1
|
Nagorzanski M, Qian J, Martinez A, Cwiertny DM. Electrospun nanofiber mats as sorbents for polar emerging organic contaminants: Demonstrating tailorable material performance for uptake of neonicotinoid insecticides from water. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ADVANCES 2023; 9:100219. [PMID: 37006725 PMCID: PMC10063225 DOI: 10.1016/j.hazadv.2022.100219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The number and diversity of chemical contaminants in aquatic environments require versatile technologies for their removal. Here we fabricated various electrospun nanofiber mats (ENMs) and tested their ability to sorb six neonicotinoid insecticides, a model family of small, polar contaminants. ENM formulations were polyacrylonitrile (PAN) or carbon nanofibers (CNF; carbonized from PAN), with additives including carbon nanotubes (CNTs; with and without surface carboxyl groups), the cationic surfactant tetrabutyl ammonium bromide (TBAB), and/or phthalic acid (PTA; a CNF porogen). While sorption on pure PAN ENMs was low [equilibrium partition coefficients (K ENM-W ) from 0.9 to 1.2 log units (L/kg)], inclusion of CNTs and/or TBAB generally increased uptake in an additive fashion, with carboxylated CNT composites outperforming non-functionalized CNT analogs. CNF ENMs exhibited as much as a tenfold increase relative to PAN for neonicotinoid sorption, which increased with carbonization temperature. Ultimately, the optimal ENM (CNFs with carboxylated-CNTs, PTA, and carbonized at 800 °C) exhibited relatively fast uptake (equilibrium < 1 day without mixing) and surface-area-normalized capacities comparable to other carbonaceous sorbents (e.g., activated carbon). Collectively, this work demonstrates the versatility of electrospinning to produce novel sorbents specifically designed to target emerging chemical classes for applications including water treatment and passive sampling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Nagorzanski
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
- IIHR-Hydroscience & Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
| | - Jiajie Qian
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
- IIHR-Hydroscience & Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52246, United States
| | - Andres Martinez
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
- IIHR-Hydroscience & Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
| | - David M. Cwiertny
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
- IIHR-Hydroscience & Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52246, United States
- Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
- Public Policy Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Nalbandian MJ, Kim S, Gonzalez-Ribot HE, Myung NV, Cwiertny DM. Recent advances and remaining barriers to the development of electrospun nanofiber and nanofiber composites for point-of-use and point-of-entry water treatment systems. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ADVANCES 2022; 8:100204. [PMID: 37025391 PMCID: PMC10074328 DOI: 10.1016/j.hazadv.2022.100204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In this review, we focus on electrospun nanofibers as a promising material alternative for the niche application of decentralized, point-of-use (POU) and point-of-entry (POE) water treatment systems. We focus our review on prior work with various formulations of electrospun materials, including nanofibers of carbon, pure metal oxides, functionalized polymers, and polymer-metal oxide composites, that exhibit analogous performance to media (e.g., activated carbon, ion exchange resins) commonly used in commercially available, certified POU/POE devices for contaminants including organic pollutants, metals (e.g., lead) and persistent oxyanions (e.g., nitrate). We then analyze the relevant strengths and remaining research and development opportunities of the relevant literature based on an evaluation framework that considers (i) performance comparison to commercial analogs; (ii) appropriate pollutant targets for POU/POE applications; (iii) testing in flow-through systems consistent with POU/POE applications; (iv) consideration of water quality effects; and (v) evaluation of material strength and longevity. We also identify several emerging issues in decentralized water treatment where nanofiber-based POU/POE devices could help meet existing needs including their use for treatment of uranium, disinfection, and in electrochemical treatment systems. To date, research has demonstrated promising material performance toward relevant targets for POU/POE applications, using appropriate aquatic matrices and considering material stability. To fully realize their promise as an emerging treatment technology, our analysis of the available literature reveals the need for more work that benchmarks nanofiber performance against established commercial analogs, as well as fabrication and performance validation at scales and under conditions simulating POU/POE water treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Nalbandian
- Department of Civil Engineering and Construction Management, California Baptist University, 8432 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA 92504
| | - Sewoon Kim
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Iowa, 4105 Seamans Center, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Humberto E. Gonzalez-Ribot
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Iowa, 4105 Seamans Center, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Nosang V. Myung
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, 250 Nieuwland Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556
| | - David M. Cwiertny
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Iowa, 4105 Seamans Center, Iowa City, IA 52242
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Schumann PG, Meade EB, Zhi H, LeFevre GH, Kolpin DW, Meppelink SM, Iwanowicz LR, Lane RF, Schmoldt A, Mueller O, Klaper RD. RNA-seq reveals potential gene biomarkers in fathead minnows ( Pimephales promelas) for exposure to treated wastewater effluent. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2022; 24:1708-1724. [PMID: 35938375 DOI: 10.1039/d2em00222a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Discharged wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent greatly contributes to the generation of complex mixtures of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in aquatic environments which often contain neuropharmaceuticals and other emerging contaminants that may impact neurological function. However, there is a paucity of knowledge on the neurological impacts of these exposures to aquatic organisms. In this study, caged fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) were exposed in situ in a temperate-region effluent-dominated stream (i.e., Muddy Creek) in Coralville, Iowa, USA upstream and downstream of a WWTP effluent outfall. The pharmaceutical composition of Muddy Creek was recently characterized by our team and revealed many compounds there were at a low microgram to high nanogram per liter concentration. Total RNA sequencing analysis on brain tissues revealed 280 gene isoforms that were significantly differentially expressed in male fish and 293 gene isoforms in female fish between the upstream and downstream site. Only 66 (13%) of such gene isoforms overlapped amongst male and female fish, demonstrating sex-dependent impacts on neuronal gene expression. By using a systems biology approach paired with functional enrichment analyses, we identified several potential novel gene biomarkers for treated effluent exposure that could be used to expand monitoring of environmental effects with respect to complex CEC mixtures. Lastly, when comparing the results of this study to those that relied on a single-compound approach, there was relatively little overlap in terms of gene-specific effects. This discovery brings into question the application of single-compound exposures in accurately characterizing environmental risks of complex mixtures and for gene biomarker identification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Emma B Meade
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
| | - Hui Zhi
- University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Olaf Mueller
- Great Lakes Genomics Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Rebecca D Klaper
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
- Great Lakes Genomics Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhi H, Webb DT, Schnoor JL, Kolpin DW, Klaper RD, Iwanowicz LR, LeFevre GH. Modeling Risk Dynamics of Contaminants of Emerging Concern in a Temperate-region Wastewater Effluent-dominated Stream. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE : WATER RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 8:1408-1422. [PMID: 36061088 PMCID: PMC9431852 DOI: 10.1039/d2ew00157h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater effluent-dominated streams are becoming increasingly common worldwide, including in temperate regions, with potential impacts on ecological systems and drinking water sources. We recently quantified the occurrence/ spatiotemporal dynamics of pharmaceutical mixtures in a representative temperate-region wastewater effluent-dominated stream (Muddy Creek, Iowa) under baseflow conditions and characterized relevant fate processes. Herein, we quantified the ecological risk quotients (RQs) of 19 effluent-derived contaminants of emerging concern (CECs; including: 14 pharmaceuticals, 2 industrial chemicals, and 3 neonicotinoid insecticides) and 1 run-off-derived compound (atrazine) in the stream under baseflow conditions, and estimated the probabilistic risks of effluent-derived CECs under all-flow conditions (i.e., including runoff events) using stochastic risk modeling. We determined that 11 out of 20 CECs pose medium-to-high risks to local ecological systems (i.e., algae, invertebrates, fish) based on literature-derived acute effects under measured baseflow conditions. Stochastic risk modeling indicated decreased, but still problematic, risk of effluent-derived CECs (i.e., RQ≥0.1) under all-flow conditions when runoff events were included. Dilution of effluent-derived chemicals from storm flows thus only minimally decreased risk to aquatic biota in the effluent-dominated stream. We also modeled in-stream transport. Thirteen out of 14 pharmaceuticals persisted along the stream reach (median attenuation rate constant k<0.1 h-1) and entered the Iowa River at elevated concentrations. Predicted and measured concentrations in the drinking water treatment plant were below the human health benchmarks. This study demonstrates the application of probabilistic risk assessments for effluent-derived CECs in a representative effluent-dominated stream under variable flow conditions (when measurements are less practical) and provides an enhanced prediction tool transferable to other effluent-dominated systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhi
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Iowa, 4105 Seamans Center, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
- IIHR-Hydroscience & Engineering, 100 C. Maxwell Stanley Hydraulics Laboratory, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
| | - Danielle T. Webb
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Iowa, 4105 Seamans Center, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
- IIHR-Hydroscience & Engineering, 100 C. Maxwell Stanley Hydraulics Laboratory, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
| | - Jerald L. Schnoor
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Iowa, 4105 Seamans Center, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
- IIHR-Hydroscience & Engineering, 100 C. Maxwell Stanley Hydraulics Laboratory, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
| | - Dana W. Kolpin
- U.S. Geological Survey, Central Midwest Water Science Center, 400 S. Clinton St, Rm 269 Federal Building, Iowa City, IA 52240, United States
| | - Rebecca D. Klaper
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, School of Freshwater Sciences, 600 E. Greenfield Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53204, United States
| | - Luke R. Iwanowicz
- U.S. Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center, 11649 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430, United States
| | - Gregory H. LeFevre
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Iowa, 4105 Seamans Center, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
- IIHR-Hydroscience & Engineering, 100 C. Maxwell Stanley Hydraulics Laboratory, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
- Corresponding Author:; Phone: 319-335-5655; 4105 Seamans Center for Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City Iowa, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhi H, Kolpin DW, Klaper RD, Iwanowicz LR, Meppelink SM, LeFevre GH. Occurrence and Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Pharmaceuticals in a Temperate-Region Wastewater Effluent-Dominated Stream: Variable Inputs and Differential Attenuation Yield Evolving Complex Exposure Mixtures. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:12967-12978. [PMID: 32960577 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c02328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Effluent-dominated streams are becoming increasingly common in temperate regions and generate complex pharmaceutical mixture exposure conditions that may impact aquatic organisms via drug-drug interactions. Here, we quantified spatiotemporal pharmaceutical exposure concentrations and composition mixture dynamics during baseflow conditions at four sites in a temperate-region effluent-dominated stream (upstream, at, and progressively downstream from effluent discharge). Samples were analyzed monthly for 1 year for 109 pharmaceuticals/degradates using a comprehensive U.S. Geological Survey analytical method and biweekly for 2 years focused on 14 most common pharmaceuticals/degradates. We observed a strong chemical gradient with pharmaceuticals only sporadically detected upstream from the effluent. Seventy-four individual pharmaceuticals/degradates were detected, spanning 5 orders of magnitude from 0.28 to 13 500 ng/L, with 38 compounds detected in >50% of samples. "Biweekly" compounds represented 77 ± 8% of the overall pharmaceutical concentration. The antidiabetic drug metformin consistently had the highest concentration with limited in-stream attenuation. The antihistamine drug fexofenadine inputs were greater during warm- than cool-season conditions but also attenuated faster. Differential attenuation of individual pharmaceuticals (i.e., high = citalopram; low = metformin) contributed to complex mixture evolution along the stream reach. This research demonstrates that variable inputs over multiple years and differential in-stream attenuation of individual compounds generate evolving complex mixture exposure conditions for biota, with implications for interactive effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhi
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Iowa, 4105 Seamans Center, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, United States
- IIHR-Hydroscience & Engineering, 100 C. Maxwell Stanley Hydraulics Laboratory, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, United States
| | - Dana W Kolpin
- U.S. Geological Survey, Central Midwest Water Science Center, 400 S. Clinton Street, Rm 269 Federal Building, Iowa City, Iowa 52240, United States
| | - Rebecca D Klaper
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, School of Freshwater Sciences, 600 E. Greenfield Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53204, United States
| | - Luke R Iwanowicz
- U.S. Geological Survey, Leetown Science Center, 11649 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, West Virginia 25430, United States
| | - Shannon M Meppelink
- U.S. Geological Survey, Central Midwest Water Science Center, 400 S. Clinton Street, Rm 269 Federal Building, Iowa City, Iowa 52240, United States
| | - Gregory H LeFevre
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Iowa, 4105 Seamans Center, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, United States
- IIHR-Hydroscience & Engineering, 100 C. Maxwell Stanley Hydraulics Laboratory, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, United States
| |
Collapse
|