Real Wastewater Research Articles

Fluoroquinolone ciprofloxacin removal from synthetic and real wastewaters by single and combined electrochemical advanced oxidation processes. A review.

Fluoroquinolone ciprofloxacin removal from synthetic and real wastewaters by single and combined electrochemical advanced oxidation processes. A review.

A novel cotton cellulose/poly(acrylic acid)@laponite hydrogel for fast and highly efficient removal of cationic dyes from wastewater: Performance and mechanism.

A novel cotton cellulose/poly(acrylic acid)@laponite hydrogel for fast and highly efficient removal of cationic dyes from wastewater: Performance and mechanism.

Experimental and computational investigation of cold atmospheric plasma/visible-light/N-TiO2 in treatment of synthetic and real wastewaters

Experimental and computational investigation of cold atmospheric plasma/visible-light/N-TiO2 in treatment of synthetic and real wastewaters

Generation, fate and transport of volatile chlorine compounds following hypochlorite discharges to municipal sewers.

Generation, fate and transport of volatile chlorine compounds following hypochlorite discharges to municipal sewers.

Enhanced phosphate removal and recovery from wastewater by flow-electrode capacitive deionization (FCDI): Role of [Fe(CN)6]3-/4- redox couple.

Enhanced phosphate removal and recovery from wastewater by flow-electrode capacitive deionization (FCDI): Role of [Fe(CN)6]3-/4- redox couple.

Removal of multiple metals from real wastewater combining sludges with carbon black and chitosan: Integrating sustainable remediation and waste recycling

Removal of multiple metals from real wastewater combining sludges with carbon black and chitosan: Integrating sustainable remediation and waste recycling

Ultra-high capacity and selectivity for uranium fixation by carbon nanosphere supported hydroxyapatite nanorod adsorbent.

Ultra-high capacity and selectivity for uranium fixation by carbon nanosphere supported hydroxyapatite nanorod adsorbent.

High specific surface area graphene-like biochar for green microbial electrosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide and Bisphenol A oxidation at neutral pH.

High specific surface area graphene-like biochar for green microbial electrosynthesis of hydrogen peroxide and Bisphenol A oxidation at neutral pH.

Microbial adaption of electroactive biofilms from real wastewater to nutrient starvation in bioelectrochemical systems

Microbial adaption of electroactive biofilms from real wastewater to nutrient starvation in bioelectrochemical systems

AquaFlowNet a machine learning based framework for real time wastewater flow management and optimization

This paper presents AquaFlowNet, a machine learning-based algorithm for real-time wastewater flow management. It addresses critical challenges related to operational efficiency, resource optimization, and environmental sustainability. Wastewater management systems require innovative methods for dynamic and efficient flow control to meet growing demands driven by urbanization, climate change, and increasingly stringent regulations. However, most existing methods rely on static or rule-based models, which lack the flexibility to handle fluctuating flow rates, variable environmental loads, and unforeseen disruptions. These limitations often lead to inefficiencies such as energy wastage, treatment delays, and overflow incidents, negatively impacting system performance and sustainability.AquaFlowNet leverages state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms to analyze real-time data from sensors, forecast flow variations, and optimize wastewater treatment processes. By integrating predictive analytics with intelligent control strategies, it enhances resource efficiency, prevents overflow events, and ensures regulatory compliance. Experimental evaluations demonstrate that AquaFlowNet outperforms conventional approaches in prediction accuracy and operational efficiency, reducing energy consumption, improving treatment effectiveness, and mitigating environmental impacts.The results highlight AquaFlowNet’s potential to revolutionize wastewater management systems, making them more resilient, adaptive, and beneficial for urban and industrial applications.

Characterization and Treatment Pharmaceutical Wastewater by Photo-Fenton Process

The characteristics of the PT X pharmaceutical wastewater influent were a pH of 7.18, a COD of 384 mg/L, and a red-brown color. The Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) has not met the quality standards based on the Ministry of Environment and Forestry Regulation No. 5 of 2014. The red-brown color was caused by wastewater containing rifampicin as a component of the tuberculosis drug. The objectives of this study were treating the real pharmaceutical wastewater to reduce COD and color by varying the molar ratio of the Fenton reagents and to identify the influence of the neutralization process. The Fenton reagents were FeSO4.7H2O and H2O2 with a molar ratio of 1:1.5, 1:2, and 1:3. The process was conducted with the help of UV light and acidic conditions. The photo-Fenton process produced residues, which can be neutralized by using 0.1 NaOH solution and coagulated by using NaCl. The neutralization process successfully decreases the amount of Fe, H2O2, and COD on liquid. The results showed that the best molar ratio is 1:2, which can be seen from the removal efficiency of organic compounds of 89.58%, and the color decrease is seen from the decrease in absorbance value.

Superhydrophilic Quaternized Electrospun Nanofibers for Fast and Efficient Removal of Cr(VI) from Metallurgical Wastewater.

Due to the low adsorption capacity, slow adsorption kinetics, and insufficient selectivity of conventional adsorbents in highly acidic environments, therefore, the removal of highly toxic Cr(VI) from industrial metallurgical wastewater remains a great challenge. Herein, a novel superhydrophilic quaternized nanofiber adsorbent was synthesized using electrospinning technology. The superhydrophilic nanofiber adsorbent facilitated water molecule movement during the adsorption process, which increased the system's free energy and thus promoted the efficient and rapid selective removal of Cr(VI). The adsorbent was completely wetted within 0.06 s and reached a maximum adsorption capacity of 450.33 mg/g in a Cr(VI) solution with an initial concentration of 400 mg/L and equilibrated within 20 min. Adsorption experiments showed that the correlation coefficients of the pseudo-secondary kinetics and Langmuir model of the process were as high as R22 = 0.994 and RL2 = 0.971-0.993, respectively, suggesting that the adsorption process is mainly surface adsorption driven by chemisorption. Moreover, the adsorption mechanism by Zeta potential analysis and XPS and DFT simulations revealed that the selective adsorption for Cr(VI) is the synergistic action of ion exchange and coordination by electrostatic attraction. In addition, the dynamic column adsorption test demonstrated that the adsorbent could adsorb 6000 times its own mass of Cr(VI) ions in metallurgical wastewater, the recovery of Cr(VI) by nanofibers could still reach 89.7% after five cycles, and the removal efficiency was as high as 95.64% in real metallurgical wastewater, which highlighted the potential of its practical application.

Efficient removal of 137Cs isotope from real radioactive wastewater by magnetic nanocomposite zeolite NaA

ABSTRACT A magnetic Fe3O4@ zeolite NaA was prepared using a hydrothermal method to provide magnetic, high surface area cation – exchange material for radioisotope removal from real radioactive wastewater. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and Bruner Emmett Teller (BET) were used to investigate the Fe3O4@ NaA composite structure, elemental composition, and surface characterisation, respectively. The effect of adsorption parameters including adsorbent dosage, initial concentration of 137Cs isotope, pH, and contact time were investigated. The optimum removal parameters were found to be 10 g L−1, pH 7, and 60 min with a high concentration of caesium. Despite using actual radioactive wastewater and removing Cs radioactive isotope, the composite achieved a high adsorption capacity of 2744.444 mg g−1 which is on par with the reported capacities of synthetic samples with stable Cs salts. The adsorption was categorised as chemisorption on the surface with minimal heterogeneity driven by cation exchange between 137Cs+ and Na+ and entrapments in the pores available on the zeolite structure. These adsorption mechanisms made it easy to regenerate the adsorbent with a small loss of ~ 5% capacity after using it for three cycles. This material exhibited rapid performance in the treatment of radioactive water, as compared to conventional techniques, owing to its magnetic properties. Consequently, this meets the principles of radioactive waste management by minimising the risk posed by substantial amounts of this isotope in water and transforming it into a tiny solid state that can be simply managed when stored as radioactive waste, based on its measured quantity in the contaminated water. As a result, our investigated study presents a simple, efficient, and scalable synthesis procedure that delivers viable applications of the magnetic Fe3O4@zeolite NaA nanocomposite as a lower-cost adsorbent for hazardous liquid radioactive waste treatment.

A Novel Green In Situ Amine-Functionalized Aerogel UiO-66-NH2/TOCNF for the Removal of Azo Anionic Dyes.

UiO-66-NH2 is a metal-organic framework (MOF) with open metal sites, making it a promising candidate for adsorption and catalysis. However, the powdery texture of MOFs and the use of toxic solvents during synthesis limit their application. A novel solution to this issue is to create a layered porous composite by encasing the MOF within a flexible and structurally robust aerogel substrate using safe, eco-friendly, and green solvents such as ethanol. The fibrous MOF aerogels, characterized by a desirable macroscopic shape of cylindrical block and hierarchical porosity, were synthesized by two approaches: in situ growth of amine-functionalized UiO-66-NH2 crystals on a TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofiber (TOCNF) and ex situ crosslinking of UiO-66-NH2 crystals onto a TOCNF network to form UiO-66-NH2/TOCNF. The incorporation of MOF into the cellulose nanofibrils via the in situ method reduces their aggregation potential, alters the nucleation/growth balance to produce smaller MOF crystals, and enhances mechanical flexibility, as evidenced by SEM images. The three adsorbents, including UiO-66-NH2, ex situ UiO-66-NH2/TOCNF, and in situ UiO-66-NH2/TOCNF, were synthesized and used in this study. The effects of pH, time, temperature, and initial concentration were studied. A maximum adsorption capacity (Qmax) of 549.45 mg/g for Congo Red (CR) and 171.23 mg/g for Orange II (ORII) was observed at pH 6, using 10 mg of in situ UiO-66-NH2/TOCNF at 40 °C with a contact time of 75 min for CR and 2 h for ORII. The adsorption of both dyes primarily occurs through monolayer chemisorption on the in situ UiO-66-NH2/TOCNF. The main removal mechanisms were hydrogen bonding and surface complexation. The noteworthy adsorption capacity of in situ UiO-66-NH2/TOCNF coupled with environment-friendly fabrication techniques indicates its potential applications on a large scale in real wastewater systems.

Synthesis of Lanthanum-Modified Natural Magnetite: Characterization and Valorization for Phosphorus Recovery from Aqueous Solutions.

In this research work, a natural sample from an Omani magnetite (MG) deposit was used for the synthesis of a magnetite decorated with ferrihydrite (MG-Fh), and two lanthanum (La)-modified materials at mass percentages of 5% (MG-Fh-La-5) and 15% (MG-Fh-La-15). These materials were first characterized using various analytical techniques. Then, their phosphorus (P) recovery efficacy from aqueous solutions was studied in batch mode under a wide range of experimental conditions. The characterization results show that compared to the raw feedstock, MG-Fh, MG-Fh-La-5, and especially MG-Fh-La-15 have improved structural, textural, and surface chemistry properties. Adsorption tests indicate that due to the deposition of high contents of lanthanum oxides on its surface, the MG-La-15 exhibited a large P uptake capacity (34.5 mg g-1), which is significantly superior to those determined for MG-La-5 (24.3 mg g-1), MG-Fh (12.4 mg g-1), and various engineered materials published in the literature. Moreover, these materials retain an interesting ability to recover P from real wastewater with a highest adsorbed mass of 27.3 mg g-1, observed for MG-La-15. The P recovery seems to involve both physical and chemical mechanisms, including electrostatic interactions and complexation. This research work shows that La-modified magnetite can be considered a promising and eco-friendly material for P recovery from liquid effluents.

Biomarker Detection in the Wastewater Phantom.

Research trends are focused on developing solutions that monitor public health utilizing sewage surveillance, as wastewater can provide valuable information on the presence of specific biomarkers. Such information can serve as an indication of immune response at the community level, delivering a noninvasive measure of e.g., vaccination effectiveness. In this paper, we present an optical wastewater phantom fabrication, characterization, and comparison to real wastewater samples. Raman spectroscopy was used for the investigation of the molecular compositions of treated wastewater and artificial wastewater phantoms, and the refractometer to investigate refractive index values dependence on temperature. Selected biomarkers concentrations (10-6 to 10-1 mg/mL) were added to the validated phantoms. The selective detection of SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) was achieved through specific surface modification of the fiber-optic probe, allowing only targeted biomarkers to attach and influence the measurement signal. Successful detection of 10-6 mg/mL IgG concentration in the wastewater phantom was achieved within 5 min.

Unlocking single-atom induced electronic metal-support interactions in electrocatalytic one-electron water oxidation for wastewater purification

Electro-oxidation is a promising green technology for decentralized wastewater purification. However, its efficacy is primarily constrained by the selectivity and efficiency of hydroxyl radical (•OH) generation through one-electron water oxidation. In this study, we elucidate the mechanism of electronic metal-support interactions (EMSI) of Ni single-atoms on antimony-doped tin oxide anode (Ni/ATO) to enhance •OH production and overall water treatment efficiency. We experimentally and theoretically investigate both the structural evolution process and micro-interface mechanisms associated with the EMSI effects induced by Ni single-atoms. The optimized electronic structures in the interfacial catalysts under EMSI conditions and the co-catalytic role of Ni single-atoms synergistically facilitate selective and efficient •OH generation, resulting in over a fivefold increase in its steady-state concentration and tenfold enhancement in pseudo-first-order rate constant of sulfamethoxazole degradation compared to those on bare ATO. With the EMSI, rapid electron transfer channels were established for a marked enhancement in the adsorption, conversion, and dissociation of interfacial H2O molecules. Notably, it is revealed that Ni single-atoms serve as co-catalytic sites, exhibiting a “H-pulling effect” that is crucial for •OH generation. The Ni/ATO anode demonstrates great efficiency in degrading various refractory organic pollutants, and effectively treats real pharmaceutical wastewater with low energy consumption. Furthermore, it presents remarkable stability and adaptability, while maintaining a minimal environmental footprint during wastewater treatment processes. This work addresses the theoretical gaps between EMSI effects and co-catalysis in electro-oxidation systems, while providing a robust technological solution for wastewater purification.

Strengthened pollutants abatement in wastewater through electrocoagulation and zeolite adsorption: analytical and microbial assessment.

As the global population rapidly increases, so does the water demand, making effective wastewater treatment essential to mitigate pollutants, including heavy metals, organic compounds, and microbial contaminants. These pollutants pose significant health risks, exacerbate environmental crises, and disrupt ecosystems, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable solutions. This study explores the electrocoagulation-adsorption (EC-Ads) integrated treatment process as a promising approach for contaminant removal from wastewater. The method simultaneously generates in situ coagulants while leveraging the retention capabilities of zeolite. A NaOH-prefusion-mediated hydrothermal synthesis was employed to convert clay-rich illite and fumed silica by-product into pure analcime-C zeolite. This material demonstrated high crystallinity (89%), a specific surface area of 23.76 m2/g, and a cation exchange capacity (CEC) of 510 meq/100g. Initially, the EC process was optimized for chromium (VI) removal from synthetic solutions, achieving an 85% removal efficiency at an energy consumption of 0.5 kWh/g under optimal conditions (initial pH 5, current density 10 mA/cm2, and electrolysis time 40 min). Subsequently, the EC and EC-Ads processes were applied to real wastewater samples. Under optimized conditions, the EC-Ads process achieved 97.85% chromium removal with an energy consumption of 7.32 Wh/L. Additionally, reductions in chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon (TOC) were observed at 60.19% and 94.09%, respectively. Notably, complete eradication (100%) of microbial contaminants, including microflora, fungi, and coliforms, was achieved. These findings highlight the efficiency and sustainability of the EC-Ads integrated approach in removing diverse pollutants from wastewater, offering a reliable solution to enhance water quality in treatment facilities.

Mitigating the Challenges of Textile Wastewater Treatment in Saudi Arabia Utilizing Electrocoagulation Process: Optimization of Operating Parameters

The increasing importance of treating industrial effluents for environmental and public health protection has necessitated reliable and economical treatment methods capable of meeting stringent effluent quality standards. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the electrocoagulation (EC) process using iron electrodes for treating real textile wastewater by removing total solids (TS), COD, colour, and turbidity. Various operating parameters, including treatment time, initial pH, current density, stirring speed, and inter-electrode spacing (IES), were investigated to optimize removal efficiency. The results demonstrated that the optimal conditions for maximum pollutant removal were achieved at a treatment time of 60 minutes, a current density of 6.2 mA/cm², a solution pH of 8-8.5, a stirring speed of 150 rpm, and an IES of 5 cm. Under these conditions, the removal efficiencies reached 79.2% for TS, 92.7% for COD, 88.9% for turbidity, and 98.7% for colour. The findings of this research indicate that the EC process is a simple, quick, and economically viable method for effectively removing pollutants from textile wastewater. Additionally, it is recommended that a coupled treatment unit, such as filtration or adsorption, be employed following the EC process to enhance pollutant removal. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 aims to address environmental pollution from industrial wastewater, including textile wastewater, highlighting the importance of balancing industrial growth with environmental stewardship. Present study offers the first thorough analysis of textile wastewater treatment utilizing EC process in the region, enhancing understanding of effective strategies for sustainability and compliance with effluent quality standards.

Advanced treatment of tannery effluent from Fez City (Morocco) using a sequence of aerobic and sono-photo-Fenton processes

This work aims to purify real tannery wastewater (TWW) after a physicochemical characterization. A pretreatment using air stripping (aerobic pretreatment; AP) was first applied and compared to anaerobic pretreatment (ANP). The COD and BOD5 were highly removed by AP, reaching 86% and 88% compared to ANP, which only achieved 48% and 55%, respectively. Following the AP, the sono-photo-Fenton (SPF) process was applied as post-treatment. The optimal conditions pH = 3, [H2O2] = 1834 mg/L, and [Fe2+] = 1281 mg/L improved the COD, color and BOD5 removal of 96%, 98%, and 98%, respectively. Turbidity, N-NO3 -, and N-NO2 - were completely removed (100%) by the combined processes (AP+SPF), while Cr, Cl-, and N-NH4 + were reduced to 99%, 97%, and 99%, respectively. Finally, phytotoxicity tests were performed to confirm the efficiency of the sequential processes. The highest germination percentage, germination rate index, and seedling vigor index for the grains wheat and Medicago sativa were observed using the TWW treated by the AP+SPF, followed by those treated by AP alone. In contrast, no germination indicators were noticed in raw TWW. These findings highlight the significant purification effectiveness of the sequential processes of AP and SPF post-treatment, which suggests the potential use of this combination for the efficient treatment of real liquid effluents.