Role of water shear force for microplastics fragmentation into nanoplastics.

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are major recipients of microplastics (MPs) that break down into nanoplastics (NPs) during wastewater treatment through physical, chemical, and biological processes. In particular, mechanical stress induced by the mixing process commonly used in WWTPs is thought to play a crucial role in the production of secondary MPs/NPs, which are then discharged into the open water environment through the WWTP effluent. This study investigated the fragmentation of 250 and 106 µm-sized pristine and weathered polystyrene (PS) particles using a four-blade mechanical impeller. At an energy density level of 100 kJ/L, the 250 and 106 µm-sized pristine PS particles were broken down into mean sizes of 120.6 ± 19.1 and 95.6 ± 16.8 nm, respectively. The smallest sizes were found to be 90.9 ± 17.8 and 72.4 ± 19.6 nm due to the breakdown of 250 and 106 µm-sized weathered PS particles, respectively. The morphology of the PS particles after fragmentation also demonstrated the initiation of surface damage, such as cracks, pores and rough structures. This surface crack propagation, caused by mechanically induced water shear force, was identified as the primary mechanism of MP fragmentation into NPs. It was also found that NP levels significantly increased after 40 min of mixing, with at least a 28-fold increase in water solution at an energy density of 32 kJ/L. These results clearly show that the breakdown of MPs into NPs is a continuous process during wastewater treatment, posing a significant threat to the water environment through NP release by WWTP effluents.

An integrated financial and environmental evaluation framework to optimize residential photovoltaic solar systems in Australia from recession uncertainties.

This study assesses the financial viability and environmental evaluation of Photovoltaic (PV) panels from the perspective of the recent economic recession due to the Russia-Ukraine war. The financial viability of PV installation is calculated based on the estimated price, solar rebates, feed-in tariff, energy supply cost, and other evaluation parameters available at the assessment time. This calculation implicitly assumes variable discount rates (4%, 7%, and 12%) to show how the future will unfold and its correlations with design parameters. Details of economic appraisal integrating current inflation, rebates, and incentives of solar systems have been analyzed for the first time in this study. Financial indicators reveal the advantages of installing a grid-connected solar system (SS) over a solar battery storage system (SSWB). Compared to other installation systems, the lowest payback (PB) and highest internal rate of return (IRR) are observed for a 7 kW grid-connected solar system. Relative uncertainties of solar installation systems represent the necessity of government subsidies (r = -0.602) for solar storage batteries. LCA signifies the energy-intensive process of manufacturing metallurgical-grade (MG) silicon is the primary cause of significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and cumulative energy demand (CED) for PV panels. A potential amount of metal and fossil fuels is depleted for interconnective components of solar installation systems. Amorphous solar panels exhibit lower impacts than polycrystalline, but further upgradation in service life is required to become cost-effective and cope with current inflation.

Recycling waste vehicle tyres into crumb rubber and the transition to renewable energy sources: A comprehensive life cycle assessment.

This study conducts a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) on converting waste vehicle tyres into recycled crumb rubber (CR) granules as an alternative polymer for enhancing asphalt properties. The LCA study has been performed on acquired industrial primary data by incorporating CR at different proportions of binder in one ton (1-ton) of asphalt mix following the wet method. The uncertainty analysis of design variables identified a relatively strong positive relation of emissions with the equipment energy consumption (r = 0.98). Monte Carlo simulations evaluate the potential renewable sources (solar, hydro, and wind) in sequence over fossil fuels for the possible transition in the Australian grid by 2030 and 2050, as per the Paris Agreement. 71.91% reduction of CO2 emissions is achievable by recycling vehicle tyres into crumb rubber compared to landfill and incineration. Recycling by-products of CR production, such as steel and textile, significantly mitigates negative impacts. A decrease of 2.23% emissions was associated to the use of crumb rubber as a binder modifier in the asphalt mixture via the midpoint assessment. In endpoint LCA, a higher association of resource (US$) saving costs was observed than for other protective zones, i.e., human health and ecosystem damage. Recycling 466,000 tonnes of disposable waste tyres contributes to 16.1 million US$ worth of resource savings. An equitable industry-based LCA and uncertainty analysis of design parameters can assist in prioritizing suitable options to improve efficiency and future emission strategies on a global scale.

Effect of the coagulation/persulfate pre-treatment to mitigate organic fouling in the forward osmosis of municipal wastewater treatment.

The forward osmosis (FO) membrane process has recently established in many applications such as desalination, wastewater reuse, water purification, food processing, resource recovery and sustainable power generation. However, many researchers raise the demand for systematic investigation on FO membrane fouling, which leads to reduced flux yield. In this study, the effect of coagulation/persulfate as a feed pre-treatment was used to mitigate FO organic fouling during municipal wastewater treatment, and compared with a control coagulation and potassium persulfate pre-treatments. Mass balance results using size exclusion chromatography exhibited that the decrease in the flux with consecutive filtration cycles was likely due to humic-like molecules in the feedwater. Coagulation/persulfate contributed to a more significant flux improvement than stand-alone coagulation or persulfate pre-treatment, resulting in a smaller amount of organics attachment to the membrane. A better flux enhancement by coagulation/persulfate was again evidenced by a higher decrease in the attachment of reversible and irreversible organic foulants on the membrane surface. This study identified the major organic components responsible for FO fouling and established the potential of coagulation/persulfate pre-treatment for reducing organic fouling of FO membrane during municipal wastewater treatment.

An assessment of the dynamic stability of microorganisms on patterned surfaces in relation to biofouling control.

Microstructure-based patterned surfaces with antifouling capabilities against a wide range of organisms are yet to be optimised. Several studies have shown that microtopographic features affect the settlement and the early stages of biofilm formation of microorganisms. It is speculated that the fluctuating stress-strain rates developed on patterned surfaces disrupt the stability of microorganisms. This study investigated the dynamic interactions of a motile bacterium (Escherichia coli) with microtopographies in relation to initial settlement. The trajectories of E. coli across a patterned surface of a microwell array within a microchannel-based flow cell system were assessed experimentally with a time-lapse imaging module. The microwell array was composed of 256 circular wells, each with diameter 10 µm, spacing 7 µm and depth 5 µm. The dynamics of E. coli over microwell-based patterned surfaces were compared with those over plain surfaces and an increased velocity of cell bodies was observed in the case of patterned surfaces. The experimental results were further verified and supported by computational fluid dynamic simulations. Finally, it was stated that the nature of solid boundaries and the associated microfluidic conditions play key roles in determining the dynamic stability of motile bacteria in the close vicinity over surfaces.

Circular economy life cycle cost for kerbside waste material looping process.

Rapid expansion in urban areas has engendered a superfluity of municipal solid waste (MSW) stemming from contemporary civilization, encompassing commercial sectors and human undertakings. Kerbside waste, a type of MSW, has the potential for recycling and reuse at the end of its first life cycle, but is often limited to a linear cycle. This study aimed to assess the life cycle costs of different separation and recycling methods for handling kerbside waste. A new life cycle cost model, drawing from the circular economy's value retention process (VRP) model, has been created and applied to assess the continuous recycling of kerbside glass. The study investigates two key separation techniques, kerbside recycling mixed bin recycling (KRMB) kerbside glass recycling separate bin (KGRSB) and analyses their impact on the life cycle cost of the recycling process. Additionally, the research explores two approaches of recycling and downcycling: closed-loop recycling, which pertains to the recycling of glass containers, and open-looped recycling, which involves the use of recycled glass in asphalt. The results showed when use annually collected waste as the functional unit, the KRMB model incurred lower costs compared to the KGRSB model due to its lower production output. However, when evaluated over a 1-ton production of glass container and asphalt, the KGRSB method demonstrated superior cost performance with a 40-50% reduction compared to the KRMB method. The open-loop recycling method (asphalt) incurred a higher cost compared to the closed-loop recycling method due to its larger production volume over a 21-year period.

Ranitidine degradation in layered double hydroxide activated peroxymonosulfate system: impact of transition metal composition and reaction mechanisms.

Ranitidine, a competitive inhibitor of histamine H2 receptors, has been identified as an emerging micropollutant in water and wastewater, raising concerns about its potential impact on the environment and human health. This study aims to address this issue by developing an effective removal strategy using two types of layered double hydroxide (LDH) catalysts (i.e., CoFeLDH and CoCuLDH). Characterization results show that CoFeLDH catalyst has superior catalytic properties due to its stronger chemical bond compared to CoCuLDH. The degradation experiment shows that 100% degradation of ranitidine could be achieved within 20 min using 25 mg/L of CoFeLDH and 20 mg/L of peroxymonosulfate (PMS). On the other hand, CoCuLDH was less effective, achieving only 70% degradation after 60 min at a similar dosage. The degradation rate constant of CoFeLDH was 10 times higher than the rate constant of CoCuLDH at different pH range. Positive zeta potential of CoFeLDH made it superior over CoCuLDH regarding catalytic oxidation of PMS. The catalytic degradation mechanism shows that sulfate radicals played a more dominant role than hydroxyl radicals in the case of LDH catalysts. Also, CoFeLDH demonstrated a stronger radical pathway than CoCuLDH. XPS analysis of CoFeLDH revealed the cation percentages at different phases and proved the claim of being reusable even after 8 cycles. Overall, the findings suggest that CoFeLDH/PMS system proves to be a suitable choice for attaining high degradation efficiency and good stability in the remediation of ranitidine in wastewater.

Reactive layered hydroxide membrane for advanced water treatment: Micropollutant degradation and antifouling potential.

The effective removal of micropollutants by water treatment technologies remains a significant challenge. Herein, we develop a CoFe layered double hydroxide (CoFeLDH) catalytic membrane for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation to achieve efficient micropollutant removal with improved mass transfer rate and reaction kinetics. This study found that the CoFeLDH membrane/PMS system achieved an impressive above 98% degradation of the probe chemical ranitidine at 0.1 mM of PMS including five more micropollutants (Sulfamethoxazole, Ciprofloxacin, Carbamazepine, Acetaminophen and Bisphenol A) at satisfactory level (above 80%). Moreover, significant improvements in water flux and antifouling properties were observed, marking the membrane as a specific advancement in the removal of membrane fouling in water purification technology. The membrane demonstrated consistent degradation efficiency for several micropollutants and across a range of pH (4-9) as well as different anionic environments, thereby showing it suitability for scale-up application. The key role of reactive species such as SO4•-, and O2• - radicals in the degradation process was elucidated. This is followed by the confirmation of the occurrence of redox cycling between Co and Fe, and the presence of CoOH+ that promotes PMS activation. Over the ten cycles, the membrane could be operated with a flux recovery of up to 99.8% and maintained efficient performance over 24 h continuous operation. Finally, the efficiency in degrading micropollutants, coupled with reduced metal leaching, makes the CoFeLDH membrane as a promising technology for application in water treatment.

Bio-corrosion in concrete sewer systems: Mechanisms and mitigation strategies.

The deterioration of concrete sewer structures due to bio-corrosion presents critical and escalating challenges from structural, economic and environmental perspectives. Despite decades of research, this issue remains inadequately addressed, resulting in billions of dollars in maintenance costs and a shortened service life for sewer infrastructure worldwide. This challenge is exacerbated by the absence of standardized test methods and universally accepted mitigation strategies, leaving industries and stakeholders confronting an increasingly pressing problem. This paper aims to bridge this knowledge gap by providing a comprehensive review of the complex mechanisms of bio-corrosion, focusing on the formation and accumulation of hydrogen sulfide, its conversion into sulfuric acid and the subsequent deterioration of concrete materials. The paper also explores various factors affecting bio-corrosion rates, including environmental conditions, concrete properties and wastewater characteristics. The paper further highlights existing corrosion test strategies, such as chemical tests, in-situ tests and microbial simulations tests along with their general analytical parameters. The conversion of hydrogen sulfide into sulfuric acid is a primary cause of concrete decay and its progression is influenced by environmental conditions, inherent concrete characteristics, and the composition of wastewater. Through illustrative case studies, the paper assesses the practical implications and efficacy of prevailing mitigation techniques. Coating materials provide a protective barrier against corrosive agents among the discussed techniques, while optimised concrete mix designs enhance the inherent resistance and durability of the concrete matrix. Finally, this review also outlines the future prospects and challenges in bio-corrosion research with an aim to promote the creation of more resilient and cost-efficient materials for sewer systems.

A novel approach to determine the efficacy of patterned surfaces for biofouling control in relation to its microfluidic environment.

Biofouling, the unwanted growth of sessile microorganisms on submerged surfaces, presents a serious problem for underwater structures. While biofouling can be controlled to various degrees with different microstructure-based patterned surfaces, understanding of the underlying mechanism is still imprecise. Researchers have long speculated that microtopographies might influence near-surface microfluidic conditions, thus microhydrodynamically preventing the settlement of microorganisms. It is therefore very important to identify the microfluidic environment developed on patterned surfaces and its relation with the antifouling behaviour of those surfaces. This study considered the wall shear stress distribution pattern as a significant aspect of this microfluidic environment. In this study, patterned surfaces with microwell arrays were assessed experimentally with a real-time biofilm development monitoring system using a novel microchannel-based flow cell reactor. Finally, computational fluid dynamics simulations were carried out to show how the microfluidic conditions were affecting the initial settlement of microorganisms.

Unlocking the potential of sulphide tailings: A comprehensive characterization study for critical mineral recovery.

Sulphide tailings are a major environmental concern due to acid mine drainage and heavy metal leaching, with costly treatments that lack economic benefits. Reprocessing these wastes for resource recovery can address pollution while creating economic opportunities. This study aimed to evaluate the potential for critical mineral recovery by characterizing sulphide tailings from a Zn-Cu-Pb mining site. Advanced analytical tools, such as electron microprobe analysis (EMPA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)-based energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), were utilized to determine the physical, geochemical, and mineralogical properties of the tailings. The results showed that the tailings were fine-grained (∼50 wt% below 63 µm) and composed of Si (∼17 wt%), Ba (∼13 wt%), and Al, Fe, and Mn (∼6 wt%). Of these, Mn, a critical mineral, was analyzed for recovery potential, and it was found to be largely contained in rhodochrosite (MnCO3) mineral. The metallurgical balance revealed that ∼93 wt% of Mn was distributed in -150 + 10 µm size fractions containing 75% of the total mass. Additionally, the mineral liberation analysis indicated that Mn-grains were primarily liberated below 106 µm size, suggesting the need for light grinding of above 106 µm size to liberate the locked Mn minerals. This study demonstrates the potential of sulphide tailings as a source for critical minerals, rather than being a burden, and highlights the benefits of reprocessing them for a resource recovery to address both environmental and economic concerns.

Application of recycled crushed glass in road pavements and pipeline bedding: An integrated environmental evaluation using LCA.

The study aims to conduct a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) of mixed glass waste (MGW) recycling processes to quantify the environmental impacts of crushed glass as a partial substitute for virgin aggregate. Upstream washing, crushing, and sorting conducted at material recycling facilities (MRF) are the prime activities to assess whether reprocessed MGW in pavement construction is an alternate feasible solution. None of the previous studies explicitly account for the relative uncertainties and optimization of waste glass upstream processes from an environmental perspective. The study calculates environmental impacts using the LCA tool SimaPro considering design factors attributed to transportation, electricity consumption, use of chemicals, and water for reprocessing glass waste. Relative uncertainties of design variables and the national transition policy (2021-2030) from non-renewable to renewable energy sources have been validated by performing detailed Monte Carlo simulations. The correlation coefficients (r = 0.64, 0.58, and 0.49) of successive variables explain how the higher environmental gains of the glass recycling process are outweighed by diesel, energy consumption, and transportation distances. Compared to natural quarry sand, the recycled glass aggregate produced through crushing and recycling of its by-products reduces CO2eq emissions by 16.2 % and 46.7 %, respectively. The need for a washing line at the plant, in addition to crushing, results in a higher environmental impact over natural sand by 90.1 % and emphasizes the benefits of collecting waste glass through a separate bin, hence avoiding contamination. The result indicates that the benefit of lowering emissions varies significantly when considering waste glass landfilling. Moreover, this study evaluates the potential impacts on asphalt and reinforced concrete pavements (RCP) with 5 %, 10 %, 15 %, and 20 % replacement of natural sand with recycled glass aggregate. The LCA emphasizes the limitations of energy-intensive waste glass reprocessing. The obtained results and uncertainty analysis based on primary MRF data and recycled product applications provide meaningful suggestions for a more fit-for-purpose waste management and natural resource conservation.

Nano and microplastics occurrence in wastewater treatment plants: A comprehensive understanding of microplastics fragmentation and their removal.

Nano/microplastic (NP/MP) pollution is a growing concern for the water environment. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are considered the major recipients of MP before discharging into local waterbodies. MPs enter WWTPs mainly from synthetic fibers through washing activities and personal care products. To control and prevent NP/MP pollution, it is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of their characteristics, fragmentation mechanisms, and the effectiveness of the current treatment processes used in WWTPs for NP/MP removal. Therefore, the objectives of this study are to (i) understand the detailed mapping of NP/MP in the WWTP, (ii) understand the fragmentation mechanisms of MP into NP, and (iii) investigate the removal efficiency of NP/MP by existing processes in the WWTP. This study found that fiber is the dominant shape of MP, and polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polystyrene are the major polymer type of MP in wastewater samples. Crack propagation and mechanical breakdown of MP due to water shear forces induced by treatment facilities (e.g., pumping, mixing, and bubbling) could be the major causes for NP generation in the WWTP. Conventional wastewater treatment processes are ineffective for the complete removal of MPs. Although these processes are capable of removing ∼95% of MPs, they tend to accumulate in sludge. Thus, a significant number of MPs may still be released into the environment from WWTPs on a daily basis. Therefore, this study suggested that using DAF process in the primary treatment unit can be an effective strategy to control MP in the initial stage before it goes to the secondary and tertiary stage.

Identification, classification and quantification of microplastics in road dust and stormwater.

Microplastics (MP) have become a major emerging class of pollutants representing significant eco-toxicological risks for ecosystems and marine environments. The aim of this study was to identify, classify and quantify MP present in both road dust and stormwater samples. A significantly higher level of MPs within road dust samples was detected from industrial area (1130 particles/kg of dust) than from residential area (520 particles/kg of dust), while stormwater samples from industrial and residential sites yielded 26 particles/L and 17 particles/L, respectively. Fiber-like shape accounted for 53% and 74% in road dust and stormwater samples, respectively. The main polymeric materials collected for both road dust and stormwater samples were, in order of occurrence (i) low-density polyethylene, (ii) high-density polyethylene, (iii) polypropylene, (iv) polyethylene terephthalate, (v) polystyrene, (vi) polyester and (vii) poly (amide). Most of the MP had an average maximum dimension smaller than 2 mm for both road dust and stormwater samples. The results from this study demonstrates that road dust is a significant contributor to MP pollution through direct polymeric materials wear off and transfer through stormwater, which eventually will end up in open water ways and broader ecological niches.

Development of a geospatial database of tailing storage facilities in Australia using satellite images.

Tailings storage facilities (TSFs) are the main source of pollution from mining operations. However, TSFs are increasingly being considered as the potential secondary sources of some critical minerals. Recovering the critical minerals from TSFs is important due to both environmental and economic implications. Yet, identification of the potential TSFs is the major challenge in this venture due to the lack of publicly available database of TSFs. The objective of this study was to identify the TSFs and document their status in the form of a database for Australia. Visual inspection and interpretation of satellite images in Google Earth were used to identify the TSFs in 6 states and the publicly available database of TSFs for Western Australia (WA) was validated in this study to incorporate into a national-level database. This study has identified 331 active and 759 inactive TSFs in Australia. Among the sites, 42 active and 56 inactive mine sites with TSFs were found within 2 km of urban centres in the studied states. Coal and gold were the major commodities of 27% of active mine sites with the TSFs and 38% of inactive mine sites with TSFs, respectively. Approximately 16% of active mine sites with TSFs and 28% of inactive mine sites with TSFs were found to process copper as a major commodity. Considering the companionability matrix, many of these TSFs could be explored for the possible recovery of critical minerals (e.g. rare earth elements, cobalt). This study has developed a national-level database of TSFs for Australia for the first time, and it could be used for a number of applications.

Engineered topographies and hydrodynamics in relation to biofouling control-a review.

Biofouling, the unwanted growth of microorganisms on submerged surfaces, has appeared as a significant impediment for underwater structures, water vessels, and medical devices. For fixing the biofouling issue, modification of the submerged surface is being experimented as a non-toxic approach worldwide. This technique necessitated altering the surface topography and roughness and developing a surface with a nano- to micro-structured pattern. The main objective of this study is to review the recent advancements in surface modification and hydrodynamic analysis concerning biofouling control. This study described the occurrence of the biofouling process, techniques suitable for biofouling control, and current state of research advancements comprehensively. Different biofilms under various hydrodynamic conditions have also been outlined in this study. Scenarios of biomimetic surfaces and underwater super-hydrophobicity, locomotion of microorganisms, nano- and micro-hydrodynamics on various surfaces around microorganisms, and material stiffness were explained thoroughly. The review also documented the approaches to inhibit the initial settlement of microorganisms and prolong the subsequent biofilm formation process for patterned surfaces. Though it is well documented that biofouling can be controlled to various degrees with different nano- and micro-structured patterned surfaces, the understanding of the underlying mechanism is still imprecise. Therefore, this review strived to present the possibilities of implementing the patterned surfaces as a physical deterrent against the settlement of fouling organisms and developing an active microfluidic environment to inhibit the initial bacterial settlement process. In general, microtopography equivalent to that of bacterial cells influences attachment via hydrodynamics, topography-induced cell placement, and air-entrapment, whereas nanotopography influences physicochemical forces through macromolecular conditioning.

Spatiotemporal variations of DOM components in the Kushiro River impacted by a wetland.

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) has been recognized as a serious water quality problem in natural water bodies receiving pollution loads from point and nonpoint sources. The present study investigates the spatiotemporal variability of DOM composition in the Kushiro River and its tributaries (Eastern Hokkaido, Japan) impacted by the Kushiro wetland. Water samples were collected in the wet and dry seasons from several locations of the river and analyzed for DOM characteristics by UV-visible and excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy techniques and by developing water quality index. Rather than the spatial effect, significant seasonal impacts on DOM pollution in the Kushiro River were observed. Overall concentrations of DOM decreased during the dry season. The increase of specific ultraviolet absorbance in the dry season indicated an increasing trend of humification, aromaticity and molecular weight of DOM. Five fluorescent peaks, including peaks A, C, M, B, and T were predicted by EEM spectra. Peaks A and C were found to be the most dominating peaks in both the seasons and indicated enrichment of humic-like matters in river water. The intensities of poly-aromatic humic substances as well as DOM components of microbial origin increase in the wet season and proteins like autochthonous DOM increase during the dry season. The study recognized the contribution of freshly produced DOM component by the decomposition of wetland plants in wet season and effect of snowfall in the dry season. Analysis of three fluorescence indices revealed that the river water primarily contains terrestrially dominated DOM. A significant impact of the adjacent WWTPs and wetland to the river water DOM were also observed. The water quality index of river water DOM showed low to medium levels of DOM pollution in the Kushiro River.

Lithium recovery from salt-lake brine: Impact of competing cations, pretreatment and preconcentration.

The global demand of lithium is rising steadily, and many industrially advanced countries may find it hard to secure an uninterrupted supply of lithium for meeting their manufacturing demands. Thus, innovative processes for lithium recovery from a wide range of natural reserves should be explored for meeting the future demands. In this study, a novel integrated approach was investigated by combining nanofiltration (NF), membrane distillation (MD) and precipitation processes for lithium recovery from salt-lake brines. Initially, the brine was filtered with an NF membrane for the separation of lithium ions (Li+) from competing ions such as Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+. The extent of permeation of metal ions by the NF membrane was governed by their hydrated ionic radii. Rejection by NF membrane was 42% for Li, 48% for Na and 61% for K, while both the divalent cations were effectively rejected (above 90%). Importantly, in the NF-permeate, Mg2+/Li+ mass ratio reduced to less than 6 (suggested for lithium recovery). The result showed that MD can enrich lithium with a concentration of 2.5 for raw brine and 5 for NF-treated brine. Following the enrichment of NF-permeate by the MD membrane, a two-stage precipitation method was used for the recovery of lithium. X-ray diffraction confirmed the precipitation of lithium as well as the formation of lithium carbonate crystals.

Application of Victorian brown coal for removal of ammonium and organics from wastewater.

Brown coal is a relatively abundant and low-cost material, which has been used as an effective ion-exchanger to remove ammonium from wastewater. In this study, the influences of pH, ammonium concentration and brown coal dose were investigated for removal of ammonium content from synthetic wastewater. Raw brown coal (RBC) treated with base solution has superior ammonium removal efficiency compared to RBC, which was due to chemical alterations and thus greater attachment of ammonium molecules to base-washed brown coal (BWBC), confirmed by Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy-electron diffraction scattering has identified the augmented sodium content in BWBC, which was subsequently replaced with nitrogen upon wastewater treatment. Crystallographic analysis showed a higher crystallinity formed in BWBC compared to RBC, which was likely due to formation of sodium salt crystals during NaOH treatment. Fitting batch experimental results to adsorption kinetic models suggested that the removal of ammonium was mainly governed by the reaction process rather than the physical diffusion mechanism. Both kinetic and isotherm studies confirmed higher adsorption capacity for BWBC compared to RBC. RBC in column mode was also experimented with to show organics removal from a secondary effluent. A comparatively lower removal of organics was obtained due to inability of charge neutralization as both brown coal and organics are positively charged.