Metal cations and organic pollutants mostly co-exist in the natural environment. However, their interactions in adsorption processes have yet to be adequately addressed. In the current study, the effect of inorganic cations with different charges (Ag⁺, Zn²⁺, and Al³⁺) on the adsorption and desorption of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) onto and from processed ash derived from wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) straw was investigated. The adsorption and desorption of TCP were both nonlinear; the isotherm and kinetics curves fitted well using the Freundlich equation and a pseudo-second-order model, respectively. The presence of Ag⁺ promoted TCP adsorption, while Zn²⁺ and Al³⁺ reduced TCP adsorption onto ash. The desorption of TCP from ash showed obvious hysteresis, and the presence of Ag⁺, Zn²⁺, and Al³⁺ caused the desorption to be less hysteretic. The suppression of TCP adsorption by Zn²⁺ and Al³⁺ was ascribed to the partial overlapping of adsorption groups between TCP and metal ions. Al³⁺ had a stronger inhibition effect than that of Zn²⁺ due to its higher binding capacity and larger hydrated ionic radius than those of Zn²⁺. Enhanced adsorption of TCP onto ash by Ag⁺ was ascribed to its ability to reduce the competitive adsorption of water molecules on ash surface by replacing the original ions, such as Na⁺ and Ca²⁺, and compressing the hydrated ionic radius of these metal ions. In addition, Ag⁺ was able to bind with the aromatic organic compounds containing π-electrons, which resulted in a further increase of TCP adsorption by ash.

Sustainable, environmental friendly, and safe disposal of sewage treatment plant (STP) sludge is a global expectation. Bioremediation performance was examined at different hydraulic retention times (HRT) in 3–10 days and organic loading rates (OLR) at 0.66–7.81 g chemical oxygen demand (COD) per liter per day, with mixed filamentous fungal (Aspergillus niger and Penicillium corylophilum) inoculation by liquid-state bioconversion (LSB) technique as a continuous process in large-scale bioreactor. Encouraging results were monitored in treated sludge by LSB continuous process. The highest removal of total suspended solid (TSS), turbidity, and COD were achieved at 98, 99, and 93 %, respectively, at 10 days HRT compared to control. The minimum volatile suspended solid/suspended solid implies the quality of water, which was recorded 0.59 at 10 days and 0.72 at 3 days of HRT. In treated supernatant with 88 % protein removal at 10 days of HRT indicates a higher magnitude of purification of treated sludge. The specific resistance to filtration (SRF) quantifies the performance of dewaterability; it was recorded minimum 0.049 × 10¹² m kg⁻¹at 10 days of HRT, which was equivalent to 97 % decrease of SRF. The lower OLR and higher HRT directly influenced the bioremediation and dewaterability of STP sludge in LSB process. The obtained findings imply encouraging message in continuing treatment of STP sludge, i.e., bioremediation of wastewater for environmental friendly disposal in near future.

Environmental toxicants viz lead or cadmium and phthalate esters (di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate [DEHP], dibutyl phthalate [DBP], and diethyl phthalate [DEP]) widely found in different environmental strata are linked to deteriorating male reproductive health. The objective was to assess the relationships between the seminal lead, cadmium, and phthalate (DEHP, DBP, DEP) concentrations at environmental level and serum hormone levels and semen quality in non-occupationally exposed men and specify the effect of individual and combined exposure of toxicants on semen quality. A study of 60 male partners of couples attending the Andrology Laboratory of the Reproductive Biology Department, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India for semen analysis to assess their inability to achieve a pregnancy was selected for the study. The results of univariate and stepwise multiple regression analysis in the unadjusted model showed a significant correlation between lead or cadmium and phthalates DEHP/DBP/DEP and sperm motility, sperm concentration, and DNA damage. After adjusting for potential confounders, an association with lead or DEHP was only observed. The present data shows that lead (Pb) or cadmium (Cd) or phthalates might independently contribute to decline in semen quality and induce DNA damage. Phthalates might influence reproductive hormone testosterone. These findings are significant in light of the fact that men are exposed to a volley of chemicals; however, due to the small sample size, our finding needs to be confirmed in a larger population.

Five Asian willow species (Salix jiangsuensis J172, Salix matsudana, Salix integra Yizhibi, Salix integra Weishanhu, and Salix mongolica) were evaluated for their potential for phytofiltration of arsenic (As) from synthetically contaminated waters. Arsenic accumulation, tolerance, uptake influx, and phytofiltration ability of the five willow species were examined under hydroponic conditions in a glasshouse. Short-term exposure (2 weeks) to solutions containing 80 μmol L⁻¹arsenate (As(V)), resulted in significant accumulation of As in all willow species. Arsenic concentration in plant roots ranged from 322 mg kg⁻¹dry weight (DW) for S. matsudana to 604 mg kg⁻¹(DW) for S. integra Yizhibi. S. integra Yizhibi decreased As(V) concentration in water from 3.87 to 1.89 μmol L⁻¹(290 to 142 μg L⁻¹) over 168 h, which is 50 % of the total As(V) in the solution. The results suggested that even though Asian willow was not a traditional aquatic species, it still had significant potential for phytofiltration of As from contaminated waters. Of the five willow species studied, S. integra Yizhibi had the greatest capacity to remove As from As-contaminated waters. Thus, Asian willow has significant potential for the phytofiltration of As and may also be suitable for practical phytoremediation of As in highly water-logged areas.

Severe perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) contamination resulting from the fast-growing semiconductor, electrochemical, and optoelectronic industries has been determined in the river water in the vicinity of the Taipei area, Taiwan, during recent years. However, little is known about body burdens of the PFAA contaminations in local residents, especially children living in the Taipei area recently. In this study, ten target PFAA analytes consisted of three perfluorosulfonates (PFSAs) and seven perfluorocarboxylates (PFCAs) in the blood serum samples, collected from 225 healthy children with an average age of 13.6 years in the Taipei area from 2009 to 2010, were analyzed via high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS). As the dominant PFAA contaminant in the blood serum samples from Taiwanese children, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) contributed 86 % of all the target PFAA analytes, while the other nine analytes contributed less than 5 % individually. PFOS showed the highest median up to 29 ng/mL, ranging from 0.03 to 148 ng/mL, which was higher than that observed in the serum samples collected from Taiwanese children between 2006 and 2008. Statistically, serum concentrations of perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) had significantly positive correlations with ages of children (p < 0.05). Furthermore, serum PFBS, PFHxS, and PFOA concentrations in the male children were considerably higher than those in the female children (p = 0.049, p = 0.000, p = 0.000).

Animal fleshing (ANFL) is the predominant proteinaceous solid waste generated during processing of leather and it is confronting disposal problems. The aim of this study was to assess the potential of epigeic earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae to utilize and transform the fermented ANFL in the solid state (SSF) and submerged state (SmF) into a value added product along a low residence period (25 days). A total of six treatment units containing different waste mixture compositions were established. Fifty healthy and non-clitellated earthworms were introduced in three different treatment containers: control, SSF, and SmF (+worm). Another set of treatment mixtures (control, SSF, SmF) was established without earthworms (−worm) to compare the results. The products were characterized for physico-chemical, enzymatic analysis and seedling growth parameters to compare the differences in the process with and without earthworms. The changes observed in the analytical parameters were in the following order: SSF > SmF > control mixtures (p < 0.05). The vermicompost showed a significant reduction in heavy metals, total organic carbon and an increase in total Kjeldhal nitrogen as compared to the product untreated by earthworms. The maximum enzymatic activities were observed after 21 days of vermicomposting. The relative seed germination of vermicompost extracts were in the order of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) > green gram (Vigna radiata) > cucumber (Cucumis sativus) > bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl.) and showed no phytotoxicity effects. The results indicated that the combination of both ANFL hydrolysis through fermentation and vermicomposting is a good alternative to the management of this kind of waste.

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) were analyzed in surface soils along the Koshi River in Nepal, a typical agricultural country with little industrialization and urbanization. Sixteen target PFASs were quantified in soils from a hilly region in central and eastern Nepal, but only ten PFASs were detected. Concentrations of total PFASs ranged from nd (below the detection limit) to 1.78 ng/g dw. The predominant PFASs in soils were perfluoro-octanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluoro-butanesulfonate (PFBS) with concentrations that ranged from nd to 0.26 ng/g dw and nd to 0.38 ng/g dw, respectively. Results of mass balance analysis also revealed weak associations among concentrations of PFASs, extractable organic fluorine (EOF), and total fluorine (TF). PFASs were relatively evenly distributed among locations. Due to the absence of direct emission of PFASs and slow development of local industry, PFASs in soils originated mostly from long-range atmospheric transport, consumer use, and disposal of PFASs-containing products. Uncontrolled disposal of domestic waste will be a challenge to controlling concentrations of PFASs in Nepal.

This work presents the structural and adsorption properties of the CaCO₃⁻-rich Corbicula fluminea shell as a natural and economic adsorbent to remove Cd ions from aqueous solutions under batch studies. Experiments were conducted with different contact times, various initial concentrations, initial solution pH and serial biosorbent dosage to examine the dynamic characterization of the adsorption and its influence on Cd uptake capacity. The characterization of the C. fluminea shell using SEM/EDX revealed that the adsorbent surface is mostly impregnated by small particles of potentially calcium salts. The dominant Cd adsorption mechanism is strongly pH and concentration dependent. A maximum Cd removal efficiency of 96.20 % was obtained at pH 7 while the optimum adsorbent dosage was observed as 5 g/L. The Langmuir isotherm was discovered to be more suitable to represent the experimental equilibrium isotherm results with higher correlation coefficients (R² > 0.98) than Freundlich (R² < 0.97).The correlation coefficient values (p < 0.01) indicated the superiority of the Langmuir isotherm over the Freundlich isotherm.

Landfill leachate has become a serious environmental concern because of the presence of many hazardous compounds which even at trace levels are a threat to human health and environment. Therefore, it is important to assess the toxicity of leachate generated and discharge it conforming to the safety standards. The present work examined the efficiency of an earlier reported Pseudomonas sp. strain ISTDF1 for detoxification of leachate collected from Okhla landfill site (New Delhi, India). GC-MS analysis performed after treatment showed the removal of compounds like alpha-limonene diepoxide, brominated dioxin-2-one, Bisphenol A, nitromusk, phthalate derivative, and nitrobenzene originally found in untreated leachate. ICP-AES analysis for heavy metals also showed reduction in concentrations of Zn, Cd, Cr, Fe, Ni, and Pb bringing them within the limit of safety discharge. Methyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay for cytotoxicity, alkaline comet assay for genotoxicity, and 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) assay for dioxin-like behavior were carried out in human hepato-carcinoma cell line HepG2 to evaluate the toxic potential of treated and untreated leachates. The bacterium reduced toxicity as shown by 2.5-fold reduction of MTT EC₅₀value, 7-fold reduction in Olive Tail Moment, and 2.8-fold reduction in EROD induction after 240 h of bacterial treatment.