Article
Environmental Sciences
Meysam Omidvar, Mohammad Reza Malayeri, Farshad Farshchi Tabrizi, Mohammad Mahdi Doroodmand
Summary: Fat, oil, and grease deposits are the main cause of sewer blockage, leading to environmental issues, health hazards, and increased costs for municipalities. This study investigates the impact of used cooking oils on deposit formation and explores the differences in chemical structure and properties between fresh and used oils.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hamza Hassan Yusuf, Felicity Roddick, Veeriah Jegatheesan, Li Gao, Biplob Kumar Pramanik
Summary: The increasing global demand for fatty products, population growth, and the expansion of food service establishments present significant challenges for the wastewater industry. This study aims to understand the process of fat, oil, and grease (FOG) deposit formation in both concrete and non-concrete sewers. The presence of used cooking oil and metal ions is found to be the key factors leading to FOG deposition. The article suggests using superhydrophobic coating materials to reduce FOG deposits.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yiqi Jiang, Chaolin Li, Yituo Zhang, Ruobin Zhao, Kefen Yan, Wenhui Wang
Summary: The study proposed a FOG content prediction model based on deep learning algorithm and global sensitivity analysis, aiming to improve the accuracy of FOG content prediction and reduce the operational cost of the model. The model performed well in practical case study, showing good prediction performance.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Imran Ahmad, Norhayati Abdullah, Iwamoto Koji, Ali Yuzir, Mohd Danish Ahmad, Nova Rachmadona, Anas Al-Dailami, Pau Loke Show, Kuan Shiong Khoo
Summary: The number of restaurants is increasing in developing countries, leading to an increase in the generation of restaurant wastewater. This wastewater has high concentrations of pollutants such as chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), nutrients, solids, and fats, oil, and grease (FOG). This paper provides insights into the characteristics of restaurant wastewater in Malaysia and proposes a sustainable management plan to prevent, control, and mitigate its consequences.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Madan Tandukar, Spyros G. Pavlostathis
Summary: The study investigated the benefits of co-digestion of a sludge-mix with concentrated fat-oil-grease (FOG), finding that it can enhance the degradation of sludge and increase methane production. Co-digestion is feasible and recommended for municipal wastewater treatment facilities to match target biogas/methane levels by balancing energy production and solids destruction based on their specific needs.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xin Yan, Yuxi Guan, Zheng Fang
Summary: This study examines and analyzes the fat, oil, and grease (FOG) deposits in kitchen drainage pipes in China. The results show that the deposits have rough surfaces and varying oil and metal content. The findings can provide reference for preventing and removing blockages in kitchen pipes.
WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nilufa Sultana, Felicity A. Roddick, Biplob Kumar Pramanik
Summary: Fats, oils, and grease (FOG) in wastewater from commercial food establishments can cause environmental damage. A laboratory study found that dishwashers have a significant impact on the transformation of fatty acids (FA), particularly producing very long chain saturated FAs. Dishwashers were able to break down FOG particles into smaller sizes, while handwashing sinks produced larger particles. These findings can be used to update grease interceptor designs and control FOG disposal to prevent solidification and blockages.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Nilufa Sultana, Felicity Roddick, Li Gao, Mike Guo, Biplob Kumar Pramanik
Summary: Treatment of wastewater with high levels of fat, oil, and grease (FOG) is a major concern for water utilities. FOG produced by food service establishments (FSEs) causes sewer blockages and requires additional maintenance cost. Clear understanding of FOG properties, pretreatment processes, and deposition mechanism is crucial for successful control of FOG deposition.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Xuanye Bai, Sarah Folk, Yen-Chih Chen
Summary: This study found that co-digestion of sewage sludge and fat, oil, and grease waste with BioAmp pretreatment can increase methane yield, degradation rate constant, and volatile solid reduction. However, it also leads to an increase in biosolids and total nitrogen return.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Xia He, Zhenyu Guo, Jian Lu, Ping Zhang
Summary: The addition of carbon-based conductive materials positively influences the co-digestion of fat, oil, and grease (FOG) and waste activated sludge (WAS), leading to increased methane production, organic matter removal, and COD conversion efficiency. Carbon cloth showed the highest total amount of bacteria/archaea, potentially due to the faster acetate conversion facilitated by DIET-mediated SAO reaction.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Amr Aboulela, Matthieu Peyre Lavigne, Amaury Buvignier, Marlene Fourre, Maud Schiettekatte, Tony Pons, Cedric Patapy, Orlane Robin, Mansour Bounouba, Etienne Paul, Alexandra Bertron
Summary: The biological test named BAC test was developed to simulate concrete biodeterioration in sewers, by trickling a solution containing a safe reduced sulfur source onto the surface of cementitious substrates covered with a high diversity microbial consortium. The test has been validated in previous studies and allows materials to be classified according to their resistance to biogenic acid attack in sewer conditions. The repeatability and reproducibility of the test method have been demonstrated, along with the proposal of a performance criterion for the test.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ajeet Pratap Singh, Aonghus McNabola
Summary: A significant amount of energy is wasted in the hospitality and food services sectors due to the heating of water, which is then sent to the sewer system as wastewater. This research focuses on recovering waste heat from commercial kitchen wastewater to save energy and reduce CO2 emissions, while improving the removal of fat, oil, and grease (FOG) in grease interceptors or traps.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Bo Song, Daping Xia, Hongyu Guo, Zhiwei Dong, Yongjun Wang, Weizhong Zhao, Zhenhong Chen
Summary: The biogenic methane production experiment of FOG combined with lignite was conducted to improve the methane output of lignite anaerobic fermentation. Various tests were carried out to analyze the composition of the liquid substances. The results showed that the combined fermentation significantly increased the yield of the targeted compound and enhanced microbial activity, ultimately promoting the biomethane production efficiency.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wan Hanna Melini Wan Mohtar, Zohreh Sheikh Khozani, Zalina Mohd Ali, Noor Diyana Ramlee, Wan Rosmanira Ismail, Babak Lashkar Arai Mohammadreh, Zaher Mundher Yaseen
Summary: Sediment of varying sizes is transported through runoff, entering sewerage pipes and depositing at low-velocity sections. Biofilm formed on the deposited sediment due to high organic content in wastewater cement the deposition, making it difficult to remove from the pipes. The presence of silt in the sediment promotes physical cohesion, while biofilm through EPS provides microbial cohesion. This study investigates the incipient sediment motion of sediment mixture with different fractions of fine sand-silt, varying concentrations of EPS (0-0.1%), and percentages of oil and grease (O&G) (0-10%).
JOURNAL OF TAIBAH UNIVERSITY FOR SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Maycoll Romero-Gueiza, Ruben Asiain-Mira, Madalena Alves, Jordi Palatsi
Summary: This study proposes an adapted method for quantifying fats, oils, and grease (FOG) in wastewater to optimize and automate induced air flotation (IAF) systems. The method uses simple equipment widely available in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) laboratories, making it possible to determine FOG concentrations in situ. The method was successfully used to determine the optimal operating conditions of the IAF system and reduce its energy demand by 40%.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Irene Bueno, Claudio Verdugo, Omar Jimenez-Lopez, Pedro Pablo Alvarez, Gerardo Gonzalez-Rocha, Celia A. Lima, Dominic A. Travis, Britta Wass, Qian Zhang, Satoshi Ishii, Randall S. Singer
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2020)
Article
Microbiology
Marcia Astorga-Elo, Qian Zhang, Giovanni Larama, Alexandra Stoll, Michael J. Sadowsky, Milko A. Jorquera
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Warish Ahmed, Simon Toze, Cameron Veal, Paul Fisher, Qian Zhang, Zhigang Zhu, Christopher Staley, Michael J. Sadowsky
Summary: This study investigated the decay of enteric pathogens and contaminants in freshwater using laboratory microcosms. It was found that culturable Escherichia coli and the HF183 marker gene decayed faster than qPCR-measured pathogens, indicating potential limitations in using E. coli or HF183 as indicators for pathogen presence. Additionally, temperature was shown to have a significant impact on the decay rates of microorganisms, with slower decay observed in winter compared to summer.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Qian Zhang, Jacquelinne J. Acuna, Nitza G. Inostroza, Paola Duran, Maria L. Mora, Michael J. Sadowsky, Milko A. Jorquera
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Microbiology
Qian Zhang, Marco Campos, Giovanni Larama, Jacquelinne J. Acuna, Bernardita Valenzuela, Francisco Solis, Pedro Zamorano, Ruben Araya, Michael J. Sadowsky, Milko A. Jorquera
Summary: The El Tatio Geyser Field in Northern Chile is a major geyser field in the southern hemisphere with diverse bacterial communities dominated by Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Acidobacteria, and Chloroflexi. Predicted functional activities include chemoheterotrophy, aerobic chemoheterotrophy, sulfur and nitrogen cycling. This study provides important information for the structure and function of microbiota communities in the spouting pools, which can help guide sustainable conservation strategies due to the heavy tourism impact on the area.
ARCHIVES OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Liping Qiu, Qian Zhang, Hansong Zhu, Peter B. Reich, Samiran Banerjee, Marcel G. A. van der Heijden, Michael J. Sadowsky, Satoshi Ishii, Xiaoxu Jia, Mingan Shao, Baoyuan Liu, Huan Jiao, Haiqiang Li, Xiaorong Wei
Summary: Soil erosion has a significant negative impact on soil microbial diversity and functionality, leading to lower microbial network complexity and changes in microbial community composition, with an increase in the relative abundances of some bacterial families involved in nitrogen cycling.
Article
Microbiology
Abdelaal Shamseldin, Brendan Epstein, Michael J. Sadowsky, Qian Zhang
Summary: The study reported comparative genomic analysis of four stress-tolerant, highly effective nitrogen-fixing rhizobia nodulating Egyptian clover, revealing their tolerance to extreme environmental conditions and absence of certain nodulation-related genes. Unique genes found in Egyptian clover strains and other rhizobia are potential candidates for stress tolerance and host-range variation.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Weibo Kong, Fuyuan Su, Qian Zhang, Satoshi Ishii, Michael J. Sadowsky, Samiran Banerjee, Mingan Shao, Liping Qiu, Xiaorong Wei
Summary: This study in the Loess Plateau of China reveals that soil erosion and deposition have significant impacts on bacterial communities and multifunctionality. Erosion reduces bacterial richness and multifunctionality, but deposition can alleviate these negative effects. The study suggests that sustainable soil management and restoration of degraded lands can benefit from understanding the interactions between erosion, deposition, bacterial communities, and soil multifunctionality.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Warish Ahmed, Stuart L. Simpson, Paul M. Bertsch, Kyle Bibby, Aaron Bivins, Linda L. Blackall, Silvia Bofill-Mas, Albert Bosch, Joao Brandao, Phil M. Choi, Mark Ciesielski, Erica Donner, Nishita D'Souza, Andreas H. Farnleitner, Daniel Gerrity, Raul Gonzalez, John F. Griffith, Pradip Gyawali, Charles N. Haas, Kerry A. Hamilton, Hapuarachchige Chandithal Hapuarachchi, Valerie J. Harwood, Rehnuma Haque, Greg Jackson, Stuart J. Khan, Wesaal Khan, Masaaki Kitajima, Asja Korajkic, Giuseppina La Rosa, Blythe A. Layton, Erin Lipp, Sandra L. McLellan, Brian McMinn, Gertjan Medema, Suzanne Metcalfe, Wim G. Meijer, Jochen F. Mueller, Heather Murphy, Coleen C. Naughton, Rachel T. Noble, Sudhi Payyappat, Susan Petterson, Tarja Pitkanen, Veronica B. Rajal, Brandon Reyneke, Fernando A. Roman, Joan B. Rose, Marta Rusinol, Michael J. Sadowsky, Laura Sala-Comorera, Yin Xiang Setoh, Samendra P. Sherchan, Kwanrawee Sirikanchana, Wendy Smith, Joshua A. Steele, Rosalie Subburg, Erin M. Symonds, Phong Thai, Kevin Thomas, Josh Tynan, Simon Toze, Janelle Thompson, Andy S. Whiteley, Judith Chui Ching Wong, Daisuke Sano, Stefan Wuertz, Irene Xagoraraki, Qian Zhang, Amity G. Zimmer-Faust, Orin C. Shanks
Summary: Monitoring pathogens like SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater using RT-PCR is effective for public health information, but there is a lack of standardized protocols for wastewater surveillance. Key strategies for improving accuracy include QA/QC measures, representative sampling, virus concentration, and clear data interpretation guidelines.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Qian Zhang, Macarena M. Araya, Marcia Astorga-Elo, Gabriela Velasquez, Joaquin I. Rilling, Marco Campos, Michael J. Sadowsky, Milko A. Jorquera, Jacquelinne J. Acuna
Summary: Plant microbiota associated with pioneer plants in the Central Volcanic Zone of Andes play a crucial role in their growth and adaptation to harsh conditions. This study analyzed the composition and potential functions of rhizobacteria in Parastrephia quadrangularis plants from three volcanoes in the Atacama Desert. The results showed that Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Bacteroidetes were the most abundant phyla. Each plant recruited specific rhizobacterial communities independently of the volcano slope. The predicted functions mainly involved chemoheterotrophy, nitrogen cycling, and symbiosis.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mayumi Kobayashi, Qian Zhang, Takahiro Segawa, Mitsuto Maeda, Reiko Hirano, Satoshi Okabe, Satoshi Ishii
Summary: Migratory geese can have significant impacts on water quality and public health by affecting the microbiological composition and nutrient levels in freshwater lakes. They are likely to be a major source of Campylobacter bacteria in the lake, while the occurrence of Arcobacter group bacteria is not directly related to the presence of geese. The nutrient inputs provided by geese can lead to eutrophication and lower dissolved oxygen concentrations, indirectly impacting the indigenous microbial population of the lake.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Weibo Kong, Xiaorong Wei, Yonghong Wu, Mingan Shao, Qian Zhang, Michael J. Sadowsky, Satoshi Ishii, Peter B. Reich, Gehong Wei, Shuo Jiao, Liping Qiu, Liling Liu
Summary: Afforestation can effectively rehabilitate degraded ecosystems, but it may deplete deep soil moisture, which in turn affects soil microbial community and functionality. This study found that afforestation significantly impacted soil bacterial community and functionality in a semi-arid region of China's Loess Plateau, particularly in the deep soil layers. Afforestation led to reduced bacterial diversity and functionality, increased sensitivity to changes in soil moisture, and decreased sustainability of the ecosystems. These negative impacts on deep soils are crucial for assessing the eco-environmental effects of afforestation and ensuring the sustainability of forest ecosystems in semi-arid and arid climates.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Liping Qiu, Weibo Kong, Hansong Zhu, Qian Zhang, Samiran Banerjee, Satoshi Ishii, Michael J. Sadowsky, Jianlun Gao, Changzeng Feng, Jingjing Wang, Chunliang Chen, Tianhui Lu, Mingan Shao, Gehong Wei, Xiaorong Wei
Summary: This study investigated the diversity, composition, and co-occurrence networks of rhizosphere bacteria and fungi in six halophytes and bulk soils in a semiarid inland saline ecosystem. The results showed that the enhanced association between fungi and bacteria increased the complexity of microbial co-occurring networks in halophytic rhizosphere, contributing to higher microbial functions in this saline ecosystem.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Shashini U. Welmillage, Qian Zhang, Virinchipuram S. Sreevidya, Michael J. Sadowsky, Prasad Gyaneshwar
Summary: Nitrogen fixing symbiosis between rhizobia and legumes plays a crucial role in providing nitrogen to agricultural and natural environments. Inoculation of symbiotic strains can significantly impact the microbial community in the rhizoplane+endosphere of legume roots, while the rhizospheric soil remains relatively unchanged. The success of an inoculated symbiont depends on its ability to compete with other soil bacteria for colonization of the roots.
MICROBES AND ENVIRONMENTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Irene Bueno, Dominic Travis, Gerardo Gonzalez-Rocha, Julio Alvarez, Celia Lima, Cristian Garcia Benitez, Nicholas B. D. Phelps, Britta Wass, Timothy J. Johnson, Qian Zhang, Satoshi Ishii, Randall S. Singer
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
(2019)
