Environmental Technology & Innovation最新文献

Tire and road wear particles (TRWPs) have received much attention due to their substantial emission and potentially adverse environmental impacts. The specific contribution of observed contaminants, as critical additives of tires, from TRWPs has not yet been comprehensively studied in the environment. As one of TRWPs generated hotspots, driving school grounds in China were chosen to identify source contributions of heavy metals (HMs) and N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N′ -phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (6PPD) from TRWPs. Significant correlations (P < 0.05) were found between TRWPs and 6PPD and zinc (Zn). The average measured content of 6PPD in road dust was 0.47 ± 0.18 μg/g (n = 50). The estimated level of 6PPD in road dust (5.68 ± 3.36 μg/g, n = 50) was far higher than the measured level of 6PPD in road dust on driving school grounds, implying that TRWPs contributed to 6PPD in road dust from driving school grounds. Compared to the levels of 6PPD in other road dusts, 6PPD in road dust from driving school grounds was higher, exhibiting more significant exposure risks to children with the higher estimated daily intakes. Furthermore, source apportionment through the lead isotopic analysis and positive matrix factorization model revealed that TRWPs were confirmed to contribute more Zn, cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) on driving school grounds, notably accounting for 76 %, 31 % and 29 %, respectively. These three HMs presented relatively moderate to strong pollution and corresponding potential ecological risks. Our findings can help identify specific contributions of tire-related additives released from TRWPs in the environment and their potential risks.

Cadmium (Cd) toxicity is a serious environmental threat to living organisms. Nanoparticles (NPs) and plant growth regulators are able to mitigate Cd toxicity and restore crop growth in heavy metals-contaminated soils. However, the synergistic potential of combining 24-epibrassinosteroid (24-epiBRs) and titanium oxide nanoparticles (TiO₂-NPs) to alleviate Cd toxicity and restore soybean (Glycine max L.) production remains unexplored. Thus, a pot-based experimental trial was conducted to assess the effects of applying TiO₂-NPs (15 mg L⁻¹) and 24-epiBRs (10⁻⁷ M), individually and in combination, on soybean growth in soil cultivated with 30 ppm of Cd. The study revealed that Cd toxicity significantly inhibited soybean root length (11.0 %), root dry biomass (63.5 %), root fresh biomass (84.9 %), shoot length (11.7 %), shoot dry biomass (49.0 %), and shoot fresh biomass (27.3 %), compared to the control. Additionally, the toxicity of Cd enhanced the oxidative stress and lowered the photosynthetic efficiency, gas exchange characteristics, and antioxidant defense system of soybeans. Interestingly, the combined application of TiO₂-NPs and 24-epiBRs ameliorated the Cd toxic effects and improved the agronomic traits, photosynthesis efficiency, and antioxidant activity in soybeans by lowering oxidative stress. Specifically, the dual application of 24-epiBRs and TiO₂-NPs effectively lowered the Cd levels in roots, shoots, and leaves of soybean plants by 62.5, 162.7, and 87.1 %, respectively, relative to the control soybean plants grown under Cd stress. Overall, the combined treatment of TiO₂-NPs and 24-epiBRs synergistically reduced Cd uptake and restored soybean physiology in Cd-contaminated soils. Moving forward, further research should include field trials to assess the effectiveness and economic viability of this novel method.

Rice cultivation in saline-alkali land fully utilizes marginal land resources to increase yield, but it brings environmental problems like ammonia (NH₃) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, the correlation between soil nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) concentrations and gas emissions, along with the microbial mechanisms, remains unclear in actual saline-alkali rice fields. A 147-day saline-alkali rice field experiment was conducted with five different N-fertilizer applications: NF1 (urea), NF2 (C-based slow-release fertilizer), NF3 (organic-inorganic compound fertilizer), NF4 (microbial fertilizer), and NF5 (inorganic compound fertilizer). The NH₃ volatilization rate had significant positive correlations with carbon dioxide emission flux and soil ammonia-N (p < 0.05). Methane emission flux was significantly (p < 0.05) positively correlated with total organic-C in soil, but was negatively correlated with all N forms. The nirS gene abundance was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than nirK gene by more than 285.65 times, and nitrous oxide emission flux was increased with nirS gene abundance. Two-way analysis of variance indicates that N-fertilizer types can significantly (p < 0.01) affect gas emissions. Weighted average NH₃ volatilization rates were 14.46 % – 27.51 % lower in NF1 and NF3 treatments compared to the other N-fertilizer treatments. The global warming potentials were significantly (p < 0.05) lower in NF1 and NF2 treatments by 17.21 % – 35.93 % compared to CK and the other N-fertilizer treatments. Overall, NH₃ volatilization can be effectively reduced by the NF1 and NF3 applications in saline-alkali rice fields, and NF1 and NF2 are suitable fertilizers to apply for the control of GHG emissions.

A variety of technologies have been used to solve the problems of deep chromaticity, high concentration of organic matter and complex composition of printing and dyeing wastewater, but no major breakthrough has been made in general. Photocatalytic technology shows great advantages in wastewater treatment, and the development of strong oxidizing photocatalytic materials has potential application value. In this study, BiOCl/SrFe₁₂O₁₉ magnetic composite photocatalysts with various ratios of components were prepared using a hydrothermal method. The structure of the photocatalyst was characterized by XRD, PL, EIS and XPS. The photocatalytic performance of the composite sample was evaluated by RhB degradation experiment. The results showed that the optimum sample BiSr-10 had a degradation rate of 99.24 % for RhB, indicating excellent photocatalytic performance. The successful combination of SrFe₁₂O₁₉ and BiOCl facilitated to improve the photodegradation efficiency of RhB by composite photocatalytic materials. And the photocatalytic efficiency for RhB remained close to 82.8 % after five cycles of stability experiments. Analysis of the possible photocatalytic mechanism was based on the aforementioned results. In summary, the prepared BiOCl/SrFe₁₂O₁₉ composite photocatalytic material will bring a new breakthrough for wastewater treatment.

In this study, a hollow micron zero-valent iron (H-mZVI) was synthesized, and its transport and retention property in saturated porous media was determined via a series of column experiments. Furthermore, the maximum migration distance (L_max) and sedimentation rate coefficient (K_dep) models of H-mZVI in saturated porous media were established using statistical methods. The results revealed a distinct hollow structure in H-mZVI, with a density of 1.03±0.03 g/cm³, significantly lower than solid micron zero-valent iron (4.57±0.15 g/cm³). FTIR and XRD analyses indicated no formation of new functional groups on H-mZVI's surface, with iron being the main component. The column experiment demonstrated that the L_max of H-mZVI in saturated porous media was 4.15 times that of solid micron zero-valent iron (mZVI) under the same conditions. The prediction model of L_max aligned with the linear model, where L_max correlated positively with particle size, injection velocity, and H-mZVI concentration, but inversely with ionic strength. Medium particle size and injection velocity were the main engineering parameters to control H-mZVI. The prediction model of K_dep accorded with the quadratic model, and an interaction was observed between medium particle size and injection velocity, which jointly affected the deposition rate of H-mZVI. Moreover, the single particle capture coefficient (η₀) was hereby calculated and analyzed using the T-E theory. Interception primarily governed the precipitation of H-mZVI in saturated porous media, with gravity sedimentation contributing minimally to η₀.

As agricultural technology advances, microplastics (MP), which result from the degradation of widely used plastic products, have gradually accumulated in the soil, raising serious environmental concerns. This study explores the toxic effects of di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) on spinach, focusing on various particle sizes and MP concentrations through hydroponic experiments. Experimental results demonstrated that MP/DnBP combined pollution significantly reduced key photosynthetic parameters, including net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate, compared to treatments with DnBP or MP alone. Additionally, there was an increase in intercellular carbon dioxide concentration, suggesting that the inhibition of photosynthesis was due to non-stomatal factors. Moreover, spinach exposed to combined pollution conditions exhibited a notable decrease in maximum light energy conversion efficiency, electron transfer efficiency, and chlorophyll content. This disruption affected the synthesis of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase. On the other hand, the contents of ascorbic acid and glutathione in spinach roots and leaves increased, indicating the plant’s defense mechanisms were activated in response the toxic effects of MP and DnBP. Despite this, there was a significant reduction in soluble protein and soluble sugar content and a marked increase in nitrite content, reflecting a decline in spinach quality. This decline was attributed to the exacerbation of DnBP’s toxic effects by MP. Overall, MP/DnBP combined pollution reduced the quality of spinach by impairing photosynthesis and sugar metabolism, potentially amplifying ecological risks to crop plants. This study provides insight into the synergistic effects of MP and DnBP on plant health.

Cadmium (Cd), a prevalent pollutant in near-shore seawater ecosystems, poses a significant threat to marine biota. Zinc (Zn) and Cd can have interchangeable physiological effects in marine plankton, and both can influence the synthesis of siliceous walls. Consequently, the concentrations of zinc and silicon may jointly impact the toxicity of Cd. This study endeavors to elucidate the combined effect of silicon (Si) and zinc (Zn) on the growth and physiological responses of the marine diatom species Thalassiosira weissflogii when subjected to Cd-induced stress conditions (190.7 μg L⁻¹). Our results reveal statistically improvements (p<0.05) in biomass production, reductions (p<0.05) in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and extracellular secretion in T. weissflogii when high concentrations of Si (172 µmol L⁻¹) and Zn (18.3 nmol L⁻¹) were applied simultaneously. Additionally, examination of Cd bioconcentration factors (BCF) derived from Cd uptake kinetics and intracellular Cd content measurements underscores the ability of elevated Si and Zn concentrations to reduce intracellular Cd accumulation (p<0.05). The ability of Si and Zn to mitigate Cd toxicity was further evidenced by increased cellular biosilica content and maintenance of cell morphology, suggesting a protective role in preserving structural integrity and growth. Our findings underscore the synergistic benefits of Si and Zn in enhancing the resilience of T. weissflogii to Cd stress, providing valuable insights into the potential use of nutrient amendments as a strategy for mitigating heavy metal contamination in marine environments.

Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) has gained significant attention for its exceptional processing properties and biodegradability. However, PBAT displays low biodegradability in natural environment. Many studies found degradable microorganisms in wastewater sludge, soil, compost, etc., but most are harmful to humans. This work aimed to explore the potential degradation of PBAT by probiotics. We screened 47 kinds of safety microbes for PBAT degradation, five probiotics showed positive degradation effects on PBAT. Among these, Lactobacillus paracasei T1–9 exhibited superior ability to degrade PBAT, achieving the highest percentage of weight loss at 1.77 ± 0.08 %, along with highly efficient growth in liquid culture. The biodegradability of PBAT was evaluated by using a multifaceted approach encompassing techniques including SEM, FTIR, XPS, and LC-MS. To improve the degradation efficiency, various factors (pH, the addition of gelatin and carbon source) were investigated. The additional gelatin improved the degradation of PBAT at a 3.43 ± 0.1 % weight loss. As the carbon source in medium, 1, 4-butanediol contributed the highest biodegradation effect compared to the other two monomers of PBAT. Interestingly, the supernatants of T1–9 incubated with PBAT displayed the highest lipase activity with 3.99 ± 0.03 U/mL. In conclusion, the probiotic T1–9 processed excellent capabilities in degrading PBAT, with the primary enzyme hypothesized to belong to the lipase group.

Synthetic pesticides are discouraged for their environmental and health impacts, making research into alternatives essential. Several solutions of vegetal origin are being evaluated. The use of residual biomass from the agri-food system is particularly suitable due to its abundance and often unexplored potential. This study focuses on characterizing and assessing the activity of extracts obtained from wastes of the tomato cannery industry (including green fruit, stems, and leaves), which are rich in steroidal glycoalkaloids such as α-tomatine and tomatidine in different proportion. The antimicrobial activity of these extracts was tested on three bacterial strains belonging to the Escherichia coli (EC), Xanthomonas campestris (XC), and Bacillus pumilus (BP) species, as well as the phytopathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea (BC). In particular, the mechanism of action of the extracts in relation to their surfactant properties was investigated, with the effect of the analytical standard serving as a reference. Both extracts showed strong inhibition of bacterial and fungal growth in vitro, with values reaching 100 %.

The inhibitory effect was mainly due to the presence of α-tomatine in the extracts, which reached its aggregated state of micelle at the critical micelle concentration (CMC). Tomatidine, although known for its biocidal properties, did not contribute significantly due to its limited solubility. However, exceptions to this pattern were observed for extract rich in tomatidine, which exhibited efficacy at doses below the CMC. A possible explanation could be the enhanced solubility of tomatidine (which corresponds to enhanced bioactivity) in the presence of surfactant secreted by BP or as a consequence of the interaction between tomatidine and α-tomatine at the pre-micellar state for BC. In vivo assays with BC showed a reduction in symptoms comparable to that of a commercial fungicide available for organic agriculture, particularly at low concentrations. The relative content of α-tomatidine and tomatidine in the extracts modulated their bioactivity. An excess of tomatidine relative to α-tomatine led to a decrease in biocidal effect due to the chemical interactions among these species.

Efficient enzyme immobilization is crucial for addressing the resource utilization challenges associated with lignocellulose. However, the widespread application of immobilized enzyme systems faces significant obstacles, including low enzyme activity and the limited pore structure of existing carriers. To overcome these challenges, a novel multi-enzyme biocatalytic system (multi-enzymes@COF) was developed for the in situ immobilization of cellulose and β-glucosidase on covalent organic frameworks (COFs). Results showed that multi-enzyme@COF exhibits good crystallinity and a mesoporous structure, leading to an increased enzyme loading rate of 0.6 g/g and enhanced cellulose conversion efficiency of up to 78.7 %. Additionally, multi-enzymes@COF demonstrated remarkable stability a broader pH range (4−7) and temperature range (50–70 ℃), with the actively above 70 %. Moreover, the enzymes maintained approximately 74.7 % of their activity even after seven cycles. This research presents an innovative strategy for the effective utilization of lignocellulose through enzymatic processes, promoting sustainable and efficient resource utilization.