heavy metal contamination – Page 2

Enhanced MICP for Soil Improvement and Heavy Metal Remediation: Insights from Landfill Leachate-Derived Ureolytic Bacterial Consortium

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Researchers used naturally-occurring bacteria from landfill waste liquid to create a sustainable method for cleaning contaminated soil and removing heavy metals like cadmium and nickel. The bacteria produce calcium carbonate (a mineral similar to limestone) which strengthens soil and traps pollutants. This biological approach is cheaper, more environmentally friendly, and more effective than traditional chemical cleaning methods, making it promising for treating contaminated sites worldwide.

Iron-Modified Alkaline Lignin Chitosan Aerogel Microspheres for Sb(III) Removal in Water

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Researchers developed a new material made from iron, lignin (a plant-derived substance), and chitosan that can effectively remove poisonous antimony from contaminated water. When tested, this material successfully removed over 95% of antimony from water samples and could be reused multiple times. The material works by creating chemical bonds with antimony molecules, trapping them on its surface. This environmentally friendly solution could help treat industrial wastewater containing multiple types of heavy metals.

Potential Usage of Edible Mushrooms and Their Residues to Retrieve Valuable Supplies for Industrial Applications

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Edible mushrooms are not only nutritious foods but also contain valuable compounds that are being wasted during production. Scientists are discovering new ways to use mushroom waste to make useful products like natural skincare items, water purification materials, and food additives. These innovations help reduce environmental pollution while creating valuable products, supporting a more sustainable circular economy.

Diversity and Ecology of Fungi from Underexplored and Extreme Environments

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This research collection explores fungi living in extreme environments like salty lagoons, Arctic lakes, and polluted soils. Scientists discovered that many fungi have special abilities to survive harsh conditions and can even help clean up contaminated areas. The findings suggest that understanding these remarkable fungi could lead to new applications in environmental cleanup and sustainable agriculture. The research emphasizes the need to combine traditional laboratory methods with modern genetic techniques to fully understand fungal diversity.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal networks—A climate-smart blueprint for agriculture

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Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are beneficial organisms that form partnerships with plant roots to improve crop health and productivity without relying heavily on synthetic chemicals. These fungal networks enhance soil health, help plants survive droughts and diseases, improve nutrient absorption, and redistribute water through the soil. By using proper farming practices like crop diversification and fungal inoculants, farmers can harness these natural networks to increase yields while reducing fertilizer costs and environmental pollution.

Cadmium and Lead Tolerance of Filamentous Fungi Isolated from Contaminated Mining Soils

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Researchers found several types of fungi thriving in extremely contaminated mining soils in Mexico. These fungi can survive in environments with toxic levels of lead and cadmium that would kill most organisms. The most promising fungus, Paecilomyces lilacinus, can tolerate both metals and could potentially be used to clean up heavily polluted mining sites by binding and immobilizing these dangerous metals in the soil.

Diversity and Ecology of Fungi from Underexplored and Extreme Environments

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This research paper highlights the remarkable diversity of fungi that thrive in some of Earth’s most challenging environments, from polluted soils and hypersaline lagoons to Arctic and Antarctic lakes. These fungi possess unique adaptations that allow them to survive extreme conditions and play important roles in plant health, pollution cleanup, and ecosystem resilience. The paper reviews multiple studies discovering new fungal species and understanding how fungi interact with their environments, offering potential applications for environmental remediation and sustainable agriculture.

Diversity and Ecology of Fungi from Underexplored and Extreme Environments

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This editorial discusses a special collection of studies exploring fungi that thrive in extreme and challenging environments around the world, from frozen Arctic lakes to salty lagoons and polluted soils. These fungi have evolved remarkable abilities to survive harsh conditions and can even help clean up contaminated environments or support plant growth in degraded soils. Researchers are discovering previously unknown fungal species and understanding how these organisms function in ecosystems, with potential applications for cleaning pollution, improving agriculture, and biotechnology.

Soil health alterations via compost additions to natural and remediated heavy metal-contaminated mineland soils

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Abandoned mining sites in Missouri left contaminated soils that couldn’t support plant growth. Researchers tested whether adding compost could restore these soils to health comparable to natural prairie. They found that applying 180 tons of compost per hectare successfully restored soil quality and plant growth while keeping heavy metal levels safe for livestock, making it an effective and affordable solution for healing mining-damaged lands.

Phytostabilization of Heavy Metals and Fungal Community Response in Manganese Slag under the Mediation of Soil Amendments and Plants

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This research shows that adding spent mushroom compost and a mineral amendment called attapulgite to contaminated mining waste, combined with planting a hardy tree species, significantly reduces heavy metal pollution. The tree and amendments work together by improving soil quality and promoting beneficial fungi that help stabilize harmful metals in the soil, preventing them from leaching into groundwater and surrounding ecosystems.

Disease: heavy metal contamination