The
application of nanomaterials as a method to overcome plant
stress and increase crop yield is relatively new as compared to the
use of fertilizers and pesticides in agricultural production. In the
present study, manganese (III) oxide nanoparticles (MnNPs) were investigated
as a nanopriming agent to alleviate salinity stress in Capsicum annuum L. during germination at 100 mM NaCl.
In general, the root growth in both nonsalt and salt-stressed seedlings
was significantly improved by MnNPs (0.1, 0.5, 1 mg/L). Scanning electron
microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy showed the penetration
of MnNPs through the seed coat and the formation of nanoparticle–corona
complex. MnNPs have different surface chemistries when present in
water or NaCl, which may lead to their different affinities to proteins
and alter the N–H bonding according to Fourier transform infrared
spectroscopy. Salt stress inhibited root growth, induced proteins
and lignin pattern changes, and redistributed the manganese, sodium,
potassium, and calcium contents between the shoot and root. However,
neither the redistributions nor manganese superoxide dismutase expression
were affected by MnNPs but by MnSO4. This study describes
how nanopriming elicits compositional changes and molecular interactions
among key biomolecules and implies the role of MnNPs in plant salt
stress management in order to promote sustainable agriculture.
As
nitrate pollution in groundwater continues to escalate, more
is being discovered about the detrimental health implications associated
with concentrated nitrate ingestion. Thus, there is a great necessity
for the effective and sustainable remediation of nitrate from water.
The electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate (ERN) has been identified
as a promising technology with respect to selective product formation
(N
2(g) and NH3/NH4
+), adaptable instrument configurations, and compatibility
with renewable energy sources. Electrocatalysts with appreciable selectivity
for nitrate reduction to nitrogen gas are of great importance for
drinking water applications. On the other hand, ammonia-selective
catalysts are desirable for resource recovery. Traditional catalysts
for ERN applications include expensive platinum group metals, which
makes the widespread utilization of this technology economically unfavorable.
Alternatively, research within the last five years has shown cost-effective
catalytic materials such as bimetallic systems, graphitic composites,
metal oxides, and metal sulfides exhibiting substantial activity/selectivity
for ERN applications. Future ERN catalysts must not only express significant
activity/selectivity but also be capable of stable and consistent
performance under varying water chemistries. Combating electrocatalyst
aging and fouling processes will be key in material design for catalysts
capable of efficient remediation of nitrate from water under continuous
long-term operation.
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