Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Subasree Sridhar, Nirav Bhatt, G. K. Suraishkumar
Summary: The study focused on ureolysis mediated calcite precipitation in S. pasteurii, developing a structured model to describe urea uptake, ureolysis, ammonium assimilation and excretion processes. Model parameters were estimated using measured metabolite concentrations, with key findings including growth rate, urease activity, and transport mechanisms for urea and ammonium ions.
BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Michael S. Guzman, Jaisree Iyer, Paul Kim, Daniel Kopp, Ziye Dong, Paniz Foroughi, Mimi C. Yung, Richard E. Riman, Yongqin Jiao
Summary: Microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) is an emerging biotechnology that aims to reduce the environmental impact of concrete production. This study explores the mechanisms and conditions of calcium carbonate precipitation through microbial activity and chemical reactions, with the goal of applying it to the manufacture of high-density cement and concrete.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Michael S. Guzman, Jaisree Iyer, Paul Kim, Daniel Kopp, Ziye Dong, Paniz Foroughi, Mimi C. Yung, Richard E. Riman, Yongqin Jiao
Summary: Biocement formed through microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) is a promising biotechnology that aims to reduce the environmental impact of concrete production. This study investigates the microbial, chemical, and thermodynamic factors involved in MICP, and provides important insights for scaling up microbial carbonation of monocalcium silicate to produce high-density cement and concrete.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Yihuai Zhang, Branko Bijeljic, Ying Gao, Qingyang Lin, Martin J. Blunt
Summary: The study focuses on the pressure difference during two-phase flow across a sandstone sample with varying injection rates and fractional flows of water. It was observed that there is a transition from linear to non-linear flow with the power-law exponent depending on the fractional flow. By using energy balance, the onset of intermittency for a range of fractional flows, fluid viscosities, and rock types was accurately predicted.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Rui Xiao, Beiye Liang, Feng Wu, Linchong Huang, Zhengshou Lai
Summary: This study successfully acclimated a new species, S. pasteurii-DSM 33-ASW100, with higher cell growth rate and ureolysis activity in seawater environment. The inhibitory effect of high concentration of calcium chloride on urease activity was observed, while urea concentration stimulated the secretion of urease by S. pasteurii-DSM 33-ASW100. The optimal coral sand particle size for microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) reaction was found to be about 0.5-1.0 mm. Additionally, a newly designed three-stage biogrouting method greatly improved the compressive strength of MICP-treated coral sand columns.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Xin Chen, Yiqiang Li, Zheyu Liu, Jian Zhang, Japan Trivedi, Xianjie Li
Summary: This paper focuses on the migration process and flow resistance prediction of elastic particles in porous media, establishing a migration and plugging model based on the Hertzian contact theory. Experimental results demonstrate that elastic particles form a filter cake within 3 cm of the injection end of the core, with a three-stage Gathered and Energized transport mode. The model can predict injection pressure with high consistency and provides a new method for studying elastic particle migration in porous media.
Article
Mechanics
L. C. Auton, S. Pramanik, M. P. Dalwadi, C. W. MacMinn, I. M. Griffiths
Summary: The study explores the link between microstructure and macroscale flow and transport through the use of homogenisation theory with idealised microstructures. The research focuses on the impact of obstacle size and spacing on macroscopic properties and provides insights for designing filters or studying transport impacts in soft porous media.
JOURNAL OF FLUID MECHANICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Rafaela Cardoso, Ines Borges, Joana Vieira, Sofia O. D. Duarte, Gabriel A. Monteiro
Summary: Biocementation is a low carbon footprint soil improvement technique mainly used in sandy soils. The presence of clay minerals can increase the area for bacteria attachment and enhance the efficiency of biocementation. Clay minerals can also have a positive influence on bacteria activity.
APPLIED CLAY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Heng Li, Fugang Wang, Yaohui Wang, Yilong Yuan, Guanhong Feng, Hailong Tian, Tianfu Xu
Summary: A fluid-solid coupling modeling method based on the phase-field method was proposed to simulate the reaction transport in porous media. The feasibility and reliability of the model were verified by comparing it with the results of previous studies. The results of the simulation showed different dissolution behaviors under different transport conditions and reaction rates.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiayue Zhao, Laszlo Csetenyi, Geoffrey Michael Gadd
Summary: Fungi have shown potential in providing carbonate coatings for concrete surfaces and immobilizing Sr, promoting further practical research on the protection of porous cementitious materials and immobilization of toxic metals.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Pranay P. Nagrani, Amy M. Marconnet, Ivan C. Christov
Summary: Gas-liquid flows in packed bed reactors are challenging to predict, especially under microgravity conditions where bubble and pulse flows are predominant. Through simulation and quantitative analysis, different pore-scale mechanisms and dynamic trade-offs between inertia, capillary, and buoyancy forces were observed.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wannes Goethals, Tom Bultreys, Zaira Manigrasso, Arjen Mascini, Jan Aelterman, Matthieu N. Boone
Summary: This article presents a method to improve the temporal resolution of multiphase flow imaging experiments by limiting the angular range of radiographs used to reconstruct each time step, while compensating for this loss of information by including a temporal total variation term in the reconstruction algorithm. The method is validated on both simulated and experimental data representing multiphase flow in porous media, and it is found that the temporal resolution can be improved up to three times.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Dorothee L. Kurz, Eleonora Secchi, Roman Stocker, Joaquin Jimenez-Martinez
Summary: The functioning of natural and engineered porous media relies on the interplay between biochemical processes and hydrodynamics. In such environments, biofilms often form, altering the distribution of fluid flow velocities and affecting their permeability. However, the control of biofilm clustering and resulting permeability heterogeneity is not well understood, limiting predictive abilities for biofilm-porous medium systems.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Aysan Farajnia, Ali Shafaat, Safar Farajnia, Mohsen Sartipipour, Hamed Khodadadi Tirkolaei
Summary: This study introduces ureolytic bacterial strains with high urease activity found in historical adobe structures and deserts in Iran, which were evaluated for the production of biologically cemented bricks. The produced bio-bricks showed satisfactory compressive strength, water absorption percentage, and durability. These findings are valuable for future sustainable construction.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Behnam V. Damirchi, Marcelo R. Carvalho, Luis A. G. Bitencourt, Osvaldo L. Manzoli, Daniel Dias-da-Costa
Summary: The new discrete fracture model demonstrates efficiency and accuracy in simulating fluid flow in discontinuous porous media. Numerical examples show the reliability and stability of the model, regardless of varying levels of permeability in the discontinuities.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL AND ANALYTICAL METHODS IN GEOMECHANICS
(2021)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Amy J. Williams, Kathleen L. Craft, Maeva Millan, Sarah Stewart Johnson, Christine A. Knudson, Marisol Juarez Rivera, Amy C. McAdam, Dominique Tobler, John Roma Skok
Summary: This study explores the preservation potential of fatty acids in hydrothermal spring deposits on Earth, with implications for the detection of organics in Martian hot-spring deposits. Results suggest that fatty acids can be preserved and detected with the TMAH pyrolysis-GC-MS method, providing insights into potential organic detection on Mars. Rovers equipped with thermochemolysis pyrolysis-GC-MS instrumentation may be essential for detecting relatively young organics on Mars, highlighting the importance of careful landing site and sample selection processes.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Josephina J. P. A. Mulders, Dominique J. Tobler, Eric H. Oelkers
Summary: The study investigates the effect of aqueous fluid saturation on the nucleation pathway of siderite (FeCO3) and demonstrates that the nucleation mechanism depends on the fluid saturation state. Under low saturation indices, siderite nucleation proceeds via direct crystallization from the aqueous fluid, while at higher saturation indices, nucleation occurs through the initial precipitation of amorphous ferrous carbonate followed by the formation of crystalline siderite. Understanding the aqueous fluid saturation state during siderite nucleation is crucial for interpreting the isotopic signature in natural systems.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jeffrey Paulo H. Perez, Adrian Alexander Schiefler, Sandra Navaz Rubio, Markus Reischer, Niels Dossing Overheu, Liane G. Benning, Dominique J. Tobler
Summary: This study demonstrates the potential of green rust (GR) in treating arsenic (As) contamination in groundwater. Lowering temperature or adding arsenic can increase the stability of GR, reducing the solubility of arsenic and effectively immobilizing it in the mineral. This ultimately improves the efficiency of arsenic remediation.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Virginia Alonso-de-Linaje, Marco C. Mangayayam, Dominique J. Tobler, Vicente Rives, Ruben Espinosa, Kim N. Dalby
Summary: Hydrotalcite compounds intercalated with nitrate and carbonate ions showed improved sorption properties towards PFOS and PFOA, with acetone treatment further enhancing their performance. Sorption equilibrium was reached faster with PFOS compared to PFOA, and PFOS exhibited higher sorption capacity. Anion exchange and surface adsorption played key roles in the sorption process, with carbonate ions hindering anion exchange. Non-ionic species did not affect sorption capacity, while alkaline pH conditions and other anionic species reduced sorption capacity towards PFOS and PFOA. Overall, acetone-treated hydrotalcite compounds outperformed activated carbon sorbents in terms of sorption kinetics and capacities for PFOS and PFOA removal.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Weijia Yu, Marten int Veld, Rossana Bossi, Mohamed Ateia, Dominique Tobler, Anders Feilberg, Nicolas Bovet, Matthew S. Johnson
Summary: The study reveals that the photocatalytic degradation of dimethyl sulfide can generate various byproducts, with formaldehyde being one of the main byproducts. Additionally, as the temperature increases, the production of byproducts also increases significantly.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Weichao Sun, Dominique J. Tobler, Martin P. Andersson
Summary: By constructing three sizes of single layer cluster models of green rust, this study found that Fe(II) and Fe(III) are unevenly distributed within the single layer GR, indicating that the interior of GR is more reductive than the outer parts.
GEOCHEMICAL TRANSACTIONS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Markus Reischer, Anders G. Christensen, Klaus Weber, Dominique J. Tobler, Knud Dideriksen
Summary: Injection of microparticulate and nanoparticulate zero valent iron has become a common method for groundwater remediation. Predicting ZVI transport in the subsurface is complex due to inhomogeneities, making tools for determining its distribution after injection highly valuable. A new direct-push technique combining fluorescent and visible imaging has been developed to detect sulfidized nanoparticulate zero valent iron (S-nZVI) in the subsurface, showing promising results in laboratory experiments and small scale tests.
JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
S. Allen, D. Allen, F. Baladima, V. R. Phoenix, J. L. Thomas, G. Le Roux, J. E. Sonke
Summary: The study reveals the presence of atmospheric microplastic pollution at the Pic du Midi Observatory, indicating free long range transport in the troposphere. The results show evidence of true free tropospheric transport of microplastic particles <50 μm over 4 summer months at an altitude of 2877 meters. Analysis of air/particle history modelling suggests potential global aerosol microplastic transport through intercontinental and trans-oceanic pathways.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
D. Allen, S. Allen, G. Le Roux, A. Simonneau, D. Galop, V. R. Phoenix
Summary: Ombrotrophic peatlands, fueled by atmospheric deposition and precipitation, serve as unique archives of atmospheric pollution trends. Utilizing sphagnum ombrotrophic peat records, this study identifies the increasing presence of atmospheric microplastic pollution in a remote catchment, suggesting that peat records may be a valuable tool in assessing historical quantities and trends of atmospheric microplastic pollution.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Knud Dideriksen, Laura Voigt, Marco C. Mangayayam, Simon H. J. Eiby, Case M. van Genuchten, Cathrine Frandsen, Kirsten M. O. Jensen, S. L. S. Stipp, Dominique J. Tobler
Summary: Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are commonly used for various purposes, and understanding their structure is important for their applications. In this study, the structure of synthetic Fe(II)-Fe(III)/Al(III) LDH was investigated using pair distribution function (PDF) analysis. The results showed that the structural coherence decreased with increasing Al content, and the structure of Fe(II)-Al(III) LDH could best be matched with a pattern for a single metal hydroxide sheet.
ACS EARTH AND SPACE CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Marco C. Mangayayam, Jeffrey Paulo H. Perez, Virginia Alonso-de-Linaje, Knud Dideriksen, Liane G. Benning, Dominique J. Tobler
Summary: This study investigates the reactivity of sulfidated nanoscale zerovalent iron (S-nZVI) when exposed to complex mixtures of chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHCs). The results show that different S-nZVI materials exhibit varying trends in CHC removal, which are influenced by the thickness and crystallinity of the iron sulfide (mackinawite, FeSm) shell. These findings provide important insights for advancing S-nZVI synthesis strategies in specific CHC treatment scenarios.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jing Ai, Hans Chr Bruun Hansen, Knud Dideriksen, Dominique J. Tobler
Summary: This study investigates the synthesis approaches of green rust (GR) and bone char (BC) composites and their impact on composite reactivity, electron efficiency, and shelf-life. The results show that increasing the BC content improves the reaction rate, while changes in GR content and Fe-II/Fe-III ratio have little effect. The use of persulfate in the synthesis allows better control of the Fe-II/Fe-III ratio and enhances the long-term stability of the composite.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Adrian A. Schiefler, Stefan Bruns, Dirk Muter, Kentaro Uesugi, Henning Osholm Sorensen, Dominique J. Tobler
Summary: This study describes an X-ray microcomputed tomography (μCT) approach for investigating the retention mechanisms of nanoparticles. Experimental results show that retention of sulfidated nanoscale zerovalent iron (S-nZVI) is determined by physical straining, with limited depth extension. Ripening deposition is also observed, increasing with decrease in injection velocity and/or increase in S-nZVI concentration. The local pore geometry and flow regime strongly influence S-nZVI attachment and retention, suggesting the need for pore space descriptors and velocity in predictive models.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-NANO
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jing Ai, Dominique J. Tobler, Cecilie Gry Duncan-Jones, Maria Eckardt Manniche, Kirstine Evald Andersson, Hans Christian B. Hansen
Summary: This study found that HCO3- has the greatest impact on the dechlorination rates of CE in the reaction process of GR-BC, and the presence of silicic acid leads to varying degrees of reduction in reaction rate. Contaminated groundwater matrices significantly decrease the reactivity of the GR-BC composite.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-WATER RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jeffrey Paulo H. Perez, Dominique J. Tobler, Helen M. Freeman, Andy P. Brown, Nicole S. Hondow, Case M. van Genuchten, Liane G. Benning
Summary: The study quantified the influence of As(iii) and As(v) on the crystallization of GR sulfate (GRSO4) and found that As(iii) had a stronger inhibitory effect than As(v), reducing structural coherence and ordering in As(iii)-bearing GRSO4 crystals. Mineral-bound As(iii) significantly increased the stability of GRSO4 phase and fully prevented its transformation to magnetite even after 720 hours.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-NANO
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Alexander M. Cancelli, Frank A. P. C. Gobas
Summary: A mechanistic model was developed to assess the removal efficiency of pollutants in a wetland system, particularly in oil sands process-affected water (OSPW). The model simulated wetland mechanisms of chemical removal and showed that sustained wetland treatment is feasible. It is a helpful tool to evaluate the feasibility of treatment systems and to assess trade-offs in wetland design and operation.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Prakash Singh Thapa, Hiromu Daimaru, Seiji Yanai
Summary: This study assessed the vegetation recovery and erosion condition in a landslide area in central Japan. The results show that the upper slope, where reforestation activities were implemented, has seen significant vegetation recovery and no significant erosion, while the lower slope lacks vegetation and has experienced continued erosion.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Mike Jerauld, Forrest Dierberg, Thomas DeBusk, Scott Jackson, Kevin Grace, John Juston
Summary: The Everglades Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs) are constructed wetlands built to remove phosphorus (P) from agricultural and urban runoff in support of Everglades restoration. Research shows that the levels of calcium (Ca) and alkalinity (Alk) have an impact on phosphorus removal in these wetlands.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Kalindhi Larios, Stefan Gerber, Rafael Munoz-Carpena, Patrick Inglett, K. Ramesh Reddy, Michael Chimney
Summary: This study modeled the phosphorus biogeochemical dynamics in one of the best performing Everglades treatment wetlands and found that the complexity of the hydrological system significantly affected the simulated water column P concentration. The modeling tool developed in this study can guide future data collection and optimization efforts for treatment wetlands in the Everglades.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Jing Hu, Benjamin Baiser, R. Thomas James, K. Ramesh Reddy
Summary: This study examined the long-term phosphorus retention in Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs) and identified the factors influencing their performance. The results showed that the operational performance of STAs improved over time. There were notable differences among individual STAs, with the co-precipitation of phosphorus with calcium playing a critical role in one of the STAs. This highlights the complexity of phosphorus removal in STAs and the need for site-specific management strategies.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Odi Villapando, K. R. Reddy, J. King
Summary: The biogeochemical response to different flow conditions within two parallel flow-ways in Everglades Stormwater Treatment Area (STA)-2 was studied. It was found that there was a gradual decrease in the total phosphorus (TP) concentration from inflow to outflow for both emergent aquatic vegetation (EAV) and submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) dominated systems, with EAV showing a higher reduction rate. Significant increase in TP concentration was observed in the SAV system under no flow condition, possibly due to the production of particulate phosphorus (PP) through various mechanisms.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2024)