Themed collection Best Papers 2021 - Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology

21 items
Perspective

Emerging investigator series: could the superoxide radical be implemented in decontamination processes?

The superoxide radical (O2˙) is an important reactive oxygen species (ROS) in diverse natural aquatic systems and engineered water treatment processes.

Graphical abstract: Emerging investigator series: could the superoxide radical be implemented in decontamination processes?
Open Access Frontier

Growth of Legionella during COVID-19 lockdown stagnation

While “avoiding stagnation” has been the mantra of building water experts, support for how this terminology is used is not overly convincing. Carefully nuanced COVID stagnation studies can improve water quality research and communication strategies.

Graphical abstract: Growth of Legionella during COVID-19 lockdown stagnation
Open Access Critical Review

Macroscopic covalent organic framework architectures for water remediation

This article has critically reviewed the story of macroscopic developments of COFs for water remediation. The various macroscopic COFs for removing toxic organic and inorganic pollutants have been systematically surveyed.

Graphical abstract: Macroscopic covalent organic framework architectures for water remediation
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Critical Review

Synthesis, fabrication, and mechanism of action of electrically conductive membranes: a review

Synthesis and mechanism of action of electrically conductive membranes.

Graphical abstract: Synthesis, fabrication, and mechanism of action of electrically conductive membranes: a review
Critical Review

Recovery of viable ammonia–nitrogen products from agricultural slaughterhouse wastewater by membrane contactors: a review

Efficient removal of nitrogen from wastewater is vital to ensure the safekeeping of waterways and their biota.

Graphical abstract: Recovery of viable ammonia–nitrogen products from agricultural slaughterhouse wastewater by membrane contactors: a review
Critical Review

Microplastics in marine environment: a review on sources, classification, and potential remediation by membrane technology

Microplastics are pollutants highly stable to complete biodegradation and require more specific separation processes for their removal. Classification and potential remediation technologies, such as membrane technology, are discussed in this review.

Graphical abstract: Microplastics in marine environment: a review on sources, classification, and potential remediation by membrane technology
From the themed collection: World Earth Day
Critical Review

Denitrifying biofilm processes for wastewater treatment: developments and perspectives

Biofilms can retain microorganisms with very different growth kinetics and different electron acceptor preferences, due to their natural redox zonation.

Graphical abstract: Denitrifying biofilm processes for wastewater treatment: developments and perspectives
Critical Review

Solar-driven evaporators for water treatment: challenges and opportunities

Solar-driven evaporation is an emerging process to acquire freshwater from saline water or wastewater. The current review summarizes the major factors affecting the evaporation performance, including material selection, heat management, and scaling control.

Graphical abstract: Solar-driven evaporators for water treatment: challenges and opportunities
Open Access Communication

Drinking water contamination from the thermal degradation of plastics: implications for wildfire and structure fire response

Plastic pipes are susceptible to thermal degradation which can produce volatile organic compounds such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene that leach into drinking water.

Graphical abstract: Drinking water contamination from the thermal degradation of plastics: implications for wildfire and structure fire response
Paper

An advantage for desalination of coastal saline groundwater over seawater in view of boron removal requirements

Saline groundwater (SGW) from coastal aquifers possesses less boron than seawater. Using SGW as feed for desalination reduces the energy demand and thus the environmental load.

Graphical abstract: An advantage for desalination of coastal saline groundwater over seawater in view of boron removal requirements
Paper

A case study on tap water quality in large buildings recommissioned after extended closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Extensive building closures due to the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic resulted in long-term water stagnation within the plumbing of large buildings.

Graphical abstract: A case study on tap water quality in large buildings recommissioned after extended closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Open Access Paper

Amyloid fibril-based membranes for PFAS removal from water

We introduce a green and efficient approach for removing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) based on the β-lactoglobulin amyloid fibril membrane.

Graphical abstract: Amyloid fibril-based membranes for PFAS removal from water
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Open Access Paper

A novel passive sampling approach for SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater in a Canadian province with low prevalence of COVID-19

A simple passive sampling protocol using cheesecloth and electronegative filters coupled with a Tween®20-based elution technique provided reliable detection of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater at targeted locations in a region of low COVID-19 prevalence.

Graphical abstract: A novel passive sampling approach for SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater in a Canadian province with low prevalence of COVID-19
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Paper

Electron transfer mechanism of peroxydisulfate activation by sewage sludge-derived biochar for enhanced degradation of sulfamethoxazole

The electron-transfer process is the main pathway occurring in the BC800/PDS system and the singlet oxygen pathway is determined to have little contribution to the oxidation of SMX.

Graphical abstract: Electron transfer mechanism of peroxydisulfate activation by sewage sludge-derived biochar for enhanced degradation of sulfamethoxazole
Paper

Architecting a Janus biomass carbon/sponge evaporator with salt-rejection and ease of floatation for sustainable solar-driven desalination

A Janus biomass carbon/sponge (JBCS) solar-driven desalination system is composed of carbonized original leaf particles and commercial melamine sponge seamlessly integrated with each other by a simple “soak-dip” method.

Graphical abstract: Architecting a Janus biomass carbon/sponge evaporator with salt-rejection and ease of floatation for sustainable solar-driven desalination
Paper

Enhancing the performance of a microbial electrochemical system with carbon-based dynamic membrane as both anode electrode and filtration media

The dynamic membrane can enhance the electricity generation and improve the effluent quality in microbial electrochemical systems.

Graphical abstract: Enhancing the performance of a microbial electrochemical system with carbon-based dynamic membrane as both anode electrode and filtration media
Open Access Paper

Reproducibility and sensitivity of 36 methods to quantify the SARS-CoV-2 genetic signal in raw wastewater: findings from an interlaboratory methods evaluation in the U.S.

The reproducibility and sensitivity of 36 methods for quantifying the genetic signal of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater was evaluated in a nationwide interlaboratory assessment in the U.S.

Graphical abstract: Reproducibility and sensitivity of 36 methods to quantify the SARS-CoV-2 genetic signal in raw wastewater: findings from an interlaboratory methods evaluation in the U.S.
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Paper

Removal of PFASs from biosolids using a semi-pilot scale pyrolysis reactor and the application of biosolids derived biochar for the removal of PFASs from contaminated water

This study focuses on the conversion of biosolids to biochar and its further use in adsorbing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) from contaminated water.

Graphical abstract: Removal of PFASs from biosolids using a semi-pilot scale pyrolysis reactor and the application of biosolids derived biochar for the removal of PFASs from contaminated water
Paper

Fabrication of amino functionalized benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid facilitated cerium based metal organic frameworks for efficient removal of fluoride from water environment

In this present work, we have developed the highly porous nature of cerium (Ce) based metal organic frameworks (MOFs), namely Ce@ABDC and Ce@BDC MOFs, using a hydrothermal technique for the defluoridation of water.

Graphical abstract: Fabrication of amino functionalized benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid facilitated cerium based metal organic frameworks for efficient removal of fluoride from water environment
Paper

Effects of NaClO shock on MBR performance under continuous operating conditions

The NaClO-shocked sludge had a self-recovery ability, and with the gradual improvement of sludge properties, membrane fouling was reduced.

Graphical abstract: Effects of NaClO shock on MBR performance under continuous operating conditions
Open Access Paper

Application of liquid-infused membranes to mitigate biofouling

The novel liquid-infused membranes have been shown to mitigate membrane biofouling. Here, the long-term stability of these membrane have been tested and analyzed using bacterial growth curve models.

Graphical abstract: Application of liquid-infused membranes to mitigate biofouling
21 items

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 2021 which really deserve recognition, we’ve gathered all nominated papers in this special collection.

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