11 research outputs found
Characterizing biochar as alternative sorbent for oil spill remediation
Biochar (BC) was characterized as a new carbonaceous material for the adsorption of toluene from water. The tested BC was produced from pine wood gasification, and its sorption ability was compared with that of more common carbonaceous materials such as activated carbon (AC). Both materials were characterized in terms of textural features and sorption abilities by kinetic and equilibrium tests. AC and BC showed high toluene removal from water. Kinetic tests demonstrated that BC is characterized by faster toluene removal than AC is. Textural features demonstrated that the porosity of AC is double that of BC. Nevertheless, equilibrium tests demonstrated that the sorption ability of BC is comparable with that of AC, so the materials' porosity is not the only parameter that drives toluene adsorption. The specific adsorption ability (mg sorbed m-2 of surface) of the BC is higher than that of AC: toluene is more highly sorbed onto the biochar surface. Biochar is furthermore obtained from biomaterial thermally treated for making energy; this also makes the use of BC economically and environmentally convenient compared with AC, which, as a manufactured material, must be obtained in selected conditions for this type of application. © 2017 The Author(s)
Correction: Native Phytoremediation Potential of Urtica dioica for Removal of PCBs and Heavy Metals Can Be Improved by Genetic Manipulations Using Constitutive CaMV 35S Promoter.
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167927.]
Detection of transgene expression at mRNA level in transiently transformed nettles.
<p>The transgenes used, <i>CUP</i> (left) and <i>bphC</i> (right), originate from microorganisms, where they play an important role in remediation and tolerance to pollutants.</p
The results of soil analysis in terms of heavy metals before and after four-month nettle cultivation.
<p>The results of soil analysis in terms of heavy metals before and after four-month nettle cultivation.</p
Amount of acid-extractable metals in nettles cultivated for four months in contaminated soil.
<p>Amount of acid-extractable metals in nettles cultivated for four months in contaminated soil.</p
Endophytic bacteria isolated from nettles.
<p>Nettles growed in soil contaminated with heavy metals (left) or with polychlorinated biphenyls (right).</p
The plant growth promoting factors (PGP factors) of isolated endophytes producing a high amount of siderophores.
<p>The plant growth promoting factors (PGP factors) of isolated endophytes producing a high amount of siderophores.</p