Environmental Science and Pollution Research最新文献

In this study, a sustainable activated carbon (AC-CH) was synthesised from Chamaerops humilis biomass by chemical activation with phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) with the aim of efficient carbon dioxide (CO₂) capture. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimise the preparation parameters, namely impregnation time (8-24 h), activation temperature (550-750 °C) and impregnation ratio (1:1 to 3:1). The optimal material exhibited a high specific surface area (600 m²/g) and a maximum adsorption capacity of CO₂ reaching 115 mg/g. The study of isotherms showed that Toth's model best fits the experimental data, indicating a monomolecular-type adsorption on heterogeneous surface. In addition, DFT analyses highlighted the interaction mechanisms between CO₂ molecules and activated carbon functional groups, identifying active sites favourable to adsorption. The combination of experimental and theoretical approaches confirms the potential of AC-CH carbon as a low-cost, high-performance biosourced adsorbent for industrial CO₂ capture applications.

The larvicidal efficacy of methanol, petroleum ether, and chloroform extracts derived from P. rubra and T. erecta flowers and T. peruviana leaves was evaluated against larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus and Ae. aegypti following WHO guidelines. Soxhlet extraction was used to prepare the plant extracts, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was performed on the most active petroleum ether fractions. The major constituents were further assessed using Molinspiration Cheminformatics software to predict physicochemical properties and bioactivity scores. For T. peruviana, petroleum ether and chloroform extracts showed strong larvicidal activity, with LC₅₀ values of 43.87 and 54.76 mg/L and LC₉₀ values of 96.06 and 132.20 mg/L, respectively, against Cx. quinquefasciatus, and LC₅₀ values of 70.30 and 87.30 mg/L and LC₉₀ values of 156.78 and 186.84 mg/L, respectively, against Ae. aegypti. Petroleum ether extracts of P. rubra and T. erecta showed LC₅₀ values of 39.61 and 49.31 mg/L, respectively, against Cx. quinquefasciatus, and 158.71 and 166.59 mg/L against Ae. aegypti. Molinspiration analysis indicated moderate to high predicted biological activity for several triterpenoids and phytosterols, consistent with the observed larvicidal effects. Overall, the results indicate that extracts from P. rubra, T. peruviana, and T. erecta are promising sources of mosquitocidal compounds that could be further explored for the development of environmentally compatible larvicidal products.

Trematodes of the genus Mesostephanus infect domestic dogs and may pose a zoonotic risk to humans, with control still relying primarily on synthetic anthelmintic. This study aimed to assess the safety of Citrus aurantium peel extract in parasitized dogs by evaluating intestinal integrity and hematological parameters. Thirty dogs were assigned to six groups (n = 5): G1, healthy untreated; G2, healthy treated with 300 mg/kg of the extract; G3 and G4, infected treated with 150 and 300 mg/kg of the extract, respectively; G5, infected treated with praziquantel (5 mg/kg); and G6, infected untreated. Fecal egg count reduction, hematological analysis, and small-intestine histopathology were assessed up to day 28. In total, 300 mg/kg of C. aurantium extract (G4) achieved 98.73% efficacy by day 28 with hematological improvement comparable to praziquantel. The infected untreated group (G6) maintained high worm burdens and exhibited severe villous atrophy and epithelial loss, whereas the administration of C. aurantium peel extract preserved intestinal morphology and improved its appearance. Citrus aurantium peel extract represents a highly effective, dose-dependent natural antitrematodal option against Mesostephanus spp. in dogs, offering a safe alternative or complementary strategy to synthetic trematocides while valorizing citrus by-products.

This study presents a new index, namely the hesitant fuzzy water quality index (Ή𝔉𝒲𝒬Ι), to assess water quality (𝒲𝒬A) in the Gomati River, Tripura (North East India), and its impacts on aquatic ecosystems. River water quality evaluation is considered in terms of diverse parameters and the inherent uncertainty introduced in the multi-criteria decision-making (ϺϹDϺ) process. A robust metric, the Ή𝔉𝒲𝒬Ι score, is proposed that may reliably rate pollution in the river. The Gomati River, the largest river in Tripura, which is used for drinking water, agriculture, and fisheries, is contaminated by a variety of sources, including household wastewater and agricultural runoff. Ten key water quality parameters (𝒲𝒬𝒫𝓈) such as pH, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, total hardness, chlorides, total alkalinity, total coliform, biochemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, and total suspended solids were assessed across six strategically selected sites. River water samples were collected from March to December 2024 across multiple seasons. The Ή𝔉𝒲𝒬Ι-scores revealed consistently "poor" water quality (ranging from 0.734 to 0.866), degrading downstream due to untreated wastewater and agricultural runoff. To contextualize the scientific findings, traditional ecological knowledge (𝚃𝙴𝙺) was collected from four dependent tribal communities in 2025. The documentation covered local water sources, community perceptions of long-term water degradation, and their traditional conservation practices. Critically, community observations of contaminated water and health issues strongly aligned with the model's identification of severe organic and bacterial pollution. Comparative analysis demonstrated that the Ή𝔉𝒲𝒬Ι outperformed conventional models in precision and reliability. This study demonstrates the severe impact of water pollution on both aquatic ecosystems and human health. This study bridges the gap between modern fuzzy tools and 𝚃𝙴𝙺. Its findings call for urgent action, improved sanitation, sustainable farming practices, and local conservation efforts informed by both science and culture.

Fungicides applied to grapevines can increase the levels of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn) in soils and cause phytotoxicity to plants. However, plants native to the Pampa biome might have the potential to phytostabilize these metals. The study aimed to (a) verify whether higher levels of Cu, Zn, and Mn in the soil increase the concentrations of these elements in different organs of the native species; (b) determine which variable is most directly associated with biomass variation in the evaluated species; and (c) identify the tolerance mechanisms used by these species to tolerate high levels of Cu, Zn, and Mn in the soil, as well as their phytostabilization potential. To this end, three native species, Axonopus compressus, Paspalum notatum, and Paspalum plicatulum, were grown in vineyard soil and native field soil. The cell wall and vacuole played an important role in detoxifying the metals. The concentrations of photosynthetic pigments were lower in the A. compressus and P. notatum species grown in the vineyard soil. Metals caused oxidative stress in roots, and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes SOD and POD increased in leaves and roots. The three species showed the lowest dry mass yields in the aerial part. The species P. notatum and P. plicatulum are the most suitable to be used for the phytostabilization of Cu, Zn, and Mn in vineyards in the Pampa biome.

Fipronil is a widely used agricultural insecticide associated with the contamination of apiculture products and honeybee mortality. This study evaluated the presence of fipronil in honey samples from conventional and agroecological apiaries in Paraná, Brazil, and its toxic effects on Africanized Apis mellifera bees. Honey from four conventional apiaries showed fipronil levels above the maximum residue limit (0.05 µg mL^-1), while agroecological samples showed no detectable contamination. Toxicological tests revealed that ingestion was the most toxic exposure route (LC₅₀ = 0.74 µg mL^-1), followed by topical (LC₅₀ = 3.07 µg mL^-1) and indirect contact (LC₅₀ = 7.34 µg mL^-1). Fipronil exposure significantly reduced bee survival, with nearly 100% mortality after 120 h. However, no significant effects were observed on locomotion, flight, or acetylcholinesterase activity. The findings highlight the risks of fipronil to bee health and the quality of honey. The contamination of honey samples by the insecticide fipronil highlights the need for stricter regulations and sustainable agricultural practices. Agroecology emerges as a viable alternative to protect pollinators and ensure the sustainability of beekeeping.

This review provides a comprehensive summary of recent advancements in biodiesel development, integrating bibliometric, techno-economic, and environmental perspectives. Biodiesel has emerged as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, and the growing international energy demand has made its production increasingly attractive. Feedstock selection remains a critical factor, encompassing first-generation edible oils, second-generation non-edible oils, third-generation algal biomass, and waste-derived sources. The analysis highlights issues related to land-use change, food-versus-fuel competition, and carbon debt. Technological progress has been achieved through transesterification, supercritical methods, and ultrasound- and microwave-assisted processes, all of which have improved conversion efficiency. Innovations have also introduced furnace-type, homogeneous, heterogeneous, and enzyme-based catalysts. However, these systems present challenges concerning catalyst reusability, soap formation, glycerol recovery, and NOx emissions. Life cycle assessments and greenhouse gas (GHG) modeling reveal key ecological trade-offs, while economic evaluations emphasize the need for more realistic estimates of commercial scalability. Operational limitations such as oxidative instability, low-temperature performance, and reduced flow yields continue to hinder standardization and large-scale deployment. Future directions focus on hybrid catalysts, integrated biorefineries, microalgae-based closed-loop systems, and decentralized processing. As supported by recent studies, implementing carbon-neutral cultivation and circular bioeconomy principles offers the most promising pathway toward sustainable biodiesel production.

The Nigerian leather industry, despite its vast resource base and economic potential, continues to rely heavily on traditional processing methods that pose significant environmental and health risks. This review paper provides an interdisciplinary examination of the biophysical and biochemical innovations as transformative tools for improving leather processing, with a focus on strategies for achieving sustainable industrial practices in Nigeria. From a biophysical perspective, the paper explores thermal and mechanical operations, spectroscopic monitoring techniques, and the role of nanotechnology in improving leather quality and processing efficiency. Biochemical and toxicological considerations are also addressed, particularly the health and ecological risks associated with chromium salts, aldehydes, and synthetic dyes. Natural and enzymatic alternatives are evaluated for their efficacy and environmental performance. Drawing on case studies from recent innovations in green chemistry, enzymatic tanning, and plant-based materials, this review synthesizes practical pathways for cleaner production. The review concludes by offering an integrated roadmap encompassing technological modernisation, policy reform, and institutional leadership-particularly the role of the Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST)-to support a science-led transition to sustainable leather manufacturing. Overall, this paper aims to guide stakeholders in academia, industry, and government in reforming Nigeria's leather value chain for economic resilience and ecological stewardship toward a more sustainable and innovation-driven future.

This study reports the methylene blue (MB) uptake capacity and absorption kinetics of adsorbents obtained by the hybridisation of natural diatomaceous earth with hydrophilic carbon nanoparticles at two different loadings (2 and 5 wt.%). The materials were characterized and tested as adsorbents of MB in acidic and basic pH. The effects of MB concentration (25-400 mg‧L^-1), contact time (1-120 min), and adsorbent mass (10-50 mg) on the adsorption process were investigated. The diatomite and diatomite-based adsorbents showed high uptake capacities (highest experimental adsorption capacity q_exp 464.87 mg·g⁻¹) and favorable kinetics, well described by the Elovich model, suggesting a chemisorption-driven mechanisms. The Freundlich model provides a superior fit compared to the Langmuir model, particularly for the hybrid samples, indicating a favorable and heterogeneous adsorption mechanism consistent with multilayer adsorption on non-uniform surfaces. Regenerability and reusability of the adsorbents was demonstrated over three MB adsorption-desorption cycles. Effective performance across pH 3-8 highlights their versatility for real-world water treatment applications. The hybridisation also improves the cyclability and the uptake capacities in an acid environment (pH = 3). This high uptake capacity across a broad range of pH values makes the hybrid materials versatile and easy to integrate into existing water treatment systems.

Heavy metal contamination in aquatic environments, arising from anthropogenic sources such as mining, industrial effluents, battery manufacturing, and agricultural runoff, poses severe risks due to persistence, bioaccumulation, and biomagnification. This study evaluates Agaricus bisporus stem powder as a low-cost biosorbent for simultaneous removal of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) from synthetic wastewater. A Taguchi L9 orthogonal array was employed to systematically vary pH (3, 6, 9), contact time (30, 90, 180 min), and adsorbent dosage (0.25, 0.5, 1 g) across nine experimental runs, each performed in triplicate (n = 3). Comprehensive characterization via X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and zeta potential confirmed an amorphous, mesoporous structure (BET surface area 47.6 m²/g, average pore diameter 1.8 nm) enriched with oxygen- and nitrogen-containing functional groups. Results revealed that S8 (pH 9, 90 min, 0.25 g) achieved the highest average removal efficiency of 97.08 ± 0.52%, with individual values of 97.8 ± 0.4% (As), 95.8 ± 0.6% (Cd), 98.6 ± 0.3% (Pb), and 96.2 ± 0.5% (Hg). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and signal-to-noise ratio identified pH as the dominant factor. Validation under optimized conditions (pH 9, 90 min, 0.5 g) yielded efficiencies exceeding 93%, though residual Cd, Pb, and Hg increased significantly (p < 0.01, n = 3) compared to S8 due to particle agglomeration and reduced effective surface area, while As removal remained unaffected. All data are reported as mean ± SD (n = 3), ensuring robust statistical reliability. This work demonstrates the valorization of mushroom stem waste into an effective, sustainable biosorbent for multi-metal remediation, offering a scalable, eco-friendly alternative to conventional treatment methods.