Article
Engineering, Chemical
Bilal Aftab, Jinwoo Cho, Jin Hur
Summary: The study proposed an integrated approach of UV/H2O2 oxidation with FO system to track the changes of organic composition in landfill leachate, pinpoint the organic fractions causing FO membrane fouling, and evaluate their removal efficiency. The integrated system showed improved filtered volume, reduced membrane resistance, complete flux recovery after physical cleaning, and decreased organic carbon in the membrane concentrate.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Homin Kye, Kiho Kim, Youmi Jung, Yirga Weldu Abrha, Seong-Nam Nam, Il-hwan Choi, Joon-Wun Kang, Yeojoon Yoon
Summary: The characteristics of marine dissolved organic matter vary spatially and seasonally, affecting oxidation processes, especially ozonation. Characterizing marine dissolved organic matter can help improve the effectiveness of oxidation processes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
M. D. Perez-Murcia, E. Martinez-Sabater, M. A. Domene, A. Gonzalez-Cespedes, M. A. Bustamante, F. C. Marhuenda-Egea, X. Barber, D. B. Lopez-Lluch, R. Moral
Summary: The study found that the degradation of peptides and proteins during composting can affect the biodegradation of remaining organic matter, while thermogravimetric analysis revealed that more recalcitrant compounds become predominant as the composting process progresses.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Liheng Ren, Binghua Yan, Mukesh Kumar Awasthi, Jiachao Zhang, Hongli Huang, Lihua Zhang, Lin Luo
Summary: The research found that adding distillers' grains can increase microbial activity, promoting organic matter degradation and nitrogen conservation, while significantly altering microbial community structures. Nitrate, water soluble carbon, organic matter, and ammonium are key factors influencing microbial community changes in different treatments.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wanting Xiao, Guoren Xu, Guibai Li
Summary: The study investigated the influence of nanobubble aeration on microbial aggregates, specifically activated sludge and biofilm, and found that it improved total nitrogen removal and enhanced the structure of microbial aggregates. The application of nanobubble also shifted the composition of functional substances in microbial aggregates and changed the morphology of biofilm. Additionally, it optimized the distribution of functional microorganisms and their metabolism pathways.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zeshan Arshad, Tahir Maqbool, Kyung Hoon Shin, Seung-Hee Kim, Jin Hur
Summary: The study used stable isotope-labeled soluble microbial products and substrates to investigate their assimilation in the formation of new biological products in activated sludge processes. It was found that humic-like substances were present in the non-consumable portion of SMP, and EPS formation mainly resulted from the humic-like components in SMP.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
XiuLin Huang, ShiLin An, Shuo Chen, JiaRu Dai, JingJing Liu, ShuaiLong Wen, TingZhen Li, Peng Xing, YingXun Du
Summary: This study investigated the transformation mechanism of algal-dissolved organic matter (ADOM) in natural water. The results showed that the photochemical and microbial processes had different effects on ADOM transformation, with the photochemical process causing more significant changes in certain optical parameters, and the microbial process being more effective in the degradation of DOC and CDOM.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tan He, Yang Wu, Dian Wang, Jing Cai, Jianzhong Song, Zhiqiang Yu, Xiangying Zeng, Ping 'an Peng
Summary: This study investigated the seasonal variations of the optical and molecular properties of water-soluble BrC in Guangzhou and identified the key factors affecting its light absorption and fluorescence properties. It was found that water-soluble BrC had a stronger light absorption capacity in winter and the dominant fluorophores were humic-like components. The aromaticity and N-containing species were found to be the most important chromophores affecting the light absorption of water-soluble BrC.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xingjun Fan, Feng Cai, Cuncun Xu, Xufang Yu, Yan Wang, Xin Xiao, Wenchao Ji, Tao Cao, Jianzhong Song, Ping'an Peng
Summary: This study investigated the MW-dependent characteristics of WSOM and found that different MW fractions of WSOM exhibited distinct chemical properties and compositions, with variations in the distribution ratios of organic carbon and light-absorbing chromophores. The findings provide valuable insights into the complexity and heterogeneity of WSOM, enhancing the understanding of its chemical properties and structures.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Olga A. Nev, Richard J. Lindsay, Alys Jepson, Lisa Butt, Robert E. Beardmore, Ivana Gudelj
Summary: Our study demonstrates that by incorporating growth parameters as functions of initial nutrient concentration, mathematical models can significantly improve the accuracy of predicting microbial growth and between-species competition outcomes across various initial nutrient concentrations. This dynamic approach addresses the limitation of fixed growth parameters used in current models and highlights the importance of considering variable nutrient availability in nature for better predictions of microbial dynamics.
PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Agronomy
Ruzhen Wang, Jiayu Lu, Yong Jiang, Feike A. Dijkstra
Summary: In this study, the authors expanded the conceptual framework of carbon allocation for nutrient acquisition in plants by introducing a new parameter called carbon efficiency for nutrient acquisition (CENA). They found that CENA increases with higher nutrient availability, but reaches a plateau when the availability of one nutrient increases at the expense of another. The relationship between CENA and mycorrhizal plants may differ from non-mycorrhizal plants, with CENA potentially being higher in mycorrhizal plants under low nutrient availability. Additionally, the CENA of nitrogen-fixing plants is independent of soil nitrogen availability but increases with soil phosphorus availability. The researchers conclude that these updated frameworks provide a better understanding of how plants optimize belowground carbon allocation for nutrient acquisition under varying nutrient availability conditions.
Article
Ecology
Ang Hu, Minglei Ren, Jianjun Wang
Summary: This study introduces a new method to predict microbial environmental responses using genomic traits and nutrient availability, and applies it to soil bacteria on mountainsides, revealing different metabolic responses of rare and dominant species to nutrient enrichment.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Hailiang Li, Yang Yang, M. James C. Crabbe, Haikui Chen
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between DOM component characteristics and microbial community structure in the soil of Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr. plantations. The results showed that stand age and growth season significantly affected the contents of soil PLFA biomarkers and the quality and components of soil DOM. The study also found that changes in soil DOM quality and components driven by growth season and stand age were the major drivers of variations in the soil microbial community structure.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xiaojia Chen, Chengjian Wu, Xiang Li, Chenyang Wang, Qinyu Li, Peng Zhou, Dong Wei, Jiping Shi, Zhijun Zhao
Summary: Thermophilic fermentation with Geobacillus toebii GT-02 can promote the maturity of bean dregs. GT-02 can increase the total organic carbon and dry matter loss of bean dregs, enhance microbial number, and affect the composition of microbial community.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Zhijian Mou, Luhui Kuang, Jing Zhang, Yue Li, Wenjia Wu, Chao Liang, Dafeng Hui, Hans Lambers, Jordi Sardans, Josep Penuelas, Juxiu Liu, Hai Ren, Zhanfeng Liu
Summary: The persistence of soil organic carbon (SOC) is influenced by microbial metabolic activities, but how microbial effects on SOC sequestration are affected by soil nutrient status remains unclear. This study found that higher nutrient availability promoted the production and accumulation of microbial necromass, enhancing SOC accumulation in fertile soil. In contrast, nutrient deficiency led to preferential resource allocation to stress-tolerant fungi and Gram-positive bacteria, resulting in SOC loss in infertile sand.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Quang Viet Ly, Tahir Maqbool, Zhenghua Zhang, Quyet Van Le, Xiaochan An, Yunxia Hu, Jinwoo Cho, Jianxin Li, Jin Hur
Summary: Nanomaterials have attracted significant attention as emerging adsorbents for environmental applications and their interactions with aquatic dissolved organic matter are important to study. However, a comprehensive understanding of DOM-NM complexes is still lacking and further characterization of DOM properties is needed to deepen our understanding of adsorption processes on NMs.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tahir Maqbool, Chengyue Li, Yanling Qin, Jiaxing Zhang, Muhammad Bilal Asif, Zhenghua Zhang
Summary: This study reveals the seasonal and location-dependent dynamics of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in tap water and source water of a metropolitan city. Significant changes in fluorescent DOM (FDOM) composition were observed between wet and dry seasons. Optimizing operational conditions of drinking water treatment plants is crucial after considering seasonal changes and source water characteristics.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiaxing Zhang, Tahir Maqbool, Yu Qiu, Yanling Qin, Muhammad Bilal Asif, Chao Chen, Zhenghua Zhang
Summary: The study investigated the presence of carcinogenic N-nitrosamines and dissolved organic matter (DOM) in four reservoirs in a southern Chinese city. It found that industrial and pharmaceutical-origin precursors dominated the N-nitrosamines distribution, with traces of pesticide-based precursors also present. The distribution of N-nitrosamines varied among the reservoirs, with certain compounds found abundantly in all reservoirs. Additionally, anthropogenic activities were identified as the primary source of DOM and N-nitrosamines in the city based on land-use analysis.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tahir Maqbool, Jiaxing Zhang, Qianye Li, Yanling Qin, Li Chen, Zhenghua Zhang
Summary: The study monitored the dynamics and removal of nine N-nitrosamines in three drinking water treatment systems of a southern city of China, finding that oxidation units increased N-nitrosamine concentrations while filtration and ultrafiltration membrane units effectively removed N-nitrosamine precursors.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Muhammad Saboor Siddique, Xuejun Xiong, Hankun Yang, Tahir Maqbool, Nigel Graham, Wenzheng Yu
Summary: The combination of ozone and nanofiltration in drinking water treatment effectively separates dissolved organic matter, reducing disinfection by-products formation. Ozone treatment decreases molecular weight of DOM and enhances removal of DBP precursors. Spectroscopic indices are useful in tracking DOM changes and DBP formation potential.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Muhammad Bilal Asif, Bingxuan Ji, Tahir Maqbool, Zhenghua Zhang
Summary: Membrane distillation (MD) has been a focus of research, but membrane fouling remains a challenge. This study compared the performance of standalone direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) with integrated peroxymonosulfate (PMS)/DCMD for treating surface water with algogenic organic matter (AOM), finding that the removal of conductivity and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was similar between the two methods. However, membrane fouling significantly reduced the permeate flux in the standalone DCMD. By pre-treating at 60 degrees C and using an optimum PMS concentration of 10 mM, membrane fouling could be effectively mitigated.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Quang Viet Ly, Xuan Cuong Nguyen, Ngoc C. Le, Tien-Dung Truong, Thu-Huong T. Hoang, Tae Jun Park, Tahir Maqbool, JongCheol Pyo, Kyung Hwa Cho, Kwang-Sik Lee, Jin Hur
Summary: This study used machine learning algorithms to predict algal blooms in the Han River and successfully identified the importance of water quality parameters in algal bloom prediction, with the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system showing the best performance.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Li Chen, Tahir Maqbool, Congyu Hou, Wanyi Fu, Xihui Zhang
Summary: This study investigated the effectiveness and mechanism of Mn3O4 based PMS activation for degrading BPA in water. Efficient removal of BPA and substantial mineralization were achieved under optimum conditions. Mn3O4 demonstrated high stability and reusability, with an 11% reduction in BPA removal after eight cycles of reuse.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Tahir Maqbool, Mingming Sun, Li Chen, Zhenghua Zhang
Summary: This research evaluated the performance of a reactive electrochemical ceramic membrane (REM) in treating secondary effluent and investigated the fate of dissolved organic matter (DOM) at the molecular level. The study found that REM effectively removed DOM through adsorption, electrosorption, and oxidation processes, leading to the degradation of fluorescence components and the formation of stable finished water. The combination of fluorescence spectroscopy and FT-ICR MS provided insights into the behavior of DOM during electro-oxidation in the REM system. These findings are significant for understanding the potential of REM in different water sources and predicting the composition of DOM in finished water.
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Muhammad Bilal Asif, Sidra Iftekhar, Tahir Maqbool, Biplob Kumar Pramanik, Shamas Tabraiz, Mika Sillanpaa, Zhenghua Zhang
Summary: The application and research of two-dimensional (2D) membranes in water purification have made significant progress, especially in materials like graphene. However, challenges remain in industrial production, particularly in large-scale fabrication of nanoporous membranes and ensuring membrane stability.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Tahir Maqbool, Keyou He, Lele Cui, Yangyang Zhang, Mingming Sun, Zhenghua Zhang, Quang Viet Ly
Summary: Refractory organic matter in different water matrices presents significant challenges for treatment processes. This study introduced a substoichiometric titanium oxide (Ti4O7) anode-designed reactive electrochemical membrane (REM) and comprehensively evaluated its performance in removing a surrogate refractory organic compound, humic acid (HA). The results showed that REM could efficiently remove HA at medium to high concentrations with economical energy consumption.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Keyou He, Tahir Maqbool, Mingming Sun, Zhenghua Zhang, Quang Viet Ly
Summary: This study introduces a promising energy efficient technology that uses Ti4O7 anode reactive electrochemical membrane (REM) coupled with permonosulfate (PMS) to treat HA-enriched wastewater. The hybrid PMS/REM system has better HA degradation and energy efficiency compared to the traditional REM system. The specific conditions greatly affect the removal performance.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Li Chen, Tahir Maqbool, Ghazanfar Nazir, Congyu Hou, Yulong Yang, Jianning Guo, Xihui Zhang
Summary: In this study, a highly efficient catalytic ceramic membrane (CCM) was developed for the degradation of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in drinking water. The CCM, synthesized at high calcination temperatures, effectively reduced the EDCs to trace levels through the generation of singlet oxygen (1O2) and exhibited special selectivity for phenols and bisphenols. The findings of this study can serve as a baseline for full-scale water treatment applications.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Li Chen, Tahir Maqbool, Wanyi Fu, Yulong Yang, Congyu Hou, Jianning Guo, Xihui Zhang
Summary: This study investigated the performance of catalytic ceramic membranes in activating peroxymonosulfate for the degradation of emerging organic contaminants. The results showed that the catalytic ceramic membrane can efficiently degrade different organic pollutants, and it has outstanding catalytic stability with low leaching. Hydroxylation and C-N bond cleavage were identified as the main degradation pathways.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Muhammad Bilal Asif, Chengyue Li, Baoyu Ren, Tahir Maqbool, Xihui Zhang, Zhenghua Zhang
Summary: In-situ ozonation in the ceramic MBR membrane tank, known as Oz-MBR, enhanced micropollutant removal efficiency and alleviated membrane fouling. The increased abundance of microbial taxa responsible for removing complex pollutants and/or ozone-assisted oxidation may contribute to the improved removal efficiency of micropollutants in the Oz-MBR.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)