Remediation Of Organic Pollutants Research Articles

Can the agrochemical Oryzemate treatment control the uptake of pyrene by Cucurbita pepo through the regulation of major latex-like proteins?

Members of the Cucurbitaceae family accumulate several hydrophobic organic pollutants in their above-ground parts at high concentrations. Major latex-like proteins (MLPs) identified in Cucurbita pepo bind to hydrophobic organic pollutants, such as pyrene and dieldrin, in roots, forming complexes that are transported via xylem vessels to the above-ground plant parts. However, soil remediation of hydrophobic organic pollutants utilizing MLPs has not been established. In this study, the uptake of the hydrophobic organic pollutant pyrene by C. pepo was promoted through the upregulation of the expression of MLP genes following agrochemical treatment. Probenazole, an active ingredient in the agrochemical Oryzemate, was previously found to upregulate the promoter activity of MLP genes in the roots of transgenic tobacco plants. Here, Oryzemate treatment increased the levels of MLPs in the roots and xylem sap of C. pepo. Oryzemate treatment slightly increased and significantly decreased the pyrene concentration in the xylem sap of C. pepo cultivated in high- and low-contamination soils, respectively. Probenazole competitively inhibited the binding of MLPs to pyrene in vitro, thereby likely suppressing its uptake by C. pepo in low-contamination soil. This study demonstrated that Oryzemate possesses dual effects: effective phytoremediation and safe crop production, depending on the soil contamination level.

Outside-in enhancement of phosphate solubilizing bacteria by sludge biochar for phenol remediation in soil: Pollution stress reduction, electron transfer gain and secretion regulation

The high toxicity of phenol poses a significant barrier to bacterial bio-removal capacity. This study innovatively proposes the utilization of sludge biochar (SB) to embed phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (CZB1), creating a composite system (SB-CZB1) that enhances the bio-removal efficiency of phenol. The research findings indicate that after being embedded with biochar, Phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) achieved a significant enhancement (49.7 %-67.0 %) in phenol removal efficiency across different concentration gradients (1500, 2000, 2500 mg/L). SB component in the SB-CZB1 composite system provides a stable and favorable growth environment for CZB1, significantly enhancing microbial metabolic activity. Notably, it stimulates CZB1 to secrete succinic acid and malic acid (with increases of 3.8 % and 23.9 %, respectively), effectively mitigating the detrimental effects of phenol toxicity on microorganisms. Three-dimensional fluorescence and electrochemical analysis demonstrate that SB not only exhibits exceptional electrochemical performance but also stimulates CZB1 to generate redox-active substances (quinone components in humic acid). The electron transfer rates between microorganisms and phenol in the SB-CZB1 system are 9.75–21.71 times and 23.94–63.95 times higher than those in SB and CZB1 alone, respectively. Meanwhile, the abundant oxygen-containing functional groups (COH/COC, COOH, CO) on the surface of SB-CZB1 play a pivotal role in the adsorption and removal of phenol. Furthermore, pot experiments further reveal that the SB-CZB1 composite system significantly enhances the removal efficiency of phenol in soil (98.1 %). Additionally, the application of SB-CZB1 effectively modulated soil properties, notably increasing available potassium and available phosphorus content by 40.86 % and 136.69 %. This application not only enriched soil microbial diversity but also promoted the proliferation of native organic pollutant remediation bacteria in the soil. Notably, the proliferation of Bacillus species affiliated with CZB1 was the most significant, increasing by 82.1 %. This result confirms that biochar embedding technology effectively enhanced the colonization of CZB1 in the soil, thereby significantly accelerating the bio-removal process of phenol.

Green Engineered CuO/SnO2/HNT Composites: Illuminating the Photocatalytic Path for Organic Pollutant Remediation and Zebrafish Embryo Toxicity Evaluation.

Photocatalysis stands out as a promising technique for treating organic contaminants, yet the quest for visible light active composite materials, crafted through cost-effective, eco-friendly, and uncomplicated processes, poses formidable challenges. Here, we introduce a successful endeavor, the synthesis of a CuO/SnO2 (CS) composite via a microwave method, employing Carissa edulis fruit extract as a reducing as well as capping agent. Various loadings of CS-HNT composites were prepared by ultrasonically incorporating CS onto nanotubular halloysite (HNT) clay. Employing a suite of types of characterization, including XRD, XPS, FT-IR, FE-SEM, HR-TEM, ζ potential, UV-vis-DRS, TGA, BET, and EIS, we meticulously explored the morphology, structure, stability, surface area, electrochemical, and optical properties of the developed CS-HNT composites. HR-TEM observations unveiled the formation of a heterojunction between cubic CuO and spherical SnO2 on the HNT clay surface. Optical and EIS analysis highlighted that the 20CS-HNT composite displayed significant absorption in the visible region, efficient electron-hole pair separation, and enhanced interfacial charge transport relative to other loadings. Photocatalytic evaluations and optimization studies revealed that the 20CS-HNT photocatalyst achieved notable removal efficiencies, eliminating 85% of Congo red (CR) and 80% of tetracycline (TC) within 90 min and 74% of ATZ in 3 h under visible light conditions. Scavenging investigations, the fluorescence probe method, and a NBT transformation study underscored the pivotal roles of hydroxyl and superoxide radicals in pollutant removal. The reusability trials highlighted the exceptional stability and recyclability of the photocatalyst, even after five cycles. In addition, zebrafish embryo toxicity tests revealed improved survival and hatching rates in photocatalyst-treated samples compared to those of controls. Moderate toxicity was observed in treated TC, while the treated CR sample showed non-lethal toxicity. In essence, this study unveils a straightforward and efficacious approach for developing photocatalysts for large-scale wastewater treatment. Furthermore, it proposes the adoption of safe clay-based bimetal oxide photocatalysts in diverse environmental applications.

Ecologically friendly remediation of groundwater sulfamethoxazole contamination: Biologically synergistic degradation by thermally modified activated carbon-activated peracetic acid in porous media

This study examines the efficacy and environmental impact of peracetic acid (PAA) activated by thermally modified activated carbon (AC600) for degrading antibiotics in actual groundwater. Laboratory-scale experiments evaluated the system's effects on contaminant degradation, ecological balance, and substance cycling in the hyporheic zone. Our findings demonstrated the effectiveness of the AC600/PAA system in removing sulfamethoxazole (SMX) from groundwater porous media. Additionally, the AC600/PAA system synergistically interacted with the in-situ microbiota of the hyporheic zone, producing more fragmented degradation products without increasing mixed toxicity. Bacterial abundance increased post-reaction, with notable alterations in the bacterial community and enhanced bacterial metabolism. Key genera such as Lysobacter thrived in the treated environment, playing critical roles in microbiota modification and SMX degradation. The pH remained stable before and after the reaction, while dissolved organic carbon content increased. Overall, our results highlight the promising potential of PAA activation by carbonaceous materials as a low-impact, ecologically friendly technology for in-situ remediation of organic pollutants in groundwater, characterized by high compatibility and biosynthesis.

A novel advanced reduction process for the reduction of Cr(VI): Assistance of microbial metabolites

Advanced reduction processes (ARPs) have become hotspot because of their fast and efficient features in pollutant treatment. In this study, a novel ARP was raised through the assistance of biological wastewater degradation solutions (PDs), to completely reduce Cr(VI). Enterobacter cloacae YN-4, which could completely degrade 1500 mg/L phenol within 72 h, was isolated and identified. While, the content of organic acids and their derivatives in PDs was extremely high (74.76 %). After the combination of PDs with Fe(III) and UV, 10 mg/L Cr(VI) was completely reduced within 66 min, whose reduction rate of Cr(VI) was stable at various concentrations (10–100 mg/L), which was applicable on electroplating wastewater. In addition, Cr(VI) could be reduced stably (71.63 %) after 10 cycles. Compared with the reported ARPs, herein, the components was complex, which was firstly proposed that simultaneous action of polycarboxylic acids, monocarboxylic acids, amino acids and alcohols could promote and ensure the stable reduction of Cr(VI). Among them, the multispecies radicals·CO2- and·O2- generated in PDs were combined with Fe(II), to co-reduce Cr(VI). This strategy produces a wide variety of radicals, which can provide an alternative pathway for remediation of various heavy metals and organic pollutants.

Enhanced sonophoto-catalytic and adsorption capabilities of Fe3O4@MC/MWCNT-CuO/Ag for petrochemical organic pollutants degradation from industrial process streams

To address the problem of petrochemical organic pollutants in water, specifically monoethylene glycol (MEG) present in industrial process streams, in this research, we synthesized and evaluated a multifunctional nanocomposite, Fe3O4@MC/MWCNT-CuO/Ag. The nanocomposite was produced by combining magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles, methylcellulose (MC), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and CuO/Ag nanoparticles by an integrated synthesis process. A consistent dispersion of nanoparticles, with diameters ranging from 30-40 nm, was discovered by FESEM analysis, showing effective integration without aggregation. Effective synthesis was demonstrated by well-doped and evenly dispersed CuO and Ag nanoparticles. Functional groups that improve electrostatic interactions with contaminants hence enhancing catalytic performance and adsorption efficiency, were validated by FTIR analysis. XRD indicated an unchanged crystal structure with an average crystallite size of 8.67 nm. The anticipated elemental composition was verified by EDS & mapping. A VSM study revealed magnetic characteristics (9.33 emu/g) that simplify nanocomposite separation and reuse. TGA proved thermal stability to be up to 600 °C. A BET study showed a highly specific surface area of 67.661 m2/g, enhancing adsorption. According to DRS and PL studies, the bandgap was lowered by 1.31 eV, which led to better optical absorption. The nanocomposite exhibited notable MEG removal efficiency, with 72 % in adsorption, 65 % in photocatalysis, and 56 % in sonocatalysis. This makes it a promising alternative for the remediation of organic pollutants in water treatment.

Immobilization of MnO2 nanoflowers on coils using direct heating method for organic pollutant remediation

The immobilization of catalysts on supporting substrates for the removal of organic pollutants is a crucial strategy for mitigating catalyst loss during wastewater treatment. This study presented a rapid and cost-effective direct heating method for synthesizing MnO2 nanoflowers on coil substrates for the removal of organic pollutants. Traditional methods often require high power, expensive equipment, and long synthesis times. In contrast, the direct heating approach successfully synthesized MnO2 nanoflowers in just 10 min with a heating power of approximately 40 W·h after the heating power and duration were optimized. These nanoflowers effectively degraded 99% Rhodamine B in 60 min with consistent repeatability. The catalytic mechanisms are attributed to crystal defects in MnO2, which generate electrons to produce H2O2. Mn2+ ions in the acidic solution further dissociate H2O2 molecules into hydroxyl radicals (·OH). The high efficiency of this synthesis method and the excellent reusability of MnO2 nanoflowers highlight their potential as a promising solution for the development of supporting MnO2 catalysts for organic dye removal applications.

Advancement in Photocatalyst and Piezophotocatalyst Micromotor for Environmental Remediation: A Concise Review

This review analyses recent advancements in the synthesis and environmental applications of photocatalysts and piezophotocatalysts, pivotal for organic pollutant degradation and water remediation. Traditional semiconductor photocatalysts often face rapid electron-hole recombination and limited visible light absorption. Innovations have led to the development of semiconductor heterojunctions that enhance photocatalytic efficiency by improving charge separation and expanding light absorption. This review emphasizes semiconductor-semiconductor and semiconductor-metal interfaces, which significantly improve photocatalytic performance. Additionally, piezophotocatalysts have emerged, utilizing mechanical energy to augment chemical reactions, thereby increasing efficiency and applicability under various conditions. The review also highlights the role of photocatalyst-based microrobots in targeted water treatment, utilizing local chemical energy for precise operations. These advancements showcase the potential of photocatalytic and piezophotocatalytic technologies in environmental sustainability, highlighting current trends and future prospects for effective environmental remediation.

A review on algae-mediated adsorption and catalytic processes for organic water pollution remediation

Wastewaters consist of organic pollutants that have environmental concerns. Wastewaters are treated by different methods, but efficient, low-cost, and sustainable techniques still need to be developed. Algae-based water pollution remediation techniques are considered to be sustainable approaches. This review exclusively discusses the facets of macro and microalgae in the treatment of organic toxicants. The current trends of algae-mediated water treatments have been discussed under adsorption and degradation methods. A focus on algae fuel cell, algae mediated activation of oxidizing agents, Fenton-like reactions, and photocatalysis was given. The need of algae-based adsorptive and catalytic materials was mentioned. The role of algae in the synthesis of catalysts which were employed in pollutant removal methods was also explained. The integrated algae-mediated water treatment techniques were also highlighted. The toxicant removal performances of different algae-based materials in the water medium were summarized. The conclusion and future prospects derived from the literature survey were described. This review will be helpful for researchers who are working in the field of sustainable water pollution remediation.

Eco-friendly plant extract-assisted fabrication of CeO2@CH@Ag nanocomposite: A heterogeneous catalyst for organic pollutant remediation

This study explores the synthesis and application of a novel cerium oxide-chitosan-silver (CeO2@CH@Ag) nanocomposite as an efficient catalyst for the reduction of organic pollutants, including methyl orange (MO), congo red (CR), and 4-nitroaniline (4-NA). The nanocomposite was synthesized via a co-precipitation method, followed by in-situ deposition of silver nanoparticles on its surface. Comprehensive characterization techniques, including FTIR, XRD, FESEM, EDX, XPS and nitrogen sorption measurements, confirmed the successful incorporation of CeO₂ and silver within the chitosan matrix. The CeO2@CH@Ag nanocatalyst exhibited a high surface area of 58.081 m2/g, exhibiting remarkable catalytic activity, facilitating rapid reduction of the organic pollutants within 6 min using sodium borohydride as a reducing agent. Kinetic studies revealed pseudo-first-order reaction kinetics, with rate constants of 1.09, 0.38, and 0.58 min⁻1 for MO, CR, and 4-NA, respectively. The proposed mechanism involves the adsorption of dye molecules onto the catalyst's porous surface, followed by electron transfer from the reducing agent to the dye, facilitated by the redox properties of CeO2 and silver. The CeO2@CH@Ag nanocatalyst demonstrates the promising potential for efficient wastewater treatment and remediation of organic pollutants.

Bismuth molybdate nanoparticles modified graphene oxide: A novel nanocomposite for photocatalytic removal of organic dyes

Utilization of solar energy for the degradation of organic pollutants is a promising sustainable approach. Here in this research work, bismuth molybdate (Bi2MoO6) nanoparticles (NPs) modified graphene oxide sheets (Bi2MoO6@GO) were employed as efficient photocatalysts for the removal of organic dyes under illuminated sunlight. The synthesized nanocomposite was subjected to characterization via XRD, FTIR, Raman, SEM, EDX and UV–Vis spectroscopic analysis. The photocatalytic efficiency of fabricated nanocomposite (Bi2MoO6@GO) has been studied against organic pollutants including rhodamine B and methylene blue in aqueous solution under direct sunlight irradiation. Bi2MoO6 decorated graphene oxide nano-photocatalyst exhibited 91 % and 88 % degradation of methylene blue and rhodamine B within ∼ 70 min with apparent rate constant values of 0.0323 and 0.0246 min−1, respectively. The study showed that fabricated photocatalyst (Bi2MoO6@GO) possesses a comparatively low band gap, heterogeneous morphology and boosted active surface area which makes it an efficient photocatalyst for the effective remediation of organic pollutants.

Enhancing hydrochar production and proprieties from biogenic waste: Merging response surface methodology and machine learning for organic pollutant remediation

The valorization of biogenic waste by hydrothermal carbonization is widely discussed in research. However, to our knowledge, no study has combined almond shells and olive pomace to synthesize a solid carbon material. The purpose of this study is to enhance the hydrochar process from AS and OP using RSM methodology and machine learning models: ANN, SVM and XG-Boost. Subsequently, a study was carried out on the removal of organic pollutants by the synthesized material. The optimum Co-HTC operating conditions obtained at 180 C, 90 min with acid catalyst corresponding to 71.51 % and 87.13 % for mass yield and carbon retention rate respectively according to RSM-CCD. The comparison between RSM-CCD and ML in terms of prediction concludes that RSM remains more efficient in terms of planning and optimization. However, ANN is more suitable for modeling and predicting mass yields and carbon retention rates. Hydrochar’s physicochemical properties were evaluated by the use of spectroscopic methods like FTIR, SEM, XRD, and CHNO. To conclude, we studied the performance of HCop in methylene blue adsorption, varying the following parameters: pH, contact time, initial dye concentration, adsorbent dose and temperature. In addition, kinetic and isothermal models were studied to describe the dominant mechanisms in the MB adsorption process. The MB maximal adsorption using HCop obtained at pH 9, with an initial dye concentration of 100 mg. L−1, 40-min contact time, 0.1 g/L adsorbent dose, and a temperature between 25 and 30 °C. In conclusion, these results provide important information on the use of Co-HTC to convert biogenic wastes into high-performance carbon materials for the appropriate removal of organic pollutants. More studies are needed to use the material in other fields of application.

The influence of vermicompost on atrazine microbial degradation performance and pathway in black soil, Northeast China

The atrazine (ATR) is extensively used in dryland crops like corn and sorghum in black soil region of Northeast China, posing ecological risks due to toxic metabolites. Vermicompost are known for soil organic pollution remediation but their role in pesticide degradation in black soil remains understudied. The influence of vermicompost on the microbial degradation pathway of atrazine was assessed in this study. Although vermicompost didn't significantly boost atrazine removal, they notably aided in primary metabolite degradation, hydroxyatrazine (HYA), deisopropylatrazine (DIA), and deethylatrazine (DEA), reducing their content by 38.67 %. They also altered the soil microbial community structure, favoring atrazine-degrading bacteria like Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria. Five secondary degradation products were identified in vermicompost treatments. Atrazine degradation occurred via dechlorination, dealkylation, and deamination pathways mainly by Nocardioidacea, Streptomycetaceae, Bacillaceae, Sphingomonadaceae, Comamonadaceae and Nitrososphaeraceae. pH and available nitrogen (AN) influenced microbial community structure and atrazine degradation, correlating with vermicompost application rates. Future black soil remediation should optimize application rates based on atrazine content and soil properties.

Reactive complexes mediated singlet oxygen production by MnO2 catalyzed peracetic acid: Characterization and DFT study

Advanced oxidation technology based on peracetic acid (PAA) has been a hot issue in the remediation of refractory organic pollutants. Here, we investigated manganese dioxide (α-MnO2) effectively activate the in-situ generated PAA by rapid perhydrolysis of sodium percarbonate (SPC) and tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED) to degrade sulfamethoxazole (SMX). This system followed non-radical pathway only dominated by singlet oxygen (1O2), which can exhibit excellent anti-interference capacity. The generation of metastable manganese intermediates (Mn-PAA*) is a key step in the formation of 1O2. The formation of Mn-PAA* is confirmed by electrochemical and in-situ Raman tests. With the help of density functional theory (DFT), we have probed the behavior of PAA activation on different crystal planes to produce 1O2, with OH cleavage to generate MnIV−O-OOCCH3 being the decisive step for the formation of 1O2. This study is the first to investigate the mechanism of non-radical mediated PAA activation by α-MnO2 and in-depth research the role of Mn-PAA* in the 1O2 generation. The proposed new insights into non-radical process of PAA activation by transition metal will further advance the application of PAA-based AOPs.

Cellulose acetate sheet supported gold nanoparticles for the catalytic reduction of toxic organic pollutants

Abstract Water contamination by toxic organic dyes represents a significant global challenge necessitating effective remediation strategies. Due to their high catalytic activity, considerable attention has been gained to metal-based nanocatalysts. Cellulose acetate sheets supported by gold nanoparticles through a reduction method were synthesized. The composite synthesized material presents a compelling platform for catalytic reduction in the remediation of toxic organic pollutants, ensuring controlled particle size and stability. In this study, the prepared cellulose acetate sheet (CAsheet) was dipped in a 0.001 M aqueous chloroauric acid (HAuCl4) solution and reduced by immersion in a 0.1 M sodium borohydride (NaBH4) aqueous solution. After the successful preparation of virgin cellulose acetate sheet (CAsheet) and gold-supported cellulose acetate sheet (Au-CAsheet) samples were assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray crystallography (XRD), energy dispersive X-rays spectroscopy (EDX), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The catalytic reduction reaction of toxic compounds i.e. reduction of 4-nitroaniline (4-NA), Congo red (CR), and reactive yellow (RY-42) by using NaBH4. The catalytic activity of the Au-CAsheet was exhibited by the reaction rate constant (k app) values 0.3189, 0.1596, and 0.1593 min−1 for CR, 4-NA, and RY-42 respectively. This kind of procedure for Au-CAsheet synthesis may be valid for different applications in catalysis, sensing, and environmental application.

Enhancing degradation of sulfamethoxazole by layered double hydroxide/carbon nanotubes catalyst via synergistic effect of photocatalysis/persulfate activation

A Co3Mn-LDHs and carbon nanotube (Co3Mn-LDHs/CNT) composite catalyst was constructed for permonosulfate (PMS) activation and degrading sulfamethoxazole (SMX) under Vis light irradiation. The introduction of CNTs into Co3Mn-LDHs facilitate the exciton dissociation and carrier migration, and the e− and h+ were readily separated from Co3Mn-LDHs/CNT in the photocatalysis process, which promoted the production rate of reactive oxygen species (ROS), so the Co3Mn-LDHs + Vis + PMS system exhibited better activity with an SMX degradation ratio of 61.25% than those of Co3Mn-LDHs + Vis system (42.30%) and Co3Mn-LDHs + PMS system (48.30%). After 10 cycles, the degradation rate of SMX only decreased by 7.16%, indicating the good reusability of the Co3Mn-LDHs/CNTs catalyst. The results of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis and radical quenching experiments demonstrated that that the SO4•− played crucial role for SMX removal in Co3Mn-LDHs/CNTs + Vis + PMS system, and both e− and h+ made an important contribution to activating PMS to produce ROS. Overall, this work provided an excellent catalyst for photo-assisted PMS activation and suggested the activation mechanism for organic pollutant remediation.

Interfacial engineering and vacancy design of quasi-2D NiCoAl-LDH/Kaolin hybrid for activating peroxymonosulfate to boost degradation of antibiotics

Oxygen vacancies are prevalent in metal compounds and play a significant role in the activation of peroxomonosulfate (PMS) to mitigate water pollution. However, how to easily construct these oxygen vacancies and elucidate the mechanism of PMS activation by oxygen vacancies are still pending research and solution. This study presents the synthesis of a NiCoAl-LDH/Kaolin (NiCoAl-LDH/Kao) hybrid catalyst with quasi-2D layer structures morphology and abundant oxygen vacancies (OVs) for activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS). We proposed an intriguing phase transformation from NiCo-carbonate hydroxide (CH) to NiCoAl-layered double hydroxide (LDH), and elucidated the morphological evolution mechanism from nanorod to nanosheet structures through alkaline etching. The NiCoAl-LDH/Kao-PMS system exhibited excellent rapid kinetics and removal efficiency of norfloxacin (NOR), degrading 92.0 % of NOR within 10 min and achieving a final degradation rate of 97.2 %, along with remarkable reusability performance of the NiCoAl-LDH/Kao catalyst. Furthermore, reactive oxygen species including sulfate radical (SO4−), hydroxyl radical (OH), superoxide anion (O2−) and singlet oxygen (1O2) were found to be involved in the degradation process of NOR, and the degree of activity of the active groups from strong to weak is 1O2, SO4−, O2− and OH. The activation mechanism and conceivable degradation pathways of NOR were experimentally studied and proposed, and the toxicity of degradation intermediates was evaluated. The facile preparation method for NiCoAl-LDH/Kao nanocomposite holds potential for large-scale manufacturing in organic pollutant remediation, while also providing new insights on the indispensable role of OVs in heterogeneous catalysis.

A facile “one-pot” synthesized CaAl MnO4 LDH with a high loading capacity of oxidants for the sustained oxidation of oxytetracycline in soil

This study aims to address previous issues such as low payload of sustained release materials and excessive consumption of oxidants by developing novel sustained-release oxidation agents. Through a one-pot synthesis method, MnO4- intercalated Ca-Al-layered double hydroxide (CaAl MnO4 LDH) was synthesized with an oxidant payload of 4.82 mmol/g, constituting 53.2 % of the total mass. MnO4- exists in the sustained-release material in two forms: 57 % in free state and 43 % intercalated. The free MnO4- rapidly degrades oxytetracycline (OTC), while the intercalated MnO4- is gradually released from the LDH interlayers through ion exchange and interface dissolution, continuously degrading OTC desorbed from the soil. Additionally, CaAl LDH readily releases Ca2+; the small molecular acids and CO2 generated after OTC degradation will re-fix Ca2+ to form CaCO3, achieving carbon sequestration and enhancing the utilization efficiency of Ca2+. In simulated OTC contaminated soil columns (50 mg/kg) treated with 0.5 wt% MnO4 LDH at a water flow rate of 0.04 ml/min, it was confirmed that the oxidant utilization efficiency of MnO4 LDH was 3.5 times higher than that of the KMnO4 system, removing 99.8 % of OTC within 40 days. This study provides new insights for the design of sustained-release materials and theoretical support for the remediation of organic pollutants.

Machine learning (ML): An emerging tool to access the production and application of biochar in the treatment of contaminated water and wastewater

To achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs), drinking water and/or wastewater treatment must be performed at a minimum cost along with negligible environmental impacts. Traditional approaches, like coagulation, precipitation, ion exchange, and membrane filtration have numerous drawbacks in terms of cost and effectiveness. Recently, the thermochemical conversion of biomasses/lignocellulosic wastes for biochar production and subsequently their application in the remediation of contaminated matrices is gaining attention. Further, the application of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize the production and application of biochar is a topical topic. Therefore, this review critically explains the optimised production process of biochar and its application in the removal of a diverse range of organic and inorganic contaminants from contaminated water and wastewater. Moreover, the review highlights the progress in organic and inorganic pollutants remediation with biochar, focusing on the significance and benefits of utilizing ML and AI to optimize adsorption variables and biochar feedstock properties. The surface area, porosity, and functional groups of the biochar, the type and quantity of the pollutants and the solution's pH, temperature, and ionic strength, all influence the adsorption capacity of the biochar. Furthermore, the duration of the biochar's interaction with the contaminants and the existence of competing ions are significant factors. Utilizing AI and ML proves to be efficient in terms of cost and time, enabling a multidisciplinary approach to eliminate pollutants using biochar. Finally, this review discusses the challenges associated with the application of ML and AI in the treatment of contaminated water and wastewater using biochar and proposed future prospects to make these technologies economically viable and sustainable.

Nonthermal plasma processing catalyzed by CuFe2O4 for organic pollutants remediation and bacterial inactivation with density functional theory

The suggested nonthermal plasma has been employed for organic pollutants remediation and bacterial inactivation with catalyst (CuFe2O4) via reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, along with catalytic density functional theory processing. The plasma generated species O2− (g.), OH• (g.), H2O2 (aq.), and NOx (aq.) are used for the remediation of organic pollutants, such as reactive black5 and bromocresol green with catalytic oxidative and reductive transformation, like as from Fe2+ (aq.) to Fe3+ (aq.) and from Cu2+ (aq.) to Cu1+ (aq.), respectively. In the presence of plasma with CuFe2O4, the pollutants remediation enhanced more, which is 95 ± 0.78%, rather than only plasma. After removal of pollutants, the plasma processing catalyzed by CuFe2O4 was highly inactivated the E. coli. bacterial growth, which inhibition rate is 100 ± 0.87% and 100 ± 0.69% for reactive black5 and bromocresol green, rather than only plasma, such as 86.41 ± 0.91% and 73.91 ± 0.56%, respectively. The CuFe2O4 generated super oxides (O2− (aq.)) and hydroxides (H+(aq.), OH⦁(aq.), and OOH⦁(aq.)) are rapidly react with bacteria to damage the bacterial cell membrane via catalytic redox process. However, the plasma generated species were react with catalyst to produce the e− charge densities under the redox transformation of spin orientation (±) 0.58 e−, which is 0.007, 0.009, and 0.005 electrons per cubic Angstrom, for CuFe2O4, H2O2(aq.), and NOx(aq.). The plasma generated species concentrations were quantified in the deionized water, which are H2O2(aq.) (145 ± 0.91 μM) and NOx(aq.) (112 ± 0.56 μM), respectively. After eradication of pollutants, the water pH was observed, which is near to the neutral at 6.57 ± 0.27 under the catalytic binary redox process. Moreover, the catalytic stability examined via reusability test, which were four cycles for reactive black5 and three cycles for bromocresol green. Furthermore, the CuFe2O4 nanoparticles conducted several characterizations to analyze the various properties, such as crystal, surface, functional, and elemental.