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Water Pollution and Wastewater Treatment Chemistry
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Water Pollution and Wastewater Treatment Chemistry

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Chemical and Molecular Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 May 2026 | Viewed by 2207

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Carmen Zaharia

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Environmental Engineering and Management, Cristofor Simionescu Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, 700050 Iasi, Romania
Interests: environmental engineering and management; water and wastewater treatment technology and management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We would like to invite you to contribute an original research paper or a review article to this Special Issue of Applied Sciences, entitled “Water Pollution and Wastewater Treatment Chemistry”, for peer review and possible publication.

The continuous growth of socio-economic development in human society requires the utilization of increasing quantities of water and, in most cases, demands a specific water quality. There is a clear difference, however, between the quality of natural water resources (groundwater and surface waters), the quality of treated or untreated wastewater (WW), and the quality of water required by consumers (as drinking water, irrigation water, industrial water, etc.). This difference can be eliminated or minimized with the application of appropriate water and/or wastewater treatment technologies.

A ‘good’ water quality is required in all natural resources in all communities around the world, especially in surface waters which support a wide range of discharges (wanted or non-wanted/accidental with residual pollutants). Wastewater treatment has now become a necessity as natural resources are rapidly depleting while the demand for water continues to increase for all domestic and commercial human consumption.

Many pollution episodes are caused by the discharge of inadequately treated effluents and therefore require the adequate control of and improvement of the performance of water/wastewater treatment processes through either of the following: the separation of impurities from water/wastewater, i.e., based on fluid mechanics (sedimentation, centrifugation, filtration, flotation, or synthetic membranes as micro-, ultra-, and nanofiltration, as well as reverse osmosis), in association with physical–chemical processes for the separation of dissolved or emulsified compounds from different types of processed waters/wastewaters (chemical precipitation, adsorption onto granular activated charcoal and coagulation–flocculation, ionic exchange, disinfection by chlorination or ozonation, and others), or through the partial or complete mineralization of contaminants (advanced oxidation with ozone, hydrogen peroxide in the presence of specific catalysts and UV/natural solar radiation, different biological (enzymatic) and individual chemical or mixed processes in activated sludge basin/reactor, or membrane bioreactors).

We welcome contributions of original unpublished research papers or review articles focusing on, but not limited to, new water/wastewater treatment concepts; mechanism interpretations for reducing water pollution and the improvement of wastewater treatment; control of aquatic polluting species chemistry in different applications; new advanced methods of water analysis and their applications in wastewater characterization and water pollution level assessments; supervising monitoring and remediation/depollution implementation action; and water management practices.

Dr. Carmen Zaharia
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • water/wastewater
  • treatment processes
  • water quality
  • treatment efficiency
  • pollution impact and risk assessment
  • water quality index

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 3460 KB  
Article
Integrating Pumped Hydro Storage into Zero Discharge Strategy for Wastewater: The Alicante Case Study
by Miguel Ángel Bofill, Francisco-Javier Sánchez-Romero, Francisco Zapata-Raboso, Helena M. Ramos and Modesto Pérez-Sánchez
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(20), 10953; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152010953 - 12 Oct 2025
Viewed by 295
Abstract
The use of reclaimed water is crucial to prevent pollution from wastewater discharges and mitigate the water deficit faced by irrigation districts or other non-potable water users. Therefore, the zero-discharge strategy represents a significant challenge for coastal cities affected by marine pollution from [...] Read more.
The use of reclaimed water is crucial to prevent pollution from wastewater discharges and mitigate the water deficit faced by irrigation districts or other non-potable water users. Therefore, the zero-discharge strategy represents a significant challenge for coastal cities affected by marine pollution from effluents. In regions such as the Mediterranean arc, agricultural areas located near these cities are increasingly exposed to reduced water allocations or rising irrigation demands due to the impacts of climate change. To address this dual challenge, a circular system is proposed through the implementation of hybrid treatment technologies that enable zero wastewater discharge into the sea. This approach would contribute up to 30 hm3 of reclaimed water annually for irrigation, covering approximately 27,000 hectares of cropland in the province of Alicante. The proposed system integrates advanced techniques, such as reverse osmosis, to ensure irrigation water quality, while also considering partial blending strategies to optimize resource use. Additionally, constructed wetlands are incorporated to regulate and treat the reject streams produced by these processes, minimizing their environmental impact. This combined strategy enhances water reuse efficiency, strengthens agricultural resilience, and provides a sustainable model for managing water resources in coastal Mediterranean regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Pollution and Wastewater Treatment Chemistry)
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20 pages, 2017 KB  
Article
Oxyanion Recovery from Wastewater with Special Reference to Selenium Uptake by Marine Macroalgae
by Gabriela Ungureanu, Vasile Lucian Pavel and Irina Volf
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(20), 10946; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152010946 - 12 Oct 2025
Viewed by 253
Abstract
This study investigates the capacity of green and brown algae to sustainably remove oxyanions from contaminated waters, highlighting their cost-effectiveness. Often considered biomass waste and contributors to organic contamination, these algae can be used as effective biosorbents, aligning with circular economy principles and [...] Read more.
This study investigates the capacity of green and brown algae to sustainably remove oxyanions from contaminated waters, highlighting their cost-effectiveness. Often considered biomass waste and contributors to organic contamination, these algae can be used as effective biosorbents, aligning with circular economy principles and sustainable waste management. Various pre-treatments were tested to enhance adsorption capacity, with mixed results regarding their effectiveness. The focus then shifted to the use of Cladophora sericea algae for the uptake and removal of selenium species, specifically selenite (Se(IV)) and selenate (Se(VI)). The effects of different operational parameters on oxyanion uptake by algae were studied in batch mode. The assessments were conducted on a single-component and a multi-component synthetic matrix. The results indicate that pH significantly impacts biosorption, with equilibrium achieved in 90 min. Both pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models provided a good fit to the experimental data. The algae’s retention capacity for selenium remained largely unaffected by the presence of other anions, a key advantage for application in complex real effluent matrices. Kinetic studies performed under different values of initial pollutant concentration and biosorbent mass indicate a biosorbed amount at an equilibrium of 570 µg g−1. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Pollution and Wastewater Treatment Chemistry)
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13 pages, 3417 KB  
Article
Oxidative Degradation of the Microcontaminant 2,6-Dichlorobenzoquinone by UV: Effect of H2O2 Dosage on Water Quality
by Unai Duoandicoechea, Elisabeth Bilbao-García and Natalia Villota
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(20), 10862; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152010862 - 10 Oct 2025
Viewed by 176
Abstract
Halogenated disinfection by-products such as 2,6-dichlorobenzoquinone (DCBQ) are emerging microcontaminants of concern due to their persistence and toxicity in aquatic environments. This study evaluated the oxidative degradation of DCBQ under UV irradiation, focusing on the effect of H2O2 dosage on [...] Read more.
Halogenated disinfection by-products such as 2,6-dichlorobenzoquinone (DCBQ) are emerging microcontaminants of concern due to their persistence and toxicity in aquatic environments. This study evaluated the oxidative degradation of DCBQ under UV irradiation, focusing on the effect of H2O2 dosage on removal efficiency and water quality. Batch experiments were conducted with H2O2 concentrations ranging from 0.0 to 10.0 mM. Kinetic analysis revealed that photolysis with UV alone followed an apparent order of 1.5, while the UV/H2O2 system showed an order of 2.5, reflecting the contribution of hydroxyl radicals and their dependence on both DCBQ and H2O2 concentrations. Color evolution displayed a series reaction behavior: the initial formation of chromophoric by-products followed first-order kinetics, whereas their subsequent removal proceeded with zero-order kinetics, consistent with radical-driven decolorization. Optimal performance was achieved with 1.0–2.0 mM H2O2, which promoted rapid DCBQ decay and significant reductions in aromaticity and color (100% in 2 h), whereas higher concentrations (10.0 mM) led to radical scavenging and lower efficiency. Dissolved oxygen increased during treatment, confirming oxidative pathways, while turbidity remained stable between 1 and NTU. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of UV/H2O2 for DCBQ removal and highlight the value of kinetic modeling in optimizing advanced oxidation processes for water treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Pollution and Wastewater Treatment Chemistry)
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16 pages, 4123 KB  
Article
Dynamic Ultra-Fast Sorption/Desorption of Indigo Carmine onto/from Versatile Core-Shell Composite Microparticles
by Florin Bucatariu, Larisa-Maria Petrila, Timeea-Anastasia Ciobanu, Marius-Mihai Zaharia and Marcela Mihai
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(19), 10725; https://doi.org/10.3390/app151910725 - 5 Oct 2025
Viewed by 287
Abstract
The direct deposition of highly concentrated polyelectrolyte complexes based on poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) and poly(sodium methacrylate) (PMANa) onto inorganic sand microparticles (F100 and F200) resulted in the formation of versatile core-shell composites with fast removal properties in dynamic conditions toward anionic charged pollutants. Herein, [...] Read more.
The direct deposition of highly concentrated polyelectrolyte complexes based on poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) and poly(sodium methacrylate) (PMANa) onto inorganic sand microparticles (F100 and F200) resulted in the formation of versatile core-shell composites with fast removal properties in dynamic conditions toward anionic charged pollutants. Herein, in situ-generated nonstoichiometric PEI/PMANa polyelectrolyte complexes were directly precipitated as a soft organic shell onto solid sand microparticles at a 5% mass ratio (organic/inorganic part = 5%, w/w%). The sorption of an anionic model pollutant (Indigo Carmine (IC)) onto the composite particles in dynamic conditions depended on the inorganic core size, the flow rate, the bed type (fixed or fluidized) and the initial dye concentration. The maximum sorption capacity, after 10 cycles of sorption/desorption of IC onto F100@P5% and F200@P5%, was between 16 and 18 mg IC/mL composite. The newly synthesized core-shell composites could immobilize IC at a high flow rate (8 mL/min), either from concentrated (CIC = 60 mg/L) or very diluted (CIC = 0.2 mg/L) IC aqueous solution, demonstrating that this type of material could be promising in water treatment or efficient in solid-phase extraction (concentration factor of 2000). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Pollution and Wastewater Treatment Chemistry)
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15 pages, 1990 KB  
Article
The Influence of Rainwater and Snowmelt (Inflow and Infiltration) on the Performance of Wastewater Treatment in a Plant Using Membrane Bioreactors (MBR)
by Piotr Bugajski, Zbigniew Mucha and Bartłomiej Kois
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(19), 10608; https://doi.org/10.3390/app151910608 - 30 Sep 2025
Viewed by 177
Abstract
This article presents an analysis of wastewater inflow to a treatment plant and the impact of incidental (stormwater) inflow on the variability of its volume and quality. The study was conducted over a four-year period and showed that the average daily inflow of [...] Read more.
This article presents an analysis of wastewater inflow to a treatment plant and the impact of incidental (stormwater) inflow on the variability of its volume and quality. The study was conducted over a four-year period and showed that the average daily inflow of wastewater was 1133.2 m3 per day, which accounted for 56.7% of the plant’s design capacity. The variability of wastewater inflow was found to be significant, with stormwater having a considerable effect on increasing the volume of wastewater, especially during days with intense rainfall. Depending on precipitation levels, incidental water contributed between 12.2% and 46.2% of the total wastewater inflow. The analysis of the influent wastewater quality indicated a high variability in the concentrations of key pollution indicators. Despite this, the treatment processes in the membrane bioreactors (MBR) proved effective, consistently maintaining pollutant concentrations in the effluent below permissible limits. The conclusions highlight the necessity of considering stormwater in the design and operation of wastewater treatment plants to ensure their effective performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Pollution and Wastewater Treatment Chemistry)
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16 pages, 2458 KB  
Article
Kinetics of H2O2 Decomposition and Bacteria Inactivation in a Continuous-Flow Reactor with a Fixed Bed of Cobalt Ferrite Catalyst
by Nazarii Danyliuk, Viktor Husak, Volodymyra Boichuk, Dorota Ziółkowska, Ivanna Danyliuk and Alexander Shyichuk
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(15), 8195; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15158195 - 23 Jul 2025
Viewed by 658
Abstract
As a result of the catalytic decomposition of H2O2, hydroxyl radicals are produced. Hydroxyl radicals are strong oxidants and effectively inactivate bacteria, ensuring water disinfection without toxic chlorinated organic by-products. The kinetics of bacterial inactivation were studied in a [...] Read more.
As a result of the catalytic decomposition of H2O2, hydroxyl radicals are produced. Hydroxyl radicals are strong oxidants and effectively inactivate bacteria, ensuring water disinfection without toxic chlorinated organic by-products. The kinetics of bacterial inactivation were studied in a laboratory-scale flow catalytic reactor. A granular cobalt ferrite catalyst was thoroughly characterized using XRD and XRF techniques, SEM with EDS, and Raman spectroscopy. At lower H2O2 concentrations, H2O2 decomposition follows first-order reaction kinetics. At higher H2O2 concentrations, the obtained kinetics lines suggest that the reaction order increases. The kinetics of bacterial inactivation in the developed flow reactor depends largely on the initial number of bacteria. The initial bacterial concentrations in laboratory tests were within the range typical of real river water. A regression model was developed that relates the degree of bacterial inactivation to the initial number of bacteria, the initial H2O2 concentration, and the contact time of water with the catalyst. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Pollution and Wastewater Treatment Chemistry)
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