Structural features promoting adsorption of contaminants of emerging concern onto TiO2 P25: experimental and computational approaches

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The study of the structural features affecting the adsorption of organics, especially contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), onto TiO2 P25 in...     

Spatial distribution and temporal variation of chemical properties of drainage watercourses in rural and peri-urban areas of Novi Sad (Serbia)—a case study

Waters are among to the most vulnerable environmental resources exposed to the impact of various point and non-point pollutants from rural/urban activities. Systematic and long-term monitoring of hydro-resources is therefore of crucial importance for sustainable water management, although such practice is lacking across many (agro-)hydro-ecosystems. In the presented study, for the first time, the spatial distribution (covering almost 9000 ha) and temporal variation (2006–2013) in certain quality parameters was characterized in drainage watercourses Tatarnica and Subic, whose catchment is rural and suburban areas close to the city of Novi Sad, Republic of Serbia. Based on majority of observed parameters, both watercourses belonged to I and II water quality classes, with occasional presence of certain parameters (e.g., suspended solids, total phosphorus; ammonium) at extreme values exacerbating both watercourses to classes IV and V. The value of the synthetic pollution index (i.e., a combined effect of all considered parameters) showed a higher degree of water pollution in watercourse Subic (on average 2.00) than Tatarnica (on average 0.72). Also, cluster analysis for watercourse Tatarnica detected two groups of parameters (mostly related to nutrients and organic matter), indicating more complex impacts on water quality during the observed period, in which elucidation thus established water quality monitoring program would be of great importance.     

Solar-driven photocatalytic treatment of diclofenac using immobilized TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-based zeolite composites

The study is aimed at evaluating the potential of immobilized TiO₂-based zeolite composite for solar-driven photocatalytic water treatment. In that purpose, TiO₂-iron-exchanged zeolite (FeZ) composite was prepared using commercial Aeroxide TiO₂ P25 and iron-exchanged zeolite of ZSM5 type, FeZ. The activity of TiO₂-FeZ, immobilized on glass support, was evaluated under solar irradiation for removal of diclofenac (DCF) in water. TiO₂-FeZ immobilized in a form of thin film was characterized for its morphology, structure, and composition using scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX). Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) was used to determine potential changes in band gaps of prepared TiO₂-FeZ in comparison to pure TiO₂. The influence of pH, concentration of hydrogen peroxide, FeZ wt% within the composite, and photocatalyst dosage on DCF removal and conversion efficiency by solar/TiO₂-FeZ/H₂O₂ process was investigated. TiO₂-FeZ demonstrated higher photocatalytic activity than pure TiO₂ under solar irradiation in acidic conditions and presence of H₂O₂.