This study investigates the biosorption performance of Penicillium chrysogenum for the removal of Hg (II) under different chemical pretreatments and pH conditions. Untreated fungal biomass exhibited high intrinsic sorption efficiency, reaching 97.93%, indicating the presence of functional groups capable of binding mercury through ion exchange and surface complexation. Alkali pretreatment using alkali further enhanced Hg (II) removal and prevented the desorption. Biomass treated by 1N NaOH could reach 98.56% of removal, while 2N NaOH could achieve 98.62% of removal. This improvement is attributed to the deprotonation of acidic ligands and increased exposure of active sites resulting from partial cell wall disruption. In contrast, HCl 1 N pretreatment reduced sorption efficiency to 80–91%, likely due to protonation of binding groups and structural degradation of the fungal cell wall. Variation in solution pH revealed optimal biosorption at pH 6–8, while a significant decline at pH 9 suggested the formation of Hg–hydroxo complexes and partial desorption from negatively charged surfaces. These findings demonstrate that alkali-modified P. chrysogenum serves as an efficient biosorbent for mercury removal, with performance strongly influenced by surface chemistry and solution pH. This work provides mechanistic insights into fungal biomass modification and offers a promising approach for low-cost treatment of mercury contaminated wastewater.
Climate change poses a serious threat to human health by affecting air quality, food and water security, and increasing the incidence of extreme weather events and infectious diseases. To evaluate the levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practices among healthcare workers in Al Najaf Governorate and to examine how these are associated with various demographic factors. A crosssectional survey was conducted between 22 October and 31 December, 2024, using a structured questionnaire developed in KoboToolbox and distributed electronically to healthcare workers. The questionnaire included sections on demographic information, knowledge, attitude and practice). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. Knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were categorized as good (>75%), moderate (50–75%), or poor (<50%). Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel 365 and STATA version 17. Only 44% of participants had previously heard the term “climate change,” indicating limited baseline awareness. However, 87.1% demonstrated good knowledge when informed, particularly regarding human-related causes and health impacts. Attitudes were highly positive, with over 90% recognizing the importance of healthcare workers in climate-related education and public health efforts. Despite strong attitudes, only 30.5% reported practicing environmentally responsible behaviors consistently. Key gaps were observed in recycling, water conservation, and use of sustainable transportation. Despite favorable knowledge and attitudes, climate-related practices among healthcare workers remain limited. Strengthening education, awareness, and institutional support is essential to enhance their role in climate resilience efforts in Al-Najaf.
In the present study, the corrosion behaviour of cement prepared using AFR-09 (Alternative Fuel Resource-09), formulated from coal dust, rice husk, bagasse, casuarina leaves, coir pith, and groundnut shell, was evaluated under different aggressive environments. Cement clinker was produced by replacing conventional coal with AFR-09 briquettes at substitution levels of 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%, followed by preparation of cement paste specimens. The specimens were exposed to 5% HSO, 3% HCl, 3.5% NaCl, and deionized water for 90 days, and their corrosion performance was assessed using gravimetric weight loss measurements. The results revealed that corrosioninduced deterioration increased progressively with increasing AFR-09 substitution. Sulfuric acid produced the most severe degradation, followed by hydrochloric acid and sodium chloride solutions, while deionized water caused negligible deterioration. The specimen containing 30% AFR-09 exhibited the highest weight losses of 9.76 g, 8.63 g, and 0.71 g in sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, and sodium chloride media, respectively. The increased deterioration was attributed to greater pore connectivity, higher permeability, formation of microcracks, and reduced chemical stability of hydration products, which facilitated the ingress of sulfate and chloride ions. Although higher AFR substitution reduced corrosion resistance under highly aggressive environments, the study demonstrates the technical feasibility of employing bio-waste-derived alternative fuels in clinker production to reduce fossil fuel consumption, agricultural waste disposal, and carbon emissions.
The integration of nanotechnology into agricultural and post-harvest machinery has emerged as a transformative approach to address environmental challenges and enhance sustainable practices. Nanotechnology offers innovative solutions for pollution control and bioremediation by improving the efficiency and functionality of equipment used in farming and post-harvest operations. Engineered nanomaterials can be incorporated into agricultural machinery to optimize the application of fertilizers and pesticides, minimizing environmental contamination. Additionally, nanotechnology aids in the development of advanced filtration systems for air and water purification, reducing the release of harmful pollutants into ecosystems. In post-harvest machinery, nanosensors and coatings enhance the detection of spoilage and ensure contamination free storage, further supporting food safety and reducing waste. This convergence of nanotechnology with agricultural machinery not only mitigates pollution but also facilitates bioremediation by enhancing the degradation of contaminants in soil and water through nano based catalysts. By promoting resource efficiency and environmental stewardship, the implementation of nanotechnology in these domains offers a promising pathway toward greener and more resilient agricultural systems. In crop production, nanotechnology aids in the development of smart delivery systems for fertilizers, pesticides, and nutrients, which optimize usage and reduce environmental impact. Continued research and development in this field are essential to fully realize its potential and address the challenges associated with its application and its impact on the environment.
In this comprehensive review, we emphasized to evaluate the comparative analysis regarding recyclability of porcelain or ceramic insulators wastes versus polymeric or composite insulators’ wastes, which could be used as raw materials for other industrial activities. Interestingly, many studies reported better efficacy of the porcelain or ceramic insulators as concrete for building materials while polymeric or composite insulators wastes to make raw materials are costly affair and sometimes hazardous to the environment. The insulators made up of ceramic or porcelain has many advantages as compared to polymeric or composite insulators. In conclusion, recyclable products could easily be obtained from the wastes of porcelain or ceramic insulators as compared to polymeric or composite insulators. This study may be helpful for industries, academician and authorities to work on future research for waste to wealth concept and circular economy.
Achieving a sustainable energy future is greatly aided by biofuels, especially in terms of easing to switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. The environmental problems that conventional fuels create particularly in the transportation sector highlight the significance of biofuels as a workable alternative. First-generation biofuels come from food crops, while advanced generations make use of biomass that is not intended for human consumption. Among these, waste cooking oil (WCO) biodiesel stands out as a potentially useful substitute. WCO-based biodiesel is an attempt to develop a more ecologically friendly and sustainable energy system because of lower pollution levels in the environment and provides a practical means of managing oil and grease waste. Supportive policies, including incentives and research, are vital for advancing biofuel adoption and addressing challenges like feedstock supply and environmental impact.
The Indian textile industry is of major economic importance and relies on a great deal of dyeing, where the resulting effluents present glaring environmental and health hazards. This review covers physical, chemical, and biological methods for dye degradation. The physical methods include nano-filtration, reverse osmosis, electro-dialysis, and adsorption, which provide effective removal of pollutants. Breakdown of complex dyes takes place through chemical methods like Fenton Reagent, Ozone and UV/H2O2 treatment, while the biological method-includes enzymatic degradation, microbial treatment, phytoremediation, or biosorption-offers scope for a clean environment. Adjustment of pH value and temperature can be helpful to accelerate efficiency in the treatment process. Sustainable solutions and environmental protection are interlinked and call for joint efforts by the stakeholders.
Solid Waste is being produced since the beginning of civilization. Dumping or land filling in open space is the most common method adopted all over the world from the early days. When solid waste is dumped in low-lying areas, it meets groundwater resulting in the generation of leachate, a mineralized liquid that contains organic and inorganic substances. Drinking or using contaminated water with leachate water in food preparation leads to widespread acute and chronic illnesses. The use of catalysts in the photocatalytic degradation process for oxidation has been considered over the last decades for the wastewater treatment. Therefore, nanoparticles such as TiO2 nanoparticles, Cu-doped TiO2 nanoparticles and Zn-doped TiO2 nanoparticles were utilized for this study with the presence of Na2 S2 O8.The effectiveness of Vi and UV-based advanced oxidation processes for the treatment of landfill leachate was evaluated and identified 99% COD removal by 0.8 mg/l Cu-doped TiO2 nanoparticles.
Cancer is a major life risk disease in the world. One of the main causes of cancer diseases is smoking and chewing tobacco products which are the principal risk factor for causation of lung cancer for males. Air pollution is a complex mixture of particulate matter and gases produced by industrial and commercial activities and different types of transportations. But according to the WHO, particulate matter Trusted Source is most closely associated with cancer. Particulate matter refers to a mix of tiny solid and liquid particles that are suspended in the air. We shall conclude that our analysis suggested the existence of the long term effects of air pollution of common levels on lung cancer. In the Chennai regions, higher air pollution associated with increase transmission of lung cancer. Also, air pollution factors NOX, SO2 , PM2.5 and PM10 in Chennai district were taken into account of this research study. The data were analyzed with Poisson regression analysis using R software. The aim of this study is to estimate the associations between air pollution and lung cancer in Chennai district, Tamil Nadu.
This study developed a magnetic bacterial cellulose (MBC) nanocomposite by integrating Fe3 O4 nanoparticles into bacterial cellulose to enhance its adsorption capacity and enable magnetic separation. The composite achieved a maximum Pb²+ adsorption capacity of 81.9 mg/g under optimal conditions (pH 5.5, 40 °C, 120 min), outperforming many conventional adsorbents. Reusability tests showed that MBC retained 36.05% of its adsorption capacity after five cycles, demonstrating its durability for water treatment. The material’s biodegradability and high efficiency provides a sustainable solution for mitigating heavy metal pollution, highlighting its potential for practical environmental applications.
Understanding bacterial diversity has revealed the presence of key microbial species that play vital roles in maintaining water quality, decomposing organic matter and influencing nutrient cycles. It can also help in identifying potential indicators of environmental changes or disturbances, aiding in the management and conservation of lake ecosystems. Leveraging technology for lake ecosystem monitoring not only enhances our understanding of these complex systems but also supports effective management and conservation practices, ultimately contributing to the longterm health and sustainability of lakes and their surrounding environments. Additionally, insights gained from such studies may contribute to advancements in biotechnological applications and wastewater treatment processes. There has been limited research on the composition of bacterial communities in freshwater lakes located in and around Udaipur. The research has specifically concentrated on assessing the impact of natural and human-induced influences on microbial biomass, alongwith the chemical and biological characteristics of the lakes. These investigations have examined both the taxonomic and functional aspects of bacterial populations present in the lakes. Advanced techniques, including amplicon gene sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA), have been employed to unravel the diversity and arrangement of bacterial communities in these tropical freshwater lakes. Studying bacterial diversity in lakes can provide insights into the ecosystem’s health, nutrient cycling efficiency, and overall ecological balance
Different factors in vertebrates cordially regulate sex differentiation and determination. There are certain aquatic-aerial pollutants, which are also known as Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs), are potent regulators of sex differentiation in fishes. Repeated exposure to EDCs might negatively influence sexual as well as reproductive behaviours. Steroid hormones, certain common pollutants of air and water, environmental cues like temperature and some estrogenic mimics (fadrozole) can alter gonadal growth and differentiation. The absence of female-specific gonadal steroid estradiol17 (E2) congruent with androgen biosynthesis promotes sex differentiation toward male fish. A cluster of genes such as DMRT1, SOX9, SF1, AMH and steroidogenic enzymes that allow androgen synthesis undergo elevated expression in male zebra fish. Importantly, aromatase gene expression and the early steroidogenesis in fish gonads are sensitive to temperature. The development of gonads is susceptible to EDCs or pollutants, and these chemicals can modulate the production of sex- steroid hormones, thus directly affects the fish reproduction. The optimum exposure of EDCs at developmental stages can severely affect viable egg production, sperm quality and spawning rate in this species. Inhibition of the E2 synthesizing enzyme, P450 aromatase, might cause genetically female fish to show male phenotypic characters. Recently, alteration in gonadal differentiation and courtship behaviour in Zebra Fish and other teleost’s is an exciting area of research.
Carbon exists in water in mainly two forms - carbon dioxide and carbonates. The estimation of carbon dioxide level in water includes certain limitations due to its high solubility and rate of diffusion in water. In natural water systems, carbon dioxide concentration can indicate the level of oxygen, pH and overall water quality. In the present study, an attempt has been made to determine the carbon dioxide concentration in the water samples collected from 10 different banks of river Ganga located around the city of Kolkata, by titration method.
