Application Of Mud Research Articles

Improving sugarcane productivity on marginal soil in Takalar, Indonesia, through the application of sugarcane factory waste

Marginal soil with low nutrient content is a crucial problem in reducing crop productivity, including sugarcane. This study aimed to elucidate the possible improvement of the physical and chemical properties of marginal soil through the application of organic waste from sugar factories, namely kettle ash and press mud. Nine treatment combinations of 0, 10, and 20 t ha-1 of each kettle ash and press mud were arranged in a two-factor randomized factorial design with three replications. Soil organic matter, N, P, and K, soil aggregate stability, and sugarcane productivity were measured after planting sugarcane for five months. The results showed that the application of kettle ash and press mud, especially with a ratio of 20 t ha-1 kettle ash and 10 t ha-1 press mud, was able to reduce the leaching of organic matter and improve sugarcane growth, particularly increasing the number of tillers by 16%, stem height by 14%, and diameter by 16%. The sugarcane productivity obtained was 58.02 t ha-1. Other portions of kettle ash and press mud did not have a favorable effect on sugarcane productivity. This study provided practical insights for increasing agricultural productivity, especially in sugarcane plantations.

Impact of red mud on soil properties and revegetation species growth in bauxite mining land reclamation

Bauxite mining, a key aluminum production process, can cause environmental degradation, soil erosion, and biodiversity loss. Reclamation measures like reforestation and water management can restore balance. Red mud, a by-product of alumina production, can enhance soil fertility and plant growth in post-bauxite mining reclamation areas. Its alkalinity and mineral composition reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers, promoting sustainable soil management and addressing environmental challenges. This study aimed to examine the impact of red mud on soil characteristics and the growth of plants in areas during bauxite mining land reclamation. This study was conducted in the post-reclamation area of bauxite mining in West Kalimantan. The experiment involved two treatments: red mud application and a species of revegetation plant. Plant species consist of the plants Embeng, Forest Guana, Johar, and Rambutan. The study used a randomized block design with 24 experimental units. The parameters measured in the study included pH, organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, exchangeable cations, cation exchange capacity, and base saturation, while growth parameters included a high percentage of plant growth and percentages of increased stem diameter. The findings showed that adding red mud to the planting hole increased soil pH and base saturation, improved nutrient availability, and enhanced plant growth in the areas post-mining bauxite at PT Antam, UBPB West Kalimantan. The Embeng Plant is highly regarded as a suitable plant species for re-vegetating areas after bauxite mining.

PVA fiber reinforced red mud-based geopolymer for 3D printing: Printability, mechanical properties and microanalysis

Red mud-based geopolymers are an efficient alternative to resolve the high cement consumption in 3D printed concrete (3DPC). From a materials perspective, good printability and mechanical properties are critical to adopting red mud-based geopolymers in 3DPC. In this study, we selected bauxite tailings-red mud and blast furnace slag to prepare geopolymers. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers with 0, 0.3 %, 0.6 %, 0.9 %, and 1.2 % volume fractions were used to reinforce 3D printed red mud-based geopolymers. To evaluate the influence of PVA fiber on the printability and mechanical properties of 3D printed red mud-based geopolymer. We tested the workability, extrudability, structural build-up ability, shape stability, and mechanical properties of the red mud-based geopolymer containing different volume fraction PVA fibers, and a microstructural analysis was performed to reveal the interface bond between the fibers and the geopolymer matrix. The results showed that adding PVA fibers impaired the workability of the red mud-based geopolymer mortar. The red mud-based geopolymer mortar showed a more than threefold increase in extrusion pressure compared to the control mixture (P0) when adding 1.2 % vol fiber. For all other mixtures, the increase was less than twice that of the control mixture. The PVA fiber had a significant positive impact on the structural build-up ability and shape stability of the 3D printable red mud-based geopolymer. In addition, PVA fibers promoted the bending strength of the hardened geopolymer specimens better than the compression strength, and the geopolymer gel on the fibers indicated the good interfacial bonding ability of the PVA fiber. This study demonstrates the feasibility of 3D printed red mud-based geopolymer and the reinforcement of 3D printed red mud-based geopolymer by PVA fibers, providing a material perspective to increase the range of red mud applications in 3D printed concrete.

Preparation and Research on Mechanical Properties of Eco-Friendly Geopolymer Grouting Cementitious Materials Based on Industrial Solid Wastes.

Red mud (RM), a hazardous solid waste generated in the alumina production process, of which the mineral composition is mainly hematite, is unable to be applied directly in the cement industry due to its high alkalinity. With the rise of geopolymers, RM-based grouting materials play an essential role in disaster prevention and underground engineering. To adequately reduce the land-based stockpiling of solid wastes, ultrafine calcium oxide, red mud, and slag were utilized as the main raw materials to prepare geopolymers, the C-R-S (calcium oxide-red mud-slag) grouting cementitious materials. The direct impact of red mud addition on the setting time, fluidity, water secretion, mechanical properties, and rheological properties of C-R-S were also investigated. In addition, a scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), three-dimensional CT (3D-CT), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and other characterization techniques were used to analyze the microstructure and polymerization mechanism. The related results reveal that the increase in red mud addition leads to an enhanced setting time, and the C-R-S-40 grouting cementitious material (40% red mud addition) exhibits the best fluidity of 27.5 cm, the lowest water secretion rate of 5.7%, and a high mechanical strength of 57.7 MPa. The C-R-S polymer grout conforms to the Herschel-Bulkley model, and the fitted value of R2 is above 0.99. All analyses confirm that the preparation process of C-R-S grouting cementitious material not only substantially improves the utilization rate of red mud, but also provides a theoretical basis for the high-volume application of red mud in the field of grouting.

The effect of biostimulants and red mud on the growth and yield of shallots in post-unlicensed gold mining soil

Abstract Shallot production in West Kalimantan is still low. Land that has the potential for the development of shallots is the soil from post-unlicensed gold mining (PUGM). The soil at PUGM was exploited very extensively and can be used to develop shallots, but it is obstacled by low pH values and nutrient content. This research aims to investigate the impact of biostimulants and red mud on the growth and yield of shallots. The experiment was carried out in two stages: (1) investigated the ratio of the red mud and PUGM soil at the laboratory and (2) investigated the biostimulants and red mud effect on two varieties of shallots in a screen house. For the second experiment, there were three factors. The first factor was the biostimulant (0, 2, 3, and 4%); the second factor was the dose of red mud (0, 2, and 4 tons ha−1); and the third factor was the shallot varieties (Bima Brebes and Tajuk). The results of the first research indicated that the application of the red mud and PUGM soil in a ratio of 1:500 and 1:1,000 had a pH of 7.88 (slightly alkaline) and 7.24 (neutral), respectively. The second study found that a 2% concentration of biostimulant increased plant height and tuber count by 23.78 cm and 6.55 tubers, respectively. The Bima Brebes variety produced better fresh tubers weight clump−1 and dry tubers weight clump−1 than the Tajuk variety, with, respectively, 42.08 g (7.36 tons ha−1) and 32.60 g (5.71 tons ha−1). These findings show that the use of the biostimulants and red mud together in integrated management can help shallots grow and produce more, especially on PUGM land that has obstacles with low soil fertility. This research contributes to the identification of sustainable solutions for agricultural development in environments that have experienced severe land degradation, such as unlicensed gold mining activities.

Revitalizing your sleep: the impact of daytime physical activity and balneotherapy during a spa stay.

In modern society, achieving high-quality sleep is increasingly challenging. We conducted a study to explore the potential benefits of daytime physical activity and balneotherapy, including mud application and thermal-water bathing, on sleep quality. To assess daytime physical activity and sleep parameters, we actigraphically monitored 127 healthy participants (34.6% male, average age 64.61 ± 0.89 years) during a one-week stay at a spa resort, where they received mud application and thermal-water bathings. Participants were divided into three groups based on the timing of mud application. Those receiving mud application before 8:30 a.m. tended to have shorter sleep durations compared to those with later application, especially if it occurred before 7:45 a.m. However, mud application did not significantly affect sleep quality. Three-way ANCOVA revealed a significant effect of daytime physical activity on delta Sleep Efficiency, but post-hoc tests were insignificant. Furthermore, analyzing the duration of daily thermal-water bathings, individuals bathing for over 75 min per day experienced a noteworthy improvement in sleep quality, particularly in terms of delta Sleep Efficiency (2.15 ± 0.9% vs. -0.34 ± 0.31%, p = 0.007). Our findings suggest that extended thermal-water bathing may enhance objective aspects of sleep quality. Since balneotherapy is mainly prescribed for individuals with musculoskeletal pathologies or psychological disorders, these findings may encourage doctors to recommend bathing in thermal water also to healthy subjects. Future researchers need to investigate the role of daytime physical activity in depth.

Study on the effect of sodium removal from citric acid pretreated red mud on the physical properties of red mud.

Red mud is a highly alkaline solid waste discharged from the alumina industry, and its high sodium content is the key factor limiting its wide utilization. Therefore, effective control of the "frosting" phenomenon during the application of red mud has received significant attention. In this study, the changes of particle size, phase, morphology, and pore size of red mud after sodium removal with different amounts of citric acid pretreatment were investigated. The single-factor experiment shows that the Na+ leaching rate is 86.33% under a citric acid dosage of 15%, liquid-to-solid ratio of 7mL/g, leaching temperature of 80°C, stirring speed of 300rpm, and leaching time of 10min. The leachate is characterized through X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis. The results reveal that Na+ mainly exists in a combined state in the form of cancrinite. With the increase of citric acid dosage, red mud agglomerates, calcite, and cancrinite are dissolved, and new phases such as calcium oxalate and magnesium aluminum hydroxide are formed. The specific surface area, pore volume, and pore diameter show irregular changes with the increase in the citric acid dosage. Citric acid pretreatment can effectively reduce the sodium content in red mud, the treatment cost of leaching solution is low, and the leaching residue is neutral, which is helpful to promote the practical application of red mud.

Effect of local mud application in patients with knee osteoarthritis - A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Mud therapy is a safe, cost-effective approach for Knee Osteoarthritis (OA), promoting healing through warmth and minerals, providing pain relief, and improving function. The main objective of the current review is to assess the effectiveness of local mud application for pain management in patients with Knee OA. The published papers were obtained from PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrails.gov, Web of Science, and references from relevant systematic reviews from 1990 January to February 2023. Trials meeting the predefined criteria were included in this meta-analysis. The main focus of this study was to assess pain as a primary outcome measure. R software version 4.3.1 and Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 1 were used to derive meta-analysis and risk of bias in the included studies. A meta-analysis was performed using the fixed-effects model to obtain a summary of treatment effects, which calculated the effect size (standardized mean difference; SMD) along with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI).In the current meta-analysis, a total of ten studies with 560 Knee OA patients were included. Findings demonstrated significant effects of local mud application on pain (SMD: -0.36, 95% CI: -0.56, -0.16), and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scale (SMD: -0.49, 95% CI: -0.68, -0.29) for individuals suffering from Knee OA. The current study identified compelling evidence to support the recommendation of mud application as an effective intervention for individuals with Knee OA. While local mud application may serve as a supplementary therapy alongside conventional medical approaches for improved Knee OA management, additional high-quality randomized controlled trials are required to validate these findings.

Application of red mud in hydrothermal remediation of Cd- and petroleum-contaminated soil

Developing a technique to simultaneously remove the harmful effects of organic matter and heavy metals from composite-polluted soil is of great importance, as it could reduce the time required for land restoration. In this study, red mud was used as an additive to remediate Cd- and petroleum-contaminated soil (CPCS) using hydrothermal technology, and its effects on the total organic carbon (TOC), total Cd, and available Cd (CdA) in the soil were evaluated. During hydrothermal extractions, when the temperature increased from 150 °C to 350 °C, the TOC removal efficiency increased from 16.32 % to 61.29 %, while the ratio of CdA (RCdA) decreased from 32.28 % to 10.72 %, and after adding 2 g of red mud, the RCdA decreased from 46.54 % to 20.30 %. During hydrothermal oxidations, adding red mud increased the TOC removal efficiency from 78.44 % at 0 g to 84.62 % at 3 g when the amount of oxidant was 30 mL, and RCdA decreased from 31.62 % to 19.46 %. These results indicate that hydrothermal treatments could significantly affect the organic substances in soil, and red mud played the roles of a catalyst and passivator during hydrothermal oxidation. The passivation of Cd by red mud was promoted under high-temperature conditions and an appropriate increase in the oxidant concentration and reaction time could promote the removal of organic matter and the reduction of CdA. However, excessive oxidants and reaction time could cause further decomposition of organic matter, leading to a decreased ability to capture Cd.

Effect of Hot Mud Application versus Revulsive Compresses on Controlling Knee Osteoarthritis Associated Pain

Effect of Hot Mud Application versus Revulsive Compresses on Controlling Knee Osteoarthritis Associated Pain

A pilot study on the efficacy of a seaweed mud application in the treatment of cellulite.

Cellulite represents a common multi-factorial condition that affects nearly all women and is now recognized as a clinical condition associated with systemic factors and negative psychological effects. Several noninvasive and minimally invasive treatments were developed during the last few years, but limited evidence supports many of them due to lack of evidence, insufficient participants, and potential adverse effects. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a seaweed mud application in improving both the structure and function of tissues affected by cellulite. Sixty women with cellulite underwent 4-week applications of seaweed mud on the buttocks and thighs. The following assessments were performed at baseline and after the last treatment: photographic, clinical, and anthropometric evaluation; tests for elasticity and hydration; ultrasonography of cellulite nodules; and cellulite biopsies in the trochanteric region. Patient satisfaction was assessed using a 5-point Likert-scale questionnaire. The treatment resulted in a significant improvement in the severity of cellulite severity between the initial assessment and the 4-week follow-up, with enhanced structure, elasticity, and hydration of the affected tissues. Microscopic analysis of the cellulite biopsies revealed a significant restoration of dermal organization with induced collagen synthesis and reduced inflammation, edema, and lipid deposition following the 4-week seaweed mud applications. Additionally, the treatment led to a remarkable improvement in comfort and satisfaction as well as a reduction in body circumferences. The cosmetic application of seaweed mud has proven to be a safe, non-invasive treatment for improving the tissue alterations characteristic of cellulite.

Wettability and Mechanical Properties of Red Mud-Al2O3 Composites.

In 2023, the global production of new red mud is expected to reach nearly 200 million tons, but less than 10% of it is currently being utilized in an environmentally friendly manner. To reduce the sintering temperature of alumina ceramics, a sintering aid method is used, as high-purity alumina ceramics require a solid-phase sintering temperature of over 1700 °C. The metal oxides present in red mud are necessary components for high-performance composite alumina ceramics. Composites were obtained by mixing and sintering red mud and Al2O3. This study focused on the mechanical properties and wettability of these composites. The results indicated that the 10% red mud-Al2O3 composite exhibited the highest hardness (20.12 GPa) and flexural strength (346 MPa). This is attributed to the formation of a mineral phase dominated by CaAl12O19, generated by the red mud during the sintering process, which filled the pores and reduced porosity. The surface energy of the red mud-Al2O3 composite was the highest at room temperature and high temperature, reaching 49.60 mJ·m-2 and 1164.7 mJ·m-2, respectively, indicating that it has better stability at both room and high temperatures. This study provides an important fundamental basis for the application of red mud-alumina composites to replace alumina-based composites in the field of construction materials, molten metal filters, ceramic cleavers, etc.

Laboratory testing on cracking characteristics and improvement mechanism of coral mud

In recent years, the development and construction of island reefs have been flourishing. Due to the remoteness of island reefs from the mainland, the scarcity of building materials, and the high transportation costs, it is imperative to use local marine resources, and the potential value and status of coral mud on island reefs, which is formed by the remains of corals and other biological entities, is becoming increasingly prominent. Utilization and optimization of natural resources on island reefs have become a brand-new research direction and challenge. This article mainly focuses on the development of a new type of green engineering material, coral mud, for use in building surface layers. Thickness effects, PVA fiber (vinylon staple fiber) modification, and HPMC (Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose) adhesive modification are taken into consideration. Through laboratory tests and image processing technology, fractal theory, and electron microscopy experiments, the macro-meso-microscopic multi-scale cracking rules of the coral mud surface layer and the optimization modification rules of PVA fibers and HPMC adhesives are revealed. The results demonstrate that the performance of the coral mud surface layer is superior to that of the kaolin surface layer, and the 10 mm thickness performs better than the 5 mm and 20 mm thicknesses. As the thickness of the coral mud surface layer increases, the contact between coral mud particles becomes denser, the scale of surface micro-cracks decreases, and the number of micro-pores decreases. PVA fibers can effectively inhibit the further development of macro and micro cracks and play a good bridging role. There is a bonding and adhesion relationship between coral mud and PVA fibers, and they have a good synergistic effect in inhibiting macro and mesoscopic cracks. With the increase in HPMC adhesive content, the number of micro-cracks and the scale of micro-cracks decrease accordingly, and the structure and performance of the coral mud surface layer are further improved. Overall, PVA fibers are more effective than HPMC adhesives in inhibiting the cracking of the coral mud surface layer. This provides valuable guidance for the development and application of coral mud in wall surface materials.

Reaction Mechanism of Hot Metal Desulfurization in the KR Process and Application of Red Mud as an Additive to Desulfurization Flux

The successful removal of sulfur (S) from hot metal is exemplified by the Kanbara Reactor (KR) process. However, a clearer understanding of its operating mechanism is needed. This study investigates the role of lime as the primary desulfurization agent, considering its chemical and mechanical aspects. Lime was found to not only chemically remove S but also facilitate the fragmentation of the desulfurization flux, which is crucial for enhancing the interfacial reaction area during vigorous mechanical stirring in the KR process. Fragmentation depends on the liquid-solid volume fraction in the flux. Traditionally, fluorspar has been used as an additive to aid in lime melting, but due to its environmental toxicity, alternative additives have been proposed. In this study, red mud, an industrial waste from alumina production, and spent MgOC refractory, were used as additives to lime, creating a novel desulfurization flux for hot metal in steelmaking. Laboratory-scale tests were conducted with mechanical stirring. A “DeS Index” was introduced to quantitatively assess desulfurization efficiency, considering extent, rate, and cost. The industrial wastecontaining flux showed comparable efficiency to commercially used fluxes, indicating its potential as an effective alternative. This study contributes to a better understanding of the desulfurization process and offers an environmentally friendly option for desulfurization in steelmaking.

Integrated application of metal tolerant P. fluorescens and press mud for conferring heavy metal tolerance to aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis)

Soil pollution due to heavy metal (HM) contamination has emerged as a global issue worldwide owing to their adverse impacts on plant growth. Bioremediation approaches employing living organisms for HM alleviation have gained considerable attention among scientific community. Biological agents such as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) offer a sustainable way to restore soil health, and their combination with different organic amendments such as press mud (PM) can serve as potential approach for immobilizing HMs in soil. We performed a pot experiment to evaluate the role of individual and combined application of press mud and PGPR strain ‘FQ6’ (identified as Pseudomonas fluorescens) in the phytoremediation of different HMs (Pb, Ni and Cd) and growth promotion of aloe vera. Combined application of FQ6 strain and PM yielded more significant outcomes in terms of all the growth and yield attributes such as leaf length (123 %), plant height (57 %), number of leaves (115 %), fresh and dry weights of gel (246 and 280 %), gel contents (96 %), root length (164 %), root diameter (220 %), no. of root tips (138 %) and root area (315 %), as compared to control. Combined application of FQ6 and PM also led to a significant improvement in different antioxidant activities i.e., CAT (129 %), SOD (48 %), APX (17 %) and POD (83 %) as compared to control. Contrastingly, mobility of these HMs was reduced under combined application of Pseudomonas strain ‘FQ6’ and PM, as there existed a considerable difference between HMs concentrations in soil and plant body. We concluded that joint application of HM-tolerant Pseudomonas FQ6 strain and PM could be an ideal option to alleviate the HM induced adverse impacts on aloe vera by immobilizing them in soil, and subsequently, improving plant growth.

Use of mill by-products in the fallow in sugarcane production in Australia

Mill by-products such as mud, ash and mud/ash mixtures are known to increase cane and sugar yields. Traditionally, Australian growers broadcast these by-products in the fallow at rates greater than 150 t/ha. However, growers are now banding by-products at less than 100 t/ha, with few guidelines on how to maximise their returns from this practice. Eight commercial size replicated, randomised strip trials were established in bare fallows between Ingham and Proserpine to investigate the impact of by-products banded between 35 and 100 t/ha and broadcast between 140 and 200 t/ha on cane yield, CCS and grower net revenue compared to standard grower fallow practices. The trials were harvested each year over the crop cycle using a commercial harvester. Tonnes of cane harvested and mill CCS provided by the receiving sugar mill were used to calculate tonnes of cane per hectare and grower net revenue per hectare using the Australian cane payment method for each plot in a trial. The application of mud, mud/ash and ash increased cane yield with ash ≥ mud/ash >> mud. The greater the quantity of by-product applied, the greater the cane yield. Conversely, CCS decreased linearly with the quantity of mud, mud/ash, or ash applied. CCS was lowest in mud << mud/ash ≤ ash. Cumulative grower net revenue at the end of the crop cycle was greatest in ash > mud/ash >> mud and was greatest at application rates of 35–50 t/ha > 70–100 t/ha > 140–200 t/ha. Broadcasting mud at 200 t/ha resulted in the growers not recovering the cost of application. Banding by-products containing mud/ash and ash at 100 t/ha or less resulted in the grower recovering the cost of the product by the second or third ratoon. By-products applied at rates as low as 50 t/ha reduced CCS, and further research is needed to improve guidelines on nutrient and water management so that growers using these by-products can maximize their profitability.

Red mud application as filler in asphalt mixtures production

Red mud is the solid waste from bauxite processing during aluminium production. Its inadequate disposal causes social, economic and environmental prejudices. The industrial solid waste insertion evaluation in the production chain is beneficial and necessary. This work aims to evaluate the mechanical performance of asphalt mixtures produced with red mud as filling material. Asphalt mixtures with 5% and 7% red mud were produced, and permanent deformation and moisture-induced damage tests were carried out. A mixture without red mud addition (control) was produced for comparison. The results showed that the mixtures with red mud presented permanent deformation resistance greater than the control one, with more than 40% reduction in rutting deformation. The moisture damage did not significantly affect the mixtures tested. The red mud application as a filler in asphalt mixtures is viable and can be an alternative to reduce the damage such a waste can cause to the environment.

Using red mud as a sorbent for heavy metal cations

Red mud is the main by-product of the production of alumina according to the Bayer process. It is a highly alkaline, brick-red suspension. It is characterized by a diversity of chemical and mineralogical composition. The main elements in red mud are Fe, Al, Si, Ti, Na, Ca, and they account for about 90% of the mass of the mud. In addition to these, a large number of other components can be found in minor quantities. Most elements are present in the form of oxides and hydroxides in various minerals. The demand for aluminum is constantly growing, the amount of discharged red mud is continually increasing. The annual amount of red mud produced globally, is already estimated at 200 million tons, and further growth is expected. High production rates and only minimal and sporadic utilization of red mud have resulted in the accumulation of large quantities of disposed red mud, so that the global red mud stockpile is estimated at more than 5 billion tons. In addition to financial costs, the disposal of red mud also poses certain risks to the environment. For this reason, the safe disposal of red mud is one of the main concerns of all alumina producers. Reducing the amount of red mud that is disposed of, and consequently reducing the risks and costs, requires constant efforts to find procedures for its valorization. The possibilities of valorization of red mud are diverse. It has been shown that red mud can be successfully used in many areas, such as construction, metallurgy, chemical industry, environmental protection, agriculture, etc. Analyzing the patents related to the use of red mud, it can be observed that 12% of the patents refer to the wastewater and waste treatment. The heterogeneous composition of red mud indicates the possibility of its application as a composite sorbent. The application of red mud as a low-cost sorbent has been extensively investigated, and favorable results have been obtained in the sorption of metals and metalloids, radionuclides, phosphates, nitrates, fluorides, dyes and phenols, etc. In order to increase the sorption capacity of red mud and obtain a more environmentally friendly sorbent, various treatment techniques are applied. These treatment techniques can modify the physical and chemical properties, which can lead to a change in alkalinity, specific surface area and porosity, a change in the number of active sorption sites, and its surface charge can also be changed. Modifications of red mud to remove various types of pollutants have shown promising results. Many studies have shown that red mud can be used as an efficient and low-cost sorbent for removing heavy metal cations from solutions, such as Pb2+, Cu2+, Zn2+ , Cd2+, Ni2+, Co2+, Sr2+, Cs2+, as well as for the treatment of waste water and leachate from landfills and mines. During the removal of heavy metals from solutions using red mud, various mass transfer phenomena occur: physical and chemical adsorption, surface precipitation, co-precipitation, ion exchange, precipitation, complexation, hydration, dissolution, etc. Despite the numerous possibilities of application and the benefits that arise from it, we still do not have a significant utilization of red mud.

Resource-saving peloidotherapy techniques in the rehabilitation of patients after microdiscectomy

BACKGROUND: Intervertebral disc herniations are a common neurosurgical problem. However, there is practically no information about the effectiveness of using non-thermal gentle methods of peloid therapy using peat mud in patients after spinal surgery for disc herniations, about the indications for their use depending on the existing clinical and functional characteristics.
 AIM: to develop and scientifically substantiate the use of resource-saving non-thermal peloidotherapy techniques in the rehabilitation of patients after spinal surgery for herniated discs.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: 74 patients aged 20 to 65 years were examined 4–9 weeks after microdiscectomy. Patients underwent clinical and functional examination before and after the rehabilitation course, pain intensity was determined using a visual analog scale (VAS). Functional activity was assessed using the "Get up and go" test (3 and 6 meters). Infrared thermography of the back and lower extremities was performed. The study used the Oswestry questionnaire, as well as the HADS Anxiety and Depression Scale. By simple randomization, all patients were divided into 2 main groups (25 people each) and a control group (24 people). The control group received basic treatment ― therapeutic gymnastics and massage of the lower limb on the affected side. In the I main group, 10 procedures of thin-layer mud applications were additionally prescribed. In the II main group, 10 procedures of fluctuophoresis of peat mud solution were prescribed for basic treatment. The rehabilitation course lasted 14–15 days.
 RESULTS: Repeated examination after the course of treatment showed a significant decrease in the VAS index in both main groups, more significant in group II, whereas in the control group the changes were not significant. In all the studied groups, there was a reduction in the execution time of the "Get up and Go" test, but it was most significant in both main groups. Positive shifts on the Oswestry scale were also observed in all groups, including the control group, but some advantage was determined in the main groups receiving peloid therapy. Analysis of repeated results of remote infrared thermography revealed a decrease in local hyperthermia in the area of surgical intervention in persons receiving non-thermal peloid therapy techniques, the most significant in the II main group. Indicators of anxiety on the HADS scale decreased by the end of rehabilitation in all the studied groups, and subclinical manifestations of depression ― only in the I and II main groups.
 CONCLUSION: The inclusion of non-thermal resource-saving peloidotherapy techniques in the rehabilitation complex of patients after microdiscectomy makes it possible to more effectively relieve pain syndrome, eliminate microhemodynamic disorders and increase the motor activity of patients, which contributes to the normalization of their psychoemotional state and the quality of their life. These methods are not load-bearing, have a minimum number of contraindications to the appointment, does not require significant material costs and can be applied in various medical organizations.

Photosynthetic performance and root architecture of soybean co-inoculated with Amazonian microorganism strains are influenced by red mud application

Photosynthetic performance and root architecture of soybean co-inoculated with Amazonian microorganism strains are influenced by red mud application