Industrial Wastewater Effluents Research Articles

Sustainable Treatment of Food Industry Wastewater Using Membrane Technology: A Short Review

Water is needed for food processing facilities to carry out a number of tasks, including moving goods, washing, processing, and cleaning operations. This causes them to produce wastewater effluent, and they are typically undesirable since it contains a high volume of suspended solids, bacteria, dyestuffs, salts, oils, fats, chemical oxygen demand and biological oxygen demand. Therefore, treatment of food industry wastewater effluent is critical in improving process conditions, socio-economic benefits and our environmental. This short review summarizes the role of available membrane technologies that have been employed for food wastewater treatment and analyse their performance. Particularly, electrospun nanofiber membrane technology is revealed as an emerging membrane science and technology area producing materials of increasing performance and effectiveness in treating wastewater. This review reveals the challenges and perspectives that will assist in treating the food industry wastewater by developing novel membrane technologies.

A Small-Scale Study on Removal of Heavy Metals from Contaminated Water Using Water Hyacinth

The aim of this research was to determine whether water hyacinth can be used to remove heavy metals, such as cadmium, arsenic, lead, zinc, and copper, from industrial wastewater. Investigations of the pollution removal or prevention potential of aquatic macrophytes, such as heavy metal bio-indicators in aquatic habitats, can prove to be advanced field studies. Water hyacinth is one of the aquatic plant species that has been effectively utilized for the treatment of wastewater. It is extremely effective in removing stains, suspended solids, BOD, organic matter, and heavy metals. This research focused on the use of water hyacinth to treat wastewater from heavy metals. Water hyacinths can grow in sewage, absorbing and digesting contaminants and transforming sewage effluents into comparatively clean water in the process. As a result, the plants have the potential to be used as natural water purification systems at a fraction of the cost of a standard sewage treatment facility. The experiment was performed using healthy, young, and acclimatized water hyacinths. Containment water with a cadmium concentration of 0.5 mg/L, arsenic concentration of 0.5 mg/L, lead concentration of 2 mg/L, zinc concentration of 5 mg/L, and copper concentration of 5 mg/L was added to five different polyethylene pots with 100 g of water hyacinth in each pot. After 30 days, the removal efficiency for heavy metals (Cd, As, Pb, Zn, and Cu) reached 59–92%, and the results were within the permitted limits according to the National Technical Regulation on Industrial Wastewater in Vietnam. Based on this information, it is possible to deduce that water hyacinth can be utilized to remove cadmium, arsenic, lead, zinc, and copper from industrial wastewater effluents efficiently.

EFFECT OF SOIL IRRIGATION WITH WASTEWATER ON NI FRACTIONS IN SOME CONTAMINATED SOILS IN EGYPT

In this study Ni species were determined using a sequential extraction technique. The method consists of sequential extraction of the soil with different solutions, and it is designed to separate into six operationally defined fractions namely water soluble, exchangeable, carbonate bound, Fe-Mn oxides bound, organic bound and residual fractions. The objectives of this study were to investigate nickel forms in tested soils and to determine the effect of industrial wastewater effluent irrigation on the metal fractions in soil. Data showed a remarkable increase in all tested Ni-forms in polluted soil. It could be concluded that soil composition has been changed with depth. Especially under such condition whereas, metal soluble organic compounds found in wastewater may precipitate and percolates through soil and may transport soluble Ni with the soil solution.

A comprehensive review on application of bioreactor for industrial wastewater treatment.

In the recent past, wastewater treatment processes performed a pivotal role in accordance with maintaining the sustainable environment and health of mankind at a proper hygiene level. It has been proved indispensable by government regulations throughout the world on account of the importance of preserving freshwater bodies. Human activities, predominantly from industrial sectors, generate an immeasurable amount of industrial wastewater loaded with toxic chemicals, which not only cause dreadful environmental problems, but also leave harmful impacts on public health. Hence, industrial wastewater effluent must be treated before being released into the environment to restrain the problems related to industrial wastewater discharged to the environment. Nowadays, biological wastewater treatment methods have been considered an excellent approach for industrial wastewater treatment process because of their cost-effectiveness in the treatment, high efficiency and their potential to counteract the drawbacks of conventional wastewater treatment methods. Recently, the treatment of industrial effluent through bioreactor has been proved as one of the best methods from the presently available methods. Reactors are the principal part of any biotechnology-based method for microbial or enzymatic biodegradation, biotransformation and bioremediation. This review aims to explore and compile the assessment of the most appropriate reactors such as packed bed reactor, membrane bioreactor, rotating biological contactor, up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor, photobioreactor, biological fluidized bed reactor and continuous stirred tank bioreactor that are extensively used for distinct industrial wastewater treatment.

Increasing Water System Robustness in the Netherlands: Potential of Cross-Sectoral Water Reuse

Water reuse has the potential to substantially reduce the demand on groundwater and surface water. This study presents a method to evaluate the potential of water reuse schemes in a regional context and demonstrates how water reuse propagates through the water system and potentially reduces pressure on groundwater resources. The use of Sankey diagram visualisation provides a valuable tool to explore and evaluate regional application of water reuse, its potential to reduce groundwater and surface water demand, and the possible synergies and trade-offs between sectors. The approach is demonstrated for the Dutch anthropogenic water system in the current situation and for a future scenario with increased water demand and reduced water availability due to climate change. Four types of water reuse are evaluated by theoretically upscaling local or regional water reuse schemes based on local reuse examples currently in operation in the Netherlands or Flanders: municipal and industrial wastewater effluent reuse for irrigation, effluent reuse for industrial applications, and reuse for groundwater replenishment. In all cases, water reuse has the potential to significantly reduce groundwater extraction volume, and thus to alleviate the pressure on the groundwater system. The water-quantity based analysis is placed in the context of water quality demands, health and safety aspects, technological requirements, regulations, public perception, and its net impact on the environment. This integrative context is essential for a successful implementation of water reuse in practice.

Molecular biomarker responses in the freshwater mussel Anodonta anatina exposed to an industrial wastewater effluent

Using a selection of molecular biomarkers, we evaluated responses in freshwater mussels (Anodonta anatina) exposed to effluent from an industrial wastewater treatment facility. The aims of this work were to (1) assess biomarkers of general toxicity under sublethal exposure to an anthropogenic mixture of chemicals, represented by an arbitrary effluent, and (2) evaluate the potential of A. anatina as a bioindicator of pollution. Adult mussels (n = in total 32; 24 males and 8 females) were exposed (96 h) in the laboratory to a fixed dilution of effluent or to a control treatment of standardized freshwater. Metal concentrations were in general higher in the effluent, by an order of magnitude or more, compared to the control. Toxic unit estimates were used as proxies of chemical stress, and Cu, Ni, and Zn were identified as potential major contributors (Cu> Ni > Zn). Six transcriptional (cat, gst, hsp70, hsp90, mt, sod) and two biochemical (AChE, GST) biomarkers were analyzed in two tissues, gills, and digestive glands. Out of the 16 responses (eight biomarkers × two tissues), 14 effect sizes were small (within ± 28 % of control) and differences non-significant (p > 0.05). Results did however show that (1) AChE activity increased by 40% in gills of exposed mussels compared to control, (2) hsp90 expression was 100% higher in exposed female gills compared to control, and (3) three marker signals (AChE in both tissues, and hsp70 in gills) differed between sexes, independent of treatment. Results highlight a need for further investigation of molecular biomarker variability and robustness in A. anatina.

Review paper on removal of heavy metal ions from industrial waste water effluent

Heavy metal ions is a major key of pollutions and it is one of the big environment issue today. To overcome with this problem the handling of metal ions is necessary. In recent research, there are various techniques that has been used to examin the metals ions and overview the methods also. The technologies involves are- ion-exchang, chemical precipitation, flotation, adsorption, membrane filtration, electro-chemical, coagulation-flocculation methods. It is find from experimental and literature survey article that membrane filtration, ion-exchange and adsorption are most common techniques used for the discourse of removal of metal ions from waste water effluent.

Comparison of Advanced Oxidation Processes (Sonication, Fenton Reaction and Ozone-Based Processes) for Water Decolorization

The excessive use of azo dyes results in their discharge with the industrial wastewater effluents. Recent studies show that conventional wastewater treatment processes cannot remove these pollutants that are known to be toxic both to aquatic life and humans. Hence, the elimination of such pollution has lately been a primary environmental concern, and a variety of methods comprising of biological and chemical processes have been tested. Advanced oxidation processes are a promising option to remove these compounds completely while reducing their toxicity via mineralization. The aim of this study is to test several advanced oxidation processes for the decolorization of Remazol Brillant Blue R. Studied advanced oxidation processes are sonication, Fenton reaction, ozonation (O3), ozonation and UV irradiation (O3/UV) and a hybrid process of ozonation UV irradiation and hydrogen peroxide (O3/UV/ H2O2). The efficiencies of the processes are determined by decolorization and mineralization and found to be in the decreasing order of O3/UV/H2O2 > Fenton > O3/UV > Ultrasound > Ozone.

Adsorption of Reactive Red 195 from aqueous medium using Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) leaf powder chemically modified with dimethylamine: characterization, isotherms, kinetics, thermodynamics, and mechanism assessment

Lotus leaf powder (LLP) was chemically modified with dimethylamine (DMA) to achieve a tertiary amine type powder, named DMA-LLP, and used as an adsorbent for the removal of Reactive Red 195 (RR 195) from the aqueous medium. DMA-LLP was characterized using field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), point of zero charge (pHPZC), and fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The kinetic data exhibited a good correlation coefficient (R2 > 0.9916) for the pseudo-second-order model. To evaluate the equilibrium data at different temperatures, the non-linear Langmuir and Freundlich isothermal models were used. The Langmuir model best described the equilibrium data (R2 > 0.9931). The maximum adsorption uptake from the Langmuir model, qmax , was 131.5 mg/g (pH = 2.0, Co = 300 mg/L, dosage = 0.03 g/30 mL, and T = 298 K). The pHPZC of DMA-LLP was found to be 5.5. The obtained thermodynamic parameters demonstrated the spontaneous and endothermic nature of the adsorption. The regeneration findings indicate that DMA-LLP could be used up to five times, with maximum removal of 72% achieved after the fifth cycle. Thus, we conclude that the DMA-LLP was an efficient adsorbent for removing RR 195 from the aqueous environment. NOVELTY STATEMENT In the modern era, dyes are inevitable and their surging usage leads to colossal contamination of aqueous streams, thereby threatening both the land and aquatic species. One among such dye is anionic Reactive Red 195 (RR 195), and traceable even at minute concentrations of aqueous streams, posing a severe threat to living species. Moreover, RR 195 is highly recalcitrant offering resistance to biodegradation due to the presence of an azo (–N=N–) group within its structure. Thus, there is a definite need to address the issue of eliminating RR 195 from industrial wastewater effluents. In lieu of this, the primitive objective of this study is to test the effectiveness of the natural adsorbent lotus leaf (Nelumbo nucifera) for the selective sorption of RR 195 from the aqueous stream. Although ample literature is available on the direct utilization of lotus leaf as adsorbent, yet no study was performed on the chemical modification (dimethylamine) of the aforementioned adsorbent. Hence, an attempt has been made in this direction to add a new sorbent into the adsorbents database.

Effective removal of heavy metals from industrial effluent wastewater by a multi metal and drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain RA-14 using integrated sequencing batch reactor

Sequencing batch reactor (SBR) is useful in removal of both non-biodegradable and biodegradable contaminants from wastewater. The main aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the potential of biocatalyst strain RA-14 on heavy metal removal under SBR. The selected strain was screened from the soil sediment contaminated with heavy metals. It was able to survive at different (Hg2+, Pb2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Cd2+ and Ni2+) heavy metals (>500 ppm). The bacterial strain RA-14 showed maximum bioaccumulation potential than other strains. Heavy metal resistance patterns of Pb2+ > Cu2 > Cd2+ > Hg2+, Ni2+ and Zn2 was observed. Strain RA-14 was resistant to penicillin–G, nalidixic acid, ceftazidime, cefotaxime, kanamycin and ampicillin. The results revealed that bioaccumulation activities were improved at pH 7.0 (83.2 ± 1.8%), 40 °C (89.34 ± 3%) and affected at higher pH values and temperature. The results showed that contact time and initial Lead concentration was also affected Lead accumulation. The heavy metal tolerant strain RA-14 was further investigated towards heavy metal removal in SBR. Heavy metal was removed in SBR within 10 h of hydraulic retention time. Heavy metal removal was high at 2 mg/L (0.33 mg/L Cu2+, 0.33 mg/L Hg2+, 0.33 mg/L Pb2+, 0.33 mg/L Zn2+, 0.33 mg/L Cd2+ and 0.33 mg/L Ni2+) heavy metals. Total nitrogen, biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) of treated water in SBR was removed and the removal efficacy was 91.3 ± 2.1%, 97.6 ± 3.3%, and 94.3 ± 4.4%, respectively in 10 h hydraulic retention time. However, the efficiency of BOD, COD and total nitrogen content removal was decreased, due to the reduced metabolic process of bacteria after 10 h. The SBR reactor proved to be an efficient method for the treatment of various heavy metals from the wastewater.

Comparative investigation of RSM and ANN for multi-response modeling and optimization studies of derived chitosan from Archachatina marginata shell

The design of this paper was to investigate comparatively the optimization techniques of response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) when applied to the conditions for chitosan production from Archachatina marginata shell and the % removal of methylene blue, MB, from synthetic textile wastewater. The proposed RSM and ANN models are optimized using genetic algorithm (GA). The optimum conditions for the extraction processes of chitosan and % removal of MB are determined and the derived chitosan at optimized conditions is characterized using analytical techniques. The ANN portrays better modeling abilities than RSM for the responses. The predicted values of % yield of chitosan, % DD and % removal of MB are obtained as 51.56, 98.68 and 94.71 respectively using the RSM-GA technique while the ANN-GA technique predicted 45.32%, 91.96% and 95.96% respectively. The experimental values of the responses are in excellent agreement with the ANN-GA predicted values with % errors being 1.8, 1.2 and 1.19 respectively. Hence, the conditions of chitosan production from Archachatina marginata shell and its bioremediation capacity of synthetic wastewater from textile industry can be adequately and accurately optimized and modeled using ANN-GA for routine seafood applications and treatment of industrial wastewater effluents.

Integrated Assessment of Nickel Electroplating Industrial Wastewater Effluent as a Renewable Resource of Irrigation Water Using a Hydroponic Cultivation System.

Nickel, a micronutrient essential for plant growth and development, has been recognized as a metallic pollutant in wastewater. The concentration of nickel ions in the water course, exceeding the maximum tolerable limit, has called for an alarming attention, due to the bioaccumulative entry in the water–plant–human food chain, leaving a burden of deteriorative effects on visible characteristics, physiological processes, and oxidative stress response in plants. In this work, the renewable utilization of nickel electroplating industrial wastewater effluent (0, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100%) as a viable source of irrigation water was evaluated using a hydroponic cultivation system, by adopting Lablab purpureus and Brassica chinensis as the plant models, in relation to the physical growth, physiological and morphological characteristics, photosynthetic pigments, proline, and oxidative responses. The elongation of roots and shoots in L. purpureus and B. chinensis was significantly inhibited beyond 25 and 5% of industrial wastewater. The chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid contents, accompanied by alterations in the morphologies of xylem, phloem, and distortion of stomata, were recorded in the industrial wastewater-irrigated groups, with pronounced toxicity effects detected in B. chinensis. Excessive proline accumulation was recorded in the treated plant models. Ascorbate peroxidase (APX), guaiacol peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) scavenging activities were drastically altered, with a profound upregulation effect in the POD activity in L. purpureus and both POD and APX in B. chinensis, predicting the nickel-induced oxidative stress. Conclusively, the diluted industrial wastewater effluent up to the optimum concentrations of 5 and 25%, respectively, could be feasibly reused as a renewable resource for B. chinensis and L. purpureus irrigation, verified by the minimal or negligible phytotoxic implications in the plant models. The current findings have shed light on the interruption of nickel-contaminated industrial wastewater effluent irrigation practice on the physical and biochemical features of food crops and highlighted the possibility of nutrient recycling via wastewater reuse in a sustainable soilless cultivation.

Can the environmental health of urban centers be assessed through pollutants trapped in lakes? A study case in the biggest city of the southern hemisphere.

Air and water quality in urban centers are summited to pollution from different sources, such as industrial activities, traffic, and wastewater effluents. A great number of chemicals can be spread by wind throughout the city, exposing the inhabitants to the health risks associated to them. Atmospheric analysis provides punctual data and represents the timing of the air sampling. A long-term evaluation of the atmospheric air quality can be assessed through the evaluation of pollutants that reach the soil by atmospheric deposition; however, they also can be redistributed and desorbed. The evaluation of pollutants in lakes could be a practical solution, given that lakes may act as traps to these compounds. In this context, organic pollutants were assessed in sediment and water from a lake located in the urban area of São Paulo, Brazil, the biggest city of the southern hemisphere. There were no evidences of sewage input to the lake and pyrogenic compounds reached the lake through atmospheric deposition. The content of pyrogenic PAH exposed the large amount of PAH emitted to the atmosphere by the multiple sources of PAH, mainly vehicular emission and diesel combustion. The PAH trapped in the lake highlighted the impact of all burning process in the air quality in which 12.3 million people are exposed.

High performance functionalized UiO metal organic frameworks for the efficient and selective adsorption of Pb (II) ions in concentrated multi-ion systems

In this work, we report novel amine-functionalized zirconium-based metal organic frameworks (MOFs) for the efficient and selective removal of Pb (II) in concentrated multi-component heavy metal ions systems. Pristine UiO-66 and UiO-67 MOFs were grafted with thiourea and amidinothiourea via a facile one-step post synthetic modification. This is the first report on grafting of amidinothiourea onto MOFs. Successful grafting was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A mechanism involving dehydration, ionization and coordination steps was proposed for grafting and subsequent Pb (II) binding. The microporous amidinothiourea modified UiO-66 and UiO-67 MOFs demonstrated excellent performance in their high maximum adsorption capacities of 246 and 367 mg.g−1, respectively, as well as their remarkable selectivity for Pb (II) ions in highly concentrated multi-ion solutions. This is, in addition, to their effective removal efficiencies which reached up to more than 95% at a high range of Pb (II) concentrations (25–250 ppm). Furthermore, the structural stability of the MOF crystals was maintained after adsorption and the MOF was completely regenerated for up to four cycles. The developed MOFs can thus be utilized as reliable adsorbents for Pb (II) removal from industrial wastewater effluents.

Microplastic fibre releases from industrial wastewater effluent: a textile wet-processing mill in China

Environmental context Microplastic fibres (MPFs) released from textiles are routinely found throughout the environment as an indicator of human impacts. The presence of MPFs in industrial wastewater effluents shows that attention should be placed not only on domestic release but also on the upstream processes of textile production. In the context of global MPF release, the ability to target and treat industrial effluents may significantly reduce a potentially major point source. Abstract Microplastic fibres (MPFs) released from textiles are routinely found throughout the environment indicating human impacts on natural systems. The most common release pathway to the environment investigated are domestic textile laundering, transport through and retention in municipal wastewater treatment plants and subsequent application of processed sludge onto agricultural fields as soil amendment. A less-studied but potentially equally relevant source is releases further upstream in the textile production chain such as industrial wastewater effluents from textile processing mills. In this context, industrial wastewater from a typical textile wet-processing mill in China was sampled to estimate MPF release. Effluent was sampled and MPF fibre number and length were quantified by stereomicroscope. An average of 361.6 ± 24.5 MPFs L−1 was identified in the mill effluent. MPF length was highly variable, yet 92 % of all fibres were shorter than 1000 µm. Additionally, the sampling strategy was used to identify the optimal volume necessary to adequately subsample the effluent. We found that total fibre counts were linearly correlated with sample volumes between 1 and 10 L, but a sampling volume of 5 L is suggested for good reproducibility, low standard deviation and ease of working volume. The significant abundance of MPFs in the industrial wastewater effluent emphasises that not only should attention be placed on domestic releases, but the production stage of textiles can also be responsible for MPF pollution. The ability to target and treat industrial effluents may significantly reduce a potentially major point source.

Динамика сорбции борной кислоты борселективным анионитом типа СБ

Investigation and choice of an effective sorbent are significant for protection of water bodies against boron The boron high concentration in natural waters produces toxic impact on aquatic biota due to its high biological activity. This paper studied the dynamics of boric acid sorption from aqueous solutions by polycondensation anionite SB-1 synthesized on the base of monoethanolamine and epichlorohydrin. The anion exchanger contained aminooxyethyl and alcohol functional groups in its structure. Methods. It has been established the influences of the ion form of the anionite on the dynamic characteristics of boron sorption from both a model boric acid aqueous solution (0.43 mol/dm3) and an industrial wastewater effluent after boric acid production (0.47 mol/dm3), other things being equal (pH = 5.0; the volume rate of the solution passing through the anionite layer = 1.5 ml/min∙cm2; t = 20 0C). Structural studies to determine the form of boron in the anionite phase were performed using the IR spectroscopic method. Dynamic characteristics of boron sorption (the cation and overall ion-exchange capacity values, period of the protecting effect of the filter) were determined graphically from the sorption curves. Results. It has been found that the hydroxyl form of the anion exchanger SB-1, in comparison with the chlorine form, performs superequivalent boron sorption while boron sorption from both a model and real production solutions. For the first time we have demonstrated that at the initial stage, boric acid sorption is carried out owing to the chemisorption, resulting to the formation of stable hydroxoborate forms [B(OH)4]– in the ionite phase. As the anionite is being saturated and the concentration of free functional hydroxyl groups is decreasing, the formation of polynuclear forms of boric acid [B4O5(OH)4]2– occurs in the anionite phase by sorption of boric acid molecules on free tetrahydroxoborate anions and, further, the complex formation of polynuclear forms of boron by the nitrogen atom of aminooxyethyl functional groups. It has been stated that desorption of boron from anionite is considered to be effective when carried out with a 2 n. NaOH solution with a regeneration degree of 0.995.

Adsorption by Granular Activated Carbon and Nano Zerovalent Iron from Wastewater: A Study on Removal of Selenomethionine and Selenocysteine

Selenomethionine (SeMet) and selenocysteine (SeCys) are the most common forms of organic selenium, which is often found in the effluent of industrial wastewater. These organic selenium compounds are toxic, bioavailable and most likely to bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms. This study investigated the use of two adsorbent candidates (granular activated carbon (GAC) and nano zerovalent iron (nZVI)) as treatment technologies for SeMet and SeCys removal. Batch experiments were performed and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) was used for sample analysis. Experimental data showed GAC demonstrated a higher affinity towards the removal of SeMet and SeCys compared to nZVI. The removal efficiency of SeCys and SeMet by GAC was 96.1% and 86.7%, respectively. NZVI adsorption capacity for SeCys was 39.4% and SeMet < 1.1%. Irrespective of the adsorbent, SeMet is more refractory to be adsorbed compared to SeCys. Kinetics data of GAC and nZVI agreed well with the pseudo-second-order model (R2 > 0.990). The experimental data of SeCys was characterized by Langmuir model, indicating monolayer adsorption. The adsorption capacity of nZVI for SeCys increased significantly by about 35%, with a decrease in pH from 9.0 to 4.0, indicating that SeCy removal by nZVI is pH dependent. While electrostatic attraction is considered the driving mechanism for nZVI adsorption, GAC uptake capacity is controlled by weak van der Waal forces. The adsorption of binary adsorbates (SeMet and SeCys) exhibited an inhibitory effect due to the competitive interaction between contaminant molecules.

Evaluating spatial characteristics and influential factors of industrial wastewater discharge in China: A spatial econometric approach

Although China’s total industrial wastewater discharge (IWD) has shown a downward trend in recent years, it is still at a relatively high level. Based on the panel data gathered from 30 Chinese provinces from 2000 to 2017, this study attempts to investigate the spatial characteristics and influential factors which could potentially pose primary contribution to the IWD. Specifically, the spatial autocorrelation test is used to depict the spatial characteristics of IWD. All statistical test results seem to support that using the spatial Durbin model (SDM) with spatial and time period fixed effects could be properly utilized in assessing over the factors of being considered of affecting the IWD. Those assumed factors involve with economic development, population growth, industrial structure, intensity of environmental governance and the level of technological innovation. The results show that the provincial industrial wastewater effluents exhibit a significant spatial autocorrelation as well as agglomeration characteristics. The relationship between IWD and GDP shows up an inverted U-shape, suggesting a typical dynamic of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC). Perhaps, due to a lagging effect, the government’s investments in IWD governance at the current stage is somehow positively correlated with the volume of IWD while technological innovation and industrial structure are negatively correlated with IWD, and yet it appears no connection between population growth and IWD. Furthermore, the estimated direct and indirect effects indicate that economic development, technological innovation, and environmental governance intensity all impose negative spatial spillover effects on IWD. However, it seems to present a significant positive spatial spillover effect being exerted by the industrial structure. Accordingly, we put forward the general measures and specific measures to address China’s IWD problems.

Engineered Hybrid Materials with Smart Surfaces for Effective Mitigation of Petroleum-Originated Pollutants

• Petroleum-originated pollutants and their effective mitigation is reviewed. • The persistence of toxic substances causes threats to the living ecosystems. • Effective remediation of contaminated environment is of supreme interest. • Hybrid materials with smart surfaces are effective to remediate hydrocarbons. The generation and controlled or uncontrolled release of hydrocarbon-contaminated industrial wastewater effluents to water matrices are a major environmental concern. The contaminated water comes to surface in the form of stable emulsions, which sometimes require different techniques to mitigate or separate effectively. Both the crude emulsions and hydrocarbon-contaminated wastewater effluents contain suspended solids, oil/grease, organic matter, toxic elements, salts, and recalcitrant chemicals. Suitable treatment of crude oil emulsions has been one of the most important challenges due to the complex nature and the substantial amount of generated waste. Moreover, the recovery of oil from waste will help meet the increasing demand for oil and its derivatives. In this context, functional nanostructured materials with smart surfaces and switchable wettability properties have gained increasing attention because of their excellent performance in the separation of oil–water emulsions. Recent improvements in the design, composition, morphology, and fine-tuning of polymeric nanostructured materials have resulted in enhanced demulsification functionalities. Herein, we reviewed the environmental impacts of crude oil emulsions and hydrocarbon-contaminated wastewater effluents. Their effective treatments by smart polymeric nanostructured materials with wettability properties have been stated with suitable examples. The fundamental mechanisms underpinning the efficient separation of oil–water emulsions are discussed with suitable examples along with the future perspectives of smart materials.

Adsorption of Pb (II) Using Partially Deproteinated Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) Roots

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is known to be an effective biosorbent capable of removing pollutants of industrial wastewater effluents, particularly heavy metals. This study determined and compared the effectiveness of removing Pb2+ in a lead-containing aqueous solution using untreated and treated water hyacinth roots. The treated biosorbent was the heavy organic matter that settled from the extraction of water-soluble portions of the water hyacinth roots upon centrifugation of the water hyacinth and deionized water mixture for 1 hour at ambient temperature. The treatment of the biosorbent resulted to less functional groups but more exposed fibers for which the Pb2+ ions can adhere to. At a 24-hour equilibrium time, it was determined that the untreated biosorbent gave higher adsorption capacity of 0.743 mg/g as compared to the 0.653 mg/g capacity of the treated biosorbent. However, it was observed that in a 2-hour equilibrium time, similar adsorption capacities were obtained at 0.75 mg/g for both biosorbents. The kinetic study reveals that saturation of the biosorbents was observed within a 2-hour contact time. At prolonged adsorption time, the decrease in adsorption capacity of the treated biosorbent was due to the adsorption-desorption process that occurred at the saturated sorbent surfaces, whereby the attached Pb2+ was released and re-attached interchangeably. The loss of functional groups in the treated biosorbent resulted to less strong bonds from chemical adsorption and thus in a higher contact time, the loosely binded Pb2+ ions return to the aqueous phase.