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Advanced Studies in Environmental Technology and Wastewater Treatment

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (17 May 2026) | Viewed by 873

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Guest Editor
Beijing Key Laboratory for Green Catalysis and Separation, Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Materials, Education Ministry of China, Laboratory of Catalysis Chemistry and Nanoscience, Department of Chemical Engineering and Technology, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
Interests: photocatalysis; advanced oxidation processes; ultrafast spectroscopy
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With increasing industrialization and population growth, conventional wastewater treatment methods are often insufficient in removing emerging contaminants (e.g., pharmaceuticals, microplastics) and achieving energy-efficient operations. This Special Issue aims to highlight advancements such as nanotechnology-enabled filtration systems, bioelectrochemical treatment processes, AI-driven monitoring frameworks, and circular economy strategies for sludge valorization. We welcome contributions that cover novel catalytic degradation techniques (e.g., photocatalysis, Fenton-like reactions), membrane bioreactor optimizations, and low-cost decentralized solutions for underserved regions. 

By integrating fundamental research with practical applications, this Special Issue seeks to bridge gaps between laboratory-scale innovations and large-scale implementation. Topics of interest include (but are not limited to) the following: pollutant removal mechanisms; lifecycle assessments of treatment technologies; hybrid systems combining physical/chemical/biological methods; and policy-driven incentives for sustainable water management. Submissions from academia, industry, and policymakers are encouraged to foster a holistic dialogue on achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 6 and SDG 13) through technological and ecological synergy.

Prof. Dr. Zhen Wei
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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-anonymized 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 remediation
  • emerging contaminants
  • advanced oxidation processes (AOPs)
  • membrane technology
  • resource recovery
  • photocatalysis
  • sustainable water management
  • bioelectrochemical systems
  • nanomaterials in environmental engineering
  • Fenton-like reactions

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

53 pages, 1508 KB  
Review
Biosorption of Heavy Metal in Wastewater with Biochar: A Review
by Nko Okina Solomon, Donghee Kang and Gbekeloluwa B. Oguntimein
Sustainability 2026, 18(12), 6367; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18126367 - 22 Jun 2026
Viewed by 474
Abstract
Biochar, a carbon-rich material produced through pyrolysis of biomass under limited oxygen conditions, offers a potentially sustainable and cost-competitive solution (qualitative assessment; quantitative LCA and techno-economic data are beyond the scope of this review) for the removal of heavy metals from wastewater. Its [...] Read more.
Biochar, a carbon-rich material produced through pyrolysis of biomass under limited oxygen conditions, offers a potentially sustainable and cost-competitive solution (qualitative assessment; quantitative LCA and techno-economic data are beyond the scope of this review) for the removal of heavy metals from wastewater. Its high porosity, surface area, and surface functional groups enable diverse adsorption mechanisms, including complexation, ion exchange, and precipitation. Feedstock selection and production parameters critically influence biochar’s physicochemical properties and adsorption performance. Modification techniques such as chemical functionalization, metal impregnation, and composite formation enhance removal efficiency and selectivity for specific contaminants. Applications span industrial, municipal, and agricultural wastewaters, addressing multi-contaminant challenges under variable environmental conditions. Factors affecting removal efficiency include pH, temperature, contaminant concentration, and competing ions, while regeneration methods are essential for maintaining long-term functionality and are discussed. Biochar can be reused and regenerated using bases and acids, but environmental risks related to biochar use, including potential contaminant leaching and ecological impacts, require careful management and regulatory compliance. Future research should focus on novel modification strategies, scaling production for industrial use, and optimizing integration within treatment systems to meet stringent discharge standards and promote sustainable water management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Studies in Environmental Technology and Wastewater Treatment)
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