Exploring the hidden environmental pollution of microplastics derived from bioplastics: A review.

Bioplastics might be an ecofriendly alternative to traditional plastics. However, recent studies have emphasized that even bioplastics can end up becoming micro- and nano-plastics due to their degradation under ambient environmental conditions. Hence, there is an urgent need to assess the hidden environmental pollution caused by bioplastics. However, little is known about the evolutionary trends of bibliographic data, degradation pathways, formation, and toxicity of micro- and nano-scaled bioplastics originating from biodegradable polymers such as polylactic acid, polyhydroxyalkanoates, and starch-based plastics. Therefore, the prime objective of the current review was to investigate evolutionary trends and the latest advancements in the field of micro-bioplastic pollution. Additionally, it aims to confront the limitations of existing research on microplastic pollution derived from the degradation of bioplastic wastes, and to understand what is needed in future research. The literature survey revealed that research focusing on micro- and nano-bioplastics has begun since 2012. This review identifies novel insights into microbioplastics formation through diverse degradation pathways, including photo-oxidation, ozone-induced degradation, mechanochemical degradation, biodegradation, thermal, and catalytic degradation. Critical research gaps are identified, including defining optimal environmental conditions for complete degradation of diverse bioplastics, exploring micro- and nano-bioplastics formation in natural environments, investigating the global occurrence and distribution of these particles in diverse ecosystems, assessing toxic substances released during bioplastics degradation, and bridging the disparity between laboratory studies and real-world applications. By identifying new trends and knowledge gaps, this study lays the groundwork for future investigations and sustainable solutions in the realm of sustainable management of bioplastic wastes.

ZnO nanoparticles mediated by Azadirachta indica as nano fertilizer: Improvement in physiological and biochemical indices of Zea mays grown in Cr-contaminated soil.

The current investigation aimed at evaluating the impact of Azadirachta indica-mediated zinc oxide nanoparticles (Ai-ZnONPs) on the growth and biochemical characteristics of maize (sweet glutinous 3000) under exposure to 50 mg kg-1Ai-ZnONPs with Cr (VI) concentrations of 50 and 100 mg kg-1. The results indicate that plants exposed to Cr (VI) only experienced a decline in growth parameters. Conversely, the inclusion of Ai-ZnONPs caused a noteworthy increase in physiological traits. Specifically, shoot and root fresh weight increased by 28.02% and 16.51%, and 63.11% and 97.91%, respectively, when compared to Cr-50 and 100 treatments. Additionally, the SPAD chlorophyll of the shoot increased by 91.08% and 15.38% compared to Cr-50 and 100 treatments, respectively. Moreover, the antioxidant enzyme traits of plant shoot and root, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD 7.44% and 2.70%, and 4.45% and 3.53%), catalase (CAT 1.18% and 3.20%, and 5.03% and 5.78%), and peroxidase (POD 0.31% and 5.55%, and 4.72% and 3.61%), exhibited significant increases in Cr 50 and 100 treatments, respectively. The addition of Ai-ZnONPs to the soil also enhanced soil nutrient status and reduced Cr (VI) concentrations by 40.69% and 19.82% compared to Cr-50 and 100 treated soils. These findings suggest that Ai-ZnONPs can trigger the activation of biochemical pathways that enable biomass accumulation in meristematic cells. Further investigations are required to elucidate the mechanisms involved in growth promotion.

Geochemical control, water quality indexing, source distribution, and potential health risk of fluoride and arsenic in groundwater: Occurrence, sources apportionment, and positive matrix factorization model.

Fluoride (F-), and arsenic (As) in the groundwater cause health problems in developing countries, including Pakistan. We evaluated the occurrence, distribution, sources apportionment, and health hazards of F-, and As in the groundwater of Mardan, Pakistan. Therefore, groundwater samples (n = 130) were collected and then analyzed for F-, and As by ion-chromatography (IC) and Inductively-coupled plasma mass-spectrometry (ICP-MS). The F-, and As concentrations in groundwater were 0.7-14.4 mg/L and 0.5-11.2 µg/L. Relatively elevated F-, and As coexists with higher pH, Na+, HCO3-, SO4-2, and depleted Ca+2 due to fluoride, sulfide-bearing minerals, and anthropogenic inputs. Both F-, and/or As are transported in subsurface water through adsorption and desorption processes. Groundwater samples 45%, and 14.2% exceeded the WHO guidelines of 1.5 mg/L and 10 µg/L. Water quality indexing (WQI-model) declared that 35.7% samples are unfit for household purposes. Saturation and undersaturation of minerals showed precipitation and mineral dissolution. Groundwater contamination by PCA-MLR and PMF-model interpreted five factors. The fitting results and R2 values of PMF (0.52-0.99)>PCA-MLR (0.50-0.95) showed high accuracy of PMF-model. Human health risk assessment (HHRA-model) revealed high non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk for children than adults. The percentile recovery of F- and As was recorded 98%, and 95% with reproducibility ± 5% error.

A review on constructive classification framework of research trends in analytical instrumentation for secondary micro(nano)plastics: What is new and what needs next?

Secondary micro(nano)plastics generated from the degradation of plastics pose a major threat to environmental and human health. Amid the growing research on microplastics to date, the detection of secondary micro(nano)plastics is hampered by inadequate analytical instrumentation in terms of accuracy, validation, and repeatability. Given that, the current review provides a critical evaluation of the research trends in instrumental methods developed so far for the qualitative and quantitative determination of micro(nano)plastics with an emphasis on the evolution, new trends, missing links, and future directions. We conducted a meta-analysis of the growing literature surveying over 800 journal articles published from 2004 to 2022 based on the Web of Science database. The significance of this review is associated with the proposed novel classification framework to identify three main research trends, viz. (i) preliminary investigations, (ii) current progression, and (iii) novel advances in sampling, characterization, and quantification targeting both micro- and nano-sized plastics. Field Flow Fractionation (FFF) and Hydrodynamic Chromatography (HDC) were found to be the latest techniques for sampling and extraction of microplastics. Fluorescent Molecular Rotor (FMR) and Thermal Desorption-Proton Transfer Reaction-Mass Spectrometry (TD-PTR-MS) were recognized as the modern developments in the identification and quantification of polymer units in micro(nano)plastics. Powerful imaging techniques, viz. Digital Holographic Imaging (DHI) and Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM) offered nanoscale analysis of the surface topography of nanoplastics. Machine learning provided fast and less labor-intensive analytical protocols for accurate classification of plastic types in environmental samples. Although the existing analytical methods are justifiable merely for microplastics, they are not fully standardized for nanoplastics. Future research needs to be more inclined towards secondary nanoplastics for their effective and selective analysis targeting a broad range of environmental and biological matrices.

An appraisal of the principal concerns and controlling factors for Arsenic contamination in Chile.

Although geogenic Arsenic (As) contamination is well-recognized in northern Chile, it is not restricted to this part of the country, as the geological conditions favoring As release to the human environment exist across the country as well, although not at the same level, based on comparatively fewer studies in central and southern Chile. The present work provides a critical evaluation of As sources, pathways, and controls with reports and case studies from across the country based on an exhaustive bibliographic review of its reported geogenic sources and processes that affect its occurrence, systematization, and critical revision of this information. Arc magmatism and associated geothermal activities, identified as the primary As sources, are present across the Chilean Andes, except for the Pampean Flat Slab and Patagonian Volcanic Gap. Metal sulfide ore zones, extending from the country's far north to the south-central part, are the second most important geogenic As source. While natural leaching of As-rich mineral deposits contaminates the water in contact, associated mining, and metallurgical activities result in additional As release into the human environment through mining waste and tailings. Moreover, crustal thickness has been suggested as a principal controlling factor for As release, whose southward decrease has been correlated with lower As values.

Pleiotropic melatonin-mediated responses on growth and cadmium phytoextraction of Brassica napus: A bioecological trial for enhancing phytoremediation of soil cadmium.

Melatonin (MT) has recently gained significant scientific interest, though its mechanism of action in enhancing plant vigor, cadmium (Cd) tolerance, and Cd phytoremediation processes are poorly understood. Therefore, here we investigated the beneficial role of MT in improving growth and Cd remediation potential of rapeseed (Brassica napus). Plants, with or without MT (200 µM L-1), were subjected to Cd stress (30 mg kg1). Without MT, higher Cd accumulation (up to 99%) negatively affected plant growth and developmental feature as well as altered expression of several key genes (DEGs) involved in different molecular pathways of B. napus. As compared to only Cd-stressed counterparts, MT-treated plants exhibited better physiological performance as indicated by improved leaf photosynthetic and gaseous exchange processes (3-48%) followed by plant growth (up to 50%), fresh plant biomass (up to 45%), dry plant biomass (up to 32%), and growth tolerance indices (up to 50%) under Cd exposure. MT application enhanced Cd tolerance and phytoremediation capacity of B. napus by augmenting (1) Cd accumulation in plant tissues and its translocation to above-ground parts (by up to 45.0%), (2) Cd distribution in the leaf cell wall (by up to 42%), and (3) Cd detoxification by elevating phytochelatins (by up to 8%) and metallothioneins (by upto 14%) biosynthesis, in comparison to Cd-treated plants. MT played a protective role in stabilizing hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde levels in the tissue of the Cd-treated plants by enhancing the content of osmolytes (proline and total soluble protein) and activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, APX and GR). Transcriptomic analysis revealed that MT regulated 1809 differentially expressed genes (828 up and 981 down) together with 297 commonly expressed DEGs (CK vs Cd and Cd vs CdMT groups) involved in plant-pathogen interaction pathway, protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, and plant hormone signal transduction pathway which ultimately promoted plant growth and Cd remediation potential in the Cd-stressed plants. These results provide insights into the unexplored pleiotropic beneficial action of MT in enhancing in the growth and Cd phytoextraction potential of B. napus, paving the way for developing Cd-tolerant oilseed crops with higher remediation capacity as a bioecological trial for enhancing phytoremediation of hazardous toxic metals in the environment.

Groundwater Quality, Health Risk Assessment, and Source Distribution of Heavy Metals Contamination around Chromite Mines: Application of GIS, Sustainable Groundwater Management, Geostatistics, PCAMLR, and PMF Receptor Model.

Groundwater contamination by heavy metals (HMs) released by weathering and mineral dissolution of granite, gneisses, ultramafic, and basaltic rock composition causes human health concerns worldwide. This paper evaluated the heavy metals (HMs) concentrations and physicochemical variables of groundwater around enriched chromite mines of Malakand, Pakistan, with particular emphasis on water quality, hydro-geochemistry, spatial distribution, geochemical speciation, and human health impacts. To better understand the groundwater hydrogeochemical profile and HMs enrichment, groundwater samples were collected from the mining region (n = 35), non-mining region (n = 20), and chromite mines water (n = 5) and then analyzed using ICPMS (Agilent 7500 ICPMS). The ranges of concentrations in the mining, non-mining, and chromite mines water were 0.02-4.5, 0.02-2.3, and 5.8-6.0 mg/L for CR, 0.4-3.8, 0.05-3.6, and 3.2-5.8 mg/L for Ni, and 0.05-0.8, 0.05-0.8, and 0.6-1.2 mg/L for Mn. Geochemical speciation of groundwater variables such as OH-, H+, Cr+2, Cr+3, Cr+6, Ni+2, Mn+2, and Mn+3 was assessed by atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS). Geochemical speciation determined the mobilization, reactivity, and toxicity of HMs in complex groundwater systems. Groundwater facies showed 45% CaHCO3, 30% NaHCO3, 23.4% NaCl, and 1.6% Ca-Mg-Cl water types. The noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risk of HMs outlined via hazard quotient (HQ) and total hazard indices (THI) showed the following order: Ni > Cr > Mn. Thus, the HHRA model suggested that children are more vulnerable to HMs toxicity than adults. Hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis (HACA) showed three distinct clusters, namely the least, moderately, and severely polluted clusters, which determined the severity of HMs contamination to be 66.67% overall. The PCAMLR and PMF receptor model suggested geogenic (minerals prospects), anthropogenic (industrial waste and chromite mining practices), and mixed (geogenic and anthropogenic) sources for groundwater contamination. The mineral phases of groundwater suggested saturation and undersaturation. Nemerow's pollution index (NPI) values determined the unsuitability of groundwater for domestic purposes. The EC, turbidity, PO4-3, Na+, Mg+2, Ca+2, Cr, Ni, and Mn exceeded the guidelines suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO). The HMs contamination and carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health impacts of HMs showed that the groundwater is extremely unfit for drinking, agriculture, and domestic demands. Therefore, groundwater wells around the mining region need remedial measures. Thus, to overcome the enrichment of HMs in groundwater sources, sustainable management plans are needed to reduce health risks and ensure health safety.

Effects of Platinum Nanoparticles on Rice Seedlings (Oryza sativa L.): Size-dependent Accumulation, Transformation, and Ionomic Influence.

Platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) are increasing in the environment largely due to their wide use and application in automobile and medical industries. The mechanism of uptake behavior of different-sized PtNPs and their association with PtNPs-induced phytotoxicity to plants remains unclear. The present study investigated PtNP uptake mechanisms and phytotoxicity simultaneously to further understand the accumulation and transformation dynamics. The uptake mechanisms were investigated by comparing the uptake and toxicological effects of three different-sized PtNPs (25, 50, and 70 nm) on rice seedlings across an experimental concentration gradient (0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/L) during germination. The quantitative and qualitative results indicated that 70 nm-sized PtNPs were more efficiently transferred in rice roots. The increase in the PtNP concentration restricted the particle uptake. Particle aggregation was common in plant cells and tended to dissolve on root surfaces. Notably, the dissolution of small particles was simultaneous with the growth of larger particles after PtNPs entered the rice tissues. Ionomic results revealed that PtNP accumulation induced element homeostasis in the shoot ionome. We observed a significant positive correlation between the PtNP concentration and Fe and B accumulation in rice shoots. Compared to particle size, the exposure concentration of PtNPs had a stronger effect on the shoot ionomic response. Our study provides better understanding of the correlation of ionomic change and NP quantitative accumulation induced by PtNPs in rice seedlings.

Assessment and optimization of As(V) adsorption on hydrogel composite integrating chitosan-polyvinyl alcohol and Fe3O4 nanoparticles and evaluation of their regeneration and reusable capabilities in aqueous media.

A modified chitosan-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel was developed by incorporating Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Four chitosan-Fe3O4 (ChFe) hydrogel types were developed based on chitosan:Fe3O4 ratio as 1:0, 1:1, 1:0.5 and 1:0.25. Batch sorption experiments were conducted with different pH, dosage, kinetics, and isotherms. The exhausted ChFe hydrogels were evaluated for their regeneration and reuse capability with different acids and bases. The best hydrogel for arsenic (V) [As(V)] adsorption was 1:0.5 ratio ChFe hydrogel. The highest As(V) adsorption (89 %) was at pH 4 and the adsorption capacity gradually decreased with increasing solution pH. Within the pH 4-6 range, the hydrogel surface became positively charged due to protonation of NH2 and OH groups in the polymer chain and the positive surface attracted H2AsO4- and HAsO42- oxyanions. The experimental kinetic data was well-fitted to the Elovich model (R2 of 0.99) while the Freundlich isotherm model best described the isotherm data (R2 of 0.97). The models predicted chemisorption mechanisms on ChFe hydrogel composites. Electrostatic attractions with NH3+ and OH2+, ligand-exchange inner-sphere complexes formation and bidentate corner-sharing (2C) and bidentate edge-sharing (2E) trimetric surface complexes formation have been proposed as the adsorption mechanism of As(V) into ChFe hydrogel. 0.1 M CH3COOH showed the best regeneration pattern with 75, 96, 81, 53 and 43 % of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th adsorption respectively. Because of this re-usable capability, the As(V) adsorption capacity is not a single value from one adsorption cycle, but a cumulative value of several adsorption cycles and it was 17.39 mg/g for five adsorption cycles. Open for regeneration and reuse, no post-treatment is needed for adsorbent-water separation, allow applications of the ChFe hydrogel composite in a wide range of applications such as water filtration and purification systems. The modification with ChFe further expands the application capacity since the ChFe can remove other contaminants as well.

Global arsenic dilemma and sustainability.

Arsenic (As) is one of the most prolific natural contaminants in water resources, and hence, it has been recognized as an emerging global problem. Arsenic exposure through food exports and imports, such as As-contaminated rice and cereal-based baby food, is a potential risk worldwide. However, ensuring As-safe drinking water and food for the globe is still not stated explicitly as a right neither in the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) nor the global UNESCO priorities. Despite these omissions, addressing As contamination is crucial to ensure and achieve many of the declared human rights, SDGs, and global UNESCO priorities. An international platform for sharing knowledge, experience, and resources through an integrated global network of scientists, professionals, and early career researchers on multidisciplinary aspects of As research can act as an umbrella covering the activities of UN, UNESCO, and other UN organizations. This can deal with the mitigation of As contamination, thus contributing to global economic development and human health. This article provides a perspective on the global As problem for sustainable As mitigation on a global scale by 2030.

Reducing conditions increased the mobilisation and hazardous effects of arsenic in a highly contaminated gold mine spoil.

Arsenic (As) redox-induced mobilisation and speciation in polluted gold mine sites in tropical climates largely remains unknown. Here, we investigated the impact of changes in soil redox potential (EH) (-54 mV to +429 mV) on mobilisation of As and its dominant species in an abandoned spoil (total As = 4283 mg/kg) using an automated biogeochemical microcosm set-up. Arsenic mobilisation increased (85-137 mg/L) at moderately reducing conditions (-54 mV to + 200 mV)), while its reduced (6-35 mg/L) under oxic conditions (+200 to +400 mV). This indicates the high risk of As potential loss under reducing conditions. The mobilisation of As was governed by the redox chemistry of Fe. XANES and EXAFS analyses showed that sorbed-As(V)-goethite, sorbed-As(III)-ferrihydrite, scorodite and arsenopyrite were the predominant As species in the mine spoil. As(V) dominated at oxic conditions and As(III) predominated at moderately reducing conditions, which may be attributed to either inability of arsenate bacteria to reduce As or incomplete reduction. Lower Fe/As molar ratios during moderately reducing conditions show that the mine spoil may migrate As to watercourses during flooding, which may increase the hazardous effects of this toxic element. Therefore, encouraging aerobic conditions may mitigate As release and potential loss from the mine field.

Occurrence and behavior of arsenic in groundwater-aquifer system of irrigated areas.

Groundwater arsenic pollution has received much attention worldwide for decades as a serious threat to public health, but the mechanisms responsible for arsenic mobilization are not fully understood. Groundwater and bore drilling sediment samples from Qiji county, a small geographical agricultural area with endemic arsenicosis, are collected for demonstrating the occurrence and speciation of arsenic in groundwater and sediments, and arsenic release between solid-liquid phase influenced by human activities. Results show that arsenic concentrations in groundwater vary from 5 µg/L to 19.6 µg/L, with 80% exceeding the maximum permissible limits required by WHO (10 µg/L) for drinking water and therefore constituting a health risk for humans. In a weak oxidizing environment (oxidation-reduction potential (ORP): 12.9 mV-151 mV), inorganic As(V) accounts for 85% of total dissolved As, which to some extent alleviates the harm of As pollution on humans. Total As content in the sediments is in the range of 6.98 mg/kg and 14.34 mg/kg (median of 10.71 mg/kg), three times higher than the average value of many countries. Sequential chemical leaching indicates that 11% of arsenic in sediments is labile bound and may be closely related to the arsenic in groundwater. Additionally, irrigation intensity contributes to arsenic release with diverse As3+/As5+ by dissolving weakly bound arsenic rapidly. Subsequently part of As(III) is oxidized to As(V). Competitive and/or alkaline desorption of As(V), which had been adsorbed by FeMn (hydrous)-oxides and carbonates in the unsaturated zone and the aquifer, exerts a significant role in releasing arsenic into the groundwater. Our study indicates that systematic management and regulation of irrigation intensity are required to prevent further deterioration of groundwater resources.

Photocatalysis for arsenic removal from water: considerations for solar photocatalytic reactors.

The following work provides a perspective on the potential application of solar heterogeneous photocatalysis, which is a nonselective advanced oxidation process considered as a sustainable technology, to assist in arsenic removal from water, which is a global threat to human health. Heterogeneous photocatalysis can oxidize trivalent arsenic to pentavalent arsenic, decreasing its toxicity and easing its removal with other technologies, such as chemical precipitation and adsorption. Several lab-scale arsenic photocatalytic oxidation and diverse solar heterogeneous photocatalytic operations carried out in different reactor designs are analyzed. It was found out that this technology has not been translated to operational pilot plant scale prototypes. General research on reactors is scarce, comprising a small percentage of the photocatalysis related scientific literature. It was possible to elucidate some operational parameters that a reactor must comply to operate efficiently. Reports on small-scale application shed light that in areas where other water purification technologies are economically and/or technically not suitable, and the solar energy is available, shed light on the fact that solar heterogeneous photocatalysis is highly promissory within a water purification process for removal of arsenic from water.

A remediation approach to chromium-contaminated water and soil using engineered biochar derived from peanut shell.

Hexavalent chromium (Cr[VI]) is one of the major environmental concerns due to its excessive discharge through effluents from the leather tanning industry. Peanut production leads to the generation of residual shells as waste calling for sustainable disposal. In this study, we employed an innovative approach of applying peanut-shell-derived pristine and engineered biochar for the remediation of Cr-contaminated wastewater and soil. The peanut shell waste was converted to biochar, which was further engineered with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB, a commonly used cationic surfactant). The biochars were then used for the adsorption and immobilization of Cr(VI) in water and soil, respectively. The adsorption experiments demonstrated high Cr(VI) removal efficiency for the engineered biochar (79.35%) compared with the pristine biochar (37.47%). The Langmuir model best described the Cr(VI) adsorption onto the biochars (R2 > 0.97), indicating monolayer adsorption. Meanwhile, the adsorption kinetics indicated that chemisorption was the dominant mechanism of interaction between the Cr(VI) and the biochars, as indicated by the best fitting to the pseudo-second-order model (R2 > 0.98). Adsorption through the fixed-bed column also presented higher Cr(VI) adsorption onto the engineered biochar (qeq = 22.93 mg g-1) than onto the pristine biochar (qeq = 18.54 mg g-1). In addition, the desorption rate was higher for the pristine biochar column (13.83 mg g-1) than the engineered biochar column (10.45 mg g-1), indicating that Cr(VI) was more strongly adsorbed onto the engineered biochar. A higher immobilization of Cr(VI) was observed in the soil with the engineered biochar than with the pristine biochar, as was confirmed by the significant decreases in the Cr(VI) bioavailability (92%), leachability (100%), and bioaccessibility (97%) compared with the control (soil without biochar). The CTAB-engineered biochar could thus potentially be used as an efficient adsorbent for the removal and the immobilization of Cr(VI) in water and soil, respectively.

Constructed wetlands as a sustainable technology for wastewater treatment with emphasis on chromium-rich tannery wastewater.

Water scarcity is a major threat to agriculture and humans due to over abstraction of groundwater, rapid urbanization and improper use in industrial processes. Industrial consumption of water is lower than the abstraction rate, which ultimately produces large amounts of wastewater such as from tannery industry containing high concentration of chromium (Cr). Chromium-contaminated tannery industry wastewater is used for irrigation of food crops, resulting in food safety and public health issues globally. In contrast to conventional treatment technologies, constructed wetlands (CWs) are considered as an eco-friendly technique to treat various types of wastewaters, although their application and potential have not been discussed and elaborated for Cr treatment of tannery wastewater. This review briefly describes Cr occurrence, distribution and speciation in aquatic ecosystems. The significance of wetland plant species, microorganisms, various bedding media and adsorbents have been discussed with a particular emphasis on the removal and detoxification of Cr in CWs. Also, the efficiency of various types of CWs is elaborated for advancing our understanding on Cr removal efficiency and Cr partitioning in various compartments of the CWs. The review covers important aspects to use CWs for treatment of Cr-rich tannery wastewater that are key to meet UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

Fabrication of biochar-based hybrid Ag nanocomposite from algal biomass waste for toxic dye-laden wastewater treatment.

Dual functional innovative approaches were developed to tackle the algal scum problem in water by utilizing the algal (Spirogyra sp.) biomass waste for organic dye-laden industrial wastewater treatment, a global problem, and challenge. Therefore, an algal biochar-based nanocomposite (nAgBC) was synthesized and employed as a low-cost adsorbent for Congo red (CR) removal. Surface morphology, physicochemical characteristics, elemental composition, phase, and stability of the nanocomposite was analyzed using BET, FESEM-EDX, FTIR, XRD, XPS, and TGA. The nanocomposite was found to be thermostable, mesoporous with large and heterogeneous surface area, containing nAg as doped material, where -OH, NH, CO, CC, SO, and CH are the surface binding active functional groups. Maximum adsorption efficiency of 95.92% (18 mg L-1 CR) was achieved (qe = 34.53 mg g-1) with 0.5 g L-1 of nanocomposite after 60 min, at room temperature (300 K) at pH 6. Isotherm and kinetic model suggested multilayer chemisorption, where adsorption thermodynamics indicated spontaneous reaction. Fluorescens spectral analysis of CR confirmed the formation of CR supramolecule, supporting enhanced adsorption. Furthermore, the result suggested a 5th cycle reusability and considerable efficacy towards real textile industrial effluents. Synergistic effects of the active surface functional groups of the biochar and nAg, along with the overall surface charge of the composite lead to chemisorption, electrostatic attraction, H-bonding, and surface complexation with CR molecules. Thus, synthesized nAgBC can be applicable to mitigate the wastewater for cleaner production and environment.

Arsenic-rich geothermal fluids as environmentally hazardous materials - A global assessment.

Arsenic-rich geothermal fluids are hazardous materials of global impact, affecting different environments (groundwater, surface water, seawater, sediments, soils, atmosphere) and human and animal health. They can be released naturally or through human activities. For the first time, a systematic global assessment of geothermal arsenic (As) in fluids of the six principal types of geothermal reservoirs and their environmental impact (e.g. freshwater sources used for drinking and irrigation), distinguishing between different uses (if any), was performed based on research of the geochemical characteristics and geotectonic setting of the formation of natural geothermal reservoirs worldwide. This will assist to further improve the sustainability of geothermal energy use, which can be an excellent environmental friendly renewable energy resource for electric power production and direct heat use. Arsenic in geothermal fluids (up to several tens of mg/L) originates especially in deep seated (several kilometers) reservoirs. Proper management of geothermal fluids during exploration, exploitation, use and disposal of resulting waste products through sustainable As mitigation strategies are essential. However, more research about As speciation and volatile As is necessary to fulfil this aim. Therefore As (and its principal species) needs to be included as parameter for standard analysis and monitoring program in any project using geothermal fluids from exploration to management of resulting wastes as base to define appropriate mitigation actions.

Iron modification to silicon-rich biochar and alternative water management to decrease arsenic accumulation in rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Production of rice grains at non-toxic levels of arsenic (As) to meet the demands of an ever-increasing population is a global challenge. There is currently a lack of investigation into integrated approaches for decreasing As levels in rice agro-ecosystems. By examining the integrated iron-modified rice hull biochar (Fe-RBC) and water management approaches on As dynamics in the paddy agro-ecosystem, this study aims to reduce As accumulation in rice grains. The rice cultivar, Ishikari, was grown and irrigated with As-containing water (1 mg L-1 of As(V)), under the following treatments: (1) Fe-RBC-flooded water management, (2) Fe-RBC-intermittent water management, (3) conventional flooded water management, and (4) intermittent water management. Compared to the conventional flooded water management, grain weight per pot and Fe and Si concentrations in the paddy pore water under Fe-RBC-intermittent and Fe-RBC-flooded treatments increased by 24%-39%, 100%-142%, and 93%-184%, respectively. The supplementation of Fe-RBC decreased the As/Fe ratio and the abundance of Fe(III) reducing bacteria (i.e. Bacillus, Clostridium, Geobacter, and Anaeromyxobacter) by 57%-88% and 24%-64%, respectively, in Fe-RBC-flooded and Fe-RBC-intermittent treatments compared to the conventional flooded treatment. Most importantly, Fe-RBC-intermittent treatment significantly (p ≤ 0.05) decreased As accumulation in rice roots, shoots, husks, and unpolished rice grains by 62%, 37%, 79%, and 59%, respectively, compared to the conventional flooded treatment. Overall, integrated Fe-RBC-intermittent treatment could be proposed for As endemic areas to produce rice grains with safer As levels, while sustaining rice yields to meet the demands of growing populations.

Seven potential sources of arsenic pollution in Latin America and their environmental and health impacts.

This review presents a holistic overview of the occurrence, mobilization, and pathways of arsenic (As) from predominantly geogenic sources into different near-surface environmental compartments, together with the respective reported or potential impacts on human health in Latin America. The main sources and pathways of As pollution in this region include: (i) volcanism and geothermalism: (a) volcanic rocks, fluids (e.g., gases) and ash, including large-scale transport of the latter through different mechanisms, (b) geothermal fluids and their exploitation; (ii) natural lixiviation and accelerated mobilization from (mostly sulfidic) metal ore deposits by mining and related activities; (iii) coal deposits and their exploitation; (iv) hydrocarbon reservoirs and co-produced water during exploitation; (v) solute and sediment transport through rivers to the sea; (vi) atmospheric As (dust and aerosol); and (vii) As exposure through geophagy and involuntary ingestion. The two most important and well-recognized sources and mechanisms for As release into the Latin American population's environments are: (i) volcanism and geothermalism, and (ii) strongly accelerated As release from geogenic sources by mining and related activities. Several new analyses from As-endemic areas of Latin America emphasize that As-related mortality and morbidity continue to rise even after decadal efforts towards lowering As exposure. Several public health regulatory institutions have classified As and its compounds as carcinogenic chemicals, as As uptake can affect several organ systems, viz. dermal, gastrointestinal, peptic, neurological, respiratory, reproductive, following exposure. Accordingly, ingesting large amounts of As can damage the stomach, kidneys, liver, heart, and nervous system; and, in severe cases, may cause death. Moreover, breathing air with high As levels can cause lung damage, shortness of breath, chest pain, and cough. Further, As compounds, being corrosive, can also cause skin lesions or damage eyes, and long-term exposure to As can lead to cancer development in several organs.

Rice genotype's responses to arsenic stress and cancer risk: The effects of integrated birnessite-modified rice hull biochar-water management applications.

The health risks associated with ingestion of arsenic (As) via consumption of rice are a global concern. This study investigated the effects of integrated biochar (BC)-water management approaches to As stress and to associated health risks in rice. Rice cultivars, Jayanthi and Ishikari, were grown, irrigated with As-containing water (1 mg L-1), under the following treatments: (1) birnessite-modified rice hull biochar (Mn-RBC)-flooded water management, (2) Mn-RBC-intermittent water management, (3) conventional flooded water management, and (4) intermittent water management. Rice yield in both rice varieties increased by 10%-34% under Mn-RBC-flooded and Mn-RBC-intermittent treatments compared to the conventional flooded treatment. In most cases, inorganic As concentration in rice roots, shoots, husks, and unpolished grains in both rice varieties was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lowered by 20%-81%, 6%-81%, 30%-75%, and 18%-44%, respectively, under Mn-RBC-flooded, Mn-RBC-intermittent, and intermittent treatments over flooded treatment. Incremental lifetime cancer risks associated with consumption of both rice varieties were also lowered from 18% to 44% under Mn-RBC-flooded, Mn-RBC-intermittent, and intermittent treatments compared to flooded treatment. Overall, the integrated Mn-RBC-intermittent approach can be applied to As-endemic areas to produce safer rice grains and reduce the incremental lifetime cancer risk through rice consumption.