Search

The beneficial application of silver nanoparticles and biostimulants to increase crop yield and quality is a long-term strategy to achieve desired agricultural productions that are resilient to various biotic and abiotic challenges. This project aimed to evaluate the individual effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), Ascophyllum nodosum (SEW), and Spirulina platensis (SP) on the growth and physiological responses of Santolina chamaecyparissus. S. chamaecyparissus plants were exposed to AgNPs (20, 40, and 60 mg L−1), SWE (0.5% and 1%), and SP (1%, 2%, and 3%). The finding indicates that the light-harvesting efficiency and plant photochemical capacity are not affected by most treatments except for 60 mg L−1 AgNPs. Furthermore, the pattern of H2O2 levels in leaves was significantly higher after AgNP, SP, and SEW treatments. In parallel, total phenolic production was at least accompanied by a burst in H2O2 levels. However, higher antioxidant activity compared to the control, is shown by the higher free-DPPH-radical inhibition that goes completely smoothly with lower H2O2 levels. Thus, the results of the present study showed that biostimulants overall improved the antioxidant activity of S. chamaecyparissus and induced variable detectable amounts of phenolic compounds in response to the concentrations of each biostimulant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reduction of cement content in mortar and concrete mixtures reduces both the amount of CO2 in the environment and the cost of production. Therefore, this research utilizes Jordanian bentonite as a pozzolanic material in both mortar and concrete sample mixtures. Three types of Jordanian bentonite samples were added to the mortar and concrete mixtures 1: natural bentonite 2: heated bentonite at 250 oC, 550 oC, and 750 oC, and 3: calcium-bentonite. Then, 21 mortar mixtures were prepared. Bentonite was added to the mortar mixtures in weight proportions of 0% (reference sample), 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% by cement weight. On the other hand, 9 concrete mixtures were prepared from natural bentonite, heated bentonite, and ca-bentonite with proportions of 0% (reference sample), 10%, and 20% partial replacement of cement weight. The tested results show that heated bentonite at 750 oC achieved close results to the control sample. Moreover, both natural bentonite and Ca-bentonite reduce concrete shrinkage. Concrete permeability was highly reduced by using bentonite, especially Catreated, where permeability was reduced by 60%. Cost and environmental analyses were conducted to evaluate the utilization of bentonite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sterculia diversifolia, widely distributed in Jordan as an ornamental plant, is a synonoum for Brachychiton populneus. Phytochemical studies examining the volatile chemicals in Sterculia diversifolia leaves are limited, despite the rising demand for their numerous applications. Furthermore, it was only recently that a report described the friendly synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using aqueous extract derived from Brachychiton populneus leaves. Therefore, AgNPs were produced using either aqueous plant extracts (AgWPE) or ethanolic plant extracts (AgEPE), and Shimadzu GC-MS equipment was used to detect volatile compounds in the ethanolic leaf extracts. GC-MS profile of leaf ethanolic extracts of the Jordanian chemotypes of S. diversifolia revealed the existence of major components: (3β)-Lup-20(29)-en-3-ol acetate (30.97%) and 1-octadecyne (24.88). Other compounds are squalene (7.19%), germanicol (6.23), dl-α-tocopherol (5.24), heptacosane (4.41), phytol (3.54) and pentacosane (2.89). According to published studies, these reported chemicals have numerous uses, including as animal feed, vitamin precursors, possible eco-friendly herbicides, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory agents. Aqueous extracts of S. diversifolia leaves had total phenolic of 5.33 mg GAE/g extract and flavonoid contents of 64.88 mg QE/g extract, respectively. The results indicated the contribution of phenolic and flavonoids to this plant's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The reduction in AgNO3 to AgNPs using S. diversifolia leaf extracts was confirmed by the change in solution color from colorless to dark black. Further characterization was attempted by X-ray diffraction, Malvern zeta-sizer and scanning electron microscope. The efficacy of synthesized Ag nanoparticles using aqueous or ethanolic plant extract of S. diversifolia against the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus showed appreciable activity at 25 µg/mL concentration compared to the source plant extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the mineral composition of the historical mortars of Qasr Tuba and to re-produce them for the restoration process. The mortar samples were collected from the foundation and walls of Qasr Tuba. The chemical and mineral composition of the mortar was determined using several techniques. In addition, the quantitative minerals content was recalculated for the mortar samples utilizing the material balances equation. Moreover, 12 mixtures of mortar were prepared and tested for fresh and hardened properties, according to their respective national and international standards. The results revealed that two types of mortar were used: (i) the lime-based mortar was used for the foundation and joint mortars in the lower parts of the building walls with a gypsum-hydrated lime ratio of 1:3; and (ii) the gypsum-based mortar was used as joint mortar in the upper parts of the building walls for baked bricks at a gypsum-hydrated lime ratio of 4:1. A pozzolanic reaction in the Qasr Tuba mortar produced a new formation of Xonotlite, Stratlingite, and calcium aluminium hydrate as a secondary cementing mineral. In conclusion, the use of hydraulic lime mortar was considered for building an environment for capturing the CO2 gas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the main problems that limit the extensive use of photovoltaic (PV) systems is the increase in the temperature of PV panels. Overheating of a PV module decreases the performance of the output power by 0.4% to 0.5% per 1°C over its rated temperature that in most cases is 25°C. An effective way of improving electrical performance (power output and efficiency) and reducing the rate of thermal degradation of a PV module is to reduce the operating temperature of the PV surface by a cooling medium. To achieve this, nanofluids can be considered as a potentially effective solution for cooling. In this study, two types of nanofluids, namely Al2O3 and TiO2 water‐based mixture of different volume flow rates and concentrations (0.01%, 0.05%, and 0.1%) by weight, were used. Also, three PV panels were cooled simultaneously using nanofluids, water, and natural air, respectively. Results showed that nanofluids for cooling enhanced heat transfer rate much better than water and natural air. Best results were achieved for TiO2 nanofluids at the considered concentration (0.1 wt%). Nanofluid cooling of turbulent flows for such an application has not been investigated before. These results represent the first application of nanofluid cooling in the turbulent flow regimes and in outdoor conditions including real solar irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Roads & Bridges / Drogi i Mosty is the property of Road & Bridge Research Institute and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A quantitative assessment of pharmaceuticals in surface water in Jordan was conducted using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to evaluate the occurrence, source and distribution of 18 pharmaceutical compounds. Grab samples were collected in the summer from the effluent of two dams in Jordan. Among all of the pharmaceuticals analyzed, the results showed that 10 pharmaceutical compounds were detected in the effluent of King Talal Dam including 1,7-dimethylxanthine, acetaminophen, amphetamine, caffeine, carbamazepine, cotinine, phenazone, sulfamethoxazole, sulfamethazine, trimethoprim. However, four pharmaceutical compounds detected in the effluent of Mujib Dam include 1,7-dimethylxanthine, caffeine, cotinine, phenazone. Moreover, eight pharmaceutical compounds were not detected in both dams (<0.005 μg/L) including cimetidine, diphenhydramine, MDA, MDMA, methamphetamine, morphine, sulfachloropyridazine and thiabendazole. The results also indicated that the compound detected at the highest concentration levels in King Talal Dam was carbamazepine at concentration of 0.358 μg/L. It is very clear that the occurrence of pharmaceuticals at King Talal Dam is higher than in Mujib Dam. This is mainly due to the fact that King Talal Dam is receiving runoff water and treated wastewater from the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), while the Mujib Dam is only receiving surface runoff water. This is consistent with many studies reported in the literature that municipal WWTPs are considered a primary source for the discharge of pharmaceuticals and personal care products into surface waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A quantitative assessment of pharmaceuticals in surface water in Jordan was conducted using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to evaluate the occurrence, source and distribution of 18 pharmaceutical compounds. Grab samples were collected in the summer from the effluent of two dams in Jordan. Among all of the pharmaceuticals analyzed, the results showed that 10 pharmaceutical compounds were detected in the effluent of King Talal Dam including 1,7-dimethylxanthine, acetaminophen, amphetamine, caffeine, carbamazepine, cotinine, phenazone, sulfamethoxazole, sulfamethazine, trimethoprim. However, four pharmaceutical compounds detected in the effluent of Mujib Dam include 1,7-dimethylxanthine, caffeine, cotinine, phenazone. Moreover, eight pharmaceutical compounds were not detected in both dams (<0.005 μg/L) including cimetidine, diphenhydramine, MDA, MDMA, methamphetamine, morphine, sulfachloropyridazine and thiabendazole. The results also indicated that the compound detected at the highest concentration levels in King Talal Dam was carbamazepine at concentration of 0.358 μg/L. It is very clear that the occurrence of pharmaceuticals at King Talal Dam is higher than in Mujib Dam. This is mainly due to the fact that King Talal Dam is receiving runoff water and treated wastewater from the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), while the Mujib Dam is only receiving surface runoff water. This is consistent with many studies reported in the literature that municipal WWTPs are considered a primary source for the discharge of pharmaceuticals and personal care products into surface waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium can enter water, soil, and food chain in amounts harmful to human health by industrial wastes. The use of intact and NaOH-treated dried algal tissues (Hydrodictyon reticulatum), a major ecosystem bio-component, for Cd removal from aqueous solutions was characterized. Cadmium biosorption was found to be dependent on solution pH, bioadsorbent dose, the interaction between pH and dose, contact time, and initial Cd concentration. The experimental results indicated that the biosorption performance of alkaline-treated algal tissues was better than that of intact tissues. The maximum biosorption capacities were 7.40 and 12.74 mg g−1for intact and alkaline-treated bioadsorbents, respectively, at optimum operating conditions. Biosorption reaches equilibrium after 24 and 240 minutes of contact, respectively, for alkaline-treated and intact bioadsorbents. Cadmium biosorption was best fitted to Langmuir isotherm model (R2≈ 0.99) and the kinetic study obeyed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, which suggests chemisorption as the rate-limiting step in the biosorption process. Alkaline-treated algal tissues can be used as a new material of low-cost bioadsorbent for continuous flow rate treatment systems. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Demand for fresh water by the construction sector is expected to increase due to the high increase in the growth of construction activities in Jordan. This study aims to evaluate the potential of scale-up of the application of treated domestic wastewater in concrete from bench-scale to a full-scale. On the lab scale, concrete and mortar mixes using Primary and Secondary Treated Wastewater (PTW, STW) and Distilled Water (DW) were cast and tested after various curing ages (7, 28, 120, and 200 days). Based on wastewater quality, according to IS 456-2000, the STW is suitable for mortar and concrete production. Mortar made with STW at curing time up to 200 days has no significant negative effect on the mortar's compressive strength. Conversely, the PTW exceeded the maximum permissible limits of total organic content and E coli. for concrete mixing-water. Using PTW results, a significant increase in the initial setting time of up to 16.7% and a decrease in the concrete workability are observed. In addition, using PTW as mixing water led to a significant reduction in the compressive strength up to 19.6%. The results that came out from scaling up to real production operation of ready-mix concrete were in harmony with the lab-scale results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jordanian phosphate mine wastes (PMW) at Ruseifa City was fully characterized and tested for its PO4removal capacity by batch experiments using prepared phosphate solutions and domestic wastewater. PMW particles are positively charged with median particle size of 0.625 μm. Mineralogical and chemical analyses of PMW showed that it is mainly composed of calcite, fluorapatite, and quartz with high concentrations of calcium and phosphorous. The phosphate concentrations in PMW range from 11 to 24% expressed as P2O5. PMW as a sorbent has a very high PO4removal efficiency from wastewater and prepared solutions. PO4solutions with concentrations ranging from 5 to 5,000 mg L−1were prepared and utilized in batch experiments in the presence of PMW as a sorbent. The concentration of PO4in the solution phase and pH were the main parameters influencing the PMW sorption capacity of PO4. The PO4removal efficiency from prepared solutions was up to 99%. Moreover, Langmuir sorption model was able to describe the observed data for PO4sorption by PMW. The sorption data at PO4concentrations >50 mg L−1were highly fitted to Langmuir model. The estimated sorption maximum capacity (bmax) of PMW was 46,620 mg kg−1. On the other hand, domestic wastewater samples obtained from six Jordanian wastewater treatment plants were subjected to PO4removal by PMW, and the results showed that the PO4removal efficiency exceeded 97%. The adverse environmental impacts and human health risks associated with PMW presence are briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A pilot grey water treatment system and collection network were designed, installed, and operated in Jordan Valley using natural filtration materials. Grey water from showers and washing sinks was collected from four houses. In order to evaluate the performance of multi-layer filter (MLF) ability to remove the pollutants from the collected grey water, the quality of treated and untreated grey water was examined and the suitability of treated grey water for irrigation was assessed. The results revealed that the efficiency removal of organic material before UV disinfection stage for BOD5, COD, and TSS was about 88.6, 83, and 92.2%, respectively. The efficiency removal rates for nutrients by MLF were a bit low as 32.5% of total phosphorous and 19.8% of total nitrogen were removed, whereas the removal efficiency of heavy metals Zn, Fe, and Ba were 94.8, 81.2, and 15.7%, respectively. The results showed that the pilot plant has efficiently reduced the coliform organisms, thermo-tolerance coli count, and Escherichia coli by more than 99.9% removal efficiency by the double-filter stage and 100% after disinfection stage. The current MLF system has the transferability potential to other locations of the developing world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental stresses such as low soil moisture and soil nutrient deficiency are the main causes for low productivity in arid and semi-arid regions. Soil amendments are one solution to minimize soil moisture evaporation and to improve plant nutrients uptake. The current study was carried out to examine the effect of different weathered and fresh volcanic tuff (WVT and FVT, respectively) application rates available in Jordanian market on growth, irrigation water saving and leaves mineral content of salvia Salvia officinalis. Plant growth was significantly (P ⩽ 0.01) decreased by increasing WVT/FVT application, where the maximum reductions were detected in pure WVT and FVT treatments. Leaves sodium concentration were significantly (P ⩽ 0.05) increased by 2 to 3 folds by VT application, however, other essential elements such as nitrogen, iron and manganese were decreased. The water consumption in VT amended soils was reduced from 46.5 to 67.8% and to the same extent as the total plant biomass (reductions ranged from 39 to 72%). Consequently, very marginal differences were observed between salvia plants grown in VT and pure soil treatments in water use efficiency. The high water potential of VT (i.e. can cause excess soil moisture around root system) might actually interfere with water uptake by oxygen-deprived roots and reduce plant growth. The plant growth reduction in VT amended soils might be also partially due to the slight increases in salt content and pH of growing substrates. Further research is needed to determine the effect of other types of Jordanian VT, particularly those with high zeolite and low salt and calcium carbonate content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Installation of decentralized grey water treatment systems in small rural communities contributes to a more sustainable water supply. In order to gauge community attitudes about collection and use of grey water, a door-to-door survey in the farming community of Deir Alla, Jordan was conducted by Royal Scientific Society interviewers. Outcomes of a detailed survey, designed specifically for this project, offer insights on people's views on general water and wastewater issues, as well as their motivation, practices and concerns related to using grey water treatment for a portion of their household wastewater and reuse of the treated grey water for irrigation. A total of 47 respondents from different socio-economic background, aged over 18 years, from this community in the Jordan valley took part in the survey. The level of formal education of the respondents was low, and most of households' incomes were below the poverty line in Jordan. Most of the respondents reported that the quality of water supplied by public network is acceptable, but the quantity is insufficient to meet their demand, with supplies being delivered to the household once a week. Respondents relied on the public water network as a first-most important resource (85.1%), and 57.4% of the respondent relied on private water tankers as a second-most important resource in addition to the public network. However, 6% of the respondents relied only on private water tankers with no access to the public network. Storage tanks are common practice in all the houses in order to store enough water for at least one week. The survey responses provide evidence that rural communities are willing to accept reuse of treated grey water for irrigation. Furthermore, some of people in the studied area are willing to learn more about grey water treatment and reuse in order to operate grey water systems for irrigation purposes. Water scarcity in this rural area of Jordan is the main determinant of willingness to reuse the grey water, rather than socio-economic variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticles derived from natural materials are promising compounds in the field of environmental remediation. The present study produces and characterizes Na-zeolitic tuff in the nanorange, stabilizes the nanotuff in suspension, and investigates the effect of Na-zeolitic nanotuff on sorption of Cd. Breakdown of raw zeolitic tuff with a mean particle size of 109 μm to the nanorange was achieved by attrition milling. In the first stage of grinding, a mixture of Al-oxide beads of 1 to 2.6 mm diameter was used. The milling process lasted 4 h. In the second stage, the dried powder was milled again using a mixture of a fine zirconia beads (0.1 mm) and Al-oxide beads (1.0 mm). The powder was treated with 1 M NaCl solution. Finally, the powder was sonicated in water. After this procedure, the mean and median particle diameters were 47.6 and 41.8 nm, respectively. The nanoparticulate zeolitic tuff had a surface area of 82 m2 g−1. The estimated zero charge point of the nanoparticle suspension was 3.2. The surface zeta potential was pH dependent. The Na-zeolitic nanotuff increased Cd sorption by a factor of up to 3 compared to the raw zeolitic tuff. Our results indicate that zeolitic nanoparticles can be produced by grinding using a mixture of fine beads in an attrition mill and that this procedure increases their metal immobilizing potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oil shales are sedimentary rocks that contain organic material in its inorganic matrix. The oil shale deposits of Jordan have been investigated since the 1960s. An extensive investigation studies have been commenced to evaluate the quality and quantity of these resources. In 2006, the government of Jordan invited pioneer companies in oil shale field to submit their proposal to utilize and develop the oil shale of Jordan using different extraction technologies. Jordan is considered one of the driest countries in the world, which poses an additional challenge for oil shale development, because a vast quantity of water is needed for this process. El-Lajjun study area is located in central Jordan; the oil shale in the study area was deposited in marine environment; it comprises massive beds of brown-black, kerogen-rich, bituminous chalky marl. Ten representative oil shale rock samples were collected for risk assessment investigations from different localities of oil shale exposures. A standardized laboratory Fischer assay test delivered oil shale characteristics. Sequential extraction was used to evaluate mobility and distribution of the trace elements Ti, V, Cr, Co, Zn, As, Zr, Cd, Pb, and U. Column leaching experiments were performed to simulate the leaching behavior of the above elements from oil shale and spent shale to evaluate the possible negative impact on groundwater in the study area. Results of sequential extraction indicate that concentration of trace elements and trace elements are richer in oil shale and in the spent shale compared to most rocks and soils. The concentrations in the leachate were below the maximum contaminant levels of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Jordanian standards for drinking water. The significance of this study lies in that its utilizes for the first time the sequential extraction and column leaching techniques to investigate the Jordanian oil shale rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]