Industrial dye contamination represents a major environmental concern, necessitating efficient and sustainable remediation strategies. In this study, a CuO@pectin/Arabic gum-g-diethylaminoethyl methacrylate (CuO@pectin/Arabic gum-g-DEAEMA) nanocomposite hydrogel was developed via gamma irradiation–induced copolymerization, providing a clean and initiator-free synthesis route. Successful incorporation of CuO nanoparticles was confirmed by DLS, EDX, and XRD analyses, while TGA demonstrated enhanced thermal stability. SEM observations revealed a rough and wrinkled surface morphology favorable for dye adsorption. BET analysis further showed that CuO incorporation increased the surface area from 14.05 to 28.22 m2 g⁻1 and the total pore volume from 0.08685 to 0.2201 cm3 g⁻1, confirming improved porosity and accessibility of adsorption sites. Adsorption studies showed that methylene blue (MB) removal follows a pseudo-second-order kinetic model, indicating chemisorption, while the Freundlich isotherm suggests heterogeneous multilayer adsorption. The CuO-containing hydrogel exhibited significantly improved adsorption performance compared with the pristine system. In addition, the nanocomposite demonstrated antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, indicating potential resistance to biofouling. The developed hydrogel combines green synthesis, enhanced porosity, improved adsorption efficiency, and multifunctional performance, making it a promising candidate for sustainable wastewater treatment applications.
Arsenic-bearing gypsum (ABG) is a typical hazardous solid waste generated from the non-ferrous metal smelting industry. In this study, corn stover, a common agricultural waste, was used as a co-pyrolysis substrate for arsenic (As) removal and immobilization from ABG. The effects of corn stover dosage, pyrolysis temperature, dosage of the auxiliary reagent (i.e., sulfuric acid), and reaction time on As removal efficiency from ABG, along with the corresponding synergistic mechanisms, were systematically explored. Under optimized conditions (corn stover/ABG mass ratio = 2:1, 750 °C, sulfuric acid dosage = 0.4 mL/g, reaction time = 240 min), the total As content in the pyrolysis product was reduced to 0.63
Soil contamination by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) is a crucial abiotic stress factor, which negatively affects crop growth and yield. Sea fennel (Crithmum maritimum) has demonstrated notable tolerance to adverse conditions, making it a potential tolerant candidate for cultivation in contaminated soils. The present study investigated the impact of zeolite and poultry manure (PM) application on plant growth and bioaccumulation of PTEs (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) in a highly contaminated soil. Although the amendments did not lead to significant variations in biomass, the plant thrived in contaminated soil, suggesting high resistance to abiotic stress. Poultry manure reduced Pb availability in soil by 28
Nowadays, antimony (Sb) pollution resulting from industrial activities has evolved into a critical global environmental issue, posing severe threats to aquatic ecosystems and human health. Notably, hydroxyl-dominated adsorbents are predominantly adopted in practical engineering for Sb remediation due to their facile preparation and low cost, but suffer from inherent drawbacks of unsatisfactory adsorption efficiency and poor selectivity, which severely limits their application in complex wastewater matrices-especially in acidic mine tunnel seepage water from non-ferrous metal mining areas, where the urgent demand for efficient Sb removal remains unmet. To address these challenges and cater to the practical treatment needs of acidic mine tunnel seepage water, a novel FeMnO₃-FeSO₃ composite was fabricated via a liquid-phase controlled solvothermal strategy using CS₂ as the sulfur source, where the material structure was regulated by adjusting the water–ethanol ratio, enabling sulfur to stably grow as FeSO₃ crystals on the FeMnO₃ surface. The composite exhibited enhanced Sb adsorption capacity, with maximum adsorption capacities for Sb(III) and Sb(V) reaching 48.2 mg·g⁻1 and 46.8 mg·g⁻1 (at an initial Sb concentration of 5.0 mg·L⁻1 and pH 4.0), respectively. It also showed superior Sb selectivity against high-concentration coexisting ions, excellent stability in practical smelting wastewater, and surface sulfur modification effectively inhibited metal ion leaching. Systematic characterizations revealed that the stable FeSO₃-modified surface induced synergistic interfacial electrostatic and high-affinity complexation effects, accounting for the superior performance. This work provides a feasible approach for designing high-performance sulfur-modified adsorbents, offering promising technical support for Sb-contaminated wastewater remediation, particularly for the challenging treatment of acidic mine tunnel seepage water.
Microplastics (MPs) are persistent environmental pollutants that pose significant threats to aquatic biota and ecosystems. Understanding the distribution and abundance of MPs in freshwater systems is crucial for developing effective mitigation strategies to address their adverse impacts. Most studies have reported MPs pollution in selected river sections or at source points along rivers. In contrast, the present study investigated the abundance, distribution, and characteristics of MPs from headwaters to the river mouth in the Attanagalu River, a freshwater system of ecological importance in Sri Lanka. Surface water and sediment samples were collected from 15 strategically selected sites along the river. MPs were detected in all sampled surface water and sediment, with abundances ranging from 1.12 to 17.45 items m⁻3 in surface water and 11.38 to 129.47 items kg⁻1 in sediment. Spatial analysis revealed the highest MPs concentrations near the river mouth and the lowest near the river origin, indicating potential accumulation zones. All detected MPs were secondary in origin, with fibers as the predominant type, and the majority were less than 1 mm in size in surface water and sediment. Raman spectroscopy identified the polymer composition of MPs, revealing the presence of polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride. These findings underscore the pervasive nature of MPs pollution in the Attanagalu River and highlight the need for further studies to identify pollution sources and quantify the MPs load transported by the river.
Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive pollutants in marine ecosystems, yet their transfer across trophic levels in rocky tidal pools (RTPs) remains understudied. We collected and analyzed 239 samples, including seawater, sand, seaweed, and invertebrates representing multiple trophic levels, from RTPs at Nature’s Valley (Indian Ocean). Microplastics were detected in 98
Microplastics are an emerging pollutant widely distributed across environmental compartments, posing potential ecological risks in urban coastal regions. This study investigates the occurrence, characteristics, and ecological risk of microplastics in soil, water, and air-associated dust within Chennai, a rapidly growing coastal megacity in southern India. A total of seventy-five samples were collected, comprising twenty-five samples from each environmental matrix. Analysis was performed in triplicate, utilizing procedural blanks and controlled laboratory conditions to ensure data integrity. Microplastics were extracted from 500 g of soil, 1 L of surface water, and 10 g of air dust per site. Polymer composition was determined using Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. Abundance ranged from 8–31 MPs/kg in soil, 8–23 MPs/L in water, and 3–9 MPs/10 g in air dust, indicating higher accumulation in soil. Fibers (59.2
This study reports the hydrothermal synthesis of silver-anchored binary (PNBC–Ag/TiO₂, PNBC–Ag/Mg(OH)₂) and ternary (PNBC–Ag/TiO₂/Mg(OH)₂) nanocomposites using activated biochar (PNBC) derived from dead pine needles as a sustainable support. Structural, optical and surface analyses using XRD, FTIR, XPS, FESEM/HRTEM, and UV–Vis DRS confirmed the successful integration of Ag, TiO₂, and Mg(OH)₂ within the biochar matrix, producing nanocrystalline composites with improved light-absorption properties. The ternary nanocomposite demonstrated superior photocatalytic performance, achieving 98.4
Excess fluoride in industrial wastewater poses serious environmental and health risks due to its toxicity and persistence in aquatic environments. This study developed a low-cost ZnCl₂-modified biochar from waste banana peels and corn cobs for fluoride removal. The prepared adsorbent was characterized using TGA, XRD, FTIR, and SEM analyses. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to evaluate the influence of pH (2–12), contact time (20–120 min), adsorbent dosage (0.1–2.0 g), and initial fluoride concentration (5–60 mg/L). The results confirmed that the treated biochar exhibited enhanced surface roughness, improved porosity, and abundant active functional groups that facilitate fluoride adsorption. Under optimal conditions (pH 4, 80 min contact time, 2 g dosage, and 30 mg/L fluoride concentration), the removal efficiency of 95.5 ± 1.10
Textile industry is one of the reason for the major cause of environmental pollution all over the world, they release unwanted dye effluents. This study describes the synthesis of a combined nanocomposite of reduced graphene and silver nanoparticles oxide (rGO-AgNP) from the aqueous extract of Cucurbita moschata peel by simultaneous reduction of graphene oxide and silver ions. The synthesized nanocomposite (rGO-AgNP) were characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The antibacterial activity of rGO-AgNP nanocomposite were tested against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria strains, which ensures enhanced antibacterial efficacy. This green synthesized nanocomposite act as a photocatalytic agent or adsorbent for dye removal thereby plays a major role in wastewater treatment. Adsorption efficiency of synthesized nanocomposite was studied by using coomassie brilliant blue dye. The different parameters that influence the dye removal efficiency such as effect of adsorbent dosage, time, pH and light source were investigated. The good adsorbent recovery and its great efficiency for cyclic use shows that it is an economically and environment friendly photocatalyst. The final outcome determines the synthesized rGO-AgNP nanocomposite are very effectual in removal of dye and have a great effect on wastewater treatment. The novelty of the research work lies in the synergistic design of the rGO–AgNP nanocomposite and its dual mechanism with adsorption and photocatalysis, which offers a sustainable and energy-efficient system for the dye removal process.
Pollution by petroleum hydrocarbons remains a critical environmental crisis and remediation efforts are shifting towards nature-based solutions such as phytoremediation and the utilization of microbial consortia. The current study assessed the effectiveness of Vetiveria zizanioides (Vetiver grass) and an inoculated bacterial consortium to promote total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) remediation and analysed the bacteriome in the rhizosphere and endosphere. The bacterial consortia were made from hydrocarbon-degrading and biosurfactant producing isolates (Bacillus subtilis, Mitsuaria chitosanitabida, Burkholderia pseudomultivorans, and Acinetobacter seifertii) from the rhizosphere of Panicum virgatum growing in natural oil-contaminated soils. In soil microcosm experiments, Vetiver plants inoculated with the bacterial consortium achieved the highest reduction in TPH relative to Controls over the 60-day experimental period. While oil treatment reduced biomass relative to other treatments, Vetiver growth was sustained and improved in the presence of the bacterial consortium. Overall, the treatment with Oil + Consortia + Vetiver had the least (P < 0.05) TPH concentration, followed by the Oil + Consortia, and Oil + Vetiver. At Day 60, the combined Oil + Consortia + Vetiver treatment reduced total petroleum hydrocarbons by 96
Groundwater fluoride pollution is a significant public health concern particularly in regions where cost-effective and efficient treatment solutions are not feasible. However, many improved biochar-based adsorbents have been studied, but reaching high removal effectiveness at realistic fluoride concentrations with minimal material consumption still remains a critical problem. In this study, a novel zinc–zirconium oxide-modified biochar composite (BZ2) was prepared from coconut shell biochar to improve the fluoride adsorption performance by the synergistic dual metal oxide modification. XRD, SEM and EDAX studies verified the effective incorporation and homogenous distribution of crystalline ZnO and ZrO2 nanoparticles in the porous charcoal matrix. Batch adsorption tests were performed to investigate the effects of adsorbent dosage, contact time, pH and temperature at an initial fluoride content of 5 mg L−1, which represents the real ground water conditions. The composite BZ2 showed superior removal effectiveness (98
Microalgae are recognized as sensitive bioindicators for assessing aquatic pollution, yet the combined effects of chemically distinct contaminants on them remain poorly explored. This study investigated the chronic toxicity of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a persistent per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS), and the cyanotoxin Cylindrospermopsin (CYN), individually and in binary mixtures, on the freshwater microalga Monoraphidium capricornutum. Algal cultures were exposed for 12 days to PFOA (1000–2000 µg/L) and CYN (50–100 µg/L). Growth effects, antioxidant biomarkers (Glutathione (GSH), Glutathione S-transferase (GST), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT)), and oxidative damage indicators (protein carbonylation and lipid peroxidation) were assessed. The biomarkers showed significant reduction in GST activity (up to 64,37
While MIL-101(Cr) possesses an elevated specific surface area and a well-ordered framework, its performance in removing cationic tetracycline (TC) and minocycline (MC) is limited by its weak surface electronegativity and insufficient active adsorption sites. To address this, strongly electronegative phosphotungstic acid (PTA) was introduced within the MIL-101(Cr) framework, thereby augmenting its surface electronegativity. Subsequently, a bimetallic (Mg and Zr) doping strategy was employed to fabricate a novel MgZr@PTA-MIL-101(Cr) composite, which synergistically boosted the adsorption of TC and MC. Despite a slight reduction in specific surface area compared to MIL-101(Cr), the synthesized composite maintained a high value of 1555.95 m2·g−1 and exhibited favorable thermal stability. The adsorption of TC and MC by MgZr@PTA-MIL-101(Cr) obeyed the pseudo-second-order and Langmuir models. The maximum adsorption capacities reached 406.45 mg·g−1 (TC) and 414.91 mg·g−1 (MC), demonstrating exceptional performance. MgZr@PTA-MIL-101(Cr) consistently achieved adsorption efficiencies of approximately 90
The Yellow River basin (YRB) is an important base of water resources, energy and food in China. The shortage of water, energy and food affects regional development, so it is necessary to consider the intrinsic correlation of water, energy and food. This paper constructed a water-energy-food (WEF) evaluation index system, adopted comprehensive evaluation and coupling coordination model to analyze the coupling coordination of WEF system in the YRB from 2002 to 2021, and utilized spatio-temporal evolution model to study the spatio-temporal evolution. The results of the YRB from 2002 to 2021 showed that: (1) The comprehensive evaluation indexes of water resources, energy and food showed an upward trend as a whole. The comprehensive evaluation index of food rose the most obviously, followed by energy and water resources. (2) The nine provinces and regions and the whole of WEF were at a high level coupling degree, and the change of spatial evolution was very little. (3) The coupling coordination degree of WEF had improved significantly. It was very close to the intermediate stage of coordinated development, showing an obvious state of “high in the east and low in the west”, and there were no autocorrelation.
Triclosan (TCS) has attracted much attention due to its high toxicity. Recent studies have shown that triclosan is not removed after wastewater treatment. In this paper, the degradation of TCS was investigated by catalytic ozonation process and the cytotoxicity of by-products was evaluated. Coprecipitation method was used for mesoporous graphene oxide/Fe3O4 nanocomposite synthesis. The catalytic activity of nanocomposite was investigated in ozonation degradation of TCS in the simulated wastewater. The influence of air flow and catalyst concentration was studied. MTT Assay was used to identify the cytotoxicity of by-products. The mesoporous nanocomposite has a specific surface area of 163.27 m2/g, total pore volume of 0.267 cm3/g and mean pore diameter of 6.54 nm. GO/Fe3O4 exhibited superior catalytic activity compared to Fe3O4 and GO (92.63
This study investigates the removal efficiency of Acid Yellow 17 (AY 17) dye and the associated energy consumption in a laboratory-scale electro-oxidation process using Ti/Pt anodes optimized through response surface methodology (RSM). The Box-Behnken Design (BBD) was applied to determine the optimum operating conditions of current density (0.946–2.84 mA.cm−2), pH (3–9), initial dye concentration (50–200 mg L−1), and support electrolyte concentration (5–10 mM) to maximize removal efficiency while minimizing energy consumption. Second-order quadratic models were successfully developed, and analysis of variance confirmed the statistical significance and strong predictive capability of the models (R2 0.9950 for removal efficiency and R2 0.9998 for energy consumption). Under the optimum operating conditions (current density: 1.465 mA cm−2, pH 3, supporting electrolyte concentration: 10 mM) at an initial dye concentration of 200 mg.L−1, a removal efficiency of 80.12
To explore the potential of nanotechnology in soil reclamation and enhance gypsum efficiency for sustainable agriculture, we examined individual and combined treatments of nano-gypsum (NG), biochar, and microbial inoculants (Trichoderma harzianum and Pseudomonas fluorescens) for effective soil reclamation of saline-sodic soil. The experiment comprised nine treatments, with nano-gypsum (NG) applied at three levels, both alone and in combination with biochar and microbial inoculants, along with a conventional gypsum-based reference treatment (Control, GR). The treatments were incubated for 15, 30, and 45 days. Subsequently, a soil column leaching experiment was conducted to evaluate the synergistic effects of the different amendments on leachate and soil characteristics. Findings reveal that Treatment T9 (NG at 45
Groundwater enriched in fluoride (F−) and nitrate (NO3−) poses significant health risks worldwide. Several studies have reported the health hazards associated with F− and NO3− in groundwater; however, region-specific assessments remain limited in tropical regions of Eastern India. Therefore, to evaluate groundwater quality from a health perspective, a Python-assisted, GIS-based analytical approach, combined with hydrogeochemical interpretation, statistical analysis, and human health risk assessment, was implemented. A total of 83 groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for physicochemical and hydrogeochemical parameters during the post-monsoon (December 2022). Results indicated that 62
Lead (Pb) pollution in aquatic systems continues to be a significant environmental and public health issue. This situation thus necessitates a focus on effective methods for removing Pb from contaminated water. While Panicum maximum has been recognized for its capacity to absorb heavy metals from soil, its potential to adsorb heavy metals from contaminated water has not been widely studied. Moreover, comparison of adsorption characteristics of an adsorbent with its biochar has not been elaborated in many instances despite the need for such observations for sustainability and extension toward applications. Although Panicum maximum is frequently utilized as livestock feed, its significant economic value has yet to be established. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the potential of using raw Panicum maximum plant fibers (PMF), which have a cosmopolitan distribution, along with its biochar, as affordable biosorbents for the uptake of Pb(II) from aqueous solutions. According to the outcomes, both raw and biochar forms of PMF exhibit > 90
