The continuous release of heavy metals (HMs) from nearby industries leads to the contamination of surrounding agricultural areas. This study employed an integrated approach, combining contamination factor (CF), enrichment factor (EF) and geo-accumulation index (Igeo) for pollution assessment, alongside source apportionment using principal component analysis (PCA) and Geographic Information System (GIS)-based positive matrix factorization (PMF), to evaluate HM contamination in agricultural soils of the northeast Guntur district, India. The mean concentrations of HMs, Cu, Cr, Zn, Ni, Cd and Pb exceeded the Indian natural background soil values by 2.59, 1.21, 2.24, 2.09, 1.15 and 1.4 respectively. Pollution indices revealed high contamination for Ni (CF = 2.21) and Cr (CF = 2.05), with Cr showing moderate enrichment (EF ≈ 1.5) and contamination (Igeo = 0.75). PCA identified three components explaining 78.37% of the total variation while GIS-based PMF identified industrial discharges, waste incineration, agriculture and vehicular and industrial emissions as pollution sources. Ni, Cu and Cr were identified as the primary contaminants, with industrial emissions, vehicular traffic and agricultural activities as key contributors to HM pollution. Cr accounted for ~ 80% of the total hazard index, posing significant non-carcinogenic risks for children via ingestion. Carcinogenic risks through ingestion of Ni and Cr were 2.8 and 1.9 times higher than acceptable levels for adults and 3.9 and 2.6 times higher than acceptable levels for children. Additionally, the high bioconcentration factor (BCF) of Lantana viburnoides (Forssk.) with a BCF of 18.29 for Cd suggests a potential environmental hazard. It is imperative to monitor emissions rigorously to safeguard soil quality and optimize industry standards in this region. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025.

Biomass gasification is a sustainable technology for syngas production that can help address issues around energy security, waste valorization, and climate change mitigation. This review presents comprehensively the recent advancements in biomass gasification. Elucidates the fundamental principles of biomass gasification and the intricacies of utilizing different gasifying agents and reactor types. Examined the critical process factors and delved into syngas chemistry, highlighting its application in multiple domains. Analysis of the recent advancements in gasification technologies shows that process integration with renewable energy systems, and process control and automation improvements underscore its potential. The review highlighted the need to overcome technical complexities, economic barriers, and regulatory constraints in gasification for widespread adoption to ever be achieved. It was recommended that future research should focus on advanced catalysts, feedstock flexibility, and carbon capture and storage integration. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.

The leather industry remains a highly polluting sector among all other industries, as its operations involve extensive chemical use and substantial effluent generation. Tannery effluent can lead to major environmental impacts owing to elevated concentrations of heavy metals, chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and other contaminants such as nitrogen, phosphorus, dyes, and sulphur. Heavy metals like chromium, cadmium, zinc, and lead in tannery effluent are highly toxic, which disrupts aquatic life and poses a serious risk to human health through bioaccumulation in the food chain. Microalgal consortia-based biological treatment has emerged as a potential approach of harnessing synergistic interactions for nutrient uptake, heavy metal accumulation, and remediation. Furthermore, microalgae can reduce CO2 levels and reduce phosphate, nitrogen, COD, and BOD from tannery effluent to enhance the wastewater quality. However, challenges persist in scaling microalgal cultivation, optimizing industrial growth conditions, and ensuring economic feasibility. Further research is needed to assess the long-term stability and efficiency of microalgal consortia in varying wastewater compositions. This review critically evaluates the key trends, such as the increasing focus on consortia-based bioremediation over monoculture approaches, along with species-specific potential in pollutant removal and advancements in algal biomass valorization. Various potential consortia of microalgae species such as Chlorella sp., Phormidium sp., Scenedesmus sp., Leptolyngbya sp., Ochromonas sp., Chlamydomonas sp., Diplosphaera sp., and Ganoderma lucidum in providing effective and viable alternatives for tannery effluent treatment have been discussed.

This book covers the multi-tasking nature of fungi for therapeutic applications. It emphasizes the simultaneous metabolic activities and functions of fungi for producing enzyme inhibitors, therapeutic molecules and other biomedical utilities like polymers, nano-composites and biosensors. The fungi are involved in the production of many therapeutically-potent secondary metabolites and polymers. The recent research on fungal bioprospecting is more focused on sustainable solutions for diverse industries and markets for the circular economy. This book also offers current and future research perspectives of fungal bioprospecting. The potential of fungi to act as a bioresource for antimicrobial, antiviral, anticancer, antiprotozoal and antituberculosis compounds has also been discussed.This book is a reference material for undergraduate students for gaining in-depth knowledge on fungal bioprospecting, particularly fungi's multi-tasking nature.

The industrial sector of textile effluent discharge comprised majorly of toxic pollutants of synthetic dyes. Lignocellulosic based biomass is a potential precursor for the preparation of biochar type adsorbent for treating wastewater. The present research examined the leaf of Ipoma batatas in the synthesis and application of biochar in the adsorptive removal of procion orange MX-2R (PO) from aqueous solution. The Ipoma batatas biochar (IBB) was prepared from the treatment of Ipoma batatas leaf (IBL) biomass with CaCl2, further activation using microwave-assisted electromagnetic radiation and pyrolysis approach. The batch adsorption assessments of the process parameters were performed with the range of experimental conditions such as initial PO concentration of 1.0–70.0 mg/L, adsorption contact time up to 240 min, solution pH 1.0–11.0, IBL/IBB dosage 0.05–0.30 g/L and adsorption temperature of 303–333 K. The total surface area of IBB exhibited high value of 1175.47 m2/g compared to that of IBL surface area 439.25 m2/g. The equilibrium model analysis showed the adsorption capacity according to Liu model presents 221.20 mg/g (IBL) and 750.80 mg/g (IBB). This study showed the potential of IBB over IBL towards the adsorptive removal of PO from simulated solution. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.

Biochar is a stable carbon-rich material that is produced by the thermochemical conversion of waste biomass in an oxygen-limited environment. Due to its low production cost, significant surface area, accessibility, thermal stability, high porosity, and the presence of multiple functional groups on its surface, biochar has been used as a promising adsorbent for the treatment of wastewater contaminated by a variety of pollutants. Biochar can be obtained from various sources, including biowaste. Biowaste feedstock refers to organic materials derived from living organisms that can be used as a source of raw material for biochar production. These feedstocks include a diverse range of organic materials derived from biological sources, such as agricultural residues, food waste, livestock manure, and organic municipal solid waste. This chapter provides a concise overview of the use of biochar produced from biowaste for the treatment of wastewater contaminated by dyes. The biochars, which were mostly produced by pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonization at temperatures between 200°C and 900°C, demonstrated excellent adsorption capacities for the pollutants and correlated well with the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models and pseudo-second-order kinetics. The biochars can be further activated and modified to increase their surface area and, subsequently, their adsorption capability. The sorption mechanisms involve both physical and chemical processes. Prospective studies were outlined that will ensure practical applications of biowaste-based biochar. © 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The utilisation of sugar palm bunches-charcoal briquettes (SPB-CB) represents a significant advancement in biomass energy. This study aimed to analyse the properties of charcoal briquettes produced from SPB (Arenga longipes). The experiment involved categorising the dimensions of charcoal powder into three specific particle sizes: 20–40 mesh, 40–60 mesh, and particles that could pass through a 60-mesh screen. The charcoal powder will be combined with tapioca as a binding agent at three specific concentrations: 11%, 13%, and 15%. The research findings indicate that the samples underwent 60 mesh passes achieved the maximum briquette density, with an average value of 0.58 g/cm3. The highest attainable compressive strength sample value was 27.52 kgf/cm2, which was attained by employing 60 mesh size and 15% adhesive concentration. The calorimetric investigation showed that SPB-charcoal had the highest calorific value of 25.88 MJ/kg, while the SPB-CB had a little lower caloric value of 24.64 MJ/kg. The ash content and volatile matter values showed that the briquettes with the lowest ash content had values of 10.49% and 32.65%, respectively. Furthermore, the carbon fixation values varied between 16.65% and 52.36%. Thermogravimetric analysis indicates that charcoal derived from SPB exhibits superior thermal characteristics compared to charcoal briquettes. However, thermal properties of SPB charcoal do not show significant differences when compared to charcoal briquettes that have been processed with a mesh size of 20–40 and include 11% adhesive. According to this research, it may be inferred that charcoal briquettes made from sugar palm bunches meet the requirements specified in SNI 01-6235-2000. © 2025 The Authors.

CsPbBr3, an all-inorganic halide perovskite, has garnered attention as a highly promising material for advanced photocatalysis due to its exceptional optoelectronic properties, including photoluminescence quantum yields, high absorption coefficients, and outstanding charge carrier mobility. Notably, compared to organic–inorganic hybrids, CsPbBr3 exhibits enhanced photocatalytic applications. The innovations of this review lie in its comprehensive analysis of recent breakthroughs in heterojunction engineering, especially on the novel S-scheme heterojunction tailored to boost charge separation and redox ability in CsPbBr3 materials. The material's performance has been further strengthened by recent developments in bandgap engineering, surface defects, and heterojunction formation, enhancing photocatalytic applications. In this review, the structural properties, synthesis techniques, and optimization strategies for CsPbBr3 photocatalytic materials are examined. Further, particular attention was paid to doping, surface defects, type-II, Z-scheme, and S-scheme heterojunctions. Also, different photocatalytic applications, like pollutant degradation, H2 evolution, and CO2 reduction, are the main objectives. Emphasis is placed on advanced characterization techniques and performance benchmarks to support the material formation, charge migration, and applications. Finally, the review highlights the challenges and prospects of CsPbBr3-based photocatalysts for environmental applications, aiming to achieve high catalytic efficiency. It offers valuable insights into the use of CsPbBr3-based catalysts in photocatalysis applications. © 2025 The Authors

This article evaluated different production strategies, characteristics, and applications of biochar for ameliorating soil fertility and microbial diversity. The biochar production techniques are evolving, indicating that newer methods (including hydrothermal and retort carbonization) operate with minimum temperatures, yet resulting in high yields with significant improvements in different properties, including heating value, oxygen functionality, and carbon content, compared to the traditional methods. It has been found that the temperature, feedstock type, and moisture content play critical roles in the fabrication process. The alkaline nature of biochar is attributed to surface functional groups and addresses soil acidity issues. The porous structure and oxygen-containing functional groups contribute to soil microbial adhesion, affecting soil health and nutrient availability, improving plant root morphology, photosynthetic pigments, enzyme activities, and growth even under salinity stress conditions. The review underscores the potential of biochar to address diverse agricultural challenges, emphasizing the need for further research and application-specific considerations. © 2024 The Author(s)

The green transition trend in the wood-based panel industry aims to reduce environmental impact and waste production, and it is a viable approach to meet the increasing global demand for wood and wood-based materials as roundwood availability decreases, necessitating the development of composite products as alternatives to non-wood lignocellulosic raw materials. As a result, the purpose of this study is to examine and assess the physical, mechanical, and acoustic properties of particleboard manufactured from non-wood lignocellulosic biomass. The core layer was composed of non-wood lignocelluloses (banana stem, rice straw, coconut fiber, sugarcane bagasse, and fibrous vascular bundles (FVB) from snakefruit fronds), whereas the surface was made of belangke bamboo (Gigantochloa pruriens) and wood. The chemical characteristics, fiber dimensions and derivatives, and contact angles of non-wood lignocellulosic materials were investigated. The contact angle, which ranged from 44.57 to 62.37 degrees, was measured to determine the wettability of these materials toward adhesives. Hybrid particleboard (HPb) or sandwich particleboard (SPb) samples of 25 cm × 25 cm with a target density of 0.75 g/cm3 and a thickness of 1 cm were manufactured using 7% isocyanate adhesive (based on raw material oven dry weight). The physical parameters of the particleboard, including density, water content, water absorption (WA), and thickness swelling (TS), ranged from 0.47 to 0.79 g/cm3, 6.57 to 13.78%, 16.46 to 103.51%, and 3.38 to 39.91%, respectively. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of the particleboard, including the modulus of elasticity (MOE), bending strength (MOR), and internal bond strength (IB), varied from 0.39 to 7.34 GPa, 6.52 to 87.79 MPa, and 0.03 to 0.69 MPa, respectively. On the basis of these findings, the use of non-wood lignocellulosic raw materials represents a viable alternative for the production of high-performance particleboard. © 2025 by the authors.

The increase in the global population has caused a rise in the agricultural practice, consequent to increased generation of Crop residues (CR). CR are readily available and less expensive renewable lignocellulosic resource, which is getting more attention in the sector of renewable energy and sustainable development. Pretreatment is an important step in transforming CR into high value chemicals through suitable process. To break down the lignocellulosic CR's resistance and enhance its disintegration into lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose, a range of pretreatment techniques are used. This review explores the use of advanced pretreatment technologies for CR aimed at improving biomethane production. Discusses the characteristics of CRs, evaluates different pretreatment approaches—physical, chemical, biological, and hybrid methods—and assesses strategies and potential new approaches for integrating waste and energy production. Lignocellulosic wastes, primarily CR stands out the most efficient biomass source for biomethane production because of their abundant availability, high carbon/nitrogen ratio and low ash content. In case of pretreatment methods, hybrid/combined pretreatment emerges as the most promising option when compared to single pretreatment methods, because it offers effectiveness and flexibility in enhancing the biomethane production. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd

This book covers the multi-tasking nature of fungi for therapeutic applications. It emphasizes the simultaneous metabolic activities and functions of fungi for producing enzyme inhibitors, therapeutic molecules and other biomedical utilities like polymers, nano-composites and biosensors. The fungi are involved in the production of many therapeutically-potent secondary metabolites and polymers. The recent research on fungal bioprospecting is more focused on sustainable solutions for diverse industries and markets for the circular economy. This book also offers current and future research perspectives of fungal bioprospecting. The potential of fungi to act as a bioresource for antimicrobial, antiviral, anticancer, antiprotozoal and antituberculosis compounds has also been discussed. This book is a reference material for undergraduate students for gaining in-depth knowledge on fungal bioprospecting, particularly fungi's multi-tasking nature. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s). All rights reserved.

Increasing dependence on non-renewable phosphate rocks has led towards search for new alternative methodologies for recovering it from waste reserves. Natural adsorbents from carbonaceous-rich biochar have gained attention for nutrient recovery and utilization due to their distinctive surface properties and reusability. However, often native biochar lacks appropriate functional groups or porous properties for efficient phosphorus adsorption which emphasizes the need to revisit research field to identify lacunae. Thus, an initial systematic scientometric analysis was conducted to evaluate research gaps, recent advancements, and hot spots associated with biochar-based phosphorus (P) adsorption. Boolean logic model was utilized to retrieve 1694 documents for the period 2011–2023 from web-of-science database. A rapid surge in publications was evident from 2017 onwards. China (61.7 %), USA (15.76 %), South Korea (5.88%), Australia (5.0 %), and India (4.82 %) are the top countries contributing to research domain. Major research hotspots were found to be different activation strategies for performance enhancement, interpretation of complex mechanisms using analytical techniques, and real-time end applications in water and soil. The present review also comprehensively summarizes the effects of biochar production/ modification and adsorption parameters on the P-adsorption efficiency. The underlying mechanisms include ligand/ion exchange, electrostatic interaction, surface precipitation, surface complexation. P-adsorption using biochar mostly follows Langmuir isotherm model suggesting the monolayer chemical process. Assessment of optimization parameters on adsorption process, and underlying environmental and economic impacts of biochar-based adsorbents need to be focussed. Overall, comprehensive summary delineates practicality of scaling-up biochar-based P-adsorption processes to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs) combined with circular bio-economy perspectives. © 2025 Elsevier B.V.

Nitrogen-doped magnetic biochar (N-doped magnetic BC) has garnered significant attention as a multifunctional material for the remediation of antibiotic-contaminated water, owing to its synergistic adsorption and catalytic degradation capabilities. This review critically evaluates the transformative role of pretreatment strategies on the physicochemical attributes of biochar, focusing on nitrogen doping and chemical activation. These methodologies are complemented by post-treatment processes designed to impart synergistically optimized magnetic properties to the biochar matrix. Such modifications are pivotal in fine-tuning the material's characteristics, including surface area, pore architecture, and active site configuration, thereby enhancing its adsorption efficiency and catalytic performance. Advanced characterization techniques, such as electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and various spectroscopic modalities, provide comprehensive insights into the structural, surface, and magnetic properties of nitrogen-doped magnetic BC. The adsorption mechanisms are predominantly governed by π-π interactions, hydrogen bonding, and electrostatic forces, with nitrogen doping and magnetic functionalization significantly amplifying the material's selectivity and adsorption capacity. Furthermore, the catalytic degradation of antibiotics occurs via both radical and non-radical pathways, underscoring the dual functionality of the material. Notably, N-doped magnetic BC demonstrates excellent recyclability, maintaining high efficiency across multiple adsorption–desorption cycles. This highlights its potential for sustainable application. Future research directions proposed in this study emphasize advancing the eco-compatibility and scalability of N-doped magnetic BC. Computational modelling is suggested to predict and optimize the material's physicochemical properties, alongside the development of large-scale, environmentally benign synthesis techniques. These advancements aim to position N-doped magnetic BC as a cornerstone material in wastewater treatment systems. © 2025 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry

Microplastics (MPs) degrade through various abiotic processes (thermal, mechanical, hydrolytic, and photo-oxidative) and biotic processes involving microorganisms. This study investigates specific bacteria, fungi, and algae that contribute to MP biodegradation, focusing on species like Bacillus, Rhodococcus, and Pseudomonas, which produce enzymes such as PETase, laccases, and peroxidases to break down high- and low-density polyethylene. However, the biodegradation process varies based on environmental factors and the durability of plastics. There is an urgent need to use advanced methods to understand degradation and its byproducts. Microbial degradation holds promise for addressing MPs, but further research is needed to enhance efficiency and develop sustainable solutions. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd

In recent decades, biosurfactants have gained a variety of applications in the agro-industrial and environmental sectors. Advances in microbial bioprocessing can address global demand for biosurfactants by intensifying processes on co-production with lipases, enhancing their applications in agro-industrial and environmental sectors. Key challenges in the co-production of lipases and biosurfactants include inefficiencies in resource utilization, recycling, market value retention and environmental impacts. Waste oil cakes from food processing, ayurvedic and petrochemical industries can be used as substrates for lipases and biosurfactants, promoting resource recovery and the circular economy. Though this strategy increases the production rate and the economy associated with this, the key bottlenecks are the stability of the products, understanding the co-metabolism, simultaneous process intensification methods, scaling up, and its end application. This review explores the potential of the circular economy principles, including waste reduction, resource recovery, and resource conservation, to co-produce lipases and biosurfactants. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is discussed in this review to incorporate environmental sustainability in the cumulative production system for lipases and biosurfactants. Adopting a circular economy is beneficial for achieving a balance between economic growth and environmental sustainability in bioprocessing. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd

Sugarcane bagasse (SB) is a lucrative feedstock for sustainable fuel production, but economical conversion into fermentable sugars and ethanol presents challenges from a biorefinery perspective. The present study aimed to screen and identify a robust cellulase-producing fungal strain to improve the saccharification of SB. Aspergillus fumigatus exhibited enhanced cellulase activity when untreated SB served as the substrate. The EMS mediated chemical mutagenesis of A. fumigatus with 200 mM EMS further enhanced the cellulase production by approximately 23.47%, relative to the wild-type strain. The process optimization method demonstrated peak cellulase activity on the 6th day of incubation, at 33 °C, and with an inoculum size of 5 × 107 spores. The optimization of the filter paper assay enhanced the maximum activity to 2.5 U/mL by maintaining 6 pH and 55 °C, along with the subsequent addition of MnCl2 ions to the reaction mixture. The Taguchi orthogonal array was employed to optimize the process parameters of enzymatic hydrolysis of alkali-pretreated SB, demonstrating highest efficiency when hydrolysis parameters were set to pH 4, 55 °C, 10 U enzyme, and 20 g/L substrate (SB) loading. The hydrolysate was utilized to evaluate bioethanol production employing Saccharomyces cerevisiae MTCC 824. The strain generated 4.2 g/L of ethanol with a total yield of 0.21 g/g. This study seeks to manage agricultural residues and wastes, generating a nutrient-rich hydrolysate that can be utilized by yeast strains for bioethanol production, thus rendering the entire process sustainable, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2025.

Effluents from the industrial sector contain a wide range of contaminants in the medium; when they are insufficiently treated and discharged in the aquatic environment, they pollute aquatic matrices, causing deleterious effects on all the lifeforms. Industries such as tanneries, textiles, dairy, pharmaceuticals, paper and pulp, food processing, petrochemicals, iron, and steel generate wastewater containing a wide range of environmentally harmful contaminants. Chlorella species are robust species that can adapt and grow in extreme conditions and have remarkable stress response mechanism with good acclimatization and bioremediation properties. This review aims to provide new insights on the importance of Chlorella in the treatment of industrial effluents. It provides a comprehensive summary of investigations that have proved the potential of Chlorella vulgaris, Chlorella minutissima, Chlorella sorokiniana, Chlorella kessleri, Chlorella ellipsoidea, Chlorella emersonii, Chlorella pyrenoidosa in the elimination of contaminants. Furthermore, highlights the mechanisms that Chlorella undergo in the effluent medium towards the removal of various contaminants. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2025.

Second-generation fluoroquinolone antibiotics like ciprofloxacin (CIP) are widely used to treat bacterial infections. Solid landfill leachate, veterinary use, aquaculture, agriculture and hospital wastewater release CIP into the aquatic environment. Herein, the review discusses empirical findings related to the adsorption of CIP in wastewater using biochar, which is considered a low-cost and sustainable adsorbent. An initial ecotoxicological evaluation validated the environmental risk of CIP in the aquatic environment. The review discusses the biochar preparation by the pyrolysis and co-pyrolysis of various biomasses, which were subsequently used as adsorbents for removing CIP from the wastewater. The biochar derived from waste fish scales reported with a high specific surface area of 3370 m2/g. The maximum adsorption capacity for CIP employing biochar was 880.50 mg/g. The mechanisms of CIP adsorption on biochar produced by pyrolysis and co-pyrolysis that are most frequently observed are hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonding, pore filling, electrostatic interaction, and π-π electron donor-acceptor interaction. Langmuir and Freundlich models help to explain the CIP adsorption on biochar by providing a better fit for CIP adsorption on biochar, implying that the process involves monolayer and multilayer adsorption. Pseudo-second order kinetics best fit CIP adsorption on biochar, validating chemisorption. Biochar prepared by pyrolysis showed a range of regeneration cycles of 3–10 with good CIP removal efficiency. More research should be emphasized on post-adsorbent disposal, regeneration of co-pyrolyzed biochar, process improvement of the biochar for industrial applications and practical utilization for sustainable waste and water resource management. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.

Forest waste is a crucial by-product of industries such as sawmills and timber processing facilities. Lignin is extracted from these residues; due to its high abundance, sustainability, inexpensiveness, and good functionality, it is a low-cost, eco-friendly, green, readily available biomass material for hydrogel synthesis. Various techniques, including chemical pulping (alkaline pulping, kraft pulping, soda pulping), acidic pulping (acid sulfite pulping, acidic hydrolysis), organosolv fractionation including microwave-assisted extraction, ionic liquid dissolution, physical processes (steam explosion, homogenization, ultrasonication) and biochemical reactions (enzymatic hydrolysis), are all used to extract lignin from forest residues. The extracted lignin is then processed into a hydrogel through physical and chemical interactions. This review highlights some essential lignin extraction processes, lignin-based hydrogel production techniques, advanced technologies that can be used for hydrogel synthesis (freeze-thawing, stereo complex formation, microwave-assisted synthesis, one-pot synthesis, heat-induced synthesis), and its potential significance of lignin-based hydrogel in different fields such as biomedical and pharmaceutical sectors. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2024.

Food waste is a lucrative source of complex nutrients, which can be transformed into a multitude of bioproducts by the aid of microbial cell factories. The current study emphasizes isolating Glucoamylase enzyme (GA) producing strains that can effectively break down mixed food waste (MW), which serves as a substrate for biomanufacturing. The screening procedure relied heavily on the growth of isolated fungi on starch agar media, to specifically identify the microbes with the highest starch hydrolysis potential. A strain displayed the highest GA activity of 2.9 ± 0.14 U/ml which was selected and identified as Aspergillus fumigatus via molecular methods of identification. Exposure of the A. fumigatus with 200 mM Ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS) led to a 23.79% increase compared to the wild-type GA. The growth conditions like cultivation temperature or the number of spores in the inoculum were investigated. Further, maximum GA activity was exhibited at pH 5, 55 °C, and at 5 mM CK2+ concentration. The GA showed thermostability, retaining activity even after long periods of exposure to temperatures as high as 95 °C. The improvement of hydrolysis of MW was achieved by Taguchi design where a maximum yield of 0.57 g g−1 glucose was obtained in the hydrolysate. This study puts forth the possibility that mixed food waste, despite containing spices and other microbial growth-inhibitory substances, can be efficiently hydrolyzed to release glucose units, by robust fungal cell factories. The glucose released can then be utilized as a carbon source for the production of value-added products. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented global health and economic crises. The emergence of long COVID-19 has raised concerns about the interplay between SARS-CoV-2 infections, climate change, and the environment. In this context, a concise analysis of the potential long-term effects of the COVID-19 epidemic along with the awareness aboutenvironmental issues are realized. While COVID-19 effects in the short-term have reduced environmental air pollutants and pressures, CO2 emissions are projected to increase as the economy recovers and growth rates return to pre-COVID-19 levels. This review discusses the systematic effects of both the short-term and long-term effects of the pandemic on the clean energy revolution and environmental issues. This article also discusses opportunities to achieve long-term environmental benefits and emphasizes the importance of future policies in promoting global environmental sustainability. Future directions for growth and recovery are presented to cope with long COVID-19 epidemic along with the critical findings focussing on various aspects: waste management, air quality improvement. (Figure presented.) © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2023.

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are simple bio-electrochemical devices that have the potential to treat wastewater and generate power through anaerobic respiration of microorganisms. Microalgae can grow in wastewater conditions utilizing CO2, nutrients, and other pollutants from the medium, and it has good symbiotic interactions with bacteria; this synergetic interaction has gained its application in integrating with microalgae-based MFCs. Microalgae produce O2 through photosynthesis, can reduce the need for external oxygen supply, and can take part in the cathodic process. The bacteria from the anodic compartment capture O2 and provide bioelectricity. Microalgae-integrated MFC can treat wastewater and provide sustainable bioenergy conversion through biomass production. This approach has led to the application of MFCs with algae-assisted cathodes to treat wastewater and generate power. The harvested biomass from this integrated treatment system can produce value-added products through biorefinery approaches. This chapter aims to cover the advantages associated with micro-algaeintegrated MFC for the application of electricity generation, carbon capture, wastewater treatment, algal biomass production, operating conditions, and its impacts on power generation. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024.

In recent years, nanomaterials have come to have strong participation in various areas of society, and with that science and technology have started to invest in this field, providing a strong expansion of nanoscience (Singh et al. 2021, Nayak et al. 2021). Due to the improvement in synthesis and manipulation, new compounds have emerged with diameters and dimensions that are favorable for certain purposes, an example of which is nanoparticles (Auffan et al. 2009, Mercante et al. 2021). Because they have specific characteristics, these materials can be used for different purposes, including wastewater treatment (Patel et al. 2022). Studies have already proven the high efficiency of nanoparticles based on nanofibers and carbon nanotubes in the treatment of several emerging contaminants (Brescia 2022). © 2024 Jayanta Kumar Biswas and Mahendra Rai.

Water matrices are deteriorating owing to the tremendous accumulation of pollutants from domestic and industrial wastes. Adsorption is a simple and promising technology, where plant biomass and agrowastes are utilized as biosorbents in alleviating toxic pollutants from wastewater. This chapter enumerates various pollutants that predominantly persist in the water bodies and their toxicity. Various plant biomasses in raw form, chemically and thermally activated forms, and their efficacy in removing water pollutants have been detailed. Lignocellulosic plant biomass has diverse surface functional groups, whereas activated biochars exhibit several advantageous properties, including high surface area and porosity, which are suitable for pollutant binding and decontamination. Being cost-effective and biodegradable, plant-based biosorbents are better alternatives for conventional pollutant treatment methods from water bodies. © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The survival of humanity is severely threatened by the massive accumulation of waste in the ecosystem. One plausible solution for the management and upcycling of waste is conversing waste at the molecular level and deriving carbon-based nanomaterial. The field of carbon nanomaterials with distinctive properties, such as exceptionally large surface areas, good thermal and chemical stability, and improved propagation of charge carriers, remains a significant area of research. The study demonstrates recent developments in high-value carbon-based photocatalysts synthesis from various waste precursors, including zoonotic, phytogenic, polyolefinic, electronic, and biomedical, highlighting the progression as photocatalysts and adsorbents for wastewater treatment and water splitting applications. This review highpoints the benefits of using waste as a precursor to support sustainability and circular economy and the risks associated with their use. Finally, we support that a sustainable society will eventually be realized by exploring present obstacles and potential steps for creating superior carbon-based nanomaterials in the future. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd

The release of microplastics into the ecosystem with wastewater treatment facilities is a growing problem across the world. Wastewater treatment Plants (WWTPs) discharge microplastics in terrestrial and aquatic systems, mostly from the fabric, laundry, and cosmetics sectors. Despite substantial studies on microplastics (MPs) in the natural environment, removal tactics, and WWTP management plans that emphasize their environmental impact, not much is understood concerning MPs’ destiny and behavior during diverse treatment procedures. MPs are affected by treatment methods in varied ways due to their variable physical and chemical properties, resulting in differential removal efficacy. MPs recovered from WWTPs can build in soil and affect ecosystems on land. Few researches have looked at the cost, energy consumption, and alternatives of large-scale microplastic cleanup using contemporary treatment technologies. To protect aquatic and terrestrial environments from microplastic pollution, targeted and cost-effective management strategies must close knowledge gaps. This chapter summarizes recent advances in microplastic removal methods and their efficiencies. Classical treatment method, electrocoagulation method, magnetic extraction, biological process, membrane filtration, pulse clarification, and metal organic frameworks are discussed for microplastic removal. To minimize MPs, alternatives to plastics and severe limitations, such as microplastic waste conversion, should be addressed. MPs should also be managed by policy implementation and awareness. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2025.

Microplastics (MPs) contamination has emerged as a significant environmental concern due to its extensive dispersion along with potential adverse effects on aquatic as well as terrestrial ecosystems. Microplastics’ harmful effects have been seen to rise throughout the decades when they mix with other contaminants in a dynamic environmental setting. As a result, developing accurate, effective, and speedy analytical techniques for identifying MPs contamination has become a pressing issue. Understanding the origins, distribution, and implications of MPs requires reliable and efficient detection techniques in environmental samples. This chapter explores the methodologies and strategies for optical detection and identification of MPs in environmental samples, covering their potential, limitations, and the latest advances in destructive (thermal and GC-MS) and non-destructive (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy) detection techniques. By providing a brief overview of these detection methods, this chapter aims to inform further analysis and research efforts, evaluating their applicability across various sample matrices. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2025.

[No abstract available]

The book aims to highlight the application of microbial electrochemical technologies, their fundamental to advanced, recent applications, management strategies, and relevant case studies. The book also attempts to highlight existing research and technological advancements on all facets of instruments and methods for assessing and keeping track of water contaminants. The section on current trends and advancements in this book discusses the most recent advancements in microbial electrochemical technologies and related technologies to lessen the contamination of water resources. The book goes into great detail about the fundamental aspects of water pollution, including their causes, primary sources, detection, treatment, and mitigation using microbial electrochemical technologies and management systems as well as commercialization and economics thoughts that are currently of significant importance. Additionally, with the aid of appropriate tables and figures, all of these chapters havebeen arranged according to recent developments and aspects of the field. The book's goal is to give readers a fundamental understanding of how microbial electrochemical technologies work. It is intended for a wide range of readers, including undergraduate and graduate students, researchers, academicians, environmentalists, policymakers, businesspeople, and R&D teams. We gratefully thank all of the authors. We'll be open to recommendations for making the next book or edition better. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024.

This book presents microplastics pollution in land and water bodies, their hazardous effects, characterization approaches, and suitable means of utilizing advanced treatment options to solve the problem. It is mainly understood that microplastic pollutants are associated with water bodies, however there also exists soil contamination and their interaction with the food web. The discussions related to strategies and policies for the management of microplastics are very limited. This book not only narrows microplastic pollution in marine or fresh water bodies, but also takes into account the terrestrial environment, including the toxicity effects, characterization aspects and treatment approaches. The main feature of the book includes latest research related to microplastics pollution, examining the different health effects including environmental (related) issues and highlights the advances in treatment approaches. The book serves as a guide with an up-to-date information on microplastics related problems, useful for students, researchers, professionals/environmentalists and also as a reference for policy makers. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2025.

Adsorption is an effective and promising technology for removing a variety of pollutants from (waste)water. Many adsorbents are capable of removing pollutants. Among them, clays and clay minerals, nanomaterials, Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs), Layered Double Hydroxides, Aerogels, Cryogels, Xerogels, etc. Based on the principles of the Circular Economy and Green Chemistry, agri-culture biomass/waste, as renewable, non-toxic, and eco–friendly materials, has attracted the interest to produce adsorbents (raw and/or modified) to decontaminate (waste)water. This chapter contains information about the applicability of pineap-ples, pomegranate-and mango–based adsorbents to remove cationic and anionic dyes. Various adsorption parameters (solution pH, initial concentration, adsorbent dose, temperature, etc.) were explored in detail. Isotherm and kinetic modeling and thermodynamic aspects are also discussed. Maximum adsorption was determined to be 2.98–708.15, 5.42–288.34, and 17.75–1029.11 mg/g for mango, pineapple, and pomegranate-based adsorbents, respectively. The chapter’s conclusions confirm that the investigated materials can successfully remove dye pollutants, and they also suggest a management strategy considering sustainability aspects for dealing with this kind of biomass/waste. © 2024 by Springer International Publishing.

The present research evaluated the potential use of the macroalga Sargassum sp., which was modified with filamentous fungus Cunninghamella echinulata for the biosorption of methylene blue (MB) dye. The modified fungal biomass (FERsarg) was obtained through solid-state fermentation of enzyme (alginate lyase). The FERsarg showed a pHPZC of 7.9, a low mass loss, material micro/ mesoporous, and the presence of hydroxyl, carboxylic, phenolic, and carbonyl functional groups. The influence of biomass dosage, solution pH, contact time, initial concentration, and temperature were evaluated for MB biosorption, and the best results were obtained at 2 g L-1 and pH 6. The kinetic study revealed a better fit for the pseudo-second-order model, while the Sips model best described the equilibrium experimental data. The equilibrium was reached within 180 min and showed qmax yielding of 115.49 mg g-1 at 323 K. The thermodynamic understanding of the present research revealed that the biosorbent exhibited spontaneous, exothermic, and physical nature for MB removal. The adsorptive mechanism shows that the process was controlled by electrostatic attraction. Also the feasibility of using residual fermented biomass as a potential adsorbent was applied and discussed, contributing to the concept of minimum waste generation, and supporting the concept of circular bioeconomy. © 2024 The Authors.

Lignin, lignosulfonate, and synthesized phosphorylated lignosulfonate were introduced as green fillers in citric acid-sucrose adhesives for bonding particleboard fabricated from areca leaf sheath (ALS). The characteristics of particleboards were compared to that of ultralow emitting formaldehyde (ULEF-UF). The fillers derived from Eucalyptus spp. kraft-lignin were added for flame retardancy enhancement. 10% of each lignin and modified lignin was added into the ULEF-UF and citric acid-sucrose bonded particleboards. Analyses applied to particle-boards included thermal characteristics, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), morphological properties, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), as well as physical, mechanical, and fire resistance characteristics of the laboratory-fabricated particleboards. Lignin and modified lignin resulted in improved thermal stability of the composites bonded with ULEF-UF while the improvement in the particleboard bonded with citric acidsucrose was not significant. The introduction of filler exerted a higher influence on the UF-bonded particleboards compared to composites fabricated with citric acid-sucrose. Generally, the presence of lignin, lignosulfonate, and phosphorylated lignosulfonate enhanced the mechanical strength of the ULEF-bonded particleboards, although their dimensional stability has deteriorated. Markedly, the use of lignin and lignosulfonate enhanced the fire resistance of the particleboards produced with lower observed weight loss. All laboratory particleboards exhibited satisfactory fire resistance, attaining a V-0 rating in according to the UL-94 standard. © 2024, Tech Science Press. All rights reserved.

Extraction of coal through opencast mining leads to the buildup of heaps of overburden (OB) material, which poses a significant risk to production safety and environmental stability. A systematic bibliometric analysis to identify research trends and gaps, and evaluate the impact of studies and authors in the field related to coal OB phytostabilization was conducted. Key issues associated with coal extraction include land degradation, surface and groundwater contamination, slope instability, erosion and biodiversity loss. Handling coal OB material intensifies such issues, initiating additional environmental and physical challenges. The conventional approach such as topsoiling for OB restoration fails to restore essential soil properties crucial for sustainable vegetation cover. Phytostabilization approach involves establishing a self-sustaining plant cover over OB dump surfaces emerges as a viable strategy for OB restoration. This method enhanced by the supplement of organic amendments boosts the restoration of OB dumps by improving rhizosphere properties conducive to plant growth and contaminant uptake. Criteria essential for plant selection in phytostabilization are critically evaluated. Native plant species adapted to local climatic and ecological conditions are identified as key agents in stabilizing contaminants, reducing soil erosion, and enhancing ecosystem functions. Applicable case studies of successful phytostabilization of coal mines using native plants, offering practical recommendations for species selection in coal mine reclamation projects are provided. This review contributes to sustainable approaches for mitigating the environmental consequences of coal mining and facilitates the ecological recovery of degraded landscapes. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd

Food waste is primarily generated in marketplaces, agricultural fields, hotels, food manufacturers units, and halls. Food waste have a major impact on food security, quality and safety, economic development, and cause environment pollution. The improper disposal of food waste without proper treatments leads to generation of new diseases, unpleasant odour, air, water, and soil pollution. Nevertheless, food waste is a good substrate which can be disintegrated by digestion process because it exhibits more water contents and biodegradability. The conversion of food waste into biomethane is an appreciable solution in food waste management steps. This manuscript reviews the physico-chemical properties of food waste, various pretreatment methods of food waste to enhance the efficiency of anaerobic digestion (AD) process used to produce biomethane and discussed the impact of operational factors on biomethane production. Subsequently, the need for a biomethane upgradation using physical, chemical, and biological purification approaches was reviewed. In order to improve the efficiency of the anaerobic digestion (AD) process to a large-scale industrial level, the challenges and possible future developments needed to enhance biomethane generation from food waste were also reviewed significantly. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd

The potential of pyrolyzed Mytella falcata shells as an adsorbent for removing methylene blue dye molecules from aqueous solutions was investigated. The study found that the adsorbent produced at 600 °C of pyrolysis temperature, with an adsorbent mass of 0.5 g, particle diameter of 0.297–0.149 mm, and pH 12.0, demonstrated the highest dye molecule removal efficiency of 82.41%. The material’s porosity was observed through scanning electron microscopy, which is favorable for adsorption, while Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-Ray diffraction analysis analyses confirmed the presence of calcium carbonate in the crystalline phases. The pseudo-second order model was found to be the best fit for the data, suggesting that the adsorption mechanism involves two steps: external diffusion and diffusion via the solid pores. The Redlich-Peterson isotherm model better represented the equilibrium data, and the methylene blue adsorption was found to be spontaneous, favorable, and endothermic. The hydrogen peroxide with UV oxidation was found to be the most efficient method of regeneration, with a regeneration percentage of 63% achieved using 600 mmol.L of oxidizing agents. The results suggest that pyrolyzed Mytella falcata shells could serve as an ecologically viable adsorbent alternative, reducing the amount of waste produced in the local environment and at the same time removing pollutants from the water. The material’s adsorption capacity remained almost constant in the first adsorption-oxidation cycles, indicating its potential for repeated use.

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The present study reports the green synthesis of cellulose nanocrystals from the shells of Sterculia foetida (SFS) cellulose. Three different methods, alkali, acid and organic acid, were screened for the maximum cellulose extraction. A maximum cellulose yield, 30.6±0.84 w/w, was obtained using 90% formic acid at 110°C in 120min. The extracted cellulose was characterized and identified by instrumental analyses. SEM analysis showed skeletal rod-like microfibril structures and similar intra-fibrillar widths. CP/MAS 13C NMR and FTIR spectrum revealed the purity of cellulose and the absence of other components like hemicellulose and lignin. XRD study revealed a cellulose crystallinity index of 88.07%. BET analysis showed a good surface area (3.3213m2/g) and a micro-pore area of 1.871m2/g. The cellulose nanocrystals were synthesized from the extracted cellulose using deep eutectic solvents (DES), choline chloride and lactic acid (1:2 ratio). The cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) synthesized from DES-based exhibited zeta potential and particle size of ?16.7mV and 576.3 d.nm. DES-synthesized cellulose nanocrystals were spherical-like shapes, as observed from TEM images. The present results exposed that formic acid is an effective and green catalyst for the extraction of cellulose and DES for the sustainable synthesis of CNC.

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are simple bio-electrochemical devices that have the potential to treat wastewater and generate power through anaerobic respiration of microorganisms. Microalgae can grow in wastewater conditions utilizing CO2, nutrients, and other pollutants from the medium, and it has good symbiotic interactions with bacteria; this synergetic interaction has gained its application in integrating with microalgae-based MFCs. Microalgae produce O2 through photosynthesis, can reduce the need for external oxygen supply, and can take part in the cathodic process. The bacteria from the anodic compartment capture O2 and provide bioelectricity. Microalgae-integrated MFC can treat wastewater and provide sustainable bioenergy conversion through biomass production. This approach has led to the application of MFCs with algae-assisted cathodes to treat wastewater and generate power. The harvested biomass from this integrated treatment system can produce value-added products through biorefinery approaches. This chapter aims to cover the advantages associated with micro-algaeintegrated MFC for the application of electricity generation, carbon capture, wastewater treatment, algal biomass production, operating conditions, and its impacts on power generation

The book aims to highlight the application of microbial electrochemical technologies, their fundamental to advanced, recent applications, management strategies, and relevant case studies. The book also attempts to highlight existing research and technological advancements on all facets of instruments and methods for assessing and keeping track of water contaminants. The section on current trends and advancements in this book discusses the most recent advancements in microbial electrochemical technologies and related technologies to lessen the contamination of water resources. The book goes into great detail about the fundamental aspects of water pollution, including their causes, primary sources, detection, treatment, and mitigation using microbial electrochemical technologies and management systems as well as commercialization and economics thoughts that are currently of significant importance. Additionally, with the aid of appropriate tables and figures, all of these chapters havebeen arranged according to recent developments and aspects of the field. The book's goal is to give readers a fundamental understanding of how microbial electrochemical technologies work. It is intended for a wide range of readers, including undergraduate and graduate students, researchers, academicians, environmentalists, policymakers, businesspeople, and R&D teams. We gratefully thank all of the authors. We'll be open to recommendations for making the next book or edition better.

This book highlights the types and importance of multitasking fungi and provides critical analysis of fungi involved in production of important enzymes. It also covers additional tasks of fungi such as biosorption, remediation, soil fertilization, and water treatment. This book discusses the types of fungi, their cultivation, execution of multitasking, and the analysis and recovery of products. This information can be used to understand and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of fungi in the production of a variety of products, such as antibiotics, enzymes, and biofuels.This book would be of interest to researchers working in industrial biotechnology, fungal physiology, environmental sciences and technology, sustainable technologies, and agricultural sciences.

Over the years, the enormous use of tetracycline (TC) in pharmaceutical industries caused unwanted heap in the environment that led to the deterioration of human and ecological conditions. Therefore, the synergistic functioning of photo-Fenton and photocatalysis has been introduced which enables the regeneration of more •OH, •O2- species thereby enhancing the TC degradation performance of photocatalysts. Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) photocatalyst recently, gained massive consideration due to the suitable energy band gap, efficient preparation method, and physicochemical properties. However, due to some drawbacks, various modification strategies (doping, Z-Scheme, S-Scheme) have been adopted to perk up the degradation activity of bare g-C3N4. In the current review, we have provided insights into various modification strategies employed for g-C3N4 and reaction parameters for the effective remediation of tetracycline using photo-Fenton-assisted photocatalysis. The review further highlighted the potential of the integrated effect of g-C3N4-based photo-Fenton-assisted photocatalytic processes for achieving higher tetracycline removal efficiency followed by current challenges and future perspectives. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd

NH2-functionalized metal-organic frameworks (NH2-functionalized MOFs) can abate organic pollutants, predominantly favored by their chemical, mechanical, and thermal stabilities. The present review stated the chemistry of identifying NH2-functionalization and its role in enhancing the properties of bare MOFs. The integration of the amine group bestows several advantages: 1.) enabling band structure modification, 2.) establishing strong metal-NH2 bonds, 3.) preserving MOF structures from reactive oxygen species, and 4.) shielding MOF structures against pH alterations. Consequently, the NH2-functionalized MOFs are promising materials for the photodegradation of organic contaminants. The following section illustrates the two approaches (pre-synthetic and post-synthetic) for NH2-functionalized MOFs. Nevertheless, specific intrinsic limitations, entailing a high recombination rate of charge carriers and inadequate optical adsorption, restrain the applicability of NH2-functionalized MOFs. Accordingly, the succeeding segment presents strategies to elevate the photocatalytic activities of NH2-functionalized MOFs via heterojunction fabrication. The importance of the NH2-functionalized MOFs-based heterojunction has been evaluated in terms of the effect on the enhancement of charge separation, optical adsorption, and redox ability of charge carriers. Subsequently, the potential application for organic pollutant degradation via NH2-functionalized MOFs-based heterojunctions has been scrutinized, wherein the organic pollutants. Eventually, the review concluded with challenges and potential opportunities in engaging and burgeoning domains of the NH2-functionalized MOFs-based heterojunctions. © 2024 Elsevier Inc.

In this work, sunflower (Helianthus annuus) seed pericarp (SSPC) was converted into mesoporous activated carbon (SSPCAC) via microwave-assisted ZnCl2 activation to be a cost-effective and renewable adsorbent for crystal violet (CV) dye removal. The obtained SSPCAC exhibits a preferable surface area of 641 m2/g with mesoporous characteristics. A statistical optimization by Box-Behnken Design (BBD) with Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was adopted to achieve the optimal operational conditions for CV dye including SSPCAC dose, solution pH, and contact time. Moreover, desirability functions confirm the maximum CV removal of 91% was attended at SSPC-AC dose (0.083 g/100 mL), solution pH (9.8), and contact time (5.38 min). Thus, the equilibrium data were best described by the Langmuir isotherm model with a maximum adsorption capacity of 111.9 mg/g at 25 0C. Thus, the adsorption kinetics were well described by a pseudo-second order (PSO) model. The adsorption mechanism of CV onto SSPCAC surface can be assigned to the electrostatic attraction, hydrogen bonding, pore filling, and pi-pi interactions. This research highlights the potential of sunflower seed pericarp as a renewable precursor for activated carbon production with promising applications in toxic dye removal from wastewater. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024.

Waste activated sludge (WAS) generated from wastewater treatment plants presents a significant environmental challenge due to its complex composition and disposal difficulties. In response, various strategies have been explored to manage sludge effectively, with renewable energy generation, particularly biomethane production via anaerobic digestion (AD), emerging as a promising solution. However, the hydrolysis stage, bottleneck in AD, hindering the degradation of complex organic molecules within WAS, necessitates innovative approaches. Chemical pretreatment methods have garnered attention for enhancing biomethane production efficiency. This review systematically assesses the efficacy of various chemical pretreatment approaches on WAS, examining their impacts on sludge composition, AD performance, and underlying mechanisms. Notably, the review underscores the influence of WAS characteristics, emphasizing the critical roles of dosage and pH in chemical pretreatment process. Moreover, it elucidates the synergistic potential of integrating chemical pretreatment with mechanical or biological methods, resulting in improved sludge degradability and enhanced biomethane yield. Additionally, the review emphasizes the importance of considering the characteristics and origins of sludge when selecting appropriate chemical pretreatment agents to optimize biomethane production. Furthermore, it highlights the potential benefits of implementing eco-friendly chemical pretreatment methods, which can mitigate the challenges faced by traditional chemical pretreatment approaches. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd

Advanced oxidation processes, mainly photocatalysis, are utilized as an effective and alternative prospect for industrial wastewater treatment, especially in the non-biodegradable compounds. Among various photocatalysts, Co3O4 is a visible light active photocatalyst that exhibits superb photocatalytic activity in various photocatalytic applications. However, photocatalytic activity of bare Co3O4 nanoparticles remains inacceptable because of inherent shortcomings such as rapid recombination. Significant efforts were done in the last several years to advance performance and figure out the mechanisms involved. This review begins with structural & optical properties (and DFT studies), synthesis methods and goes detail about recent advances and strategies for refining the performance of Co3O4-based photocatalysts, for instance structural design and creation of Co3O4-based composites. Construction of Co3O4-based heterojunction results in a distinct photogenerated photocarriers mechanism, which reduces the recombination and increases photoactivity. The sole emphasis of this review is on the latest developments in environmental applications for Co3O4 as well as photocatalysts based on them. In conclusion, the varied environmental applications of Co3O4-based materials, such as pollutant degradation (i.e., dyes, antibiotics, phenols, pesticides, and Cr (VI) reduction) and energy conversion (e.g., H2 production, CO2 reduction/CO evolution, and O2 evolution), are summarized in detail. To summarize the bottlenecks, exciting challenges, current progress, and future perspectives for innovative opportunities are also presented. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.

Scenedesmus strains have been reported to have the potential to tolerate and bioremediate antibiotic pollutants through bioadsorption, bioaccumulation, and biodegradation mechanism from the wastewater medium. Hormesis effects have been observed in the Scenedesmus strains when exposed to different concentrations of antibiotic pollutants. Lower concentrations of antibiotic pollutants are known to trigger growth-stimulating effects by triggering adaptive responses such as increased metabolic activity and activating detoxifying mechanisms leading to the biotransformation pathway. The present review examines the existing body of information pertaining to biotransformation pathways tolerance, hormesis effects, and efficiency of Scenedesmus strains in removing various antibiotic pollutants. This review provides critical information on using Scenedesmus species to treat antibiotic-polluted wastewater by boosting growth and resilience tolerant doses and avoiding toxicity at higher doses. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd

Silver tungstate (Ag2WO4) as a captivating visible light active photocatalyst, is non-toxic in nature, chemically stable and possess good thermal stability. Extensive researches have lately centred on Ag2WO4 photoactivity for wastewater treatment. However, bare Ag2WO4 photocatalyst always showed low adsorption and high recombinant rate which inhibited its proficiency to work as a photocatalyst. So, recently, many advancement strategies have been introduced to overcome these difficulties such as doping, surface modification, conventional heterojunction, Z-scheme, and S-scheme heterojunction. But, in recent times, modern strategies including Z-scheme and S-scheme have attained typical consideration due to improved charge migration, and excellent light capture capability as well as longer the spatial life time of photocarriers while keeping the appropriate redox capability. So, this review offers an overview of current state-of-the-art in Ag2WO4-based heterojunctions and providing the insightful comments on the fabrication of these heterostructures. This review primarily focuses on structural and electronic properties via theoretical studies (DFT studies) as well as various synthesis methods to construct heterojunction of Ag2WO4. Also, exploration of different experimental approaches was done which provide confirmation for the operation of photocarriers migration between Ag2WO4 with another component. In addition, instances demonstrating the enhanced efficiency of Ag2WO4-based Z-scheme and S-scheme heterojunctions for several crucial photocatalytic processes includes dye colourization, antibiotic deterioration, heavy metal ions reduction, and bacterial disinfection. Designing rational Ag2WO4 heterojunction with small size particles and controlled morphology for suitable interfacial contact has received especial attention. Finally, the shortcomings of current research on Ag2WO4 based heterojunction photocatalysts are reviewed and prospected. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.

To address the pressing demand for sustainable energy in light of environmental challenges, this study explored the synergetic effects of the co-pyrolysis of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and Ulva lactuca macroalgae to yield bio-oil and biochar. The objective is to enhance the bio-oil quality for wider usability and to combat marine pollution. By employing co-pyrolysis, notable progress has been achieved in bio-oil yield and quality, particularly in hydrocarbon content, through the integration of PET. The highest bio-oil yield of 37.91 % was achieved under optimal conditions at 500 °C with a feedstock mixture consisting of 40 % U. lactuca and 60 % PET. Under these conditions, the bio-oil exhibited a significant increase in hydrocarbon content, reaching 57.16 %, which is essential for improving its energy potential. Biochar quality was also enhanced, with the biochar from a 70 % U. lactuca and 30 % PET blend showing a BET surface area of 20.18 m2/g, compared to the initial 1.38 m2/g of raw U. lactuca, indicating improved surface properties. This study presents a sustainable energy generation and environmental preservation approach, underscoring the potential of synergistically utilizing marine resources and plastic waste. © 2024 The Authors

Effective pretreatment is essential for successfully utilizing renewable resources such as lignocellulosic biomass in the production of bioethanol. In this study, ternary deep eutectic solvents (DESs), namely choline chloride/lactic acid/glycerol (ChCl/LA/Gly), choline chloride/oxalic acid/glycerol (ChCl/OA/Gly), choline chloride/lactic acid/ethylene glycol (ChCl/LA/EG), and choline chloride/oxalic acid/ethylene glycol (ChCl/OA/EG) were prepared and employed for the pretreatment of cellulose-rich Napier grass (NG). Post treatment, the NG hydrolysate was subjected to enzymatic saccharification followed by ethanol fermentation. The results showed effective delignification of NG after treatment with the prepared ternary DESs, with ChCl/LA/EG removing a maximum of 92.89% lignin. The efficiency of the prepared DESs is attributed to their low densities, pH, and viscosity. Enzymatic saccharification of ChCl/LA/EG-treated NG resulted in a 1.68 fold increase in reducing sugar yield compared to that of untreated NG. All pretreated NG produced more bioethanol via a separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) process than untreated NG after Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation. A maximum of 0.37 g bioethanol/g of biomass was obtained from the one-pot process using ChCl/LA/Gly pretreatment. FTIR and XRD analyses of untreated and pretreated NG corroborated the efficacy of the ternary DESs on cellulose recovery and delignification. Also, enzymatic and microbial inhibition studies on the prepared DESs show their potential to be employed in a one-pot process for biorefinery. The results of the present investigation show the potential of utilizing eco-friendly DESs and renewable resources for the production of bioethanol, a viable option to fossil fuels. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2024.

Catalyst development is one of the most challenging aspects in biodiesel production due to the compatibility issue with the feedstocks and catalyst poisoning upon exposure to process conditions. In the present research, chemoenzymatic catalyst was prepared by impregnation of magnesium aluminate (MA) on alumina support, modifying the support using activating agent, and immobilization of Candida rugosa lipase (CRL) onto the support. The optimum immobilization condition was resulting in 85.07 % of activity recovery of immobilized lipase, equivalent to 30.53 % of immobilization efficiency. The catalysts were characterized through XRD, FTIR, FESEM-EDX, NAA and CO2-TPD confirming the mixture of AlO(OH), magnesium aluminate (MA), (MgNO3)2 and Mg2+ on the support. CRL/L-lysine/MA showed remarkable improvement in thermal stability (40 − 70℃), solvents tolerance (ethanol, methanol, isopropanol, tert-butanol), and storage stability at 30 ℃, as compared to free CRL. CRL/L-lysine/MA successfully produced biodiesel yield up to 87.10 % at 200.71 rpm of agitation speed, 13.58 % (w/w) of water content, 10 h reaction time, 15 % (w/w) of catalyst loading, at 50 ℃, using 1:12 of oil to methanol molar ratio, and retaining 46.60 % of biodiesel yield after six cycle. The CRL/L-lysine/MA demonstrated novel catalysts characteristics comprising chemical and biological active species on a single support for biodiesel production from waste cooking oil (WCO). © 2024 Elsevier Ltd

The rising environmental concerns and the growing demand for renewable materials have surged across various industries. In this context, lignin, being a plentiful natural aromatic compound that possesses advantageous functional groups suitable for utilization in biocomposite systems, has gained notable attention as a promising and sustainable alternative to fossil-derived materials. It can be obtained from lignocellulosic biomass through extraction via various techniques, which may cause variability in its thermal, mechanical, and physical properties. Due to its excellent biocompatibility, eco-friendliness, and low toxicity, lignin has been extensively researched for the development of high-value materials including lignin-based biocomposites. Its aromatic properties also allow it to successfully substitute phenol in the production of phenolic resin adhesives, resulting in decreased formaldehyde emission. This review investigated and evaluated the role of lignin as a green filler in lignin-based lignocellulosic composites, aimed at enhancing their fire retardancy and decreasing formaldehyde emission. In addition, relevant composite properties, such as thermal properties, were investigated in this study. Markedly, technical challenges, including compatibility with other matrix polymers that are influenced by limited reactivity, remain. Some impurities in lignin and various sources of lignin also affect the performance of composites. While lignin utilization can address certain environmental issues, its large-scale use is limited by both process costs and market factors. Therefore, the exact mechanism by which lignin enhances flame retardancy, reduces formaldehyde emissions, and improves the long-term durability of lignocellulosic composites under various environmental conditions remains unclear and requires thorough investigation. Life cycle analysis and techno-economic analysis of lignin-based composites may contribute to understanding the overall influence of systems not only at the laboratory scale but also at a larger industrial scale. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.

This book highlights the types and importance of multitasking fungi and provides critical analysis of fungi involved in production of important enzymes. It also covers additional tasks of fungi such as biosorption, remediation, soil fertilization, and water treatment. This book discusses the types of fungi, their cultivation, execution of multitasking, and the analysis and recovery of products. This information can be used to understand and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of fungi in the production of a variety of products, such as antibiotics, enzymes, and biofuels. This book would be of interest to researchers working in industrial biotechnology, fungal physiology, environmental sciences and technology, sustainable technologies, and agricultural sciences. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s). All rights reserved.

The increasing global population has led to a surge in waste production across various fields including agriculture, industry, marine, and household, posing significant waste management challenges. Concurrently, the world is facing an energy crisis, emphasizing the crucial need for sustainable and renewable energy sources. This comprehensive review examines the potential of biomethane production from diverse waste biomass. Feedstock characteristics; anaerobic digestion (AD); biochemical pathways; factors influencing AD; various pretreatment methods such as physical, chemical, biological, and combined; existing policies supporting biomethane production; and potential new policy implications are discussed in this review along with the significance of waste-to-energy integration. Our findings indicate that lignocellulosic wastes, primarily agricultural waste, stand out as the most efficient biomass source for biomethane production due to their characteristics such as high carbon/nitrogen ratio, low ash content, and their abundant availability. Among pretreatment methods, combined pretreatment emerges as the most promising option, offering flexibility and effectiveness in enhancing biomethane production. Additionally, the two-stage digester configuration proves advantageous in overcoming limitations associated with single-stage digesters such as pH inhibition. Altogether, the review highlights that biomethane production from waste biomass through AD offers a sustainable solution. © 2024 Wiley-VCH GmbH.

The design and development of green and chemical nanomaterials is crucial because these systems can possess desired and manipulative photocatalysis and electrocatalysis. To achieve these features at the same time, Klockmannite Copper selenide (CuSe) emerging as a potential p-type semiconductor exhibits shape and size-dependent functional, optical, and electrical properties. Additionally, alterable bandgap, metallic character, localized surface plasmon resonance, and significant light absorption variability of CuSe make this class of material an efficient technological material. To cover the gaps in the field of CuSe and explore the potential to manage a sustainable environment, this review provides an overview of the design and development of green and chemical (but acceptable) CuSe for various advanced applications due to its indirect bandgap of 0.15–2.7 eV and scaled up synthesis using both top-down and bottom-up approaches. Despite numerous advantages, the limitations related to CuSe such as a small bandgap, charge carrier recombination, and a restricted ability to absorb visible light are also discussed in this article. Further, various modification possibilities, including doping or creating heterojunctions utilizing traditional (Type-I, -II, -III) and conventional techniques (Z-, Dual-Z-, S-scheme, etc.) to overcome these restrictions are also discussed carefully and critically. Functions of CuSe in energy conversion, supercapacitors, sensors, and environmental issue solutions have been covered in this study. Future outlooks, viewpoints, and conclusions on the subject have all been presented. We believe that this article will serve as a key document to project and promote CuSe for next-generation photocatalysis. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is a highly toxic form of chromium, which can be found in industrial effluents from various sectors, such as the metallurgical, tanning, and pigment industries. The presence of Cr(VI) in the environment is a concern due to its negative effects on human health and the ecosystem since it is carcinogenic, mutagenic, and can cause damage to the respiratory, renal, hepatic, and dermatological systems. Adsorption is a sustainable alternative for the removal of Cr(VI) from the environment since it is an efficient, low-cost technique and can be adjusted according to specific environmental conditions. The use of algae biomass activated with chemical agents can be a promising solution to improve the adsorption capacity of the material and contribute to the mitigation of contamination by Cr(VI) and the protection of human health and the environment. The results of the study indicate that the activation of the red macroalgae Gelidium sp. with zinc chloride (ZnCl2) resulted in improvements in the adsorbent properties of the material for the removal of Cr(VI) in aqueous solutions. The physical characteristics of the material were analyzed, and it was observed that the surface area increased from 2.90 to 3.12 m2 g−1 after activation with ZnCl2. Furthermore, changes in the surface structure of the material were observed, with the presence of irregularities, mainly after the adsorption of Cr(VI). The analysis of functional groups indicated that the main groups present in the native biomass remained after activation with zinc, and new diffraction peaks also appeared, indicating the chemical modification of the material. The adsorption experiments were carried out under different conditions, such as pH, dosage, temperature, Cr(VI) concentration, and contact time. It was observed that the adsorption was favored under acidic conditions, with a dose of 0.05 g L−1 of activated biomass. Equilibrium was reached quickly in the first few minutes, and the general kinetic model best fitted the experimental data. The kinetic adsorption capacity was higher for the activated material (226 mg g−1) compared to the native material (114 mg g−1). Increasing the concentration of Cr(VI) in the solution resulted in an increase in the adsorption capacity, indicating that the driving force gradient was greater at higher concentrations of the contaminating ion. The isothermal data were well fitted by the Koble-Corrigan heterogeneous surface model, and the maximum adsorption capacities were estimated at 126 mg g−1 and 240 mg g−1 for native and activated biomass, respectively, at the highest Cr(VI) concentration studied (150 mg L−1). The results indicate that the activation of the red macroalgae Gelidium sp. with zinc chloride improved its adsorbent properties for the removal of Cr(VI) ions, with high adsorption capacity and efficiency, demonstrating a high potential for application in the removal of Cr(VI) metal ions in aqueous solutions. Graphical Abstract: (Figure presented.) © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2023.

To date, the prevalence of commonly used plastics like Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) extends across diverse industries, from textiles to beverage bottles and daily packaging applications. Originally designed for up to 50 years of durable shelf life, these plastics face accelerated disposal challenges due to the pervasive “throw-away” culture. The rapid expansion of single-use plastic manufacturing, notably PET, has led to an astonishing global output of one million tons of plastic each year, highlighting the urgent requirement for efficient solutions in managing plastic waste. Carbon-based nanomaterials derived from PET are synthesized using chemical reactions in solution or high-temperature environments. This review discusses molten salt, hydrothermal, and one-step solvent-based synthesis techniques. We investigate advances in converting PET plastic into nanostructured materials, revealing their potential for energy storage, adsorption, supercapacitors, and sensors. As we navigate the challenges of plastic waste, this review scrutinizes the environmental impact by bridging the gap between plastic pollution and the utilization of upcycled nanomaterials of these pioneering methods, offering insights into their sustainability. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd

In this study, a cross-linked chitosan-epichlorohydrin/nanosilica (CS-EPH/NSi) bionanocomposite was prepared using a simple two-step process. First, functionalization of chitosan with nanosilica followed by crosslinking process with epichlorohydrin. The CS-EPH/NSi bionanocomposite’s adsorption property toward the removal of reactive orange 16 (RO16) dye was evaluated. The adsorption process of RO16 by CS-EPH/NSi was optimized using Box-Behnken design (BBD). The desirability function results revealed that the highest removal of RO16 (96.32%) is achieved at the following experimental conditions: solution pH of 4.26, dosage of CS-EPH/NSi = 0.089 g/100 mL, and contact time of 9.69 min. The Langmuir isotherm model was found to describe the equilibrium behavior of the monolayer adsorption process at 25 °C. The kinetics data of RO16 adsorption by CS-EPH/NSi were appropriately described by a pseudo-second order model, which suggests that the adsorption process occurs via chemisorption. The high adsorption capacity of CS-EPH/NSi for RO16 (110.2 mg/g) can be attributed to the electrostatic forces between the positively charged CS-EPH/NSi and the negatively charged RO16 anions, as well as n-π and H-bond interactions. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of CS-EPH/NSi as an adsorbent for the efficient removal of textile RO16 dye. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024.

Nutrients, heavy metals, micropollutants, and organic contaminants are all present in the minimal liquid discharge (MLD) discharge water as the MLD is designed to recover 95 % of the water from the wastewater, and the remaining 5 % is disposed of through conventional or advanced disposal strategies. The rejected brine cannot be utilized or discarded without eliminating the impurities. Microalgae cultivation in brine medium has been extensively researched for potential in the utilization of nutrients in the medium for its growth, and the harvested biomass can be beneficial and can become one of the efficient brine management strategies. The microalgae technique is considered sustainable and ecologically friendly compared to other brine management strategies because it generates zero secondary pollutants and provides income through biomass valorization. This review investigates the characteristics of brine from various MLD sectors; Tolerance of microalgae species in brine medium; Microalgae bioremediation and the mechanism adapted for the removal of nutrients, pollutants and other contaminants from the brine; Case studies that implemented microalgae-based brine management; and sloping microalgae solar evaporation pond system. Most significantly, the waste can be recovered as value-added bioproducts for the various sectors fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals through microalgae brine management. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.

Nonwood fibers are appealing substitutes for the raw materials for the pulp and paper sector, such as for packaging, whose market demand is growing, given their variety of sources and the decreasing trend of wood supply. To change the inherent hydrophilic properties of fibers, several specialty papers with additional features, such as hydrophobic qualities, have been actively produced globally. Compared with hydrophobic paper, superhydrophobic paper has a larger water contact angle (>150°), which endows it with superior capabilities, such as water repellence, anticorrosion, self-cleaning, anti-icing, drag reduction, and easy roll-off. This review presents the fundamentals of wettability, progress in preparing superhydrophobic nonwood papers, determination of the properties of superhydrophobic nonwood papers, characterization of superhydrophobic nonwood papers, and application of superhydrophobic nonwood papers. The future challenges, research, and development of superhydrophobic paper made from nonwood fibers are also briefly discussed. It is expected that durable superhydrophobic papers from non-wood sources can be produced using environmentally-friendly and economically-feasible technologies. Life cycle and techno-economic evaluations of superhydrophobic paper made from nonwood materials are recommended. The usage of these papers to replace plastic-based materials in food packaging and advanced applications like sensing devices would help to increase the use of sustainable materials. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd

The problem regarding improper disposal of waste cooking oil (WCO) can be solved via biotransformation of WCO to value added product using lipases as a biocatalyst. Thus, immobilization method was proposed for the recyclability of the biocatalyst. However, a comprehensive discussion on adsorption study is limited for lipase immobilization. In this study, Candida rugosa lipase (CRL) was immobilized on modified metal oxide (Mg2+/Al2O3) and the support was improved by addition of activating agent (L-lysine/Mg2+/Al2O3). Subsequently, the biocatalysts were used for esterification of WCO in the presence of methanol. Maximum adsorption capacity for the support was improved after addition of L-lysine resulting in 0.262 mg protein/g of support. The equilibrium adsorption data for both systems were fitted to the Redlich Peterson isotherm model while the kinetics study was most fitted with Elovich model, and the adsorption process were influenced by intraparticle and film diffusion mechanisms. Thermodynamic analysis explained that the adsorption process of CRL/L-lysine/Mg2+/Al2O3 was more spontaneous and stronger as compared to CRL/Mg2+/Al2O3. Furthermore, CRL/L-Lysine/Mg2+/Al2O3 exhibited its potential in esterification of WCO by converting 62.95% of free fatty acid (FFA), while CRL/Mg2+/Al2O3 converted lower FFA (53.62%). This study offers a fundamental understanding on designing an effective immobilization system by addition of activating agent to develop a good biocatalyst for biotransformation of WCO. © 2024 Institution of Chemical Engineers

Traditional and emerging contaminants pose significant human and environmental health risks. Conventional physical, chemical, and bioremediation techniques have been extensively studied for contaminant remediation. However, entomo- or insect-driven remediation has received limited research and public attention. Entomo-remediation refers to the use of insects, their associated gut microbiota, and enzymes to remove or mitigate organic contaminants. This novel approach shows potential as an eco-friendly method for mitigating contaminated media. However, a comprehensive review of the status, applications, and challenges of entomo-remediation is lacking. This paper addresses this research gap by examining and discussing the evidence on entomo-remediation of various legacy and emerging organic contaminants. The results demonstrate the successful application of entomo-remediation to remove legacy organic contaminants such as persistent organic pollutants. Moreover, entomo-remediation shows promise in removing various groups of emerging contaminants, including microplastics, persistent and emerging organic micropollutants (e.g., antibiotics, pesticides), and nanomaterials. Entomo-remediation involves several insect-mediated processes, including bio-uptake, biotransfer, bioaccumulation, and biotransformation of contaminants. The mechanisms underlying the biotransformation of contaminants are complex and rely on the insect gut microbiota and associated enzymes. Notably, while insects facilitate the remediation of contaminants, they may also be exposed to the ecotoxicological effects of these substances, which is often overlooked in research. As an emerging field of research, entomo-remediation has several knowledge gaps. Therefore, this review proposes ten key research questions to guide future perspectives and advance the field. These questions address areas such as process optimization, assessment of ecotoxicological effects on insects, and evaluation of potential human exposure and health risks. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.

Worldwide population growth has considerably increased the use of automobiles, which has raised serious concerns about the production of vast quantities of waste tyres (WT) and subsequent disposal problems. When WT builds up in the environment without proper recycling strategies, toxic repercussions in various forms increase. The practice of clearing waste through open air burning has been abandoned, and it poses major risks to human health and atmospheric pollution. Reuse of WT is accomplished via several recycling techniques. The WT pyrolysis approach is discussed in this review, which is described as a thermochemical process carried out at high temperature to convert WT mainly into charcoal, a material used as an adsorbent agent. In addition to this solid portion, pyrolysis produces liquid and gas fractions, all influenced by the conditions of the pyrolysis process. This review provides a cutting-edge critical appraisal of studies on adsorbents made from char generated during pyrolysis and its use in the sequestration of pollutants from wastewater. In summary, this review on the WT pyrolysis focuses a promising approach to addressing disposal challenges, lowering harmful environmental impacts, and proposing an effective solution for removing pollutants from water. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd

Herein, a low-grade Malaysian coal namely Merit Karpit coal (MRTKC) was transformed into high surface area mesoporous activated carbon (MRTKC-AC) via pyrolysis-assisted ZnCl2 activation. A numerical optimization approach rooted in the Box-Behnken design (BBD) was employed to determine the best operational conditions such as A: dosage of MRTKC-AC (ranging from 0.02 to 0.1 g/100 mL), B: the pH of the solution (varying from 4 to 10), and C: the contact time (ranging from 5 to 25 min). A notable surface area of 1229.1 m2/g and a distinctive mesoporous structure with an average pore diameter of 2.9 nm was achieved at optimum impregnation ratio (1 MRTKC: 2 ZnCl2), heating temperature 500 °C, and residence time 60 min. Moreover, the application of MRTKC-AC was evaluated through the removal of methyl violet (MV) from the aqueous environment. The comprehensive equilibrium and kinetic adsorption analyses showed that the adsorption of MV by MRTKC-AC matched closely to the Langmuir isotherm model, while the kinetic behavior was suitably described by the pseudo-second order model. Thus, the maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) for MV dye onto MRTKC-AC was ascertained to be a substantial 238.6 mg/g. The MV dye adsorption mechanism onto MRTKC-AC surface indicates various dye–adsorbent interactions: electrostatic attraction, p–p interaction, and H-bonding. This work shows that Malaysian low-rank coal is an economical precursor for producing low-cost and efficient mesoporous activated carbon with substantive surface area. © 2024 Institution of Chemical Engineers

Plasmonic-based semiconductors are compelling contenders of current research endeavors to drive chemical reactions via plasmonic and phononic light-matter interactions. Among various plasmonic metals, Ni as a non-precious metal has been extensively studied due to its ability to participate in interband excitation and comparable metal-hydrogen binding energy to that of noble metals including Pt and Ag. The phenomenally high charge-carrier density in photoexcited Ni-based plasmonic nanomaterials offers photochemical conversion of high-energy chemical bonds accompanied by thermal effect. Since the research on the plasmonic activity of the non-precious metal is still emerging, no comprehensive review has addressed the significance of Ni as a plasmonic photocatalyst to the best of our knowledge. This review article sums up the recent progress in the field of plasmonic photocatalysis focusing on Ni-based photocatalysts. The basic principles of the plasmonic effect have been presented, along with an explanation of why Ni may be a viable option. Ni has been investigated for use as a co-catalyst and plasmonic photocatalyst in composite photocatalysis to achieve an accelerated process. After the energy transfer mechanism has been assessed, the review covers the state-of-the-art of two significant effects—plasmon energy transfer and the localized heating effect that are responsible for increased efficiency in energy production. In conclusion, we have included a synopsis of the assessment and emphasized the problems that must be resolved before the technology can be made available for purchase. In a nutshell, the chemistry of plasmonic photocatalysis is promising; but acquiring a detailed mechanism of charge transfer and utilization of charge carriers is still a roadblock in apprehending the full potential of plasmonic photocatalysis. Therefore, this study aims to motivate the scientific community to envision impactful work in the creation of next-generation plasmonic photocatalysts. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.

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Waste is a cross-cutting concern as it imposes serious threats to the environment and local habitats. Therefore, the recognition and inclusion of effective waste management strategies in decision-making are fundamental to achieving sustainable development goals. Waste management enables communities to resource recovery from waste and promotes zero waste concepts. In the recent past, several potential point sources have been identified for resource recovery from waste. Municipal wastewater treatment plants (MWTPs) are at the very core of such sources, as treated sewage in such plants is a highly reliable, low-cost, and gigantic feedstock. Being a promising renewable energy source, biomass available at MWTPs and its conversion into biofuels is, however, widely studied. Thermochemical methods are highly advantageous for harvesting biofuels owing to their versatile nature, high production yield from feedstock, cost-effectiveness, environmental benignity, lower footprints, and efficiency in producing fungible liquid fuels. Here, in this chapter, basic thermochemical processes are emphasized to illustrate the conversion of organic and biomass of MWTPs into biofuels like biochar, biogas, etc. The first part of the chapter presents an overview of the different chemicals and materials that can be obtained from MWTPs. Afterward, a description of various thermochemical methods like pyrolysis, gasification, and hydrothermal techniques has been provided for a deeper understanding of the field. At last, recent advancements, challenges, and future aspects of the approach have been discussed. © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Water is the lifeline of all living forms on earth, meeting the demand for drinking water and acquiring safe water is a pipe dream for the majority of people in the world as well as a big issue too. There are lots of challenges accustomed to the availability of drinking water due to increasing problems like intense urbanization, chemical product usage, and the presence of emerging contaminants. From the review done in the paper, groundwater is noted to have better quality than surface waters but is lacking in terms of agricultural run-offs percolation and inappropriate disposal of domestic effluents. As much as there are several kinds of water treatment technologies available for treating water, these systems would be inappropriate or too expensive for a large population in developing countries rural areas, and underdeveloped countries. More research interests are growing in water microbiological quality and lowering waterborne diseases. All of these approaches are essentially intended to remove pollutants and contaminants from water adsorb them and in turn, make them safe for drinking. This chapter discusses traditional practices like sedimentation, solar disinfection, and various filtration methods that are widely used in rural areas. However, rural treatments of water differ according to climate, water resources, quality, adaptability of treatment methods, and skills of the people implementing the techniques. © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

This research aims to convert pomegranate peel (PP) into microporous activated carbon (PPAC) using a microwave assisted K2CO3 activation method. The optimum activation conditions were carried out with a 1:2 PP/K2CO3 impregnation ratio, radiation power 800 W, and 15 min irradiation time. The statistical Box–Behnken design (BBD) was employed as an effective tool for optimizing the factors that influence the adsorption performance and removal of methylene blue (MB) dye. The output data of BBD with a desirability function indicate a 94.8% removal of 100 mg/L MB at the following experimental conditions: PPAC dose of 0.08 g, solution pH of 7.45, process temperature of 32.1 °C, and a time of 30 min. The pseudo-second order (PSO) kinetic model accounted for the contact time for the adsorption of MB. At equilibrium conditions, the Freundlich adsorption isotherm describes the adsorption results, where the maximum adsorption capacity of PPAC for MB dye was 291.5 mg g−1. This study supports the utilization of biomass waste from pomegranate peels and conversion into renewable and sustainable adsorbent materials. As well, this work contributes to the management of waste biomass and water pollutant sequestration. © 2023 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Valorization of Wastes for Sustainable Development: Waste to Wealth highlights the various valorization of organic and non-organic waste to offer a way forward to a sustainable world. Categorizing the various types of waste valorization for renewable fuel production and other valorizations utilizing organic and non-organic waste, this book offers the reader a comprehensive view of various waste valorizations together with their potential applications. Split into four sections, the book's chapters cover the general scenarios and challenges of current waste management and the valorization of waste specifically for renewable fuels as the alternative energy source to depleting fossil fuels. Other chapters cover waste valorizations categorized into organic and non-organic waste for various applications and the future prospect of waste valorizations with possible plans and strategies for effective global waste management.

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is a highly toxic form of chromium, which can be found in industrial effluents from various sectors, such as the metallurgical, tanning, and pigment industries. The presence of Cr(VI) in the environment is a concern due to its negative effects on human health and the ecosystem since it is carcinogenic, mutagenic, and can cause damage to the respiratory, renal, hepatic, and dermatological systems. Adsorption is a sustainable alternative for the removal of Cr(VI) from the environment since it is an efficient, low-cost technique and can be adjusted according to specific environmental conditions. The use of algae biomass activated with chemical agents can be a promising solution to improve the adsorption capacity of the material and contribute to the mitigation of contamination by Cr(VI) and the protection of human health and the environment. The results of the study indicate that the activation of the red macroalgae Gelidium sp. with zinc chloride (ZnCl) resulted in improvements in the adsorbent properties of the material for the removal of Cr(VI) in aqueous solutions. The physical characteristics of the material were analyzed, and it was observed that the surface area increased from 2.90 to 3.12 m g after activation with ZnCl. Furthermore, changes in the surface structure of the material were observed, with the presence of irregularities, mainly after the adsorption of Cr(VI). The analysis of functional groups indicated that the main groups present in the native biomass remained after activation with zinc, and new diffraction peaks also appeared, indicating the chemical modification of the material. The adsorption experiments were carried out under different conditions, such as pH, dosage, temperature, Cr(VI) concentration, and contact time. It was observed that the adsorption was favored under acidic conditions, with a dose of 0.05 g L of activated biomass. Equilibrium was reached quickly in the first few minutes, and the general kinetic model best fitted the experimental data. The kinetic adsorption capacity was higher for the activated material (226 mg g) compared to the native material (114 mg g). Increasing the concentration of Cr(VI) in the solution resulted in an increase in the adsorption capacity, indicating that the driving force gradient was greater at higher concentrations of the contaminating ion. The isothermal data were well fitted by the Koble-Corrigan heterogeneous surface model, and the maximum adsorption capacities were estimated at 126 mg g and 240 mg g for native and activated biomass, respectively, at the highest Cr(VI) concentration studied (150 mg L). The results indicate that the activation of the red macroalgae Gelidium sp. with zinc chloride improved its adsorbent properties for the removal of Cr(VI) ions, with high adsorption capacity and efficiency, demonstrating a high potential for application in the removal of Cr(VI) metal ions in aqueous solutions. Graphical Abstract: (Figure presented.)

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Pharmaceuticals in the concentration range of hundreds of ng/L to μg/L occur in wastewater and end up in surface water, groundwater and agricultural land where they cause various health risks. These pollutants are classified as emerging and cannot be efficiently removed by conventional wastewater treatment processes. The use of nano-enabled photocatalysts in the removal of pharmaceuticals in aquatic systems has recently received research attention owing to their enhanced properties and effectiveness. The industrial scale application of photocatalytic technology is still limited. A comprehensive review on the removal of pharmaceuticals from real wastewater using the photocatalysts is therefore necessary. This paper reviews literature on the occurrence, fate, and nano-sized photocatalytic removal strategies of pharmaceuticals from wastewater. Modifications of nano-enabled photocatalysts through doping, deposition on various supports, and introducing magnetic character to enhance their photocatalytic efficiency and recyclability were discussed. The synthetic routes of photocatalysts influence the physical and chemical properties which can either enhance or inhibit their effectiveness. The benefits of photocatalytic degradation include easy recycling as they exhibit excellent stability, and can be used for several cycles. Going forward, research should focus on: (1) elucidation of photodegradation mechanisms, (2) real wastewater treatment at industrial scale to remove multiple pharmaceutical compounds, (3) regeneration, and disposal particularly towards large scale application, (4) life cycle assessment of the photocatalysts from synthesis to application, (5) lowering the cost and improving photodegradation efficiency, and (6) investigating the toxicity of intermediates to the photocatalyst and the environment. © 2023 The Authors

The unscientific disposal of the most abundant crustacean wastes, especially those derived from marine sources, affects both the economy and the environment. Strategic waste collection and management is the need of the hour. Sustainable valorization approaches have played a crucial role in solving those issues as well as generating wealth from waste. The shellfishery wastes are rich in valuable bioactive compounds such as chitin, chitosan, minerals, carotenoids, lipids, and other amino acid derivatives. These value-added components possessed pleiotropic applications in different sectors viz., food, nutraceutical, cosmeceutical, agro-industrial, healthcare, and pharmaceutical sectors. The manuscript covers the recent status, scope of shellfishery management, and different bioactive compounds obtained from crustacean wastes. In addition, both sustainable and conventional routes of valorization approaches were discussed with their merits and demerits along with their combinations. The utilization of nano and microtechnology was also included in the discussion, as they have become prominent research areas in recent years. More importantly, the future perspectives of crustacean waste management and other potential valorization approaches that can be implemented on a large scale. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.

The increasing rise of hazardous dye (toxic and carcinogenic) in wastewater produced by multiple industries continues to become major threats to human health and environment, providing a big problem for conventional water treatment facilities to tackle this issue. Based on their appearance and physical characteristics, dyes are classified into different categories and are used in many industries. The presence of these dyes in water effluents imposes negative impacts on humans, ecosystem, and the aquatic organisms. To overcome these problems, numerous physical, chemical, and bio-based treatment methods have been researched and reported with different level of removal efficiencies based on the limitations of each approach and experimental conditions. Featuring high performance in removal efficiency, simplicity of usage, economical, and high recyclability of the absorbents have made adsorption as one of the most effective dye remediation methods. The creation of excellent nanomaterials has sped up the revolution in most industries. Green nanomaterials sourced from plant are the most promising technology as the raw materials exist in abundance in addition to the renewable resources. Nanocellulose from plant biomass exhibits excellent characteristics of renewability, biocompatibility with large surface area and high strength. In recent years, interest in utilizing nanocellulose and its derivatives as potential green approach for the removal of wastewater pollutants has emerged drastically. The present review focuses on the cellulose-based adsorptions for dye remediations, characterization aspects, parametric influence, modelling, and mechanisms. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.

Numerous investigations have been conducted to address 2,4-D removal from water via adsorption approach. The present review offers insights into the underlying mechanisms, pinpoint gaps in the knowledge of the process, and offer a perspective for forthcoming inquiries. Notably, the highest adsorption capacity for 2,4-D reaches 556 mg/g, attributed to a metal-organic framework (MOF) based on porous chromium-benzenedicarboxylate. 2,4-D interactions with most adsorbents are usually by electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonds, van der Waals forces, and π–π interaction. Isotherm modelling for 2,4-D uptake reveals either Langmuir or Freundlich as best-fit depending on whether uptake is monolayer or multilayer. The pseudo-second order kinetic equation effectively modelled the kinetics of uptake, highlighting that the rate of adsorption is contingent upon both the quantity of active sites and the concentration of 2,4-D within the aqueous phase. The thermodynamics modelling reveals that its adsorptive uptake is always spontaneous. Over a wide range of eluents, 2,4-D can be desorbed from the adsorbents back into the aqueous phase and the adsorbents are mostly reusable for over 5 cycles. Future work could explore the economic analysis and scalability of adsorption processes for the removal of 2,4-D. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd

The flavonoid rutin is present in significant amounts in the flower buds of Sophora japonica L. It offers numerous desired pharmacological effects. Under certain extraction conditions quercetin is found as a hydrolysis product which needs to be separated from rutin. This paper describes the application of liquid chromatography to solve this task. Based on the determination of adsorption equilibrium constants and column efficiencies, the productivity of the separation process is estimated, and scale-up considerations are presented. A comparison with alternatively directly crystallizing rutin from raw extracts is also reported. © 2023 The Authors. Chemie Ingenieur Technik published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.

Recently, the concept of green chemistry has emerged as a novel and efficient way for environmental remediation. Amongst several biomaterials, cellulose is the most widely utilized natural biopolymer and significant adsorbent due to its unique and exceptional characteristics such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, reproducibility, non-toxicity, cost-effectiveness, increased specific area, greater interaction between active sites and pollutants, and high adsorption capacity. On the other hand, photocatalysis, an advanced water purification technique accelerates chemical reactions in the presence of light. But, the photocatalysts are inherited with certain limitations like low surface area for adsorption, charge carriers’ recombination rate, etc. In this regard, the combination of cellulose with other photocatalysts typically results in adsorptional photocatalysis which improved porosity, surface area, and photocatalytic efficacy of photocatalysts. Cellulose serves as a support material and acts as an electron mediator that effectively enhanced charge carrier's migration ability and decreases their recombination rate. Hence, the current review mainly focuses on the incorporation of cellulose materials with various photocatalysts to enhance their photocatalytic efficiency. Also, the review briefly discussed the structural properties and various types of cellulose biomaterials as well as various types of harmful dyes with their hazardous effects. Additionally, the photocatalytic efficacy of various metal-oxides, metal-sulfides, metal-free photocatalysts, and cellulose-supported photocatalysts was explored with mechanistic insights toward the photodegradation of toxic dyes. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.

In this study, a layered MgFe/double hydroxide (MgFe/LDH) adsorbent for nitrate removal from simulated systems was developed and investigated. Three different synthesis methods were used: coprecipitation at constant pH (CC), conventional hydrothermal (CH), and pre-ultrasonic followed by conventional hydrothermal (UCH). The XRD results indicated that all synthesized samples presented the characteristic structure of LDHs. The analysis of FT-IR spectra before and after nitrate adsorption allowed the analysis of NO3−MgFe/LDH interaction in different adsorbents. Adsorption kinetics showed that all adsorbents reached equilibrium around 120 min, with the adsorption capacity being 6.970, 6.690, and 5.610 mg g−1 for the UCH, CH, and CC, respectively. Pseudo-second order and Langmuir models were the best models for describing the kinetics and isotherm data. The highest maximum adsorption capacity was reached at 330 K, with a value of 21.18 mg g−1 for the UHC. Thermodynamic analysis indicated that the adsorption of nitrate was exothermic and spontaneous despite the system. The results of this study suggest that the MgFe/LDH adsorbent synthesized by the UCH method with hydrothermal treatment presents a promising and efficient way of removing nitrate from polluted water, with potential application in the purification of water for human and environmental use. © 2023 The Authors

Electronic waste (e-waste) management has become a significant challenge in recent years due to the increasing consumption of electronic devices and their improper disposal. Effective e-waste management requires a comprehensive approach that considers the environmental, economic, and social impacts of e-waste. This comprehensive review provides a critical assessment of e-waste management procedures, encompassing the stages of collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal. Emphasising the significance of embracing sustainable approaches like reusing, repairing, and recycling, the review underscores their pivotal role in mitigating the adverse environmental and human health effects of e-waste. This review provides an overview of e-waste management concerns specifically in India from its collection to the end cycle including toxicological, environmental, and human impacts and a graphical analysis of current and future e-waste trends. It emphasises the need to effectively enforce regulations and establish extended producer responsibility (EPR) to promote sustainable e-waste management practices. Additionally, the review delves into the complexities surrounding e-waste management, such as insufficient infrastructure, resource and funding constraints, and a dearth of awareness among stakeholders. It strongly underscores the necessity for a concerted endeavour involving governments, industries, and communities to tackle these obstacles and advance the cause of efficient e-waste management practices. This paper is valuable to the scientific community as it offers a thorough assessment of e-waste management, focusing on environmental, economic, and social impacts. It emphasises sustainable practices and regulatory measures, providing actionable insights to address e-waste challenges. Overall, this review provides a comprehensive overview of e-waste management and highlights the importance of adopting sustainable practices to address the negative impacts of e-waste on the environment, human health, and the economy. © 2023 by the authors.

Recently, BiOX-based (X = F, Cl, Br, I, etc.) photocatalysts have been discovered and used in many energy and environmental applications. However, inadequate reduction activities and positive conduction band minimum (CBM) potential are the main bottlenecks of BiOX. Therefore, a potential solution to addressing such constraints is to adopt a Bi-rich strategy with BiOX photocatalyst. The comprehensive features of Bi-rich BixOyBrz led us to select them over all other BiOX. These photocatalysts exhibit perfect band gap in the visible region ≅ 2.8 eV, account top portion of visible light (43–45%), and have rich atomic composition and layered crystal structure (providing large surface area for charge transfer), making them ideal photocatalysts. With their unique properties, the modified Bi-rich BixOyBrz is more favorable to addressing environmental and energy conversion concerns. However, fast charge recombination and more positive conduction band of some of the Bi-rich BixOyBrz reduce their photocatalytic activity. As a result, the current review offers an in-depth overview of numerous strategies for modifying Bi-rich BixOyBrz photocatalysts, such as employing co-catalysts, doping, heterojunction, microstructure regulation, etc. The detailed characteristics of Bi-rich BixOyBrz and their synthesis processes are also briefly presented in the proposed review paper. Also, various applications of Bi-rich BixOyBrz photocatalysts for pollutant degradation, hydrogen generation, solar fuel conversion, CO2 reduction, and nitrogen fixation have been presented with their proposed photocatalytic mechanism. Finally, following in-depth analysis and reasoned discussion, the article concludes with key findings and future research directions that provide new advancements in other rapidly evolving disciplines that can find application in the energy and environmental areas. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.

Valorization of Wastes for Sustainable Development: Waste to Wealth highlights the various valorization of organic and non-organic waste to offer a way forward to a sustainable world. Categorizing the various types of waste valorization for renewable fuel production and other valorizations utilizing organic and non-organic waste, this book offers the reader a comprehensive view of various waste valorizations together with their potential applications. Split into four sections, the book's chapters cover the general scenarios and challenges of current waste management and the valorization of waste specifically for renewable fuels as the alternative energy source to depleting fossil fuels. Other chapters cover waste valorizations categorized into organic and non-organic waste for various applications and the future prospect of waste valorizations with possible plans and strategies for effective global waste management. © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Over the past several decades, the increase in industrialization provoked the discharge of harmful pollutants into the environment, affecting human beings and ecosystems. ZnO-based photocatalysts seem to be the most promising photocatalysts for treating harmful pollutants. However, fast charge carrier recombination, photo corrosion, and long reaction time are the significant factors that reduce the photoactivity of ZnO-based photocatalysts. In order to enhance the photoactivity of such photocatalysts, a combined process i.e., sonocatalysis + photocatalysis = sonophotocatalysis was used. Sonophotocatalysis is one of several different AOP methods that have recently drawn considerable interest, as it produces high reactive oxygen species (ROS) which helps in the oxidation of pollutants by acoustic cavitation. This combined technique enhanced the overall efficiency of the individual method by overcoming its limiting factors. The current review aims to present the theoretical and fundamental aspects of sonocatalysis and photocatalysis along with a detailed discussion on the benefits that can be obtained by the combined process i.e., US + UV (sonophotocatalysis). Also, we have provided a comparison of the excellent performance of ZnO to that of the other metal oxides. The purpose of this study is to discuss the literature concerning the potential applications of ZnO-based sonophotocatalysts for the degradation of pollutants i.e., dyes, antibiotics, pesticides, phenols, etc. That are carried out for future developments. The role of the produced ROS under light and ultrasound stimulation and the degradation mechanisms that are based on published literature are also discussed. In the end, future perspectives are suggested, that are helpful in the development of the sonophotocatalysis process for the remediation of wastewater containing various pollutants. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd

Removal of arsenic from wastewater has been crucial in recent days because of its high persistence and bioaccumulation causing serious health and environmental issues, listed in highly toxic pollutants. The review will cover broad perspectives of the electrodeionization (EDI) technique as a sustainable approach towards the wastewater detoxification by eliminating toxic arsenic. The electrodeionization employs hybrid electrodialysis/ion exchange method to eliminate arsenic ions from water before reusing processed water. The process utilizes anion/cation exchange resins that are persistently regenerated by an electric current, which significantly reduces the ions in water. Here, we will discuss module configuration, performance optimization and an overview of the EDI process and discuss the mechanism of ion separation. The applications and recent advances with respect to the removal/recovery of toxic arsenic using EDI to produce pure water are discussed. The future perspectives and sustainability aspects of EDI process for arsenic and other hazardous pollutant removal are critically evaluated with its potential applications. According to findings of this study, electrodeionization has the highest ion removal capacity of around 99 % when performed under low voltage range. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is deemed a priority contaminant owing to its carcinogenicity, teratogenicity, and mutagenicity towards flora and fauna. A novel Chitosan-modified Mimosa pigra biochar (CMPBC) was fabricated and the efficiency of Cr(VI) oxyanion removal in aqueous systems was compared with the pristine biochar. The instrumental characterization of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) confirmed the amino modification of MPBC when treated with chitosan. Characteristic features of the Cr(VI) sorptive process by CMPBC and MPBC were examined by performing batch sorption studies. Experimental data suggested that sorption is heavily dependent on pH and the highest adsorption occurred at pH 3.0. The maximum adsorption capacity of CMPBC was 14.6 ± 1.07 mg g−1. It was further noted that the removal efficiency of CMPBC (92%) was considerably greater than that of MPBC (75%) when the solution pH, biochar dose, and initial concentration of Cr(VI) are 3.0, 1.0 g L−1 and 5.0 mg L−1 respectively. The kinetic data were best interpreted by the power function model (R2 = 0.97) suggesting a homogenous chemisorption process. The isotherm data for the removal of Cr(VI) by CMPBC was inferred well by Redlich Peterson (R2 = 0.96) and Temkin (R2 = 0.96) isotherms. Results of sorption-desorption regeneration cycles indicated that the Cr(VI) uptake by CMPBC is not fully reversible. The coexistence of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) on CMPBC was confirmed through the XPS analysis. The electrostatic attractions between cationic surface functionalities and Cr(VI) oxyanions, the partial reductive transformation of Cr(VI) species to Cr(III), as well as complexation of Cr(III) onto CMPBC were identified as the possible mechanisms of mitigation of Cr(VI) by CMPBC. The results and outcomes of this research suggest the possibility of utilizing the CMPBC as an easily available, environmentally sustainable, and inexpensive sorbent to decontaminate Cr(VI) from aqueous media. © 2023 Elsevier Inc.

The COVID-19 pandemic signified an unprecedented driver of plastic pollution, mainly composed of single-use face masks (FMs). Aiming to understand their negative impact (whether aged or not)on the trophic chain, biotic (e.g., bio-incrustation) and abiotic factors (e.g., UV-light, mechanical abrasion) which affect the toxicological profile of FMs or their sub-products (mainly microplastics, MPs, and nanoplastics, PNPs) were studied. In addition to the capacity of FMs to be an immediate source of MPs/PNPs, according to reports in the scientific literature, they are also good substrates since they tend to facilitate the proliferation and transport of eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms, pathogens such as the SARS-CoV-2 virus, contaminating water sources and facilitating the enrichment and spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) in the environment. However, there is limited research on macrofouling and species dispersal. Therefore, the present review aimed to provide an updated and summarized analysis of the environmental and ecotoxicological contribution of this type of waste as well as literature regarding face mask degradation and MPs and/or PNPs release, interaction with biota, colonization in addition to recommendations for future studies. © 2023 The Author(s)

By-products obtained through the industrial and municipal wastewater treatment process are called sewage sludge; they are rich in various sources of important compounds and nutrients. Various sources through which sludge is generated are mechanical, chemical, and biological treatment techniques of wastewater. Due to rapid urbanization and industrialization, this generated sludge poses a major threat to the environment. This generated sludge has a variety of organic and inorganic chemicals and pathogens. Nowadays this waste sludge has to undergo dewatered technique and then disposed of in a landfill as a result of which the pollutant present in the sludge and its problem are shifting from a liquid state to a solid state. The organic insoluble pollutants produced by industry can be the prime resource of energy and thus should be used in various forms. Due to its high-energy value, sludge can be made to be used as fertilizer or soil conditioner for agriculture purposes and adsorbent in the form of biochar to remove trace metals and dyes. Initially, sludge produced from wastewater treatment was considered a waste product because of the expected high amount of contaminants but a recent study suggests sustainable use of sewage sludge like use as a component of clinker meals in cement plants, ceramic adhesive, can be used to remove heavy metals, gases pollutant, and organic matter from water. This study is an approach to catalog multiple sewage applications and their sustainable approaches to using has been discussed. © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Treatment of wastewater and generation of energy are major challenges faced by many countries. This chapter examines the treatment of industrial-related pollution using an energy recovery technology that addresses the problems of both industrial wastewater treatment and electricity. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) represent an innovative sustainable technology solution that generates bioenergy and simultaneously treats wastewater. MFCs are associated with the merits of low-cost factors and eco-friendly approaches. The chapter presents different configurations and working of MFCs, important parameters, electrode materials, proton exchange membranes, and recent analysis. Further, the most indispensable approach of the MFC-based technology discussed serves as sustainable means toward the treatment of industrial wastewater. © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Advanced Functional Materials and Methods for Photodegradation of Toxic Pollutants addresses the potential role of visible active photocatalytic methods for the removal of various emerging and persistent organic pollutants (POPs.) Describing the classification, sources and potential risks of emerging organics in water bodies and the environment, the book covers the different synthesis methods of visible active structured photocatalysts and structure related properties to their applications in photocatalytic processes for the removal of antibiotics, pharma and heavy metal pollutants. This book provides an invaluable reference to academics, researchers and technicians in chemical engineering, chemistry and environmental science. In addition, the mechanistic insights associated with the interaction of advanced functional materials and water pollutants along with the possible reaction pathway occurring during the visible light induced photocatalytic processes together with toxicity are discussed in detail along with the reutilization of catalysts, supporting the inherent reaction conditions performed with natural conditions. © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Nanotechnology is one of the most innovative and fascinating domains of science and technology. The application of nanotechnology to engineering enables creation of nanomaterials with unique qualities for a variety of engineering applications that have been established and used for human advancement. In the past few years, it has proved its ability to contribute to one of the most important environmental concerns, wastewater treatment. In recent years, several novel nanoparticle adsorbents have been proposed to improve the efficacy and adsorption capabilities of harmful contaminants from wastewater. The current research looks at using Nanoparticles as a nanoadsorbent to remove heavy metals from wastewater. The fundamentals of adsorption, as well as a variety of nanoadsorbents often utilized in wastewater treatment, are discussed in this work. The goal of this chapter is to highlight the importance of adsorption, various Nanoparticles synthesis methods and their application in the field of wastewater treatment. © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.