Zohre Kurt

Water contamination by heavy metals is a major global concern resulting from anthropogenic activities and natural geological processes. Their removal and recovery are important for protecting water resources and addressing the depletion of critical metals. This study evaluated wild sugarcane (WSC) biochar as an adsorbent for Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ removal from aqueous media, providing a potential valorization pathway for this biomass. WSC biochars were produced at airflow rates of 8, 12, 16, and 20 L min⁻¹ and characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ adsorption data were analyzed using the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin isotherm models. The characterization results indicated the presence of oxygen-, carbon-, and hydrogen-containing surface functional groups that may contribute to metal adsorption. Under the investigated batch conditions, BP12 achieved removal efficiencies of approximately 70–90% for Cu²⁺ and 83–94% for Zn²⁺. For BP12, the Langmuir expression yielded an apparent maximum Cu²⁺ adsorption capacity of 42.3 mg g⁻¹, while Zn²⁺ uptake reached 26.9 mg g⁻¹ and was best described by the Freundlich expression among the models evaluated; the Langmuir model did not converge for Zn²⁺. These results demonstrate the potential of WSC biochar for Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ removal from aqueous media and support the valorization of wild-sugarcane biomass as a minimally processed adsorbent.

The decarbonization of essential water supply infrastructure is a critical challenge for water-stressed and geographically constrained regions, particularly islands where both water and electricity systems are highly dependent on external or fossil-based resources. In Northern Cyprus, approximately 70% of domestic water demand is met through imported water via pipeline, while electricity generation relies predominantly on fuel oil, resulting in high greenhouse gas emissions and environmental burden. This study evaluates an integrated renewable energy-based supply system using a medium-scale concentrating solar power (CSP) plant with parabolic trough collectors coupled to thermal desalination. The proposed configuration is assessed as an alternative energy-driven infrastructure option for reducing dependence on imported water and fossil-based electricity. System performance was evaluated by estimating electricity and freshwater production under local climatic conditions, demonstrating that the proposed configuration can meet both the associated electrical energy requirements and domestic water demand in the selected region. A cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted to quantify the environmental impacts of the integrated system and support sustainability-oriented decision-making. The LCA results identify residual fossil-based electricity, phosphoric acid consumption, and brine discharge as the main environmental hotspots. Overall, the findings show that CSP-driven desalination can provide a viable and more sustainable option for integrated energy and water supply in water-scarce coastal regions with high solar potential, highlighting its relevance for renewable energy integration, water-energy nexus planning, and resource-efficient infrastructure development.

Power-to-X technologies play a crucial role in accelerating the energy and material transition. A key opportunity lies in integrating these systems with existing bio-based infrastructures such as anaerobic digesters, providing a reliable source of biogenic carbon. Developing effective Power-to-Methanol (PtM) pathways requires a comprehensive understanding of process behavior through detailed simulation, including technical performance, economic feasibility, and environmental consequences. Despite growing interest, substantial variation remains in published levelized methanol costs, and many assessments insufficiently account for the full environmental footprint of production routes. This study evaluates the potential of PtM deployment in the Netherlands by comparing two pathways that utilize biogenic carbon sources: (i) hydrogenation of captured CO₂ using green hydrogen and (ii) dry methane reforming (DMR) of biogas, followed by catalytic syngas conversion to methanol. Results indicate that operational expenses—mainly driven by renewable electricity consumption—far outweigh capital investment. Both routes yield an LCoMeOH of approximately €2630 per tonne, about five times the cost of fossil-based methanol. Life cycle analysis shows that DMR performs more favorably overall, although elevated freshwater ecotoxicity and eutrophication result from digestate application as fertilizer. Continued improvements in renewable energy integration and nutrient recovery technologies are essential for enhancing future economic and environmental performance.

Cypermethrin (CYP) is a commonly used type Ⅱ pyrethroid against pest control in agriculture and household. Its excessive use has the potential to cause serious secondary environmental pollution. Biodegradation in the environment minimizes contamination however the metabolites, could also harm the environment more than the main product of interest. Therefore, optimum degradation rates and possible effects of bioremediation should be understood to evaluate its applicability. In this study, isolates obtained from soil exposed to CYP from fig farms in Adana were investigated to identify their CYP biodegradation pathway, and the key enzymes responsible for biodegradation, to optimize the biodegradation, and to indicate the inhibitors that affect their ability to mineralize CYP. Enterobacter hormaechei strain ZK101 and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia strain ZK102 both degraded CYP with first-order kinetics through esterification followed by 3-phenoxy benzoic acid (3PBA) deoxygenation. Strains accumulated 3PBA when they have been reinoculated to the soil due to the copper present (40 ppm) in the soil causing the inhibition of 3PBA dioxygenase. The work here is the first study that tested the potential of CYP degradation when isolates were re-inoculated in the soil and showed that CYP degraders in the field will cause an accumulation of a more toxic contaminant than CYP. The results of this study help to understand the effects of bacterial applications for CYP contamination and reveal the negative effects of microbial responses in the field.

Wild sugarcane (Saccharum spontaneum L.) is an invasive plant species in the Central American region. Due to its low nutrient and water requirements, it can grow fast and displace native species. Therefore, its biomass is considered a waste to prevent the further distribution of the specie. This study investigates the production and characterization of wild sugarcane biochar to provide a use for its waste. The produced biochar was used for atrazine adsorption in aqueous solutions to provide a possible application of this biochar near the water bodies that were often detected to be contaminated with atrazine. The biochar was produced via top-lit updraft gasification with airflow rates between 8 to 20 L/min, achieving yields ranging from 22.9 to 27.5%. Batch experiments revealed that biochar made at 12 L/min presented the best removal efficiency (37.71–100%) and the maximum adsorption capacity (q_m = 0.42 mg/g). Langmuir (R² = 0.94–0.96) and Freundlich (R² = 0.89–0.97) described the experimental data appropriately. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy suggested that atrazine removal in wild sugarcane biochar could be mainly due to carboxylic functional groups. In addition, the biochar organic carbon composition contributed to a higher removal capacity in biochar produced at different airflow rates.

High yields of agricultural produce is reached traditionally by the application of fertilizers and/or pesticides. When agricultural soil is saturated with pesticides, any pesticide addition to the soil leaches and thus reaches the underlying groundwater. Preventing further contamination and remediation of this type of contamination remains to be a challenge. Although monitored natural attenuation has been shown as an ultimate solution for decontamination, additional applications have been introduced to rapidly achieve this goal. One solution that also contains economic benefits to the farmers is to pump and reuse. The study described here evaluates the possibility to use pump and reuse technique for two common pesticides with different chemical properties, namely atrazine and cypermethrin. In this study, six field samples have been evaluated for their pesticide biodegradation capacity. By placing them in sterilized controls and inoculated active columns, field conditions are replicated to study the leaching and biodegradation at the topsoil of agricultural fields. The biodegradation capacities of inoculated active columns ranged between 34 and75 mg/kg/day for atrazine. The results indicated that using the contaminated water for irrigation could eliminate the pesticide contamination from the soil and groundwater. Overall, this method provides a sustainable solution for pesticide use and remediation by minimizing the pesticide use in agricultural fields without affecting the yield of the planted crops.