Cellulose and Nanocellulose from Maize Straw: An Insight on the Crystal Properties

In this work cellulose was extracted from corn/maize straw (Zea mays) by means of an environmental-friendly multistep procedure involving alkaline treatment and a totally chlorine-free bleaching. This multistep procedure efficiently removed lignin and hemicelluloses. The pulp resulting from each step was characterized by attenuated total reflectance fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The optimum pulping time (time of alkaline treatment) was determined by means of thermogravimetric analysis. The extracted cellulose is highly crystalline as verified by X-ray diffraction. The partial acid hydrolysis with sulfuric acid led to the isolation of cellulose whiskers in aqueous suspension as confirmed by light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. The depolarization ratio value of these nanocrystals is the same as that determined for cotton whiskers, showing that this ratio does not depend on the cellulose source. The maize whiskers are arranged laterally in bundles with average thickness around five times that of the crystallite.     

Use of constructed wetland for the removal of heavy metals from industrial wastewater

This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of a continuous free surface flow wetland for removal of heavy metals from industrial wastewater, in Gadoon Amazai Industrial Estate (GAIE), Swabi, Pakistan. Industrial wastewater samples were collected from the in-let, out-let and all cells of the constructed wetland (CW) and analyzed for heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr) and copper (Cu) using standard methods. Similarly, samples of aquatic macrophytes and sediments were also analyzed for selected heavy metals. Results indicate that the removal efficiencies of the CW for Pb, Cd, Fe, Ni, Cr, and Cu were 50%, 91.9%, 74.1%, 40.9%, 89%, and 48.3%, respectively. Furthermore, the performance of the CW was efficient enough to remove the heavy metals, particularly Cd, Fe, and Cu, from the industrial wastewater fed to it. However, it is suggested that the metal removal efficiency of the CW can be further enhanced by using proper management of vegetation and area expansion of the present CW.     

The dynamics effect of green technology innovation on economic growth and CO2 emission in Singapore: new evidence from bootstrap ARDL approach

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - For an economy to excel in growth, there is usually a trade-off between financial development and environment deterioration. For a country like...     

Volatility connectedness of GCC stock markets: how global oil price volatility drives volatility spillover in GCC stock markets?

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The study investigated the volatility connectedness of GCC stock market return and S&P global oil index returns using Diebold and Yilmaz...     

Differential neuroprotective effect of curcuminoid formulations in aluminum chloride–induced Alzheimer’s disease

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a slowly progressive brain degenerative disorder which gradually impairs memory, thinking, and ability to perform...     

Consumers’ intention-based influence factors of renewable energy adoption in Pakistan: a structural equation modeling approach

As the adoption of renewable energy (RE) is a complex and intricate procedure affected by a wide range of factors, it prompts traction among researchers to examine these influence factors. The aim of this study is to scrutinize the factors affecting consumers’ intention to adopt RE for household use in Pakistan. The current research has contributed through expanding the structural framework of the theory of planned behavior by incorporating three novel factors (perception of self-effectiveness, perception of neighbor’s participation, and belief about RE benefits) to have a deep insight into the factors that motivate or inhibit consumers to adopt RE. Outcomes are based on the primary data compiled from 353 households in the five main cities of Pakistan accompanying an inclusive survey. The state-of-the-art structural equation modeling was utilized to test and analyze the proposed hypotheses. The results signify that the influencing factors such as perception of self-effectiveness, awareness of RE, and perception of neighbor’s participation impart a positive effect on consumers’ intention to adopt RE, whereas cost of RE generation has an opposite effect. Interestingly, environmental concern and belief about RE benefits found to have neutral effects. Research results emphasize the need to enhance public awareness, reform policy structure, transform social norms, and highlight the benefits that RE provides, all through an integrative and coherent way.

     

Impact of green supply chain management practices on firms’ performance: an empirical study from the perspective of Pakistan

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This article investigates the impact of five determinants of the green supply chain practices on organizational performance in the context of Pakistan...     

Fly ash leachate induces oxidative stress in freshwater fish Channa punctata (Bloch)

Oxidative stress inducing potential of fly ash leachate (FAL) was studied in a freshwater fish, Channa punctata (Bloch). Fish were exposed to fly ash leachate for 24 h and lipid peroxidation (LPO) was studied as a marker of oxidative stress. Catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities and levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) were also estimated in the exposed fish. FAL (1 ml/l) induced LPO in all the organs and most prominent response was in the gill. It also caused induction of enzymes and glutathione. Liver showed highest level of induction of enzyme activities. The results of this study demonstrate that fly ash constituents have potential to induce oxidative stress in fish and gills are the most vulnerable organs. It is also suggested that in case of exposure to FAL, along with LPO antioxidant defense is also activated to counteract the reactive oxygen species (ROS) at least partly in the initial stages of exposure.     

Experimental and Monte Carlo simulation studies of open cylindrical radon monitoring device using CR-39 detector

There are several methods of measuring radon concentrations but nuclear track detector cylindrical dosimeters are widely employed. In this investigation, the consequence of effective volumes of the dosimeters on the registration of alpha tracks in a CR-39 detector was studied. In a series of experiments an optimum radius for a CR-39-based open cylindrical radon dosimeter was found to be about 3 cm. Monte Carlo simulation techniques have been employed to verify the experimental results. In this context, a computer code Monte Carlo simulation dosimetry (MOCSID) was developed. Monte Carlo simulation experiments gave the optimum radius of the dosimeters as 3.0 cm. The experimental results are in good agreement with those obtained by Monte Carlo design calculations. In addition to this, plate-out effects of radon progeny were also studied. It was observed that the contribution of radon progeny (218Po and 214Po) plated-out on the wall of the dosimeters increases with an increase of dosimeter radii and then decrease to 0 at a radius of about 3 cm if a point detector has been installed at the center of the dosimeter base. In the code MOCSID different types of random number generators were employed. The results of this research are very useful for designing an optimum size of radon dosimeters.