Dimitrios Kalderis, Albert L. Juhasz, Raj Boopathy et al.

Pure and Applied Chemistry • 2011

An explosion occurs when a large amount of energy is suddenly released. This energy may come from an over-pressurized steam boiler, from the products of a chemical reaction involving explosive materials, or from a nuclear reaction that is uncontrolled. In order for an explosion to occur, there must be a local accumulation of energy at the site of the explosion, which is suddenly released. This release of energy can be dissipated as blast waves, propulsion of debris, or by the emission of thermal and ionizing radiation. Modern explosives or energetic materials are nitrogen-containing organic compounds with the potential for self-oxidation to small gaseous molecules (N 2 , H 2 O, and CO 2 ). Explosives are classified as primary or secondary based on their susceptibility of initiation. Primary explosives are highly susceptible to initiation and are often used to ignite secondary explosives, such as TNT (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene), RDX (1,3,5-trinitroperhydro-1,3,5-triazine), HMX (1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocane), and tetryl ( N -methyl- N -2,4,6-tetranitro-aniline).

A. D. Wilson, Manuela Baietto

Sensors • 2009

Electronic-nose devices have received considerable attention in the field of sensor technology during the past twenty years, largely due to the discovery of numerous applications derived from research in diverse fields of applied sciences. Recent applications of electronic nose technologies have come through advances in sensor design, material improvements, software innovations and progress in microcircuitry design and systems integration. The invention of many new e-nose sensor types and arrays, based on different detection principles and mechanisms, is closely correlated with the expansion of new applications. Electronic noses have provided a plethora of benefits to a variety of commercial industries, including the agricultural, biomedical, cosmetics, environmental, food, manufacturing, military, pharmaceutical, regulatory, and various scientific research fields. Advances have improved product attributes, uniformity, and consistency as a result of increases in quality control capabilities afforded by electronic-nose monitoring of all phases of industrial manufacturing processes. This paper is a review of the major electronic-nose technologies, developed since this specialized field was born and became prominent in the mid 1980s, and a summarization of some of the more important and useful applications that have been of greatest benefit to man.

Paweł W. Majewski, Kevin G. Yager

Journal of Physics Condensed Matter • 2016

Block-copolymers self-assemble into diverse morphologies, where nanoscale order can be finely tuned via block architecture and processing conditions. However, the ultimate usage of these materials in real-world applications may be hampered by the extremely long thermal annealing times-hours or days-required to achieve good order. Here, we provide an overview of the fundamentals of block-copolymer self-assembly kinetics, and review the techniques that have been demonstrated to influence, and enhance, these ordering kinetics. We discuss the inherent tradeoffs between oven annealing, solvent annealing, microwave annealing, zone annealing, and other directed self-assembly methods; including an assessment of spatial and temporal characteristics. We also review both real-space and reciprocal-space analysis techniques for quantifying order in these systems.

Kevin Keller, Patrick Lott, Henning Stotz et al.

Catalysts • 2020

Water, which is an intrinsic part of the exhaust gas of combustion engines, strongly inhibits the methane oxidation reaction over palladium oxide-based catalysts under lean conditions and leads to severe catalyst deactivation. In this combined experimental and modeling work, we approach this challenge with kinetic measurements in flow reactors and a microkinetic model, respectively. We propose a mechanism that takes the instantaneous impact of water on the noble metal particles into account. The dual site microkinetic model is based on the mean-field approximation and consists of 39 reversible surface reactions among 23 surface species, 15 related to Pd-sites, and eight associated with the oxide. A variable number of available catalytically active sites is used to describe light-off activity tests as well as spatially resolved concentration profiles. The total oxidation of methane is studied at atmospheric pressure, with space velocities of 160,000 h−1 in the temperature range of 500–800 K for mixtures of methane in the presence of excess oxygen and up to 15% water, which are typical conditions occurring in the exhaust of lean-operated natural gas engines. The new approach presented is also of interest for modeling catalytic reactors showing a dynamic behavior of the catalytically active particles in general.

Cynthia J. Castro

Scholarworks (University of Massachusetts Amherst) • 2021

The goal of the dissertation is the investigation of financial risk analysis methodologies, using the schemes for extreme value modeling as well as techniques from copula modeling. Extreme value theory is concerned with probabilistic and statistical questions re- lated to unusual behavior or rare events. The subject has a rich mathematical theory and also a long tradition of applications in a variety of areas. We are interested in its application in risk management, with a focus on estimating and forcasting the Value-at-Risk of financial time series data. Extremal data are inherently scarce, thus making inference challenging. In order to obtain good estimates for risk measures, we develop a two-stage approach: (1) fitting the GARCH-type models at the first stage to describe the volatility clustering and other stylized facts of financial time series; (2) using the extreme value theory based models to fit to the tails of the residuals. Additionally, the performance measures provide information in terms of the comparison of the two-stage semi-parametric approach with the parametric methodologies, through robust backtesting. Copula is a particular branch of probability theory, with which, given sufficient data, we can separate the marginal behavior of individual risks and their dependence structure from a multivariate random variable. Linear correlation is widely used to model dependence but has limitations as a measure of association and thus we opt to use copulas to analyze the dependence structure and build models for our different problems arising in risk management. For this part of the dissertation, we take a look at different copula families, highlight for some when they are most appropriate to use for a particular application, discuss some of their drawbacks as diverse scenarios occur in different risk management models, and explore the possibility of developing the copula modeling to reflect the complicated dependence structure of portfolios.

Reda Elkacmi, Mounir Bennajah

Journal of Water Reuse and Desalination • 2019

Abstract Olive oil production has an economic importance for Mediterranean countries, ensuring employment opportunities and export earnings. The crushing units produce two types of residues, one solid (pomace) and the other liquid, called olive mill wastewater (OMW). This by-product has adverse effects on the olive oil sector and particularly on the quality of waters into which they are discharged. Hence, there is a critical need to orient the scientific research toward the treatment of this hazardous waste. Several techniques have been proposed and developed for OMW management. However, the advanced oxidation processes (AOP) remain the most advantageous with high treatment efficiencies. This trend allowed achieving a significant detoxification of OMW. A considerable amount of effort has been expanded to provide detailed and critical reviews on the use of this alternative technology in the treatment of water and wastewaters. Regrettably most, if not all, of these review papers were not focused mainly on OMW application. This paper aims to highlight the ancient and recent progress of various types of oxidation techniques for OMW treatment. Moreover, principles, advantages, limitations, and efficiencies of each method are presented, to gain a more scientific understanding of the most feasible approach regarding the treatment of this harmful residue.

Dongjie Zheng, Xing Wang, Ling‐Ling Yang et al.

Sensors • 2025

Internal leakage within the valve body constitutes a severe potential safety hazard in industrial fluid control systems, attributable to its high concealment and the resultant difficulty in detection via conventional methodologies. Acoustic emission (AE) technology, functioning as an efficient non-destructive testing approach, is capable of capturing the transient stress waves induced by leakage, thereby furnishing an effective means for the real-time monitoring and quantitative assessment of internal leakage within the valve body. This paper conducts a systematic review of the theoretical foundations, signal-processing methodologies, and the latest research advancements related to the technology for detecting internal leakage in the valve body based on acoustic emission. Firstly, grounded in Lechlier's acoustic analogy theory, the generation mechanism of acoustic emission signals arising from valve body leakage is elucidated. Secondly, a detailed analysis is conducted on diverse signal processing techniques and their corresponding optimization strategies, encompassing parameter analysis, time-frequency analysis, nonlinear dynamics methods, and intelligent algorithms. Moreover, this paper recapitulates the current challenges encountered by this technology and delineates future research orientations, such as the fusion of multi-modal sensors, the deployment of lightweight deep learning models, and integration with the Internet of Things. This study provides a systematic reference for the engineering application and theoretical development of the acoustic emission-based technology for detecting internal leakage in valves.

Abdullah Nsair, Senem Önen Cinar, Ayah Alassali et al.

Energies • 2020

The biogas production technology has improved over the last years for the aim of reducing the costs of the process, increasing the biogas yields, and minimizing the greenhouse gas emissions. To obtain a stable and efficient biogas production, there are several design considerations and operational parameters to be taken into account. Besides, adapting the process to unanticipated conditions can be achieved by adequate monitoring of various operational parameters. This paper reviews the research that has been conducted over the last years. This review paper summarizes the developments in biogas design and operation, while highlighting the main factors that affect the efficiency of the anaerobic digestion process. The study’s outcomes revealed that the optimum operational values of the main parameters may vary from one biogas plant to another. Additionally, the negative conditions that should be avoided while operating a biogas plant were identified.

Clara Puerto-Sánchez, Mélanie Habouzit, Marta Volonteri et al.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society • 2024

ABSTRACT Detecting dual active galactic nuclei (DAGNs) in observations and understanding theoretically which massive black holes (MBHs) compose them and in which galactic and large-scale environment they reside are becoming increasingly important questions as we enter the multimessenger era of MBH astronomy. This paper presents the abundance and properties of DAGN produced in nine large-scale cosmological hydrodynamical simulations. We focus on DAGN powered by AGN with $L_{\rm bol}\geqslant 10^{43}\, \rm erg\, s^{-1}$ and belonging to distinct galaxies, i.e. pairs that can be characterized with current and near-future electromagnetic observations. We find that the number density of DAGN separated by a few to 30 proper kpc varies from $10^{-8}$ (or none) to $10^{-3} \, \rm comoving\, Mpc^{3}$ in the redshift range $z=0\!-\!7$. At a given redshift, the densities of the DAGN numbers vary by up to two orders of magnitude from one simulation to another. However, for all simulations, the DAGN peak is in the range $z=1\!-\!3$, right before the peak of cosmic star formation or cosmic AGN activity. The corresponding fractions of DAGN (with respect to the total number of AGN) range from 0 per cent to 6 per cent. We find that simulations could produce too few DAGN at $z=0$ (or merge pairs too quickly) compared to current observational constraints while being consistent with preliminary constraints at high redshift ($z\sim 3$). Next-generation observatories (e.g. Advanced X-Ray Imaging Satellite [AXIS]) will be of paramount importance to detect DAGN across cosmic times. We predict the detectability of DAGN with future X-ray telescopes and discuss DAGN as progenitors for future Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) gravitational wave detections.

Alona MOZGOVA, Bohdan HNATYK, Elizaveta ZHYHANIUK et al.

Bulletin of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv Astronomy • 2024

Introduction. Cosmic rays – high-energy charged particles (electrons, protons, heavier nuclei) – constantly bombard the Earth’s atmosphere and generate showers of secondary cosmic rays, in particular, high-energy muons. Muons have high mean range even in materials with high density, therefore they are an effective source of signals for tomographic studies of large-scale objects up to hundreds of meters and even up to kilometers. In particular, muon tomography is now the only method for remotely studying the spatial distribution of various components of nuclear reactors. In this paper a scheme for studying the structure of a nuclear-dangerous accumulation in the destroyed fourth reactor of the Chornobyl NPP with the help of muon tomography is proposed. Methods. Primary cosmic rays reach the Earth’s atmosphere, interact with atmospheric nuclei (N, O, etc.) and, as a result of nuclear cascades, generate showers of secondary particles. These include the muon flux. Since our atmosphere is constantly bombarded by cosmic rays, the flux of muons is constantly coming from the atmosphere to the Earth’s surface and due to the high energy of muons (from 1 GeV to tens of TeV), they have a high penetration power and can penetrate underground to depths of hundreds of meters and up to several kilometers into solid rocks. At the same time, due to energy losses and scattering, the integral intensity of muons decreases depending on the passed column density X as the product of the density of the medium ρ by the passed distance L: X(L)=ρ∙L. Position-sensitive muon detectors, in particular, hodoscopes, record the integral intensity of muons at a certain solid angle and, using the integral intensity map, allow to reproduce the value of X – the distribution of the absorbing substance along the line of sight. Based on observations of an object from several locations with different zenith and azimuth angles, it is possible to reproduce a 3D distribution of absorbers in the object. Results. A method for muon tomography using to determine the internal structure of the melt of fuel-containing materials, in particular, a nuclear-dangerous accumulation in the destroyed fourth reactor of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, is proposed. The integral intensity of muons with momentum p>1.12 GeV/c at the zenith angle of 75° (the observation direction of the hodoscope) is I(>p=1.12 GeV/c)=6.90·10-4 cm-2∙s-1∙sr-1. The number of muons recorded in the solid angle (pixels in the sky) δΩ=1.0·10−3 sr with an effective area of Σ=5.76 cm2∙sr and an observation time of 100 days (8.64·106 s) would be Nμ =3.43·104. If there is an absorbing object with a density ρ, length L and the corresponding column density X(L)=ρ∙L on the line of sight of the telescope, then when a layer of concrete 10 m thick, muons with an initial momentum of p>5 GeV/c will fall on the detector. If the density of the absorbing object – a nuclear-dangerous cluster – is equal to 5 g/cm3, muons with an initial momentum of p>10.4 GeV/c, integral intensity I(>p=10.4 GeV/c)=2.65·10-4 cm-2∙s -1∙sr-1, and the number of registered muons – 1.32·104. That is, the sensitivity of the proposed method is sufficient to confidently determine the internal structure of the melt of fuel-containing materials. Conclusions. Muon tomography is currently the only effective method for remote study of the spatial distribution of nuclear reactor components. In this paper a scheme for studying the structure of a nuclear-dangerous accumulation in the destroyed fourth reactor of the Chornobyl NPP with the help of muon tomography is proposed. It is shown that for the specified parameters of the hodoscope, it is possible to perform muon tomography of the reactor with an observation time from one location of about 100 days.

Tim Tinsley, Jacob White

• 2023

This paper will present an update on the UK's dual track approach to deployable space-based nuclear power systems, seeking to develop both European Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) and miniaturized fission Space Reactors. The UK policy landscape has rapidly evolved as the importance of the UK space sector has grown. Since 2020, the UK has seen the formation of dedicated Space Directorates in both the Ministry of Defence and the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, and the publication of the Space Defence Strategy and Space Strategy government papers. The reliance on plutonium-238 (or <inf>238</inf>Pu) powered RPS systems sourced from the US and Russia prompted the European Space Agency in 2009 to instigate work to identify alternative materials, selecting americium-241 (or <inf>241</inf>Am) as a suitable candidate. <inf>241</inf>Am has a 432.2-year half-life and a thermal power density of 0.11 Wth/g. It is created in civil plutonium stockpiles as a decay product. The UK's stockpile is estimated to contain thousands of kilograms of <inf>241</inf>Am, more than enough to support future space exploration. The UK's National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) has already developed an <inf>241</inf>Am extraction process and is currently progressing plans for a larger scale extraction facility, the PuMA-2 Laboratory, which is expected to produce up to 1000g of <inf>241</inf>Am per year, with a target completion date of 2026. The University of Leicester has developed designs and engineering test units of RPS. Further work is planned in ceramic pellet production and performance, electricity generation and overall system design, ready for first use by the ESA ENDURE missions in 2029, The UK has a strong heritage of reactor development for terrestrial use, especially for gas cooled reactors. The UK also has a programme to develop Advanced Modular Reactors, likely to be based on high-temperature gas reactors using Coated Particle Fuels. A parallel programme for the development of micro space reactors would benefit from this development programme. The UK Government has funded an initial programme to examine the opportunity for micro space reactor development within the UK and is currently developing a strategy for initiating a compact reactor design that would target high-power space applications including in-situ resource utilization and lunar habitats. These programmes of work are contained within an overall programme called “VULCANS”, which aims to bring together the expertise and capabilities within the UK for advanced nuclear systems. VULCANS aims to provide outline objectives for a future programme targeting the development of a range of different deployable space-based nuclear power systems.

Ramkumar Samynathan, Baskar Venkidasamy, Karthikeyan Ramya et al.

Plants • 2023

Selenium (Se) is a microelement that plays an important nutrient role by influencing various physiological and biochemical traits in plants. It has been shown to stimulate plant metabolism, enhancing secondary metabolites and lowering abiotic and biotic stress in plants. Globally, the enormous applications of nanotechnology in the food and agricultural sectors have vastly expanded. Nanoselenium is more active than bulk materials, and various routes of synthesis of Se nanoparticles (Se-NPs) have been reported in which green synthesis using plants is more attractive due to a reduction in ecological issues and an increase in biological activities. The Se-NP-based biofortification is more significant because it increases plant stress tolerance and positively impacts their metabolism. Se-NPs can enhance plant resistance to various oxidative stresses, promote growth, enhance soil nutrient status, enhance plant antioxidant levels, and participate in the transpiration process. Additionally, they use a readily available, biodegradable reducing agent and are ecologically friendly. This review concentrates on notable information on the different modes of Se-NPs' synthesis and characterization, their applications in plant growth, yield, and stress tolerance, and their influence on the metabolic process.

Qudsia Saeed, Xiukang Wang, Fasih Ullah Haider et al.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences • 2021

Agriculture in the 21st century is facing multiple challenges, such as those related to soil fertility, climatic fluctuations, environmental degradation, urbanization, and the increase in food demand for the increasing world population. In the meanwhile, the scientific community is facing key challenges in increasing crop production from the existing land base. In this regard, traditional farming has witnessed enhanced per acre crop yields due to irregular and injudicious use of agrochemicals, including pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, but at a substantial environmental cost. Another major concern in modern agriculture is that crop pests are developing pesticide resistance. Therefore, the future of sustainable crop production requires the use of alternative strategies that can enhance crop yields in an environmentally sound manner. The application of rhizobacteria, specifically, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), as an alternative to chemical pesticides has gained much attention from the scientific community. These rhizobacteria harbor a number of mechanisms through which they promote plant growth, control plant pests, and induce resistance to various abiotic stresses. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms of rhizobacteria involved in plant growth promotion, biocontrol of pests, and bioremediation of contaminated soils. It also focuses on the effects of PGPR inoculation on plant growth survival under environmental stress. Furthermore, the pros and cons of rhizobacterial application along with future directions for the sustainable use of rhizobacteria in agriculture are discussed in depth.

Mohamed Farghali, Israa M. A. Mohamed, Ahmed I. Osman et al.

Environmental Chemistry Letters • 2022

The development and recycling of biomass production can partly solve issues of energy, climate change, population growth, food and feed shortages, and environmental pollution. For instance, the use of seaweeds as feedstocks can reduce our reliance on fossil fuel resources, ensure the synthesis of cost-effective and eco-friendly products and biofuels, and develop sustainable biorefinery processes. Nonetheless, seaweeds use in several biorefineries is still in the infancy stage compared to terrestrial plants-based lignocellulosic biomass. Therefore, here we review seaweed biorefineries with focus on seaweed production, economical benefits, and seaweed use as feedstock for anaerobic digestion, biochar, bioplastics, crop health, food, livestock feed, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Globally, seaweeds could sequester between 61 and 268 megatonnes of carbon per year, with an average of 173 megatonnes. Nearly 90% of carbon is sequestered by exporting biomass to deep water, while the remaining 10% is buried in coastal sediments. 500 gigatonnes of seaweeds could replace nearly 40% of the current soy protein production. Seaweeds contain valuable bioactive molecules that could be applied as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiviral, antifungal, anticancer, contraceptive, anti-inflammatory, anti-coagulants, and in other cosmetics and skincare products.

Aleksandra Grzyb, Agnieszka Wolna-Maruwka, Alicja Niewiadomska

Agronomy • 2021

Nitrogen (N) is widely distributed in the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere. It is a basic component of every plant cell as well as microorganisms, as a component of proteins, nucleic acids and chlorophyll. It enters soil with organic and mineral fertilizers, plant and animal residues and biological nitrogen fixation. There are various forms of nitrogen in soil, and this element is usually transformed by microorganisms. The transformation of nitrogen compounds (ammonification, nitrification and immobilization) is significantly influenced by climatic conditions and the physicochemical properties of soil. Microbial mineralization of nitrogen organic matter results in the enrichment of soil with this element, which is necessary to generate a yield. The amount of nitrogen entering soil through the mineralization of crop residues ranges from 15 to 45 kg N/ha in cereal residues and from 80 to 144 kg N/ha in winter rape residues. Biological nitrogen fixation can increase the nitrogen content in soil by 30–50 kg/ha/year. In recent decades, the mismanagement of mineral fertilizers has drastically changed the natural balance of the nitrogen cycle. Every year huge amounts of nitrogen compounds enter the aquatic ecosystems and cause their eutrophication. That is why it is important to have adequate knowledge of sustainable fertilization so as to practice integrated crop management.

Zainul Abideen, Huma Waqif, Neelma Munir et al.

Agronomy • 2022

The excessive use of agrochemicals to ensure food security under the conditions of a growing population, global climate change, weather extremes, droughts, wasteful use of freshwater resources, and land degradation has created severe challenges for sustainable crop production. Since the frequent and abrupt environmental changes are outcompeting the existing agricultural technologies of crop production systems to meet food security, the development and use of modern technologies and nature-based solutions are urgently needed. Nanotechnology has shown potential for revolutionizing agri-production and agri-business in terms of nanofertilizers and nanoparticles for crop protection. Furthermore, in the recent past, biochar has been identified as a negative emission technology for carbon sequestration and soil fertility improvement. However, supply chain issues for biochar, due to feedstock availability, challenges its worldwide use and acceptability. Meanwhile progress in algae research has indicated that, algae can be utilized for various agro-ecosystem services. Algae are considered an efficient biological species for producing biomass and phytochemicals because of their high photosynthetic efficiency and growth rate compared to terrestrial plants. In this context, various options for using algae as a nature-based solution have been investigated in this review; for instance, the possibilities of producing bulk algal biomass and algal-based biofertilizers and their role in nutrient availability and abiotic stress resistance in plants. The potential of algae for biochar production (hereafter “phycochar” because of algal feedstock), its elemental composition, and role in bioremediation is discussed. The potential role of agal nanoparticles’ in mitigating abiotic stress in crop plants was thoroughly investigated. This review has effectively investigated the existing literature and improved our understanding that, algae-based agro-solutions have huge potential for mitigating abiotic stresses and improving overall agricultural sustainability. However, a few challenges, such as microalgae production on a large scale and the green synthesis of nanoparticle methodologies, still need further mechanistic investigation.

Adel Mirza Alizadeh, Mansoureh Mohammadi, Fataneh Hashempour‐Baltork et al.

Food Production Processing and Nutrition • 2025

Abstract With the rapid advances in ready-to-eat food products and the progress of food processing industries, concerns about food security and investigating food safety as well as sensory quality have intensified. Many food safety concerns are attributed to the toxic components, which can be produced during food processing as process-induced toxicants (PITs). The thermal processing of food (e.g., baking, cooking, grilling, roasting, and toasting) may lead to the formation of some highly hazardous PITs for humans and animals. These include acrolein, acrylamide, benzene, ethyl carbamate, chlorinated compounds, heterocyclic organic compounds (HOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs), biogenic amines (BAs), N -nitrosamines, Maillard reaction products (MRPs), and several newly identified toxicants such as 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol. The occurrence of these contaminants is often accompanied by distinguishing odor, taste, and color. The severity of the sensory attributes can vary depending on the compound concentration. Knowledge about the biochemical and chemical mechanisms of PITs generation is necessary for expanding feasible approaches to limit and control their amounts in food products. This contribution introduces the most significant PITs, highlighting their formation mechanisms, impact on sensory characteristics of foods, analytical methods to detection, risk assessments, and food safety/adverse health effects of ultra-processed foods. Graphical Abstract

Diana Constantinescu-Aruxandei, Florin Oancea

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health • 2023

The recovery of plant mineral nutrients from the bio-based value chains is essential for a sustainable, circular bioeconomy, wherein resources are (re)used sustainably. The widest used approach is to recover plant nutrients on the last stage of biomass utilization processes-e.g., from ash, wastewater, or anaerobic digestate. The best approach is to recover mineral nutrients from the initial stages of biomass biorefinery, especially during biomass pre-treatments. Our paper aims to evaluate the nutrient recovery solutions from a trans-sectorial perspective, including biomass processing and the agricultural use of recovered nutrients. Several solutions integrated with the biomass pre-treatment stage, such as leaching/bioleaching, recovery from pre-treatment neoteric solvents, ionic liquids (ILs), and deep eutectic solvents (DESs) or integrated with hydrothermal treatments are discussed. Reducing mineral contents on silicon, phosphorus, and nitrogen biomass before the core biorefinery processes improves processability and yield and reduces corrosion and fouling effects. The recovered minerals are used as bio-based fertilizers or as silica-based plant biostimulants, with economic and environmental benefits.

Yanfeng Shi, Yufei Zang, Huanhuan Yang et al.

Frontiers in Environmental Science • 2022

Mining activities has generated large amounts of mine tailings each year, and these tailings usually contain high concentrations of heavy metal pollutants, which not only cause serious damage to the local and surrounding soil ecosystems, but also harm human health via the transmission of food chain. Phytoremediation is treated as environmentally friendly, long-term effective and low-cost restoration method. However, tailing soil acidification, low organic matter content, poor water holding capacity and compaction make plant struggle to survive. Biochar, a soil conditioner can promote plant growth by improving the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil, thus strengthening the ability of phytoremediation in the contaminated tailings. This review elaborates how the physicochemical properties of biochar affect phytoremediation; and summarized how the raw materials of biochar affect the physicochemical characteristics. Finally, the future research directions are prospected.

Arzish Javaid, Sadaf Hameed, Lijie Li et al.

Functional & Integrative Genomics • 2024

At the dawn of new millennium, policy makers and researchers focused on sustainable agricultural growth, aiming for food security and enhanced food quality. Several emerging scientific innovations hold the promise to meet the future challenges. Nanotechnology presents a promising avenue to tackle the diverse challenges in agriculture. By leveraging nanomaterials, including nano fertilizers, pesticides, and sensors, it provides targeted delivery methods, enhancing efficacy in both crop production and protection. This integration of nanotechnology with agriculture introduces innovations like disease diagnostics, improved nutrient uptake in plants, and advanced delivery systems for agrochemicals. These precision-based approaches not only optimize resource utilization but also reduce environmental impact, aligning well with sustainability objectives. Concurrently, genetic innovations, including genome editing and advanced breeding techniques, enable the development of crops with improved yield, resilience, and nutritional content. The emergence of precision gene-editing technologies, exemplified by CRISPR/Cas9, can transform the realm of genetic modification and enabled precise manipulation of plant genomes while avoiding the incorporation of external DNAs. Integration of nanotechnology and genetic innovations in agriculture presents a transformative approach. Leveraging nanoparticles for targeted genetic modifications, nanosensors for early plant health monitoring, and precision nanomaterials for controlled delivery of inputs offers a sustainable pathway towards enhanced crop productivity, resource efficiency, and food safety throughout the agricultural lifecycle. This comprehensive review outlines the pivotal role of nanotechnology in precision agriculture, emphasizing soil health improvement, stress resilience against biotic and abiotic factors, environmental sustainability, and genetic engineering.

Claudia Artiaco, Christoph Fleckenstein, David Aceituno Chávez et al.

PRX Quantum • 2024

During time evolution of many-body systems entanglement grows rapidly, limiting exact simulations to small-scale systems or small timescales. Quantum information tends, however, to flow towards larger scales without returning to local scales, such that its detailed large-scale structure does not directly affect local observables. This allows for the removal of large-scale quantum information in a way that preserves all local observables and gives access to large-scale and large-time quantum dynamics. To this end, we use the recently introduced to organize quantum information into different scales, allowing us to define and that we employ to systematically discard long-range quantum correlations in a controlled way. Our approach relies on decomposing the system into subsystems up to a maximum scale and time evolving the subsystem density matrices by solving the subsystem von Neumann equations in parallel. Importantly, the information flow needs to be preserved during the discarding of large-scale information. To achieve this without the need to make assumptions about the microscopic details of the information current, we introduce a second scale at which information is discarded, while using the state at the maximum scale to accurately obtain the information flow. The resulting algorithm, which we call local-information time evolution, is highly versatile and suitable for investigating many-body quantum dynamics in both closed and open quantum systems with diverse hydrodynamic behaviors. We present results for the energy transport in the mixed-field Ising model and the magnetization transport in the <a:math xmlns:a="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline" overflow="scroll"> <a:mi>X</a:mi> <a:mi>X</a:mi> </a:math> spin chain with onsite dephasing where we accurately determine the power-law exponent and the diffusion coefficients. Furthermore, the information lattice framework employed here promises to offer insightful results about the spatial and temporal behavior of entanglement in many-body systems.

Shuai Qi, A. Allan Degen, Wenyin Wang et al.

GCB Bioenergy • 2024

Abstract Biochar, a black carbon material produced by high‐temperature, low‐oxygen pyrolysis of organic solids, can improve soil properties and realize carbon neutrality. However, how to effectively produce and apply biochar in the face of the complex soil environment and intractable widespread land degradation is still uncertain. This review is based on 1073 sets of data in 316 publications to address this issue. Firstly, the impact of different process parameters, namely feedstocks, pyrolysis temperature and activation on physicochemical properties of biochar are systematically summarized. Secondly, the effect of biochar on different soil degradation problems are reviewed from the perspective of the interaction between the physicochemical properties of biochar and soil characteristics. The “matching” of biochar properties, level of degradation and environmental factors can be used to design the desired biochar. Finally, future research should focus on biochar aging and costs and benefits of using biochar. The concept of “artificial intelligence designed biochar” is discussed to improve the degree of automation in biochar production and the predictability and suitability of its application for specific cases.

Md. Nasir Hossain Sani, Mehedi Amin, AB Siddique et al.

The Science of The Total Environment • 2023

The greatest challenge for the agriculture sector in the twenty-first century is to increase agricultural production to feed the burgeoning global population while maintaining soil health and the integrity of the agroecosystem. Currently, the application of biochar is widely implemented as an effective means for boosting sustainable agriculture while having a negligible influence on ecosystems and the environment. In comparison to traditional biochar, nano-biochar (nano-BC) boasts enhanced specific surface area, adsorption capacity, and mobility properties within soil, allowing it to promote soil properties, crop growth, and environmental remediation. Additionally, carbon sequestration and reduction of methane and nitrous oxide emissions from agriculture can be achieved with nano-BC applications, contributing to climate change mitigation. Nonetheless, due to cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and environmental friendliness, waste-derived nano-BC may emerge as the most viable alternative to conventional waste management strategies, contributing to the circular bioeconomy and the broader goal of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, it's important to note that research on nano-BC is still in its nascent stages. Potential risks, including toxicity in aquatic and terrestrial environments, necessitate extensive field investigations. This review delineates the potential of waste-derived nano-BC for sustainable agriculture and environmental applications, outlining current advancements, challenges, and possibilities in the realms from a sustainability and circular bioeconomy standpoint.

Saideep Singh, Rishi Verma, Nidhi Kaul et al.

Nature Communications • 2023

Abstract The majority of visible light-active plasmonic catalysts are often limited to Au, Ag, Cu, Al, etc., which have considerations in terms of costs, accessibility, and instability. Here, we show hydroxy-terminated nickel nitride (Ni 3 N) nanosheets as an alternative to these metals. The Ni 3 N nanosheets catalyze CO 2 hydrogenation with a high CO production rate (1212 mmol g −1 h −1 ) and selectivity (99%) using visible light. Reaction rate shows super-linear power law dependence on the light intensity, while quantum efficiencies increase with an increase in light intensity and reaction temperature. The transient absorption experiments reveal that the hydroxyl groups increase the number of hot electrons available for photocatalysis. The in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy shows that the CO 2 hydrogenation proceeds via the direct dissociation pathway. The excellent photocatalytic performance of these Ni 3 N nanosheets (without co-catalysts or sacrificial agents) is suggestive of the use of metal nitrides instead of conventional plasmonic metal nanoparticles.

Hao Qu, Xin Zeng, Chuangxin He et al.

Physics of Fluids • 2025

In this work, the entrainment characteristics of two different non-circular orifice impinging jets, i.e., elliptical and square orifices, are studied against the circular one. These three orifice jets at the same impinging-distance-to-diameter H/De = 3.0 and the Reynolds number (Re) at 1.6 × 103 were measured by time-resolved tomographic particle image velocimetry. The macroscopic flow structures and local characteristics are discussed in terms of Eulerian and Lagrangian perspectives, respectively. For both the streamwise velocity and the finite-time Lyapunov exponent (FTLE) field, the power spectral density exhibits a significant Strouhal number component St = 0.53 in all three jets, whereas the square orifice jet shows multiple frequency peaks. Observing the large-scale vortical structures of the instantaneous flow field indicates that the up-warping part of the elliptical and square vortex rings as well as the square vortex pairing and merging behavior will substantially enhance the local entrainment. As for the FTLE field, both non-circular orifice impinging jets tend to form the wider entrainment channel as well as more prominent shear along the local turbulent/non-turbulent interface. The entrainment statistics based on the enstrophy supports the above findings. As the fluid flows from the orifice, the entrainment rate of the elliptical orifice jet in the development region first grows slower but overtakes the circular one after H/De &amp;gt; 1.5; the square jet has the lowest entrainment and growth rate upstream, while the largest entrainment growth rate is reached at H/De &amp;gt; 1.5, where the large-scale structures are formed. Near the impingement region, the elliptical orifice jet has the largest entrainment rate and then the square orifice.

Abhishek Kumar, Tanushree Bhattacharya, Wasim Akram Shaikh et al.

Biochar • 2023

Abstract Biochar is a carbon-containing material prepared through thermal treatment of biomass in limited supply of oxygen, and used for an array of applications including waste management, climate change mitigation, soil fertility improvement, bio-energy production, and contaminant remediation. The data related to biochar, its production, and the wide applicability were collected using Web of Science Core Collection Database (on 25/10/2022), while bibliometric network analysis was performed using VOSviewer software to analyse year-wise, author-wise, country-wise, and journal-wise publication trends, construct keyword co-occurrence maps, and identify research areas receiving greater focus. Further, the applications of biochar were reviewed and mechanistic insights were provided. Some of the findings include: &gt; 50% of documents (&gt; 13,000) getting published in the past 3 years, &gt; 90% of documents (&gt; 21,000) being research articles, ~ 50% of publications (&gt; 10,000) being related to environmental sciences, pyrolysis being the most widely used (~ 40% articles) production technique (followed by carbonization, gasification, combustion, and torrefaction), China being the most active country in terms of publications (&gt; 11,000), and biochar being mostly used for removing contaminants (followed by soil improvement, waste management, energy production, and climate change mitigation). Various strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis) of biochar production and wide-ranging applicability were identified. Lastly, gaps were identified including the need for performing elaborate life cycle assessments, exploring machine learning and artificial intelligence for upgrading conversion technology and producing application-specific biochar, and investigating mechanistic aspects of soil-biochar interactions and nano-scale transformation of biochar. The study covers a broad spectrum of biochar applicability to identify areas receiving lesser attention, which could guide the future researchers for augmenting biochar research. Graphical Abstract

Emanuela D. Tiodar, Cristina L. Văcar, Dorina Podar

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health • 2021

Mercury (Hg) pollution is a global threat to human and environmental health because of its toxicity, mobility and long-term persistence. Although costly engineering-based technologies can be used to treat heavily Hg-contaminated areas, they are not suitable for decontaminating agricultural or extensively-polluted soils. Emerging phyto- and bioremediation strategies for decontaminating Hg-polluted soils generally involve low investment, simple operation, and in situ application, and they are less destructive for the ecosystem. Current understanding of the uptake, translocation and sequestration of Hg in plants is reviewed to highlight new avenues for exploration in phytoremediation research, and different phytoremediation strategies (phytostabilization, phytoextraction and phytovolatilization) are discussed. Research aimed at identifying suitable plant species and associated-microorganisms for use in phytoremediation of Hg-contaminated soils is also surveyed. Investigation into the potential use of transgenic plants in Hg-phytoremediation is described. Recent research on exploiting the beneficial interactions between plants and microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) that are Hg-resistant and secrete plant growth promoting compounds is reviewed. We highlight areas where more research is required into the effective use of phytoremediation on Hg-contaminated sites, and conclude that the approaches it offers provide considerable potential for the future.

Christopher G. Schmit, Kauser Jahan, Kathryn H. Schmit et al.

Water Environment Research • 2010

This is a literature review for the year 2009 and contains information specifically related to suspended growth processes including activated sludge and sequencing batch reactors. This review is a subsection of the Treatment Systems section of the annual literature review. The review encompasses modeling, nutrient removal, system design and operation, oxygen transfer and solids separation. Two topics that have seen an increase in activity compared to historical reviews are membrane bioreactors and fate and occurrence of hormones and pharmaceuticals, which are referred to as m icroconstituents following current WEF terminology. Microconstituents as they relate to suspended growth reactors are covered in this review, while membrane bioreactors are reviewed in another section in this journal. Other subsections from the Treatment Systems section that might also be related to this section include: Wastewater Collection Systems; Biological Fixed Film Systems; and Modeling, Instrumentation, Automation, and Optimization of Wastewater Treatment Facilities. Many of the subsections in the Industrial Wastes, Hazardous Wastes, and Fate and Effects of Pollutants sections could also have some overlap with this section.

Carmen Rizzo, Erika Arcadi, Rosario Calogero et al.

Minerals • 2022

Marine hydrothermal systems are a special kind of extreme environments associated with submarine volcanic activity and characterized by harsh chemo-physical conditions, in terms of hot temperature, high concentrations of CO2 and H2S, and low pH. Such conditions strongly impact the living organisms, which have to develop adaptation strategies to survive. Hydrothermal systems have attracted the interest of researchers due to their enormous ecological and biotechnological relevance. From ecological perspective, these acidified habitats are useful natural laboratories to predict the effects of global environmental changes, such as ocean acidification at ecosystem level, through the observation of the marine organism responses to environmental extremes. In addition, hydrothermal vents are known as optimal sources for isolation of thermophilic and hyperthermophilic microbes, with biotechnological potential. This double aspect is the focus of this review, which aims at providing a picture of the ecological features of the main Mediterranean hydrothermal vents. The physiological responses, abundance, and distribution of biotic components are elucidated, by focusing on the necto-benthic fauna and prokaryotic communities recognized to possess pivotal role in the marine ecosystem dynamics and as indicator species. The scientific interest in hydrothermal vents will be also reviewed by pointing out their relevance as source of bioactive molecules.

Mathias Pein, J. Keller, Christos Agrafiotis et al.

Advanced Energy Materials • 2024

Abstract Within this work, reticulated monolithic foams and granules made from CaMnO 3 − δ and strontium substituted variations are demonstrated to significantly improve the performance of a water splitting redox oxide when employed as a thermochemical oxygen pumping material. Two different process procedures are tested and foams made from Ca 0.9 Sr 0.1 MnO 3 − δ with a strontium content of 10% outperform all other specimens in both process configurations. Additionally, the performance of Ca 1 − x Sr x MnO 3 − δ with varying strontium content as a thermochemical oxygen pumping material is studied by means of a newly developed theoretical process model. While the model does not precisely predict the excellent experimental performance of strontium‐substitute compositions, it provides valuable insights into the impact of geometry and structure on the specimen's performance in thermochemical oxygen‐pumping processes. This work demonstrates the practical application of monolithic 3D structures made entirely from perovskite material in thermochemical oxygen pumping processes and provides a process model that can serve as basis for material screening and process optimization in future work.

Duried Alwazeer, John T. Hancock, G. Russell et al.

Frontiers in Food Science and Technology • 2024

The world is confronting numerous challenges, including global warming, health epidemics, and population growth, each presenting significant threats to the stability and sustainability of our planet’s ecosystems. Such issues have collectively contributed to a reduction in agricultural productivity, corresponding with an increase in demand and costs of essential commodities. This critical situation requires more sustainable environmental, social, and technological solutions. Molecular hydrogen (H 2 ) has been suggested as a “green” solution for our energy needs and many health, agricultural, and food applications. H 2 supplementation in agriculture may represent a novel and low-carbon biotechnological strategy applicable to the abundant production of crops, vegetables, and fruits in agri-food chains. H 2 is a potential green alternative to conventional chemical fertilizers. The use of a hydrogen-rich water irrigation system may also provide other health-related advantages, i.e., decreasing the heavy metal accumulation in crops. By adopting a H 2 strategy, crop producers, food processors, and decision-makers can contribute to sustainable solutions in the face of global challenges such as climate change, communicable disease epidemics, and a growing population. The versatile applications of H₂ in agriculture and the wider food industry position it as a uniquely suitable approach to address today’s significant challenges, potentially fostering better crop production and positively impacting the agri-food chain. The present review is timely in combining the latest knowledge about the potential applications of H 2 in the agriculture and food industry, from farm to fork.

Samira Elaissi, Eman M. Moneer, Norah A. M. Alsaif et al.

Open Physics • 2026

Abstract A plasma source with an inductive coupling can effectively modify and etch metals and semiconductors used in photosensitization and optoelectronics materials. This paper focuses on modelling two-dimensional argon-chlorine plasma in an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) reactor using COMSOL Multiphysics. The molecular dynamics, electromagnetic field, induction currents, heat transfer, and fluid dynamics distributions are investigated for efficient plasma processing. Simulated results indicate that higher pressure confines the discharge, reducing the density of electrons at the substrate location, which would tend to reduce the ion and radical fluxes available for etching. With rising source power, ion flux increased, but the mean ion energy doesn’t change much. Plasma electronegativity decreases with increasing RF power, and the discharge switches between capacitive and inductive mode. On the other hand, plasma electronegativity increases with increasing chlorine concentrations, and it becomes more significant up to 50 % of chlorine concentrations. However, molecule species lose energy, resulting in a rapidly declining electron density with increasing chlorine content. The simulation study enables the accurate extraction of operating conditions of ICP reactors using an Ar/Cl 2 mixture that significantly enhances uniform etching without damaging the material.

Fatemeh Khodadadian

Research Repository (Delft University of Technology) • 2019

Photocatalysis involves the absorption of photons by a semiconductor to enhance chemical reactions. Examples of important applications include the degradation of hazardous chemicals, reduction of carbon dioxide to valuable chemicals and (partial) oxidation of hydrocarbons. Despite many successful demonstrations of this technology at lab-scale, its industrial application has been hindered by the low overall efficiency of the process due to several challenges that need to be resolved. One of the main challenges is efficient utilization of light within a photocatalytic reactor, which affects the economic feasibility of the process especially when using artificial light sources. In the last few years, the feasibility of using UV-LEDs as an alternative light source for conventional UV-lamps, such as mercury and xenon lamps, has been shown for applications in the gas and liquid phase. Yet, strategies that would allow for optimal light utilization within LED-based reactors during design and operation are lacking. Therefore, the focus of this thesis is on the efficient use of photons by development and validation of novel approaches for the design, optimization, and control of LED-based photocatalytic reactors. The photocatalytic degradation of toluene in the gas phase is adopted as the model reaction, since toluene is one of the most common indoor pollutants threatening human health. In the design phase of a LED-based reactor, the flexible positioning of LEDs enabled by their small size, in combination with the reactor design parameters, provides a large degree of freedom. When using all of those degrees of freedom simultaneously, mathematical optimization techniques are a necessity. Hence, a model-based approach for optimization of the design of LED-based photocatalytic reactors is developed. A photocatalytic reaction rate is not only a function of the chemical species adsorbed on the catalytic surface, but also on the rate of photons absorbed by the catalyst. Therefore, an efficient photocatalytic reactor design optimizes both the mass transfer as well as the photon transfer. First, an integrated model is developed that describes the distribution of reactants and photons within an annular LED-based photocatalytic reactor. Second, an objective function, representing a trade-off between capital and operating costs is defined and several design variables related to the reactor dimensions and light sources are optimized simultaneously. Furthermore, the capability of the LED-based photocatalytic reactor in controlling the local reaction rate is shown by changing the objective function of the optimization problem. The results demonstrate the importance of model-based optimization to systematically incorporate the inherent trade-offs that exist in the design and operation of LED-based photocatalytic reactors.&lt;br/&gt;A validated process model is essential for optimization. Furthermore, characterization of process trends is needed when developing operational strategies such as automated control. For this purpose, a mini-pilot plant including an annular LED-based photocatalytic reactor has been developed to validate the integrated process model including a radiation field, reaction kinetics, and material balances experimentally for the photocatalytic degradation of toluene. Because water is inevitably present in many photocatalytic applications, a special focus is on the effect of water on reaction kinetics, toluene conversion, mineralization, and catalyst deactivation for characterization of the process trend. The results from parameter estimation studies demonstrate that a competitive reaction rate model can best describe the experimental data with varying water concentration. Furthermore, experimental results demonstrate that toluene conversion is highest at a low water concentration; however, mineralization and catalyst lifetime are enhanced by the presence of water. The validation of the integrated process model and understanding of the role of water allow for improved design and operation of future LED-based photocatalytic reactors.&lt;br/&gt;Following the conclusion from the process characterization study that electron-hole recombination is dominant in the system, the impact of periodical illumination of LEDs on the photonic efficiency of toluene degradation is investigated. It has been suggested that intermittent introduction of photons on the catalytic surface can possibly reduce the electron-hole recombination and, consequently, can improve the photon utilization of the photocatalytic process during operation. Therefore, the impact of light/dark periods and duty cycles is studied. However, no transition or change in the photonic efficiency when moving from a short to a long light/dark time at a fixed duty cycle is observed experimentally for the system studied in this thesis. Furthermore, the results of the experiments at two different periods show an increase in photonic efficiency with a decrease in the duty cycle. However, the photonic efficiency under controlled periodic illumination, regardless of the duty cycle or period, is found to be similar to that under continuous illumination at an equivalent average irradiance, suggesting no mass-transfer limitations in the system. Therefore, it is concluded that periodical illumination does not improve photon utilization in a system where electron-hole recombination is dominant but there is no mass transfer limitation. During operation, the performance of an optimally designed reactor may deviate from optimal conditions because of design uncertainties and disturbances acting on the system. Therefore, the application of automated feedback and feedforward controllers to maintain the reactor conversion close to a desired value by adjusting the photon irradiance within a LED-based photocatalytic reactor is studied. The excellent capability of the feedback controller in tracking different conversion set points is shown in the presence of unmeasured and measured disturbances, which allows for a desired conversion of toluene to be maintained. Furthermore, a feedforward controller has been designed based on an empirical steady-state model to mitigate the effect of changing toluene inlet concentration and relative humidity, which are typical measured input disturbances. The results demonstrate that the feedback and feedforward controllers are complementary and can mitigate the effects of disturbances effectively such that the photocatalytic reactor operates close to the desired output at all times. This study delivers the first example of how online analytical technologies can be combined with “smart” light sources such as LEDs to implement automated process control loops that optimize photon utilization. Future work may expand on this concept by developing more advanced control strategies and exploring applications in different areas. This thesis focuses on the development and validation of methods that provide optimal photon utilization within an annular LED-based photocatalytic reactor for design and operation. However, the proposed approaches and findings of this work can in principle be applied to different configurations of LED-based photocatalytic reactors as well. In addition, the suggested mathematical model in this thesis can be applied as a useful tool for the prediction of mass and photon transfer rate during scale-up studies of LED-based photocatalytic reactors. Furthermore, the developed control structures can be transferred to a larger scale since control structures are generally known to scale-up well. Providing approaches for optimum photon utilization, the outcome of this thesis could facilitate the realization of more economically viable photocatalytic processes when transferring the technology from lab-scale to the industrial applications.

Zhineng Wu, Quanli Man, Hanyu Niu et al.

Frontiers in Microbiology • 2022

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a ubiquitous chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbon (CAH) in the environment, which is a Group 1 carcinogen with negative impacts on human health and ecosystems. Based on a series of recent advances, the environmental behavior and biodegradation process on TCE biodegradation need to be reviewed systematically. Four main biodegradation processes leading to TCE biodegradation by isolated bacteria and mixed cultures are anaerobic reductive dechlorination, anaerobic cometabolic reductive dichlorination, aerobic co-metabolism, and aerobic direct oxidation. More attention has been paid to the aerobic co-metabolism of TCE. Laboratory and field studies have demonstrated that bacterial isolates or mixed cultures containing Dehalococcoides or Dehalogenimonas can catalyze reductive dechlorination of TCE to ethene. The mechanisms, pathways, and enzymes of TCE biodegradation were reviewed, and the factors affecting the biodegradation process were discussed. Besides, the research progress on material-mediated enhanced biodegradation technologies of TCE through the combination of zero-valent iron (ZVI) or biochar with microorganisms was introduced. Furthermore, we reviewed the current research on TCE biodegradation in field applications, and finally provided the development prospects of TCE biodegradation based on the existing challenges. We hope that this review will provide guidance and specific recommendations for future studies on CAHs biodegradation in laboratory and field applications.

Tarun Kumar Thakur, Mahesh Prasad Barya, Joystu Dutta et al.

Water • 2023

Macrophytes have the potential to withstand pollutant-induced stress and can be used to clean contaminated water using phyto-extraction, phyto-degradation, phyto-filtration, phyto-stimulation, and phyto-volatilization technique(s). Phytoremediation through constructed wetlands (CWs) for eliminating inorganic and organic pollutants from household sewage and wastewater has attracted scientific attention. CWs are artificially engineered treatment systems that utilize natural cycles or processes involving soils, wetland vegetation, and plant and soil-associated microbial assemblages to remediate contaminated water and improve its quality. Herein, we present a detailed assessment of contaminant removal effectiveness in different CW systems, i.e., free-water surface or surface-flow constructed wetlands (FWSCWs/SFCWs), subsurface-flow constructed wetlands (SSFCWs), and hybrid constructed wetlands (HCWs). Several wetland floral species have been reported as potential phytoremediators, effectively reducing aquatic contamination through biodegrading, biotransforming, and bioaccumulating contaminants. Water hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes) is one of the most resistant macrophytes, capable of tolerating high nitrate (NO3−) and phosphate (PO42−) concentrations. Other aquatic weeds also effectively alleviate biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total dissolved solids (TDS), and pathogen levels and ameliorate the impact of different ionic forms of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and trace elements (TEs). The review primarily focuses on using hydrophyte(s)-microbe(s) associations in different CWs as an essential phytoremediation tool for sustainable management of freshwater ecosystems, ecorestoration, and prospective resource recovery, favoring a circular bioeconomy (CBE).

Viabhav Kumar Upadhayay, Manoj Kumar Chitara, Dhruv Mishra et al.

Frontiers in Microbiology • 2023

Modern agriculture is primarily focused on the massive production of cereals and other food-based crops in a sustainable manner in order to fulfill the food demands of an ever-increasing global population. However, intensive agricultural practices, rampant use of agrochemicals, and other environmental factors result in soil fertility degradation, environmental pollution, disruption of soil biodiversity, pest resistance, and a decline in crop yields. Thus, experts are shifting their focus to other eco-friendly and safer methods of fertilization in order to ensure agricultural sustainability. Indeed, the importance of plant growth-promoting microorganisms, also determined as "plant probiotics (PPs)," has gained widespread recognition, and their usage as biofertilizers is being actively promoted as a means of mitigating the harmful effects of agrochemicals. As bio-elicitors, PPs promote plant growth and colonize soil or plant tissues when administered in soil, seeds, or plant surface and are used as an alternative means to avoid heavy use of agrochemicals. In the past few years, the use of nanotechnology has also brought a revolution in agriculture due to the application of various nanomaterials (NMs) or nano-based fertilizers to increase crop productivity. Given the beneficial properties of PPs and NMs, these two can be used in tandem to maximize benefits. However, the use of combinations of NMs and PPs, or their synergistic use, is in its infancy but has exhibited better crop-modulating effects in terms of improvement in crop productivity, mitigation of environmental stress (drought, salinity, etc.), restoration of soil fertility, and strengthening of the bioeconomy. In addition, a proper assessment of nanomaterials is necessary before their application, and a safer dose of NMs should be applicable without showing any toxic impact on the environment and soil microbial communities. The combo of NMs and PPs can also be encapsulated within a suitable carrier, and this method aids in the controlled and targeted delivery of entrapped components and also increases the shelf life of PPs. However, this review highlights the functional annotation of the combined impact of NMs and PPs on sustainable agricultural production in an eco-friendly manner.

Hassan Azzan, Killian Gmyrek, David Danaci et al.

Adsorption • 2025

Abstract The adsorption kinetics of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) in three cationic forms of binderless pellets of Y-types zeolites (H-Y, Na-Y, and TMA exchanged Na-Y) are studied using the zero-length column (ZLC) technique. The measurements were carried out at $$288.15\,\textrm{K},298.15\,\textrm{K}$$ and $${308.15}\,\textrm{K}$$ using different flowrates and an initial CO 2 partial pressure of $${0.10} \,\textrm{bar}$$ – conditions representative of post-combustion CO 2 capture applications. The mass transport within the adsorbent pellets was described using a 1-D Fickian diffusion model accounting for intra- and inter-crystalline mass transport. For the latter, the parallel pore model formulation was used to explicitly account for the adsorbent’s macropore size distribution in estimating the volume-averaged diffusivity of the gas. Experiments carried out using different carrier gases, namely helium and nitrogen, were used (i) to determine that these systems are macropore diffusion limited and (ii) to simplify the parameter estimation to a single parameter - the macropore tortuosity. The latter ( $$\tau =1.3-2.5$$ ) was in good agreement with independent measurements using MIP ( $$\tau \approx 1.7$$ ). The associated diffusion coefficient, $$D^\textrm{e}_\textrm{mac}$$ , was found to vary due to differences in the materials’ macropore size distributions and overall porosity. Upon combining the parallel pore model formulation with the temperature dependencies for the pore diffusivities derived from molecular theories of gases, we predict $$D^\textrm{e}_\textrm{mac}\propto {T^b}$$ with $$b=[0.78-0.88]$$ depending on the macropore size distribution. Notably, for the range of temperature tested in this study, $$D^\textrm{e}_\textrm{mac}$$ varies approximately linearly with temperature ( $$b\approx 1$$ )– in contrast to the commonly reported correlation of $$b=1.75$$ , which may be more appropriate for systems where molecular diffusion dominates and Knudsen diffusion is negligible. The binderless pellets of Y-type zeolites studied exhibit generally higher values for the effective macropore diffusivity of CO 2 compared to previously reported results on commercial FAU zeolites.

Bilassé Zongo, S. A. Balogun, T.A. Shittu

Polish Journal of Environmental Studies • 2023

With the increasing population and urbanization in the world, generated wastewater is an alternative to water scarcity. Treated wastewater has environmental, human health and socio-economic benefits. However, in Africa, 95% of raw-wastewater is released into the environment. Therefore, this paper emphasizes wastewater reuse meeting the standard criteria, particularly in Africa.&lt;br /&gt; Data were collected based on peer review literature on wastewater reuse systems, and handling systems in general and specifically in Africa. In addition, online publications and onsite visits in Burkina Faso and Nigeria allow apprehending wastewater reuse systems in the world including Africa. Then, analysis was done and challenging prospects were identified.&lt;br /&gt; Results show that from ancient to the present, wastewater is disposed of or reused for different purposes. Because of increasing waterborne diseases, advanced water reclamation technologies were developed for water reuse. In Africa, raw wastewater is still disposed of and reused while cost-effective technologies and facilities are now developed for wastewater reclamation. Consequently, populations are suffering from waterborne diseases. Produced effluent meeting the standards for reuse is the appropriate treatment. To make it possible in Africa, leaders must pay attention to population wellbeing as a priority, to infrastructures and their maintenance, to integrated technologies for cost-effective treatment, and to consider the removal of antimicrobial resistances.

Camilla H. M. Camargos, Yang Liu, Jennifer C. Jackson et al.

ACS Applied Bio Materials • 2025

Water scarcity, contamination, and lack of sanitation are global issues that require innovations in chemistry, engineering, and materials science. To tackle the challenge of providing high-quality drinking water for a growing population, we need to develop high-performance and multifunctional materials to treat water on both small and large scales. As modern society and science prioritize more sustainable engineering practices, water treatment processes will need to use materials produced from sustainable resources via green chemical routes, combining multiple advanced properties such as high surface area and great affinity for contaminants. Lignin, one of the major components of plants and an abundant byproduct of the cellulose and bioethanol industries, offers a cost-effective and scalable platform for developing such materials, with a wide range of physicochemical properties that can be tailored to improve their performance for target water treatment applications. This review aims to bridge the current gap in the literature by exploring the use of lignin, both as solid bulk or solubilized macromolecules and nanolignin as multifunctional (nano)materials for sustainable water treatment processes. We address the application of lignin-based macro-, micro-, and nanostructured materials in adsorption, catalysis, flocculation, membrane filtration processes, and antimicrobial coatings and composites. Throughout the exploration of recent progress and trends in this field, we emphasize the importance of integrating principles of green chemistry and materials sustainability to advance sustainable water treatment technologies.

Sunny Dhiman, Babita Thakur, Sukhminderjit Kaur et al.

Discover Sustainability • 2025

The global production of agricultural and food commodities has increased significantly over the past decades to meet the growing demand for food, driven by population growth, urbanization, and changes in dietary habits. This increased production has inevitably led to a substantial rise in the generation of agricultural and food processing wastes, which pose significant environmental challenges. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Food Waste Index Report 2024 highlights a global annual food waste of 1.05 billion tons. The UNEP plays a crucial role in achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12.3, which aims to halve per capita global food waste (FW) at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains globally by 2030. Thus, there is an urgent need to mitigate this accumulating waste through eco-friendly and economically viable techniques. With the advent of circular economy principles, food waste is increasingly being seen as a valuable resource for the production of valuable bioproducts. This review paper discusses innovative processes and technologies driving this transformation. This article emphasizes the imperative of transforming waste biomass residues into value-added products as a key step towards achieving sustainability goals and fostering a circular economy.