This study set out to reveal to what extent women entrepreneurs operating in rural areas have been affected by environmental pollution and climate change. Besides, it emphasises how much they will be affected over the next 5 years throughout Turkey. The study covered rural areas of all seven regions in Turkey. Findings were analysed by using SPSS 23 programme. Women entrepreneurs were younger in less developed regions of the country, such as the Central, Eastern, and South-Eastern Anatolia, and were older in the more economically developed coastal areas. One-third of the respondents were microentrepreneurs; 12% employ five or more workers. The problems of rural women entrepreneurs are further complicated by environmental pollution and climate change. Among the significant environmental issues, women entrepreneurs endure a loss of income, loss of trade stock/goods, and loss of livestock, property damage and potable water supply. Women entrepreneurs agreed that, in the next 5 years, environmental problems would adversely affect customer demand, the quality of raw materials they use and the products they offer; therefore, customer demand would reduce. On the other hand, they were divided in their opinion about whether environmental problems will be affecting their business location and the need to invest in technology and equipment. The study showed that none of the participants obtained disaster insurance, and none of them was members of an environmental organisation.

In this study, Cu-ZIF-8, zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 surface modified by Cu²⁺, was synthesized easily in one-pot method with Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O addition in ZIF-8 crystal preparation. The Cu-ZIF-8 as-synthesized turned to light pink from white ZIF-8. The Cu-ZIF-8 particles were in good crystal morphology with the uniform size of approximately 400 nm, and Cu-ZIF-8 was a typical microporous material. Cu-ZIF-8 exhibited an excellent adsorption capacity (379.2 mg·g⁻¹) at the initial doxycycline hydrochloride (DCH) concentration of 80 mg·L⁻¹ in aqueous solution at 303 K, which was higher than ZIF-8 (339.2 mg·g⁻¹). The DCH adsorption capacity on Cu-ZIF-8 increased to 481.5 mg·g⁻¹ at the initial DCH concentration of 100 mg·L⁻¹. The adsorption of DCH onto Cu-ZIF-8 was a spontaneous process. The π–π stacking interaction and multi-complexation resulted in the effective adsorption of DCH on Cu-ZIF-8. Cu-ZIF-8 had a stable structure after it was regenerated by ethanol and reused for multiple times. Cu-ZIF-8 can be considered as a suitable candidate for antibiotic removal.

Wastewater is a major source of nitrogen (N) to groundwater and coastal waterbodies, threatening both environmental and public health. Advanced N-removal onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) are used to reduce effluent N concentration; however, few studies have assessed their effectiveness. We evaluated the total N (TN) concentration of effluent from 50 advanced N-removal OWTS in Charlestown, Rhode Island, USA for 3 years. We quantified differences in effectiveness as a function of N-removal technology and home occupancy pattern (seasonal vs. year-round use), and examined the relationship between wastewater properties and TN concentration. RX30 systems produced the lowest median TN concentration (mg N/L) (13.2), followed by FAST (13.4), AX20 (14.9), and Norweco (33.8). Compliance with the state’s regulatory standard for effluent TN concentration (19 mg N/L) was highest for RX30 systems (78%), followed by AX20 (73%), FAST (67%), and Norweco (0%). Occupancy pattern did not affect effluent TN concentration. Variation in TN concentration was driven by ammonium and nitrate for all technologies, and also by temperature for FAST and pH for Norweco. Median daily (g N/day) and annual (kg N/yr) N loads were significantly higher for year-round (5.3 and 2.3) than for seasonal (3.7 and 0.41) systems, likely due to differences in volume of wastewater treated. Our results suggest that advanced N-removal OWTS vary in their compliance with the state regulatory standard for effluent TN and can withstand long periods of non-use without compromising effectiveness. Nevertheless, systems used year-round do produce a higher daily and annual N load than seasonally-used systems.

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.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) in the overlying water is important in influencing internal phosphorus (P) release. However, the potentially associative effect of DO on the P adsorption and immobilization by La-modified bentonite (LMB) has not been quantified. This 80-day incubation experiment showed the synergistic effect of DO and LMB in the overlying water, which caused the reduction of dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) by 51% (DO = 5 mg L⁻¹) and 77% (DO = 7 mg L⁻¹) on average, respectively, compared with the DO of 3 mg L⁻¹. In addition, the DIP in the pore water decreased from 1.12 mg P L⁻¹ (control) to 0.014 mg P L⁻¹ (5 mg L⁻¹) and 0.004 mg P L⁻¹ (7 mg L⁻¹). Besides, the Fe²⁺ and NH₄⁺ concentrations were also reduced significantly in the pore water, suggesting the rise in the redox potential in the sediment, which helped P immobilization. Chemical P-fractionation experiments indicate that the Fe-P reduction in sediment was the most significant, reduced by 14%, followed by NH₄Cl-P (12%), causing a reduction by 13% (3 mg L⁻¹), 23% (5 mg L⁻¹) and 27% (7 mg L⁻¹) of mobile P in the surface 7-cm sediment, respectively. However, the released P ions were rapidly adsorbed by the Al ions and Ca ions, as well as their compounds, thereby leading to the obvious rise in inert P in the sediment. Accordingly, it was suggested that DO and LMB had a synergistic effect on external P adsorption and immobilization.

Qaroun and Wadi El-Rayan lakes are exposed to a huge amount of discharges from different sources and numerous anthropogenic activities. Therefore, the present work aimed to evaluate the impacts of metal pollution on two wild fish species; Tilapia zillii and Mugil cephalus collected from lake Qaroun (eastern and western parts) and Wadi El-Rayan lakes (upper and lower lakes). Accumulation of metals (Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) in water, sediment, and five vital tissues as well as metal pollution index (MPI), contamination factor (CF), and pollution load index (PLI) were integrated as metal pollution biomarkers. Generally, these integrated endpoints had the same trend and indicated that the eastern part of lake Qaroun was the most polluted site followed by the lower lake of Wadi El-Rayan. To assess the environmental genotoxicity, the percentage DNA damage in different tissues of both fish species was estimated using the comet assay technique. The percentage of DNA damages showed tissue-, species- and site-specification. Hazard index (HI) has been used as an evaluation index for human health associated with fish consumption at the studied sites. This index showed that all metals were in the safe limits at normal consumption levels while adverse health effects are expected to occur at the subsistence consumption level. The safe HI for each metal at normal consumption level does not neglect that the combined cumulative risk impact of all metals is a sign of warning and the health of fish consumers nearby contaminated sites is threatened.

In this study, highly ordered TiO₂ nanotube arrays (TNAs) with length 1~2 μm were rapidly fabricated via the electrochemical anodic oxidation process, which was specifically used for the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants. The effects of the anodization conditions on the nanotube microstructures were investigated with scanning electron microscope (SEM). The crystalline phase and surface element of the as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. On this basis, the effects of TNAs morphological parameters on the photocatalytic activity were evaluated by the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) in aqueous solution. The results showed that the diameter and length of the nanotube were linearly related to the anodization voltage in the experimental ranges with 20 wt% water content electrolytes, respectively; the morphological parameter and anodization time were also linearly related. TNAs calcined at 450 °C for 2 h were pure anatase phase and contained Ti³⁺ element, which were favorable for the photocatalytic reaction. In the study, it was proved that 20 wt% water content electrolytes were suitable for the rapid anodization generating of TNAs with the length 1~2 μm. The assessment experiments for the photocatalytic activity of TNAs demonstrated that, when the actual tube length was near the penetration depth of UV lights, TNAs would exhibit the best photocatalytic activity.

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.

Olive oil industry generates a considerable amount of olive mill wastewater (OMW) each year, which increases the difficulties for successful processing and disposing. A possible and potential alternative is controlled application of OMW into the land. In these two fields’ experiments, we investigated a sustainable controlled land application of OMW to enhance soil properties and improve barley production under rainfed conditions. OMW was spread at five application rates (20, 40, 60, 80, and 120 m³ ha⁻¹) in addition to the control at two sites, Rabba and Ghweer. The physicochemical characterizations of OMW were determined throughout the season. Physicochemical properties of soil were measured after 2 weeks of OMW spreading after planting and after barley harvest. Leaf nutrient content as well as other growth performance has been measured. The results of this study showed no harmful effect of OMW application for all application rates on growth parameters of barley as well as soil properties at both locations. Under all application rates, OMW has increased soil organic matter and nutrient contents, which could reduce the use of chemical fertilizer. There was a significant increase in barley growth in OMW treatments for dry weight (DM) (14 and 22%), biological yield (BYLD) (49 and 34%), grain yield (GYLD) (41 and 47%), and straw yield (SYLD) (55 and 31%) at Rabba and Ghweer sites, respectively. The results exhibited the benefit of controlled application of OMW. However, long-term effect of OMW application needs more study, and local legislative is necessary.

Immobilization using biochar is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly remediation method to inhibit the transfer of soil contaminants to the food chain. This study evaluated the effects of coconut shell–derived biochar (CSB) and sewage sludge–derived biochar (SSB) on reducing the accumulation of cesium (Cs) by plant from contaminated soil. Pot experiment was conducted by cultivating Napier grass on the soil added with different Cs concentrations (0, 25, and 50 mg kg⁻¹) and biochar ratios (0: control, 5% and 10%). It was observed that both biochars significantly restricted the transfer of Cs to the root, leaf sheath, and leaf blade of Napier grass (p < 0.01). The possible mechanisms of Cs immobilization by biochar could be the sorption of Cs on the surface of biochar as well as the restriction of the uptake of Cs by plant due to the increased K concentration of biochar-amended soil. CSB application was more effective than SSB on reducing the transfer of Cs to plant. Compared to control, the CSB application reduced the concentration of Cs in the plant by 80.2–98.2%. Moreover, obtained results in terms of pH, organic matter content, cation exchange capacity, specific surface area, and K concentration of biochar-amended soil highlighted the remarkable efficiency of CSB to adsorb Cs and restrict Cs transfer to plant providing the key evidences for Cs immobilization. Considering these results, CSB could be a potential amendment for the immobilization of Cs-contaminated soil.