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This study investigates the removal of lysozyme, a common waste protein, using weak ion-exchange nanofiber membranes (P-COOH) to address challenges in protein waste management and wastewater treatment. Protein waste, prevalent in industrial and biological processes, contributes to environmental pollution and increases treatment complexity if not effectively managed. Conventional methods often face limitations in selectivity and efficiency, highlighting the need for innovative solutions. The P-COOH nanofiber membrane, with its high surface area and tailored functional groups, was engineered to optimize protein removal. The removal process was analyzed in a batch system at an optimal pH of 7. Various kinetic models, such as pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Avrami, and intra-particle diffusion, were applied to elucidate rate-controlling steps. In contrast, isotherm models, including Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin, characterized the equilibrium of the removal process. Complete elution of removed lysozyme was achieved using a 0.3 M NaCl solution, yielding an equilibrium binding capacity of 315.24 mg/g on the nanofiber membranes. These findings indicate that the Avrami nonlinear model best describes lysozyme removal's complex, multi-step kinetics. In contrast, the Langmuir linear model accurately fits the equilibrium data, suggesting monolayer removal on a homogeneous surface. The successful reusability of the membranes underscores their potential for sustainable lysozyme removal from wastewater, offering a viable solution for improved waste management in industrial applications. [Display omitted] • P-COOH nanofiber membranes adsorbed lysozyme at 315.24 mg/g capacity. • Linear and nonlinear models were used to analyze adsorption kinetics. • The Avrami model effectively described multi-step adsorption kinetics. • Langmuir model confirmed monolayer adsorption on a homogeneous surface. • Lysozyme fully eluted with 0.3 M NaCl, confirming membrane reusability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to escalating environmental challenges, innovative solutions for collaborative waste management and recycling have become imperative. The eco-friendly microbial electrochemical resource recovery system (EMERS) integrated microbial electrolysis cell and forward osmosis for CO 2 capture from flue gas, ammonia and water recovery from wastewater and utilization of industrial wastes. 75 ± 1.8 % of ammonia from wastewater was enriched in MEC's catholyte and 38 % of synchronous water recovery from wastewater was achieved by forward osmosis, realizing multi-cycle recycling of catholyte. The enriched ammonia and CO 2 were then recovered by 100 % and 62 % through thermal extraction. The salt brine exhibited high efficiency in ammonia and CO 2 absorption, exceeding 90 %, and yielded hydrated basic magnesium carbonate. Additionally, hydrogen, NH 4 Cl and various carbonate products were also obtained. The EMERS demonstrated a promising strategy for integrated utilization of wastewater, flue gas and industrial waste, achieving pollution and carbon emissions reduction along with resource recovery. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focused on the causes, effects and the solutions to the problem of industrial waste in Ile -Oluji local Government area of Ondo State, Nigeria. The water samples were collected from five (5) different locations and analysed. Olorungbohunmi street (dumpsite) water sample had the highest colour value (2.3) and below the NIS standard for drinking water. The pH was low in Cocoa Industry (tap water) (5.6) and high in Ejamikemo (6.5). Conductivity was low in Olorungbohumi (2.45x102) and high in Ayeyemi Street (4.13x102). Gboluji cassava industry has the lowest total hardness (72.0) and high in Ayeyemi Street with the value of 134. The water quality parameter varies significantly in each sample. From the analysis, water from the dumpsite (Olorungbohunmi well) is not suitable for human consumption due to seepages from domestic wastes, cassava effluent from the industry and wastewater from cocoa industry in the area into well. The water from other locations should be chlorinated due to corrosion and contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inadequate treatment of industrial waste causes the contamination of rivers and seas, impacting human health and aquatic biodiversity. Among the pollutants are industrial dyes, such as methylene blue (MB), which is toxic in high doses and prevents solar radiation from penetrating the water's surface. To reduce water pollution, the organic dyes could be degraded, generating less harmful and colorless substances. The use of nanoparticles as catalysts has been gaining attention since they have excellent catalytic activity due to their high surface-to-volume ratio. Thus, this work aims to study the use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to degrade MB. AgNPs were prepared in water using the chemical reduction strategy and four different organic stabilizers: sodium citrate, ascorbic acid, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and poly(vinyl alcohol). The MB degradation in the presence of the AgNPs was monitored by UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy. The results showed the formation of AgNPs with a spherical shape for all the stabilizers used. All the AgNPs prepared were efficient in the degradation of MB, having degraded more than 90%. However, the AgNPs stabilized with sodium citrate and polyvinylpyrrolidone presented the best catalytic performance. Nevertheless, the four AgNPs prepared are potential catalysts for the degradation of organic dyes of wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metal contamination poses grave risks to all kinds of life. The fastest growing automotive, electroplating, and battery industries release the most common heavy metal, Nickel, into the environment, which has lethal impacts on human health. Our research aims to find Ni-resistant bacteria in the metal-contaminated soil that have a great potential for removing Ni from the environment. Attempts have been made to extract and characterize Ni-resistant bacteria from automobile and electroplating industry waste-contaminated soil using serial dilution, streak plating, and various morphological, biochemical, and genetic techniques. The maximum tolerable concentration of Ni and other heavy elements, such as cadmium, lead, and aluminium for the selected isolate, was investigated using the UV-Vis spectrophotometric method. Additionally, the bacterial strain's ability to remove Ni was assessed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The current research reveals a novel strain of Kluyvera cryocrescens that could withstand Ni, Cd, Pb, Al, and combinations of these heavy metals. The maximum tolerance concentration of K. cryocrescens M7 for Ni, Cd, Pb, and Al was found to be 150 ppm, 200 ppm, 1000 ppm, and 150 ppm, respectively. Additionally, it was also observed that the bacterial strain could remove Ni by 29.57%, 35.36%, 48.41%, 46.91%, and 44.88% after 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours, respectively. The strain has also exhibited resistance to vancomycin, ampicillin, carbenicillin, and streptomycin. This research discovered a novel bacterial strain, K. cryocrescens M7 that may be beneficial for removing heavy metals, particularly Ni, from metal-contaminated soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Periodical oil spills and massive production of industrial oil wastewater have impacted the aquatic environment and has put the sustainability of the ecosystem at risk. Oil–water separation has emerged as one of the hot areas of research due to its high environmental and societal significance. Special wettable membranes have received significant attention due to their outstanding selectivity, excellent separation efficiency, and high permeation flux. This review briefly discusses the fouling behavior of membranes and various basic wettability models. According to the special wettability, two major classes of membranes are discussed. One is superhydrophobic and superoleophilic; these membranes are selective for oil and reject water and are highly suitable for separating the water-in-oil emulsions. The second class of membranes is superhydrophilic and underwater superoleophobic; these membranes are highly selective for water, reject the oil, and are suitable for separating the oil-in-water emulsions. The properties and recent progress of the special wettable membranes are concisely discussed in each section. Finally, the review is closed with conclusive remarks and future directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advanced digital solutions are increasingly introduced into manufacturing systems to make them more intelligent. Intelligent Waste Management Systems in industries allow for data collection and analysis to make better-informed decisions, monitor and manage processes remotely, and improve waste management. In many industries, scrap is collected in large waste containers located on the factory floor, usually close to its source. In most cases, monitoring of waste containers' fill levels is either manually performed by visual inspection by the operators working in close proximity or by employing intrusive mechanical systems such as weight sensors. This work presents a computer vision system that uses Deep Learning (DL) and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) for the automated estimation of the fill level in industrial waste containers of metal scrap. The training method and parameters as well as the classification performance of VGG16 CNN that was retrained upon images collected in the field, are presented in detail. The proposed method has been validated upon an industrial case study from the copper tube production industry in which the fill level of two waste containers is estimated. A total of 9772 images were captured for the first container and 11,234 images for the second container. The VGG16 model achieved an accuracy from 77.5% to 95% on the testing dataset. The industrial case study demonstrates that the proposed computer vision system has sufficient accuracy for classifying the fill levels of metal scrap containers which allows for the development of waste management applications in industrial environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The circular economy (CE) is a promising model in industrial waste management, offering viable long-term resource sustainability. The rising costs of the oil and gas industry make circularity a reliable approach for saving materials, money, and energy. In recent years, attention has risen to the need to apply CE within oil and gas produced water (PW) treatment. The most common treatment practice for PW is based on mechanical treatment, with optional disposal of treated water into deep wells. However, this procedure consumes a lot of energy, increases operational costs, and causes environmental risks. This research aims to propose sustainable treatment technology promoting circularity by introducing a novel nature-based solution to treat PW. The main research objective is to develop a circular model for PW treatment by investigating the treatment of PW using constructed wetlands (CWs) to sustainably reduce the amount of waste in oil and gas fields. Additionally, investigate the use of industrial wastes as filtration materials for CW systems. In this study, eight different laboratory-scale CWs models were designed and tested. The CWS operated in two different types of flow directions: vertical (VF) and horizontal flow (HF). The main filter media for the CW system included aggregates, activated carbons, plastic, and shredded tires. The study investigated the removal rates of Total suspended solids (TSS), Total dissolved solids (TDS), Oil and Grease (OG), and Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) from the PW. Testing the CWs, it was found that the results of the PW treatment were promising, with the potential for more future shredded tires and plastic applications. All systems were effective at removing contaminants from produced water, with the highest recorded removal efficiencies of 94.8% TSS, 33.7% TDS, 90.2% OG, and 98.4% TPH. The research results were efficient and promoted the circular use of CW in PW treatment in addition to the possibility of reusing the treated effluent in agriculture and irrigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The South Saskatchewan River (SSR) is one of the most important river systems in Saskatchewan and, arguably, in Canada. Most of the Saskatchewan residents, industries, and powerplants depend on the SSR for their water requirements. An established 1D modelling approach was chosen and coupled with the Hydrologic Engineering Center's River Analysis System (HEC-RAS). The WASP (Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program) stream transport module, TOXI, is coupled with flow routing for free-flow streams, ponded segments, and backwater reaches and is capable of calculating the flow of water, sediment, and dissolved constituents across branched and ponded segments. Copper and nickel were chosen as two metals with predominantly anthropogenic (agriculture, mining, and municipal and industrial waste management) and geogenic (natural weathering and erosion) sources, respectively. Analysis was carried out at ten different sites along the South Saskatchewan River, both upstream and downstream of the City of Saskatoon, in the years 2020 and 2021. Model performance was evaluated by comparing model predictions with concentrations of copper and nickel measured in a previously published study. The model performed well in estimating the concentrations of copper and nickel in water samples and worked reasonably well for sediment samples. The model underestimated the concentration values at certain segments in both water and sediment samples. In order to calibrate the model more accurately, extra diffusive contaminant loads were added. While several default parameter values had to be used due to the unavailability of primary historical data, our study demonstrates the predictive power of combining WASP—TOXI and HEC-RAS models for the prediction of contaminant loading. Future studies, including those on the impacts of global climate change on water quality on the Canadian prairies, will benefit from this proof-of-concept study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incessant generation and mismanagement of industrial waste, resource scarcity, and environmental degradation have created non-sustainability in human life. Though industrial wastes are hazardous or non-hazardous in nature based on their source, open dumping disposal is commonly done for both types of waste. The adversity associated with waste enhances the environmental and health impacts. However, this waste has the potential to recycle and minimize resource scarcity. The circular economy works on the concept of reuse, recycling, and recovery to convert waste into a resource. Thus, industrial waste can benefit the environment and economic growth to build industrial ecology. However, the opportunities and challenges associated with industrial ecology for the reuse and recycling of waste have to be identified and preserved. Therefore, this study has identified challenges associated with waste, analyzed their impact, and industrial regulations, prioritized their criticality, and developed solution strategies to alleviate them. Two case studies on industrial byproducts, i.e., fly ash and red mud, based on different income groups are discussed in this study. It highlights the circular economy has minimized waste generation and enhanced the recovery of secondary resource materials. In addition, this study supports achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) 11 and 12 to build a sustainable industrial ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The main aim of the research presented in this article was identification and categorization of the main production waste generated in the textile and clothing industry and their impact on the environment in the context of sustainable development, together with the presentation of several proposals for solutions to the problem of production waste. Nowadays, through the newly emerging EU directives, the increasing population and consumer lifestyle, thus the huge amounts of generated waste, the problem of waste coming from textile and clothing industry will increase and it will be more important to find new solutions to it. Design/methodology/approach: In the research presented in this article, an analysis of the literature on the processes of the textile and clothing industry was used; waste generation from these industries and their impact on the environment along with the concept of sustainable development. Findings: The management of waste from the textile and clothing industry is an important factor influencing the sustainable development of the economy, both in the world and in Poland. Under the newly created EU directives, it will be a very important issue in the future, which will require urgent addressing this topic and finding optimal solutions in the context of sustainable development or the circular economy. Research limitations/implications: In the future, research will be continued in the field of production waste management in the textile and clothing industry, their disposal or recycling. Practical implications: This article provides an overview of quantitative research and diversity of waste from the textile and clothing industry in Poland and in the world. This review shows the importance and scale of the problem and allows for further continuation of research to manage the generated waste. The author has also collected concepts for the further management of post-production waste, which she presented in the article, but they require a broader and more detailed analysis. Originality/value: Based on empirical research, the article shows the scale of the problem that, through the new EU directives on the circular economy and sustainable development, will be a forward-looking and important issue. Additionally, the article presents concepts for waste management from the industrial and consumer perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations require that producers organize and pay for treatment and recycling of waste arising from their products at end of life. EPR has been effective in implementing some aspects of circular economy. In Europe, 35% of e-waste and 65% of packaging waste have already been recycled (or reused in some cases). This article analyzes the challenges of implementing EPR and provides useful insights for what has worked well and what challenges remain. Identifying and addressing these challenges will be crucial for framing legislation that will move industry and society toward a more circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remediation and preparation for development is a crucial aspect of the valorization of post-mining areas. This study is focused on technologies devoted to the cement stabilization of post-industrial waste and petroleum contaminated soils. Two case studies are presented. Case 1 is based on the stabilization works of waste from a closed chemical plant in order to turn it into an engineered landfill. The results form the basis for numerical studies of slope stability. The shorter case 2 is based on the laboratory testing of a soil–cement composite with regard to petroleum contamination and the application of active carbon to neutralize it in the course of deep soil mixing. Both cases, due to the use of slag cement, are not considered to be sustainable (due to a relatively high carbon footprint), but they represent current geotechnical practice and form a reference for a wide range of applications. Both cases show the positive impact of stabilization by means of the addition of a hydraulic binder. The effect of soil improvement is measurable in terms of the stability factor of landfill slopes. The effect of active charcoal addition seems to be a valuable improvement to standard deep soil mixing technology in the case of contaminated soil. The presented results, despite their local importance related to the cases under scrutiny, have an important educational and scientific value for the energy sector, where contaminated sites need to be valorized.

Heavy metal–contaminated water can be effectively treated using adsorbents made from abundantly available biomass. The present investigation was carried out to adsorb Cd(II) from synthetic solution by banana pseudo-stem (BP) and Moringa oleifera stem bark (MB). Adsorption efficiencies of both adsorbents were studied in the batch reactor by conducting experiments to determine the consequences of changes of pH, adsorbent dosages, initial Cd(II) concentrations, incubation time, and temperature. The process parameters were tuned to attain the highest possible removal percentage. The characterization of the adsorbents was performed by utilizing Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) for the fresh and metal-loaded adsorbents. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) was employed to calculate the amount of Cd(II) in an aqueous solution. The experimental data were entirely consistent with the pseudo-second-order model for BP and MB. The findings of the study illustrated the better adsorption efficiency of BP-derived adsorbent (≈ 99%) at optimum conditions over the MB (≈ 97%), and the corresponding adsorption capacities were 11.98 and 7.04 mg/g, respectively. The 4 (four) well-known isotherm models were attempted both in linear and non-linear forms. BP (R2 =0.995) and MB (R2 =0.994) were found to be best described by the Freundlich isotherm, which was selected based on the highest R2 value. In thermodynamic studies, ΔH and ΔS were calculated for both the adsorbents. Cd(II) adsorption on BP and MB was endothermic, as evidenced by the positive ΔH. Finally, the prediction of the removal percentage was made by the artificial neural network (ANN) modelling. The present work developed regionally derived waste materials which are helpful for small-scale industrial units for their waste management in an economical and sustainable way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, lavender waste, a residue of the essential oil extract industry, was used to feed Eisenia andrei with mature horse manure at ratios of 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25 and 100:0 on dry weight basis. Vermicomposting was carried out for 70 days in laboratory conditions. Biological parameters such as population build-up, total biomass, mortality and cocoon production were observed and measured. Increasing concentrations of waste affected positively the growth and reproduction of worms in a significant way. The 100% lavender waste combination showed the best cocoon production and even tripled their biomass in the first week. A seed germination test was also made, where no evidence of toxicity was found. The germination index range was, in general terms, above 100. The results indicated that the earthworm E. andrei was able to transform lavender waste into compost and thus play a major role in industrial waste management and apply circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the process of making steel, around 10%–15% of slag is produced. In the last decade, several studies have proposed the application of steel slag as geomaterial. However, its potential application as a subgrade material in river embankments (artificial banks to protect the adjacent land against flooding) has been unexplored hitherto. This study assessed the geotechnical properties of steel slag, riverbank sand, and their various blends. First, the index properties, microstructure, and mineralogy of the slag and sand were evaluated. Then, the strength properties of slag and sand were assessed via the direct shear test at different relative densities and blends. The hydraulic conductivities of the proposed blends were also assessed, and the pH of their effluent discharge was evaluated. The optimal slag-sand mix for strength was found to be 1∶7 (slag content 12.5%), which improved the friction angle of sand from 27° to 37°. The hydraulic conductivities of all the proposed blends were observed to be in the range of 10−5 m/s , equivalent to that of riverbank sand. Hyperalkalinity of the leachate was observed during the hydraulic conductivity tests. The findings from the present study reveal that substituting a small proportion of riverbank sand with slag improves its strength considerably. However, there are geo-environmental concerns over its application in river embankments due to the hyperalkalinity of the effluent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of recycling ash from Amazonian biomass on the fertility of a dystrophic Yellow Latosol. For this purpose, a laboratory incubation experiment was performed with Yellow Latosol using four increasing doses of ash (8.75, 17.5, 35, and 70 Mg ha−1), three incubation times (20, 40, and 60 days), two positive treatments (13 Mg ha−1 lime and 2 Mg ha−1 phosphate fertilizer), and one control soil. The chemical analyses of the soil revealed that the application of increasing doses of ash positively affected the pH values and significantly increased the availability of the nutrients P, K, Ca, and Mg, the levels of which were adequate for the soils and main crops of the state of Pará, Brazil. The input of these nutrients and the moderate increase in pH contributed to the increase in base saturation and thus reduced the potential acidity of the soil and neutralized Al3+. Therefore, recycling ash from Amazonian biomasses in agricultural or forest soils may represent a sustainable and integrative alternative that balances the management of industrial waste and the fertility of acidic and nutrient-deficient soils in the state of Pará. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1997, Mitchell brought his concerns to EPA, and spoke with Cynthia Purifoy, the Environmental Justice Coordinator of the EPA Region 4 office in Atlanta. I This essay is part of a series of essays that are based on interviews conducted for this special issue with people who practice risk communication related to human or natural hazards as part of their professions i . The two-day meeting Tim Fields moderated was held in 1996 to discuss threats of dioxin and inadequacy of prior EPA dioxin removal efforts. After leaving EPA in 2001, Timothy Fields joined the consulting firm MDB as a facilitator with a goal of providing assistance to communities. [Extracted from the article]

[Display omitted] • This study used the COSMO-RS theory to screen and separate ionic liquids for azeotropes. • Explain the mechanism of separation between ethyl acetate and isopropanol at the microscopic level. • This study established a structure–activity relationship between macroscopic and microscopic mechanism explanations. Mixed solutions of ethyl acetate and isopropanol readily form waste solvents. Recovering and reusing waste solvents can harmonize economic and environmental development, thereby achieving the goal of sustainable development. To prevent environmental pollution and waste of resources, this study used COSMO-RS theory to screen three ionic liquids as extractants for the azeotrope of ethyl acetate and isopropanol. Vapor-liquid equilibrium data for the systems of ethyl acetate + isopropanol + [P4,4,4,4][OAc]/[P4,4,4,4][Cl]/[P4,4,4,4][Br] are measured at 101.3 kPa. The NRTL model is used to fit the data, yielding model parameters and the minimum molar fraction of ionic liquid required to break the azeotrope. Subsequently, the mechanism of azeotrope breaking is analyzed through σ-profiles, excess enthalpy calculations, and quantum chemical computations. Finally, distillation experiments were conducted on the ternary system at atmospheric pressure and compared with vapor–liquid equilibrium experiments. This study systematically investigates the impact of ionic liquids on the azeotropic system of ethyl acetate and isopropanol through a combination of experimental-theoretical calculation-experimental validation approaches, revealing the mechanism of azeotrope breaking and providing technical support for industrial waste solvent management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circulating fluidized bed bottom ash (CFB BA), the by-product of thermal power plants, poses environmental threats if treated improperly. This study investigated a novel treatment method of CFB BA to prepare an eco-friendly binder with carbide slag (CS), and flue gas desulfurization gypsum (DG). Results revealed that CS and DG showed the synergistic excitation of CFB BA and the alkaline environment provided by CS played an instrumental role in the mechanical properties, particularly in the later stage. The optimal mixture with 70 % CFB BA, 15 % CS and 15 % DG achieved 50.43 MPa at 28d and 60.97 MPa at 90d. Comprehensive characterization by XRD, FTIR, TG-DSC, and SEM-EDS revealed that the primary hydration products, C-(A)-S-H gels and ettringite, formed a robust and compact microstructure, significantly enhancing strength. SEM-EDS demonstrated the more uniformly distributed C-(A)-S-H gels and thicker ettringite with an average width of 0.26 μm in C70, while that of C60 and C80 were 0.12 μm and 0.16 μm, respectively and MIP exhibited the lowest porosity of 27.99 % in C70. Additionally, leaching tests confirmed that heavy metal concentrations in the binder were below the limits of drinking water standards in China, demonstrating significant environmental safety. This work bridges gaps in understanding the hydration mechanisms of CFB BA-based binders and offers a sustainable solution for industrial waste management. • A novel method for treating large quantities of CFB BA is proposed. • CS alone provides sufficient alkalinity for the system, especially at later stage. • The co-excitation of CS and DG promotes the depolymerization of CFB BA. • Primary hydration products in CFB BA-based binder are ettringites and C-(A)-S-H gels. • The CFB BA-based binder is environmentally and economically friendly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The discussion highlighted voltammetric electrochemical methods for detecting HMIs. • Recent advances in electrochemical sensing for HMIs detection using nanomaterials. • Recent advances in electrochemical sensing for HMIs detection using aptamers. • Emerging insights and future prospects for voltammetric techniques in HMIs detection were discussed. Naturally occurring heavy metals (HMs) present a serious risk to human health and the environment because of their toxicity, persistence, and tendency to bioaccumulate. Their presence in air, water, soil, and food can lead to a multitude of adverse effects, from acute poisoning to chronic health problems. The rapid expansion of industrialization and technology has increased HMs contamination from industrial emissions, mining, agriculture, urbanization, and e-waste, posing serious risks to ecosystems and public health. To tackle this increasing challenge, it is essential to develop highly robust, sensitive, and selective electrochemical detection methods for the rapid identification of heavy metal ions (HMIs) contaminants. This review investigates a variety of electrochemical sensors and biosensors utilizing voltammetric techniques for HMIs detection. It covers voltammetric methods such as cyclic voltammetry (CV), square wave voltammetry (SWV), differential-pulse voltammetry (DPV), normal pulse voltammetry (NPV), staircase voltammetry (SV), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), hydrodynamic voltammetry (HV), anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV), cathodic stripping voltammetry (CSV), and adsorptive stripping voltammetry (AdSV). The review also emphasizes recent advancements in the electrochemical detection of HMIs through various sensor and biosensor platforms, including different nanomaterials and DNA aptamers. These innovations have potential applications in environmental monitoring, food and water safety, industrial waste management, and public health protection, making them vital tools for safeguarding human health and the environment from HMIs contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rising carbon emissions challenge global environmental sustainability and climate stability. This study aims to advance climate change mitigation by integrating fly ash and natural surfactant into CO 2 sequestration strategies. Fly ash, a by-product of industrial processes, presents an opportunity for innovative reuse. By combining fly ash with a natural surfactant extracted from soybean seeds, both industrial waste management and greenhouse gas reduction can be addressed. The surfactant was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, surface tension, and electrical conductivity measurements, confirming saponin presence with a critical micelle concentration of 0.3 wt%. Pressure decay studies revealed that a (5 wt% fly ash + NS) demonstrated the highest CO 2 absorption, supported by microscopic analysis. Further research on optimizing reaction conditions and kinetics of mineralization could enhance this method's efficiency and scalability for broader application. [Display omitted] • A natural surfactant was extracted from soybean seeds using Soxhlet extraction. • Formation of micelle was achieved at lower concentration (0.3 wt%). • Fly ash with natural surfactants provides an effective, eco-friendly CO 2 capture. • CO 2 absorption capacity was higher for the surfactant-fly ash solution than for fly ash alone. • Using green surfactants with fly ash for CO 2 capture supports sustainability and cuts GHGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Fe-impregnated SiC reduces activation energy from 140.5 kJ/mol to 63.7 kJ/mol. • Random scission model (L2) explains thermal decomposition of ABS plastic waste. • Microwave-assisted catalytic pyrolysis manages ABS plastic waste efficiently. The increasing accumulation of ABS plastic waste poses significant environmental challenges, necessitating efficient methods for its disposal and recycling. The pyrolysis of the ABS plastic waste was performed under various heating programs including constant heating rate (27.5, 42.2 and 65 K min−1), and sample-controlled reaction rate (0.01 min−1) to obtain the TG curves using the in-house developed microwave assisted thermogravimetric analyzer. Fe-impregnated SiC was used as thermal and chemical catalyst, while neat SiC played only thermal catalyst role. The modified Sestak-Bergren equation used to model the TG data by Pearson's linear correlation and associated parameters n = 1.129 and m = 0.27 was achieved. The comparison of normalized form of the conversion function (f (α)/f (0.5)) with the most common models of solid-state reactions showed that random scission model (L2) was the most suitable approach to physically explain the pyrolysis of ABS plastic waste. Furthermore, by applying isoconversional kinetic analysis, the variation of activation energy (Eα) with conversion value was approximately constant. The Eα obtained was 140.5 and 63.7 kJ/mol with SiC and Fe/SiC, respectively. These findings hold practical implications for industrial applications or waste management strategies, particularly when considering the developed microwave-assisted real-time TGA-pyrolysis, which can enhance the efficiency and sustainability of plastic waste recycling processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Confirmed feasibility and scalability of the ozonation from bench to pilot scale. • Use of Venturi tube for better O 3 dispersion and hydrodynamic cavitation. • Highest carboxylic acid degradation efficiency of 99 % in 60 min at pH 12. • Real matrix does not need pH adjustment to achieve O&G reduction above 50 %. • Energy consumption for real matrix ozonation is lower than for synthetic one. Managing oilfield produced water (OPW) is a significant challenge for the petrochemical industry due to the high daily volumes generated and strict disposal limits for oil and grease (O&G) content. O&G levels are influenced by organic compounds known as naphthenic acids (NAs). This study explored ozonation to degrade cyclohexane carboxylic acid (CHCA, a model compound for NAs) present in a synthetic OPW matrix and reduce O&G in real OPW from offshore platforms. Experiments were conducted on four ozonation prototypes with varying effluent capacities: a simplified bench-scale prototype (200 mL), an extended bench-scale prototype (400 mL to 800 mL), a hydrodynamic cavitation reactor with Venturi (5 L), and a pilot unit reactor (25 L to 80 L). CHCA degradation ranged from 91 % to 100 % under optimized conditions for each prototype. Additionally, the ozonation treatment met the Brazilian National Environment Council's disposal requirements for OPW in oceanic regions, achieving an O&G content below 29 mg/L within 30 min at natural pH. The energy required for degradation (E RC) decreased from 729.2 kWh/m3 to 30.3 kWh/m3 as ozonation scaled up from the simplified bench-scale system (200 mL) to the pilot scale (80 L). For real OPW, the E RC was even lower at 34.5 kWh/m3. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of ozonation in treating OPW and underscore the importance of multi-scale studies to evaluate the technical and economic viability of this treatment technology. This contributes to the sustainable management of industrial waste even in space-restricted installations such as offshore oil production facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluoride (F) contamination in industrial waste is a significant challenge for sustainable materials recycling. Existing techniques for mitigating F contamination focus on immobilization, converting F compounds to insoluble forms while leaving the total F content untreated. Chelator-assisted washing is considered a promising alternative remediation strategy that can indirectly release F by entrapping and dissolving F-bearing minerals. This study evaluates the effectiveness of chelator-assisted washing in removing F from three real F-contaminated waste samples (TCS-49, TCS-51, and TCS-52) by treating with four different chelators, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), ethylenediamine N , N ′-disuccinic acid (EDDS), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), and 3-hydroxy-2,2′-imino disuccinic acid (HIDS). The influence of key washing variables, including chelator type, solution pH, chelator concentration, washing time, and liquid-to-solid (L/S) ratio toward F extraction was assessed and optimized for attaining the maximum extraction. All chelators exhibited the highest F extraction from TCS-49 and TCS-51 at pH 11, whereas in TCS-52 it showed a discrete extraction pattern. Under optimized conditions (concentration, 10 mmol L−1; pH, 11; washing duration, 3 h; and L/S ratio, 10:1), EDTA outperformed the other chelators, enhancing F extraction by 2.1 and 1.2 times for TCS-49 and TCS-51, respectively, compared with those of control treatments. However, for TCS-52, the efficiency of EDTA was analogous to that of the control under the same washing conditions. The linear correlation between the extracted F and F-containing minerals suggests that the chelator-induced F removal from contaminated waste involves the entrapment and dissolution of F-bearing minerals, especially Ca and Fe. The subsequent post-washing immobilization of chelator-washed waste residues using CaO or H 3 PO 4 significantly reduced the content of leachable F under the regulatory limit. [Display omitted] • Chelator-induced F extraction significantly correlated with washing parameters. • All chelators showed peak F extraction at pH 11, with distinct patterns for TCS-52. • EDTA showed the highest F extraction efficiency among the tested chelator variants. • Chelator-aided F removal involves entrapment and dissolution of F-bearing minerals. • CaO- and H 3 PO 4 -based immobilization reduced F-leaching below the regulatory limit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The technological potential of co-digesting bovine rumen waste (BRW) with brewery spent grain (BSG) is significant, offering enhanced biogas production and effective waste management. This study's findings demonstrate that the anaerobic digestion process becomes significantly more efficient when difficult to degrade BRW is combined with easily degradable BSG. The highest methane yield obtained in the mono-digestion of BRW was 127.11 NmL CH4 g VS −1 with biodegradability of 33.89 % in inoculum to substrate ratio (ISR) 2, and for de BSG obtained was 304.18 NmL CH4 g VS −1 with biodegradability of 68.26 % in ISR 4. The overall average obtained in co-digestion for volatile solids (VS) removal was 26.28 %, and the concentration of methane present in the biogas was 57.18 %. The VS removal efficiency and the increase in biogas and methane yield were directly proportional to the rise in ISR and the proportion of BSG in the mixture. Specifically, the ideal mix of 25 % BRW with 75 % BSG at ISR 4 resulted in a notable methane yield of 255.30 NmL CH4 g VS −1. This process stabilizes digestion and significantly improves solids removal and methane concentration, making it a highly efficient solution for sustainable energy production and industrial waste management. • The methane yield in the co-digestion of BRW with BSG was 100 % higher than the mono-digestion of BRW. • The increase in methane yield was directly proportional to the increase in ISR, reaching 254.79 NmL CH4 g VS −1 in ISR 4. • The acclimated inoculum showed a microbial community typical of biogas bioreactors. • The stability parameter values showed a good performance in the co-digestion process. • Co-digestion with a higher proportion of BSG in the mixture resulted in greater VS removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large stock of red mud (RM), with certain resource values and potential environmental hazards, places higher requirements on the selection and optimization of recycling technology. A multi-dimensional performance assessment method combined with life cycle assessment was established to address this issue. In this study, eight typical RM recycling technologies were screened and sorted into three categories, 18 assessment indicators covering technological, resource, environmental, economic, and social dimensions were defined, and the integrated performance assessments of different categories and technologies were analyzed and compared. For the building material preparation category, the environmental dimension mainly focused on reducing the consumption of chemical reagents and sintering temperatures. In the material adsorption and modification category, improvements primarily targeted the technological and societal dimensions by increasing technological readiness and social feasibility. For the metal extraction category, the technology dimension focused on improving applicability and competitiveness and optimizing process parameters. Electricity, the primary energy source, significantly affected environmental performance and constrained industrial scalability. Thus, integrated performance assessment method for RM recycling technologies offers a methodology for researchers, provides a scientific basis and guidance for technology selection for industrialized applications, and promotes the optimal management of industrial solid waste for governments. • Multi-dimensional performance of RM recycling technologies was evaluated. • Eighteen indicators across five dimensions were included. • Metal extraction presented the best multi-dimension performance. • Energy consumption was the primary factor to environmental performance. • Improvement and optimization of RM recycling technologies were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the effectiveness of regional governments' environmental taxes and policies in reducing industrial waste. We propose a spatial and dynamic model for the Spanish regions during the period 1999–2017. The results suggest that there are spatial and dynamic components in the generation of industrial waste; and that the specific environmental tax policy applied to industrial waste is not very effective, although the induced effect of these taxes and other environmental policies reduces the waste generation. Our model also suggests a relative decoupling between growth and waste, although many regions are still far from the waste Kuznets curve (WKC) turning point. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reuse of waste materials such as carbon fiber (CF) as filling additive for closed-loop vertical geothermal probes in shallow geothermal systems has been evaluated as a new grout mixture for the improvement of geothermal energy systems efficiency and a sustainable supply of raw materials from special waste. The study evaluates the improvement in both thermal exchange characteristics and mechanical properties of the filling grout for geothermal purposes through the addition of 5% of CF to standard (ST) materials currently on the market. Uniaxial and flexural tests investigating the material response after 14 and 28 days from sample preparation on samples of both standard and mixed grout material as well as non-stationary hot wire method were used to define the thermal conductivity for both the standard and innovative mixtures. The experimental analysis provides evidence for increasing the thermal conductivity by about 3.5% with respect to standard materials. Even the mechanical properties are better in the innovative mixture, being the compressive strength 187% higher and flexural strength 81% higher than standard materials. The obtained results become useful for the optimization of low enthalpy geothermal systems and mostly for the design of the vertical heat exchange system in terms of depth/number of installed probes. Principally, thermal conductivity improvements result in a reduction of about 24% of the geothermal exchanger's length, affecting the economic advantages in the implementation of the entire system. A simple analysis of the reuse of CF waste shows the reduction of industrial waste and the simultaneous elimination of disposal costs, defining new perspectives for industrial waste management. This research provides essential elements for the development of a circular economy and is well integrated with the European challenges about the End of Waste process and reduction of environmental impact, suggesting new perspectives for economic development and sectorial work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Red mud storage is associated with an increased risk of dam failure and there is an urgent need to address the environmental problem caused by the very fine particle size (average 4.9 µm) of red mud with high alkalinity (pH = 10–12.5) in the alumina industry. The specific objective of this study was to investigate the use of red mud based on the "simulation" integrating the sustainability aspect through the PROMETHEE method. The data source is from a field survey with experts conducted at the research location from the province of West Kalimantan, Indonesia. The results of the study using the PROMETHEE ranking parameter showed that the best optimal industrial cluster sites were Ketapang, followed by Belitung Island, Mempawah, and Teluk Batang, with scores of 0.4167, 0.0476, 0.0, and −0.463, respectively. However, using economic input and environmental output, the efficient frontier showed that Ketapang, Teluk Batang, and Pulau Belitung are efficient sites. Considerably more work will need to be carried out to determine the strategic partner in the increasing significant added value in the red mud industrial cluster sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste management aims at optimal recovery through the integration of waste, starting from the essential objective of environmental protection, as well as neutralizing negative effects on the environment and preserving natural capital components. Waste recovery is carried out on a managerial basis through a system of measures, actions and viable activities, through legal and administrative levers financially supported in the long term. New business models with an approach based on protecting the environment by reducing at source in the perspective of the life cycle, bring benefits to society as a whole. Given the technological advance, it is necessary to identify and create new solutions / innovations for the management of industrial waste in order to create an industry that uses resources sustainably. The paper presents some aspects of the specific waste management activities within the generator-collector circuit under the tutelage of the competent authorities in the field of environmental protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The industrial hazardous waste (IHW) generation to meet consumption is steadily increasing, resulting in environmental, health, and social problems around the world. To address IHW at the source, it is critical to understand the generation characteristics and key drivers on industrial hazardous waste generation (IHWG). This study analysed the generation characteristics of IHW of South Korea from 2008 to 2018 by decoupling and index decomposition analysis using Log Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) model. South Korea presented unstable decoupling of IHWG from economic growth, so more effective waste management regulations are needed to support a stable decoupling. One most critical finding was that the factors of industrial output and industrial characteristic of IHWG-to-energy were major driving factors influencing the increase of IHWG, whereas those of industrial structure and energy efficiency affect to the decrease of IHWG in most industries. In addition, the result clearly confirmed that the contribution of driving factors affecting the IHWG differs by industry. These results provide significant policy insights that the South Korean government needs institutional improvement and refinement of customised IHW management according to the characteristics of IHWG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, environmental water degradation all over the world comes about due to the growth of urban, industrial and agricultural activities. As a result of these discharges without any prior treatment, the quality of river waters in Kosovo has deteriorated greatly. On the basis of the research that has been done so far in the rivers of Kosovo, it was shown that Drenica is one of the rivers that are constantly exposed to the discharge of industrial waters. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to analyze the impact of water discharged from Feronikeli on the water quality of the Drenica River and the possibility of its protection. The realization of this study is focused on the evaluation of physico-chemical parameters of the water of the Drenica River, the content of heavy metals in the water, the analysis and comparison of the results obtained using the standard for the assessment of the ecological status of surface waters of Romania (GD 161). Laboratory assays were developed according to standard analysis methods (APHA). The results obtained, analyzed and compared with the values of the parameters according to the standard referred to in this research, confirm that the water of the Drenica River belongs to the class of water with "good quality" only in the source area, while in other flow stations river, especially in the third station S3 (Ferronikel industrial zone), water has "poor quality", passing into the category of "very poor quality". Therefore, in order to improve the current situation, it is recommended to apply the best environmental practices and proper management of industrial waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The industrial waste and recyclable resources are rationally utilized. • HPL sanding dust and PP-based food pails can be alternatives to manufacture WPC. • Excellent mechanical and environmental properties are simultaneously achieved. • WPC with residue materials has low carbon emission and high economic added value. • WPC with residue materials is in line with the sustainable development strategy. Plastic pollution caused by non-degradable petrochemical-based plastics has become a serious environmental problem in China, and the reasonable management of industrial waste and renewable resources remains a huge challenge. Here, we report environment-friendly wood-plastic composites (WPCs), prepared from decorative high-pressure laminate (HPL) sanding dust (filler) and waste thermoplastic food pails (matrix), as well as comprehensively evaluate the processability, mechanical and interfacial properties, indoor safety evaluation. The elemental composition and thermal stability of these two residue materials were suitable for the WPC manufacturing process. The content of HPL sanding dust in WPC was fixed at 60 wt%, and the amount of maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) added was 5 wt%-7 wt%, which maximized the utilization of waste resources, and can obtain impact strength as high as 5–6 kJ/m2, tensile strength of 35–42 MPa and flexural strength as high as 43–46 MPa. The developed WPCs had low formaldehyde emissions (≤1.53 mg/m3) and slightly improved flame retardancy. Finally, their lower cost (5,035 yuan/ton) and higher eco-efficiency (12.81 yuan/kg CO 2) characteristics allowed them to be compatible with the current sustainable development requirements. This study provides a novel approach for the utilization of industrial waste and recyclable resources for sustainable replacement of wood-based products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main elements of mother earth, like air, water, and soil, are constantly being poisoned due to inadequate waste treatment and the lack of such technologies. Few chemicals such as cyanides and phenols are not environmentally benign, yet they can be spontaneously removed in nature unless their amount is overwhelming. Therefore, these compounds must be treated in the waste/wastewater at the point of discharge. However, many of the physical and chemical waste treatment technologies are expensive, require high maintenance, and are unsustainable because of the formation of other life-threatening chemical by-products. When released into the environment, cyanide and phenol often enter into the ecosystem and disturb all trophic levels. When these chemicals are allowed to degrade themselves in nature, the ecosystem breaks them down into nontoxic organic constituents. Many microbes like bacteria, algae, and fungi have been reported to detoxify these pollutants with their enzymatic action without any toxic by-products. This review highlights the fact that only a few genera and species of microorganisms have been exploited for this purpose. So far very few studies have been carried out on defining the role of uncultured microorganisms in the cyanide and phenol cycles in nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since appearing in modern form fifty years ago, the Clean Water Act has proven a powerful force for environmental justice, helping to clean up urban waterways across the country. Through establishment of water quality standards and enforcement of regulatory requirements, the Clean Water Act has compelled public authorities and private companies to upgrade infrastructure and curtail discharge of sewage and other industrial effluent. At the same time, urban communities have continued to struggle with water pollution beyond the reaches of the Clean Water Act. This Article briefly examines three such communities: the Anacostia area of Washington, D.C.; the neighborhoods along the Duwamish Waterway of Seattle, Washington; and the residents affected by the Flint Water Crisis in Flint, Michigan. In each case, people have used legal authorities beyond the Clean Water Act to help improve water quality and quality of life in these communities. Equally important may be the character of the people charged with protecting human health and the environment, as the failures leading to the Flint Water Crisis clearly demonstrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The correct management of industrial waste, as well as being an environmental obligation, can also be used as an opportunity to reduce costs in terms of energy and raw material consumption. A large amount of waste sand is generated in foundries with a high content of pollutants adhering to its surface structure. In this study, the material utilized consists of a silicic sand that comes from a casting process, with a thin layer of fixed carbon on the surface of the particles. The objective is to remove this contaminant, in order to have clean sands for use in alternative processes, such as in glass raw material, green concrete, or in the recirculation of these in the same process. The mechanical action that is best for eliminating surface attached contaminants is abrasion. In this regard, two specific devices, commonly used in ore processing operations, were utilized to apply energy in a material in order to reach abrasion by attrition, but with different kinetic approaches: stirring in a slurry media and using a light milling, in both cases reducing the grinding media in order to avoid material fracture. The test performance evaluation is mainly focused on the decontamination efficiency, the sand mass recovery ratio, and the energy consumption. The results show that in all cases, liberation is reachable in different levels at different residence times. We were able to decrease the LOI content from 4% to less than 1%, combined with a near 85% recovery rate of clean sand in the case of stirring. In the case of light milling, the results are even better: the final product reached near 0.5% of LOI content, despite mass flow recovery potentially being less than 80%. Finally, we discuss whether energy consumption is the factor which decides the best alternative. The energy consumed ratio when comparing light milling with stirring is near 9:1, which is a significant amount when taking into account the importance of reducing energy consumption in today's industry due to its economic and environmental impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black soldier fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera Stratiomyidae), is a saprophagous insect that is receiving a growing scientific and economic interest since during the larval stage it is extremely voracious and able to consume a wide range of organic materials. This ethological characteristic is particularly suitable for waste management at industrial scale. The extraordinary ability to accumulate high levels of proteins and lipids, allows the use of resulting larvae as animal feed or biodiesel production; the residue of the bioconversion process, that consists of larval frass and not converted organic matter is assimilable to organic fertilizer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bioconversion process by black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) on fresh and mature dairy manure. A “mobile bioconversion unit” that works as a mobile breeding unit was used, allowing to carry out bioconversion tests directly on fields, in different livestock farms located on the Basilicata territory (Italy). Total larval and frass biomass, bioconversion yield, BSFL development time and substrate reduction were evaluated for each treatment. All the analysed parameters differed from the control (larvae fed in standard diet) but not between the two substrates from the zootechnical chain. Although development time significantly differed across treatments, BSF correctly grow and reduce all substrates confirming larvae can be used to bioconvert animal manure reducing the undesired effects occurring from mismanaged this kind of substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, modern industries generate their energy by using renewable solar. The rapid increase in photovoltaic (PV) module installations provides a better energy conversion, but their life cycle is a major concern. This research paper focuses on the recycling process for solar PV modules using the Internet of Things in industries. The smart bin with the Internet of Things (IoT) utilizes a machine learning approach to collect solar waste. The proposed smart bin uses k-Nearest Neighbor's algorithm (k-NN) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), a network-based learning algorithm. These algorithms are useful in updating the level of the bin via alert messages. It also helps in identifying the type of waste material. The k-NN algorithm provides 83% accuracy in predicting the bin level in a real-time testing environment. The smart dust bin classifies the waste materials, and notifies its level to the collection center through the IoT platform when the level reaches a prescribed threshold, the signal corresponding to the level is passed to the common waste collection unit. IoT is connected to Cloud Server. It helps to predict the level of the smart bin. Delay is introduced in the order of 3–8 s while the alert message is sent to the common waste collection unit. The system monitors the smart bin levels and sends the notifications to alert and initiate the collection unit. Real-time mobile app monitors the bin's level and location. The cloud IoT analytics analyze the solar e-waste in a different locations in industries.The proposed system works better and provides accurate results by using machine learning approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Craft breweries have been expanding and standing out in the Brazilian market. The increase in the number of breweries entails a concern with the waste generated in the production process. This article addresses the concepts of Circular Economy and Industrial Symbiosis and aims to seek evidence of SI in production waste sharing in craft breweries, describe the management of waste generated in the production process, and investigate the perceptions of brewery manager entrepreneurs regarding IS, their motivations and limiting factors. The research method was a descriptive and exploratory case study using the interview, document analysis, and observation techniques. A research protocol was established, and the questions were restructured after a technical visit to a brewery. The results indicate that it is not possible to evidence the symbiotic relationship regarding the management of inputs or leftovers generated in the products' production. The liquid waste receives an initial treatment and it is poured into the public sewage system. Approximately 92% of producers donate or commercialize their solid waste to rural producers and 83% of the producers perceive IS only as an environmental benefit. The entrepreneurs' cultural aspect can be highlighted among the limitations to the IS, as well as their lack of knowledge regarding the alternatives for waste reuse, the production size, and the cost to process the waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obtaining cellulose from agro-industrial waste offers the possibility of generating added value to solid biomass that is currently deposited in sanitary landfills. This research performed the evaluation of a residue from cocoa husk pods (Theobroma cacao L.), from the agricultural industry. The cellulose fiber was obtained through chemical treatments with KOH at 5% w/v to remove non-cellulosic components and then the fiber was bleached with 3% v/v hydrogen peroxide. The changes in chemical structure were determined through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The FTIR analysis confirms the progressive decrease of lignin and hemicellulose after applying chemical treatment. The morphological changes in the surface of the fiber were characterized using the SEM technique. The mass percentage of cellulose increases up to 68 %. It is expected that the Nano-Crystals (NCC) extracted from the biomass of the cocoa husk pods, present a high index of crystallinity and that they are also in suitable conditions to be useful as reinforcing agents in polymeric or mineral matrices, and may have potential application for technology transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early modern Tokyo was a city of water with rivers and canals crisscrossing the city and connecting its commercial centers. However, modern Tokyo's rivers have disappeared—filled in, or converted into concrete-lined sewers. This article explores what happened to these waterways during Japan's period of rapid economic growth. It focuses on the 1961 policy decision by city planners and water engineers that resulted in the rivers-to-sewers transition in the lead-up to the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. The process of making this policy sheds light on the interface of the long-term urban industrial pollution and the short-term pressures of urban clean up before the 1964 Olympics. Contributing an envirotech perspective on industrial waste management during Japan's high-speed economic growth period, this article brings to focus a rush to pave with concrete Japan's return on the international scene, as part of the showcasing recovery from the political and economic catastrophe of World War II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for bricks in South Asia is increasing significantly due to growth in the construction sector. Bricks produced using traditional firing technique and fertile clay contribute significantly to some of the worst air pollution in the world. Therefore, the utilisation of other environment-friendly alternative to conventional bricks is considered an urgent need to conserve a clean environment and help in saving its fertile soil. This research aimed to explore geopolymerisation technique with ternary combined industrial waste/by-products as binders including high volume Ladle Furnace Slag (LFS), Fly ash and Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS) to produce non-fired and clay-free brick alternatives. The first two byproducts are locally produced in the related iron and power industry while GGBS are being imported by the cement industry. The results indicated that all the prepared samples conform to the minimum compressive strength requirement of 20.7 MPa and maximum water absorption rate of 17% for common brick with severe weathering as per ASTM C62. This highly promising performance pronounced the use of locally available high volume LFS and other industrial waste/by-products materials in non-fired building block production to achieve a cleaner, environmental-friendly sustainable society as well as a sustainable route for industrial waste management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of searching for industrial waste management solutions in construction is key for environmental protection. Research in recent years has focused on solutions aimed at reducing the carbon footprint. This paper presents the results of tests conducted on concrete reinforced with treated recycled tyre steel fibres (RTSFs) compared to the same amount of manufactured steel fibres (MSFs). The effectiveness of concrete reinforcement with RTSFs was analysed using the fracture mechanics parameters of cementitious composites. Rheological tests, residual flexural tensile strength tests, work of fracture measurements, toughness indices, examinations of the fibre distribution in the concrete, and SEM observations of the concrete fractures with fibres were performed. Determining the work of fracture and toughness indices was an innovative aspect of this paper. As the amount of RTSFs increased, a decrease in the consistency was observed, although the distribution of fibres in the concrete was uniform, as proven by the results of computer tomography tests. Concrete reinforced with RTSFs that is purified and refined during the recycling process might have better properties than concrete reinforced with the same amount of MSFs. The application of RTSFs in construction has environmental and economic benefits in addition to the strengthening of cementitious composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]