Yolk–shell structured magnetic mesoporous silica: a novel and highly efficient adsorbent for removal of methylene blue

In this study, a novel magnetic mesoporous silica with yolk–shell structure (Fe3O4@[email protected]) was successfully synthesized via a polymer-template assisted method. The Fe3O4@[email protected] was characterized by using FT-IR, EDS, SEM, TEM, VSM, PXRD and nitrogen adsorption–desorption analyses. The Fe3O4@[email protected] nanocomposite showed high efficiency in adsorption of an organic dye and water pollutant called methylene blue (MB) with 98.2% removal capability. Furthermore, the effect of different parameters in the adsorption of MB was investigated. Different models of kinetic were examined and compared with each other. The recoverability and reusability of designed Fe3O4@[email protected] material were also studied under applied conditions.

Hierarchically 3-D Porous Structure of Silk Fibroin-Based Biocomposite Adsorbent for Water Pollutant Removal

This study explored the tunability of a 3-D porous network in a freeze-dried silk fibroin/soursop seed (SF:SS) polymer composite bioadsorbent. Morphological, physical, electronic, and thermal properties were assessed using scanning electron microscopy, the BET N2 adsorption-desorption test, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). A control mechanism of pore opening–closing by tuning the SS fraction in SF:SS composite was found. The porous formation is apparently due to the amount of phytic acid as a natural cross-linker in SS. The result reveals that a large pore radius is formed using only 20% wt of SS in the composite, i.e., SF:SS (4:1), and the fibrous network closes the pore when the SS fraction increases up to 50%, i.e., SF:SS (1:1). The SF:SS (4:1) with the best physical and thermal properties shows an average pore diameter of 39.19 nm, specific surface area of 19.47 m2·g−1, and thermal stability up to ~450 °C. The removal of the organic molecule and the heavy metal was assessed using crystal violet (CV) dye and the Cu2+ adsorption test, respectively. The adsorption isotherm of both CV and Cu2+ on SF:SS (4:1) follows the Freundlich model, and the adsorption kinetic of CV follows the pseudo-first-order model. The adsorption test indicates that physisorption dominates the adsorption of either CV or Cu2+ on the SF:SS composites.

Evaluation of reversal and transposition generational damages caused by manganese (II) in zebrafish

Although manganese (Mn) is a common water pollutant, little is known about the potential for the trans-generational transfer of biological effects in fish exposed to low concentrations in aquatic organisms, or the persistence of these effects. The aim was to identify when biological effects were firstly observed in the brain, liver and intestinal tissues of zebrafish exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of Mn and whether these effects were subject to reversal when exposures ceased. We also aimed to assess whether biological effects observed in zebrafish exposed to Mn for 21-days were also observed in the early life stages of the F1 generation. Behavioral changes were observed in the animals exposed for 14 days to MnCl2 (4.0 mg L-1). There was also an oscillation in the mitochondrial activity and TUNEL positive cells in the telencephalon of exposed fish from all treatments. These results indicated that brain neurogenesis in zebrafish occurred with greater magnitude and speed than the neuronal Mn damage. Histopathological changes were observed in the intestine and liver of zebrafish exposed to Mn for 72 h and 21 days. Behavioral alterations and intestinal histopathological alterations were reversed after the recovery period, although hepatocyte vacuolization persisted. Behavioral alterations were also observed in the early developmental stages of F1 generation larvae of zebrafish parents exposed to Mn, but this profile was normalized throughout the development. In addition to the direct toxic effects of low concentrations of Mn, some changes, such as hepatocyte vacuolization persisted in zebrafish even after the toxicant removal.

The Utilization OpenCV to Measure the Water Pollutants Concentration

<strong>Abstract. </strong>Intensive water quality determination needs to be adjusted with technological developments to meet today's society's needs and increased water pollution due to urbanization. Therefore, early detection is essential for in site water quality determination and as a critical consideration in making health and environmental decisions. OpenCV is a library programming feature for Computer Vision which focuses on extracting information from images in real-time, this can be considered to be potential to measure the pollutant concentration. <strong>Objectives:</strong> This study identify the potential of colorimetry analysis method by using OpenCV as an alternative method for pollutant concentration measurement<strong>. Method and results:</strong> First stage, this study collecting the data of NH3 phenate and Pt-Co CU from the spectrophotometer. The first stage also was including the development of an OpenCV code. Then, the data was collected were processed to get the concentration of NH3 and Pt-Co both using OpenCV and spectrophotometer; factors that influence the Pt-Co sample image measurement process by using OpenCV-Python was analyzed too. Then in the analysis stage, the result of the two measurement method was tested by statistic determine its significant difference. The conclusion found whether OpenCV could be potential to measure the pollutant concentration or not. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> the OpenCV has potential to be use as alternative colorimetry measurement method to determine water pollutant as there is no significant difference in the spectrophotometric method results and the results from OpenCV for Pt-Co sample. Meanwhile, in this study found that the result of NH3 from spectrophotometer is nonlinear different with from OpenCV that is linear. Thus, further research is needed to test the validity of OpenCV method. The factor influence of measurement using OpenCV code is when determining the Region of Interest (ROI) and determining the pixel values for the normalized box filter

Waste Mineral Wool and Its Opportunities—A Review

Massive waste rock wool was generated globally and it caused substantial environmental issues such as landfill and leaching. However, reviews on the recyclability of waste rock wool are scarce. Therefore, this study presents an in-depth review of the characterization and potential usability of waste rock wool. Waste rock wool can be characterized based on its physical properties, chemical composition, and types of contaminants. The review showed that waste rock wool from the manufacturing process is more workable to be recycled for further application than the post-consumer due to its high purity. It also revealed that the pre-treatment method—comminution is vital for achieving mixture homogeneity and enhancing the properties of recycled products. The potential application of waste rock wool is reviewed with key results emphasized to demonstrate the practicality and commercial viability of each option. With a high content of chemically inert compounds such as silicon dioxide (SiO2), calcium oxide (CaO), and aluminum oxide (Al2O3) that improve fire resistance properties, waste rock wool is mainly repurposed as fillers in composite material for construction and building materials. Furthermore, waste rock wool is potentially utilized as an oil, water pollutant, and gas absorbent. To sum up, waste rock wool could be feasibly recycled as a composite material enhancer and utilized as an absorbent for a greener environment.

Catalytic Composite Systems Based on N-Doped TiO2/Polymeric Materials for Visible-Light-Driven Pollutant Degradation: A Mini Review

This mini review summarizes the preparation and testing of polymeric composites with a N-doped TiO2 photocatalyst to effectively design a photocatalytic system for water pollutant degradation under visible light. In detail, the various N-doped TiO2/polymer composites reported in the literature are briefly discussed along with some examples dealing with the use of N-doped TiO2 particles, both supported on the external surface of polymers and dispersed within the structure of visible-light-transparent polymeric aerogels. Finally, the scope for future works and challenges for the commercialization of such materials are highlighted.