Filippo Fazzino , Paolo Roccaro , Antonino Di Bella , Erica Gagliano , Federico G.A. Vagliasindi , Gregory V. Korshin
{"title":"Use of fluorescence for real-time monitoring of contaminants of emerging concern in (waste)water: Perspectives for sensors implementation and process control","authors":"Filippo Fazzino , Paolo Roccaro , Antonino Di Bella , Erica Gagliano , Federico G.A. Vagliasindi , Gregory V. Korshin","doi":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.115916","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.115916","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The need to remove ubiquitously occurring contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) from water/wastewater represents a global challenge both in terms of developing efficient technologies and decreasing high energy demands of the water sector. In this context, online monitoring of the occurrence of CEC and their removal in (waste)water facilities play an important role in optimization of treatment processes. Fluorescence spectroscopy is a viable tool for ‘indirect’ CEC monitoring that is based on the correlations between CEC concentrations and those of dissolved organic matter (DOM). Among a wide range of fluorescence indexes have been proposed as surrogate parameters for water treatment applications, those measured at specific pairs of excitation/emission (ex/em) wavelengths can be implemented in commercially available or customized field-deployable fluorescence sensors thus enabling real-time and/or on-site CEC monitoring. This review examined results of the prior studies of ex/em pair options and selects those of them that are most useful for CEC monitoring in natural water environments, lab-/pilot-scale (waste)water treatment processes and ultimately in practical field applications. The approach of fluorescence-based monitoring is convenient for process control and optimization of CEC removal while concurrently saving energy and material demands of engineered (waste)water systems. This review also calls for further research of applications of fluorescence spectroscopy in (waste)water treatment and, more specifically, it provides a detailed workflow developed to select, test, and validate pairs of ex/em coordinates suitable for CEC monitoring in various types of (waste)water treatment processes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15759,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering","volume":"13 2","pages":"Article 115916"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143488856","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Linjin Li , Yaoze Wang , Guangfei Qu , Ping Lu , Ting Zhang , Jun Wang , Minhua Cheng , Nanqi Ren , Yuanchuan Ren
{"title":"The three-dimensional electrocatalytic oxidation system for refractory organic wastewater remediations: Mechanisms, electrode material and applications","authors":"Linjin Li , Yaoze Wang , Guangfei Qu , Ping Lu , Ting Zhang , Jun Wang , Minhua Cheng , Nanqi Ren , Yuanchuan Ren","doi":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.115878","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.115878","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Three-dimensional electrocatalytic oxidation (3D-ECO) has garnered significant attention in recent years as an advanced wastewater treatment technology. This paper systematically reviews the oxidation mechanisms, key electrode materials and their reactor designs, operational parameters, and specific applications of 3D-ECO. Compared to traditional two-dimensional electrocatalytic oxidation (2D-ECO) systems, 3D-ECO significantly enhances the reaction interface area and mass transfer efficiency by incorporating particle electrodes (PEs), demonstrating superior pollutant removal capabilities. Furthermore, the use of PEs not only reduces energy consumption but also improves treatment efficiency. This paper also explores the importance of composite materials in enhancing electrocatalytic performance and electrode stability, along with an analysis of the key operational parameters affecting system performance. Despite its excellent performance in terms of current density and energy efficiency, high costs and complex operations continue to limit the industrial application of 3D-ECO. To address these challenges, the paper proposes future research directions, including the development of novel electrode materials, reactor designs, machine learning to optimize operating parameters, and the integration of multiple technologies. Through these efforts, 3D-ECO has the potential for broader application, contributing to the sustainable development of wastewater treatment technologies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15759,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering","volume":"13 2","pages":"Article 115878"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143474327","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A state-of-the-art review focusing on the fabrication technique of activated chitosan-bitumin coal based multifunctional bionanocomposites for industrial wastewater treatment: Production, characterization, and fixed bed column adsorption study","authors":"Md. Mahmudur Rahman , Md. Ismail Hossain , Bijoy Chandra Ghos , Md. Jasim Uddin , Salah Knani , Md. Waliullah","doi":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.115908","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.115908","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this review, the fabrication route of activated chitosan-bitumin coal (AC-BC) multifunctional bionanocomposite for industrial wastewater treatment by using a down-flow fixed-bed column adsorption technique. This is crucial to purify the industrial effluents by developing ecofriendly and cost effective technology before discharging which is usually loaded with several toxicants. Otherwise, they can easily contaminate our food chain resulting in a punitive destruction to the ecology as well as public safety and/or health security. To mitigate this serious environmental issue scientists are trying to develop a much more efficient, economical, and ecofriendly realistic technique for the purification of real-time bulky industrial effluents. While continuous column adsorption technique can be very innovative and beneficial one due to its outstanding features. However, AC-BC based bionanocomposite would be a suitable candidate for its much availability, biodegradability, lower cost, higher efficiency, and outstanding physicochemical, thermomechanical, and morphological properties with sensational adsorption performances. Still there is some difficulties regarding the actual processing of the precursor, the fabrication technique and their application mode for the purification of crude wastewater. Hence, this study will be dedicated by focusing on the significant fabrication techniques and application modes along with the possible synergistic mechanism indicating the chemical adsorption, physical adsorption (multi/monolayer), interparticular diffusion/deep penetration and mathematical modellings for better clarity. By ascertaining gaps that belong to the existing study and providing forthcoming research directions, this critical overview aims to improve the overall fabrication, characterization, application of the AC-BC bionanosorbents in the real-time bulky industrial wastewater for sustainable environmental protection.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15759,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering","volume":"13 2","pages":"Article 115908"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143479485","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ahmed Sarfaraz , Sajid Sumbal , Yu Qin , Yahya Faqir , Obey Kudakwashe Zveushe , Lei Zhou , Wei Zhang , Jin Li , Zhenzhen Lv , Ying Han , Faqin Dong
{"title":"Bioaugmentation-assisted phytoremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soils","authors":"Ahmed Sarfaraz , Sajid Sumbal , Yu Qin , Yahya Faqir , Obey Kudakwashe Zveushe , Lei Zhou , Wei Zhang , Jin Li , Zhenzhen Lv , Ying Han , Faqin Dong","doi":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.115895","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.115895","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The overwhelming use of petroleum products causes considerable ecological risks to the environment as they are considered raw materials for various industries. Bioaugmentation and phytoremediation are prominent strategies to remediate petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soils. Herein, we discussed integrated strategies of bioaugmentation and phytoremediation to degrade petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soils. We discussed the basic introduction of petroleum hydrocarbons, bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil through phytoremediation, its mechanisms, and bioaugmentation-assisted phytoremediation. The current review investigates the innovative phytoremediation, including its mechanisms, bioaugmentation-assisted phytoremediation, and microbial degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons. The present review provides valuable insights for the application of environmentally friendly and cost-effective solutions for soil decontamination.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15759,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering","volume":"13 2","pages":"Article 115895"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143479484","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yu-Fen Qiao , Song-Ya Li , Ting-Ting Liu , You-Peng Chen , Jin-Song Guo , Shao-Yang Liu , Peng Yan
{"title":"Application of microfluidics for revealing physiological metabolic response of algae at the single-cell level","authors":"Yu-Fen Qiao , Song-Ya Li , Ting-Ting Liu , You-Peng Chen , Jin-Song Guo , Shao-Yang Liu , Peng Yan","doi":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.115867","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.115867","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dynamic monitoring and analysis of algal cell growth and physiological metabolism play a crucial role in the applications such as lipid synthesis for biofuels, water environment monitoring, and ecological restoration. Conventional algal cell-based assays mainly involve the analysis of the average responses of algal cell populations and thus disregard individual cell heterogeneity, which is crucial to understanding the peculiar function and fate of the cells. Moreover, conventional techniques are time-consuming and labor-intensive and have limited throughput. They also struggle with maintaining continuous nutrients and have hazardous waste flow. Microfluidics has emerged as an attractive alternative technique owing to its ability to process and analyze algal cells with high precision at the single-cell level. Using a bibliometric approach, this review summarizes the current application of microfluidic technology in the analysis of algal physiological metabolism at the single-cell level. Future efforts should focus on scaling up microfluidics from laboratory settings to cost-effective industrial applications. The biocompatible materials used for microfluidics need to be screened widely to determine their suitability for culturing various algal cells. In addition, automated and intelligent microfluidic platforms with real-time sampling and analysis of algae need to be developed to improve work efficiency and expand application. This review outlines the future opportunities and challenges associated with the use of microfluidic technology in advancing biofuel production, water environment monitoring, and water restoration.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15759,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering","volume":"13 2","pages":"Article 115867"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143445499","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zhanyong Gu , Jing Yang , Huiru Liu , Hongfang Hao , Can Liu , Mengdie Jin , Ruotong Yang , Erpeng Zhou , Lijuan Liu , Shu Yin
{"title":"Recent progress in crystalline carbon nitride-based photocatalysts for energy conversion and environmental remediation","authors":"Zhanyong Gu , Jing Yang , Huiru Liu , Hongfang Hao , Can Liu , Mengdie Jin , Ruotong Yang , Erpeng Zhou , Lijuan Liu , Shu Yin","doi":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.115802","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.115802","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Polymeric carbon nitride (CN) has attracted extensive interest in the field of photocatalysis due to its excellent physical and chemical properties. However, the pristine CN synthesized by traditional thermal polymerization process suffers from low crystallinity and incomplete polymerization owing to the kinetic hindrance of high temperature solid-state reaction. Very recently, significant progress has been achieved to improve the crystallinity of pristine CN. In this review, we firstly introduce the outstanding advantages of crystalline CN in comparison with pristine CN. Then synthetic methods of crystalline CN are summarized, including direct molten salt synthesis, precursors-preheated molten salt synthesis, solid salt synthesis, solvothermal synthesis, microwave-assisted synthesis, and other synthetic methods. Subsequently, a variety of modification strategies to further enhance the photocatalytic performance of crystalline CN are discussed in detail, such as morphology modulation, bandgap engineering, junction construction, defect control and single atom modification. In addition, the application of crystalline CN in energy conversion and environmental remediation is described. Finally, current challenges related to the crystalline CN-based photocatalysts are proposed, which should be further studied and solved in this research field. We believe that this review can provide deep insights for design and synthesis of crystalline CN-based photocatalysts for energy conversion and environmental remediation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15759,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering","volume":"13 2","pages":"Article 115802"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143463338","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yifan Zhang , Dan Li , Kunlong Hui , Hui Wang , Ying Yuan , Fei Fang , Yu Jiang , Beidou Xi , Wenbing Tan
{"title":"The combined microplastics and heavy metals contamination between the soil and aquatic media: A review","authors":"Yifan Zhang , Dan Li , Kunlong Hui , Hui Wang , Ying Yuan , Fei Fang , Yu Jiang , Beidou Xi , Wenbing Tan","doi":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.115806","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.115806","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Microplastics (MPs) and heavy metals (HMs) are pervasive pollutants in both soil and aquatic environments, where they interact to form composite contaminants that pose significant ecological risks. Although some progress has been made in understanding MPs–HMs composite pollution within a single environmental medium, their concentrations can vary by up to three orders of magnitude across different matrices, leading to differing ecological impacts. Furthermore, the mechanisms underlying their interactions and their biological effects remain poorly understood. Therefore, this paper reviews recent progress in domestic and international research and provides an overview of the effects of variations in soil and aquatic environments (acidity, salinity, temperature, organic matter, and other contaminants) and the MP characteristics (types, particle diameter, and aging) on MPs–HMs composite pollution, compares the interaction mechanisms and biological effects of MPs–HMs across different environmental media, and assesses the potential environmental risks associated with MPs–HMs contamination in both soil and aquatic systems. The overall aim of this review is to improve our understanding of the differences in MPs–HMs complex pollution in different environmental media and to provide a theoretical basis for developing innovative strategies for the integrated prevention and management of emerging and legacy pollutants across multiple environmental media.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15759,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering","volume":"13 2","pages":"Article 115806"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143453747","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Fatemeh Seifikar, Aziz Habibi-Yangjeh, Mahtab Jahed-Jaafargolikhanlo
{"title":"A critical review on emerging photothermal-photocatalytic materials composed of g-C3N4 for energy production and environmental remediation","authors":"Fatemeh Seifikar, Aziz Habibi-Yangjeh, Mahtab Jahed-Jaafargolikhanlo","doi":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.115812","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.115812","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the recent decade, the utilization of renewable, abundant, free-cost, and inexhaustible sunlight for the energy conversion aim has attracted tremendous research attention. In this regard, solar-to-heat conversion has exhibited high potential to be implemented for improving photocatalytic performances towards pollutants degradation, microorganism inactivation, H<sub>2</sub> evolution, as well as carbon dioxide reduction. This proposed a promising avenue to provide novel vitality into water remediation and energy generation, resulting in the development of solar-enforced processes. Therefore, it is vital to pave and discuss the recent achievements and issues in this multi-disciplinary field. In this review paper, the photothermal-photocatalytic materials composed of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>) will be overviewed. Moreover, the applications of g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>-based materials in different areas, including water remediation, microorganism inactivation, and solar-driven energy generation will be discussed and summarized. Additionally, the challenges/perspectives related to the cutting-edge researches and efficient applications are highlighted. This review paper can propose deep insights to more development of the solar-driven wastewater treatments and employing photocatalytic processes for solar-energy conversion. In spite of many attempts in the integrated photothermal-photocatalysis researches, there are still a significant number of gaps for further deep-insight researches to address the required characteristics of the employed materials in the field of photothermal-photocatalysis processes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15759,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering","volume":"13 2","pages":"Article 115812"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143471245","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sikandar Aftab , Ganesh Koyyada , Najaf Rubab , Mohammed A. Assiri , Nguyen Tam Nguyen Truong
{"title":"Advances in wearable nanomaterial-based sensors for environmental and health monitoring: A comprehensive review","authors":"Sikandar Aftab , Ganesh Koyyada , Najaf Rubab , Mohammed A. Assiri , Nguyen Tam Nguyen Truong","doi":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.115788","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.115788","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This review article provides a thorough summary of wearable nanomaterial-based environmental sensing and health monitoring technologies. A wide variety of flexible sensors are examined, such as self-powered healthcare monitoring systems and electronic skin-based sensors for temperature, pressure, strain, humidity, and gas detection. The design, operation, and particular uses of these sensors in environmental sensing and health monitoring are examined in this study. The incorporation of nanomaterials greatly improves their performance, sensitivity, and flexibility, allowing for real-time monitoring in a variety of settings. We also discuss the limitations and difficulties that currently exist in the creation and application of these sensors, emphasising viable fixes and future lines of investigation. Our analysis highlights how nanomaterials are revolutionising flexible sensor technologies and opening up new avenues for creative applications in personalised healthcare and environmental management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15759,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering","volume":"13 2","pages":"Article 115788"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143429625","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mati Ullah , Abdul Wahab , Wajid Hussain , Cheng Mingyuan , Fuying Ma , Su Sun , Shangxian Xie
{"title":"Wastes valorization to polyhydroxyalkanoate: Key concepts and strategies to overcome potential challenges","authors":"Mati Ullah , Abdul Wahab , Wajid Hussain , Cheng Mingyuan , Fuying Ma , Su Sun , Shangxian Xie","doi":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.115779","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.115779","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Polyhydroxyalkanoates are promising substitutes for fossil fuel-based plastics, primarily distinguished by their biodegradability and biocompatible nature. Despite this fact, a major bottleneck that limits PHA availability in the marketplace is its exceptionally high production cost compared to conventional plastic and other biobased polymers. The waste-to-bioplastic concept may play a dual significant role in the utilization of waste material to develop a sustainable economy. Herein, the current review provides an in-depth analysis on the cost-effective synthesis of PHA from various waste streams such as food wastes, lipid wastes, pulp and paper wastes, agricultural wastes, as well as other organic wastes. Besides, the review reflected on the recent advancements in bacterial PHA synthesis, such as bioprocess optimization, metabolic pathways engineering, promotor engineering, CRISPR-Cas9 technology, cell morphology engineering, and synthetic biology approaches for effective PHA production. The review further suggested that the selection of suitable microbes, nature of feedstock, optimized bioprocess, and implementation of innovative metabolic engineering strategies would play a significant role in overcoming the potential barriers associated with PHA industrialization.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15759,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering","volume":"13 2","pages":"Article 115779"},"PeriodicalIF":7.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143463339","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}