Silica is a widespread mineral that enjoys constant interest from material engineering specialists, environmental scientists and chemists. This substance is described by the stoichiometric formula as SiO₂, and also in the hydrated form as SiO₂·nH₂O. An alternative to the currently commonly used synthetic silica is biosilica obtained as a result of biogenic processes, in an aqueous environment, with the participation of selected strains of microorganisms — algae. This material, unlike synthetic products, is characterized by a micro- diatoms of silica sponges with orthosilicate units, in which two silanol groups are connected in one bond or siloxane. Its purity in terms of chemical composition, chemical and mechanical stability and resistance is guaranteed by excellent repeatability of biosynthetic processes, which are also characterized by high specificity and low unit cost. The paper presents the aquatic conditions of silica biosynthesis used as an adsorbent and carrier of stationary phases (chemically bonded phases with different functional groups) in liquid chromatography and related techniques. Characterization of bare and modified material using porosimetric techniques (low-temperature adsorption, nitrogen desorption), microscopic imaging (SEM, TEM, AFM), characterization of surface architecture using spectral and spectroscopic methods (FTIR, CP MAS NMR, XRD, ICP-MS, Ramman) and chromatography will be discussed. Potential application possibilities (first reports in the literature) in chromatographic separation in different modes and sample preparation will also be presented. Acknowledgement: The work was co-financed by the project “Advanced biocomposites for tomorrow’s economy BIOG-NET”, FNP POIR.04.04.00-00-1792/18-00, the project is carried out under the TEAM-NET program of the Foundation for Polish Science co-financed by the European Union under the European Regional Development Fund.

Oxidation processes are an important tool in wastewater treatment. The combination of chlorination and sand filtration was first time applied at around 1900 and resulted in a great improvement of the water quality by elimination of pathogens and taste and odor. In 1970s adverse disinfection by-products and few years later transformation products have been discovered. This initiated large research activities creating a sound mechanistic understanding on structure related reaction kinetics and transformation product formation for several oxidants. Based on this data prediction models using quantitative structure activity relationships (QSAR) and quantum mechanics are becoming increasingly successful. These approaches accelerate advances in research and application to develop safe and energy efficient treatment oxidation processes. Yet prediction models cannot deal well with the water matrix which controls the oxidant exposure, the formation of secondary oxidants and formation of transformation- und by-products and their biological effect and behavior in follow-up treatment steps and the environment. The talk will present the effect of the water matrix on formation pollutant degradation and disinfection in oxidation processes.

This presentation explores the design and applications of 3D and hierarchical Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) composites as catalysts for pollution control and biomass valorization (upgrading). Emphasis is placed on the development of various MOF-based materials, including the HKUST-1 mesh, which demonstrates exceptional catalytic performance in transforming biomass-derived substrates into valuable chemicals. Key structural and functional attributes of these materials, such as enhanced surface areas, tunable porosity, and hierarchical architectures, will be discussed in the context of their applications in aqueous environmental catalysis. Through case studies and analyses, the innovative potential of MOF composites in advancing sustainable chemical processes and green technologies will be highlighted, providing valuable insights into their role in addressing environmental and resource challenges.

The ubiquitous presence of organic UV filters from personal care products poses an escalating environmental challenge. Benzophenones—whose parent compounds degrade to benzophenone-1 (BP1)—are widely detected worldwide, even in remote regions, and exhibit pseudo-persistence and endocrine-disrupting effects. Transformation products such as BP1 may be more toxic than their precursors, while conventional wastewater treatment is largely ineffective at removing them. This work evaluates thermally activated peroxydisulfate (S₂O₈²⁻) as a quaternary treatment for BP1 in water. Operational parameters were optimized and degradation pathways were elucidated by combining experiments with density functional theory calculations, clarifying the roles of reactive radical species. Matrix effects of dissolved solutes on treatment efficiency were assessed, and the toxicity of treated solutions was evaluated. The results provide mechanistic insight and practical guidance for implementing robust, sustainable strategies to mitigate UV-filter micropollutants in aquatic environments.

The removal of dye pollutants from water and wastewater remains a critical environmental issue, particularly in light of sustainable water resource management and circular economy principles. The textile industry, a major contributor to water contamination, discharges dyes that are often persistent, toxic, and resistant to biodegradation. Although various treatment methods—such as adsorption, coagulation, ion exchange, and advanced oxidation—are commonly employed, their effectiveness and cost-efficiency vary considerably. In particular, many rely on expensive or non-renewable materials, prompting growing interest in alternative, waste-based adsorbents. Post-coagulation sludge, a byproduct of drinking water treatment processes, has gained attention as a promising sorbent material. These sludges, typically treated as waste, are rich in metal oxides and possess favorable surface properties that support dye adsorption. Their reuse not only helps address the issue of sludge disposal but also aligns with circular economy strategies by transforming waste into a valuable resource for environmental protection. In this study, the adsorption potential of post-coagulation sediments from a water treatment plant was assessed for the removal of Acid Blue 193, an anionic dye commonly used in textile processing. Adsorption experiments were performed using the batch method, evaluating the influence of various process parameters such as adsorbent dosage, initial dye concentration, contact time, and solution pH. The maximum adsorption capacity achieved confirmed the sediments’ high efficiency in removing the dye. Experimental data were analyzed using three adsorption isotherm models—Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin–Radushkevich—while kinetic studies indicated that the process followed a pseudo-second-order model, suggesting a chemisorption mechanism. The findings confirm that post-coagulation sediments can serve as an effective, low-cost adsorbent for removing Acid Blue 193 from aqueous solutions. Their utilization supports both sustainable sludge management and the development of environmentally responsible water treatment technologies.

The rapid growth of civilization worldwide, including population increase, industrialization, and urbanization, has led to rising levels of waste and pollution, negatively affecting both soil and water environments. To address these challenges and improve the quality of water resources, strong emphasis has been placed on the development and advancement of wastewater treatment technologies, including adsorption methods. In recent years, there has been growing interest in exploring bio-based materials as low-cost, eco-friendly adsorbents, as they are renewable, widely available, and exhibit desirable biological and chemical properties that enable them to effectively bind contaminants. Lignin is one of the most abundant natural polymers, generated in large quantities as a by-product of the pulp and paper industry. Its application as a biosorbent offers a sustainable approach to lignin valorization. Due to its specific structure and the presence of functional groups such as hydroxyl and carboxyl, lignin can be chemically modified to enhance its physicochemical and adsorption properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of lignin modification using imidazolium-based ionic liquids on its adsorption capacity toward heavy metal ions. Adsorption capacity tests, conducted before and after modification, were performed under static solid-liquid contact conditions, taking into account various process parameters such as pH, adsorbent dose, initial metal concentration, and contact time. To interpret the experimental results, isotherm models and kinetic equations were applied. The results demonstrated that lignin modification had a significant effect on its adsorption performance, substantially increasing the removal efficiency of metal ions. These findings suggest that modified lignin can be considered a promising alternative adsorbent for wastewater treatment applications.

Water is one of the basic, priority, and crucial raw materials for meeting the economic, social, and environmental needs of society not in the EU and worldwide. Water determines the conditions for a sustainable environment and national economy worldwide now and for ages. Water is life. The main objective of the lecture is to introduce ongoing research and implementation actions that promotes the concept of European Green Deal in the area of “circular economy” and responsible urban Water management impacted by climate changes. This “circular Water management” means multiple cycles of water use and reprocessing within a single user footprint instead of a single linear use of water from the supply, single application (such as domestic use) to the sewer. Circular water management has the benefits of reducing demand on primary water resources, mitigating costs for users and together with rain and storm water management, reducing loading on sewerage systems, and having multiple synergies with improved energy and resource utilization. Circular water use will be a major contributor to a more effective, adaptable, and resilient water sector able to better cope with coming global climate change impacts. Life4zoo project is demonstration project focused on implementation of Circular Water management in areas of zoo like visitor attraction by application of Natural Based solution with high-tech technologies for post-treatment. MAURICE is Central Europe Interreg project focused on Urban Water resources management with the aim to increase resilience of EU countries to extreme weather events as urban droughts and floods as well as depletion of urban groundwater resources, where rain and stormwater management is the crucial tool.

At previous conferences, we have reported that regular mathematical modelling of emission dispersion from major sources—also applied in risk assessments to predict toxic releases from various technologies and, in some cases, potential terrorist incidents—is a legal requirement in all EU member states. Despite this, most EU countries face a shortage of specialists in this highly specific and demanding field. Our earlier contributions addressed innovations in the teaching of environmental emission dispersion modelling, its principles and algorithms, as well as the convergence of CZ–PL cross-border environmental education in the technical natural sciences. In this presentation, we report on compelling results from our pedagogical research into environmental-technical higher education, carried out within a four-year PL–CZ EU-funded project entitled “Cooperation between the University of Opole and the University of Hradec Kralove increasing the employability of graduates on the cross-border labour market” and its subsequent three-year sustainability phase. Through qualitative research methods, we confirmed the critical role of internships in motivating students to pursue activities in this domain. These findings are discussed within the framework of contemporary trends in university–industry collaboration as practiced by leading higher education institutions worldwide.

Micropollutants, such as pharmaceuticals, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or heavy metals, can pose significant risks to the environment and human health. They are readily transported by water and accumulate in aquatic ecosystems. To address this challenge, our project unites the expertise of Czech and Polish scientific institutions and partners to improve the monitoring and removal of micropollutants from wastewater. The initiative combines cross-border monitoring, development and testing of advanced removal technologies, and creation of a shared database to support evidence-based decision-making. Through collaboration and knowledge exchange, the project aims to enhance wastewater treatment and protect water quality in the CZ–PL border region.

Microrobots are rapidly gaining attention as powerful instruments for environmental remediation. Operating at the nano- to microscale, these autonomous machines can: a) Eliminate trace organic pollutants such as hormones; b) Catalytically degrade pesticides and nitroaromatic compounds; c) Adsorb and degrade micro- and nanoplastics from aquatic systems; d) Disrupt and remove resilient biofilms. This talk highlights the innovative designs, propulsion strategies and reaction mechanisms that underpin these capabilities, surveys recent proof-of-concept demonstrations, and assesses the key technological and regulatory challenges that must be addressed before large-scale deployment. Finally, it outlines promising research directions and sketches a roadmap for translating microrobotic technologies into sustainable, real-world solutions.

Photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic water splitting and organic reforming using nanoscale semiconductors hold significant promise for sustainable hydrogen production by harnessing solar energy with minimal environmental impact. The incorporation of industrial and urban wastewater streams containing specific organic compounds (e.g., carboxylic acids and alcohols) enables a dual-purpose process: concurrent wastewater treatment and hydrogen generation. Despite extensive research over recent decades to develop materials capable of efficiently capturing solar energy, the current solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency remains insufficient for widespread economic viability in real-world applications. This presentation provides a comprehensive overview of photocatalytic water splitting and organic photoreforming, with a focus on low cost titania-based semiconductor nanomaterials (e.g., Cu/TiO₂-based photocatalysts) employed as photocatalysts for hydrogen production in aqueous media under UV and visible light. To identify economically viable and efficient metal-based semiconductor nanomaterials for photoreforming of organic compounds, several critical parameters for optimizing photocatalytic composites for visible-light-driven water splitting and organic reforming are evaluated. These include band gap energy and potentials, photostability in aqueous environments, crystallinity, particle size, and specific photoactivity. The role of sacrificial organic compounds in the photoreforming process is also examined, and potential reaction mechanisms are proposed. Finally, a critical review of recent findings on the kinetics of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution over metal-based semiconductor nanophotocatalysts is presented. This investigation aims to lay a solid foundation for the development of innovative, efficient, and cost-effective metal-based semiconductor nanomaterials for hydrogen generation via solar-driven organic reforming of wastewater streams from urban and industrial sources.

Urban infrastructure is being reshaped by concurrent pressures such as rapid urbanisation, uneven access to safe water, climate-driven variability, the energy crisis, and ageing assets, while energy and water utilities pursue accelerated decarbonisation (e.g., the UK utility sector’s ambition to reach net zero well before 2050). These forces make siloed planning untenable and call for sector coupling: co-optimising energy and water as an intelligent, integrated cyber-physical system can deliver greater resilience, equity, and emissions reductions at lowest cost. This presentation reviews the framework and the requirements needed to achieve it.

In the field of Organic Electronics, biodegradability of semiconducting devices, such as solar cells, light-emitting diodes, and transistors, is often emphasized as a potential of this technology. However, functional biodegradable prototypes are widely missing. Even more minimalistic yet powerful are photonic solutions from purely organic materials. Here, for example, oxygen-sensitive phosphorescent emission can be used as a switch, enabling the development of programmable luminescent tags (PLTs) for applications in the fields of sensor technology, labelling, and information exchange. We present the design of PLTs made from biodegradable or at least industrially compostable, commercially available materials (bioPLTs). As natural emitters, quinoline alkaloids show sufficient phosphorescence when embedded in a polymer matrix, combined with weak fluorescence in the UV for excellent contrast during readout. Polylactic acid provides a promising solution for both the matrix material and the flexible substrate. Phosphorescence can be locally controlled by the oxygen concentration in the film by using the polyvinyl alcohol Exceval as additional oxygen blocking layers. These bioPLTs exhibit all function-defining characteristics also found in their regular non-compostable analogs. With this work, we present a promising technology for compostable information storage and sensing devices.

Solar-powered reverse osmosis delivers drinking water to remote communities while cutting grid dependence and emissions, aligning energy–water planning for resilience, affordability, and SDG progress. A comprehensive system-dynamics model of a community-scale solar-powered reverse osmosis (PV-RO) desalination plant for Kalile Village, Zahedan (Iran), is developed to evaluate the coupled water–energy–carbon–cost interactions over a 25-year period. The model integrates stochastic solar resource generation (DNI/DHI/GHI using Markov weather transitions), a detailed photovoltaic array with thermal, optical, shading, and inverter losses, and an RO subsystem incorporating recovery efficiency (75%), salt rejection, pressure dynamics, and fouling–cleaning cycles. A techno-economic and carbon assessment layer quantifies life-cycle costs and emissions. The optimized 90 kWp PV array (≈236 modules) generates approximately 146 MWh annually, achieving water production with total dissolved solids near 46 mg L⁻¹, well below the WHO standard (1000 mg L⁻¹). Specific energy consumption remains within 0.7–0.9 kWh m⁻³, ensuring sustainable water supply for around 4,000 residents. Lifecycle evaluation reveals an avoidance of nearly 1.5 kt CO₂ over 25 years relative to fossil grid electricity. Economic analysis confirms positive NPV, double-digit IRR, and mid-term payback, while the levelized cost of water remains competitive for rural applications. Sensitivity results identify panel tilt as the most influential parameter (~1.5% energy change per 1% tilt variation). The findings demonstrate the long-term viability of PV-RO systems for decentralized, low-carbon, and resilient water supply in arid regions.

Authors describe changes in the energy storage market with particular emphasis on changes in energy storage prices, their availability and changes in the types of storage facilities installed. The authors present a summary of the data and, where possible, try to present future trends.

Tree-derived carbohydrate gums are versatile, eco-friendly materials used not only as food additives but also for diverse non-food applications. They enable the green preparation of nanoparticles, nanofibers, sponges, films, and composites, and have been applied to stabilize metal, nonmetal, bimetallic, and carbon nanostructures. Renewable gum-based products produced by electrospinning, solution casting, self-assembly, or lyophilization show enhanced physicochemical, mechanical, and barrier properties when combined with inorganic, organic, or nanoparticle additives. These materials are being explored for environmental remediation, water purification, food packaging, energy devices, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and corrosion protection, highlighting their role as low-cost, sustainable platforms for future technologies.

Under the dual drivers of China’s “dual carbon” goals and rapid digital economy expansion, understanding the interplay among digitalization, industrial transformation, and carbon emissions is critical. However, the mechanisms linking these three systems remain underexplored. This study constructs a ternary analysis framework (D-I-C system) integrating the digital economy, industrial structure transformation, and carbon emissions, and employs a modified coupling coordination model, spatial econometric analysis, and a panel vector autoregressive (PVAR) model to investigate their spatiotemporal dynamics across 30 Chinese provinces from 2013 to 2022. The results reveal that: (1) the coupling coordination degree exhibits a regional gradient, with high coordination clusters emerging in the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta regions; (2) significant self-reinforcing effects exist within each subsystem, with industrial structure transformation acting as a key intermediary through factor reallocation and technology substitution; and (3) a long-term dynamic transmission path of “digital economy → industrial upgrading → carbon emission reduction” underpins the progressive decarbonization of the economic system. Based on these findings, this study proposes differentiated regional governance strategies, enhanced industrial transformation hubs, and the activation of digital low-carbon synergies to support China’s sustainable development transition. The insights contribute to understanding the complex systemic interactions crucial for reconciling digitalization and carbon reduction in emerging economies.

The intricate interconnections among Water–Food–Energy (WFE) systems are increasingly recognized as a cornerstone for advancing global sustainability and climate adaptation. Building a resilient and sustainable agri-food system requires the integration of water resource management, agricultural production, and energy use, governed through frameworks that promote cross-sectoral collaboration and systemic resilience. However, a critical global challenge persists: transforming the Nexus concept from a theoretical paradigm into actionable and context-sensitive operational models. This study presents 5 enterprise-based cases, each corresponding to one of the WFE Nexus pillars—water, food, and energy—to illustrate how locally embedded innovation can drive systemic integration while aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 2, 6, 12, and 13). These cases demonstrate that when Nexus principles are embedded in corporate operational strategies and system design, they enable scalable, transferable models for sustainability. Such approaches pave viable pathways from place-based action toward global sustainable transitions.

Transition metal sulfides possess a relatively high theoretical specific capacity and are frequently considered as candidate anode materials for sodium-ion batteries. Nevertheless, the substantial volume effect during the cycling process can cause the electrode materials to pulverize or experience structural collapse. This directly results in a rapid decline in the battery’s capacity and lifespan. Nanotechnology and carbon coating are effective strategies for addressing this issue. In this research, a CuS micro-flower-like structure composed of thin nanosheets was designed and synthesized. The thin nanosheet structure can effectively mitigate the volume expansion during the cycling process. The micro-flower-like CuS, when used as the anode materials for sodium-ion batteries, can still deliver a specific capacity of 312 mAh/g after 8000 cycles at a current density of 5 A/g, demonstrating excellent electrochemical performance.

With the deepening of industrialization and urbanization, water pollution has become a major challenge threatening ecological environments and public health. Traditional water quality monitoring methods suffer from limitations such as low efficiency, poor timeliness, and difficulty in predicting macro trends. This paper designs and implements a water quality safety data analysis system based on data mining, aiming to enhance the scientificity and intelligence of water quality monitoring through big data analysis and artificial intelligence technologies. The system performs data cleaning and feature engineering on raw water quality data to ensure data quality; subsequently constructs high-precision prediction models using algorithms including random forest, XGBoost, and LightGBM, while optimizing performance through recursive feature elimination and Bayesian optimization. It also introduces the SMOTE algorithm to address data imbalance issues, significantly enhancing the model’s ability to identify unsafe water samples. Based on the Flask framework, the system develops an integrated web application featuring user management, data visualization, and water quality prediction functions, providing intuitive decision-making tools for managers and the public.

With the growing demand for water environment protection, water quality monitoring and prediction has become essential for safeguarding resources. This study analyzes and predicts water quality data using machine learning. Based on a simulated dataset, models for dissolved oxygen (DO) and pH were built with linear regression, random forest, and XGBoost. The results show XGBoost achieves the highest accuracy and better trend fitting, effectively capturing nonlinear variations. Random forest performs moderately, while linear regression shows large deviations at extreme values. Feature importance analysis indicates that DO is mainly influenced by BOD, temperature, and ammonia nitrogen, while pH is driven by alkalinity, hardness, and ammonia nitrogen, aligning well with known water environment patterns. These findings demonstrate that machine learning improves prediction accuracy and supports scientific water quality management and decision-making.

Under the dual background of the rural revitalization strategy and the “dual carbon” goals, the management of rural collective “Three Assets” (funds, assets, and resources) and the development of new agricultural business entities have become key supports for sustainable rural governance. However, challenges remain, including weak institutional implementation, delayed digitalization, and insufficient human capacity, which restrict the growth of collective economies and the digital upgrading of agricultural entities. Vocational education, with its applied orientation and close alignment with industry and grassroots needs, holds unique advantages in addressing these deficits. Based on surveys, interviews, and field observations in counties of Chongqing, this study identifies common dilemmas in “Three Assets” management and the development of agricultural business entities, and proposes a Human–Tech Integrated model. On one hand, vocational colleges provide tiered and tailored training to enhance financial and managerial skills; on the other, digital platforms support systematic upgrades in asset management, production, and oversight.

This study examines how digital platform architectures drive international competitive advantage for Chinese state-owned enterprises in Belt and Road Initiative markets (2020-2025). Analyzing 147 documents from State Grid, CNOOC, and Sinopec, it extends COBIT frameworks for state-controlled digital transformation. Findings reveal: State Grid’s smart grids achieved 3-4% transmission losses (vs. 8-10% standard) managing RMB 320B overseas assets; CNOOC’s AI model boosted offshore efficiency 30% across 20+ jurisdictions; Sinopec’s platform enabled RMB 92.4B B2B transactions with 95% automation. The research advances three theoretical constructs: (1) Dual Governance Integration Model balancing market efficiency with state mandates, (2) Cross-Border Digital Governance Framework for 51 jurisdictions, and (3) Platform Ecosystem Orchestration Model explaining state-backed network effects.

The transition toward low-carbon development has placed unprecedented pressure on energy-intensive manufacturing sectors to adopt renewable energy solutions. While technological adoption has been widely studied, less attention has been paid to how renewable energy integration into corporate strategy affects firm performance. This study investigates the strategic incorporation of renewable energy in energy-intensive manufacturing enterprises and its implications for financial and market outcomes. Using a panel dataset of 286 listed companies in the steel, cement, chemical, and paper industries from 2015 to 2024, we measure renewable energy adoption through the proportion of renewable energy in total consumption and assess strategic integration via content analysis of annual reports and sustainability disclosures. The results reveal that renewable energy adoption has a significant positive impact on both financial performance (ROA, ROE) and market valuation (Tobin’s Q), and that the degree of strategic integration strengthens this relationship.

This study employs the DEA-Malmquist index to evaluate green development efficiency in Sichuan Province, its four major economic zones, and 18 prefecture-level cities from 2014 to 2023. The results indicate that the overall green development efficiency in Sichuan Province has exhibited a gradual increase, although the growth rate is constrained. Technological efficiency improvements are the primary factor driving the enhancement of Sichuan’s green development efficiency, while insufficient technological progress has become a significant constraint. In the four economic zones, the green development efficiency demonstrates overall improvement, regional disparities and cyclical fluctuations, showing significant differences in efficiency levels and growth stability across areas. The spatial distribution of green development efficiency among 18 cities exhibits uneven distribution, forming distinct gradient patterns, with some cities facing challenges in green transition.

Potentially hazardous elements is a term used for describing a group of elements that may pose a hazard due to their toxic, mutagenic, and other properties towards living organisms and the environment. This group includes elements such as arsenic, mercury, lead, and cadmium. They are widespread in nature and can pose a risk to humans mainly through dietary intake – for example, by consuming food that contains trace amounts of these elements. However, the biological properties (toxicity and others) and physicochemical properties (solubility and others) of these elements depend strongly on their speciation forms in the samples. The presentation will show the results of studies on the development of methods for determining the total content of these elements in various environmental and biological samples (plants) and food (honey). The aim of the conditions selection procedure was to minimize the impact of spectral and non-spectral interferences observed during the determination of elements performed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Another main point of the presentation will be the presentation of research on determining the speciation forms of cadmium in plants and studies aimed at explaining the mechanisms by which plants reduce the toxic effects of cadmium.

Heavy metals, especially those introduced via phosphate-based mineral fertilizers, enter soils and can move along the soil–plant–food pathway. The presentation provides an overview of ongoing research of selected commercially available fertilizers in East Africa that show elevated uranium concentrations as well as alternative fertilizers that are presently being investigated for potential use in Europe.

To determine the pools of plant-available nutrients in soil the extraction methods are used. Many extraction methods have been developed over more than a century. Extraction methods can be divided to mono- and multielement methods depending their extraction ability. In Europe today at least 12 different methods are used only for determining plant-available P content. Typically for extraction of low-concentration salts, acids, or their mixtures water solutions are used. Depending on the solution composition, the amount of extractable nutrient may vary significantly. But not only the solution composition have influence to the amount of nutrient extracted from soil. Also the soil’s chemical and physical properties play a significant role in the quantity of extracted elements. These factors are not taken into account typically in making fertilization recommendations according to the results of plant nutrient analysis. This may cause environmental problems due to overfertilization as well as poor yields due to insufficient fertilization. In both cases, economic damage has been caused to the farmer. The presentation describes how different the soil plant nutrient real pools can be from the reported Mehlich 3 method analysis results.

With the increasing replacement of phthalates in the packaging and food industries, the occurrence of so-called alternative plasticizers in consumer products has emerged as a critical issue. The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of selected alternative plasticizers—tributyl acetylcitrate (ATEC), diisobutyl adipate (DIBA), tributyl o-acetylcitrate (ATBC), dibutyl sebacate (DBS), bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA), trioctyl trimellitate (TOTM), and bis(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHT)—in protein supplements for athletes and in their associated packaging materials. A selection of commercially available protein products, including powders and ready-to-drink formulations, as well as their packaging materials, were analyzed. Samples were extracted using the QuEChERS technique and subsequently examined by gas chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) operated in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Preliminary findings demonstrate the occurrence of several of the investigated plasticizers in both the supplements and their packaging, suggesting potential migration from packaging materials into the food matrices. These results underscore the necessity of further investigations into the migration behavior of alternative plasticizers into dietary supplements, particularly given the growing popularity of these products and the limited regulatory framework governing permissible additives in packaging materials.

Sustainable and equitable utilization of natural resources without exceeding the Planetary boundaries is imperative to one and all as envisioned in the UN-SDGs. With rapid urbanization, cities are main human settlements so that adaptation for climate-resilient and livable cities is an important theme with considerations of Good Health and Well-being (SDG# 3), Quality Education in sustainability Science (SDG#4), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG#11) and Climate Actions (SDG#13) under the UN Sustainable Development Goals. A decade of weather extremes as reported in Nature climate change by Coumou and Rahmstorf, as early as in 2012 are due to climate change. The Earth’s climate is changing and now it stands at a position of 1.0-1.1ºC above pre-industrial level. Climate change has already caused significant environmental, economic and social consequences, among which impacts on human health, safety and societal security are prominent. Unfortunately, the society has not well prepared to act for adaptation due to limited understanding of impacts of climate change on human health and safety, weak awareness and knowledge of climate-induced risks, vulnerabilities and solutions, lacking climate-related health guidelines and regulations, insufficient education, finance and advocacy of climate change adaptation, and slow actions for climate adaptation transformation in the nexus of water, energy, and food.

The aim of the research is to examine the extent to which wildflower gardens can contribute to increasing local biodiversity, particularly with regard to the presence and activity of pollinators and other insects. The work was carried out in a spontaneously formed wildflower garden in Solymár, Hungary, which had not been mowed regularly for five years and had experienced minimal human intervention. The study covered four areas with different characteristics, and a traditional, regularly maintained lawn garden served as a control. During the research, we used field plant surveys, traps, and field insect observations. We used the Shannon index to determine species richness and evenness in the plant surveys, while insects were mainly evaluated based on relative abundance. The studies lasted from February to the end of April. The diversity of plant species varied significantly between the different areas: it was lower in the shady, densely vegetated area (H=1.56), while it was particularly high in the sunny, meadow-like area (H=2.64). In contrast, the control garden was significantly poorer in species, mainly characterised by grasses and a few planted ornamental plants. In the wildflower garden, protected plant species that had settled naturally were also identified (e.g., snowdrop, narrow-leaved lungwort, strawberry), which is also valuable from a nature conservation perspective. The most common pollinators were wild bees, domestic bees, and hoverflies. The density and species richness of flowering plants clearly influenced their presence: significantly more pollinators were observed in sunny, flower-rich areas than in the control garden. In addition to these, there were also large numbers of ground-dwelling and nocturnal beetles. Finally, the soil of the wildflower garden showed better ecological status than the control area in terms of organic matter content (6.7%), carbon (3.82%), nitrate (46.25 mg/kg), phosphate (2.73 mg/kg), and ammonium content (25.32 mg/kg) than the control area, where these values were lower. The results of the biomass measurement also demonstrated the superiority of the wildflower garden, with more than nine times as much plant material collected here as in the control area. Based on these findings, the primary conclusion of the research is that even a medium-sized, naturally developing garden can make a significant contribution to increasing local biodiversity, especially when managed with minimal intervention. Wildflower gardens are not only refuges for pollinators, but also have a beneficial effect on soil water management, microclimate regulation, and, in the long term, the mitigation of climate change. It is recommended to encourage the spread of such gardens, even on smaller urban plots, balconies, or institutional green spaces.

The aquatic environment is experiencing an increasing amount of endocrine-disrupting organic pollutants originating from everyday personal care products. As a result of inadequate treatment of raw sewage using conventional biological methods, these pollutants enter the aquatic environment and then migrate up the food chain. Studies show that membrane methods, such as nanofiltration and reverse osmosis, allow for the effective separation of these substances from water, but this involves the formation of a concentrated retentate. This concentrate contains high concentrations of pollutants separated on the membrane, thus creating a highly toxic and dangerous mixture that must be properly managed so that it does not pose a threat to the environment. Laboratory tests were undertaken to dispose of the concentrate obtained. The advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) used, based on peracetic acid (PAA), exhibit good oxidizing potential and effectively purifying the concentrate after membrane processes.

Advanced oxidation processes based on sulfate radicals (SR-AOPs) are a promising method for degrading organic pollutants in water and disintegrating waste-activated sludge (WAS). Sulfate radicals can be efficiently generated by activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS) or peroxydisulfate (PDS) via physical methods (heat, UV, ultrasound) or chemical methods (transition metals, electrolytic, carbon-based materials). While many studies have demonstrated their efficiency in degrading organics, the exact reaction mechanisms and applicability in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) require further investigation. This study introduced, for the first time, nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) coated with silver or copper to activate PDS in WAS, addressing challenges in sludge disintegration and volume reduction. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to study WAS dehydration and better understand the SR-AOP mechanism. Moreover, various persulfate activation methods were compared, including UV-Vis irradiation with four different lamps (TQ-150, HG-Z1, HG-Z2, HG-Z3), and degradation of the model compound Acid Blue 129 was evaluated via kinetic rate constants. Four previously unrecognized reaction by-products were also identified, providing further insight into SR-AOP mechanisms. Overall, this work advances understanding of SR-AOPs for degrading organic substances in complex matrices and supports the development of sustainable water treatment strategies applicable at large scale.

This work explores the innovative use of green-fabricated graphene derivatives as sorbents for the passive remediation of chlorinated solvent vapors. Reduced graphene oxide (rGO), electrochemical graphene oxide (EGO), and nitrogen/sulfur co-doped graphene oxide (NSGO) were produced via electrochemical exfoliation, providing a more sustainable approach than conventional synthesis routes. Comprehensive characterization techniques (SEM-EDX, Raman, XRD, and TGA) verified the successful fabrication of graphene derivatives with distinct surface features, including oxygen functionalities and heteroatom incorporation in NSGO. Batch adsorption tests using trichloroethylene (TCE) as a model contaminant demonstrated strong vapor uptake capacities for rGO, EGO, and NSGO, with NSGO (159 mg g⁻¹) showing the highest adsorption performance. The enhanced efficiency of NSGO was linked to its higher oxygen content and the synergistic influence of nitrogen and sulfur dopants, which provided additional active sites and improved electronic interactions. Isotherm analysis showed that the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) model most accurately described the data, indicating a multilayer physisorption process governed by van der Waals forces, hydrogen bonding, and π–π interactions. Compared with conventional carbon-based sorbents, these graphene derivatives offer competitive adsorption capacity while eliminating the use of hazardous chemicals and supporting scalable production.

This presentation will report on the creation of a regional bioeconomy network in the Lusatian Area, starting from 2017 up to today. The establishment of a vibrant network, regionally anchored in Lusatia, focusing on holistic material and technology development around natural fiber-reinforced plastics (NFRPs) is the overarching goal of the so-called LaNDER³ partnership. Natural fibres, (bio)polymers, circular economy and renewable energies — that’s where we see innovation potential. The partnership is based at the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences (HSZG) and is strengthened by cooperation with companies and partners. It brings together technical expertise, connects stakeholders from business, science, and society, explores and develops new approaches, and thus provides impetus for the region. The momentum created by funding from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and partners from industry can lead to effective results in the medium and long term. Our activities have two overarching strategic goals: The first, to some degree intrinsic objective is to build up a regionally active, self-sustaining network: Companies and stakeholders alike are involved in the various sub-projects according to their capabilities in order to provide impetus for the economy of the Upper Lusatia region. The second, extrinsic goal is to provide answers to the challenges of structural change. Examples include Germany’s Energiewende (‘energy transition’) and the associated disruptions (decline in lignite production in Lusatia and the associated industries) as well as the ongoing and visible demographic change in the region. High levels of innovation and transfer capabilities in business and science are essential for the upcoming structural change. The locally strong polymer processing industry can provide a good basis for this. The development of technology related to NFRPs should therefore also form a basis for the further development of industry and related sectors (e.g., suppliers, tool manufacturers, fiber producers/agriculture) to key positions in a future “post-lignite” economic area. Following this vision, we used the first years to build up the new network, anchor it locally and supraregionally and to raise its profile. We will report on our learnings to date and our connections to the Water-Energy-Food nexus.

The aim of the talk is to show that mercury is one of the most important substances known to Man. Out of the seven metals known in Ancient times, mercury held the greatest fascination. This was on account of its liquid state, high density and beautiful shiny silver lustre. It has probably been known and extracted from its ore cinnabar [mercuric sulphide] for some 3000 years. Mercury was accorded a place among the Gods in Roman mythology, having figured as Hermes in Greek mythology. For many centuries, mercury and its compounds featured in a wide variety of medical applications and was considered by Chinese philosophers to be associated with eternal life. From about 300 BC the alchemical philosophy underpinned Man’s understanding of matter. Its main tenets were Aristotle’s ideas of the four elements [earth, air, fire and water], the concept of transmutation which explained all changes, and a firm belief that matter is continuous and thus cannot tolerate a vacuum. Mercury featured in the Arabic sulphur-mercury theory of metals, which was a cornerstone of alchemical philosophy from about 800 AD until the 17th century. During the 17th century, mercury started to acquire a new significance. It was used in scientific experiments. One of these was conducted in 1643 by the Italian physicist Torricelli [1608-1647], who used it to demonstrate the existence of a vacuum. The consequences of Torricelli’s experiment were colossal, and long lasting. It led to the ground breaking re-interpretation of the nature of matter, which was from then understood to be particulate, and not continuous. Fire has played a most important role in human history. One of the greatest mysteries of the natural world was the phenomenon of burning, or combustion. How and why do fires burn? This topic had consumed an enormous amount of writing, speculation and experiments over a period of some 2000 years. In 1787, the French chemist Lavoisier [1743-1794] used the calx of mercury to finally solve the mystery of combustion — he recognised that when fires burn, the fuel enters into a chemical combination with oxygen, resulting in the formation of new substances. Lavoisier’s work laid the foundations of modern chemistry. This in turn, played a key role in the Industrial Revolution, and continues to underpin modern technological society. The electric motor is one of the most ubiquitous machines in use today. It was invented by Faraday [1791-1867] in 1823. Faraday used mercury in his first electric motor which utilised the newly discovered (by Oersted [1777-1851] in 1820) phenomenon of electromagnetism. Mercury is element no. 80 in the Periodic Table, and is a d block element. Its most interesting chemical and physical properties will be demonstrated in a series of laboratory experiments.