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Low-cost and green preparation of efficient sorbents is critical to the removal of organic contaminants during water treatment. In this study, the co-pyrolysis of macroalgae and oyster shell was designed to synthesize nitrogen-doped porous biochars for sorption removal of atrazine from water. Oyster shell played a significant role in opening pores in macroalgae-derived biochars, resulting in the surface area of the macroalgae (Enteromorpha prolifera and Ulva lactuca) and oyster shell co-pyrolyzed carbonaceous as high as 1501.80 m2 g−1 and 1067.18 m2 g−1, the pore volume reached 1.04 cm3 g−1 and 0.93 cm3 g−1, and O/C decreased to 0.09 and 0.08, respectively. The sorption capacity of atrazine to nitrogen-doped porous biochars (the Enteromorpha prolifera, Ulva lactuca and oyster shell co-pyrolyzed carbonaceous) reached 312.06 mg g−1 and 340.52 mg g−1. Pore-filling, hydrogen bonding, π-π or p-π stacking and electrostatic interaction dominated the multilayer sorption process. Moreover, the nitrogen-doped porous biochars showed great performance in cyclic reusability, and the Enteromorpha prolifera, Ulva lactuca and oyster shell co-pyrolyzed carbonaceous sorption capacity still reached 246.13 mg g−1 and 255.97 mg g−1, respectively. Thus, this study suggested that it is feasible and efficient to remove organic contaminants with the nitrogen-doped porous biochars co-pyrolyzed from macroalgae and oyster shell, providing a potential green resource utilization of aquatic wastes for environmental remediation. Highlights: Nitrogen-doped porous biochars (NPBs) were derived from natural wastes. Oyster shell enhanced the micropore and mesopore structures of NPBs. Physical sorption dominated atrazine sorption onto the NPBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the field of global water purification, the issue of marine oil spills represents a significant challenge. The use of phase-selective organogelators (PSOGs) as sorbent materials in oil spill remediation is a promising solution due to their environmental adaptability and high absorption capacity. However, there are limited reports on PSOGs that can be used in powder form for rapid phase-selective gelation of crude oils. In this context, the development of innovative dicholesteryl derivatives as low-molecular-weight organogelators (LMOGs) offers a promising solution in powder form. These gelators are synthesized through a one-pot multi-component reaction as green synthesis method, which ensures high purity and eliminates the need for harsh conditions. The incorporation of cholesterol into the gelator structure demonstrate environmental adaptability. The exceptional sorption capacity was attributed to the structured 2D/3D networks observed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The hydrophobic properties of these gelators, as evidenced by a water contact angle of 118 degrees, enable them to efficiently gel various organic solvents at low concentrations (1% w/v) at ambient temperatures, without the need for heating–cooling cycles or co-solvents. The eco-friendly nature and efficient oil–water separation capabilities of these gelators in powder form represent a significant advancement in global water purification efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, neodymium-doped titanium dioxide (Nd-TiO2) nanoparticles were synthesized via a hydrothermal method for the photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under UV and sunlight conditions. The properties of these NPs were comprehensively characterized. And optimization of RhB degradation was conducted using control-variable experiment and artificial neural networks (ANN) under various operational conditions and in the presence of competing compounds. The acute toxicity of both NPs, RhB, and the environmental impact of the photocatalytic treatment effluent on Danio rerio were evaluated. The Nd modification increased the catalyst's specific surface area and thermal stability. X-ray diffraction confirmed the tetragonal anatase phase in undoped TiO2, while Nd-doped TiO2 exhibited shifts in peaks and the presence of brookite and rutile phases. Nd (1 mol%) doped TiO2 demonstrated superior RhB photocatalytic degradation efficiency, achieving 95% degradation and 82% total organic carbon (TOC) removal within 60 min under UV irradiation. Optimization under sunlight conditions yielded 95.14% RhB removal with 0.28 g/L photocatalyst and 1% doping. Under UV light, 98.12% RhB removal was optimized with 0.97% doping, along with the presence of humic acid and CaCl2. ANN modeling achieved high precision (R2 of 0.99) in modeling environmental photocatalysis. Toxicity assessments indicated that the 96-h LC50 values were 681.59 mg L−1 for both NPs, and 23.02 mg L−1 for RhB. The treated dye solution exhibited a significant decline in toxicity, emphasizing the potential of 1% Nd-TiO2 in wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existence of natural organic matter (NOM) causes many problems in drinking water treatment processes. The degradation of different fractions of NOM in drinking water was studied using the ultraviolet/persulfate (UV/PS) process. The NOM was separated into hydrophobic (HPO), transition hydrophilic (TPI) and hydrophilic (HPI) fractions by reverse osmosis and XAD series resins. The effects of degradation were evaluated by dissolved organic carbon (DOC), UV254, three-dimensional fluorescence-parallel factor analysis (EEM-PARAFAC), and trihalomethane formation potential (THMFP). The results showed that UV/PS process could remove the three fractions of DOC, UV254, as well as the fluorescent components humic acid-like (C1 and C2) and protein-like (C3). The maximum removal rates of DOC of HPO, TPI, and HPI fractions were 34.6%, 38.4%, and 73.9%, respectively, and the maximum removal rates of UV254 were 72.1%, 86.3%, and 86.8%, respectively. The removal rate of the three fluorescent components can reach 100%, and C3 is easier to remove than C1 and C2 under the low PS dosage conditions. The order of kinetic degradation rate constant of UV254 first-order reaction is HPI > TPI > HPO. The optimum pH conditions for the degradation of HPO, TPI, and HPI fractions were acidic, basic, and neutral, respectively. The specific THMFP of HPO was higher than that of TPI and HPI. The specific THMFP of HPO and TPI fractions increased with the increase of radiation time, while the HPI fraction showed the opposite trend. THMFP has different degrees of correlation with DOC, UV254, C1, and C2. This study can provide a theoretical basis for the selection of the UV/PS process for drinking water sources containing NOM with different characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ozone-based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have emerged a promising avenue for water treatment, offering effective removal of micropollutants. Recent research underscores the potential of ozone microbubbles to enhance ozone mass transfer during water treatment, particularly when combined with pre-treatment steps. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of three different combined processes (chlorine/KMnO4/PAC pre-treatment followed by ozonation) in removing atrazine, a common micropollutant from natural source water. Results revealed that all combined processes achieved higher atrazine removal rates compared to individual pre-treatment or ozonation methods. Notably, the highest atrazine removal rates were observed under alkaline pH conditions, with treatment outcomes influenced by oxidant dose and pH levels. Among the combined processes, chlorine pre-treatment followed by ozonation emerged as the most effective approach, achieving a removal rate of 59.7% that exceeded the sum of individual treatments. However, this treatment efficacy was affected by water quality parameters, particularly the presence of organic matter and elevated ammonia nitrogen concentration (> 0.5 mg/L). This study highlights the potential for utilizing ozone micro/nanobubbles to enhance ozone mass transfer and offers valuable insights for optimizing the combined application of pre-treatment and ozonation strategies for efficient atrazine removal from natural water sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study shows that the addition of gadolinium ions has a significant impact on the structure, morphology, and adsorption properties of Ni-Co spinel ferrite that was synthesized by the sol–gel auto-combustion method. The research also indicates that the higher the Gd content, the greater the increase in the lattice parameter, which suggests that Gd3+ ions uniformly replaced the octahedral Fe3+ ions. The morphology and chemical composition of Gd-doped Ni-Co ferrites have been studied using SEM and EDS. Gd adding to the NiCoFe matrix increases the BET surface area by 50% (from 48 to 72 m2/g) and promotes the formation of mesopores with an average radius from 3.9 to 4.9 nm. The pHPZC values of Gd-doped ferrites are in the range of 7.22–7.39, which means that the ferrite surface will acquire a positive charge at natural pH, so this will promote the adsorption of Congo red anionic dye through electrostatic interaction forces. Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin-Radushkevich models were used to explain the mechanism of CR adsorption on the Ni0.5Co0.5GdxFe2-xO4 adsorbent surface. The ionic-covalent parameter has been estimated to describe the surface acid–base properties. Overall, this study highlights the potential of Gd3+ doping as a promising approach for enhancing the adsorption properties of nickel–cobalt ferrites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work involved the preparation of pristine and iron nanoparticle-loaded biochar from a water chestnut shell to remove diclofenac sodium (DCF) containing effluent of pharmaceutical origin. To create suitable forecasting equations for the modelling of the DCF adsorption onto the adsorbent, response surface methodology (RSM) was used. The parameters, e.g. pH, adsorbent mass, DCF concentration and contact time, were used for the modeling of adsorption. The RSM model predicts that for 98.0% DCF removal, the ideal conditions are pH 6, an adsorbent dose of 0.5 g L−1, and a contact time of 60 min with an initial adsorbate concentration of 25 mg L−1 at 303 K. The maximum capacity deduced from the Langmuir model was 75.9 mg g−1 for pristine water chestnut shell biochar (pWCBC) and 122.3 mg g−1 for magnetically modified nano-Fe2O3 biochar (mWCBC). Under equilibrium conditions, the Langmuir model was the best-suited model compared to the Temkin and Freundlich models. The adsorption data in this investigation efficiently fitted the pseudo-second-order model, emphasizing that chemisorption or ion exchange processes may be involved in the process. The WCBC demonstrated recyclability after 10 cycles of repeated adsorption and desorption of DCF. A combined coagulation adsorption process removed COD, NH3–N, NO3−, PO43−, and DCF by 92.50%, 86.41%, 77.57%, 84.54%, and 97.25%, respectively. This study therefore shows that coagulation followed by adsorption onto biochar can be a cost-effective substitute for conventional pharmaceutical wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peracetic acid (PAA) is efficient for disinfection processes in environmental sanitation and in the presence of transition metals its oxidative performance is enhanced. Thus, the present study aim evaluated the influence of Fe3+ ions during the inactivation process of Escherichia coli and Total Coliforms (TC). The process PAA + Fe3+ ions were also evaluated in relation to the disinfection kinetics, the participation of H2O2 and the influence of the organic load of the treated water. The tests showed an inactivation efficient of 0.5 to 0.9 log in relation to E. coli and 1.3 to 1.5 logs for TC in the concentrations evaluated and complete inactivation of E. coli was achieved within 15 min for both PAA and PAA/Fe3+ There is no damage to the disinfection process in the presence of Fe3+ ions, however, the decomposition of PAA is favored. In this sense, the formation of radicals can justify the maintenance of disinfection efficiency. The decay constants were close both microorganisms: for E. coli with PAA and PAA/Fe3+were 0.0323 and 0.0476 and for TC were 0.0637 and 0.0667. The values of R2 were above 0.95. Computer simulations of peptidoglycans that make up the bacterial cell wall showed that radicals preferentially attacked the carbons from the rings that composes the cell wall peptidoglycan of gram-negative bacteria allowing to break the structure during the disinfection process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work examines how graphene-based nanoparticles can be integrated into membranes to improve the effectiveness of water treatment in osmotic desalination processes. This is important since sustainable practices can help address the world's water scarcity. Water treatment, desalination, and resource recovery are areas where osmotic desalination shows great potential. However, membrane performance constraints frequently impede its efficacy. High mechanical strength, superior hydrophilicity, and the ability to lessen internal concentration polarisation are just a few of the remarkable qualities that make graphene-based nanoparticles stand out. In order to increase the membranes' overall functionality, these nanoparticles were created and added to them. Comparing the study to conventional membranes, the main goals were to increase water flux rates and salt ion rejection capacities. It was shown by experimental results that the membranes strengthened with graphene-based nanoparticles performed better. They outperformed conventional membranes in terms of water flow growth and salt ion rejection rates improvement. In order to advance osmotic desalination technologies towards more effective and sustainable water treatment options, this study highlights the revolutionary potential of graphene-based nanoparticles. Graphene-based nanoparticles provide an attractive option for tackling major water issues worldwide by improving membrane characteristics that are essential for osmotic desalination, such as permeability and selectivity. Water management techniques that are environmentally sustainable are supported by their integration into membranes, which also enhances performance metrics. This study opens the door for creative approaches to resource recovery and water treatment by providing important insights into the creation of cutting-edge materials specifically designed for osmotic desalination applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rise in the world's population has led to an amplified need for fundamental requirements such as healthcare, shelter, and water. At the same time, human practices like agriculture, mining, and deforestation have resulted in challenges related to environmental sustainability and the contamination of water resources. As a result, access to safe drinking water has become a major challenge worldwide, and controlling water pollution is crucial. Several water treatment methods, including adsorption, nanotechnology, and membrane technology, have been developed to mitigate health and environmental impacts. However, many of these methods are too expensive, especially for people living in low-income countries. Additionally, some of the technologies are not very effective at removing pollutants, which exacerbates the problem. The physical, chemical, and biological approaches for treating water are categorized in this review, along with the benefits and drawbacks of each approach. Given that the adsorption method is thought to be one of the more economical and environmentally friendly techniques to treat water, this review recommends that in order to increase the efficacy of the adsorbents, a comprehensive investigation into the exact operation of the adsorbents at the cellular and molecular levels be conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Treatment of heavy metal pollution in complexed states within water bodies presents significant challenges in the current water treatment field. Adsorption as a means for the removal of heavy metals is characterized by its simplicity of operation, stable effluent, and minimal equipment requirements. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as adsorbents hold significant interest for applications in water treatment. In this study, we investigated a green synthesis approach for the ball-milling pretreated synthesis of UiO-66(Zr) at room temperature, abbreviated as UiO-66(Zr)-rm. Besides having the same thermal stability and crystal structure as the product from microwave-assisted synthesis (UiO-66(Zr)-mw), the resulting UiO-66(Zr)-rm features smaller particle size and superior mesoporous structure. The adsorption efficiency and mechanism for removing EDTA-chelated copper (EDTA–CuII), a complexed heavy metal in water, were extensively analyzed. UiO-66(Zr)-rm presented a maximum adsorption capacity over EDTA–CuII of 43 mg g−1 and a much higher adsorption rate (0.16 g (mg h)−1) than UiO-66(Zr)-mw (0.06 g (mg h)−1). Hierarchically mesostructured defects allow the sorbate to have more effective diffusion in a shorter time to achieve faster adsorption kinetics. Benefiting from the mild synthesis conditions and nontoxic solvents, UiO-66(Zr) has the potential to be produced at a scaled-up level, thereby exhibiting excellent adsorption performance for the removal of complexed heavy metals in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wastewaters consist of organic pollutants that have environmental concerns. Wastewaters are treated by different methods, but efficient, low-cost, and sustainable techniques still need to be developed. Algae-based water pollution remediation techniques are considered to be sustainable approaches. This review exclusively discusses the facets of macro and microalgae in the treatment of organic toxicants. The current trends of algae-mediated water treatments have been discussed under adsorption and degradation methods. A focus on algae fuel cell, algae mediated activation of oxidizing agents, Fenton-like reactions, and photocatalysis was given. The need of algae-based adsorptive and catalytic materials was mentioned. The role of algae in the synthesis of catalysts which were employed in pollutant removal methods was also explained. The integrated algae-mediated water treatment techniques were also highlighted. The toxicant removal performances of different algae-based materials in the water medium were summarized. The conclusion and future prospects derived from the literature survey were described. This review will be helpful for researchers who are working in the field of sustainable water pollution remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimizing the fermentation process of microorganisms with exceptional bioflocculant-producing capabilities is crucial for the production of bioflocculants. The application of bioflocculants to various pollutants highlights their significant advantages in water treatment. Therefore, the culture conditions of Bacillus subtilis 35A with exceptional bioflocculant-producing capabilities were optimized. The bioflocculant (MBF) was obtained by alcohol percipitation from the fermentation supernatant, and its physicochemical properties were analyzed to explore its application in the treatment of dyes, heavy metal ions, and organic wastewater. The results indicate that, using cyclodextrin and yeast extract as carbon and nitrogen sources, after 48 h of fermentation at the initial pH, the bioflocculant (MBF-35A) yielded 10.47 g/L with a flocculation rate of 96.57% for kaolin suspension. The chemical analysis demonstrated that MBF- 35A is mainly composed of polysaccharide (81.74%) and protein (16.42%). FITR and XPS analysis indicated that MBF-35A mainly contains major elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen, with functional groups (-OH, C-O, C-H, and C-O-C) that are beneficial for flocculation. MBF-35A exhibited a dye decolorization efficiency exceeding 95% and removed 41.05 and 48.93% of Cr6+ and Cu2+ ions, respectively. In meat wastewater treatment, the effective removal rates of ammonia nitrogen (26.87%), COD (51.16%), total nitrogen (37.76%), and total phosphorus (55.81%) highlight its potential in organic waste treatment. In brief, not only does MBF-35A exhibit efficient production and excellent flocculation performance as a bioflocculant, but it also shows significant biological and environmental benefits in dye, heavy metal ions, and organic wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spin state of the transition metal species (TMs) has been recognized as a critical descriptor in Fenton‐like catalysis. The raised spin state of dispersed TMs in carbon will enhance the redox processes with adsorbed peroxides and improve the oxidation performance. Nevertheless, establishing the spin‐activity correlations for the encapsulated TM nanoparticles remains challenging because of the difficulties in fine‐tuning the spin state of TM species and the insufficient understanding of orbital hybridization states upon interaction with peroxides. Here, the advantage of the fast‐temperature heating/quenching of microwave thermal shock is taken to engineer the structure and spin state of encapsulated TMs within the N‐doped graphitic carbons. The reduced TMs particle size and enhanced TMs‐carbon coupling increase surface entropy and regulate eg electron filling of the high‐spin TM‐N coordination, endowing electrons with high mobility and facilitating peroxymonosulfate (PMS) adsorption. The strong interactions further uplift the PMS O 2p band position toward the Fermi level and thus elevate the oxidation potential of surface‐activated PMS (PMS*) as the dominant nonradical species for pollutant degradation. The deciphered orbital hybridizations of engineered high‐spin TM and PMS enlighten the smart design of spin‐regulated nanocomposites for advanced water purification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of semiconductor‐based photocatalytic methods has been widespread for a range of applications, including pollution control and energy generation. However, certain analytical concerns limit the effectiveness of these photocatalysts, such as their limited light absorption capacity, physicochemical instability, and large energy band gap. To address these issues, scientists have been exploring integrating carbonaceous materials into photocatalytic systems to enhance their activity. This review focuses specifically on fullerene photocatalysts, a type of carbonaceous photocatalyst that has shown great promise in recent research. Fullerenes, which include C60 and C70, have unique properties that make them ideal for use as photocatalyst amplifiers in combination with other semiconductors or non‐semiconductors. This review summarizes recent research into the use of fullerene‐based materials for a variety of photocatalytic applications, including pollutant degradation, and hydrogen energy production. The efficacy of fullerene‐based photocatalysts is also discussed in recent breakthroughs in photocatalytic mechanisms and synthesis methods, focusing on pollution removal and hydrogen generation. Finally, the review addresses ongoing challenges and opportunities for fullerene‐based photocatalysts. The goal is to contribute to advancements in environmental protection and energy generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MIL‐88 MOFs have gained considerable attention as photocatalysts in environmental remediation due to their advantages such as stability, reusability, efficient light absorption, and charge separation capabilities. This study explores the potential of MIL‐88A, MIL‐88B, and NH2‐MIL‐88B for degrading the reactive orange 16 (RO16). MIL‐88 s were synthesized via solvo(hydro)thermal method and characterized using FTIR, PXRD, SEM, zeta potential, and UV‐DRS techniques. Photocatalytic degradations were conducted under UVA radiation, revealed a remarkable 93 % degradation rate. MIL‐88 s demonstrated exceptional performance and reusability, maintaining high efficiency even at 300 mg/L catalyst concentration. The photodegradation efficiencies of MIL‐88 A, MIL‐88B and NH2‐MIL‐88B for RO16 reach nearly 85 % within 120 minutes, 92 % within 60 minutes, 90 % within 75 minutes respectively. Even at a high initial concentration of 15 mg/L, the results underscore the significance of evaluating both initial efficiency and stability over multiple cycles, with MIL‐88B initially exhibiting the highest efficiency declining to 77 % by the fifth cycle, while MIL‐88 A maintained 54 % efficiency and NH2‐MIL‐88B sustained 72 % efficiency over the same period. Mechanistic elucidation identified O2⋅− and ⋅OH as the primary reactive radicals. This study is unique in being the first to explore the photocatalytic removal of RO16 using MIL‐88 s, providing a pioneering approach to sustainable water treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates the synthesis of a hybrid nanomaterial, denoted as Ni‐Zn−S@Cyclodextrine, through a cost‐effective and easy co‐precipitation method. The resulting nanomaterial has been thoroughly characterized and applied for the adsorptive removal of Crystal violet and Congo red dyes from their solutions. The study delves into the thermodynamics and kinetics of the sorption process, as well as helps to propose adsorption mechanism for both the dyes onto the Ni‐Zn−S@Cyclodextrine surface. A comprehensive analysis, encompassing techniques, such as XRD, FTIR, SEM‐EDX, TEM, TGA, Zeta potential, and XPS, have been conducted to explore the structural and morphological attributes of the prepared nanomaterial. Furthermore, key sorption parameters, including adsorbent's dosage, temperature, contact time, and solution pH, have been systematically optimized to achieve maximum efficiency. The TEM images of prepared nanomaterial indicated the particle size ranging between 60–80 nm. Moreover, it exhibited a strong affinity for both the dyes, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 138.20 mgg−1 for Congo red and 129.95 mgg−1 for Crystal violet dyes at 303 K. The thermodynamics of the adsorption process indicated an endothermic and spontaneous nature. Isotherm studies revealed that the data best aligned with the Freundlich isotherm, while the kinetics of the reaction adhered to a pseudo‐second order within the investigated temperature range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive Summary Photocatalysis is a promising green approach for water purification. The diversity of water pH values is a key factor that restricts its practical application since pH affects the adsorption of organic molecules, the stability of catalysts and photocatalytic performance. Here, we report a pH–independent, efficient and stable photocatalytic system with a liquid (water)–liquid (oil)–solid (semiconductor) (L–L–S) triphase interface microenvironment. The system is fabricated by coating a thin layer of silicon oil on the surface of ZnO nanowire arrays, a model chemically unstable semiconductor in both acidic and alkaline solutions. We show that the unique interface makes the dye adsorption pH independent and prevents the semiconductor from being corroded by strong acidic/alkaline solutions, leading to a stable and efficient photocatalytic reaction over a wide pH range (1—14). These findings reveal a promising path for the development of high‐performance catalysis systems applicable in complex water environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses the critical need for efficient and sustainable methods to tackle organic pollutants and microbial contamination in water. The present work aim was to investigate the potential of multi-structured zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) for the combined photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants and antimicrobial activity. A unique fusion of precipitation-cum-hydrothermal approaches was precisely employed to synthesize the ZnO NPs, resulting in remarkable outcomes. The synthesized CTAB/ZnO NPs demonstrated exceptional properties: they were multi-structured and crystalline with a size of 40 nm and possessed a narrow band gap energy of 2.82 eV, enhancing light absorption for photocatalysis. These nanoparticles achieved an impressive degradation efficiency of 91.75% for Reactive Blue-81 dye within 105 min under UV irradiation. Furthermore, their photocatalytic performance metrics were outstanding, including a quantum yield of 1.73 × 10–4 Φ, a kinetic reaction rate of 3.89 × 102 µmol g–1 h–1, a space–time yield of 8.64 × 10–6 molecules photon–1 mg–1, and a figure-of-merit of 1.03 × 10–9 mol L J–1 g–1 h–1. Notably, the energy consumption was low at 1.73 × 10–4 J mol–1, compared to other systems. Additionally, the ZnO NPs exhibited effective antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. This research underscores the potential of tailored ZnO NPs as a versatile solution for addressing both organic pollution and microbial contamination in water treatment processes. The low energy consumption further enhances its attractiveness as a sustainable solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metal ions can be introduced into the water through several point and non-point sources including leather industry, coal mining, agriculture activity and domestic waste. Regrettably, these toxic heavy metals may pose a threat to both humans and animals, particularly when they infiltrate water and soil. Heavy metal poisoning can lead to many health complications, such as liver and renal dysfunction, dermatological difficulties, and potentially even malignancies. To mitigate the risk of heavy metal ion exposure to humans and animals, it is imperative to extract them from places that have been polluted. Several conventional methods such as ion exchange, reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, membrane filtration and chemical precipitation have been used for the removal of heavy metal ions. However, these methods have high operation costs and generate secondary pollutants during water treatment. Biosorption is an alternative approach to eliminating heavy metals from water that involves employing eco-friendly and cost-effective biomass. This review is focused on the heavy metal ions contamination in the water, biosorption methods for heavy metal removal and mathematical modeling to explain the behaviour of heavy metal adsorption. This review can be helpful to the researchers to design wastewater treatment plants for sustainable wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Membrane materials that resist nonspecific or specific adsorption are urgently required in widespread practical applications, such as water purification, food processing, and life sciences. In water purification, inevitable membrane fouling not only limits membrane separation performance, leading to a decline in both permeance and selectivity, but also remarkably increases operation requirements, and augments extra maintenance costs and higher energy consumption. In this work, we report a freestanding interfacial polymerization (IP) fabrication strategy for in situ creation of asymmetric block copolymer (BCP) nanofilms with antifouling properties, greatly outperforming the conventional surface post‐modification approaches. The resultant free‐standing asymmetric BCP nanofilms with highly‐dense, highly‐hydrophilic polyethylene glycol (PEG) brushes on one side, can be readily formed via a typical IP process of a well‐defined double‐hydrophilic BCP composed of a highly‐efficient antifouling PEG block and a membrane‐forming multiamine block. The asymmetric BCP nanofilms have been applied for efficient and sustainable natural water purification, demonstrating extraordinary antifouling capabilities accompanied with superior separation performance far beyond commercial polyamide nanofiltration membranes. The antifouling behaviors of asymmetric BCP nanofilms derived from the combined effect of the hydration layer, electrostatic repulsion and steric hindrance were further elucidated by water flux and fouling resistance in combination with all‐atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. This work opens up a new avenue for the large‐scale and low‐cost creation of broad‐spectrum, asymmetric membrane materials with diverse functional "defect‐free" surfaces in real‐world applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there has been growing interest in using polymer nanocomposite membranes as a more advanced method for removing pollutants from water and treating wastewater for various purposes. In this study, thin‐film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes of polycarbonate/polyvinyl alcohol–titanium dioxide thin‐film (PC/PVA–TiO2) were fabricated by dip‐coating a PC substrate in a PVA/TiO2 solution. Various methods, including attenuated total reflectance‐Fourier transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and water contact angle were utilized to assess the structural characteristics of the produced membranes. The PC/PVA thin‐film composite (TFC) and PC/PVA–TiO2 TFN membranes were then examined in a submerged membrane system to evaluate their effectiveness in filtering humic acid (HA) under various vacuum transmembrane pressure (0.3 and 0.6 bar) condition. The FTIR‐ATR results confirmed the formation of the active layer of PVA/TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs). It was observed that adding 1 wt.% of TiO2 NPs to the active layer of PVA/TiO2 significantly enhanced the water contact angle from 77.5° for PC support to 55.3° for PC/PVA–TiO2 (0.1) TFN membranes. Furthermore, the FE‐SEM results confirmed the formation of an active layer of PVA/TiO2 with a thickness of 237.87 nm. The pure water flux increased from 101.64 L/m2h for the PC/PVA TFC membrane to 144.02 L/m2h and 199.09 L/m2h for the PC/PVA–TiO2 (0.05) and PC/PVA–TiO2 (0.1) TFN membranes, respectively. Also, the results revealed that at lower transmembrane pressure, all membranes showed higher value in HA removal as compared to when higher transmembrane pressure was used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The constant increase in population and as a result increase in industrial activities in many areas, such as textiles, cosmetics, leather, polymers, and food processing leads to the contamination of water sources with different dyes. Thus, the removal of dyes from contaminated water sources to make water reusable is the utmost requirement of the time in order to get environmental sustainability. The reason of removal is that many dyes and pollutants present in dyeing wastewater from industries have detrimental impacts on plants, wildlife, and humans. To lessen the negative effects of dye wastewater on the environment and living beings, it should be processed first to remove un-wanted components before being released in the water sources. However, due to some drawbacks of dye removal technologies, it is challenging to settle on a single solution that addresses the current dye effluent problem to make water clean. In the current work, we tried our best to elaborate different methods adopted for the treatment of dyes polluted wastewater with respect to their implementation along with drawbacks and advantages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interfacial solar evaporation, harnessing sunlight to induce water molecule evaporation, holds great promise for sustainable solar energy conversion. However, challenges such as reduced efficiency and instability due to salt accumulation, inadequate water transport, and the high cost of advanced nanostructured solar evaporators collectively hinder the sustainable and large‐scale practical use of this technology. Herein, an eco‐friendly, floatable 3D solar seawater evaporator is developed by innovatively incorporating a lightweight foam ball enclosed in a porous cellulose hydrogel. The 3D evaporator achieves a high water evaporation rate of ≈2.01 kg m−2 h−1 under 1 Sun, owing to its super high photothermal efficiency of 117.9% and efficient internal water transport channels. Even at a 0° simulated solar angle, the 3D evaporator maintains 85.8% of the evaporation rate at a 90° simulated solar angle. Moreover, the salt self‐cleaning capability is realized by the autonomous rotation caused by salt deposition. Particularly, the 3D evaporator can be fabricated over a large area and maintain seawater evaporation performance and structural integrity for 28 days. This study provides novel economically feasible and sustainable large‐scale solutions for interfacial solar‐powered seawater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effluent reuse is a rapidly growing field of research where assessing the quality of effluent is one of the focus areas. This research examines the viability of using wastewater in agriculture by testing an integrated Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) reactor with a trickling filter (TF) system during the dry season. Compliance monitoring was conducted for 30 days from May 11 to June 9 of 2021. Samples were collected, handled, and analyzed following standard wastewater analysis procedures for biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), volatile suspended solids (VSS), cations, anions, heavy metals, E. coli, and helminth egg. The UASB-TF system in Kality wastewater treatment performed well in removing COD, BOD5, and TSS with average removal rates of 80.5%, 82.9%, and 80.9%, respectively, compared well with similar treatment configurations. The effluent quality satisfied the national inland discharge limit with a residual concentration of 125.1 mg/L for COD, 61.7 mg/L for BOD5 and 85.8 mg/L for TSS. On the other hand, high concentrations of chromium, nitrate-nitrogen, and helminth egg count restricted effluent reuse for agricultural purposes due to high health risks and environmental contamination. We found out that discharging industrial sewage into the domestic sewer network could inhibit microbial growth and affect the biological treatment processes. Furthermore, adopting integrated treatment systems in developing countries might face operational challenges and monitoring nitrate, helminth egg, and heavy metals would help provide timely operational feedback. An appropriate tertiary treatment unit—constructed wetlands or polishing ponds—is therefore needed to be introduced to ensure effluent reuse for agricultural purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a magnetic cross-linked chitosan-benzil/organoclay/Fe3O4 biocomposite (CHI-BZI/OC/Fe3O4) was synthesized as a bio-adsorbent for the removal of remazol brilliant blue R (RBBR) dye from aquatic environment. The adsorption factors i.e., CHI-BZI/OC/Fe3O4 dosage, pH, and time were statistically optimized using the Box-Behnken design (BBD). The highest RBBR removal efficiency of 90.9% was achieved at a CHI-BZI/OC/Fe3O4 dosage of 0.1 g/100 mL, initial solution pH of 4.0, and contact time of 20 min. The RBBR adsorption onto the CHI-BZI/OC/Fe3O4 matched the pseudo-second-order kinetic (PSO). Moreover, equilibrium study was conducted and the best fit to the adsoption expsrimantal data was described by Langmuir isotherm model. The adsorption capacity of CHI-BZI/OC/Fe3O4 for RBBR was determined to be 102.9 mg/g. This work contributes to the advancement of environmentally friendly and sustainable methods for treating dye-contaminated water, showcasing the potential of biocomposite materials as effective adsorbents in the field of water purification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the use of a Gd-doped Zinc-MOF composite as a catalyst for effectively removing antibiotics from water using photocatalysis. The Gd@Zinc-MOF material is synthesized in a one-step process and demonstrates semiconducting properties. It possesses a band gap of 3.15 eV, which allows for efficient photodegradation of antibiotics when exposed to UV light. The suitability of its catalytic activity is confirmed through characterization using analytical and spectroscopic methods. The photocatalytic process was conducted under optimal conditions, resulting in a remarkable 92.15% degradation of NFT (Nitrofurantoin). These conditions included a pH of 7, an antibiotic concentration of 30 mg/L, and a photocatalyst dosage of 20 mg/L, with a duration of 120 min. The photodecomposition process is illuminated by radical trapping experiments, highlighting the crucial role of O2˙−. In addition, the Gd@Zinc-MOF material exhibits remarkable stability when used repeatedly as a photocatalyst. In addition, the super capacitive activity of the material was extensively studied. Gd@Zinc-MOF exhibited a specific capacitance of 1156.25 F g−1 at a discharge current density of 1 A g−1, and maintained 93.07% of its capacitance after 4000 cycles. The study highlights the potential of Gd-doped Zinc-MOF composites as effective photocatalysts for water purification and promising electrode materials for future energy storage applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wastewater treatment is designed to eradicate toxic pollutants emanating from the industrial effluent to the surface and underground water. The efficiency and limitations of most of the existing water treatment techniques such as coagulation/flocculation, photocatalysis, membrane technologies and adsorption in the remediation of toxic pollutants have been established. However, the success reported for each of these techniques is usually associated with the efficiency and environmental friendliness of water treatment products applied. MOFs-based products are one of the materials serving as an alternative to chemically synthesized products, and their application as water treatment products has been reported extensively but not systematically documented. In this review, authors endeavoured to comprehensively provide insights into the recent MOFs-based product synthesis for different applications, especially in water treatment. The key factors influencing the synthesis of MOFs, including choice of metal ions, organic linkers, and synthesis conditions, along with the latest developments in scalable and cost-effective fabrication techniques are discussed. The synthesis routes, their limitation and their performances as an adsorbent, photocatalyst and additives in membrane fabrication in the removal of toxic pollutants from water are elaborated. The prospects in the large-scale production of MOFs-based water treatment products for real industrial applications are critically reviewed in this study. Overall, a well-curated synthesis and application of MOFs in water treatment is hereby generated from the best resources accessible through the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review summarizes the intricate structural features and characterisation of graphene oxide (GO), as well as its many derivatives and wide-ranging uses. GO exhibits adaptability across a range of applications, including environmental remediation and biological purposes. The use of this material extends to both the fabrication of freestanding membranes and their incorporation into other composite systems. Gaining an in-depth understanding of the structure and features of GO is vital for effectively using its promise in many fields. Scientists constantly discover new uses and improve the techniques of creating it to boost its capabilities. GO, in environmental environments, facilitates and removing of pollutants as well as water purification. The biocompatibility and drug delivery characteristics of this substance are advantageous in the fields of medicine and biology. Furthermore, membranes based on graphene oxide are useful in filtering technologies. Systems that combine graphene oxide have improved mechanical, electrical, and thermal characteristics, which hold great potential for breakthroughs in the field of materials research. Overall, the complex and versatile character of GO highlights its significance in several disciplines and emphasises its reputation as a material with great promise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research work is to synthesise graphene oxide (GO) with iron oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles as a magnetic adsorbent for lead ion (Pb2+) removal. In this work, the effect of synthesis parameters of GO/Fe2O3 (Fe2O3 loading weight ratio, synthesis time and calcination temperature) and adsorption parameters (initial Pb2+ concentration, adsorption temperature and contact time) on Pb2+ removal were investigated. The adsorption experiment was carried out in a batch system, and the synthesised GO/Fe2O3 adsorbent was characterised using TGA and N2 sorption-desorption analyses. The adsorption characteristics of Pb2+ using GO/Fe2O3 adsorbent were analysed using adsorption isotherms and kinetic study. The optimal synthesis parameters were found to be a 1:0.5 ratio for GO/Fe2O3, a synthesis time of 60 min and a calcination temperature of 400°C, resulting in a Pb2+ removal rate of 96% and adsorption capacity of 49.85 mg Pb2+/g adsorbent. The GO/Fe2O3 adsorbent synthesised at 400°C and a 1:0.5 ratio exhibits a larger surface area and smaller pore diameter, 98.20 m²/g and 15.67 nm, respectively, compared to other samples. Increasing the synthesis temperature decreases the growth and formation of GO/Fe2O3, reducing the surface area. Experimental results revealed that the adsorption of Pb2+ using GO/Fe2O3 adsorbent fitted the pseudo-secondorder kinetic and was best described by the Langmuir isotherm with a high correlation coefficient (R² >0.99). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objectives] his study aimed to explore the effects of drought stress on morphological changes, photosynthetic characteristics and other physiological indexes of ginger at seedling stage, and to provide reference for the study of drought tolerance mechanism and the selection of drought-tolerant varieties of ginger. [Methods] Five main varietie (‘Shandongdajiang'‘Fengtoujiang'‘Zhugenjiang'‘Luopingxiaohuangjiang'and‘Guizhouxiaohuangjiang') were selected as test materials from the main ginger producing areas of North China, Central China and Southwest China. Drought stress was simulated by 250 g·L-1 PEG-6000 solution, normal water treatment (CK) and drought treatment (DS) was set to determine the growth and physiological indexes such as leaf moisture content, leaf water potential, photosynthesis, stomatal phenotype, chlorophyll content and other growth and physiological indexes of different varieties of ginger under different treatments at 15 days, and the lignin deposition of ginger stems was observed by paraffin sectioning method. [Results] Compared with CK, the leaves of various ginger varieties had different degrees of curly yellowness at 15 days of drought treatment. The free water content (FWC), relative water content (RWC) and total water content (TWC) of leaves decreased significantly, the content of bound water (BWC) of ‘Shandongdajiang' increased, and the BWC content of the remaining four varieties decreased significantly. The water potential of the leaves of various varieties of ginger decreased significantly, and the ‘Fengtoujiang' decreased the most. In addition, the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), transpiration rate (Tr) of leaves decreased, the length and width of the stomata decreased, and the length and width of guard cells did not change significantly. Among the five varieties, the photosynthetic index of ‘Luopingxiaohuangjiang' was the most affected, and the stomatal conductance and transpiration rate decreased by 100% and 93.84%, respectively. The contents of chlorophyll a (Chla), chlorophyll b (Chlb) and total chlorophyll a+b (Chla+b) decreased but not significantly, while the content of carotenoid (Car) increased in‘Shandongdajiang 'but not significantly, and decreased significantly in the other four varieties. After drought treatment, the amount of stem lignin deposition increased in‘Shandongdajiang 'and‘ Luopingxiaohuangjiang'. [Conclusions] Drought stress affected the growth and development of ginger seedlings, and there were differences in drought tolerance among different ginger varieties. The drought tolerance of the five ginger varieties was ranked from strong to weak as follows: ‘Shandongdajiang'‘Fengtoujiang'‘Guizhouxiaohuangjiang'‘Zhugenjiang'‘Luopingxiaohuangjiang'.‘Shandongdajiang'had strong drought tolerance, which could be used for further analysis of the molecular mechanism of drought resistance and creation of drought resistance breeding high-quality germplasm materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an increasing demand for cost-effective semi-passive water treatment that can withstand challenging climatic conditions and effectively and sustainably manage mine-impacted water in (sub)arctic regions. This study investigated the ability of four pilot-scale bioreactors inoculated with locally sourced bacteria and affected by a freeze–thaw cycle to remove selenium and antimony. The bioreactors were operated at a Canadian (sub)arctic mine for a year. Two duplicate bioreactors were installed in a heated shed that was maintained at 5 °C over the winter, while two other duplicates were installed outdoors and left to freeze. The removal rate of selenium and antimony was monitored weekly, while a genomic characterization of the microbial populations in the bioreactors was performed monthly. The overall percentage of selenium and antimony removal was similar in the outside (10–93% Se, 20–96% Sb) and inside (35–94% Se, 10–95% Sb) bioreactors, apart from the spring thawing period when removal in the outdoor bioreactors was slightly lower for Se. The dominant taxonomic groups of microbial populations in all bioreactors were Bacteroidota, Firmicutes, Desulfobacterota and Proteobacteria. The microbial population composition was consistent and re-established quickly after spring thaw in the outside bioreactors. This demonstrated that the removal capacity of bioreactors inoculated with locally sourced bacteria was mostly unaffected by a freeze–thaw cycle, highlighting the strength of using local resources to design bioreactors in extreme climatic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most regulatory jurisdictions now require financial assurance for mines for post-closure activities, which typically include long-term monitoring and maintenance, and most importantly post-closure water treatment. Critical choices in calculating post-closure financial assurance include using a reputable cost estimation model to establish the amount needed for reclamation, selecting a realistic net return-on-investment for post-closure trust funds, and choosing the period of time over which the net present value calculation of the financial assurance is based. A conservative estimate of the amount of financial assurance is warranted to protect the public from assuming these costs. However, some regulatory agencies use financial assurance estimate practices that are arbitrary. The data and procedures needed to analyze and recommend conservative net present value calculations are readily available, but in too many instances are not being utilized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alginate has gained extensive attention due to its versatile properties and numerous applications in different fields. Due to the abundant availability of raw alginate in nature and its advantage of being easily recycled, alginate-based materials are conducive to advancing the shift away from an economy dependent on fossil fuels to a more environmentally friendly and sustainable one. In addition, its inherent biocompatibility makes alginate a fascinating biomedical material. This comprehensive review presents a detailed analysis of alginate, focusing on its structural characteristics, physicochemical and biological properties, current processing technologies, and modification strategies. This review explores the diverse applications of alginate-based materials in biomedicine and healthcare, considering drug delivery systems, tissue engineering, and wound dressings. Additionally, this review looks into the environmental applications of alginate in biosensors and waste-water treatment. The challenges associated with alginate utilization and future perspectives for research and development are also presented. This review provides a comprehensive overview of alginate, offering valuable insights into its properties, applications, and potential for future applications across various industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Duckweed grown in the water treatment unit of the Nineveh Pharmaceutical Factory contribute to reducing the level of pollution, and are used as a partial substitute for animal protein in common carp fingerling diets, in a growth experiment that lasted for 56 days, where the replacement rates reached 16.67, 33.33, and 50%, that is, a replacement rate, 0%, 2.6%, 5.2%, and 7.8% for treatments T1, T2, T3, and T4 of the total diet, respectively. The results of the statistical analysis showed that the fishes that fed the third diet were significantly superior (P≤0.05) to the other experimental diets in terms of criteria, final weight, total growth, daily gain, relative and specific growth rate, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, feed efficiency ratio, and protein efficiency ratio compared to the control treatment. The results showed that the highest percentage of pollutant removal from the water cleared from the treatment unit was in the spring season, which was represented by both total solids and phosphate compared to the winter and autumn seasons, while the highest percentage of nitrates was in the autumn season. It is clear from what was mentioned above that it is possible to partially replace duckweed with animal protein and that it is effective in reducing pollution of the water discharged from the process unit of the pharmaceutical factory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pesticide residue levels in water bodies have increased due to the extensive use of pesticides in agriculture. To address this challenge, this study considered the possibility of using biogenic silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) embedded in chitosan beads to remove the pesticide. A simple, efficient method was used: Ag-NPs (diameter range: 8.02 to 27.2nm) were biosynthesized by Fredinandcohnia onubensis and then immobilized on chitosan to remove the permethrin from aqueous solutions. At 90%, the resultant chitosan silver nanoparticles composite (CS-Ag-NPs composite) showed a remarkable adsorption capacity. To be more precise, 1g of CS-Ag-NPs composite efficiently eliminated 90% of permethrin from a 25mL pesticide solution (0.1mg/ L) under controlled circumstances (35°C, pH 7-, and 60-minutes shaking). These results demonstrate the potential of Fredinandcohnia onubensis-biosynthesized CS-Ag-NPs composites as a novel, biocompatible, and eco-friendly method for the removal of pesticide in water treatment applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Egypt, one of the world's biggest producers of cultured tilapia, is facing significant challenges in using drainage water for aquaculture due to the lack in freshwater. The current study was conducted to evaluate the effects of drainage water treatment on the growth and flesh quality of the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), raised on five distinct fish farms in the El-Fayoum Governorate and irrigated with various drainage water sources. Fish growth characteristics, flesh quality, irrigation resources, drainage canals, and water quality of the investigated fish farms were all investigated. The Dayer El-Berka fish farm had the highest values of pH, total hardness, total alkalinity, salinity, and total ammonia, demonstrating the negative effects of the untreated drainage water on aquaculture water quality. All farms, with the exception of Dayer El-Berka and El-Bats fish farm (earthen pond), which showed a high lead content, had copper concentrations below detection limits. Wadi Al-Raian fish farm was recorded with higher cadmium concentrations. The El-Bats fish farm (concrete pond), which is watered with El-Bats drain's treated drainage water, showed the lowest levels of heavy metals. The maximum growth performance was found in the Nile tilapia raised on Wadi Al-Raian and Al-Wadi fish farms, whereas the lowest growth performance was found in Dayer El-Berka fish farms, according to productivity metrics. The current study's findings indicate that fish raised on farms that use treated drainage water for irrigation have great growth rates, superior meat quality, and safe flesh for human consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the rapid advancement in civilization and industrialization, there is an increase in the contamination of water due to dumping or accumulation of waste and harmful products in water resources. As a result, freshwater scarcity has become a major concern worldwide and needs to be addressed by finding ways to avoid, remove, or degrade these harmful contaminants in water. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) act as a potential and promising candidate for removing and degrading harmful organic dyes from wastewater. In this study, we successfully synthesized a new Zirconium-based MOF (Zr-MOF) by the solvothermal method using melamine and trimesic acid as organic moieties. The synthesized Zr-MOF particles are monodispersed in nature with an average hydrodynamic diameter of 200 nm as demonstrated by dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements. Its formation and stability were confirmed by spectroscopic techniques including FTIR and XRD methods. The formed MOF displayed tremendous capability in degrading cationic as well as anionic dyes. It shows a surface area of 795.64 m2/g. The Zr-MOF shows adsorption percentages of 97.2% and 80.3% for Congo Red (CR) and Toluidine Blue (TB) respectively. Owing to a positively charged surface, the Zr-MOF showed more potential for adsorption of anionic dye because of electrostatic interactions. These MOFs showed 96.4% and 57.9% reusability in the second cycle for CR and TB, respectively, indicating their strong affinity towards anionic dye (CR). We have also reported the adsorption kinetics, stability, and reusability of Zr-MOF in the efficient removal of pollutants from water in this manuscript. Hence, with recent advancements and developments, this study may offer new inspirations for tuning and designing the membrane with superior dye removal which can be extended to laboratory and industrial usage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malachite green dye, widely used in various industries, poses significant threats to aquatic life and human health when present in water bodies. Traditional dye removal methods have limitations, prompting the need for innovative and sustainable solutions. This study investigates the potential of nano-ceramic clays, nano-silica clay, nano-kaolinite, nano-montmorillonite, and nano-titanium dioxide for removing malachite green dye (MGD) from water and wastewater. These clays exhibit exceptional properties, including high surface areas, specific structural characteristics, and enhanced reactivity, making them highly effective adsorbents. Various characterization techniques, such as UV–Vis spectrophotometry, FTIR analysis, XRD, SEM, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and BET analysis, were employed to analyse the properties of the raw and activated nano-ceramic clays. Continuous flow column experiments investigated the impact of various factors on the adsorption process. Characterization revealed critical insights into the structure, morphology, and surface properties of the nano-ceramic clays. Adsorption experiments demonstrated their effectiveness, with nano-silica clay achieving an efficient adsorption capacity under optimal conditions (pH 5, particle size 50 nm, temperature 35 °C, bed height 15 cm, dye concentration 50 mg/L, flow rate 5 mL/min, and duration 14 h), leading to 99.9% dye removal. Mathematical modelling predicted breakthrough curves for designing full-scale adsorption systems and in kinetics obeys Clark's model and Sips isotherm model indicated that factors beyond diffusion influence the adsorption rate and type IV isotherm is obtained by the BET analysis. Regeneration studies with a 98.5% removal efficiency at the first regeneration validated the nano-ceramic clay as an effective agent dye removal, offering significant environmental benefits. Future research should focus on developing more economical synthesis methods to enhance the practical and sustainable application of nano-ceramic clays in water and wastewater treatment, thereby mitigating dye pollution effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper offers a thorough examination of cutting-edge membrane technologies used in water treatment, specifically highlighting the use of nanomaterials and nanoparticles in the production of membranes. The text examines advanced purification techniques, including nanofiltration, electro-dialysis, and photocatalysis. The study emphasizes the utilization of state-of-the-art nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, graphene oxide, titanium dioxide, and silver nanoparticles, as advanced substances that can adsorb and catalyze effectively. The article discusses the latest advancements in membrane technology, specifically focusing on improvements in processes like as reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, and microfiltration. An assessment is conducted to determine the efficacy of these nanotechnologies in eliminating diverse organic and inorganic contaminants that provide considerable difficulties for conventional water treatment procedures. Furthermore, this study investigates the incorporation of biological processes such as bioremediation and phytoremediation with nanotechnology, highlighting both progress and existing constraints. This thorough examination highlights the advantages of various materials and compounds utilized in water filtration systems and pinpoints crucial areas for future investigation. In addition, the research examines high-quality materials mentioned in existing literature, emphasizing their substantial influence on the progress of membrane technologies. The offered insights seek to optimize the efficiency and efficacy of contemporary water treatment systems, thereby contributing to the worldwide provision of uncontaminated and secure water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted in 2022 in shallow wells and deep boreholes owned by residents, to investigate the water quality status in the emerging developing area of Dodoma Urban municipality in central Tanzania. Eighteen boreholes and five shallow wells were assessed using the water quality index (WQI), the inverse distance weighting (IDW) method under the ArcGIS environment, and the Euclidean similarity index. The WQI classified the water samples into a good category class with a covered area of 42.5% and an excellent category class with a covered area of 57.5%, indicating that most of the deep boreholes and shallow wells were suitable for residential purposes. The IDW revealed the spatial distribution of the physico-chemical parameters and WQI, indicating that water quality improved from west to east within the study area. Yet, the Euclidean similarity index was dominated by nitrates, pH and heavy metals, with the highest correlation coefficients. Despite the WQI being above the average class, water treatment technologies should be practiced to lower those values of physico-chemical parameters existing above the threshold limits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be addressed through chemistry. Researchers at Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada, have been sharing their stories on September 25 for the past two years through the Global Conversation on Sustainability. This article describes the details of one of these stories. As the global population increases, food production including aquaculture is increasing to provide for this. At the same time, this means more waste is produced. Waste from aquaculture is often overlooked as a source of valuable chemicals. By-products from farming blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) is dominated by shells rich in calcite. A 'soft' calcite material prepared from waste mussels, via a combination of heat and acetic acid treatment, was investigated for its adsorptive properties and its possible use in wastewater remediation. The adsorption of two cationic dyes, methylene blue and safranin-O, on this material were evaluated through isothermal and kinetic modelling. The adsorption systems for both methylene blue and safranin-O can best be described using Langmuir isotherms and the respective adsorption capacities were 1.81 and 1.51 mg/g. The adsorption process was dominated by pseudo-second order rate kinetics. Comparisons are made with other mollusc-derived materials reported to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Household water treatment (HWT) is recommended when safe drinking water is limited. To understand determinants of HWT adoption, we conducted a cross-sectional survey with 650 households across different regions in Haiti. Data were collected on 71 demographic and psychosocial factors and 2 outcomes (self-reported and confirmed HWT use). Data were transformed into 169 possible determinants of adoption across nine categories. We assessed determinants using logistic regression and, as machine learning methods are increasingly used, random forest analyses. Overall, 376 (58%) respondents self-reported treating or purchasing water, and 123 (19%) respondents had residual chlorine in stored household water. Both logistic regression and machine learning analyses had high accuracy (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC): 0.77–0.82), and the strongest determinants in models were in the demographics and socioeconomics, risk belief, and WASH practice categories. Determinants that can be influenced inform HWT promotion in Haiti. It is recommended to increase access to HWT products, provide cash and education on water treatment to emergency-impacted populations, and focus future surveys on known determinants of adoption. We found both regression and machine learning methods need informed, thoughtful, and trained analysts to ensure meaningful results and discuss the benefits/drawbacks of analysis methods herein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adsorption of trihalomethanes (THMs) from drinking water was investigated in the current study through comparison studies of kaolinite and ZnO@kaolinite nanocomposites. The clay structural network’s successful immobilization on the zincite hexagonal structure of ZnO nanoparticles’ lattice layers was verified by the SEM/EDX analysis. Under the optimum conditions, the maximum removal of THMs was achieved by kaolinite and ZnO@kaolinite nanocomposites after 60 min. The adsorption performance of the ZnO@kaolinite nanocomposites was greater than that of kaolinite because the former had a larger surface area than the latter. The Freundlich isotherm model best matched the adsorption experimental data, which also reveals the existence of multilayer adsorption on a diverse surface with the greatest correlation (R² ¼ 0.956 and 0.954, respectively) for both nanoadsorbents using the pseudo-first-order (PFO), pseudo-second-order (PSO), mixed 1, 2-order (MFSO), and intraparticle diffusion (IPD) models. The mechanism by which THMs in drinking water adsorb onto nanoadsorbents was examined. This revealed that both intraparticle and film diffusion were involved in the adsorption process. Kaolinite and ZnO@kaolinite nanocomposites can be used in water treatment to remove THMs due to their great recyclable and reusable properties, even after six cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) Candida auris presents a formidable global health challenge, causing severe healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) with high mortality rates. Its ability to colonize surfaces and resist standard disinfectants undermines traditional hygiene practices, prompting an urgent need for new strategies. Ultraviolet C (UVC) light offers a promising approach with rapid and broad-spectrum germicidal efficacy. This review examines current literature on UVC LED technology in combating C. auris, highlighting its effectiveness, limitations, and applications in healthcare hygiene. UVC light has potent activity against C. auris, with up to 99.9999% inactivation depending on certain conditions such as microbial load, type of organism, surface, environmental, equipment, and UVC radiation factors. UVC LEDs can effectively combat C. auris, driving down healthcare costs and reducing attributable global mortality. Here, we explore implementation strategies for the targeted disinfection of high-risk areas and equipment, air handling units (AHUs), and water treatment systems. Challenges associated with UVC LED disinfection devices in healthcare settings, current performance limitations, and radiation safety are discussed. This will help in optimizing application protocols for effective disinfection and radiation safety. To further strengthen healthcare facility hygiene practices and curb the global spread of C. auris, recommendations for integrating UVC LED disinfection into infection control programs are shared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer-based molecular tweezers have emerged as a prominent research area due to their enhanced ability to form host–guest complexes, driven by advancements in their design and synthesis. The impact of the spacer structure on the tweezers is predominant. They can be rigid, flexible, and stimuli-responsive. Herein, a new generation of molecular tweezers is introduced as polymer-based molecular tweezers. The integration of molecular tweezers onto biopolymers has significantly expanded their potential applications, making them promising candidates, especially in drug delivery, owing to their biocompatibility, adaptive structural features, and versatile interaction capabilities. The unique structure of polymer-based molecular tweezers, particularly when integrated with biopolymers, creates a unique nano-environment that enhances their interaction with guest molecules. This minireview focuses on the synthesis and applications of polymer-based molecular tweezers and examines how the incorporation of various spacers affects their binding affinity and specificity. These features highlight the advancement of these polymer-based systems, emphasizing their potential applications, particularly in drug delivery, water treatment technology, and future research opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In rainfed lowlands and water-saving cultivation systems, rice plants are often exposed to soil moisture fluctuation (SMF). Improving yield as well as grain quality is the main target for breeding under water-stressed environments. This study investigated the effects of different water treatment on yield, growth parameters, and grain quality under field conditions in Japan for 2 years. Two rice genotypes, Nipponbare (japonica) and G3-3 (derived from Nipponbare and KDML105, indica), were grown under continuous waterlogging (CWL) and SMF conditions. As the grain quality characteristics, grain appearance, dimension, and taste parameters were evaluated as well as yield and yield components. SMF reduced the yield, and G3-3 showed a higher yield than Nipponbare under SMF, which was attributed to the higher number of spikelets per panicle. G3-3 showed a better taste score (mark) with lower protein and amylose contents compared to Nipponbare. However, G3-3 had a higher percentage of broken grains, indicating a trade-off in grain quality traits. Non-structural carbohydrate dynamics may be involved as one of the grain quality characteristics. G3-3 demonstrated a superior yield under SMF conditions and have potential to show superior grain quality, indicating that the introgressed segments of G3-3 may be responsible for the grain quality traits associated with root plasticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article simply aims to compare two case studies concerning the purification, using carbon nanotubes, of water contaminated by the following two different common pollutants: benzoic acid and diesel. In particular, the aim is to highlight how the different natures of both of the polluting molecules and the carbon nanotubes play a fundamental role in water treatment. These two pollutants were taken into consideration because of their different chemical natures: benzoic acid is a polar pollutant, while the molecules present in diesel are substantially nonpolar. The carbon nanotubes used were both functionalized and nonfunctionalized. Functionalization is a process that allows for the introduction of functional groups onto the surface of carbon nanotubes. In this research, carboxylic functionalization was performed, which allowed for the insertion of carboxylic groups through attacks with sulfuric and nitric acids. Thanks to the results obtained, it was possible to quantify the optimization of the purification process depending on the types of carbon nanotubes and polluting molecules considered. The functionalized nanotubes exhibited greater performances in the treatment of water contaminated by benzoic acid compared to the nonfunctionalized ones. Instead, in the treatment of water contaminated by diesel, a greater purification capacity was shown by the nonfunctionalized carbon nanotubes compared to the functionalized ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review critically examines the latest advancements in clay mineral-based photocatalysts for water purification. Clay minerals, owing to their natural abundance, low cost, and unique physicochemical properties, have emerged as promising candidates for enhancing photocatalytic efficiency. This article delves into various activation methods for clay minerals, including acid, alkali, calcination, and mechanochemical activation, highlighting their roles in enhancing surface area, creating active sites, and improving photocatalytic performance. Moreover, the review explores various modification strategies for photocatalysts, such as doping with metal and non-metal ions, deposition of metals, and the design of heterojunctions, to further boost photocatalytic activity. In particular, the utilization of kaolinite, montmorillonite, attapulgite, and sepiolite as clay mineral supports for photocatalysts is discussed in detail, showcasing their potential in wastewater treatment. The review underscores the significant strides made in the development of clay mineral-based photocatalysts, highlighting their effectiveness in degrading organic contaminants under light exposure. Nevertheless, there are persisting challenges such as the optimization of loading quantities, improvement in compatibility between clay minerals and photocatalysts, and reduction in preparation costs for large-scale applications. In summary, this review offers valuable insights into the current status of clay mineral-based photocatalysts for water purification, thereby stimulating future research in this promising field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel nanocomposite film synthesized from an inexpensive and easily accessible polymer such as poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA), which is coated with nickel sulfide (NiS) and graphene oxide (GO), was obtained from used drinking-water bottles. The produced coated film was examined as a potential photocatalyst film for wastewater treatment promotion in a batch system for the removal of methylene blue (MB) and tetracycline (TC) antibiotics. The experimental results show that the presence of GO significantly increases the photocatalytic efficiency of NiS, and the MB and TC degradation results proved that the incorporation of GO with NiS led to a more than one-and-a-half-fold increase in the removal percentage in comparison with the NiS/PVA-coated film. After 30 min of illumination using GO/NiS/PVA-coated film, the removal efficiency reached 86% for MB and 64% for TC. The photodegradation kinetic rate followed the pseudo-first-order rate. Furthermore, the response surface methodology (RSM) model was utilized to study and optimize several operating parameters. The ideal circumstances to achieve 91% elimination of MB are 12 mg L−1 MB initial concentration, two lamps, and an illumination time of 15 min; however, to achieve 85% TC removal, 11 mg L−1 TC initial concentration, two lamps, and a 45 min illumination time should be used. The fabricated nanocomposite photocatalyst film seems to have promise for use in water purification systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]