Plant Growth Promoting Microorganism Selection and Activity Test for Reforestation of Topsoil Restoration Site

Objectives : This study was conducted to investigate the applicability of plant growth promoting microorganisms during restoration through re-vegetation of damaged topsoil.Methods : As the vegetation to be applied to the restoration site, Weigela subsessilis, Spiraea prunifolia, Pine densiflora, Pennisetum alopecuroides were selected. An attempt was made to isolate plant growth promoting microorganisms from the root zone of plants of the same species inhabiting domestic park sites and hiking trails. Plant growth promoting activities such as phosphate solubilization ability, siderophore production ability, IAA production ability, and ACC deaminase production ability were examined, and the species to be finally applied was selected and then identified. Among the strains whose plant growth promoting activity was confirmed, Arthrobacter sp. 1B2 and Paraburkholderia terrae 1P2 were applied to the genitalia and pine, respectively, and a pot experiment was conducted to confirm the activity.Results and Discussion : Forty-five strains were isolated from Weigela subsessilis, Spiraea prunifolia, Pine densiflora, Pennisetum alopecuroides and the IAA-producing ability and ACC deaminase-producing ability were confirmed for 16 strains whose phosphate solubilizing ability and siderophore-producing ability were confirmed. After selecting and identifying strains with excellent plant growth promoting ability, strains such as Cupriavidus sp, Arthrobacter sp., Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas sp., Paraburkholderia terrae were obtained. Among them, Arthrobacter sp. 1B2 and Paraburkholderia terrae 1P2 strains were applied to genitalia and pine, respectively, and it was confirmed that plant growth was promoted.Conclusions : Bioassay experiments and field applications using plant growth promoting microorganisms have been mainly studied for herbaceous species (Grandaceae, corn, oats, etc.). However, in this study, the applied plants are shrubs class, which do not significantly grow in length, targeting damaged areas with high subsoil content, which are poor in environment and insufficient in organic and inorganic matter. Therefore, it is meaningful in that the activity of plant growth promoting microorganisms focused on absorption of inorganic substances, such as phosphate solubilization activity and siderophore ability, was investigated and the activity was confirmed by performing a bioassay.

Study of the efficiency of using biogenic metals for feeding calves

Breeding young cattle is important, especially during the transition period from dairy feeding to concentrated dry feed. The paper presents the results of the use of biogenic metal nicotinates for weaning calves to improve metabolism in animals. The aim of research. To investigate the effect of biogenic metal nicotinates: Zn, Cu, Fe, Co, Mn on the biochemical parameters of blood in calves after weaning. Materials and methods. The study was carried out during 2021 in the conditions of LLC "Agrofirma Lan", Sumy region, Sumy district, Kindrativka, Ukraine for breeding young cattle. The calves of the experimental group were given compound feed and a premix of nicotinates of biogenic metals: Zn, Cu, Fe, Co, Mn, manufactured by PPronos Agro" (1 g per 1 kg of feed). In the control group, combined feed and a premix with metal sulfates were used for 30 days. Results. An increase in the level of total protein in the body of calves of the experimental groups was established by 16.12 % in comparison with the control (p≤0.05). Also, in experimental animals, the activity of the enzymes alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase was higher than the physiological norm, which shows an insignificant effect of nicotinates of biogenic metals on internal organs and systems. In the experimental group of calves, the level of magnesium was probably higher by 52.38 % and potassium – by 14.94 % compared to the control group (p≤0.05). It was found that the animals of the experimental groups probably had more zinc by 34.96 %; copper – by 35.72 %; iron – by 92.29 %; manganese – by 41.13 %; selenium – by 3.22 % and cobalt – by 98.33 % compared to the control (p≤0.05). Conclusions. The positive effect of the use of biogenic metal nicotinates on the metabolism of calves at weaning has been proven. It was found that the level of total protein in the body of calves of the experimental groups was probably higher by 16.12 %, magnesium - by 52.38 %; potassium - by 14.94 %. When determining the content of inorganic substances, it was found that the animals of the experimental groups probably had more zinc by 34.96 %; copper – by 35.72 %; iron – by 92.29 %; manganese – by 41.13 %; selenium – by 3.22 % and cobalt – by 98.33 % compared to the control (p≤0.05)

First Attempt to Couple Proteomics with the AhR Reporter Gene Bioassay in Soil Pollution Monitoring and Assessment

A topsoil sample obtained from a highly industrialized area (Taranto, Italy) was tested on the DR-CALUX® cell line and the exposed cells processed with proteomic and bioinformatics analyses. The presence of polyhalogenated compounds in the topsoil extracts was confirmed by GC-MS/MS analysis. Proteomic analysis of the cells exposed to the topsoil extracts identified 43 differential proteins. Enrichment analysis highlighted biological processes, such as the cellular response to a chemical stimulus, stress, and inorganic substances; regulation of translation; regulation of apoptotic process; and the response to organonitrogen compounds in light of particular drugs and compounds, extrapolated by bioinformatics all linked to the identified protein modifications. Our results confirm and reflect the complex epidemiological situation occurring among Taranto inhabitants and underline the need to further investigate the presence and sources of inferred chemicals in soils. The combination of bioassays and proteomics reveals a more complex scenario of chemicals able to affect cellular pathways and leading to toxicities rather than those identified by only bioassays and related chemical analysis. This combined approach turns out to be a promising tool for soil risk assessment and deserves further investigation and developments for soil monitoring and risk assessment.

MODIFICATION OF HEAT-RESISTANT OXIDES AND CHLORIDES OF GRAIN SURFACES OF SYNTHETIC DIAMOND GRINDING POWDERS FOR APPLICATION IN GRINDING TOOLS

Further development of modern technologies of diamond processing is connected with application in the diamond tool of powders with new unique properties, special morphology of grains, with the increased chemical and thermal stability. To increase the heat resistance of diamonds, they are covered with a metal (metallization) or glass-ceramic layer, or introduced into the reaction mixture used in the synthesis of diamonds, alloying additives of certain elements. Recently, other methods of coating to increase the heat resistance of diamonds have been developed, such as: vacuum ion-plasma sputtering, epitaxial synthesis, magnetron sputtering, the method of liquid-phase deposition. The latter method is promising for modifying the grain surface of grinding powders of superhard materials by heat-resistant inorganic non-metallic coatings, as it is the most economically advantageous. Determining the features of the technology of modification by the method of liquid-phase application of heat-resistant inorganic coatings (oxides and chlorides of metals and nonmetals) on the surface of grains of grinding powders of synthetic diamond brand AC6, used for grinding tools in mechanical engineering. Modification was performed by the isothermal method of liquid-phase application of saturated solutions of both heat-resistant oxides (В2О3, Al2O3), chlorides (СаСl2, NaCl, MgCl2, FeCl3), and their mixtures (В2О3+СаСl2, В2О3+NaCl). Based on the analysis of the results of the research, it can be stated that the application of coatings of inorganic substances (some oxides and chlorides) increases the heat resistance of synthetic diamond grinding powders. Modification allows to reduce expenses of diamonds in wheels at grinding. Conditions for modification of heat-resistant oxides and chlorides, as well as their mixtures, grain surface of synthetic diamond grinding powders are determined. Modification of the surface of diamond grains with a combination of B2O3+Al2O3 is guaranteed to double the wear resistance of diamond wheels. It is established that in all cases of modification the roughness of the parameter Ra decreases. It is determined that by changing the surface modifier of diamond grains it is possible to affect the bearing capacity of the rough surface obtained by grinding. The development of effective ways to increase the heat resistance of grinding powders made of superhard materials, primarily abrasive grinding powders made of synthetic diamond powders, helps to improve the quality of the grinding tool.

Electrochemical properties of quinones, antraquinones and their derivatives – potential redox-systems for flow batteries

Practical interest in redox flow batteries has arisen in recent decades as a result of intensive development in the field of alternative energy (such as solar and wind) and the control of peak loads in industrial electrical networks. It turned out that large-scale energy storage systems used to compensate fluctuations in the process of solar and wind generation of energy in the production of electric vehicles and power supply systems for large households, are more profitable when working on redox flow batteries. Firstly, they are easy to scale, and secondly, the energy stored in such batteries is cheaper. In recent years, the interest of researchers in the redox behavior of simple and substituted quinones and anthraquinones used as potential components of electrochemical energy storage systems has grown significantly. The main advantages of organic redox systems are scalability, kinetic advantages over the used redox systems based on inorganic substances, reconstructability (a wide possibility of changing electrochemical and chemical properties by introducing various functional groups into organic molecules) and environmental safety. Therefore, in this work, the electrochemical behavior of some promising organic systems based on quinone, anthraquinone and their analogs to be used as redox systems of flow batteries was studied using the method of cyclic voltammetry.

Laser 3D Printing of Inorganic Free-Form Micro-Optics

A pilot study on laser 3D printing of inorganic free-form micro-optics is experimentally validated. Ultrafast laser direct-write (LDW) nanolithography is employed for structuring hybrid organic-inorganic material SZ2080TM followed by high-temperature calcination post-processing. The combination allows the production of 3D architectures and the heat-treatment results in converting the material to inorganic substances. The produced miniature optical elements are characterized and their optical performance is demonstrated. Finally, the concept is validated for manufacturing compound optical components such as stacked lenses. This is an opening for new directions and applications of laser-made micro-optics under harsh conditions such as high intensity radiation, temperature, acidic environment, pressure variations, which include open space, astrophotonics, and remote sensing.

Agricultural utilization of lignosulfonates

Lignosulfonates (LSs) are by-products of the pulp and paper industry from pulping of lignocellulosic biomass according to the sulfite process. This renewable material already plays a role in low-value applications, such as binding agents for fuel, pellets, as a feed additive, or as a dispersant. Another possible field of application of this technical lignin type is agriculture. It is known that this eco-friendly and cheap material can improve soil quality, fertilizer efficacy and replace or decrease the use of potentially (eco)toxic organic or inorganic substances. The use of LS in agriculture and five main strategies for the implementation of LS in soil are discussed in this review: LS as a complexing agent with micronutrients, co-pelleting of LS with (macro)nutrients, capsule formation with LS for coating of fertilizers or pesticides, LS as a biostimulant, and ammonoxidation of LS. All five ways can be beneficial in fertilizer-related applications, either to slow down the release of nutrients or pesticides, to substitute harmful chemicals, or to inhibit nitrification and modify fertilizer behaviour. Nevertheless, application and long-time studies are often missing, and more research is required for generating products that are economically competitive to commercial bulk products.

Methodology for studying the combustion products composition from various materials

Изложены методология и принципы лабораторного исследования состава продуктов горения различных материалов с использованием таких инструментов, как газовая и газожидкостная хроматография, масс-эффузио-спетрометрия. Большое внимание уделено применяемым в хроматографических колонках сорбентам и их температурным режимам, а также способам приготовления образцов для исследований. Рассмотрены вопросы детектирования различных компонентов в смеси продуктов горения. Результаты исследований продуктов горения разных материалов представлены в табличной форме, при этом в скобках указаны рассчитанные индексы токсичности С, оцененные по литературным данным (смертельная для человека концентрация при получасовой экспозиции). The article discusses the issues of determining the qualitative and quantitative composition of the combustion products from synthetic and natural materials. Multicomponent mixtures of volatile combustion products contain compounds of inorganic and organic origin. To determine the composition of the combustion products from various materials there is proposed the methodology and principles of laboratory research using such instruments as gas and gas-liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, infrared and ultraviolet spectroscopy, and visible-field spectroscopy. These methods make it possible to identify certain chemicals. For example, organic compounds are analyzed by chromatography. Inorganic substances are determined by converting them into colored compounds and by analyzing their spectrum in the visible and ultraviolet regions. When developing methods of chromatographic and spectrophotometric studies, it is proposed first of all to identify the qualitative composition of combustion products based on information about the composition of polymer molecules of the studied natural or synthetic materials. Such an assessment, as an example, was made by studying the combustion products of polyethylene. The molecular weights were determined using the MX-1312 chromatomassefusiometer. To determine the molecular weight of a substance, a mathematic formula was obtained based on mathematical processing of experimental data. A special method has been developed to reduce the processing time of effusiograms (by 10-15 times). Much attention is paid to the sorbents used in chromatographic columns, their temperature conditions, and methods of preparing samples for research. Methods of identification of various components in a mixture of combustion products using various detectors are considered. The results of studies of the combustion products from different materials are presented in tabular form, with the calculated toxicity indices, С, estimated according to the literature data (lethal concentration for humans at half-hour exposure) are indicated in parentheses.

Investigations Of Supported Bi- And Tri-Metallic Nzvi: Nitrate Reduction And Heavy Metal Removal

<p>nZVI has been well documented as an effective reagent to remove contaminants, including organic and inorganic substances. However, the drawbacks of nZVI are agglomeration and bioaccumulation due to its magnetic property and nanosize. One of the solutions for these problems is putting nZVI on non-toxic support. Microsilicate600 (Misi), a silicate from a geothermal deposit in Rotorua, New Zealand, has been established to be useful in adsorbing nZVI. Doping nZVI with other metals to generate bimetallic and trimetallic materials is a method to increase its reactivity. These dopant metals function as catalysts in enhancing the electron transfer from Fe(0) core to contaminants. In this research project, the effect of doping metals on nZVI to generate bimetallic or trimetallic nZVI particles and effect of adsorbing these resulting particles on Misi were investigated. The reactivity of these materials towards the removal of different contaminants such as nitrate and toxic heavy metals was examined. Supported bimetallic nZVI@Misi were synthesised using different dopant metals, including Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pd. Supported trimetallic nZVI@Misi was synthesised by doping Pd and Cu on the surface of nZVI@Misi. Both supported bimetallic and trimetallic materials were prepared using different Misi preparations, contents of dopants, and synthetic methods. All these doped materials had higher reactivity than non-doped nZVI@Misi in removing nitrate. Misi that was calcined and FeOOH-coated is the most optimised-prepared support. Moreover, materials prepared via deposition method had higher reactivity in reducing nitrate than those prepared via co-reduction method. This is due to the distribution of dopant metals on nZVI, which was observed in TEM analysis. Of these materials, Ni-doped, Cu-doped, and Pd-Cu- doped nZVI@Misi were the most promising materials. They not only reduced nitrate effectively but also were not significantly affected by naturally occurring factors such as oxygen, chloride, sulfate, carbonate, and phosphate. During nitrate reduction, the generation of metal by-products was minimal. Interestingly, their reactivity in natural water was relatively similar to that in lab-prepared samples. The representative materials including supported Ni-doped, Cu-doped, and non-doped nZVI@Misi, were used for heavy metal removal. These materials effectively removed cadmium, lead, and chromium in both lab-prepared samples and natural water.</p>

Investigations Of Supported Bi- And Tri-Metallic Nzvi: Nitrate Reduction And Heavy Metal Removal

<p>nZVI has been well documented as an effective reagent to remove contaminants, including organic and inorganic substances. However, the drawbacks of nZVI are agglomeration and bioaccumulation due to its magnetic property and nanosize. One of the solutions for these problems is putting nZVI on non-toxic support. Microsilicate600 (Misi), a silicate from a geothermal deposit in Rotorua, New Zealand, has been established to be useful in adsorbing nZVI. Doping nZVI with other metals to generate bimetallic and trimetallic materials is a method to increase its reactivity. These dopant metals function as catalysts in enhancing the electron transfer from Fe(0) core to contaminants. In this research project, the effect of doping metals on nZVI to generate bimetallic or trimetallic nZVI particles and effect of adsorbing these resulting particles on Misi were investigated. The reactivity of these materials towards the removal of different contaminants such as nitrate and toxic heavy metals was examined. Supported bimetallic nZVI@Misi were synthesised using different dopant metals, including Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pd. Supported trimetallic nZVI@Misi was synthesised by doping Pd and Cu on the surface of nZVI@Misi. Both supported bimetallic and trimetallic materials were prepared using different Misi preparations, contents of dopants, and synthetic methods. All these doped materials had higher reactivity than non-doped nZVI@Misi in removing nitrate. Misi that was calcined and FeOOH-coated is the most optimised-prepared support. Moreover, materials prepared via deposition method had higher reactivity in reducing nitrate than those prepared via co-reduction method. This is due to the distribution of dopant metals on nZVI, which was observed in TEM analysis. Of these materials, Ni-doped, Cu-doped, and Pd-Cu- doped nZVI@Misi were the most promising materials. They not only reduced nitrate effectively but also were not significantly affected by naturally occurring factors such as oxygen, chloride, sulfate, carbonate, and phosphate. During nitrate reduction, the generation of metal by-products was minimal. Interestingly, their reactivity in natural water was relatively similar to that in lab-prepared samples. The representative materials including supported Ni-doped, Cu-doped, and non-doped nZVI@Misi, were used for heavy metal removal. These materials effectively removed cadmium, lead, and chromium in both lab-prepared samples and natural water.</p>