A review of metal recovery from spent petroleum catalysts and ash

As nanotechnology is expanding to several commercial fields, there is a need of ecofriendly and energy-efficient methods for the synthesis of nanoparticles. Algae have been discovered to reduce metal ions and subsequently for the biosynthesis of nanoparticles. Since algae-mediated biosynthesis of nanoparticles is an ecofriendly, economical, high-yielding, expeditious and energy-efficient method, a large number of studies have been published in the last few years. This review article therefore is focused on recent progress on the utilization of algae of various classes, viz., Cyanophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Phaeophyceae, Rhodophyceae, etc. for the synthesis of nanoparticles, their characterization and the possible mechanisms involved.

Algae as crucial organisms in advancing nanotechnology: a systematic review

https://biblio.ugent.be/publication/8557940/file/8557941.pdf

Metal recovery by microbial electro-metallurgy

The World Health Organization’s Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion has been considered a seminal document and template for health promotion since its inception and is still seen as a “gold standar...

The Ottawa Charter 30 years on: still an important standard for health promotion

Use of biogenic and abiotic elemental selenium nanospheres to sequester elemental mercury released from mercury contaminated museum specimens.

Over the past 30 years the literature has burgeoned with bioremediation approaches to heavy metal removal from wastes. The price of base and precious metals has dramatically increased. With the resurgence of nuclear energy uranium has become a strategic resource. Other ‘non-carbon energy’ technologies are driven by the need to reduce CO2 emissions. The ‘New Biohydrometallurgy’ we describe unites these drivers by the concept of conversion of wastes into new materials for environmental applications. The new materials, fashioned, bottom-up, into nanomaterials under biocontrol, can be termed ‘Functional Bionanomaterials’. This new discipline, encompassing waste treatment along with nanocatalysis or other applications, can be summarized as ‘Environmental Bionanotechnology’. Several case histories illustrate the scope and potential of this concept.

https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/files/60522450/25637763.pdf

Today’s Wastes, Tomorrow’s Materials for Environmental Protection

We have serious concerns about the capacity and resourcing of public health in England and are pleased that Iacobucci has highlighted these issues.1 Raids on public health budgets are not new. In 2005 Liam Donaldson devoted a whole chapter of his chief medical officer’s …

https://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/348/bmj.g2721.full.pdf

John R. Lloyd

Papers

Today’s Wastes, Tomorrow’s Materials for Environmental Protection

Action is needed to tackle current public health threats