Navigating towards a plastic-free future: A holistic review of microplastic accumulation and management for land and environmental sustainability.

Bioaccumulation of micro (nano) plastics (MNPs) in freshwater and marine ecosystems) and their consumption by life forms can lead to health decline. Importance of suitable infrastructure growth, waste valorization, cost-effective methods for managing plastic waste, and feasible options to reduce in the environment were proposed in this study. Results suggested that introducing MPs at varying concentrations reduces key soil enzyme activities, indicating a dose-dependent effect on microbial functions.

Machine learning-based habitat mapping of the invasive Prosopis juliflora in Sharjah, UAE.

Prosopis juliflora, one of the most invasive trees, adversely affects the ecosystem and native plant communities in arid lands. This disrupts biodiversity and depletes water resources, posing significant ecological and economic challenges. Several attempts have been made to control this species in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) deserts but with little success.

Exploring the Anticancer Effect of on Colorectal Cancer: Insights From Eight Colorectal Cancer Cell Lines.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent and deadly disease, necessitating the exploration of novel therapeutic strategies. Traditional chemotherapy often encounters drug resistance and adverse side effects, highlighting the need for alternative approaches. , a plant rich in phytochemical constituents, was investigated for its potential as an anticancer agent against colorectal cancer (CRC).

Ecotoxicological effects of paracetamol on the biochemical and molecular responses of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.).

The widespread use of pharmaceuticals, including paracetamol, has raised concerns about their impact on the environment and non-target species. The aim of this study was to investigate the biochemical and molecular responses of Spinacia oleracea (spinach) to high paracetamol concentrations in order to understand the plant's stress responses and underlying mechanisms. Under controlled conditions, spinach plants were exposed to different paracetamol concentrations (0, 50, 100, and 200 mg/L).

Fate of emerging contaminants in an advanced SBR wastewater treatment and reuse facility incorporating UF, RO, and UV processes.

A critical factor for widescale water reuse adoption is the capability of advanced wastewater treatment facilities to consistently produce high-quality water by efficiently removing various pollutants, including emerging contaminants (ECs). This study monitored the fate of seventeen ECs (which included pesticides, antibiotics and other pharmaceutically active compounds) over six months in an advanced wastewater reuse facility situated in the United Arab Emirates. The facility integrates a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) based sewage treatment plant (STP) with a water recycling facility featuring ultrafiltration (UF), reverse osmosis (RO), and ultraviolet (UV) disinfection.

Solar-matched S-scheme ZnO/g-CN for visible light-driven paracetamol degradation.

In pursuit of an efficient visible light driven photocatalyst for paracetamol degradation in wastewater, we have fabricated the ZnO/g-CN S-Scheme photocatalysts and explored the optimal percentage to form a composite of graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) with zinc oxide (ZnO) for enhanced performance. Our study aimed to address the urgent need for a catalyst capable of environmentally friendly degradation of paracetamol, a common pharmaceutical pollutant, using visible light conditions. Here, we tailored the band gap of a photocatalyst to match solar radiation as a transformative advancement in environmental catalysis.

Assessment of elemental chemistry, spatial distribution, and potential risks of road-deposited dusts in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Road dust is a major source of pollution in the environment, carrying different pollutants, including heavy metals and metalloids, from one location to another. This study assesses the concentrations of eight heavy metals and one metalloid (Zn, Pb, Mn, Fe, Cr, Cu, Cd, Ni, and As) in dust samples collected from sixty-eight streets of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates using ICP-OES, as well as investigates their effects on both the environment and humans. Mean concentrations of the elements in μg/g across the sites were 392 ± 46 (Zn), 68.

Utilizing sludge-based activated carbon for targeted leachate mitigation in wastewater treatment.

Activated carbon (AC) based adsorbents derived from waste sludge were utilized to remediate mixed contaminants in wastewater as an integrated waste-to-resource approach promoting a paradigm shift in management of refuse sludge and wastewater. This review specifically focuses on the remediation of constituents of landfill leachate by sludge-based activated carbon (SBAC). The adsorption effectiveness of SBAC for the exclusion of leachate characters including heavy metals, phenols, dyes, phosphates, and phosphorus were explored with regard to modifiers such as pH, temperature, properties of the adsorbent including functional groups, initial doses of absorbent and adsorbate, and duration of exposure to note the impact of each parameter on the efficiency of adsorption of the sludge adsorbent.

Adsorption of Eosin B from Wastewater onto the Prepared Porous Anion Exchange Membrane.

This research describes the fabrication of the porous trimethylamine (TMA)-grafted anion exchange membrane (AEM) over a phase inversion process. The synthesis of the generated AEM was verified using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The fabricated porous AEM showed 240% water uptake (W), 1.

Tailoring Vanadium-Based Magnetic Catalyst by In Situ Encapsulation of Tungsten Disulfide and Applications in Abatement of Multiple Pollutants.

A magnetic nanocomposite of tungsten and vanadium was employed as a catalyst for the mitigation of water contaminants, including a carcinogenic dye (Congo red, CR), a widely used pesticide (glyphosate), and the bacterial strain . Additionally, it was subjected to several characterization techniques. X-ray diffraction spectroscopy examination validated the synthesized nanoparticles' crystalline nature, and scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis were employed to examine the morphology and elemental composition of the catalyst.

Occurrence, spatial and seasonal variations of emerging contaminants in the aquatic environment of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

The occurrence, seasonal variations and spatial distribution of emerging contaminants (ECs) in wastewater effluents from wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and UAE's receiving coastal aquatic environment (seawater and sediments) were evaluated in the present study. A total of 21, 23, and 22 contaminants in the effluents, seawater, and sediments, respectively, at concentrations ranging from low ng L up to 1782 ng L in effluents, from low ng/l up to 236.10 ng L in seawater, and from low ng g up to 60.

Novel composites of activated carbon and layered double oxide for the removal of sulfate from synthetic and brackish groundwater.

Sulfate (SO) is a major water and environmental concern that causes severe diarrhea, death of invertebrates and plant species, and clogging of industrial pipes. In the current work, treatment of SO from synthetic and real groundwater having 3901 mg(SO)/L was investigated for the first time using Zn-Al and Mg-Al layered double oxides doped granular activated carbon (GAC/Mg-Al LDO and GAC/Zn-Al LDO). The co-precipitation method was followed to synthesize the GAC/LDO composites using an Mg or Zn to Al molar ratio of 3:1.

Correction to "Adsorption of Methyl Orange from an Aqueous Solution onto a BPPO-Based Anion Exchange Membrane".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c03148.

Design of tropinium-functionalized anion exchange membranes for acid recovery via diffusion dialysis process.

Diffusion dialysis (DD) process utilizing anion exchange membranes (AEMs) is an environmentally-friendly and energy-efficient technology. From acidic wastewater, DD is needed for acid recovery. This research reports the development of a series of dense tropinium-functionalized AEMs via solution casting method.

Application of QPPO/PVA based commercial anion exchange membrane as an outstanding adsorbent for the removal of Eosin-B dye from wastewaters.

Commercially available QPPO/PVA based anion exchange membrane (AEM) BIII was to inquire the percentage discharge of anionic dye Eosin-B (EB) at terrain temperature from wastewater. The impact of EB initial concentration, membrane dosage, ionic strength, contact time and temperature on EB percentage removal was contemplated. The EB percentage removal was increased from 22 to 99.

Molecularly imprinted ormosil as a sorbent for targeted dispersive solid phase micro extraction of pyriproxyfen from strawberry samples.

Novel molecularly imprinted organically modified silica was prepared by reacting acrylamide and 3-(tri-methoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate followed by condensation and hydrolysis with tetraethyl ortho-silicate for the determination of pyriproxyfen. The sorbent proved to be highly selective for the template molecule, pyriproxyfen. The characterization of sorbent was carried out using SEM, BET and TGA.

Oxidized carbide-derived carbon as a novel filler for improved antifouling characteristics and permeate flux of hybrid polyethersulfone ultrafiltration membranes.

Polyethersulfone (PES) is a widely used polymer for ultrafiltration (UF) membrane fabrication. In the current study, carbide-derived carbon (CDC) oxidized by acid treatment was utilized as a filler to fabricate a novel PES composites UF membranes. The successful oxidation of CDC was validated from presence of oxygen containing functional groups and improved oxygen content, from 5.

An eco-friendly approach on green synthesis, bio-engineering applications, and future outlook of ZnO nanomaterial: A critical review.

Synthesizing ZnO nanostructures ranging from 1 nm to 4 nm confines the electron cloud and exhibits a quantum effect generally called as quantum confinement effect attracting many researchers in the field of electronics and optics. ZnO nanostructures are used in medical applications to formulate antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, and anti-diabetic medications. This work is a comprehensive study of green synthesis of ZnO nanomaterials using different biological sources and highlights different processes able to produce nanostructures including nanowires, nanorods, nanotubes and other nano shapes of ZnO nanostructures.

Tumor micro-environment sensitive release of doxorubicin through chitosan based polymeric nanoparticles: An in-vitro study.

Conventional chemotherapy poses toxic effects to healthy tissues. A therapeutic system is thus required that can administer, distribute, metabolize, and excrete medicine from human body without damaging healthy cells. This is possible by designing a therapeutic system that can release drug at specific target tissue.

A Comparative Analysis of the Effect of Carbonaceous Nanoparticles on the Physicochemical Properties of Hybrid Polyethersulfone Ultrafiltration Membranes.

Numerous studies have been previously reported on the use of nanoscale carbonaceous fillers, such as multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphene oxide (GO), in polymeric ultrafiltration (UF) membranes; however, no insight has been clearly reported on which material provides the best enhancements in membrane performance. In this study, a comparative analysis was carried out to establish a comprehensible understanding of the physicochemical properties of hybrid polyethersulfone (PES) UF membranes incorporated with MWCNTs and GO nanoparticles at various concentrations. The hybrid membranes were prepared via the non-solvent-induced phase separation process and further characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscope (AFM).

Molecularly Imprinted Polymeric Sorbent for Targeted Dispersive Solid-Phase Microextraction of Fipronil from Milk Samples.

Fipronil, a phenyl pyrazole insecticide, is extensively used in agriculture to control insect infestation. It has the potential to assimilate into the food chain, leading to serious health concerns. We report molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-based dispersive solid-phase microextraction for the targeted determination of fipronil in milk samples.

Experimental design by response surface methodology for efficient cefixime uptake from hospital effluents using anion exchange membrane.

The excessive use of antibiotics and their ultimate routes to the environment have prompted the drug resistance, which is becoming a major ecological issue. In this work, we have evaluated the performance of quaternary ammonium poly (2, 6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) and polyvinyl alcohol (QPPO/PVA) based anion exchange membrane against cefixime (a third generation cephalosporin antibiotic) present in hospital effluents. The membrane's surface morphology was studied through scanning electron microscopy.