Fabrication of Unique Magnetic Bionanocomposite for Highly Efficient Removal of Hexavalent Chromium from Water

Potential toxicity of leachate from the municipal landfill in view of the possibility of their migration to the environment through infiltration into groundwater

Leachate from landfills is a product of complex biological and physicochemical processes occurring during waste storage. In the present study, the toxicity of landfill leachate (LL) to human and bacterial cells was investigated for better understanding of LL environmental toxicity. Studies regarding LL physicochemical properties and cytotoxicity analysis were conducted. In Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus subtilis, fibroblasts and melanoma A-375 cells, cell viability assays were applied. For the determination of LL antibacterial activity, twofold dilution series of LL were prepared in the range from 50% to 0.1% (50%, 25%, 12.5%, 6.25%, 3.13%, 1.56%, 0.78%, 0.39%, 0.2%, 0.1%). Human cells viability was examined at LL concentrations of 0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 30%. ROS (reactive oxygen species) content and apoptosis level were also measured in bacterial and human cells under the influence of LL. Unexpectedly obtained results indicate stimulation of bacterial viability by LL. Fibroblasts under the influence of LL showed decrease in their viability and increase in apoptosis level and A-375 melanoma cells showed an increase in relative viability and decrease in apoptosis. ROS level in bacterial cells was elevated in higher LL concentrations and decreased in lower LL concentrations. In human cells, ROS content was rather high in both tested cell lines. Presented results indicate cytotoxic potential of analyzed LL and the necessity of LL monitoring because it may pose a health hazard for exposed human populations and the whole human environment.

Mechanistic insights on immobilization and decontamination of hexavalent chromium onto nano MgS/FeS doped cellulose nanofibres

Sustainable bio nano composite comprising of nanoMgS/FeS doped cellulose nanofibres (FeMgSCNF) was prepared, characterized by various techniques and assessed for the decontamination of Cr(VI). Cellulose nanofibres (CNF) acts as a template and stabilizer and prevents agglomeration of FeS/MgS nano particles. MgS present in the nano-composite provides a barrier to suppress aerial oxidation of Fe(II) and provided additional source of sulfide ions. An adsorption capacity in the order of 142.8 mg/g of the bionano composite was exhibited towards hexavalent chromium. Both FeSCNF and FeMgSCNF followed pseudo first order and pseudo second order kinetics with regression coefficients >0.96. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies indicated that decontamination of Cr(VI) follows the route of electrostatic attraction, ion-exchange followed by reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) and immobilization of Cr(III) as chromic oxide and Fe-Cr mixed oxide. Toxicity characteristics leaching tests revealed the efficacy of immobilization. Finally the developed sorbents were successfully applied to the removal of chromium from tannery waste effluents.

Oxidized g-C3N4/polyaniline nanofiber composite for the selective removal of hexavalent chromium

Nanomaterials with selective adsorption properties are in demand for environmental applications. Herein, acid etching and oxidative decomposition of melon units of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) was performed to obtain the oxidized graphitic carbon nitride (Ox-g-C₃N₄) nanosheets. Ox- g-C₃N₄ nanosheets were further decorated on the polyaniline nanofiber (Ox-g-C₃N₄/Pani-NF). Ox-g-C₃N₄/Pani-NF was well characterized and further applied for a selective removal of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) form aqueous solution. The zeta potential analysis indicate that the surface of Ox-g-C₃N₄/Pani-NF was positively charged which could be beneficial to bind anionic Cr(VI) ions electrostatically. In addition, nitrogen and oxygen containing functional groups exist on the Ox-g-C₃N₄/Pani-NF were mainly responsible for adsorption of Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solution. Moreover, the adsorption of Cr(VI) ions was also dependent on solution pH, reaction temperature and initial concentration of Cr(VI) ions. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of Ox-g-C₃N₄/Pani-NF for Cr(VI), calculated from Langmuir isotherm was 178.57 mg/g at pH = 2 and 30 °C. The activation energy (Ea = −20.66 kJ/mol) and the enthalpy change (ΔH° = −22.055 kJ/mol) validate the role of physical forces in adsorption of Cr(VI). These results demonstrate that Ox-g-C₃N₄/Pani-NF can be used as a potential adsorbent for environmental remediation applications.