Publications by authors named "Zi-Bin Xu"

Amino trimethylene phosphonic acid (ATMP) was widely used as an antiscalant in reverse osmosis (RO) systems to prevent membrane scaling, and entered RO concentrate at elevated levels. However, phosphonate antiscalants in RO concentrate might aggravate phosphorus pollution, remobilize heavy metals, and adversely affect the sedimentation treatment of RO concentrate. Ozonation was found an efficient method for ATMP treatment.

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Background: Activins and inhibins are structurally related dimeric glycoprotein hormones belonging to the transforming growth factor-β superfamily but whether they are also involved in malignancy is far from clear. No study has reported the expression of INHBE in kidney cancer. The purpose of this study was to examine the expressions of INHBE in the tumor tissue of patients with clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and to explore the pathologic significance.

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In this study, it was found that monochloramine induced the formation of reactive species during ozonation of chloromethylisothiazolinone (CMIT). CMIT was found recalcitrant to chloramine. However, chloramine promoted the degradation of CMIT by ozonation significantly.

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The effects of phosphonates, the heavily-used antiscalants in reverse osmosis systems, on microalgae are controversial, although they are harmless to most aquatic organisms. Herein, we assessed the inhibitory effects of etidronic acid (HEDP) and diethylenetriamine penta(methylene phosphonic acid) (DTPMP) on algal growth and revealed the mechanisms involved in both intrinsic toxicity and complexation. The phosphonates showed weak influences on Scenedesmus sp.

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Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) is a widely used non-oxidizing biocide for membrane biofouling control in reverse osmosis (RO) systems usually with high dosages. However, few investigations have focused on MIT removal through bio-processes, since it is highly bio-toxic. This study proposed a novel biotreatment approach for efficient MIT degradation by Scenedesmus sp.

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Article Synopsis
  • A flow-through electrode system (FES) was tested with different carbon fiber felt electrodes (carbonized and graphitized) to assess disinfection effectiveness against Escherichia coli.
  • * Results showed that graphitized carbon fiber felt (gCFF) achieved over 6 log removal of bacteria at 3V and a flow rate of 30 mL/min, while carbonized versions (cCFF) only achieved about 1 log removal.
  • * The primary disinfection method was bacteria inactivation on the anode through a process influenced by adsorption and direct oxidation, with gCFFs proving to be a promising low-cost solution for effective water treatment.
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Reverse osmosis (RO) technology plays an increasingly important role in municipal wastewater reclamation. However, the antiscalants used in RO systems showed adverse effects to the ecosystem: impending the removal of hardness from RO concentrates; inducing phosphorus pollution in receiving water; enhancing the trace metal migration in the environment. In this study, UV/chlorine advanced oxidation process was used to oxidize a typical phosphoric antiscalant (1-Hydroxyethane-1, 1-diphosphonic Acid, HEDP).

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Dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride (DTAC) is a quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) that is a widespread contaminant in environmental media and therefore of increasing concern. The synergistic effect with UV irradiation and persulfate (UV/PS) was used to degrade DTAC. The removal of DTAC was 91% with the PS dosage of 75.

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2-Phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid (PBTCA) is an antiscalant that is widely used in reverse osmosis (RO) systems. Because of its high concentration in RO concentrate, eutrophication risk and anti-precipitation properties may affect subsequent treatments, therefore treatment strategies are needed to eliminate such substances. In this study, PBTCA was degraded by ozonation.

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UV based advanced oxidation processes (UV-AOPs) that efficiently eliminate organic pollutants during water treatment have been the subject of numerous investigations. Most organic pollutants are not completely mineralized during UV-AOPs but are partially oxidized into transformation products (TPs), thereby adding complexity to the treated water and posing risks to humans, ecological systems, and the environment. While the degradation kinetics and mechanisms of pollutants have been widely documented, there is little information about the risks associated with TPs.

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Synopsis of recent research by authors named "Zi-Bin Xu"

  • - Zi-Bin Xu's research primarily focuses on the environmental impacts and treatment processes for antiscalants and biocides in reverse osmosis systems, highlighting the challenges of phosphorus pollution and membrane biofouling.
  • - One significant finding is that ozonation effectively degrades amino trimethylene phosphonic acid (ATMP) and other phosphonates, improving phosphorus removal and reducing ecological risks associated with these substances in water treatment.
  • - Additionally, Xu's studies reveal the potential of using innovative oxidation processes, such as UV/chlorine and UV/persulfate treatments, to enhance the degradation of various contaminants, indicating a path forward for improving water quality management practices.