Insight into the fate of bioplastic and similar plant-based material debris in aquatic environments via continuous monitoring of their leachate composition - Release of carbon, metals, and additives.

Currently, the environmental problems associated with plastic production and waste, such as the consequences of worldwide pollution of natural waters with microplastics, have led to the seeking of alternative materials that can at least partially replace conventional petroleum-based plastics. Substitute materials include bioplastics and similar plant-based materials or their composites. However, their fate when disposed of in unintended environments (e.

Tunnel vision in the drinking water research field - Time for non-targeted analysis implementation?

A plethora of compounds can reach our drinking water and possibly affect human health. Still, mostly notorious pollutants like pesticides and disinfection by-products are monitored and regulated. With the increasing availability of high-resolution mass spectrometers (HRMS), non-targeted analyses of environmental samples have become possible.

Gas Dynamic Virtual Nozzle Sprayer for an Introduction of Liquid Samples in Atmospheric Pressure Ionization Mass Spectrometry.

Electrospray may exhibit inadequate ionization efficiency in some applications. In such cases, atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and photoionization (APPI) can be used. Despite a wide application potential, no APCI and APPI sources dedicated to very low sample flow rates exist on the market.

Continuous long-term monitoring of leaching from microplastics into ambient water - A multi-endpoint approach.

Widespread pollution of aquatic environments by microplastics (MPs) is a serious environmental threat. Despite the knowledge of their occurrence and properties rapidly evolving, the potential leaching from MPs remains largely unexplored. In this study, 16 different types of MPs prepared from consumer products were kept in long-term contact with water, while the leachates were continuously analysed.

Ecological and methodological drivers of non-stationarity in tree growth response to climate.

Radial tree growth is sensitive to environmental conditions, making observed growth increments an important indicator of climate change effects on forest growth. However, unprecedented climate variability could lead to non-stationarity, that is, a decoupling of tree growth responses from climate over time, potentially inducing biases in climate reconstructions and forest growth projections. Little is known about whether and to what extent environmental conditions, species, and model type and resolution affect the occurrence and magnitude of non-stationarity.

Biochar considerably increases the easily available water and nutrient content in low-organic soils amended with compost and manure.

The soil hydraulic properties of two low-organic soils (Fluvisol; Regosol) were investigated following their amendment with biochar alone or in combination with manure, compost and co-composted biochar. Self-irrigating boxes containing the soil and amendment combinations were purposed with a battery of soil moisture sensors as well as soil porewater sampling devices. Static sampling determined bulk density, porosity and derived soil water retention curves.

Removal of manganese by adsorption onto newly synthesized TiO-based adsorbent during drinking water treatment.

Manganese is naturally present in water, but its increased concentration in potable water is undesirable for multiple reasons. This study investigates an alternative method of demanganization by a newly synthesized TiO-based adsorbent prepared through the transformation of titanyl sulphate monohydrate to amorphous sodium titanate. Its adsorption capacity for Mn was determined, while a range of influential factors, such as the effect of contact time, adsorbent dosage, pH value, and added ions was evaluated.

Circulatory Management of Polymer Waste: Recycling into Fine Fibers and Their Applications.

In modern society, it is impossible to imagine life without polymeric materials. However, managing the waste composed of these materials is one of the most significant environmental issues confronting us in the present day. Recycling polymeric waste is the most important action currently available to reduce environmental impacts worldwide and is one of the most dynamic areas in industry today.

Antibacterial Filtration Membranes Based on PVDF--HFP Nanofibers with the Addition of Medium-Chain 1-Monoacylglycerols.

The efficiency of filtration membranes is substantially lowered by bacterial attachments and potential fouling processes, which reduce their durability and lifecycle. The antibacterial and antifouling properties exhibited by the added materials play a substantial role in their application. We tested a material poly(vinylidene fluoride)--hexafluoropropylene (PDVF--HFP) based on an electrospun copolymer, where an agent was incorporated with a small amount of ester of glycerol consecutively with caprylic, capric, and lauric acids.

Electrospun Poly(ethylene Terephthalate)/Silk Fibroin Composite for Filtration Application.

In this study, fibrous membranes from recycled-poly(ethylene terephthalate)/silk fibroin (r-PSF) were prepared by electrospinning for filtration applications. The effect of silk fibroin on morphology, fibers diameters, pores size, wettability, chemical structure, thermo-mechanical properties, filtration efficiency, filtration performance, and comfort properties such as air and water vapor permeability was investigated. The filtration efficiency (FE) and quality factor (Q), which represents filtration performance, were calculated from penetration through the membranes using aerosol particles ranging from 120 nm to 2.

Current knowledge in the field of algal organic matter adsorption onto activated carbon in drinking water treatment.

The increasing occurrence of algal and cyanobacterial blooms and the related formation of algal organic matter (AOM) is a worldwide issue that endangers the quality of freshwater sources and affects water treatment processes. The associated problems involve the production of toxins or taste and odor compounds, increasing coagulant demand, inhibition of removal of other polluting compounds, and in many cases, AOM acts as a precursor of disinfection by-products. Previous research has shown that for sufficient AOM removal, the conventional drinking water treatment based on coagulation/flocculation must be often accompanied by additional polishing technologies such as adsorption onto activated carbon (AC).

Discovering the potential of an nZVI-biochar composite as a material for the nanobioremediation of chlorinated solvents in groundwater: Degradation efficiency and effect on resident microorganisms.

Abiotic and biotic remediation of chlorinated ethenes (CEs) in groundwater from a real contaminated site was studied using biochar-based composites containing nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI/BC) and natural resident microbes/specific CE degraders supported by a whey addition. The material represented by the biochar matrix decorated by isolated iron nanoparticles or their aggregates, along with the added whey, was capable of a stepwise dechlorination of CEs. The tested materials (nZVI/BC and BC) were able to decrease the original TCE concentration by 99% in 30 days.

The sensitivity of multiple ecotoxicological assays for evaluating Microcystis aeruginosa cellular algal organic matter and contribution of cyanotoxins to the toxicity.

Secondary metabolites of cyanobacteria and algae released during algal blooms often exhibit toxic effects, but only a small number of the metabolites are the subject of routine analytical screenings. Alternatively, ecotoxicological assays offer a better representation of the overall negative effects. The aim of this work was to compare multiple assays in their sensitivity towards cellular algal organic matter (COM) of the toxin-producing cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa.

Nano- and Microfiber PVB Patches as Natural Oil Carriers for Atopic Skin Treatment.

Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is a widespread disorder, with researchers constantly looking for more efficacious treatments. Natural oils are reported to be an effective therapy for dry skin, and medical textiles can be used as an alternative or supporting therapy. In this study, fibrous membranes from poly(vinyl butyral-co-vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate) (PVB) with low and high molecular weights were manufactured to obtain nano- and micrometer fibers electrospinning for the designed patches used as oil carriers for atopic skin treatment.

In Vitro Study of the Toxicity Mechanisms of Nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron (nZVI) and Released Iron Ions Using Earthworm Cells.

During the last two decades, nanomaterials based on nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) have ranked among the most utilized remediation technologies for soil and groundwater cleanup. The high reduction capacity of elemental iron (Fe) allows for the rapid and cost-efficient degradation or transformation of many organic and inorganic pollutants. Although worldwide real and pilot applications show promising results, the effects of nZVI on exposed living organisms are still not well explored.

Screening for 32 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) including GenX in sludges from 43 WWTPs located in the Czech Republic - Evaluation of potential accumulation in vegetables after application of biosolids.

Highly persistent, toxic and bioaccumulative per - and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) represents a serious problem for the environment and their concentrations and fate remain largely unknown. The present study consists of a PFAS screening in sludges originating from 43 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the Czech Republic. To analyze an extended group of PFAS consisting of 32 PFAS, including GenX and other new replacements of older and restricted PFAS in sludge, a new method was optimized and validated using pressurized solvent extraction, followed by the SPE clean-up step to eliminate the observed matrix effects and LC-MS/MS.

The impact of preozonation on the coagulation of cellular organic matter produced by Microcystis aeruginosa and its toxin degradation.

Ozonation pretreatment is typically implemented to improve algal cell coagulation. However, knowledge on the effect of ozonation on the characteristics and coagulation of associated algal organic matter, particularly cellular organic matter (COM), which is extensively released during algal bloom decay, is limited. Hence, this study aimed to elucidate the impact of ozonation applied before the coagulation of dissolved COM from the cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa.

Investigating adsorption of model low-MW AOM components onto different types of activated carbon - influence of temperature and pH value.

Low molecular weight algal organic matter (AOM), as a frequent water contaminant with poor coagulation efficiency, adversely affects the quality of produced water and serves as a source of potentially carcinogenic disinfection by-products. AOM removal from water is inevitable to eliminate the negative health and environmental impacts. This research evaluates the removal of arginine, phenylalanine and aspartic acid, which are amino acids abundant in AOM.

Novel Polyvinyl Butyral/Monoacylglycerol Nanofibrous Membrane with Antifouling Activity.

Monoacylglycerols (MAGs) have proven of great interest to the foodstuffs industry due to the promising antibacterial activity they show for controlling microbial contamination. Prior to this paper, this antibacterial agent had not been incorporated in a nanofibrous membrane. This study details convenient fabrication of nanofibrous membranes based on polyvinyl butyral (PVB) containing various concentrations of monocaprin (MAG 10) by an electrospinning process.

Occurrence and fate of microplastics at two different drinking water treatment plants within a river catchment.

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging globally distributed pollutants of aquatic environments, and little is known about their fate at drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs), which provide a barrier preventing MPs from entering water for human consumption. This study investigated MPs ≥ 1 μm in raw and treated water of two DWTPs that both lie on the same river, but the local quality of water and the treatment technology applied differ. In the case of the more complex DWTP, MPs were analysed at 4 additional sampling sites along the treatment chain.

Cooking oil-surfactant emulsion in water for harvesting Chlorella vulgaris by sedimentation or flotation.

In this study, a novel harvesting emulsion (HEM) consisting of cooking oil in an aqueous solution of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) was tested for the harvesting of a technologically important microalga, Chlorella vulgaris. The influence of HEM dose, biomass and bovine serum albumin (BSA) (model interferer compound) on harvesting efficiency (E) were studied. The HEM E was over 90% at pH 10 (0.

Gas-Liquid Contactors' Aeration Capacities When Agitated by Rushton Turbines of Various Diameters.

Mass transfer processes are one of the most important operations in chemical, biochemical, and food industries worldwide. In the processes that are controlled by the gas-liquid mass transfer rate, the volumetric mass transfer coefficient becomes a crucial quantity. The dataset was measured with the aim to create a correlation for prediction in a non-coalescent batch under the wide range of experimental conditions.