Contamination Of Water Bodies Research Articles

Dynamic and structural response of a multispecies biofilm to environmental perturbations induced by the continuous increase of benzimidazole fungicides in a permeable reactive biobarrier.

This work explores the dynamics of spatiotemporal changes in the taxonomic structure of biofilms and the degradation kinetics of three imidazole group compounds: carbendazim (CBZ), methyl thiophanate (MT), and benomyl (BN) by a multispecies microbial community attached to a fixed bed horizontal tubular reactor (HTR). This bioreactor mimics a permeable reactive biobarrier, which helps prevent the contamination of water bodies by pesticides in agricultural wastewater. To rapidly quantify the microbial response to crescent loading rates of benzimidazole compounds, a gradient system was used to transiently raise the fungicide volumetric loading rates, measuring the structural and functional dynamics response of a microbial community in terms of the volumetric removal rates of the HTR entering pollutants. The loading rate gradient of benzimidazole compounds severely impacts the spatiotemporal taxonomic structure of the HTR biofilm-forming microbial community. Notable differences with the original structure in HTR stable conditions can be noted after three historical contingencies (CBZ, MT, and BN gradient loading rates). It was evidenced that the microbial community did not return to the composition prior to environmental disturbances; however, the functional similarity of microbial communities after steady state reestablishment was observed. The usefulness of the method of gradual delivery of potentially toxic agents for a microbial community immobilized in a tubular biofilm reactor was shown since its functional and structural dynamics were quickly evaluated in response to fungicide composition and concentration changes. The rapid adjustment of the contaminants' removal rates indicates that even with changes in the taxonomic structure of a microbial community, its functional redundancy favors its adjustment to gradual environmental disturbances.

Synergistic photocatalytic removal of moxifloxacin from aqueous solutions using ZnO-Fe3O4-chitosan composites

The escalating contamination of water bodies with antibiotic residues is an urgent environmental and public health issue. This study aimed to fabricate an innovative photocatalytic composite (CMZ) by combining chitosan, magnetic iron oxide (Fe3O4), and zinc oxide (ZnO) for efficiently removing antibiotic moxifloxacin (MFX) water. Comprehensive characterization of the fabricated CMZ was performed using various techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–Vis DRS), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) and nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm analysis. The synergistic incorporation of ZnO, Fe3O4, and chitosan in the CMZ composite altered the structural properties of ZnO and chitosan The band gap energy of CMZ was 2.58 eV, significantly boosting its photocatalytic effectiveness under visible light exposure. The CMZ composites exhibited a high efficiency in catalyzing MFX degradation in aqueous environments. The optimal conditions for MFX degradation were established, including a neutral pH level of 7, a 90 min exposure to irradiation, and employing 0.1 g of the CMZ catalyst. The degradation process obeyed closely to the first-order kinetic model. The CMZ material showed consistently high performance in degrading MFX across four consecutive reuse cycles, emphasizing its practical applicability for mitigating antibiotic pollution.

Spatial assessment of pollutant loads for surface water quality management: a case study in Lai Chau city, Vietnam

The aim of this study is to present a method for estimating the pollutant load from different sources in an effort to provide improved information regarding water pollution and help control the surface water pollution, using Lai Chau city as a case study. The pollutant load was calculated in accordance with the Vietnam Environment Administration Decree No.154/2019 on the guidance for calculating the total pollutant load of river water. The pollutant sources include point sources (domestic wastewater, animal husbandry, industrial complexes and economic services) and surface sources (run-off from agricultural land uses) that generate wastes that potentially contaminate water bodies. The source locations were mapped and spatially joined with the drainage-basin map delineated from a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) to calculate the loads for the sub-basin units. Multivariate analysis then showed that the farming and domestic sources had the strongest positive loading factors for the sub-basins located in the city center and its fringe areas. Of these waste from animal husbandry account for up to 75.1% of total pollutant load. The main conclusion from the study’s results is that the management approach should be changed from the total controlling mode, which is currently applied in the city, to a source specific approach based on the pollutant discharge loads and the allocated capacities.

Coupling hydrological and sanitation datasets to simulate wastewater-derived contamination in European rivers: Model development and calibration

Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) discharges of microcontaminants negatively impact freshwater streams, underscoring the need for accurately mapping wastewater-derived contamination in water bodies across Europe (EU). In this study, we present a fast and open-source code for a microcontaminants fate and transport (MFT) model, capable of simulating contamination at a high resolution (15 arc second scale) across the EU. The model was developed using the best publicly available hydrological (HydroSHEDS) and sanitation (UWWTD) datasets and was rigorously calibrated, with a goodness of fit of 77.5% as measured by the R2. Importantly, the model demonstrated the ability to predict wastewater-derived contamination in water bodies, making it a valuable tool for planning the upgrade of WWTPs and improving the ecological condition of freshwater streams in the EU.

Contribution of Livestock Farming to Environmental Pollution in China

Purpose: The aim of the study was to examine contribution of livestock farming to environmental pollution in China. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The study found that livestock farming in China significantly contributes to environmental pollution, posing substantial challenges to water, air, and soil quality. Intensive livestock operations, characterized by concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), generate large quantities of animal waste containing nutrients and pathogens that contaminate water bodies. Additionally, livestock farming contributes to air pollution through emissions of ammonia and other pollutants, particularly in areas with intensive farming practices. Soil degradation and nutrient imbalance further exacerbate environmental degradation, with higher livestock densities associated with increased soil compaction and nutrient runoff. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Tragedy of the Commons & Ecological Modernization Theory may be used to anchor future studies on contribution of livestock farming to environmental pollution in China. Promote the adoption of sustainable livestock management practices through capacity building, training, and extension services for farmers. Encourage the implementation of integrated farming systems that optimize resource use, minimize waste generation, and enhance environmental resilience. Strengthen regulatory frameworks and enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance with environmental standards and promote responsible livestock production. Implement stringent measures to control water pollution from livestock waste, including mandatory wastewater treatment and monitoring programs.

Photocatalytic Degradation of Maxilon Dye Pollutants using Nano‐Architecture Functional Materials: A Review

AbstractThe most essential task in the twenty‐first century is to fight the alarming growing pollution in the aquatic body in which effluent of one of the most colouring dye categories called maxilon dye is a major contributor. This review thus specifically focuses on the use of nanoparticles (NPs) for photocatalytic degradation of maxilon dye contaminants in water bodies. The work empirically presented the performance evaluation of NPs in degrading maxilon dyes under light irradiation alongside the underlying operational photocatalytic degradation mechanism. The stability of NPs was also critically analyzed by looking at the regenerability and reusability of expended NPs. From the study, it was discovered that ⋅OH and O2⋅ played a vital role in the genesis of the oxidizing capacity of NPs for the photocatalytic breakdown of maxilon dye. Moreover, it was found that the degradation performance of most NPs is greater than 80 % and the shortest degradation period is < 1 hour with pseudo‐first‐order (PFO) being the most common kinetic best‐fit to describe the adsorption process that occurred shortly before and during the degradation operation. At the end, knowledge gaps were identified in the area of regenerability, the lifecycle analyses of nano‐photocatalyst fabrication and utilization, cost analysis for industrial scale‐up, maxilon dye ecotoxicological study, and degradation pathways. The findings of this study can open up insightful innovation for readers and industries that are interested in pursuing zero water insecurity.

Multi-stage batch adsorption of acephate onto cauliflower like Fe3O4-MMT: Characterization and statistical optimization using response surface methodology

Globally acephate (an organophosphate pesticide) contaminates water bodies, and detriment to the biota is cancer-causing and neurotoxic which needs to be safely removed. This study presents the synthesis and characterization of magnetic montmorillonite (Fe3O4-MMT) as an adsorbent for the adsorption of acephate. The features and characteristics of the nanocomposite were traced by XRD, SEM-EDX, gas sorption analysis, FTIR, and XRF. RSM techniques were used to identify the optimal process variables that result in the highest removal. The numerical optimization of optimum variables corresponds to an initial acephate concentration of 2 mg/L, pH 6 and material adsorbent dose of 0.5 g/L. The uptake of acephate achieved 83.18 % under optimum environs. Dual factors i.e., concentration and dosage remarked as vital parameters that affected the response from ANOVA. Results revealed that equilibrium adsorption data were best fitted with Langmuir and kinetic data were well described by pseudo-first order kinetic model. Thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy, entropy and Gibb’s energy were evaluated and the effect of temperature on acephate adsorption was studied. Greater acephate adsorption onto on Fe3O4 serves as an excellent material for pesticide mitigation.

Optimization of Hazardous Malachite Green Dye Removal Process Using Double Derivatized Guar Gum Polymer: A Fractional Factorial L9 Approach

The dye molecules are one of the water-polluting agents among other contaminants in water bodies and impart unsuitability. In recent years, bio-based materials have attracted considerable attention for varied industrial applications due to their abundant availability on a sustainable basis, biodegradability, cost and energy efficiency. The present study hypothesized to synthesize carboxymethyl-hydroxypropyl guar gum (CMHPGG) dual derivative to remove malachite green dye from an aqueous medium using Taguchi's L9 design. The 73 % dye adsorption was achieved using CMHPGG, comprising carboxymethyl (DS 0.58) and hydroxypropyl (0.128 %) groups. The temperature, pH of the medium and amount of CMHPGG were selected as dye adsorption process control factors. The optimized reaction conditions comprise pH 5, CMHPGG-2, 250 mg/100 mL, and a temperature of 45°C. The characteristic asymmetric (1643 cm−1) and symmetric (1590 cm−1) absorption bands (-COO¯) were observed in the CMHPGG. The roughness was observed on the surface that was increased on derivatization. The thermal behaviour revealed better thermal stability compared to native GG.

Source Apportionment and Pollution Assessment of Heavy Metals in an Urban Waterbody

AbstractWith increasing contamination of waterbodies, access to clean drinking water has become a challenge. Preventing further contamination and cleaning up of existing contamination are the immediate steps to address this challenge. For this, the sources of contamination and their relative contributions need to be ascertained. The bottom sediments from an urban waterbody named “Conolly Canal” was analyzed for heavy metal contamination. The level of contamination of the waterbody was assessed using Pollution Load Index. A Monte Carlo analysis (MCA) was performed on the heavy metals concentrations measured to apportion the contribution among the identified sources. The results of MCA were used to proportion the concentration of chemicals among the responsible parties based on the concentration of the contaminants in the waterbody. The study presents a robust procedure for source apportionment, which can be adopted in similar situations.

Controlled synthesis of CoFe@TiN composites and their rapid and efficient degradation of emerging organic pollutants: RhB as an example

Fast removal of emerging organic pollutants (EOPs) is very important for the remediation of the water environment. Therefore, in this study, we used a simple grinding-calcined assembly method to prepare CoFe@TiN metallic composite, which possessed superb peroxy disulfate (PDS) activation ability with efficient pollutant degradation and excellent cyclic utilization. Rhodamine B, a highly representative and extensively used EOP, was adopted as a model pollutant, showing that it was completely degraded within only 9 min by the CoFe@TiN/PDS. During the degradation, superoxide radical (O2•−) were the main active oxygen species responsible for pollutant degradation. Further analysis showed that the synergistic effect of Fe(III)/Co(II) effectively activated the PDS to degrade the pollutant. In practical applications, the CoFe@TiN/PDS system can resist the influence of complex matrix in water and effectively remove EOPs in real water bodies. This study comprehensively evaluates the ability of the CoFe@TiN/PDS system to remove EOPs and thus provides a new scenario or pathway for the removal of EOPs in real contaminated water bodies.

Parametric and Kinetic Study of Nitrate Removal from Water by Modified Chitosan Composite Beads

The contamination of water bodies with harmful pollutants considers an aggravating global problem. The current research focuses on a developing efficient adsorbed for removing nitrate ions from aqueous solutions. The study proposed modified chitosan-zeolite composite beads to enhance the performance of the adsorption process. The zeolite was used to increase the surface area, and Zirconium was loaded on the beads to promote the selectivity for nitrate anions. The adsorption mechanism was assessed by characterizing the beads and sorbate adsorbed beads utilizing X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), and analysis with an energy dispersive X-ray analyzer (EDX). The experiments were conducted in a batch system, and the effect of key parameters like contact time, initial nitrate anion concentration, and adsorbent dosage on the adsorption performance was investigated. The results demonstrated that the highest removal of nitrate ions was determined to be 95.42% at 0.2 g of Cs-Ze-Zr adsorbent with an initial concentration of 50 mg/L and a contact time of 120 minutes. The maximum adsorption capacity of the nitrate ions on the manufactured bead was 80.15 mg/g. In addition, among the Freundlich, Langmuir, and Temkin isotherms, the isotherm equilibrium data were consistent with a Freundlich isotherm model. The kinetic data for adsorption were satisfactorily fitted by a pseudo-first order. Subsequently, the results distinctly indicated that the proposed adsorbed (Cs-Ze-Zr) could be employed fruitfully in removing nitrate ions, demonstrated through the remarkable removal efficiency and adsorption capacity obtained in the study.

Advanced Hybrid Molecular Imprinted Polymers for Antibiotics Remediation from Wastewater

AbstractIncreasing contamination of water bodies with antibiotics has necessitated the development of novel mitigation methods. Many studies have applied adsorption and photocatalytic processes using different nanoparticles, metal‐organic frameworks, etc., as sorbents and photocatalysts for antibiotics removal. Among these materials, the development of molecular imprinted polymers (MIPs) is desirable owing to their low cost, structural predictability, detection at deficient concentrations, and versatile applicability. These attributes further encouraged researchers to fabricate hybrid MIP‐based materials to abate antibiotic contamination in wastewater. This review summarizes recent studies that deal with conventional and hybrid MIPs such as MIPs‐hybrid carbon nanomaterials, magnetic nanomaterials, advanced MIP‐based sensors, and photocatalytic materials MIPs for synergic adsorption/separation of antibiotic residuals from wastewater. Economic perspectives of the emerging hybrid materials are also discussed. Some limitations, research gaps, and future potentials for further advancement and efficient remediation results are outlined.

Industrial dye effluent degradation and in-vitro biological characteristics of MgO NPs anchored few layered g-C3N4 nanoribbons

In recent years, contaminated water consumption by humans and animals are lead to various types of diseases and environmental pollutant. Especially textile dye effluents are the highest contaminants in water bodies than any other industries. This article reports a green process for synthesizing MgO nanoparticles supported by the exfoliated g-C3N4 nano composites for dye effluent treatment. The cubic and hexagonal phase structure was achieved for synthesized MgO NPs and E-GCN, respectively, with spherical and curled ribbon-like morphology. The specific surface area was measured as 70.48, 54.22, and 79.11 m2/g, respectively, for MgO NPs, E-GCN, and MgO/E-GCN nanocomposite. Similarly, corresponding optical properties were achieved with an energy gap of 3.42, 2.48, and 2.78 eV. XPS analysis confirms the formation of MgO/E-GCN nanocomposite by detecting their characteristic elemental peaks. The bioactivities including antibacterial, turbidimetric, and antioxidant efficacy, were also investigated. Thus, the MgO/E-GCN nanocomposites was exhibitd greater susceptibility against pathogenic bacteria due to its production of high reactive oxygen species. Further, the catalysts were used to degrade cationic dye (Crystal Violet) and anionic dye (Eosin Yellow) under sunlight exposure. The photocatalytic efficiency of MgO/E-GCN nanocomposite was highly influenced towards CV (98.9 %) and EY (97.33 %) dye degradation, because of its high surface area with active UV–Visible region. Therefore, the combination of naturally inspired MgO NPs and morphologically modified E-GCN nanocomposites are being a sustainable material development for environmental remediation and biological applications.

Contact-electro-catalysis for degradation of trace antibiotics in wastewater

Antibiotic contamination of water bodies is a major concern in environmental management. Despite their superior efficacy in antibiotic removal, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have yet to be widely adopted owing to their substantial cost associated with the large amounts of chemicals required. In this study, a novel contact-electro-catalysis (CEC) process with reusable polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) particles as a trigger catalyst was applied to replace traditional AOPs, and it was able to degrade three typical antibiotics (sulfamethoxazole [SMX], ciprofloxacin [CIP], and tetracycline [TET]) in the secondary effluent of a wastewater treatment plant for the first time. The PTFE particles at a concentration of 0.8 g/L were introduced into antibiotic solutions with an antibiotic concentration of 1 mg/L, and the removal rates of SMX, CIP, and TET after a 90-min operation time reached 50 %, 80 %, and 90 %, respectively. Our findings revealed that the CEC reaction generated ●OH and 1O2, contributing substantially to antibiotic degradation. Thus, new reactive oxygen species generation mechanisms during the CEC process were proposed. Furthermore, we fabricated polyvinylidene fluoride nanofiber membranes using electrospinning to recycle PTFE particles, where a nearly 100 % recovery rate through dead-end filtration was realized with a high water flux of 7.5 m3/(m2∙h). The results of this study provide a promising approach for antibiotic removal from wastewater.

The leachate from the Urban Solid Waste Transfer Station produces neurotoxicity in Wistar rats

Leachate from municipal solid waste is a mixture of xenobiotics capable of contaminating bodies of water and causing damage to the health of living beings that inhabit or consume contaminated water. A previous study revealed the presence of heavy metals in Urban Solid Waste Transfer Station (USWTS) leachate above the permissible national and international limits. In the present study, we demonstrate that subchronic oral administration (5 and 25 % v/v) of leachate to male Wistar rats caused changes in the immunoreactivity of the glial markers: GFAP and Iba-1, accompanied by an increase in the expression of caspase-3, and a decrease in the expression of the NeuN protein. Results indicate that the heavy metals present in the leachate induced neuronal loss in the prefrontal cortex, suggesting that these contaminants can cause neurological problems in mammals that consume surface water with xenobiotics, since the leachate could contaminate water bodies and underground water.

Phytoremediation of metal nanoparticles from the contaminated water bodies: A review

Phytoremediation of metal nanoparticles from the contaminated water bodies: A review

Efficient removal of microcystin-LR from contaminated water using water-stable MIL-100(Fe) synthesized under HF-free conditions.

Cyanobacterial algal hepatotoxins, called microcystins (MCs), are a global health concern, necessitating research on effective removal methods from contaminated water bodies. In this study, we synthesized non-fluorine MIL-100(Fe) using an environmentally friendly room-temperature method and utilized it as an adsorbent to effectively remove microcystin-LR (MC-LR), which is the most toxic MC congener. MIL-100(Fe) was thoroughly characterized, and its adsorption process was investigated under various conditions. Results revealed rapid MC-LR adsorption, achieving 93% removal in just 5min, with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model indicating chemisorption as the primary mechanism. The Langmuir isotherm model demonstrated a monolayer sorption capacity of 232.6µgg-1 at room temperature, showing favorable adsorption. Furthermore, the adsorption capacity increased from 183µgg-1 at 20°C to 311µgg-1 at 40°C, indicating an endothermic process. Thermodynamic parameters supported MC-LR adsorption's spontaneous and feasible nature onto MIL-100(Fe). This study highlights MIL-100(Fe) as a promising method for effectively removing harmful biological pollutants, such as MC-LR, from contaminated water bodies in an environmentally friendly manner.

Preparation of fluorinated zirconia doped with tin oxide nanocomposites for photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes in contaminated water bodies

Abstract In this study, a novel SnO2–Zr–F nanostructured composite was successfully synthesized through a mild chemical reaction. The crystalline nature of the composite was characterized using XRD, revealing an average crystalline size of 28.31 nm. FE-SEM images illustrated an agglomerated spherical morphology with appropriate elemental ratios. The optical properties of the nanocomposite are identified by UV–vis spectroscopy with Tauc plot, and the calculated bandgap is 2 eV. Photocatalytic activity was assessed against cationic (Rhodamine B) and anionic (Eosin yellow) dyes under sunlight for 150 min, resulting in a maximum degradation efficiency of 92 % and 98 %, respectively. Furthermore, the antibacterial performance of the composite was evaluated against S. aureus and E. coli bacteria. The findings suggest that the prepared nanocomposite exhibits promising potential for environmental applications, showcasing its efficacy in both photocatalytic and antibacterial domains.

Purification of water using TiO2/g-C3N5 nanocomposite: a visible light assisted photocatalytic activity

Abstract Tetracycline hydrochloride (TCN), widely recognized for its broad-spectrum efficacy and cost-effectiveness as an antibiotic, has raised significant environmental and health concerns due to its contamination in water bodies. This study introduces an innovative approach to address this issue by employing a titanium dioxide/graphitic carbon nitride (TiO2/g-C3N5) nanocomposite through photocatalysis. The synthesis of this composite involved a hydrothermal method, and a comprehensive characterization was conducted using XRD, FT-IR, and SEM techniques. The formed heterojunction between TiO2 and g-C3N5 exhibited remarkable photocatalytic degradation capabilities, achieving a removal rate of over 85 % within a short period of 135 min. This signifies the composite’s efficiency in breaking down TCN in aqueous environments. Beyond its high effectiveness, the TiO2/g-C3N5 nanocomposite presents itself as an environmentally friendly and sustainable solution for addressing the critical issues associated with antibiotic contamination in water. This study underscores the potential of photocatalysis using TiO2/g-C3N5 as a promising technology for mitigating the adverse effects of TCN on both ecosystems and human health.

What do we breathe near contaminated water bodies?

Samples of total suspended particles were taken at points located in the vicinity of two polluted rivers of Puebla, México, an affluent of the Atoyac River (UPMP), the Nexapa River (ICATEP), a point at some distance from the Nexapa River (UTIM) and one point far from this stream (sCarlos). 1 L water samples were taken from the two streams (aAtoyac and Nexapa). Sampling and extraction of organic contaminants was performed according to USEPA method TO13A and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. In addition, DNA was extracted from the samples and sequenced. In previous work, a group of semi-volatile emerging contaminants were analyzed and in this work, 8 compounds with lower volatility were selected. Water concentrations of the studied compounds were much higher for aAtoyac than for Nexapa. The results obtained allow us to establish that the contaminants present in the water are aerosolized and therefore can affect the population that is exposed to aerosols from heavily polluted rivers with decreasing concentration in the order UPMP>ICATEP>UTIM>sCarlos with a decrease in their relative concentrations with distance from the water body. We conclude that proximity to heavily contaminated bodies of water implies serious risks to human health. It is worth mentioning that the obtained results represent only a first glance of the studied problem. A deeper evaluation obviously require more sampling and varying the distances from the rivers to determine time-space variations of the pollutant’s concentrations in aerosols and bioaerosols near polluted water bodies.