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Chee PL, Sathasivam T, Tan YC, Wu W, Leow Y, Lim QRT, Yew PYM, Zhu Q, Kai D. Nanochitin for sustainable and advanced manufacturing. NANOSCALE 2024; 16:3269-3292. [PMID: 38265441 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr05533g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Presently, the rapid depletion of resources and drastic climate change highlight the importance of sustainable development. In this case, nanochitin derived from chitin, the second most abundant renewable polymer in the world, possesses numerous advantages, including toughness, easy processability and biodegradability. Furthermore, it exhibits better dispersibility in various solvents and higher reactivity than chitin owing to its increased surface area to volume ratio. Additionally, it is the only natural polysaccharide that contains nitrogen. Therefore, it is valuable to further develop this innovative technology. This review summarizes the recent developments in nanochitin and specifically identifies sustainable strategies for its preparation. Additionally, the different biomass sources that can be exploited for the extraction of nanochitin are highlighted. More importantly, the life cycle assessment of nanochitin preparation is discussed, followed by its applications in advanced manufacturing and perspectives on the valorization of chitin waste.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Lin Chee
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, 138634, Singapore.
- Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE2), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, 138634, Singapore
| | - Thenapakiam Sathasivam
- Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE2), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, 138634, Singapore
| | - Ying Chuan Tan
- Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE2), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, 138634, Singapore
| | - Wenya Wu
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, 138634, Singapore.
| | - Yihao Leow
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, 138634, Singapore.
| | - Quentin Ray Tjieh Lim
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, 138634, Singapore.
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, 117576, Singapore
| | - Pek Yin Michelle Yew
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, 138634, Singapore.
- Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE2), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, 138634, Singapore
| | - Qiang Zhu
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, 138634, Singapore.
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, 62 Nanyang Dr, Singapore 637459
| | - Dan Kai
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, 138634, Singapore.
- Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE2), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis #08-03, 138634, Singapore
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, 62 Nanyang Dr, Singapore 637459
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Singh S, Chakraborty S. Zinc removal from highly acidic and sulfate-rich wastewater in horizontal sub-surface constructed wetland. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2021; 84:3403-3414. [PMID: 34850736 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2021.477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This study demonstrated the successful use of a laboratory-scale baffled horizontal constructed wetland substituted with mixed organic media for zinc removal from high acidity (∼610 mg L-1 as CaCO3), sulfate-rich (∼1,300 mg L-1) wastewater. The wetland was planted with Typha latifolia. The mean zinc concentration in the influent was gradually increased from 0.56 ± 0.02 mg L-1 to 5.3 ± 0.42 mg L-1. The mean zinc concentration in the outflow was 0.22 ± 0.19 mg L-1, which accounted for 95% zinc removal throughout the study. However, total zinc uptake by the plants was 533 mg kg-1, accounting for only 1.2% of total zinc removal; therefore, major zinc retention occurred within wetland media (83%). The overall activity and specific sulfidogenic activity decreased at the end of the study to 1.43 mg chemical oxygen demand removed per mg of TVS per day and 0.60 mg sulfate reduced per mg of TVS per day, respectively. Additionally, 16S rRNA sequencing revealed major dominant phyla present: Firmicutes (36%), Proteobacteria (16%), Actinobacteria (8.8%), Planctomycetes (7.8%), Chloroflexi (3.5%), Acidobacteria (1.9%) and Fibrobacteres (1.5%).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shweta Singh
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam 781039, India E-mail:
| | - Saswati Chakraborty
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam 781039, India E-mail:
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Reid T, Droppo IG, Chaganti SR, Weisener CG. Microbial metabolic strategies for overcoming low-oxygen in naturalized freshwater reservoirs surrounding the Athabasca Oil Sands: A proxy for End-Pit Lakes? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 665:113-124. [PMID: 30772540 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Revised: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/02/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The success and sustainability of aquatic ecosystems are driven by the complex, cooperative metabolism of microbes. Ecological engineering strategies often strive to harness this syntrophic synergy of microbial metabolism for the reclamation of contaminated environments worldwide. Currently, there is a significant knowledge gap in our understanding of how the natural microbial ecology overcomes thermodynamic limitations in recovering contaminated environments. Here, we used in-situ metatranscriptomics and associated metataxonomic analyses on sediments collected from naturalized freshwater man-made reservoirs within the Athabasca Oil Sands region of Alberta, Canada. These reservoirs are unique since they are untouched by industrial mining processes and serve as representative endpoints for model landscape reconstruction. Results indicate that a microbial syntrophic cooperation has been established represented by the oxygenic and anoxygenic phototrophs, sustained through the efficient use of novel cellular mechanistic adaptations tailored to these unique thermodynamic conditions. Specifically, chemotaxis transcripts (cheY & MCPs-methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins) were highly expressed, suggesting a highly active microbial response to gradients in environmental stimuli, resulting indirectly from hydrocarbon compound alteration. A high expression of photosynthetic activity, likely sustaining nutrient delivery to the similarly highly expressed methanogenic community acting in syntrophy during the breakdown of organics. Overall the more diversified functionality within sub-oxic sample locations indicates an ability to maintain efficient metabolism under thermodynamic constraints. This is the first study to holistically identify and characterize these types of in-situ, metabolic processes and address their thermodynamic feasibility within a global context for large landscape reconstruction. These characterizations of regional, natural landscapes surrounding the oil sands mining operation are severely lacking, but truly provide invaluable insight into end-point goals and targets for reclamation procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Reid
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, 401 Sunset Ave, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4, Canada.
| | - Ian G Droppo
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - Subba Rao Chaganti
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, 401 Sunset Ave, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - Christopher G Weisener
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, 401 Sunset Ave, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4, Canada
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Biogeochemical Characterization of Metal Behavior from Novel Mussel Shell Bioreactor Sludge Residues. GEOSCIENCES 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/geosciences9010050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Acid mine drainage (AMD) remediation commonly produces byproducts which must be stored or utilized to reduce the risk of further contamination. A mussel shell bioreactor has been implemented at a coal mine in New Zealand, which is an effective remediation option, although an accumulated sludge layer decreased efficiency which was then removed and requires storage. To understand associated risks related to storage or use of the AMD sludge material, a laboratory mesocosm study investigated the physio-chemical and biological influence in two conditions: anoxic storage (burial deep within a waste rock dump) or exposure to oxic environments (use of sludge on the surface of the mine). Solid phase characterization by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and selective extraction was completed to compare two environmental conditions (oxic and anoxic) under biologically active and abiotic systems (achieved by gamma irradiation). Changes in microbial community structure were monitored using 16s rDNA amplification and next-generation sequencing. The results indicate that microbes in an oxic environment increase the formation of oxyhydroxides and acidic conditions increase metal mobility. In an oxic and circumneutral environment, the AMD sludge may be repurposed to act as an oxygen barrier for mine tailings or soil amendment. Anoxic conditions would likely promote the biomineralization of sulfide minerals in the AMD sludge by sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB), which were abundant in the system. The anoxic conditions reduced the risk of trace metals (Zn) associated with oxides, but increased Fe associated with organic material. In summary, fewer risks are associated with anoxic burial but repurposing in an oxic condition may be appropriate under favorable conditions.
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Runtti H, Tolonen ET, Tuomikoski S, Luukkonen T, Lassi U. How to tackle the stringent sulfate removal requirements in mine water treatment-A review of potential methods. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2018; 167:207-222. [PMID: 30053677 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Sulfate (SO42-) is a ubiquitous anion in natural waters. It is not considered toxic, but it may be detrimental to freshwater species at elevated concentrations. Mining activities are one significant source of anthropogenic sulfate into natural waters, mainly due to the exposure of sulfide mineral ores to weathering. There are several strategies for mitigating sulfate release, starting from preventing sulfate formation in the first place and ending at several end-of-pipe treatment options. Currently, the most widely used sulfate-removal process is precipitation as gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O). However, the lowest reachable concentration is theoretically 1500 mg L-1 SO42- due to gypsum's solubility. At the same time, several mines worldwide have significantly more stringent sulfate discharge limits. The purpose of this review is to examine the process options to reach low sulfate levels (< 1500 mg L-1) in mine effluents. Examples of such processes include alternative chemical precipitation methods, membrane technology, biological treatment, ion exchange, and adsorption. In addition, aqueous chemistry and current effluent standards concerning sulfate together with concentrate treatment and sulfur recovery are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Runtti
- University of Oulu, Research Unit of Sustainable Chemistry, P.O Box 4300, FI-90014, Finland
| | - Emma-Tuulia Tolonen
- University of Oulu, Research Unit of Sustainable Chemistry, P.O Box 4300, FI-90014, Finland
| | - Sari Tuomikoski
- University of Oulu, Research Unit of Sustainable Chemistry, P.O Box 4300, FI-90014, Finland
| | - Tero Luukkonen
- University of Oulu, Fibre and Particle Engineering Research Unit, P.O. Box 4300, FI-90014, Finland.
| | - Ulla Lassi
- University of Oulu, Research Unit of Sustainable Chemistry, P.O Box 4300, FI-90014, Finland; University of Jyvaskyla, Kokkola University Consortium Chydenius, Unit of Applied Chemistry, Talonpojankatu 2B, FI-67100 Kokkola, Finland
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