Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in freshwater aquaculture area with different culture modes in Yangtze River Delta of China.

There are multiple sources of microplastic contamination in freshwater aquaculture areas, such as water inputs, use of plastic farming tools and weathering of discarded plastics, leading to microplastic contamination of aquaculture environments, but microplastics in freshwater aquaculture areas are still limited. In our study, we investigated the distribution of microplastics (MPs) in the aquaculture water, sediments and crabs during the growth cycle of crabs with different culture modes. The results show that from May to October, MPs in surface water first increased and then decreased, which is related to water evaporation and river water recharge caused by local hot and sunny weather.

Nano boron carbide effectively boost Fenton-like performance of hematite mediated systems: Roles of hematite exposed facets and synergistic catalysis between Fe and B.

The inherent properties of exposed facets of iron minerals played key roles in heterogeneous reactions at the mineral interface, and the addition of co-catalysts has been elucidated to further enhance the reactions for contaminants degradation. Here, synergistic Fenton-like catalytic reactivity of different hematite dominant exposed facets ({001}, {012}, {100}, and {113}) with nano boron carbide (BC) was revealed. In 5 h, as compared with the cumulative •OH in the BC/HO system (96.

Carbon quantum dots assisted BiFeO@BiOBr S-scheme heterojunction enhanced peroxymonosulfate activation for the photocatalytic degradation of imidacloprid under visible light: Performance, mechanism and biotoxicity.

A novel S-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst carbon quantum dots (CQDs)/BiFeO/BiOBr (CBB) was synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method, which was highly effective in activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to photodegrade imidacloprid (IMD) (one of the typical neonicotinoid insecticides (NEOs)) under visible light irradiation. Based on the physicochemical and photoelectrochemical analysis, the super photocatalytic performance of the CBB photocatalyst was contributed to the enhanced separation and transfer of photogenerated electrons (e) and holes (h), the activation of PMS by reactive species, and the wider light absorption range induced by CQDs. Moreover, the intermediate products and possible photodegradation pathways of IMD were confirmed through high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) detection and density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

Applying sludge hydrolysate as a carbon source for biological denitrification after composition optimization via red soil filtration.

Sludge hydrolysate, the byproduct generated during sludge hydrothermal treatment (HT), is a potential carbon source for biological denitrification. However, the refractory organic matters and the nutrient substances are unfavorable to the nitrogen removal. In this study, effects of HT conditions on the hydrolysate properties, and the hydrolysate compositions optimization via red soil (RS) filtration were investigated.

Magnetic-responsive solid acid catalysts for esterification.

Two kinds of magnetic-responsive solid acid catalysts were designed and prepared an polymerization of poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs) on the surface of FeO@SiO NPs for the catalyzed esterification of palmitic acid and methanol. They were characterized using XRD, TGA, VSM, NMR spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, XPS, SEM, and GC techniques. The results confirmed the preparation of solid acid catalysts.

Isolation of functional bacterial strains from chromium-contaminated site and bioremediation potentials.

In this study, two Cr(VI)-reducing functional bacterial strains (TJ-1 and TJ-5) were successfully isolated and screened from the chromium-contaminated soil from a real site. The 16S rRNA gene sequences were analysed, which showed high similarity (>99%) with Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (TJ-1) and Brucella intermedius (TJ-5) species. The optimum growth for the two bacteria to reduce Cr(VI) were achieved at pH 7.

Spectrophotometric Determination of -Nitrophenol under ENP Interference.

Engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) have been widely developed in various fields in recent years, resulting in an increasing occurrence of nanoparticles in the natural environment. However, the tiny substances have created unexpected confusion in environmental sample testing due to the negative nanoeffect of ENPs. In this paper, a novel technique of spectrophotometric determination of -nitrophenol (PNP) was developed under the interfering impact of nano-Fe(OH), widely distributed in the natural environment as a typical example of ENPs.

Chitosan capping of CuO nanoparticles: Facile chemical preparation, biological analysis, and applications in dentistry.

This investigation is vital contribution to the healthcare system utilizing techniques of nanobiotechnology. It interestingly applies chitosan capped CuO nanoparticles in the field of medicine and restorative dentistry. The CuO nanoparticles and CuO-Chitosan nanoparticles are prepared by co-precipitation, and their characterization is performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX).

In situ sampling of tetracycline antibiotics in culture wastewater using diffusive gradients in thin films equipped with graphene nanoplatelets.

A device of graphene nanoplatelet-based diffusion gradients in thin-films (G-DGT) was developed for in situ sampling of tetracycline (TC), oxytetracycline (OTC) and chlortetracycline (CTC) in aquatic environment. The accumulation of antibiotics in a synthetic solution by the proposed G-DGT was consistent with the theoretical curves predicted by the DGT equation. The values of the detection and quantification limits of G-DGT using high-performance liquid chromatography over the deployment time of 7 days were at the level of μg L for the three antibiotics.

Nanocomposites of zero-valent Iron@Activated carbon derived from corn stalk for adsorptive removal of tetracycline antibiotics.

The hybrid nanocomposites of zero-valent iron loaded the activated carbon derived from the corn stalk (ZVI@ACCS) was prepared and used to remove the antibiotics of tetracycline (TC), oxytetracycline (OTC) and chlortetracycline (CTC) from aqueous solution. The adsorption amounts of three antibiotics (103.1 mg g for CTC, 72.

Engineered ZnO and CuO Nanoparticles Ameliorate Morphological and Biochemical Response in Tissue Culture Regenerants of Candyleaf ().

Sustainable production of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants by artificial culturing on the industrial scale has gained worldwide importance. Engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) play a pivotal role in the elicitation of compounds of medicinal value. This investigation explores the influence of ZnO and CuO ENPs on in vitro roots formation, non-enzymatic antioxidant activities, and production of steviol glycosides (SGs) in regenerants of Candyleaf, .

Downward transport of naturally-aged light microplastics in natural loamy sand and the implication to the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes.

Current understanding on the fate and behavior of microplastics (MPs) in complex soil media remains inadequate. We characterized the aging and hetero-aggregation of a MP sampled in farmland soil, and explored its vertical downward transport in natural loamy sand. The MP was identified with FTIR spectrum as polypropylene, a plastic lighter than water.

Enhancement of the ANAMMOX bacteria activity and granule stability through pulsed electric field at a lower temperature (16 ± 1 °C).

The effects of different frequencies of pulsed electric field (PEF) on the ANAMMOX process were investigated. The results showed that the intermediate frequency could dramatically enhance both the ANAMMOX bacterial activity and granule sludge stability at 16 ± 1 °C The nitrogen removal efficiency of R1 (intermediate frequency) was significantly enhanced by 62.24% and 79.

Cryptic footprints of rare earth elements on natural resources and living organisms.

Background: Rare earth elements (REEs) are gaining attention due to rapid rise of modern industries and technological developments in their usage and residual fingerprinting. Cryptic entry of REEs in the natural resources and environment is significant; therefore, life on earth is prone to their nasty effects. Scientific sectors have expressed concerns over the entry of REEs into food chains, which ultimately influences their intake and metabolism in the living organisms.

Fate and transport of nanoplastics in complex natural aquifer media: Effect of particle size and surface functionalization.

Environmental processes of nanoplastics in heterogeneous natural groundwater systems remain unclear. In this study, the control of particle size and surface functional groups on the fate and transport of nanoplastics in an organic matter (OM) rich aquifer was explored using batch and column tests. The carboxyl-modified 200 nm (200CNP), carboxyl-modified 50 nm (50CNP), and amino-modified 50 nm (50ANP) polystyrene latex beads were used as surrogates for nanoplastics of contrasting sizes and surface functional groups.

Hydrogen sulfide enhances rice tolerance to nickel through the prevention of chloroplast damage and the improvement of nitrogen metabolism under excessive nickel.

Hydrogen sulfide (HS) modulates plant tolerance to abiotic stresses, but its regulatory effects on nitrogen metabolism and chloroplast protection under nickel (Ni) stress in crop plants remain elusive. Taking this into account, we investigated the potential roles of sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), a HS generator, in the improvement of growth performance of rice plants under Ni stress. Results showed that NaHS successfully reversed the adverse effects of Ni, as reflected in plant growth and biomass, and photosynthesis attributes including photosynthetic rates, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, internal CO concentration and photosynthetic pigment contents.

Uptake and transformation of steroid estrogens as emerging contaminants influence plant development.

Steroid estrogens are emerging contaminants of concern due to their devastating effects on reproduction and development in animals and humans at very low concentrations. The increasing steroid estrogen in the environment all over the world contrasts very few studies for potential impacts on plant development as a result of estrogen uptake. This study evaluated the uptake, transformation and effects of estradiol (17β-E2) and ethinyl estradiol (EE2) (0.

Nitric oxide induces rice tolerance to excessive nickel by regulating nickel uptake, reactive oxygen species detoxification and defense-related gene expression.

Soil contamination with nickel (Ni) is a persistent threat to crop production worldwide. The present study examined the putative roles of nitric oxide (NO) in improving Ni-tolerance in rice. Our findings showed that application of exogenous sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a NO donor, significantly improved the growth performance of rice seedlings when grown under excessive Ni.

Environmental impact of estrogens on human, animal and plant life: A critical review.

Background: Since the inception of global industrialization, steroidal estrogens have become an emerging and serious concern. Worldwide, steroid estrogens including estrone, estradiol and estriol, pose serious threats to soil, plants, water resources and humans. Indeed, estrogens have gained notable attention in recent years, due to their rapidly increasing concentrations in soil and water all over the world.