Environmental Technology & Innovation最新文献

Excessive use of chemical fertilizers negatively impacts crop productivity and farmland ecosystem, impeding sustainable agricultural progress. Consequently, there is an immediate need for a chemical fertilizer reduction strategy that ensures crop productivity and improves soil quality and the ecological environment of farmland. This study implemented a three-year (2018–2020) field experiment with two chemical fertilizer reduction methods (direct fertilizer reduction and organic substitution) to investigate their effects on wheat productivity, soil quality, heavy metal pollution risk and microbial characteristics. The results showed that organic substitution treatments (OF1, OF2 and OF3) improved most wheat plant (nutrient uptake and yield and its components) and soil properties (soil nutrients and carbon and nitrogen fractions), leading to increased crop productivity index (CPI, by 9.18 %-16.39 % and 14.14 %-23.36 %) and soil quality index (SQI, by 84.67 %-138.86 % and 104.11 %-175.91 %) compared to conventional fertilization (CF) and direct fertilizer reduction treatments (RF1, RF2 and RF3) in 2019 and 2020. Additionally, organic substitution enhanced the diversity and network complexity of bacterial community, while raising the soil pollution index (SPI, by 9.30 %-12.84 % and 12.20 %-18.49 %) without causing soil heavy metal pollution. Thus, it is recommended to adopt organic fertilizer substitution as the primary chemical fertilizer reduction strategy for wheat production. This approach will ensure crop yield, and improve soil quality and microbial characteristics, but its long-term application requires monitoring changes in soil heavy metals. Overall, this study provides guidelines for implementing scientific fertilization in agricultural practices, thus contributing to the health and sustainability of farmland ecosystems.

Dietary strategies have proven to be effective in preventing cadmium (Cd) poisoning, but the regulation of the bioavailability (BAV) and transport of Cd in the body, as well as their molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, the Caco-2 cell models were applied to investigate the effects of 15 dietary supplements on Cd bioavailability (Cd-BAV) in Cd-contaminated water through a transmembrane transport assay and the mechanisms of three selected supplements in inhibiting Cd toxicity and uptake. The results demonstrated that the Cd-BAV in water varied from 7.89 % to 18.4 % using simulated gastrointestinal digestion and cell model. The addition of MT, Zn, and OPCs significantly reduced Cd-BAV by 82.5 %, 73 % and 60.5 % and also strengthened transmembrane electrical resistance (TEER), indicating the protective effects of these compounds against Cd-induced barrier dysfunction. Moreover, the results of transcriptomics revealed that these components can modulate the expression of specific pathway genes associated with the toxicity and absorption of dietary Cd, such as the apoptosis pathway (Jun, Ddit3), antioxidant-related pathways (Cat, Hmox1), and mineral absorption pathway (Mt, Slc39a4). This study highlights the importance of potential dietary interventions in public health and suggests that developing more effective measures to promote safer food consumption would be beneficial.

Indoor poultry facilities often experience poor air quality due to intensive farming and restricted ventilation. Monitoring the air quality in these barns is crucial considering the health of both the birds and producers. Advancements in sensor technologies have led to the development of low-cost sensors (LCS) that can continuously monitor air pollutants. Even though most poultry facilities in Canada are indoors due to harsh winter weather conditions, there is a lack of indoor air quality (IAQ) studies. This study aimed to evaluate the field performance of the LCS network in a table egg farm in Canada, where the sensors were designed specifically for operating in dusty poultry facilities continuously. The LCS monitored IQA parameters such as particulate matter (PM), carbon dioxide (CO₂), relative humidity, and temperature in real-time. By implementing a correction factor, the sensor data resulted in an agreement range of 80 ± 20% with a reference instrument. The study observed that PM concentration exceeded several thousand $\mu$g/m³, with PM₁₀ at 5.5 × 10⁴ ± 2.2 × 10⁴ and PM_2.5 at 6.3 × 10³ ± 2.3 × 10³, which was found to be most affected by the chicken activity and light regime. The IAQ parameters also exhibited a complex intercorrelation with each other, as well as the outdoor temperature and the building ventilation rate. Sensors were able to make observations that were found only with research-grade instruments in previous studies. Overall, the study showcases the potential of the LCS network as an affordable solution for environmental monitoring in poultry facilities.

Coal gangue, a by-product of coal mining, deteriorates and oxidizes, causing environmental pollution. Despite extensive research on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) pollution in soil, aerosols, and water, studies on PAHs in coal gangue remain limited. This study aimed to fill this research gap by analyzing gangue samples from three areas in Huaibei. Sixteen priority parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (16PAHs) and alkyl polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (aPAHs) in the samples were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively via gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. The results showed that PAHs existed naturally in coal gangue. The aPAHs concentration of multiple samples from the same area (587.88 ng/g, 2972.73 ng/g, and 13528.29 ng/g from Liuqiao, Suntan, and Tongting, respectively) was higher than the 16PAHs concentration (528.79 ng/g, 570.16 ng/g, and 2818.79 ng/g from Liuqiao, Suntan, and Tongting, respectively). Among the 39 samples, the aPAHs concentration after weathering was 7732.78 ng/g, which was higher than the value in the fresh state of 4765.43 ng/g. 16PAHs with low ring number were dominant in the fresh state, but aPAHs with high ring number were dominant after weathering. The diagnostic ratios revealed that traditional diagnostic ratios may confuse sources of PAHs and that gangue should be considered as a single class of source materials. Additionally, there was no significant difference in the ratio between the weathered and fresh state. TEQ_BaP analysis showed that there was a certain environmental risk in the area and that TEQ_BaP(weathered) > TEQ_BaP(fresh). Therefore, the pollution attributable to PAHs in coal gangue, especially weathered gangue, warrants attention.

Unconventional protein sources are necessary to tackle the increasing demand for food. Microbial proteins (MP) are an alternative source of proteins for feed or food, suitable as feed for aquaculture. Substituting fishmeal with MP obtained from agricultural wastes could reduce the environmental burden of aquaculture and help with waste management. In this study, pure culture MP from the PHA-producer Thauera sp. Sel9 were obtained from agricultural residues (agro-zootechnical digestate and pasta industry leftovers). The produced MP was used in feeding tests with the model fish zebrafish (Danio rerio) to assess potential toxic effects and evaluate overall fish health. The obtained MP was rich in protein (59.5 % w/w over TS) and PHAs (15.0 %) and comprised all fish essential amino acids. The chemical scores and essential amino acid index confirmed the excellent quality of the MP. The feeding tests with 50 % feed substitution with MP resulted in survival rates (80–88 %) comparable to the control group (78 %), with only 100 % MP showing increased mortality. Thauera MP obtained from agricultural residues has the potential to become a partial fishmeal substitute in fish-farming.

It is argument on whether straw removal present a safer alternative compared to straw return or not where in paddy fields contaminated with cadmium (Cd). The objective of this study was to evaluate the impacts of varying levels of straw and roots removal on Cd uptake and accumulation, as well as on the growth of rice, Cd availability of soil at different growth stages, and the safety and nutritional value of brown rice were subject to assessment as well. A field experiment was conducted wherein rice straw and roots were returned into the paddy field, serving as the control group (CK). The findings revealed that the removal of straw and roots resulted in a decline in the availability of Cd in soil and the accumulation and uptake of Cd by rice plant. At the maturation stage of rice, the soil available Cd content and brown rice Cd content was significantly reduced by 40.39% and24.79 % under the treatment where 100 % of rice straw and roots were removed. Moreover, there was a significant decline of 66.54 % and 76.35 % in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and Cd concentrations respectively within soil pore water. This suggests that one crucial factor contributing to decreased Cd accumulation is the diminished complexation between DOC and Cd resulting from straw removal treatments. The removal of straw and roots had minimal impact on the nutritional components of brown rice, including essential amino acids. After the removal of straw and roots from the field, there was a reduction in hazard quotient (HQ) for rice consumers of varying genders and ages in the region by 17.71–24.95 %, leading to a decrease in local ecological risk level from medium to slight. Therefore, the implementation of strategies such as removing straw and roots could potentially lead to successful outcomes in reducing rice Cd uptake in paddy fields contaminated with this metallic element.

Some oleaginous yeasts have the ability to produce microbial oils from alternative carbon sources, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Nevertheless, there is still a lack of information about the possible effects that media nutrients have on yeast metabolisms when using SCFAs. For instance, inorganic phosphate (PO₄^3-) has been reported to promote yeast growth in literature but its chelating effect over other elements such as calcium (Ca²⁺) is often not considered in fermentation processes while limitation of nitrogen is probably the most studied. Attending at the need to better understand the role of PO₄^3-, this work assessed the lipid production capacity of Yarrowia lipolytica ACA DC 50109, both in synthetic and real SCFAs-rich media, at different SCFAs concentrations and PO₄^3-:Ca²⁺ ratios. Reducing PO₄^3-:Ca²⁺ ratio was identified to be an important factor to improve yeast growth, reaching the highest lipid content (52.7 ± 0.9 % w/w) and lipid yield (0.31 ± 0.01 w/w) in media without PO₄^3-. These results demonstrated the importance of Ca²⁺ availability in the medium and nutrients interactions in yeast growth that are often underestimated.

The present study reports the development of a biodegradable mask by combined usage of Lessonia nigrescens(a species of brown algae), Rhizoclonium riparium (a cryptogenic macroalga), and Aloe vera (a succulent plant). The proposed face mask is comprised of three stacked layers: an inner hydrophilic layer containing macroalgae, an intermediate layer coated with microalgae extracts, and an outer hydrophobic layer reinforced with Aloe vera and hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMS). Experimental investigations confirmed that using seaweed derivatives and Aloe vera plant-based bioactive compounds as coating agents ensures chemical and thermal resilience and can be reused after washing. The ensuring topographic and chemical configurations were characterized through scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The surface wettability of the material was tested by the water contact angle. The resultant facemask products exhibit remarkable water repellency, stain resistance, antimicrobial and antifungal performance against pathogens. Our results suggest that the proposed eco-friendly technique for developing facemask surfaces with inherent antimicrobial and antifungal features might be attractive to personal protective equipment manufacturers and environmental material engineering investigators. The proposed mask offers improved water and aerosol repellency, increased air permeability, and enhanced skin-friendliness compared to masks currently available in the market. Additionally, this innovative mask is suitable for use during mass infections and is designed to be worn for extended periods without causing skin irritation or breathing problems. However, if these features are indeed present in the newly manufactured masks, they could offer significant advantages in terms of protection and comfort in a variety of situations, including outbreaks.

Composting is a major method to produce organic fertilizers, and the variation in antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) during composting is crucial for the safe utilization of mature compost. The effects of different bulking agents (cellulose-rich cornstalk and lignin-rich garden waste) on ARGs variations during swine manure composting were investigated. The results showed that composting thermophilic could effectively reduce ARGs (58–61 %), whereas ARGs rebounded and were enriched with decreasing temperature during the maturation stage. Compared to their initial abundance, ARGs were enriched 6.97 times (cornstalk) and 22.27 times (garden waste) during the maturation period. The ARGs enrichment mechanism in swine manure composting differed for cornstalk and garden waste amendments. The cornstalk was used as the bulking agent, the selective pressure of continuous high temperature resulted in the proliferation of spore-forming bacteria (Bacillus, Sporosarcina and Psychrobacillus), which are potential host bacteria of ARGs and cause ARGs enrichment through vertical gene proliferation. In the garden waste treatment, the enriched ARGs in the final compost were related to horizontal gene transfer mediated by mobile genetic elements (intl1), with the primary potential host bacteria being Bacillus, Saccharomonospora, and Caldicoprobacter. The types of enriched ARGs were consistent across different bulking agents composting process, and the risk genes enriched in the final mature compost included ermB, ermF, sul1, sul2, tetO, and tetX.

This study developed a novel TiO₂-biochar composite as a modifier for functional asphalt coatings, achieving dual objectives of reducing VOCs emissions and mitigating cytotoxicity. The composite enhanced the softening point of the asphalt by approximately 6℃, reduced penetration and increased viscosity, thereby improving thermal stability and deformation resistance. Headspace-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis confirmed an over 80 % reduction in VOC emissions, significantly reducing the release of harmful compounds like alkanes, cycloalkanes, and aromatic hydrocarbons, with the TiO₂-biochar modified and UV-exposed (TUBC) demonstrating the most pronounced effect. In vitro assays with human bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells showed the composite's cytotoxicity mitigation, with TUBC maintaining higher cell viability. The composite reduced ROS levels and the expression of cytotoxicity-associated biomarkers, suggesting a decrease in oxidative stress and inflammation. The high adsorption capacity of the composite and its photocatalytic degradation under UV light were identified as the key mechanisms for VOCs reduction. These findings collectively establish the TiO₂-biochar composite as a promising solution for asphalt for greener and safer asphalt applications, with potential for global environmental and health benefits. Future work will focus on further optimization and field validation to facilitate the adoption of this technology in infrastructure development worldwide.