Freshwater scarcity in southern Xinjiang has intensified the need for effective utilization of saline–alkaline agricultural drainage. This study evaluates pre-treatment technologies for reverse osmosis (RO) systems to improve water quality and mitigate membrane fouling. Three processes were tested: coagulation–sedimentation–media filtration (G1), micro-flocculation–media filtration (G2), and micro-flocculation (G3) combined with ultrafiltration and varying polyaluminum chloride (PAC) dosages (0–15 mg·L−1). Results show that G1 and G2 significantly outperform G3 in removing turbidity, organic matter, and inorganic ions, achieving SDI15 < 5 and turbidity < 0.3 NTU, meeting RO feedwater standards. Optimal performance occurred at the 7.5–10 mg·L−1 coagulant dosage range, effectively controlling flux decline and fouling. The integrated pre-treatment–ultrafiltration system provides a robust technical framework for saline–alkaline water desalination, offering practical guidance for sustainable water resource utilization in arid agricultural regions.

Mitigation of combined fouling by gypsum and humic acid in membrane distillation via synergistic foulant capture mechanism.

Feasibility of combining biological hydrogel reactive filter media with electrokinetic for sustainable site remediation

Research on the filtration and deposition characteristics of mixed particles in nonwoven fiber filter media

Antibacterial filter media from recycled polyethylene terephthalate and reclaimed facemasks

Pressure drop reduction of filter media for oily aerosol: progress and prospects

Manganese (Mn) contamination in groundwater poses significant challenges for drinking water treatment. This study explores the mechanisms of Mn removal in a long-term oxygenated groundwater biofilter. The filter media coating primarily consists of abiotic disordered birnessite (δ-MnO2) with a microglobular structure and an average oxidation state of approximately 3.45. This material plays a key role in the effective adsorption and oxidation of Mn(II) dissolved in groundwater. The results indicate that Mn removal is predominantly abiotic, with biofilm activity contributing to less than 10% of Mn(II) oxidation. Biological colonization is minimal, as evidenced by the low microbial activity and protein-to-polysaccharide ratio. However, Mn-oxidizing and Mn-reducing bacteria were identified under aerobic conditions, suggesting that they play facultative or complementary roles in Mn cycling. The unexpected coexistence of the two types of bacteria highlights the need for further investigation into their role in δ-MnO2 transformation and regeneration. The study provides foundational insights into the dynamics of Mn(II) removal in biofilters and proposes an initial framework for understanding the Mn(II) biogeochemical cycle within such common engineered systems.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-25228-5.

Nitrogen removal driven by zonal supply of thiosulfate and pyrite in an up-flow blanket filter (UBF) reactor.

Innovative and sustainable filter material was used in surface water treatment as increasing global concerns about water quality and the scarcity of effective and eco-friendly treatment technologies emerges agricultural. The objective of this paper was to assess carbonized rice husk as filter media on physicochemical characteristics of surface water from Bwari Area Council, Abuja, Nigeria. The material demonstrated excellent filtration capacity by significantly reducing turbidity from 36NTU to 0.48NTU, Total Suspended Solids was reduced from 253mg/l to 84.3mg/l, Nitrates was reduced from 2.498mg/l to 1.350mg/l, Phosphate was reduced from 0.18mg/l to 0.134mg/l. Furthermore, its low cost, abundance underscore its feasibility for large-scale water treatment applications. This study concludes that carbonized rice husk is a viable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly material for enhancing surface water treatment systems, particularly in regions where access to conventional treatment technologies is limited. Future research is recommended to optimize its application in integrated treatment processes and evaluate its long-term performance and regeneration potential.

Despite the prevalence and toxicity of heavy metals in the environment, arsenic and cobalt are of particular concern due to their high mobility and bioaccumulation potential, particularly in contaminated groundwater. Herein, we studied the adsorption behavior of commercially available sorbents, including Fluorosorb-100 (FS-100), Fluorosorb-200 (FS-200), and Filtrasorb-400 (F-400), for the removal of arsenite (As(III)) and cobalt (Co(II)), aiming at the selection of filter media in terms of future groundwater remediation. Kinetic analysis revealed that As(III) adsorption followed a pseudo-second-order model, while Co(II) showed mixed first- and second-order behavior, reflecting sorbent-dependent mechanisms. Equilibrium isotherm modeling revealed strong correlations with both Langmuir and Freundlich models, confirming heterogeneous adsorption sites and multilayer interactions. FS-100 demonstrated the highest affinity for As(III) (qₘ = 0.46 mg/g) and F-400 exhibited the greatest adsorption capacity for Co(II) (qₘ = 1.00 mg/g), while FS-200 consistently showed relatively weaker adsorption for both metals. Desorption studies indicated predominantly irreversible binding, with minimal release of As(III) from F-400 and Co(II) from FS-200 and F-400, even at high concentrations. Overall, these findings highlight that commercially available sorbents can effectively capture arsenite and cobalt, offering cost-effective and scalable options for heavy-metal removal in groundwater remediation systems under realistic environmental conditions.

Glass fiber filter media are widely used to remove submicron liquid droplets from air and gas streams. However, there is still a challenge to obtain filter media with high efficiency and low resistance. In this study, the electrospinning method was used to deposit a nanofiber membrane on the micron fiber filter media. The filtration performance and liquid distribution in the filters with different electrospinning area ratio were analyzed. The filtration performances of dual-layer filters with different combinations were investigated. The results show that with the increase in electrospinning area ratio, the filtration efficiency of oleophilic filters can be improved, while it seems to have no effect on the filtration efficiency of oleophobic filters. At the initial stage of filtration, there is liquid film forming on the electrospinning area for both the oleophilic and oleophobic filters, resulting in an increase airflow resistance on the non-electrospinning area. As the nanofiber membrane is coated on the up region of the first layer filter media, with the increase in the electrospinning area ratio, the steady pressure drop increases for the dual-layer combinations based on oleophilic filter media, while the filtration efficiency increases gradually for the dual-layer combinations based on both oleophilic and oleophobic filter media. The best filtration performance was found for Filter B-U75-D25.

Assessment of microplastic retention efficiency using pilot-scale filtration systems applied to drinking water.

Exploring innovations in antimicrobial protective mask filters: A review.

The removal of selected PPCPs by backwashed slow sand filters and the influence on the bacterial community of the filter media

Mechanically recyclable thermoplastic polymers are used in preparation of lightweight, high-efficiency aerogel filter media for air filtration with the aid of fused filament fabrication three-dimensional (3D)-printing technique. The all-polyolefin composite filter media is composed of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) gyroid frameworks and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) aerogel infill. The solid content of HDPE needed to obtain a free-standing gel from its solutions is first determined. The aerogel morphology is investigated using scanning electron microscopy and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller nitrogen adsorption analysis. The HDPE aerogel is constructed of lamellar crystalline platelets. The compression tests show that the use of 3D-printed iPP frames in the composite filter media provides adequate compressive modulus (∼100 MPa). The nanometer size pores and the tortuous air flow path are responsible for high filtration efficiency (>99.97%) for the all-polyolefin composite filter media, higher than the standard for high-efficiency particulate absorption filters, typically 99.95%. The study is extended to repurpose 3D-printed filaments obtained from the blends of iPP and HDPE with up to 30 wt % HDPE into fabrication of mechanically strong supporting frames that can host HDPE aerogel. The excellent printability and low warpage values demonstrate the feasibility of repurposing waste polyolefin materials into value-added filter media products.

This study examines how the management of political disagreement during elections affects the development of political information repertoires, particularly in relation to political orientation. Amid rising political polarization, particularly on social media, prevailing assumptions suggest that individuals engage with diverse perspectives. However, this research interrogates whether deliberative and partisanship groups curate political information differently or reinforce ideological divides. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a rigorously selected sample of Indonesian voters, who demonstrated an active interest in political debates—both deliberative and partisanship. Partial Least Square was applied across two models: (1) the role of political information sources in shaping deliberative and partisanship engagement, and (2) the effects of disagreement management strategies on political discourse. The findings reveal that both deliberative and partisanship individuals actively filter, select, and curate political networks and media consumption based on ideological preferences rather than openness to diverse viewpoints. This challenges prevailing assumptions in deliberative democracy theories, suggesting that deliberative individuals may engage in political discussions selectively rather than embracing ideological diversity. The study highlights the reinforcing mechanisms of selective exposure and polarization, underscoring the role of political information repertoires in shaping electoral discourse in deeply divided societies.

ABSTRACT Cow urine contains valuable nutrients that can be recovered for reuse in agriculture. This study aimed to evaluate the application of the slanted soil system (SSS) for treating cow urine with a mixed filtration media and further application of the used media as slow‐release fertilizer. Treatment of cow urine was performed in an SSS containing a combination of diatoms and bricks as filtration media. Afterwards, diatoms were used for mustard planting with five media combinations. The results showed that SSS could remove COD at 77.1 ± 2.3% efficiency on Day 1 and 70.8 ± 2.1% on Day 2. COD removal mostly occurred in the container with bricks as filtration media, while the nutrients were mostly recovered in diatoms. A combination of 75% soil and 25% diatoms produced mustard plants with the best results. This shows that the diatoms that have been drained by cow urine can be used as a slow‐release fertilizer.

This research aimed to study the effect of hot filter media on the yield and properties of fuel obtained from the pyrolysis of rubber dung in a fixed bed reactor under a reaction temperature of 300°C for 2 hours. The hot filter media used in this study consisted of dolomite, charcoal, charcoal pellets, rice husks, and rice husk pellets. The hot filter operates at a reaction temperature of 100°C. The results indicated that pyrolysis of rubber dung without filter media yielded a maximum fuel content of 70 wt%. When the filter media was placed in the hot filter, the yield of fuel significantly reduced. Dolomite resulted in a minimum reduction in fuel yield of 49 wt%. However, the fuel obtained using different types of filter media exhibited improved properties. Dolomite increased the heating value of the fuel to a maximum of 42.4 MJ/kg and reduced viscosity by up to two times. Therefore, it can be concluded that using hot filter media in pyrolysis reduces the yield of fuel but improves its properties, and is suitable for producing fuel oil from rubber waste through pyrolysis. Further research should be conducted to expand the application of this process to real-world community use.

Pakistan is a water-deficient country and with the passage of time scarcity of freshwater and groundwater is increasing due to industrialization, deforestation, and an increase in population. To solve this problem, use of wastewater is considered the best alternative to fulfill water deficiency. Agriculture is putting pressure on freshwater resources. Filtration is one of the most often utilized ways for treating greywater across the globe. Various endogenous materials are employed to complete this procedure. Materials with the finest physical and chemical qualities may provide the best filtering outcomes. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the characterization of indigenous materials used in greywater filtering in Taxila, Pakistan. Angle of repose, moisture content, size determination, and porosity were used to determine the physical characteristics of six materials acquired from the city's local market. The average angle of repose of sand was 34.39, whereas activated charcoal was 34.7. Coconut husk on the market had a moisture content of 18.5%. The average size of gravel was 6.02 cm, while pebbles were 5.49 cm. The porosity of limestone was 3.2%. These comparisons indicate that the materials employed meet acknowledged requirements for a filtering medium. These qualities should be strictly controlled throughout the production or purchase process. Keywords: Greywater filtration, sand, limestone, activated charcoal, coconut husk, gravel.

Current drinking water grab sampling is insufficient for monitoring metals that have location-dependent or temporally variable concentrations. This study evaluated the potential of three widely used residential POU filters to serve as volume-integrated monitoring devices for multiple metals. We investigated the two criteria for metals to be monitored by POU filters of (1) complete removal and (2) subsequent complete extraction. To assess the first criterion, lead, hexavalent chromium, arsenate, copper, manganese, and zinc were loaded onto filters both separately using lab-prepared water and together using spiked St. Louis tap water. While cationic metals were robustly retained on the filter media (72-100%), hexavalent chromium and arsenate had lower removal extents (11-62%). To examine the second criterion, metals that had accumulated on the filter media were extracted for quantitative analysis. Extraction methods completely recovered the accumulated metals (87-110%). Volume-averaged concentrations of metals in the incoming water could be quantified based on the mass of metals extracted and information about the cumulative volume of water processed. We demonstrated that POU filters can be used as multipurpose tools to both remove multiple metals from drinking water and monitor incoming water quality over the duration of filter use.