Adsorption and leaching of fluorotelomer compounds and perfluoroalkyl acids in aqueous media by activated carbon prepared from municipal biosolids.

Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are ubiquitous in nature and pose serious health risks to humans and animals. Limiting PFAA exposure requires novel technology for their effective removal from water. We investigated the efficacy of biosolid-based activated carbon (Bio-SBAC) in removing frequently detected PFAAs and their precursor fluorotelomer compounds at environmentally relevant concentrations (∼50 µg/L). Batch experiments were performed to investigate adsorption kinetics, isotherms, and leachability. Bio-SBAC achieved >95% removal of fluorotelomeric compounds, indicating that the need for PFAA removal from the environment could be minimised if the precursors were targeted. Kinetic data modelling suggested that chemisorption is the dominant PFAA adsorption mechanism. As evidenced by the isotherm modelling results, Freundlich adsorption intensity, n-1, values of <1 (0.707-0.938) indicate chemisorption. Bio-SBAC showed maximum capacities for the adsorption of perfluorooctanoic acid (1429 µg/g) and perfluorononanoic acid (1111 µg/g). Batch desorption tests with 100 mg/L humic acid and 10 g/L NaCl showed that Bio-SBAC effectively retained the adsorbed PFAA with little or no leaching, except perfluorobutanoic acid. Overall, this study revealed that Bio-SBAC is a value-added material with promising characteristics for PFAA adsorption and no leachability. Additionally, it can be incorporated into biofilters to remove PFAAs from stormwater, presenting a sustainable approach to minimise biosolid disposal and improve the quality of wastewater before discharge into receiving waters.

Co-pyrolysis of sewage sludge and biomass waste into biofuels and biochar: A comprehensive feasibility study using a circular economy approach.

Enormous annual sewage sludge (SS) volumes pose global environmental challenges owing to contamination and significant greenhouse gas emissions. Here, we investigated the economic viability of co-pyrolyzing SS and biomass waste to produce biofuels (bio-oil and gas) and biochar. Net present worth (NPW) analysis, the sale product break-even price, and sludge handling price (SHP) were used to determine the profitability of co-pyrolysis compared with SS pyrolysis alone and conventional treatment methods. In this study, the sale prices of biochar based on quality (i.e., stability, carbon sequestration effectiveness, and heavy metal content) were estimated to be 2.24, 1.44, and 0.98 CAD/kg for high-, medium-, and low-grade biochar. The bio-oil prices, estimated based on the higher heating values of bio-oil and diesel, ranged from 0.80 to 1.22 CAD/kg. Sawdust (SD) and wheat straw (WS) were the chosen co-pyrolysis feedstocks, with four mixing ratios (20, 40, 60, and 80 wt%). Economically, SD (40 wt% mixing ratio) co-pyrolysis achieved the best performance, with a maximum NPW of 8.71 million CAD. SD single and co-pyrolysis were the only profitable scenarios. Moreover, SS single pyrolysis and WS co-pyrolysis exhibited higher profitability than conventional SS treatment methods, with SHPs of 65 and 40 CAD/1000 kg dry sludge, respectively. Sensitivity analysis highlighted the dependence of economic performance on biochar and bio-oil market value. This study offers the first economic analysis of this approach and enhances our understanding of the potential of co-pyrolysis for biofuel and biochar production, providing innovative solutions for the environmental challenges of SS disposal.

Astaxanthin production from the microalga Haematococcus lacustris with a dual substrate mixotrophy strategy.

This study investigates the development of dual-substrate mixotrophy strategy to cultivate the microalga Haematococcus lacustris for astaxanthin production. The influence of different concentrations of acetate and pyruvate on biomass productivity was first assessed individually, and then both substrates were used together to improve biomass growth in the green phase and astaxanthin accumulation in red the phase. The results showed that dual-substrates mixotrophy significantly increased the biomass productivity during green growth phase up to 2-fold compared to phototrophic controls. Furthermore, supplementation of dual-substrate to the red phase increased astaxanthin accumulation by 10% in the dual-substrate group compared to single-substrate acetate and no substrate. This dual-substrate mixotrophy approach shows promise for cultivating Haematococcus for commercial production of biological astaxanthin in indoor closed systems.

Essential characteristics improvement of metallic nanoparticles loaded carbohydrate polymeric films - A review.

Petroleum-based films have contributed immensely to various environmental issues. Developing green-based films from carbohydrate polymers is crucial for addressing the harms encountered. However, some limitations exist on their property, processibility, and applicability that prohibit their processing for further developments. This review discusses the potential carbohydrate polymers and their sources, film preparation methods, such as solvent-casting, tape-casting, extrusion, and thermo-mechanical compressions for green-based films using various biological polymers with their merits and demerits. Research outcomes revealed that the essential characteristics improvement achieved by incorporating different metallic nanoparticles has significantly reformed the properties of biofilms, including crystallization, mechanical stability, thermal stability, barrier function, and antimicrobial activity. The property-enhanced bio-based films made with nanoparticles are potentially interested in replacing fossil-based films in various areas, including food-packaging applications. The review paves a new way for the commercial use of numerous carbohydrate polymers to help maintain a sustainable green environment.

A comparative life-cycle assessment and cost analysis of biofilters amended with sludge-based activated carbon and commercial activated carbon for stormwater treatment.

Environmental and economic issues resulting from the unsustainable management of sewage sludge from wastewater have necessitated the development of eco-friendly sewage sludge disposal methods, whereas stormwater effluent contains tremendous amounts of pollutants. This study compares the feasibility and environmental impacts associated with incorporating biofilters with sludge-based activated carbon (SBAC) versus commercial activated carbon (CAC) for stormwater treatment. The results demonstrate that the construction and disposal life-cycle stages are the dominant contributors to several environmental impact categories, including resource scarcity, carcinogenic toxicity, terrestrial ecotoxicity, and ozone formation indicators. Across multiple impact categories, the incorporation of biofilters with SBAC can reduce the negative environmental impacts associated with biofilter construction and disposal by 40% over a 50-year analysis period. In contrast, the most significant improvement is on construction-dominant indicators, where the decreased need for biofilter reconstruction results in a higher reduction in environmental impacts. Economically, amending the biofilter with SBAC can increase profits by up to 66% due to extending its lifespan. This study shows that SBAC has similar performance as CAC for lowering the negative environmental impacts resulting from biofilter construction, while increasing the overall net profits of the system. However, converting sewage sludge to an effective sorbent (SBAC) and incorporating SBAC into a biofilter to capture pollutants from stormwater is an economically and environmentally sustainable solution available to practitioners to manage sewage sludge and stormwater effluent. This solution protects the environment in a cost efficient, sustainable manner.

Using circular economy principles in the optimisation of sludge-based activated carbon production for the removal of perfluoroalkyl substances.

Massive sewage sludge (SS) production from municipal wastewater treatment plants and the presence of numerous pollutant types render the process of SS treatment and disposal costly and complex. Here, resource recovery from SS was maximised via the optimisation of sludge-based activated carbon (SBAC) production for the removal of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), while considering economic factors and minimising environmental impacts. SBAC production optimisation was realised under different operating conditions (different ZnCl2 impregnation ratios and different pyrolysis activation temperatures and durations). The sorption capacity of the optimised SBAC with respect to the removal of nine commonly detected PFASs, with environmentally relevant concentrations (∽50 µg/L), from simulated wastewater was evaluated. Economic analysis and life-cycle assessment (LCA) were also performed to determine the feasibility of the process and its potential role in the circular economy. Batch adsorption tests confirmed the high efficiency of the optimised SBACs for PFAS removal (93-100 %), highlighting the possibility of converting SS to SBAC. Economically speaking, the optimised SBAC at 1.5 M ZnCl2, 500 °C, and 0.75 h reduced total production cost by 49 %. Further, the cost could be reduced to as little as 1087 US $/metric-ton compared with that corresponding to the original conditions (2.5 M ZnCl2, 500 °C, 2 h; 2144 US $/metric-ton). LCA results also showed that freshwater ecotoxicity, marine ecotoxicity, and human non-carcinogenic toxicity were the most affected environmental impact indicators, showing a 49 % decrease when ZnCl2 impregnation ratio was reduced from 2.5 to 1.5 M. These findings highlighted the optimal conditions for the production of SBAC with high sorption capacity at a reduced cost and with reduced environmental impacts. Thus, they can serve as valuable tools for decision making regarding the selection of the most sustainable and economically feasible process for PFAS removal.

Cellulose/inorganic nanoparticles-based nano-biocomposite for abatement of water and wastewater pollutants.

Nanostructured materials offer a significant role in wastewater treatment with diminished capital and operational expense, low dose, and pollutant selectivity. Specifically, the nanocomposites of cellulose with inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) have drawn a prodigious interest because of the extraordinary cellulose properties, high specific surface area, and pollutant selectivity of NPs. Integrating inorganic NPs with cellulose biopolymers for wastewater treatment is a promising advantage for inorganic NPs, such as colloidal stability, agglomeration prevention, and easy isolation of magnetic material after use. This article presents a comprehensive overview of water treatment approaches following wastewater remediation by green and environmentally friendly cellulose/inorganic nanoparticles-based bio-nanocomposites. The functionalization of cellulose, functionalization mechanism, and engineered hybrid materials were thoroughly discussed. Moreover, we also highlighted the purification of wastewater through the composites of cellulose/inorganic nanoparticles via adsorption, photocatalytic and antibacterial approach.

Human ACE-2, MCP1 and micro-RNA 146 as Novel Markers for COVID- 19 Affection and Severity.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Coronavirus disease - 2019 (COVID-19) is a major pandemic that causes high morbidity and mortality rates. AIM OF THIS STUDY: to detect the relations between many risk factors, ACE-2, MCP-1, Micro RNA 146 gene expression, and COVID-19 infection and disease severity. METHODS: This study was carried out on 165 cases of COVID-19 and 138 controls. ACE2 and MCP1 levels were measured in COVID-19 cases and control by ELISA and micro-RNA-146 expression by PCR. RESULTS: We found an increased blood level of ACE2 and MCP1 in COVID- 19 patients than in healthy persons and a significant down-regulation of micro-RNA 146 gene expression in cases than in controls. There was a significant correlation between increased blood level of ACE2, regulation of micro-RNA 146 gene expression and severity of lung affection, a significant correlation was found between increased blood level of MCP1 and thrombosis in COVID-19 patients. Neurological complications were significantly correlated with more viral load, more ACE2 blood level, and down regulation of micro RNA146 expression. CONCLUSION: High viral load, increased blood level of ACE2, and down-regulation of micro-RNA 146 expression are associated with more severe lung injury and the presence of neurologic complications like convulsions and coma in COVID-19 Egyptian patients.

Albuminuria as a predictor of mortality in type II diabetic patients after living-donor liver transplantation.

PURPOSE: Diabetes mellitus (DM) increases the risk of morbidity and mortality after liver resection. Albuminuria is associated with a higher risk for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. This study evaluated albuminuria as a predictor of the outcome of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in patients with pre-existing DM. METHODS: This retrospective study involved 103 type II diabetic patients with end-stage liver disease who received LDLT. Preoperative spot urine albumin: creatinine ratio was used to determine the degree of albuminuria. The primary outcome measure was the impact of urinary albumin excretion on the 3-year mortality rate after LDLT in this diabetic cohort. RESULTS: Hepatitis C virus infection was the main cause of cirrhosis. Albuminuria was detected in 41 patients (39.8%); 15 had macroalbuminuria, while 26 had microalbuminuria. Patients with microalbuminuria were significantly older than those with macroalbuminuria and normal albumin in urine. After 3 years, twenty-four patients (23.3%) died within 3 years after LT. Myocardial infarction was the leading cause of death (25%). Albuminuria was an independent factor affecting 3-year mortality with an odds ratio of 5.17 (95% CI: 1.86-14.35). CONCLUSION: Preoperative albuminuria is an independent factor affecting mortality within 3 years after LDLT in type II diabetic patients. Myocardial infarction was the leading cause of death in 25% of cases, followed by hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence, sepsis, and graft failure.KEY MESSAGESDiabetes mellitus (DM) increases the risk of morbidity and mortality after liver resection.Albuminuria is associated with a higher risk for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.Preoperative albuminuria is a significant predictor of mortality within 3 years after LDLT in diabetic patients.

Microplastics: Occurrences, treatment methods, regulations and foreseen environmental impacts.

Microplastics are a silent threat that represent a high degree of danger to the environment in its different ecosystems and of course will also have an important impact on the health of living organisms. It is evident the need to have effective treatments for their treatment, however this is not a simple task, this as a result of the behavior of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants due to their different types and nature, their long molecular chain, reactivity against water, size, shape and the functional groups they carry. Wastewater treatment plants are at the circumference of the release of these wastes into the environment. They often act as a source of many contaminations, which makes this problem more complex. Challenges such as detection in the current scenario using the latest analytical techniques impede the correct understanding of the problem. Due to microplastics, treatment plants have operational and process stability problems. This review paper will present the in-depth situation of occurrence of microplastics, their detection, conventional and advanced treatment methods as well as implementation of legislations worldwide in a comprehensive manner. It has been observed that no innovative or new technologies have emerged to treat microplastics. Therefore, in this article, technologies targeting wastewater treatment plants are critically analyzed. This will help to understand their fate, but also to develop state-of-the-art technologies or combinations of them for the selective treatment of microplastics. The pros and cons of the treatment methods adopted and the knowledge gaps in legislation regarding their implementation are also comprehensively analyzed. This critical work will offer the development of new strategies to restrict microplastics.

Peroxidases-based enticing biotechnological platforms for biodegradation and biotransformation of emerging contaminants.

Rampant industrial boom, urbanization, and exponential population growth resulted in widespread environmental pollution, with water being one of the leading affected resources. All kinds of pollutants, including phenols, industrial dyes, antibiotics, pharmaceutically active residues, and persistent/volatile organic compounds, have a paramount effect, either directly or indirectly, on human health and aquatic entities. Strategies for affordable and efficient decontamination of these emerging pollutants have become the prime focus of academic researchers, industry, and government to constitute a sustainable human society. Classical treatment techniques for environmental contaminants are associated with several limitations, such as inefficiency, complex pretreatments, overall high process cost, high sludge generation, and highly toxic side-products formation. Enzymatic remediation is considered a green and ecologically friendlier method that holds considerable potential to mitigate any kinds of contaminating agents. Exploiting the potential of various peroxidases for pollution abatement is an emerging research area and has considerable advantages, such as efficiency and ease of handling, over other methods. This work is designed to provide recent progress in deploying peroxidases as green and versatile biocatalytic tools for the degradation and transformation of a spectrum of potentially hazardous environmental pollutants to broaden their scope for biotechnological and environmental purposes. More studies are required to explicate the degradation mechanisms, assess the toxicology levels of bio-transformed metabolites, and standardize the treatment strategies for economic viability.

Organic waste recycling for carbon smart circular bioeconomy and sustainable development: A review.

The development of sustainable and low carbon impact processes for a suitable management of waste and by-products coming from different factors of the industrial value chain like agricultural, forestry and food processing industries. Implementing this will helps to avoid the negative environmental impact and global warming. The application of the circular bioeconomy (CB) and the circular economic models have been shown to be a great opportunity for facing the waste and by-products issues by bringing sustainable processing systems which allow to the value chains be more responsible and resilient. In addition, biorefinery approach coupled to CB context could offer different solution and insights to conquer the current challenges related to decrease the fossil fuel dependency as well as increase efficiency of resource recovery and processing cost of the industrial residues. It is worth to remark the important role that the biotechnological processes such as fermentative, digestive and enzymatic conversions play for an effective waste management and carbon neutrality.

Catalytic reforming of polyethylene pyrolysis vapors to naphtha range hydrocarbons with low aromatic content over a high silica ZSM-5 zeolite.

In this study, the microwave-assisted pyrolysis coupled with ex-situ catalytic reforming of polyethylene for naphtha range hydrocarbons, with low aromatic content, was investigated. Experimental results revealed that ZSM-5 zeolites with low SiO2/Al2O3 ratios led to high aromatic selectivity, while an extremely high SiO2/Al2O3 ratio significantly reduced the aromatic selectivity. The high selectivity of C5-C12 hydrocarbons (98.9 %) with low selectivity of C5-C12 aromatics (28.5 %) was obtained over a high silica ZSM-5 zeolite at a pyrolysis temperature of 500 °C, catalytic cracking temperature of 460 °C, and a weight hourly space velocity of 7 h-1. The liquid oil produced was mainly composed of C5-C12 olefins that can be easily converted into paraffin-rich naphtha by hydrogenation or hydrogen transfer reactions as the feedstock for new plastic manufacturing. 8 cycles of regeneration-reaction cycles were carried out successfully with little change on the product distribution, showing the great potential for continuous production of low-aromatic liquid oil. Catalyst characterization showed that the catalyst deactivation was primarily caused by coke deposition (approximately 16.0 wt%) on the surface of the catalysts, and oxidative regeneration was able to recover most of the pore structure and acidity of the zeolite by effectively removing coke. This study provides a better understanding for the plastic-to-naphtha process and even for scale-up studies.

Understanding the environmental impacts of biogas utilization for energy production through life cycle assessment: An action towards reducing emissions.

Unlike renewable energy sources, burning fossil fuels has severe environmental impacts, such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and climate change. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess and compare the environmental impacts of three biogas utilization scenarios for energy production. The life cycle assessment (LCA) method was used to compare (i) biogas combustion in combined heat and power (CHP) unit, (ii) biogas burning in a steam boiler, and (iii) biogas upgrading using pressure swing adsorption (PSA) unit to determine the most sustainable option. The results revealed that the upgrading scenario was the best option, achieving emission savings in 8 out of 10 investigated impact categories. Among them, the emission saving was the highest in the marine aquatic ecotoxicity category (-4276.97 kg 1,4-DB eq./MJ). The CHP scenario was the second-best option, followed by the boiler scenario (worst option), and both had the most beneficial performance in the ozone depletion potential category with 6.29E-08 and 9.88E-08 kg CFC-11-eq./MJ, respectively. The environmental burdens of the boiler scenario were the highest in the marine aquatic ecotoxicity category (248.92 kg 1,4-DB eq./MJ). Although the CHP and boiler scenarios contributed to environmental burdens in all impact categories, they achieved beneficial performances compared to fossil fuel-based systems.

Improvement of Pancreatic Steatosis and Indices of Insulin Resistance After Metabolic Surgery.

Purpose: Obesity is associated with fat accumulation in ectopic sites such as the pancreas, the so-called pancreatic steatosis (PS). Bariatric surgery has been shown to be associated with reducing pancreatic fat. This study investigated the effect of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) on pancreatic volume and its fat content and glucose homeostasis. Methods: The study enrolled 54 patients subjected to LSG. Metabolic variables and pancreatic exocrine function were assessed immediately before surgery and 12 months after. MRI of the abdomen was performed to measure pancreatic fat content and its total volume and visceral adipose tissue (VAT). Results: Surgery resulted in a significant reduction in body weight and BMI. HbA1c, fasting insulin, C-peptide levels, HOMA-IR, and Hs-CRP levels decreased significantly. Surgery resulted in significant improvement in lipid profile except for HDL-cholesterol and liver function tests. Total VAT volume decreased significantly. Total pancreas volume decreased by a mean of 9.0 cm3 (95% CI: 6.6-11.3). The median change of pancreatic fat was -26.1% (range: -55.6 to 58.3%). Pancreatic lipase decreased significantly (P < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between the percentage of total weight loss and decrease in pancreatic fat volume (r = 0.295, P = 0.030). Conclusion: Weight loss after LSG is associated with a reduction of total VAT volume, total pancreatic volume, and pancreatic fat content. These changes are associated with improved glucose homeostasis, reduced systemic inflammation, and decreased pancreatic lipase secretion.

Pro-Neurotensin as a Potential Novel Diagnostic Biomarker for Detection of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Background and Aims: Currently, liver biopsy is the gold standard method for diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver severity. It is critical to develop non-invasive diagnostic method to diagnose nonalcoholic fatty liver rather than invasive techniques. Our case-control study was to address the value of circulating miRNA-122 and serum pro-neurotensin as a potential non-invasive biomarker for the diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty acid diseases. Methods: Clinical assessment, laboratory investigations, and anthropometric measurements were reported for 157 patients with proven NAFLD. Apparently, healthy participants (n=100) were enrolled as a control group. Serum samples were tested for micro-RNAs-122 and pro-neurotensin. Results: Compared with the control subjects, both mi-RNA-122 and serum proneurotensin levels were increased in NAFLD (p<0.001) and at a cut-off ≥6.83, mi-RNA-122 had 51.0% sensitivity, 70.0% specificity to differentiate NAFLD from healthy controls, while serum proneurotensin had 80.0% sensitivity and 80.0% specificity at a cutoff ≥108. Conclusion: The circulating pro-neurotensin might be used as a novel biomarker for diagnosis of patients with NAFLD, wherefore the integration of a circulating mi-RNA-122 and serum pro-neurotensin could be beneficial to diagnose NAFLD cases. Large-scale studies are needed to investigate the possible role of mi-RNA-122 and pro-neurotensin in the development, progression, and prognosis of NAFLD and NASH.

Microplastic removal from urban stormwater: Current treatments and research gaps.

Stormwater is a major contributor to microplastic (MP) pollution in the aquatic environment. Although MPs are associated with many toxicological effects, their levels in stormwater are not regulated. This review compared the effectiveness of different MP removal technologies from stormwater runoff and examined the performance of typical stormwater treatment systems for MP removal to assess possible MP pollution control via stormwater management. Bioretention and filtration systems performed similarly with 84-96% MP removal efficiencies. Despite the limited number of studies that focused on wetlands and retention ponds, preliminary data suggested potential for MP removal with efficiencies of 28-55% and 85-99%, respectively. Despite the higher efficiency of bioretention and filtration systems, their removal efficiency of fibrous MPs was not optimal. Furthermore, wetlands were less effective in removing MPs than retention ponds, although the limited data might lead to an inaccurate representation of typical performances. Therefore, more research is required to arrive at definitive conclusions and to investigate alternative treatment options, such as ballasted sand flocculation, flotation, and biological degradation, and evaluate the effectiveness of bioretention and filtration for MPs <100 µm.

A comparative environmental life cycle assessment of rice straw-based bioenergy projects in China.

Bioenergy is a promising solution for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions mitigation. However, the emissions resulting from the different production stages must be quantified and evaluated. The life cycle assessment (LCA) method was used to compare and quantify the environmental burdens of three rice straw (RS) utilization scenarios for producing biogas, briquette fuel, and syngas. To our knowledge, this is the first study that applies the LCA approach to assess these three bioenergy scenarios in a single study where the main goal was to determine the most sustainable option. A total of 10 mid-point impact categories were investigated. The results indicated that the three scenarios achieved net positive energy and net negative GHG balances. The briquette fuel scenarios had the highest net energy balance (11,115 MJ/tonne dry RS), while the syngas scenario had the highest net GHG (-2,315 kg CO2-eq./tonne dry RS). Moreover, the syngas scenario was the most beneficial to the environment, achieving negative results in 9 out of the 10 impact categories; the largest was marine ecotoxicity (-853,897 kg 1,4-DB-eq./tonne dry RS). The biogas scenario achieved emission savings in 3 out of the 10 categories. Although the briquette fuel scenario had no negative values in the 10 categories, its overall contribution to environmental burdens was relatively low. Overall, the order of the three scenarios in terms of the most sustainable option is syngas > briquette fuel > biogas.

Adsorption of p-benzoquinone at low concentrations from aqueous media using biosolid-based activated carbon.

The toxic oxidation intermediate p-benzoquinone exists in aqueous environments at dilute concentrations above the fish-toxicity limit of 0.045 mg/L, affecting aquatic life. The reduction of this compound to the concentrations required to achieve safe discharge limits is challenging. In this study, the adsorptive removal of p-benzoquinone by a biosolid-based activated carbon (SBAC) was systematically investigated in batch experiments. The adsorption rate was rapid, and the bulk of p-benzoquinone adsorption occurred within 30 min. The maximum adsorption capacity of SBAC was estimated at 19.6 mg/g using the Langmuir isotherm model. Its adsorptivity was independent of temperature from 6 to 40 °C. The presence of 6 g/L of chloride and 500 mg/L of sulphate did not affect the removal of 1 mg/L p-benzoquinone, whereas 15 mg/L of humic acid media slightly decreased the p-benzoquinone removal from 87.0% to 83.2%. Diffusion, hydrophilic, and electrostatic interactions (i.e., dipole-dipole) govern the adsorption of p-benzoquinone and are influenced by the SBAC surface chemistry. Biosolid-based activated carbon can lower the residual p-benzoquinone to below the fish-toxicity limit of 0.045 mg/L within 1 h of sequential adsorption. Thus, biosolid-based activated carbon can effectively remove p-benzoquinone from aqueous environments; this is a waste-to-resource approach that addresses sustainability (waste disposal) and environmental protection (pollutant removal).

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the environment, waste management, and energy sectors: a deeper look into the long-term impacts.

The COVID-19 pandemic not only has caused a global health crisis but also has significant environmental consequences. Although many studies are confirming the short-term improvements in air quality in several countries across the world, the long-term negative consequences outweigh all the claimed positive impacts. As a result, this review highlights the positive and the long-term negative environmental effects of the COVID-19 pandemic by evaluating the scientific literature. Remarkable reduction in the levels of CO (3 - 65%), NO2 (17 - 83%), NOx (24 - 47%), PM2.5 (22 - 78%), PM10 (23 - 80%), and VOCs (25 - 57%) was observed during the lockdown across the world. However, according to this review, the pandemic put enormous strain on the present waste collection and treatment system, resulting in ineffective waste management practices, damaging the environment. The extensive usage of face masks increased the release of microplastics/nanoplastics (183 to 1247 particles piece-1) and organic pollutants in land and water bodies. Furthermore, the significant usages of anti-bacterial hand sanitizers, disinfectants, and pharmaceuticals have increased the accumulation of various toxic emerging contaminants (e.g., triclocarban, triclosan, bisphenol-A, hydroxychloroquine) in the treated sludge/biosolids and discharged wastewater effluent, posing great threats to the ecosystems. This review also suggests strategies to create long-term environmental advantages. Thermochemical conversions of solid wastes including medical wastes and for treated wastewater sludge/biosolids offer several advantages through recovering the resources and energy and stabilizing/destructing the toxins/contaminants and microplastics in the precursors.