Mercury (Hg) emitted from coal-based thermal power plants (CTPPs) can accumulate and bio-magnify in the food chain, thereby posing a risk to humans and wildlife. The central idea of this study was to develop an adsorbent which can concurrently remove elemental mercury (Hg⁰) and SO₂ emitted from coal-based thermal power plants (CTPPs) in a single unit operation. Specifically, a composite adsorbent of CaCO₃ impregnated with 2-mercaptobenimidazole (2-MBI) (referred to as modified calcium carbonate (MCC)) was developed. While 2-MBI having sulfur functional group could selectively adsorb Hg⁰, CaCO₃ could remove SO₂. Performance of the adsorbent was evaluated in terms of (i) removal (%) of Hg⁰ and SO₂, (ii) adsorption mechanism, (iii) adsorption kinetics, and (iv) leaching potential of mercury from spent adsorbent. The adsorption studies were performed using a 2² full factorial design of experiments with 15 ppbV of Hg⁰ and 600 ppmV of SO₂. Two factors, (i) reaction temperature (80 and 120 °C; temperature range in flue gas) and (ii) mass of 2-MBI (10 and 15 wt%), were investigated for the removal of Hg⁰ and SO₂ (as %). The maximum Hg⁰ and SO₂ removal was 86 and 93%, respectively. The results of XPS characterization showed that chemisorption is the predominant mechanism of Hg⁰ and SO₂ adsorption on MCC. The Hg⁰ adsorption on MCC followed Elovich kinetic model which is also indicative of chemisorption on heterogeneous surface. The toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) and synthetic precipitation leaching procedure (SPLP) leached mercury from the spent adsorbent were within the acceptable levels defined in these tests. The engineering significance of this study is that the 2-MBI-modified CaCO₃-based adsorbent has potential for concurrent removal of Hg⁰ and SO₂ in a single unit operation. With only minor process modifications, the newly developed adsorbent can replace CaCO₃ in the flue-gas desulfurization (FGD) system.

The deltamethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid, is used worldwide and has been linked with several type of acute toxicity. However, effect of low level of deltamethrin alone or in combination with the microbial antigen on pulmonary system is not understood. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used as antigen which is a key inflammatory component of gram-negative bacteria, which induces a distinctive pattern of cytokine release that regulates inflammation. The aim was to determine whether chronic exposure to a low level of deltamethrin alone or in combination with LPS impair the lung response in adult male Swiss albino mice. The mice were orally exposed to different doses of deltamethrin (0.1, 0.05, 0.005, 0.001 mg/kg bwt) and then immunized with LPS at the 60th day. None of the treatment groups contained residues of deltamethrin above the limits of quantification. Deltamethrin combined with LPS challenge caused significant lymphocytosis and neutropenia in group 1 (0.1 mg/kg) mice (P < 0.05). The highest dose of deltamethrin exposure (0.1 mg/kg bwt) alone altered the total cell count significantly in blood and total leukocyte count (TLC) and macrophage count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Microscopic pulmonary damage was evaluated by H&E staining and EM which indicated that two higher doses of deltamethrin, i.e., 0.1 and 0.05 mg/kg bwt, distinctly increased inflammatory cell infiltration and caused alveolar septa thickening and leukocyte infiltration into the alveolar septum (septal cell infiltration) in the lungs. Deltamethrin exposure alone and/or with endotoxin revealed different degrees of immunopositive reaction for Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and pro-inflammatory cytokine-like tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) in different parts of the lungs. The expression of TLR4 and TNFα in the lung tissue was more pronounced in two higher dose groups. Thus, chronic low-level deltamethrin exposure may impair the main pro-inflammatory response in the lungs which is more pronounced in combination with LPS. Further research is required in direction of the mechanism of action of deltamethrin on the immune cell lineage and their differentiation.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) in oxidative stress and inflammatory damage in the spleen of quails which were induced by cold stress. One hundred ninety-two 15-day-old male quails were randomly divided into 12 groups and kept at 12 ± 1 °C to examine acute and chronic cold stress. We first detected the changes in activities of antioxidant enzymes in the spleen tissue under acute and chronic cold stress. The activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) fluctuated in acute cold stress groups, while they were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) after chronic cold stress. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and nitric oxide (NO) content were decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in both of the acute and chronic cold stress groups. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content was significantly increased (p < 0.05) under cold stress except the 0.5 h group of acute cold stress. Besides, histopathological analysis showed that quail’s spleen tissue was inflammatory injured seriously in both the acute and chronic cold stress groups. Additionally, the inflammatory factors (cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E synthase (PTGES), iNOS, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-α)) and Hsp70 mRNA levels were increased in both of the acute and chronic cold stress groups compared with the control groups. These results suggest that oxidative stress and inflammatory injury could be induced by cold stress in spleen tissues of quails. Furthermore, the increased expression of Hsp70 may play a role in protecting the spleen against oxidative stress and inflammatory damage caused by cold stress.

This study investigated the transformation of triclosan (TCS) following co-exposure to UV irradiation and ClO₂. Special attention was given to understand the influencing of water quality parameters and toxicity changes during the co-exposure process. The results show that the co-exposure process prompted TCS elimination quickly and effectively, with more than 99% of TCS degraded under the experimental conditions. The molar yield ratios of 2,4-dichlorophenol/TCS (2,4-DCP/TCS) were calculated to be 35.81–74.49%; however, the by-product of 2,8-dichlorodibenzop-dioxin (2,8-Cl₂DD) was not detected. The TCS degradation was sensitive to ClO₂ dosage, pH, H₂O₂, and natural organic matter (NOM), but not to the carbonate (CO₃²⁻) concentration. Neutral and slightly alkaline condition were favorable to TCS elimination. The TCS removal rate increased from 85.33 to 99.75% when the ClO₂ concentration increased from 0.25 to 1.5 mg L⁻¹. TCS degradation can be promoted at low NOM level (1, 3, and 5 mg L⁻¹), whereas was inhibited at high NOM concentrations of 7 and 9 mg L⁻¹. While adding H₂O₂, the degradation rate of TCS increased with increasing H₂O₂ concentration from 1 to 3 mg L⁻¹; however, too low or overdosed H₂O₂ (0.5 and 5 mg L⁻¹) hindered TCS degradation. Based on the results of a microtox bioassay, the toxicity did not change following the co-exposure process.

Because of the potential regenerative and cytoprotective effects of its content of numerous bioactive growth factors and cytokines, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) became an attractive biomaterial for therapeutic purposes. Therefore, the current study was designed to investigate the potential therapeutic effect of PRP against lead nitrate- and/or γ-radiation-induced hepatotoxicity. To do so, hepatotoxicity was induced in rats by intraperitoneal administration of lead nitrate (7.5 mg/kg) thrice weekly for two consecutive weeks and/or a whole-body γ-irradiation at a single dose of 6 Gy. Activated PRP (0.5 ml/kg) was injected subcutaneously 24 h after the last dose of lead nitrate and/or γ-irradiation and continued twice weekly for three successive weeks. Lead nitrate intoxication and/or γ-irradiation resulted in a significant elevation of serum alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase activities accompanied with a significant decrease in serum levels of total protein and albumin. Further, a significant increase in malondialdehyde level and nitric oxide content accompanied with a significant decrease in the reduced glutathione content and the enzyme activities of glutathione-S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase were observed. Additionally, hepatic extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and Akt signaling pathways were stimulated. PRP treatment notably ameliorated the induced cell injury, reduced the intracellular oxidative and interestingly increased the upregulation of phosphorylated ERK1/2 and Akt. Moreover, PRP treatment relieved lead nitrate and/or γ-radiation-induced hepatic histological damages. In conclusion, this study sheds the light on a probable therapeutic role of PRP against lead nitrate- and/or γ-radiation-induced hepatotoxicity which might attribute to its ability to activate ERK and Akt signaling pathways.

This study aimed to determine bioavailable heavy metal concentrations (As, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn) and their potential sources in classroom dust collected from children’s hand palms in Rawang (Malaysia). This study also aimed to determine the association between bioavailable heavy metal concentration in classroom dust and children’s respiratory symptoms. Health risk assessment (HRA) was applied to evaluate health risks (non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic) due to heavy metals in classroom dust. The mean of bioavailable heavy metal concentrations in classroom dust found on children’s hand palms was shown in the following order: Zn (1.25E + 01 μg/g) > Cu (9.59E-01 μg/g) > Ni (5.34E-01 μg/g) > Cr (4.72E-02 μg/g) > Co (2.34E-02 μg/g) > As (1.77E-02 μg/g) > Cd (9.60E-03 μg/g) > Pb (5.00E-03 μg/g). Hierarchical cluster analysis has clustered 17 sampling locations into three clusters, whereby cluster 1 (S3, S4, S6, S15) located in residential areas and near to roads exposed to vehicle emissions, cluster 2 (S10, S12, S9, S7) located near Rawang town and cluster 3 (S13, S16, S1, S2, S8, S14, S11, S17, S5) located near industrial, residential and plantation areas. Emissions from vehicles, plantations and industrial activities were found as the main sources of heavy metals in classroom dust in Rawang. There is no association found between bioavailable heavy metal concentrations and respiratory symptoms, except for Cu (OR = 0.03). Health risks (non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks) indicated that there are no potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks of heavy metals in classroom dust toward children health.

Phosphorus (P) loss with surface runoff accounts for the P input to and acceleration of eutrophication of the freshwater. Many studies have focused on factors affecting P loss with surface runoff from soils, but rarely on the relationship among these factors. In the present study, rainfall simulation on P loss with surface runoff was conducted in Huihe National Nature Reserve, in Hulunbeier grassland, China, and the relationships between P loss with surface runoff, soil properties, and rainfall conditions were examined. Principal component analysis and path analysis were used to analyze the direct and indirect effects on P loss with surface runoff. The results showed that P loss with surface runoff was closely correlated with soil electrical conductivity, soil pH, soil Olsen P, soil total nitrogen (TN), soil total phosphorus (TP), and soil organic carbon (SOC). The main driving factors which influenced P loss with surface runoff were soil TN, soil pH, soil Olsen P, and soil water content. Path analysis and determination coefficient analysis indicated that the standard multiple regression equation for P loss with surface runoff and each main factor was Y = 7.429 – 0.439 soil TN − 6.834 soil pH + 1.721 soil Olsen-P + 0.183 soil water content (r = 0.487, p < 0.01, n = 180). Soil TN, soil pH, soil Olsen P, and soil water content and the interactions between them were the main factors affecting P loss with surface runoff. The effect of physical and chemical properties of undisturbed soils on P loss with surface runoff was discussed, and the soil water content and soil Olsen P were strongly positive influences on the P loss with surface runoff.

Biochar is recognized as an effective material for recovering excess nutrients, including phosphorus (P), from aqueous solutions. Practically, that benefits the environment through reducing P losses from biochar-amended soils; however, how salinity influences P sorption by biochar is poorly understood and there has been no direct comparison on P sorption capacity between biochars derived from different feedstock types under non-saline and saline conditions. In this study, biochars derived from wheat straw, hardwood, and willow wood were used to compare P sorption at three levels of electrical conductivity (EC) (0, 4, and 8 dS m⁻¹) to represent a wide range of salinity conditions. Phosphorus sorption by wheat straw and hardwood biochars increased as aqueous solution P concentration increased, with willow wood biochar exhibiting an opposite trend for P sorption. However, the pattern for P sorption became the same as the other biochars after the willow wood biochar was de-ashed with 1 M HCl and 0.05 M HF. Willow wood biochar had the highest P sorption (1.93 mg g⁻¹) followed by hardwood (1.20 mg g⁻¹) and wheat straw biochars (1.06 mg g⁻¹) in a 25 mg L⁻¹ P solution. Although the pH in the equilibrium solution was higher with willow wood biochar (~ 9.5) than with the other two biochars (~ 6.5), solution pH had no or minor effects on P sorption by willow wood biochar. The high sorption rate of P by willow wood biochar could be attributed to the higher concentrations of salt and other elements (i.e., Ca and Mg) in the biochar in comparison to that in wheat straw and hardwood biochars; the EC values were 2.27, 0.53, and 0.27 dS m⁻¹ for willow wood, wheat straw, and hardwood biochars, respectively. A portion of P desorbed from the willow wood biochar; and that desorption increased with the decreasing P concentration in the aqueous solution. Salinity in the aqueous solution influenced P sorption by hardwood and willow wood but not by wheat straw biochar. We conclude that the P sorption capacity of the studied biochars is dependent on the concentration of the soluble element in the biochar, which is dependent on the biochar type, as well as the salinity level in the aqueous solution.

Graphene oxide (GO) was prepared by using the natural graphite as raw materials via the modified Hummers’ method and ultrasonic stripping method. GO was reduced online after its anchoring on the surface of polyurethane sponges by a dip-coating method, then in situ reduced graphene oxide-based polyurethane (IRGOPU) sponges were fabricated. The characterizations of IRGOPU sponges were investigated using Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and contact angle measurement. The IRGOPU sponges had an adsorption capacity for a broad range of oils up to 21.7 ~ 55 g/g. A simulation experiment of large-scale oil spill using a simple IRGOPU sponge hollow tube component was designed. The process of continuous oil removal from water surface was quick and effective, and the oil/water separation efficiency could be up to 99.6%. The results indicated that the IRGOPU sponge hollow tube may be an optimum candidate for the oil/water separation of large-scale oil spill.

Few studies have focused on the biomechanical responses of submerged, rosette-forming macrophytes to wave action, water depth, or their co-occurrence in naturally eutrophic systems. The plant architecture, root anchorage strength-related traits, leaf morphology, and biomechanics of Vallisneria natans inhabiting a range of water depths were examined along three transects (T1, T2, and T3) in a eutrophic lake, Lake Erhai, in Yunnan Province, China. These transects were exposed to weak wave action and hyper-eutrophication (T1), moderate wave action and eutrophication (T2), or strong wave action and eutrophication (T3). The results showed that V. natans was mainly distributed at intermediate depths, with the widest colonization depth in T1. The values of plant architecture, root anchorage strength-related traits, leaf morphology, and biomechanics were generally highest in T3 and smallest in T2. Along the depth gradient, these values were generally highest at 3.5, 2.5, and 2.5 m for the plants growing in T1, T2, and T3, respectively. These findings suggest that V. natans adopts a “tolerance” strategy to cope with the effects of strong wave action in eutrophic habitats and an “avoidance” strategy when exposed to moderate wave action in eutrophic areas. Since the absence of an avoidance strategy increases the resistance to low-light stress at the expense of increased drag forces, there is a limit to the wave action that V. natans can withstand. This study indicates that biomechanics could be important when determining the distribution pattern of V. natans in Lake Erhai.