ABSTRACT
Arsenic (As) contamination poses a significant threat to human health, ecosystems, and agriculture, with levels ranging from 12 to 75% attributed to mine waste and stream sediments. This naturally element is abundant in Earth's crust and gets released into the environment through mining and rock processing, causing ≈363 million people to depend on As-contaminated groundwater. To combat this issue, introducing a sustainable hydrochar system has achieved a remarkable removal efficiency of over 92% for arsenic through adsorption. This comprehensive review presents an overview of As contamination in the environment, with a specific focus on its impact on drinking water and wastewater. It delves into the far-reaching effects of As on human health, ecosystems, aquatic systems, and agriculture, while also exploring the effectiveness of existing As treatment systems. Additionally, the study examines the potential of hydrochar as an efficient adsorbent for As removal from water/wastewater, along with other relevant adsorbents and biomass-based preparations of hydrochar. Notably, the fusion of hydrochar with nanoparticle-centric approaches presents a highly promising and environmentally friendly solution for achieving the removal of As from wastewater, exceeding >99% efficiency. This innovative approach holds immense potential for advancing the realms of green chemistry and environmental restoration. Various challenges associated with As contamination and treatment are highlighted, and proposed solutions are discussed. The review emphasizes the urgent need to advance treatment technologies, improve monitoring methods, and enhance regulatory frameworks. Looking outlook, the article underscores the importance of fostering research efforts, raising public awareness, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration to address this critical environmental issue. Such efforts are vital for UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially clean water and sanitation (Goal 6) and climate action (Goal 13), crucial for global sustainability.
Subject(s)
Arsenic , Environmental Restoration and Remediation , Water Pollutants, Chemical , Water Purification , Humans , Wastewater , Arsenic/analysis , Ecosystem , Water , Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis , Adsorption , Water Purification/methodsABSTRACT
Control of residual levels of synthetic pyrethroids in fresh fruits and vegetables as well as in foodstuff made of fresh agricultural produces is of utmost importance. Apart from the need to more control on application of pesticides by farmers, simple and effective postharvest practices by consumers and/or manufacturers usually applied to produces before consumption may enhance food safety from potentially harmful pesticide residues. The present review discusses the underline factors that control the effectiveness of crops postharvest treatments and the possible mechanisms of loss of pesticides during food processing. It is shown that the effectiveness of postharvest processes is controlled by various factors and that understanding such factors is essential for more control of residual pesticides. Though postharvest processes may lead to substantial reduction of residual pesticides, metabolites of broken pesticides are of great concern.
Subject(s)
Crops, Agricultural , Food Contamination/analysis , Food Handling/methods , Pesticide Residues/analysis , Pyrethrins/analysis , Agriculture , Food Storage/methods , Fruit/chemistry , Half-Life , Pesticide Residues/chemistry , Pyrethrins/chemistry , Vegetables/chemistryABSTRACT
The latest developments in sample preparation and extraction of synthetic pyrethroids from environmental matrices viz., water, sediment and soil were reviewed. Though the synthetic pyrethroids were launched in 1970s, to the best of authors' knowledge there was no review on this subject until date. The present status and recent advances made during the last 10 years in sample preparation including conservation and extraction techniques used in determination of synthetic pyrethroids in water, sediment and soil were discussed. Pre- and post-extraction treatments, sample stability during extraction and its influence upon the whole process of analytical determination were covered. Relative merits and demerits including the green aspects of extraction were evaluated. The current trends and future prospects were also addressed.