Mitigating the release of extracellular antimicrobial resistance genes (exARGs) from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is crucial for preventing the spread of antimicrobial resistance from human domains into the environment. This study aimed to evaluate the applicability of intI1 as a performance indicator for securing the removal of exARGs at WWTPs. We investigated the reduction of exARGs and intI1 in a full-scale WWTP, where identical wastewater was treated using conventional activated sludge (CAS) and membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems. The log reduction values (LRVs) for exARGs were lower than those for intracellular ARGs (iARGs) across all ARG species and treatment systems. LRVs for exARGs were consistently higher in the MBR than in the CAS. The intI1 exhibited lower LRVs compared to most exARGs, ensuring a minimum LRV of exARG in both CAS and MBR systems. Consequently, intI1 is an effective indicator gene for securing the removal of exARGs.
Recent advancements in activated carbon production involve molten salt activation using a eutectic mixture of ZnCl2-NaCl-KCl. This study explores the production of activated carbon from fruit waste, specifically walnut shells, using a 60:20:20 mol % eutectic mixture. Optimal conditions were identified through response surface methodology, with 400 °C and a salt-to-biomass ratio of 10 g/g, yielding a surface area of 276 m2/g. These conditions were applied to cherry, olive, and plum stones, with plum stones achieving the highest surface area of 351 m2/g. Characterization was performed through elemental and proximate analysis, gas adsorption (N2, CO2), and chemical adsorption of iodine and dyes. Despite some substandard qualities, the study highlights a unique mesoporous pore size distribution, with all samples exhibiting a distinct peak around 22 nm, a characteristic feature of the eutectic salt mixture used.
The aviation industry plays a crucial role in global trade and cultural exchange, but it faces significant challenges due to high production cost and environmental impacts. To achieve carbon neutrality, promoting the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is essential, with projections indicating that 65% of emissions reductions in the aviation industry by 2050 will come from the use of SAF. Lignin, as an abundant renewable resource, has great potential for conversion into aviation fuel components. It can be depolymerized and/or hydrodeoxygenated (HDO) to produce C6-C9 alkanes. However, to produce high-density SAF, lignin monomers need to undergo coupling, alkylation, and transalkylation reactions to extend the carbon chain to C8-C16 precursors, which can then be converted into long-chain alkanes suitable for SAF through HDO reactions. This paper reviews the research progress on synthesis of lignin-based SAF, highlights key synthetic methods, and analyzes how catalyst and reaction conditions affect the synthesis pathways, efficiency, and properties of SAF. Additionally, the obstacles and challenges hindering the development of biomass-based SAFs are discussed to provide theoretical support for future research in this field.