Emerging eco-friendly technologies for remediation of Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water and wastewater: A pathway to environmental sustainability.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are rampant, toxic contaminants from anthropogenic sources, called forever chemicals for their recalcitrance. Although banned in several parts of the world for public health implications, including liver, kidney, and testicular diseases, PFAS are abundant in water sources due to easy dispersion. With chemical properties resulting from strong hydrophobic bonds, they defile many physicochemical removal methods. Though adsorption processes such as granular activated carbon (GAC) are widely used, they are marred by several limitations, including cost and secondary contamination. Thus, eco-friendly methods involving a synergy of the removal principles have been preferred for ease of use, cost-effectiveness, and near-zero effect on the environment. We present novel eco-friendly methods as the solution to PFAS remediation towards environmental sustainability. Current eco-friendly methods of PFAS removal from water sources, including electrocoagulation, membrane/filtration, adsorption, and phytoremediation methods, were highlighted, although with limitations. Novel eco-friendly methods such as microbial fuel cells, photoelectrical cells, and plasma treatment offer solutions to PFAS remediation and are quite efficient in terms of cost, result, and environmental sustainability. Overall, the successful integration of eco-friendly techniques in a seamless manner ensures the desired result. We also present a balanced position on the ecosystem impact of these ecofriendly methods, noting the successes towards environmental sustainability while exposing the gaps for further research.

Occurrence and ecotoxicological impacts of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in electronic waste (e-waste) in Africa: Options for sustainable and eco-friendly management strategies.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are persistent contaminants used as flame retardants in electronic products. PBDEs are contaminants of concern due to leaching and recalcitrance conferred by the stable and hydrophobic bromide residues. The near absence of legislatures and conscious initiatives to tackle the challenges of PBDEs in Africa has allowed for the indiscriminate use and consequent environmental degradation. Presently, the incidence, ecotoxicity, and remediation of PBDEs in Africa are poorly elucidated. Here, we present a position on the level of contamination, ecotoxicity, and management strategies for PBDEs with regard to Africa. Our review shows that Africa is inundated with PBDEs from the proliferation of e-waste due to factors like the increasing growth in the IT sector worsened by the procurement of second-hand gadgets. An evaluation of the fate of PBDEs in the African environment reveals that the environment is adequately contaminated, although reported in only a few countries like Nigeria and Ghana. Ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, and Soxhlet extraction coupled with specific chromatographic techniques are used in the detection and quantification of PBDEs. Enormous exposure pathways in humans were highlighted with health implications. In terms of the removal of PBDEs, we found a gap in efforts in this direction, as not much success has been reported in Africa. However, we outline eco-friendly methods used elsewhere, including microbial degradation, zerovalent iron, supercritical fluid, and reduce, reuse, recycle, and recovery methods. The need for Africa to make and implement legislatures against PBDEs holds the key to reduced effect on the continent.

Emerging contaminants in food matrices: An overview of the occurrence, pathways, impacts and detection techniques of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been used in industrial and consumer applications for ages. The pervasive and persistent nature of PFAS in the environment is a universal concern due to public health risks. Experts acknowledge that exposure to high levels of certain PFAS have consequences, including reduced vaccine efficacy, elevated cholesterol, and increased risk of high blood pressure. While considerable research has been conducted to investigate the presence of PFAS in the environment, the pathways for human exposure through food and food packaging/contact materials (FCM) remain unclear. In this review, we present an exhaustive overview of dietary exposure pathways to PFAS. Also, the mechanism of PFAS migration from FCMs into food and the occurrence of PFAS in certain foods were considered. Further, we present the analytical techniques for PFAS in food and food matrices as well as exposure pathways and human health impacts. Further, recent regulatory actions working to set standards and guidelines for PFAS in food packaging materials were highlighted. Alternative materials being developed and evaluated for their safety and efficacy in food contact applications, offering promising alternatives to PFAS were also considered. Finally, we reported on general considerations and perspectives presently considered.

Silicon-based nanoparticles for mitigating the effect of potentially toxic elements and plant stress in agroecosystems: A sustainable pathway towards food security.

Due to their size, flexibility, biocompatibility, large surface area, and variable functionality nanoparticles have enormous industrial, agricultural, pharmaceutical and biotechnological applications. This has led to their widespread use in various fields. The advancement of knowledge in this field of research has altered our way of life from medicine to agriculture. One of the rungs of this revolution, which has somewhat reduced the harmful consequences, is nanotechnology. A helpful ingredient for plants, silicon (Si), is well-known for its preventive properties under adverse environmental conditions. Several studies have shown how biogenic silica helps plants recover from biotic and abiotic stressors. The majority of research have demonstrated the benefits of silicon-based nanoparticles (Si-NPs) for plant growth and development, particularly under stressful environments. In order to minimize the release of brine, heavy metals, and radioactive chemicals into water, remove metals, non-metals, and radioactive components, and purify water, silica has also been used in environmental remediation. Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) have become a huge threat to food security through their negative impact on agroecosystem. Si-NPs have the potentials to remove PTEs from agroecosystem and promote food security via the promotion of plant growth and development. In this review, we have outlined the various sources and ecotoxicological consequences of PTEs in agroecosystems. The potentials of Si-NPs in mitigating PTEs were extensively discussed and other applications of Si-NPs in agriculture to foster food security were also highlighted.

Microbial ecology and evolution is key to pandemics: using the coronavirus model to mitigate future public health challenges.

Pandemics are global challenges that lead to total disruption of human activities. From the inception of human existence, all pandemics have resulted in loss of human lives. The coronavirus disease caused by SAR-CoV-2 began in China and is now at the global scale with an increase in mortality and morbidity. Numerous anthropogenic activities have been implicated in the emergence and severity of pandemics, including COVID-19. These activities cause changes in microbial ecology, leading to evolution due to mutation and recombination. This review hypothesized that an understanding of these anthropogenic activities would explain the dynamics of pandemics. The recent coronavirus model was used to study issues leading to microbial evolution, towards preventing future pandemics. Our review highlighted anthropogenic activities, including deforestation, mining activities, waste treatment, burning of fossil fuel, as well as international travels as drivers of microbial evolution leading to pandemics. Furthermore, human-animal interaction has also been implicated in pandemic incidents. Our study recommends substantial control of such anthropogenic activities as having been highlighted as ways to reduce the frequency of mutation, reduce pathogenic reservoirs, and the emergence of infectious diseases.