Water Environment Research[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
When Pollutants Meet Pharmaceuticals: Pollutant-Drug Interactions and Their Hidden Impact on Human Health.
Lagunas-Rangel FA
Water Environ Res · 2026 Jun · PMID 42233749 · Publisher ↗
Environmental pollutants and pharmaceutical wastes increasingly coexist in environmental and biological systems, but their combined health effects remain poorly understood. This narrative review examines interactions bet...
Environmental pollutants and pharmaceutical wastes increasingly coexist in environmental and biological systems, but their combined health effects remain poorly understood. This narrative review examines interactions between commonly used drugs, including antibiotics, vaccines, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), psychotropic drugs, paracetamol, and phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, and major environmental pollutants such as microplastics, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), heavy metals, disinfectant biocides, arsenic, and nitrates. Evidence suggests that these interactions can alter drug bioavailability, therapeutic efficacy, toxicity, and resistance dynamics through adsorption, oxidative stress, immune modulation, and coselection mechanisms. Microplastics can adsorb antibiotics, favoring the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance, while also transporting psychotropic drugs and increasing their bioavailability after ingestion. PFAS exposure has been associated with a lower antibody response to tetanus vaccines in children and enhanced horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes. Heavy metals and disinfectant biocides can further coselect for antibiotic resistance through shared mobile genetic elements and cross-resistance mechanisms. Current evidence is dominated by experimental and environmental studies, whereas clinically relevant human data remain limited. A central objective of this manuscript is to encourage research that addresses current knowledge gaps in this field, particularly through environmentally realistic mixing models, longitudinal exposure studies, and mechanistic multiomics approaches to improve toxicological risk assessment and public health strategies.
Hydrochemical Evolution of Underground River System in Karst Trough Valley of Northern Guizhou: A Composite Mechanism of Natural Dissolution and Anthropogenic Forcing.
Liang F, Zhang X, Cui J … +5 more , Zheng Z, Dang Z, Li Q, Jiang F, Liu S
Water Environ Res · 2026 Jun · PMID 42227947 · Publisher ↗
In karst landscapes, trough valleys are key negative topographic units that act as both natural groundwater catchments and preferential pathways for contaminant transport. Their well-developed vertical karst features, su...
In karst landscapes, trough valleys are key negative topographic units that act as both natural groundwater catchments and preferential pathways for contaminant transport. Their well-developed vertical karst features, such as sinkholes and fissures, facilitate the rapid entry of surface contaminants into groundwater systems, exerting significant control over flow paths, hydrochemical evolution, and pollutant fate. However, a systematic understanding of how this unique "catchment-conduit" functionality governs the spatial differentiation of groundwater chemistry, and how anthropogenic pollutants quantitatively interact with and evolve within this natural karst background, remains elusive. This study investigates an underground river system in a typical karst trough valley of northern Guizhou. Using hydrogeological surveys, tracer tests, and hydrochemical sampling, we employed integrated approaches including Piper diagrams, Gibbs diagrams, ion ratios, correlation analysis, and principal component analysis (PCA) to systematically characterize groundwater chemistry, spatial evolution patterns, and controlling factors. A mineral dissolution equilibrium model was further applied to quantify the contribution of anthropogenic nitric and sulfuric acids to carbonate dissolution. The results indicate that: (1) Groundwater is predominantly of the HCO-Ca·Mg type, primarily controlled by carbonate dissolution, which constitutes the regional hydrochemical background. However, a distinct spatial pattern of "significant pollution input-self-purification recovery-localized recontamination" is observed along the subsurface flow path, a variability driven largely by anthropogenic activities. (2) PCA quantitatively identified three principal controlling factors. The anthropogenic pollution factor (PC1), represented by Na, NH , K, and Cl, exhibits a contribution rate of 44.718%, surpassing that of the natural dissolution factor (PC2, 17.578%). This confirms that anthropogenic activities have become the primary driver of spatial hydrochemical variations. (3) The mineral dissolution equilibrium model estimated that anthropogenic nitric and sulfuric acids contribute an average of 21.0% to carbonate dissolution, demonstrating that human activities significantly accelerate karst dissolution through the input of acidic substances. This study quantifies anthropogenic acid contribution (~21%, upper limit) to carbonate dissolution and reveals a spatial pattern of pollution input, self-purification, and recontamination driven by the valley's "catchment conduit" functionality, providing a scientific basis for groundwater protection in similar karst settings. These findings provide a mechanism-based scientific basis for groundwater protection and pollution control in similar geomorphic settings.
Optimization of Turbidity Removal in Water Using Chemically Modified Tannins From Brazilian Species.
da Silva BRF, Ucella-Filho JGM, Lourenço YBC … +6 more , Dos Anjos BF, da Silva KCA, Gomes JPS, Braga RM, de Azevedo TKB, Mori FA
Water Environ Res · 2026 Jun · PMID 42213489 · Publisher ↗
Cationized tannins are natural coagulants with great potential for sustainable water treatment. This study investigated the performance of chemically modified tannins extracted from Stryphnodendron adstringens and Mimosa...
Cationized tannins are natural coagulants with great potential for sustainable water treatment. This study investigated the performance of chemically modified tannins extracted from Stryphnodendron adstringens and Mimosa tenuiflora barks for turbidity removal and optimization of coagulation conditions. Tannins were extracted using NaSO at 70°C and chemically cationized to enhance their positive charge density. We hypothesized that the cationization process would improve particle destabilization by promoting electrostatic attraction and hydrogen bonding with negatively charged colloids. Coagulation efficiency was evaluated through a 2 factorial design, considering coagulant dosage (50-150 mg) and rapid/slow mixing times (1-3 min; 10-30 min). Optimal conditions for S. adstringens were obtained with 150 mg of coagulant, 1 min of rapid mixing, and 10 min of slow mixing, whereas Mimosa tenuiflora performed best with 50 mg, 3 min of rapid mixing, and 30 min of slow mixing. Although these results were obtained under controlled laboratory conditions, challenges related to large-scale application and raw water variability remain to be addressed. Overall, this study demonstrates the promising potential of Brazilian tannins as renewable coagulants, providing evidence-based insights into the mechanisms and influencing factors governing natural polymer-based coagulation and flocculation processes.
Probabilistic Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Groundwater From an Industrial Area of Bengaluru: Deterministic, Probabilistic, and Scenario Modeling Approaches.
Bangalore S, Sreevidya Raman S
Water Environ Res · 2026 Jun · PMID 42212980 · Publisher ↗
Pollution of groundwater by heavy metals poses a serious health hazard to human beings. This study evaluates the noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks of the following five metals: lead (Pb), chromium (Cr (VI)), cadmium...
Pollution of groundwater by heavy metals poses a serious health hazard to human beings. This study evaluates the noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks of the following five metals: lead (Pb), chromium (Cr (VI)), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and iron (Fe) in groundwater at 30 stations in the Bellandur industrial area of Bengaluru, India. The concentrations of groundwater metals were determined at these 30 stations, and the hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and lifetime cancer risk (LTCR) were calculated according to USEPA standards. Probabilistic risk was measured using Monte Carlo simulation. Reductions of 20% and 50% were assessed by scenario modeling. The metal analysis shows that the exceedance percentages with respect to Pb, Cr (VI), Cd, and Fe are 33.33 53.33, 53.33, and 63.33, both with respect to Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and World Health Organization (WHO) as they both use the same permissible limits, while Cu exceeds the BIS Limits by 36.67%. However, WHO has not placed any minimum limits for Cu and only an upper limit of 2 mg/L, as per which none of the stations exceed the limits. Results show widespread exceedances, especially among children, where Pb is the dominant contributor to noncarcinogenic risk, while Cr (VI) is the sole driver of carcinogenic risk. HI exceeded 1 at 20 stations for adults and 21 stations for children. LTCR exceeded 1 × 10 at 19 adult stations and 16 child stations. The marginal stations that showed compliance only under 50% reduction were illustrated in the scenario model. Pb, Cr (VI), and Cd are identified as the chief drivers of health risks in the region. Targeted remediation and policy interventions are urgently needed. Probabilistic modeling and scenario analysis offer robust tools for groundwater risk governance.
Microbial Dynamics During the Anaerobic Digestion of Raw Sewage and Electro-Flocculated Wastewater for Biohydrogen and Biomethane Production using Synthetically Designed Microbial Consortia.
Ira R, Sharma V, Kumar S … +3 more , Sharma L, Halder A, Prakash T
Water Environ Res · 2026 Jun · PMID 42206807 · Publisher ↗
Electrocoagulation is used for wastewater (WW) management; however, the disposal of organic carbon- and metal ion-enriched electro-flocculated WW (EF) remains a significant challenge. We investigated the anaerobic digest...
Electrocoagulation is used for wastewater (WW) management; however, the disposal of organic carbon- and metal ion-enriched electro-flocculated WW (EF) remains a significant challenge. We investigated the anaerobic digestion (AD) of raw sewage WW (RW) and EF for biohydrogen and biomethane production using a microbial consortia designed from complementary natural wastes selected for their distinct microbial complexity and buffering capacity. The consortia design included sequential mixing, heat-pretreatment, organic load shock, and anaerobic acclimatization for selective enrichment of fermentative, hydrogen-producing, and methanogenic communities. Three different heat-pretreatment consortia and their untreated counterparts were tested in two AD batch experiments (B1 and B3). Biogas production, gas compositions, and microbial dynamics were explored using gas chromatography and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. B3 reactors produced more biogas than B1 and controls, highlighting enhanced microbial activity after acclimatization. For RW, the heat-pretreated inoculum (R.C2Tx) yielded highest cumulative gas (81 mL) with 37% biomethane, attributed to enrichment of fermentative and hydrogenotrophic taxa. In contrast, the untreated consortia (E.C2UTx) performed better for EF (76.7 mL total biogas, 12.7% biomethane, and 5.8% biohydrogen), highlighting the enrichment of microbes with ability for degradation of Fe-rich, complex substrates. Enrichment of Proteobacteria, Pseudomonas, and Methanobacterium in most B3 samples correlated with higher gas yield.
Artificial Intelligence, Optimization, and Modeling Techniques in Water Resources Management: Challenges and Future Directions.
Razavi HS, Nejadhashemi AP, Deb K … +3 more , Toscano G, Harrigan T, Linker L
Water Environ Res · 2026 Jun · PMID 42206775 · Publisher ↗
The novelty of this work lies in its comprehensive investigation of six major elements of water resources management (watershed models, surrogate models, optimization techniques, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Decision Su...
The novelty of this work lies in its comprehensive investigation of six major elements of water resources management (watershed models, surrogate models, optimization techniques, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Decision Support Systems (DSS), and monitoring systems) in a single review. While previous studies have focused on individual elements or limited interactions, this paper offers a holistic perspective, addressing the risks of fragmented approaches that yield incomplete solutions. Unlike technical reviews, it blends depth with practical insights, aiding policymakers and managers while outlining gaps and new directions. Several recent successes have the potential to revolutionize water resources management. For example, integrating AI with traditional watershed models has significantly improved model performance. Additionally, AI-driven flood risk prediction has achieved impressive accuracy, enhancing the reliability of early warning systems. Meanwhile, future research should enhance water resource management by integrating AI, remote sensing, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to improve accuracy, efficiency, and adaptability.
Multidimensional Analysis of Chlorine Photolysis for Astrazon Red 6B Degradation: Kinetics, Synergistic Effects, and Mechanistic Insights.
Tidjani M, Merouani S, Dehane A … +2 more , Djelloul C, Hamdaoui O
Water Environ Res · 2026 Jun · PMID 42203503 · Publisher ↗
This study investigates the degradation of Astrazon Red 6B (AR 6B), a cationic textile dye, using the UV/chlorine advanced oxidation process. A multidimensional experimental approach was employed to evaluate the process...
This study investigates the degradation of Astrazon Red 6B (AR 6B), a cationic textile dye, using the UV/chlorine advanced oxidation process. A multidimensional experimental approach was employed to evaluate the process performance and synergy under varying operational conditions, including chlorine dosage (100-1000 μM), dye concentration (10 and 20 mg L), temperature (25°C-45°C), and pH (5, 7, and 9). Particular attention was given to pH, as it governs chlorine speciation and consequently the nature and reactivity of generated oxidative species. The combined UV/chlorine system exhibited significantly enhanced degradation compared to the individual processes (chlorination and UV irradiation), confirming a strong synergistic effect. By outperforming the UV/HO system, the highest performance (with a synergy index [SI] of 9.76) of the UV/chlorine system was observed under mildly acidic conditions (pH 5 with 250 μM chlorine, 20 mg L dye, and 25°C), where reactive chlorine species (RCS) and hydroxyl radicals (the dominant oxidants) were simultaneously promoted, accelerating chromophore destruction and subsequent oxidative pathways. Neutral (pH 7) and alkaline (pH 9) conditions exhibited a different reactivity pattern, indicating a shift in the dominant radical species and reaction mechanisms. Variations in oxidant dose, pollutant concentration, and temperature further influenced the SI in a pH-dependent manner, highlighting the complex interplay among radical generation, scavenging reactions, and substrate availability. Overall, the results demonstrate that the UV/chlorine process is a highly tunable oxidation system whose efficiency is strongly controlled by chlorine speciation and radical dynamics. The mechanistic insights provided contribute to a deeper understanding of reactive species interactions and support the optimization of UV/chlorine treatment for textile wastewater remediation.
Hydrodynamic Optimization and Bioelectrochemical Performance of a Dual-Chamber Microbial Fuel Cell: A CFD-Assisted Evaluation of Stirring Effects for Textile Wastewater Treatment.
Barrak N, Bohli A, Miled W … +3 more , Mannai R, Haddad H, Lotfi A
Water Environ Res · 2026 Jun · PMID 42200485 · Publisher ↗
The optimization of hydrodynamic conditions in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) is critical to enhancing both pollutant removal and electricity generation. This study evaluates the impact of impeller-driven mixing applied to...
The optimization of hydrodynamic conditions in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) is critical to enhancing both pollutant removal and electricity generation. This study evaluates the impact of impeller-driven mixing applied to anaerobic MFCs on biomass suspension, dye degradation, and power output. Activated sludge (100-300 g/L, equivalent to 2.0-6.0 g/L TS) was combined with a synthetic dye solution and operated under stirring speeds of 25, 75, and 125 rpm. A CFD framework based on the Eulerian multiphase approach and the RNG k-ε turbulence model was implemented in ANSYS Fluent to simulate liquid-solid interactions, predict biomass distribution, and compare the results with experimental measurements. CFD predictions aligned closely with measurements (error < 3%). At 125 rpm, a homogeneous sludge suspension was achieved, preventing sedimentation and promoting optimal substrate-biofilm contact. Under these conditions, dye removal reached 78% and power density increased to 0.951 W/m. Reduced stirring (25 rpm) caused biomass accumulation at the bottom, lowering color removal to 35% and power density to 0.231 W/m.
Enhancing the Ability of Logical Thinking and Knowledge Integration in the Context of Carbon Neutrality and Environmental Sustainability: A Case Study of the Teaching Practice Base in the Karst Areas.
Yang M, Qiu Y, Zeng C … +2 more , Yang R, Song T
Water Environ Res · 2026 Jun · PMID 42187540 · Publisher ↗
The unique karst geological background in the southwest China karst area is the main obstacle for achieving carbon neutrality and environmental sustainability. In the future, there is an urgent need for professionals wit...
The unique karst geological background in the southwest China karst area is the main obstacle for achieving carbon neutrality and environmental sustainability. In the future, there is an urgent need for professionals with expertise, logical thinking ability, and knowledge integration skills. The knowledge covered in the hydrogeology course is closely related to carbon neutrality and environmental sustainability. However, through the author's comprehensive analysis of extensive teaching experience, industry research, and policy guidance, it has been found that there are several issues in the teaching of the hydrogeology course. These include a disconnect between the teaching content and the needs of real societal development, low logical thinking ability among students, lack of ability to integrate knowledge from different fields, and insufficient practical case studies and project analysis exercises. These issues seriously hinder teaching effectiveness. This teaching reform proposes three measures closely related to the policy guidance, industry demands, and research development dynamics of carbon neutrality and environmental sustainability. These measures are as follows: (1) a teaching content reform based on "logical thinking," (2) an innovative teaching model based on "case-based practical training," and (3) an exploratory teaching practice based on "knowledge integration." In addition, logical analysis practices such as dialectics, contradictions, and systems theory are conducted during the teaching process. The teaching reform innovatively categorizes the content of hydrogeology into six logical chains of problems in accordance with the connotation of carbon neutrality and sustainability processes one by one. Finally, a practical training program based on case projects has been developed to provide students with real-world experience and analysis skills. On this basis, a teaching practice base for karst carbon sinks has been constructed in Guizhou Province. It enables students to gain an in-depth understanding of karst development, hydrochemical measurement, carbon flux calculation, and other processes involved in karst carbon sink cycles and master the hydrochemical evolution laws in karst areas as well as the fundamental mechanisms of karst aquatic photosynthetic carbon sinks. These efforts will cultivate excellent reserve talent for achieving carbon neutrality and environmental sustainability in the karst area of Guizhou Province and even nationwide.
Performance and Microbial Dynamics of Vermifiltration-Integrated Constructed Wetland Treating Rice Mill Wastewater Under Elevated COD and Lignin Loading.
Mishra SK, Bhunia P, Sarkar A
Water Environ Res · 2026 Jun · PMID 42186307 · Publisher ↗
Higher organic concentrations in rice mill wastewater (RMW) are accompanied by increased lignin concentrations; however, their combined impact on treatment performance remains insufficiently understood. In this study, a...
Higher organic concentrations in rice mill wastewater (RMW) are accompanied by increased lignin concentrations; however, their combined impact on treatment performance remains insufficiently understood. In this study, a vermifiltration-integrated constructed wetland (CW) system was evaluated to elucidate the effects of increasing organic concentrations on stage-specific functional performance. RMW with influent chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 2000 and 4000 mg/L, with corresponding lignin concentrations of 150 and 300 mg/L, representative of typical and peak loading conditions, was treated. Increasing influent strength from 2000 to 4000 mg/L reduced treatment efficiency, with COD and lignin removal efficiencies decreasing by 21.6% and 24.8%, respectively, at a CW length of 30 cm, and by 18.9% and 17.3% at 50 cm. However, increasing influent COD from 2000 to 4000 mg/L resulted in higher absolute removal, with COD removal increasing from 1838 to 2880 mg/L at a CW length of 30 cm and from 1886 to 3060 mg/L at a CW length of 50 cm, and corresponding lignin removal increasing from 118 to 174 mg/L and from 124 to 196 mg/L, respectively. Despite the increase in absolute removal, the decline in removal efficiency indicated increased system stress under higher loading conditions. The lignin inhibition test identified a critical inhibitory concentration of 253 mg/L, providing a mechanistic basis for interpreting system behavior. Although higher COD loadings promoted the proliferation of heterotrophic bacteria and actinomycetes, specific oxygen uptake rate and enzyme assay revealed suppressed microbial activity, with excessive EPS production indicating a protective microbial response under stress-induced conditions. The presence of Sphingomonas, Stenotrophomonas, and Pseudomonas indicated lignin-degradation potential of the system. Overall, the findings demonstrated that lignin concentration, rather than COD alone, governs metabolic inhibition, stressing the necessity of lignin-targeted pretreatment strategies to sustain treatment performance under high-strength RMW conditions.
Carbon Nanodots and Their Performance in Powder and Coated Fabrics Forms for Industrial Wastewater Treatment.
Hamisu A, Abdullahi S, Salah YN … +5 more , Ansari MO, Alshahrie A, Jilani A, Memić A, Salah N
Water Environ Res · 2026 May · PMID 42185212 · Publisher ↗
Industrial wastewater treatment and reuse are becoming increasingly critical due to growing freshwater scarcity. Because industrial effluents frequently contain organic dyes and other harmful pollutants, there is a press...
Industrial wastewater treatment and reuse are becoming increasingly critical due to growing freshwater scarcity. Because industrial effluents frequently contain organic dyes and other harmful pollutants, there is a pressing need for effective, abundant, and low-cost treatment methods. This work investigates steam-activated carbon nanodots (SAc CNDs) derived from date palm fronds for the removal of organic contaminants. These SAc CNDs were tested in both powder form and as fabric sheet coatings, offering practical and scalable treatment options. The adsorption performance was evaluated using several dyes, including methylene blue, crystal violet, brilliant green, and methyl green. These results are remarkable, especially considering the low-cost of SAc CNDs. This application shows great promise for industrial wastewater treatment, promoting both freshwater conservation and the sustainable repurposing of agricultural waste.
Efficient and Reusable nZVI@D201 Catalytic Ozonation: Organophosphorus Removal and Phosphorus Recovery From Fosfomycin Wastewater.
Shi J, Xu M, Zhu X … +4 more , Yang F, Wu J, Du Q, Shi J
Water Environ Res · 2026 May · PMID 42173819 · Publisher ↗
Organophosphorus (OP), a persistent and refractory pollutant, is resistant to conventional degradation methods and poses substantial risks to ecological systems and human health. In this study, fosfomycin (FOM) was selec...
Organophosphorus (OP), a persistent and refractory pollutant, is resistant to conventional degradation methods and poses substantial risks to ecological systems and human health. In this study, fosfomycin (FOM) was selected as a model OP compound, and a heterogeneous catalytic ozonation system, ozone combined with nanoscale zero-valent iron supported on D201 resin (nZVI@D201/O), was constructed for its degradation. The results indicated that nZVI@D201 achieved excellent performance in degrading OP and recovering inorganic phosphorus (IP). Radical quenching experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis confirmed the radical oxidation pathway and the dominant role of ·OH. The outstanding Fe/Fe electron cycling capacity and abundant surface oxygen-containing functional groups in nZVI@D201 contributed to effective ozone activation, thereby promoting OP degradation. During FOM degradation, surface hydroxyl groups served as pivotal active sites, primarily targeting epoxy and phosphate moieties with concomitant phosphate release. Attacked by reactive oxygen species (ROS), FOM underwent oxidation to form small-molecule compounds. In summary, the nZVI@D201/O system provides a green and efficient strategy for OP removal and phosphorus recovery.
Advancing Wastewater Treatment via Next-Generation CFD: A Critical Review of Multiphase Physics, Scale-Up Challenges, and AI Integration.
Aras E, Yilmaz Çelik D
Water Environ Res · 2026 May · PMID 42169462 · Publisher ↗
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are facing dual pressures of increasing influent variability and the urgent need for decarbonization. Aeration processes, accounting for 50%-70% of total energy consumption, represent...
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are facing dual pressures of increasing influent variability and the urgent need for decarbonization. Aeration processes, accounting for 50%-70% of total energy consumption, represent the most critical target for optimization. Specifically, transitioning from conventional empirical methods to AI-CFD integrated frameworks can quantitatively reduce aeration energy consumption from 0.30 to 0.70 kWh/m down to 0.15-0.25 kWh/m. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the evolution from classical hydrodynamic assessments to advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and artificial intelligence (AI) integrated frameworks, identifying the multiphase Euler-Euler approach coupled with population balance models (PBM) as the most suitable framework for capturing complex WWTP hydrodynamics. Unlike conventional reviews, this study critically evaluates the numerical robustness of turbulence closures, highlighting how advanced formulations such as shear stress transport (SST) k-ω can enhance predictive reliability in shear-dominated and rotational flow regions when appropriately validated against experimental data (typically yielding R > 0.90 and RMSE < 10%). Furthermore, the role of population balance modeling (PBM) in capturing complex bubble dynamics-such as coalescence and breakup-is analyzed as a prerequisite for accurate oxygen transfer efficiency (OTE) estimations. A significant focus is placed on the "scale-up" challenge, identifying the mathematical discrepancies between pilot-scale validations and full-scale plant performance. To bridge these gaps, the review explores emerging approaches such as physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) and digital twins. Specifically, AI-driven surrogate models drastically reduce computational times to enable real-time control, whereas PINNs ensure predictions remain physically robust even with sparse operational data. These integrations offer substantial potential for reducing energy use and associated carbon emissions when integrated with renewable energy systems. By synthesizing validated physical models with AI-driven surrogates, this review demonstrates that actionable CFD strategies can yield absolute aeration energy reductions of 15%-30% while paving the way for carbon-conscious wastewater treatment.
Assessment of a Passive Sampler for Aquifer Microbial Community Profiling and Comparison of Porous Media Applied in a Managed Recharge Scenario.
Riddley M, Byeon H, Trubenbach K … +3 more , Schreiber M, Pruden A, Liao J
Water Environ Res · 2026 May · PMID 42163022 · Publisher ↗
Microbial communities play an important role in aquifer systems as both hazards (e.g., pathogens and carriers of antibiotic resistance genes) and contributors to contaminant remediation. However, monitoring native microb...
Microbial communities play an important role in aquifer systems as both hazards (e.g., pathogens and carriers of antibiotic resistance genes) and contributors to contaminant remediation. However, monitoring native microbial communities in situ remains challenging. To address this challenge, we developed a passive sampler that employs removable cartridges containing solid media designed to recreate the aquifer environment in a controlled fashion and support consistent, repeatable, time-series sampling. With a bench-scale, continuous-loop setup circulating advanced-treated wastewater, we compared microbial community dynamics across three candidate porous media: native aquifer sediment, zirconia beads, and laboratory-grade silica sand. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing revealed that native aquifer sediment best reflected influent microbial composition and temporal shifts. Native aquifer sediment also exhibited more spatial consistency in microbial diversity along the sampler. These findings suggest that native aquifer sediment is an optimal porous medium for long-term, in situ monitoring of microbial communities for managed aquifer recharge and other applications in groundwater systems.
Spatiotemporal Contaminant Occurrence and Risk Assessment in the Arroio Dourado River Under the Influence of Agriculture and a Deactivated Dumpsite.
Boroski M, da Silva SS, Soares LM … +6 more , Ramirez KG, Rubio F, Frigo JP, Pereira LHG, de Aguiar PF, Sirtori C
Water Environ Res · 2026 May · PMID 42159252 · Publisher ↗
This study evaluated the impacts of agricultural activities and a decommissioned landfill on the Arroio Dourado River and identified critical sampling periods and strategic monitoring locations. In total, 492 parameters...
This study evaluated the impacts of agricultural activities and a decommissioned landfill on the Arroio Dourado River and identified critical sampling periods and strategic monitoring locations. In total, 492 parameters were analyzed in surface water, 392 in sediment, and 350 in fish. Noncarcinogenic health risks (HI) and ecological risk (RQ) were assessed. Multivariate analyses (principal component analysis [PCA] and hierarchical cluster analysis [HCA]), supported by statistical tests, revealed differences among the six surface water campaigns (C1-C6, p < 0.05). C1, collected in April (autumn), showed higher levels of metals, heavy metals, and physicochemical parameters. Phenanthrene and naphthalene, classified as PAHs, were detected in C1. Summer campaigns (C5-C6) showed higher coliforms, residual chlorine, turbidity, color, phosphorus, and metals (Fe, Cr, and Mn). During the mid-season campaign (C3), pesticides such as atrazine, simazine, buprofezin, cyproconazole, flutriafol, metalaxyl-M, paclobutrazol, and naphthalene were detected. Sediment heterogeneity was driven by spatial variation (p < 0.05), with P1 likely influenced by agricultural activity and P3 showing higher metal levels. Heavy metals were also detected in fish samples. Although HI and RQ values remained below safety thresholds, the presence of toxic substances highlights the need for continued monitoring. P4 was identified as a key site for capturing cumulative impacts of agricultural and urban activities.
Synergistic Electrochemical Characterization of PVC-Based Ni-Co-Mn Phosphate Hybrid Matrix Through Conducting (1:1) Electrolytes for Ion-Exchange Separation and Wastewater Treatment.
Subhan Z, Rashid I, Khan MMA … +1 more , Ali SA
Water Environ Res · 2026 May · PMID 42159235 · Publisher ↗
The development of composite ion-exchange membranes through the integration of polymers with inorganic matrices offers a promising route to improve selectivity and stability for separation and electrochemical application...
The development of composite ion-exchange membranes through the integration of polymers with inorganic matrices offers a promising route to improve selectivity and stability for separation and electrochemical applications. In this work, a nickel cobalt manganese phosphate (NCM-P) inorganic membrane reinforced with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is fabricated to exploit the synergistic combination of an inorganic ion conducting phase and a mechanically robust polymeric phase. A composite containing 75 wt.% NCM-P and 25 wt.% PVC is prepared and systematically characterized to evaluate its structure-property relationships. The crystalline structure and phase purity are confirmed by x-ray diffraction, whereas the chemical bonding and functional groups are examined by FTIR spectroscopy. The surface morphology and elemental composition are investigated using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, revealing a homogeneous dispersion of the inorganic phase within the PVC matrix. The resulting membranes exhibit enhanced chemical, thermal, and mechanical stability compared with the pristine inorganic material, along with improved chemo-physical properties and electroactive behavior. Ion-transport performance is assessed by electrochemical measurements for Na, K, and Li, demonstrating regulated ion passage and effective ion-exchange characteristics. These findings highlight a versatile strategy for tailoring multifunctional NCM-P/PVC composite membranes for potential use in ion-exchange processes, wastewater treatment, energy-storage systems, biomedical devices, and environmental remediation.
Removal of Polyethylene Microplastics Using Wood Sawdust.
Sentman J, Eggleston I, Zhou X … +1 more , Xing B
Water Environ Res · 2026 May · PMID 42144729 · Publisher ↗
Microplastics (MPs) increasingly threaten environmental and human health due to their widespread presence in aquatic, terrestrial, and atmospheric systems. Yet scalable, cost-effective removal technologies remain limited...
Microplastics (MPs) increasingly threaten environmental and human health due to their widespread presence in aquatic, terrestrial, and atmospheric systems. Yet scalable, cost-effective removal technologies remain limited for MPs despite rising concern. This study investigated the use of wood sawdust, both unmodified (UMSD) and chemically modified (MSD) with tannic acid and ferric chloride (FeCl), as removal technologies for polyethylene (PE) MP remediation in aquatic systems. MSD was synthesized via a simple aqueous-phase reaction, enhancing its surface functionality and increasing its negative surface charge. In a fixed-bed column setup, both UMSD and MSD achieved over 99% removal efficiency for pristine PE MPs, sized 40 and 150 μm. Physical entrapment was the dominant mechanism of capture, with van der Waals forces likely contributing secondarily. The comparable performance of UMSD suggests that lignocellulosic biowaste holds potential for MP capture. These findings support the development of low-cost, regenerative materials for water purification and warrant further study of their interactions with broader contaminant classes.
Biodiesel Production From Waste Cooking Oil: A Study Towards Zero-Discharge Strategy via Pilot-Scale Packed Adsorption Column for Wash Water Treatment and Reuse.
Santhosh A, Dawn SS, Nirmala N … +1 more , Arun J
Water Environ Res · 2026 May · PMID 42141791 · Publisher ↗
Food-waste-derived-activated carbon offers a sustainable solution for treating alkaline, oil-rich biodiesel wash water. In order to assess its viability in pilot-scale biodiesel production, the physicochemical characteri...
Food-waste-derived-activated carbon offers a sustainable solution for treating alkaline, oil-rich biodiesel wash water. In order to assess its viability in pilot-scale biodiesel production, the physicochemical characterization of waste cooking oil (WCO), which included FFA (0.11 to 1.77%), moisture content (0.69 to 1.87%), viscosity (13.01 to 16.76 cSt), and density (0.910 to 0.94 g/cc). Low-FFA waste cooking oil was converted into biodiesel by single-step transesterification at 60°C-65°C utilizing a methanol-NaOH. Biodiesel was washed with hot water until a neutral pH was reached, producing 128-136 L of alkaline wash water each batch. Biodiesel wash water with high pH (10.9 to 11.7), turbidity (441 to 420 NTU), TSS (18.88 to 18.19 mg/L), TDS (84-88 mg/L), oil and grease (1.24 to 0.918 mg/L) concentration was targeted for recovery and reuse by adsorption utilizing food waste-activated carbon. In order to effectively recover and reuse in a zero-liquid-discharge process, a pilot-scale packed adsorption column utilizing mixed food waste-activated carbon was included into the biodiesel system to treat 128-136 L of alkaline, high-turbidity wash water each batch. Effective water purification was demonstrated by the treatment of mixed biodiesel wash water in the food waste-activated carbon (FWAC) column, which consistently lowered pH to ~7.1-7.3, turbidity to 1 NTU, TSS to 9-10 mg/L, and oil-grease to 0.15-0.17 mg/L. Fuel satisfying ASTM criteria was created by refining biodiesel using FWAC-treated wash water, showcasing a successful zero-discharge strategy that promotes the circular economy, GHG reduction, and India's Net Zero 2070 goal.
Tailored Mesoporous Networks in Graphene-Supported Titania Nanopowders for Enhanced Photocatalysis: Unveiling the Impact of Internal Porous Architecture.
Singh A, Prajapati N, Jain R … +2 more , Singh SV, Jaiswal RP
Water Environ Res · 2026 May · PMID 42141774 · Publisher ↗
Graphene-supported titania (TiO) nanopowder is widely studied for photocatalytic contaminant degradation; however, the effect of graphene on tuning the internal mesoporous network of TiO remains underexplored. This study...
Graphene-supported titania (TiO) nanopowder is widely studied for photocatalytic contaminant degradation; however, the effect of graphene on tuning the internal mesoporous network of TiO remains underexplored. This study provides a deeper understanding of the enhanced photocatalytic performance of graphene-supported titania by uncovering the architectural modifications in the mesoporous structure of the original nanopowder. Specifically, exfoliated-reduced graphene oxide (Ex-rGO) was synthesized using a physicochemical method. The Ex-rGO nanosheets, in varying concentrations (0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.4%), were added to the titania precursor as hard templates for the growth of TiO nanoparticles. The resulting graphene-supported titania nanocomposites, TiO/Ex-rGO (0.1%-0.4%), were characterized to evaluate their physical, chemical, crystallographic, and optical properties. The photocatalytic performance of the reference TiO, TiO/Ex-rGO (0.1%), TiO/Ex-rGO (0.2%), and TiO/Ex-rGO (0.4%), measured by determining degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye, was found to be 72.62%, 79.58%, 94.63%, and 82%, respectively, in 2 h of UV exposure. Although TiO/Ex-rGO (0.4%) exhibited the lowest electron-hole recombination among all synthesized titania nanopowders, the highest photocatalytic degradation rate was achieved with an optimal Ex-rGO concentration of 0.2% in the TiO nanoparticles. This unexpected response was attributed to the rapid diffusion of dye molecules into the internal porous networks, facilitated by the relatively large average pore diameter of 13.78 nm and the widely open porous structure observed in TiO/Ex-rGO (0.2%). This study, for the first time, revealed that incorporating graphene nanosheets within the titania matrix can favorably tailor the mesoporous architecture of the parent nanopowder, enhancing pore accessibility and thereby boosting photocatalytic performance.
Graphite-Based Electrochemical Degradation of Congo Red in Aqueous Media: An Eco-Sustainable Approach for Treatment of Residual Dye in Wastewater.
Kumar A, Kundu M, Krishnan P … +1 more , Vashisth A
Water Environ Res · 2026 May · PMID 42141772 · Publisher ↗
The present study investigates the decolorization of aqueous solution of Congo red across the concentration range (0.5, 1, 2, 5, and 10 ppm) using an electrochemical oxidation process employing graphite electrodes as bot...
The present study investigates the decolorization of aqueous solution of Congo red across the concentration range (0.5, 1, 2, 5, and 10 ppm) using an electrochemical oxidation process employing graphite electrodes as both anode and cathode. Rapid and nondestructive quantification of selected dye was achieved using double beam UV-Vis spectroscopy by monitoring its UV-visible absorption profile. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used as statistical tool for optimization of initial concentration, applied voltage and operating time. Applied central composite design (CCD) in RSM and resulting quadratic polynomial model exhibited sufficient accuracy to serve as predictive equation in the studied domain. Results indicated that the highest removal efficiency for Congo red was 98.4% for 0.5 ppm at operational time of 40 min for 20 V with current density of 2.1 mA cm. Thus, the present study proposes an environmentally sustainable, rapid, and cost-effective approach for remediation of dilute residual dye streams rather than bulk treatment of dye-enriched wastewater, exhibiting enhanced economic feasibility compared to existing studies by achieving high removal efficiency at reduced energy consumption.
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