Article
Environmental Sciences
Mercedes Guerrero-Brotons, Jose Alvarez-Rogel, Maria Isabel Arce, Rosa Gomez
Summary: This study investigated the performance of a pilot plant with hybrid constructed wetlands (CWs) in removing excess nitrate-N (NO3--N) from agricultural drainage water. The addition of a C-rich substrate to the gravel was found to enhance NO3--N removal in the first phase, with soil addition being more effective than biochar addition. The contribution of different phases varied, with the first phase showing the largest contribution to NO3--N removal. The results highlight the importance of substrate addition and the sequence of different phases in CW systems for efficient nitrate removal.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
I. A. Hernandez-Rodriguez, G. Gonzalez-Blanco, J. F. Aguirre-Garrido, R. Beristain-Cardoso
Summary: This study investigated the performance of a hybrid system, consisting of anaerobic filter-baffled subsurface horizontal constructed wetland (AFwet), for treating polluted channel water. The results showed that the AFwet system achieved the highest COD and ammonium nitrogen removal efficiencies at a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 8 days. The anaerobic filter in the system intensified ammonium removal, achieving removal efficiencies above 90%. Additionally, the system had the smallest footprint at specific hydraulic loading rate and organic loading rate conditions.
WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Cassondra Armstrong, Tracey Piccone, Jacob Dombrowski
Summary: The Everglades Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs) are large constructed wetlands designed to remove phosphorus from stormwater runoff. They are also capable of treating water from Lake Okeechobee. The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) has conducted extensive research to support the operation of the STAs and meet water quality standards.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jiajun Wu, Jingjing Zheng, Ke Ma, Chao Jiang, Liang Zhu, Xiangyang Xu
Summary: This study constructed three bench-scale integrated flow constructed wetlands (IFCWs) to investigate the tertiary treatment of municipal wastewater with different filler medium arrangements. The incorporation of biochar and zero-valent iron (ZVI) significantly enhanced nutrient removal efficiency. Analysis of microbial community and functional genes revealed the enrichment of nitrifiers in biochar-treated IFCW and denitrifiers in ZVI-biochar-treated IFCW. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that biochar mainly enhanced microbial nitrification, while ZVI improved denitrification and anammox.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Raeid M. M. Abed, Marwan Al-Fori, Jamal Al-Sabahi, Stephane Prigent, Tom Headley
Summary: The study found that wetland microbial mats have adapted well to HPAM and can maintain their respiration and hydrocarbon degradation activities, with minimal impact from HPAM.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Chunzhen Fan, Shengbing He, Suqing Wu, Jungchen Huang
Summary: The addition of calamus biomass in calamus type surface-flow constructed wetland (SFCW) system significantly improves denitrification efficiency, with higher nitrogen removal effects observed. Microbial community analysis indicates an increase in heterotrophic denitrifying bacteria content during biomass addition, enhancing the denitrification process. This study demonstrates the potential application of calamus biomass as an excellent plant carbon source for biological denitrification in SFCWs.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
J. Tabla-Hernandez, P. F. Rodriguez-Espinosa, A. V. Dellepere, J. Marrugo-Negrete
Summary: This paper presents the diagnosis and management proposal for the Valsequillo wetland in Mexico. The wetland is dominated by water hyacinth which reduces the pollutant load of the water. An annual harvest plan is proposed, but the ideal amount of biomass to harvest is unknown. Through modeling and analysis, it was found that for the desired removal of total phosphorus or chemical oxygen demand, 274 ha or 306 ha of aquatic plants must be harvested, respectively.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fei Wu, Shengbing He, Xushun Gu, Pan Yan, Yuanyuan Peng, Shanshan Sun, Zexuan Liu
Summary: This study found that compared to withered biomass, fresh biomass can release carbon source more effectively and improve nitrogen removal efficiency.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Giuseppe Mancuso, Stevo Lavrnic, Alba Canet-Marti, Ammad Zaheer, Francesco Avolio, Guenter Langergraber, Attilio Toscano
Summary: Climate change presents challenges for agricultural water resources in terms of both quantity and quality. The use of reclaimed water in agricultural irrigation is seen as an adaptation measure. Nature-based solutions have been found to be effective in facilitating water reclamation and reuse, but improvements are needed in water quality. Recommendations were made to enhance system performance and ensure adequate water quality for agricultural reuse.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Franciszek Bydalek, Daniel Ifayemi, Liam Reynolds, Ruth Barden, Barbara Kasprzyk-Hordern, Jannis Wenk
Summary: This study investigated the dynamics of microplastics (MPs) in a newly established surface flow constructed wetland (CW) that receives 1.4 million liters per day of secondary treated wastewater. The study found that most MPs were synthetic fibers and fragments in the size range of 100-1000 micrometers. The CW effectively retained MPs, but the accumulation of MPs in sediments and substrate needs to be considered.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Naveen Chand, Surindra Suthar, Kapil Kumar, Vineet Singh
Summary: Pharmaceutical residues pose a new threat to the environment. However, a study found that vertical flow constructed wetlands with biochar and plants can effectively remove pharmaceutical residues, and the removal efficiency is inversely proportional to the pharmaceutical concentration.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jiaxing Lu, Jian Zhang, Huijun Xie, Yuming Jing, Mingde Ji, Zhen Hu
Summary: In this study, a novel wastewater treatment process combining sequencing batch reactor, constructed wetland and microalgal membrane photobioreactor (BCM process) was proposed. The process achieved satisfactory removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their substituted derivatives (SPAHs), and significantly reduced bacterial toxicity and genotoxicity. Microalgae played an important role in ensuring water security.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nicholas R. Wilkins, Howard Fallowfield, Ryan Baring
Summary: This study assessed the spatial distribution and accumulation concentrations of nutrients and contaminants in macrophytes in a constructed wetland as a performance indicator for wetland functionality and management. The results showed that concentrations of water chemistry parameters increased with distance from the inflow, while the height and biomass of macrophytes decreased with distance from the inflow.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yu Lei, Alette Langenhoff, Harry Bruning, Huub Rijnaarts
Summary: This study investigated the removal of micropollutants using nine different support matrix materials in constructed wetlands. The combination of bark and biochar showed the best performance in removing micropollutants.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Paul Bois, Daniel L. Childers, Milena Walaszek, Adrien Wanko
Summary: This study investigated the influence of plant transpiration on water budget in constructed treatment wetlands, finding significant impacts of season and site configuration on biomass and transpiration rate. Transpiration can reach up to 26% of incoming flow during the warmest part of the year, but only accounts for 2% of multi-monthly water budget. Additionally, transpiration in stormwater CTWs can lead to water scarcity, depleting available water in these systems. It is important to design ecological infrastructure in relation to objectives, whether focusing on treatment efficiency or flow regulation.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ma Jesus Garcia-Galan, Victor Matamoros, Enrica Uggetti, Ruben Diez-Montero, Joan Garcia
Summary: The study evaluated the efficiency of a new type of reactor in treating different types of pollutants, and indicated through risk assessment that it has minimal impact on the environment.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Cristina Avila, Maria Jesus Garcia-Galan, Enrica Uggetti, Nicola Montemurro, Manuel Garcia-Vara, Sandra Perez, Joan Garcia, Cristina Postigo
Summary: This study evaluated the removal efficiency of 13 wastewater-borne pharmaceuticals in a pilot constructed wetland operated under different aeration strategies. Aeration was found to improve the removal of conventional wastewater parameters and the targeted micropollutants, with varying effects on different pharmaceuticals.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Monica Escola Casas, Victor Matamoros
Summary: Recent research has found that plant-root exudates can enhance the biodegradation of contaminants in constructed wetlands by stimulating plant-associated microorganisms. Experiments with two aquatic plants showed changes in root exudates upon exposure to micropollutants, indicating potential links to microbial community shifts and stress signaling. These findings suggest that plant micropollutant exposure at environmentally relevant levels can trigger alterations in root exudates, providing insights for designing new strategies to improve micropollutant degradation in nature based solutions like constructed wetlands.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Antonio Ortiz, Joan Garcia, Enrica Uggetti, Ruben Diez-Montero
Summary: This study focuses on the operation and optimization of thickening microalgal biomass in photobioreactors using agricultural runoff and domestic wastewater. Through the use of two gravity thickeners in series, the concentration of microalgae biomass was successfully improved. The study also identified key factors such as adjusting the purge flowrate, coordinating purge times and volumes, and proper operation of the scrapers for successful thickening of biomass.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Antonio Ortiz, Ruben Diez-Montero, Joan Garcia, Nadeem Khalil, Enrica Uggetti
Summary: In this study, a demonstrative-scale high rate algal pond (HRAP) system for secondary wastewater treatment in India was designed and optimized using simulations and modelling. The study found that a hydraulic retention time of 4 days was optimal for nutrient removal and biomass production. The most efficient design configuration was determined, and a technical-economic assessment of the system was conducted.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Hector Rodriguez-Rangel, Dulce Maria Arias, Luis Alberto Morales-Rosales, Victor Gonzalez-Huitron, Mario Valenzuela Partida, Joan Garcia
Summary: This paper develops a model to forecast biomass production in wastewater treatment systems by analyzing the accumulation of carbohydrates and using artificial intelligence algorithms. After comparing five learning models, the CNN-1D model obtains the best results.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Monica Escola Casas, Eva Larzabal, Victor Matamoros
Summary: This study investigated the effect of artificial root exudates on the removal of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) from wastewater in laboratory and real wastewater treatment conditions. The results showed that adding root exudates enhanced CEC removal in synthetic wastewater but had no effect in real wastewater. This suggests that the application of root exudates for CEC removal should be further explored under real wastewater conditions.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Claudia Sanz, Marta Casado, Laia Navarro-Martin, Nuria Canameras, Nuria Carazo, Victor Matamoros, Josep Maria Bayona, Benjamin Pina
Summary: The spread of antibiotic resistance genes is influenced by organic fertilizers and correlated with the amount of antibiotic residues. The ARG loads in soil are relatively stable, but the loads in foodstuffs are low and unstable.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bruna Chyoshi, Lucia Helena Gomes Coelho, Joan Garcia, Eduardo Lucas Subtil
Summary: The Anaerobic Fluidized Membrane Bioreactor (AnFMBR) is an effective technology for removing conventional organic pollutants as well as emerging contaminants (ECs) like diclofenac and 17 beta-estradiol. However, it has lower removal efficiency for 17a-ethinylestradiol and amoxicillin. The study suggests that a combination of other treatment processes is necessary to prevent the release of these contaminants into the environment.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lorenzo Rambaldo, Hector Avila, Monica Escola Casas, Miriam Guivernau, Marc Vinas, Rosa Trobajo, Javier Perez-Burillo, David G. Mann, Belen Fernandez, Carme Biel, Luigi Rizzo, Josep M. Bayona, Victor Matamoros
Summary: Groundwater pollution has increased due to intensified agricultural and livestock activities, leading to a reduction in freshwater resources. This study investigated a green technology using a photobioreactor and cork filter to remove pollutants from groundwater. The results showed that the technology was moderately effective in removing nitrates, antibiotics, and pesticides, but its efficiency decreased with shorter hydraulic retention time, with pesticides being the most affected compounds.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
V. Matamoros, M. Escola Casas, S. Mansilla, D. Tadic, N. Canameras, N. Carazo, J. Portugal, B. Pina, S. Diez, J. M. Bayona
Summary: This study conducted a plot-scale research on crop cultivation using organic fertilizers containing antibiotics and found that while organic fertilizers increased the concentration of antibiotics in lettuce leaves, it did not pose a risk to human health.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Pedro N. Carvalho, Victor Matamoros
Article
Environmental Sciences
Paula Ortega, Elena Sanchez, Emilio Gil, Victor Matamoros
Summary: This study assessed the effectiveness of using cover crops as an agricultural practice in vineyards to protect soil and groundwater pollution caused by fungicides. The results showed that cover crops significantly reduced leaching of certain fungicides and enhanced their degradation in the soil.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Thalita Gouveia Castilho, Jose Alberto Domingues Rodrigues, Joan Garcia, Eduardo Lucas Subtil
Summary: In recent years, research has shown that the addition of conductive materials can significantly improve anaerobic digestion and methane production. However, there are still questions regarding the mechanism and impact of material properties on methanogenic pathways. A systematic review and statistical analysis of recent studies found that the use of conductive materials is associated with changes in the microbial community and that millimeter-scale materials may be more effective in increasing methane production. Overall, the use of conductive materials shows promise in improving anaerobic digestion and methane production.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Eva Gonzalez-Flo, Antonio Ortiz, Carlos A. Arias, Ruben Diez-Montero, Norbert Kohlheb, Ulf-Henning Schauser, Joan Garcia, Peder K. S. Gregersen
Summary: The management and disposal of wastewater treatment sludge can be a costly and resource-intensive process. Sludge Treatment Wetlands (STW) offer a cost-effective and sustainable alternative for enhancing sludge quality. A study evaluated the effectiveness of a full-scale STW in stabilizing and dewatering digested microalgal biomass, finding that it was a cost-effective and environmentally friendly option for land application.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Toshimi Nakajima, Mao Kuragano, Makoto Yamada, Ryo Sugimoto
Summary: This study compared the contribution of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) to river nutrient budgets at nearshore and embayment scales, and found that SGD-derived nutrients become more important at larger spatial scales.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fan Liu, Lei Zhang, Chongyang Zhang, Ziguang Chen, Jingguang Li
Summary: NO2 emissions from wall-mounted gas stoves used for household heating have become a significant source of indoor pollution in Chinese urban areas. The high indoor concentration of NO2 poses potential health risks to residents. It is urgently necessary to establish relevant regulations and implement emission reduction technologies to reduce NO2 emissions from wall-mounted gas stoves.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Letter
Environmental Sciences
Hans Peter H. Arp, Raoul Wolf, Sarah E. Hale, Sivani Baskaran, Juliane Gluege, Martin Scheringer, Xenia Trier, Ian T. Cousins, Harrie Timmer, Roberta Hofman-Caris, Anna Lennquist, Andre D. Bannink, Gerard J. Stroomberg, Rosa M. A. Sjerps, Rosa Montes, Rosario Rodil, Jose Benito Quintana, Daniel Zahn, Herve Gallard, Tobias Mohr, Ivo Schliebner, Michael Neumann
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Philomina Onyedikachi Peter, Binessi Edouard Ifon, Francois Nkinahamira, Kayode Hassan Lasisi, Jiangwei Li, Anyi Hu, Chang-Ping Yu
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between dissolved organic matter (DOM) and Rare Earth Elements (REEs) in sediments from Yundang Lagoon, China. The results show four distinct fluorescent components, with protein-like substances being the most prevalent. Additionally, the total fluorescence intensity and LREE concentrations exhibit a synchronized increase from Outer to Inner to Songbai Lake core sediments. The findings demonstrate a strong correlation between DOM content and pollution levels.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Surya Gupta, Pasquale Borrelli, Panos Panagos, Christine Alewell
Summary: The objective of this study is to incorporate soil hydraulic properties into the erodibility factor (K) of USLE-type models. By modifying and improving the existing equations for soil texture and permeability, the study successfully included information on saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) into the calculation of K factor. Using the Random Forest machine learning algorithm, two independent K factor maps with different spatial resolutions were generated. The results show that the decrease in K factor values has a positive impact on the modeling of soil erosion rates.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jesmin Akter, Wendy J. M. Smith, Yawen Liu, Ilho Kim, Stuart L. Simpson, Phong Thai, Asja Korajkic, Warish Ahmed
Summary: The choice of workflow in wastewater surveillance has a significant impact on SARS-CoV-2 concentrations, while having minimal effects on HF183 and no effect on HAdV 40/41 concentrations. Certain components in the workflow can be interchangeable, but factors such as buffer type, chloroform, and homogenization speed can affect the recovery of viruses and bacteria.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yu Luo, Xueting Yang, Diwei Wang, Hongmei Xu, Hongai Zhang, Shasha Huang, Qiyuan Wang, Ningning Zhang, Junji Cao, Zhenxing Shen
Summary: Atmospheric PM2.5, which can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), is associated with cardiorespiratory morbidity and mortality. The study found that both the mass concentration of PM2.5 and the DTT activity were higher during the heating season than during the nonheating season. Combustion sources were the primary contributors to DTT activity during the heating season, while secondary formation dominated during the nonheating season. The study also revealed that biomass burning had the highest inherent oxidation potential among all sources investigated.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Erin L. Murphy, Leah R. Gerber, Chelsea M. Rochman, Beth Polidoro
Summary: Plastic pollution has devastating consequences for marine organisms. This study uses a trait-based framework to develop a vulnerability index for marine mammals, seabirds, and sea turtles in Hawai'i. The index ranks 63 study species based on their vulnerability to macroplastic pollution, providing valuable information for species monitoring and management priorities.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kenji Maurice, Amelia Bourceret, Sami Youssef, Stephane Boivin, Liam Laurent-Webb, Coraline Damasio, Hassan Boukcim, Marc-Andre Selosse, Marc Ducousso
Summary: Growing pressure from climate change and agricultural land use is destabilizing soil microbial community interactions. Little is known about microbial community resistance and adaptation to disturbances, hindering our understanding of recovery latency and implications for ecosystem functioning. This study found that anthropic disturbance and natural disturbance have different effects on the topology and stability of soil microbial networks.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yunhao Li, Yali Feng, Haoran Li, Yisong Yao, Chenglong Xu, Jinrong Ju, Ruiyu Ma, Haoyu Wang, Shiwei Jiang
Summary: Deep-sea mining poses a serious threat to marine ecosystems and human health by disturbing sediment and transmitting metal ions through the food chain. This study developed a new regenerative adsorption material, OMN@SA, which effectively removes metal ions. The adsorption mechanism and performance of the material for metal ion fixation were investigated.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Antonio Medici, Margherita Lavorgna, Marina Isidori, Chiara Russo, Elena Orlo, Giovanni Luongo, Giovanni Di Fabio, Armando Zarrelli
Summary: Valsartan, a widely used antihypertensive drug, has been detected in high concentrations in surface waters due to its unchanged excretion and incomplete degradation in wastewater treatment plants. This study investigated the degradation of valsartan and identified 14 degradation byproducts. The acute and chronic toxicity of these byproducts were evaluated in key organisms in the freshwater trophic chain.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiang Lin, Lianbao Chi, Qing Yuan, Busu Li, Mingbao Feng
Summary: This study investigated the photodegradation behavior and product formation of two representative pharmaceuticals in simulated estuary water. The study found that the formed transformation products of these pharmaceuticals have potential toxicity on marine organisms, including oxidative stress and damage to cellular components.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hua Fang, Dongdong Jiang, Ye He, Siyi Wu, Yuehong Li, Ziqi Zhang, Haoting Chen, Zixin Zheng, Yan Sun, Wenxiang Wang
Summary: This study revealed that exposure to lower levels of air pollutants led to decreased pregnancy rates, with PM10, NO2, SO2, and CO emerging as the four most prominent pollutants. Individuals aged 35 and above exhibited heightened susceptibility to pollutants.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ali Shaan Manzoor Ghumman, Rashid Shamsuddin, Amin Abbasi, Mohaira Ahmad, Yoshiaki Yoshida, Abdul Sami, Hamad Almohamadi
Summary: In this study, inverse vulcanized polysulfides (IVP) were synthesized by reacting molten sulfur with 4-vinyl benzyl chloride, and then functionalized using N-methyl D-glucamine (NMDG). The functionalized IVP showed a high mercury adsorption capacity and a machine learning model was developed to predict the amount of mercury removed. Furthermore, the functionalized IVP can be regenerated and reused, providing a sustainable and cost-effective adsorbent.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rita Bonfiglio, Renata Sisto, Stefano Casciardi, Valeria Palumbo, Maria Paola Scioli, Erica Giacobbi, Francesca Servadei, Gerry Melino, Alessandro Mauriello, Manuel Scimeca
Summary: This study investigated the presence of aluminum in human colon cancer samples and its potential association with biological processes involved in cancer progression. Aluminum was found in tumor areas of 24% of patients and was associated with epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cell death. Additional analyses revealed higher tumor mutational burden and mutations in genes related to EMT and apoptosis in aluminum-positive colon cancers. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of aluminum toxicity may improve strategies for the management of colon cancer patients.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)