环境•农林最新文献

Pharmaceutical manufacturing generates wastewater with unusual contaminant profiles including extraordinarily high ammoniacal nitrogen concentrations (> 12,000 mg/L) and stream-dependent heavy metal speciation patterns not typically documented in literature. This study documents scientific contributions of segregated treatment effectiveness for high-strength pharmaceutical wastewater, providing novel insights into treatment technology selection mechanisms for diverse contaminant profiles. Three segregated wastewater streams (high-COD, high-TDS, and low-TDS) from an active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing facility (100–150 KLD capacity) were comprehensively characterized for 42 physicochemical parameters following IS:3025 and APHA 24th Edition standards. Heavy metal speciation across stream types was analyzed using ICP-OES/ICP-MS (IS:3025 Part-65:2022). Segregated multi-train treatment performance was systematically evaluated to quantify removal effectiveness and elucidate mechanistic pathways for contaminant fate across thermal-oxidative and biological treatment processes. Wastewater characterization reveals unusual pharmaceutical manufacturing signatures: ammoniacal nitrogen of 12,272 mg/L constituting 79% of total nitrogen in high-COD stream (indicating ammonia-based process chemistry), stream-dependent heavy metal speciation (nickel concentration 31-fold higher in low-TDS versus high-COD stream), and extreme phosphorus concentrations (1,251 mg/L in high-TDS stream). Segregated treatment investigation demonstrates differential pathway effectiveness: 90% COD removal in high-TDS streams via thermal-oxidative pathways (35,358 to 3,536 mg/L) versus 85% COD removal in low-TDS streams via biological pathways (2,241 to 336 mg/L). All heavy metals remained within CPCB discharge limits with substantial safety margins. Treatment analysis enables pharmaceutical synthesis pathway attribution for observed heavy metal and nitrogen speciation patterns, providing mechanistic understanding of contaminant fate. This case study documents novel scientific contributions to pharmaceutical wastewater treatment science through systematic characterization of unusual high-strength effluent profiles and investigation of segregated treatment effectiveness for technology selection. Findings advance understanding of contaminant-specific treatment design principles and provide baseline data for segregated treatment optimization in pharmaceutical manufacturing under water scarcity constraints.

The use of biochar (BC) for remediating soils contaminated with metalloids like arsenic (As) and antimony (Sb) is promising, yet its efficacy and the underlying dose–response relationships remain poorly understood and often contradictory. This study specifically investigates the link between BC-induced changes in soil properties and the subsequent bioavailability and plant uptake of As and Sb. A pot experiment was conducted with Pennisetum purpureum grown in tailings-contaminated soil amended with BC at mass ratios of 0, 1.5%, 3%, 4.5%, 6%, and 7.5%. We found that BC amendment significantly elevated soil pH, organic matter, and phosphorus content. Crucially, these chemical shifts were directly linked to a marked increase in the water-soluble fraction of both As and Sb, which rose from 0.059 ± 0.011% and 8.89 ± 2.75% in the control to 0.216 ± 0.041% and 16.21 ± 2.41% in the 7.5% BC treatment, respectively. However, this elevated solubility did not translate directly into increased plant uptake. Instead, a more complex dynamic was uncovered: BC addition reduced root uptake and the overall bioconcentration factor (BCF) for As, particularly at higher doses, while simultaneously enhancing the translocation factor (TF) from roots to shoots. A similar, though less pronounced, trend was observed for Sb. This critical divergence between soil bioavailability and plant internal transport highlights that BC's impact extends beyond simple immobilization, influencing plant physiological pathways. Our findings therefore establish a dose-dependent framework for BC application and underscore the need to consider plant translocation mechanisms, not just soil solubility, when assessing the long-term efficacy and risks of BC-assisted phytoremediation for As- and Sb-contaminated soils.

To efficiently separate Co (II) from aqueous solutions and address the issues of difficult recycling and insufficient adsorption performance of traditional adsorbents, this study used polyacrylonitrile nanofibers (PAN/NFs) as the matrix and prepared an amino-functionalized adsorbent (PAN/NFs@NH₂) via graft modification with triethylenetetramine (TETA). The structural characteristics and Co (II) adsorption performance of PAN/NFs@NH₂ were investigated, and the material was characterized via SEM, EDS, FTIR, BET, XPS, and CA. PAN/NFs@NH₂ exhibits advantages of easy recyclability, excellent physicochemical stability, and good hydrophilicity. Static adsorption experiments showed that the optimal conditions for Co(II) adsorption by PAN/NFs@NH₂ are pH = 8 and a contact time of 12 h; under these circumstances, the equilibrium adsorption capacity reaches 48.30 mg/g, and the highest measured adsorption capacity is 158.29 mg/g (the Langmuir-fitted theoretical maximum capacity qm = 173.9 mg/g). The adsorption process follows the Langmuir monolayer adsorption model and is an endothermic and spontaneous process. PAN/NFs@NH₂ exhibits selective adsorption for Co(II), with selectivity coefficients of 1.73, 156.5, and 194.1 for Ni(II), Li(I), and Mn(II). Following 5 adsorption–desorption cycles, its adsorption capacity still retains around 70% of the initial value. XPS analysis confirmed that the adsorption mechanism involves the formation of coordination bonds between Co (II) and nitrogen atoms in amino groups (-NH₂, -NH-), where nitrogen atoms donate their lone pairs of electrons to Co (II). In conclusion, PAN/NFs@NH₂ provides an efficient, stable, and easily recyclable fiber-based adsorbent for the treatment of Co (II)-containing wastewater.

Water pollution incidents are often characterized by domain-specific knowledge that is inherently contradictory and uncertain, posing considerable challenges for informed decision-making. This paper presents a novel methodology to address these contradictions by leveraging Extenics-Conjugate Analysis, with a particular focus on its application to water pollution events. Initially, we construct Extenics sets and knowledge element models to systematically identify and reveal the contradictory elements within the domain of water pollution. The Extenics-Conjugate Analysis framework is then employed to systematically analyze and resolve these contradictions, thereby enabling the construction and evolution of more coherent, realistic, and scientifically robust scenarios. The ultimate goal is to improve the scientific rigor and operational efficiency in the management of water pollution incidents, contributing to more effective decision-making processes. The proposed framework was applied to a river segment in Region A. Results demonstrate that the Extenics-Conjugate Analysis effectively identifies and resolves domain-knowledge contradictions, thereby improving scenario robustness and decision quality in water contamination events.

Mn²⁺-doped Ni–Al layered double oxide (LDO) nanoplates were synthesized via co-precipitation and calcination, aiming to develop an efficient adsorbent for fluoride removal from aqueous solutions. Comprehensive characterization using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) confirmed the successful incorporation of Mn²⁺, formation of well-defined crystalline structures, plate-like morphology, and high surface area with mesoporosity. The adsorption performance of MNAOs was evaluated under varying conditions, including pH, initial fluoride concentration, adsorbent dose, contact time, temperature, and agitation speed. MNAO-20 exhibited the highest adsorption capacity, reaching a maximum modeled value of 411.97 mg/g, with rapid adsorption kinetics and equilibrium achieved within 30 min. The introduction of Mn²⁺ dopant represented the key innovation of this study, as it significantly enhanced the surface area, mesoporosity, and density of active sites, thereby improving fluoride adsorption efficiency compared with undoped Ni–Al LDO. Kinetic studies indicated that adsorption was governed by a combination of mass transfer and chemical reaction mechanisms, while isotherm analyses suggested heterogeneous, multi-layer adsorption. Thermodynamic parameters revealed spontaneous, exothermic adsorption accompanied by decreased system randomness, consistent with the formation of ordered fluoride–adsorbent complexes. Regeneration experiments showed that MNAO retained 73.82% of its capacity after five adsorption–desorption cycles, demonstrating structural stability and reusability. The presence of coexisting anions (Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻, NO₃⁻) moderately reduced fluoride removal efficiency. Although the removal efficiency at neutral pH limits direct applicability to drinking water, the study provided important insights into the role of Mn²⁺ doping in enhancing adsorption performance. These findings highlight MNAOs as a promising adsorbent for further surface modifications and development of scalable fluoride adsorbents for water treatment.

Highlights

Urban rivers are hotspots for atmospheric CH₄ and CO₂ emissions. Monitoring their fluxes is of great significance for understanding the carbon cycle process disrupted by human activities and assessing the carbon budget of river basins. The emissions of greenhouse gases from natural rivers have been widely studied, but the impact of urbanization and land use changes caused by human activities on the distribution pattern of carbon fluxes in rivers around cities is still not fully understood. To bridge this knowledge gap, this study set up 14 sampling points with a total of 28 samples. By using the static flux chamber method, the fluxes of CH₄ and CO₂ in the Fen River, a tributary of the Yellow River, were determined, and the relevant physical and chemical indicators of the water body were monitored simultaneously. The results showed that both gases were in a supersaturated state, and the average values of FCH₄ and FCO₂ reached 1005.53 ± 459.16 μmol·m⁻²·d⁻¹ and 289.75 ± 176.45 mmol·m⁻²·d⁻¹, respectively. The FCH₄ of Wet month was 1.4 times that of Dry month, and the FCO₂ of Wet month was 2.4 times that of Dry month. The ratio of built-up area respectively explained 54% and 31% of the spatial variations of FCH₄ and FCO₂. The structural equation model indicates that the standardized direct effects of urbanization on FCH₄ and FCO₂ were 0.21 and 0.23 respectively, while the standardized indirect effects through physical and chemical indicators of water bodies (TP, DOC, NH₄⁺ and EC) were 0.47 and 0.40 respectively. Thus, nutrient inputs became the primary drivers for the increase in FCH₄ and FCO₂. This study suggests that FCH₄ and FCO₂ in river sections near urban areas are more sensitive to land-use changes and water pollution. Land use and urbanization indirectly affect riverine FCH₄ and FCO₂ by altering nutrient inputs. These findings underscore that FCH₄ and FCO₂ in river segments near urban areas are more sensitive to changes in land use and water pollution. Land use and urbanization indirectly influence riverine FCH₄ and FCO₂ by altering nutrient inputs. Such understanding is critical for future coordinated efforts aimed at pollution reduction and carbon mitigation along urban–rural river gradients, as well as for addressing the pressures of climate change.

Graphical Abstract

Water pollution is a major global challenge, particularly in urban areas where inadequate management of municipal solid waste (MSW) poses substantial risks to the quality of both surface and groundwater resources. This study investigates the seasonal dynamics of groundwater and surface water contamination near the open dumpsite at Burma Camp in Dimapur, Nagaland. An integrated approach using the Entropy Weighted Water Quality Index (EWQI), Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and correlation analysis was employed to assess various physicochemical and heavy metal parameters, namely pH, electrical conductivity (EC), turbidity, hardness, total dissolved solids (TDS), biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), sodium (Na⁺), potassium (K⁺), calcium (Ca²⁺), iron (Fe), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and cobalt (Co), in pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon seasons. Multivariate statistical methods, like PCA and correlation techniques, were adopted to examine the correlations among water quality variables and determine possible causes of water contamination. In EWQI, parameter weights were objectively derived from information entropy, ensuring variables with greater variability exerted a stronger influence on final index values. The EWQI revealed that groundwater sites (G-1 to G-5) near the dumpsite consistently exhibited ‘extremely poor’ quality (EWQI > 200) across all seasons, with values ranging from 1314 to 2200. In contrast, river sites (R-2 and R-5) showed significant degradation, with values categorized as ‘poor’ (150–200) during the pre-monsoon (189 to 137) and post-monsoon (140 to 109) periods, while reaching ‘extremely poor’ levels (EWQI > 200) during the monsoon (208 to 122) due to increased leachate runoff. The PCA and the correlation matrix analysis revealed that leachate infiltration from the dumpsite is the primary source of contamination, with additional influences from both anthropogenic activities and geogenic sources. These findings will help in providing valuable insights and recommendations for improving MSW management and disposal in Dimapur, emphasizing the need for improved leachate management, water quality monitoring, and sustainable waste disposal strategies to mitigate long-term environmental and public health risks.

Invasive plant species are often regarded as ecological pioneers because of their ability to cause substantial economic and environmental impacts when colonizing new habitats. Consequently, predictive frameworks increasingly focus on identifying traits that confer invasiveness and facilitate adaptation to novel environments. The invasion success of many species has been attributed to pronounced phenotypic and anatomical plasticity. In this study, we investigated root structural modifications in Ipomoea carnea to elucidate anatomical mechanisms underlying its invasive success along a salinity gradient ranging from non-saline to hypersaline conditions. Root samples were collected from thirty ecophysiologically distinct sites representing saline and non-saline habitats across Punjab Province and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Pakistan. Based on soil salinity of the native habitats, populations were classified into non-saline (ECe < 4 dS m⁻¹), low-saline (ECe 4–8 dS m⁻¹), and highly saline (ECe > 8 dS m⁻¹) categories. Root anatomical analyses revealed pronounced, salinity-dependent structural adjustments. Sodium (Na⁺) accumulation in roots increased markedly under hypersaline conditions (155.49 mg g^–1 in plants from the highest saline site), accompanied by significant reductions in root radius (498.3 μm), cortical thickness (187.9 μm), stelar area (0.36 mm²), and the number of metaxylem vessels (15.5 per root). Among these traits, the thinning of the cortical region emerged as a prominent adaptive feature, potentially limiting ion influx and metabolic costs under saline stress. In contrast, increased thickness of sclerenchyma in plants from Namal (78.4 μm) under non-saline habitats and epidermal tissues in plants from Buchal (32.6 μm) under high salinity suggests enhanced mechanical support and barrier functions. Collectively, these coordinated microstructural modifications likely contribute to ion homeostasis and stress tolerance, thereby facilitating the persistence and invasive success of I. carnea in highly saline environments.