Research into lightweight structural concrete using volcanic tuff is of great importance to the construction industry. These materials have excellent thermal insulation properties, which helps improve the energy efficiency of buildings. A three-factor experimental design was used to build the statistical model. The test methods used were methods for determining the crushability of volcanic tuff, determining the average density, compressive strength and thermal conductivity of lightweight structural concrete. The influence of basalt fiber on the properties of lightweight structural concrete has been determined. The optimal compositions of lightweight structural concrete using tuff have been selected. The compressive strength of lightweight structural concrete reached 32.0 MPa. The average density range is 1754.6–2114.0 kg/m3. Good thermal conductivity values were obtained in the range of 0.653–0.818 W/m·K. The article obtained the optimal compositions of lightweight structural concrete using volcanic tuff as a filler.

The increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration linked to human activity results in global warming by the greenhouse effect. This anthropogenic CO2 may be sequestrated into geological formations, e.g., porous basalts, saline aquifers, depleted oil or gas reservoirs, and unmineable coal seams. Furthermore, carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) methods are an acceptable and sustainable technology to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, in which Kazakhstan is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% compared with the 1990 level. Unmineable coal seams are an attractive option among all geostorage solutions, as CO2 sequestration in coal comes with an income stream via enhanced coalbed methane (ECBM) recovery. This paper identifies four carboniferous coal formations, namely Karagandy, Teniz-Korzhinkol, Ekibustuz, and Chu coal basins of Kazakhstan, as CO2 geostorage solutions for their unmineable coal seams. The ideal depth of CO2 storage is identified as 800 m to ensure the supercritical state of CO2. However, the Ekibustuz coal basin fails to meet the required depth of 800 m in its unmineable coal seams. The conventional formula for calculating CO2 storage in coal basins has been modified, and a new formula has been proposed for assessing the CO2 storage potential in a coal seam. The CO2 storage capacities of unmineable coal seam of these coal basins are 24.60 Bt, 0.61 Bt, 14.02 Bt, and 5.42 Bt, respectively. The Langmuir volume of the coal fields was calculated using the proximate analysis of coalfields and found to vary between 36.42 and 98.90 m3/ton. This paper is the first to outline CO2 storage potential in Kazakhstani coal basins, albeit with limited data, along with a detailed geological and paleographic review of the carboniferous coalfields of Kazakhstan. A short overview of the CO2-ECBM process was also included in the paper. Instead of any experimental work for CO2 storage, this paper attempts to present the CO2 storage capacity of carboniferous coal formation using the modified version of previously determined formulas for CO2 storage.

Purpose. The primary objective of this research is to develop a technology for achieving water quality at the level of Maximum Permissible Concentrations (MPC) required by sanitary regulations and norms. Methods. To meet these regulatory requirements, experimental studies were conducted to analyze the chemical and microbiological composition of water, focusing on parameters such as the total microbial count (quantity/ml), coliform bacteria (quantity/ml), coliphages (quantity/100 ml), clostridia (cl/20 ml), and other harmful substances. The research also examined water disinfection processes depending on the autumn and winter seasons of the year. Findings. To assess the device’s effectiveness, the research determined the optimal ozone concentration and contact time in the disinfection chamber. The findings indicate that 0.6 grams per hour (G = 0.6 g/hour) of ozone (O3) per cubic meter of surface water is sufficient for the removal of harmful microbiological substances. Originality. The primary innovation in this research lies in the establishment of parameters for an ozone generator utilizing a novel corona discharge method. The study introduces both theoretical frameworks and practical methodologies for effectively disinfecting surface waters using this innovative technique. Practical implications. This case study offers insights that can be applied and replicated in regions facing similar water quality challenges.

One of the most critical problems faced by modern civilization is the depletion of freshwater resources due to their continuous consumption and contamination with different organic and inorganic pollutants. This paper considers the potential of already discovered MXenes in combination with carbon nanomaterials to address this problem. MXene appears to be a highly promising candidate for water purification due to its large surface area and electrochemical activity. However, the problems of swelling, stability, high cost, and scalability need to be overcome. The synthesis methods for MXene and its composites with graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, and cellulose nanofibers, along with their structure, properties, and mechanisms for removing various pollutants from water, are described. This review discusses the synthesis methods, properties, and mechanisms of water purification using MXene and its composites. It also explores the fundamental aspects of MXene/carbon nanocomposites in various forms, such as membranes, aerogels, and textiles. A comparative analysis of the latest research on this topic shows the progress in this field and the limitations for the practical application of MXene/carbon nanocomposites to solve the problem of drinking water scarcity. Consequently, this review demonstrates the relevance and promise of the material and underscores the importance of further research and development of MXene/carbon nanocomposites to provide effective water treatment solutions.

This paper analyzes part of the reactor experiments on the study of tritium and helium release from promising two-phase lithium ceramic (Li2TiO3 and Li4SiO4) of natural lithium enrichment conducted by vacuum extraction. The basis for such an analysis was a more careful study of the time trend of pressure changes of gases in the chamber with the test samples. In a particular case, it was clearly shown that the pressure fluctuations observed during irradiation for gases with mass number M4 (to which both HT and He molecules correspond) are determined only by He, which leaves the intergranular regions of the ceramic through open channels or cracks. The kinetics of changes in the amount of helium that is released during irradiation was traced and both the rate of helium release and the frequency of emissions were determined. It was assumed that the observed emissions correspond to a certain “formation of free paths” from the internal cavities of the irradiated ceramics into the chamber of the facility. The data obtained for the helium emissions were compared with the release of tritium-containing molecules from the ceramics. The quasi-equilibrium levels of the release of tritium-containing molecules and their dependence on the reactor power were estimated. The release of helium and tritium was compared with the calculated values of the tritium generation rate in the test sample.

Recently, there has been a propensity to postpone dealing with the world's climate concerns until later, resulting in a 1.5 °C rise in temperature over the last century. Therefore, interest in biologically derived, inexhaustible energy sources based on solar energy is growing. Cyanobacteria have the potential to produce clean, renewable fuels in the form of hydrogen (H2) gas, derived from solar energy and water. The current study reports the screening 11 cyanobacterial strains isolated from rice paddies and hotsprings for efficient H2 producers. According to our findings, H2 concentrations in the species ranged from 3.6 to 48.9 μmol mg−1 Chl a h−1. H2 production by isolated species was shown to have a 2% positive influence on oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations and a 2% negative effect on all nitrogen gas (N2) concentrations. It was discovered that at high CO2 concentrations, photosynthesis is enhanced but H2 production is suppressed. Anabaena variabilis BTA-1047 was found to be the most active H2-producing species, with an H2 production activity of 21.3 μmol mg−1 Chl a h−1. Moreover, a 1% O2: 2% CO2 gas mixture doubled the strain activity of H2 production. The findings of the study called into the question the notion that only an anaerobic environment is required for H2 production by N2-fixing cyanobacterial species and explored whether H2 productivity can be increased by stimulating the micro-anaerobic environment with a carbon source.

The synergistic effectiveness of the yeast Cryptococcus laurentii cultured with carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) at different concentrations was studied in controlling Penicillium expansum in postharvest grapefruit and exploring the biofilm formation mechanism. The current research results indicate that 0.5% (w/v) CMCS-treated C. laurentii for 72 h could suppress Penicillium expansum conidia germination and hyphal growth in vitro on grapefruit, and its biocontrol efficacy had been significantly enhanced. Moreover, population number of C. laurentii induced by low CMCS level in vitro was obviously increased by changing the budding capacity of yeast. In in vitro experiments, CMCS-C. laurentii adhered to the orifice plate, having a strong biofilm-forming ability, and accompanied by the production of extracellular secretions. Furthermore, the monosaccharide composition of extracellular polysaccharides of yeast by inducing treatment was determined. Among these, compared with C. laurentii, the contents, such as Ara, Gal, Xyl, Man, and Glc-UA, all were increased. Adhesive substances wrapped on the surface of yeast and accompanied by a thin reticular structure were further observed by scanning electron microscopy. Meanwhile, we identified that C. laurentii tightly adhered to the hyphae indicating that the induction treatment effectively inhibits the pathogen development. In comparison to the control fruit, 0.5% (w/v) CMCS-cultured yeast resulted in noticeably synergistic effects that greatly decreased the grapefruit blue mould decay rate and lesion diameter. A new idea was presented in this study to enhance the biocontrol properties of antagonistic yeast.

Background: This study was performed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs) of farmers and veterinary professionals towards foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the area studied. Methods: The study was based on a comprehensive questionnaire administered through face-to-face interviews. Between January and May 2022, 543 households and 27 animal health practitioners (AHP) were visited in 4 provinces of the West Kazakhstan region to assess their KAPs towards FMD. Results: A large proportion of herd owners (84%) had known the name of the disease, and nearly a half (48) of respondents had heard of FMD cases on farms in the neighbourhood. Oral mucosa lesions were the most consistent with clinical sign characteristic of FMD among farmers (31.4%), followed by hoof blisters (27.6%) and excessive salivation (18.6%). Farmers reported that new animal introduction was potentially the main factor associated with FMD occurrence in their herds. Over half of farmers (54%) interviewed prefer not to purchase livestock from unknown or potentially epidemiologically disadvantaged areas. Conclusion: All AHPs (27) reported that in their zone of veterinary responsibilities, vaccination against FMD is not practised because the area investigated possesses FMD-free status. However, in the past few years, numerous FMD outbreaks have been detected throughout the region. For this reason, immediate actions need to be taken to prevent further FMD occurrences by giving the region a status of an FMD-free zone with vaccination. The current study demonstrated that inadequate quarantine controls of imported animals, absence of regular vaccination and unrestricted animal movement within the country were the primary obstacles in controlling and preventing FMD in the investigated area.

The exceptionally high spatial-temporal variability of the river runoff and the significance of its transboundary component considerably worsen the problem of the water supply of the republic. Due to the disadvantageous geographical location in the lower reaches of transboundary river basins, the Republic of Kazakhstan is largely dependent on water economy activities taking place in neighbouring countries. In the article the modern change of the resources of river runoff in Kazakhstan, taking into account climatic and anthropogenic influences is considered. For the assessment of the impact of economic activities on the river runoff and changes in climatic-related runoff, the complex of integral methods was used, and appropriate methodologies were developed. The obtained results of the modern influence of a complex of factors, as well as their significance for the future (till 2030), can be used for the development of scientifically based solutions for sustainable management and protection of water resources. An assessment of the anthropogenic activity of this study shows that the water resources of the river runoff of the Republic of Kazakhstan have decreased by 16.0 km3∙y–1. According to our forecasts, there will be a further decrease in the water resources of the republic due to the expected decrease in transboundary flow to 87.1 km3∙y–1 by 2030, in dry years less than 50.0 km3∙y–1. We propose a set of measures to prevent the negative impact of possible reduction of river runoff resources in the future in the water basins of Kazakhstan.

The thermal decomposition of an ammonium dinitramide-based energetic compound was conducted for the first time using a dispersive inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer, DTA-TG analysis, and pyrolysis at a constant temperature. A liquid droplet was injected over synthesized CuO catalytic particles deposited on lanthanum oxide-doped alumina. The thermal behavior of the ADN liquid monopropellant revealed that decomposition in the presence of catalytic particles occurs in two distinct steps, with the majority of ejected gases being detected in real-time analysis using the DIP-MS technique. At a temperature of 280 °C, pyrolysis confirmed the catalytic decomposition behavior of ADN, which occurred in two distinct steps.