Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yousef Azimi, Mohammad Talaeian, Hamid Sarkheil, Rana Hashemi, Ravanbakhsh Shirdam
Summary: This article introduces an efficient model for simulating non-linear processes in wastewater treatment plants using a novel evolving Multilayer perceptron (MLP) by Genetic Algorithm (GA). The study also explores the effect of input variable space pre-processing in different scenarios. The results show that the second scenario and its best MLPs provide the highest level of precision and generalization.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Rongwei Zhong, Hu Li, Yangyang Wang, Ying Zhang, Jian Zhou, Tiecheng Wang
Summary: Plasma oxidation was used to remove antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and inhibit pathogenic bacteria in municipal wastewater treatment plants (MWTP). The experimental results showed that plasma treatment effectively removed various ARGs and decreased the diversity and richness of microbial communities. Plasma treatment also resulted in reduced gene expression related to ARGs and inhibited the transmission risks of ARGs and pathogenicity in MWTP effluent.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Cindy Weng, Marlena M. Hinkle, William A. Mitch
Summary: In this study, a reductive electrochemical reactor with a stainless-steel cathode was used to degrade chloramine disinfectant residuals in municipal wastewater effluents. High degradation rates and efficiencies were achieved with a 304-grade stainless-steel cathode and a cathode with a high surface area. The electricity cost associated with this method could be comparable to the cost of purchasing sodium bisulfite in areas with low electricity costs.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Valentin Goeldner, Jessica Ulke, Benedict Kirchner, Dominik Skalka, Marie Schmalz, Steffen Heuckeroth, Uwe Karst
Summary: This study demonstrates the potential of electrochemistry hyphenated to liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry for the prediction of oxidative degradation of the antihypertensive drug valsartan in wastewater treatment plants. The researchers identified seven electrochemical transformation products of valsartan and successfully detected one of them, N-dealkylated ETP336, in wastewater treatment plant effluent. They also developed a targeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the detection of valsartan and its electrochemical transformation products, which eliminates the need for costly synthesis and isolation of reference materials. This workflow is valuable for setting up targeted analysis methods for unknown transformation products.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Maryam 'Aqilah Norhan, Siti Rozaimah Sheikh Abdullah, Hassimi Abu Hasan, Nur 'Izzati Ismail
Summary: The study showed that Scirpus grossus plants were effective in removing TSS from palm oil mill effluent, with a higher removal rate in the free-surface system compared to the sub-surface system on day 7. The presence of suspended solids in the effluent influenced the sedimentation rate, impacting TSS removal efficiency. COD removal was not significantly different between systems or with or without plants, indicating the importance of the sand medium in COD removal.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Radhiatul Atiqah Ramli Shah, Siti Rozaimah Sheikh Abdullah, Hassimi Abu Hasan, Ahmad Razi Othman, Nur 'Izzati Ismail
Summary: This research investigates the use of local plants as biocoagulants in the treatment of coffee effluent. The study found that Piper sarmentosum showed the highest removal of suspended solids and turbidity, making it the most effective biocoagulant.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH & DESIGN
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Rathinamoorthy Ramasamy, Tadele Assefa Aragaw, Raja Balasaraswathi Subramanian
Summary: The production, use, and disposal of synthetic textiles can release a significant amount of microfibers into the environment. Municipal wastewater treatment plants serve as a sink for these microfibers, but textile industry wastewater treatment plants have been largely overlooked. The review demonstrates that textile industry effluents contain much higher levels of microfibers than municipal WWTPs, and the sludge from these WWTPs is an important source of microfiber contamination.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Water Resources
Nour Al Hadidi, Majeda Al Hadidi
Summary: Decentralized wastewater plants are cost-effective and widely used in small ruler communities. The study evaluated the suitability of reclaimed wastewater for irrigation and found that there are certain restrictions on its use.
APPLIED WATER SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Samuel O. Babalola, Michael O. Daramola, Samuel A. Iwarere
Summary: In this study, the degradation of tramadol was investigated for the first time in deionized water and final wastewater effluent. The results showed that the degradation efficiency of tramadol was significantly higher in deionized water compared to wastewater effluent.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Azmi Ahmad, Siti Rozaimah Sheikh Abdullah, Hassimi Abu Hasan, Ahmad Razi Othman, Nur 'Izzati Ismail
Summary: Neem leaves show promising potential as a natural coagulant for wastewater treatment, with effective removal of turbidity and TSS. Although slightly less effective than alum, Neem still demonstrates high capabilities and warrants further research and exploration for optimization.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hui Zhi, Danielle T. Webb, Jerald L. Schnoor, Dana W. Kolpin, Rebecca D. Klaper, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Gregory H. LeFevre
Summary: Wastewater effluent-dominated streams are becoming more common worldwide, with potential impacts on ecological systems and drinking water sources. A study quantified the ecological risks of various contaminants in a representative stream and found that 11 out of 20 contaminants posed medium-to-high risks to local ecosystems. Stochastic risk modeling showed that even with dilution from storm flows, risks from effluent-derived contaminants remained problematic. Additionally, 13 out of 14 pharmaceuticals persisted along the stream and entered the Iowa River. The study highlights the application of probabilistic risk assessments for effluent-derived contaminants and provides a prediction tool for similar systems.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-WATER RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ankur Rajpal, Muntjeer Ali, Moharana Choudhury, Abdulaziz Ibrahim Almohana, Abdulrhman Fahmi Alali, Faris Mohammad A. Munshi, Anwar Khursheed, Absar Ahmad Kazmi
Summary: The treatment of wastewater from slaughterhouse plants is a public and environmental health concern. The current wastewater treatment systems are effective in removing organic matter but need to be upgraded to remove nutrient concentration from the treated effluents.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Meng Lu, Zhi-Hua Li, Yang Jiang
Summary: Effluent temporal characteristics of wastewater treatment plants in the same province of China were analyzed to understand the performance of the plants. Ammonia and COD showed significant periodic cycles with quasi-biweekly variation, which can help identify outliers and tune the plants for better operation. This study highlights the importance of considering the collective behaviors of a plant community for evaluating WWTPs, especially when online data are readily available.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hui Zhi, Alyssa L. Mianecki, Dana W. Kolpin, Rebecca D. Klaper, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Gregory H. LeFevre
Summary: This study investigated the attenuation dynamics and mechanisms of pharmaceuticals and their transformation products in effluent-dominated streams through a combination of field study and controlled laboratory experiments. Sorption was found to be the dominant attenuation process, with field measurements showing significantly higher attenuation rates compared to batch tests. The evolving pharmaceutical mixture in streams can impact aquatic and terrestrial biota, emphasizing the need for combining field and laboratory characterizations to improve modeling efforts for transport and risk assessments.
Article
Polymer Science
Iva Curic, Davor Dolar, Josip Horvat, Katia Grgic
Summary: The influence of textile wastewater secondary effluent on the characteristics of ultrafiltration membranes was investigated, showing changes in membrane properties and the formation of fouling layers, with larger pore size membranes exhibiting a greater decrease in permeate flux during treatment.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Mehrnoosh Babaahmadifooladi, Liesbeth Jacxsens, Tom Van de Wiele, Ediu Carlos da Silva Junior, Gijs Du Laing
Summary: This study investigated the bioaccessible/dialyzable fractions of nickel in different foods and found that exposure assessments based on these fractions highlighted an overestimation of exposures when calculated based on total nickel concentrations in foods. This is particularly important when comparing exposure values with toxicological thresholds, especially those obtained through animal studies dosed at 100% accessibility/availability of nickel salts.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Susanna Maanoja, Marja Palmroth, Linda Salminen, Leena Lehtinen, Marika Kokko, Aino-Maija Lakaniemi, Hannele Auvinen, Mirjam Kiczka, Eveliina Muuri, Jukka Rintala
Summary: This study demonstrates that the interaction of microorganisms with bentonites increases the quantity and release rate of organic matter (sOM). Additionally, the compaction of bentonites and their connection to different cell systems also affect the release of sOM.
APPLIED CLAY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bram Seynnaeve, Karel Folens, Chidharth Krishnaraj, Ivan K. Ilic, Clemens Liedel, Johannes Schmidt, An Verberckmoes, Gijs Du Laing, Karen Leus, Pascal Van der Voort
Summary: A new oxygen-rich porous polymer was synthesized and successfully used as support for anchoring amorphous zirconium oxide nanoparticles. The hybrid material exhibited excellent adsorption capacities for both arsenite and arsenate, with fast adsorption kinetics. The material showed applicability in real working environments and could be regenerated continuously for arsenic desorption.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Karel Folens, Adam J. Williamson, Kylian Van Damme, Pieter Ostermeyer, Cristina Garcia Timermans, Gijs Du Laing, Nico Boon, Tom Hennebel
Summary: This study proposes a method for the treatment and hydrometallurgical recovery of lead from zinc leaching residue. Lead is completely extracted using sodium citrate solution and recovered as PbSO4 precipitate through chemical reaction under continuous membrane electrolysis. The integrated process is sustainable, resolving the issue of landfilling mineral tailings and treating historical dump sites while recovering raw material from a secondary source.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Nerea Rodriguez Rodriguez, Maarten Everaert, Karel Folens, Jakob Busse, Thomas Abo Atia, Adam J. Williamson, Lieven Machiels, Jeroen Spooren, Nico Boon, Gijs Du Laing, Koen Binnemans
Summary: Innovative and sustainable technologies are being developed to meet the demand for critical metals and valorize industrial waste streams. This study successfully recovered copper from copper sulfide tailings using microwave-assisted roasting and ammonia leaching, with high efficiency and selectivity against other metals. Bioleaching and environmental leaching tests were also applied to further reduce residual metal concentrations and evaluate process performance.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Gijs Du Laing, Mirko Petrovic, Carl Lachat, Marthe De Boevre, Georg J. Klingenberg, Qian Sun, Sarah De Saeger, Jozefien De Clercq, Louis Ide, Linos Vandekerckhove, Lutz Schomburg
Summary: The study found that selenium and/or zinc deficiency in COVID-19 patients is associated with higher mortality rates and more severe disease course, especially in the senior population. Comparisons with healthy European adults showed significantly lower selenium and SELENOP concentrations in the patients upon hospital admission. Associations with specific comorbidities like cancer, diabetes, and chronic cardiac disease were noted, emphasizing the importance of trace element assessment for patient stratification and clinical care.
Article
Plant Sciences
Maksymilian Malka, Gijs Du Laing, Torsten Bohn
Summary: This study investigated the effects of foliar application of selenium and zinc on the accumulation of macrominerals, macronutrients, and bioactive compounds in pea plants. The results showed that the application of selenate and zinc oxide positively affected the concentrations of magnesium and chlorophyll in different pea varieties. The study provides new nutritional data on biofortified peas and contributes to the improvement of agronomic biofortification.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mojtaba Mohseni, Wibke Zaengler, Kristof Demeestere, Gijs Du Laing, Sabita Bhandari, Anna K. Mechler, Sueleyman Yuece, Robert G. Keller, Matthias Wessling
Summary: This study introduces a one-pot method to synthesize Fe-incorporated self-standing HPCs using bio-based precursors to serve as binder-free electrodes, with high specific surface area and tailorable porosity, demonstrating potential for efficient removal of micropollutants in water bodies.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jun Li, Lila Otero-Gonzalez, Piet N. L. Lens, Ivet Ferrer, Gijs Du Laing
Summary: Selenium and zinc are essential micronutrients often lacking in human and animal diets. SeZn-enriched duckweed and sludge can be used as slow-release biofertilizers, significantly increasing selenium concentrations in plants, particularly organic selenium-methionine in seeds, without negative effects on plant growth.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yaoyu Zhou, Xin Liu, Xiao Yang, Gijs Du Laing, Yuan Yang, Filip M. G. Tack, Michael S. Bank, Jochen Bundschuh
Summary: This study investigated the uptake mechanisms and phytotoxicity of different-sized platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) on rice seedlings. Results showed that 70 nm-sized PtNPs were more efficiently transferred in rice roots. Increasing PtNP concentration restricted particle uptake, while particle aggregation and dissolution were observed in plant cells and on root surfaces.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Maksymilian Malka, Gijs Du Laing, Alzbeta Hegedusova, Torsten Bohn
Summary: Although selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) are essential nutrients for human health, their deficiencies affect a significant portion of the global population. Biofortification of pea crops with Se/Zn can effectively increase the nutritional value. This study investigated the effects of foliar application of sodium selenate (Se) or zinc oxide (Zn) on seed accumulation of Se and Zn in two varieties of peas.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alessio 'Aquino, Niko Kalinainen, Hannele Auvinen, Gianni Andreottola, Jaakko A. Puhakka, Marja R. T. Palmroth
Summary: The aim of this study was to determine the inhibition of inorganic ions (Na+, Cl-, SO42-, and K+) commonly present in saline wastewaters on denitrification and reveal its potential for treating waste streams. The inhibitory effects were investigated for both heterotrophic and autotrophic denitrification, and it was found that Cl- played the most important role in decreasing denitrification rate.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Edelbis Lopez-Davila, Michael Houbraken, Jasmine De Rop, Gijs Du Laing, Osvaldo Romero Romero, Pieter Spanoghe
Summary: A study conducted in the Sancti Spiritus province of Cuba between 2011 and 2014 aimed to quantify the toxicity and ecotoxicological pressure of pesticides. Findings showed that workers and residents were at the highest risk of exposure to toxic pesticides, while aquatic organisms and the environment faced significant ecotoxicological pressure from pesticide use. The use of POCER and Sigma Seq indicators provided a more accurate assessment of pesticide toxicity and ecotoxicity, suggesting that substituting highly toxic pesticides with less toxic alternatives could help reduce environmental and human health risks.
REVISTA CORPOICA-CIENCIA Y TECNOLOGIA AGROPECUARIA
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Chaoqing Yang, Flavia Artizzu, Karel Folens, Gijs Du Laing, Rik Van Deun
Summary: A novel material MIT:Eu has been developed with the ability to exhibit room-temperature colour blue-shifted afterglow and excitation wavelength dependent multicoloured luminescence, allowing for tunable fluorescence from red to blue by altering the excitation wavelength. This material displays three emission bands with characteristic lifetimes in orders of magnitude of 10(-9), 10(-4), and 10(0) seconds respectively, resulting in a remarkable colour blue-shifted afterglow.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Wanlu Liu, Anna M. Kaczmarek, Karel Folens, Gijs Du Laing, Pascal Van der Voort, Rik Van Deun
Summary: Three Periodic Mesoporous Organosilica (PMO) materials were presented, including a pyridine dicarboxamide functionalized PMO (DPA-PMO) and two amine functionalized PMOs (Am-PMO and Am-ePMO). These materials show potential for near-infrared (NIR) luminescence applications.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2021)
