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Development and Future Prospects of Urban and Industrial Sewage Treatment and Resource Utilization

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Science and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2023) | Viewed by 9325

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
Interests: urban sewage treatment; suldge treatment; biological nitrogen and phosphorus removal; industrial wastewater treatment
Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
Interests: wastewater treatment; denitrification; microalgae-bacteria symbiotic; biological purification; water quality regulation; recirculating aquaculture system

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Guest Editor
1. State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources Centre, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
2. Laboratori d'Electroquímica dels Materials i del Medi Ambient, Departament de Química Física, Facultat de Química, Universitat de Barcelona, Martí i Franquès 1-11, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
Interests: electrocatalysis; electro-fenton; wastewater treatment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
College of Construction Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130000, China
Interests: wastewater treatment; contaminated soil and groundwater treatment; micro soil mechanics; particular soil; heavy metal contamination
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Urban and industrial sewage treatment is a research hotspot in the environmental field. The advanced control for nitrogen and phosphorus pollutants is an important measure to alleviate eutrophication. It is reported that primary wastewater treatment generally costs from USD 5 to USD 45 per gallon, whereas the cost of tertiary treatment ranges from USD 5 to USD 70 per gallon. In recent years, many countries have begun to advocate for low-carbon sewage treatment, energy conservation and carbon emission reduction. Some new sewage treatment methods have emerged, such as shortcut nitrification and denitrification, denitrifying phosphorus removal, and the anammox process, etc. On the other hand, the low C/N ratio of sewage limits the efficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus removal of the traditional sewage treatment process. The development of new low-carbon-consumption sewage treatment processes, the development of sludge carbon source, and new carbon sources are very important for reducing the cost of sewage treatment. In addition, micro-pollutants in sewage, such as PPCPs, and some other persistent pollutants also pose a serious threat to aquatic ecology and human health. Hence, advanced oxidation technology and new materials need to be widely studied.

This Special Issue of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH) focuses on advanced treatment, saving energy, and reducing consumption of urban sewage treatment. New research papers, reviews, case reports, and conference papers are welcome for submission to this issue. Here are some examples of topics that could be addressed in this Special Issue:

  • New technology for urban and industrial sewage treatment;
  • Theory and process of biological nitrogen and phosphorus removal;
  • Advanced treatment of urban and industrial sewage;
  • Advanced oxidation technology for sewage treatment;
  • Waste recycling for sewage treatment;
  • Constructed wetlands and other ecological treatment methods;
  • Sludge treatment and recycling for removal of nitrogen and phosphorus from sewage;
  • Microalgae and bacteria for sewage treatment;
  • Removal of micro-pollutants from urban and industrial sewage;
  • Resource and energy recovery in sewage treatment process;
  • Other topics related to urban and industrial sewage treatment.

Prof. Dr. Xiao Huang
Dr. Hongwu Cui
Dr. Fengxia Deng
Dr. Xin Xu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • urban and industrial sewage treatment
  • nitrogen and phosphorus removal
  • sludge treatment
  • resource and energy recovery
  • advanced oxidation technology

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 10042 KiB  
Article
Effect of the N-hexanoyl-L-homoserine Lactone on the Carbon Fixation Capacity of the Algae–Bacteria System
by Lei Liao, Bin Chen, Kaikai Deng, Qiang He, Guijiao Lin, Jinsong Guo and Peng Yan
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(6), 5047; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20065047 - 13 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1365
Abstract
Algae–bacteria systems are used widely in wastewater treatment. N-hexanoyl-L-homoserine lactone (AHL) plays an important role in algal-bacteria communication. However, little study has been conducted on the ability of AHLs to regulate algal metabolism and the carbon fixation ability, especially in algae–bacteria system. In [...] Read more.
Algae–bacteria systems are used widely in wastewater treatment. N-hexanoyl-L-homoserine lactone (AHL) plays an important role in algal-bacteria communication. However, little study has been conducted on the ability of AHLs to regulate algal metabolism and the carbon fixation ability, especially in algae–bacteria system. In this study, we used the Microcystis aeruginosa + Staphylococcus ureilyticus strain as a algae–bacteria system. The results showed that 10 ng/L C6-HSL effectively increased the chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentration and carbon fixation enzyme activities in the algae–bacteria group and algae group, in which Chl-a, carbonic anhydrase activity, and Rubisco enzyme increased by 40% and 21%, 56.4% and 137.65%, and 66.6% and 10.2%, respectively, in the algae–bacteria group and algae group, respectively. The carbon dioxide concentration mechanism (CCM) model showed that C6-HSL increased the carbon fixation rate of the algae–bacteria group by increasing the CO2 transport rate in the water and the intracellular CO2 concentration. Furthermore, the addition of C6-HSL promoted the synthesis and secretion of the organic matter of algae, which provided biogenic substances for bacteria in the system. This influenced the metabolic pathways and products of bacteria and finally fed back to the algae. This study provided a strategy to enhance the carbon fixation rate of algae–bacteria consortium based on quorum sensing. Full article
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14 pages, 2016 KiB  
Article
An Ultrasound–Fenton Process for the Degradation of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene
by Yangang Li, Wenzhen Zhang, Kelei Mu, Shangkun Li, Jiawei Wang, Shujun Zhang and Lu Wang
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 3102; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043102 - 10 Feb 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1219
Abstract
2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT), one of the main compounds in ammunition wastewater, is harmful to the environment. In this study, the treatment efficiency of 2,4,6-TNT by different treatment processes, including ferrous ion (Fe2+), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), Fenton, ultrasound (US) [...] Read more.
2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT), one of the main compounds in ammunition wastewater, is harmful to the environment. In this study, the treatment efficiency of 2,4,6-TNT by different treatment processes, including ferrous ion (Fe2+), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), Fenton, ultrasound (US) irradiation, US + Fe2+, US + H2O2 and US–Fenton process, was compared. The results showed that US–Fenton was the most effective among all methods studied. The effects of initial pH, reaction time and H2O2 to Fe2+ molar ratio were investigated. The results showed that the removal of TNT, TOC and COD was maximum at an initial pH of 3.0 and H2O2 to Fe2+ molar ratio of 10:1. TNT, TOC and COD removal was fast in the first 30 min, reaching 83%, 57% and 50%, then increased gradually to 99%, 67% and 87% until 300 min, respectively. Semi-batch mode operation increased the removal of TNT and TOC by approximately 5% and 10% at 60 min, respectively. The average carbon oxidation number (ACON) was increased from −1.7 at 30 min to a steady-state value of 0.4, indicating the mineralization of TNT. Based on GC-MS analysis, 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene, 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene acid, 3,5-dinitrobenznamine and 3,5-dinitro-p-toluidine were the major byproducts from the US–Fenton process. The TNT degradation pathway was proposed, which involved methyl group oxidation, decarboxylation, aromatic ring cleavage and hydrolysis. Full article
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29 pages, 1223 KiB  
Article
How Can Resource-Exhausted Cities Get Out of “The Valley of Death”? An Evaluation Index System and Obstacle Degree Analysis of Green Sustainable Development
by Xinyu Zhuang, Xin Li and Yisong Xu
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(24), 16976; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416976 - 17 Dec 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1528
Abstract
Resource-based cities are suffering from resource scarcity and environmental deterioration. Spirit, vitality and prosperity are disappearing and cities have moved towards “the valley of death” in terms of urban development. This typically appears in environments where it is difficult to maintain sustainable development. [...] Read more.
Resource-based cities are suffering from resource scarcity and environmental deterioration. Spirit, vitality and prosperity are disappearing and cities have moved towards “the valley of death” in terms of urban development. This typically appears in environments where it is difficult to maintain sustainable development. Based on empirical analysis, a qualitative analysis method for the selection of evaluation indicators, as well as a quantitative analysis method for index weighting and principal component extraction for constructing a three-level evaluation index system of green development for coal-resource-exhausted cities, was adopted. This study also discussed the life cycle at different development stages of resource-based cities, including mature resource-based and growing resource-based cities. We further argued that the obstacle degree can act as an evaluation basis and make recommendations accordingly to improve the green development of cities. Through star-standard divisions and statistical analysis, it can be explicated that the increase in green development in the first stage is greater than that in the later stage, which is more obvious in cities with lower stars. The results also show the evolution trend and stability coefficient. There is no end in sight for urban green development, and this study can provide a new perspective to relieve the declining trend and promote green sustainable development. Full article
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10 pages, 3530 KiB  
Article
A Low-Cost Electrochemical Method for the Determination of Sulfadiazine in Aquaculture Wastewater
by Yang Liu, Jianlei Chen, Haiyan Hu, Keming Qu and Zhengguo Cui
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(24), 16945; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416945 - 16 Dec 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2003
Abstract
As the concept of green development spreads worldwide, environmental protection awareness for production and life has been continuously strengthened. Antibiotic residues in aquaculture wastewaters aggravate environmental pollution and threaten human health. Therefore, the detection of residual antibiotics in wastewater is crucial. In this [...] Read more.
As the concept of green development spreads worldwide, environmental protection awareness for production and life has been continuously strengthened. Antibiotic residues in aquaculture wastewaters aggravate environmental pollution and threaten human health. Therefore, the detection of residual antibiotics in wastewater is crucial. In this paper, a new, simple, and low-cost method based on the glassy carbon electrode electrochemical sensor for the detection of sulfadiazine in aquaculture wastewater was developed without using complex materials to modify the electrode surface, to detect sulfadiazine which electrochemically oxidizes directly. The electrochemical performance of the sensor was studied and optimized with differential pulse voltammetry and cyclic voltammetry in the three-electrode system. The optimal electrolyte was acetic acid-sodium acetate buffer, and the optimal pH was 4.0. Finally, based on the optimized conditions, the newly established method showed satisfactory results for detecting sulfadiazine in aquaculture wastewater. The concentration of sulfadiazine and the peak current intensity showed a linear relationship in the range of 20 to 300 μmol/L, and the limit of detection was 6.14 μmol/L, the recovery rate of standard addition was 87–95%, with satisfactory reproducibility and low interference. Full article
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15 pages, 6844 KiB  
Article
Preparation of Graphite Phase g-C3N4 Supported Metal Oxide Activator and Its Performance in Activating Peroxodisulfate Degradation of Methyl Orange
by Nan Yang, Zhihan Zhang, Shicheng Zhang, Liting Chen, Jia Zhu and Jingsi Gao
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(24), 16651; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416651 - 11 Dec 2022
Viewed by 1306
Abstract
In order to improve the catalytic activity and recycling performance of semiconductor activators, and improve the activation pathway of persulfate, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) was prepared by calcining melamine, and a composite activator Ag2O/g-C3N4 [...] Read more.
In order to improve the catalytic activity and recycling performance of semiconductor activators, and improve the activation pathway of persulfate, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) was prepared by calcining melamine, and a composite activator Ag2O/g-C3N4 based on g-C3N4 supported metal oxide was prepared using a precipitation method. The morphology, structure, and basic properties of the composites were characterized using SEM, XRD, FT-IR and XPS. The activation efficiency of the Ag2O/g-C3N4 composite activator on peroxodisulfate (PDS) was explored. The results showed that Ag2O in the composite activator was highly dispersed on the surface of g-C3N4 and did not change the molecular structure of g-C3N4 significantly. Under different activation systems, the degradation process of MO was best fitted under the pseudo-second-order reaction kinetic model, compared to the separate g-C3N4 or Ag2O activated PDS systems; the activation of the PDS system with Ag2O/g-C3N4 had the best effect on MO degradation; and the composite activator Ag2O/g-C3N4 showed better activation performance. Under the conditions that the mass combined ratio of Ag2O in the activator was 12%, the initial concentration of PDS was 4 mmol/L, the initial concentration of the activator was 1.25 g/L, and the initial pH was 3, the degradation degree of MO reached 99.4% after 40 min reaction. The free radical quenching experiment proved that the active substances that could degrade MO in the system were SO4· and ·OH, and the effect of SO4· was greater than that of ·OH. The degradation degree of MO in the reaction system remained above 80% after four cycles of use, and the crystal structure of Ag2O/g-C3N4 did not change significantly before and after the reaction. The above results show that Ag2O/g-C3N4 is an efficient and stable composite activator with good application potential in the treatment of dye wastewater by activating PDS. Full article
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15 pages, 4205 KiB  
Article
Red Mud-Amended Soil as Highly Adsorptive Hybrid-Fill Materials for Controlling Heavy Metal Sewage Seepage in Industrial Zone
by Haomin Lei, Xin Xu, Xiaofeng Liu, Junboum Park, Zhongyu Yu and Hao Liu
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(22), 15043; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192215043 - 15 Nov 2022
Viewed by 1253
Abstract
With the rapid development of urbanization, the problem of environmental pollution is becoming more and more serious. As a major pollutant, heavy metals have caused serious contamination in soil and groundwater. In order to prevent the diffusion of heavy metals in the soil [...] Read more.
With the rapid development of urbanization, the problem of environmental pollution is becoming more and more serious. As a major pollutant, heavy metals have caused serious contamination in soil and groundwater. In order to prevent the diffusion of heavy metals in the soil from industrial sewage, the concept of hybrid-fill layer construction improved by red mud was proposed in this study. This study examines the adsorption capacities of lead and zinc ions and engineering characteristics on red mud-amended soils by direct shear, permeability, adsorption, desorption batch and column tests. Two mixing methods, full particle size displacement mixing and partial particle size displacement mixing, were adopted. The results showed that red mud effectively increased the adsorption capacity of soil to heavy metal ions, and the desorption rate of ions after adsorption was less than 3%, which had good anti-desorption ability. The optimum content of red mud in hybrid-fill material can be determined as 20%. The direct shear test showed that the internal friction angle of hybrid-fill material was 38.9°, and the cohesive force was 30.3 kPa, which met the engineering strength requirements of foundation materials. Based on the test results, red mud can be used as a barrier material to prevent heavy metal contamination in industrial sewage from diffusion, which controls not only heavy metal contamination but also consumes industrial by-products. Full article
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