Article
Engineering, Environmental
Naga Raju Maddela, Ronald Oswaldo Villamar Torres
Summary: The presence of low fouling-causing bacteria in a dual-species culture can significantly reduce the membrane fouling potential of high fouling-causing bacteria through interspecies interactions. Fourier transform infrared analyses show that low fouling-causing bacteria can modulate the extracellular polymeric substances functional groups of high/low fouling-causing bacteria mixed cultures, thereby alleviating membrane fouling. Isolation and application of low fouling-causing bacteria in membrane bioreactors can be a promising method for membrane fouling control through specific cell-to-cell interactions.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yair Kaufman, K. C. Hunt, Gabriel Hale, Matthew McClure, David Latulippe, Madhavi Sivan, Jack Wilson, Rachel Dorin, Yury Agroskin, Marty Siwak, Daniele Gerion
Summary: Membrane fouling by monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is a challenge in virus-filtration processes, and the differences in fouling between different mAbs have not been fully explained. This study found that low concentration aggregates of mAbs can foul membranes through an adsorptive mechanism driven by hydrophobic forces. The charge of the mAbs plays a secondary role in fouling. These insights can potentially be used to mitigate fouling in other virus-filtration and/or ultrafiltration membranes.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Beata Malczewska, Ramin R. Farnood, Shahram Tabe
Summary: The study investigates the use of PAN ENM coated with HAOPs for the removal of NOM from water. The results show that HAOPs can significantly enhance the efficiency of NOM removal.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Li Zhang, Lei Xu, Nigel Graham, Wenzheng Yu
Summary: This study investigated the effect of tap water on biofilm formation and biofouling in a gravity-driven membrane filtration system. Results showed that tap water led to more severe membrane fouling compared to lake water, with higher quantities of polysaccharide and extracellular DNA (eDNA) in the tap-water biofilm. The tap-water biofilm had a densely compact morphology, while the lake-water biofilm exhibited a porous, spider-like structure.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shweta Rawat, Abhijit Maiti
Summary: Adsorption is the most effective method for arsenic removal, but it cannot be applied in large-scale treatment in centralized water supply systems. In this study, a low-cost laterite-derived adsorbent (LDA) was combined with cross-flow ultrafiltration (Ads-UF) to develop a strategy for remediation of arsenic-contaminated water. The effect of adsorbent particles on permeate flux was assessed, and two different hybrid configurations were considered. The results showed that flux decline was higher with Ads-UF compared to Ads-SF-UF, and the spent LDA was found to be safe for disposal.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
M. Trevisan, R. Ghidossi, P. Moulin
Summary: SiC membranes show satisfactory hydraulic and retention performances in winemaking process. They can produce clear and brilliant wines, retain wine microorganisms, achieve higher production flows compared to hollow fibers, while still preserving the interesting compounds of wines, and filter matrices that cannot be processed by hollow fibers.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yu-Xiang Lu, Heyang Yuan, Hameer Chand, You Wu, Yu-Li Yang, Heng Liang, Hai-Liang Song
Summary: Osmotic membrane bioreactors (OMBRs) are considered suitable for treating wastewater containing tetracycline, but the impact of membrane fouling layer on tetracycline filtration and its relationship with microbial activity is still unclear. This study investigated the effects of draw solute concentration and type on the formation of a membrane fouling layer for tetracycline filtration and found that the fouling layer played an important role in tetracycline filtration and degradation. The study provided insights into the combined effect of membrane fouling and microorganisms on tetracycline removal.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Chunxiu Yu, Zhaokun Xiong, Hongyu Zhou, Peng Zhou, Heng Zhang, Rongfu Huang, Gang Yao, Bo Lai
Summary: The integration of membrane filtration (MF) and sulfate radical-advanced oxidation processes (SR-AOPs) has gained extensive attention in environmental remediation for its simultaneous degradation and filtration of pollutants in wastewater. This review comprehensively summarizes the classification, preparation methods, and properties of different types of membrane-based materials and filtration devices, as well as the mechanisms, technical challenges, and prospects of the collaborative mixing process.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Lee Nuang Sim, Jia Shin Ho, Nurshazwani Binte Khaswan, Bing Wu, Tzyy Haur Chong
Summary: This study investigated the biosorption efficiency of Mn (II) by algae and membrane performance in a hybrid system. It found that higher algae inoculation ratio led to higher Mn (II) removal efficiency, but might reduce the algae uptake ratio of Mn (II) and improve membrane performance.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2021)
Review
Polymer Science
Tok Sheng Hung, Muhammad Roil Bilad, Norazanita Shamsuddin, Hazwani Suhaimi, Noor Maizura Ismail, Juhana Jaafar, Ahmad Fauzi Ismail
Summary: Ultra-low-pressure membrane (ULPM) filtration is a promising method for decentralized water and wastewater treatment. It can achieve long-term filtration without physical or chemical cleaning, despite operating at lower flux. This paper reviews recent studies on membrane compaction, wetting, and fouling, and evaluates the performance of gravity-driven membrane (GDM) systems for water and wastewater treatment.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Elia Arnese-Feffin, Pierantonio Facco, Daniele Turati, Fabrizio Bezzo, Massimiliano Barolo
Summary: In this study, a hybrid modeling strategy is proposed to characterize reversible and irreversible fouling in multi-module biorefinery membrane separation systems. The combination of a data-driven model and a knowledge-driven model allows monitoring of membrane fouling and valuable insight to be obtained through simple visual inspection.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE
(2024)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Victor Okorie Mkpuma, Navid Reza Moheimani, Houda Ennaceri
Summary: Membrane technology is a cost-effective and simple method for harvesting and dewatering microalgal biomass. However, membrane fouling hinders its large-scale application. This review discusses the fouling phenomenon in microalgal membrane filtration and strategies for mitigating membrane fouling, with a focus on enhancing the fouling resistance characteristics of the membrane surface.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Sharjeel Waqas, Muhammad Roil Bilad, Aqsha Aqsha, Noorfidza Yub Harun, Muhammad Ayoub, Mohd Dzul Hakim Wirzal, Juhana Jaafar, Sri Mulyati, Muthia Elma
Summary: This study compares the biological and hydraulic performances of PVDF and PSF membranes in a rotating biological contactor system. Results show that the steady-state permeabilities of the membranes in MRBC are significantly higher than external filtration, with MRBC consuming only one-fourth of the energy of a traditional membrane bioreactor.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Anna M. Kalde, Johannes Lohaus, Stephan Musholt, Matthias Wessling
Summary: This study systematically investigated the fouling and backwashing of anionic polystyrene particles in microfluidic structures with engineered surface charge and hydrophilicity. The results confirmed that increasing the hydrophilicity of the membrane can reduce fouling, but hydrophilicity alone is not a sufficient measure to predict particle deposition and removal behavior. Designing a hydrophilic membrane with an engineered surface charge is crucial for achieving a low-fouling membrane that can be cleaned effectively during backwashing with pure flow reversal.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Fatemeh Fallahianbijan, Parinaz Emami, Jordan M. Hillsley, Seyed Pouria Motevalian, Brenda Carrillo Conde, Kelvin Reilly, Andrew L. Zydney
Summary: This study evaluated the performance of three commercial 0.2 μm nominal pore size sterilizing grade membranes with different morphologies during sterile filtration of large glycoconjugate vaccines. The asymmetric membrane showed the highest filtration capacity due to its high permeability, while the two-layer membrane had the lowest capacity. Pressure profiles analysis provided insights into the effects of membrane morphology on fouling characteristics.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hiroe Hara-Yamamura, Toshikazu Fukushima, Lea Chua Tan, Satoshi Okabe
Article
Environmental Sciences
Toshikazu Fukushima, Wongta Jintana, Satoshi Okabe
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
E. L. Anderson, J. Jang, R. T. Venterea, G. W. Feyereisen, S. Ishii
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hisashi Satoh, Kai Kikuchi, Yutaka Katayose, Shu Tsuda, Reiko Hirano, Yuga Hirakata, Masaaki Kitajima, Satoshi Ishii, Mamoru Oshiki, Masashi Hatamoto, Masahiro Takahashi, Satoshi Okabe
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2020)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yi-Ju Wu, Liang-Ming Whang, Toshikazu Fukushima, Yu-Jen Huang
INTERNATIONAL BIODETERIORATION & BIODEGRADATION
(2020)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
N. Aldossari, S. Ishii
Summary: This study isolated a variety of cold-adapted, cellulose-degrading, and nitrate-reducing fungi that could assist in nitrate removal in woodchip bioreactors under low-temperature conditions. These fungi showed the ability to reduce nitrate to gaseous forms and had denitrification genes, potentially enhancing denitrification capability in bioreactors.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Liping Qiu, Qian Zhang, Hansong Zhu, Peter B. Reich, Samiran Banerjee, Marcel G. A. van der Heijden, Michael J. Sadowsky, Satoshi Ishii, Xiaoxu Jia, Mingan Shao, Baoyuan Liu, Huan Jiao, Haiqiang Li, Xiaorong Wei
Summary: Soil erosion has a significant negative impact on soil microbial diversity and functionality, leading to lower microbial network complexity and changes in microbial community composition, with an increase in the relative abundances of some bacterial families involved in nitrogen cycling.
Review
Soil Science
Nouf Aldossari, Satoshi Ishii
Summary: Fungi play a key role in the nitrogen cycle by reducing nitrate and nitrite to gaseous nitrogen oxides. However, fungal N2O production may not be solely related to denitrification, and experiments should be carefully conducted to discriminate between different nitrate/nitrite reduction processes. Various analytical tools have been developed to study fungal denitrification, offering insights for future research opportunities.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Sarah Shawver, Carl Wepking, Satoshi Ishii, Michael S. Strickland, Brian D. Badgley
Summary: The study found that repeated application of manure from cattle administered antibiotics can impact soil microbial community structure and abundance of antibiotic resistance genes for up to three years. Cattle manure treated with antibiotics had a more significant effect on soil bacterial communities compared to manure from antibiotic-free cattle, but had minimal impact on fungal communities.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Nouf Aldossari, Satoshi Ishii
Summary: The genome sequence of a cold-adapted fungus Linnemannia hyalina strain SCG-10, isolated from soil and capable of nitrate reduction, was reported, containing 12,693 protein-coding sequences in a genome size of 51.6 Mbp.
MICROBIOLOGY RESOURCE ANNOUNCEMENTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hiroe Hara-Yamamura, Koji Nakashima, Toshikazu Fukushima, Satoshi Okabe
Summary: This study revealed the changes in transcriptomic responses of HepG2 cells exposed to NSAIDs in wastewater effluents and quantified the expression levels of selected marker genes. The findings suggest that the presence of wastewater effluent matrix may mitigate the potentially adverse cellular impacts of NSAIDs.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Mamoru Oshiki, Komei Nagai, Satoshi Ishii, Yoshiyuki Suzuki, Nobuo Saito, Takashi Yamaguchi, Nobuo Araki, Satoshi Okabe
Summary: The nitrogen cycle is an essential process that involves the conversion of nitrogenous compounds to different nitrogen species. The N-15 labeling approach is a powerful technique to study nitrogen transformation reactions in cultures. A simple and high-throughput mass spectrometry method was developed to determine the N-15 atoms percent of various nitrogen species in liquid samples.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Zhiyue Wang, Satoshi Ishii, Paige J. Novak
Summary: Encapsulation of microorganisms shows promising potential for enhancing biological nitrogen removal in wastewater treatment, offering benefits such as increased efficiency, reduced inhibition, and improved stability. However, further research is needed to understand interactions between encapsulated microorganisms and between microorganisms and their surrounding matrices, as well as to evaluate the stability and permeability of encapsulation materials under realistic wastewater treatment conditions.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-WATER RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Kentaro Miyazaki, Hikaru Suenaga, Mamoru Oshiki, Shuichi Kawano, Toshikazu Fukushima
Summary: Thiohalobacter sp. strain COW1, a bacterium capable of degrading thiocyanate, was isolated from activated sludge treating coke oven wastewater, and its complete genome sequence was determined to contain a single circular chromosome with 2,788 protein-coding genes, 39 tRNA genes, and 3 rRNA genes.
MICROBIOLOGY RESOURCE ANNOUNCEMENTS
(2021)
Article
Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering
Toshiaki Kato, Takashi Kusui, Chika Kosugi, Toshikazu Fukushima
TETSU TO HAGANE-JOURNAL OF THE IRON AND STEEL INSTITUTE OF JAPAN
(2020)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Rong-Gui Zhu, Chang-Gui Pan, Feng-Jiao Peng, Chao-Yang Zhou, Jun-Jie Hu, Kefu Yu
Summary: This comprehensive survey investigated the occurrence, bioaccumulation, and trophic magnification of parabens and their metabolite 4-HB in a marine food web. Results showed that parabens were the predominant pollutants in marine organisms, with significant bioaccumulation from sediments. The estimated trophic magnification factor indicated biomagnification for MeP and trophic dilution for 4-HB. Overall, the risks for humans consuming marine organisms were found to be low.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Andres F. Torres-Franco, Deborah Leroy-Freitas, Cristina Martinez-Fraile, Elisa Rodriguez, Pedro A. Garcia-Encina, Raul Munoz
Summary: Anaerobic and microalgae-based technologies have emerged as sustainable alternatives for municipal wastewater treatment. However, the presence of viruses in the treated wastewater is a major concern for reuse applications. This study assessed the ability of these technologies to reduce viruses during secondary wastewater treatment. The results showed that all technologies were effective in reducing the concentration of viruses, with microalgae-based treatment exhibiting the highest potential for reducing the disinfection requirements of treated wastewater.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Young Gwang Kim, Sae Yun Kwon, Spencer J. Washburn, Scott C. Brooks, Ji Won Yoon, Lucien Besnard
Summary: The study uses Hg isotope ratios to identify the sources and exposure pathways of mercury in bivalves, finding that dissolved Hg phases in the water column are the primary source and exposure pathway to bivalves. This provides new insights into using bivalves as bioindicators for sediment quality monitoring.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hui Geng, Ying Xu, Rui Liu, Dianhai Yang, Xiaohu Dai
Summary: This study investigates the effect of cation exchange resin (CER) on the sequential recovery of hydrogen and methane from anaerobic digestion (AD) and the corresponding mechanisms. The results show that CER can simultaneously enhance the production of hydrogen and methane by promoting the solubilisation, hydrolysis, and acidification of organic matter. Additionally, CER facilitates effective contact between bacteria and organic particulates and reduces the energy barrier for mass transfer during methane production. The study also reveals changes in the microbial community structure and metagenomics during the AD process.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaojing Lin, Zhan Jin, Shunfeng Jiang, Zhiquan Wang, Suqing Wu, Ke Bei, Min Zhao, Xiangyong Zheng
Summary: Dehumidification combined with addition of absorbent resin supplement (ARS) was used to achieve rapid evaporation of non-pretreated urine, resulting in high water evaporation efficiency and nutrient recovery.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yangli Che, Chaoran Lin, Shen Li, Jiao Liu, Longhai Zhu, Shilei Yu, Nan Wang, Haoshuai Li, Mutai Bao, Yang Zhou, Tonghao Si, Rui Bao
Summary: Hydrodynamic processes play a crucial role in the transmission of sediments, microbial assembly, and organic carbon redistribution in the ocean. Through experiments and analysis, we found that hydrodynamics shape the assembly of microbial communities and control the redistribution of different sourced organic carbon, thereby influencing microbial-mediated biogeochemical transformation.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chao Chen, Yu Yang, Nigel J. D. Graham, Zhenyu Li, Xingtao Yang, Zhining Wang, Nadia Farhat, Johannes S. Vrouwenvelder, Li -an Hou
Summary: The fouling of seawater reverse osmosis membranes is a persistent challenge in desalination. This study monitored the operational performance of a desalination plant for 7 years and the fouling development in different areas of membrane modules. The findings showed that operational performance declined over time and fouling mainly occurred at the feed side of the modules, with the highest microbial diversity. Keystone species like Chloroflexi and Planctomycetes played an important role in maintaining community structure and biofilm maturation. Polysaccharides, soluble microbial products, marine humic acid-like substances, and inorganic substances contributed to fouling. Overall, biofouling had a significant impact on membrane fouling after 7 years of operation.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Dan Li, Jieyi Sun, Yibo Fu, Wentao Hong, Heli Wang, Qian Yang, Junhong Wu, Sen Yang, Jianhui Xu, Yunfei Zhang, Yirong Deng, Yin Zhong, Ping'an Peng
Summary: Sulfidation-oxidation treatment of magnetite (Fe3O4) enhances the production of dark center dot OH, which can efficiently degrade dissolved organic matter (DOM) and accelerate carbon cycling.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Cheng Yu, Kaijun Wang, Kaiyuan Zhang, Ruiyang Liu, Pingping Zheng
Summary: This study implemented a microaerobic-aerobic configuration in a full-scale municipal wastewater treatment facility and investigated the effects on sludge characteristics, pollutant removal, microbial community, and granulation mechanisms. The results showed successful transition from flocculent-activated sludge to well-defined AGS after two months of operation. The primary pathways for pollutant removal were simultaneous nitrification, denitrification, and phosphorus removal. Moreover, the incorporation of internal separators induced shifts in the flow pattern, which promoted granulation.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhe Zhang, Shaoyang Hu, Guangrong Sun, Wei Wang
Summary: Halogenated aromatic disinfection byproducts (DBPs), such as halogenated phenols, have garnered widespread attention due to their high toxicity and prevalence. This study reports on the analysis, occurrence, and cytotoxicity of a group of emerging halogenated aromatic DBPs, known as halogenated polyhydroxyphenols (HPPs), in drinking water.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shengyue Chen, Jinliang Huang, Peng Wang, Xi Tang, Zhenyu Zhang
Summary: Accurate prediction of river water quality is crucial for sustainable water management. This study introduces wavelet analysis and transfer learning techniques to assist LSTM modeling, proposing a newly coupled modeling approach that improves short-term prediction of river water quality.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bang Du, Xinmin Zhan, Piet N. L. Lens, Yifeng Zhang, Guangxue Wu
Summary: Efficient anaerobic digestion relies on the cooperation of different microorganisms with different metabolic pathways. This study investigated the effects of different operational modes and the addition of powdered activated carbon (PAC) on ethanol metabolic pathways. The results showed that the SBR mode and the presence of CO2 facilitated ethanol metabolism towards propionate production, while the CFR mode with extended solids retention time enriched Geobacter. Adjusting operational modes and PAC addition can modulate anaerobic ethanol metabolism and enrich Geobacter.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Wanfa Wang, Si-Liang Li, Jun Zhong, Yuanbi Yi, Fujun Yue, Zenglei Han, Qixin Wu, Ding He, Cong-Qiang Liu
Summary: This study compares the carbon biogeochemical processes in karst and non-karst regions within large thermal stratified river-reservoir systems. The results demonstrate that karst reservoirs have a reduced potential for carbon emissions and highlight the importance of considering geologic settings to improve accuracy in regional and global CO2 emission estimates.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chunxia Jiang, Zelong Zhao, Dong Zhu, Xiong Pan, Yuyi Yang
Summary: This study analyzed the occurrence and distribution of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in different environmental media of the Yangtze River using metagenomics. Core resistome dominated by multidrug resistance genes was found in all samples, while rare resistome dominated by various resistance genes was more prevalent in plasmids. Specific bacteria were identified as hosts for both core and rare resistomes, with high clinical concern ARGs found in the rare resistome. Particle-associated environment provided the most ideal conditions for resistome hosts. This study provided insights into the genetic locations of ARGs and the community assembly mechanisms of ARG hosts in freshwater environments.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yu Zhang, Yongtao He, Linchun Jia, Lei Xu, Zheng Wang, Yueling He, Ling Xiong, Xumeng Lin, Hong Chen, Gang Xue
Summary: By synergizing organic carbon source, thiosulfate, and zero-valent iron, efficient mixotrophic denitrification of oligotrophic secondary effluent can be achieved. Thiosulfate plays a vital role in promoting TN removal efficiency, while corrosion of Fe0 releases OH- to neutralize H+ from thiosulfate-driven denitrification, creating a suitable environment for denitrification. The coordination of thiosulfate and Fe0 maintains the dominance of Thiobacillus for denitrification.
