Article
Environmental Sciences
Guangping Fan, Fei Tong, Weiguo Zhang, Gaoling Shi, Wei Chen, Lizhu Liu, Jiangye Li, Zhenhua Zhang, Yan Gao
Summary: This study compared the properties, molecule structures, and biotoxicity of hydrochar before and after tetrahydrofuran washing. The results showed a decrease in mass, changes in DOM molecule structure, but insignificant impact on wheat germination rate.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Despoina Varamogianni-Mamatsi, Thekla I. Anastasiou, Emmanouela Vernadou, Nikos Kouvarakis, Eirini Kagiampaki, Nicolas Kalogerakis, Thanos Dailianis, Manolis Mandalakis
Summary: In addition to organic matter from uneaten feed and fish excreta, a significant amount of harmful chemicals may also enter the marine environment from intensive aquaculture. A study found that sponges have the ability to remove aquaculture-related dissolved organic pollutants.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yuanhang Li, Xiaofeng Gong, Jieqian Xiong, Yuheng Sun, Yao Shu, Danni Niu, Yuan Lin, Li Wu, Ru Zhang
Summary: The study investigates the influence of DOM sources on the bioavailability of heavy metals, enzyme activity, and microbial diversity, finding that different sources of DOM impact the migration and transformation of heavy metals in wetland soil. Application of HA increases the bioavailability of heavy metals but also enhances soil enzyme activity.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Limei Mo, Qiaohui Wang, Erping Bi
Summary: The transport of organic contaminants in groundwater can be significantly influenced by the presence of dissolved organic matter (DOM) from various sources. This study investigated the impact of endogenous and exogenous DOM (referred to as DOMen and DOMex) on the sorption behavior of bisphenol A (BPA) onto two different soils. The results revealed that soil organic matter content and DOM properties played key roles in BPA sorption onto soils. Additionally, the presence of DOMen affected BPA sorption differently in the two soils due to differences in their inorganic components.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chen Yang, Siyu Zhang, Xuehua Li, Xuejiao Zhang, Qing Zhao, Yinghua Li, Haibo Li
Summary: This study investigates the effect of excited triplet states of dissolved organic matters (3DOM*) on the photodegradation of polyhydroxy phenolic genistein (Gs), and establishes the relationship between the properties of 3DOM* and the degradation kinetics constants. The results show that the contributions of 3DOM*-induced reactions to the photodegradation of Gs and the reaction rate constants (kDOM,Gs) increase with pH, which is mainly attributed to the decrease in ionization energy of Gs. The study also reveals that kDOM,Gs positively correlates with the specific ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm, representing DOM aromaticity, and negatively correlates with the absorbance ratio at 254 and 365 nm and the content of dissociated acidic functional groups of DOM, representing DOM molecular weights and the repulsive forces between 3DOM* and Gs. This study provides insights into the relationship between DOM properties and the indirect photodegradation kinetics of phenolic contaminants in aquatic environments.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yifan Wang, Jianen Li, Liang Xu, Qinbo Xu, Di Wu, Yunhe Ai, Dannan Li, Wei Liu, Jianhua Qu, Lei Wang, Ying Zhang
Summary: This study investigates the interaction between biochar-derived dissolved organic matter (DOM) and metal pollutant Pb(II) during adsorption. The results show that DOM significantly enhances the adsorption efficiency of Pb(II). Various testing methods reveal a static quenching mechanism between DOM and Pb(II), which has significant implications for environmental science and other fields.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yanan Liu, Jingya Xue, Zhifan Gui, Lu Zhang, Xiaolong Yao
Summary: This study investigates the photoreactivity of dissolved organic matter (DOM) from different sources in the Lake Taihu basin. The results show that the original composition and sources of DOM are closely related to its photoreactivity. DOM from macrophytes releases soluble components under light exposure, while DOM with higher aromacity shows photobleaching effects and increased humification degree. Allochthonous anthropogenic DOM exhibits stronger photo-ammonification. The form of inorganic nutrient releases during DOM photolysis also varies with the original DOM sources.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Linjian Ou, Jianting Li, Xianyang Zhang, Zhou Wang, Jian Zou, Songhui Lu
Summary: The study investigates the tropical lagoons Xincun Lagoon and Li'an Lagoon, which house unique seagrass meadows and mangrove forests. It finds that nutrient pollution from human activities poses a threat to the ecosystem health of these areas. Through a year-long survey, the study shows that the lagoons have highly variable nutrient statuses, particularly nitrogen enrichment. It also reveals that organic nitrogen and phosphorus are actively recycled through enzyme hydrolysis. The study underlines the importance of extracellular enzymes in the recycling of organic nutrients and their potential impact on microorganisms and plants in the lagoons.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Bin Hu, Peifang Wang, Chao Wang, Tianli Bao
Summary: This study provides a systematic overview of the photogeochemistry of particulate organic matter (POM) in aquatic environments, focusing on photodissolution and photo induced flocculation processes. Photodissolution can alter the bioavailability of organic matter and impact the biogeochemical cycling of nutrients, heavy metals, and organic pollutants; while photo induced flocculation may influence the transport and transformation of organic matter and associated pollutants.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Brett A. Poulin
Summary: The chemical nature and stability of reduced dissolved organic sulfur (DOSRed) have implications on the biogeochemical cycling of trace and major elements across fresh and marine aquatic environments, but the underlying processes governing DOSRed stability remain obscure.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Sara Campana, Ana Riesgo, Evelien Jongepier, Janina Fuss, Gerard Muyzer, Jasper M. de Goeij
Summary: This study investigates the differential gene expression of two sponge holobionts after feeding on coral- and macroalgal-DOM sources. The results show that there are slight but significant differences in gene expression between the two treatments in both high and low microbial abundance sponges. Processes related to immune response, signaling pathways, and metabolic pathways were regulated in the hosts, while carbohydrate metabolism was upregulated in the associated microbiota. This study provides insights into the metabolic activity of sponge holobionts in response to different DOM sources.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mengli Chen, Shushan Liu, Mohan Bi, Xiangyu Yang, Ruoyu Deng, Yi Chen
Summary: The riparian zone serves as a hub for microplastics, which pose a significant threat to river ecosystems by altering the function of the zone. This study found that the aging behavior of microplastics reduces their impact on sediment dissolved organic matter and carbon stability.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Katharina Blaurock, Phil Garthen, Maria P. da Silva, Burkhard Beudert, Benjamin S. Gilfedder, Jan H. Fleckenstein, Stefan Peiffer, Oliver J. Lechtenfeld, Luisa Hopp
Summary: The transport of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from soils to inland waters is crucial for the global carbon cycle. The interplay between microtopography and groundwater level dynamics plays a significant role in DOC export.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Norbert Kamjunke, Liza-Marie Beckers, Peter Herzsprung, Wolf von Tumpling, Oliver Lechtenfeld, Joerg Tittel, Ute Risse-Buhl, Michael Rode, Alexander Wachholz, Rene Kallies, Tobias Schulze, Martin Krauss, Werner Brack, Sara Comero, Bernd Manfred Gawlik, Hello Skejo, Simona Tavazzi, Giulio Mariani, Dietrich Borchardt, Markus Weitere
Summary: This study investigated autotrophic processes, heterotrophic carbon utilization, and micropollutant concentrations in the River Elbe, Germany, using a Lagrangian sampling design. The results showed that under base flow conditions, there was an increase in phytoplankton biomass and photosynthesis from upstream to downstream, while concentrations of dissolved macronutrients decreased. Bacterial abundance and production increased less than in wetter years, and there were changes in bacterial community composition downstream. DOM components increased due to microbial production, while some pollutants showed higher concentrations downstream. However, their magnitudes were not distinctly different from conditions at medium discharges.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhe Wang, Min Lv, Chu-Long Huang, Dong-Dong Zhang, Ruixia Han, Gang Li, Ling-Xin Chen
Summary: This study found that anthropogenic activities, such as urbanization and oil combustion, have a significant impact on the distribution and properties of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in intertidal sediments. The release of organic matters from urbanization and the combustion of oil contribute to the higher concentration of aromatic compounds in the sediments.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xueling Wang, Qiang Lyu, Tiezheng Tong, Kuo Sun, Li-Chiang Lin, Chuyang Y. Tang, Fenglin Yang, Michael D. Guiver, Xie Quan, Yingchao Dong
Summary: The study introduces an intra-crystalline defect engineering strategy to design a high-performance stable metal-organic framework membrane for effective treatment of hypersaline waters, achieving both excellent salt rejection and high water flux. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal the positive role of defects in enhancing structural hydrophilicity and enabling ultra-fast water transport, paving the way for the rational design of next-generation MOF membranes with enhanced permeation performance.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xueyang Zhao, Kun Zhao, Yanming Liu, Yan Su, Shuo Chen, Hongtao Yu, Xie Quan
Summary: In this study, a diatomic electrocatalyst with nitrogen-doped porous carbon-anchored homonuclear Fe2N6 sites was prepared for efficient CO2 reduction to CO. The catalyst exhibited high CO Faradic efficiency and low Tafel slope compared to single-atom Fe catalyst. Density functional theory calculations revealed that the neighboring Fe-Fe centers in the Fe2N6 site facilitated CO2 activation and decreased the reaction barrier for CO desorption.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jiajian Xing, Haiguang Zhang, Gaoliang Wei, Lei Du, Shuo Chen, Hongtao Yu, Xie Quan
Summary: By incorporating molybdenum sulfide (MoS2) nanosheets and applying external electrical assistance, both the 2D channel and charge density of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) membranes were regulated to enhance water flux and salt rejection. The resulting rGO/MoS2 membranes exhibited expanded nanochannels, resulting in significantly increased water permeance. In addition, the high capacitance and negative potential of the membranes contributed to improved rejection rates for NaCl and Na2SO4 ions. This study provides new insights for the design of membranes with high water flux and salt rejection efficiency.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Peike Cao, Xie Quan, Xiaowa Nie, Kun Zhao, Yanming Liu, Shuo Chen, Hongtao Yu, Jingguang G. G. Chen
Summary: The authors report a scalable cobalt single-site catalyst for hydrogen peroxide synthesis at industrial-relevant currents in acidic, neutral or alkaline electrolyte, providing a sustainable alternative to traditional anthraquinone technology.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xinfei Fan, Gaoliang Wei, Xie Quan
Summary: Membrane separation is widely used in water and wastewater treatment due to its cost-effectiveness, ease of operation, and high efficiency. However, current membranes face challenges in balancing selectivity and permeability, as well as dealing with membrane fouling. Recent studies have focused on developing high-performance membranes based on carbon nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes and graphene, to improve water and wastewater treatment. These carbon nanomaterial-based membranes demonstrate enhanced permselectivity and fouling resistance under electrochemical assistance, thanks to their good electrical conductivity. This review summarizes the progress in the preparation, mechanisms, and applications of electroconductive nanocarbonaceous membranes for water purification and wastewater treatment, aiming to enhance the fundamental understanding of combining membrane separation and electrochemistry. The review covers methods for preparing electroconductive membranes, such as carbon nanotube membranes and graphene membranes, as well as the underlying mechanisms for the improved permselectivity, antifouling, and regeneration performance achieved through electrochemical processes. The review also discusses practical limitations of membrane/electrochemistry systems and proposes possible solutions.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-NANO
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lanlan Liang, Peike Cao, Xin Qin, Shuai Wu, Haokun Bai, Shuo Chen, Hongtao Yu, Yan Su, Xie Quan
Summary: Developing efficient and interference-tolerant catalysts for practical use in catalytic ozonation process is challenging. In this study, a surface Vo-rich catalyst was prepared by doping Co into zinc ferrite spinel, showing efficient mineralization of recalcitrant organic pollutants. The removal of contaminants was mainly attributed to nonradical-based oxygen species, *O, rather than traditional hydroxyl radicals, •OH. The Vo-driven nonradical catalysis exhibited high resistance to coexisting ions and excellent performance in actual wastewater treatment, providing a novel strategy for efficient mineralization of pollutants in complicated water matrices.
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xueyang Zhao, Qin Geng, Fan Dong, Kun Zhao, Shuo Chen, Hongtao Yu, Xie Quan
Summary: Electrochemically reducing nitrate to ammonia is an efficient method to address nitrate pollution. However, controlling the selectivity and kinetics of ammonia production remains a challenge. In this study, a single-atom Cu catalyst was developed for selective and efficient nitrate reduction, achieving high Faradic efficiency and ammonia selectivity. DFT calculations revealed the underlying mechanism, demonstrating the superiority of the single-atom Cu catalyst over Cu nanoparticle catalyst. This research provides a strategy for designing electrocatalysts for efficient and selective ammonia production via nitrate reduction.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xin Qin, Peike Cao, Xie Quan, Kun Zhao, Shuo Chen, Hongtao Yu, Yan Su
Summary: In this study, a dual-atomic-site catalyst (CoFe DAC) was proposed to cooperatively catalyze middotOH electrogeneration. The CoFe DAC showed higher middotOH production rate compared to single-site catalysts, and it was more energy-efficient for coking wastewater treatment.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Gaoliang Wei, Lei Du, Haiguang Zhang, Jiajian Xing, Shuo Chen, Xie Quan
Summary: In this study, it was found that electrochemical treatment can expand the restacked regions of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) membranes, leading to the formation of ultrafast water transport nanochannels. The expansion is driven by hydrogen bond interactions between water molecules and electrochemically produced hydroxyl groups on the edges of rGO nanosheets. The treated rGO membranes exhibit a permeance 2 orders of magnitude higher than pristine rGO membranes and about 3 times higher than graphene oxide membranes. Additionally, the rGO membranes also show higher ionic/molecular rejection performance due to their smaller average pore size.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hai-Guang Zhang, Xie Quan, Lei Du, Gao-Liang Wei, Shuo Chen, Hong-Tao Yu, Ying-Chao Dong
Summary: Researchers propose an electropolarization strategy using vertically aligned reduced graphene oxide (VARGO) membrane to regulate interfacial hydrogen-bond and electrostatic interactions, achieving high water permeation and ion rejection performance.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qilin Yu, Haohao Mao, Zhiqiang Zhao, Xie Quan, Yaobin Zhang
Summary: As a major driver of global methane production, methanogens are exposed to an environment filled with dynamic electromagnetic waves, which may induce electromotive force (EMF) to potentially influence methanogen metabolism. This study found that exposure to a dynamic magnetic field increased biogas production through induced EMF. The methane emissions from sediments increased by 41.71% when exposed to a dynamic magnetic field with an intensity of 0.20 to 0.40 mT. The EMF accelerated the respiration of methanogens and bacteria, leading to enhanced microbial metabolism.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Muhammad Irfan Ahmad, Shuo Chen, Hongtao Yu, Xie Quan
Summary: This study demonstrates the successful production of H2O2 by introducing reduced graphene oxide (rGO) into SnO2, which enhanced light absorption and reduced the energy band gap. Among different concentrations of rGO, 0.5wt% rGO-SnO2 showed the highest H2O2 yield. The findings provide valuable guidance for designing efficient photocatalysts for H2O2 generation.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chengyu Yuan, Yuxin Li, Lulu Qian, Jiajian Xing, Xu Wang, Haiguang Zhang, Lei Du, Gaoliang Wei, Shuo Chen, Xie Quan
Summary: This study presents a molten salt intercalation method for the fabrication of an Al3+-intercalated MXene membrane with good antiswelling ability. The intercalated membrane shows significant increase in the Al-O group and Al content, while in situ XRD tests confirm the stability of d-spacing with Al3+ intercalation. The membranes demonstrate excellent separation efficacy for organic dyes and antibiotics with rejection rates exceeding 90%.
ACS ES&T ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yanping Shi, Tao Liu, Xie Quan, Shuo Chen, Hongtao Yu, Wuzhe Quan
Summary: A municipal WWTP upgraded its process to A2O-IFFAS by filling ZVI-modified biofilm carriers into anoxic bioreactors and clinoptilolite-modified biofilm carriers into aerobic bioreactors. The upgraded process achieved high nitrogen removal efficiency and met the discharge standard requirements.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shuai Wu, Xie Quan
Summary: This article introduces the basic mechanism of photocatalytic H2O2 production from O2 reduction and proposes universal strategies and design principles to enhance the performance of photocatalytic H2O2 production. The article also presents the prospects and suggestions for the future development of photocatalytic H2O2 production.
ACS ES&T ENGINEERING
(2022)
