Waste Cleanup Research Articles

Cross-Linked Polyolefins: Opportunities for Fostering Circularity Throughout the Materials Lifecycle.

Cross-linked polyolefins (XLPOs) constitute a significant portion of the plastics commercial market, with a market size of a similar order of magnitude to those of polystyrene and polyethylene terephthalate. However, few aspects of XLPO materials circularity have been examined relative to thermoplastic polyolefins. The cross-linking of polyolefins imparts superior performance properties, such as impact strength, chemical and electrical resistance, and thermal stability vs thermoplastic analogues, but it also makes the reprocessing of XLPOs to valuable products more challenging, as XLPOs cannot be molten. Thus, most XLPOs are incinerated or landfilled at the end of the first lifecycle, even though XLPO products are commonly collected as a relatively clean waste stream-providing a unique opportunity for valorization. In this review, we discuss approaches to improve XLPO circularity throughout the entire materials lifecycle by examining biobased feedstocks as alternative olefinic monomer sources and by assessing both traditional mechanical and advanced XLPO recycling methods based on industrial feasibility and potential product value. We also consider how advancing materials longevity can reduce environmental impacts and lifecycle costs and how recyclable-by-design strategies can enable better end-of-life opportunities for future generations of XLPO materials. Throughout this review, we highlight XLPO circularity routes that have the potential to balance the performance, circularity, and scalability necessary to impart economic and environmental viability at an industrial scale.

Improving Access to Hygiene, Sanitation, and Drinking Water in King County and Beyond: Success Factors and Costs

Context: Most major urban areas in the US, including Seattle and King County, have a long-standing lack of public restrooms, handwashing stations, and drinking water, presenting public health risks. Objective: To aid decision-makers in expanding access, we review available information regarding successful hygiene programs in urban settings to identify shared characteristics and costs. Design: We reviewed 10 journal articles, 49 news articles, and 54 pieces of gray literature including reports, white papers, and online resources describing real-world hygiene, sanitation, and drinking water programs in US and global urban settings. We selected programs in 8 cities and applied a thematic analysis to identify shared success factors. We also summarized costs where available. Settings: Calgary (Canada), Denver (Colorado), London (United Kingdom), Los Angeles (California), Portland (Oregon), San Francisco (California), Seattle (Washington), and Vancouver (Canada). Results: Successful programs usually provide frequent cleaning and maintenance, are designed and operated to discourage crime and misuse, leverage existing infrastructure, and include mobile solutions. Cities can expect an initial cost of at least $133 000 per toilet and annual operating costs of at least $100 000 per toilet. Conclusions: By employing proven solutions and bringing them to scale over time, cities can promote health while improving quality of life and facilitating movement through public spaces for all. Costs should be understood in the context of expenses such as sidewalk cleaning and human waste removal that are necessitated by a lack of restrooms.

Seasonal nitrogen removal in an outdoor microalgal polyculture at Nordic conditions.

Microalgal solutions to clean waste streams and produce biomass were evaluated in Nordic conditions during winter, spring, and autumn in Southeast Sweden. The study investigated nitrogen (N) removal, biomass quality, and safety by treating industrial leachate water with a polyculture of local microalgae and bacteria in open raceway ponds, supplied with industrial CO2 effluent. Total N (TN) removal was higher in spring (1.5 g-2d-1), due to beneficial light conditions compared to winter and autumn (0.1 and 0.09 g-2d-1). Light, TN, and N species influenced the microalgal community (dominated by Chlorophyta), while the bacterial community remained stable throughout seasons with a large proportion of cyanobacteria. Winter conditions promoted biomass protein (19.6-26.7%) whereas lipids and carbohydrates were highest during spring (11.4-18.4 and 15.4-19.8%). Biomass toxin and metal content were below safety levels for fodder, but due to the potential presence of toxic strains, biofuels or fertilizer could be suitable applications for the algal biomass. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Microalgal removal of nitrogen from leachate water was evaluated in Nordic conditions during winter, spring, and autumn. Total nitrogen removal was highest in spring (1.5 g-2d-1), due to beneficial light conditions for autotrophic growth. Use of local polyculture made the cultivation more stable on a seasonal (light) and short-term (N-species changes) scale. Toxic elements in produced algal biomass were below legal thresholds for upcycling.

Modeling and forecasting biogas production from anaerobic digestion process for sustainable resource energy recovery

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is one of the most extensively accepted processes for organic waste cleanup, and production of both bioenergy and organic fertilizer. Numerous mathematical models have been conceived for modeling the anaerobic process.In this study, a new modified dynamic mathematical model for the simulation of the biochemical and physicochemical processes involved in the AD process for biogas production was proposed. The model was validated, and a sensitivity analysis based on the OAT approach (one-at-a-time) was carried out as a screening technique to identify the most sensitive parameters. The model was developed by updating the bio-chemical framework and including more details concerning the physico-chemical process. The fraction XP was incorporated into the model as a particulate inert product arising from biomass decay (inoculum). New components were included to distinguish between the substrate and inoculum, and a surface-based kinetics was used to model the substrate disintegration. Additionally, the sulfate reduction process and hydrogen sulfide production have been included. The model was validated using data extracted from the literature. The model's ability to generate accurate predictions was testified using statistical metrics. The model exhibited excellent performance in forecasting the parameters related to the biogas process, with measurements falling within a reasonable error margin. The relative absolute error (rAE) and root mean square error (RMSE) were both less than 5 %, indicating a high ability of the current model in comparison with the literature. Additionally, the scatter index (SI) was below 10 %, and the Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NES) approached one, which affirms the model's accuracy and reliability. Finally, the model was applied to investigate the performances of the AD of food waste (FW). The findings of this study support the robustness of the developed model and its applicability as a virtual platform to evaluate the efficiency of the AD treatment and to forecast biogas production and its quality, CO2 emission, and energy potential across various organic solid waste types.

Environmental Sanitation Status Associated with Dermatitis in Fishermen's Families, Padang, Indonesia: Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Objective: This research aims to investigate the association between environmental sanitation status and dermatitis in fisherman's families in urban areas. Theoretical Framework: Fishing families often live in challenging environmental conditions with limited access to adequate sanitation facilities, which hinders the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This situation can increase the risk of various diseases, including dermatitis. Method: The current cross-sectional analytical study was conducted with the participation of 100 fisherman’s families in the urban areas of Padang City in Indonesia. The questionnaire was used in this research for demographic information, dermatitis experiences in last year, and environmental sanitation status. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis. Results and Discussion: This research found that 51% of fishing families in Padang City experienced dermatitis, while 49% did not experience this condition. Significant associations were observed between clean water source and dermatitis (p=0.05) as well as the garbage dump. However, there were no significant associations between toilet and dermatitis as well as waste water disposal facilities. Research Implications: The According to these researches, it can be concluded that clean water sanitation and waste management have an important role in preventing dermatitis, while other factors such as toilets and waste water disposal may be influenced by other variables not examined in this study

Thermal performance and Feasibility Study Using a Straw-Based Thermal Insulation in Geothermal systems

Straw is the part of the stem (or stubble) of certain grasses, known as "straw cereals", and is most often a by-product or waste product of cereal production. In northern Algeria, it is produced in all cereal growing regions. It is generally used for animal feed. In this study, straw waste is used as a bio-material for thermal insulation in bioclimatic constructions and especially in geothermal applications, and the thermal insulation needs in a geothermal system is discussed. Furthermore, thermal performance of wheat straw aggregates bio-based material is tested for several thicknesses until stable results are achieved, using conduction heat transfer tests or heating flat plate. This method is based on the temperature difference measuring across the sample (inlet and outlet) and finally, compared it with other commercial geothermal insulation materials. Obtained results give us an idea of the energy gains to be expected from the bio-based materials manufacture to be used in geothermal systems comparing to conventional materials. It is noted that, the optimum thickness of the insulation material based on straw is 2cm, giving a temperature gradient around 9°C versus 16°C for conventional materials. Straw organic waste material is a promising candidate as an alternative insulating material for low-carbon and green buildings targets. Which are in line with the objectives set by the Algerian government as part of the fight against climate change, in particular the development of renewable energies, the promotion of energy efficiency as well as clean technologies and waste recycling.

Insights on optimizing landfill site selection inspired by co-fermentation of weathered coal and landfill leachate

To develop new methods for transforming waste resources such as landfill leachate and weathered coal into clean energy, this research analyzed the co-fermentation effect and internal mechanism of methane production through gas chromatography, three-dimensional fluorescence, inducive coupling and metagenomics techniques. Our findings revealed that landfill leachate addition drives more than 70% increase in weathered coal biomethane production. Anaerobic fermentation collectively increased the tryptophan content in liquid-phase biodegradation, with the highest proportion reaching up to 72%. Paracoccus, Ralstonia, Aquamicrobium and other major microorganisms were in the range of 9–32%. Contamination of heavy metal diversity resistance genes has impacted microflora composition, with specialized heavy metal resistance genes such as NreB, CopD, NreB, and MerP altering the influence of heavy metals on anaerobic fermentation. The combined anaerobic fermentation of landfill leachate and weathered coal has expanded clean waste utilization and has broad application prospects.

Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA), A Decision Making Approach in Waste Water Treatment Plant: A Case Study

Environmental foot print of a waste water treatment plant is an important criterion to assess the performance of treatment unit. The novel waste water treatment technology was used to clean waste water up to a certain limit. Therefore, in whole process, beginning from electricity production to final disposal of water these treatment technologies can affect our environment. This environmental foot print can be determined by using CML 2000 guideline. In final performance of a waste water treatment plant environmental ill effects should also be incorporated instead of only using treatment efficiency, CML 2000 gives environmental performance. In this study four waste water treatment technologies namely Activated Sludge Process, up flow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket, Membrane Biofilm Bioreactor, Fluidized Aerobic Bed were taken. The environmental performance of all these novel technologies was assessed on the basis of eutrophication, global warming potential and removal efficiency, characterization factors are normalized by using CML 2000 guideline. The maximum and minimum results of Acidification was obtained as 0.2215 & 0.0569 in UASB and FAB respectively. The maximum and minimum results of Eutrophication was attained as 0.564 & 0.055 in MBBR and ASP respectively.

Internet of Things Enhanced Maritime Robot for Ocean Waste Cleanup

Plastic pollution is a major environmental concern, particularly in aquatic habitats. The accumulation of floating debris in water bodies caused by plastic pollution negatively impacts ecosystems, aquatic life, and water quality. The objective of this proposed study is to develop a remote-controlled boat equipped with sensors for measuring water quality and an efficient waste collection system. These sensors provide important information about the environmental conditions of the water body by measuring important factors like pH, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity. The data on water quality helps identify the regions that require immediate attention to prevent and manage pollution, as well as assess the overall health of the ecosystem. The primary goal of the research is to significantly reduce the plastic waste in marine areas, promote sustainable practices, and raise public awareness about the need to address marine pollution, ultimately enhancing a healthier marine ecosystem.

Metal oxide-combined sol-gel synthesized ceria nanoparticles: An operative photocatalyst for visible-light-driven mineralization of ciprofloxacin antibiotic in water

The superb spreading of antibiotic waste represents a vital issue related to water and soil contamination that distress the environment and humankind. Accordingly, various research projects for the eco-friendly degradation of such contaminants. Here, we envisioned the coupling of narrow bandgap (Eg) metal oxide with copolymeric-assisted sol-gel-prepared ceria nanoparticles (CeO2) for photoelimination of ciprofloxacin (CiP) as a model for antibiotic waste in water. The few tens nanometer-sized cubic CeO2 was receptive to the irradiated visible light by a combination of a few nanometer-sized AgVO3, Bi2O3, and CoTiO3 at 10.0 wt% by simple precipitation of their salt precursors. The designed nanostructures exposed mesoporous surfaces similar to the pristine CeO2 with a specific surface area range of 165–169 m2 g−1. The 1.25 mg mL−1 dose CoTiO3-composited CeO2 displayed the best-performed photomineralization of CiP (98 ± 1.2 %) within only 2 h of light illumination compared to added oxides with an outstanding reaction rate of 0.0297 min−1. In addition, the CoTiO3/CeO2 displayed a bearable recyclability of five times with 93 % of its mineralization efficiency. The boosted photoactivity of CoTiO3/CeO2 is referred to the momentous light captivation and a band alignment with Eg minimization to 2.48 eV. Also, the constructed heterojunction among n-type CoTiO3 and n-type CeO2 has improved the photoexcited charge separation and migration as resolved by high photocurrent and photoluminescence suppression. Such a comparative study proposes an efficient photocatalyst design for clean and sustainable antibiotic waste remediation.

Remote sensing reveals trends in vegetative recovery and land cover transformation post-reclamation at tar creek superfund site

The harmful effects of mining waste on human and ecosystem health make reclamation of former mine sites an environmental management priority. However, field-based monitoring of reclamation requires significant investments of time, labor, and money. Remote sensing offers a less expensive alternative to field-based monitoring, but work is still needed to determine which metrics can be reliably estimated using remote sensing techniques. This study uses remote sensing to examine over 20 years of reclamation efforts at Tar Creek Superfund Site and to assess revegetation after site restoration. Using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), we quantify key factors affecting vegetation recovery and stability after reclamation across 123 surface mining waste cleanup locations within Tar Creek. Leveraging long-term imagery from Landsat and high-resolution PlanetScope imagery, we combine time series analysis of vegetation regrowth and landcover change detection for a comprehensive picture of recovery at each site. Across all reclamation sites, the average recovery duration was 3.5 years, and average recovery rate was 0.1 NDVI year−1. After vegetative growth had plateaued, reclaimed sites had an average NDVI of 0.70. All reclamation areas were converted from majority barren landcover to vegetated landcover classes after reclamation, and vegetative stability at reclamation sites was high (70% of reclaimed area saw continuous vegetative cover from 2017 to 2023). These results demonstrate a strong potential for multi-method remote sensing techniques in tracking and explaining vegetation recovery after reclamation and represent a cost-effective approach for real-time monitoring of reclamation progress and outcomes.

Perceived Quality of Basic Sanitation: an Analysis From the Four Components

Objective: The study aims to identify users' perceptions regarding the quality of public basic sanitation services based on its four components. Theoretical Framework: Based on existing legislation and the quality of public services, this study focuses on the four components of basic sanitation services and their problems, aiming to investigate users' perceptions. Method: Survey research encompassing 1,114 residents in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The instrument covered the four components of sanitation (potable water supply, sanitary sewage, urban cleaning and solid waste management, and urban stormwater drainage and management). Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis were used as analysis techniques. Results and Discussion: The quality of basic sanitation services in all its components is considered satisfactory by users, but improvements are still needed. The frequency of observed problems negatively impacts the perception of service quality. Those who reuse water, separate waste, and whose residences have sewage collection and treatment and stormwater drainage systems attribute higher quality to the service. Research Implications: There is a need to implement a continuous quality evaluation model for sanitation services, as without evaluation, end-user feedback does not exist. Originality/Value: Identification of users' perceptions regarding the quality of basic sanitation services, as no research with this theme covering the entire state has been found so far.

ANALISIS SANITASI LINGKUNGAN DAN KEBERADAAN VEKTOR TIKUS DI PANTI ASUHAN AL-ISTIKLAL

Environmental sanitation is an effort to monitor and control environmental elements such as clean water and waste, personal hygiene in public places, clean and healthy food processing, and the absence of hazardous substances in the air. This research aims to identify and analyze environmental conditions and the presence of rat vectors at the Al-Istiklal Orphanage, Pekanbaru City. This research uses an observation approach and in-depth interviews to examine current conditions. Five informants were research subjects. The research results show that the sanitary conditions at the Al-Istiklal orphanage are still poor, as shown by SPAL: many piles of rubbish smell bad and do not have lids; rubbish at the orphanage is not sorted before being thrown away and burned; some rooms in the orphanage were not sorted before being burned; and Some rooms have an outdoor and adjoining kitchen, and the windows do not open. Several mice were found in the orphanage. Orphanages must pay more attention to environmental sanitation issues, such as SPAL, food processing, waste processing, and residential density, as well as the presence of rat vectors.

Enhancing the engineering performance of lightweight limestone calcined clay cement concrete using used engine oil as a foam stabilizer

Lightweight foam concrete is an appealing thermal insulation material with great potential for decarbonizing the building sector, given that its superior thermal insulation and reduced material usage promote energy-efficient and low-carbon constructions. However, traditional foam concrete largely depends on carbon-intensive ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and costly foam stabilizers, e.g., nanomaterials. To address these issues, this study developed an eco-friendly foam concrete formula incorporating limestone calcined clay cement as a low-carbon cement substitute and used engine oil (UEO) as a foam stabilizer. The viability of this formula was confirmed by assessing foam stability performance of UEO-enhanced foam and crucial engineering performance – thermal conductivity and compressive strength – of foam concrete. Experiments demonstrate that 1 % UEO notably boosts foam stability, with prolonged stable time by 75 % and enhanced remaining foam fraction by 43 %. Additionally, 1 % UEO-containing foam concrete exhibits superior compressive strength of 3.2 MPa and reduced thermal conductivity of 0.162 W⋅m-1K-1, outperforming foam concrete without UEO. The mechanisms of macroscopic performance changes were revealed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which disclosed a uniformly established UEO-enhanced pore system and UEO-driven hydration process as the microscale origins. These findings provide waste-enhanced foam stabilizers and present an environmentally appealing alternative to traditional foam concrete, with implications for clean waste management and building decarbonization.

Shear-induced depinning of thin droplets on rough substrates

Depinning of liquid droplets on substrates by flow of a surrounding immiscible fluid is central to applications such as cross-flow microemulsification, oil recovery and waste cleanup. Surface roughness, either natural or engineered, can cause droplet pinning, so it is of both fundamental and practical interest to determine the flow strength of the surrounding fluid required for droplet depinning on rough substrates. Here, we develop a lubrication-theory-based model for droplet depinning on a substrate with topographical defects by flow of a surrounding immiscible fluid. The droplet and surrounding fluid are in a rectangular channel, a pressure gradient is imposed to drive flow and the defects are modelled as Gaussian-shaped bumps. Using a precursor-film/disjoining-pressure approach to capture contact-line motion, a nonlinear evolution equation is derived describing the droplet thickness as a function of distance along the channel and time. Numerical solutions of the evolution equation are used to investigate how the critical pressure gradient for droplet depinning depends on the viscosity ratio, surface wettability and droplet volume. Simple analytical models are able to account for many of the features observed in the numerical simulations. The influence of defect height is also investigated, and it is found that, when the maximum defect slope is larger than the receding contact angle of the droplet, smaller residual droplets are left behind at the defect after the original droplet depins and slides away. The model presented here yields considerably more information than commonly used models based on simple force balances, and provides a framework that can readily be extended to study more complicated situations involving chemical heterogeneity and three-dimensional effects.

Recycling of contaminated waste glass in ultra-high performance concrete: Impurities impact

The feasibility of recycling clean waste glass in construction products has been demonstrated. However, the direct utilization of contaminated waste glass from consumed beverage glass bottles may negatively affect the performance of concrete. This study aimed to investigate the effect of impurities in waste glass on the properties of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC). Washed and unwashed waste glass powder and sand were used as cement and river sand substitutes, respectively. Light particles, clay and fine silt, organic impurities and aluminium content in waste glass were determined. The results showed that the use of washed waste glass powder (W-WGP), washed waste glass sand (W-WGS) and unwashed waste glass powder (U-WGP) had a limited negative effect on the compressive strength of UHPC. In contrast, the use of unwashed U-WGS significantly decreased the compressive strength of UHPC due to the presence of impurities (e.g., paper and metallic aluminium). However, the impurities in the unwashed waste glass could positively reduce the autogenous and drying shrinkages of UHPC. The metallic impurities reacted with an alkaline solution to generate gases, resulting in the expansion of the matrix and reduction of autogenous shrinkage at the early stage. X-ray CT and microstructural images indicated that expansion resulting from the U-WGS caused cracks in the matrix and degraded the interfacial zone between the U-WGS and the paste. However, the incorporation of waste glass did not induce any alkali-silica reaction expansion in UHPC due to its low water-cement ratio and dense structure. The UHPC prepared with 30 % U-WGP as a replacement for cement was found to achieve satisfactory performance and lower carbon emissions.

C.I. Acid Black 1 transfer from dilute solution to perlite framework in organic waste management

Dyes, considered as toxic and persistent pollutants, must be removed from organic wastes prior to their composting and application in sustainable agriculture. Azo dyes, capable of altering the physicochemical properties of soil, are difficult to expel by conventional wastewater treatments. C.I. Acid Black 1 (AB 1), a sulfonated azo dye, inhibits nitrification and ammonification in the soil, lessens the nitrogen use efficacy in crop production and passes substantially unaltered through an activated sludge process. The retention of C.I. Acid Black 1 by raw and expanded perlite was investigated in order to examine the potential effectiveness of this aluminosilicate material toward organic waste cleanup. Dye adsorption proved spontaneous and endothermic in nature, increasing with temperature for both perlites. Expanded perlite having a more open structure exhibited a better performance compared to the raw material. Several of the most widely recognized two-parameter theoretical models, i.e., Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), Harkins–Jura, Halsey, Henderson, and Smith, were applied to reveal physicochemical features characterizing the adsorption. The Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, BET, Henderson, and Smith equations best fitted experimental data indicating that the adsorption of anionic dye on perlites is controlled by their surface, i.e., non-uniformity in structure and charge. This heterogeneity of surface is considered responsible for promoting specific dye adsorption areas creating dye “islands” with local dye supersaturations.

Basic Sanitation in Residential Areas of Wakal Village, Leihitu Subdistrict, Central Maluku Regency

Basic sanitation is an effort to provide minimum facilities in accordance with health standards, such as TPS, SPAL, healthy latrines, and clean water, in order to prevent humans from coming into direct contact with dirt and aiming to promote healthy living. Both community and family based, basic sanitation facilities are very important in supports health. Sanitation is a process carried out in monitoring environmental factors whose role can be detrimental to health. Sanitation is a process carried out in monitoring environmental factors with a role that can disrupt health. This is a descriptive survey that is sent to households which is used to provide information not only about the family but also information about the environment and the house. The research will be carried out in Negeri Wakal, Leihitu District. The results of this research were conducted to determine community behavior patterns in managing basic residential sanitation which was studied in terms of clean water facilities, latrines, waste facilities and waste water disposal channels (SPAL). In the residential area of Wakal Village, Leihitu sub-district. The number studied was 30 heads of families who were taken randomly

Challenges in municipal solid waste management-A comparative case study between selected metropolitan areas Brazil and Portugal

This research was aimed at analysing the management of urban solid waste in Brazil and Portugal, with an emphasis on the metropolitan areas of Lisbon and Porto and the Recife/PE/Brazil Metropolitan Area. An exploratory research project was conducted with a survey of secondary data, technical visits to institutions and companies in the waste sector, and a comparative analysis of the situation in the areas studied. In Portugal, the management of municipal solid waste in the period before 1995 was predominantly municipal, which evolved into a consortium of municipalities with the entry of Portugal into the European Union in 1986. The country adapted its legislation to the EU Directives, and from 1997, the waste sector suffered a boost with the adoption of the first Strategic Plan for Urban Solid Waste, which was constituted by 40 public waste management companies that associated several municipalities, and some of them also had the state's share in their share capital. However, due to the lack of economic scale of some of these companies, there were mergers, and at the end of 2010, the total number of companies was 23, grouped into entities of a multi-municipal character (when the state enters into the composition of the share capital of the society) and inter-municipal (only constituted by municipalities), currently responsible for the management of waste in Portugal. In Brazil, the National Solid Waste Policy was approved by law in 2010, establishing lines and guidelines for integrated waste management with defined time targets. However, it is not yet fully implemented because about 45% of municipalities still dispose of waste at dumping sites. With regard to the municipalities of the Recife Metropolitan Area, the disposal of waste has already been environmentally appropriate since 2019. According to 2022 data from Brazilian Association of Public Cleaning and Special Waste Companies, the average rate of selective collection in the country is approximately 4%. The research results reveal that Brazil needs to increase selective collection, eliminate approximately 3,600 existing landfills and finally regulate urban solid waste services. While in Portugal, management is well organized as a result of the implementation of PERSU in 1995, there are still challenges to be overcome in order to meet the goals set in the New Legislative Framework, which have not yet been achieved. The specificities and the context are obviously different between the countries, drawing attention to the difference in effectiveness in the implementation of public policies edited by the legal diplomas of the two countries for solid waste management.

Direct Observation of Enhanced Iodine Binding within a Series of Functionalized Metal-Organic Frameworks with Exceptional Irradiation Stability.

Optimization of active sites and stability under irradiation are important targets for sorbent materials that might be used for iodine (I2) storage. Herein, we report the direct observation of I2 binding in a series of Cu(II)-based isostructural metal-organic frameworks, MFM-170, MFM-172, MFM-174, NJU-Bai20, and NJU-Bai21, incorporating various functional groups (-H, -CH3, - NH2, -C≡C-, and -CONH-, respectively). MFM-170 shows a reversible uptake of 3.37 g g-1 and a high packing density of 4.41 g cm-3 for physiosorbed I2. The incorporation of -NH2 and -C≡C- moieties in MFM-174 and NJU-Bai20, respectively, enhances the binding of I2, affording uptakes of up to 3.91 g g-1. In addition, an exceptional I2 packing density of 4.83 g cm-3 is achieved in MFM-174, comparable to that of solid iodine (4.93 g cm-3). In situ crystallographic studies show the formation of a range of supramolecular and chemical interactions [I···N, I···H2N] and [I···C≡C, I-C═C-I] between -NH2, -C≡C- sites, respectively, and adsorbed I2 molecules. These observations have been confirmed via a combination of solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray photoelectron, and Raman spectroscopies. Importantly, γ-irradiation confirmed the ultraresistance of MFM-170, MFM-174, and NJU-Bai20 suggesting their potential as efficient sorbents for cleanup of radioactive waste.