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Dang Q, Zhang W, Liu J, Wang L, Wu D, Wang D, Lei Z, Tang L. Bias-free driven ion assisted photoelectrochemical system for sustainable wastewater treatment. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8413. [PMID: 38110421 PMCID: PMC10728197 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44155-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Photoelectrochemical (PEC) systems have emerged as a prominent renewable energy-based technology for wastewater treatment, offering sustainable advantages such as eliminating dependence on fossil fuels or grid electricity compared to traditional electrochemical treatment methods. However, previous PEC systems often overlook the potential of ions present in wastewater as an alternative to externally applied bias voltage for enhancing carrier separation efficiency. Here we report a bias-free driven ion assisted photoelectrochemical (IAPEC) system by integration of an electron-ion acceptor cathode, which leverages its fast ion-electron coupling capability to significantly enhance the separation of electrons and holes at the photoanode. We demonstrate that Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) can serve as robust and reversible electron-ion acceptors that provide reaction sites for photoelectron coupling cations, thus driving the hole oxidation to produce strong oxidant free radicals at photoanode. Our IAPEC system exhibits superior degradation performance in wastewater containing chloride medium. This indicates that, in addition to the cations (e.g., Na+) accelerating the electron transfer rate, the presence of Cl- ions further enhance efficient and sustainable wastewater treatment. This work highlights the potential of utilizing abundant sodium chloride in seawater as a cost-effective additive for wastewater treatment, offering crucial insights into the use of local materials for effective, low-carbon, and sustainable treatment processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Dang
- Key Laboratory of Organic Compound Pollution Control Engineering (MOE), School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, 200444, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, IRIS Adlershof & The Center for the Science of Materials Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Str. 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jiqing Liu
- Key Laboratory of Organic Compound Pollution Control Engineering (MOE), School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, 200444, Shanghai, China
| | - Liting Wang
- Key Laboratory of Organic Compound Pollution Control Engineering (MOE), School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, 200444, Shanghai, China
| | - Deli Wu
- College of Environmental & Engineering, Tongji University, 200092, Shanghai, China
| | - Dejin Wang
- School of Resources and Environment, Anqing Normal University, 246011, Anqing, China
| | - Zhendong Lei
- College of Environmental & Engineering, Tongji University, 200092, Shanghai, China.
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798, Singapore.
| | - Liang Tang
- Key Laboratory of Organic Compound Pollution Control Engineering (MOE), School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, 200444, Shanghai, China.
- School of Resources and Environment, Anqing Normal University, 246011, Anqing, China.
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Chen X, Gu H, Sun X, Tian J, Li Q, Pan T, Zhang X, Hu X, Linghu S. Improvement of coal gasification reverse osmosis concentrate treatment by Cu-Co-Mn/AC catalytic ozonation. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2023; 87:144-156. [PMID: 36640029 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2022.420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Approximately 20% of concentrate will be produced from coal gasification wastewater after reverse osmosis treatment. The organic matter contained in the concentrate affects its evaporation crystallisation; therefore, the refractory organics must be removed. In this study, Cu-Co-Mn/AC catalytic ozonation was used to treat reverse osmosis concentrate (ROC). With the addition of the Cu-Co-Mn/AC catalyst, the production of ·OH increased by 82 μmol/L, thereby enhancing the ozonation performance. The pH, ozone dosage, and catalyst dosage all affected the catalytic ozonation performance. By constructing a response surface model, it was found that the catalyst dosage had the most significant effect on the catalytic ozonation performance. The predicted optimal reaction conditions were pH = 9.02, ozone dosage = 1.08 g/L, and catalyst dosage = 1.33 g/L, under which the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal reached a maximum of 81.49%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiurong Chen
- National Engineering Research Center of Industrial Wastewater Detoxication and Resource Recovery, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China E-mail: ; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Hao Gu
- National Engineering Research Center of Industrial Wastewater Detoxication and Resource Recovery, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China E-mail:
| | - Xiaoli Sun
- Shanghai Municipal Engineering Design Institute (Group) Co., LTD, Shanghai 200082, China
| | - Jinyi Tian
- National Engineering Research Center of Industrial Wastewater Detoxication and Resource Recovery, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China E-mail:
| | - Qiuyue Li
- National Engineering Research Center of Industrial Wastewater Detoxication and Resource Recovery, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China E-mail:
| | - Tao Pan
- National Engineering Research Center of Industrial Wastewater Detoxication and Resource Recovery, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China E-mail:
| | - Xinyu Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center of Industrial Wastewater Detoxication and Resource Recovery, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China E-mail:
| | - Xueyang Hu
- National Engineering Research Center of Industrial Wastewater Detoxication and Resource Recovery, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China E-mail:
| | - Shanshan Linghu
- National Engineering Research Center of Industrial Wastewater Detoxication and Resource Recovery, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China E-mail:
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Mazierski P, Wilczewska P, Lisowski W, Klimczuk T, Białk-Bielińska A, Zaleska-Medynska A, Siedlecka EM, Pieczyńska A. Solar-driven photoelectrocatalytic degradation of anticancer drugs using TiO 2 nanotubes decorated with SnS quantum dots. Dalton Trans 2022; 51:5962-5976. [PMID: 35348154 DOI: 10.1039/d2dt00407k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, the growing interest in applying photoelectrocatalysis (PEC) to decompose organic pollutants has resulted in the need to search for new photoelectrode materials with high activity under visible light radiation. The presented research showed an increased photoelectrocatalytic activity under sunlight of Ti/TiO2 sensitized with SnS quantum dots, obtained by the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. The presence of SnS caused the enhanced absorption of visible irradiation and the reduction of recombination of generated charges by a p-n heterojunction created with the TiO2. The highest efficiency of photoelectrocatalytic degradation of anticancer drugs (ifosfamide, 5-fluorouracil, imatinib) was achieved for the SnS-Ti/TiO2 photoelectrode with a SnS quantum dot size from 4 to 10 nm. In addition, a decrease of IF PEC degradation efficiency was observed with increasing pH and with the presence of Cl-, NO3-, HCO3- and organic matter in the treated solution. Studies of the PEC mechanism have shown that drug degradation occurs mainly as a result of the direct and indirect action of photogenerated holes on the SnS-Ti/TiO2 photoelectrode, and the identified degradation products allowed for the presentation of the degradation pathway of IF, 5-FU and IMB. Duckweed (Lemna minor) growth inhibition tests showed no toxicity of the drug solutions after treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Mazierski
- Department of Environmental Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Patrycja Wilczewska
- Department of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Wojciech Lisowski
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Science, Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-244 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Klimczuk
- Department of Solid State Physics, Gdansk University of Technology, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Anna Białk-Bielińska
- Department of Environmental Analysis, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Adriana Zaleska-Medynska
- Department of Environmental Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Ewa M Siedlecka
- Department of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Pieczyńska
- Department of Environmental Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland.
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Zhang Y, Tang W, Bai J, Li J, Wang J, Zhou T, Guan X, Zhou B. Highly efficient removal of total nitrogen and dissolved organic compound in waste reverse osmosis concentrate mediated by chlorine radical on 3D Co 3O 4 nanowires anode. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 424:127662. [PMID: 34801298 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Reverse osmosis concentrate (ROC) from wastewater reclamation has posed significant disposal challenges due to its highly concentrated NH3-N, chloride ion and bio-refractory organics, and developing technologies for their removal are essential. Herein, we developed an efficient electrochemical system to remove total nitrogen and dissolved organic compound (DOC) simultaneously mediated by chlorine radical (Cl•), which is generated by activation of chloride ion existing in ROC on an inexpensive, three-dimensional Co3O4 nanowires. Results showed that the total nitrogen and total organic carbon removal were 98.2% and 56.9% in 60 min for synthetic ROC with 56 mg/L of NH3-N and 20 mg/L of DOC. The utilization of Co3O4 nanowires enhanced NH3-N degradation by 2.58 times compared with Co3O4 nanoplates, which were 1.69 and 17.5 times these of RuO2 and Pt. We found that structural Co3+/Co2+ acts as cyclic catalysis to produce Cl• via single-electron transfer, which convert NH3-N to N2 and lead to faster DOC degradation. This architecture provides abundant catalytic sites and sufficient accessibility of reactants. Small amount of nitrate generated by oxidation of NH3-N was further reduced to N2 on Pd-Cu/NF cathode. These findings provide new insights for utilization of waste Cl- and development of novel electrochemical system for ROC disposal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Thin Film and Microfabrication Technology (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, PR China
| | - Wenjing Tang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Thin Film and Microfabrication Technology (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, PR China
| | - Jing Bai
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Thin Film and Microfabrication Technology (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, PR China.
| | - Jinhua Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Thin Film and Microfabrication Technology (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, PR China
| | - Jiachen Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Thin Film and Microfabrication Technology (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, PR China
| | - Tingsheng Zhou
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Thin Film and Microfabrication Technology (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, PR China
| | - Xiaohong Guan
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Baoxue Zhou
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Thin Film and Microfabrication Technology (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Pollution Process and Management of Plateau Lake-Watershed, Yunnan 650034, PR China.
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Loh WH, Cai QQ, Li R, Jothinathan L, Lee BCY, Ng OH, Guo J, Ong SL, Hu JY. Reverse osmosis concentrate treatment by microbubble ozonation-biological activated carbon process: Organics removal performance and environmental impact assessment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 798:149289. [PMID: 34340085 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Reverse osmosis (RO) is being used in many water reclamation facilities to produce high quality water that can be reused for different purposes. As a part of the RO process, a reject stream is produced as the reverse osmosis concentrate (ROC), which contains elevated levels of contaminants compared to the source water. Effective treatment and safe disposal of ROC via cost-effective means is very challenging. This study aims to develop a robust microbubble ozonation-biological process for industrial ROC treatment with a target effluent chemical oxygen demand (COD) lower than 60 mg/L. As compared to macrobubble ozonation, microbubble ozonation exhibited better ozone dissolution and 29% higher COD removal efficiency with the same ozone dosage. Under the optimum operating conditions with ozone dosage of 30 mg/L, ROC natural pH of 8.67 and ozonation duration of 1 h, microbubble ozonation achieved 42% COD removal efficiency while increasing the BOD5/COD ratio (ratio of biological oxygen demand over 5 days to the corresponding chemical oxygen demand) in ROC from 0.042 to 0.216. A biological activated carbon (BAC) column with an empty bed contact time (EBCT) of 120 min was combined with microbubble ozonation for continuous ROC treatment. Over the 100-day operation, the combined system performed consistent organics removal with an average effluent COD of 45 mg/L. Both LC-OCD data and fluorescence EEM spectra confirmed humic substances were the dominant organic species in ROC. Ozone pre-treatment could achieve significant removal of humic substances in raw ROC. ATP analysis found that ozone pre-treatment enhanced BAC biofilm activity by around 5 folds. 5 min acute toxicity assessment with Aliivibrio fischeri showed 4 times reduction of bioluminescence inhibition in ozone treated ROC. From the environmental point of view, Life cycle assessment (LCA) results demonstrated that Ozone-BAC system had significant environmental burdens on climate change and human toxicity due to the electricity production process. These environmental impacts can be mitigated by optimizing the ozonation process with reduced ozone dosage or utilizing renewable energy sources for electricity generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- W H Loh
- National University of Singapore, Sembcorp-NUS Corporate Laboratory c/o FoE, Block E1A, #04-01, 1 Engineering Drive 2, 117576, Singapore; Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Block E1A, #07-01, 1 Engineering Drive 2, 117576, Singapore
| | - Q Q Cai
- National University of Singapore, Sembcorp-NUS Corporate Laboratory c/o FoE, Block E1A, #04-01, 1 Engineering Drive 2, 117576, Singapore; Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Block E1A, #07-01, 1 Engineering Drive 2, 117576, Singapore
| | - R Li
- National University of Singapore, Sembcorp-NUS Corporate Laboratory c/o FoE, Block E1A, #04-01, 1 Engineering Drive 2, 117576, Singapore; Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Block E1A, #07-01, 1 Engineering Drive 2, 117576, Singapore
| | - L Jothinathan
- National University of Singapore, Sembcorp-NUS Corporate Laboratory c/o FoE, Block E1A, #04-01, 1 Engineering Drive 2, 117576, Singapore; Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Block E1A, #07-01, 1 Engineering Drive 2, 117576, Singapore
| | - B C Y Lee
- National University of Singapore, Sembcorp-NUS Corporate Laboratory c/o FoE, Block E1A, #04-01, 1 Engineering Drive 2, 117576, Singapore; Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Block E1A, #07-01, 1 Engineering Drive 2, 117576, Singapore
| | - O H Ng
- National University of Singapore, Sembcorp-NUS Corporate Laboratory c/o FoE, Block E1A, #04-01, 1 Engineering Drive 2, 117576, Singapore
| | - J Guo
- National University of Singapore, Sembcorp-NUS Corporate Laboratory c/o FoE, Block E1A, #04-01, 1 Engineering Drive 2, 117576, Singapore
| | - S L Ong
- National University of Singapore, Sembcorp-NUS Corporate Laboratory c/o FoE, Block E1A, #04-01, 1 Engineering Drive 2, 117576, Singapore; Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Block E1A, #07-01, 1 Engineering Drive 2, 117576, Singapore
| | - J Y Hu
- National University of Singapore, Sembcorp-NUS Corporate Laboratory c/o FoE, Block E1A, #04-01, 1 Engineering Drive 2, 117576, Singapore; Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Block E1A, #07-01, 1 Engineering Drive 2, 117576, Singapore.
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Chen T, Zhao Y, Sang YN, Tang M, Hu GW, Han XB, Gao J, Ma R. Facile synthesis of magnetic CS-g-SPSS microspheres via electron beam radiation for efficient removal of methylene blue. JOURNAL OF SAUDI CHEMICAL SOCIETY 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jscs.2021.101299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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The Pathway towards Photoelectrocatalytic Water Disinfection: Review and Prospects of a Powerful Sustainable Tool. Catalysts 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/catal11080921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Photoelectrocatalysis is a hybrid photon/electron-driven process that benefits from the synergistic effects of both processes to enhance and stabilize the generation of disinfecting oxidants. Photoelectrocatalysis is an easy to operate technology that can be scaled-up or scaled-down for various water treatment applications as low-cost decentralized systems. This review article describes the fundamentals of photoelectrocatalysis, applied to water disinfection to ensure access to clean water for all as a sustainable development goal. Advances in reactor engineering design that integrate light-delivery and electrochemical system requirements are presented, with a description of photo-electrode material advances, including doping, nano-decoration, and nanostructure control. Disinfection and cell inactivation are described using different model microorganisms such as E. coli, Mycobacteria, Legionella, etc., as well the fungus Candida parapsilosis, with relevant figures of merit. The key advances in the elucidation of bacterial inactivation mechanisms by photoelectrocatalytic treatments are presented and knowledge gaps identified. Finally, prospects and further research needs are outlined, to define the pathway towards the future of photoelectrocatalytic disinfection technologies.
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Aydin MI, Karaca AE, Qureshy AMMI, Dincer I. A comparative review on clean hydrogen production from wastewaters. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 279:111793. [PMID: 33360275 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
This paper provides a unique review of hydrogen production methods with wastewater treatment to depict a clean and sustainable approach. Various methods for hydrogen production from wastewaters are identified and discussed with recent details by discussing the critical challenges, opportunities, and future directions. Five main performance sectors are considered in detail for each hydrogen production method of the recent case studies, including economic, environmental, social, technical, and reliability. Eight hydrogen production methods are reviewed, including anaerobic method, photo fermentation, dark fermentation, electrolysis, electrodialysis, photocatalysis, photoelectrochemical methods, and super water gasification. A comparative assessment of six reviewed methods for hydrogen production, including environmental, economic, energetic, and exergetic impacts, is evaluated. The comparative assessment results indicate that dark fermentation technology is the most economical method, and it is followed by microbial electrolysis and photofermentation. The most environmentally friendly method for the lowest global warming potential (GWP) is the microbial electrolysis method, and it is followed by photocatalysis and photoelectrochemical methods. Furthermore, the highest energy and exergy efficiencies have been recorded for the microbial electrolysis to be 68% and 64.7%, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammed Iberia Aydin
- Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Engineering Faculty, Environmental Engineering Dept, Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey; Clean Energy Research Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Ontario Tech. University, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Ali Erdogan Karaca
- Clean Energy Research Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Ontario Tech. University, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ali M M I Qureshy
- Clean Energy Research Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Ontario Tech. University, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ibrahim Dincer
- Clean Energy Research Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Ontario Tech. University, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada; Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, Besiktas, Istanbul, Turkey
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Removal of aqueous organic contaminants using submerged ceramic hollow fiber membrane coupled with peroxymonosulfate oxidation: Comparison of CuO catalyst dispersed in the feed water and immobilized on the membrane. J Memb Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2020.118707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Wang XX, Zhang TY, Dao GH, Xu ZB, Wu YH, Hu HY. Assessment and mechanisms of microalgae growth inhibition by phosphonates: Effects of intrinsic toxicity and complexation. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 186:116333. [PMID: 32858242 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The effects of phosphonates, the heavily-used antiscalants in reverse osmosis systems, on microalgae are controversial, although they are harmless to most aquatic organisms. Herein, we assessed the inhibitory effects of etidronic acid (HEDP) and diethylenetriamine penta(methylene phosphonic acid) (DTPMP) on algal growth and revealed the mechanisms involved in both intrinsic toxicity and complexation. The phosphonates showed weak influences on Scenedesmus sp. LX1 in the first 4 d of cultivation. In contrast, a significant growth inhibition was observed subsequently with half maximal effective concentrations of 57.6 and 35.7 mg/L for HEDP and DTPMP, respectively, at 10 d. The phosphonates had little effect on cellular energy transfer and oxidative stress, quantified by adenosine triphosphate level and superoxide dismutase activity, respectively, demonstrating weak intrinsic toxicities to algal cells. Phosphonates blocked the algal assimilation of iron ions through complexation. Severe iron deficiency limited photosynthetic activity and caused chlorophyll decline, resulting in a functional loss of the photosystem followed by complete algal growth inhibition at the late cultivation stage. Our findings point to a potential ecological impact wherein harmful algal blooms are induced by the natural degradation of phosphonates due to the release of both iron and phosphate ions that stimulate algal regrowth after disinhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Xiong Wang
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8286, USA
| | - Tian-Yuan Zhang
- Research Institute for Environmental Innovation, Tsinghua University, Suzhou 215163, China
| | - Guo-Hua Dao
- Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control State Key Joint Laboratory, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Zi-Bin Xu
- Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control State Key Joint Laboratory, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yin-Hu Wu
- Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control State Key Joint Laboratory, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Hong-Ying Hu
- Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control State Key Joint Laboratory, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Shenzhen Environmental Science and New Energy Technology Engineering Laboratory, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Shenzhen 518055, China.
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