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Analysis of the genotype that predicts the phenotypic characteristics of a cohort of glaucoma and ocular hypertension patients, and the correlation with their personal pharmacological response to beta-blockers (BB) and prostaglandin analogues (PGA). Prospective study that included 139 eyes from 72 patients under BB and/or PGA treatment, and in some cases other types of ocular hypotensive treatments. Five single-nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped by real-time PCR assays: prostaglandin-F2α receptor (rs3766355, rs3753380); cytochrome-P450 2D6 (rs16947, rs769258); and beta-2-adrenergic receptor (rs1042714). Other studied variables were mean deviation (MD) of visual field, previous ocular interventions, medical treatment, baseline (bIOP), and treated intraocular pressure (tIOP). From a total of 139 eyes, 71 (51.1%) were left eyes. The main diagnosis was primary open angle glaucoma (66.2%). A total of 57 (41%) eyes were under three or more medications (PGA + BB + other) and, additionally, 57 eyes (41%) had had some kind of glaucoma surgery. The mean bIOP and tIOP were 26.55 ± 8.19 and 21.01 ± 5.54 mmHg, respectively. Significant differences in tIOP were found between heterozygous (HT) (21.07 ± 0.607 mmHg) and homozygous (HM) (20.98 ± 0.639 mmHg) rs3766355 with respect to wildtype individuals (16 ± 1.08 mmHg) (p = 0.031). The MD values presented significant differences between wildtype rs3766355 (−2 ± 2.2 dB), HT (−3.87 ± 4 dB), and HM carriers (−9.37 ± 9.51 dB) (p = 0.009). Significant differences were also observed between the MD in wildtype rs3753380 (−6.1 ± 8.67 dB), HT (−9.02 ± 8.63 dB), and HM carriers (−9.51 ± 7.44 dB) (p = 0.017). Patients carrying the variant rs3766355 in HM or HT presented clinically-significantly higher tIOP than wildtype patients. Additionally, some differences in MD were found in rs3766355 and rs3753380 carriers, and the more alleles that were affected, the worse the MD value, meaning greater severity of the glaucoma. Poor response to treatment and more visual field damage may be associated with being a carrier of these mutated alleles.

Purpose To identify systematic reviews of interventions for glaucoma conditions and to assess their reliability, thereby generating a list of potentially reliable reviews for updating glaucoma practice guidelines. Design Cross-sectional study. Participants Systematic reviews of interventions for glaucoma conditions. Methods We used a database of systematic reviews and meta-analyses in vision research and eye care maintained by the Cochrane Eyes and Vision United States Satellite. We examined all Cochrane systematic reviews of interventions for glaucoma conditions published before August 7, 2019, and all non-Cochrane systematic reviews of interventions for glaucoma conditions published between January 1, 2014, and August 7, 2019. Main Outcome Measures We assessed eligible reviews for reliability, extracted characteristics, and summarized key findings from reviews classified as reliable. Results Of the 4451 systematic reviews in eyes and vision identified, 129 met our eligibility criteria and were assessed for reliability. Of these, we classified 49 (38%) as reliable. We found open-angle glaucoma (22/49) to be the condition with the most reviews and medical management (17/49) and intraocular pressure (IOP; 43/49) to be the most common interventions and outcomes studied. Most reviews found a high degree of uncertainty in the evidence, which hinders the possibility of making strong recommendations in guidelines. These reviews found high-certainty evidence about a few topics: reducing IOP helps to prevent glaucoma and its progression, prostaglandin analogs are the most effective medical treatment for lowering IOP, laser trabeculoplasty is as effective as medical treatment as a first-line therapy in controlling IOP, the use of IOP-lowering medications in the perioperative or postoperative periods to accompany laser (e.g., trabeculoplasty) reduces the risk of postoperative IOP spikes, conventional surgery (i.e., trabeculectomy) is more effective than medications in reducing IOP, and antimetabolites and β-radiation improve IOP control after trabeculectomy. The evidence is weak regarding the effectiveness of minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries. Conclusions Most systematic reviews evaluating interventions for glaucoma are of poor reliability. Even among those that may be considered reliable, important limitations exist in the value of information because of the uncertainty of the evidence as well as small and sometimes unimportant clinical differences between interventions.

Purpose: To evaluate real-life outcomes of XEN45 stent surgery including bleb needling (BN) and surgical bleb revision (SBR). Methods: Retrospective analysis of all XEN45 gel stents implanted in a tertiary glaucoma center with a minimum follow-up of 6 months. The main outcomes were intraocular pressure (IOP), the number of glaucoma medications, postoperative maneuvers like BN, and subsequent SBR. Success was defined as IOP ⩽ 18 and 20% reduction (criterion A), ⩽15 and 25% reduction (criterion B), and ⩽12 mmHg and 30% reduction (criterion C) reached with (qualified) or without (complete) medications at the last visit. Complete failure was defined as additional glaucoma surgery, loss of light perception, or sight-threatening complications. Multivariable Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier survival estimates tests were performed. Results: Fifty-eight eyes with either stand-alone or combined Phaco-XEN surgery were included. Complete success by the different definitions was 50.0% (95% confidence interval, 5.8%–84.5%) (A), 50.0% (5.8%–84.5%) (B), and 25% (0.9%–66.5%) (C) whereas qualified success was 38.3% (1.6%–80.1%), 31.7% (2.0%–71.4%), and 0%, respectively, at the 24-months visit. 30% of cases underwent BN with 5-Fluorouracil, and SBR was performed in 17.5% of eyes. Low IOP levels at 1-month and early BN were significantly associated with success. The highest chance of failure was achieved in the combined Phaco-XEN group undergoing SBR. Conclusions: In our real-life setting, the first month IOP was associated with greater success rates. Although BN obtained improved IOP values, SBR was associated with a greater bleb survival in the stand-alone XEN group. Both BN and SBR had poor outcomes in the combined Phaco-XEN group.

Photodegradation of plastic in solid-phase requires the polymer to be composited with an efficient photocatalyst. We report herein the successful synthesis and characterization of fluoride-doped-TiO

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and retinography in the detection of glaucoma through a telemedicine program. Methods: A population-based sample of 4113 persons was randomly selected. The screening examination included a fundus photograph and OCT images. Images were evaluated on a deferred basis. All participants were then invited to a complete glaucoma examination, including gonioscopy, visual field, and dilated fundus examination. The detection rate, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated. Results: We screened 1006 persons. Of these, 201 (19.9%) were classified as glaucoma suspects; 20.4% were identified only by retinographs, 11.9% only by OCT images, and 46.3% by both. On ophthalmic examination at the hospital (n = 481), confirmed glaucoma was found in 58 (12.1%), probable glaucoma in 76 (15.8%), and ocular hypertension in 10 (2.1%), and no evidence of glaucoma was found in 337 (70.0%). The detection rate for confirmed or probable glaucoma was 9.2%. Sensitivity ranged from 69.4% to 86.2% and specificity from 82.1% to 97.4%, depending on the definition applied. Conclusions: The combination of OCT images and fundus photographs yielded a detection rate of 9.2% in a population-based screening program with moderate sensitivity, high specificity, and predictive values of 84–96%. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

In this study, adsorption of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as Diclofenac (DCF) on a commercial carbonaceous aerogel honeycomb monolith (NANOLIT®-NQ40) was ascertained. Based on, the overall design of an adsorption treatment should include a feasible regeneration process for the spent adsorbent. In this work, the adsorption/desorption process was ameliorated by coupling of electrochemical technology (anodic/cathodic polarisation). It was determined that the anodic polarisation enhanced the DCF removal and it was related with the applied voltage and the disposition of the electrodes into the bulk solution. Anodic polarisation at optimal conditions (voltage 0.9 V, electrodes gap 2.5 cm and electrolyte concentration higher than 1 mM) provoked an enhancement (around 30%) in the DCF adsorption rate. The spent aerogel regeneration method for the adsorbed or electro-adsorbed DCF was investigated and cathodic polarisation proved to be a viable regeneration alternative attaining the total regeneration of aerogel. The electro-desorption mechanism seemed to be linked to the generation of repulsive intermolecular forces in the aerogel surface. Finally, the sequential electro-adsorption/electro-desorption process was performed in successive cycles. The results confirmed the feasibility of this strategy, maintaining the efficiency with no structural changes in the monolith after several cycles being the electro-reversible adsorption of pollutants on aerogel a promising technology for the removal of pharmaceuticals from wastewater. Financiado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade de Vigo/CISUG Agencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. CTM 2017-87326-R

Objetivo: identificar a repercussão e desafios da integração ensino-serviço-comunidade na formação de profissionais e no atendimento às necessidades da população no contexto da Atenção Primária à Saúde no Brasil. Método: revisão integrativa de artigos em português entre janeiro de 2011 e outubro de 2020. Resultados: foram selecionados 27 artigos e o resultado foi categorizado: contribuição da IESC para a formação dos estudantes da área da saúde, influência da IESC no serviço e na comunidade e desafios da IESC nos serviços de saúde. Foi discutida a contratualização dentro da Atenção Primária à Saúde como forma de fortalecer a integração. Conclusão: contratualização entre serviços de saúde e instituições de ensino podem fortalecer a integração ensino-serviço-comunidade na Atenção Primária, como já ocorre nos Hospitais de Ensino.

Financiado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade de Vigo/CISUG The removal of Diethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP) and Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is of great importance due to their potential adverse effects on the environment and human health. In this study, two bionanocomposites prepared by immobilization of Bacillus subtilis esterase by crosslinking to halloysite and supported in chitosan and alginate beads were studied and proposed as a green approach. The esterase immobilization was confirmed by physical–chemical characterization. Bionanocomposite using chitosan showed the best degradation levels in batch tests attaining complete degradation of DBP and around 90% of DEHP. To determine the operational stability and efficiency of the system, two fixed bed reactors filled with both bionanocomposites were carried out operating in continuous mode. Chitosan based bionanocomposite showed the best performance being able to completely remove DBP and more than 85% of DEHP at the different flowrates. These results proved the potential of these synthesized bionanocomposites to effectively remove Phthalic Acid Esters. Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED431C 2021-43 Agencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. PCI2022-132941

Glaucoma; Retinògrafs; Telemedicina Glaucoma; Retinógrafos; Telemedicina Glaucoma; Retinographs; Telemedicine Purpose: To evaluate interobserver and intertest agreement between optical coherence tomography (OCT) and retinography in the detection of glaucoma through a telemedicine program. Methods: A stratified sample of 4113 individuals was randomly selected, and those who accepted underwent examination including visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), non-mydriatic retinography, and imaging using a portable OCT device. Participants’ data and images were uploaded and assessed by 16 ophthalmologists on a deferred basis. Two independent evaluations were performed for all participants. Agreement between methods was assessed using the kappa coefficient and the prevalence-adjusted bias-adjusted kappa (PABAK). We analyzed potential factors possibly influencing the level of agreement. Results: The final sample comprised 1006 participants. Of all suspected glaucoma cases (n = 201), 20.4% were identified in retinographs only, 11.9% in OCT images only, 46.3% in both, and 21.4% were diagnosed based on other data. Overall interobserver agreement outcomes were moderate to good with a kappa coefficient of 0.37 and a PABAK index of 0.58. Higher values were obtained by experienced evaluators (kappa = 0.61; PABAK = 0.82). Kappa and PABAK values between OCT and photographs were 0.52 and 0.82 for the first evaluation. Conclusion: In a telemedicine screening setting, interobserver agreement on diagnosis was moderate but improved with greater evaluator expertise. The study has been funded by the Fondo de InvestigacionesSanitarias of the Spanish Ministry of Health (PI15/00412).

The appearance of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environments has become a serious problem because of their hazardous effect on the biota. Therefore, great efforts are focussed in the removal to these pollutants from wastewaters. In this study, an innovative technology based on the principles of Zero-Waste for the management of wastewater streams is presented. Hence, adsorption of fluoxetine (FLX), selected as a model pollutant, in an eco-friendly adsorbent, biochar, was followed by an in situ removal of the pharmaceutical in the solid matrix by the action of sulfate radicals. Initially, an in-depth characterisation of the adsorbent and the adsorption process was carried out. The pseudo-second order kinetic and Freundlich isotherm described well the process, and the electrostatic attractions were revealed as the primary adsorption mechanism. Later, the removal of the FLX was studied by the sulfate radicals, in the presence of activators (Fe2+ and citric acid), in liquid and onto the biochar medium. It was concluded that in order to enhance the pollutant removal it is necessary the presence of both activators in liquid media. However, in in situ removal onto biochar, it was not necessary the Fe2+ presence and only the addition of complexing agents was required as a result of biochar's mineral content. Finally, the applicability of the proposed approach was studied in fixed-bed column assays where the adsorption and the removal of the pollutant were efficiently accomplished. This fact confirms the suitability of the developed process as a viable alternative in the treatment of wastewaters.

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a facile, low-cost and eco-friendly thermal conversion process that has recently gained attention with a growing number of publications (lower 50 in 2000 to over 1500 in 2020). Despite being a promising technology, problems such as operational barriers, complex reaction mechanisms and scaling have to be solved to make it a commercial technology. To bridge this current gap, this review elaborates on the chemistry of the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass. Besides, a comprehensive overview of the influence of the HTC operational conditions (pH, temperature, water:biomass ratio, residence time and water recirculation) are discussed to better understand how hydrochar with desired properties can be efficiently produced. Large-scale examples of the application of HTC are also presented. Current applications of hydrochar in the fields of energy, biocatalysis and environment are reviewed. Finally, economic cost and future prospects are analyzed.

A simple protocol was proposed for the preparation of magnetic chitosan beads ZnFe2O4-CS via a co-precipitation method. The use of synthesized magnetic ZnFe2O4-CS beads as catalyst for the heterogeneous photo-Fenton treatment of chlordimeform insecticide (CDM) was evaluated. The photo-Fenton experiments were carried out with different synthesized catalysts by varying the molar ratio Zn/Fe in chitosan beads, the catalyst concentration and pH. Under optimal conditions using 1 g of ZnFe2O4-CS beads with a molar ratio Zn/Fe = 0.35 and at pHinitial = 3, a real wastewater doped with 20 mg L−1 of CDM was treated and complete removal of the insecticide was achieved after 7 min with a total TOC removal after 2 h of treatment. The generated carboxylic acids and ions during the photo-Fenton process were identified and quantified. The stability of the photocatalytic activity of the best catalyst in terms of pollutant removal, ZnFe2O4-CS(0.35) beads with a molar ratio Zn/Fe equal to 0.35, was satisfactory validated by four consecutive cycles. This optimal catalyst was characterized, before and after use, by Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy, X-Ray Powder Diffraction and Vibrating Sample Magnetometry analysis.

The removal of radiocontrast agent diatrizoic acid (DIA) from water was performed using photo-Fenton (PF) process. First, the effect of H2O2 dosage on mineralization efficiency was determined using ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The system reached a maximum mineralization degree of 60 % total organic carbon (TOC) removal at 4 h with 20 mM initial H2O2 concentration while further concentration values led to a decrease in TOC abatement efficiency. Then, the effect of different concentrations of Fenton's reagents was studied for homogeneous Fenton process. Obtained results revealed that 0.25 mM Fe(3+) and 20 mM H2O2 were the best conditions, achieving 80 % TOC removal efficiency at 4 h treatment. Furthermore, heterogeneous PF treatment was developed using iron-activated carbon as catalyst. It was demonstrated that this catalyst is a promising option, reaching 67 % of TOC removal within 4 h treatment without formation of iron leachate in the medium. In addition, two strategies of enhancement for process efficiency are proposed: coupling of PF with electro-Fenton (EF) process in two ways: photoelectro-Fenton (PEF) or PF followed by EF (PF-EF) treatments, achieving in both cases the complete mineralization of DIA solution within only 2 h. Finally, the Microtox tests revealed the formation of more toxic compounds than the initial DIA during PF process, while, it was possible to reach total mineralization by both proposed alternatives (PEF or PF-EF) and thus to remove the toxicity of DIA solution.

In this study, the performance of three commercial available monolithic carbonaceous aerogels (NQ30A, NQ60A and NQ80A) for the removal of different emerging pollutants, detected in water sources, was evaluated. More specifically, the removal of two pharmaceuticals (antipyrine and sulfamethoxazole) and an anti-fungal agent (methyl paraben), widely used in cosmetics, was studied. The NQ60A demonstrated the best adsorption characteristics and effectively adsorbed over 50 mg/g of the antipyrine and around 30 mg/g sulfamethoxazole and methyl paraben. The kinetic study of the adsorption process revealed that pseudo-first order kinetic model described very well the kinetic behaviour of the selected pollutants onto the NQ60A aerogel. After that, the regeneration of the loaded aerogel, with antipyrine alone and in presence of the other two contaminants, was evaluated. The regeneration was accomplished in two ways: (1) by using directly the loaded aerogels as cathode during the electro-Fenton treatment and (2) by its regeneration immersed in the bulk volume of electro-Fenton cell (boron doped diamond as anode and carbon felt as cathode). Both approaches can provide an effective removal of the pollutants inside the aerogel. In addition, the regenerated aerogel proved to maintain its adsorptive properties and can be successfully reused in successive cycles of adsorption-regeneration. On the basis of these promising results, it can be concluded that the proposed strategy based on aerogels adsorption and electro-Fenton regeneration is a suitable alternative for emerging pollutants removal from water streams.

Over the last decades, advanced oxidation processes have often been used alone, or combined with other techniques, for remediation of ground and surface water pollutants. The application of heterogeneous catalysis to electrochemical advanced oxidation processes is especially useful due to its efficiency and environmental safety. Among those processes, electro-Fenton stands out as the one in which heterogeneous catalysis has been broadly applied. Thus, this review has introduced an up-to-date collation of the current knowledge of the heterogeneous electro-Fenton process, highlighting recent advances in the use of different catalysts such as iron minerals (pyrite, magnetite or goethite), prepared catalysts by the load of metals in inorganic and organic materials, nanoparticles, and the inclusion of catalysts on the cathode. The effects of physical-chemical parameters as well as the mechanisms involved are critically assessed. Finally, although the utilization of this process to remediation of wastewater overwhelmingly outnumber other utilities, several applications have been described in the context of regeneration of adsorbent or the remediation of soils as clear examples of the feasibility of the electro-Fenton process to solve different environmental problems. Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED431C 2017/47 Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España) | Ref. CTM2014-52471-R

The current need for effective regeneration processes to be used in valorization of spent adsorbent demands the research of novel alternative techniques such as application of Advances Oxidation Processes. In this sense, the recent application of electroradical (ER) processes turned out to be very promising in terms of the drugs degradation from different environments. Thus, in this study, harnessing of a low cost natural adsorbent, Tunisian bentonite (BE), was evaluated for the removal of a model drug such as methylthioninium chloride (MC), and then its regeneration by ER processes was demonstrated. Initially, the BE was characterized and the adsorption of the MC was studied. This process followed a pseudo-first order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm fitted well to data reaching uptake values around 145–155 mg g−1. After that, BE regeneration by an ER process such as electro-Fenton process was ascertained. Due to the high buffering capacity of the BE, the addition of citric acid (1 mM) was necessary in order to assure the acidic medium to favor the oxidation reaction. By operating under optimized experimental conditions (current intensity 300 mA, pH 3, Fe2+ (1 mM) and citric acid (1 mM)) near complete adsorbent regeneration was achieved after 300 min of treatment and the pseudo-first-order model fitted well the degradation data. Furthermore, the adsorbent was efficiently used in successive cycles of adsorption-regeneration without operational problems that proved the efficiency of this technology. From the obtained results, a side-by-side configuration was designed and simulated, confirming the viability of the design at large scale.

Objective To evaluate morphological parameters of optic disk and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) examined with confocal laser tomography (HRT3) and laser polarimetry (GDx-VCC) in a normal population, and analyze correlations of these parameters with demographic variables. Patients and methods Cross-sectional study in the context of a glaucoma screening campaign in the primary care center of Barcelona. The individuals selected were non-hypertensive Mediterranean Caucasians with risk for glaucoma development (individuals ≥60 years old or ≥40 years old with family history of glaucoma or intraocular pressure or myopia >3 diopter). All subjects underwent a complete ophthalmic examination, confocal laser tomography (HRT3) and scanning laser polarimetry (GDx-VCC), with subjects having results within normal limits only being included. Structural parameters were analyzed along with age, refraction, and pachymetry based on the Spearman rank correlation test. Results A total of 224 subjects were included, with a mean age of 63.4 ± 11.1 years. Disk areas, excavation and ring area were 2.14 ± 0.52 mm 2 , 0.44 ± 0.34 mm 2 and 1.69 ± 0.38 mm 2 , respectively. The mean RNFL (GDx) was 55.9 ± 6.9 μm. Age was correlated with lower ring volume, highest rate of cup shape measure, largest mean and maximum cup depth, lower nerve fiber index (NFI) and RNFL (all p -values below .05). Conclusion The mean values and distribution of several parameters of the papilla and the RNFL in normal Mediterranean Caucasians population are presented. A loss of thickness of the RNFL, ring thinning, and enlarged cup were observed with increased age.

In this study, electrokinetic-Fenton treatment was used to remediate a soil polluted with PAHs and the pesticide pyrimethanil. Recently, this treatment has emerged as an interesting alternative to conventional soil treatments due to its peculiar advantages, namely the capability of treating fine and low-permeability materials, as well as that of achieving a high yield in the removals of salt content and inorganic and organic pollutants. In a standard electrokinetic-Fenton treatment, the maximum degradation of the pollutant load achieved was 67%, due to the precipitation of the metals near the cathode chamber that reduces the electro-osmotic flow of the system and thus the efficiency of the treatment. To overcome this problem, different complexing agents and pH control in the cathode chamber were evaluated to increase the electro-osmotic flux as well as to render easier the solubilization of the metal species present in the soil. Four complexing agents (ascorbic acid, citric acid, oxalic acid and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) in the Fenton-like treatment were evaluated. Results revealed the citric acid as the most suitable complexing agent. Thereby its efficiency was tested as pH controller by flushing it in the cathode chamber (pH 2 and 5). For the latter treatments, near total degradation was achieved after 27 d. Finally, phytotoxicity tests for polluted and treated samples were carried out. The high germination levels of the soil treated under enhanced conditions concluded that nearly complete restoration was achieved.

Conventional water treatments are generally inadequate for degradation of emerging pollutants such as ionic liquids (ILs). The use of heterogeneous electro-Fenton (HEF) has attracted great interest, due to its ability to efficiently oxidize a wide range of organic pollutants operating in cycles or in continuous mode. In this study, the removal of a complex IL from the imidazolinium family (1,3-Bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazolinium chloride), by means of HEF using iron alginate spheres as catalyst has been investigated, resulting in significant TOC decay after 6 h. The optimization of the key process parameters (current, IL concentration and catalyst dosage) has been performed using a Box-Behnken experimental design and achieving 76.98% of TOC abatement in 2 h of treatment. Current proved to be a crucial parameter and high catalyst dosage is required to achieve the maximum removal. In addition, an insight about the availability of iron into the reactor and the evolution of several intermediates has been carried out by employing differential pulse voltammetry on screen-printed carbon electrodes. The evolution of the different voltammetric peaks confirmed the influence of iron release, and the generation of several iron complexes has permitted the comprehension of the degradation pathway, which has been validated by chromatographic techniques. Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España) | Ref. CTM2014-52471-R

Prednisolone is a widely prescribed synthetic glucocorticoid and stated to be toxic to a number of non-target aquatic organisms. Its extensive consumption generates environmental concern due to its detection in wastewater samples at concentrations ranged from ng/L to μg/L that requests the application of suitable degradation processes. Regarding the actual treatment options, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are presented as a viable alternative. In this work, the comparison in terms of pollutant removal and energetic efficiencies, between different AOPs such as Fenton (F), photo-Fenton (UV/F), photolysis (UV), and hydrogen peroxide/photolysis (UV/H2O2), was carried out. Light diode emission (LED) was the selected source to provide the UV radiation. The UV/F process revealed the best performance, reaching high levels of both degradation and mineralization with low energy consumption. Its optimization was conducted and the operational parameters were iron and H2O2 concentrations and the working volume. Using the response surface methodology with the Box-Behnken design, the effect of independent variables and their interactions on the process response were effectively evaluated. Different responses were analyzed taking into account the prednisolone removal (TOC and drug abatements) and the energy consumptions associated. The obtained model showed an improvement of the UV/F process when treating smaller volumes and when adding high concentrations of H2O2 and Fe2+. The validation of this model was successfully carried out, having only 5% of discrepancy between the model and the experimental results. Finally, the performance of the process when having a real wastewater matrix was also tested, achieving complete mineralization and detoxification after 8 h. In addition, prednisolone degradation products were identified. Finally, the obtained low energy permitted to confirm the viability of the process.

Over the past few years, the increasing amount of pollutants and their diversity demand to develop versatile low-cost adsorption systems. The use of biomass feedstock such as agricultural residues, wood chips, manure or municipal solid wastes as source to produce low-cost biosorbent, and the new advances in their synthesis have encouraged remarkable efforts towards the development of biochar “on demand” in which their characteristics can be improved. This new trend opens the potential of biochar application in the removal of pollutants from wastewater, however, its use in environmental management requires the development of full-scale biosorption in engineered systems. Thus, this paper provides a brief review of recent progress in the research and practical application of biochar with a special emphasis on its potential to reduce the pollutants present in wastewater or to render them harmless. Furthermore, research gaps and uncertainties detected in their scale-up in continuous-flow systems are highlighted.

The chemical process scale-up, from lab studies to industrial production, is challenging and requires deep knowledge of the kinetic model and the reactions that take place in the system. This knowledge is also useful in order to be employed for the reactor design and the determination of the optimal operational conditions. In this study, a model substituted phenol such as p -nitrophenol was degraded by electro-Fenton process and the reaction products yielded along the treatment were recorded. The kinetic model was developed using Matlab software and was based on main reactions that occurred until total mineralization which allowed predicting the degradation pathway under this advanced oxidation process. The predicted concentration profiles of p -nitrophenol, their intermediates and by-products in electro-Fenton process were validated with experimental assays and the results were consistent. Finally, based on the developed kinetic model the degradation process was optimized using central composite design taking as key parameters the ferrous ion concentration and current density.

The application of the electro-Fenton process for organic compound mineralisation has been widely reported over the past years. However, operational problems related to the use of soluble iron salt as a homogeneous catalyst involve the development of novel catalysts that are able to operate in a wide pH range. For this purpose, polyvinyl alcohol-alginate beads, containing goethite as iron, were synthesised and evaluated as heterogeneous electro-Fenton catalyst for 1-butylpyridinium chloride mineralisation. The influence of catalyst dosage and pH solution on ionic liquid degradation was analysed, achieving almost total oxidation after 60 min under optimal conditions (2 g/L catalyst concentration and pH 3). The results showed good catalyst stability and reusability, although its effectiveness decreases slightly after three successive cycles. Furthermore, a plausible mineralisation pathway was proposed based on the oxidation byproducts determined by chromatographic techniques. Finally, the Microtox® test revealed notable detoxification after treatment which demonstrates high catalyst ability for pyridinium-based ionic liquid degradation by the electro-Fenton process.

The discharge from the dyeing industries constitutes unfixed dyes, inorganic salts, heavy metal complexes etc., which spoil the surrounding areas of industrial sites. The present article reports the use of direct current electrokinetic technique for the treatment of textile contaminated soil. Impressed direct current voltage of 20 V facilitates the dye/metal ions movement in the naturally available dye contaminated soil towards the opposite electrode by electromigration. IrO2–RuO2–TiO2/Ti was used as anode and Ti used as cathode. UV–Visible spectrum reveals that higher dye intensity was nearer to the anode. Ni, Cr and Pb migration towards the cathode and migration of Cu, SO42− and Cl− towards anode were noticed. Chemical oxygen demand in soil significantly decreased upon employing electrokinetic. This technology may be exploited for faster and eco-friendly removal of dye in soil environment.

This study focused on leather industrial effluents treatment by biosorption using Fucus vesiculosus as low-cost adsorbent. These effluents are yellowish-brown color and high concentration of Cr (VI). Therefore, biosorption process was optimized using response surface methodology based on Box–Behnken design operating with a simulated leather effluent obtained by mixture of Cr (VI) solution and four leather dyes. The key variables selected were initial solution pH, biomass dosage and CaCl 2 concentration in the pretreatment stage. The statistical analysis shows that pH has a negligible effect, being the biomass dosage and CaCl 2 concentration the most significant variables. At optimal conditions, 98% of Cr (VI) and 88% of dyes removal can be achieved. Freundlich fitted better to the obtained equilibrium data for all studied systems than Temkin, Langmuir or D–R models. In addition, the use of the final biosorbent as support-substrate to grown of enzyme producer fungi, Pleurotus ostreatus , was also demonstrated.

In this work, the potential for sustainable energy production from wastes has been exploited using a combination fungus-bacterium in microbial fuel cell (MFC) and electro-Fenton technology. The fungus Trametes versicolor was grown with Shewanella oneidensis so that the bacterium would use the networks of the fungus to transport the electrons to the anode. This system generated stable electricity that was enhanced when the electro-Fenton reactions occurred in the cathode chamber. This configuration reached a stable voltage of approximately 1000 mV. Thus, the dual benefits of the in situ-designed MFC electro-Fenton, the simultaneous dye decolourisation and the electricity generation, were demonstrated. Moreover, the generated power was effectively used to drive an ex situ electro-Fenton process in batch and continuous mode. This newly developed MFC fungus-bacterium with an in situ electro-Fenton system can ensure a high power output and a continuous degradation of organic pollutants.

In this work, the formation of permeable reactive biobarriers (PRBBs) using Trichoderma longibrachiatum over nylon sponge as bioreactive medium for removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was studied. Colony formation was pretested without PAH presence by inoculation of fungus into nylon sponge. The fungus formed a large quantity of strongly adhesive biofilm among nylon sponge. Afterwards, the ability of the developed bioreactive medium was tested to remediate phenanthrene in aqueous medium and in soil. In aqueous medium, a 90% of phenanthrene concentration reduction was observed after 14 d. However, the pollutant removal in soil requires previous fungus colonization and the attained level was around 70% after 28 d. Subsequently, the formed bioreactive material was used in a glass column reactor to evaluate its application as PRBBs. Mixtures of phenanthrene, benzo[a]anthracene and pyrene at several concentrations, from 100 to 400 μM, were treated. In all cases, the performance of the PRBB was satisfactory and total PAH removals were achieved. These results suggest that PRBBs of T. longibrachiatum supported on nylon sponge can be an effective method for the treatment of PAHs., This research was funded by Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and FEDER Funds (Project CTM 2011-25389) and for financial support of Marta Pazos under the Ramon y Cajal programme and Marta Cobas under the final project master grant "Campus do Mar Knowledge in depth".

Diversity and rapidly multiplication of the pollutants incite as to improve the conventional treatments wastewater methods. One of the bottlenecks often faced is the presence into wastewater of organic pollutants with complex structures that requests the design of efficient processes. Thus, this work investigates the removal of polyvinylamine sulfonate anthrapyridone (PSA) dye which complex structure makes difficult its degradation by conventional technologies. For that, a heterogeneous oxidative process using pyrite as sustainable catalyst was designed. Initially, the performance of the system BBD-carbon felt as anode and cathode, respectively for the production of H2O2 was determined in comparison with system boron-doped diamond nickel foam. The carbon felt electrode provided the highest oxidant production, and it was selected for the treatment of the polymeric dye. Several oxidative processes were evaluated, and the best degradation levels were obtained by application of electro-Fenton-pyrite process. In addition, it was determined that dye removal followed a kinetic model of pseudo-first-order achieving the highest efficiency by operation at optimum dosage of pyrite 2 g/L and 200 mA of current intensity. Depending on the optimal experimental conditions, these values lead to a nearly complete mineralization (total organic carbon removal of 95%) after 6 h. Furthermore, the reusability of pyrite was evaluated, by removal of PSA in four cycles.

The feasibility of the electrokinetic-Fenton technology coupled with surfactants in the treatment of real historically hydrocarbons polluted soils has been studied. The characterisation of these soils from Spain and Romania was performed and identified as diesel and diesel-motor oil spillages, respectively. Moreover, the ageing of the spillages produced by the soil contamination was estimated showing the historical pollution of the sites (around 11 and 20 years for Romanian and Spanish soils, respectively). An ex-situ electrochemical treatment was performed to evaluate the adequacy of surfactants for the degradation of the hydrocarbons present in the soils. It was found an enhancement in the solubilisation and removal of TPHs with percentages increasing from 25.7 to 81.8% by the presence of Tween 80 for Spanish soil and from 15.1% to 71.6% for Triton X100 in Romanian soil. Therefore, the viability of coupling enhanced electrokinetic and Fenton remediation was evaluated through a simulated in-situ treatment at laboratory scale. The results demonstrated that the addition of the selected surfactants improved the solubilisation of the hydrocarbons and influenced the electroosmotic flow with a slight decrease. The efficiency of the treatment increased for both considered soil samples and a significant degradation level of the hydrocarbons compounds was observed. Buffering of pH coupled with the addition of a complexing agent showed to be important in the treatment process, facilitating the conditions for the degradation reactions that take place into the soil matrix. The results demonstrated the effectiveness of the selected techniques for remediation of the investigated soils.

The high amount of winery wastewaters produced each year makes their treatment a priority issue due to their problematic characteristics such as acid pH, high concentration of organic load and colourful compounds. Furthermore, some of these effluents can have dissolved pesticides, due to the previous grape treatments, which are recalcitrant to conventional treatments. Recently, photo-electro-Fenton process has been reported as an effective procedure to mineralize different organic contaminants and a promising technology for the treatment of these complex matrixes. However, the reactors available for applying this process are scarce and they show several limitations. In this study, a sequential two-column reactor for the photo-electro-Fenton treatment was designed and evaluated for the treatment of different pesticides, pirimicarb and pyrimethanil, used in wine production. Both studied pesticides were efficiently removed, and the transformation products were determined. Finally, the treatment of a complex aqueous matrix composed by winery wastewater and the previously studied pesticides was carried out in the designed sequential reactor. The high removals of TOC and COD reached and the low energy consumption demonstrated the efficiency of this new configuration.

Laccase from Pycnoporus sanguineus CS43 was successfully immobilized onto Immobead-150 and Eupergit-C by covalent binding and by entrapment in LentiKats. The highest immobilization was onto Immobead-150 (97.1±1.2%) compared to the other supports, LentiKats (89±1.1%) and Eupergit-C (83.2±1.4%). All three immobilized enzyme systems showed increased thermostability and better mechanical properties than free laccase. Moreover, after 5 cycles of reuse of these systems, 90% of initial laccase activity was retained. Immobead-150 and LentiKats systems exhibited the highest efficiencies in removal of m-cresol under the combined actions of biodegradation and adsorption, while laccase entrapped in LentiKats showed a high ability for degradation of m-cresol within 24h. In addition, the typical Michaelis-Menten enzymatic model effectively described the kinetic profile of m-cresol degradation by the enzyme entrapped in LentiKats. Based on the results obtained in the present study, it can be established that the immobilized biocatalysts developed here possess significant potential for wastewater treatment.

PURPOSE: In this study, a novel and ecological alternative have been developed to treat soils contaminated with hexavalent chromium coupling two well-known systems: electrokinetic remediation and permeable reactive biobarriers. The electric field promotes the electromigration of the hexavalent chromium oxyanions towards the anode. The biobarriers were placed before the anode electrode, in order to promote the reduction and retention of the chromium migrating in its direction. Thus, this technology provided a global treatment to soil removal without subsequent treatments of the contaminated effluents. METHODS: The electrokinetic system was coupled with two different permeable reactive biobarriers composed by Arthrobacter viscosus bacteria, supported either in activated carbon or zeolite. An electric field of 10 V was applied and two different treatment times of 9 and 18 days were tested. RESULTS: Removal values of 60% and 79% were obtained when electrokinetic treatment was coupled with zeolite and activated carbon biobarriers, respectively, for a test period of 18 day. The reduction of hexavalent chromium to trivalent chromium was around 45% for both systems. CONCLUSIONS: In this work, two types of biobarriers were efficiently coupled to electrokinetic treatment to decontaminate soil with Cr(VI). Furthermore, the viability of the new coupling technology developed (electrokinetic + biobarriers) to treat low-permeability polluted soils was demonstrated., This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (CTQ2008-03059/PPQ), Xunta de Galicia (08MDS034314PR). The authors are grateful to the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation for providing financial support for Marta Pazos under the Ramon y Cajal program and the Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia, Ministerio da Ciencia e Tecnologia, Portugal through the PhD grant of Bruna Fonseca (SFRH/BD/27780/2006).

The aim of this work was to improve the ability of electro-Fenton technique for the remediation of wastewater contaminated with synthetic dyes using a model azo dye such as Azure B. Batch experiments were conducted to study the effects of main parameters, such as dye concentration, electrode surface area, treatment time, and voltage. In this study, central composite face-centered experimental design matrix and response surface methodology were applied to design the experiments and evaluate the interactive effects of the four studied parameters. A total of 30 experimental runs were set, and the kinetic data were analyzed using first- and second-order models. The experimental data fitted to the empirical second-order model of a suitable degree for the maximum decolorization of Azure B by electro-Fenton treatment. ANOVA analysis showed high coefficient of determination value (R 2 = 0.9835) and reasonable second-order regression prediction. Pareto analysis suggests that the variables, time, and voltage produce the largest effect on the decolorization rate. Optimum conditions suggested by the second-order polynomial regression model for attaining maximum decolorization were dye concentration 4.83 mg/L, electrode surface area 15 cm2, voltage 14.19 V, and treatment time of 34.58 min.

The combination of the Fenton's reagent with electrochemistry (the electro-Fenton process) represents an efficient method for wastewater treatment. This study describes the use of this process to clean soil or clay contaminated by organic compounds. Model soil of kaolinite clay polluted with the dye Lissamine Green B (LGB) was used to evaluate the capability of the electro-Fenton process. The effects of operating parameters such as electrode material and dye concentration were investigated. Operating in an electrochemical cell under optimized conditions while using electrodes of graphite, a constant potential difference of 5 V, pH 3, 0.2 mM FeSO(4). 7H(2)O, and electrolyte 0.1 M Na(2)SO(4), around 80% of the LGB dye on kaolinite clay was decolorized after 3 hours with an electric power consumption around 0.15 W h g(-1). Furthermore, the efficiency of this process for the remediation of a real soil polluted with phenanthrene, a typical polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, has been demonstrated.

An innovative process that combines soil electrokinetic remediation and liquid electrochemical oxidation for the degradation of organic compounds present in a polluted soil was developed and evaluated by using benzo[a]pyrene spiked kaolin. In order to increase benzo[a]pyrene solubility during electrokinetic treatment, the addition of a co-solvent or surfactant, such as ethanol or Brij 35, as flushing solution was tested. The research carried out demonstrated the influence of the desorption agent employed on benzo[a]pyrene remediation from the kaolin matrix. Thus, if the flushing solution was ethanol at 40%, there was no presence of contaminant in either chamber. On the contrary, when a solution of surfactant Brij 35 was used, benzo[a]pyrene was transported towards the cathode chamber, where it was collected. Moreover, the extent of this recovery depends on the pH profile on the soil. When no pH control was used, around 17% of initial contaminant was detected in the cathode chamber; however, when pH control was applied, the recovery of benzo[a]pyrene could be higher than 76%, when the pH control in the anode chamber was set at 7.0. In order to obtain the total degradation of mobilised benzo[a]pyrene from the contaminated soil, the liquid collected by electrokinetic remediation was oxidised by electrochemical treatment. This oxidation was accomplished via an electrochemical cell with a working volume of 0.4 L, and graphite as electrode material. The benzo[a]pyrene was almost totally degraded in 1 d, reaching a degradation of about 73% in 16 h.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) cause a high environmental impact when released into the environment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the capacity to decontaminate polluted soils with phenanthrene as a model PAH using a combination of two technologies: electrokinetic remediation and Fenton process. Kaolinite was used as a model sample that was artificially polluted at the laboratory at an initial concentration of phenanthrene of 500 mg kg(-1) of dried kaolinite. The standard electrokinetic process resulted in negligible removal of phenanthrene from the kaolinite sample. Faster and more efficient degradation of this compound can be promoted by introduction of a strong oxidant into the soil such as hydroxyl radicals. For this reason, the Fenton reactions have been induced in several experiments in which H(2)O(2) (10%) was used as flushing solution, and kaolinite polluted with iron was used. When anode and cathode chambers were filled with H(2)O(2) (10%), the kaolinite pH is maintained at an acid value around 3.5 without pH control and an overall removal and destruction efficiency of phenanthrene of 99% was obtained in 14 days by applying a voltage gradient of 3 V cm(-1). Therefore, it is evident that a combined technology of electrokinetic remediation and Fenton reaction is capable of simultaneously removing and degrading of PAHs in polluted model samples with kaolinite.

In this work a two-stage process combining soil electrokinetic remediation and liquid electrochemical oxidation for the remediation of polluted soil with organic compounds has been developed and evaluated using phenanthrene-spiked kaolinite. Application of an unenhanced electrokinetic process resulted in negligible removal of phenanthrene from the kaolinite sample. Addition of co-solvents and electrolyte to the processing fluid used in the electrode chambers enhanced phenanthrene desorption from the kaolinite matrix and favoured electro-osmotic flow. Near-complete removal of phenanthrene was achieved using Na2SO4 and ethanol in the processing fluid. Phenanthrene was transported towards the cathode chamber where it was collected. The cathodic solution containing the pollutant was treated by electrochemical oxidation; complete degradation of phenanthrene occurred after 9 h using Na2SO4 as electrolyte.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) cause a high environmental impact when released into the environment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the capacity of decontamination of polluted soils with PAHs using the sequence extraction-electrochemical treatment: extraction of PAHs from the soil with surfactant followed by electrochemical degradation of the liquid collected. Several PAHs (anthracene, benzo[a]pyrene, and phenanthrene) have been used as model compounds since such PAHs are found in high concentrations in contaminated environmental samples. Due to their hydrophobic nature, soil extraction has been limited. In this work, the use of six surfactants, Brij 35, Merpol, Tergitol, Tween 20, Tween 80 and Tyloxapol, has been evaluated on the PAH extraction from a model soil such as kaolin. Furthermore, the electrochemical degradation of PAHs with the surfactant that gave the best result was investigated working with neat solutions. The electrochemical treatment of these solutions was carried out in two electrochemical cells with different working volumes, 0.4 and 1.5 l, and electrode material (graphite or titanium). Near complete degradation was reached for all the experiments in both cells.

In this work, the effect on laccase activity of adding xylidine, veratryl alcohol and copper sulphate to cultures of Coriolopsis rigida under submerged cultivation conditions have been investigated. The highest activities (approximately 6 × 105 nkat/l) were obtained when the inducers copper sulphate (2 mM) and xylidine (10 mM) were added simultaneously. In addition, operating in the optimal conditions, it was possible to maintain the sustained production of laccase (around 3 × 105 nkat/l) for successive repeated batch cultures in an expanded-bed laboratory scale bioreactor. On the other hand, in vitro phenol degradation by laccase obtained in the bioreactor was studied with/without an effective mediator 1-hydroxybenzotriazol (HBT). The presence of a radical mediator plays an important role inducing the degradation of phenol, and without mediator the polymerization of phenol was detected.

In this study the application of a sequential selective system that combined biosorption with biodegradation was evaluated as a feasible process for the removal of Cr(VI) and m-cresol from effluents. Cr(VI) biosorption on pretreated chestnut shells showed 100% metal removal and modelling efforts demonstrated that the pseudo-second order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm fit well the process behaviour. Thus, the treated stream was an appropriate environment for the biodegradation of m-cresol using a laccase-producer fungus, Phlebia radiata. Two bioreactor configurations, rotating drum and modified-airlift, were studied using the fungus grown on chestnut shells, which act as support-substrate as well as oxidative enzyme inductor increasing the laccase activity up to 1000UL(-1). The best bioreactor, rotating drum, reached 100% removal in 7days. Finally, the best configuration for the sequential selective system was modelled operating in continuous mode by the breakthrough curves generated using FASTv2.0 and the design bioreactor flow model.

Laccase was produced by Coriolopsis rigida using barley bran as substrate in solid-state fermentation (SSF) and also by submerged fermentation (SmF). The best results were obtained in SSF with twice the amount of laccase production. Laccase could be produced from repeated batch cultures of SSF over 30 days. The laccase degraded several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in vivo and in vitro. The addition of an effective mediator, 1-hydroxybenzotriazol (50 microM), during in vitro treatment increased the degradation rate.

The electrochemical decolourisation of structurally different dyes (bromophenol blue, indigo, poly R-478, phenol red, methyl orange, fuchsin, methyl green and crystal violet) by means of the application of DC electric current was assessed. It was found that the electrochemical process allowed a colour removal of all dyes studied, although the decolourisation rate largely depended on the chemical structure of the different dyes. Nearly complete decolourisation was achieved for bromophenol blue followed by methyl orange and methyl green, whereas phenol red was hardly decolourised (30% in 60 min). In mixtures of two dyes, the decolourisation rate became similar for both dyes. However, the addition of a redox mediator, (Co(2+/3+)) clearly enhanced the degradation rate of all tested dyes, but the simplest dye molecules were attacked firstly, followed by dyes with more complex chemical structures. The results revealed the suitability of the process to effectively decolourise wastewaters from dyeing process.

Laccase in culture filtrates of Trametes versicolor degraded a number of structurally different dyes by about 30% after 30 min though only 5% of Azure B was degraded in 1 h and Poly R-478 and fuchsin were not degraded at all even after 24 h. However, by using enzymatic electrocatalysis technology all dyes were decolourised in about 30 to 135 min.

The aim of this work is to ascertain the potentials of different agroforestry wastes to be used as biosorbents in the removal of a mixture of heavy metals. Fern (FE), rice husk (RI) and oak leaves (OA) presented the best removal percentages for Cu(II) and Ni(II), Mn(II) and Zn(II) and Cr(VI), respectively. The performance of a mixture of these three biosorbents was evaluated, and an improvement of 10% in the overall removal was obtained (19.25 mg/g). The optimum mixture proportions were determined using simplexcentroid mixture design method (FE:OA:RI = 50:13.7:36.3). The adsorption kinetics and isotherms of the optimised mixture were fit by the pseudo-first order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm. The adsorption mechanism was studied, and the effects of the carboxylic, hydroxyl and phenolic groups on metal–biomass binding were demonstrated. Finally, the recoveries of the metals using biomass were investigated, and cationic metal recoveries of 100% were achieved when acidic solutions were used., This work has been funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, Xunta de Galicia and ERDF Funds (Projects CTM 2011-25389 and GRC 2013/003). The authors are grateful to Xunta de Galicia for financial support of the researcher Emilio Rosales under a postdoctoral Grant and the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness for financial support of the researcher Marta Pazos under a Ramon y Cajal Grant.

The applicability of electro-Fenton technology to remediation of wastewater contaminated by several organic pollutants such as dyes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons has been evaluated using iron-enriched zeolite as heterogeneous catalyst. The electro-Fenton technology is an advanced oxidation process that is efficient for the degradation of organic pollutants, but it suffers from the high operating costs due to the need for power investment. For this reason, in this study microbial fuel cells (MFCs) were designed in order to supply electricity to electro-Fenton processes and to achieve high treatment efficiency at low cost. Initially, the effect of key parameters on the MFC power generation was evaluated. Afterwards, the degradation of Reactive Black 5 dye and phenanthrene was evaluated in an electro-Fenton reactor, containing iron-enriched zeolite as catalyst, using the electricity supplied by the MFC. Near complete dye decolourization and 78% of phenanthrene degradation were reached after 90 min and 30 h, respectively. Furthermore, preliminary reusability tests of the developed catalyst showed high degradation levels for successive cycles. The results permit concluding that the integrated system is adequate to achieve high treatment efficiency with low electrical consumption.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are significant environmental contaminants as they are present naturally as well as anthropogenically in soil, air and water. In spite of their low solubility, PAHs are spread to the environment, and they are present in surface water, industrial effluent or groundwater. Amongst all remediation technologies for treating groundwater contaminated with PAHs, the use of a permeable reactive biobarrier (PRBB) appears to be the most cost-effective, energy efficient, and environmentally sound approach. In this technology, the microorganisms are used as reactive medium to degrade or stabilize the contaminants. The main limits of this approach are that the microorganisms or consortium used for forming the PRBB should show adequate characteristics. They must be retained in the barrier-forming biofilm, and they should also have degradative ability for the target pollutants. The aim of the present work is to evaluate the viability of Arthrobacter viscosus as bioreactive medium for forming PRBB. Initially, the ability of A. viscosus to remove PAHs, benzo[a]anthracene 100 μM and phenanthrene 100 μM was evaluated operating in a batch bench-scale bioreactor. In both cases, total benzo[a]anthracene and phenanthrene removals were obtained after 7 and 3 days, respectively. Furthermore, the viability of the microorganisms was evaluated in the presence of chromium in a continuous mode. As a final point, the adhesion of A. viscosus to sepiolite forming a bioreactive material to build PRBB was demonstrated. In view of the attained results, it can be concluded that A. viscosus could be a suitable microorganism to form a bioreactive medium for PAHs remediation., This work has been supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and FEDER Funds (Project CTM 2011-25389). Marta Pazos received financial support under the Ramon y Cajal programme and Marta Cobas under the final project master grant "Campus do Mar Knowledge in depth".