Production of Low-Cost Adsorbents within a Circular Economy Approach: Use of Spruce Sawdust Pretreated with Desalination Brine to Adsorb Methylene Blue.

A sustainable low-cost activated carbon substitute was produced based on pretreated lignocellulosic biomass, especially spruce sawdust. A harmful liquid waste, desalination brine, was used for the treatment of a solid wood industry waste, spruce sawdust. This approach is in the circular economy theory and aims at the decarbonization of the economy. Pretreated sawdust was tested as an adsorbent appropriate for the removal of a commonly used pollutant, methylene blue, from industrial wastewater. The adsorption capacity of the pretreated material was found to have increased four times compared to the untreated one in the case that the Freundlich equation was fitted to the isotherms' data, i.e., the one with the best fit to the isotherm's experimental data of the three isotherm models used herein. The treatment experimental conditions with desalination brine that gave maximum adsorption capacity correspond to a 1.97 combined severity factor in logarithmic form value. Moreover, a kinetic experiment was carried out with regard to the methylene blue adsorption process. The desalination brine-pretreated sawdust adsorption capacity increased approximately two times compared to the untreated one, in the case when the second-order kinetic equation was used, which had the best fit of the kinetic data of the three kinetic models used herein. In this case, the pretreatment experimental conditions that gave maximum adsorption capacity correspond to -1.049 combined severity factor in logarithmic form. Industrial scale applications can be based on the kinetic data findings, i.e., spruce sawdust optimal pretreatment conditions at 200 °C, for 25 min, with brine solution containing 98.12 g L-1 NaCl, as they are related to a much shorter adsorption period compared to the isotherm data.

Fine-Tuning 2D Heterogeneous Channels for Charge-Lock Enhanced Lithium Separation from Brine.

The extraction of lithium (Li) from complex brines presents significant challenges due to the interference of competing ions, particularly magnesium (Mg2⁺), which complicates the selective separation process. Herein, a strategy is introduced employing charge-lock enhanced 2D heterogeneous channels for the rapid and selective uptake of Li⁺. This approach integrates porous ZnFe2O4/ZnO nanosheets into Ag+-modulated sub-nanometer interlayer channels, forming channels optimized for Li⁺ extraction. The novelty lies in the charge-lock mechanism, which selectively captures Mg2⁺ ions, thereby facilitating the effective separation of Li from Mg. This mechanism is driven by a charge transfer during the formation of ZnFe2O4/ZnO, rendering O atoms in Fe-O bonds more negatively charged. These negative charges strongly interact with the high charge density of Mg2⁺ ions, enabling the charge-locking mechanism and the targeted capture of Mg2⁺. Optimization with Ag⁺ further improves interlayer spacing, increasing ion transport rates and addressing the swelling issue typical of 2D membranes. The resultant membrane showcases high water flux (44.37 L m⁻2 h⁻¹ bar⁻¹) and an impressive 99.8% rejection of Mg2⁺ in real brine conditions, achieving a Li⁺/Mg2⁺ selectivity of 59.3, surpassing existing brine separation membranes. Additionally, this membrane demonstrates superior cyclic stability, highlighting its high potential for industrial applications.

Assessment of brine discharges dispersion for sustainable management of SWRO plants on the South American Pacific coast.

Seawater desalination is one of the most feasible technologies for producing fresh water to address the water scarcity scenario worldwide. However, environmental concerns about the potential impact of brine discharge on marine ecosystems hinder or delay the development of desalination projects. In addition, scientific knowledge is lacking about the impact of brine discharges on the South America Pacific coast where desalination, is being developed. This paper presents the first monitoring results of brine discharge influence areas from seawater reverse osmosis desalination plants (SWRO) on the South America Pacific coast, using Chile as case study. Our results indicate that the combination of favorable oceanographic conditions and diffusers, results in the rapid dilution of brine discharge on coastal ecosystems; showing a faster dilution than other SWRO plants in other regions, such as Mediterranean or Arabian Gulf, with similar production characteristics. Also, the increase in salinity over the natural salinity in the brine-discharge-affected area was <5 % in a radius of <100 m from the discharge points. Further, according to the published literature and on our monitoring results, we propose a number of considerations (environmental regulation, best scientifically tested measures, environmental requirements) to achieve a long-term sustainable desalination operation.

Synthesizing LiFePO4 by phosphate & iron recovered from sludge-incinerated ash and Li extracted from concentrated brines.

Phosphorus (P) recovered from sludge-incinerated ash (SIA) could be applied to synthesize highly added-value products (FePO4 and LiFePO4) with in situ Fe in SIA. Indeed, LiFePO4 is a future of rechargeable batteries, which makes lithium (Li) highly needed. Alternatively, Li could also be extracted from concentrated brines to face a potential crisis of Li depletion on lands. Based on H3PO4 and Fe3+ co-extracted from the acidic leachate of SIA by tributyl phosphate (TBP), FePO4 (31.2 wt% Fe, 17.6 wt% P and the molar ratio of Fe/P = 0.98) was easily formed only adjusting pH of the stripping solution to 1.6. Interestingly, the organic phase from the first-stage co-extraction process of Fe3+ and H3PO4 could be utilized for Li-extraction from salt-lake brine, based on the TBP-FeCl3-kerosene system, and a good performance (78.7%) of Li-extraction and separation factors (ß) (186.0-217.4) were obtained. Furthermore, the compounds with Li-extraction are complex, possibly LiFeCl4∙2TBP, in which Li+ could be stripped to form Li2CO3 by 4.0 M HCl (with a stripping rate up to 83%). Besides, Li2CO3 could also be obtained from desalinated brine by adsorption with manganese oxide ion sieve (HMO) and desorption with HCl. In the two cases, almost pure Li2CO3 products were obtained, up to 99.7 and 99.5 wt% Li2CO3 respectively, after further purification and concentration. Finally, recovered FePO4 and extracted Li2CO3 were synthesized for producing LiFePO4 that had a similar electrochemical property (69.5 and 77.8 mAh/g of the initial discharge capacity) to those synthesized from commercial raw materials.

Photo-reductive decomposition of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and its common alternatives by UV/VUV/sulfite process: Mechanism, kinetic modeling, and water matrix effects.

The present study investigated the photo-reduction of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and its alternatives, focusing on decomposition mechanisms, active species involvement, the influence of background water constituents, and kinetic model development. The decomposition and defluorination rates followed the order of PFOS > PFHxS > 6:2 FTSA > PFBS, with shorter chains and CH2 linkers enhancing the resistance of PFOS alternatives against the attack of hydrated electrons (eaq-). Two primary pathways were identified during the photodegradation of PFAS: (i) H/F exchange at CF bonds with the lowest bond dissociation energies (BDEs) and (ii) functional group cleavage followed by short-chain PFCAs formation, with OH playing a crucial role in transforming intermediates. Adding iodide and elevated temperatures demonstrated a synergistic effect on PFBS decomposition and defluorination, with high temperatures promoting functional group cleavage as the preferred defluorination pathway. The study examined the impact of background water constituents in different aqueous environments, from surface waters to wastewater streams and ion-exchange brine concentrates. Chloride exhibited a concentration-based dual impact on the UV/VUV/sulfite process: promotive effects at low dosages (1-10 mM) by acting as a secondary eaq- mediator, and adverse effects at high dosages (20-500 mM) due to the scavenging effect of generated chlorine radicals (Cl). High ionic strength adversely affected eaq- quantum efficiency. Additionally, bicarbonate and natural organic matter (NOM) had opposing effects on PFOS photo-reduction, primarily through eaq- scavenging and pH alteration. Kinetic modeling revealed reaction rate constants of the studied PFAS with eaq- ranging from 1.8 × 106 to 1.3 × 109 M-1 s-1, corroborating the concentration profiles of active species and highlighting the reductive nature of sulfite-mediated processes.

Solvent extraction of lithium from brines with high magnesium/lithium ratios: investigation on parameter interactions.

Solvent extraction of lithium from brine with a high Mg/Li ratio was investigated. Tributyl phosphate (TBP), ferric chloride (FeCl3), and kerosene were used as the extractant, co-extractant, and diluent, respectively. The mechanism of the extraction process was studied by LC-MS, UV-VIS, and FT-IR analyses. Effects of organic to aqueous phase volume ratio (O/A) on the extraction efficiency and separation factor were optimized. The effects of major parameters including Fe/Li molar ratio, hydrochloric acid concentration, and TBP volume percent as well as their interactions on the lithium extraction efficiency were evaluated using central composite design. These major parameters represent interactions within their selected ranges. While the lithium extraction efficiency as the response value in the experimental design showed the most sensitivity to the acid concentration, the separation factors were more affected by alteration in the TBP volume percent with the fixed optimum values of the other major parameters. The highest one-stage extraction efficiency of 76.3% and Li/Mg separation factor of 304 were obtained at the optimum conditions of Fe/Li = 2.99, HCl = 0.01 M, and TBP = 55%. The Mg/Li mass ratio could be significantly reduced from 192 in the feed to 1.5 in the stripping solution. Based on the findings, a schematic diagram of the process including extraction, stripping, and saponification steps was proposed.

Ecotoxicological studies of direct and indirect genotoxicity with Artemia: a integrative review.

Artemia is a brine shrimp genus adapted to extreme habitats like ranges salinity from 5-25 g/L and in temperatures from 9 to 35 °C. It is widely distributed and used as an environmental quality biomarker. Artemia franciscana and Artemia salina species are commonly used in ecotoxicological studies and genotoxicity assays due to their short life cycle, high fecundity rate, easy culture, and availability. Thus, considering the importance of these tests in ecotoxicological studies, the present study aimed to present Artemia genus as a biological model in genotoxicity research. To this end, we reviewed the literature, analyzing data published until July 2023 in the Web of Science, SCOPUS, Embase, and PubMed databases. After screening, we selected 34 studies in which the genotoxicity of Artemia for various substances. This review presents the variability of the experimental planning of assays and biomarkers in genotoxicity using Artemia genus as a biological model for ecotoxicological studies and show the possibility of monitoring biochemical alterations and genetic damage effects. Also highlight innovative technologies such as transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis, as well as studies over successive generations to identify changes in DNA and consequently in gene expression.

Reclamation of boron from solid and liquid streams for fertilizer application.

Boron (B) is a crucial element for efficient plant growth and development; therefore, B-based fertilisers have been employed in agricultural applications. The need for B-based fertilisers for agricultural uses is continuously increasing as a result of the world's growing population. It is expected that the global market for B-based fertiliser will grow by around $6.3 billion by 2032; hence, demand for B sources will also increase. In addition to being used in fertiliser, B is also employed in the production of neodymium iron B (NdFeB) permanent magnets. The demand for NdFeB magnets is also continuously increasing. Hence, it is of the utmost importance to reclaim B from secondary resources due to the rising demand for B in a wide variety of applications. This review study addresses the recovery of B from various waste streams. The main focus is on the recovery of B from spent NdFeB magnets, borax sludge, and liquid streams such as brine water, seawater, sewage, industrial wastewater, and agricultural effluents. Different technologies for B recovery are discussed, such as sorption, solvent extraction, membrane processes, precipitation, and hydrometallurgical methods. Solvent extraction has been found to be a very effective approach for reclaiming B from spent NdFeB magnet waste and from liquid streams with high B concentration (>1-2 g/L). Further, the application of B-based fertiliser in agriculture application is reviewed. Challenges associated with B recovery from waste streams and future perspectives are also highlighted in this review.

Clinacanthus nutans crude polysaccharide extract as a green platform for microwave-assisted synthesis of silver nanoparticles: Optimization, characterization, and evaluation of bioactivities.

Clinacanthus nutans (C. nutans) is a plant in tropical Asia with proven biological activities. The optimized extraction method of C. nutans crude polysaccharide (CNP) uses water in the presence of an ultrasound-assisted mechanical method (UL_CNP). However, the use of UL_CNP for the synthesis and optimization of silver nanoparticles (AgNP), particularly their anticancer and photocatalytic properties, remains unexplored. Hence, this research aimed to employ a green method using UL_CNP and silver nitrate to produce AgNP (UL_AgNP) with a small size and assess its potential toxicity, anticancer, and photocatalytic activities. The synthesis condition was optimized using the Box-Behnken design method. The synthesized UL_AgNP showed the surface plasmon resonance peak at 458 nm. The optimized synthesis condition produced spherically shaped UL_AgNP with a size of 5.21 ± 1.92 nm and a zeta potential of -26.33 ± 0.93 mV. An X-ray diffraction analysis exhibited intense Bragg's reflection peaks at (111), (200), (220), and (311), having a face-centered cubic structure of AgNP. Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy further confirmed the presence of silver in the synthesized UL_AgNP. The brine shrimp lethality test of UL_AgNP reported a lethal concentration 50 value of <7.8 µg/mL after 24 h. The UL_AgNP exhibited antiproliferative activity against MCF-7 cells with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration value of 4.96 ± 0.31 µg/mL by inducing S-phase cell cycle arrest, apoptotic effect, and reduction of cell migration. Furthermore, UL_AgNP proved its efficient photocatalytic activity against methylene blue dye (50.22 % ± 0.06 %, after 10 min at a concentration of 50 µg/mL). Therefore, the UL_AgNP exhibited promising antiproliferative activity against MCF-7 cells, highlighting their potential as a therapeutic agent. Further investigations are needed to elucidate the precise mechanism of their action.

Active prokaryotic and eukaryotic viral ecology across spatial scale in a deep-sea brine pool.

Deep-sea brine pools represent rare, extreme environments, providing unique insight into the limits of life on Earth, and by analogy, the plausibility of life beyond it. A distinguishing feature of many brine pools is presence of thick microbial mats that develop at the brine-seawater interface. While these bacterial and archaeal communities have received moderate attention, viruses and their host interactions in these environments remain underexplored. To bridge this knowledge gap, we leveraged metagenomic and metatranscriptomic data from three distinct zones within the NEOM brine pool system (Gulf of Aqaba) to reveal the active viral ecology around the pools. We report a remarkable diversity and activity of viruses infecting microbial hosts in this environment, including giant viruses, RNA viruses, jumbo phages, and Polinton-like viruses. Many of these form distinct clades-suggesting presence of untapped viral diversity in this ecosystem. Brine pool viral communities exhibit zone-specific differences in infection strategy-with lysogeny dominating the bacterial mat further away from the pool's center. We linked viruses to metabolically important prokaryotes-including association between a jumbo phage and a key manganese-oxidizing and arsenic-metabolizing bacterium. These foundational results illuminate the role of viruses in modulating brine pool microbial communities and biogeochemistry through revealing novel viral diversity, host associations, and spatial heterogeneity in viral dynamics.

GC-MS Profiling and Pharmacological Potential of Physconia venusta (Ach.) Poelt.

Objectives: Lichens are complex symbiotic organisms that generate various bioactive compounds with significant therapeutic value. We investigated the chemical composition and bioactivity of the acetone extract of the Algerian lichen Physconia venusta (Ach.) poet. Materials and Methods: Phytochemical screening was performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antibacterial activity was assessed against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Bacillus subtilis using an agar diffusion test with the determination of the minimal inhibition concentration (MIC), while the antioxidant activity was determined using different chemical methods (DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, reducing power, superoxide anion scavenging, ß-carotene bleaching, and metal chelate). In addition, cytotoxic activity was tested using Artemia salina (Brine shrimp) bioassay. Results: The studied extract exhibited intense antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus with inhibition diameters of 28 ± 0.01 and 22 ± 0.01 mm, respectively, with a MIC value of 6.25 mg/mL and a selectivity index of 2.8. The obtained extract showed different antioxidant trends depending on the selected assay. GC-MS analysis revealed many secondary metabolites. Conclusion: P. venusta, a type of lichen, is a potential source of bioactive substances that could be used in pharmaceuticals.

Influence of algal-extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) on the pristine and combined toxicity of TiO2 NPs and PSNPs in Artemia salina: Eco-corona enhances the toxic effects.

The study on the influence of Natural Organic Matter (NOM) over the individual and combined effects of different nanomaterials on marine species is pertinent. The current study explores the role of Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) in influencing the individual and combined toxic effects of polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) viz. aminated (NH2-PSNPs), carboxylated (COOH-PSNPs), and plain PSNPs and TiO2 NPs in the marine crustacean, Artemia salina. A. salina was interacted with pristine PSNPs, pristine TiO2 NPs, EPS incubated PSNPs, EPS incubated TiO2 NPs, binary mixture of PSNPs and TiO2 NPs, and EPS adsorbed binary mixture of PSNPs and TiO2 NPs for 48 h. The present study proves that, when compared to the pristine toxicity of PSNPs and TiO2 NPs, the coexposure of TiO2 NPs with PSNPs resulted in increased toxicity. The adsorption of algal EPS on the NMs (both in their pristine and combined forms) significantly increased the toxic nature of the NMs against A. salina. It was observed that with an increase in the hydrodynamic diameter of the particles, the mortality, oxidative stress, and ingestion of the NMs by A. salina increased. The uptake of Ti by A. salina from 8 mg/L TiO2 NPs, EPS adsorbed 8 mg/L TiO2 NPs, 8 mg/L TiO2 NPs + NH2-PSNPs and the EPS adsorbed mixture of 8 mg/L TiO2 NPs, 8 mg/L TiO2 NPs + NH2-PSNPs was observed to be 0.043, 0.047, 0.186, and 0.307 mg/g of A. salina. The adsorption of algal EPS on the NMs (both in their pristine and combined forms) significantly increased the toxic nature of the NMs against A. salina. The major outcomes from the current study highlight the role of EPS in exacerbating the toxicity of NMs in marine crustaceans.

Effect of electrolyte composition on electrocatalytic transformation of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in high pH medium.

Recent regulatory actions aim to limit per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) concentrations in drinking water and wastewaters. Regenerable anion exchange resin (AER) is an effective separation process to remove PFAS from water but will require PFAS post-treatment of the regeneration wastestream. Electrocatalytic (EC) processes using chemically boron-doped diamond electrodes, stable in a wide range of chemical compositions show potential to defluorinate PFOA in drinking water and wastewater treatments. Chemical composition and concentration of mineral salts in supporting electrolytes affect AER regeneration efficiency, and play a crucial role in the EC processes. Their impact on PFAS degradation remains understudied. This study investigates the impact of 17 brine electrolytes with different compositions on perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) degradation in an alkaline medium and explores the correlation between the rate of PFOA degradation and the solution's conductivity. Results show that higher electrolyte concentrations and conductivity lead to faster PFOA degradation rates. The presence of chloride anions have negligible impact on the degradation rate. However, the presence of nitrate salts reduce PFOA degradation efficiency. Additionally, the use of mixed electrolytes may be a promising approach for reducing the cost of EC operations. PFOA degradation was not influenced by the pH of the bulk solution.

High-flux ultrasonic processing for lithium separation using ionic liquid impregnated composite membranes.

Battery industry, one of the most crucial components of the modern world, relies heavily on lithium production, and brines from the spent battery materials is one of the most important sources to exploit lithium. A new ultrasonic assisted membrane processing is proposed for lithium separation simulated brine. The effects of membrane composition, feed concentration, and ultrasonic conditions on the lithium extraction efficiency have been explored. The composite membrane including polysulfone (PSF) as the support and 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate and tributyl phosphate as ionic liquid membrane. A porous PVC membrane has been used for prevention of the ILM loss. The optimal ultrasonic frequency is approximately 250 kHz, which matches the bulk modulus of the membrane and enhances the separation efficiency. Higher frequencies and optimized amplitude and pulse cycle settings further improve the lithium flux and selectivity. Moreover, higher flux and selectivity are achieved when separating lithium from alkali metal chlorides at higher feed concentrations, ranging from 250 ppm to 1000 ppm. The mechanism of enhanced lithium extraction by ultrasonics is attributed to the combination of microbubble formation, cavitation, and heat generation, which disrupt the concentration gradient and facilitate lithium transport across the membrane.

Antifungal, antiaflatoxigenic, and cytotoxic properties of bioactive secondary metabolites derived from Bacillus species.

Aflatoxins (AFs) are hazardous carcinogens and mutagens produced by some molds, particularly Aspergillus spp. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to isolate and identify endophytic bacteria, extract and characterize their bioactive metabolites, and evaluate their antifungal, antiaflatoxigenic, and cytotoxic efficacy against brine shrimp (Artemia salina) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2). Among the 36 bacterial strains isolated, ten bacterial isolates showed high antifungal activity, and thus were identified using biochemical parameters and MALDI-TOF MS. Bioactive metabolites were extracted from two bacterial isolates, and studied for their antifungal activity. The bioactive metabolites (No. 4, and 5) extracted from Bacillus cereus DSM 31T DSM, exhibited strong antifungal capabilities, and generated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polyphenols. The major VOCs were butanoic acid, 2-methyl, and 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z) in extracts No. 4, and 5 respectively. Cinnamic acid and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid were the most abundant phenolic acids in extracts No. 4, and 5 respectively. These bioactive metabolites had antifungal efficiency against A. flavus and caused morphological alterations in fungal conidiophores and conidiospores. Data also indicated that both extracts No. 4, and 5 reduced AFB1 production by 99.98%. On assessing the toxicity of bioactive metabolites on A. salina the IC50 recorded 275 and 300 µg/mL, for extracts No. 4, and 5 respectively. Meanwhile, the effect of these extracts on HepG2 revealed that the IC50 of extract No. 5 recorded 79.4 µg/mL, whereas No. 4 showed no cytotoxic activity. It could be concluded that bioactive metabolites derived from Bacillus species showed antifungal and anti-aflatoxigenic activities, indicating their potential use in food safety.

An exploratory study of fibre microplastics pollution in different process stages of salt production by solar evaporation in Spain.

Microplastics are a pollutant of growing concern. Several studies have found microplastics in table salt worldwide in the last decade, although most have focused on already prepackaged salt. To the best of our knowledge, there is no previous research analysing the entire salt production process. In this study focused on solar evaporation salinas, brine and salt samples were obtained from each stage of production, starting with the entrance of seawater/brine until the final stage of ready-to-sell salt, in six sites in Spain. We extracted microplastics from each sample after 30 % H2O2 digestion and filtration through cellulose nitrate 5 µm pore filters. Microplastic fibres were optically analysed with an Olympus DSX1000. Results indicate that microplastics are present both in seawater and air, with atmospheric fallout identified as the primary source. Microplastic concentrations from the entrance to the salina till the inlet to the crystallizers ranges from 256 to 1500 items per liter and from 79 to 193 microplastics per kg for packaged salt were estimated. Artisanal salina F shows the highest content in microplastics. This study hopes to give insight into the origin and causes of microplastic pollution in solar evaporation salinas and contribute to preventing this form of pollution in food-grade salt.

Effects of pickle brine and glycine addition on biogenic amine production in pickle fermentation.

This study investigated the effects of different pickle brines and glycine additions on biogenic amine formation in pickle fermentation. The results showed that the brines with higher biogenic amine content led to the production of more biogenic amines in the simulated pickle fermentation system. This was related to the abundance of biogenic amine-producing microorganisms in the microbial communities of the brines. Metagenome analysis of the brines and metatranscriptome analysis of the fermentation systems showed that putrescine was primarily from Lactobacillus, Oenococcus, and Pichia, while histamine and tyramine were primarily from Lactobacillus and Tetragenococcus. Addition of glycine significantly reduced the accumulation of biogenic amines in the simulated pickle fermentation system by as much as 70 %. The addition of glycine had no inhibitory effect on the amine-producing microorganisms, but it down-regulated the transcription levels of the genes for enzymes related to putrescine synthesis in Pichia, Lactobacillus, and Oenococcus, as well as the histidine decarboxylase genes in Lactobacillus and Tetragenococcus. Catalytic reaction assay using crude solutions of amino acid decarboxylase extracted from Lactobacillus brevis showed that the addition of glycine inhibited 45 %-55 % of ornithine decarboxylase and tyrosine decarboxylase activities. This study may provide a reference for the study and control of the mechanism of biogenic amine formation in pickle fermentation.

Instant Interlayer Restoration Strategy for Lithium Adsorption Engineering Enhancement in Sulfate-type Brines.

It was confirmed that the detrimental effect of SO42- on Li+ desorption and readsorption intensified with the increase of the SO42-/Cl- ratio, resulting in application limitations of aluminum-based adsorbent (Li/Al-LDHs) in sulfate-type brines. Based on the interlayer anion exchangeability of Li/Al-LDHs, a one-step interlayer restoration strategy was designed with the assistance of molecular dynamics to rapidly substitute the intercalated SO42- with preferentially desorbed Cl-, aiming to fundamentally address the damage to the cycling performance. The strategy effectiveness was verified by the restored adsorption and desorption capacities in various sulfate-type brines. Furthermore, enhanced lithium extraction processes for sulfate-type brines were established and showed universal applicability for complex brines with different compositions during fixed-bed cycles. By regulating the implementation frequency, the Li+ extraction efficiency was improved, in which the extraction amount per unit time could increase by more than 100% compared with the conventional process.

The Influence of Balneotherapy Using Salty Sulfide-Hydrogen Sulfide Water on Selected Markers of the Cardiovascular System: A Prospective Study.

Background: The sulfide-hydrogen sulfide brine balneotherapy (HSBB), including a combination of dissolved hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas, inorganic sulfur ions (S2-), and hydrosulfide ions (HS-), is one of the most important and most effective forms of spa treatment in patients with osteoarticular disorders (OADs). Some cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are often considered to be contraindications to HSBB since the presence of thiol groups may lead to an increased quantity of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which damage the vascular endothelium, and endothelial dysfunction is considered to be the main cause of atherosclerosis. However, there are a number of literature reports suggesting this theory to be false. H2S is a member of the endogenous gaseous transmitter family and, since it is a relatively recent addition, it has the least well-known biological properties. H2S-NO interactions play an important role in oxidative stress in CVDs. The general objective of this study was to assess the cardiovascular safety of HSBB and analyze the effect of HSBB on selected cardiovascular risk markers. Methods: A total of 100 patients at the age of 76.3 (±7.5) years from the Wlókniarz Sanatorium in Busko-Zdrój were initially included in the study. The following parameters were assessed: age, sex, height, body weight, body surface area (BSA), body mass index (BMI), systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate, the diagnosis of OAD that was the indication for balneotherapy, creatinine (CREAT), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), lipid panel, C-reactive protein (CRP), uric acid (UA), and fibrinogen (FIBR) and cardiovascular markers: (cardiac troponin T (cTnT), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). Results: A significant decrease in DBP and a trend towards SBP reduction were observed over the course of the study. A significant decrease was observed in CRP levels decreasing from 2.7 (±3.6) mg/L to 2.06 (±1.91) mg/L, whereas FIBR rose significantly from 2.95 (±0.59) g/L to 3.23 (±1.23) g/L. LDL-C levels decreased slightly, statistically significant, from 129.36 (±40.67) mg/dL to 123.74 (±36.14) mg/dL. HSBB did not affect the levels of evaluated cardiovascular biomarkers, namely NT-proBNP (137.41 (±176.52) pg/mL vs. 142.89 (±182.82) pg/mL; p = 0.477) and cTnT (9.64 (±4.13) vs. 9.65 (±3.91) ng/L; p = 0.948). A multiple regression analysis of pre-balneotherapy and post-balneotherapy values showed cTnT levels to be independently correlated only with CREAT levels and GFR values. None of the assessed parameters independently correlated with the NT-proBNP level. Conclusions: HSBB resulted in a statistically significant improvement in a subclinical pro-inflammatory state. HSBB has a beneficial effect in modifying key cardiovascular risk factors by reducing LDL-C levels and DBP values. HSBB has a neutral effect on cardiovascular ischemia/injury. Despite slightly elevated baseline levels of the biochemical marker of HF (NT-proBNP), HSBB causes no further increase in this marker. The use of HSBB in patients with OAD has either a neutral effect or a potentially beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system, which may constitute grounds for further studies to verify the current cardiovascular contraindications for this form of therapy.

Distribution and risk assessment of microplastics in water, sediment and brine shrimps in a remote salt lake on the Tibetan Plateau, China.

Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive environmental contaminants that have infiltrated even the most remote ecosystems. Despite their widespread distribution, the transfer patterns and impacts of MPs in remote lakes remain poorly understood. This study aimed to address the knowledge gap regarding the pathways and consequences of MP pollution in these isolated environments. Focusing on Kyêbxang Co, a remote salt lake in Tibet, this study investigated the transfer patterns, sources and ecological impacts of MPs, providing insights into their mobility and fate in pristine ecosystems. Water, sediment and biota (brine shrimp) samples from Kyêbxang Co, collected during the summer of 2020, were analyzed using µ-Raman spectroscopy to determine MP abundances, polymer types and potential sources. Findings indicated significant MP contamination in all examined media, with concentrations highlighting the role of runoff in transporting MPs to remote locations. The majority of detected MPs were small fragments (<0.5 mm), constituting over 93 %, with polypropylene being the predominant polymer type. The presence of a halocline may slow the descent of MPs, potentially increasing the exposure and ingestion risk to brine shrimp. Despite the currently low ecological risk estimated for MPs, this study underscores the need for long-term monitoring and development of a comprehensive ecological risk assessment model for MPs.