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Zhao X, Guo M, Wang Y, Jin M, Hou N, Wu H. Toxic effects of nanoplastics on biological nitrogen removal in constructed wetlands: Evidence from iron utilization and metabolism. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 256:121577. [PMID: 38593605 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Nanoplastics (NPs) in wastewaters may present a potential threat to biological nitrogen removal in constructed wetlands (CWs). Iron ions are pivotal in microbially mediated nitrogen metabolism, however, explicit evidence demonstrating the impact of NPs on nitrogen removal regulated by iron utilization and metabolism remains unclear. Here, we investigated how NPs disturb intracellular iron homeostasis, consequently interfering with the coupling mechanism between iron utilization and nitrogen metabolism in CWs. Results indicated that microorganisms affected by NPs developed a siderophore-mediated iron acquisition mechanism to compensate for iron loss. This deficiency resulted from NPs internalization limited the activity of the electron transport system and key enzymes involved in nitrogen metabolism. Microbial network analysis further suggested that NPs exposure could potentially trigger destabilization in microbial networks and impair effective microbial communication, and ultimately inhibit nitrogen metabolism. These adverse effects, accompanied by the dominance of Fe3+ over certain electron acceptors engaged in nitrogen metabolism under NPs exposure, were potentially responsible for the observed significant deterioration in nitrogen removal (decreased by 30 %). This study sheds light on the potential impact of NPs on intracellular iron utilization and offers a substantial understanding of the iron-nitrogen coupling mechanisms in CWs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyue Zhao
- College of Resource and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Mengran Guo
- College of Resource and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Yunan Wang
- College of Resource and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Ming Jin
- College of Resource and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Ning Hou
- College of Resource and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Haiming Wu
- School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China.
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2
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Ni PY, Zhang X, Ye M, He R. Biochar enhanced the stability of toluene removal in extracted groundwater amended with nitrate under microaerobic conditions. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 353:141551. [PMID: 38430935 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Groundwater pollution caused by the leakage of petroleum and various fuel oils is becoming a serious environmental problem. In this study, carbon-based materials including biochar and hydrochar were applied to investigate the effects of additives on the toluene removal in the extracted groundwater under microaerobic condition with the addition of nitrate. Biochar and hydrochar could adsorb toluene, and thus enhance the toluene removal in the system. The toluene removal efficiency was 8.2-8.9 mg/(g·h) at the beginning, and then decreased with time in the control and the hydrochar treatment, while it remained the stable values in the biochar treatment, owing to the fact that biochar could reduce the NO3--N loss by partial denitrification. Moreover, biochar could prompt the growth of toluene-degrading bacteria including Thauera, Rhodococcus, Ideonella and Denitratisoma, which had the capability of denitrification. However, hydrochar could stimulated the growth of denitrifiers without toluene-degrading capacity including Candidatus Competibacter and Ferrovibrio, which might play a key role in the partial denitrification of the system. The findings are helpful for developing remediation techniques of contaminated groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan-Yue Ni
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and Recycling, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, 310012, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and Recycling, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, 310012, China
| | - Min Ye
- Hangzhou Institute of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou, 310005, China
| | - Ruo He
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and Recycling, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, 310012, China.
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3
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Wang D, Li P, Mu D, Liu W, Chen Y, Fida M. Unveiling the biogeochemical mechanism of nitrate in the vadose zone-groundwater system: Insights from integrated microbiology, isotope techniques, and hydrogeochemistry. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167481. [PMID: 37788773 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Clarifying the biogeochemical mechanism of nitrate (NO3-) in the vadose zone-groundwater system, particularly in agricultural contexts, is crucial for mitigating groundwater NO3- pollution. However, comprehensive studies on the impacts of changes in chemical indicators and microbial communities on NO3- are still lacking. This paper aims to address this gap by employing hydrogeochemistry, stable isotopes, and microbial techniques to assess the NO3- biogeochemical processes in the vadose zone-groundwater system. The findings suggested that NO3- in upper soil layers was primarily influenced by plant root absorption, assimilation, and nitrification processes. The oxygen contents gradually decreased with the nitrification process, resulting in the occurrence of the denitrification. However, denitrification predominantly occurred in the 60-80 cm soil layer in the study area. The limited thickness of the denitrification layer results in less NO3- consumption, leading to increased NO3- leaching into groundwater. Hydrochemical and isotopic characteristics further indicated that groundwater NO3- concentrations were mainly controlled by nitrification, followed by denitrification and mixing processes. The 16S rRNA sequencing analysis revealed great influences of soil sampling depths and groundwater NO3- concentrations on the microbial community structure. Additionally, the PICRUSt2-based prediction results demonstrated a stronger potential for dissimilatory reduction of NO3- to ammonium (DNRA) in both soil and groundwater compared to the other processes, potentially due to the widespread presence of the nrfH functional genes. However, the chemical indicators and isotopes used in this study did not support the occurrence of DNRA process in the vadose zone-groundwater system. This finding highlights the importance of an integrated approach combining microbiological, isotopic, and hydrogeochemical data to comprehensive understanding biogeochemical processes. The study developed a conceptual model elucidating the NO3- biogeochemical processes in the vadose zone-groundwater system within an agricultural area, contributing to enhanced comprehension and advancement of sustainable management practices for groundwater nitrogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Wang
- School of Water and Environment, Chang'an University, No. 126 Yanta Road, Xi'an 710054, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecological Effects in Arid Region of the Ministry of Education, Chang'an University, No. 126 Yanta Road, Xi'an 710054, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory of Eco-hydrology and Water Security in Arid and Semi-arid Regions of the Ministry of Water Resources, Chang'an University, No. 126 Yanta Road, Xi'an 710054, Shaanxi, China
| | - Peiyue Li
- School of Water and Environment, Chang'an University, No. 126 Yanta Road, Xi'an 710054, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecological Effects in Arid Region of the Ministry of Education, Chang'an University, No. 126 Yanta Road, Xi'an 710054, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory of Eco-hydrology and Water Security in Arid and Semi-arid Regions of the Ministry of Water Resources, Chang'an University, No. 126 Yanta Road, Xi'an 710054, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Dawei Mu
- School of Water and Environment, Chang'an University, No. 126 Yanta Road, Xi'an 710054, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecological Effects in Arid Region of the Ministry of Education, Chang'an University, No. 126 Yanta Road, Xi'an 710054, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory of Eco-hydrology and Water Security in Arid and Semi-arid Regions of the Ministry of Water Resources, Chang'an University, No. 126 Yanta Road, Xi'an 710054, Shaanxi, China
| | - Weichao Liu
- School of Water and Environment, Chang'an University, No. 126 Yanta Road, Xi'an 710054, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecological Effects in Arid Region of the Ministry of Education, Chang'an University, No. 126 Yanta Road, Xi'an 710054, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory of Eco-hydrology and Water Security in Arid and Semi-arid Regions of the Ministry of Water Resources, Chang'an University, No. 126 Yanta Road, Xi'an 710054, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yinfu Chen
- School of Water and Environment, Chang'an University, No. 126 Yanta Road, Xi'an 710054, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecological Effects in Arid Region of the Ministry of Education, Chang'an University, No. 126 Yanta Road, Xi'an 710054, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory of Eco-hydrology and Water Security in Arid and Semi-arid Regions of the Ministry of Water Resources, Chang'an University, No. 126 Yanta Road, Xi'an 710054, Shaanxi, China
| | - Misbah Fida
- School of Water and Environment, Chang'an University, No. 126 Yanta Road, Xi'an 710054, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecological Effects in Arid Region of the Ministry of Education, Chang'an University, No. 126 Yanta Road, Xi'an 710054, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory of Eco-hydrology and Water Security in Arid and Semi-arid Regions of the Ministry of Water Resources, Chang'an University, No. 126 Yanta Road, Xi'an 710054, Shaanxi, China
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Zheng Y, Ren Y, Yang J, Huang Y, Liu Y. Rational design of electrocatalytic system to selective transform nitrate to nitrogen. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 341:140016. [PMID: 37652250 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Nitrate (NO3-) is one of the most common pollutants in natural bodies of water and as such threatens both human health and the safety of aquatic environment. There are efficient electrochemical techniques to directly remove NO3-, but inexpensive, selective and electrocatalytic strategies to eliminate NO3- by converting it into benign nitrogen (N2) remain challenging. This work studied Cu particles that were formed directly on a Ni foam (Cu-NF) and evaluated their electrocatalytic NO3- reduction performance. The use of carbon nanotubes (CNT) functionalized with titanium suboxides (TiSO) as the anode facilitated the generation of active chlorine species that had a key role in the removal of NH4+. An electrochemical system that integrated a Cu-NF cathode with a TiSO-CNT anode could remove 88.5% of NO3- with a >99% N2 selectivity when operated over 6 h (4.1 × 10-4 h-1) at a potential of -1.2 V vs Ag/AgCl. Because the chloride ions are very common in natural sources of water, this technique offers a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach for the removal of NO3- from contaminated water sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiqing Zheng
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Yifan Ren
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Jianping Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, 2999 North Renmin Road, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Yingping Huang
- Engineering Research Center of Eco-environment in Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China
| | - Yanbiao Liu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China.
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Stiegler A, Cecchetti AR, Scholes RC, Sedlak DL. Persistent Trace Organic Contaminants Are Transformed Rapidly under Sulfate- and Fe(III)-Reducing Conditions in a Nature-Based Subsurface Water Treatment System. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:16616-16627. [PMID: 37856881 PMCID: PMC10620999 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Subsurface treatment systems, such as constructed wetlands, riverbank filtration systems, and managed aquifer recharge systems, offer a low-cost means of removing trace organic contaminants from treated municipal wastewater. To assess the processes through which trace organic contaminants are removed in subsurface treatment systems, pharmaceuticals and several major metabolites were measured in porewater, sediment, and plants within a horizontal levee (i.e., a subsurface flow wetland that receives treated municipal wastewater). Concentrations of trace organic contaminants in each wetland compartment rapidly declined along the flow path. Mass balance calculations, analysis of transformation products, microcosm experiments, and one-dimensional transport modeling demonstrated that more than 60% of the contaminant removal could be attributed to transformation. Monitoring of the system with and without nitrate in the wetland inflow indicated that relatively biodegradable trace organic contaminants, such as acyclovir and metoprolol, were rapidly transformed under both operating conditions. Trace organic contaminants that are normally persistent in biological treatment systems (e.g., sulfamethoxazole and carbamazepine) were removed only when Fe(III)- and sulfate-reducing conditions were observed. Minor structural modifications to trace organic contaminants (e.g., hydroxylation) altered the pathways and extents of trace organic contaminant transformation under different redox conditions. These findings indicate that subsurface treatment systems can be designed to remove both labile and persistent trace organic contaminants via transformation if they are designed and operated in a manner that results in sulfate-and Fe(III)-reducing conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela
N. Stiegler
- Department
of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Engineering
Research Center (ERC) for Reinventing the Nation’s Urban Water
Infrastructure (ReNUWIt), Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Aidan R. Cecchetti
- Department
of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Engineering
Research Center (ERC) for Reinventing the Nation’s Urban Water
Infrastructure (ReNUWIt), Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Rachel C. Scholes
- Department
of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Engineering
Research Center (ERC) for Reinventing the Nation’s Urban Water
Infrastructure (ReNUWIt), Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - David L. Sedlak
- Department
of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Engineering
Research Center (ERC) for Reinventing the Nation’s Urban Water
Infrastructure (ReNUWIt), Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
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6
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Puigserver D, Herrero J, Carmona JM. Mobilization pilot test of PCE sources in the transition zone to aquitards by combining mZVI and biostimulation with lactic acid. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 877:162751. [PMID: 36921871 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The potential toxic and carcinogenic effects of chlorinated solvents in groundwater on human health and aquatic ecosystems require very effective remediation strategies of contaminated groundwater to achieve the low legal cleanup targets required. The transition zones between aquifers and bottom aquitards occur mainly in prograding alluvial fan geological contexts. Hence, they are very frequent from a hydrogeological point of view. The transition zone consists of numerous thin layers of fine to coarse-grained clastic fragments (e.g., medium sands and gravels), which alternate with fine-grained materials (clays and silts). When the transition zones are affected by DNAPL spills, free-phase pools accumulate on the less conductive layers. Owing to the low overall conductivity of this zone, the pools are very recalcitrant. Little field research has been done on transition zone remediation techniques. Injection of iron microparticles has the disadvantage of the limited accessibility of this reagent to reach the entire source of contamination. Biostimulation of indigenous microorganisms in the medium has the disadvantage that few of the microorganisms are capable of complete biodegradation to total mineralization of the parent contaminant and metabolites. A field pilot test was conducted at a site where a transition zone existed in which DNAPL pools of PCE had accumulated. In particular, the interface with the bottom aquitard was where PCE concentrations were the highest. In this pilot test, a combined strategy using ZVI in microparticles and biostimulation with lactate in the form of lactic acid was conducted. Throughout the test it was found that the interdependence of the coupled biotic and abiotic processes generated synergies between these processes. This resulted in a greater degradation of the PCE and its transformation products. With the combination of the two techniques, the mobilization of the contaminant source of PCE was extremely effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Puigserver
- Department of Mineralogy, Petrology and Applied Geology. Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Barcelona (UB), Water Research Institute (IdRA-UB), Serra Húnter Tenure-elegible Lecturer, C/ Martí i Franquès, s/n, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Jofre Herrero
- Department of Mineralogy, Petrology and Applied Geology, Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Barcelona (UB), Water Research Institute (IdRA-UB), C/ Martí i Franquès, s/n, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - José M Carmona
- Department of Mineralogy, Petrology and Applied Geology, Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Barcelona (UB), Water Research Institute (IdRA-UB), C/ Martí i Franquès, s/n, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain.
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7
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Wang HC, Liu Y, Yang YM, Fang YK, Luo S, Cheng HY, Wang AJ. Element sulfur-based autotrophic denitrification constructed wetland as an efficient approach for nitrogen removal from low C/N wastewater. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 226:119258. [PMID: 36272196 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.119258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Constructed wetlands (CWs) integrated with sulfur autotrophic denitrification to stimulate high-rate nitrogen removal from carbon-limited wastewater holds particular application prospect due to no excessive carbon source addition, high efficiency, and good stability. In this study, we conducted elemental sulfur-based constructed wetland (SCW) and traditional constructed wetland (CW) under different C/N (2, 1, and 0.5) to explore the feasibility and mechanisms for nitrogen removal from low C/N wastewater. Compared with CW, SCW was demonstrated more robust in nitrogen removal in the case of low C/N influent. When the influent C/N control was at 0.5, SCW observed total nitrogen (TN) and nitrate removal efficiency of 69.36 ± 3.96% and 81.71 ± 3.96%, with the corresponding removal rate of 1.18 ± 0.66 and 1.70 ± 0.92 g-N·m-2·d-1, which were 2.11 and 10.03 times of CW, respectively. The nitrate removal rate constant k in the SCW was 1.05, 3.83, and 10.33 times higher than the CW with C/N of 2, 1 and 0.5. Furthermore, 14.40, 54.51, and 79.82% of nitrogen were removed by the sulfur autotrophic denitrification (SAD) in SCW, which also contributed 43.89, 73.68, and 71.70% of sulfate production. Moreover, the combined system of CW-SCW is proved be an efficient operation mode for simultaneously removing total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) and nitrate. In the SCW, the richness of the microbial community was improved and sulfur-oxidizing genera (e.g. Thiobacillus, Sulfurimonas) was selectively enriched, which affect the performance the elemental sulfur-based denitrification process. The nitrate reduction pathway was overwhelmed by denitrification and the dissimilatory nitrate reduction process. These findings offer elemental sulfur-based autotrophic denitrification constructed wetland has excellent potential to enhance nitrogen removal from carbon-limited wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Cheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Prevention and Control, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518055, China; State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Ying Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Yu-Meng Yang
- College of the Environment, Liaoning University, Shenyang 110036, China
| | - Ying-Ke Fang
- Key Lab of Environmental Biotechnology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Shuang Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Prevention and Control, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Hao-Yi Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Prevention and Control, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518055, China; State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Ai-Jie Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Prevention and Control, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518055, China; State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China.
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