The pollution of metal ions triggers great risks of damaging biodiversity and biodiversity-driven ecosystem multifunctioning, whether microbial functional gene can mirror ecosystem multifunctionality in nonferrous metal mining areas remains largely unknown. Macrogenome sequencing and statistical tools are used to decipher linkage between functional genes and ecosystem multifunctioning. Soil samples were collected from subdams in a copper tailings area at various stages of restoration. The results indicated that the diversity and composition of soil bacterial communities were more sensitive than those of the fungal and archaeal communities during the restoration process. The mean method revealed that nutrient, heavy metal, and soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus multifunctionality decreased with increasing bacterial community richness, whereas highly significant positive correlations were detected between the species richness of the bacterial, fungal, and archaeal communities and the multifunctionality of the carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus functional genes and of functional genes for metal resistance in the microbial communities. SEM revealed that soil SWC and pH were ecological factors that directly influenced abiotic factor-related EMF; microbial diversity was a major biotic factor influencing the functional gene multifunctionality of the microbiota; and different abiotic and biotic factors associated with EMF had differential effects on whole ecosystem multifunctionality. These findings will

The socio-economic growth of a nation depends heavily on the availability of adequate infrastructure, which relies on essential materials like river sand (RS) and cement. However, the rising demand for RS, combined with its excessive extraction causing ecological damage, and its increasing cost, has raised significant concerns. At the same time, the production of cement contributes significantly to environmental damage, especially through CO2 emissions. In this scenario geopolymer technology has emerged as a sustainable alternative to cement, offering environmental benefits and reducing the carbon footprint of construction materials. This study investigates the impact of replacing RS with copper slag (CS) and laterite soil (LS) in geopolymer mortar (GM) on key properties such as setting time, flowability, compressive strength, and microstructure. The results showed that as LS content increased, setting time and flowability decreased considerably, while increasing CS content caused a reduction in these values. Unlike the other observed parameters, the compressive strength values showed no distinct upward or downward trend. Moreover, the microstructural analysis, including SEM, EDS, XRD, FTIR, TGA and BET, provided valuable insights to support the observed results across various mix designs. Overall, the findings highlight that optimised binary blends of CS, LS and RS not only improved the compressive strength but also enhanced the microstructural characteristics of geopolymer mortar, reinforcing their potential as sustainable and high-performance alternatives to conventional fine aggregates.

Environmental issues caused by plastic films promote the development of biodegradability packaging materials. Copper ion-modified nanocellulose films were prepared through a one-pot reaction and systematically investigated their structural characteristics, thermal stability, mechanical properties, antibacterial activity, and biodegradability. The results indicate that the film prepared by co-soaking CNCs and copper in NaOH solution for 12 h has favorable performance. Introduction of copper ions as crosslinkers increases tensile strength of film from 36.8 MPa to 56.4 MPa and water contact angle of film from 46 degrees to 92 degrees. Copper coordination also endows the film excellent antibacterial activity, inhibiting growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Moreover, biodegradability tests indicate that although the introduction of copper ions slightly reduce biodegradation rate of films, they could still be decomposed significantly within four weeks as burying in soil. This simple process for preparing cellulosic films with water resistance, thermal stable, antibacterial ability, and biodegradable shows potential application in flexible packaging film.

Copper (Cu) is a toxic metal that accumulates in soil due to agricultural and industrial activities, potentially impacting plant growth and productivity. Our study examined the phytotoxic effects of Cu on Vigna radiata L. by exposing plants to a series of Cu concentrations (1, 4 and 7 mM) under controlled conditions. Growth parameters, photosynthetic performance, biochemical traits, and oxidative stress indicators were analyzed in 21-day-old Cu-treated plants and compared with control plants. The results demonstrated a concentration-dependent decline in shoot and root biomass, relative water content (RWC), pigment content, photosynthetic efficiency, carbohydrates, and lipid content. Conversely, oxidative stress markers such as malondialdehyde (MDA), electrolyte leakage, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity and proline accumulation increased significantly with increasing Cu concentrations, indicating cellular damage. Notably, protein levels increased with increased Cu concentrations, which may contribute to their tolerance to metal stress, however, it was insufficient to mitigate stress. Further research is needed to validate these findings and explore the mechanisms underlying copper stress tolerance.

Resourceful utilisation of tailings waste remains a hotspot in global research. While silica-aluminate-rich copper tailings can serve as raw materials for geopolymer preparation, their high Si/Al ratio significantly limits the geopolymerization degree. This study investigates the feasibility of developing copper tailings-based geopolymers for road base applications, using copper tailings as the primary raw material supplemented with 30 % soft soil, 15 % fly ash, and 5 % cement. The effect of NaOH content on the strength characteristics of copper tailings-based geopolymers was explored by the unconfined compressive strength test and triaxial test. The mineral composition and microstructure of copper tailings-based geopolymers specimens were characterised based on the microscopic technique. The results show that: (1) With the increase of NaOH content, the unconfined compressive strength of the copper tailings base polymer increases and then decreases, and reach the maximum value when the NaOH content is 1 %. Compared with the sample without NaOH, the addition of 1 % NaOH increased the unconfined compressive strength by 47 % at the early stage and 69 % at 28d curing age. (2) An optimal NaOH content significantly improves the shear performance of the copper tailings-based polymer, primarily by enhancing its cohesion. Triaxial test results demonstrate that 1 % NaOH addition increases cohesion by 73 % at 28d curing age. (3) The NaOH promotes the formation of geopolymer gel, refines the pore structure, and increases sample density, thereby enhancing strength. Overall, the research results can provide a reference for the application of copper tailings solid waste in roadbed materials.

In recent years, copper pollution has gradually become one of the major problems of soil environmental pollution. Lignin plays an important role in plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. CCoAOMT is a key enzyme in the lignin biosynthesis process. In this study, the CCoAOMT gene family members of Platycodon grandiflorus were identified by bioinformatics methods, and their basic characteristics and potential functions were analyzed. The results showed that five members of the PgCCoAOMT gene family were identified in P. grandiflorus, with protein lengths ranging from 246 to 635 amino acids, and were evenly distributed on four chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the PgCCoAOMT gene family was divided into two subclades, namely Clade1a, Clade1b, Clade1c, Clade1d, and Clade2. The cis-regulatory element analysis of the promoter revealed that the PgCCoAOMT members contained a large number of cis-regulatory elements responsive to stress, and conjecture PgCCoAOMT2, PgCCoAOMT4, and PgCCoAOMT5 were involved in the lignin synthesis. The qRT-PCR results showed that, within 5 days of copper stress treatment, except for the PgCCoAOMT4 gene, the other genes exhibited different expression levels. Furthermore, the expression levels of all five PgCCoAOMT genes increased significantly at 7 days of treatment. With the increase in the number of days of treatment, the content of lignin in the seedings of P. grandiflorus showed a trend of increasing first and then decreasing under copper stress. In general, in the copper stress treatment of 1-3 days, the transcriptional inhibition of PgCCoAOMT1 and PgCCoAOMT3 and the increase in lignin content contradicted each other, suggesting that there was post-translational activation or alternative metabolic pathways compensation. Meanwhile, in the 7-day treatment, the coordinated up-regulation of the genes was accompanied by the failure of lignin synthesis, which pointed to the core bottleneck of metabolic precursors depletion and enzyme activity inactivation caused by root damage. Research objective: This study reveals the expression level of the PgCCoAOMT gene in the seedings of P. grandiflorus under copper stress, providing a theoretical basis for elucidating the mechanism of P. grandiflorus response to copper stress and for subsequent improvement of root resistance in P. grandiflorus.

Copper (Cu) holds a significant importance in plant metabolism as it serves as an essential micronutrient but becomes toxic at higher concentrations. Nitric oxide (NO), a key signaling molecule, and nitrogen (N) play essential roles in combating toxicity of some metals. This study explores the potential of interactive effects of NO as 100 mu M SNP (sodium nitroprusside, NO source) and N (80 mg N kg-1 soil) in mitigating Cu (100 mg Cu kg-1 soil) stress in mustard (Brassica juncea L.) plants. The impaired physio-biochemical changes, photosynthetic efficiency, and the expression level of genes associated with photosynthesis, and N assimilation under Cu stress were ameliorated with the exogenous application of NO and N. The combined treatment of NO and N conspicuously lowered reactive oxygen species (ROS) and its related impacts. It also enhanced the activity and relative expression of antioxidant enzymes, including ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as N assimilation enzymes, such as nitrate reductase (NR) and nitrite reductase (NiR). The supplementation of NO and N also triggered the expression of rbcL (large subunit of Rubisco), photosystem (photosystem II D1 protein; psbA and photosystem II protein B; psbB) and markedly improved photosynthetic capacity under Cu stress. The study highlights the significance of NO and N as a potential strategy to counteract Cu-induced stress in crops. It suggests a synergistic or interactive effect between the two substances as a phytoremediation strategy for enhancing crop growth and productivity in Cu-contaminated soils. Understanding the mechanisms behind NO and N mediated stress alleviation could facilitate the development of targeted approaches to enhance plant resilience against heavy metal stress.

Herein, CuO and ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) were biogenically synthesized using plant (Artemisia vulgaris) extracts. The biogenic NPs were subsequently evaluated in vitro for antifungal activity (200 mg/L) against Fusarium virguliforme (FV; the cause of soybean sudden death), and for crop protection (200-500 mg/L) in FV-infested soybean. ZnONPs exhibited 3.8-, 2.5-, and 4.9-fold greater in vitro antifungal activity, compared to Zn or Cu acetate salt, the Artemisia extract, and a commercial fungicide (Medalion Fludioxon), respectively. The corresponding CuONP values were 1.2-, 1.0-, and 2.2-fold, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed significant morpho-anatomical damage to fungal mycelia and conidia. NP-treated FV lost their hyphal turgidity and uniformity and appeared structurally compromised. ZnONP caused shriveled and broken mycelia lacking conidia, while CuONP caused collapsed mycelia with shriveled and disfigured conidia. In soybean, 200 mg/L of both NPs enhanced growth by 13%, compared to diseased controls, in both soil and foliar exposures. Leaf SEM showed fungal colonization of different infection sites, including the glandular trichome, palisade parenchyma, and vasculature. Foliar application of ZnONP resulted in the deposition of particulate ZnO on the leaf surface and stomatal interiors, likely leading to particle and ion entry via several pathways, including ion diffusion across the cuticle/stomata. SEM also suggested that ZnO/CuO NPs trigger structural reinforcement and anatomical defense responses in both leaves and roots against fungal infection. Collectively, these findings provide important insights into novel and effective mechanisms of crop protection against fungal pathogens by plant-engineered metal oxide nanoparticles, thereby contributing to the sustainability of nano-enabled agriculture.

Dramatic changes in climate and soil environments have made growing conditions for crops more challenging. These crops are subject to a range of abiotic stresses in different environments, which can lead to significant yield losses, resulting in economic and environmental damages. Herein, we report a straightforward one-pot hydrothermal method for creating carbon dots codoped with copper and nitrogen (Cu,N-CDs). Under salt stress conditions, Cu,N-CDs demonstrate the ability to alleviate oxidative damage in cucumber seedlings by modulating antioxidant defense mechanisms and scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cucumber seedling biomass accumulation is greatly enhanced by Cu,N-CDs treatment in the presence of a ROS burst, leading to a notable rise in the dry weight, plant height, and fresh weight. Cu,N-CDs mitigate oxidative damage in cucumber seedlings by activating antioxidant defense systems, specifically enhancing the activities of superoxide dismutase (+34.08%), catalase (+28.11%), peroxidase (+17.54%), and ascorbate peroxidase (+31.54%) to scavenge ROS. Furthermore, Cu,N-CDs can enhance the levels of nonenzymatic elements within the antioxidant system, such as polyphenols (+23.60%), flavonoids (+15.43%), and carotenoid content (+51.73%), which strengthen the scavenging ability of cucumber seedlings against ROS. Meanwhile, Cu,N-CDs can induce a significant increase of soluble sugar and soluble protein content by 27.27 and 32.58%, respectively, which improves the osmotic pressure as well as stress tolerance of plants. Additionally, the accumulation of biomass was aided by the increase in the photosynthetic pigment content that Cu,N-CDs treatment can produce.

The global wide threatening problem is the pollution, especially water and soil pollution are biggest threats to our people. The pollution not only damages the resources but also enters the ecosystem and impairs our health. The pollution disfigures the fertility of the soil and contaminates the groundwater table which is the most reliable source of all living organisms. Due to urbanization of people and scarcity of the water resources, the people rely on the groundwater for the domestic and drinking needs. Earlier researches include the bioremediation and physico-chemical mechanisms in removal of toxic/heavy metals from water but still faced several post-treatment issues. The advancement in science and technology paved a path as nanotechnology to overcome these problems. In this current investigation, the CuO nanoparticles (CuONPs) and ZnO nanoparticles (ZnONPs) were synthesized from endophytic fungal strain and characterized which were previously reported. The groundwater samples were collected near, in, and around of the garbage-dump site of Vellalore-Kurichi village, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India; three areas were selected, and water samples were collected. The basic physico-chemical parameters such as BOD, COD, TDS, hardness, pH, chlorides, sulfates, nitrates, and heavy metal(s) of the collected samples were analyzed. The adsorption studies were initiated with three different concentrations of CuONPs and ZnONPs in 100 mL of polluted groundwater samples, and the kinetics was started with 0th min and extended till 180 min. The adsorption rate increased with the increase in time; the CuONPs and ZnONPs adsorbed the few pollutants that also included arsenic (V) effectively. The nanoremediated samples were further taken to determine the effectiveness in aiding the plant growth promotion, and this was executed in Trigonella sp. plants. The plants were grown well which was compared to the control plants, and the phytochemical assessment was carried out. The presence of phytochemicals of the plants grown in nanoremediated samples was similar to that of control plants. Further, the CuONPs and ZnONPs have the ability in remediating the pollutants/contaminants in the groundwater.