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Dear Colleagues,

Biological processes or Biomaterials are widely applied to remediate wastewaters and solid wastes worldwide. Biological wastewater treatment can treat hazardous effluents into microbial biomass, clean water and less dangerous products protecting the environment and providing better management of these residues. Adsorption processes using biomaterials can also be applied with simpler processes than synthetic materials and also have lower costs. This Special Issue welcomes papers that describe the treatment of wastewaters or solid wastes by applying microorganisms/plants or biomaterials in biological or adsorption processes.

Dr. Carlos Eduardo De Farias Silva
Dr. Giorgos Markou
Guest Editors

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. Processes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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

adsorption
biomass
biological wastewater treatment
bacteria
microalgae
filamentous fungi
yeasts
protozoa
isotherm
kinetic
contminat removal

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 2171 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Physiological Performance and Biosorption Capacity of Exiguobacterium sp. SH31 Isolated from Poly-Extreme Salar de Huasco in the Chilean Altiplano: A Study on Rare-Earth Element Tolerance

by Genesis Serrano, Jonathan Fortt, Juan Castro-Severyn, Rodrigo Castillo, Claudia Saavedra, Gabriel Krüger, Claudia Núñez, Francisco Remonsellez and Karem Gallardo

Processes 2024, 12(1), 47; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12010047 - 24 Dec 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 860

Abstract

Rare-earth elements (REEs) are crucial metals with limited global availability due to their indispensable role in various high-tech industries. As the demand for rare-earth elements continues to rise, there is a pressing need to develop sustainable methods for their recovery from secondary sources. Focusing on Exiguobacterium sp. SH31, this research investigates the impact of La, Eu, Gd, and Sm on its physiological performance and biosorption capacity. Tolerance was assessed at pHpzc from 7 to 8 with up to 1 mM rare-earth element concentrations. This study visualized the production of extracellular polymeric substances using Congo red assays and quantified them with ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy characterized the functional groups involved in metal interactions. The SH31 strain displayed significant rare-earth element tolerance, confirmed extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) production under all conditions, and increased production in the presence of Sm. Spectroscopy analysis revealed changes in wavelengths associated with OH and R-COO-, suggesting rare-earth element interactions. SH31 demonstrated efficient metal adsorption, with removal rates exceeding 75% at pHpzc 7 and over 95% at pHpzc 7.5 and 8. The calculated Qmax value for rare-earth element biosorption was approximately 23 mg/g, and Langmuir isotherm models effectively described metal sorption equilibria. Genomic exploration identified genes related to extracellular polymeric substance formation, providing insights into underlying mechanisms. This study presents the first evidence of efficient La, Eu, Gd, and Sm adsorption by SH31, emphasizing its potential significance in rare-earth element recovery. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Bioremediation and Biosorption Processes)

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Review

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33 pages, 3425 KiB

Open AccessReview

Advancing Eco-Sustainable Bioremediation for Hydrocarbon Contaminants: Challenges and Solutions

by Bothaina A. Alaidaroos

Processes 2023, 11(10), 3036; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11103036 - 22 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1310

Abstract

In an era of rising population density and industrialization, the environment confronts growing challenges. Soil, agricultural land, and water bodies are becoming increasingly polluted by petroleum waste and hydrocarbons. While hydrocarbons are naturally present in crude oil, refining processes compound the complexity and toxicity of hydrocarbons. This is particularly evident in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) found in the air and soil, known for their carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic properties. In response, biodegradation emerges as an eco-friendly, cost-effective solution, especially in petroleum-contaminated settings. Biodiverse microbial communities play a pivotal role in managing hydrocarbon contamination, contingent on location, toxicity, and microbial activity. To optimize biodegradation, understanding its mechanisms is essential. This review delves into varied bioremediation techniques, degradation pathways, and the contributions of microbial activities to efficiently removing hydrocarbon pollutants. Recent research spotlights specific microorganisms like bacteria, microalgae, and fungi adept at hydrocarbon degradation, offering a contemporary perspective on petroleum hydrocarbon pollutant bioremediation. These microorganisms efficiently break down petroleum hydrocarbons, with enzymatic catalysis markedly accelerating pollutant breakdown compared to conventional methods. Given the intricate nature of hydrocarbon contamination, cooperative bacterial consortia are instrumental in effective cleanup, driven by specific genes guiding bacterial metabolism. For cost-effective and efficient removal from compromised environments, it is advisable to adopt an integrated approach that combines biostimulation and bioaugmentation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Bioremediation and Biosorption Processes)

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