Efficiency of Ag3PO4/TiO2 as a heterogeneous catalyst under solar and visible light for humic acid removal from aqueous solution

Enhancing physico-chemical water quality in recycled dairy effluent through microbial consortium treatment

The dairy industry, notorious by generating wastewater rich in organic and nitrogenous content, necessitates sustainable recycling solutions. Biological treatment emerges as a cost-effective and chemical-free alternative. This study delves into the potential of microbial consortium, a microbial consortium, for recycling dairy effluent, aiming at water reclamation and environmental sustainability. Effluent samples from Madurai's Dairy Industry underwent microbial consortium treatment in a recycling prototype, with treatment efficacy assessed through physicochemical parameters and contaminant removal efficiency. Guided by a biodegradability index of 4.51, the study showcased EM's impact, revealing a notable decrease in pH levels, fostering an alkaline environment (2.35 ± 0.06 ppt). Dissolved oxygen increased significantly to 4.50 ppm, indicating improved aerobic conditions. EM treatment led to substantial reductions in calcium (53 %), magnesium (95 %), nitrogen (22 %), sulfate (79 %), phosphate (86 %), BOD (78 %), and COD (82 %). In contrast, dairy effluent treated without microbial consortium during the sludge activation process exhibited negligible water quality improvement. These findings underscore microbial consortium efficacy in advancing biological treatment of dairy effluent, demonstrating a significant reduction in contaminants and showcasing its potential for sustainable water reclamation. Improved alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, and nutrient content further signify positive impacts on ecosystem health. Microbial consortium emerges as a promising avenue for recycling dairy effluent, offering an economically viable and environmentally friendly solution. The study emphasizes the crucial role of microbial treatments in achieving efficient water reclamation, contributing to a cleaner and sustainable environment. Future research and broader implementation of microbial consortium in dairy industry wastewater management are recommended for enhanced environmental benefits.

Advances in three-dimensional electrochemical degradation: A comprehensive review on pharmaceutical pollutants removal from aqueous solution

Water pollution, stemming from various contaminants including organic and pharmaceutical pollutants, poses a significant global challenge. Amidst the array of methods available for pollutant mitigation, the three-dimensional electrochemical approach emerges as a standout solution due to its environmental compatibility, cost-effectiveness, and rapid efficiency. This study delves into the efficacy of three-dimensional electrochemical processes in purging organic and pharmaceutical pollutants from aqueous media. Existing research indicates that the three-dimensional electrochemical process, particularly when employing particle electrodes, exhibits notable success in degrading organic and pharmaceutical pollutants. This achievement is largely attributed to the ample specific surface area of particle electrodes and the shortened mass transfer distance, which collectively enhance efficiency in comparison to traditional two-dimensional electrochemical methods. Moreover, this approach is lauded for its environmental friendliness and cost-effectiveness. However, it is imperative to note that the efficacy of the process is subject to various factors including temperature, pH levels, and current intensity. While the addition of oxidants can augment process efficiency, it also carries the risk of generating intermediate compounds that impede the reaction. In conclusion, the three-dimensional electrochemical method proves to be a viable and practical approach, provided that process conditions are meticulously considered and adhered to. Offering advantages from both environmental and economic perspectives, this method presents a promising alternative to conventional water and wastewater treatment techniques.

Facile and green synthesis of recyclable, environmentally friendly, chemically stable, and cost-effective magnetic nanohybrid adsorbent for tetracycline adsorption

Antibiotic contamination of water sources, particularly tetracycline (TC) contamination, has emerged as one of the global issues that needs action. In this research, ZnCoFe2O4@Chitosan (Ch) as a magnetic nanohybrid adsorbent was synthesized using the microwave-assisted co-precipitation method, and their efficiency for the TC adsorption process was investigated. FESEM (Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope), EDX (Energy Dispersive X-ray), Mapping and line Scan, XRD (X-Ray Diffraction), FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer), VSM (Vibrating Sample Magnetometer), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and BET (Brunauer Emmett Teller) techniques were used to check and verify its physical and chemical properties. The removal of TC via the adsorption process from synthetic and real wastewater samples was investigated. The factors determining the TC adsorption process, comprising tetracycline concentration (5-30 mg/L), adsorbent dosage (0.7-2 g/L), contact time (2-45 min), and pH (3-11), were evaluated. The removal effectiveness for the synthetic sample and the real wastewater sample was 93 % and 80 %, respectively, under the ideal TC adsorption process parameters of pH 3, adsorbent dosage 1 g/L, TC initial concentration 5 mg/L, and contact time 30 min. According to kinetic and equilibrium studies, the adsorption of TC by ZnCoFe2O4@Ch follows pseudo-second-order kinetics and the Freundlich isotherm. Additionally, it was determined through the analysis of thermodynamic data that the process of exothermic adsorption is spontaneous and is followed by a decrease in disorder (ΔH = -15.16 kJ/mol, ΔS = -28.69 kJ/mol, and ΔG = -6.62 kJ/mol). After five cycles of recovery and regeneration, the ZnCoFe2O4@Ch magnetic nanocomposite was able to remove 65 % of the TC pollutant and had good chemical stability. The results showed that the magnetic nano-adsorbent ZnCoFe2O4@Ch is a novel magnetic nano-adsorbent with high adsorption capacity that can be utilized to eliminate pharmaceutical contaminants from aqueous solutions.