Harnessing the Plastic-degrading Potential of Pseudomonas Species for Environmental SustainabilityAl Balushi, Azza; Amara, Yosra; Al Balushi, Khadija; Eddine Mannai, Saif; Saber, Rim ben; Saleheddine Masmoudi, Ahmed; cherif, Ameur; Souissi, Yasmine
doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/1401/1/012009pmid: N/A
The prevalent utilization of synthetic plastics in contemporary society has made them indispensable. Nonetheless, the enduring predicament of plastic waste presents challenges to environmental sustainability and effective waste management. Plastic pollution can disrupt habitats and natural processes, diminishing the ecosystem’s resilience to climate change and directly impacting the livelihoods, food production capabilities, and social well-being of people. Moreover, plastic recycling itself can rise the production of polluting microplastic that find their way into water sources or air. In to address the environmental predicaments associated with plastics, it is imperative to examine the intricate interplay between microbes and polymers. Understanding this dynamic relationship is important as we strive to develop effective solutions and mitigate the adverse effects of plastic on our environment. Bacteria evolved strategies to survive and degrade plastics in contaminated environments. In this study, we focused on the ability of Pseudomonas species to degrade different sets of synthetic plastics including Low-Density polyethylene (LDPE), High-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl and polystyrene. Then a simulation study using kinetic models was conducted to determine optimum parameters for degradation ability. Our results indicate four different Pseudomonas strains P. aeruginosa strains, P. boreopolis and P. dehiensis two strains of which were able to grow in minimum media containing the different plastics as the only carbon sources reflecting their capacities to degrade these complexes polymers. Kinetic modeling for microbial growth of P. aeruginosa using batch and feed batch demonstrated that the feed batch fermentation procedure has the potential to produce Pseudomonas biomass on a larger scale, with a production of 250.7481 g/l after 72 hours. These results enhance their applicability in industrial settings particularly in bioremediation field. These findings highlight the important uses of bacterial strain of Pseudomonas as a promising strategy to depolymerize complex plastics into monomers for recycling or mineralize them into new biodegradable biomass.
Maximizing Date Palm Yield: Automatic Extension Sprinklers for Enhanced Aerial PollinationRehna, V J; Naik, Sreenivas; Siddique, Abid; Al-Shammakhi, Nasser; Al-Muqrashi, Nahid; Al-Shukri, Shafi
doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/1401/1/012011pmid: N/A
Date palms require pollen transfer from male to female palms in order to yield a fruitful harvest. The traditional method of accomplishing this artificial cross-pollination involved climbing each palm tree and physically putting male flower spikelets on female inflorescences. This process required a great deal of labor and was time-consuming. Due to developments in farming practices during the modern age, farmers have experimented with mechanical pollination systems. Recently, to pollinate date palms very quickly, safely, affordably, and with a minimum of risk of injury, agricultural drones have been used. In this research, experiments on drone dispersal pollination are conducted on three Omani date palm cultivars—Al Naghal, Al Khanezi, and Al Kasab. The applicability of this method is evaluated by comparing its fruit yield properties to those of the conventional method, which is commonly employed, and the less popular machine/hand pollination methods. The main limitations of drone dispersal pollination are, its inability to disperse exact amount of pollen to the target location of female inflorescences, especially in shorter palms; wastage of pollens and environmental pollution. The study recommends the use of a novel design of extendable pollen sprinkler for target-specific pollination in order to increase pollination efficiency and decrease DPP waste. The designed system comprises of a robotic arm extension with a remotely controlled sprayer mounted on a computer vision android device; that can shoot themselves out to the female flowers and disperse the required amount of pollens in the specific location. This unique spraying mechanism can overcome the drawbacks of aerial pollination and increase its effectiveness.
ZnO Impregnated Graphene Silica Composite to Enhance Cr(VI) Adsorption: Batch StudiesPachiyappan, Jayakaran; Pillai Sankari Naveen Prasad, Balakrishna; Selvaraju, Sivamani
doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/1401/1/012002pmid: N/A
Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is a profoundly poisonous heavy metal due to its significant mobility across cell membranes as HCrO4− and CrO42- ions. There is a limited amount of research on the effectiveness of metal oxide impregnated graphene silica composite (GSC) as adsorbents for treating [Cr(VI)]. However, the existing studies indicate that these composites are very efficient. The project involved synthesizing a new type of adsorbent by impregnating zinc oxide (ZnO) particles onto a composite material of graphene and silica. This was achieved using the co-precipitation method. The findings revealed that the highest level of Cr (VI) removal (97%) is achieved at basic, a contact period of 45 minutes. The Langmuir isotherm had the highest degree of fit, suggesting a uniform and chemical adsorption process with the highest possible adsorption capacity of 142 mg/g. The application of ZnO on GSC improves the motion of Cr(VI) in the composite, resulting in an increase in both the adsorption capacity and adsorption kinetics. The findings of this investigation show that the ZnO/GSC composite is a very effective and versatile adsorbent for treating wastewater, highlighting its new and reusable properties.
Mediating role of human behavior in societal influences on environmental sustainabilityGulvady, Samskrati; Sequiera, Priya
doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/1401/1/012013pmid: N/A
This research investigates the role of human behavior, particularly the Omani youth, in the context of societal influences on environmental sustainability. The research is based on the positivist paradigm using quantitative approach through the questionnaire survey strategy. A sample size of 216 Omani UG students (43 – Male, 173-Female), based on convenience sampling were chosen for the survey using non-experimental hypothesis testing research. Cultural values & norms, educational systems, and economic policies & practices constituted the dimensions of societal influences with the mediation of -environmental awareness & knowledge and environmental values & ethics as the behavioral dimensions on the environmental sustainability. Eight hypotheses were tested among which five were supported. Based on the study outcomes, suggestions have been drawn to the concerned ministry so that interventions may be administered to promote pro-environmental behavior among the students. These suggestions include possible interventions in renewable energy initiatives, waste management strategies, afforestation and green spaces, water conservation programs, environmental education and awareness, eco-friendly transportation, green building standards, international collaboration, and biodiversity conservation. The findings of this research would be of interest to both the academics and the practitioners in environmental sustainability.
Towards Zero-Waste Biodiesel Production: Purification of Methanol RecoveryAl Balushi, Maryam
doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/1401/1/012010pmid: N/A
The depletion of crude oil sources, along with a rising awareness of the adverse environmental impacts of utilizing fossil fuels, prompted the growth of alternate strategies for converting waste biomass into biofuels. Wakud is a biodiesel production plant in Oman using waste cooking oil to turn it into biodiesel. The process generates excessive amount of methanol, the purpose of this study is to enhance methanol recovery purity. The experimental study was conducted using 3A molecular sieves for methanol dewatering process. In addition to a simulation study that was conducted using ASPEN PLUS software, one distillation column is used to obtain high purity methanol. The results of the experimental study showed 98% pure methanol is achieved. However, the distillation column purified methanol recovery by 99% and the biodiesel obtained by 96%. Both studies proved that these methods would effectively reduce water content in methanol.
Prefacedoi: 10.1088/1755-1315/1401/1/011001pmid: N/A
IntroductionUnder the patronage of H.E. Prof. Mahad Said Ali Baawain, Minister of Labour, the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS) - Suhar, Oman, has hosted the Second International Conference on Environmental Science and Engineering for Sustainable Development (ESESD 2024) on March 6th and 7th, 2024, continuing the event’s successful first iteration, which was held in March 2022. The conference provided an excellent forum for exchanging knowledge and findings in the theory, methodology, and applications among academicians, industry professionals, researchers, and students, who have presented their latest research outcomes, as well as solidifying networks. Prominently, the attendees have discussed how to use scientific ideas and cutting-edge technology to explore potential novel, sustainable solutions to pressing environmental problems and to foster new partnerships in various fields include, but not exclusive to:Carbon Neutrality,Pollution and Carbon Emission Management,Renewable Energy,Circular economy,Applications of Nanotechnology to Serve Environmental Issues,Materials Science and its Applications for Sustainability,Engineering Design to Serve Sustainability Purposes,AI and IoT Applications in Environment and Sustainable Development,Biological and Environmental Sciences in Sustainable Development,Human Behaviour and Societal Influences on Environmental Sustainability.The conference was organized in hybrid modes of both physical and virtual via online, in a way that enabled a broad spectrum of participation from more than 8 countries and different regions of the Sultanate of Oman. 146 abstracts were submitted to the conference. 71 abstracts were accepted for oral presentation in addition to 25 accepted for poster presentation, cf. the figures below. Furthermore, the conference privileged to have informative five plenary lectures, and three invited Speeches in its programme, as detailed below.List of Figures, Conference Programme, Conference Committee and Sponsors are available in this Pdf.
Peer Review Statementdoi: 10.1088/1755-1315/1401/1/011003pmid: N/A
All papers published in this volume have been reviewed through processes administered by the Editors. Reviews were conducted by expert referees to the professional and scientific standards expected of a proceedings journal published by IOP Publishing.• Type of peer review: Double Anonymous• Conference submission management system: Morressier• Number of submissions received: 46• Number of submissions sent for review: 37• Number of submissions accepted: 20• Acceptance Rate (Submissions Accepted / Submissions Received × 100): 43.5• Average number of reviews per paper: 2• Total number of reviewers involved: 25• Contact person for queries:Name: Wasil H.M. SalihEmail: [email protected]: University of Technology and Applied Sciences, Suhar
ESESD 2024 Conference Inaugural Addressdoi: 10.1088/1755-1315/1401/1/011002pmid: N/A
ESESD 2024 Conference Inaugural Address H.E. Dr. Said Hamed Al Rubaie, UTAS Vice Chancellor, Oman.Good MorningYour Excellency, Professor Mahad Said Baawain, the distinguished Minister of Labor, the patron of the Conference, Chairman of UTAS Council.Honorable State Council Members, Excellencies, Esteemed representatives of the military & security authorities, of the higher education institutions, and of the government and private sectors, Dear guests, fellow researchers, academics, and all attendees.As Vice Chancellor to the University of Technology & Applied Sciences, I am pleased to inaugurate the sessions of the Second International Conference on Environmental Sciences, Engineering and Sustainable Development.Also, I would like to extend warm greetings and heartfelt welcome to all of you, on our community behalf and myself, for your valuable participation in this significant scientific event aiming to discuss and shed light on issues related to environmental sustainability, employing various science and knowledge aspects, with the participation of a bright group of researchers and academics.The inaugural address is available in this Pdf.
Fabrication and Characterization of Graphene Oxide – Cadmium Sulphide Nanocomposite Coating for Corrosion Inhibition of Mild Steel SpecimenAli Al Zakwani, Nadra; Devi, Geetha; Al Khanbusi, Bakhit; Al Ruqaishi, Jaber; Al Mahrouqi, Abdullah; Al Jahdami, Maroa
doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/1401/1/012014pmid: N/A
The oil and gas sector play a significant role in the Sultanate of Oman’s economic growth and contribute major revenue. Corrosion is a global concern and that strongly affects the industrial sectors. The corrosion problems in oil pipelines would be successfully resolved by means of novel control techniques. This research focused on the fabrication of Graphene oxide (GO) - Cadmium sulphide (CdS) nanocomposite for controlling corrosion in mild steel specimen. Graphene oxide was synthesized from Alovera extract by carbonization process. GO - CdS nanocomposite was prepared and deposited on a mild steel pipe by self-assembly technique. The coated material was used for stability studies at varying pH conditions and exposure period followed by corrosion studies. The testing methods adopted are Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Energy Dispersive X-Ray analysis (EDX), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Wet/Dry test and Atmosphere tests were conducted to examine the performance of coating material towards corrosion. The atomic force microscope (AFM) operated in non-contact mode was used to study surface topology of the coated specimen. From the outcome of the corrosion studies, it was established that the GO- CdS Nano composites thin film acted as an ecofriendly corrosion inhibitor to enhance the lifespan of the mild steel pipe. This novel research is aligned with the United Nations Sustainability Goals (UNSD - 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure & UNSDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production) and Oman vision 2040. The results from the study validates that the GO - CdS thin films coated on mild steel pipe could be a viable solution to corrosion issues in oil pipelines owing to their good film stability, minimum film thickness, high durability, and ecofriendly approach.
IoT-Enabled Street Dustbin Monitoring System Based on Machine LearningDhandapani, Ragavesh
doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/1401/1/012007pmid: N/A
In this article, a novel method is proposed by using the power of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Machine Learning (ML) to monitor and manage street dustbins effectively. The proposed innovative solution aimed at optimizing waste management processes and improper disposing of the waste in street dustbins. The system involves the installation of sensors in dustbins, which collect real-time data about the fill level of the bins. The capability of the proposed model allows for dynamic adjustment of waste collection schedules, reducing unnecessary trips and thus saving time, energy, and resources. In addition to that, the model is also trained in various waste disposal scenario such as improper disposal, massive garbage dumps, and e-waste. The proposed model is able to predict and report the trained conditions with the 100% accuracy. The system is implemented using Raspberry Pi 4, a single-board computer with the necessary hardware interface. A suitable web interface has been developed to oversee the status of dustbins and provide optimum travel route for collection of waste from the street dustbins. The proposed system not only enhances operational efficiency but also contributes to environmental sustainability.