Potential Environmental Risks Research Articles

Machine Learning-Assisted Raman Spectroscopy and SERS for Bacterial Pathogen Detection: Clinical, Food Safety, and Environmental Applications

Detecting pathogenic bacteria and their phenotypes including microbial resistance is crucial for preventing infection, ensuring food safety, and promoting environmental protection. Raman spectroscopy offers rapid, seamless, and label-free identification, rendering it superior to gold-standard detection techniques such as culture-based assays and polymerase chain reactions. However, its practical adoption is hindered by issues related to weak signals, complex spectra, limited datasets, and a lack of adaptability for detection and characterization of bacterial pathogens. This review focuses on addressing these issues with recent Raman spectroscopy breakthroughs enabled by machine learning (ML), particularly deep learning methods. Given the regulatory requirements, consumer demand for safe food products, and growing awareness of risks with environmental pathogens, this study emphasizes addressing pathogen detection in clinical, food safety, and environmental settings. Here, we highlight the use of convolutional neural networks for analyzing complex clinical data and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy for sensitizing early and rapid detection of pathogens and analyzing food safety and potential environmental risks. Deep learning methods can tackle issues with the lack of adequate Raman datasets and adaptability across diverse bacterial samples. We highlight pending issues and future research directions needed for accelerating real-world impacts of ML-enabled Raman diagnostics for rapid and accurate diagnosis and surveillance of pathogens across critical fields.

Travertine deposition rather than tourism activity is the primary contributor to the microplastic risks in alpine Karst lakes

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging as anthropogenic vectors to form plastisphere, facilitating microbiome colonization and pathogenic dissemination, thus contributing to environmental and health crises across various ecosystems. However, a knowledge gap persists regarding MPs risks and their driving factors in certain unique and vulnerable ecosystems, such as Karst travertine lakes, some of which are renowned World Natural Heritage Sites under ever-increasing tourism pressure. We hypothesized that tourism activities serve as the most important factor of MPs pollution, whereas intrinsic features, including travertine deposition can exacerbate potential environmental risks. Thus, metagenomic approaches were employed to investigate the geographical distribution of the microbiome, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), virulence factor genes (VFGs), and their combined environmental risks in Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong, two famous tourism destinations in Southwest China. The plastisphere risks were higher in Huanglong, contradicting our hypothesis that Jiuzhaigou would face more crucial antibiotic risks due to its higher tourist activities. Specifically, the levels of Lipopolysaccharide Lewis and fosD increased by sevenfold and 20-fold, respectively, from upstream to downstream in Huanglong, whereas in Jiuzhaigou, no significant accrual was observed. Structural equation modeling results showed that travertine deposition was the primary contributor to MPs risks in alpine karstic lakes. Our findings suggest that tourism has low impact on MPs risks, possibly because of proper management, and that travertine deposition might act as an MPs hotspot, emphasizing the importance of considering the unique aspects of travertine lakes in mitigating MPs pollution and promoting the sustainable development of World Natural Heritage Sites. Environmental ImplicationConsidering the ever-increasing MPs pollution, the impact of the plastisphere on pathogen recruitment and environmental risks merits further in-depth exploration. Metagenomic insights suggest that travertine deposition in alpine karstic lakes has a more notable impact on the dissemination of MPs pollution than anthropogenic activities. Our results highlight the unique plastisphere in Karst environments, and emphasize the need for a comprehensive assessment of both anthropogenic and natural factors to safeguard the sustainability of these ecosystems. Although our investigation focused on the Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong Natural Heritage Sites, our approach has broad implications for detecting early signs of degradation and mitigating environmental risks for other protected areas.

Research Progress of Antibiotic Resistance Genes Removal in Food Waste During Anaerobic Digestion

Food waste is one of the important reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes （ARGs）, and its resource utilization has potential environmental risks. Anaerobic digestion （AD） technology can concurrently achieve resource recovery and ARGs removal, which is one of the popular resource technologies for food waste management. However, the removal efficiency of ARGs during the AD process is limited, and thus the safety of digestate for agricultural use is still questioned. Therefore, how to improve the performance of ARGs removal during the AD process is critical for efficient and environmentally friendly bioconversion of food waste. This study summarized the transmission pathways and mechanisms of ARGs in food waste； discussed the effects of different operation parameters on the transmission of ARGs in food waste during the AD process； described the research progress of exogenous addition of conductive materials, feedstock pretreatment, etc., strategies to enhance the removal of ARGs； and analyzed the migration regularity and removal mechanism of ARGs in food waste during the AD process, which mainly included microbial community structure evolution, mobile genetic element changes, and environmental factor changes. Finally, this study prospected the future improvement of methane yield and ARGs removal in the AD process of food waste based on the existing research.

Do essential oils suppress potato sprout growth?

Worldwide, potatoes are an essential food crop; however, substantial post-harvest losses due to sprouting during storage have been a significant issue. Chemical sprout suppressants have been widely used to extend potato dormancy and reduce or eliminate sprouting in storage. However, chlorpropham (CIPC), the most effective and the most widely used chemical suppressant worldwide has been banned in the European Union and other countries due to potential health and environmental risks. Essential oils (EOs) from various plants have been investigated and are being used as environmentally friendly alternatives to synthetic chemical suppressors. This study aimed to investigate EOs that were not previously tested for preventing potato sprout suppression at room temperature. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of twenty EOs in three potato cultivars, Ranger Russet, Terra Rosa, and TrailBlazer minitubers, on the suppression of sprouts at room temperature. The results showed that Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J. Presl and Origanum majorana L. EOs suppressed sprouting in all potato cultivars throughout the storage period while maintaining potato quality during storage. Furthermore, Lavandula x intermedia Emeric ex Loisel. EO showed the ability to shorten and restrict sprouts relative to the controls. The GC analysis of C. camphora EO identified eight constituents with linalool being the dominant one at 95.5 %, whereas the main EO constituents of O. majorana were terpinen-4-ol (40.3 %), γ-terpinene (14.6 %), sabinene (7.2 %), α-terpinene (6.9 %), para cymene (6.2 %), and limonene (4.1 %) in addition to other compounds. 1,8-Cineole and linalool were the major compounds in L. x intermedia EO. This work is the first report on these specific EOs as sprout suppressors. These EOs offer a potential for environmentally safe substitutes to conventional sprout inhibitors for potato storage and could be utilized in the development of commercial products for potato sprout control at room temperature.

Ionic liquid based surfactant-free microemulsion as a new protocol for preparation of visible light active poly(methyl methacrylate)/TiO2 nanocomposite

The practical application of sensitized TiO2 nanocomposites is very satisfying due to their high photon utilization in visible light, simple recovery without affecting the photocatalytic performance, high energy efficiency, low potential environmental risk, and low operational costs. The objective of this study is developing the ionic liquid (IL)-based surfactant-free microemulsion, as a soft template, for preparation of a novel type of sensitized poly(methyl methacrylate)/TiO2 nanocomposite (PMMA/TiO2/IL). For this purpose, a series of visible light-responsive PMMA/TiO2/IL transparent nanocomposites were prepared in microemulsion composed of methyl methacrylate monomer, 1-buthyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim][BF4]), and 1-buthanol as amphi-solvent. Techniques such as diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS)), attenuated total reflectance-fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) were used to characterize prepared nanocomposites. Photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange dye under visible light illumination, as an application in wastewater treatment, with the investigation of the influence of TiO2 content in the nanocomposite, pH, and nanocomposite reusability on photodegradation efficiency was studied and maximum value of 93.9% obtained at optimum conditions. The FESEM analysis indicated that the utilization of a relatively low amount of ionic liquid and also in absence of the surfactant ensures the monodispersity of the visible light sensitized TiO2 nanoparticles in the polymer matrix.

Ionic liquid based surfactant-free microemulsion as a new protocol for preparation of visible light active poly(methyl methacrylate)/TiO2 nanocomposite

The practical application of sensitized TiO2 nanocomposites is very satisfying due to their high photon utilization in visible light, simple recovery without affecting the photocatalytic performance, high energy efficiency, low potential environmental risk, and low operational costs. The objective of this study is developing the ionic liquid (IL)-based surfactant-free microemulsion, as a soft template, for preparation of a novel type of sensitized poly(methyl methacrylate)/TiO2 nanocomposite (PMMA/TiO2/IL). For this purpose, a series of visible light-responsive PMMA/TiO2/IL transparent nanocomposites were prepared in microemulsion composed of methyl methacrylate monomer, 1-buthyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim][BF4]), and 1-buthanol as amphi-solvent. Techniques such as diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS)), attenuated total reflectance-fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) were used to characterize prepared nanocomposites. Photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange dye under visible light illumination, as an application in wastewater treatment, with the investigation of the influence of TiO2 content in the nanocomposite, pH, and nanocomposite reusability on photodegradation efficiency was studied and maximum value of 93.9% obtained at optimum conditions. The FESEM analysis indicated that the utilization of a relatively low amount of ionic liquid and also in absence of the surfactant ensures the monodispersity of the visible light sensitized TiO2 nanoparticles in the polymer matrix.

Environmental remediation potential of a pioneer plant (Miscanthus sp.) from abandoned mine into biochar: Heavy metal stabilization and environmental application

Pyrolysis stands out as an effective method for the disposal of phytoremediation residues in abandoned mines, yielding a valuable by-product, biochar. However, the environmental application of biochar derived from such residues is limited by the potential environmental risks of heavy metals. Herein, Miscanthus sp. residues from abandoned mines were pyrolyzed into biochars at varied pyrolysis temperatures (300–700 °C) to facilitate the safe reuse of phytoremediation residues. The results showed that pyrolysis significantly stabilizes heavy metals in biomass, with Cd exhibiting the most notable stabilization effect. Acid-soluble/exchangeable and reducible fractions of Cd decreased significantly from 69.91 % to 2.52 %, and oxidizable and residue fractions increased approximately 3.24 times at 700 °C. The environmental risk assessment indicated that biochar pyrolyzed over 500 °C pose lower environmental risk (RI < 30), making them optimal for the safe utilization of phytoremediation residues. Additionally, adsorption experiments suggested that biochars prepared at higher temperature (500–700 °C) exhibit superior adsorption capacity, attributed to alkalinity and precipitation effect. This study highlights that biochars produced by pyrolyzing Miscanthus sp. from abandoned mines above 500 °C hold promise for environmental remediation, offering novel insight into the reutilization of metal-rich biomass.

In-vitro Isolation of Serratia marcescens and Computational Analysis of Lipase–Chitinase as a Hybrid Enzyme for the Degradation of Fungicides to Sustain the Ecosystem

The application of fungicides for commercial purposes has grown in response to increased food demand and shifting disease patterns. However, there is a scarcity of studies demonstrating their proper degradation. Due to the expanding global population, there is a heightened need for more agriculture to fulfill the growing demand for food, and this necessitates safeguarding crops from pests and diseases. Disease outbreaks in crops can result in the loss of food and the depletion of valuable resources. According to the European Union, organic fungicides constitute 60% of all fungicide sales, while synthetic fungicides make up the remaining 40% of pesticide sales. Fungicide usage is indispensable but needs to be considered within the context of potential environmental risks. Nonetheless, there is a pressing need to break down fungicides to preserve the natural environment. Our research is centered on hybrid enzymes derived from [Formula: see text] marcescens, which exhibit the capability to degrade fungicides. We employed computational techniques to assess the enzymes’ effectiveness in breaking down fungicides. S. marcescens was isolated from soil and identified through 16s rRNA analysis. Chitanase and lipase, enzymes identified in S. marcescens, can individually break down fungicides, as confirmed by auto-dock vina docking simulations. Notably, the combined action of these two enzymes surpasses the performance of individual docking, a result also corroborated by auto-dock vina. To further establish the efficacy and degradability of this approach, computational techniques were employed. In the future, it may be possible to create an in vitro antifungal agent, which could be categorized as a bioactive agent.

Assessment of the migration characteristics and source-oriented health risks of heavy metals in the soil and groundwater of a legacy contaminated by the chlor-alkali industry in central China.

The chlor-alkali industry (CAI) is crucial for global chemical production; however, its operation has led to widespread heavy metal (HM) contamination at numerous sites, which has not been thoroughly investigated. This study analysed 122 soil and groundwater samples from a typical CAI site in Kaifeng, China. Our aim was to assess the ecological and health risks, identify the sources, and examine the migration characteristics of HMs at this site using Monte Carlo simulation, absolute principal component score-multiple linear regression (APCS-MLR), and the potential environmental risk index (Ei). Our findings revealed that the exceedance rates for Cd, Pb, Hg, and Ni were 71.96%, 45.79%, 49.59%, and 65.42%, respectively. Mercury (Hg) displayed the greatest coefficient of variation across all the soil layers, indicating a significant anthropogenic influence. Cd and Hg were identified as having high and extremely high potential environmental risk levels, respectively. The spatial distributions of the improved Nemerow index (INI), total ecological risk (Ri), and HM content varied considerably, with the most contaminated areas typically associated with the storage of raw and auxiliary materials. Surface aggregation and significant vertical transport were noted for HMs; As and Ni showed substantial accumulation in subsoil layers, severely contaminating the groundwater. Self-organizing maps categorized the samples into two different groups, showing strong positive correlations between Cd, Pb, and Hg. The APCS-MLR model suggested that industrial emissions were the main contributors, accounting for 60.3% of the total HM input. Elevated hazard quotient values for Hg posed significant noncarcinogenic risks, whereas acceptable levels of carcinogenic risk were observed for both adults (96.60%) and children (97.83%). This study significantly enhances historical CAI pollution data and offers valuable insights into ongoing environmental and health challenges.

Study of Concrete Properties of Recycled Glass Fibres from Decommissioned Wind Turbine Blades

As an environmentally friendly and renewable energy solution, wind power is rapidly gaining favour worldwide due to its gentle impact on the environment. Nevertheless, the potential environmental risks posed by discarded wind turbine blades still need to be brought to our attention. Therefore, exploring ways to recycle and reuse discarded wind turbine blades has become an urgent task in the field of environmental protection. This study focuses on the incorporation of recycled glass fibres from crushed wind turbine blades into concrete to assess their benefits in engineering practice. In this study, we used four different particle sizes of recycled glass fibres, 0-5mm, 5-10mm, 10-15mm and 15-20mm, and incorporated them into the concrete at four different admixture levels of 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6% and 0.8%. By comprehensively examining its workability, mechanical properties and microstructure, we found that although the incorporation of glass fibres reduced the apparent density, slump and compressive strength of the concrete to a certain extent, it significantly improved the split tensile and flexural strengths of the concrete, as well as effectively improved the brittleness of the material and enhanced its toughness. These findings reveal the feasibility of recycling glass fibres from decommissioned wind turbine blades and applying them to concrete. This study not only opens up a new path for environmentally friendly recycling and reuse of wind turbine blades, but also provides a valuable reference for practical engineering applications, with significant social and economic benefits.

Effects of Rice Mill Wastewater on Cocoon Production and Total Population of Earthworm, Eisenia Fetida (Savigny 1826) under Laboratory Condition

Water scarcity can be overcome through the reuse of treated wastewater for irrigation especially in arid and semiarid regions. However, there are several potential environmental and health risks associated with this practices. Improved plant growth and nutrients for microorganisms are also gotten from wastewater which has high nutritive value. This study investigated the effect of rice mill waste water on cocoon production and total population of earthworm Eisenia fetida under laboratory conditions. A total of five hundred (500) clitella earthworms were used for this study. The physico-chemical parameters of the rice mill wastewater were analyzed using standard methods of APHA-AWWA-WEF (2000). The study on the cocoon production and total population of E. fetida were conducted from 0 to 100% wastewater (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) by serial dilution for a period of 60 days to assess the suitability of rice mill wastewater for irrigational purpose. The significant difference between treatments was tested by one-way ANOVA. The wastewater had an alkaline pH (8.5), low sulphate (0.95 mg/l), DO (3.10mg/l) and COD (2.0mg/l); moderate concentration of TDS (421mg/l), calcium (47.7 mg/l), phosphate(102.27 mg/l) and high concentration of conductivity (20.50 dsm-1), total solid (2550mg/l), total dissolved solids (2028 mg/l), total hardness (100 mg/l) and sodium (25.0 mg/l), earth population(53.2) At 50% of the wastewater usage there was a significant increase in cocoon production (24.24). On the basis of this research, it shows that rice mill wastewater should be either diluted to at least 50% or treated to make it suitable for irrigational purpose.

Use of a fast toxicity test to determine whether carbendazim, fipronil, and sulfentrazone and their mixtures affect early zebrafish embryonic development

Because of the exacerbated use of pesticides and their mixtures, and the difficulty of evaluating their toxicity, it is necessary to identify sensitive tools for the early detection of potential environmental risks related to the use of these chemicals. Our objective was therefore to evaluate the effects of these chemicals using a rapid 24 h toxicity test in zebrafish embryos. After exposure of individual and mixtures of the pesticides carbendazim (carb), fipronil (fipr), and sulfentrazone (sulf), the lethality and sublethally at 24 hpf, the effects of the mixtures on epiboly and on coagulation of the embryos at 8 hpf were evaluated. This model can be extrapolated to several vertebrate groups, including humans. All three pesticides were toxic in both exposure periods, at 24 hpf, all concentrations used affected the embryos, with lethal and sublethal effects occurring. At 8 hpf, epiboly analysis indicated that the mixtures did not potentiate the effects compared to the pesticides alone, being toxic in the order: carb &gt; sulf &gt; fipr &gt; fipr + sulf &gt; carb + sulf &gt; carb + fipr + sulf &gt; carb + fipr + sulf &gt; carb + fipr. We conclude that the most toxic pesticide was sulfentrazone, since it was highly toxic to embryonic development at 24 hpf and caused both delayed epiboly and high percent clotting at 8 hpf. Thus, we see that the rapid toxicity test was effective in assessing the toxicity of pesticides and was sensitive in assessing the effects of pesticides at low concentrations. Keywords: epiboly, pesticides, teratogenicity.

Potential of Castanea sativa for biomonitoring As, Hg, Pb, and Tl: A focus on their distribution in plant tissues from a former mining district

Bioavailability of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) from the Earth's crust in the soil, e.g., As, Hg, Tl, and Pb, can pose a potential environmental and health risk because of human activities, especially related to mining extraction. The biomonitoring allows to detect PTE contamination through their measurement in living organisms as trees. However, the choice of which plant species and tissue to analyse is a key point to be evaluated in relation to PTE absorption and translocation. The aim of this work was to assess the As, Hg, Tl, and Pb distribution in Castanea sativa Mill. plant tissues, given its importance for both biomass and food production. The study identified two sites in the Alpi Apuane (Italy), with similar environmental conditions (e.g., elevation, exposure, forest type, and tree species) but different soil PTE levels. The topsoil was characterized, and the PTE fractions with different bioavailability were measured. The PTE concentrations were also analysed in chestnut plant tissues (leaves, bark, wood, nuts, and shells) in parallel with and evaluation of plant health status through the determination of micro and macronutrient concentrations and the leaf C and N isotope composition (δ13C or δ15N). Chestnut trees showed a good health status highlighting its suitability for Tl, As, Hg, and Pb biomonitoring, by a tissue-specific PTE allocation. Thallium and Hg were detected in all plant tissues at similar concentrations, As was found in leaves, wood, and nuts while Pb only in the bark. The δ15N negatively correlated with leaf Mn and Tl concentrations, suggesting possible changes in N source and/or plant metabolism due to the high contamination level and acid soil pH. The Tl in La Culla site trees was associated with its presence in the carbonate rocks but not in the topsoil, highlighting the potentiality of chestnut in providing valuable information for geochemical surveying.

Environmental risks of mask wastes binding pollutants: Phytotoxicity, microbial community, nitrogen and carbon cycles

The increasing contamination of mask wastes presents a significant global challenge to ecological health. However, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding the environmental risks that mask wastes pose to soil. In this study, a total of 12 mask wastes were collected from landfills. Mask wastes exhibited negligible morphological changes, and bound eight metals and four types of organic pollutants. Masks combined with pollutants inhibited the growth of alfalfa and Elymus nutans, reducing underground biomass by 84.6 %. Mask wastes decreased the Chao1 index and the relative abundances (RAs) of functional bacteria (Micrococcales, Gemmatimonadales, and Sphingomonadales). Metagenomic analysis showed that mask wastes diminished the RAs of functional genes associated with nitrification (amoABC and HAO), denitrification (nirKS and nosZ), glycolysis (gap2), and TCA cycle (aclAB and mdh), thereby inhibiting the nitrogen transformation and ATP production. Furthermore, some pathogenic viruses (Herpesviridae and Tunggulvirus) were also found on the mask wastes. Structural equation models demonstrated that mask wastes restrained soil enzyme activities, ultimately affecting nitrogen and carbon cycles. Collectively, these evidences indicate that mask wastes contribute to soil health and metabolic function disturbances. This study offers a new perspective on the potential environmental risks associated with the improper disposal of masks.

Metal leaching accompanied with natural photo-aging behavior of e-waste plastic derived microplastics in aquatic environment

As the main component of electronic products, plastics contain complex and diverse metal additives. Recycling process is not conducive to stable existence of metal additives in electronic plastics. Once the e-waste plastics enter the environment, they will continue to release harmful metals into environment after aging, causing serious hazards. This study delved into the analysis and comparison of metal content of e-waste plastics, elucidating aging process and metal leaching behavior over a 112-day natural light exposure period. The findings underscored that metal content in recycled plastics surpassed that in their new counterparts. Specifically, Ti content in new plastics remained below 100 mg/kg, while recycled plastics exhibited Ti content surpassing 100 mg/kg threshold. Throughout prolonged natural light exposure, metals such as Zn, Ba and Sb demonstrated a heightened likelihood of release from electronic plastics in comparison to other metals. The aging process during light exposure led to fragmentation of electronic plastics, accompanied by a reduction in particle size. Notably, the particle size reduction was more pronounced in poly acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and recycled ABS, experiencing reductions of 40 µm and 85 µm, respectively. This phenomenon was attributed to the presence of polybutadiene structural units, which proved more susceptible to aging. Along with the breaking of plastics, the ABS plastics released metal species such as Pb, Cd, Ni, Al that had not been detected in other plastics solutions. The collective evidence from this study suggested that ABS and recycled ABS electronic plastics might pose a heightened potential environmental risk compared to other electronic plastics.

Hydrothermal carbonisation of manure-derived digestates: Chemical properties and heavy metals distribution in end-products

Hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) presents a promising method for converting high-moisture biomass into hydrochars, which can serve as valuable sources of carbon and nutrients for soil applications. However, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding the characterisation and potential environmental risks of hydrochars with respect to different feedstock types and operating conditions especially when compared to those obtained from dry pyrolysis. This research aims to investigate the chemical properties and re-partitioning of Ni, Cd, Cr and Pb in the HTC-treated mono-and co-digestates derived from the anaerobic digestion of pig manure and ensiled maize. The hypothesis states that HTC will further reduce the potential availability of these metals, enhancing the quality of the digestates as bio-based fertilisers or soil improvers. Hydrochars were produced from homogeneous digestate slurries, derived from a unique source facility, VeDoWs system, and maize from contaminated land, containing potentially higher concentrations of heavy metals (HMs) compared to pig slurry. The derived hydrochars were further analysed for their composition and HMs extractability. Higher yields were observed for both digestates at lower temperatures and shorter residence times, whereas the total nitrogen and carbon content showed an opposite trend. The composition of the digestates and the HTC operating parameters influenced the enrichment of nutrients and release of the HMs from the hydrochars, enabling their classification as potential solid organic fertilisers according to the Fertilising Products Regulation (EU) 2019/1009. Notably, the HTC treatment at 200–220 °C for 4 h resulted in the highest immobilization of Ni, Cd, Cr, and Pb in both digestates. This treatment strategy effectively reduced the ecological risk index of these products, thereby mitigating potential environmental impacts associated with the HMs contamination.

Formation of nanoparticles during accelerated UV degradation of fleece polyester textiles

Micro- and nanoplastics have emerged as critical pollutants in various ecosystems, posing potential environmental and human health risks. Washing of polyester textiles has been identified as one of the sources of nanoplastics. However, other stages of the textile life cycle may also release nanoparticles. This study aimed to examine nanoparticle release during UV degradation of polyester textiles under controlled and real-world conditions. Fleece polyester textiles were weathered under simulated sunlight for up to two months, either in air or submerged in water. We conducted bi-weekly SEM image analyses and quantified released nanoparticles using nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). At week 0, the fiber surface appeared smooth after prewashing. In the air group, nanoparticles appeared on the fiber surface after UV-exposure. In the group of textiles submerged in water, the surfaces developed more pits over time. The cumulative nanoparticle emission from the weathered textiles ranged from 1.4 × 1011 to 4.0 × 1011 particles per gram of fabric in the air group and from 1.6 × 1011 to 4.4 × 1011 particles per gram of fabric in the water group over two months. The predominant particle size fell into the 100 to 200 nm range. The estimated mass of the released nanoparticles was 0.06–0.26 g per gram of fabric, which is lower than the amount released during the washing of new textiles. Additionally, Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscopy (STXM) images indicated that the weathered nanoparticles underwent oxidation. Overall, the research offers valuable insights into nanoparticle formation and release from polyester textiles during UV degradation.

Identity preserved plant molecular farming offers value-added opportunity for farmers.

Bulk commodity row crop production in the United States is frequently subject to narrow profit margins, often complicated by weather, supply chains, trade, and other factors. Farmers seeking to increase profits and hedge against market volatility often seek to diversify their operations, including producing more lucrative or productive crop varieties. Recombinant plants producing animal or other non-native proteins (commonly referred to as plant molecular farming) present a value-added opportunity for row crop farmers. However, these crops must be produced under robust identity preserved systems to prevent comingling with bulk commodities to maintain the value for farmers, mitigate against market disruptions, and minimize any potential food, feed, or environmental risks.

Regional heterogeneity of sustainable wastewater sludge management in China

In various regions of China, the sludge characteristics, available sludge treatment and disposal routes, and economic and environmental concerns exhibit significant variations. This makes it challenging for regions to select appropriate technologies for sustainable sludge management. This study proposed a universal framework that integrates carbon emissions, economic cost, and environmental risk potential to assess sustainability of diverse sludge treatment and disposal routes in different regions of China. An up-to-date database of sludge characteristics in different regions of China has also been created. Depending on sludge characteristics, co-incineration in coal-fired plants or cement kilns and thermal hydrolysis-anaerobic digestion routes demonstrate outstanding sustainability for most regions in China. Moreover, the current carbon trading price in China is low and does not significantly influence the technical selection. The created sludge characteristics database and the sustainability assessment framework could help sludge managers make better in process selection, technological improvement, and future policy formulation.

Surface characteristics and adsorption properties of polypropylene microplastics by ultraviolet irradiation and natural aging

The vast application and deep integration of plastic commodity with our human lives raise a great concern about the ubiquitous microplastics (MPs) in nature, yet the environmental behavior of MPs remain unclear. As a main type and candidate of MPs, pristine polypropylene MPs (PP-MP-Pris), as well as the influence of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation on the degree of aging and surface characteristics, were characterized quantitatively by Fourier infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, contact angle meter, automatic specific surface area and pore analyzer and laser particle analyzer, with natural aged PP-MPs (PP-MP-Age) as comparison. The carbonyl index (CI) of UV aged PP-MPs (PP-MP-U) was increased with extension of exposure time, while biofilm with abundant functional groups and the maximum CI value were the characteristics of PP-MP-Age. Moreover, the adsorption capacity of PP-MP-U for crystal violet (CV) was increased and reached the maximum after 30 days, while that of PP-MP-Age was weakened, probably due to the enhanced hydrophilicity and the shedding of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) during the natural aging process, which was demonstrated by hydrochloric acid treatment, indicating the vital involvement of CaCO3. Moreover, the better fitting to PSO kinetics and Freundlich isotherm models indicated that the multilayered and non-homogeneous surface adsorption was acted as the rate-controlling step. Furthermore, the positive values of ΔGθ, ΔHθ and ΔSθ indicated that the adsorption was a non-spontaneous, endothermic process with increased degree of the freedom on the interface of PP-MPs and CV solution. The presence of divalent salts inhibited CV adsorption, demonstrating that electrostatic attraction played a major role in CV capture. The hydrophobic interaction, micropore filling, hydrogen bonding, and π - π conjugation were possible involved. This study is of great significance for better understanding the complex pollution of MPs and its potential environmental risks in the future.