Public, Environmental & Occupational Health

Article Environmental Sciences

Conversion of seaweed waste to biochar for the removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solution: A sustainable method to address eutrophication problem in water bodies

Gokulan Ravindiran, Sivarethinamohan Rajamanickam, Muralikrishnan Ramalingam, Gasim Hayder, Balamurugan Karupaiya Sathaiah, Madhava Krishna Reddy Gaddam, Senthil Kumar Muniasamy, Priya Arunkumar

Summary: The present study investigated the sustainable approach for wastewater treatment using waste algal blooms. The biochar produced by the marine algae Ulva reticulata was used to remove chromium, nickel, and zinc from aqueous solutions. The study examined the adsorbents' properties and stability using SEM/EDX, FTIR, and XRD. The results showed that the biochar had high removal efficiency for the toxic metals, and the packed bed column effectively removed the heavy metal ions. The Thomas and Adams-Bohart models were found to best fit the regression values, and desorption studies were conducted to understand the sorption and elution processes.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH (2024)

Article Environmental Sciences

Synthesis of novel metal silica nanoparticles exhibiting antimicrobial potential and applications to combat periodontitis

Muhammad Zohaib Nawaz, Huda Ahmed Alghamdi, Mehvish Zahoor, Fizzah Rashid, Atheer Ahmed Alshahrani, Nuha S. Alghamdi, Arivalagan Pugazhendhi, Daochen Zhu

Summary: Periodontitis is a severe gum disease with global health and economic implications. Current therapies have limitations, but nanotechnology offers potential in developing novel periodontal therapeutic materials. This study investigated the antimicrobial properties of metal-doped silica nanoparticles and identified silver- and zinc-doped silica as effective agents against periodontitis-causing microbes.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH (2024)

Article Environmental Sciences

Mitigation of reverse osmosis membrane fouling by coagulation pretreatment to remove silica and transparent exopolymer particles

Xiaochen Sun, Liang Duan, Zhenzhong Liu, Qiusheng Gao, Jianing Liu, Dahai Zhang

Summary: In this study, the optimal coagulation conditions using FeCl3 and AlCl3 coagulants and PAM flocculants to reduce silica and TEP concentration in RO technology were explored. The best removal effect on pollutants was observed at pH 7 with a dosage of 50 mg/L for both coagulants. Additionally, the study determined that the best PAM dosages for FeCl3 and AlCl3 were 5 mg/L and 1 mg/L, respectively, considering the removal rate of pollutants and the residual amount of coagulation metal ions. The removal mechanisms of pollutants by coagulation pretreatment were determined to be adsorption, electric neutralization, and co-precipitation.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH (2024)

Review Environmental Sciences

Micro and nano plastics in food: A review on the strategies for identification, isolation, and mitigation through photocatalysis, and health risk assessment

R. Janani, S. Bhuvana, V. Geethalakshmi, R. Jeyachitra, Kuppusamy Sathishkumar, Ranjith Balu, Ramamoorthy Ayyamperumal

Summary: In recent years, it has become increasingly evident that microplastic pollutants heavily contaminate water sources, posing a potential threat to humans and wildlife. Photocatalytic degradation of these pollutants has emerged as a powerful technique, but limited research has been conducted in this area.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH (2024)

Article Environmental Sciences

Microbial co-culture mediated by intercellular nanotubes during DMAC degradation: Microbial interaction, communication mode, and degradation mechanism

Jiachao Yao, Yu Mei, Bohan Yuan, Fengzhen Zheng, Zeyu Wang, Jun Chen

Summary: This study investigates the co-culture mechanism of Rhodococcus ruber HJM-8 and Paracoccus communis YBH-X during N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAC) degradation. The efficient cooperation between the two strains via parallel and cascaded degradation leads to a higher removal efficiency of total nitrogen (TN) in co-culture compared to monoculture. The study also identifies intercellular nanotubes as a unique contact-dependent interaction, which improves material transfer and enhances cell connection in co-culture. The differentially expressed genes in the co-culture have associations with cell metabolism, nanotube generation, and genetic material transfer. The co-culture system is validated for wastewater treatment, showing potential for application.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH (2024)

Article Environmental Sciences

Placental concentrations of xenoestrogenic organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls and assessment of their xenoestrogenicity in the PA-MAMI mother-child cohort

L. M. Iribarne-Duran, I. Castillero-Rosales, F. M. Peinado, F. Artacho-Cordon, J. M. Molina-Molina, E. Medianero, S. I. Nicolas-Delgado, L. Sanchez-Pinzon, V. Nunez-Samudio, F. Vela-Soria, N. Olea, N. E. Alvarado-Gonzalez

Summary: This study provides the first evidence of the presence of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in placentas of Latin-American women, and highlights their potential interference with the hormonal system of unborn babies. The findings raise concerns about the consequences of prenatal exposure to these compounds on children's health and emphasize the need for preventive measures.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH (2024)

Review Environmental Sciences

Endocrine disruptors: Unravelling the link between chemical exposure and Women's reproductive health

Saqib Hassan, Aswin Thacharodi, Anshu Priya, R. Meenatchi, Thanushree A. Hegde, R. Thangamani, Ht Nguyen, Arivalagan Pugazhendhi

Summary: An Endocrine Disrupting Chemical (EDC) is a compound that disrupts the function of the endocrine system and is found in the environment. EDCs, such as Bisphenol A and pesticides, have been shown to have negative effects on the female reproductive system. Understanding the relationship between EDCs and women's health is crucial for developing strategies to protect reproductive health and informing public policy decisions.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH (2024)

Article Environmental Sciences

Uncovering environmental performance patterns of plastic packaging waste in high recovery rate countries: An example of EU-27

Yee Van Fan, Lidija Cucek, Chunyan Si, Peng Jiang, Annamaria Vujanovic, Damjan Krajnc, Chew Tin Lee

Summary: This study analyzes the environmental footprint patterns of the plastics value chain in the European Union and finds that most countries belong to a cluster with relatively low global warming potential. However, despite an increase in plastic waste recovery rate, the environmental impact has not been reduced, and the global warming potential tends to increase with higher plastic waste amounts.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH (2024)

Article Environmental Sciences

Imidazolate framework material for crude oil removal in aqueus media: Mechanism insight

Otoniel Anacleto Estrela Filho, Bryan Fernando Rivadeneira-Mendoza, Kevin Jhon Fernandez-Andrade, Luis Angel Zambrano-Intriago, Fausthon Fred da Silva, Rafael Luque, Fabiola D. S. Curbelo, Joan Manuel Rodriguez-Diaz

Summary: The considerable amount of produced water discharged by the oil industry can cause environmental imbalance due to its harmful components. This study investigated the adsorption capacity of Zinc Imidazolate Framework-8 (ZIF-8) for crude oil removal from synthetic produced water. ZIF-8 exhibited high crystallinity and thermal stability, and its adsorption process was found to be spontaneous and exothermic.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH (2024)

Article Environmental Sciences

Photo/electro catalytic green hydrogen production promoted by Ga modified Co0.6Cu0.4Fe2O4 nano catalysts

Pinki Kotwal, Rohit Jasrotia, Anant Vidya Nidhi, Jahangeer Ahmed, Sanchit Thakur, Abhishek Kandwal, Mohd Fazil, Saad M. Alshehri, Tokeer Ahmad, Ankit Verma, Naresh Sharma, Rajesh Kumar

Summary: This study focuses on the fabrication of Ga doped Co0.6Cu0.4Fe2O4 nanocatalysts via sol-gel auto combustion for hydrogen production. The nanocatalysts demonstrated excellent photocatalytic and electrocatalytic activity for green hydrogen generation. The results suggest that Ga doped catalysts have potential applications in sustainable energy production.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH (2024)

Article Environmental Sciences

Health implications of urban tree canopy policy scenarios in Denver and Phoenix: A quantitative health impact assessment

Daniel Dean, Michael D. Garber, G. Brooke Anderson, David Rojas-Rueda

Summary: Implementing Urban Tree Canopy (UTC) goals can prevent premature deaths and chronic diseases among urban residents, with varying health benefits due to spatial and socioeconomic differences in different cities.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH (2024)

Article Environmental Sciences

Enhancing biocathode denitrification performance with nano-Fe3O4 under polarity period reversal

Huajun Feng, Anan Jin, Xianbin Yin, Zhicheng Hong, Yangcheng Ding, Nannan Zhao, Yufan Chen, Yifeng Zhang

Summary: This study demonstrates the efficacy of a novel combination of magnetite nanoparticles with the anode-cathode polarity period reversal (PPR-Fe3O4) for improving the performance of bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) in nitrate removal.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH (2024)

Article Environmental Sciences

The impact of short-term exposures to ambient NO2, O3, and their combined oxidative potential on daily mortality

Ziqi Tang, Jianhui Guo, Jinyi Zhou, Hao Yu, Yaqi Wang, Xinyao Lian, Jin Ye, Xueqiong He, Renqiang Han, Jing Li, Shaodan Huang

Summary: This study examines the short-term effects of exposure to nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and oxidative potential on mortality rates in Jiangsu, China from 2014 to 2020. The findings show a significant increase in all-cause, cardiovascular, and respiratory mortality associated with these pollutants. Women and individuals over 75 years old are particularly susceptible, especially during warm seasons.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH (2024)

Article Environmental Sciences

New insights into syntrophic ethanol oxidation: Effects of operational modes and solids retention times

Bang Du, Zhongzhong Wang, Piet N. L. Lens, Xinmin Zhan, Guangxue Wu

Summary: This study investigated the performance, syntrophic relationships, microbial communities, and metabolic pathways of ethanol-fed reactors with different operational modes and solids retention times. The results showed that different microorganisms were enriched under different SRT conditions, and syntrophic bacteria related to methane production could be enriched under low SRT conditions.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH (2024)

Article Environmental Sciences

Highly efficient activation of periodate by a manganese-modified biochar to rapidly degrade methylene blue

Jiamin Gong, Honghui Jiang, Xiang Li, Hao Cheng, Ziqi Wang, Jingju Cai, Meifang Li, Ping Wang, Hui Wang, Xi Hu, Xinjiang Hu

Summary: In this study, manganese oxide/biochar composites were synthesized and their ability to activate periodate for degrading dyes was investigated. The results showed that the composites successfully loaded manganese oxide on the surface of biochar, increasing the number of surface functional groups. The composites exhibited high performance in degrading methylene blue and other pollutants, and the optimal technological parameters were determined using response surface methodology.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH (2024)

Article Environmental Sciences

Identification of algicidal monoterpenoids from four chemotypes of Cinnamomum camphora and their algicidal mechanisms on Microcystis aeruginosa

Tianyu Huang, Meng Lai, Zhenwei Lin, Xuezheng Xiang, Haozhe Xu, Ning Pan, Zhaojiang Zuo

Summary: This study analyzed the terpenoid composition in different chemotypes of Cinnamomum camphora and evaluated their effects on the cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa. Eucalyptol and borneol chemotypes showed stronger algaecidal effects, with eucalyptol and borneol being the main components. The mechanism of action involved the increase of reactive oxygen species levels and caspase-3-like activity, leading to apoptosis-like programmed cell death. These findings suggest that eucalyptol and borneol chemotype extracts and their typical monoterpenoids have potential as algaecides for controlling cyanobacteria.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH (2024)

Article Environmental Sciences

Antifungal efficacy of biogenic waste derived colloidal/nanobiochar against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides species complex

Kulathi Nishshankage, P. K. C. Buddhinie, Abdelrahman O. Ezzat, Xiaokai Zhang, Meththika Vithanage

Summary: This study investigated the inhibitory effect of corn cob colloidal/nanobiochar and Gliricidia sepium wood colloidal/nanobiochar on anthracnose disease caused by Colletotrichum spp. The results showed that both materials exhibited antifungal potential and reduced mycelial densities and inhibited fungal growth.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH (2024)

Article Environmental Sciences

Multi-target assessment of advanced oxidation processes-based strategies for indirect potable reuse of tertiary wastewater: Fate of compounds of emerging concerns, microbial and ecotoxicological parameters

S. Murgolo, O. De Giglio, C. De Ceglie, F. Triggiano, F. Apollonio, C. Calia, C. Pousis, A. Marzella, F. Fasano, M. E. Giordano, M. G. Lionetto, D. Santoro, O. Santoro, S. Mancini, C. Di Iaconi, M. De Sanctis, M. T. Montagna, G. Mascolo

Summary: The ozone/H2O2 treatment is more effective than the UV/H2O2 treatment in removing compounds of emerging concern (CECs). The subsequent GAC adsorption step further improves the removal efficiency of the whole treatment process.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH (2024)

Review Environmental Sciences

Application and development of zero-valent iron (ZVI)-based materials for environmental remediation: A scientometric and visualization analysis

Qiuju Wu, Yijie Sun, Zijing Luo, Xinyan Li, Yi Wen, Yuning Shi, Xuejia Wu, Xinni Huang, Yiyan Zhu, Chao Huang

Summary: This study conducted a bibliometric analysis to comprehensively explore the research hotspots and trends of zero-valent iron (ZVI)-based materials in environmental remediation. The results showed that China is the major contributor in terms of publications, while the USA has the highest academic influence. The primary research topics include reductive dechlorination, sulfate radical, and arsenic removal. However, the environmental impact and toxicity of ZVI-based materials have not received sufficient attention.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH (2024)

Review Environmental Sciences

Insights into current bio-processes and future perspectives of carbon-neutral treatment of industrial organic wastewater: A critical review

Xinzheng Zhang, Yuqin Fan, Tianwei Hao, Rong Chen, Tao Zhang, Yong Hu, Dapeng Li, Yang Pan, Yu-You Li, Zhe Kong

Summary: This article summarizes the importance and advantages of anaerobic digestion (AD) processes in the treatment of industrial organic wastewater, and introduces some advanced AD processes. AD processes are optimized through enhancement strategies to improve wastewater treatment and energy recovery. The combination of anaerobic ammonia oxidation (Anammox) with AD processes is introduced as a feasible solution for carbon-neutral wastewater treatment. In addition, the integration of AD processes with other bio-processes is proposed for low-carbon treatment in the future.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH (2024)