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Sustainability
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Sustainable Water Management: Innovations in Wastewater Treatment
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Sustainable Water Management: Innovations in Wastewater Treatment

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Water Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 2018

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Jordana Georgin

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Civil and Environmental, Corporación Universidad de la Costa, Barranquilla 08002, Colombia
Interests: competitive adsorption; hybrid; combined sorption processes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Dison S. P. Franco

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil and Environmental, Universidad de la Costa, CUC, Calle 58 # 55–66, Barranquilla 08002, Colombia
Interests: adsorption; modeling; fixed-bed; mass transfer
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on the development and application of innovative technologies, materials, and methodologies for the sustainable management of wastewater. It aims to address the challenges posed by increasing global water demand, urbanization, and environmental pollution, emphasizing efficient, eco-friendly, and cost-effective solutions.

Key topics include the following:

  • Advanced Treatment Technologies: membrane filtration, advanced oxidation processes, and biological treatment systems.
  • Material Innovations: adsorbents, catalysts, and nanomaterials for contaminant removal.
  • Resource Recovery: the recovery of water, nutrients, and energy from wastewater.
  • Nature-Based Solutions: constructed wetlands, bioreactors, and green infrastructure.
  • Circular Economy in Water Management: approaches integrating waste reduction and resource reuse.
  • Policy and Economic Aspects: sustainable strategies, life-cycle analysis, and cost assessments.
  • Impact on Ecosystems and Health: addressing emerging pollutants like antibiotics, pharmaceuticals, and microplastics.

This issue seeks to carry out the following:

  • Highlight cutting-edge research contributing to wastewater management solutions.
  • Foster interdisciplinary collaboration to tackle water-related sustainability issues.
  • Present case studies demonstrating real-world applications of novel techniques.
  • Inform policymakers and stakeholders about viable practices and technologies for sustainable water management.

Dr. Jordana Georgin
Prof. Dr. Dison S. P. Franco
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. Sustainability 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

  • wastewater treatment
  • sustainable water management
  • resource recovery
  • emerging pollutants
  • advanced treatment technologies
  • circular economy
  • nature-based solutions

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 29458 KiB  
Article
Study on Temporal and Spatial Distribution Characteristics of Biogenic Pollutant Fluxes in Ten Main Rivers Discharging into the Sea in Eastern China
by Lu Wang, Shuqin Ma, Shuo Liu, Yan Chen, Wei Gao and Yuan Zhang
Sustainability 2025, 17(9), 4239; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17094239 - 7 May 2025
Viewed by 157
Abstract
Rapid economic development, accelerated urbanization, and agricultural modernization in eastern China have exacerbated pollution in rivers discharging into the sea, challenging regional ecological security and water resource sustainability. This study investigates ten main rivers in eastern China using monthly water quality and hydrological [...] Read more.
Rapid economic development, accelerated urbanization, and agricultural modernization in eastern China have exacerbated pollution in rivers discharging into the sea, challenging regional ecological security and water resource sustainability. This study investigates ten main rivers in eastern China using monthly water quality and hydrological data from 2021 to 2023. Pollutant fluxes for permanganate index (CODMn), ammonia nitrogen (AN), total phosphorus (TP), and total nitrogen (TN) were calculated, and their temporal and spatial variations were analyzed using descriptive statistics, two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and principal component analysis (PCA). Results show significant spatial heterogeneity, with the Yangtze (YAR) and Pearl Rivers (PER) exhibiting the highest fluxes due to high basin runoff and intense human activities. Seasonal variations significantly affect CODMn, TP, and TN fluxes, with summer runoff and agricultural activities enhancing pollutant transport. Moreover, flood periods markedly increase pollutant fluxes compared to non-flood periods. PCA further reveals that the pollutant flux patterns of YAR and PER are clearly distinct from those of the other rivers, indicating the joint influence of geographic conditions and anthropogenic activities. This study provides quantitative evidence for regional water environment management and offers crucial guidance for developing sustainable, differentiated pollution control strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Water Management: Innovations in Wastewater Treatment)
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13 pages, 1233 KiB  
Article
Clean Water Production from Urban Sewage by Algae-Based Treatment Techniques, a Reflection of Case Studies
by Abdol Aziz Shahraki
Sustainability 2025, 17(7), 3107; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17073107 - 1 Apr 2025
Viewed by 550
Abstract
The inadequate collection and treatment of urban wastewater continue to pollute built environments, threaten public health, and contribute to epidemic outbreaks in many densely populated, underdeveloped regions. This study investigates whether algae-based wastewater treatment offers an optimal and efficient solution for drought-prone and [...] Read more.
The inadequate collection and treatment of urban wastewater continue to pollute built environments, threaten public health, and contribute to epidemic outbreaks in many densely populated, underdeveloped regions. This study investigates whether algae-based wastewater treatment offers an optimal and efficient solution for drought-prone and underdeveloped cities. Given recent global challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, nature-based wastewater treatment methods—particularly algae-based systems—have regained attention due to their feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. Algae-based wastewater treatment presents an innovative approach to sustainable urban development, offering environmental, resource-efficient, energy-saving, and biodiversity benefits while supporting circular economy principles. This study evaluates recent advancements in wastewater treatment technologies and applies a case study methodology to Zahedan City, analyzing sewage canal networks, wastewater composition, and treatment feasibility. Three algae-based techniques were assessed, with waste stabilization ponds (WSPs) identified as the most suitable solution based on technical, economic, and environmental indicators. Key factors such as climate conditions, land-use policies, and cost-effectiveness were incorporated into the comparative analysis, enhancing the scientific rigor of this study compared to prior research. The findings provide actionable insights for urban planners, engineers, and policymakers to address simultaneous challenges in wastewater management, public health, and water scarcity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Water Management: Innovations in Wastewater Treatment)
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Review

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59 pages, 3261 KiB  
Review
A Critical Review of the Advances and Current Status of the Application of Adsorption in the Remediation of Micropollutants and Dyes Through the Use of Emerging Bio-Based Nanocomposites
by Jordana Georgin, Claudete Gindri Ramos, Jivago Schumacher de Oliveira, Younes Dehmani, Noureddine El Messaoudi, Lucas Meili and Dison S. P. Franco
Sustainability 2025, 17(5), 2012; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17052012 - 26 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1123
Abstract
The demand for drinking water is a reality that plagues modern society and will worsen in the coming decades. Factors such as climate change, population growth, and intense, often disorderly urbanization are expected to limit the availability of this essential resource for life. [...] Read more.
The demand for drinking water is a reality that plagues modern society and will worsen in the coming decades. Factors such as climate change, population growth, and intense, often disorderly urbanization are expected to limit the availability of this essential resource for life. With this justification, several technologies involving water remediation/purification have been improved to increase energy efficiency. One key approach involves the use of residual biomass derived from biological sources as adsorbents with valuable properties. This line of research supports waste management, and the materials are easily obtainable, especially on a large scale, with low costs and negligible secondary environmental impacts. In the early 2000s, it was demonstrated that these materials possess functional groups (amino, hydroxyl, and carboxyl) that are favorable for attracting certain pollutants that are present in wastewater. Generally, the unmodified precursor material has properties that are not favorable for adsorption, such as limited adsorption capacity, low mechanical resistance, and unstable surface chemistry. Therefore, there has been a strong investment in studies aimed at developing methodologies to produce bio-based materials with high properties supported by mathematical models aimed at water purification. This critical review describes the modifications, functionalization, and production of bio-based materials aimed at remediating wastewater via the adsorption process. Their use involves the elimination of organic pollutants, water/oil separation, the removal of micropollutants, and membrane filtration. The properties of bio-based materials from biopolymers and their synthesis methodologies are analyzed, with a focus on water remediation. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives are highlighted, highlighting the relevance of this group of adsorbents in minimizing the challenges and limitations present in the field of water purification and providing new, innovative solutions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Water Management: Innovations in Wastewater Treatment)
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