaluate the human risk assessment and health...     

Should we Leave Nature Unattended or Assist through Enrichment to Foster Climate Change Mitigation? Exclosure Management in the Highlands of Ethiopia

Environmental Management - In order to foster the potential of exclosures to sequester carbon, it is understood that they are increasingly assisted through enrichment planting. To study the impact...