Review
Engineering, Environmental
Leonie Hyde-Smith, Zhe Zhan, Katy Roelich, Anna Mdee, Barbara Evans
Summary: Existing research on the impact of climate change on urban sanitation systems is limited and predominantly focuses on the effects on centralized sewerage systems in high-income contexts. Research on the impacts on nonsewered, complex, fragmented, and decentralized sanitation systems is lacking, as well as considering the interdependencies with other sectors and combinations of climate effects.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alisha Yee Chan, Honghyok Kim, Michelle L. Bell
Summary: Combined sewer systems (CSS) are associated with higher incidences of COVID-19 cases, particularly in areas with heavy precipitation and high percentages of impervious surfaces, potentially due to increased frequency and severity of combined sewer overflows (CSOs). This finding suggests links between climate change, urbanization, and COVID-19.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Paige E. Peters, Daniel H. Zitomer
Summary: During high-intensity rain events, untreated water from sewage overflows can pose risks to the environment and public health when discharged into lakes and rivers. Current methods for managing sewage overflows focus on removing particulate matter and solids, but overlook soluble organics and emerging contaminants. Future approaches should aim for zero overflows and may require new technologies and strategies to address these challenges.
WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Matthew Bizer, Christine J. Kirchhoff
Summary: Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) occur when untreated raw sewage mixed with rainwater, runoff, or snowmelt is released during or after a storm in any community with a combined sewer system (CSS). This study aims to provide CSS communities with tools to assess the performance of their CSS systems over time, especially in evaluating efforts to reduce CSOs. A new critical rainfall intensity threshold and a multiple linear regression model are identified and used to predict CSO incidence and volume based on rainfall event characteristics.
WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Adewale Aromolaran, Majid Sartaj, Mohamed Abdallah
Summary: This study investigates the potential of sewage scum (SS) as a co-substrate and its effect on microbial ecology during anaerobic co-digestion (ACo-D) of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) and thickened waste activated sludge (TWAS). The addition of SS and OFMSW to TWAS significantly enhanced biomethane yield, with a mixture of 40% SS + 10% TWAS + 50%OFMSW showing the highest biogas yield. The research highlights the potential for wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to produce additional energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by incorporating external bioresources.
FERMENTATION-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Seyed Hamed Ghodsi, Zhenduo Zhu, L. Shawn Matott, Alan J. Rabideau, Maria Narine Torres
Summary: The installation of green infrastructure is an effective way to manage urban stormwater and combined sewer overflow. Research on simulation-optimization techniques for GI planning is expanding, but it is unclear how different rainfall scenarios impact the optimal siting of GI.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Geert Dirckx, Evi Vinck, Stefan Kroll
Summary: This article presents a tool called Cockle that allows for the assessment and monitoring of emissions from combined sewer overflows (CSOs) in urban areas. The tool uses a large amount of water quality data and spill flow time series, processed statistically to determine emissions. It provides a means for easily assessing emissions within a chosen time frame.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Jiawei Hu, Zhuo Li, Zhigen Wu, Wenquan Tao
Summary: This study proposed a novel sludge pretreatment technology by combining freezing with potassium ferrate (PF) to enhance methane yield from sludge anaerobic digestion. Experimental results showed a significant increase in methane production and hydrolysis rate after the combined pretreatment, effectively disrupting microbial structure in sludge.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiawei Hu, Bing Guo, Zhuo Li, Zhigen Wu, Wenquan Tao
Summary: A novel high-efficiency technology combining freezing with potassium ferrate (PF) was reported for promoting hydrogen production in sludge anaerobic fermentation. The combined treatment showed positive synergetic effect on hydrogen production, enhancing the potential and rate of hydrogen production while accelerating sludge disintegration. Gene sequencing analysis revealed enrichment of hydrolytic and hydrogen generating bacteria in the combined pretreatment fermenter, with notable enhancement in dewatering performances of fermented sludge.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Peijun Zhou, Mohamed N. A. Meshref, Bipro Ranjan Dhar
Summary: The study found that a temperature of 180 degrees Celsius was most effective for sludge solubilization, and the THP method of FPS + TWAS achieved higher methane yield compared to the pretreatment of TWAS alone.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Jan Lorenz Svensen, Congcong Sun, Gabriela Cembrano, Vicenc Puig
Summary: This paper investigates the application of model predictive control (MPC) to address the problem of combined sewer overflow (CSO) in urban drainage systems (UDSs) with uncertainty. Two different MPC approaches, tube-based MPC (T-MPC) and chance-constrained MPC (CC-MPC), are considered and compared based on simulations using the Astlingen benchmark UDS. The study provides insights into the strengths and weaknesses of each MPC approach in UDS and their applicability in different uncertainty scenarios.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON CONTROL SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Caroline Spill, Lukas Ditzel, Matthias Gassmann
Summary: In rural catchments, point sources such as combined sewer overflows (CSOs) or wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have a significant impact on water quantity and quality, especially during events. Poorly treated wastewater from WWTPs contributes significantly to water pollution, with increasing concentrations of ammonium-N and ortho-phosphorus throughout the year. Rural settlements have a major and variable impact on stream hydrology and water quality.
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Najiaowa Yu, Anqi Mou, Huijuan Sun, Yang Liu
Summary: Hypochlorite pretreatment has been proven effective in enhancing waste activated sludge anaerobic digestion performances. This study compared the performance stability and resilience of digested sludge pretreated with 1% hypochlorite and untreated sludge. The results showed that hypochlorite pretreatment improved the digestion of sludge and increased the interactions within the microbial community.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Virender K. Sharma, Junyue Wang, Mingbao Feng, Ching-Hua Huang
Summary: The occurrence of micropollutants in water poses a threat to public health and the environment. The addition of certain amino acids can enhance the removal efficiency of these micropollutants by ferrate(VI).
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sreejon Das, Kyriakos Manoli, Virender K. Sharma, Martha Dagnew, Madhumita B. Ray
Summary: Resin acids in pulp and paper mill wastewater can negatively affect the anaerobic digestion process. This study investigated the use of ferrate oxidation to reduce resin acid concentration and enhance methane production in primary sludge. Ferrate pretreatment increased resin acid oxidation and improved anaerobic digestibility of the sludge, resulting in higher methane production compared to untreated digesters.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Jinbo Liu, Chi Zhang, Hanzhong Jia, Eric Lichtfouse, Virender K. Sharma
Summary: This paper reviews the dissipation of PAHs in soils through abiotic processes such as photodegradation and oxidation. It discusses the role of soil components in degradation rates, pathways, and mechanisms, as well as the potential risks of abiotic transformations.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yinghao Wen, Eric Lichtfouse, Virender K. Sharma, Xingmao Ma
Summary: The persistence of recalcitrant pollutants in water is a major health issue. This study investigated the effect of phosphate on the degradation of atrazine by peroxydisulfate under visible light. The presence of phosphates was found to significantly decrease the efficiency of atrazine removal, due to the formation of less reactive phosphate radicals.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Adam Tolgyesi, Attila Cseh, Andrea Simon, Virender K. Sharma
Summary: The study aimed to develop a method for analyzing multiple groups of food contaminants, including 266 pesticides, 12 mycotoxins, 14 alkaloid toxins, and 3 Alternaria toxins. The method used QuEChERS sample preparation and LC-MS/MS analysis under alkaline mobile phase conditions. The developed method has been successfully validated through satisfactory analyses of various quality control, proficiency test, and validation samples.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Manpreet Kaur Ubhi, Manpreet Kaur, Jaspreet Kaur Grewal, Virender K. Sharma
Summary: This article reviews the different synthesis routes of phosphorous- and boron-doped graphene and their applications in supercapacitors, lithium-ion batteries, and electronic devices such as fuel and solar cells. The direct and post-treatment methods are discussed, with the latter offering a more stable and controllable technique that preserves the original graphene structure. The review also highlights the latest progress in using phosphorous and boron-doped graphene for energy-related applications.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Nisha Singh, Meshal M. Abdullah, Xingmao Ma, Virender K. Sharma
Summary: The increasing use of plastic products in agriculture has led to the accumulation of microplastics and nanoplastics in agricultural soils, which raises concerns about their impact on soil health, crop productivity, and food safety. The interaction between plants, soil, and microplastics/nanoplastics can negatively affect plant growth and induce oxidative stress. However, the current knowledge about the fate and impact of microplastics/nanoplastics in the plant-soil nexus is limited, hindering further progress in this field. This review aims to address this gap by summarizing the sources, investigation techniques, impact on soil properties, accumulation in plants, and possible phytotoxicity mechanisms of microplastics/nanoplastics in agriculture.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Christopher V. Marbaniang, Krishnamoorthy Sathiyan, Thomas J. McDonald, Eric Lichtfouse, Poulami Mukherjee, Virender K. Sharma
Summary: The global contamination of water resources by organic contaminants necessitates the development of advanced remediation techniques. Conventional water treatments are inadequate and can produce toxic byproducts. Safer alternatives, such as treatment with ferrate, are required. This review focuses on the synthesis and activation of ferrate(VI), specifically discussing different synthesis methods and the activation of ferrate(VI) by various metal ions. The most effective systems for removing organic contaminants from contaminated water are compared.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Aswin Kottapurath Vijay, Vered Marks, Amir Mizrahi, Yinghao Wen, Xingmao Ma, Virender K. Sharma, Dan Meyerstein
Summary: This study investigated the kinetics and mechanisms of the reactions between Feaq II and PMS or PDS at different pH values, as well as the influence of bicarbonate (HCO3-). The results showed that FeaqIV was the dominant oxidizing species in the absence of HCO3-. In the presence of environmentally relevant concentrations of HCO3-, carbonate radical anion (CO3 center dot-) became the dominant reactive species. These findings provide insights for advancing persulfate-based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) in oxidizing pollutants in natural water.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Juhee Kim, Junyue Wang, Daniel C. Ashley, Virender K. Sharma, Ching-Hua Huang
Summary: This study discovers that the biodegradable chelating ligand picolinic acid (PICA) can effectively mediate the activation of peracetic acid (PAA) by manganese (II), leading to accelerated degradation of micropollutants. The PAA-Mn(II)-PICA system is capable of rapidly removing various micropollutants in clean and wastewater matrices. High-valent manganese species (Mn(V)) is identified as the main reactive species contributing to the rapid degradation of micropollutants.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Virender K. Sharma, Zoltan Homonnay, Tetsuaki Nishida, Jean-Marc Greneche
Summary: Since its discovery in the mid-twentieth century, Fe-57 Mossbauer spectrometry has been widely applied in various scientific fields, offering a local probe technique with high atomic scale sensitivity and low cost facilities. This article introduces the application of Mossbauer spectrometry in studying laboratory-made and natural materials, demonstrating its significant contribution in understanding synthesis mechanisms and chemical/physical properties.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mingzhu Liu, Nannan Wu, Xiaoyu Li, ShengNan Zhang, Virender K. Sharma, Jamaan S. Ajarem, Ahmed A. Allam, Ruijuan Qu
Summary: This study investigated the oxidation reaction of benzophenones, commonly used UV filters, by the oxidant potassium permanganate (KMnO4). The addition of potassium permanganate enhanced the reaction rate and efficiency. The degradation of benzophenones involved hydroxylation, bond breaking, polymerization, and carboxylation processes. Toxicity assessments revealed that the intermediate products formed during the degradation process posed a decreasing ecological risk.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Cen Zhao, Luis E. Arroyo-Mora, Anthony P. DeCaprio, Dionysios D. Dionysiou, Kevin E. O. 'Shea, Virender K. Sharma
Summary: The study demonstrates the effective degradation of the cyanotoxin CYN and its model compound 6-HOMU using ferrate(VI) oxidation. The uracil ring of CYN is oxidized and cleaved, leading to the generation of nontoxic cylindrospermopsic acid. This method shows promise for the treatment of CYN and uracil-based toxins in drinking water.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shengqi Zhang, Kaiting Zhang, Yuwei Xie, Yao-Yin Lou, Eric Lichtfouse, Mingbao Feng, Virender K. Sharma
Summary: The demand for clean water is increasing worldwide, but wastewater decontamination is limited by refractory organic and inorganic compounds, requiring more efficient treatment methods. This review discusses the use of ruthenium-based catalysts for polluant removal or transformation at a concentration range of 1.0-100 mg/L under acid or neutral conditions. Various catalytic oxidation and reduction methods, as well as the environmental impact of ruthenium catalysts, are examined, including electrooxidation, photocatalytic oxidation, activation of inert oxidants, hydrogen-assisted reduction, electroreduction, and N-O bond activation.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Binglin Guo, Junyue Wang, Krishnamoorthy Sathiyan, Xingmao Ma, Eric Lichtfouse, Ching-Hua Huang, Virender K. Sharma
Summary: Low levels of natural organic matter (NOM) enhance removal of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole by ferrate(VI) through the formation of more reactive Fe(V) species. The presence of antibiotics in water sources threatens public health and ecosystems. Nine types of NOM and NOM model compounds were found to improve the removal of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole by ferrate(VI) under mild alkaline conditions, possibly due to the presence of phenolic moieties in NOMs. The formation of Fe(V) through single-electron transfer from NOM to Fe(VI) generates NOM radicals within milliseconds, resulting in the enhanced removal of antibiotics despite concurrent reactions between Fe(V) and NOM moieties, radicals, and water. Humic and fulvic acids from lake and river waters also showed similar results, supporting the enhanced abatement of antibiotics in real water situations.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Untika Pengsomjit, Waleed Alahmad, Pakorn Varanusupakul, Sibel A. Ozkan, Virender K. Sharma, Charoenkwan Kraiya
Summary: This paper presents a greener methodology for determining streptomycin in honey using gel electromembrane extraction (G-EME) technique with exfoliated graphene (EG). The addition of EG enhances the extraction efficiency and sensitivity. The problem of increased electric current and electroendosmosis due to graphene-based nanomaterials is solved by tuning the acceptor phase's volume.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Virender K. Sharma, Xingmao Ma, Radek Zboril
Summary: Water is a crucial component of the United Nations' sustainable development goals, and water reuse is becoming increasingly accepted in response to global water scarcity. However, traditional treatment processes face challenges in treating low concentrations of pollutants in the presence of other chemicals. Advanced oxidation processes and the use of single atom catalysts offer promising solutions to these challenges.
CHEMICAL SOCIETY REVIEWS
(2023)
