We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Upcycling Fishing Net Waste and Metal Oxide from Electroplating Waste into Alga Cultivation Structures with Antibacterial Properties
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers recycled discarded fishing nets into substrates for algae cultivation and enhanced their surfaces with copper oxide (CuO) sourced from electroplating sludge to provide antibacterial properties. Results showed that 2 wt% pure CuO provided the best bacterial inhibition, demonstrating a sustainable approach to repurposing both marine plastic waste and industrial sludge.
Plastic waste, especially discarded fishing nets, and electroplating sludges pose significant environmental challenges, impacting marine ecosystems and contributing to pollution. In alga cultivation, invasive microorganisms often hinder growth, necessitating strategies to combat these issues. This study aimed to develop recycled substrates for alga cultivation by repurposing fishing nets and enhancing their surfaces with antibacterial properties using copper oxide (CuO). Additionally, it explores the reuse of CuO from electroplating sludge, providing a sustainable solution that addresses both marine and industrial waste while supporting healthy alga development. Recycled substrates were produced, with different proportions of pure CuO and sludge (1 and 2 wt%) incorporated on the surface. These compositions were processed by hot compression molding and then the antibacterial activity was characterized using a qualitative and quantitative method. The results indicate the possibility of recycling fishing net into new substrates to alga cultivation and the functionalization of their surface using CuO as an antibacterial agent. The antibacterial tests showed a better activity for pure CuO compared to the residual sludge, and better for the higher surface concentration of 2 wt%. Despite the limited bacterial inhibition observed, there is an opportunity for reusing these sludges, typically disposed of in landfills, to obtain specific antibacterial agents that can be applied to the surface of substrates for algal growth.
More Papers Like This
Nano-engineering of a thermoplastic compound with CuO nanoparticles for the development of safe antimicrobial and anti-biofouling fish cage nets
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers embedded copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles into polyamide fish cage nets and found the nano-engineered material achieved up to a 6-log reduction in S. aureus, effectively preventing biofouling with minimal copper leaching into water. However, zebrafish embryo toxicity tests revealed dose-dependent embryotoxic effects from leachates, underscoring the importance of safety evaluation before environmental deployment.
Insights into different marine aquaculture infrastructures from a life cycle perspective
AI summary Read the abstract
This life cycle assessment compared copper alloy net cages and polyethylene nets in Mediterranean marine aquaculture, finding that copper alloy nets have lower environmental impact — but only when fully recycled at end of life — while copper-based antifouling paints used on polyethylene nets represent a major environmental burden.
Biofilm enhances the copper (II) adsorption on microplastic surfaces in coastal seawater: Simultaneous evidence from visualization and quantification
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that biofilm formation on microplastic surfaces significantly enhanced copper adsorption in coastal seawater, with visual and quantitative evidence showing that biofilm-coated microplastics accumulate substantially more copper than uncoated particles, increasing their potential as vectors for metal contaminant transport.
Biofilm facilitates metal accumulation onto microplastics in estuarine waters
AI summary Read the abstract
This study demonstrated that biofilm colonization on microplastics in estuarine waters significantly enhanced their sorption of metals such as copper and zinc, suggesting biofouling changes the contaminant-carrying capacity of plastic debris.
Mechanism of microplastics effects on the purification of heavy metals in piggery effluents by microalgae
AI summary Read the abstract
Experiments showed that polystyrene microplastics inhibited the ability of microalgae to remove copper and zinc from piggery wastewater, reducing the bioremediation efficacy through mechanisms including altered algal physiology and metal adsorption onto plastic surfaces.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.