Themed collection Best Papers 2022 – Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology
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Targeting current and future threats: recent methodological trends in environmental antimicrobial resistance research and their relationships to risk assessment
Recent research on antimicrobial resistance in the environment has emphasized targeted methods. Increased use of non-targeted methods is needed to determine how frequently novel resistance genes arise.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2022,8, 1787-1802
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EW00087C
Emerging investigator series: moving beyond resilience by considering antifragility in potable water systems
By incorporating antifragility, water systems may move beyond resilience and improve performance with extreme events.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2022,8, 8-21
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EW00732G
Emerging investigator series: photocatalytic membrane reactors: fundamentals and advances in preparation and application in wastewater treatment
Photocatalytic membrane reactors (PMRs) can degrade organic compounds in wastewater and in water from different real matrices. The PMR surface can be modified for anti-fouling/self-cleaning properties, enabling reuse and extending lifespan.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2022,8, 22-46
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EW00513H
Adsorption of heavy metal ions in water by surface functionalized magnetic composites: a review
This review systematically summarizes the application of magnetic composite adsorbents for the removal of heavy metal ions in water and focuses on the surface functionalization of magnetic materials.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2022,8, 907-925
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EW00868D
Photo-chemical/catalytic oxidative/reductive decomposition of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), decomposition mechanisms and effects of key factors: a review
Mechanisms of photodegradation of PFAS with different chain lengths and structures using a wide range of photo-oxidative/reductive agents, effects of key parameters on these processes, and synergistic effects of other treatments are reviewed.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2022,8, 698-728
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EW00774B
Resource utilization of electroplating wastewater: obstacles and solutions
The source, composition and impacts of impurities on electroplating wastewater treatment are discussed to achieve higher recovery of metals and water.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2022,8, 484-509
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EW00712B
Insights into the relationship of reactive oxygen species and anions in persulfate-based advanced oxidation processes for saline organic wastewater treatment
This paper reviewed the properties and relationship of reactive oxygen species and anions in persulfate-based advanced oxidation processes for saline organic wastewater treatment.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2022,8, 465-483
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EW00731A
Treatment of organic matter and ammonia nitrogen in wastewater by electrocatalytic oxidation: a review of anode material preparation
The research progress of electrochemical treatment of organic matter and ammonia nitrogen in wastewater is reviewed in this work.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2022,8, 226-248
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EW00695A
In-field LAMP assay for rapid detection of human faecal contamination in environmental water
The Bac-LAMP assay enables the specific detection of human faecal contamination in water in the field by a non-expert technician.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2022,8, 2641-2651
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EW00433J
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Role of natural organic matter and hardness on lead release from galvanic corrosion
Suwannee river natural organic matter greatly increased dissolved lead release from galvanic corrosion due to complexation with humic acid-like substances.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2022,8, 1687-1699
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EW00903F
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Removal of 293 organic compounds in 15 WWTPs studied with non-targeted suspect screening
The influence of WWTP treatment standard on contaminant breakthrough is explored for 293 compounds.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2022,8, 1423-1433
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EW00088A
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Emerging investigator series: meta-analyses on SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA levels in wastewater and their correlations to epidemiological indicators
Recent applications of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) have demonstrated its ability to track the spread and dynamics of COVID-19 at the community level.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2022,8, 1391-1407
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EW00084A
Modeling risk dynamics of contaminants of emerging concern in a temperate-region wastewater effluent-dominated stream
Stochastic risk and attenuation modeling approaches predict problematic ecological risks of effluent-derived pharmaceuticals and other contaminants of emerging concern in an effluent-dominated stream under all-flow conditions.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2022,8, 1408-1422
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EW00157H
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Performance of biochars for the elimination of trace organic contaminants and metals from urban stormwater
Biochar amendments to conventional sand filters can remove hydrophilic trace organic contaminants from urban stormwater and are, therefore, a good barrier to protect the aquatic environment.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2022,8, 1287-1299
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EW00857A
Magnetite–reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite as an efficient heterogeneous Fenton catalyst for the degradation of tetracycline antibiotics
Effective Fenton degradation of tetracycline over magnetite nanoclusters supported on reduced graphene oxide was observed.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2022,8, 1261-1276
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EW00019A
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Monitoring SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater during New York City's second wave of COVID-19: sewershed-level trends and relationships to publicly available clinical testing data
SARS-CoV-2 viral loads in New York City were significantly correlated with clinical case rates in corresponding sewersheds.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2022,8, 1021-1035
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EW00747E
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SARS-CoV-2 RNA abundance in wastewater as a function of distinct urban sewershed size
SARS-CoV-2 community wastewater surveillance across a range of scales to establish optimal sampling strategies.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2022,8, 807-819
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EW00672J
Synthesis and characterization of ZIF-8-based PVDF mixed matrix membranes and application to treat pulp and paper industry wastewater using a membrane bioreactor
The metal–organic framework (MOF) zinc imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) is synthesized by a solvothermal method and added into a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane to study its pollutant removal performance using pulp and paper industry wastewater.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2022,8, 881-896
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EW00011C
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AbspectroscoPY, a Python toolbox for absorbance-based sensor data in water quality monitoring
Absorbance-based sensors produce large raw attenuation datasets. We developed AbspectroscoPY, an open-source Python toolbox to implement semi-automated processing of these data and explore the full potential of high-frequency measurements.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2022,8, 836-848
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EW00416F
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SARS-CoV-2 RNA is enriched by orders of magnitude in primary settled solids relative to liquid wastewater at publicly owned treatment works
We compared SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations in primary settled solids and raw wastewater samples matched in date to investigate the relationship between the two matrices.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2022,8, 757-770
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EW00826A
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Reactivities of hydrated electrons with organic compounds in aqueous-phase advanced reduction processes
Novel linear free energy relationships were determined between experimentally measured rate constants of solvated electrons and theoretically calculated one electron reduction potential for the elucidation of reductive reaction mechanisms.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2022,8, 543-574
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EW00897H
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Application of plasma for the removal of pharmaceuticals in synthetic urine
Application of plasma oxidation for removal of pharmaceuticals in urine was assessed and compared to a traditional advanced oxidation process.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2022,8, 523-533
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EW00863C
UV light irradiation combined with nitrate for degradation of bisphenol A: kinetics, transformation pathways, and acute toxicity assessment
Bisphenol A could also be degraded effectively by the UV/nitrate system.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2022,8, 586-596
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EW00796C
Ammonia recovery and fouling mitigation of hydrolyzed human urine treated by nanofiltration and reverse osmosis
Ammonia is a critical compound due to the numerous industry products which rely on its production such as fertilizer, refrigerant gas, and textile manufacturing.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2022,8, 429-442
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EW00601K
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Fate of influent microbial populations during medium chain carboxylic acid recovery from brewery and pre-fermented food waste streams
Waste streams continuously introduce active and inactive microbial populations that can influence assembly of microbial communities in chain elongation systems.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2022,8, 257-269
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EW00656H
Algae control in oligotrophic surface water under the joint effect of nutritional competition and microbial algae-lytic substances
A novel algae control strategy in oligotrophic surface water was proposed. Under the combined effect of nutritional competition and bacilysin lysis, a 97% decline in chlorophyll-a content was achieved in South-to-North water and 61.5% in stormwater.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2022,8, 375-384
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EW00563D
Experimental and quantum chemical study on the transformation behavior of bisphenol S by radical-driven persulfate oxidation
The discrepancy between the proportion of hydroxyl and sulfate radicals involved in the PS/N-SWCNTs and PS–heat systems led to different distributions and abundance of products.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2022,8, 116-126
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EW00545F
A comparative study of the degradation efficiency of chlorinated organic compounds by bimetallic zero-valent iron nanoparticles
Various bimetallic nZVI were used in the degradation of chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOC) in spiked water and real groundwater. It was found that Ni may be a good alternative to Pd to be used along with nZVI for dechlorination of CVOC.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2022,8, 162-172
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EW00791B
Cobalt nanoparticle–carbon nanoplate as the solar absorber of a wood aerogel evaporator for continuously efficient desalination
Cobalt nanoparticle–carbon nanoplate as the solar absorber of a wood aerogel evaporator for efficient solar steam generation.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2022,8, 151-161
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EW00593F
Disinfection of constructed wetland effluent by in situ electrochemical chlorine production for water reuse
Constructed wetland effluents meet water reuse standards after efficient electrochemical disinfection, and residual chlorine restricts pathogen regrowth. Chloride electromigration through anion exchange membranes (AEMs) maximized chlorine production.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2022,8, 98-107
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EW00708D
Characteristics and mechanism of electrochemical peroxymonosulfate activation by a Co–N@CF anode for pollutant removal
Herein, carbon felt (CF) modified with N and Co (Co–N@CF) was prepared as an anode to effectively activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for tetracycline (TC) removal.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2022,8, 62-75
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EW00676B
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Development of a rapid pre-concentration protocol and a magnetic beads-based RNA extraction method for SARS-CoV-2 detection in raw municipal wastewater
We demonstrate the application of a rapid pre-concentration protocol and a magnetic bead-based RNA extraction method for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from raw wastewater without the need for extensive sample treatment.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2022,8, 47-61
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EW00539A
Building-level wastewater surveillance using tampon swabs and RT-LAMP for rapid SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection
This study evaluated a passive sampling and rapid LAMP detection of SARS-CoV-2 for near-source (i.e., building-level) wastewater based epidemiology applications.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2022,8, 173-183
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EW00496D
About this collection
The Environmental Science Best Papers Initiative identifies a selection of excellent papers published in the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Environmental Science journal family, showcasing great research from across the globe. This collection of our best papers in 2022 can be read here: https://rsc.li/enviro-bestpapers
To celebrate more of the great papers published in Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology during 2022, we’ve gathered all shortlisted papers in this special collection.