Re-use of agricultural wastes for the removal and recovery of Zr(IV) from aqueous solutions

This study assesses the feasibility of Zr(IV) removal and recovery from aqueous solutions by novel biosorbents prepared from selected agricultural wastes. Sugarcane bagasse was selected for further investigation after showing increased biosorption capacity during the initial screening experiment. The biosorption efficiency of native (untreated), SDS-treated and immobilised bagasse for Zr(IV) removal was studied and optimization of the experimental conditions carried out including pH, biosorbent weight, contact time, initial metal ion concentration and temperature to maximise adsorption. Sorbent–sorbate reaction behaviour was estimated by fitting equilibrium data by non-linear and transformed linear forms of the Langmuir, Freundlich and Redlich–Peterson isotherms as well as pseudo-first and second-order kinetic models. The best fitting isothermal or kinetic model was optimized by comparing linear and non-linear R2 value and non-linear regression error functions. H2SO4 proved to be the most effective desorbing agent in recovery of the sorbed Zr(IV) ions from all forms of bagasse. Biosorbent characterisation and effectiveness of the process was confirmed by Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). The data illustrate that native (untreated), SDS-treated and immobilised bagasse have great potential to remove and recover Zr from wastewater

Development of new organic-inorganic, hybrid bionanocomposite from cellulose and clay for enhanced removal of Drimarine Yellow HF-3GL dye

© 2020 Elsevier B.V. Cellulose/clay composites were prepared and applied for the adsorption of Drimarine Yellow HF-3GL direct dye. The prepared composites were characterized by FTIR, TGA, EDX, SEM and XRD techniques. Bagasse was used as a cellulose source, while clay was obtained from local source, which was modified chemically before composite preparation. Adsorption efficiencies were compared of composite I and II as a function of contact time, temperature, pH, initial dye concentration and composite dose. Non-linear kinetic and equilibrium isotherm employed and dye adsorption data fitted well to pseudo-second order kinetics model. Among isotherms, the Redlich-Peterson isotherm well defined the sorption process of dye on to composites. Thermodynamic factors (ΔS°, ΔH° and ΔG°) revealed that the sorption process was spontaneous, exothermic and feasible. Cellulose/clay composite I and II removed 88.64% and 89.95% dye with 60 min at pH 2 and 30 °C, respectively. For reusability, desorption was performed using different eluting agents and NaOH showed higher desorption efficiency. For the treatment of wastewater, the developed composites were applied to textile effluents and color removal of (90–96.07%) and (97–98.23%) was achieved using cellulose/clay composite I and II, respectively. The results showed that cellulose/clay composite are efficient for the removal dyes and could possibly be used for the treatment of textile effluents

A green approach for the removal of Sr(II) from aqueous media: kinetics, isotherms and thermodynamic studies

Adsorption efficiency of native, NaOH-treated and immobilized peanut husk and sugarcane bagasse for Sr(II) removal was studied in batch mode. In view of promising adsorption efficiency of peanut husk versus sugarcane bagasse, the biosorption behaviour of the Sr(II) ions onto peanut husk (native and modified) was studied as a function of pH, biosorbent dose, contact time, initial metal ion concentration and temperature for the maximum removal of Sr(II) ions. Linear and non-linear pseudo-first and second-order kinetic models were applied and value of R2 and six non-linear regression error functions, namely hybrid fractional error function (HYBRID), Marquardt's percent standard deviation (MPSD), average relative error (ARE), the sum of the errors squared (ERRSQ/SSE), the sum of the absolute errors (EABS) and Chi-square test (χ2) were used to predict the most optimum kinetic model. Sorbent-sorbate reaction nature was estimated by fitting equilibrium data by non-linear and transformed linear forms of the Langmuir, Freundlich and Redlich-Peterson isotherms and most optimum isothermal model was optimized by comparing linear and non-linear R2 value and non-linear regression error functions. HCl proved most successful eluating agents for sorbed Sr(II) ions. Biosorption characteristics and effectiveness of the process was also confirmed by Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). In view of promising efficiency of peanut husk as an adsorbent, it could possibly be used for the removal of Sr(II) ions from aqueous medium and is also extendable to other radionuclide

Alleviation of drought stress through foliar application of thiamine in two varieties of pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Drought stress poorly impacts many morphological and physio-biochemical processes in plants. Pea (Pisum sativum L.) plants are highly nutritious crops destined for human consumption; however, their productivity is threatened under drought stress. Thiamine (vitamin B1) is well-known essential micronutrient, acting as a cofactor in key metabolic processes. Therefore, this study was designed to examine the protective effect of foliar application of thiamine (0, 250, and 500 ppm) on two varieties of pea plants under drought stress. Here, we conducted the pot experiment at the Government College Women University, Faisalabad, to investigate the physio-biochemical and morphological traits of two pea varieties (sarsabz and metior) grown under drought stress and thiamine treatment. Drought stress was applied to plants after germination period of 1 month. Results showed that root fresh and dry weight, shoot fresh and dry weight, number of pods, leaf area, total soluble sugars, total phenolics, total protein contents, catalase, peroxidase, and mineral ions were reduced against drought stress. However, the application of thiamine (both 250 and 500 ppm) overcome the stress and also enhances these parameters, and significantly increases the antioxidant activities (catalase and peroxidase). Moreover, the performance of sarsabz was better under control and drought stress conditions than metior variety. In conclusion, the exogenous application of thiamine enabled the plants to withstand drought stress conditions by regulating several physiological and biochemical mechanisms. In agriculture, it is a great latent to alleviate the antagonistic impact of drought stress on crops through the foliar application of thiamine

Cellulose-based materials and their adsorptive removal efficiency for dyes: A review

Dyes are emerging as harmful pollutants, which is one of major issues for the environmentalists and there is a urgent need for the removal of dyes from the effluents. In this context, the adsorption technology has been extensively used as an effective tool for the removal of dyes from the aqueous phase. This technique uses low-cost adsorbents and the cellulosic material is a biodegradable, cost-effective and renewable polymer, which is not soluble in the majority of solvents because of its crystalline nature and hydrogen bonding. Currently, the modified cellulosic materials for the removal of dyes from wastewater gained much attention. Moreover, the application of cellulose for water treatment can be utilized for controlling pollution and have high economic viability and availability. This review signifies the use of cellulose-based adsorbent for dyes adsorption from wastewater. The key advancement in the preparation and modification of cellulose-based adsorbents is discussed and their adsorption efficiencies are compared with other adsorbents for removal of dyes and adsorption conditions are also considered for the same. The studies reporting cellulose-based adsorption from 2003 to 2022 are included and their various properties are compared for the efficient removal of dyes. The modified cellulosic materials cellulose is a highly effective adsorbent for the remediation of effluents

Equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic studies on the removal of U(VI) by low cost agricultural waste

In this research, biosorption efficiency of different agro-wastes were evaluated with rice husk showing maximum biosorption capacity among the selected biosorbents. Optimization of native, SDS-treated and immobilized rice husk adsorption parameters including pH, biosorbent amount, contact time, initial U(VI) concentration and temperature for maximum U(VI) removal was investigated. Maximum biosorption capacity for native (29.56 mg g-1) and immobilized biomass (17.59 mg g-1) was observed at pH 4 while SDS-treated biomass showed maximum removal (28.08 mg g-1) at pH 5. The Langmuir sorption isotherm model correlated best with the U(IV) biosorption equilibrium data for the 10-100 mg L-1 concentration range. The kinetics of the reaction followed pseudo-second order kinetic model. Thermodynamic parameters like free energy (ΔG°) and enthalpy (ΔH°) confirmed the spontaneous and exothermic nature of the process. Experiments to determine the regeneration capacity of the selected biosorbents and the effect of competing metal ions on biosorption capacity were also conducted. The biomass was characterised using scanning electron microscopy, surface area analysis, Fourier transformed infra-red spectroscopy and thermal gravimetric analysis. The study proved that rice husk has potential to treat uranium in wastewater

Effect of early tranexamic acid administration on mortality, hysterectomy, and other morbidities in women with post-partum haemorrhage (WOMAN): an international, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background Post-partum haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide. Early administration of tranexamic acid reduces deaths due to bleeding in trauma patients. We aimed to assess the effects of early administration of tranexamic acid on death, hysterectomy, and other relevant outcomes in women with post-partum haemorrhage. Methods In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we recruited women aged 16 years and older with a clinical diagnosis of post-partum haemorrhage after a vaginal birth or caesarean section from 193 hospitals in 21 countries. We randomly assigned women to receive either 1 g intravenous tranexamic acid or matching placebo in addition to usual care. If bleeding continued after 30 min, or stopped and restarted within 24 h of the first dose, a second dose of 1 g of tranexamic acid or placebo could be given. Patients were assigned by selection of a numbered treatment pack from a box containing eight numbered packs that were identical apart from the pack number. Participants, care givers, and those assessing outcomes were masked to allocation. We originally planned to enrol 15 000 women with a composite primary endpoint of death from all-causes or hysterectomy within 42 days of giving birth. However, during the trial it became apparent that the decision to conduct a hysterectomy was often made at the same time as randomisation. Although tranexamic acid could influence the risk of death in these cases, it could not affect the risk of hysterectomy. We therefore increased the sample size from 15 000 to 20 000 women in order to estimate the effect of tranexamic acid on the risk of death from post-partum haemorrhage. All analyses were done on an intention-to-treat basis. This trial is registered with ISRCTN76912190 (Dec 8, 2008); ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00872469; and PACTR201007000192283. Findings Between March, 2010, and April, 2016, 20 060 women were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive tranexamic acid (n=10 051) or placebo (n=10 009), of whom 10 036 and 9985, respectively, were included in the analysis. Death due to bleeding was significantly reduced in women given tranexamic acid (155 [1·5%] of 10 036 patients vs 191 [1·9%] of 9985 in the placebo group, risk ratio [RR] 0·81, 95% CI 0·65–1·00; p=0·045), especially in women given treatment within 3 h of giving birth (89 [1·2%] in the tranexamic acid group vs 127 [1·7%] in the placebo group, RR 0·69, 95% CI 0·52–0·91; p=0·008). All other causes of death did not differ significantly by group. Hysterectomy was not reduced with tranexamic acid (358 [3·6%] patients in the tranexamic acid group vs 351 [3·5%] in the placebo group, RR 1·02, 95% CI 0·88–1·07; p=0·84). The composite primary endpoint of death from all causes or hysterectomy was not reduced with tranexamic acid (534 [5·3%] deaths or hysterectomies in the tranexamic acid group vs 546 [5·5%] in the placebo group, RR 0·97, 95% CI 0·87-1·09; p=0·65). Adverse events (including thromboembolic events) did not differ significantly in the tranexamic acid versus placebo group. Interpretation Tranexamic acid reduces death due to bleeding in women with post-partum haemorrhage with no adverse effects. When used as a treatment for postpartum haemorrhage, tranexamic acid should be given as soon as possible after bleeding onset. Funding London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Pfizer, UK Department of Health, Wellcome Trust, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Alleviation of salt stress in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) through seed treatments

The study was carried out to assess whether salt tolerance could be improved in pearl millet at the germination stage and vegetative stages by soaking the seeds of two cultivars, IC-8206 and 18-BY, for 8 h in distilled water, 150 mol$\cdot$m$^{-3}$ NaCl , or polyethylene glycol (PEG-8000, -0.672 MPa), or by subjecting the seeds to chilling (5 °C) or heating (60 °C) for two days. Germination of both treated and non-treated seeds of both the cultivars was assessed for 8 days in Hoagland solution amended with 0 or 150 mol$\cdot$m$^{-3}$ NaCl. Chilling, and to a lesser extent, PEG, increased the final germination percentage but not the germination rate of both the cultivars under both saline and non-saline conditions. Chilling alleviated the adverse effect of salt stress on IC-8206 in terms of fresh and dry weights of shoots and roots following 42 d in sand culture that received 150 mol NaCl$\cdot$m$^{-3}$. Chilling also reduced Cl$^-$ accumulation and, to a lesser extent, that of Na$^+$, and enhanced K$^+$ and Ca$^{2+}$ accumulation in the shoots and roots of both cultivars under both saline and non-saline substrates. The reverse was true in plants raised from seeds treated with NaCl or PEG.Réduction du stress salin du mil à chandelle (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) par le traitement des semences. L'étude a été conduite pour évaluer si la tolérance au sel peut être améliorée dans le mil à chandelle au stade germinatif et végétatif par trempage des semences de 2 variétés (IC-8206 et 18-BY) durant 8 h dans de l'eau distillé, avec 150 mol$\cdot$m$^{-3}$ NaCl, ou du polyéthylène glycol (PEG-8000, -0.672 MPa), ou en soumettant les semences au froid (5 °C) ou à la chaleur (60 °C) pendant 2 jours. La germination des semences traitées ou non des 2 variétés a été testée pendant 8 jours dans une solution de Hoagland additionnée avec 0 ou 150 mol$\cdot$m$^{-3}$ NaCl. Le passage au froid et, dans une moindre mesure, le PEG ont augmenté le pourcentage de germination finale mais n'ont pas affecté le taux de germination des 2 variétés soumises aux conditions salines et non salines. Le refroidissement a réduit l'effet néfaste du stress salin sur IC-8206 en terme de poids frais et sec des tiges et des racines après 42 jours de culture dans le sable qui avait reçu 150 mol$\cdot$m$^{-3}$ NaCl. Le refroidissement a aussi réduit l'accumulation de Cl$^-$ et de manière moins importante celle de Na$^+$, et a augmenté les accumulations de K$^+$ et de Ca$^{2+}$ dans les tiges et les racines des 2 variétés pour les substrats salins ou non. L'effet inverse fut vrai pour les plantes cultivées à partir de semences traitées avec NaCl ou PEG

Growth and physio-biochemical responses of maize (Zea maysL.) to drought and heat stresses

Ashraf, M. Yasin/0000-0001-8221-4771; Anwar, Sumera/0000-0001-7681-1086WOS: 000539122900001Drought and heat are major abiotic stresses that usually occur simultaneously and cause significant yield losses in cereal crops including maize (Zea maysL.). First, ten genotypes of maize were screened using root length stress tolerance indices under heat (40 degrees C for 2, 4 and 6 h) and drought (-0.2, -0.4, and -0.6 MPa) stress. Two tolerant and two sensitive genotypes were selected and their growth and different biochemical traits were analyzed under drought stress (60% field capacity), heat stress (one cycle of 40 degrees C for 6 hours) and combined drought and heat stress. the results showed that drought stress had a predominant effect over heat stress, whereas combined drought and heat stress caused significant adverse effects on all parameters. the biochemical attributes such as total soluble sugars (TSS), proline, and total free amino acids (TFAA) were increased, whereas total soluble proteins (TSP) and nitrate reductase activity were decreased as compared to controls under all stress treatments. Biomass was positively correlated with the transpiration rate and TSP, while negatively related to leaf temperature and TFAA. the tolerant genotypes maintained higher proline, TSP, TSS, and TFAA contents and could be used for breeding for the adaptation to drought and heat under climate change.GC Women University, Faisalabad; Inst. of Mol. Biol./Biotech., the University of Lahore, Lahore; National Agricultural Research Council, Islamabad from Pakistan; Ege UniversityEge University; Hatay Mustafa Kemal University in TurkeyMustafa Kemal UniversityAuthors extend sincere thanks to the GC Women University, Faisalabad; Inst. of Mol. Biol./Biotech., the University of Lahore, Lahore; National Agricultural Research Council, Islamabad from Pakistan, and Ege University as well as Hatay Mustafa Kemal University in Turkey for their full support in this and ongoing project collaborations. Our special thanks are due to the colleagues from the faculty of languages for linguistic improvemnents