Article
Environmental Sciences
Muhammad Abdullahi, Iestyn Stead, Sophie Bennett, Rafael Orozco, Mohamed Abou-Elwafa Abdallah, Sara Jabbari, Lynne E. Macaskie, Alexandra Tzella, Stefan Krause, Bushra Al -Duri, Robert G. Lee, Ben Herbert, Peter Thompson, Megan Schalkwyk, Samuel Getahun, Karl D. Dearn, Luisa Orsini
Summary: Urbanisation, population growth, and climate change have created pressure on water resources and led to a global water crisis, necessitating water reuse. However, water reuse is unsafe without removing persistent chemical pollutants. Existing technologies for reducing chemical pollutants in wastewater have high costs and potential toxic by-products. This article presents a scalable, low-cost, low-carbon, and retrofittable nature-inspired solution for removing persistent chemical pollutants from wastewater.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Water Resources
Fausto A. Canales, Diego Plata-Solano, Ruben Cantero-Rodelo, Yoleimy Avila Pereira, Karina Diaz-Martinez, Javier Carpintero, Bartosz Kazmierczak, Humberto Tavera-Quiroz
Summary: This study assessed the removal efficiency of a bench-scale carwash wastewater treatment system, showing that treated water characteristics were similar to groundwater with reduced organic matter concentrations. However, total coliform count exceeded international standards, indicating the need for additional disinfection depending on the reuse purpose. The results may help shape future carwash wastewater reclamation regulations in Colombia and Latin America.
WATER RESOURCES AND INDUSTRY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lydia Teel, Adam Olivieri, Richard Danielson, Blaga Delic, Brian Pecson, James Crook, Krishna Pagilla
Summary: The Nevada Administrative Code requires specific log reduction values for enteric viruses, Giardia cysts, and Cryptosporidium oocysts in reclaimed water intended for indirect potable reuse. Study results show that secondary effluent produced by two water reclamation facilities in Nevada consistently meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and industry standards.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Chemical
Nor Naimah Rosyadah Ahmad, Wei Lun Ang, Choe Peng Leo, Abdul Wahab Mohammad, Nidal Hilal
Summary: This paper highlights the importance of saline wastewater treatment and the potential of membrane technology in this field, presenting the advantages of membrane processes in water reclamation and resource recovery. It also discusses membrane fouling issues and the effectiveness of various fouling mitigation strategies.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sofia Estevez, Gumersindo Feijoo, Maria Teresa Moreira
Summary: Climate change and water scarcity are global environmental issues that require a revision in water cycle management. Decentralized wastewater treatment facilities are a viable option for both treatment and resource recovery, but further optimization is needed.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Nancy Diaz-Elsayed, Jiayi Hua, Nader Rezaei, Qiong Zhang
Summary: The availability of sufficient water supply is a challenge that many municipalities have faced and is expected to intensify. Water reclamation offers a sustainable solution for resource recovery. This article investigates the factors influencing the environmental and economic impacts of resource recovery technologies and develops a decision framework for resource recovery-oriented wastewater management.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Simge Cankaya
Summary: In this study, the water footprint of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) was assessed before and after the addition of a water reclamation unit. The impacts of water reclamation on blue and grey water footprints were investigated. The results showed that the water footprint increased slightly after the addition of the water reclamation unit. Energy consumption and sludge treatment were identified as major contributors to the blue water footprint, while total nitrogen and total phosphorus were the most limiting pollutants for the grey water footprint. The environmental benefit of water reclamation in reducing the grey water footprint was determined to be 44%.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
S. Mahesh, K. S. Shivaprasad, Mahesh Sanjana
Summary: The goal of this research was to remove COD, oil and grease, and color from raw ayurvedic hospital wastewater using a novel electrochemical coagulation process. The results showed that the use of iron electrodes in the FCC process exhibited the highest pollutant removal efficiency.
WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shihao Zhou, Junwen Zhu, Zunrui Wang, Zhen Yang, Weiben Yang, Zhonglong Yin
Summary: A novel anodic membrane has been developed for the coupling of electro-oxidation and membrane filtration process in municipal wastewater reclamation. This membrane demonstrates excellent anti-fouling and self-cleaning abilities, efficient removal of antibiotics and bactericidal efficiency without the need for chemical reagents. It also presents excellent stability, separation performance and low energy consumption, providing a promising solution for wastewater reclamation.
Article
Environmental Sciences
O. Siddiqui, I. Dincer
Summary: The study introduced a new solar energy-based integrated system to treat industrial brine wastewater, where system performance was comprehensively evaluated under varying operating parameters, with energy performance ranging from 12.5% to 15.9% annually. The membrane-based wastewater treatment subsystem showed an energy performance of 73.3%, while the evaporation-based subsystem had 15.4% energy performance.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bruno Bicudo, Doris van Halem, Shreya Ajith Trikannad, Giuliana Ferrero, Gertjan Medema
Summary: This study demonstrates the feasibility of low voltage iron electrocoagulation for municipal secondary effluent treatment, showing effective removal of microbial indicators, Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria (ARB), and viruses. Increasing the charge dosage of iron electrodes can enhance bacterial removal efficiency.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
S. P. Munasinghe-Arachchige, K. M. Sparks, A. Ahmed, H. M. K. Delanka-Pedige, I. S. A. Abeysiriwardana-Arachchige, T. Schaub, P. J. Trainor, N. Nirmalakhandan
Summary: This study evaluated the formation of nitrogenous byproducts of chlorination in an algal-based wastewater treatment system and found that it is capable of yielding discharge-ready effluent with non-detectable levels of pathogenic bacteria. The optimal chlorine demand of the system to satisfy reuse guidelines was determined as 13.0 mg Cl-2/L, with none of the seven nitrosamines analyzed exceeding 50 ng/L. Non-targeted screening of the untreated effluent revealed negligible levels of amines, which are key precursors of nitrosamines.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zubin Wang, Pu Guo, Liping Heng, Lei Jiang
Summary: Treatment of oily wastewater is crucial due to its threat to drinking water safety, the environment, and human health. A solar-driven device inspired by plant transpiration has been developed, showing high purification efficiency towards various nano/submicrometer-emulsion oily wastewaters. This device can also produce fresh water from oily seawater and acid-base-corrosion oily water, highlighting its potential in addressing oily wastewater treatment challenges.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kah Chun Ho, Yeit Haan Teow, Jing Yao Sum, Zhe Jia Ng, Abdul Wahab Mohammad
Summary: This paper discusses the feasibility of laundry wastewater treatment technologies and the experiences of various countries in this regard, with a focus on the impact of integrated treatment processes and technology selection on energy efficiency, water quality, and costs.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tilak Chhetri, Gary Cunningham, Dhananjay Suresh, Bruce Shanks, Raghuraman Kannan, Anandhi Upendran, Zahra Afrasiabi
Summary: This study developed an innovative nanotechnology-based technique using magnetic nanosponges (MNSs) to improve groundwater quality, and demonstrated its effectiveness in removing pollutants from wastewater collected from dairy and swine CAFO lagoons.
Editorial Material
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Freja Lund Paulsen, Maria Bille Nielsen, Yvonne Shashoua, Kristian Syberg, Steffen Foss Hansen
Summary: Regulators should consider the five early warning signs formulated by the European Environmental Agency (EEA) when dealing with materials and substances. These reflect concerns about plastics and are valuable for designing and regulating new and established polymeric materials.
NATURE REVIEWS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rickard Arvidsson, Gregory Peters, Steffen Foss Hansen, Anders Baun
Summary: This paper presents a further development and testing of an environmental risk screening method based on two proxy measures: aquatic ecotoxicity and global annual production volumes. The results show that only MXenes exhibit high aquatic ecotoxicity, while the other materials should continue to be monitored for their aquatic ecotoxicity data.
Editorial Material
Engineering, Environmental
Fazel Abdolahpur Monikh, Steffen Foss Hansen, Martina G. Vijver, Esther Kentin, Maria Bille Nielsen, Anders Baun, Kristian Syberg, Iseult Lynch, Eugenia Valsami-Jones, Willie J. G. M. Peijnenburg
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Steffen Foss Hansen, Rickard Arvidsson, Maria Bille Nielsen, Oliver Foss Hessner Hansen, Lauge Peter Westergaard Clausen, Anders Baun, Alessio Boldrin
Summary: The transition from a linear economy to a circular economy is gaining momentum, but there are significant challenges related to (eco-)toxicological hazards and the presence of nanomaterials in waste streams in utilizing nanotechnology for circularity.
NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Daniel Vazquez Pombo, Henrik W. Bindner, Sergiu Spataru, Poul E. Sorensen, Martin Rygaard
Summary: This paper proposes a novel energy management system that utilizes a small modular nuclear reactor, wind and solar farms, reverse osmosis, and flash desalination plants to increase energy efficiency, reduce curtailment, and decarbonize water production. The system is optimized using mixed integer linear programming and renewable availability is predicted using physics informed machine learning models. The suitability of the system is validated through two study cases.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maria Farago, Anders Damgaard, Morten Rebsdorf, Per Henrik Nielsen, Martin Rygaard
Summary: Wastewater treatment is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, and we investigated the accounting of emissions in three advanced wastewater treatment facilities. The results showed the importance of electricity consumption and direct emissions, and we proposed recommendations for accurate reporting and accounting. The facilities have made progress in offsetting emissions, and our study provides guidance for wastewater operators in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Review
Environmental Studies
Lauge Peter Westergaard Clausen, Maria Bille Nielsen, Nikoline Bang Oturai, Kristian Syberg, Steffen Foss Hansen
Summary: This study examines scientific literature to analyze how environmental regulation can stimulate innovation and identifies ten essential lessons for designing such regulation. The findings suggest that these lessons are applicable in most regulatory settings and that recent EU regulations support many of them but neglect others. The lessons provide important guidance for regulators when designing new regulations.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND GOVERNANCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Maria Farago, Anders Damgaard, Ivana Logar, Martin Rygaard
Summary: In Europe, sewage sludge is commonly used in agriculture or incinerated. However, emerging technologies like sludge pyrolysis have the potential to transform wastewater treatment plants into water resource recovery facilities. A life cycle assessment and cost-benefit analysis were conducted to evaluate the environmental and economic impacts of sludge pyrolysis. The results showed that pyrolysis reduced environmental impacts and had positive economic net present value compared to using sludge in agriculture, but pyrolysis with biochar production was not as beneficial as incineration.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Isabel Schestak, Jan Spriet, Kirsty Black, David Styles, Maria Farago, Martin Rygaard, A. Prysor Williams
Summary: This study explores the potential environmental and financial benefits of heat recovery from different process and by-product streams, using a Scotch whisky distillery as an example. The results show significant reductions in carbon emissions and water consumption, with a relatively short payback period for the investment.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Martin Dorber, Inge de Graaf, Alexis Laurent, Michael Z. Hauschild, Martin Rygaard, Valerio Barbarossa, Eleonore Pierrat
Summary: Balancing the need for freshwater between human communities and ecosystems is a significant challenge in the 21st century due to population growth and improved living conditions. A global operational method to evaluate the consequences of freshwater consumption and its interdependence on different water compartments is currently missing. This study developed depletion factors to quantify the effects of water consumption on various hydrological variables globally, providing valuable insights into the ecological impacts of water consumption. These depletion factors can be integrated into sustainability assessment tools to guide sustainable water management strategies.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Tingru Chang, Alexander Khort, Anher Saeed, Eva Blomberg, Maria Bille Nielsen, Steffen Foss Hansen, Inger Odnevall
Summary: The increasing applications and production of engineered nanoparticles pose a higher risk of their environmental dispersion. Understanding the surface transformation and dissolution of nanoparticles is crucial for risk assessment and regulation. The presence of organic matter in freshwater results in negative surface charges of nanoparticles, reducing agglomeration and increasing concentration. The dissolution of nanoparticles is exposure and time-dependent, independent of particle types, surface conditions, or organic matter adsorption.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Maria Bille Nielsen, Lars Skjolding, Anders Baun, Steffen Foss Hansen
Summary: This article reviews key European legislations relevant to nanomaterials and assesses their compliance with the recommendations put forward by the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering (RS & RAE) and the European Commission in 2004. The study found that a majority of the recommendations have been met to a high or medium degree, indicating significant advancements in nanosafety. However, there are still remaining concerns that need to be addressed and further actions that should be taken.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Nikoline G. Oturai, Kristian Syberg, Dilek Fraisl, Asta Hooge, Tiffany M. Ramos, Sven Schade, Steffen Foss Hansen
Summary: By 2024, the United Nations treaty will partner with multilateral forces to address plastic pollution. However, current measures are insufficient and lack effectiveness. Analyzing citizen engagement initiatives in the European Union, we suggest that the upcoming treaty should ensure access and meaningful participation throughout the policy process, systematize and harmonize inputs, and promote equity in participation for citizens affected by plastic pollution.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shane A. Carnohan, Xenia Trier, Suxia Liu, Lauge P. W. Clausen, Jai K. Clifford-Holmes, Steffen F. Hansen, Lorenzo Benini, Ursula S. McKnight
Summary: As societies and natural systems become more interconnected, sustainable management needs to adapt to new knowledge from both ecological and social domains and act on it effectively. The Anthropocene and approaching the limit for humanity's safe operating space highlight the need for better information feedbacks between science, policy, and society. The Drivers-Pressures-State-Impacts-Response (DPSIR) framework can support sustainable policy development and implementation, but its focus on analytical and procedural aspects should be made explicit for more effective coordination across silos and studies.
CURRENT RESEARCH IN ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kristian Syberg, Maria Bille Nielsen, Nikoline B. Oturai, Lauge Peter Westergaard Clausen, Tiffany Marilou Ramos, Steffen Foss Hansen
Summary: Circular economy is considered the most promising approach to achieve sustainable use of plastic, but studies rarely address the issue of microplastic contamination. This perspective highlights the importance of considering microplastic contamination and provides recommendations on how to integrate reduction of microplastic contamination with the transition to a circular economy in future research.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ADVANCES
(2022)