Article
Agronomy
Maria Roulia, Evangelia Kontezaki, Nikolaos Kalogeropoulos, Konstantinos Chassapis
Summary: This study discusses a new, simple, and rapid method for the biotechnology treatment of raw olive oil mill waste, utilizing microaerobic composting processes and a tailor-made biocatalyst. The bioprocess led to a significant reduction in polyphenols and an increased humic substances content, making the OMW compost stable, free of toxic compounds and pathogens, and rich in cenose, vital for soil fertility in organic farming. Applications confirmed the suitability of the product as a first-class soil conditioner.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marija Kovacevic, Nikolina Stjepanovic, Salsabil Trigui, Davorka K. Hackenberger, Zeljka Loncaric, Olga Jovanovic Glavas, Amjad Kallel, Branimir K. Hackenberger
Summary: In recent years, there has been significant attention given to the environmental impact of olive mill waste. However, there is still limited knowledge about the effects of olive mill wastewater and contaminated soil on non-target soil organisms. This study investigated the effects of these wastes on the survival, reproduction, neurotoxicity, oxidative stress, and available energy of the springtail F. candida. The results showed that the contaminated soil had higher toxicity compared to the wastewater, affecting survival and reproduction. Additionally, neurotoxicity, oxidative stress, and changes in available energy were observed. These negative effects are likely due to the high phenol content in the wastes. The findings suggest that different biomarkers should be considered in the ecotoxicological assessment of various wastes to understand their mechanisms of action.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hao Liu, Tuo Zhang, Yan'an Tong, Qihong Zhu, Daoyou Huang, Xibai Zeng
Summary: Humic substances and calcareous substances are important components in soil and can affect the mobility of metals. This study developed a new remediation scheme for cadmium-contaminated soil by coupling humic substances and calcareous substances. The results showed that this approach effectively reduced the bioavailable cadmium concentration in soil and decreased cadmium accumulation in rice tissues.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Salwa Magdich, Bechir Ben Rouina, Emna Ammar
Summary: The combined agronomic application of olive mill wastewater (OMW) and compost in an olive field in Tunisia has been shown to increase the organic matter and nutrient content of the soil, as well as improve the accumulation of phenolic compounds.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiongxin Peng, Shuang Gai, Kui Cheng, Fan Yang
Summary: The study conducted hydrothermal humification kinetics experiments using corn straw as raw material and employed characterization techniques such as ultra-performance liquid chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry to determine the formation mechanism of artificial humic substances (A-HS). The results showed that in an alkaline environment, rapid dissociation of lignocellulose can occur, with cellulose and hemicellulose being hydrolyzed into glucose and xylose, further dehydrated to form 5-hydroxy furfural and furfural, and then rehydrated to synthesize levulinic acid and other small molecular acids. These small precursors then combine with lignin fragments to form fulvic acids, humic acids, and even humin. The proposed mechanism of hydrothermal humification is of great significance for the design, synthesis, and application of A-HS in sustainable agriculture.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rocio Soria, Jose A. Gonzalez-Perez, Jose Ma de la Rosa, Layla M. San Emeterio, Miguel A. Domene, Raul Ortega, Isabel Miralles
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the effects of different organic amendments on the restoration of degraded soils in a semiarid limestone quarry. The results showed that the amended technosols had improved soil quality, functionality, and organic matter dynamics compared to unamended and natural soils. The molecular composition of the organic matter in technosols amended with plant compost was similar to that of nearby natural soils.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
R. Lopez, J. Antelo, A. C. Silva, F. Bento, S. Fiol
Summary: This study analyzed compost samples from different sources and treated with different composting methods to investigate their chemical composition, physicochemical, and acid-base properties, revealing correlations and testing the potential value of compost as amendments. The application of compost improved soil pH, organic matter and nutrient content, and promoted seed germination and root growth in a mining area.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Jose M. Angosto, Jose M. Obon, Maria J. Roca, Mercedes Alacid, Jose A. Fernandez-Lopez
Summary: Olive mill residues were chemically modified with amines to enhance their adsorption capacity for nitrate removal at a low cost. The Taguchi method was used for optimization, resulting in significantly fewer experiments and identifying the best working conditions. The highest adsorption capacity of 110 mg center dot g(-1) was achieved with a functionalized biomass dose of 1 g center dot L-1 and an initial nitrate concentration of 500 mg center dot L-1. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used for surface characterization and analyzing chemical changes. The adsorption process kinetics and equilibrium were studied, successfully fitting the Freundlich and Langmuir models for the adsorption isotherms, and the pseudo-second-order model for the kinetics. The obtained adsorption values suggest that this bioadsorbent has great potential for nitrate retention in aqueous solutions.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sara Ramos dos Santos, Judith Schellekens, Peter Buurman, Jean-Thomas Cornelis, Karen Vancampenhout, Wilson Tadeu Lopes da Silva, Plinio Barbosa de Camargo, Pablo Vidal-Torrado
Summary: Complexation of dissolved organic matter (DOM) with cations and minerals plays a significant role in soil carbon stabilization and metal transport in the environment. Understanding the mechanisms controlling DOM binding properties in the soil is crucial for addressing major environmental challenges. However, the impact of DOM source on these mechanisms remains understudied.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Isabelle A. M. Worms, Killian Kavanagh, Elodie Moulin, Nicole Regier, Vera I. Slaveykova
Summary: Asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation coupled with fluorescence and UV detectors and ICP-MS is a powerful tool for separating and studying the size distribution and interaction of macromolecules and nano-components with trace metals in water.
FRONTIERS IN CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Leila Chaari, Norah Salem Alsaiari, Abdelfattah Amari, Faouzi Ben Rebah, Monem Kallel, Tahar Mechichi
Summary: Olive manufacturing generates highly polluting wastewater, and various treatments and valorization processes have been investigated by olive-oil-producing countries to manage this waste. In Tunisia, the government has adopted the spreading of olive mill wastewater (OMW) on soil to improve organic matter content in olive grove soil. The study found that this practice leads to positive physicochemical changes in the soil and could be a solution for managing OMW.
Article
Agronomy
Ana Garcia-Randez, Evan A. N. Marks, Maria Dolores Perez-Murcia, Luciano Orden, Javier Andreu-Rodriguez, Encarnacion Martinez Sabater, Maria Teresa Chafer, Raul Moral
Summary: Direct application of moderate quantities of olive mill waste to agricultural soils in Spain does not have any lasting detrimental effects on soil quality or crop productivity.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yuting Wang, Wenfei Yu, Zhaofeng Chang, Chanjuan Gao, Yanni Yang, Bei Zhang, Yanhua Wang, Baoshan Xing
Summary: This study investigated the adsorption characteristics of antibiotics in sandy soil in the presence of different sources of dissolved organic matter (DOM), showing that the properties and sources of DOM significantly affect the adsorption capacity of antibiotics, providing insights into the fate and risk assessment of antibiotics under the influence of DOM.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Antonios Chrysargyris, Efraimia Hajisolomou, Panayiota Xylia, Nikolaos Tzortzakis
Summary: The main crops in the Mediterranean area, olive trees and grapevines, produce a large amount of waste after processing. The potential use of these wastes (OMW and GMW) mixed with peat was evaluated for the cultivation of purslane and sowthistle plants. The addition of GMW and OMW affected the growth and physiological metabolism of the plants, especially at higher waste ratios. However, at lower ratios, these waste materials enhanced the antioxidant and mineral value of the plants.
SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY AND PHARMACY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Selin Sahin, Serkan Emik, Ebru Kurtulbas, Murat Erdem, Yasser Vasseghian
Summary: In this study, copolymeric hydrogels based on N-vinylimidazole were synthesized as adsorbents for the recovery of biologically active substances in olive mill wastewater. The hydrogels were characterized by FTIR and SEM, and their thermal degradation behavior was investigated. The results showed that the hydrogels exhibited good adsorption performance for rutin in olive mill wastewater.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ruixue Chang, Qiuyue Guo, Qing Chen, Maria Pilar Bernal, Qian Wang, Yanming Li
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
J. Gonzalez-Arias, C. Fernandez, J. G. Rosas, M. P. Bernal, R. Clemente, M. E. Sanchez, X. Gomez
WASTE AND BIOMASS VALORIZATION
(2020)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Selda Yigit Hunce, Rafael Clemente, Maria Pilar Bernal
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Donatella Grippi, Rafael Clemente, M. Pilar Bernal
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Manuel Teodoro, Rafael Clemente, Ermengol Ferrer-Bustins, Domingo Martinez-Fernandez, Maria Pilar Bernal, Martina Vitkova, Petr Vitek, Michael Komarek
Article
Agronomy
Isabel Martinez-Alcala, Rafael Clemente, Maria Pilar Bernal
Article
Horticulture
M. A. Bustamante, M. P. Gomis, M. D. Perez-Murcia, D. Gangi, F. G. Ceglie, C. Paredes, A. Perez-Espinosa, M. P. Bernal, R. Moral
Summary: This study evaluated the use of a washing pre-treatment to improve the quality of livestock waste-derived composts as peat substitutes in substrates for pepper seedling production. The results showed that the pre-treatment effectively reduced compost salinity without negative effects on the growing media quality, leading to beneficial effects on the germination and growth of pepper seedlings.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
M. J. Alvarez-Robles, M. P. Bernal, R. Clemente
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the tolerance and oxidative response to trace elements of common reed and rice grown in contaminated mining soils under different water saturation conditions. The research found that common reed is a good candidate for phytostabilization of TEs contaminated soils under both flooded and unflooded conditions.
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Maria Pilar Bernal, Donatella Grippi, Rafael Clemente
Summary: Phytomanagement of trace element-contaminated soils combines sustainable soil remediation with plant biomass utilization. Eight plant species growing in contaminated mine soils were evaluated for bioenergy potential, with Phragmites australis and Arundo donax showing the highest energy yields, making them suitable options for phytostabilization in Mediterranean areas.
Article
Environmental Sciences
M. J. Alvarez-Robles, M. P. Bernal, S. De Brasi-Velasco, F. Sevilla, R. Clemente
Summary: The common reed plant has shown high tolerance to high concentrations of arsenic contamination, accumulating arsenic mainly as As(III) in its roots with minimal translocation to the aerial parts. Despite minor nutrient imbalances, the plant did not display any signs of toxicity.
Article
Plant Sciences
M. J. Alvarez-Robles, R. Clemente, M. A. Ferrer, A. Calderon, M. P. Bernal
Summary: Accumulation of noxious elements in crops and its impact on food safety is a growing concern. This study found that ascorbic acid can reduce the accumulation of arsenic in rice by improving photosynthetic and antioxidant attributes. However, alternative priming approaches are needed to fully prevent the phytotoxic effects of arsenic exposure.
PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Cristina Alvarez-Alonso, Rafael Clemente, Maria Pilar Bernal
Summary: Digestate from fruit and vegetable wastes has high fertiliser potential, promoting plant growth and nutrient composition. However, caution is needed regarding the long-term effects of salt accumulation in the soil.
JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE AND PLANT NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Isabel Martinez-Alcala, Maria Pilar Bernal, Rafael Clemente, Francisco Pellicer-Martinez, Agustin Lahora
Summary: The increasing scarcity of conventional water for crop irrigation in arid and semiarid regions has led to the exploration of nonconventional water resources. However, concerns about the presence and potential negative effects of emerging contaminants in reclaimed water may deter its use. This study examined the suitability of reclaimed water for irrigation through a mesocosm experiment, finding that it had low concentrations of contaminants compared to water spiked with emerging contaminants. The results suggest that with improved water treatment technologies, reclaimed water can be safely used for irrigation without posing a risk of contamination by emerging contaminants.
Editorial Material
Food Science & Technology
Maria Pilar Bernal, Matias B. Vanotti
FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Rafael Clemente, Jose Antonio Saez-Tovar, Maria Pilar Bernal
FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS
(2020)