Article
Environmental Sciences
Weihua Li, Mengjie Liu, Muhammad Saboor Siddique, Nigel Graham, Wenzheng Yu
Summary: The study investigated the self-purification of surface water by dominant bacteria under different environmental conditions, with results showing that bacteria and EPS from polluted sources have a stronger flocculation ability due to polysaccharides, networked structure, and lack of hydrophilic groups in EPS. Different microbial community structures can enhance the water body's ability to remove environmental pollutants like SS, humic acid, and fulvic acid.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tlou Nelson Selepe, Remilekun Akanbi, Tsolanku Sidney Maliehe, Kgabo Moganedi, Peter Masoko
Summary: Bioflocculant produced by Bacillus megaterium has potential industrial applications in wastewater treatment due to its effectiveness, innocuousness, and environmental friendliness.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Wioleta Babiak, Izabela Krzeminska
Summary: Microalgae are natural resources with intracellular compounds that have a wide range of applications in the food industry, pharmacy, and biofuel production. The extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) released by microalgal cells, mainly composed of polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, and DNA, are valuable bioproducts. Research has shown that optimization of EPS production by microalgal cells can be achieved through analysis of physical and chemical culture conditions, and microalgal EPS have great potential in flocculation and toxic heavy metal removal.
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Helene Walch, Frank von der, Thilo Hofmann
Summary: Freshwater suspended particulate matter (SPM) is composed of complex floc-like aggregate structures, consisting of minerals and organic matter. These aggregates provide habitat for microbes, serve as food for larger organisms, and play a significant role in carbon and nutrient cycles. The composition, structure, size, and concentration of SPM flocs can vary spatially and temporally.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Zhi Wang, Yanqing Li, Zhichao Hui, Jinle Liu, Xiaomin Guo, Zhen Chen, Zhidan Yu, Anqi Zhao, Shilei Wang, Yafan Cai, Ning He, Jingliang Xu, Wei Zhuang, Hanjie Ying
Summary: Organic selenium nanoparticles (EPS-SeNPs) were synthesized using extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) fermented from waste cane molasses, and exhibited good stability, antibacterial activity, and antioxidant activity.
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ling-ling Wang, Zheng-yan Yin, Yun Xu, Miao-yu Deng, Kai-ming Zhang, Quan Wang, Rong-ping Chen, Lei Yu
Summary: The production and composition of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and the related functional resistance genes and metabolic levels of Bacillus sp. under Cu(II) stress were investigated. The study found that EPS production increased by 2.73 times and the polysaccharide (PS) content and PN/PS ratio in EPS increased under Cu(II) stress, enhancing the cells' ability to resist Cu(II) toxicity. Gene ontogeny pathway analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis revealed differential expression of functional genes involved in EPS regulation and copper resistance, indicating the strain's defense mechanism against Cu(II) stress. These findings provide a basis for the application of EPS-regulated bacteria in heavy metal wastewater treatment.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Rui Zhang, Zhong-yue Chang, Ling-ling Wang, Wei-xin Cheng, Rong-ping Chen, Lei Yu, Xu-hai Qiu, Jian-gang Han
Summary: The study evaluated the flocculation feasibilities of tobacco wastewater and livestock and poultry wastewater by the extracellular polymeric substances of Bacillus sp. The crude EPS showed larger floc sizes and higher removal efficiencies compared to chemical flocculants. Charge neutralization was dominant in LPW flocculation, while chemical reactions with Fe(III) played a role in TBW flocculation.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Soil Science
Tom Guhra, Katharina Stolze, Kai Uwe Totsche
Summary: Soil organisms play important roles as ecosystem engineers in promoting soil aggregation, enhancing soil quality, and nutrient cycling. The complex composition of biogenically excreted organic matter can either promote or inhibit aggregation, affecting aggregate formation, stability, and transport through various functional roles.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Adama Ndao, Patrick Drogui, Rajesh D. Tyagi
Summary: Fermentation of Klebsiella pneumoniae using crude glycerol fortified with secondary paper mill sludge resulted in the production of two types of EPS, B-EPS and S-EPS, which were used for treatment of landfill leachate. S-EPS showed better flocculation activity and COD removal efficiency compared to B-EPS when combined with FeSO4.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH PART B-PESTICIDES FOOD CONTAMINANTS AND AGRICULTURAL WASTES
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Shu Wang, Nanqi Ren, Danhui Liang, Jifei Chang, Xin Wang, Jiaguo Yan, Xiang Cheng, Lili Dong, Nan Li
Summary: This study evaluated the changes of rFe, vFe, and RV after removing EPS, and found that TB-EPS played a crucial role in vivianite formation, contributing 28-51% of vivianite recovery and 34-55% of iron reduction. Electronic shuttle substances in TB-EPS enhanced the EET rate and efficiency between cells and Fe(III). Additionally, redox proteins were embedded in EPS, shortening the distance of electron hopping and accelerating vivianite recovery from wastewater.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhipeng Chen, Shuang Qiu, Ziwei Yu, Mengting Li, Shijian Ge
Summary: This study highlights the crucial role of exoproteins in microalgal self-flocculation, showing that high light intensity conditions can enhance self-flocculation efficiency by promoting the enrichment and rearrangement of PN in EPS. Furthermore, specific PN over-expression, Algal-CAMs, and metal-ion-binding PN were identified as key contributors to facilitating cell adhesion and bridging.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Thi Ngoc Thu Tran, Thi Dong Phuong Nguyen, Ha Thuong Dinh, Thi Tho Bui, Le Han Ho, Truc Xuyen Nguyen-Phan, Kuan Shiong Khoo, Kit Wayne Chew, Pau Loke Show
Summary: This study focused on characterizing Bacillus strains isolated from seafood wastewater and comparing their properties with those from soil. Results showed that some isolates exhibited antagonistic activity against E.coli, with varying levels of antibiotic susceptibility.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wen-Jie Ma, Jiang-Tao Zhang, Ye Wang, Gui-Feng Li, Xin-Xin Wu, Yu-Xi Yao, Ya-Fei Cheng, Bao-Cheng Huang, Ren-Cun Jin
Summary: Arsenic has a negative impact on anammox treatment technology, while extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) play an important role in resisting this toxicity. In this study, it was found that proteins are the main component in EPS that forms complexes with arsenic, and complexation and hydrophobic interactions are the main forces preventing arsenic invasion.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xia Song, Aijiang Yang, Xia Hu, A-Ping Niu, Yang Cao, Qingqing Zhang
Summary: The contamination of water resources and food chain by Sb bearing tailings in abandoned antimony mines is a significant problem. Microorganisms and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) produced by bacteria were found to play a crucial role in tailing leaching and reaction speeding. This study investigated the leaching pattern of Sb from Sb bearing tailings using Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and analyzed the mechanism of EPS in the leaching process of Sb. Various techniques were employed to characterize the generation behavior of EPS during bioleaching and the changes of EPS functional groups before and after leaching. The findings provide insights into the biogeochemical cycle of Sb and the reduction of risk associated with high-valent antimony.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Electrochemistry
Graziela C. Sedenho, Iago Modenez, Giovana R. Mendes, Frank N. Crespilho
Summary: It has been found that Saccharomyces cerevisiae transfers electrons externally to electrode surfaces through an extracellular polymeric substance network, with flavoproteins responsible for non-diffusive extracellular electron transfer. This mechanism could advance bioenergy generation through microbial fuels.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wenjie Du, Lianliang Chen, Haoran Wang, Ziyang Shan, Zhengyang Zhou, Wenwei Li, Yang Wang
Summary: Air pollution is a major obstacle to future sustainability, and traffic pollution has become a large drag on the sustainable developments of future metropolises. In this study, a deep learning model called iDeepAir is proposed to predict surface-level PM2.5 concentration in Shanghai using real-time monitoring data, and it creatively links with the MEIC emission inventory to decipher urban traffic impacts on air quality.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hong Sun, Qiang Tang, Yang Li, Zi-Han Liang, Feng-He Li, Wen-Wei Li, Han-Qing Yu
Summary: A physiologically adapted regulatory platform was developed to optimize the electron transfer pathways in Shewanella oneidensis. The platform allows for modular reconfiguration and tuning of both direct and mediated electron transfer pathways, resulting in significant improvements in current density, voltage output, power density, and radionuclide removal efficiency.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xue Li, Jie Li, Xiao-Rong Yu, Yong-Kun Zhu, Hou-Qi Liu, Lin Chen, Jing Wu, Xian-Zhong Fu, Shuo Cui, Tian-Yin Huang, Ru-Quan Ye, Wen-Wei Li
Summary: This study proposes a simplified method to enhance microbial nitrate reduction to ammonia (NRA) by using zero-valent iron (ZVI) as an augment. The method promotes the NRA process through both direct and mediated electron transfer pathways from ZVI to bacteria, as well as the complementation between biological and abiotic nitrogen conversion. The bio-hybrid shows significantly improved NO3- reduction activity, nearly 100% NRA selectivity, and good stability for wastewater treatment.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Lingli Li, Qi Liao, Bingchao Hou, Chuanshu He, Jiamei Liu, Bingrui Li, Ming Yu, Yucheng Liu, Bo Lai, Bing Yang
Summary: A functionalized magnetic chitosan beads (MCB-ECH-SH/SO3H) was found to efficiently remove hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) from wastewater by reducing it to less toxic trivalent chromium (Cr(III)). The material also exhibited high stability, strong reducing capacity, easy recycling, making it an ideal candidate for treating chromium-containing wastewater.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yanni Jiang, Binyang Gao, Zhongjuan Wang, Jie Li, Ye Du, Chuanshu He, Yang Liu, Gang Yao, Bo Lai
Summary: Peroxymonosulfate (PMS)-based photocatalysis with CuS quantum dots (QDs) modified MIL-101(Fe) (CSQDs@MF) was developed as a promising alternative disinfection technology for wastewater treatment. The system achieved enhanced generation of singlet oxygen (1O2) and demonstrated good disinfection performance on various bacteria, including Escherichia coli and Gram-positive B. subtilis, in practical wastewater.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yirong Hu, Wenjie Du, Cheng Yang, Yang Wang, Tianyin Huang, Xiaoyi Xu, Wenwei Li
Summary: Using machine learning models, we identified key sources of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in Lake Taihu, and found that controlling endogenous sources is an effective option for lake eutrophication control.
FRONTIERS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
Renjie Chen, Shijie Yuan, Xiankai Wang, Xiaohu Dai, Yali Guo, Chong Li, Haibin Wu, Bin Dong
Summary: Hydrothermal treatment (HT) improves the pyrolysis of sewage sludge by reducing the activation energy and facilitating the formation of hydrocarbons and acids/esters. HT also reduces the nitrogen- and sulfur-containing compounds in bio-oil and non-condensable gases. The pyrolysis of HT-sludge results in the formation of aromatic structures and the conversion of oxygen- and nitrogen-containing compounds into acids/esters and amine/amide.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhi-Yan Guo, Rongbo Sun, Zixiang Huang, Xiao Han, Haoran Wang, Cai Chen, Yu-Qin Liu, Xusheng Zheng, Wenjun Zhang, Xun Hong, Wen-Wei Li
Summary: Crystallinity engineering strategy can improve the activity-stability balance of metal oxides in Fenton-like catalysis, leading to higher pollutant degradation efficiency and improved catalyst stability.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ying-Jie Zhang, Jie-Jie Chen, Gui-Xiang Huang, Wen-Wei Li, Han-Qing Yu, Menachem Elimelech
Summary: Clarifying the reaction pathways at the solid-water interface and in bulk water solution is crucial for designing heterogeneous catalysts for selective oxidation of organic pollutants. In this study, the origin of organic oxidation reactions with metal oxide catalysts is unraveled, showing that radical-based advanced oxidation processes prevail in bulk water but not on solid catalyst surfaces. These findings provide a fundamental understanding of catalytic organic oxidation processes at the solid-water interface and can guide the design of heterogeneous nanocatalysts.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jing Wu, Dong-Feng Liu, Jie Wu, Ru-Li He, Zhou-Hua Cheng, Wen-Wei Li
Summary: This viewpoint discusses the impacts of biofilm formation on microplastic surfaces in aquatic environments in promoting the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). It highlights the underestimated risks of ARG spread in real water environments due to biased microplastic detection methods and limited knowledge of combined pollution and inappropriate risk assessment methods.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chong Yang, Zhouliang Tan, Lin Wang, Hongyan Zhang, Wenwei Li, Fan Wang, Xin Li, Houzhen Zhou, Yangwu Chen
Summary: This study investigates the dynamics of nitrogen removal and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) between Shortcut nitrification-denitrification (SCND) and full nitrification-denitrification (FND) processes under long-term selective pressure conditions. The results show that the SCND process exhibits higher extracellular polymers, respiratory activity, TN removal performance, and impact resistance compared to the FND process. Furthermore, the SCND process maintains a lower abundance of total ARGs and shows better inhibition effect on potential pathogenic bacteria proliferation.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shi-Jie Yuan, Jing-Jing Wang, Bin Dong, Xiao-Hu Dai
Summary: Biomass-derived carbonaceous materials with graphene/graphene-like structures (BGS) have great potential for environmental remediation. However, there is a need for critical assessment of their definitions, classifications, and specific structures. This perspective provides a systematic framework to define and classify BGS, evaluates the methods used for determining their structural properties, discusses their design and fabrication, and highlights their environmental applications and future research opportunities.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Tingting Xiao, Renjie Chen, Chen Cai, Shijie Yuan, Xiaohu Dai, Bin Dong, Zuxin Xu
Summary: Based on the efficiency of catalytic ozonation techniques in enhancing sludge dewaterability, this study investigated its effectiveness in simultaneous reduction of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes. The results showed that catalytic ozonation conditioning changed the distribution of antibiotics and achieved high degradation rates. It also significantly reduced the abundance of ARGs, inhibited horizontal gene transfer, and decreased the signal transduction of typical ARGs host bacteria.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shiyu Liu, Liang Song, Rui Liu, Lei Li, Dianhai Yang, Shijie Yuan, Xiaohu Dai
Summary: In this study, a highly selective dual-metal-organic framework (MOF) copper-based catalytic electrode was designed and prepared on a foamed copper substrate. The optimized reactor design using durable poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) showed comparable performance to a graphite electrode and improved the stability and durability of the gas channel. These findings provide new insights into the reaction mechanism and offer technical support for the practical industrial application of CO2RR.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shurun Yang, Zi-Han Liang, Yaning Wen, Chuan-Shu He, Zhaokun Xiong, Ye Du, Yang Liu, Heng Zhang, Peng Zhou, Yang Mu, Gang Yao, Bo Lai
Summary: In this study, it was found that natural polyphenols can assist in the activation of peracetic acid by conveniently obtained Fe(III), leading to efficient removal of bisphenol A. Hydroxyl radicals (center dot OH) are the main contributors to BPA degradation, with superoxide radicals (O2 center dot-) functioning as intermediates. The reaction intermediates between polyphenols and reactive oxygen species play a crucial role in the regeneration of Fe(II) and enhanced activation of peracetic acid.
ACS ES&T ENGINEERING
(2023)