Ulva lactuca: A bioindicator for anthropogenic contamination and its environmental remediation capacity.

Coastal regions are subjected to degradation due to anthropogenic pollution. Effluents loaded with variable concentrations of heavy metal, persistent organic pollutant, as well as nutrients are discharged in coastal areas leading to environmental degradation. In the past years, many scientists have studied, not only the effect of different contaminants on coastal ecosystems but also, they have searched for organisms tolerant to pollutants that can be used as bioindicators or for biomonitoring purposes.

Geochemical characterization and the assessment of trace element retention in sediments of the Reconquista River, Argentina.

The mineralogical and geochemical characterization of sediments of the Reconquista River allows analyzing the geochemical partition of trace elements in one of the most polluted water courses of Argentina. The low dissolved oxygen and high ammonia contents, together with the high chemical oxygen demand, attest to the poor water quality. Ammonia, Cd and Cu content in surficial water exceeds the maximum guidelines for freshwater in Argentina.

Luminescent Lanthanide Metal Organic Frameworks as Chemosensing Platforms towards Agrochemicals and Cations.

Since the first studies of luminescent sensors based on metal organic frameworks (MOFs) about ten years ago, there has been an increased interest in the development of specific sensors towards cations, anions, explosives, small molecules, solvents, etc. However, the detection of toxic compounds related to agro-industry and nuclear activity is noticeably scarce or even non-existent. In this work, we report the synthesis and characterization of luminescent lanthanide-based MOFs (Ln-MOFs) with diverse crystalline architectures obtained by solvothermal methods.

Adsorption of picloram on clays nontronite, illite and kaolinite: equilibrium and herbicide-clays surface complexes.

The picloram (PCM) adsorption on nontronite, illite and kaolinite was studied at pH 3, 5 and 7. The adsorption isotherms had well-fitted to Langmuir and Freundlich models equations. The interactions of PCM with the clay mineral surfaces exhibited an anionic profile adsorption, with a decrease in adsorption when the pH increases.

Adsorption of Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) by dead Avena fatua biomass and the effect of these metals on their growth.

The biosorption of copper(II), zinc(II), cadmium(II) and lead(II) from aqueous solutions by dead Avena fatua biomass and the effect of these metals on the growth of this wild oat were investigated. Pseudo-first- and second-order and intra-particle diffusion models were applied to describe the kinetic data and to evaluate the rate constants. The adsorption kinetics of all the metals follows a pseudo-second-order model.

Biosorption of Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) by dead biomasses of green alga Ulva lactuca and the development of a sustainable matrix for adsorption implementation.

Many industries have high heavy metals concentrations in their effluents that should be treated before disposal in drains or natural watercourses. When adsorption process is evaluated to generate and implement an efficient, economical and sustainable method suitable for heavy metals removal from contaminated effluents, it is necessary to develop an experimental setup that contains the adsorbent. Ulva lactuca, a marine green alga, was studied as a natural biosorbent for heavy metals at acid pH conditions.

Copper, zinc, cadmium and lead biosorption by Gymnogongrus torulosus. Thermodynamics and kinetics studies.

Gymnogongrus torulosus adsorption efficiency for cadmium(II), copper(II), lead(II) and zinc(II) were studied in batch mode in different acidic conditions. The adsorbent removal efficiency was determined as a function of contact time, initial metal ions concentration, pH and temperature. G.

Microbiological and technological aspects of cassava-starch fermentation.

The major genera found in the microflora of fermented, sour, cassava-starch were Streptococcus, Bacillus, Lactobacillus and Saccharomyces with amylase activity. Lactic acid bacteria predominated whereas the presence of moulds was not significant. No coliforms were detected.