ACS ES&T water最新文献

Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs) pose global risks to public health, ecosystems, and economies. Despite advancements in satellite remote sensing, monitoring gaps persist, particularly in smaller, remote, and resource-limited regions, where CyanoHABs often remain undetected. Satellite-based methods, though effective for large-scale monitoring, suffer from a low spatial resolution, cloud cover, and reliance on in situ validation data. Traditional in situ monitoring equipment, including high-precision spectroradiometers, is costly and logistically challenging, further exacerbating global monitoring inequities. Cyanosense 2.0 (CS2.0) is a low-cost system for real-time in situ CyanoHAB detection and satellite validation designed to address these monitoring voids. CS2.0 integrates two hyperspectral Hamamatsu spectrometers and a microcontroller system, recording Remote Sensing Reflectance (R_rs) with high agreement to industry-grade instruments (R ² = 0.86, Normalized Root Mean Squared Error (NRMSE) = 9.82%), at a fraction of the cost (∼$1300). During field validation in multiple CyanoHAB-prone U.S. lakes, CS2.0 showed a strong performance when tested for widely used satellite-based CyanoHAB models and indices (R ² = 0.74-0.83; NRMSE = 13%-18%). The system's weatherproof design supports long-term autonomous deployments, making it functional in remote environments. As a scalable and accessible solution, CS2.0 holds the potential to democratize CyanoHAB monitoring and improve global water quality assessments, especially in under-represented regions.

Understanding the environmental impacts and economic costs of treatment technologies is essential for developing sustainable strategies for managing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). This study focuses on the treatment of PFAS-contaminated landfill leachate using foam fractionation (FF) technology. A parametrized life cycle assessment and life cycle costing analysis were conducted to evaluate the performance of one-stage and three-stage FF systems. Full-scale operational data and EPA design models were used to assess environmental and economic impacts based on a functional unit of treating 1000 m³ of PFAS-contaminated landfill leachate. The global warming potential was estimated at 818 kg CO₂ eq for the one-stage system with 20% foam fraction, 357 kg CO₂ eq for the one-stage system with 1% foam fraction, and 402 kg CO₂ eq for the three-stage system with 1% foam fraction. Life cycle costs were estimated at $77.4 and $110.6 per functional unit for the one-stage and three-stage systems, respectively, using the net present value method. Sensitivity and scale-up analyses were also performed to evaluate the influence of operational parameters and system configurations on both environmental and economic outcomes.

Freshwater salinization is a threat to biodiversity conservation. Winter road deicing salt use is a dominant driver of freshwater salinization in north temperate regions that experience winter temperatures below 0 °C. In Canada, the identification and management of areas vulnerable to road salt contamination is the least-complied-with tenet of the Canadian Code of Practice for the Environmental Management of Road Salts. To aid delineation of salt vulnerable areas, we developed and applied a framework for identifying dominant road salt loading source areas relative to aquatic species at risk critical habitat. We estimated per-event road salt loading at the subwatershed scale from roads and parking areas to determine contributions from different land-use classes and road types. We spatially focused on a watershed containing Redside Dace (Clinostomus elongatus), a fish species listed as federally and provincially endangered in Canada and Ontario, respectively. Applying uncertainty analysis, we found that cumulative road salt inputs on parking areas dominated total subwatershed-scale inputs. We recommend enhanced management of smaller-scale private road salt use, as the cumulative effect of smaller-scale salt use can be the largest source of watershed road salt loading. Furthermore, we emphasize the need to include critical habitat explicitly in salt vulnerable area delineations.

Cytostatic pharmaceuticals are not completely removed in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and may affect aquatic ecosystems. Their quantification is challenging due to variations in wastewater characteristics, which influence analytical performance. An analytical procedure has been developed, based on solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, for the simultaneous quantification of 15 anticancer compounds. Influent and effluent samples from 14 Spanish WWTPs were analyzed, and 11 out of 15 target compounds were found at quantifiable levels (ng/L). These findings underscore the need for new WWTP treatments and the further development of analytical techniques capable of monitoring trace contaminants, in line with new regulatory demands. To carry out a comprehensive study of matrix influence on the analytical process, a novel physicochemical clustering approach was applied to group WWTPs, facilitating the validation of the method and widening its application to assess the load of micropollutants emitted to natural aquatic environments. Results show the influence of matrix variability on determining the concentration of cytostatics at both the influent and effluent of WWTPs. The interferences due to the matrix effect can be minimized by optimizing the dilution of the different samples.

Slow sand filters (SSFs) are increasingly recognized for enhancing the biological stability of drinking water. While research has historically focused on the top layer (Schmutzdecke) of SSFs, the contribution of deeper filter depths in removing dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) has recently been acknowledged. This study investigated the occurrence and potential pathways of DOC release in mature full-scale, and young laboratory SSFs. The top layer (5 cm) reduced the easily biodegradable DOC, mainly low-molecular-weight (LMW) acids and building blocks. The middle layers (20-60 cm) released DOC, particularly LMW acids and neutrals, at depths where nitrification was nearly complete. This release occurred in both mature and young SSFs and may result from bacterial activity under carbon or nitrogen limitation or from the transformation of slowly degradable DOC into labile forms. Whatever the precise mechanism of release, the bottom layers (60-90 cm) subsequently removed this released DOC and reduced PO₄ ^3- to ultralow levels, highlighting the importance of the deepest layers in maintaining effluent quality. This study provides the first evidence of biodegradable DOC release in SSFs and emphasizes the need to better understand its implications for carbon cycling and removal processes in biological filters.

Effects of copper at 0, 4, 30, 250, or 2000 μg/L on microbial communities were examined over an 11 month dosing period using triplicate 120 mL water heater microcosms with PEX-b pipes containing mature biofilms to simulate premise plumbing. Effluent total cell counts (TCCs) and Mycobacterium avium peaked at 250 μg/L, reflecting the dual role of copper as a nutrient and antimicrobial. TCCs and M. avium were relatively consistent among replicate microcosms at each dose, but Legionella pneumophila (Lp) diverged among biological triplicates at 250 μg/L, consistently producing high culturable Lp (average 2.5 log MPN/mL) in one microcosm and low/nondetectable levels in the other two. Repeated cross-inoculations and a reinoculation failed to normalize the microbial community composition across 250 μg/L and other triplicate microcosms. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing revealed that the 250 μg/L replicate with a high Lp was characterized by a distinct microbial community composition relative to the two replicates. At 2000 μg/L copper, microbial diversity and TCCs initially decreased, but then TCCs subsequently increased and ultimately were not statistically different from the 250 μg/L microcosms. This study provides insight into mechanisms underlying nonlinear effects of copper dosing when applied as a disinfectant to premise plumbing for opportunistic pathogen control.

High-resolution water quality data are fundamental to achieving the objectives of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG). While community-based monitoring projects provide valuable data, concerns remain regarding the accuracy and reliability of those data. This study addresses these challenges by developing an affordable, reliable, and open-source optical sensor for monitoring nitrate and phosphate concentrations in freshwater environments. The sensor was developed to support citizen scientists and community monitoring and consists of a 3D-printed case made of polylactic acid, a light-emitting diode (LED), and a commercial ambient light detector managed by a Raspberry Pi Zero W. Data can be stored offline or transmitted in real time via Wi-Fi. The analytical performance was evaluated in laboratory and operational conditions using standard and natural river samples, performing a comparative analysis with a laboratory-based spectrophotometer. Results showed that the sensor provides accurate and repeatable measurements with a significant improvement over conventional colorimetric methods. The sensor technology follows open science principles as the 3D design, operating software, and user guidelines are freely available online to support further advancements and its application in community-based water quality monitoring.

Pollution of surface watercourses and reservoirs with pesticides is a serious global problem. N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET), a widely used repellent against mosquitoes and ticks, can enter aquatic ecosystems from point sources when used outdoors but especially from wastewater from laundry and personal hygiene. This research was focused on the monitoring of DEET in surface water, sediments, plants growing on the banks, gray water and in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), both in water and sewage sludge. For identification and quantification of DEET, liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) was used. The study was complemented by determining DEET ecotoxicity to nontarget organisms (Vibrio fischeri, Sinapis alba, and Eisenia andrei). The research has demonstrated the presence of DEET in all investigated areas in water in a concentration range of up to 32.18 μg L^-1. While the concentrations of DEET found do not possess acute toxic effects, it is imperative to acknowledge its potential for chronic effects, toxicity of any possible degradation products, and synergistic effects with other pollutants present in the environment, especially in the aquatic ecosystem.

Lagoon wastewater systems are popular in small communities (<10,000 people) due to their cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency. However, these systems struggle to meet regulatory discharge limits for ammonia, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus, emphasizing the need for improved nutrient management. Most existing reviews focus on large-scale mechanical systems, leaving a gap for stand-alone lagoon systems in resource-limited settings. This systematic review analyzed 1003 peer-reviewed articles spanning five decades, evaluating nutrient management technologies for municipal lagoons. Technologies were categorized by nutrient target, process type, installation location, and development phase. Biological processes dominate (79%) due to their adaptability and cost-effectiveness, while advanced and hybrid systems are gaining traction. Performance varied widely based on design, climate, and operational conditions, highlighting the importance of site-specific considerations. To support context-sensitive selection, this study developed the Suitability Index (SIDX), a multicriteria framework incorporating complexity, automation, availability, and operational feasibility. SIDX identified several applicable and promising technologies for small-community lagoons. The review also highlighted an evolving focus toward circularity, resource recovery, and emissions reduction, moving beyond traditional pollutant removal. These insights provide practical guidance to support adaptive, context-appropriate nutrient management strategies aligned with current regulatory standards and future environmental goals.

Chromate [Cr-(VI)] is a toxic heavy metal frequently detected in wastewater, often alongside nitrate (NO₃ ^-). Nitrate-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation (N-DAMO) is a promising process for the simultaneous removal of methane (CH₄) and NO₃ ^- in wastewater treatment plants. Because Cr-(VI) can serve as an alternative electron acceptor, its presence may alter the N-DAMO performance. Here, we investigated the impact of Cr-(VI) on an enrichment culture containing Candidatus Methanoperedens and Candidatus Methylomirabilis, using NO₃ ^- as the electron acceptor and ¹³C-CH₄ as the electron donor. Cultures were exposed to varying Cr-(VI) concentrations, and microbial activity was assessed using GC-MS, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and qPCR. Cr-(VI) was reduced within the cultures, but this reduction was not linked to CH₄ oxidation. Instead, CH₄ oxidation was significantly inhibited, with declines in the relative abundances of both N-DAMO organisms. Cr-(VI) reduction was likely mediated by denitrifiers through nitrate reductase activity or abiotically via the reaction with nitrite (NO₂ ^-). These findings reveal functional resilience of microbial consortia in contaminated environments but highlight Cr-(VI) toxicity as a constraint for N-DAMO-based wastewater treatment.