Themed collection Best Papers 2019 – Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology
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Resource recovery and wastewater treatment modelling
This paper discusses the extent to which new unit processes applied for resource recovery can be modelled with conventional ASMs, the additional modelling challenges being faced, while providing recommendations on how to address current modelling research gaps.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2019,5, 631-642
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EW00765A
Removal of poly- and per-fluoroalkyl substances from aqueous systems by nano-enabled water treatment strategies
Exceptional properties at the nano-scale, if appropriately harnessed, will lead to innovations in water treatment.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2019,5, 198-208
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EW00621K
Adsorption of organic micropollutants onto biochar: a review of relevant kinetics, mechanisms and equilibrium
As an alternative to activated carbon, biochar has been considered for removal of organic micropollutants from water and wastewater via adsorption.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2019,5, 821-838
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EW00938D
Drivers of bioaggregation from flocs to biofilms and granular sludge
Microorganisms in natural and engineered environments interact with surfaces, including each other, and form aggregates and complex structures consisting of cells and an extracellular matrix.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2019,5, 2072-2089
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EW00450E
Treatment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in landfill leachate: status, chemistry and prospects
This work critically reviews the occurrence, chemistry, treatment technologies and knowledge gaps for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in landfill leachate.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2019,5, 1814-1835
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EW00645A
Wastewater treatment plants as a source of plastics in the environment: a review of occurrence, methods for identification, quantification and fate
Plastics accumulate in the natural environment due to their durability and low recycling volumes.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2019,5, 1908-1931
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EW00428A
Membrane distillation crystallization for brine mining and zero liquid discharge: opportunities, challenges, and recent progress
This review outlines all the work done on the membrane distillation crystallization process.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2019,5, 1202-1221
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EW00157C
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Efficient removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in drinking water treatment: nanofiltration combined with active carbon or anion exchange
Nanofiltration produces potable water, while adsorption materials GAC and AIX remove more PFASs from membrane retentate than from raw water.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2019,5, 1836-1843
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EW00286C
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Contaminant removal by efficient separation of in situ formed layered double hydroxide compounds from mine wastewaters
The efficient removal of a range of anionic and cationic contaminants from acid mine waters to facilitate water reuse or for safe discharge constitutes a major environmental challenge.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2019,5, 2251-2259
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EW00808J
Comparative study of PFAS treatment by UV, UV/ozone, and fractionations with air and ozonated air
Conducted using multifunctional equipment, this comparative study showed 95% PFAS removal achieved by ozonated air fractionation.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2019,5, 1897-1907
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EW00701F
Ozone–UV net-zero water wash station for remote emergency response healthcare units: design, operation, and results
A pilot ozone–UV net-zero greywater wash station was designed, built, and tested, providing a foundation for human contact greywater reuse.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2019,5, 1971-1984
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EW00126C
Glyphosate and AMPA removal from water by solar induced processes using low Fe(III) or Fe(II) concentrations
SPF-like and SPF at low Fe(III) or Fe(II) concentrations are effective treatments for removing glyphosate and AMPA from water.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2019,5, 1932-1942
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EW00442D
Absorption of short-chain to long-chain perfluoroalkyl substances using swellable organically modified silica
Adsorbents comprising swellable organically modified silica were characterized to optimize the adsorption of a wide range of perfluoroalkyl substances from water.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2019,5, 1854-1866
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EW00364A
Complex organic particulate artificial sewage (COPAS) as surrogate wastewater in anaerobic assays
By mimicking the complex organic matter composition in sewage, COPAS is a readily available and practical alternative in anaerobic lab-scale studies.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2019,5, 1661-1671
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EW00365G
Surface water treatment by UV/H2O2 with subsequent soil aquifer treatment: impact on micropollutants, dissolved organic matter and biological activity
UV/H2O2 treatment of sand-filtered surface water before soil aquifer treatment increases the total removal of organic micropollutants and has an impact on microbial activity without pronounced effects on dissolved organic matter removal.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2019,5, 1709-1722
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EW00547A
The reactivity and pathway of Fenton reactions driven by hydroxybenzoic acids: the effect of hydroxylation
Hydroxybenzoic acids could act as a cocatalyst, enhancing the Fenton oxidation.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2019,5, 1507-1514
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EW00250B
Channelization of water pathway and encapsulation of DS in the SL of the TFC FO membrane as a novel approach for controlling dilutive internal concentration polarization
In this study, we explored the use of hydrophobic and hydrophilic water-stable MOFs as well as their mixture for the fabrication of high-performance MMM-based TFC FO membranes for controlling ICP.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2019,5, 1436-1452
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EW00201D
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Evaluation of the novel substrate RUG™ for the detection of Escherichia coli in water from temperate (Zurich, Switzerland) and tropical (Bushenyi, Uganda) field sites
The assessment of a novel enzyme-based assay showed it to be reliable to detect and quantify E. coli in water.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2019,5, 1082-1091
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EW00138G
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Waterworks-specific composition of drinking water disinfection by-products
Non-target analysis of potentially toxic disinfection by-products at four waterworks in Sweden.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2019,5, 861-872
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EW00034H
Comparing industrial and domestic discharges as sources of N-nitrosamines and their chloramine or ozone-reactive precursors
Analyses of domestic, commercial and industrial sewage discharges apportioned loadings of N-nitrosodimethylamine, its precursors and N-nitrosomorpholine.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2019,5, 726-736
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EW00942B
Microplastic biofilm in fresh- and wastewater as a function of microparticle type and size class
Microplastics are pollutants of concern in the freshwater and marine environments. These microparticles carry biofilm communities unique from the surrounding water.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2019,5, 495-505
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EW00712H
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Overcoming ammonia inhibition in anaerobic blackwater treatment with granular activated carbon: the role of electroactive microorganisms
Methanogenesis and enrichment of microorganisms capable of interspecies electron and/or hydrogen exchange was investigated with addition of granular activated carbon (GAC) to batch anaerobic digesters treating vacuum collected blackwater with high ammonia concentration.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2019,5, 383-396
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EW00599K
Concentrating ammonium in wastewater by forward osmosis using a surface modified nanofiltration membrane
Enhancing ammonium rejection by PEI modification.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2019,5, 246-255
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EW00690C
Effects of geochemical conditions, surface modification, and arsenic (As) loadings on As release from As-loaded nano zero-valent iron in simulated groundwater
This manuscript makes a significant research impact regarding the fate of As-loaded nZVI particles under different geochemical conditions of groundwater downstream.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2019,5, 28-38
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EW00757H
Membrane-separated electrochemical latrine wastewater treatment
Membrane electrolysis is shown to be durable over one month of continuous operation.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2019,5, 51-59
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EW00698A
About this collection
The Environmental Science Best Papers Initiative identifies a variety of excellent papers published in the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Environmental Science journal family, showcasing great research from across the globe. To celebrate more of the great papers published in Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology during 2019 which really deserve recognition, we’ve gathered all nominated papers in this special collection.
Read the papers classed as the best of the portfolio at http://rsc.li/enviro-bestpapers and also browse the nominated papers from our sister journals Environmental Science: Nano and Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts