Water-based pesticide formulation improves agricultural efficiency

Excited to share our new paper in Environmental Science & Technology on how agricultural mulch films transition from useful farming tools into persistent microplastic sources. In a 12-month field study in northern China, we investigated how the thickness and color of widely used LDPE mulch films control fragmentation and microplastics emissions under real agricultural conditions. What emerged was a remarkably clear nonlinear behavior: Mulch films first undergo a relatively slow oxidation-dominated “induction phase”, during which physical breakdown remains limited. But once a critical degradation threshold is reached, fragmentation accelerates rapidly and microplastics emissions surge. The key result is that film thickness strongly controls when this transition occurs. The thinnest films (0.005 mm) entered this rapid fragmentation phase 2–4 months earlier than thicker films and showed more than twofold higher microplastics emissions into soil. In contrast, modest increases in thickness substantially delayed fragmentation and loss of mechanical integrity. A particularly interesting finding was the identification of a measurable ‘point of no return’, defined through critical carbonyl index thresholds linked to loss of mechanical integrity and accelerated fragmentation kinetics. Beyond these thresholds, films become effectively unrecoverable and act as persistent microplastic emission sources. Importantly, our results suggest that optimizing mulch-film thickness to match crop cultivation duration could reduce microplastics emissions by >90% with comparatively small additional costs. This provides a quantitative framework for evidence-based agricultural plastic management rather than relying solely on generic thickness standards. I am very happy to contribute to this excellent international collaboration with colleagues from Nankai University and the University of Vienna. Mayn thanks especially to: • Tianchi Cao (first author) • Xiaoxia Zhang (co-first author) • Yan Lin • Wei Chen (corresponding & last author) This work nicely combines environmental chemistry, polymer degradation, soil systems, and microplastics research, and highlights how mechanistic understanding can directly inform practical mitigation strategies. Paper: https://lnkd.in/dtSE7bbB #Microplastics #Agriculture #SoilScience #EnvironmentalScience #PlasticPollution #SustainableAgriculture #EnvironmentalChemistry #MicroplasticsResearch

[1468+ Citations] The Biochar Revolution: That's Cleaning Our Planet: As global concerns around soil and water pollution intensify, innovative and sustainable solutions are no longer optional, they’re essential. One such promising advancement is engineered (designer) biochar, a modified form of conventional biochar designed to significantly enhance contaminant removal efficiency. The review article (with my student as a first author) systematically maps four distinct modification pathways and the science behind each. Chemical modification through acid/base treatments, oxidation, amination and surfactant engineering, introduces targeted functional groups that act as selective binding sites for heavy metals and organic contaminants. Physical steam activation, a chemical-free route, expands pore networks and surface area by up to 70%, with a 55% enhancement in antibiotic uptake demonstrated in field-relevant conditions. Mineral impregnation embedding MgO, MnOₓ or iron oxides into the biochar matrix creates composite nanomaterials that outperform any carbon-based sorbent currently reported for phosphorus removal. As for Real-World Applications: Heavy metal removal from industrial wastewater Antibiotic and pharmaceutical pollutant treatment Arsenic remediation in drinking water Nutrient recovery from agricultural runoff Soil contamination immobilization Carbon sequestration in degraded ecosystems This approach not only bridges the gap between lab research and real world application but also aligns strongly with global sustainability and pollution control goals. This paper was published in Chemosphere and it has now accumulated over 1,468 citations, placing it firmly in the category of highly cited and field-defining review articles. It is regularly listed among the most influential contributions in the biochar remediation literature, and its citation trajectory sustained over nearly a decade, reflects the enduring relevance of engineered biochar across environmental science, materials chemistry, and sustainable technology communities. Link to the article: https://lnkd.in/gvaMkQXv #Biochar #Sustainability #EnvironmentalScience #WaterTreatment #SoilRemediation #CircularEconomy #ClimateAction #Biotechnology

💧 Can plasma-treated water help plants fight pathogens naturally? Plasma-Activated Water (PAW) is emerging as a promising technology for sustainable agriculture. When cold plasma interacts with water, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) are formed — creating a solution with both: 🦠 Antimicrobial properties 🌱 Plant growth stimulation effects Recent studies report: ✔ Up to 3–5 log reduction of certain microorganisms ✔ Improved seed germination and early plant development ✔ Enhanced nutrient uptake and stress tolerance ✔ Reduced dependence on chemical treatments What makes PAW especially interesting is that these reactive species naturally decay back into water, making the process environmentally friendly. Plasma science is no longer limited to laboratories — it is steadily moving into real agricultural applications. 📄 Research publication: DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.14713.94566 🌍 Cleaner agriculture through plasma technology. #PAW #PlasmaActivatedWater #PlasmaTechnology #SustainableAgriculture #AgriTech #FoodSafety #Innovation #CleanTech

A circular wastewater treatment process could harness electricity, fuels, fertilizers, and usable water from 359 billion cubic meters of wastewater being flushed away annually. Explore the potential of microbial electrochemical technologies (METs) at the next Frontiers in Science Deep Dive with article authors Prof Uwe Schröder from Universität Greifswald, Prof Falk Harnisch from Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Dr Elizabeth (Liz) Heidrich from Newcastle University, and Dr Deepak Pant from VITO—plus expert panel member Prof Bruce Rittmann from ASU Biodesign Institute. Register for our webinar now ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eBngcCHa #FrontiersIn

Did you miss our Frontiers in Science Deep Dive webinar on the use of emerging microbially-powered technology to harness the untapped potential of wastewater? Watch the recording now ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ere3EegC Hear Prof Uwe Schröder from Universität Greifswald, Prof Falk Harnisch from Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Dr Elizabeth (Liz) Heidrich from Newcastle University, Dr Deepak Pant from VITO, and Prof Bruce Rittmann from ASU Biodesign Institute discuss how microbial electrochemical technologies (METs) can convert organic waste streams into electricity, fuels, fertilizers, and usable water more efficiently. The panel explored: • the vast untapped energy and nutrient potential within wastewater • how METs can treat wastewater while generating electricity, hydrogen, and methane • opportunities to recover key nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus for sustainable agriculture • the challenges of scaling METs, from cost and efficiency to real-world deployment • how METs could support circular economy solutions and advance global sustainability and sanitation goals. 📖 Read the Frontiers in Science article the discussion is based on ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dMNnSsau #FrontiersIn

This figure was published in the review article titled "Modified Carbon Nanotubes for sustainable Plant Protection: A Revolutionary Approach to Combat Biotic and Abiotic Stresses", published in the journal Plant Stress in early 2026 (Kamal et al., 2026). The Future of Agri-Tech 🚀 Headline: Carbon Nanotubes: The New Frontier in Sustainable Agriculture Traditional farming is under siege from climate change (abiotic stress) and evolving pathogens (biotic stress). A groundbreaking new review in Plant Stress (2026) explores how Modified Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) are revolutionizing crop protection. Key Takeaways: Dual Protection: CNTs act as high-efficiency delivery systems to combat fungi, bacteria, and viruses while enhancing tolerance to drought and salinity. Precision Delivery: Their high surface area and tunable chemistry allow for targeted "nano-pesticide" action, reducing chemical runoff. Green Chemistry: The study highlights sustainable synthesis methods, including biomass-derived CNTs, to ensure environmental safety. Nanotechnology isn't just for electronics anymore—it’s the key to global food security. 🌾 #AgriTech #Nanotechnology #Sustainability #PlantScience #Innovation #ClimateResilience

Ever wondered what the future of sustainable packaging looks like? Watch as our PhD scholar takes us inside the lab to break down the science of bioplastics. No fossil fuels, no microplastics—just pure green chemistry in action.  Watch the full live demo to see how raw nature becomes the materials of tomorrow! #Bioplastics #subhartiuniversity #GreenChemistry #PhDLife #Sustainability

Oxidation and biodegradation-mediated decomposition of oxo-#Biodegradable polyethylenes! This study in e-Polymers investigates the decomposition of oxo-#Biodegradable polyethylenes through the combined effects of #Oxidation and #Biodegradation, highlighting how oxidative pretreatment and microbial activity collectively influence polymer fragmentation, structural transformation, and degradation behavior toward more sustainable plastic #WasteManagement strategies. #Microplastics Petr PantyukhovPlekhanov Russian University of Economics #OpenAccess: https://lnkd.in/gFXxzqZ5

Proud to share my latest work: “Graphical Literature Review Overview of Bio-Based Adsorbents for Wastewater Treatment (2015–2025)." This study provides a comprehensive visual summary of 53 research publications, highlighting key trends, materials, and pollutant targets in sustainable wastewater treatment. 🔍 Key highlights: • Significant growth in research activity, especially from 2023–2025 • Bacteria identified as the most widely studied bio-adsorbent • Rice husk, sugarcane bagasse, and coconut shell show strong potential • Heavy metals remain the dominant pollutant focus (≈49%) 🌱 This work reinforces the importance of bio-based, sustainable materials in addressing environmental challenges and advancing circular economy practices. I look forward to engaging in discussions and collaborations in the field of environmental engineering and sustainability. #WastewaterTreatment #Sustainability #EnvironmentalEngineering #BioAdsorbents #CircularEconomy #Research #Innovation #UDO — Engr. Muhammad Saleem Khattak

💡 Scientists identify hydrogen radicals as the key driver in #PFAS breakdown, opening the door to more effective and chemical-free water treatment methods. That’s the key takeaway from new research led by Associate Professor Zongsu Wei at Aarhus University, now published in Environmental Science & Technology. PFAS, or #foreverchemicals, are notoriously difficult to break down due to their extremely strong carbon–fluorine bonds. Most current technologies can remove them from water, but not destroy them. This study changes that understanding. “By identifying hydrogen radicals as a dominant driver, we now have a clearer direction for how to design more efficient and sustainable technologies to actually destroy these chemicals, rather than just removing them,” Zongsu Wei explains. Why it matters: ➡️ It reshapes how we understand PFAS degradation ➡️ It opens new pathways for light-driven, chemical-free treatment ➡️ It brings us closer to true destruction of PFAS, not just filtration READ ON here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eR28Zc_d #PFAS #WaterTreatment #Sustainability #EnvironmentalScience #Research #Innovation Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University Lars Ottosen, Brian Vinter