The ability to correlate optical hyperspectral mapping and high resolution topographic imaging is critically important to gain deep insight into the structure–function relationship of nanomaterial systems. Scanning near-field optical microscopy can achieve this goal, but at the cost of significant effort in probe fabrication and experimental expertise. To overcome these two limitations, we have developed a low-cost and high-throughput nanoimprinting technique to integrate a sharp pyramid structure on the end facet of a single-mode fiber that can be scanned with a simple tuning-fork technique. The nanoimprinted pyramid has two main features: (1) a large taper angle (∼70°), which determines the far-field confinement at the tip, resulting in a spatial resolution of 275 nm, an effective numerical aperture of 1.06, and (2) a sharp apex with a radius of curvature of ∼20 nm, which enables high resolution topographic imaging. Optical performance is demonstrated through evanescent field distribution mapping of a plasmonic nanogroove sample, followed by hyperspectral photoluminescence mapping of nanocrystals using a fiber-in-fiber-out light coupling mode. Through comparative photoluminescence mapping on 2D monolayers, we also show a threefold improvement in spatial resolution over chemically etched fibers. These results show that the bare nanoimprinted near-field probes provide simple access to spectromicroscopy correlated with high resolution topographic mapping and have the potential to advance reproducible fiber-tip-based scanning near-field microscopy.
Concentrations of heavy metals in the soil such as: (Pb, Cd, Zn and Cr), play a role in contamination of agricultural crops such as wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Roads in the Republic of Kosovo are congested with traffic; in addition, over 55% are more than 20 years old. The agricultural land near roads in Kosovo is cultivated with agricultural products, especially wheat. This study aimed to investigate the concentration of toxic metals in soil and wheat crops due to vehicle emissions. In this research are examined the physico-chemical factors that affect the mobility of metals in the soil of the research area as; pH, concentration of organic carbon and heavy metals such as: (Pb, Cd, Zn and Cr). Analytical research shows that the content of toxic metals decreases with increasing distance or along highways. The concentration tests of toxic metals near roads and lands planted with analyzed agricultural crop of corn showed that heavy metal deposits also depend on atmospheric conditions and emissions from vehicle traffic.
The circulation of heavy metals in nature is characterized by high toxicity. However, the effects depend on the amount of toxic, the form of exposure to toxicity, the types of species exposed, age, sex, genetics and nutritional status, and on the consequences in ecosystems. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the environmental situation in some regions has deteriorated even more due to poor monitoring by state institutions. The challenges that await us in the future are complex and hence we risk not knowing how to meet the future challenges. The situation with toxicity and pollution is complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which for the first time in this century has turned into a global pandemic. Although we were not prepared to cope with this pandemic, still we succeeded to manage it better than the previous pandemics. High concentrations of heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, and nickel are among the metals that are dangerous for the public health of citizens. Metallic elements are characterized by toxic effects, especially with the consumption of food products. High concentrations cause great damage to human and animal organs but sometimes even small concentrations of it can have harmful effects. The increase in toxic concentration has affected industrial development, poor waste management, the release of toxic gases from industrial activities, as well as use of pesticides and herbicides in agriculture. High toxicity causes health damage, e.g. resulting from human exposure to metal toxicity and the use of contaminated foods. The heavy metals present in the environment such as Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Se, Zn, Co, Cr, are essential nutrients required for various biochemical and physiological functions.
Natural resources are the basis of all material goods which are of special importance for the life and development of mankind. Therefore, sustainable management of natural resources is of great importance for modern society. The concentrations of heavy metals in the soil such as: (Cu, Fe, Cd, Mn, Pb, and Zn), have a negative impact on the contamination of crops. Human activity should be developed on the basis of the principles of environmental sustainability to achieve economic and social prosperity and environmental protection as well as, improve the environment polluted by human activity. Natural resources must be preserved and regenerated. Moreover, well-being, environmental management and maintaining the purity of the environment in the future enable the production of safe food. Preservation of good quality water resources creates security and maintains soil quality. Recently, there has been a marked increase in awareness of natural resources, especially the preservation of water quality, soil, and their importance to our lives. The study included various methodologies, qualitative and quantitative analyses, and statistics.
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