Formation of nitrogen functionalities in biochar materials and their role in the mitigation of hazardous emerging organic pollutants from wastewater.

Emerging organic pollutants (EOPs) are serious environmental concerns known for their prominent adverse and hazardous ecological effects, and persistence in nature. Their detrimental impacts have inspired researchers to develop the strategic tools that reduce and overcome the challenges caused by EOPs' rising concentration. As such, biochar becomes as a promising class of biomass-derived functional materials that can be used as low-cost and environmentally-friendly emerging catalysts to remove EOPs.

Environmental emission, fate and transformation of microplastics in biotic and abiotic compartments: Global status, recent advances and future perspectives.

The intensive use and wide-ranging application of plastic- and plastic-derived products have resulted in alarming levels of plastic pollution in different environmental compartments worldwide. As a result of various biogeochemical mechanisms, this plastic litter is converted into small, ubiquitous and persistent fragments called microplastics (<5 mm), which are of significant and increasing concern to the scientific community. Microplastics have spread across the globe and now exist in virtually all environmental compartments (the soil, atmosphere, and water).

Interactive assessment of lignite and bamboo-biochar for geochemical speciation, modulation and uptake of Cu and other heavy metals in the copper mine tailing.

This study was designed to examine the combined effect of bamboo-biochar (BC) and water-washed lignite (LGT) at copper mine tailings (CuMT) sites on the concentration of Cu and other metals in pore water (PW), their bioavailability, and change in geochemical speciation. Rapeseed (first cropping-season) and wheat (second cropping-season) were grown for 40-days each and the influence of applied-amendments on both cropping seasons was observed and compared. A significant increase in pH, water holding capacity (WHC), and soil organic carbon (SOC) was observed after the applied amendments in second cropping-seasons.

Decisive role of vacuum-assisted carbonization in valorization of lignin-enriched (Juglans regia-shell) biowaste.

Bioenergy is considered a sustainable substitute to fossil-fuel resources and the development of a prudent combination of renewable and innovative conversion technologies are essential for the valorization and effective conversion of biowaste to value-added commodities. Here, a negative pressure-induced carbonization process was proposed for the valorization of lignin-enriched biowaste precursor to bio-oil and environmental materials (biochar) at various temperatures. The high heating values (HHV) of the as-prepared biochars from the lignin enriched precursor under negative pressure (low-medium vacuum) were within 25.

Biochar-mediated transformation of titanium dioxide nanoparticles concerning TiONPs-biochar interactions, plant traits and tissue accumulation to cell translocation.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiONPs) application in variety of commercial products would likely release these NPs into the environment. The interaction of TiONPs with terrestrial plants upon uptake can disturb plants functional traits and can also transfer to the food chain members. In this study, we investigated the impact of TiONPs on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.

Transformation pathways and fate of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in distinct interactive environmental compartments: A review.

The ever increasing production and use of nano-enabled commercial products release the massive amount of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in the environment. An increasing number of recent studies have shown the toxic effects of ENPs on different organisms, raising concerns over the nano-pollutants behavior and fate in the various environmental compartments. After the release of ENPs in the environment, ENPs interact with various components of the environment and undergoes dynamic transformation processes.

Biochar-induced immobilization and transformation of silver-nanoparticles affect growth, intracellular-radicles generation and nutrients assimilation by reducing oxidative stress in maize.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are used in a wide range of consumer products inevitably releases in massive quantities in the natural environment, posing a potential thread to ecosystem-safety and plant health. Here, the impact of AgNPs (100-1000 mg L) without and with biochar (@2 % w/v) amendment on maize plants was assessed in hydroponics exposure medium. AgNPs exposure to plants induced dose-dependent phytotoxicity by suppressing plant growth, disturbing photosynthesis and gas exchange traits and alteration in macro- and micronutrients assimilation.

A comprehensive review of biogeochemical distribution and fractionation of lead isotopes for source tracing in distinct interactive environmental compartments.

Lead (Pb) is a non-essential and extremely noxious metallic-element whose biogeochemical cycle has been influenced predominantly by increasing human activities to a great extent. The introduction and enrichment of this ubiquitous contaminant in the terrestrial-environment has a long history and getting more attention due to its adverse health effects to living organisms even at very low exposure levels. Its lethal-effects can vary widely depending on the atmospheric-depositions, fates and distribution of Pb isotopes (i.

Biochar-assisted transformation of engineered-cerium oxide nanoparticles: Effect on wheat growth, photosynthetic traits and cerium accumulation.

The extensive use of nano-fabricated products in daily life is releasing a large volume of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in the environment having unknown consequences. Meanwhile, little efforts have been paid to immobilize and prevent the entry of these emerging contaminants in the food chain through plant uptake. Herein, we investigated the biochar role in cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeONPs) bioaccumulation and subsequent translocation in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.

Synergistic effects of biochar and processed fly ash on bioavailability, transformation and accumulation of heavy metals by maize (Zea mays L.) in coal-mining contaminated soil.

In the paper, hydrothermally (HT) treated, sulfuric acid (HSO), and hydrochloric acid (HCl) washed fly ashes (FA) were used to examine the applied effects with and without biochar (BC) on the bioavailability of heavy metals (HMs) and growth of maize (Zea mays L.) plants in coal-mining contaminated soil. Addition of BC in combination with these processed fly ashes (PFA) significantly increased the soil pH, EC, and soil organic carbon (SOC).

Effects of biochar on uptake, acquisition and translocation of silver nanoparticles in rice (Oryza sativa L.) in relation to growth, photosynthetic traits and nutrients displacement.

Rapid development in nanotechnology and incorporation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in wide range of consumer products causing the considerable release of these NPs in the environment, leading concerns for ecosystem safety and plant health. In this study, rice (Oryza sativa) was exposed to AgNPs (0, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 mg L) in biochar amended (2 %w/v) and un-amended systems. Exposure of plants to AgNPs alone reduced the root and shoot length, biomass production, chlorophyll contents, photosynthesis related physiological parameters as well as macro-and micronutrients in a dose dependent manner.

One-step synthesis of N-doped metal/biochar composite using NH-ambiance pyrolysis for efficient degradation and mineralization of Methylene Blue.

A series of new biochar-supported composite based on the combination of biochar and metallic nanoparticles (NPs) were produced through single-step pyrolysis of FeCl-Ti(OBu) laden agar biomass under NH environment. The physiochemical properties of composites were characterized thoroughly. It has found that heating temperature and N-doping through NH-ambiance pyrolysis significantly influence the visible-light sensitivity and bandgap energy of composites.

Biomonitoring and health risks assessment of trace elements in various age- and gender-groups exposed to road dust in habitable urban-industrial areas of Hefei, China.

The current study investigates the concentration of eleven trace elements in biomaterials including hair (85) and nails (85) along with seventy five (75) road dust samples collected from a healthy population of habitable urban-industrial areas of Hefei, China. The samples were acid digested and analyzed using ICP-MS for trace elements content. The mean concentration of Elements followed descending order of Zn > Mg > Fe > Cr > Al > Sn > Sr > Ti > Cu > As > Cd and Mg > Zn > Fe > Cr > Al > Sn > Ti > Cu > Sr > As > Cd in hair and nails, respectively.

A systematic review on global pollution status of particulate matter-associated potential toxic elements and health perspectives in urban environment.

Airborne particulate matter (PM) that is a heterogeneous mixture of particles with a variety of chemical components and physical features acts as a potential risk to human health. The ability to pose health risk depends upon the size, concentration and chemical composition of the suspended particles. Potential toxic elements (PTEs) associated with PM have multiple sources of origin, and each source has the ability to generate multiple particulate PTEs.

A comprehensive review on environmental transformation of selenium: recent advances and research perspectives.

Selenium (Se) is an important micronutrient and essential trace element for both humans and animals, which exist in the environment ubiquitously. Selenium deficiency is an important issue worldwide, with various reported cases of its deficiency. Low selenium contents in some specific terrestrial environments have resulted in its deficiency in humans.

Enhanced removal of hexavalent chromium from aqueous media using a highly stable and magnetically separable rosin-biochar-coated TiO@C nanocomposite.

Recently, nanosized metal-oxides have been extensively investigated for their ability to remove metal ions from aqueous media. However, the activity and capacity of these nanosized metal-oxides for removing metal ions decrease owing to their agglomeration in aqueous media. Herein, we synthesized a highly stable and magnetically separable rosin-biochar-coated (RBC) TiO@C nanocomposite through a facile and environment-friendly wet chemical coating process, followed by a one-step heating route (pyrolysis) for efficient removal of Cr(vi) from aqueous solution.

Simultaneous functionalization and magnetization of biochar via NH ambiance pyrolysis for efficient removal of Cr (VI).

Enhancing biochar adsorption capabilities and recollection ability is essential for efficient biochar application. In this study, Nitrogen-doped magnetic biochar was prepared via one-step heating of FeCl-laden agar biomass under NH environment. Synthesized magnetic biochar ABF-N shows a maximum Cr (VI) adsorption capacity up to 142.

Developmental selenium exposure and health risk in daily foodstuffs: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Selenium (Se) is a trace mineral and an essential nutrient of vital importance to human health in trace amounts. It acts as an antioxidant in both humans and animals, immunomodulator and also involved in the control of specific endocrine pathways. The aim of this work is to provide a brief knowledge on selenium content in daily used various foodstuffs, nutritional requirement and its various health consequences.

Comparative effects of biochar-nanosheets and conventional organic-amendments on health risks abatement of potentially toxic elements via consumption of wheat grown on industrially contaminated-soil.

Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) discharge to the soil environment through increased anthropogenic activities is a global threat. These PTEs can have harmful and chronic-persistent health effects on exposed populations through food consumption grown on contaminated soils. Efforts to investigate the transformation mechanism and accumulation behavior of PTEs in soil-plant system and their adverse health-effects have focused extensively in previous studies.

Combustion characteristics and retention-emission of selenium during co-firing of torrefied biomass and its blends with high ash coal.

The combustion characteristics, kinetic analysis and selenium retention-emission behavior during co-combustion of high ash coal (HAC) with pine wood (PW) biomass and torrefied pine wood (TPW) were investigated through a combination of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and laboratory-based circulating fluidized bed combustion experiment. Improved ignition behavior and thermal reactivity of HAC were observed through the addition of a suitable proportion of biomass and torrefied. During combustion of blends, higher values of relative enrichment factors in fly ash revealed the maximum content of condensing volatile selenium on fly ash particles, and depleted level in bottom ash.

Pollution characteristics and human health risks of potentially (eco)toxic elements (PTEs) in road dust from metropolitan area of Hefei, China.

This study aims to investigate the pollution characteristics of road dust and their associated health risks of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) to humans using array-based risk assessment models described by United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) in a metropolitan area of Hefei, China. Geoaccumulation index (I) was used to describe pollution characteristics of roadside dust in urban, periurban and industrial areas. Results indicate that industrial roadside dust was contaminated with Fe, Ni, Cu, Ti, V, Pb, Ba, Sb, Cr, Sn, Pb, As and Ga showing I value (log (x)) between I class 3 to 4.