Resistivity Research Articles

Assessing Honey Quality: A Focus on Some Physicochemical Parameters of Honey from Iasi County (Romania)

The study of honey in Iasi County reveals its ecological, economic and health importance, emphasizing its unique properties, role in biodiversity and value in promoting sustainable beekeeping and regional identity. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of honey from Iasi County, Romania, analyzing 27 samples collected in 2020 and 2021. The samples include tilia (8 raw, 7 commercial), acacia (2 raw, 2 commercial), rapeseed (3 raw), sunflower (3 raw) and lavender (2 raw) honey. Analyses were carried out under Romanian/EU standards, assessing parameters such as color, electrical conductivity, moisture, total soluble solids (TSS), acidity (free, lactone, total), pH, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), ash and mineral composition (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe). The results revealed significant differences between raw and commercial honeys. Notably, in commercial tilia honey, higher values were found for color (38.58 mm Pfund vs. 24.14 mm Pfund), total acidity (25.93 meq·kg−1 vs. 17.36 meq·kg−1) and HMF levels (8.84 mg·kg−1 vs. 3.68 mg·kg−1). Conversely, water-insoluble solids (0.08% vs. 0.15%) and ash content (0.21% vs. 0.30%) were lower in commercial samples. Potassium was the most abundant mineral detected, while copper and zinc levels were the lowest. Significant correlations were observed between several parameters, including ash with electrical conductivity and HMF with acidity. This study underscores the impact of processing on honey quality and highlights the importance of understanding honey composition for consumers and producers alike.

Imaging Mofette Structures in the Ohře Rift System, Czech Republic, Using Radio-Magnetotelluric Data

Abstract The pathways of fluids and mantle-originated carbon dioxide in the seismically active Ohře (Eger) Rift system appearing as mofettes at the surface are currently subject to investigation, especially by the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program “Drilling the Eger Rift”. If the aquifers show significant contrast in electrical resistivity to the host rocks, they can be investigated with geo-electromagnetic methods. However, imaging complex fluid and CO2 pathways in detail in near-surface structures is challenging, because, in contrast to the background stratigraphy, they are often oriented in near-vertical directions. Therefore, we aim to investigate how the shallow aquifer structures can be examined best with an inductive electromagnetic method. For this purpose, we collected radio-magnetotelluric data in the Hartoušov mofette field and evaluated them by two- and three-dimensional inversions. Data from a nearby magnetotelluric station, drill hole data, gas flux measurements and electrical resistivity tomography models were used to assess the reliability and robustness of our inversion results. We concluded that the near-surface fluid reservoirs are adequately depictable, while the migration paths of gaseous CO2 cannot be traced properly due to a lack of resistivity contrast. Our model analyses suggest that imaging the given geological setting with fluids and gases ascending in anastomosing pathways benefits from a fine-scale three-dimensional inversion approach because the fluids mostly appear as local conductive reservoir-like anomalies, which can be falsely projected onto the profiles during inversion in two dimensions. The resistivity models contribute with detailed images of the near-surface aquifers to the geodynamic model of the Ohře Rift.

DEVELOPMENT OF BORON-MODIFIED AMINOPLAST RESIN COATINGS FOR ENHANCED UREASE INHIBITION IN SALINE-SODIC SOILS

The melamine-formaldehyde-boron (MFB) composite was synthesized with high efficiency, achieving a 95% yield. The incorporation of boric acid into the melamine-formaldehyde resin matrix resulted in a homogeneous, physically stable polymer composite. The synthesis was characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, revealing key functional groups such as N-H stretching (~3350 cm⁻¹) for melamine residues, C=O stretching (~1650 cm⁻¹) for formaldehyde, B-O vibrations (~1350 cm⁻¹) for boric acid integration, and C-N bending (~1250 cm⁻¹) indicative of cross-linking between melamine, formaldehyde, and boric acid. Further investigations evaluated the impact of boric acid-coated urea granules on the productivity and physicochemical properties of saline-sodic soil. Boric acid incorporation (5% coating) significantly improved soil conditions by lowering pH, reducing electrical conductivity, and increasing organic matter content. Moreover, urease activity was reduced by 75%, leading to improved nitrogen retention. The effect of boric acid on plant productivity was most pronounced at a 5% coating, with radish plant productivity showing a 44% increase, along with improvements in shoot and root biomass. These findings highlight the potential of MFB-coated urea granules to enhance soil health and plant growth, demonstrating the effectiveness of boric acid in optimizing nitrogen release and mitigating soil salinity.

Size Effect and Interfacial Synergy Enhancement of 2D Ultrathin CoxZn1-x-MOF/rGO for Boosting Lithium-Sulfur Battery Performance.

Advanced cathode materials are developed to tackle the challenges of the polysulfide shuttle effect and slow sulfur redox kinetics in Li-S batteries. A particularly effective strategy is the creation of nanostructured sulfur-host, which boast high levels of conductivity and catalytic activity. Here, a series of ultrathin cobalt-zinc bimetallic MOFs with varying ratios are synthesized on rGO via a one-pot hydrothermal process. Furthermore, graphene's high specific surface area enhances electrical conductivity and structural integrity, thereby promoting the growth of 2D MOFs and synergistically optimizing sulfur contact and conversion kinetics. The CoxZn1-x-MOF/rGO has a disordered structure, resulting from the fine-tuned ratio of cobalt to zinc in the bimetallic centers, generates active sites and modulates the electronic properties, thereby enhancing LiPSs adsorption and catalysis serve as sulfur hosts. Among the composites, the Co0.75Zn0.25-MOF/rGO demonstrated exceptional LiPSs adsorption and catalytic activity, resulting in a high capacity of 649.69 mA h g-1 after the 250th cycle with an E/S ratio of 12.56 µL mg-1 at 0.2 C. This work deepens the insights into the controlled design of defective MOFs, modulating their structure-activity correlations, and is expected to facilitate the integration of ultrathin defective MOFs with carbonaceous composites, thereby advancing the development of Li-S batteries.

Non-destructive lab-scale monitoring of carbonation propagation in cementitious systems using the measurement of intrinsic electrical property

Monitoring carbonation in concrete is crucial for assessing the long-term durability of structures, particularly as sustainability efforts increasingly incorporate supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) to reduce clinker content. While beneficial, SCMs alter the pore structure and pore solution chemistry, necessitating advanced methods to evaluate carbonation progression. Traditional techniques, such as splitting specimens and using pH indicators like phenolphthalein to detect changes in alkalinity, are destructive and primarily designed for ordinary Portland cement (OPC), limiting their effectiveness for SCM-incorporated systems. This paper presents the development of a novel lab-scale carbonation monitoring method based on conductivity measurements in the cementitious matrix. The proposed method examines how carbonation impacts the electrical conductivity of concrete, enabling in-situ monitoring of carbonation propagation in mortar specimens using mini-sensors embedded within the material. These mini-sensors consist of 10 sets of stainless steel 4-point Winner electrodes, spaced 2.54 mm apart, ensuring accurate conductivity measurements. By strategically placing these mini-sensors within the cementitious matrix, real-time measurements can be carried out, allowing for continuous monitoring of carbonation progression. The method provides new insights into how carbonation impacts the electrical properties of concrete, revealing dynamic changes such as a distinct peaking behavior in conductivity at the reactive carbonation front. This feature enables identification of partial carbonation front, which traditional colorimetric methods cannot detect. The results validate the method's effectiveness for OPC system and indicate its applicability when SCMs are incorporated.

Investigation on phase formation and thermoelectric transport properties of CoTe2-CoSe2 solid solution alloys.

CoTe2 and CoSe2 alloys have garnered considerable attention in thermoelectric applications due to their high electrical conductivity, tunable electronic properties, and potential for high power factors. In this study, the phase formation behavior and thermoelectric transport properties of a CoTe2-CoSe2 solid solution alloy were investigated by synthesizing a series of Co(Te1-xSex)2 compositions, where x = 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.0. For x = 0, 0.25, and 0.50, the orthorhombic phase of CoTe2 was observed, while for x = 0.75, the orthorhombic phase of CoTe2 and cubic phase of CoSe2 coexisted. Up to x = 0.50, the power factor decreased slightly as the Hall mobility and the density-of-state effective mass decreased. The total thermal conductivity decreased as x increased to 0.50, owing to a decrease in the electronic and lattice thermal conductivity. Despite the decrease in total thermal conductivity, no significant increase in zT values was observed in the range of x = 0.25-0.50 due to a more pronounced decrease in the power factor. Nevertheless, cubic phase CoSe2 exhibited higher power factors and thus higher zT of 0.13 at 700K. Further analysis based on single Kane band model suggests that significant enhancement in the power factor and zT could be achieved by reducing the carrier concentration from ∼1021 to ∼1019 cm-3 for all compositions.

ULtimate MAGnetic characterization (ULMAG) at the ID12 beamline of ESRF: from element-specific properties to macroscopic functionalities

We present a novel instrument designed for advanced magnetic study, installed at the ID12 beamline of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in Grenoble, France. This instrument offers the unique capability to simultaneously measure element-specific microscopic and macroscopic properties related to the magnetic, electronic and structural characteristics of materials. In addition to X-ray absorption, X-ray magnetic circular dichroism alongside X-ray diffraction patterns, the macroscopic magnetization, volume changes, caloric properties and electrical resistivity of magnetic materials could be measured strictly under the same experimental conditions as a function of both magnetic field (up to ±7 T) and temperature (ranging from 2.05 K to 325 K). To demonstrate the capability of this new instrument, we present two case studies highlighting its performance in investigating first-order magneto-structural phase transitions, namely in DyCo2 and FeRh alloys.

The Experimental Study on the Thermoelectric Properties of Sputtered Amorphous Molybdenum Disulfide Films

ABSTRACT Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), a promising two-dimensional material, has attracted significant attention due to its unique electronic and thermal properties, making it a potential thermoelectric material Extensive research is underway to improve the thermoelectric properties of MoS2 by enhancing the figure of merit (ZT). However, there is currently limited research on the effects of thickness and temperature on the thermoelectric properties of MoS2 films prepared by magnetron sputtering. In this paper, amorphous MoS2 films with different thicknesses were first deposited using magnetron sputtering, ranging from 43nm to 231nm. The Frequency Domain Thermoreflectance (FDTR) system was established to measure the thermal conductivity of MoS2 film. The experimental results indicate a thermal conductivity range of 0.49 to 0.53W/m·K, with thickness showing minimal impact. The thermal boundary conductance between the sputter-deposited MoS2 film and the SiO2 substrate is measured at 12±5MW/m2 ·K. The electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient were measured in the temperature range of 300 K to 450 K using LSR-3 equipment. The results indicate that the MoS2 films prepared in this study were all p-type semiconductors, with electrical properties increasing with temperature. Within the temperature range of 300–430 K, the power factor of all films increases with the rise in temperature, reaching a maximum value of 0.36 µW/cm·K2

A New Calibration Method for Broadband Complex Resistivity Measurement System of Rocks and Ores

The complex resistivity (CR) measurement constitutes a practical methodology for investigating the internal structures of rocks and ores alongside their mineralogical compositions and the chemical properties of fluids. However, during complex resistivity testing, particularly at high frequencies, the leakage current caused by the distributed capacitance of the instrument’s acquisition channels reduces the measurement accuracy. Additionally, the contact impedance of the measuring devices and the electromagnetic coupling effects of the measurement cables further affect the complex resistivity test results of samples. To accurately characterize samples’ intrinsic induced polarization (IP) properties, we developed a broadband complex resistivity measurement system (1 mHz–100 kHz) for rocks and ores, comprising a complex resistivity analyzer and a sample holder, employing the four-electrode method. In this study, we establish a circuit model for the measurement system to analyze the influence of the distributed capacitance of the acquisition channels on the test results at elevated frequencies. We derive the error terms inherent in the instrument’s measurements across various circuit design configurations and propose a novel method for calculating the distributed capacitance of the instrument’s acquisition channels, the parasitic capacitance of the sampling resistor, and for calibrating data by reversing the polarity of the excitation signal. Furthermore, we investigate the effect of contact impedance within the measurement setup on test results and design two sample-testing devices. Through extensive testing on multiple circuit models and samples, the system achieves an accuracy of up to 1% within the 10 MΩ range. Its overall performance surpasses that of the Solartron 1260A impedance analyzer and traditional signal source forward connection calibration methods. This advancement holds significant implications for complex resistivity measurements and the study of rock physical properties.

Structural Optimization of NVP/C Composites by an Advanced Two-Step Spray Technique for High Energy Density and Long-Life Symmetric Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Sodium superionic conductor (NASICON)-type Na3V2(PO4)3 (NVP) has emerged as a pivotal cathode material for the development of high-durability sodium-ion batteries, owing to its distinctive 3D open framework and exceptional chemical stability. Enhancing the electrochemical performance of NVP through the incorporation of conductive materials and precise control of the pore structure requires refining and optimizing the synthesis methodologies. In this study, robust NVP composites combined with dextrin-derived carbon (D-NVP/Dex) and carbon nanotubes (D-NVP/CNT) are developed with stable cycling characteristics and high energy densities, exhibiting high capacities of 99.0 and 93.0mA h g-1, respectively, at 1.0 C after the 300 cycles, via a two-step synthesis approach utilizing spray techniques. These structural features, including the conformal carbon layer encapsulating the NVP particles and the connections formed through CNT networks, are validated to enhance their electrical and ionic conductivities, as demonstrated by evaluations of both half-cell and symmetric full-cell configurations. Specifically, symmetric D-NVP/Dex||D-NVP/Dex and D-NVP/Dex||P-NVP sodium-ion batteries exhibit excellent cyclability, achieving capacities of 46.5 and 49.0mA h g-1, respectively, after 150 cycles at 0.5 C.

Interstitial Manganese-Tuned Nickel-Iron Diselenide Anode for Efficient and Durable Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis.

Anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) employing Ir/Ru-free anodes emerges as a bright prospect for green hydrogen society. Here, a Ni0.8Fe0.2Mn0.1Se2 nanosheet electrocatalyst is reported, in situ grown on stainless-steel paper, as an efficient and durable self-supporting AEMWE anode for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The interstitial [MnSe4] tetrahedra elevate the Fermi level and narrows the band gap of the electrocatalyst, thereby expediting electrode reaction kinetics and increasing the electrical conductivity. In addition, the interstitial Mn atoms attenuate the electron density of Ni and Fe and motivate phase transition to actual active (Mn, Fe)-doped γ-NiOOH species. The downward d-band center of Ni active center facilitates the rate-limiting *OOH desorption step, refreshing the active center, and reducing the free energy barriers for OER. Accordingly, the Ni0.8Fe0.2Mn0.1Se2 electrode achieves OER overpotentials of 149 and 232mV at 10 and 100mA cm-2 in 1m KOH. The AEMWE cell incorporating Ni0.8Fe0.2Mn0.1Se2 anode demonstrates high performance (1.0Acm-2 at 1.68 Vcell) and durability (at 1Acm-2 for 300h), surpassing most AEMWE cells that use NiFe-based anodes. This work highlights the potential of noble-metal-free anodes for efficient and durable AEMWE.

Balancing the Mechanical Toughness and Electrical Insulation of Polypropylene by Blending and Grafting Modifications

AbstractBalancing the mechanical toughness and electrical insulation of polypropylene (PP) for recyclable cable insulation application has attracted increasing attention. Due to the different molecular conformation, isotactic polypropylene (IPP) always delivers excellent electrical insulation but poor mechanical toughness, while block polypropylene (BPP) has been dramatically opposed properties. Blending IPP with BPP at an appropriate content may be beneficial to reconcile the toughness and insulation. In this study, the blending ratio of IPP and BPP is first investigated, and it is found that 60: 40 wt.% is the optimized ratio for achieving outstanding overall performance. Furthermore, polyolefin elastomer (POE) and styrene‐grafted POE (POE‐g‐St) are incorporated into IPP/BPP blends respectively to intensify the toughness as well as the insulation property. The microstructure, electrical properties, mechanical properties, and thermal properties of the composites are systematically analyzed and discussed. The results demonstrate that the composite with a grafting ratio of 1.21 wt.% styrene exhibits superior overall performances, the enhanced breakdown field strength of 314.02 kV mm−1, and reduced elastic modulus of 352.54 MPa are achieved. Additionally, the modified composites also possess a high melting temperature, high volume resistivity, and excellent space charge suppression capability, achieving the synergistic improvements of the electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties.

Induced polarization monitoring of in-situ chemical oxidation for quantification of contaminant consumption.

Dynamic monitoring of in-situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) of LNAPLs in groundwater is the foundation for evaluating remediation effectiveness. In this study, spectral (SIP) and time-domain induced polarization (TDIP) measurements are conducted in laboratory columns and sandboxes to monitor the ISCO of LNAPL for characterizing oxidant transport and quantifying contaminant consumption under different injection strategies. To support the interpretation, this was combined with total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH), hydrochemistry and computed tomography (CT) measurements. Experiments were performed using two media, and the monitoring results showed similar variations in key parameters. The electrical resistivity, chargeability and TPH decreased significantly during ISCO remediation, while the hydrochemical parameters showed an increasing trend. Specifically, IP variations before and after injection revealed that more oxidant remained in the source area using a multiple-injection strategy compared to a single-injection strategy. The effect of contaminant consumption under well-controlled conditions on electrical resistivity was <3% and the effect on chargeability was <8%. In conditions with oxidant migration, the effect of oxidant on the resistivity and chargeability was similar at ∼89% in the source area, whereas the oxidant had a greater effect on the resistivity (>58%) than the chargeability (<40%) outside the source area. Based on the experimental results, a conceptual model for the IP response during ISCO remediation is proposed and we delineate the pore structural characteristics of porous media based on the conceptual model. Oxidant injection develops a high conductivity environment and causes a decrease in LNAPLs content and number of interfaces, leading to the suppression of the IP response. In conclusion, IP measurement in combination with supporting information clearly enables the characterization of the ISCO remediation of LNAPLs in groundwater and facilitates the pore structure characterization of porous media based on the IP conceptual model.

Farmers’ perceptions of Terminalia brownii management in agroforestry Parklands and its impact on soil physicochemical properties in the South Ari District, Southern Ethiopia

Smallholder farmers in the South Ari District of southern Ethiopia retain natural forest remnants of Terminalia brownii trees in their crop fields. However, little is known about their perceptions of its management in crop fields and its impacts on soil properties. Therefore, we investigated farmers’ perceptions and the impacts of scattered Terminalia brownii trees on soil physicochemical properties. For this purpose, we collected household survey data from 80 farmers and 54 composite soil samples from four directions at three radial distances and two soil depths. A randomized complete block design was used with three independent random field replications for the treatments within factorial arrangements, including the three radial distances and two soil depths. Based on the survey data, 90% of the respondents manage scattered Terminalia brownii trees in their crop fields. Among them, 63% use pollarding, while 49% use pruning techniques to enhance the impact on crops grown beneath trees. Our results revealed that soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, plant-available potassium and phosphorus, and bulk density were significantly higher (P < 0.05) under the tree canopy. However, soil texture, pH, electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity, and exchangeable bases depicted no significant differences between the tree canopy and open fields. Hence, retaining Terminalia brownii trees on the crop field is crucial for farmers to improve the soil physicochemical properties. However, sustained long-term studies are essential to gain a comprehensive understanding of the diverse functions of Terminalia brownii and its impact on microclimate dynamics and crop productivity.

Assessing water color anomalies: A hue angle approach in the Gulf of Izmit.

Understanding water color is important because it is influenced by biogeochemical constituents, directly affects human perceptions of water quality, and serves as a key water quality metric. This study evaluates the hue angle methodology for monitoring water quality dynamics, using the Gulf of Izmit in the Sea of Marmara as a case study. We employed in-situ water quality measurements, spectroradiometer data, and Sentinel-2 satellite imagery from campaigns in October 2021 and 2022. Hue angles were computed for these dates, and spatial distribution maps were generated to assess water quality dynamics and detect anomalies. The accuracy of these maps was validated using hue angle values from ASD FieldSpec 4 spectroradiometer measurements, with metrics including Mean Relative Error (MRE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), and Mean Absolute Error (MAE) demonstrating the method's feasibility (RMSE, MRE, MAE for 2021: 3.16°, 0.02%, 2.91°; for 2022: 2.36°, 0.01%, 1.65°). Correlation analyses with selected optically active constituents, such as Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) and electrical conductivity (EC), as well as non-optically active constituents like Secchi Disk Depth (SDD) and silicate, revealed strong correlations, particularly improving from 2021 to 2022. The methodology's performance was further evaluated using Sentinel-2 data from April 29, 2021, in the Gulf of Gemlik, chosen for its similar environmental challenges. High correlations with in-situ measurements were observed, even without spectroradiometer validation, providing robust evidence of the method's effectiveness in detecting water quality anomalies across diverse coastal environments.

Influence of asymmetric rolling paths on the microstructure, texture, mechanical behavior, and electrical conductivity of electrolytic tough-pitch copper

In this work, the influence of asymmetric rolling paths on the microstructure, texture, mechanical behavior, and electrical conductivity of electrolytic tough-pitch copper was studied. Four different asymmetric rolling paths including unidirectional (UD), rolling (RD), transverse (TD), and normal (ND) with a thickness reduction of 90% were applied. Based on simulation results, the uniformity of strain distribution in the UD path was less than the other paths, the RD and ND paths had a better distribution of strain along the thickness, and the TD path exhibited the best strain distribution. Because of this, the TD, ND, and RD samples revealed a better distribution of copper oxide particles compared to the UD sample. The homogeneity of texture through the sheet thickness for the RD, TD, and ND paths was more than that for the UD path due to the uniform strain distribution. Unlike the other samples, the UD sample exhibited {001}〈110〉 Rotated Cube and {001}〈100〉 Cube orientations in the areas close to the surface due to the formation of severe accumulated strain. The maximum yield strength (405.5 MPa) and tensile strength (419.0 MPa) belonged to the RD sample. The TD sample showed a lower strain hardening rate as a result of easier cross-slip. The highest electrical conductivity (85.2 %IACS) belonged to the TD sample due to its lower dislocation density. The presence of θ-fiber and γ-fiber improved the electron conductivity of copper.

Evaluation of some physicochemical parameters and health risks associated with potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in agricultural soils from the southwest region of Ethiopia

In this study, soil samples collected from Burusa and Bure agricultural sectors were analyzed for their physicochemical parameters and potentially toxic elements (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Co, B, Se, Ni, Cr, Pb, Cd, As, and Hg). Physicochemical parameters were analyzed according to AOAC methods. For quantification of PTEs, the soil samples were digested by using aquaregia (HCl: HNO3; 3:1) and 5 mL of H2O2 (30%) at a digestion temperature of 250°C for 3 hours prior to ICP-OES analysis. The percent recoveries (%R) and relative standard deviation (%RSD) of this method ranged from 83 to 106% and 0.39 to 9.2%, respectively. The LODs and LOQ values were in the range of 4.3 × 10-4-5.3 × 10-2 mg/L and 1.4 × 10-3-1.76 × 10-1 mg/L, respectively. The analyzed mean values of physicochemical parameter including pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, moisture, organic matter and nitrogen content were found in the range of 4.85-6.47, 20.5-21.4°C, 101.6-230.7 µS/cm, 8.67-20.7%, 0.677-1.81% and 5.81-6.85%, respectively. The average amount of potentially toxic elements found in the soil samples were ranged as 57073-81279, 1185-3255, 41.0-72.2, 12.6-29.2, 18.8-50.8, 25.0-40.5, 42.2-60.8, 13.6-34.5, 41.9- 67.2, 25.0-59.4, 9.92-13.3, 0.933-1.12 and 4.97-8.63 in mg/kg for Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Co, B, Se, Ni, Cr, Pb, Cd, As and Hg, respectively. The highest concentrations of among the entire PTEs were recorded for Fe, followed by Mn, in the analyzed soil samples. All the studied elements are below the FAO/WHO permissible limit except Fe, Se, Cd, and Hg for all analyzed soil samples and Mn for the Bure soil sample. The target hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI) values are <1, suggesting an insignificant non-carcinogenic risk of the heavy metals to the adults via ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact exposure of agricultural soils. Likewise, the individual element incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) occurrence for all studied soil samples is below 1 × 10-4. The total ILCR of potentially toxic heavy metals (Ni, Cr, Pb, Cd and As) resulting from ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact exposure of agricultural soil by an adult population indicate a slightly higher potential cancer risk (> 1 × 10-4) for soil samples obtained from Bure S1, Bure S2, and Bure S3. Therefore, continuous monitoring of these harmful elements should be made by agricultural sectors and responsible government regulatory authorities are crucial to prevent PTEs related to agricultural soils in Ethiopia.

Remediation of Various Phenanthrene-contaminated Soils using Persulfate-Pseudomonas aeruginosa GZ7: Soil Properties, Radical Formation, and Microbial Community

In this study, the complex interaction of oxidizing conditions, soil composition, microbial activity, and phenanthrene (PHE) degradation was explored in persulfate (PS)-Pseudomonas aeruginosa GZ7 remediation of four PHE-contaminated soils: Paddy soil (PAS), Saline soil (SS), Red soil (RS), and Cinnamon soil (CS). Batch experiments displayed the optimal PS dosage was 0.750% (w/w), except for CS (0.125%), achieving PHE degradation rates of 54.79% ~ 81.92% on the 27-day. The zeta potential of soil clay component after 0.750% PS oxidation was lower than 0.125% and 2.000% PS, resulting in a higher PHE bioavailability and biodegradation. The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy analysis showed that the abundance of dominant hydroxyl radicals (·OH) in CS was 3 times higher than in PAS at 0.750% PS and PS to Fe2+ molar ratio of 2:1, indicating that a higher soil organic matter would decrease the content of ·OH thus diminishing PHE removal. Stepwise linear regression and sensitivity analysis indicated that the key influential factors in the PHE degradation rate were the residual PHE content after oxidation (60.12%) and hydrolase nitrogen content (30.97%). High-throughput sequencing results showed the bacterial diversity and richness in four soils decreased after combined remediation compared to pristine soil. Redundancy analyses revealed that the fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolase enzyme was the key factor effect of soil bacterial community development in SS; and electrical conductivity and FDA hydrolase enzyme were the key factors in RS, CS, and PAS. This study may provide technical support for optimizing chemical conditions for PS-microbial remediation.

Baseline tritium measurements in Thailand's water bodies: Supporting sustainable nuclear energy development.

Tritium, a radioactive isotope produced naturally through cosmic radiation interactions and anthropogenically through nuclear weapons testing, poses potential environmental risks, particularly within the water cycle. This study measured tritium concentrations in surface water across Thailand to establish a baseline dataset for monitoring potential contamination from nuclear activities and accidents. Surface water samples were collected from 14 large reservoirs during the wet season in October 2023 and the dry season in February 2024, providing a total of 28 samples. Tritium concentrations were analyzed using electrolytic enrichment and liquid scintillation counting techniques. The results, presented with combined uncertainty, revealed tritium levels ranging from 1.21±0.19 to 2.74±0.23 TU (0.14±0.02 to 0.32±0.03 Bq·L-1), with an average of 1.94±0.01 TU (0.23±0.00 Bq·L-1). The highest concentrations were observed in the north (2.26±0.02 TU), followed by the northeast (2.13±0.04 TU), central (1.91±0.05 TU), east (1.72±0.03 TU), and south (1.55±0.04 TU). All measured tritium levels were below the natural background threshold of 10 TU and complied with the surface water quality standards set by the Thailand's Pollution Control Department. Tritium concentrations were positively correlated with latitude, distance from the coast, and elevation, while showing an inverse relationship with pH. No significant seasonal variations or correlations were observed with ion concentrations, water temperature, electrical conductivity, salinity, dissolved oxygen, or total dissolved solids. These baseline measurements are essential for supporting sustainable nuclear energy development and ensuring effective monitoring of environmental radioactivity. The dataset provides a critical reference for Thailand's regulatory agencies, such as the Office of Atoms for Peace, to safeguard public and environmental safety under both normal operations and potential radiological emergency scenarios.

Orange peel essential oil in rice starch encapsulating material for antimicrobial application against Escherichia coli.

This study investigated the formation of fibers and capsules using rice starch as a wall material to encapsulate orange peel essential oil (OPEO) by electrospinning for antimicrobial applications. Rice starch at a concentration of 20% (w/v) and varying OPEO concentrations (30%, 40%, and 50%, w/w) were used to produce materials. Free OPEO was analyzed for its chemical profile and antimicrobial activity. The electrospun material was characterized for morphology, size distribution, loading capacity, functional groups, thermal properties, and antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli. Limonene was identified as the main component of OPEO. The free OPEO was effective against E. coli and Salmonella Typhimurium. When different concentrations of OPEO were incorporated into 20% rice starch solutions, a decrease in electrical conductivity was observed, leading to the formation of fibers and capsules instead of just fibers. The loading capacities of the materials were 35%, 29%, and 28% for OPEO concentrations of 30%, 40%, and 50%, respectively. Encapsulation of OPEO resulted in increased thermal stability. The material with 50% OPEO achieved a 6-log reduction in E. coli, showing strong potential for active packaging to reduce food contamination. Future research should explore its practical use in food packaging.