[en] Amlodipine and nifedipine, both widely used calcium channel blockers (CCBs) for hypertension treatment, have emerged as environmental contaminants in water sources such as lakes, rivers, and oceans due to inadequate effluent treatment. In this study, activated carbon derived from peanut shell waste was utilized in magnetic solid-phase extraction (m-SPE) to determine the presence of amlodipine and nifedipine in water samples. A Plackett-Burman and central composite design were employed to assess the effects of seven parameters: pH, temperature, activated carbon weight, stirring speed, contact time, volume of water sample and desorption solvent. Optimal m-SPE conditions were established as follows: pH 11, water temperature 90°C, stirring speed 500 rpm, contact time 11 minutes, and 1.25 g of activated carbon. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a diode array detector was used for the final quantification of the target drugs. The extraction method demonstrated excellent linearity (r² = 0.994) and low limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ), with LODs of 1.04 ng/mL for amlodipine and 1.13 ng/mL for nifedipine, and LOQs of 3.40 ng/mL for amlodipine and 3.48 ng/mL for nifedipine. Recovery rates ranged from 80% to 98% across three concentration levels. Repeatability analysis indicated satisfactory intra-day and inter-day relative standard deviation below 6%. Regeneration studies on adsorbent performance showed recovery loss rates below 15% after four cycles. Additionally, the m-SPE method was environmentally sustainable, with an overall AGREEnness score of 0.71, Blue Applicability Grade Index (67.5), and Sample Preparation Metric Sustainability (7.47) underscoring its green credentials. (author)

[en] Microplastics have emerged as a pressing environmental concern, exerting profound impacts on ecosystems, water bodies, terrestrial landscapes, and human food sources. In light of the global plastic waste crisis, innovative strategies are being explored to manage and recycle plastic waste, with an emphasis on microplastics. Research endeavours aimed at transforming waste microplastics into valuable resources align seamlessly with circular economy principles. Microplastics can be collected using surface water sampling, air sampling, sediment sampling, soil sampling, shoreline sampling, as well as wastewater and effluent sampling. Microplastics can be chemically and physically characterised for composition selection and then converted using biological, chemical, and mechanical approaches. Biological conversion involves microbial activity and enzyme utilisation, chemical conversion involves chemically breaking down polymers into smaller molecules that can be used as feedstock for valuable materials, while mechanical conversion applies physical force to reduce polymer size. Both conventional and biodegradable plastics can undergo biological, chemical, and mechanical recycling to an extent to maintain their value and prevent the waste of non-renewable resources. However, there are challenges to overcome in the conversion of microplastics, including cost-effectiveness, scalability, environmental friendliness, and regulatory considerations. Appropriate macroplastic management and life cycle assessment analyses are still crucial for transitioning to a sustainable and circular economy. (author)

[en] Full text: The possibility of the utilization of low density polyethylene wastes by means of their modification with phenol formaldehyde oligomers (Ph FO) and PhFO with the thiourathenes has been investigation. Theology properties of the investigated systems showed that the obtained compositions can be able to be processed by the ordinary methods such as extrusion and casting

[en] This work proposes an effective solution for the recycling of coffee waste by incorporating it (10, 20 and 30wt.%) as a secondary material with clay (Cretaceous deposit of Moroccan Meseta) to produce porous lightweight ceramics (class BIII) whose quality is similar to that of ceramic materials with insulating character. The applied raw materials were characterized in terms of their composition (XRD, XRF, IR), microstructural analysis (polarized microscope) and thermal behavior (TDA/TGA). The ceramic materials resulted after firing at 1150°C, were investigated regarding the phases composition, structural characteristics and physical properties of technological interest. In fact, the thermal treatment at 1150°C gives samples having the following technological characteristics: P=42.81%, d=1.46g/cm3, λ=0.39W/mK, WA=29.25% and F.S=10.75MPa. The combination of XRD and polarized microscope, allowed a better analysis of the mineralogical and structural evolution after sintering at 1150°C.

[en] A study was carried out inside the greenhouse to determine the response of lowland broccoli (Brassica oleracea) plants grown in five mixtures of coconut coir dust and peat as the growing media. The growing mixes were prepared in the following ratios (% by vol): 100% coconut coir dust, 75% coconut coir dust + 25% peat, 50% coconut coir dust + 50% peat, 25% coconut coir dust + 75% peat and 100% peat. The plants were supplied with 200 mg 1-1 nitrogen using a computerized fertigation system developed at MINT Plants grown on 100% peat exhibited reduced plant growth and yield compared to plants grown on mixes containing coconut coir dust. Plants growth and yield were increased on growing media contained > 50% coconut coir dust; however, the highest total plant dry weight, plant height and yield were obtained from plants grown on 100% coconut coir dust. Total nitrogen concentration in the leaves and stems was not significantly different in all mixture of the growing media regardless of whether coconut coir dust or peat was used. In general, nitrate -nitrogen concentrations were lowest in the floret than in the leaves and stem tissues of plants grown on all growing media used in the study. However, nitrate-nitrogen concentrations in the leaves, stems and florets were lowest in the plants grown on 100% peat compared to the plants grown on growing media containing coconut coir dust. The concentrations of nitrate-nitrogen in the florets, which ranged from 290 to 450 mg N kg-l/dry weight, are considered to be under permissible levels by European standards. (Author)

[en] Short communications only

[en] The study explores potential of repurposing pineapple waste which known to contain antioxidants and bromelain as a body scrub to combat increasing amount of pineapple waste generated during pineapple production. The cream body scrub was formulated using varying concentrations of pineapple powder namely S0 (0%), S1 (3.5%), S2 (4.5%), and S3 (5.5%). The resulting formulations were evaluated for their physical and sensorial characteristics, including color, consistency, pH, viscosity, spreadability, foamability, odor, washability, grittiness, irritability, and exfoliation capability. Additionally, an online market survey was also conducted. Analysis showed that S0 had the highest pH value (7.97), viscosity (8120 cP), and spreadability (21411.71g). S1 with the lowest pineapple concentration exhibited the lowest irritancy (6.68) and the highest acceptance of pineapple body scrub with fragrance (6.48) and without fragrance (6.48), while S2 showed the highest acceptance for grittiness (6.45) and washability (7.18). S3 exhibited the highest foamability (2.1 mL within 30 minutes) and was the darkest (L=51.59±2.39) among other samples. The presence of pineapple powder is related to the exfoliation capacity of the body scrub (with a significant correlation, p <0.05). Body scrubs with 3.5% and 4.5% pineapple powder have the highest acceptance among respondents and are recommended for future research development. (author)

[en] In this report the waste management and material recycling in Finland and in other countries has been viewed as an overall situation. The survey is based on expert interviews, the literature in this field and on international conferences and exhibitions. Some of the material has been gathered from earlier reports made by VTT and Neopoli

[en] Radon exhalation rates from five studied laboratory waste samples resulted from five different sedimentary rock types named sandy dolostons, siltstone-two samples-, marly clay stone and black shale were measured using ‘‘Sealed Can technique”. These rates were found to vary between 0.005 and 0.015 Bq m² h^-1. A positive correlation was found between the radon exhalation rates and the radium activities. The emanation coefficients were calculated for these laboratory waste samples which varied between 0.0004 and 0.0007 according to the physical and chemical characterize of the wastes. These results are partially in accordance with autonite acid leached tailings on laboratory scale (USA). These results led us to pay attention about the effect and impact of these wastes on the environment

[en] Approximately one-half of the current US phosphoric acid production capacity is being treated in six phosphate plants to recover over 3 million lb of U₃O₈ per year. The unrecovered half is contained in phosphoric acid produced in 15 plants from which the economics of recovery are less favorable. Our current research program is aimed at improving the efficiency of the process in order to make uranium recovery more cost effective and thereby increase the potential for commercialization. This paper takes a critical look at several unit operations and steps involved in uranium recovery where problems exist and where process efficiency may be improved. The most promising area where a significant cost reduction may be possible is removal of dissolved oxygen from the organic extract before it enters the reductive stripping system. This can lead to more efficient stripping, smaller stripping units, and can minimize problems of iron contamination