Article
Engineering, Chemical
C. Morgante, F. Vassallo, D. Xevgenos, A. Cipollina, M. Micari, A. Tamburini, G. Micale
Summary: This research introduces a novel hybrid system, the Minimal Liquid Discharge (MLD) process, to capture the value of seawater reverse osmosis brines. The MLD process consists of several units, including nanofiltration, Mg reactive crystallizer, multi-effect distillation, and NaCl thermal crystallizer. The system not only provides significant economic benefits, but also produces high purity minerals and salts.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nagarjuna Kandagatla, Bella Kunnoth, Pilli Sridhar, Vinay Tyagi, P. V. Rao, R. D. Tyagi
Summary: Rice is a primary food staple in many countries due to its nutritional value. However, the increasing rice demand in India has resulted in inadequate treatment of rice mill effluent (RME), causing severe damage to soil and water. This review provides an inclusive examination of various methods for RME treatment and discusses the application of the circular economy concept in this field.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Rachel O'Mahoney, Neil E. Coughlan, Eamonn Walsh, Marcel A. K. Jansen
Summary: This study explored the feasibility of using anaerobic digester pre-treated wastewater as a cultivation medium for Lemna minor Blarney and found that it can simultaneously generate valuable plant biomass and remediate wastewater.
Article
Environmental Sciences
A. Plevri, D. Mamais, C. Noutsopoulos
Summary: This study investigates the efficiency of Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor (AnMBR) under different temperatures and operating conditions, finding that as the hydraulic retention time decreases, effluent quality decreases and membrane fouling occurs more rapidly.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
A. Culcasi, R. Ktori, A. Pellegrino, M. Rodriguez-Pascual, M. C. M. van Loosdrecht, A. Tamburini, A. Cipollina, D. Xevgenos, G. Micale
Summary: This paper proposes an innovative brine recovery system for obtaining high purity chemicals by integrating Eutectic Freeze Crystallization and Electrodialysis with Bipolar Membrane technologies. The experiments show that the integrated system effectively minimizes waste, promotes sustainability, and provides potential economic return.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaoyuan Zhang, Yu Liu
Summary: This article proposes transitioning municipal wastewater treatment towards circular economy, utilizing resources in wastewater and achieving energy and carbon neutrality. Municipal wastewater is not just waste, but a renewable resource of freshwater, energy, and mineral nutrients, which can be achieved through resource recovery and reuse for environmental and economic sustainability.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
William Gustavo Sganzerla, Leonor Sillero, Tania Forster-Carneiro, Rosario Solera, Montserrat Perez
Summary: The present study evaluated the anaerobic co-fermentation of brewery by-products for hydrogen production. The results showed that the removal efficiency of total volatile solids (TVS) reached a maximum of 30.86%. Acetic and butyric acids were the dominant volatile fatty acids produced. The addition of brewer's spent grains (BSG) promoted an increase in nitrogen concentration and decreased the hydrogen yield.
BIOENERGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
D. Liakos, G. Altiparmaki, A. Kalampokidis, D. F. Lekkas, S. Vakalis
Summary: The food production industry on Lesvos island generates a significant amount of liquid biowaste, including olive mill wastewater, cheese whey wastewater, and wine sludge. Co-utilizing different food waste sources supports the Circular Economy concept and offers alternative routes in the waste valorization field. The study focused on the hydrothermal treatment of high-phenolic sources to produce hydrochar, which was then used in Anaerobic Digestion of cheese whey wastewater. The addition of hydrochar from wine sludge led to the highest biogas production but mitigated biogas production at higher concentrations. The hydrochars also had an impact on the phenolic content of the digestates and facilitated the production of medium-chain VFAs, which was statistically significant according to ANOVA.
SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY AND PHARMACY
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
N. Perez-Esteban, S. Vinardell, C. Vidal-Antich, S. Pena-Picola, J. M. Chimenos, M. Peces, J. Dosta, S. Astals
Summary: Fermentation is an emerging biotechnology for transforming waste into easily assimilable organic compounds. Co-fermentation of multiple waste streams in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) can increase the yields of sludge fermentation. The most studied variables in co-fermentation include mixing ratio, pH, and temperature. Continuous co-fermentation can be optimized by controlling temperature, pH, hydraulic retention time, and organic load. This review provides a comprehensive and critical overview of co-fermentation research and lays the foundation for future studies.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Grace N. Ijoma, Asheal Mutungwazi, Thulani Mannie, Weiz Nurmahomed, Tonderayi S. Matambo, Diane Hildebrandt
Summary: This article estimates the potential energy that can be generated from wastewater treatment plants in Sub-Saharan Africa and highlights the importance of utilizing this energy.
Article
Environmental Sciences
V. Masindi, A. Shabalala, S. Foteinis
Summary: The study found that using wastewater treatment methods can effectively process different types of wastewater, such as co-treating wastewater from a phosphorus recovery system with acid mine drainage, to reduce the levels of metals and sulphate contaminants in the wastewater.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Juan Lv, Yan Wang, Mengya Fu, Changyuan Ou, Fan Xiao
Summary: Tetramethylammonium Hydroxide (TMAH) is widely used in the TFT-LCD industry, and this study evaluated the treatment of synthetic and real TMAH wastewater using combined hydrolysis acidification-aerobic and anaerobic batch reactors. The results showed stable TMAH degradation with high organic carbon removal efficiencies. Microbial community analysis indicated mixed microbes played a role in TMAH degradation, with anaerobic treatment being favored.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Bahare Salehi, Lijun Wang
Summary: This review article discusses the structures, functionalities, and applications of various nanomaterials to improve the performance of AD, microalgae cultivation, and MFCs for recycling agricultural solid wastes and wastewater. The study aims to enhance the conversion efficiency and quality of products while minimizing the negative impacts of hazardous materials through the use of nanotechnology.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Leonor Sillero, William Gustavo Sganzerla, Tania Forster-Carneiro, Rosario Solera, Montserrat Perez
Summary: This bibliometric review evaluated the research progress on hydrogen production from dark fermentation and found that the number of publications in this field has exponentially increased over the past 21 years. The studies mainly focused on operational parameters, process optimization, pretreatment, and microbial community to improve the efficiency of hydrogen production from dark fermentation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2022)
Review
Agricultural Engineering
Liheng Ren, Xiaoliang Kong, Jian Su, Danyang Zhao, Wenjian Dong, Chunmiao Liu, Chao Liu, Lin Luo, Binghua Yan
Summary: This review summarizes possible schemes for resource recovery of agricultural bio-waste, including the chemical conversion of crop straws into biochar and the biological conversion of livestock waste into value-added products, to achieve key nutrient circulation. It also proposes a high-quality compost production approach through the amendment of biochar and residual digestate, aiming to reduce nitrogen emissions and maintain carbon balance.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Beatrice Farda, Rihab Djebaili, Ilaria Vaccarelli, Maddalena Del Gallo, Marika Pellegrini
Summary: The environmental conditions of caves shape the microbiota, with actinomycetes being among the most abundant bacteria. Actinomycetes from caves have gained attention for their bioactive compounds, but their potential role in soil environments is still unknown. This review provides an overview of cave actinomycetes' diversity, biotechnological properties, and potential roles in soil environments, discussing their contribution to soil fertility, bioremediation, and crop health.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Andrey A. Kovalev, Elza R. Mikheeva, Dmitriy A. Kovalev, Inna Katraeva, Svetlana Zueva, Valentina Innocenzi, Vladimir Panchenko, Elena A. Zhuravleva, Yuri Litti
Summary: This study evaluated the possibility of using overpressure in the digester to improve the efficiency of codigestion of common municipal organic waste and sewage sludge. The experiment found that an overpressure of 150 kPa resulted in the highest methane yield, energy yield, and volatile solids removal rate. Pressured conditions showed better stability in anaerobic digestion at high organic loading rates.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Rihab Djebaili, Amedeo Mignini, Ilaria Vaccarelli, Marika Pellegrini, Daniela M. Spera, Maddalena Del Gallo, Anna Maria D'Alessandro
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the suitability of Stiffe caves as a source of cyanobacteria for the production of PHAs. The results showed that the illuminated walls of the caves harbored cyanobacteria strains with good PHA-producing abilities, and the production rates could be optimized through nutritional starvation.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Beatrice Farda, Rihab Djebaili, Maddalena Del Gallo, Claudia Ercole, Fabio Bellatreccia, Marika Pellegrini
Summary: The study revealed the presence of microorganisms in the black deposits of the Infernaccio gorge, with some of these microbes possessing the ability to solubilize manganese oxides, which is crucial for bioremediation and metal recovery purposes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Beatrice Farda, Ilaria Vaccarelli, Claudia Ercole, Rihab Djebaili, Maddalena Del Gallo, Marika Pellegrini
Summary: This study investigated the differences in bacterial and archaeal communities and their metabolic functions in two groups of black deposits found in gorge and cave environments. The presence of microbial biosignatures and the elemental composition of samples were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Metabarcoding of the V3-V4 regions of 16S rRNA was used to study the bacterial and archaeal communities, and PICRUSt software was employed to predict metagenome functions. The results showed that both groups of samples exhibited microbial biosignatures and diverse metabolic profiles, with genes related to essential Mn metabolism being present in all samples.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Studies
Beatrice Farda, Rihab Djebaili, Matteo Bernardi, Loretta Pace, Maddalena Del Gallo, Marika Pellegrini
Summary: Intensive agricultural practices have negative impacts on soil quality and microbial communities, as well as the occurrence of fusariosis in saffron fields. This study investigates the changes in bacterial communities induced by fusariosis and highlights the importance of understanding the interactions between intensive agricultural practices, microbial communities, and crop diseases.
Article
Soil Science
Beatrice Farda, Alessandro Mattedi, Rihab Djebaili, Loretta Pace, Maddalena Del Gallo, Marika Pellegrini
Summary: This study examines the culturable and non-culturable bacteria in the rhizospheres and root pseudonodules of wild blackberry plants. The microbial communities in the nodules and rhizospheres show significant differences, and the functional predictions support this result. Moreover, isolates of diazotrophs show potential in promoting plant growth.
Article
Plant Sciences
Debasis Mitra, Priyanka Adhikari, Rihab Djebaili, Pooja Thathola, Kuldeep Joshi, Marika Pellegrini, Nurudeen O. Adeyemi, Bahman Khoshru, Kamaljit Kaur, Ankita Priyadarshini, Ansuman Senapati, Maddalena Del Gallo, Pradeep K. Das Mohapatra, Amaresh Kumar Nayak, Vijayakumar Shanmugam, Periyasamy Panneerselvam
Summary: The current review provides knowledge on the biosynthesis and characterization of nanoparticles (NPs), their multifactorial role, and emerging trends of NPs utilization in modern science, especially in sustainable agriculture to solve the future food problem. NPs can be synthesized using organic or inorganic molecules, and their structures can be studied using various methods such as Raman spectroscopy and optical spectroscopy. Nano-agrochemicals, including nano-fertilizers, nano-pesticides, and nano-herbicides, have been developed. The mode of action for antibacterial NPs is still poorly understood, but multiple modes of action may be required to prevent antibacterial resistance.
PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Alessandro Mattedi, Enrico Sabbi, Beatrice Farda, Rihab Djebaili, Debasis Mitra, Claudia Ercole, Paola Cacchio, Maddalena Del Gallo, Marika Pellegrini
Summary: With the increase in demand for innovative approaches in the expanding green products market, microbial-based products are emerging as effective alternatives to agrochemicals. However, challenges in the production and commercialization of these products remain. Solid-state fermentation (SSF) is a promising method for obtaining valuable products from waste and by-products in a circular economy. This review examines the potential of SSF in sustainable agriculture, particularly in the production of biostimulants and biopesticides.
Article
Plant Sciences
Ilaria Borromeo, Fabio Domenici, Maddalena Del Gallo, Cinzia Forni
Summary: Plants irrigated with saline solutions undergo osmotic and oxidative stresses, affecting their growth, photosynthetic activity, and yield. Strategies such as seed priming and acclimation can improve plant tolerance to stress conditions. This study evaluated the combined effect of priming and acclimation on salt stress response of a salt-sensitive tomato cultivar.
Article
Microbiology
Gokhan Boyno, Semra Demir, Younes Rezaee Danesh, Emre Demirer Durak, Rojbin Cevik, Beatrice Farda, Rihab Djebaili, Marika Pellegrini
Summary: Monitoring the dynamics of AMF spore bank is crucial for sustainable management and protection of agroecosystems. Wet-sieving technique (WST) is a common method for extracting AMF spores from soil, but it has limitations. This study modified the WST using ultrasound wet-sieving technique (UWST) and ultrasound centrifuge technique (UCT), and compared their efficiency in extracting and enumerating AMF spores. The UCT showed the highest spore extraction rate and was also fast and low-material-consuming.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Nicolo Maria Ippolito, Alessia Amato, Valentina Innocenzi, Francesco Ferella, Svetlana Zueva, Francesca Beolchini, Francesco Veglio
Summary: This study compares the sustainability of two recycling treatments of fluorescent powders for recovering rare earths, showing the advantages of secondary production of rare earth oxides in terms of environmental and economic aspects. Process A, with the preliminary removal of mercury, was found to have the highest recovery rate and the lowest hazardous waste level. Labor and electric energy are the main costs in both processes, with the sensitivity analysis showing that the plant's capacity affects the net profit. The prices of rare earths are the key factor influencing economic feasibility.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Lars odegaard Bentsen, Narada Dilp Warakagoda, Roy Stenbro, Paal Engelstad
Summary: This study investigates uncertainty modeling in wind power forecasting using different parametric and non-parametric methods. Johnson's SU distribution is found to outperform Gaussian distributions in predicting wind power. This research contributes to the literature by introducing Johnson's SU distribution as a candidate for probabilistic wind forecasting.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2024)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Xing Liu, Qiuchen Wang, Yunhao Wen, Long Li, Xinfang Zhang, Yi Wang
Summary: This study analyzes the characteristics of process parameters in three lean gas ethane recovery processes and establishes a prediction and multiobjective optimization model for ethane recovery and system energy consumption. A new method for comparing ethane recovery processes for lean gas is proposed, and the addition of extra coolers improves the ethane recovery. The support vector regression model based on grey wolf optimization demonstrates the highest prediction accuracy, and the multiobjective multiverse optimization algorithm shows the best optimization performance and diversity in the solutions.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2024)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Cairong Song, Haidong Yang, Xian-Bing Meng, Pan Yang, Jianyang Cai, Hao Bao, Kangkang Xu
Summary: The paper proposes a novel deep learning-based prediction framework, aTCN-LSTM, for accurate cooling load predictions. The framework utilizes a gate-controlled multi-head temporal convolutional network and a sparse probabilistic self-attention mechanism with a bidirectional long short-term memory network to capture both temporal and long-term dependencies in the cooling load sequences. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method, which can serve as an effective guide for HVAC chiller scheduling and demand management initiatives.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2024)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Zhe Chen, Xiaojing Li, Xianli Xia, Jizhou Zhang
Summary: This study uses survey data from the Loess Plateau in China to evaluate the impact of social interaction on the adoption of soil and water conservation (SWC) technology by farmers. The study finds that social interaction increases the likelihood of farmers adopting SWC, and internet use moderates this effect. The positive impact of social interaction on SWC adoption is more pronounced for farmers in larger villages and those who join cooperative societies.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2024)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Chenghua Zhang, Yunfei Yan, Kaiming Shen, Zongguo Xue, Jingxiang You, Yonghong Wu, Ziqiang He
Summary: This paper reports a novel method that significantly improves combustion performance, including heat transfer enhancement under steady-state conditions and adaptive stable flame regulation under velocity sudden increase.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2024)