Mangrove-inspired salt-excreting evaporator for enhanced solar desalination and mineral salt harvesting

Hydrogeochemical characteristics, salinization, and irrigation suitability assessment of coastal groundwater in Hainan Island, China.

The disposal of oily waste has led to severe environmental pollution and poses significant risks to human health due to its hazardous hydrocarbon content. The development of efficient biological treatment strategies using oil-degrading bacteria is therefore important to enhance sustainable wastewater remediation and reduce environmental contamination. This study aimed to isolate, characterize, and optimize oil-degrading bacteria capable of degrading two types of waste oil (Phase 1 and Phase 2) obtained from a wastewater treatment plant. Approximately 600 isolates were obtained from soil, sludge, and water samples collected from oil-contaminated sites in Penang and Selangor, Malaysia. A total of 22 isolates were initially screened using mineral salt medium (MSM) agar and liquid medium supplemented with 1% (w/v) waste oil. Of these, 16 isolates exhibited growth within 24 h and were further evaluated in shake-flask cultures for degradation efficiency. Among them, isolate PPMB-02 demonstrated the highest cell dry weight (CDW) and degradation performance, achieving near-complete hydrocarbon removal in Phase 1 waste oil. Morphological and molecular identification based on 16S rDNA analysis revealed that isolate PPMB-02 belonged to Serratia sp., showing 99% similarity to Serratia sp. OP132859. The optimal conditions for oil degradation were determined using Response Surface Methodology (RSM), yielding 0.027% (w/v) ammonium sulfate, 1.63% (w/v) waste oil, and 1.40% (w/v) Tween 80 at 200 rpm and 30 °C for 168 h. The predictive model was statistically significant (p < 0.05) and successfully validated. These findings demonstrate the strong oil-degrading capability of Serratia sp. PPMB-02, highlighting its potential application as an effective bioremediation agent for the treatment of oily wastewater.

Next-generation lithium-ion batteries demand high-voltage cathodes that combine exceptional stability with ultrafast charging capability. Cobalt-free spinel-type oxides, owing to their high operating voltage, energy density, and cost effectiveness, are leading candidates, yet their cycle life is still constrained by intrinsic chemo-electro-mechanical instabilities. Here, by leveraging compositionally complex doping, we reconfigure the reaction thermodynamics of a high-voltage spinel cathode by extending its solid-solution regime to higher states of charge, enabling ultrafast charging while maintaining robust chemo-electro-mechanical stability. Multimodal characterization reveals that the reshaped reaction pathway effectively suppresses high-temperature intragranular cracking, interfacial rock salt phase transformation, and parasitic byproduct accumulation, thereby preserving efficient three-dimensional Li+ diffusion. The cathode delivers unprecedented ultrafast-charging durability, achieving 81.8% after 4000 cycles at 10 C (25 °C) and 82.0% after 1000 cycles at 3 C (60 °C). Our work demonstrates that compositionally complex doping can effectively modulate the thermodynamics of phase transformation and enhance the chemo-electro-mechanical stability of high-voltage spinel cathodes, providing new insights into the design of durable fast-charging cathode materials.

Alloying is an age-old strategy for synthesizing materials with enhanced properties. Recently, multicomponent systems such as high-entropy oxides have garnered widespread attention due to their tunable and often superior properties compared to their constituent oxides. Here, we study the local structural and chemical nuances of six-component (Mg0.167Co0.167Ni0.167Cu0.167Zn0.167Mn0.167)O and (Mg0.167Co0.167Ni0.167Cu0.167Zn0.167Cr0.167)O thin films. The Mn-alloyed thin film exhibits a higher exchange bias and greater magnetic frustration compared with the Cr-containing thin film. Scanning/transmission electron microscopy investigations reveal that the Mn-alloyed thin film exhibits the coexistence of rock salt and spinel-like regions, unlike the single-phase rock salt structure observed in the Cr-alloyed thin film. Electron energy loss spectroscopy indicates changes in Co and Mn valences within the Mn-containing thin film, suggesting the presence of mixed-valence states, which are further confirmed by X-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements. These observations are further validated by cation-site-preference energy calculations using density functional theory. Our results demonstrate how the chemistry, site occupations, and cation valences result in pronounced changes in the overall properties of high-entropy oxides.

ABSTRACT Pollution from oil spills poses a significant environmental challenge, necessitating effective and eco‐friendly remediation strategies. This study investigates the biosurfactant production capabilities of Bacillus vallismortis BDIFST25004, isolated from oil‐contaminated soil in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and evaluates its potential for oil spill remediation. The bacterium was cultivated in mineral salt medium (MSM) with 5% glucose (v/v) and 2% petrol oil (v/v) as carbon sources. The cell‐free supernatant reduced surface tension from 64.17 ± 0.60 to 26.56 ± 0.20 mN/m, achieved an emulsification index of 55.56% ± 0.03% and exhibited oil displacement activity. Biosurfactant yield reached 215 mg/L at optimal conditions (35°C, pH 9, 2% NaCl). Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV–visible spectroscopy, and gas chromatography (GC‐FID) confirmed its lipopeptide structure, similar to surfactin. SEM analysis indicated roughly spherical and poly‐dispersed biosurfactant with an average size of 11.0–41.25 nm. The biosurfactant demonstrated effectiveness at low concentrations with a critical micelle concentration (CMC) of 130 mg/L. In kinetic tests, it achieved 58% motor oil removal from contaminated sand and an oil dispersion index of 61.11% ± 1.11% highlighted its effectiveness in oil spill cleanup. These findings indicate that the biosurfactant from B. vallismortis BDIFST25004 possesses notable surface‐active properties and serves as a sustainable bioremediation agent for oil‐contaminated environments.

The salinity of inland freshwaters is rising globally, particularly in urban watersheds where winter road deicers are widely applied. Attributing stream salinity dynamics to specific sources and transport pathways remains challenging due to episodic salt inputs, engineered drainage, and strong coupling between hydrology and subsurface storage. We present a modeling framework that couples climate-driven deicer build-up and wash-off with transient transit time distribution theory to simulate salt transport through drainage, interflow, and groundwater pathways. Applied to an urban watershed in Northern Virginia (USA), the model reproduces ten years of high-frequency stream salinity measurements across daily-to-decadal timescales. The calibrated model implies an average deicer application of 206 tonnes Cl-1 yr-1, or roughly one 20 kg bag of rock salt person-1 yr-1 when normalized by the 20,000 people living in the watershed. In winter months, higher infiltration routes a large fraction of snowmelt and deicers into shallow subsurface pathways, enhancing vadose-zone and interflow contributions to stream salinity. Limited subsurface storage capacity and seasonal hydrologic turnover flush excess chloride from the vadose zone and groundwater during subsequent summer storms. By linking climate-driven deicer inputs, hydrologic connectivity, and stream water age, the framework provides a transferable basis for diagnosing and managing freshwater salinization in urban watersheds.

De novo gamma-decalactone bioproduction from Ashbya gossypii: Process design, techno-economic evaluation and environmental assessment.

Social insects such as ants, wasps, and bees have been recognized as promising sources of actinomycetes with antimicrobial potential. In a previous study, we isolated an ant‐derived Streptomyces strain, LKA04, from Polyrhachis laevissima, which exhibited potent antimicrobial activity. However, the antimicrobial compound produced by this strain had not been previously characterized. Based on phenotypic and genotypic analyses, strain LKA04 was identified as Streptomyces parvulus. Bioassay‐guided fractionation led to the successful isolation of the purified antimicrobial compound produced by this strain. HPLC chromatographic comparison with an in‐house database, along with NMR and mass spectrometry analyses, identified the active compound as actinomycin D. This compound exhibited broad‐spectrum antimicrobial activity against gram‐positive bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Bacillus subtilis, Kocuria rhizophila, Enterococcus faecalis, and Listeria monocytogenes. It also demonstrated activity against gram‐negative bacteria such as Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii, as well as the yeasts Candida albicans and Candida glabrata. The highest yield of actinomycin D (217 mg/L) was achieved when S. parvulus LKA04 was cultured in glutamic acid–histidine–fructose mineral salts broth at 30°C under shaking conditions (180 rpm) for 14 days. This study highlights the potential of ant‐derived actinomycetes as valuable sources of antimicrobial compounds and underscores the need for continued investigation to further advance our understanding of their biosynthetic capabilities and pharmaceutical potential.

The biodegradation of waste tyre rubber (WTR) is hindered by the presence of sulfur and additives, which limit microbial mineralization of the rubber polymers. To overcome this constraint, a hybrid chemi-biological approach is developed, wherein pretreatment with a reusable choline chloride/urea (ChCl/Ur) deep eutectic solvent (DES) is employed. Ground tyre rubber (GTR) is subjected to DES-assisted thermochemical pretreatment, followed by biological treatment using the Rhodococcus rhodochrous RPK1 bacterial strain in mineral salts medium for 28 days. The DES pretreatment significantly enhances biodegradation efficiency, resulting in a significant improvement over biological treatment alone. Structural, elemental, and thermal analyses confirm partial devulcanization, cleavage of sulfur crosslinks, removal of zinc additives, and reduced thermal stability. Crosslink density decreased by 43.6%, and Horikx analysis indicates a mixed degradation mechanism. The results demonstrate that DES pretreatment effectively reduces limiting factors, thereby improving rubber bioavailability. This hybrid strategy provides a viable framework for enhancing the biodegradation of WTR and supports a sustainable rubber recycling pathway.

In March 2018, seismic events associated with rock salt mining in Maceió, northeastern Brazil, led to the emergency relocation of families from risk areas, resulting in increased companion animal abandonment. This study assessed the association between systematic monitoring and environmental education and the reduction in abandonment during these relocation processes. Between March 2018 and September 2020, 567 animals were recorded in affected households, of which only 245 (43.2%) were relocated with their guardians. In response, the Integra Animal Project was implemented, integrating environmental education, continuous monitoring, sanitary management, and population control. By December 2024, 2559 households and 6673 animals had been monitored. A substantial reduction in abandonment and escape rates was observed over time, with abandonment decreasing from 56.8% to 5.45%. Cats showed significantly higher escape rates than dogs (chi-square test). These findings suggest that integrated strategies combining monitoring and environmental education are associated with improved animal retention during disaster-driven relocation, supporting their relevance for animal welfare, public health, and One Health approaches.

Aclonifen is a persistent diphenyl-ether herbicide whose accumulation in agricultural soils poses an increasing environmental challenge. Identifying efficient microbial degraders is therefore essential for developing sustainable remediation strategies. In this study, we demonstrate for the first time the ability of four previously characterized diflufenican-degrading bacterial isolates: Pseudomonas sp. 10Kp8 - A1, Pseudomonas chlororaphis subsp. aureofaciens B19 - A2, Pseudomonas baetica JZY4-9 - C1, and Streptomyces atratus ROA017 - D1, and their four-strain consortium to degrade aclonifen in liquid medium and soil. All strains were able to remove aclonifen as the sole carbon source, achieving degradation efficiencies of 50-60% in mineral salt medium (MSM) after 21 days. Strains A2 and D1 were the most effective and were therefore selected for soil experiments, where the maximum degradation reached 69% for strain D1 by day 28. In both environments, individual strains consistently outperformed the mixed consortium, indicating potential antagonistic interactions within the mixture. By demonstrating that bacteria originally selected for diflufenican removal can successfully target another herbicide, this work introduces a novel and promising biological strategy for the remediation of aclonifen-contaminated environments. These findings broaden the range of microbial candidates for sustainable pesticide remediation and establish a basis for the future development of biological strategies for contaminated agricultural soils.

Paraquat is an herbicide widely used to control weeds in various crops. Due to its use in large quantities, its dispersal into the environment is frequent, leading to contamination and negative health effects on non-target organisms because of its high toxicity and persistence in soils. Therefore, it is necessary to develop sustainable strategies to remediate sites contaminated by this compound. Bacterial remediation is a promising alternative for removing paraquat from the environment; however, the metabolic pathways used by bacteria for its degradation have not yet been precisely described. In this context, it is essential to characterize bacterial species capable of resisting and degrading paraquat, as well as to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in these processes. The objective of this work was to evaluate the paraquat resistance and degradation potential of the bacterial strain Caballeronia zhejiangensis CEIB S4-3, and to identify genes with a possible role in the resistance and degradation of this herbicide by analyzing the strain’s genome. The results of this research showed that, in solid medium, C. zhejiangensis CEIB S4-3 can withstand concentrations of up to 200 mg/L of paraquat supplemented as a commercial formulation (Gramoxone®) and 400 mg/L of analytical-grade paraquat. In tryptic soy broth, the strain grew in the presence of both the commercial formulation and analytical-grade paraquat at concentrations up to 15 mg/L, whereas in mineral salts medium, supplemented with paraquat or its commercial formulation as the sole nutrient source, the strain survived exposure to paraquat at the same concentrations. Furthermore, the bacterial strain removed 40.8% of the paraquat supplemented in the culture medium at a concentration of 12 mg/L within 48 h. Finally, genomic analysis revealed the presence of genes related to paraquat resistance mechanisms and encoding enzymes involved in the degradation of this herbicide. These results position C. zhejiangensis CEIB S4-3 as a promising candidate for developing remediation alternatives for sites contaminated with this herbicide.

This study present Achromobacter xylosoxidans RS1 as a facultative bacterium capable of simultaneous lignin modification and direct hydrogen production from untreated food waste-a dual metabolic capability that offers new opportunities for consolidated bioprocessing by Achromobacter species. A. xylosoxidans RS1 achieved 55.2% lignin decolorization over seven days in mineral salt medium, with HPLC detection of the aromatic intermediate ferulic acid (2.2mg/L) confirming active oxidative lignin catabolism. Plate assays revealed robust hydrolytic enzyme activities, including proteases (20.5mm), amylases (17.5mm), xylanases (16.8mm), and cellulases (8.2mm). Whole-genome sequencing produced a 6.58 Mbp draft genome encoding 50 carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), including one AA10 lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase, five AA3 oxidases, one AA7 oxidase, and seven CE1 esterases. These enzymes support enhanced cellulolytic, xylanolytic, and lignin-modifying activities. Batch dark fermentation experiments demonstrated that A. xylosoxidans RS1 produced hydrogen yields ranging from 0.506 to 0.946mol H₂ mol⁻¹ substrate across xylose, glucose, carboxymethyl cellulose, starch, and untreated food waste. Xylose supported the highest hydrogen production potential (225 mL, 0.735mol H₂ mol⁻¹ substrate) with rapid production kinetics, indicating efficient pentose utilization. In contrast, untreated food waste yielded the maximum molar hydrogen output (165 mL, 0.946mol H₂ mol⁻¹ substrate), attributable to its heterogeneous carbohydrate composition that enhanced enzymatic accessibility and substrate solubilization. These findings indicate that A. xylosoxidans RS1 harbors a functional repertoire of oxidative CAZymes and hydrogen-metabolism pathway, enabling it to valorize food waste into hydrogen. The draft genome provides a valuable resource for further studies on facultative bacteria in waste-to-energy applications.

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the inclusion of a rumen-protected carbohydrate (RPC) on growth performance and plasma metabolites in growing beef heifers. Crossbred heifers (n = 135; 136 ± 14 kg) were used in a 63-d experiment. Heifers were blocked by initial body weight (BW), placed into 15 pens (9 heifers/pen), and assigned randomly to 1 of 3 treatments 0, 0.5, and 1.0% of RPC. Animals were fed 82.3% of a basal diet (38.8% corn silage, 41.5% dry rolled corn, 2% mineral-vitamin premix on a dry matter basis) and 17.7% supplement. The non-processed supplement or RPC supplement composition (DM basis) were 58.1% soybean meal, 38.9% soluble carbohydrates, 2% urea, and 1% mineral salt. The non-processed supplement or RPC supplement consisted of the same ingredients, differing in the processing of the carbohydrate (i.e., protected or not from ruminal degradation). For the 0, 0.5, and 1% RPC treatments, the ratio of supplement to RPC was 1:0, 1:1, and 0:1, respectively. Body weight was measured on d 0, 21, 42, and 63. Pen dry matter intake (DMI) was measured weekly from d 7 to 63. Back fat on the 12th rib (BF) was measured at d -21 and 63. Blood samples were taken on d -21, 21, 42, and 63 from jugular vein prior morning feeding and analyzed for blood glucose concentration and plasma insulin, urea, and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentrations. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with repeated measures using a mixed model of SAS (9.4). Treatment × day interaction (P ≤ 0.02) was observed for DMI, ADG, and G: F. Heifers on treatment RPC0.5 had the least DMI (P < 0.05) and the greatest G: F (P < 0.05). No differences (P ≥ 0.34) were observed in the concentrations of blood glucose, plasma insulin, plasma NEFA, plasma urea, or BF on d 63. Feeding 8.85% of RPC (treatment RPC0.5) improved G: F through lesser DMI without altering ADG, blood, or plasma metabolites.

Seaweed (Macrocystis pyrifera) as a sustainable low-sodium natural salt substitute: Conventional solid-liquid extraction v/s ultrasonic extraction

Erosion rates in rock salt exposures with diverse karren monitored by erosion pins, close-range photogrammetry and terrestrial laser scanner

Synthesis-driven electron transfer in disordered rock salt Li-ion battery cathodes

ABSTRACT Rock‐salt structured Li 3 Mg 2 SbO 6 ceramics synthesized by a two‐stage solid‐phase method have attracted much attention due to the low dielectric constant and small negative τ f value. In efforts to simplify the preparation process and reduce costs, Li 3 Mg 2 SbO 6 was synthesized through a mixed oxide route using Sb 2 O 3 as the antimony source, and found that its applicability was limited due to poor sintering ability and low performance likely caused by volatilization and oxidation of Sb 2 O 3 . In this work, Li 3 Mg 2 SbO 6 ceramic was synthesized via the mixed oxide method using Sb 2 O 5 with high thermal stability and low volatilization as the antimony source. The use of Sb 2 O 5 as the antimony source reduces observed secondary phases compared with literature reports using Sb 2 O 3 ; moreover, we confirm this claim quantitatively below through TG–DSC of precursors and ICP‐MS measurement of sintered samples. All samples possessed rock salt structures with a space group of Fddd (70) and a well‐formed appearance. The samples sintered at 1450°C exhibited superior microwave dielectric properties: ε r = 9.94 ± 0.01, Qf = 60 877 ± 743 GHz ( Q = 6083 ± 76, f 0 = 9.55 GHz), τ f = −5.47 ± 0.36 ppm/°C, demonstrating their potential for practical application. Remarkably, the calculation results of the P–V–L theory and density functional theory revealed that the Sb–O bond played a dominant role in affecting Qf value. These findings provide valuable insights into the development of high‐performance Li 3 Mg 2 SbO 6 and related materials.

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is considered a widespread environmental pollutant that threatens ecosystems due to its non-biodegradable nature. However, different types of bacteria could help with the biodegradation process of synthetic LDPE. This study aimed to investigate the capacity of local bacteria to degrade LDPE in landfill soil and to evaluate their degradation efficiency. Fifty bacterial isolates were obtained through enrichment in a mineral salt medium supplemented with LDPE as the sole carbon source. Initial screening was performed using the clear-zone method with polyethylene glycol (PEG), and 7 isolates showed initial degrading activity. Following characterization, Staphylococcus haemolyticus and Acinetobacter baumannii were found to possess the highest potential degrading capacity. After 60 days of incubation, the degrading capacity was assessed by measuring the weight loss of LDPE sheets. S. haemolyticus recorded a 20% potential weight loss, while A. baumannii complex achieved the highest weight loss at 27.5%. The control sample showed no significant weight change. To confirm chemical changes in the polymer, GC-MS analysis of the degradation products was performed. The bacterial-treated samples showed a range of organic compounds, including fatty acid derivatives, aromatic acids, and esters, while no peaks were recorded in the control sample. These results indicate oxidation and gradual breakdown of the polyethylene hydrocarbon chains, leading to the formation of low-molecular-weight compounds that can enter bacterial metabolic pathways. The correlation between weight loss and the appearance of chemical degradation products also reflects partial biodegradation of the plastic. This study highlights the environmental importance of landfill sites as natural sources for isolating bacteria that can adapt to and break down plastics, thereby opening prospects for using these microorganisms to develop bioremediation technologies to reduce the accumulation of plastic waste in the environment.