In this study, light intensities of Aliivibrio fischeri obtained from soil suspension and its filtrate were compared using field soils contaminated with heavy metals. The soils collected from rice paddy and forest had different soil textures with either high or low silt/clay content. The correlation between soil toxicity and soil solution toxicity for A. fischeri showed a high linearity in sandy soils with the slope of 0.586 (determination coefficient; R² = 0.709). Meanwhile, a lower correlation in silty/clay soils with the slope of 0.154 (R² = 0.067) was observed. When a solid phase bioluminescence inhibition test is carried out using soil suspension with a high silt/clay content, a large amount of A. fischeri seems to adhere to microparticles and/or microaggregates. It may result in the change of light intensity (i.e., distorted toxicity test result) that could not be corrected by the modified basic solid phase test protocol, and thus the toxicity is likely to be overestimated. Such alteration in the light intensity could be partially overcome using a regression equation accounting for microbial loss by adhesion. With the correction for microbial adhesion, the correlation between soil toxicity and soil solution toxicity in the selected soil samples with high silt/clay contents increased from 0.182 (R² = 0.130) to 0.571 (R² = 0.602). It is expected that soil toxicity can be evaluated through the prediction of soil solution toxicity after the proper correction of microparticles effects.

We aimed to develop a sustainable adsorbent for bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor that seriously threatens human health. First, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was reacted with 2-bromoisobutyrylbromide to obtain a surface initiator (SI) for the grafting of polystyrene (PS), poly(lauryl methacrylate) (PLMA), and poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDM) through ARGET-ATRP. These polymers may have favorably interacted with BPA, which led to its removal. SIs were characterized by FTIR and XPS to corroborate the grafting of 2-bromoisobutyryl and determine its abundance. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated retained crystal morphology with decreased MCC crystallinity. FTIR, thermogravimetric, and elemental analyses confirmed the grafting of MCC with polymers and revealed their composition. PS and PLMA had a minor effect on the crystallinity and morphology of MCC microfibers, whereas grafting PDM decreased the crystallinity of cellulose and the particle size. MCC grafted with polymers were tested as adsorbents of BPA by measuring the equilibrium uptake and removal through column filtration. PDM was found to endow cellulose with superior capacity of removing BPA, which was enhanced with increased amount of grafted polymer. A comparison of MCC grafted with PDM with activated carbon as adsorbents of BPA suggested the superior performance of the developed materials based on the largest maximum uptake.

The invasive marine macroalga Chaetomorpha valida blooms frequently in Apostichopus japonicus culture ponds in North China, resulting in negative environmental consequences. The factors driving this algal overgrowth are unclear. Previous studies observed that eutrophication strongly influences abnormal growth of nuisance macrophytes, but relatively few studies have addressed the types and abundance of nitrogen in A. japonicus culture ponds during the seasonal progression of a C. valida bloom and the effects of nitrogen source and N/P on C. valida growth and photosynthesis. In this study, we describe the structural features of nitrogen abundance and the seasonal progression of a C. valida bloom and uncover a relationship between nitrogen enrichment and C. valida growth. Common garden experiments demonstrated that C. valida can utilize different forms of nitrogen in the environment for rapid growth. Growth rate and photosynthesis capacity were related to the nitrogen source and N/P ratio. This study will provide a reference for maintenance of ecological balance and healthy aquaculture in A. japonicus culture ponds.

Early development of the sand dollar, Scaphechinus mirabilis, and damage to DNA molecules in spermatozoa and larval cells were studied after a waterborne exposure of adult individuals to zinc ions (Zn²⁺) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NP). It was found that the proportion of retarded and abnormal larvae increases if the parental individuals have been kept in aqueous solutions containing ionic and nanoform of zinc at concentrations of 100 and 200 μg/L. The percentage of DNA in comet tail and GDI was higher after the exposure to ZnO NP, compared with the Zn²⁺ exposure, at a concentration of 200 μg/L. Accumulation of zinc in soft tissues of S. mirabilis was also studied. The zinc concentrations in the soft tissues of both experimental groups of sand dollars proved to be higher than that in control groups. The results of the study have shown that the ionic form of zinc exhibits a lower bioavailability compared with ZnO NP and supported the higher toxic effect of the high concentrations ZnO NP.

Magnetic Co₀.₅Zn₀.₅Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles were prepared by the nitrate-alcohol-solution combustion and calcination technique. The morphology and composition of Co₀.₅Zn₀.₅Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles were characterized by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the X-ray diffraction (XRD), the energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), the vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), the Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), and the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller measurement (BET). The concentration of the ferric nitrate and the calcination temperature were the two key factors to the property of Co₀.₅Zn₀.₅Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles. To achieve greater adsorption capacity and durability of materials, magnetic Co₀.₅Zn₀.₅Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles calcined at 400 °C with ferric nitrate concentration of 0.84 M were employed to remove reactive red 2BF (RR-2BF). The pseudo-second-order kinetic model could be applied to describe the adsorption process of RR-2BF onto Co₀.₅Zn₀.₅Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles in the initial RR-2BF concentrations of 100–400 mg L⁻¹, and the adsorption process could be fitted well by Langmuir model. The above adsorption experiments results suggested that the adsorption of RR-2BF onto Co₀.₅Zn₀.₅Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles was the monolayer adsorption mechanism. The effect of the dye solution pH on the adsorption process had been explored. At the same time, the removal efficiency for RR-2BF onto Co₀.₅Zn₀.₅Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles could maintain more than 72% after 10 cycles. Graphical Abstract Magnetic Co₀.₅Zn₀.₅Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles were prepared by the novel nitrate-alcohol-solution combustion and calcination technique, and they were employed to remove reactive red 2BF (RR-2BF) from aqueous solution. The adsorption mechanism of RR-2BF onto Co₀.₅Zn₀.₅Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles was investigated, the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm model fitted well with the experimental data, and Co₀.₅Zn₀.₅Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles revealed favorable recycling performance.

Microfibres of cellulose were extracted from tara residues (TR), obtained after the production process, and used to remove dyes in aqueous solution. Caesalpinia spinosa (Molina) Kuntze or Tara spinosa, commonly known as tara, is a thorny shrub native to Peru. For these purposes, tara residues (TR) from the production process are used to extract cellulose microfibres (CMF). First, TR are treated in basic mediums; then, they are transferred to an acidic medium. Finally, they are ground in a cutting mill for a short period of time. Scanning electron microscopy was used to characterize CMF. Fibre sizes of approximately 10 μm in length and 300–500 nm in diameter were observed. The crystallinity index calculated from X-ray patterns was defined at 77%. Infrared spectroscopy showed that treating TR with chemical products produces TR delignification. The dye adsorption tests (basic yellow, basic blue 41, basic blue 9 and basic green 4) in water demonstrated that isotherms adjust to the Langmuir model, with maximum respective adsorption values of 43.6, 45.5, 75.0 and 112.2 mg.g⁻¹ for each dye.

In recent years, ionic liquids as green solvents have been received great attention owing to their remarkable properties. In this context, in the present study, the separation of glutaric acid from water was examined using green solvents instead of conventional organic solvents. As green solvents, four different types of imidazolium-based ionic liquids were utilized. Tributyl phosphate (TBP) was used as an extractant in ionic liquids. The effects of various factors like initial acid concentration (0.156–0.749 mol. L⁻¹), TBP concentration in ionic liquids (0–3 mol. L⁻¹), and type of ionic liquid were investigated. To evaluate the separation efficiency of glutaric acid from water, various parameters like extraction efficiencies (E), distribution coefficients (D), and loading factors (Z) were calculated. The values of these parameters changed in range of D (0.03–3.54), E (0.51–77.98%), and Z (0.040–0.177). The maximum D value of 3.54 and E value of 77.98% was obtained for reactive extraction of glutaric acid by using 3 mol. L⁻¹ TBP in [BMIM][Tf₂N] and 0.156 mol. L⁻¹ initial glutaric acid concentration. Consequently, it was found that 77.98% of glutaric acid was separated from water at optimal conditions. This result indicated that imidazolium-based ionic liquids can be used for the reactive separation of glutaric acid from the water.

The carbon stored as soil organic carbon (SOC) and tree biomass is typically the highest carbon pool of the forest and is impacted by degradation and deforestation. The impact of “C” stocks on climate change at different altitudes can have vital implications for the conservation and management of “C” sinks. This study was undertaken in subtropical belt of Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India, to understand the carbon-storing potential of Anogeissus latifolia tree and its soil properties in three altitudes, i.e., lower (LA: 790–824 m), middle (MA: 825–960 m), and upper (UA: 1168–1212 m), which provide fuel, fodder, and small timber for life support purposes. Results of the study suggested that soil moisture and pH increase with increasing depth and altitude, whereas SOC and soil nitrogen show reverse patterns. Moreover, bulk density (BD) does not follow any trend (i.e., BD increases with soil depth and altitude until 960 m and further decreases with an increase in altitude). Tree density, biomass, and carbon stock reported highest in MA compared with UA and LA because of dense forest and greater tree diameter. Looking into the soil carbon stock, nitrogen, C/N ratio (C/N: < 10), and climatic drivers supportive to microbial degradation, it is concluded that A. latifolia forest has played an important role in carbon reduction and mitigating climate change at regional and global levels. The study will help environmentalists, foresters, and policy-makers to stimulate the combined effect of degradation of forest species on climate change and socioeconomic development at regional and global scale.

The equipment manufacturing industry is the industrial base of China, which makes it imperative to coordinate the relationship between industrial development and environmental protection. Using panel data of the seven sub-industries in China’s equipment manufacturing industry from 2011 to 2015, this paper evaluates the static and dynamic aspects of green economic development efficiency by combining the super-efficiency slack-based measure model of unexpected output and the data envelopment analysis-Malmquist index model. The results show investments in research and development, and environmental regulations have yielded some positive results, but that regulations have also yielded some undesired output in terms of diminished economic benefits. Pure technical efficiency and scale efficiency have both declined, indicating that the scale and industrial structure need to be further optimized. The results of this study present an objective and comprehensive assessment of green economic development of China’s equipment manufacturing industry and provide valuable insights for improving green economic development efficiency.

In the last decade, the approach to waste management has undergone severe changes. The urgent need to face the sustainable demand for energy and materials while limiting the burdens associated to traditional waste handling practices have figured out the concept of waste as a resource. New strategies boosting the extensive recovery and diverting waste from disposal activities have been promoted and framed in the wider context of the urban mining, promoting the full exploitation of waste as resource for either new materials or energy production. Such approach has been recently proposed to handle over 5 million tons of pretreated municipal solid waste produced and stored in the form of bales in Campania Region, in southern Italy, between 2000 and 2009. However, since the feasibility of this approach is related to the waste composition as well as to the selection process, an experimental study was performed at an industrial mechanical treatment plant to assess the potential for valorisation of this waste. Results showed that the overall sustainability of the urban mining strategies for the management of Campania waste bales is tightly linked to the flexibility of the selection process scheme to be adopted, which should make the waste recovery fit the market demand of either material or energy.