Stimulating effect of biogenic nanoparticles on the germination of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) seeds.

Metal nanoparticles synthesized using various biosources are the subject of focus in many research areas thanks to their improved biological effects and increased bioavailability. Silver (Ag), zinc oxide (ZnO) and magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (NPs) were obtained by using low-cost, low-energy, environmentally friendly, non-toxic chemicals and easily accessible thyme leaves and lavender flowers. The effects of various concentrations of biosynthesized NPs on the germination and germination index of basil seeds were defined comparatively. Phytochemicals in lavender flower extract acted as reducing and capping agents in the biosynthesis of Ag-NPs, and phytochemicals in thyme leaves extract acted for the biosynthesis of ZnO-NPs ve Fe3O4-NPs. Relative root length was detected at 25 mg/L ZnO-NP, stem length at 50 mg/L ZnO-NP, and relative seed germination 100 mg/L Fe3O4-NP with the maximum value. However, germination percentage, germination index, germination vigor index and root length were found to be maximum compared to other NP applications at Ag-NPs at 200 mg/L. This research showed that the germination promoting effects of NPs, which may be essential microelements, are related to their size, surface area, morphology and concentration. Thus, it promoted early and rapid germination by breaking the NP's seed dormancy.

Determination of lead(II) sorption capacity of hazelnut shell and activated carbon obtained from hazelnut shell activated with ZnCl2.

This study aimed to determine the Pb(+2) adsorption capacities of hazelnut shell and activated carbon obtained from hazelnut shell. It also aimed to determine the effect of ZnCl2 in the activation process. The hazelnut was pyrolyzed at 250 and 700 °C. For determining the capture speed of the adsorbents, the pseudo-first- and second-order kinetic studies were performed. The Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models were used to determine adsorption equilibrium. The surface characterization of hazelnut shell and activated carbon was determined by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis and FTIR spectrum. Pb(+2) adsorption capacity of obtaining activated carbon was determined by ICP-OES analysis. The raw hazelnut shell's BET surface area is 5.92 m(2)/g and the surface area of activated carbons which is pyrolyzed at 250 and 700 °C were determined (270.2 and 686.7 m(2)/g, respectively. The surface area of hazelnut shell, which pyrolyzed at 700 °C after being activated with ZnCl2, was determined to be 736.49 m(2)/g. Results show that physical adsorption process is dominant for the activated carbon pyrolysis at 700 °C but the chemical adsorption is dominant for the activated carbon pyrolysis at lower degrees and for raw hazelnut shell.

Removal of suspended solids and turbidity from marble processing wastewaters by electrocoagulation: comparison of electrode materials and electrode connection systems.

In this study, removal of suspended solids (SS) and turbidity from marble processing wastewaters by electrocoagulation (EC) process were investigated by using aluminium (Al) and iron (Fe) electrodes which were run in serial and parallel connection systems. To remove these pollutants from the marble processing wastewater, an EC reactor including monopolar electrodes (Al/Fe) in parallel and serial connection system, was utilized. Optimization of differential operation parameters such as pH, current density, and electrolysis time on SS and turbidity removal were determined in this way. EC process with monopolar Al electrodes in parallel and serial connections carried out at the optimum conditions where the pH value was 9, current density was approximately 15 A/m(2), and electrolysis time was 2 min resulted in 100% SS removal. Removal efficiencies of EC process for SS with monopolar Fe electrodes in parallel and serial connection were found to be 99.86% and 99.94%, respectively. Optimum parameters for monopolar Fe electrodes in both of the connection types were found to be for pH value as 8, for electrolysis time as 2 min. The optimum current density value for Fe electrodes used in serial and parallel connections was also obtained at 10 and 20 A/m(2), respectively. Based on the results obtained, it was found that EC process running with each type of the electrodes and the connections was highly effective for the removal of SS and turbidity from marble processing wastewaters, and that operating costs with monopolar Al electrodes in parallel connection were the cheapest than that of the serial connection and all the configurations for Fe electrode.