Comparison of different fragmentation techniques for the production of true-to-life microplastics.

Microplastics are small plastic particles found widely in the environment, posing significant challenges as diverse environmental contaminants. Their pervasive presence and potential impacts on ecosystems and human health underscore the importance of research in this field. However, working with microplastics in the laboratory and field can be challenging due to the difficulty in creating particles that are similar to those found in the environment.

Characterization of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyamide (PA) true-to-life nanoplastics and their biological interactions.

Plastic and microplastics, including polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS), are major contributors to environmental pollution. However, there is a growing recognition of the need to investigate a wider range of plastic polymers to fully understand the extent and impacts of plastic pollution. This study focuses on the comprehensive characterization of true-to-life nanoplastics (T2LNPs) derived from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyamide (PA) to enhance our understanding of environmental nanoplastics pollution.

A Complete Guide to Extraction Methods of Microplastics from Complex Environmental Matrices.

Sustainable development is a big global challenge for the 21st century. In recent years, a class of emerging contaminants known as microplastics (MPs) has been identified as a significant pollutant with the potential to harm ecosystems. These small plastic particles have been found in every compartment of the planet, with aquatic habitats serving as the ultimate sink.

Accelerated Direct Carbonation of Steel Slag and Cement Kiln Dust: An Industrial Symbiosis Strategy Applied in the Bergamo-Brescia Area.

The carbonation of alkaline industrial wastes is a pressing issue that is aimed at reducing CO emissions while promoting a circular economy. In this study, we explored the direct aqueous carbonation of steel slag and cement kiln dust in a newly developed pressurized reactor that operated at 15 bar. The goal was to identify the optimal reaction conditions and the most promising by-products that can be reused in their carbonated form, particularly in the construction industry.

Sustainability Analysis of Processes to Recycle Discharged Lithium-Ion Batteries, Based on the ESCAPE Approach.

There are several recycling methods to treat discharged lithium-ion batteries, mostly based on pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical approaches. Some of them are promising, showing high recovery efficiency (over 90%) of strategic metals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel. However, technological efficiency must also consider the processes sustainability in terms of environmental impact.

Accelerated and natural carbonation of a municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash mixture: Basic strategies for higher carbon dioxide sequestration and reliable mass quantification.

The carbonation of alkaline wastes is an interesting research field that may offer opportunities for CO reduction. However, the literature is mainly devoted to studying different waste sequestration capabilities, with lame attention to the reliability of the data about CO reduction, or to the possibilities to increase the amount of absorbed CO. In this work, for the first time, the limitation of some methods used in literature to quantify the amount of sequestered CO is presented, and the advantages of using suitable XRD strategies to evaluate the crystalline calcium carbonate phases are demonstrated.

Quantification of ternary microplastic mixtures through an ultra-compact near-infrared spectrometer coupled with chemometric tools.

The ubiquitous distribution of plastics and microplastics (MPs) and their resistance to biological and chemical decay is adversely affecting the environment. MPs are considered as emerging contaminants of concern in all the compartments, including terrestrial, aquatic, and atmospheric environments. Efficient monitoring, detection, and removal technologies require reliable methods for a qualitative and quantitative analysis of MPs, considering point-of-need testing a new evolution and a great trend at the market level.

Definition of an Indoor Air Sampling Strategy for SARS-CoV-2 Detection and Risk Management: Case Study in Kindergartens.

In the last two years, the world has been overwhelmed by SARS-CoV-2. One of the most important ways to prevent the spread of the virus is the control of indoor conditions: from surface hygiene to ventilation. Regarding the indoor environments, monitoring the presence of the virus in the indoor air seems to be promising, since there is strong evidence that airborne transmission through infected droplets and aerosols is its dominant transmission route.

Metals release from stainless steel knives in simulated food contact.

The release of chromium, nickel, and manganese from knives stainless steel produced in Italy and People's Republic of China was investigated with the aim to check their quality and compliance with Italian Ministerial Decree 21.03.73, which is the most detailed text for the hygiene regulation of packaging, containers, and tools intended for food contact.

Environmental Impact of Surgical Masks Consumption in Italy Due to COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic suddenly changed the lifestyle of billions of people. Face masks became indispensable to protect from the contagion providing a significant environmental impact. The aim of this work is to propose possible solutions to decrease masks' impact on the environment.

Phosphorous and Silica Recovery from Rice Husk Poultry Litter Ash: A Sustainability Analysis Using a Zero-Waste Approach.

Phosphate rocks are a critical resource for the European Union, and alternative sources to assure the future production of a new generation of fertilizers are to be assessed. In this study, a statistical approach, combined with a sustainability evaluation for the recovery of materials from waste containing phosphorus (P), is presented. This work proposes a strategy to recover P and silica (SiO) from rice husk poultry litter ash (RHPLA).

Sustainable Materials and their Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): A Critical Review Based on an Italian Example.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been proposed to give a possible future to humankind. Due to the multidimensional characteristic of sustainability, SDGs need research activities with a multidisciplinary approach. This work aims to provide a critical review of the results concerning sustainable materials obtained by Italian researchers affiliated to the National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM) and their contribution to reaching specific indicators of the 17 SDGs.

New Eco-Materials Derived from Waste for Emerging Pollutants Adsorption: The Case of Diclofenac.

This work proposes new eco-materials for the adsorption of diclofenac (DCF). The large consumption of this nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug combined with the inefficiency of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) leads to its presence in aquatic environments as an emerging pollutant. The adsorption technique is widely used for pharmaceutical removal.

Bottom ash derived from municipal solid waste and sewage sludge co-incineration: First results about characterization and reuse.

This paper reports a complete characterization of the lowest fractions of bottom ash derived from co-combustion of municipal solid waste with sewage sludge (COBA), with the aim to suggest suitable reuse strategies of this by-product. X-Ray Microanalysis is coupled with mineralogical characterization, based on X-Ray Diffraction and Rietveld refinement, to extract information about COBA crystalline and amorphous phases. The composition of different particle size fractions shows that amount of amorphous increases with the increase of fractions sizes.

The structure of cortical bone as revealed by the application of methods for the calcified matrix study.

Calcination and decalcification are basic procedures useful to a morphological approach of a biological, composite material like cortical bone. The study was carried out on a whole human femur conserved in liquid (from an educational collection). Cortical fracturing and SEM observation of vascular canals surface collagen texture was used to study bone deproteination at scalar temperatures (400-1,200°C) and acid bone decalcification at crescent time intervals.

Miniaturized Near-Infrared (MicroNIR) Spectrometer in Plastic Waste Sorting.

Valorisation of the urban plastic waste in high-quality recyclates is an imperative challenge in the new paradigm of the circular economy. In this scenario, a key role in the improvement of the recycling process is exerted by the optimization of waste sorting. In spite of the enormous developments achieved in the field of automated sorting systems, the quest for the reduction of cross-contamination of incompatible polymers as well as a rapid and punctual sorting of the unmatched polymers has not been sufficiently developed.

Increased Sustainability of Carbon Dioxide Mineral Sequestration by a Technology Involving Fly Ash Stabilization.

Mineral carbonation, involving reactions of alkaline earth oxides with CO has received great attention, as a potential carbon dioxide sequestration technology. Indeed, once converted into mineral carbonate, CO can be permanently stored in an inert phase. Several studies have been focalized to the utilization of industrial waste as a feedstock and the reuse of some by-products as possible materials for the carbonation reactions.

Comparison of multiple X-ray fluorescence techniques for elemental analysis of particulate matter collected on air filters.

This work reports on qualitative and semi-quantitative elemental analysis of particulate matter (PM) collected on PTFE membrane filters, for a source apportionment study conducted in Brescia (Italy). Sampling was undertaken in a residential area where an increase in Mn emissions has been highlighted by previous studies. Filters are measured by means of X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) based techniques such as micro-XRF and grazing incidence XRF using synchrotron radiation, Mo or W excitation sources, after applying an automatized sample preparation method.

SUNSPACE, A Porous Material to Reduce Air Particulate Matter (PM).

The World Health Organization reports that every year several million people die prematurely due to air pollution. Poor air quality is a by-product of unsustainable policies in transportation, energy, industry, and waste management in the world's most crowded cities. Particulate matter (PM) is one of the major element of polluted air.

Comprehensive approach to the validation of the standard method for total reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis of water.

In this work, we present the validation of the chemical method for total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) analysis of water, proposed as a standard to the International Standard Organization. The complete experimental procedure to define the linear calibration range, elements sensitivities, limits of detection and quantification, precision and accuracy is presented for a commercial TXRF spectrometer equipped with Mo X-ray tube. Least squares linear regression, including all statistical tests is performed separately for each element of interest to extract sensitivities.

Integrated management of ash from industrial and domestic combustion: a new sustainable approach for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from energy conversion.

This work supports, for the first time, the integrated management of waste materials arising from industrial processes (fly ash from municipal solid waste incineration and coal fly ash), agriculture (rice husk ash), and domestic activities (ash from wood biomass burning in domestic stoves). The main novelty of the paper is the reuse of wood pellet ash, an underestimated environmental problem, by the application of a new technology (COSMOS-RICE) that already involves the reuse of fly ashes from industrial and agricultural origins. The reaction mechanism involves carbonation: this occurs at room temperature and promotes permanent carbon dioxide sequestration.

Elemental analysis of tree leaves by total reflection X-ray fluorescence: New approaches for air quality monitoring.

This work shows that total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) is a fast, easy and successful tool to determine the presence of potentially toxic elements in atmospheric aerosols precipitations on tree leaves. Leaves are collected in eleven parks of different geographical areas of the Brescia city, Northern Italy, for environmental monitoring purposes. Two sample preparation procedures are considered: microwave acid digestion and the novel SMART STORE method for direct analysis.

Multi-element analysis of vegetal foodstuff by means of low power total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) spectrometry.

In this work, an analytical methodology in combination with a low power benchtop total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) system has been developed for multi-elemental analysis of vegetal materials. An easy and rapid sample preparation consisting in suspending 20mg of sample in de-ionized water showed to be the most suitable for this kind of samples. However, for comparison purposes, two digestion procedures were also applied.

Evaluation of the Biotoxicity of Tree Wood Ashes in Zebrafish Embryos.

Ashes derived from biomass combustion and used as soil fertilizers can generate negative environmental and human health risks, related to leaching of heavy metals and other putative toxic elements. Tree wood ash composition may vary depending on geographical location and surrounding industrial processes. In this study, we evaluated the biotoxicity of lixiviated tree wood ash samples from trees of the Ash (Fraxinus), Cherry (Pronus), Hazel (Corylus), and Black locust (Robinia) genus collected in an industrialized region in Northern Italy.

Energetics of surface confined ferritin during iron loading.

We report on the first quantitative picture on how iron loading inside ferritin molecules occurs when they are self-assembled onto solid surfaces. Recombinant human ferritin H-chain with ferroxidase activity was adsorbed onto microcantilever beams to form a stable close-packed thin film. The obtained nanomechanical system was used to track in real time the energetics of inter-ferritin surface interactions during incubation with Fe(II) for iron loading.