In the present work, we investigate scaling rules for the ionization cross sections of multicharged ions on molecules of biological interest. The cross sections are obtained from distorted-wave calculations for atomic targets combined with a stoichiometric model for the molecules proposed in [Mendez et al. J. Phys B (2020)]. We examine ions with charges Z from +1 to +8 in five nucleobases -adenine, cytosine, guanine, thymine, uracil-, tetrahydrofuran, pyrimidine, and also in water. We propose a scaling with the ion charge, which is valid in the intermediate to high energy range, i.e. 0.2-5 MeV/amu for oxygen impact. We extend our work to a universal scaling for any ion and molecule, merging the forty ion-molecule systems analyzed here into a single band. Furthermore, our model proved to be valid for other molecules too.The ionization of biological molecules by multicharged ions has gained increasing interest due to medical and environmental reasons [1], from medical treatments [2-4] to contaminant recognition in biological materials [5,6]. Many semiempirical [7] and theoretical efforts are currently being undertaken [8][9][10][11][12][13] to get reliable values for the ionization cross sections of these molecules.Recently, we combined the continue distorted-wave calculations (CDW) for atoms and the simple stoichiometric model (SSM) to approximate the ionization cross sections of complex molecular targets by charged ions [8]. The CDW-SSM approximation showed reasonable results for over a hundred of ion-molecule systems. As expected, in the high energy range (i.e. above 5 MeV/amu) the ionization cross sections present the Z 2 dependence predicted by the first Born approximation. However, at intermediate energies, the dependence with Z is more complex, and non-perturvative models are mandatory.The intention of this letter is to give a follow up of our previous work [8] by proposing a scaling with the ion charge Z of the ionization cross sections of complex molecules, valid at intermediate energies. In general, scaling rules are used as first-order tests in experimental measurements and multipurpose codes. Based on [8], we propose a universal scaling for any ion-target system.At intermediate impact energies, Janev and Presnyakov [14] suggest σ Z versus E Z as the natural reduced form of the ionization cross section σ and the incident ion energy E. Much more recently, Montenegro and co-workers [15,16] proposed an alternative scaling by taking into account that σ is a function of Z 2 E. Their scaling, given bykeeps the Z 2 E relationship for any value of α. In Ref.[15], the authors propose α = 4 3 for ionization of He and H 2 by different charged ions. Combining our recent CDW-SSM results [8] and Eq. (1), we propose here a Z-scaling and implement it for forty collisional systems. The ion-molecule systems are composed of eight targets: the DNA and RNA nucleobases -adenine, cytosine, guanine, thymine, uracil-, tetrahydrofuran (THF), pyrimidine, and water; and five charged ions: H + , He +2 , Be +4 , C +6 , and O +8 . We ...

Mining sites development have had a significant impact on local socioeconomic conditions, the environment, and sustainability. However, the transformation of camp-type artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sites with large influxes of miners from different regions has not been properly evaluated, owing to the closed nature of the ASGM sector. Here, we use remote sensing imagery and field investigations to assess ASGM sites with large influxes of miners living in mining camps in Bone Bolango Regency, Gorontalo Province, Indonesia, in 1995–2020. Built-up areas were identified as indicators of transformation of camp-type ASGM sites, using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, from the time series of images obtained using Google Earth Engine, then correlated with the prevalent gold market price. An 18.6-fold increase in built-up areas in mining camps was observed in 2020 compared with 1995, which correlated with increases in local gold prices. Field investigations showed that miner influx also increased after increases in gold prices. These findings extend our understanding of the rate and scale of development in the closed ASGM sector and the driving factors behind these changes. Our results provide significant insight into the potential rates and levels of socio-environmental pollution at local and community levels.

In this paper, we report ecological and environmental investigations on Pteris vittata in the As–Pb–Hg-polluted Bone River area, Gorontalo Province, Indonesia. The density distribution of P. vittata decreases from around the artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) site to the lower reaches of the Bone River, and it is rarely found near Gorontalo City. The maximum concentrations of As, Hg, and Pb recorded in the soil samples were 401, 36, and 159 mg kg−1, respectively, with their maximum concentrations in P. vittata recorded as 17,700, 5.2, and 39 mg kg−1, respectively. Around the ASGM sites, the concentrations of As, Pb, and Hg in P. vittata were highest in the study area. These data suggest that P. vittata, a hyperaccumulator of As, may be useful as a bioindicator for assessing environmental pollution by Pb and Hg.

Coconut shell contains several components of biomass including cellulose, lignin, and pentosan, which can be used in the form of charcoal as a bioabsorbent. Sludge waste is a residue formed as a by-product of wastewater treatment at a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). which emits odors that can disturb local residents. This study aimed to deodorize ice cream slurry waste using coconut shell charcoal and activated carbon as the odor adsorbent. The ratio of each adsorbent and ice cream waste was based on the preliminary experiment, namely 1:1, 1:3, 1:5, 1:6, and 1:7. The measurement parameters for the sludge were odor value, pH, temperature, and water content which were measured daily. Ammonia and sulfide levels were measured using the titration method, while protein levels were determined using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Odor reduction in sludge waste mixed with activated carbon as the adsorbent was better than that with coconut shell charcoal; by which the optimum mass ratio was 1:3 with a decrease of 97.13% that was obtained within seven days. The ammonia levels in the sludge waste decreased from 10,276 mg/kg to 308 mg/kg by the use of coconut shell charcoal with a mass ratio of 1:1 and to 252 mg/kg by the use of activated carbon with a mass ratio of 1:1 at the end of the experiment. The sulfide content in the sludge waste decreased from 1.215 mg/L to 0.0483 mg/L in the sample with coconut shell charcoal as an adsorbent with a mass ratio of 1:1 and to 0.0483 mg/L in samples with activated carbon adsorbent ratio of 1:1 at the end of the experiment.

Bone Bolango is a regency that has a lot of ASGM sites that use elemental mercury for gold processing compare to the other regencies in Gorontalo province. This activity produces waste containing hazardous substances dumped in Bone River. This river has been used to support human life also a source of drinking water in the city of Gorontalo. This research aims to investigate the source of toxic metal in the human hair of Tulabolo ASGM sites in Bone Bolango Regency, Gorontalo Province, Indonesia. Hair samples were collected from the inhabitants who are living near Bone River. Total of toxic element concentration in the samples was analyzed by using Particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) which derives from Iwate Medical University. The maximum concentration of Hg, As, and Pb are 12.3 µg/g, 11.1 µg/g, and 13.5 µg/g, respectively. Those results show that Hg, As, and Pb are in danger level. Also, the results reveal that natural and anthropogenic sources have regionally polluted the areas.