Cerium dioxide and composites for the removal of toxic metal ions

The presence of contaminants in potable water is a cause of worldwide concern. In particular, the presence of metals such as arsenic, lead, cadmium, mercury, chromium can affect human health. There is thus a need for advanced techniques of water decontamination. Adsorbents based on cerium dioxide (CeO₂), also named ‘ceria,’ have been used to remove contaminants such as arsenic, fluoride, lead and cadmium. Ceria and composites display high surface area, controlled porosity and morphology, and abundance of functional groups. They have already found usage in many applications including optical, semiconductor and catalysis. Exploiting their attractive features for water treatment would unravel their potential. We review the potential of ceria and its composites for the removal of toxic metal ions from aqueous medium. The article discusses toxic contaminants in water and their impact on human health; the synthesis and adsorptive behavior of ceria-based materials including the role of morphology and surface area on the adsorption capacity, best fit adsorption isotherms, kinetic models, possible mechanisms, regeneration of adsorbents; and future perspectives of using metal oxides such as ceria. The focus of the report is the generation of cost-effective oxides of rare-earth metal, cerium, in their standalone and composite forms for contaminant removal.     

Deciphering groundwater potential zones in hard rock terrain using geospatial technology

Remote sensing and geographical information system (GIS) has become one of the leading tools in the field of groundwater research, which helps in assessing, monitoring, and conserving groundwater resources. This paper mainly deals with the integrated approach of remote sensing and GIS to delineate groundwater potential zones in hard rock terrain. Digitized vector maps pertaining to chosen parameters, viz. geomorphology, geology, land use/land cover, lineament, relief, and drainage, were converted to raster data using 23 m × 23 m grid cell size. Moreover, curvature of the study area was also considered while manipulating the spatial data. The raster maps of these parameters were assigned to their respective theme weight and class weights. The individual theme weight was multiplied by its respective class weight and then all the raster thematic layers were aggregated in a linear combination equation in Arc Map GIS Raster Calculator module. Moreover, the weighted layers were statistically modeled to get the areal extent of groundwater prospects with respect to each thematic layer. The final result depicts the favorable prospective zones in the study area and can be helpful in better planning and management of groundwater resources especially in hard rock terrains.     

Comparative low lethal effects of three insecticides on demographical traits and enzyme activity of the Spodoptera exigua (Hübner)

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Many species of devastating insect pests have acquired a high degree of resistance to insecticides in the field during the last few decades....     

Correction to: Role of casting and curing conditions on the strength and drying shrinkage of greener concrete

Environmental Science and Pollution Research -     

SARS-COV-2/COVID-19: scenario,epidemiology, adaptive mutations,and environmental factors

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The coronavirus pandemic of 2019 has already exerted an enormous impact. For over a year, the worldwide pandemic has ravaged the whole globe, with...     

Retesting the EKC hypothesis through transmission of the ARMEY curve model: an alternative composite model approach with theory and policy implications for NAFTA countries

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - We investigate the validity of the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis for the NAFTA countries. In this investigation, we approach this...     

Financial inclusion-environmental degradation nexus in OIC countries: new evidence from environmental Kuznets curve using DCCE approach

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The disastrous consequences of climate change for human life and environmental sustainability have drawn worldwide attention. Increased global warming...     

The COVID-19 impact on air condition usage: a shift towards residential energy saving

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The enforcement of the Movement Control Order to curtail the spread of COVID-19 has affected home energy consumption, especially HVAC systems....     

Validation of environmental Philips curve in Pakistan: a fresh insight through ARDL technique

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The tremendous increase of greenhouse gases puts adverse effects on environmental degradation, unemployment, and economic growth. Against this...