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This paper presents the authentication analysis of a bronze bust of Napoleon I, attributed to the Italian artist Renzo Colombo (1856–1885) based on his signature and other casting and molding inscriptions. The bust was made using the lost wax technique and artificially patinated in the Pinédo variant workshop. This study combined historiographical research (using the specialized literature) with data from auction catalogs. These were compared with photographs of the entire bust and close-up images of key areas, including anthropomorphic features, clothing, inscriptions, and structural and ornamental details. The condition of the bust and its historical and chemical characteristics were assessed through direct analysis with magnifying tools and indirect analysis using scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX).

Blueberries offer multiple health benefits, and their cultivation has expanded to warm tropical regions. However, references for foliar nutritional content are lacking in the literature. Proximal sensing may enhance nutritional characterization to optimize blueberry production. We aimed (i) to characterize the nutrient contents of healthy plants of three blueberry varieties adapted to warm climates (Emerald, Jewel, and Biloxi) using a reference method for foliar analysis (inductively coupled plasma (ICP)) and a portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) spectrometer on fresh and dry leaves and (ii) to differentiate blueberry varieties based on their nutrient composition. Nutrient content was statistically compared per leaf moisture condition (fresh or dry) with ICP results and used to differentiate the varieties via the random forest algorithm. P and Zn contents (ICP) in leaves were different among varieties. Dry leaf results (pXRF) were strongly correlated with ICP results. Most nutrients determined using ICP presented good correlation with pXRF data (R2 from 0.66 to 0.93). The three varieties were accurately differentiated by pXRF results (accuracy: 87%; kappa: 0.80). Predictions of nutrient contents based on dry leaves analyzed by pXRF outperformed those based on fresh leaves. This approach can also be applied to other crops to facilitate nutrient assessment in leaves.

The need to focus on traditional crops for food security has been realized across the globe. ‘Bhat’ is an indigenous soybean variety from the Indian Himalayan Region that has been neglected in recent times due to changing agricultural choices. The present study was conducted on 52 indigenous soybean accessions collected from different villages of Uttarakhand, a hilly state in Northern India, to determine the concentrations of various macro- and microelements in the crop. The analysis used the HHXRF (handheld X-ray fluorescence) spectroscopic technique and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The findings reveal that the ‘bhat’ is an extremely nutrient-rich crop with calcium being the most significant macronutrient (highest concentration of 27,300 ppm), followed by phosphorus, potassium, and sulphur found in the bhat seeds. The study suggests that samples from Pauri Garhwal (Gwad Khirsu, Bironkhal, Sripur), Tehri (PratapNagar, Singoli), Chamoli (Paini, and Agastyamuni) villages were rich in all the major macronutrients. Among the micronutrients, silicon was found to be the most dominant with the highest concentration of 1920 ppm. This was followed by the dominance of iron, zinc, and manganese in descending order of abundance. Tipri, Chandola Rai Goonth, Chopdiun, and Paini villages were found to have the highest concentrations of microelements. The statistical data analysis confirms that seed samples from different regions are significantly similar in terms of nutrient concentrations, except for Si and Fe, thereby indicating that ‘bhat’ from any of the villages is equally good for consumption. However, seed samples from certain regions were found to be contaminated with heavy metals, indicating soil pollution, which demands attention towards current agricultural practices. The findings show that the crop is an exceptional source of essential and quasi-essential elements and should be promoted to benefit the hill populations.

Microalgae are a promising biomass source because of their capability to fixate CO2 very efficiently. In this study, the potential of Microchloropsis salina biomass as a feedstock for fermentation was explored, focusing on biomass hydrolysis by employing various mechanical and chemical cell disruption strategies in combination with enzymatic hydrolysis. Among the mechanical cell disruption methods investigated on a lab scale, namely ultrasonication, bead milling, and high-pressure homogenization, the most effective was bead milling using stainless-steel beads with a diameter of 2 mm. In this way, 87–97% of the cells were disrupted in 40 min using a mixer mill. High-pressure homogenization was also effective, achieving 86% disruption efficiency after four passes on a 30–200 L scale using biomass with 15% (w/w) solids content. Enzymatic hydrolysis of the disrupted cells using a mixture of cellulases and mannanases yielded up to 25% saccharification efficiency after 72 h. Acidic hydrolysis of undisrupted cells followed by enzymatic treatment yielded around 30% saccharification efficiency but was coupled with significant dilution of the resulting hydrolysate. Microalgal biomass hydrolysate produced was determined to have ~8.1 g L−1 sugars and 2.5% (w/w) total carbon, as well as sufficient nitrogen and phosphorus content as a fermentation medium.

Members of Asteraceae family have properties enabling their application for medical purposes. The major- and microelement content in 15 medicinal species of the Asteraceae family growing in the National Botanical Garden, Republic of Moldova was determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis. A total of 31 chemical elements, Na, Mg, Al, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Mo, Sb, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Sm, Tb, Hf, Ta, Th and U, were identified in herbal samples. Potassium was found to be the most abundant major element; its content in plants ranged from 20,700 mg/kg in Artemisia lerchiana to 58,000 mg/kg in Matricaria recutita. The content of other major elements existed in the following ranges: Ca from 4700 to 14,200 mg/kg and Mg from 1710 to 3870 mg/kg. The maximum content of Mg, K and Ca in analyzed plants was higher compared to data presented in the literature. Among essential microelements the most abundant were Fe (83–910 mg/kg), Mn (23–150 mg/kg) and Zn (27–76 mg/kg). The daily intake of metal and the health risk index for selected elements (As, Ni, Sb, V, Mn, Cr, Co, U, Sr, Al, Fe, and Zn) were calculated. Health risk indexes were obtained for V and Co in Calendula officinalis, Tanacetum balsamita, Achillea clypeolata, Artemisia balchanorum, Artemisia lerchiana, Helichrysum arenarium, and Matricaria recutita. The principal component analysis showed three associations of elements, which can be defined as physiological, geological and anthropogenic sources of elements.

In metal additive manufacturing, reusing collected powder from previous builds is a standard practice driven by the substantial cost of metal powder. This approach not only reduces material expenses but also contributes to sustainability by minimizing waste. Despite its benefits, powder reuse introduces challenges related to maintaining the structural integrity of the components, making it a critical area of ongoing research and innovation. The reuse process can significantly alter powder characteristics, including flowability, size distribution, and chemical composition, subsequently affecting the microstructures and mechanical properties of the final components. Achieving repeatable and consistent printing outcomes requires powder particles to maintain specific and consistent physical and chemical properties. Variations in powder characteristics can lead to inconsistencies in the microstructural features of printed components and the formation of process-induced defects, compromising the quality and reliability of the final products. Thus, optimizing the powder recovery and reuse methodology is essential to ensure that cost reduction and sustainability benefits do not compromise product quality and reliability. This study investigated the impact of powder reuse and particle size distribution on the microstructural and mechanical properties of Ti-6Al-4V specimens fabricated using a laser beam directed energy deposition technique. Detailed evaluations were conducted on reused powders with two different size distributions, which were compared with their virgin counterparts. Microstructural features and process-induced defects were examined using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray computed tomography. The findings reveal significant alterations in the elemental composition of reused powder, with distinct trends observed for small and large particles. Additionally, powder reuse substantially influenced the formation of process-induced defects and, consequently, the fatigue performance of the components.

Sphagnum mosses play a significant role in peat formation and carbon sequestration in mire ecosystems. It is critical to investigate the productivity and chemical composition of different Sphagnum species in order to assess their role in the global carbon cycle and potential in light of climate change. The data on productivity and growth characteristics during the growing season, group chemical composition and elemental composition at the beginning and end of the growing season, as well as aspects of the pigment complex operation, were collected for four Sphagnum species: Sphagnum lindbergii Schimp., S. fuscum (Schimp.) Klinggr., S. divinum Flatberg & K. Hassel, and S. squarrosum Crome. High cover density and productivity, low ability to decompose, and constancy of the pigment complex of S. fuscum reflect a high degree of adaptation to the specific conditions of ridges. A constant chemical composition of S. lindbergii during the growing season can be explained by stable conditions of hollows that allow it to maintain its metabolic processes, but the light conditions in hollows bring the reaction of the pigment apparatus of this species closer to shaded S. divinum and S. squarrosum. S. lindbergii and S. squarrosum contain more nitrogen than other species and have a greater ability to decompose.

According to their nutritional value, their ability to adapt to the various environmental conditions, and their versatility, cereals are among the most cultivated plants in the world. However, the ongoing climate changes subject crops to important environmental stress that for some varieties leads to high production losses. Therefore, the selection of species and varieties that are more versatile and adaptable to different environmental conditions can be important. However, the characteristics of some cereals are not completely known; this is a priority before aiming to improve their cultivation. The aim of this study is to characterize select species that are potentially suitable for local environmental conditions and that possess nutritional value. The elemental composition was assessed in different cereal species grown following intensive and organic agriculture practices. Six species were grown for this study with techniques of intensive agriculture: Triticum monococcum L., Triticum dicoccum L., Triticum aestivum L., variety Verna, Triticum durum Desf., variety Senatore Cappelli, Triticum durum Desf., variety Claudio, and Avena strigosa Schreb.; four of these were also grown following organic procedures: Triticum monococcum L., Triticum dicoccum L., Triticum aestivum L., variety Verna, and Triticum durum Desf., variety Senatore Cappelli. The study considered twenty elements, including major nutrients (Ca, K, Mg, P, and S), seven micronutrients (B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Se, and Zn), and trace elements with toxic properties (Al, Ba, Cd, Cr, Na, Rb, Sc, and Sr) that can be accumulated at the seed level. The results highlight the differences in the element concentrations in the cereal seeds in relation to the genus and species; the highest concentrations of the major nutrients appeared in T. monococcum; the concentrations were 6.9, 2.09, 7.2, and 2.9 mg/g for K, Mg, P, and S, respectively. The highest concentrations of certain micronutrients, B, Ca, Mo, and Se (16, 785, 3.69, and 0.34 μg/g), were in A. strigosa. There is also evidence that the element content can be affected by the adopted cultivation procedure; however, the effects of the growing procedure can be significantly different when different species are considered. T. monococcum, grown by an organic procedure, presented lower concentrations of the major nutrients, while it demonstrated a modest increase in the micronutrients in the T. durum variety organic S. Cappelli, and the production procedure did not affect the elemental composition of the T. aestivum variety Verna. The survey also highlights that the studied species and the growing procedure affected the capacity to accumulate and translocate trace hazardous elements for human health at the seed level.

Coal-waste dumps in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin are usually colonized by tall grass Calamagrostis epigejos and Solidago canadensis, which influence the direction of vegetation formation and the soil chemistry. The aim of this study is to analyze and determine the content of major elements (Fe, Ca, P, Mg, Al, Na, K, S) and trace elements (Mo, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Co, Mn, Sr, Cd, Cr) in aboveground and underground parts of the plants and the soil at the thermally active coal-waste dump. Analysis of the heavy metal concentrations reveals that they are higher in plant materials than in soil materials within the root zone of the plants. Environmental indicator analysis (geoaccumulation index, enrichment factor, translocation factor) shows that the studied species exhibit varying degrees of pollution, with cadmium and zinc showing the highest accumulation rates. The content of elements in the analyzed species, both in washed and unwashed specimens, does not show significant differences, which is confirmed by the enrichment factor. Statistical analysis shows a positive correlation between the amount of microelements in plants (roots, aerial part) and soil samples in both thermally active and inactive zones. These findings broaden the scientific inquiry and hold practical significance for the reclamation of post-industrial areas.

The coconut crab, Birgus latro, has black protrusions on the tops of its walking legs and claw fingers. In addition, there are regularly aligned small black protrusions on parts of the exoskeleton surface of the claws and leg. In this study, the elemental composition, crystal structure, tissue structure, and mechanical properties of these protrusions were studied using a materials science approach, and the results were compared with those of mineralized cuticle. These leg tips were found to be a non-calcified fibrous tissue of α-chitin connected to the mineralized cuticle. The tip of the second walking leg was elongated and had a pointed shape with an oval cavity at its center that was more than 1000 times larger than the pore tubes (100–350 nm) of the mineralized cuticle. It was very soft, with a hardness of 0.4 GPa, corresponding to 11–12% of the hardness of the hard exocuticle and 55–57% of the hardness of the soft endocuticle. The elastic modulus of 8.0 GPa obtained by means of nanoindentation testing was consistent with that of α-chitin fibers of shrimp shells obtained by means of tensile testing. These soft protrusions provide a secure grip on the surfaces of trees or rocks and protect the claw fingertips. It was concluded that the black protrusions are related to a unique ecological (engaging in vertical movements, entering and exiting limestone caves, and escape behavior) aspect of the coconut crab, the largest terrestrial crustacean.

Nickel hydroxide (Ni(OH)2) is a valuable compound derived from nickel, widely utilized across various fields because of its versatile properties. This study aimed to characterize as-prepared β-Ni(OH)2 via chemical precipitation using various analytical techniques. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the formation of a β-Ni(OH)2 hexagonal crystalline structure, validating the successful precipitation. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra exhibited main characteristic peaks of (υOH) and υ(NiO), corresponding to the formation of nickel hydroxide (Ni(OH)2). Subsequently, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed a prominent peak for Ni2+ oxidation, confirming the successful precipitation of nickel hydroxide at pH 6.5, which identifies the existence of impurities, such as chlorine and calcium, from the waste matrix. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs demonstrated stratified granules with a nearly pure brucite crystalline phase, typical of β-Ni(OH)2. Furthermore, the surface morphology revealed a coarse texture and uneven clustering, suggesting possible elevated oxide levels on the Ni surface. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) confirmed the presence of nickel (Ni) and oxygen (O), with Ca impurities attributed to the chemical precipitation process. Particle size distribution analysis estimated an average particle size of 2.0 µm. Additionally, the precipitation of nickel was investigated using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Ni was observed in decreasing order, 62.7 g/L, 0.8 g/L, and 0.501 g/L in the pregnant leach, precursor solution, and solid precipitate (cake), respectively. The separation of Ni(OH)2 through the precipitation process from the waste (acidic chloride media) enabled efficient recycling and re-use of nickel, which provides a cost-effective and environmentally friendly method for the highly efficient utilization of waste (acidic chloride media).

(1) Background: This study provides novel insights into the elemental content and biomineralization processes of two halophytic species of the genus Arthrocnemum Moq. (A. macrostachyum and A. meridionale). (2) Methods: Elemental content was analyzed using ICP-MS, while biominerals were detected through electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) and X-ray diffraction. (3) Results: The elemental content showed significant concentrations of macronutrients (sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium) and micronutrients, especially iron. Iron was consistently found as ferritin in A. macrostachyum chloroplasts. Notably, A. macrostachyum populations from the Center of the Iberian Peninsula exhibited exceptionally high magnesium content, with values that exceeded 40,000 mg/kg d.w. Succulent stems showed elemental content consistent with the minerals identified through X-ray diffraction analysis (halite, sylvite, natroxalate, and glushinskite). Seed analysis revealed elevated levels of macro- and micronutrients and the absence of heavy metals. Additionally, the presence of reduced sodium chloride crystals in the seed edges suggested a mechanism to mitigate potential sodium toxicity. (4) Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential of Arthrocnemum species as emerging edible halophytes with nutritional properties, particularly in Western European Mediterranean territories and North Africa. They offer promising prospects for biosaline agriculture and biotechnology applications.

Node-containing straws exhibit superior mechanical properties compared to node-free straw plants, particularly in terms of shear resistance and compression resistance. We explore the relationship between the structure and mechanical properties of straw materials, providing deeper insights for the field of biomechanics. In this study, we focused on two node-containing straw plants, namely sorghum and reed. The main characteristics of sorghum and reed stalks were compared using macroscopic observation, stereomicroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and EDS analysis. This study revealed numerous similarities and differences in the macro- and microstructures as well as the elemental composition of sorghum and reed stalks. The functional groups in sorghum and reed stalks were largely similar, with the primary elements being C and O. Distinguishing features included a higher tapering and a slightly larger reduction in wall thickness in sorghum stalks compared to reed stalks. The cross-section of sorghum stalks was filled with pith structures, while reed stalks exhibited a hollow structure. The vascular bundles in sorghum typically showed a paired arrangement, whereas those in reeds were arranged in odd numbers. Furthermore, sorghum straws contained more Cl and no Br, while the parenchyma of reed straws contained higher Br. The C and O proportions of sorghum straws and reed straws are 50–53% (50–51%) and 45–46% (48–49%), respectively. These variations in elemental composition are believed to be correlated with the mechanical properties of the materials. By conducting a detailed study of the micro/macrostructures and material composition of sorghum and reed straw, this paper provides valuable insights for the field of biomechanics.

The more yerba mate infusions that are consumed, the larger the amount of grounds generated. What is more, both the infusion and the residues after brewing remain rich elements. Therefore, a strategy for the three-stage assessment of the element content was presented. A new brewing method was based on dynamic extraction, ensuring both the ease of preparing the infusion and recovering the grounds. In turn, microwave-assisted acid mineralization was used to decompose the leaves and twigs of yerba mate before and after brewing. In total, 30 products were analyzed by ICP OES in three fractions each, i.e., dry yerba mate, infusion, and grounds, to determine up to 25 elements. The elemental composition was considered in terms of the country of origin, type, or composition of yerba mate. The extraction percentages obtained with dynamic extraction were comparable to previously used ultrasound-assisted extraction, as well as data from the literature. The three-stage strategy is a novel approach in yerba mate studies, and it may be a model procedure for the laboratory preparation of yerba mate grounds (waste that can be re-used, e.g., a natural fertilizer).

The present study aims to elucidate the metabolomic profile of Arthrospira platensis grown in a bioreactor in Bulgaria. The results show that Arthrospira platensis has a high content of mannose, 137.02 mg g−1, and vitamin A (retinol)—10.3 μg/100 g. High concentrations of calcium, sulfur, and zinc distinguish its elemental composition. The freeze-dried powder contained 15.81 ± 0.45% dietary fiber, 50.16 ± 0.25% total protein content, and 1.22 ± 0.11% total fat content. Among the unsaturated fatty acids with the highest content is α-linolenic acid (25.28%), while among the saturated fatty acids, palmitic acid prevails (22.55%). Of the sterols in the sample, β-sitosterol predominated. There is no presence of microcystins LR, RR, YR, and nodularin. Therefore, Arthrospira platensis grown in a Bulgarian bioreactor is safe for use in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Many of the organic compounds found have applications in medicine and pharmacology and play an important role in biochemical processes in the body. Therefore, Arthrospira platensis grown in Bulgaria has a high potential for use as an independent food supplement or in combination with other natural products.

Decapod crustaceans have tooth-like white denticles that are present only on the pinching side of the claws. In the mud crab, Scylla serrata, a huge denticle exists on the movable finger of the dominant claw. This is mainly used to crush the shells of the crab’s staple food. The local mechanical properties, hardness (HIT) and elastic modulus (Er), of the peak and valley areas of the largest denticle were examined via a nanoindentation test. The microstructure and elemental composition were characterized using a scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The striation patterns originating from a twisted plywood structure parallel to the surface were visible over the entire denticle. Most of the largest denticle was occupied by a hard area without phosphorus, and there was a soft layer corresponding to the endocuticle with phosphorus in the innermost part. The HIT of the denticle valley was about 40% lower than that of the denticle peak, and the thickness of the soft endocuticle of the denticle valley was five times thicker than that of the denticle peak. The HIT–Er map showed that the abrasion resistance of the denticle surface was vastly superior and was in the top class among organisms. The claw denticles were designed with the necessary characteristics in the necessary places, as related to the ecology of the mud crab.

It is not uncommon that subways count as densely populated areas, so air quality standards, including fine dust concentration, have been established for them. As passengers and subway staff are exposed to potentially harmful airborne particles, addressing this issue is vital to ensuring a safe and healthy environment on the subway. To reduce the dust concentration in subway systems, the authors propose installing filters to capture dust in ventilation failures between subway tunnels near metro stations. A novel aspect of the proposed method is the fact that airflow will be moved through filters by using the piston action of trains passing through the tunnels. The result of this research provides empirical evidence regarding dust content and mass concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 in subway environments. While some existing literature discusses air quality in subways, the inclusion of specific measurements and data from the experiment strengthens the understanding of the severity of dust-related air quality issues in such environments. The data for this study were collected in the Almaty subway (Republic of Kazakhstan) at four stations: Raiymbek Batyr, Almaty, Baikonur and Alatau. Measuring points were located on passenger platforms, in the halls and at the entrances to the station. The lab scale tests determined the percentage of particles by their diameters relative to the total volume of dust, the percentage of dust particles smaller than a certain diameter, the percentage of various metal oxides and the average dust density. A preliminary energy assessment has been done on the proposed method of air purification from dust. With a frequency of 24 pairs of trains per hour, the energy savings per ventilation failure will be 240.170 kWh.

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was explored to assess the element constituents (Ca, Mg and N) in the skin, pulp, and seed of two Vitis vinifera cultivars—a white (Loureiro) and a red (Vinhão) cultivar. This study compares the two grape cultivars chosen and the characterisation of Ca, Mg and N in the skin, pulp and seed on three dates after veraison. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in the Ca, Mg and N in the skin, pulp and seed of both grape cultivars during the three assessment dates considered. The results of this study could provide insights into the element composition of grapes, offering a fast, accurate, and cost-effective alternative to traditional element quantification methods.

Turnip (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa) is a cruciferous plant cultivated worldwide that serves as a source of nutrients and bioactive compounds. Most turnip studies have focused on a few compounds or on part of the plant. The establishment of a complete chemical profile of different plant parts would facilitate its use for nutritional and medicinal purposes. In the current study, mineral elements, soluble sugars, free amino acids (FAA), total phenols (TP), total flavonoids (TF), and glucosinolates (GS) were quantified in the leaves, stems, and roots. Results were compared for 20 strains of turnip. The outcomes showed significant differences between parts of the plant and strains. The leaves exhibited the highest TF, TP, indispensable FAA, and microelement levels, and they showed a higher GS. Moreover, the stems had a high content of GS and macroelements. Furthermore, the roots showed high levels of free sugars and total FAA. The findings of this work provide the basis for utilizing each part of the turnip plant based on its chemical composition.

The photosynthetic pigments, protein, macro and microelements concentrations, and fatty acids composition of Salvinia natans, a free-floating aquatic plant, were analyzed after exposure to Hoagland nutrient solution containing 1, 3, and 5 mg/L Li. The Li content of Salvinia natans grew exponentially with the Li concentration in the Hoagland nutrient solution. The exposure to Li did not induce significant changes in Na, Mg, K, Cu, and Zn content but enhanced the Ba, Cr, Mn, Ni and Mo absorption in Salvinia natans. The most abundant fatty acids determined in oils extracted from Salvinia natans were C16:0, C18:3(n6), C18:2(n6), and C18:3(n3). The photosynthetic pigments did not change significantly after exposure to Li. In contrast, chlorophyll and protein content decreased, whilst monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids content increased after the exposure to 1 mg/L Li. The results indicated that Salvinia natans exposed to low Li concentrations may be a good source of minerals, omega 6 and omega 3.

The content of minerals and bioactive compounds in wine depends on various factors, among which are the origin of the grapes, their phenolic composition, and the winemaking process. This study monitored the physicochemical parameters, phenolic compound contents, and antioxidant capacity of the red grape Vitis vinifera L. “Cabernet Sauvignon” harvested in three Mexican vineyards during the first nine days of the fermentation process. The bioactive compounds and elemental composition (determined by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry, ICP-OES) were correlated. The fermentation process decreased from 22 to 5 °Bx in all cases, while the acidity increased from 6.5 to 8 g of tartaric acid/L, decreasing the pH. The phenolic compounds extracted during the winemaking ranged from 1400 to 1600 gallic acid equivalent/L, while the antioxidant capacity was 9 mmol Trolox equivalent. The bioactive compounds identified by HPLC were resveratrol, piceid, catechin, and epicatechin. The presence of Na, Mg, and Fe was correlated with antioxidant capacity, while higher Mn, Pb, Zn, and Cu contents were related to the presence of resveratrol, piceid, and catechin in Cabernet Sauvignon wine. Thus, certain minerals present in the soil that were transferred to the V. vinifera grapes can influence the amount and type of bioactive compounds present in the wine. The phenolic content and, therefore, the organoleptic characteristics of the wine are related to the mineral composition of the vine-growing soil (origin).

Among the various exometabolitic effects of marine microorganisms, massive mucilage events in the coastal zones of temperate and tropical seas are the most spectacular and environmentally important. Abundant mucilage material in the form of aggregates appears in late spring/early summer in the water column of the Adriatic Sea. These macroaggregate biopolymers originate mainly from plankton exometabolites, with both autochthonous and allochthonous components, and strongly impact the tourism, fisheries, and economy of coastal countries. In contrast to extensive studies on the structural and chemical nature of macroaggregates performed over past decades, the full elemental composition of these substances remains poorly known, which does not allow for a complete understanding of their origin, evolution, and necessary remediation measures. Here, we report the results of comprehensive analyses of 55 major and trace elements in the composition of macro aggregates collected at the surface and in the water column during massive mucilage events. Through normalization of the elemental chemical composition of the upper earth crust (UCC), river suspended material (RSM), mean oceanic plankton, and mean oceanic particulate suspended material, we demonstrate that the water column macroaggregates reflect a superposition of the signal from plankton and marine particulate matter. The surface macroaggregates were preferentially enriched in lithogenic component, and carried the signature of planktonic material. The rare earth element (REE) signal was strongly dominated by plankton and, to a lesser degree, by oceanic particulate matter, while at the same time being strongly (>80 times) impoverished compared with UCC and RSM. Taken together, the elemental composition of macroaggregates allows for distinguishing the lithogenic and biogenic impacts on the occurrence of these unique large-scale mucilage events, linked to the exometabolism of marine plankton combined with the input of allochthonous inorganic material.

Particulate matter (PM) is the most dangerous air pollutant that adversely affects health. Increasing PM in urban areas is a big problem that must be solved. This study analyzed the amount of PM that accumulated on plant leaves, as well as the leaf traits that contribute to PM accumulation, to determine the plant’s ability to accumulate PM and the impact of PM on the plants. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis were used to quantitatively assess metal concentrations in the particles that had accumulated on the leaf samples. Eight common plant species that grow on the roadside were used to analyze leaf traits using leaf samples. Specific leaf areas (SLA), leaf extract pH (pH), relative leaf water content (RWC), chlorophyll (Chl), and carotenoids were analyzed. PM accumulation and leaf traits varied among plant species, and Parthenocissus tricuspidata showed the highest PM accumulation on its leaf surface. The leaf’s elemental composition included C, O, Ca, K, Mg, S, P, Al, Si, Na, Cl, and Fe. Among these elements, Ca, K, and Cl made up a relatively large percentage. Fe was only detected in the leaves of Pachysandra terminalis and P. tricuspidata, while C and O were excluded as they are not relevant in determining PM metal content. Plants not only accumulate PM but also heavy metals from the atmosphere. This study found that plants with highly effective PM accumulation, such as P. tricuspidate, should be considered for optimizing the benefits of plants in improving air quality.

In the framework of this work, the surface properties of Cu-SiC composite material were studied when spreading micro- and nanoliter liquids. The Cu-SiC samples with a SiC content of 5 to 20 wt.% were fabricated by spark plasma sintering at temperatures from 700 to 850 °C. The Cu-SiC surfaces were processed by two different methods: using abrasive materials and nanosecond laser radiation. Surface analysis was performed by scanning electron microscopy, profilometry, energy dispersive spectroscopy and Vickers methods. The surface properties (wetting and dynamic characteristics of spreading) were studied using a shadow optical technique when interacting the Cu-SiC surfaces with water (up to 10 μL). It was proved that the recorded deterioration of the wettability properties of Cu-SiC surfaces processed by abrasive materials with an increase in their sintering temperature and the reason for the spontaneous hydrophobization of the Cu-SiC composite materials modified by nanosecond laser radiation, are due to the adsorption of airborne hydrocarbon contaminants, similar to the known wetting inversion of metal surfaces. It was established that the wetting properties of materials prior to modification by laser radiation do not affect the intensity, duration of stages, and steady-state values of contact angles upon wetting inversion of Cu-SiC composite materials. It was also found that the processing of Cu-SiC surfaces by laser radiation makes it possible to change the dynamic characteristics of the liquid spreading (at a flow rate of 5 μL/min, the liquid front speed is more than three times, and the dynamic contact angles are in the range of 30°).

The present work was carried out to determine the elemental composition of granitoid rock samples from three gold mines (Sukari, Hamash, and Um Hagalig) in the South-eastern part of Egypt and quantification of the extent of the elemental enrichment. A total of 37 samples from the mines were subjected to neutron activation analysis, and the mass fractions of the elements were measured in mg/kg. The results show a dominance of K (76.9%), Fe (11.0%), Ca (8.7%), and Na (3.1%) for Sukari mine; Na (31.2%), Ca (28.5%), K (23.1%), and Fe (9.9%) for the Hamash mine; and for the Um Hagalig mine Na (31.1%), K (22%), Ca (21.7%), and Fe (20.8%). In addition, significant mass fractions of uranium, thorium and rare earth elements were found in Hamash and Um Hagalig. The average mass fractions of U in the investigated areas are measured to be 59.7, 48.2, and 30.8 mg/kg for Hamash, Sukary, and Um Hagalig, respectively. Furthermore, the average mass fractions of Th were significant and measured to be 3905, 1673, and 7 mg/kg for Hamash, Um Hagalig, and Sukary, respectively. Multiple ratio indicators and discrimination diagrams were used to better understand the origin of the elements in the samples studied. The indicators suggest that the provenance of the elements is mainly from metavolcanic and volcanic rocks. The findings should make an important contribution to the study of ores and minerals and thus represent an important area for environmental studies.

The study of litter can provide an important reference for understanding patterns of forest nutrient cycling and sustainable management. Here, we measured litterfall (leaves, branches, etc.) from a wet, evergreen, broad-leaved forest in Ailao Mountains of southwestern China on a monthly basis for 11 years (2005–2015). We measured the total biomass of litter fall as well as its components, and estimated the amount of C, N, P, K, S, Ca, and Mg in the amount of litterfall. We found that: The total litter of evergreen, broadleaved forest in Ailao Mountains from 2005 to 2015 was 7.70–9.46 t/ha, and the output of litterfall differed between years. This provides a safeguard for the soil fertility and biodiversity of the area. The total amount of litterfall and its components showed obvious seasonal variation, with most showing a bimodal pattern (peak from March to May and October to November). The majority of litterfall came from leaves, and the total amount as well as its components were correlated with meteorological factors (wind speed, temperate and precipitation) as well as extreme weather events. We found that among years, the nutrient concentration was sorted as C > Ca > N > K > Mg > S > P. The nutrient concentration in the fallen litter and the amount of nutrients returned showed a decreasing trend, but the decreasing rate was slowed through time. Nutrient cycling was influenced by meteorological factors, such as temperature, precipitation, and wind speed, but the nutrient utilization efficiency is high, the circulation capacity is strong, and the turnover time is short. Our results showed that although there was nutrient loss in this evergreen, broad-leaved forest, the presence of forest litterfall can effectively curb potential ecological problems in the area.

Sphagnum mosses play a significant role in peat formation and carbon sequestration in mire ecosystems. It is critical to investigate the productivity and chemical composition of different Sphagnum species in order to assess their role in the global carbon cycle and potential in light of climate change. The data on productivity and growth characteristics during the growing season, group chemical composition and elemental composition at the beginning and end of the growing season, as well as aspects of the pigment complex operation, were collected for four Sphagnum species: Sphagnum lindbergii Schimp., S. fuscum (Schimp.) Klinggr., S. divinum Flatberg & K. Hassel, and S. squarrosum Crome. High cover density and productivity, low ability to decompose, and constancy of the pigment complex of S. fuscum reflect a high degree of adaptation to the specific conditions of ridges. A constant chemical composition of S. lindbergii during the growing season can be explained by stable conditions of hollows that allow it to maintain its metabolic processes, but the light conditions in hollows bring the reaction of the pigment apparatus of this species closer to shaded S. divinum and S. squarrosum . S. lindbergii and S. squarrosum contain more nitrogen than other species and have a greater ability to decompose.

The present investigation aimed to study the utilisation of combined dairy manure-food waste digestate as a substrate (experimental mushroom substrate—EMS) for Pleurotus djamor (strain 2708, Mycelia) cultivation. Considering the lack of scientific information about the influence of elements concentration in growing substrates on the bioaccumulation of elements in cultivated mushrooms and their residual concentrations in substrates left after cultivation (spent mushroom substrate—SMS), a multi-elemental analysis of 38 elements was carried out. In the study, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) was used for elemental analysis. The P. djamor cultivated on EMS resulted in a yield of 196.50 g/bag, achieving a biological efficiency (BE) of 39.90%. High variability in the elemental concentrations among substrates both before and after mushroom cultivation was evident. The studied elements accumulation in P. djamor was in an increasing trend in three subsequent flushes and was also reflected in the bioconcentration factors (BCFs). The highest BCF (2.35) was determined for Fe. Interestingly, the BCF values for all studied trace elements with detrimental health effects were lower than 1.00. The estimated daily intake (EDI) reflected that the P. djamor fruiting bodies grown on EMS can serve as an excellent dietary source of essential major and trace elements: Ca, Mg, Na, Mn, Mo, Ni, Se and Zn. On the other hand, EDI values for K, Cu, Fe, Ag, Ba, Cd, Al, Sb and Sr were greater than the referred guideline values corresponding to higher intake. Overall, the study presented an insight into elemental accumulations and demonstrated the potential utilisation of combined dairy manure-food waste digestate.

Particulate emissions from vehicle exhaust catalysts are the primary contributors to platinum group elements (PGEs) being released into roadside environments, especially platinum (Pt) particles. With increasing traffic density, it is essential to quantify the emission, accumulation, and potential health effects of traffic-emitted Pt particles. In this study, three procedures were investigated to extract Pt nanoparticles (NPs) from sediments and characterize them by single-particle inductively coupled plasma time-of-flight mass spectrometry (spICP-TOF-MS). For this purpose, a reference sediment sample was spiked with manufactured Pt NPs. Pt NPs’ extraction recoveries reached from 50% up to 102%, depending on the extraction procedure and whether the particle mass or number was used as the metric. Between 17% and 35% of the Pt NPs were found as unassociated Pt NPs and between 31% and 78% as Pt NPs hetero-aggregated with other sediment particles. Multi-elemental analysis of Pt-containing NPs in the pristine sediment revealed frequently co-occurring elements such as Au, Bi, and Ir, which can be used to determine a natural background baseline. Our results demonstrated that spICP-TOF-MS elemental characterization allows for distinguishing anthropogenic Pt NPs from the natural background. In the future, this could enable the sensitive monitoring of PGE release from anthropogenic sources such as vehicle exhausts.

The unique biological properties of A. annua have stimulated the research on its cultivation in different regions of the world. In this study, the effect of the Se and nano-Si supply on the yield, biochemical characteristics and mineral content of A. annua was investigated. Growth stimulation and a significant increase in the antioxidant status were recorded under Se and nano-Si foliar application. A decrease in the number of essential oil components and significant changes in the essential oil amount and composition led to significant phenophase shifts: nano-Si significantly stimulated eucalyptol and artemisia ketone accumulation and decreased germacrene D production, whereas Se demonstrated the opposite effect. A joint Se and nano-Si supply significantly decreased the camphor content and increased artemisia ketone and artemisinin levels by 1.3–1.5 times. Se/Si supplementation affected the macro- and microelements content, causing either a redistribution of leaves/stems elements (Al, Li and Zn) or a significant decrease in Ca, Mg, K, B, Cu, Fe and Mn concentrations in leaves, with no signs in growth inhibition or a decrease in the photosynthetic pigments content. The biofortification of A. annua with Se singly or in combination with nano-Si resulted in the synthesis of products with a Se content of as much as approximately 16% of the daily adequate Se consumption level (ACL) when using 5 g day−1 as a spice, or 36% of ACL when using 50 mL of tea infusion (1:2, v/w). The results indicated a high possibility of Se and nano-Si application toward the regulation of A. annua growth, biochemical characteristics (including essential oil and artemisinin) and mineral content.

This study was undertaken to determine the effect of potassium silicate (K2SiO3) on the physiological and growth characteristics and elemental composition of barley plants. Hydroponically grown barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) var. Wilma was exposed to four different levels of Si in the form of K2SiO3 at concentrations of 0 (Si0), 0.5 (Si0.5), 1 (Si1) or 1.5 (Si1.5) mM Si. Plants were analyzed for root length, number of dry leaves, number of trichomes, electron transport system activity in mitochondria (ETS), leaf pigment content and elemental composition of roots and leaves. Treatment with Si0.5 significantly increased the concentration of total chlorophylls, root length and ETS activity in barley. Plants with no Si added to the nutrient solution had significantly more dry leaves than plants from all Si-treated groups. Necrosis was observed in Si0 plants, while leaf damage was not visible in treated plants. According to the results of the study, we evidenced that plants were stressed due to Si deficiency. The addition of K2SiO3 significantly affected the concentration of Si, K, Ca, Cl, S, Mn, Fe and Zn in roots and leaves of barley. In barley treated with Si0.5, plants showed the best performance in terms of their physiological characteristics and growth.

This study evaluated the elemental composition of 25 herbal tea plants commonly used in infusions by Portuguese consumers and the contribution to the elemental daily intake of some essential elements. Hydrocotyle asiatica (L.), Matricaria chamomilla (L.), and Melissa officinalis (L.) samples are a rich source of K with around 6.0 mg g−1 while the Asteraceae Silybum marianum (L.) and Echinacea angustifolia (DC.) exhibited 4.9 and 5.6 mg g−1 Ca, respectively. The highest concentrations of S and Zn were noted in Hydrocotyle asiatica (L.), while the highest concentration of Sr was found in Cassia angustifolia (Vahl.). In general, a large variability in the concentrations among different families and plant organs had been observed, except Cu with levels around 30 μg g−1. The principal component analysis (PCA) showed positive correlations between Zn and S and Sr and Ca, also revealing that Hydrocotyle asiatica (L.), Echinacea angustifolia (DC.), Silybum marianum (L.), and Cassia angustifolia (Vahl.) samples, stands out about all other samples regarding the enrichment of macro and micronutrients. The elemental solubility of macronutrients in the infusion is greater than the micronutrient solubility, despite the contribution to the recommended daily intake was weak. As a whole, Cynara scolymus (L.) and Hibiscus sabdariffa (L.) are the species with the best elemental solubilities, followed by Hydrocotyle asiatica (L.). No harmful elements, such as As and Pb, were observed in both the raw material and the infusions.

The excess biomass of drifting algae and their casting to the Baltic Sea coast imposes a significant environmental burden. The analysis of beach-cast algae showed that the dominant species are macroalgae Ulva sp., Furcellaria lumbricalis, Cladophora sp., and Polysiphonia fucoides. The biomass of Furcellaria and Polysiphonia algae, containing 25.6% and 19.98% sugars, respectively, has the greatest resource potential in terms of obtaining carbohydrates. Fucose, glucose, and galactose were found to be the most common carbohydrates. The lipid content did not exceed 4.3% (2.3–4.3%), while the fatty acid composition was represented by saturated fatty acids (palmitic, stearic, methyloleic, behenic, etc.). The highest content of crude protein was found in samples of macroalgae of the genus Polysiphonia and amounted to 28.2%. A study of the elemental composition of drifting algae revealed that they have a high carbon content (31.3–37.5%) and a low hydrogen (4.96–5.82%), and sulfur (1.75–3.00%) content. Red algal biomass has the most resource potential in terms of biofuel generation, as it has a high number of lipids and proteins that can produce melanoidins during hydrothermal liquefaction, enhancing the fuel yield. The study noted the feasibility of using the biomass of the studied algae taxa to produce polysaccharides and biofuels. The analyses of antioxidant properties, fat content, and fat composition do not provide convincing evidence of the viability of using the aforementioned macroalgae for their production.

The present work focuses on a detailed analysis of new and used braking friction partners (discs and pads) in order to provide a comprehensive characterization of the source of the airborne particles formed during braking. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy dispersive X-Ray analysis (EDX) was applied to investigate the new brake disc and new and used brake pad components of a passenger vehicle. The pads include at least 21 different substances, involving carbonaceous particles, oxides, sulfides, sulfates and silicates of Al, Si, K, Ca, Ti, Fe, Zr, Sn, less Mg, Ba, Na and, rarely, Bi and Zn, as well as K-titanate. Aramid and phenolic resin are also present, enriched toward the metal interface. The size of the pad constituents extends over a very wide range, from hundreds of µm to a few µm, and goes down to hundreds of nm and, rarely, tens of nanometers. Carbonaceous particles with sizes down to a few tens of nanometers occupy ca. 16% of the total of the pad constituents. Abundant Zr-bearing phases, as well as various other phases involving S, Ca, Mg, Si, Ti and, to a lower extent, Ba and Fe in different combinations, constitute the pad main matrix.

In this study, atmospheric particulate matter (APM) pollution was compared in urban background sites of two cities in Hungary—namely the capital Budapest and Debrecen—by analyzing daily aerosol samples collected between 8 December 2009 and 18 March 2010. Concentration, elemental composition, including BC, and sources of fine (PM2.5) and coarse (PM2.5–10) aerosol pollution, as well as their variation due to meteorological conditions and anthropogenic activities, were determined for both cities. The average PM2.5 concentrations were 22 μg/m3 and 17 μg/m3 in Budapest and Debrecen, respectively. In the case of PM10, the mean concentration was 32 μg/m3 in Budapest and 23 μg/m3 in Debrecen. The concentration of the coarse fraction decreased significantly over the weekends compared to working days. The number of exceedances of the WHO recommended limit value for PM2.5 (15 μg/m3) were 67 in Budapest and 46 in Debrecen, which corresponds to 73% and 50% of the sampling days, respectively. At the time of the exceedances the daily average temperature was below freezing. The average PM2.5/PM10 ratio was 70% and 75% for the two sites, indicating the dominance of the fine fraction aerosol particles during the study period. Elements of natural origin (Al, Si, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, Ba) and chlorine were found to be dominant in the coarse fraction, while elements of anthropogenic origin (S, K, Cu, Zn, Pb) were characteristic to the fine fraction. Similar concentrations were measured in the two cities in the case of S which originates from regional transport and K which serves as a tracer for biomass combustion. Traffic-related elements were present in 2–3 times higher concentrations in Budapest. The episodic peaks in the Cl time series could be attributed to salting after snowfalls. The following sources of APM pollution were identified by using the EPA Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) 5.0 receptor model: soil, traffic, road dust, secondary sulfate, biomass burning, and de-icing of streets. On polluted days when the PM2.5 concentration exceeded the 25 μg/m3 value the contribution of secondary sulfate, domestic heating, and traffic increased significantly compared to the average. On weekends and holidays the contribution of soil and traffic decreased. The main pollution sources and their contributions were similar to the ones in other cities in the region. Comparing our findings to results from winter 2015 it can be concluded that while the PM2.5 pollution level remained almost the same, a significant increase in the contribution of biomass burning was observed in both cities from 2010 to 2015, indicating a change of heating habits.

Lanthanide hydrogen-rich materials have long been considered as one of the candidates with high-temperature superconducting properties in condensed matter physics, and have been a popular topic of research. Attempts to investigate the effects of different compositions of lanthanide hydrogen-rich materials are ongoing, with predictions and experimental studies in recent years showing that substances such as LaH10, CeH9, and LaH16 exhibit extremely high superconducting temperatures between 150–250 GPa. In particular, researchers have noted that, in those materials, a rise in the f orbit character at the Fermi level combined with the presence of hydrogen vibration modes at the same low energy scale will lead to an increase in the superconducting transition temperature. Here, we further elaborate on the effect of the ratios of lanthanide to hydrogen in these substances with the aim of bringing more clarity to the study of superhydrides in these extreme cases by comparing a variety of lanthanide hydrogen-rich materials with different ratios using the dynamical mean-field theory (DMFT) method, and provide ideas for later structural predictions and material property studies.

Samples from various winemaking stages of the production of sparkling wines using different grape varieties were characterized based on the profile of biogenic amines (BAs) and the elemental composition. Liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) combined with precolumn derivatization with dansyl chloride was used to quantify BAs, while inductively coupled plasma (ICP) techniques were applied to determine a wide range of elements. Musts, base wines, and sparkling wines were analyzed accordingly, and the resulting data were subjected to further chemometric studies to try to extract information on oenological practices, product quality, and varieties. Although good descriptive models were obtained when considering each type of data separately, the performance of data fusion approaches was assessed as well. In this regard, low-level and mid-level approaches were evaluated, and from the results, it was concluded that more comprehensive models can be obtained when joining data of different natures.

We present an overview of the concentrations and distributions of water-soluble ion species and elemental components in ambient particulate matter for five measurement sites in southern Italy with the aim of investigating the influence of the different site characteristics on PM levels. The sites encompass different characteristics, ranging from urban to coastal and high-altitude remote areas. PM10 and PM2.5 fractions were collected simultaneously using dual channel samplers during the winter period from November 2015 to January 2016 and analyzed for water-soluble ion species, using ion chromatography, and elemental composition, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). In all sites, PM2.5 represented the higher contribution to particulate mass, usually more than two times that of the coarse fraction (PM2.5−10). At the coastal site in Capo Granitola (Western Sicily), sea salts constituted about 30% of total PM10 mass. On average, ion species accounted for 30% to 60% of total PM10 mass and 15% to 50% of PM2.5 mass. We found that secondary ion species, i.e., SO42−, NO3− and NH4+ dominated the identifiable components within both PM2.5 and PM10 fractions. The chlorine–sodium ratio was usually lower than that expected from the natural level in sea salt, evidencing aged air masses. At the monitoring site in Naples, a highly urbanized area affected by high levels of anthropogenic source emissions, an increased contribution of ammonium was found, which was imputed to the increased ammonia emissions from industrial combustion sources and road traffic. The concentrations of the investigated elements showed noteworthy differences from one site to another. The PM10 fraction was highly enriched by sources of anthropogenic origin in the samples from the most urbanized areas. In general, the enrichment factors of the elements were similar between the PM10 and PM2.5 fractions, confirming common sources for all elements.

Samples from the different processing stages in the elaboration of sparkling wine (cava)—including must, base wine, and sparkling wine—of Pinot Noir and Xarel·lo grape varieties from different vineyard qualities (A, B, C, D) have been analyzed by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) techniques to determine their elemental composition. The resulting data has been used to characterize these products according to oenological features and product qualities. For this purpose, box plot diagrams, bar charts, and principal components analysis (PCA) have been used. The study of the behavior of each given species has pointed out the relevance of some elements as markers or descriptors of winemaking processes. Among others, Cu and K are abundant in musts and their concentrations progressively decrease through the cava production process. S levels suddenly increase at the base wine step (and further decay) due to the addition of sulfites as preserving agents. Finally, concentrations of Na, Ca, Fe, and Mg increase from the first fermentation due to the addition of clarifying agents such as bentonite. PCA has been applied to try to extract solid and global conclusions on trends and chemical markers within the groups of samples more easily and efficiently than more conventional approaches.

The still-advancing soil degradation and the related losses of soil organic carbon stocks due to the limited inflow of organic residues in agro-ecosystems encourage more and more soil protection. Establishing meadow ecosystems is one of the key methods of agricultural land use preventing losses of organic carbon in soils. Based on the research on the properties of humic acids, it is possible to determine the advancement of the processes of transformation and decomposition of soil organic matter. The obtained results may allow for the development of a soil protection strategy and more effective sequestration of organic carbon. Therefore, the aim of the research was to determine the properties of humic acids defining the quality of organic matter of meadow soils irrigated for 150 years with the slope-and-flooding system. The research was performed based on the soils (Albic Brunic Arenosol) sampled from Europe’s unique complex of permanent irrigated grasslands (the same irrigation management for 150 years), applying the slope-and-flooding system: the Czerskie Meadows. The soil samples were assayed for the content of total organic carbon (TOC) and the particle size distribution. HAs were extracted with the Schnitzer method and analysed for the elemental composition, spectrometric parameters in the UV-VIS (ultraviolet-visible) range, hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties and the infrared spectra. The research results showed that the HAs properties depend on the depth and the distance from the irrigation ditch. The HAs of soils sampled from the depth of 0–10 cm were identified with a lower “degree of maturity” as compared with the HAs of soils sampled from the depth of 20–30 cm, reflected by the values of atomic ratios (H/C, O/C, O/H), absorbance coefficients, and the FT-IR (Fourier transform infrared) spectra. The mean values of the H/C ratio in the HAs molecules of soils sampled from the depth of 20–30 cm were lower by 8.2% than those from the depth of 0–10 cm. The mean values of the absorbance coefficient A4/6 in the HAs molecules of soils sampled from the depth of 20–30 cm were lower by 9.6% than in the HAs molecules of soils sampled from the depth of 0–10 cm. The HAs molecules of the soils sampled 25 m from the irrigation ditch were identified with a higher degree of humification, as compared with the HAs of the soils sampled 5 m from the irrigation ditch. The results identified that humic acids produced in the many-year irrigated sandy soils were identified with a high degree of humification, which proves the relative stability of the soil’s organic matter. It confirms the importance of meadow soils for the carbon sequestration process. It should also be emphasized that the research area is interesting, although hardly described in terms of organic matter properties. Further and more detailed applicable research is planned, e.g., monitoring of total organic carbon content and comparing the properties of irrigated and non-irrigated meadow soils. Continuity of research is necessary to assess the direction of the soil organic matter transformation in such a unique ecosystem. The obtained results may allow for the development of, inter alia, models of agricultural practices that increase carbon sequestration in soils. In the long term, this will allow for greater environmental benefits and, thus, also increased financial benefits.

The simultaneous pyrolysis of coal with wood was experimentally found to allow reducing concentrations of sulfur-containing substances in gases released. The objective of experimental studies is comparison of the sulphate of calcium and aluminum in the ash of coal-wood mixtures after pyrolysis of the latter in a dense “packing” of aggregate particles of these two fuels and at a few millimeters distance between particles. The 3B-grade lignite, T-grade bituminous coal and pinewood sawmill waste were chosen as feedstocks for pyrolysis experiments because they are widespread in Russia as well as many other countries. The elemental composition of all raw materials and pyrolysis residues was determined. The inorganic composition of obtained pyrolysis product in the solid phase was characterized by X-ray analysis. The content of aluminum and calcium sulfate in residue in case of simultaneous processing of coal with wood was found to be higher, compared to the processing of coal only (within the random errors of the experiment), than those established for such mixtures under conditions of dense “packing” of large masses (up to 15 g).

Selenium (Se)-enriched vegetables are promising dietary sources of Se, which provides beneficial biological effects in humans. In this study, we investigated the effects of foliar application of Se on hydroponically grown multi-leaf green (V1) and red (V2) lettuce plants. Three selenate (SeIV) amendment levels were evaluated for their influence on plant growth, elemental composition and radical scavenging capacity. Lettuce heads biofortified with 0.598 mg Se plant−1 accumulated 19.6–23.6 and 14.9–17.6 μg Se g−1 DM in the multi-leaf green (V1) and red (V2) lettuce plants, respectively. The accumulated Se levels can contribute significantly to the recommended dietary allowance of 70 µg day−1 for adult men and 60 µg day−1 for adult women. Accordingly, both V1 and V2 lettuce cultivars grown under the Se3 foliar application condition can cover the daily requirement for adult men by approximately 100% and 85% to 100%, respectively, by consuming 75–90 g or 100 g fresh weight from V1 or V2, respectively. The ABTS radical scavenging potential of green lettuce was induced at Se2 and Se3 foliar application levels, where the IC50 was 1.124 ± 0.09 μg mL−1 at Se0 and improved to 0.795 ± 0.03 and 0.697 ± 0.01 μg mL−1, respectively. There was no cytotoxicity against Vero kidney cells among all treated lettuce plants at the highest concentration tested of 1 mg/mL. Finally, a further focused investigation of the metabolic profile of lettuce plants under varied Se levels needs to be investigated in future studies.

The control of the composition of food products with protected designation of origin, such as wines and sparkling wines, is essential to prevent fraudulent practices and adulterations. A wide range of compounds can be used as tentative biomarkers for the characterization and authentication purposes, with elemental composition being one of the most successful sources of information, especially for dealing with geographical origin and varietal issues. Currently, Inductively Coupled Plasma with Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) are the techniques of choice to carry out multi-elemental analysis of these kinds of beverages in a rapid and simple way. In our study, samples from the different processing stages in the elaboration of sparkling wine (cava)—including must, base wine and sparkling wine—of Pinot Noir and Xarel·lo grape varieties have been analyzed by ICP techniques to determine the elemental composition. The resulting data have been used to classify these products according to oenological practices and product qualities. For this purpose, principal components analysis, box plot diagrams and bar charts have been used. Different markers and sample patterns have been found to deal with changes resulting from the different steps of the production process of cava wines. Results have revealed the relevance of some elements as descriptors of winemaking processes. For instance, Cu and K are abundant in must and their concentrations progressively decrease through the cava production process. S levels suddenly increase at the base wine step (and further decay) of the addition of sulphites as preserving species. Finally, concentrations of Na, Ca, Fe and Mg increase from the first fermentation due to the addition of clarifying agents such as bentonite.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the elemental composition of fifteen algae-based supplements commonly sold in the Portuguese market, by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence. Despite the fact that the majority of Kelp samples were a good source of iodine, the levels observed might well contribute to an excess in the human body, which can cause dysfunction of the thyroid gland. Furthermore, the presence of lead in Sea spaghetti, Arame, Hijiki and Wakame caused a considerable risk to public health vis a vis possible ingestion of a high daily dose. Regarding arsenic, great variability was observed in all the samples with concentrations equal to or above 60 μg/g in the case of Arame, KelpJ and Hijiki. Although algae mainly accumulate organic arsenic, some also contain high levels of its inorganic form, as is commonly pointed out for Hijiki. Thus, regular ingestion of these supplements must also take into account the mentioned facts. There is no doubt that these supplements are also good sources of other nutrients, but the lack of accurate regulations and control should alert consumers to avoid indiscriminate use of these types of products.

This study introduced satellite-derived aerosol optical depth (AOD) in land use regression (LUR) modeling to predict ambient concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and its elemental composition. Twenty-four daily samples were collected from 17 air quality monitoring sites (N = 408) in Taiwan in 2014. A total of 12 annual LUR models were developed for PM2.5 and 11 elements, including aluminum, calcium, chromium, iron, potassium, manganese, sulfur, silicon, titanium, vanadium, and zinc. After applied AOD and a derived-predictor, AOD percentage, in modeling, the number of models with leave-one-out cross-validation R2 > 0.40 significantly increased from 5 to 9, indicating the substantial benefits for the construction of spatial prediction models. Sensitivity analyses of using data stratified by PM2.5 concentrations revealed that the model performances were further improved in the high pollution season.

The element stoichiometry of bacteria has received considerable attention because of their significant role in marine ecosystems. However, relatively little is known about the composition of major structural elements of the unicellular heterotrophic protists—thraustochytrids, despite their widely recognized contribution to marine nutrient cycling. Here, we analyze the cell volume and elemental C, N, H, and S cell content of seven cultured thraustochytrids, isolated from different marine habitats, in the exponential and stationary growth phases. We further derive the relationships between the cell volume and elemental C and N content of the cultured thraustochytrids. The cell volumes varied significantly (p < 0.001) among the isolates, with median values of 96.9 and 212.5 μm3 in the exponential and stationary phases, respectively. Our results showed a significantly higher percentage of C (64.0 to 67.5) and H (9.9 to 13.2) but a lower percentage of N (1.86 to 2.16) and S (0.34 to 0.91) in the stationary phase, along with marked variations of C and N fractions among isolates in the exponential phase. The cell C (5.7 to 203.7 pg) and N (0.65 to 6.1 pg) content exhibited a significant (p < 0.001) linear relationship with the cell volume (27.7 to 510 μm3). On further analysis of the relationship across the two growth phases, we found the equation (cell C (pg) = 0.356 × cell volume (μm3) + 20.922) for stationary phase cells more appropriate for C estimation of natural thraustochytrids. This study provides the first experimental evidence of higher cell C density than the current estimate and relatively larger C contribution of thraustochytrids than bacteria to the marine organic pool.

Differences in the elemental composition of plants, mainly C, N, and P, have been shown to be related to differences in their nutritional status, and their morphological and functional traits. The relationship between morphological traits and micronutrients and trace elements, however, has been much less studied. Additionally, in bryophytes, research devoted to investigating these relationships is still very scarce. Here, we analysed 80 samples from 29 aquatic and semi-aquatic (hygrophytic) moss species living in Mediterranean springs to investigate the relationship between moss nutrient concentrations and their micro- and macroscopic morphological traits and growth forms. We found that, across species, the elemental concentration of mosses was more tightly linked to macroscopic traits than to microscopic traits. Growth forms could also be successfully explained by the concentration of elements in mosses. Apart from macronutrients and their stoichiometric ratios (C:N, C:P, and N:P), micronutrients and trace elements were also important variables predicting moss morphological traits and growth forms. Additionally, our results showed that microscopic traits were well related to macroscopic traits. Overall, our results clearly indicate that the elemental composition of mosses can be used to infer their morphological traits, and that elements other than macronutrients should be taken into account to achieve a good representation of their morphological and, potentially, functional traits when comparing the elemental composition across species.

Node-containing straws exhibit superior mechanical properties compared to node-free straw plants, particularly in terms of shear resistance and compression resistance. We explore the relationship between the structure and mechanical properties of straw materials, providing deeper insights for the field of biomechanics. In this study, we focused on two node-containing straw plants, namely sorghum and reed. The main characteristics of sorghum and reed stalks were compared using macroscopic observation, stereomicroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and EDS analysis. This study revealed numerous similarities and differences in the macro- and microstructures as well as the elemental composition of sorghum and reed stalks. The functional groups in sorghum and reed stalks were largely similar, with the primary elements being C and O. Distinguishing features included a higher tapering and a slightly larger reduction in wall thickness in sorghum stalks compared to reed stalks. The cross-section of sorghum stalks was filled with pith structures, while reed stalks exhibited a hollow structure. The vascular bundles in sorghum typically showed a paired arrangement, whereas those in reeds were arranged in odd numbers. Furthermore, sorghum straws contained more Cl and no Br, while the parenchyma of reed straws contained higher Br. The C and O proportions of sorghum straws and reed straws are 50-53% (50-51%) and 45-46% (48-49%), respectively. These variations in elemental composition are believed to be correlated with the mechanical properties of the materials. By conducting a detailed study of the micro/macrostructures and material composition of sorghum and reed straw, this paper provides valuable insights for the field of biomechanics., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

(1) Background: This study provides novel insights into the elemental content and biomineralization processes of two halophytic species of the genus Arthrocnemum Moq. ( A. macrostachyum and A. meridionale ). (2) Methods: Elemental content was analyzed using ICP-MS, while biominerals were detected through electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) and X-ray diffraction. (3) Results: The elemental content showed significant concentrations of macronutrients (sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium) and micronutrients, especially iron. Iron was consistently found as ferritin in A. macrostachyum chloroplasts. Notably, A. macrostachyum populations from the Center of the Iberian Peninsula exhibited exceptionally high magnesium content, with values that exceeded 40,000 mg/kg d.w. Succulent stems showed elemental content consistent with the minerals identified through X-ray diffraction analysis (halite, sylvite, natroxalate, and glushinskite). Seed analysis revealed elevated levels of macro- and micronutrients and the absence of heavy metals. Additionally, the presence of reduced sodium chloride crystals in the seed edges suggested a mechanism to mitigate potential sodium toxicity. (4) Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential of Arthrocnemum species as emerging edible halophytes with nutritional properties, particularly in Western European Mediterranean territories and North Africa. They offer promising prospects for biosaline agriculture and biotechnology applications.

The more yerba mate infusions that are consumed, the larger the amount of grounds generated. What is more, both the infusion and the residues after brewing remain rich elements. Therefore, a strategy for the three-stage assessment of the element content was presented. A new brewing method was based on dynamic extraction, ensuring both the ease of preparing the infusion and recovering the grounds. In turn, microwave-assisted acid mineralization was used to decompose the leaves and twigs of yerba mate before and after brewing. In total, 30 products were analyzed by ICP OES in three fractions each, i.e., dry yerba mate, infusion, and grounds, to determine up to 25 elements. The elemental composition was considered in terms of the country of origin, type, or composition of yerba mate. The extraction percentages obtained with dynamic extraction were comparable to previously used ultrasound-assisted extraction, as well as data from the literature. The three-stage strategy is a novel approach in yerba mate studies, and it may be a model procedure for the laboratory preparation of yerba mate grounds (waste that can be re-used, e.g., a natural fertilizer).