Water Sulfate Research Articles

Seasonal and spatial contributions of sulfate and trace elements in river water in mining districts: Insights from hydrogeochemical and isotopic analysis based on statistical models.

Although sulfur-bearing minerals are valuable resources, they pose significant environmental risks to river ecosystems by releasing hazardous leachate. Accurately tracing these sources is crucial but challenging due to overlapping chemical signatures and pollutant transport dynamics in river systems. This study investigates seasonal and spatial variations in sulfate (SO42 -) and trace element contributions in mining districts of the upper Nakdong River basin, South Korea. Sulfate isotopes (δ34SSO4 and δ18OSO4) and Monte Carlo simulations enhanced the precision of source estimation. Bayesian stable isotope mixing models revealed acid mine drainage (55.3 %) dominated during the wet season, while smelter tailings and mine leachate dominated during the dry season (43.8 %). Model uncertainty was addressed through probabilistic approaches, with Monte Carlo simulations, ensuring robustness in δ18OSO4 predictions. Additionally, the Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) model identified dominant emission sources and impact ranges for hazardous elements, mostly validated by high correlation coefficients (r > 0.8). Notably, the contribution of Cd-dominated emissions from smelters increased from 13 % in the wet season to 51.5 % in the dry season, while the contribution of As-dominated emissions from mining increased from 30.3 % to 40.7 %. Despite sorption and coprecipitation processes, As contamination migrated ∼ 50 km downstream during the dry season. Statistical correlation and cluster analyses further confirmed consistency between observed and modeled geochemical patterns. This study underscores the reliability of integrating Bayesian and PMF models with isotopic and hydrogeochemical data, offering valuable insights for tracing anthropogenic sources in complex mining environments.

AI-NAOS: an AI-based nonspherical aerosol optical scheme for the chemical weather model GRAPES_Meso5.1/CUACE

Abstract. The Artificial-Intelligence-based Nonspherical Aerosol Optical Scheme (AI-NAOS) is a newly developed aerosol optical module that improves the representation of aerosol optical properties for radiative transfer simulations in atmospheric models. It incorporates the nonsphericity and inhomogeneity (NSIH) of internally mixed aerosol particles through a deep learning method. Specifically, the AI-NAOS considers black carbon (BC) to be fractal aggregates and models soil dust (SD) as super-spheroids, encapsulated partially or completely with hygroscopic aerosols such as sulfate, nitrate, and aerosol water. To obtain AI-NAOS, a database of the optical properties for the models was constructed using the invariant imbedding T-matrix method (IITM), and deep neural networks (DNN) were trained based on this database. In this study, the AI-NAOS was integrated into the mesoscale version 5.1 of Global/Regional Assimilation and Prediction System with Chinese Unified Atmospheric Chemistry Environment (GRAPES_Meso5.1/CUACE). Real-case simulations were conducted during a winter with high pollution, comparing BC aerosols evaluated using three schemes with spherical aerosol models (external-mixing, core-shell, and volume-mixing schemes) and the AI-NAOS scheme. The results showed that the NSIH effect led to a moderate estimation of absorbing aerosol optical depth (AAOD) and obvious changes in aerosol radiative effects, shortwave heating rates, temperature profiles, and boundary layer height. The AAOD values based on three spherical schemes were 70.4 %, 125.3 %, and 129.3 % over the Sichuan Basin, benchmarked to AI-NAOS results. Compared to the external-mixing scheme, the direct radiative effect (DRE) induced by the NSIH effect reached +1.6 W m−2 at the top of the atmosphere (TOA) and −2.9 W m−2 at the surface. The NSIH effect could enhance the shortwave heating rate, reaching 23 %. Thus, the warming effect at 700 hPa and the cooling effect on the ground were strengthened by 21 % and 13 %, reaching +0.04 and −0.10 K, which led to a change in the height of the planetary boundary layer (PBL) by −11 m. In addition, the precipitation was inhibited by the NSIH effect, causing a 15 % further decrease. Therefore, the NSIH effects demonstrated their non-negligible impacts and highlighted the importance of incorporating them into chemical weather models.

Geochemistry and Mineralogy of Precipitates from Passive Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage: Implications for Future Management Strategies

Traditional mining activities in Zaruma-Portovelo (SE Ecuador) have led to high concentrations of pollutants in the Puyango River due to acid mine drainage (AMD) from abandoned waste. Dispersed alkaline substrate (DAS) passive treatment systems have shown efficacy in neutralizing acidity and retaining metals and sulfates in acidic waters, achieving near a 100% retention for Fe, Al, and Cu, over 70% for trace elements, and 25% for SO42−. However, significant solid residues are generated, requiring proper geochemical and mineralogical understanding for management. This study investigates the fractionation of elements in AMD precipitates. Results indicate that Fe3+ and Al3+ predominantly precipitate as low-crystallinity oxyhydroxysulfate minerals such as schwertmannite [Fe3+16(OHSO4)12–13O16·10–12H2O] and jarosite [KFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6], which retain elements like As, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn through adsorption and co-precipitation processes. Sulfate removal occurs via salts like coquimbite [AlFe3(SO4)6(H2O)12·6H2O] and gypsum [CaSO4·2H2O]. Divalent metals are primarily removed through carbonate and bicarbonate phases, with minerals such as azurite [Cu(OH)2·2CuCO3], malachite [Cu2(CO3)(OH)2], rhodochrosite [MnCO3], and calcite [CaCO3]. Despite the effectiveness of DAS, leachates from the precipitates exceed regulatory thresholds for aquatic life protection, classifying them as hazardous and posing environmental risks. However, these residues offer opportunities for the recovery of valuable metals.

Unravelling the benefits of thermal waters enhancing oral health: a pilot study

BackgroundOral health represents a public health problem due to its remarkable social impact and medical costs. Crenotherapy with sulfur water is shown to be a complementary, less toxic, and traumatizing therapy, but the number of studies that evaluate the effect of natural mineral waters effect on oral health are scarce. The aim of this pilot study is to evaluate the impact of thermal water therapy on the oral health of the participants, assessing parameters such as plaque index, gingival bleeding index and periodontal probing depth as well on the perception of symptoms of oral mucosa diseases (OMD).MethodsAn observational, longitudinal and comparative study was designed, and 90 thermalists were randomly allocated to two treatment groups for 14 days: Thermal sulfuric natural mineral water of the Amarante Thermal baths group (TW_TA group) (n = 45) or saline solution (control group) (n = 45), in May 2022. The study was based on clinical observation and application of a self-response questionnaire involving sociodemographic data and quality of life assessment. The evaluation was carried out in 2 different moments: before and at the end of treatment (14 days).ResultsThe study involved 90 thermal practitioners, evenly split between the TW_TA group and a control group. Most participants were women (70%), with a similar average age in both groups. Oral examination showed a high prevalence of filled and missing teeth, and around 25% of participants used removable prostheses, predominantly in the control group. Thermal treatment had a positive impact on oral health. In the TW_TA group, gingival bleeding significantly decreased from 68.9% to 40%, while it remained unchanged in the control group. Periodontal health improved, with no participants in the TW_TA group having pockets deeper than 5 mm by the end of the study, indicating reduced periodontal pathology. Also, plaque levels dropped in both groups after treatment, as assessed by the O’Leary index. Additionally, quality of life related to OMD improved, particularly in the TW_TA group. The overall reduction in symptoms was significant, although the differences between groups were not statistically significant.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the positive effects of thermal water treatment on oral health, including reduced gingival bleeding and plaque levels, along with improved quality of life related to OMD. Further targeted research is needed to explore the benefits of thermal water effects and optimize oral health practices in Portugal using thermal waters.

Inhalation therapy with sulfur-rich thermal water for rhinogenic deafness: a series of case reports.

The study analyzed the effectiveness of a two-week cycle of sulfurous water therapy at Frasassi Thermal Springs ("Terme di Frasassi - S. Vittore", located in the Province of Ancona, Italy) on 8 patients suffering from rhinogenic deafness caused by chronic rhinosinusitis associated with nasal polyps and respiratory allergies. Patients underwent 12 sessions of sulfurous aerosol therapy and 12 bilateral tubal insufflations (1 aerosol and 1 insufflation per day). Pre- and post-treatment assessments included tympanometric measurements and a subjective evaluation of symptomatic improvement on a scale from 1 to 10. The median reported improvement was 9.5 (min: 7; max: 10). By the end of the treatment, all patients achieved a bilateral type A/A tympanogram, indicating restored tubal function. The results suggest that sulfurous water thermal therapy can be a useful treatment for rhinogenic deafness associated with chronic rhinosinusitis, nasal polyps, and respiratory allergies, with significant improvements in both auditory function and quality of life. Further studies are needed to compare this treatment with other therapies and to precisely evaluate the duration of the benefit over time.

Co-occurrence of arsenic and sewage pollutants in surface and groundwater and its implications for water treatment using membrane technology.

Arsenic (As) enrichment in groundwater stems from natural and hydrogeochemical factors, leading to geological contamination. Groundwater and surface water are interconnected, allowing As migration and surface water contamination. The As contamination poses health risks through contaminated water consumption. Sewage discharge in rich-As water bodies alters environmental conditions, increasing the concentration of organic matter, carbonate and bicarbonate, nitrite, sulfate, and phosphate in water. These changes could enhance As solubilization and release to water. This review investigates the interactions between these contaminants, and their implications for membrane-based water treatment processes. Organic pollutants in surface water promote microbial growth, depleting oxygen and altering redox conditions, which enhances As solubilization and concentration in the water. The interaction between organic pollutants and As primarily occurs through adsorption and complexation, influenced by the pollutants' functional groups and the water's pH. Bicarbonates and pH play critical roles in determining As speciation (As(V) or As(III)), while oxidants like nitrate increase As mobility by promoting its oxidation. When arsenic is primarily present as As(V), membrane-based removal processes tend to be more efficient. Sulfur also affects As dynamics through microbial processes and adsorption onto sulfide minerals. When nitrate and sulfate are present, Donnan exclusion becomes a critical mechanism that affects arsenic removal by NF and RO membranes. Although membrane technologies maintain high As rejection rates (97-99 %), even in the presence of sewage pollutants, this advantage is offset by the challenges of fouling and the generation of highly concentrated waste streams. So, it is urgent to avoid raw or not adequately treated sewage in As-rich environments.

Mechanically strong yet metabolizable supramolecular plastics by desalting upon phase separation.

Plastics that can metabolize in oceans are highly sought for a sustainable future. In this work, we report the noncovalent synthesis of unprecedented plastics that are mechanically strong yet metabolizable under biologically relevant conditions owing to their dissociative nature with electrolytes. Salt-bridging sodium hexametaphosphate with di- or tritopic guanidinium sulfate in water forms a cross-linked supramolecular network, which is stable unless electrolytes are resupplied. This unusual stability is caused by a liquid-liquid phase separation that expels sodium sulfate, generated upon salt bridging, into a water-rich phase. Drying the remaining condensed liquid phase yields glassy plastics that are thermally reshapable, such as thermoplastics, and usable even in aqueous media with hydrophobic parylene C coating. This approach can be extended to polysaccharide-based supramolecular plastics that are applicable for three-dimensional printing.

Combining hydrodynamics, geochemical and multiple isotopic tracers to understand the hydrogeological functioning of karst groundwater system in Jinci, northern China

Karst groundwater is important for global sustainable water supply and ecological development. However, the lack of understanding of karst systems’ hydrogeological functioning increases the challenges of karst water resources management. Here, the natural responses of the main discharge sites (such as Jinci Spring, Pingquan Spring and so on) of Jinci karst water system were controlled by continuous monitoring of the discharge rate. Water samples were collected to constrain the chemical evolution of groundwater in Jinci karst water system through geochemical and isotopic tracers. The application of trend analysis tests (Mann-Kendall) shows the Jinci karst water system is highly dependent on natural recharge and influenced by human activities. Our research first timely revealed that old karst groundwater from the stagnation areas might potentially be one of the main recharge sources of karst aquifers. The recharge proportions and chemical effects of the old karst water were evaluated. The recharge proportions of old karst water increased gradually along the main flow path from the Jinci Spring to the Dongyu artesian well, where the highest estimated mixing ratio was up to 24.8 %. It was observed that the mixing recharge of the old karst water causes a significant elevation of total dissolved solids (TDS), sulfate (SO42-), and sulfur isotope (δ34S-SO4) values in karst water from the southern area of Jinci Spring, which may threaten the quality and safety of drinking water supply. Our research provides a new view on groundwater circulation and poses new challenges for groundwater management in the karst areas.

Recovery of valuable elements from copper slag through low-temperature sulfuric acid curing and water leaching

Copper slag, a byproduct of copper smelting, contains valuable metals (Cu, Fe, Zn, and Mn) and harmful elements (As, Cd). Given the annual production of approximately 30 million tons of copper slag, environmentally friendly treatment methods are crucial. This study explored the recovery of valuable elements from copper slag using a low-temperature sulfuric acid curing and water leaching process. Thermodynamic calculations showed that between 25 and 400°C, the Gibbs free energy of reactions between the main components of copper slag and sulfuric acid was negative, indicating that these reactions were thermodynamically favorable and proceed spontaneously. Silicic acid formed during curing decomposes into insoluble SiO₂, thereby improving the solution's filtration performance. The sulfuric acid dosage was identified as the key factor affecting leaching efficiency. The optimal conditions were a sulfuric acid dosage of 1.5 times the theoretical amount, curing at 200°C, water addition at 60 % of the slag's dry weight, and 0.5 h curing time. Under these conditions, leaching rates for Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, and Ni exceeded 80 %, while Pb and Si had poor leachability (< 3 %). Further water leaching experiments showed minimal influence from leaching time, temperature, liquid-solid ratio, and stirring speed. Microscopic analysis revealed significant structural changes, with FeSO₄·H₂O, FeH(SO₄)₂·H₂O, and SiO₂ as the main phases in the cured products. The water leaching residue mainly consisted of amorphous SiO₂ and small amounts of unreacted magnetic black slag (Fe₃O₄ and other iron oxides). This process effectively recovered valuable elements, offering technical support for the resource recovery and environmental management of copper slag.

Utilization of waste phosphogypsum in high-strength geopolymer concrete: Performance optimization and mechanistic exploration

Phosphogypsum (PG) is an industrial waste produced during the manufacture of phosphoric acid. In this study, dihydrate phosphogypsum (DPG), ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS), fly ash (FA), Portland cement clinker (PCC), sulfate alumina cement clinker (SACC), water reducer, sand, and stone were combined to create a phosphogypsum-based geopolymer (PBG) concrete. Concrete mix design was carried out based on the principle of maximum packing density, and the effects of water reducer type, sand ratio, water-to-binder ratio, and DPG content on PBG concrete properties were investigated. Results indicated that compared to SiKa ViscoCrete 540P (SVC 540P) water reducer, Melflux PLUS 1087L (MP1087L) significantly enhanced the performance of PBG concrete. With a water-to-binder ratio of 0.34, a sand ratio of 32.2 %, and a PG:GGBFS:FA ratio of 5:4:1, the 28-day unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of the concrete exceeded 60 MPa. The concrete primarily consisted of phases such as dihydrate gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O), ettringite (Ca6(Al(OH)6)2(SO4)3(H2O)26), polymer (-Si-O-Al-), quartz (SiO2), albite (Na(AlSi3O8)) and Muscovite ((K,Na)Al2(Si,Al)4O10(OH)2). Using two mild alkalis as activators, PBG concrete can avoid the efflorescence often associated with geopolymer preparation and can cure at 20 °C. PBG concrete offers high strength, ease of preparation, and environmental benefits, providing a new avenue for the reuse of PG.

Evaluation of the Effect of pH and Concentration of Calcium and Sulfate Ions on Coal Flotation

The presence of calcium sulfate in the process water during the coal flotation greatly influences the recovery and selectivity of the separation. The concentrations of calcium and sulfate ions modify mineral hydrophobicity by altering surface properties resulting in depression or activation of the mineral species. An investigation to evaluate the statistical significance of the effect of the pH and concentration of calcium and sulfate ions on coal flotation was carried out; for this purpose, a 23 factorial design was implemented. A p-value &lt; 0.05 was determined for the effect of calcium and sulfate ion concentrations, indicating that it is statistically significant. The interactions between factors (pH × calcium, pH × sulfate, calcium × sulfate and pH × calcium × sulfate) are also statistically significant, but the interaction between the concentration of calcium and sulfate ions has a notable influence according to the F statistic value. Employing 800 and 1920 mg/L of calcium and sulfate ions as experimental conditions yields a recovery of 90.4% with a concentrate containing 13% ash.

Architecture of core-shell Ce-OMS-2@CeO2 catalyst and its SCR activity and SO2+H2O tolerance performance at low-temperature

It is a challenge to develop highly sulfur dioxide and water (SO2+H2O) resistance for the low-temperature selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalysts of nitrogen oxide (NOx) in the non-electric-power industry. In this paper, core-shell and loaded type of Ce-OMS-2 complexes (Ce-OMS-2@CeO2 and CeO2/Ce-OMS-2) were successfully prepared. Their textural properties were characterized and catalytic performance were carried out. The results showed that the core-shell Ce-OMS-2@CeO2 material could maintain the mesoporous structure and significantly improve the mass transfer and adsorption of the reaction gas NO, thus improving the SCR efficiency. On the contrary, for the loaded CeO2/Ce-OMS-2 catalyst, large amounts of CeO2 deposited on the surface of Ce-OMS-2 and blocked the mesoporous structure. Furthermore, SO2 reacted with CeO2/Ce-OMS-2 to form lots of metal sulfate (manganese sulfate or cerium sulfate), which led to the deactivation of the active Mn sites. Therefore, the CeO2/Ce-OMS-2 catalyst exhibited the low SCR activity and poor SO2+H2O tolerance during the SCR reaction. We also clarify the reason for the anti-sulfur of core-shell Ce-OMS-2@CeO2 catalyst. In the presence of SO2 and H2O, SO2 could easily react with NH3 and H2O to produce ammonium bisulfate (NH4HSO4, ABS) on the surface of the Ce-OMS-2 and CeO2/Ce-OMS-2 catalysts. Then ABS can be physically deposited on the surface of the catalysts, thus blocking the active Mn sites to participate in the SCR reaction. Interesting, for the core-shell Ce-OMS-2@CeO2 catalyst, the formed ABS could significantly be decomposed at low temperature, leading to the exposure of surface active Mn sites of the catalyst. Herein, it could maintain the efficient SCR performance over the Ce-OMS-2@CeO2 catalyst. A dynamic balance of ABS formation and decomposition was achieved over Ce-OMS-2@CeO2 even at low temperatures, which hindered the SO2 poisoning during the NH3-SCR reaction. As expected, the core-shell Ce-OMS-2@CeO2 catalyst showed excellent SCR performance and SO2+H2O resistance (~100% NO conversion in the temperature range of 100–200 °C without SO2, ~80% NO conversion for 4 h in the presence of SO2). This work provides an effective strategy for the development of efficient and stable Mn-based low-temperature SCR catalysts.

The synergistic effect of sulfur spring water and mud with antibiotics against bacteria causing skin infections

The synergistic effect of sulfur spring water and mud with antibiotics against bacteria causing skin infections

Effect of topical magnesium sulfate on labor duration and childbirth experience: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundMagnesium sulfate is used topically to reduce the duration of labor in some regions of the country. However, there is insufficient evidence about its effectiveness. This study aimed to determine whether topical magnesium sulfate reduces labor duration and improves childbirth experience (primary outcomes).MethodsIn this randomized controlled trial, the participants were 98 women with low-risk, singleton, and full-term pregnancies admitted to a teaching hospital in Iran. They were randomly assigned to the intervention group (receiving 50% magnesium sulfate) or the control group (receiving distilled water) stratified by parity and onset of labor. The participants, interventionists, and data collectors were blinded. During the vaginal examination at the beginning of the active phase of labor, 10 mL of magnesium sulfate or distilled water was poured on the cervix of the uterus. Data collection was performed by the researcher with continuous monitoring up to two hours post-delivery and follow-up at 4–5 weeks postpartum. The Childbirth Experience Questionnaire 2.0 was used to examine childbirth experience. We performed a modified intention-to-treat analysis, excluding those whose outcome of interest could not be assessed. Independent-samples t-tests were used to compare the groups in terms of the mean of the primary outcomes.ResultsParticipant recruitment took place between December 2021 and December 2022. Thirty-three percent were primiparous and 37% had induced labor. Three women in the intervention group and seven in the control group underwent emergency cesarean sections. All 49 women assigned to each group were included in the analysis of labor duration outcome, while one and two women were excluded from the analysis of childbirth experience score due to loss to follow-up. In the intervention group, compared to the control group, the mean duration of the intervention until delivery was significantly shorter (1.59 vs. 2.93 h; MD -1.34, 95% CI [-1.88 to -0.79]) and the childbirth experience score was higher (3.1 vs. 2.3, MD 0.84; 95% CI [0.59 to 1.08]).ConclusionsAccording to the results of this trial, pouring 10 mL of 50% magnesium sulfate on the cervix at the beginning of the active phase of labor probably reduces labor duration and improves the childbirth experience.Trial registrationEthics Committee of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences: IR.TBZMED.REC. 1400.726. Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials: IRCT20100414003706N40 Registration date: 21/11/2021 (https://en.irct.ir/trial/58323).

Healing properties of natural mineral water of Tajikistan

Aim. To study the composition and medicinal properties of water from natural mineral springs in the Republic of Tajikistan.Materials and Methods. This study analyzed the climatic and geographical regions, as well as the water quality and chemical composition of four mineral springs: Khoja-Obi-Garm, Obi-Garm, Garm-Chashma, and Shoambary. The research also investigated the influence and effectiveness of these mineral waters in treating skin diseases.Results and Discussion. The Republic of Tajikistan has numerous mineral springs that are used for treating skin conditions and other health issues. Mineral waters in Tajikistan are classified into five types based on their chemical composition: bicarbonate, chloride, sulfate, nitrate, and mixed composition waters. In addition, there are waters with active ions and gaseous elements such as hydrogen sulfide, radon, nitrogen, and methane. Based on temperature, these waters are categorized as cold, warm, or hot/thermal waters. The springs at Khoja-Obi-Garm, Obi-Garm, Garm-Chashma, and Shoambary are hot thermal baths of the bicarbonate-chloride-sulfate-sodium type. In addition to the primary salts and gases, these waters contain biologically active trace elements, including aluminum, titanium, manganese, copper, silicon, molybdenum, strontium, barium, boron, fluorine, and others.Conclusion. Tajikistan holds a leading position in Central Asia regarding the abundance of mineral springs, and the mineral waters from these springs meet the requirements for therapeutic use. These waters contain a variety of chemical elements that exert significant biological effects, and, when used appropriately, can effectively treat many diseases.

Multi-residue analysis of four aminoglycoside antibiotic pesticides in plant agricultural products

Simplified and effective pretreatment methods combined with high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) for the determination of four aminoglycoside antibiotic pesticides kasugamycin, validamycin, streptomycin sulfate and zhongshengmycin in high starchy content matrix (rice), high water and high acidic content matrix (citrus) and high water content matrix (melon) were established. Single-factor and central composite design (CCD) experiments were employed to optimize the pretreatment conditions, resulting in the optimal factor combinations and achieving scientifically accurate outcomes. Validation results proved satisfactory, with all four target compounds exhibiting correlation coefficients (r) exceeding 0.99 within the linear range in three matrices. The recoveries were 81.5–102.2 %, and both inter-day and intra-day relative standard deviations (RSDs) were below 10.7 %. The limits of detection (LODs) were 0.1–4.0 μg/kg, with limits of quantitation (LOQs) consistently at 50 μg/kg. Furthermore, the methods were applied to potato, grape, and cucumber matrices to further validate their applicability.

Study on the Variation Rule of Solubility of Common Scaling under High Temperature and High Pressure Conditions

Abstract In view of the lack of equipment for direct detection of ion content in formation water under high temperature and high pressure conditions at domestic and overseas until now. In this paper, a static experiment was designed to test the solubility of each ion in the fluid under high temperature and high pressure conditions. The influence of different temperature and pressure on the solubility of scaling was tested by experiments, and the variation rule of the scaling solubility under high temperature and high pressure was comprehensively studied. The results show that: With the increase of temperature, the solubility of barium sulfate in pure water increases first and then decreases; the solubility of strontium sulfate decreases gradually; the solubility of magnesium carbonate increases first and then decreases; the solubility of magnesium carbonate increases first and then decreases; the solubility of calcium carbonate increases first, then decreases and then increases; at the same temperature and pressure, the solubility of four scalings that are barium sulfate, calcium carbonate, strontium sulfate and magnesium carbonate is in the size order of BaSO4&lt;CaCO3&lt;SrSO4&lt;MgCO3.

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF HERBAL TOOTHPASTE

The present study is concerned with the formulation and evaluation of herbal toothpaste, which contains various properties like tooth abrasives, tooth whitening, anti-caring, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, desensitivity, etc. The herbal toothpaste was prepared using mango leaf extract and guava leaf extract as active ingredients, along with various excipients, which include calcium carbonate, sodium chloride, sodium lauryl sulphate, sodium benzoate, glycerine, camphor, honey and distilled water. The toothpaste was prepared by homogeneous mixing of all the excipients and the herbal extract. Four formulations were prepared using mango leaf extract as an active ingredient along with varying excipient concentrations, four formulations were prepared using guava leaf extract as an active ingredient along with varying excipient concentrations, and a polyherbal formulation consisting of four formulations containing both mango leaf extract and guava leaves extract as active ingredients along with varying excipient concentrations. The formulations were tested for various parameters such as homogeneity, abrasiveness, foamability, moisture content, Spreadability, extrudability, colour, PH, and antibacterial activity. The study concluded that polyherbal formulation showed best results and was found to be best among all batches. The polyherbal formulation, F4 showed was found to be best among all other formulations.

Integral and Surface Treatment Method of Waterproofing: A Review and Comparative Analysis

Water seepage into concrete can cause deterioration and other aesthetic issues that limit the life of concrete constructions. This paper examines and contrasts the various kinds of waterproofing techniques. There are essentially two types: surface treatment method and integral method. Water repellents, crystalline admixtures, and densifiers are examples of integral methods. Surface treatment methods encompass pore-blocking, hydrophobic impregnation, surface coating, and multifunctional surface treatment. The processes of various approaches are examined in this article, followed by a comparison of their durability and mechanical properties. We discuss several properties, such as sulfate attack, chloride penetration, carbonation, reinforcement corrosion, water absorption and permeability, compressive, flexural, and tensile strength. The findings indicate that each has merits and demerits of their own. The inclusion of an integral admixture to concrete offers a number of advantages over surface protection, including convenience of application, the removal of the need for ongoing maintenance, and minimal to no deterioration over time. While surface treatment methods significantly reduce water permeability and porosity. In conclusion, we give a succinct summary of certain issues regarding the present state of research and future directions for the hydrophobic modification of concrete.

Eficacy of sulfurous water from Mangalia in Helicobacter Pylori infection: a clinical study

Mangalia balneary resort is situated in the south of the Black Sea and uses sulphurous water springs for rehabilitation therapy. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the effectiveness of Mangalia sulphurous water on Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori) infection. Considering that sulfurous water has a bacteriostatic effect and that most gastritis are caused by H. Pylori infection, we propose that a group of 27 H. Pylori positive patients with or without digestive symptoms ingest sulfurous water daily, for a few days. At the end of the study, 15 of the patients tested negative for H pylori antigen. The curative effects are due to the bacteriostatic effect of sulfurous water and its stimulating action on the digestive tube.