Mitigate Water Scarcity Research Articles

Addressing water scarcity challenges through rainwater harvesting: A comprehensive analysis of potential zones and model performance in arid and semi-arid regions–A case study on Purulia, India

Water scarcity in arid and semi-arid regions is a critical global concern, necessitating innovative solutions to address increasing water demands in these vulnerable areas. This study focuses on tackling this challenge by identifying and classifying rainwater harvesting zones based on their potentiality and comparing the performance of two machine learning models, Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Random Forest (RF), for optimizing rainwater harvesting strategies. The study area is Purulia, a district in India. Extensive literature review was conducted to identify key factors influencing rainwater harvesting. Open-source remotely sensed data were employed to pinpoint rainwater harvesting potential zones. A multi-criteria decision-making technique was applied to assess the importance of various factors. Results indicated that rainfall, slope, runoff potential, soil, land cover, and drainage density are the six crucial factors for selecting suitable rainwater harvesting locations. Approximately 2% of the area is unsuitable, 8% is poorly suitable, 33% is moderately suitable, 45% is highly suitable, and the remaining 12% is extremely suitable in Purulia. Two predictive models were developed, with the RF algorithm demonstrating nearly 99% accuracy. Finally, remedial techniques for mitigating water scarcity through rainwater harvesting are discussed separately for urban and rural areas. This research article embraces a comprehensive approach to address water-related concerns, offering a replicable framework applicable globally, with a specific focus on arid and semi-arid regions.

Waterdrop-assisted efficient fog collection on micro-fiber grids

Fog collectors can mitigate water scarcity by capturing droplets from fog streams. Previous research focuses on improving aerodynamic design and surface characteristics to enhance collection efficiency. However, limited attention has been given to micro-meter level fog-intercepting structures and the impact of waterdrop clogging. This study investigates the fog collection process on microfiber grids with varying fiber spacings and diameters. Waterdrops clog the grid openings with a pattern that small waterdrops satelliting large ones. Due to the small fiber diameter, the waterdrops are “visible” to incoming airflow and strongly affect fog droplet interception. The large waterdrops deflect incoming fog flow towards the small ones, and the small waterdrops efficiently capture the fog droplets. Consequently, the fog collectors based on microfiber grids demonstrated an exceptional water collection efficiency of up to 21.4%. The micro-fiber grids require minimal material usage and no special surface treatment, highlighting a great potential in fog water collection. Additionally, this work provides a novel design strategy of fog collector, i.e., reducing the size of the fog-intercepting structure to directly capture fog droplets by waterdrops.

A comprehensive study on combined organic fouling and gypsum scaling in reverse osmosis: Decoupling surface and bulk phenomena

Reverse osmosis (RO), as an energy efficient desalination technology that is critical to mitigate water scarcity, encounters feedwater containing both organic foulants and inorganic scalants. However, comparing with extensive studies on individual fouling or scaling, our knowledge of the behavior and mechanisms associated with combined organic fouling and mineral scaling is still lacking. Due to the potential occurrence of mineral formation in both bulk solution and on the membrane surface, a complete, mechanistic understanding of combined fouling and scaling requires decoupling of surface and bulk phenomena. Herein, our study employed a comprehensive investigation to delve into the intricate interplay of gypsum scaling and organic fouling in RO process. Our systematic approach is accomplished through three sets of experiments that include static experiments and two types of dynamic experiments (i.e., (1) combined fouling and scaling, and (2) gypsum scaling on foulant-conditioned membranes). A variety of model foulants including humic acid, alginate, bovine serum albumin (BSA), and lysozyme were used to investigate the effects of foulant type. Our results demonstrate that the behavior of combined organic fouling and gypsum scaling aligns more with that of gypsum scaling on foulant-conditioned membranes rather than static experiments where bulk nucleation occurs, indicating the predominance of surface nucleation in RO. BSA exhibited a remarkable hindering effect on gypsum scaling, whereas other foulants displayed an additive effect. The lack of scaling mitigation by lysozyme suggests that molecular properties of protein must play a role in regulating the behavior of combined fouling and scaling. Results from multiple characterization techniques reveal the foulant-scalant interactions by delineating the morphological and chemical features of the fouling/scaling layers. Our study not only elucidates the mechanisms of combined organic fouling and gypsum scaling but also sheds light on potential strategies for membrane scaling control in RO desalination.

Revolutionizing Saudi Arabia's Agriculture: The IoT Transformation of Water Management

Saudi Arabia's agriculture heavily depends on effective water management, given its limited freshwater resources and arid climate. Real-time monitoring of soil moisture levels, weather conditions, and crop watering needs, facilitated by IoT integration, plays a crucial role in conserving water and minimizing waste. The resultant improvements in crop yields and quality are essential for the long-term success of agriculture in the country. This study employs the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to the Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method to investigate the transformative potential of the Internet of Things (IoT) in enhancing water management practices in Saudi Arabia's agriculture sector. The research begins by highlighting the significance of water management in agriculture, emphasizing the proportion of land in Saudi Arabia allocated to agricultural purposes. The problem statement underscores the pressing challenges in water management, encompassing issues such as water scarcity, inefficient irrigation methods, and the need for real-time data to inform decision-making. To address these challenges, the study proposes an IoT-based Agricultural Water Management System (IoT-AWMS) that leverages sensors, real-time data analytics, and machine learning algorithms. This system is designed to optimize water utilization in agriculture. Simulations conducted within the study demonstrate a significant enhancement in water usage efficiency, resulting in reduced water wastage and increased crop yields. In conclusion, this research underscores the critical importance of the proposed IoT-based water management system for Saudi Arabia. It is positioned as a valuable tool for mitigating water scarcity challenges and promoting environmentally sustainable agricultural practices in the country.

Reusable Floating Spherical Hydrogel Evaporator for Solar Desalination with Salt Mitigation and Contaminant Elimination.

The generation of clean and drinkable fresh water from seawater and contaminated water holds great potential to mitigate water scarcity. Herein, a floating spherical hydrogel evaporator (SHE) is designed to achieve sunlight-driven desalination, self-salt cleaning, and removal of environmental contaminants. The spherical lightweight polystyrene is coated with a porous carbon-embedded sodium alginate/PVA/CMC photothermal hydrogel to generate a spherical hydrogel evaporator (SHE) that floats naturally. The SHE is very sensitive to the weight imbalance (500 mg) and can respond quickly to the accumulation of salt by rotation to the fresh evaporation surface, realizing excellent antisalt fouling performance. Remarkably, with energy localization by porous carbon, the spherical floating evaporator achieved a high evaporation rate of 2.65 kg m-2 h-1 with an evaporation efficiency of 98%. At the same time, SHE is also capable of adsorbing both organic contaminants and heavy metal ions through functional groups of the hydrogel, attaining 99% removal efficiency. Overall, this low-cost spherical floating evaporator may offer solution for eco-friendly and sustainable production of fresh water on a large scale.

Design of a Water-Efficient Sand-Based Hydroponic System through Capillary Fluid Dynamics

As the world progresses into the 21st century, water scarcity necessitates innovative water conservation and sustainable approaches to agriculture. This paper presents a novel sand-based hydroponic system that leverages capillary action to enhance watering and water retention efficiency, offering a cost-effective and water-efficient solution for sustainable plant growth. To study the physical characteristics (particle size distribution, capillarity, pore radius, uniformity coefficient, water retention) of the growth medium, a comprehensive particle study of three samples was conducted. Subsequently, a practical trial was employed to validate the proposed approach, which demonstrated promising results for large-scale adoption and use. Furthermore, the study explores potential extensions of the system, including the addition of essential nutrients to the water and investigating alternative set-ups for enhanced versatility and efficiency. By combining theoretical scientific analysis and practical experimentation, this research contributes to the advancement of sustainable agricultural and gardening practices and offers a viable path to mitigate water scarcity and food insecurity challenges.

Effects of Climate and Land-Use Change on the Supply and Demand Relationship of Water Provision Services in the Yellow River Basin

The Yellow River Basin (YRB) has undergone profound climate and land-use change. These transformations are anticipated to affect the availability of water resources, potentially causing substantial perturbations to the equilibrium between water availability and societal needs. Consequently, research is warranted to explore the ramifications of climate and land-use change on the water provision service, particularly their impacts on the delicate equilibrium between supply and demand. To quantify the water supply–demand relationship, this study introduces the water supply and demand index (WSDR). This study examines the impacts of climate and land-use change on the actual evapotranspiration, water yield, and WSDR in the YRB from 1995 to 2019. According to the results, the YRB experienced an increase in forest land by 4.72%, grassland by 1.71%, and a substantial surge of 595.36% in construction land; however, cropland witnessed a decrease of 5.95%. The climate exhibited a discernible wetting trend (3.38 mm/year, p < 0.01). The actual evapotranspiration significantly increased by 2.45 mm/year (p < 0.01), but this increase was not substantial enough to result in a decline in the water yield, since precipitation also increased. The annual water demand depth demonstrated a statistically significant increasing trend (0.13 mm/year, p < 0.01), but this increase was not sufficient to cause a decrease in the WSDR, since the water yield also increased (0.94 mm/year). Land use had a significantly negative effect on the water yield and WSDR, but this negative effect was offset by the positive effects of climate variability. At the basin scale, there exists a surplus of water resources (WSDR > 0). Nevertheless, regions grappling with water resource deficits (WSDR < 0) have witnessed an increase from 18% in 1995 to 26% in 2019. This indicates that the primary water resource problem in the YRB is the uneven spatial distribution of water resources. Hence, implementing spatial management strategies at larger scales may be instrumental in mitigating water scarcity in the region. These findings can serve as a valuable reference for the management of water resources, as well as for basin planning and construction.

Fostering self-sustaining water-energy regions: A nexus approach to mitigate water scarcity

The excessive exploitation of fossil resources has induced climate change and consequently water scarcity, which jeopardizes agriculture and the sustainable development of regions. The main objective of this study is to establish a synergy among various components of the nexus model, planning, and policy-making to address the water scarcity crisis and its adverse implications for ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and employment growth in a region based on the regional constraints. This study develops a water-energy-food-waste nexus model that incorporates data on renewable energy potential, wastewater treatment, and specifically herbal plant cultivation, to determine the capacity of technologies to satisfy water and energy demand in a region with water scarcity. The model is optimized to minimize environmental emissions and maximize economic profit, and validated through sensitivity analysis, demonstrating its potential for sustainable planning and decision-making. Three scenarios were considered. By incorporating renewable technologies, improved irrigation methods, and waste-to-energy conversion, it is evident that relying only on wastewater treatment is not financially feasible without a water market. However, by adopting self-sufficiency in energy production and transitioning to less water-intensive herbal plants, reservoir withdrawals can be reduced by 16.9 % and the need for wastewater treatment can be decreased by 45.9 %. Additionally, the implementation of green technologies and carbon tax policies can lead to reduced emissions and increased economic profit, especially in a green state with higher carbon tax, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive approach to sustainable development that considers employment and limited resources.

Integrating water quantity- and quality-related ecosystem services into water scarcity assessment: A multi-scenario analysis in the Taihu Basin of China

Water scarcity is a growing global concern, resulting from drastic climate and societal changes witnessed over the past few decades. Previous attention has predominantly focused on inadequate water quantity as the main cause of water scarcity, but pollution-induced water scarcity has been largely overlooked. Furthermore, there is a lack of understanding about the effectiveness of policy interventions in mitigating water scarcity and its social impact. To address these knowledge gaps, we developed an ecosystem service-based approach to measure quantity- and quality-related water scarcity by comparing supply of and demand for water provision and water purification services. We also developed several water and land management scenarios to examine their potential in alleviating water scarcity under different climate conditions and water quality requirements. Our case study in the Taihu Basin of southeastern China identified four types of water scarcity status across different sub-basins, including quantity-based, quality-based, quantity- and quality-based, and no water scarcity. The degradation of water quality in the Taihu Basin has exacerbated the scarcity of clean water supply. Water conservation measures effectively alleviated quantity-based water scarcity, while nitrogen reduction and grain for green (i.e., conversion of cropland into forest land) exhibited similar efficacy in alleviating quality-based water scarcity. Integrating these measures contributed to alleviating both quantity- and quality-based water scarcity. However, the effectiveness of these measures decreased under drier climate conditions and higher water quality requirements, highlighting the importance of climate and water quality in determining the magnitude, extent, and severity of water scarcity. The approaches and findings presented here provide new insights into the sustainable management of water resources in the Taihu Basin and other similar basins worldwide.

Spatial Characteristics and Driving Forces of the Water Footprint of Spring Maize Production in Northern China

Using the water footprint (WF) approach to evaluate the water-use efficiency in agricultural production is crucial for assessing the sustainable use of water resources and mitigating water scarcity and pollution. This study calculated the blue, grey, green and total water footprints of spring maize production in Northeast China in 2019 and 2020 and compared the water footprint values at the provincial and municipal scales. In addition, this study analyzed the spatial variation and drivers of the water footprint. The results show that the average water footprints of spring maize production in Northeast China in 2019 and 2020 were 1.78 m3kg−1 and 2.00 m3kg−1, out of which the grey water footprint contributed the most, accounting for 55.19% and 49.85% of the total water footprint, respectively, while the blue water footprint contributed the least, accounting for only 17.44% and 18.68% of the total water footprint. At the provincial level, the water footprint of spring maize production in Northeast China was spatially clustered, with the lowest total water footprint in Heilongjiang Province and the highest total water footprint in Jilin Province. The spatial distribution difference of the spring maize unit yield was the fundamental factor explaining the difference in the water footprint. The precipitation, surface water resources, average temperature, effective irrigated area and the proportion of effective irrigated area also had impacts on the water footprint. This study provides a scientific basis for optimizing the distribution of spring maize production in Northeast China, formulating appropriate sustainable water resource management plans, improving water-use efficiency and realizing sustainable water resource management in Northeast China.

Statistical Analysis of Growth and Installation Cost of Sprinkler Irrigation System in Bikaner District of Rajasthan, India

Aims: The aim of this study is to assess the growth and economic feasibility of sprinkler irrigation systems in water-stressed regions, specifically Rajasthan and India, to promote sustainable agriculture and mitigate water scarcity challenges.
 Study Design: Mixed-Methods study design.
 Methodology: The study analyzes time series data from 2005 to 2022 to estimate the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for the area under sprinkler irrigation system in Rajasthan and India. This research also investigates the economic feasibility of sprinkler irrigation systems in Bikaner district of Rajasthan, India, where water resources are limited. SPSS 16.0 was used to perform the statistical analysis.
 Results: The findings reveal a significant growth in sprinkler-irrigated areas in both regions. The research findings reveal significant CAGR values of 27.9 per cent for Rajasthan and 18.6 per cent for India, highlighting the growing acceptance and importance of sprinkler irrigation system. The 2-inch sprinkler system emerges as the most feasible choice, with a short payback period, high net present worth, internal rate of return, and benefit-cost ratio.
 Conclusion: The research underscores the significance of sprinkler irrigation system technologies in enhancing water-use efficiency, agricultural productivity, and rural livelihoods. Policy recommendations are provided to promote the adoption of water-efficient irrigation practices in combating water scarcity and achieving sustainable agriculture.

Water scarcity risk through trade of the Yellow River Basin in China

Water scarcity poses economic risks and affects the quality of national and regional development. The risk of local water scarcity can be conveyed to downstream economies through interregional trade for potential economic losses. However, most previous water scarcity studies focused on the availability of adequate freshwater supplies, ignoring the economic losses associated with inadequate water quality. With the aggravation of water pollution, water scarcity caused by inadequate water quality is exacerbated. This study incorporates water quality and quantity into local water scarcity risk assessments, revealing the virtual water scarcity risks and transmission pathways of the cities and sectors in the Yellow River Basin (YRB) in China. The results show that the number of cities with severe water stress increases from 13 to 53 when water quality is considered. Virtual water scarcity risks transfer from upstream cities to downstream cities in Henan and Shandong Provinces, and high-risk cities in Henan can be identified by considering water quality. Key transmission pathways for intersectoral transfer are identified. This study validates the significance of considering water quality factors in water scarcity risk assessments and provides a perspective for policy decisions to mitigate water scarcity and thus ensure water security in the YRB.

Behavior of coffee plants under different cropping systems with a focus on mitigating water scarcity

ABSTRACT Sustainable cropping systems can enhance the development of young coffee plants under drought conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the behavior of coffee plants grown under different cover crops, soil conditioners, and fertilizers to reduce the effects of water scarcity. The treatments were the association of soil cover management (Urochloa decumbens, polyethylene film, and bare soil), fertilizers (conventional and controlled release), and soil conditioners (coffee husk, agricultural gypsum, water-retaining polymer, organic compost, and control). The assessments carried out were the growth, physiology, and anatomy of coffee plants and soil moisture and resistance to penetration. A multivariate analysis of the results was performed. The coffee plants grown with soil cover (Urochloa decumbens) and organic conditioners (coffee husk and organic compost) had better agronomic performance and higher soil moisture.

Characterization and multicriteria prioritization of water scarcity in sensitive urban areas for the implementation of a rain harvesting program: A case study for water-scarcity mitigation

An estimated 933 million people worldwide face water scarcity in urban environments with marginalized low-income populations. Rainwater harvesting has been proposed as an adaptable mitigation strategy to reduce water scarcity in those environments. As a case study, the present work proposes the implementation of a rainwater harvesting program aimed at the mitigation of water scarcity in highly vulnerable areas within the Metropolitan Area of Guadalajara, Mexico. The program was developed and structured based on an innovative strategy with replicable multicriteria characterization and prioritization, to allocate the rainwater harvesting systems in areas with a high sensitivity to water scarcity. The areas were selected based on territorial, hydrologic, and social parameters. The prioritization methodology was successfully applied for the selection of clusters for the allocation of domestic rainwater harvesting systems. A total of 4550 rainwater harvesting units were implemented leading to an estimated total yearly capture of 163,444.88 m3. Based on surveys a 14.2% reduction in water scarcity related diseases was observed in the participant households after 3 months of the systems’ implementation. The developed prioritization methodology offers an alternative for science-based resource allocations aimed at the resolution of specific complex challenges. This methodological approach could be adapted and replicated for other spatial-based decision-making and public policy applications. The implemented program offered an alternative for water scarcity mitigation in an urban environment and its application showed potential to improve the quality of life of the population, who benefited by increasing water access and availability.

Carbon coated vermiculite aerogels by quick pyrolysis as cost-effective and scalable solar evaporators

Purification of seawater and wastewater by solar-driven interfacial evaporation is a promising way to alleviate water scarcity. However, the high cost, complex fabrication methods, and short service life of the materials limit their practical application. Herein, a novel three-dimensional (3D) photothermal aerogel composited of vermiculite nanosheets and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) precursors have been prepared via freeze-drying and treated by quick pyrolysis for highly efficient solar-driven interfacial evaporation. The vermiculite nanosheets exfoliated from natural clay were used as the skeletal support of the composite aerogels, which are cheap and abundant natural materials. The introduced PVA improves the mechanical properties and produces carbon derivatives after pyrolysis, enhancing the light absorption capacity. The as-prepared aerogels have hierarchical porous structures, impressive mechanical properties, great light absorption capacity, and outstanding salt-rejection ability. The optimized aerogel not only exhibits a high evaporation rate of 2.64 kg m−2 h−1 (normalized to top and side surfaces) under 1.0 sun irradiation with excellent cost-effectiveness at 361.64 g h−1 $−1 but also shows superior performance in treating high-salt (15.0 wt%) brine water and organic dye-contained wastewater. The proposed method provides an attractive and effective way to prepare photothermal aerogels for efficient solar steam generation for mitigating water scarcity issues.

Water Flow Modeling and Forecast in a Water Branch of Mexico City through ARIMA and Transfer Function Models for Anomaly Detection

Early identification of anomalies (such as leakages or sensor failures) in urban water distribution systems is critical to mitigating water scarcity in cities and is a challenge in water resource management. Several data-driven methods based on machine learning algorithms have been proposed in the literature for leakage detection in urban water distribution systems. Still, most of them are challenging to implement due to their complexity and requirements of vast amounts of reliable data for proper model generation. In addition, the required infrastructure and instrumentation to collect the data needed to train the models could be unaffordable. This paper presents the use and comparison of Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average models and Transfer Function models generated via the Box–Jenkins approach to modeling the water flow in water distribution systems for anomaly detection. The models were fit using water flow data from tanks operating in a branch of the water distribution system of Mexico City. The results showed that both methods helped select the best model type for each variable in the analyzed water branch, with Seasonal ARIMA models achieving a lower mean absolute percentage error than the fitted Transfer Function models. Furthermore, this methodology can be adjusted to different time windows to generate alerts at different rates and does not require a large sample size. The generated anomaly detection models could improve the efficiency of the water distribution system by detecting anomalies such as wrong measurements and water leakages.

The Impacts of Land Use Changes on Water Yield and Water Conservation Services in Zhangjiakou, Beijing’s Upstream Watershed, China

The Water Conservation Functional Zone and Ecological Environmental Supporting Zone (the Capital Two Zones in China), Zhangjiakou (ZJK) City, situated in China, has played a key role in mitigating water scarcity pressure on Beijing via delivering sustainable and high-quality water yield, as well as water conservation services aimed at maintaining the ecological functions of the Capital Two Zones. However, the changing mechanism for both water yield and water conservation services instigated by the combined impacts of human activities and climate change remains poorly understood. In this study, we used the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs Tools (InVEST) model to analyze the changes in water yield and water conservation services, revealing the impacts of different land use scenarios. The results showed significant forest and impervious land area increment, while the water surface area decreased sharply from 1990 to 2020, with obvious urbanization expansion in ZJK during the period. Average annual water yield and water conservation from 1990 to 2020 were recorded at 48.98 mm and 2.35 mm, respectively. Precipitation emerged as the primary driver of water yield and conservation service changes, while the south of ZJK generally exhibited higher water yield and conservation service than the north of ZJK. Results also indicate that grassland had the highest water yield, with an average of 56.60 mm, followed by forest (55.66 mm) and shrub (55.07 mm). Further, the forest had the highest water conservation value (3.73 mm), followed by shrub (2.56 mm), and grassland (2.37 mm), respectively. The return of cropland to forest scenario had the most substantial decrease in water yield. Findings suggest that precipitation has a direct impact on water yield and conservation services via the amount of atmospheric water input, while land use alteration contributes to changes in regional-scale water.

Metal–Organic Frameworks for Water Harvesting: Machine Learning-Based Prediction and Rapid Screening

Atmospheric water harvesting based on metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) is an emerging technology to potentially mitigate water scarcity. Because of the tremendously large number of existing MOFs, it is challenging to find suitable candidates. In this context, a data-driven approach to identify top-performing MOFs represents an important direction. Herein, we develop a machine learning (ML) method to predict water adsorption in MOFs and screen out top-performing MOFs for water harvesting. First, experimental water adsorption isotherms in MOFs are collected and water adsorption properties are extracted. Quantitative structure–property relationships are analyzed in terms of pore structure and framework chemistry, providing task-specific design principles. Then, ML models are trained and interpreted to predict water adsorption properties by using structural and chemical features, as well as operating conditions as descriptors. The transferability of the ML models is validated by out-of-sample predictions in seven newly reported MOFs. Finally, the ML models are applied to screen ∼8000 “Computation-Ready, Experimental” (CoRE) MOFs. Top-performing candidates are identified including 149 MOFs with the maximum adsorption capacity ≥35 mmol/g, 39 MOFs with working capacity ≥10 mmol/g in a relative pressure window 0.1–0.3, and 139 MOFs with working capacity ≥8.7 mmol/g in a relative pressure window 0.6–0.9. The developed ML-based method would advance task-oriented design and rapid discovery of reticular materials for energy and environmental applications.

A peptide of PilZ domain-containing protein controls wastewater-treatment-membrane biofouling by inducing bacterial attachment

Membrane-based wastewater reclamation is used to mitigate water scarcity; however, irreversible biofouling is an elusive problem that hinders the efficiency of a forward-osmosis (FO) membrane-based process, and the protein responsible for fouling is unknown. Herein, we identified fouling proteins by analyzing the microbiome and proteome of wastewater extracellular polymeric substances responsible for strong irreversible FO-membrane fouling. The IGLSSLPR peptide of a PilZ domain-containing protein was found to recruit bacterial attachment when immobilized on the membrane surface while suppressing it when dissolved, in a similar manner to the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide in mammalian cell cultures. Bacteria adhere to IGLSSLPR and poly-l-lysine-coated membranes with similar energies and exhibit water fluxes that decline similarly, which is ascribable to interaction as strong as electrostatic interactions in the peptide-coated membranes. We conclude that IGLSSLPR is the key domain responsible for membrane fouling and can be used to develop antifouling technology against bacteria, which is similar to the current usage of RGD peptide in mammalian cell cultures.

A Floating Integrated Solar Micro‐Evaporator for Self‐Cleaning Desalination and Organic Degradation

AbstractSafe and clean freshwater harvesting from (organic‐containing) saline or wastewater holds great potential for mitigating water scarcity and pollution, but remains challenging. Herein, a floating photothermal/catalytic‐integrated interfacial micro‐evaporator (g‐C3N4@PANI/PS) is reported as a proof‐of‐concept multifunctional scavenger evaporator system (MSES) to achieve both solar‐driven complete desalination and organic degradation. The spherical porous lightweight polystyrene core, incorporated with a black surface functional layer (g‐C3N4@PANI), enables the hybrid micro‐evaporator to naturally float and thereby collectively self‐assemble under surface tension for interfacial evaporation, which achieves preeminent self‐cleaning for complete salt/solute separation and efficient organic photodegradation under rotation. Remarkably, the floating micro‐evaporator achieves a high solar‐vapor conversion efficiency of ≈90% with high interfacial energy localization and provides abundant active photocatalytic sites on the interface, which is further enhanced by interfacial photothermal cooperation. High photo‐driven degradation efficiencies of 99% for nonvolatile organic compounds (non‐VOC) bisphenol A and 95% for VOC phenol in wastewater are achieved. An outdoor comprehensive solar water treatment test toward organic‐containing high‐salinity sewage verifies the feasibility of MSES for sustainable freshwater harvesting (1.3 kg m−2 h−1), downstream salt recovery, and organic degradation. This strategy may inspire an integrated solution of water scarcity, clean energy, and environmental pollution toward carbon neutrality.