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Related Concept Videos

Elements and Compounds01:27

Elements and Compounds

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Pure substances consist of only one type of matter. A pure substance can be an element or a compound. An element consists of only one type of atom, while a compound consists of two or more types of atoms held together by a chemical bond.
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Periodic Classification of the Elements04:00

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The periodic table arranges atoms based on increasing atomic number so that elements with the same chemical properties recur periodically. When their electron configurations are added to the table, a periodic recurrence of similar electron configurations in the outer shells of these elements is observed. Because they are in the outer shells of an atom, valence electrons play the most important role in chemical reactions. The outer electrons have the highest energy of the electrons in an atom...
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A chemical symbol is an abbreviation used to indicate an element or an atom of an element. For example, the symbol for mercury is Hg. The same symbol is used to indicate one atom of mercury (microscopic domain) or to label a container of many atoms of the element mercury (macroscopic domain).
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Trace element dynamics of biosolids-derived microbeads.

Hasintha Wijesekara1, Nanthi S Bolan1, Lauren Bradney1

  • 1Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER), Advanced Technology Centre, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.

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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Microbeads in biosolids can carry trace elements, potentially harming soil health. This study quantizes microbeads and their metal interactions, revealing risks to soil microbial activity.

Keywords:
Biosolids land applicationMicroplasticsSoil contaminationTrace metals

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Soil Science

Background:

  • Microbeads are increasingly detected in environmental matrices, including biosolids from wastewater treatment.
  • Biosolids are commonly applied to agricultural soils, raising concerns about contaminant transfer.
  • The interaction of microbeads with trace elements and their subsequent impact on soil ecosystems require thorough investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify microbead concentrations and characteristics in biosolids.
  • To investigate the adsorption of copper (Cu) onto microbeads in a soil environment.
  • To assess the ecotoxicity of microbead-metal complexes on soil microbial activities.

Main Methods:

  • Quantification of microbeads in biosolids across various size fractions.
  • Batch experiments to study copper adsorption onto pure and surface-modified microbeads.
  • Analysis of trace element presence using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS).
  • Assessment of soil microbial activity via basal respiration and dehydrogenase assays.
  • Surface characterization using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-Transform Infrared (FT-IR) microscopy.

Main Results:

  • Microbeads were found in significant concentrations within biosolids across different size fractions.
  • Surface-modified microbeads exhibited enhanced adsorption of copper compared to pure microbeads.
  • Trace elements including Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb), Antimony (Sb), and Zinc (Zn) were detected on microbeads.
  • Microbead-metal complexes significantly reduced soil respiration (up to ~26%) and dehydrogenase activity (up to ~39%).
  • SEM and FT-IR analyses confirmed microbead degradation and dissolved organic matter adsorption.

Conclusions:

  • Microbeads in biosolids can act as vectors for trace element transport and contamination.
  • The presence of microbead-metal complexes poses a significant risk to soil microbial health and function.
  • Wastewater treatment processes may facilitate the transfer of microbeads and associated contaminants to agricultural soils.