Real Wastewater Research Articles

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.

Electrospun MIL-101(Fe)/Graphene Oxide Nanofibrous Composites for Efficient Removal of Heavy Metals From Wastewater.

Heavy metal contamination in industrial wastewater poses a critical environmental challenge due to the toxicity and persistence of metals such as Pb(II) and Cd(II). This study evaluated the performance of MIL-101(Fe)/Graphene Oxide (GO) electrospun nanofibrous membranes as advanced adsorbents for the efficient removal of these metal ions. Structural characterization confirmed a high surface area and uniform integration of MIL-101(Fe) and GO within the fibrous matrix. Batch adsorption experiments revealed maximum removal efficiencies of 93% for Pb(II) and 95% for Cd(II), with optimum performance observed at pH 5.5 and 6.0, respectively. The adsorption process followed pseudo-second-order kinetics (R2 > 0.98), suggesting chemisorption, and was well described by both Langmuir (qmax: 126 mg/g for Pb(II), 100 mg/g for Cd(II); R2 ≥ 0.98) and Freundlich isotherms (1/n < 1), indicating favorable monolayer and multilayer adsorption on heterogeneous surfaces. The thermodynamic analysis confirmed that adsorption was spontaneous (ΔG° values as low as -8.6 kJ/mol for Pb(II)) and endothermic (ΔH° values of 21.5 kJ/mol for Pb(II) and 18.9 kJ/mol for Cd(II)). In continuous flow systems, the membranes maintained removal efficiencies above 85% for both metals across 10 cycles at a flow rate of 10 mL/min. The membranes also exhibited excellent fouling resistance, with flux decline remaining below 10% over 5 cycles, and demonstrated high cleaning efficiency, recovering up to 99.2% of flux through simple deionized water rinsing. Reusability studies showed that the membranes retained over 80% of their original adsorption capacity after eight regeneration cycles in batch mode, and over 70% removal efficiency and 83% water flux after 10 regeneration cycles in real industrial wastewater conditions. These findings demonstrated the robustness, reusability, and scalability of MIL-101(Fe)/GO membranes for the effective treatment of heavy metal-contaminated industrial effluents. Future studies should explore membrane performance under mixed contaminant conditions and assess techno-economic feasibility at the pilot scale. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Advanced nanofibrous membranes with MIL-101(Fe)/Graphene Oxide (GO) tested for heavy metal removal. Outstanding performance compared to conventional adsorbents. 93% Pb(II) and 95% Cd(II) removal at optimum pH conditions (Pb(II): pH 5.5, Cd(II): pH 6.0). Rapid equilibrium kinetics with 60 minutes compared to 120 minutes. High surface area and optimal pore size critical for superior performance.

Comparative investigation of PFS and PAC coagulants with activated carbon in cellulose microfiltration systems for treatment of real printing ink wastewater

Comparative investigation of PFS and PAC coagulants with activated carbon in cellulose microfiltration systems for treatment of real printing ink wastewater

Antibiotic adsorption from real pharmaceutical factory wastewater using a hole-punched flat ceramic membrane based on clay and hydroxyapatite in a fixed bed module

Antibiotic adsorption from real pharmaceutical factory wastewater using a hole-punched flat ceramic membrane based on clay and hydroxyapatite in a fixed bed module

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.

Decentralized sewage treatment and energy recovery in high-rise buildings using anaerobic baffle reactor coupled with plant biofilter reactor: A focus on surfactant and phenol removal.

Decentralized sewage treatment and energy recovery in high-rise buildings using anaerobic baffle reactor coupled with plant biofilter reactor: A focus on surfactant and phenol removal.

Persulphate activation by ferrous sulphate for tertiary treatment of real domestic wastewater to meet the standards of irrigating food crops

Persulphate activation by ferrous sulphate for tertiary treatment of real domestic wastewater to meet the standards of irrigating food crops

Selective Na+/K+ separation from greenhouse wastewater concentrate streams using Donnan dialysis for sustainable water and nutrient recovery.

Selective Na+/K+ separation from greenhouse wastewater concentrate streams using Donnan dialysis for sustainable water and nutrient recovery.

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.

Electrocatalytic nitrate reduction on Fe, Fe3O4, and Fe@Fe3O4 cathodes: Elucidating structure-sensitive mechanisms of direct electron versus hydrogen atom transfer

Electrocatalytic nitrate reduction on Fe, Fe3O4, and Fe@Fe3O4 cathodes: Elucidating structure-sensitive mechanisms of direct electron versus hydrogen atom transfer

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.

Attracting magnetic BDD particles onto Ti/RuO2-IrO2 by using a magnet: A novel 2.5-dimensional electrode for electrochemical oxidation wastewater treatment

Attracting magnetic BDD particles onto Ti/RuO2-IrO2 by using a magnet: A novel 2.5-dimensional electrode for electrochemical oxidation wastewater treatment

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.

Application of ZnO nanoparticles modified with bacterial proteins for the removal of trypan blue effluent

&lt;p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph; line-height: 120%; layout-grid-mode: char; mso-layout-grid-align: none; margin: 12.0pt 0cm 6.0pt 0cm;"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 120%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"&gt;In this study, a bacterial protein-coated nanoparticle system is modified as a new biosorbent. &lt;em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"&gt;Escherichia coli &lt;/em&gt;(&lt;em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"&gt;E. coli&lt;/em&gt;), and &lt;/span&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 120%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"&gt;Staphylococcus aureus&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 120%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 120%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"&gt;(&lt;/span&gt;&lt;em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 120%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"&gt;S. aureus&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 120%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"&gt;)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 120%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 120%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"&gt;bacterial proteins are collected, and successfully coated onto zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs). The new biosorbents are combined between the attractive surface properties of the nanoparticles and the adsorbed protein corona. ZnONPs, ZnONPs/&lt;em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"&gt;E. coli,&lt;/em&gt; and ZnONPs/&lt;em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"&gt;S. aureus&lt;/em&gt; were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), &lt;a name="_Hlk186551020"&gt;&lt;/a&gt;Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) studies analysis. The Bradford method was used to ensure the presence of protein corona on the modified surface. The addition of bacterial proteins to the surface of the ZnONPs alters its activity through modifications of its size, shape, surface charge, and other characteristics. The improvement of the functional&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 120%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 120%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"&gt;groups and surface charge of the modified biosorbents makes it more efficient for the removal of dyes. ZnONPs, ZnONPs/&lt;em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"&gt;E. coli,&lt;/em&gt; and ZnONPs/&lt;em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"&gt;S. aureus&lt;/em&gt; were used for the removal of trypan blue (TB) dye from contaminated wastewater. The TB dye was completely removed (98%&amp;ndash;100%) using ZnONPs/&lt;em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"&gt;E. coli&lt;/em&gt;, and ZnONPs/&lt;em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"&gt;S. aureus&lt;/em&gt; within 25&amp;ndash;30 min, whether in the dark or light conditions, over a wide pH range (5&amp;ndash;9). The negative values of ∆G showed the spontaneous nature of the removal process. The ∆H values confirmed an endothermic removal in the dark and an exothermic removal in the light. ZnONPs/&lt;em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"&gt;E. coli&lt;/em&gt;, and ZnONPs/&lt;em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"&gt;S. aureus&lt;/em&gt; were applied for the removal of TB dye from real wastewater samples, and their efficiencies were proven. The average removal rate of TB dye using ZnONPs &lt;em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"&gt;E. coli&lt;/em&gt;, and ZnONPs/&lt;em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"&gt;S. aureus&lt;/em&gt; was 92 % which is more efficient than that of ZnONPs (87 %), and the average value of RSD% was 1.7 % (&lt;em&gt;n&lt;/em&gt; = 5). &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Impact of the Anaerobic Feeding Strategy on the Formation and Stability of Aerobic Granular Sludge Treating Dairy Wastewater

Industrial activated sludge plants in many sectors, including the dairy industry, face sludge separation problems caused by sludge bulking. Aerobic granular sludge (AGS) could be a solution by forming well-settling granules. The key to successful granulation is the microbial selection of slow-growing glycogen-accumulating organisms (GAOs) by introducing an anaerobic feeding/reaction step. The objective of the current study was to investigate the impact of two slow feeding strategies to achieve granulation in existing sequencing batch reactors treating real dairy wastewater, by microbial selection only. The first strategy consisted of slow 90 min mixed feeding. The second strategy combined 45 min static and 45 min mixed feeding to build up a substrate gradient. The feeding strategies did not affect the effluent quality, but significantly impacted the sludge morphology, settling properties, and microbial community composition. Mixed feeding led to filamentous overgrowth by Thiothrix species, up to 45% abundance, and deteriorating settling, with sludge volume index (SVI) values up to 125 mL/g. In contrast, static feeding yielded densified sludge with SVI values below 45 mL/g and up to 35% GAO abundance. In conclusion, the results show successful granulation when using a simple static slow feeding mode, which could benefit the industrial application of AGS technology.

Optimized Solar-Simulated Photocatalysis of Congo Red Dye Using TiO2: Toward a Sustainable Water Treatment Approach.

This study investigates a sustainable approach to the photocatalytic degradation of Congo red (CR) dye using titanium dioxide (TiO2) under simulated solar radiation, with a specific focus on the UV-A component of the radiation. The aim was to optimize reaction conditions to maximize dye removal efficiency while promoting environmentally friendly wastewater treatment practices. A central composite design (CCD) was implemented, and results were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The key factors examined included TiO2 concentration, UV-A radiation intensity, CR dye concentration, and suspension depth. The optimal conditions determined were 222.37 mg/L TiO2, 20 W/m2 UV-A irradiation, 25 µmol/L CR dye concentration, and a suspension depth of 29 mm. Under these conditions, decolorization was achieved with the lowest absorbance (0.367 at 498 nm) and total organic carbon (0.805 mg/L) values, indicating effective dye degradation. The findings confirm that TiO2-assisted photocatalysis is a green and promising method for wastewater treatment. The potential use of natural solar radiation could reduce operational costs, making the process more sustainable. However, challenges such as photocatalyst recovery, aggregation, and the impact of the real wastewater matrices need further investigation.