The Australian native plant, Acacia dealbata, is prized for its fragrance, yet a comprehensive chemical analysis of its tissues and the efficacy of sustainable extraction methods remain under-explored. This study evaluated the volatile organic compound (VOC) profiles of different tissues from Australian Acacia dealbata. Absolutes (concentrated fragrance extracts) were extracted from flower and leaf tissue using conventional and green techniques, and the VOC profiles of both were compared with commercial absolute samples using headspace GC-MS analysis. A. dealbata flower and leaf extracts showed rich VOC profiles, thus proved suitable for the extraction of absolutes, while bark and seed contained few VOCs. Among the flower absolutes, green absolutes extracted using vegetable oils (sunflower, canola, and olive oil) gave higher extraction yields and more complex VOC profiles than a conventional absolute using n-heptane. Commercial absolute samples showed higher number of aroma compounds identified, however these samples show evidence of significant adulteration. The major VOCs in A. dealbata flower and flower absolute extracts were alcohols including isopropanol and methyl-butanol, esters including ethyl acetate and ethyl benzoate, aldehydes including 2-methylpropanal and 2-methylbutanal, and organic acids including acetic acid and propanoic acid. Leaf and leaf absolute mainly contained ketones including 2-pentanone and 3-pentanone, alcohols including 1-penten-3-ol, 2-hexen-1-ol and isopropanol, aldehydes including pentanal and 2-methylpropanal, and organic acids including acetic acid and formic acid. This research establishes a definitive VOC fingerprint for authenticating A. dealbata absolutes and validates vegetable oil-based green extraction as a scalable alternative for the foods, cosmetics, and fragrance industries.

Efficient and reproducible extraction of pigments and lipids from microalgae remains a challenge for comprehensive LC-MS-based profiling. This study systematically compared two cell lysis methods and five commonly used solvents in algal extractions with different polarities (100% methanol; acetone:water (9:1 v/v); ethanol/ hexane (2:1 v/v); chloroform/ methanol/water (8:4:3 v/v/v), ethanol/hexane (1:1)) and compared the pigment and lipid class profiles from three microalgal species (Haematococcus pluvialis, Desmodesmus subspicatus, and Chlorella variabilis). The analytes were measured using a fast, sensitive LC-MS method with a C18 column and a gradient of water (A) and water:acetonitrile:isopropanol (5:20:75 v/v/v). These conditions separated 16 pigments, phosphatidylcholines (PCs), and triacylglycerols (TAGs) in 25 min. Mechanical disruption by bead beating was found to be essential for achieving higher extraction yields compared with sonication alone; accordingly, bead beating was subsequently applied across the five extraction solvent systems. It was found that the 9:1 v/v acetone:water mixture provided the broadest pigment and lipid coverage, while ethanol/hexane yielded the highest efficiency for chlorophyll and non-polar TAGs. These results highlight the significant influence of solvent polarity as no single solvent mixture can be considered optimal for all compound classes. In summary, among the five solvent systems evaluated, 9:1 v/v acetone:water combined with bead beating represented the least toxic extraction strategy and enabled broad recovery of pigments and polar lipids across the three microalgal species examined; however, it was less effective for highly non-polar triacylglycerols.

The increasing volume of electronic waste (e-waste) is a significant global environmental and public health concern. Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) are used as plasticisers in insulation coatings of electric materials, and if not effectively separated in preliminary recycling processes and enter pyrometallurgical processes, can lead to unintentional PAE emissions. Understanding these emissions is crucial for assessing potential environmental and health risks, as well as for developing effective recycling and emission control strategies. Most current analytical methods have limitations for estimating airborne PAE emissions during e-waste pyrolysis as they either rely on offline sampling and preparation potentially introducing uncertainties and contamination from ubiquitous environmental PAEs or employ online techniques that have relatively high limits of detection (LOD). In this work, we developed, validated, and applied a new quantitative online single-shot pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) method for analysis of PAEs, including di(2-ethylhexyl)adipate (DEHA), di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), and di-n-octyl phthalate (DOP) in e-waste matrices. The effect of pyrolysis settings, including temperature and sample residence time, on PAE chromatographic responses were assessed. The chromatographic responses of DEHA, DEHP, and DOP demonstrated good linearity (R2 > 0.990) over 0.1 ng to 20 ng, with LODs ranging from 0.56 to 0.68 ng. The method showed acceptable accuracy and precision (% coefficient of variation, CV and relative error, RE < 20%). Matrix effects showed a strong impact on the analysis, requiring the use of an increased split sample ratio, and correction strategies to minimise bias. The validated method was successfully applied to three representative electronic matrices: a thermocouple cable, an electrolytic capacitor, and a film capacitor, where DEHP and DOP emissions ranged from 3 to 30 mg kg-1. This study presents the development and application of a quantitative analytical method, for the first time, to estimate DEHA, DEHP, and DOP in representative e-waste matrices using a single-shot Py-GC-MS.

Background Creatine is essential for brain development. UNICORN is an observational study designed to assess creatine levels in preterm infants, examine creatine availability through nutrition in the weeks after preterm birth, and correlate preterm creatine levels with neurological outcomes.Methods Infants were recruited at CCDHB in Wellington, New Zealand. Cord blood samples were collected at birth. Serial blood, urine and nutrition samples were collected for preterm babies between birth and hospital discharge. Creatine concentrations were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). A subset of babies underwent a brain magnetic resonance imaging/proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRI/1H-MRS) at term corrected age (CA) and neurodevelopmental evaluation with a general movements assessment at three months CA.Results Sixty-seven babies (extremely preterm >28 weeks gestational age (GA), n=28; very preterm 28-32 weeks, n=15; moderate-late preterm 32-37 weeks, n=11 and term controls <37 weeks, n=13) were enrolled in the study. Venous cord blood creatine concentrations were not affected by gestational age at birth (p=0.3). However, blood creatine concentrations declined with advancing postnatal age (β -0.77μmol/L, 95% CI -1.05, -0.49; p<0.001). By hospital discharge, blood creatine concentrations of extremely preterm infants were 45% lower than moderate-late and very preterm infants (p=0.03). Infants exclusively fed with total parenteral nutrition (TPN) received no creatine through their diet (TPN creatine 0.8 ± 1.62 μmol/L), compared to those on breastmilk (66.4 ± 29.1 μmol/L) and formula (57.3 ± 30.4 μmol/L).Conclusions Analyses are ongoing to assess relationships between an infant’s creatine profile and neurological outcomes. Including creatine supplements in the nutritional management of extremely preterm infants may be beneficial.

One of the major barriers to the mass industrial utilisation of brown seaweeds as food sources stem from the food safety risks associated with their iodine and arsenic concentrations, which typically exceed regulatory limits. Hydrothermal treatments might effectively reduce the high iodine and arsenic concentration of Phyllospora comosa below the Australian maximum residual limits (iodine = 1 mg/g and arsenic = 0.00667 mg/g; dry weight) set for brown seaweeds. The experimental hydrothermal treatments dictated that the 82 degrees C-250 s treatment reduced the iodine concentration from 2.76 mg/g to 0.88 mg/g (68% reduction) and arsenic concentration from 0.01693 mg/g to 0.00965 mg/g (43% reduction). Machine learning models predicted that blanching at 100 degrees C for similar to 4 minutes will reduce the arsenic concentration below its maximum residual limit. Additive log-ratio transformations showed that around 50% (dw) of the hydrothermally treated Phyllospora comosa samples were leached out during the highest treatment intensity, 82 degrees C-250 s. Even though, a half of the biomass is lost, hydrothermally treated Phyllospora comosa products are safer for human consumption and thus may permit the expansion of seaweed production and consumption in Australia.

Photosynthetic organisms sustain growth without continuous light due to photosynthetic reaction kinetics. This study evaluated continuous versus flashing photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) for enhancing biomass productivity and photoprotective mechanisms. Three microalgal species with distinct cell wall structures, pigments, and fatty acid profiles-Haematococcus pluvialis, Chlorella variabilis, and Desmodesmus subspicatus-were examined. Light intensities (50, 120, 200, 480, and 1200 mu mol m- 2 s-1) and photoperiods (16/8, 12/12, 8/16 h light/ dark) were tested under continuous LED illumination. The optimal continuous light intensity (120 mu mol m- 2 s- 1) served as a control for flashing light (FL) treatments: FL-0.05 (50 mu s flash, 450 mu s dark), FL-0.1 (100 mu s flash, 900 mu s dark), and FL-10 (10 ms flash, 90 ms dark). Growth rates notably increased at FL-0.05 for C. variabilis at 0.477 day- 1, FL-0.1 for H. pluvialis at 0.004 day- 1, and D. subspicatus at 0.41 day- 1. Morphological assessments revealed stress responses at higher continuous intensities. Pigment and fatty acid accumulation increased under flashing light, particularly at FL-10. Notably, palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids varied by species and treatment. H. pluvialis exhibited elevated polyunsaturated fatty acids under FL-10, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, key nutraceutical compounds. The chemical data from various flashing regimes demonstrate that flashing light can greatly enhance the levels of pigments such as zeaxanthin, lutein, chlorophylls, astaxanthin, and Div Chl a. Flashing light mitigated stress of high-intensity light while enhancing biomass, pigments, and fatty acids compared to continuous illumination. Continuous exposure to 1200 mu mol m- 2 s-1 induced cellular stress, whereas flashing light enabled efficient light use and recovery. These findings suggest that flashing light regimes can optimize microalgal growth, reduce energy input, increase pigment synthesis, and lipid profiles under highintensity illumination, offering potential for sustainable biotechnological applications.

Injecting CO2 into deep geological formations can be an effective carbon removal and storage technology to mitigate global climate change. Interaction of injected CO2 with rock formations changes pH and hydrochemistry within the deep injection zone (> 800 m depth). However, cap rocks and multiple tight aquitards typically act as barriers to protect the shallow aquifer from changes in the injection zone. Monitoring and evaluation of shallow groundwater quality are essential to verify that carbon capture storage projects (CCS) do not impact the near-surface environment. This study investigated shallow groundwater quality using long-term data (2006–2023) from a regular monitoring program at the Otway International Test Centre (OITC) in Victoria, Australia. It was found that shallow groundwater quality was stable over at least 15 years, during which time three phases of CO2 injection into a deep storage zone occurred. The results highlighted groundwater quality complied with guidelines of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Australian water quality guidelines. Minor and localised changes observed in salinity or pH in shallow monitoring piezometers were caused by natural processes. Moreover, a wide range of groundwater quality indicators were evaluated. The results demonstrated that the groundwater quality of shallow aquifers (< 80 m) at OITC is suitable for agriculture. The study provides assurance and confidence to stakeholders that the quality of the near-surface environment has not been impacted by CO2 injection into confined formations and no pollution has been detected. Although numerous CCS sites around the world are subject to monitoring, no evidence of changes in shallow groundwater quality has been reported that could be traced to CO2 injection in confined formations at > 800 m depth.

The temperate Australian brown seaweed value chains and value chain developments necessitates sufficient characterisation of seaweed compositional changes imparted during preservation methods. In this study, two solid state anaerobic fermentation methods using natural seaweed microbiota and lactic acid bacteria (3.3 x 107 CFU/g Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus) were carried out for sixty days on a freshly collected Phyllospora comosa biomass. The lipid composition of the fermentates were reduced by 12-13 % during the fermentations. The leading losses in the fatty acids were observed for 20:4n-6 (arachidonic acid) and 16:0 (palmitic acid) likely through the selective microbial beta-oxidation and the de novo microbial polyketide fatty acid synthesis. The selective beta-oxidation process depends on the degree of saturation, and chain lengths of fatty acids. The reduction of toxic arsenic also signifies the industrial importance of the solid-state fermentation process. However, the major portion of the P. comosa biomass was unchanged indicating the stabilising effects of the solid-state anaerobic fermentations for long term preservation facilitating enhanced applications in the Australian brown seaweed value chains.

Higher plants utilise nicotianamine synthase (NAS) enzymes to produce nicotianamine (NA), a non-protein amino acid that chelates metals such as iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) for long-distance transport. We identified 34 TaNAS genes in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Chinese Spring), and four additional cultivar-specific TaNAS genes, representing the largest NAS gene family identified to date. The expression of all TaNAS genes was highest in roots and upregulated (apart from the TaNAS9 homoeologs) in response to hydroponic Fe deficiency. The TaNAS proteins ranged between 180 and 384 amino acids in length and showed variable N- and C-termini. To understand TaNAS function, we transformed bread wheat cv. Fielder to overexpress coding sequences from either TaNAS1, TaNAS3, TaNAS4, TaNAS6, or TaNAS7, and isolated three single locus homozygous events and null segregant (NS) controls for each TaNAS overexpression line for glasshouse and field evaluation. Under field conditions, grain Fe, Zn and NA concentrations were up to 1.6-fold, 1.8-fold and 3.7-fold higher, respectively, in TaNAS6 events relative to NS without any negative impacts on agronomic traits. These results demonstrate the usefulness of available online genomic resources for analysing the TaNAS gene family in bread wheat and highlight intragenic strategies to enhance grain nutritional quality. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. Australian Research Council, https://ror.org/05mmh0f86, LP190100631

Metabolically engineered high-leaf oil plants have been developed to meet the increasing demand for plant oils. Oil production of these plants under controlled conditions is promising; however, their performance under field-like conditions with abiotic stresses remains uncertain. In this study, wild-type (WT) and high-leaf oil (HLO) transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants were exposed to moderate and sustained water stress to mimic field conditions. The effects of water stress on biomass and lipid accumulation were investigated at the physiological, biochemical, and transcriptional levels. The presence of transgenes increased leaf triacylglycerol (TAG) levels in HLO plants by upregulating endogenous genes involved in lipid biosynthesis at the expense of biomass reduction, altered leaf lipid content and profile, and a decrease in unsaturation levels of membrane lipids compared to WT plants. Moreover, the biomass penalty in HLO plants could reduce canopy transpiration, contributing to their better performance under water-limited environments. Furthermore, WT and HLO plants exhibited enhanced TAG accumulation under water stress but via different mechanisms. In WT plants, water stress induced lipid remodeling, upregulated genes encoding phosphatidic acid phosphatase (PAP), diacylglycerol o-acyltransferase (DGAT2), and lipid droplet-associated proteins (LDAP1), but downregulated genes encoding Gly-Asp-Ser-Leu (GDSL) lipases. In contrast, HLO plants showed increased TAG accumulation primarily through upregulation of OLEOSINS and downregulation of GDSLs under water stress. In conclusion, moderate water stress promoted oil production in HLO plants, demonstrating the robustness of HLO technology for sustainable oil production in the field under water deficit conditions which may be more prevalent in the future due to climate change.

Sustainable seaweed value chains necessitate accurate biomass biochemical characterisation that leads to product development, geographical authentications and quality and sustainability assurances. Underutilised yet abundantly available seaweed species require a thorough investigation of biochemical characteristics prior to their valorisation. Abundantly available Australian seaweed species lack such comprehensive investigations within the global seaweed industrial value chains. Aiming to bridge this gap, this study characterises Phyllospora comosa thallus segments (blades, stipes, and vesicles) and unsegmented samples collected from separate locations in Victoria, Australia using high throughput characterisation techniques and machine learning classification models. Carbohydrate (64-68 %), ash (27-31 %), potassium (31.01 - 65.01 mg/g), sodium (20.36 - 30.59 mg/ g), calcium (15.10 - 18.40 mg/g), magnesium (7.71 - 11.81 mg/g) and iodine (1.57 - 2.74 mg/g) were the most abundant nutrients of the P. comosa biomasses, on a dry weight basis. Variations between segments showed that stipes were rich in carbohydrate, blades in glutamic acid, calcium, magnesium, and iodine and vesicles in potassium, suggesting differing valorisation paths. The "rpart" classification separated the collection sites based on cadmium: Bancoora < 84.9 x 10(-6) mg/g (dw) <= Port Fairy with a 88 % accuracy and segments, initially based on glutamic acid : blades > 10.61 mg/g (dw) or protein 45.25 mg/g (dw) > stipes and vesicles and then by potassium : vesicles > 44.88 mg/g (dw) > stipes with a 100 % accuracy. These highly accurate characterisation and classification methods, when applied to larger sample sizes will assist in the diversification and expansions of authentic and sustainable Australian seaweed value chains.

Improper waste disposal or inadequate wastewater treatment can result in pharmaceuticals reaching water bodies, posing environmental hazards. In this study, crude extracts containing the laccase enzyme from Pleurotus florida, Pleurotus eryngii, and Pleurotus sajor caju were used to degrade the fluoroquinolone antibiotics (FQs) levofloxacin (LEV), norfloxacin (NOR), ciprofloxacin (CIP), ofloxacin (OFL), and enrofloxacin (ENR) in aqueous solutions. The results for the fungi derived laccase extracts were compared with those obtained using commercially sourced laccase. Proteomics analysis of the crude extracts confirmed the presence of laccase enzyme across all three tested species, with proteins matching those found in Trametes versicolor and Pleurotus ostreatus. In vivo studies were conducted using species pure lines of fungal whole cells. The highest degradation efficiency observed was 77.7% for LEV in the presence of P. sajor caju after 25 days of treatment. Degradation efficiencies ranged from approximately 60-72% for P. florida, 45-76% for P. eryngii, and 47-78% for P. sajor caju. A series of in vitro experiments were also conducted using crude extracts from the three species and outcomes compared with those obtained when commercial laccase was used confirmed laccase as the enzyme responsible for antibiotic removal. The degradation efficiencies in vitro surpassed those measured in vivo, ranging from approximately 91-98% for commercial laccase, 77-92% for P. florida, 76-92% for P. eryngii, and 78-88% for P. sajor caju. Liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) identified the degradation products, indicating a consistent enzymatic degradation pathway targeting the piperazine moiety common to all tested FQs, irrespective of the initial antibiotic structure. Phytoplankton toxicity studies with Dunaliella tertiolecta were performed to aid in understanding the impact of emerging contaminants on ecosystems, and by-products were analysed for ecotoxicity to assess treatment efficacy. Laccase-mediated enzymatic oxidation shows promising results in reducing algal toxicity, notably with Pleurotus eryngii extract achieving a 97.7% decrease for CIP and a 90% decrease for LEV. These findings suggest the potential of these naturally sourced extracts in mitigating antibiotic contamination in aquatic ecosystems.

Ocular allergy (OA) is characterised by ocular surface itchiness, redness, and inflammation in response to allergen exposure. The primary aim of this study was to assess differences in the human tear metabolome and lipidome between OA and healthy controls (HCs) across peak allergy (spring–summer) and off-peak (autumn–winter) seasons in Victoria, Australia. A total of 19 participants (14 OA, 5 HCs) aged 18–45 were recruited and grouped by allergy questionnaire score. Metabolites and lipids from tear samples were analysed using mass spectrometry. Data were analysed using TraceFinder and Metaboanalyst. Metabolomics analysis showed 12 differentially expressed (DE) metabolites between those with OA and the HCs during the peak allergy season, and 24 DE metabolites were found in the off-peak season. The expression of niacinamide was upregulated in OA sufferers vs. HCs across both seasons (p ≤ 0.05). A total of 6 DE lipids were DE between those with OA and the HCs during the peak season, and 24 were DE in the off-peak season. Dysregulated metabolites affected oxidative stress, inflammation, and homeostasis across seasons, suggesting a link between OA-associated itch and ocular surface damage via eye rubbing. Tear lipidome changes were minimal between but suggested tear film destabilisation and thinning. Such metabolipodome findings may pave new and exciting ways for effective diagnostics and therapeutics for OA sufferers in the future.

Photosynthesis is a dynamic, complex, photo-catalytic process that plays a key role in the growth and development of plants. It converts solar energy to chemical energy by precise organisation of light harvesting molecules in the photosynthetic system. Artificially imitating such systems is difficult due to the complexity of different cascades associated with photosynthesis. Nanoparticle mediated photocatalytic complexes have been shown to improve photosynthesis efficiency. Nanomaterials, such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) efficiently capture sunlight and assist in photosynthesis enhancement and nanosheets offer an additional advantage of increased surface area for sunlight harnessing. Foliar nutrition supplementation provides high yield potential to crops and their application in small doses improves the photosynthesis and elevates the plant performance. This study aims at mapping the efficiency of facile one-pot hydrothermally synthesized MoS2 nanosheets in enhancing the photosynthetic ability of tomato plants. The treatments included the supplementation and absence of molybdenum source to plants. Physiological features (root length, shoot length, biomass), biochemical parameters (antioxidant activity), photosynthesis parameters (carbon assimilation, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, water use efficiency, chlorophyll and carotenoid content), uptake and translocation of MoS2 nanosheets were evaluated. Increases of 22.07 %, 49.95 % and 18.56 % in net photosynthetic rate, water use efficiency and chlorophyll content respectively, were observed in MoS2_Nano treated plants compared with untreated plants. These nanosheets improved plant photosynthesis parameters and enhanced photosystem efficiency without inducing phytotoxicity. This study demonstrates the promise of such approaches towards enhanced plant photosystem efficiency, leading to improved agricultural productivity, particularly in the regions with less sunlight.

BACKGROUND:Physiological adaptations during pregnancy alter nutrient and energy metabolism. Creatine may be important for maintaining cellular energy homeostasis throughout pregnancy. However, the impact of pregnancy on endogenous and exogenous creatine availability has never been comprehensively explored. OBJECTIVES:To undertake a prospective cohort study and determine the physiological ranges of creatine and associated metabolites throughout human pregnancy. METHODS:Females with a singleton low-risk pregnancy were recruited at an Australian health service. Maternal blood and urine were collected at 5-time points from 10-36 weeks of gestation, and cord blood and placental samples were collected at birth. Creatine and associated amino acids and metabolites of creatine synthesis were analyzed. Dietary data were captured to determine effects of exogenous creatine intake. Associations between creatine metabolism and neonatal growth parameters were examined. RESULTS:Two hundred and eighty-two females were included. Maternal plasma creatine remained stable throughout pregnancy [β: -0.003 μM; 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.07, 0.07; P = 0.94], though urinary creatine declined in late gestation (β: 0.38 μM/mmol/L creatinine (CRN); 95% CI: -0.47, -0.29; P < 0.0001). Plasma guanidinoacetate (GAA; the precursor to creatine during endogenous synthesis) fell from 10-29 weeks of gestation before rising until birth (β: -0.38 μM/mmol/L CRN; 95% CI: -0.47, -0.29; P < 0.0001). Urinary GAA followed an opposing pattern (β: 2.52 μM/mmol/L CRN; 95% CI: 1.47, 3.58, P < 0.001). Animal protein intake was positively correlated with maternal plasma creatine until ∼32 weeks of gestation (β: 0.07-0.18 μM; 95% CI: 0.006, 0.25; P ≤ 0.001). There were no links between creatine and neonatal growth, but increased urinary GAA in early pregnancy was associated with a slight reduction in head circumference at birth (β: -0.01 cm; 95% CI: -0.02, -0.004; P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS:Although maternal plasma creatine concentrations were highly conserved, creatine metabolism appears to adjust throughout pregnancy. An ability to maintain creatine concentrations through diet and shifts in endogenous synthesis may impact fetal growth. This trial was registered at [registry name] as ACTRN12618001558213.

Critical minerals will remain major active ingredients to most battery technologies for decades and innovation to improve extractive operations during spent battery effluent recycling must be carried out. Although the recovery of metal-ions in aqueous solutions has been demonstrated with membrane systems, including electrodialysis, process intensification to increase the diffusion rate at the membrane/liquid interface must be achieved to improve recovery efficiency. This manuscript presents a unique approach to increase the rate of recovery and transfer of Li+ and Co2+ ions from a membrane bulk phase to an organic liquid phase by applying deep eutectic solvent (DES) instead of an aqueous solution as the permeate stream during electrodialysis. The DES, based on choline chloride and urea at a molar ratio of 1:2, is considered green and relatively non-toxic valuable for solvent extraction purpose. Here, electrodialysis tests were conducted with this solvent on the permeate side using commercial Neosepta and laboratory-made cobalt selective membranes. The DES significantly affected cobalt transport across the membranes and separation factor which increased from 247 to 516, leading to cobalt recovery as high as 66 %. Furthermore, the use of DES on the permeate side greatly improved the energy efficiency increasing the amount of recovered cobalt per Joule of energy by over 20 %.

The rapid advancement of nanotechnology has led to the increasing application of metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) in various fields, including agriculture, where they offer potential benefits such as improved nutrient delivery and pest control. However, concerns about their environmental impact necessitate a comprehensive assessment of their safety. This study investigated the potential toxic effects of iron-based nanoparticles (NPs) on freshwater planarian and the influence of abiotic factors such as humic acid (HA) and UV exposure on their toxicity. Three different types of iron-based NPs were tested, including commercially available Sigma iron oxide magnetic NPs (Sig_IOMNPs), biologically synthesized BS_IOMNPs and Zn-Fe and bulk FeSO4. Sigma and biogenic nanoparticles had predominantly magnetite (Fe3O4) structure whereas Zn-Fe possessed a bimetallic conformation. Interaction of these NPs with abiotic factors (HA and UV light) led to an increase in their hydrodynamic diameter. In contrast to the commercial sources (Sig_IOMNPs and bulk FeSO4), the biologically synthesized NPs did not cause any acute or sublethal toxicity to the planarian when alone or in combination with HA and UV. These results suggest that biologically synthesized iron-based NPs (Zn-Fe and BS_IOMNPs) may be a safe alternative to conventional bulk iron-based fertilizers. This study highlights the importance of investigating the physicochemical changes of NPs in environmentally realistic conditions and assessing their potential toxicity to aquatic organisms. These findings can contribute to the development of safe and sustainable agricultural practices, promoting the use of iron-based NPs as a new generation of fertilizers.

Trace elements (TE) in living organisms can have detrimental health impacts depending on their concentration. As many TEs are obtained through diet, trophic niche changes associated with the impacts of anthropogenic activities and climate-change may influence exposure to top predators. The Australian fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus; AUFS) represents the greatest resident, marine predator biomass in south-eastern Australia. With adult female foraging ranges limited to the continental shelf, their source of TEs is geographically restricted. Plasma, red blood cell and milk samples collected between 1998 and 2022 at Kanowna Island, were analysed for TEs (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Sn, V and Zn) using inductively-coupled plasma mass-spectrometry (ICP-MS). Plasma fatty-acid profiles and ocean climate variables were used to investigate trophic and environmental influences, respectively, on TE concentrations. Estimated whole blood concentrations in lactating females were comparable to levels reported in other marine mammals, except for Se and Mn. Correlations between adult tissues were negative for Mn and positive for As, Hg and Sn. Molar Se:Hg were high but within reported levels for pinnipeds. Element concentrations in pup plasma were greater than lactating females for Fe, Mn and Sn indicative of high transplacental transfer while doses of Se and As from milk exceeded tolerable effect levels for humans. Relationships with fatty-acid profiles suggest diet influenced concentrations of Cu, Hg, Mn, Sn, V and Zn in adult plasma. In addition, inter-annual variation in TE concentrations were influenced by broad-scale climate indices, including the Southern Annular Mode and the Southern Oscillation Index, and local conditions associated with the seasonally-active Bonney Upwelling. These findings indicate that TE concentrations in blood and milk of AUFS are and will continue to be affected by anticipated oceanographic changes, mediated by alterations in prey type availability, with potential impacts on the population's health.

Avian embryos develop in an egg composition which reflects both maternal condition and the recent environment of their mother. In birds, yolk corticosterone (CORT) influences development by impacting pre- and postnatal growth, as well as nestling stress responses and development. One possible mechanism through which maternal CORT may affect offspring development is via changes to offspring DNA methylation. We sought to investigate this, for the first time in birds, by quantifying the impact of manipulations to maternal CORT on offspring DNA methylation. We non-invasively manipulated plasma CORT concentrations of egg-laying female zebra finches (Taeniopygia castanotis) with an acute dose of CORT administered around the time of ovulation and collected their eggs. We then assessed DNA methylation in the resulting embryonic tissue and in their associated vitelline membrane blood vessels, during early development (5 days after lay), using two established methods - liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and methylation-sensitive amplification fragment length polymorphism (MS-AFLP). LC-MS analysis showed that global DNA methylation was lower in embryos from CORT-treated mothers, compared to control embryos. In contrast, blood vessel DNA from eggs from CORT-treated mothers showed global methylation increases, compared to control samples. There was a higher proportion of global DNA methylation in the embryonic DNA of second clutches, compared to first clutches. Locus-specific analyses using MS-AFLP did not reveal a treatment effect. Our results indicate that an acute elevation of maternal CORT around ovulation impacts DNA methylation patterns in their offspring. This could provide a mechanistic understanding of how a mother's experience can affect her offspring's phenotype.