Integration of Microalgae-Based Wastewater Bioremediation–Biorefinery Process to Promote Circular Bioeconomy and Sustainability: A Review

Bioremediation of wastewater using microalgae is inexpensive, energy efficient, and effective in pollutant reduction as compared to conventional wastewater treatment technologies. Wastewater is a huge resource of minerals, nutrients, bioenergy, and valuable organic compounds and can be used for cultivation of microalgae. The microalgal biomass can be further used as biorefinery feedstock to produce biofuels and commercially important high-value products. The potential of microalgae toward bioremediation and biorefinery applications presents the avenues for integrating the two processes to support circular bioeconomy and sustainability. This review presents a holistic view of integration of bioremediation and biorefinery processes using microalgae for deriving multiple benefits like pollutant removal, resource recovery, biofuel production, and generation of high-value commercial products. The current status of high-throughput microalgal screening technologies is also discussed since the selection of suitable microalgal strains is crucial for the application. The review further summarizes various processes involved in bioremediation and biorefinery systems such as cultivation, bioremediation, harvesting, and downstream processing. Recent trends in microalgal strain improvement for bioremediation and biorefinery applications through genetic engineering, bioinformatics, omics technologies, and genome editing tools are highlighted, while addressing the risks, biosafety issues, and regulatory affairs associated with genetically modified algae.     

Gluon polarization at finite temperature and density

We calculate the gluon self-mass and the QCD coupling constant at finite temperature in the real-time formalism up to the first loop level. The expressions are derived in a form that is valid for all temperature ranges in QCD. Using these results the dynamically generated mass of gluons and the plasma screening length can be determined from their effective potential.     

Macrophytes’ Performance in Floating Treatment Wetlands for the Remediation of Ciprofloxacin-Contaminated Water

The presence of trace antibiotics in domestic and industrial effluents poses a risk of toxicity to fauna and flora. The application of floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) is a low-cost and sustainable approach to remediate wastewater. In this study, the performance of different macrophytes vegetated in FTWs for the remediation of ciprofloxacin (CIP)-contaminated water is investigated. Six macrophytes, Brachia mutica, Typha domingensis, Phragmites australis, Canna indica, Cyperus laevigatus, and Leptochloa fusca, are vegetated in FTWs for the removal of CIP (50 mg L⁻¹) from water. The FTWs show the potential to remove 30–43.58 mg L⁻¹ CIP from water in 28 days. They also reduce the chemical oxygen demand (118–138 mg L⁻¹) and biochemical oxygen demand (35–45 mg L⁻¹) of water. Among the macrophytes, C. indica removes maximum (43.58 mg L⁻¹) and T. domingensis minimum (30 mg L⁻¹) CIP. Canna indica and T. domingensis exhibit the maximum and minimum increase (30% and 12% of dry biomass) in growth, respectively. This study reveals that the FTWs vegetated with different plant species exhibit varying performances in removing CIP from water. This investigation is a step forward toward sustainable bioremediation of water contaminated with antibiotics.     

Disparities in Spatial Accessibility of Pharmacies in Baton Rouge,Louisiana

This study examines spatial accessibility of pharmacies in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Two popular geographic information systems (GIS)—based methods are compared: the proximity method uses the distance (travel time) from the nearest pharmacy, and the two‐step floating catchment area (2SFCA) method considers the match ratio between providers and population as well as the complex spatial interaction between them. The study indicates that disproportionally higher percentages of African‐Americans are in areas with shorter travel time to the nearest pharmacies than whites, but suffer from poorer accessibility measured by the 2SFCA method—that is, fewer pharmacies per 10,000 residents. Seniors, particularly those of seventy‐five years or older, tend to be disproportionally concentrated in areas that not only are closer to pharmacies, but also have more pharmacies per 10,000 residents. The two methods used in the study capture different elements in spatial accessibility: one being physically close to a facility and another adding the crowdedness in service. Both properties can be valuable for residents. The two may not always coincide with each other in spatial variability, as it is the case for racial disparity in our study area. However, when they do, as in the case for seniors, it may imply a true (dis)advantage for a demographic group in terms of both properties of spatial accessibility.