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Using the equatorial Galaxy and Mass Assembly (GAMA) dataset, we investigate how the low-redshift galaxy stellar mass function (GSMF) varies across different galaxy populations and as a function of halo mass. We find that: (i) The GSMF of passive and star-forming galaxies are well described by a double and a single Schechter function, respectively, although the inclusion of a second component for the star-forming population yields a more accurate description. Furthermore, star-forming galaxies dominate the low-mass end of the total GSMF, whereas passive galaxies mainly shape the intermediate-to-high-mass regime. (ii) The GSMF of central galaxies dominates the high-mass end, whereas satellites and ungrouped galaxies shape the intermediate-to-low-mass regime. Additionally, we find a relative increase in the abundance of low-mass galaxies moving from dense group environments to isolated systems. (iii) More massive halos host more massive galaxies, have a higher fraction of passive systems, and show a steeper decline in the number of intermediate-mass galaxies. Finally, our results reveal larger differences between passive and star-forming GSMFs than predicted by a phenomenological quenching model, but generally confirm the environmental quenching trends for centrals and satellites reported in other works.

From a carefully selected sample of \\(52\\,089\\) galaxies and \\(10\\,429\\) groups, we investigate the variation of the low-redshift galaxy stellar mass function (GSMF) in the equatorial Galaxy And Mass Assembly (GAMA) dataset as a function of four different environmental properties. We find that: (i) The GSMF is not strongly affected by distance to the nearest filament but rather by group membership. (ii) More massive halos tend to host more massive galaxies and exhibit a steeper decline with stellar mass in the number of intermediate-mass galaxies. This result is robust against the choice of dynamical and luminosity-based group halo mass estimates. (iii) The GSMF of group galaxies does not depend on the position within a filament, but for groups outside of filaments, the characteristic mass of the GSMF is lower. Finally, our global GSMF is well described by a double Schechter function with the following parameters: \\( [M^ / (M_ \\, h_70^-2)] = 10.76 0.01\\), \\(_1^ = (3.75 0.09) 10^-3\\) Mpc\\(^-3\\) \\(h_70^3\\), \\(_1 = -0.86 0.03\\), \\(_2^ = (0.13 0.05) 10^-3\\) Mpc\\(^-3\\) \\(h_70^3\\), and \\(_2 = -1.71 0.06\\). This result is consistent with previous GAMA studies in terms of \\(M^\\), although we find lower values for both \\(_1\\) and \\(_2\\).

The European Union is targeting climate neutrality by 2050, with a focus on enhancing energy efficiency, expanding renewable energy sources, and reducing emissions. Within Italy’s electricity mix, bioenergy sources, namely biogas, solid biomass, and bioliquids, play a crucial territorial role. A comparative analysis was conducted through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), utilizing national data from the ARCADIA project, to assess the environmental sustainability of the investigated bioenergy chains and identify the most convenient ones. The study revealed that, among the bioenergy sources, solid biomass emerges as the most environmentally friendly option since it does not rely on dedicated crops. Conversely, biogas shows the highest environmental impact, demonstrating less favorable performance across nine out of the sixteen evaluated impact categories. The LCA underscores that the cultivation of dedicated energy crops significantly contributes to environmental burdens associated with electricity generation, affecting both biogas and bioliquids performance. The cultivation process needs water and chemical fertilizers, leading to adverse environmental effects. These findings highlight the importance of prioritizing residual biomass for energy generation over dedicated crops. Utilizing forestry and agro-industrial residues, municipal solid waste, and used cooking oils presents numerous advantages, including environmental preservation, resource conservation and recovery, as well as waste reduction.

Within the circular economy framework, our study aims to assess the rhamnolipid production from winery and olive oil residues as low-cost carbon sources by nonpathogenic strains. After evaluating various agricultural residues from those two sectors, Burkholderia thailandensis E264 was found to use the raw soluble fraction of nonfermented (white) grape marcs (NF), as the sole carbon and energy source, and simultaneously, reducing the surface tension to around 35 mN/m. Interestingly, this strain showed a rhamnolipid production up to 1070 mg/L (13.37 mg/g of NF), with a higher purity, on those grape marcs, predominately Rha-Rha C14-C14, in MSM medium. On olive oil residues, the rhamnolipid yield of using olive mill pomace (OMP) at 2% (w/v) was around 300 mg/L (15 mg/g of OMP) with a similar CMC of 500 mg/L. To the best of our knowledge, our study indicated for the first time that a nonpathogenic bacterium is able to produce long-chain rhamnolipids in MSM medium supplemented with winery residues, as sole carbon and energy source.Key points• Winery and olive oil residues are used for producing long-chain rhamnolipids (RLs).• Both higher RL yields and purity were obtained on nonfermented grape marcs as substrates.• Long-chain RLs revealed stabilities over a wide range of pH, temperatures, and salinities

Methamphetamine (MET) is one of the most used illicit drugs in Europe and is recognized as one of the Emerging Organic Micropollutants. It is discharged into the sewerage system from different sources and then enters the wastewater treatment plants. The present study aimed at providing a better knowledge of the fate of MET through the wastewater treatment plants. The study addressed two different issues: (1) optimization of the analytical methods for MET determination in both liquid and sludge phases, focusing on the effects of potentially interfering substances and (2) investigation on the behaviour of MET in the biological treatment process, with specific concern for the biomass activity at different drug concentrations. Results of the study on issue 1 highlighted that the applied analytical method for MET determination (UPLC–MS/MS) is affected by the main components of wastewater for about 9–23%, which is comparable with the uncertainties of the method (about ± 28%). The method showed also to be repeatable and reliable (recovery > 75%; repeatability < 10–15%; bias uncertainty < 30%), and relatively easy-to-use. Therefore, it can be considered suitable for measurements on routine base in the WWTPs. Batch tests conducted to address issue 2 showed total removal of 84, 90, and 96% at 50, 100, and 200 ng/L initial MET concentration, respectively, for a contact time of 6 h. The removal process was mainly ascribed to the biological activity of both heterotrophic and autotrophic bacteria. The pseudo first-order kinetic model provided the best fitting of the experimental data of the overall biological processes at all the tested concentrations. Furthermore, the respirometric tests showed that MET does not induce any inhibition. Adsorption of MET on activated sludge was always very low.

Emerging organic micropollutants are compounds measured in water in μg/l or ng/l which may have long-term negative effects on both wildlife and humans. The purpose of this work was to perform a mass balance of emerging organic micropollutants on activated sludge tank and on secondary settling tank in a small wastewater treatment plant in the Municipality of Rome. The analytes monitored in this work were: Estrone (E1), 17β-Estradiol (E2) and 17α- Ethinylestradiol (EE2) for steroid hormones, 4-Nonylphenol (4-NP) and Bisphenol A (BPA) for substituted Phenols and Alkylphenols, Amphetamine (AM), Methamphetamine (MET), Benzoylecgonine (BEG) and 11-nor-Δ9-THC- 9carboxy (THC-COOH) for drugs of abuse. Mass balance on activated sludge tank showed that the emerging organic micropollutants removed were BPA (59%), EE2 (34%), AM (56%) and THCCOOH (35%). The processes occurring in the secondary settling tank were able to reduce 4-NP (26%), BPA (74%), E1 (82%), EE2 (93%), AM (44%), MET (80%), BEG (72%) and THC-COOH (39%). The residual amount of each substance was distributed between the effluent, the return sludge line and the excess sludge. Since the removal of emerging organic micropollutants was partial, the conventional wastewater treatment plant is not able to completely break down these substances. Accordingly, these compounds are found in water body potentially active and dangerous to wildlife and humans.

The physical and chemical properties of zeolites and the availability of localized deposits of naturally occurring zeolitized tuffs and pozzolana, make them desirable for and applicable to the remediation of contaminated groundwater. This paper documents the results of a laboratory study to test the capacity of native Italian zeolites to remove 2-chlorophenol (2-CP) from water. Italian zeolitic tuff and pozzolana were characterized in terms of their chemical and structural properties and of their adsorption capacities. Moreover, the experimental activity investigated their adsorption behaviour: time and pH dependence of the adsorption process was evaluated. The results of the time-dependence adsorption study under a constantly stirred condition showed that the adsorption increases with a longer contact time for all samples; the highest adsorption occurred at pH=8[divide]8.5. Due to the good removal efficiencies obtained, a column test simulating the condition of an in situ permeable reactive barrier was carried out, in order to estimate the removal kinetics and the long-term behaviour. The removal efficiencies reached values higher than 90%, even if some long-term performance worsening occurred, due to the progressive exhaustion of the adsorption sites. These experiments demonstrate the capacity of naturally occurring zeolites to remove 2-CP from water and the opportunity to make economic use of these native deposits for in situ groundwater remediation.

PROMOTE is one of the currently running research projects evaluating and implementing ETV (Environmental Technology Verification). It is funded by the European Union in the 7th Framework Program. An ETV certificate guarantees that new equipment or innovative technology corresponds to the producer's description of advantages and simultaneously responds to the environmental requirements of EU experts. ETV-SGS (Soil-Groundwater Systems) has to answer several logical requirements to be useful and understandable. The general rules of system operation are compliant with the PRINCE2 methodology applied in many countries. This involves laboratory and field test stages. In the PROMOTE project the research site in Poland was chosen for field tests of innovative measurements and monitoring technology. The site was located at the Old Gasworks in Bydgoszcz whose terrain is strongly contaminated. The area is recognized and documented with contamination by organic compounds of ground and groundwater - vestiges of 140 years of gas production from coal - hence became for PROMOTE project purposes and the ETV system an ideal research site. Despite the number of years since the site has been used, tests conducted in cooperation with the Municipality of Bydgoszcz and the land owner i.e. Pomorska Spolka Gazownictwa, confirmed the longevity of pollutants and the high risk assessment for the ground and groundwater environment. The results obtained are all the more credible as the innovative technology tests were verified with classical methods and simultaneous analysis in three different, independent European laboratories in Stuttgart, Barcelona and Warsaw.