Effect of zeolites on the reduction of the ecotoxicity of carbamazepine in the environment.

In this study, the impact of calcination of zeolites on the ecotoxicity of carbamazepine solutions in two matrices, water and synthetic sewage, was assessed. Two types of zeolites were tested: natural zeolite, in the form of a zeolite rock consisting mainly of clinoptilolite, and a synthetic zeolite type 5 A. Additionally, zeolites were calcined at a temperature of 200 °C. The kinetics of carbamazepine adsorption in aqueous solutions and in synthetic sewage matrix was determined. Higher adsorption capacity was obtained for carbamazepine aqueous solutions as well as zeolites after the calcination process. Considering type of zeolite, the highest and fastest uptake of carbamazepine was observed for natural zeolite after calcination. In the case of ecotoxicity, carbamazepine solutions before adsorption was the most toxic towards Raphidocelis subcapitata, next Aliivibrio fischeri and Daphnia magna, regardless to the matrix type. The differentiation in toxicity regarding the type of matrix was observed, in the case of algae and bacteria, higher toxicity was demonstrated by carbamazepine solutions in the water matrix, while in the case of crustaceans-the sewage matrix. After the adsorption process, the toxicity of carbamazepine solutions on zeolites decreased by 34.5-60.9 % for R. subcapitata, 33-39 % for A. fischeri and 55-60 % for D. magna, thus confirming the effectiveness of the proposed method of carbamazepine immobilization.

Extractability and phytotoxicity of heavy metals and essential elements from plastics in soil solutions and root exudates.

Plastic waste is increasing and is a serious environmental problem. Among the threats associated with plastics is the release of contaminants into the environment. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of metals release from plastics (low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polypropylene (PP)) as affected by different soil solution types, artificial root exudates, and distilled water. The extent of metal release varied depending on the type of solution and plastic used. Metals were leached most effectively from plastics in soil solutions, followed by root exudates, and least effectively by distilled water. LDPE released the highest concentrations of Cu and Na into solution, PP released the greatest amount of Fe, and PET released the most Cr. The efficiencies of Mg and Zn release from the plastics (PP and PET) varied by solution type. Among the plastics studied, LDPE exhibited the strongest ability to adsorb metals, such as Fe, Cr, Mg, and Zn from soil solutions. The amount of metal released from the plastics was also dependent on pH, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations, and the electrical conductivity (EC) of the solutions. Moreover, plastic extracts were found to have negative effects on germination and growth in Lepidium sativum.

Ecotoxicological characteristics and properties of zinc-modified biochar produced by different methods.

Despite the dynamic progress of BC engineering, there is a lack of knowledge on the toxicity and environmental impact of modified BC. The aim of this study was the ecotoxicological evaluation of BC modified with zinc (Zn) using different methods: impregnation of feedstock with Zn before pyrolysis (PR), impregnation with Zn after pyrolysis (PS) and impregnation with Zn after pyrolysis with an additional calcination step (PST). The ecotoxicological assessment was based on tests with invertebrates (Folsomia candida, Daphnia magna) and bacteria (Aliivibrio fischeri). The post-treated and calcined composites had a higher content of total (Ctot) PAHs (144-276 µg kg-1) than pre-treated BC-Zn (68-157 µg kg-1). All BC-Zn treatments stimulated the reproduction of F. candida at the lowest BC dose (0.5%) by 4-24%. Increasing the biochar dose to 1% and 3% retained the stimulating effect of the pre-modified biochars (from 19 to 41%). Pre-modified BC-Zn reduced the luminescence of A. fischeri from 40% to 80%. Post-treated BCs reduced bacterial luminescence by 99%, but the calcination step limited the toxic effects to the level observed for the control. Post-treated BCs had a toxic effect on D. magna, with EC50 values ranging from 433 to 783 mg L-1. The ecotoxicity of composites depends on modification methods, BC dose and pyrolysis temperature. The application of limiting conditions for HM leaching (i.e., pre-modification, calcination) increased the safety of using Zn-biochar composites.

Digestion of plastics using in vitro human gastrointestinal tract and their potential to adsorb emerging organic pollutants.

Excessive plastic use has inevitably led to its consumption by organisms, including humans. It is estimated that humans consume 20 kg of plastic during their lifetime. The presence of microplastics in the human body can carry serious health risks, such as biological reactions e.g. inflammation, genotoxicity, oxidative stress, apoptosis, as well toxic compounds leaching of unbound chemicals/monomers, free radicals or adsorbed organic pollutants, which mainly depend on the properties of the ingested plastic. Plastics are exposed to different substances (e.g., enzymes and acids) in the digestive system, which potentially affects their properties and structure. By stimulating the human digestive system and applying a set of advanced analytical tools, we showed that the surface of polystyrene and high-density polyethylene plastics frequently in contact with food undergoes fundamental changes during digestion. This results in the appearance of additional functional groups, and consequent increase in the plastic adsorption capacity for hydrophobic ionic compounds (such as triclosan and diclofenac) while reducing its adsorption capacity for hydrophobic non-ionic compounds (such as phenanthrene). Micro- and nanostructures that formed on the flat surface of the plastics after digestion were identified using scanning electron microscopy. These structures became defragmented and detached due to mechanical action, increasing micro- and nanoplastics in the environment. Due to their size, the release of plastic nanostructures after digestion can become an "accidental food source" for a wider group of aquatic organisms and ultimately for humans as the last link in the food chain. This, combined with improved adsorption capacity of digested plastics to hydrophobic ionic pollutants, can pose a serious threat to the environment including human health and safety.

Investigating impact of physicochemical properties of microplastics on human health: A short bibliometric analysis and review.

Microplastics (MPs) are contaminants of emerging concern that attracted the attention of researchers over the last decade. They can occur in saliva and stool, and on scalp hair together with skin. Further, MPs can end up in the human diet through seafood, honey, salt, and mineral water. They can be taken up into the plants' roots and lead to the occurrence of MPs in fruits and vegetables. Concentration of the airborne MPs was also reported in the environment. These pieces of evidence clarify that introduction of MPs to the human body through ingestion and inhalation routes should not be overlooked. Following oral exposure to MPs, hazardous chemicals can be released in the gastrointestinal tract leading to toxicity. Inhalation route deserves more attention due to the oxidative potential of the inhaled plastic particles. Although the major characteristics of MPs are being investigated, there are currently few regulations to control concentration of MPs in the environment and their human health impacts remained unclear indicating the need for further investigation. For instance, it is not clear if the present air quality limits for PM2.5 and PM10 can be used for the areas with high suspended plastic particles. Without comprehensive knowledge about the retention and egestion rates of field populations, it is difficult to deduce the ecological and human health consequences. In general, more information about MP contamination in various species and the consequences of MP uptake and retention is required to gain a better idea of MPs in the food web and their environmental fate. The finer details on the MP translocation between tissues and the fate of the small plastic particles might be obtained when considering the existing information about the application of MPs in the pharmaceutical industry. In this review article, we presented a short bibliometric analysis and investigated the link between physicochemical properties of MPs and human health.

Ecotoxicological assessment of sewage sludge-derived biochars-amended soil.

The study aimed to evaluate the ecotoxicity of soil (S) amended with biochars (BCKN) produced by the thermal conversion of sewage sludge (SSL) at temperatures of 500 °C, 600 °C, or 700 °C and SSL itself. The ecotoxicological tests were carried out on organisms representing various trophic levels (Lepidium sativum in plant, Folsomia candida in invertebrates, and Aliivibrio fischeri in bacteria). Moreover, the study evaluated the effects of three plants (Lolium perenne, Trifolium repens, and Arabidopsis thaliana) growing on BCKN700-amended soil on its ecotoxicological properties. The experiment was carried out for six months. In most tests, the conversion of sewage sludge into biochar caused a significant decrease in toxicity by adding it to the soil. The pyrolysis temperature directly determined this effect. The soil amended with the biochars produced at higher temperatures (600 °C and 700 °C) generally exhibited lower toxicity to the test organisms than the SSL. Because of aging, all the biochars lost their inhibition properties against the tested organisms in the solid-phase tests and had a stimulating influence on the reproductive ability of F. candida. With time, the fertilizing effect of the BCKN700 amended soil also increased. The aged biochars also did not have an inhibitory effect on A. fischeri luminescence in the leachate tests. The study has also demonstrated that the cultivation of an appropriate plant species may additionally reduce the toxicity of soil fertilized with biochar. The obtained results show that the conversion of sewage sludge to biochar carried out at an appropriate temperature can become a useful method in reducing the toxicity of the waste and while being safe for agricultural purposes.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) persistence, bioavailability and toxicity in sewage sludge- or sewage sludge-derived biochar-amended soil.

Soils can be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) when either sewage sludge (SSL) or biochar (BC) are used. There are no comparative studies regarding the effects of soil amendment with SSL or BC on the persistence, bioavailability and toxicity of PAHs. This research compared the persistence of PAHs (based on the extractable content, Ctot) and their bioavailability (freely dissolved, Cfree) as well as the toxicity (solid phase: Phytotoxkit F with Lepidium sativum and the Collembolan test with Folsomia candida; leachates: Phytotestkit F with L. sativum and Microtox® with Aliivibrio fischeri) of soil amended with SSL or with SSL-derived BCs. BCs were produced from three different sewage sludges at a temperature of 500 °C. SSLs or BCs were added to the soil at a rate of 1% (30 t/ha). Adding SSL to the soil increased more the PAH content in it than after BC application, which was associated with a higher content of PAHs in SSL. Losses of Σ16 Ctot and Cfree PAHs were higher than those observed for biochar only in the case of one SSL. In the other cases, PAH losses were either higher for biochar or did not differ significantly between SSL and BC. On the other hand, the analysis of the individual groups of PAHs showed significant differences between SSL and BC, both for Ctot and Cfree. Nonetheless, these differences were largely driven by the type of sewage sludge and biochar. Only in the case of root growth inhibition the toxicity higher was for the SSL-amended soils than for the BC-amended ones. In the other cases, varying results were observed which were determined by the type of sewage sludge/biochar, similarly to PAH losses.

The convertion of sewage sludge to biochar as a sustainable tool of PAHs exposure reduction during agricultural utilization of sewage sludges.

There is a discussion in the literature whether PAHs introduced with biochar are safe and whether they are persistent in the environment. The persistence of PAHs (Ctot - total and Cfree - freely dissolved) in sewage sludge (SSL) or SSL-derived biochar-amended soils was investigated. Biochar were produced at 500, 600 and 700 °C. We also compared the persistence of PAHs in these experimental treatments depending on the plants cultivated (grass, clover and thale cress). We showed that the Ctot PAHs in the biochar-amended soils exhibited higher persistence than in the SSL-amended soil. The opposite trend was observed for Cfree PAHs. A higher reduction of Cfree PAHs was noted in the biochar-amended soils than in SSL-amended soil. The persistence of both Cfree and Ctot PAHs clearly varied between the biochars produced at different temperatures. It should be stated that despite that for biochar the persistence of Ctot PAHs is higher compared to SSL-amended soils, an opposite trend is observed for the fraction of Cfree (which is directly responsible for the toxic effect), and this entails a lower risk to the environment (lower mobility and bioavailability). The plants had a significant impact on Ctot PAHs content depending on the number of PAH rings.

Effect of biochar addition to sewage sludge on cadmium, copper and lead speciation in sewage sludge-amended soil.

The goal of the present work was to evaluate the speciation of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) in sewage sludge (SL) amended soil and SL-biochar (BC) amended soil in a long-term field experiment. SL or SL with biochar (at the dose of 2.5%, 5.0% or 10%) were applied to the soil. The dose of SL in the soil was 11 tdw/ha. At the beginning of the study, after 12 and 18 months the distribution of Cd, Cu and Pb was determined between the following fractions: (1) water soluble, exchangeable and bound to carbonates (F1), (2) bound to Fe-Mn oxides (F2), (3) bound to organic matter (F3) and (4) bound to quartz, feldspars, etc. (F4). The soil, SL and biochar were characterized by different distribution of Pb, Cu and Cd. The highest mobility of Cd and Cu was observed in the control soil, while Pb in SL. Addition of SL to the soil caused the increased of the mobility index of Cu and Pb, increasing the risk associated with the presence of these metals in the mobile soil fraction (F1). However, the addition of biochar to SL before application to the soil modified the distribution of studied elements. The most mobile and bioavailable fractions (F1) were transferred to less bioavailable (F2, F3) and potentially immobile fractions (F4).

Impact of ZnO and ZnS nanoparticles in sewage sludge-amended soil on bacteria, plant and invertebrates.

The effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and zinc sulfide nanoparticles (ZnS NPs) on the toxicity of sewage sludges in sewage sludge-amended soils was investigated with respect to plant- (Lepidium sativum) and soil- (Folsomia candida) species. The toxicity of porewater obtained from the tested soils towards Vibrio fischeri (Microtox®) was also investigated. Two sewage sludges (SSL1 and SSL2) with different organic matter content were amended with nanoparticles. Depending on the type of biotest and the type of sewage sludge, different effects of ZnO or ZnS NPs on the toxicity of sewage sludge-amended soil were observed. In general, ZnO and ZnS NPs stimulated root growth for SSL1 or reduced the harmful impact of SSL2 on the root growth of L. sativum roots. Greater stimulation or inhibition of root growth was observed for the ZnO than ZnS NPs. The unfavorable effect of ZnO/ZnS NPs on F. candida mortality and reproduction was observed at a concentration of ZnO/ZnS in sewage sludge ≥250 mg/kg. Generally, there were no significant differences between ZnO and ZnS NPs toxicity towards F. candida. Aging for 45 days of sewage sludge-amended soil containing NPs affected ZnO and ZnS NPs toxicity to all tested organisms. In the most cases, the toxicity decreased after 45 days of aging for plant (L. sativum) and invertebrates (F. candida). The toxicity of porewater to V. fischeri from sewage sludge-amended soil contains ZnO NPs did not change, while in the case of ZnS NPs, the toxicity increased after 45 days of aging.

Adsorption and desorption of heavy metals by the sewage sludge and biochar-amended soil.

The goal of the study was to evaluate the application of biochar (BC) to the sewage sludge (SL) on the adsorption and desorption capacity of Cd(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II). The effect of biochar contribution in the sewage sludge (2.5, 5 and 10%) was investigated. The isotherms data were fitted to the Langmiur (LM), Freundlich (FM) and Temkin (TM) models. The best fitting for kinetic study was obtained for the pseudo-second-order equation. The best fitting of the experimental data was observed for the LM in the case of SL and BC, and for the FM in the case of SL- and SL/BC-amended soil. SL was characterized by even four-order higher sorption capacity than BC. The addition of the BC to the SL and next to the soil increased the adsorption capacity of the soil and the SL-amended soil. In the case of all investigated potentially toxic elements (PTEs), the highest adsorption capacity was achieved for SL-amended soil in comparison with the control soil. In the case of other experimental variants, the adsorption capacity of metal ions was as follows: 2.5% BC > 5.0% BC > 10% BC. The negative correlation between hydrated radius of metal ions and the kinetics of sorption was observed. However, the desorption of PTEs from BC/SL-amended soil was significantly lower than for SL-amended soil (except of Cd) and non-amended soil. It can be concluded that the addition of the biochar enhanced the immobilization of PTEs and reduced their bioavailability and mobility in the soil amended by the sewage sludge.

Sequential extraction of nickel and zinc in sewage sludge- or biochar/sewage sludge-amended soil.

Fractionation of nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn) in sewage sludge-amended soil and in sewage sludge/biochar-amended soil was investigated. The results were compared with ecotoxicological tests in order to determine the contribution of metals to the toxicity of amended soils. The study was conducted as a long-term field experiment. Sewage sludge (SL) or sewage sludge with a 2.5, 5 or 10% addition of biochar (BC) was added to the soil. Samples for analysis were taken immediately after experiment establishment as well as after 12 and 18 months from the beginning of the study. The fractionation analysis of Ni and Zn was performed using the BCR (Community Bureau of Reference) three-step sequential extraction procedure. The following forms were determined: mobile (F1); bound to FeMn oxides (F2); bound to organic matter (F3) and residual (F4). The soil, SL and BC differed in the contribution of individual forms of the metals. The application of SL into the soil resulted in an increased soil content of mobile forms of Ni and Zn by 180 and 103%, respectively. The mobility index (MI) significantly increased, which evidences the risk related to the presence of these metals. Biochar in the sewage sludge significantly reduced the content of Ni and Zn in F1 fraction. The study also demonstrated that biochar amendment promotes the transition over time of available forms of Ni and Zn into their residual forms (F4), which leads to a further reduction in the environmental risk related to their presence in the environment. The conducted statistical analysis revealed only intermittent relationships between the individual forms of the metals and soil physicochemical properties and toxicity, which may indicate more complex mechanisms that occur in the experimental systems investigated. Therefore, the use of SL in combination with BC can be an effective method for reducing the environmental risk related to the presence of metals in SL.

Synthesis of biochar from residues after biogas production with respect to cadmium and nickel removal from wastewater.

The objective of the study was to investigate the ability of biochars prepared under different temperatures (400 °C and 600 °C) from the residue of biogas production (RBP) for the adsorption of cadmium (Cd(II)) and nickel (Ni(II)) ions from aqueous solution. Furthermore, the RBP biochars adsorption capacity was compared with adsorption capacity of biochar produced from wheat straw at 600 °C (BCS600). The kinetics of the adsorption, the sorption isotherms, the influence of solution pH and the interfering ions (chlorides and nitrates) were investigated. The desorption of Cd(II) and Ni(II) by hydrochloric and nitric acid from biochars was also investigated. The different types of feedstock used for biochar (BC) preparation (RBP and biomass) determined the physico-chemical properties of biochars and hence their adsorption abilities. Generally, biochars produced from RBPs (regardless of temperature) had the greater capacity to adsorb Cd(II) and Ni(II) than the biochar produced from wheat straw. Of the tested models (Freundlich and Langmuir), the Langmuir model was demonstrated to be the best to describe the sorption of Cd(II) and Ni(II). For the kinetic study, the adsorption process proceeded the fastest for BCU400 than BCU600. Furthermore, BCU600 was the most resistant to the influence of interfering ions on adsorption. For the desorption study, BCU400 was characterized by the highest reproducibility of the surface. The comparison of the results obtained in each adsorption step between RBP biochars and BCS600 suggested that the residue from biogas production could be successfully applied for the removal of Cd(II) and Ni(II) ions from aqueous solutions.

Application of laboratory prepared and commercially available biochars to adsorption of cadmium, copper and zinc ions from water.

The goal of the presented work was the evaluation and comparison of two biochars (produced from Sida hermaphrodita - BCSH/laboratory produced and from wheatstraw - BCS/commercial available) to adsorb heavy metal ions (Cd(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)) from water. Kinetics of the sorption as well as sorption isotherms, the influence of solution pH and interfering ions were investigated. Different physico-chemical properties of biochars had the great influence on adsorption capacity. The greater adsorption efficiency was observed for BCSH than for BCS in the case of all investigated metals. The adsorption efficiency of BCSH was correlated with higher content of carbon and oxygen, what is equal with higher content of polar-groups on the BCSH surface e.g., -COOH. Furthermore, the molar ratio of O/C as well as polarity index (which was higher for BCSH) was also important parameters.

[The impact of UV radiation B and C in vitro on different of bacteria strains isolated from patients hospitalized in the Warsaw Medical University Clinics]. / Wplyw promieniowania uv w zakresie dlugosci b i C, w warunkach in vitro, na rózne szczepy bakterii izolowanych od pacjentów hospitalizowanych w klinikach Warszawskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego.

INTRODUCTION: Infections in human body caused by various microbes are a significant problem in modern medicine. Special attention is put to infections of wounds, which are a significant threat to the life of patients. Attempts to treat these wounds base mainly on the application of various chemical preparations (locally) and systematic antibiotic treatment. UV radiation, because of its anti-bacterial activity, appear a complementary issue in therapy. AIM OF THE SURVEY: The aim of this study was an examination of the sensitivity of bacteria strains isolated from patients hospitalised in the Warsaw Medical University clinics, and prove that antibiotics and operation of UV B and C radiation with Endolamp 474 may become a complementary or alternative method of treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODOLOGY: The study used 65 strains grown aerobically (15 strains of Escherichia coli, 20 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 15 strains of Staphylococcus aureus, 15 strains of Streptococcus and Enterococcus sp). The same strains were planted on different excipients and were subjected to UV radiation using Endolamp 474. Correctly prepared strains were radiated from a 25 cm distance in various durations (from 5 seconds to 105 seconds). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: As a result of UV irradiation of microorganisms studied B and C using 474 Endolampy received varied, but the great sensitivity to the effects of this radiation, in all tested bacterial strains. UV radiation on microorganisms requires further study, also in vivo.