This study aims to comprehensively investigate the current advances in water treatment technologies for the elimination of heavy metals using biomass-based adsorbents. The enhancement of adsorption capacity in biomass materials is achieved through surface modification, which increases their porosity and surface area. The study therefore focuses on the impact of different surface modification techniques on the adsorption capacity, as well as the evaluation of adsorptive removal techniques and the analysis of various isotherm and kinetics models applied to heavy metal contaminants. The utilization of kinetic and isotherm models in heavy metal sorption is crucial as it provides a theoretical background to understand and predict the removal efficiency of different adsorbent materials. In contrast to previous studies, this research examines a wide range of adsorbent materials, providing a comprehensive understanding of their efficacy in removing heavy metals from wastewater. The study also delves into the theoretical foundations of the isotherm and kinetics models, highlighting their strengths, limitations, and effectiveness in describing the performance of the adsorbents. Moreover, the study sheds light on the regenerability of adsorbents and the potential for their engineering applications. Valuable insights into the state-of-the-art methods for heavy metal wastewater cleanup and the resources required for future developments were discussed.

Air pollution from fossil fuel combustion poses environmental and health risks, particularly in energy-deficient regions where generator use is prevalent. This study assessed air quality in a generator house at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE) using handheld air monitoring devices and the Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom as a bioindicator. Air quality parameters, including NOx, SOx, CO, H₂S, O₃, and VOCs, were measured using portable monitors, alongside meteorological factors. After seven days, Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detection (GC-FID) was used to analyze the accumulation of TPH and PAH in the mushrooms. Results showed elevated VOCs (0.016 ppm), CO (0.034 ppm), O₃ (0.03 ppm), and suspended particulate matter (37.5 µg/m³) around the generator house, while NOx, SOx, and H₂S were below detectable limits. Hydrocarbon bioaccumulation was highest in mushrooms placed 2 and 3 m from the generator exhaust (TPH: 25.509 ppm; PAHs: significant benzo(a)pyrene levels), decreasing with distance. These findings demonstrate Pleurotus ostreatus as a viable bioindicator for airborne pollutants and indicate the need for improved ventilation in generator houses to reduce occupational exposure risks. Future studies should investigate long-term pollutant effects, seasonal variations in air pollutants, and responses of other fungal species to enhance environmental monitoring.

Phthalate esters (PAEs), a group of chemical compounds, are extensively used as additives in plastics. The objective of this study was to determine how much of a few target PAEs have leached into various samples of drinking water packaged in PET bottles in Effurun, Delta State, Nigeria as well as how ambient temperature, sunshine exposure, and cold storage conditions have affected the concentration of PAE. The concentrations of Di-ethyl-phthalate (DEP), di-butyl-phthalates (DBP), benzyl-butyl-phthalate (BBP), di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP), and Bis-(2-ethyl-hexyl) phthalate (DEHP) were determined in bottled water samples. The concentrations of PAEs were determined using a gas chromatography coupled with a mass sepctroscopy analyzer (GC-MS). Phthalate compound was observed to be in all bottled water placed under different storage conditions; cold storage (CW), ambient storage (AW), and sunlight storage (SLW) for a period of 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks. However, the greatest leaching effect was observed in PET bottled water placed sunlight conditions for sixteen weeks with concentrations of; DEHP (2.1-11.2) µg/L, DEP (0.98-3.87) µg/L, DBP (2.98-13.8) µg/L. The results from this study indicated that, under various storage conditions, DEP, DBP and DEHP from PET bottles may leach more into the drinking water over a period of time under different storage conditions. The result additionally gave indication that DEHP; a known endocrine disruptor, with anti-androgenic and possible human carcinogen effects, exceeded the 6 µg/L USEPA Maximum Contamination Level (MCL) in drinking water, and also greater than 8 µg/L which is the indicated MCL by the World Health Organization (WHO).