Iman Parseh

Background: Naproxen (NPX) is an emerging pharmaceutical contaminant in aquatic environments. Persulfate (PS)-based advanced oxidation processes show promise for degrading persistent pharmaceutical pollutants, and cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4; CF) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are effective materials for activating PS. Objectives: This study aimed to synthesize and characterize the MWCCF catalyst and evaluate its performance in NPX degradation via PS activation. Methods: CF nanoparticles were coated onto MWC using the co-precipitation method. The synthesized catalyst was characterized, and the effects of operational parameters on NPX degradation were investigated. The activation energy was determined by evaluating the effect of temperature, and the catalyst stability was assessed over repeated reaction cycles. Scavenger experiments were conducted using tert-butyl alcohol (TBA), methanol (MeOH), benzoquinone (BQ), and furfuryl alcohol (FFA) to elucidate the reactive species involved in NPX degradation. Degradation products were identified using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and the toxicity of the treated solution was evaluated based on mung bean root growth. Results: Complete NPX degradation was achieved at pH 7, with a catalyst dose of 0.25 g/L, an NPX concentration of 10 mg/L, and a reaction time of 40 min. The activation energy of the MWCCF/PS process was 32.56 kJ/mol. The catalyst maintained an efficiency of > 98% over four consecutive reaction cycles. Scavenger experiments indicated the involvement of •OH, SO4•-, O2•-, and 1O2 in the catalytic process. GC-MS analysis identified low-molecular-weight products, including phthalic acid, benzeneacetic acid, and 1,3-dimethylbenzene. The treated NPX solution exhibited lower toxicity, as indicated by mung bean root growth. Conclusions: The MWCCF/PS process demonstrated high efficiency and good stability for NPX degradation. Multiple reactive species were involved, lower-molecular-weight degradation products were generated, and the toxicity of the treated solution was reduced.

Phytoremediation of crude oil-contaminated soil requires strategies to overcome plant stress and enhance microbial degradation. This study evaluated an integrated approach using Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) augmented with nutrients and a microbial consortium (MLSS). A 90-day pot experiment was conducted with soil contaminated with Bangistan crude oil (0.25–5% w/w). Treatments included unplanted control, planted control, and planted systems amended with NPK fertilizer and/or MLSS. The combined nutrient and MLSS amendment synergistically enhanced remediation. It achieved > 95% Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) removal at the lowest concentration (0.25%), significantly increased rhizosphere microbial populations (~ 3 orders of magnitude), and improved plant biomass. First-order kinetics revealed a drastic reduction in TPH half-life from 296 days (unplanted) to 20 days in the optimized treatment. Efficiency decreased with increasing crude oil concentration, indicating a phytotoxicity threshold. The core innovation of this study is the demonstrated synergy between C. dactylon and an engineered rhizosphere microbiome through combined bioaugmentation and biostimulation. This strategy offers a highly effective, scalable, and sustainable protocol for rehabilitating oil-contaminated soils.

Fuel combustion is a major source of volatile organic compounds such as benzene, a known human carcinogen. Benzene is metabolized into intermediate biomarkers that can be used to assess the extent of exposure. This study aimed to investigate the association between urinary concentrations of creatinine (Cr), muconic acid (MA), trans, trans-muconic acid (tt-MA), and hippuric acid (HA) with demographic, lifestyle, and occupational factors among motorcyclists exposed to heavy traffic in the Shiraz metropolis, both before and after shift work. Data on demographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, and working conditions were collected through structured interviews and questionnaires. Urinary biomarkers were extracted using a solid-phase extraction method and analyzed by HPLC with a strong basic anion-exchange cartridge (60 mg/3 mL). The results confirmed a significant increase in biomarker concentrations, particularly HA, after the work shift. Notably, HA levels exceeded the recommended limit in 13.79% of pre-shift samples and 68.97% of post-shift samples. A significant odds ratio (OR) for elevated HA was observed in relation to smoking (OR: 6.37), proximity to traffic, and having a second job. Additionally, riders over the age of 40 were more likely than younger individuals to exceed acceptable tt-MA levels after their shift. Before the work shift, tt-MA levels were partially associated with lifestyle factors such as higher BMI (OR = 2.89; 2.69–19.28), smoking (OR = 1.87; 0.1–11.5), and engagement in a second job. These findings provide evidence of a synergistic effect between demographic and lifestyle factors, increasing the health risks faced by workers during shift-based occupations.

Background: In recent years, the management and treatment of greywater have become critical environmental challenges due to the presence of non-biodegradable pollutants that conventional wastewater treatment methods fail to fully remove. This study aims to evaluate the efficiency of a hybrid approach combining adsorption using iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄) and advanced ...

Novel copper-nickel ferrite nanocatalyst loaded on multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNTs-CuNiFe₂O₄) was synthesized and applied to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) in the degradation of the reactive black 5 (RB5). The structure of the catalyst was well characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The MWCNTs-CuNiFe₂O₄/PMS system showed a high performance in the degradation of RB5 with a kinetic rate of 1.5–2.5 times higher than homogeneous and heterogeneous systems. Maximum degradation efficiency (99.60%) was obtained at an initial pH of 7, catalyst dosage of 250 mg/L, PMS dosage of 4 mM, the temperature of 25 °C, and reaction time of 15 min. Anion experiments emphasized that the presence of nitrate, carbonate, and phosphate in the solution reduced the degradation efficiency by producing reactive species with low oxidation potential. The RB5 degradation rate evolved with temperature, and the activation energy was obtained to be 44.48 kJ/mol. The mechanism of PMS activation and production of free radicals was proposed based on tert-butyl alcohol (TBA), ethanol (EtOH), and potassium iodide (KI) scavengers. Trapping experiments showed that both sulfate (SO₄^•-) and hydroxyl (^•OH) radicals are involved in the catalytic degradation of RB5. The effective treatment of real wastewater and tap water by the MWCNTs-CuNiFe₂O₄/PMS system requires a long reaction time. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis indicated that RB5 can be degraded via methylation, decarboxylation, hydroxylation, and ring/chain cleavage pathways. The stable catalytic activity after three consecutive cycles suggested that MWCNTs-CuFe₂O₄ is a novel reusability catalyst in PMS activation. Graphical abstract

Aim: Although vermicomposting is rich in nutrients, the virulent microbes and pathogens present in it may be a threat to human health and the environment. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate the microbial quality of produced vermicompost, including fecal coliform and parasitic eggs, at a pilot scale, and compare it to present standards. Materials and Methods: Three various reactors containing decomposable domestic waste (T1), cow manure (T2), and dewatered sludge (T3) were used to produce vermicompost using Eisenia fetida. According to the standard methods, fecal coliforms, parasitic eggs, and some of the treatment characteristics including organic carbons, nitrogen, temperature, humidity, pH, electrical conductivity and metals were evaluated during the 56-day operation period. Results: According to the results, the number of fecal coliforms in treatments of T1, T2 and T3 reduced from 2.5 × 10⁴, 6 × 10⁵ and 15 × 10⁶ to 1000, 1500 and 1500 MPN/g dw, respectively. All parasite eggs reached zero after the 3^rd week. At the end of the study, the average of organic carbon in T1, T2, and T3 were 35.4 ± 6%, 50.7 ± 5%, and 58.4 ± 7%, respectively. This value for total nitrogen were 0.9 ± 0.2%, 1.8 ± 0.7%, and 4.2 ± 1.2%, respectively. Conclusion: Results showed that the worm E. fetida has a great ability to reduce pathogens without the need for an increase in temperature. Furthermore, it can be concluded that vermicompost can improve the quality of compost in 8 weeks. The vermicomposting process can also greatly destroy the fecal coliforms and all parasite eggs.