Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Katia Ghezali, Nourredine Bentahar, Narcis Barsan, Valentin Nedeff, Emilian Mosnegutu
Summary: This study demonstrates the effectiveness of Canna indica-planted constructed wetlands in treating industrial wastewater, achieving high removal efficiencies for suspended solids, nitrogen, and heavy metals. The roots of the plant were found to adsorb toxic elements and partially transport them to the aerial parts.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Cen Yang, Tianling Fu, Hu Wang, Ruiying Chen, Bing Wang, Tengbing He, Yongfei Pi, Jiajia Zhou, Tianchang Liang, Miao Chen
Summary: This study constructed an effluent recirculation vertical subsurface flow constructed wetlands system for treating landfill leachate. The results showed that the wetlands system effectively removed organic pollutants in the leachate, with over 85% removal rate for conventional pollutants and relatively high removal rates for organic micro-pollutants such as OCPs, OPPs, PAHs, and VOCs.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiaqi Wang, Mathijs G. D. Smit, Yves Verhaegen, Tom M. Nolte, Aaron D. Redman, A. Jan Hendriks, Markus Hjort
Summary: Petroleum refinery effluents (PRE) are wastewaters from oil refining industries. This study aimed to assess the contribution of PREs to mixture toxic pressure in the environment using msPAF as an indicator. The msPAF levels of most effluents were substantially reduced downstream, indicating low to negligible toxicity of PREs beyond the initial mixing zone. Hydrocarbons and inorganics explained at least 85% of the mixture toxic pressure.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Bohua Ji, Ming Jiang, Ying Yang, Shengjiong Deng, Jinquan Chen, Junjun Chang
Summary: In this study, lab-scale iron-carbon microelectrolysis constructed wetlands (Fe-C CWs) were used to purify secondary effluent. By filling with iron scraps and granular biochar, and amending walnut shells or pyrite as electron donors, the Fe-C CWs exhibited remarkable nutrient removal and reduced iron consumption. Additionally, the addition of organic or inorganic electron donors further enhanced nutrient removal and mitigated the global warming potential of the Fe-C CWs.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Naomi W. Thunnissen, Dik van de Meent, Jaap Struijs, Markus Hjort, Aaron D. Redman, Mathijs G. D. Smit, A. Jan Hendriks, Rosalie van Zelm
Summary: Distribution and elimination of petroleum products in aerobic wastewater treatment plants can be predicted using models like SimpleTreat. However, refineries typically use more advanced treatment processes such as dissolved air flotation (DAF). This study aimed to develop a WWTP removal model that includes DAF treatment, which showed that the increased air-water exchange in DAF resulted in higher predicted removal of volatile constituents.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Mauricio Reimann Nast, Gustavo Stolzenberg Colares, Enio Leandro Machado, Lucia Ribeiro Rodrigues
Summary: This study evaluates the use of bamboo species as an alternative in constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment through bibliometric analysis and case study review. The study reveals the potential benefits of using bamboos in wastewater treatment, such as hyperaccumulation capacity and bioproduct generation, and identifies other promising applications. Despite promising results, further research is needed to investigate the morphological functions of bamboos in wastewater treatment with landscape integration and resource recovery.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Zhengkai Tao, Zhaoqian Jing, Mengni Tao, Yu Kong, Lin Guan, Qiusheng Jia
Summary: A novel filter-type constructed wetland using composite fillers (CFCW) was constructed for advanced treatment of sewage treatment plant effluent. CFCW showed higher removal efficiencies of TN, TP and COD compared to a constructed wetland with ordinary gravel fillers (CW), specifically 3.9%, 8.0% and 3.5% higher, respectively. The microbial community composition was significantly different between the two systems, with CFCW exhibiting enhanced microbial activity and diversity. The diverse nitrogen metabolism pathways in CFCW, including denitrification, nitrification, heterotrophic nitrification-aerobic denitrification, and partial denitrification, contributed to higher nitrogen removal.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ibrahim M. Abu-Reesh, Ansaruddin Kunju, Surajbhan Sevda
Summary: This study investigates the performance of microbial fuel cell (MFC) in treating petroleum refinery wastewater (PRW), and finds that MFC has promising COD removal efficiency and electricity generation capability in continuous mode of operation.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaoyan Y. Ma, Yu Lin, Yucong Zheng, Xiaochang C. Wang, Wenfeng Chen, Yihan Chen, Yali An, Haixiang Jia
Summary: Little research has been conducted on reducing trace organic pollutants and their biotoxic effects in hybrid constructed wetlands at pilot-scale. This study used chemical and biotoxicity analyses to evaluate the effectiveness of hybrid constructed wetlands in removing pollutants and reducing ecological risks. The findings showed that the wetlands were effective in removing most pollutants, especially in spring. However, some pesticides had higher concentrations in summer due to agricultural activities. The wetlands also reduced acute toxicity and genotoxicity, but still showed some acute toxicity to luminescent bacteria. The ecological risk assessment indicated that the wetlands effectively reduced the risk quotient of river water in spring, but not in summer, mainly due to poor removal of chlorpyrifos. Chlorpyrifos had the highest contribution to the risk quotient and was extremely toxic to Daphnia magna.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Feifei Zheng, Junhua Fang, Fucheng Guo, Xiangyu Yang, Tao Liu, Mengli Chen, Min Nie, Yi Chen
Summary: This study investigated the use of sewage sludge and cattail litter as raw materials to prepare biochar, which was then used as filling materials in constructed wetlands (CWs) to enhance the treatment of secondary effluent. The results showed that the biochar-filled CWs had better removal efficiency for total nitrogen and phosphorus compared to the control group. The biochar also reduced nitrous oxide emissions and promoted the activities of key enzymes involved in pollutant removal. High-throughput sequencing revealed the enrichment of microorganisms related to nitrogen removal in the biochar-filled CWs. This research demonstrates the potential for energy-saving treatment and waste resource recovery in wastewater treatment plants.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Louella Concepta Goveas, Raja Selvaraj, P. Senthil Kumar, Ramesh Vinayagam, Shyama Prasad Sajankila
Summary: Two indigenous bacterial strains isolated from refinery effluent showed high efficiency in degrading benzo(a)fluorene, with degradation rates depending on the initial concentration of the pollutant. The degradation metabolites were identified and a metabolic pathway for benzo(a)fluorene degradation was constructed.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tanveer Saeed, Md Jihad Miah, Asheesh Kumar Yadav
Summary: This study developed hybrid constructed wetland systems using microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and different filter media to treat landfill leachate. The results showed that the developed systems had high removal efficiency for various pollutants and achieved nutrient removal through different mechanisms.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Izharul Haq, Ajay S. Kalamdhad
Summary: The study evaluated the pollution load and toxicity of petroleum refinery wastewater before and after biological treatment process. Toxic organic and inorganic pollutants were found in PRW, impacting plant growth, but toxicity was reduced after secondary treatment process.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
M. Hjort, K. H. den Haan, G. Whale, J. Koekkoek, P. E. G. Leonards, A. D. Redman, E. Vaiopoulou
Summary: Refinery effluents are important sources of hydrocarbons and other pollutants to the environment. This study analysed the effluent quality, treatment processes, and compositions of various compounds in wastewater from 13 refineries. The results showed that EU petroleum refineries are likely to achieve a high level of performance in effluent treatment, with effective removal of harmful constituents.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yu Lei, Huub Rijnaarts, Alette Langenhoff
Summary: This study evaluated the removal of micropollutants in constructed wetlands with different configurations. The use of bark-biochar as a support matrix significantly enhanced the removal of irbesartan and carbamazepine. UVC irradiation as a pre-treatment was more effective in removing micropollutants than sunlight irradiation. After INC pre-treatment, less micropollutants accumulated in the plants in the subsequent wetland unit. The addition of activated sludge and aeration did not improve micropollutant removal. A bark-biochar based system combined with UVC pre-treatment showed better micropollutant removal than a conventional sand wetland.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Marica Areniello, Silvio Matassa, Giovanni Esposito, Piet N. L. Lens
Summary: Securing a sustainable protein supply is a major challenge for humanity, and alternative protein sources like microbial protein (MP) offer innovative circular bioeconomy practices. In this review, the authors analyze waste recovery platforms for second-generation MP production and evaluate the potential of mixed culture-based MP fermentation processes.
TRENDS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Simone Pau, Lea Chua Tan, Sonia Lorena Arriaga Garcia, Piet N. L. Lens
Summary: Food waste generation is a major environmental concern, and lactic acid has gained attention for its role in biopolymer production. This study investigated the effects of thermal and ultrasonic pretreatment on solubilization rates and lactic acid yields. Ultrasonic pretreatment increased solubility, but reduced lactic acid concentrations and yields after fermentation. Thermal pretreatment, on the other hand, increased lactic acid concentrations and yields.
WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yaxue He, Chiara Cassarini, Piet N. L. Lens
Summary: An anaerobic granular sludge capable of utilizing H2/CO2 to produce organic acids and alcohols was enriched in a continuous gas-fed up-flow anaerobic sludge reactor. Three fermentation stages were identified, and exogenous acetate was found to enhance the consumption of H2 and CO2. However, the enriched acetogens were unable to convert acetate to ethanol.
ENGINEERING IN LIFE SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering
Arindam Sinharoy, Piet N. L. Lens
Summary: This study investigated the simultaneous removal of indium (In(III)) and selenium oxyanions (Se(IV) and Se(VI)) using anaerobic granular sludge. The results showed that the indium removal efficiency was consistently high (>95%), while the removal values for selenite (78.9-98.2%) were much higher than for selenate (15.5-70.0%) in the absence of indium. However, the presence of indium significantly improved the removal efficiency of both selenite and selenate (up to 96-98%).
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Maria F. F. Carboni, Sonia Arriaga, Piet N. L. Lens
Summary: This study investigated the effect of copper, arsenic, and nickel impurities on autotrophic denitrification mediated by pyrite. It was found that copper had an inhibitory effect, while arsenic and nickel enhanced nitrate removal efficiency.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Bing Zhang, Jiawei Fan, Wei Li, Piet N. L. Lens, Wenxin Shi
Summary: This study used aerobic granular sludge (AGS), a salt-tolerant biological wastewater treatment technology, to explore the enhancement mechanism of acid orange 7 (AO7) degradation at low salinity level (1.0%). The results showed that compared to salt-free conditions, the AO7 removal efficiency was elevated by 9.9%-19.0% at 1.0% salinity level, due to the enrichment of AO7 decolorizing bacteria (e.g. Acinetobacter) and functional enzymes (e.g. FMN-dependent azoreductase). The upregulated genes involved in key metabolic functions promoted electron and energy production, facilitating AO7 decolorization and degradation.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Armando Oliva, Stefano Papirio, Giovanni Esposito, Piet N. L. Lens
Summary: This study investigated the valorisation of peanut shells via anaerobic digestion using two emerging pretreatment methods, organosolv and ultrasounds. Organosolv pretreatment achieved the highest polyphenol solubilisation, while ultrasounds pretreatment mainly affected sugar solubilisation and enhanced methane production by up to 64% with the highest energy density.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bing Zhang, Lian Wu, Yuan Guo, Piet N. L. Lens, Wenxin Shi
Summary: This study proposes two strategies to accelerate the start-up process of the algal-bacterial granular sludge system under low aeration conditions. The use of mycelial pellets to flocculate algae and form algal-mycelial pellets enhances the establishment of algal-bacterial symbiosis. The system shows excellent removal efficiency and can be stably operated for at least 100 days.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Mohanakrishnan Logan, Lea Chua Tan, Corine Orline Nzeteu, Piet N. L. Lens
Summary: The effect of selenate on glycerol removal in UASB reactors was investigated. By gradually increasing selenate concentrations, an average daily methane yield of about 150 mL/g COD and 90% Se removal were achieved until a concentration of 400 mu M SeO42-. However, methane production deteriorated when the influent selenate concentration was increased to 500 mu M.
Article
Microbiology
Andras Nemeth, Jude Ainsworth, Harish Ravishankar, Piet N. L. Lens, Barry Heffernan
Summary: The membrane-aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) is a successful and promising technology for nitrification of wastewaters. The temperature dependence of a counter-diffusional biofilm's nitrification performance was investigated to improve MABR processes for colder climates. The study found that a lab-scale MABR system operated at 8 degrees C achieved a high nitrification rate, with low temperature dependence and moderate changes in microbial community composition. Proper management of mass transfer resistance can optimize the MABR process for both low and high temperature operation.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Plant Sciences
Amitap Khandelwal, Meenu Chhabra, Piet N. L. Lens
Summary: Biofuels, especially algae, hold promise as a sustainable source of renewable energy and can also produce valuable by-products. Integrating algae cultivation with bio-electrochemical systems, such as microbial fuel cells, can eliminate the need for oxygen quenching and make the overall process more sustainable.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qian Li, Jiahui Zhang, Jiayu Zhou, Wang Xu, Zhuowei Cheng, Piet N. L. Lens, Jianmeng Chen, Dongzhi Chen
Summary: A visible-light photocatalysis coupled with biodegradation system was developed for the removal of chlorobenzenes. The system achieved high removal efficiency of chlorobenzenes, outperforming other photocatalytic and biodegradation methods. The system showed wide applicability and promising potential for the treatment of refractory pollutants.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Amitap Khandelwal, Piet N. L. Lens
Summary: This study aimed to develop and utilize an algae-assisted microbial fuel cell (AMFC) for the purification of biogas by removing both CO2 and H2S and simultaneous bioelectricity generation. The AMFC exhibited a sulfide removal efficiency exceeding 97% and a power density of 24.99 mW/m(3) at sulfide concentration of 400 mg/l. In addition, the AMFC showed potential for improving CO2 utilization for algae cultivation.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Sonia Arriaga, Maria Federica Carboni, Piet N. L. Lens
Summary: The effect of a static magnetic field (SMF) on the microbial activity of anaerobic granular sludge was investigated. The results showed that a 70 mT SMF led to improved bioH2 production, decreased lag time, increased production rate, and enhanced consumption of iron and phosphate. The SMF also induced changes in VFA production, pH and conductivity, biomass concentration, EPS composition, and settleability of the sludge. Microbial analysis revealed shifts in the relative abundance of different bacteria species in response to the SMF and heat shock pretreatment. Applying the SMF as a pre-treatment and during bioH2 production could be a promising strategy to optimize the fermentation process.
PROCESS SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shuchang Huang, Bing Zhang, Zhiwei Zhao, Chun Yang, Bing Zhang, Fuyi Cui, Piet N. L. Lens, Wenxin Shi
Summary: The effects of polystyrene microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) on microbiomes and functional genes in activated sludge systems were investigated. The results showed that low concentrations (1 mg/L) of MPs and NPs had minimal impacts on nitrogen removal performance, while high concentrations (20 and 100 mg/L) decreased total nitrogen removal efficiency. The presence of MPs and NPs induced cytotoxicity and reduced the abundance of denitrifiers and functional genes involved in nitrogen transformation processes, resulting in decreased nitrogen removal efficiency. This study provides important insights into the response of microbial communities and nitrogen conversion processes to micro(nano)plastic disturbance in activated sludge systems.
