The Future of Environmental Engineering Technology:A Disruptive Innovation Perspective

Scientific and technological revolutions and industrial transformations have accelerated the rate of innovation in environmental engineering technologies.However,few researchers have evaluated the current status and future trends of technologies.This paper summarizes the current research status in eight major subfields of environmental engineering—water treatment,air pollution control,soil/solid waste management,environmental biotechnology,environmental engineering equipment,emerging contaminants,synergistic reduction of pollution and carbon emissions,and environmental risk and intelligent management—based on bibliometric analysis and future trends in greenization,low carbonization,and intelligentization.Disruptive technologies are further identified based on discontinuous transformation,and ten such technologies are proposed,covering general and specific fields,technical links,and value sources.Additionally,the background and key innovations in disruptive technologies are elucidated in detail.This study not only provides a scientific basis for strategic decision-making,planning,and implementation in the environmental engineering field but also offers methodological guidance for the research and determination of breakthrough technologies in other areas.

Hotspots and trends of biological water treatment based on bibliometric review and patents analysis

In order to reveal the hotspots and trends of biological water treatment from the perspectives of scientific and technological innovation, both of the bibliometric review and patents analysis were performed in this study. The Web of Science Core Collection database and Derwent Innovation Index database recorded 30023 SCI papers and 50326 patents, respectively were analyzed via information visualization technology. The results showed that China ranked the first in both papers and patents, while the United States and Japan had advantages in papers and patents, respectively. It was concluded through literature metrology analysis that microbial population characteristics, biodegradation mechanism,toxicity analysis, nitrogen and phosphorus removal and biological treatment of micropolluted wastewater were the research hotspots of SCI papers. Activated sludge process and anaerobic-aerobic combined process were the two mainstream technologies on the basis of patent technology classification analysis. Technology evolution path of biological water treatment was also elucidated in three stages based on the citation network analysis. Furthermore, the future directions including research on the law of interaction and regulation of biological phases and pollutants and the technology innovations towards the targeted biotransformation or selective biodegradation of pollutants and resource reuse of wastewater were prospected.

Time-Effect Relationship of Toxicity Induced by Roundup and Its Main Constituents in Liver of Carassius Auratus

In order to evaluate the eco-toxicological effects of Roundup&reg on Carassius auratus (C. auratus), fish were exposed to 32 μg/L Roundup&reg, isopropylamine salt of glyphosate (G.I.S) and polyoxyethylene amine (POEA) over different periods (0.5, 1, 3, 7 and 14 d). Hydroxyl radical (·OH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in liver were detected in this study. Results showed that the generation of ·OH increased before 7 d, but without significantly difference. ·OH was induced at 1 d for POEA group, 3 d for Roundup&reg group and 7 d for G.I.S group. At 14 d, ·OH generation returned to normal levels. MDA contents all increased significantly (p < 0.01) during 7 days and then reached a normal level at 14 d. AChE activity in all group tests revealed a significant inhibition (p < 0.01) after 7 days exposure and then rebounded a little, but remained below the control after 14 days exposure. The rate of AChE inhibition range from 13% - 42% in Roundup&reg, 6% - 40% in G.I.S, and 21% - 54% in POEA, suggesting that POEA was more toxic compared to Roundup&reg and G.I.S. 32 μg/L Roundup&reg exposure led to the change of physiological and biochemical indexes in C. auratus, which was a reversible process in the long run.

Scientific and technological innovations of wastewater treatment in China

The“dual-carbon”strategy promotes the development of the wastewater treatment sector and is an important tool for leading science and technology innovations.Based on the global climate change and the new policies introduced by China,this paper described the new needs for the development of wastewater treatment science and technology.It offered a retrospective analysis of the historical trajectory of scientific and technological advancements in this field.Utilizing bibliometrics,it delineated the research hotspots within wastewater treatment,notably highlighting materials genomics,artificial intelligence,and synthetic biology.Furthermore,it posited that,in the future,the field of wastewater treatment should follow the paths of technological innovations with multi-dimensional needs,such as carbon reduction,pollution reduction,health,standardisation,and intellectualisation.The purpose of this paper was to provide references and suggestions for scientific and technological innovations in the field of wastewater treatment,and to contribute to the common endeavor of moving toward a Pollution-Free Planet.

Comparative evaluation of SPE methods for biotoxicity assessment of water and wastewater:Linkage between chemical extracting efficiency and biotoxicity outcome

Biotoxicity assessment results of environmental waters largely depend on the sample extraction protocols that enrich pollutants to meet the effect-trigger thresholds of bioassays.However,more chemical mixture does not necessarily translate to higher combined biotoxicity.Thus,there is a need to establish the link between chemical extracting efficiency and biotoxicity outcome to standardize extraction methods for biotoxicity assessment of environmental waters.This study compares the performance of five different extraction phases in solid phase extraction(SPE),namely HLB,HLB+Coconut,C18 cartridge,C18 disk and Strata-X,and evaluated their chemical extracting efficiencies and biotoxicity outcomes.We quantitatively assessed cytotoxicity,acute toxicity,genotoxicity,estrogenic activity,and neurotoxicity of the extracts using in vitro bioassays and characterized the chemical extracting efficiencies of the SPE methods through chemical recoveries of 23 model compounds with different polarities and total organic carbon.Using Pareto ranking,we identified HLB+Coconut as the optimal SPE method,which exhibited the highest level of water sample biotoxicity and recovered the most chemicals in water samples.We found that the biotoxicity outcomes of the extracted water samples significantly and positively correlated with the chemical extracting efficiencies of the SPE methods.Moreover,we observed synchronous changing patterns in biotoxicity outcome and chemical extracting efficiencies in response to increasing sample volumes per cartridge(SVPC)during SPE.Our findings underscore that higher chemical extracting efficiency of SPE corresponds to higher biotoxicity outcome of environmental water samples,providing a scientific basis for standardization of SPE methods for adequate assessment of biotoxicities of environmental waters.

The hidden risk of microplastic-associated pathogens in aquatic environments

Increasing studies of plastisphere have raised public concern about microplastics(MPs)as vectors for pathogens,especially in aquatic environments.However,the extent to which pathogens affect human health through MPs remains unclear,as controversies persist regarding the distinct pathogen colonization on MPs as well as the transmission routes and infection probability of MP-associated pathogens from water to humans.In this review,we critically discuss whether and how pathogens approach humans via MPs,shedding light on the potential health risks involved.Drawing on cutting-edge multidisciplinary research,we show that some MPs may facilitate the growth and long-range transmission of specific pathogens in aquatic environments,ultimately increasing the risk of infection in humans.We identify MP-and pathogen-rich settings,such as wastewater treatment plants,aquaculture farms,and swimming pools,as possible sites for human exposure to MP-associated pathogens.This review emphasizes the need for further research and targeted interventions to better understand and mitigate the potential health risks associated with MP-mediated pathogen transmission.

Municipal wastewater treatment in China:Development history and future perspectives

China has the world's largest and still growing wastewater sector and water market,thus its future development will have profound influence on the world.The high-speed development of China's wastewater sector over the past 40 years has forged its global leading treatment capacity and innovation ability.However,many problems were left behind,including underdeveloped sewers and sludge disposal facilities,low sustainability of the treatment processes,questionable wastewater treatment plant(WWTP)effluent discharge standards,and lacking global thinking on harmonious development between wastewater management,human society and the nature.Addressing these challenges calls for fundamental changes in target design,policy and technologies.In this mini-review,we revisit the development history of China's municipal wastewater management and identify the remaining challenges.Also,we highlight the future needs of sustainable development and exploring China's own wastewater management path,and outlook the future from several aspects including targets of wastewater management,policies and technologies,especially the new concept WWTP.Furthermore,we envisage the establishment of new-generation WWTPs with the vision of turning WWTP from a site of pollutant removal into a plant of energy,water and fertilizer recovery and an integrated part urban ecology in China.

Inhibition effect of magnetic field on nitrous oxide emission from sequencing batch reactor treating domestic wastewater at low temperature

This study aims to investigate the effect of a magnetic field on nitrous oxide(N2O)emission from a sequencing batch reactor treating low-strength domestic wastewater at low temperature(10℃).After running for 124 days in parallel,results indicated that the conversion rate of N2O for a magnetic field-sequencing batch reactor(MF-SBR)decreased by34.3%compared to that of a conventional SBR(C-SBR).Meanwhile,the removal efficiencies for total nitrogen(TN)and ammonia nitrogen(NH4-N)of the MF-SBR were 22.4%and 39.5%higher than those of the C-SBR.High-throughput sequencing revealed that the abundances of AOB(Nitrosomonas),NOB(Nitrospira)and denitrifiers(Zoogloea),which could reduce N2O to N2,were promoted significantly in the MF-SBR.Enzyme activities(Nir)and gene abundances(nos Z nir S and nir K)for denitrification in the MF-SBR were also notably higher compared to C-SBR.Our study shows that application of a magnetic field is a useful approach for inhibiting the generation of N2O and promoting the nitrogen removal efficiency by affecting the microbial characteristics of sludge in an SBR treating domestic wastewater at low temperature.

Modeling assessment for ammonium nitrogen recovery from wastewater by chemical precipitation

Chemical precipitation to form magnesium ammonium phosphate（MAP） is an effective technology for recovering ammonium nitrogen（NH4＋-N）.In the present research,we investigated the thermodynamic modeling of the PHREEQC program for NH4＋-N recovery to evaluate the effect of reaction factors on MAP precipitation.The case study of NH4＋-N recovery from coking wastewater was conducted to provide a comparison.Response surface methodology（RSM） was applied to assist in understanding the relative significance of reaction factors and the interactive effects of solution conditions.Thermodynamic modeling indicated that the saturation index（SI） of MAP followed a polynomial function of pH.The SI of MAP increased logarithmically with the Mg2＋/NH4＋ molar ratio（Mg/N） and the initial NH4＋-N concentration（CN）,respectively,while it decreased with an increase in Ca2＋/NH4＋ and CO32？/NH4＋ molar ratios（Ca/N and CO32？/N）,respectively.The trends for NH4＋-N removal at different pH and Mg/N levels were similar to the thermodynamic modeling predictions.The RSM analysis indicated that the factors including pH,Mg/N,CN,Ca/N,（Mg/N）×（CO32？/N）,（pH）2,（Mg/N）2,and（CN）2 were significant.Response surface plots were useful for understanding the interaction effects on NH4＋-N recovery.

China Launched the First Wastewater Resource RecoveryFactory in Yixing

On October 18th 2021,the inaugural ceremony for the first wastewater resource recovery factory(WRRF)in China,Yixing Concept WRRF(Fig.1),was held in the Environmental Science Park,Yixing,Jiangsu Province(Li,2021).It is a milestone for water pollution control,which opens a new chapter for sustainable wastewater management.

Fight for carbon neutrality with state-of-the-art negative carbon emission technologies

After the Industrial Revolution,the ever-increasing atmospheric CO_(2)concentration has resulted in significant problems for human beings.Nearly all countries in the world are actively taking measures to fight for carbon neutrality.In recent years,negative carbon emission technologies have attracted much attention due to their ability to reduce or recycle excess CO_(2)in the atmosphere.This review summarizes the state-of-the-art negative carbon emission technologies,from the artificial enhancement of natural carbon sink technology to the physical,chemical,or biological methods for carbon capture,as well as CO_(2)utilization and conversion.Finally,we expound on the challenges and outlook for improving negative carbon emission technology to accelerate the pace of achieving carbon neutrality.

A review of the application of machine learning in water quality evaluation

With the rapid increase in the volume of data on the aquatic environment,machine learning has become an important tool for data analysis,classification,and prediction.Unlike traditional models used in water-related research,data-driven models based on machine learning can efficiently solve more complex nonlinear problems.In water environment research,models and conclusions derived from machine learning have been applied to the construction,monitoring,simulation,evaluation,and optimization of various water treatment and management systems.Additionally,machine learning can provide solutions for water pollution control,water quality improvement,and watershed ecosystem security management.In this review,we describe the cases in which machine learning algorithms have been applied to evaluate the water quality in different water environments,such as surface water,groundwater,drinking water,sewage,and seawater.Furthermore,we propose possible future applications of machine learning approaches to water environments.

Metagenomic insights into the variation of bacterial communities and potential pathogenic bacteria in drinking water treatment and distribution systems

High-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons was conducted to characterize the changing patterns of bacterial community and potential pathogens in full-scale drinking water treatment and distribution systems.Results showed that Actinobacteria was the predominant phylum in source water,while Proteobacteria dominated after chlorine disinfection and its relative abundance increased from 40.88%±9.45%to 67.86%±27.10%.The genera Pseudarthrobacter,Arenimonas,and Limnohabitans were effectively removed by chlorination,while Phreatobacter,Undibacterium,Pseudomonas,and Sphingomonas within the Proteobacteria phylum were greatly enriched after chlorination.Metagenomic analyses revealed the occurrence of 56 species of potential pathogenic bacteria within 17 genera in drinking water,mainly including Pseudomonas fluorescens and five mycobacteria species,which were also persistent in tap water samples.The bacteria were found to be involved in various pathways,among which considerable groups were related to human diseases,including infectious diseases and even cancers.

The common vision toward One Health

Human health is intertwined with plants,animals,and our shared environment.Every subtle change in the environment will ultimately impact the global ecosystem and our health.It is the mission of Eco-Environment&Health to showcase this kind of understanding to help pave the way toward One Health.

Effects of La^(3+),Ce^(3+) on nitrogen removal in sequencing batch reactor

Batch experiments were conducted to study the short-term biological effects of rare earth ions(La^(3+),Ce^(3+))and their mixture on the nitrogen removal in a sequencing batch reactor(SBR).The data showed that higher NH4+–N removal rate,total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiency,and denitrification efficiency were achieved at lower concentrations of rare earth elements(REEs)(<1 mg/L).In the first hour of the aeration stage of SBR,the presence of REEs increased the total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiency and NH4+–N removal effi-ciency by 15.7%and 10%–15%,respectively.When the concentrations of REEs were higher than 1 mg/L,the total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiency decreased,and nitrate was found to accumulate in the effluent.When the concentrations of REEs was up to 50.0 mg/L,the total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiency was less than 30%of the control efficiency with a high level of nitrate.Lower concentrations of REEs were found to accelerate the nitrogen conversion and removal in SBR.

Effects of DOM characteristics from real wastewater on the degradation of pharmaceutically active compounds by the UV/H_(2)O_(2) process

The characteristics of dissolved organic matter(DOM) can significantly affect the degradation of target compounds by the advanced oxidation processes. In this study, the effects of the different hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity fractions, molecular weight(MW) fractions,fluorescence components and molecular components of DOM extracted from municipal wastewater on the degradation of 4 pharmaceutically active compounds(Ph ACs), including carbamazepine, clofibric acid, atenolol and erythromycin by the UV/H_(2)O_(2) process were investigated. The results showed that the degradation rate constants of 4 Ph ACs decreased dramatically in the presence of DOM. The linear regressions of 4 Ph ACs degradation as a function of specific fluorescence intensity(SFI) are exhibited during the degradation of 4Ph ACs and the SFI may be used to evaluate effect of DOM on target compounds in wastewater. The hydrophobic acid(HPO-A) exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect on degradation of 4 Ph ACs during oxidation process. The small MW fractions of DOM significantly inhibited the degradation of 4 Ph ACs during oxidation process. Among three fluorescence components,hydrophobic humic-like substances may significantly inhibit the degradation of 4 Ph ACs during oxidation process. At the molecular level, the formulas may be derived from terrestrial sources. CHO compound may significantly inhibit the degradation of 4 Ph ACs during oxidation process on formula classes. The unsaturated hydrocarbons, carbohydrates and tannins compounds may significantly inhibit the effectiveness of the UV/H_(2)O_(2) process on compound classes.