Advances in Organic Solid Waste and Wastewater Management

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Energies energies	3.0	6.2	2008	16.8 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Materials materials	3.1	5.8	2008	13.9 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Molecules molecules	4.2	7.4	1996	15.1 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
Waste waste	-	-	2023	34.1 Days	CHF 1000	Submit
Water water	3.0	5.8	2009	17.5 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Sustainability sustainability	3.3	6.8	2009	19.7 Days	CHF 2400	Submit

16 pages, 4006 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Circular Economy Approach for Utilizing Organic Waste in Cat Litter and Compost to Support Plant Growth

by Pin-Han Chen and Jun-Yi Wu

Waste 2025, 3(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/waste3010008 - 24 Feb 2025

Viewed by 719

This study introduces a novel two-stage circular economy model to transform organic waste materials—bean dregs and coffee grounds—into functional products: eco-friendly cat litter and organic fertilizer. The hypothesis was that integrating vermicompost and diatomaceous earth with these waste materials would enhance the functional [...] Read more.

This study introduces a novel two-stage circular economy model to transform organic waste materials—bean dregs and coffee grounds—into functional products: eco-friendly cat litter and organic fertilizer. The hypothesis was that integrating vermicompost and diatomaceous earth with these waste materials would enhance the functional properties of cat litter while ensuring its recyclability into high-quality fertilizer. In the first stage, a combination of bean dregs, coffee grounds, vermicompost, and diatomaceous earth was optimized using the Taguchi method, achieving cat litter with superior water absorption and clumping performance. In the second stage, the spent cat litter was rapidly composted, producing a nutrient-rich organic fertilizer. The fertilizer’s efficacy was validated through a potting experiment with lettuce, where a 10% application rate promoted optimal growth without causing nutrient toxicity. This innovative approach offers a sustainable solution to waste management challenges while contributing to environmentally friendly agricultural practices. Future research could investigate incorporating additional waste streams and enhancing composting efficiency for broader implementation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Organic Solid Waste and Wastewater Management)

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21 pages, 1095 KiB

Open AccessReview

Effects of Calcium-Oxide-Modified Biochar on the Anaerobic Digestion of Vacuum Blackwater

by Ping Fa Chiang, Teng Ling Zhang, Abdulmoseen Segun Giwa, Ndungutse Jean Maurice, Mugabekazi Joie Claire, Nasir Ali, Ehtisham Shafique and Mohammadtaghi Vakili

Molecules 2025, 30(2), 215; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30020215 - 7 Jan 2025

Viewed by 1409

Abstract

The increasing global population and urbanization have led to significant challenges in waste management, particularly concerning vacuum blackwater (VBW), which is the wastewater generated from vacuum toilets. Traditional treatment methods, such as landfilling and composting, often fall short in terms of efficiency and [...] Read more.

The increasing global population and urbanization have led to significant challenges in waste management, particularly concerning vacuum blackwater (VBW), which is the wastewater generated from vacuum toilets. Traditional treatment methods, such as landfilling and composting, often fall short in terms of efficiency and sustainability. Anaerobic digestion (AD) has emerged as a promising alternative, offering benefits such as biogas production and digestate generation. However, the performance of AD can be influenced by various factors, including the composition of the feedstock, pH levels, and the presence of inhibitors. This review investigates the effects of calcium oxide (CaO)-modified biochar (BC) as an additive in AD of VBW. Modifying BC with CaO enhances its alkalinity, nutrient retention, and adsorption capacity, creating a more favorable environment for microorganisms and promoting biogas production, which serves as a valuable source of heat, fuel and electricity. Additionally, the digestate can be processed through plasma pyrolysis to ensure the complete destruction of pathogens while promoting resource utilization. Plasma pyrolysis operates at extremely high temperatures, effectively sterilizing the digestate and eliminating both pathogens and harmful contaminants. This process not only guarantees the safety of the end products, but also transforms organic materials into valuable outputs such as syngas and slag. The syngas produced is a versatile energy carrier that can be utilized as a source of hydrogen, electricity, and heat, making it a valuable resource for various applications, including fuel cells and power generation. Furthermore, the slag has potential for reuse as an additive in the AD process or as a biofertilizer to enhance soil properties. This study aims to provide insights into the benefits of using modified BC as a co-substrate in AD systems. The findings will contribute to the development of more sustainable and efficient waste management strategies, addressing the challenges associated with VBW treatment while promoting renewable energy production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Organic Solid Waste and Wastewater Management)

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24 pages, 3409 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of the Composition and Properties of Municipal Solid Waste from Various Cities in Kazakhstan

by Sergey A. Glazyrin, Yelaman K. Aibuldinov, Eldar E. Kopishev, Mikhail G. Zhumagulov and Zarina A. Bimurzina

Energies 2024, 17(24), 6426; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17246426 - 20 Dec 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2053

Abstract

According to the Bureau of National Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan, by the end of 2023, approximately 120 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) had been generated across over 3200 landfills in the country. About 4.5 million tons are generated annually, [...] Read more.

According to the Bureau of National Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan, by the end of 2023, approximately 120 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) had been generated across over 3200 landfills in the country. About 4.5 million tons are generated annually, of which only about 15% are recycled. The accumulation of both unsorted and sorted waste poses significant environmental risks, primarily through the generation of methane, a greenhouse gas that is 28 times more dangerous than carbon dioxide in contributing to the planet’s greenhouse effect over a century and 84 times more effective over a 20-year timeframe. The objective of this research is to examine the physicochemical composition, as well as the physical and thermal-chemical properties, of municipal solid waste from six cities in Kazakhstan: Astana, Almaty, Shymkent, Aktobe, Karaganda, and Ust-Kamenogorsk. Unlike existing studies, this study has a uniform waste sample, which includes the complete emptying of dozens of containers from different areas of the cities under consideration. Thus, the average composition of solid waste across the cities was maintained. Analysis of the physicochemical composition was conducted for both unsorted and sorted municipal solid waste from all cities, determining the total and analytical moisture content, ash content, and volatile matter, as well as the higher and lower calorific values. The calorific value of unsorted waste by city was as follows, in kJ/kg: Astana,8850.37; Almaty, 9244.57; Atobe, 9596.41; Shymkent, 9425.48; Karaganda, 8902.8; Ust-Kamenogorsk, 9669.07. The calorific value of sorted waste was as follows, in kJ/kg: Astana, 11,922.79; Almaty, 11,692.31; Atobe, 11,913.13; Shymkent, 12,494.38; Karaganda, 11,671.92; Ust-Kamenogorsk, 12,462.52. The efficiency of sorting was estimated as the first stage of MSW processing. The efficiency factor of the manual sorting process in practice was 0.4–0.8. The results obtained enable the evaluation of technologies for the effective management of municipal solid waste and facilitate experimental investigations into semi-industrial pyrolysis, combustion, plasma processing, and composting facilities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Organic Solid Waste and Wastewater Management)

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18 pages, 7919 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cross-Linked Starch as Media for Crystal Violet Elimination from Water: Modeling Batch Adsorption with Fuzzy Regression

by Mehdi Bahrami, Mohammad Javad Amiri, Rosa Busquets and Mohammad Javad Nematollahi

Molecules 2024, 29(16), 3894; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29163894 - 17 Aug 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1105

Abstract

A scalable and cost-effective solution for removing pollutants from water is to use biodegradable and eco-friendly sorbents that are readily available such as starch. The current research explored the removal of crystal violet (CV) dye from water using chemically modified potato starch. The [...] Read more.

A scalable and cost-effective solution for removing pollutants from water is to use biodegradable and eco-friendly sorbents that are readily available such as starch. The current research explored the removal of crystal violet (CV) dye from water using chemically modified potato starch. The adsorbent was prepared by cross-linking potato starch with sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP). The impact of various operating factors including pH, temperature, contact time, initial CV concentration, and adsorbent dosage on the removal of CV were investigated using batch experiments. The adsorption data were analyzed using a fuzzy regression approach, which provided a range-based representation of the model’s output. The cross-linked starch adsorbent was mesoporous, with a mean pore diameter of 9.8 nm and a specific surface area of 2.7 m²/g. The adsorption of CV by the STMP cross-linked potato starch was primarily influenced by the adsorbent dosage, followed by the solution pH, temperature, initial CV concentration, and contact time. The fuzzy regression model accurately predicted the independent experimental data of CV removal with an R² of 0.985, demonstrating its value as a tool for the continuous monitoring of CV removal as well as optimizing water treatment conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Organic Solid Waste and Wastewater Management)

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19 pages, 1620 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Diagnosis of Nutrient Discharges and Management Alternatives in Developing Countries and the Use of Microalgae as a Potential Solution: A Case Study from Different Provinces in Antioquia, Colombia

by Alejandro Pérez Mesa, Julio Cesar Saldarriaga Molina, Luis Alberto Ríos, Esteban Ocampo Echeverri and David Ocampo Echeverri

Water 2024, 16(16), 2215; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16162215 - 6 Aug 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1994

Abstract

This research aims to propose management strategies to mitigate eutrophication caused by inefficient wastewater treatment plants in Colombia. The information analyzed was provided by environmental authorities such as IDEAM, CORANTIOQUIA, and CORNARE in Antioquia, where the average concentrations of phosphorus in wastewater from [...] Read more.

This research aims to propose management strategies to mitigate eutrophication caused by inefficient wastewater treatment plants in Colombia. The information analyzed was provided by environmental authorities such as IDEAM, CORANTIOQUIA, and CORNARE in Antioquia, where the average concentrations of phosphorus in wastewater from municipal, livestock, and industrial activities are 5.1, 30.6, and 29.1 mg P/L. The total nitrogen concentrations are 77, 143, and 121 mg N/L, respectively, surpassing the limit concentrations stated by the European Union, the United States, and Mexico, among others, while Colombia has not established its own limits. Including limitations for nutrient concentrations will align Colombia with the 2050 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), where microalgae species like Chlorella or Scenedesmus could be used in wastewater treatment systems for municipalities and industries. These microalgae can capture organic matter, nutrients, and greenhouse emissions and reduce the concentrations observed in natural water. They could also be an alternative for capturing heavy metals and some pollutants of emerging concern. In addition to the ecological and social benefits, the algal biomass could be valorized by transforming it into biological products such as fuels, fertilizers, and pigments when micropollutants are not present, reducing operational costs for treatment systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Organic Solid Waste and Wastewater Management)

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13 pages, 1138 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Artificial Floating Islands for the Removal of Nutrients and Improvement of the Quality of Urban Wastewater

by Luis Alfredo Hernández-Vásquez, Claudia Romo-Gómez, Alejandro Alvarado-Lassman, Francisco Prieto-García, Cesar Camacho-López and Otilio Arturo Acevedo-Sandoval

Water 2024, 16(10), 1443; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16101443 - 18 May 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2096

Abstract

A high amount of nutrients can be found in urban wastewater (UW), which makes it difficult to treat. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the potential of the aquatic macrophytes Eichhornia crassipes, Pistia stratiotes, and Salvinia molesta in the [...] Read more.

A high amount of nutrients can be found in urban wastewater (UW), which makes it difficult to treat. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the potential of the aquatic macrophytes Eichhornia crassipes, Pistia stratiotes, and Salvinia molesta in the treatment of UW. To evaluate the potential of each macrophyte, phytoremediation bioassays were established; the hydraulic retention time for each bioassay was 15 days. The physicochemical analysis of the water samples considered pH, turbidity, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total carbon (TC), phosphates (PO₄³-P), nitrate (NO₃-N), and total nitrogen (TN). To evaluate the phytoremediation potential of each plant, the bioconcentration factors (BCFs) and translocation factors (TFs) for NO₃-N and PO₄³-P were evaluated. Likewise, the relative growth rates (RGRs) and total chlorophyll production of the macrophytes were measured. The results showed that the highest efficiency was achieved with the bioassays with E. crassipes, with removal values of 69.7%, 68.8%, 58.7%, 69.4%, 56.3%, and 40.9% for turbidity, COD, TOC, PO₄³-P, NO₃-N, and TN, respectively. The phytoremediation potential results showed that, for BCF, the highest value was 4.88 mg/g of PO₄³-P with E. crassipes, and for TF, it was 6.17 mg/g of PO₄³-P with S. molesta. The measurement of RGR and total chlorophyll for E. crassipes showed an increase of 0.00024 gg⁻¹d⁻¹ and an increase of 4.5%, respectively. On the other hand, the other macrophytes suffered decreases in chlorophyll content and RGR. Thus, E. crassipes is defined as the macrophyte with the greatest potential for the UW phytoremediation process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Organic Solid Waste and Wastewater Management)

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21 pages, 13289 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Rapid, Massive, and Green Synthesis of Polyoxometalate-Based Metal–Organic Frameworks to Fabricate POMOF/PAN Nanofiber Membranes for Selective Filtration of Cationic Dyes

by Jianping Li, Zhaoke Yu, Jiaming Zhang, Chengjie Liu, Qi Zhang, Hongfei Shi and Dai Wu

Molecules 2024, 29(7), 1493; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29071493 - 27 Mar 2024

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 1807

Abstract

Developing high−efficiency membrane materials for the rapid removal of organic dyes is crucial but remains a challenge. Polyoxometalates (POMs) clusters with anionic structures are promising candidates for the removal of cationic dyes via electrostatic interactions. However, their shortcomings, such as their solubility and [...] Read more.

Developing high−efficiency membrane materials for the rapid removal of organic dyes is crucial but remains a challenge. Polyoxometalates (POMs) clusters with anionic structures are promising candidates for the removal of cationic dyes via electrostatic interactions. However, their shortcomings, such as their solubility and inability to be mass−produced, hinder their application in water pollution treatment. Here, we propose a simple and green strategy utilizing the room temperature stirring method to mass produce nanoscale polyoxometalate−based metal−organic frameworks (POMOFs) with porous rhomboid−shaped dodecahedral and hexagonal prism structures. The products were labeled as POMOF1 (POMOF-PW₁₂) and POMOF2 (POMOF-PMo₁₂). Subsequently, a series of x wt% POMOF1/PAN (x = 0, 3, 5, and 10) nanofiber membranes (NFMs) were prepared using electrospinning technology, where polyacrylonitrile (PAN) acts as a “glue” molecule facilitating the bonding of POMOF1 nanoparticles. The as−prepared samples were comprehensively characterized and exhibited obvious water stability, as well as rapid selective adsorption filtration performance towards cationic dyes. The 5 wt% POMOF1/PAN NFM possessed the highest removal efficiency of 96.7% for RhB, 95.8% for MB, and 86.4% for CV dyes, which realized the selective separation over 95% of positively charged dyes from the mixed solution. The adsorption mechanism was explained using FT−IR, SEM, Zeta potential, and adsorption kinetics model, which proved that separation was determined via electrostatic interaction, hydrogen bonding, and π–π interactions. Moreover, the POMOF1/PAN membrane presented an outstanding recoverable and stable removal rate after four cycles. This study provides a new direction for the systematic design and manufacture of membrane separation materials with outstanding properties for contaminant removal. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Organic Solid Waste and Wastewater Management)

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14 pages, 1464 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Study of Humic Substances’ Impact on Anion Exchangers

by Paweł Wiercik, Tomasz Garbowski and Przemysław Chrobot

Materials 2024, 17(6), 1237; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17061237 - 7 Mar 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1105

Abstract

Humic substances (HSs) present in water and wastewater cause fouling of anion exchange resins (AERs), which mainly results in reducing the ion exchange capacity (IEC). In this paper, an attempt was made to investigate fouling of two polystyrene and one polyacrylic AER using [...] Read more.

Humic substances (HSs) present in water and wastewater cause fouling of anion exchange resins (AERs), which mainly results in reducing the ion exchange capacity (IEC). In this paper, an attempt was made to investigate fouling of two polystyrene and one polyacrylic AER using water from the Oder River, treated wastewater after the ultrafiltration process (UFTW) and digester reject water from sludge dewatering at the Janówek Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in Wrocław. HSs contained in digester reject water were characterised by the lowest aromaticity and molecular weights (MWs), the highest proportion of hydrophilic fraction and the highest amount of oxygenated functional groups. The Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analyses made it possible to identify chemical bonds characteristic of HSs and determine the mechanism of their retention on the surface of AER beads. The conducted experiments brought unexpected results, as the IEC increased with the amount of organic matter in the feed. Presumably, the humic substances accumulated on the beads and in the porosity of the anion exchangers themselves participated in the ion exchange process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Organic Solid Waste and Wastewater Management)

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15 pages, 4519 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mobility of Nitrates and Phosphates from Animal Manure-Amended Soil to Runoff and Seepage Water from a Sweet Potato Field

by George Fouad Antonious

Water 2024, 16(2), 204; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16020204 - 6 Jan 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2338

Abstract

Ammonia, nitrate, and phosphate in animal manure used as fertilizer reduce environmental quality by running off agricultural fields into natural water resources. Runoff and seepage water from five soil management practices (chicken manure CM, sewage sludge SS, chitin CH, biochar Bio, and no-amendment [...] Read more.

Ammonia, nitrate, and phosphate in animal manure used as fertilizer reduce environmental quality by running off agricultural fields into natural water resources. Runoff and seepage water from five soil management practices (chicken manure CM, sewage sludge SS, chitin CH, biochar Bio, and no-amendment NA control plots), were investigated for their potential nutrient catching down the field slope of a sweet potato, Ipomoea balata field. The results revealed that CM-amended soil released the greatest runoff water volume (172.6 L plot ⁻¹) compared to the control treatment (98.6 L plot ⁻¹), indicating a 75% increase in the runoff water volume. CM also increased the percolated water into the rhizosphere of the growing plants by 55% compared to the control, whereas SS reduced the runoff water volume and increased the leaching water by 36% and 82%, respectively (a desirable attribute of water conservation), compared to the control plots. The concentration of PO₄⁻³ ions in the percolated water from the biochar treatment was significantly greater compared to the other treatments, indicating there was no impact of biochar on binding PO₄⁻³ ions. SS reduced the nitrate concentrations in the runoff and increased the seepage water volume percolated towards the roots of the growing plants; a desired attribute for preventing surface water contamination by nitrates. Observing the precipitation pattern and improving the N application rate are recommended. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Organic Solid Waste and Wastewater Management)

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