Article
Environmental Sciences
Irene Verdu, Georgiana Amariei, Patricia Plaza-Bolanos, Ana Aguera, Francisco Leganes, Roberto Rosal, Francisca Fernandez-Pinas
Summary: This study found that polystyrene nanoplastics sorbed micropollutants in wastewater, reducing their bioavailability and thus decreasing the toxicological effects on biota. The toxic effects on organisms varied under single exposure, wastewater exposure, and combined exposure of nanoplastics with wastewater.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lam T. Phan, Heidemarie Schaar, Daniela Reif, Sascha Weilguni, Ernis Saracevic, Joerg Krampe, Peter A. Behnisch, Norbert Kreuzinger
Summary: A set of CALUX in vitro bioassays were applied for long-term toxicity monitoring at an advanced wastewater treatment plant, showing that the multibarrier system can significantly reduce toxicity responses and is effective.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bin Cui, Shaozhu Fu, Xin Hao, Dandan Zhou
Summary: In this study, a simultaneous combination of ozonation and biodegradation (SCOB) was proposed to treat coking wastewater. The SCOB system showed higher COD and total phenol removal compared to individual biodegradation and ozonation systems. Ozonation contributed to the oxidation of organics with unsaturated functional groups and soluble microbial products (SMPs), resulting in a decrease in effluent toxicity and chroma. The core of the carrier became the dominant region for biodegradation, leading to the stabilization of COD removal at >80%.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Omar Khalifa, Fawzi Banat, C. Srinivasakannan, Faisal AlMarzooqi, Shadi W. Hasan
Summary: This study investigated a novel hybrid treatment method combining electrocoagulation, ceramic microfiltration membrane, and ozonation for treating oily wastewater, achieving good pollutant removal efficiency. The selected study variables included hydraulic retention time, aeration, current density, mode of power supply, and initial pH of the sample. The results demonstrated that the ozonation-assisted electro-membrane hybrid method shows potential in treating oily wastewater.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bin Yang, Haiyan Cui, Jie Gao, Jing Cao, Goran Klobucar, Mei Li
Summary: Bioassays were conducted to evaluate the toxic effects of pollutants in water, in addition to physico-chemical water quality evaluation. The study assessed the environmental health risks of industrial wastewater along the Yangtze River in China using a battery of bioassays. The results showed effective wastewater treatment processes in reducing various toxicities, and identified polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as potential major toxic chemicals of concern.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
I. C. Iakovides, K. Manoli, P. Karaolia, I. Michael-Kordatou, C. M. Manaia, D. Fatta-Kassinos
Summary: The study found that bench-scale ozonation had a significant impact on the reduction of bacteria and gene markers in wastewater effluents, but bacterial regrowth was observed after ozone treatment, and toxicity increased.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Walaa M. Elakbawy, Sanaa M. M. Shanab, Emad A. Shalaby
Summary: This study aimed to develop an efficient method for detecting and evaluating plant growth regulators produced by cyanobacteria and algae, cultivated in different media concentrations. Bioassays were conducted on wheat and cucumber to detect the effects of IAA and BA, with subsequent application experiments on tomato plantlets and soybean callus. The results showed varying effects of different algal extracts on crop growth.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Can He, Zhongguo Zhang, Junxing Han, Chenhao Gong, Jian Zhang, Liangliang Wang, Peiran He, Yue Shan, Xian Zhang
Summary: In this study, heterogeneous catalytic ozonation was used for the treatment of bio-treated saccharin sodium production wastewater. The results showed that the process effectively removed organic compounds from high-salinity wastewater, and the presence of Cu2+ in the original wastewater had a significant impact on the performance of the process. The retention of 0.15 mM Cu2+ increased the COD removal by 31% in the semi-batch reactor. Stable COD removal efficiencies ranging from 74% to 66.4% were achieved during a 9-month operation, indicating that Cu2+ not only improved the COD removal efficiencies but also inhibited catalyst deactivation.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chuan Kian Pang, Collin G. G. Joseph, Yan Yan Farm, Jualang Azlan Gansau, Siow Hwa Teo, Yun Hin Taufiq-Yap, Rock Keey Liew
Summary: The discharge of pollutant-rich wastewater without adequate treatment poses a serious threat to the environment. Catalytic and photocatalytic ozonation using metal ferrite are promising methods for making the treated wastewater reusable. This review summarizes the recent advances in metal ferrite nanoparticle catalysts, exploring their preparation methods, characterization techniques, catalytic mechanisms, and modification strategies. Furthermore, the current applications of metal ferrites as ozone catalysts and the synergistic effect of catalytic and photocatalytic ozonation are discussed. The pollutant removal efficiencies using metal ferrite are 20-40% for non-catalytic ozonation, 80-98% for catalytic ozonation, and 60-80% for photocatalytic ozonation.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Katarzyna Affek, Adam Muszynski, Nina Doskocz, Monika Zaleska-Radziwill
Summary: Treated wastewater can be a useful alternative for meeting agriculture demands and increasing freshwater resources. Disinfection methods vary in their effectiveness against microorganisms, with chlorine and UV being more efficient than ozonation. UV irradiation has the least negative impact on tested bioindicators, while studies show that ozonation and chlorination can increase toxicity of treated wastewater.
DESALINATION AND WATER TREATMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Emma F. Zeitler, Kristen K. Cecala, Deborah A. McGrath
Summary: The study found that constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment may have negative impacts on wildlife, such as reducing terrestrial survival rates and altering individual morphology. While there may be some short-term benefits, there could be detrimental effects on overall fitness in the long term.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yufei Shi, Shengnan Li, Liye Wang, Qingmiao Yu, Guochen Shen, Juechun Li, Ke Xu, Hongqiang Ren, Jinju Geng
Summary: The study found that ozone treatment in pharmaceutical wastewater is effective in attacking high molecular weight DOM, improving biodegradability. Hydrophobic acids contain the most aromatic and unsaturated bonded organic matter and are more easily oxidized under ozone treatment.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zijun Pang, Pei Luo, Cong Wei, Zhi Qin, Tuo Wei, Yun Hu, Haizhen Wu, Chaohai Wei
Summary: The Co/Ni-MOFs@CS composite showed improved catalytic activity in removing levofloxacin, providing new insights for catalytic ozonation technology in wastewater treatment in the future.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Suman Kharel, Michael Stapf, Ulf Miehe, Maja Ekblad, Michael Cimbritz, Per Falas, Josefine Nilsson, Robert Sehlen, Jeppe Bregendahl, Kai Bester
Summary: The study found that the ozone reactivity of all metabolites, except for full-scale EOS, was lower than that of their parent compounds. Biological activated carbon removed 20-40% of the remaining metabolites. Similar removal was observed in a constructed wetland.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Qiulai He, Xiaohui Yan, Zhiyi Xie, Peng Xu, Zhidong Fu, Jinfeng Li, Liang Liu, Peng Bi, Baokun Xu, Jingwei Ma
Summary: The upgrade from wastewater treatment plants to water resources recovery facilities has introduced the use of aerobic granular sludge (AGS) for sewage treatment, which shows promising phosphorus recovery potential. In this study, the AGS-based simultaneous nitrification, denitrification, and phosphorus removal process coupled with side-stream phosphorus recovery was developed and tested with municipal wastewater. Results demonstrated that the AGS-SNDPRr achieved stable phosphorus recovery efficiency of 63.40%, while further reducing in situ sludge by 7.7-10%. The enhanced performance of the process was mainly attributed to the Matthew effect of Candidatus_Competibacter, a typical denitrifying glycogen accumulating organism (DGAO).
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Eric Bollinger, Jochen P. P. Zubrod, Dominic Englert, Annika Pollitt, Bastian Fuss, Ralf Schulz, Mirco Bundschuh
Summary: This study investigates the effect of the neonicotinoid thiacloprid on stable isotope signatures and the feasibility of using stable isotope analysis to track dietary composition in organisms. The results show that the impact of thiacloprid on trophic enrichment factors is small and stable isotope analysis aligns with direct observations of consumption.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alexis P. Roodt, Sonja Schaufelberger, Ralf Schulz
Summary: Exposure of freshwater ecosystems to insecticides can negatively impact the development of emerging aquatic insects, which in turn affects terrestrial food webs.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sara Kolbenschlag, Verena Gerstle, Julian Eberhardt, Eric Bollinger, Ralf Schulz, Carsten A. Bruehl, Mirco Bundschuh
Summary: Emerging aquatic insects play a crucial role in connecting aquatic and riparian food webs by transferring energy and nutrients. However, the use of the mosquito control agent Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) can have unintended consequences on non-target aquatic insects, such as non-biting midges. A field experiment showed that Bti treatments altered the community composition and emergence dynamics of these insects, resulting in potential effects on terrestrial predators due to changes in prey availability. This study highlights the importance of responsible use of Bti and the need for temporal perspectives in evaluating stressors in aquatic-terrestrial meta-ecosystems.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Sascha Bub, Jakob Wolfram, Lara L. Petschick, Sebastian Stehle, Ralf Schulz
Summary: This study proposes the assessment of pesticide toxicity for different species groups based on both mass and toxicity to evaluate environmental risks. The authors calculated and compared the Total Applied Toxicity (TAT) in Germany between 1995 and 2019, finding a decrease in TAT for terrestrial vertebrates by about 20%, whereas TAT for fishes increased by a factor of three largely due to insecticides. Different species groups showed varying trends in TAT, with pollinators likely being affected by neonicotinoid use restrictions.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jakob Wolfram, Sascha Bub, Lara L. Petschick, Anna Schemmer, Sebastian Stehle, Ralf Schulz
Summary: A complete ban on pesticide use in sensitive areas, such as nature conservation areas, is currently being discussed in the EU. A study in Germany found that surface waters in protected areas are contaminated by pesticides, posing ecological risks. Therefore, it is crucial to improve the protection of these valuable water resources.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Daniel Schmitz, Johanna Girardi, Eva Ullrich, Katherine Munoz-Sepulveda, Mirco Bundschuh, Kai Riess, Jens Schirmel
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the impact of Fallopia japonica and Impatiens glandulifera on soil-plant interactions, particularly focusing on fungi. The results showed that these invasive species had minor effects on soil physicochemical properties, soil microbial activity, and soil fungal richness. However, they significantly influenced the abundance of soil arthropods and exhibited differences in root-associated fungal communities compared to native plants.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sara Goncalves, Ruben Post, Marco Konschak, Jochen Zubrod, Alexander Feckler, Mirco Bundschuh
Summary: Microbially-mediated leaf litter decomposition plays an important role in forested running waters, but can be influenced by fungicides. Previous studies have mainly focused on black alder leaves, which have favorable traits for decomposition. Little is known about fungicide effects on other leaf species with less favorable traits. In this study, we investigated the effects of increasing fungicide concentrations on three leaf species with different traits. The results showed that beech, with the least favorable traits, had a significantly lower decomposition rate in the absence of fungicides and a decrease in microbial decomposition and fungal biomass in the presence of high fungicide concentrations.
BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Mirco Bundschuh
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Jonas Jourdan, Mirco Bundschuh, Denis Copilas-Ciocianu, Cene Fiser, Michal Grabowski, Kamil Hupalo, Anita Jemec Kokalj, Jana Kabus, Joerg Roembke, Laura J. Soose, Joerg Oehlmann
Summary: The use of genetic methods has allowed the discovery of previously undistinguishable species based on morphology. However, these cryptic species are rarely considered in ecotoxicology, which can lead to false extrapolations and lack of reproducibility in experiments. It is crucial to address the ecological differentiation and sensitivity of closely related cryptic species for evolutionary ecology, conservation biology, and regulatory ecotoxicology.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Johannes Raths, Jacob Schnurr, Mirco Bundschuh, Fernanda E. Pinto, Christian Janfelt, Juliane Hollender
Summary: The bioaccumulation of organic contaminants from contaminated food sources is a potentially underestimated risk for shredding invertebrates. Monitoring studies and modeling experiments have shown the significance of dietary uptake as an exposure pathway for bioaccumulation of contaminants. The findings highlight the importance of considering dietary uptake in environmental exposure scenarios.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mirco Bundschuh, Francesc Mesquita-Joanes, Andreu Rico, Antonio Camacho
Summary: Recovery, recolonization, and adaptation are processes that regenerate local populations and communities after chemical stress. Recolonization involves the dispersal of organisms from other areas to fill empty niches, while adaptation refers to phenotypic and genetic changes that allow the persistence of existing taxa. Understanding the relative importance of these processes is crucial for the regeneration of biological communities after chemical exposure. This study provides case studies and recommendations to assess and compare the importance of these processes for risk assessment and ecosystem management.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shadi Kohzadi, Afshin Maleki, Mirco Bundschuh, Zakaria Vahabzadeh, Seyed Ali Johari, Reza Rezaee, Behzad Shahmoradi, Nader Marzban, Nader Amini
Summary: Undoped and Mo-doped ZnO photocatalysts were synthesized and characterized. Mo doping increased the specific surface area and thermal stability of the catalysts. The photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B showed increased activity with Mo doping under UV and sunlight irradiation. The nanophotocatalysts also exhibited lower toxicity and promising potential for wastewater treatment.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sebastian Stehle, Viktoriia Ovcharova, Jakob Wolfram, Sascha Bub, Larissa Zoe Herrmann, Lara Luisa Petschick, Ralf Schulz
Summary: Neonicotinoids are widely used insecticides that have raised concerns over their impact on non-target ecosystems, specifically surface waters. A meta-analysis of 173 peer-reviewed studies found a lack of exposure information in over 90% of agricultural areas globally. The study revealed low acute risks but significant chronic risks, especially for multispecies endpoints.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gabriela Kalcikova, Rajdeep Roy, Barbara Klun, Ula Rozman, Gregor Marolt, Tina Skalar, Alexander Feckler, Mirco Bundschuh
Summary: The adsorption mechanism of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nTiO2) on polyethylene microplastics (MPs) and the resulting photocatalytic properties were investigated. Ecotoxicological assessments of MPs with adsorbed nTiO2 on the behavior of Daphnia magna under UV irradiation were also conducted. The results showed that nTiO2 were rapidly adsorbed on the surface of MPs, and both suspended nTiO2 and nTiO2 immobilized on MPs exhibited comparable photocatalytic properties.
Article
Ecology
Alexander Feckler, Patrick Baudy-Groh, Lisa Friedrichs, Sara Goncalves, Simon Luederwald, Ute Risse-Buhl, Mirco Bundschuh
Summary: Heterotrophic microbial decomposers colonize submerged leaf litter in close proximity to periphytic algae, which release labile organic carbon. The exudates from periphytic algae can either stimulate or reduce leaf litter decomposition. This study found that diatoms reduced alder decomposition and associated fungal abundance, indicating negative priming. It is suggested that alder-associated heterotrophs obtained energy from diatom exudates and channeled it to alternative pathways, potentially affecting energy and nutrient availability in the food web.