Dufour P, Bayebila Menanzambi T, Pirard C
… +1 more, Charlier C
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int
· 2026 Jul · PMID 42390703
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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic compounds widely used for their remarkable chemical properties, but they are raising growing health concerns. While biomonitoring data exist for North America, Eur...Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic compounds widely used for their remarkable chemical properties, but they are raising growing health concerns. While biomonitoring data exist for North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region, evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa was scarce. The objective of the present study is to measure PFAS contamination in volunteers recruited in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. We assessed serum PFAS concentrations in 136 adults (63.2% men and 36.8% women, median age: 33.5 years) recruited in 2022 and 2023 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Fourteen PFAS were measured using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (Agilent 1290 Infinity II LC/Agilent 6495 LC/TQ MS). Only five compounds were quantified in more than 10% of samples: perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), linear perfluorooctane sulfonate (linPFOS), and total PFOS (totPFOS). Median serum levels were 0.166 ng/mL (PFNA), 0.270 ng/mL (PFHxS), 0.384 ng/mL (PFOA), 0.675 ng/mL (linPFOS), and 1.70 ng/mL (totPFOS). Compared with international data, PFAS levels in our population were among the lowest reported in the past decade. Only 0.7% of participants exceeded the German HBM-I value for PFOA while no volunteer exceeded this threshold for linPFOS. These HBM-I values are concentrations below which no health effect are. These findings suggest relatively low health risks related to PFAS in Kinshasa compared to Western and Asian countries. In the DRC context, where risk associated to other pollutants such as triclosan, lead or DDT metabolites is higher, resources may be better directed toward these more pressing threats.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int
· 2026 Jul · PMID 42390702
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The growing volume of construction and demolition waste and the high carbon footprint of cement production have driven interest in waste-derived materials for sustainable concrete. This study presents a critical systemat...The growing volume of construction and demolition waste and the high carbon footprint of cement production have driven interest in waste-derived materials for sustainable concrete. This study presents a critical systematic review of the use of gypsum waste powder (GWP) and ceramic waste powder (CWP) as partial cement replacements, focusing on material mechanisms, performance limits, durability behaviour and sustainability trade-offs. The review follows PRISMA 2020 guidelines, and peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2025 were systematically screened and synthesized. The review indicates that CWP exhibits a broader and more reliable performance window than GWP, attributed to its silica-rich composition, pozzolanic reactivity and microfilling effect. Cement replacement levels of approximately 10-20% CWP are consistently associated with improved compressive and flexural strength, reduced chloride penetration and enhanced durability under controlled curing conditions, whereas higher replacement levels require blending with reactive supplementary cementitious materials. In contrast, GWP demonstrates a narrower and exposure-sensitive applicability, with effective replacement typically limited to 10-15% due to sulphate-related risks affecting setting behaviour and long-term durability. From a sustainability perspective, partial cement replacement using GWP and CWP can reduce embodied CO₂ emissions by approximately 7-10% per 10% cement substitution, although net benefits depend strongly on processing energy, transportation distance and durability performance. Overall, this review establishes clear performance thresholds, failure mechanisms and applicability boundaries for GWP and CWP, providing decision-oriented guidance for sustainable concrete design and identifying key research needs related to durability, standardization and life cycle assessment.
Shetty AD, Nair AB, Dasari H
… +1 more, Sundarabal N
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int
· 2026 Jul · PMID 42387186
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A zinc-manganese bimetallic metal-organic framework (Zn-Mn MOF) was synthesised using room temperature, and its adsorption performance was evaluated against methyl paraben (MePr), an emerging endocrine-disrupting compoun...A zinc-manganese bimetallic metal-organic framework (Zn-Mn MOF) was synthesised using room temperature, and its adsorption performance was evaluated against methyl paraben (MePr), an emerging endocrine-disrupting compound. The adsorbent exhibited high removal efficiencies for MePr, corresponding to the synergistic effect of Zn and Mn, and its high specific surface area (SSA) of 1657.2 m/g. The synthesised MOF was characterised using FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, XRD, FE-SEM, and BET analyses, which revealed the development of a microporous framework with a hexagonal morphology and high SSA. FTIR verified incorporation of the 2-methylimidazole linker, while XRD showed sharp ZIF-8-type reflections with slight shifts attributable to Mn incorporation; XPS further confirmed the chemical states of the metal centres within the framework. To conduct adsorption batch studies, pH, adsorbent dosage, concentration, contact time, and temperature were chosen as variables. The kinetic analysis estimated that the adsorption followed pseudo-second order kinetics with R > 0.99. The adsorption isotherm studies were defined by the Langmuir model, achieving a maximum adsorption capacity of 52.38 mg/g. The adsorption thermodynamics confirmed that the process is spontaneous and exothermic. Key mechanisms include hydrogen bonding with N/O sites, π-π stacking through imidazole linkers, and electrostatic interactions from Zn-Mn centres. The removal performance of methyl paraben was evaluated by spiking it into various real-world water matrices under diverse water quality conditions. Reusability studies further confirmed the effective performance of the prepared adsorbent in multiple cycles of operation. The results established that Zn-Mn MOF can be an efficient adsorbent for emerging organic contaminants.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int
· 2026 Jul · PMID 42387185
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Bioflocculation is a critical process that promotes carbon redirection by capturing influent organics within sludge flocs. However, this process may be compromised by surfactants that are typically detected in municipal...Bioflocculation is a critical process that promotes carbon redirection by capturing influent organics within sludge flocs. However, this process may be compromised by surfactants that are typically detected in municipal sewage. We evaluated the interplay between surfactant concentration and carbon redirection in high-rate activated sludge (HR-AS) and membrane bioreactors (HR-MBR). Our findings reveal that surfactant-induced inhibition not only suppresses bioflocculation but also increases membrane fouling by altering the production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs). Specifically, a 50 mg L nonionic surfactant concentration suppressed bioflocculation, significantly reducing both organic recovery (3.5% for HR-AS and 4.2% for HR-MBR) and oxidation (4.8% for HR-AS and 3.3% for HR-MBR) (p < 0.05). Notably, the increases hydrodynamic shear in the HR-MBR promoted the formation of denser sludge flocs. These structures limited surfactant diffusion and mitigated inhibitory effects more effectively than in the HR-AS. Microbial community analysis indicated that EPS producers, such as Clostridium sensu stricto 1 and Nakamurella, became dominant under surfactant-induced stress. Furthermore, surfactants increase cake fouling, because increased EPS content strengthened interactions between biofoulants and the membrane surface, thereby increasing total cake resistance. These findings provide the first evidence of surfactant-mediated effects on carbon redirection, providing a new approach for the operational control of A-stage processes for municipal wastewater treatment.
Belli TJ, Souza E, Rodrigues C
… +4 more, Battistelli AA, Leite W, Amaral MCS, Lapolli FR
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int
· 2026 Jul · PMID 42384326
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This study investigates the performance of a sequencing batch electro-membrane bioreactor (SB-EMBR) operated under low electric charge loading (39.9 mAh L⁻), focusing on the effects of aeration intensity on treatment per...This study investigates the performance of a sequencing batch electro-membrane bioreactor (SB-EMBR) operated under low electric charge loading (39.9 mAh L⁻), focusing on the effects of aeration intensity on treatment performance, biomass activity, and membrane fouling. The reactor was operated at a current density of 10 A m and three specific aeration demand levels (SADₘ = 0.48, 0.24, and 0.12 m m⁻ h⁻). Organic matter and phosphorus removals remained consistently high (> 90% COD removal; TP < 1.0 mg L⁻) regardless of aeration intensity. In contrast, ammonium removal efficiency declined from 99.5 to 74.7% as the SADₘ decreased from 0.48 to 0.12 m m⁻ h⁻. Batch assays revealed reduced activity of polyphosphate-accumulating organisms under oxygen-limited conditions. The pronounced decrease in the P-release/COD-uptake ratio from 0.172 to 0.0164 mol P mol⁻ C indicates that TP removal at low dissolved oxygen became predominantly governed by chemical coagulation rather than the biological phosphorus removal process. The calculated Al/P molar ratio of 2.32 mol Al mol⁻ P was sufficient to sustain phosphorus removal through both precipitation and adsorption onto aluminum hydroxides. Reduced aeration favored anoxic phosphorus uptake, increasing the denitrifying phosphate assimilation potential from 18 to 41%. The membrane fouling rate increased from 1.02 to 4.81 kPa d⁻ as aeration decreased, mainly due to diminished shear forces, soluble microbial products accumulation (+ 205%), floc size reduction (- 50.1%), and higher capillary suction time (+ 123%). Owing to the short current application (1.6 h d⁻), the additional electrocoagulation cost was only 0.07 USD m⁻, lower than values reported for continuous-flow EMBRs. Overall, operation of the SB-EMBR under reduced electric charge loading demonstrated promising energy efficiency while maintaining stable and satisfactory pollutant removal even at low aeration intensities.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int
· 2026 Jul · PMID 42384325
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Life cycle assessment of lightweight foam concrete, incorporated with quarry microfines (QMF), sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA) and polypropylene (PP) fibres to assess its environmental impact is presented in this study. Thr...Life cycle assessment of lightweight foam concrete, incorporated with quarry microfines (QMF), sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA) and polypropylene (PP) fibres to assess its environmental impact is presented in this study. Three mixes, namely Control (0% QMF, 0% SCBA, 0% PP), FC 50 (50% QMF, 10% SCBA, 0.4% PP) and FC 100 (100% QMF, 10% SCBA, 0.4% PP) were analysed. The ReCiPe 2016 midpoint (H) and Cumulative Energy Demand (CED) approaches were used to quantify the impacts across six environmental categories: global warming potential (GWP), Cumulative Energy Demand (CED), Acidification Potential (AP), Eutrophication Potential (EP), Particulate Matter Formation (PMF) and Fossil Resource Scarcity (FRS). The analysis showed that replacing 10% of cement with SCBA along with 50% and 100% of fine aggregates with QMF resulted in GWP reductions of 13.2% and 19.2%, respectively, compared to the control mix. Other categories like AP (15-23%), PMF (15-22%), EP (7-10%) and FRS (7-25%) showed similar reductions. CED reduced to 17.8%, predominantly due to reduced clinker usage. This study supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 9, 12 and 13 by incorporating industrial and agricultural by-products into foam concrete by improving resource efficiency, encouraging waste valorisation and reducing climate-related effects in the construction industry. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of developing environmentally optimised foam concrete mixes without compromising functional performance.
Dhar AK, Halder P, Ahmed N
… +2 more, Moldavchuk I, Bhattacharjee M
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int
· 2026 Jul · PMID 42380444
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Heavy metal contamination in aquatic ecosystems is a global concern due to its toxicity, persistence, and potential for bioaccumulation. Effective removal is therefore essential. Among other techniques, adsorption is the...Heavy metal contamination in aquatic ecosystems is a global concern due to its toxicity, persistence, and potential for bioaccumulation. Effective removal is therefore essential. Among other techniques, adsorption is the most reliable and prevalent method of water purification. Graphene-based adsorbents exhibit significant advantages, including high specific surface area, small particle size, excellent mechanical properties, abundant functional groups, and high adsorption efficiency, making them promising materials for heavy metal removal from aqueous solutions. This article reviews recent advances in graphene and its derivative composites for heavy metal adsorption. It discusses structural features, adsorption mechanisms, synthesis methods, and the historical development of these composites. Key factors influencing adsorption capacity-such as temperature, pH, adsorbent dosage, contact time, initial metal concentration, organic ligands, and coexisting ions-are also examined. Additionally, adsorption thermodynamics and regeneration behavior are evaluated, and future research directions for practical applications are outlined.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int
· 2026 Jun · PMID 42377795
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Deoxynivalenol (DON), found in corn, is a serious food safety issue. This study utilized a hyperspectral imaging system (HSI) in the shortwave infrared region (reflectance, 900-2500 nm) to estimate the deoxynivalenol (DO...Deoxynivalenol (DON), found in corn, is a serious food safety issue. This study utilized a hyperspectral imaging system (HSI) in the shortwave infrared region (reflectance, 900-2500 nm) to estimate the deoxynivalenol (DON) content in corn kernels through correlated spectral signatures. The corn kernel pericarp layers were cracked and spiked with laboratory DON at five concentration levels-0, 1, 2, 5, and 10 µg/g to mimic the natural distribution of DON. The HSI images were acquired at two different orientations of corn grain-germ-side and endosperm-side. The acquired images were subjected to 15 different preprocessing and feature selection methods. Partial least square regression (PLSR) and support vector machine regression (SVMR) models were developed to correlate the processed spectra with the DON content measured by ELISA. The spectral data from the full spectrum and the spectral data from significant wavelengths obtained using feature selection methods were used to build regression models. The SVMR model developed from the germ-side full spectrum with SNV preprocessing provided the best R prediction of 0.9855 and RMSE prediction of 0.2953. The SVMR model developed using germ-side significant wavelengths with orthogonal spectral correction (OSC) + standard normal variate (SNV) preprocessing provided the best R prediction of 0.9847 and RMSE prediction of 0.3010.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int
· 2026 Jun · PMID 42377794
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Land subsidence, a complex phenomenon with extensive environmental and economic consequences, presents a significant challenge in the Silakhor Plain, Lorestan Province. This study investigates the effective factors on su...Land subsidence, a complex phenomenon with extensive environmental and economic consequences, presents a significant challenge in the Silakhor Plain, Lorestan Province. This study investigates the effective factors on subsidence, including land use, drainage density, soil properties, and groundwater level changes, using machine learning and deep learning models. The results indicate that soil properties, excessive groundwater exploitation, and human infrastructure are the primary drivers of subsidence, with the central and southeastern parts of the plain facing the highest risk due to the high density of water wells and proximity to active faults. Among the four advanced models utilized: Random Forest (RF), Recurrent Neural Network (RNN), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), the RF model demonstrated the best performance in predicting subsidence intensity, exhibiting the highest coefficient of determination (R = 0.9880) and the lowest error (MSE = 0.0516). Furthermore, in the classification of subsidence-prone and non-subsidence areas, RF showed significant superiority with a precision of 0.9929 and a recall of 0.9999. The deep learning models also demonstrated strong performance. The LSTM model, with an R-squared of 0.9792, and the CNN model, with an R-squared of 0.9695, showed excellent capability in predicting subsidence intensity and identifying subsidence-prone areas (with a Recall of 1 for both models). However, their specificity was lower compared to the RF model. In contrast, the RNN model provided poorer performance in both prediction and classification compared to other models. SHAP analysis further confirmed these findings, indicating that soil properties, surface water resources, and human infrastructure-related factors play the most significant roles in subsidence occurrence. The findings of this research can serve as a basis for future planning in water and land resource management, as well as for developing effective strategies to mitigate subsidence risks in the Silakhor Plain and similar regions.
de Mello D, Tagliari MM, Sierra-Garcia MA
… +5 more, Bermeo-Fúquene P, Zanatta JL, Cassol LC, Tonial LMS, Vargas TO
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int
· 2026 Jun · PMID 42377793
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Poultry litter is widely applied as an organic fertilizer, yet concerns remain regarding the cumulative input and potential accumulation of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in agricultural soils. This study evaluated th...Poultry litter is widely applied as an organic fertilizer, yet concerns remain regarding the cumulative input and potential accumulation of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in agricultural soils. This study evaluated the medium-term effects of repeated poultry litter application on pseudo-total concentrations and cumulative inputs of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cs), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) in an acidic dystrophic Red Latosol under subtropical conditions in southern Brazil. An eight-year field experiment (2011-2018) evaluated four annual poultry litter rates (0, 4, 8, and 12 t ha⁻) combined with dolomitic limestone application under a randomized complete block split-plot design. Baseline soil characterization, cumulative PTE mass balance, and linear mixed-effects models were integrated to assess treatment responses and environmental relevance. Despite continuous inputs, no significant accumulation of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, or Ni was detected within the evaluated 0-20 cm soil layer, likely reflecting low cumulative additions relative to initial soil stocks and soil retention processes. In contrast, Zn showed significant dose-dependent accumulation in the surface layer (0-10 cm), consistent with its higher cumulative input from poultry litter. Dolomitic limestone application had no detectable effect on PTE dynamics during the evaluated period, probably due to the limited increase in soil pH. Although all PTE concentrations remained below Brazilian regulatory thresholds, cumulative Zn inputs represented the largest proportional increase relative to the initial soil pool, highlighting Zn as a sensitive indicator for monitoring repeated organic amendment applications. These findings emphasize the importance of combining baseline characterization, mass balance approaches, and continued monitoring to improve environmental risk assessments of organic waste reuse in subtropical agroecosystems.
Moreno LV, de Oliveira Bérgamo M, Grünwald SA
… +3 more, Shah SS, Urquieta-Gonzalez EA, Dussán KJ
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int
· 2026 Jun · PMID 42377792
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This study investigates the use of biochar produced from spent coffee grounds (SCG) as an adsorbent for phenolic compounds found in sugarcane bagasse hydrolysates. SCG is an abundant sustainable and low-cost agro-industr...This study investigates the use of biochar produced from spent coffee grounds (SCG) as an adsorbent for phenolic compounds found in sugarcane bagasse hydrolysates. SCG is an abundant sustainable and low-cost agro-industrial residue, which was evaluated as potential adsorbent for removing fermentation inhibitors commonly found in lignocellulosic hydrolysates. Biochar samples E1 to E6 were produced via pyrolysis under nitrogen atmosphere including a final thermal treatment under air at 300 °C, varying the applied temperature and pyrolizer inclination. The biochars were characterized using N adsorption/desorption measurements, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Adsorption experiments were conducted using hydrolysates at five concentration levels (1.0- to 3.0-fold), and the biochar were tested at different contact times. The results showed that both pyrolysis temperature and pyrolizer inclination significantly influenced the adsorption performance. Biochars E5 and E6, produced under the central point condition (500 °C and 4.4°), exhibited the highest phenolic compound removal, reaching an average removal efficiency of 49.5% in the 3.0 × concentrated hydrolysate. Moreover, post-pyrolysis calcination markedly improved capacity and early time adsorption using non-concentrated hydrolysate. The Temkin isotherm model was the best to fit the equilibrium data, while kinetic analyses showed strong correlations with the pseudo-first-order and Elovich models, particularly at higher hydrolysate concentrations. These findings demonstrate that SCG-derived biochar were obtained with favorable physicochemical characteristics making it effective for the adsorption of phenolic compounds. Overall, this approach offers a promising strategy for hydrolysate detoxification and waste valorization, contributing to cleaner and more sustainable biotechnological processes.
Leena S, Aakanksha LM, Sahithi U
… +3 more, Pratap PS, Nanoth R, Kamaraj N
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int
· 2026 Jun · PMID 42373996
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The study delves into the multifunctional properties of PES membranes incorporated with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) prepared by non-solvent induced phase separation with combined crystallization-diffusion technique (NIPS-CCD...The study delves into the multifunctional properties of PES membranes incorporated with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) prepared by non-solvent induced phase separation with combined crystallization-diffusion technique (NIPS-CCD). The SEM analysis revealed uniform fine porous, compact structure, suppressing macro-voids in the NIPS-CCD approach in comparison with NIPS membranes. The morphological observations disclosed that at 0.5 wt% of CNTs the sample displayed a tight skin layer with an elongated finger-like structure with finer pores. At an optimal composition of 0.5 wt% of MWCNTs in PES, the NIPS-CCD method displayed enhanced strength, stiffness and semi-ductile failure. This proves that NIPS-CCD technique refines pore structure, promotes dense skin formation which leads to improved mechanical integrity by maintaining interconnected pores. The BET analysis confirmed that NIPS-CCD coupled with CNT inclusion showed significantly higher surface area (5.845 m/g), smaller pore size (19 Å), and optimized pore distribution in comparison with NIPS membranes. TGA analysis explored a thermally strong CNT network and stable interfacial interactions which have constrained the polymer chains and create a barrier effect delaying thermal decomposition. This was further confirmed with T shift towards higher values in DSC analysis specifically for NIPS-CCD membranes reflecting reduced mobility of PES chains, dense polymer packing, and decreased free volume. The optimized pore size distribution, refined pore structure, improved surface area, tensile strength, modulus and thermal stability of PES/CNT membranes prepared via NIPS-CCD approach could be well suited for advanced ultrafiltration wastewater treatment applications. The PES/CNT membrane fabricated via the NIPS-CCD method showed superior performance with a pure water flux of 126 L m⁻ h⁻, permeability of 84 L m⁻ h⁻ bar⁻, low total flux loss (12.6%), and high FRR (98.4%), indicating enhanced permeation and antifouling properties.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int
· 2026 Jun · PMID 42373995
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The escalating discharge of synthetic dyes, such as brilliant green (BG), into aquatic ecosystems poses severe environmental and health risks because of their toxicity, carcinogenicity, and bioaccumulation potential. Thi...The escalating discharge of synthetic dyes, such as brilliant green (BG), into aquatic ecosystems poses severe environmental and health risks because of their toxicity, carcinogenicity, and bioaccumulation potential. This study reports the synthesis of black titanium dioxide (B-TiO) via the chemical reduction of commercial Degussa P25 TiO using NaBH at 300 °C under a N atmosphere, aiming to enhance the visible-light photocatalytic activity for BG removal. Comprehensive characterization via X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed the introduction of Ti⁺ defects and oxygen vacancies, resulting in a reduced bandgap (≈2.3 eV), extended visible-light absorption, increased surface area, and improved charge separation. Photocatalytic evaluations under visible-light irradiation (λ > 420 nm) exhibited optimal BG removal (10 mg/L) at a catalyst load of 1 g/L and pH 11, achieving optimal removal in 30 min, adhering to pseudo-first-order kinetics (k = 0.062 min). Radical-scavenging experiments identified superoxide radicals (O) as the primary reactive species, with minor contributions from hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and holes (h⁺). The catalyst demonstrated good reusability, maintaining > 95% efficiency over four cycles. These findings underscore B-TiO as a robust solar-driven photocatalyst for sustainable wastewater remediation, in alignment with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals for clean water and health.
Alzard RH, Morsi R, Fatima SK
… +8 more, Poulose V, Alzard MH, Rajendran T, Shah I, Meetani MA, Alzamly A, Zheng K, Abdellah M
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int
· 2026 Jun · PMID 42370968
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The persistence of pharmaceutical residues in aquatic systems necessitates the development of robust and recyclable adsorbents for trace-level contaminant removal. In this work, a Zn(II)-based mixed-linker coordination p...The persistence of pharmaceutical residues in aquatic systems necessitates the development of robust and recyclable adsorbents for trace-level contaminant removal. In this work, a Zn(II)-based mixed-linker coordination polymer, [Zn(Phen)(5-NIP)]ₙ (Phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; 5-NIP = 5-nitroisophthalate) (Zn-CP), was synthesized via a solvothermal method and evaluated for the adsorption of the antibiotic Trimethoprim (TMP) from aqueous media. Structural characterization by single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealed a one-dimensional zigzag chain architecture featuring periodically exposed aromatic and carboxylate moieties that provide accessible adsorption sites. Batch adsorption experiments quantified by UHPLC-MS/MS demonstrated high TMP removal efficiency (up to ~ 97%) at trace concentrations under optimized conditions. Adsorption kinetics were reasonably described by both pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models, with the pseudo-first-order model giving a slightly better empirical fit, while nonlinear isotherm analysis showed that both Langmuir and Freundlich models described the equilibrium data well, with Freundlich giving a marginally better fit and the Langmuir model providing a model-estimated apparent capacity of 84.27 µg g, suggesting suitability for low-concentration pharmaceutical remediation rather than high-load adsorption applications. Thermodynamic analysis indicated a spontaneous and predominantly physisorption-driven interaction. The material exhibited excellent chemical stability and retained its adsorption performance over 10 regeneration cycles, retained 97.4% of its initial adsorption capacity, and showed a mass recovery of 96.5%. FTIR, XPS, and DFT analyses suggest that hydrogen bonding and π-π interactions between TMP and the exposed functional groups of Zn-CP govern the adsorption mechanism. This study highlights the potential of structurally robust mixed-linker coordination polymers as recyclable adsorbents for trace-level and environmentally relevant pharmaceutical polishing/remediation in aqueous systems.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int
· 2026 Jun · PMID 42370967
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A novel adsorbent for removing organic contaminants from wastewater was synthesized via graft copolymerization and cross-linking of starch-based biopolymers. The resulting multifunctional CASCA copolymer, derived from ci...A novel adsorbent for removing organic contaminants from wastewater was synthesized via graft copolymerization and cross-linking of starch-based biopolymers. The resulting multifunctional CASCA copolymer, derived from citric acid-modified starch with cinnamic acid and acrylic acid, was investigated using XRD, TGA, SEM-EDX, FT-IR, and BET techniques. Structural characterization confirmed a porous, heterogeneous, and thermally stable framework, which enhanced its adsorption performance toward cationic dyes. The adsorption performance of methylene blue (MB) and crystal violet (CV) was systematically investigated under different pH values, contact times, and initial dye concentrations. The adsorption mechanism followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and was effectively fitted by the Sips isotherm model. The maximum adsorption capacities were 564.67 mg/g for MB and 440.22 mg/g for CV. In addition, the CASCA polymer maintained high regeneration efficiency over five successive adsorption and desorption cycles, demonstrating excellent durability and recyclability. Overall, the results demonstrate that the CASCA grafted and cross-linked copolymer derived from starch-rich biomass is an efficient adsorbent for dye removal from wastewater.
Khlifi R, Trabelsi F, Chakroun A
… +2 more, Hammami B, Hamza-Chaffai A
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int
· 2026 Jun · PMID 42366300
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Environmental exposure to heavy metals such as cobalt (Co), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) has been implicated in carcinogenesis, yet few studies have quantified their levels directly in tumor tissues, particularly in North Af...Environmental exposure to heavy metals such as cobalt (Co), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) has been implicated in carcinogenesis, yet few studies have quantified their levels directly in tumor tissues, particularly in North African populations. In this study, we measured Co, Pb, and Zn concentrations in paired tumor and adjacent normal tissue biopsies from 73 Tunisian patients with cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract (UADT), including squamous cell carcinomas of the larynx, pharynx, and oral cavity. Metal levels were determined using Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GF-AAS). Analyses compared tumor and normal tissues while exploring associations with patient demographics, smoking status, occupational exposure, and tumor stage. We observed significantly higher concentrations of Co, Pb, and Zn in tumor tissues (0.06, 0.08 and 32.25 µg/g, respectively) compared to matched normal tissues (Zn = 15.06 µg/g); Co and Pb were often undetectable in healthy samples. Although metal levels tended to be higher in men and tobacco users, these differences were not statistically significant. Notably, cobalt levels varied significantly across nodal tumor stages, with N1 tumors exhibiting the highest concentrations. Moreover, lead levels varied slightly but significantly across T classifications, while Zn showed no stage-dependent differences. Additionally, a significant negative correlation was found between age and tumoral Zn concentration (Spearman's rho = - 0.26, p = 0.024). These findings provide the first comprehensive evidence, both in a Tunisian cohort and globally, that Co, Pb, and Zn accumulate in tumor tissues across multiple UADT sites. The results highlight a potential role for these metals in tumor biology and suggest they may serve as biomarkers or contribute to carcinogenic mechanisms in UADT cancers, warranting further investigation in larger populations and mechanistic studies.