Application of ferrous sulfate alleviates negative impact of cadmium in rice (<i>Oryza sativa</i> L.)

Soil contamination with toxic heavy metals [such as cadmium (Cd)] is becoming a serious global problem due to rapid development of social economy. Iron (Fe), being an important element, has been found effective in enhancing plant tolerance against biotic and abiotic stresses. The present study investigated the extent to which different levels of Ferrous sulphate (FeSO₄) modulated the Cd tolerance of rice (Oryza sativa L.), when maintained in artificially Cd spiked regimes. A pot experiment was conducted under controlled conditions for 146 days, by using natural soil, mixed with different levels of CdCl₂ [0 (no Cd), 0.5 and 1 mg/kg] together with the exogenous application of FeSO₄ at [0 (no Fe), 1.5 and 3 mg/kg] levels to monitor different growth, gaseous exchange characteristics, oxidative stress, antioxidative responses, minerals accumulation, organic acid exudation patterns of O. sativa. Our results depicted that addition of Cd to the soil significantly (P < 0.05) decreased plant growth and biomass, gaseous exchange parameters, mineral uptake by the plants, sugars (soluble, reducing, and non-reducing sugar) and altered the ultrastructure of chloroplasts, plastoglobuli, mitochondria, and many other cellular organelles in Cd-stressed O. sativa compared to those plants which were grown without the addition of Cd in the soil. However, Cd toxicity boosted the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by increasing the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), which is the indication of oxidative stress in O. sativa and was also manifested by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) contents and electrolyte leakage to the membrane bounded organelles. Although, activities of various antioxidative enzymes like superoxidase dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and non-enzymatic antioxidants like phenolics, flavonoid, ascorbic acid, anthocyanin and proline contents increased up to a Cd level of 0.5 mg/kg in the soil but were significantly diminished at the highest Cd level of 1 mg/kg in the soil compared to those plants which were grown without the addition of Cd in the soil. The negative impacts of Cd injury were reduced by the application of FeSO₄ which increased plant growth and biomass, improved photosynthetic apparatus, antioxidant enzymes, minerals uptake together with diminished exudation of organic acids as well as oxidative stress indicators in roots and shoots of O. sativa by decreasing Cd retention in different plant parts. These results shed light on the effectiveness of FeSO₄ in improving the growth and upregulation of antioxidant enzyme activities of O. sativa in response to Cd stress. However, further studies at field levels are required to explore the mechanisms of FeSO₄-mediated reduction of the toxicity of not only Cd, but possibly also other heavy metals in plants.     

New approach to unsupported ReS2 nanorod catalyst for upgrading of heavy crude oil using methane as hydrogen source

Highly active ReS₂ nanocatalysts were prepared by CVD method and characterized by XRD, BET -BJH, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, TPR, NH₃-TPD, SEM, and HRTEM techniques. Catalytic activities were used in upgrading heavy crude oil using methane as hydrogen source. The results showed a significant increase in API and decrease in sulfur and nitrogen content of crude oil. RSM technique was used to investigate the interactive effects of temperature (200–400 °C), pressure (20–40 bar) and dosage of nanocatalyst (0.5–2 wt. %) on the performance of HDS reaction. The results represent that the maximum predicted HDS activity (74.375%) was estimated under the optimal conditions (400 °C, 20 bars, and 2 wt % of nanocatalyst). Also, the effect of reaction temperature, pressure and dosage of ReS₂ nanorods catalyst on HDN of heavy crude oil was investigated and highest efficiency in the HDN process (93%) occurred at 400 °C and 40 bar using 2 wt % ReS₂.     

Effect of sintering temperature on solidification and migration of non-volatile and volatile heavy metals in glass-ceramic

Using tailings as material to prepare glass-ceramic is an excellent way to achieve the resource utilization of solid waste. However, at present, researches on the solidification and migration of heavy metals are limited. Therefore, in this study, ten groups of samples were prepared by controlling sintering temperatures. The solidification, migration, and leaching behavior of non-volatile and volatile heavy metals were studied. The research showed that, with the increase of temperature, the properties of the samples were improved. Fe participated in the phase transformation and evolved into insoluble iron pyroxenes solid solution, while Pb was homogeneously distributed in the glass matrix of glass-ceramics. The leaching concentrations of Fe and Pb in the glass-ceramics were 0.055 mg/L ～0.087 mg/L and 0.074 mg/L ～0.140 mg/L, which were far below the threshold value. The results showed that heavy metals can be effectively solidified in glass-ceramics and have good environmental benefits.     

Flow modeling of high-viscosity fluids in pipeline infrastructure of oil and gas enterprises

Today, the issues related to solving the problem of finding an effective distribution of oil flows through the system of oil pipelines in order to reduce the total energy consumption are relevant. The solution to this problem is connected with selection of rational pumping modes for various technological sections of oil pipelines using modern methods of mathematical programming or new techniques for improving the energy and transport characteristics of oil.Reducing energy consumption during pumping of crude through oil trunk pipelines can be achieved by various methods. Numerous investigations in this direction are mainly carried out to save energy on separate single-line pipelines. However, due to the development of the network of trunk oil pipelines in the world over the past decades, the issues of energy efficient management of oil flows throughout the entire oil pipeline system of oil and gas enterprises become urgent.This paper analyses parameters for pipeline transport of high-viscosity and heavy oils. The article proposes a method for assessing the rheological properties of oil for further planning of pumping taking into account the preservation of oil quality and an increase in energy and transport characteristics. The proposed solutions and tasks for predicting changes in the viscosity-temperature characteristics of the flow for blends of different oil types are especially relevant in the current conditions of an increase in the share of oil production with complex rheological characteristics. Results of the presented investigations may be used for planning the measures of efficient transportation of high-viscosity and heavy oils.     

Melatonin and its protective role against male reproductive toxicity induced by heavy metals,environmental pollutants,and chemotherapy: A review

Melatonin, as a ubiquitous indoleamine hormone, is synthesized primarily by the pineal gland. It has diverse biological effects through quite complex mechanisms. More recently, studies have focused on the mechanism of melatonin in anti-reproductive toxicity/damage. Since melatonin possesses strong antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties, researchers have examined its potential role in protecting against male reproductive toxicity/damage, which may be induced by chemotherapy or environmental toxicants and can lead to male infertility. In this article, recent progress regarding the protective effects of melatonin on male reproductive toxicity/damage is reviewed.     

Al2O3/Yttria‐Stabilized Zirconia Hollow‐Fiber Membrane Incorporated with Iron Oxide for Pb(II) Removal

Removal by absorptive ceramic membranes can simultaneously absorb and separate metal ions from water. Alumina/yttria‐stabilized zirconia (Al₂O₃/YSZ) hollow‐fiber membranes, fabricated using phase inversion and sintering process, were deposited with iron oxide by an in‐situ hydrothermal process. The results showed that α‐Fe₂O₃ was produced and incorporated across the membranes. A reduction in flux was recorded with the deposition of α‐Fe₂O_3. However, it improved the adsorption capacity for heavy metal adsorption. The adsorption‐separation test demonstrated that the optimized membrane is able to completely remove Pb(II) ions after two hours.     

某铜矿重介质产品提铁降硫选矿试验

某铜矿重介质产品铁品位56.24%，硫含量高达9.34%，95.72%的硫以磁黄铁矿的形式存在。为获得硫含量<2%的铁精矿，按磨矿—弱磁选—浮选原则流程对该矿石进行了选矿试验。试验结果表明，在最佳试验参数下，重介质产品经一段磨矿（-0.043 mm 85%）—1粗1精弱磁选—1粗2扫脱硫浮选流程处理，可获得产率45.23%、硫含量为1.52%、全铁品位66.50%的铁精矿，可作为后续钢铁冶炼原料的配矿使用，为此类重介质产品的利用提供技术参考。     

Oxy-fuel combustion of heavy oil based on OH - PLIF technique

Oxy-fuel combustion of heavy oil can be applied to oil field steam injection boilers, allowing the utilization of both heavy oil and CO₂ resources. This paper studied the local distribution characteristics of OH on oxy-fuel combustion of heavy oil during the ignition and stable combustion processes. During the ignition process, we observed the generation and evolution of fire kernel, and got the flame propagation velocity. During the stable combustion process, the results showed that the OH distribution and its relative signal intensity were influenced by the oxygen concentration, excess air coefficient, gas flow, reaction atmosphere, oil mist scattering, incident laser energy and laser sheet position. In the same reaction atmosphere, the ranges of OH dense distribution and the high temperature area increased as O₂ concentration increased. In the same O₂ concentration, both the ranges of OH dense distribution and the high temperature area in O₂/N₂ were larger than that in O₂/CO₂. In 29% O₂/71% CO₂, the flame shape was similar to combust in air, while the OH relative signal intensity and its volatility were much larger than that in air. In the same combustion condition, the location of high concentration of OH relative concentration field lagged behind the high temperature area. The results further reveal the differences between the conventional and oxy-fuel combustion.     

Carbon nanotube filter for heavy metal ion adsorption

This study investigated carbon nanotube filtration technology using catalyst particles supported on silicalite-1–biomorphic carbon materials (BCMs). Aqueous solutions of Mn(II), Cu(II), Cr(III), Cd(II), and Pb(II) were used to test the efficiency of heavy metal ions removal. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were synthesized and grown on BCMs by the chemical vapor deposition method catalyzed with the catalyst (Co, Fe, and Ni). The synthesized CNTs with Co– and Fe– nanoparticles were typically multi-walled carbon nanotubes, and they showed good crystallinity (I_D/I_G = 1.05) and yield of (11.10 and 8.86) %. The removal efficiency of Mn(II), Cu(II), Cr(III), Cd(II), and Pb(II) ions using Co-catalyzed CNT filter was 97.57%, 98.01%, 97.89%, 97.42%, and 99.99%, respectively.     

Induction of adaptive response <i>in utero </i>by ionizing radiation: A radiation quality dependent phenomenon

Investigation on possible induction of adaptive response (AR) by high-liner energy transfer (LET) particle radiation for protection against low-LET photon radiation-induced detrimental effects has not yet been performed in utero. This study verified if an AR could be induced by high-LET particle radiation from accelerated heavy ions against low-LET X-ray radiation-induced detrimental effects on fetal mice. Total body irradiation of pregnant C57BL/6J mice were performed by delivering a priming dose ranging from 10 mGy to 320 mGy of particle radiation on gestation day 11 followed one day later by a challenge dose at 3500 mGy from X-ray radiation. The monoenergetic beams of carbon, silicon and iron with the LET values of about 15, 55, and 200 KeV/μm, respectively, were examined. Significant suppression by the priming radiation of the detrimental effects (fetal death, malformation, or low body weight) was used as the endpoints for judgment of a successful AR induction on gestation day 18. Existence of AR was not observed. On the other hand, the priming dose of high-LET particle radiation, in some cases, even increased the detrimental effects induced by the challenge dose from low-LET X-ray radiation. Although existence of AR induced by high-LET radiation in cultured mammalian cells in vitro and in certain tissues of laboratory mice in vivo was demonstrated, the present study did not suggest that low dose of high-LET particle radiation could induce an AR in fetal mice in utero under the setup of our experimental system.