Intimately coupled photocatalysis and functional bacterial system enhance degradation of 1,2,3- and 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene

Foliar Application of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Alleviates Phenanthrene and Cadmium-Induced Phytotoxicity in Lettuce: Regulation of Plant-Rhizosphere-Microbial Long Distance

Foliar application of beneficial nanoparticles exhibits potential in mitigating combined stresses from heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in crops, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of plant-rhizosphere-microbial processes to promote sustainable nanotechnology in agriculture. Herein, we investigated the mitigating mechanisms of foliar application of zinc oxide nanoparticles (nZnO) on lettuce growth under phenanthrene (Phe) and cadmium (Cd) costress. Compared to Phe + Cd treatment, low (L-nZnO) and high (H-nZnO) concentration of nZnO increased fresh biomass (27.2% and 8.42%) and root length (20.4% and 39.6%) and decreased MDA (35.0% and 40.0%) and H2O2 (29.0% and 15.6%) levels. L-nZnO and H-nZnO decreased Cd in roots (26.8% and 41.8%) and enhanced Zn in roots (19.9% and 107%), stems (221% and 2510%), and leaves (233% and 1500%), suggesting the long-distance migration of Zn from leaves to roots and subsequently regulating the metabolic pathways and microbial communities. Metabolomics revealed that nZnO modulated leaf glycerophospholipid metabolism and amino acid pathways and promoted rhizosphere soil carbon and phosphorus metabolism. Additionally, nZnO enriched the plant-growth-promoting, extreme, and stress-resistant bacteria in roots and leaves and heavy-metal-resistant and PAH-degrading bacteria in rhizosphere soil. These findings underscore the promising nanostrategy of nZnO to benefit plant growth in soil cocontaminated with heavy metals and PAHs.

Enhanced thermal desorption of chlorinated hydrocarbons by nanoscale zero-valent iron: the effect of in situ dechlorination

Thermal desorption provides an efficient solution to remediate soil contaminated with chlorinated organic pollutants. However, enhanced desorption efficiency is desired to facilitate easier and less costly remediation. Hence, nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) was combined with thermal desorption to remove trichloroethene (TCE) and trichlorobenzene (TCB) from soil in a laboratory-scale study. The addition of nZVI greatly improved the desorption efficiency, especially at low temperature with 99.6% of TCE and 98.8% of TCB removed at 300 °C for 2 h. Characterization results revealed that the addition of nZVI loosened the structure of soil, preventing the soil from agglomerating during the thermal treatment. Besides, the analyses of dechlorination intermediates and the variation of Fe species proved the in situ dechlorination effect of nZVI and the redox cycle of Fe was revealed. Moreover, the influences of nZVI dosage and treatment time on thermal treatment were assessed. This study not only offers new perspectives for contaminated soil remediation, but also provides mechanistic insights into the dechlorination effect of nZVI in the thermal desorption.

Bagasse cellulose-based S-type Bi2O3/Zn3In2S6 photocatalyst for efficient and stable degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol under visible light

The environmental and human health hazards posed by 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) call for effective degradation technologies. This research investigates the design and application of a Bi2O3/Zn3In2S6 heterojunction photocatalyst, a 'S scheme', which was constructed via a simple hydrothermal method. The photocatalyst was then embedded in a sugarcane bagasse cellulose carrier (SBC/BO/ZIS), demonstrating excellent 2,4-DCP degradation capacity. The results show that S-type Bi2O3/Zn3In2S6 promotes the separation of photogenerated carriers. The SBC/BO/ZIS complex, in comparison with Bi2O3 and Zn3In2S6 alone, amplifies specific surface area (91.7880 m2/g) and broadens the light absorption range (570 nm) of materials, showing robust photocatalytic performance. The degradation rate of 50 mg/L 2,4-DCP reached an impressive 97% within 120 min. The encapsulation of BO/ZIS in SBC not only increases the efficiency of material recovery and recycling but also allows for continuous degradation of 2,4-DCP in cyclic manners, maintaining a degradation rate between 90% and 97%. XRD characterization shows that the physical properties of the material are not affected. The degradation of 2,4-DCP was dominantly controlled by active species (·OH and ·O2-) identified by electron paramagnetic resonance analysis and free radical trapping experiments. This innovative design significantly enhances sunlight utilization and effectively curbs charge carrier recombination, while also promoting material recovery and utilization. These attributes establish a foundation for a cost-effective and efficient means of treating actual wastewater containing 2,4-DCP.

Visible-light photocatalytic degradation of water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol in aqueous solution by Cu2O@TiO2: Optimization of conditions, mechanisms and toxicity analysis

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), a water-soluble synthetic polymer, is one of the most prevalent non-native polyvinyl alcohols found in the environment. Due to its inherent invisibility, its potential for causing severe environmental pollution is often underestimated. To achieve efficient degradation of PVA in wastewater, a Cu2O@TiO2 composite was synthesized through the modification of titanium dioxide with cuprous oxide, and its photocatalytic degradation of PVA was investigated. The Cu2O@TiO2 composite, supported by titanium dioxide, facilitated photocarrier separation and demonstrated high photocatalytic efficiency. Under alkaline conditions, the composite exhibited a 98% degradation efficiency for PVA solutions and a 58.7% PVA mineralization efficiency. Radical capture experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analyses revealed that superoxide radicals primarily drive the degradation process within the reaction system. Throughout the degradation process, PVA macromolecules are broken down into smaller molecules, including ethanol, and compounds containing aldehyde, ketone, and carboxylic acid functional groups. Although the intermediate products exhibit reduced toxicity compared to PVA, they still pose certain toxic hazards. Consequently, further research is necessary to minimize the environmental impact of these degradation products.

Reconstruction of microbiome and functionality accelerated crude oil biodegradation of 2,4-DCP-oil-contaminated soil systems using composite microbial agent B-Cl

Biodegradation is one of the safest and most economical methods for the elimination of toxic chlorophenols and crude oil from the environment. In this study, aerobic degradation of the aforementioned compounds by composite microbial agent B-Cl, which consisted of Bacillus B1 and B2 in a 3:2 ratio, was analyzed. The biodegradation mechanism of B-Cl was assessed based on whole genome sequencing, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatographic analyses. B-Cl was most effective at reducing Cl^- concentrations (65.17%) and crude oil biodegradation (59.18%) at 7 d, which was when the content of alkanes ≤ C₃₀ showed the greatest decrease. Furthermore, adding B-Cl solution to soil significantly decreased the 2,4-DCP and oil content to below the detection limit and by 80.68%, respectively, and reconstructed of the soil microbial into a system containing more CPs-degrading (exaA, frmA, L-2-HAD, dehH, ALDH, catABE), aromatic compounds-degrading (pcaGH, catAE, benA-xylX, paaHF) and alkane- and fatty acid-degrading (alkB, atoB, fadANJ) microorganisms. Moreover, the presence of 2,4-DCP was the main hinder of the observed effects. This study demonstrates the importance of adding B-Cl solution to determine the interplay of CPs with microbes and accelerating oil degradation, which can be used for in-situ bioremediation of CPs and oil-contaminated soil.