Insights into Starch Coated Nanozero Valent Iron-Graphene Composite for Cr(VI) Removal from Aqueous Medium

Embedding nanoparticles into an inert material like graphene is a viable option since hybrid materials are more capable than those based on pure nanoparticulates for the removal of toxic pollutants. This study reports for the first time on Cr(VI) removal capacity of novel starch stabilized nanozero valent iron-graphene composite (NZVI-Gn) under different pHs, contact time, and initial concentrations. Starch coated NZVI-Gn composite was developed through borohydrate reduction method. The structure and surface of the composite were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and point of zero charge (pHpzc). The surface area and pHpzc of NZVI-Gn composite were reported as 525 m2 g−1 and 8.5, respectively. Highest Cr(VI) removal was achieved at pH 3, whereas 67.3% was removed within first few minutes and reached its equilibrium within 20 min obeying pseudo-second-order kinetic model, suggesting chemisorption as the rate limiting process. The partitioning of Cr(VI) at equilibrium is perfectly matched with Langmuir isotherm and maximum adsorption capacity of the NZVI-Gn composite is 143.28 mg g−1. Overall, these findings indicated that NZVI-Gn composite could be utilized as an efficient and magnetically separable adsorbent for removal of Cr(VI)

Occurrence and cycling of trace elements in ultramafic soils and their impacts on human health: A critical review

The transformation of trace metals (TMs) in natural environmental systems has created significant concerns in recent decades. Ultramafic environments lead to potential risks to the agricultural products and, subsequently, to human health. This unique review presents geochemistry of ultramafic soils, TM fractionation (i.e. sequential and single extraction techniques), TM uptake and accumulation mechanisms of ultramafic flora, and ultramafic associated health risks to human and agricultural crops. Ultramafic soils contain high levels of TMs (i.e. Cr, Ni, Mn, and Co) and have a low Ca:Mg ratio together with deficiencies in essential macronutrients required for the growth of crops. Even though a higher portion of TMs bind with the residual fraction of ultramafic soils, environmental changes (i.e. natural or anthropogenic) may increase the levels of TMs in the bioavailable or extractable fractions of ultramafic soils. Extremophile plants that have evolved to thrive in ultramafic soils present clear examples of evolutionary adaptations to TM resistance. The release of TMs into water sources and accumulation in food crops in and around ultramafic localities increases health risks for humans. Therefore, more focused investigations need to be implemented to understand the mechanisms related to the mobility and bioavailability of TMs in different ultramafic environments. Research gaps and directions for future studies are also discussed in this review. Lastly, we consider the importance of characterizing terrestrial ultramafic soil and its effect on crop plants in the context of multi-decadal plans by NASA and other space agencies to establish human colonies on Mars

Electrochemical Reduction of Perchlorate Ions

The electrochemical reduction of perchlorate ions is surveyed in the light of experimental results. The indications of the occurrence of perchlorate reduction in voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and in experiments applying the radiotracer method, the electrochemical bending beam technique, and impedance spectroscopy are presented. Some possible mechanisms of the complicated reduction processes are discussed. Environmental aspects and some methods for perchlorate removal and wastewater treatment are briefly summarized

Chlorate and Other Oxychlorine Contaminants Within the Dairy Supply Chain

The presence of chlorate in milk and dairy products can arise from the use of chlorinated water and chlorinated detergents for cleaning and sanitation of process equipment at both farm and food processor level. Chlorate and other oxychlorine species have been associated with inhibition of iodine uptake in humans and the formation of methemoglobin, with infants and young children being a high‐risk demographic. This comprehensive review of chlorate and chlorine derivatives in dairy, highlights areas of concern relative to the origin and/or introduction of chlorate within the dairy supply chain. This review also discusses the associated health concerns, regulations, and chemical behavior of chlorate and chlorine‐derived by‐products, and provides a summary of mechanisms for their detection and removal

Combined effects of the biochar/biochar composites and water management strategies on the phyto-availability of arsenic in paddy rice soils

This abstract is currently under embargo

Influence of Gliricidia sepium

Perchlorate (ClO4-) is a strong oxidizer, capable of accelerating heavy metal release into regolith/soil. Here, we assessed interactions between ClO4- and serpentine soil to simulate and understand the fate of Ni and Mn and their immobilization with the presence of biochar (BC). A soil incubation study (6 months) was performed using serpentine soil in combination with different ClO4- concentrations (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 wt.%) and three different amendment rates (1, 2.5, and 5 wt.%) of Gliricidia sepium BC. Bioavailable fraction of Ni and Mn was analyzed using CaCl2 extraction method. An increase of ClO4- concentrations enhanced bioavailability fraction of Ni and Mn. However, BC amendments reduced the bioavailability of Ni and Mn. In comparison, 5% BC amendment significantly immobilized the bioavailability of Ni (68–92%) and Mn (76–93%) compared to other BC amendment rates. Electrostatic attractions and surface diffusion could be postulated for Ni and Mn immobilization by BC. In addition, ClO4- may have adsorbed to BC via hydrogen bonding which may reduce the influence of ClO4- on Ni and Mn mobility. Overall, it is obvious that BC could be utilized as an effective amendment to immobilize Ni and Mn in heavy metal and ClO4- contaminated soil

Influence of Gliricidia sepium Biochar on Attenuate Perchlorate-Induced Heavy Metal Release in Serpentine Soil

Perchlorate (ClO4-) is a strong oxidizer, capable of accelerating heavy metal release into regolith/soil. Here, we assessed interactions between ClO4- and serpentine soil to simulate and understand the fate of Ni and Mn and their immobilization with the presence of biochar (BC). A soil incubation study (6 months) was performed using serpentine soil in combination with different ClO4- concentrations (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 wt.%) and three different amendment rates (1, 2.5, and 5 wt.%) of Gliricidia sepium BC. Bioavailable fraction of Ni and Mn was analyzed using CaCl2 extraction method. An increase of ClO4- concentrations enhanced bioavailability fraction of Ni and Mn. However, BC amendments reduced the bioavailability of Ni and Mn. In comparison, 5% BC amendment significantly immobilized the bioavailability of Ni (68–92%) and Mn (76–93%) compared to other BC amendment rates. Electrostatic attractions and surface diffusion could be postulated for Ni and Mn immobilization by BC. In addition, ClO4- may have adsorbed to BC via hydrogen bonding which may reduce the influence of ClO4- on Ni and Mn mobility. Overall, it is obvious that BC could be utilized as an effective amendment to immobilize Ni and Mn in heavy metal and ClO4- contaminated soil

Perchlorate mobilization of metals in serpentine soils

Natural processes and anthropogenic activities may result in the formation and/or introduction of perchlorate (ClO4−) at elevated levels into the environment. Perchlorate in soil environments on Earth and potentially in Mars may modify the dynamics of metal release and their mobilization. Serpentine soils, known for their elevated metal concentrations, provide an opportunity to assess the extent that perchlorate may enhance metal release and availability in natural soil and regolith systems. Here, we assess the release rates and extractability of Ni, Mn, Co and Cr in processed Sri Lankan serpentine soils using a range of perchlorate concentrations (0.10–2.50 w/v ClO4−) via kinetic and incubation experiments. Kinetic experiments revealed an increase of Ni, Mn, Co and Cr dissolution rates (1.33 × 10−11, 2.74 × 10−11, 3.05 × 10−12 and 5.35 × 10−13 mol m−2 s−1, respectively) with increasing perchlorate concentrations. Similarly, sequential and single extractions demonstrated that Ni, Mn, Co and Cr increased with increasing perchlorate concentrations compared to the control soil (i.e., considering all extractions: 1.3–6.2 (Ni), 1.2–126 (Mn), 1.4–34.6 (Co) and 1.2–6.4 (Cr) times greater than the control in all soils). Despite the oxidizing capability of perchlorate and the accelerated release of Cr, the dominant oxidation state of Cr in solution was Cr(III), potentially due to low pH (<2) and Cr(VI) instability. This implies that environmental remediation of perchlorate enriched sites must not only treat the direct hazard of perchlorate, but also the potential indirect hazard of related metal contamination