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In this work, the green H 2 production and decolorization of industrial distillery effluent were carried out by the photocatalytic process via a gold-decorated TiO 2 photocatalyst synthesized by the photodeposition. Effects of dilution (0–150 folds), decorated gold content on TiO 2 (0.1–0.7 wt%), ethanol concentration (0–20 vol%) and photocatalyst loading (2–5 g/L) on the photocatalytic activity were explored. The preliminary results illustrated that neither H 2 production nor decolorization were achieved via the fresh distillery effluent. The maximum H 2 production of 210 μmol/g with 64.4 % decolorization was achieved with the 100-fold diluted-distillery effluent using the 0.3 wt% gold decorated on TiO 2 (Au 0.3 T) photocatalyst at loading of 3 g/L and ethanol concentration of 15 vol%. The characterization and experiment results pointed out that the improved photocatalytic activity of Au 0.3 T photocatalyst was based on the available area of decorated gold nanoparticles (NPs), the Au–TiO 2 interface area and interface perimeters. Via the distillery effluent, the water splitting was the dominate reaction for H 2 production, accounting of around 93% of overall produced H 2. Although a low recycling stability was observed from this work, attributing to the accumulation of organic contaminants founded in the distillery effluent on the surface of the photocatalyst, this finding may pave the way for the design of metal-decorated semiconductors for simultaneous green H 2 production and pollutant removal from actual industrial wastewater. • The H 2 production and decolorization of distillery effluent were conducted via Au/TiO 2. • About 210 μmol H 2 /g with 64.4 % decolorization was achieved via Au 0.3 T photocatalyst. • Area of decorated gold and interface area/perimeters affected the H 2 production. • 93% of overall produced H 2 from was distillery effluent coming from water splitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of industrial solid waste coal gangue (CG) in gas explosion suppression is explored, which opens up a new way for the resource utilization of CG. Two modified CG anti‐explosion agents, first‐grade modified CG (RCG) and second‐grade modified CG (MCG), were prepared by roasting activation and acid–base synergistic excitation. The explosion suppression performance of CG, RCG, and MCG was investigated through a 2.5 L semi‐closed explosion pipe. The experimental results were compared and analyzed, and their pyrolysis characteristics, phase composition, and particle size were analyzed to reveal their explosion suppression mechanism. It was proved that MCG had the best explosion suppression effect. Under the condition of 9.5% methane–air, it was found that the explosion suppression effect was most significant when the powder mass of the three powders was 300, 360, and 360 mg, respectively. The peak explosion overpressure is reduced by 10.51%, 21.96%, and 32.66%, respectively, and the peak arrival time of flame velocity is extended by .14 times, .20 times, and 1.15 times, respectively. MCG can effectively inhibit methane explosion utilizing physical and chemical synergistic heat absorption, porous structure formation barrier, heat isolation, oxygen dilution, adsorption, and capture of free radicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Results Conclusions Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L.) and globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) are vegetables with a high waste index mainly related to stems and leaves. In this study, enzymatic hydrolysates obtained from these wastes were proposed to be used as plant biostimulants. Life cycle assessment methodology was also applied to evaluate environmental performances related to cauliflower and artichoke byproducts.Hydrolysates (HYs) were chemically and biologically characterized. Amino acids, organic acids, amines, polyols, mineral elements, phenols, tannins, flavonoids and sulfur compounds were identified and quantified by means of NMR, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and UV–visible analyses. Cauliflower leaf and flower HYs showed the highest concentration of free amino acids, whereas stems showed the highest concentration of Ca. Regarding artichoke, asparagine, glutamine and aspartic acid were exclusively detected in stems, whereas artichoke leaves showed the highest Mg and Mn levels together with the highest antioxidant activity. The HYs diluted in water were tested as biostimulants. The impacts of five concentrations of HYs (0.00, 0.28, 0.84, 2.52 and 7.56 g L−1) on seed germination and early seedling growth of crimson clover, alfalfa, durum wheat and corn were investigated.The application of artichoke biostimulant (0.28 g L−1) positively influenced the coefficient of velocity of germination in alfalfa, crimson clover and durum wheat, whereas cauliflower biostimulant significantly improved corn germination speed. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study seeks to assess the hydrogeochemical characteristics of groundwater in the southern part of Thal Desert of Pakistan. The primary focus lies in identifying potential sources of contamination and evaluating their impact on groundwater and the ecosystem. Groundwater samples were collected from diverse sources including shallow hand pumps, tubewells, and dug wells, with depths ranging from 11 to 28 m. A comprehensive analysis was performed to scrutinize the physical, chemical, and microbial attributes of the samples. Utilizing visual aids like the Piper, Durov, and Gibbs diagrams, as well as Pearson correlation, scatter plots, Schoeller diagrams, and pie charts, the study evaluated the groundwater quality and its suitability for consumption. Results indicate that mineral infiltration from rainfall, domestic waste, and industrial effluents significantly affects groundwater quality, leading to widespread salinity. Weathering processes and ion exchange were identified as key factors contributing to elevate levels of bicarbonates, sodium, magnesium, and chloride ions. Employing the Water Quality Index (WQI) on 40 groundwater samples, findings reveal that 52.5% of samples demonstrated poor to not suitable quality, with 27.5% categorized as poor, 2.5% as very poor, and 22.5% not suitable consumption. Conversely, 47.5% of samples showcased good to excellent quality, with 25% rated as good and 22.5% as excellent. These findings provide valuable insights for hydrogeologists to develop appropriate strategies for water treatment and address any concerns related to groundwater quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research concentrates on the developmemnt of sustainable formulation of an environmentally friendly structural composite using an innovative approach, incorporating recycled materials. The primary aim of this research is to utilize the industrial wastes as re-circulated input to make structural materials without using new raw materials. Waste plastic, tanned waste leather, and waste glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP) additives. The fabrication employs the hand layup method, and the composite undergoes comprehensive characterization following ASTM standards. According to the results, the composite designation "D" emerged as the most mechanically robust, with a tensile strength of 142 MPa, flexural strength of 195 MPa, compression strength of 156 MPa, interlaminar shear strength of 45 MPa, rail shear strength of 31 MPa, and an impact energy of 4.94 J. Concerning creep behavior, the "E" designation demonstrates minimal creep strain, recording values of 0.0057, 0.0076, and 0.0123 for 5000 s, 10000 s, and 15000 s time frame, respectively. This indicated the addition of 5 vol. % of GFRP additives improved the load-bearing effect. In terms of flammability, the "E" designation exhibits noteworthy flame resistance, with a low flame propagation speed of 10.83 mm/min. Additionally, the "E" designation demonstrates stable hydrophobic behavior, revealing a minimal water absorption percentage of 0.001. This study showcases the potential of the developed composite, emphasizing its mechanical strength, resistance to creep, flame retardancy, and hydrophobic properties, positioning it as an environmentally responsible and versatile material for diverse applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The textile industry contributes significantly to the expansion of the world economy, however, it is also notorious for producing large amounts of trash and harming the environment. Effective waste management techniques depend on having a thorough understanding of the forms and makeup of waste from the textile sector. The objective of this paper is to study effluent wastewater technologies to efficiently treat and control the wastewater produced during textile production operations. It is well known that the textile industry generates vast amounts of wastewater, some of which may be contaminated with heavy metals, chemicals, dyes, and organic compounds. This effluent can have serious negative effects on the environment if it is not adequately treated, including contaminating soil and water sources, removing aquatic life, and possibly endangering human health. Due to the inclusion of dyes, heavy metals, and other chemicals, the discharge of untreated or improperly treated effluent from textile processes leads to water contamination. Textile waste can leak hazardous compounds into the environment and contaminate the soil, both of which have an impact on air quality. The environmental impact of the textile industry is further exacerbated by the energy and resource use involved in production. At several points in the textile supply chain, waste is generated. Fibre trimmings, fly waste, and yarn waste are produced during the fibre production, spinning, and weaving operations. There are numerous ways and technologies for treating wastewater, including advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), biological treatment systems, and membrane-based technologies. The formation of eco-friendly materials and advancements in recycling technology help to make the textile industry more closed-loop and sustainable. In conclusion, managing waste from the textile sector is a significant environmental concern that calls for creative solutions and environmentally friendly procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of the cementitious material activity of industrial solid wastes is a key issue in the comprehensive utilization of its green building materials. In this study, mechanical activation was used to prepare cementitious materials from vanadium-titanium iron ore tailings (VTIOT) as the main raw materials, and the effects of grinding time, the key parameter, on the grinding characteristics of VTIOT, the mechanical properties of the VTIOT cementitious material, and the hydration mechanism were investigated by means of surface area analysis, particle size analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), alkali leaching, mechanical testing, hydration heat analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results show that: the grinding time and specific surface area of VTIOT exhibit a linear correlation. Prolonging the grinding time, the fractal dimension of the particles gradually increases. The activity of Si4+ and Al3+ elements increases rapidly, reaching a Si4+ and Al3+ content of 96 mg·L−1 at 90 min of grinding. With a VTIOT mixing amount of 30 %, a mortar paste ratio of 1:3, and a water cement ratio of 0.5, the 50 min ground VTIOT mortar demonstrates 7 d and 28 d compressive strengths of 29 MPa and 38.7 MPa, corresponding to the highest values of the activity index, measured at 71.4 % and 75.2 %, respectively. Under standard curing conditions, the hydration products of cementitious materials at 7 d are ettringite (AFt), calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H), alumina, ferric oxide, monsulfate (AFm), calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH) 2), and calcium silica (CS). In the hydration process of 7 d, the exothermic peak and exothermic amount of the 50 min VTIOT cementitious materials are greater than those observed for other grinding times, but lower than those of pure reference cement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bricks are manufactured using clays, which are fired at temperatures ranging from 1000 to 1200 °C. Due to the lack of quality clay, it is necessary to find alternate soils and waste materials for manufacturing bricks. The use of agricultural, aqua-cultural, and industrial wastes in the manufacturing of construction bricks leads to low-carbon material. This addresses the problem of agro-aqua-industrial waste disposal. The present study focuses on the utilization of biomass (BM) and slaked seashell powder (SSP) in compressed soil bricks made with locally available lithomargic soil (LS). The proposed soil bricks are prepared with 85% processed lithomargic soil, 12.5% biomass and 2.5% seashell powder. The reaction of multi-binder materials has been activated by one-part activation. The cast soil blocks are temperature cured at 100 °C, 250 °C, 500 °C & 750 °C to understand the effect of temperature on the hydration process of binder material. The compressed soil bricks are tested for compressive strength, initial rate of absorption, water absorption test, chloride content, sulphate content, microstructure analysis and thermal conductivity. The strength of soil bricks in bonding and in masonry, 3 prism and 4 prism tests were also conducted. Overall results indicate that bio-based alkali-activated brick masonry is superior for real-time adaptation because it reaches 10 MPa to 11.2 MPa compressive strength and 0.98 MPa to 1.2 MPa shear strength with curing at 500 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhodamine B (RhB) is a harmful dye released by industrial wastewaters, thus necessitating its urgent removal. Advanced oxidation processes constitute promising strategies to purify polluted water. Among others, photocatalysis relies on reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by photocatalytic particles, typically semiconductors like titania or zinc oxide (ZnO), excited by solar or UV–Vis light. However, their wide band gap limits their catalytic capabilities within the absorption of the UV spectrum and causes fast electron–hole recombination. This study presents novel strategies to overcome these limitations: (i) doping semiconductors to increase photocatalytic efficiency; (ii) sensitization-mediated photocatalysis for visible light activation using chemical moieties to trap dye molecules; (iii) nanosizing the photocatalysts to enhance the surface area. ZnO nanoparticles, doped with iron or gadolinium and capped with oleic acid are here synthesized and tested in RhB dye solutions. Remarkably, the results demonstrate an ultra-fast RhB degradation, driven by oleic acid having crucial role in dye adsorption. The degradation mechanisms, including ROS-induced N-deethylation and xanthene group cleavage, are also unraveled. These findings underscore the efficacy of the proposed semiconductor photocatalyst design, highlighting a significant advancement with extensive potential applications in wastewater remediation. This innovative approach paves the way for more efficient and practical solutions to combat industrial dye pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Azo dye-laden textile wastewater must be treated before release due to various health and environmental concerns. Bioremediation of textile wastewater, however, is a challenge owing to its alkaline and saline nature as mesophilic microbes, in general, are either not able to thrive or show less efficiency under such hostile environment. Thus, pre-treatment for neutralization or salinity removal becomes a prerequisite before applying microbes for treatment, causing extra economical and technical burden. Extremophilic bacteria can be the promising bioremediating tool because of their inherent ability to survive and show toxicants removal capability under such extreme conditions without need of pre-treatment. Among extremophiles, halophilic and alkaliphilic bacteria which are naturally adapted to high salt and pH are of special interest for the decolorization of saline-alkaline-rich textile wastewater. The current review article is an attempt to provide an overview of the bioremediation of azo dyes and azo dye-laden textile wastewater using these two classes of extremophilic bacteria. The harmful effects of azo dyes on human health and environment have been discussed herein. Halo-alkaliphilic bacteria circumvent the extreme conditions by various adaptations, e.g., production of certain enzymes, adjustment at the protein level, pH homeostasis, and other structural adaptations that have been highlighted in this review. The unique properties of alkaliphiles and halophiles, to not only sustain but also harboring high dye removal competence at high pH and salt concentration, make them a good candidate for designing future bioremediation strategies for the management of alkaline, salt, and azo dye-laden industrial wastewaters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present study assessed the growth of two plant species and ion uptake by them grown on different proportion of industrial solid waste and garden soil. The industrial waste having high concentration of chemicals were used with garden soil at different proportion i.e. 0% (T0), 5% (T1), 10% (T2), 15% (T3) and 20% (T4). Two species namely Conocarpus erectus (alien plant) and Dodonaea viscosa (indigenous) were used as test plants in pot study. Different parameters including growth, physiology, and anatomy of plants and concentration of cations (Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+) in the plant shoot and root were measured at different time duration (initial, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th month). The key objective of the study was to use these plants to establish their plantations on the barren lands where industrial solid wastes were being disposed of. C. erectus showed better growth than D. viscosa, as well as more uptake of ions. A significant increase in plant growth was observed in fourth month in T1, where plant height reached 24.5% and 46% for C. erectus and D. viscosa, respectively. At harvest, in C. erectus, no significant difference in the fresh (65–78 g) and dry weight (24–30 g) of the shoot was observed across treatments compared to the control. In D. viscosa, at the time of harvest, the fresh and dry weights of the root and shoot showed a strong, significantly decreasing pattern across T1, T2, and T3, leading to the death of the plant at T3 and T4. Further, optimum ratio of waste soil to garden soil was found as 10:90 and 20:80 to establish the plantations of D. viscosa and C. erectus, respectively in areas where such solid waste from industries are disposed. Findings can be used for the restoration of such solid waste for the sustainable management of industrial areas and their associated ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractHighly turbid industrial effluent poses significant challenges to environmental sustainability. In this study, we investigated the optimal aggregation kinetics for the removal of colloidal and turbid particles in Cosmetics and Personal Care Products (CPCP) industrial effluent using calcined eggshell (CES) and industrial-grade aluminum sulfate as flocculants. The effluent characteristics were determined following ASTM specifications, and process optimization was carried out using a response surface design approach. The optimal operating conditions at a settling time of 3 min were found to be pH 8, 0.2 g/L dosage of CES, pH 10, and 0.3 g/L of alum dosage. The flocculation efficiencies of CES and alum were found to be 80% and 78%, respectively, demonstrating the effectiveness of both flocculants in removing colloidal particles and reducing turbidity in CPCP effluent. Mechanistic studies revealed that CES achieved particle removal through enmeshment and inter-particle bridging with a significant aggregation rate (1.3 × 10−7) and a lower floc breakup tendency (2.8 × 10−14) compared to alum-sweep flocculation. The hydrodynamics at a velocity gradient of 269s−1 ≤ G ≤ 29s−1 indicated spontaneous agglomeration within a flocculation period of ≤10 min, indicating rapid and efficient particle removal. The findings of this study justify the use of CES as a sustainable and effective option for the removal of colloid/turbid particles from CPCP effluent. The optimized operating conditions and mechanistic insights into the flocculation process contribute to establishing an optimized sedimentation geometry, with specified aspect ratio, detention time, hypothetical settling, and sludge depth for CES, ensuring the favorable stability of the finished CPCP effluent before discharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron-steel (IS) and textile (T) are among the major polluting industries worldwide which generate large quantities of effluents containing potentially toxic metals (PTMs). Irrigation application of these effluents due to freshwater shortage is a common practice in developing countries. The current research endeavors to investigate potentially toxic metals in IS and T effluents, contamination status and ecological risk assessment of irrigated soils, PTMs accumulation in grains of diverse wheat germplasm and human health risk appraisal. Soil irrigation with effluents significantly enhanced soil nitrate-nitrogen (T, 285.86 mg/kg; IS, 539.70 mg/kg), phosphorus (T, 8.35 mg/kg; IS, 11.44 mg/kg), organic matter (T, 6.05%; IS, 4.48%) and PTMs contents compared to control (C). Enrichment factor and geo-accumulation index revealed substantial contamination trend of PTMs in IS (Ni > Cr > Co > Cd > Pb > Zn > Mn) and T (Co > Cd > Ni > Cu > Cr) treated soils. Potential ecological risk index and modified potential ecological risk index placed T (very high risk) and IS (considerable risk) irrigated soils in respective categories, with highest risk contributions from Cd, Co and Ni. The interactive effects for PTMs accumulation in grains of 30 wheat genotypes were recorded significant. Average PTMs accumulation in grains for the three irrigation treatments was IS > T > C for Zn, Cr, Mn, Pb, Fe, Ni and T > IS > C for Co, Cd, Cu. Multivariate statistical analysis (principal component analyses) was used to identify the wheat genotypes with higher or lower grain PTMs accumulative potential on effluent irrigation. The genotypes with a lower grain PTMs accumulation and human health risks are recommended for cultivation in agro-systems receiving IS and T effluents, in order to safeguard wheat crop and human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficient removal of potential toxic elements (PTEs) from aqueous systems is an important challenge in water purification and industrial effluent treatment. Starch‐based hydrogels have shown promise in this context due to their unique properties, such as high absorption capacity and water retention. This work synthesized a novel hydrogel with and without activated charcoal (AC) from banana peel (5 wt.%) and trisodium citrate as a crosslinking agent and starch to remove PTEs. These hydrogels were characterized by Fourier‐transformed infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy, TGA, XRD, water absorption, and zero‐charge point techniques. Subsequently, the affinity of AC, neat hydrogel, and the composite hydrogel for removing Cr6+, Cd2+, Ni2+, Mn2+, Zn2+, and Cu2+ in aqueous solution was evaluated. FTIR confirmed a crosslinking reaction between the starch molecules and the crosslinking agent (trisodium citrate). Besides, the addition of hydrogel+5%AC altered the crosslinking process. Adding AC to the hydrogel composite increased crystallinity, thermal stability, and porous size. The highest removal efficiency of neat hydrogel and hydrogel+5%AC was for Cr6+, obtaining 83.2% and 98.5%, respectively. As for the AC, the removal of Cu2+ was satisfactory, with 80.4%. Thus, hydrogel+5%AC proves to be a highly viable adsorbent for posttreatment of wastewater due to its ability to efficiently remove PTEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current awareness of the environmental impact of the massive consumption of fossil fuel‐based resources has prompted the development of biocomposites based on plastic and agro‐industrial waste instead of virgin raw materials, promoting the new circular economy trend. This study uses a torque rheometer to analyze the effect of brewers' spent grain (BSG) on processing a postconsumer high‐density polyethylene (rHDPE)‐based biocomposite. Processing parameters are measured to contrast the effect of BSG (20 and 40 wt%) and the addition of a coupling agent at low (10 rpm) and high speed (90 rpm). This work allows determining the viability of manufacturing recycled plastic biocomposite with agro‐industrial waste at an industrial scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the photo-oxidation processes, the oxidants play a vital role in removing color. However, a comprehensive comparison of the three common oxidants' performance for color removal from textile wastewater has not been conducted. Also, the effect of periodate in the presence of ferrous for color removal has not been investigated extensively. The object of this study was to evaluate and compare the effect of three common oxidants on the removal of color. Central composite design was employed to design the experiments and evaluate the interaction between parameters and their impact on color removal. The photo-oxidation processes were carried out under UV light irradiation (60 W) in the presence of ferrous (Fe2+) and three oxidants, namely hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), sodium persulfate (SPS), and sodium periodate (SPI). The four main variables were the reaction time, the pH value, the concentration of oxidants, and the concentration of ferrous. Finally, the optimal values for all parameters were shown and these three processes were compared with each other. Although the UV/SPI/Fe2+ process had the highest color removal (96%), by considering all parameters, the UV/SPS/Fe2+ was a better choice because of its high efficiency, low reaction time, and low oxidant concentration. The results suggested that the photo-Fenton process could not be a good option among these processes, as it required the longest reaction time and highest oxidant concentration while achieving the lowest removal efficiency (82%). The results of this study can help with the decision-making process to select a better process for textile wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intensive generation of industrial solid waste (ISW) in industrial parks poses a severe threat to the water and soil environment. To address the lack of system‐level guidance strategies for ISW management (ISWM), the paper proposes a systematic ISWM framework within the context of the circular economy principle and applies it to a prominent eco‐industrial park in China. This framework is founded on the metabolic characteristics of the entire ISW process, supported by multi‐stakeholder cooperation, and guaranteed by a shareable information platform and infrastructure. A holistic ISW flow analytical process is introduced to facilitate the implementation of this framework. In the case study, a high‐resolution inventory of ISW is established by 157 enterprises in 2021, covering 116 types of general ISW and 61 types of hazardous waste (HW). By integrating material flow analysis, questionnaires, and interviews, this study quantitatively reveals the underperformance of mini‐scale HW recycling, with a recycling rate of 5.6% in 2021, well below the park‐wide rate of 50.8%. Collaborative inboundary and transboundary disposal emerges as a crucial direction for ISWM, with over 80% of ISW being disposed of outside the park. Following the implementation of circular economy strategies guided by the management framework, notable improvements are observed, including a 26.5% increase in the recycling rate of mini‐scale HW and a 13.5% increase in the proportion of disposal outside Beijing. To foster sustainable ISWM, this study recommends enhancing the decentralized infrastructure of collection–storage–transportation integration for mini‐scale ISW in industrial parks. The developed management framework provides valuable insights and guidance for park‐specific ISWM strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantifying the environmental impacts of a household waste‐sorting policy on the household waste management system, including collection, transportation, and treatment, is the basis for evaluating the policy's effectiveness. Beijing, the capital of China, began to implement the mandatory domestic waste‐sorting policy in May 2020. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the environmental impacts of the household waste management system in Beijing before and after implementing the sorting policy using the life cycle assessment method. Implementing the policy at the waste collection stage reduced the environmental impacts by minimizing the number of garbage bins consumed through their removal and consolidation. At the transportation stage, implementing the policy increased the environmental impacts per unit of waste via transportation structure changes. However, the overall impact was reduced because more recyclable materials were separated after waste sorting. The environmental impacts were reduced after implementing the policy at the treatment stage mainly because of the change in waste composition and the decrease in the total volume of treatment. Global warming potential (GWP) was the main contributor to the environmental impacts. After waste sorting, the GWP of the collection, transportation, and treatment stages decreased by −19.96%, −24.36%, and −38.08%, respectively, resulting in a total GWP reduction of −37.90%. However, incineration and biochemical treatments may offer environmental benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing global demand for cement significantly impacts greenhouse gas emissions and resource consumption, necessitating sustainable alternatives. This study investigates fresh geopolymer (GP) pastes incorporating 20 wt.% of five industrial wastes—suction dust, red mud from alumina production, electro-filter dust, and extraction sludges from food supplement production and from partially stabilized industrial waste—as potential replacements for traditional cement. Consistent synthesis methods are used to prepare the geopolymers, which are characterized for their physicochemical, mechanical, and biological properties. Ionic conductivity and pH measurements together with integrity tests, thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), and leaching analysis are used to confirm the stability of the synthesized geopolymers. Fourier-transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy is used to follow geopolymerization occurrences. Results for ionic conductivity, pH, and integrity revealed that the synthesized GPs were macroscopically stable. TGA revealed that the main mass losses were ascribable to water dehydration and to water entrapped in the geopolymer networks. Only the GP filled with the powder of the red mud coming from alumina production experienced a mass loss of 23% due to a partial waste degradation. FT-IR showed a red shift in the main Si-O-(Si or Al) absorption band, indicating successful geopolymer network formations. Additionally, most of the GPs filled with the wastes exhibited higher compressive strength (37.8–58.5 MPa) compared to the control (22 MPa). Only the GP filled with the partially stabilized industrial waste had a lower mechanical strength as its structure was highly porous because of gas formation during geopolymerization reactions. Despite the high compressive strength (58.5 MPa) of the GP filled with suction dust waste, the concentration of Sb leached was 25 ppm, which limits its use. Eventually, all samples also demonstrated effective antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus due to the alkaline environment and the presence of metal cations able to react with the bacterial membranes. The findings revealed the possibility of recycling these wastes within several application fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Red mud (RM), a hazardous solid waste generated in the alumina production process, of which the mineral composition is mainly hematite, is unable to be applied directly in the cement industry due to its high alkalinity. With the rise of geopolymers, RM-based grouting materials play an essential role in disaster prevention and underground engineering. To adequately reduce the land-based stockpiling of solid wastes, ultrafine calcium oxide, red mud, and slag were utilized as the main raw materials to prepare geopolymers, the C-R-S (calcium oxide–red mud–slag) grouting cementitious materials. The direct impact of red mud addition on the setting time, fluidity, water secretion, mechanical properties, and rheological properties of C-R-S were also investigated. In addition, a scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), three-dimensional CT (3D-CT), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and other characterization techniques were used to analyze the microstructure and polymerization mechanism. The related results reveal that the increase in red mud addition leads to an enhanced setting time, and the C-R-S-40 grouting cementitious material (40% red mud addition) exhibits the best fluidity of 27.5 cm, the lowest water secretion rate of 5.7%, and a high mechanical strength of 57.7 MPa. The C-R-S polymer grout conforms to the Herschel–Bulkley model, and the fitted value of R2 is above 0.99. All analyses confirm that the preparation process of C-R-S grouting cementitious material not only substantially improves the utilization rate of red mud, but also provides a theoretical basis for the high-volume application of red mud in the field of grouting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intricate composition of wastewater impedes the recycling of agricultural and industrial effluents. This study aims to investigate the potential of sisal leaf wastewater (SLW), both water-treated (WTSLW) and alkali-treated (ATSLW), as a substitute for the alkali activator (NaOH solution) in the production of slag-powder- and fly-ash-based composites, with a focus on the effects of WTSLW substitution ratios and sisal leaf soaking durations. Initially, the fresh properties were assessed including electrical conductivity and fluidity. A further analysis was conducted on the influence of both WTSLW and ATSLW on drying shrinkage, density, and mechanical strength, including flexural and compressive measures. Microstructural features were characterized using SEM and CT imaging, while XRD patterns and FTIR spectra were employed to dissect the influence of WTSLW substitution on the composite's products. The results show that incorporating 14 wt% WTSLW into the composite enhances 90-day flexural and compressive strengths by 34.8% and 13.2%, respectively, while WTSLW curtails drying shrinkage. Conversely, ATSLW increases porosity and decreases density. Organic constituents in both WTSLW and ATSLW encapsulated in the alkaline matrix fail to modify the composites' chemical composition. These outcomes underscore the potential for sustainable construction materials through the integrated recycling of plant wastewater and solid by-products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of pharmaceuticals or their active metabolites in receiving waters is a sign of the inefficient removal of bioactive substrates from wastewater. Adsorption seems to be the most effective and inexpensive method of their removal. Waste management aimed at sorbents is a promising way to sustain several sustainable development goals. In the presented paper, the removal of the two most widely used drugs in the wastewater was examined. Diclofenac and carbamazepine were removed from water and wastewater using textile waste-derived sorbents. Their removal efficiency was verified by testing several process parameters such as the time of the sorption, the presence of interfering inorganic ions, the presence of dissolved organic matter, the initial pH and ionic strength of the solution, and various water matrices. The adsorption capacity was noted for diclofenac (57.1 mg/g) and carbamazepine (21.25 mg/g). The tested process parameters (pH, presence of inorganic ions, dissolved organic matter, ionic strength, water matrix) confirmed that the presented waste materials possessed a great potential for pharmaceutical removal from water matrices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Removal of organic dyes like methylene blue (MB) from industrial effluents serves as potential source of potable water. Photocatalytic degradation using sustainable catalyst is deemed to be an affordable solution. In this work, Nd2O3/MgO nanocomposite with different compositions (1, 3, and 5wt% Nd2O3 with MgO) have been achieved using hydrothermal synthesis and characterized extensively. Interestingly, increasing Nd2O3 proportion (1–5%) enhances light absorption, and decreases band gap and electron–hole recombination. The efficacy of the photocatalysts is tested with the degradation of MB dye, through optimizing Nd2O3/MgO proportion, contact time, catalyst dose, and pH. Interestingly, control experiments reveal that 5wt% Nd2O3/MgO achieve 99.6% degradation of MB in 90 min at pH 7, compared to 88.8% with bare MgO under same condition. Kinetic data show that 5wt% Nd2O3/MgO exhibits ca. 3 times higher degradation rate compared to MgO. For the first time, our work enable MgO-based sustainable photocatalyst development with minimum (5 wt%) rare-earth combination to achieve excellent photocatalytic degradation performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geopolymer mortars, which cause less CO2 emissions than concrete and its raw material cement, are an innovative, environmentally friendly and sustainable building material. Geopolymers are formed by activating silica and alumina materials with alkaline activators. In this study, a geopolymer mortar containing obsidian (OB), also known as volcanic glass, which is free, and silica fume (SF), which is the waste material of the silicon and ferrosilicon industry, was investigated. The behavior of OB‐based geopolymer mortars under different curing times ranging from 2 to 120 h and different thermal treatment temperatures such as 90, 150, and 200°C were examined. The effectiveness of OB and SF on the physical features, compressive strength (CS), and micro‐structural of the geopolymers were characterized. Results demonstrated that the peak CSs were acquired in 96 h at 90 and 150°C heat treatment temperatures, while the highest CSs were acquired in 72 h for specimens subjected to 200°C heat treatment. Reduces in CSs were detected when the curing time exceeded the ideal limit. OB‐based geopolymer was found to be stable with SF and there was a linear relationship between SF substitution ratio and CS. The density of the mortar pieces decreased with increasing thermal curing hours. Devolving on the thermal temperature and curing time, the microstructures became more compact and microvoids and cracks decreased. It was observed that SF substitution reduced the total pore size of the geopolymers and allowed the pore structure size to be reduced. The results obtained from the study are expected to encourage the utilize of industrial wastes and new binders in the manufacture of geopolymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water pollution is a major environmental concern worldwide, particularly due to industrial paint waste. Therefore, treating wastewater from various industrial sources is crucial to restoring environmental quality. In this study, a batch biosorption system was used to investigate the biosorption of Rhodamine B (RhB), a highly toxic dye, on Teucrium polium seeds (TPS). The study examined the effects of different parameters such as initial dye concentration, contact time, initial pH, temperature, and biosorbent amount on RhB removal. To determine the physicochemical properties of TPS, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and zero charge point (PZC) characterization analyses were performed. The maximum biosorption capacity of TPS at pH = 5.5 and 25 °C was found to be 4.18 mg g−1. The study found that the removal rate of RhB was 93.3% at an initial RhB dye concentration of 200 mg L−1. The experimental data showed that the Langmuir isotherm model (R2 = 0.940) was the most compatible model for biosorption, while the biosorption kinetic mechanism proceeded through the pseudo-second-order (PSO) kinetic model (R2 = 0.925). Additionally, the study found that intraparticle diffusion, pore diffusion, and film diffusion were effective in the RhB biosorption rate mechanism. Thermodynamic studies revealed that the biosorption was endothermic (ΔH0>0), spontaneous (ΔS0>0), and entropy-increasing (ΔG0 <0). As a result, TPS, which has suitable adsorbent properties for RhB, can be recommended as a new, cost-effective, abundant potential biosorbent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of the circular economy, there is a need for advanced methods to recover metals from industrial waste, yet classical hydrometallurgical techniques are limited. Here, we review ultrasonic-assisted hydrometallurgical leaching with focus on the use of acids, bases, oxidants, bacteria and electrolysis. Oxidative leaching is done with ferric ions, dioxygen, ozone and hydrogen peroxide. Upscaling is also detailed. Ultrasonication allows to reduce the dosage of leaching agents, to reduce reaction time, and to enhance leaching efficiency. Large-scale equipments are still limited by low cavitation efficiency, low throughput, high usage costs, and high energy consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rising production of industrial salted waste induces issues of disposal and pollution, calling for advanced methods to treat, purify and recycle the raw salt in the context of the circular economy. The main components of salted waste are organic and mineral fractions. Here we review the methods used to treat salted waste with focus on sources of salted waste, properties and removal of organic matter, and separation of minerals. Organic matter can be removed by pyrolysis carbonization, high-temperature melting, elution, and oxidation. Salt can be separated by evaporative crystallization, salt washing, and nanofiltration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: To manage industrial waste in accordance with the circular bioeconomy concept it is sometimes necessary to handle grape seeds, an abundant by‐product of the wine‐making process. This study presents a process based on ultrasound technology for the extraction of grape‐seed proteins, due to their nutritional and techno‐functional properties. The protein content of extracts obtained under silent and lab‐scale conditions was compared with that obtained under semi‐industrial ultrasound conditions, and the chemical composition (carbohydrates, total phenols, and lipids) and the elemental profiles of the final, up‐scaled downstream extracts were characterized. RESULTS: This work found that the maximum amount of protein in the final product was 378.31 g.kg−1 of the extract. Chemical characterization revealed that each 1 kg of extract had an average content of 326.19 g gallic acid equivalent as total phenols, 162.57 g glucose equivalent as carbohydrates, and 382.76 g of lipophilic compounds. Furthermore, when the extract was checked for hazardous elements, none were found in levels that could be considered a risk for human health. CONCLUSION: The proposed semi‐industrial strategy has the potential to contribute greatly to the valorization of grape seeds through the preparation of a protein‐rich extract that can be used as an alternative to synthetic wine stabilizers and for the development of novel food and nutraceutical products. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a comprehensive study on the development and characterization of a novel lightweight filling material, pond ash geomaterial (PAGM), composed of pond ash, expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads, cement, and water. The mechanical properties of the PAGM were systematically investigated through a series of laboratory tests, including density, unconfined compressive strength, stress–strain behavior, initial tangent modulus, energy absorption, and a newly introduced density/strength ratio. The effects of various mix ratios, such as EPS/PA (EPS beads to pond ash), C/PA (cement to pond ash), and W/PA (water to pond ash), were studied. The study showed that PAGM density depended on the EPS/PA ratio and ash gradation. Higher cement content (C/PA) enhanced unconfined compressive strength. Increased EPS/PA ratios reduced strength but enhanced ductility. The initial tangent modulus correlated with strength, while energy absorption related to the EPS/PA, C/PA, and W/PA ratios. The density/strength ratio emerged as a novel parameter to tailor PAGM properties, enabling the material to cater to specific engineering needs. The developed PAGM exhibited promising engineering properties and proved to be a strong and sustainable alternative to traditional lightweight construction materials. This study contributes valuable insights for the optimization and utilization of PAGM in various geotechnical applications. Practical Applications: Pond ash geomaterial (PAGM) has a wide range of uses in geotechnical engineering, making it an essential solution for a variety of construction projects. The flexibility and on-site customization enable adjusted properties to meet their particular needs. PAGM can be used effectively in controlled backfilling, abutment construction, pipeline trenching, embankment widening, and slope stabilization. Its lightweight design reduces pressure on lateral and subsurface parts, ensuring stability. PAGM offers a sustainable approach to diverse and effective geotechnical solutions by recycling pond ash, an industrial waste product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioelectroremediation technology (BERT) is a new age greener technology which is currently been heavily studied for treatment of persistent industrial effluents such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), perchloroethylene (PCE), perchlorate, nitrate and petroleum hydrocarbon (PHs) along with simultaneous generation of bioenergy. The focus of this review paper is on these industrial effluents because many of these effluents are toxic in nature and through contaminated water, soil or sediment enter the food chain and start to bioaccumulate thereby entering living organisms and causing severe fatal diseases. While PAHs and nitrates are major contaminant of both water and soil but their removal efficiency through BERT is much more in water sample than from soil samples, studies have shown that perchlorate and nitrate are usually co-contaminants and perchlorate, PCE and PHs are much more prevalent groundwater contaminant with good removal efficiency of these contaminants and simultaneous bioelectricity generation through BERT. Therefore, this review paper focus on role of microbial community structure as a biocatalyst in BERT along with a in-depth review of bioelectroremediation process for industrial effluent treatment involved in removing diverse pollutants integrated with energy generation from fundamentals, challenges, and future prospective dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The soil, comprising minerals, organic matter, and living organisms, serves as a critical component of our environment. However, anthropogenic activities, such as uncontrolled sewage disposal and industrial waste, have led to pervasive soil pollution, impacting ecosystems and human health. This comprehensive study scrutinizes the intricate dynamics of soil pollution resulting from open waste dumping, specifically examining its impact on the health of local communities and the environment in Haridwar municipality. In this study, four solid waste dumping sites were meticulously surveyed, with soil samples analyzed for 19 parameters through statistical tools like one-way ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis tests, soil pollution indices, and potential health risk assessment. The Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo) and contamination factor (CF) followed the heavy metals in the order of Zn > Mn > Fe > Cu in all selected sites. Additionally, a potential health risk assessment considered ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure pathways, revealing a high non-carcinogenic risk of metals (Mn > Fe > Zn > Cu) for both children and adults. In the ingestion pathway, the hazard quotient indicated a high risk of metals for both children and adults in the range of 1192.73 to 2066.94 for child and 191.98 to 312.16 for adults. Crucially, the HQ revealed potential health risks, emphasizing the urgency of addressing metal contamination. However, the findings indicate that dumping sites directly or indirectly affects the local people of Haridwar municipality. Therefore, this study provides a baseline framework for minimizing the impact of dumping sites on local population and the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the environmental quality of agricultural soils around the Kalsaka abandoned gold mine was evaluated. A total of 117 samples including industrial mine wastes, topsoil, and control soil were collected in and around the mine, and their heavy metal concentrations were determined using ICP-MS after aqua regia digestion. Except for Zn, the average concentrations of the metals were higher in mine wastes and the agricultural soils than their average upper continental crust (UCC) counterpart, whereas those of Ag, As, and Hg exceeded the UCC in the control soils. The control soils had the lowest contaminations and the lowest pollution levels for all metals except for Hg. Based on the average concentrations and coefficients of variation, it can be concluded that Cr, Ni, and Zn abundance in the agricultural soils was controlled by natural factors, whereas that of Ag, As, Hg, Co, Cu, and Mn was mainly associated with mining. The absence of Hg in industrial mine wastes and its high contents in agricultural and control soils reflected the artisanal gold mining source of this metal. Thus, single and integrated pollution indices showed that ecological risk and toxicity are much higher when Hg is included in the index calculation, suggesting cumulative effects of industrial and artisanal gold mining on the agricultural soil quality. The results also showed that Hg and As are the pollutants of major concern in the Kalsaka abandoned gold mine. Because of its proximity to human settlements, the Kalsaka abandoned gold mine necessitates an immediate rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the potential of using Ficus religiosa inflorescence (peepal tree) as an efficient solution for removing crystal violet from simulated and industrial wastewater. Various analyses were conducted to understand the adsorbent's structure, including particle morphology, BET surface area, FTIR, and pHZPC. The adsorption process was studied under different physicochemical factors such as temperature, concentration, contact time, and pH. Results revealed rapid adsorption, with 94.15% removal efficiency within the first 15 min at neutral pH. The highest observed adsorption capacity was 198.03 mg g−1, following pseudo-second-order kinetics (R2 = 0.99), indicating chemisorption. The Langmuir model accurately described the adsorption pathway (R2 = 0.99), showing monolayer adsorption. Thermodynamic analysis indicated an exothermic, feasible, and spontaneous process with increased entropy. The adsorbent could be easily regenerated using a 1:1 MeOH/H2O mixture for up to three cycles, yielding up to 73.86%. Real-time application with industrial effluent containing crystal violet showed up to 44.70% adsorption. The experiments demonstrated reliability with evaluated standard deviations (0.017935–0.000577) and relative standard deviations (0.439–0.673%), confirming statistical reliability. In conclusion, it presents a sustainable and eco-friendly approach for removing crystal violet dye from diverse wastewater sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study explores the aftermath of a wastewater reservoir failure in a phosphate fertilizer industry, resulting in the release of acidic water containing phosphorus and sulfate compounds into the Ashalim stream's Nature Reserve in the Judean desert, which affected the soil surface biological crusts (biocrusts) layer. The study aims to examine contamination effects on biocrusts over 3 years at two research sites along the stream, compare effects between contaminated sites, assess rehabilitation treatments, and examine their impact on soil characteristics. Hypotheses suggest significant damage to biocrusts due to acidic water flow, requiring human intervention for accelerated restoration. The results indicate adverse effects on biocrust properties, risking its key role in the desert ecosystem. The biocrust layer covering the stream's ground surface suffered significant physical, chemical, and biological damage due to exposure to industrial process effluents. However, soil enrichment treatments, including biocrust components and organic material, show promising effects on biocrust recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial effluents pose a serious environmental problem, because they contain toxic contaminants mainly heavy metals that are the most dangerous to humans, animals, plants, and the environment in general. Phytoremediation using macrophytes is an adopted technique for the environment decontamination due to its efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The present study aims to highlight the capabilities of macrophytes to remove heavy metals from wastewater of Biskra region (Algeria). The methodology consists of filling out the filters planted with Arundo donax and Phragmites australis with raw industrial wastewater, then recovering decontaminated water after 15 days to assess removal of lead, copper, zinc, and iron. Both plants had shown a good efficiency for the removal of metals loaded in wastewater eliminating about 94 to 98% of initial concentration. In addition, calculated bioaccumulation factor (BAF) had confirmed the accumulation of heavy metals in different parts of experimental plants; recorded values of BAF > 1 allowed the consideration of Arundo donax and Phragmites australis as good hyper-accumulator plants. Obtained results confirm the efficiency of phytoremediation technology using macrophytes for the wastewater treatment in particular and the environment decontamination in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potentially toxic dyes are introduced mainly to rivers through industrial effluents which have a high risk to human health and aquatic life. Activated carbon (AC) from the stem of Salvadora persica was synthesised to take off toxic industrial dyes from an aqueous solution. KOH was used as the activating agent throughout the preparation process for the AC. The morphology and composition of the prepared AC were studied by various analytical methods. From the overall results, it was found that the prepared AC is highly porous and thermal stability gained around 800 ℃. At room temperature, remediation of the dyes (cationic dye, methyl red and anionic dye, methylene blue) using the adsorption method was carried out to ascertain the impact of time and the quantity of AC on methylene blue (MB) and methyl red (MR) removal. During the initial 60 min, equilibrium was attained for the optimum dye concentration (200 mg/L). The data for adsorption on the AC obtained at equilibrium were examined by the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. Both the isotherms accurately predicted the data, with regression values of 0.99 for MR and 0.90 for MB, respectively. The equilibrium adsorption data was also analysed by kinetic models. The adsorption data well fitted in 2nd order kinetic model. The results of MB and MR adsorption from solutions have demonstrated that the stem of Salvadora persica is one of the cheap and more eco-friendly options for remediation of toxic dyes from aqueous solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Membrane bioreactor (MBR) is a promising technology for the treatment of municipal and industrial wastewater, including highly contaminated textile wastewater. However, membrane fouling remains a critical challenge due to reduced flux. This study investigates the efficacy of a moving bed MBR (MB‐MBR) technology for textile wastewater treatment, focusing on chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal, and its impact on mitigating membrane fouling. In a 50‐day study, a conventional MBR (R1) was compared with an MB‐MBR (R2) augmented with free‐floating biocarriers (accounting for 20% of the reactor volume). Both systems used flat sheet ceramic membrane modules. The results indicate that the MB‐MBR achieved superior performance, with COD and colour removal of 89% and 81%, respectively, compared with 87% and 73% in the conventional MBR. Importantly, the introduction of biocarriers eliminated the need for offline physical membrane cleaning in the MB‐MBR. The free‐floating biocarriers lowered transmembrane pressure, reduced capillary suction time and reduced fouling through their scouring action. Highlights: A conventional MBR and moving bed‐MBR were compared in textile wastewater treatment.Almost equal COD removal efficiencies were found in both operations.Higher color removals were obtained by moving bed‐MBR process.The moving bed‐MBR reduced the TMP, CST of sludge and membrane fouling propensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports, for the first time, on the assessment of a multistage sequential system composed of coagulation–flocculation with different electro-Fenton-based configurations, followed by neutralization (N), for the treatment of raw textile wastewater heavily contaminated with acid black 194 dye and other pollutants. Electrochemical peroxidation (ECP-N), electro-Fenton (EF-N) and peroxi-coagulation (PC-N) were tested at laboratory scale and compared in terms of their efficiency for the removal of organic matter and color, current efficiency and energetic parameter, operating cost and environmental sustainability using life cycle analysis conducted in large-scale virtual reactors. The three electro-Fenton-based systems complied with current environmental standards (color removal > 87%, COD < 400 mg/L, among others) requiring different electrolysis times: ECP-N (52 min) < PC-N (120 min) < EF-N (160 min); energy consumptions: ECP-N (2.27 kWh/m3) < PC-N (4.28 kWh/m3) < EF-N (33.2 kWh/m3); operational costs: ECP-N (2.63 USD/m3) < EF-N (6.65 USD/m3) < PC-N (6.98 USD/m3); among others. Electricity (for ECP-N and EF-N) and reagents (for ECP-N and PC-N) were found as main environmental hotspots. ECP-N presented the lowest carbon footprint of 10.3 kg CO2-Eq/FU (2-Eq/FU) < EF-N (38.0 kg CO2-Eq/FU), had lower incidence in all the impact categories analyzed (ReCiPe-2016 at midpoint level) and can be considered technically, economically and environmentally sustainable for large-scale applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dye is a substance that imparts colour onto textiles, fabrics, paper, leather, etc. and is not altered by washing, heating, and light. Dyes were extracted from plants, animals, and minerals until synthetic dyes came to the market, as synthetic dyes were more stable, readily available, and inexpensive. Despite being extremely important to the economy, they have been among the most significant global polluters. Textile dye industries have become the chief source of water pollution, with their effluents increasing the turbidity of water and reducing photosynthesis and dissolved oxygen levels. This leads to significant damage to aquatic biodiversity, threatening the survival of many species. Synthetic dyes have carcinogenic, mutagenic, and genotoxic effects on animals and human beings, posing a severe health risk. The degradation of dyes is essential for ensuring the sustainability of the environment for future generations. The traditional physicochemical means of dye treatment are not convenient because of the high solubility in water, cost of method utilisation and other disadvantages related to these techniques. To overcome the disadvantages of physicochemical treatment, biological methods or bioremediation can be used as an alternative. The objective of this review article is to study the mechanisms involved in the degradation of textile dyes by bacteria to obtain sustainable, economically and ecologically sound solutions for dye treatment. This paper will explain the various types of natural and synthetic dyes utilised in the textile industry, their chemistry, and how they affect water and soil ecosystems. The treatment of textile dye by various physicochemical methods and their advantages and disadvantages are also discussed. In bioremediation, the microorganisms utilize organic pollutants as a source of food or energy. Bioremediation uses biosorption and enzymatic activity for dye degradation, which does not disturb natural processes and is thus sustainable. The microorganisms secrete crucial extracellular and intracellular enzymes that carry out decolourisation and degradation through a series of events, which include hydrolysis, acidogenesis, and methanogenesis. We will discuss how aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms degrade these textile dyes through the process of biodegradation and bioaugmentation and how this technology provides a clean and eco-friendly method for removing textile dyes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental contamination by pharmaceuticals from industrial waste and anthropogenic activities poses adverse health effects on non-target organisms. We evaluated the neurobehavioral and biochemical responses accompanying exposure to ecological relevant concentrations of atenolol (0, 0.1, 1.0, and 10 µg/L) for seven uninterrupted days in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio). Atenolol-exposed fish exhibited anxiety-like behavior, characterized by significant bottom-dwelling with marked reduction in vertical exploration. Atenolol-exposed fish exhibited marked increase in the duration and frequency of aggressive events without altering their preference for conspecifics. Biochemical data using brain samples indicated that atenolol disrupted antioxidant enzyme activities and induced oxidative stress. Exposure to atenolol markedly decreased ATP and AMP hydrolysis without affecting ADP hydrolysis and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Atenolol significantly upregulated tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (tph1) mRNA expression but downregulated brain-derived neurotrophic factor (bdnf) mRNA. Collectively, waterborne atenolol elicits aggressive and anxiety-like responses in adult zebrafish, accompanied by oxidative stress, reduced nucleotide hydrolysis, altered tph1 and bdnf mRNA expression, which may impact the survival and health of fish in aquatic environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal disorders are one of the most important problems faced by ergonomists today. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of weather conditions, working conditions and mental workload on musculoskeletal disorders of rescuers and water and sewage company accidents in hot and cold seasons. METHODS: The present study was a longitudinal study that was performed on all employees of rescue and disaster teams of Shiraz Water and Sewerage Company in Iran (184 people) by census. Demographic and Nordic questionnaires, NASA Load Index (NASA-TLX), work environment assessment with temperature screening checklist and workplace ergonomic risk factor (WERA) assessment method were performed by the researcher. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 23 software and parametric and non-parametric statistical tests. RESULTS: The results showed that the highest and lowest prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders related to knee and back in winter and thigh in summer with prevalence of 57.1, 55.4 and 6%. The comparison of exposure to heat stress factors in summer and winter seasons showed that the temperature factors and work clothes of the workers in both seasons are in worse conditions than other factors (P < 0968). The results of the mental workload of people in two seasons showed that the highest and lowest mental workload is related to physical changes in the winter season and frustration in the summer season, and this relationship was significant (P < 0.001). Using multiple logistic regression model, the potential risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries including age, height, BMI, level of education and work experience in both hot and cold seasons were compared. The results showed that in summer, work experience (OR = 1.16 (1.06–1.28.)) and height (OR = 1.03(0.98–1.08) had a direct effect on the prevalence of pain and discomfort arranged in the back areas. One year of increase in work experience significantly increases the chance of a disorder in the back by 16% and a one centimeter increase in height increases the chance of a disorder in the lumbar region by 3%, although this relationship is significant. CONCLUSION: It is recommended that suitable solutions such as using appropriate and up-to-date mechanical tools, reducing activity time, increasing rest time, increasing the number of personnel in order to reduce mental workload, using work clothes suitable for the season and type of work, and ergonomics training for workers are on the agenda of company officials. Water and sewage should be placed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]