Occurrence, removal, and prioritization of organic micropollutants in four full-scale wastewater treatment plants in Korea.

This study investigated the occurrence, removal rate, and potential risks of 43 organic micropollutants (OMPs) in four municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Korea. Results from two-year intensive monitoring confirmed the presence of various OMPs in the influents, including pharmaceuticals such as acetaminophen (pain relief), caffeine (stimulants), cimetidine (H-blockers), ibuprofen (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs- NSAIDs), metformin (antidiabetics), and naproxen (NSAIDs) with median concentrations of >1 μg/L. Some pharmaceuticals (carbamazepine-anticonvulsants, diclofenac-NSAIDs, propranolol-β-blockers), corrosion inhibitors (1H-benzotriazole-BTR, 4-methyl-1H-benzotriazole-4-TTR), and perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) were negligibly removed during WWTP treatment.

Loss of micropollutants on syringe filters during sample filtration: Machine learning approach for selecting appropriate filters.

Prefiltration before chromatographic analysis is critical in the monitoring of environmental micropollutants (MPs). However, in an aqueous matrix, such monitoring often leads to out-of-specification results owing to the loss of MPs on syringe filters. Therefore, this study investigated the loss of seventy MPs on eight different syringe filters by employing Random Forest, a machine learning algorithm.

Cr-Doped FeCO Microrods Formed Directly on AISI 420 Stainless Steel to Enhance Electrochemical NO Reduction to N at Circumneutral pH.

We synthesized low-cost cathodes for use in the electrochemical NO reduction reaction (NORR) via the simple reconstruction of AISI 420 stainless steel (SS). Thermochemical treatment of the SS in oxalic acid generated iron oxalate (FeCO) microrods (BL-SS), with further anodization affording Cr-doped FeO (R-SS) or FeCO (G-SS). G-SS displayed supreme N selectivity during galvanostatic electrolysis at circumneutral pH.

Predicting micropollutant fate during wastewater treatment using refined classical kinetic model based on quantitative monitoring in multi-metropolitan regions of South Korea.

This study aimed to implement an extensive prediction model for the fate of micropollutants (MPs) in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Five WWTPs equipped with seven different biological treatment processes were monitored from 2020 to 2022 with three to four sampling events in each year, and 27 datasets for 20 MPs were collected. Among these datasets, 12 were used to investigate the behavior and fate of MPs in WWTPs in South Korea.

Opportunities and challenges of machine learning in bioprocesses: Categorization from different perspectives and future direction.

Recent advances in machine learning (ML) have revolutionized an extensive range of research and industry fields by successfully addressing intricate problems that cannot be resolved with conventional approaches. However, low interpretability and incompatibility make it challenging to apply ML to complicated bioprocesses, which rely on the delicate metabolic interplay among living cells. This overview attempts to delineate ML applications to bioprocess from different perspectives, and their inherent limitations (i.

Optimization of the Design Configuration and Operation Strategy of Single-Pass Seawater Reverse Osmosis.

The numerical study was conducted to compare process performance depending on the pump type and process configuration. The daily monitoring data of seawater temperature and salinity offshore from Daesan, Republic of Korea was used to reflect the site-specific seawater conditions. An algorithm for reverse osmosis in constant permeate mode was developed to simulate the process in time-variant conditions.

A multi-scale framework for modeling transport of microplastics during sand filtration: Bridging from pore to continuum.

The fate and transport of microplastics (MPs) during deep bed filtration were investigated using combined laboratory experiments and numerical modeling. A series of column experiments were conducted within the designated ranges of six operating parameters (i.e.

Colorimetric Textile Sensor for the Simultaneous Detection of NH and HCl Gases.

For the immediate detection of strong gaseous alkalis and acids, colorimetric textile sensors based on halochromic dyes are highly valuable for monitoring gas leakages. To date, colorimetric textile sensors for dual-gas detection have usually been fabricated by electrospinning methods. Although nanofibrous sensors have excellent pH sensitivity, they are difficult to use commercially because of their low durability, low productivity, and high production costs.

Factors Associated with the Health Literacy on Social Determinants of Health: A Focus on Socioeconomic Position and Work Environment.

Though impressive progress has been made in healthcare worldwide, many people still experience disproportionate health burdens and inequities in healthcare services. For establishing sustainable development goals, health literacy on social determinants of health (HL-SDH) has been recognized as a key to creating better social and physical environments. In particular, low levels of health literacy among industrial workers are considered as a major barrier to benefitting from the progress made in healthcare.

Washable Colorimetric Nanofiber Nonwoven for Ammonia Gas Detection.

The colorimetric sensor is a facile, cost-effective, and non-power-operated green energy material for gas detection. In this study, the colorimetric sensing property of a meta-aramid/dye 3 nanofiber sensor for ammonia (NH) gas detection was investigated. This colorimetric sensor was prepared using various dye 3 concentrations via electrospinning.

Methylammonium Iodide-Mediated Controlled Crystal Growth of CsPbIBr Films for Efficient and Stable All-Inorganic Perovskite Solar Cells.

A high-quality perovskite film is a key aspect contributing to high photovoltaic performance of all-inorganic perovskite solar cells. We herein demonstrate that the addition of methylammonium iodide (MAI) influences effectively both the tailored film morphology and precise crystal growth to construct high-quality CsPbIBr films. It is found that an MAI additive retards the crystallization kinetics to control the inorganic perovskite films to form a highly crystalline α-CsPbIBr structure consisting of microsized grains with reduced defect density.

A Highly Porous Nonwoven Thermoplastic Polyurethane/Polypropylene-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Energy Harvesting by Human Walking.

A highly porous nonwoven thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)/Polypropylene (PP) triboelectric nanogenerator (N-TENG) was developed. To fabricate the triboelectric layers, the TPU nanofiber was directly electrospun onto the nonwoven PP at different basis weights (15, 30, and 50 g/m2). The surface morphologies and porosities of the nonwoven PP and TPU nanofiber mats were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy and porosimetry.

Nano- And Microfiber-Based Fully Fabric Triboelectric Nanogenerator For Wearable Devices.

The combination of the triboelectric effect and static electricity as a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) has been extensively studied. TENGs using nanofibers have advantages such as high surface roughness, porous structure, and ease of production by electrospinning; however, their shortcomings include high-cost, limited yield, and poor mechanical properties. Microfibers are produced on mass scale at low cost; they are solvent-free, their thickness can be easily controlled, and they have relatively better mechanical properties than nanofiber webs.

Fabrication of Colorimetric Textile Sensor Based on Rhodamine Dye for Acidic Gas Detection.

For the immediate detection of gaseous strong acids, it is advantageous to employ colorimetric textile sensors based on halochromic dyes. Thus, a rhodamine dye with superior pH sensitivity and high thermal stability was synthesized and incorporated in nylon 6 and polyester fabrics to fabricate textile sensors through dyeing and printing methods. The spectral properties and solubility of the dye were examined; sensitivity to acidic gas as well as durability and reversibility of the fabricated textile sensors were investigated.

Advanced treatment of gamma irradiation induced livestock manure using bioelectrochemical ion-exchange reactor.

Organic matter and nitrogen in livestock manure was pre-treated by gamma irradiation. The optimal dose ranged 30-50 kGy for solubilization of organic matter and nitrogen. Carbohydrates and proteins increased with the applied dose.

Removal of organic matter and nitrogen in swine wastewater using an integrated ion exchange and bioelectrochemical system.

Swine wastewater was treated using an integrated ion exchange and bioelectrochemical system. This system contains three chambers separated by a cation exchange membrane (CEM) and an anion exchange membrane (AEM). Each chamber acted as a bioanode chamber, an aerated biocathode chamber, and a denitrification chamber.

Characterization of modified PVDF membrane by gamma irradiation for non-potable water reuse.

Poly(vinylidene fluorine) (PVDF) membranes were grafted by gamma-ray irradiation and were sulfonated by sodium sulfite to modify the surface of the membranes. The characteristics of the modified PVDF membranes were evaluated by the data of Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), the contact angle of the membrane surface and the water permeability. From the results of FT-IR, XPS and FE-SEM, it was shown that the modified membranes were successfully grafted by gamma-ray irradiation and were sulfonated.

Effects of halogenated aromatics/aliphatics and nitrogen(N)-heterocyclic aromatics on estimating the persistence of future pharmaceutical compounds using a modified QSAR model.

The effects of halogenated aromatics/aliphatics and nitrogen(N)-heterocyclic aromatics on estimating the persistence of future pharmaceutical compounds were investigated using a modified half life equation. The potential future pharmaceutical compounds investigated were approximately 2000 pharmaceutical drugs currently undergoing the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) testing. EPI Suite (BIOWIN) model estimates the fates of compounds based on the biodegradability under aerobic conditions.

Enhancement of struvite purity by re-dissolution of calcium ions in synthetic wastewaters.

Although it is widely known that the presence of Ca ions inhibits the nucleation and growth of struvite, which consists of NH4(+), PO4(3-), and Mg(2+), there is a lack of knowledge on actual Ca contents in struvite co-precipitates at various N and P concentrations and the corresponding effects on the sizes of the precipitates. Therefore, to address this challenge, this study designed synthetic wastewaters including the variety of N and P concentrations, and conducted batch experimental reactions with each wastewater to investigate Ca precipitation and size distributions of the precipitates. The molar ratio of Mg:P:N was confined to 1:1:7, while the initial Ca(2+) concentrations were chosen to be 30-60 mg/L, which are typical Ca concentrations in real wastewaters.

Estimating the fates of organic contaminants in an aquifer using QSAR.

The quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) model, BIOWIN, was modified to more accurately estimate the fates of organic contaminants in an aquifer. The predictions from BIOWIN were modified to include oxidation and sorption effects. The predictive model therefore included the effects of sorption, biodegradation, and oxidation.

Occurrence and ecological hazard assessment of selected veterinary medicines in livestock wastewater treatment plants.

The occurrence of some veterinary medicines in the livestock wastewater plants (WWTPs) was investigated. This investigation represented the occurrence of veterinary medicines to treat in the livestock WWTPs or be discharged into the water system in Korea since the sampling sites were widely distributed across the nation and samples were collected from the 11 livestock WWTPs. Nine antibiotics, two analgesics, and two disinfectants occurred in the livestock wastewater plants (WWTPs).

Effects of electron beam irradiation and temperature on the treatment of swine wastewater using an ion exchange biological reactor.

Swine wastewater was treated using an ion exchange biological reactor (IEBR). Organic matter and nutrient in swine wastewater were pre-treated by electron beam irradiation. The optimal dose for solubilization of organic matter in swine wastewater ranged from 20 kGy to 75 kGy.

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria isolated from freshwater aquacultures and prediction of the persistence and toxicity of antimicrobials in the aquatic environment.

The occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria isolated from freshwater aquaculture effluents was investigated. The bacterial strains were collected from four different freshwater aquaculture effluents (catfish, trout, eel, and loach). Based on sequence of 16S rRNA, a total of 20 bacterial strains was isolated and one half of the isolated bacteria were Aeromonas sp.

Prediction of the potential fates of future pharmaceutical compounds in indirect potable reuse systems.

The potential fates in indirect potable reuse systems of 2179 pharmaceutical compounds that currently have been used or may be introduced within the next five years were estimated using a modified quantitative structure activity relationship model. Over 90% of the pharmaceutical compounds analyzed were estimated in this study as non-persistent in indirect potable reuse systems where the final removal barrier was sub-surface transport. The removal mechanisms of biodegradation and sorption were considered in assessing their persistence.

Gender-specific combined effects of smoking and hypertension on cardiovascular disease mortality in elderly Koreans: THe Kangwha Cohort Study.

Objective: We examined gender-specific combined effects of smoking and hypertension on risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease in elderly Korean men and women.

Study Design: This study followed a cohort of 6097 residents (2593 men, 3504 women) in the general population of Kangwha County, aged ≥55 years in March 1985 and examined their cause-specific mortality for 20.8 years, up to December 31, 2005.