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Water pollution caused by the discharge of hazardous textile effluents is a serious environmental problem worldwide. In order to assess the pollution level of the textile effluents, various physico-chemical parameters were analyzed in the textile wastewater and agricultural soil irrigated with the wastewater (contaminated soil) using atomic absorption spectrophotometer and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis that demonstrated the presence of several toxic heavy metals (Ni, Cu, Cr, Pb, Cd, and Zn) and a large number of organic compounds. Further, in order to get a comprehensive idea about the toxicity exerted by the textile effluent, mung bean seed germination test was performed that indicated the reduction in percent seed germination and radicle-plumule growth. The culturable microbial populations were also enumerated and found to be significantly lower in the wastewater and contaminated soil than the ground water irrigated soil, thus indicating the biotic homogenization of indigenous microflora. Therefore, the study was aimed to develop a cost effective and ecofriendly method of textile waste treatment using native soil bacterium, identified as Arthrobacter soli BS5 by 16S rDNA sequencing that showed remarkable ability to degrade a textile dye reactive black 5 with maximum degradation of 98% at 37 °C and pH in the range of 5–9 after 120 h of incubation.

Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent has been identified as a potential source of microplastics in the aquatic environment. Microplastics have recently been detected in wastewater effluent in Western Europe, Russia and the USA. As there are only a handful of studies on microplastics in wastewater, it is difficult to accurately determine the contribution of wastewater effluent as a source of microplastics. However, even the small amounts of microplastics detected in wastewater effluent may be a remarkable source given the large volumes of wastewater treatment effluent discharged to the aquatic environment annually. Further, there is strong evidence that microplastics can interact with wastewater-associated contaminants, which has the potential to transport chemicals to aquatic organisms after exposure to contaminated microplastics. In this review we apply lessons learned from the literature on microplastics in the aquatic environment and knowledge on current wastewater treatment technologies, with the aim of identifying the research gaps in terms of (i) the fate of microplastics in WWTPs, (ii) the potential interaction of wastewater-based microplastics with trace organic contaminants and metals, and (iii) the risk for aquatic organisms.

Tannery wastewater (TWW) is of serious environmental concern to pollution control authorities, because it contains highly toxic, recalcitrant organic and inorganic pollutants. The nature and characteristics of recalcitrant organic pollutants (ROPs) are not fully explored to date. Hence, the purpose of this study was to characterize and identify the ROPs present in the treated TWW. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry data analysis showed the presence of a variety of ROPs in the treated TWW. Results unfolded that benzyl chloride, butyl octyl phthalate, 2,6-dihydroxybenzoic acid 3TMS, dibutyl phthalate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl butyl phthalate, 4-chloro-3-methyl phenol, phthalic acid, 2′6′-dihydroxyacetophenone, diisobutyl phthalate, 4-biphenyltrimethylsiloxane, di-(-2ethy hexyl)phthalate, 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, dibenzyl phthalate, and nonylphenol were present in the treated TWW. Due to endocrine disrupting nature and aquatic toxicity, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classified many of these as “priority pollutants” and restricted their use in leather industries. In addition, the physicochemical analysis of the treated TWW also showed very high BOD, COD, and TDS values along with high Cr and Pb content beyond the permissible limits for industrial discharge. Furthermore, phytotoxicity assessment unfolds the inhibitory effects of TWW on the seed germination, seedling growth parameters, and α-amylase activity in Phaseolus aureus L. This indicates that the TWW discharged even after secondary treatment into the environment has very high pollution parameters and may cause a variety of serious health threats in living beings upon exposure. Overall, the results reported in this study will be helpful for the proper treatment and management of TWW to combat the environmental threats.

This October, nations will gather in Japan to sign the Minamata convention, a treaty to address the toxic effects of mercury in the environment. The agreement will become binding once ratified by at least 50 nations. The convention is timely and welcome in that it places controls and limitations on products, processes, and industries that increase the level of exposure of people and the environment to mercury, a naturally occurring element. Mercury bioaccumulates in the form of methylmercury, a powerful neurotoxin that can affect wildlife, domestic animals, and humans alike. Symptoms of mercury poisoning can range from numbness in the hands and feet and muscle weakness in mild cases, to insanity and death.

This review describes medium and high molecular weight organic material found in wastewaters from pulp and paper industry. The aim is to review the versatile pollutants and the analysis methods for their determination. Among other pollutants, biocides, extractives, and lignin-derived compounds are major contributors to harmful effects, such as toxicity, of industrial wastewaters. Toxicity of wastewaters from pulp and paper mills is briefly evaluated including the methods for toxicity analyses. Traditionally, wastewater purification includes mechanical treatment followed by chemical and/or biological treatment processes. A variety of methods are available for the purification of industrial wastewaters, including aerobic and anaerobic processes. However, some fractions of organic material, such as lignin and its derivatives, are difficult to degrade. Therefore, novel chemical methods, including electrochemical and oxidation processes, have been developed for separate use or in combination with biological treatment processes.

Several industries are using dyes as coloring agents. The effluents from these industries are increasingly becoming an environmental problem. The removal of dyes from aqueous solution has a great potential in the field of environmental engineering. This paper reviews the classification, characteristics, and problems of dyes in detail. Advantages and disadvantages of different methods used for dye removal are also analyzed. Among these methods, Fenton process-based advanced oxidation processes are an emerging prospect in the field of dye removal. Fenton processes have been classified and represented as “Fenton circle”. This paper analyzes the recent studies on Fenton processes. The studies include analyzing different configurations of reactors used for dye removal, its efficiency, and the effects of various operating parameters such as pH, catalyst concentration, H 2 O 2 concentration, initial dye concentration, and temperature of Fenton processes. From the present study, it can be conclude that Fenton processes are very effective and environmentally friendly methods for dye removal.

Water resources contamination has a worldwide impact and is a cause of global concern. The need for provision of clean water is becoming more and more demanding. Nanotechnology may support effective strategies for the treatment, use and reuse of water and the development of next-generation water supply systems. The excellent properties and effectiveness of nanomaterials make them particularly suitable for water/wastewater treatment. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the main categories of nanomaterials used in catalytic processes (carbon nanotubes/graphitic carbon nitride (CNT/g-C3N4) composites/graphene-based composites, metal oxides and composites, metal–organic framework and commercially available nanomaterials). These materials have found application in the removal of different categories of pollutants, including pharmaceutically active compounds, personal care products, organic micropollutants, as well as for the disinfection of bacterial, viral and protozoa microbial targets, in water and wastewater matrices. Apart from reviewing the characteristics and efficacy of the aforementioned nanoengineered materials for the removal of different pollutants, we have also recorded performance limitations issues (e.g., toxicity, operating conditions and reuse) for their practical application in water and wastewater treatment on large scale. Research efforts and continuous production are expected to support the development of eco-friendly, economic and efficient nanomaterials for real life applications in the near future.

Due to fresh water scarcity, farmers are using polluted water for irrigation. This research was conducted to study the bioaccumulation of Pb in wheat (Cv. Shafaq-2006). The experiment was comprised of seven treatments of lead i.e. 0–1,000 mg Pb/kg. The results revealed that lead severely reduces germination (− 30%), seedling fresh weight (− 74%), seedling dry weight (− 77%), vigor index (− 89%), tolerance index (− 84%), plant height (− 33%), number of leaves (− 41%), root fresh weight (− 50%), shoot fresh weight (− 62%), root dry weight (− 63%), shoot dry weight (− 71%), and root length (− 45%). The physiological parameters also respond negatively like stomatal conductance (− 82%), transpiration rate (− 72%) and photosynthetic rate (− 74%). Similarly, biochemical parameters also showed negative impacts, like carotenoids (− 41), total chlorophyll (− 43), chlorophyll a (− 42) and chlorophyll b (− 53). Yield parameters like the number of seed/plant, seed weight/plant, 1,000 seed weight and harvest index were reduced by 90%, 88%, 44% and 61%, respectively in T 6 . In addition, protein contents (− 81%), phosphorous (− 60%) and potassium (− 55%) were highly effected in the highest lead concentration (T 6 ). Lead accumulation was extremely higher in seeds (119%) as compared to control plants. Lead bio-accumulation above threshold concentrations in crop parts is a serious human health concern.

The overwhelming population growth in recent decades and water crisis along with limited and uneven geographical distribution of fresh water resources is a growing challenge for the economic and human development. Wastewater reclamation and use could be an alternative for intact water sources and a promising solution to water scarcity and unequal distribution. However, wastewater is a double-edged resource both as an accessible water source for food production and human usage and concurrently may carry uncharacterized content with unknown toxicological profile causing acute or long-term health risks. Pharmaceuticals, cosmeceuticals, nanomaterials and their chemical decomposition derivatives found in wastewater are not well known in many cases. Their unknown toxicity, teratogenicity and carcinogenicity profile associated with lack of monitoring and control measures impose a significant hazard risk on the public health. This paper reviews the evidence on the health risks associated with the wastewater use for irrigated food production and the imposed risk on the end consumers mainly from pharmaceutical industry and related research facilities. Then, we suggest an applied framework for planning and policy-making to mitigate the health risks and optimally employ reclaimed wastewater for human purposes.

Hydraulic-fracturing fluids and wastewater from unconventional oil and natural gas development contain hundreds of substances with the potential to contaminate drinking water. Challenges to conducting well-designed human exposure and health studies include limited information about likely etiologic agents. We systematically evaluated 1021 chemicals identified in hydraulic-fracturing fluids ( n =925), wastewater ( n =132), or both ( n =36) for potential reproductive and developmental toxicity to triage those with potential for human health impact. We searched the REPROTOX database using Chemical Abstract Service registry numbers for chemicals with available data and evaluated the evidence for adverse reproductive and developmental effects. Next, we determined which chemicals linked to reproductive or developmental toxicity had water quality standards or guidelines. Toxicity information was lacking for 781 (76%) chemicals. Of the remaining 240 substances, evidence suggested reproductive toxicity for 103 (43%), developmental toxicity for 95 (40%), and both for 41 (17%). Of these 157 chemicals, 67 had or were proposed for a federal water quality standard or guideline. Our systematic screening approach identified a list of 67 hydraulic fracturing-related candidate analytes based on known or suspected toxicity. Incorporation of data on potency, physicochemical properties, and environmental concentrations could further prioritize these substances for future drinking water exposure assessments or reproductive and developmental health studies.