Anammox-based technologies: A review of recent advances, mechanism, and bottlenecks.

The removal of nitrogen via the ANAMMOX process is a promising green wastewater treatment technology, with numerous benefits. The incessant studies on the ANAMMOX process over the years due to its long start-up and high operational cost has positively influenced its technological advancement, even though at a rather slow pace. At the moment, relatively new ANAMMOX technologies are being developed with the goal of treating low carbon wastewater at low temperatures, tackling nitrite and nitrate accumulation and methane utilization from digestates while also recovering resources (phosphorus) in a sustainable manner. This review compares and contrasts the handful of ANAMMOX -based processes developed thus far with plausible solutions for addressing their respective bottlenecks hindering full-scale implementation. Ultimately, future prospects for advancing understanding of mechanisms and engineering application of ANAMMOX process are posited. As a whole, technological advances in process design and patents have greatly contributed to better understanding of the ANAMMOX process, which has greatly aided in the optimization and industrialization of the ANAMMOX process. This review is intended to provide researchers with an overview of the present state of research and technological development of the ANAMMOX process, thus serving as a guide for realizing energy autarkic future practical applications.

Gene expression patterns and DNA methylation of neuron and pancreatic ß-cell developments in zebrafish embryos treated with bisphenol F and AF.

Bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol AF (BPAF) are structural analogues of bisphenol A (BPA) that are used in the manufacture of a myriad of BPA-free products; however, there is a paucity of information regarding their developmental effects. The present study investigates the effects of BPF and BPAF on neurodevelopment and pancreatic ß-cell differentiation via altering DNA methylation and gene expression patterns using the zebrafish model. BPF and BPAF induced behavioral perturbations: increased average speed, increased maximum acceleration, increased mania time and decreased static time, in 0.3 and 1.0 µM groups in zebrafish embryos. Glucose level was significantly increased in 1.0 µM BPF (28 %); while a monotonic increase of 29 %, 55 %, and 74 % were observed in 0.1, 0.3, and 1.0 µM BPAF, respectively. Consistent with a decreased insulin mRNA level, the expression of two critical transcription factors (pdx-1 and foxa2) essential for the development and functioning of beta-cells decreased following the bisphenols exposure. In addition, embryonic exposure to BPF and BPAF upregulated the transcription of developmental genes (vegfa, wnt8a, and mstn1) and neuron-related genes (mbp, elavl3, gap43, gfap). Also, the expressions of DNA methyltransferases (dnmt1, dnmt3, dnmt4, dnmt5, dnmt6, dnmt7, and dnmt8) were significantly aberrant compared with the control group. The Bisulfite PCR results indicate increased DNA methylation at promoter regions of pdx-1 in BPF (8.2 %) and BPAF (7.6 %); α1-tubulin in BPF (5.3 %) and in BPAF (4.1 %), congruous with the increased dnmt1 and dnmt3 transcription, at early stage of zebrafish development. The present study indicates that zebrafish embryonic exposure to BPF and BPAF elicits islet dysfunction and neuron perturbations resulting in increased DNA methylation levels.

Exploring the gas-sensing properties of MOF-derived TiN@CuO as a hydrogen sulfide sensor.

In an effort to develop a long-lasting gas sensor, this article presents titanium nitride (TiN) as a potential substitute sensitive material in conjunction with (copper(II) benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate) Cu-BTC-derived CuO. The work focused on the gas-sensing characteristics of TiN/CuO nanoparticles in detecting H2S gas at various temperatures and concentrations. XRD, XPS, and SEM were utilized to analyze the composites with varied Cu molar ratios. The responses of TiN/CuO-2 nanoparticles to 50 and 100 ppm H2S gas at 50 °C and 250 °C are 34.8 and 60.0, respectively. The related sensor had high selectivity and stability towards H2S, and the response of TiN/CuO-2 is still 2.5-5 ppm H2S. The gas-sensing properties as well as the mechanism are fully explained in this study. TiN/CuO might be a choice for the detection of H2S gas, opening up new avenues for applications in industries, medical facilities, and homes.

Advanced visual sensing techniques for on-site detection of pesticide residue in water environments.

Pesticide usage has increased to fulfil agricultural demand. Pesticides such as organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) are ubiquitous in world food production. Their widespread usage has unavoidable detrimental consequences for humans, wildlife, water, and soil environments. Hence, the development of more convenient and efficient pesticide residue (PR) detection methods is of paramount importance. Visual detecting approaches have acquired a lot of interest among different sensing systems due to inherent advantages in terms of simplicity, speed, sensitivity, and eco-friendliness. Furthermore, various detections have been proven to enable real-life PR surveillance in environment water. Fluorometric (FL), colourimetric (CL), and enzyme-inhibition (EI) techniques have emerged as viable options. These sensing technologies do not need complex operating processes or specialist equipment, and the simple colour change allows for visual monitoring of the sensing result. Visual sensing techniques for on-site detection of PR in water environments are discussed in this paper. This paper further reviews prior research on the integration of CL, FL, and EI-based techniques with nanoparticles (NPs), quantum dots (QDs), and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Smartphone detection technologies for PRs are also reviewed. Finally, conventional methods and nanoparticle (NPs) based strategies for the detection of PRs are compared.

A Review on Tetrabromobisphenol A: Human Biomonitoring, Toxicity, Detection and Treatment in the Environment.

Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) is a known endocrine disruptor employed in a range of consumer products and has been predominantly found in different environments through industrial processes and in human samples. In this review, we aimed to summarize published scientific evidence on human biomonitoring, toxic effects and mode of action of TBBPA in humans. Interestingly, an overview of various pretreatment methods, emerging detection methods, and treatment methods was elucidated. Studies on exposure routes in humans, a combination of detection methods, adsorbent-based treatments and degradation of TBBPA are in the preliminary phase and have several limitations. Therefore, in-depth studies on these subjects should be considered to enhance the accurate body load of non-invasive matrix, external exposure levels, optimal design of combined detection techniques, and degrading technology of TBBPA. Overall, this review will improve the scientific comprehension of TBBPA in humans as well as the environment, and the breakthrough for treating waste products containing TBBPA.

Biochar-based composites for remediation of polluted wastewater and soil environments: Challenges and prospects.

Pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, pesticides, and dyes are the main environmental contaminants that have serious effects on both land and aquatic lives and necessitate the development of effective methods to mitigate these issues. Although some conventional methods are in use to tackle soil contamination, but biochar and biochar-based composites represent a reliable and sustainable means to deal with a spectrum of toxic organic and inorganic pollutants from contaminated environments. The capacity of biochars and derived constructs to remediate inorganic dyes, pesticides, insecticides, heavy metals, and pharmaceuticals from environmental matrices is attributed to their extensive surface area, surface functional groups, pore size distribution, and high sorption capability of these pollutants in water and soil environments. Application conditions, biochar feedstock, pyrolysis conditions and precursor materials are the factors that influence the capacity and functionality of biochar to adsorb pollutants from wastewater and soil. These factors, when improved, can benefit biochar in agrochemical and heavy metal remediation from various environments. However, the processes involved in biochar production and their influence in enhancing pollutant sequestration remain unclear. Therefore, this paper throws light on the current strategies, operational conditions, and sequestration performance of biochar and biochar-based composites for agrochemical and heavy metal in soil and water environments. The main challenges associated with biochar preparation and exploitation, toxicity evaluation, research directions and future prospects for biochar in environmental remediation are also outlined.

Advanced catalytic ozonation for degradation of pharmaceutical pollutants-A review.

Various chemical treatment techniques are involved in removing refractory organic compounds from water and wastewater using the oxidation reaction of hydroxyl radicals (•OH). The use of catalysts in advanced catalytic ozonation is likely to improve the decomposition of molecular ozone to generate highly active free radicals that facilitate the rapid and efficient mineralization and degradation of numerous organics. For the degradation of toxic organic pollutants in wastewater, the advanced catalytic ozonation process has been widely applied in recent years. Low utilization efficiency of ozone and ineffective mineralization of organic contaminants by ozone can be remedied with advanced catalytic ozonation. Advanced catalytic ozonation has gained popularity because of these merits. However, homogeneous catalytic ozonation has the disadvantage of producing secondary contaminants from the addition of metallic ions. Heterogeneous catalytic ozonation can overcome this drawback by utilizing metals, metallic oxides, and carbon materials as a catalyst of efficacy and stability. This review discusses various aspects of catalytic ozonation in wastewater treatment of pharmaceutical pollutants, application of catalytic ozonation process in typical wastewater, and prospects in advancing the techniques in heterogeneous catalytic ozonation.