Characterization of polyethylene and polyurethane microplastics and their adsorption behavior on Cu2+ and Fe3+ in environmental matrices

As the world faces growing environmental challenges, understanding the nature of microplastics—such as Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) and Polyurethane (PU)—and their transformation in water-based environments is necessary for predicting and mitigating their effects. In this study, we investigated their physicochemical characteristics, presence of impurities, colloidal behavior, and sorption capacity to understand better how microplastics behave and transform in the environment, including their role in transporting heavy metals. The two types of microparticles investigated fall into distinct size ranges, approximately 70 microns for PE particles and around 5 microns for PU particles. Both samples showed a spherical morphology and an evident surface micro-roughness. The elemental and thermal analysis did not show the presence of any significant metal impurities. The zeta-potential measurements as a function of pH provided insights into the dispersion behavior of microplastics (MPs) in freshwaters, suitable for the growth of Zebrafish (Egg water) and Daphnia magna (Elendt M7 Water). Both materials showed in bidistilled water negative zeta potential (ZP) at natural pH (ZP = − 51.0 ± 4.3 mV at pH = 6.6 and ZP = − 29.5 ± 1.4 mV at pH = 5.6 for LDPE and PU, respectively), justified by the presence of surface-active charged impurities. In saline media, ZP vs. pH curves were flatter, with ZP values near 0 mV, confirming the reduced colloidal stability from higher ionic strength and double-layer compression. Finally, we assessed the metal adsorption capacity to establish the role of microplastics in the transport of heavy metals in the environment. We observed selective adsorption for Cu2+ ions, which was both medium-dependent (more ions adsorbed in Elendt M7) and plastic-dependent, with PU showing a stronger affinity for Cu2+ in MilliQ and Egg water. On the contrary, both plastics showed similar adsorption capacity for Fe3+ ions across all media

The Black Box Spring 2025

The Black Box is a creative publication dedicated to displaying the talented work of the Embry-Riddle Prescott community. Creativity and ingenuity flow throughout ERAU and we want to put it on display

Harnessing the Phi-Transform for Early Warning of Neutron Star-Black Hole Binary Events

Gravitational waves are ripples in the fabric of spacetime that occur from astrophysical events such the merger of two compact stellar objects. Using ground base detectors, we can measure these events and their gravitational waves. In the new era of multi-messenger astronomy, astronomy using multiple sources such as gravitational waves and electromagnetic radiation, it is vital to determine the validity of these events before their occurrence. We introduce a new method for extracting gravitational waves, specifically neutron star black hole binaries (NSBH), using the $n transform and its chirp extraction techniques. We show that noise behaves differently in this new detection method which allows for the extraction of important chirp data when properly aligned. We outline the multiple detection techniques and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) as well as validity tests of the NSB H signals. Finally, we outline the full detection scheme for chirp-extraction of LIGO data from its processing to SNR

Ceramized Fabrics and Their Integration in a Semi-Pilot Plant for the Photodegradation of Water Pollutants

The use of nano-photocatalysts for the water/wastewater purifications, particularly in developing regions, offers promising advantages over conventional technologies. TiO2-based photocatalysts deposited on fabrics represent an efficient solution for obtaining heterogeneous photocatalysts, which are easily adaptable in the already installed water treatment plants or air purification systems. Despite the huge effort spent to develop and characterize novel nano-photocatalysts, which are especially active under solar light, knowledge gaps still persist for their full-scale application, starting from the reactor design and scale-up and the evaluation of the photocatalytic efficiency in pre-pilot scenarios. In this study, we offered easily scalable solutions for adapting TiO2-based photocatalysts, which are deposited on different kinds of fabrics and implemented in a 6 L semi-pilot plant, using the photodegradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) as a model of water pollution. We took advantage of a multi-variable optimization approach to identify the best design options in terms of photodegradation efficiency and turnover frequency (TOF). Surprisingly, in the condition of use, the irradiation with a light-emitting diode (LED) visible lamp appeared as a valid alternative to the use of UV LED. The identification of the best design options in the semi-pilot plant allowed scaling up the technology in a 100 L pilot plant suitable for the treatment of industrial wastewater.</jats:p

Ceramized Fabrics and Their Integration in a Semi-Pilot Plant for the Photodegradation of Water Pollutants

The use of nano-photocatalysts for the water/wastewater purifications, particularly in developing regions, offers promising advantages over conventional technologies. TiO2-based photocatalysts deposited on fabrics represent an efficient solution for obtaining heterogeneous photocatalysts, which are easily adaptable in the already installed water treatment plants or air purification systems. Despite the huge effort spent to develop and characterize novel nano-photocatalysts, which are especially active under solar light, knowledge gaps still persist for their full-scale application, starting from the reactor design and scale-up and the evaluation of the photocatalytic efficiency in pre-pilot scenarios. In this study, we offered easily scalable solutions for adapting TiO2-based photocatalysts, which are deposited on different kinds of fabrics and implemented in a 6 L semi-pilot plant, using the photodegradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) as a model of water pollution. We took advantage of a multi-variable optimization approach to identify the best design options in terms of photodegradation efficiency and turnover frequency (TOF). Surprisingly, in the condition of use, the irradiation with a light-emitting diode (LED) visible lamp appeared as a valid alternative to the use of UV LED. The identification of the best design options in the semi-pilot plant allowed scaling up the technology in a 100 L pilot plant suitable for the treatment of industrial wastewater

Current trends in sample preparation for growth promoter and veterinary drug residue analysis

This research was part-funded under the Food Institutional Research Measure (project reference number: 06RDTAFRC479) and Food for Health Research Initiative (project reference number: 07FHRITAFRC5), which was administered under the Irish Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.peer-reviewedA comprehensive review is presented on the current trends in sample preparation for isolation of veterinary drugs and growth promotors from foods. The objective of the review is to firstly give an overview of the sample preparation techniques that are applied in field. The review will focus on new techniques and technologies, which improve efficiency and coverage of residues. The underlying theme to the paper is the developments that have been made in multi-residue methods and particularly multi-class methods for residues of licensed animal health products, which have been developed in the last couple of years. The role of multi-class methods is discussed and how they can be accommodated in future residue surveillance.Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marin

Design and Properties of Titanium Dioxide/Graphene Oxide Composites Exploitable in Wastewater Treatments

Water is one of the necessities for human survival, and clean water is essential for life. As a result, there is an increasing focus on efficient wastewater treatment methods, including advanced oxidation processes using innovative heterogeneous photocatalysts. In this context, TiO2&ndash;graphene oxide (TGO) composites offer a multifaceted approach to wastewater treatment, combining the photocatalytic properties of TiO2 with the adsorption capabilities and potential synergistic effects of graphene oxide. In this research, we intimately mixed commercial TiO2 powder with graphene oxide at different concentrations (9, 16, and 25 wt.%) by exploiting sonochemical activation. The morphological and physicochemical analyses confirmed the interfacial interactions and the successful formation of the composite. The TGO composites exhibited increased reactivity compared to both GO and TiO2 phases, during the photodegradation process of Rhodamine B (RhB), serving as a reaction model. Therefore, the photocatalytic results demonstrated the synergistic effect that occurs when a TiO2-based photocatalyst is combined with sonochemically activated GO. The Cu2+ adsorption tests, simulating the removal of heavy metals from contaminated water, revealed that TGO composites displayed intermediate capabilities compared to the pure phases&rsquo; higher (GO) and lower (TiO2) adsorption capacity. The functional characterizations revealed that the optimal design is represented by the sample containing 16 wt.% of GO. Overall, this study confirms that TGO composites are effective as photocatalysts and adsorbents for removing both organic and inorganic pollutants, making them strong candidates for wastewater treatment