Article
Engineering, Environmental
Houpu Zhang, Zihan Zhang, Jiajin Song, Lin Cai, Yunlong Yu, Hua Fang
Summary: Using a metagenomic approach, this study found similarities and differences in antibiotic resistance genes and human pathogenic bacteria profiles between foams and activated sludge in wastewater treatment plants. The presence of antibiotic resistance genes and human pathogenic bacteria in foams highlights the potential risk of spreading these elements into surrounding environments.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Vincenzo Senatore, Tiziano Zarra, Mark Gino Galang, Giuseppina Oliva, Antonio Buonerba, Chi-Wang Li, Vincenzo Belgiorno, Vincenzo Naddeo
Summary: The operation of wastewater treatment plants often leads to the release of air pollutants causing odor issues, which require effective treatment technologies. This work reviews odor treatment technologies applied in full-scale WWTPs, with a focus on biofilters and biotrickling filters. Analysis of odors emitted by different units and evaluation of innovative sustainable technologies for full-scale applicability are also discussed.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhangliang Han, Ruoyu Li, Hanzhang Shen, Fei Qi, Baoxian Liu, Xiue Shen, Lin Zhang, Xiaoju Wang, Dezhi Sun
Summary: This study identified hazardous odors such as NH3 and VSCs emitted during sludge treatment process with THP-AD, which can impact the health of on-site employees. Strategies need to be developed to reduce these emissions and mitigate the health risks associated with odors.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Sajjad Malboosi, Seyed Majid Hashemian, Mahmood Chahartaghi
Summary: The sludge produced in wastewater treatment plants can be used as renewable energy, and the difference between physical and chemical exergy in WWTPs in southern Tehran is insignificant. Research on six other treatment plants shows that the larger the capacity of the treatment plant, the smaller the share of consumable work exergy compared to the exergy of incoming wastewater.
ENERGY SOURCES PART A-RECOVERY UTILIZATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Souad Mekbel, Messaouda Debieche, Ammar Nechnech
Summary: This study aims to investigate the impact of adding sludge from WWTPs on swelling clay bricks as an environmentally-friendly alternative to degreasers. Physical and chemical analysis was conducted on clay and dried sludge, and brick specimens were prepared with varying percentages of sludge and fired at different temperatures. The results showed that adding dried sludge improved compressive strength and reduced shrinkage in the clay bricks. The addition of 5% sludge resulted in the highest compressive strength, indicating that using sewage sludge in brick production is a sustainable choice.
JOURNAL OF MATERIAL CYCLES AND WASTE MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Jechan Lee, Seonho Lee, Kun-Yi Andrew Lin, Sungyup Jung, Eilhann E. Kwon
Summary: Odor is a critical environmental problem that affects people's quality of life. Biochar can be used to reduce odor emissions from wastewater treatment plants and contribute to carbon neutrality.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Yuan Liu, Junwan Liu, Guodi Zheng, Junxing Yang, Yuan Cheng
Summary: The addition of zero-valent iron (ZVI) has significant effects on the emission of NH3 and H2S during sewage sludge composting. It can also increase the heating rate, peak temperature, and promote dewatering and decomposition of the compost pile. The best effect on NH3 emissions is achieved with the addition of 3% ZVI, while 2% ZVI is most effective for reducing H2S emissions. Higher addition of ZVI is more effective in reducing moisture content and increasing the germination index of the compost.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Azmi Ahmad, Setyo Budi Kurniawan, Jamilah Ahmad, Jahira Alias, Nuratiqah Marsidi, Nor Sakinah Mohd Said, Aiman Syafiqah Mohd Yusof, Junaidah Buhari, Nur Nadhirah Ramli, Nurul Farhana Mohd Rahim, Siti Rozaimah Sheikh Abdullah, Ahmad Razi Othman, Hassimi Abu Hasan
Summary: The crisis of water resource and environmental pollution calls for an upgrade in conventional wastewater treatment technology. This study introduces a new ratio-based approach for determining the dosage of coagulants in wastewater treatment, which outperforms the conventional dosage-based application in terms of total suspended solid removal performance and sludge production.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Rui Yang, Linjiang Yuan
Summary: In recent years, it has been confirmed that nitrous oxide (N2O) is an important byproduct of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Global production and atmospheric emission of N2O could worsen the greenhouse effect. There are currently two approaches to dealing with N2O in WWTPs, either by reducing its production through process adjustments or by capturing and utilizing it for industrial or medical raw materials. This paper outlines opportunities and challenges in N2O production, emissions reduction, and resource utilization in WWTPs, providing feasible methods for future WWTP design and operation.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Xue Zhou, Bolun Li, Jun Wei, Yu Ye, Junzeng Xu, Lina Chen, Chunhui Lu
Summary: This study investigated the distribution of comammox and canonical nitrifying guilds in different seasons in water treatment plants, finding that comammox is ubiquitously distributed and potentially has a competitive advantage in certain conditions. Different ammonia-oxidizing prokaryotes have distinct distributions between drinking water treatment plants and wastewater treatment plants, with COD and NH4+ concentrations influencing comammox phylotype distribution. The distribution pattern of the comammox community is temperature-related, and the complexity of the comammox communities is highest in December, possibly aiding in their survival in low temperatures.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Manh Van Do, Thao Xuan Thanh Le, Ngo Dinh Vu, Thom Thi Dang
Summary: This study investigated the distribution and occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in three industrial wastewater treatment plants in Danang city, Vietnam. The results showed that the efficiency of MPs removal in these plants was low, with a significant amount of MPs being discharged into the environment daily. The study also identified the size, shape, color, and chemical compositions of the MPs.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Catarina Silva, Maria Joao Rosa
Summary: This study proposes a simple methodology based on mass balances to forecast the impact of influent COD and ELV changes on energy requirements and sludge production in WWTPs. Testing the methodology in five WWTPs showed significant increases in energy consumption and sludge production with increasing influent COD, as well as variations in ELV and season-specific changes in COD affecting energy consumption and sludge production.
Review
Engineering, Chemical
Wei Zhao, Huina Xie, Jie Li, Lihong Zhang, Yaqian Zhao
Summary: Alum sludge is a by-product in drinking water purification with potential for beneficial reuse in wastewater treatment, leading to increased research and development efforts globally towards its commercial application.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Daniel Sol, Amanda Laca, Adriana Laca, Mario Diaz
Summary: The research indicates that the efficiency of removing MPs, particularly MPFs, in WWTPs and DWTPs exceeds 70%, yet there still remains a significant amount of microfibres present in treated water.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xue Zhang, Zi-Feng Zhang, Wen-Long Li, Yi-Fan Li, Anatoly Nikolaev, Roland Kallenborn
Summary: Substituted diphenylamine antioxidants (SDPAs) are commonly used additives in various commodities and are commonly found in environmental samples. This study investigated the occurrence and removal efficiency of ten selected SDPAs in six WWTPs in Northeast China, revealing consistent dominant congers in influent, effluent, and sludge. A cyclic activated sludge system combined with a V-shape filter demonstrated the highest removal efficiencies of SDPAs among different treatment processes.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
K. Hamraoui, J. A. Siles, A. F. Chica, M. A. Martin, H. El Bari
Summary: This study investigated the effect of hydrothermal pretreatment on the anaerobic digestion and co-digestion of pepper plants and eggplants. The modified Gompertz model was used to simulate the biomethanization behavior of the pretreated lignocellulosic substrates, and it successfully reproduced the experimental results.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Kousar Jahan, Vikram Singh, Nitisha Mehrotra, Kalpana Rathore, Vivek Verma
Summary: This study synthesized activated carbon from chickpea peel waste and investigated the effect of different conditions on dye removal performance. The results showed that the porous carbon prepared under the conditions of pre-carbonization at 400 degrees Celsius, KOH ratio of 1:3, and activation temperature of 800 degrees Celsius demonstrated excellent adsorption performance. These findings provide evidence for the feasibility of using chickpea peel waste as a low-cost and sustainable precursor for activated carbon material.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2023)
Review
Environmental Studies
R. Maniarasu, Sushil Kumar Rathore, S. Murugan
Summary: This review article provides a comprehensive review of the utilization, production, and characterization of biomass-based activated carbon for CO2 adsorption, including utilization research, characterization research, and research on enhancing adsorption performance.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Hanieh Najafi, Seyedmehdi Sharifian, Neda Asasian-Kolur
Summary: This study focuses on the adsorption of gemifloxacin by rice straw-based activated carbon. The adsorption capacity of gemifloxacin was found to be dependent on the initial pH of the solution and the adsorbent dose. The pseudo-second order model and the BET isotherm models provided the best predictions for the adsorption kinetics and equilibrium behavior. The thermodynamic parameters indicated that the adsorption process is spontaneous and exothermic, with probable mechanisms involving n-pi, pi-pi, electrostatic interactions, and hydrogen bonding.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Johanna Andrea Serna-Jimenez, Jose Angel Siles Lopez, Maria de los Angeles Martin Santos, Arturo Fco Chica Perez
Summary: Banana and plantain waste can be developed into high-value products such as paper, rope, fuel, and animal and human feed. This waste also has the potential to be used for the production of ethanol, methane, hydrogen, single-cell protein, and as a substrate for mushroom cultivation. Integrated utilization of this waste in a biorefinery approach is presented.
BIOFUELS BIOPRODUCTS & BIOREFINING-BIOFPR
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Amel C. Ghogia, Lina M. Romero Millan, Claire E. White, Ange Nzihou
Summary: Understanding the mechanism of iron-catalyzed graphitization of biomass is crucial for large-scale synthesis of green graphene. The study reveals the direct effect of the iron molecular structure on the formation of highly graphitic carbon.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Huan Liu, Nathalie Lyczko, Ange Nzihou, Cigdem Eskicioglu
Summary: This study comprehensively assessed the properties, environmental influences, and possible utilizations of hydrochar generated from mixed sludge. With the increase of HTL reaction temperatures and residence time, the dry-weight contents of ash and fuel ratio increased while the drybasis contents of volatile matter, carbon, and higher heating value sharply decreased. Hydrochar performed more stable combustion than sludge, but its high ash contents and alkali index implied high risks of slagging and fouling. Hydrochar has a good potential for carbon sequestration and metals and nutrient recovery.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
A. Ruiz-Munoz, J. A. Siles, P. Marquez, M. Toledo, M. C. Gutierrez, M. A. Martin
Summary: This study evaluated five urban wastewater treatment plants with different biological treatment, wastewater types, and sizes, aiming to analyze and compare odor emissions and identify the main causes. The results showed that facilities with EAAS technology were more efficient than RBC, and sludge management facilities were identified as the critical odor source. Chemometric analysis helped to find differences between the plants.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bin Ji, Yaqian Zhao, Yang Yang, Qiwen Li, Ying Man, Yunv Dai, Jingmiao Fu, Ting Wei, Yiping Tai, Xiaomeng Zhang
Summary: This study investigated the removal of PFOA and PFOS in constructed wetland coupled microbial fuel cell (CW-MFC) systems and their interactions with other elements. The results showed that the CW-MFC systems achieved a removal efficiency of over 96% for PFOA and PFOS, which were distributed throughout the system via wastewater flow and enriched in the electrode material and plants. However, the introduction of PFASs in the system led to a decrease in nitrogen removal and bioelectricity output, attributed to the accumulation of PFASs affecting microbial activity and community composition, damaging plant health, and impairing CW-MFC functioning.
Article
Food Science & Technology
J. A. Serna-Jimenez, L. S. Torres-Valenzuela, A. Sanin Villarreal, C. Roldan, M. A. Martin, J. A. Siles, A. F. Chica
Summary: Two methods of extracting caffeine and total polyphenols from coffee pulp waste were evaluated. The ultrasound-assisted extraction (USAE) method showed higher extraction performance and lower energy requirement, making it a promising alternative for extracting biocompounds from coffee pulp waste.
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Peiying Kang, Yaqian Zhao, Chenxin Zuo, Yamei Cai, Cheng Shen, Bin Ji, Ting Wei
Summary: This article summarizes the widespread presence and considerable levels of microplastics (MPs) and poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the environment, and explores their unheeded connection and overlap. It found that some products could be a common source of MPs and PFASs, and their distribution is primarily influenced by human activities. Additionally, the article discusses the effects of MPs on the transport of PFASs in the environment and presents the current state of knowledge on the combined toxicity of MPs and PFASs.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Yi Mao, Yaqian Zhao, Sarah Cotterill
Summary: This review provides a comprehensive analysis of recent research on electrocoagulation (EC) for water and wastewater treatment. The study identifies new trends and potentials for further research, including combining EC with other treatment processes and addressing emerging pollutants. The review also highlights innovative applications of EC, such as the removal of microplastics and per/polyfluoroalkyl substances, as well as utilizing microbial fuel cells and electro-wetlands for EC power supply.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Lina M. Romero Millan, Amel C. Ghogia, Claire E. White, Ange Nzihou
Summary: The production of highly graphitic carbon from bioresources for energy storage applications is an environmentally friendly approach. This study investigates the impact of processing temperature and iron impregnation on the extent of graphitization of cellulose-derived graphitic carbon nanostructure. The results show that traditionally non-graphitizable carbons can be transformed into a graphite-like structure with multilayers of graphene sheets by adding nontoxic metal catalysts.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ting Wei, Yaqian Zhao, Jia Guo, Bin Ji, Alvaro Pun Garcia, Abraham Esteve Nunez
Summary: This study developed a novel lightweight substrate (Al-NLS) composed of aluminum sludge and polyurethane, and investigated its effectiveness in constructed wetlands (CWs). Results showed that Al-NLS had favorable adsorption capacities for phosphorus and removal efficiencies for pollutants in real domestic wastewater. It also positively influenced the microbial community. Therefore, Al-NLS can be considered as a new alternative substrate in CWs technology.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jingmiao Fu, Yaqian Zhao, Yang Yang, Qi Yao, Bin Ji, Shanxu Chen, Yunv Dai, Ran Tao, Xiaomeng Zhang
Summary: This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the impact of configuration-operational strategies and intensification methods on the land-effective occupation of constructed wetlands (CW). The study highlights the importance of optimizing strategies and developing innovative technologies to enhance the land utilization of CW for wastewater treatment and environmental protection.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2023)
