Wastewater Treatment Sector Research Articles

Optimization of synthesis of cationic starches for wastewater sludge and microalgae separation

The implementation of stricter water protection legislation requires the development of novel environmentally friendly water treatment materials. A new method for the preparation of water soluble cationic starch flocculants using potato starch, 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride and CaO additive was developed and surface response methodology was successfully utilized for the optimization of degree of substitution in the cationization of potato starch with and without CaO additive. Based on the results of destabilization studies of model kaolin, wastewater sludge, and microalgae dispersion systems, optimized conditions ware proposed for obtaining an efficient, soluble, and biodegradable cationic starch flocculant with optimal structure. The duration of starch etherification reaction was reduced to <12 h to obtain soluble cationic starch derivatives with a degree of substitution of quaternary ammonium groups of 0.25, which retained the granular structure during synthesis. An efficient flocculation technology using anionic polymer and high content of biodegradable cationic flocculant was proposed. The highly efficient flocculation of microalgae suspensions using developed cationic starch derivative with the degree of substitution of cationic groups of 0.25 has been also achieved. The developed environmentally friendly cationic starches with tailored flocculation properties proofed to have a great potential in various water cleaning and separation technologies with prospects in wastewater treatment, agriculture or energy sectors.

The Integral Management of the Wastewater Treatment Sector in Mexico Using a Circular Economy Approach

Wastewater treatment must be proactive and sustainable to facilitate an increase in the circularity of water. Therefore, the current approach, based on a linear cycle, must be replaced with a circular economy concept that implements strategies to address the different byproducts in the wastewater treatment sector. In recent years, Nuevo León, Mexico, has encountered high water stress levels, with its main water bodies presenting their lowest levels ever recorded. This study was focused on the wastewater treatment plant Monterrey, which treats the largest volume at the state level. Throughout its operation process, it generates different potential byproducts that are yet to be harnessed to fully. This study developed three proposals using a circular economy approach: the treatment of water for the industrial sector, the use of residual sludge as an organic fertilizer, and the cogeneration of energy from biogas. These proposals can potentially generate benefits regarding the three pillars of sustainability, yielding a closed cycle in the wastewater treatment sector at the national level.

Temperature swing solvent extraction for salt and glycerin separation from wastewater

A relatively novel temperature-swing solvent extraction (TSSE) technology was investigated for the separation of salt and glycerol from high-salt wastewater containing glycerol. Diisopropylamine (DIPA) was employed as the solvent for successfully treating ultrahigh-salinity wastewater. Experimental results indicated that the salt removal rate of TSSE technology reached up to 93.86% in saturated brine containing 10.00 wt% glycerol. After five cycles of solvent recovery, the salt removal rate remained at 84.55%. Additionally, when the glycerol mass fraction in saturated brine was 80.00 wt%, the water recovery rate of TSSE technology was 60.27%, with a salt removal rate of 92.88%. The study also analyzed the mechanism of TSSE, revealing that the difference in solubility between DIPA and NaCl in water is crucial for achieving TSSE. The unique capability of TSSE technology in treating high-salt wastewater containing organics was highlighted, achieving not only effective salt removal but also glycerol concentration. The findings of this research not only demonstrate the remarkable effectiveness of TSSE technology in addressing high-salt wastewater containing glycerol but also forecast its promising outlook and immense potential for widespread adoption in various industrial wastewater treatment sectors.

Toward Enhancing Wastewater Treatment with Resource Recovery in Integrated Assessment and Computable General Equilibrium Models.

Sustainable water management is essential to increasing water availability and decreasing water pollution. The wastewater sector is expanding globally and beginning to incorporate technologies that recover nutrients from wastewater. Nutrient recovery increases energy consumption but may reduce the demand for nutrients from virgin sources. We estimate the increase in annual global energy consumption (1,100 million GJ) and greenhouse gas emissions (84 million t CO2e) for wastewater treatment in the year 2030 compared to today's levels to meet sustainable development goals. To capture these trends, integrated assessment and computable general equilibrium models that address the energy-water nexus must evolve. We reviewed 16 of these models to assess how well they capture wastewater treatment plant energy consumption and GHG emissions. Only three models include biogas production from the wastewater organic content. Four explicitly represent energy demand for wastewater treatment, and eight include explicit representation of wastewater treatment plant greenhouse gas emissions. Of those eight models, six models quantify methane emissions from treatment, five include representation of emissions of nitrous oxide, and two include representation of emissions of carbon dioxide. Our review concludes with proposals to improve these models to better capture the energy-water nexus associated with the evolving wastewater treatment sector.

Decarbonizing Water: The Potential to Apply the Voluntary Carbon Market toward Global Water Security.

The increase in global water insecurity is one of the first perceivable effects of climate change. Two billion people are now without access to safe drinking water, and four billion experience water stress at least once a year, primarily in low per-capita emission countries. This nexus between climate change and water insecurity has significant implications for the global economy, with the water sector contributing 10% of global emissions. Though traditionally a local issue, climate finance mechanisms like the voluntary carbon market (VCM) present opportunities for a global, sustainable, performance-based funding stream to address water insecurity. Since 2010, water-related carbon projects have yielded over 45 million emission reduction credits. Our analysis estimates a global potential of over 1.6 billion tCO2e per year across various water project subsectors. At a $10 per credit average, this could attract over $160 billion in investments over the next decade, enhancing global water security. However, barriers like high intervention costs and limited technologies hinder widespread implementation, creating a tension between standardized and bespoke credits. We present case studies, spanning drinking water initiatives to the wastewater treatment sector that illustrate VCM's role in channeling private sector capital for water security in climate-vulnerable regions.

Utilizing Vigna mungo wash water for simultaneous power generation and desalination using two distinct anodes in a microbial desalination cell

AbstractThis study aims to improve the performance of microbial desalination cell (MDC) using Vigna mungo (Black gram) wash water, reported for the first time as an anolyte utilizing a graphite plate and carbon brush as the anode. Power generation was facilitated by the exoelectrogen, Shewanella putrefaciens MTCC 8104. Polarization studies revealed that the graphite plate MDC attained a high power density of 2720 ± 50 μW/m2 compared to carbon brush for two electrode pairs. The COD removal and desalination efficiency were better for carbon brush MDC, achieving 58.17 ± 2% and 38.14 ± 2% removal, respectively. Power production can be enhanced by increasing the cathode's ability to accept the electrons, reducing the ageing of biofilm and promoting complete oxidation of the substrates. Upon improving its performance, MDC can act as a sustainable technology, collaborating with industries seeking solutions for wastewater treatment, energy generation and agricultural sectors on a large scale.

Scientific and technological innovations of wastewater treatment in China

The “dual-carbon” strategy promotes the development of the wastewater treatment sector and is an important tool for leading science and technology innovations. Based on the global climate change and the new policies introduced by China, this paper described the new needs for the development of wastewater treatment science and technology. It offered a retrospective analysis of the historical trajectory of scientific and technological advancements in this field. Utilizing bibliometrics, it delineated the research hotspots within wastewater treatment, notably highlighting materials genomics, artificial intelligence, and synthetic biology. Furthermore, it posited that, in the future, the field of wastewater treatment should follow the paths of technological innovations with multi-dimensional needs, such as carbon reduction, pollution reduction, health, standardisation, and intellectualisation. The purpose of this paper was to provide references and suggestions for scientific and technological innovations in the field of wastewater treatment, and to contribute to the common endeavor of moving toward a Pollution-Free Planet.

The impact of nanomaterials in enhancing wastewater treatment processes: A review

The utilization of nanomaterials in wastewater treatment processes has garnered considerable attention due to their unique physicochemical properties and multifaceted applications. This expanded review delves deeper into the transformative impact of nanomaterials on wastewater treatment processes, offering a comprehensive analysis of recent advancements and emerging trends in the field. Nanomaterials, including nanoparticles, nanocomposites, and nanocatalysts, have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in enhancing pollutant removal efficiency, facilitating resource recovery, and promoting environmental sustainability in wastewater treatment systems. Through a detailed examination of key studies and case examples, this review elucidates the diverse mechanisms by which nanomaterials augment treatment performance, including adsorption, catalysis, and membrane filtration. Moreover, it explores the synergistic effects of integrating nanomaterials with conventional treatment technologies, such as activated sludge processes, membrane bioreactors, and advanced oxidation processes, to achieve superior treatment outcomes. In addition to their efficacy in pollutant removal, nanomaterials offer promising prospects for mitigating emerging contaminants, such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and microplastics, which pose significant challenges to traditional treatment methods. However, the widespread adoption of nanomaterial-based technologies in wastewater treatment is not without its challenges and considerations. This review addresses critical issues surrounding the environmental fate and impact of nanomaterials, including their potential ecotoxicological effects, persistence in the environment, and regulatory implications. Furthermore, the review underscores the importance of addressing knowledge gaps and advancing research efforts to optimize the design, synthesis, and application of nanomaterials for sustainable wastewater treatment. Future research directions include the development of eco-friendly synthesis methods, assessment of long-term environmental implications, and integration of nanomaterials into holistic water management strategies. By harnessing the transformative potential of nanomaterials and leveraging interdisciplinary collaborations, the wastewater treatment sector can capitalize on innovative solutions to address the pressing challenges of water pollution and scarcity, fostering a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable environment for future generations.

Achieving carbon neutrality in Shanghai's municipal wastewater treatment sector requires coordinated water conservation and technical improvement

Municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) situated within urban landscapes play a critical role in fostering sustainable urban development while concurrently serving as substantial contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Under the dual pressure of future urban socioeconomic development and the carbon neutrality target, it is important to identify GHG emission reduction pathways for municipal WWTPs. Existing research on GHG emission reduction in WWTPs exhibit a notable absence of a comprehensive city-centric perspective, with insufficient consideration given to the impact of water conservation measures. We constructed a GHG emission accounting system for the municipal WWTPs employing Shanghai as a case study. Based on field surveys of typical WWTPs, we proposed GHG emission reduction pathways and future demand-technology scenarios. Our results showed that, with the robust mitigation measures, Shanghai's municipal WWTPs have the potential to curtail GHG emissions to 0.55 Mt by 2050. Notably, GHG emission reduction can be achieved through water conservation and technical improvement. Medication optimization and energy saving are significant mitigation measures for GHG emission reduction, and should be optimally considered in the future. This investigation not only establishes a forward-looking GHG emission reduction roadmap for the municipal WWTPs at the city-scale but also imparts valuable insights to urban management practices in analogous urban settings.

Phosphorus removal from urban wastewater through adsorption using biogenic calcium carbonate

Phosphorus (P) removal from urban wastewater is increasingly relevant in the wastewater treatment sector. The present work aims to contribute to the study of the adsorption process as a P removal technology. Biogenic calcium carbonate from industrial eggshell waste prepared by milling and calcination was used as an adsorbent. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted using real wastewater with 40 mg P/L (orthophosphate), original pH 7.33, under stirring conditions (100 rpm). The adsorbent was characterized using SEM-EDS, XRD, and FTIR-ATR before and after adsorption. From an initial screening of calcination times (15, 30, 60, and 120 min) and considering a balance between P removal and energy saving, the adsorbent selected was eggshell calcined at 700 °C for 60 min. The Langmuir isotherms describe the experimental data with a maximum adsorption capacity of 4.57 mg P/g at 25 °C. The adsorption process reached equilibrium within 120 min for different dosages (5, 10, and 20 g/L at 25 °C). Batch experiments showed that SO42−, at a concentration of 2689 mg/L reduced the P adsorption selectivity for dosages ≤10 g/L at 25 °C. Characterization of the loaded adsorbent shows that P adsorption from real wastewater is mostly electrostatic attraction, with the contribution of ligand exchange and microprecipitation. The adsorption capacity and behavior of the selected adsorbent seem promising for P removal from urban wastewater compared with other low-cost adsorbents.

A linear reduced-order model for the activated sludge process for the integration into a mixed-integer linear energy system optimisation model

Conventional wastewater treatment plants consume significant amounts of electricity. The constant aeration of the wastewater in order to foster the growth of microorganisms or the pumping of wastewater are two examples for energy-intensive processes within a plant. Case studies have shown that switching off blowers and inlet pumps for a certain period of time is possible without a loss in water quality. This yields a potential for wastewater treatment plants to provide demand response (DR) to the power system and thereby increase overall system flexibility. So far, the DR potential has only been quantified for individual plants, while the effects of large-scale DR provision by the wastewater treatment sector for the power system have not yet been studied. One reason for this is the lack of optimisation models which include both the wastewater treatment process and the power system operation in sufficient detail. Our model tackles this gap in the literature by providing a reduced-order linear biochemical model for the activated sludge process within a WWTP that can be incorporated into an operational energy system model. The results show that the effluent concentrations are predicted well by the linear reduced-order model in comparison to the results of the Standard Activated-Sludge model No. 1 (ASM1). Potential model applications are the variation of the airflow rate within a certain range and the variation of liquid influent flow rate to the system, which is a result of electricity load shedding of the inlet pumps and the blowers connected to the activated sludge tank.

COF and MOF Hybrids: Advanced Materials for Wastewater Treatment

AbstractRecent advances in ordered porous materials, including metal‐organic (MOF) and covalent organic frameworks (COF), are set to revolutionize the strategies used for wastewater treatment. This is attributed to the large surface area, high crystallinity, structural tunability, thermal and chemical stability, and well‐defined structures of MOF and COF. Despite the distinctive properties exhibited by the single system (either MOF or COF), the combination of COF and MOF, as a hybrid construct, offers a remarkable opportunity to achieve superior functionality and performance. The favorable features of COF–MOF hybrids in different wastewater treatment sectors have opened new venues for effective environmental remediation. This review presents the state‐of‐the‐art design, synthesis, and application of COF–MOF hybrids. The synthesis principles, including MOF‐first, COF‐first, and post‐synthetic linkage of pre‐synthesized COFs and MOFs are summarized. The potential of these novel materials is evaluated by considering contaminant sensing, adsorptive removal, and catalytic photodegradation.The conclusion is drawn by assessing the existing hurdles and potential opportunities in the development of COF‐MOF hybrids as an innovative yet viable approach for addressing wastewater treatment.

Green hydrogen production from urban waste biogas: An analysis of the Brazilian potential and the process’ economic viability

The goal of this research is to pioneeringly assess the Brazilian potential and the economic viability of producing green hydrogen from urban waste using the biomethane steam reforming (BSR) process. Hence, first, it presents the methane and then the hydrogen estimated production of national wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and landfills, followed by two uses for their hydrogen potential. At last, it performsthe economic evaluation of both the hydrogen production and its applications. Brazil can produce 4.57 E+08 Nm3H2/y from WWTPs and 2.87 E+09 Nm3H2/y from landfills. The BSR cost range stands at 2.84–1.48 USD/kgH2 for plant sizes of 2.50 E+05–1.45 E+07 kgH2/y. If applied for electricity generation, the WWTPs' hydrogen potential can attend to 52.57% of the Brazilian wastewater treatment sector's demand while avoiding the emission of 4.60 E+04 tCO2e/y. However, the analyzed system for this hydrogen application has not yet reached economic viability. If employed to power fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) following the distribution of 25% for cars and 75% for buses, the landfills' hydrogen potential would enable the replacement of 0.64 and 4.82% of the national car and bus fleet while preventing the emission of 4.76 E+06 tCO2e/y. For the studied systems, the hydrogen selling price, despite being 89.5% higher than diesel prices, could be nearly equivalent to gasoline prices. To conclude, although urban waste cannot be the country's main hydrogen source due to its reduced potential, this study suggests it may be vital for the early development of the green hydrogen economy in Brazil.

Environmental metabolomics uncovers oxidative stress, amino acid dysregulation, and energy impairment in Daphnia magna with exposure to industrial effluents

Anthropogenic activities are regarded as point sources of pollution entering freshwater bodies worldwide. With over 350,000 chemicals used in manufacturing, wastewater treatment and industrial effluents are comprised of complex mixtures of organic and inorganic pollutants of known and unknown origins. Consequently, their combined toxicity and mode of action are not well understood in aquatic organisms such as Daphnia magna. In this study, effluent samples from wastewater treatment and industrial sectors were used to examine molecular-level perturbations to the polar metabolic profile of D. magna. To determine if the industrial sector and/or the effluent chemistries played a role in the observed biochemical responses, Daphnia were acutely (48 h) exposed to undiluted (100%) and diluted (10, 25, and 50%) effluent samples. Endogenous metabolites were extracted from single daphnids and analyzed using targeted mass spectrometry-based metabolomics. The metabolic profile of Daphnia exposed to effluent samples resulted in significant separation compared to the unexposed controls. Linear regression analysis determined that no single pollutant detected in the effluents was significantly correlated with the responses of metabolites. Significant perturbations were uncovered across many classes of metabolites (amino acids, nucleosides, nucleotides, polyamines, and their derivatives) which serve as intermediates in keystone biochemical processes. The combined metabolic responses are consistent with oxidative stress, disruptions to energy metabolism, and protein dysregulation which were identified through biochemical pathway analysis. These results provide insight into the molecular processes driving stress responses in D. magna. Overall, we determined that the metabolic profile of Daphnia could not be predicted by the chemical composition of environmentally relevant mixtures. The findings of this study demonstrate the advantage of metabolomics in conjunction with chemical analyses to assess the interactions of industrial effluents. This work further demonstrates the ability of environmental metabolomics to characterize molecular-level perturbations in aquatic organisms exposed to complex chemical mixtures directly.

Operational drivers of water reuse efficiency in Portuguese wastewater service providers

Identifying the service providers that perform best in key operational indicators is important for increasing the sustainability of the wastewater treatment sector. Wastewater reuse is increasingly considered as a relevant aspect in this context. The current study first identifies the Portuguese service providers in the efficiency frontier regarding wastewater reuse and proceeds to identify its main operational drivers. Reused wastewater was then successfully estimated using the selected drivers. The main policy recommendations, resulting from this study, towards wastewater reuse upsurge include fostering the aggregation of smaller SP to benefit from economies of scale, and strive for adequate infrastructure maintenance practices.

Effect of Contact Time on The Adsorption Process of Activated Carbon from Banana Peel in Reducing Heavy Metal Cd and Dyes Using a Stirring Tub (Pilot Scale)

One of the most successful processes for extracting, recovering, and recycling metals from wastewater is adsorption utilizing natural activated carbon, such as banana peel waste. This is advantageous for a wastewater treatment sector since natural activated carbon is less expensive than conventional activated carbon. The aim of this research is to determine the optimum contact time at removing heavy metals and colour using a stirrer tub (pilot scale). Physically, banana peels would be burned at a high temperature of 300°C, and chemically, they would be activated with a 20% sulfuric acid (H2SO4) solution. A mixing tank with a volume of 30 L and a stirring machine spinning at 200 rpm was employed as a contact point between wastewater and activated carbon. Time variations of 15, 30, 60, 75, and 90 minutes were explored to find the best contact time. The ideal circumstances for 75 minutes obtained a Cd metal removal effectiveness of 98.63% with an adsorption capacity of 0.38 mg/g, according to the findings. At the optimum time of 90 minutes, the kepok banana peel was 97.38% successful in absorbing the color using a stirrer.

Indigenous Green Microalgae for Wastewater Treatment: Nutrient Removal and Resource Recovery for Biofuels and Bioproducts

Microalgae biotechnology can strengthen circular economy concepts in the wastewater treatment sector. This study investigated the Norwegian microalgae strains of Tetradesmus wisconsinensis, Lobochlamys segnis, and Klebsormidium flaccidum for their efficiency in nutrient removal. Their biomass productivity and compositions were evaluated for bioenergy and bi-products development. In the laboratory batch experiment with synthetic municipal wastewater, all strains accomplished total removal of nitrogen and phosphorus. L. segnis removed all NH4+ and PO43− (initial concentration of 28 and 15 mg/L, respectively) earliest among others. T. wisconsinensis biomass was superior in total carbohydrates content (40%) and fatty acid profile that imply biorefinery potential. The fatty acid (TFA) content was the highest in L. segnis (193 ± 12 mg/g dry cells), while K. flaccidum accumulated fatty acids that consisted largely of polyunsaturated fatty acids (82% of TFA). The highest protein level was measured in K. flaccidum (53%). Observed variations in biomass components can be used for a strategic production of targeted compound in resource recovery scenarios for biofuel generation.Graphical

Social life cycle assessment of microalgae-based systems for wastewater treatment and resource recovery

The aim of this study was to assess the social impacts of microalgae-based systems for wastewater treatment and bioproducts recovery by using the Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) tool. In particular, two systems were analysed: 1) a system treating urban wastewater, and 2) another system treating wastewater from the food industry. Moreover, these alternatives were compared to 3) a system for bioproducts production from microalgae grown in a standard growth medium. The recovered bioproducts in all the systems considered were: natural pigments, biogas and digestate, which can be reused as biofertilizer. Results showed that the scenario using standard growth medium was the one showing the best results in all impacts and stakeholder categories (up to 24-fold lower impacts depending on the impact category). This was mainly due to: i) the simplicity of the system, which consequently improves health and safety for workers; ii) the absence of contaminants which consequently improves health and safety, acceptability and olfactory impact for both consumers and the local community; iii) the presence of well-established legislation, regulatory frameworks, and full-scale deployment, which benefit value chain actors and society. Overall, this study also identified several social factors hindering a transition towards a circular bioeconomy in the microalgae-based systems for the wastewater treatment and resource recovery sector.

SBBGR technology for reducing waste sludge production during plastic recycling process: Assessment of potential increase in sludge hazardousness

Sludge production in the wastewater treatment sector is consistently increasing and represents a critical environmental and economic issue. This study evaluated an unconventional approach for treating wastewater generated from the cleaning of non-hazardous plastic solid waste during the plastic recycling process. The proposed scheme was based on sequencing batch biofilter granular reactor (SBBGR) technology, which was compared with the activated sludge-based treatment currently in operation. These treatment technologies were compared regarding sludge quality, specific sludge production, and effluent quality to highlight whether the reduced sludge production shown by SBBGR corresponded to an increase in the concentration of hazardous compounds in the sludge. The SBBGR technology showed remarkable removal efficiencies (TSS, VSS, and NH3 > 99 %; COD >90 %; TN and TP > 80 %) and a sludge production six-fold lower than the conventional plant (in terms of kgTSS/kg CODremoved). Biomass from the SBBGR did not show a significant accumulation of organic micropollutants (i.e., long-chain hydrocarbons, chlorinated pesticides and chlorobenzenes, PCB, PCDD/F, PAH, chlorinated and brominated aliphatic compounds, and aromatic solvents), whereas a certain accumulation of heavy metals was observed. Furthermore, an initial attempt to compare the operating costs of the two treatment approaches revealed that the SBBGR technology would provide 38 % savings.

Degradation of Antibiotic Resistance Genes by VADER with CRISPR-Cas Immunity.

The evolution and dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are prompting severe health and environmental issues. While environmental processes, e.g., biological wastewater treatment, are key barriers to prevent the spread of ARGs, they are often sources of ARGs at the same time, requiring upgraded biotechnology. Here, we present VADER, a synthetic biology system for the degradation of ARGs based on CRISPR-Cas immunity, an archaeal and bacterial immune system for eliminating invading foreign DNAs, to be implemented for wastewater treatment processes. Navigated by programmable guide RNAs, VADER targets and degrades ARGs depending on their DNA sequences, and by employing an artificial conjugation machinery, IncP, it can be delivered via conjugation. The system was evaluated by degrading plasmid-borne ARGs in Escherichia coli and further demonstrated via the elimination of ARGs on the environmentally relevant RP4 plasmid in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Next, a prototype conjugation reactor at a 10-mL scale was devised, and 100% of the target ARG was eliminated in the transconjugants receiving VADER, giving a proof of principle for the implementation of VADER in bioprocesses. By generating a nexus of synthetic biology and environmental biotechnology, we believe that our work is not only an enterprise for tackling ARG problems but also a potential solution for managing undesired genetic materials in general in the future. IMPORTANCE Antibiotic resistance has been causing severe health problems and has led to millions of deaths in recent years. Environmental processes, especially those of the wastewater treatment sector, are an important barrier to the spread of antibiotic resistance from the pharmaceutical industry, hospitals, or civil sewage. However, they have been identified as a nonnegligible source of antibiotic resistance at the same time, as antibiotic resistance with its main cause, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), may accumulate in biological treatment units. Here, we transplanted the CRISPR-Cas system, an immune system via programmable DNA cleavage, to tackle the antibiotic resistance problem raised in wastewater treatment processes, and we propose a new sector specialized in ARG removal with a conjugation reactor to implement the CRISPR-Cas system. Our study provides a new angle for resolving public health issues via the implementation of synthetic biology in environmental contexts at the process level.