Environmental Pollution Research Articles

ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH IMPACTS OF AGRICULTURAL WASTE COMBUSTION FOR BIOENERGY: A TOXICITY AND EMISSION REVIEW

This study examines the environmental and health impacts caused by the release of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from the combustion of biomass and agricultural waste. Today, bioenergy plays a crucial role in global energy systems, accounting for 70 % of renewable energy consumption, 9.5 % of total primary energy supply, and 13 % of global gross final energy consumption. However, environmental pollution remains one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century, with serious implications for human health, biodiversity, and climate change. PAHs, released during the incomplete combustion of organic fuels, are particularly concerning due to their carcinogenic and mutagenic properties. This review aims to evaluate the emissions of PAHs during biomass combustion, with a focus on fuel types and combustion conditions. It synthesizes data from over 30 contemporary scientific sources, comprehensively analysing PAH formation and distribution in flue gases, and identifies the key factors influencing these emissions. The research reveals that PAH emissions vary significantly depending on the type of biomass, combustion conditions, and the control measures employed. Open burning of agricultural residues generates much higher PAH concentrations compared to controlled combustion in stoves or furnaces. The analysis assumes consistent data reporting across studies and acknowledges that real-world conditions may differ from laboratory settings, potentially affecting emission levels. The findings underscore the importance of implementing effective emission control strategies to reduce environmental and health risks, particularly in regions like Ukraine that rely heavily on biomass as an energy source. By addressing a critical gap in the literature, this review enhances understanding of the long-term impacts of bioenergy on environmental health and sustainability and advocates for updating Ukrainian regulatory legislation with modern methodological procedures.

New weapons explosive exhibits persistent toxicity in plants.

Explosives are widespread, toxic and persistent environmental pollutants. 2,4-Dinitroanisole (DNAN) is being phased in to replace 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) in munitions. Here we demonstrate that only low levels of DNAN are detoxified in Arabidopsis, leaving it to remain as a substrate for monodehydroascorbate reductase 6 mediated chronic phytotoxicity. Enhancing the potential for environmental toxicity, DNAN is readily transported to the aerial tissues exposing this toxin to herbivores and the wider food chain.

Monitoring of toxic metals(loids) in fifteen raptor bird species of Iran.

The current study was conducted to identify the contamination of 10 toxic metals(loids) (mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), selenium (Se), nickel (Ni), arsenic (As) and aluminium (Al)) in the feathers of 15 raptor bird species, which tries to analyze the adverse effects, taxonomic affiliation, spatial distribution, habitat type, and effect of age. During 2020-2022, 476 feathers of 115 birds were collected and the primary feathers of each bird were sampled and an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to analyze the toxic metals(loids). It was found that there is a statistically significant difference between the concentration of metals(loids) and the studied birds (except for As) (p < 0.05). The highest average concentrations of Hg and Al in tawny owl (2.26 and 1184.75 mg/kg dry weight, respectively), Cu in spotted little owl (10.45 mg/kg), and Pb, Cd, Cr, Zn, Se, Ni, and As in pallid scops owl (5.44, 0.19, 3.93, 251.99, 4.84, 5.45, and 0.52 mg/kg, respectively) were observed. According to the threshold level of elements, the status of Pb, Cr, Ni, and Al can be reported as unfavorable. In the current project, there was a statistically significant difference between the concentration of Hg, Cr, and Ni in the studied birds and spatial distribution (p < 0.05). The pollution of birds in Khuzestan province with toxic elements was considerable and in all ten elements investigated, this province is among the first 5 provinces in terms of pollution. In the case of most of the investigated elements, namely Pb, Cd, Cr, Zn, As, and Ni, the highest concentration was related to the habitat of open grasslands (2.10, 0.04, 0.98, 64.66, 0.15, and 1.26 mg/kg, respectively). Regarding most of the studied elements, adult birds had the highest concentration, but elements such as Ni and As showed a reverse trend so that nestling birds had higher concentrations of Ni and As in their feathers. As a conclusion, tawny owl, spotted little owl, and pallid scops owl can be introduced among the important group of raptor birds as distinct indicators of environmental pollution.

Does industrial robot adoption inhibit environmental pollution in China? An empirical study on energy consumption and green technology innovation

In this research, we develop a theoretical model to examine the relationship between the adoption of industrial robots and environmental pollution. Additionally, we explore the mechanisms through which the implementation of industrial robots influences pollutant emissions. Our findings indicate that the adoption of industrial robots has a negative effect on environmental pollution. This conclusion is drawn from a panel data analysis of 283 cities in China from 2006 to 2020, utilizing a double fixed effect model. Further mechanism tests reveal that the use of industrial robots contributes to a reduction in pollution emissions by optimizing the energy consumption structure and enhancing energy efficiency. Meanwhile, industrial robot usage decreases pollution emissions by enhancing pollution treatment capabilities and boosting green technological innovation. Furthermore, regions characterized by heightened environmental awareness demonstrate a more significant improvement in environmental pollution levels when industrial robots are applied to their production process. This study ultimately demonstrates that integrating industrial robots can lead to a reduction in pollutant emissions, thereby yielding sustainable benefits for the environment.

Reaction-Based SERS Probes for the Detection of Raman-Inactive Species.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has the advantages of high sensitivity, low water interference, narrow spectral peaks for multicomponent analysis, and rich molecular fingerprint information, presenting great potential to be a robust analytical technology. However, a key issue is the unavailability in directly detecting Raman-inactive species with a small Raman scattering cross-section. Current research has addressed this issue by using specific chemical reactions to induce significant characteristic changes in SERS signals, enabling the sensitive and selective detection of Raman-inactive species. This reaction-activated SERS sensing strategy provides a clever approach to the precise determination of Raman-inactive species. In this review, we have first summarized the design principles and types of reaction-based SERS probes. Furthermore, we have examined the enormous potential of reaction-based SERS probes in the detection of bioactive species, environmental pollutants, and food contaminants. Finally, we have discussed in depth the challenges and prospects of reaction-based SERS probes on stability, reliability, and intelligence. The review is aimed to inspire a more advanced design of reaction-based SERS probes, thus further facilitating their extensive applications in SERS analysis.

Photothermal-photocatalytic bifunctional highly porous hydrogel for efficient coherent sewage purification-clean water generation

Solar interfacial water evaporation based on photothermal materials presents great potential in tackling global water scarcity and environmental pollution. However, existing photothermal materials still suffer from performance deficiencies like insufficient evaporation rate and unreliable long-term stability, as well as single-function limitations leading to incomplete removal of contaminants from wastewater, severely hindering their practical applications. Herein, we develop a novel, cost-effective, highly porous hydrogel composite integrated with synchronous photothermal and photocatalytic effects by a facile two-step immobilization approach. This method involves an initial sonication-induced pre-polymerization of acrylamide to produce a viscous solution that uniformly disperses TiO2 nanoparticles and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), followed by a secondary in-situ free radical polymerization to achieve stable homogeneous TiO2/SWCNTs/polyacrylamide (PAM) hydrogel composite with an ultrahigh porosity of 88.40 %. Remarkably, the resultant hydrogel composite simultaneously exhibits excellent bifunctional photothermal and photocatalytic performances, including exceptional sunlight absorption of 99.35 %, high evaporation rate of 3.53 kg m−2 h−1, and high photodegradation efficiency of 84.27 % for methylene blue. Furthermore, the water evaporator fabricated with such hydrogel demonstrates consistent desalination performance over 40-day continuous monitoring with salt ion removal rates over 95 %, positioning it as a promising bifunctional material for coherent sewage purification and clean water generation.

Dose-Related Mutagenic and Clastogenic Effects of Benzo[b]fluoranthene in Mouse Somatic Tissues Detected by Duplex Sequencing and the Micronucleus Assay.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are common environmental pollutants that originate from the incomplete combustion of organic materials. We investigated the clastogenicity and mutagenicity of benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF), one of 16 priority PAHs, in MutaMouse males after a 28 day oral exposure. BbF causes robust dose-dependent increases in micronucleus frequency in peripheral blood, indicative of chromosome damage. Duplex sequencing (DS), an error-corrected sequencing technology, reveals that BbF induces dose-dependent increases in mutation frequencies in bone marrow (BM) and liver. Mutagenicity is increased in intergenic relative to genic regions, suggesting a role for transcription-coupled repair of BbF-induced DNA damage. At higher doses, the maximum mutagenic response to BbF is higher in liver, which has a lower mitotic index but higher metabolic capacity than BM; however, mutagenic potency is comparable between the two tissues. BbF induces primarily C:G > A:T mutations, followed by C:G > T:A and C:G > G:C, indicating that BbF metabolites mainly target guanines and cytosines. The mutation spectrum of BbF correlates with cancer mutational signatures associated with tobacco exposure, supporting its contribution to the carcinogenicity of combustion-derived PAHs in humans. Overall, BbF's mutagenic effects are similar to benzo[a]pyrene, a well-studied mutagenic PAH. Our work showcases the utility of DS for effective mutagenicity assessment of environmental pollutants.

Construction of superhydrophobic PDMS@PS-SiO2 films with self-cleaning properties via a simple template approach for efficient water harvesting

Superhydrophobic materials have a wide range of applications in the fields of anticorrosion, anti-dust, anti-ice and anti-fouling due to their self-cleaning, anti-wetting and anti-bacterial properties. However, there are problems in the preparation process, such as cumbersome processes, inconsistent properties of the prepared hydrophobic surfaces, and environmental pollution by fluoropolymers. Therefore, it is especially critical to develop a simple method to prepare green and efficient superhydrophobic surfaces. Here, a simple template method is used to prepare superhydrophobic surfaces. The Polystyrene (PS) honeycomb patterned film was used as a template, and the microstructure inside the pores of the PS film was changed by filling silica particles inside the template. Reproduction of the surface microstructure of PS films using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The shape and size of the template structure are adjusted to regulate the surface microstructure, which in turn achieves the control of the overall hydrophobicity. The transition from PDMS hydrophobicity to superhydrophobicity was achieved by changing the structure of the PS film surface. The PDMS@PS-SiO2 film achieved a water contact angle of 153°, an increase of 48° compared to the original film. Tested at different temperatures and pH, PDMS@PS-SiO2 film has good stability performance. Immersing the film in pollutants still maintains its own cleaning properties and is not easily contaminated for long-term use. The morphology of the film surface was observed using electron microscopy to demonstrate the successful preparation of the film as well as to explore the reason for the variation of the hydrophobic performance. In addition, using PDMS@PS-SiO2 film as the substrate of the hydrophobic film, the bionic water-collecting film was prepared with a water-collecting performance of 20.12 ± 0.15 mg min−1 cm−2. The reuse of mist was achieved. This method provides a new idea for the preparation of superhydrophobic surfaces and solving the problem of water shortage.

Recent depositional history of noble and critical elements in sediments from a wastewater-impacted bay (Vidy Bay, Lake Geneva, Switzerland)

Opposing trends in environmental pollution have been observed in recent years, with a growing awareness of the need to reduce emissions to the environment being accompanied by a concomitant increase in the use of polluting substances, which can potentially end up in the environment and harm humans and ecosystems. In order to assess the temporal evolution of loadings of seldom monitored trace elements, including noble metals and some technology critical elements, we analyzed a sediment core taken from the Bay of Vidy (Lake Geneva), impacted by the effluent of an urban wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The temporal profiles of the chemical elements show essentially two patterns linked to the implementation of the WWTP, with some elements increasing sharply (e.g. Au, In, Ba, Sb, Sn, platinum group elements), while others (e.g. Ga, Ge, rare earth elements) show decreasing concentrations due to dilution by additional effluent particle loads. The origin of the elements showing a marked increase is attributed to local sources (photographic industry and municipal incinerator). There is (still?) no evidence in the sedimentary record of concentration increases linked to the growing use of technologically critical elements by industry.

Toxic effects of chronic exposure to BPAF and perturbation of gut microbiota homeostasis in marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma)

Bisphenol AF (BPAF), a substitute for bisphenol A (BPA), exhibits potent endocrine-disrupting properties that pose a serious health hazard to organisms. This study employed marine medaka as a model, subjecting them to different concentrations of BPAF (0.61, 6.65, and 91.88 μg/L) from the embryonic stage for a period of 160 days. Findings showed that 91.88 μg/L BPAF reduced survival rates and altered sex ratios. Furthermore, exposure to BPAF at all concentrations led to a significant increase in body length and weight. Behavioral analysis revealed that BPAF exposure impaired the swimming ability of the medaka. Histological changes included disrupted ovarian development, reduced sperm count, liver inflammation, and intestinal damage. Gene expression analysis revealed impacts on nervous system (e.g., gap43, itr, elavl3), HPG axis (e.g., gthα, erα, 3βhsd), and liver genes (e.g., chgl, vtg2). Additionally, BPAF altered the diversity and richness of gut microbes in marine medaka, leading to significant changes in specific bacterial species and intestinal functions. In conclusion, long-term BPAF exposure induced neurotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, and impaired digestive and immune systems in marine medaka, with sex-specific effects. These results provide further evidence of the potential hazards of BPAF as an environmental pollutant.

Ferroptosis in the Substantia Nigra Pars Compacta of Mice: Triggering Role of Ultrafine Diesel Exhaust Particles and Mitigation by α-Lipoic Acid.

Recent epidemiological and experimental studies have increasingly highlighted the association between environmental pollution, especially ultrafine particulate matter (PM), and the risk of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease (PD). These previous studies suggest a potential mechanism by which ultrafine PM contributes to neuronal damage through processes, such as iron accumulation and oxidative stress. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the effects of ultrafine PM on ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of cell death, in the mouse substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and to evaluate the protective role of α-lipoic acid (ALA). Mice were exposed to ultrafine diesel exhaust particles (ufDEP), a type of ultrafine PM, intranasally and injected ALA intraperitoneally for seven consecutive days. Iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation were significantly increased, and antioxidant capacity was significantly decreased in the SNc after ufDEP exposure, highlighting the deleterious effects of ufDEP on tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive neurons. In contrast, ALA treatment effectively mitigated these effects by reducing iron accumulation, decreasing lipid peroxidation, and restoring antioxidant levels, resulting in the protection of TH-positive neurons from ferroptotic damage. Our results provide evidence that ufDEP can induce ferroptosis in dopaminergic neurons in the SNc, potentially contributing to PD pathogenesis. Furthermore, ALA showed protective effects against ufDEP-induced ferroptotic damage, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic intervention for PD.

Multi-scale heterogeneous composite elastomer absorbers synergistically enhanced by CoNi nanospheres and carbon nanotubes

The advancement of high-performance absorbers is essential for applications in electromagnetic wave absorption (EWA) and stealth technologies. To enhance EWA performances, it is imperative to employ advanced design strategies that incorporate heterogeneous interfaces and multi-scale structures. In this study, we developed a composite elastomer demonstrating exceptional EWA characteristics using a two-step process involving liquid-phase reduction followed by thermal curing. High aspect ratio carbon nanotubes were integrated onto the surface of CoNi nanospheres, creating a multi-scale architecture with heterogeneous interfaces that ranged from zero-dimensional to two-dimensional. This innovative structural design significantly improved the EWA capabilities of the composite elastomer. Notably, even with only 15 wt% filler content, the composite elastomer achieved a minimum reflection loss of −54.4 dB at a thickness of 4 mm, alongside an adjustable effective absorption bandwidth exceeding 60 % of the 2–18 GHz frequency range. Additionally, it exhibited favorable mechanical strength and stretchability, enhancing its practical applicability. This work provides valuable insights into optimizing dielectric and magnetic properties through advanced structural design and underscores the potential for developing effective elastomer absorbers to deal with electromagnetic pollution in complex environment.

Natural soundscapes enhance mood recovery amid anthropogenic noise pollution.

In urbanised landscapes, the scarcity of green spaces and increased exposure to anthropogenic noise have adverse effects on health and wellbeing. While reduced speed limits have historically been implemented to address traffic safety, their potential impact on residents' wellbeing, especially in relation to engagement with natural soundscapes, remains understudied. Our study investigates the influence of i) natural soundscapes, including bird song, and ii) the addition of traffic noise to natural soundscapes at two speeds (20 mi/h and 40 mi/h) on mood. We found that natural soundscapes were strongly linked with the lowest levels of anxiety and stress, with an increase in stress levels associated with mixed natural soundscapes with the addition of 20 mi/h traffic noise and the highest levels with 40 mi/h traffic noise. Higher levels of hedonic tone, indicative of positive mood, was noted with natural soundscapes, but diminished when combined with 40 mi/h traffic noise. Our results show that anthropogenic soundscapes including traffic sounds can mask the positive impact of natural soundscapes including birdsong on stress and anxiety. However, reducing traffic speeds in cities could be a positive intervention for enhancing access to nature. Technological solutions, such as the widespread adoption of hybrid and electric vehicles, and urban planning strategies like integrating green spaces into transit routes, offer potential opportunities to mitigate the impact of noise pollution and benefit humans in urban environments.

Degradation of Ciprofloxacin in Water Using Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecium

The presence of antibiotics in the wastewater is a growing concern, as they tend to bioaccumulate and are increasing the resistance of bacteria. This study investigates the microbial degradation of ciprofloxacin (CIP) in water using Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Enterococcus faecium (E. faecium). This research aims to degrade the ciprofloxacin antibiotic, which is creating multiple problems in the environment and wastewater. Bacterial strains were isolated from wastewater and sludge samples, and their identities were confirmed through 16S rRNA sequencing. The degradation potential was assessed using a shake flask method under varying conditions, including different antibiotic concentrations, temperatures, pH levels, and inoculum densities. E. coli effectively degraded CIP, achieving 90% degradation at 50 mg/L in 18 days, in optimal conditions like a temperature of 37 °C, a pH of 6.5, and an inoculum concentration of 10−8 CFU/mL. However, at higher concentrations (150 mg/L), degradation decreased. Similarly, E. faecium showed a maximum degradation rate of 100% at 50 mg/L of CIP in 18 days, with optimal degradation occurring at 40 °C, a pH of 6.5, and an inoculum density of 10−8 CFU/mL. This study underscores the effectiveness of selected microbial strains in bioremediation processes, highlighting their potential application in mitigating antibiotic pollution in aquatic environments. This is the preliminary study to explore the potential of isolated bacteria to degrade CIP, and their degradation ability can be utilized to develop a CIP-contaminated wastewater treatment plant.

Extracellular lipase production from Bacillus cereus by using agro-industrial waste.

Lipases are crucial biocatalysts in various industrial applications, and there is considerable interest in developing sustainable methods for their synthesis. This study focuses on the isolation, screening, and comparison of Bacillus cereus strains to produce extracellular lipases utilizing agro-industrial waste through solid-state fermentation. The results indicate that B. cereus exhibited optimal lipase production with soybean extract, yielding 41.2 ± 1.08µ/ml (p < 0.05), followed by bagasse with 40.5 ± 0.97µ/ml (p < 0.05). Other substrates, including rice bran (9.9µ/ml), wheat bran (25.8µ/ml), sunflower seed (24.0µ/ml), and oat bran (10.2µ/ml), demonstrated significantly lower enzyme activity. Additionally, lipase production from fruit peels was assessed, with banana yielding 21.1µ/ml, orange 20.3 µ/ml, melon 16.3 µ/ml, and watermelon 16.43µ/ml. Various oil wastes were also evaluated, showing lipase activities of 14.6 µ/ml (Sitara oil), 13.3µ/ml (Shan oil), 11.0µ/ml (automobile oil), and 10.2µ/ml (cooking oil). The bacterial lipases produced from B. cereus demonstrated maximum hydrolysis of tributyrin agar medium at 40°C (p < 0.05). The findings suggest that utilizing different agro-industrial wastes for the production of extracellular lipase could help mitigate environmental pollution while providing a viable option for commercial enzyme production.

Protective Effect of Resveratrol on Kidney Disease and Hypertension Against Microplastics Exposure in Male Juvenile Rats

Global pollution stems from the degradation of plastic waste, leading to the generation of microplastics (MPs). While environmental pollutants increase the risk of developing hypertension and kidney disease, the effects of MP exposure on these conditions in children remain unclear. Resveratrol, a phenolic compound known for its antihypertensive and renoprotective properties, has gained attention as a potential nutraceutical. This study investigates the effects of resveratrol on kidney disease and hypertension induced by MP exposure in a juvenile rat model. Three-week-old male Sprague–-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly allocated into four groups (n = 8 per group): a control group, a low-dose MP group (1 mg/L), a high-dose MP group (10 mg/L), and a high-dose MP group receiving resveratrol (50 mg/L). By 9 weeks of age, MP exposure resulted in elevated blood pressure and increased creatinine levels, both of which were mitigated by resveratrol treatment. The hypertension and kidney damage induced by high-dose MP exposure were linked to oxidative stress, which resveratrol effectively prevented. Additionally, resveratrol’s protective effects against hypertension and kidney damage were associated with increased acetic acid levels, reduced renal expression of Olfr78, and decreased expression of various components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Low- and high-dose MP exposure, as well as resveratrol treatment, differentially influence gut microbiota composition. Our findings suggest that targeting oxidative stress, gut microbiota, and the RAS through resveratrol holds therapeutic potential for preventing kidney disease and hypertension associated with MP exposure. However, further research is needed to translate these results into clinical applications.

Eco-Friendly OTOP Production for Sustainable Society: A case study of Thailand

The government of Thailand launched the OTOP program as a grassroots economic development strategy in 2001, and it has been functioned nationwide. However, some instances of environmental pollution occurred over a decade due to human activities. This research aimed to develop an environmental education strategy that enhance eco-friendly production and respond to the sustainability concept. The participatory action and survey research were applied. The policy makers and key informants were the target groups of this study namely; 10 policy executives, 25 entrepreneurs, and 20 OTOP representatives, meanwhile, structured-questionnaire was applied among 411 consumers. The results showed that the awareness level for pollution problems and participation in environmental conservation activities among the stakeholders were high. Majority of participants have high level of knowledge, attitude, skills and practices on eco-friendly production. The strategy based on sufficiency economy philosophy was developed, whereas four strategies with specific goals, measures, and 19 associated projects included. Expert evaluation and quality assessment were carried out, and showed that the strategy is highly rated in terms of satisfaction and confidence. As recommendations, the government agencies and stakeholders should promote targeted education and awareness programs about integrated eco-friendly OTOP production. Comprehensive learning centers, integrated budgets, initiatives for green marketing and communication strategies should be encouraged. Further in-depth research should be conducted for creative OTOP and green products to get better understanding about the overall market dynamics and respond to the sustainable concept of society.

Immobilization of engineered cytochrome P450cam (CYP101) to gold electrode via maleimide linker for electrocatalysis

Herein, we demonstrated maleimide-based conjugation chemistry to achieve the site-specific covalent immobilization of the C334A mutant of Cytochrome P450cam (C334A CYP101) onto a gold electrode. To be specific, firstly electrode surface was functionalized with maleimide groups involving cysteamine and N-(4-Carboxyphenyl) maleimide (p-CPMI) via a facile two-step process. The enzyme's accessible cysteine residues (C58 and C136) in the phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.4) containing CYP101 employed for the covalent attachment of C334A CYP101 through a chemoselective reaction with the maleimide moieties on the p-CPMI-modified electrode. The electrochemical analysis of the immobilized enzyme on a functionalized gold electrode was performed through Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) measurement. The enzyme-modified electrode exhibited a mid-point potential of -350 ± 10 mV vs Ag/AgCl in 3 M KCl aqueous electrolyte, indicating efficient electron transfer between the enzyme and the electrode interface. This strategy for site-specific immobilization holds considerable promise for diverse electrocatalytic applications, including the enzymatic detoxification of environmental pollutants and the synthesis of high-value chemical compounds, by exploiting the catalytic efficiency of C334A CYP101.

Assessing Environmental Contamination through Pollen Analysis of Solitary Cavity-nesting Resin Bees Around Kolhapur City

This study examines how pollen-nectar mixtures collected by solitary cavity-nesting resin bees can serve as bioindicators of environmental pollution. Researchers utilized paper straw trap nests across various locations, including agricultural (Shirgaon to Kandalgaon road in Gokul Shirgaon, Kolhapur), industrial (MIDC Shiroli, Kolhapur), urban (Dabolkar Corner, Kolhapur City), and a control area (KIT's College of Engineering, Gokul Shirgaon, Kolhapur). The nests, installed in February 2024, contained empty straws and some partially packed with larvae from the control area. These nests were designed to mimic natural habitats, allowing mature bees to build nests and create pollen-nectar mixtures for their offspring. Analysis aimed to detect environmental contaminants in these mixtures. Only one sample from the industrial area (Trap Nest Location 5 at Quality Castings, MIDC Shiroli) was recovered, showing elevated levels of iron, manganese, chromium, and nickel, consistent with industrial emissions. In contrast, the control area produced viable samples with detectable levels of magnesium, zinc, iron, aluminum, and barium. The absence of samples from urban and agricultural areas suggests adverse conditions affecting bee populations. This underscores the sensitivity of resin bees to pollution and highlights their role as bioindicators. The study emphasizes the need for effective environmental management to enhance habitat quality and protect both bees and human health.

Mineralizing Biofilm towards Sustainable Conversion of Plastic Wastes to Hydrogen.

The integration of inorganic materials with biological machinery to convert plastics into fuels offers a promising strategy to alleviate environmental pollution and energy crisis. Herein, we develop a type of hybrid living material via biomineralization of CdS onto Shewanella oneidensis-based biofilm, which is capable of sustainable hydrogen production from poly(lactic acid) (PLA) wastes under daylight. We reveal that the formed biofilm microstructure provides an independent anaerobic microenvironment that simultaneously supports cellular viability, maintains hydrogenase activity, and preserves the functional stability of CdS, giving rise to the efficient plastic-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency as high as 3751 μmol H2 g-1 PLA. Besides, by genetically engineering transmembrane pili conduit and incorporating conductive nanomaterials to strengthen the electron transfer across cellular interface and biofilm matrices, we show that the conversion efficiency is further enhanced to 5862 μmol H2 g-1 PLA. Significantly, we exhibit that a long-term sustainable plastic-to-hydrogen conversion of 63 d could be achieved by periodically replenishing PLA wastes. Overall, by the synergistic integration of biotic-abiotic characteristics the developed biofilm-based biomineralized hybrid living material is anticipated to provide a new platform toward the efficient conversion of plastic wastes into valuable fuels, and bridge the gap between environmental contamination and green energy production.