Refractive Index of Benchmark Polystyrene Nanoplastics by Optical Modeling of UV-Vis Spectra.

Optical recognition and identification of nanoplastics such as polystyrene nanobeads (PSbs), a widely used polymer and an actual source of environmental pollution, is a challenging task relying on knowledge of the PSbs' refractive index (RI) and its relation to the PSbs' morphology. This is, however, lacking for PSbs' sizes lower than 1 μm. Here, we bridge this gap by measuring UV-vis spectra of PSbs deposited on a sapphire substrate via spin coating and by connecting the experimental data to the RI, PSbs' morphology, and optical transitions through a new optical model based on the Mie theory.

Investigating aquatic biodegradation and changes in the properties of pristine and UV-irradiated microplastics from conventional and biodegradable agricultural plastics.

There is an increasing tendency to replace conventional agricultural plastic mulching films with biodegradable alternatives. However, while the latter biodegrade well under controlled conditions (e.g.

Interlaboratory Comparison Reveals State of the Art in Microplastic Detection and Quantification Methods.

In this study, we investigate the current accuracy of widely used microplastic (MP) detection methods through an interlaboratory comparison (ILC) involving ISO-approved techniques. The ILC was organized under the prestandardization platform of VAMAS (Versailles Project on Advanced Materials and Standards) and gathered a large number (84) of analytical laboratories across the globe. The aim of this ILC was (i) to test and to compare two thermo-analytical and three spectroscopical methods with respect to their suitability to identify and quantify microplastics in a water-soluble matrix and (ii) to test the suitability of the microplastic test materials to be used in ILCs.

Characterization of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyamide (PA) true-to-life nanoplastics and their biological interactions.

Plastic and microplastics, including polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS), are major contributors to environmental pollution. However, there is a growing recognition of the need to investigate a wider range of plastic polymers to fully understand the extent and impacts of plastic pollution. This study focuses on the comprehensive characterization of true-to-life nanoplastics (T2LNPs) derived from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyamide (PA) to enhance our understanding of environmental nanoplastics pollution.

A Complete Guide to Extraction Methods of Microplastics from Complex Environmental Matrices.

Sustainable development is a big global challenge for the 21st century. In recent years, a class of emerging contaminants known as microplastics (MPs) has been identified as a significant pollutant with the potential to harm ecosystems. These small plastic particles have been found in every compartment of the planet, with aquatic habitats serving as the ultimate sink.

Biotechnological methods to remove microplastics: a review.

Microplastics pollution is major threat to ecosystems and is impacting abiotic and biotic components. Microplastics are diverse and highly complex contaminants that transport other contaminants and microbes. Current methods to remove microplastics include biodegradation, incineration, landfilling, and recycling.

Quantification of ternary microplastic mixtures through an ultra-compact near-infrared spectrometer coupled with chemometric tools.

The ubiquitous distribution of plastics and microplastics (MPs) and their resistance to biological and chemical decay is adversely affecting the environment. MPs are considered as emerging contaminants of concern in all the compartments, including terrestrial, aquatic, and atmospheric environments. Efficient monitoring, detection, and removal technologies require reliable methods for a qualitative and quantitative analysis of MPs, considering point-of-need testing a new evolution and a great trend at the market level.

Environmental Impact of Surgical Masks Consumption in Italy Due to COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic suddenly changed the lifestyle of billions of people. Face masks became indispensable to protect from the contagion providing a significant environmental impact. The aim of this work is to propose possible solutions to decrease masks' impact on the environment.

ESCAPE approach for the sustainability evaluation of spent lithium-ion batteries recovery: Dataset of 33 available technologies.

Recovering critical raw materials from end-of-life batteries is mandatory to limit the need of virgin resources in the long-term. However, most of the recycling of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) technologies are still in an infancy stage. As a result, to date, only few studies focus on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the proposed processes, presenting limited results.

BMP6 binding to heparin and heparan sulfate is mediated by N-terminal and C-terminal clustered basic residues.

Background: The bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP6) is a crucial inducer of hepcidin, the peptide hormone that regulates the iron availability in our body. Hepcidin expression is influenced by hepatic heparan sulfate (HS) and by heparin administration, suggesting BMP6 interaction with heparin/HS. The BMP2/4 subfamily has been deeply characterized to have a N-terminal heparin/HS binding domain (HBD), whose basic residues contact the sulfate groups on heparin and HS.

New Eco-Materials Derived from Waste for Emerging Pollutants Adsorption: The Case of Diclofenac.

This work proposes new eco-materials for the adsorption of diclofenac (DCF). The large consumption of this nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug combined with the inefficiency of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) leads to its presence in aquatic environments as an emerging pollutant. The adsorption technique is widely used for pharmaceutical removal.

Bottom ash derived from municipal solid waste and sewage sludge co-incineration: First results about characterization and reuse.

This paper reports a complete characterization of the lowest fractions of bottom ash derived from co-combustion of municipal solid waste with sewage sludge (COBA), with the aim to suggest suitable reuse strategies of this by-product. X-Ray Microanalysis is coupled with mineralogical characterization, based on X-Ray Diffraction and Rietveld refinement, to extract information about COBA crystalline and amorphous phases. The composition of different particle size fractions shows that amount of amorphous increases with the increase of fractions sizes.

Poultry litter ash characterisation and recovery.

This paper reports a complete characterisation of poultry litter ash and its potential use as a heavy metal stabiliser. We propose a novel approach, in which the ashes deriving from municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) are combined with poultry litter ash, rather than with coal combustion flue gas desulfurisation (FGD) residues. Heavy metals stabilisation was demonstrated by comparing the elemental concentrations in the leaching solutions of the starting raw and stabilised materials: leachable Pb and Zn showed a reduced solubility.

Fourier-transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy fingerprints subpopulations of extracellular vesicles of different sizes and cellular origin.

Identification of extracellular vesicle (EV) subpopulations remains an open challenge. To date, the common strategy is based on searching and probing set of molecular components and physical properties intended to be univocally characteristics of the target subpopulation. Pitfalls include the risk to opt for an unsuitable marker set - which may either not represent the subpopulation or also cover other unintended subpopulations - and the need to use different characterization techniques and equipment.

The structure of cortical bone as revealed by the application of methods for the calcified matrix study.

Calcination and decalcification are basic procedures useful to a morphological approach of a biological, composite material like cortical bone. The study was carried out on a whole human femur conserved in liquid (from an educational collection). Cortical fracturing and SEM observation of vascular canals surface collagen texture was used to study bone deproteination at scalar temperatures (400-1,200°C) and acid bone decalcification at crescent time intervals.

Miniaturized Near-Infrared (MicroNIR) Spectrometer in Plastic Waste Sorting.

Valorisation of the urban plastic waste in high-quality recyclates is an imperative challenge in the new paradigm of the circular economy. In this scenario, a key role in the improvement of the recycling process is exerted by the optimization of waste sorting. In spite of the enormous developments achieved in the field of automated sorting systems, the quest for the reduction of cross-contamination of incompatible polymers as well as a rapid and punctual sorting of the unmatched polymers has not been sufficiently developed.

Increased Sustainability of Carbon Dioxide Mineral Sequestration by a Technology Involving Fly Ash Stabilization.

Mineral carbonation, involving reactions of alkaline earth oxides with CO has received great attention, as a potential carbon dioxide sequestration technology. Indeed, once converted into mineral carbonate, CO can be permanently stored in an inert phase. Several studies have been focalized to the utilization of industrial waste as a feedstock and the reuse of some by-products as possible materials for the carbonation reactions.

Comparison of multiple X-ray fluorescence techniques for elemental analysis of particulate matter collected on air filters.

This work reports on qualitative and semi-quantitative elemental analysis of particulate matter (PM) collected on PTFE membrane filters, for a source apportionment study conducted in Brescia (Italy). Sampling was undertaken in a residential area where an increase in Mn emissions has been highlighted by previous studies. Filters are measured by means of X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) based techniques such as micro-XRF and grazing incidence XRF using synchrotron radiation, Mo or W excitation sources, after applying an automatized sample preparation method.

A New Porous Hybrid Material Derived From Silica Fume and Alginate for Sustainable Pollutants Reduction.

In this work a new mesoporous adsorbent material obtained from a natural, high abundant raw material and a high volume industrial by-product is presented. The material is consolidated by the gelling properties of alginate and by decomposition of sodium-bicarbonate controlled porosity at low temperatures (70-80°C) at different scale lengths. The structural, thermal, and morphological characterization shows that the material is a mesoporous organic-inorganic hybrid.

Comprehensive approach to the validation of the standard method for total reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis of water.

In this work, we present the validation of the chemical method for total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) analysis of water, proposed as a standard to the International Standard Organization. The complete experimental procedure to define the linear calibration range, elements sensitivities, limits of detection and quantification, precision and accuracy is presented for a commercial TXRF spectrometer equipped with Mo X-ray tube. Least squares linear regression, including all statistical tests is performed separately for each element of interest to extract sensitivities.

Elemental analysis of tree leaves by total reflection X-ray fluorescence: New approaches for air quality monitoring.

This work shows that total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) is a fast, easy and successful tool to determine the presence of potentially toxic elements in atmospheric aerosols precipitations on tree leaves. Leaves are collected in eleven parks of different geographical areas of the Brescia city, Northern Italy, for environmental monitoring purposes. Two sample preparation procedures are considered: microwave acid digestion and the novel SMART STORE method for direct analysis.

Energetics of surface confined ferritin during iron loading.

We report on the first quantitative picture on how iron loading inside ferritin molecules occurs when they are self-assembled onto solid surfaces. Recombinant human ferritin H-chain with ferroxidase activity was adsorbed onto microcantilever beams to form a stable close-packed thin film. The obtained nanomechanical system was used to track in real time the energetics of inter-ferritin surface interactions during incubation with Fe(II) for iron loading.

Biosensor Applications of MAPLE Deposited Lipase.

Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE) is a thin film deposition technique derived from Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) for deposition of delicate (polymers, complex biological molecules, etc.) materials in undamaged form. The main difference of MAPLE technique with respect to PLD is the target: it is a frozen solution or suspension of the (guest) molecules to be deposited in a volatile substance (matrix).

Cavitand-grafted silicon microcantilevers as a universal probe for illicit and designer drugs in water.

The direct, clean, and unbiased transduction of molecular recognition into a readable and reproducible response is the biggest challenge associated to the use of synthetic receptors in sensing. All possible solutions demand the mastering of molecular recognition at the solid-liquid interface as prerequisite. The socially relevant issue of screening amine-based illicit and designer drugs is addressed by nanomechanical recognition at the silicon-water interface.