Heavy metal pollution especially that of cadmium (II), poses serious threats to the environment and human health because of its toxicity and endurance. The synthesis of chitosan from crab shells, a fisheries waste, and its effectiveness as a biosorbent for the removal of Cd2+ from aqueous solutions are the subjects of this work. Crab shells were demineralised, deproteinised, and deacetylated to create chitosan, which was then characterised using FTIR to verify the functional groups (-NH₂, -OH) in charge of metal binding. The effects of pH, adsorbent dosage, beginning Cd2+ concentration, and contact time with adsorption behavior analyzed using Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm models, alongside kinetic and thermodynamic studies. The chitosan exhibited a maximum adsorption capacity of 714.3 mg/g at pH 8, with 92.5% removal efficiency, as described by the Langmuir isotherm model (R² = 0.99). Pseudo-second-order kinetics (R² = 0.9995) confirmed chemisorption as the dominant mechanism. Thermodynamic studies revealed an endothermic (ΔH° = 14.8 kJ/mol) and spontaneous (ΔG° = -6.1 to -8.2 kJ/mol) process, with efficiency increasing from 85.3% to 94.7% at 303–333 K. Compared to commercial chitosan, the crab shell-derived chitosan offers a cost-effective, sustainable alternative, aligning with circular economy principles. These results demonstrate its potential for large-scale wastewater treatment in areas affected by heavy metal contamination, and further study is advised to improve chitosan regeneration and modification for industrial use.

The search for green and sustainable corrosion inhibitors has attracted increasing attention as alternatives to toxic synthetic chemicals. In this study, flavonoids extracted from Adansonia digitata (baobab) leaves were investigated as eco-friendly inhibitors for mild steel corrosion in hydrochloric acid medium through a combination of experimental and computational approaches. Weight loss measurements demonstrated a concentration-dependent inhibition effect, achieving a maximum efficiency of 86.4% at 500 ppm, with quercetin exhibiting the highest protection efficiency (90.2%), followed by luteolin (87.5%), kaempferol (83.1%), and apigenin (79.6%). FTIR spectra of the steel surface after exposure confirmed adsorption of flavonoids, showing characteristic shifts in the O-H stretching band (3420-3380 cm-1) and C=O stretching band (1662-1645 cm-1), indicative of coordination between hydroxyl/carbonyl groups and Fe atoms. Quantum chemical calculations using density functional theory (DFT) provided molecular-level insights into the inhibition mechanism: quercetin and luteolin displayed the highest HOMO energies (-5.81 eV and -5.94 eV) and lowest energy gaps ΔE (3.12 eV and 3.25 eV), consistent with their superior electron-donating capacity. Frontier molecular orbital (FMO) distributions and Fukui function mapping further identified hydroxyl and carbonyl sites as the dominant adsorption centers. The agreement between experimental and theoretical findings confirms that A. digitata flavonoids inhibit corrosion primarily via chemisorption through donor–acceptor interactions, offering a sustainable and highly effective alternative to toxic synthetic inhibitors.

In this study, an adsorbent ZnO/GO/Zeolite-A nanocomposite was synthesized and characterized using standard methods for the removal of copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and chromium (Cr) from pharmaceutical effluents. The synthesis involved a multi-step approach comprising hydrothermal synthesis of Zeolite-A, sol-gel formation of ZnO nanoparticles, and incorporation of graphene oxide via ultrasonic dispersion to enhance surface area and functionality. The composite was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface analysis, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The results confirmed a well-integrated, porous nanostructure with high surface area and active functional groups suitable for sorption. Batch sorption experiments were conducted to evaluate the influence of contact time, pH, and temperature. The nanocomposite showed rapid and high sorption efficiency, with maximum removal rates observed at pH 5–6 and equilibrium reached within 60 minutes. The composite exhibits a steady increase from 52.6 % to 100 % efficiency removal of Fe, attributed to its superior adsorption capacity and large specific surface area. The zeolite-A/ZnO/GO consistently shows the best performance compared to individual treatments at all temperatures with Cu, Fe and Cr, showing removal efficiencies of 65.15 % at 50 °C, 75.52 % at 60 °C, and 82.15 % at 70 °C, with synergistic effects becoming more pronounced at elevated temperatures. Thermodynamic studies indicated that the sorption process was spontaneous and endothermic. The integration of ZnO and GO significantly enhanced the adsorption capacity of Zeolite-A due to synergistic effects, making ZnO/GO/Zeolite-A a promising candidate for sustainable treatment of heavy metal-laden pharmaceutical wastewater, contributing to environmental protection and public health improvement.

Groundwater is main source of drinking water in Al-Abbasiya locality. The study aimed to evaluate Physiochemical properties of ground water comparing with Sudanese Standardization Metrology Organization (SSMO) and World Health Organization (WHO). This study was conducted in 2019. 20 samples of water were randomly collected from different areas, and carefully stored. the samples were analysed using an Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (A.A.S), pH Meter, Conductivity meter (E.C), Turbidity meter. the analyses were carried out in Water Quality Lab Unesco Khartoum. the following parameters such as: pH, Electronic Conductivity (E.C), Turbidity, Total Hardness (T.H), Total Dissolved Salt (T.D.S), and total alkalinity (T.A), in addition to some cations, (Na+, Mg2+, K+, Ca2+, Mn2+, Fe2+) and anions such as: (F-, CI-, SO43-, NO32-, NO2-). The results showed that, pH ranging between (7.7-6.7), Electronic Conductivity (E.C), (3450-575 μs/cm), Turbidity (10.5 - 1.1) NTU, Total Hardness (T.H) (436-308 mg/L) and Total Dissolved Salt (T.D.S) (1170-286 mg/L), the values of alkalinity (TA) found (450 - 316 mg/L), Na+ (87-33 mg/L), K+ (2.0 -1.1 mg/L), Mg2+ (69.5-5.35 mg/L), Ca2+ (81.6- 25.8 mg/L), Mn2+ (0.9-0.02 mg/L), Fe2+ (0.08-0.03 mg/L), NH4+ (0.35- 0.10 mg/L), F- ( 2.10- 0.5 mg/L ), Cl- (23- 3.54 mg/L), NO3- (36.1- 0.03 mg/L), NO2- (11.8- 0.02 mg/L), SO42- (440- 011 mg/L), CO42- (364 - 170 mg/L), all samples revealed pH and total solubility values of salt within permissible limits according to drinking water quality guidelines of WHO and SSMO, except sample No. S10 (Al-gabal Al- ahamar), which contained slightly higher than the acceptable limit (1170 mg/L), and all showed higher electrical conductivity than the approved limit excluding samples No (S4 and S7) which were recorded values less than permitted standard (120 and 98) respectively. The hardness of the all samples were within allowed range and from analysed the values of dissolved bicarbonate, nitrate and salts were noted lower than their standard values, 0.3 mg/L. Concentration of Magnesium 25 mg/L and Calcium 45 mg/L in some samples are less than suggested range. As the result of these findings the water can be use without treatment with the exception of (S4 and S7) remained unfit for human usage due to increase in total dissolved salts.

This study evaluated the phytoremediation potential of Pennisetum purpureum (elephant grass) in petroleum-contaminated soils collected from Ogale, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. The investigation focused on the reduction of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPHs) and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the soil and the accumulation of these hydrocarbons in plant tissues after a three-month remediation period. Experimental setups included control and contaminated soil samples, with TPH and PAH concentrations monitored before and after remediation using gas chromatography. The results revealed a significant reduction in hydrocarbon concentrations in moderately contaminated soils. In Sample B, TPH and PAH removal efficiencies reached 33.19% and 78.07%, respectively, while Sample C, which was more heavily polluted, showed lower efficiencies of 3.85% for TPHs and 58.65% for PAHs. Accumulation analysis confirmed the uptake of hydrocarbons by P. purpureum, with a total of 13,004.60 ppm of TPHs and 33.98 ppm of PAHs detected in plant tissues. The uptake-to-removal ratios further supported the plant’s role in phytoextraction, particularly for high-molecular-weight hydrocarbons. These findings underscore the effectiveness of P. purpureum as a low-cost and environmentally sustainable solution for remediating petroleum-contaminated soils, especially in moderately polluted environments. The study reinforces the relevance of plant-soil-microbe interactions and site-specific conditions in enhancing phytoremediation efficiency.

Poor waste management techniques including the indiscriminate use of poorly constructed landfills as solid waste receptors can lead to the pollution of groundwater in communities. This study examined the physicochemical qualities of groundwater proximate to a major solid waste landfill in Owerri, Imo State during rainy and dry seasons. The determination of the quality of the groundwater samples was carried out in accordance with the standards of the American Public Health Association (APHA). The results obtained from the analysis of the groundwater samples was compared to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) standards for drinking water. The values obtained from the analysis of the groundwater samples in both season shows that some of the tested parameters existed in values higher than both WHO and NSDWQ standards for drinking water quality. The results also showed that the concentrations of chromium, copper, iron, and nickel were above the WHO and NSDWQ standards. The Chemical Oxygen Demand, Turbidity and the Total Soluble Solids exceeded the WHO and NSDWQ standards for drinking water quality in both studied seasons. Findings from this study suggest that dumpsite solid waste could impact negatively on some physicochemical qualities of groundwater sited around their vicinity. Therefore, the location of solid waste dumpsites around residential areas should be discouraged.

This study presents a comprehensive DFT-based investigation of thiophene-pyrrole copolymers (1PT, 2PT, and 3PT) as sensing materials for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and inorganic gases, including NH₃, CHCl₃, CO₂, and CH₂O₂. The structural optimization, interaction energies, natural bond orbital (NBO) charge analysis, HOMO-LUMO band gap, and TD-DFT simulated UV-Vis spectra were analyzed using the B3LYP functional and 6-31G(d) basis set. Among the analytes, ammonia exhibited the highest interaction energy (−10.60 kcal/mol) with the 3PT copolymer, indicating strong hydrogen bonding. NBO results further validated significant charge transfer, particularly in 2PT complexes. A red shift in UV-Vis absorption spectra confirmed enhanced conductivity and sensing potential. This study supports the use of thiophene-pyrrole copolymers as cost-effective and highly sensitive materials for gas sensor development.

Leather industry is a significant source of industrial wastewater pollution with effluent that is high in toxic metals like chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and iron (Fe). The contaminants are very dangerous to the environment and human health because of their toxicity, persistence and their potential to accumulate bio-accumulate. The research problem under study involves the creation of a magnesium oxide/zinc oxide (MgO/ZnO) nanocomposite that has a high selectivity in the removal of specific toxic metals in the tannery wastewater. A co-precipitation technique was used to produce the nanocomposite, which was then heated at 450oC to produce a crystalline material with improved surface properties. The successful formation of the nanocomposite and high surface reactivity of the nanocomposite were confirmed using characterization methods such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Brunauer Bfer Emmett Teller surface area analysis. The experiments of batch adsorption were performed to determine the influence of the pH, contact time, dosage of adsorbent, and the initial concentration of metal on the efficiency of removal. Findings indicated that the MgO/ZnO nanocomposite had a high adsorption capacity, which reached high levels of toxic metals reduction under the conditions of optimal parameters. The data of adsorption were well-fitted with Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models of adsorption, which showed monolayer and heterogeneous adsorption. These results indicate that MgO/ZnO nanocomposites could be used as an economical and sustainable substitute of the treatment of tannery wastewater, and has a possibility of large scale uses in industrial wastewater treatment.

A simple, accurate, and cost-effective UV spectrophotometric method was developed and validated for the estimation of Vonoprazan fumarate in tablet dosage form. The solvent system utilized was 0.1N hydrochloric acid, and the drug exhibited a maximum absorbance (λmax) at 281 nm. The method obeyed Beer–Lambert’s law within the concentration range of 10–50 μg/ml with a correlation coefficient (r²) of 0.9997, indicating excellent linearity. The assay value was found to be 100.3% w/v, within the acceptable range of 90–110%. Precision and accuracy studies yielded results of 99.86% and 99.88%, respectively. The LOD and LOQ were calculated to be 1.557 μg/ml and 4.719 μg/ml. Validation was carried out as per ICH guidelines for parameters such as linearity, accuracy, precision, robustness, and ruggedness, with %RSD values less than 2%, confirming the reliability of the method. The developed method proved to be simple, rapid, and precise, making it suitable for routine quality control analysis of Vonoprazan fumarate in pharmaceutical formulations. Keywords: Vonoprazan fumarate, UV spectrophotometry, Method validation, ICH guidelines, Linearity, Precision, Accuracy, Quality control.

Background and aim: Failure of heart (HF) represents a cause of illness and death. A common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), identified as rs2295490, within the human gene tribbles pseudokinase 3 – glutamine at position 84 (TRB3 Q84) has been linked to a predisposition for early diagnosis of insulin resistance at a young age and type 2 diabetes. This study aimed to assess serum TRB3 Q84 levels in individuals with heart failure and to explore potential associations with selected biochemical markers. Materials and methods: A study was conducted involving 120 Iraqi participants, 60 heart failure patients; their ages ranged from <40 – 70> years (35 males and 25 females). To compare the results, 60 healthy adults were included as a control group; their ages ranged from <40 – 70> years (35 males and 25 females). The serum of TRB3 Q84 levels and markers of metabolic like BMI, W/H, SBP, DBP, creatinine, urea, AST, ALT, BNP, FSG, insulin, HOMA-IR, QUICKI and TGF-β were measured. The results were measured by statistical analysis. Results: As comparison between the groups of heart failure and control, respectively, the *mean* of the biomarkers showed a significantly increased of BNP levels (140±9 versus 50±7, P=0.02), FSG (104.3±8 versus 82.5±6, P=0.03), insulin (10±0.5 versus 6±0.2, P=0.05), *HOMA-IR* (4.1±0.3 versus 2.5±0.2, P=0.02), TGF-β (4.5±0.4 versus 3±0.2, P=0.02) and TRB3 Q84 (3±0.2 versus 1.85±0.1, P=0.01), while the mean of QUICKI levels showed a significantly decreased in the group of heart failure as compared with the group of control, respectively (0.38±0.02 versus 0.59±0.03, P=0.01). A strong significant direct correlation between TRB3 Q84 and BNP, FBS, insulin, HOMA-IR and TGF-β levels, while QUICKI levels *showed* a strong* *significant* *indirect* correlation with *TRB3 Q84* level. Conclusions: A *significant* *strong* - *positive* *correlation* was observed* between* TRB3 Q84, BNP, FSG, insulin, HOMA-IR and TGF-β biomarkers, while a significant strong negative correlation was identified between TRB3 Q84 and QUICKI in heart failure patients. Therefore, TRB3 Q84 levels may be used as an early diagnostic marker to identify permanent corneal fibrosis in heart failure patients.

The accurate determination of fluoride concentration in environmental and drinking water is critical for protecting public health and ensuring compliance with international water quality standards. In this study, a validated and efficient photometric method for fluoride quantification was developed using the Spectroquant Fluoride Test (Merck). The method is based on the reaction of fluoride ions with alizarin complex one and lanthanum (III) in a weakly acidic buffered medium to form a stable violet-colored complex, the absorbance of which is measured photometrically. The analytical procedure exhibits excellent sensitivity, selectivity, and precision across two quantifiable ranges: 0.10–2.00 mg/L and 1.0–20.0 mg/L F⁻, in accordance with EPA Method 340.3 and APHA Standard Method 4500-F E. Comprehensive validation was conducted to assess linearity, accuracy, and reproducibility, along with extensive interference studies covering common ions and organic substances. The findings confirmed negligible interferences under the optimized conditions, demonstrating the robustness of the method for diverse aqueous matrices. The reagents showed high chemical stability within the recommended storage conditions, maintaining consistent analytical performance over time. Owing to its simplicity, rapid execution, and low operational cost, this photometric approach represents a practical alternative to more complex techniques such as ion-selective electrodes and ion chromatography. The method’s applicability to groundwater, surface water, seawater, wastewater, and drinking water highlights its reliability as a universal tool for routine monitoring and regulatory compliance in fluoride analysis.