Combining biochar and grass-legume mixture to improve the phytoremediation of soils contaminated with potentially toxic elements (PTEs).

The combination of soil amendments with plants can be a viable option for restoring the functionality of PTEs-contaminated soils. Soil recovery could be further optimized through the mixed cropping of plant species (e.g.

Steam assisted slow pyrolysis of contaminated biomasses: Effect of plant parts and process temperature on heavy metals fate.

The post-treatment of biomass from phytoremediation is not yet a well-established practice due to the risk induced by the presence of Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs). Pyrolysis is a thermochemical treatment that reduces the volume and weight of contaminated matter producing a combustible vapor phase and a solid residue (char). A key factor enhancing the economic and the environmental sustainability of biomass valorization through pyrolysis is the production of a market value char.

Assessing the Potential of Biochars Prepared by Steam-Assisted Slow Pyrolysis for CO Adsorption and Separation.

The potentialities in the use of biochars prepared by steam-assisted slow pyrolysis as adsorbents of gases of strategic interest (N, CO, and CH) and their mixtures were explored. The biochars prepared from wood and cellulose fibers exhibited a narrow microporosity, with average pore sizes ranging between 0.55 and 0.

Antimicrobial activity of eumelanin-based hybrids: The role of TiO in modulating the structure and biological performance.

Eco-friendly hybrid Eumelanin-TiO nanostructures, recently obtained through in situ methodology based on hydrothermal route, have shown a striking antimicrobial activity, after exposure to oxidative environment, even under visible light induction condition. Nevertheless, the role of each component in defining the efficacy of these biological properties is far from being clearly defined. Furthermore, the effect of oxidative step on hybrids structure has not yet addressed.

Pyrolysis for exploitation of biomasses selected for soil phytoremediation: Characterization of gaseous and solid products.

Biomasses to be used in the phytoremediation process are generally selected to match agronomic parameters and heavy metals uptake ability. A proper selection can be made greatly effective if knowledge of the properties of the residual char from pyrolysis is available to identify possible valorization routes. In this study a comparative analysis of the yields and characteristics of char obtained from slow pyrolysis of five uncontaminated biomasses (Populus nigra, Salix alba, Fraxinus oxyphylla, Eucalyptus occidentalis and Arundo donax) was carried out under steam atmosphere to better develop char porosity.

Thermal and mechanical stabilization process of the organic fraction of the municipal solid waste.

In the present study a thermo-mechanical treatment for the disposal of the Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste (OFMSW) at apartment or condominium scale is proposed. The process presents several advantages allowing to perform a significant volume and moisture reduction of the produced waste at domestic scale thus producing a material with an increased storability and improved characteristics (e.g.