https://cyberleninka.org/article/n/567486.pdf

A review on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: Source, environmental impact, effect on human health and remediation

One of our era's greatest scourges is air pollution, on account not only of its impact on climate change but also its impact on public and individual health due to increasing morbidity and mortality. There are many pollutants that are major factors in disease in humans. Among them, Particulate Matter (PM), particles of variable but very small diameter, penetrate the respiratory system via inhalation, causing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, reproductive and central nervous system dysfunctions, and cancer. Despite the fact that ozone in the stratosphere plays a protective role against ultraviolet irradiation, it is harmful when in high concentration at ground level, also affecting the respiratory and cardiovascular system. Furthermore, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), dioxins, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are all considered air pollutants that are harmful to humans. Carbon monoxide can even provoke direct poisoning when breathed in at high levels. Heavy metals such as lead, when absorbed into the human body, can lead to direct poisoning or chronic intoxication, depending on exposure. Diseases occurring from the aforementioned substances include principally respiratory problems such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma, bronchiolitis, and also lung cancer, cardiovascular events, central nervous system dysfunctions, and cutaneous diseases. Last but not least, climate change resulting from environmental pollution affects the geographical distribution of many infectious diseases, as do natural disasters. The only way to tackle this problem is through public awareness coupled with a multidisciplinary approach by scientific experts; national and international organizations must address the emergence of this threat and propose sustainable solutions.

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Environmental and Health Impacts of Air Pollution: A Review.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) include a group of organic priority pollutants of critical environmental and public health concern due to their toxic, genotoxic, mutagenic and/or carcinogenic properties and their ubiquitous occurrence as well as recalcitrance. The increased awareness of their various adverse effects on ecosystem and human health has led to a dramatic increase in research aimed towards removing PAHs from the environment. PAHs may undergo adsorption, volatilization, photolysis, and chemical oxidation, although transformation by microorganisms is the major neutralization process of PAH-contaminated sites in an ecologically accepted manner. Microbial degradation of PAHs depends on various environmental conditions, such as nutrients, number and kind of the microorganisms, nature as well as chemical property of the PAH being degraded. A wide variety of bacterial, fungal and algal species have the potential to degrade/transform PAHs, among which bacteria and fungi mediated degradation has been studied most extensively. In last few decades microbial community analysis, biochemical pathway for PAHs degradation, gene organization, enzyme system, genetic regulation for PAH degradation have been explored in great detail. Although, xenobiotic-degrading microorganisms have incredible potential to restore contaminated environments inexpensively yet effectively, but new advancements are required to make such microbes effective and more powerful in removing those compounds, which were once thought to be recalcitrant. Recent analytical chemistry and genetic engineering tools might help to improve the efficiency of degradation of PAHs by microorganisms, and minimize uncertainties of successful bioremediation. However, appropriate implementation of the potential of naturally occurring microorganisms for field bioremediation could be considerably enhanced by optimizing certain factors such as bioavailability, adsorption and mass transfer of PAHs. The main purpose of this review is to provide an overview of current knowledge of bacteria, halophilic archaea, fungi and algae mediated degradation/transformation of PAHs. In addition, factors affecting PAHs degradation in the environment, recent advancement in genetic, genomic, proteomic and metabolomic techniques are also highlighted with an aim to facilitate the development of a new insight into the bioremediation of PAH in the environment.

/pdf/current-state-of-knowledge-in-microbial-degradation-of-480ex77r3r.pdf

Current State of Knowledge in Microbial Degradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs): A Review

Solid waste issue: Sources, composition, disposal, recycling, and valorization

Removal of heavy metal from industrial wastewater using modified activated coconut shell carbon

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water are classified as organic micropollutants, which are carcinogenic even in very low concentration (ppb). In this study the green synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) were green synthesized at room temperature by using pomegranate peel extract. The green synthesized IONPs were used for adsorbing benzo(a)pyrene and pyrene (PAHs) from water. Factors affecting the adsorption were investigated. These factors are: nanoparticles dose, pH, temperature, and initial concentration of PAHs. The overall results showed that the maximum adsorption capacities of IONPs towards pyrene and benzo(a)pyrene were 2.8 and 0.029 mg g−1, respectively. The thermodynamic study indicated an exothermic adsorption process of pyrene and benzo(a)pyrene. The kinetic and isotherm studies were carried out. The obtained data revealed that the adsorption process follows a pseudo-second order mechanism and obeys Langmuir isotherm model. In addition, the IONPs proved to be a potential candidate for the adsorption of pyrene and benzo(a)pyrene even after five cycles of use and regeneration. The investigation was extended using semi-pilot plant to remove the studied PAHs from artificially contaminated water. The results showed that the IONPs was capable to remove the pyrene and benzo (a) pyrene at the rate of 98.5 and 99%, respectively. It also can be used as disinfectant.

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/2043-6254/aaa6f0/pdf

Removal of pyrene and benzo(a)pyrene micropollutant from water via adsorption by green synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles

Treatment of leather industrial wastewater via combined advanced oxidation and membrane filtration

A study was designed to investigate the chemical coagulation process for the treatment of the potato food industry wastewater of the “Chipsy factory” located at Abi‐Sier, Egypt. The chemical coagulants used in the study include alum, ferric chloride, calcium chloride, ferric sulphate and Nalco as polymer. Variable doses of these coagulants were examined to determine the optimum dose. Results obtained showed that chemical treatment (coagulation, flocculation, followed by sedimentation) was efficient to reduce the chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS) and turbidity significantly. Remarkable variation of the removal efficiency depends on the type of coagulant. Ferric chloride and ferric sulphate were more efficient than calcium chloride. Combination of Nalco with each of the studied coagulants improved the removal efficiency remarkably. Reduction of 91‐94 per cent of turbidity, 93‐97 per cent of COD, and 94‐97 per cent of the TSS was achieved with these combinations.

Chemical Treatment of Industrial Wastewater

Anaerobic/aerobic treatment of greywater via UASB and MBR for unrestricted reuse

The present work aims at highlighting the challenge encountering the environmental management of wastewater in Egypt. In addition, water consumption, industrial, domestic and agricultural pollution, and their adverse impact on water quality is discussed. The weak regularity in compliance and enforcement of the environmental legislation is evaluated. The industrial pollution is at alarming degree.

Hussein I. Abdel-Shafy

Papers

Removal of pyrene and benzo(a)pyrene micropollutant from water via adsorption by green synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles

Treatment of leather industrial wastewater via combined advanced oxidation and membrane filtration

Chemical Treatment of Industrial Wastewater

Anaerobic/aerobic treatment of greywater via UASB and MBR for unrestricted reuse

Wastewater Management in Egypt