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Control and Treatment of Emerging Contaminants in Water Ecosystems
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Control and Treatment of Emerging Contaminants in Water Ecosystems

A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Wastewater Treatment and Reuse".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 December 2024) | Viewed by 10814

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Sai Xu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, China
Interests: emerging contaminants; antibiotics; antibiotic resistance genes; microbial remediation; biodegradation
Dr. Yuxiang Zhu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Interests: environmental behaviors; health risk; photocatalysis; emerging contaminants; contamination control

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The control and treatment of emerging contaminants in water is an important issue for ensuring the safety and quality of our water resources. Emerging contaminants refer to a wide range of chemicals and substances that are not commonly monitored or regulated, but have the potential to cause adverse effects on humans’ health or the environment. These contaminants include pharmaceuticals, personal care products, pesticides, industrial chemicals, and various other substances (antibiotic resistance genes). In light of the detrimental impacts that emerging contaminants have on water ecosystems, there is a growing need to devise environmentally friendly remediation approaches.

This Special Issue welcomes critical reviews, monographs, mini research articles, and research papers concerning the environmental friendly, laboratory- and field-scale control and treatment of emerging contaminants from natural and artificial water ecosystems by combining physical, chemical, and microbiological approaches

Dr. Sai Xu
Dr. Yuxiang Zhu
Guest Editors

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. Water 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 2600 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

  • emerging contaminants
  • contamination control and treatment
  • water ecosystems
  • remediation
  • health risk

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 5444 KiB  
Article
A Comprehensive Study of the Degradation of Veterinary Antibiotics by Non-Thermal Plasma: Computational, Experimental, and Biotoxicity Assessments
by Gema Díaz Bukvic, Matias Zanini, Sally Qasim, Chung-Ho Lin, María Marta Fidalgo, Ezequiel Rossi, Diana Grondona and María Inés Errea
Water 2024, 16(22), 3281; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16223281 - 15 Nov 2024
Viewed by 764
Abstract
Water quality is threatened by numerous pollutants, among which antibiotics are of great concern due to their widespread use and unaltered excretion, leading to water contamination and fostering antibiotic resistance. To comprehensively address sustainable water remediation, herein, the susceptibility to non-thermal plasma degradation [...] Read more.
Water quality is threatened by numerous pollutants, among which antibiotics are of great concern due to their widespread use and unaltered excretion, leading to water contamination and fostering antibiotic resistance. To comprehensively address sustainable water remediation, herein, the susceptibility to non-thermal plasma degradation of two veterinary antibiotics (Oxytetracycline (OTC) and Lincomycin (LNC)) are compared in an integral approach, including computational analyses, plasma irradiation assays, and a byproduct toxicity assessment. The computational assessment was performed by evaluating the ionization potential (IP) obtained from Density Functional Theory calculations and determining the antibiotics’ susceptible sites for radical attack. Plasma irradiation achieved nearly complete degradation (~100%) of both compounds with the initial concentration of 1 mg L−1, while 60% degradation was observed when the starting concentration was 10 mg L−1. The mineralization rates were 21% and 31% for OTC and LNC, respectively. The degradation profiles followed similar trends, as expected from their comparable IP values. After treatment, the solution exhibited lower biotoxicity compared to the original antibiotics. Therefore, this work represents a step forward in addressing one of the key environmental challenges of our time and encourages further extending the analysis towards the remediation of water polluted with many other organic compounds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Control and Treatment of Emerging Contaminants in Water Ecosystems)
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16 pages, 4457 KiB  
Article
Integration of Coagulation–flocculation(with Natural Coagulant) to Constructed Wetlands for Color Removal from Tequila Vinasses
by Florentina Zurita, Allan Tejeda, Anderson Ramirez-Ramirez and Arturo Montoya
Water 2024, 16(21), 3151; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16213151 - 4 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1110
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate a natural coagulant, Moringa oleifera seeds (MOC), to reduce the color concentration in treated tequila vinasses (TVs). TV-A was the effluent of horizontal subsurface flow wetlands (HSSFW); TV-B was the effluent of vertical up-flow wetlands [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to evaluate a natural coagulant, Moringa oleifera seeds (MOC), to reduce the color concentration in treated tequila vinasses (TVs). TV-A was the effluent of horizontal subsurface flow wetlands (HSSFW); TV-B was the effluent of vertical up-flow wetlands (VUFW); and TV-C was the effluent of vertical down-flow constructed wetlands (VDFW). Raw TVs were also evaluated with MOC. Jar tests were performed to find the optimal dose and pH value for apparent color (AC) removal. With the optimal dose and pH for each type of TV, tests were performed in triplicate to evaluate the removal of apparent color (AC), true color (TC), turbidity, total suspended solids (TSS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and electrical conductivity (EC). For TV-A and TV-B, the optimal values were 1 g/L of MOC and pH 8, and the removals were 52%, 43%, 50% and 72% of AC, turbidity, TC, and TSS, respectively. For TV-C, the optimal values were 2.5 g/L and pH 5, with removals of 66%, 73%, and 98% for AC, TC, and TSS, respectively. For TV-D, the MOC had no coagulant effect in any of the experimental conditions evaluated, probably due to the high concentration of turbidity and TSS in the raw vinasses, which prevented the interaction between MOC and melanoidins. Deeper studies are required to understand and evaluate those factors that influence MOC efficiency so that the coagulation–flocculation process can be optimized. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Control and Treatment of Emerging Contaminants in Water Ecosystems)
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18 pages, 3200 KiB  
Article
Levofloxacin Degradation, Antimicrobial Activity Decrease, and Potential for Water Disinfection Using Peroxydisulfate Activation by Ag/TiO2 under Sunlight
by Sindy D. Jojoa-Sierra, Cesar Jaramillo-Paez, Efraím A. Serna-Galvis, Inés García-Rubio, María C. Hidalgo, José A. Navío, María P. Ormad, Ricardo A. Torres-Palma and Rosa Mosteo
Water 2024, 16(17), 2434; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16172434 - 28 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 894
Abstract
Water quality and usability are global concerns due to microbial and chemical pollution resulting from anthropogenic activities. Therefore, strategies for eliminating contaminants are required. In this context, the removal and decrease in antibiotic activity (AA) associated with levofloxacin (LEV), using TiO2 and [...] Read more.
Water quality and usability are global concerns due to microbial and chemical pollution resulting from anthropogenic activities. Therefore, strategies for eliminating contaminants are required. In this context, the removal and decrease in antibiotic activity (AA) associated with levofloxacin (LEV), using TiO2 and Ag/TiO2 catalysts, with and without sunlight and peroxydisulfate, was evaluated. Additionally, the disinfection capacity of catalytic systems was assessed. The catalysts were synthesized and characterized. Moreover, the effect of Ag doping on visible light absorption was determined. Then, the photocatalytic treatment of LEV in water was performed. The materials characterization and EPR analyses revealed that LEV degradation and AA decrease were ascribed to a combined action of solar light, sulfate radical, and photocatalytic activity of the TiO2-based materials. Also, the primary byproducts were elucidated using theoretical analyses (predictions about moieties on LEV more susceptible to being attacked by the degrading species) and experimental techniques (LC-MS), which evidenced transformations on the piperazyl ring, carboxylic acid, and cyclic ether on LEV. Moreover, the AA decrease was linked to the antibiotic transformations. In addition, the combined system (i.e., light/catalyst/peroxydisulfate) was shown to be effective for E. coli inactivation, indicating the versatility of this system for decontamination and disinfection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Control and Treatment of Emerging Contaminants in Water Ecosystems)
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17 pages, 4457 KiB  
Article
Environmental Impact Analysis and Carbon Emission Reduction Pathways by Upgrading Wastewater Treatment Plant: A Case Study of Upgrading Project at a Wastewater Treatment Plant in Dongguan, China
by Yunxia Lu, Hao An, Chao Li and Changmin Liu
Water 2024, 16(4), 596; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16040596 - 17 Feb 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3026
Abstract
The potential environmental impact and increased operational costs associated with the upgrading and renovation of sewage treatment plants are acknowledged. This study employs the upgrading and expansion project of a municipal sewage plant in Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, as a case study. Utilizing [...] Read more.
The potential environmental impact and increased operational costs associated with the upgrading and renovation of sewage treatment plants are acknowledged. This study employs the upgrading and expansion project of a municipal sewage plant in Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, as a case study. Utilizing the principles and methods of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), a comprehensive assessment of the environmental benefits during the upgrading and renovation process of the sewage treatment plant, is conducted and targeted solutions are proposed. The research findings indicate that upgrading and renovating sewage treatment plants can significantly augment the adverse environmental effects of such facilities. Therefore, this study strategically proposes measures such as the utilization of clean energy, sludge resource utilization, and recycled water use as carbon emission reduction pathways. Through calculations, it is demonstrated that the utilization of clean energy and sludge resource can respectively reduce electricity consumption by 12.41% and 59.06%. Concurrently, recycled water use can lead to a reduction of 68.65% in carbon emissions, thereby markedly enhancing positive environmental outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Control and Treatment of Emerging Contaminants in Water Ecosystems)
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16 pages, 9922 KiB  
Article
Biopolymer Gellan-Gum-Based TiO2: A Green Alternative Photocatalyst Approach for Removal of Pollutants
by Marcelo Ribeiro Xisto, Dihêgo Henrique L. Damacena, Francisca Pereira de Araújo, Durcilene Alves, Luzia Maria Castro Honorio, Ramon Peña-Garcia, Luciano Almeida, Joziel Alves de Oliveira, Marcelo Barbosa Furtini, Josy Anteveli Osajima and Edson Cavalcanti da Silva-Filho
Water 2024, 16(2), 315; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16020315 - 17 Jan 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1686
Abstract
Titanium dioxide TiO2/gellan gum (GG) in different compositions (1, 3, and 5% GG) was investigated to degrade methylene blue (MB) under UV light. XRD, SEM, and EDS confirmed the anatase phase. The textural properties demonstrated the formation of mesopores. The band [...] Read more.
Titanium dioxide TiO2/gellan gum (GG) in different compositions (1, 3, and 5% GG) was investigated to degrade methylene blue (MB) under UV light. XRD, SEM, and EDS confirmed the anatase phase. The textural properties demonstrated the formation of mesopores. The band gaps were 3.2 eV, 3.0 eV, and 2.9 eV. A photodegradation of MB of 95% was observed using the lowest gum concentration. It was attributed to the photogenerated radicals and the specific surface area. The FTIR spectra showed the photostability of the catalyst after successive cycles. The toxicity tests demonstrated no toxicity after dye degradation. Therefore, TiO2/GG is promising for the treatment of water. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Control and Treatment of Emerging Contaminants in Water Ecosystems)
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18 pages, 4790 KiB  
Article
Investigating the Efficacy of Oily Water Treatment at a De-Oiling Facility in the Northern Industrial Center of CINA, Hassi Messaoud: A Statistical Physics Assessment
by Asma Nour El Houda Sid, Fedoua Mokrane, Mimoune Hadj, Nihad Chagour, Amira Atamnia, Meriem Boudoukhani, Hichem Tahraoui, Mohammed Kebir, Jie Zhang and Abdeltif Amrane
Water 2023, 15(19), 3360; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15193360 - 25 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1601
Abstract
Environmental protection is becoming a primary objective when choosing processes and technologies for treating oily waters resulting from hydrocarbon production. The focus of treating oily waters is to eliminate contaminants from effluents before discharging them into the receiving environment while adhering to discharge [...] Read more.
Environmental protection is becoming a primary objective when choosing processes and technologies for treating oily waters resulting from hydrocarbon production. The focus of treating oily waters is to eliminate contaminants from effluents before discharging them into the receiving environment while adhering to discharge standards. Our work aims to analyze the treatment process for oily waters in the API unit of the North Industrial Center (CINA), which involves a physical–chemical treatment using activated silica and Kurifix. The study aims to improve the treatment process used for oily water treatment to ensure water conservation for reuse. To enhance the CINA-HMD oily water treatment process, we created coagulants with different doses (C1–C6) using sodium silicate, activated silicate (sodium silicate + sulfuric acid), distilled water, Kurifix, and an oxygen scavenger while measuring pH, HC (hydrocarbon), and SS (suspended solids) levels. Coagulation and flocculation processes were used to remove suspended solids and hydrocarbons from the water. The results show that the coagulant used reduces suspended matter and hydrocarbon content and increases pH. The best treatment is achieved with a coagulant prepared with distilled water, 5% sodium silicate, and 2% sulfuric acid. The optimal dose of coagulant is 16 ppm. Automatic dosing provides better efficiency than manual dosing. The study recommends continuous verification of chemical preparation and injection, periodic cleaning of settling tanks, and monitoring of oily water entering the station. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Control and Treatment of Emerging Contaminants in Water Ecosystems)
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Review

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23 pages, 2598 KiB  
Review
Current Progress on Antibiotic Resistance Genes Removal by Composting in Sewage Sludge: Influencing Factors and Possible Mechanisms
by Shava Basil, Chun Zhu, Zongli Huo and Sai Xu
Water 2024, 16(21), 3066; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16213066 - 25 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1052
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) present in sewage sludge pose significant environmental and public health challenges. Composting has emerged as a promising method to mitigate these risks by reducing ARGs. This review paper evaluated the current progress in the removal of ARGs through composting, [...] Read more.
Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) present in sewage sludge pose significant environmental and public health challenges. Composting has emerged as a promising method to mitigate these risks by reducing ARGs. This review paper evaluated the current progress in the removal of ARGs through composting, incorporating a bibliometric analysis of 228 publications from January 2010 to January 2024. This review highlights the increasing scholarly interest in this field, with a notable rise in publications since 2010. Key mechanisms identified include the denaturation of proteins and DNA at high temperatures, the adsorption of antibiotics and heavy metals by additives like biochar, and shifts in microbial communities, all contributing to the reduction of ARGs during composting. Despite these findings, challenges remain in achieving consistent ARG removal rates, addressing the potential for ARG regrowth, and understanding horizontal gene transfer post-composting. This review suggests further research into optimizing composting conditions and integrating additional treatment methods to enhance ARG removal and minimize associated risks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Control and Treatment of Emerging Contaminants in Water Ecosystems)
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