Water Environment Research[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Preparation and Characterization of UiO-66 Onto Modified Alumina Hollow Membrane With Sol-Gel Pechini of Zirconia Oxide Nanoparticles.
Abdullah N, Rahman MA, Othman MHD … +8 more , Jaafar J, Ismail AF, Abdullah N, Azmi NAN, Paiman SH, Yahaya NZS, Nordin AH, Nor NAM
Water Environ Res · 2026 Mar · PMID 41793164 · Publisher ↗
Well-continuous zirconia (Zr)-based metal-organic framework (UiO-66) grown onto alumina hollow fiber (AHF) remains challenging. By introducing Zr oxide (ZrO) nanoparticles as coat-seeded particles, the hydrogen bond betw...
Well-continuous zirconia (Zr)-based metal-organic framework (UiO-66) grown onto alumina hollow fiber (AHF) remains challenging. By introducing Zr oxide (ZrO) nanoparticles as coat-seeded particles, the hydrogen bond between UiO-66 and ZrO nanoparticles can be enhanced. This study aims to modify AHF by coat-seeding ZrO nanoparticles using the sol-gel Pechini method prior to in situ solvothermal deposition of UiO-66. The prepared samples were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), field emission SEM (FESEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and contact angle measurement. The residual UiO-66 samples were examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The study of humic acid (HA) removal revealed that the AHF/ZrO/Zr-B24 sample showed excellent performance in HA removal with 99.8% rejection and 42.4 ± 1.7 L·m·h of solute permeation. This result was attributed to charge repulsion between the negative charge of carboxyl groups belonging to UiO-66 and HA.
Unraveling the Chemical Transformation Pathway of Palm Oil Mill Effluent in Removing Sulfate via Synthesized Natural Earth-Compound Coagulant.
Shukri NAM, Lutpi NA, Wong YS … +5 more , Ong SA, Dahalan FA, Ibrahim N, Kamal NA, Taweepreda W
Water Environ Res · 2026 Mar · PMID 41782520 · Publisher ↗
This study unravels the intermolecular mechanistic degradation of palm oil mill effluent (POME) in sulfate removal, utilizing a distinctive coagulant derived from naturally abundant limestone (CaCO), which was activated...
This study unravels the intermolecular mechanistic degradation of palm oil mill effluent (POME) in sulfate removal, utilizing a distinctive coagulant derived from naturally abundant limestone (CaCO), which was activated into calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)] through calcination and exothermic reactions. Sulfate was reduced from POME by 88.76% with the optimal conditions (pH 5, 200 g/L Ca(OH) dosage, and 135 min settling time) with strong correlation (r = 0.8237) and statistically significant (p = 0.0064) of Pearson's correlation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) revealed an ideal morphology and elemental composition with reduction of 4.4753 m/g surface area in Ca(OH) to slurry. Kinetic studies evaluated that sulfate removal at 4400 mg/L strongly followed the second-order model with a high coefficient of determination (R = 0.9883). Analysis using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) detected the formation of 2-isopropyl-5-methyl-1-heptanol (CHO). Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of Ca(OH) from CaCO as an efficient material for POME additional treatment, helping reduce VOCs and improve the value of industrial wastewater.
Bioremediation of Petroleum Refinery Effluent Using Bacterial Co-Culture: Assessment of Improved Effluent Quality Through Phytotoxicity Studies.
Aswani KV, Kalamdhad A, Das C
Water Environ Res · 2026 Mar · PMID 41782512 · Publisher ↗
The detoxification and degradation of petroleum refinery effluent (PRE) pose critical worldwide environmental challenges, with limited studies investigating the synergistic efficiency of bacterial consortia in enhancing...
The detoxification and degradation of petroleum refinery effluent (PRE) pose critical worldwide environmental challenges, with limited studies investigating the synergistic efficiency of bacterial consortia in enhancing bioremediation outcomes. This study investigates PRE biodegradation utilizing Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, Bacillus subtilis, and Pseudomonas putida, all separately and as bacterial co-culture (BCC) at a 1:1:1 ratio (v/v/v), employing physicochemical characterization and phytotoxicity analyses with Vigna radiata. The BCC demonstrated superior performance, achieving 96% degradation within 14 days, reducing the chemical oxygen demand of the PRE to 251 ± 27 mg L by the end of the treatment period, compared with A. calcoaceticus (85%), B. subtilis (90%), and P. putida (86%) over 21 days. At the completion of the 14-day cycle, the BCC decreased total dissolved solids to 173 ± 10 mg L. Additionally, the BCC achieved 82% phenol removal within 14 days, surpassing the individual microbes requiring 21 days to reach equivalent remediation levels. Given the high initial phenolic load of the PRE (1382 ± 42 mg L), these results demonstrate the strong capability of the BCC to effectively remove phenol and related phenolic compounds, leading to a substantial reduction in total phenolic content and enhanced effluent detoxification. Phytotoxicity assays confirmed that BCC treatment significantly reduced effluent toxicity, underscoring its potential as a rapid and effective method for PRE remediation. This study highlights the critical role of BCC in advancing sustainable solutions for industrial effluent treatment.
Adsorption of Methylene Blue Using Pinecone Residue: Optimization, Kinetic Studies, and Isotherm.
Senra LF, Bento JGGS, Souza Almeida L … +3 more , Monticeli FM, Faria MIST, Mulinari DR
Water Environ Res · 2026 Mar · PMID 41782496 · Publisher ↗
This study explores the adsorption of methylene blue (MB) from wastewater using pinecone residue, a low-cost and abundant biosorbent. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), an...
This study explores the adsorption of methylene blue (MB) from wastewater using pinecone residue, a low-cost and abundant biosorbent. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and particle size distribution were used to characterize the material. Particle size strongly influenced both the removal efficiency and the equilibrium capacity. The adsorption performance was optimized using response surface methodology and decision tree regression. Optimal conditions included a contact time > 45 min, an initial dye concentration > 37.5 mg L, and a biosorbent dosage of 40-75 mg. Under these conditions, the equilibrium adsorption performance showed a significant improvement over previous studies. Kinetic modeling revealed that the Elovich model best represented the adsorption process, whereas the equilibrium data were most accurately described by the Langmuir isotherm, yielding a maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 148.54 mg g. Additionally, thermodynamic parameters confirmed the spontaneous, exothermic nature of the adsorption, although regeneration studies demonstrated the material's reusability, with increased adsorptive capacity after acid desorption cycles. The findings demonstrate the strong adsorption potential of pinecone residue, emphasizing its efficiency and sustainability for wastewater treatment applications.
First Evidence of Microplastics' Presence in Surface Water and Fishes of Bhoj Wetland (Ramsar Site).
Sahu R, Bhawsar A
Water Environ Res · 2026 Mar · PMID 41782429 · Publisher ↗
In Bhoj Wetland, Bhopal, the presence of microplastics (MPs) in fish and water was investigated in both wet and dry seasons. Microplastic concentrations ranged from 10 ± 4 to 19 ± 4 items L during the dry season and 8 ± ...
In Bhoj Wetland, Bhopal, the presence of microplastics (MPs) in fish and water was investigated in both wet and dry seasons. Microplastic concentrations ranged from 10 ± 4 to 19 ± 4 items L during the dry season and 8 ± 1 to 15 ± 8 items L during the wet season. Among fish species, Wallago attu and tilapia showed average MP loads of 1.2 ± 1.10 and 0.8 ± 1.30 items per individual, respectively. Due to sewage, hospital waste, and tourism, higher MP levels were discovered during the dry season, particularly along Sultania Road (L1) and Masjid Lal Imli (U3). MP presence was quite low in central lake zones. Among the various shapes identified, fibers emerged as the dominant type in both aquatic samples and fish tissues. Wallago attu and tilapia showed the highest MP content, mostly made of polyethylene (PE). The predominance of black and transparent microplastic particles suggests their probable origin from degraded fishing equipment and general plastic litter. Seasonal changes influenced MP levels, with higher amounts in dry months due to less water flow and dilution. The study highlights the impact of human activities and the need for better pollution control.
Effect of Iron-Containing Phosphorus Removal Agents on Organics Dissolution and Anaerobic Digestion of Waste Activated Sludge.
Zhang Y, Zhang Q, Yang N … +2 more , Ma M, Yang S
Water Environ Res · 2026 Mar · PMID 41778511 · Publisher ↗
Widespread chemical-enhanced phosphorus removal treatments usually result in waste activated sludge (WAS) containing excess phosphorus removal agents and byproducts. This study investigated four wastewater treatment plan...
Widespread chemical-enhanced phosphorus removal treatments usually result in waste activated sludge (WAS) containing excess phosphorus removal agents and byproducts. This study investigated four wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in China and took FeCl as a representative agent to explore its effect on WAS organics dissolution and anaerobic digestion (AD). The results revealed a biphasic effect of Fe on WAS: Disintegration dominated at low concentrations (e.g., 50-100 mg/L), and coagulation dominated at high concentrations (e.g., 1000 mg/L). High-concentration Fe inhibited the AD performance by disrupting the system (pH and ORP), resulting in system acidification. Conversely, low-concentration Fe promoted AD through synthetic effects (enhanced microbial activity and key gene expression, activated the DIR process, and mitigated acid accumulation), achieving maximum methane production at 50-mg Fe/L. This study enhances understanding of the effect of iron-containing phosphorus removal agents on the AD of WAS and recommends a staged dosing strategy for WWTPs to optimize performance.
Bioprospection of Commercially Important Alkaliphilic Bacteria From Soda Ash Industrial Effluent and Sludge Samples Near the Gulf of Khambhat, Gujarat, India.
Datta S, Menon G
Water Environ Res · 2026 Mar · PMID 41778473 · Publisher ↗
This study reports 110 different alkaliphilic bacteria isolated from soda ash industrial effluents and sludge samples, employing an innovative κ-carrageenan-KCl-based solid medium (pH 13.0 ± 0.2). Primarily, they were su...
This study reports 110 different alkaliphilic bacteria isolated from soda ash industrial effluents and sludge samples, employing an innovative κ-carrageenan-KCl-based solid medium (pH 13.0 ± 0.2). Primarily, they were subjected to morphological, physiological, and biochemical tests. Molecular characterization was carried out using 16S rRNA sequence homology analysis. They were also screened for halo-alkaline extracellular enzyme production like amylase, pectinase, caseinase, gelatinase, lipase, and xylanase and antibiotic sensitivity. Their phylogenetic analysis revealed that these extreme alkaliphiles belonged to 26 diverse genera: (Firmicutes, 61%) Paenibacillus, Bacillus, Exiguobacterium, Lysinibacillus, Planomicrobium, Aneurinibacillus, Staphylococcus; (Proteobacteria, 21%) Pseudomonas, Stenotrophomonas, Enterobacter, Alishewanella, Rheinheimera, Brevundimonas, Ochrobactrum, Alcaligenes; (Actinobacteria, 18%) Cellulosimicrobium, Nesterenkonia, Arthrobacter, Rhodococcus, Microbacterium, Brevibacterium, Janibacter, Dietzia, Micrococcus, Kocuria, Streptomyces. Majority of them produced were lipase (73%), pectinase (72%), and caseinase (71%). Fifteen percent of them produced all six alkaline enzymes. A large amount of extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) was produced by 19% of isolates, which might be useful for petroleum hydrocarbon or heavy metal bioremediation. Sixteen percent of the isolates were resistant to ≥ 5 antibiotics. Highest antibiotic resistance was observed against ceftazidime (39.09%) and penicillin (26.36%), while netlimycin, amikacin, ciprofloxacin, and gentamicin proved most effective against 99%-98% of isolates. There were 27 isolates whose 16S rRNA sequences showed ≤ 97% homology with ones in NCBI, suggesting the possibility of novel lineages in phylogeny. This is the first attempt where a diverse population of commercially important alkaliphilic bacteria has been isolated and characterized from soda ash industry, effluent, and sludge samples by using a specially devised culture media.
Rainfall and Temporal Influences on the Hydrodynamics of a Vertical Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetland Treating Domestic Sewage.
Silva G, da Silva Júnior ÉD
Water Environ Res · 2026 Mar · PMID 41778349 · Full text
This study aimed to evaluate the hydrodynamic behavior of a vertical subsurface flow constructed wetland (VSSF-CW) treating domestic sewage by applying a saline tracer, comparing system performance in operational Years 3...
This study aimed to evaluate the hydrodynamic behavior of a vertical subsurface flow constructed wetland (VSSF-CW) treating domestic sewage by applying a saline tracer, comparing system performance in operational Years 3 (NR-3) and 5 (NR-5), and assessing the influence of a rainfall event (R-5). Electrical conductivity monitoring was used to construct residence time distribution (RTD) curves for all tests, enabling detailed characterization of hydraulic behavior. As a result, the system exhibited highly dispersed flow (d > 1.21; N < 2.07) with a tendency toward continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) behavior. A comparison between NR-3 and NR-5 tests revealed significant differences (p < 0.05, t test) in the hydrodynamic parameters. The rainfall event (R-5) had a statistically significant effect (p < 0.05, t test), decreasing hydraulic retention time, increasing dilution, and enhancing dispersive flow within the treatment unit. These findings highlight the importance of long-term hydrodynamic monitoring in VSSF-CW systems and demonstrate how operational conditions and external factors such as rainfall can influence treatment performance.
RuO-Ti Electrode-Assisted Electro-Biodegradation for Enhanced Rhodamine B Elimination.
Abilaji S, Narenkumar J, Nandini MS … +5 more , Loganathan P, Devanesan S, Wadaan MA, Fang Z, Rajasekar A
Water Environ Res · 2026 Mar · PMID 41778281 · Publisher ↗
Electro-oxidation (EO) is a rapid and effective method for the elimination of organic and inorganic pollutants from wastewater. In this study, the titanium-based mesh electrodes Ti/TiO-RuO were used for the removal of rh...
Electro-oxidation (EO) is a rapid and effective method for the elimination of organic and inorganic pollutants from wastewater. In this study, the titanium-based mesh electrodes Ti/TiO-RuO were used for the removal of rhodamine B (RhB) azo dye in simulated water by the treated EO and EO-treated biodegradation (EO and BD) with 20 mA/cm direct current applied for the EO system, and the color removal was measured by UV-spectrophotometer. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) was greatly reduced to 78% in the EO-treated and 93% in the EO-treated biodegradation sample, respectively, and the decolorization was accomplished in 30 min in 10 ppm. The biodegradation data verify that the bacterial strain used both organic and inorganic materials. TOC (total organic carbon) in EO and EO with biodegradation were 57.2% and 86.7%, respectively. It confirms that the EO with biodegradation effectively removes RhB and aids in complete mineralization. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirms the functional groups cleaved during the process HRMS concluded that the intermediate products NH, C-N, and C=O were generated during EO with biodegradation. The calculated toxicity of LC50 and EC50 values of RhB was observed in RhB 6 (100<) in water for fish, daphnid, and green algae. The toxicity study confirms that the majority of intermediates from EO and BD were scarcely harmful. Overall, this study concludes that RhB was effectively degraded by the EO and mineralized by the BD, and this combined treatment plays a vital role in the remediation of pollutants in the wastewater effluent treatment plant.
Upcycling Waste PET Bottles Into Cu-Mn-O Mixed Oxide Decorated Catalytic Membranes for Synergistic Filtration and Persulfate-Activated Dye Degradation.
Nguyen HT, Do HDT
Water Environ Res · 2026 Mar · PMID 41777182 · Publisher ↗
The limitation of membrane filtration is that it only filters out pollutants but does not treat them thoroughly; therefore, catalytic membranes are a synergistic combination of membrane filtration and catalytic decomposi...
The limitation of membrane filtration is that it only filters out pollutants but does not treat them thoroughly; therefore, catalytic membranes are a synergistic combination of membrane filtration and catalytic decomposition of pollutants. This study focuses on synthesizing mixed oxides Cu-Mn-O with different ratios and coating the optimal onto a PET membrane using a dip-coating method. The materials were thoroughly characterized through FTIR, XRD, TGA, zeta potential, EDS, BET, and SEM. The 3:1CuO/MnO showed a low-order structure and seems to be amorphous through XRD results. SEM results showed that the mixed oxide nanoparticles have a porous structure, ultra-small size, and uniform distribution. The large specific surface area of the 3:1CuO/MnO (64.09 m/g) enhances the surface-active sites. In adsorption and degradation tests, the 3:1CuO/MnO consistently showed the highest efficiency for both Congo red (CR) and methylene blue (MB). Specifically, the CR degradation reaction followed pseudo-second-order kinetics (PSO), while the MB degradation process conformed to pseudo-first-order kinetics (PFO). In membrane filtration, the water flux reached 170.5 L/m.h for the PET membrane and decreased to 124.7 L/m.h for the 3:1CuO/MnO/PET membrane due to the filling of the catalytic particles. Notably, the CR rejection of the 3:1CuO/MnO/PET membrane surged from 74.3% to 96.7% in the presence of peroxydisulfate (PDS). ROS (reactive oxygen species) trapping tests identified singlet oxygen as the primary oxidizing agent. Finally, the catalytic membrane exhibited impressive durability with stable performance after 4 cycles, opening up potential practical applications in textile wastewater treatment.
Assessing the Impact of Water Upflow Velocity on Nitrification in Submerged Aerated Filter.
Sarosh S, Keerthi NS, Ramaswami S
Water Environ Res · 2026 Mar · PMID 41761650 · Publisher ↗
Nitrification has a pivotal role in water resource recovery facilities, forming also the rate-limiting step. Packed bed biofilm reactors-including biological aerated filter (BAF) and submerged aerated filter (SAF)-facili...
Nitrification has a pivotal role in water resource recovery facilities, forming also the rate-limiting step. Packed bed biofilm reactors-including biological aerated filter (BAF) and submerged aerated filter (SAF)-facilitate high-rate nitrification with volumetric rates > 1 kg N·m·day (due to high specific surface areas) and are attractive for tertiary nitrification. Compared to SAFs, BAFs are susceptible to clogging, incur larger head losses, and demand frequent backwashing. While few works investigated the effect of water upflow velocity on nitrification in BAFs (using a single reactor), no such study has been performed with SAFs. This work attempted to systematically characterize the effect of water upflow velocity in nitrifying SAFs. Trials were performed in two test beds, each having five nitrifying SAFs (10 reactors in total) operated at water upflow velocities of about 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 m/h. Volumetric ammonia loading rates (vALRs) from about 200-2000 and 300-1400 g N·m·day were applied (in the test beds) over a period of about 230 and 157 days, respectively. While an increase in water upflow velocity from 4 to 15 m/h was observed to positively influence the nitrification rate in the previous studies using BAFs, water upflow velocity did not show any effect on nitrification rates in SAFs in this study. Nearly complete nitrification could be obtained at all five water upflow velocities even at vALR of about 2 kg N·m·day (surface-specific loading rate ≈2.1 g N·m·day). Water velocity did not show any effect on the biofilm community structure (diversity, richness, and dominant organisms).
Analysis of Heavy Metal Sources in Shallow Groundwater and Human Health Risk Assessment in Long'an District, Anyang City, China.
He J, Kuang H, Zhang C … +1 more , Li C
Water Environ Res · 2026 Mar · PMID 41755677 · Publisher ↗
The issue of heavy metal contamination in groundwater has garnered increasing attention. To investigate the distribution characteristics of heavy metals, potential pollution sources, and associated human health risks in...
The issue of heavy metal contamination in groundwater has garnered increasing attention. To investigate the distribution characteristics of heavy metals, potential pollution sources, and associated human health risks in shallow groundwater within Long'an District, Anyang City, China, a total of 57 groundwater samples were collected for testing and analysis. Employing multivariate statistical analysis methods and Monte Carlo simulation, this study elucidated the sources and human health risk levels of seven heavy metals present in the groundwater: arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg). According to the HPI index-based pollution assessment results, moderately polluted sites accounted for 31.58%, with As, Hg, and Cd being the primary impact indicators. The detection rates for the remaining indicators-Cr, Mn, Fe, and Pb-were relatively low, indicating a lesser impact on water quality. The most prominent heavy metal contamination was observed in the fracture-pore water in clastic rocks in the southwestern region, with human industrial and agricultural activities identified as the key contributing factors. Principal component analysis identified Pb and Cd as the primary heavy metal sources (first principal component), representing industrial wastewater and exhaust emissions with strong representativeness. The second principal component (Fe and Mn) demonstrated poor representativeness, while the third component (Hg and As) constituted the primary indicators affecting groundwater quality in the study area, originating from natural geological sources. The current health risk level for shallow groundwater is generally acceptable. Monte Carlo simulation results indicate that noncarcinogenic risks are all within acceptable limits, whereas carcinogenic risk values present unacceptable levels. Among heavy metals, As poses the greatest health risk, followed by Cd. The primary exposure pathway is daily drinking water consumption. As and Cd are the heavy metal elements requiring the most attention in groundwater environmental protection efforts.
Waste to Resource: Utilizing Litchi (Litchi chinensis) Peel Extract in Sustainable Bio-Fabrication of MgO Nanoparticles for Wastewater Remediation.
Rana R, Ahmad W, Ahmed S … +2 more , Ansari SA, Kumar S
Water Environ Res · 2026 Mar · PMID 41755550 · Publisher ↗
The increasing number of artificial dyes from industrial processes contaminating water sources requires more efficient and sustainable techniques for wastewater remediation. This study involves the utilization of litchi...
The increasing number of artificial dyes from industrial processes contaminating water sources requires more efficient and sustainable techniques for wastewater remediation. This study involves the utilization of litchi (Litchi chinensis) fruit peels in the green synthesis of magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO-NPs). Further, for the characterization of eco-friendly MgO-NPs, ultraviolet-visible spectra, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy were utilized. An absorption peak at 274 nm from UV-visible spectroscopy indicates the development of MgO-NPs. The particle average size was found to be 96.33 nm with a polydispersity index of 0.32. The application of the synthesized nanoparticle was evaluated for the removal of malachite green and Eriochrome Black T. The biosynthesized nanoparticles demonstrated an enhanced photocatalytic activity, effectively removing malachite green (95.66%) and Eriochrome Black T (92.69%) from contaminated water under solar light irradiation. These results reveal that the green-synthesized MgO-NPs achieved significant efficiency in dye removal, highlighting their potential as a cost-effective and sustainable approach for wastewater treatment applications.
Preparation of Chitosan-Modified Distillers Dregs and Chicken Manure-Based Biochar and Its Adsorption Performance for Cadmium-Containing Wastewater.
Zhu X, Fan G, Chen X … +1 more , Xu X
Water Environ Res · 2026 Mar · PMID 41744327 · Publisher ↗
With the rapid advancement of industrialization, cadmium (Cd (II)) pollution in aqueous solutions has become increasingly severe, necessitating the development of cost-effective and efficient adsorbents. In this study, b...
With the rapid advancement of industrialization, cadmium (Cd (II)) pollution in aqueous solutions has become increasingly severe, necessitating the development of cost-effective and efficient adsorbents. In this study, biochar was prepared through co-pyrolysis of chicken manure and distiller's grains, followed by chitosan modification to enhance its Cd (II) adsorption capacity. Characterization confirmed successful chitosan loading, which increased pore structure, expanded specific surface area, and introduced amino and hydroxyl functional groups. Adsorption kinetics experiments revealed R values exceeding 0.95 for both pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models, with the pseudo-second-order model better describing the adsorption process. This indicates that both physical and chemical adsorption contribute to Cd (II) removal by the modified biochar, with chemical adsorption playing a dominant role. Adsorption isotherm fitting revealed a Langmuir maximum adsorption capacity (Q) of 165.2 mg·L, validating the modified biochar's excellent Cd (II) adsorption performance. Mechanism studies identified complexation, ion exchange, electrostatic attraction, and precipitation as primary removal pathways. Furthermore, CBC maintained over 80% removal efficiency after four adsorption-desorption cycles. In summary, the chitosan-modified distiller's grains with chicken manure-based biochar developed in this study represent an environmentally friendly and highly efficient adsorbent, providing an effective strategy for treating Cd (II)-contaminated wastewater.
Evaluating Low-Frequency Ultrasound as a Pretreatment to Improve Ozonation Antimicrobial Efficacy in Urban Wastewater Treatment.
Moretti A, Gover E, Bisson G … +3 more , Comuzzi C, Goi D, Marino M
Water Environ Res · 2026 Mar · PMID 41741331 · Full text
Technologies based on oxidation processes, particularly ozonation, have shown great potential for microbiological wastewater (WW) treatment. Applying low-frequency ultrasound (LF-US) can cause sublethal damage to microbi...
Technologies based on oxidation processes, particularly ozonation, have shown great potential for microbiological wastewater (WW) treatment. Applying low-frequency ultrasound (LF-US) can cause sublethal damage to microbial cells by generating nanobubbles, potentially enhancing their sensitivity to ozonation. Thus, primary urban WWs spiked with Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecium, and Pseudomonas fluorescens were subjected to laboratory-scale ozonation with or without LF-US pretreatment. LF-US pretreatment increased the antimicrobial efficiency of ozonation for all targets, with the most significant increase of 5.16 ± 0.17 Log CFU/mL for P. fluorescens (LF-US 600 s followed by ozone 120 s) and 0.57 ± 0.08 Log CFU/mL for Ent. faecium (LF-US 300 s followed by ozone 30 s). By comparing individual processes with the combined treatment and using inactivation curves from laboratory experiments, it was estimated that ozone treatment following short LF-US pretreatments saved 67 ± 9% of energy and reduced costs by up to 15.1 ± 1.3 €/m of treated water. This highlights the potential of this sequential method for effective and cost-efficient WW sanitation.
Hydrogeochemical Tracing of Interactions Between Lake Dongping and Groundwater: Mechanisms and Processes.
Wang Y, Li M, Wang X … +6 more , An H, Song D, Song H, Zhang T, Mao K, Yan B
Water Environ Res · 2026 Mar · PMID 41736482 · Publisher ↗
Lake eutrophication is a global environmental issue influenced not only by surface pollution but also by subsurface hydrological connectivity. This study investigates Dongping Lake, a typical lake system, by integrating...
Lake eutrophication is a global environmental issue influenced not only by surface pollution but also by subsurface hydrological connectivity. This study investigates Dongping Lake, a typical lake system, by integrating Piper diagrams, hydrochemical analysis, the Gibbs model, Euclidean distance, and hydrogeological profiling to elucidate the distinct roles of natural processes and human activities in shaping water chemistry and hydrological connections. Results indicate that natural weathering processes, particularly carbonate dissolution, dominate the ion composition of karst and bedrock fissure water. In contrast, human activities, such as agricultural fertilization and domestic wastewater discharge, drive significant evolution in pore water toward SO and Cl-Na types, with high ion variability (CV > 30%). Hydrologically, Dongping Lake exhibits close connectivity with adjacent karst water and the Daqing River, while interaction with the Yellow River is limited. A closed-loop water cycle is identified, wherein the Yellow River laterally recharges Quaternary pore water, which then vertically exchanges with karst water before discharging into Dongping Lake. This study underscores the coupled impacts of natural geochemical processes and anthropogenic inputs on lake systems, providing a scientific basis for integrated water resource management in similar watersheds.
Broad-Spectrum Co-Metabolic Substrates Enhance the Bioremediation of 1,2,3-Trichloropropane in Groundwater by a Non-Dehalogenimonas Consortium.
Kong S, Ning Z, Chen Z … +1 more , Zhang M
Water Environ Res · 2026 Mar · PMID 41736479 · Publisher ↗
1,2,3-Trichloropropane (TCP), a highly mobile chemical byproduct, has severely exacerbated groundwater environment deterioration. Due to the lack of effective natural attenuation pathways, TCP typically exhibits a fate o...
1,2,3-Trichloropropane (TCP), a highly mobile chemical byproduct, has severely exacerbated groundwater environment deterioration. Due to the lack of effective natural attenuation pathways, TCP typically exhibits a fate of persistent retention within aquifers. To address this challenge, instead of relying on limited specific strains, this study focused on exploring broad-spectrum co-metabolic substrates to enhance the degradation efficiency of a non-Dehalogenimonas synergistic consortium optimized through long-term directed domestication. Results indicated that the average degradation rate of the domesticated consortium increased to 19.06 μmol L d, achieving complete removal within 3.5 days, thereby effectively altering the environmental persistence of TCP. Microbial community and metagenomic analyses revealed that this transformation process was driven by a synergistic alliance comprising Fusibacter, Desulfovibrio, Nitratidesulfovibrio, and Parabacteroides, realized through a coupled metabolic module of "hydrogen production, cofactor synthesis, and reductive dechlorination". Crucially, the consortium demonstrated exceptional broad-spectrum adaptability to various co-metabolic substrates, where sodium acetate and lactate significantly enhanced the degradation efficiency. This study confirms that utilizing suitable co-metabolic substrates can effectively activate the non-Dehalogenimonas consortium to regulate the migration and fate of pollutants in complex groundwater environments, offering an efficient bioremediation strategy to arrest groundwater contamination.
Who Upgrades the Plant? A Tripartite Evolutionary Game Model for PPCPs Removal Technology Adoption.
Lei X, Luo Y, Liu F … +1 more , Xu X
Water Environ Res · 2026 Feb · PMID 41721198 · Publisher ↗
Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) contamination in aquatic environments has attracted considerable research attention, yet most studies focus on treatment technologies while the governance mechanisms coo...
Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) contamination in aquatic environments has attracted considerable research attention, yet most studies focus on treatment technologies while the governance mechanisms coordinating stakeholder behavior remain underexplored. This study develops a tripartite evolutionary game model to analyze strategic interactions among pharmaceutical enterprises, wastewater treatment plants, and government environmental agencies in PPCPs pollution control. Replicator dynamics and stability analysis identify six stable equilibrium configurations and reveal that complete cooperation equilibrium cannot achieve asymptotic stability due to government fiscal incentives for regulatory withdrawal. Results demonstrate that technology-upgrading decisions of treatment plants respond primarily to government subsidies and penalties rather than upstream enterprise behavior. The mathematical finding that upstream enterprise production choices do not directly alter treatment plant upgrading incentives through cost transmission channels reveals that market-based coordination cannot spontaneously emerge without regulatory intervention, thereby strengthening the theoretical case for sustained government engagement. Sensitivity analysis indicates that reducing clean production costs and enhancing green product revenues accelerate system convergence toward environmentally favorable equilibria. Additional sensitivity analysis of treatment plant subsidy and penalty parameters confirms that both positive incentives and negative sanctions effectively promote technology adoption when appropriately calibrated. These findings provide theoretical guidance for designing differentiated policy instruments that balance market incentives with sustained regulatory oversight.
Sustainable Valorization of Anaerobic Digestate Into PEG-Assisted Fe-C Adsorbents for Efficient Congo Red Removal From Wastewater.
Zhang W, He C, Tang J … +4 more , Wang W, Guo Y, Zhao Y, Zhou T
Water Environ Res · 2026 Feb · PMID 41717901 · Publisher ↗
Anaerobic digestate, a typical by-product of large-scale biogas plants, faces mounting disposal pressure due to the rapid increase in organic solid waste. In this study, an iron-carbon composite was produced from digesta...
Anaerobic digestate, a typical by-product of large-scale biogas plants, faces mounting disposal pressure due to the rapid increase in organic solid waste. In this study, an iron-carbon composite was produced from digestate through polyethylene glycol (PEG)-assisted iron modification followed by low-temperature carbonization. The resulting material exhibited a mesoporous texture, oxygen-containing surface functionalities, and FeO/FeC domains, enabling efficient removal of Congo red in batch systems. Removal was favored under mildly acidic conditions. At pH 4 and 298 K, the maximum experimentally observed equilibrium uptake reached 1267.35 mg·g at high initial concentration, and removal efficiencies approached 99% under the tested conditions. The adsorbent retained more than 95% of its initial removal performance after five regeneration cycles. Kinetic and equilibrium analyses, together with FTIR/XPS and post-adsorption characterization, support that uptake involves Fe-associated interactions, electrostatic effects, and hydrogen bonding, with additional high-coverage accumulation contributing at elevated concentrations. Overall, this work demonstrates a practical route to valorize anaerobic digestate into a reusable adsorbent for removing azo dyes from wastewater.
Effect Mechanisms of Bisphenol A (BPA) on Aerobic Denitrification: Hierarchical Gene Suppression and Oxidative Stress.
Gui M, Yang H, Li K
Water Environ Res · 2026 Feb · PMID 41717868 · Publisher ↗
Bisphenol A (BPA), a pervasive endocrine-disrupting compound (EDC), threatens microbial nitrogen cycling, yet its mechanisms in disrupting aerobic denitrification remain poorly defined. This study elucidates the inhibito...
Bisphenol A (BPA), a pervasive endocrine-disrupting compound (EDC), threatens microbial nitrogen cycling, yet its mechanisms in disrupting aerobic denitrification remain poorly defined. This study elucidates the inhibitory effects of BPA on Pseudomonas stutzeri HD4-1. Dose-dependent suppression was evident: nitrate reduction rates decreased by 33%-95% at ≥ 1 mg L BPA, accompanied by nitrite accumulation (54.7-78.3 mg L) and exponential NO emission (76.7 mg L, 147-fold increase). Mechanistically, BPA induced oxidative stress (ROS: 152.6%-225.6% of control), cytomembrane damage (LDH release: 125.6%-232.1%), and metalloenzyme inactivation (NOR activity inhibition: 94.5%-96.4%). Concurrent transcriptional repression-notably of nosZ (2.8-9.3-fold suppression)-impaired NO reduction, compounded by 33%-77% declines in electron transport system activity (ETSA), exacerbating metabolic bottlenecks. Gene inhibition hierarchy (nosZ > cnorB > nirS > napA) mirrored preferential failure of terminal denitrification steps. The insight into effect mechanism of BPA on aerobic denitrification is of particular significance to provide its ecological risk assessment in aquatic ecosystems and upgrade nitrogen removal process in EDC-containing wastewater treatment plant.
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