Search Results (2,154)

While the Ankom RF system facilitates efficient high-throughput in vitro fermentation studies, its high cost and limited flexibility constrain its broader applicability. To address these limitations, we developed and validated a low-cost, modular gas monitoring system (FerME), assembled from commercially available components. To evaluate its performance and reproducibility relative to the Ankom RF system (Ankom Technology, Macedon, NY, USA), in vitro rumen fermentation experiments were conducted under strictly controlled and identical conditions. Whole rumen contents were collected approximately 2 h post-feeding from individual mid- or late-lactation dairy cows and immediately transported to the laboratory. Each fermenter received 50 mL of processed rumen fluid, 100 mL of anaerobically prepared artificial saliva buffer, and 1.2 g of the donor cow’s diet. Bottles were sealed with the respective system’s pressure sensors, flushed with CO₂, and incubated in a 50 L water bath maintained at 39 °C. FerME (New Taipei City, Taiwan) and Ankom RF fermenters were placed side-by-side to ensure uniform thermal conditions. To assess the effect of filter bag use, an additional trial employed Ankom F57 filter bags (Ankom Technology, Macedon, NY, USA; 25 μm pore size). Trial 1 revealed no significant differences in cumulative gas production, volatile fatty acids (VFAs), NH₃-N, or pH between systems (p > 0.05). However, the use of filter bags reduced gas output and increased propionate concentrations (p < 0.05). Trial 2, which employed filter bags in both systems, confirmed comparable results, with the FerME system demonstrating improved precision (CV: 4.8% vs. 13.2%). Gas composition (CH₄ + CO₂: 76–82%) and fermentation parameters remained consistent across systems (p > 0.05). Importantly, with 12 pressure sensors, the total cost of FerME was about half that of the Ankom RF system. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that FerME is a reliable, low-cost alternative for real-time rumen fermentation monitoring and could be suitable for studies in animal nutrition, methane mitigation, and related applications. Full article

Parabens—specifically methylparaben (MeP), ethylparaben (EtP), propylparaben (PrP), and butylparaben (BuP)—are widely used substances in everyday life, particularly as preservatives in pharmaceutical and food products. However, these compounds are not effectively removed by conventional water and wastewater treatment processes, potentially causing disruptions to human homeostasis and the endocrine system. This study conducted a transport and dimensional analysis through simulation of the adsorption process for these parabens, using zinc chloride-activated carbon derived from spent coffee grounds (ACZnCl₂) as the adsorbent, implemented via Aspen Properties^® and Aspen Adsorption^®. Simulations were performed for two inlet concentrations (50 mg/L and 100 mg/L) and two adsorption column heights (3 m and 4 m), considering a volumetric flow rate representative of a medium-sized city with approximately 100,000 inhabitants. The results showed that both density and surface tension of the parabens varied linearly with increasing temperature, and viscosity exhibited a marked reduction above 30 °C. Among the tested conditions, the configuration with 50 mg∙L⁻¹ inlet concentration and a 4 m column height demonstrated the highest adsorption capacity and better performance under adsorption–desorption equilibrium. These findings indicate that the implementation of adsorption beds on an industrial scale in water and wastewater treatment systems is both environmentally and socially viable. Full article

This study develops an integrated environmental–economic assessment framework to evaluate the life cycle environmental impacts and economic costs of CO₂ geological storage and produced water treatment in saline formations in China. Using a case study of a saline aquifer carbon storage project in the Ordos Basin, eight full-chain carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) scenarios were analyzed. The results indicate that environmental and cost performance are primarily influenced by technology choices across carbon capture, transport, and storage stages. The scenario employing potassium carbonate-based capture, pipeline transport, and brine reinjection after a reverse osmosis treatment (S5) achieved the most balanced outcome. Breakeven analyses under three carbon price projection models revealed that carbon price trajectories critically affect project viability, with a steadily rising carbon price enabling earlier profitability. By decoupling CCUS from power systems and focusing on unit CO₂ removal, this study provides a transparent and transferable framework to support cross-sectoral deployment. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers aiming to design effective CCUS support mechanisms under future carbon neutrality targets. Full article

Plastic pollution is a growing environmental and social concern, particularly in Southeast Asia, where urban rivers serve as key pathways for transporting waste to marine environments. This scoping review examines 110 peer-reviewed studies to understand how plastic pollution in waterways is being researched, addressed, and reconceptualized. Drawing from the literature across environmental science, technology, and social studies, we identify four interconnected areas of focus: urban pollution pathways, innovations in monitoring and methods, community-based interventions, and interdisciplinary perspectives. Our analysis combines qualitative synthesis with visual mapping techniques, including keyword co-occurrence networks, to explore how real-time tools, such as IoT sensors, multi-sensor systems, and geospatial technologies, are transforming the ways plastic waste is tracked and analyzed. The review also considers the growing use of novel theoretical frameworks, such as post-phenomenology and ecological materialism, to better understand the role of plastics as both pollutants and ecological agents. Despite progress, the literature reveals persistent gaps in longitudinal studies, regional representation, and policy translation, particularly across the Global South. We emphasize the value of participatory models and community-led research in bridging these gaps and advancing more inclusive and responsive solutions. These insights inform the development of plastic tracker technologies currently being piloted in Vietnam and contribute to broader sustainability goals, including SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 14 (Life Below Water). Full article

The gut microbiota plays an essential role in the host’s metabolism. Its composition and structure depend on biological and environmental factors. This work was designed to identify the composition and structure of the wild and captive red grouper (Epinephelus morio) microbiota and make predictions regarding its metabolic functions. Our hypothesis stated that wild and captive individuals would share the most abundant taxonomic groups, forming a core microbiota, and individuals in captivity might have exclusive taxonomic groups. Metagenomic DNA was extracted from the intestinal contents of wild and captive individuals. The 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced using Illumina pair-end technology. QIIME2 pipeline was used for sequence analysis and alpha and beta diversity assessment. PICRUSt was used to infer metabolic functions. Twenty-nine phyla were identified; the most abundant were Pseudomonadota, Bacillota, Fusobacteriota, and Actinomycetota. The dominant genera were Photobacterium, Vibrio, Cetobacterium, and Escherichia-Shigella. The metabolic prediction analysis suggested that the Epinephelus morio gut microbiota is related to food digestion, the immune system, antioxidant enzymes, antibiotic resistance, and vitamin B12 transport. We concluded that the microbiota of E. morio established in captivity is sensitive to environmental changes such as water pollution, which can cause a decrease in diversity. Full article

This study investigates the behavior of phosphate ion transport through two structurally distinct anion-exchange membranes—AMV (homogeneous) and HC-A (heterogeneous)—in an electrodialysis system under both static and stirred conditions at varying pH levels. Chronopotentiometric and current–voltage analyses were used to investigate the influence of pH and hydrodynamics on ion transport. Under underlimiting (ohmic) conditions, the AMV membrane exhibited simultaneous transport of H₂PO₄⁻ and HPO₄²⁻ ions at neutral and mildly alkaline pH, while such behavior was not verified at acidic pH and in all cases for the HC-A membrane. Under overlimiting current conditions, AMV favored electroconvection at low pH and exhibited significant water dissociation at high pH, leading to local pH shifts and chemical equilibrium displacement at the membrane–solution interface. In contrast, the HC-A membrane operated predominantly under strong electroconvective regimes, regardless of the pH value, without evidence of water dissociation or equilibrium change phenomena. Stirring significantly impacted the electrochemical responses: it altered the chronopotentiogram profiles through the emergence of intense oscillations in membrane potential drop at overlimiting currents and modified the current–voltage behavior by increasing the limiting current density, reducing electrical resistance, and compressing the plateau region that separates ohmic and overlimiting regimes. Additionally, both membranes showed signs of NH₃ formation at the anodic-side interface under pH 7–8, associated with increased electrical resistance. These findings reveal distinct ionic transport characteristics and hydrodynamic sensitivities of the membranes, thus providing valuable insights for optimizing phosphate recovery via electrodialysis. Full article

Effective transport strategies are critical for the survival and welfare of juvenile Ictalurus punctatus, but the effects of pre-transport salt bath treatments remain uncertain. In this study, we systematically evaluated the effects of pre-transport salt bath acclimation at 0‰ (S1), 1‰ (S2), 5‰ (S3), and 9‰ (S4) salinity for 30 min on stress resilience and recovery in fingerlings during 12 h of simulated transport and 24 h of recovery. All fish survived, but total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) increased, and pH decreased in all groups, except S3, which showed significantly lower TAN and higher pH (p < 0.05). The S3 and S4 groups showed attenuated increases in serum cortisol and glucose, with S3 exhibiting the fastest return to baseline levels and stable serum sodium and potassium levels. Liver antioxidant enzyme activities in group S3 remained stable, with the lowest malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation. Integrated biomarker response (IBR) and histological analyses demonstrated that S3 had the lowest systemic stress and tissue damage, whereas S1 and S4 displayed marked cellular disruption. These results indicate that a 5‰ salt bath applied prior to transport may improve water quality, mitigate stress responses, and preserve tissue integrity in juvenile channel catfish. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings in other species and under commercial transport conditions. Full article

This study examines the use of a mass-abatement scalable system with managed aquifer recharge (MAR-MASS) as a sustainable solution for restoring salinized aquifers and improving water quality by removing dissolved salts. It offers a practical remediation approach for aquifers affected by salinization in coastal regions, agricultural areas, and contaminated sites, where variable-density flow poses a challenge. Numerical simulations assessed hydrogeological properties such as hydraulic conductivity, anisotropy, specific yield, mechanical dispersion, and molecular diffusion. A conceptual model integrated hydraulic conditions with spatial and temporal discretization using the FLOPY API for MODFLOW 6 and the IFM API for FEFLOW 10. Python algorithms were run within the high-performance computing (HPC) server, executing simulations in parallel to efficiently process a large number of scenarios, including both preprocessing input data and post-processing results. The study simulated 6950 scenarios, each modeling flow and transport processes over 3000 days of method implementation and focusing on mass extraction efficiency under different initial salinity conditions (3.5 to 35 kg/m³). The results show that the MAR-MASS effectively removed salts from aquifers, with higher hydraulic conductivity prolonging mass removal efficiency. Of the scenarios, 88% achieved potability (0.5 kg/m³) in under five years; among these, 79% achieved potability within two years, and 92% of cases with initial concentrations of 3.5–17.5 kg/m³ reached potability within 480 days. This study advances scientific knowledge by providing a robust model for optimizing managed aquifer recharge, with practical applications in rehabilitating salinized aquifers and improving water quality. Future research may explore MAR-MASS adaptation for diverse hydrogeological contexts and its long-term performance. Full article

A mass abatement scalable system through managed aquifer recharge (MAR-MASS) improves mass extraction from groundwater with a variable-density flow. This method is superior to conventional injection systems because it promotes uniform mass displacement, reduces density gradients, and increases mass extraction efficiency over time. Simulations of various scenarios involving hydrogeologic variables, including hydraulic conductivity, vertical anisotropy, specific yield, mechanical dispersion, molecular diffusion, and mass concentration in aquifers, have identified critical variables and parameters influencing mass transport interactions to optimize the system. MAR-MASS is adaptable across hydrogeologic conditions in aquifers that are 25–75 m thick, comprising unconsolidated materials with hydraulic conductivities between 5 and 100 m/d. It is effective in scenarios near coastal areas or in aquifers with variable-density flows within the continent, with mass concentrations of salts or solutes ranging from 3.5 to 35 kg/m³. This system employs a modular approach that offers scalable and adaptable solutions for mass extraction at specific locations. The integration of programming tools, such as Python 3.13.2, along with technological strategies utilizing parallelization techniques and high-performance computing, has facilitated the development and validation of MAR-MASS in mass extraction with remarkable efficiency. This study confirmed the utility of these tools for performing calculations, analyzing information, and managing databases in hydrogeologic models. Combining these technologies is critical for achieving precise and efficient results that would not be achievable without them, emphasizing the importance of an advanced technological approach in high-level hydrogeologic research. By enhancing groundwater quality within a comparatively short time frame, expanding freshwater availability, and supporting sustainable aquifer recharge practices, MAR-MASS is essential for improving water resource management. Full article

Acid mine drainage, a consequence of exposure of sulfide mining waste to weathering processes, results in significant water, sediment, and soil contamination. This contamination results in acidophilic ecosystems, with low pH values and elevated concentrations of sulfate and potentially toxic elements. The São Domingos mine, an abandoned site in the Iberian Pyrite Belt, lacks remediation measures and has numerous waste dumps, which are a major source of contamination to local water systems. Therefore, this study examines sediment accumulation in five mine dams along the São Domingos stream that traverses the entire mine complex. Decades of sediment and waste transport since mine closure have resulted in dam-clogging processes. The geochemical, mineralogical, and magnetic properties of the sediments were analyzed to evaluate the mineralogical controls on the mobilization of potentially toxic elements. The sediments are dominated by iron oxides, oxyhydroxides, and hydroxysulfates, with jarosite playing a key role in binding high concentrations of iron and toxic elements. However, no considerable correlation was found between potentially toxic elements and magnetic parameters, highlighting the complex behavior of these contaminants in acid mine drainage-affected systems. Full article

The role of on-site wastewater treatment (OSWT) is increasingly important for water reuse and local sustainability, but treatment efficiency is highly dependent on hydraulic behavior and mixing. This study used validated CFD simulations and tracer experiments to analyze flow patterns and mixing performance in a six-zone OSWT unit under different operational scenarios, including inflow, aeration, recirculation, combined mechanisms, and closed-loop operation without inflow. The results show that influent flow is essential for maintaining convective transport and system-wide momentum, while aeration and recirculation enhance local mixing, but cannot fully overcome geometric dead zones. The combined use of inflow, aeration, and recirculation achieved the highest mixing efficiency and minimized the dead volume, whereas scenarios lacking inflow exhibited severe stagnation and expanded dead zones. These findings highlight the need to integrate hydraulic interventions with thoughtful reactor design to ensure effective and resilient small-scale wastewater treatment systems. Full article

The presence of sea ice threatens low ice-class vessels’ navigation safety in the Arctic, and traditional Navigation Risk Assessment Models based on sea ice parameters have been widely used to guide safe passages for ships operating in ice regions. However, these models mainly rely on empirical coefficients, and the accuracy of these models in identifying sea ice navigation risk remains insufficiently validated. Therefore, under the binary classification framework, this study used Automatic Identification System (AIS) data along the Northeast Passage (NEP) as positive samples, manual interpretation non-navigable data as negative samples, a total of 10 machine learning (ML) models were employed to capture the complex relationships between ice conditions and navigation risk for Polar Class (PC) 6 and Open Water (OW) vessels. The results showed that compared to traditional Navigation Risk Assessment Models, most of the 10 ML models exhibited significantly improved classification accuracy, which was especially pronounced when classifying samples of PC6 vessel. This study also revealed that the navigability of the East Siberian Sea (ESS) and the Vilkitsky Strait along the NEP is relatively poor, particularly during the month when sea ice melts and reforms, requiring special attention. The navigation risk output by ML models is strongly determined by sea ice thickness. These findings offer valuable insights for enhancing the safety and efficiency of Arctic maritime transport. Full article

With the rapid progression of global industrialization and urbanization, emerging contaminants (ECs) have become pervasive in environmental media, posing considerable risks to ecosystems and human health. While multidisciplinary evidence continues to accumulate regarding their environmental persistence and bioaccumulative hazards, critical knowledge gaps persist in understanding their spatiotemporal distribution, cross-media migration mechanisms, and cascading ecotoxicological consequences. This review systematically investigates the global distribution patterns of ECs in aquatic environments over the past five years and evaluates their potential ecological risks. Furthermore, it examines the performance of various treatment technologies, focusing on economic cost, efficiency, and environmental sustainability. Methodologically aligned with PRISMA 2020 guidelines, this study implements dual independent screening protocols, stringent inclusion–exclusion criteria (n = 327 studies). Key findings reveal the following: (1) Occurrences of ECs show geographical clustering in highly industrialized river basins, particularly in Asia (37.05%), Europe (24.31%), and North America (14.01%), where agricultural pharmaceuticals and fluorinated compounds contribute disproportionately to environmental loading. (2) Complex transboundary pollutant transport through atmospheric deposition and oceanic currents, coupled with compound-specific partitioning behaviors across water–sediment–air interfaces. (3) Emerging hybrid treatment systems (e.g., catalytic membrane bioreactors, plasma-assisted advanced oxidation) achieve > 90% removal for recalcitrant ECs, though requiring 15–40% cost reductions for scalable implementation. This work provides actionable insights for developing adaptive regulatory frameworks and advancing green chemistry principles in environmental engineering practice. Full article

This study investigates the performance of Cu-intercalated V₃O₇·H₂O (CuVOH) as a cathode material for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs). Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations were conducted to explore the effects of Cu²⁺ incorporation and structural water on the electrochemical performance of VOH. The results indicated that Cu²⁺ and structural water enhance Zn²⁺ diffusion by reducing electrostatic resistance and facilitating faster transport. Based on these insights, CuVOH nanobelts were synthesized via a one-step hydrothermal method. The experimental results confirmed the DFT predictions, demonstrating that CuVOH exhibited an initial discharge capacity of 336.1 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.2 A g⁻¹ and maintained a high cycling stability with 98.7% retention after 1000 cycles at 10 A g⁻¹. The incorporation of Cu²⁺ pillars and interlayer water improved the structural stability and Zn²⁺ diffusion, offering enhanced rate performance and long-term cycling stability. The study highlights the effective integration of computational and experimental methods to optimize cathode materials for high-performance AZIBs, providing a promising strategy for the development of stable and efficient energy storage systems. Full article

Various nature-based solutions (NbS)—such as constructed wetlands, drainage ditches, and vegetated buffer strips—have recently demonstrated strong potential for mitigating pollutant transport in open channels and river systems. Numerical modeling is a widely adopted and effective approach for assessing the performance of these interventions. This study presents the first development of a two-dimensional (2D) meshless advection–diffusion model based on an Eulerian smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) framework, specifically designed to simulate passive pollutant transport in open channel flows. The proposed model marks a pioneering application of the ESPH technique to environmental pollutant transport problems. It couples the 2D depth-averaged shallow water equations with an advection–diffusion equation to represent both fluid motion and pollutant concentration dynamics. A uniform particle arrangement ensures that each fluid particle interacts symmetrically with eight neighboring particles for flux computation. To represent the pollutant transport process, the dispersion coefficient is defined as the sum of molecular and turbulent diffusion components. The turbulent diffusion coefficient is calculated using a prescribed turbulent Schmidt number and the eddy viscosity obtained from a Smagorinsky-type mixing-length turbulence model. Three analytical case studies, including one-dimensional transcritical open channel flow, 2D isotropic and anisotropic diffusion in still water, and advection–diffusion in a 2D uniform flow, are employed to verify the model’s accuracy and convergence. The model demonstrates first-order convergence, with relative root mean square errors (RRMSEs) of approximately 0.2% for water depth and velocity, and 0.1–0.5% for concentration. Additionally, the model is applied to a laboratory experiment involving 2D pollutant dispersion in a 90° junction channel. The simulated results show good agreement with measured velocity and concentration distributions. These findings indicate that the developed model is a reliable and effective tool for evaluating the performance of NbS in mitigating pollutant transport in open channels and river systems. Full article