Sources Of Water Pollution Research Articles

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE ANTIMICROBIAL EFFICACY OF AYURVEDIC SEEDS IN WASTEWATER FILTRATION

Waterborne diseases such as Hepatovirus, Vibrio Cholera, Shigella, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Escherichia coli pose significant public and individual health challenges in underdeveloped areas lacking access to safe and clean drinking water, as mentioned in the UN Sutainable Develepment Goal Number 6, which highlights the need for sustainable and cheap water purification methods. This experiment tested the antimicrobial properties of the following ayurvedic (i) Strychnos Potatorum, (ii)Moringa Oleifera,(iii) Salvia hispanica,(IV) Foeniculum vulgare Mill, by taking stable concentrations of each seed extract and testing them against dirty water samples collected from polluted water sources. Water samples have been mixed with definite concentrations of extract, spread under agar, and then incubated for 24 hours to identify bacterial inhibition zones. After 24 hours of incubation, a Manual colony counter LMCC-A11 was used to identify major countable colonies. The sample of Strynchnos Potatorum showed the greatest bacterial inhibition, followed by Foeniculum Vulgare Mill, Slavia Hispanica, and Moringa Oleifera. Compared to dirty water, the seeds inhibited what was nearly 500-700 colonies of bacteria that could have been present in the samples.With the results above, seeds, ayurveda sample Strynchnos Potatorum, showed the most antimicrobial activity against the various bacteria and harmful compositions present in dirty water, representing its strong potential in being able to filter microbes in water to greater extents. This investigation addresses the importance of sustainable and cheaper methods of water filtration by diving into the antimicrobial aspects of various plant extracts against contaminated water, highlighting its replaceability with traditional filtration methods

Temporal and spatial variation in water quality in the Son La hydropower Reservoir, Northwestern Vietnam

The Son La hydropower reservoir (S.L.R.) is the largest water reservoir in Vietnam. Da River water has been treated for drinking and domestic purposes; water quality management is essential for the safety of ecosystems and human health. This study was conducted to determine changes in water quality indicators [pH, dissolved Oxygen (D.O.), total suspended solids (T.S.S.), chemical oxygen demand (C.O.D.), ammonium (NH4+), nitrite (NO2-), and coliform] in the Da River in 2010 and the Son La hydropower reservoir during 2014-2023. The results of mean annual values of Da river water quality and Son La hydropower reservoir were, specifically: pH (7.8; 7.4), D.O. (4.3; 6.2), T.S.S. (112; 5), C.O.D. (15; 8.7), NH4+ (0.17; 0.3), NO2- (0.009; 0.04), and coliform (1,723; 747). Water quality parameters significantly varied between rive and reservoir water: D.O., T.S.S., C.O.D., and Coliform. pH, T.S.S., and C.O.D. slightly decreased; however, Dissolved oxygen (D.O.), NH4+, NO2-, and coliform demonstrated an increasing trend during 2014-2023. The impact of the Son La Dam (S.L.D.) on water quality was relatively straightforward: increasing the concentration of dissolved oxygen and the self-cleaning ability of pollutants. Periodic water impoundment was divided (April to August) into a low water level of 175 m, impoundment (January to March), a median water level of 190m, and a high water level of 215 m (September to December) to period. However, the impact of the staged impoundment on water quality, especially in 2014-2023, remains unclear, except D.O., T.S.S., NH4+, NO2- and Coliform exceeded limits or were lower is not significant for living water under the Vietnam regulation, specifically: D.O. (5.36, 5.52; ≥ 6), T.S.S. (25.13; ≤ 25), NH4+ (0.3331; 0.3), NO2- (0.0504; 0.05), coliform (1,018.5; ≤ 1,000). Results from the current study provide valuable information for reservoir and river water pollution source management and reduce potential risks to exposed ecosystems, livelihoods, and human health.

Bioremediation of Industrial Wastewater Using Hydroponics Planted with Vetiver

In the modern era, industrialization in developing countries like Bangladesh has significantly polluted groundwater systems. Tannery industry effluent is a major source of water pollution. This study focuses on removing heavy metals, specifically lead, and reducing key physicochemical parameters including pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), and Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5) from tannery wastewater utilizing the phytoremediation potential of Vetiveria zizanioides. The experiment was conducted by hydroponic technique, evaluating the effects of treatment time. Results showed significant pollutant removal efficiencies after 45 days of treatment were pH (24.82%), EC (36.74%), BOD5 (87.07%), COD (84.89%), TSS (84.02%), TDS (73.39%), and Lead (66.13%). Vetiver revealed strong growth and a 95% survival rate. Post-treatment pollutant levels were found to be in compliance with WHO standards, suggesting that vetiver hydroponic bioremediation is a sustainable and environmentally friendly method that presents a viable option for treating wastewater in developing countries like Bangladesh.

Polyvinyl alcohol nanofibrous mat impregnated with ClCNTs/Fe2O3 nanocomposite for absorption of diesel oil in water

Oil contamination is one of the main sources of water pollution in the world. In this study, a sorption material that showed great promise as an absorbent for diesel oil in aqueous solution was developed. Chlorinated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) previously synthesized using a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method were loaded with iron oxide nanoparticles via a co-precipitation method. The sorption materials were prepared by embedding ClCNTs/Fe2O3 nanocomposite into a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymer matrix via electrospinning. The PVA mat containing only ClCNTs was also prepared for comparison and the maximum sorption capacity of 9.7 g g−1 was obtained. The optimum concentration of ClCNTs/Fe2O3 nanocomposite that gave uniform, and well-distributed nanofibers was 0.5 wt%. Crosslinking the PVA/ClCNTs/Fe2O3 nanofiber mat with glutaraldehyde (GA) resulted in increased absorption capacity for oil of ∼ 9.4 g g−1 in comparison with an absorption capacity of ∼ 7.6 g g−1 attained with a pure nanofiber mat. The crosslinked nanofiber mat remained stable even after 60 min of oil absorption which proves that crosslinking assisted in increasing the affinity of PVA for oil by reducing the amount of OH groups through acetal formation making PVA less soluble to water. The oil sorption capacity of the prepared materials was not maintained even after two cycles indicating poor reusability.

Brine Valorisation Using Mechanical Vapor Compression Desalination: Approaches to Consider.

Water scarcity is one of the biggest challenges we are facing due to climate change: lack of rainfall and polluted water sources are an increasing reality worldwide. Sustainable Development Goals reinforce the urgency of dealing with this issue, targeting scientific community’s efforts towards solutions for this trending topic, where desalination of seawater is one of the main proposals. However, concerns regarding to the environmental effects of residual brines, generated in the desalination process, are emerging on the spots where this technology has been applied.To contribute to the implementation of desalination technologies, the valorisation of these residual brines brings the opportunity not only to reduce the volume of wastewater generated, but increasing its final concentrations and producing more freshwater from a residue. Nevertheless, it comes with the cost of higher energy demands than in the previous stage: the higher the concentration of the fluid, the higher its energy consumption. We can approach this challenge from two different perspectives, focusing on the final amount of concentrated residue or focusing on the energy demand of the installation.While focusing on reducing the volume of residue to its minimum expression is the most attractive option for concentrating the dissolved salts, it comes with the cost of excessive energy demands. On the other hand, focusing on reducing the power consumption of the installation allows the usage of variable renewables, in a more efficient way, allowing the carbon neutrality of emissions during its operation but obtaining a lower concentrated residue. By using a computational model of the installation, we can replicate its operation and compare results from both perspectives.In this paper we will use two scenarios with fixed conditions for a basic mechanical vapor compression (MVC) desalination plant modelled in TRNSYS, where we can observe the correlations between the final volume of residual brine and the energy consumption required for achieving those results. One of the scenarios will show the biggest final concentration, while the other one will consider the minimum operating conditions for the desalination plant. Apart from those results, there will be an analysis of environmental and economic advantages that can be achieved by the implementation of this technology, as well as an early approach towards the technical aspects involving the development of the model used for these calculations.

Potable water boiling can induce havoc in the water quality management arena due to the presence of microplastics

Around 30 % of the world’s population lacks access to safe water despite being a critical factor that modulates the complex dynamics of ecosystems and societies. Efficient technologies to purify water to potable form are either inaccessible or economically not viable for the majority. Water poverty and scarcity can be potentially exacerbated by the recent, widespread detection of plastics in drinking water sources, tap water and groundwater. This can induce various emerging bottle necks in global drinking water quality management. One of the most affordable disinfection techniques practiced across the world is to boil the water. Plastic pollutants in potable water sources can pose emerging water quality management bottlenecks, including leaching additives and chemicals due to water boiling. Exposure to plastic leachates in drinking water can lead to potential health risks, including oxidative stress, cancers, endocrine disruption, cardiovascular diseases, and developmental effects. The current global drinking water scenario and the emerging impacts of plastic pollutants specifically micro- and nano-plastics in drinking water, are also enlisted. Further, evidence-based prospects for drinking water quality management and impacts on one health initiative in the wake of the presence of plastics are discussed. Monitoring and surveillance, improved water treatment, and infrastructure incorporating technological innovations explicitly focusing on plastic pollutants in drinking water can ensure sustainable management and mitigation of the ill effects to a satisfactory extent. The need for firm policy instruments, partnerships between various private and public stakeholders, and the judicious use and management of potable water are contented in this article, which will steer humanity and the earth system toward achieving one health mandate and a sustainable future.

Cellulose-MIL-88A photocatalytic membrane to treat effluents containing dyes and oil emulsions

One of the major problems in semi-arid regions is the water shortage that has been exacerbated by industrial pollution of water sources. Photocatalytic membranes are a promising solution for treating different industrial effluents for water reuse. In this work, cellulose-MIL-88A membranes were produced by a single-step facile deposition of MIL-88A for separating dyes and emulsions from water followed by cleaning regeneration. The optimized membrane achieved a permeation flux of 5850 L h-1 m-2 bar-1 and a rejection rate of 91–100 % for RB5 textile reactive dye. After use, the clogged membrane was regenerated via photo-Fenton degradation using H2O2 and artificial solar light. After 30 cycles of filtration and regeneration, the membrane presented 98.1 % RB5 rejection rate with 74 % of the initial permeation flux. The membrane was able to separate oil-water emulsions containing diesel, soybean oil or n-hexane. In addition, it was possible to treat real industrial textile wastewater with an efficiency of 61 %. The cellulose-MIL88A photocatalytic membrane is a promising low-cost technology for industrial wastewater treatment using cellulose-based green material.

Transformation of heavy metals from contaminated water to soil, fodder and animals

A serious environmental problem that threatens soil quality, agricultural productivity, and food safety is heavy metal pollution in water sources. Heavy metal pollution is the main problem in tehsil Pasrur, Sialkot, Pakistan. Present study was arranged to notice the heavy metals in water, soil, forages and buffalo milk. There are seven sites that were used for this experiment. Highest malondialdehyde (MDA) contents (3.00 ± 0.01) were noticed in barseem roots at site 7. Ascorbate Peroxidase (APX) was reached at its peak (1.93 ± 0.01) at site 7 in the fresh barseem. Maximum protein contents (0.36 ± 0.01) were observed in fresh plant samples at site 2. Site 3's buffalo milk samples had the highest Ni content (7.22 ± 0.33 ppm), while Site 3's soil samples had the lowest Cr content (8.89 ± 0.56 ppm), Site 1's plant shoots had the lowest Cr content (27.75 ± 1.98 ppm), and Site 3's water had the highest Cr content (40.07 ± 0.49 ppm). The maximum fat content (5.38 ± 2.32%) was found in the milk of the animals at site 7. The highest density (31.88 ± 6.501%), protein content (3.64 ± 0.33%), lactose content (5.54 ± 0.320%), salt content (0.66 ± 0.1673%), and freezing point (− 0.5814 ± 0.1827 °C) were also observed in the milk from animals at site 7, whereas site 5 displayed the highest water content (0.66 ± 0.1673%) and peak pH value (11.64 ± 0.09). In selected samples, the pollution load index for Ni (which ranged from 0.01 to 1.03 mg/kg) was greater than 1. Site 7 has the highest conductivity value (5.48 ± 0.48). Values for the health risk index varied from 0.000151 to 1.00010 mg/kg, suggesting that eating tainted animal feed may pose health concerns. Significant health concerns arise from metal deposition in the food chain from soil to feed, with nickel having the highest health risk index.

A pentametallic high-entropy mixed-dimensional mesoporous heterostructure for azo-dye wastewater degradation and decolorization

The degradation and decolorization of azo-dyes wastewater require more efficient methodologies to reduce this primary water pollution source. Herein, we developed a pentametallic (Au-Ti-Mg-Al-Cu) high-entropy mixed-dimensional mesoporous heterostructure (HEMDMHs) for azo-dye wastewater degradation and decolorization. This HEMDMHs structure was constructed by irregularly growing nanoscale Mg-Al-Cu layered-double-hydroxide (LDH) onto micro-scaled 2-dimensional (2D) Ti3C2Tx MXene and then in-situ synthesizing ultrasmall (<3 nm) 0-dimensional (0D) gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) onto the LDH/MXene mesoporous support. This Au-Ti-Mg-Al-Cu HEMDMHs can efficiently degrade azo-dyes wastewater within 2 min, producing colorless and clear solutions. This exceptional performance can be achieved across a wide pH range of 2 to 12 and temperatures ranging from 0 to 60 °C under sunlight. Furthermore, this HEMDMHs can be easily recoverable through centrifugation for reuse. Mechanistic investigation revealed a synergistic mechanism in which the mesoporous LDH/MXene enhances physical absorption of azo-dyes, while the AuNCs/LDH heterostructure promotes their chemical degradation. Considering its high decolorization activity, high cycle stability, reusability and controllable economic cost, our results provide a promise HEMDMHs candidate for the treatment of azo-dye wastewater.

Comparison of MAF-32 and a One-Pot Synthesized Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide/MAF-32 Composite for the Adsorption of Diclofenac.

The global presence of pharmaceutical pollutants in water sources represents a burgeoning public health concern. Recent studies underscore the urgency of addressing this class of emerging contaminants. In this context, our work focuses on synthesizing a composite material, FexOy/MAF-32, through a streamlined one-pot reaction process, as an adsorbent for diclofenac, an emerging environmental contaminant frequently found in freshwater environments and linked to potential toxicity towards several organisms such as fish and mussels. A thorough characterization was performed to elucidate the structural composition of the composite. The material presents magnetic properties attributed to its superparamagnetic behavior, which facilitates the recovery efficiency of the composite post-diclofenac adsorption. Our study further involves a comparative analysis between the FexOy/MAF-32 and a non-magnetic counterpart, comprised solely of 2-ethylimidazolate zinc polymer. This comparison aims to discern the relative advantages and disadvantages of incorporating magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles in the contaminant removal process facilitated by a coordination polymer. Our findings reveal that even a minimal incorporation of iron oxide nanoparticles substantially enhanced the composite's overall performance in pollutant adsorption.

Classification of Pollution Sources and Their Contributions to Surface Water Quality Using APCS-MLR and PMF Model in a Drinking Water Source Area in Southeastern China

Identifying the potential pollution sources of surface water pollutants is essential for the management and protection of regional water environments in drinking water source areas. In this study, absolute principal component score-multiple linear regression (APCS-MLR) and positive matrix factorization (PMF) models were applied to assess water quality and identify the potential pollution sources affecting the surface water quality of Xin’an River Basin. For this purpose, a 10-year (2011–2020) dataset of eight water quality indicators (including pH, EC, DO, COD, NH3-N, TN, TP, and FC) covering eight monitoring stations and 7248 monthly observations was used. The results indicated that Pukou section had the worst water quality among the eight monitoring stations, and TN was the most serious water quality index. Both the APCS-MLR and PMF models identified agricultural nonpoint source pollution, urban nonpoint source pollution and rural domestic pollution, and meteorological factors. The sum of these three sources was very close, accounting for 60% and 58%, respectively. The APCS-MLR results demonstrated that for EC, COD, and NH3-N, the major pollution sources were urban nonpoint sources and rural domestic pollution. The major contamination source of TN was agricultural nonpoint source pollution (30.4%). Meanwhile, the major pollution sources of pH, DO, TP, and FC were unidentified factors. The PMF model identified five potential sources, and pH and DO were affected by meteorological factors. NH3-N and TP were influenced mainly by agricultural nonpoint source pollution. Atmospheric deposition was the major pollution source (87.9%) of TN. FC was mostly derived from livestock and poultry breeding (88.3%). EC and COD were mostly affected by urban nonpoint sources and rural domestic pollution. Therefore, receptor models can help managers identify the major sources of pollution in watersheds, but the major factors affecting different pollutants need to be supplemented by other methods.

Electrosorption approach removing PFOA from wastewater using a MXene-polyaniline film

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a persistent organic pollutant found in various industrial effluents, posing significant environmental and health risks. Electrosorption of PFOA on MXene-polyaniline film from water was studied. The results of electrosorption kinetics showed that the functionalized MXene film with polyaniline resulting in an approximately 100 % increase in electrosorption capacitance for PFOA due to increasing of the MXene film's volumetric capacitance and modifying of surface chemistry of MXene. The maximum adsorption of PFOA on MXene and MXene-polyaniline films were 358.5 mg/g and 966.1 mg/g, respectively, at an initial concentration of 100 mg/L upon application of +1.0 V. Moreover, humic acid (HA) competing with the adsorption sites, sodium chloride through the double-layer compression effect, and pH affecting the amine or amide functional groups on MXene-polyaniline which inhibited PFOA adsorption onto MXene-polyaniline film were thoroughly examined. Lastly, the reversible adsorption–desorption cycles show that the MXene–polyaniline film possesses the potential to be used continuously. To address PFAS pollution in water sources, we think our approach can help build effective and long-lasting technology.

Characterization and recognition of three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix spectra of wastewater from six typical categories

In this study, we analyzed the characteristics of three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix spectra (EEMs) of 150 samples from five industrial wastewater types and domestic sewage to track water pollution sources effectively. We then developed a recognition model for wastewater EEMs by establishing a feature dataset containing fluorescence peak values and parameters derived from EEMs, integrated with machine learning techniques. This model enables the rapid and precise identification of pollution sources. Our findings suggest that although the EEMs of the six wastewater categories are distinct, visual differentiation is challenging. This was confirmed by cosine similarity assessments, showing some samples with low within-group (< 0.8) and high between-group (> 0.95) similarities. Despite significant variations in EEMs features across wastewater categories, identifying specific pollutants remains difficult, especially for pulp mills and leather effluents. Among the tested classification algorithms, Support Vector Machine (SVM) achieved the highest performance with 91.7 % accuracy, 94 % precision, 91 % recall, and 92 % F1-score, outperforming K-Nearest Neighbors and Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis. The SVM significantly improved identification accuracy for pulp mill and leather processing wastewaters compared to other models. To enhance identification accuracy, further exploration of EEMs features and expanding the training dataset are recommended. Combining EEMs features with machine learning presents a promising method for improving water pollution supervision and source tracing in environmental management practices.

Review of Mining and Sanitation Waste Water Management and Their Contribution to Water Contamination in Zambia

This research digs into the convoluted topography of water contamination in Zambia's Copperbelt Province, with an emphasis on the important contributions of mining and sewage effluent. This report provides major conclusions about the origins, types, and effects of contaminants in the region's water bodies based on a thorough review of current research and empirical evidence. Mining activities emerge as a major source of water pollution, with effluent contaminated with heavy metals, sulphates, and other compounds that pose serious hazards to aquatic ecosystems and public health. Despite efforts to improve wastewater treatment, shortcomings persist, resulting in the leakage of toxic effluent into neighboring waterways. Similarly, sewage wastewater contributes to contamination by including faecal coliforms, nutrients, oils, and heavy metals. The effects of water contamination are far-reaching, as indicated by increasing pollutant concentrations in stream sediments and downstream bodies. Aquatic life suffers from habitat destruction, diminished biodiversity, and negative health effects, while communities relying on these water supplies face increased health risks. Given these issues, the paper analyses potential solutions and recommendations for effective wastewater management, with a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, technical innovation, and regulatory enforcement. Initiatives fostering recycling, resource recovery, and the implementation of advanced treatment technology hold promise for minimizing water pollution and maintaining sustainable water management practices in the Copperbelt Province.

Adriatic Sea Fishery Product Safety and Prospectives in Relation to Climate Change

This bibliographic study addresses key aspects related to fishing, product safety, and climate change in the Adriatic Sea region. The examination of product safety focuses on the assessment of contaminants originating from human activities such as industry, mining, agriculture, and household waste disposal. The contamination of the aquatic environment has emerged as a pressing global concern, extending to the Adriatic basin. Aquatic organisms, including fish, are prone to accumulating pollutants directly from polluted water sources and indirectly through the food web. The bio-accumulation of potentially hazardous substances, particularly heavy metals, pesticides, PCBs, PAHs, and antibiotic resistance in aquatic organisms, poses a significant threat to human health. Climate change effects will deplete our seafood supply in terms of quantity and safety owing to negative consequences such as higher levels of pollution, parasites, viruses, infections, acidification, and toxicities such as shellfish poisoning. Global food safety strategies should be developed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote environmentally friendly technology, which indirectly affects seafood quality and microbiological safety, especially for the Adriatic Sea, which is part of the Mediterranean Sea, characterized by the most polluted waters in the world.

Hues of risk: investigating genotoxicity and environmental impacts of azo textile dyes.

The textile industry, with its extensive use of dyes and chemicals, stands out as a significant source of water pollution. Exposure to certain textile dyes, such as azo dyes and their breakdown products like aromatic amines, has been associated with health concerns like skin sensitization, allergic reactions, and even cancer in humans. Annually, the worldwide production of synthetic dyes approximates 7 × 107 tons, of which the textile industry accounts for over 10,000 tons. Inefficient dyeing procedures result in the discharge of 15-50% of azo dyes, which do not adequately bind to fibers, into wastewater. This review delves into the genotoxic impact of azo dyes, prevalent in the textile industry, on aquatic ecosystems and human health. Examining different families of textile dye which contain azo group in their structure such as Sudan I and Sudan III Sudan IV, Basic Red 51, Basic Violet 14, Disperse Yellow 7, Congo Red, Acid Red 26, and Acid Blue 113 reveals their carcinogenic potential, which may affect both industrial workers and aquatic life. Genotoxic and carcinogenic characteristics, chromosomal abnormalities, induced physiological and neurobehavioral changes, and disruptions to spermatogenesis are evident, underscoring the harmful effects of these dyes. The review calls for comprehensive investigations into the toxic profile of azo dyes, providing essential insights to safeguard the aquatic ecosystem and human well-being. The importance of effective effluent treatment systems is underscored to mitigate adverse impacts on agricultural lands, water resources, and the environment, particularly in regions heavily reliant on wastewater irrigation for food production.

Quantitative effects of anthropogenic and natural factors on the spatial distribution of heavy metals and bacterial communities in sediments of the Pearl River Delta

Heavy metal (HM) contamination of aquatic ecosystems has increasingly posed threats to ecological balance and health. Analysis of sediments to determine water pollution sources is widely reported, while quantitative research about the effects of environmental factors on the distribution of HMs and relevant microbial communities is limited. Here, we investigated 6 kinds of HM pollution characteristics (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn) of the Pearl River Delta (PRD) by collecting surface sediment samples around the main stream and estuary and explored the influencing factors with a geographical detector method (GDM). The shifts in the corresponding microbial community was further analyzed, and the influence mechanism was clearly elucidated using partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM). Results showed that (i) most HM contents of the sediments greatly exceeded the local background values, wherein, Cd had the highest pollution level; (ii) temperature was considered the dominant natural factor of HM distribution, except for Pb, with an influence degree of 0.68–0.97; (iii) industrial activity is an significant anthropogenic factor for HM distribution, and the electroplating industry was the main source for Cr, Cu and Zn; (iv) the network analysis revealed that As, Cu and Cr were enriched in some HM-tolerant bacteria (mainly Chloroflexi, Acidobacteriota and Proteobacteria), while heavy Cd pollution induced a reduction in sensitive bacterial taxa; (v) PLS-PM demonstrated that human activities largely affect bacterial communities by causing HM pollution. This study could provide guidance for better management of HM pollution control practices, such as specific industrial governance and layout optimization.

Application of Nanostructured Materials for the Remediation of Microbes Contaminated Water and Sustainable Water Treatment

Regardless of whether pollution originates from inorganic sources such as heavy metals, or organic waste such as industrial discharges; it poses a grave threat toward human health and environmental equilibrium. Air and water quality, soil health, ecosystem integrity—all can suffer negative impacts due to these pollutants with far-reaching effects on both public health and our surroundings. To alleviate this pervasive problem effectively: comprehensive strategies must be implemented that encompass strict regulatory measures; advocate for sustainable industrial practices – promoting environmentally conscious behaviors is also key, and recent decades have seen a marked rise in pollutants in water sources. Human existence depends on having access to clean water, yet numerous sources are now seriously contaminated. Fortunately, using several cutting-edge methods, nanotechnology provides intriguing and useful options for wastewater cleaning. Numerous pollutants, including germs, sediments, and dangerous chemicals like Mercury and Arsenic, may be removed using nanotechnology. The development of wastewater treatment alternatives is being aided by cutting-edge nanotechnology, which has the potential to improve the reuse of water, recycling, and restoration. This not only improves the quality and durability of the water over the long term, but also assures future generations will have access to it. Diverse procedures and strategies are now used in the field of water purification, many of which use nanomaterials. Nanofiltration is a particularly effective and straightforward technique. Low pressure water is used in this method to flow through nanofiltration filters; these filters may be quickly cleaned by simply back-flushing. Utilizing carbon nanotubes, which are recognized for their efficiency in eliminating a wide range of water contaminants because of their incredibly smooth interiors, is another benefit of nanofiltration. When compared to traditional microstructure materials, nanostructured materials, such as Ag (silver), Au (gold), metal oxides, and CNTs (carbon nanotubes), provide several advantages in the purification of water. They are excellent alternatives for tackling the urgent problems caused by water contamination because of their increased surface area and exceptional qualities. In conclusion, the use of nanomaterials in water filtration, such as Ag, Au, metal oxides, and CNTs, marks a huge step towards protecting our planet's most valuable resource. We can create a sustainable future where everyone has access to clean, secure drinking water by using the potential of nanotechnology.

Investigating hydrodynamic cavitation as an efficient means for removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances from solution

With nearly five decades of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) being associated with firefighting and industrial activities, these compounds inevitably accumulate in both ground and surface water. PFAS contamination in water has emerged as a significant environmental and public health concern, particularly perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), which is often found in higher concentrations compared to other PFAS and has more pronounced adverse health effects. Addressing PFAS contamination requires treating large volumes of water, making technologies that rapidly separate and concentrate PFASs highly favoured. The strong surface activity of PFAS, such as PFOS, enables them to generate colloidal gas aphrons (CGAs) during high shear mixing of their aqueous solutions, where PFASs can be separated and collected as foam. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of high shear mixing in separating PFOS from solution, leveraging its accumulation at air–water interfaces. High shear-assisted PFOS separation was tested by varying parameters like rotational speed (4000 to 10,000 rpm), mixing time (30 s to 30 min), and the effect of electrolytes. Results showed greater PFOS separation in the presence of electrolytes, particularly monovalent cations like Na+, compared to divalent cations such as Ca2+, due to the creation of more stable CGAs with smaller sizes. At a mixing rate of 6000 rpm, 85 % of PFOS was removed in 30 s from a highly contaminated PFOS solution (10 mg/L), with over 95 % separation after 5 mixing cycles. While high-shear mixing was efficient in PFOS separation from highly contaminated solutions it was less efficient for low-level contaminated solutions (less than 1 mg/L). These results suggest that hydrodynamic cavitation induced by high-shear mixing seems promising for enhancing the separation of PFOS from heavily contaminated solutions. This technique could serve as a standalone method or be integrated with other PFAS removal technologies to enhance the overall efficiency of PFAS removal from polluted water sources.

Heavy metals bioaccumulation in free-ranging South American rattlesnakes (Crotalus durissus) in Southeastern Brazil.

Anthropogenic activities are the main sources of soil, air, and water pollution by metals, including cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), the metalloid arsenic (As), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu). The goal of this study was to assess the presence and concentration of toxic (As, Cd, Pb, and Cr) and essential metals (Mg, Zn, and Cu) in the liver and kidneys from 96 free-ranging rattlesnakes (Crotalus durissus) from Minas Gerais (Brazil). Bioaccumulation of Cd and Pb were significantly higher in males and heavier rattlesnakes (those with body weight above the average of the study population). Average ± standard deviations of Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu, Mg, Zn, and As in the general population (n = 96) were 3.19 ± 2.52; 5.98 ± 8.49; 0.66 ± 1.97; 3.27 ± 2.85; 776.14 ± 2982.92; 27.44 ± 29.55; and 0.32 ± 1.46; respectively. Bioaccumulation of some metals correlated positively with changes in hematologic and serum biochemical parameters. Results of this study were contrasted with previous studies assessing metal bioaccumulation in other species of terrestrial or aquatic snakes. Considering their position in the food chain and the broad range of bioaccumulation of both toxic and essential metals observed in this study, rattlesnakes may function as highly relevant biological sentinels for environmental pollution.