Themed collection Outstanding Papers 2024 – Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology

The ion transportation process through a membrane was divided into 3 sequential stages, where the ion selectivity could be determined by the ion charge, hydration energy, channel size and surface chemistry.

An integrated biorefinery platform for MSS valorization through pyrolysis is presented and comprehensively described here, from the choice of MSS to the desired applications of the value-added materials obtained.

Treating PFAS-contaminated water is challenging due to the recalcitrant nature of PFAS. This review discusses advances in NF/RO membranes for separating PFAS from water and introduces a total management plan for handling the concentrated PFAS stream.

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising candidates for high-performance separation processes due to their desirable porous structure and highly tunable properties.

To understand community impacts and needs after the August 2023 Maui wildfires, we conducted a rapid survey-based field investigation two weeks after the incident.

We quantified sorption of stormwater relevant trace organic contaminants and dissolved phosphorus to a novel composite-alginate geomedia. We demonstrated coupled sorption and biodegradation of a representative tirewear compound via the geomedia.

In February 2023, a train derailment in Ohio caused a chemical spill and fires releasing contaminants into the air, soil, waterways, and buildings.

Harmful algal blooms threaten ecosystems and water safety, necessitating rapid treatment strategies. This study developed an electrochemical ozonation process to realize simultaneous cyanobacteria inactivation and microcystin removal.

Adding clay nanoparticles into PVDF MMMs enhances MD performance. Higher OMT loadings improve contact angle, LEP, and flux. Long-term operation shows no flux reduction. Humic acid foulant reduces clay membrane flux by 45% vs. 60% for commercial PVDF.

Combining ultrafiltration and advanced oxidation processes, a single-step reactor removes aqueous PFAS and destroys them in situ, allowing long-term reuse of the effective photocatalyst.

A novel biologically active sorptive medium was developed to bioaugment green stormwater infrastructure and rapidly sorb trace organic contaminants with subsequent biodegradation to provide sustained runoff treatment.

Annual water withdrawal for the 2534 individual power plants covering Africa.

Short-chain and ultrashort-chain per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have become ubiquitous in aquatic environments worldwide, and their concentrations are rising.

When stormwater biofilters are not saturated, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) sorb to the air–water interface. The design of black carbon-amended stormwater biofilters for PFAS removal can be improved by preventing saturation.

Establishing an optimized method to harvest and quantify cells of biofilms from drinking water systems.

Various industrial activities have led to increasingly serious hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) contamination in the aquatic environment.

A separable bio-adsorbent was created through a straightforward cross-linking process, leading to effective capture of phosphate in both static and dynamic aqueous systems.