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Sustainable Environmental Science and Water/Wastewater Treatment: 2nd Edition
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Sustainable Environmental Science and Water/Wastewater Treatment: 2nd Edition

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Sustainability and Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 4744

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Kaan Yetilmezsoy

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, Davutpasa Campus, 34220 Esenler, Istanbul, Turkey
Interests: environmental modeling; water and wastewater treatment; anaerobic digestion processes; post-treatment technologies; agricultural applications; Struvite (MAP) precipitation; fluid mechanics and hydraulics; artificial intelligence; design of potable and wastewater treatment plants; multi-objective optimization; MATLAB-based programming
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the fast-paced globalized world we live in today, it is crucial for every sector to focus on minimizing waste and wastewater through the implementation of eco-friendly and sustainable management strategies [1,2]. To achieve this goal, it is crucial to prioritize the reuse of treated streams, extracting valuable nutrients and utilizing waste or by-products from waste and wastewater to create a production model that is eco-friendly and sustainable [3,4]. However, the expensive nature and challenges of traditional techniques drive the need for affordable, practical, and lucrative treatment approaches to effectively eliminate and recover surplus nutrients/contaminants from various waste streams [5–7]. Therefore, deploying appropriate cutting-edge/technology-driven water/wastewater treatment processes and sustainable product-focused approaches are crucial to meet growing global industrial needs from an environmental perspective [8–10].

This Special Issue, titled "Sustainable Environmental Science and Water/Wastewater Treatment: 2nd Edition", will maintain its strong dedication to environmental research, promoting sustainability and creative approaches to treating water and wastewater. With this goal in mind, this Special Issue intends to emphasize environmentally friendly strategies and innovative/advanced technologies to mitigate human-made and industrial environmental threats.

This Special Issue welcomes exceptional manuscripts with novel ideas or discoveries, as well as reviews presenting innovative perspectives. We are open to receiving paper submissions that offer unique perspectives or relevant case studies on the following topics:

  • Creative and eco-friendly techniques for water and wastewater treatment;
  • The utilization of by-products from industrial waste effluents for economic gain;
  • Solutions for managing water and wastewater in a sustainable and circular manner;
  • Analyses of sustainable environmental technologies from a techno-economic perspective;
  • Evaluations of water/wastewater treatment systems through life-cycle assessment;
  • Extracting beneficial materials from industrial effluents for circular economy advancement;
  • Manufacturing environmentally friendly cement by using waste as a substitute;
  • Computer-based applications in simulating water/wastewater treatment systems.

This Special Issue also welcomes submissions of manuscripts on various subjects showcasing the importance of sustainable environmental science and water/wastewater treatment.

References

[1] Yetilmezsoy, K., Kıyan, E., Ilhan, F., Özçimen, D., Koçer, A.T. (2022), “Screening plant growth effects of sheep slaughterhouse waste-derived soil amendments in greenhouse trials”, Journal of Environmental Management 318, 115586, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115586.

[2] Yetilmezsoy, K., Çetinkaya, A.Y., Bilgili, L. (2022), “A synergistic assessment of bio-kinetics and life cycle environmental impacts of different agricultural biomass sources in Turkey, Waste and Biomass Valorization 13, 2651–2671, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-021-01674-w.

[3] Ozdemir S., Ozdemir S., Ozer H., Yetilmezsoy K. (2021), “A techno-sustainable bio-waste management strategy for closing chickpea yield gap”, Waste Management 119, 356–364, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2020.10.030.

[4] Ozdemir, S., Yetilmezsoy, K. (2020), “A mini literature review on sustainable management of poultry abattoir wastes”, Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management 22, 11–21, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-019-00934-1.

[5] Yetilmezsoy, K., Ilhan, F., Kiyan, E., Bahramian, M. (2022), “A comprehensive techno-economic analysis of income-generating sources on the conversion of real sheep slaughterhouse waste stream into valorized by-products, Journal of Environmental Management 306, 114464, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.114464.

[6] Ozdemir, S., Ozdemir, S., Yetilmezsoy K. (2019), “Agro-economic and ecological assessment of poultry abattoir sludge as bio-nutrient source for walnut plantation in low-fertility soil”, Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy 38, 1–7, https://doi.org/10.1002/ep.13225.

[7] Yetilmezsoy, K., Ilhan, F., Kocak, E., Akbin, H.M. (2017), “Feasibility of struvite recovery process for fertilizer industry: A study of financial and economic analysis”, Journal of Cleaner Production 152, 88–102, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.03.106.

[8] Yetilmezsoy, K., Ilhan F., Kıyan, E. (2023), “Treatability of high-strength real sheep slaughterhouse wastewater using struvite precipitation coupled Fenton's oxidation: The MAPFOX process”, Water Resources and Industry 30, 100228, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wri.2023.100228.

[9] Yetilmezsoy, K., Dinç-Şengönül, B., Ilhan, F., Kıyan, E., Yüzer, N. (2022), “Use of sheep slaughterhouse-derived struvite in the production of environmentally sustainable cement and fire-resistant wooden structures”, Journal of Cleaner Production 366, 132948, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.132948.

[10] Abdul-Wahab, S.A., Hassan, E.M., Al-Jabri, K.S., Yetilmezsoy, K. (2019), “Application of zeolite/kaolin combination for replacement of partial cement clinker to manufacture environmentally sustainable cement in Oman”, Environmental Engineering Research 24, 246–253, https://doi.org/10.4491/eer.2018.047.

Prof. Dr. Kaan Yetilmezsoy
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. 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

  • agro-industrial wastes
  • circular waste recovery/management
  • eco-friendly cement production
  • life cycle assessment
  • process modeling and simulation
  • struvite (MAP) precipitation
  • sustainable waste/wastewater treatment
  • techno-economic analysis
  • waste-oriented materials

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (3 papers)

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29 pages, 1366 KiB  
Article
A Comprehensive Identification, Distribution and Health Risk Assessment of Microplastics in Natural Mussels from the Shoreline of the Sea of Marmara, Türkiye
by Esra Billur Balcıoğlu İlhan
Sustainability 2025, 17(10), 4731; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17104731 - 21 May 2025
Viewed by 104
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) have become a global issue due to their potential adverse effects on sustainable marine resources and human health. In this study, MP pollution was investigated using natural mussels from all shelf regions of the SoM (Sea of Marmara), which is under [...] Read more.
Microplastics (MPs) have become a global issue due to their potential adverse effects on sustainable marine resources and human health. In this study, MP pollution was investigated using natural mussels from all shelf regions of the SoM (Sea of Marmara), which is under the influence of many pollutant sources. A total of 322 mussels were collected along the entire coastline, and MP analyses were performed on these mussels. Mussel tissues were digested using a KOH solution to separate the MPs. Following extraction, the samples were filtered and the particles remaining on top were examined physically and chemically. In the study, the highest values were detected in samples taken both from locations under anthropogenic influence, especially from points close to where rivers flow. Across all the samples, the most predominant shape was fiber (61.08%), color was blue (57.87%) and size was (<0.5 mm) (62.55%). FTIR analysis shows that PE is the most common polymer type (44%). Calculated on the basis of 100 g of daily consumption, the annual ingestive exposures to MPs were found to be 1940, 342, 41 and 39 items for children, adolescents, female adults and male adults, respectively. As a result of a detailed risk assessment related to chronic daily intake (CDI) and microplastic carcinogenic risk (MPCR), it was determined that children are the most vulnerable group exposed to MPs and that these seafood products should be consumed with caution by children to prevent potential hazards. Additionally, it has been determined that the southern shelf and the Çanakkale Strait are the areas under the most intense pollution pressure according to the calculated MPCf and MPLI values. These findings are very relevant in terms of taking practical steps to take plans and actions to prevent contamination in the SoM and ensure the sustainability of food safety in the consumption of products obtained from the sea. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Environmental Science and Water/Wastewater Treatment: 2nd Edition)
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39 pages, 9959 KiB  
Article
Utilization of Non-Composted Human Hair Hydrolysate as a Natural and Nutrient-Rich Liquid Fertilizer for Sustainable Agro-Applications and Bio-Waste Management
by Kaan Yetilmezsoy, Fatih Ilhan and Emel Kıyan
Sustainability 2025, 17(4), 1641; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17041641 - 16 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1496
Abstract
Human hair, commonly considered a discarded organic waste, is a keratin-rich material with remarkable potential for sustainable agriculture as an innovative resource. This study systematically explored the potential of non-composted human hair hydrolysates as eco-friendly and nutrient-rich liquid fertilizers, emphasizing their ability to [...] Read more.
Human hair, commonly considered a discarded organic waste, is a keratin-rich material with remarkable potential for sustainable agriculture as an innovative resource. This study systematically explored the potential of non-composted human hair hydrolysates as eco-friendly and nutrient-rich liquid fertilizers, emphasizing their ability to enhance agricultural sustainability and mitigate organic waste accumulation. Eight distinct hydrolysates prepared with alkaline solutions were evaluated for their effects on plant growth using red-hot chili pepper (Capsicum frutescens) as the primary model under greenhouse conditions. The present study introduces a novel approach by employing an advanced digital image analysis technique to quantitatively assess 37 distinct plant growth parameters, providing an unprecedented depth of understanding regarding the impact of liquid human hair hydrolysates on plant development. Additionally, the integration of pilot-scale field trials and multi-species evaluations highlights the broader applicability and scalability of these hydrolysates as sustainable fertilizers. Collectively, these features establish this research as a pioneering contribution to sustainable agriculture and bio-waste management. The top-performing hydrolysates (KCaMgN, KMgN, KCaN) demonstrated significant enhancements in plant growth metrics, with fresh weight reaching up to 3210 mg, projected leaf area of approximately 132 cm2, and crown diameter of 20.91 cm for the best-performing formulations, outperforming a commercial organomineral fertilizer by 20–46% in overall growth performance. Furthermore, observational studies on various species (such as bird of paradise flower (Strelitzia reginae), avocado (Persea americana), lemon (Citrus limon L.), Mazafati date (Phoenix dactylifera L.), and red mini conical hot pepper (Capsicum annuum var. conoides) and field trials on long sweet green peppers (Capsicum annuum) confirmed the broad applicability of these hydrolysates. Toxicity assessments using shortfin molly fish (Poecilia sphenops) validated the environmental safety of plants cultivated with hydrolysates. These findings highlight that human hair hydrolysates offer a sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilizers, contributing to waste management efforts while enhancing agricultural productivity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Environmental Science and Water/Wastewater Treatment: 2nd Edition)
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19 pages, 4587 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Activated Carbon from Agricultural Waste: A Study on Adsorption Efficiency for Humic Acid and Methyl Orange Dyes
by Zahia Tigrine, Ouassila Benhabiles, Leila Merabti, Nadia Chekir, Mounir Mellal, Salaheddine Aoudj, Nora Amele Abdeslam, Djilali Tassalit, Seif El Islam Lebouachera and Nadjib Drouiche
Sustainability 2024, 16(21), 9308; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16219308 - 26 Oct 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2591
Abstract
In this study, porous activated carbon was produced from coffee waste and used as an effective adsorbent for the removal of humic acid (HA) from seawater and methyl orange (MO) dye from aqueous solutions. Phosphoric acid H3PO4 was used as [...] Read more.
In this study, porous activated carbon was produced from coffee waste and used as an effective adsorbent for the removal of humic acid (HA) from seawater and methyl orange (MO) dye from aqueous solutions. Phosphoric acid H3PO4 was used as an activating agent for the chemical activation of these agricultural wastes. The characterization of the activated carbon obtained using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method revealed that the activated carbon products exhibited high porosity and the formation of various functional groups. The effects of different parameters were examined using batch adsorption experiments, such as the adsorbent masses, pH, initial pollutant concentration and contact time. The results show that the performance increased with an increased adsorbent mass (up to 0.25 g/L) and decreased initial concentration of the adsorbent tested. On the other hand, this study clearly showed that the adsorption efficiency of the MO on the raw spent coffee grounds (SCGs) waste was around 43%, while no removal was observed for the humic acid. The experiments demonstrated that the activated carbon synthesized from the used coffee grounds (the efficiency was compared with commercial activated carbon (CAC) with a difference of 13%) was a promising alternative to commercially available adsorbents for the removal of humic acid from seawater. To understand and elucidate the adsorption mechanism, various isothermal and kinetic models were studied. The adsorption capacity was analyzed by fitting experimental data to these models. The experimental data for methyl orange dyes were analyzed using Langmuir and Freundlich isothermal models. The Freundlich isotherm model provided a superior fit to the equilibrium data, as indicated by a higher correlation coefficient (R2) than that of the Langmuir model. The maximum adsorption was observed at pH 3. The Freundlich adsorption capacity was found to be 333 mg/g adsorbent. The PAC showed a high adsorption capacity for the MO and HA. The PAC showed the highest adsorption capacities for the HA and MO compared with the other adsorbents used (SCGs and CAC) and would be a good material to increase the adsorption efficiency for humic acid removal in the seawater pretreatment process. In addition, the prepared AC BET surface area was 520.40 m2/g, suggesting a high adsorption capacity. This makes the material potentially suitable for various applications that require a high surface area. These results indicate that high-quality sustainable activated carbon can be efficiently produced from coffee waste, making it suitable for a wide range of adsorbent applications targeting various pollutants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Environmental Science and Water/Wastewater Treatment: 2nd Edition)
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