Chemistry in the Environment – serie

Metallurgical slags are generated as a by-product of smelting during ironmaking, steelmaking, and the production of ferroalloys and non-ferrous metals. The formation conditions result in complex chemical and mineralogical characteristics unique to slags alone. Historically slags have been discarded as a waste product and, through release of potentially toxic trace elements, represent a hazard to the environment and human health. However, increasingly we are realizing the resource potential of what was previously thought of as waste, thus reducing the environmental impact and taking a step closer to a circular economy.This book is a definitive reference on the environmental geochemistry and resource potential of metallurgical slags by summarizing processes for the generation of slags, describing their chemical and mineralogical characteristics, outlining the fundamental geochemistry that propels slag weathering, and illustrating the utilization of slags. Particular attention is given to the value of slags in modern society as they are widely used as construction materials in civil engineering, and as an irreplaceable filter in sequestering excess nutrients, pathogens, metal and/or organic contaminants, and even greenhouse gases. The latest developments on recovering residual valuable metals in slags, including new techniques for extracting by-product elements needed for green and frontier technologies, are revealed. This book is essential reading for environmental geochemists, geologists, metallurgists, mining and civil engineers, waste and resource managers, and all those interested and inspired by a circular economy and minimizing our environmental footprint on planet Earth.

Billions of people globally live under conditions of water stress and water shortage, or with contaminated water sources. Anthropogenic contaminants pose an extra challenge as water purification technology must be constantly developed or upgraded to deal with newly fabricated pollutants.One of the UN sustainable development goals is to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Therefore, it is vital to develop novel materials and technologies for producing clean drinking water in a human safe, economically reasonable and environmentally sustainable way.Novel Materials and Water Purification introduces recent approaches to the fabrication of novel materials for water purification and discusses several significant applications including removal of heavy metals and pharmaceuticals. This is a timely work of high interest to researchers and learners in the fields of water science, water management and materials science.

Water scarcity affects around 40% of the world's population and, to make the situation worse, 80% of wastewater enters water bodies without being adequately treated. The term advanced materials can include nanomaterials, biomaterials and energy materials and many of these advanced materials have been demonstrated to be useful for removing pollutants from water. A wide range of advanced materials can be prepared through affordable, energy-efficient approaches and they can easily be retrofitted to existing wastewater systems. In the last decade, tremendous progress has been made in the field of synthesis and application of advanced materials especially for environmental remediation.Advanced Materials for Emerging Water Pollutant Removal focuses on the synthesis, characterisation and application of advanced materials that can be used for the removal of various emerging water pollutants. With an emphasis on renewable starting materials and sustainable processes this is a great book for environmental chemists, materials scientists and water treatment specialists alike.

The steadily increasing presence of both natural and anthropogenic pollutants in our environment poses a considerable challenge, given the recalcitrance of many of these pollutants. Microbial bioremediation presents a promising and sustainable strategy that harnesses a diverse array of microorganisms, operating either concurrently or sequentially, to eliminate or mitigate the presence of pollutants within the environment. Recent years have witnessed the application of multiomics techniques to the study of biodegradation and bioremediation, yielding an abundance of novel data that enrich our comprehension of pivotal pathways and offer fresh perspectives on the adaptability of organisms amidst shifting environmental conditions.This book brings together recent progress in microbial bioremediation, emphasizing the emerging field of multiomics technologies. It serves as a valuable reference for microbiologists exploring multiomics applications and environmental scientists seeking innovative remediation solutions.

Harnessing the unique capabilities of exoelectrogenic bacteria, microbial electrochemical systems (MES) generate electricity without external energy input. This offers a sustainable solution for producing the reactive oxygen species needed for advanced oxidation processes for water treatment. Delve into this cutting-edge technology with our comprehensive guide tailored for environmental engineers and water treatment professionals.From pioneering lab research to tackling scalability challenges for pilot and industrial applications, this book offers invaluable insights into maximizing the potential of MES. Explore the future of pollutant treatment and embrace eco-friendly solutions with this essential resource.

The changes in temperature and rainfall that will come with climate change combined with populations that are growing but also becoming more condensed will put a great deal of stress on our wastewater systems. Smart systems use sensors, data analytics, and automation to enable real-time monitoring, data-driven decision-making, and enhanced control.Smart Wastewater Systems and Climate Change presents the ways smart technology can be used to improve wastewater management and increase the climate resilience of wastewater systems. This is a great resource for anyone interested in water or wastewater management, climate resilience, or smart systems applications.Topics covered include:Use of spatial intelligence and geospatial analysisApproaches to risk assessment and disaster resilienceIncorporation of machine learning and AI into decision making

Micro- and nanoplastics are small plastic particles that can arise from the breakdown of discarded plastic materials, wear from regular use, or even spills of plastic manufacturing materials such as nurdles. Microplastics typically range in size from about 5 millimeters down to the lower micrometer scale, while nanoplastics extend to the smallest particles, with sizes down to 1 nanometer. Both types have now been found in every biome on the planet and can be detected in the air, in water, and even in the organs of the human body.Taking a broad look at where micro- and nanoplastics are coming from, the processes that are causing their distribution in the environment and their overall fate and impact Microplastics and Nanoplastics in the Environment is an ideal resource for researchers interested in environmental pollutants in general, plastic pollution in particular and pollution control, mitigation or remediation.

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are well established as techniques for the oxidative degradation environmental decontamination. They are particularly key in the removal of recalcitrant organic pollutants in potable water and in industrial wastewater. Central to the efficacy of AOPs is the in-situ generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and superoxide anions (O2•–), which can be significantly enhanced through the use of suitable catalytic systems. Among these, metal-based heterogeneous catalysts have been extensively investigated for their high catalytic performance, stability, and potential for regeneration and reuse in AOPs.This book brings together the application of these catalysts in AOPs for the degradation of persistent organic pollutants in water treatment, across both laboratory-scale investigations and industrial-scale implementations. The book explores various classes of catalysts, including metal oxides, metal sulphides, metal polymers and more. It is a comprehensive resource for researchers and practitioners in the fields of water treatment, environmental remediation or catalysis.

With escalating global population, increased consumption of fossil fuels, spiralling energy demand, rapid environmental degradation and global climate change, energy and environmental issues are receiving considerable attention worldwide from the purview of sustainable development. In order to address these complex and interlinked challenges, the development of new materials for affordable green energy technologies (batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells and solar cells) and environmental remediation methods (adsorption, photocatalysis, separation, and sensing) is essential. Three-dimensional graphene-based macrostructures (3D GBMs) are of great interest in these applications given their large surface area and adaptable surface chemistry.Graphene-based 3D Macrostructures for Clean Energy and Environmental Applications provides a critical and comprehensive account of the recent advances in the development and potential applications of high performance 3D GBMs for tackling global energy and environmental issues in a sustainable manner. Particular attention is paid to the fabrication schemes, modulation of physiochemical properties, and their integration into practical devices, and the roles of surface chemistry and pore morphology, as well as their interplay, on the overall performance of 3D GBMs are examined. With contributions from authors around the world this book is a useful resource for both environmental scientists interested in sustainable energy and remediation solutions and materials scientists interested in applications for 3D GMBs.

Functional and structural nanomaterials are emerging materials that display interesting physical and chemical properties because of their size and surface area to volume ratio. Applications for these materials include uses in removing pollutants from the environment. Looking at the current state-of-the-art as well as future trends in the use of nanomaterials for tackling environmental issues this book covers everything from the synthesis and characterisation of these materials to their use in the removal of specific contaminants.Functional Hybrid Nanomaterials for Environmental Remediation is a useful resource both for nanomaterial scientists interested in the real world application of hybrid nanomaterials and for environmental chemists and environmental engineers interested in novel materials for environmental remediation.

Many industrial processes use water as a solvent and therefore produce wastewater containing chemicals from that process. The amounts of these chemicals and the types will vary hugely depending on the industry and the processes running and may include things that are hazardous to health or the environment. This makes the treatment of industrial wastewater both extremely important and highly complex. One route for industrial wastewater treatment is the use of bioreactors.Biological Treatment of Industrial Wastewater presents a comprehensive overview of the latest advances and trends in the use of bioreactors for treating industrial wastewater. Several different types of bioreactor and their applications are discussed, alongside trends and considerations important in designing bioreactors. Bringing together a wealth of different approaches and voices this book will be a useful resource for anyone working in water treatment or looking at how industrial processes can be made more environmentally friendly.

Membrane technology has received great popularity in many industrial sectors and significantly enhanced our abilities to restructure production processes, protect the environment and public health, and provide competitive strategies for separation and purification. However, the need for sustainable development has imposed new targets for this technology, such as more effective/precise separation and stricter admissible limits for the discharge of contaminants into the environment.Focusing on hot topic environment-related applications, Advances in Functional Separation Membranes introduces emerging membranes nanoengineered with attractive functions and discusses their key features. It also provides a comprehensive guide to various design strategies for such functional membranes, making it useful reference for environmental chemists and membrane engineers alike.

Rapid population growth, urbanisation and industrialisation have caused serious problems in terms of water pollution and the supply of safe water. Solutions for monitoring pollutants in water and for removing them are urgently needed and they must be both efficient and sustainable.Recent advances in emerging environmental nanotechnologies provide promising solutions for these issues. The physical and chemical properties of nanomaterials can be tailored by controlling attributes such as their size, shape, composition, and surface, so that they can be both highly specific and highly efficient. This makes them perfect platforms for a variety of environmental applications including sensing, treatment and remediation.Providing an array of cutting-edge nanotechnology research in water applications, including sensing, treatment, and remediation, as well as a discussion of progress in the rational design and engineering of nanomaterials for environmental applications, this book is a valuable reference for researchers working in applications for nanotechnology, environmental chemistry and environmental engineering as well as those working in the water treatment industry.

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) use chemical treatment to remove contaminants from water by oxidation with hydroxyl radicals. These hydroxyl radicals can be produced using UV light, ozone or hydrogen peroxide, but recently reactions have been developed that use persulfates as the radical source. Persulfates are strong oxidants with flexible in situ activation characteristics, including activation with heat, alkali conditions, electricity, ultrasonic treatment, transition metals, carbon and even organics. Persulfate activation can generate sulfate radicals as well as other reactive species. These reactive species, especially the sulfate radical, can degrade most organic pollutants making them valuable in the fields of water purification, soil remediation, disinfection, sludge dewatering, and other important applications in environmental systems.Describing recent developments in persulfate-based AOPs, this book aims to provide a summary of environmental applications for persulfate-based AOPs and to guide the reader, in a comprehensive way, through various advanced oxidation processes in environmental applications. Topics include new activation methods, activation mechanisms, and advanced materials for use in activating persulfate-based AOPs for different environmental applications.

Ozone has been actively and widely employed in water and wastewater treatment, but the utilization of ozone alone is insufficient for purifying and disinfecting water to the emission standard of real-world situations because of its selective oxidation behaviour. With the assistance of catalysts (especially heterogeneous catalysts) and coupling with other effective technologies such as the Fenton process, photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, ultrasound, microwave, and ceramic membranes, ozone can be effectively activated into more powerful reactive oxygen species (especially hydroxyl radicals). These combined technologies lead to an enhanced efficiency and complete mineralization capability that open up the method for more practical applications.Advanced Ozonation Processes for Water and Wastewater Treatment introduces the state-of-the-art catalysts used in catalytic ozonation and various combined processes with ozone. The reaction mechanisms, process kinetics, structure–property–activity relationships of catalysts, effects of operation parameters in these processes and the present state of practical applications and future trends are also discussed, making this a useful reference both for water treatment professionals and for those researching ozonation processes.

Nanopollutants are nanoparticles that have escaped into the environment and can include engineered nanoparticles as well as nanoparticles that are products of degradation (e.g. nanoplastics) or other processes. As many of these particles are only recently developed or described there is still a lot to learn about where they come from, where they end up and what risks they pose to health and the environment.Offering a wide overview of the most recent research on these emerging contaminants, from the investigation of their sources and fate to the analytical developments for their detection and analysis, this book gives the reader a full picture of the global research on engineered and natural nanoparticles in the environment. Taking a forward-looking perspective with chapters on new nanopollutants, regulatory direction and occurrence in different environmental compartments, this book is a great resource for anyone working in environmental chemistry, nanoscience or environmental regulation.

Globally, 2.1 billion people live without access to safe water, and about 159 million people collect their drinking water directly from surface water sources. This issue is particularly prominent in water-stressed areas, such as India, which has a rural population of around 700 million, 63 million of whom do not have access to clean water. Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs), of both a chemical and biological nature, are increasingly being detected in wastewater effluents around the world. Chemical CECs include pollutants such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products, pesticides, hormones, and endocrine disruptors, and biological CECs include antibiotic resistant bacteria, pathogenic protozoans, and viruses. New technologies to remove the contaminants from water are urgently needed and photochemical approaches offer an exciting array of possibilities.Covering chemical analysis, molecular biology methods and computational approaches important for the elucidation of mechanisms and evaluation of photochemical processes, this book presents advanced photochemical processes for the removal of CECs from water. Readers will find chapters on advanced photochemical treatment prototypes and pilot plants, and discussions on translation from lab to field-scale implementation. Examples include highly transparent materials, integrated membranes, adsorbents, and photocatalysts for enhancing the photochemical processes by direct sunlight induced reactions, photo-Fenton, and photo-electrochemical reactions. Discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of these technologies, this book is a great resource both for academics researching photocatalytic processes and for water treatment professionals.

Ionic liquids (ILs) play a crucial role in modern chemistry and chemical engineering. They remain more desirable than conventional volatile solvents and catalysts in many physical and chemical processes, often exhibiting green and designer properties for various applications. Examining the unique contribution of ILs towards current environmental challenges, this book addresses the importance of their role in the detection of micropollutants and decontamination processes in air and water compartments.It also presents a detailed review of how ILs impact the environment once released, a topic seldom covered in other books, and highlights novel chemoinformatic tools used to predict their fate, showing how advanced oxidation processes help in remediation. This is an ideal book for researchers in both academia and industry, and postgraduate students in environmental chemistry, chemical engineering and analytical chemistry looking at the potential applications of ionic liquids in addressing several environmental problems.