Porous adsorbent derived from acid activation of food waste biochar: A sustainable approach for novel removal chlorophenol in wastewater.

In this study, porous biochar (PBC) was prepared by acid activation of biochar derived from food waste (FWBC) and used as a suitable approach for the removal of 4-chlorophenol (CP) in wastewater. The characterization of PBC and the influent of different experimental conditions are determined. After the acid activation process, the surface area, porosity, and functional groups of PBC were developed. The removal performances of CP (1 mg/L) by PBC and FWBC were archived at 97.8 and 82.1%, respectively. Adsorption kinetics and isotherms of CP were followed by the second-order and Langmuir models, respectively. The maximum capacities of CP uptake onto mono-layer of FWBC and PBC based on the Langmuir model were determined at 79.8 and 108.7 mg/g, respectively. Besides, PBC could remove more than 89% CP from wastewater within 45 min of reaction time and it is suitable to reuse 8 times with over 60% adsorption efficiency of CP. In addition, the adsorption mechanism and environmental impact were discussed in detail. This work could bring a sustainable approach to the treatment of CP in wastewater as well as the management of food waste in Vietnam.

Enhanced photocatalytic decomposition of phenol in wastewater by using La-TiO2 nanocomposite.

In this work, La-TiO2 nanocomposite was synthesized by loading lanthanum onto TiO2 and used for improving photodegradation of phenol in wastewater. The characterizations of La-TiO2 demonstrated that the loading of La onto TiO2 not only increased its adsorption light zone up to 470 nm but also decreased the band gap energy from 3.1 to 2.64 eV. Photoluminescence spectra of La-TiO2 confirmed the enhancing separation rate between electron and hole, leading to improve photodegradation efficiency of phenol. The removal rate of phenol was influenced by solution pH and alkaline conditions could bring better removal efficiency. In presence of light, the photodegradation efficiency of phenol by TiO2 was 64.1%, while it increased up to 93.4% by La-TiO2 photocatalyst. La-TiO2 nanocomposite was tested for five cycles and it showed only 13.8% dropping in the photodegradation efficiency of phenol. Besides, over 82% of phenol was removed from the wastewater sample by modified TiO2, demonstrating the potential of La-TiO2 photocatalyst for water pollution control.

Removal of ethylene by synthesized Ag/TiO2 photocatalyst under visible light irradiation.

Photocatalysts based on titanium dioxide (TiO2) were widely applied to solve environmental problems such as water and air pollution treatment. Currently, the application of these compounds for food packaging is increasing. This study prepared silver (Ag) doped TiO2 photocatalyst (Ag/TiO2) for the decomposition of gas ethylene (Eth), which is the main factor that causes fruits to over-ripen and damage or decay. It found that the doping of Ag could improve the optical property and light adsorption ability of Ag/TiO2 photocatalyst, which directly enhanced the photocatalytic decomposition of Eth performance. Under visible light, Ag/TiO2 could depredate 91.2% of Eth, while the removal performance by using the original TiO2 was 43.9%. The increased initial concentration of Eth from 5 to 30 ppm could inhibit the photocatalytic efficiency of Ag/TiO2 from 98.6 to 69.2%. Besides, the relative humidity and gas flow rate are roles in the Eth decomposition process. The recycling experiment confirmed that Ag/TiO2 had good reusability with a slight loss in photocatalytic performance (18.6%) after ten cycles tested. The future protective application of Ag/TiO2 for food protection during storage and transportation is discussed. This work provides a potential method to remove gas ethylene, reduce the ripening process and extend the shelf life of fruits.

Prehistoric pathways to Anthropocene adaptation: Evidence from the Red River Delta, Vietnam.

Over the past twenty years, government advisory bodies have placed increasing emphasis on the need for adaptive measures in response to the effects of human-induced climate change. Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs), which incorporate macroeconomic and climate variables, feature prominently in advisory content, though they rarely draw on data from outside strictly constrained hypothetical systems. This has led to assertions that they are not well-suited to approximate complex systemic human-environment processes. Modular, interdisciplinary approaches have offered a way to address this shortcoming; however, beyond climate records, prehistoric data continue to be under-utilised in developing such models. In this paper we highlight the contribution that archaeology and palaeoecology can make to the development of the next generation IAMs that are expected to enhance provision for more local and pro-active adaptations to future climate change. We present data from one of Southeast Asia's most heavily developed river deltas: the Red River (Song Hong) Delta, in Vietnam and localised analysis from the Tràng An Landscape Complex World Heritage Site, on the delta's southern margin. Comparison is made between Shared Socio-economic Pathways (SSP) 5-8.5 and SSP2-4.5 emission projection models and the Mid-Holocene inundation of the Red River Basin. We highlight the value to taking a scientific long view of coastal evolution through an illustrative set of eight research foci where palaeo-data can bring new and localised empirical data to bear on future risk management planning. We proceed to demonstrate the applicability of palaeoenvironmental, zooarchaeological and historical evidence to management and the development of sustainable conservation strategies using Tràng An as a case study. In so doing, we further highlight the importance of knowledge exchange between scientific, corporate, non-governmental, local, and state stakeholders to achieve tangible results on the ground.