Biodegradation of heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide-contaminated soils by white-rot fungal inocula

The ability of certain white-rot fungi (WRF) inocula to transform heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide and its application in artificially contaminated soil were investigated. Fungal inoculum of Pleurotus ostreatus eliminated approximately 89 % of heptachlor after 28 days of incubation, and chlordene was detected as the primary metabolite. The fungal inoculum of Pleurotus ostreatus had the highest ability to degrade heptachlor epoxide; approximately 32 % were degraded after 28 days of incubation, and heptachlor diol was detected as the metabolite product. Because Pleurotus ostreatus transformed heptachlor into a less toxic metabolite and could also effectively degrade heptachlor epoxide, it was then selected to be applied to artificially contaminated soil. The spent mushroom waste (SMW) of Pleurotus ostreatus degraded heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide by approximately 91 and 26 %, respectively, over 28 days. This finding indicated that Pleurotus ostreatus SMW could be used to bioremediate heptachlor- and heptachlor epoxide-contaminated environments.     

Two unrelated fetuses with ITPR1 missense variants and fetal hydrops

We describe two fetuses from unrelated families with likely pathogenic variants in ITPR1 that presented with nonimmune fetal hydrops. Trio exome sequencing revealed a de novo heterozygous likely pathogenic missense variant c.7636G > A (p.Val2531Met) in ITPR1 (NM_001378452.1) in proband 1 and a de novo heterozygous likely pathogenic missense variant c.34G > A [p.Gly12Arg] in proband 2. Variants in ITPR1 have been associated with several genetic conditions, including spinocerebellar ataxia 15, spinocerebellar ataxia 29, and Gillespie syndrome. Our report on two patients details a previously undescribed severe fetal presentation of nonimmune hydrops fetalis associated with missense variants in the ITPR1 gene.     

Low carbon emission development strategies for Jambi,Indonesia: simulation and trade-off analysis using the FALLOW model

Economic growth in rural areas has to align with preservation of land uses that optimise environmental services. This means that trade-offs between economic and ecological priorities need to be understood, quantified and managed. We aimed to estimate the trade-off in the Tanjung Jabung Barat district of Jambi province Indonesia, where traditional agroforestry systems on both peat and mineral soils and logged-over forests give way to monocultural plantations of pulpwood and oil palm (Elaeis guineensis). Simulations of a 30-year time period of four scenarios using the FALLOW (Forests, Agroforests, Low-value-Landscape, Or, Wastelands) model show that a business-as-usual scenario of economic growth unhindered by the application of conservation scenarios will lead to high carbon dioxide CO₂ emissions. The forest and agroforest protection scenario, with moderate assumptions for peat-based emissions, had opportunity costs of 3–100 USD/t CO₂e. This occurred especially when the establishment of oil palm plantations, which are currently the most profitable land use option in the area, is directed solely to under utilized mineral soils. The high trade-off values are difficult to reconcile when relying only on C trading mechanism to offset economic opportunity costs of not converting forests and/or agroforests to plantations. We conclude that law-based protection of existing forests, investment in intermediate intensity agroforestry options that utilize locally adapted trees and do not require drainage of peatlands, and re-introduction of tapping Jelutung (Dyera sp) latex as non-timber peat forest product, are needed in the Tanjabar district to provide options that are sustainable from both ecological and economic perspectives.     

Migrants,land markets and carbon emissions in Jambi,Indonesia: Land tenure change and the prospect of emission reduction

Policies designed to reduce land-based carbon emissions require a good understanding of the complex connections between state-sanctioned concessions, forest conversion, informal land markets and migrants. Our case study in the peat forests of the Tanjung Jabung Barat (TanJaBar) regency of Jambi, Indonesia aimed to explore relations between four key stakeholder groups: the state, local communities, migrants, and state-sanctioned concessions. We hypothesized that current land use patterns are shaped by insecurity in formal forest tenure alongside informal land tenure arrangements with migrants. In analyzing the six two-way relationships between the four stakeholder groups, we found that interactions between the stakeholders have changed local norms and practice, causing land conflicts and contested claims that need to be explicitly addressed in efforts to reduce carbon emissions in TanJaBar. Relational concepts of land rights between migrants and local community leaders are informed by social identity, expectations of investment opportunities, insecure customary forest tenure and competing land use policies. Migrants act as intermediaries in shaping the land tenure system and shift the balance of power between local communities, the state, and business concessions. We conclude that effective and equitable implementation of national Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation+ (REDD+) programs will need to recognize underlying land ownership dynamics, power struggles and strategic positioning among stakeholders across scales. Obtaining free and prior informed consent (FPIC) from all relevant stakeholders is a major challenge given this complexity. Low emission development strategies will require recognition of a reality beyond large-scale concessions and traditional local communities.     

Preparation of coal slurry with organic solvents

In this study, various organic solvents were used to prepare coal slurries and the rheological and thermal properties of coal-organic solvent slurries were examined. Solvents with molecules containing unpaired electrons (high basicity) show high extraction power and cause swelling of coal. Therefore, coal-organic solvent slurries usually showed higher viscosities compared to coal-water slurry. In addition, coal slurries prepared by alcohols and cyclohexanone demonstrated lower settling rates but a high specific sedimentation volume presumably because these solvents swelled coal particles well and led to the formation of weak gel structures in the bulk. In addition, ethanol and cyclohexanone are capable of breaking a considerable amount of hydrogen bonds in coal and subsequently opening up the structures. Thus, more surface area is available for combustion and the combustion rate of coal slurries was increased.     

Influence of coal ash on the concrete properties and its performance under sulphate and chloride conditions

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study investigated the influence of coal bottom ash (CBA) on the concrete properties and evaluate the effects of combined exposure of sulphate...     

The association between maternal nonylphenol exposure and parity on neonatal birth weight: A cohort study in Taiwan

Background

The aim of this study was to explore the association between NP exposure and parity and their effect on neonatal birth weight.

Methods

A cohort of pregnant women was established in a medical center in North Taiwan. Urinary NP concentration was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescent detection and adjusted using creatinine. A multivariable regression model was fit to determine the association between the maternal NP level in each trimester and neonatal birth weight. The odds ratios (ORs) of infant birth weight below the 10th, 25th, and 50th percentiles, comparing pregnant women with the different NP exposure levels, was estimated using a logistic regression.

Results

Of the 162 pregnant women in the study, 99 were multiparas and 63 were primiparas. After adjusting for other covariates, the NP level in the second trimester had a significant association with birth weight in the primiparas (β = −182.49 g, p value = 0.02). The OR of low infant birth weight, comparing pregnant women with different NP levels, was increased by decreasing the cutoff percentile for birth weight (OR = 1.18 for the 50th percentile, 2.12 for the 25th percentile, and 7.81 for the 10th percentile). The odds of primiparas with high NP level having a low neonatal birth weight increased to 3.87, 11.77, and 9.40 for the three different percentiles (p value < 0.05).

Conclusion

Maternal NP exposure level is associated with an increased risk of low neonatal weight. Primiparas are especially at risk, and the second trimester of pregnancy may be the critical stage of exposure.     

Nickel ferrite nanoenabled graphene oxide (NiFe2O4@GO) as photoactive nanocomposites for water treatment

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Nanocomposite materials can enhance the capabilities of water treatment processes such as photocatalysis. In this work, novel light-driven...     

Photoelectro-Fenton mineralization of phenol through optimization of ferrous regeneration

The degradation of phenol in acidic solution at pH 3 has been investigated under various photo- and electrochemical conditions. A laboratory-scale reactor on which were mounted net electrodes (RuO₂/IrO₂-coated Ti anodes (DSA) and stainless steel cathodes) and 254 nm UV lamps was established to effectively reduce ferric reagents. The experimental results of the photoelectron-chemical reaction suggested that the current efficiency of reducing ferric ion was improved by increasing the number of electrodes used, and the UV lamps were important to inducing the reduction of ferric carboxylates, which were the major intermediates that were formed upon a particular degree of phenol oxidation. Accordingly, the addition of an initial concentration of 400 ppm ferrous salt and 10,200 ppm hydrogen peroxide (in a continuous mode) resulted in the removal of over 92 % of TOC (initial phenol?=?2,000 ppm, TOC?=?1,532 ppm) by 4 h of the photoelectro-Fenton and the sequential 2 h of the photo-Fenton processes. HPLC was utilized to monitor the formation of aromatic and carboxylate byproducts, and revealed that the aid of photo irradiation eliminated most of the oxalate residue from the final solution, which would have contributed to the 25 % of the TOC that was inactive in the electrolytic system.