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Sea water is abundant in lithium reserves, and extracting lithium metal from it holds the potential to not only mitigate the shortage of lithium in light of the fast‐growing electric vehicle industry, but also serve as an anode electrode to provide electricity. The task, however, is challenging due to the harsh reactions and low lithium concentration in sea water. Here, we present a single‐channel strategy based on a flexible and scalable lithium ion‐sieve membrane for efficient lithium extraction. Our composite membrane exhibits high separation factor βLi/Na of more than 2.87×107 with an ionic conductivity of 6.2×10−5 S cm−1. Lithium metal was electrolytically extracted from sea water through a hybrid‐electrolyte system, which yielded a high Coulombic efficiency of 98.04 % and a low energy consumption of 17.4 kWh kgLi−1 at an optimized extracting current of 200 μA cm−2. The extracted lithium metal can be directly integrated into a lithium‐sulfur battery, delivering an energy output of 395 Wh kg−1. To demonstrate its industrial viability, we also fabricate a pouch cell with Li metal anode extracted by an amplified extraction prototype. This study has the potential to dispel concerns of lithium depletion and facilitate the sustainable development of lithium‐based energy storage systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addressing atmospheric CO2 levels during the transition to carbon neutrality requires efficient CO2 capture methods. Aqueous amine scrubbing dominates large‐scale flue gas capture but is hampered by the energy‐intensive regeneration step, sorbent loss, and consequent environmental concerns with volatile amines. Herein, hydrophobic non‐volatile alkylated monoethanolamine (MEA) is introduced as a water‐lean CO2 absorbent in brine. The effects of alkylation of MEA, salinity, and aggregation of absorbents on the improved CO2 capture process are systematically investigated. The CO2 absorption facilitates spontaneous self‐aggregation of hydrophobic absorbents, which increases the entropy of water in high‐ion strength solutions. This effect is controlled by the salinity of aqueous solutions, affording comparative gravimetric CO2 uptake performance to benchmark MEA. It is experimentally verified that the hydrophobicity of alkylated MEAs in saline water is responsible for facile absorption, and also for mild regeneration conditions. Therefore, the entropy‐driven approach minimizes absorbent evaporation, corrosion, and decomposition, thus paving the way to realize energy‐efficient carbon capture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green hydrogen will play an important role in reducing carbon emission in sectors like transportation, power supply, and industry. However, for it to become competitive technology, the costs related to hydrogen production must be reduced. Photocatalytic hydrogen production is one of the green hydrogen production methods that have the potential to become cost effective. So far, photocatalytic water splitting has mainly focused on hydrogen production from pure water systems, but it is practically attractive to study methods for seawater systems, which will make better use of available natural resources. In this study, we focus on the synthesis and characterization of a variety of metal dichalcogenide-embedded titanium dioxide (NiS 2 /TiO 2 , CoS 2 /TiO 2 , SnS 2 /TiO 2) nanocomposite materials as photocatalysts for seawater splitting. The materials were synthesized using a facile hydrothermal method and were used for simulated seawater, seawater and deionized water splitting with 4 h of simulated solar illumination. The amounts of 48.11, 24.94, 15.04, and 2.78 mmolg−1 hydrogen were successfully produced with NiS 2 /TiO 2 , CoS 2 /TiO 2 , SnS 2 /TiO 2, and pristine TiO 2 nanomaterials, respectively. Highest amount of H 2 with NiS 2 /TiO 2 photocatalyst can be attributed to the low bandgap of NiS 2, which acts as a co-catalyst. Our study clearly demonstrates that low-cost, noble-metal-free nanocomposite photocatalysts could be promising candidates for realizing efficient solar-to-hydrogen conversion from seawater splitting. • -NiS 2 /TiO 2 , CoS 2 /TiO 2 , SnS 2 /TiO 2 - nanocomposite materials were synthesized for photocatalytic water splitting in seawater, simulated seawater and deionized water using a facile hydrothermal method. • 48.11, 24.94, and 15.04 mmol/g of hydrogen were obtained with NiS 2 /TiO 2 , CoS 2 /TiO 2 , SnS 2 /TiO 2 nanomaterials in seawater. • Highest photocatalytic activity with metal chalcogenide-embedded titanium dioxide can be attributed to the low bandgap of metal chalcogenide material, which acts as a co-catalyst. • This study clearly demonstrates that low-cost, noble-metal-free nanocomposite photocatalysts could be promising candidates for realizing efficient solar-to-hydrogen conversion from seawater splitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prussian blue (PB) is regarded as a promising cathode for sodium‐ion batteries because of its sustainable precursor elements (e.g., Mn, Fe), easy preparation, and unique framework structure. However, the unstable structure and inherent crystal H2O restrain its practical application. For this purpose, a self‐constructed trace Mg2+/K+ co‐doped PB prepared via a sea‐water‐mediated method is proposed to address this problem. The Mg2+/K+ co‐doping in the Na sites of PB is permitted by both thermodynamics and kinetics factors when synthesized in sea water. The results reveal that the introduced Mg2+ and K+ are immovable in the PB lattices and can form stronger K‒N and Mg‒N Coulombic attraction to relieve phase transition and element dissolution. Besides, the Mg2+/K+ co‐doping can reduce defect and H2O contents. As a result, the PB prepared in sea water exhibits an extremely long cycle life (80.1% retention after 2400 cycles) and superior rate capability (90.4% capacity retention at 20 C relative to that at 0.1 C). To address its practical applications, a sodium salts recycling strategy is proposed to greatly reduce the PB production cost. This work provides a self‐constructed Mg2+/K+ co‐doped high‐performance PB at a low preparation cost for sustainable, large‐scale energy storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhancing oil recovery (EOR) through water flooding methods, including smart water injection, low salinity water injection, polymer injection, and surfactant injection has become a pivotal strategy for enhancing productivity. Despite their promising outcomes, these methods often encounter challenges such as scaling formation and deposition, impacting reservoir permeability and production rates. A comprehensive understanding of scaling formation is crucial for effective implementation of these methods. This article explores various scaling types prevalent in the field, examining key parameters (temperature, pressure, and pH) that influence scaling formation. Additionally, it presents a diverse range of inhibitors employing both chemical and mechanical methods to mitigate and prevent scaling, thus safeguarding reservoir performance. The efficiency of inhibitors is scrutinized concerning chemical composition and performance maintenance under different temperature and pressure conditions. This study serves as a valuable resource for researchers, engineers, and industry experts involved in the oil industry and reservoir management. By elucidating scaling mechanisms, delineating consequences, and offering extensive solutions, it enhances comprehension and provides a foundation for improving oil recovery strategies. The findings of this study contribute to a better understanding of scaling mechanisms, providing insights that can be applied to optimize oil recovery processes, mitigate reservoir challenges, and improve overall reservoir management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to optimize the effectiveness of a glassy carbon electrode by coating it with bismuth nanoparticles in both sphere and rod forms. The modified electrode is intended for the simultaneous analysis of heavy metals: Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) by using square‐wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). The synthesis optimization of bismuth nanospheres and nanorods was studied. Analysis of the nanoparticles’ morphology and structure was conducted using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Under optimal conditions, the synthesized nanobismuth spheres measured 137.0±3.43 nm, while the bismuth rods measured 5.18±1.36 nm. The optimal SWASV conditions for the proposed electrode in heavy metal analysis involved a deposition potential of −1.4 V for 240 seconds, a frequency of 25 Hz, an amplitude of 25 mV, and a step potential of 4 mV. The linearity ranges for Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) were 20–130 μg L−1, 10–60 μg L−1, and 6–54 μg L−1, respectively, with detection limits of 4.0 μg L−1 for Zn(II), 1.6 μg L−1 for Cd(II), and 1.6 μg L−1 for Pb(II). The results demonstrated satisfactory performance with high repeatability, good selectivity, and sensitivity. Additionally, the proposed electrode was utilized to simultaneously determine heavy metal concentrations in seawater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the physico-chemical quality of the water in the Midia coastal area, the Tasaul Lake and the Siutghiol Lake water bodies were analyzed, as integrated sites in the territory of the North Dobrogea FLAG. This study allows establishing the state of favourability of the aquatic ecosystem, focusing on the chlorophyll content as the basis of the trophic level. The premise of a stable ecosystem induces the possibility of developing natural fish resources. An essential attribute in the context of preserving natural heritage and increasing the attractiveness for fishing activities, is the need to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative profile of the phytoplankton and, respectively, the eutrophication indicators. If aquaculture activities will be developed in the analyzed areas in the future, they could increase the economic value of the Romanian sector of the Black Sea. The biological analyzes of the water quality are the basis of the substantiation of some methods of its determination and evaluation. Thus, testing the concentration of chlorophyll, the classes of algae and the photosynthetic activity, are useful for the evaluation of eutrophication in the aquatic environment, but also for the evaluation of productivity in the surface waters studied. At the same time, the determination and evaluation of the physical and chemical parameters of water quality allowed the realization of some correlations with the structure of the biota. In this sense, the analysis methods are based on the use of modern equipment based on real time (in situ) determinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addressing atmospheric CO2 levels during the transition to carbon neutrality requires efficient CO2 capture methods. Aqueous amine scrubbing dominates large‐scale flue gas capture but is hampered by the energy‐intensive regeneration step, sorbent loss, and consequent environmental concerns with volatile amines. Herein, hydrophobic non‐volatile alkylated monoethanolamine (MEA) is introduced as a water‐lean CO2 absorbent in brine. The effects of alkylation of MEA, salinity, and aggregation of absorbents on the improved CO2 capture process are systematically investigated. The CO2 absorption facilitates spontaneous self‐aggregation of hydrophobic absorbents, which increases the entropy of water in high‐ion strength solutions. This effect is controlled by the salinity of aqueous solutions, affording comparative gravimetric CO2 uptake performance to benchmark MEA. It is experimentally verified that the hydrophobicity of alkylated MEAs in saline water is responsible for facile absorption, and also for mild regeneration conditions. Therefore, the entropy‐driven approach minimizes absorbent evaporation, corrosion, and decomposition, thus paving the way to realize energy‐efficient carbon capture.

Abstract Prussian blue (PB) is regarded as a promising cathode for sodium‐ion batteries because of its sustainable precursor elements (e.g., Mn, Fe), easy preparation, and unique framework structure. However, the unstable structure and inherent crystal H2O restrain its practical application. For this purpose, a self‐constructed trace Mg2+/K+ co‐doped PB prepared via a sea‐water‐mediated method is proposed to address this problem. The Mg2+/K+ co‐doping in the Na sites of PB is permitted by both thermodynamics and kinetics factors when synthesized in sea water. The results reveal that the introduced Mg2+ and K+ are immovable in the PB lattices and can form stronger K‒N and Mg‒N Coulombic attraction to relieve phase transition and element dissolution. Besides, the Mg2+/K+ co‐doping can reduce defect and H2O contents. As a result, the PB prepared in sea water exhibits an extremely long cycle life (80.1% retention after 2400 cycles) and superior rate capability (90.4% capacity retention at 20 C relative to that at 0.1 C). To address its practical applications, a sodium salts recycling strategy is proposed to greatly reduce the PB production cost. This work provides a self‐constructed Mg2+/K+ co‐doped high‐performance PB at a low preparation cost for sustainable, large‐scale energy storage.

Abstract This study examines the effect of coarse recycled aggregates (CRAs) and processed coarse recycled aggregates (PCRAs) on the behaviour of alkali-activated concrete (AAC) before and after exposure to marine seawater and acidic environments (5% HCl and 5% H2SO4 solutions). Measurements of compressive strength and the microstructure changes were conducted over periods of 56 and 90 days to assess these effects. The experimental design included varying the replacement levels of NAs with CRAs and PCRAs from (0–100%) and using ground-granulated blast furnace slag and fly ash as constant components. In addition to durability tests, sorptivity assessments were conducted to gauge the material’s porosity and water absorption capabilities. Advanced microstructure techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), were employed to detail the pre and post-exposure mineralogical and microstructural transformations within the AAC blends. The AAC mixtures incorporating PCRAs emerged as durable, showcasing better strength and a denser, more compact matrix facilitated by the synergistic formation of NASH and CASH gels after exposure to aggressive agents compared to untreated CRAs. In addition, the results show that the samples exposed to marine seawater exhibited improved mechanical performance compared to those exposed to acidic environments. The novelty of this study lies in its exploration of the effects of recycling plant-based CRAs and PCRAs on AAC for marine and acid exposure.

Introduction. The growth of domestic tourism in the Russian Federation is forecasted to reach 30 % by the end of 2023 compared to the results of 2022. At the same time, ecological tourism in areas with undeveloped engineering infrastructure has become one of the trends of recent years.Materials and methods. To solve the problems of life support of temporary accommodation facilities (glamping), a technical solution for the conversion of hydraulic wave energy in the coastal zone of Russian sea areas is proposed. The purpose of the research is a feasibility study of the application of innovative life support technology based on renewable wave energy to provide municipal resources, including fresh water, to non-permanent accommodation facilities (beach glamping). To achieve this goal, numerical research methods were used using statistical data and long-term observational data, searching for domestic and foreign sources with analysis and comparison of the contained data.Results. Calculations of fresh water productivity are presented, taking into account the unevenness of wave characteristics (heights, periods) throughout the year using the example of the Black sea and the Sea of Japan. It is established that even taking into account the uneven wave characteristics, the Black Sea coastal zone is a commercially significant territory for implementation. The coastal zone of the Sea of Japan is a promising territory in the case of seasonal operation of facilities with the proposed technology. The payback period of the technology for operation on the Black Sea coast was determined.Conclusions. The proposed pump-compressor is able to replace energy-consuming equipment of reverse osmosis installations — high-pressure pumps for supplying seawater to the membranes. The use of technology on the freezing seas is expedient in the non-year-round operation mode. The payback period, depending on the cost of electricity, does not exceed two years without taking into account the associated removal of useful pneumatic power.

This study examines the effect of coarse recycled aggregates (CRAs) and processed coarse recycled aggregates (PCRAs) on the behaviour of alkali-activated concrete (AAC) before and after exposure to marine seawater and acidic environments (5% HCl and 5% H2SO4 solutions). Measurements of compressive strength and the microstructure changes were conducted over periods of 56 and 90 days to assess these effects. The experimental design included varying the replacement levels of NAs with CRAs and PCRAs from (0–100%) and using ground-granulated blast furnace slag and fly ash as constant components. In addition to durability tests, sorptivity assessments were conducted to gauge the material's porosity and water absorption capabilities. Advanced microstructure techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), were employed to detail the pre and post-exposure mineralogical and microstructural transformations within the AAC blends. The AAC mixtures incorporating PCRAs emerged as durable, showcasing better strength and a denser, more compact matrix facilitated by the synergistic formation of NASH and CASH gels after exposure to aggressive agents compared to untreated CRAs. In addition, the results show that the samples exposed to marine seawater exhibited improved mechanical performance compared to those exposed to acidic environments. The novelty of this study lies in its exploration of the effects of recycling plant-based CRAs and PCRAs on AAC for marine and acid exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The equations of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) are presented as continual modeling for slow motions. The original equations of the MHD environment are linearized, reduced, and applied to the analysis of environments characterized by the phenomena of electrolysis and turbulence. A continual approach for electrolysis and turbulence is presented, and the real-life ongoing studies are considering local models. The formulation of the problem and its analysis are presented as the density of the MHD-field decreases from a flat wall. Experimental studies with respect to propulsion devices in sea water are characterized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research aims to study the behaviour of concrete columns reinforced with fibreglass as bars exposed to seawater. Firstly, hardened concrete properties as the compressive strength and the tensile strength were investigated at ages 14, 28, and 56 days. Secondly, the experimental testing also involved casting 18 short concrete columns that have a length of 300 mm with the cross-sectional dimensions of 100 mm × 100 mm. Six samples were plain concrete, six were reinforced with a diameter of 6 mm longitudinal fibreglass bars, and six polypropylene fibre concrete columns were reinforced with a diameter of 6 mm fibreglass bars. The results added useful information using fibreglass bars (anti-corrosion materials) as reinforced longitudinal concrete columns, so the ultimate load of the reinforced concrete column with fibreglass rod exposed to seawater was 174.8 kN that it was higher than that of the plain concrete column at 104.9 kN. Thus, the fibreglass reinforcement technology enhances the capacity of the columns. So, it could be used in non-impacting structural parts. Meanwhile, the ultimate load of the fibre-reinforced concrete column with fibreglass rod exposed to seawater was 201.8 kN. It is 15.4% higher than that of the ultimate axial load of the reinforced concrete column with fibreglass rods only. Also, the results achieved of this research were encouraging, as the maximum failure load for short columns reinforced with fibreglass rods reached approximately 84 to 87% of failure load relative to polypropylene fibre concrete columns containing reinforcing fibreglass bars. As a result, the structural behaviour bars have been enhanced using fibreglass rod and polypropylene fibre.

The analysis of energy consumption in reverse osmosis desalination plants is the most important and relevant factor to study, because this parameter indicates the level of efficiency and competitiveness of the plant. The direct consequence of the high specific energy consumption (SEC) of a desalination plant in the production of water is one of the main obstacles to the exponential expansion of this technology worldwide. The methodological procedure used to carry out the work is based on the analysis of energy consumption, maintenance costs, staff, membranes, and reagents of three desalination plants with a production of more than 23,000 m3/day located in the Canary Islands (Spain); all data are obtained from real analyses collected "in situ" from 2015 to 2018. One of the main objectives of the current research on desalination plants is to reduce the SEC of seawater desalination plants (SWRO), incorporating energy recovery systems (ERS) and high efficiency pumps (HEP), and to implement different operational configurations with the aim of minimizing the energy requirements necessary to obtain a good product quality at minimum production cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conditions for the determination of Ni and Cr in seawater by high-resolution continuum source electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (HR-CS ETAAS) are developed. Nitric acid is used as a chemical modifier. The analytical capabilities of this method are compared with those of the version of low-resolution line source electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (LR-LS ETAAS) with deuterium background correction. A calibration dependence is constructed on standard analyte solutions. Procedures for determining Cr and Ni are tested on water samples from the Black Sea using the spiked test. Using the HR-CS ETAAS method, limits of detection (μg/L) of 0.12 for Cr and 0.09 for Ni (dosage 80 μL) are achieved. For the LR-LS ETAAS method, these indicators are worse: 0.6 (Cr) and 1 μg/L (Ni) with a dosed volume of seawater sample of 10 μL. A possibility of using the ETAAS method for the direct determination of Cr and Ni contents in seawater at a level two orders of magnitude lower than their maximum permissible concentrations is demonstrated.integral absorbance [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marinas are semi-enclosed environments characterised by reduced hydrodynamic energy, high sedimentation rates, and reduced oxygen levels. The ongoing development of activities and infrastructure construction are leading to deterioration in the quality of coastal aquatic environments, creating environmental risks. Trace metal elements (TMEs) and organotins are significant contaminants, prompting this study to evaluate the added value of spatiotemporal monitoring compared to one-time sediment assessments. Two Mediterranean harbours, Port Camargue (PC) and Port Carnon (C), differing in morphology and size, were monitored for a year with regular water sampling, focusing on TMEs and organotins. Sediment contamination, notably in the technical zone, revealed concentrations of Cu (309 and 1210 mg kg−1 for C and PC, respectively), Zn (242 and 425 mg kg−1 for C and PC, respectively), and tributyltin (TBT) (198 and 4678 µg (Sn) kg−1 for C and PC, respectively) surpassing the effect range medium (ERM), while other marina stations generally stayed below this threshold. Spatiotemporal water monitoring highlighted concentrations above environmental quality standards (EQS) at all stations of the larger marina. This exceedance was systematic for Cu and Zn in all samples, ranging respectively between 2.54 and 37.56 µg (Sn) L−1 and 0.63 and 33.48 µg (Sn) L−1. A notable temporal dynamic for TBT and Cu was also observed. Conversely, the open marina, connected to the open sea, rarely exhibited concentrations above EQS in water, despite sediment concentrations occasionally exceeding ERM values. This underscores that risk assessment in these ecosystems cannot rely solely on sediment characterisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of our work is the preparation of cellulose nanofibrils or nanocrystals made from cellulose that is recovered from sugarcane bagasse agricultural waste (SC) as a dispersant instead of commercial cellulose for oil spill cleanup. In the current study, carboxymethyl cellulose was prepared by cellulose mercerization, which was then esterified by oxalic acid to create nanocellulose. Incorporation of oxalate into carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) was verified by 1H‐NMR spectroscopy by the appearance of a new peak at 8.15 ppm for CMC–oxalate. The degree of substitution (DS) of oxalate was 0.17. The synthesized nanocellulose formed particles were roughly the same size and shape as both cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs): measuring 321–480 nm in length and 4–5 nm in width. Emulsions of paraffins made from CMC–oxalate are stable up to 10 months without undergoing precipitation. CMC–oxalate had great thermal stability and worked well as a paraffin oil dispersant. CMC–oxalate provided a barrier around the oil droplet surface, which prevented droplets from coalescing. This hypothesis is supported by the contact angle measurement for the O/W emulsion formed by CMC–oxalate being 0°, which is lower than the value for emulsions formed by underivatized CMC, 37.20°. From transmission electron microscopy observations, O/W emulsions of paraffin oil were spherical in shape, and separated from each other by a distance of 30–100 nm. This study shows that CMC–oxalate can be prepared by a low‐cost method, yielding nanocellulose with characteristics that resemble CNFs and CNCs, thereby opening up new potential applications for cellulose nanomaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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We report on progress in observing the hydrogen-bonded structure of water and sea water by deep-ocean Raman spectroscopy. In the normal ocean, the abundance of single H2O species is less than 20%. The principal form is the tetrahedral pentamer, and the (H2O)[Formula: see text] nH2O equilibrium plays a dominant role in controlling physicochemical processes and the speed of sound. The enthalpy of the H-bond in water is 2.624 kcal/mol, and in sea water 2.258 kcal/mol due to the quantity of non-HB water in the solvation shell of sea salt ions. The activation energy of viscous flow is 4.28 kcal/mol at one atmosphere pressure, consistent with the need to break hydrogen bonds and overcome the van der Waals intermolecular forces. The activation energy decreases exponentially with depth/pressure and is 10% less at 4,000 m depth. We suggest this is due to the pressure-induced shift in the water equilibrium to favor the less compressible quasi-planar pentamer, tetramer, and so on forms. We address the long-standing conclusion that microbial swimming by means of rotating flagella is only 1%–2% efficient. This neglects the need for microbes to overcome the activation energy of viscous flow; [Formula: see text]95% of the mechanical energy produced by the flagella must be used to break H-bonds and overcome intermolecular forces.

The growing population and increasing water demand necessitate exploring alternative sources of water, including saline water. Saline water treatment technologies have undergone significant advancements in recent years, enabling the production of potable water from seawater and brackish water. This review provides an overview of the current state of saline water treatment technologies, including desalination and membrane-based processes. The advantages and limitations of each technology and their suitability for different applications are discussed. Recent advancements in materials and techniques that have led to improvements in energy efficiency, productivity, and cost-effectiveness of these technologies are highlighted. Finally, the future directions and challenges in the field of saline water treatment are outlined. HIGHLIGHTS An overview of the current state of saline water treatment technologies.; The critical review was conducted on recent advancements in materials and saline water treatment techniques that have led to improvements in energy efficiency, productivity, and cost-effectiveness.; The challenges associated with energy consumption and brine disposal were discussed elaborately.;

We assess the workability, mechanical properties, and durability of self-compacting concrete (SCC) incorporating silica fume (SF) and fly ash (FA) using tap water and seawater for making and curing. Leveraging a three-way ANOVA and Eigen analysis, we analyzed the results. Slump flow measurements, exhibit consistent behavior regardless of water type. The use of seawater instead of tap water leads to increased J-ring values, indicating potential enhancement in viscosity. Elevated SF content within SCC formulations further amplifies J-ring values, irrespective of water type. Air content experiences a minor rise with seawater, well within permissible limits. Optimal compressive strength, attained at 28 and 90 days, emerges from SCC samples containing 8% SF and 27% FA, produced with tap water and cured using seawater. Reversing the water types for production and curing yields comparable strength results. Conversely, SCC specimens produced and cured with seawater exhibit comparatively diminished strengths. Seawater employment for production and curing introduces marginal augmentations in water absorption (below 4%) and water penetration depth (7-33mm). Rapid Chloride Permeability Test values, ranging from 1000 to 2000 coulombs, indicate low chloride permeability across samples. Chloride concentration remains lower when seawater is utilized for production and tap water for curing, compared to the inverse scenario. The most notable chloride concentration (2.7-5% of concrete weight) arises when seawater is employed for both stages. The Rapid Chloride Migration Test manifests migration values of 4 to 7.8 (10-12 m²/s) for seawater production and tap water curing. Three-way ANOVA and Eigen-analysis provide robust statistical validation to the experimental outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strain KK2020170T, a Gram-stain negative, yellow colony-forming bacterium, was isolated from surface seawater sampled in Kojima Bay, Okayama, Japan. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene revealed that strain KK2020170T belongs to the genus Flavobacterium, with Flavobacterium haoranii LQY-7T (98.1% similarity) being its closest relative, followed by Flavobacterium sediminis MEBiC07310T (96.9%) and Flavobacterium urocaniciphilum YIT 12746T (96.0%). Whole-genome shotgun sequencing showed that strain KK2020170T, when paralleled with F. haoranii LQY-7 T, had 81.3% average nucleotide identity, and 24.6% in silico DNA–DNA hybridization values, respectively. The DNA G + C content of strain KK2020170T was 31.1 mol%. The most abundant fatty acids (> 10%) of strain KK2020170T were iso-C15: 0, iso-C17: 0 3-OH and iso-C15: 1 G. The dominant respiratory quinone of the strain was menaquinone MK-6. Based on the phylogenetic and phenotypic analysis results, we propose that strain KK2020170T represents a novel species, for which the name Flavobacterium okayamense sp. nov. has been proposed. The type strain is KK2020170T (= ATCC TSD-280 T = NBRC 115344 T). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this investigation, a vertical multi-effects diffusion solar distillation unit was designed and evaluated to optimise the production of fresh water. The primary objective was to elucidate the impact of brine feed rate and the number of stages on the water yield, addressing the prevalent challenge of low yield typically associated with solar-assisted distillation. Experiments were conducted across a range of feed rates: 240, 480, and 720 mL/h for a single stage; 480, 960, 1920, and 2880 mL/h for a three-stage setup; and 960, 1920, and 2880 mL/h for a five-stage setup. A consistent gap distance of 16 mm was maintained in all configurations. To ensure comprehensive understanding of the process, parameters such as ambient and feed water temperatures, solar intensity, and total dissolved solids (TDS) were meticulously documented. Results revealed a positive correlation between water yield and both the number of stages and the feed rate. The maximum water yield observed was 1252 g/h m², achieved with a five-stage setup, a feed rate of 2880 mL/h, and an average solar intensity of 721 W/m². This setup also enabled a significant reduction in TDS by 78%. Contrarily, an increase in feed rate was associated with increased TDS measurements of the distillate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dataset comprises geolocalised records of dive and surface interval durations, light level and temperature of the seawater during the post-resting and post-moulting tracks of 13 immature southern elephant seals, Mirounga leonina. It describes an unpublished open access version of the original data with records of light level and temperature of the water column using the Darwin Core standard (DwC) through ArOBIS, guaranteeing compliance with the FAIR principles, encompassing a wide time scale (2005, 2006 and 2007) and geographic range in the South Atlantic and Pacific Oceans (South West [-58.75, -81.29], North East [-37.60, -28.65]). Seals were simultaneously equipped with affordable light–temperature loggers (LTLs) and satellite tags. The LTLs recorded light level and temperature of the water column at 30-s intervals during dives and light–time records were applied to estimate dive parameters of diurnal records from 06:00 to 17:00 h, since movements up and down the water column are reflected by changes in light level. For that, the minimum light level reached at the surface of a dive was determined experimentally with diurnal dive simulations at sea using the LTLs devices before deployment. The dataset also includes variation of light and temperature of records between 17:00 to 06:00 h. Data can be used to identify temperature changes associated with seawater masses as drivers of the distribution of other taxa of interest and variation of light level in the seawater (light attenuation) could be linked to concentrations of phytoplankton assemblages as an index of primary productivity.This dataset provides unpublished data of the duration of dives and surface intervals and associated records of light level and temperature variations along the movements throughout the seawater of 13 immature southern elephant seals in the Southern Hemisphere. The location data were generated by satellite tags and the light and temperature data were recorded with light-temperature loggers (LTLs), both devices deployed on individuals simultaneously and uploaded following the Darwin Core standard and compliance with the FAIR principles.

Heavy metals are toxic to human health and their concentrations in drinking water are sometimes above the limits recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). In addition to drinking water, a possible source for the intake of heavy metals is nasal sprays, which are frequently used to combat upper respiratory tract infections, especially in young children. Different types of nasal sprays are sold in pharmacies, such as saline solutions prepared from NaCl, sea water, or ocean water. In this work, Al, Sb, As, B, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Si, and Zn analyzes were performed on 22 saline samples with ICP-MS to determine their toxicity levels. For some samples, the toxic element concentrations were above the drinking water limits. Because nasal sprays are administered to the region close to the brain, the potential risk should be considered more fully. The accuracy of the results was tested by the standard addition method and certified reference material (CRM) analysis, which obtained recovery values for the elements of 83%-115% and 82%-108% for standard addition and CRM analysis, respectively. This is the first study to consider the risk of heavy metals in nasal sprays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water is a very important component for humans in everyday life. The need for clean water is currently increasing, especially for people living in coastal areas, this is because the water still contains salt and smells. Solar radiation energy is an alternative energy source. However, its use has not been utilized optimally, as science develops, solar energy has become an object of research, and one discovery of the use of solar energy is distilling sea water using solar energy. Under these conditions, research will be carried out on clean water distillation equipment, to see and analyze the productivity of water produced by clean water distillation equipment that uses zinc-coated steel tanks. The results obtained do not rule out the possibility that this distillation device with a zinc-coated steel tub can be used to reduce the problem of lack of clean water, especially as it is known in coastal areas where solar energy sources are not only abundant but also very abundant, but the availability of clean water is limited. still very minimal. So that existing solar energy sources can be used as an energy source in distillation equipment to produce clean water. From these results, the productivity of the water produced can be seen that solar radiation has a great influence on increasing the efficiency of the distillation equipment. Then the results of condensate water production and efficiency produced by a tool with a one-sided cover glass are greater than a tool with a double-sided cover glass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preparation of good quality magnesium oxide from seawater is the most challenging job because the vast majority of undesired impurities come from seawater during the precipitation stage. Hence, the double salt route has been developed as a very unique technique to prepare refractory grade magnesium oxide from seawater. Controlled addition of carrier reagent at the precipitating stage precipitates magnesium as double salt. The double salt is transformed to magnesium carbonate (MgCO3), which after calcination forms magnesium oxide (MgO). The product quality has been established by elemental analysis, PXRD, FTIR, TG/DTG, and FESEM. Commercially available MgCO3 and MgO of HiMedia have also been characterized simultaneously for comparison. The prepared magnesium oxide shows very high purity of 99.75%, which is shown from EDS measurement and PXRD and can be suitable as basic refractory material for industrial purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Layout of solar sea water MED system. [Display omitted] • Multi - effect sea water desalination system using solar energy with a capacity of 10 m3 has been commissioned and experimented. • Ejector is used to maintain vacuum pressure in the MED at 100 mbar with entrainment ratio of 0.35. • Distillate water produced was 7,000 litres per day during experimentation. • Distillate water quality produced was 1 ppm. A multi - effect desalination (MED) system with a capacity of 10 m3 has been designed, fabricated, erected and experimented to convert sea water into potable water using solar energy. Steam is flashed initially in the flash chamber of the desalination plant, using hot water from a solar flat plate collector field and is fed to the first stage of the multi-effect evaporator. The average hot water temperature realised from the collector field is 75°C. In the multi-stage evaporator, sea water is sprayed parallelly to vacuum pressure to produce water vapour and simultaneously condense the water vapour flashing through the tube from the flash chamber / previous effects. The brine and condensate is carried to the last stage of the multi-effect desalination (MED) system by utilizing monometric head. It is observed that during the experimentation, the maximum temperature difference between inlet and outlet of the condenser cooling water is 13°C. The ejector is used to maintain the vacuum pressure during the operation of MED system including flash chamber. Experimental studies on the MED system is carried out to understand the performance as well as thermal behaviour of the system using exclusively solar energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earthquake ground motion records often show that soil sites typically exhibit nonlinear amplification characteristics during strong seismic motions. The surface ground motion amplification effects are typically affected by site conditions and topographic features; however, the ground motion and site response of sea-based soil sites have not been extensively investigated due in part to the scarcity of available strong seismic records from few geotechnical observation arrays in the sea areas. In the present study physical centrifuge models are explored to simulate the ground motion response of land-based and sea-based soil sites and site response analysis is conducted to assess the free-field response of both deposits to earthquake motion. Both sites exhibit multiple modes of vibration; the first-order mode dominates in both the land-based and the sea-based soil sites with strongest amplification effect. The second-order mode occurs in both sites and the amplification effect is far more modest than the first-order mode. The amplification effects in the sea-based site are somewhat weaker than those in the land-based site. The third-order mode is found only in the response of sea-based site and the distribution of the amplification factor across the depth appears more complex without a clear pattern than in the lower order modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Nowadays, decreasing access to sustainable water sources has pushed the water shortage to water stress and water crisis in some cases. This phenomenon has led to more and more researchers and craftsmans’ efforts to achieve cost-effective commercial processes for a sustainable supply of water. Reverse osmosis process showed suitable potential for supplying the human’s required drinking water among all the water treatment processes. However, this process needs economic studies in macro-industrial levels. Neka power plants’ reverse osmosis desalination of seawater has been designed for production of 6,000 m3/day desalinated water. Feed water of this plant is supplied from the Caspian Sea with total dissolved solids of 15,000 mg/L and electrical conductivity of 20,000 µS/cm. Based on the results, required capital cost of this plant is $6 million and annual variable cost of $1.232 million is needed for desalination plant operation. Final fixed price of the desalinated water has been calculated $0.684 per cubic meter of desalinated water with the consideration of 20 years’ plant life cycle. Break-even point of the desalination plant has been obtained less than 6 years and less than 2 years with sales price of 1 $/m3 and 2 $/m3 of desalinated water, respectively. Results show that reverse osmosis based desalination systems are a suitable replacement for conventional freshwater sources.

The accumulation of microplastics in the world oceans is one of the main global problems of the modern world. The Black Sea is the main source of seafood for people from several countries, including Bulgaria. The pollution of the Black sea is a result of various factors, especially anthropogenic. The aim of this study was to determine the presence and accumulation of microplastics in the Black Sea mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis L., 1819, harvested from different locations along the northern Bulgarian Black Sea coast. Within each microplastic morphological group, three size classes were recognized: 100-200 μm, 25-100 μm, and ≤ 25 μm. Microplastics were found in the soft tissues of all studied specimens but in a different ratio of pellets, fibers and fragments. Generally, the pellets were the most often registered particles, followed by irregularly-shaped fragments, whereas fibers were less numerous. The dominant part of the isolated plastics are made of polyethylene (PE), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Our results pointed out serious pollution with plastic particles in the Bulgarian Black Sea aquatory, which in the future may seriously affect the health of the mussel population and also human health.

Uranium is one of the important strategic resources. It plays a decisive role in ensuring the stable development of nuclear energy. The shortage of uranium resources on land has aroused widespread concern. The total amount of uranium resources in seawater is more than 1 000 times that of land uranium resources. To ensure a stable supply of uranium, the research on the recovery of uranium from seawater has never stopped since the 1950s. The chelating functional adsorbent containing amidoxime group showed excellent adsorption ability and high selectivity for uranium over other co-existing metallic ions. In view of the important problems in the recovery of uranium, this paper reviewed the research progress in uranium desorption from the loaded uranium amidoxime materials. The desorption behavior, mechanism and characters of the loaded uranium materials with inorganic acidic solutions, alkaline solutions and organic complex solutions were summarized. The effect of co-existing metals on the uranium desorption was evaluated. Some problems were proposed to be investigated and solved further in the future. The possibility and feasibility for application of the advanced desorption technology in large-scale industrial desorption and recovery of uranium from the loaded chelating functional adsorbent containing amidoxime group were evaluated.