High silica content of de-inked paper mill effluents is limiting their regeneration and reuse after membrane treatments such as reverse osmosis (RO). Silica removal during softening processes is a common treatment; however, the effluent from the paper mill studied has a low hardness content, which makes the addition of magnesium compounds necessary to increase silica removal. Two soluble magnesium compounds (MgCl₂∙6H₂O and MgSO₄∙7H₂O) were tested at five dosages (250–1,500 mg/L) and different initial pH values. High removal rates (80–90 %) were obtained with both products at the highest pH tested (11.5). With these removal efficiencies, it is possible to work at high RO recoveries (75–85 %) without silica scaling. Although pH regulation significantly increased the conductivity of the waters (at pH 11.5 from 2.1 to 3.7–4.0 mS/cm), this could be partially solved by using Ca(OH)₂instead of NaOH as pH regulator (final conductivity around 3.0 mS/cm). Maximum chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal obtained with caustic soda was lower than with lime (15 vs. 30 %). Additionally, the combined use of a polyaluminum coagulant during the softening process was studied; the coagulant, however, did not significantly improve silica removal, obtaining a maximum increase of only 10 %.

Elsholtzia splendens is a well-known Cu-tolerant plant; yet, the impact of Cu-contaminated soil on bacterial community in its rhizosphere is not known. We studied the spatial variability of bacteria in the rhizosphere using Cu-contaminated soil with polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) and real-time PCR. In the uncontaminated soil, the content of the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and bacterial diversity gradually increased in the rhizosphere soil along the root growth direction (from the interface zone to the meristematic zone), while for the Cu-contaminated soil, the highest DOC content and the strongest potential bioavailability of Cu were found in the interface zone, which also had the lowest bacteria diversity. Bacteria diversity was positively correlated with DOC in the uncontaminated soil (p < 0.01) but not in the contaminated soil. Compared with uncontaminated soil, some species such as Firmicutes only existed in the rhizosphere of contaminated soil, while the very small amount (if any) of some species exists such as Deinococcus-Thermus, indicating that the contaminated environment altered the bacterial composition. Moreover, spatial variation of the bacterial community was found among different soil zones. Real-time PCR confirmed the spatial variation via the gene expression of flagellin (fliC) and chemotaxis gene (cheA). The spatial characteristics of cheA expression were consistent with that of DOC and bacterial diversity. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the spatial variation of the bacterial community in the rhizosphere was present, independent of Cu contamination. DOC and Cu toxicity may affect specific gene expressions such as fliC and cheA, resulting in bacterial spatial variation.

Nowadays, e-waste is a major source of environmental problems and opportunities due to presence of hazardous elements and precious metals. This study was aimed to evaluate the pollution risk of heavy metal contamination by informal recycling of e-waste. Environmental risk assessment was determined using multivariate statistical analysis, index of geoaccumulation, enrichment factor, contamination factor, degree of contamination and pollution load index by analysing heavy metals in surface soils, plants and groundwater samples collected from and around informal recycling workshops in Mandoli industrial area, Delhi, India. Concentrations of heavy metals like As (17.08 mg/kg), Cd (1.29 mg/kg), Cu (115.50 mg/kg), Pb (2,645.31 mg/kg), Se (12.67 mg/kg) and Zn (776.84 mg/kg) were higher in surface soils of e-waste recycling areas compared to those in reference site. Level exceeded the values suggested by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). High accumulations of heavy metals were also observed in the native plant samples (Cynodon dactylon) of e-waste recycling areas. The groundwater samples collected form recycling area had high heavy metal concentrations as compared to permissible limit of Indian Standards and maximum allowable limit of WHO guidelines for drinking water. Multivariate analysis and risk assessment studies based on total metal content explains the clear-cut differences among sampling sites and a strong evidence of heavy metal pollution because of informal recycling of e-waste. This study put forward that prolonged informal recycling of e-waste may accumulate high concentration of heavy metals in surface soils, plants and groundwater, which will be a matter of concern for both environmental and occupational hazards. This warrants an immediate need of remedial measures to reduce the heavy metal contamination of e-waste recycling sites.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and dibenzofuran (PCDD/PCDF) were overall measured and compared in ambient air, water, soils, and sediments along the upper reaches of the Haihe River of North China, so as to evaluate their concentrations, profiles, and to understand the processes of gas–particle partitioning and air–water/soil exchange. The following results were obtained: (1) The average concentrations (toxic equivalents, TEQs) of 2,3,7,8-PCDD/PCDF in air, water, sediment, and soil samples were 4,855 fg/m³, 9.5 pg/L, 99.2 pg/g dry weight (dw), and 56.4 pg/g (203 fg TEQ/m³, 0.46 pg TEQ/L, 2.2 pg TEQ/g dw, and 1.3 pg TEQ/g, respectively), respectively. (2) Although OCDF, 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF, OCDD, and 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD were the dominant congeners among four environmental sinks, obvious discrepancies of these congener and homologue patterns of PCDD/PCDF were observed still. (3) Significant linear correlations for PCDD/PCDF were observed between the gas–particle partition coefficient (Kₚ) and the subcooled liquid vapor pressure (PL⁰) and octanol–air partition coefficient (Kₒₐ). (4) Fugacity fraction values of air–water exchange indicated that most of PCDD/PCDF homologues were dominated by net volatilization from water into air. The low-chlorinated PCDD/PCDF (tetra- to hexa-) presented a strong net volatilization from the soil into air, while high-chlorinated PCDD/PCDF (hepta- to octa-) were mainly close to equilibrium for air–soil exchange.

The aim of present study was to develop and evaluate sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) self-microemulsifying systems (SMES) for the removal of an anionic dye xylenol orange (XO) from its bulk aqueous media via liquid–liquid adsorption. The composition of SDS SMES was optimized by Box–Behnken statistical design for the maximum removal of XO from its aqueous solution. Various SDS formulations were prepared by spontaneous emulsification method and characterized for thermodynamic stability, self-microemulsification efficiency, droplet size, and viscosity. Adsorption studies were conducted at 8, 16, and 24 h by mixing small amounts of SDS formulations with relatively large amounts of bulk aqueous solution of XO. Droplet size and viscosity of SDS formulations were significantly influenced by oil phase concentration (triacetin), while surfactant concentration had little impact on droplet size and viscosity. However, the percentage of removal of XO was influenced by triacetin concentration, surfactant concentration, and adsorption time. Based on lowest droplet size (35.97 nm), lowest viscosity (29.62 cp), and highest percentage of removal efficiency (89.77 %), formulation F₁₄, containing 2 % w/w of triacetin and 40 % w/w of surfactant mixture (20 % w/w of SDS and 20 % w/w of polyethylene glycol 400), was selected as an optimized formulation for the removal of XO from its bulk aqueous media after 16 h. These results indicated that SDS SMES could be suitable alternates of solid–liquid adsorption for the removal of toxic dyes such as XO from its aqueous solution through liquid–liquid adsorption.

Poisonous lead (Pb), among heavy metals, is a potential pollutant that readily accumulates in soils and thus adversely affects physiological processes in plants. We have evaluated how exogenous H₂S affects cotton plant physiological attributes and Pb uptake under Pb stress thereby understanding the role of H₂S in physiological processes in plants. Two concentrations (0 and 200 μM) of H₂S donor sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) were experimented on cotton plants under Pb stress (0, 50, and 100 μM). Results have shown that Pb stress decreased plant growth, chlorophyll contents, SPAD value, photosynthesis, antioxidant activity. On the other hand, Pb stress increased the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), electrolyte leakage (EL), and production of H₂O₂and uptake of Pb contents in all three parts of plant, viz. root, stem, and leaf. Application of H₂S slightly increased plant growth, chlorophyll contents, SPAD value, photosynthesis, and antioxidant activity as compared to control. Hydrogen sulfide supply alleviated the toxic effects of lead on plant growth, chlorophyll contents, SPAD value, photosynthesis, and antioxidant activity in cotton plants. Hydrogen sulfide also reduced MDA, EL, and production of H₂O₂and endogenous Pb levels in the three mentioned plant parts. On the basis of our results, we conclude that H₂S has promotive effects which could improve plant survival under Pb stress.

In order to study potential antioxidant defense mechanisms, the effects of increasing concentrations of lead (Pb) on polyamines (PAs), various thiols, vitamins C and E, and proline contents in sterilized seedlings of Nymphoides peltata (S.G. mel.) Kuntze were investigated after 5 days of exposure. The levels of total putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd), and spermine (Spm) decreased significantly, while the ratio of (Spd + Spm)/Put first increased but then declined as the concentration of Pb increased. The trends for free, perchloric acid soluble-conjugated (PS-conjugated), and perchloric acid insoluble-bound (PIS-bound) PAs were similar to the trend seen for total PAs. Moreover, reduced glutathione (GSH), nonprotein thiols (NP-SH), phytochelatins (PCs), and vitamin C were induced at high Pb concentrations. No significant change was observed in vitamin E. An initial decline in proline content was followed by an increase as the Pb concentration rose. The reduced level of Put and elevated contents of GSH, NP-SH, PCs, vitamin C, and proline were found to be associated with antioxidant efficiency, which supports the hypothesis that they could play a significant role in the adaptation mechanisms of N. peltatum under Pb stress.

Attaining sustainable agriculture is a key goal in many parts of the world. The increased environmental awareness and the ongoing attempts to execute agricultural practices that are economically feasible and environmentally safe promote the use of hydroponic cultivation. Hydroponics is a technology for growing plants in nutrient solutions with or without the use of artificial medium to provide mechanical support. Major problems for hydroponic cultivation are higher operational cost and the causing of pollution due to discharge of waste nutrient solution. The nutrient effluent released into the environment can have negative impacts on the surrounding ecosystems as well as the potential to contaminate the groundwater utilized by humans for drinking purposes. The reuse of non-recycled, nutrient-rich hydroponic waste solution for growing plants in greenhouses is the possible way to control environmental pollution. Many researchers have successfully grown several plant species in hydroponic waste solution with high yield. Hence, this review addresses the problems associated with the release of hydroponic waste solution into the environment and possible reuse of hydroponic waste solution as an alternative resource for agriculture development and to control environmental pollution.

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) is a globally produced brominated flame retardant used primarily as an additive flame retardant in polystyrene and textile products. Photodegradation of HBCD in the presence of Fe(III)-carboxylate complexes/H₂O₂ was investigated under simulated sunlight. The degradation of HBCD decreased with increasing pH in the Fe(III)-oxalate solutions. In contrast, the optimum pH was 5.0 for the Fe(III)-citrate-catalyzed photodegradation within the range of 3.0 to 7.0. For both Fe(III)-oxalate and Fe(III)-citrate complexes, the increase of carboxylate concentrations facilitated the photodegradation. The photochemical removal of HBCD was related to the photoreactivity and speciation distribution of Fe(III) complexes. The addition of H₂O₂ markedly accelerated the degradation of HBCD in the presence of Fe(III)-citrate complexes. The quenching experiments showed that ·OH was responsible for the photodegradation of HBCD in the Fe(III)-carboxylate complexes/H₂O₂ solutions. The results suggest that Fe(III) complexes/H₂O₂ catalysis is a potential method for the removal of HBCD in the aqueous solutions.