Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering最新文献

{"title":"E-waste-derived microplastics and metals: Challenges, mechanisms, and sustainable mitigation strategies","authors":"Shaheen Hasan Dawan ,&nbsp;Tanushree Bhattacharya ,&nbsp;Abhishek Kumar","doi":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.119509","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.119509","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This review focuses on the impact of microplastics (MPs) and metals as two of the common co-pollutants of e-waste and how these are a concern in the terrestrial environment when encountered in recycling areas. Quantitative data indicate that contamination is severe. It has been reported that soils reached 34,100 MPs kg⁻¹ with metal levels 800 times above background, and Pb concentrations reached 3130 mg kg⁻¹, which lowered microbial activity and promoted phytotoxicity. In addition, the metals are deposited on the surfaces of the MPs, which are made of, e.g., polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polycarbonate (PC), thus serving them as a medium. This interplay creates a synergistic threat; MPs act as vectors that enhance metal bioavailability and transport, thereby amplifying ecological and human health risks beyond those of the contaminants alone. The presence and interaction of MPs and metals are determined by the properties of the polymer surface, soil pH, salinity, and organic matter. The most typical detection procedures are of metals encompassing acid digestion (HNO₃, HCl, H₂SO₄) and for MPs, density separation with ZnCl₂ or NaI without standardized terrestrial procedures. Experimental mitigation strategies, including electrocoagulation (&gt;99 % of MP removal from wastewater), magnetic nanoparticle adsorption, and biochar or micro-based remediation, are alternative routes to scalable remediation. Despite these advances, a critical regulatory gap persists: no existing policies or frameworks specifically address the combined threat of MP-metal co-contamination in e-waste-polluted soils. Multidisciplinary and site-specific research is essential to indicate toxicity and permit effective toxicity remediation policies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15759,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering","volume":"13 6","pages":"Article 119509"},"PeriodicalIF":7.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145156397","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":"Global trends evolution and future research hotspots in microplastic pollution and removal in water: A bibliometric analysis","authors":"Nurul Hardina A. Mai ,&nbsp;Ali Yuzir ,&nbsp;Jinho Jung ,&nbsp;Tobias George Barnard","doi":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.119505","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.119505","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Microplastic (MP) has emerged as a significant environmental challenge due to its pervasive presence in aquatic systems and potential risks to ecosystems and human health. This bibliometric study analyzes global research trends in MP pollution and removal using 1892 Scopus-indexed publications from 2011 to 2024, evaluated via VOSviewer. Results reveal significant publication growth, especially since 2016, with China leading in output and the U.S. and U.K. as major collaborators. Environmental science, chemistry, and engineering dominate this field, with Science of the Total Environment and Water Research as primary publication venues. Keyword co-occurrence analysis identified five thematic clusters: wastewater treatment, microplastic degradation, pollution risk, advanced removal technologies, and adsorption-based methods. Emerging research hotspots include electrocoagulation, biochar-based adsorption, membrane filtration, and nature-based solutions such as constructed wetlands. The study also highlights increasing attention to nanoplastics (NPs) as a distinct emerging pollutant, as well as the need for standardized detection methods. This review offers a strategic roadmap for future research by identifying thematic gaps, key contributors, and cutting-edge methodologies. Through bridging bibliometric insights with environmental applications, this study supports policy development and technological innovations for effective MP mitigation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15759,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering","volume":"13 6","pages":"Article 119505"},"PeriodicalIF":7.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145156394","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":"Harnessing sunlight for biomass deconstruction and solar biofuel production","authors":"Ashitha Kishore,&nbsp;Shiamala L,&nbsp;Jaffar Ali B.M","doi":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.119455","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.119455","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The development of next-generation visible-light-active photocatalysts, like composite semiconductors, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and carbon-based materials, which harness energy from wide solar spectrum, has been utilized in the valorization lignocellulosic biomass. Capturing these developments, this review focuses on the potential of such a photocatalyst to perform deconstruction of complex biomass. A detailed discussion is made on the recalcitrance nature of lignocellulosic biomass and the characteristics of the photocatalysts adapted for targeting the deconstruction. Specifically, the roles of MOF, Carbon-based materials, and the hybrid photocatalysts systems, namely, photothermal and photoelectrocatalytic, in deconstructing and saccherifying the biomass is elaborated. Mechanism of photocatalysis prevailing in each of these materials, and their comparative performance analysis in driving the fermentable sugars, reduction to organic and other value-added products are brought out. Significant findings indicate that improvements in carbon-based catalysts and MOFs greatly increase the absorption of visible light, offering prospective conversion methods that are both economically viable and environmentally benign. It is further demonstrated that the photocatalysed biomass is adaptable directly into the down-stream fermentation process, producing ethanol. In perspective, recent development in magnetically retrievable catalysts and 3D print immobilized catalysts has given further impetus to the development of scalable technological processes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15759,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering","volume":"13 6","pages":"Article 119455"},"PeriodicalIF":7.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145119630","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":"Recent advances of nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) on the remediation of heavy metals polluted environment: Modified methods, mechanisms, influencing factors and application challenges","authors":"Yihui Zhang ,&nbsp;Huan Zeng ,&nbsp;Yuan Yuan ,&nbsp;Chengfeng Jiang ,&nbsp;Wantong Xie ,&nbsp;Ying Zheng ,&nbsp;Yu Peng","doi":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.119433","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.119433","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Remediation of heavy metal-contaminated water and soil has become a significant challenge. Nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) exhibits great potential in environmental remediation due to its excellent removal properties for heavy metals. This review provides a comprehensive overview of advances in nZVI, modified nZVI, and related composites for heavy metal remediation in soil and water. First, this paper summarizes different preparation routes for nZVI and several recent modification methods, such as surface coating, sulfidation, and oxyanion modification. Meanwhile, removal capacities of heavy metals by some modified nZVI are listed and compared. Second, the general interaction mechanisms of heavy metal cations or anions and nZVI are recapitulated as adsorption, reduction, oxidation, and co-precipitation. Third, the factors influencing heavy-metal removal in the environment, including pH, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), and natural organic matter (NOM) are systematically discussed. Finally, perspectives on the challenges of nZVI practical utilization at contaminated sites are highlighted and proposed for further development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15759,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering","volume":"13 6","pages":"Article 119433"},"PeriodicalIF":7.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145119485","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 review of advanced water treatment with polyurethane nanofiber membranes: Current advances and future directions","authors":"Mahrokh Bahramian ,&nbsp;Majid Abdouss ,&nbsp;Nafiseh Aghababaei ,&nbsp;Mohamadreza Shakiba","doi":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.119442","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.119442","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rapid industrialization and population growth have intensified water scarcity and contamination, driving the need for advanced treatment technologies. Among these, membrane-based processes have gained prominence due to efficiency, scalability, and energy effectiveness. This review provides a comprehensive overview of polyurethane (PU) nanofiber membranes for water and wastewater treatment, highlighting their fabrication, structural properties, performance, and associated challenges. PU nanofibers produced by electrospinning exhibit high porosity, tunable morphology, and excellent mechanical stability, enabling the efficient removal of diverse pollutants, including heavy metals, organic contaminants, and microorganisms. Their surfaces can be functionalized to enhance selectivity and antifouling properties. This expands their potential in applications such as desalination, industrial effluent treatment, and micropollutant removal. Despite these advantages, fouling, cost-effective large-scale production, and long-term operational stability remain critical challenges. Recent advances in nanocomposite designs, surface engineering, and environmentally friendly fabrication methods are highlighted as promising strategies to overcome these limitations. By integrating PU nanofiber membranes with complementary technologies, such as membrane bioreactors and advanced oxidation processes, their role in sustainable water purification can be further enhanced. This review positions PU nanofiber membranes as a versatile and scalable solution to contemporary wastewater treatment challenges, while outlining pathways for future innovation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15759,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering","volume":"13 6","pages":"Article 119442"},"PeriodicalIF":7.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145156398","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 critical review on re-envisioning contemporary decentralized wastewater management through a holistic lens","authors":"Rojalin Sahu ,&nbsp;Nikhil Funde ,&nbsp;Shradhanjali Sethi ,&nbsp;Ankita Bharshankh ,&nbsp;Rima Biswas","doi":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.119435","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.119435","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Decentralized wastewater management (DWM) has rapidly advanced due to the increasing global demand for clean water, intensified by climate change-induced water scarcity. Today, a pool of well-documented literature on decentralized wastewater treatment systems (DWTS) exists, mostly comparing them over the centralized wastewater treatment systems (CWTS) through a discursive notion of good and bad, resulting in one-size-fits-all solutions for wastewater treatment. This critical review presents a comprehensive overview of DWTS as a “complementary-not-competing” solution to existing wastewater management approaches (centralized/onsite) and evaluates where CWTS is beneficial. The study explores multifaceted opportunities for effective and sustainable implementation of DWTS to provide prospects to holistically plan DWM. Research focused on innovating the core technologies, that form the foundation most DWTS design whether standalone or integrated, including constructed wetland (CW)-based systems, filter bed-based systems, decentralized wastewater treatment system (DEWATS), and membrane bioreactor (MBR)-based systems has been thoroughly discussed. Key factors that play a pivotal role in enhancing potential of DWTS such as intended end-use, targeted pollutants, site-specific characteristics, and implementation costs have been identified. The study also incorporates various techno-economic (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) studies of DWTS. A conceptual model for integrated DWM and faecal sludge (FS) treatment to develop a perspective towards promoting sustainable waste-wastewater management has been introduced. By summarizing shared challenges between treatment approaches, this review offers a roadmap for harnessing the potential of DWTS in achieving energy-efficient and carbon-neutral solutions, while outlining future research directions to advance the circular economy (CE).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15759,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering","volume":"13 6","pages":"Article 119435"},"PeriodicalIF":7.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145156392","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":"The invasive aquatic macrophyte weed - Eichhornia: Its management, bioremediation potential, and valorisation","authors":"Kishore Kumar Krishnani ,&nbsp;Veera Mallu Boddu ,&nbsp;Kurapati Nagendrasai ,&nbsp;Kalpana Arambam ,&nbsp;Jane Jacob ,&nbsp;Puja Chakraborty ,&nbsp;Anil Dixit ,&nbsp;Mahendra Singh Raghuvanshi ,&nbsp;Ajit Kumar Verma ,&nbsp;Lance Brooks ,&nbsp;Himanshu Pathak","doi":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.119462","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.119462","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Aquatic macrophytes, with their diverse capabilities, hold significant promise for addressing and minimizing persistent and bioaccumulative inorganic and organic pollutants such as heavy metals, explosive and radioactive materials, petroleum hydrocarbons, emerging contaminant-microplastics, and physico-chemical parameters. Among these, water hyacinth (WH-<em>Eichhornia crassipes</em>), while its unchecked proliferation in freshwater makes it one of the most problematic aquatic weeds globally, has emerged as a key player and an excellent candidate for phytoremediation due to its rapid growth and ability to absorb nutrients effectively. Harnessing the potential of this macrophyte is essential, not only for managing its invasive nature but also for its role as a bio-indicator of water contamination. Additionally, WH can be repurposed into a variety of valuable products, such as biodegradable paper, organic fertilizers, biogas, biohydrogen, fiber, charcoal briquetting, animal fodder, nanocellulose, composites, and fish feed. Recognizing its ecological benefits, edible or medicinal properties, and potential to become a cultivated plant itself, it is proposed to shift the concept of a weed from an undesirable plant to a potentially valuable and income-generating plant, supporting the Sustainable Development and circular bioeconomy goals. Artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things can lead to investigating socioeconomic impacts of WH and its management through automated harvesting systems, bioenergy production and wastewater treatment. For the first time, this comprehensive review aims to explore various management strategies for WH<em>,</em> including ethnobotanical knowledge and community-driven measures, predicting its expansion and harvest using AIOT, its applications in the development of a variety of value-added products, and bioremediating water bodies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15759,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering","volume":"13 6","pages":"Article 119462"},"PeriodicalIF":7.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145156400","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":"Co-adsorption of heavy metals and antibiotic pollutants by microplastic in aquatic environments and its mechanisms: A review","authors":"Yuanmin Mo ,&nbsp;Hong Chen ,&nbsp;Yujin Li ,&nbsp;Binggang Chen ,&nbsp;Ligui Wu ,&nbsp;Xiaoming Zou","doi":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.119436","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.119436","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Microplastics (MPs), antibiotics, and heavy metals are significant pollutants that pose considerable risks to human health due to their widespread presence in aquatic ecosystems. Recent research has investigated the co-adsorption processes of heavy metals and antibiotics by MPs. However, the characteristics of co-adsorption remain inadequately understood, particularly concerning the factors that influence the process and the mechanisms involved. In this review, we synthesize and analyze the literature on co-adsorption of heavy metals and antibiotics by MPs, considering environmental conditions, physicochemical properties of MPs and pollutants, and the underlying mechanisms. Results indicate that MPs can effectively sequester both contaminant classes, with reported adsorption capacities spanning wide ranges, approximately 8.46–5550.0 μg/g for heavy metals and 53.52–7390.31 μg/g for antibiotics. Evidence points to predominantly antagonistic interactions for heavy metals and synergistic interactions for antibiotics during co-adsorption. Furthermore, our results suggest that variations in MPs properties (e.g., aging) and most environmental factors, apart from solution pH and dissolved organic matter, may exert minimal influence on co-adsorption efficiency. In contrast, the concentration ratios of heavy metals and antibiotics significantly impact co-adsorption outcomes. Mechanistically, bridging and competition effects emerge as principal drivers of the observed synergistic and antagonistic effects, respectively. Overall, this review therefore addresses key knowledge gaps in the interactions among MPs, heavy metals, and antibiotics, offering insights to inform strategies for managing coexisting MPs and pollutants in aquatic systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15759,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering","volume":"13 6","pages":"Article 119436"},"PeriodicalIF":7.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145119488","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":"Synergistic adsorption-catalytic mechanism of biochar-activated persulfates for remediation of groundwater organic contamination: A review","authors":"Zhiliang Zhao ,&nbsp;Hongqing Zhu ,&nbsp;Hui Zhao ,&nbsp;Geng Yang ,&nbsp;Hui Ma ,&nbsp;Shengyan Pu","doi":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.119416","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.119416","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Groundwater contamination has garnered significant attention, prompting the exploration of innovative treatment methods. Persulfate-based advanced oxidation processes (PS-AOPs), notably effective in degrading organic pollutants, have been enhanced by biochar. In the biochar/PS pollutant degradation system, both solid-phase and liquid-phase reactions often coexist. Therefore, adsorption on the biochar surface significantly impacts the utilization of surface-active sites, the activation mode of PS by biochar, and the pollutant degradation pathway. This review therefore focuses on the relationship and influence between the adsorption of biochar and its catalysis of PS degradation of organic pollutants from the perspective of the physicochemical properties of biochar, the mechanism of activation of PS, and the relationship between adsorption and catalysis interactions. Special attention is given to the coupling and polymerization processes facilitated by biochar, which not only enable selective conversion of pollutants into value-added polymeric products but also contribute to reduced CO₂ emissions by avoiding complete mineralization, thereby reducing the use of oxidants, thereby alleviating disturbances to the underground environment while aligning with the principles of green and sustainable development. In addition, it elucidates the influencing factors of the adsorption-catalytic synergistic effects of biochar. The review concludes with a discussion on future research directions, aiming to optimize the synergistic adsorption-catalytic capabilities of biochar in environmental remediation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15759,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering","volume":"13 6","pages":"Article 119416"},"PeriodicalIF":7.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145221904","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":"Recent progress of solid adsorbents on direct air capture of carbon dioxide","authors":"Bifeng Yang ,&nbsp;Wu Yang ,&nbsp;Jiaxing Du ,&nbsp;Changhong Huang ,&nbsp;Junzhe Yang ,&nbsp;Ben Wang ,&nbsp;Lushi Sun ,&nbsp;Hong Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.119406","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jece.2025.119406","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Direct air capture (DAC) has shown growing potential in addressing climate challenges, with solid adsorbents being extensively studied. This review firstly categorizes solid adsorbents into physical and chemical types based on adsorption principles, followed by systematic analyses of their CO₂ capture mechanisms, performance metrics, regeneration advancements, and inherent limitations. Subsequently, the review emphasizes the superior applicability of solid amine-based adsorbents in DAC systems, and provides critical evaluations on how adsorbent composition and environmental factors influence their performance, highlighting the promising role of macromolecular amine functionalized three-dimensional mesoporous architectures. Finally, the current research status of DAC cycle technology is comprehensively summarized, and the key challenges impeding industrial implementation of DAC are identified. This review aims to provide strategic guidance for future DAC research directions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15759,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering","volume":"13 6","pages":"Article 119406"},"PeriodicalIF":7.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145156391","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}