Search Results (2,091)

Biochar-supported rare earth oxides are herein assessed as heterogeneous catalysts for the UV-assisted Catalytic Wet Peroxide Oxidation (UV-CWPO) treatment of pharmaceuticals under mild conditions. Catalysts were synthesized by two different pyrolysis methods (activated carbon-assisted oxygen-limited pyrolysis in a muffle furnace, and inert-gas pyrolysis in a tubular furnace under nitrogen flow), and characterized by XRD, SEM, and N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms. Their performance in assisting 385 nm UVA-LED CWPO treatment of acetaminophen (ACE), diclofenac (DCF), and metamizole (MTZ) was assessed under circumneutral pH conditions. The biochar-supported cerium-loaded catalyst prepared by oxygen-limited pyrolysis reported the highest activity, achieving 80% ACE and 70% DCF removals within 120 min of treatment, whereas MTZ was completely removed in less than 10 min, with only 16% of the removal attributable to adsorption. Superoxide radicals dominated the degradation mechanism, and photogenerated holes and hydroxyl radicals contributed moderately. Catalyst stability (minimal activity loss and negligible cerium leaching) was confirmed over five consecutive reuses. Degradation efficiency decreased ≈12–18% because of radical scavenging losses caused by the content of inorganic ions and organic matter in tap, river, and WWTP effluent waters. Treated effluents addressed lower toxicity than untreated solutions, reinforcing the environmental safety of this treatment strategy. Full article

Pharmaceutical compounds, emerging medicinal residues, and personal care products (PPCPs) are ubiquitous in aquatic environments and are causing a serious global environmental problem because of their persistence, bioaccumulation, and harmful effects on the environment and human health. Conventional wastewater treatment technologies are sometimes not capable of removing them completely, causing persistent releases of biologically active micropollutants to surface water, groundwater, and drinking water systems. In this context, biomass-derived catalysts are a promising class of advanced materials for environmental remediation because of their sustainable and cost-efficient nature. The catalysts are composed of bio-residues, such as agricultural residues, forestry wastes, and other bioresources, that have tunable surface chemistry, high porosity, and can be activated and functionalized to increase their catalytic activity. This review summarizes recent advances in biomass-derived catalysts for the removal of pharmaceuticals and PPCPs from water. Special attention is given to synthesis methods, such as pyrolysis, hydrothermal carbonization, chemical activation, heteroatom doping, and metal or metal-oxide hybridization. The catalytic mechanisms of pollutant degradation, including adsorption, radical-based advanced oxidation processes, and non-radical electron-transfer mechanisms, are critically discussed. Moreover, the effect of key operating parameters, catalyst stability, and real wastewater test performance are studied. Sustainability aspects such as green synthesis routes, integration of circular bioeconomy, and life-cycle aspects are also emphasized. Finally, current issues like catalyst deactivation, scaling-up, and the lack of a full mechanistic understanding are identified, and future research avenues are suggested to enable the implementation of efficient, durable, and environmentally friendly catalytic systems for large-scale wastewater treatment applications. Full article

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) influx into receiving water bodies leads to cultural eutrophication and, therefore, poses a major environmental challenge. Consequently, increasingly stringent discharge limits have been established, necessitating advanced wastewater treatment methods. In addition, phosphorus is a finite resource, with current reserves projected to last less than a century. The principles of the circular economy therefore emphasize not only the removal of N and P from wastewater, but also their recovery and reuse as fertilizers. This article presents two strong-base anion-exchangers impregnated with zirconium oxide (ZrO₂) nanoparticles to create the following: (1) a phosphorus-selective resin (Hybrid Anion Exchanger with ZrO₂ (HAIX-Zr)), with a Zr loading of 2.5–3% (m/m) and an ion-exchange capacity (IEC) of ≈35 mg PO₄³⁻ − P/g resin, and (2) a resin selective for both phosphorus and nitrate (Nitrate-Selective Resin with ZrO₂ (NSR-Zr)), with a Zr loading of 1.5–2% (m/m), a simultaneous phosphate IEC of ≈41.3 mg PO₄³⁻ − P/g resin, and a nitrate IEC of ≈41.3 mg NO₃⁻ − N/g resin. When loaded in a fixed-bed column, HAIX-Zr can treat > 300 Bed Volumes (BV) of wastewater to below the phosphate detection limit of 0.02 mg/L when the initial phosphate–phosphorus concentration is ≈11.0 mg/L and the two most common competing anions, Cl⁻ and SO₄²⁻, are present at ≈225 mg/L and ≈160 mg/L, respectively. Regeneration of the exhausted HAIX-Zr column with a 2% NaCl + 2% NaOH solution resulted in >95% P recovery, which can be processed to generate MgNH₄PO₄ (struvite), a slow-release fertilizer. A fixed-bed NSR-Zr column can treat ≈150 BV of wastewater to below the phosphate detection limit of 0.02 mg/L and nitrate detection limit of 0.05 mg/L when the initial phosphate–phosphorus concentration is 31 mg/L, the nitrate–nitrogen concentration is 12 mg/L, and the competing anions Cl⁻ and SO₄²⁻ are present at ≈175 mg/L and ≈155 mg/L, respectively. Regeneration of the exhausted NSR-Zr column with 2% KOH solution resulted in >92% recovery of nitrogen and phosphorus in a solution rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, the essential ingredients of a fertilizer. Full article

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used for the management of inflammatory disorders, pain, and fever due to their significant anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties. However, their long-term use is often associated with multiple adverse effects, including gastric erosion, hemorrhage, and perforation, as well as cardiovascular, hepatic, and renal complications. Indomethacin is a potent NSAID commonly used in the treatment of pain and rheumatoid arthritis. Its poor water solubility, Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) Class II, results in low aqueous solubility and high membrane permeability, and conventional dosage forms often fail to overcome pharmacokinetic limitations and gastrointestinal irritation. To address these drawbacks, alternative indomethacin-loaded drug delivery systems have been developed, which enable controlled release, enhanced solubility, and targeted delivery for improving therapeutic efficacy and safety profile. Nature provides a diverse reservoir of bioactive compounds with significant anti-inflammatory potential, making them promising alternatives or complementary agents to indomethacin. Representative examples include the alkaloids piperine and berberine; the flavonoids oleocanthal and apigenin; and the terpenoids thymoquinone, kahweol, and cafestol; as well as anthraquinones and iridoids. This review summarizes the current evidence on plant-derived anti-inflammatory compounds that may “replace” or act synergistically with indomethacin. In addition, we discuss the pharmacological properties of indomethacin and recent advances in drug delivery systems designed to improve its topical and systemic therapeutic applications. Full article

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are persistent contaminants that are widely detected in aquatic environments and are difficult to remove because of their stable carbon–fluorine bonds and amphiphilic structures. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), with high surface areas, tailorable porous frameworks, diverse metal nodes, and adjustable surface functionalities, provide promising platforms for PFAS adsorption. This review summarizes recent advances in the adsorptive removal of PFASs from water using MIL-, UiO-, ZIF-, and PCN-type MOFs and their derivatives. The effects of hydrophobic interface construction, amine functionalization, fluorination, defect engineering, thermal conversion, and pore regulation on adsorption performance were discussed. PFAS adsorption by MOFs is governed by multiple interactions, including electrostatic attraction, Lewis acid–base interactions, hydrophobic interactions, van der Waals forces, and hydrogen bonding. The impact of solution pH, coexisting ions, natural organic matter, PFAS molecular structures, and MOF structures was also reviewed. In addition, regeneration strategies and PFAS adsorption performance after regeneration were summarized. Despite the advances, challenges persist regarding MOF stability, regeneration, cost-effectiveness, and adsorption performance in real water matrices. Future research should therefore focus on sustainable material design and scalable development of MOF-based treatment systems for effective PFAS remediation. Full article

The conventional linear “treat-and-discharge” model has been challenged due to rapid urbanisation and the increasing generation of complex industrial wastewater. To this end, circular economy (CE) approaches can be considered as a key strategy for resource efficiency, sustainability, and waste reduction. The current study aims to review CE principles in industrial wastewater management policies across Asian countries. Findings from our review indicate that countries such as Singapore, Japan, South Korea, and China have made significant progress through integrated institutional frameworks, standards of reclaimed water, eco-industrial park initiatives, advanced treatment technologies, and supportive policy mechanisms. However, some developing Asian economies still depend primarily on pollution-control regulations and effluent discharge compliance; have limited guidelines on application-specific water-reuse quality standards, limited financial and tax incentives for SMEs, and inadequate policy support for resource recovery and wastewater valorisation. Strengthening these policy and institutional frameworks can promote circular industrial wastewater management, thus enhancing water security, resource efficiency, and sustainable industrial development across Asia. Full article

Water scarcity is driving increasing interest in potable water reuse, particularly in arid regions. However, inadequately treated reclaimed water may pose health risks from waterborne pathogens, including gastrointestinal infections. This study applied quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) to estimate infection risks associated with Escherichia coli (E. coli), Cryptosporidium, rotavirus, and adenovirus using pilot-scale data from El Paso Water’s Pure Water Center advanced purification facility. Pathogen concentrations in source and treated water were fitted to probability distributions and incorporated into a probabilistic Monte Carlo QMRA framework to estimate exposure doses, daily and cumulative infection risks, and treatment performance (expressed as log reduction values (LRVs)) and were compared to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) drinking water risk thresholds. E. coli demonstrated the greatest treatment effectiveness, with a median daily treated water infection risk of 1.45 × 10⁻⁶ and a median LRV of 3.32. Cryptosporidium demonstrated limited reduction in infection risk (median LRV = 0.976), while rotavirus demonstrated minimal reduction following treatment. Although adenovirus infection risk decreased after treatment, the residual risk remained high. Viral risk estimates were strongly influenced by non-detects and limited observations. These findings highlight the importance of robust monitoring and probabilistic QMRA approaches for evaluating uncertainty and treatment performance in advanced potable reuse systems. Full article

Pharmaceutical pollutants have emerged as a critical class of aquatic micropollutants due to their continuous release, persistence, and potential impacts on ecosystems and human health. Conventional wastewater treatment systems are often insufficient to achieve complete removal, necessitating the development of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), such as Fenton and Fenton-like systems. These processes rely on the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), including hydroxyl radicals (•OH), superoxide species, singlet oxygen, and, in some heterogeneous systems, high-valent iron-oxo intermediates, which collectively enable the degradation of structurally diverse and recalcitrant pharmaceutical compounds. Recent advances have highlighted the pivotal role of nanomaterials as catalysts in enhancing Fenton-based processes. Nanostructured catalysts, including iron-based nanoparticles (NPs), metal oxides, carbon-based materials, and bimetallic composites, offer high surface area, tunable redox properties, and improved electron transfer, leading to enhanced catalytic efficiency and mineralization rates. Importantly, the integration of green synthesis approaches using plant extracts, microorganisms, and biopolymers provides environmentally benign routes for nanomaterial fabrication while introducing functional surface groups that improve catalytic performance. Mechanistically, pharmaceutical degradation in Fenton systems involves complex pathways driven by multiple ROS species, including •OH, superoxide radicals, and singlet oxygen, leading to the formation of intermediate products and eventual mineralization. However, challenges such as NP aggregation, metal leaching, incomplete mineralization, and potential toxicity of intermediates remain critical considerations. This review critically evaluates the occurrence of pharmaceutical pollutants, the fundamentals of Fenton and Fenton-like processes, and the design and application of green-synthesized nanomaterials as efficient catalysts. It further explores degradation mechanisms, operational parameters, and sustainability considerations, highlighting future directions for scalable, environmentally responsible water treatment technologies. Full article

Freshwater scarcity in arid and semi-arid regions, coupled with increased population density, leads to greater demand and pressure on aquatic ecosystems and limited groundwater resources. This study, conducted using the PRISMA 2020 methodology, aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and sustainability of hybrid technologies that combine advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) with biological filtration in the treatment of urban and industrial wastewater. A systematic review was conducted between 2015 and 2026 using six main databases (Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, PubMed, and Google Scholar). A total of 1248 studies were identified, of which 78 met the eligibility criteria and provided sufficient quantitative data for comparative synthesis. The results showed that hybrid systems, such as ozone biofiltration, Fenton-Membrane Bioreactor (MBR), and photocatalytic biofilm, have higher removal efficiencies for COD (>95%), microorganisms (>90%), and pathogens (>99%), with minimal residual sludge. The environmental assessment also demonstrates the strong potential of these processes when integrated into arid regions such as southwestern Algeria, due to their contribution to conservation of biodiversity and sustainable reuse of treated wastewater. Through this study, our objective is to highlight the role of integrated approaches in circular water management, as well as the urgent need to standardize protocols to assess the magnitude of long-term environmental impacts. Full article

Aquatic ecosystems are increasingly affected by anthropogenic pollution, highlighting the need for efficient and advanced water treatment technologies. Poly(vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate) copolymer (PVA-co-PVAc), a partially hydrolyzed copolymer derived from poly(vinyl acetate), has received limited attention for surface water remediation. To address this gap, PVA-co-PVAc was prepared and evaluated as an alternative material for surface water treatment. The polymer identity was inferred from the synthesis route and degree-of-hydrolysis measurements; comprehensive structural characterization was beyond the scope of the present application-focused study. Physico-chemical and microbiological characterization of water samples collected from six locations in Joumine Dam revealed the highest contamination levels at the dam inlet, indicating a substantial pollution load entering the reservoir. Consequently, water from this site was selected to evaluate the treatment performance of the copolymer. Among the tested copolymer concentrations (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.5%, and 1% w/v), the best performance was achieved at 1% (w/v), resulting in a 93% reduction in total cell density determined by direct microscopic counting, together with significant decreases in turbidity and organic matter and an apparent decrease in fluoride concentration, requiring independent analytical confirmation. These findings demonstrate the potential of PVA-co-PVAc to improve selected surface-water quality parameters under laboratory treatment conditions and support further investigation of this material using natural water matrices. Full article

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) remains one of the most serious complications of arthroplasty, largely due to the formation of microbial biofilms on implant surfaces. Biofilm-associated infections exhibit increased tolerance to antimicrobial therapy and host immune responses, making eradication difficult and often requiring repeated surgical interventions. Consequently, there is a growing need for effective local therapeutic strategies capable of delivering high concentrations of antimicrobial agents directly to the site of infection while minimizing systemic toxicity. Hydrogels have emerged as promising drug delivery platforms for the management of biofilm-associated PJI. Their biocompatibility, injectability, high water content, and tunable physicochemical properties enable controlled and localized release of therapeutic agents within the infected peri-implant environment. This narrative review summarizes recent advances in hydrogel-based approaches, including antibiotic-loaded hydrogels, systems incorporating anti-biofilm enzymes, bacteriophage-loaded formulations, and nanoparticle-enhanced platforms. It also highlights future research directions, with particular emphasis on the need for expanded clinical studies to facilitate the translation of emerging hydrogel-based therapies into clinical practice. Further development of these systems should focus on the incorporation of novel therapeutic agents into hydrogel platforms, aiming to enhance biofilm eradication and improve treatment outcomes in patients with PJI. Particular attention is given to stimuli-responsive (“smart”) hydrogels that release therapeutic payloads in response to infection-related triggers such as pH changes, with emphasis on the need for expanded clinical studies to facilitate the translation of emerging hydrogel-based therapies into clinical practice. Further development of these systems should focus on the incorporation of novel therapeutic agents into hydrogel platforms, aiming to enhance biofilm eradication and improve treatment outcomes in patients with PJI. Full article

Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cusson (Apiaceae) is a well-known insectary plant in farmlands. Its vegetative and flowering stages can promote the migration of natural enemies. However, the arrival of natural enemies in crop fields often lags behind the establishment of pest populations. As gibberellin can accelerate plant growth and flowering, we investigated whether gibberellin treatment could advance the recruitment of natural enemies by altering the phenology of C. monnieri. Field experiments were conducted in 2021 and 2022 to evaluate the effects of different gibberellin concentrations on plant phenology, growth traits, and natural-enemy abundance. For field validation, C. monnieri strips established in wheat fields were treated with water or 50 mg/L gibberellin. The 50 mg/L treatment advanced the onset of flowering by 21 days and the first detection of natural enemies on C. monnieri by 14 days in 2021 and 20 days in 2022. It also significantly increased natural-enemy abundance on C. monnieri in 2022. In wheat fields, the same treatment resulted in earlier detection and significantly greater abundance of natural enemies in 2022. The earlier detection of natural enemies was temporally consistent with the advancement of flowering. These findings indicate that manipulating the flowering phenology of insectary plants may improve the timing of natural-enemy establishment and strengthen conservation biological control. Full article

Blast-induced traumatic brain injury is a prevalent and underreported condition, particularly among military service members, for whom effective prophylactic interventions are lacking. Nano-pulsed laser therapy (NPLT) is a non-invasive neuromodulatory approach that delivers short pulses of near-infrared light to generate optoacoustic effects within cerebral tissue and has previously demonstrated therapeutic benefit following TBI. In this study, we evaluated whether a single pre-exposure application of NPLT could confer protection against neurological, cognitive, and cellular sequelae of mild blast injury. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to receive NPLT or Sham treatment 24 h prior to either Sham or mild blast exposure using the Advanced Blast Simulator. Neurological reflexes and vestibulomotor function were assessed on post-injury days (PIDs) 1–5, while cognitive performance was evaluated using the Morris Water Maze on PIDs 13–17. Histological analyses of microglia, astrocytes, and myelination were performed on PID 17. A single mild blast did not significantly alter gross neurological function but was associated with deficits in fine motor coordination and cognitive performance. Pre-exposure NPLT modestly attenuated blast-associated fine motor dysfunction, with a significant improvement compared with TBI on PID 4. In the Morris Water Maze, TBI animals exhibited significantly increased latency compared with Sham on PIDs 13 and 17, whereas NPLT + TBI animals did not significantly differ from Sham across the testing period, consistent with preservation of cognitive performance. Histological responses were regionally heterogeneous: NPLT alone produced distinct glial alterations, while NPLT + TBI animals exhibited a mixture of treatment- and injury-associated responses rather than uniform normalization to uninjured controls. NPLT did not prevent localized blast-associated reductions in corpus callosum myelin staining. In naive animals, NPLT significantly increased hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA expression 24 h after treatment. A single pre-injury application of NPLT was associated with functional resilience following mild blast exposure despite persistent and regionally heterogeneous histopathological alterations. Increased hippocampal BDNF 24 h after NPLT, together with region-specific glial changes following NPLT in the absence of injury, demonstrates that a single treatment produces sustained molecular and cellular effects before blast exposure. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that prophylactic NPLT establishes an altered pre-injury biological state that may modify the subsequent response to blast and support further investigation of NPLT as a prophylactic strategy and of the mechanisms underlying NPLT-associated preconditioning. Full article

Fluorescein-based tracers like uranine are extensively used in hydrogeology, textile marking, and cosmetics, yet their discharge generates dilute wastewater streams that challenge conventional treatment due to low removal efficiency and high operational costs. This study evaluates the sorption potential of polyelectrolyte microcapsules (PMCs) fabricated via a green, aqueous layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly on sacrificial CaCO₃ templates for uranine decontamination. The PMCs achieve rapid equilibrium within ≤5 min, with kinetics governed by the pseudo-second-order model and equilibrium data described by the Langmuir isotherm, yielding a maximum capacity of 12.1 mg/g. Sorption is highly efficient at neutral to mildly acidic pH (3.0–7.0) and low ionic strength (≤0.15 M NaCl), providing 98–100% removal from dilute streams (C₀ ≤ 10 mg/L) and consistently reducing effluent concentrations to <0.05 mg/L. Saturated capsules exhibit low spontaneous dye release (≤10%) in deionized water under the tested conditions. Although limited regenerability precludes multi-cycle industrial use, the rapid sorption kinetics and high uranine removal efficiency make PMCs well suited for single-use polishing applications. By offering a scalable, solvent-free synthesis and targeted removal of emerging fluorescent pollutants from low-concentration effluents, this work presents a sustainable, low-energy alternative for advanced wastewater treatment, aligning with green chemical engineering and circular water management principles. Full article

Oily wastewater commonly contains dissolved organic contaminants such as dyes, antibiotics, and phenolic compounds. Conventional stepwise treatment processes involve complex operation, high energy consumption, and severe membrane fouling. Multifunctional membranes integrating oil/water separation, pollutant adsorption or catalytic degradation, and membrane self-cleaning provide a promising solution for treating complex oily wastewater. This review summarizes recent advances in multifunctional membranes based on metal oxides, two-dimensional (2D) materials, three-dimensional (3D) porous structures, and biomass-derived materials. Key strategies, including micro and nanoscale structure regulation, wettability control, interlayer channel optimization, heterojunction construction, and active site engineering, are discussed together with the synergistic mechanisms involving oil/water separation, adsorption enrichment, photocatalysis, and Fenton reactions. Approaches for improving membrane flux, separation efficiency, degradation activity, antifouling performance, and cycling stability are also reviewed. Finally, challenges related to scalable fabrication, adaptability to real wastewater, long-term stability, and standardized evaluation are outlined, providing guidance for the design and practical application of multifunctional membranes. Full article