This study demonstrated the use of two plant leaves, Salvia officinalis (SO) and Alchemilla vulgaris (AV), as natural absorbents to remove the copper ions (Cu2+) from an aqueous solution. The adsorption process was investigated under different operating conditions, including the initial concentration of the Cu2+ ion, contact time, pH, particle size, and adsorbent dose, at room temperature. The adsorbent materials were characterised using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) tests. The best Cu2+ ion removal efficiency was 95.864% on SO leaves under the following optimal conditions: pH 6, a contact time of 75 min, an adsorbent material dose of 10 g/L, an initial Cu2+ ion concentration of 10 mg/L and a particle size of 75 µm. The maximum removal efficiency for Cu2+ ions was 91.566% on AV leaves with optimum parameters of pH 6, a contact time of 90 min, an adsorbent material dose of 15 g/L, an initial Cu2+ ion concentration of 10 mg/L and a particle size of 75 µm at 25 ± 5°C temperature. It was also found that the equilibrium results from the adsorption procedure were well fitted by the Freundlich isotherm model. The maximum adsorption capacity for Cu2+ ions was 16.949 mg/g on SO leaves and 10.101 mg/g on AV leaves. It was observed that the pseudo-second-order model provided a good fit to the Cu2+ ion removal rate per dry mass of plant leaves. The results conclude that both SO and AV leaves can be effectively applied as adsorbents for the removal of Cu2+ ions from an aqueous solution.
This study investigates the adsorption of aspirin from aqueous solution using expanded vermiculite as a low-cost adsorbent. Expanded vermiculite was prepared via hydrogen peroxide-assisted treatment combined with microwave irradiation, resulting in an exfoliated structure with enhanced surface area. Characterization by SEM, XRD, FT-IR, and BET confirmed significant structural and textural modifications after expansion. Batch adsorption experiments showed that the equilibrium data are well described by the Langmuir isotherm model, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 42.84 mg/g, indicating monolayer adsorption on relatively homogeneous active sites. Kinetic analysis revealed that the adsorption process follows the pseudo-second-order model, suggesting that chemisorption may play an important role. Intraparticle diffusion analysis further indicated that the adsorption proceeds through multiple steps. These findings demonstrate that expanded vermiculite is a promising and cost-effective adsorbent for the removal of aspirin from aqueous environments.
This issue is special because it is dedicated to a very important milestone. Our Member of Honour, Dr. Valdas Adamkus, President of the Republic of Lithuania, is celebrating his 100th birthday. That is a good occasion to express gratitude to him for his lifetime dedication to environmental protection and his long support for our journal.
Thailand is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, ranked 8th by the Global Climate Risk Index (CRI) for the period 1999–2018. In response, the National Strategy 2018–2037 outlines pathways for both adaptation and mitigation. The waste management sector is a notable contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for more than 16,000 Gg CO2-eq, approximately 4–5% of Thailand’s total emissions. Municipal solid waste (MSW) management is particularly relevant in developing countries, where emissions vary considerably across municipality types. This study aims to determine GHG emissions from MSW management in Phitsanulok Province, Thailand, using questionnaire-based data collected from municipalities. Emissions were calculated for both end-of-life treatment and transportation stages. The results reveal significant differences across municipality types. City municipality generated the highest average emissions (26,531 tonnes CO2-eq/year), followed by town municipality (4206 tonnes CO2-eq/year), subdistrict municipality (1837 tonnes CO2-eq/year), and subdistrict administrative organization (1168 tonnes CO2-eq/year). While total emissions were greatest in the city municipality, per capita emissions did not scale proportionally, reflecting differences in population density, waste generation, and management practices. This province-scale analysis provides new insights into the role of municipality type in shaping waste-related emissions. The findings underscore the importance of differentiated climate mitigation strategies in the waste sector to develop more sustainable, low-carbon MSW management systems in Thailand and other developing countries.
Ensuring safe drinking water in schools is essential for protecting adolescent health and achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6. Evidence from Iraqi secondary schools remains limited. This study aims to assess the physicochemical and microbiological quality of drinking water in Al-Hilla City. A cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2025 and February 2026 in 17 secondary schools in Al-Hilla City, Iraq. Drinking water samples were analyzed for physicochemical parameters (pH, turbidity, total dissolved solids, hardness, calcium, magnesium, nitrate, chloride) and microbiological indicators (total coliforms and Escherichia coli) using American Public Health Association standard methods. The results were compared with World Health Organization and Iraqi drinking water standards. The results of the study reveal that bacteriological contamination was detected in 35.3% of samples, indicating non-compliance with World Health Organization guidelines. Most physicochemical parameters were within permissible limits; however, total dissolved solids exceeded standards in 70.6% of samples, turbidity in 11.8%, and total hardness in 23.5% of water samples, and calcium exceeded the Iraqi standard in 17.6% of water samples. Although chemical safety was generally acceptable, the presence of microbial contamination and elevated dissolved solids in several schools suggests potential health risks. Routine monitoring, improved disinfection, and maintenance of school water systems are recommended to ensure sustained compliance with drinking water standards.
