The effluent produced by the electroplating industry contains hazardous and toxic chemicals that pose a threat to living organisms and ecosystems. Consequently, it is essential to employ advanced treatment technologies to remove the toxicants from the wastewater. Over the past two decades, the concept of Electro Fenton has been developed and demonstrated as an effective method for significantly alleviating pollutants in wastewater, making it a promising solution for treating wastewater. In the present investigation, the efficiency of the Electro Fenton (EF) process in removing Chemical oxygen demand (COD) from electroplating wastewater using stainless steel as the sacrificial electrode was examined. The influence of various operating parameters, including pH, hydrogen peroxide concentration, reaction time, and Fe2+ concentration, was investigated with the help of Box-Behnken design (BDD) in Response surface methodology (RSM). Notably, EF treatability studies demonstrated that optimal conditions of pH 2, Fe2+ concentration of 0.005M, H2O2 concentration of 0.5M, and RPM of 450 resulted in more than 75% COD removal. Hence, the sacrificial electrodes can be effective in removing COD from the wastewater.

A polybutylene succinate (PBS) composite reinforced with natural jute (Corchorus olitorius) fibers (50-80 μm) was investigated for its mechanical properties and biodegradability. This study aims to investigate the effects of fiber additions and size variations on composite performance and environmental sustainability. The PBS80/JF20 composite with 80 μm jute particles demonstrated the lowest MFI at 26 g.10 min-1, significantly lower than that of pure PBS (p<0.05), indicating reduced flowability. Tensile strength decreased with the addition of jute fiber, reaching 21.4 MPa with 50 μm particles. Density was also reduced, with the lowest recorded at 1.27 g.cm³- in PBS95/Jute5 (p<0.05). The composites with 80 μm fibers exhibited a slightly higher weight loss (9.5%) compared to those with 50 μm fibers (6.8%), likely due to insufficient interfacial adhesion in larger fibers, making them more susceptible to microbial degradation. Results indicate that adding natural jute fibers into the PBS matrix leads to significant decreases in melt flow index, tensile strength, and impact energy, while significantly enhancing density, water absorption, and biodegradability with respect to neat PBS. Further analysis of fiber sizes revealed that increasing fiber size (from 50 to 80 μm) results in a non-significant decrease in melt flow index, tensile strength, density, impact energy, water absorption, and biodegradation rates. These findings suggest that while the addition of natural fibers compromises mechanical properties, it significantly improves the environmental attributes of the composites, like water absorption and biodegradation (p<0.05). Fibers with a smaller diameter are preferable for maintaining mechanical integrity, while fibers with a larger diameter enhance biodegradability. The paper provides valuable insights into the development of a biocomposite material that balances mechanical performance with environmental sustainability.

This study investigates the relationship between green marketing practices and the sustainability performance of manufacturing firms in emerging markets. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 270 respondents, and the analysis was conducted using Smart PLS-SEM (version 4). The results demonstrate a significant positive relationship between green internal marketing and the overall sustainability performance of the firms. Specifically, green marketing communication was found to positively influence both environmental and social performance, although it did not have a significant effect on financial performance. Likewise, the adoption of green products substantially improved environmental performance but did not significantly impact financial or social performance. Additionally, the study supports a positive association between green strategy implementation and sustainability performance. These findings underscore the critical role of integrating green marketing practices into sustainability initiatives. The research provides valuable insights for managers and policymakers, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to green marketing to enhance environmental and social outcomes, even if financial benefits are not immediately apparent. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on sustainable business practices and offers practical implications for achieving long-term sustainability in manufacturing firms.

Noble metal decorated metal oxide composites have proved to have Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) as a notable approach for efficient light absorption. Herein present work, a new sonochemical method is proposed for in-situ synthesis of noble metal-based CeO2 composites for the sonophotocatalytic degradation of commercial Acephate solution. Pristine CeO2 and Ag@CeO2 with different Ag contents viz. 4, 6 and 8 wt. % were successfully synthesized by a facile in-situ sonochemical approach. The as-synthesized CeO2 and Ag@CeO2 nanocomposites were characterized by various physicochemical characterization techniques, including XRD, FTIR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, BET, and FESEM-EDS. Further, these CeO2 and Ag@CeO2 nanocomposites were employed for photocatalytic, sonocatalytic, and sonophotocatalytic degradation of commercial Acephate solution. Experimental results revealed that the photocatalytic and sonocatalytic processes follow a pseudo-first-order model, whereas the sonophotocatalytic process had a more substantial rate constant compared to the photocatalytic and sonocatalytic one. Further, the kinetics of the study were examined by the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model. Overall, the sonophotocatalytic degradation involving as-synthesized Ag@CeO2 with 6 wt. % Ag content has shown to be the most effective method for the effective degradation of a commercial acephate solution.

Nanotechnology has become one of the most active fields in the research area and is getting more attention toward nanoparticle synthesis. Green synthesis methods using various plants, fungi, bacteria, and algae were used to synthesize nanoparticles with proper requirements and maintain sterile conditions to get the desired products. Aloe vera, a bio-medicinal plant, contains a wide range of phytochemicals such as phenolic, hydroxyl groups, alkaloids, polyols, polysaccharides, etc, which act as reducing and capping agents with high efficiency. This review revealed that aloe vera-derived nanoparticles are safe, stable, cost-effective, and eco-friendly, and they also possess significant applications for drug targeting, disease resistance, tissue engineering, wound healing, anticancer, antibacterial, and cosmetic industries. Synthesized metal nanoparticles are characterized through UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy, photoluminescence, and the Well-diffusion method. It is highly interesting to note that aloe vera-mediated silver and zinc nanoparticles possess high potency against multi-drug resistant pathogens. Here, anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and photocatalytic activity separately showed by aloe vera peel, gel, and leaf, along with possible challenging situations faced during plant extract-based nanoparticle synthesis, are highlighted. Additionally, the introduction of GMOs is subjected to play an important role in advancing green methods. However, more research is required to estimate the dose’s safety, degradation, and synergistic mechanism inside the human body for better use of the green method for the treatment of microbial infections.

The rapid increase in heavy metal accumulation within soil ecosystems has become a significant concern due to various anthropogenic activities such as industrial processes, agricultural practices, and urbanization. These activities have led to elevated levels of heavy metals like lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic in the soil, which, when surpassing permissible limits, pose severe toxicological risks to both human health and plant life. Once heavy metals are introduced into the soil, they can be readily absorbed by plants, subsequently entering the food chain and affecting the metabolic activities of humans and animals consuming these contaminated plants. Although trace amounts of heavy metals are naturally present in the soil, their concentration beyond safe thresholds can lead to deleterious effects, including disruption of enzymatic functions, damage to cellular structures, and interference with essential biological processes. Studies have highlighted that children living in urban and industrial areas are particularly vulnerable to heavy metal exposure, which can result in cognitive impairments, developmental delays, and various other health issues. Furthermore, long-term exposure to these metals can lead to chronic diseases such as cancer, kidney dysfunction, and cardiovascular disorders. Given the escalating threat posed by soil metal contamination, it is imperative to implement stringent management practices aimed at maintaining soil chemistry within safe limits. These practices may include the remediation of contaminated sites, the adoption of sustainable agricultural methods, regular monitoring of soil quality, and the use of phytoremediation techniques to mitigate the impact of heavy metals. Ensuring the safe production of food requires a comprehensive understanding of soil dynamics and the integration of innovative strategies to prevent and control heavy metal pollution. Consequently, addressing this environmental challenge is crucial for safeguarding public health, preserving ecological balance, and promoting sustainable development.

In the face of the pressing global issue of waste management and the diminishing availability of natural resources, the management of non-biodegradable waste materials, including brick waste, poses significant challenges. Ineffective disposal practices not only create logistical obstacles but also pose health hazards. This study explores the potential of utilizing waste refractory bricks (RB) as a sustainable substitute for natural fine aggregates in concrete production. Various experimental investigations were conducted to evaluate the feasibility and performance of RB sand in concrete mixtures. Tests included assessments of fresh and hardened properties, such as slump values, compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength, and resistance to elevated temperatures. The research revealed that RB sand, when used as a partial replacement for fine aggregates, can significantly enhance the compressive strength of concrete, with optimal results observed at a 30% replacement level. Moreover, RB-based concrete exhibited improved split tensile strength compared to traditional concrete, particularly at replacement levels of 10% to 30%. Flexural strength also showed notable improvements, with the 40% replacement level demonstrating optimal performance. Additionally, the study investigated the effects of elevated temperatures on concrete specimens and found that RB-based sustainable concrete showed higher compressive strength retention compared to conventional concrete at a 30% replacement level. Furthermore, weight variation analysis indicated that RB-based concrete had a lower density compared to traditional concrete. Overall, the findings suggest that incorporating RB sand in concrete mixtures could offer a promising solution for sustainable construction practices, contributing to environmental conservation and human health preservation by reducing reliance on natural aggregates and minimizing adverse environmental impacts.

Heavy metal (HM) pollution has been a significant issue for the environment and public health. Unmonitored industrial effluents are a major source of HM pollution. However, metallotolerant bacteria thriving in such environments could be potentially useful for bioremediation purposes. In this study, Bacillus cereus IEI-01 was isolated from water samples of Badshahpur Lake, Gurugram, showcasing resilience to HM exposure and thriving under optimal conditions at 37°C and pH 7.0. Morphological and biochemical characterization showed its Gram-positive rod shape and metabolic versatility, including glucose fermentation and nitrate reduction capabilities. Molecular analysis further affirmed its close relation to the Bacillus cereus strain. Dynamic bacterial growth patterns were observed, with typical sigmoidal curves indicating significant growth over 72 h. When exposed to various HMs, the strain IEI-01 exhibited differential tolerance and promoting patterns, with cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) compared to other metals. Over 72 h, the strain exhibited substantial removal rates ranging from 60.64% to 87.43% for Cd and 41.87% to 52.62% for Pb. The concentration-dependent bio-removal efficiency of IEI-01 in Cd-spiked cultures displayed a declining trend with increasing concentrations, with removal rates ranging from 80.23% to 60.72% over the same period. These findings highlight the potential of Bacillus cereus IEI-01 for HM bioremediation, particularly at lower concentrations. Its efficacy in removing Cd and Pb from contaminated environments suggests promising applications in environmental cleanup efforts.

Agriculture has been a vital sector for the majority of people, especially in countries like India. However, the increasing need for food production has led to intensive farming practices that have resulted in the deterioration of soil quality. This deterioration in soil quality poses significant challenges to both agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability. To address these challenges, advanced soil nutrient prediction systems that utilize machine learning and deep learning techniques are being developed. These advanced soil nutrient prediction systems utilize various sources of data, such as soil parameters, plant diseases, pests, fertilizer usage, and changes in weather patterns. By mapping and analyzing these data sources, machine learning algorithms can accurately predict the distribution of soil nutrients and other properties essential for precise agricultural practices. A previous study compared machine learning algorithms like SVM and Random Forest with deep learning algorithms CNN and LSTM for predicting crop yields. The most appropriate model is a significant challenge, but several studies have evaluated recommendation system models using deep machine learning techniques. Deep learning models attain accuracy above 90%, while many ML models achieve rates between 90% and 93%. Furthermore, the research seeks to propose specific crop suggestions grounded in soil nutrients for precision agriculture to enhance crop productivity.

The objective of the current research is to measure the specific activity of 40K and heavy metals in the water samples collected from the Al-Diwaniyah River in Al-Qadisiyah Governorate, Iraq. The activity of 40K in water samples was ascertained using High Purity Germanium Spectrometer (HPGe) detector technology, which is based on a high-resolution gamma spectrometry system, and by using an atomic absorption spectrometer (A.A.S.) to determine the heavy metals of Ni, Cd and Pb, as well as measure some of the physical properties of water samples. The results indicated the concentration of 40K in the water was presented in different concentrations. The lowest value was 2.6±0.5 Bq/L Al-Muhanawiyah, while the highest value was in Al-Diwaniyah center 24.6± 4.0Bq/L. On the other hand, the highest results of Pb, Cd and Ni have been 0.1247, 0.0652 and 0.157 ppm, respectively. While, the results of physics properties were from 7.05 to 8.3 for total dissolved solids (T.D.S.) values were from 2100 to 756.6 mg/L, electrical conductivity values were between 1140 and 3500 μs/cm, and turbidity values were between 7.0 and 54.5. Based on the results, the concentrations of the 40K and heavy metals indicated that the results are almost slight compared to internationally accepted values.