What is the most effective analytical method for quantification and identification of microplastics in contaminated soils?

The increasing concern over microplastics (MPs) contamination in agricultural soils due to excessive plastic use is a worldwide concern. The objective of this study was to determine which analytical technique is most effective for the analysis of MPs in agricultural soils. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), multispectral analysis, and X-ray diffraction were used to analyze sections of clay soil containing varying percentages of virgin white MPs from 0 to 100%. X-ray analysis only detected MPs at high concentrations (20%). However, NIR at 2.300 nm and multispectral analysis at 395 nm demonstrated greater accuracy and sensitivity in distinguishing between all MPs levels. SEM revealed that MPs have an amorphous structure that is distinct from crystalline soil, potentially influencing their interactions with other soil constituents. These findings highlight the value of NIR and multispectral analysis in accurately identifying and measuring MPs in soil. Efficient management plans rely on increased awareness of MPs' environmental impact.

Electrochemically reduced graphene oxide films from Zn-C battery waste for the electrochemical determination of paracetamol and hydroquinone.

Contributing to the development of sustainable electroanalytical chemistry, electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ERGO) films obtained from residual graphite of discharged Zn-C batteries are proposed in this work. Graphite from the cathode of discarded Zn-C batteries was recovered and used in the synthesis of graphene oxide (GO) by the modified Hummer's method. The quality of the synthesized GO was verified using different characterization methods (FT-IR, XRD, SEM, and TEM). GO films were deposited on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) by the drop coating method and then electrochemically reduced by cathodic potential scanning using cyclic voltammetry. The electrochemical features of the ERGO films were investigated using the ferricyanide redox probe, as well as paracetamol (PAR) and hydroquinone (HQ) molecules as model analytes. From the cyclic voltammetry assays, enhanced heterogeneous electron transfer rate constants (k0) were observed for all redox systems studied. In analytical terms, the ERGO-based electrode showed higher analytical sensitivity than the bare and GO-modified GCE. Using differential pulse voltammetry, wide linear response ranges and limits of detection of 0.14 µmol L-1 and 0.65 µmol L-1 were achieved for PAR and HQ, respectively. Furthermore, the proposed sensor was successfully applied to the determination of PAR and HQ in synthetic urine and tap water samples (recoveries close to 100%). The outstanding electrochemical and analytical properties of the proposed ERGO films are added to the very low cost of the raw material, being presented as a green-based alternative for the development of electrochemical (bio)sensors with unsophisticated resources.

Using native plants to evaluate urban metal pollution and appoint emission sources in the Brazilian Steel Valley region.

In southeastern Brazil, the city of Ipatinga is inserted in the Steel Valley Metropolitan Region, which hosts the largest industrial complex for flat-steel production in Latin America, while also having one of the largest vehicle fleets in the entire country. Since potentially toxic elements (PTEs) are not emitted solely by industries, yet also by vehicular activity, the predominant emission source can be determined by evaluating the ratio between different elements, which are called technogenic tracers. We performed a biomonitoring assay using two tropical legumes, Paubrasilia echinata and Libidibia ferrea var. leiostachya, aiming to assess chemical markers for the origin of emissions in the region, distinguishing between different anthropogenic sources. Plants were exposed for 90 days in four urban sites and in a neighboring park which served as reference. After the experimental period, plants were evaluated for trace-metal accumulation. L. ferrea var. leiostachya retained lower amounts of metals associated with vehicular and industrial emission. The opposite was found with P. echinata, a species which should be recommended for biomonitoring of air pollution as a bioaccumulator. Plants of P. echinata were enriched with Fe, Al, Ni, Cr, and Ba, whereas plants of L. ferrea var. leiostachya were enriched with Fe, Cu, and Co. In both species, Fe was the element with which plants were enriched the most. Plants showed highest iron enrichment at Bom Retiro, the site downwind to the steel industry, which has shown to be the main particle emission source in the region.

Impact of Early Arsenic Exposure on the Mineral Content and Oxidative Status of the Liver and Kidney of Pubescent and Adult Rats.

This study evaluated the effect of prepubertal arsenic exposure in the liver and kidney of pubescent rats and their reversibility 30 days after arsenic withdrawal. Male pups of Wistar rats (21 days old) were divided into two groups (n = 20/group): control animals received filtered water, and exposed rats received 10 mg L-1 arsenic from postnatal day (PND) 21 to PND 51. The liver and kidney of 52 days old rats (n = 10/group) were examined to investigate the effects of arsenic on micromineral content, antioxidant enzyme activity, histology, and biochemistry parameters. The other animals were kept alive under free arsenic conditions until 82 days old and further analyzed by the same parameters. Our results revealed that 52-day-old rats increased arsenic content in their liver and arsenic and manganese in their kidney. In those animals, glycogen and zinc content and catalase activity were reduced in the liver, and the selenium content decreased in the kidney. Thirty days later, arsenic reduced the manganese and iron content and SOD and CAT activity in the liver of 82-day-old rats previously exposed to arsenic, while glycogen and selenium content decreased in their kidney. In contrast, PND 82 rats exhibited higher retention of copper in the liver, an increase in iron and copper content, and CAT and GST activity in the kidney. Significant histological alterations of liver and kidney tissues were not observed in rats of both ages. We conclude that arsenic-induced toxicity could alter differently the oxidative status and balance of trace elements in pubertal and adult rats, demonstrating that the metalloid can cause effects in adulthood.

Vanadium-doped sodium phosphomolybdate salts as catalysts in the terpene alcohols oxidation with hydrogen peroxide.

In this work, we have explored the catalytic activity of Keggin-type heteropolyanions PMo12-n V n O40 (3+n)- (n = 0, 1, 2, or 3) in the form of sodium salts in green oxidation routes of terpene alcohols with hydrogen peroxide. Nerol was the model molecule selected to assess the impacts of the main reaction parameters, such as temperature, catalyst load, and stoichiometry of reactants. The impacts of the presence of vanadium at different proportions (i.e., V1, V2, and V3 loads/per anion) in the structure of phosphomolybdate catalysts were assessed. All the catalysts were characterized by various techniques such as powder X-ray diffraction, attenuated diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, isotherms of adsorption-desorption of N2 measurements of surface area, scanning electronic microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and n-butylamine potentiometric titration. Among the catalysts assessed, Na4PMo11VO40 was the most active and selective toward epoxides. The efficiency of this catalyst in the epoxidation of different terpene alcohols was investigated. Special attention was dedicated to correlating the composition and properties of the vanadium-doped phosphomolybdic catalysts with their catalytic activity.

Green tea infusion prevents diabetic nephropathy aggravation in recent-onset type 1 diabetes regardless of glycemic control.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Green tea, traditionally used as antidiabetic medicine, positively affects the diabetic nephropathy. It was assumed that these beneficial effects were due to the hypoglycemiant capacity of the tea, wich reduces the glycemic overload and, consequently, the advanced glycation end products rate and oxidative damage. However, these results are still controversial, since tea is not always able to exert a hypoglycemic action, as demonstrated by previous studies. AIM: Investigate if green tea infusion can generate positive outcomes for the kidney independently of glycemic control, using a model of severe type 1 diabetes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We treated streptozotocin type 1 diabetic young rats with 100 mg/kg of green tea, daily, for 42 days, and evaluated the serum and tissue markers for stress and function. We also analyzed the ion dynamics in the organ and the morphological alterations promoted by diabetes and green tea treatment. Besides, we analyzed, by an in silico approach, the interactions of the green tea main catechins with the proteins expressed in the kidney. RESULTS: Our findings reveal that the components of green tea can interact with the proteins participating in cell signaling pathways that regulate energy metabolism, including glucose and glycogen synthesis, glucose reabsorption, hypoxia management, and cell death by apoptosis. Such interaction reduces glycogen accumulation in the organ, and protects the DNA. These results also reflect in a preserved glomerulus morphology, with improvement in pathological features, and suggesting a prevention of kidney function impairment. CONCLUSION: Our results show that such benefits are achieved regardless of the blood glucose status, and are not dependent on the reduction of hyperglycemia.