scholarly journals Removal of Micropollutants by Ozone-Based Processes

Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1013
Author(s):  
Ján Derco ◽  
Andreja Žgajnar Gotvajn ◽  
Oľga Čižmárová ◽  
Jozef Dudáš ◽  
Lenka Sumegová ◽  
...  

Micropollutants and emerging substances pose a serious problem to environmental sustainability and remediation, due to their widespread use and applications in everyday life. This group of chemicals is diverse but with common toxic and harmful properties. Their concentration in the environment is often very low; however, due to their recalcitrant nature, they are persistent in air, water, and soil. From an engineering point of view, the challenge is not straightforward. It is difficult to remove these contaminants from complex mixtures of substances by conventional methods used in wastewater and drinking water treatment. Ozonation and ozone-based AOPs are accepted processes of degradation of resistant substances or at least enhancement of their biodegradability. The aim of this review paper is to present research trends aimed at solving problems in the research and application of ozone-based processes in the removal of micropollutants from wastewater, thus preventing leakage of harmful substances into surface water, soil, and groundwater and facilitating the reuse of wastewater. Priority substances, micropollutants and emerging pollutants, as well as processes and technologies for their transformation and elimination, are briefly specified. Results obtained by the authors in solving research projects that were aimed at eliminating selected micropollutants by ozonation and ozone-based AOPs are also presented. This review focuses on selected alkylphenols, petroleum substances, and organochlorine pesticides.

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Young-Dan Cho ◽  
Woo-Jin Kim ◽  
Hyun-Mo Ryoo ◽  
Hong-Gee Kim ◽  
Kyoung-Hwa Kim ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE) project has advanced our knowledge of the functional elements in the genome and epigenome. The aim of this article was to provide the comprehension about current research trends from ENCODE project and establish the link between epigenetics and periodontal diseases based on epigenome studies and seek the future direction. Main body Global epigenome research projects have emphasized the importance of epigenetic research for understanding human health and disease, and current international consortia show an improved interest in the importance of oral health with systemic health. The epigenetic studies in dental field have been mainly conducted in periodontology and have focused on DNA methylation analysis. Advances in sequencing technology have broadened the target for epigenetic studies from specific genes to genome-wide analyses. Conclusions In line with global research trends, further extended and advanced epigenetic studies would provide crucial information for the realization of comprehensive dental medicine and expand the scope of ongoing large-scale research projects.


Coatings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 519
Author(s):  
Florentina Monica Raduly ◽  
Valentin Raditoiu ◽  
Alina Raditoiu ◽  
Violeta Purcar

The recent development of several methods for extracting curcumin from the root of the plant Curcuma longa has led to intensified research on the properties of curcumin and its fields of application. Following the studies and the accreditation of curcumin as a natural compound with antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties, new fields of application have been developed in two main directions—food and medical, respectively. This review paper aims to synthesize the fields of application of curcumin as an additive for the prevention of spoilage, safety, and quality of food. Simultaneously, it aims to present curcumin as an additive in products for the prevention of bacterial infections and health care. In both cases, the types of curcumin formulations in the form of (nano)emulsions, (nano)particles, or (nano)composites are presented, depending on the field and conditions of exploitation or their properties to be used. The diversity of composite materials that can be designed, depending on the purpose of use, leaves open the field of research on the conditioning of curcumin. Various biomaterials active from the antibacterial and antibiofilm point of view can be intuited in which curcumin acts as an additive that potentiates the activities of other compounds or has a synergistic activity with them.


2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharina Kern

Directive 2013/39/EU amending Directives 2000/60/EC and 2008/105/EC as regards priority substances in the field of water policy was adopted on 12 August 2013. It revises crucial rules on determining the chemical quality of surface water in Europe (e.g. identification of new harmful substances, updating of environmental quality standards, introduction of a new “watch list” mechanism) and establishes new standards for the protection of water in Europe. This paper explores the legal and factual background to the new legislation on protecting water quality in Europe and takes a critical look at its most important provisions.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 1509
Author(s):  
Roxana Voicu-Dorobanțu ◽  
Clara Volintiru ◽  
Maria-Floriana Popescu ◽  
Vlad Nerău ◽  
George Ștefan

The process of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050 and cutting CO2 emissions by 2030 by 55% compared to 1990 as per the EU Green Deal is highly complex. The energy mix must be changed to ensure long-term environmental sustainability, mainly by closing down coal sites, while preserving the energy-intensive short-term economic growth, ensuring social equity, and opening opportunities for regions diminishing in population and potential. Romania is currently in the position of deciding the optimal way forward in this challenging societal shift while morphing to evidence-based policy-making and anticipatory governance, mainly in its two coal-mining regions. This article provides possible future scenarios for tackling this complex issue in Romania through a three-pronged, staggered, methodology: (1) clustering Romania with other similar countries from the point of view of the Just Transition efforts (i.e., the energy mix and the socio-economic parameters), (2) analyzing Romania’s potential evolution of the energy mix from the point of the thermal efficiency of two major power plants (CEH and CEO) and the systemic energy losses, and (3) providing insights on the socio-economic context (economic development and labor market transformations, including the component on the effects on vulnerable consumers) of the central coal regions in Romania.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 2548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariangela De Vita ◽  
Paolo Beccarelli ◽  
Eleonora Laurini ◽  
Pierluigi De Berardinis

The aim of this research, carried out in collaboration with Maco Technology Inc., was to analyse the energy performance of temporary textile structures that are often used to host itinerant events. This paper illustrates the dynamic simulations carried on the Ducati Pavilion, designed by Maco Technology, which hosted Ducati staff during the different stages of the Superbike World Championship. Specific aspects relating to the structural/constructive system of the project were also analysed. The theme of energy saving and carbon reduction is of great importance in temporary and itinerant structures and environmental sustainability in relation to the materials used, storage, re-use, mode of transport and ability to respond efficiently to the climatic conditions of the installation sites is an important aspect. The Ducati Pavilion was modelled and analysed from an energy point of view using Design Builder software. Ways of improving performance were analysed under summer conditions. The paper focuses on the importance of optimizing the performance of textile envelopes: the methodology proposed allows visible savings in terms of energy consumption and achieves good levels of environmental comfort in temporary buildings with low thermal mass structure.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 41-47
Author(s):  
Amandeep Kaur ◽  
Madhu Dhiman ◽  
Mansi Tonk ◽  
Ramneet Kaur

Artificial Intelligence is the combination of machine and human intelligence, which are in research trends from the last many years. Different Artificial Intelligence programs have become capable of challenging humans by providing Expert Systems, Neural Networks, Robotics, Natural Language Processing, Face Recognition and Speech Recognition. Artificial Intelligence brings a bright future for different technical inventions in various fields. This review paper shows the general concept of Artificial Intelligence and presents an impact of Artificial Intelligence in the present and future world.


2018 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
pp. 67-104
Author(s):  
Christian Dalenz

This paper deals with economic changes in the last 12 years in Bolivia under the presidency of Evo Morales. After a short introduction about the political landscape of the country, I will explain how Morales’ party, Movimiento al Socialismo, planned to change Bolivia’s economic model. Here I will rely on the works by former Bolivian Ministry of Economics and Public Finances, Luis Arce Catacora. Then I will show the improvements in social conditions of the Bolivian population during the Morales’ presidency, and I will relate them to the Cash Conditional Transfers adopted by the government, otherwise known as bonos. Finally, I will assess the intricate issue of economic and environmental sustainability of this model. My point of view is that since Bolivia will soon face less revenue from its gas exports, efforts in diversifying its economy will have to improve. At the same time, no major crisis should happen.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (14) ◽  
pp. e64101421596
Author(s):  
Beatriz Gouveia Moura ◽  
Jamille Caroso de Andrade ◽  
Adriana Correia dos Santos ◽  
Rodrigo do Nascimento Lopes ◽  
Maria Emília Lisboa Pacheco ◽  
...  

Discussions on the health consequences of the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are wide-ranging, but little has been addressed under systemic aspects, human rights, sovereignty and food and nutrition security, and socio-environmental sustainability. For this reason, the aim of this article was to analyze the systemic implications of children's access to UPFs. Secondary data from a cross-sectional survey conducted with pre-school students of two private schools in a capital city in the Northeastern region of Brazil were analyzed through the analysis of lunch boxes for three consecutive days. The most frequent UPFs had information about the manufacturing location, ingredients, and brand collected from their labels and subsequently studied. We noticed that most of the products were manufactured in other states, being transported for long distances, had little ingredient diversity, and belonged to sub-brands that conglomerate into “big players”. In this sense, we conclude that children are having their right to food violated and that access to UPFs by this public supports a hegemonic and unsustainable food system from a socio-environmental point of view that contributes to food and nutrition insecurity.


Author(s):  
Endang Setyaningsih

Current trend in education has acknowledged the urgency to move students from the role of traditional receiver and echoer of information to the role of critical listener, speaker, reader, and writer. In so doing, the students need to embrace the role of text analysts who continuously question texts that they encounter. This study looked for indices of students’ engagement in text analyst role. The data for the analysis were collected from 25 EFL university students’ reviews which were randomly selected. Using the guidepost developed from Luke and Freebody’s (1999) Four Resources Framework, the study highlighted points of information and/or questions or issues addressed in the students’ writing which indicated students’ role as text analysts. The study revealed that 40 percent of the students failed to practice the text analyst role. Meanwhile, those who addressed the role showcased five major patterns of indices: (1) questioned the trustworthiness of text, (2) recognized bias, (3) uncovered hidden intention/agenda, (4) identified harmed/benefitted party, and (5) provided alternate point of view/way of saying and/or personal standing. This study concludes that the students will be able to engage in text analyst role under two conditions (1) they are not struggling with the basic comprehension and (2) they have reached a state of habituation of mind in terms of questioning text. It is therefore recommended that the students be given sufficient time for familiarization and have continuous practices to make a critical approach to texts.


Author(s):  
Ramprasad Sengupta

The discussions within this book have analysed the interdependences among economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainability. The social and environmental sustainability of development requires the process of growth to be socially non-disruptive and it should not involve any serious environmental risk of the collapse of its ecosystem. The former would require a just distribution of resources and social products among its people so that there is no serious poverty or inequality due to absolute or relative deprivation of resources or income for some of its people, and therefore no economic source of social tension. The empirical findings using advanced econometric and quantitative methods on the interrelationships among poverty, inequality, social tension, social discrimination, and religious polarization on the one hand and their fallouts in the form of crime, riots, and insurgencies across Indian states on the other have been quite informative, not always stereotypical, and insightful from the point of view of policy planning for social sustainability. The environmental sustainability condition would, on the other hand, require the reduction of the ecological footprint and improvement of environmental protection through conservation of resources and control of pollution, including CO...


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