From Anatase TiO Nano-Cuboids to Nano-Bipyramids: Influence of Particle Shape on the TiO Photocatalytic Degradation of Emerging Contaminants in Contrasted Water Matrices.

Water pollution, resulting from industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, and pharmaceutical residues, poses serious threats to ecosystems and human health, highlighting the need for innovative approaches to effective remediation, particularly for non-biodegradable emerging pollutants. This research work explores the influence of shape-controlled nanocrystalline titanium dioxide (TiO NC), synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method, on the photodegradation efficiency of three different classes of emerging environmental pollutants: phenol, pesticides (methomyl), and drugs (sodium diclofenac). Experiments were conducted to assess the influence of the water matrix on treatment efficiency by using ultrapure water and stormwater (basic) collected from an urban drainage system as matrices.

Reduced Graphene Oxide/Waste-Derived TiO Composite Membranes: Preliminary Study of a New Material for Hybrid Wastewater Treatment.

This work reports the preliminary results of the development of composite self-assembling membranes obtained by the combination of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) with commercial Degussa P25 titanium dioxide (TiO). The purpose is to demonstrate the possibility of combining, in the same self-standing material, the capability to treat wastewater containing both inorganic and organic pollutants by exploiting the established ability of rGO to capture metal ions together with that of TiO to degrade organic substances. Moreover, this study also investigates the potential photocatalytic properties of tionite (TIO), to demonstrate the feasibility of replacing commercial TiO with such waste-derived TiO-containing material, fulfilling a circular economy approach.

Combining Coagulation and Electrocoagulation with UVA-LED Photo-Fenton to Improve the Efficiency and Reduce the Cost of Mature Landfill Leachate Treatment.

This study focused on the reduction of the treatment cost of mature landfill leachate (LL) by enhancing the coagulation pre-treatment before a UVA-LED photo-Fenton process. A more efficient advanced coagulation pretreatment was designed by combining conventional coagulation (CC) and electro-coagulation (EC). Regardless of the order in which the two coagulations were applied, the combination achieved more than 73% color removal, 80% COD removal, and 27% SUVA removal.

Environmentally friendly synthesized and magnetically recoverable designed ferrite photo-catalysts for wastewater treatment applications.

Fenton processes are promising wastewater treatment alternatives for bio-recalcitrant compounds. Three different methods (i.e.

Variation in photosynthetic performance and hydraulic architecture across European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) populations supports the case for local adaptation to water stress.

The aim of this study was to provide new insights into how intraspecific variability in the response of key functional traits to drought dictates the interplay between gas-exchange parameters and the hydraulic architecture of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.). Considering the relationships between hydraulic and leaf functional traits, we tested whether local adaptation to water stress occurs in this species.

The application of advanced oxidation technologies to the treatment of effluents from the pulp and paper industry: a review.

The paper industry is adopting zero liquid effluent technologies to reduce freshwater use and meet environmental regulations, which implies closure of water circuits and the progressive accumulation of pollutants that must be removed before water reuse and final wastewater discharge. The traditional water treatment technologies that are used in paper mills (such as dissolved air flotation or biological treatment) are not able to remove recalcitrant contaminants. Therefore, advanced water treatment technologies, such as advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), are being included in industrial wastewater treatment chains aiming to either improve water biodegradability or its final quality.

The hydraulic conductance of Fraxinus ornus leaves is constrained by soil water availability and coordinated with gas exchange rates.

Leaf hydraulic conductance (Kleaf) is known to be an important determinant of plant gas exchange and photosynthesis. Little is known about the long-term impact of different environmental factors on the hydraulic construction of leaves and its eventual consequences on leaf gas exchange. In this study, we investigate the impact of soil water availability on Kleaf of Fraxinus ornus L.

Ion-mediated enhancement of xylem hydraulic conductivity is not always suppressed by the presence of Ca2+ in the sap.

The physiological significance of ion-mediated enhancement of xylem hydraulic conductivity (K(h)) in planta has recently been questioned. The phenomenon has been suggested to be an artefact caused by the use of deionized water as a reference fluid during measurements of the impact of different ions on K(h). In the present study, ion-mediated changes in K(h) were measured in twigs of five woody species during perfusion with 25 mM KCl compared with different reference fluids like deionized water, a commercial mineral water containing different ions (including 0.

Reduced content of homogalacturonan does not alter the ion-mediated increase in xylem hydraulic conductivity in tobacco.

Xylem hydraulic conductivity (K(s)) in stems of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) wild-type SR1 was compared to that of PG7 and PG16, two transgenic lines with increased levels of expression of the gene encoding the Aspergillus niger endopolygalacturonase (AnPGII). Activity of AnPGII removes in planta blocks of homogalacturonan (HG) with deesterified carboxyls, thus increasing the degree of neutrality of pectins. The effect of K+ was tested in increasing stem K(s) using model plants with more neutral polysaccharides in primary walls and, hence, in intervessel pit membranes.

Ion-mediated increase in the hydraulic conductivity of Laurel stems: role of pits and consequences for the impact of cavitation on water transport.

Changes in hydraulic conductivity (K(h)) were measured in stems of Laurus nobilis L. during perfusion with KCl, NaCl or sucrose solutions. Ionic solutes induced marked increase of K(h) with respect to deionized water but sucrose had no effect.

Is rootstock-induced dwarfing in olive an effect of reduced plant hydraulic efficiency?

We investigated the hydraulic architecture of young olive trees either self-rooted or grafted on rootstocks with contrasting size-controlling potential. Clones of Olea europea L. (Olive) cv 'Leccino' inducing vigorous scion growth (Leccino 'Minerva', LM) or scion dwarfing (Leccino 'Dwarf', LD) were studied in different scion/rootstock combinations (LD, LM, LD/LD, LM/LM, LD/LM and LM/LD).

Application of a physical input-output table to evaluate the development and sustainability of continental water resources in Spain.

Continental waters are complex resources in terms of a measurable physical quantity, and measuring them requires a good knowledge of total water availability. In this research, an accounting physical input-output table (PIOT) was applied to evaluate total water resources and gross annual availabilities at each stage of the natural-artificial water cycle. These stages are considered subsystems of a continental water resource system describing water transfers for an average year within 13 administrative basins of Spain.

Resistance to water flow through leaves of Coffea arabica is dominated by extra-vascular tissues.

The leaf hydraulic conductance (K) of Coffea arabica L. was measured for shoots exposed to non-lethal temperature stress or to a freeze-thaw cycle, and compared with K of non-stressed samples (controls). Exposure to temperatures below 6°C for 1 h caused measurable damage to the functional integrity of cell membranes as shown by increased membrane leakiness to electrolytes.

Reuse of waste materials as growing media for ornamental plants.

The use of different waste materials: pine bark, coconut fibre and sewage sludge as substrates in the production of ornamental plants was studied, with an special interest on the suitability of coconut fibre as growing substrate for conifer plants. The plant species tested were Pinus pinea, Cupressus arizonica and C. sempervirens and the substrate mixtures were: (1) pine bark, (2) pine bark with 15% of sewage sludge compost, (3) pine bark with 30% of sewage sludge compost, (4) coconut fibre, (5) coconut fibre with 15% of sewage sludge compost and (6) coconut fibre with 30% of sewage sludge compost.

Kinetics of recovery of leaf hydraulic conductance and vein functionality from cavitation-induced embolism in sunflower.

The kinetics of leaf vein recovery from cavitation-induced embolism was studied in plants of sunflower cv. Margot, together with the impact of vein embolism on the overall leaf hydraulic conductance (Kleaf). During the air-dehydration of leaves to leaf water potentials (Psi L) of -1.

Xylem cavitation, leaf growth and leaf water potential in Eucalyptus globulus clones under well-watered and drought conditions.

Leaf growth, predawn leaf water potential (Ψ), evapotranspiration, stem maximum permeability, and its percentage loss of hydraulic conductivity (PLC) were measured in rooted cuttings of selected clones of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. subjected to well-watered and drought conditions. Drought significantly reduced evapotranspiration, leaf growth and maximum permeability.