Article
Environmental Sciences
Paraskevi Velli, Ioanna Manolikaki, Evan Diamadopoulos
Summary: The addition of sewage sludge biochar significantly improved soil characteristics, plant growth and nutrient content. The concentration of heavy metals in tomato tissues was low, with traces of some metals found in roots only. The addition of biochar also led to a decrease in the concentration of arsenic and lead in tomato fruits.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jelena Ankuda, Eugenija Baksiene, Almantas Razukas, Othmane Merah
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of fertilizing Bromopsis inermis and Phalaroides arundinacea plants with sewage sludge compost (SSC) on biomass yield and quality. The results showed that using SSC as a fertilizer had poor performance. Although fertilizing with SSC significantly increased the biomass yield of Ph. arundinacea, it also increased the concentration of heavy metals in the soil.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lin Chen, Qi Ni, Yan Wu, Chuan Fu, Wei Ping, Hongyu Bai, Mengnan Li, Hongcheng Huang, Hanshuang Liu
Summary: The study found that the insertion of sewage sludge biochar (SSB) tubule can effectively stabilize and remediate lead (Pb) and chromium (Cr) contamination in soil, transforming high-risk heavy metals into more stable forms and reducing total content.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biology
Mahmut Tepecik, Ali Riza Ongun, Huseyin Husnu Kayikcioglu, Sezai Delibacak, Omer Lutfu Elmaci, Ahmet Esen Celen, Emre Ilker
Summary: The application of treated municipal sewage sludge at different rates significantly increased cotton plant yield, especially at 30 t/ha. It also had a positive effect on the concentration of nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the plants.
SAUDI JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shunxi Zhou, Zhixiang Jiang, Junfang Shen, Qixing Yao, Xu Yang, Xiaobin Li, Mukesh Kumar Awasthi, Zengqiang Zhang
Summary: A meta-analysis was conducted on 47 peer-reviewed publications to evaluate the effect of biochar-amended compost (BAC) on plant productivity (PP) and soil quality. The results showed that BAC application significantly increased PP, total nitrogen content, and organic matter content of the soil, while decreasing the bioavailability of cadmium, lead, and zinc. However, the bioavailability of copper increased. The study identified the increase in soil organic matter content as the key mechanism for improving PP and recommended a BAC application rate of 10 to 20 t ha-1. The findings provide significant data support and technical guidance for agricultural production, but site-specific factors should be considered when applying BAC to soils.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jin Zhang, Hanyu Hu, Minyan Wang, Yanan Li, Shengchun Wu, Yucheng Cao, Peng Liang, Jianyun Zhang, Ravi Naidu, Yanju Liu, Yu Bon Man, Ming Hung Wong, Changai Zhang, Shengdao Shan
Summary: The study found that the use of biochar can increase radish yield and reduce metal accumulation in plants, with minimal impact on human health risks, but the application should be controlled below 15 t ha(-1). In addition, excessive application of sewage sludge can lead to Cd levels in the soil exceeding food standards.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Fan Yu, Hongbing Lv, Lian Fan, Lishuai Chen, Yanjun Hu, Xu Wang, Qianqian Guo, Xiaoqiang Cui, Nan Zhou, Long Jiao
Summary: The addition of poplar sawdust and low-oxygen conditions can improve the properties of sludge-derived biochar, including increasing its specific surface area and reducing the heavy metal content. The presence of 10% O2 during pyrolysis also promotes the formation of oxidizable states of heavy metals and lowers the ecotoxicity.
JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL AND APPLIED PYROLYSIS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qiao Xiong, Xiang Wu, Hang Lv, Shuhua Liu, Haobo Hou, Xu Wu
Summary: This study investigated the effects of rice husk dose and pyrolysis temperature on the phosphorus fractions and environmental risk of heavy metals in biochar co-pyrolyzed from sewage sludge and rice husk. The results showed that co-pyrolysis could improve biochar-P bioavailability, and the P species mainly existed as orthophosphate in biochar. Additionally, the toxicity and mobility of heavy metals decreased with increasing rice husk dose and pyrolysis temperature, indicating that co-pyrolysis of sewage sludge and rice husk could be a promising P reuse strategy.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Badr A. Mohamed, Roger Ruan, Muhammad Bilal, Nadeem A. Khan, Mukesh Kumar Awasthi, Mariam A. Amer, Lijian Leng, Mohamed A. Hamouda, Dai-Viet Nguyen Vo, Jian Li
Summary: The large amounts of sewage sludge produced by municipal wastewater treatment plants pose significant environmental and economic challenges, necessitating advanced disposal methods. Conventional methods of sewage sludge disposal contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. Furthermore, sewage sludge-derived biochar often cannot be directly used in soil applications due to high levels of heavy metals and other toxic compounds, which affect soil biota and earthworms. In this review, we examine the co-pyrolysis of biomass and sewage sludge, focusing on the stabilization of heavy metals and reduction of toxicity in the sludge-derived biochar. We find that co-pyrolyzing sewage sludge with biomass materials reduces heavy metal concentrations and lowers the environmental risk of the resulting biochar by up to 93%. Biochar produced from co-pyrolysis can enhance the stimulation of soil biota reproduction by 20-98%. The immobilization and transformation of heavy metals are influenced by the mixing ratio of co-feed materials, pyrolysis temperature, and atmosphere.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Karolina Barcauskaite, Olga Anne, Ieva Mockeviciene, Regina Repsiene, Gintaras Siaudinis, Danute Karcauskiene
Summary: Biochar has shown promise as a tool for immobilizing heavy metals in acidic soil. This study investigated the effects of biochar on heavy metal immobilization and its interaction with plants. The results demonstrated that biochar increased soil pH and reduced the availability of heavy metals for plants. Sequential extraction revealed different forms and distributions of heavy metals in the soil after biochar treatment and plant cultivation.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Sirui Tong, Shuping Zhang, Haoxin Yin, Jiaxing Wang, Minzi Chen
Summary: This study evaluated the co-hydrothermal treatment combined with pyrolysis of rice straw and sewage sludge to produce biochar, aiming to reasonably dispose of sewage sludge as a resource and avoid secondary pollution. Results showed a synergy between rice straw and sewage sludge during the co-HTP process, leading to slightly higher biochar yield than predicted values. The co-HTP process also promoted the increase of aromaticity and stability of biochar, with a significant increase in specific surface area. Additionally, the process decreased the total concentrations of heavy metals in biochar and helped immobilize heavy metals to reduce environmental risks.
JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL AND APPLIED PYROLYSIS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wenjin Li, Jun Meng, Yule Zhang, Ghulam Haider, Tida Ge, Haibo Zhang, Zhangtao Li, Yijun Yu, Shengdao Shan
Summary: The co-pyrolysis of sewage sludge and plastics, particularly polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastics with or without metal additives, has been investigated for the production of biochars as a solution to plastic pollution. The study compared the characteristics and environmental risks associated with heavy metals in biochars obtained from the co-pyrolysis of sludge and microplastic. The results showed that the addition of metal-loaded PVC increased the total concentrations of certain heavy metals in the biochars, but reduced their bioavailability. Furthermore, the heavy metals in biochars derived from the co-pyrolysis of sludge and metal-loaded PVC had a higher percentage of stable fraction and lower potential ecological risk index value. Overall, the study suggests that the co-pyrolysis of metal-loaded PVC microplastic and sewage sludge positively affects the immobilization of heavy metals during the process.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Min Ruan, Yanru Zhang, Xikai Wu, Yutong Sun, Zhongliang Huang, Hui Li, Zhangmao Hu, Zijian Wu, Xuan Zhang, Xiaoli Qin, Jing Huang
Summary: The effect of initial particle size (IPS) on environmental parameters and heavy metal speciation during sludge composting was investigated. The results showed that a decrease in IPS led to an increase in temperature, organic matter degradation, and heavy metal passivation effect.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dongdong Liu, Zhengkai Hao, Dengqian Chen, Lipeng Jiang, Tianqi Li, Bing Tian, Cuiping Yan, Yuan Luo, Guang Chen, Hongfu Ai
Summary: In this study, Ca-modified biochar adsorbents (CEA) were prepared using eggshell and Eupatorium adenophorum. The CEA-2 sample prepared with a 1:2 mass ratio showed a maximum Pb adsorption capacity and exhibited monolayer adsorption characteristics, mainly through chemical precipitation mechanism.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Muhammad Saqib Rashid, Guijian Liu, Balal Yousaf, Yasir Hamid, Abdul Rehman, Mehr Ahmed Mujtaba Munir, Muhammad Arif, Rafay Ahmed, Yu Song
Summary: The study demonstrates the potential of sewage sludge (SS) and derived-biochar (SSB) amendments in reducing the potential mobility of heavy metals and increasing their residual fraction in polluted soils. The amendments play a significant role in transforming heavy metals into less available forms and promoting plant growth and biomass production.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Michal Kopec, Monika Mierzwa-Hersztek, Krzysztof Gondek, Katarzyna Wolny-Koladka, Marek Zdaniewicz, Renata Jarosz
Summary: New ways of managing hop sediments from brewing and fermentation of beer are constantly being sought and the existing ones improved as part of the circular economy. The study analyses the composting of hop waste under laboratory conditions and the effects of the biological activity of composts introduced into the soil.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Renata Jarosz, Monika Mierzwa-Hersztek, Krzysztof Gondek, Michal Kopec, Tomas Losak, Lidia Marcinska-Mazur
Summary: The changes in quantitative and qualitative humus parameters in loamy sand with the addition of poultry litter (PL) and poultry litter biochar (PLB) were estimated over a 5-year study period. It was found that PL had a significant impact on the mineralization of organic matter and caused noticeable changes in humus compounds. On the other hand, PLB had a slower mineralization rate, especially at higher doses, and had a more favorable effect on the structure and mobility of humic acid carbon compared to PL.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Justyna Szerement, Alicja Szatanik-Kloc, Jakub Mokrzycki, Monika Mierzwa-Hersztek
Summary: Human micronutrient deficiencies are a widespread global issue, and agronomic biofortification of crops is seen as the cheapest strategy to alleviate hidden hunger. The review focuses on factors influencing the effectiveness of biofortified crops and discusses the accumulation of zinc, selenium, and iron in crops and their impacts on plant defense mechanisms.
JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE AND PLANT NUTRITION
(2022)
Review
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Renata Jarosz, Justyna Szerement, Krzysztof Gondek, Monika Mierzwa-Hersztek
Summary: Zeolites are porous aluminosilicates with a crystalline structure that can be used for environmental purification and plant nutrition. Their high adsorption capacity, ion exchange, and specific surface area are the reasons for their wide application in agriculture. Direct application of zeolites in soil is beneficial for soil, reduces acidification, and improves nutrient use efficiency.
Article
Agronomy
Daniyal Sher Bahadur, Samreen Riaz Ahmed, Altaf Hussain Lahori, Tanveer Hussain, Sofia Khalique Alvi, Sheraz Shafique, Sadia Fatima, Viola Vambol, Monika Mierzwa-Hersztek, Preeta Hinduja, Sergij Vambol, Zengqiang Zhang
Summary: The study assessed the effects of novel fuller earth, rock phosphate, and biochar on maize plant growth and uptake of toxic metals. The results showed that the combined application of these substances increased the biomass of maize plants and reduced the uptake of toxic metals.
Article
Agronomy
Monika Bieniasz, Anna Konieczny, Jan Blaszczyk, Jacek Nawrocki, Michal Kope, Monika Mierzwa-Hersztek, Krzysztof Gondek, Tomasz Zaleski, Jaroslaw Knaga, Michal Pniak
Summary: Heat stress has a negative impact on pollination, fertilization, and fruit development in strawberries. However, the application of titanium organic complex improves pollination and fertilization processes, leading to better fruit development.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Krzysztof Gondek, Piotr Micek, Monika Mierzwa-Hersztek, Jerzy Kowal, Krzysztof Andres, Katarzyna Szczurowska, Marcin Lis, Krzysztof Smoron
Summary: This study examined the effects of adding functionalized materials and bacterial metabolites to composted biomass and found that the addition of diatomite had the most effective immobilization of heavy metals. The study also showed that the addition of functionalized materials and bacterial metabolites had different effects on the microbial communities in composts.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Katarzyna Wolny-Koladka, Renata Jarosz, Michal Juda, Monika Mierzwa-Hersztek
Summary: The availability and affordability of fertilizers are the main risks faced by the fertilizer market. Therefore, alternative sources of nutrient supply for plants need to be explored, while also considering soil properties. Fertilizers with functionalized materials can help optimize nutrient use. This study aimed to assess the impact of fertilizer mixtures containing zeolite-vermiculite composites on soil microorganisms and properties. The results showed that these mixtures significantly influenced nitrogen and organic carbon content, as well as soil respiration activity.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jakub Mokrzycki, Monika Fedyna, Mateusz Marzec, Rafal Panek, Justyna Szerement, Lidia Marcinska-Mazur, Renata Jarosz, Tomasz Bajda, Wojciech Franus, Monika Mierzwa-Hersztek
Summary: Removal of phosphate ions from aqueous environment is a global concern. Zeolite NaX derived from fly ash was modified by ion exchange and impregnation to improve its adsorption capacity. The results showed that ion exchange significantly improved the adsorption capacity of zeolite X, while impregnated zeolites also exhibited good adsorption performance.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Tomasz Glab, Wojciech Szewczyk, Krzysztof Gondek
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of different rates of plant growth regulators (PGRs) on the visual quality of Kentucky bluegrass. The results showed that Trinexapac Ethyl and Flurprimidol applications improved the overall appearance of turfgrass, while Paclobutrazol and Gibberellic Acid applications decreased the overall appearance. The PGRs also affected the leaf texture and color assessments, with different PGRs resulting in different hues and tones.
Editorial Material
Agronomy
Tomasz Glab
Article
Environmental Sciences
Katarzyna Wolny-Koladka, Lidia Marcinska-Mazur, Renata Jarosz, Michal Juda, Tomas Losak, Monika Mierzwa-Hersztek
Summary: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of mineral-organic mixtures on the abundance of soil microorganisms. The results showed that the abundance of microorganisms was influenced by fertilisation and the type of plant. The highest abundance of microorganisms was found in treatments with lignite mixtures for oilseed rape, and with leonardite mixtures for wheat. Increasing the percentage of lignite and leonardite in the fertiliser mixtures did not result in a proportional increase in microorganism abundance, indicating no economic justification for such treatment. The mixtures used, with their alkaline pH, can serve as substitutes for calcium fertilisers to improve soil properties and protect soil organic matter from degradation.
ECOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY AND ENGINEERING S-CHEMIA I INZYNIERIA EKOLOGICZNA S
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Elizabeth Alvarez-Chavez, Stephane Godbout, Mylene Genereux, Caroline Cote, Alain N. Rousseau, Sebastien Fournel
Summary: This study evaluated the effect of alternative filtering materials and bed aeration on the retention of nutrients and fecal bacteria in woodchip bedded stand-off pads for cows. The results showed that the alternative biofilters were more efficient in removing COD, SS, TN, and NO3-N, while conventional biofilters were more efficient for PO4-P removal. Aeration did not have a significant effect under the tested temperature conditions.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yike Zhang, Zengyi Ma, Zhuoting Fang, Yuandong Qian, Zhiping Huang, Yilong Ye, Jianhua Yan
Summary: This study investigates the application of oxygen enrichment melting technology in the melting of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash. The results demonstrate that oxygen enrichment technology can reduce energy consumption and operating costs, as well as decrease pollution emissions.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Liangang Xiao, Mingkai Leng, Philip Greenwood, Rongqin Zhao, Zhixiang Xie, Zengtao You, Junguo Liu
Summary: This study investigates the effects of grazing exclusion on soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation and vegetation recovery. It finds that grazing exclusion can increase the potential for SOC accumulation, and higher annual precipitation is positively correlated with SOC accumulation.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Beatrice Cantoni, Jessica Ianes, Beatrice Bertolo, Selena Ziccardi, Francesco Maffini, Manuela Antonelli
Summary: This study evaluates the performance of ozonation and adsorption as in-series processes compared to standalone processes for the removal of Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) in drinking water. The combination of both processes proves to be more effective than adsorption and ozonation alone. Ozonation improves the adsorption performance of poorly-oxidizable CECs but worsens that of well-oxidizable compounds. This research highlights the importance of considering both processes in the removal of CECs in drinking water treatment plants.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dan Li, Bingjun Liu, Yang Lu, Jianyu Fu
Summary: A new Standardized compound Drought and Saltwater intrusion Index (SDSI) was developed to detect changes in the severity of CDSEs in six estuaries. The study found that saltwater intrusion plays a dominant role in influencing SDSI severity, and CDSEs vary in frequency, duration and severity among different estuaries.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yong-Qiang Li, Rui Sun, Chong-Miao Zhang, Zi-Xuan Liu, Rui-tao Chen, Jian Zhao, Hua-dong Gu, Huan-Cai Yin
Summary: In this study, an electron beam excitation multi-wavelength ultraviolet (EBE-MW-UV) system was established and found to have significantly higher microbial inactivation effects compared to single-wavelength UV-LEDs in water. Mechanism analysis revealed that EBE-MW-UV damaged microbial DNA and proteins, and generated additional reactive oxygen species, leading to microbial inactivation.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kaili Ma, Xinxin Han, Qiujuan Li, Yu Kong, Qiaoli Liu, Xu Yan, Yahong Luo, Xiaopin Li, Huiyang Wen, Zhiguo Cao
Summary: This study reveals that the use of a tryptophan-degrading microbial consortium (TDC) can enhance the hydrolysis efficiency of waste activated sludge (WAS), increasing the yield and quality of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and improving the solubilization and release of organic substances from WAS.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ling Xiong, Rui Li
Summary: Incorporating Ecosystem Service Value (ESV) into land use planning can provide informed land management decisions. This study evaluates the ESV of Guizhou Province in China's karst region. The results show an increase in total ESV over the past two decades due to ecological restoration projects.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
M. Geetha Jenifel
Summary: This article discusses the importance of water and the pollution of freshwater resources, and introduces the use of machine learning models and blockchain technology to predict and protect water quality.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Stanslaus Terengia Materu, Taotao Chen, Chang Liu, Daocai Chi, Meng Jun
Summary: The study showed that H2SO4-modified biochar can reduce P leaching, increase soil available P, and enhance plant P uptake in alternate wetting and drying irrigation systems. Biochar additions B20A and IAWDB20A-M were effective in improving yield, reducing P leaching, and increasing APB.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Amir Nouri, Ali Akbar Zinatizadeh, Sirus Zinadini, Mark Van Loosdrecht
Summary: This study focuses on the development of an air-lift bio-electrochemical reactor (ALBER) with a continuous feeding regime to enhance nitrogen removal from synthetic wastewater. The effect of temperature, hydraulic retention time (HRT), N -NH+4 /TN ratio, and current density on the reactor performance was investigated, and the ALBER achieved a maximum TN removal of 73%. The results suggest that the ALBER has potential for treating industrial wastewater at low temperatures.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Peifang Wang, Guoxiang You, Yang Gao, Juan Chen, Xun Wang, Chao Wang
Summary: This study investigated the ecological processes of microbial communities and N- and P-transformation processes in multistage agricultural drainage ditches. The results showed that the microbial communities were co-shaped by agricultural practices and ditch size, which further governed the N and P removal performance.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaofeng Niu, Huan Wang, Tao Wang, Peiyu Zhang, Huan Zhang, Hongxia Wang, Xianghong Kong, Songguang Xie, Jun Xu
Summary: Microorganisms play a critical role in maintaining ecosystem balance, and environmental stressors can affect the assembly processes of microbial communities. The study found that different stressors have opposite effects on microbial community assembly in water and sediment, and warming has different influences compared to herbicides and nutrients.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yuqing Tan, Qiming Cheng, Fengwei Lyu, Fei Liu, Linhao Liu, Yihong Su, Shaochun Yuan, Wenyu Xiao, Zhen Liu, Yao Chen
Summary: The exacerbation of global warming, extreme weather events, and rapid urbanization have led to increased flooding in urban areas. China has adopted sponge city as an efficient means of preventing and controlling urban floods. Using a SWMM-FVCOM model, the hydrological reduction and control effect of sponge city construction (SPCC) within a university campus were evaluated. The study found that implementing SPCC effectively mitigates surface runoff and reduces the severity of urban flooding. However, the efficacy of runoff control decreases with longer rainfall return periods.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhonghan Chen, Qiuyan Li, Shibo Yan, Juan Xu, Qiaoyun Lin, Zhuangming Zhao, Ziying He
Summary: Tidal rivers are important biochemical reaction channels, receiving carbon from wastewater and agricultural drains, affecting CO2 emissions. Through modeling and data analysis, researchers explored carbon distribution, emissions, and greenhouse effects, emphasizing the potential of river management to change global CO2 emissions under climate change.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
