Organic Content Research Articles

An investigation on the effect of soil erosion on the properties of soil adjacent to a road right of way (ROW)

ABSTRACT Recently, soil erosion has been a significant and common issue along road right of way (ROW). This study was designed to identify the effect of soil erosion on the physical and chemical properties of soil across a ROW. Land use land cover (LULC) map, soil map, and field observation were adopted to ensure proper sampling. Moisture content, grain size analysis, soil texture, consistency test, organic content and matter, pH, and cation exchange capacity (CEC) were conducted on 10 representative soil samples collected from 14 km ROW. The laboratory results from moisture content, pH, and CEC revealed samples taken from the erosion fields (20.79% to 26.41%), (8.48 to 8.66), and (18.02 to 24.03) appeared to be higher than those taken from non-eroded fields (16.79% to 18.51%), (8.18 to 8.3), and (14.5 to 16.15), respectively. The organic content of the soil in the non-eroded areas was higher than that in the eroded areas. This variation in soil properties is primarily attributed to differences in LULC and soil composition. With regard to consistency properties, the soil was marked as highly erodible. Treatment of drainage structures, demarcating ROW, ROW stabilization, and awareness creation were proposed as feasible remedial measures. Finally, the soil along Sawla to Bulki ROW was identified as erodible soil as per experimental results and analysis.

Study on the impact of water absorption processes on the application of wood waste in composite material production

The issue of recycling and reusing waste from the wood processing industry has garnered significant attention from researchers, as effective solutions could yield economic benefits while mitigating environmental impacts. This article focuses on the development of artificial wood using unsaturated polyester resin combined with waste materials from carpentry workshops, specifically investigating its water absorption properties. Research findings indicate that the water absorption coefficient of the samples increased with longer immersion times, higher organic filler content, and larger particle diameters. The calculated density reveals a broad spectrum of solid industrial boards that can be produced from these compositions, suggesting that consistent forming conditions enhance economic viability. Notably, optimal results were achieved with samples made from mixed wood powder without prior sorting, which contributes to reduced production costs, aligning with the study's objectives. Furthermore, the investigation highlighted that the water absorption coefficient escalates with increased soaking time, organic filler content, and particle size, indicating that in humid environments, it is advisable to limit both filler content and particle size to maintain performance. Overall, the studies confirm the feasibility of utilizing wood powder as a filler, with varying particle diameters imparting distinct characteristics to the final product. These findings underscore the potential for innovative approaches to wood waste management in the industry.

Assessment of Different Organic Manures on Yield of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. Italica Plenck.) cv. KTS-1 under Bundelkhand Climatic Condition

Aims: The organic content in manure helps soil retain moisture, increases gas exchange, and introduces beneficial bacteria, loosens clayey soil, promoting root growth. Soil with a higher organic content is more resistant to erosion and produces superior crops. Using organic manure decreases farming's environmental impact. Unlike synthetic fertilizers, it recycles waste materials, nourishes the soil, and nurtures crops. Methods: This experiment was carried out during Rabi 2023-24 at the Organic Research farm Kargunwan ji, Department of Horticulture, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Bundelkhand University Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh). Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italicaPlenck.) cv. KTS-1 was sown under randomized block design (RBD) with 11 treatment viz., Control, Vermicompost 100%, Cow litter 100%, Pressmud 100%, Vermicompost 75%, Cow litter 75%, Pressmud 75%, Vermicompost 50%+Cow litter 50%, Cow litter 50%+Press mud 50%, Pressmud 50%+Vermi 50%, Pressmud 33%+Cow litter 33%+Vermi 33% with 3 replication accommodating spacing (60 × 45) cm2,plot size (2.4 × 1.8) m = 4.32 m2 with total gross experimental area of (23.5 x 9.6) m = 225.06 m2. Results: Results shows thatat harvest, treatment T10 took to the minimum curd initiation at 53.10 days, compared to the control plot at 68.07 days. Similarly, days to 50% curd initiation and maturity were also shorter in T10, at 67.03 days and 80.13 days, respectively, while the control plot took (78.03 and 96.13) days. Ttreatment T10 produced the largest curd diameter (14.78 cm) and weight (321.03 g), significantly surpassing the control plot (6.37) cm diameter and (138.43) g weight. Overall, T10 yielded (321.03) q/ha, markedly higher than the control plot (138.43) q/ha, demonstrating significant improvements in broccoli yield and quality. Conclusion: The results clearly revealed that the application of organic treatments, particularly T10 (Pressmud 33% + Cow litter 3% + Vermi 33%), significantly enhanced the yield and quality of broccoli. This treatment resulted in faster curd initiation and maturity, larger curd diameter, and increased curd weight compared to the control plot. The findings indicate that the strategic use of organic manure can optimize broccoli production, suggesting a viable approach for improving crop outcomes in sustainable agriculture.

Concentrations of potentially toxic metals and trace elements in pregnant women and association with birth outcomes: A cross-sectional study in Malawi.

Potentially toxic metals and trace elements have been used in Malawi for a long time. However, data on exposure to these elements by susceptible groups like pregnant women and its associations with reproductive health outcomes in Malawi and southern hemisphere is limited. We investigated the concentrations of potentially toxic metals as well as trace elements in pregnant women and assessed the relationship between the levels these elements in maternal blood and sociodemographic factors, dietary habits and birth outcomes. Maternal data was collected from 605 pregnant women. Provider administered questionnaire was used to collect data on maternal sociodemographic factors, life style and immediate birth outcomes. Maternal venous blood samples were collected from 506 pregnant women in southern Malawi between August 2020 and July 2021. An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) technique was used to analyse maternal blood samples for concentrations of arsenic (As), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn). Maternal age emerged as the primary predictor for Cu (p = 0.023), As (p = 0.034) and Hg (p = 0.013) blood concentrations, followed by area of residence, which had significant impact on Ni (p = 0.024) and As (p < 0.001) concentrations. High maternal blood concentrations of Ni were associated with increased birth weight (p = 0.047), birth length (p = 0.026), head circumference (p = 0.029) and gestational age (p = 0.035). Negative associations were observed between maternal whole blood total arsenic (combining organic and inorganic As) concentration and neonatal birth length (p = 0.048) and head circumferences (p < 0.001). Similarly, higher maternal blood Pb concentrations were associated with smaller head circumference (p = 0.002) and birth weight (p = 0.016). This study demonstrates the need to introduce biomonitoring studies in Malawi and countries with similar settings in the global south.

Isolation and assessment of highly sucrose-tolerant yeast strains for honey processing factory's effluent treatment.

Wastewater from many food and beverage manufacturers is enriched in organic content, and it must therefore be treated before being discharged to comply with the strict environmental regulations to protect the final water quality. Concretely, the honey processing wastewater, that remains in holding tanks until is disposal, is a rich source of sugars and this high level of organic material will degrade the water quality if not treated properly provoking an imbalance in the ecosystem. There are different strategies for an adequate treatment of this wastewater effluent to obtain a sustainable usage. One of the techniques that is more cost-effective and environmental friendlier than chemical procedures used for water remediation, is the use of microorganisms (including algae, fungi, yeasts, or bacteria). Given that they are fast-growing, robust, and metabolically diverse, yeast strains are often used for wastewater treatment. In this work, we have studied the potential for bioremediation of non Saccharomyces yeast isolated from a honey processing wastewater generated by an Argentine exporting company. The inoculation of these yeast strains to the existing flora in the honey wastewater yielded a better improvement in the treatment yield. These results suggest that these strains display a promising role could for optimizing bioremediation strategies in industrial wastewater treatment processes.

Hydrogen and Carbon Dioxide Kinetic Adsorption and Diffusion Behavior into Organic-Rich Shale: Implications of Mineralogy and Organic Content

Hydrogen and Carbon Dioxide Kinetic Adsorption and Diffusion Behavior into Organic-Rich Shale: Implications of Mineralogy and Organic Content

Disinfection effect of ozonated water on SARS-CoV-2 in the presence of salivary proteins.

Ozonated water is expected to be an effective disinfectant for SARS-CoV-2 present on environmental fomites; however, ozone is consumed by organic substances, resulting in attenuation of its effect. SARS-CoV-2 present in saliva can contaminate environmental surfaces; therefore, it is essential to understand the effect of organic substances in saliva on the disinfectant properties of ozonated water. To assess organic factors in saliva and the extent to which they diminish the effect of ozonated water on SARS-CoV-2. Ozonated water was exposed to salivary organic factors and residual ozone concentrations were measured. SARS-CoV-2 was exposed to a salivary factor and virus inactivation by ozonated water was measured. Amylase and mucin consumed ozone in a concentration-dependent manner. Urea did not. Ozonated water appeared to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 within 30 sec. The amount of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 decreased as the protein concentration increased. Virus inactivation was stronger by 1.5 mg/L ozonated water than by 0.5 mg/L ozonated water. This study suggests that the salivary amylase and mucin decay ozone in a concentration-dependent manner, thereby attenuating the disinfection properties of ozonated water for SARS-CoV-2. An increase of the initial amount of ozone can ameliorate the disinfection effect of ozonated water on SARS-CoV-2. Ozone consumption should be taken into consideration for virus infection control. These results provide fundamental information about the effect of ozonated water when used to decontaminate surfaces harbouring SARS-CoV-2 in saliva.

Multi-Omics Analysis Uncovers the Mechanism for Enhanced Organic Acid Accumulation in Peach (Prunus persica L.) Fruit from High-Altitude Areas

The early-ripening peach industry has undergone rapid development in the Panxi region of the Sichuan Basin in recent years. However, after the introduction of some new peach varieties to the high-altitude peach-producing areas in Panxi, the titratable acid content in peach fruit has significantly increased. This study compared the fruit quality indicators of early-ripening peach varieties cultivated in Xide County (a high-altitude peach-producing area) and Longquanyi District (a low-altitude peach-producing area) in Sichuan Province and analyzed the differences in organic acid metabolism by combining primary metabolomic and transcriptomic approaches. The results showed that the ‘Zhongtaohongyu’ fruit from the high-altitude peach-producing area had a much higher accumulation of malic acid and, accordingly, a significantly higher organic acid content than the other samples. The lower annual average temperature and stronger ultraviolet radiation in high-altitude peach-producing areas may lead to the increased expression of genes (PpNAD-ME1, PpNADP-ME3, and PpPEPC1) in the organic acid synthesis pathway and the decreased expression of genes (PpACO2, PpNAD-MDH2/3/4/5, and PpPEPCK2) in the organic acid degradation pathway in peach fruit, ultimately resulting in the accumulation of more organic acids. Among them, the downregulation of the key genes PpNAD-MDH3/4/5 involved in malic acid metabolism may be the main reason for the higher malic acid accumulation in peach fruit from high-altitude peach-producing areas. Overall, this study elucidates the mechanism by which environmental factors enhance the accumulation of organic acids in peach fruit from high-altitude peach-producing areas from a multi-omics perspective, as well as providing a theoretical basis for screening key genes involved in organic acid metabolism in peach fruit.

Waste Bauxite Residue Valorization as Trace Metal Sorbent: Application to Acid Mine Drainage Remediation

With an output of more than two million tons of alumina per year, Venezuela is an important producer. As observed, this mining extraction activity generates a large number of by-products poorly valorized for many reasons (economic, technical, and due to environmental standards and regulations) Venezuela production generates wastes (more than 15 million of m3) called red muds, which are dumped in old lagoons near the Orinoco river or stored. This sludge has a high alkalinity (pH between 10 and 13) and a chemical composition containing some heavy metals (40 ppm Cr, 107 ppm La, 178 ppm Ce) that means it is considered environmentally problematic waste. However, their mineralogical, textural and structural characteristics make them adsorption materials. So, the aim of the study presented here was to investigate the sorption properties of these residues in the case of treatment of water from acid mine drainage. In fact, with an important reactive surface, their capacities to trap by adsorption trace elements such as cadmium, lead or zinc has been studied. Batch sorption tests revealed significant retention of contaminants such as Pb, Zn and As. These retention processes were interpreted using the Langmuir isotherm model. The promising first results indicate that the red mud named Venezuelan bauxite residue (VBR) reveals its great potential as a sorbent of inorganic pollutants. The sorption process is chemically dependent and efficient for certain pH and IS ranges. In addition, the material showed a strong affinity for the adsorption of arsenate (As5+). This was observed during post adsorption chemical speciation experiments, through the very high affinity of this element for the least mobile fractions, including oxyhydroxides mobile fractions, including Fe oxyhydroxides (amorphous). Nevertheless, these mining by-products could be considered as valuable absorbent materials. Despite this promising results, further studies are required to evaluate their potential in different conditions (dynamic tests, pH, IS, inorganic and organic contaminants, concentration and time effect).

Control of hydrogen concentrations by microbial sulfate reduction in two contrasting anoxic coastal sediments

IntroductionMolecular hydrogen is produced by the fermentation of organic matter and consumed by organisms including hydrogenotrophic methanogens and sulfate reducers in anoxic marine sediment. The thermodynamic feasibility of these metabolisms depends strongly on organic matter reactivity and hydrogen concentrations; low organic matter reactivity and high hydrogen concentrations can inhibit fermentation so when organic matter is poor, fermenters might form syntrophies with methanogens and/or sulfate reducers who alleviate thermodynamic stress by keeping hydrogen concentrations low and tightly controlled. However, it is unclear how these metabolisms effect porewater hydrogen concentrations in natural marine sediments of different organic matter reactivities.MethodsWe measured aqueous concentrations of hydrogen, sulfate, methane, dissolved inorganic carbon, and sulfide with high-depth-resolution and 16S rRNA gene assays in sediment cores with low carbon reactivity in White Oak River (WOR) estuary, North Carolina, and those with high carbon reactivity in Cape Lookout Bight (CLB), North Carolina. We calculated the Gibbs energies of sulfate reduction and hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis.ResultsHydrogen concentrations were significantly higher in the sulfate reduction zone at CLB than WOR (mean: 0.716 vs. 0.437 nM H2) with highly contrasting hydrogen profiles. At WOR, hydrogen was extremely low and invariant (range: 0.41–0.52 nM H2) in the upper 15 cm. Deeper than 15 cm, hydrogen became more variable (range: 0.312–2.56 nM H2) and increased until methane production began at ~30 cm. At CLB, hydrogen was highly variable in the upper 15 cm (range: 0.08–2.18 nM H2). Ratios of inorganic carbon production to sulfate consumption show AOM drives sulfate reduction in WOR while degradation of organics drive sulfate reduction in CLB.DiscussionWe conclude more reactive organic matter increases hydrogen concentrations and their variability in anoxic marine sediments. In our AOM-dominated site, WOR, sulfate reducers have tight control on hydrogen via consortia with fermenters which leads to the lower observed variance due to interspecies hydrogen transfer. After sulfate depletion, hydrogen accumulates and becomes variable, supporting methanogenesis. This suggests that CLB’s more reactive organic matter allows fermentation to occur without tight metabolic coupling of fermenters to sulfate reducers, resulting in high and variable porewater hydrogen concentrations that prevent AOM from occurring through reverse hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis.

Linking Biodiversity and Functional Patterns of Estuarine Free-Living Nematodes with Sedimentary Organic Matter Lability in an Atlantic Coastal Lagoon (Uruguay, South America)

We examined the taxonomical and functional traits of free-living nematodes, focusing on their density by genus, maturity index (MI), and trophic diversity index (ITD) to determine whether these indices are sensitive to changes in the organic content of the sediment. Samples were collected in autumn and spring from 12 subtidal sampling stations in Rocha Lagoon, distributed between the outer (near the mouth) and the inner sector. We identified 26 genera, with higher abundance in the inner sector, likely due to increased organic matter and biopolymers. In spring, both sectors had sediments rich in fresh organic matter, dominated by deposit-feeding nematodes and showing low trophic diversity (high ITD values). In autumn, the inner sector maintained similar characteristics to spring sampling, while the outer one was dominated by older organic matter, predatory nematodes and higher trophic diversity. The MI showed low variation between sectors, suggesting a disturbed environment. Our findings support the use of ITD to assess other aspects of communities such as the response of trophic groups to the freshness of organic matter, while the MI seems less effective for assessing the ecological status of Rocha Lagoon. Understanding nematode biodiversity and functional traits is crucial for effective ecological quality assessments.

Internal physiological drivers of leaf development in trees: Understanding the relationship between non‐structural carbohydrates and leaf phenology

Abstract Plant phenology is crucial for understanding plant growth and climate feedback. It affects canopy structure, surface albedo, and carbon and water fluxes. While the influence of environmental factors on phenology is well‐documented, the role of plant intrinsic factors, particularly internal physiological processes and their interaction with external conditions, has received less attention. Non‐structural carbohydrates (NSC), which include sugars and starch essential for growth, metabolism and osmotic regulation, serve as indicators of carbon availability in plants. NSC levels reflect the carbon balance between photosynthesis (source activity) and the demands of growth and respiration (sink activity), making them key physiological traits that potentially influence phenology during critical periods such as spring leaf‐out and autumn leaf senescence. However, the connections between NSC concentrations in various organs and phenological events are poorly understood. This review synthesizes current research on the relationship between leaf phenology and NSC dynamics. We qualitatively delineate seasonal NSC variations in deciduous and evergreen trees and propose testable hypotheses about how NSC may interact with phenological stages such as bud break and leaf senescence. We also discuss how seasonal variations in NSC levels, align with existing conceptual models of carbon allocation. Accurate characterization and simulation of NSC dynamics are crucial and should be incorporated into carbon allocation models. By comparing and reviewing the development of carbon allocation models, we highlight the shortcomings in current methodologies and recommend directions to address these gaps in future research. Understanding the relationship between NSC, source–sink relationships, and leaf phenology poses challenges due to the difficulty of characterizing NSC dynamics with high temporal resolution. We advocate for a multi‐scale approach that combines various methods, which include deepening our mechanistic understanding through manipulative experiments, integrating carbon sink and source data from multiple observational networks with carbon allocation models to better characterize the NSC dynamics, and quantifying the spatial pattern and temporal trends of the NSC‐phenology relationship using remote sensing and modelling. This will enhance our comprehension of how NSC dynamics impact leaf phenology across different scales and environments. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Balanced Fertilization Enhances the Nutritional Value and Flavor Profile of Tomato Fruits

The tomato is a key fruit in China. However, the drive to produce higher-quality tomatoes has resulted in fertilizer overuse, soil degradation, and environmental pollution in recent years. Therefore, investigating the effects of balanced fertilization on the nutritional and flavor qualities of tomato plants is crucial. This study applied four fertilizer treatments to assess their effects on sugar and acid contents, sugar-metabolism-related enzyme activity, nitrate levels, ascorbic acid, pigments, polyphenols, and volatiles, and we performed a correlation analysis. The results showed that balanced fertilization increased glucose and fructose contents by 45% and 31% compared to CK (conventional fertilizer), while tartaric, citric, acetic, malic, and shikimic acid contents were reduced by 59%, 27%, 22%, 26%, and 4%, respectively. Additionally, balanced fertilization increased the activities of sucrose synthase (SS), sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), acid invertase (AI), and neutral invertase (NI) by 58%, 26%, 19%, and 35%, respectively, compared to CK (conventional fertilizer) and upregulated the expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), neutral invertase (NI), sucrose-phosphate synthase (SPS), and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBP) genes. Moreover, balanced fertilization significantly enhanced the polyphenol content, as well as the diversity and concentration of volatiles. Correlation analysis confirmed that sugar-metabolism-related enzymes and genes were positively correlated with sugar fractions and negatively correlated with the organic acid content. Principal components analysis demonstrated that the balanced fertilization treatment was distinct from the other treatments, and all polyphenols, except for caffeic acid, were positively associated with balanced fertilization.

Carbon preference by Cupriavidus necator for growth and accumulation phases: Heterotrophic vs. autotrophic metabolisms

Cupriavidus necator is a mixotrophic microbe capable of metabolizing both organic carbon (heterotrophic) and CO2 (autotrophic) for cell growth and biodegradable plastic synthesis. This study investigates C. necator's behavior under mixotrophic conditions for cell growth and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) accumulation. Various concentrations of organic substrates (acetate and butyrate from 10 to 1000 mg/L) and gaseous substrates (H2, O2, CO2) were examined to monitor C. necator's substrate preferences. The results indicated a clear preference for organic carbon over CO2 during cell growth. At relatively low organic concentrations (10–100 mg/L), gas utilization began after complete consumption of organic substrates. On the other hand, higher concentrations (500–1000 mg/L) led to a shift from the heterotrophic to mixotrophic metabolism around the 10-h mark due to the abundance of substrates. During PHA accumulation, C. necator initially favored the gaseous substrates (H2 and CO2) before shifting to the organic substrates, with mixotrophic behavior observed immediately at low organic concentrations. Additionally, high CO2 partial pressure (>0.4 atm) inhibited microbial growth in both autotrophic and heterotrophic metabolisms. These findings highlight C. necator's adaptability under mixotrophic conditions and demonstrate the potential for mass-scale applications, such as microbial electrolysis cells to optimize biopolymer production and substrate utilization.

Dynamic impact of different human activities on the distribution of organic ultraviolet absorbers in coastal aquatic environments: A case study in Beibu Gulf, South China Sea

The increasing environmental concern surrounding organic ultraviolet absorbers (OUVAs) has prompted heightened attention, particularly their presence in personal care products (organic ultraviolet filters, OUVFs) and industrial products (organic ultraviolet stabilizers, OUVSs). This study investigates the impact of human activities and environmental factors on the occurrence, spatiotemporal distribution, and ecological risk of eight commonly utilized OUVFs and OUVSs in the coastal region of Beibu Gulf, South China Sea. The study area is characterized by multiple functional zones with distinct human activities. Results reveal elevated concentrations of OUVAs during summer compared to winter, attributed to increased residential usage, tourist activities, industrial releases, and intensified ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Interestingly, the proportion of OUVFs increases during summer, while OUVSs decrease. Correlation analysis between OUVAs and sampling sites reveals that tourism and domestic wastewater are the main contributors to OUVF contamination in summer, whereas mariculture and port trade significantly impact OUVS contamination in winter. The ecological risk assessment indicates predominantly low or medium risk levels for most OUVAs in both local seawater and freshwater ecosystems. Nevertheless, OUVFs, with a particular focus on 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC), and OUVSs, specifically 2-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl) benzotriazole (UV-P), exhibit a heightened risk compared to alternative substances. These findings provide crucial insights into the development of targeted mitigation strategies for OUVAs, taking into account the varying contamination levels of OUVFs and OUVSs resulting from diverse human activities, aiming to protect the health of aquatic ecosystems in diverse functional zones.

Particulate emissions from cooking: emission factors, emission dynamics, and mass spectrometric analysis for different cooking methods

Abstract. Since most people, especially in developed countries, spend most of their time indoors, they are heavily exposed to indoor aerosols, which can potentially lead to adverse health effects. A major source of indoor aerosols are cooking activities, which release large quantities of particulate emissions (in terms of both number and mass), often with complex compositions. To investigate the characteristics of cooking emissions and what influences these emissions, we conducted a comprehensive study by cooking 19 dishes with different ingredients and cooking methods. The emissions were monitored in real time with several online instruments that measured both physical and chemical particle properties as well as trace gas concentrations. The same instrumentation was used to study the influence of cooking emissions on the ambient aerosol load at two German Christmas markets. In contrast to previous studies, which often focus on individual aspects or emission variables, this broad and coherent approach allows a comparison of the influence of different parameters (e.g., ingredients, cooking method, cooking temperature, cooking activities) on the emissions. We found an influence of cooking emissions on six variables: number concentration of smaller (particle diameter dp &gt; 5 nm) and larger (dp &gt; 250 nm) particles, particulate matter (PM: PM1, PM2.5, PM10), black carbon (BC), PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), and organic aerosol mass concentration. In general, similar emission characteristics were observed for dishes with the same cooking method, mainly due to similar cooking temperature and use of oil. The temporal dynamics in the emissions of the aforementioned variables, as well as the sizes of the emitted particles, were mainly influenced by the cooking temperature and the activities during cooking. Emissions were quantified using emission factors, with the highest values for grilled dishes, 1 to 2 orders of magnitude lower for oil-based cooking (baking, stir-frying, deep-frying), and the lowest for boiled dishes. For the identification of cooking emissions with the Aerodyne aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS), and more generally for the identification of new AMS markers for individual organic aerosol types, we propose a new plot type that takes into account the mass spectral variability for individual aerosol types. Combining our results and those of previous studies for the quantification of cooking-related organic aerosols with the AMS, we recommend the use of relative ionization efficiency values higher than the default value for organics (RIEOrg = 1.4): 2.17 ± 0.48 for rapeseed-oil-based cooking and 5.16 ± 0.77 for soybean-oil-based cooking.

Study on the hydrolysis characteristics of polymeric aluminum chloride forced by fine bubbles and its key factors affecting the efficiency and capacity of forcing hydrolysis

Enhanced coagulation is an important way to remove natural organic matter and reduce disinfection by-products in traditional water treatment processes, in which the micromolecular organic matter that is difficult to be removed during conventional coagulation can be enhanced more conveniently by modulating the dominant Al species in the traditional metal salt coagulants (e.g., polymeric aluminum chloride, PACl). Based on the forcing hydrolysis characteristics of fine bubbles due to the adsorption of hydroxide ions on their surfaces, this study verified the adaptability of the forced PACl hydrolysis by fine bubbles under different operating conditions objectively and comprehensively. The morphological changes of PACl before and after forced hydrolysis by fine bubbles were characterized figuratively, and the evolution of the dominant Al species before and after forced hydrolysis by fine bubbles was reasonably elaborated. The experimental results showed that fine bubbles had the effect of forcing the hydrolysis of PACl with different degrees of alkalinity and modulating the dominant Al species. It was innovatively found that the mass transfer efficiency of the fine bubbles determined their efficiency in forcing PACl hydrolysis (Pearson's r = -0.9423) and the concentration of fine bubbles affected their capacity to force PACl hydrolysis (Pearson's r = 0.8189). At pH = 7 and an air flow rate of 20 mL/min, the DOC concentration of micromolecular organics and the DOC removal efficiency of total organics could be reduced by 0.54 mg/L and enhanced by 12.6 %, respectively, after forced PACl hydrolysis by fine bubbles. While deepening the mechanism of forced PACl hydrolysis by fine bubbles, the above results preliminarily verified the relevance and feasibility of modulating the dominant Al species through forced PACl hydrolysis by fine bubbles to improve the coagulation efficiency, which provided theoretical and data support for the construction of a fine bubble-enhanced coagulation process for drinking water treatment plants.

Use of lignocellulose-degrading enzyme bio-cemented soils in the construction industry

In their activity, termites break down biomass into glucose, forming cementitious compounds. This results in rainfall-resistant mounds for their shelters, which interests the construction industry. This study explored the potential application of the abundant naturally bio-cemented termite mound soils in highway construction. Experimental investigations compared these mound soils to surrounding soils, revealing that mound soils are 68.2% finer in particle size distribution and have 81.4% lower organic content. Atterberg limits indicated 14.6% higher plasticity and a 5.3% increase in specific gravity for mound soils. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) showed no significant difference in chemical composition. Proctor tests indicated that the compaction characteristics of the soils were comparable, confirming their engineering viability without modifications. Mound soils exhibited a twofold increase in Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) and a 33.9% increment in California Bearing Ratio (CBR) strength. One-way ANOVA tests confirmed these differences with p-value ranges of 0.0056-0.0361 below the 0.05 significance threshold. The study advocates utilising eco-friendly naturally bio-cemented mound soils in highway construction, meeting minimum standards. Mound soils from one acre can construct up to 2,500m highway, optimising resource use, promoting sustainability by repurposing natural materials, and significantly reducing carbon emissions. Further research on soil improvement using lignocellulose-degrading enzymes is recommended.

Delineation of the reservoir petrophysical parameters from well logs validated by the core samples case study Sitra field, Western Desert, Egypt.

In the northern section of the Western Desert, there are many extremely profitable petroleum and natural gas deposits in the Abu EL-Gharadig Basin. This study aims to highlight the hydrocarbon potential of Abu Roash F Formation, which stands for high organic content unconventional tight reservoirs, and Abu Roash G Formation which stands for conventional sand reservoirs, in Sitra field located in the central-western part of the Abu EL-Gharadig Basin. The research employed well-log data from four wells to ascertain petrophysical properties combined with core samples of two wells for a comprehensive examination and description of lithology. Initially, we commenced the execution of petrophysical analysis, encompassing log quality control procedures. Subsequently, we identified and revealed zones of interest and hydrocarbon indicators in both formations. Additionally, we ascertained the three most influential parameters, shale Volume, effective Porosity, and water saturation, which serve as defining factors for reservoir quality. Subsequently, an examination of the core samples, which encompassed lithologic description, lithofacies analysis, paleoenvironmental interpretation, petrographic analysis, and porosity assessment is conducted. For the sake of a more accurate interpretation, we conclude our research with cartographic maps created to evaluate the geographical distribution of hydrocarbon potential based on petrophysical characteristics, Distribution of the net-to-gross ratio among wells by correlating the litho-saturation models (rock models) for the four wells. The foregoing results declare that The Abu Roash F carbonate-rich rocks are a contender for unconventional tight oil reservoir potential with thin secondary porosity and high organic content, which normally requires a kind of hydraulic fracturing for prospective oil extraction, Furthermore, the upper section of Abu Roash G formation, particularly in well sitra8-03, has highly favorable conventional reservoir characteristics.

Suitability of Monospecific and Mixed Microalgal Diets for Spat of the Silver‐Lip Pearl Oyster Pinctada maxima

ABSTRACTExpansion of pearl production using the silver‐lip pearl oyster, Pinctada maxima, depends on increasing the availability of high‐quality spat from hatcheries and optimization of existing hatchery protocols. Research to develop feeding regimes yielding higher quality spat is seen as a priority. This study evaluated the suitability of three microalgae (Rebecca salina, Chaetoceros simplex and Tisochrysis lutea), fed singly and in combination, for spat of P. maxima and assessed whether mixed diets yielded spat of higher quality. A model‐fitting approach examined the response of spat fed microalgal diets for 35 days. Organic content of spat, as an indicator of quality, as well as metrics relating to spat size and weight were considered. On the basis of organic content, all microalgal diets tested were found suitable and there was no evidence that the mixed diets yielded higher quality spat compared to monospecific diets. Further, any gains in spat size attributed to the mixed microalgal diets were comparatively modest. Contrary to long‐held assumptions, our results indicate that monospecific microalgal diets are not necessarily inferior to mixed microalgal diets for on‐growing spat of P. maxima. They indicate potential to develop simpler and cheaper protocols for culture of P. maxima spat in land‐based systems.