Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Nital Patel, Jayesh Ruparelia, Jayesh Barve
Summary: This paper presents a one-dimensional modeling of sedimentation process in lab-scale circular and rectangular primary clarifiers using flux theory. The model simulation successfully predicts effluent total suspended solids and TSS along the height of the primary clarifiers, showing better removal of suspended solids in circular clarifiers compared to rectangular clarifiers under specific operating conditions.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Sylwan Ida, Thorin Eva
Summary: Resource reuse has become important in wastewater management, with the use of sludge in agriculture being a major route. Enhanced removal of heavy metals during primary treatment can decrease concentrations in both effluent and sludge for long-term reuse. Specific assessment of technologies for improved heavy metal removal is needed due to variations in total heavy metal concentrations in raw wastewater. Coagulation/flocculation and low-cost sorbents are promising methods for enhancing heavy metal removal during primary settling.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Haruka Takeuchi, Shuhei Tanaka, Ceyda Zeynep Koyuncu, Norihide Nakada
Summary: Microplastic (MP) pollution is a growing global concern affecting environmental water quality. Primary and secondary treatment processes in conventional wastewater treatment plants efficiently remove most MPs, but fail to effectively remove MPs with a diameter smaller than 20 μm. This study evaluated the effectiveness of ceramic membranes for tertiary treatment to enhance the removal of MPs from wastewater. The results showed that ceramic membranes can further remove more than 72% of MPs, leading to a total removal rate of over 96% when combined with the activated sludge process.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Kayode Adesina Adegoke, Folasade Abimbola Adu, Abel Kolawole Oyebamiji, Abayomi Bamisaye, Rasheed Adewale Adigun, Samuel Olaniyi Olasoji, Oluwasayo Esther Ogunjinmi
Summary: This study presents recent advancements in technologies for the removal of microplastics (MPs) in water bodies. The study discusses the production, origin, and global complexity of MPs, as well as their transportation, feedstock polymers, toxicities, detection techniques, and conventional removal strategies. It also introduces modified conventional methods and new materials/techniques for MPs removal, such as magnetic extraction and sol-gel technique. The study concludes with future research outlooks for advancing MPs removal technologies and materials.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
So -Young Lee, Jiyul An, Jinwoo Kim, Jung-Hwan Kwon
Summary: This study investigated the settling of microplastics (MPs) of different sizes and materials. The formation of biofilms on MPs was found to enhance their aggregation with other particles and alter their settling rates. The settling fractions of cylindrical MPs significantly increased with the formation of biofilms, while the behavior of fragmented MPs was more complex and unpredictable. The experimental findings can be used to predict the removal efficiencies of MPs in wastewater treatment plants and the sinking of MPs to bottom sediments in static waterbodies.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Khoa Nam Ngo, Tim Van Winckel, Arash Massoudieh, Bernhard Wett, Ahmed Al-Omari, Sudhir Murthy, Imre Takacs, Haydee De Clippeleir
Summary: This study developed an empirical function based on a practical experimental approach to calculate the settling coefficient r(p) value, improving the accuracy and predictive power of settling clarifier models. The proposed empirical function was validated over four years with five different sludge types, demonstrating good effluent quality prediction and advancing the predictive capabilities of clarification models towards effluent quality and clarifier performance.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Marie Riisgaard-Jensen, Giulia Dottorini, Marta Nierychlo, Per Halkjaer Nielsen
Summary: The immigration of bacteria in influent wastewater has a strong impact on the microbial community of activated sludge in wastewater treatment plants. The use of primary settlers can selectively increase or reduce the abundance of certain bacteria. The process of primary settling changes the microbial community of influent wastewater and can be a candidate for upstream control to optimize the assembly of microbial communities in activated sludge.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Maocai Shen, Yaxing Zhang, Eydhah Almatrafi, Tong Hu, Chengyun Zhou, Biao Song, Zhuotong Zeng, Guangming Zeng
Summary: This study investigated the removal performance, mechanism, and influencing factors of microplastics in wastewater treatment by electrocoagulation (EC). It was found that aluminum anode EC is an effective method to remove microplastics with a removal rate above 80%. The efficiency of microplastic removal by EC is influenced by electrolyte concentration and applied voltage density, with flocculation and charge neutralization occurring simultaneously during the process.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Thuhin K. Dey, Md Elias Uddin, Mamun Jamal
Summary: The pervasiveness of microplastics in aquatic ecosystems has raised concerns due to their potential negative impacts on the entire food chain. Research has shown that microplastics not only disrupt the digestive behavior of aquatic organisms but also pose health risks to humans.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Zhenjia Xu, Xue Bai, Zhengfang Ye
Summary: This article summarizes the generation process, removal efficiency, and impact of sludge treatment on microplastics in wastewater treatment plants, indicating that the average removal efficiency of MPs is less than 90%, and the removal is affected by the choice of wastewater treatment process and the properties of MPs.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zohre Kurt, Irmak Ozdemir, R. Arthur M. James
Summary: This article critically evaluates the physical, chemical, and biological treatment methods used in actual wastewater treatment plants to remove microplastics and summarizes the parameters that affect their removal. The study finds that applying these methods separately or in combination can achieve high rates of microplastics removal.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Dounia Elkhatib, Vinka Oyanedel-Craver, Elvis Carissimi
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy of electrocoagulation methods for the removal of microplastics from synthetic solutions and wastewater samples. The results showed high removal efficiency in both cases, with reduced operational costs and simultaneous reduction of COD and thermotolerant coliform colonies.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Bing Yuan, Wenhui Gan, Jian Sun, Binliang Lin, Zhihe Chen
Summary: Microplastics, plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, are a widespread and growing threat to the environment as they accumulate and impact global ecosystems. Current knowledge on microplastic sedimentation from inland water to coastal areas is reviewed, focusing on the physical characteristics of microplastics and the environmental factors that influence sedimentation. The abundance, shape, composition, and timeline of microplastics in sediment layers in various water bodies are discussed. Factors such as size, shape, and density of microplastics, as well as dynamic forces, topography, bioturbation, and human activities, affect the spatiotemporal characteristics of microplastic sedimentation. Understanding these factors is crucial for estimating the global plastic budget from land to seas.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Liyuan Hou, Deepak Kumar, Chang Geun Yoo, Ivan Gitsov, Erica L. -W. Majumder
Summary: Wastewater treatment plants and landfills are important contributors of microplastics to environmental pollution. Current research focuses on the composition and life cycle of microplastics in these sites, as well as potential technologies for capturing and upcycling them.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Kuok Ho Daniel Tang
Summary: This article discusses the feasibility of using bioaugmentation in anaerobic digestion to enhance microplastics removal, as well as the sources of microplastics through the application of agricultural biosolids. It is found that various anaerobic bacteria have the ability to degrade microplastics, with Clos-tridium sp. being a promising candidate for bioaugmentation. However, further pilot and full-scale studies are needed to evaluate the feasibility of bioaugmentation, and there may be unknown risks associated with the introduction of recombinant anaerobes into the environment.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fatima C. F. Santos, Rudo A. Verweij, Cornelis A. M. van Gestel, Monica J. B. Amorim
Summary: Chromium emissions led to increased concentrations in soil, affecting soil organisms. Toxicokinetics-toxicodynamics of Cr were evaluated in Enchytraeus crypticus to assess internal concentrations and toxic effects. Internal Cr concentrations increased with time, reaching equilibrium within 14 days, with an estimated LC50inter of 57.7 mg Cr/kg body DW. At high concentrations, organisms were unable to eliminate Cr, resulting in detrimental effects on survival and reproduction.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Guangquan Chen, Shiyi Xiong, Qiao Jing, Cornelis A. M. van Gestel, Nico M. van Straalen, Dick Roelofs, Luming Sun, Hao Qiu
Summary: This study investigated the effects of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) on fetal development and cholesterol metabolism in mice. The exposure to PS-NPs led to a decline in fetal weights and abnormal cell morphologies in the placenta and fetus. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed disturbances in cholesterol metabolism and other pathways, offering new insights into the mechanisms underlying the detrimental effects of PS-NPs on placenta and fetus.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Behnaz Karimi, Seyed Hossein Hashemi, Hossein Aghighi
Summary: This study aimed to develop an optimized retrieval algorithm using the random forest method and remote sensing data to monitor total nitrogen and phosphorus parameters as key drivers for eutrophication in water bodies. The water quality monitoring data of Chitgar Lake in Tehran were used, and satellite images from 2014 to 2021 were extracted. After preprocessing the satellite images and identifying important bands using the random forest method, regression models were fitted and validated. The optimal model based on Sentinel-2 data showed good accuracy in estimating the concentration of total nitrogen and total phosphorus in Chitgar Lake.
REMOTE SENSING APPLICATIONS-SOCIETY AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fatima C. F. Santos, Rudo A. Verweij, Cornelis A. M. van Gestel, Monica J. B. Amorim
Summary: This study compared the toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics of silver in dissolved form and silver nanoparticles in Enchytraeus crypticus. The results showed that the toxicity of silver nanoparticles was higher and the toxicity of dissolved silver decreased with time.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Patricia V. Silva, Ana Rita R. Silva, Nathaniel J. Clark, Joanne Vassallo, Marta Baccaro, Neja Medve Scek, Magdalena Grgi, Abel Ferreira, Marti Busquets-Fite, Kerstin Jurkschat, Anastasios G. Papadiamantis, Victor Puntes, Iseult Lynch, Claus Svendsen, Nico W. van den Brink, Richard D. Handy, Cornelis A. M. van Gestel, Susana Loureiro
Summary: Mesocosms are useful for simulating realistic scenarios of organism exposure to nanoparticles. An indoor mesocosm experiment was conducted to assess the toxicokinetics and bioaccumulation of silver sulfide nanoparticles (Ag2S NPs) and AgNO3 in freshwater invertebrates. The study found that single-species tests could not reliably predict bioaccumulation in the more complex mesocosm scenario.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Bart G. G. van Hall, Chris Sweeney, Melanie Bottoms, Cornelis A. M. van Gestel
Summary: A better understanding of the relationship between soil organic matter (OM) content and pesticide toxicity to soil invertebrates is crucial for improving risk assessment approaches. This study collected toxicity data from various studies and found that the toxicity-OM relationship differs depending on the chemical, toxicity endpoint, and species. This suggests that current risk assessment approaches based on lipophilicity and species correction factors may not be sufficient.
INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Sagnik Sengupta, Hans Petter Leinaas, Cornelis A. M. van Gestel, Tjalling Jager, Thomas Rundberget, Katrine Borga
Summary: Survival of early life stages is crucial for population growth. The neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid, commonly used worldwide, can be toxic to non-target soil organisms. This study investigated the effects of dietary exposure to imidacloprid on the survival of juveniles in two populations of Folsomia quadrioculata. The results showed a concentration-dependent decline in survival, with different levels of vulnerability between populations and a higher mortality risk during the juvenile stage compared to the adult stage.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xueqing Xu, Hao Qiu, Cornelis A. M. Van Gestel, Bing Gong, Erkai He
Summary: The study evaluates the effects of nanopesticide CuO and nanofertilizer CeO2 on wheat under optimal and suboptimal temperatures. CuO-NPs have a stronger negative effect on plant root systems than CeO2-NPs. The toxicity of both NMs is attributed to altered nutrient uptake, induced membrane damage, and disturbance of antioxidative related biological pathways. Warming significantly inhibits root growth and enhances the toxicity of NMs.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kailun Sun, Jason C. White, Hao Qiu, Cornelis A. M. van Gestel, Willie J. G. M. Peijnenburg, Erkai He
Summary: In this study, a coelomocyte-based in vivo exposure strategy combined with lipidomics and transcriptomics was used to identify the potential risks of MoS2 nanosheets on earthworms. The results showed that nontransformed MoS2 nanosheets inhibited genes related to transmembrane transport and caused differential upregulation of phospholipid content, while UV-transformed MoS2 nanosheets specifically upregulated glyceride metabolism and lipid peroxidation degree. Pathology image quantification demonstrated that UV-transformed MoS2 nanosheets caused more severe epithelial damage and intestinal steatosis compared to nontransformed ones. This study revealed differential adverse outcome pathways and demonstrated the potential of lipidomics analysis for accurate soil risk assessment of emerging contaminants.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ioanna S. Gkika, Ge Xie, Cornelis A. M. van Gestel, Thomas L. Ter Laak, J. Arie Vonk, Annemarie P. van Wezel, Michiel H. S. Kraak
Summary: PFAS are a group of widely used persistent industrial chemicals with biases and knowledge gaps in current research, calling for more comprehensive environmental risk assessment and ecotoxicity studies.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Raquel Juan-Ovejero, Jose Alvarez-Rogel, Antonio Penalver-Alcala, Rudo A. Verweij, Cornelis A. M. van Gestel, M. Nazaret Gonzalez-Alcaraz
Summary: Abandoned metal(loid) mine tailings create hostile conditions for above- and below-ground communities due to high metal(loid) levels, organic matter and nutrient deficiency, which is exacerbated in semiarid areas. However, spontaneous plant colonization of these tailings can promote the presence of soil microarthropod communities and contribute to improving ecosystem functionality.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Somayye Sadat Alavian Petroody, Seyed Hossein Hashemi, Luka Skrlep, Branka Music, Cornelis A. M. van Gestel, Andrijana Sever Skapin
Summary: Bio-solids from wastewater treatment plants are a significant source of microplastic emissions. UV-A and UV-C exposure at high temperature can modify the structure of microplastics and accelerate their degradation. Fibers are more susceptible to degradation compared to other shapes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ana Rita R. Silva, Patricia V. Silva, Ana Raquel Soares, M. Nazaret Gonzalez-Alcaraz, Cornelis A. M. van Gestel, Dick Roelofs, Gabriela Moura, Amadeu M. V. M. Soares, Susana Loureiro
Summary: The global population growth leads to increased demand for food and the use of pesticides. Persistent pesticide contamination, such as carbendazim, remains a pressing environmental concern with potential long-term impacts on aquatic ecosystems. This study exposed Daphnia magna to carbendazim and found changes in gene transcription and reproductive impairment. However, after 12 generations, the daphnids showed some level of acclimation.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fatima C. F. Santos, Rudo A. Verweij, Amadeu M. V. M. Soares, Janeck J. Scott-Fordsmand, Cornelis A. M. van Gestel, Monica J. B. Amorim
Summary: This study assessed the multigenerational effects of silver nanomaterials (Ag NM300K) and silver salt (AgNO3) on soil invertebrates. The results showed that both forms of silver caused a decrease in reproduction, and silver uptake decreased over time. After reaching a certain concentration, detoxification mechanisms seemed to be activated, leading to a decrease in reproductive output. Transfer to clean soil allowed for complete elimination of silver from the animals.
NANOSCALE ADVANCES
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Andreia Sofia Jorge Silva, Silje Marie Kristiansen, Sagnik Sengupta, Cornelis A. M. van Gestel, Hans Petter Leinaas, Katrine Borga
Summary: By refining a method for dietary chemical exposure, this study provides insights into the effects of imidacloprid insecticide on the growth and reproduction of two Collembola species, highlighting the importance of understanding these key life history traits for population viability and growth.
