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The scourge of drug addiction and abuse poses a significant challenge to society. Opioid drugs acting on μ-opioid receptor (OPRM1) make it one of the pivotal targets for drug addiction. In the past decade, sewage analysis has become a prevalent method of drug monitoring. However, traditional methods of detecting drugs in sewage are cumbersome, and rapid detection methods are relatively lacking. To address this, an innovative OPRM1-SNAP-tag/CMC method to directly identify drug components in sewage was established. Cell membrane chromatography (CMC) is an affinity chromatography technique which effectively detects receptor affinity substances. Cells constructed with high expression of specific receptor could be used to screen for compounds acting on the receptor. CMC based on OPRM1 provides a potentially convenient and effective tool for the detection of targeted drug components in sewage. In this study, the selectivity, reproducibility, column lifetime, and carryover of the CMC column had been assessed. Initially, we eluted the collected domestic sewage with methanol and acetonitrile, and the retention peaks were observed on the CMC system. Subsequently, without any preliminary sample preparation, we directly injected filtered samples of suspicious sewage into the OPRM1-SNAP-tag/CMC system, where we observed retention peaks as well. The retained components were further identified as morphine by using UPLC-MS/MS. In conclusion, the OPRM1-SNAP-tag/CMC method stands out as a reliable and robust model for the detection of drug components in sewage. It provides a valuable analytical tool for frontline drug control efforts, enhancing our capacity to monitor and mitigate the impact of drug abuse on society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the conceptual design of the solid fuel from the forest and sawmill production waste and agricultural waste biomass-fired water boiler. The project was supported by thermal and flow calculations. The designed WRB-6 boiler is a 3-pass unit with a fully screened furnace chamber and is equipment of a local biomass heating plant. It is fired with biomass, transported over no more than 30 km. The furnace has a double function – dual fuel. Both fuels can be burned simultaneously or alternately, depending on seasonal availability. In the front part there is a channel for feeding and burning large bales of cereal straw. The lower closure of the chamber is a mechanically inclined grate for the combustion of wood biomass in the granulation of chips. As part of the work, calculations of the amount of biomass fuels possible to be obtained on the local market with economy of delivery were also performed. As a result of the calculations, the temperatures of water and flue gas at the outlet, boiler efficiency, slagging and impurity indices for biomass were also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In-situ growth of S-doped BiOBr nanosheets was realized on CFC as filter-membrane-shaped photocatalyst for removing pollutants in flowing wastewater. [Display omitted] • The in-situ growth of S-doped BiOBr nanosheets on carbon fiber cloth. • High photocatalytic activity owing to the increased proportion of (0 1 0) exposed surface. • Good stability and simple recyclable process. • Filter-membrane-shaped photocatalyst for purifying the flowing wastewater. Bismuth oxybromide (BiOBr) nanomaterials are well-known efficient powder-shaped photocatalyst for degrading antibiotic wastewater, but their practical applications have been limited by unsatisfactory photo-absorption, weak photocatalytic activity and poor recyclability. To address these issues, we demonstrate that the growing of S-doped BiOBr nanosheets on carbon fiber cloth (CFC) can lead to efficient photocatalysis with recyclable features. With carbon fiber cloth as the substrate, S-doped BiOBr (BiOBr-S x) nanosheets (diameter: ∼500 nm, thicknesses: ∼5–90 nm) was prepared by solvothermal method with thiourea as dopant. With the increase of thiourea (0–0.2 g) in the precursor solution, BiOBr-S x nanosheets exhibit a significant shift in the photo-absorption edge from 420 to 461 nm and decreased thicknesses from 90 to 5 nm, accompanying by the increased proportion of (0 1 0) exposed surface. Amony them, CFC/BiOBr-S 0.5 can degrade various contaminants (such as 98.7 % levofloxacin (LVFX), 95.6 % ciprofloxacin (CIP) and 95.9 % tetracycline (TC)) with most degradation efficiency within 120 min of visible light irradiation, which are 1.6, 1.9 and 1.4 times than that of CFC/BiOBr (61.4 % LVFX, 49.5 % CIP and 67.1 % TC), respectively. Significantly, when CFC/BiOBr-S 0.05 photocatalytic fabric is combined with a multi-stage flow device to treat the flowing wastewater (10 mg/L LVFX, rate: 1 L/h), 91.0 % LVFX can be degraded after tenth grade. Therefore, this study not only demonstrates the controllable preparation of S-doped BiOBr nanosheets with different thickness on CFC but also highlights the practical applications of fabric-based photocatalysts for purifying the flowing sewage efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, chromium pollution has become more and more serious, and how to efficiently dispose of chromium pollution, especially Cr(VI) pollution, has become a key issue that needs to be solved. In this study, magnetic chitosan microspheres (MCPs) were prepared by an emulsification cross-linking method, and polyacryloyloxytrimethylammonium chloride-modified magnetic chitosan microspheres (PMCPs) were successfully prepared by grafting onto the surface of MCPs through chemical modification. On this basis, the adsorption behavior of PMCPs toward Cr(VI) was systematically investigated. It was found that PMCPs were effective in removing Cr(VI) from wastewater, exhibiting a maximum adsorption capacity of 90.55 mg g−1 at a pH value of 2 and an initial solution concentration of 100 mg L−1. It was also found that the adsorption behavior of Cr(VI) by PMCPs conformed to the quasi-primary and quasi-secondary kinetic models, and the adsorption process was chemisorption. The adsorption regeneration experiments showed that the PMCPs possessed excellent reusability, and maintained an adsorption rate of 73.08% even after five cycles. This work provides a novel strategy for efficient disposition of Cr(VI)-containing wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a challenge with employing dumpsites as waste disposal methods due to the formation of leachates. These leachates may include dangerous chemicals that may harm human health and the ecosystem. Despite the drawbacks of leachates, it contains precious minerals that can be retrieved and used to restore soil fertility for agricultural activities to contribute to the circular economy. Results: The chemical composition of leachates from the Pugu dumpsite was assessed to explore their potential in agricultural application. Leachates were alkaline with a pH of 8.88 ± 0.98. The concentrations of NH4-N and PO4-P were 960.80 ± 610.44 and 431.60 ± 209.65 mg/L, respectively. The concentrations of minerals determined were Mg (33.73 ± 9.73), Na (485.70 ± 51.47), Ca (254.66 ± 6.04), and K (113.67 ± 8.53). The concentrations of heavy metals determined were Cd (0.03 ± 0.01), Cu (0.33 ± 0.09), Zn (0.32 ± 0.04), Cr (0.03 ± 0.01), Fe (2.63 ± 0.64), Ni (0.13 ± 0.03), and Pb (0.94 ± 0.06) mg/L. The concentrations of Cd, Cu, Zn, Cr, Fe, and Ni in the leachates under study, with the exception of Pb, were within the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS)-established allowable limits for wastewater from cities and industries. Conclusions: The study evaluated the chemical composition of leachate from the Pugu dumpsite to explore its potential in agricultural applications. The results showed that the leachates were alkaline with a pH of 8.88 ± 0.88, with concentrations of NH4-N and PO4-P exceeding the allowable limit for municipal and industrial wastewater effluents. Concentrations of minerals such as Mg, Na, Ca, and K were within limits set by the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) for city and industrial wastewater. However, the concentrations of PO4-P and NH4-N exceeded the permissible limit of TBS, which could have adverse effects on the ecosystem. The study proposes a subtle method to recover plant nutrients from leachate, thus contributing to the circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inadequate dewatering technologies are reported as the dominant challenge in handling faecal sludge (FS) within urban settings of most African countries. Studies have been carried out to evaluate the efficiencies of unplanted sand drying beds (USDBs), decentralized wastewater treatment systems (DEWATS), and geo-tubes. However, limited information is available on comparative capabilities in dewatering the FS. This work reviewed treatment efficiencies by assessing the reported actual waste removal capacities and ascertaining if they align with the design removal provisions. Peer-reviewed papers, books, and technical reports from trusted sources were examined. The results show that all the technologies perform best in dewatering the FS; however, USDBs are widely adopted for city-wide treatment, and the other two are suited for decentralized communities. The USDB is challenged by frequent clogging and poor quality of dewatered sludge when reused or recycled in the production of solid fuel and compost due to sticking sand after sludge harvesting. The DEWATS and geo-tubes increase operational costs when used to treat the FS at a large scale. More studies should be conducted to explore locally made, cost-effective filter media and technologies to enhance the dewatering quality and quantity of the FS and increase the quality of recycled by-products. HIGHLIGHTS: This paper reviewed the capabilities of sand drying beds, decentralized wastewater treatment systems (DEWATS) and geo-tubes in dewatering the faecal sludge (FS). All reviewed dewatering technologies significantly reduce the solid concentration of faecal sludge, so they perform best in dewatering the FS. Sand drying beds are considered a suitable technology for city-wide sanitation management, the other two are best suited for decentralized communities. Although sand drying beds are viewed as the most promoted and adopted city-wide dewatering technology, they face clogging and poor quality of harvested dry solids for reuse and recycling purposes. More studies on alternative filter media and/or technologies are urgently needed. If the filter media is in contact and or is removed together with dry sludge during harvesting, then the media should be organic so that it enhances the quality of reused or recycled byproducts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drainage systems in urban areas are designed to collect and transport stormwater from citizen areas. However, the water in drainage systems might contain untreated, misconnected, or low-treated sewage and polluted runoff and potentially pollute neighboring urban rivers. In this study, the drainage waters in Taipei city, Taiwan, were investigated, and the impacts on water quality in the receiving Keelung River were assessed by the Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program (WASP) and five scenarios. If the drainage outlets were not intercepted but discharged to the river, the BOD and NH3-N in the Keelung River would increase by 5.7% and 2.9%, respectively. Moreover, the BOD concentration under low-flow conditions (Q75) increased by 30%, and the NH3-N increased by 37.6%. If all domestic wastewater is treated and zero point pollution sources in the drainage water in the future, the BOD could decrease by 55.4%, and the NH3-N could decrease by 44.8%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Providencia stuartii is an emerging pathogen that causes nosocomial infections. In this study, a multidrug-resistant strain P. stuartii MF1 was isolated from swine wastewater. Comprehensive analysis of whole genome sequencing revealed that dozens of antibiotic resistance genes were found in MF1. A novel transposon Tn6450M which has high sequence identity to Tn6450 and the plasmid-borne Tn6765 from Proteus mirabilis was identified in the genome of MF1. Tn6450M was determined to be stably inserted into a new attTn7 site in the P. stuartii MF1 genome and contains the third-generation cephalosporins resistance-associated genes blaDHA-1. Intergeneric transmission of Tn6450 variants poses risks for the spread of antibiotic resistance genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multi-soil-layering (MSL) systems is an emerging solution for environmentally-friendly and cost-effective treatment of decentralized rural domestic wastewater. However, the role of the seemingly simple permeable layer has been overlooked, potentially holding the breakthroughs or directions to addressing suboptimal nitrogen removal performance in MSL systems. In this paper, the mechanism among diverse substrates (zeolite, green zeolite and biological ceramsite) coupled microorganisms in different systems (activated bacterial powder and activated sludge) for rural domestic wastewater purification was investigated. The removal efficiencies performed by zeolite coupled with microorganisms within 3 days were 93.8% for COD, 97.1% for TP, and 98.8% for NH 4 +-N. Notably, activated sludge showed better nitrification and comprehensive performance than specialized nitrifying bacteria powder. Zeolite attained an impressive 89.4% NH 4 +-N desorption efficiency, with a substantive fraction of NH 4 +-N manifesting as exchanged ammonium. High-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that aerobic and parthenogenetic anaerobic bacteria dominated the reactor, with anaerobic bacteria conspicuously absent. And the heterotrophic nitrification-aerobic denitrification (HN-AD) process was significant, with the presence of denitrifying phosphorus-accumulating organisms (DPAOs) for simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus removal. This study not only raises awareness about the importance of the permeable layer and enhances comprehension of the HN-AD mechanism in MSL systems, but also provides valuable insights for optimizing MSL system construction, operation, and rural domestic wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Anaerobic sludge activity was severely inhibited at a salinity of 16 g/L. • High salinity reduced species diversity, with Patescibacteria and Proteobacteria being the dominant phyla under high osmotic stress. • Addition of betaine promotes bacterial secretion of extracellular polymers in response to high osmotic pressure. • The relative abundance of Desulfobacterota and Spirochaetota was significantly increased by the addition of betaine. In this study, the effects of different salinity gradients and addition of compatible solutes on anaerobic treated effluent water qualities, sludge characteristics and microbial communities were investigated. The increase in salinity resulted in a decrease in particle size of the granular sludge, which was concentrated in the range of 0.5-1.0 mm. The content of EPS (extracellular polymeric substances) in the granular sludge gradually increased with increasing salinity and the addition of betaine (a typical compatible solute). Meanwhile, the microbial community structure was significantly affected by salinity, with high salinity reducing the diversity of bacteria. At higher salinity, Patescibacteria and Proteobacteria gradually became the dominant phylum, with relative abundance increasing to 13.53% and 12.16% at 20 g/L salinity. Desulfobacterota and its subordinate Desulfovibrio , which secrete EPS in large quantities, dominated significantly after betaine addition.Their relative abundance reached 13.65% and 7.86% at phylum level and genus level. The effect of these changes on the treated effluent was shown as the average chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal rate decreased from 82.10% to 79.71%, 78.01%, 68.51% and 64.55% when the salinity gradually increased from 2 g/L to 6, 10, 16 and 20 g/L. At the salinity of 20 g/L, average COD removal increased to 71.65% by the addition of 2 mmol/L betaine. The gradient elevated salinity and the exogenous addition of betaine played an important role in achieving stability of the anaerobic system in a highly saline environment, which provided a feasible strategy for anaerobic treatment of organic saline wastewater. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive research has been conducted in the last decade on the use of natural fibers to clean up oil pollution. This study aims to examine the potential of milkweed fibers in treating kitchen wastewater. The main focus will be on evaluating the dynamic function of these fibers in terms of absorbing oil and water from waste, in order to determine their effectiveness for this particular application. To study the oil–water separation dynamics in milkweed filters, the density of the milkweed pack was varied at 0.07, 0.09, and 0.1 g/cm3. Additionally, the fiber placement within the filtration system (regular and random) and the liquid flow rates of 0.04 and 0.02 m3/h were considered. The findings of the oil sorption capacity tests indicate that the milkweed fiber sorbent kit can absorb more oil at lower flow rates compared to higher flow rates. Moreover, the packing density of the fibers also affects the oil sorption capability of the kit, with higher packing densities reducing its efficiency. The placement of the fibers within the adsorption kit is also significant, as regular placement results in better oil sorption compared to tangled or randomly placed fibers. The water wettability of milkweed floss fibers was evaluated, revealing their hydrophobic nature with a water contact angle of approximately 147°. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Morocco, 60% of wastewater from coastal cities is discharged into the sea without any prior treatment. These marine discharges pose a threat to human health (swimming, water sports, fishing) and animal health (exploitable marine resources). The present study was conducted to assess the bacteriological quality of bathing waters at Sidi Kacem Beach in Tangier, Morocco. The bacteriological analysis focused on pollution indicator germs, including fecal coliforms (E. coli) and fecal streptococci. The analyses showed that the frequency of exceeding the mandatory limit for Escherichia coli and fecal streptococci was over 100%, indicating poor water quality for swimming, classifying this area as Class D. All nine stations, deemed non-compliant for swimming during this season, are influenced by wastewater discharges and experience a high concentration of swimmers, combined with inadequate hygiene infrastructure. Bathing waters are generally classified into four categories, with categories A and B being compliant, and categories C and D not meeting the standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the concentrations, sources, and health risks of trace metals and metalloids in the effluents of 15 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) located along the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara, ecologically and economically vital regions of Türkiye. Effluent samples were collected in winter and autumn, and metal concentrations were analyzed using ICP-MS to assess seasonal variations and potential risks. Results showed notable seasonal and regional differences, with aluminium (Al) and nickel (Ni) as the most abundant metals. The highest total metal concentration was recorded in autumn at station S2 (326.09 mg/L). Non-carcinogenic risks were negligible (HI< 1) across all stations, but low carcinogenic risks (10-6< CRi ≤ 10-4) for chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni) were detected at some locations. Source apportionment using Principal Component Analysis revealed mixed geogenic and anthropogenic origins, primarily from industrial activities and urban runoff. While effluents generally complied with national standards, several metals exceeded international limits, highlighting risks to ecosystems and human health. These findings underscore the urgent need for stricter discharge regulations, improved treatment technologies, and continuous monitoring to mitigate the environmental and health impacts of WWTP discharges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing industrialization and urbanization have led to increased water pollution due to the inadequate treatment and disposal of domestic wastewater (DW) and wastewater produced by industries such as tanneries (TW). These wastewaters are characterized by high concentrations of organic matter, nutrients, sulphates, chlorides and high microbial load. TW also contains phenols and chromium, which disturb and harm the ecosystem the local. The decontamination of wastewater prior to their discharge through biological tools, especially the use of species that are native to the site in need of treatment, has been described as effective and advantageous. This study evaluated the ability of Schoenoplectus americanus, a native plant species from Cordoba (Argentina), to phytoremediate local DW and TW samples at a laboratory scale. The aim was to ascertain whether this system could potentially be considered for the remediation of wastewater in real-world scenarios. S. americanus was able to tolerate pure DW and a 1/20 (v/v) dilution of TW for 30 days under hydroponic conditions. Removal rates ranging from 50% to 89% were obtained for residual organic matter (determined as chemical oxygen demand or COD), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP). Significant removal of total chromium (TCr) and total phenols (TPhs) was also observed in TW (85% and 98%). The number of total coliforms (TC), was reduced by about 96% and 99%. These results indicate that S. americanus is a good candidate for the phytoremediation of regional DW and TW. For this reason, it may be considered for full-scale applications in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Baitarani River, Odisha, faces serious deterioration due to massive human intervention. It is particularly susceptible to degradation because it receives industrial and waste water emissions from surrounding organizations and municipal bodies. The current condition of the river is deplorable, leaving behind only minimal economic and ecological values. In this Baitarani Watershed, Odisha, this study emphasizes on analysing the seasonal variation (post-monsoon) of the water quality rating of the river in terms of the Water Quality Index (WQI). Study assessed the hydro-chemical variables, collected from thirteen sampling sites, during 2021–2024; and the whole river was investigated for 15 physicochemical parameters. Again, environ-metrics techniques, such as principal component analysis (PCA), and hierarchical (H) cluster analysis (CA), were used to assess the hydro-chemical variables. In all sites, the indicator Turbidity did not meet the drinking water quality limits (< 5NTU). During the post-monsoon season, the obtained WA-WQI value scored as 21.7 to 191, signifying excellent to unsuitable water quality. In this context, the WAWQI (Weighed Arithmetic Water Quality Index) values show that almost 61.54 % sampling sites have poor to unsuitable quality of water. On the contrary, the computed CCMEWQI (Canadian Council of Ministers of Environment Water Quality Index) value of the present research, varied between 23 and 97. These values indicate that water quality ranges from excellent to very poor water quality. Spanning a spectrum, the values of Integrated Weight (I)-WQI oscillated between 14 and 97. About 23.08 % remained within the excellent-good category, suggesting low pollution. These values also indicate 76.92 % of samples renders poor water and thus, significant contamination of the research zone by elements like turbidity, EC, and TDS indicates that the water quality in these areas is below drinkable limits and requires purification before use. The method, CA grouped four zones into three clusters, i.e., relatively low-polluted, medium-polluted, and high polluted. During post-monsoon season, most of the water quality characteristics were lower owing to dilution by monsoon rainfall, while pollutants were relatively higher in at some places, which might be due to reduced river flow and concentrated pollutants. The PCA resulted into 4 components namely PC-1 (51.31 %), PC-2 (16.044 %), PC-3 (11.799 %) and PC-4 (9.04 %) and indicated that particularly PC-1 contributes parameters such as turbidity, EC, TDS, Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+, were mostly influenced by mineralization, ions dissolution, and rock weathering. Ultimately, this innovative study from both indexing techniques, concludes that out of the 13 sampling sites, around 61.54 % (WA), 76.92 % (IWQI) and 53.85 % (CCME) is observed to be the most polluted site. CA and PCA identified that natural phenomena, along with agricultural, municipal, and industrial discharges, are the major polluting sources in the river basin. Reducing sewage outflow, blocking direct stormwater discharge, and avoiding continuous solid garbage disposal by neighbouring populations are ways to improve river water quality. This study provides baseline information that would serve as an effective plan for the management of the river basin.

Efficient removal of insoluble volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from wastewater is a significant environmental challenge. In this work, we exploit the synergistic effect of photocatalysis and the high interfacial area of TiO 2 -stabilized Pickering emulsion to achieve efficient degradation of o-xylene, typically present in wastewater discharged from many industries. Interfacial photocatalysis is carried out by considering o-xylene in water Pickering emulsions stabilized by commercial titania nanoparticles in a multitube non-stirred reactor setup. Stable emulsions used for catalysis are formulated by optimizing o-xylene volume fraction, TiO 2 concentration, pH, and homogenization conditions. The influence of photocatalyst loading, emulsion droplet size, and reaction conditions are systematically examined to determine their influence on the rate of photocatalytic degradation of o-xylene. Due to enhanced photocatalytic activity compared with conventional stirred batch photocatalysis, the TiO 2 -stabilized Pickering emulsion is found to increase the degradation rate and removal efficiency of o-xylene significantly. Furthermore, the Pickering emulsion stability during the photocatalytic process is studied, demonstrating the capacity of the emulsions to maintain stability and catalytic activity over a longer time period. The distinctive characteristics of Pickering emulsions – excellent storage stability and enhanced photocatalytic activity – make them a promising option for advanced wastewater treatment. The findings lead to the development of ecologically acceptable and sustainable VOC degrading strategies, which might be used in industrial and home wastewater treatment systems. [Display omitted] • Formulation of Titania stabilized o-xylene in water pickering emulsion. • Photocatalytic degradation of o-xylene in a multitube non-stirred reactor setup. • Four times better o-xylene degradation compared to a conventional stirred tank reactor. • Key parameters like particle concentration and emulsion droplet size optimize degradation. • Promising sustainable strategy for treating VOCs in industrial and domestic wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Vapor phase polymerization enabled facile fabrication of PEDOT/PVDF membrane. • PEDOT/PVDF membrane effectively repelled typical charged wastes from water system. • PEDOT/PVDF membrane demonstrated high separation performance in high-temperature or high-alkaline conditions. The facile fabrication of high-performance polymer composite membranes poses a challenging task. Herein, poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) selective layer was deposited onto the surface of porous polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) substrate by a simple vapor phase polymerization (VPP) method, resulting in the fabrication of high-performance composite separation membrane PEDOT/PVDF. This composite membrane has excellent separation performance to separate model wastes in water systems. For instance, the rejection rates for differently charged neutral red (NR), azure Ⅱ (Azu Ⅱ), congo red (CR), and methylene blue (MB) were 99.1 ± 0.2 %, 99.2 ± 0.2 %, 99.4 ± 1.5 %, and 97.9 ± 1.0 %, respectively, with corresponding permeances of 42.3 ± 2.4 L m−2 h−1 bar−1, 60.1 ± 1.9 L m−2 h−1 bar−1, 25.1 ± 5.6 L m−2 h−1 bar−1, and 68.2 ± 4.9 L m−2 h−1 bar−1. PEDOT/PVDF composite membrane demonstrated excellent chemical stability, and the rejection rate of NR decreased by only 4.1 % during 48 h of continuous filtration. In the environment of NR solution (50 ppm) at 60 °C or Azu Ⅱ-NaOH solution (pH 13), it maintained high selectivity (>96 %) while significantly improving permeability (>80 L m−2 h−1 bar−1). The entire fabrication process of high-performance PEDOT/PVDF membrane was conducted at room temperature, with high versatility simple operation and minimal equipment requirement, offering significant advantage compared to similar reported membrane materials. This work provides a useful reference for the facile fabrication of high-performance separation membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The increased Cl− will cause higher Cl 2 •− concentration during UV/Fenton treatment. • The SDZ degradation was promoted due to its higher reactivity with Cl 2 •−. • The degradation pathways of SDZ induced by HO• or Cl 2 •− were compared. • The SDZ degradation mediated by Cl 2 •− will generate more highly toxic products. UV/Fenton proves to be a highly effective approach for treating high-salinity organic wastewater. Throughout the treatment, Cl 2 •− can significantly contribute to the degradation of organic contaminants. Our study evaluated the impact of Cl− on the degradation of four typical pharmaceuticals in the UV/Fenton system, and further investigated the overlooked transformation pathways of organic compounds mediated by Cl 2 •−. The results indicated that as the Cl− concentration increased from 0 to 5000 mg/L, the degradation of carbamazepine, ibuprofen, and metronidazole was significantly inhibited. Conversely, the sulfadiazine (SDZ) degradation was significantly promoted and the pseudo-first-order rate constant (k obs) increased from 6.06 × 10−3 to 1.14 × 10−2 s−1. The contribution of HO• to SDZ degradation decreased from 82.8 % to 3.0 %, whereas the contribution of Cl 2 •− increased from 0 % to 79.4 %. Moreover, the degradation pathways of SDZ induced by HO• or Cl 2 •− were compared and the toxicity of the primary byproducts was assessed. Although a high steady-state concentration of Cl 2 •− enhanced the removal of SDZ, intermediates with higher toxicity, such as P185, P221 and P433, were simultaneously produced and tended to accumulate, leading to lower mineralization and higher toxicity of the reaction system. Therefore, while Cl 2 •− may enhance the degradation of some pollutants, the transformation of organic compounds it induces could potentially pose heightened environmental risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultivating microalgae for the remediation of aquaculture wastewater provides a promising solution for pollution control. However, the economic viability of this approach faces challenges due to the high costs associated with microalgal biomass harvesting. This study aims to address this issue by immobilizing microalgae onto coral velvet carriers, enhancing the efficiency of biomass recovery. Four types of microalgae were screened: Chlorella sp., Isochrysis galbana , Chaetoceros sp., and Nannochloropsis sp. Among them, Isochrysis galbana exhibited the best self sedimentation rate, achieving a self sedimentation rate of 94.36%. Chlorella sp. demonstrated the best denitrification rate, with a nitrate removal rate of 100% and an inorganic nitrogen removal rate of 79.13%. In addition, this study found that extracellular polymeric substances(EPS) affects the self-settling performance of microalgae, and the results emphasize the key role of tightly-bound EPS(TB-EPS) content in determining self settling efficiency. Furthermore,the assessments of the purification of simulated aquaculture wastewater were conducted, comparing the outcomes of co-cultivation with mono-culture. The co-cultivation strategy showed exceptional efficacy, achieving a 100% removal rate for NO 3 −-N by the 5th day. In contrast, mono-cultures of Chlorella sp. and Isochrysis galbana showed removal rates of 77.76% and 45.72%, respectively, at the same interval. Applying of the co-cultivation microalgal biofilm to treat the actual aquaculture wastewater showed remarkable denitrification performance, attaining a 100% removal rate for NO 3 −-N by the 7th day. The study proposes the co-cultivation of Chlorella sp. and Isochrysis galbana for treating aquaculture wastewater and explores the potential application of immobilization technology to remove nitrogen-containing pollutants. • Chlorella sp. was most efficient in removing pollutants from aquaculture wastewater. • I galbana exhibited superior self-settling capabilities significantly influenced by EPS. • Microalgae co-cultivation enhanced pollutant removal and self-settling performance. • Coral fleece effectively immobilized microalgae for high nitrogen removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, various green wall systems for on-site wastewater treatment have been developed and investigated. One of them, the vertECO®, was created by alchemia-nova and consists of aerated basins aligned stepwise vertically in series having a subsurface horizontal flow hydraulic regime. The system has proven effective for treatment of greywater and the liquid fraction of blackwater in previous studies. To the authors knowledge this study is the first to demonstrate the treatment efficiency of a full-scale green wall system receiving all fractions of domestic wastewater. Four parallel vertECO® system modules were used, with 2 m long basins, receiving a total of 500 L/d of mechanically pre-treated wastewater from an eco-village in Austria. vertECO® purified water is stored in integrated tanks underneath the system and ozonated three times per day while being recirculated in the treated water tanks, aiming at water and nutrient reuse in the local agriculture. Wastewater feeding started in May 2022 and the sampling period extends from November 2022 till July 2023. The organic loading rate based on the cross-sectional surface area (OLR cs) of the systems amounts to 57 g BOD 5 /m2d and 48 g TN/m2d. vertECO® effluent results show that average values are already below EU water reuse regulation thresholds for reclaimed water quality class C (only drip irrigation), and the average effluent values after vertECO® and ozonation combined are below thresholds for class B (BOD 5 ≤ 25 mg/L, TSS ≤ 35 mg/L Legionella <1000 CFU/L and E. coli ≤ 100 CFU/100 mL) and meet Austrian local permit requirements with an average of BOD 5 < 3 mg/L, TSS 1.3 mg/L, Legionella <1 CFU/L and E. coli result of 65 CFU/100 mL, whereas singular sampling event results even reach EU reuse class A (e.g., additional raw eaten vegetables and more can be irrigated). • The vertECO® green wall system was successfully implemnted for treating primary treated domestic wastewater. • With vertECO® and ozonation combined, average effluent values could reach EU water reuse class B. • Already after the vertECO® alone, i.e., without ozonation, the EU water reuse class C could be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Emerging contaminants (ECs) were analysed in anaerobically digested sludge (ADS). • A novel method allowed the targeted determination of 32 ECs from diverse groups. • At least 25 out of 32 ECs were detected in ADS with the developed method. • ADS partitioning coefficients were measured for 23 trace organic chemicals. • ECs partitioning is influenced by the compound properties and ADS characteristics. The increasing number of trace organic contaminants (TrOCs) detected in anaerobically digested sludge (ADS) is triggering increasing concern on its circular-economy reuse practices. A large scientific effort has been performed to define their concentration limits, partition behaviour, and innovative technologies for their removal, which require the definition of versatile and economically sustainable analytical methodologies. In this study, a Soxhlet extraction method coupled with LC-MS/MS analysis was developed to simultaneously determine 32 TrOCs in ADS, 11 of them being quantified in this matrix for the first time. The targeted TrOCs were selected based on the European Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, and on their frequency of detection in municipal wastewater and/or sludge and chemical diversity. The use of methanol as solvent allowed good recovery efficiencies from ADS solid phase, with an extraction time of 3.5 h and without the need for subsequent clean-up procedures. The targeted LC-MS/MS method enabled high-sensitivity quantification of TrOCs in the liquid phase. At least 25 out of the 32 target compounds were detected in ADS samples from two wastewater treatment plants in Germany, providing their concentration data and highlighting the influence of TrOCs characteristics and sludge properties on contaminant partition coefficients (K D). The experimental outcomes highlight the versatility of the Soxhlet method, which is effective in extracting compounds characterized by diverse properties and structures, and opens new perspectives for the analysis of various substrates. This could support the European Sewage Sludge Directive, expanding its application to soils and cultivated foods and offering insights into TrOCs transfer among different substrates and their influence when used as fertilizer, aiding in the efficient definition of risk assessment methodologies and regulatory concentration limits. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Co-culture of bacteriophage consortia and MRB were conducted. • ARGs in phage fraction increased after co-cultivation. • Phages facilitate the extracellular release of ARGs and plasmids. • MRB spreads ARGs without relying mainly on conjugation. Bacteriophages play integral roles in the ecosystem; however, their precise involvement in horizontal gene transfer and the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are not fully understood. In this study, a coculture system involving consortia of bacteriophages and multidrug-resistant bacteria from an aerobic tank in a municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) was established to investigate the functions of bacteriophages in ARG transfer and spread. The results of the cocultivation of the MRB and bacteriophage consortia indicated that the bacterial community remained stable throughout the whole process, but the addition of bacteriophages significantly increased ARG abundance, especially in bacteriophage DNA. Nine out of the 11 identified ARGs significantly increased, indicating that more bacteriophage particles carried ARGs in the system after cocultivation. In addition, 686 plasmids were detected during cocultivation, of which only 3.36 % were identified as conjugative plasmids, which is significantly lower than the proportion found among previously published plasmids (25.2 %, totaling 14,029 plasmids). Our findings revealed that bacteriophages may play important roles in the horizontal transfer of ARGs through both bacteriophage-mediated conduction and an increase in extracellular ARGs; however, conjugative transfer may not be the main mechanism by which multidrug-resistant bacteria acquire and spread ARGs. Unlike in most previous reports, a coculture system of diverse bacteria and bacteriophages was established in this study to assess bacteriophage functions in ARG transfer and dissemination in the environment, overcoming the limitations associated with the isolation of bacteria and bacteriophages, as well as the specificity of bacteriophage hosts. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• 1 mg/L DO at stabilization phase resulted in 52.1 % of carbon capture efficiency. • High-intense aeration is not always conducive to effluent quality of HiCS system. • Excessive aeration aggravated the humification of sludge dissolved organic matters. • High DO induced the endogenous respiration and negatively affected sludge dewatering. Traditional energy-intensive pollution control pattern poses great challenges to the sustainable development of urban cities, necessitating the implementation of more compact and cost-effective biological treatment technology. High-rate contact stabilization (HiCS) process can effectively capture low-concentration organic carbon matters from municipal wastewater. However, the role of dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration at stabilization phase-a critical determinant of carbon capture efficiency-remains poorly understood, thus hindering its operation optimization and application. This work investigated the impact of DO content at the stabilization phase on the effluent quality and carbon capture efficiency of HiCS process from the perspectives of sludge dissolved organic matter (DOM) composition and microbial metabolism activity changes. The results showed that optimal carbon capture efficiency (52.1 %) and the lowest effluent chemical oxygen demand concentration were achieved at a DO concentration of 1 mg/L. Elevated DO levels would increase the aromaticity of DOM in sludge, rendering it more recalcitrant to microbial degradation. In addition, higher DO concentration induced a metabolic shift towards endogenous respiration among the microbial community, leading to the increased release of DOM and microbial metabolites, which in turn deteriorated the effluent quality. The findings of this work highlight the necessity of controlling appropriate aeration intensity when applying HiCS in practical application, to both effectively minimize organic carbon mineralization and operational energy consumption while without sacrificing pollutant removal performance. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Organic pollutants were oxidized into gases by acidic KMnO 4. • Gas pressure meter was served as a portable detector. • Heating and ultraviolet irradiation were used for assisting catalytic gas generation. • A portable analytical system was fabricated for COD Mn on-site and rapid analysis. Permanganate index (COD Mn) is one of the important indicators of surface water quality measurement. Herein, a portable analytical system was developed for on-site and rapid analysis of COD Mn , organic substances in water were oxidized and transformed into gases, so that COD Mn concentration was converted into a change of gas pressure signal, the pressure signal change was further detected by a gas pressure meter. Heating method and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation method were used as assisting technologies for oxidization of organic substances by acidic KMnO 4 , a linear range of 2–150 mg l -1 and a detectable limit of 2 mg l -1 were obtained. Those methods were further applied to the detection of COD Mn in various water samples (lake waters and domestic sewage) and certified reference water samples (BWZ 6974–2016C and BWZ 7617–2016), with recoveries of 89–111 %. Among them, a portable analytical system based on UV irradiation gas pressure meter was further established and used for the analysis of COD Mn in field. It is a promising analytical system/device for COD Mn monitoring in field, offering advantages of low-cost, easy-operation, portability and rapidness. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Thirty-three TPs of neonicotinoids were identified and detected in MWWTPs. • Over half of neonicotinoids and their TPs exhibited high persistence and mobility. • Two neonicotinoids exceeded their ecological quality reference values in effluents. • Twelve TPs had a higher regulatory priority than the corresponding neonicotinoids. Neonicotinoid insecticides (NEOs) are frequently used for urban landscape management and vector control, and undergo various transformation processes when release into urban environments. The discharges of NEOs and their transformation products (TPs) from urban sewer networks may pose serious threats to freshwater ecosystem integrity. However, TPs of NEOs present in municipal wastewater treatment plants (MWWTPs) and their associated risks to aquatic organisms are largely unknown. Here, we investigate NEOs and their TPs in 28 MWWTPs of six Chinese cities. Eleven NEOs and 33 TPs were identified, and 17 TPs were firstly detected in environmental medium. Considerable concentrations of NEOs and their TPs (17.0–1543 ng/L) were measured in the effluents, and two NEOs exceeded the ecological quality reference values in 32.1 % (for clothianidin) and 78.6 % (for imidacloprid) of the effluents. Simultaneously, 12 TPs had a higher regulatory priority than the corresponding NEOs in at least one aquatic organism using a toxicological priority index. Furthermore, 79.5 % of NEOs and their TPs exhibited high persistence and mobility, and thus these compounds could readily spread over long distances in aquatic environment. This study highlights that the input of NEOs and their TPs from treated wastewater into aquatic ecosystem should be regulated to mitigate the ecological risks. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Rf-GAC+ M.barkeri obtained the maximum methane yield of 0.345 ± 0.02 L(stp)/g COD. • AD process was stable at OLR of 17.5 kg COD/(m³·d) in the presence of RF-GAC. • Solely adding RF-GAC enriched Methanothrix to maintain stability at high OLR. • The presence of Rf-GAC increased COD removal efficiency by 14 % and reached 97 %. • Adding M.barkeri weakened Methanothrix but still enhanced methane production. Effective treatment of high-concentration brewery wastewater through anaerobic digestion (AD) has always been a challenging issue. Enhancing direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) was demonstrated to increase methane production during AD under high organic loading rate (OLR). Herein, the feasibility of enhancing DIET with the addition of riboflavin-loaded granular activated carbon (RF-GAC) as well as co-addition with Methanosarcina barkeri (Rf-GAC+ M.barkeri) was investigated (M.barkeri is well-known to be capable of DIET with electroactive bacteria). During the whole process, the Rf-GAC and the Rf-GAC+ M.barkeri group both achieved average COD removal rates above 97 %, which was 14 % higher than that of the control. The average methane production in the Rf-GAC group and the Rf-GAC+ M.barkeri group respectively reached 0.334 ± 0.02 L(stp)/g COD and 0.345 ± 0.02 L(stp)/g COD, 1.35 and 1.39 times higher than the 0.247 ± 0.03 L(stp)/g COD reached by the control. The control reactor deteriorated at an OLR of 12 kg COD/(m3·d), whereas the Rf-GAC and the Rf-GAC+ M.barkeri group maintained stable as the OLR reached as high as 17.5 kg COD/(m3·d) and the volatile fatty acids concentration was consistently below 10 mM. The RF-GAC performed better than Rf-GAC+ M.barkeri in enriching Methanothrix , whose relative abundance was 60.6 % in the former group. Metabolic pathway analysis revealed the addition of RF-GAC upregulated genes related to DIET in Methanothrix species, including hdrA and fpoD. Furthermore, Methanothrix remained the dominant archaea even continuously inoculating pure strains of M.barkeri during the entire operational period. Pure culture experiments proved that GAC inhibited M.barkeri growth. The results of this study can be optimized for practical application of AD treating high-concentration brewery wastewater. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Surface waters exhibit higher micropollutant levels in wet weather compared to dry conditions. • 143 micropollutants were detected and quantified in stormwater outlets in humid regions of China. • A rapid non-target screening approach combining Selenium for Python was developed. • Certain micropollutant loads from stormwater discharge were higher than that of treated wastewater. • Antibiotics, pharmaceuticals, and herbicides from stormwater discharge is undesirable. Micropollutants have raised increasing concern due to their adverse effect on ecosystems and human health. So far, the effects of micropollutants in urban stormwater discharge on surface water quality or ecosystem health remains unclear. In this study, target and non-target screening methods were used to quantify and identify micropollutants in urban stormwater, wastewater, and surface water in humid regions of China. Results showed that the average concentration of micropollutants in surface waters in wet weather was 1.8 times that in dry weather. The cumulative concentrations of 143 micropollutants in samples from stormwater discharge were in the range of 490–1659 ng/L, which were comparable to or exceeded those from wastewater discharge. In terms of mass load in the studying area, stormwater discharges contained 10.8 kg of micropollutants in the month, a higher level compared to 4.58 kg in treated wastewater. Furthermore, the calculated risk quotients revealed medium to high ecological risk to aquatic organisms from substances such as telmisartan, irbesartan, 1,7-dimethylxanthine, and caffeine at ng/L concentrations, which are in typical levels in urban stormwater and surface waters in wet weathers. Our study reveals that urban stormwater discharge is an important pathway for micropollutants to surface waters, and urges for increased emphasis on, and reinforcement of, urban stormwater monitoring and control measures to minimize the transport of micropollutants to receiving waterbodies. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An effluent quality evaluation parameter system was developed by machine learning. • Data containing 110 parameters from 176 WWTP effluents across China were measured. • Four clustering algorithms were trained in 31 scenarios to obtain optimal scenarios. • Five classification algorithms trained 65 well-performing models in 13 optimal scenarios. • Based on parameter system, a water quality classification method was developed. With the growing consensus of emerging pollutants and biological toxicity risks in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents, traditional water quality management based on general chemical parameters no longer meets the new challenges. Here, a first-hand dataset containing 9 conventional parameters, 22 mental and inorganic ions, 25 biotoxicity parameters, and 54 emerging pollutants from effluents of 176 municipal WWTPs across China were measured. Four clustering algorithms and five classification algorithms were applied to 65 well-performing models to determine a novel evaluation parameter system. A total of 14 parameters were selected by semi-supervised machine learning, including TN, TP, NH 4 +-N, NO 2 --N, Se, SO 4 2-, Caenorhabditis elegans body width, 72 hpf zebrafish embryo hatching rate, tetracycline, acetaminophen, gemfibrozil (Lopid), PFBA, PFHxA, and HFPO-DA. These parameters were then used to construct a Healthy Effluent Quality Index model (HEQi). The application efficiency of HEQi was compared with other common methods such as the Water Quality Index (WQI), Fuzzy Synthesized Evaluation (FSE), and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) in classifying 176 effluents. Results implicated that under the new evaluation criteria, the major task in North and Northeast China remains to reduce the conventional parameters, especially NO 2 --N. However, it is necessary to strengthen the removal of biotoxicity and emerging pollutants in parts of Central and Eastern China. This study offers new methodological tools and scientific insights for improving water quality assessment and safe discharge of wastewater. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A configuration suitable for Xizang municipal sewage treatment plant is proposed. • The DPR process was enhanced by the increased AOB and NOB metabolism process. • No sludge discharge for over 169 days was achieved. • The reduced aeration demand and extended SRT contributed to lower costs. • Short cyclic intermittent operation mode can effectively inhibit sludge bulking. At high altitudes, the low air pressure, low atmospheric oxygen content, and cryogenic environment during the cold season greatly limit the treatment efficiency of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). A novel pilot-plant configuration of the multi-stage baffled A2O wastewater treatment process was proposed and tested in Xizang. Different operational conditions involving at different influent loads and at low temperatures (10.0–11.0 °C) were tested. When the influent flowrate increased to 4 m3∙d−1, the hydraulic retention time (HRT), internal and external reflux ratio, dissolved oxygen (DO), and aeration demands (gas to water ratio) all decreased to 34.2 h, 3.5/7, a stable 2.0–2.5 mg∙L−1, and 17.5, respectively. The effluent chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN), ammonia nitrogen ( NH 4 + − N), and total phosphorus (TP) all met the requirements of Class 1 Grade A of the China National Municipal Wastewater Discharge Standards (GB 18918–2002). The contribution of denitrifying phosphorus removal (DPR) to the removal of both nitrogen and phosphorus was over 50%. The alpha diversity and abundance of the top genera in the microbial community structure were both higher than the plateau WWTP. The reaction activity of the DPR process was significantly enhanced via the increased abundance of key functional genes within the metabolism pathway of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and nitrogen-oxidizing bacteria (NOB). The special multi-stage baffled structure featured a strategy of high sludge storage that improved the system tolerance for low temperatures and ensured favorable and stable performance for nitrogen and phosphorus removal at low temperatures. A short, periodic, and cyclically intermittent operation mode, with each cycle lasting only 20 min, effectively inhibited filamentous bacteria sludge bulking, resulting in a sludge volume index (SVI) that decreased to within 120 mL∙g−1 during the first 15 days of system start-up. A long sludge retention time (SRT) with no sludge discharging over 169 days and reduced aeration demands contributed to lower operation costs. The investigation revealed that the system had a high capacity for storing sludge phosphorus, possessing a TP content within a range of 23.45–28.99 mg∙g−1. This study provides a feasible solution for efficiently and economically treating wastewater in high-altitude areas. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Mobile tet (X)-variant genes, notably tet (X4), were prevalent in municipal WWTPs. • EpicPCR-directed cultivation facilitated the targeted isolation of ARG bacterial hosts. • Enterobacteriaceae was identified as the predominant tet (X4) host using the epicPCR. • tet (X4)-positive E. coli in WWTP were genetically identical to animal and clinical origin. • Four tet (X4)-plasmid types were transmissible across species of different origin. Mobile tet (X)-variant genes confer resistance to a wide range of tetracyclines, including the antibiotic of last-resort, tigecycline, raising significant concerns regarding their potential spread cross-environmental dissemination. However, the bacterial hosts and environmental spread of these genes remain poorly understood. Herein, a retrospective study unveiled the prevalence of tet (X)-variant genes (ranging from tet (X3) to tet (X6)) in activated sludge samples from five municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) from 2013 to 2021. Among these variants, tet (X4) exhibited the highest detection frequency (100 %) and abundance [(2.48 ± 3.07) × 107 copies/g dry weight] with an increasing trend. An epicPCR-directed cultivation strategy was proposed to facilitate the targeted isolation of tet (X4)-carrying bacterial hosts in activated sludge. This strategy involves the identification of bacterial host profiles using epicPCR and subsequent selective isolating target bacteria. Enterobacteriaceae emerged as the primary bacterial host for tet (X4), alongside previously unreported genera like Providencia, Advenella , and Moheibacter. Subsequent selective isolation of the most abundant Enterobacteriaceae based on the epicPCR-informed host spectrum yielded 39 tet (X4)-carrying Escherichia coli strains from the WWTP. Whole genome sequencing of tet (X4)-positive strains revealed that plasmid-mediated horizontal gene transfer is the primary mechanism driving tet (X4) dissemination. Plasmids including IncFIA(HI1)/IncHI1A/IncHI1B(R27) and IncX1, commonly reported in various clinical and animal settings, were identified as the predominant carriers of tet (X4). E. coli strains harbouring tet (X4) in the WWTP showed substantial genetic similarity to strains from hospital and animal sources, underscoring concerns about the potential risk of across diverse sectors. This study provided the first glimpse of the presence of mobile tet (X)-variants in WWTPs, and highlighted the promise of the epicPCR-directed cultivation strategy for exploring bacterial hosts of clinically important ARGs in different habitats from a One Health perspective. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Stormwater microbial contamination arising from human fecal matter was studied. • The human fecal contamination analog (HFCA) describes stormwater contamination. • Human pathogens and microbial source tracking markers were used to estimate HFCA. • Human tracking markers datasets were more appropriate than pathogen datasets. • HFCA estimates will inform stormwater treatment targets based on intended end uses. Stormwater capture and use (SCU) projects have the potential to provide a significant portion of municipal water demand. However, uncertainty about the degree of microbial contamination in stormwater and the required treatment is a barrier for implementation of SCU projects. Stormwater runoff could become contaminated with human fecal matter in areas with deteriorating infrastructure where raw wastewater exfiltrates from sewer networks to stormwater collection networks, homeless encampments exist, or sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) occur. Estimation of human fecal contamination can inform selection of stormwater treatment targets. This study investigates stormwater microbial contamination originating from human fecal matter using observed detections and concentrations of human microbial source tracking (MST) markers and potentially human-infectious pathogens (PHIPs). First, a systematic review complied measurements of human MST markers in wet and dry weather stormwater flows and influent wastewater. In addition, measurements of viral pathogens (e.g., adenoviruses, norovirus GI+GII, and enteroviruses) and protozoan pathogens (e.g., Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum) in wet weather flows and influent wastewater were assessed. Human MST marker and PHIP data were statistically analyzed and applied to estimate a human fecal contamination analog (HFCA) which is an estimate of the amount of human fecal matter based on relative concentrations of microbial contaminants in stormwater compared to municipal wastewater. Human MST-based HFCAs in wet and dry weather flows ranged from <10−7.0 to 10−1.5 (median = 10−4.5) and 10−12 to 10−2.6 (median = 10−7.0), respectively. PHIP-based HFCAs in wet weather flows ranged from ∼10−8 to 10−0.14. Estimates of human MST-based HFCAs are more reliable than PHIP-based HFCAs because the current PHIP datasets are generally limited by the number of data points, percent detection, variability observed within the statistical distributions, and the geographical span of sampling locations. The use of human MST-based HFCAs is recommended to guide the selection of stormwater treatment process trains that are protective of public health based on the intended end use. Application of HFCA 10−1 (i.e., sewage dilution 10−1) remains a reasonable conservative estimate of human fecal contamination in stormwater to inform selection of pathogen log reduction targets based on the data presently available. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• N-doped Al 2 O 3 /PDA/MnO 2 ozonation catalyst were fabricated by sequential coating of PDA and MnO 2 loading processes. • The PDA polymer can improve the loading and dispersion of MnO 2 on Al 2 O 3 spheres. • The ozonation catalyst showed great enhancement for catalytic ozonation of MB. In this study, a novel N-doped Al 2 O 3 /PDA/MnO 2 ozonation catalyst were fabricated by sequential coating of polydopamine (PDA) via self-polymerization and MnO 2 loading via calcination processes. The ozonation catalyst was characterized by XRD and XPS, confirming the successful preparation of N-doped Al 2 O 3 /PDA/MnO 2. The decoration of PDA polymer can enhance the loading and dispersion properties of MnO 2 on Al 2 O 3 spheres. In contrast, the apparent rate constant of N-doped Al 2 O 3 /PDA/MnO 2 ozonation catalyst for methylene blue (MB) degradation was 2.67 times than that of undoped Al 2 O 3 /MnO 2. This work provides a general strategy for exploring novel polymer-assisted functional Al 2 O 3 based ozonation catalyst for waste water treatment applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the advancement of industrial development and urbanization, the indiscriminate discharge of industrial pollutants and wastes containing heavy metals and precious metals poses a significant threat to human health and ecosystems. Despite the widespread use of several traditional therapeutic procedures, these treatments frequently exhibit low efficacy and significant environmental consequences. The extraction and reuse of metal resources in pollutant treatment can effectively alleviate the current resource crisis; however, achieving a balance between recovery efficiency and environmental impact during the extraction process remains a major challenge. To tackle these challenges, emerging treatment materials along with advancements in thermal/photo/electrochemical methods offer additional possibilities for efficiently remediating/mineralizing heavy/precious metal pollution. This paper introduces traditional techniques for treating precious and heavy metals from water and soil while discussing the prospects of new treatment materials as well as effective thermal/photo/electrochemical methods for removing such metals. Furthermore, various strategies for recovering metals from municipal waste and wastewater containing heavy/precious metal are discussed, emphasizing sustainable approaches to enhance recycling performance. • The efficient utilization of heavy/precious metals is crucial for addressing pollution control. • Recent advances in new materials and technologies for the treatment of heavy/precious metal contaminants are evaluated. • Comprehensive evaluation of recycling strategies for various types of heavy/precious metal waste pollutants. • Challenges and prospects associated with the treatment of heavy/precious metal waste pollutants are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• River Ganga water contains a wide category of EPs in Varanasi. • A simple and efficient method described for screening EPs, and monitoring the WWTPs. • EPs, mobile resistome, and uncultivable ARB indicate inefficient WWTPs in Varanasi. • Plasmid-borne and MGEs associated ARGs indicate AMR transmission through HGT. An efficient wastewater treatment plant is imperative to limit the entry of emerging pollutants (EPs) and emerging microbial contaminants (EMCs) in the river ecosystem. The detection of emerging EPs in aquatic environments is challenging due to complex sample preparation methods, and the need for sophisticated accurate analytical tools. In Varanasi (India), the river Ganga holds immense significance as a holy river but is consistently polluted with municipal (MWW) and hospital wastewater (HWW). We developed an efficient method for untargeted detection of EPs in the water samples using High-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), and identified 577 and 670 chemicals (or chemical components) in the water samples from two major bathing ghats, Assi Ghat (AG) and Dashashwamedh Ghat (DG), respectively. The presence of EPs of different categories viz chemicals from research labs, diagnostic labs, lifestyle and industrial chemicals, toxins, flavor and food additives indicated the unsafe disposal of MWW and HWW or inefficient wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Besides, shotgun metagenomic analysis depicted the presence of bacteria associated with MWW viz Cloacibacterium normanse , Sphaerotilus natans (sewage fungi), E. coli , and Prevotella. Also, the presence of human pathogens Arcobacter , Polynucleobacter , Pseudomonas , Klebsiella , Aeromonas , Acinetobacter , Vibrio , and Campylobacter suggests the discharge of HWW. EPs are linked to the development, and transmission of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Occurrence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), plasmid-borne β-lactamases, aminoglycoside transferases, and ARGs associated with integrons, transposons and plasmids viz mcr -3 gene that confer resistance to colistin, the last resort of antibiotics confirmed the presence of emerging microbial contaminants. Subsequent genome reconstruction studies showed the presence of uncultivable ARB and transmission of ARGs through horizontal gene transfer. This study can be used to monitor the health of aquatic bodies as well as the efficiency of WWTPs and raise an urgent need for efficient WWTPs to safeguard the river, Ganga. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ChemComm Chemical Communicationsrsc. li/ chemcomm ISSN 1359- 7345 COMMUNICATION Mário J. F. Calvete, Mariette M. Pereira et al . Advancing continuous flow techniques in effective trimethoprim oxidation: combatting bacterial resistance in wastewater Volume 61 Number 3 11 January 2025 Pages 379– 586 [Extracted from the article]

• PFAS removal from municipal wastewater by foam fractionation was studied. • High PFAS removal was reached despite low foaming potential of treated wastewater. • Without surfactant addition, ∑PFAS4 removal was 93 % and ∑PFOAeq removal was 91 %. • Addition of cationic surfactant increased removal of short-chain PFAS. • Removal from activated sludge was low due to high portion of PFAS sorbed to sludge. Municipal wastewater has a relatively low content of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), compared with other point sources such as landfill leachate and industrial effluents. Nevertheless, it is considered as one of the major point pollution sources. Foam fractionation was previously shown to effectively remove PFAS from different water matrices and to reach a high PFAS enrichment. In this study, the removal of PFAS from municipal wastewater of different origins was investigated. Despite the low foaming potential, it was possible to reach an average removal of the sum of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) of 93 %, the removal of the sum of 21 PFAS of 56 %, and the removal of the sum of PFAS expressed as PFOA equivalents (ΣPFOAeq) of 91 %, without any surfactant addition utilizing a novel approach of foam collection. The PFAS content was reduced to below the limit values for drinking water in Sweden and the anticipated future limit values for surface water in the European Union. The addition of four commercial surfactants and an extract of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) from waste activated sludge each enhanced the foam formation. Moreover, a cationic surfactant increased the removal of short-chain PFAS. Additionally, foam fractionation of activated sludge was performed. A considerably lower ΣPFOAeq removal of only 20 % was demonstrated, which was explained by a high proportion of PFAS sorbed to sludge. Finally, the study discusses the practical implications of the application of foam fractionation at municipal wastewater treatment plants. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Distinct resistome profiles found by machine-learning guided multi-omics in biogas plants • Anaerobic bacteria exhibit diverse resistance mechanisms • Slight correlation between abundance and expression of ARGs • Most ARGs are located on chromosome while plasmid-encoded ARGs are highly expressed • Anaerobic digesters inhibit potentially pathogenic ARB This study investigated antimicrobial resistance in the anaerobic digesters of two industrial-scale biogas plants processing agricultural biomass and municipal wastewater sludge. A combination of deep sequencing and genome-centric workflow was implemented for metagenomic and metatranscriptomics data analysis to comprehensively examine potential antimicrobial resistance in microbial communities. Anaerobic microbes were found to harbour numerous antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), with 58.85% of the metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) harbouring antibiotic resistance. A moderately positive correlation was observed between the abundance and expression of ARGs. ARGs were located primarily on bacterial chromosomes. A higher expression of resistance genes was observed on plasmids than on chromosomes. Risk index assessment suggests that most ARGs identified posed a significant risk to human health. However, potentially pathogenic bacteria showed lower ARG expression than non-pathogenic ones, indicating that anaerobic treatment is effective against pathogenic microbes. Resistomes at the gene category level were associated with various antibiotic resistance categories, including multidrug resistance, beta-lactams, glycopeptides, peptides, and macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin (MLS). Differential expression analysis revealed specific genes associated with potential pathogenicity, emphasizing the importance of active gene expression in assessing the risks associated with ARGs. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• PS secretion is a potential strategy for the system to cope with low temperature. • Organics metabolic pathways of anammox were stimulated at low temperature. • Metabolic regulation of amino acids contributes to low-temperature acclimatization. • Cross-feeding of the anammox consortia was stimulated by decrease of temperature. • The different genes of specific function had different response to temperature. While the multi-coupled anammox system boasts a substantial research foundation, the specific characteristics of its synergistic metabolic response to decreased temperatures, particularly within the range of 13–15 °C, remained elusive. In this study, we delve into the intricate carbon and nitrogen metabolism pathways of mixed-autotrophy/heterotrophy anammox consortia under conditions of temperature reduction. Our macrogenomic analyses reveal a compelling phenomenon: the stimulation of functional genes responsible for complete denitrification, suggesting an enhancement of this process during temperature reduction. This adaptation likely contributes to maintaining system performance amidst environmental challenges. Further metabolic functional recombination analyses highlight a dramatic shift in microbial community composition, with denitrifying MAGs (metagenome-assembled genomes) experiencing a substantial increase in abundance (up to 200 times) compared to autotrophic MAGs. This proliferation underscores the strong stimulatory effect of temperature reduction on denitrifying species. Notably, autotrophic MAGs play a pivotal role in supporting the glycolytic processes of denitrifying MAGs, underscoring the intricate interdependencies within the consortia. Moreover, metabolic variations in amino acid composition among core MAGs emerge as a crucial adaptation mechanism. These differences facilitate the preservation of enzyme activity and enhance the consortia's resilience to low temperatures. Together, these findings offer a comprehensive understanding of the microbial synergistic metabolism within mixed-autotrophy/heterotrophy anammox consortia under temperature reduction, shedding light on their metabolic flexibility and resilience in dynamic environments. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Fluorescence information was used for tracing abnormal wastewater sources. • A feature fingerprint database was constructed to train the traceability model. • Machine learning-assisted source tracing model was established using PSO-RF. • PSO-RF achieved 94.25 % accuracy in manufacturer identification. • Simulation experiments confirmed the robust of model with an accuracy of over 85%. An emergency water pollution incident poses a significant risk to the proper functioning of wastewater treatment plants, particularly in domestic-industrial integrated facilities. Source tracing is recognized as an effective method to mitigate ongoing impacts. Machine learning-assisted traceability is emerging as a more efficient and faster method compared to traditional methods. In this study, a total of 712 sets of characterization wastewater information from effluent samples from14 discharge enterprises across 6 different sectors, as well as domestic wastewater was collected using 3-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy. After data cleaning and augmentation, a feature fingerprint database of wastewater was constructed to train a traceability model. Several machine learning algorithms, including Back Propagation neural network (BP), Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Naive Bayes (NB) and K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), were selected for constructing the traceability framework. Subsequently, an advanced Particle Swarm Optimization Random Forest model (PSO-RF), capable of automatically optimizing model parameters, was proposed and applied to trace the sources of wastewater in integrated wastewater treatment plant. The PSO-RF achieved and accuracy of 96.55 % in sector identification and 94.25 % in manufacturer identification. As part of the validation process, laboratory simulations were conducted using blended wastewater with different volume ratios of domestic and industrial wastewater to evaluated the potential application of PSO-RF. The results consistently demonstrated PSO-RF's effectiveness, particularly in tracing pharmaceutical wastewater sources, maintaining an accuracy of over 85 %. This work presents a novel strategy for tracing abnormal sources during emergency pollutant incidents, providing essential support for integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into meticulous wastewater management. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• One-year antibiotic resistome in a MWTP was deciphered by metagenomic and machine learning. • Random forest approach validated 14 ARGs and eight bacterial genera as seasonal biomarkers. • High-risk ARGs like ermB and potential pathogens such as Mycobacterium were listed as biomarkers. • Enrichment of high-risk ARGs in cold season was contributed by clinically-relevant taxa. • Functional taxa and clinically-relevant taxa in sludge jointly contributed to ARG seasonal variation. It has been demonstrated that antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) exhibit seasonal variations in municipal wastewater treatment plants (MWTPs), but their relationship to bacterial phylogeny structure remains unclear. Using advanced metagenomic techniques and machine learning approach, the current study conducted a year-long investigation to explore the relationship between ARGs and the bacterial community of activated sludge in a full-scale MWTP in Beijing, where seasonal dynamics are remarkable. High abundance of ARGs, notably the clinically relevant high-risk ARGs, was observed in winter and spring, the cold season in Beijing. Seasonal patterns were also observed in the diversity of ARGs and the overall bacterial community. Machine learning-based random forest classification models were utilized to identify biomarkers for ARGs and bacterial genera as indicators of seasonal differences. Subsequent analysis of the relationship between ARGs and bacterial biomarkers was examined using random forest regression models. Results showed that the enrichment of potential pathogens such as Mycobacterium, Clostridium and Pseudomonas was high in winter and spring, strongly contributing to the abundance of high-risk ARGs (ermB, aac(6′)-I, tetM, bla TEM , and mefA) during cold season. Conversely, functional taxa associated with activated sludge, such as Thauera , displayed seasonal fluctuations and a preference for ARGs with minor clinical implications. Metagenomic binning further illustrated the contribution of Mycobacterium to ARG enrichment in cold season. Our findings highlight the collective impact of human-derived clinically relevant taxa and functional bacterial taxa in activated sludge on the seasonal dynamics of ARGs in MWTPs. Additionally, this study offers valuable insights into the safe disposal of the excess sludge from MWTPs. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • AnMBR was used to treat real municipal wastewater. • CO 2 % was reduced to balance with the alkalinity in carbonate equilibrium system. • Successful pH control was accomplished by in-situ CO 2 removal. • Biogas upgradation, pH control and reduction of GHG were realized in the AnMBR. This study addressed a less-reported issue: the insufficient alkalinity encountered when anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs) are used to treat municipal wastewater (MWW). In the present study, a 20-L AnMBR was initiated at an MWW treatment plant. During the initial startup, a continuous decrease in pH was observed. Through the analyses of the balance between HCO 3 –/CO 2 in the biogas and alkalinity in the reactor, the cause of pH instability was determined to be that the alkalinity could not balance the acidity induced by the continuous dissolution of CO 2 from biogas in the liquid phase. Therefore, this study employed the in-situ removal of CO 2 from biogas using soda lime to reduce the CO 2 partial pressure, thereby achieving stable control of the pH in the reactor. This study provides valuable experience and technical support for anaerobic processes for treating low-alkalinity MWW in the future applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • PD/A reactor achieved 87.8 % nitrogen removal with anammox contribution of 100 %. • 15N isotopic tracing technology revealed PD was the prerequisite for anammox. • Bacillus (27.27 %) and Ca.Brocadia (7.09 %) were enriched at NO 3 −-N: NH 4 +-N of 1.0. • Low temperature was beneficial to the enrichment of Thauera and Ca.Jettenia. The primary challenge of applying partial denitrification/anammox (PD/A) to municipal wastewater treatment lied in the enrichment of functional bacteria with a considerable autotrophic nitrogen removal performance. The results showed influent NO 3 −-N: NH 4 +-N, reaction time and temperature would influence anammox nitrogen removal contribution. 15N isotopic tracing technology further revealed the average anammox contribution rate was up to 94.8 %. Extending reaction time was an effective measure to improve simultaneously PD and anammox activity. Microbial community indicated partial denitrifying bacteria (Bacillus) and anammox bacteria (Candidatus Brocadia) were enriched with abundance of 27.27 % and 7.09 % at NO 3 −-N: NH 4 +-N of 1:1. The correlation analysis showed that NO 3 −-N: NH 4 +-N ratio played the positive role for Bacillus enrichment, and low temperature was favorable to the enrichment of Thauera and Candidatus Jettenia. Overall, this study demonstrated the reasonable operational strategy would strengthen anammox contribution and facilitate enrichment of functional bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The prepared SBF are composite polymers, including iron, aluminium and EPS. • The main factor affecting SBF preparation and flocculation reaction were is PH. • Flocculation mechanism is mainly chemical reaction and surface adsorption. • SBF is highly efficient in removing TP from domestic wastewater. • SBF enables production and utilisation cycles in wastewater treatment plants. In this work, a green sludge bioflocculant (SBF) was prepared via chemical hydrolysis of dewatered sludge and applied to flocculation of domestic wastewater. The process parameters for the preparation of the SBF were 1.80 % hydrochloric acid concentration, 60 min extraction time, and 4000 r/min centrifugation speed. SBF is polymeric flocculant composed of organic and inorganic compounds. Flocculation efficiency reached 97.31 ± 0.26 % under optimal flocculation conditions. Charge neutralization promotes the surface adsorption, bridging and net trapping and sweeping of Fe (OH) 3 , Al (OH) 3 and active functional groups O–H/N–H and C = O in SBF, which together achieve efficient flocculation reactions. SBF had high efficiency and stable flocculation performance for phosphorus in urban domestic wastewater, and the concentration of TP in effluent was lower than 0.30 mg/L. Therefore, SBF prepared from dewatered sludge has efficient flocculation properties and is suitable for removing pollutant phosphorus, which has good application prospects in the field of wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]