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Geophysical techniques have become increasingly crucial for characterizing landfills, offering noninvasive methods for subsurface exploration and contamination assessment. In this study, an integrated geophysical approach—utilizing magnetic, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), and transient electromagnetic (TEM) surveys—was employed to characterize the Weidenpesch landfill in Cologne, Germany and assess potential groundwater contamination. The results from these methods were consistent, effectively delineating the landfill boundaries and identifying possible contamination. The waste body was distinguished by its relatively low resistivity values with an average value of 1–10 Ω·m in the western and central parts of the landfill and 20–50 Ω·m at its eastern part in contrast with the surrounding high-resistivity gravelly sand layer (several hundreds of Ω·m), and a depth of up to 15 m. The variability in conductivity and magnetic susceptibility across different landfill sections indicated the heterogeneity of buried materials. Additionally, the ERT and TEM data indicate low resistivity values (below 5 Ω·m) at depths of 20–25 m. A correlation with the borehole data suggests that this may represent a contaminated coal/clay layer. Furthermore, repeated TEM measurements revealed significant variation in subsurface conductivity over time, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of an integrated geophysical approach for providing a comprehensive understanding of subsurface landfill conditions, which is essential for informed environmental management and remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The horizontal transmission of endosymbionts between hosts and parasitoids plays a crucial role in biological control, yet its mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study investigates the dynamics of horizontal transfer of Wolbachia (w Ccep) from the rice moth, Corcyra cephalonica , to its parasitoid, Trichogramma chilonis. Through PCR detection and phylogenetic analysis, we demonstrated the presence of identical w Ccep strains in both host and parasitoid populations, providing evidence for natural horizontal transmission. To investigate thoroughly, Wolbachia -free colonies were acquired through tetracycline treatment, and the initial density of w Ccep in host eggs significantly influences transmission efficiency. High-density w Ccep infections led to rapid transmission, with F1 parasitoid titers increasing by as much as 100-fold, while low-density infections exhibited more gradual increases. Additionally, without continuous exposure to infected hosts, w Ccep density in T. chilonis diminished over generations. These findings enhance our understanding of Wolbachia 's transfer dynamics and have important implications for developing effective and sustainable biological control strategies using parasitoid wasps, particularly in managing Wolbachia -related pest populations in agricultural systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exponential rise in the manufacturing of electronic components due to technological innovation and the resulting spike in e-waste have prompted scientists and researchers to seek new and sustainable methods to reuse/recycle e-waste to limit its detrimental impact on the environment. Recycling e-waste is still a challenging process due to the lack of facilities. Moreover, disposing of the massive amount of e-waste poses an insurmountable difficulty owing to the presence of toxic chemicals. The enormous output of e-waste has produced many complications, leading to treatment alternatives and detrimental effects on human health and the environment. Most developed countries possess viable e-waste management technology, technological expertise, and well-defined system boundaries. However, the situation differs in underdeveloped countries due to various problems and a lack of applicable policies. Recycling electronic trash into construction materials has significant potential for decreasing waste management issues and safeguarding the environment from contamination. This article summarizes the potential uses of e-waste in building materials through numerous studies utilizing a scientometric approach. A broad spectrum of data has been studied, and the mechanical and durability characteristics of concrete containing e-waste have been compared. This would prove beneficial to the research community, where one can predict the trends in the variation in mechanical characteristics with different replacement percentages of fine and coarse aggregates. E-waste can be used as an effective alternative material to natural aggregates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The release of heavy metal ions, especially hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)], from industrial processes poses significant health and environmental risks. Cr(VI) does not readily degrade but can be reduced to the less toxic trivalent form [Cr(III)] that exhibits lower adsorption, making it easier to manage and remove from environmental systems. This paper proposes a single-step solvothermal method to synthesize fluorescent multiatom-doped (N, K, Cl, Mg, and Ca) carbon dots (MACDs) from Kalanchoe pinnata leaves (carbon precursor) and ethanol (solvent). These MACDs serve as effective photocatalysts for Cr(VI) reduction under one sun illumination (AM 1.5 G conditions). The reaction achieved a 91% Cr(VI) removal from a 20 ppm deionized water solution in 420 min and complete removal (100%) in an acidic solution with the same initial concentration in 120 min. The MACDs demonstrated excellent photocatalytic performance across tap, river, and lake water. These biomass-derived MACDs demonstrate strong potential for effective Cr-contaminated water remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seawater desalination is essential for addressing global freshwater scarcity, but it faces challenges like energy consumption and membrane fouling. This study investigates the use of pulsed electric fields (PEF) to enhance the efficiency of the electrodialysis (ED) desalination process. An experimental setup was developed to evaluate the impact of PEF parameters, such as frequency and duty cycle, on the removal of major seawater ions (Na⁺, Mg2⁺, Ca2⁺, K⁺, Cl−, and SO₄2−). And the influence of varying frequencies (0.9 kHz to 2 kHz) on ion removal rates, total dissolved salts (TDS), conductivity, pH, and energy consumption was evaluated. The results demonstrate that higher frequencies (1.85–2 kHz) significantly improve the removal rates of sodium and sulfate ions, achieving up to 90% removal, respectively. TDS concentration was reduced from 50,000 ppm to as low as 1000 ppm, indicating the potential of PEF-enhanced ED for efficient desalination. The analysis reveals an inverse relationship between salt concentration and electrical resistance, highlighting the need to optimize PEF parameters to leverage conductivity changes. Stable pH values and reduced water hardness further confirm the water quality improvements achieved through the PEF-enhanced ED process. The application of (PEF) in the ED process resulted in up to a 30% reduction in energy consumption and an 80% decrease in (TDS) concentration, from the initial 50,000 ppm to as low as 9912.6 ppm under optimized operating conditions, demonstrating the significant efficiency improvements achieved through this approach. This study provides valuable insights into the optimization of pulsed electric field conditions for enhanced seawater desalination, offering a promising approach to address the challenges associated with conventional desalination technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Correction Notice from the International Journal of Geo-Engineering addresses an error in the original article regarding the captions for Figures 1 and 2 being swapped. The correct figures and captions have been provided, with specific changes made to the headings and text references. The online version of the corrected article can be accessed through the provided DOI link. [Extracted from the article]

Biofilm is a syntrophic community of microorganisms enveloped by extracellular polymeric substances and displays remarkable adaptability to dynamic environments. Implementing biofilm in anaerobic digestion has been widely investigated and applied as it promotes microbial retention time and enhances the efficiency. Previous studies on anaerobic biofilm primarily focused on application in wastewater treatment, while its role has been significantly extended to accelerate the degradation of lignocellulosic biomass, improve gas–liquid mass transfer for biogas upgrading, or enhance resistance to inhibitors or toxic pollutants. This work comprehensively reviewed the current applications of biofilm in anaerobic digestion and focused on impacting factors, optimization strategies, reactor set-up, and microbial communities. Moreover, a full-scale biofilm reactor case from Norway is also reported. This review provides a state of-the- art insight on the role of biofilm in anaerobic digestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Study focuses on the preparation of sustainable and efficient Chitosan catalyst for the removal of three organic pollutants, 17β-Estradiol (E2), 17α-ethynyl estradiol (EE2) and triclosan (TCS) from water. The prepared nanocomposites were characterized by different techniques which confirmed the presence of the key components Chitosan, Carica Papaya seed and Kaolinite. The optical characterization proved the nanocomposite is photoactive with a band gap of 1.81 eV and 1.77 eV for Chitosan/kaolinite biochar (CS/KBC) and Chitosan/kaolinite biochar/GO (CS/KBC/GO) respectively, confirming the ability of the nanocomposite to be active in the visible light region of the spectrum. The degradation experiment using CS/KBC/GO was observed better with 100% removal for 5 mg/L E2 and EE2 over 60 min and 97.8% over 120 min for 10 mg/L TCS at optimum conditions (pH 3 for E2, and EE2 and pH 7). It was observed that the superoxide radical played a major role in the degradation of the contaminants. Furthermore, the CS/KBC/GO was efficient over four cycles without any decrease in performance, which rules out the question of catalyst deactivation proving the sustainability of the catalyst. The toxicity test shows that the water is safe as it does not harm cerio daphnia silvestrii organism.; CS/KBC/GO efficiently removed the micropollutants from real-life waste samples and the performance was very good with a slight decrease in performance for the wastewater due to the complex matrix of the water sample that competes for the active site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the first time, an energy-efficient and eco-friendly technology for the conversion of abundantly available kitchen waste, specifically waste cooked rice water (WCRW) to drop-in- biofuels, namely, butyl levulinate (BL), has been explored. The synthesis of BL was accomplished employing butyl alcohol (BA) and WCRW in an energy-efficient UV (5W each UVA and UVB)-near-infrared (100W) irradiation assisted spinning (120 rpm) batch reactor (UVNIRSR) in the presence of TiO2-Amberlyst 15 (TA15) photo-acidic catalyst system (PACS). The optimal 95.81% yield of BL (YBL) could be achieved at 10 wt% catalyst concentration, 60 °C reaction temperature, 80 min time, and 1:10 WCRW: BA concentration as per Taguchi statistical design. Moreover, additional combination of different PACS such as TiO2-Amberlyst 16, TiO2-Amberlyst 36, and TiO2-Amberlite IRC120 H rendered 86.72% YBL, 90.04% YBL, and 93.47% YBL, respectively, proving superior efficacy compared to individual activity of the acidic catalysts and photocatalysts. The heterogeneous reaction kinetics study for TA15 PACS suggested Langmuir–Hinshelwood model to be the best fitted model. A significant 63.33% energy could be saved by UVNIRSR as compared to conventional heated reactor at the optimized experimental condition using PACS TA15. An overall alleviation in environmental pollution with 59.259% reduction in GWP, 15.254% decline in terrestrial ecotoxicity, 18.238% diminution in marine ecotoxicity, 17.25% decrease in ozone formation affecting human health, 5.865% reduction in human non-carcinogenic toxicity, 18.65% diminution in ozone formation affecting terrestrial ecosystem, 55.17% significant decrease in terrestrial acidification, and 25.619% mitigation in fresh water ecotoxicity could be observed. Furthermore, BL-biodiesel-diesel blends (3% BL, 7% biodiesel, and 90% diesel) exhibited significant reduction (25.45% and 36%, respectively, for CO and HC) in harmful engine exhaust emissions demonstrating environmental sustainability of the overall process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, there has been a notable rise in the prevalence of persistent pollutants in the environment, posing a significant hazard due to their toxicity and enduring nature. Conventional wastewater treatment methods employed in treatment plants rarely address these persistent pollutants adequately. Meanwhile, the concept of green synthesis has garnered considerable attention, owing to its environmentally friendly approach that utilizes fewer toxic chemicals and solvents. The utilization of materials derived from sustainable sources presents a promising avenue for solving pressing environmental concerns. Among the various sources of biological agents, plants stand out for their accessibility, eco-friendliness, and rich reserves of phytochemicals suitable for material synthesis. The plant extract–mediated synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) has emerged as a promising solution for applications in wastewater treatment. Thorough investigations into the factors influencing the properties of these green ZnONPs are essential to establish a detailed and reliable synthesis process. Major weaknesses inherent in ZnONPs can be addressed by changing the optical, magnetic, and interface properties through doping with various semiconductor materials. Consequently, research efforts to mitigate water pollution are being driven by both the future prospects and limitations of ZnO-based composites. This review underscores the recent advancements of plant extract–mediated ZnONP composites for water treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous technological advancements have been developed to tackle the issue of wastewater remediation effectively. However, the practical application of these technologies on a large scale has faced several challenges that have hindered their progress. These challenges include low selectivity, high energy requirements, and significant expenses. Nanoscale materials have demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in removing a wide range of contaminants. Nanoscale zero-valent iron (NZVI) exhibits a range of distinctive physical and chemical properties that have proven to be highly effective in various environmental remediation applications. These include its impressive surface area, remarkable reactivity, and its capacity to create stable colloidal suspensions. The paper explores the synthetic techniques for NZVI with special emphasis on green synthesis and the use of capping or support agents for maintaining stability and enhancing the reactivity of NZVI. The various structural and reactivity aspects of NZVI have been highlighted for its potential application in wastewater treatment sequestrating various categories of inorganic and organic contaminants. The discussion also delves into the limitations of NZVI, highlighting its dependence on water as a medium for contact reaction or electron transfer through the action mechanism of NZVI in adsorptive and photocatalytic sequestration of contaminants. The beneficial potential of NZVI-based composite systems in the field of environmental remediation has also been included which aids in the application of NZVI in environmental remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The progress of industrial and agricultural pursuits, along with the release of inadequately treated effluents especially phenolic pollutant, has amplified the pollution load on environment. These organic compounds pose considerable challenges in both drinking water and wastewater systems, given their toxicity, demanding high oxygen and limited biodegradability. Thus, developing an eco-friendly, low-cost and highly efficient adsorbent to treat the organic pollutants has become an important task. The present investigation highlights development of a novel adsorbent (CFPAC) by activation of Cassia fistula pod shell for the purpose of removing phenol and 2,4-dichlorophnenol (2,4-DCP). The significant operational factors (dosage, pH, concentration, temperature, speed) were also investigated. The factors such as pH = 2 and T = 20°C were found to be significant at 1.6 g/L and 0.6 g/L dosage for phenol and 2,4-DCP respectively. Batch experiments were further conducted to study isotherms, kinetic and thermodynamics studies for the removal of phenol and 2,4-DCP. The activated carbon was characterised as mesoporous (specific surface area 1146 m2/g, pore volume = 0.8628 cc/g), amorphous and pHPZC = 6.4. At optimum conditions, the maximum sorption capacity for phenol and 2,4-DCP were 183.79 mg/g and 374.4 mg/g respectively. The adsorption isotherm was better conformed to Redlich Peterson isotherm (phenol) and Langmuir isotherm (2,4-DCP). The kinetic study obeyed pseudo-second-order type behaviour for both the pollutants with R2 > 0.999. The thermodynamic studies and the value of isosteric heat of adsorption for both the pollutants suggested that the adsorption reaction was dominated by physical adsorption (ΔHx < 80 kJ/mol). Further, the whole process was feasible, exothermic and spontaneous in nature. The overall studies suggested that the activated carbon synthesised from Cassia fistula pods can be a promising adsorbent for phenolic compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the face of mounting environmental concerns, we must seek out innovative solutions for remediation. Using nanomaterials to degrade organic pollutants in water under ambient visible light holds great promise as a safe, cost-efficient, and effective approach to addressing pollution in our water bodies. The development of novel materials capable of such pollution degradation is desired to preserve the environment. In this study, Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 (BNT) nanoparticles are synthesized through hydrothermal and solid-state routes, and their physicochemical properties are compared to assess their photocatalytic performance. The results of the characterization studies indicate that the hydrothermally synthesized nanoparticles outperformed the solid-state synthesized counterparts in terms of photocatalytic performance. The photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine blue dye under ambient light exposure is examined at various dye concentrations and catalyst dosages. BNT nanoparticles demonstrated excellent photocatalytic properties, stability, and recyclability, making them a promising candidate for various photocatalytic applications. The findings of this study could pave the way for the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly photocatalytic technologies for water remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methylene blue (MB) is hazardous in natural water because this dye causes serious diseases that endangers public health and ecosystems. Photocatalytic degradation is a prominent technique for achieving the effective elimination of dye pollutants from wastewater and contribute vitally to ecology and environmental safety. Herein, Cu2+-substituted ZnFe2O4 nanomaterials (CuxZn1-xFe2O4; x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.6) were synthesized, characterized, and applied for the photocatalytic degradation of MB dye beneath visible light with the assistance of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The feature of the photo-catalysts was determined by XRD, EDX, FTIR, DRS, BET, SEM, and TEM techniques. Incorporation of Cu2+ ions changed the crystalline phase, particle size, morphology, and surface area. The photocatalysis condition was optimized with the following major factors, the amout of doping Cu2+ ions, H2O2 concentration, adsorbent dosage, and MB concentration. As a result, the photocatalytic MB degradation efficiency by Cu0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4 catalyst was 99.83% within 90 min under LED light (λ ≥ 420 nm), which was around 4 folds higher than that of pure ZnFe2O4. The photo-Fenton kinetics were in accordance with the pseudo-first-order kinetic model (R2 = 0.981), giving the highes rate constant of 0.034 min−1. It can be, therefore, concluded that Cu2+ substitution considerably boosted the photocatalytic activity of CuxZn1-xFe2O4 ZnFe2O4, suggesting a bright prospect of Cu0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4 as a photo-catalyst in the dyes wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy consumption and management have emerged as crucial production functions because of the high cost of energy. Since the total consumption of fossil fuels like diesel has increased proportionally to the expansion in demand for power generation, industry, and transportation services, researchers have long been interested in constructing a more energy-efficient engine. With its improved efficiency, reduced fuel consumption, and fewer emissions, the application of nano-coating technology to engine components has become more popular in recent years. This study involved the application of a thermal barrier coating (TBC) using zirconia on the test engine piston. The aim of this research is to examine the impact of aluminium oxide nano-additives in rapeseed biodiesel blends on the performance of a diesel engine with a thermal barrier–coated piston. The four test fuels were prepared using 20% and 40% blends of rapeseed biodiesel with and without the addition of aluminium oxide at 25 ppm and 50 ppm. The full factorial design methodology was employed to examine the influential factors, specifically the rapeseed blend ratio and aluminium oxide concentration, in order to enhance performance and reduce emissions. The blends of RSB20AO25 and RSB20AO50 showed significant results on energy consumption and emissions. The RSB20AO50 blend performed with a 5.4% increase in brake thermal efficiency and a 6.5% reduction in fuel consumption compared with standard diesel. Similarly, blends of RSB20AO25 and RSB20AO50 show 6% and 11% reductions in carbon monoxide and 5.2% and 9.5% reductions in hydrocarbon emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic pollution is of critical environmental concern, thus biodegradable plastics (BPs) have emerged as a potential solution to limit plastic waste accumulation. However, the fate of BPs in the environment, particularly their degradation and the subsequent generation of biodegradable microplastic (BMP) particles, remains poorly understood. This review aims to provide comprehensive insights into the biodegradation process of BPs and their impacts on soil and freshwater environments. Microorganisms play a pivotal role in this process by dismantling polymer chains into smaller particles. Factors influencing biodegradation rates include polymer composition, environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, ultraviolet radiation (UV), and pH), and the presence of chemical additives. However, incomplete degradation can result in BMPs, potentially perpetuating their presence in the environment and posing risks to ecosystems and organisms. This review consolidates understanding the mechanisms governing biodegradation and BMP formation, which is imperative for evaluating their environmental consequences and devising effective strategies for managing plastic waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical oxygen demand-COD is essential for water pollution control and monitoring and is also used to validate wastewater treatment technologies. Conventional COD determination use of costly toxic inputs that do not align with Sustainable Development Goals 6. To address these environmental challenges, photocatalytic (PC)- and photoelectrocatalytic (PEC)-COD sensors have emerged as a solution. This comprehensive review examines PC-COD and PEC-COD sensors in terms of nanomaterials used and their properties, focusing on how multiple variables influence PC activity and sensor performance. Analytical principles and operational variables affecting performance in COD determination are discussed. Finally, a series of materials and conditions are proposed to improve the viability of PEC-COD sensors currently and in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biofilms pose significant challenges due to their role in biological contamination and water quality damage. This review explores physical/chemical strategies for controlling biofilms, emphasizing the potential of nanomaterials to enhance antibiofilm performance. Popular characterization methods in biofilm studies are summarized in two aspects, bactericidal monitoring, and anti-adhesion monitoring, which serve as a toolbox for future studies. The insights provided are crucial for advancing biofilm management in various fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sewage treatment plants are considered as important pathways for the transfer of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the environment. In conventional wastewater treatment, some of these compounds accumulate in sewage sludge via sorption onto suspended solids posing a potential environmental threat during sludge disposal and reuse. This review paper summarizes data for the occurrence of 182 PFAS from different classes in sludge matrices. Most of these monitoring data originate from Europe, Asia and North America, while limited data are available from Africa and South America. The most commonly studied classes of PFAS are perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids, perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids, and perfluoroalkyl sulfonamides, while few results are available for the occurrence of new generation PFAS such as GenX. The range of the observed concentrations varies between 0.01 ng/g d.w. for perfluorobutane sulfonic acid to some μg/g, depending on the compound, with the highest concentrations found for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (8.2 μg/g d.w.). Limited information exists for the fate and removal of these substances in full-scale anaerobic digesters while recent articles indicate that some PFAS can be biotransformed under strictly anaerobic conditions. The exact mechanism remains unclear; additional data are needed to identify transformation products, apply mass balances, and understand the role of specific microorganisms. As regards novel thermal processes, encouraging results were recently published for the destruction of specific PFAS in hydrothermal liquefaction and carbonization, ranging between 55 and 100%, depending on the compound and the experimental conditions applied. Future studies should expand the list of studied compounds and focus on the mechanisms of their removal. PFAS are transferred to agricultural lands during sewage sludge reuse and their concentrations in soil are related to the applied biosolids' loading rates. The parameters that affect leaching and desorption of PFAS from sludge, their plant uptake and possible threats for the environment and human health from the use of sewage sludge as soil amendment should be examined in long-term studies. ZeroPM project aims to address some of the literature gaps regarding the behavior of PFAS during sludge treatment focusing to the modification of anaerobic digestion and to the use of hydrothermal carbonization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic xenobiotic substances are emitted into the environment from a number of preparations used in industry and households. Some are relatively persistent and difficult to biodegrade, so they pass relatively easily through wastewater treatment plants into the surface waters and contaminate drinking water sources. The goal of this study is to develop an innovative technological material that will effectively eliminate organic xenobiotics in water. The principle of our method is to combine carbon-based sorbent (biochar and Hydraffin) with a semiconductor layer (TiO2 or ZnO) to synthesize a photoreactive nanocomposite material which, in conjunction with UV/VIS exposure, can efficiently and safely degrade captured organic xenobiotics (benzotriazole, BTR in this study) in water through the processes of sorption and photocatalytic degradation. This nanocomposite should act as more effective alternative to the widely discussed composite biochar-TiO2. Specifically, the composite coated with ZnO provided the highest degradation efficiency of the photochemical process and it also had the highest sorption capacity for BTR because of the interactions with Zn. In this study, nevertheless, both types of composites are tested and compared their efficiency during removal of selected micropollutant representatives from waters. Highlights: Photoreactive nano- carbon-composites effectively eliminate BTR in water. BTR removal via sorption and consequent photocatalytic degradation. Hydraffin coated with ZnO provided the highest removal efficiency of BTR. •ZnO composite acts as a more effective alternative to the widely discussed TiO2 composite [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water quality is a significant determinant of ecosystem health and human well-being particularly in cities undergoing rapid industrialization and population growth. This review highlights data from studies conducted between 2004 and 2024 to assess the water quality of surface and groundwater sources in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The results indicate severe microbial contamination with high levels of total coliform, fecal coliform, and E. coli in both cities, with a potential risk of waterborne diseases. Heavy metal contamination exists, especially As and Pb, which is significantly higher in Rawalpindi due to the industries. Physicochemical parameters, such as turbidity and residual microbial contamination remain in treated water, implying inefficiency in the water treatment process. The contamination also shows seasonal fluctuation, increasing during monsoon due to sewage overflows and agricultural runoff. Both cities also have conventional water treatment infrastructure that causes widespread contamination in the distribution system. Public health impact is prevalent, and outbreaks of diseases from waterborne diseases including Hepatitis E reported both in urban and peri-urban areas quite frequently. A gap is critical in applying the Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) and other emerging technologies for degrading persistent contaminants, most notably heavy metals and microbial pollutants in the AOPs. This review focuses on the urgency of upgrading infrastructure, strengthening the implementation of water quality standards, and using more advanced treatment technologies and offers recommendations to policymakers and stakeholders and technology solutions for tackling critical challenges in water quality management, and emphasizes the importance of continuous monitoring and the enforcement of regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored how dam operation and rainfall patterns interact to influence flooding in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. This study utilizes Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data to analyze the flood events from 2018 to 2022, focusing on key locations such as Obiafu (downstream), Kainji/Jebba, and Lagdo dams (upstream). Analyzed Sentinel-1 satellite data [European Space Agency (ESA), 2018–2022], shuttle Radar Topography Mission, alongside rainfall data [Center for Hydrometeorology and Remote Sensing (CHRS), 2018–2022] and surface water level to assess flood variations between 2018 and 2022. The flood extent was differentiated from that of permanent water bodies using Sentinel-1 images with an RGB band (Snap 7.0), and the rainfall patterns were examined via inverse distance weighting (IDW) interpolation (ArcGIS 10.5). The findings reveal that the intensity and timing of flooding vary significantly across these regions. Obiafu experienced high flooding in October 2020 and 2022, while Kainji/Jebba and Lagdo dams had contrasting flood severities during these periods. Additionally, a comparative analysis of hydrograph data from these locations shows a delayed downstream response, highlighting the need for coordinated water release strategies to mitigate flood risks. The results also indicate that upstream dam operations, particularly water releases, contribute to downstream flooding, although local rainfall patterns remain a crucial factor. By aligning SAR data with real-time water levels, this study emphasizes the importance of integrating satellite-based monitoring with hydrological models to improve flood prediction accuracy and minimize socio-economic impacts in the Niger Delta. The study concludes that enhanced flood management strategies, incorporating both rainfall forecasting and dam operation schedules, are critical for reducing flood-related vulnerabilities in the region. Highlights: Sentinel-1 SAR effectively mapped flooding, with peak levels in October 2022 in the Niger Delta. September and October floods link rainfall peaks and dam releases, heightening flood risks. Coordinated dam water release could reduce downstream flood severity in low-lying areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates toxic algal blooms (TABs) and their management as an example of a complex emerging contaminant (EC) problem through the lens of interconnected social, technical, ecological systems (SETS). We use mixed methods including analysis of a national survey of public drinking water systems and interviews with drinking water managers and state regulators. For the first time, we extend SETS to the drinking water context to advance a holistic understanding of the complexity of TABs as a problem for drinking water systems and identify specific intervention points to ease TABs management difficulty. We find that management challenges arise at the intersection of SET domains, and often coincide with circumstances where water managers and existing technologies are pushed outside of their traditional operating spheres or when new technologies are introduced creating cascading SET challenges. ECs that do not behave like traditional contaminants and pollutants require adapting social and technical systems to be responsive to these differences. Understanding how management difficulties arise within SET domains and their intersections will help drinking water managers and state regulators mitigate management difficulties in the future. These findings have implications for understanding and mitigating other EC management challenges as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distributed energy resources (DERs) would play a crucial role in the transition towards decentralized and decarbonized energy systems. However, due to the limited availability of long-term, high-resolution datasets, there has been little research on the descriptive analysis of distributed energy systems throughout the lifespan of distributed power generators and beyond. To address this challenge, this study has collected and described a twenty-year dataset (from 2002 to 2021) consisting of hourly energy generation and consumption profiles from a campus distributed energy system, covering the entire lifespan of on-site generators. The dataset includes supply-side data such as gas consumption from combined heating and power (CHP) units (fuel cell, gas engine), absorption chiller, gas boiler, solar photovoltaic generation, CHPs output, and grid electricity import. Additionally, real-life electricity, hot water, space heating, and cooling energy load profiles from individual buildings within the campus were also collected. This long-term dataset can be utilized in various scenarios, providing researchers and policymakers with comprehensive insights into the energy efficiency of distributed energy systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lake Taihu has a history of recurrent harmful cyanobacterial blooms. There is a need to better understand the aquatic ecosystem of Lake Taihu in order to improve methods for controlling the cyanobacterial blooms. Based on the field measurement and satellite remote sensing, we produced and collected a time-series dataset, including the water quality, bio-optics, climate, and anthropogenic data of Lake Taihu (THQBCA), which could provide comprehensive information regarding cyanobacterial blooms. The THQBCA dataset contains 26 variables organized into four categories: water quality, bio-optics, climate, and anthropogenic data. The water quality and climate data are field measured data with sampling frequency from daily to quarterly, and bio-optics and anthropogenic data are satellite-derived annual data. The dataset spans more than 15 years (8 of which cover approximately 35 years, 4 of which cover 20 years), and the spatial resolutions of the satellite-derived data range from 30 m to 500 m. This dataset is expected to advance research on evaluating and predicting cyanobacterial blooms, and support science-based management decisions for sustainable ecological development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Density-driven steric seawater changes are a leading-order contributor to global mean sea level rise. However, intermodel differences in the magnitude and spatial patterns of steric sea level rise exist at regional scales and often emerge during the spinup and preindustrial control integrations of climate models. Steric sea level results from an eddy-permitting climate model, GFDL CM4, are compared with a lower-resolution counterpart, GFDL-ESM4. The results from both models are examined through basin-scale heat budgets and watermass analysis, and we compare the patterns of ocean heat uptake, redistribution, and sea level differ in ocean-only [i.e., Ocean Model Intercomparison Project (OMIP)] and coupled climate configurations. After correcting for model drift, both GFDL CM4 and GFDL-ESM4 simulate nearly equivalent ocean heat content change and global sea level rise during the historical period. However, the GFDL CM4 model exhibits as much as a 40% increase in surface ocean heat uptake in the Southern Ocean and subsequent increases in horizontal export to other ocean basins after bias correction. The results suggest regional differences in the processes governing Southern Ocean heat export, such as the formation of Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW), Subpolar Mode Water (SPMW), and gyre transport between the two models, and that sea level changes in these models cannot be fully bias-corrected. Since the process-level differences between the two models are evident in the preindustrial control simulations of both models, these results suggest that the control simulations are important for identifying and correcting sea level–related model biases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automated systems, regulated by algorithmic protocols and predefined set-points for feedback control, require the oversight and fine tuning of skilled technicians. This necessity is particularly pronounced in automated greenhouses, where optimal environmental conditions depend on the specialized knowledge of dedicated technicians, emphasizing the need for expert involvement during installation and maintenance. To address these challenges, this study proposes the integration of data acquisition technologies using Internet of Things (IoT) protocols and optimization services via reinforcement learning (RL) methodologies. The proposed model was tested in an industrial production greenhouse for the cultivation of industrial hemp, applying adapted strategies to the crop, and was guided by an agronomic technician knowledgeable about the plant. The expertise of this technician was crucial in transferring the RL model to a real-world automated greenhouse equipped with IoT technology. The study concludes that the integration of IoT and RL technologies is effective, validating the model's ability to manage and optimize greenhouse operations efficiently and adapt to different types of crops. Moreover, this integration not only enhances operational efficiency but also reduces the need for constant human intervention, thereby minimizing labor costs and increasing scalability for larger agricultural enterprises. Furthermore, the RL-based control has demonstrated its ability to maintain selected temperatures and achieve energy savings compared to classical control methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fossil fuel depletion and its emissions lead to finding an alternative source to fulfill the world's energy needs. Alternative fuels in particular biodiesel are the fusible alternative due to their availability and cost. The main drawback of biodiesel is its higher viscosity which can be effectively reduced by the transesterification process. The key objective of this research is to find biodiesel with higher performance, stable combustion, and lower emission characteristics. By keeping the above aim in consideration, this investigation has three phases as mentioned below. The first phase deals with finding the best waste cooking oil (WCO) blend in proportions tested. The second phase is used to find the best dosage level of titanium dioxide nanoparticle inclusion in biodiesel to improve combustion characteristics. For the intention to reduce oxides of nitrogen emission, the third phase comprises using exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) in nominal percentages. As a result, W20 (20% waste cooking oil and 80% diesel in volume) has a comparative brake thermal efficiency (BTE) of 26.9% with diesel and other blends in the first phase. In the second phase, the BTE is further increased by a maximum extent of 32.34% by the addition of 150 ppm of titanium dioxide nanoparticle, but it had the drawback of higher emission of (oxides of nitrogen) NOx around 13.44 g kWh–1. The third phase is aimed to minimize the emission of NOx by the inclusion of EGR which pulls down NOx by about a maximum of 25.3% for the W20 with 150 ppm of TiO2 with 15% of EGR (W20T150EGR15%) blend, but it dips down the performance characteristics slightly. Overall, it can be concluded that W20 with 150 ppm of TiO2 with 5% of EGR (W20T150EGR5%) has comparatively better performance and combustion with reduced NOx emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reduce energy consumption, a model was developed to optimize a multi-generation system. The system integrates multi-effect distillation through thermal vapor compression (MED-TVC), solar flat plate collectors (FPCs), and photovoltaic panels (PVs). The objective function was to minimize the annual cost of the system. To achieve this, an evolutionary algorithm was employed to determine the optimal values of 34 design parameters. The design parameters considered for optimization included the capacity of the gas turbine as the prime mover, electrical chiller capacity, absorption chiller capacity, size of the boiler, partial loads of the gas turbine for each month of the year (12 values in total), number of FPCs and PVs, number of effects in the desalination unit, driving steam pressure, feed water flow rate, driving steam flow rate, and electric cooling ratio. A novel approach was introduced by incorporating a variable electrical cooling ratio, which represents the proportion of electrical and absorption chiller usage, for each month of the year. The optimization aimed to fulfill the heating, cooling, electricity, and freshwater requirements of a residential complex situated in Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan Province, Iran. The optimization results were compared with a constant electrical cooling ratio system where the electrical cooling ratio was assumed to be fixed throughout the year. The optimal scenario, considering the variable electrical cooling ratio strategy, yielded an annual cost of $0.9780 × 106 $/year, indicating a significant 10.11% improvement compared to the conventional case ($1.0882 × 106 $/year). These findings underscore the potential advantages of the proposed strategy in terms of cost savings and system performance optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research explores the relationship between aquifer vulnerability, water quality and agricultural and mining activities carried out in a southern portion of the Central Valleys of Oaxaca. This site is located on a shallow aquifer with an average thickness of 30 – 40 m, composed mainly of gravel, sand, clay and silt. These materials constitute the alluvial fill that is considered the main hydrogeological unit, which overlies the metamorphic basement of the Oaxacan complex, which acts as a lower limit restricting the flow of water towards deep infiltration. The study applies a comprehensive methodology, which combines several approaches: the thematic weighting of layers through the DRASTIC method, the analysis of physical–chemical parameters of 145 water samples to determine quality and contamination indices, the interpretation of geological-geophysical data obtained from 11 Transient Electromagnetic Surveys (TEM) that allowed the identification of isoresistive units associated with the geology of the area, these data were complemented with geological field work. The results show that the area dedicated to agriculture has a medium to high vulnerability, with water quality varying from slightly contaminated to highly contaminated, which translates into a moderate to high level of contamination. According to the geological-geophysical interpretation, this area is located in U2b, which presents resistivities that range between 200 and 300 Ohm.m related to alluvial deposits and conglomerates. In the mining activity area, a medium vulnerability was identified, with water quality indices varying from very contaminated to contaminated and contamination levels from moderate to high. The isoresistive unit at this site corresponds to U3, with values greater than 350 Ohm.m, associated with andesitic rocks. At the recharge sites, a low vulnerability was determined, with acceptable water quality indices and low levels of contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundwater is a vital source of freshwater, but its quality is often compromised by various physiochemical factors. In the Mid-Gangetic Plains, there is a concerning escalation in the degradation of groundwater quality due to anthropogenic interventions. However, there remains a paucity of comprehensive knowledge concerning groundwater quality and the associated health hazards it poses. In response to this gap, the current study focuses on Nalanda district (Bihar), where 78 groundwater samples were collected across district in the month of May 2022 and their various water quality parameters were quantified as per standard methods. The adequacy of groundwater for human use was assessed using an entropy-based water quality index (EWQI), which also evaluated the potential human health risk stemming from nitrate and fluoride contamination. Furthermore, an empirical Bayesian kriging (EBK) driven geostatistical approach was utilized to predict water quality parameters at ungauged sites. The analysis of results disclosed that the ionic dominance in groundwater followed the sequence as cations Ca2+ > Mg2+, and anions HCO3− > SO42− > Cl− > NO3− > F− > PO43−. The concentration of NO3− and F− exceeded the permissible BIS levels by 11.5% and 6.5% of the samples respectively. The analysis of EBK models suggested K-Bessel as the best-fit model for pH, Mg2+, TH, F−, NO3−, and SO42− spatial interpolation while exponential EBK model for EC, Cl−, and PO43− and whittle EBK model for TDS, Ca2+, and HCO3− spatial interpolation. Spearman's correlation analysis revealed that elevated TDS and EC levels, coupled with correlations between NO3−, SO42−, and Cl−, suggest anthropogenic influences. The EWQI of the groundwater samples ranged from 36.28 to 180.80. The analysis of EWQI values revealed predominantly fair to good groundwater quality across the study area, suitable for drinking purposes. The hazard quotients for NO3− and F− indicate that non-carcinogenic health risks are more significant with nitrate pollution. The combined health impact was assessed using total hazard index (HI), ranging from 0.20 to 3.29 for children, 0.19 to 3.05 for males, and 0.17 to 2.70 for females. The cumulative probability distribution revealed total hazard index (HI) > 1 in 41.56%, 34.62%, and 28.21% of samples for children, males, and females. The HI analysis indicated a substantially higher risk for children compared to adults within the study area. This study offers a novel combination of entropy-based water quality assessment and geostatistical EBK modeling to evaluate groundwater quality and health risks in ungauged areas. The findings provide valuable insights for improved groundwater management and health risk mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Norfloxacin (NOR) is frequently detected in various water bodies and has the potential to promote the proliferation of NOR-resistant bacteria/genes in the environment. Efficiently removing residual NOR and NOR-resistant bacteria from contaminated water is critical to mitigating their environmental risks. This study investigated the ability of two common clay minerals, kaolinite and montmorillonite, to remove NOR and NOR-resistant bacteria from five different water environments (ultrapure water, simulated and real freshwater, and simulated and real seawater) and explored the underlying removal mechanisms. The results showed that both clays adsorbed NOR according to a pseudo-first-order kinetic model. In simulated and actual freshwater and seawater, the adsorption of NOR by kaolinite was 0.199, 0.120, 0.094, and 0.010 mg g−1, while montmorillonite adsorbed NOR at significantly higher levels, with values of 2.880, 2.208, 0.433, and 0.067 mg g−1, respectively. The primary mechanisms of adsorption included electrostatic interactions, cation exchange, and cation bonding and bridging. In addition to NOR sorption, culture tests revealed that montmorillonite exhibited significant antibacterial activity against NOR-resistant bacteria, achieving an inhibition ratio of 83.84 ± 4.01% when the initial concentrations of bacteria and montmorillonite were 1.68 ± 1.00 × 105 CFU·mL−1 and 40 mg mL−1, respectively. Remarkably, montmorillonite maintained its high sorption capacity and antibacterial activity even after multiple reuse cycles. These findings highlight the promising application potential of montmorillonite, particularly in terms of its storage and long-distance distribution capabilities, making it an effective material for removing both NOR and NOR-resistant bacteria from the environment. However, it is important to note that under estuarine conditions, clay-bound NOR could be released if water quality changes. Therefore, we conclude that strategies to degrade and remove antibiotics adsorbed onto clay minerals should be developed to prevent the release of antibiotics when clay particles enter the ocean, thus avoiding further environmental contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste-centred-bioenergy generation have been garnering interest over the years due to environmental impact presented by fossil fuels. Waste generation is an unavoidable consequence of urbanization and population growth. Sustainable waste management techniques that are long term and environmentally benign are required to achieve sustainable development. Energy recovery from waste biomass via dark fermentative hydrogen production is a sustainable approach to waste management. Vegetable waste is generated in plenty over the food supply chain and being a rich source of carbon and other nutrients it has been studied for production of biohydrogen. This review aims to offer a comprehensive overview on the potential of vegetable waste as a feedstock for dark fermentative biohydrogen production. The hydrogen output from dark fermentative process is lower and additional strategies are required to improve the production. This review addresses the challenges generally encountered during dark fermentative hydrogen production using vegetable waste and the importance of methods such as bioaugmentation and application of extremophiles for process enhancement. The role of machine learning in the field of biohydrogen production is briefly discussed. The application of dark fermentative effluents for secondary valuable product generation and its contribution to the biohydrogen biorefinery is discussed as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollutant emissions from the agricultural sector are among the most critical issues affecting human health and the environment. This sector releases a complex mixture of biological, microbial, and inorganic contaminants into the air from land preparation, crop production, fertilization, harvesting, biomass burning, machinery use, livestock production, manure management, waste management, and deforestation. This article aims to identify the evolution and global research trends related to air contaminant emissions, specifically from the agricultural sector. This study systematically analyzed the knowledge map derived from 4016 scientific publications from 1990 to 2023. From an evolutionary perspective, the bibliometric and networking analysis revealed a consistent increase in scientific publications over the past 34 years, with the contribution of 117 countries, more than 1600 authors, and 1300 journals. Additionally, it sheds light on the most studied pollutants, measurement techniques, and modeling employed to comprehend and mitigate the impact of these pollutants on yield, human health, biodiversity, and climate change. Furthermore, the research facilitates the identification of emerging air pollutants considering agricultural activities such as crop production, waste crop management, livestock production, manure management, deforestation, and land change use. These findings underscore the evolution of the research, identifying the main topics of interest, the emerging topics, and the future of research on air pollutant emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intergrading traditional hydrophilic coating with tailored functionalities is critical to enhance its antifouling capabilities. However, designing robust functional antifouling coatings with well‐regulated structures to boost its antifouling performance remains a significant challenge. By mimicking the unique structure of shark skin with super‐hydrophilic “denticle layer” and low‐surface‐energy “mucus layer”, for the first time, a facile strategy is presented to hierarchically engineer a triple‐defensive antifouling coating, which consists of a hydrophilic mineralized catalytic nanoparticle (NP) layer, overlaid with hydrophobic perfluoro‐silane domains (F@NPs), synergistically optimizing its fouling resistance, fouling release, and fouling degradation properties. Force measurements and dynamic simulations demonstrate that molecular‐scale incorporation of perfluoroalkyl chains on coating surface significantly reduces foulant adhesion while preserving hydrophilicity, thereby effectively preventing over 98% of oil contamination, protein adsorption, and bio‐fluid fouling. Its antifouling properties are further enhanced by the unique catalytic self‐cleaning ability, enabling rapid degradation of adsorbed organic compounds and bacteria contact killing. Moreover, F@NPs‐coated membrane achieves a water flux over 4200 L m−2 h−1 bar−1 with flux recovery ratio exceeding 95% for separation of oil‐in‐water emulsions containing bio‐foulants. This study presents an innovative strategy for fabricating robust functional coating with superior antifouling performance for environmental engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vinasse poses considerable environmental problems due to its complex composition of organic matter, minerals, and toxic compounds. If discharged into the environment without treatment, it can cause adverse impacts on ecosystems. This research investigated the effectiveness of an integrated treatment system involving an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor and the modified Bardenpho process (MBP) for purifying synthetic vinasse. The study lasted for 167 days, during which the integrated UASB-MBP system processed untreated synthetic vinasse with organic loading rates (OLR) ranging from 1.6 to 12.5 kgCOD/m3 day. The UASB-MBP system impressively achieved a COD removal efficiency of 99.41%. Removal efficiencies of approximately 98.14, 99.91, and 99.63% were also achieved for total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and total ammonium (NH4+-N), respectively. The final discharge was 51.06 mg/L. The concentrations of NH4+-N and TN in the outflow of the settlement tank were 0.8–1.2 mg/L and 5.1–7.9 mg/L, respectively. Optimal performance was achieved when the HRT and nitrate recycle ratio were 15.5 h and 200%, respectively. The temperature was kept in the mesophilic range (33–35 °C) during the experiments. These results underscores the potential of the integrated UASB reactor and modified Bardenpho process to provide an effective and eco-friendly approach for concurrent removal of COD and nutrients from vinasse treatment, offering broad prospects for implementation in wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemicals enable the development of new technologies while also raising living standards and quality of life. Although chemicals are used in many aspects of daily life, such as the advance of innovative technologies and the improvement of living values, many of them are discharged into the aqueous environment which may lead to negative environmental health effects such as endocrine disorders, reduced reproductive rates, reduced life expectancy and insomnia. In this study, a high performance liquid chromatography connected to hybrid triple quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer was used for qualitative non-target screening of emerging contaminants in water sources. The analytes were detected in five rivers, five dams, three wastewater treatment works and two drinking water treatment plants. The qualitative screening of emerging contaminants in these urban and natural water sources revealed 32 analytes under pharmaceutical and pesticide groups. From these groups, stimulants and herbicides were the most dominant. Among the analytes found in urban and natural waters of Mangaung District, three stimulants (ephedrine, nicotine, and metformin) and two herbicides (terbuthylazine, and sebuthylazine) were mostly detected. High number of these analytes (diphenhydramine, orphenadrine, cyclicine, paracetamol, sulfamethoxazol, metformin, bezafibrate, lamivudine, THC-COOH, methamphetamine, nicotine, ephedrine, theophylline, hordenine, sebuthylazine, atrazine, simazine, terbuthylazine, metolachlor, carbendazim, diazinon, and simazine) was observed in river samples and least in treated drinking water. Most notable was the detection of terbuthylazine in all samples collected in dams, effluent and treated drinking water. The ubiquitous presence of terbuthylazine in water sources may possibly lead to some environmental health risks. The findings of this study may be used for target analysis of these chemicals in future monitoring and risk assessment studies in the Free State region, where emerging contaminants research is limited. Furthermore, it may assist water managers and policymakers in assessing water quality and managing pollution more effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MPs), degraded from plastic wastes, have drawn significant attention worldwide due to its prevalence and rapid transition. Contamination of freshwater with MPs has become an emerging global issue. Heavy metals (HMs), a prominent global pollutant, also garnered much attention due to their potential interaction with MPs, presenting a multifaceted environmental threat. The primary source of HM contamination in freshwater has been identified as mining sites. Additionally, the increasing use of plastic materials within mining areas raises concerns about MP release into the surrounding freshwater environments. Recent studies only provide information on the contamination of HMs status with MPs. However, studies on the mechanism responsible for MPs contamination from both external and internal sources of freshwater MPs and HMs are limited. The knowledge gaps in the deposition and fate of MPs in various mining situations and the possibility of combined impacts of heavy metals and MPs in the ecosystem raise ecological concerns. Here, we review the origins of MPs and HM pollution within mining sites and explore the potential combined detrimental impacts on plants and animal life. We found out that polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene (PE) have higher adsorption affinity to heavy metals, and the mingle toxic consequence of the MPs and HM can depend on the MP surface properties, pH, and salinity of the neighboring water solution. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models enable the efficient design of adsorption systems. The Langmuir model describes single-layer adsorption at homogeneous sites, while the Freundlich model addresses multilayer adsorption on heterogeneous surfaces. The crucial mechanism of adsorption and desorption that underlies the occurrence of both MPs and heavy metals is a decisive matter in this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wet flue gas desulfurization (WFGD) procedure results in wastewater containing a complex mixture of pollutants, including heavy metals and organic compounds, which are hardly degradable and pose significant environmental challenges. Addressing this issue, the proposed approach, incorporating waste iron shavings as a heterocatalyst within a modified Fenton process, represents a sustainable and effective solution for contaminants degrading in WFGD wastewater. Furthermore, this study aligns with the Best Available Techniques (BAT) regulations by meeting the requirement for compound oxidation—replacing the chlorine utilization with the generation of highly reactive radicals—and coagulation, which completes the treatment process. This method introduces an innovative use of waste-derived iron shavings in a BAT-compliant technology, providing a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to conventional treatments. The study focuses on process kinetics and optimization parameters, achieving approximately 48% total organic carbon (TOC) removal in 90 min at an optimal pH 3, using 1998 mgL−1 H2O2 under UV light. Analysis of variance revealed that the process efficiency depended more significantly on pH than time duration or the H2O2 dose. Catalyst's characterization, including the use of microscopic techniques, including electron microscopy, laser diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy, and UV spectroscopy, indicates its stability and great reusability with consistent TOC decrease across three process cycles. This research demonstrates a cost-effective, environmentally friendly approach to wastewater treatment, advancing sustainable methodologies through the repurposing of waste materials and underscoring the catalyst's reuse potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of low-cost aqueous P removal methods is imperative for water resource protection. This study assessed the contribution of an iron oxide (FeOx) filter for P sorption paired with a denitrifying pine bark bioreactor, quantifying the effect of treatment order on P removal. FeOx filters were placed upstream (order 1) or downstream (order 2) of pine bark bioreactors receiving a continuous flow of simulated irrigation return flow after constructed floating wetland treatment. The FeOx filters removed 0.095 ± 0.01 g P·m−3·d−1 and 0.21 ± 0.01 g P·m−3·d−1 in the spring and fall, respectively. P concentration was reduced from 5.08 to 3.8 mg·L−1 and from 6.72 to 4.5 mg·L−1 in the spring and fall experiments, respectively. The FeOx substrate sorbed 1.49 ± 0.08 mg P·g FeOx−1 in spring and 3.18 ± 0.2 mg P·g FeOx−1 fall experiments. P sorption varied by season due to differences in the load presented to the FeOx filters. Reclaimed FeOx substrates were viable P removal filters, especially during cooler months when the nutrient uptake capacity of constructed floating wetland plants was limited. Overall, findings indicate that FeOx filters can be used as a substrate for P sorption in conjunction with constructed floating wetlands or other plant-based treatment technologies that can be limited by seasonality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A landfill biocover is essential for addressing environmental concerns, especially in waste management, as it plays a crucial role in mitigating the release of methane gas. This study investigates the geotechnical characteristics of soil amended with organic wastes for landfill biocover applications. Various organic waste amendments, viz., rice husk, crushed coconut coir, and compost, were examined at different percentages (0%, 25%, 50%, and 75%) compared with conventional landfill cover material, i.e. natural clay, as biocovers. Laboratory experiments analysed geotechnical characteristics, including organic content, Atterberg limit, compaction, consolidation, and desiccation cracking. The study revealed that organic waste amendment significantly impacted the geotechnical characteristics of landfill biocover, enhancing organic content and porosity and reducing permeability and desiccation susceptibility. Soils amended with organic content support methanotrophic bacteria growth and reduce methane emissions in landfills. The most promising biocovers were identified as 75CR (crushed coconut coir/wastewater sludge/clay in percentage ratio of 70:5:25), followed by 75CT (compost/wastewater sludge/clay in percentage ratio of 70:5:25), and 25RH (rice husk/wastewater sludge/clay in percentage ratio of 20:5:75). Biocovers offer sustainable landfill alternatives, underscoring the need to understand their geotechnical characteristics for successful installation in landfills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an archipelagic tropical developing country, Indonesia is characterized by vast expanses of rural and isolated areas. This review aims to discuss water pollution and sanitation's existing condition, health, and environmental impacts, alongside its management and challenges in Indonesia. The systematic review approach was utilized to ensure transparency and replicability, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria. Many water sources in Indonesia are contaminated by various pollutants such as heavy metals, microplastics, pesticides, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Moreover, the existing water and wastewater treatment plants cannot completely remove pollutants, including bacteria that cause waterborne diseases. The lack of proper sanitation facilities, including toilets and latrines, is not only reported in rural areas but also in peri-urban regions of Indonesia. This situation forces many to rely on unimproved water sources, such as river water, for their daily use and engage in open defecation, which may increase the risk of direct exposure to waterborne contaminants. Insufficient sanitation has been linked to significant public health issues in Indonesia, including maternal health complications, childhood stunting, and an increased incidence of waterborne diseases such as diarrhea. Based on the findings of this review, Indonesia still needs to improve its sanitation and water treatment facilities, as well as reduce pollution of the aquatic environment. This condition not only illustrates the condition of water and sanitation in Indonesia but can also be used as an illustration of how developing countries face various pollution and sanitation problems during the massive development and industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractEffective removal of hazardous heavy metals from wastewater has become a crucial concern for environmental scientists and engineers aiming to ensure a clean environment, protect aquatic life, and safeguarding human health worldwide. Continuous progress in this field has led to the development of various physicochemical advanced techniques for removing metal ions from wastewater and for reusing treated wastewater. However, these methods often face challenges related to scalability and sustainability. In recent years, significant advancements have been made, with numerous studies indicating that extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) produced by a wide range of microorganisms are a promising and eco-friendly strategy for heavy metal removal from wastewater. Due to their ease of use, high efficiency, and economic advantages, EPS has gained increasing attention as a green biosorbent for heavy metals. Despite this growing interest, few review articles comprehensively discuss the insights into heavy metal removal from aqueous streams using EPS. This review compiles information on microbial EPS from diverse habitats, focusing on biosorption mechanisms for heavy metal removal from contaminated environments. It also examines key factors influencing bio-adsorption, which are essential for achieving effective heavy metal removal from polluted wastewater. However, the reviewed literature reveals that most studies have primarily focused on the morphological and qualitative aspects of EPS production. Recent research emphasizes the potential of microbial formation of granules and the integration of EPS with plants as a promising approach for the efficient removal of metal contaminants. Furthermore, this review identifies key research gaps and practical issues while suggesting future prospects for utilizing EPS in heavy metal remediation. By harnessing the potential of EPS with appropriate interventions, researchers can develop sustainable solutions to reduce metal toxicity, thereby enhancing human health and environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrological restoration of wetlands has become a critical pressing issue in environmental preservation due to climate change. This study seeks to develop a novel methodology to identify which type of water resources available are the most appropriate for restoring a particular wetland, considering a holistic perspective based on the triple bottom line (TBL) assessment, which is a logical framework for identifying and integrating social, environmental, and economic factors into decision-making processes. The elicitation was addressed through a comprehensive holistic index using analytic hierarchy process for ranking TBL dimensions and drivers. This new hybrid technique was applied for elaborating sustainable rules of water allocation to restore the wetlands of the Tablas de Daimiel National Park, located in central Spain. The environmental dimension was analyzed using six drivers: the synergistic use of infrastructures, the water resources location, the wastewater reuse, the energy consumption, the landscape degradation, and the impact on water resources. The social dimension was evaluated measuring three drivers: community acceptance, political acceptance, and market acceptance. And finally, the economic dimension was assessed through the expropriation of land costs, the infrastructure costs, the maintenance costs, and opportunity costs associated. These drivers guarantee traceability and transparency in the elicitation process, becoming a novel allocation framework to support policy makers in wetland conservation. Applying the proposed methodology, Tagus-Segura interbasin water transfer is the best ranked option (83.13%), closely followed by pumping well areas (79.12 and 78.24%) and wastewater recycling plants (74.34 and 68.26%). The unique holistic index proposed is a transparent and traceable decision support tool to address water allocation in wetland restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recovery strategies for end-of-life (EoL) and end-of-use (EoU) products, such as reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling, present opportunities to enhance profitability and lower emissions while fostering new business prospects. However, significant uncertainties and stochasticity affect the quantity and quality of returned waste tires, costs associated with used tires and the retreading process, and the selling prices driven by second-hand market dynamics. This paper investigates the economic and environmental performance of a closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) for waste tire retreading and recycling considering the impact of these uncertainties using a Monte Carlo simulation-based methodology. The proposed methodology is implemented on an industrial case study in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for quantifying the impact of uncertainties involved in the CLSC for tire retreading and recycling large tires of the 12R24 type, which are extensively used by buses and trucks in the UAE. The findings reveal that for an average of 13,200 tires reaching their EoL, the processes of retreading and recycling yield an average profit of $ 487 K. Furthermore, these initiatives are expected to result in the reduction of an average of 1457 tons of CO2 emissions. A scenario analysis is conducted to evaluate the impact of improvements in key operational parameters on the CLSC performance. Consequently, all stakeholders engaged in tire retreading would benefit by reducing costs, generating higher profits, and reducing emissions while creating new business opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single- and bimetallic carbon xerogels were prepared by incorporating iron and iron-cobalt precursors during their synthesis, respectively, and tested in the catalytic wet peroxide oxidation (CWPO) of ibuprofen spiked into a simulated matrix in batch mode. The bimetallic catalyst outperformed single and non-metallic catalyst by 25 and 85% after 360 min of reaction, at mild temperature (30 °C). The best-performing catalyst was further used to treat hospital wastewater in a CWPO system operating in full continuous mode. Process optimization was carried out considering different catalyst loads, temperatures, and pH. The results obtained showed that the best conditions are initial pH 3, T = 80 °C, and a catalyst load of 35.4 mg cm−3. Having maintained values of chemical oxygen demand (COD) removals as high as 80% after 24 h of continuous operation, the results herein reported revealed the high potential of the bimetallic carbon xerogel for CWPO of hospital wastewater beyond conventional applications in batch mode. Despite some catalytic deactivation, the bimetallic carbon xerogel still delivered a mineralization degree as high as 55% of the initial total organic carbon (TOC) content of the hospital wastewater in the third 24-h cycle of CWPO in continuous mode of operation with successive catalyst reuse, as opposed to a 73% TOC removal in the first cycle. Therefore, our results open prospects for the implementation of CWPO for hospital wastewater treatment in continuous mode of operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widely used dyes, Basic fuchsin (BF) and Bismarck brown Y (BBY), pose significant risks to water resources and human health, necessitating efficient removal methods. Semiconductor-based heterogeneous photocatalysis offers an eco-friendly solution. However, improving the photocatalyst's efficiency remains a challenge. This study aims to fabricate a promising Bi8W4O24/ZrO2@GO (BWOZG) heterojunction via hydrothermal approach, followed by low-pressure cold plasma (LPCP) treatment to improve its properties for environmental remediation of BF and BBY dyes along with industrial wastewater. The prepared composites were analyzed via DLS, UV–visible spectroscopy, SEM–EDX, FTIR, XRD, and EPR. The findings indicated that the LPCP-treated BWOZG has z-average of 225 ± 5 nm, zeta potential of − 38.74 ± 2 mV, band gap of 2.20 eV, a porous morphology, and mixed orthorhombic Bi8W4O24 and tetragonal ZrO2 phases. LPCP-treated BWOZG composite exhibited 5% increase in degradation efficiency of BF (99.7%) at pH = 6, catalyst dose = 20 mg L−1, dye dose and irradiation time = 10 mg L−1/30 min, and 6% for BBY (98%) at pH = 5, catalyst dose = 30 mg L−1, dye dose and irradiation time = 10 mg L−1/30 min, and 80.41% reduction in COD of industrial wastewater. The successful degradation of dyes to nontoxic species was confirmed by FTIR. The formation of •OH and O2−• radical species during photocatalytic process was confirmed by EPR analysis. Kinetics study showed the best fitness of the pseudo-first-order model on experimental data. LPCPT-BWOZG retained 91 and 89% recyclability after five cycles of BF and BBY degradation, respectively, and good broad-spectrum bactericidal activity for E. coli and S. aureus, demonstrating its potential as antibacterial photocatalytic materials for oxidation of organic pollutants in aqueous media to enhance the environmental safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micron-size ceramic waste powder (< 75 μm and 75–150 μm) was used as the carrier in a high-concentration powder carrier bio-fluidized bed (HPB) to treat simulated overflow sewage (CSOs). The sludge extracellular polymers (EPS), electron transfer capacity of EPS, nitrogen removal pathways, and microbiological characteristics were analyzed to gain insights into the nitrogen removal pathways and mechanisms. The results showed that only the effluent from the HPB (< 75 μm) could meet the stringent pollutant discharge standards in China of 50 mg/L for CODCr and 15 mg/L for total nitrogen from beginning to end. Meanwhile, the electrochemical performance tests indicated that the electron accepting and donating capacities of the sludge EPS in the HPB (< 75 μm) were 42.75% and 32.73% higher than those in the conventional activated sludge, meaning that ceramic powder carriers can increase the extracellular electron transfer capacity of the sludge and accelerate the denitrification process. Also, metagenomics analysis results showed that the relative abundances of the denitrification-related Nor genes were 28–39% higher in the HPB (< 75 μm) and HPB (75–150 μm) than in the conventional activated sludge (CAS). These results show that ceramic waste powders have the potential to be used as carriers in HPB systems to treat CSOs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wet tropical forests play an important role in the global carbon (C) cycle, but given current rates of land‐use change, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) limitation could reduce productivity in regenerating forests in this biome. Whereas the strong controls of climate and parent material over forest recovery are well known, the influence of vegetation can be difficult to determine. We addressed species‐specific differences in plant traits and their relationships to ecosystem properties and processes, relevant to N and P supply to regenerating vegetation in experimental plantations in a single site in lowland wet forest in Costa Rica. Single‐tree species were planted in a randomized block design, such that climate, soil (an Oxisol), and land‐use history were similar for all species. In years 15–25 of the experiment, we measured traits regarding N and P acquisition and use in four native, broad‐leaved, evergreen tree species, including differential effects on soil pH, in conjunction with biomass and soil stocks and fluxes of N and P. Carbon biomass stocks increased significantly with increasing soil pH (p = 0.0184, previously reported) as did biomass P stocks (p = 0.0011). Despite large soil N pools, biomass P stocks were weakly dependent on traits associated with N acquisition and use (N2 fixation and leaf C:N, p < 0.09). Mass‐balance budgets indicated that soil organic matter (SOM) could supply the N and P accumulated in biomass via the process of SOM mineralization. Secondary soil P pools were weakly correlated with biomass C and P stocks (R = 0.47, p = 0.08) and were large enough to have supplied sufficient P in these rapidly growing plantations, suggesting that alteration of soil pH provided a mechanism for liberation of soil P occluded in organo‐mineral soil complexes and thus supply P for plant uptake. These results highlight the importance of considering species' effect on soil pH for restoration projects in highly weathered soils. This study demonstrates mechanisms by which individual species can alter P availability, and thus productivity and C cycling in regenerating humid tropical forests, and the importance of including traits into global models of element cycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transport phenomenon in the presence of magnetic field has diverse application in living structures, biotechnology and chemical and environmental engineering. Biomedical applications include the examples of computational biology, replacement of tissue, drug delivery, advance medical imaging, repairing of bones, complex liver and heart surgeries and kidney transplant. Motivated by the applications of magnetic in human physiology, peristaltic transport of Carreau-hybrid nanomaterial through a curved channel is studied. The hybrid nanofluid is supported with silver (Ag) and copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles subject to ethylene glycol (EG)-based liquid. The complex wavy nature of physiological duct inspired to model the problem in complex wavy channel. The basic governing laws are utilized for mathematical modeling and dimensionless variables are used for the dimensionless formulation. The simplified pattern of governing problem has been revealed to the assumptions of long wavelength as well as creeping flow constricts. The computations are obtained by implanting the Newton–Dirichlet Solve (ND) algorithm. Comparative thermal observations are predicted for nanofluid (Ag/EG) and hybrid nanofluid (Ag–CuO/EG). The different flow and heat transfer features are plotted against the several involved parameters are presented graphically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]