The current study investigates the therapeutic and curative effect of Ulva lactuca polyphenolic extract (ULPE) in general and particularly polyphenolics compounds against heavy metal mixture (HME). The toxicity behind heavy metal is due to oxidative stress resulted from heavy metals pollution or administration through contaminated food (vegetables, water, and fish). Heavy metal toxicity plays a major role in different cardiovascular diseases. The objective of this study is aimed to examine the protective effect of ULPE against heavy metal mixture induced cardiovascular diseases through oxidative/antioxidant and inflammatory pathways. Sixty male rats (Sprague-Dawley) were assigned to six groups. Group I served as the control, group II served as the induced group receiving subcutaneously for 7 days 0.25 mg/100 gm body weight/day heavy metal mixtures (Equal concentration of Ni, Cd, Co and Hg chloride, and Pb acetate), group III received (i.p.) ULPE of dose 30 mg for 15 days, group IV served as the protected group pretreated with ULPE for 15 days as a protection dose, and then treated with the heavy metal-mixture, group V served as protected standard group pretreated with vitamin C (VitC) (50 mg/Kg) and then treated with the heavy metal-mixture, and group VI served as standard group treated with VitC (50 mg/Kg). The main pathological changes within the heart revealed heart inflammation after heavy-metal mixtures administrations. On contrast to the protected group treated with ULPE (group IV), the protection group (group II) showed a significant increase in the antioxidant as well as anti-inflammatory biomarker. The cardiovascular biomarkers (Troponin T, CRP, and BNP) showed similar attitude elevations in induction group and decreased greatly in protection and VitC group. The antioxidant and the anti-inflammatory activities of ULPE are a consequence of their higher polyphenolic contents as well as marine secondary metabolites which are confirmed using qualitative and quantitative analysis. From the current result, we concluded that ULPE possesses a cardiovascular protective agent as a result of highly contents of different bioactive secondary metabolites which have antioxidant as well as free-radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory activates. Showed the mechanism of ULPE as cardioprotective against heavy metal mixture

Exogenous application of melatonin to plants is a promising approach for assisted phytoremediation of soil lead (Pb). In this study, we investigated the effects of foliar applications of melatonin to mature bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.), a fast-growing perennial with potential as a non-hyperaccumulator plant for Pb phytoremediation. Following exposure to Pb (3000 mg kg⁻¹) for 30 days, decreases in biomass and chlorophyll production, degradation of thylakoid membranes, reduced photosynthesis and PSII (reaction center of photosystem II) efficiency, and elevated oxidative stress were found. Foliar applications of melatonin to Pb-stressed bermudagrass mitigated these negative effects, restoring photosynthetic pigments and chloroplast ultrastructure, subsequently improving photosynthesis and photochemistry efficiency of PSII. Exogenous melatonin also eliminated the excessive accumulations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and methylglyoxal (MG) which associated with cellular redox homeostasis by improving ascorbic acid (AsA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) contents, redox status of GSH/GSSG (oxidative glutathione), and key enzymes activities in both AsA-GSH and glyoxalase systems. Ultimately, treating bermudagrass plants with exogenous melatonin elevated biomass production and disproportionally greater Pb translocation to roots and senescent leaves. This collectively resulted in 21% greater recovery of Pb compared to Pb-stressed bermudagrass lacking melatonin application. Overall, results from this study demonstrated the beneficial roles of melatonin for improving the effectiveness of bermudagrass as a non-hyperaccumulator plant for soil Pb phytoremediation.

Cadmium is a highly toxic environmental pollutant which through enhancement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production triggers oxidative stress to the cell. Cell growth, a fundamental feature of all living organisms is closely connected to the cell shape and homeostasis. As these processes largely depend on cell fitness status and environmental conditions we have analyzed, the impact of different cadmium concentrations and the effect of ascorbic acid (ascorbate, AsA) supplementation on cell growth parameters, cell morphology, and ionome balance maintenance in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. We show that cadmium causes membrane lipid peroxidation resulting in cell shape alterations leading to growth impairment and through mineral elements disequilibrium affects ionome homeostasis in a dose- and time-dependent manner. AsA recognized as one of the most prominent antioxidants, when overdosed, displays considerable pro-oxidant activity, though precise dosing of its supplementation is desired. We present here that AsA under efficacious concentration largely improves cell condition affected by cadmium. Although, we clearly demonstrate the beneficial feature of AsA, further studies are required to fully understand its protective nature on cell homeostasis maintenance under conditions of the broken environment.

In order to increase the knowledge about crop tolerance to air pollutants in the different agroclimatic zones of the world, so that they can be efficiently considered for improving peri-urban agriculture, increasing the success of restoration projects, or enhancing air quality in polluted sites, the suitability of four economical valuable tree crops of the Mediterranean agriculture were studied under field conditions: date palm tree (Phoenix dactylifera L.), pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), fig tree (Ficus carica L.), and olive tree (Olea europaea L.). The measurement of biochemical markers such as ascorbic acid content, leaf relative water content, leaf total chlorophyll and leaf extract pH, at two contrasted air quality sites, a polluted site located around Gabes (Tunisia) industrial area and a control site, allowed the assessment of the air pollution tolerance index (APTI) and anticipated performance index (API) for the assayed species. Results showed obvious differences between the evergreen and the caducifolious tree crops assayed. Phoenix dactylifera tree (API = 6) was classified as an excellent performer for growing under poor air quality, followed by Olea europaea tree (API = 2) which was classified as a moderate performer. Both of trees can be recommended for successful results in peri-urban agriculture and restoration projects of polluted areas in the Mediterranean climate; on the contrary, the suitability of the Punica granatum (API = 1) was very poor, but still potentially interesting as a biological indicator of air pollution. Regarding the Ficus carica tree (API = 0), this species is not suitable for growing in air-polluted areas.

The present study entails the phytoremediation potential of different bamboo species on 5-year-old FA-dumped site near Koradi thermal power plant of Nagpur, Maharashtra, India. The selected FA-dumped site was treated with farmyard manure, press mud, and bio fertilizer followed by plantation of six promising species of bamboo namely Bambusa balcooa Roxb., Dendrocalamus stocksii (Munro.) M. Kumar, Remesh and Unnikrishnan, Bambusa bambos (L.) Voss, Bambusa wamin E.G. Camus, Bambusa vulgaris var. striata (Lodd. ex Lindl.) Gamble, and Bambusa vulgaris var. vittata Riviere and Riviere. The experimental results indicated that the organic input in the FA-dumped site nourished the soil by improving its physico-chemical, and biological characteristics. The results revealed the contamination of the site with different trace elements in varied quantity including Cr (89.29 mg kg⁻¹), Zn (84.77 mg kg⁻¹), Ni (28.84 mg kg⁻¹), Cu (22.91 mg kg⁻¹), Li (19.65 mg kg⁻¹), Pb (13.47 mg kg⁻¹), and Cd (2.35 mg kg⁻¹). A drastic reduction in concentration of heavy metals in FA was observed after 1 year of bamboo plantation as compared to the initial condition. The results showed that bamboo species are good excluders of Ba, Co, Cr, Li, Ni, Mn, and Zn, whereas they are good accumulators of Cd, Pb, and Cu. The values of biochemical parameters, such as pH, total chlorophyll, ascorbic acid (AA), and relative water content of all the bamboo leaves ranged from 5.11–5.70, 1.56-6.33 mg g⁻¹, 0.16-0.19 mg g⁻¹, and 60.23–76.68%, respectively. It is thereby concluded that the bamboo plantation with biofertilizers and organic amendments may indicate adaptive response to environmental pollution on FA-dumped site.

Fluoride contamination in groundwater is a major problem throughout the world as well as in India. High-fluoride content was reported in the hot springs of Atri and Tarbalo sites in Odisha, India, and residents of nearby villages showed the manifestations of fluorosis. Around 39% of the groundwater samples showed fluoride concentration > 1 mg/l, higher than the desirable limit specified by the WHO. The dominant chemical facies of groundwaters were ions of Ca-Mg-HCO₃ and Ca-Na-Cl, which infers the lithological control over the hydrochemistry of this area. A strong correlation between fluoride and other major ions could not be found, suggesting that multiple processes are responsible for the enriched fluoride concentration observed in the study area. The major geochemical processes include dissolution of fluoride-bearing minerals from the rocks, evapotranspiration, agricultural input and mixing of cold groundwater with hot spring water containing high fluoride. The maximum fluoride exposure doses through drinking water from fluoride-contaminated tube wells were estimated to be 0.07 mg/kg/d for infants, 0.125 mg/kg/d for children and 0.06 mg/kg/d for adults, which are higher than the minimum risk level (0.05 mg/kg/d). Exposure doses of fluoride indicate that exposure risk is doubled for children in comparison to infants and adults, which might cause severe dental fluorosis and other ailments. Considering the environmental and hydrological set up of the study area, membrane defluoridation process can be suggested as the best remediation method. Nalgonda technique, dilution of fluoride-rich groundwater and better nutrition containing calcium and vitamin C are other possible options that can be included for early mitigation of fluoride contamination.

Lead and mercury are two of the most toxic heavy metals in environments. Mesosilicate-templated magnetic nanocarbons with ascorbic acid as carbon precursor were developed through nanocasting processes. The nanocarbon showed effective magnetic separation and the maximum adsorption capacity of 80.6 and 66.3 mg/g for Hg and Pb, respectively. Langmuir model well described adsorption processes of both Hg and Pb from water. Magnetic nanocarbon could be easily separated and incinerated, reducing the volume requiring the disposal. This study indicates that mesosilicate-templated nanocarbons with easy disposal potentials may be good candidates for cleansing Hg and Pb from contaminated water.

This study primarily focused on the performance of 1,1,1-trichloroethane (1,1,1-TCA) and trichloroethylene (TCE) degradation involving redox reactions in zeolite-supported nanozerovalent iron composite (Z-nZVI)-catalyzed sodium percarbonate (SPC) system in aqueous solution with five different chelating agents (CAs) including oxalic acid (OA), citric acid monohydrate (CAM), glutamic acid (GA), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and L-ascorbic acid (ASC). The experimental results showed that the addition of OA achieved almost 100 % degradation of 1,1,1-TCA and TCE. The addition of CAM and GA also significantly increased the contaminant degradation, while excessive addition of them inhibited the degradation. In contrast, EDTA and ASC showed negative impacts on 1,1,1-TCA and TCE degradation, which might be due to the strong reactivity with iron and OH● scavenging characteristics. The efficiency with CA addition on 1,1,1-TCA and TCE degradation decreased in the order of OA > CAM > GA > no CAs > EDTA > ASC. The extensive investigations using probe compound tests and scavenger tests revealed that both contaminants degraded primarily by OH● and O₂ –● in chelated Z-nZVI-catalyzed SPC system. The significant improvement in 1,1,1-TCA and TCE degradation efficiency was accredited due to the (i) increase in concentration of Fe²⁺ and (ii) continuous generation of OH● radicals and maintenance of its quantity, ensuring more stability in the aqueous solution. Finally, the complete mineralization of 1,1,1-TCA and TCE in the OA-chelated, Z-nZVI-catalyzed SPC system was confirmed without any chlorinated intermediate by-products detected, demonstrating a great potential of this technique in the application of groundwater remediation. Graphical Abstract Schematic representation of the reactive oxygen species in the chelated Z-nZVI-catalyzed percarbonate system for the degradation of 1,1,1-TCA and TCE

The petroleum production has been raised sharply over the past decades, whereas the petroleum exploitation has also caused serious environmental contamination. A pot experiment has been conducted to monitor the dynamic response of antioxidant defense system and the growth reaction of Amorpha fruticosa seedlings to soil petroleum contamination. The results show that (1) in 5 g kg⁻¹ contaminated soil, A. fruticosa removes reactive oxygen species (ROS) by increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes (glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT)), while in 10–15 g kg⁻¹ long-term contaminated soil, A. fruticosa removes ROS by the cooperation of antioxidant enzymes and antioxidants (SOD, CAT, ascorbate peroxidase (APX), GR, ascorbic acid (AsA), glutathione (GSH), and proline (Pro)). In long-term 20 g kg⁻¹ contaminated soil, the defense ability of APX and AsA decreases sharply, and A. fruticosa removes the ROS by the synergistic effect of antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT) and antioxidants (GSH and Pro). Only in 20 g kg⁻¹ long-term petroleum contamination caused significant (P < 0.05) increase in H₂O₂ content in seedlings. (2) SOD, CAT, GR, GSH, and Pro exhibit increases in long-term severely contaminated soil, and these enzymes and antioxidants are the most important defender of A. fruticosa to ROS accumulation caused by petroleum contamination. (3) The growth of A. fruticosa seedlings is less affected in 5 g kg⁻¹ petroleum-contaminated soil, while it significantly decreases in 10, 15, and 20 g kg⁻¹ petroleum-contaminated soils (P < 0.05). (4) Considering comprehensively the response of antioxidant defense system and the growth reaction of seedlings to petroleum contamination, A. fruticosa could be utilized for phytoremediation in ≤15 g kg⁻¹ contaminated soil.

In the present study, response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to maximize As(V) removal from aqueous solutions by using modified magnetic nanoparticles with ascorbic acid (AA-MNPs). The structural features of the produced material were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ adsorption–desorption, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). More specifically, the effects of pH, temperature, arsenic ion concentration, and sorbent dosage were investigated on the arsenic adsorption. A total of 20 sets of experiments were designed by the software to achieve maximum adsorption capacity (q ₑ) and removal efficiency (R). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) of the two-factor interaction (2FI) model suggested that the predicted values were in good agreement with experimental data. The best local maximum values for pH, arsenic concentration, and sorbent dosage were found to be 2, 5 mg L⁻¹, and 0.1 g L⁻¹, respectively, that yielding maximum q ₑ of 44.99 mg g⁻¹ and a maximum R of 42.69 %. Additionally, the obtained value for desirability was equal to 0.862. The results indicated that the Langmuir model provided the best correlation of the equilibrium data. Moreover, the obtained results revealed that the pseudo-second-order kinetic model could best describe the adsorption kinetics.