Iron Content Research Articles

Comprehensive evaluation of a novel pilot-scale UVA-LED photoreactor for water treatment applications: Characterization, catalytic efficiency, energy performance and economic viability

A comprehensive assessment was conducted on a novel pilot plant employing a tubular photo-reactor configuration integrated with UVA-LED technology for advanced municipal wastewater treatment applications. The plant consists of eight UVA-LED strips (150 LEDs/strip, 348–400 nm with peak emission at 370 nm) achieving a maximum irradiance of 28.1 W/m2 at 100 % power of the LED, symmetrically distributed across two borosilicate tubes. The iron concentration (0.025–0.100 mM) and UVA-LED irradiance (1.4–28.1 W/m2) combined effect on the photo-Fenton process efficiency was thoroughly examined in synthetic tap water and synthetic municipal wastewater treatment plant (MWWTP) secondary effluent using sulfamethoxazole as model microcontaminant. In general, an LED intensity threshold from which process efficiency reaches a plateau maximum value was found. The determination of the electrical energy per order (EEO) showed higher energy efficiencies as LED intensity decreases, iron concentration increases, and the water matrix is simpler. The lowest EEO obtained was 0.009 kWh/m3·order for 0.10 mM iron concentration in synthetic MWWTP secondary effluent at 5 % LED intensity. The economic study revealed that the weight of operating costs is more significant than the weight of investment costs, regardless of the selected operating conditions. Working with an iron concentration of 0.10 mM helps reduce the total costs, while operating either under excess LED intensity or insufficient LED intensity negatively impacts the total treatment cost. The lowest treatment cost (0.19 €/m3) was obtained with 0.10 mM iron concentration at only 10 % LED intensity. A comparison with the same process driven by natural solar radiation in a raceway pond reactor demonstrated the feasibility of the novel photo-reactor design in terms of treatment cost.

Feammox bacterial biofilm formation in HFMB

Nitrogen pollution has been increasing with the development of industrialization. Consequently, the excessive deposition of reactive nitrogen in the environment has generated the loss of biodiversity and eutrophication of different ecosystems. In 2005, a Feammox process was discovered that anaerobically metabolizes ammonium. Feammox with the use of hollow fiber membrane bioreactors (HFMB), based on the formation of biofilms of bacterial communities, has emerged as a possible efficient and sustainable method for ammonium removal in environments with high iron concentrations. This work sought to study the possibility of implementing, at laboratory scale, an efficient method by evaluating the use of HFMB. Samples from an internal circulation reactor (IC) incubated in culture media for Feammox bacteria. The cultures were enriched in a batch reactor to evaluate growth conditions. Next, HFMB assembly was performed, and Feammox parameters were monitored. Also, conventional PCR and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis were performed to characterize the bacterial communities associated with biofilm formation. The use of sodium acetate presented the best performance for Feammox activity. The HFMB operation showed an ammonium (NH4+) removal of 50%. SEM analysis of the fibers illustrated the formation of biofilm networks formed by bacteria, which were identified as Albidiferax ferrireducens, Geobacter spp, Ferrovum myxofaciens, Shewanella spp., and Anammox. Functional genes Archaea/Bacteria ammonia monooxygenase, nrxA, hzsB, nirS and nosZ were also identified. The implementation of HFMB Feammox could be used as a sustainable tool for the removal of ammonium from wastewater produced because of anthropogenic activities.

Smart App Assisted Colorimetric Determination of Iron: A Case Study in UDUPI Taluk

Abstract: Water is an important source for several uses. Water from surface and groundwater is used extensively to get the various industrial and domestic demands. Increased industrialization and urbanization discharges wastewater in the environment without treatment. By the infiltration and runoff, The water reaches subsurface and water above the ground and pollutes fresh water. Groundwater treatment is costlier and requires proper assessment. The area selected for study is Udupi taluk, Karnataka state. The study says that in Udupi region the soil is sensitive and here the soil is lateritic, there is a chance that the soil induces iron content in water which may increases concentration of iron in water. According to BIS 10500:2012 the limit of iron concentration in water is 0.3mg/lt. If iron content in water exceeds from 0.3mg/lt, it causes various health effects and waterborne diseases

High Concentration of Iron Ions Contributes to Ferroptosis-Mediated Testis Injury.

In order to explore the effect of excessive iron supplementation on ferroptosis in mouse testes, Kunming mice received injections of varying concentrations of iron. The organ weight, sperm density, and malformation rate were measured. Observations of pathological and ultrastructural alterations in spermatogenic tubules were conducted using haematoxylin eosin (HE) staining and transmission electron microscopy(TEM). Transcript levels of related genes and serum biochemical indicators were measured in mouse testicular tissue. The results showed that higher iron concentration inhibited the growth of mice; reduced the organ coefficients of the testis, heart, and liver; and increased the rate of sperm malformation and mortality. Supplementation with high levels of iron ions can adversely affect the male reproductive system by reducing sperm count, damaging the structure of the seminiferous tubules and causing sperm cell abnormalities. In addition, the iron levels also affected the immune response and blood coagulation ability by affecting the red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. The results showed that iron ions can affect mouse testicular tissue and induce ferroptosis by altering the expression of ferroptosis-related genes. However, the degree of effect was different for the different concentrations of iron ions. The study also revealed the potential role of deferoxamine in inhibiting the occurrence of ferroptosis. Nevertheless, the damage caused to the testis by deferoxamine supplementation suggests the need for further research in this direction. This study provides reference for reproductive toxicity induced by environmental iron exposure and clarifies the mechanism of reproductive toxicity caused by iron overload and the important role of iron in the male reproductive system.

Metal mobilization from thawing permafrost to aquatic ecosystems is driving rusting of Arctic streams

Climate change in the Arctic is altering watershed hydrologic processes and biogeochemistry. Here, we present an emergent threat to Arctic watersheds based on observations from 75 streams in Alaska’s Brooks Range that recently turned orange, reflecting increased loading of iron and toxic metals. Using remote sensing, we constrain the timing of stream discoloration to the last 10 years, a period of rapid warming and snowfall, suggesting impairment is likely due to permafrost thaw. Thawing permafrost can foster chemical weathering of minerals, microbial reduction of soil iron, and groundwater transport of metals to streams. Compared to clear reference streams, orange streams have lower pH, higher turbidity, and higher sulfate, iron, and trace metal concentrations, supporting sulfide mineral weathering as a primary mobilization process. Stream discoloration was associated with dramatic declines in macroinvertebrate diversity and fish abundance. These findings have considerable implications for drinking water supplies and subsistence fisheries in rural Alaska.

Prognostic Impact of Iron Metabolism Changes in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome and its Correlation with TIMI Risk Score and 6-month Left Ventricular Performance

Objectives: Iron is vital for human metabolism and function. One major cause of anemia is a shortage of iron. On the other hand, a low blood iron level does not always indica te an abnormal hemoglobin concentration. Left ventricular function, ferritin, and blood iron levels were investigated 6 months following the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) index event. In addition, we searched for correlations between thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) risk score, cytokines such as C-reactive protein (CRP), and serum iron content. Materials and Methods: From August 2021 to July 2022, 100 consecutive patients with ACS who were requesting admission to the critical care unit of the Cardiology Department at SCB Medical College in Cuttack, Odisha, were the subject of this study. Participants in our research with ST-elevation or non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (ST elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI] or Non ST elevation myocardial infarction [NSTEMI]) ranged in age from 18 to 70 years. We measured CRP, transferrin saturation, total iron binding capacity, ferritin, and blood iron at baseline. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF %) difference was assessed 6 months after baseline echocardiography and follow-up. Various factors were considered while calculating the short- and long-term prognoses, including the patient’s heart failure at admission and any deaths that took place in hospitals within 6 months after the index event. Results: There was no improvement in LVEF for 56.25% of patients (36 out of 66) 6 months after the index event; however, for 43.75% (28 patients) of the 66 STEMI patients, LVEF improved. Out of 34 NSTEMI patients, 14 (42.42%) improved their LVEF 6 months after ACS, whereas 19 (57.58%) did not. Serum iron levels and LVEF at 6 months were shown to be significantly correlated in all patients (overall P < 0.001, STEMI P < 0.001, and NSTEMI P = 0.001). Serum iron levels are positively correlated with improvements in LVEF after 6 months in both patients with STEMI; P < 0.001, and NSTEMI P = 0.006. Serum iron levels and hospitalized STEMI patients’ TIMI risk scores showed a significant connection (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Regardless of hemoglobin content, patients with <10% improvement in LVEF from baseline had considerably lower blood iron levels. Six months after their initial ACS incident, patients with ACS who had lower blood iron concentrations at baseline recovered less well in terms of left ventricular systolic function. In our study, 48% of men and 68% of women were found to be iron deficient. In addition to being an indicator of inflammation, hypoferremia may be the target of a novel biomarker with potential applications in medicine in the near future. It could be useful in predicting left ventricular function following ACS.

Iron parameters analysis in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease.

Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is the most common acquired cardiovascular disease in small breed dogs. In contrast to human patients with heart failure (HF), iron deficiency (ID) prevalence in dogs with MMVD is weakly known. The study aimed to assess the usability of ID markers in serum and reticulocyte parameters from whole blood of dogs with MMVD to evaluate early ID symptoms. Sixty-eight dogs (43 male and 25 female) were included in the study. MMVD dogs were assigned according to the 2019 ACVIM guidelines for groups B1 (n = 9), B2 (n = 10), C (n = 27) and D (n = 10). Groups were also combined into B1 and B2 as non-symptomatic HF and C with D as symptomatic HF. Healthy controls were 12 dogs. Serum iron concentration below the reference range in dogs with MMVD was 12.5%. Other ID indices, such as %SAT, UIBC, and TIBC were similar in the MMVD groups and healthy controls (p > 0.05 for all parameters). Statistical comparison between control group and 4 groups of different stages of MMVD showed that significant differences occur only in serum transferrin. The assessment of ferritin and soluble transferrin receptors using Western Blotting did not show differences between control (n = 7) and MMVD (n = 33) dogs. Study has shown positive correlation between ID parameters and echocardiographic indices such as LA/Ao and LVIDdN, and some biochemical parameters. A significant increase in reticulocytes percentage, assessed manually, was observed in the HF group of animals (p = 0.027) compared to the control group. Studies have shown that ID parameters in serum are not significantly different in dogs with MMVD compared to healthy dogs. However, there is a clear correlation between atrial size and normalised left ventricular size to body size and some biochemical parameters, including ID parameters and therefore the severity of MMVD.

A review on the phytochemistry and biological activities of Curculigo latifolia Dryand ex. W.Aiton

Curculigo latifolia Dryand. ex W. T. Aiton, from the genus Curculigo, is a medicinal plant traditionally used to treat numerous illnesses such as fever, stomach aches, jaundice, wounds, and inflammation. C. latifolia is a perennial herb that is widely found in tropical and subtropical regions, such as Southeast Asia, Southern China, Bangladesh, Australia, and the Andaman Islands. This review collates the reported studies on the different aspects of C. latifolia from its plant description, nutritional value, phytochemistry, chemical composition, and pharmacological properties. This review aims to identify gaps in the literature and provide useful references for future work on this plant. Previous studies have shown that C. latifolia contains high mineral contents of calcium, iron, and magnesium, which are essential components of human health. Moreover, the plant is rich in phytochemicals, which play a prominent role in various pharmacological activities. The most common compounds identified included curculigoside, crassifoside I, nyasicoside, and curculigine. C. latifolia demonstrated high antioxidant activity through its ability to scavenge superoxide anions, 1,1–diphenyl–2–picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2’-azino–bis(3–ethylbenzthiazoline–6–sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radicals, reducing ferric ions to ferrous complexes, iron chelation, and B-carotene bleaching. It was also shown that the roots, stems, and leaves of C. latifolia were effective in exerting antimicrobial activity against several microbial strains, including Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtillis, Enterobacter aerogenes, Erwinia sp., Klebsiella sp., Pseudomonas sp., Candida albicans, Salmonella choleraesuis and Staphylococcus aureus. Moreover, the root, fruit, leaf, petiole, and rhizome extracts were found to improve glucose uptake and insulin secretion in diabetic rats, suggesting their antidiabetic potential. C. latifolia presents a wide range of medicinal properties that could make it a promising functional food or source of food supplements to prevent nutrition–related or chronic diseases.

Numerical analysis and industrial practice of single-flow post-combustion oxygen lance with high oxygen supply intensity

The oxygen supply process is a vital operation in converter steelmaking, which is to inject oxygen and kinetic energy into the liquid bath with an oxygen lance. Herein, a single-flow post-combustion oxygen lance (SF-PCL) with four primary holes and six secondary holes was designed to increase the oxygen supply intensity of a 60-ton converter in a steel plant. The attenuation and coalescence behaviors of supersonic jets for the conventional four-hole oxygen lance (COL) and the newly designed SF-PCL were studied by numerical simulation. And then, their metallurgical effects were verified by industrial practice. The simulation results indicated that the SF-PCL effectively suppresses the attenuation and coalescence of supersonic jets as well as simultaneously increases both the impact area and penetration depth. In industrial practice, compared with the COL, the newly designed SF-PCL increases the oxygen supply intensity from the original 4.89 m3 (t·min)−1 to 5.43 m3 (t·min)−1, rises the dephosphorization rate by 1.4%, shortens the blowing time by 34 s, reduces the ferrous charges consumption by 7 kg t−1 and decreases the total iron content in final slag by 0.85%.

INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFICIENCY OF NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY VETERINARY MEDICINAL PRODUCT IN THE COMPLEX TREATMENT OF DISEASES OF THE MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM OF PIGS

The article presents the results of clinical trials of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory veterinary drug when administered to fattening piglets with clinical signs of musculoskeletal diseases. For the treatment of the diseases, piglets of the experimental (I) and control (II) groups received an antimicrobial drug based on the tetracycline antibiotic. The animals of the experimental group were additionally administered orally with drinking water the test non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug based on acetylsalicylic, ascorbic and citric acids, in the recommended dosage by the manufacturer. Blood for laboratory tests was selected from piglets before and after the use of drugs. Studies of hematological and biochemical parameters were conducted according to generally accepted methods. The therapeutic efficiecy of the drug and its effect on the morphofunctional state of the body was evaluated by comparing the statistically processed data obtained before and after treatment, as well as in comparison with the indicators of animals of the control group. The analysis of hematological parameters of piglets during the experiment showed a decrease in the number of leukocytes in the animal’s blood after the use of drugs. The normalization of the leukogram was also noted by reducing the relative number of rod-nuclear neutrophils. In particular, this indicator decreased by 17.4% in group I piglets, and by 12% in group II piglets. It is noted that the clinical response to therapy was faster and more pronounced in animals, which used a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug in combination with an antimicrobial drug than in piglets, which were treated only by antibiotic. According to the results of biochemical studies, it was found that the content of urea in the serum of animals of both groups before the use of drugs exceeded more than 3 times the upper limit of physiological values for a given age group of piglets. After therapy with the drugs a significant decrease in the urea content in the blood serum of groups 1 and 2 animals was noted by 3.42 and 2.98 times, respectively. It is established that the activity of marker enzymes of the liver physiological state (ALT, AST) in the serum of group I piglets after complex treatment with the studied drugs was slightly reduced and was within the physiological values. In the serum of group II animals, which were treated only with antimicrobial drug, ALT activity increased by 12,0 %, and AST – by 38,6 %, compared to the initial data, and exceeded the limit of physiological values. An increase in the content of iron by 37.4 % in the blood of group I piglets, compared to the period before drug administration, was noted. No adverse reactions and negative phenomena were detected during the use of the test drug, and the drug was well tolerated. According to the clinical condition of the experimental group animals and the results of laboratory tests it was established that the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs based on acetylsalicylic, ascorbic and citric acids simultaneously with antimicrobial therapy led to a faster improvement in the state of the musculoskeletal system. Observation during the month of the piglet’s clinical conditions confirmed the safety of the drug in the recommended dosage and method of administration in the combined treatment of inflammatory processes of the musculoskeletal system.

Miyake-jima Anorthite: A Lunar Crustal Material Analog

Abstract: High calcic (~95% anorthite) plagioclase is the key mineral comprising the primary lunar crustal suites that cover over 60% of the Moon’s surface. Pristine crystals of similar high calcic plagioclase are rare occurrences on Earth, which creates a roadblock to using terrestrial material as lunar crustal analogs. We discuss the potential of a particular megacrystic anorthite (An95.51 ± 0.31) occurring in the basaltic lava flows of island arc volcano in Miyake-jima, Japan as an material analog. A comprehensive analytical routine for the Miyake-jima anorthites has been performed to explore intra- and inter-crystalline heterogeneities in terms of major, minor, and trace elements. These anorthites show flat concentration gradients across core profiles for all major elements (Si, Al, Ca, Na), minor elements (Mg, Fe), and most trace elements (La, Ce, Pm, Nd, Eu). Comparing the chemical composition of the samples with that of different lunar crustal suites like ferroan anorthosites, high-magnesium suites, and high alkali suites show that the Miyake-jima anorthites are overlapping or depleted in most minor and trace elements except for a slight enrichment in Li, Ti, Fe, Sr, Eu, Ba, and Pb. Given the low abundance of most trace elements in the Miyake-jima anorthites we can treat this sample suite as a “blank slate”, which provides the opportunity to dope the crystalline matrix with the elements of interest at different levels and use them for geochemical, petrologic, and spectroscopic studies. The lack of typical magmatic zoning and overlapping elemental compositions across the different megacrysts make the Miyake-jima anorthites very well-suited as a lunar crustal material analog. Highly calcic, crystalline anorthite is shown to have unique spectral signatures from less calcic anorthite, and intermediate and sodic compositions of plagioclase feldspar as calcium and iron contents control the wavelength position and shape of the diagnostic spectral features in the thermal infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Thus, near and thermal infrared spectral measurements of the Miyake-jima anorthites highlight the importance of developing chemically and mineralogically consistent terrestrial material analogs for remote sensing studies.

CRISPR/Cas9 edited StbHLH47 lines exhibit altered expression profiling of iron regulating genes and increased iron content in Solanum tuberosum

Iron is an essential plant nutrient, and a continuous supply of it is required as it is a key factor in various metabolic processes, including photosynthesis, chlorophyll synthesis, and respiration. Various transcription factors are known to regulate iron homeostasis in plants, and the bHLH transcription factor family is one of them. The StbHLH47 is a homologue of the Arabidopsis POPEYE (PYE), which is known to repress iron homeostasis-related genes in Arabidopsis. Potato is the most consumed vegetable in the world and is low in iron content. We have generated CRISPR/Cas9-edited StbHLH47 lines and performed a detailed analysis of these lines. The analysis revealed that the roots of StbHLH47 edited lines have decreased ferric chelate reductase (FCR) activity compared to the roots of the wild-type (WT) plant. We also observed that CRISPR/Cas9 edited lines have fewer trichomes when compared to the WT plant. The expression of genes associated with iron homeostasis was also measured. Compared to the control, the expression of StbHLH47 was downregulated in the edited lines, while the expression of StNAS4, StOPT3, and StFRO3 was upregulated. This suggests the negative regulation of StbHLH47 in modulating iron. The iron content was also quantified using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and found to be increased in the generated transgenic lines when compared to WT plants. Overall, this study reveals that StbHLH47 negatively regulates the expression of iron homeostasis-related genes. StbHLH47 edited lines exhibited decreased FCR activity, changes in phenotype, and increased iron content in the potato plants. Key messageThis study provides novel insight into the role of StbHLH47 in modulating iron content in Solanum tuberosum and controlling the expression of various iron homeostasis-related genes.

ANO6 (TMEM16F) inhibits gastrointestinal stromal tumor growth and induces ferroptosis.

Herein, we elucidate the potential role of ANO6 (TMEM16F) in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). ANO6 expression in GIST and adjacent normal tissues was determined using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blotting. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, and pyroptosis were examined utilizing 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP Nick-End Labeling staining, and flow cytometry. In addition, the total iron and Fe2+ levels were assessed. IL-18 and IL-1β levels were also evaluated. Lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS), cystine (Cys), glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) levels were evaluated using appropriate kits. Ferroptotic markers, including Ptgs2, Chac1, SLC7A11, and SLC3A2, were analyzed by RT-qPCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. ANO6 expression decreased in GIST tissues. ANO6-plasmid inhibits proliferation, induces apoptosis, and promotes pyroptosis in GIST-T1 and GIST-T1 IR cells. The ANO6-plasmid induced ferroptosis, as confirmed by enhanced lipid ROS levels, increased intracellular concentrations of total iron and Fe2+, promoted Ptgs2 and Chac1 expression, reduced Cys, GSH, and GPX4 levels, and downregulated SLC7A11 and SLC3A2 expression after in vitro and in vivo treatment with ANO6-plasmid. Moreover, the ANO6-plasmid inhibited GIST growth in vivo. Therefore, ANO6 may be a promising therapeutic target for blocking the development of GIST via the induction of apoptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis.

Silicon extraction from x-ray amorphous soil constituents: a method comparison of alkaline extracting agents

The growing interest in amorphous silica (ASi) within the fields of soil science and ecology underscores the necessity for a reliable protocol to estimate ASi contents in soil. Alkaline wet chemical extraction methods are commonly employed for silicon (Si) extraction from operationally defined (x-ray) amorphous Si phases or short-range ordered mineral phases in soils and marine sediments. In our study we conducted a comparative analysis of four alkaline extraction methods (1% sodium carbonate, 0.5 M sodium carbonate, 0.2 M sodium hydroxide, and 0.1 M Tiron), assessing their extraction selectivity as well as effectiveness using soils artificially enriched with varying, defined amounts of ASi. While extraction effectiveness was evaluated by determining the recovery rate of initially added ASi, extraction selectivity was determined by measuring aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) concentrations as indicators of the dissolution of non-target mineral phases. Microwave plasma atom emission spectrometry was used to analyze Al, Fe, and Si concentrations in the extracts. Our results indicate that extraction with 0.2 M sodium hydroxide yields the best outcomes in terms of both extraction effectiveness and selectivity. This more recent extraction technique is conducted at the most alkaline pH (13.3) of all four methods tested, but at ambient temperature (21°C) decreasing the dissolution of non-target mineral phases. Though, no wet-chemical extraction used on heterogeneous samples like soil is precisely selective, and thus able to quantify the target analyte only. Hence, data obtained by such procedures still need to be interpreted with caution considering all their limitations.

Epoxiconazole degradation in water samples: a comparative study of Fenton, photo-Fenton, solar photo-Fenton, and solar photolysis processes.

Epoxiconazole (EPO) is classified as a persistent organic pollutant due to its ability to persist in the environment for prolonged periods. Its degradation is pivotal in mitigating its environmental impact. This investigation focuses on assessing the degradation of EPO using various methodologies, namely Fenton, photo-Fenton, solar photo-Fenton, and solar photolysis, conducted in both Milli-Q water and groundwater. These experiments encompassed evaluations at both the standard pH typically used in photo-Fenton reactions and the natural pH levels inherent to the respective aqueous environments. Additionally, EPO degradation products were analyzed after a 60-min reaction. Notably, in systems utilizing groundwater, the inclusion of additional iron was unnecessary, as the naturally occurring iron content in the groundwater facilitated the intended processes. Specifically, in Milli-Q water, solar photo-Fenton demonstrated an EPO degradation efficiency of 97%. Furthermore, the substitution of Milli-Q water with groundwater in Fenton-like processes did not significantly affect the efficacy of EPO degradation. These findings underscore the potential of solar photo-Fenton as an economically viable and environmentally sustainable strategy for EPO degradation.

Influence of ocean alkalinity enhancement with olivine or steel slag on a coastal plankton community in Tasmania

Abstract. Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) aims to increase atmospheric CO2 sequestration in the oceans through the acceleration of chemical rock weathering. This could be achieved by grinding rocks containing alkaline minerals and adding the rock powder to the surface ocean where it dissolves and chemically locks CO2 in seawater as bicarbonate. However, CO2 sequestration during dissolution coincides with the release of potentially bioactive chemicals and may induce side effects. Here, we used 53 L microcosms to test how coastal plankton communities from Tasmania respond to OAE with olivine (mainly Mg2SiO4) or steel slag (mainly CaO and Ca(OH)2) as alkalinity sources. Three microcosms were left unperturbed and served as a control, three were enriched with olivine powder (1.9 g L−1), and three were enriched with steel slag powder (0.038 g L−1). Olivine and steel slag powders were of similar grain size. Olivine was added in a higher amount than the steel slag with the aim of compensating for the lower efficiency of olivine to deliver alkalinity over the 3-week experiment. Phytoplankton and zooplankton community responses as well as some biogeochemical parameters were monitored. Olivine and steel slag additions increased total alkalinity by 29 and 361 µmol kg−1, respectively, corresponding to a respective theoretical increase of 0.9 % and 14.8 % of the seawater storage capacity for atmospheric CO2. Olivine and steel slag released silicate nutrients into the seawater, but steel slag released considerably more and also significant amounts of phosphate. After 21 d, no significant difference was found in dissolved iron concentrations (>100 nmol L−1) in the treatments and the control. The slag addition increased dissolved manganese concentrations (771 nmol L−1), while olivine increased dissolved nickel concentrations (37 nmol L−1). There was no significant difference in total chlorophyll-a concentrations between the treatments and the control, likely due to nitrogen limitation of the phytoplankton community. However, flow cytometry results indicated an increase in the cellular abundance of several smaller (∼<20 µm) phytoplankton groups in the olivine treatment. The abundance of larger phytoplankton (∼>20 µm) decreased much more in the control than in the treatments after day 10. Furthermore, the maximum quantum yields of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) were higher in slag and olivine treatments, suggesting that mineral additions increased photosynthetic performance. The zooplankton community composition was also affected, with the most notable changes being observed in the dinoflagellate Noctiluca scintillans and the appendicularian Oikopleura sp. in the olivine treatment. Overall, the steel slag used here was more efficient for CO2 removal with OAE than the olivine over the 3-week timescale of the experiment. Furthermore, the steel slag appeared to induce less change in the plankton community than the olivine when comparing the CO2 removal potential of both minerals with the level of environmental impact that they caused.

Biofortification for Enhancement of Zinc (Zn) and Iron (Fe) Content in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.): A Comprehensive Review

Micronutrient deficiency, often termed "hidden hunger," is a significant global health issue affecting over three billion people worldwide. Given that wheat is a primary staple grain in many developing countries, it is crucial to focus on enhancing its nutritional content, as it often lacks essential micronutrients. Biofortification offers a promising solution to this problem by increasing the levels of key nutrients in the edible parts of crops through both agronomic and genetic approaches. This article examines the potential of biofortification in wheat, targeting vital micronutrients like iron and zinc. By employing traditional breeding methods alongside modern genetic techniques such as genome sequencing, Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) mapping, and Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS), researchers aim to boost the bioavailability and concentration of these nutrients in wheat varieties. The genetic variability observed in wild wheat relatives plays a significant role in identifying traits that can enhance the nutritional profile of wheat. The benefits of biofortified wheat are numerous, especially for resource-limited consumers who rely heavily on cereal-based diets. Increased concentrations of iron and zinc in wheat could improve the health and well-being of these populations, helping to combat hidden hunger on a global scale. This review paper provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of agronomic and genetic strategies for wheat biofortification, with a specific focus on increasing zinc and iron content in wheat grains. It discusses the progress made in biofortification research and outlines the various breeding approaches and genetic tools used to enhance wheat's nutritional content. By leveraging these strategies, wheat biofortification has the potential to address micronutrient deficiencies and contribute to improved public health outcomes worldwide.

Electrochemical ocean iron fertilization and alkalinity enhancement approach toward CO2 sequestration

Achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 requires the development of effective negative emission techniques, including ocean-based approaches for CO2 sequestration. However, the implementation and testing of marine CO2 removal (mCDR) techniques such as ocean iron fertilization (OIF) or ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) face significant challenges. Herein, a novel self-operating electrochemical technology is presented that not only combines OIF and OAE, but also recovers hydrogen gas (H2) from seawater, hence offering a promising solution for achieving quantifiable and transparent large-scale mCDR. Experimental results show that the electrochemical OIF (EOIF) can not only increase the concentration of ferrous iron (Fe+2) by 0–0.5 mg/L, but also significantly increases the seawater pH by 8% (i.e., a 25% decrease in the hydrogen ions concentration). The release of iron (Fe+2/Fe+3) can be regulated by adjusting the magnitude of the electric current and its form (e.g., pulsed current and polarity reversal), as well as by optimizing the electrode material and geometry. In certain ocean regions, enhanced iron concentrations stimulate the naturally occurring biological carbon pump (BCP), leading to increased phytoplankton growth, CO2 uptake, and subsequent export of carbon to the deep ocean. Simultaneously, the system increases seawater alkalinity and the buffer capacity, enhancing CO2 solubility and storage in the shallow ocean through the solubility pump. The obtained measurements demonstrate the scalability of EOIF and its ability to operate using solar energy at a lower cost. Overall, the proposed EOIF technology offers a practical, effective, and sustainable solution for addressing climate change on a large scale.

Impact of foliar application of iron and zinc fertilizers on grain iron, zinc, and protein contents in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Impact of foliar application of iron and zinc fertilizers on grain iron, zinc, and protein contents in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Agronomic biofortification of basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.) through iron and boron under varying seedling densities

Agronomic biofortification of basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.) through iron and boron under varying seedling densities