Environmental fate of microplastics and common polymer additives in non-biodegradable plastic mulch applied agricultural soils.

Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the impact of microplastics on soil eco-system, yet little attention has been given to the specific effects of mulch microplastics and the leaching of plastic additives from mulch films. This review inspects the propensity of commonly used plastic additives in mulch films, such as Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), bisphenol A (BPA), and benzophenones (BPs), to migrate into soils and pose potential risks to soil biota. Further, we highlight the degradation of non-biodegradable plastic mulch films over time, which leads to an increase in the release of plastic additives and microplastics into agricultural soils.

Plasticizers: distribution and impact in aquatic and terrestrial environments.

Plasticizers, essential additives for enhancing plastic properties, have emerged as significant environmental and health concerns due to their persistence and widespread use. This study provides an in-depth exploration of plasticizers, focusing on their types, structures, properties, production methods, environmental distribution, and associated risks. The findings reveal that petroleum-based phthalates, particularly di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), are prevalent in aquatic and terrestrial environments, primarily due to the gradual degradation of plastic polymers.

Role of soil organic matter on the retention and mobility of common plastic additives, Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, bisphenol A and benzophenone, in soil.

The objectives of this study were to assess the role of soil organic matter on retaining plastic additives, Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), Bisphenol A (BPA) and Benzophenone (BP), to postulate the retention mechanisms and mobility in soil. Batch experiments were conducted for red yellow podzolic soil (OM) and soil subjected to high temperature oxidation at 600 °C for 2 h to remove total organic matter (OMR). Pristine soil, which contains organic matter abbreviated as OM (soil with organic matter) whereas total organic matter removed soil is abbreviated as OMR (organic matter removed soil).

Colloidal biochar for enhanced adsorption of antibiotic ciprofloxacin in aqueous and synthetic hydrolyzed human urine matrices.

Objectives of the present research were to examine the capacity of disc-milled high lignin biochar colloids (CBC) for the removal of ciprofloxacin (CPX) from aqueous solution and synthetic hydrolyzed human urine. In this study, adsorption of CPX was tested against the initial pH (3-10), ionic strength (0.001-0.

Challenges and opportunities in sustainable management of microplastics and nanoplastics in the environment.

The accumulation of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems has raised concerns because of their adverse effects on ecosystem functions and human health. Plastic waste management has become a universal problem in recent years. Hence, sustainable plastic waste management techniques are vital for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The role of soils in the disposition, sequestration and decontamination of environmental contaminants.

Soil serves as both a 'source' and 'sink' for contaminants. As a source, contaminants are derived from both 'geogenic' and 'anthropogenic' origins. Typically, while some of the inorganic contaminants including potentially toxic elements are derived from geogenic origin (e.

Distribution, behaviour, bioavailability and remediation of poly- and per-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in solid biowastes and biowaste-treated soil.

Aqueous film-forming foam, used in firefighting, and biowastes, including biosolids, animal and poultry manures, and composts, provide a major source of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) input to soil. Large amounts of biowastes are added to soil as a source of nutrients and carbon. They also are added as soil amendments to improve soil health and crop productivity.

Macro, colloidal and nanobiochar for oxytetracycline removal in synthetic hydrolyzed human urine.

Macro (BC), colloidal (CBC) and nanobiochar (NBC) were examined for the particle size effect for adsorptive removal of oxytetracycline (OTC) and co-occurring nutrients, which are present in synthetic hydrolyzed human urine. The surface morphologies and functionality of biochars were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface area and Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) Spectroscopy. Experiments for the removal of OTC were performed at the natural pH (pH 9.

Implications of layered double hydroxides assembled biochar composite in adsorptive removal of contaminants: Current status and future perspectives.

In recent years, biochar composites have received considerable attention for environmental applications. This paper reviews the current state of research on Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs) tailored biochar composites in terms of their synthesis methods, characteristics, and their use as adsorbents for the removal of various pollutants from water, highlighting and discussing the key advancement in this area. The adsorption potential of LDHs-biochar composites for different inorganic and organic contaminants, important factors affecting composites' properties and the adsorption process, and the mechanisms involved in adsorption are discussed in this review.

Green synthesis of graphitic nanobiochar for the removal of emerging contaminants in aqueous media.

This study reports the preparation of nanobiochar (NBC) via top-down approach of bioenergy waste-derived dendro biochar through mechanised grinding in order to assess its capacity to remove emerging contaminants, such as antibiotics, agrochemicals, and potentially toxic elements from aqueous media. Preconditioned biochar was disc milled in ethanol media, and the resulting colloidal biochar was dispersed in water to obtain the NBC fraction by centrifugation. Adsorption edge and isotherm experiments were carried out at pH 3 to 8 and NBC dosages of 0.

Performance of metal-organic frameworks for the adsorptive removal of potentially toxic elements in a water system: a critical review.

Elevated levels of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in aqueous environments have drawn attention recently due to their presence and toxicity to living beings. There have been numerous attempts to remove PTEs from aqueous media. The potential of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in removing PTEs from aqueous media has been recognized due to their distinctive advantages (, increased removal capability, large surface area, adjustable porosity, and recyclability).

Halloysite nanoclay supported adsorptive removal of oxytetracycline antibiotic from aqueous media.

Halloysite nanoclay was utilized to retain aqueous oxytetracycline (OTC) which is extensively used in the veterinary industry. The micro-structure and functionality of the nanoclay were characterized through spectroscopic techniques before and after adsorption. The OTC removal experiments were performed at different pH conditions (pH 3.