Pub Date : 2025-12-01DOI: 10.1038/s44221-025-00541-5
Amber van Hamel, Giulia Bruno, Corentin Chartier-Rescan, Corinna Frank, Maria H. Grundmann, David M. Hannah, Cornelia W. Twining, Manuela I. Brunner
Sustained periods of anomalously warm river water temperature, known as riverine heatwaves, can negatively impact river ecosystems and socioeconomic activities. With climate change, these heatwaves are likely to become more severe and frequent. Even though the main drivers of water temperature are well understood, we only have a limited understanding of how the different hydro-climatic processes that drive riverine heatwaves interact. This lack of knowledge is particularly striking given that anticipated increases in the frequency and severity of riverine heatwaves may progressively increase the vulnerability of ecological and anthropogenic systems. To better understand how riverine heatwaves may evolve in a changing climate, we propose focused research efforts to develop large-sample datasets, enhance our understanding of the processes involved in riverine heatwave development, and improve water temperature models. Such efforts require a strong community and will support mitigation and adaptation measures in relation to these increasingly frequent extreme events. Riverine heatwaves have severe consequences for society, the economy and ecosystems and are becoming more frequent with climate change. This Perspective addresses research efforts to better understand, monitor, model and manage these extreme events.
{"title":"Riverine heatwaves are an emergent climate change risk","authors":"Amber van Hamel, Giulia Bruno, Corentin Chartier-Rescan, Corinna Frank, Maria H. Grundmann, David M. Hannah, Cornelia W. Twining, Manuela I. Brunner","doi":"10.1038/s44221-025-00541-5","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s44221-025-00541-5","url":null,"abstract":"Sustained periods of anomalously warm river water temperature, known as riverine heatwaves, can negatively impact river ecosystems and socioeconomic activities. With climate change, these heatwaves are likely to become more severe and frequent. Even though the main drivers of water temperature are well understood, we only have a limited understanding of how the different hydro-climatic processes that drive riverine heatwaves interact. This lack of knowledge is particularly striking given that anticipated increases in the frequency and severity of riverine heatwaves may progressively increase the vulnerability of ecological and anthropogenic systems. To better understand how riverine heatwaves may evolve in a changing climate, we propose focused research efforts to develop large-sample datasets, enhance our understanding of the processes involved in riverine heatwave development, and improve water temperature models. Such efforts require a strong community and will support mitigation and adaptation measures in relation to these increasingly frequent extreme events. Riverine heatwaves have severe consequences for society, the economy and ecosystems and are becoming more frequent with climate change. This Perspective addresses research efforts to better understand, monitor, model and manage these extreme events.","PeriodicalId":74252,"journal":{"name":"Nature water","volume":"3 12","pages":"1356-1364"},"PeriodicalIF":24.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145766418","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-28DOI: 10.1038/s44221-025-00543-3
Jay Gan
The number of emerging contaminants in our soil–water environments is increasing at an explosive rate. Risk avoidance as a strategy is often overlooked yet may be one of the most effective ways to safeguard human health in the future.
{"title":"Risk avoidance as a practical solution to safeguard against emerging contaminants","authors":"Jay Gan","doi":"10.1038/s44221-025-00543-3","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s44221-025-00543-3","url":null,"abstract":"The number of emerging contaminants in our soil–water environments is increasing at an explosive rate. Risk avoidance as a strategy is often overlooked yet may be one of the most effective ways to safeguard human health in the future.","PeriodicalId":74252,"journal":{"name":"Nature water","volume":"3 12","pages":"1334-1335"},"PeriodicalIF":24.1,"publicationDate":"2025-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145766416","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-13DOI: 10.1038/s44221-025-00534-4
Mohammad Faiz Alam, Archisman Mitra, Smaranika Mahapatra, Paul Pavelic, Marie-Charlotte Buisson, Ahasan Habib, Tonmoy Kumer Saha, Abdul Haque, Alok Sikka
Solar-powered irrigation systems are being scaled globally, especially in South Asia, to mitigate agriculture’s carbon emissions while addressing water–energy–food nexus challenges. However, this expansion raises concerns that solar irrigation could exacerbate groundwater overexploitation. Here we assess groundwater trade-offs of solar irrigation deployment in Bangladesh by comparing farmers’ water use for dry season paddy cultivation under diesel pumps and a solarized fee-for-service model. After accounting for soil, variety, land type and sowing time, no significant difference in terms of water application was found between solar (694–1,014 mm) and diesel (663–775 mm) plots in 2021–22 and 2022–23. A marginal 4.2 percentage point increase in dry season paddy area was observed under solar irrigation. Groundwater modelling shows solar irrigation has minimal regional impact, though risks arise if water use and dry-season area increase significantly. These results provide empirical evidence of changes in farmers’ water use after the transition to solar irrigation, but they are highly context-specific. Further research and tailored policies—such as water-saving practices, volumetric pricing, targeted scaling and smart subsidies—will ensure sustainable solar irrigation upscaling. This case study on Bangladesh shows that, while there are no large differences in water application between solar- and diesel-irrigated plots under the fee-for-service solar irrigation model in the study area, scaling solar irrigation will require tailored policies to balance groundwater sustainability risks.
{"title":"Bangladesh’s groundwater trade-offs from decarbonizing irrigation through solar-powered pumps","authors":"Mohammad Faiz Alam, Archisman Mitra, Smaranika Mahapatra, Paul Pavelic, Marie-Charlotte Buisson, Ahasan Habib, Tonmoy Kumer Saha, Abdul Haque, Alok Sikka","doi":"10.1038/s44221-025-00534-4","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s44221-025-00534-4","url":null,"abstract":"Solar-powered irrigation systems are being scaled globally, especially in South Asia, to mitigate agriculture’s carbon emissions while addressing water–energy–food nexus challenges. However, this expansion raises concerns that solar irrigation could exacerbate groundwater overexploitation. Here we assess groundwater trade-offs of solar irrigation deployment in Bangladesh by comparing farmers’ water use for dry season paddy cultivation under diesel pumps and a solarized fee-for-service model. After accounting for soil, variety, land type and sowing time, no significant difference in terms of water application was found between solar (694–1,014 mm) and diesel (663–775 mm) plots in 2021–22 and 2022–23. A marginal 4.2 percentage point increase in dry season paddy area was observed under solar irrigation. Groundwater modelling shows solar irrigation has minimal regional impact, though risks arise if water use and dry-season area increase significantly. These results provide empirical evidence of changes in farmers’ water use after the transition to solar irrigation, but they are highly context-specific. Further research and tailored policies—such as water-saving practices, volumetric pricing, targeted scaling and smart subsidies—will ensure sustainable solar irrigation upscaling. This case study on Bangladesh shows that, while there are no large differences in water application between solar- and diesel-irrigated plots under the fee-for-service solar irrigation model in the study area, scaling solar irrigation will require tailored policies to balance groundwater sustainability risks.","PeriodicalId":74252,"journal":{"name":"Nature water","volume":"3 12","pages":"1411-1423"},"PeriodicalIF":24.1,"publicationDate":"2025-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145766404","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-07DOI: 10.1038/s44221-025-00535-3
Timothy Walsh
Poor wastewater management drives both pollution and rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR). A molecular-level analysis reveals that hydrogen sulfide accelerates plasmid-driven transfer of AMR genes in water.
{"title":"Hydrogen sulfide causing an AMR stink","authors":"Timothy Walsh","doi":"10.1038/s44221-025-00535-3","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s44221-025-00535-3","url":null,"abstract":"Poor wastewater management drives both pollution and rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR). A molecular-level analysis reveals that hydrogen sulfide accelerates plasmid-driven transfer of AMR genes in water.","PeriodicalId":74252,"journal":{"name":"Nature water","volume":"3 11","pages":"1222-1223"},"PeriodicalIF":24.1,"publicationDate":"2025-11-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145538101","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-05DOI: 10.1038/s44221-025-00539-z
Huan Li, Jianping Xiao
Combining carbon dioxide (CO2) electrolysis with biological denitrification provides an integrated approach for carbon utilization and wastewater treatment, where formate produced from the electrochemical reduction of CO2 is directly used as a carbon source for wastewater denitrification.
{"title":"An electrochemical–biological hybrid system meets wastewater","authors":"Huan Li, Jianping Xiao","doi":"10.1038/s44221-025-00539-z","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s44221-025-00539-z","url":null,"abstract":"Combining carbon dioxide (CO2) electrolysis with biological denitrification provides an integrated approach for carbon utilization and wastewater treatment, where formate produced from the electrochemical reduction of CO2 is directly used as a carbon source for wastewater denitrification.","PeriodicalId":74252,"journal":{"name":"Nature water","volume":"3 11","pages":"1226-1227"},"PeriodicalIF":24.1,"publicationDate":"2025-11-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145538099","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-05DOI: 10.1038/s44221-025-00546-0
Agnes Pranindita, Adriaan J. Teuling, Ingo Fetzer, Lan Wang-Erlandsson
{"title":"Publisher Correction: Forests support global crop supply through atmospheric moisture transport","authors":"Agnes Pranindita, Adriaan J. Teuling, Ingo Fetzer, Lan Wang-Erlandsson","doi":"10.1038/s44221-025-00546-0","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s44221-025-00546-0","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":74252,"journal":{"name":"Nature water","volume":"3 11","pages":"1332-1332"},"PeriodicalIF":24.1,"publicationDate":"2025-11-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s44221-025-00546-0.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145538103","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-05DOI: 10.1038/s44221-025-00529-1
Yi Yao, Wim Thiery, Agnès Ducharne, Benjamin I. Cook, Anxin Ding, Steven J. De Hertog, Petra Sieber, Kjetil Schanke Aas, Pedro F. Arboleda-Obando, Jeanne Colin, Maya Costantini, Bertrand Decharme, David M. Lawrence, Peter Lawrence, L. Ruby Leung, Min-Hui Lo, Narayanappa Devaraju, Ren-Jie Wu, Tian Zhou, Jonas Jägermeyr, Sonali Shukla McDermid, Yadu Pokhrel, Yusuke Satoh, Tokuta Yokohata, Lukas Gudmundsson, Sonia I. Seneviratne
Agricultural irrigation has experienced rapid expansion, and its growing freshwater consumption is potentially exacerbating water scarcity issues. Previous studies predominantly relied on observations or land-only simulations, often neglecting land–atmosphere interactions or failing to capture long-term evolution. We therefore analyse the effects of historical irrigation expansion on water fluxes and resources using seven Earth system models. Here we show that irrigation expansion in many regions substantially decreases the net water influx from the atmosphere to land, further aggravating the existing drying trends caused by climate change. For example, irrigation expansion changed the trend of this net influx from −0.664 ( ± 0.283) to −1.461 ( ± 0.261) mm yr−2 in South Asia after 1960. Consequently, the local terrestrial water storage depletion rate is substantially enlarged by irrigation expansion (for example, from −2.559 ( ± 0.094) to −16.008 ( ± 0.557) mm yr−1). Our results attribute the land water loss to irrigation expansion and climate change, calling for immediate solutions to tackle the negative trends. The rapid expansion of agricultural irrigation raises concerns about exacerbating water scarcity, but land–atmosphere interactions are often overlooked. This study isolates irrigation impacts from other drivers using a multi-model framework to reveal that historical irrigation expansion substantially reduces net atmospheric water influx, intensifying drying trends and accelerating terrestrial water storage depletion, urging immediate mitigation strategies.
{"title":"Irrigation-induced land water depletion aggravated by climate change","authors":"Yi Yao, Wim Thiery, Agnès Ducharne, Benjamin I. Cook, Anxin Ding, Steven J. De Hertog, Petra Sieber, Kjetil Schanke Aas, Pedro F. Arboleda-Obando, Jeanne Colin, Maya Costantini, Bertrand Decharme, David M. Lawrence, Peter Lawrence, L. Ruby Leung, Min-Hui Lo, Narayanappa Devaraju, Ren-Jie Wu, Tian Zhou, Jonas Jägermeyr, Sonali Shukla McDermid, Yadu Pokhrel, Yusuke Satoh, Tokuta Yokohata, Lukas Gudmundsson, Sonia I. Seneviratne","doi":"10.1038/s44221-025-00529-1","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s44221-025-00529-1","url":null,"abstract":"Agricultural irrigation has experienced rapid expansion, and its growing freshwater consumption is potentially exacerbating water scarcity issues. Previous studies predominantly relied on observations or land-only simulations, often neglecting land–atmosphere interactions or failing to capture long-term evolution. We therefore analyse the effects of historical irrigation expansion on water fluxes and resources using seven Earth system models. Here we show that irrigation expansion in many regions substantially decreases the net water influx from the atmosphere to land, further aggravating the existing drying trends caused by climate change. For example, irrigation expansion changed the trend of this net influx from −0.664 ( ± 0.283) to −1.461 ( ± 0.261) mm yr−2 in South Asia after 1960. Consequently, the local terrestrial water storage depletion rate is substantially enlarged by irrigation expansion (for example, from −2.559 ( ± 0.094) to −16.008 ( ± 0.557) mm yr−1). Our results attribute the land water loss to irrigation expansion and climate change, calling for immediate solutions to tackle the negative trends. The rapid expansion of agricultural irrigation raises concerns about exacerbating water scarcity, but land–atmosphere interactions are often overlooked. This study isolates irrigation impacts from other drivers using a multi-model framework to reveal that historical irrigation expansion substantially reduces net atmospheric water influx, intensifying drying trends and accelerating terrestrial water storage depletion, urging immediate mitigation strategies.","PeriodicalId":74252,"journal":{"name":"Nature water","volume":"3 12","pages":"1424-1435"},"PeriodicalIF":24.1,"publicationDate":"2025-11-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s44221-025-00529-1.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145766415","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-04DOI: 10.1038/s44221-025-00532-6
David Bastviken, Matthew S. Johnson
Global lake and reservoir water surfaces were recently estimated to contribute ~10% of global methane (CH4) emissions. The sensitivity of these emissions to climate and environmental change is a growing concern. Here we present data-driven, globally gridded modelling of future open-water CH4 fluxes under different scenarios. We included multiple potential predictor variables and available peer-reviewed flux data focusing on in situ-verified relationships. The results indicate total lake and reservoir CH4 emissions increases of 24–91% under the IPCC Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) climate change scenarios SSP1-2.6 to SSP5-8.5 by 2080–2099. Effects of changed temperature and seasonality dominated these increases. Area and nutrient load changes also contributed substantially to reservoir emissions. Large absolute changes were predicted at all latitudes. The results demonstrate the urgency in minimizing climate change to avoid substantially increased future inland water CH4 emissions. This study uses data-driven modelling to predict a 24–91% increase in methane emissions from global lakes and reservoirs by 2080–2099 under various climate scenarios. Temperature and seasonality changes are key drivers, highlighting the need for climate action.
{"title":"Future methane emissions from lakes and reservoirs","authors":"David Bastviken, Matthew S. Johnson","doi":"10.1038/s44221-025-00532-6","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s44221-025-00532-6","url":null,"abstract":"Global lake and reservoir water surfaces were recently estimated to contribute ~10% of global methane (CH4) emissions. The sensitivity of these emissions to climate and environmental change is a growing concern. Here we present data-driven, globally gridded modelling of future open-water CH4 fluxes under different scenarios. We included multiple potential predictor variables and available peer-reviewed flux data focusing on in situ-verified relationships. The results indicate total lake and reservoir CH4 emissions increases of 24–91% under the IPCC Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) climate change scenarios SSP1-2.6 to SSP5-8.5 by 2080–2099. Effects of changed temperature and seasonality dominated these increases. Area and nutrient load changes also contributed substantially to reservoir emissions. Large absolute changes were predicted at all latitudes. The results demonstrate the urgency in minimizing climate change to avoid substantially increased future inland water CH4 emissions. This study uses data-driven modelling to predict a 24–91% increase in methane emissions from global lakes and reservoirs by 2080–2099 under various climate scenarios. Temperature and seasonality changes are key drivers, highlighting the need for climate action.","PeriodicalId":74252,"journal":{"name":"Nature water","volume":"3 12","pages":"1397-1410"},"PeriodicalIF":24.1,"publicationDate":"2025-11-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s44221-025-00532-6.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145766402","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Industrial wastewater contains diverse organic and inorganic contaminants, posing substantial challenges in conventional water treatment processes. However, these pollutants can be reclaimed as valuable resources for a circular economy. Catalytic reactions offer a promising solution for the selective conversion of the pollutants into value-added products. Here we summarize the catalytic resource recovery technologies (CRRTs) and suggest a systematic strategy to achieve contaminant transformation and the smart management of industrial wastewater. Specifically, we propose a new pollutant classification for CRRTs by catalytically direct, indirect and non-catalytic recovery pathways, and critically evaluate catalyst and reactor design for upscaled systems. We then make a comprehensive assessment of CRRT benefits in terms of technical effectiveness, economic feasibility and environmental sustainability. Finally, we envisage a transformative future in wastewater resource reutilization. Overall, CRRTs have demonstrated strong potential in transitioning wastewater treatment from a purely remedial approach to a closed-loop and resource-oriented strategy. This Review proposes a strategy to realize the transformation of wastewater treatment from pollutants removal to selective extraction and upgrading of valuable substances in real-world industrial wastewater streams by applying catalytic recovery technology to promote a circular economy and low-emission remediation.
{"title":"Catalytic resource recovery for transformation of the wastewater industry","authors":"Wei Ren, Qiming Zhang, Junwen Chen, Xiao Xiao, Xiaoguang Duan, Xubiao Luo, Shaobin Wang","doi":"10.1038/s44221-025-00530-8","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s44221-025-00530-8","url":null,"abstract":"Industrial wastewater contains diverse organic and inorganic contaminants, posing substantial challenges in conventional water treatment processes. However, these pollutants can be reclaimed as valuable resources for a circular economy. Catalytic reactions offer a promising solution for the selective conversion of the pollutants into value-added products. Here we summarize the catalytic resource recovery technologies (CRRTs) and suggest a systematic strategy to achieve contaminant transformation and the smart management of industrial wastewater. Specifically, we propose a new pollutant classification for CRRTs by catalytically direct, indirect and non-catalytic recovery pathways, and critically evaluate catalyst and reactor design for upscaled systems. We then make a comprehensive assessment of CRRT benefits in terms of technical effectiveness, economic feasibility and environmental sustainability. Finally, we envisage a transformative future in wastewater resource reutilization. Overall, CRRTs have demonstrated strong potential in transitioning wastewater treatment from a purely remedial approach to a closed-loop and resource-oriented strategy. This Review proposes a strategy to realize the transformation of wastewater treatment from pollutants removal to selective extraction and upgrading of valuable substances in real-world industrial wastewater streams by applying catalytic recovery technology to promote a circular economy and low-emission remediation.","PeriodicalId":74252,"journal":{"name":"Nature water","volume":"3 11","pages":"1228-1242"},"PeriodicalIF":24.1,"publicationDate":"2025-11-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145538094","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-31DOI: 10.1038/s44221-025-00531-7
Yu Luo, Hongxiao Guo, Dao Guan, Huo Xu, Yucong Xu, Guanghao Chen
Effective sanitation requires sufficient wastewater treatment, and the total suspended solids (TSS) concentration is a key treatment performance indicator. Whereas membrane-based separation methods employing micro- or ultra-filtration achieve high TSS removal, they are costly and energy-intensive because of membrane fouling, and gravity-based separation methods often cannot consistently meet TSS discharge standards. Here we present a mesh bioreactor (MeBR) that combines a coarse-pore mesh with a piezoelectric fouling removal strategy for efficient sludge–liquid separation. Experiments revealed that irreversible mesh fouling was completely eliminated within 10 s when near-field transient cavitation, induced by piezoelectric ultrasound transducers, was the primary cleaning mechanism, rather than oscillation or reactive oxygen species generation. This ultrafast cleaning enabled continuous ultrahigh-flux MeBR operation (148–307 l m−2 h−1), which ensured rapid biocake formation ( < 10 min) and globally regulation-compliant TSS levels. Overall, the transient cavitation-integrated MeBR offers a sustainable, reliable and energy-efficient solution for wastewater treatment. This study introduces a piezoelectric cavitation-cleaned mesh bioreactor for efficient, sustainable total suspended solid removal in wastewater treatment.
有效的卫生设施需要充分的废水处理，而总悬浮固体（TSS）浓度是处理绩效的关键指标。尽管采用微过滤或超过滤的膜分离方法可以实现高TSS去除率，但由于膜污染，它们成本高且能源密集，而且基于重力的分离方法通常不能始终满足TSS排放标准。在这里，我们提出了一种网状生物反应器（MeBR），它结合了粗孔网格和压电污垢去除策略，用于有效的污泥-液体分离。实验表明，当压电超声换能器引起的近场瞬态空化是主要的清洗机制，而不是振荡或活性氧的产生时，不可逆的网格污垢在10 s内被完全消除。这种超快的清洁可以实现连续的超高通量MeBR操作（148-307 l m - 2 h- 1），确保快速生物蛋糕形成（10分钟）和符合全球法规的TSS水平。总体而言，瞬态空化一体化MeBR为废水处理提供了可持续、可靠和节能的解决方案。本研究介绍了一种压电空泡清洁网状生物反应器，用于废水处理中高效、可持续的总悬浮固体去除。
{"title":"Transient cavitation enables ultrafast fouling removal in mesh bioreactors for efficient sludge‒liquid separation during wastewater treatment","authors":"Yu Luo, Hongxiao Guo, Dao Guan, Huo Xu, Yucong Xu, Guanghao Chen","doi":"10.1038/s44221-025-00531-7","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s44221-025-00531-7","url":null,"abstract":"Effective sanitation requires sufficient wastewater treatment, and the total suspended solids (TSS) concentration is a key treatment performance indicator. Whereas membrane-based separation methods employing micro- or ultra-filtration achieve high TSS removal, they are costly and energy-intensive because of membrane fouling, and gravity-based separation methods often cannot consistently meet TSS discharge standards. Here we present a mesh bioreactor (MeBR) that combines a coarse-pore mesh with a piezoelectric fouling removal strategy for efficient sludge–liquid separation. Experiments revealed that irreversible mesh fouling was completely eliminated within 10 s when near-field transient cavitation, induced by piezoelectric ultrasound transducers, was the primary cleaning mechanism, rather than oscillation or reactive oxygen species generation. This ultrafast cleaning enabled continuous ultrahigh-flux MeBR operation (148–307 l m−2 h−1), which ensured rapid biocake formation ( < 10 min) and globally regulation-compliant TSS levels. Overall, the transient cavitation-integrated MeBR offers a sustainable, reliable and energy-efficient solution for wastewater treatment. This study introduces a piezoelectric cavitation-cleaned mesh bioreactor for efficient, sustainable total suspended solid removal in wastewater treatment.","PeriodicalId":74252,"journal":{"name":"Nature water","volume":"3 12","pages":"1436-1448"},"PeriodicalIF":24.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145766405","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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