Sulfur Nitrogen Research Articles

Enhanced persulfate activation for sulfadiazine degradation by N, S self-doped biochar from sludge and sulfonated lignin: Emphasizing the roles of graphitic nitrogen and thiophene sulfur

Biochar derived from sludge is recognized for its sustainable and cost-effective role in advanced oxidation processes, yet its restricted catalytic capacity poses significant challenges. In this work, nitrogen (8.43 at%) and sulfur (1.39 at%) co-doped biochar (ML-SDBC) featuring a large surface area of 161.14 m2/g was synthesized by the pyrolysis of sewage sludge and sulfonated lignin without external dopants. In the synthesis of ML-SDBC, graphitic nitrogen and thiophene sulfur were efficiently integrated into the carbon framework. Furthermore, the resulting biochar notably outperformed sludge-derived biochar (SDBC) in activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for sulfadiazine (SDZ) degradation, achieving a 31.9% higher removal rate within 120 min and exhibiting a rate constant (kobs) of 1.73×10−2 min−1, effectively tripling the efficiency compared to that of SDBC-driven processes. The degradation rate consistently exceeded 85% across a wide pH range of 3–9. Mechanistic analysis exhibited that degradation processes involved radical and non-radical pathways, with 1O2 playing a prominent role. Furthermore, density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the catalytic potential in ML-SDBC would benefit from the synergistic interaction between graphitic nitrogen and thiophene sulfur. This study presents a novel synthesis of heteroatom-doped biochar from waste, offering a sustainable solution to antibiotic pollution and waste management challenges.

Use of biofuels in marine diesel engines for sustainable and safe maritime transport

The article presents results of research on the use of fuel mixtures, containing with biodiesel fuel. The research was carried out on specialized sea vessels with a deadweight of 10,820 tons and 29,420 tons, which made passages in the waters of South America and the Caribbean, as well as in the Sulphur Emission Control Areas of Northern Europe. The operation of the ship's power plants (main and auxiliary engines) was provided both on marine fuel of petroleum origin and on a fuel mixture that consisted of petroleum fuel and biodiesel fuel. The experiments were carried out on marine medium-speed diesel engines 5DC-17A Daihatsu Diesel, 16V32 Wärtsilä-Sulzer and Volvo Penta TWD1645GE. Various kinds of marine fuels and as biodiesel fuel Fatty Acid Methyl Esters B99.9 FAME and B99.6 FAME were used. The concentration of biodiesel fuel in the fuel mixture was 5–20 %. The environmental friendliness of the work of sea vessels was assessed by the value of the emission of nitrogen oxides, sulphur, and carbon. As a result of the research, a variant of adjusting the sea crossing was proposed to ensure the continuous operation of the ship's power plant using biodiesel fuel.

Costs of Coal Abatement for Residential Heating to Reduce Urban Air Pollution in Asian Russia: Evidence from Krasnoyarsk

Heat and electricity generation are major sources of air pollution in many large cities worldwide. In Siberian cities, the heat supply significantly contributes to air pollution, as coal remains the primary energy fuel in most of Asian Russia. Krasnoyarsk, the second-largest city in the macro-region by population, serves as a clear example of urban air pollution. In recent years, public authorities have implemented several measures to reduce pollutant emissions. These measures include modernizing thermal power stations, replacing inefficient small boiler houses, and converting residential heating to more environmentally friendly types of fuel. However, our analysis shows that these policies have not yet resulted in a significant transition away from using coal for heating. One of the primary reasons is that alternative fuels are unable to compete with coal in terms of price. The proposal suggests transitioning private households to pellet heating. Our goal is to evaluate the potential environmental and economic impacts of this measure. We estimate the necessary subsidy size for the successful implementation of both initiatives. In conclusion, converting households from coal to pellet heating can reduce the emissions of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, and suspended particles by 0.2%, 8.5%, 4.4%, and 2.7%, respectively, of the total pollutant emissions in Krasnoyarsk. Furthermore, this conversion can provide economic benefits by supporting local pellet producers who heavily rely on export markets. If practically implemented, the proposed approach could solve one of the most significant development issues of one of the largest Russian cities within a few years, with only 2.5% of the annual city budget expenditure.

Release of Carbon Dioxide and Water-Soluble Carbon Amended with Rice and Wheat Residues in an Inceptisols of Varanasi

ABSTRACT Crop residues are the main organic source of nutrients in agricultural soils. The active pool of soil organic carbon plays a dominant role in crop production and soil health. Rice and wheat residues were used in 90 days incubation study under controlled conditions (25°C temperature and maximum water-holding capacity) to estimate the release of carbon dioxide and water-soluble carbon in an Indo-Gangetic alluvial soil (Inceptisols) of Varanasi. The experiment was laid out in a factorial completely randomized design with three replications. The rice and wheat residues showed a wide variation in the content of their total carbon (TC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and total sulfur (TS). Out of the two crop residues added to the soil, rice residue had higher carbon dioxide-carbon (CO2-C) release than that of the wheat residue over control. Results revealed that conjunctive application of rice residue along with urea (20 kg N ha−1) and Trichoderma viride (10 kg ha−1) had resulted in a higher content of CO2-C (7.44 mg per 100 g per day) at 90 days of the incubation period. The amount of CO2 (mg) released, increases with a combination of crop residues with urea (20 kg N ha−1) and Trichoderma viride (10 kg ha−1) up to 90 days over control. The highest release of CO2 (204.70 mg) was recorded with rice residue treated with urea (20 kg N ha−1) and Trichoderma viride (10 kg ha−1). The study also revealed that the release of water-soluble carbon decreases with an increase in the incubation period irrespective of treatment. At 90 days of the incubation period, the control without any crop residue addition has the highest water-soluble carbon content (459.75 µg/g). The present study indicates that the incorporation of rice and wheat residues along with urea and supplemental decomposers (Trichoderma viride) has the potential to release adequately active organic carbon pool parameters such as CO2 and water-soluble carbon in an Inceptisols of Varanasi region of India.

Nitrogen sulfur co doped carbon quantum dots as fluorescent probe for quantitative determination of monosodium glutamate in food samples

A validated, simple, and ecofriendly spectrofluorometric method has been developed for the determination of monosodium glutamate (MSG) in food matrices utilizing novel nitrogen and sulfur co doped carbon quantum dots (NS-CQDs) as fluorescent probes. MSG is one of the most commonly used food additives that has distinct taste. The proposed method is based on the finding that MSG can effectively enhance the fluorescence intensity of NS-CQDs as a result of the formation of CQDS-MSG complex via electrostatic interaction and electron transfer from the excited CQDs to MSG. NS-CQDs have been synthesized using citric acid and D, L- methionine as precursors and the formed quantum dots were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). NS-CQDs display bright blue fluorescence at emission wavelength 440 nm after excitation wavelength 330 nm with a quantum yield of 38.68% and a production yield of 88.75%. The fluorescence intensity of CQDs was found to be stable over a wide range of pH value (4.0–10). Under optimal experimental conditions, there was a linear relationship between the increased fluorescence and MSG concentration over the range of 25–250 µg/mL with limit of detection and limit of quantification 6.20 and 18.79 µg/mL respectively. NS-CQDs show excellent selectivity to MSG and the proposed method has been applied for MSG determination in two food products with satisfactory recoveries achieved by standard addition method.

Enhancing Air Pollution Monitoring and Prediction using African Vulture Optimization Algorithm with Machine Learning Model on Internet of Things Environment

An optimal solution for monitoring air pollution, the Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled system delivers real-time data and insights on the air quality within a specific location. Air pollution poses a substantial risk to human health worldwide, with pollutants like nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, ozone, and sulfur dioxide contributing to a range of cardiovascular and respiratory ailments. Monitoring air pollution levels is critical to understand the effect on public health and the environment. Air Pollution Monitoring includes the systematic analysis and measurement of pollutant concentration in the air, through a network of monitoring stations equipped with instruments and sensors. This station provides real-time data on air quality, allowing authorities to evaluate issue warnings, and pollution levels, and implement strategies to alleviate its negative impact. Machine learning (ML) approaches are becoming more integrated into air pollution monitoring systems for enhancing efficiency and accuracy. By analyzing vast quantities of information gathered from satellite imagery, monitoring stations, and other sources, ML approaches could detect patterns, forecast pollution levels, and pinpoint sources of pollution. This study introduces Air Pollution Monitoring and Prediction using African Vulture Optimization Algorithm with Machine Learning (APMP-AVOAML) model in IoT environment. The drive of the APMP-AVOAML methodology is to recognize and classify the air quality levels in the IoT environment. In the APMP-AVOAML technique, a four stage process is encompassed. Firstly, min-max normalization is applied for scaling the input data. Secondly, a harmony search algorithm (HSA) based feature selection process is executed. Thirdly, the extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) model is utilized for air pollution prediction. Finally, AVOA based parameter selection process is exploited for the XGBoost model. To illustrate the performance of the APMP-AVOAML algorithm, a brief experimental study is made. The resultant outcomes inferred that the APMP-AVOAML methodology has resulted in effectual outcome.

Reliable AI models can reveal key processes of heat recovery steam generator operation in air pollutant emission

Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms have been applied to air pollution prediction modeling, but assessment of their trustworthiness is lacking. This study aims to examine whether AI-based models can identify key operational processes of a Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG) facility and predict the emission of target air pollutants, including nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), and total suspended particles (TSP). First, key operational variables are selected based on the feature importance of the Random Forest models (that is, data-driven input selection). Secondly, Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory-based AutoEncoder (BiLSTM-AE) and Random Forest (RF) models with the data-driven input selection are trained and evaluated using multiple predictive performance metrics. Then, the BiLSTM-AE and RF models are trained and evaluated using the operational variables selected by experts. Results demonstrate that the data-driven and expertise-based methods select five common operational variables that are key factors to predict variations of target output variables. The results from the multi-metric evaluations show a skillful prediction of BiLSTM-AE and RF models for NOx and TSP, but not SOx. For TSP prediction, RF is more sensitive to the input selection method than BiLSTM-AE. This study underscores the dependency of the prediction skill of AI algorithm-based models on the target air pollutant and input selection method, and suggests the trustworthiness of selected key operational variables by RF's feature importance.

Nitrogen-sulfur co-doped ZIF-8-derived carbon materials for supercapacitors with low self-discharge

Supercapacitors (SCs) have attracted extensive attention due to the properties of high power density, long cycle life, and high rate performance. However, the high self-discharge is one giant challenge for long-term energy storage applications of SC. Herein, we prepared a high-performance SC with low self-discharge based on nitrogen-sulfur co-doped ZIF-8-derived (NS-PC) materials. The synergistic effects of high-temperature carbonization and nitrogen-sulfur (N-S) doping are systematically investigated. With a carbonization temperature of 900 °C, assisted with N-S doping, the maximum specific capacitance of the NS-PC-900//NS-PC-900 symmetrical SC is 42.7 F g−1, while the power densities range from 650 to 13,000 W kg−1 at the energy densities of 10.04–7.5 Wh kg−1. The specific capacitance remains 95.7 % even after 20,000 charge-discharge cycles. More importantly, the as-prepared NS-PC-900//NS-PC-900 SC exhibits an ultra-low self-discharge rate of solely 0.025 V h−1 within 24 h. This work provides a universal strategy to fabricate high-performance SCs with low self-discharge.

Metatranscriptomic insights into the microbial metabolic activities during an Ulva prolifera green tide in coastal Qingdao areas

Green tide, a typical marine environmental disaster that profoundly influenced the coastal areas, has been occurred consecutively in the South Yellow Sea of China since 2007. Herein, the active microbial community structure and metabolic pathways in Qingdao offshore during an Ulva prolifera green tide were investigated by using metatranscriptomic approach. The dominant active microbial taxa at the outbreak phase were primarily a functional group that can utilize organic matters derived from U. prolifera, such as Lentibacter, Polaribacter and Planktomarina. While the taxa involved in biogeochemical cycles, including Phaeobacter, Pseudomonas and Marinobacterium, dominated the active microbial communities at the decline phase. The expression level of enzymes involved in U. prolifera polysaccharides degradation was significantly higher at the outbreak phase compared to the decline phase. At the same time, the main players Glaciecola and Polarbacter showed similar trends, suggesting that the low competitiveness for nutrients of related microorganisms at this phase made them degrade more U. prolifera polysaccharides to meet their own nutrient needs, thereby accelerating the degradation of U. prolifera. According to KEGG annotation, the biogeochemical pathways including nitrogen cycle, sulfur cycle and methane oxidation altered during the green tide, with thiosulfate oxidation and methane oxidation probably being the crucial pathways at the outbreak and the decline phase respectively. The coupling of sulfide oxidation and denitrification was also observed in this study. Furthermore, the green tide in Qingdao offshore might impact the greenhouse effects induced by CH4 and N2O through influencing the related microbial processes.

A review on inorganic gaseous pollutants in conservation spaces: monitoring instrumentation and indoor concentrations.

This contribution presents the results of a review of scientific literature on gaseous inorganic pollutants monitored in confined indoor spaces housing cultural heritage. A survey on standards suggesting concentration thresholds together with European projects on the topic was provided. Sixty-six scientific articles were systematically selected based on the PRISMA flow diagram over the period 1984-2021 for a total number of 80 case studies mainly located in Europe (64%). Monitoring was mainly performed in museums and galleries (61%), specifically in exhibition rooms (79%). Active devices were rarely employed, whereas passive samplers, exposed in situ and then laboratory-analysed, were mostly used for nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide monitoring. Direct-reading continuous devices were widely used for ozone monitoring. It was found that average concentrations of ozone were below 5 ppb in only 50% of cases, nitrogen dioxide below 10 ppb in more than 60% of cases, nitric oxide below 5 ppb in 30% of cases, nitric and nitrous acid below 1 ppb in less than 50% of cases, sulphur dioxide below 2 ppb in more than 60% of cases, and hydrogen sulphide below 0.1 ppb in only 25% of cases. Comparisons were performed following the thresholds suggested in the literature. The lowest concentration values were usually associated to the use of mechanical ventilation systems equipped with air filters and to non-urban case studies. The low number of case studies can be due to the difficulties to perform monitoring in conservation spaces with current instruments. Further research should be conducted to uniform standards that suggest instruments' requirements and pollutant thresholds to limit degradation on cultural materials.

Is the Invasive Plant Amaranthus spinosus L. More Competitive than the Native Plant A. tricolor L. When Exposed to Acid Deposition with Different Sulfur–Nitrogen Ratios?

The functional differences between invasive plants and coexisting native plants can affect the invasion process of the former because invasive plants and coexisting native plants are exposed to similar or even identical environmental pressures. Acid deposition is an important component of atmospheric pollution, and acid deposition with different sulfur–nitrogen ratios may affect the invasion process of invasive plants by shifting the functional differences and differences in the growth performance between the invasive and coexisting native plants. It is crucial to analyze the functional indices and growth performance of these plants when exposed to acid deposition with different chemical compositions to assess the ecological impacts of atmospheric pollution on the growth performance of invasive plants. This study aimed to evaluate the functional differences and growth performance between the invasive plant Amaranthus spinosus L. and the native plant A. tricolor L. in mono- and mixed culture when exposed to an acid deposition with different sulfur–nitrogen ratios, including sulfur-rich acid deposition (sulfur–nitrogen ratio = 5:1), nitrogen-rich acid deposition (sulfur–nitrogen ratio = 1:5), and mixed acid deposition (sulfur–nitrogen ratio = 1:1). The acidity of the three types of simulated acid deposition was set at pH = 5.6 and pH = 4.5, respectively, with distilled water as a control (pH = 7.0). The competition experiment between A. spinosus and A. tricolor was conducted in the greenhouse. Amaranthus spinosus exhibited a strong growth performance over A. tricolor in the mixed culture, mainly via the increased leaf photosynthetic capacity. The competitiveness for light acquisition, leaf photosynthetic capacity, and enzymatic defense capacity under stress of A. spinosus may be vital to its growth performance. The lower pH acid deposition had imposed a greater reduction in the growth performance of both Amaranthus species than the higher pH acid deposition. Sulfur-rich acid deposition was more toxic to the growth performance of both Amaranthus species than nitrogen-rich acid deposition. Amaranthus spinosus was more competitive than A. tricolor, especially when exposed to acid deposition, compared with just distilled water. Thus, acid deposition, regardless of the sulfur–nitrogen ratio, may facilitate the invasion process of A. spinosus via the stronger growth performance.

Spectroscopic studies of complex compound of Zinc with ligand of thio-trithiazylchloride and tyrosine

Tetrasulphur tetranitride, S4N4 has been recognised as an extremely versatile reagent for the preparing of sulphur nitrogen compounds via the reaction of both organic as well as inorganic species. Reaction with transition metal species result in the formation of a number of complex compounds. Reaction of thio- trithiazylchloride with tyrosine amino acid gave the new ligand. The spectroscopic studies of the reaction product of this new ligand with zinc oxide are reported in this paper on the basis of IR, UV, NMR and X- ray spectra

Dual nitrogen-sulfur-doping induce microwave absorption and EMI shielding in nanocomposites based on graphene

Graphene-oxide (GO) is one of the most commonly used carbon nanomaterials in advanced applications such as microwave absorption and EMI shielding, due to various advantages such as ease of synthesis and exfoliation, effective doping capability, and superior composite compatibility. In this study, we used the modified Hummer’s method to synthesize GO by exfoliating graphite powder, and a simple hydrothermal approach was employed for elemental doping and GO reduction. As nitrogen–sulfur (N, S) dual-doping precursors, thiourea and l-cysteine amino acids were utilized. The structural features and microporous network structure of GO aerogel foams were investigated. The microwave absorption capabilities of polyethersulfone-based nanocomposite films incorporating the as-produced nitrogen–sulfur enrich reduced GO (NS-rGO) are also explored. According to the physicochemical characterization, the existence of remarkable structural defects with a porous three-dimensional (3D) network was discovered due to heteroatom insertion and hydrothermal doping. Additionally, the dual-doped sample exhibited high Nitrogen and sulfur content of 8.93% and 13.19%, respectively. While NS-rGO possesses a higher conductivity of 174.7[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]S compared to 12.65[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]S for GO. The nanocomposites filled with NS-rGO foams demonstrated a high shielding efficiency (SE) of 45[Formula: see text]dB in the X-band with a filler loading of 0.5[Formula: see text]wt.%. This high SE arises from dopant heteroatoms and the heterogeneous interface, which induce interface polarization, thereby increasing microwave absorption and dielectric constant. It also results from multi-level reflections caused by the 3D porous structures. These findings offer valuable insights into the functionalization of carbon nanostructures and the development of 3D networks in GO-based functional materials, providing further guidance for engineering high-performance electromagnetic interference shielding materials.

Conservation agriculture, nitrogen and residual sulphur effects on maize (<i>Zea mays</i>) growth and yield in a long-term maize-Indian mustard (<i>Brassica juncea</i>) system

A field experiment was conducted during rainy (kharif) seasons of 2020–21 and 2021–22 at the research farm of ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to assess the effects of nitrogen and residual sulphur (S) on maize crop in the 11th year of a long-term conservation agriculture (CA)-based maize (Zea mays L.)-Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.] cropping system. The CA-based practice CA3 [ZT maize (ZTMz) + mustard residue (MsR) + brown manuring (BM) – ZT mustard (ZTMs) + maize residue (MzR)] resulted in greater maize plant height and dry weight than other CA and CT systems except CA4 [ZTMz + mungbean residue (MbR) – ZTMs + MzR – ZTMb + MsR], which had comparable plant height and dry weight. The CA3 increased maize dry weight by 9% and 11.7% over CT in 2020–21 and 2021–22, respectively. On the contrary, CA4 exhibited highest root length, root mass, and root volume densities in both years, and CA3 was comparable. It gave significantly higher grain yield than other treatments except CA3 and CA2 (ZTMz + MsR- ZTMs + MzR), which were comparable. The 100% and 75% recommended dose of N gave comparable grain yield under all CA-based treatments, indicating a saving of 25% N (~37.5 kg N/ha), mainly under CA practices. This highlights N economization over times in CA system. The 100% and 50% S applied to mustard could not show any significant residual effect on maize grain, stover and biological yields. Interactions between CA practices and N treatments for grain yield was significant but between CA and residual S, treatments were statistically similar. Thus, this study underscores the importance of CA framework for enhancing yield and income through better N and S management/savings in maize-mustard system.

Physico-Chemical Properties of Surface Soil in Ashoknagar District of Madhya Pradesh for Agricultural Production

Looking at the crop production and soil related constraints in different village of Ashoknagar District of Madhya Pradesh we found it important to characterize the soils of the village. For this purpose, one hundred twenty-five GPS-based surface soil samples (0-15 cm) were collected from five blocks (Mungaoli, Chanderi, Ishagarh, Ashoknagar and Sadora) of Ashoknagar district from April to May 2017-2018. Soils were studied for their physical and chemical characteristics - status of sand,silt,clay percent varied from 36.6-56.7%, 3.9-38% and 25.2-42.4%, with the mean value of 47.5%, 17.2% or 35.1%, respectively and soil pH, EC, OC, Calcium carbonate, total Nitrogen or available sulphur were observed in the range of 7.2– 8.6, 0.32 - 0.62dSm‑1, 2.14 - 7.06 gkg-1, 0.5 –3.5 % 0.01-0.24 % and 4.36 – 40.25 mg kg-1under different villages of the investigated area with the average value of 8.0, 0.45dSm‑1, 4.35gkg-1, 1.7% and 0.11 %,14.68 mg kg-1 respectively. The availability of sulphur increased with an increase in organic carbon and clay content in the soil.

Mixed ligand Ni(II) complexes containing 2-chloroquinoline-3-carboxaldehyde-4(N)-substituted thiosemicarbazones and 2,2′-bipyridine: Synthesis, spectral characterization and in-vitro cytotoxicity

Ni(II) complexes (NiL1-NiL4) of 2-chloroquinoline-3-carboxaldehyde-4(N)-substituted thiosemicarbazones and 2,2′-bipyridine ligands were prepared and characterized by various spectroscopic techniques such as Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR), Ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis), 1H NMR and mass spectroscopy. The binding of the ligands to the nickel ion was through their azomethine nitrogen and thiolate sulfur atoms. The redox properties of the complexes were analyzed by cyclic voltammetry. The binding affinity of the complexes with CT-DNA (Calf Thymus DNA) and BSA (Bovine Serum Albumin) was studied using absorption and emission methods. The complex NiL3 exhibited better binding activity with high binding constant value with both DNA and BSA. Antiproliferative ability of the Ni(II) complexes (NiL1-NiL4) was explored against human cervical cancer cells HeLa and human normal embryonic kidney cells HEK. The morphological changes induced by the Ni(II) complexes on HeLa cells were analyzed by AO-EB and DAPI staining assays. The results obtained from the cytotoxicity studies showed the better cytotoxicity of the complex NiL3 towards inhibiting the growth of HeLa cells, whereas non toxic nature of the complexes was proved with HEK cells.

IOT-based solution for detection of air quality using ESP32

Air pollution, a growing public health crisis worldwide, has become one of the most imperative concerns challenging human health, the environment, and the economy. The detrimental effects of air pollution on individuals' well-being and the ecological system necessitate implementing advanced solutions to accurately monitor and manage air quality. In response to this global challenge, a comprehensive, real-time IoT-based air quality monitoring system is proposed using ESP32 and multiple pollutant sensors. This versatile system endeavors to measure and report various air quality parameters and pollutants, such as temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide (CO2), particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other noxious gases, including nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), and sulfur dioxide (SO2). The innovative solution showcased in this proposal combines the functionalities of an ESP32 microcontroller, a highly integrated and low-power device, with diverse pollutant sensors chosen for their high sensitivity and ability to offer precise and reliable readings. The various sensors integrated into the system include the MQ135, CCS811, PMS5003, and BME280, each responsible for detecting specific pollutants and air quality parameters. As a leading component of the air quality monitoring system, the ESP32 microcontroller warrants seamless wireless data transmission to cloud servers for real-time monitoring, allowing for remote access and analysis of the air quality data through secure networks. The modular design and ease of deployment of the IoT-based air quality monitoring systems make them installable in various scenarios, including residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Users can make informed decisions about their environment by analyzing extensive real-time data, promoting timely exposure warnings, proactive pollution management, and environmental sustainability. This portability and versatility of deployment ensure substantial coverage of areas that would benefit from real-time air quality monitoring. The air quality monitoring system is further enhanced by incorporating a user-friendly mobile application or web interface, empowering users to access real-time sensor data directly, configure threshold-based alerts and notifications, and visualize trends in air quality parameters over time. This hands-on approach to accessing real-time air quality data encourages individuals to adopt environmentally conscious habits and fosters a better understanding of the impact of pollution on their health and surroundings. To ensure the optimum performance and efficacy of the air quality monitoring system, regular maintenance and calibration services are advocated. By undertaking timely sensor calibration, replacing worn-out components, and updating software when required, the life span, accuracy, and reliability of the system are enhanced, promising continued effectiveness in the real-time monitoring and management of air quality

The effect of ambient air pollution on birth outcomes in Norway

BackgroundAmbient air pollution can be harmful to the fetus even in countries with relatively low levels of pollution. Most of the established literature estimates the association between air pollution and health rather than causality. In this paper, I examine the causal effects of ambient air pollution on birth outcomes in Norway.MethodsWith the large sample size and geographic division of sub-postal codes in Norway, I can control for a rich set of spatio-temporal fixed effects to overcome most of the endogeneity problems caused by the choice of residential area and date of delivery. After controlling for a rich set of spatio-temporal fixed effects, my paper uses the variance in ambient air pollutant concentrations over narrow time intervals and in a small geographic area of Norway to determine how prenatal air pollution exposure affects birth outcomes. My data contain extensive information about parents as well as meteorological conditions that can be used to control for potential confounding factors.ResultsI find that prenatal exposure to ambient nitric oxide in the last trimester causes significant birth weight and birth length loss under the same sub-postcode fixed effects and calendar month fixed effects, whereas other ambient air pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide appear to be at safe levels for the fetus in Norway. In addition, the marginal adverse effect of ambient nitric oxide is larger for newborns with disadvantaged parents. Both average concentrations of nitric oxide and occasional high concentration events can adversely affect birth outcomes.ConclusionsPrenatal exposure to NO pollution has an adverse effect on birth outcomes. This suggests that government and researchers should pay more attention to examining NO pollution and that health care providers need to advise pregnant women about the risks of air pollution during pregnancy.

Crystal structure of S-n-octyl 3-(1-phenyl-ethyl-idene)di-thio-carbazate and of its bis-chelated nickel(II) complex.

The nitro-gen-sulfur Schiff base proligand S-n-octyl 3-(1-phenyl-ethyl-idene)di-thio-carbazate, C17H26N2S2 (HL), was prepared by reaction of S-octyl di-thio-carbamate with aceto-phenone. Treatment of HL with nickel acetate yielded the complex bis-[S-n-octyl 3-(1-phenyl-ethyl-idene)di-thio-carbazato]nickel(II), [Ni(C17H25N2S2)2] (NiL 2), which was shown to adopt a tetra-hedrally distorted cis-square-planar coordination geometry, with the NiSN planes of the two ligands forming a dihedral angle of 21.66 (6)°. Changes in the geometry of the L ligand upon chelation of Ni2+ are described, involving a ca 180° rotation around the N(azomethine)-C(thiol-ate) bond.

Fatala River Basin (Republic of Guinea, Africa): Analysis of Current State, Air Pollution, and Anthropogenic Impact Using Geoinformatics Methods and Remote Sensing Data

This study conducts an in-depth analysis of anthropogenic transformation and air pollution within the confines of the Fatala River Basin situated in the Republic of Guinea, Africa. The foundation of this investigation relies upon interdisciplinary geoinformatics methodologies and data acquired through remote sensing, specifically drawing from Sentinel-5P and Sentinel-2 satellite datasets. The primary objectives encompass scrutinizing the extant ecological conditions characterizing the Fatala River Basin and assessing the anthropogenic influences within its geographic expanse. The utilization of remote sensing data, as facilitated by the Sentinel-5P satellite, emerges as a potent instrument for meticulously monitoring environmental transformations. A comprehensive analysis of the designated area, conducted through remote sensing methodologies, is employed to ascertain the concentrations of various atmospheric constituents, including nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, formaldehyde, methane, ozone, and carbon monoxide. The findings gleaned from this inquiry reveal that, notwithstanding the dynamic growth of the extractive industry centered around the world’s preeminent bauxite province, the Fouta Djallon–Mandingo, the anthropogenic transformation of the Fatala River Basin exerts a comparatively minor influence on air quality. Statistical assessments, including correlation analysis, conducted between computed parameters delineating anthropogenic alterations within the Fatala River Basin, and a comprehensive atmospheric pollution index elucidate a lack of a significant nexus. It has been determined that air pollution within the Fatala River Basin is notably influenced by topographical features and the transport of contaminants from adjacent river basins. Consequently, this article makes a substantial contribution to our comprehension of the contemporary ecological state of the Fatala River Basin in the Republic of Guinea. It also holds significant importance in elucidating the ecological challenges specific to the researched region.