Water Resources and Industry最新文献

The development of highly efficient photocatalysts holds significant promise for addressing contemporary environmental challenges. This study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of a novel photocatalyst, iron-doped TiO₂/ZnO particles, created through the sol-gel technique. The incorporation of iron ions into the crystalline structure of TiO₂/ZnO aims to enhance the photocatalytic efficiency of TiO₂. The findings revealed that Fe–ZnO/TiO₂ exhibits a more thermally stable lattice compared to TiO₂/ZnO, thereby retarding the phase transformation from anatase to rutile under higher calcination temperature. The photocatalytic performance of the synthesized photocatalyst was evaluated through the degradation of methyl orange under visible light irradiation. A statistical response surface methodology based on a central composite design was employed to develop a predictive model for color removal (as the dependent variable) considering variations in irradiation intensity, initial color concentration, catalyst concentration, reaction time, and pH (as independent variables). The analysis of variance identified the initial color concentration as the most influential factor, negatively affecting the predicted response. The experimental values of color removal exhibited good agreement with the predicted values from the regression model with a coefficient of determination of 0.949, indicating the accuracy of this model in predicting the mentioned outcomes. The presented model indicated that, for a sample of methyl orange with an initial concentration of 21.97 ppm, a reaction time of 117.69 min under direct irradiation of 21.63 W, a catalyst concentration of 0.61 g/L, and a pH of 4.74, the optimal color removal efficiency of 78.99 % was achieved.

This work investigated the efficiency of CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles in removing diclofenac and naproxen drugs from aqueous solutions. At first, the Taguchi method was performed to choose the most important factors among the investigated factors affecting the removal efficacy of these drugs. Afterward, the optimal conditions of the effective factors were investigated and modeled by the central composite design-based response surface method. The results revealed that the maximum drug removal was obtained at pH = 7, temperature of 25 °C, adsorbent dosage of 215 mg, sonication time of 21 min, and diclofenac and naproxen concentrations of 15 mg L⁻¹. The removal efficacy of diclofenac and naproxen under these optimal conditions was 99.42 % and 95.11 %, respectively. Based on the results, it is concluded that CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles can be applied as an easy-available and effective adsorbent for removing diclofenac and naproxen from water samples.

Benzalkonium Chloride (BAC), a quaternary ammonium compound commonly used in industrial disinfection processes, was studied for its biomass-specific inhibitory effect on the specific methanogenic activity (SMA) of anaerobic granules. Inhibition batch assays were conducted with varying BAC concentrations (5–40 mg/L), resulting in biomass-dependent inhibition. Considering its surface-active nature, a biomass-specific BAC load was a suitable parameter to determine IC₅₀ values, ranging from 4.3 to 6.1 mg BAC/g VS. For predicting the corresponding biomass-specific inhibition constant in ADM1, the inclusion of an additional adsorption-inhibition term was required for a better validation of results. The model yielded a biomass-specific IC₅₀ of 5.3 mg BAC/g VS. The results encourage a change in perspective on IC₅₀ for surfactants by determining a biomass-specific IC₅₀, particularly in scenarios when surfactants accumulate within anaerobic reactors. Hereby, the reliability and practical relevance of IC₅₀ is increased, driving the development of mitigation strategies.

Heavy metals (HMs) are toxic pollutants that can accumulate and harm human health and the environment. Monitoring their concentration in water is an essential tool for evaluating the quality and safety of this vital resource. The aims of this study were (i) to characterize HMs contamination in rainwater runoff and snowmelt, identify likely sources and compliance with regulations and guidelines, and (ii) to conduct a preliminary assessment regarding the potential link between the occurrence of HMs and benzotriazoles based on a previous experiment. This study investigates the concentration of six HMs (cadmium, lead, nickel, chromium, copper, and zinc) in rainwater runoff and snowmelt samples collected in twelve Białystok locations in northeastern Poland. The highest concentration of Cu (517.5 μg/L) was identified in snowmelt from the city's ring road, with heavy vehicle traffic, and near an industrial area. A 4-lane asphalt street near the city center exhibited the highest concentrations of Pb (91.1 μg/L) and Ni (64.6 μg/L) for snowmelt and also for Cd (1.37 μg/L) and Ni (27.3 μg/L) in rainwater runoff. A snowmelt sample from a pedestrian-only area in the city center presented the highest Zn concentration (3672.2 μg/L). Considerable contents of Cr (353.2 μg/L) were found in snowmelt near an industrial and warehousing area. Snowmelt presented higher HMs concentrations than rainwater runoff. Our results indicate that most benzotriazoles and heavy metals occur independently. The analysis of the winds and the tendency of HMs to travel with dust particles suggest that specific contaminants might have originated in Belarus, a neighboring territory of Białystok.

In this study, porous Ti/Magnéli Ti₄O₇ nanotube arrays (NTA) was fabricated to pretreat antibiotic wastewater. Characterization of the Ti₄O₇-NTA illustrated that highly ordered NTA was successfully generated on the porous Ti substrate, which enlarged the specific surface area by 1.67 times. The Ti₄O₇-NTA has a high oxygen evolution potential (2.60 V) as well as low interfacial charge transfer resistance (4.479 Ω cm⁻²). Ceftriaxone sodium (CRO) was completely removed from raw antibiotic wastewater after 3 h of treatment by the Ti₄O₇-NTA, under optimal operation conditions. The biodegradability and toxicity of the wastewater were also significantly enhanced and reduced, as the BOD/COD and EC_50,48h values were increased to 0.48 and 57.62 % ± 2.16 %, respectively. The possible degradation pathway of CRO was proposed by LC‒MS. Cathodic polarization was proven to be an effective way to ensure the long-term durability of the Ti₄O₇-NTA.

This research focuses on the synthesis of MoS₂/RGO nanocomposite, which serves as an efficient sonocatalyst, using a simple one-step hydrothermal method. The MoS₂/RGO was characterized through various techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), Raman spectrometry, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. A comprehensive investigation into the sonocatalytic degradation efficiency of methylene blue (MB) dye was conducted under different conditions using design of experiment (DOE) approach. Response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite design (CCD) was employed to optimize the key operational parameters, namely initial dye concentration, catalyst dosage, ultrasonic power, sonication time, and pH. The reliability of the model was assessed using analysis of variance. Under the optimal conditions of 20 mg/L initial MB concentration, catalyst dosage of 0.5 g/L, 67 W ultrasonic power, sonication time of 28 min, and pH of 7, a remarkable MB degradation efficiency of 99% was achieved. Hydroxyl radical (^●OH) were identified as the main radical species in the sonoluminescence reaction. Additionally, the sonocatalyst demonstrated an excellent reusability, with approximately 95% retention of the degradation efficiency observed over five sonocatalysis cycles.

Geothermal waters are considered a type of renewable energy source. Waters with elevated temperatures are also used in balneotherapy. In each type of use, the stability of the basic parameters guarantees the reliable operation of the plant. On the other hand, useable geothermal waters, which in legal terms are usually wastewater, are discharged into a surface water reservoir or injected into the rock. The diversity of geothermal waters use options creates the need to assess stability. Low and known variability of the basic parameters is extremely important for the protection of the receiving environment or the reliability of the injection process. This paper identifies the basic parameters, the relationships between them and a methodology for assessing their stability, which has not been widely used to date. The approach presented is universal and can be successfully applied to other geothermal installations anywhere in the world.

MXenes, a novel large family of 2D transition metal carbides, carbonitrides and nitrides are currently a “hot topic” in science due to their several fascinating physical and chemical properties. It follows from a rich diversity of their elemental compositions and chemical functionalities. MXenes can form composites with many substances, including polymers or metal oxides, which allows to effective “tune” MXene characteristics to a fit-to-the-purpose applications. Capacitive deionization (CDI) is currently widely studied as advanced desalination technique due to the advantages of cost-effectiveness, eco-friendly, and high salt removal capacity. One of key fields for CDI development relates to the ion's intercalation materials as concept taken from the sodium ion batteries, which is used in CDI because of their excellent desalination capacity. These materials provide effective sodium ions removal from the brine based on intercalation mechanism as well as redox reactions. In this review, we timely review an up-to-date accomplishment in the advancement of distinct MXene-based composite materials used as CDI electrodes, along with discussion of fundamental electrochemical energy storage mechanisms. The most relevant outcomes are highlighted together with the phenomena observed when applied in desalination applications. Finally, potential solutions as well as challenges in this field are summarized.

Degradation of Favipiravir using a hybrid system of peroxydisulfate, FeMnOx binary metal oxide, and ultrasound irradiation was studied. A novel catalyst was synthesized with deep eutectic solvent (DES). The effects of DES type on catalytic performance was evaluated and the catalysts were characterized using XRD, SEM, BET, XPS, and EDS. DES-based catalysts exhibited higher efficiency due to structure change, surface area enhancement and significantly improved Favipiravir adsorption. The DES-based catalyst exhibited a 30 % increase in surface area and a 20-fold increase in Mn content. Additionally, XRD and XPS analyses suggested the reduction of Fe³⁺ ions, possibly to Fe₃O₄. Optimal operational parameters (pH = 10, catalyst dose = 500 mg/L, and rox = 20) provide removal efficiency of 70.1 % after 3 h. The catalyst showed stable activity after three cycles, indicating reusability. This study presents a promising approach for the sustainable degradation of COVID-19 APIs, with implications for the pharmaceutical industry.

This paper investigates the possibility of radium removal from brines using zeolites. Radium concentration in collected from hard coal mine water was as follows: ²²⁶Ra 3.3 ± 0.2 Bq/L, ²²⁸Ra 5.5 ± 0.5 Bq/L. Ten types of zeolites were selected for treatment: clinoptilolite, NaP1, NaX, 3A, 5A, 13X, Y, ZSM-5, SAPO-11, and SAPO-34. Sequential batch purification tests were performed. High efficiencies of radium removal from mine brine achieved with NaP1 and NaX, synthesized from fly ahes, are promising for the further application of obtained zeolitic materials, especially for water treatment. Furthermore, the use of zeolites derived from waste fly ash is an ecological and sustainable solution for environmental protection and remediation.