Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yonglin Yang, Chao Zhu, Heyou Wang, Yongyong Hao, Long Yan, Zhifang Zhang, Haijun Yan, Xiangping Chen, Hongrui Ma
Summary: This study developed an alternative method for thermally stabilizing chromium-containing tannery sludge (Cr-ITS) by using ZnO and TiO2 as dopants. The results showed that Cr could be immobilized effectively by transforming it into a spinel structure. The co-doping of ZnO and TiO2 inhibited the oxidation of Cr(III) and accelerated the conversion of Cr(III) to spinel. Increasing temperature promoted the formation of spinel. The overall results indicate that immobilizing Cr-ITS with ZnO and TiO2 using sintering temperature reached in the ceramic industry is a promising and feasible strategy.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shuyi Yang, Ying Cheng, Hongtao Zou, E. Tao
Summary: Organic matter (OM) has a great retention effect on stabilizing chromium (Cr), with functional groups playing a dominant role in this process. The presence of montmorillonite (MMT) enhances the immobilization process of Cr and interacts with functional groups.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yuchen Zhou, Zezhi Chen, Huijuan Gong, Ziyi Yang
Summary: Thermal decomposition is a promising technology for tannery sludge disposal, where different processes were simulated to investigate the transformation of Cr species. The study found that pyrolysis is the safest method for Cr fixation and reuse.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yan Zhao, Cheng Zhang, Lun Ma, Junchen Li, Peng Tan, Qingyan Fang, Gang Chen
Summary: This study investigated the migration behavior of arsenic and chromium at high temperatures using CO2 gasification technology, and found that increasing temperature can enhance the stability of HMs in ash, reducing their toxicity and environmental risk.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Junjun Ma, E. Tao, Shuyi Yang, Liang Chen, Ying Cheng, Jia Yu, Yun Li
Summary: A simple method of stabilizing Cr(III) in tannery sludge (TS) is proposed by adding kaolin, which is based on the abundant organic matter contained in TS. Comprehensive characterizations confirm that kaolin can stabilize Cr(III) through its abundant -OH and lamellar structure. Hydrogen bond interactions and ligand exchange-surface complexation between organic matter and kaolin are also found, which facilitate the formation of a stable ternary complex with Cr(III) in the form of organic matter-Cr(III)-kaolin. The BCR sequential extraction experiment demonstrates that the unstable water and acid soluble state of Cr(III) are reduced (from 0.61% to 0.35%), indicating the success of Cr(III) stabilization.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Shan-shan Guo, Chao -yang Yu, Xin-yue Zhao, Ying-zhou Chen, Jing-yi Wang, Min Su, Xing-yu Yang, Jin-yan Yang
Summary: This study combined panel data analysis and soil column experiments to assess the contribution of different contaminants to Cr migration and identify the dominant microbial species. The results showed that NH3-N inhibited Cr(VI) migration, while NO3--N and fatliquor agent promoted Cr(VI) migration. Veronii was found to be the dominant microbial species in fatliquors-contaminated soils. This study provides theoretical support for the selection of remediation methods in soil and groundwater for tannery sites.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
A. Angel Jessieleena, M. Priyanka, M. P. Saravanakumar
Summary: A comparative analysis of three assisted advanced oxidation processes was conducted to study their efficacy in enhancing tannery chemical sludge dewaterability. The Fe2+/(NH4)2S2O8 process was found to have the greatest impact on breaking down sludge cells and releasing chromium, organic carbon, protein, and total dissolved solids. The study also revealed a two-step mechanism of oxidation followed by coagulation in improving sludge dewaterability.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Damiano Rossi, Miriam Cappello, Matteo Antognoli, Elisabetta Brunazzi, Maurizia Seggiani
Summary: In this study, pyrolyzed tannery sludge (PTS) was investigated as a sorbent of VOCs after further pyrolysis at high temperature. The research found that PTS after pyrolysis exhibited improved sorption capacity and can be effectively regenerated through thermal treatment.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shuyi Yang, Hongtao Zou, Ying Cheng, E. Tao
Summary: Due to its high organic matter content, tannery sludge is suitable for composting but poses a risk to the environment due to the presence of harmful chromium. This study proposes a method to minimize the release of chromium and investigates the mechanism of chromium immobilization using collagen protein waste. The results show that the lowest leaching concentration of chromium is below the limit set by Chinese standards, and the dominant functional groups cross-linking with chromium are hydroxyl, carboxyl, and epoxy.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kaizhi Yang, Yonggui Wu, Meiyan Lan, Xingying Li, Xiaorui Wang
Summary: The use of struvite as a precipitation method for removing nutrients from tannery sludge leachate is an attractive option, but additional phosphorus sources are needed to increase nitrogen removal. This study explores the optimal conditions for nitrogen removal using different phosphorus sources and compares the costs. The results show that phosphogypsum leachate is a technically and economically feasible alternative phosphorus source, and can significantly reduce treatment costs.
WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
N. Sunmathi, R. Padmapriya, J. S. Sudarsan, S. Nithiyanantham
Summary: Industrial growth is crucial for the development of countries. Leather industry is one of the major industries that generate significant income. However, the waste produced by these industries contains high concentrations of heavy metals, causing environmental and health impacts. Therefore, finding ways to reuse waste materials becomes a promising solution.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Md Ariful Islam Juel, Md Ashikur Rahaman Noyon, Al Mizan, Md Abul Hashem, Md Golam Azam
Summary: This study presents a method of phytoextraction of heavy metals from tannery sludge using Napier grass. Napier grass showed higher accumulation of chromium and an increasing trend of heavy metal gathering by extending the harvesting period. Moreover, Napier grass is a fast-growing tropical grass with high growth tolerance, making it suitable for treating heavy metal-contaminated tannery sludge.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Annapurna Maurya, P. Senthil Kumar, Abhay Raj
Summary: The study investigated the biofilm formation ability of Bacillus vallismortis, Bacillus haynesii, and Alcaligenes aquatilis isolated from tannery sludge under variable environmental conditions. The results showed that the biofilm formation activity of Alcaligenes aquatilis significantly increased at pH 5.0 and pH 9.0. Additionally, bacterial biofilm exhibited greater potential in removing Cr(VI) compared to planktonic cells.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Priyanka Chakraborty, Sampad Sarkar, Sandip Mondal, B. K. Agarwal, Arvind Kumar, Sabyasachi Bhattacharya, Satya Sundar Bhattacharya, Pradip Bhattacharyya
Summary: This study provides new insights into the microbial influence on metal remediation during vermicomposting of tannery waste sludge (TWS). The results suggest that a mixture of TWS and organic waste can be an effective substrate for Eisenia fetida and microbial proliferation, leading to a reduction in the bioavailability of potentially toxic metals.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Essaid Bilal, Hajar Bellefqih, Veronique Bourgier, Hamid Mazouz, Delia-Georgeta Dumitras, Frederic Bard, Marie Laborde, Jean Pierre Caspar, Bernard Guilhot, Elena-Luisa Iatan, Moussa Bounakhla, Maruta Aurora Iancu, Stefan Marincea, Meriem Essakhraoui, Binlin Li, Reymar R. Diwa, Jennyvi D. Ramirez, Yelizaveta Chernysh, Viktoriia Chubur, Hynek Roubik, Horst Schmidt, Redouane Beniazza, Carlos Ruiz Canovas, Jose Miguel Nieto, Nils Haneklaus
Summary: Nearly 300 million t of phosphogypsum (PG) are produced annually, with majority being stacked and discharged in coastal waters. This review presents an overview of the physical-chemical properties of PG produced worldwide, including samples from industrial storage sites and laboratory synthesis. The challenges of using PG as raw material in construction and environmentally sound management are addressed, and processing instead of storage or disposal is recommended.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Georgia-Christina Mitraka, Konstantinos N. Kontogiannopoulos, Ioannis Tsivintzelis, Anastasios Zouboulis, Panagiotis G. Kougias
Summary: The present study aimed to assess the efficiency of Supercritical Carbon dioxide Explosion (SCE) as a pre-treatment method for sewage sludge. The optimization of SCE led to an increase in the biodegradability of organic matter in the sludge, enhancing subsequent anaerobic digestion and methane production. Response surface methodology was used to evaluate the effects of temperature and time on methane yield, with temperature being the most significant variable. An optimum set of pre-treatment conditions was determined, resulting in a significant increase in methane yield compared to untreated sludge. The combined pre-treatment techniques also contributed to further methane production.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Evgenios Kokkinos, Aggeliki Lampou, Ioannis Kellartzis, Dimitrios Karfaridis, Anastasios Zouboulis
Summary: Mercury is a highly toxic pollutant that poses a major threat to public health. This study successfully removed low concentrations of methyl-mercury from water by modifying two carbon-based adsorbents with thiol-functionalization. The commercial activated carbon exhibited higher adsorption capacity, possibly due to its larger surface area and higher thiol loading.
Article
Environmental Sciences
E. Pagona, K. Kalaitzidou, A. Zouboulis, M. Mitrakas
Summary: The addition of MgO in mining wastes can enhance the refractoriness, promote the formation of desirable olivine, and eliminate undesirable minerals.
WASTE AND BIOMASS VALORIZATION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kyriaki Kalaitzidou, Evangelia Pagona, Paraskevas Stratigousis, Xanthi Ntampou, Vasileios Zaspalis, Anastasios Zouboulis, Manassis Mitrakas
Summary: This study focuses on the refractory upgrade and reuse of mining wastes/by-products. The addition of hematite nanomaterial can improve the refractory properties of products, while thermal pre-treatment does not have significant benefits.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
A. Chatzis, D. Merachtsaki, A. Zouboulis
Summary: This study focuses on protecting concrete pipes from the biogenic deterioration caused by sulfuric acid produced by microorganisms. The researchers examined three magnesium-based coatings and found that the magnesium phosphate cement coating offered the best corrosion protection.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROCESSES-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Angeliki Banti, Orestis Grammenos, Evgenios Kokkinos, Aikaterini Touni, Sotiris Sotiropoulos, Anastasios Zouboulis
Summary: The electrochemical oxidation of trivalent chromium from leather tanning mud waste leachates was conducted using a PbOx/Pb anode electrode. The study found that at pH=3, the oxidation of Cr(III) was more efficient. Further optimization of the process resulted in nearly 70% conversion and a current efficiency of nearly 60%. This method could be a promising route for the conversion of Cr(III) to Cr(VI) in tannery wastewater.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kyriaki Kalaitzidou, Anastasios Zouboulis, Manassis Mitrakas
Summary: This research presents a thermodynamic study of phosphate adsorption using five different FeOOHs sorbent nanomaterials. The results indicate that the adsorption process is spontaneous and the adsorption enthalpy values vary with different water matrices, but overall, there is a positive effect on the uptake of phosphates.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Kyriaki Kalaitzidou, Evangelia Pagona, Manassis Mitrakas, Anastasios Zouboulis
Summary: The MagWasteVal research program aims to achieve sustainable mining solid waste management and zero-waste production by properly handling extractive mining waste. The project investigates the geochemical variables affecting the degradation process and further explores the utilization of inert waste in the mining area. Through thermal treatment and the addition of additives, it was found that the optimal upgrade for mining waste samples occurs with a combination of magnesia and iron oxide at specific conditions. The MagWasteVal project's final products have potential applications for alternative refractory materials/services, offering economic and environmental benefits.
Article
Environmental Sciences
K. Kalaitzidou, E. Pagona, G. Skyfta, E. Tzamos, A. Zouboulis, M. Mitrakas
Summary: The re-utilization of mining wastes, combined with chromite ore, through thermal treatment at 1300 degrees C and 120-240 min, improves the refractory properties of the sintered products.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Efthimia Kaprara, Charalampos Belesakos, Konstantinos Kollis, Savvina Psaltou, Anastasios Zouboulis, Manassis Mitrakas
Summary: The study evaluates the removal of micropollutants from water/wastewater contaminated sources using a pilot-scale continuous operation unit with a membrane module and a contact reactor system. Different solid materials as catalysts have different effects on the removal of micropollutants, and parameters such as catalyst concentration, pH, temperature, and process time also influence the removal efficiency.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dimitra C. Banti, Petros Samaras, Eleni Kostopoulou, Vassiliki Tsioni, Themistoklis Sfetsas
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the effect of commercial K1 biocarriers and 3D-printed biocarriers made from 13X and Halloysite on the efficiency and fouling rate of MBBR-MBR unit. It was observed that membrane filtration improved in the MBBR-MBR K1 unit, while total fouling occurred earlier in the MBBR-MBR 13X-H and control MBBR-MBR units. The production of soluble microbial products (SMP) and biofilm formation played a significant role in the fouling process.
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Athanasia K. Tolkou, Anastasios I. Zouboulis
Summary: This study reviews the synthesis of metal-organic framework (MOF) materials and their application in removing fluoride from contaminated water. The study compares the adsorption mechanisms and characteristics of different MOFs, such as initial fluoride concentration, adsorbent dosage, solution pH, contact time, adsorption capacity, thermodynamic and regeneration studies. The hydrothermal/solvothermal synthesis method is commonly used for MOF preparation, and MOFs based on aluminum metal ions show higher surface areas. The main fluoride adsorption mechanisms are electrostatic attraction and/or complexation. Several materials are effective over a wide pH range. Most MOFs can be successfully regenerated for four to six cycles, with the sorption process being endothermic in most cases.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Dimitra C. Banti, Petros Samaras, Afroditi G. Chioti, Anastasios Mitsopoulos, Michail Tsangas, Antonis Zorpas, Themistoklis Sfetsas
Summary: The performance of a moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) was investigated with the addition of 3D-printed biocarriers fabricated with 13X and bentonite (MBBR 3D), using K1 commercial biocarriers (MBBR K1), and without any biocarriers at all (control MBBR). Physicochemical parameters were measured to evaluate MBBR efficiency, while biofilm extracted from the biocarriers was evaluated. The findings show that MBBR 3D had improved nitrification and denitrification processes compared to the control MBBR and MBBR K1, with a larger dry mass of biofilm in the 3D-printed biocarriers compared to the K1 biocarriers.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Evangelia Pagona, Kyriaki Kalaitzidou, Vasileios Zaspalis, Anastasios Zouboulis, Manassis Mitrakas
Summary: In the context of a circular economy/zero-waste, the conversion of extractive wastes into new products is emphasized. The addition of caustic calcined magnesia (MgO) and iron oxide (Fe2O3) was found to enhance the refractoriness and mechanical strength of the waste, indicating their potential for waste upcycling.
CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Domna Merachtsaki, Stefanos Tsiaras, Effrosyni Peleka, Anastasios Zouboulis
Summary: This study evaluates the anti-corrosion ability of a new low-cost magnesium hydroxide-based coating using Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis. Results show variations in optimal coating choices for different experimental scenarios.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SUSTAINABILITY INDICATORS
(2022)
