An electrochemical anaerobic dynamic membrane bioreactor for enhanced sludge digestion: Unveiling molecular interactions and microbial mechanisms.

This study investigated the effects of stepwise external voltages on an electrochemical anaerobic dynamic membrane bioreactor (EC-AnDMBR) for anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge. Increasing the applied voltage greatly mitigated membrane fouling, reduced the transmembrane pressure increase rate and enhanced both volatile solids digestion and biogas production. The dynamic membrane structure became looser with fewer biofouling substances, attributed to a 42.

Electric-Symmetric-Breaking in Cu Single-Atom Catalysts for Enhanced Acetylene Hydrochlorination.

Acetylene hydrochlorination for vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) synthesis represents a vital industrial reaction, where the development of nonmercury catalysts has emerged as a critical research frontier. While metal-nitrogen-carbon (metal-N-C) materials, particularly Cu-N-C catalysts, have shown promise as mercury alternatives, their practical application has been hindered by the inherent limitations of the symmetric electric field in planar Cu-N structures, which induces excessive adsorption of *CHCl intermediates and compromises long-term stability. Herein, we present a design strategy through the development of electric-symmetry-broken Cu single-atom catalysts, designated as CuN-P/C, achieved by the strategic incorporation of phosphorus atoms into the second coordination shell.

Enhanced thioether formation in stormwater pipes induced by nitrogen-containing pollutants: The role of the sediment microbiome.

The illicit connections between sewage and stormwater pipes result in the discharge of untreated sewage into receiving rivers, posing significant odor and health hazards. While thioethers are recognized as key odorants in sewage systems, their distribution in stormwater systems remain poorly characterized. This study analyzed 12 types of thioethers in stormwater pipes sampled at 21 sites in China.

Dynamic response of pH to NO and S directional accumulation during sulfur autotrophic denitrification.

Double short-cut sulfur autotrophic denitrification (DSSADN) is capable of reconverting NO-N produced by partial nitrification -Anammox (PN/Anammox) into NO-N, while simultaneously reducing SO byproduct pollution. Understanding the nitrogen and sulfur transformation processes as well as the functional enzyme activity changes in DSSADN under varying pH conditions is crucial for achieving synchronous accumulation of S and NO-N. This study investigated the directional accumulation characteristics of S and NO-N in sulfur autotrophic denitrification (SADN) under different pH conditions by directionally adjusting the pH within the SADN system.

Enhancing the participation of water in the anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge for highly efficient methanogenesis.

Water is widely present in sewage sludge, in which it constitutes the largest proportion; however, its participation in the methanogenesis of sludge has been overlooked. Here we revealed the mechanisms enhancing the participation of water in methanogenesis of sludge. Through stable isotope tracing experiments, we observed that isoelectric point pretreatment significantly enhanced the participation of water in CO-reduction methanogenesis.

Insights into fluorine stabilization by biological approaches: mechanisms, toxicity regulatory, application feasibility, and new challenges.

Biological approaches, as an environmentally friendly and low-cost technique, has shown unique advantages in fluorine stabilization. This review firstly summarized the mechanisms of biological fluorine stabilization, with a special emphasis on microbially induced calcium precipitation technique. The responses of microorganisms and plants to fluorine stress were systematically illustrated from the aspects of toxicity responses and detoxification pathways.

Dual amplification DNA reactions for ultrasensitive electrochemical biomolecular detection using impedimetric biosensor.

Detecting biomolecules, particularly disease markers, is an important issue for practical diagnosis and clinical therapies. Herein, we proposed an all-DNA hydrogel-based electrochemical impedance sensing platform for ultrasensitive detection of miRNA-21 by synergistic integration of dual amplification circuits: catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA) and clamped hybridization chain reaction (C-HCR). A hairpin DNA complementary to miRNA-21 was designed to initiate CHA, resulting in the self-assembly of dsDNA products upon target addition.

Self-Driven Seeding, Acid Stalling, and Solidifying: Time-Resolved Mapping of Nonclassical Pathways in Metal-Organic Gel Assembly.

Metal-organic gels (MOGs), an innovative subset of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), feature hierarchically porous architecture and self-shaping monolithic morphologies, demonstrating them significantly potential for advanced applications in catalysis, gas storage, and energy conversion. Despite their functional versatility, the synthesis of MOGs remains empirical, as the actual formation mechanisms are largely unexplored. Here, a multiscale characterization strategy integrating time-resolved in-situ small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), Zr K-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS), and attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) analyses are systematically employed to elucidate the formation mechanism of UiO-66(Zr) gel.

Accelerating process recovery through "0 + 1 > 1" phenomenon: Enhanced anammox bacteria growth in mixed inactive-active sludge systems.

Practical applications of anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) are often hindered by slow recovery following operational failures. In this study, a novel "0 + 1 > 1" phenomenon was observed when using mixed inactive-active sludge as inoculum. In this context, "0" represented inactive sludge caused by excessive aeration, while "1" denoted active sludge.

High-resolution source apportionment and spatiotemporal drivers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) across China's largest river-estuary continuum: Toward sustainable management of emerging contaminants.

This study developed and applied a multivariate framework to identify and prioritize key sources and socioeconomic drivers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pollution along the 600-km long Yangtze River downstream to the Estuary continuum. A total of 180 samples, including water, suspended particulate matter (SPM) and sediment, were systematically collected from different river segments, wastewater effluents and drinking water sources along the river. Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) was the dominant PFAS across all matrices, followed by perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA).

Reactive chlorine species inhibiting interspecies spread of antibiotic resistance via disrupting donor - Recipient cells and regulating plasmid conjugation genes.

Current drinking water treatment plant (DWTP) disinfection technologies face limitations, allowing plasmid-mediated antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) transfer to occur among viable but nonculturable (VBNC) bacteria, heightening the risk of antibiotic-resistant infections. While UV/Chlorine has been adopted to curb ARGs abundance, its impacts on the interspecies transfer of ARG-carrying plasmids remain hardly explored. This study investigated how reactive chlorine species (RCS) in the UV/Chlorine system inhibited the transfer of antibiotic resistance from antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli (AR E.

Enhanced removal of thioethers from stormwater pipe overflows by coagulation and oxidation treatment: Removal performance, reaction kinetics, and ecotoxicity.

The direct discharge of untreated overflow wastewater from the drainage pipes into receiving water bodies can result in water quality deterioration and the formation of black and odorous water bodies. Thioethers, including dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS), diethyl disulfide (DEDS), and diethyl trisulfide (DETS), are the primary odor-causing substances present in stormwater pipes. This study systematically investigated the removal efficiency of thioethers in overflow wastewater using various coagulation-oxidation processes.

Unveiling Phase-Dependent Genotoxicity of Organic Pollutants in Gaseous and Aqueous Forms.

Organic pollutants exist in various physical states within the natural environment, yet it remains unclear how their physical states influence their toxicity characteristics. This study investigated the phase-dependent genotoxicity and combined effects of two organic compounds, -butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) and dimethyl sulfate (DES), in both gaseous and aqueous phases. Given the substantial differences in concentrations for the same compound in gaseous and aqueous environments, we constructed the complete multitoxic and dose-response curves for gene induction in both phases, covering environmentally relevant concentrations.

Biofouling behavior and control in metallic membrane treatment of algae-laden water: exploring the diverse impacts of oxidation.

Membrane biofouling remains a critical challenge in ultrafiltration (UF) systems for algae-laden water treatment, particularly in corrosion-resistant metallic membranes where oxidant-algae interactions dictate fouling dynamics. This study systematically evaluates the divergent impacts of potassium permanganate (KMnO) and sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) pre-oxidation on biofouling control, integrating multi-scale characterization (3D fluorescence, SEM, flow cytometry) with mechanistic modeling. While both oxidants achieved high algal removal (>86 %), KMnO demonstrated superior fouling mitigation via dual oxidation-coagulation functionality.

Deciphering the hidden defensive behavior and binding mechanism of anammox process to microcystin from the perspective of granular properties, intracellular metabolism and molecular docking.

Microcystin-LR (MC-LR), released during algal blooms, poses severe threats to human beings and ecosystem because of its high persistence and toxicity. Due to anammox bacteria's vulnerability to adverse environmental factors, and the impact of MC-LR on anammox should not be overlooked. In this work, the response mechanism of anammox to MC-LR was dissected from macroscopic to microscopic level.

Data-driven machine learning improves prediction of sulfonamide antibiotic adsorption by biochar in aqueous phase.

Sulfonamide antibiotics (SAs) have attracted much attention due to their environmental risks to aquatic ecosystems. Biochars (BCs), as excellent adsorbent materials, have been used to remove SAs from aqueous phases. To achieve effective evaluation of adsorption, machine learning (ML) strategies are increasingly being developed.

Biochar alleviates adverse effects of polystyrene microplastics on anaerobic digestion performance of food waste and antibiotic resistance gene propagation.

This study systematically evaluated the efficacy of feedstock-derived biochars (maize straw, rice husk, bamboo) in mitigating polystyrene microplastic (PSMP)-induced inhibition of food waste anaerobic digestion performance and antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) dissemination. Biochar addition increased cumulative methane production by 4.3%-8.

Deciphering co-ion and counterion transport in polyamide desalination membranes reveals ion selectivity mechanisms.

Membrane-based processes, such as reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF), are widely used for water purification and desalination due to their high energy efficiency and exceptional solute-water selectivity. Nevertheless, the fundamental, molecular-level mechanisms governing ion selectivity are still not fully understood. This study explores ion selectivity in polyamide desalination membranes, focusing on the partitioning and diffusion mechanisms of co-ions and counterions.

Interfacial engineering of BiMoO/TiC Schottky junctions based on work function for efficient photoexcitation-assisted degradation of antibiotics.

The efficient removal of tetracycline (TC) while minimizing the formation of toxic intermediates remains a significant challenge. In this study, an interfacial Schottky junction of BiMoO/TiC(BMT) was designed, generated by the contact potential difference between TiC and BiMoO (BMO). The induction of work function and Fermi energy level was observed to generate a localized electrophilic/nucleophilic region that promotes the formation of free radicals.

Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis reveals the induction of anoikis in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells by 2,6-Dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone.

2,6-dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone (DCBQ) is the most frequently detected and highly toxic halobenzoquinones, a class of aromatic disinfection byproducts (DBPs), yet its renal toxicity and underlying mechanisms largely remain unknown. In this research, we utilized a dual-omics strategy to explore the toxicological impact of DCBQ on human renal proximal tubular epithelial (RPTEC/TERT1) cells. After the cytotoxicity of DCBQ was uncovered by CCK-8 and cell cycle tests, the significantly changed biological events associated with cell adhesion, extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, and organelle lumen homeostasis were highlighted as mechanistic cues primarily by integrated transcriptomic and metabolomics analysis.

Effective removal of ordinary and nano clothianidin pesticide and shelf-life extension for tomatoes via plasma activated water.

With the growing pursuit of high-quality and healthy food, issues of pesticide residues have attracted widespread attention. Currently, methods for removing pesticides, such as mechanical and chemical cleaning, suffer from problems including low removal efficiency and environmental risk. Thus, this study investigated the feasibility and efficiency of plasma activated water (PAW) on the removal of clothianidin pesticide residues (both ordinary and nano pesticides) on tomatoes.

Metal-organic framework material-derived Fe-Si micro-nuclei drive a robust anammox process via multiple pathways: "Shelter" provision, "barrier" reinforcement, and biological "inducer" modulation.

Anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) has emerged as a pivotal biotechnology for sustainable nitrogen removal owing to its energy efficiency and low carbon footprint. However, persistent challenges in microbial growth rate, process stability, and nitrate byproduct accumulation constrain its full-scale implementation. This study addresses these limitations through the innovative synthesis of a metal-organic framework (MOF)-derived Fe-Si micro-nucleus (PFMS), engineered to drive a robust anammox system at lower micro-nuclei doses and mitigate potential risks of excessive iron inhibition.

Translocation of polystyrene nanoplastics in distinct plant species: Novel insight from a split-root system and transcriptomic analysis.

Nanoplastics (NPs) can be absorbed by crop roots and translocated to shoots, but whether the process follows a unidirectional pathway in different plant species remains unclear. This study investigated the translocation and accumulation of europium-labeled polystyrene NPs in cucumber (dicot) and maize (monocot) seedlings using a split-root system. The results showed that NP accumulation was highest in exposed roots (E-R), followed by unexposed roots (UE-R), and then shoots in both plants.

In Situ Construction of RuS-MoO/MoS Heterostructure for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution in Alkaline Media.

The investigation of an electrocatalyst that integrates both high activity and cost-effectiveness to enhance the sluggish kinetics of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) during water reduction constitutes a significant scientific challenge. Herein, we present an electrocatalyst that RuS nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed onto MoO/MoS nanosheets support to obtain abundant heterojunction interfaces of RuS-MoO/MoS for efficient HER. It enhanced the activity of RuS for alkaline HER to charged interactions between RuS and MoO/MoS with accelerating the rate of water dissociation and optimizing the reaction kinetics.

Quantifying PFAS contamination and environmental risk in municipal solid waste landfill refuse: Implications for landfill reuse.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are frequently detected at elevated levels in municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill leachate, which is recognized as an important source of environmental PFAS contamination. Yet, PFAS presence in MSW landfill refuse remains largely unexplored, despite the growing interest in landfill refuse utilization and the potential for subsequent PFAS emissions into the environment. This study aimed to quantify PFAS contamination in landfill refuse collected from a closed, typical MSW landfill, by analyzing 24 PFAS (including 18 perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) and 6 PFAA precursors) through target analysis and further capturing unknown precursors using a direct total oxidizable precursor (d-TOP) assay.