A circular economy approach to drinking water treatment residue management in a catchment impacted by historic metal mines

Drinking water treatment residues (DWTR) from mining areas which remove and contain potentially toxic elements (PTE) could still potentially be used as a soil amendment to restore contaminated sites in the same catchment, thus eliminating waste and reducing the chemical and physical mobility of the pollutants. To assess this restorative and regenerative approach to DWTR management, field and pot trials were established with soils from a historic Pb–Zn mine site in the North East of England, amended with either local DWTR or the nearest available municipal green waste compost (GWC). Soils from the mine site were found to have very low levels of nutrients and very high levels of PTE (Pb and Zn > 13, 000 mg/kg). The perennial grass species Phalaris arundinacea, known for many ecosystem service benefits including soil stabilization, was used throughout this study. The application of the BCR sequential extraction to soils amended with the DWTR in the pot trials found a significant decrease in the bioavailability of Pb and Cu (p MIX > DWTR (p < 0.05). Results of the elemental analysis of biomass from the field trial were generally ambiguous and did not reflect the decreased bioavailability noted in the pot trials using the BCR procedure. Pot trials, however, showed increases in plant growth and decreases in concentrations of Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn in above ground biomass following the application of both amendments. Further work should involve the testing of a mixture of DWTR and other soil amendments to enhance plant growth. The success of these trials should provide confidence for those working in drinking water treatment and catchment management to reuse the waste residues in a circular economy and a sustainable way that could improve water quality over time

Chemical and biological tests to assess the viability of amendments and Phalaris arundinacea for the remediation and restoration of historic mine sites

Inadequate waste disposal practices at historic mining sites around the world have resulted in significant areas impacted by potentially toxic elements (PTE) [1]. Historic mining tailings and spoil are typically too physically, chemically and biologically deficient for spontaneous vegetation, allowing the redistribution of contaminated soils, mobilized through processes such as areolation and the movement water [2]. In-situ biological and chemical stabilisation of sites is increasingly considered the best option when managing the risks associated with historic mining [1]. Studies have shown that the immobilization of PTEs can be achieved through the use of low leaching waste amendments capable of adsorption, precipitation and complexation reactions, resulting in the redistribution of contaminants from solution phase to solid phase, thereby reducing their bioavailability and mobilization potential within the environment [2–4] and promoting plant growth and physical stabilisation. Recent research in the Upper River Derwent, NE England (Lord, pers. com.) has highlighted the contribution of historic mining and mineral processing areas as sources of particulate and dissolved PTEs entering river sediments. Subsequent analysis of mining and mineral processing sites has confirmed the presence of significant Cd, Pb and Zn concentrations in loose spoil, tailings and unvegetated soils. The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential of several organic amendments and a perennial native grass species, Reed Canarygrass (RCG) (Phalaris arundinacea), to immobilize and stabilise contaminated soils [5,6]. This plant was selected for its ability to rapidly colonize and establish on contaminated soils whilst not (usually) accumulating high levels of PTEs or thereby adding to dispersion [5,6]. A combination of biological and chemical approaches will be used to analyse the efficacy of the different amendments throughout this study. These include the use of the modified BCR sequential extraction procedure and single extractants to assess PTE bioavailability, the monitoring of changes in soil properties such as OM, pH and CEC and the measurement of above ground biomass after a 12-week growth period. Although several recent studies have conducted similar pot trials, very few have applied their results to actual field trials, a recommendation commonly made in key literature reviews [1]. The results of our experiments will used to implement a two-year phytoremediation trial at a former mine site beginning in Spring 2019. [1] Bolan N, Kunhikrishnan A, Thangarajan R, Kumpiene J, Park J, Makino T, et al. Journal of Hazardous Materials. (2014) 266:141-166 [2] Rodríguez L, Gómez R, Sánchez V, Alonso-Azcárate J.. Environ Sci Pollut Res. (2016) 23:6046-6054 [3] Alvarenga P, Gonçalves AP, Fernandes RM, de Varennes A, Vallini G, Duarte E, et al.. Sci Total Environ. (2008) 406:43-56 [4] Badmos BK, Sakrabani R, Lord R.. Arch Agron Soil Sci. (2015) 62:865-876 [5] Jensen EF, Casler MD, Farrar K, Finnan JM, Lord R, Palmborg C, et al. 5 –In: Perennial Grasses for Bioenergy and Bioproducts. (2018) 5:153-173 [6] Lord RA. Biomass and Bioenergy. (2015) 78;110-12

The effects of organic waste soil amendments on above ground biomass of Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea) grown at a historic Pb-F-Zn mine site

Historic metal mine tailings and spoil are typically too physically, chemically and biologically deficient for spontaneous revegetation. Studies focusing on the Upper River Derwent have highlighted the contribution of historic mining and mineral processing areas as sources of particulate and dissolved potentially toxic elements (PTE) entering river sediments. This study will conduct a two year field trial that aims to evaluate the potential of two organic waste soil amendments and a perennial native grass species, to immobilize PTE and stabilise impacted soils. In-situ biological and chemical stabilisation is increasingly considered the best option when managing the risks associated with historic mining [1]

Chemical and biological tests to assess the viability of amendments and Phalaris arundinacea for the remediation and restoration of historic mine tailings.

Recent research in the Upper River Derwent, NE England highlighted the contribution of historic mining and mineral processing areas as sources of particulate and dissolved potentially toxic elements (PTE) entering river sediments. Subsequent analysis of mining and mineral processing sites has confirmed the presence of significant Cd, Pb and Zn concentrations in loose spoil, tailings and unvegetated soils. The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential of several organic amendments and a perennial native grass species, reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea), to immobilize PTEs and stabilise contaminated soils. The plant specie was selected for its ability to rapidly colonize and establish on contaminated soils whilst not (usually) accumulating high levels of PTEs or thereby adding to dispersion. Preliminary pot trials using bulk samples of mine spoil and amendments are currently ongoing following an adapted British Standards (BS/EN 11269-2:2013) method for the effects of PTEs on above ground plant growth. A combination of biological and chemical approaches will be used to analyse the efficacy of the different amendments throughout this study. These include the use of the modified BCR sequential extraction procedure and single extractants to assess PTE bioavailability, the monitoring of changes in soil properties such as OM, pH and CEC and the measurement of above ground biomass after a 12-week growth period. Although several recent studies have conducted similar pot trials, very few have applied their results to actual field trials. The results of these experiments will used to implement a two-year phytoremediation trial at a former mine site beginning in Spring 2019

Epitope mapping of antibodies induced with a conserved rhinovirus protein generating protective anti-rhinovirus immunity

Human rhinovirus (RV) infections are the principle cause of common colds and precipitate asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations. Currently there is no vaccine for RV which is largely due to the existence of ~160 serotypes/strains. We demonstrated previously that immunising mice with highly conserved VP4 and VP2 regions of the RV polyprotein (RV-A16 VP0) generated cross-reactive immunity to RV in vivo. The current study investigated and mapped the epitopes of RV-A16 VP0 that are targets for antibodies in serum samples from VP0 immunisation and RV challenge studies in mice. Recombinant capsid proteins, peptide pools and individual peptides spanning the immunogen sequence (RV-A16 VP0) were assessed for IgG binding sites to identify epitopes. We found that peptide pools covering the C-terminus of VP4, the N-terminus of VP2 and the neutralising NIm-II site within VP2 were bound by serum IgG from immunised mice. The NIm-II site peptide pool blocked IgG binding to the immunogen RV-A16 VP0 and individual peptides within the pool binding IgG were further mapped. Thus, we have identified immunodominant epitopes of RV vaccine candidate RV-A16 VP0, noting that strong IgG binding antibodies were observed that target a key neutralising epitope that is highly variable amongst RV serotypes

Antivirals for broader coverage against human coronaviruses

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are enveloped positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses with a genome that is 27–31 kbases in length. Critical genes include the spike (S), envelope (E), membrane (M), nucleocapsid (N) and nine accessory open reading frames encoding for non-structural proteins (NSPs) that have multiple roles in the replication cycle and immune evasion (1). There are seven known human CoVs that most likely appeared after zoonotic transfer, the most recent being SARS-CoV-2, responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Antivirals that have been approved by the FDA for use against COVID-19 such as Paxlovid can target and successfully inhibit the main protease (MPro) activity of multiple human CoVs; however, alternative proteomes encoded by CoV genomes have a closer genetic similarity to each other, suggesting that antivirals could be developed now that target future CoVs. New zoonotic introductions of CoVs to humans are inevitable and unpredictable. Therefore, new antivirals are required to control not only the next human CoV outbreak but also the four common human CoVs (229E, OC43, NL63, HKU1) that circulate frequently and to contain sporadic outbreaks of the severe human CoVs (SARS-CoV, MERS and SARS-CoV-2). The current study found that emerging antiviral drugs, such as Paxlovid, could target other CoVs, but only SARS-CoV-2 is known to be targeted in vivo. Other drugs which have the potential to target other human CoVs are still within clinical trials and are not yet available for public use. Monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment and vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 can reduce mortality and hospitalisation rates; however, they target the Spike protein whose sequence mutates frequently and drifts. Spike is also not applicable for targeting other HCoVs as these are not well-conserved sequences among human CoVs. Thus, there is a need for readily available treatments globally that target all seven human CoVs and improve the preparedness for inevitable future outbreaks. Here, we discuss antiviral research, contributing to the control of common and severe CoV replication and transmission, including the current SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. The aim was to identify common features of CoVs for antivirals, biologics and vaccines that could reduce the scientific, political, economic and public health strain caused by CoV outbreaks now and in the future

The development and validation of a scoring tool to predict the operative duration of elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background: The ability to accurately predict operative duration has the potential to optimise theatre efficiency and utilisation, thus reducing costs and increasing staff and patient satisfaction. With laparoscopic cholecystectomy being one of the most commonly performed procedures worldwide, a tool to predict operative duration could be extremely beneficial to healthcare organisations. Methods: Data collected from the CholeS study on patients undergoing cholecystectomy in UK and Irish hospitals between 04/2014 and 05/2014 were used to study operative duration. A multivariable binary logistic regression model was produced in order to identify significant independent predictors of long (> 90 min) operations. The resulting model was converted to a risk score, which was subsequently validated on second cohort of patients using ROC curves. Results: After exclusions, data were available for 7227 patients in the derivation (CholeS) cohort. The median operative duration was 60 min (interquartile range 45–85), with 17.7% of operations lasting longer than 90 min. Ten factors were found to be significant independent predictors of operative durations > 90 min, including ASA, age, previous surgical admissions, BMI, gallbladder wall thickness and CBD diameter. A risk score was then produced from these factors, and applied to a cohort of 2405 patients from a tertiary centre for external validation. This returned an area under the ROC curve of 0.708 (SE = 0.013, p  90 min increasing more than eightfold from 5.1 to 41.8% in the extremes of the score. Conclusion: The scoring tool produced in this study was found to be significantly predictive of long operative durations on validation in an external cohort. As such, the tool may have the potential to enable organisations to better organise theatre lists and deliver greater efficiencies in care