Publications by authors named "Shixing Ren"

Coking industry is a potential source of heavy metals (HMs) pollution. However, its impacts to the groundwater of surrounding residential areas have not been well understood. This study investigated the pollution characteristics and health risks of HMs in groundwater nearby a typical coking plant.

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The prevalence of toxic element thallium (Tl) in soils is of increasing concern as a hidden hazard in agricultural systems and food chains. In the present work, pure biochar (as a comparison) and jacobsite (MnFeO)-biochar composite (MFBC) were evaluated for their immobilization effects in Tl-polluted agricultural soils (Tl: ∼10 mg/kg). Overall, MFBC exhibited an efficient effect on Tl immobilization, and the effect was strengthened with the increase of amendment ratio.

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Both of thallium (Tl) and antimony (Sb) are toxic elements in the natural environment. Emerging Tl and Sb pollution in water has gradually gained public concerns globally. However, limited technologies are available for co-removal of Tl and Sb from wastewater.

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Thallium is a trace metal with severe toxicity. Contamination of thallium (Tl) generated by steel and non-ferrous metals industry is gaining growing concern worldwide. However, little is known on Tl contamination owing to industrial activities using carbonate minerals.

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Soil-to-vegetable migration of toxic metal(loid)s is a pivotal pathway of human exposure to chemical intoxication. Thallium (Tl) and arsenic (As) are highly toxic metal(loid)s but their co-occurrence in soils and vegetables remain poorly understood. Herein, the present study focuses on potential health risk arising from co-occurrence of TlAs in various common vegetables cultivated in different farmlands around an industrial area featured by cement production activities.

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Article Synopsis
  • Thallium (Tl) is a toxic trace metal causing global pollution in water, but there are few effective methods to remove it from wastewater.
  • A novel adsorbent made from a MnFeO-biochar composite (MFBC) has been developed, showing a high removal capacity of 170.55 mg/g for Tl(I) at an optimal pH of 6.0.
  • The MFBC demonstrates various removal mechanisms (adsorption, ion exchange, etc.) and is noted for being environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and efficient with notable magnetic properties and a large surface area.
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Article Synopsis
  • Thallium (Tl) is a highly toxic element, even more so than arsenic, mercury, and cadmium, and the steel-making industry is a significant source of Tl contamination in China.
  • A study found Tl levels averaging 1.96 mg/kg in river sediments affected by steel production, with contamination detected up to 10 km downstream from the plant.
  • The research indicates moderate to high ecological risk from Tl and associated metals like lead, cadmium, zinc, and antimony, underscoring the need for effective pollution management in areas impacted by steel manufacturing.
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