A Systematic Review of Nano- and Microplastic (NMP) Influence on the Bioaccumulation of Environmental Contaminants: Part I-Soil Organisms.

Nano- and microplastics (NMPs) are a group of contaminants that cause concern due to their abundance in the environment, high persistence, and interaction with other contaminants. This review aims to understand the role of NMP in the bioaccumulation of environmental contaminants. For that, a comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify publications that compared the uptake of contaminants in the presence and absence of NMP. In this part I, twenty-eight publications of the terrestrial compartment were analyzed. Two main taxonomic groups were studied, namely, earthworms and terrestrial plants. In earthworms, most studies observed an increase in the bioaccumulation of the contaminants, while in plants, most studies observed a decrease in the bioaccumulation. Changes in bioavailable fractions of contaminants due to NMP presence was the main reason pointed out by the authors for their outcomes. Moreover, biological aspects were also found to be important in defining how NMPs affect bioaccumulation. Dermal damage and changes in contaminant-degrading bacteria in the gut of earthworms caused an increase in bioaccumulation, and root pore blockage was a common reason for the decrease in the bioaccumulation of contaminants in plants. Nevertheless, such effects were mainly observed at high, unrealistic NMP concentrations. Finally, knowledge gaps were identified, and the limitations of this systematic review were presented.

Alkali-silica Reaction Elimination Potential of High-Performance Concrete Containing Glass Powder.

This study is mainly concerned with the assumption that glass powder can eliminate the potential alkali-silica reaction in high performance concrete. Glass is often land filled, produced as a secondary raw material or as a by-product of production. Chemical analyses were carried out, and the ecotoxicity of the material was investigated, serving as a basis for testing a potential alkali-silica reaction. High performance concrete (HPC) containing different types of waste powder (secondary raw material from production (SGP), jewelry production (SGJ), container waste glass (CWG), and glass from used photovoltaic panels (GPP)) are tested according to the international standard ASTM C1260 and the Czech technical condition TP 137. Newly designed mixtures are innocuous from the ASR point of view in the most cases, except SGP HPC.

Biochar reduces the toxicity of silver to barley (Hordeum vulgare) and springtails (Folsomia candida) in a natural soil.

The use of biochar in soil remediation is a promising method to deal with metal contamination. In the present study, the influence of biochar amendment on the toxicity of silver (as AgNO3) to terrestrial organisms was assessed. For this, toxicity tests were conducted with terrestrial plant barley (Hordeum vulgare) and invertebrate springtails (Folsomia candida) in the standard natural Lufa soil amended or not with a wood-derived biochar at 5% (w/w). Biochar addition increased root length and mass in barley, compared to unamended soil. However, the effects of Ag on barley growth were masked by a great variation among replicates in biochar-amended soil. Photosynthetic pigment contents (total chlorophyll and carotenoids) were lower in plants exposed to Ag in Lufa soil, but not in biochar-amended soil. Moreover, Ag drastically decreased dehydrogenase activity in Lufa soil. For springtails, the addition of biochar clearly decreased the toxicity of Ag. The LC50 was 320 mg Ag/kg in Lufa soil, while no mortality was observed up to 500 mg Ag/kg in biochar-amended soil. The EC50 for effects on reproduction was significantly higher in biochar-amended soil compared to unamended Lufa soil (315 and 215 mg Ag/kg, respectively). The wood-derived biochar used in this study has shown a potential for remediation of contaminated soils, as a decrease in Ag toxicity was observed in most endpoints analysed in barley and springtails.

Waste Glass Powder Reusability in High-Performance Concrete: Leaching Behavior and Ecotoxicity.

This paper deals with the possibility of using different types of waste glass powder in high-performance concrete (HPC) mixtures as a fine fraction replacement. Subsequently, both fractions are used in this research in concrete as a substitute for fine sand and silica flour. To use waste glass in a basic building material such as concrete, it is necessary to verify the basic chemical properties of the selected waste materials. Apart from the basic chemical properties, its environmental impact also appears to be an essential property of waste materials in general. Therefore, the research is mainly focused on the leaching and ecotoxicity experiments on high-performance concrete. HPC mixtures are designed based on the results of the analyzed chemical properties and previous research performed by our research team. Ecotoxicity of these concretes is then verified using Czech standards to evaluate. The results showed a positive impact on the ecotoxic properties of waste glass when used in concrete. A new ecotoxicity classification of waste materials and concrete mixes containing waste materials is proposed as a result of this research and summarized in the conclusion of this paper.

The impact of woodchip-gravel mixture on the efficiency and toxicity of denitrification bioreactors.

Woodchip-based denitrification bioreactors are widely used for treatment of high loads of nitrate pollution in agricultural run-off water. A concern raised recently, as a consequence of various organic fillings being experimented with, is whether the positive effect given by nitrate reduction could override the negative effects of such bioreactors, mainly caused by degradation of wood and the production of potentially harmful conditions for aquatic ecosystems. This paper presents the results of the experimental testing of two different filling materials: birch (BWCH) and spruce (SWCH) woodchip, and their mixture with washed gravel (WG) in volumetric ratio 10:1. We have focused on the leaching of organic carbon and phenols, and its impact on selected aquatic organisms, as well as on their denitrification efficiency and NO3- load removal rate (LRT). The results show that TOC, DOC and FNI (phenolic index) leaching is higher for the pure woodchip materials and is closely correlated with the growth inhibition of tested organisms (Vibrio fischeri, Daphnia magna, Desmodesmus subspicatus, Lemna minor). The highest denitrification efficiency and the highest load removal rates were recorded in mixed filling material (96% and 1.4 mg NO3-·dm3·d-1 for WG:BWCH; 85% and 1.2 mg NO3-·dm3·d-1 for WG:SWCH). Denitrification bioreactors with mixed woodchip filling material present a promising, cheap, and extensive technology for the treatment of agricultural field run-offs.