Occurrence of organic micropollutants in municipal landfill leachate and its effective treatment by advanced oxidation processes

"Catch-and-feed": Janus catalytic flow-through membrane enables highly efficient removal of micropollutants in water

Micropollutants, due to their low concentrations, exceptional chemical stability, and profound toxicity, present a significant challenge in water treatment. While electrocatalysis and photocatalysis have shown promise as potential water purification techniques, their inherent limitations in mass transfer often result in elevated energy requirements and suboptimal efficiency. In this study, a Janus catalytic flow-through membrane (JCFM) was utilized to successfully remove two notorious micropollutants dichlorvos (DDVP) and azoxystrobin (AZX) from water based on the "catch-and-feed" strategy. This membrane adopts a ``sandwich'' configuration, comprising platinum-modified reduced titanium (Pt@rTO) as the electrocatalytic layer, porous titanium (Ti) as the current collector, and rTO as the photocatalytic layer. The JCFM exhibited remarkable performance, maintaining an •OH energy conversion efficiency of up to 20.12 nM and displaying catalytic activity (kJCFM = 6.97 × 10-4 s-1) in degrading AZX far superior to that of photocatalysis (kPC = 9.51 × 10-5 s-1) or electrocatalysis (kEC = 9.89 × 10-5 s-1) alone. It is evidenced that the Pt@rTO layer efficiently generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), which, along with the micropollutants, flow through the JCFM ("feed"), which strengthens mass transfer and facilitates efficient reactions within the confined space ("catch"). The ROSs then seep through the rTO layer, where they are reactivated by UV light radiation. The mechanism and the alternative reaction pathway of DDVP and AZX has also been proposed. In sequential testing, the JCFM achieved continuous and energy-efficient removal of micropollutants, exceeding 97.5 % over 200 h. The scale-up application of this technology has proven effective in the treatment of secondary biochemical effluent from municipal sewage, coking wastewater, and landfill leachate, achieving the concurrent degradation of various micropollutants.

Integrating advanced techniques and machine learning for landfill leachate treatment: Addressing limitations and environmental concerns

This review article explores the challenges associated with landfill leachate resulting from the increasing disposal of municipal solid waste in landfills and open areas. The composition of landfill leachate includes antibiotics (0.001-100 μg), heavy metals (0.001-1.4 g/L), dissolved organic and inorganic components, and xenobiotics including polyaromatic hydrocarbons (10-25 μg/L). Conventional treatment methods, such as biological (microbial and phytoremediation) and physicochemical (electrochemical and membrane-based) techniques, are available but face limitations in terms of cost, accuracy, and environmental risks. To surmount these challenges, this study advocates for the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to strengthen treatment efficacy through predictive analytics and optimized operational parameters. It critically evaluates the risks posed by recalcitrant leachate components and appraises the performance of various treatment modalities, both independently and in tandem with biological and physicochemical processes. Notably, physicochemical treatments have demonstrated pollutant removal rates of up to 90% for various contaminants, while integrated biological approaches have achieved over 95% removal efficiency. However, the heterogeneous nature of solid waste composition further complicates treatment methodologies. Consequently, the integration of advanced ML algorithms such as Support Vector Regression, Artificial Neural Networks, and Genetic Algorithms is proposed to refine leachate treatment processes. This review provides valuable insights for different stakeholders specifically researchers, policymakers and practitioners, seeking to fortify waste disposal infrastructure and foster sustainable landfill leachate management practices. By leveraging AI and ML tools in conjunction with a nuanced understanding of leachate complexities, a promising pathway emerges towards effectively addressing this environmental challenge while mitigating potential adverse impacts.

A chemical coating strategy for assembling a boron-doped diamond anode towards electrocatalytic degradation of late landfill leachate

The high efficiency electrocatalytic degradation of late landfill leachate is still not an easy task due to the complexity and variability of organic pollutants. A chemical coating strategy for assembling a boron-doped diamond anode (BDD) towards electrocatalytic degradation of late landfill leachate was adopted and studied. The results shows the high removal rates of organic carbon (TOC) and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) after electrochemical oxidation for 5 h can reach 99% and 100%. Further, the organic migration and transformation depends on current density, A/V value, initial pH, electrochemical degradation time, and composition of the stock solution. Specifically, alkaline conditions can increase both TOC and NH3-N removal rates, which is reflected in the NH3-N removal rate of 100% when the pH is 8.5 after only 5 h. The types of organic matter decreased from 63 species to 24 species in 5 h, in which the removal of fulvic acids is superior to that of soluble biometabolites. Amides/olefins and phenolic alcohols are all degraded and converted into other substances or decomposed into CO2 and H2O by BDD, accompanied by the continuous decomposition of alcohol-phenols into alkanes. In all, this study provides a core reference on electrocatalytic degradation of late landfill leachate.

Potential stimulation of nitrifying bacteria activities and genera by landfill leachate

With the increasing complexity of influent composition in wastewater treatment plants, the potential stimulating effects of refractory organic matter in wastewater on growth characteristics and genera conversion of nitrifying bacteria (ammonium-oxidizing bacteria [AOB] and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria [NOB]) need to be further investigated. In this study, domestic wastewater was co-treated with landfill leachate in the lab-scale reactor, and the competition and co-existence of NOB genera Nitrotoga and Nitrospira were observed. The results demonstrated that the addition of landfill leachate could induce the growth of Nitrotoga, whereas Nitrotoga populations remain less competitive in domestic wastewater operation. In addition, the refractory organic matter in the landfill leachate also would have a potential stimulating effect on the maximum specific growth rate of AOB genus Nitrosomonas (μmax, aob). The μmax, aob of Nitrosomonas in the control group was estimated to be 0.49 d-1 by fitting the ASM model, and the μmax, aob reached 0.66-0.71 d-1 after injection of refractory organic matter in the landfill leachate, while the maximum specific growth rate of NOB (μmax, nob) was always in the range of 1.05-1.13 d-1. These findings have positive significance for the understanding of potential stimulation on nitrification processes and the stable operation of innovative wastewater treatment process.

Phenolic compounds in water: Review of occurrence, risk, and retention by membrane technology

Phenolic compounds are one of the main contributors to water source contamination worldwide. In this review, the data collected on Elsevier, Scopus, and Pubmed, considering papers published between 2000 and 2023, showed more than 60 different phenols have been identified in water matrix (<0.065-179,000,000 ng L-1). The highest concentration reported was in surface water canals in India. The most recurrent and studied compound was bisphenol A (n = 93) in concentrations ranging from 0.45 to 2,970,000 ng L-1. The solid phase extraction (HBL Oasis cartridge) and methanol as solvent was the method of pre-concentration most used followed by gas chromatography for the determination of phenols in water samples. The importance of drinking water guidelines incorporating more phenolic compounds was emphasized given the variety of these compounds quantified in water matrix. The human health risk assessment (HRA) was performed for the min-max concentrations of the pollutants reported in the literature. High HRA even at the lowest concentrations for 2-nitrophenol, 2,6-dichlorophenol, 3,4,5-trichlorophenol, 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol, and 2,4-dinitrophenol was recognized. The cancer risk estimated was considered possible for 3-methylphenol, 2,4-dimethylphenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, pentachlorophenol, and 2,4-dinitrophenol in the highest concentrations. The in-depth discussion of mechanisms, advantages, challenges, and carbon footprint of membrane technologies in water treatment and phenols retention demonstrated the great potential and trends for the production of safe drinking water, highlighting reverse osmosis, as a mature technology, and membrane distillation, as an emergent technology.

The biogas upgrading from landfill leachate pretreated with low-frequency ultrasonic: anaerobic digestion performances and energy balance

The efficient biogas production from landfill leachate (LL) is one of hot topics in anaerobic digestion systems. Higher bioavailability of LL can be achieved by application a feasible and promising pretreatment technologies in order to utilize as a substrate for anaerobic reactors. Here, the enhanced bioavailabity of LL using the low-frequency ultrasonic process and energy balance in anaerobic digestion process was estimated within incubation period of 24 days. The optimal performance of low-frequency ultrasonic for LL biodegradability index: sCOD and TVFA were estimated under influencing parameters: ultrasonic density (UD) (0.02-0.14 W/mL) and Ultrasonic time (UT) (0-12 min). Moreover, the effects of low-frequency ultrasonic pretreatment process on biogas production in batch mode anaerobic reactors operated at 37 ± 1 °C were surveyed for daily and cumulative methane production, operational performance and energy balance. An increased sCOD (820 mg/L) and TVFA (659 mg/L) were observed under optimum codition: UD (0.1 W/mL) and UT (10 min). The highest methane production (430 mL) was found in reactor 4, where %15 volume ratio of LL pretreated with low frequency ultrasonic were feed in. Energy balance assessment indicated that output energy for anaerobic reactors assissted with ultrasonic in range of + 6.99 and + 7.98 kJ/g VS removed. Therefore, incorporation the low-frequency ultrasonic and digestion process revealed a promising and economic technique to improve biomethane potential and energy balance from LL.

Photocatalyst of manganese ferrite and reduced graphene oxide supported on activated carbon from cow bone for wastewater treatment

The present research aimed to evaluate the photocatalytic activity of manganese ferrite (M) and reduced graphene oxide (G) supported on pulverized activated carbon from cow bone waste (PAC-MG). PAC-MG was characterized by different instrumental techniques. The efficiency of PAC-MG was evaluated using solar irradiation under different conditions of photocatalyst concentration, H2O2 concentration, and pH ranges for the discoloration of methylene blue dye (MB). The synergy between the nanomaterials potentiated the photocatalytic activity, reaching 85.5% of MB discoloration when using 0.25 g L-1 of catalyst at neutral pH with no oxidant needed. Furthermore, PAC-MG demonstrated excellent stability in 6 consecutive cycles. Finally, it is expected that the present study can add value to industrial waste and contribute to the development of novel water and wastewater treatment methods, ensuring water quality for human consumption and the environment.

LED-driven photo-Fenton process for micropollutant removal by nanostructured magnetite anchored in mesoporous silica

The presence of organic micropollutants in water bodies represents a threat to living organisms and ecosystems due to their toxicological effects and recalcitrance in conventional wastewater treatments. In this context, the application of heterogeneous photo-Fenton based on magnetite nanoparticles supported on mesoporous silica (SBA15) is proposed to carry out the non-specific degradation of the model compounds ibuprofen, carbamazepine, hormones, bisphenol A and the dye ProcionRed®. The operating conditions (i.e., pH, catalyst load and hydrogen peroxide concentration) were optimized by Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The paramagnetic properties of the nanocatalysts allowed their repeated use in sequential batch operations with catalyst losses below 1%. The feasibility of the process was demonstrated as removal rates above 90% after twelve accomplished after twelve consecutive cycles. In addition, the contributions of different reactive oxygen species, mainly •OH, were analyzed together with the formation of by-products, achieving total mineralization values of 15% on average.

Advanced technologies for the determination of quantitative structure-activity relationships and degradation efficiency of micropollutants and their removal in water - A review

The growing concentrations of micropollutants in aquatic ecosystems are a global water quality issue. Understanding micropollutants varied chemical composition and potency is essential to solving this complex issue. Micropollutants management requires identifying contaminants to reduce, optimal reduction targets, and the best wastewater recycling locations. Management requires appropriate technological measures. Pharmaceuticals, antibiotics, hormones, and other micropollutants can enter the aquatic environment from point and diffuse sources, with wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) distributing them in urban areas. Micropollutants like pharmaceuticals and hormones may not be removed by conventional WWTPs. Micropollutants affect the EU, especially in densely populated areas where surface water is consumed. This review examines several technological options that can be integrated into existing treatment methods to address this issue. In this work, oxidation, activated carbon, and their combinations as potential solutions, considering their efficacy and cost were evaluated. This study illuminates micropollutants origin and physico-chemical properties, which affect distribution, persistence, and environmental impacts. Understanding these factors helps us develop targeted micropollutant mitigation strategies to protect water quality. This review can inform policy and decision-making to reduce micropollutant impacts on aquatic ecosystems and human health.

Heterogeneous electro-Fenton system using Fe-MOF as catalyst and electrocatalyst for degradation of pharmaceuticals

In recent years, heterogeneous electro-Fenton processes have gained considerable attention as an alternative to homogeneous processes. In this context, the aim of this study is the use of a commercial iron metal-organic framework (Fe-MOF), Basolite® F-300, as a base material for the design of a heterogeneous electro-Fenton treatment system for the removal of antipyrine. Initially, the catalyst was applied as powder in aqueous solution and three key parameters of the electro-Fenton process (pH, Fe-MOF concentration and current density) were evaluated and optimized by a Central Composite Design Face Centred (CCD-FC) using antipyrine removal and energy consumption as response functions. Near complete antipyrine removal (94%) was achieved under optimal conditions: pH 3, Fe-MOF 157.78 mg/L and current density 6.67 mA/cm2, obtaining an energy consumption of 0.29 W·h per mg of antipyrine removed. Later, two electrocatalysts (Fe-MOF functionalized cathodes), prepared by different Fe-MOF immobilisation approaches (composite of carbon black/polytetrafluoroethylene or by electrospinning on Ni foam), were synthesized. Their characterisation showed notable Fe-MOF incorporation into the material and favourable properties as electrocatalysts. Both Fe-MOF functionalized cathodes were evaluated in the removal of antipyrine at different pH (acidic and natural) and current density (27.78 and 55.56 mA/cm2), achieving in the best conditions removal levels around 80% in 1 h without any operational problems. In addition, several intermediates generated during the treatment were identified and their toxicity estimated. According to the obtained results, the degradation compounds have less toxicity than the parent compounds, confirming the effectiveness of the treatment.

Volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds in landfill leachate: Concurrence, removal and the influencing factors

Volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (VOCs and SVOCs) carried by landfilled wastes may enter leachate, and require appropriate treatment before discharge. However, the driving factors of the entry of VOCs and SOVCs into leachate, their removal characteristics during leachate treatment and the dominant factors remain unclear. A global survey of the VOCs and SOVCs in leachate from 103 landfill sites combined with 27 articles on leachate treatment was conducted to clarify the abovementioned question. The results showed that SVOCs such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phthalate acid esters (PAEs) and phenols were the most frequently detected in leachate on a global scale. However, four kinds of VOCs, i.e., toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes and benzene, were frequently detected at high concentrations in landfill leachate as well. The concentrations of VOCs and SVOCs in leachate ranged from 1 × 10° to 1 × 108 ng/L. Solubility was a key factor driving the entry of VOCs and SOVCs into leachate, and higher solubility enables higher detectable concentrations in leachate (P<0.05). It was easiest to remove monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (MAHs) from leachate, followed by phenols and PAHs, and it was most difficult to remove PAEs. In terms of removing MAHs, the anoxic/oxic (A/O) process and the sequential batch reactor (SBR) process were comparable to the advanced oxidization process and far superior to the ultrafiltration and nanofiltration processes, and the removal rate increased with an increase in the Henry's constant and/or the hydrophilicity of the contaminants during the A/O and SBR processes (P<0.05). There were no significant differences among biological, advanced oxidation and reverse osmosis processes in the removal of phenolic. In terms of removing PAHs, the A/O process was comparable to the advanced oxidization process and more efficient than the other treatment processes. As to removing PAEs, the membrane bioreactor process was almost the same efficient as the advanced oxidization process and far more efficient than the other biological treatment processes. Future research should focus on the pollution of atmospheric VOCs and SVOCs near aeration units in leachate treatment plants, as well as the health risk assessment of VOCs and SVOCs in the treated leachate effluent. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review regarding the occurrence and removal of VOCs and SVOCs from landfill leachates worldwide.

Unveiling the occurrence, distribution, removal, and environmental impacts of 65 emerging contaminants in neglected fresh leachate from municipal solid waste incineration plants

Emerging contaminants (ECs) are commonly found in environmental media. Yet leachate from municipal solid waste incineration plants (MSWIPs), which can serve as a reservoir for various contaminants, including ECs, has received little investigation. To address this gap, 65 ECs were analyzed in the fresh leachate and biological effluent from three major MSWIPs in Shanghai. Results indicated that over half (56%) of the 65 ECs were detected in fresh leachate. Different ECs would be removed to varying degrees after biological treatment, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (65%), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) (51%), phthalate esters (PAEs) (36%), and organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) (34%). Notably, for tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), a PBDE substitute, only 2% was removed after biological treatment, while polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were effectively removed at 83%. Water solubility and the octanol-water partition coefficient are key factors influencing the distribution and removal of ECs in leachate. the effluent will still contain refractory ECs even after the biological treatment. These residual ECs discharged to sewers can impact wastewater treatment plants or contaminate surface water and groundwater. These findings provide insights into the leachate contamination by ECs, their environmental fate, factors affecting their behavior, and potential environmental impacts.

Removal of refractory organics from landfill leachate by in situ electrogenerated H2O2 combined with an Fe0 Fenton-like process

Landfill leachate contains a large amount of refractory organic matter, which will cause harm to the environment if not appropriately treated. In this study, the refractory organic matter in landfill leachate has been treated by in situ electrogenerated H₂O₂ combined with an Fe⁰ Fenton-like process, aiming to explore a cleaner and more efficient process for leachate treatment. The results showed that the current, initial pH and oxygen flow rate have significant influences on H₂O₂ production. The current and oxygen flow rate are positively correlated with H₂O₂ production, and neutral conditions are more favourable. Under the conditions of a current of 200 mA, an initial pH of 7.0 and an oxygen flow rate of 0.3 L/min, H₂O₂ production reached 2.81 mM, the current efficiency was close to 80% and the highest removal efficiency of organic matter reached 40.70%. The absorbance at 280 nm (E₂₈₀) decreased from 0.1669 to 0.1180, and the ratios E₂₄₀/E₄₂₀, E₂₅₀/E₃₆₅ and E₃₀₀/E₄₀₀ in the UV and visible regions changed from 0.7825, 5.4492 and 0.2422 to 1.3135, 7.3745 and 0.2966, respectively. The maximum fluorescence intensities due to humic-like acid and fulvic-like acid substances decreased from 1275 and 1246 to 595.9 and 711.0, respectively. Spectral analysis further showed that the complex structure of refractory organic matter in the landfill leachate was obviously destroyed, and the relative content of humus decreased significantly. This study may provide a theoretical basis for the effective treatment of refractory organic matter in landfill leachate by in situ electrogenerated H₂O₂ combined with a Fenton-like process.

Interferences in the yeast estrogen screen (YES) assay for evaluation of estrogenicity in environmental samples, chemical mixtures, and individual substances

The Yeast Estrogen Screen (YES) has a specific mechanism of action that allows for the analysis of estrogenic EDC at low concentrations, and it has been broadly used to estimate the estrogenic potential of environmental samples. However, the experimental parameters of this assay still demand an investigation, such as cell density, incubation time, wavelength on the experimental outcome, cytotoxicity, and estrogenic activity adsorbed on suspended solids. We studied these interferences and applied the assay to single substances, mixtures, and environmental matrices from different sources. The increase in cell density amplifies the assay sensitivity only to a limited extent, while the reduction in incubation time decreased assay sensitivity - although it was not significant for surface water, no differences were observed between estradiol-equivalents derived of 48 h and 72 h measurements. The particulate phase was of utmost importance for the total estrogenic activity of the landfill leachate and surface water. Surface waters, landfill leachates and sediments also showed antiestrogenic activity and the integration of both estrogenic and antiestrogenic endpoints provided deeper insights into the potential risk associated with EDC. This study elucidated experimental interferences that may arise during the implementation and use of this assay, bringing more understanding to experimental parameters during the application of the assay for estrogenicity screening.

Tricks and tracks in waste management with a special focus on municipal landfill leachate: Leads and obstacles

Landfilling is the most widely used disposal method for municipal solid waste around the world. The main disadvantage of this strategy is formation of leachate, among other aspects. Landfill leachate contains highly toxic and bio-refractory substances that are detrimental to the environment and human health. Hence, the risk(s) of discharging potentially harmful landfill leachate into the environment need to be assessed and measured in order to make effective choices about landfill leachate management and treatment. In view of this, the present review aims to investigate (a) how landfill leachate is perceived as an emerging concern, and (b) the stakeholders' mid- to long-term policy priorities for implementing technological and integrative solutions to reduce the harmful effects of landfill leachate. Because traditional methods alone have been reported ineffective, and in response to emerging contaminants and stringent regulations, new effective and integrated leachate treatments have been developed. This study gives a forward-thinking of the accomplishments and challenges in landfill leachate treatment during the last decade. It also provides a comprehensive compilation of the formation and characterization of landfill leachate, the geo-environmental challenges that it raises, as well as the resource recovery and industrial linkage associated with it in order to provide an insight into its sustainable management.

Retrofitting a full-scale multistage landfill leachate treatment plant by introducing coagulation/flocculation/sedimentation and ultrafiltration process steps

Considering that landfilling still remains among the most commonly used methods for the confrontation of solid wastes, effective methods should be applied to treat the leachate generated, due to its recalcitrant nature. In this work, a full-scale system consisting of two SBRs operating in parallel (350 m³ each) and two activated carbon (AC) columns operating in series (3 m³ each) was retrofitted by introducing a coagulation/flocculation/sedimentation (C/F/S) unit of 7.8 m³ and an ultrafiltration (UF) membrane of 100 m² to effectively treat landfill leachate. The raw leachate was characterized by high COD and NH₄⁺-N concentration, i.e., 3095 ± 706 mg/L and 1054 ± 141 mg/L respectively, a BOD/COD ratio of 0.22, and high concentrations of certain heavy metals. Leachate processing in this retrofitted multistage treatment system resulted in total COD removal efficiency of 89.84%, with biological treatment, C/F, UF, and AC contributing 46.31%, 4.68%, 15.98%, and 22.87% to the overall organic content removal. The retrofitted scheme achieved an overall NH₄⁺-N and TKN removal of 92.03% and 91.75% respectively, attributed mostly to the activity of an effective nitrifying community. Color number (CN) was reduced by 26.96%, 10.29%, 15.94%, and 5.39% after the activated sludge, the C/F, the UF, and the AC adsorption process respectively, corresponding to a 58.91% overall decrease. Regarding heavy metal removal, all elements examined, apart from Ni, i.e., effluent As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mg, Mn, and Pb, were below the legislative limits set by the national authorities for restricted or unrestricted irrigation. Lastly, total operating expenses (OPEX) were estimated as equal to 72,687 €/year or 6.64 €/m³.

A review on landfill system for municipal solid wastes: Insight into leachate, gas emissions, environmental and economic analysis

Landfill is one of the common processes for removing and disposing waste materials that comprises the final method of disposing municipal solid waste. Disposal of municipal solid waste through land filling has become an important environmental problem all over the world which results in environmental contamination and pollution. Microbes present in the land act on the dumped materials and decompose the organic content present. The leachate from landfill is rich in organic, inorganic and suspended particles which may cause threat to ecosystem. The pollutants from leachate may be heavy metals, organic and inorganic content and organic compounds. The geological properties of soil get altered when leachate migrates. The physical, chemical and biological properties of the dumped material are determined by the decomposition of substances and microbes acting onto it. Trace gas emission may occur due to volatilization of chemical substances, degradation of waste materials and conversion reactions. The concentration of gas released varies from region to region of dumping, covered and uncovered dumped materials. The current review recommends an engineered landfill design helpful for landfill gas generation which replaces the fossil fuel as a compressed natural gas or liquefied natural gas. The landfill area is separated into organic and inorganic cells to scope at the objective of energy generation and resource recovery. However, the impact of these released gaseous emissions has been analyzed completely.

Membrane technology for pesticide removal from aquatic environment: Status quo and way forward

The noxious side effects of pesticides on human health and environment have prompted the search of effective and reliable treatment techniques for pesticide removal. The removal of pesticides can be accomplished through physical, chemical and biologicals. Physical approaches such as filtration and adsorption are prevailing pesticide removal strategies on account of their effectiveness and ease of operation. Membrane-based filtration technology has been recognized as a promising water and wastewater treatment approach that can be used for a wide range of organic micropollutants including pesticides. Nanofiltration (NF), reverse osmosis (RO) and forward osmosis (FO) have been increasingly explored for pesticide removal from aquatic environment owing to their versatility and high treatment efficiencies. This review looks into the remedial strategies of pesticides from aqueous environment using membrane-based processes. The potentials and applications of three prevailing membrane processes, namely NF, RO and FO for the treatment of pesticide-containing wastewater are discussed in terms of the development of advanced membranes, separation mechanisms and system design. The challenges in regards to the practical implementation of membrane-based processes for pesticide remediation are identified. The corresponding research directions and way forward are highlighted. An in depth understanding of the pesticide nature, water chemistry and the pesticide-membrane interactions is the key to achieving high pesticide removal efficiency. The integration of membrane technology and conventional removal technologies represents a new dimension and the future direction for the treatment of wastewater containing recalcitrant pesticides.

Accelerated PAH Transformation in the Presence of Dye Industry Landfill Leachate Combined with Fungal Membrane Lipid Changes

The ascomycete fungus Nectriella pironii, previously isolated from soil continuously contaminated by dye industry waste, was used for the biodegradation of phenanthrene (PHE), benz[a]anthracene (B[a]A), and benz[a]pyrene (B[a]P). The degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by N. pironii was accelerated in the presence of landfill leachate (LL) collected from the area of fungus isolation. The rate of cometabolic elimination of PHE and B[a]P in the presence of LL was, respectively, 75% and 94% higher than in its absence. LC-MS/MS analysis revealed that PAHs were converted to less-toxic derivatives. The parallel lipidomic study showed changes in membrane lipids, including a significant increase in the content of phosphatidylcholine (PC) (almost double) and saturated phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) and a simultaneous reduction (twofold) in the content of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and unsaturated PLFAs, which may have promoted the fungus to PHE + LL adaptation. In the presence of PHE, an intense lipid peroxidation (fivefold) was observed, confirming the stabilization of the cell membrane and its extended integrity. Determining the course of elimination and adaptation to harmful pollutants is essential for the design of efficient bioremediation systems in the future.

Hydrogen peroxide and peroxymonosulfate intensifying Fe-doped NiC-Al2O3-framework-based catalytic ozonation for advanced treatment of landfill leachate: Performance and mechanisms

The biotreated effluent of landfill leachate still contains numerous refractory organic contaminants, which poses potential threats to human health and ecosystems. Influenced by landfill ages and other factors, the concentration of organic matter varies. Heterogeneous catalytic ozonation (HCO) is a promising technology for advanced wastewater treatment. Aiming to achieve the up-to-standard discharge of low-concentration landfill leachate (COD ≈ 108 mg·L^-1) and improve the biodegradability of high-concentration landfill leachate (COD ≈ 1720 mg·L^-1), the active component Fe was incorporated into a firm Ni-induced C-Al₂O₃-framework (_NiCAF) composite support to synthesize a Fe-_NiCAF catalyst for efficient catalytic ozonation. When the Fe-_NiCAF dosage was 4 g·L^-1, the gas flow rate was 0.5 L·min^-1, and the ozone concentration was 20.0 mg·L^-1, the COD of low-concentration landfill leachate effluent decreased to 43 mg·L^-1, and the COD removal rate constant of low-concentration landfill leachate was 154% higher than that of pure ozone. For high-concentration landfill leachate with the BOD₅/COD of 0.058, the COD removal efficiency in Fe-_NiCAF/O₃ increased from 39% to 57% compared with ozonation, and the effluent BOD₅/COD increased to 0.282. Furthermore, the addition of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and peroxymonosulfate (PMS) can further enhance the treatment performance of Fe-_NiCAF/O₃ process and different strengthening mechanisms were revealed. The results indicated that surface hydroxyls on the Fe-_NiCAF catalyst surface were the main catalytic sites for ozone, and hydroxyl radical (•OH) and singlet oxygen (¹O₂) were identified as the main reactive oxygen species for the removal of organics in landfill leachate. Adding H₂O₂ can promote the generation of •OH for nonselective degradation of various organics, while PMS mainly enhanced the production of ¹O₂ to decompose macromolecular humus. This work highlighted an efficient Fe-_NiCAF ozone catalyst and an innovative peroxide intensified HCO strategy for the advanced treatment of landfill leachate.

Occurrence, seasonal distribution, and ecological risk assessment of microplastics and phthalate esters in leachates of a landfill site located near the marine environment: Bushehr port, Iran as a case

Plastic wastes are produced in a large amount everywhere, and are commonly disposed in landfills. So landfill leachate seems an obvious source of microplastics (MPs) and phthalate esters (PAEs) due to a huge usage as plastic additives and plasticizers. But this issue still lacks attention and the present study provides the first information on the levels of MPs and PAEs in the fresh landfill leachate of Bushehr port during different seasons. The mean levels of MPs and PAEs in the fresh leachate in all seasons were 79.16 items/L and 3.27 mg/L, respectively. Also, the mean levels of PAEs in MPs were 48.33 μg/g. A statistically significant difference was detected in the levels of MPs and PAEs among different seasons with the highest values in summer and fall. MPs with a size of >1000 μm had the highest abundance in all seasons. The most prominent shape, color, and type of MPs in the leachate were fibers black, and nylon, respectively. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) were the most dominant PAEs present in the leachate samples. The results of this study revealed high hazard index (HI) and pollution load index (PLI) of MPs in all seasons. Dioctyl phthalate (DOP), DEHP, DBP, diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), and diethyl phthalate (DEP) represented a high risk to the sensitive organisms. The results of this study showed that significant levels of MPs and PAEs may release into the surrounding environment from the landfill sites without sufficient protection. This issue is more critical when the landfill sites in particular are located near the marine environments like the Bushehr landfill that is located near the Persian Gulf, which can lead to serious environmental problems. Thus permanent control and monitor of landfills, especially in the coastal areas are highly needed to prevent further pollution.

Electrochemical oxidation of landfill leachate using boron-doped diamond anodes: pollution degradation rate, energy efficiency and toxicity assessment

Electrochemical oxidation (EO), due to high efficiency and small carbon footprint, is regarded as an attractive option for on-site treatment of highly contaminated wastewater. This work shows the effectiveness of EO using three boron-doped diamond electrodes (BDDs) in sustainable management of landfill leachate (LL). The effect of the applied current density (25-100 mA cm^-2) and boron doping concentration (B/C ratio: 500 ppm, 10,000 ppm and 15,000 ppm) on the performance of EO was investigated. It was found that, of the electrodes used, the one most effective at COD, BOD₂₀ and ammonia removal (97.1%, 98.8% and 62%, respectively) was the electrode with the lowest boron doping. Then, to better elucidate the ecological role of LLs, before and after EO, cultivation of faecal bacteria and microscopic analysis of total (prokaryotic) cell number, together with ecotoxicity assay (Daphnia magna, Thamnocephalus platyurus and Artemia salina) were combined for the two better-performing electrodes. The EO process was very effective at bacterial cell inactivation using each of the two anodes, even within 2 h of contact time. In a complex matrix of LLs, this is probably a combined effect of electrogenerated oxidants (hydroxyl radicals, active chlorine and sulphate radicals), which may penetrate into the bacterial cells and/or react with cellular components. The toxicity of EO-treated LLs proved to be lower than that of raw ones. Since toxicity drops with increased boron doping, it is believed that appropriate electrolysis parameters can diminish the toxicity effect without compromising the nutrient-removal and disinfection capability, although salinity of LLs and related multistep-oxidation pathways needs to be further elucidated.

Effect of ozone pretreatment on biogranulation with partial nitritation - Anammox two stages for nitrogen removal from mature landfill leachate

Due to the extremely low C/N ratio, high concentration of ammonia nitrogen and refractory organic matter of mature landfill leachate (MLL), appropriate processes should be selected to effectively remove nitrogen and reduce disposal costs. Partial nitritation (PN) and anaerobic ammonia oxidation (AMX) have been used as the main nitrogen removal processes for MLL, and the sludge granulation in PN and AMX processes could contribute to high biological activity, good sedimentation performance, and stable resistance to toxicity. In this study, the O₃-PN-AMX biogranules process was selected to effectively remove nitrogen from MLL without carbon addition and pH adjustment. Without uneconomical NH₄⁺-N oxidation and wasting the alkalinity of MLL, ozone pretreatment achieved color removal, decreased humic- and fulvic-like acid substances, and alleviated the MLL toxicity on ammonia oxidizers. In addition, the ozonation of MLL could shorten the start-up time and improve the treatment efficiency and biogranules stability of PN and AMX processes. Efficient and stable nitritation was achieved in PN reactor without strict dissolved oxygen (DO) control, which was attributed to the unique structure of granular sludge, ozone pretreatment, and alternating inhibition of free ammonia and free nitric acid on nitrite oxidizers. Through the application of ozone pretreatment and granular sludge, the nitrogen removal rate (NRR) and nitrogen removal efficiency (NRE) of the O₃-PN-AMX biogranules process reached 0.39 kg/m³/day and 85%, respectively, for the undiluted MLL treatment. This study might provide a novel and effective operation strategy of combined process for the efficient, economical, and stable nitrogen removal from MLL.

Is the presence of Cu(II) and p-benzoquinone a challenge for the removal of microplastics from landfill leachate?

A large number of plastic wastes generated eventually end up in landfills. The leachate from landfills has become a potential destination for microplastics (MPs). Many researchers have turned their attention to the distribution of MPs in landfill leachate. However, rare researchers mentioned that the efficient removal of MPs in landfill leachate was hard to realized. In this work, we analyzed MPs distribution and composition in leachate from a municipal landfill. Subsequently, to understand the causes of hydrophilization of MPs in leachate, we investigated the flotation percentage of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polystyrene (PS) MPs when exposure to p-benzoquinone and Cu²⁺. We conducted experiments on factors including the concentration of pollutants, pH, and interaction time. Meanwhile, the adsorption kinetics, adsorption isotherms, and synergistic effects of p-benzoquinone and Cu²⁺ were further investigated. The order of the strength of the hydrophilic effect of contaminants on MPs in leachate was p-benzoquinone + Cu²⁺ > p-benzoquinone > Cu²⁺. The physisorption and chemisorption of p-benzoquinone and Cu²⁺ on the MPs surface, respectively, resulted in the hydrophilization of the MPs surface. The order of hydrophilization and the adsorption capacity for pollutants of the three MPs were consistent: PVC > > PET ≈ PS. We proposed a feasible scheme with the oleic acid to restore the hydrophobicity of MPs, which could increase the removal rate of MPs by 87.37 %. This work revealed the hydrophilization effects of pollutants on MPs and proposed a novel insight into the MPs removal from landfill leachate.

Removal of organochlorine pesticides and metagenomic analysis by multi-stage constructed wetland treating landfill leachate

Constructed wetlands (CWs) can effectively treat landfill leachate (LL). However, there is limited research on the removal of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) refractory organics during LL treatment in CWs. In this study, multi-stage subsurface flow CWs was used to treat LL, and the removal fate of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) in CWs was investigated. The structural differences between plant roots and substrate microbial communities were compared and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) metabolic pathway of organic matter was analyzed based on metagenomic analysis. The results showed that substrate adsorption (50.55%-72.74%) and microbial degradation (20.38%-27.89%) were the main ways to remove OCPs. The Proteobacteria occupied a dominant position in the CWs system, among which Betaproteobacteria (34.37%-35.90%) were contained in the substrate, and Alphaproteobacteria (21.19%-23.84%) was a more dominant microorganism in plant roots. Formaldehyde assimilation and serine pathway were the main pathways of methane metabolism. This study provides a reference for the removal mechanism of OCPs to promote the application of CWs technology in LL treatment.

Electrochemical Reduction and Voltammetric Sensing of Lindane at the Carbon (Glassy and Pencil) Electrodes

In the agricultural field, pesticides are used tremendously to shield our crops from insects, weeds, and diseases. Only a small percentage of pesticides employed reach their intended target, and the remainder passes through the soil, contaminating ground and surface-water supplies, damaging the crop fields, and ultimately harming the crop, including humans and other creatures. Alternative approaches for pesticide measurement have recently received a lot of attention, thanks to the growing interest in the on-site detection of analytes using electrochemical techniques that can replace standard chromatographic procedures. Among all organochlorine pesticides such as gamma-lindane are hazardous, toxic, and omnipresent contaminants in the environment. Here, in this review, we summarize the different ways of the gamma-lindane detection, performing the electrochemical techniques viz cyclic, differential, square wave voltammetry, and amperometry using various bare and surface-modified glassy carbon and pencil carbon electrodes. The analytical performances are reported as the limit of detection 18.8 nM (GCE–AONP–PANI–SWCNT), 37,000 nM (GCE), 38.1 nM (Bare HBPE), 21.3 nM (Nyl-MHBPE); percentage recovery is 103%.

Remediation of soil polluted with petroleum hydrocarbons and its reuse for agriculture: Recent progress, challenges, and perspectives

Petroleum hydrocarbons (PHs) are used as raw materials in many industries and primary energy sources. However, excessive PHs act as soil pollutants, posing serious threats to living organisms. Various ex-situ or in-situ chemical and biological methods are applied to restore polluted soil. However, most of the chemical treatment methods are expensive, environmentally unfriendly, and sometimes inefficient. That attracts scientists and researchers to develop and select new strategists to remediate polluted soil through risk-based analysis and eco-friendly manner. This review discusses the sources of PHs, properties, distribution, transport, and fate in the environment, internal and external factors affecting the soil remediation and restoration process, and its effective re-utilization for agriculture. Bioremediation is an eco-friendly method for degrading PHs, specifically by using microorganisms. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies are being used to monitor contaminated sites. Currently, these new technologies have caused a paradigm shift by giving new insights into the microbially mediated biodegradation processes by targeting rRNA are discussed concisely. The recent development of risk-based management for soil contamination and its challenges and future perspectives are also discussed. Furthermore, nanotechnology seems very promising for effective soil remediation, but its success depends on its cost-effectiveness. This review paper suggests using bio-electrochemical systems that utilize electro-chemically active microorganisms to remediate and restore polluted soil with PHs that would be eco-friendlier and help tailor-made effective and sustainable remediation technologies.