Themed collection Outstanding Papers 2023 – Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology
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2023 Outstanding Papers published in the Environmental Science journals of the Royal Society of Chemistry
The Editors-in-Chief of the Environmental Science journals introduce the Outstanding Papers of 2023.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2024,10, 1006-1008
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4EW90011A
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Urban stormwater capture for water supply: look out for persistent, mobile and toxic substances
Urban stormwater is a source of persistent, mobile and toxic substances, however the risk for water resources is unknown.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2023,9, 3094-3102
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3EW00160A
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Emerging investigator series: the role of phage lifestyle in wastewater microbial community structures and functions: insights into diverse microbial environments
Harnessing phage for biological treatment is of growing interest, but an improved understanding of phage diversity, host range, lifestyle, molecular signaling, and genetic potential are needed for microbial community control.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2023,9, 1982-1991
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EW00755J
Biofilters and bioretention systems: the role of biochar in the blue-green city concept for stormwater management
The main aim of the blue-green city concept is the reduction of the adverse impacts of stormwater by recreating the natural water cycle with the aid of green infrastructure in major metropolitan areas worldwide.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2023,9, 3103-3119
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3EW00054K
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Next generation decentralized water systems: a water-energy-infrastructure-human nexus (WEIHN) approach
This review highlights the pressing need for sustainable water management strategies within the water-energy-infrastructure-human nexus, and accentuates the critical roles of infrastructure and human engagement for sustainable water management.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2023,9, 2446-2471
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3EW00506B
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Antibiotic resistance in urban stormwater: a review of the dissemination of resistance elements, their impact, and management opportunities
Traditional stormwater infrastructure facilitates the transport of antibiotic resistance genes while green stormwater infrastructure may capture the genes and promote horizontal gene transfer.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2023,9, 2188-2212
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3EW00356F
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Removal of metals from water using MOF-based composite adsorbents
This review article focuses on metal–organic framework (MOF) composites and the impact of mixing MOFs with other materials, such as polymers, carbon-based materials, and magnetic particles, to increase their performance to remove metals from water.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2023,9, 1305-1330
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EW00941B
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
A stochastic approach for assessing the chronic environmental risk generated by wet-weather events from integrated urban wastewater systems
Environmental chronic risk generated by wet-weather discharges compared to final effluent was stochastically assessed, also from a climate-change perspective, stressing their growing contribution for many (micro-)pollutants.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2023,9, 3174-3190
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3EW00143A
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Predicted aquatic exposure effects from a national urban stormwater study
Episodic stormwater discharges expose aquatic ecosystems to extensive contaminant mixtures. Cumulative acute risks to multiple aquatic trophic levels are estimated based on contaminant mixtures documented in a US stormwater reconnaissance.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2023,9, 3191-3199
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EW00933A
Emerging investigator series: post-synthesis modification of reverse osmosis membranes for the enhanced separation of small neutral molecules
Diamine modification of polyamide reverse osmosis membranes using carbodiimide chemistry and heat treatment improves the removal of small neutral molecules.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2023,9, 2836-2846
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3EW00401E
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Legionella pneumophila occurrence in reduced-occupancy buildings in 11 cities during the COVID-19 pandemic
Legionella pneumophila was quantified during the COVID-19 pandemic in 26 buildings in three countries to identify factors that influenced positivity.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2023,9, 2847-2865
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3EW00278K
Deploying a molecular copper catalyst for efficient degradation of commercial and industrial dyes under practical conditions
A two-stage process for a sustainable degradation method for industrial dye effluents. The chemical process is triggered by a bio-inspired copper catalyst.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2023,9, 2219-2225
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3EW00185G
Emerging investigator series: enhancing the degradation of ciprofloxacin in water using Oxone activated by urchin-like cubic and hollow-structured cobalt@N-doped carbon prepared by etching-engineering: a comparative study with mechanistic and eco-toxic assessments
Enhancing the degradation of ciprofloxacin in water using Oxone activated by urchin-like cubic and hollow-structured cobalt@N-doped carbon.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2023,9, 1992-2007
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3EW00009E
Understanding on-site sanitation in rural Fiji: where definitions of sanitation back-ends differ
This study assessed sanitation infrastructure and maintenance practices in rural Fijian communities. The high prevalence of tank type sanitation back-ends highlights the health and environmental risks.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2023,9, 1913-1931
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EW00685E
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Effectiveness of passive sampling for the detection and genetic characterization of human viruses in wastewater
Wastewater-based epidemiology is a promising tool to anticipate potential viral outbreaks not only at city-scale but also at precincts-scale or even buildings.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2023,9, 1195-1204
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EW00867J
Tunable sulphur doping in CuFe2O4 for the efficient removal of arsenic through arsenomolybdate complex adsorption: kinetics, isothermal and mechanistic studies
Arsenic is regarded as a highly toxic element that naturally exists in ground drinking water.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2023,9, 1147-1160
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EW00978A
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Combined sewer overflows: relating event duration monitoring data to wastewater systems' capacity in England
Water pollution caused by the frequent use of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) has been attracting increased media and political coverage in England as in other places in the world.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2023,9, 707-722
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EW00637E
Emerging investigator series: microplastic-based leachate formation under UV irradiation: the extent, characteristics, and mechanisms
Aqueous microplastic were tested in terms of leachate formation and surface oxidation during UV irradiation. Surface properties (FTIR, RAMAN, XPS) and leachate characteristics (UV254, DOC, fluorescence spectroscopy) were analyzed concurrently.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2023,9, 363-374
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EW00423B
Development of high-performance bi-functional novel CdSnS2 atom clusters for adsorption of rose Bengal and AOP-assisted degradation of methylene blue
The fabrication of glycerol-mediated novel CdSnS2 atom clusters by one-pot co-precipitation was conducted to address rising concerns about environmental harm from hazardous organic compounds.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2023,9, 586-602
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EW00654E
Enhancing solar absorbance using a 2D graphene oxide/CuO composite film for efficient solar desalination
A GO/CuO composite film was synthesized via a facile ultrasonication method towards the enhanced solar absorbance for high-efficient ISSG.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2023,9, 523-532
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EW00656A
About this collection
The Environmental Science journals Outstanding Papers 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 outstanding papers in 2023 can be read here: https://rsc.li/enviro-outstanding
To celebrate more of the great papers published in Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology during 2023, we’ve gathered all shortlisted papers in this special collection.
Outstanding Paper: Effectiveness of passive sampling for the detection and genetic characterization of human viruses in wastewater
Runner-Up Outstanding Paper: Enhancing the solar absorbance enabled by 2D graphene oxide/CuO composite film for efficient solar desalination
Outstanding Review: Urban stormwater capture for water supply: look out for persistent, mobile and toxic substances
Outstanding Emerging Investigator Series Paper: Emerging investigator series: the role of phage lifestyle on wastewater microbial community structure and function: insights from diverse microbial environments