Recent Advances in Technologies for Water and Wastewater Treatment

A special issue of Environments (ISSN 2076-3298).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2023) | Viewed by 29727

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
School of Engineering and Built Environment, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow G4 0BA, UK
Interests: development of chemicals and optimization of unit processes for water/wastewater treatment; nutrient removal and recovery from wastewater; degradation of emerging micro-pollutants; environmental remediation
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With increasing global water pollution levels and more stringent regulations to manage water quality, innovative water-treatment technologies have been sought to find solutions. This Special Issue of Environments aims to provide a platform for worldwide researchers to disseminate recent scientific developments and technical solutions in the areas of water- and wastewater-treatment technologies. Authors are invited to submit original research and review articles focusing on this area. Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

  1. Novel technology development to remove various pollutants including those that cause emerging concerns in surface water/groundwater and wastewater, such as new types of adsorbents, coagulants and oxidants, granular sludge, ion exchange, membrane-aerated biofilms, etc.
  2. Membrane separation in combination with other treatments that would achieve high-quality safe water with affordable cost.
  3. New technologies to improve pre-treatment, recovery, and reliability of membrane desalination processes.
  4. Novel concepts to stimulate sustainable nutrient removal and resource recovery from wastewater.
  5. Innovative tertiary treatment technologies for high-quality wastewater effluents.

Prof. Dr. Jia-Qian Jiang
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • pre-treatment, recovery, and reliability of membrane processes
  • novel technologies for the removal of emerging micropollutants
  • nutrient removal and resource recovery from wastewater
  • innovative tertiary treatment technologies

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 3399 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Dispersed Oil Sorption in Oily Wastewater onto Hydrophobized/Oleophilized Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) Grains
by Akihiro Matsuno and Ken Kawamoto
Environments 2023, 10(6), 92; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments10060092 - 27 May 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2666
Abstract
The discharge of untreated oily wastewater into the environment has serious impacts on human health, living nature, and ecosystems and leads to significant economic losses. Many engineering techniques have been proposed and applied to treat oily wastewater, but limited studies have investigated low-cost [...] Read more.
The discharge of untreated oily wastewater into the environment has serious impacts on human health, living nature, and ecosystems and leads to significant economic losses. Many engineering techniques have been proposed and applied to treat oily wastewater, but limited studies have investigated low-cost and effective techniques using by-products and waste/scrap materials from the construction industry. Materials to treat oily wastewater are needed not only to mitigate environmental pollution but also to promote the reuse and recycling of industrial by-products, especially in developing countries. This study, therefore, examined the sorption capacity of dispersed oil in wastewater (dispersed soybean oil in water; initial oil concentrations, Ci = 10–1000 mg/L; oil droplet size in water <2 μm) onto the hydrophobized/oleophilized autoclaved porous aerated concrete (AAC) grains made from waste scrap in Vietnam by using batch sorption tests in the laboratory. The AAC grains (sizes 0.106–0.25, 0.25–0.85, and 0.85–2.00 mm) were hydrophobized/oleophilized using oleic and stearic acids (coating concentrations of 1.0, 5.0, and 10 g/kg), and two sands (0.18–2.00 and 0.30–2.00 mm) were used as control samples. The results showed that the hydrophobized/oleophilized AAC grains had high sorption capacity for dispersed oil (i.e., high oil removal efficiency) compared to the control sands. Especially, the removal of AAC grains coated with stearic acid was >80% in high oil concentration solutions (Ci = 100 and 1000 mg/L), indicating that the hydrophobized/oleophilized AAC grains have high potential as useful adsorbents to trap dispersed oil in oily wastewater. Moreover, adsorption isotherms were drawn to examine the sorption characteristics of dispersed oil onto AAC grains. For all tested samples, the sorption of dispersed oil increased linearly with increasing equilibrium concentration. The commonly used Langmuir model, on the other hand, did not capture the measured isotherms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Technologies for Water and Wastewater Treatment)
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22 pages, 1287 KiB  
Article
Combining Constructed Wetlands and UV Photolysis for the Advanced Removal of Organic Matter, Nitrogen, and Emerging Pollutants from Wastewater
by Marta Sánchez, María Isabel Fernández, Isabel Ruiz, Moisés Canle and Manuel Soto
Environments 2023, 10(3), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments10030035 - 23 Feb 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4447
Abstract
This study reports the performance of a three-step lab-scale system including a hybrid digester (HD), a vertical flow (VF) constructed wetland, and a photodegradation (PD) lamp, with two different arrangements regarding the position of the recirculation point. In addition to total suspended solids [...] Read more.
This study reports the performance of a three-step lab-scale system including a hybrid digester (HD), a vertical flow (VF) constructed wetland, and a photodegradation (PD) lamp, with two different arrangements regarding the position of the recirculation point. In addition to total suspended solids (TSS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and nitrogen compounds, removal of the following pollutants was investigated: paracetamol (ACE), ofloxacin (OFL), caffeine (CAF), ketoprofen (KET), ibuprofen (IBU), clofibric acid (ACB), bisphenol A (BPA), and sotalol (SOT). An excellent performance of HD was achieved on the elimination of TSS (82.2 ± 18.5% on average) and COD (63.9 ± 4.1%). TSS and COD removal increased to 91.2 ± 0.4% and 83.4 ± 2.9%, respectively, for the combined HD–VF system. Ammonia removal was 57.0 ± 7.8% in the VF unit while significant denitrification occurred in the HD. The overall HD–VF–PD system achieved mean removals of 100% for OFL, KET, SOT, and IBU, 98 ± 2% for ACE, 87 ± 8% for CAF, 81 ± 38% for ACB and 26 ± 9% for BPA. The removal of ACE, OFL, CAF, and IBU was mostly by biodegradation in the HD and VF units while the PD unit was responsible for the removal of KET, ACB, and SOT. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Technologies for Water and Wastewater Treatment)
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10 pages, 1758 KiB  
Communication
Exploration of Ferrate(VI) Potential in Treating Lake Constance Water
by Jia-Qian Jiang, Shaoqing Zhang, Michael Petri and Christian Mosbach
Environments 2023, 10(2), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments10020025 - 30 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2677
Abstract
Occurrence of micropollutants in water and their potential impact on the environment and human health are arising concerns. The micropollutants are not removed efficiently by current wastewater treatment and a small amount of them get released into receiving waters accompanying the discharging of [...] Read more.
Occurrence of micropollutants in water and their potential impact on the environment and human health are arising concerns. The micropollutants are not removed efficiently by current wastewater treatment and a small amount of them get released into receiving waters accompanying the discharging of the treated wastewater effluents. Therefore, it is useful to investigate an advanced or alternative technology to remove traces of micropollutants in Lake Constance water during drinking water treatment. Among various oxidation processes, ferrate(VI) has received extensive attentions due to its superior dual properties of oxidation and coagulation. The work in this communication is the first trial using ferrate(VI) in comparison with FeCl3/ozonation to treat lake water and to remove micropollutants in the region. The results of pilot-scale trials showed that 10% of metformin, benzotriazole and acesulfam can be removed by ferrate(VI) at a dose of 0.1 mg L−1 from raw water, but FeCl3 with or without pre-ozonation cannot achieve the same performance. The degradability of three additional micropollutants by ferrate(VI) oxidation followed the sequences of bisphenol-S (BS) > azithromycin (AZM) > imidacloprid (IMP) was evaluated, and 100% concentration reduction of BS was achieved. The work suggests that ferrate(VI) is a potential alternative to the existing treatment processes for drinking water treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Technologies for Water and Wastewater Treatment)
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20 pages, 4168 KiB  
Article
Kinetic and Equilibrium Isotherm Studies for the Removal of Tetracycline from Aqueous Solution Using Engineered Sand Modified with Calcium Ferric Oxides
by Osamah Al-Hashimi, Khalid Hashim, Edward Loffill, Ismini Nakouti, Ayad A. H. Faisal and Tina Marolt Čebašek
Environments 2023, 10(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments10010007 - 25 Dec 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3264
Abstract
The novel aspect of this research is the fabrication, characterisation, and application of an engineered adsorbent made from quartz sand coated with calcium ferric oxides (QS/CFO) derived from the wastepaper sludge ash (WPSA) for the removal of tetracycline (TC) from synthetic water. Initially, [...] Read more.
The novel aspect of this research is the fabrication, characterisation, and application of an engineered adsorbent made from quartz sand coated with calcium ferric oxides (QS/CFO) derived from the wastepaper sludge ash (WPSA) for the removal of tetracycline (TC) from synthetic water. Initially, the new adsorbent was fabricated using a Ca/Fe molar ratio, sand/FeCl3 ratio, pH (of synthesising environment), ethylene glycol dose, and temperature of 1:0.75, 1:1, 12, 6 mL/100 mL, and 95 °C, respectively. Then, the new adsorbent was applied to treat water having 50 mg/L of TC in batch experiments, taking into account the effects of the contact time (0–180 min), pH of water (2–12), the dose of adsorbent (0.05–0.5 g), and agitation speed (0–250 rpm). The results obtained proved the engineered adsorbent can remove as much as 90% of the TC (adsorption capacity of 21.96 mg/g) within 180 min at an initial pH, adsorbent dosage, and agitation speed of 7, 0.3 g per 50 mL, and 200 rpm, respectively. It was also found that the pseudo-second-order model describes the kinetic measurements better than the pseudo-first-order model, which indicates that the TC molecules have been bonded with the prepared sorbent through chemical forces. Furthermore, the intra-particle diffusion model results demonstrated that the diffusion mechanism plays a significant role in TC adsorption; however, it was not the predominant one. Finally, the outcomes of the characterisation analysis proved that the newly formed layer on the quartz sand substantially contributed to the removal of the TC from the contaminated water. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Technologies for Water and Wastewater Treatment)
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Review

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22 pages, 4304 KiB  
Review
Review of Techniques for the Removal of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from Produced Water
by Sadaf Sher, Muhammad Waseem and Megersa Kebede Leta
Environments 2023, 10(3), 40; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments10030040 - 26 Feb 2023
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 9547
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), due to their mutagenic, carcinogenic, and teratogenic potential, can lead to numerous chronic and fatal diseases. PAHs have been found in several wastewater streams, including “produced water,” which is wastewater generated during the extraction of oil and gas. The [...] Read more.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), due to their mutagenic, carcinogenic, and teratogenic potential, can lead to numerous chronic and fatal diseases. PAHs have been found in several wastewater streams, including “produced water,” which is wastewater generated during the extraction of oil and gas. The PAHs’ removal from produced water using physical, chemical, biological, and combined methods is crucial. Water is a vital ecosystem component and is extremely vulnerable to PAHs. This article reviews the current PAH situation, including their physical and chemical properties, types, characteristics, and removal methods from produced water. The mechanism of each method of removal of PAHs has been discussed. The current study results show that adsorption by nanoparticles and integrated methods are promising methods to meet the strict authoritarian limit with advanced increase potential in the direction of commercialization for the removal of PAHs and provide opportunities to use produced water as a source of water. The current study results can help the policy/decision makers in the efficient management of water resources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Technologies for Water and Wastewater Treatment)
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17 pages, 356 KiB  
Review
Urban Wastewater as a Source of Reclaimed Water for Irrigation: Barriers and Future Possibilities
by Andreia F. Santos, Paula Alvarenga, Licínio M. Gando-Ferreira and Margarida J. Quina
Environments 2023, 10(2), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments10020017 - 25 Jan 2023
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 6059
Abstract
Water resources are under pressure worldwide, resulting in scarcity and deterioration of freshwater quality. According to European directives, we could reduce the pressure on water resources in urban areas by increasing the reuse of treated wastewater, reducing the impact on water bodies, and [...] Read more.
Water resources are under pressure worldwide, resulting in scarcity and deterioration of freshwater quality. According to European directives, we could reduce the pressure on water resources in urban areas by increasing the reuse of treated wastewater, reducing the impact on water bodies, and promoting water recycling through multiple uses of urban wastewater. Besides the need to address water supply challenges, wastewater treatment systems show environmental stewardship and innovative practices. Using reclaimed water for agricultural irrigation is gaining interest because of the drought conditions experienced in Europe over the past few years. Furthermore, using treated wastewater for agricultural irrigation may help to restore nutrients (N and P) to natural biogeochemical cycles. This review highlights the importance of water reuse, current legislation, and existing technologies to implement in wastewater treatment systems to meet the minimum requirements to produce reclaimed water to reuse in agricultural irrigation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Technologies for Water and Wastewater Treatment)
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