scholarly journals Sustainable Removal of Contaminants by Biopolymers: A Novel Approach for Wastewater Treatment. Current State and Future Perspectives

Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 719
Author(s):  
Teresa Russo ◽  
Pierpaolo Fucile ◽  
Rosa Giacometti ◽  
Filomena Sannino

Naturally occurring substances or polymeric biomolecules synthesized by living organisms during their entire life cycle are commonly defined as biopolymers. Different classifications of biopolymers have been proposed, focusing on their monomeric units, thus allowing them to be distinguished into three different classes with a huge diversity of secondary structures. Due to their ability to be easily manipulated and modified, their versatility, and their sustainability, biopolymers have been proposed in different fields of interest, starting from food, pharmaceutical, and biomedical industries, (i.e., as excipients, gelling agents, stabilizers, or thickeners). Furthermore, due to their sustainable and renewable features, their biodegradability, and their non-toxicity, biopolymers have also been proposed in wastewater treatment, in combination with different reinforcing materials (natural fibers, inorganic micro- or nano-sized fillers, antioxidants, and pigments) toward the development of novel composites with improved properties. On the other hand, the improper or illegal emission of untreated industrial, agricultural, and household wastewater containing a variety of organic and inorganic pollutants represents a great risk to aquatic systems, with a negative impact due to their high toxicity. Among the remediation techniques, adsorption is widely used and documented for its efficiency, intrinsic simplicity, and low cost. Biopolymers represent promising and challenging adsorbents for aquatic environments’ decontamination from organic and inorganic pollutants, allowing for protection of the environment and living organisms. This review summarizes the results obtained in recent years from the sustainable removal of contaminants by biopolymers, trying to identify open questions and future perspectives to overcome the present gaps and limitations.

REAKTOR ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-25
Author(s):  
Ariani Dwi Astuti ◽  
Dewi Intania Ayu

Tofu which is made by grinding soy bean, generates huge amount of wastewater and thus considered as one of the most polluted food-industrial effluent owing to its high values of organic contents. The small industries of tofu preparation process release the wastewater directly into the water body without being treated first. Prior to discharge this wastewater into the waterbody, the wastewater must be treated to reduce the possibility of negative impact and the contamination of the waterbody. For these small industries, the best alternative of wastewater treatment is one which has the following criteria: easy in operation, low cost operation, low volumes of sludge produced, and can be used in high concentration wastewater. In this research, bioreactor anaerobic-aerobic with media bioball is used. The highest removal efficiency of COD took place in anaerobic zones. Bioreactors were operated with the variations of retention time at 24 hours, 18 hours, and 12 hours. The COD removal efficiency for Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT) of 24 hours, 18 hours and 12 hours were found 90.3% (organic loading rate is 15.1 kg COD/m3.day), 84.4% and 76.3% respectively. The experiment showed that the longer of the hydraulic retention time (HRT), the higher the removal efficiency could be achieved. These occurred because a longer HRT will extend the contact time between wastewater and microorganisms attached. Therefore, microorganisms have a longer time to degrade organic matter in wastewater. Although the removal efficiency in these three-HRT was found high, the effluent of the reactor was still above the effluent standard based on regulation of Ministry of Environmental Permen LH No. 5/2014. Kinetics using Eckenfelder Equation results R2 equal to 0.9991, n equal to 0.293 and K equivalent to 7.3577 mg/L. Keywords: tofu wastewater, anaerobe, aerobe, bioball, wastewater, treatment, attached growth


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chongfeng Bi ◽  
Rachelle Mendoza ◽  
Hui-Ting Cheng ◽  
Gil Pagapas ◽  
Elmer Gabutan ◽  
...  

AbstractThe negative impact of continued school closures during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic warrants the establishment of new cost-effective strategies for surveillance and screening to safely reopen and monitor for potential in-school transmission. Here, we present a novel approach to increase the availability of repetitive and routine Covid-19 testing that may ultimately reduce the overall viral burden in the community. We describe implementation of a testing program that included students, faculty and staff from K-12 schools and universities participating in the SalivaClear™ pooled surveillance method (Mirimus Clinical Labs, Brooklyn, NY). Over 400,000 saliva specimens were self-collected from students, faculty and staff from 93 K-12 schools and 18 universities and tested in pools of up to 24 samples over a 20-week period during this pandemic. Peaks of positive cases were seen in the days following the Halloween, Thanksgiving and New Year holidays. Pooled testing did not significantly alter the sensitivity of the molecular assay in terms of both qualitative (100% detection rate on both pooled and individual samples) and quantitative (comparable cycle threshold (CT) values between pooled and individual samples) measures. Pooling samples substantially reduced the costs associated with PCR testing and allowed schools to rapidly assess transmission and adjust prevention protocols as necessary. By establishing low-cost, weekly testing of students and faculty, pooled saliva analysis enabled schools to determine whether transmission had occurred, make data-driven decisions, and adjust safety protocols. Pooled testing is a fundamental component to the reopening of schools, minimizing transmission among students and faculty.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 55-66
Author(s):  
Mokhtar Rachedi ◽  
Abdelouahed Kriker

Abstract The negative impact of the production and use of building materials on the environment has become evident, so in recent decades, to find more sustainable, eco-friendly, and low-cost materials, the last research tends to reconsider the use of natural fibers and traditional building materials. This paper aims to develop a bio-composite based on the southern Algerian region's local materials consisting mainly of plaster and waste from date palm trees. Many properties were examined experimentally through previous research of our team (physical, mechanical, and microstructure characteristics) [1, 2] to characterize these materials. Several samples of bio-composite of plaster configurations with short length (20mm) and eight-weight ratios (0.5% - 4%) of palm fibers were prepared for mechanical, thermal, and physical characterizations. In addition, tested all previous properties on the specimens after 28 days of curing in normal conditions. The results show a clear improvement in the bio-composites mechanical performance (an increase in the bending strength with achieving compressive strength) and their thermal properties, which have been well developed (density, thermal conductivity, and specific heat capacity). To enhance the resistance of palm fibers to chemical degradation in the plaster's alkaline environment and improve the adhesion between them, these fibers were treated with a NaOH solution of 1% concentration. The plaster's composites reinforced with date palm fibers can be qualified as eco-friendly and thermal insulation building materials.


Author(s):  
Magda Caban ◽  
Anna Szaniawska ◽  
Piotr Stepnowski

AbstractPharmaceuticals are commonly found in water collected from wastewater treatment plants, fresh water and saline water. Their presence in water may result in constant accumulation in living organisms, and consequently a negative impact on those organisms. Abiotic samples collected from the Gulf of Gdańsk were already proven to be polluted by several classes of pharmaceuticals, but the bioaccumulation was not investigated as far. This study presents the first results on the accumulation of pharmaceuticals in


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (19) ◽  
pp. 5881
Author(s):  
Riccardo Ferrero ◽  
Stefano Pantaleone ◽  
Massimo Delle Piane ◽  
Fabrizio Caldera ◽  
Marta Corno ◽  
...  

Melatonin (MT) is a molecule of paramount importance in all living organisms, due to its presence in many biological activities, such as circadian (sleep–wake cycle) and seasonal rhythms (reproduction, fattening, molting, etc.). Unfortunately, it suffers from poor solubility and, to be used as a drug, an appropriate transport vehicle has to be developed, in order to optimize its release in the human tissues. As a possible drug-delivery system, β-cyclodextrin (βCD) represents a promising scaffold which can encapsulate the melatonin, releasing when needed. In this work, we present a computational study supported by experimental IR spectra on inclusion MT/βCD complexes. The aim is to provide a robust, accurate and, at the same time, low-cost methodology to investigate these inclusion complexes both with static and dynamic simulations, in order to study the main actors that drive the interactions of melatonin with β-cyclodextrin and, therefore, to understand its release mechanism.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 179-184
Author(s):  
Marianna Havryshko ◽  
◽  
Olena Popovych ◽  
Halyna Yaremko ◽  
◽  
...  

At the present stage of development, the entire world industry has faced the problem of rational use of renewable natural resources, in particular the most efficient ways of wastewater treatment and the use of accumulated waste in the production process as a secondary raw material. In particular, the alcohol industry, as one of the components of food, medical, chemical and various industries,leads to the formation of huge amounts of waste, including wastewater. The food industry, like any other industry, has a negative impact on the environment. Water bodies are the most affected by the food industry. Almost the first place in terms of water consumption per unit of production is the production of alcohol. Consumption of large amounts of water leads to the formation of wastewater, which is highly polluted and adversely affects the environment. Due to the high chemical and biological consumption of oxygen, specific color and odor, suspended solids, low pH value, the purification of such waste in the filtration fields and discharge into water bodies is not possible. The purpose of our work is: 1) conducting the analysis of the alcohol industry potential in Ukraine in recent years, and methods of waste disposal as a potential source for the development of bioenergy. 2) environmental aspects of the alcohol industry modernization at present stage of development and implementation of modern wastewater treatment technologies.


2021 ◽  
pp. 112972982110346
Author(s):  
Meola Mario ◽  
Jose Ibeas ◽  
Jan Malik

Physical examination (PE) is considered the backbone before vascular access (VA) placement, during maturation period and for follow-up. However, it may be inadequate in identifying suitable vasculature, mainly in comorbid patients, or in detecting complications. This review highlights the advantages of ultrasound imaging to manage VA before placement, during maturation and follow-up. Furthermore, it analyses the future perspectives in evaluating early and late VA complications thank to the availability of multiparametric platforms, point of care of ultrasound, and portable/wireless systems. Technical improvements and low-cost systems should favor the widespread ultrasound-based VA surveillance programs. This significant turning point needs an adequate training of nephrologists and dialysis nurses and the standardization of exams, parameters, and procedures.


2015 ◽  
Vol 184 ◽  
pp. 202-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abbas Mehrabadi ◽  
Rupert Craggs ◽  
Mohammed M. Farid

Author(s):  
T. G. Ambaye ◽  
M. Vaccari ◽  
E. D. van Hullebusch ◽  
A. Amrane ◽  
S. Rtimi

AbstractCurrently, due to the rapid growth of urbanization and industrialization in developing countries, a large volume of wastewater is produced from industries that contain chemicals generating high environmental risks affecting human health and the economy if not treated properly. Consequently, the development of a sustainable low-cost wastewater treatment approach has attracted more attention of policymakers and scientists. The present review highlights the recent applications of biochar in removing organic and inorganic pollutants present in industrial effluents. The recent modes of preparation, physicochemical properties and adsorption mechanisms of biochar in removing organic and inorganic industrial pollutants are also reviewed comprehensively. Biochar showed high adsorption of industrial dyes up to 80%. It also discusses the recent application and mechanism of biochar-supported photocatalytic materials for the degradation of organic contaminants in wastewater. We reviewed also the possible optimizations (such as the pyrolysis temperature, solution pH) allowing the increase of the adsorption capabilities of biochar leading to organic contaminants removal. Besides, increasing the pyrolysis temperature of the biochar was seen to lead to an increase in its surface area, while it decreases their amount of oxygen-containing functional groups, consequently leading to a decrease in the adsorption of metal (loid) ions present in the medium. Finally, the review suggests that more research should be carried out to optimize the main parameters involved in biochar production and its regeneration methods. Future efforts should be also carried out towards process engineering to improve its adsorption capacity to increase the economic benefits of its implementation.


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