Giusy Lofrano

Bio: Giusy Lofrano is an academic researcher from University of Naples Federico II. The author has contributed to research in topics: Wastewater & Sewage treatment. The author has an hindex of 28, co-authored 86 publications receiving 3821 citations. Previous affiliations of Giusy Lofrano include University of Bari & National Research Council.

Biomass-derived biosorbents for metal ions sequestration: Adsorbent modification and activation methods and adsorbent regeneration

Abstract: Heavy metals released from industrial activities pose a significant threat to the environment and public health due to their reported toxicity even at trace levels. Although there are several available methods to treat or remove heavy metals from water and wastewater, the research focuses on development of technological solutions which sound environmental friendly and economically feasible, able to reduce the costs and maximize the efficiency. In this framework, the biosorption process, which uses cheap and non-pollutant materials, may be considered as an alternative, viable and promising, technology for heavy metal and metalloid ions sequestration and ultimately removal technology in the waste water treatment. However, there is as yet little data on full-scale applications for the design and testing of adsorption units using single biosorbents and their combinations to sequester heavy metal ions from multi-metal systems. Immediate research and development is hence earnestly required in this specific direction to further make progress this blooming technology and widen its scope of application to real situations needing heavy metal pollution remediation. This review provides a comprehensive appraisal of the equilibrium modeling of a number of biosorption processes as well as the structural, chemical and morphological modifications and activation of biosorbents. Further the relative merits of the methods used to recover sequestered heavy metal ions and regenerate biosorbents through desorption routes and their future applications are discussed.

A review on Fenton and improvements to the Fenton process for wastewater treatment

Abstract: The increase in the disposal of refractory organics demands for newer technologies for the complete mineralization of these wastewaters. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) constitute a promising technology for the treatment of such wastewaters and this study presents a general review on such processes developed to decolorize and/or degrade organic pollutants. Fundamentals and main applications of typical methods such as Fenton, electro-Fenton, photo-Fenton, sono-Fenton, sono-photo-Fenton, sono-electro-Fenton and photo-electro-Fenton are discussed. This review also highlights the application of nano-zero valent iron in treating refractory compounds.

Efficiency of various recent wastewater dye removal methods: A review

Abstract: Dye effluents released from numerous dye-utilizing industries are harmful towards the environment and living things. Consequently, existence of dye effluent in environmental water bodies is becoming a growing concern to environmentalists and civilians. A long term sustainable and efficient dye effluent treatment method should be established to eliminate this issue. Dye wastewater should be treated first before release to minimize its negative impacts towards the environment and living things. However, due to lack of information on efficient dye removal methods, it is difficult to decide on a single technique that resolves the prevailing dye effluent issue. Therefore, this paper reviews existing research papers on various biological, chemical and physical dye removal methods to find its efficiency through percentage of dye removal. Although there are numerous existing tried and tested methods to accomplish dye removal, most of them have a common disadvantage which is the generation of secondary pollution to the environment. This paper highlights enzyme degradation (biological) and adsorption (physical) dye removal as these are known as one of the most efficient dye removal techniques these days. This paper also suggests the usage of a combined adsorbent as it is envisioned that this technique has better efficiency and is able to remove dyes at a faster rate.

Pharmaceuticals of Emerging Concern in Aquatic Systems: Chemistry, Occurrence, Effects, and Removal Methods.

Abstract: In the last few decades, pharmaceuticals, credited with saving millions of lives, have emerged as a new class of environmental contaminant. These compounds can have both chronic and acute harmful effects on natural flora and fauna. The presence of pharmaceutical contaminants in ground waters, surface waters (lakes, rivers, and streams), sea water, wastewater treatment plants (influents and effluents), soils, and sludges has been well doccumented. A range of methods including oxidation, photolysis, UV-degradation, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, and adsorption has been used for their remediation from aqueous systems. Many methods have been commercially limited by toxic sludge generation, incomplete removal, high capital and operating costs, and the need for skilled operating and maintenance personnel. Adsorption technologies are a low-cost alternative, easily used in developing countries where there is a dearth of advanced technologies, skilled personnel, and available capital, and adsorption appears to be the most broadly feasible pharmaceutical removal method. Adsorption remediation methods are easily integrated with wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Herein, we have reviewed the literature (1990-2018) illustrating the rising environmental pharmaceutical contamination concerns as well as remediation efforts emphasizing adsorption.