Characterization of organophosphate pesticide sorption of potato peel biochar as low cost adsorbent for chlorpyrifos removal

Agricultural biomass/waste-based materials could be a potential adsorption-type remediation contributor to environmental pollution induced by pesticides-A critical review

The widespread use of pesticides that are inevitable to keep the production of food grains brings serious environmental pollution problems. Turning agricultural biomass/wastes into materials addressing the issues of pesticide contaminants is a feasible strategy to realize the reuse of wastes. Several works summarized the current applications of agricultural biomass/waste materials in the remediation of environmental pollutants. However, few studies systematically take the pesticides as an unitary target pollutant. This critical review comprehensively described the remediation effects of crop-derived waste (cereal crops, cash crops) and animal-derived waste materials on pesticide pollution. Adsorption is considered a superior and highlighted effect between pesticides and materials. The review generalized the sources, preparation, characterization, condition optimization, removal efficiency and influencing factors analysis of agricultural biomass/waste materials. Our work mainly emphasized the promising results in lab experiments, which helps to clarify the current application status of these materials in the field of pesticide remediation. In the meantime, rigorous pros and cons of the materials guide to understand the research trends more comprehensively. Overall, we hope to achieve a large-scale use of agricultural biomass/wastes.

Nanomaterials and biochar mediated remediation of emerging contaminants

The unrestricted release of various toxic substances into the environment is a critical global issue, gaining increased attention in modern society. Many of these substances are pristine to various environmental compartments known as contaminants/emerging contaminants (ECs). Nanoparticles and emerging sorbents enhanced remediation is a compelling methodology exhibiting great potential in addressing EC-related issues and facilitating their elimination from the environment, particularly those compounds that demonstrate eco-toxicity and pose considerable challenges in terms of removal. It provides a novel technique enabling the secure and sustainable removal of various ECs, including persistent organic compounds, microplastics, phthalate, etc. This extensive review presents a critical perspective on the current advancements and potential outcomes of nano-enhanced remediation techniques such as photocatalysis, nano-sensing, nano-enhanced sorbents, bio/phyto-remediation, which are applied to clean-up the natural environment. In addition, when dealing with residual contaminants, special attention is paid to both health and environmental implications; therefore, an evaluation of the long-term sustainability of nano-enhanced remediation methods has been considered. The integrated mechanical approaches were thoroughly discussed and presented in graphical forms. Thus, the critical evaluation of the integrated use of most emerging remediation technologies will open a new dimension in environmental safety and clean-up program.

Environmental fate and metabolic transformation of two non-ionic pesticides in soil: Effect of biochar, moisture, and soil sterilization

Soil moisture, organic matter, and soil microbes are the key considering factors that control the persistence, degradation, and transformation of applied pesticides under varied soil conditions. In this study, underlying influence of these factors was assessed through the fates and metabolic transformation of two non-ionic pesticides (e.g., Phorate and Terbufos) in soils. Concisely, two distinct experiments including a customized batch equilibrium (sorption study), and a lab incubation trial (degradation study) were performed, following the OECD guidelines. As per study findings, biochar (BC) amendment was found to be the most influential factors during sorption study, particularly, 1% BC amendment contributed to achieve the best results. In addition, the non-linearity of sorption isotherm (1/n < 1.0) was revealed through Freundlich isotherm, indicating the strong adsorption of studied pesticides onto the soils. On the other hand, during degradation study, soil moisture initiates the enhanced degradation of parent pesticides and subsequent metabolism. In the presence of 40% water holding capacity (WHC), 1% BC amendment enhances the metabolic transformation, while H2O2 treatment could hinder the process. Additionally, the half-life degradation (t1/2) of phorate and terbufos was controlled by biochar amendment, moisture, and soil sterilization, respectively. Finally, BC can accelerate the metabolic transformation, whereas, phorate underwent a metabolic change into sulfoxide and sulfone while terbufos turned into solely sulfoxide. This pioneering study gathered crucial data for understanding the persistence and metabolic transition of non-ionic pesticides in soils and their patterns of degradation.

Remediation of pesticides contaminated water using biowastes-derived carbon rich biochar

The competition impact and feedstock type on the removal of water pesticides using biochar have not yet been sufficiently investigated. Therefore, here we investigated the potentiality of three different biochars (BCs) derived from rice husk (RHB), date pit (DPB), and sugarcane bagasse (SBB) biowastes for the simultaneous removal of ten pesticides from water in a competitive adsorption system. The BCs structural characterization and morphology were investigated by XRD, FTIR spectroscopy and SEM analysis. The potential adsorption mechanisms have been investigated using various isothermal and kinetic models. RHB showed the highest removal percentages (61% for atrazine/dimethoate and 97.6% for diuron/chlorfenvinphos) followed by DPB (56% for atrazine/dimethoate and 95.4% for diuron/chlorpyrifos) and then SBB (60.8% for atrazine/dimethoate and 90.8% for chlorpyrifos/malathion). The higher adsorption capacity of RHB and DPB than SBB can be due to their high total pore volume and specific surface area (SSA). Langmuir model described well the sorption data (R2 = 0.99). Adsorption equilibrium was achieved after 60 min for RHB, and 120 min for both DPB and SBB. The optimum adsorbent dose (g/L) was 10 for RHB and 4 for DPB and SBB. The removal efficiency of pesticides was enhanced by decreasing pH from 9 to 5 by RHB and to 3 by DPB and SBB. XRD and FTIR spectroscopy confirmed that BCs contain some active adsorption groups and metal oxides such as MgO, SiO, Al2O3, CaO, and TiO2 that can play an effective role in the pesticides sorption. BET-N2 adsorption analysis demonstrated that the BC pore size contributes significantly to pesticide adsorption. These findings indicate that RHB, DPB, and SBB have ability for adsorption of water pesticides even under acidic conditions. Therefore, the rice husk, date pit, and sugarcane bagasse biowastes could be pyrolyzed and reused as effective and low-cost sorbents for elimination of hazardous substances such as pesticides in the aqueous environments.

Insight into the environmental fate, hazard, detection, and sustainable degradation technologies of chlorpyrifos-an organophosphorus pesticide

Pesticides play a critical role in terms of agricultural output nowadays. On top of that, pesticides provide economic support to our farmers. However, the usage of pesticides has created a public health issue and environmental hazard. Chlorpyrifos (CPY), an organophosphate pesticide, is extensively applied as an insecticide, acaricide, and termiticide against pests in various applications. Environmental pollution has occurred because of the widespread usage of CPY, harming several ecosystems, including soil, sediment, water, air, and biogeochemical cycles. While residual levels in soil, water, vegetables, foodstuffs, and human fluids have been discovered, CPY has also been found in the sediment, soil, and water. The irrefutable pieces of evidence indicate that CPY exposure inhibits the choline esterase enzyme, which impairs the ability of the body to use choline. As a result, neurological, immunological, and psychological consequences are seen in people and the natural environment. Several research studies have been conducted worldwide to identify and develop CPY remediation approaches and its derivatives from the environment. Currently, many detoxification methods are available for pesticides, such as CPY. However, recent research has shown that the breakdown of CPY using bacteria is the most proficient, cost-effective, and sustainable. This current article aims to outline relevant research events, summarize the possible breakdown of CPY into various compounds, and discuss analytical summaries of current research findings on bacterial degradation of CPY and the potential degradation mechanism.

Approaching a discussion on the detachment of chlorpyrifos in contaminated water using different leaves and peels as bio adsorbents

The emerging contaminant chlorpyrifos, an insecticide, is generally used in agricultural fields to control termites, ants, and mosquitoes for the proper growth of feed and food crops. Chlorpyrifos reaches water sources for multiple reasons, and people who use water from nearby sources is exposed to chlorpyrifos. Due to its overuse in modern agriculture, the level of chlorpyrifos in water has drastically grown. The present study aims to address the problem arising from the utilization of chlorpyrifos-contaminated water. Natural bioadsorbents Bael, Cauliflower, Guava leaves Watermelon, and lemon peel were employed to remove chlorpyrifos from contaminated water under specific conditions of various factors, such as initial adsorbate concentration, dose of bioadsorbent, contact time, pH, and temperature. Maximum removal efficiency of 77% was obtained with lemon peel. The maximum adsorption capacity (qe) was 6.37 mg g^-1. The kinetic experiments revealed that the pseudo second order model (R² = 0.997) provided a better explanation of the mechanism of sorption. The isotherm showed that chlorpyrifos adsorbed in lemon peel in a monolayer and was best suited by the Langmuir model (R² = 0.993). The adsorption process was exothermic and spontaneous, according to thermodynamic data.

Coconut shell biochar application in liquid-solid microextraction of triazine herbicides from multi-media environmental samples

A rapid, fast, widely applicable liquid-solid microextraction and purification method of triazine herbicides (TRZHs) in muti-media samples using salting-out assisted liquid-liquid extraction (SALLE) combined with self-assembled monolithic spin columns-solid phase micro extraction (MSC-SPME) was developed. Environmentally friendly coconut shell biochar (CSB) was used as the adsorbents of MSC-SPME. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was the separation and determination method. The adsorption kinetics and isotherms were investigated to indicate the interaction between CSB and TRZHs. Several parameters influencing the liquid-solid microextraction efficiency, such as sample pH, salting-out solution volume and pH, sample loading speed, elution speed, elution ratio and volume of eluent were systematically investigated with the aid of orthogonal design. The whole extraction process was operated within 10 min. Under the optimum extraction and determination conditions, good linearities for three TRZHs were obtained in a range of 0.10-200.00 ng mL^-1, with linear coefficients (R²) greater than 0.999. The limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs) were in the range of 6.99-11.00 ng L^-1 and 23.33-36.68 ng L^-1, respectively. The recoveries of the three TRZHs in multi-media environmental samples were ranged from 69.00% to 124.72%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) lower than 0.43%. This SALLE-MSC-SPME-UPLC-MS/MS method was successfully applied to the determination of TRZHs in environmental and food samples and exhibited the advantages of high efficiency and sensitivity, low cost, and environmental friendliness. Compared with the methods published before, CSB-MSC was green, rapid, easy-operated, and reduced the whole cost of the experiment; SALLE combined MSC-SPME eliminated the matrix references effectively; what's more, the SALLE-MSC-SPME-UPLC-MS/MS method could be applied to various sample without complicated sample pretreatment procedure.

Valorization of date palm leaves for adsorptive remediation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid herbicide polluted agricultural runoff

Alarming rates of water contamination by toxic herbicides have prompted the need and attention for easy, efficient, and affordable treatment options with a touch of circular economy aspects. This study valorized date palm leaf (DPL) wastes into a valuable adsorbent for remediating agricultural wastewater polluted with 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-DPA) herbicide. The DPL precursor was modified with H₂SO₄ treatment and both biomass samples were characterized by various analytical techniques. Acid treatment modified the morphology, thermal, and textural properties of the final product (TDPL) while maintaining the structure and surface chemistry intact. Simulated wastewaters containing 2,4-DPA were subsequently treated using TDPL as an adsorbent. Optimum adsorption conditions of pH 2, dosage 0.95 g/L, shaking speed 200 rpm, time 120 min, and temperature 30 °C showed a good herbicide removal efficiency in the range of 55.1-72.6% for different initial feed concentrations (50-250 mg/L). Experimental kinetic data were better represented by the pseudo-second-order model, while the Freundlich isotherm was reliable in describing the equilibrium behavior of the adsorption system. Further, the thermodynamic analysis revealed that the adsorption occurred spontaneously, favorably, and exothermically. Plausible sorption mechanism involved electrostatic interactions, weak van der Waals forces, hydrogen bonds, and π-π interactions between the participating phases. Conspicuously, TDPL application to real-world situations of treating actual herbicide-polluted agricultural runoff resulted in a 69.4% remediation efficiency. Thus, the study demonstrated the valorization of date palm leaves into a valuable and industry-ready adsorbent that can sequester toxic 2,4-DPA herbicide contaminant from aqueous streams.

Novel zero waste tactics for commercial vegetables – recent advances

Commercial vegetables include tomatoes, potatoes, onions, and eggplant due to their surplus production, availability, and affordability. The valorisation of the massive wastage of commercial vegetables and providing a long-term solution has been challenging. The review addresses the implications of biowastes on the environment and fosters the recent investigations into valorising commercial vegetable waste to develop multiple value-added products. It discussed the outcomes of the multiple technologies, majorly on green chemistry extraction, while outlining other methods such as fermentation, enzymatic treatments, 3D printing foods, high-pressure homogenisation, microencapsulation, bio-absorption method, and pyrolysis for their respective vegetable wastes. Agri-residues can be a valuable source for formulating functional ingredients, natural additives, biodiesel, dyes, and animal feed. This comprehensive review proposes a strategy to upcycle low-cost biowaste to boost the economic and ecological benefits. The current review captures the interests and great collaborations between researchers, industrialists, policymakers, waste management bodies, and eco-activists.

Potato peel waste biorefinery for the sustainable production of biofuels, bioplastics, and biosorbents

Potato is the fourth most abundant crop harvested annually worldwide. Potato peel waste (PPW) is the main waste stream of potato-processing industries which is generated in large quantities and is a threat to the environment globally. However, owing to its compositional characteristics, availability, and zero cost, PPW is a renewable resource for the production of high-value bioproducts. Hence, this study provides a state-of-the-art overview of advancements in PPW valorization through biological and thermochemical conversions. PPW has a high potential for biofuel and biochemical generation through detoxification, pretreatment, hydrolysis, and fermentation. Moreover, many other valuable chemicals, including bio-oil, biochar, and biosorbents, can be produced via thermochemical conversions. However, several challenges are associated with the biological and thermochemical processing of PPW. The insights provided in this review pave the way toward a PPW-based biorefinery development, providing sustainable alternatives to fossil-based products and mitigating environmental concerns.

The growing concern of chlorpyrifos exposures on human and environmental health

Chlorpyrifos (CP) and its highly electrophilic intermediates are principal toxic metabolites. The active form of CP i.e. chlorpyrifos oxon (CP-oxon) is responsible for both the insecticidal activity and is also of greater risk when present in the atmosphere. Thus, the combined effects of both CP, CP-oxan, and other metabolites enhance our understanding of the safety and risk of the insecticide CP. They cause major toxicities such as AChE inhibition, oxidative stress, and endocrine disruption. Further, it can have adverse hematological, musculoskeletal, renal, ocular, and dermal effects. Excessive use of this compound results in poisoning and potentially kills a non-target species upon exposure including humans. Several examples of reactive metabolites toxicities on plants, aquatic life, and soil are presented herein. The review covers the general overview on reactive metabolites of CP, chemistry and their mechanism through toxic effects on humans as well as on the environment. Considerable progress has been made in the replacement or alternative to CP. The different strategies including antidote mechanisms for the prevention and treatment of CP poisoning are discussed in this review. The approach analyses also the active metabolites for the pesticide activity and thus it becomes more important to know the pesticide and toxicity dose of CP as much as possible.

Emerging Trends in the Remediation of Persistent Organic Pollutants Using Nanomaterials and Related Processes: A Review

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have become a major global concern due to their large amount of utilization every year and their calcitrant nature. Due to their continuous utilization and calcitrant nature, it has led to several environmental hazards. The conventional approaches are expensive, less efficient, laborious, time-consuming, and expensive. Therefore, here in this review the authors suggest the shortcomings of conventional techniques by using nanoparticles and nanotechnology. Nanotechnology has shown immense potential for the remediation of such POPs within a short period of time with high efficiency. The present review highlights the use of nanoremediation technologies for the removal of POPs with a special focus on nanocatalysis, nanofiltration, and nanoadsorption processes. Nanoparticles such as clays, zinc oxide, iron oxide, aluminum oxide, and their composites have been used widely for the efficient remediation of POPs. Moreover, filtrations such as nanofiltration and ultrafiltration have also shown interest in the remediation of POPs from wastewater. From several pieces of literature, it has been found that nano-based techniques have shown complete removal of POPs from wastewater in comparison to conventional methods, but the cost is one of the major issues when it comes to nano- and ultrafiltration. Future research in nano-based techniques for POP remediation will solve the cost issue and will make it one of the most widely accepted and available techniques. Nano-based processes provide a sustainable solution to the problem of POPs.