Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jamiu O. Eniola, Rajeev Kumar, M. A. Barakat, Jamshaid Rashid
Summary: The review highlights the need for innovative approaches to tackle pharmaceutical pollutants in drinking water and wastewater. Conventional treatment methods are limited in their efficiency for removing pharmaceutical pollutants, necessitating the development of new and advanced treatment technologies. Hybrid technology and membrane bioreactors show promise in enhancing the removal efficacy of pharmaceutical pollutants. Future research should focus on the integration of multiple technologies to achieve better removal of pharmaceuticals.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Review
Agricultural Engineering
V. Godvin Sharmila, Vinay Kumar Tyagi, Sunita Varjani, J. Rajesh Banu
Summary: Wastewater disposal has negative impacts on aquatic and human life, and removing contaminants is essential. Utilizing biochar produced from the thermal decomposition of lignocellulosic biomass is a sustainable option. Biochar, with its unique characteristics such as high surface area, porous structure, oxygen functional groups, and low cost, has emerged as a potential catalyst for effective wastewater treatment.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Soumya Ghosh, Sina Pourebrahimi, Alhadji Malloum, Oluwaseun Jacob Ajala, Samar Sami Alkafaas, Helen Onyeaka, Nnabueze Darlington Nnaji, Andrew Oroke, Charne Bornman, Osagie Christian, Shabnam Ahmadi, Mohd Youns Wani
Summary: This review discusses the ecotoxicological impacts of ciprofloxacin on the environment. Various sustainable remediation technologies and adsorbents have been studied, with carbon-based adsorbents showing higher adsorption capacity. The Langmuir-Freundlich and pseudo-second-order models are suitable for describing the isotherm and kinetics of the adsorption processes. The aim of this review is to provide comprehensive insights for developing innovative treatment methods for ciprofloxacin-contaminated waters.
MATERIALS TODAY COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Chemical
Manali Date, Dipika Jaspal
Summary: This manuscript provides a comprehensive review of probable elimination methods for the treatment of pharmaceutical wastewater. Photocatalysis, electro-Fenton, and combined hybrid techniques are found to be the most evolving techniques from the futuristic viewpoint, environmental consciousness, and cost efficacy.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Ugochukwu Ewuzie, Oluwaseyi D. Saliu, Kanika Dulta, Samuel Ogunniyi, Abdulhafiz Onipe Bajehg, Kingsley O. Iwuozori, Joshua O. Ighaloj
Summary: This study reviews the literature on various technologies used for the treatment of printing and dyeing wastewater (PDW). It reveals that adsorption, membrane technology, and biological processes are effective in removing contaminants from PDW, while advanced oxidation processes are the most viable technique due to its simplicity, efficiency, and economic benefits. The study also highlights future prospects such as product recovery, modeling and optimization of printing and dyeing processes, and zero liquid and waste discharge.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
P. Ganesh Kumar, S. Kanmani, P. Senthil Kumar, Kowsalya Vellingiri
Summary: The main aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of different advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) combined with adsorption for the treatment of municipal wastewater. The results demonstrated that UV/PMS, O3/PMS, UV/O3/H2O2, and UV/O3/MnO2 processes combined with a glass packed bed reactor (GPBR) achieved significant removal of organic pollutants and complete inactivation of bacterial count. The combination of AOP and adsorption also resulted in reduced concentrations of by-products in the treated effluent, making it suitable for indirect potable reuse (IPR) applications.
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Lumin Liu, Zhao Chen, Jianwei Zhang, Dan Shan, Yang Wu, Liming Bai, Baiqi Wang
Summary: This study focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) in treating textile dye wastewater and pharmaceutical residue wastewater, explores the effects of introducing nanocatalysts, and summarizes key mechanisms of pollutant degradation.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Amit K. Thakur, Rahul Kumar, Ashutosh Kumar, Ravi Shankar, Nadeem A. Khan, Kaushal Naresh Gupta, Mahendra Ram, Raj Kumar Arya
Summary: The presence of pharmaceutical compounds (PCs) in aqueous systems poses a significant threat to ecological systems. Advanced oxidation-based integrated techniques have emerged as promising solutions for the effective degradation of PCs. This study provides a critical review of these techniques, including their integration with adsorption, membrane filtration, and biological methods, and conducts a comparative study to assess their treatment efficiency, versatility, complexity, energy consumption, and treatment cost.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fehmiye Gul Tokay Yilmaz, Gulen Tekin, Gulin Ersoz, Suheyda Atalay
Summary: Wastewater management is crucial for sustaining biological life in the future. This study focused on combining photo-Fenton-like oxidation and adsorption to improve the water quality of textile wastewater for reuse. The operational parameters were optimized and it was found that adsorption was necessary to make the treated water reusable in terms of organic content.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nadia Morin-Crini, Eric Lichtfouse, Marc Fourmentin, Ana Rita Lado Ribeiro, Constantinos Noutsopoulos, Francesca Mapelli, Eva Fenyvesi, Melissa Gurgel Adeodato Vieira, Lorenzo A. Picos-Corrales, Juan Carlos Moreno-Pirajan, Liliana Giraldo, Tamas Sohajda, Mohammad Mahmudul Huq, Jafar Soltan, Giangiacomo Torri, Monica Magureanu, Corina Bradu, Gregorio Crini
Summary: The rise of emerging contaminants presents challenges for the scientific community and water treatment stakeholders to develop remediation techniques that are simple, practical, inexpensive, effective, and environmentally friendly. Adsorption-oriented processes and advanced oxidation processes are the most promising strategies for removing emerging contaminants in wastewater.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Electrochemistry
V. J. Gonzalez-Nava, F. J. Bacame-Valenzuela, Y. Reyes-Vidal, J. Manriquez, S. Sepulveda-Guzman, E. Bustos
Summary: Hemodialysis is used for kidney failure patients to remove impurities from the blood. This research studied the treatment of synthetic hemodialysis water under different pH conditions. The results showed significant removal of impurities and reduction of salts.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Chemical
Azhan Ahmad, Monali Priyadarshini, Shraddha Yadav, Makarand M. Ghangrekar, Rao Y. Surampalli
Summary: Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are highly toxic to aquatic and human life and need to be removed from wastewater before discharge. Biochar (BC) based metal composites have been widely used in advanced technologies to degrade POPs, but raw BC has certain limitations that require modification. This state-of-the-art review discusses the application of BC-based advanced technologies and their basic mechanisms for POPs remediation, as well as the associated risks, synthesis procedures, and reusability of BC. The bottlenecks for real-life applications and commercialization of BC-based catalysts in advanced technologies are also highlighted.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH & DESIGN
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
A. K. Priya, Lalitha Gnanasekaran, Saravanan Rajendran, Jiaqian Qin, Yasser Vasseghian
Summary: Synthetic and indigenous products contribute to micropollutants, including pharmaceuticals, personal care items, steroid hormones, and agrochemicals, which can harm living organisms even at low concentrations. Residual PPPs at dangerously high levels have been detected in the ecosystem, with residential sewage treatment plants being a major source. These pollutants have a longer lifespan in the environment due to their robust structure.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Betsy M. Martinez-Vaz, Anthony G. Dodge, Rachael M. Lucero, Randy B. Stockbridge, Ashley A. Robinson, Lambros J. Tassoulas, Lawrence P. Wackett
Summary: In this study, two bacteria capable of degrading metformin, a major pollutant in wastewater treatment plants, were isolated and characterized. The bacteria were found to metabolize metformin and its breakdown products, utilizing nitrogen atoms for growth. The genomes of the bacteria were obtained, and genes involved in the transport of metformin and the metabolism of its intermediate were identified. These findings contribute to the understanding and bioremediation of metformin pollution in wastewater treatment plants.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Alena Kulist'akova
Summary: The majority of current wastewater treatment technologies are ineffective in removing pharmaceutical micropollutants, resulting in their discharge into surface water bodies and causing significant harm to fragile ecosystems. The European Commission has published an expansion of legislation for surface water that includes the monitoring and limitation of the discharge of nine pharmaceuticals. Photochemical advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have shown promise in efficiently removing micropollutants and could potentially reduce the pharmaceutical burden in wastewater. However, there are challenges that limit their widespread use in treatment plants. This review fills the gap in summarizing and assessing the current trends in the utilization of photochemical AOPs for pharmaceutical micropollutant removal in wastewater treatment, representing the first attempt to address this topic.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Khawla Chouchene, Teresa Rocha-Santos, Mohamed Ksibi
Summary: Microplastics are a significant solid waste pollutant in marine environments, and this study investigated their presence in sediment samples from the southwestern Kerkennah archipelago in Tunisia. The study found microplastics in all samples, predominantly in the form of fibers and fragments, with white and transparent colors being the most common. Additionally, trace metals such as Zn, Cu, Pb, Cr, and Ni were also detected in the sediments at concentrations ranging from 0.12 to 3.48 μg/g.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ruth Pereira, Sirine Bouguerra, Isabel Lopes, Barbara Santos, Catarina R. Marques, Catia Silva, Amira Mestiri, Silja Frankenbach, Olfa Hentati, Moncef Khadraoui, Joerg Roembke, Mohamed Ksibi, Abdelmajid Haddioui, Jose Paulo Sousa, Fernando J. M. Goncalves
Summary: This study investigates the environmental risks posed by phosphogypsum (PG) stacks to surrounding soils in Sfax, Republic of Tunisia, using an environmental risk assessment (ERA) framework. The integrated risks from the weight of evidence approach supported by chemical and ecotoxicological evidence indicate values greater than 0.5 in the PG stack surrounding area soils. Soil salinization and lack of consistency between evidence lines have likely contributed to the exacerbation of risks, highlighting the need to reconsider the weight given to each line of evidence in areas with soil salinization.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Imen Ben Chabchoubi, Sirine Bouguerra, Mohamed Ksibi, Olfa Hentati
Summary: Management of phosphogypsum heap in Tunisia has posed environmental problems due to the challenge of dumping solid waste, even though it is used as an amendment to agricultural soils. Research shows that increasing the rate of PG amendment leads to higher bioconcentration factors of heavy metals in plants, especially in roots. Therefore, the rate of PG amendment should not exceed 10% to reduce health risks associated with exposure to heavy metals.
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Taoufik El Rasafi, Ruth Pereira, Gloria Pinto, Fernando J. M. Goncalves, Abdelmajid Haddioui, Mohamed Ksibi, Jorg Roembke, Jose Paulo Sousa, Catarina R. Marques
Summary: The study aimed to examine the phytoremediation potential of Eucalyptus globulus in cleaning up metal-contaminated soils, with results showing that the plant can grow and absorb some metals, although at a lower rate in contaminated soils. This suggests that Eucalyptus globulus may potentially be used for phytoremediation of metal-contaminated soils.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Afef Zouch, Yannick Mamindy-Pajany, Nor-Edine Abriak, Mohamed Ksibi
Summary: This research aimed to assess the agronomic values and environmental impacts of growing media made from waterways sediments and green waste. The results showed that the growing media met most ecolabel requirements, but did not comply with certain EU Ecolabel guidelines. Additionally, some pollutants were found to be higher in the growing media compared to European ecolabel products.
WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Meryem Hdidou, Mohamed Chaker Necibi, Jerome Labille, Souad El Hajjaji, Driss Dhiba, Abdelghani Chehbouni, Nicolas Roche
Summary: Located in an arid region, Morocco is facing water scarcity challenges. Constructed wetlands (CWs) are a suitable technology for wastewater treatment and reuse in remote rural areas. Studies showed that CWs have high removal efficiency for conventional contaminants, heavy metals, and emerging pollutants. However, microbial contamination removal is challenging and requires additional treatment.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yassine Jari, Nicolas Roche, Mohamed Chaker Necibi, Souad El Hajjaji, Driss Dhiba, Abdelghani Chehbouni
Summary: The rapid growth of anthropogenic activities has led to the emergence of numerous new chemical compounds in the environment, known as emerging pollutants. These pollutants are of increasing interest to the scientific community due to their bioaccumulation, persistence, and adverse effects. This review focuses on discussing the source, occurrence, impacts, and treatment methods of bisphenol A, atrazine, amoxicillin, and paracetamol as model molecules of emerging environmental pollutants, with a particular emphasis on the underrepresented research in Morocco.
JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Mohamed Ksibi, Moncef Khadhraoui, Amjad Kallel, Fatma Aloulou, Imed Guargouri, Abdelkrim Daoud, Moncef Zairi, Monem Kallel, Boubaker Elleuch, Hamed Ben Dhia
Summary: The major challenge for the second-largest city in Tunisia, Sfax, is how to transition successfully to green and innovative sustainable development. A group of researchers from Sfax University has collaborated to analyze the city's environmental issues and propose solutions. This review aims to highlight the city's environmental problems and encourage its transformation into a sustainable metropolis.
EURO-MEDITERRANEAN JOURNAL FOR ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRATION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Nozha Abid, Mohamed Ali Masmoudi, Marwa Megdiche, Abdellatif Barakat, Mariam Ellouze, Mohamed Chamkha, Mohamed Ksibi, Sami Sayadi
Summary: This study for the first time discusses the valorization of olive mill solid waste (OMSW) into biochar (BC) as an adsorbent for polyphenols in olive mill waste water (OMW). The optimization of process parameters using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) reveals the significant influence of pH, adsorbent dosage, pyrolysis temperature, and polyphenols loading on the adsorption. The Freundlich isotherm model effectively describes the experimental adsorption process, with a maximum polyphenol adsorption of 140.47 mg/g at 30 degrees C.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH & DESIGN
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Khawla Chouchene, Tommaso Nacci, Francesca Modugno, Valter Castelvetro, Mohamed Ksibi
Summary: Plastic film mulching and use of wastewaters for irrigation are common agricultural practices in Tunisia, which have led to the contamination of farmland soil by microplastics. A study in the Moknine province found that the predominant type of microplastics in the soil is polypropylene, and these microplastics also carry a wide range of heavy metals, indicating soil contamination.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Afef Zouch, Yannick Mamindy-Pajany, Abdelhadi Bouchikhi, Nor-Edine Abriak, Mohamed Ksibi
Summary: This study investigated the use of sediments from Tunisian harbors in geopolymer matrices. The results showed that substituting sand with sediments can improve the properties of mortars, including mechanical and physicochemical properties.
JOURNAL OF MATERIAL CYCLES AND WASTE MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Claire Lallemand, Jean Paul Ambrosi, Daniel Borschneck, Bernard Angeletti, Perrine Chaurand, Andrea Campos, Morgane Desmau, Till Fehlauer, Melanie Auffan, Jerome Labille, Nicolas Roche, Laurent Poizat, Blanche Collin, Jerome Rose, Clement Levard
Summary: In the context of resource overexploitation, a circular economy and resource extraction from secondary sources are crucial for sustainable development. This study investigated an alternative method for recovering rare earth elements (REEs) through soft and selective dissolution protocols. The results showed that citric acid and tartaric acid exhibited satisfactory dissolution of REEs, while heavy REEs remained largely undissolved.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Sameh Jallouli, Khawla Chouchene, Mohamed Ben Hmida, Mohamed Ksibi
Summary: This study investigated the possibility of treating hemodialysis wastewater (HWW) by combining electro-coagulation (EC) and electro-oxidation (EO) processes and adsorption. The results showed that the combination of EC, EO, and activated carbon (AC) can effectively remove dissolved micropollutants and mineralize pharmaceutical residues in HWW. The treated water can be reused in agriculture, making it an alternative method of wastewater treatment in line with the concept of green dialysis.
Review
Urology & Nephrology
Mohamed Ben Hmida, Tahar Mechichi, Giorgina Barbara Piccoli, Mohamed Ksibi
Summary: Water is a dwindling resource, but people wrongly assume that potable water is unlimited. Hemodialysis, a water-intensive treatment, has a significant impact on the environment. Circular water management, focusing on reducing, reusing, and recycling water, can help save water resources. Awareness and sustainability should be integrated into dialysis treatments, and effective communication is crucial for water savings.
KIDNEY INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Melanie Auffan, Abdoul Karim Kabore, Anais Cuny, Oulfat Amin Ali, Mohammed Barakat, Bernard Angeletti, Olivier Proux, Jean-Yves Bottero, Nicolas Roche, Catherine Santaella
Summary: This study investigated the effect of nanomaterials on anaerobic digestion and biogas production. The presence of nanomaterials was found to impact the activity and biogas production of anaerobic sludge.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-NANO
(2022)
