Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhihui Chen, Jun Yao, Bo Ma, Bang Liu, Jonghyok Kim, Hao Li, Xiaozhe Zhu, Chenchen Zhao, Meseret Amde
Summary: This study proposes a biocatalytic method for the degradation of chlorophenols using enzyme-nanoparticle conjugated biocatalyst. The laccase from Trametes versicolor was immobilized on amino-functionalized superparamagnetic Fe3O4@SiO2-NH2 nanoparticles, which demonstrated improved stability and reusability compared to free laccase. The degradation efficiency of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) remained high even after multiple cycles. The study also identified the intermediate products and degradation pathway of chlorophenols. These findings suggest that this clean biotechnology could be an alternative method for the remediation of chlorophenol-contaminated water matrices.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alina T. Roman-Hubers, Christoph Aeppli, James N. Dodds, Erin S. Baker, Kelly M. McFarlin, Daniel J. Letinski, Lin Zhao, Douglas A. Mitchell, Thomas F. Parkerton, Roger C. Prince, Tim Nedwed, Ivan Rusyn
Summary: This study investigates the impact of photooxidation on the environmental fate and effects of spilled oil. Through a simulated experiment, involving the generation of oil slicks and exposure to sunlight for 8 days, the researchers characterized the molecular composition of seawater underneath irradiated and non-irradiated oil slicks. The results show that photooxidation leads to the production of hydrocarbons with oxygen-and sulfur-containing by-products, but the overall ecotoxicity potential remains limited.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Luca Foti, Donatella Coviello, Antonio Zuorro, Filomena Lelario, Sabino Aurelio Bufo, Laura Scrano, Andres Sauvetre, Serge Chiron, Monica Brienza
Summary: This study evaluates the degradation of levofloxacin (LFX) using solar-driven advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), and determines the most effective treatment method. By selectively controlling the generation of hydroxyl radical and sulphate radical using different oxidant precursors, the researchers achieved successful abatement of LFX in wastewater samples. This treatment method showed high selectivity towards the sulphate radical, leading to the inhibition of antibiotic character in polluted waters.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sidan Tian, Qiang Yue, Chenchen Liu, Mengyang Li, Mingming Yin, Yuting Gao, Fanling Meng, Ben Zhong Tang, Liang Luo
Summary: The environmentally self-degradable conjugated polymer PDDA remains stable in the dark or without oxygen, but rapidly decomposes into biocompatible succinic acid when exposed to sunlight and air, providing a new strategy for completely degrading postconsumer conjugated polymers in a natural environment.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jijoe Samuel Prabagar, Shivamurthy Ravindra Yashas, Bannimath Gurupadayya, Kitirote Wantala, Das Bhusan Diganta, Harikaranahalli Puttaiah Shivaraju
Summary: In this study, lanthanum copper oxide was synthesized and characterized for doxycycline degradation. The catalyst exhibited enhanced photocatalytic degradation under visible light, showing its potential for environmental applications.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Luning Lian, Bo Jiang, Yi Xing, Nana Zhang
Summary: This study found that photolysis can effectively degrade organophosphorus pesticides (OPs), with chlorpyrifos and dimethoate achieving high photodegradation efficiencies under specific conditions (pH 9, xenon lamp as light source). Through experimental and theoretical exploration, the photodegradation mechanisms of chlorpyrifos and dimethoate were revealed.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fei Liu, Fang Liu, Xiao Qian, Xianjian Zhu, Yansha Lou, Xinhui Liu, Baoshan Cui, Junhong Bai
Summary: The research focused on the effect of LMWOAs on the photodegradation kinetics of tetracycline and the development of a QSAR model. Results showed that TC photodegradation in the presence of LMWOAs followed pseudo-first-order kinetics, and a QSAR model with high reliability and accuracy was established by using 25 theoretical molecular descriptors.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhexian Wang, Yunbo Zhai, Guangli Liu, Xiangmin Liu, Xiaoping Liu, Yin Zhou, Cheng Huang, Wenjun Wang, Min Xu
Summary: This study investigated the effect of microplastics (MPs) on the photoconversion of tetracycline (TC). The results showed that the physical and chemical properties of aged polystyrene (PS) were significantly altered. The photoconversion efficiency of TC was suppressed by aged PS, while virgin PS showed the opposite tendency. The study also revealed that aged PS generated triplet-excited state and transferred energy to produce 1O2, which resulted in lower TC degradation efficiency.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Duna A. K. Alenazi, Sivaraman Chandrasekaran, M. Tahir Soomro, M. Aslam, A. Hameed, Shahid Ali, Ekram Y. Danish, Iqbal M. I. Ismail
Summary: The surface of g-C3N4 was altered by impregnating W6+ ions to form a homogeneously coated oxide layer, which played a supporting role in extending the spectral response and prolonging the life span of excitons. The impregnated photocatalysts showed significant removal efficiency for chlorophenol derivatives under natural sunlight exposure, with 5 wt% coating being the optimum level.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Manviri Rani, Keshu, Uma Shanker
Summary: Green-synthesized heterometallic oxides nanoparticles show efficient removal of 3-AP and EBT through photocatalysis, with CuFe2O4 demonstrating the highest removal efficiency due to its unique surface characteristics. High reusability of HMOs nanoparticles indicates their stability, sustainability, and efficiency for industrial applications.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Teeradech Senasu, Sujittra Youngme, Khuanjit Hemavibool, Suwat Nanan
Summary: This research focused on developing a bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) photocatalyst with high solar-light-responsive property and promising charge carrier separation efficiency. The synthesized photocatalyst showed efficient photodegradation of oxytetracycline (OTC) antibiotic under sunlight, with stable chemical structure and high efficiency even after multiple runs, indicating its potential for detoxification of OTC antibiotic in wastewater.
JOURNAL OF SOLID STATE CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yeganeh Kosar Hashemi, Mohammad Tavakkoli Yaraki, Sina Ghanbari, Leily Heidarpoor Saremi, Mohammad Hadi Givianrad
Summary: Visible-light driven photocatalysts play a significant role in wastewater treatment. A fluorine and nitrogen co-doped titanium dioxide/silica nanocomposite with high surface area and narrow band gap was successfully synthesized as a potential candidate for photocatalytic applications under visible light. Systematic density functional theory calculations were conducted to understand the effect of dopant atoms on the band gap of TiO2 nanoparticles. The study demonstrated the successful removal of organic water pollutants by carefully controlling operational parameters and using highly efficient photocatalytic nanomaterials.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jaidev Kaushik, Himanshi, Vishrant Kumar, Kumud Malika Tripathi, Sumit Kumar Sonkar
Summary: A simple method was presented to decorate pear fruit-derived graphene aerogel with CdS, forming a photocatalyst CdS-f-GA for the degradation of toxic azo dyes. The study demonstrated that CdS-f-GA exhibits high photocatalytic activity under sunlight and shows good degradation effect on organic dyes.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jingjing Yang, Wen Zhu, Qian Yao, Guining Lu, Che Yang, Zhi Dang
Summary: The study showed that nitrogen-doped biochars enhance the photodegradation of sulfamethazine, with pyridinic nitrogen doping decreasing energy and promoting the generation of reactive oxygen species. The results highlight the importance of nitrogen in the photochemical reactivity of chars under simulated light irradiation.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yuanyuan Zhang, Congcong Tong, Linxing Shi, You Yin, Shiye Lou, Jiawei Liu, Shujian Liao, Lili Liu, DongEn Zhang
Summary: A Bi2WO6/g-C3N4 heterojunction was synthesized using hydrothermal and calcination techniques, and a three-dimensional polyurethane sponge was used to assist the catalyst powder. The Bi2WO6/g-C3N4 showed efficient photocatalytic activity under weak sunlight, and the polyurethane sponge allowed for easy recovery and reuse of the catalyst powder.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Renata Zylla, Magdalena Foszpanczyk, Magdalena Olak-Kucharczyk, Joanna Marszalek, Stanislaw Ledakowicz
Summary: This study investigates the nanofiltration process of low molecular weight organic compounds in aqueous solution, focusing on the effect of amino group position on retention. The research also observes poor separation efficiency of oxidation products of certain pharmaceuticals on commercial membranes, and suggests that pre-ozonation can improve pollutant removal.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Renata Zylla, Magdalena Foszpanczyk, Irena Kaminska, Marcin Kudzin, Jacek Balcerzak, Stanislaw Ledakowicz
Summary: The study investigated the influence of membrane filtration on the removal efficiency of pharmaceuticals, finding a correlation between the hydrophilicity of the membrane and its effectiveness. The best separation efficiency was achieved for compounds with a molecular weight greater than 300 g/mol. A significant decrease in the separation efficiency was noted for low molecular weight molecules.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Magdalena Olak-Kucharczyk, Magdalena Foszpanczyk, Renata Zylla, Stanislaw Ledakowicz
Summary: This study reports the ozonation and photodegradation of ibuprofen transformation products for the first time. Ozone and degradation in the H2O2/UV system are effective methods for degrading ibuprofen derivatives. Components present in river water reduce the removal degree of these compounds.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Piotr Piersa, Hilal Unyay, Szymon Szufa, Wiktoria Lewandowska, Remigiusz Modrzewski, Radoslaw Slezak, Stanislaw Ledakowicz
Summary: There are major efforts in the research community to address greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel combustion by using lignocellulosic biomass and agricultural waste as cleaner energy sources. Torrefaction, a method of heat treatment, is commonly used to improve the thermal characteristics of bioresources to be used as energy sources. This research focuses on the properties, reaction mechanisms, technologies, and reactors of torrefaction products. Suggestions and recommendations for the use of torrefaction reactors are provided.
Review
Environmental Sciences
M. Gmurek, E. Borowska, T. Schwartz, H. Horn
Summary: This study comprehensively reviews the current state-of-art for light-driven disinfection methods and their potential for removing antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) in water. The article compares various photochemical disinfection methods, including their mode of action, operational parameters, and efficiency in removing ARGs. It also discusses different light-dependent inactivation pathways, the influence of disinfection byproducts and dissolved organic matter on ARG removal, and the possibility of bacterial regrowth after treatment.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Stanislaw Ledakowicz, Olexa Piddubniak
Summary: This study analyzed the non-stationary heat transfer problem inside a cylindrical channel of a shafted screw conveyor, which was electrically heated and filled with a moving biomass. The heat conduction equation was solved using Fourier series expansion, Fourier and Laplace integral transforms. The results showed that the reactor temperature consists of a time-dependent term and a superposition of decaying quasi-monochromatic heat pulses. Numerical analysis was conducted to investigate the temperature distribution in space and time under various specific parameters of the system. The obtained results were compared with cases of heat sources in the form of a spiral or a shaftless helical screw.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marta Gmurek
Summary: The visible light-sensitized oxidation of micropollutants was studied using meso-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin photosensitizers. Radical scavengers were used to investigate the mechanism of photodegradation, revealing singlet oxygen as the main reactive oxygen species in the TPPS4- sensitized photooxidation of micropollutants. The interaction between micropollutants and singlet oxygen was studied through measuring the phosphorescence lifetime of singlet oxygen. The rate constants of singlet oxygen quenching and reaction with micropollutants were determined, along with the rate constant of excited TPPS4 quenching by micropollutants.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Magdalena Bilinska, Lucyna Bilinska, Marta Gmurek
Summary: This paper provides an overview of the use of catalytic ozonation for textile wastewater treatment, discussing the process parameters and accompanying mechanisms. With the annual production of over 800,000 tons of dyes and the daily discharge of highly polluted textile wastewater, this issue has become an environmental concern. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of catalytic ozonation in decomposing organic pollutants, such as textile dyes, and highlights the use of novel catalysts and industrial applications.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Marta Gmurek, Johannes Alexander, Pawel Mazierski, Magdalena Miody, Maciej Fronczak, Tomasz Klimczuk, Adriana Zaleska-Medynska, Harald Horn, Thomas Schwartz
Summary: The study aimed to reduce facultative pathogenic bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes from secondary effluent. The efficiency of various processes in removing antibiotic resistance genes was evaluated. The study investigated the removal of selected antibiotic resistance genes, bacterial regrowth potential, and the removal of total genomic DNA content using TiO2-CuPd photocatalysts under visible light radiation. The highest removal efficiency for most targets was achieved with TiO2-CuPd/VIS. Photocatalytic ozonation with TiO2-CuPd showed significant removal of facultative pathogenic bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes. Photocatalytic ozonation has great potential for eliminating antibiotic resistance genes.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Radoslaw Slezak, Hilal Unyay, Szymon Szufa, Stanislaw Ledakowicz
Summary: The depletion of fossil fuels has led to a search for new methods of fuel and chemical production from biomass, and pyrolysis is one of the methods extensively researched due to rising energy and chemical prices. The paper provides basic information on the pyrolysis process, focusing on individual biomass components and types, with particular attention to sewage sludge management. It presents the influence of key process parameters on pyrolysis products, an overview of various reactors used, and analyzes the application of other thermochemical processes for energy production and biomass drying, along with two industrial-scale installations for sewage sludge pyrolysis.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Andreia D. Santos, Diana Goncalves, Rui C. Martins, Marta Gmurek, Anabela Nogueira, Sergio Castro-Silva, Luis M. Castro, Rosa Quinta-Ferreira
Summary: The increasing demand for fresh water requires industries to reduce the need for it, especially in the winemaking industry, which has a significant impact on water resources due to high water consumption and wastewater production. The sun-driven photooxidation process is widely used for wastewater treatment, and this study employed four photosensitizers to remove pollutants from wastewater for water reuse. Among the photosensitizers used, ZnPcS4 showed better removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and phenolic compounds (TPH). The study also evaluated the effect of pH and concentration on ZnPcS4, finding that alkaline solutions improved the removal efficiency but also caused bleaching of the photosensitizer.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mariana Silva, Ines Oliveira-Inocencio, Rui C. Martins, Rosa Quinta-Ferreira, Marta Gmurek, Anabela Nogueira, Sergio Castro-Silva
Summary: In this study, the optimization of heterogeneous photosensitized oxidation treatment of winery effluents using chitosan carriers immobilized with Zn(II) Phthalocyanine tetrasulfonic acid was investigated. The effects of initial pH, aeration flow rate, photocatalyst load, and photosensitizer concentration on the treatment process were studied. The best reductions in COD and phenolic content (TPh) were achieved after 30 min of treatment in natural sunlight at an initial pH of 4.0 and an aeration flow rate of 2.8 L/min, with COD reduction of 45% and TPh reduction of 73%. The possibility of reusing the photocatalysts was also evaluated, and it was found that acidic pH allowed for their reuse without leaching of the photosensitizer.
Article
Thermodynamics
Olexa Piddubniak, Stanislaw Ledakowicz
Summary: This article discusses the modeling of temperature distribution inside a screw conveyor, providing a detailed analysis through mathematical models and describing the characteristics of temperature distribution. It also speculates on the patterns of temperature changes.
THERMAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING PROGRESS
(2022)