Low-cost zeolite-based sorbents prepared from industrial perlite by-product material for Zn and Ni removal from aqueous solutions: synthesis, properties and sorption efficiency. | LitMetric
The conversion of waste/by-product materials into efficient sorbents is at the forefront of innovative remediation techniques. In the present study, the relationships among the synthesis conditions, physicochemical properties of synthesized sorbents and Zn and Ni removal efficiencies were studied in detail. Zeolite X, zeolite P, phillipsite, analcime, sodalite and cancrinite were synthesized from industrial perlite by-product material. The zeolite content in the synthesized sorbents and zeolite framework topology (dimensions, numbers and spatial configuration of channels) were the key factors affecting the removal of Zn and Ni from aqueous solutions. Zeolite X-based sorbent exhibited the best sorption performance mainly due to the large zeolite channel dimensions, low Si/Al ratio, high cation exchange capacity and high specific surface area. Nevertheless, the efficiency and stability of this sorbent need to be tested under field conditions prior to its application for remediation technologies.
Livestock grazing has been proposed as a cost-effective way to reclaim post-mining lands. It can enhance soil fertility and biodiversity, but its impacts on soil quality and microbial communities vary across soil types. Moreover, waste from grazing raises concerns about pathogens that could pose risks to animal and human health.
The study investigates how steel slag can be used as a substrate for rooting cuttings, aiming to create a mixed substrate that utilizes solid waste effectively while replacing traditional cutting substrates.
Various substrates with 10% to 40% steel slag were analyzed for their physical and chemical properties, and their effects on rooting 'Red Beauty' cuttings were compared to conventional substrates (peat and perlite).
Results indicated that the 20% steel slag substrate (T) yielded superior root growth and development, having the highest performance in several metrics, while also showing better properties such as higher pH and conductivity compared to traditional substrates.
In the production of refined sunflower oil, waxes are removed during the winterization stage, and wax crystals are separated through filtration assisted by filtration aids. Commonly used filtration aids in oil refining include perlite and diatomaceous earth. After winterization, a significant amount of filter cake remains as a by-product and is treated as waste.
In this study, Discovery Studio was employed to predict the potential disulfide bond mutants of the catalytic domain of Pseudoalteromonas porphyrae κ-carrageenase to improve the catalytic activity and thermal stability. The mutant N205C-G239C was identified with significantly increased catalytic activity toward κ-carrageenan substrate, with activity 4.28 times that of WT.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted into the atmosphere negatively affect the environment and human health. Biotrickling filtration, an effective technology for treating VOC-laden waste gases, faces challenges in removing hydrophobic VOCs due to their low water solubility and therefore limited bioavailability to microorganisms. Consequently, the addition of (bio)surfactants has proven to be a promising strategy to enhance the removal of hydrophobic VOCs in biotrickling filters (BTFs).
