Assessing the impact of industrial waste on environment and mitigation strategies: A comprehensive review

ECCDN-Net: A deep learning-based technique for efficient organic and recyclable waste classification

Efficient waste management is essential to minimizing environmental harm as well as encouraging sustainable progress. The escalating volume and sophistication of waste present significant challenges, prompting innovative methods for effective waste categorization and management. Deep learning models have become highly intriguing tools for automating trash categorization activities, providing effective ways to optimize processes for handling waste. Ourwork presents a novel deep learning method for trash classification, with the goal to improve the accuracy, also efficiency of garbage image categorization. We examined the effectiveness of several pre-trained models, such as InceptionV2, Densenet201, MobileNet v2, and Resnet18, using objective evaluation and cross-validation. We proposed an Eco Cycle Classifier Deep Neural Network (ECCDN-Net) model that is particularly built for the categorization of waste images. ECCDN-Net utilizes the advantageous qualities of Densenet201 and Resnet18 by merging their capacities to extract features, enhanced with auxiliary outputs to optimize the classification procedure. The set of imagesused in this study comprises 24,705 images that are divided into two distinct classes: Organic and Recyclable. The set allows extensive evaluation and training of deep learning models for waste classification of images tasks. Our research demonstrates that the ECCDN-Net model classifies waste images with 96.10% accuracy, outperforming other pre-trained models. Resnet18 had 92.68% accuracy, MobileNet v2 93.27%, Inception v3 94.77%, and Densenet201, a significant improvement, 95.98%. ECCDN-Net outperformed these models in waste image categorization with 96.10% accuracy. We ensure the reliability and generalizability of our methods throughout the dataset by integrating and cross-validating deep learning models. The current work introduces an innovative deep learning-based approach that has promising potential for waste categorization and management strategies.

Synthetic microbial community enhances lignocellulose degradation during composting by assembling fungal communities

Inoculating synthetic microbial community (SynCom) has been proposed as an eco-friendly approach for lignocellulose degradation in composting to enhance organic fertilizer quality. However, the mechanisms responsible for SynCom-regulated lignocellulose degradation during composting remain unclear. Here the SynCom inoculation decreased cellulose and hemicellulose contents by 26.2% and 14.3%, respectively, at the mature phase, while increasing endoglucanase, exoglucanase, and β-glucosidase activities significantly. SynCom inoculation increased the abundance of Cephaliophoras and Thermomyces at the mesophilic phase, Sordariomycetes at the thermophilic phase, and Thermomyces, Acremonium, Aspergillus, and Sordariomycetes at the mature phase, as well as increased the abundance of numerous Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs), with OTU10 (Hydropisphaera) being responsible for lignocellulose degradation. The altered fungal community stimulated functions of the wood saprotroph, undefined saprotroph, and litter saprotroph were responsible for lignocellulose degradation via changing microbial community. The results suggest that SynCom inoculation effectively stimulate lignocellulose degradation, so that benefits quality improvement of organic fertilizer.

Assessment of industrial effluent discharges contributing to Ganga water pollution through a multivariate statistical framework: investigating the context of Indian industries

The swift industrial expansion has posed significant environmental challenges, particularly in the context of water pollution. Industrial effluents consist of substantial amounts of harmful pollutants that enter the main rivers via various tapped and untapped drains/local water streams, causing alterations in their physical and chemical properties. This study investigated 153 grossly polluting industries (GPIs) that were identified to release their effluents into the main rivers through different drains within multiple sectors in the industrial zone of four northern states of India in 2023. Physicochemical analysis, multivariate statistical analyses, including principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), and spatial analysis were conducted to evaluate the impact of these discharges. The results show significant variations in mean concentrations, such as pH (6.55-8.42), biochemical oxygen demand (6-707.83 mg/l), chemical oxygen demand (20-1504.25 mg/l), total suspended solids (5-417 mg/l), total dissolved solids (560-9908 mg/l), and chloride (101-4360.7 mg/l) across all the sectors. PCA results indicated that two principal loadings significantly influence the wastewater chemistry. PC1 accounts for 49.85% of the variance, reflecting organic and nutrient pollution, while PC2 contributes 19.128% of the total variance, reflecting the dominance of chloride, dissolved solids, and chemical oxygen demand. HCA classified the GPIs into six clusters for their substantial roles in releasing highly polluted (C3, C4, C5, and C6), moderately polluted (C2), and less polluted (C1) wastewater. Overall findings reveal the alarming magnitude of industrial wastewater discharge into the rivers, emphasizing the urgent need for improved regulatory frameworks, stricter enforcement of environmental laws, and greater corporate responsibility.

Molecular and functional characterization of Accl(2)efl: A biomarker for heavy metal stress in Apis cerana cerana

The expanded lethal (2) essential for life [l(2)efl] gene family is responsive to proteostatic stresses. Their protein products are core components of the stress response mechanism and are emerging as promising biomarkers for cellular stress in Apis mellifera. However, l(2)efl (LOC410857) uniquely remains unresponsive to heat stress within this gene family, and research examining its role in adaptation to other types of stress across diverse bee species is scarce. To address this knowledge gap, we cloned the l(2)efl gene from Apis cerana cerana [Accl(2)efl] and conducted a bioinformatics analysis on the encoded protein, aiming to elucidate the potential functions of Accl(2)efl. Our study encompassed assessing the role of Accl(2)efl in the response of bees to various stressful environments and its involvement in tolerance to heavy metals (Cd and Hg). Furthermore, we employed the RNAi technology to delve into the response mechanisms of Accl(2)efl under Cd and Hg stress. Our findings revealed that Accl(2)efl was activated when exposed to CdCl2 or HgCl2. Following the knockdown of Accl(2)efl, we observed that genes, such as defensins, were upregulated through the activation of the Toll signaling pathway. Conversely, the peroxisome signaling pathway was inhibited, resulting in a notable decrease in antioxidant enzyme activity. This led to a substantial elevation in Cd and Hg concentrations within hemolymph, accompanied by an increased mortality rate among bees re-exposed to CdCl2 or HgCl2. Combined, our data indicated that Accl(2)efl may plays a role in the tolerance of Apis cerana cerana to Cd/Hg stress. These findings provide a scientific basis for the further exploration of the role of Accl(2)efl in the response of bees to Cd/Hg stress and for enhancing the anti-Cd/Hg stress signaling network. They further lay a theoretical foundation for identifying new stress biomarkers for bees as well as indicators for the detection of environmental pollution.

Assessing the sustainable development in the European Union: influence of municipal waste, industrial waste, and waste related patents

Waste has emerged as a pressing concern for the environment, primarily stemming from the processes of urbanization and industrialization. The substantial volumes of waste generated pose a serious threat to the environment, as they spread out harmful substances in the soil and release methane emissions into the atmosphere. To effectively address this issue, this study explores the impact of municipal and industrial waste, as well as waste-related innovation on the load capacity factor (LCF) from 2005 to 2020. For this purpose, the augmented mean group method and the half panel jackknife causality approach were conducted by using panel data from 17 European countries. The empirical findings show that (1) the load capacity curve (LCC) hypothesis is confirmed; (2) municipal and industrial waste have a detrimental effect on the LCF; and (3) innovation in waste management practices have no discernible impact on the LCF. In light of these findings, this study emphasizes the importance of efficient waste management for European countries to exploit the potential of waste as a valuable resource rather than a cause of pollution.

Novel continuous in situ measurement of photocatalyst efficiency in liquid dispersions by laser absorption method

This work presents a novel method and reactor design for measuring photocatalytic activity. This method allows continuous in situ monitoring of the decrease in pollutant concentration in a liquid dispersion containing the tested photocatalyst. Due to the presence of the photocatalyst in the liquid dispersion, the standard Beer-Lambert absorption law cannot be used directly to determine pollutant concentration in photocatalytic measurements. Therefore, the presented in situ measurement method also utilizes a newly derived modification of the absorption law, which, in addition to absorption, also considers the scattering effect caused by the dispersed photocatalyst. Repeated correlation analysis showed an average deviation of only 1.04% from approximately 500 measurements. At the same time, the measured points obtained by the presented method were within the uncertainty intervals of the standard method for measuring photocatalytic activity. It has been demonstrated that this novel continuous in situ measurement method can replace the current standard measurement method and can provide an even more consistent and faster way of testing photocatalytic materials. In addition, a novel and open source (patented experimental setup for the photocatalytic reactor system, consisting of a spectrometric laser and probe, is fully described in this paper.

Recycled waste substrates: A systematic review

The growing interest in utilizing recycled waste substrates (RWS) in ecosystem services and environmental remediation aligns with the "waste to wealth" concept and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite the promising potential of RWS, research gaps remain due to a lack of comprehensive reviews on their production and applications. This systematic review attempts to synthesize and critically assess the scientific footprint of RWS through robust methodology and thorough investigation. Characterization of scientific literature, network analysis, and systematic review were conducted on articles indexed in the Web of Science and Scopus databases. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed on 140 articles selected by the rigorous article screening process executed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol. The findings map the scientific literature and research themes in RWS. Around 66 % of studies in RWS used a multiple research approach, primarily experiments with case studies. Key research topics identified include (A) Technical domains - types of wastes and recycling techniques in RWS production and parameters influencing the substrate quality; (B) Application domains: environmental remediation of soil and agriculture and horticulture. The use of RWS in urban green infrastructure, particularly for green roofs and vegetative walls, and the potential for LCA studies on RWS production and applications emerge as promising areas for future research. This systematic review also presents a conceptual framework model (CFM) on RWS research, encapsulating the state-of-the-art themes, risks, limitations and constraints, and future research avenues.

Genomic Insights of Wheat Root-Associated Lysinibacillus fusiformis Reveal Its Related Functional Traits for Bioremediation of Soil Contaminated with Petroleum Products

The negative ecological impact of industrialization, which involves the use of petroleum products and dyes in the environment, has prompted research into effective, sustainable, and economically beneficial green technologies. For green remediation primarily based on active microbial metabolites, these microbes are typically from relevant sources. Active microbial metabolite production and genetic systems involved in xenobiotic degradation provide these microbes with the advantage of survival and proliferation in polluted ecological niches. In this study, we evaluated the ability of wheat root-associated L. fusiformis MGMM7 to degrade xenobiotic contaminants such as crude oil, phenol, and azo dyes. We sequenced the whole genome of MGMM7 and provided insights into the genomic structure of related strains isolated from contaminated sources. The results revealed that influenced by its isolation source, L. fusiformis MGMM7 demonstrated remediation and plant growth-promoting abilities in soil polluted with crude oil. Lysinibacillus fusiformis MGMM7 degraded up to 44.55 ± 5.47% crude oil and reduced its toxicity in contaminated soil experiments with garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.). Additionally, L. fusiformis MGMM7 demonstrated a significant ability to degrade Congo Red azo dye (200 mg/L), reducing its concentration by over 60% under both static and shaking cultivation conditions. However, the highest degradation efficiency was observed under shaking conditions. Genomic comparison among L. fusiformis strains revealed almost identical genomic profiles associated with xenobiotic assimilation. Genomic relatedness using Average Nucleotide Identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH) revealed that MGMM7 is distantly related to TZA38, Cu-15, and HJ.T1. Furthermore, subsystem distribution and pangenome analysis emphasized the distinctive features of MGMM7, including functional genes in its chromosome and plasmid, as well as the presence of unique genes involved in PAH assimilation, such as phnC/T/E, which is involved in phosphonate biodegradation, and nemA, which is involved in benzoate degradation and reductive degradation of N-ethylmaleimide. These findings highlight the potential properties of petroleum-degrading microorganisms isolated from non-contaminated rhizospheres and offer genomic insights into their functional diversity for xenobiotic remediation.

Exploration of the role of Hibiscus esculentus (okra) mucilage for the removal of phenothiazinium dyes from water body: Spectroscopic, thermodynamic and molecular modeling study

Environmental pollution poses a major problem now a day. Several dyes, in the form of industrial waste, pollute water body and may cause adverse effects to human health. In this paper ADME and toxicity of fives Phenothiazinium group of dyes Methylene blue (MB), Azure A (AA), Azure B (AB), Azure C (AC) and Toluidine Blue O (TBO) were predicted using Swiss ADME and Protox II tools. Results showed these dyes may herm for living organism due to their carcinogenic, mutagenic and hepatotoxic properties. Removal efficiency of these dyes using okra plant product were determined using spectroscopic, thermodynamic and molecular modeling study. It was revealed that these dyes adsorb on the surface of okra leaf mostly at pH 7.0 and the adsorption isotherms were found to fit in Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm model, while Temkin model fails to do this. Mucilage present in different parts of okra plant plays a significant role on removal of these dyes and is able to remove near about 71-92 % of dyes from water body by itself. As this process did not fit in any of above said adsorption isotherm model, it may be suggested that some other mechanism may happen. Further studies explore that these dyes bound to the hydrophobic pocket of mucilage with binding affinity in the order of 105 M-1 and the bindings were exothermic in nature with enthalpy change in the range of - 2.94 to - 4.28 kcal/mole. Molecular docking study validate all the experimental results obtained from spectroscopic and thermodynamic study and enlighten the role of structure of dyes on their binding affinity to mucilage. This paper will help to systematically understand the role of okra plant products on removal efficiency of Phenothiazinium group of dyes with their structural variations.

A comprehensive review on phytoremediation of fly ash and red mud: exploring environmental impacts and biotechnological innovations

Fly ash (FA) and red mud (RM) are industrial byproducts generated by thermal power plants and the aluminum industry, respectively. The huge generation of FA and RM is a significant global issue, and finding a safe and sustainable disposal method remains a challenge. These dumps contain harmful trace elements that have a significant impact on the environment and human health. It contributes to air, water, and soil pollution, disrupting the delicate balance of the ecosystems. It also introduces toxins into the food chain through biomagnification. Utilizing a vegetation cover can assist in addressing environmental health concerns associated with FA and RM dumps. Nevertheless, the presence of alkaline pH, toxic metals, the absence of soil microbes, and the pozzolanic properties of both FA and RM pose challenges to plant growth. Taking a comprehensive approach to the ecological restoration of these dumps through phytoremediation is crucial. This review examines the role of various factors in the ecological restoration of FA and RM dumps, specifically the use of naturally occurring plants. However, the issue of slow plant growth due to a lack of nutrients and microbial activities is being resolved through various advances, such as amendments in conjunction with organic matter, microbial inoculants, and the use of genetically modified plants. Research has demonstrated the benefits of using amendments to stimulate vegetation growth on FA and RM dumps. In this review, we explore various approaches to restoring FA and RM dumps and transforming them into productive sites that enhance the ecosystem services.

Dietary supplement guava leaf extract regulates growth, feed utilization, immune function, nutrient digestibility and redox regulation in growing rabbits

The use of agricultural waste in animal production has gained global interest. An eight-week trial was conducted to investigate the impacts of adding ethanolic guava leaf extract (GLE) as a feed supplement on the growth, feed utilization, immune response, nutrient digestibility, redox regulation, and blood health of growing rabbits. Ninety weaned growing rabbits were randomly assigned to three groups. The first group was fed a basal diet (GLE0), while the other two groups were fed the control diet fortified with 15 mg (GLE15) or 20 mg (GLE20) of GLE per kg of diet for 8 weeks. The HPLC analysis of GLE exhibited the presence of gallic acid, ferulic acid, catechin, and caffeic acid in significant amounts. The results indicated that final body weight, daily body weight, daily feed intake and nutrient digestibility were significantly higher in the GLE-treated groups compared to the un-treated group (p < 0.05). Dietary supplementation of GLE significantly reduced lipid contents including triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and VLDL (P < 0.05), with the most significant results observed when adding 20 mg/kg to the diet. AST and ALT levels as well as cortisol hormone in rabbits fed GLE were lower than those in the GLE0 group (P < 0.05). Immunoglobulins (IgG and IgA), antioxidant biomarkers (SOD and TAC) and T3 hormone were significantly improved by GLE supplementation (P < 0.001). Rabbits fed with GLE had lower levels of ROS and MDA compared to those in the GLE0 group (P < 0.001). Moreover, the hepatic and intestinal architectures were maintained in all rabbits fed diets with GLE. The results suggest that GLE supplementation (20 mg/kg diet) in fattening rabbit diets could efficiently improve growth, health status, blood physiology, antioxidant capacity and tissue histology.

Food process contaminants: formation, occurrence, risk assessment and mitigation strategies - a review

Thermal treatment of food can lead to the formation of potentially harmful chemicals, known as process contaminants. These are adventitious contaminants that are formed in food during processing and preparation. Various food processing techniques, such as heating, drying, grilling, and fermentation, can generate hazardous chemicals such as acrylamide (AA), advanced glycation end products (AGEs), heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs), furan, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), N-nitroso compounds (NOCs), monochloropropane diols (MCPD) and their esters (MCPDE) which can be detrimental to human health. Despite efforts to prevent the formation of these compounds during processing, eliminating them is often challenging due to their unknown formation mechanisms. It is critical to identify the potential harm to human health in processed food and understand the mechanisms by which harmful compounds form during processing, as prolonged exposure to these toxic compounds can lead to health problems. Various mitigation strategies, such as the use of diverse pre- and post-processing treatments, product reformulation, additives, variable process conditions, and novel integrated processing techniques, have been proposed to control these food hazards. In this review, we summarize the formation and occurrence, the potential for harm to human health produced by process contaminants in food, and potential mitigation strategies to minimize their impact.

Ineffectiveness of phosphorus-containing amendments to reduce Pb bioaccessibility in an urban alkaline soil

Urban soils contaminated by historical and current anthropogenic activities present an alarming human health risk requiring redress. Federal and state governments continue to lower residential soil lead (Pb) screening standards, which will likely require new risk-based approaches to address urban soil Pb contamination. Phosphorus (P) soil amendments have long been presented as a solution to sequester Pb, thereby reducing exposure risk. In this study, P-containing sources (biosolids incinerator ash, poultry litter, biosolids compost, and triple superphosphate) of varying solubilities were assessed as soil amendments to reduce Pb bioaccessibility and serve as an inexpensive remediation strategy for urban soil. Contaminated soil (1624 mg kg-1 Pb, pH 7.43) from Cleveland, OH, was treated with the four P-containing soil amendments at a 1:5 Pb:P molar ratio and two combination treatments at 1:10 Pb:P molar ratio and incubated for 3 months. A batch equilibration analysis was also conducted to assess reduction in in vitro bioaccessible Pb (IVBA Pb). Pb bioaccessibility was evaluated using US EPA Method 1340 at pH 1.5 and the Physiologically Based Extraction Test pH 2.5 at 1 and 3 months. In general, treatments were ineffective in reducing IVBA Pb regardless of IVBA extraction method, incubation duration, batch equilibration analyses, or P source. The results of this study suggest P-containing amendments are not suitable to address Pb exposure in the study soil. Site-specific efficacy testing to determine reductions in IVBA Pb from P-containing amendments should be performed before making recommendations for remediation of Pb-contaminated urban soil.

Recent progress on conservation and restoration of soil fertility for horticulture

Soil serves as a fundamental and valuable asset in horticultural activities, and preserving and restoring soil quality is critical to ensuring the long-term profitability and sustainability of these operations. Human activities and natural processes are the primary causes of natural resource degradation, with soil erosion emerging as a significant threat across multiple degradation pathways. Thus, comprehensive management of water and soil resources is required to promote sustainable horticulture and protect natural ecosystems. The advancement and dissemination of innovative technologies, coupled with the prudent utilization of natural resources with potential management approaches, are urgently needed to mitigate the deterioration of water and soil quality. The soil's fertility can be enhanced further by including cover crops that add organic matter into the soil, which results in strengthened structural integrity and encourages fertile and healthy soil; by employing green manure as well as expanding legumes that absorb N from the air via the biological N fixation; using micro-dose fertilizer to compensate for expenses via plant absorption as well as additional techniques; as well as minimizing expenses employing leaching beneath the plant's rooting region. This review discusses strategies for optimizing soil properties and increasing nutrient accessibility, as well as novel approaches to improving water utilization, waste reduction, and ecosystem preservation. Finally, implementing integrated and environmentally sound soil management strategies is critical for addressing the challenges posed by global warming and the limited availability of resources inherent in horticultural practices.

Fatty acid-modified chitosan and nanoencapsulation of essential oils: A snapshot of applications

Chitosan (CS) and its modification with fatty acid (FA) in addition to the nanoencapsulation with essential oils (EOs) have emerged as promising approaches with diverse applications, particularly in food and fruit preservation. This review aims to curate data on the prospects of CS modified with FA as nanostructures, serving as carriers for EOs and its application in the preservation of fruits. A narrative review with no restricted period was used for the general overview of CS and strategies for its modification with FA. Report on CS modified with FA and nanoencapsulation with EO and their applications were appraised. The prospects of CS modified with FA and EO nanoencapsulation in food and fruit preservation were outlined. Most chitosan-fatty acid (CS-FA) studies have found relevance in water, medical and pharmaceutical industries, with few studies on food preservation. CS-FA formulation with EOs shows substantial potential in preserving fruits and will significantly impact the food industry in the future by extending the shelf life of fruits and reducing food waste.

From Palm to Plate: Unveiling the Potential of Coconut as a Plant-Based Food Alternative

This review investigates coconut as a sustainable and nutrient-rich plant-based alternative to traditional animal-based food sources. We have explored the nutritional profile, culinary versatility, particularly focusing on the use of coconut meat, milk, cream, and oil in diverse dietary contexts when consumed in balance. Comparative analysis with animal-derived products reveals the high content of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), essential vitamins, and minerals in coconut, contrasted with its lower protein content. Researchers have underscored the environmental sustainability of coconut, advocating for its role in eco-friendly food production chains. We have also addressed challenges like potential allergies, nutritional balance, sensory attributes, and consumer motivations for coconut-based products, in terms of understanding the market dynamics. In conclusion, this review positions coconut as a promising candidate within sustainable diet frameworks, advocating for further research to augment its nutritional value, sensory characteristics, and product stability, thereby facilitating its integration into health-conscious and eco-centric dietary practices.

Enzyme-Immobilized Porous Crystals for Environmental Applications

Developing efficient technologies to eliminate or degrade contaminants is paramount for environmental protection. Biocatalytic decontamination offers distinct advantages in terms of selectivity and efficiency; however, it still remains challenging when applied in complex environmental matrices. The main challenge originates from the instability and difficult-to-separate attributes of fragile enzymes, which also results in issues of compromised activity, poor reusability, low cost-effectiveness, etc. One viable solution to harness biocatalysis in complex environments is known as enzyme immobilization, where a flexible enzyme is tightly fixed in a solid carrier. In the case where a reticular crystal is utilized as the support, it is feasible to engineer next-generation biohybrid catalysts functional in complicated environmental media. This can be interpreted by three aspects: (1) the highly crystalline skeleton can shield the immobilized enzyme against external stressors. (2) The porous network ensures the high accessibility of the interior enzyme for catalytic decontamination. And (3) the adjustable and unambiguous structure of the reticular framework favors in-depth understanding of the interfacial interaction between the framework and enzyme, which can in turn guide us in designing highly active biocomposites. This Review aims to introduce this emerging biocatalysis technology for environmental decontamination involving pollutant degradation and greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide) conversion, with emphasis on the enzyme immobilization protocols and diverse catalysis principles including single enzyme catalysis, catalysis involving enzyme cascades, and photoenzyme-coupled catalysis. Additionally, the remaining challenges and forward-looking directions in this field are discussed. We believe that this Review may offer a useful biocatalytic technology to contribute to environmental decontamination in a green and sustainable manner and will inspire more researchers at the intersection of the environment science, biochemistry, and materials science communities to co-solve environmental problems.

The boom era of emerging contaminants: A review of remediating agricultural soils by biochar

Emerging contaminants (ECs) are widely sourced persistent pollutants that pose a significant threat to the environment and human health. Their footprint spans global ecosystems, making their remediation highly challenging. In recent years, a significant amount of literature has focused on the use of biochar for remediation of heavy metals and organic pollutants in soil and water environments. However, the use of biochar for the remediation of ECs in agricultural soils has not received as much attention, and as a result, there are limited reviews available on this topic. Thus, this review aims to provide an overview of the primary types, sources, and hazards of ECs in farmland, as well as the structure, functions, and preparation types of biochar. Furthermore, this paper emphasizes the importance and prospects of three remediation strategies for ECs in cropland: (i) employing activated, modified, and composite biochar for remediation, which exhibit superior pollutant removal compared to pure biochar; (ii) exploring the potential synergistic efficiency between biochar and compost, enhancing their effectiveness in soil improvement and pollution remediation; (iii) utilizing biochar as a shelter and nutrient source for microorganisms in biochar-mediated microbial remediation, positively impacting soil properties and microbial community structure. Given the increasing global prevalence of ECs, the remediation strategies provided in this paper aim to serve as a valuable reference for future remediation of ECs-contaminated agricultural lands.

NtGCN2 confers cadmium tolerance in Nicotiana tabacum L. by regulating cadmium uptake, efflux, and subcellular distribution

General control non-derepressible-2 (GCN2) is widely expressed in eukaryotes and responds to biotic and abiotic stressors. However, the precise function and mechanism of action of GCN2 in response to cadmium (Cd) stress in Nicotiana tabacum L. (tobacco) remains unclear. We investigated the role of NtGCN2 in Cd tolerance and explored the mechanism by which NtGCN2 responds to Cd stress in tobacco by exposing NtGCN2 transgenic tobacco lines to different concentrations of CdCl2. NtGCN2 was activated under 50 μmol·L-1 CdCl2 stress and enhanced the Cd tolerance and photosynthetic capacities of tobacco by increasing chlorophyll content and antioxidant capacity by upregulating NtSOD, NtPOD, and NtCAT expression and corresponding enzyme activities and decreasing malondialdehyde and O2·- contents. NtGCN2 enhanced the osmoregulatory capacity of tobacco by elevating proline (Pro) and soluble sugar contents and maintaining low levels of relative conductivity. Finally, NtGCN2 enhanced Cd tolerance in tobacco by reducing Cd uptake and translocation, promoting Cd efflux, and regulating Cd subcellular distribution. In conclusion, NtGCN2 improves the tolerance of tobacco to Cd through a series of mechanisms, namely, increasing antioxidant, photosynthetic, and osmoregulation capacities and regulating Cd uptake, translocation, efflux, and subcellular distribution. This study provides a scientific basis for further exploration of the role of NtGCN2 in plant responses to Cd stress and enhancement of the Cd stress signaling network in tobacco.

Pre- and Postharvest Strategies for Pleurotus ostreatus Mushroom in a Circular Economy Approach

Mushroom cultivation presents a viable solution for utilizing agro-industrial byproducts as substrates for growth. This process enables the transformation of low-economic-value waste into nutritional foods. Enhancing the yield and quality of preharvest edible mushrooms, along with effectively preserving postharvest mushrooms, stands as a significant challenge in advancing the industry. Implementing pre- and postharvest strategies for Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm (oyster mushroom) within a circular economy framework involves optimizing resource use, minimizing waste, and creating a sustainable and environmentally friendly production system. This review aimed to analyze the development and innovation of the different themes and trends by bibliometric analysis with a critical literature review. Furthermore, this review outlines the cultivation techniques for Pleurotus ostreatus, encompassing preharvest steps such as spawn production, substrate preparation, and the entire mushroom growth process, which includes substrate colonization, fruiting, harvesting, and, finally, the postharvest. While novel methodologies are being explored for maintaining quality and extending shelf-life, the evaluation of the environmental impact of the entire mushroom production to identify areas for improvement is needed. By integrating this knowledge, strategies can be developed for a more sustainable and circular approach to Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom cultivation, promoting environmental stewardship and long-term viability in this industry.

Evaluation of commercial importance of endophytes isolated from Argemone mexicana and Papaver rhoeas

The paper industry is a composite one constituting different types of mills, processes, and products. The paper industries consume large amounts of resources, like wood and water. These industries also create huge amounts of waste that have to be treated. In our study, 23 endophytic bacteria were isolated from Argemone mexicana, and 16 endophytic bacteria were isolated from Papaver rhoeas. Seventeen and 15 bacterial endophytes from A. mexicana and P. rhoeas, respectively, showed cellulose-degrading activity. The biochemical and molecular characterization were done for endophytic bacteria with cellulolytic activity. The consortium of cellulose-degrading endophytic bacteria from A. mexicana showed endoglucanase activity (0.462 IU/ml) and FPCase enzyme activity (0.269 IU/ml) and from P. rhoeas gave endoglucanase activity (0.439 IU/ml) and FPCase enzyme activity (0.253 IU/ml). Degraded carboxy methylcellulose and filter paper were further treated by Saccharomyces cerevisiae and bioethanol was produced. Cellulose-degrading endophytic bacteria were also tested for auxin, siderophore production, and phosphate solubilization activities. Individual cellulose-degrading endophytic bacteria with plant growth-promoting activities were used as biofertilizers, tested for plant growth-promoting activities using Basmati Pusa 1121 rice, and plant growth parameters were recorded. The degraded paper enhances the growth of rice plants. Selected bacterial endophytes and their consortia from A. mexicana and P. rhoeas were powerful cellulose degraders, which can be further employed for ethanol production and as significant biofertilizers in agriculture.

Tackling municipal solid waste crisis in India: Insights into cutting-edge technologies and risk assessment

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management is a pressing global concern, with increasing interest in Waste-to-Energy Technologies (WTE-T) to divert waste from landfills. However, WTE-T adoption is hindered by financial uncertainties. The economic benefits of MSW treatment and energy generation must be balanced against environmental impact. Integrating cutting-edge technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) can enhance MSW management strategies and facilitate WTE-T adoption. This review paper explores waste classification, generation, and disposal methods, emphasizing public awareness to reduce waste. It discusses AI's role in waste management, including route optimization, waste composition forecasting, and process parameter optimization for energy generation. Various energy production techniques from MSW, such as high-solids anaerobic digestion, torrefaction, plasma pyrolysis, incineration, gasification, biodegradation, and hydrothermal carbonization, are examined for their advantages and challenges. The paper emphasizes risk assessment in MSW management, covering chemical, mechanical, biological, and health-related risks, aiming to identify and mitigate potential adverse effects. Electronic waste (E-waste) impact on human health and the environment is thoroughly discussed, highlighting the release of hazardous substances and their contribution to air, soil, and water pollution. The paper advocates for circular economy (CE) principles and waste-to-energy solutions to achieve sustainable waste management. It also addresses complexities and constraints faced by developing nations and proposes strategies to overcome them. In conclusion, this comprehensive review underscores the importance of risk assessment, the potential of AI and waste-to-energy solutions, and the need for sustainable waste management to safeguard public health and the environment.

Unlocking the potential of biosurfactants: Production, applications, market challenges, and opportunities for agro-industrial waste valorization

Biosurfactants are eco-friendly compounds with unique properties and promising potential as sustainable alternatives to chemical surfactants. The current review explores the multifaceted nature of biosurfactant production and applications, highlighting key fermentative parameters and microorganisms able to convert carbon-containing sources into biosurfactants. A spotlight is given on biosurfactants' obstacles in the global market, focusing on production costs and the challenges of large-scale synthesis. Innovative approaches to valorizing agro-industrial waste were discussed, documenting the utilization of lignocellulosic waste, food waste, oily waste, and agro-industrial wastewater in the segment. This strategy strongly contributes to large-scale, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly biosurfactant production, while the recent advances in waste valorization pave the way for a sustainable society.

Carbon quantum dots-containing poly(β-cyclodextrin) for simultaneous removal and detection of metal ions from water

This study investigates the synthesis and characterization of supramolecular composites composed of poly(β-cyclodextrin-co-citric acid) and carbon quantum dots (QDs). These composites serve a dual purpose as adsorbents and photoluminescent probes for divalent metal ions, including Ni(II), Cu(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II), which can have detrimental effects on the environment. Various characterization techniques were employed to confirm the successful synthesis of the composites and the interaction between cyclodextrins and QDs. By using mathematical tools, optimal conditions for metal adsorption were determined, resulting in the composites exhibiting high adsorption capacities, reaching 220 mg/g, and impressive removal efficiencies exceeding 90 % for Ni(II) and Cu(II). The supramolecular composites also exhibit selective adsorption of metal ions with small ionic radio and can be reused with minimal loss of efficiency. In addition to their adsorption capabilities, these composites display luminescence quenching upon the adsorption of metal ions, which can be utilized for sensing applications. Spectroscopic evaluation reveals Stern-Volmer quenching constants for the accessible fraction of QDs in the range of 3777 to 13,359 M-1. The high stability of QDs on the composites allows for long-term storage. In summary, this original supramolecular composite shows promise for simultaneously monitoring and treating water and wastewater, making it a valuable tool in environmental applications.

Holistic approach to waste mobil oil bioremediation: Valorizing waste through biosurfactant production for soil restoration

The combustion of mobil oil leads to the emission of toxic compounds in the environment. In this study, the aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbon fractions present in a waste mobil oil collected from automobile market were comprehensively identified and their toxicity was evaluated using wheat grain. Lysinibacillus sphaericus strain IITR51 isolated and characterized previously could degrade 30-80% of both aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons in liquid culture. Interestingly, the strain IITR51 produced 627 mg/L of rhamnolipid biosurfactant by utilizing 3% (v/v) of waste mobil oil in the presence of 1.5% glycerol as additional carbon source. In a soil microcosm study by employing strain IITR51, 50-86% of 3-6 ring aromatic hydrocarbons and 63-98% of aliphatic hydrocarbons (C8 to C22) were degraded. Addition of 60 μg/mL rhamnolipid biosurfactant enhanced the degradation of both aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons from 76.88% to 61.21%-94.11% and 78.27% respectively. The degradation of mobil oil components improved the soil physico-chemical properties and increased soil fertility to 64% as evident by the phytotoxicity assessments. The findings indicate that strain IITR51 with degradation capability coupled with biosurfactant production could be a candidate for restoring hydrocarbon contaminated soils.

Zinc and α-tocopherol protect the antral follicles and endogenous antioxidants of female albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) against lead toxicity

BACKGROUND

Lead impairs female reproductive health because it can induce oxidative stress. Zinc as an antioxidant produces an enzyme system that helps neutralize free radicals. α-Tocopherol has an antagonistic effect that reduces oxidative stress. This study aimed to demonstrate the effects of zinc (Zn) and α-tocopherol on the ovarian endogenous antioxidants and antral follicles of albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) exposed to lead acetate (Pb(C2H3O2)2).

METHODS

Twenty-five female Wistar rats were divided into five groups, namely groups K (control), P0, P1, P2, and P3. Following exposure and treatment for 21 days with different combinations, the albino rats were necropsied, and their ovaries were removed for subsequent histopathological preparations and endogenous antioxidant analysis. Observations were made on the ovary, including an antral follicle count and diameter calculations. Analysis of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels (560 nm wavelength) and malondialdehyde MDA-TBA (532 nm wavelength) were performed by a spectrophotometer. The data were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA and least significant difference (LSD) test with the SPSS V24 software.

RESULTS

The highest SOD enzyme expression in the albino rat ovaries was in P0 (17.23 ± 5.34), and the lowest was in P3 (4.21 ± 0.76). The lowest MDA level was observed in the control group (K) and P3 compared to the other groups. The highest average antral follicle count and diameter were found in the albino rats exposed to 1.5 mg/kg BW lead acetate, and treated with 0.54 mg/kg BW zinc sulfate and 100 mg/kg BW α-tocopherol (group P3) compared to the other groups. The mechanisms of action of zinc and α-tocopherol work synergistically to decrease free radicals and ovarian damage.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that a combination of 0.54 mg/kg BW zinc (Zn) and 100 mg/kg BW α-tocopherol can maintain the number and diameter of the antral follicles and reduce ovarian SOD expression and MDA levels in albino rats exposed to lead acetate.

Identifying the socioeconomic determinants of industrial hazardous waste generation: South Korea as a case study

The South Korean government has set an ambitious target to reduce industrial hazardous waste (IHW) as part of its transition towards a circular economy. Moreover, effective management of IHW within the country has become crucial, given that IHW trade is regulated by the Basel Convention. Despite the urgent need for well-founded environmental policies, there is a lack of essential information on the characteristics and determinants of IHW generation, which hinders the effectiveness of existing IHW policies. To address this information gap, this study developed a South Korean extended IHW input-output model for 2008 and 2018 to characterize IHW generation and applied structural decomposition analysis to identify the socioeconomic determinant of change of IHW generation. The results reveal that consumption, export, and direct IHW intensity change of 'Chemical', 'Electronic and electrical equipment', 'Basic metal', and 'Other service' emerge as dominant determinants for IHW growth. Conversely, technology change, including technological structure change and direct IHW intensity change, of 'Basic metal' and 'Other service' is the key driver for IHW reduction. In addition, an intriguing aspect of the study relates to the supply chain's influence on IHW generation. The indirect growth of IHW resulting from expanding exports and consumption contributes nearly twice as much to the overall increase in IHW as direct IHW growth. These valuable insights pave the way for the South Korean government to establish holistic and customized environmental policies regarding IHW. It emphasizes the importance of considering expanded global system boundaries, technological advancements, and purchasers' consumption patterns as dominant factors in formulating these policies. Furthermore, this study not only provides crucial guidance for the government's decision-making but also suggests strengthening environmental management and monitoring practices.

Development of eco-friendly wall insulation layer utilising the wastes of the packing industry

Efficient thermal insulation materials considerably lower power consumption for heating and cooling of buildings, which in turn minimises CO2 emissions and improves indoor comfort conditions. However, the selection of suitable insulation materials is governed by several factors, such as the environmental impact, health impact, cost and durability. Additionally, the disposal of used insulation materials is a major factor that affects the selection of materials because some materials could be very toxic for humans and the environment, such as asbestos-containing materials. Therefore, there is a continuous research effort, in both industry and academia, to develop sustainable and affordable insulation materials. In this context, this work aims at utilising the packing industry wastes (cardboard) to develop an eco-friendly insulation layer, which is a biodegradable material that can be disposed of safely after use. Experimentally, wasted cardboard was collected, cleaned, and soaked in water for 24 h. Then, the wet cardboard was minced and converted into past papers, then cast in square moulds and left in a ventilated oven at 75 °C to dry before de-moulding them. The produced layers were subjected to a wide range of tests, including thermal conductivity, acoustic insulation, infrared imaging and bending resistance. The obtained results showed the developed material has a good thermal and acoustic insulation performance. Thermally, the developed material had the lowest thermal conductivity (λ) (0.039 W/m.K) compared to the studied traditional materials. Additionally, it successfully decreased the noise level from 80 to about 58 dB, which was better than the efficiency of the commercial polyisocyanurate layer. However, the bending strength of the developed material was a major drawback because the material did not resist more than 0.6 MPa compared to 2.0 MPa for the commercial polyisocyanurate and 70.0 MPa for the wood boards. Therefore, it is recommended to investigate the possibility of strengthening the new material by adding fibres or cementitious materials.

Leaching of Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn from different solid wastes: Effects of adding adsorbents and using different leaching solutions

The leaching of potentially toxic elements from different industrial solid wastes (ISWs) must be understood to manage the environmental concerns they pose. The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of clay mineral (bentonite) and nanoparticle (MgO) on potentially toxic elements (Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn) leaching in some ISWs, when they leached with different leaching solutions. The highest amount of Zn and Ni was leached from ceramic factory waste (CFW) and stone cutting wastes (SCW), respectively, while the highest amount of Cr was leached from leather factory waste (LFW). In ISWs, the leaching percentage of Cu, Ni, and Zn were up to 11.2%, whereas the greatest leaching percentage of Cr was 26.7% of the total content. The addition of bentonite and MgO decreased potentially toxic element leaching. The results of effluents speciation of SFW indicated that at the beginning of leaching with CaCl2, nitric acid, and citric acid, 75.1%, 84.1%, and 39.6% of Cr were in different forms of Cr (III), respectively, while at the end of leaching the percentage of Cr (III) species were decreased and Cr (VI) species were increased to 83.6%, 88.4%, and 93.4%, respectively. The addition of bentonite and especially MgO to the ISWs reduced the leaching of potentially toxic elements as well as reduced the percentage of Cr (VI) in the effluents of SFW. The findings suggested that bentonite has the potential to be a low-cost and environmentally acceptable adsorbent for minimizing the leaching of Cr and other potentially toxic elements from ISWs.

Exploring Proton-Only NMR Experiments and Filters for Daphnia In Vivo: Potential and Limitations

Environmental metabolomics provides insight into how anthropogenic activities have an impact on the health of an organism at the molecular level. Within this field, in vivo NMR stands out as a powerful tool for monitoring real-time changes in an organism's metabolome. Typically, these studies use 2D ¹³C-¹H experiments on ¹³C-enriched organisms. Daphnia are the most studied species, given their widespread use in toxicity testing. However, with COVID-19 and other geopolitical factors, the cost of isotope enrichment increased ~6-7 fold over the last two years, making ¹³C-enriched cultures difficult to maintain. Thus, it is essential to revisit proton-only in vivo NMR and ask, "Can any metabolic information be obtained from Daphnia using proton-only experiments?". Two samples are considered here: living and whole reswollen organisms. A range of filters are tested, including relaxation, lipid suppression, multiple-quantum, J-coupling suppression, 2D ¹H-¹H experiments, selective experiments, and those exploiting intermolecular single-quantum coherence. While most filters improve the ex vivo spectra, only the most complex filters succeed in vivo. If non-enriched organisms must be used, then, DREAMTIME is recommended for targeted monitoring, while IP-iSQC was the only experiment that allowed non-targeted metabolite identification in vivo. This paper is critically important as it documents not just the experiments that succeed in vivo but also those that fail and demonstrates first-hand the difficulties associated with proton-only in vivo NMR.

Sustainable landfill sites selection using geospatial information and AHP-GDM approach: A case study of Abha-Khamis in Saudi Arabia

Social, environmental, and technical factors must be combined to solve the complex problem of ever-growing municipal solid waste (MSW) and minimize its negative impact on the environment. Saudi Arabia has launched a US$13 billion tourism strategy to transform the Asir region into a year-round tourist destination and has pledged to welcome 10 million local and foreign visitors by 2030. The estimated share of Abha-Khamis will increase to 7.18 million tons of household waste per year. With a gross domestic product (GDP) of USD 820.00 billion by the end of 2022, Saudi Arabia can no longer afford to neglect the issue of waste production and its safe disposal. In this study, to account for all factors and evaluation criteria, a combination of remote sensing, geographic information systems and an analytical hierarchy process (AHP) was used to determine the best locations for municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal in Abha-Khamis. The analysis revealed that 60% of the study area consists of faults (14.28%), drainage networks (12.80%), urban (11.43%), land use (11.41%) and roads (8.35%), while 40% of the suitable area for landfill. Of these, a total of 20 sites ranging in size from 100 to 595 ha are distributed at reasonable distances from the cities of Abha-Khamis, which meet all the critical criteria for suitable landfill sites mentioned in the literature. Current research shows that the use of integrated remote sensing, GIS and the AHP-GDM approach significantly improves the identification of land suitability for MSW management.

A review on control and abatement of soil pollution by heavy metals: Emphasis on artificial intelligence in recovery of contaminated soil

"Save Soil Save Earth" is not just a catchphrase; it is a necessity to protect soil ecosystem from the unwanted and unregulated level of xenobiotic contamination. Numerous challenges such as type, lifespan, nature of pollutants and high cost of treatment has been associated with the treatment or remediation of contaminated soil, whether it be either on-site or off-site. Due to the food chain, the health of non-target soil species as well as human health were impacted by soil contaminants, both organic and inorganic. In this review, the use of microbial omics approaches and artificial intelligence or machine learning has been comprehensively explored with recent advancements in order to identify the sources, characterize, quantify, and mitigate soil pollutants from the environment for increased sustainability. This will generate novel insights into methods for soil remediation that will reduce the time and expense of soil treatment.

Artificial intelligence for waste management in smart cities: a review

The rising amount of waste generated worldwide is inducing issues of pollution, waste management, and recycling, calling for new strategies to improve the waste ecosystem, such as the use of artificial intelligence. Here, we review the application of artificial intelligence in waste-to-energy, smart bins, waste-sorting robots, waste generation models, waste monitoring and tracking, plastic pyrolysis, distinguishing fossil and modern materials, logistics, disposal, illegal dumping, resource recovery, smart cities, process efficiency, cost savings, and improving public health. Using artificial intelligence in waste logistics can reduce transportation distance by up to 36.8%, cost savings by up to 13.35%, and time savings by up to 28.22%. Artificial intelligence allows for identifying and sorting waste with an accuracy ranging from 72.8 to 99.95%. Artificial intelligence combined with chemical analysis improves waste pyrolysis, carbon emission estimation, and energy conversion. We also explain how efficiency can be increased and costs can be reduced by artificial intelligence in waste management systems for smart cities.

Reprocessing of side-streams towards obtaining valuable bacterial metabolites

Every year, all over the world, the industry generates huge amounts of residues. Side-streams are most often used as feed, landfilled, incinerated, or discharged into sewage. These disposal methods are far from perfect. Taking into account the composition of the side-streams, it seems that they should be used as raw materials for further processing, in accordance with the zero-waste policy and sustainable development. The article describes the latest achievements in biotechnology in the context of bacterial reprocessing of residues with the simultaneous acquisition of their metabolites. The article focuses on four metabolites - bacterial cellulose, propionic acid, vitamin B12 and PHAs. Taking into account global trends (e.g. food, packaging, medicine), it seems that in the near future there will be a sharp increase in demand for this type of compounds. In order for their production to be profitable and commercialised, cheap methods of its obtaining must be developed. The article, in addition to obtaining these bacterial metabolites from side-streams, also discusses e.g. factors affecting their production, metabolic pathways and potential and current applications. The presented chapters provide a complete overview of the current knowledge on above metabolites, which can be helpful for the academic and scientific communities and the several industries. KEY POINTS: • The industry generates millions of tons of organic side-streams each year. • Generated residues burden the natural environment. • A good and cost-effective method of side-streams management seems to be biotechnology - reprocessing with the use of bacteria. • Biotechnological disposal of side-streams gives the opportunity to obtain valuable compounds in cheaper ways: BC, PA, vitmain B12, PHAs.

Microwave-assisted valorization and characterization of Citrus limetta peel waste into pectin as a perspective food additive

Machine learning techniques were employed to evaluate the effect of process parameters viz. microwave power (100 W, 300 W, 600 W); pH (1, 1.5, 2); and microwave time (the 60 s, 120 s, 180 s) on the pectin yield from Citrus limetta peel. A fourth-order polynomial function of 66.60 scales was used by the Support Vector Regression (SVR) model at an epsilon (ε) value of 0.003. The co-efficient of determination (R2) and root mean square error-values for training data and test data were 0.984; 0.77 and 0.993; 0.66 respectively. At optimized conditions, microwave power 600 W, pH 1, and time 180 s the best yield of 32.75% was obtained. The integrity of pectin skeletal was confirmed with FTIR and 1H NMR spectrums. The physicochemical analysis revealed that CLP is a high-methoxyl pectin (HMP) with a 63.20 ± 0.88% degree of esterification, 798.45 ± 26.15 equivalent weight, 8.06 ± 0.62% methoxyl content, 67.93 ± 3.36 AUA content, 6.27 ± 0.27 g water/g pectin WHC, 2.68 ± 0.20 g oil/g pectin OHC, low moisture, ash and protein content of 6.85 ± 0.10%, 3.87 ± 0.10% and 2.61 ± 0.06% respectively, which can be utilized as a food additive. Therefore, pectin extraction from Citrus limetta peel using a greener technique like MAE is an eco-friendly, time-saving approach to transform waste into a versatile food additive.

Emission of greenhouse gases due to anthropogenic activities: an environmental assessment from paddy rice fields

Paddy rice fields (PRFs) are a potent source of global atmospheric greenhouse gases (GHGs), particularly CH₄ and CO₂. Despite socio-environmental importance, the emission of GHGs has rarely been measured from Haryana agricultural fields. We have used new technology to track ambient concentration and soil flux of GHGs (CH₄, CO₂, and H₂O) near Karnal's Kuchpura agricultural fields, India. The observations were conducted using a Trace Gas Analyzer (TGA) and Soil Flux Smart Chamber over various parts, i.e., disturbed and undisturbed zone of PRFs. The undisturbed zone usually accounts for a maximum ambient concentration of ~ 2434.95 ppb and 492.46 ppm of CH₄ and CO₂, respectively, higher than the average global concentration. Soil flux of CH₄ and CO₂ was highly varied, ranging from 0.18 to 11.73 nmol m^-2 s^-1 and 0.13-4.98 μmol m^-2 s^-1, respectively. An insignificant correlation was observed between ambient concentration and soil flux of GHGs from PRFs. Waterlogged (i.e., irrigated and rain-fed) soil contributed slightly lower CH₄ flux to the atmosphere. Interestingly, such an agricultural field shows low CO₂ and CH₄ fluxes compared to the field affected by the backfilling of rice husk ash (RHA). This article suggests farmers not mix RHA to increase soil fertility because of their adverse environmental effects. Also, this study is relevant in understanding the GHGs' emissions from paddy rice fields to the atmosphere, their impacts, and mitigating measures for a healthy ecosystem.

Bacterial Community Drives the Carbon Source Degradation during the Composting of Cinnamomum camphora Leaf Industrial Extracted Residues

The increasing production of industrial aromatic plant residues (IAPRs) are potentially environmental risky, and composting is a promising solution to resolve the coming IAPR problems. Carbon source degradation is a basic but important field in compost research; however, we still lack a clear understanding of carbon source degradation and the corresponding relationship to microbial community variation during IAPR composting, which hampers the improvement of IAPR composting efficiency and the promotion of this technology. In this study, samples were chosen on the first day, the 10th day, the 20th day, and the last day during the composting of Cinnamomum camphora leaf IAPRs, and the microbial community composition, main carbon source composition, and several enzyme activities were measured accordingly. The results showed that during composting, the hemicellulose had the highest reduction (200 g kg−1), followed by cellulose (143 g kg−1), lignin (15.5 g kg−1), starch (5.48 g kg−1), and soluble sugar (0.56 g kg−1), which supported that hemicellulose and cellulose were the main carbon source to microbes during composting. The relative abundance of the main bacterial phylum Firmicute decreased from 85.1% to 40.3% while Actinobactreia increased from 14.4% to 36.7%, and the relative abundance of main fungal class Eurotiomycetes decreased from 60.9% to 19.6% while Sordariomycetes increased from 16.9% to 69.7%. Though principal coordinates analysis found that both bacterial and fungal community composition significantly varied during composting (p < 0.05), structure equation modeling (SEM) supported that bacterial composition rather than fungal counterpart was more responsible for the change in carbon source composition, as the standard total effects offered by bacterial composition (−0.768) was about five times the fungal composition (−0.144). Enzyme2 (comprised of xylanase, laccase, cellulase and manganese peroxidase) provided −0.801 standard total effects to carbon source composition, while Enzyme1 (comprised of lignin peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase) had only 0.172. Furthermore, xylanase and laccase were the only two enzymes appeared in co-occurrence network, clustered with nearly all the carbon sources concerned (except starch) in module-II. Xylanase, hemicellulose, and cellulose were linked to higher numbers of OTUs, more than laccase and other carbon sources. In addition, there were 11 BOTUs but only 1 FOTUs directly interacted to xylanase, hemicellulose, and cellulose simultaneously, three of them were Limnochordaceae and two were Savagea, which highlighted the potential core function in lignocellulose degradation provided by bacterial members, especially Limnochordaceae and Savagea. Thus, the results supported that during composting of Cinnamomum camphora leaf IAPRs, the degradation of dominate carbon sources, hemicellulose and cellulose, was mainly driven by bacterial community rather than fungal community. In addition, the bacterial originated xylanase and laccase played potentially core roles in the functional modules. This research clearly investigated the microbial dynamics of carbon source degradation during the composting of Cinnamomum camphora leaf IAPRs, and offers valuable information about and new insight into future IAPRs waste treatment.

Assessment of PCDD/Fs Emission during Industrial-Organic-Solid-Waste Incineration Process in a Fluidized-Bed Incinerator

This study was conducted in a fluidized-bed incineration plant, evaluating the formation, emission and flux of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) from industrial-organic-solid-waste (IW) incineration. The results revealed that both the total (or I-TEQ) concentrations of toxic and 136 total PCDD/Fs in flue gas (FG), fly ash (FA) and bottom ash (BA)were ramped up to a higher level than those during municipal-solid-waste (MSW) incineration. A possible explanation was the chlorine (Cl) content of IW. However, the emitted PCDD/Fs in FG (FA/BA) still fulfilled the criteria. Subsequently, similar distribution patterns of PCDD/F isomers were observed in subsystems, indicating a unified formation-pathway. De novo synthesis was detected as the dominant formation-pathway of PCDD/Fs, while high-temperature and precursor syntheses were excluded. DD/DF chlorination formed PCDD/Fs to some extent. Furthermore, the mass flow chart indicated that PCDD/Fs output in primary FG was significantly strengthened (>1000 times) by de novo synthesis, from 1.25 μg I-TEQ/h to 1.67 mg I-TEQ/h. With effective cleaning by APCS, 99.6% of PCDD/Fs in FG were purified. PCDD/Fs in the gas phase were finally emitted at a discharge rate of 7.25 μg I-TEQ/h. However, accumulated FA took most PCDD/Fs into the environment (>99%), reaching 3.56 mg I-TEQ/h.

Bacterial remediation of pesticide polluted soils: Exploring the feasibility of site restoration

For decades, reclamation of pesticide contaminated sites has been a challenging avenue. Due to increasing agricultural demand, the application of synthetic pesticides could not be controlled in its usage, and it has now adversely impacted the soil, water, and associated ecosystems posing adverse effects on human health. Agricultural soil and pesticide manufacturing sites, in particular, are one of the most contaminated due to direct exposure. Among various strategies for soil reclamation, ecofriendly microbial bioremediation suffers inherent challenges for large scale field application as interaction of microbes with the polluted soil varies greatly under climatic conditions. Methodically, starting from functional or genomic screening, enrichment isolation; functional pathway mapping, production of tensioactive metabolites for increasing the bioavailability and bio-accessibility, employing genetic engineering strategies for modifications in existing catabolic genes to enhance the degradation activity; each step-in degradation study has challenges and prospects which can be addressed for successful application. The present review critically examines the methodical challenges addressing the feasibility for restoring and reclaiming pesticide contaminated sites along with the ecotoxicological risk assessments. Overall, it highlights the need to fine-tune the available processes and employ interdisciplinary approaches to make microbe assisted bioremediation as the method of choice for reclamation of pesticide contaminated sites.

Impact of industrial effluents on the environment and human health and their remediation using MOFs-based hybrid membrane filtration techniques

The hazardous risk posed by industrial effluent discharge into the ecosystem has raised a plethora of environmental issues, public health, and safety concerns. The effluents from industries such as tanning, leather, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and textiles are create significant stress on the aquatic ecosystem, which induces significant toxicity, involved in endocrine disruptions, and inhibits reproductive functions. Therefore, this review presented an overall abridgment of the effects of these effluents and their ability to synergize with modern pollutants such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetic chemicals, nanoparticles, and heavy metals. We further emphasize the metal organic framework (MOF) based membrane filtration approach for remediation of industrial effluents in comparison to the traditional remediation process. The MOF based-hybrid membrane filters provide higher reusability, better adsorption, and superior removal rates through the implication of nanotechnology, while the traditional remediation process offers poorer filtration rates and stability.

Production of biopolymers from food waste: Constrains and perspectives

Food is an essential commodity for the survival of any form of life on earth. Yet generation of plethora of food waste has significantly elevated the global concern for food scarcity, human and environment deterioration. Also, increasing use of polymers derived from petroleum hydrocarbons has elevated the concerns towards the depletion of this non-renewable resource. In this review, the use of waste food for the production of bio-polymers and their associated challenges has been thoroughly investigated using scientometric analysis. Various categories of food waste including fruit, vegetable, and oily waste can be employed for the production of different biopolymers including polyhydroxyalkanoates, starch, cellulose, collagen and others. The advances in the production of biopolymers through chemical, microbial or enzymatic process that increases the acceptability of these biopolymers has been reviewed. The comprehensive compiled information may assist researchers for addressing and solving the issues pertaining to food wastage and fossil fuel depletion.

Sustainable strategies for combating hydrocarbon pollution: Special emphasis on mobil oil bioremediation

The global rise in industrialization and vehicularization has led to the increasing trend in the use of different crude oil types. Among these mobil oil has major application in automobiles and different machines. The combustion of mobil oil renders a non-usable form that ultimately enters the environment thereby causing problems to environmental health. The aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbon fraction of mobil oil has serious human and environmental health hazards. These components upon interaction with soil affect its fertility and microbial diversity. The recent advancement in the omics approach viz. metagenomics, metatranscriptomics and metaproteomics has led to increased efficiency for the use of microbial based remediation strategy. Additionally, the use of biosurfactants further aids in increasing the bioavailability and thus biodegradation of crude oil constituents. The combination of more than one approach could serve as an effective tool for efficient reduction of oil contamination from diverse ecosystems. To the best of our knowledge only a few publications on mobil oil have been published in the last decade. This systematic review could be extremely useful in designing a micro-bioremediation strategy for aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems contaminated with mobil oil or petroleum hydrocarbons that is both efficient and feasible. The state-of-art information and future research directions have been discussed to address the issue efficiently.

A comprehensive review on comparison among effluent treatment methods and modern methods of treatment of industrial wastewater effluent from different sources

In recent years, rapid development in the industrial sector has offered console to the people but at the same time, generates numerous amounts of effluent composed of toxic elements like nitrogen, phosphorus, hydrocarbons, and heavy metals that influences the environment and mankind hazardously. While the technological advancements are made in industrial effluent treatment, there arising stretch in the techniques directing on hybrid system that are effective in resource recovery from effluent in an economical, less time consuming and viable manner. The key objective of this article is to study, propose and deliberate the process and products obtained from different industries and the quantity of effluents produced, and the most advanced and ultra-modern theoretical and scientific improvements in treatment methods to remove those dissolved matter and toxic substances and also the challenges and perspectives in these developments. The findings of this review appraise new eco-friendly technologies, provide intuition into the efficiency in contaminants removal and aids in interpreting degradation mechanism of toxic elements by various treatment assemblages.

Trends in mitigation of industrial waste: Global health hazards, environmental implications and waste derived economy for environmental sustainability

Majority of industries, in order to meet the technological development and consumer demands generate waste. The untreated waste spreads out toxic and harmful substances in the environment which serves as a breeding ground for pathogenic microorganisms thus causing severe health hazards. The three industrial sectors namely food, agriculture, and oil industry are among the primary organic waste producers that affect urban health and economic growth. Conventional treatment generates a significant amount of greenhouse gases which further contributes to global warming. Thus, the use of microbes for utilization of this waste, liberating CO₂ offers an indispensable tool. The simultaneous production of value-added products such as bioplastics, biofuels, and biosurfactants increases the economics of the process and contributes to environmental sustainability. This review comprehensively summarized the composition of organic waste generated from the food, agriculture, and oil industry. The linkages between global health hazards of industrial waste and environmental implications have been uncovered. Stare-of-the-art information on their subsequent utilization as a substrate to produce value-added products through bio-routes has been elaborated. The research gaps, economical perspective(s), and future research directions have been identified and discussed to strengthen environmental sustainability.

Production of biosurfactants from agro-industrial waste and waste cooking oil in a circular bioeconomy: An overview

Waste generation is becoming a global concern owing to its adverse effects on environment and human health. The utilization of waste as a feedstock for production of value-added products has opened new avenues contributing to environmental sustainability. Microorganisms have been employed for production of biosurfactants as secondary metabolites by utilizing waste streams. Utilization of waste as a substrate significantly reduces the cost of overall process. Biosurfactant(s) derived from these processes can be utilized in environmental and different industrial sectors. This review focuses on global market of biosurfactants followed by discussion on production of biosurfactants from waste streams such as agro-industrial waste and waste cooking oil. The need for waste stream derived circular bioeconomy and scale up of biosurfactant production have been narrated with applications of biosurfactants in environment and industrial sectors. Road blocks and future directions for research have also been discussed.