Article
Engineering, Environmental
Reza Irani, Ali Baradar Khoshfetrat, Mojtaba Forouzesh
Summary: A study on the removal of COD, ammonium, and total coliforms from real municipal wastewater using a combination of biological attached growth reactor and simultaneous pre and post-ozonation processes showed promising results with complete ammonium removal and 94% COD removal achieved. The ozonation process was found to be the main energy consumption source in the treatment system.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maria Neth, Ann Mattsson, Britt-Marie Wilen, Oskar Modin
Summary: Sustainability assessment using multicriteria analysis is a structured method that incorporates criteria from the three dimensions of sustainability (environmental, economic, and social) when comparing alternatives. The conventional methods lack transparency in terms of the consequences of different criteria weights, which the amended method addresses using weighted score ratios. This increases transparency and objectivity by allowing comparison with other assessments and reference values from society.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Daniel Sauter, Andrea Steuer, Kenneth Wasmund, Bela Hausmann, Ulrich Szewzyk, Alexander Sperlich, Regina Gnirss, Myriel Cooper, Thomas Wintgens
Summary: This study investigated the effect of filter media on the removal of organic contaminants and biofilm properties in biologically activated carbon (BAC) and anthracite biofilters. The results showed that the use of BAC improved the removal of organic pollutants and dissolved oxygen, and it was a more suitable condition for biotransformation of certain organic micropollutants compared to anthracite.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
A. Gome, K. Upadhyay
Summary: Ozonation is an effective method for treating pharmaceutical wastewater, with potential for high removal of chemical oxygen demand. The study highlights the importance of pH in ozonation treatment, showing that alkaline conditions favor the removal of chemical oxygen demand.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Anthony Heebner, Bassim Abbassi
Summary: This study evaluated a new combined treatment approach by combining ozonation and electrolysis for the mineralization of organic compounds in water. The results showed that the method was most effective for TOC removal in alkaline conditions and significantly enhanced performance compared to ozonation alone in acidic conditions. The initial pH had a more significant effect on TOC removal than current density, but both parameters were relevant. Under optimized conditions, 63% TOC removal was achieved.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yufei Shi, Shengnan Li, Liye Wang, Qingmiao Yu, Guochen Shen, Juechun Li, Ke Xu, Hongqiang Ren, Jinju Geng
Summary: The study found that ozone treatment in pharmaceutical wastewater is effective in attacking high molecular weight DOM, improving biodegradability. Hydrophobic acids contain the most aromatic and unsaturated bonded organic matter and are more easily oxidized under ozone treatment.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bin Cui, Shaozhu Fu, Xin Hao, Dandan Zhou
Summary: In this study, a simultaneous combination of ozonation and biodegradation (SCOB) was proposed to treat coking wastewater. The SCOB system showed higher COD and total phenol removal compared to individual biodegradation and ozonation systems. Ozonation contributed to the oxidation of organics with unsaturated functional groups and soluble microbial products (SMPs), resulting in a decrease in effluent toxicity and chroma. The core of the carrier became the dominant region for biodegradation, leading to the stabilization of COD removal at >80%.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zafar Masood, Amir Ikhlaq, Umar Farooq, Fei Qi, Farhan Javed, Hafiz Abdul Aziz
Summary: The objective of this study is to investigate the degradation of antibiotics in real veterinary pharmaceutical wastewater using a combined Electroflocculation and catalytic ozonation process. The results showed that the combined process had the highest elimination efficiency for BOD, COD, and turbidity, as well as for the degradation of antibiotics.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mary Farah, Jaume Giralt, Frank Stuber, Josep Font, Azael Fabregat, Agusti Fortuny
Summary: This study focuses on using hollow fiber liquid membrane technology to effectively remove pharmaceutical compounds, such as diclofenac and ibuprofen, from water. The stability and quick extraction properties of a 40% Cyanex 923 dissolved in kerosene were found to be suitable for this purpose. Ozone integration with the hollow fiber liquid membrane system in a single system significantly reduced the concentration of diclofenac and ibuprofen.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Vladislav Knytl, Pavel Masin, Vera Vlckova, Jaroslav Semerad, Klara Michalikova, Petra Najmanova, Tomas Cajthaml
Summary: This study evaluated the feasibility of using photooxidation UV/H2O2 technology as a tertiary treatment step for the removal of pharmaceuticals in wastewater treatment plants. The technology was compared with activated carbon adsorption, and both methods were found to effectively remove over 95% of the target pharmaceuticals during long-term testing. Ecotoxicity evaluations showed no increased toxicity compared to the inflow water samples for both treatment systems. From an economic perspective, the UV/H2O2 system was found to be more economically feasible in terms of operational costs.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-WATER RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Aigars Lavrinovics, Linda Mezule, Pavels Cacivkins, Talis Juhna
Summary: This study investigated the optimal initial conditions for the growth, phosphate removal, polyphosphate accumulation, and protein productivity of Chlorella vulgaris. Results showed that a 10-day period of phosphate deficiency, accompanied by low initial biomass concentration, significantly increased phosphate removal, polyphosphate accumulation, and protein productivity. The optimization model suggested that one-day biomass P-starvation with low initial biomass concentration was the most effective combination. These findings provide insights into using microalgae exposure to phosphorus stress for rapid phosphorus removal in wastewater treatment.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bing Wu, Rudraksha D. Majumdar, Daniel H. Lysak, Rajshree Ghosh Biswas, Maryam Tabatabaei-Anaraki, Amy Jenne, Xiang You, Ronald Soong, Daniel Lane, Paul A. Helm, Anna Codina, Venita Decker, Myrna J. Simpson, Andre J. Simpson
Summary: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a valuable tool for monitoring complex organic compounds in wastewater. This study demonstrates the potential of online NMR for understanding wastewater treatment processes without the need for pre-concentration. The research suggests that a combination of ozone and sunlight is effective in removing organics from wastewater, and highlights the complexity of chemical reactions involved in wastewater treatment.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yuting Yuan, Shikha Garg, Yuan Wang, Wenbo Li, Guifeng Chen, Minglong Gao, Jinlong Zhong, Jikun Wang, T. David Waite
Summary: The presence of salts, particularly chloride ions, significantly influences the performance of both conventional and catalytic ozonation processes by affecting the rate and extent of organic compound degradation. This influence is due to scavenging of O-3, transformation of organics to more hydrophobic forms, and inhibition of hydroxyl radicals. Through appropriate choice of catalyst, this effect can be mitigated to some extent.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
L. Jothinathan, Q. Q. Cai, S. L. Ong, J. Y. Hu
Summary: The combined microbubble-catalytic ozonation process (M-O-3/Fe/GAC) was found to significantly enhance the efficiency of ozonation in petrochemical wastewater treatment, achieving a COD removal efficiency of 88% and a reduction of phenolic compounds by 63% within 15 minutes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Daniele Mousel, Daniel Bastian, Julian Firk, Laurence Palmowski, Johannes Pinnekamp
Summary: Health care facilities can be point sources of pharmaceutical residues in public sewer systems. This study found that combining biological treatment with further processes such as activated carbon adsorption, ozonation and advanced oxidation can effectively remove pharmaceutical residues from wastewater in nursing homes, orthopaedic clinics, and psychiatric clinics. The results demonstrate the general suitability of these treatment methods for eliminating pharmaceutical residues, with the advanced oxidation process showing the highest energy demand.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Selina Tisler, Chuanzhou Liang, Pedro N. Carvalho, Kai Bester
Summary: The study identified previously unknown EO/PO copolymers and their metabolites in wastewater effluent, showing high removal rates for most copolymers in MBBR treatments. Compounds with higher EO and PO units demonstrated greater removal efficiency, while the fate of degradation products in the environment warrants further attention.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yi Cai, Jasper T. Koning, Kai Bester, Ulla E. Bollmann
Summary: This study investigated the hydrolysis and photolysis of biocides in marine environments, showing that these compounds hydrolyze completely in seawater within 24 hours and have higher photodegradation rates in coastal water. The hydrolysis products DMST and DMSA exhibit faster transformation in coastal water, while N,N-dimethylsulfamide (DMS) was identified as a major phototransformation product with potential persistence in the environment. Newly identified direct and indirect photoproducts were also observed.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jasper. T. Koning, Ulla. E. Bollmann, K. Bester
Summary: The study showed that tolylfluanid can be rapidly removed by biodegradation in marine environments, while dichlofluanid, tralopyril, and medetomidine remained in the system for longer periods of time. The prolonged stability of these biocides could lead to the potential for accumulation in the environment, including the recalcitrant transformation product N,N-DMS from dichlofluanid and tolylfluanid hydrolysis.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
David Fernandez-Calvino, Johannes Rousk, Erland Baath, Ulla E. Bollmann, Kai Bester, Kristian K. Brandt
Summary: The study found that the inhibition of soil microorganisms by terbutryn increased with prolonged exposure, suggesting that current ecotoxicological guidelines may underestimate the risks posed by chemicals to soil microorganisms.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
M. Ekblad, R. Juarez, P. Falas, K. Bester, M. Hagman, M. Cimbritz
Summary: The study found that short hydraulic retention time was sufficient for organic micropollutant removal, and higher removal efficiency was achieved after on-site addition of aluminum chloride.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Rozita Madadi, Kai Bester
Summary: This paper reviews the recent applications of fungi in removing organic micropollutants from wastewater, including fungal bioreactors and biofilm technologies. Recommendations for further research in combining fungal biofilm with adsorption technologies using porous carbonaceous materials are also provided.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Rui Li, Sylvie Braekevelt, Johan Le Nepvou De Carfort, Shazad Hussain, Ulla E. Bollmann, Kai Bester
Summary: Aquaporin-based forward osmosis (AQP FO) membranes were used in laboratory and pilot-scale experiments to remove micropollutants from water. Results showed high rejection rates for most micropollutants, with only a few compounds passing through the membrane to some extent. The study demonstrated the effectiveness of the AQP FO system in removing micropollutants from water.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chuanzhou Liang, Nadieh de Jonge, Pedro N. Carvalho, Jeppe Lund Nielsen, Kai Bester
Summary: This study revealed a complex relationship between microbial communities and micropollutant removal in the feast-famine regime, with significant changes in biotransformation kinetics over time. The kDNA of most micropollutants declined with adaptation time, indicating a slower proliferation of potential degraders. The microbial community shifted significantly during the initial days of operation, ultimately enriching nitrifiers and showing potential biomarkers linking to micropollutant biotransformation.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ellen Edefell, Per Falas, Elena Torresi, Marinette Hagman, Michael Cimbritz, Kai Bester, Magnus Christensson
Summary: A novel process configuration with additional substrate from primary treated wastewater was designed to improve micropollutant removal in MBBRs with low substrate availability. The recirculating MBBR showed a significant increase in biomass concentration and micropollutant degradation rates, with aerobic conditions being critical for high degradation rates. The results suggest that degradation rates normalized to carrier surface area can facilitate the comparison of different biofilm systems.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Rui Li, Haris Kadrispahic, Mads Koustrup Jorgensen, Sisse Brondum Berg, Dines Thornberg, Artur Tomasz Mielczarek, Kai Bester
Summary: The study showed that the cMBR system can effectively remove organic matter and micropollutants, with sludge concentration lower but activity significantly higher than conventional WWTPs, resulting in efficient oxygen consumption and micropollutant removal.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ruben Juarez, Stina Karlsson, Per Falas, Asa Davidsson, Kai Bester, Michael Cimbritz
Summary: Ozonation is a well-established technique for reducing organic micropollutants in wastewater, but predicting ozone demand is still limited, especially in the presence of suspended solids. A new tool was developed to predict the removal of micropollutants based on dissolved and particulate matter. The study found that suspended solids had a varying effect on the removal of different micropollutants, with a generally small impact. Integration of removal constants based on COD and SS allowed for accurate modeling of micropollutant removal in an ozone pilot plant.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Suman Kharel, Peter R. Tentscher, Kai Bester
Summary: This study reveals the previously unknown ozonation products that can be formed from venlafaxine and tramadol during the ozonation of wastewater. These transformation products are formed by adding one to three oxygen atoms and removing C, -CH2, C2H2, C3H6, etc., from the parent molecule. Most of these products originate from the direct reaction with ozone, while a few come from the reaction with OH radicals.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Rui Li, Chuanzhou Liang, Sif B. Svendsen, Vaidotas Kisielius, Kai Bester
Summary: The concentrations of sartans, a group of blood pressure-regulating pharmaceuticals, were monitored in 80 wastewater treatment plants in the Baltic Sea Region, with significant differences observed among different countries. The degradation of sartans in different types of treatment plants was investigated, revealing the formation of several new metabolites. The impact of substrate composition on the degradation and formation of metabolites was also examined. In a full-scale wastewater treatment plant, the removal efficiency of sartans and their transformation products was variable, indicating the need for further optimization.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Sif B. Svendsen, Lucas Rebien Jorgensen, Chuanzhou Liang, Pedro N. Carvalho, Sille Bendix Larsen, Kai Bester
Summary: This study systematically investigates the effect of intermittent feeding with carbon on pharmaceutical degradation in MBBR. The results show that intermittent feeding can increase or decrease the degradation rate constants (K) depending on the pharmaceuticals. The relationship between K and carbon loading varies for different compounds, suggesting the need for compound-specific optimization in MBBR processes.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
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)
