The exploration of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) in the adsorption of phosphate is a growing research area. However, the manufacturing and processability of MOFs for practical applications are often hindered by their cost and their powder form. This study pioneers the use of water-soluble organic ligands, specifically disodium terephthalate (DST) sourced from waste plastic, in the design and assembly of different MOFs such as Fe-MOF, Zr-MOF and Al-MOF in an aqueous medium. The Fe-MOF had a superior phosphate adsorption capacity (72.16 mg g⁻¹) which led us to process the Fe-MOF into PET composite chips to enhance its recovery and recycling processes. The effect of some parameters such as contact time, the initial concentration, pH, and temperature was investigated. This innovative approach showcases the potential of sustainable MOF materials in addressing phosphate removal challenges while promoting environmental awareness.

Silicon is increasingly applied in agriculture to improve plant productivity under both abiotic and biotic stress constraints. Nevertheless, its mechanisms of action are often studied separately at the soil, plant, or microbiome levels, limiting a comprehensive understanding of its overall impact on agroecosystem functioning. This review proposes an integrated perspective of the soil–plant–microbiome continuum, linking silicon chemistry in soil solutions with the effects of silicon amendments on soil properties and the processes of uptake, transport, and deposition in the plants. We show that silicon bioavailability depends on maintaining a pool of dissolved silicon dominated by orthosilicic acid, regulated by mineral weathering, adsorption–desorption dynamics, polymerization, pH, iron and aluminum oxides, and organic matter. In soils, silicon inputs can improve structure, modulate acidity and cation exchange balances, influence nutrient availability, and reduce the mobility of certain metals. They may also affect enzymatic activities and microbial community composition. In plants, silicon uptake and transport, mediated by specific transporters, contribute to tissue silicification, the maintenance of leaf architecture, and the regulation of water, ionic, and redox homeostasis. These processes provide a basis for enhanced tolerance to drought, salinity, and metal toxicity, as well as biotic stress caused by pathogens and pests. Finally, we discuss key limitations to the agronomic application of silicon, including the diagnosis of the silicic status of soils, the choice of source and mode of application, and the genotypic variability of acquisition, as well as the need for multi-site tests and more robust mechanistic validations. This synthesis provides a coherent mechanistic framework to better define the conditions under which silicon can serve as a reliable tool for sustainable crop management under climate change.

This study evaluates the structural properties and adsorption capacities of four bio-based adsorbents, sawdust (SD), straw (ST), chicken feathers (CFs), and shrimp shells (SSs), for chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal from olive mill wastewater (OMW). Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with a Box–Behnken Design (BBD) was applied to optimize the operational parameters, resulting in maximum COD uptake capacities of 450 mg/g (SD), 575 mg/g (ST), 700 mg/g (CFs), and 750 mg/g (SSs). Among these materials, SSs exhibited the highest COD removal efficiency of 85% under optimal conditions (pH 8, 20 g/L, 30 °C, 5 h, 111 rpm). A mixture design approach was then used to explore the synergistic effects of combining lignocellulosic (SD and ST), chitin-based (SSs), and keratin-based (CFs) adsorbents. The optimized blend (SD 10%, ST 28.9%, SS 38.3%, and CF 22.6%) achieved a COD removal efficiency of 82%, demonstrating the advantage of using mixed biopolymer systems over individual adsorbents. Adsorption mechanisms were investigated through isotherm models (Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Redlich–Peterson) and kinetic models (pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich, and intraparticle diffusion). Lignocellulosic adsorbents predominantly followed physisorption mechanisms, while chitin- and keratin-rich materials exhibited a combination of physisorption and chemisorption. Thermodynamic analysis confirmed the spontaneous nature of the adsorption process, with SSs showing the most favorable Gibbs free energy (ΔG = −21.29 kJ/mol). A proposed mechanism for the adsorption of organic compounds onto the bio-adsorbents involves hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, π–π interactions, n–π stacking interactions, hydrophobic interactions, and van der Waals forces. These findings highlight the potential of biopolymer-based adsorbents and their optimized combinations as cost-effective and sustainable solutions for OMW treatment.

Fluosilicic acid is a by-product of the chemical phosphate industry, mainly during the manufacture of phosphoric acid and triple super phosphate (TSP). To ensure the accurate measurement of the H₂SiF₆ mass fraction in this by-product, method validation is required, which needs a certified reference material (CRM) with its traceability to the International System of Units (SI). This work describes the development of a certified reference material of fluosilicic acid, which is commercially unavailable. Details of all steps, such as sample preparation, homogeneity and stability studies, value assignment, establishment of metrological traceability, and uncertainty estimation of the certified reference material, are fully described. The H₂SiF₆ mass fraction in the CRM was quantified by two analytical methods, i.e., UV-VIS as a primary method of analysis and flame mode atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) as a second method. It is worth noting that the results obtained from each method were in good agreement. The CRM certified value and corresponding expanded uncertainty, obtained from the combined standard uncertainty multiplied by the coverage factor (k = 2), for a confidence interval of 95%, was (91.5 ± 11.7) g·kg⁻¹. The shelf life of the developed CRM is determined to be 1 year, provided that storage conditions are ensured. The developed CRM can be applied to validate analytical methods, improve the accuracy of measurement data as well as to establish the meteorological traceability of analytical results.

Phosphate rocks, as well as their derivatives and by-products, are complex minerals that make elemental analysis very complicated. Iodine is commonly found in these matrices, and its concentration must be controlled. The present work describes the development of a novel rapid digestion protocol based on ultrasonic-assisted acid digestion for the determination of iodine in phosphate rock and phosphogybsum samples by Iodometric titration. The developed method occurs at low digestion temperature and uses a dilute nitric acid 5% (v/v) solution instead of concentrated acid. The investigated parameters influencing UAD, were completely optimised using experiments design methodology (DOE). Iodine recoveries from dilute nitric acid digestion without sonication were generally lower overall when compared to UAD results, illustrating the effect of ultrasound on iodine dissolution. This technique effectively addresses iodine volatilisation and sample losses problem encountered while using classical digestions. Method validation included: defining the detection and quantification limit of iodine using this method were about 2.2 and 8 mg.kg⁻¹, respectively, and it's suitable for the proposed application. Moreover, the repeatability and reproducibility, expressed as RSD for phosphogybsum sample was 7%, 8.3% respectively, while for phosphate samples is tacked as the mean of relative standard deviation 3.4%, 3.8%. Additionally, accuracy of the method was assessed by analysing a certified reference material and the iodine concentration was found to be in good agreement with the indicative values for this CRM. Thus, the mean recoveries in fortified sample were between 96% and 107%.The developed method is fast, accurate, and it is applicable to the monitoring of iodine in the phosphate industries.