Review
Engineering, Environmental
Degui Gao, Bing Li, Xuewei Huang, Xiaoning Liu, Ruili Li, Zhilong Ye, Xiaofeng Wu, Yuefei Huang, Guangqian Wang
Summary: Struvite precipitation and reuse from phosphorus-rich wastewater is a cost-effective measure to improve phosphorus utilization efficiency and decrease environmental impact. However, the presence of antibiotics in recovered struvite can spread antibiotic resistance genes, making it ecologically unsafe. This review investigates the effects of antibiotics on struvite precipitation, discussing pH, dissolved organic matter, and suspended solids, and analyzing possible solutions for minimizing antibiotics. It concludes that pH change and dissolved organic matter have a significant influence on antibiotic residue in struvite, and calls for the development of more efficient technology to ensure the ecological safety of recovered struvite.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yicheng Wang, Philipp Kuntke, Michel Saakes, Renata D. van der Weijden, Cees J. N. Buisman, Yang Lei
Summary: Phosphorus is an essential element for organisms, but the natural phosphorus cycle has been disrupted by overexploitation and discharge into water bodies. Electrochemically induced phosphate precipitation offers a potential solution for phosphorus recovery by creating a localized high pH environment. Factors such as pH, current density, electrode configuration, and water matrix affect the performance of electrochemical systems. Future research should focus on evaluating long-term performance, developing an automatic process for harvesting deposits, and assessing economic feasibility.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Claver Numviyimana, Jolanta Warchol, Nidal Khalaf, James J. Leahy, Katarzyna Chojnacka
Summary: The study focuses on the recovery of phosphorus (P) from dairy wastewater through the hydrothermal carbonization process, extracting P and precipitating it into struvite for high recovery efficiency. The extraction method demonstrated a positive effect on plant germination, highlighting the potential for plant macro and micronutrient availability through the precipitation product.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Zhenwei Lu, Keqiang Zhang, Fuyuan Liu, Xingliang Gao, Zhongwei Zhai, Jiajia Li, Lianzhu Du
Summary: In this study, a novel material MNZ was prepared to combine adsorption and struvite precipitation for simultaneous recovery of ammonium and phosphate from wastewater. The material showed high adsorption performance and selectivity for targeted absorbates, indicating its potential application as slow-release eco-fertilizer.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chris Schott, Liwen Yan, Ugne Gimbutyte, Jorge Ricardo Cunha, Renata D. van der Weijden, Cees Buisman
Summary: Cow manure is an important secondary source of phosphorus. In this study, calcium phosphate granulation was achieved during cow manure treatment using an up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor and an acidifying continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR). The efficiency of phosphorus removal reached 83% in the UASB reactor.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yirong Leng, Ana Soares
Summary: Microbial biomineralisation is an innovative process for nutrient recovery from wastewater. This study found that microorganisms can form bio-struvite crystals in wastewater, which have high purity and low heavy metal content, making them suitable for use as inorganic fertiliser.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Saba Daneshgar, Daniele Cecconet, Doretta Capsoni, Andrea G. Capodaglio
Summary: Precipitation of mineral phosphates is an effective method for phosphorus recovery from wastewater. This study investigated the optimal operating parameters for phosphorus precipitation from aerobic wastewater liquor. It was found that solution pH had a significant effect on phosphorus precipitation, while the reactor's retention time did not. The use of calcium hydroxide for pH adjustment showed great potential for phosphorus recovery in the form of calcium phosphate-rich precipitates, with lower operating costs and higher energy sustainability compared to struvite precipitation.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
I. S. A. Abeysiriwardana-Arachchige, N. Samarasingha, R. Rosalez, S. P. Munasinghe-Arachchige, H. M. K. Delanka-Pedige, C. E. Brewer, N. Nirmalakhandan
Summary: The study demonstrated an efficient method for recovering energy, nitrogen, and phosphorous from settled sewage using algal biomass through hydrothermal liquefaction. By optimizing parameters such as leaching time, base concentration, liquid:solid ratio, and temperature, over 86% of phosphorous from biochar could be extracted at a cost of $4.54/kg. Additionally, a three-step procedure was developed to recover high-purity biofertilizers from the phosphorous-rich eluate, achieving 95.4% phosphorous recovery at $5.29/kg.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chris Schott, Jorge Ricardo Cunha, Renata D. van der Weijden, Cees Buisman
Summary: In this study, the recovery of phosphorus from pig manure was achieved by adding calcium during anaerobic treatment. The addition of calcium showed positive effects on treatment stability and efficiency, resulting in increased phosphorus removal and the formation of calcium phosphate granules. This study highlights the potential of calcium addition for enhancing pig manure treatment and enabling efficient phosphorus recovery.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bart Saerens, Sam Geerts, Marjoleine Weemaes
Summary: Wastewater is now seen as a valuable resource containing nutrients, energy, and water, leading to a paradigm shift. The recovery of phosphorus from municipal wastewater at the WWTP of Leuven is discussed, including performance, pollutants, use, and economics of the struvite plant.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Claver Numviyimana, Jolanta Warchol, Bartosz Ligas, Katarzyna Chojnacka
Summary: The study successfully reduced the ammonium level in effluent by combining struvite precipitation and ammonium sorption using natural zeolite. Two methods were used to determine the feed sample doses - one involving gradient experiments and the other a three level design. The addition of zeolite decreased effluent ammonium concentration and increased phosphorus and nitrogen recoveries in both methods.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Ping Cheng, Biao Wang, Xiaohuan Wang, Wei Xiao
Summary: This study investigated the effect of sponge iron on phosphorus removal using adsorption thermodynamics and kinetics, and simulated phosphorus removal in polluted water using a filtration bed. The results showed that modified sponge iron had a high adsorption capacity for phosphorus and could be effectively regenerated. The continuous operation experiment demonstrated that the sponge iron percolation bed had a good phosphorus removal ability. The study also proposed a method for recycling the wastewater from sponge iron regeneration.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Hao Zhang, Wei Zhang, Shuang-Shuang Zhang, Wu-Cheng Ma, Liang Zhu, Yi-Ping Li, Yang Pan, Lin Chen
Summary: A novel process for simultaneous denitrification and phosphorus (P) recovery was proposed. The increased nitrate concentration facilitated the activity of denitrifying P removal (DPR) and stimulated P uptake and storage. The total P content in the biofilm and the P concentration in the enriched stream significantly increased. Additionally, the abundance of denitrifying polyphosphate accumulating organisms (DPAOs) increased, and the genes involved in critical functions of metabolism also increased.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Emma Company, Moises Farres, Jesus Colprim, Albert Magri
Summary: The integration of biological nitrogen removal with struvite-type material recovery, which contains phosphorus and potassium, has been proven to be technically feasible in pig slurry treatment. Phosphate salts are precipitated by raising the pH value and using denitrified effluent and waste sludge. The addition of newberyite particles showed the highest potassium removal efficiency. These findings provide new opportunities for producing second-generation fertilizers.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jingsi Xiao, Ulrike Alewell, Ingo Bruch, Heidrun Steinmetz
Summary: A decentralized wastewater treatment and phosphorus recovery concept has been developed and tested in a rural community in Germany, successfully recovering over 90% of phosphorus from urine and reducing ammonium-nitrogen concentrations to acceptable levels through different treatment stages.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mostafa Othman, Fei Zheng, Aaron Seeber, Anthony S. R. Chesman, Andrew D. Scully, Kenneth P. Ghiggino, Mei Gao, Joanne Etheridge, Dechan Angmo
Summary: A new method utilizing hot deposition technique to fabricate perovskite films has been reported, achieving high efficiency in roll-to-roll coated flexible solar cells. By improving the perovskite crystallinity and charge-transfer efficiency, a maximum efficiency of 12% was achieved.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Letter
Ecology
Miquel Lurling, Maira Mucci, Grant B. Douglas
Article
Environmental Sciences
Trevor P. Bastow, Grant B. Douglas, Greg B. Davis
Summary: This study assessed the volatility of PFAS in organic solvents and found it comparable to semi-volatile hydrocarbons, suggesting that volatilization is an important loss mechanism.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Review
Ecology
Mattia Sacco, Alison J. Blyth, Grant Douglas, William F. Humphreys, Grant C. Hose, Jenny Davis, Michelle T. Guzik, Alejandro Martinez, Stefan M. Eberhard, Stuart A. Halse
Summary: Coastal aquifers are important water sources for humanity, but current anthropogenic impacts place pressure on their sustainability. The significance of subterranean biota to ecosystem function and services is often overlooked in aquifer monitoring and management. Threats to coastal aquifers include water extraction, aridification, pollution, sea-level change, and salt water ingress. This review focuses on stygofaunal diversity, impacts, and future conservation challenges in Australian coastal aquifers, providing insights applicable globally.
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Fei Zheng, Thomas Raeber, Sergey Rubanov, Calvin Lee, Aaron Seeber, Christopher Hall, Trevor A. Smith, Mei Gao, Dechan Angmo, Kenneth P. Ghiggino
Summary: This study reveals the spontaneous formation of a self-assembled butylammonium ligand capping layer on the top surface of a quasi-2D perovskite film and explains the assembly and vertical orientation of RPPs in the film, which is crucial for the performance of 2D perovskite solar cells. These findings provide important insights for the development of high-performance perovskite solar cells and other solid-state electronic devices.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yanjie Xu, Qi Yang, Aaron Seeber, Hai Yu, Tao Wang, Graeme Puxty, Mengxiang Fang
Summary: Two diamine-based water lean solvents, PNH and ENH, were studied for their corrosivity towards carbon steel. The Siderite (FeCO3) film formed in the aqueous solvents demonstrated stronger corrosion resistance compared to the Chukanovite (Fe2(CO3)(OH)2) film formed in DMEDA-H2O and DMPDA-H2O solvents. However, ENH and PNH showed more severe corrosion behavior due to a lack of film protection, leading to a ten-fold higher dissolved iron concentration. The corrosion resistance of the diamine water lean solvents improved when the water content was increased to 40%.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
G. B. Douglas, S. M. Reddy, D. W. Saxey, C. M. MacRae, N. A. S. Webster, L. J. Beeching
Summary: Anionic clay minerals called hydrotalcites (HTC) effectively capture various contaminants from solution, but don't provide long-term actinide isolation. In this study, radionuclide-loaded nanoscale HTC was formed and transformed, resulting in U segregation at mineral interfaces and the formation of interface-hosted mineral grains. These U-rich phases recorded high extraction and concentration efficiencies. Co-existing minerals with suitable properties for nuclear waste disposal were also identified.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Water Resources
Ni Made Sri Suliartini, Cynthia A. Joll, Grant B. Douglas
Summary: The uncontrolled release of acid mine drainage (AMD) has detrimental impacts on the environment, requiring effective treatment methods. This study explored the use of seawater and synthetic AMD to form in-situ hydrotalcite (HTC) precipitates for the removal of metals. The HTC demonstrated high metal removal rates and potential for direct submarine placement.
MINE WATER AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mike Williams, Grant Douglas, Jun Du, Jason Kirby, Rai Kookana, John Pengelly, Garth Watson, Karl Bowles, Greg Davis
Summary: The historical use of AFFF containing PFAS for fire-fighting activities has led to widespread infrastructure contamination, posing ongoing environmental risks. This study measured PFAS concentrations in a concrete fire training pad with historical AFFF use, revealing spatial variability throughout the pad. Surface chips and whole cores of concrete, including the underlying aggregate base, were collected for analysis. Despite variations in individual PFAS along the core depth profile, higher surface concentrations generally followed the water movement direction. The study highlights the presence of PFAS throughout the concrete, with variable concentrations across the profile.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Katalin Bere, Xiong Xiong, Szilard Saringer, Grant Douglas, Istvan Szilagyi
Summary: The study investigates the possible interactions between microplastic particles (MPP) and another emerging contaminant, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and their potential effects on the environment. The study finds that the adsorption of an alternative PFAS, undecafluorohexanoic acid (UFHA), on MPP leads to charge neutralization and overcharging at higher UFHA concentrations. The presence of UFHA influences the aggregation and dispersion of MPP, and the addition of multivalent ions further affects these behaviors. The study provides new insights into the interactions between PFAS and MPP and their implications for contaminant migration in aqueous environments.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Ling Chen, Robert Wilson, Geoff de Looze, Kun Yang, Aaron Seeber
Summary: In this study, directed energy deposition (DED) was used to successfully 3D print Ti6Al4V/diamond metal matrix composites (MMCs) with enhanced thermal conductivity and mechanical strength. By controlling the printing parameters, a high proportion of diamond was able to survive the laser melting process. The study found that the addition of diamond significantly improved the thermal conductivity, compression strength, and modulus of the composites, making them highly promising for space and biomedical applications.
MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING A-STRUCTURAL MATERIALS PROPERTIES MICROSTRUCTURE AND PROCESSING
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
G. B. Douglas, J. L. Vanderzalm, M. Williams, J. K. Kirby, R. S. Kookana, T. P. Bastow, M. Bauer, K. C. Bowles, D. Skuse, G. B. Davis
Summary: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in concrete and asphalt, particularly in airfields and paved firefighting training surfaces, is a global issue. This review identifies 24 knowledge gaps and challenges in characterizing and managing PFAS in these materials, including extraction/analysis methods, distribution within constituents, leachability, and reuse options.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Grant B. Douglas, Joanne L. Vanderzalm, Jason K. Kirby, Mike Williams, Trevor P. Bastow, Mark Bauer, Karl C. Bowles, Darren Skuse, Rai S. Kookana, Greg B. Davis
Summary: This review investigates sealants as remediation technologies to minimize PFAS mobilization from pavements. Surface and penetrative sealants may offer an immediate solution via encapsulation of PFAS residues in concrete and asphalt. Promising surface sealants include selected polymers and (modified) bitumen, while prospective penetrative sealants include silicates or siloxanes that bind to internal mineral surfaces and restrict PFAS mobility.
CURRENT POLLUTION REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiajia Zhao, Yuan Wang, Hamidreza Arandiyan, Anita M. D'Angelo, Aaron Seeber, Daksh Shah, Rachel A. Caruso, Ivan S. Cole, Yunxia Yang, Karen Wilson, Renata Lippi, Adam F. Lee
Summary: We demonstrate how subtle changes in a mixed phase zirconia support induce large changes in catalyst activity and selectivity. Ru/Sn0.2Zr0.8O2 catalyst exhibited similar structrue and metal ion distribution as Ru/ZrO2, but XRD evidence showed new crystalline phases where Sn substituted for Zr. Operando infrared spectroscopy identified linear surface CO* as a catalytic spectator, and Sn0.2Zr0.8O2 promoted CO2 decomposition, favoring a reverse water gas shift pathway.
MATERIALS TODAY CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Prashant Srivastava, Mike Williams, Jun Du, Divina Navarro, Rai Kookana, Grant Douglas, Trevor Bastow, Greg Davis, Jason K. Kirby
Summary: This study aimed to develop a suitable extraction methodology for the analysis of PFAS in asphalt materials and optimize extraction solvent composition. The results showed that methanol-based extractants performed best and the timing of stable isotope addition did not affect the accuracy and precision of PFAS recoveries.
ANALYTICAL METHODS
(2022)
