Inorganic Matter Research Articles

Tetrapyrrole organics-modified cerium nanozyme with enhanced oxidase-like activity for integration of detection and degradation of antibiotic.

Tetrapyrrole organics-modified cerium nanozyme with enhanced oxidase-like activity for integration of detection and degradation of antibiotic.

Detectable land use impact on methanotrophs and methanogens in kettle hole sediments but not on net methane production potentials.

Kettle holes (KH) are dynamic freshwater systems and potential sources of the greenhouse gas methane. Due to their small size (<1 hectare), KHs are subject to inorganic and organic matter input from their terrestrial surroundings governed by land use. Matter inputs include inorganic solutes that are alternative electron acceptors and impact on methanotrophs and methanogens. Thus, they might affect methane net production. We sampled 10 kettle hole sediments embedded in landscapes with either agricultural or forest land use and determined their (i) potential net methane production rates, (ii) the composition of their microbial communities and (iii) physicochemical soil parameters. Potential net methane production did not significantly differ by land use type but between single KHs. However, land use type had a strong impact on methanotroph and methanogen and on total bacterial and archaeal microbiota structure. Relative abundances of methanotrophs and methanogens were significantly higher in agricultural KHs and their relative abundances were among the most influential variables projecting net methane production potentials along with nutrient status and water content. Land use type was thus identified a major factor that impacts on the structure and biodiversity of general and methane-cycling microbiota, but it did not affect net methane production potentials.

Investigation of Quality Parameters of Soil Sample Collected from Akdağmadeni District of Yozgat Province

The aim of the research is to examine the chemical composition and soil quality parameters of the soil sample collected from the 39°48'20.8"N and 35°53'44.0"E locations of Yozgat Bulgurlu Village in Turkey. After the soil sample was dried at room temperature, it was sieved by wetting it with 10 and 60 mesh sieves, respectively. The chemical content of the soil sample was determined by an X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectroscopy as 40.98% silicon oxide (SiO2), 13.27% aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and 11.04% calcium oxide (CaO). Copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn) and lead (Pb) metal concentrations in the soil sample were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). The pH, lime, saturation values and the amount of organic and inorganic matter of the soil sample were examined. In order to determine the morphological characteristics of the soil sample, color imaging was performed and the soil structure was examined with Stereo microscopy. As a result of the analysis, it was determined that the soil sample was heavy red clay, slightly alkaline, unsalted, calcareous, high in potassium and very low in organic matter and phosphorus.

Comprehensive impact assessment of multi-stage wastewater treatment processes on the industrial environment

Traditional research often focuses on the single dimension of water quality improvement, while ignoring the comprehensive assessment of dimensions such as ecosystems, human health, economic costs, and social acceptance. Through on-site investigation and automatic sampling, this paper uses various analytical techniques to detect organic matter, inorganic matter, and heavy metals in wastewater, monitors water quality indicators, energy consumption, and by-products after treatment, and establishes a comprehensive data set of the wastewater treatment process. In addition, a water quality model, an air diffusion model, and an ecological model are established to simulate the diffusion, dilution, and long-term environmental impacts of wastewater discharge on water bodies, air, and ecosystems to assess the environmental impact and verify the accuracy of the model. Exposure assessment, toxicity parameters and dose–response models are used to evaluate the risks of treated wastewater and air pollutants to human health and ecosystems, and multi-criteria decision analysis and sensitivity analysis are used to weigh risks and quantify uncertainties. The experimental results show that the quality of wastewater is significantly improved after treatment. The environmental impact model is accurate in prediction, with correlation coefficients above 0.9 and small errors. The treatment process has a positive impact on ecology, economic cost–benefit, and social acceptance. Multi-stage wastewater treatment processes can effectively improve water quality and achieve lower industrial environmental impact.

The Hidden Legacy of Dimethoate: Clay Binding Effects on Decreasing Long-Term Retention and Reducing Environmental Stability in Croatian Soils.

Understanding the dynamics of sorption and desorption is essential for assessing the persistence and mobility of pesticides. These processes continue to influence ecological outcomes even after pesticide use has ended, as demonstrated by our study on dimethoate behavior in distinct soil samples from Croatia, including coastal, lowland, and mountainous regions. This study focuses on the sorption/desorption behavior of dimethoate in soil, explores the relationship between its molecular structure and the properties of soil organic and inorganic matter, and evaluates the mechanisms of the sorption/desorption process. The behavior of dimethoate was analyzed using a batch method, and the results were modeled using nonlinear equilibrium models: Freundlich, Langmuir, and Temkin models. Soils with a higher organic matter content, especially total organic carbon (TOC), showed a better sorption capacity compared to soils with a lower TOC. This is probably due to the less flexible structures in the glassy phase, which, unlike the rubbery phase in high TOC soils, do not allow dynamic and flexible binding of dimethoate within the organic matter. The differences between the H/C and O/C ratios indicate that in high TOC soils, flexible aliphatic compounds, typical of a rubbery phase, retain dimethoate more effectively, whereas a higher content of oxygen-containing functional groups in low TOC soils provides strong association. The lettered soils showed stronger retention of dimethoate through interactions with clay minerals and metal cations such as Mg2+, suggesting that clay plays a significantly more important role in enhancing dimethoate sorption than organic matter. These results highlight the importance of organic matter, clay, and metal ions in the retention of dimethoate in soil, indicating the need for remediation methods for those pesticides that, although banned, have had a long history of use.

SEZONOWA ZMIENNOŚĆ ŹRÓDEŁ PYŁÓW ZAWIESZONYCH NA PRZYKŁADZIE KRAKOWA

We are observing a long-term trend, which is the growing interest of scientists and the general public, in air quality and air pollution, both in Poland and around the world. The deterioration of air quality is influenced by both anthropogenic and natural factors. The most well-known sources of anthropogenic emissions into the atmosphere include the combustion of fossil fuels and biomass, transportation, industry, as well as agricultural activities. Natural sources include, for example, grass pollen, soil erosion, wildfires, and volcanic emissions. One of the primary pollutants emitted into the atmosphere is particulate matter (PM) – an aerosol with a complex composition. It may contain chemical compounds considered carcinogenic, and long-term exposure to high concentrations can lead to adverse health effects. Therefore, in 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) published recommended limits for particulate matter fractions PM10 and PM2.5. In the doctoral dissertation of Alicja Skiba entitled „Seasonal variability of air pollution sources in Kraków during the period of 2018-2019, based on analyses of chemical and isotopic composition”, the sources of particulate matter in a major urban center – Krakow, were studied. Two particulate matter fractions (PM1 and PM10) were analyzed, with daily samples collected between April 21, 2018, and March 19, 2019. These samples underwent the following analyses: ion chromatography, high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection, energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, thermo-optical analysis of OC/EC, and mass spectrometry (AMS and IRMS). The results were interpreted using methods such as positive matrix factorization (PMF). The application of PMF revealed five emission sources: coal and biomass (solid fuel) combustion, secondary inorganic aerosols, road emissions, soil matter, industry and other unidentified sources. The results showed significant variability in emissions from coal and biomass combustion between the heating and non-heating seasons (a substantial increase from several percent to as much as 41%). Industrial emissions exhibited a relatively stable contribution throughout the year, ranging from approximately 14% to 24%, depending on the fraction and season

The Influence of Mineral Matter on X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy Characterization of Surface Oxides on Carbon

The chemical structure of coal is very composite, consisting of a heterogeneous carbonaceous matrix with variable degrees of “turbostratic” order and the inclusion and/or exclusion of mineral matter (ash). The formation of surface oxides on carbon has long been recognized as a key to understanding many chemical and physical properties of carbon materials relevant to their consolidated or emerging applications. The extent and nature of surface oxides can effectively be assessed by high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), which provides excellent insight into the functional nature of C-O moieties. However, the XPS analysis of ash-bearing carbons may be biased by the interfering effects of inorganics with the most relevant spectral ranges, namely the core levels O1s and C1s. The effect of ash components on the spectroscopic characterization of carbon is scrutinized here with reference to a sub-bituminous coal characterized by a fairly large ash content. The coal is subjected to different treatments, including devolatilization, milling, and oxidation. A synthetic carbon (Carboxen) is used as a reference sample for the correct assignment of the carbon–oxygen functionalities in the core-level XPS spectra (C1s and O1s) in the absence of mineral matter. On the opposite side, fly ash from an industrial coal boiler is analyzed to investigate the effects of mineral matter. It is shown that the establishment of non-uniform charging of the sample induced by ash provides a key to the interpretation of the XPS spectra of ash-bearing carbon samples. The positive charge on the surface, referred to as the charging effect, brings about a shift of the core-level binding energies towards higher values. Grinding of the samples or partial combustion emphasizes the charging effect. XPS analysis of the fly ash, where carbon is largely consumed and dispersed in the inorganic matter, confirms that charging arises from non-conductive aluminosilicates. These effects may induce remarkable changes in carbon and oxygen peak shapes and need to be accounted for to obtain correct interpretations of the XPS spectra of ash-rich carbonaceous fuels.

Adsorption of Ni(II) from Aqueous Solution by Wheat Straw Modified with Mercaptopropionyl Functional Groups.

Mercaptopropionyl wheat straw (MPWS) was prepared as an adsorbent by modifying wheat straw with mercaptopropionyl groups, and the ability of MPWS for the removal of Ni(II) from aqueous solution was examined. The removal of Ni(II) by using MPWS was identified through investigating the impacts of MPWS dosage, adsorption temperature, and adsorption time. Different models for the adsorption isotherm and kinetics were utilized to fit the experimental results and elucidate the mechanism of MPWS for Ni(II). Environmental interference factors, including initial Ni(II) concentration, pH value, inorganic matters, and organic matters in wastewater, were examined to evaluate the antienvironmental disturbance capability of MPWS during Ni(II) adsorption. A removal rate of Ni(II) as high as 99.02% was achieved at pH 6.0 with an adsorption temperature of 30 °C and a contact time of 100 min. The experimental results exhibited excellent alignment with both pseudo-second-order kinetic model, Freundlich isothermal model, Redlich-Peterson model, and Hill model. Furthermore, coexisting substances in the environment could inhibit the adsorption process of Ni(II) by MPWS; however, this inhibition could be mitigated or eliminated by increasing the amount of absorbent MPWS. Overall, MPWS displays remarkable resistance against environmental interference during its application for removing Ni(II) from wastewater.

2. Engineering Geological Principles of Groundwater

The theory of groundwater flow quantifies the movement, storage and release of groundwater, including the mass of soluble and insoluble inorganic and organic matter, and heat, it carries, and is thus wide ranging in its application to groundwater studies and groundwater management in general. This section considers those aspects of the theory most encountered in engineering geology.

Effects of swine manure mixed with circulating fluidized bed fly ash on black soldier fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) larvae and larval frass.

Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) were reared on mixtures of swine manure and circulating fluidized bed fly ash (CFA) in different ratios. The aim was to evaluate the impacts of insoluble inorganic matter on BSFL and larval frass. The growth performance and nutrient composition of the BSFL were measured under different treatments. The intestinal microbiota structure, morphological characteristics, and total proteolytic activity of the gut were analyzed. The larval frass was tested for nutrients and analyzed using energy-dispersive spectroscopy and scanning electron micrographs. In particular, the surface areas of microparticles from the larval frass (diameter<0.0074mm) were measured using Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method. It was found that CFA addition prolonged larval development and reduced the maximum larval weights. The mean larval length, crude protein, and highest larval weight showed negative regression with an increase in the CFA ratio (P<0.05). Morphological images indicated that physical clogging might be the main influencing factor on larval growth. Moreover, the microbial diversity and complexity in the larval gut increased with CFA addition, but CFA addition had little effect on the composition of dominant phyla or genera (P>0.05). Finally, the nutrient composition revealed that the frass met the organic fertilizer standard when the CFA addition ratio was less than 7.5%. The optimal addition ratio was 5%, at which the larvae had a more stable and healthier gut environment, but there was less of an effect on larval growth and nutrient composition. Moreover, particles from 5% CFA mixture had the highest surface area.

Study on measurement method of average pore radius of organic and inorganic matters in shale reservoirs

Abstract Oil and natural gas resources are important strategic materials for guaranteeing national energy security and play an irreplaceable role. In recent years, the foreign dependence on oil has greatly affected China’s energy security. Shale oil/gas, as an important unconventional oil/gas resource with wide distribution and large reserves, has become a key area for breakthroughs in oil/gas exploration and increased reserves and production in the future. Shale oil/gas exists in both organic and inorganic pores in shale, and there is a big difference between organic and inorganic pores in terms of the crude oil occurrence state and starting ability. However, due to the constraints of geological understanding and engineering technology, it is currently difficult to distinguish between organic and inorganic pores in shale reservoirs, resulting in the inability to distinguish and measure the corresponding pore radius, which greatly restricts the evaluation of shale oil/gas reservoirs and oil/gas-bearing possibilities, the selection of development layers and the evaluation of shale oil/gas productivity. In this study, a method for measuring the average pore radius of organic and inorganic matter in shale reservoirs is proposed. This method can quickly and accurately distinguish organic and inorganic pores in shale reservoirs, and is of high application value for evaluating shale oil/gas reservoirs and oil/gas-bearing possibilities, selection of development layer as well as oil/gas productivity.

Status and solutions for household solid waste management in Ba Be district, Bac Kan province, Vietnam

The study was conducted with the aim of evaluating domestic solid waste (DSW) management status and suggesting solutions for DSW management in Ba Be district, Bac Kan province, Vietnam. The results showed that the total amount of DSW is 10 tons/day. The composition of DSW includes organic matter (67.52%), inorganic matter (22.13%) and hazardous waste (0.32%). Ba Be district currently has only 4/16 communes and towns with incinerators, 01 centralized waste treatment area in Banh Trach commune. Rural DSW is mainly collected and treated simply by manual burning, or buried in the garden of the household. The rate of collected and treated rural DSW is only 50%. Therefore, to improve the efficiency of DSW management in the study area, it is necessary to apply solutions, such as: Raise awareness of the community on how to identify wastes and the importance of sorting DSW at source; perform DSW classification at source; collecting all DSW; effective use of existing incinerators and waste treatment facilities; additional human resources and increased capital mobilization for DSW management; strengthening socialization in DSW management improve the capacity of the unit that directly collects, transports and treats DSW; enhance the inspection and supervision role on the collection and treatment of domestic waste in the localities...

An upscaling framework for predicting gas multiscale transport behavior in shale matrix-microfracture systems considering microscopic transport mechanisms

Predicting gas production in shale rock is challenging due to the complex multiscale processes ranging from nanometer to micrometer-scale, complex components including the resolved (e.g., microfractures) and the unresolved components (e.g., nanoscale pores in inorganic and organic matters), and microscopic transport mechanisms such as the slip effect, surface diffusion, and the real gas effect. To this end, a comprehensive upscaling framework is proposed in this paper to mimic the multiscale gas transport processes in shale matrix microfracture systems. Here, the microscopic transport mechanisms are considered by a modified nanopore model, and then, upscaled to the matrix scale by the generalized lattice Boltzmann model. Using the proposed upscaling framework, we analyze the variations of apparent permeabilities with pressure and matrix porosity and the enhancement of gas transport capability by microscopic effects (slip effect and surface diffusion) and microfractures (orientation and aperture). The results show that the improvement in apparent permeability due to the microfractures is ∼1.70 times that of the basic shale matrix, while the improvement due to microscopic effects (at a pressure drop from 20 MPa to 1 MPa) is only 1.03 times. This indicates that the microfractures significantly affect the gas transport compared to the reduced pressure. More importantly, the microfracture aperture substantially affects the transport performance, especially when aligned with the flow direction. Increasing the aperture from 2 μm to 3 μm leads to a ∼2.56-fold improvement in transport capability. These findings contribute to more accurately estimating gas transport performance in shale with microfractures.

Biofouling behavior of PVDF ultrafiltration membrane incorporating cray fish shell biochar in the presence of inorganic cations and organic matters: Characteristics and mechanisms

Biofouling behavior of PVDF ultrafiltration membrane incorporating cray fish shell biochar in the presence of inorganic cations and organic matters: Characteristics and mechanisms

Process upgradation and kinetic modeling of high-ash non-coking coal flotation using bio-based collector for enhanced clean coal recovery

ABSTRACT The reduction of ash content, contributed by inorganic mineral matter, and recovery of carbon values in a high ash non-coking coal was studied in a laboratory-scale mechanical flotation cell using a bio-collector (PSO) derived from the pumpkin seeds for clean coal recovery. Surface characterization of PSO (GCMS, FTIR) and untreated/PSO-treated coal (contact angle, FTIR) indicated potential interaction between PSO and the coal surface, enhancing its hydrophobicity, while XRD analysis confirmed successful rejection of ash-forming inorganic gangue minerals into tailings, signifying effective clean coal separation from the gangue. The input parameters, such as PSO dosage, frother MIBC dosage, and airflow rate (AFR), were enhanced to attain best process responses, i.e. yield, ash, and fixed carbon of the final clean coal. The use of PSO significantly reduced the ash content of feed coal from 32% to as low as 9.86% in the final clean coal while simultaneously increasing the fixed carbon content from 35% to 61.15% and the gross calorific value from 4966 Kcal/Kg to 6318 Kcal/kg. A clean coal product having high fixed carbon of 61.15% with 11.29% ash content and 70.14% yield was obtained at PSO dosage of 10.73 Kg/t, MIBC dosage of 0.93 Kg/t and at AFR of 2.5lpm. The kinetic study revealed a high recovery of combustible materials (~88%) and low ash recovery (~46%) at a flotation time of 480 seconds. Based on the kinetic model discrimination analysis, it was found that the first-order fits well with the experimental data for combustible and ash recovery. This study illustrates the efficacy of pumpkin seed oil (PSO) as a potential bio-collector for the flotation of non-coking coal, enhancing the coal quality by selectively reducing mineral matter content and leading to substantial economic and environmental advantages.

Inorganic nitrogen and organic matter jointly regulate ectomycorrhizal fungi-mediated iron acquisition.

Ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) play a crucial role in facilitating plant nutrient uptake from the soil although inorganic nitrogen (N) can potentially diminish this role. However, the effect of inorganic N availability and organic matter on shaping EMF-mediated plant iron (Fe) uptake remains unclear. To explore this, we performed a microcosm study on Pinus taeda roots inoculated with Suillus cothurnatus treated with +/-Fe-coated sand, +/-organic matter, and a gradient of NH4NO3 concentrations. Mycorrhiza formation was most favorable under conditions with organic matter, without inorganic N. Synchrotron X-ray microfluorescence imaging on ectomycorrhizal cross-sections suggested that the effect of inorganic N on mycorrhizal Fe acquisition largely depended on organic matter supply. With organic matter, mycorrhizal Fe concentration was significantly decreased as inorganic N levels increased. Conversely, an opposite trend was observed when organic matter was absent. Spatial distribution analysis showed that Fe, zinc, calcium, and copper predominantly accumulated in the fungal mantle across all conditions, highlighting the mantle's critical role in nutrient accumulation and regulation of nutrient transfer to internal compartments. Our work illustrated that the liberation of soil mineral Fe and the EMF-mediated plant Fe acquisition are jointly regulated by inorganic N and organic matter in the soil.

Thermal plasma technology applied to the inertization process of the inorganic fraction of sewage sludge generated from municipal wastewater treatment plant

Abstract This study investigates the thermal plasma pyrolysis process for inertizing the inorganic fraction of sewage sludge from municipal wastewater treatment plants. The aim is to assess its effectiveness in waste inertization. Lab-scale experiments were conducted to process the sludge thermally. Elemental composition analysis was done using x-ray fluorescence (XRF), thermogravimetry coupled with mass spectrometry (TGA-MS) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). The XRF analysis showed an initial composition of Si, Al, Fe, and Ca, corresponding to 86.8% of the inorganic matter of the sludge. TGA-MS analysis showed a significant mass loss between 200 and 650°C, corresponding to organic matter volatilization, methane conversion, and dehydrogenation of polymorphic silicon. XRD analysis revealed a dried sludge crystalline structure composed mainly by SiO2, CaCO3, and AlPO4, and after plasma treatment, the remaining composition of the slag was primarily SiO2 amorphous. Mass and energy balances, considering thermodynamic equilibrium and chemical reactions, are performed. The mass balance calculations identified the most probable composition of the sludge, and energy balance calculations determined a net energy requirement of 399 kWh for plasma inertization, with an additional 300 kWh to account for furnace losses. Solubility and leaching tests confirm the inert nature of the residue. Power requirements are estimated at 700 kW for processing 350 kg h−1 of decarbonized sludge. These findings are crucial for optimizing plasma inertization processes in wastewater treatment plants. This work presents a novel approach by combining a computational prediction for an industrial-scale plant with a direct experimental assessment of the plasma treatment process.

Organic modes of occurrence and evolution mechanism of germanium and lithium in coal: Insights from density functional theory

Organic modes of occurrence and evolution mechanism of germanium and lithium in coal: Insights from density functional theory

Critical evaluation of extracellular polymeric substances extraction methods: Extraction efficiency, molecular characteristics, and heavy metals binding properties.

Critical evaluation of extracellular polymeric substances extraction methods: Extraction efficiency, molecular characteristics, and heavy metals binding properties.

The Effects of Animal Manure and Mycorrhiza Applications on Soil Carbon Fractions in Tilled and Non-Tilled Conditions

Due to long-term extensive cultivation on marginal and agriculturally suitable lands, soil organic carbon (SOC) has oxidized and released as CO₂ into the atmosphere. Furthermore, the quality of the soil and environmental safety have been further compromised by the overuse of chemical fertilizers. Despite possible trade-offs, no-till farming and the use of organic fertilizers like animal manure are advised practices to address these issues. Additionally, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) enhance soil aggregation and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers. However, there is limited data on the combined impact of manure and AMF on the dynamics of soil carbon in the study area, in both tillage and non-tillage scenarios. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of tillage, animal manure, and AMF application on soil carbon fractions. The study was carried out in 2023 at the Çukurova University Agricultural Research Center, Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition’s Research Farm, Adana/Türkiye. The experiment was set up with treatments consisting of two tillage (tilled and non-tilled) as the whole plot, two AMF (with and without AMF) as the sub-plot, and two fertilizers (with and without animal manure) as the sub-sub plot factors in a split-split-plot design, totally 24 plots. Plots that did not receive animal manure received the recommended amount of mineral NPK fertilizer for optimal maize growth. Animal manure at 25 t ha⁻¹ was applied in manure-treated plots. AMF inoculum was applied 50 mm under maize seeds. At harvest, soil samples were taken at 0-20 cm and 20-30 cm depths. The fractions of soil carbon (total carbon, organic, inorganic, active carbon, and particulate organic matter) were determined based on respective procedures. R computer program was used to analyze the data, and Tukey's test (p&lt;0.05) was employed to compare means. The findings showed that tillage and AMF application did not significantly affect the soil carbon fractions. However, application of animal manure resulted in significant increases in total soil carbon (TC), organic carbon (OC), and particulate organic matter (POM). The study showed that the addition of fresh organic matter caused a quick rise in soil organic carbon fraction while the inorganic C remained unchanged. Given that the effects of tillage might take longer to become evident, further studies are necessary to validate these findings and better understand the long-term impacts of these soil management practices.