http://hdl.handle.net/10256/9553 Wed, 08 Oct 2025 07:46:24 GMT 2025-10-08T07:46:24Z https://dugi-doc.udg.edu:443/bitstream/id/68000/ http://hdl.handle.net/10256/9553 http://hdl.handle.net/10256/27332 Impact of ceramic membrane pore size and metal oxide modifications on pharmaceutical degradation in a Hybrid Ozonation–Membrane Filtration reactor Tsiarta, Nikoletta; Morović, Silvia; Mandić, Vilko; Bafti, Arijeta; Ćurković, Lidija; Gernjak, Wolfgang; Tsiarta, Nikoletta; Morović, Silvia; Mandić, Vilko; Bafti, Arijeta; Ćurković, Lidija; Gernjak, Wolfgang This study investigates the integration of catalytic ozonation with membrane filtration using ceramic membranes to enhance pharmaceutical’s removal. Ceramic membranes with four MWCOs and pore size (50 kDa, 150 kDa, 300 kDa, and 200 nm) were modified via a sol-gel vacuum infiltration method with CeO₂, CeTiOx, and a dual-layer CeO₂+CeTiOx coating to promote ozone activation and hydroxyl radical (●OH) generation. Continuous-flow Hybrid Ozonation–Membrane Filtration (HOMF) experiments demonstrated that dual-layer modifications significantly enhanced degradation rates of carbamazepine, diclofenac, ibuprofen, and pCBA, with lower MWCO membranes exhibiting higher adsorption and retention. Scavenger tests using tert butanol confirmed the critical role of ●OH, while SEM, AFM, XRD, and MIP characterization revealed substantial changes in surface morphology and pore structure. This study is the first to systematically examine the interactions between ultrafiltration and microfiltration ceramic membranes with varying MWCO and tailored surface modifications, providing novel insights for optimizing catalytic ozonation for pharmaceutical degradation in water treatment Mon, 01 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10256/27332 2025-12-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10256/27174 Streamflow Generation Processes and Stream Intermittency in a Mediterranean Basin: Insights From End-Member Mixing Analysis Córdoba-Ariza, Paula Gabriela; Batalla, Ramon J.; Gutiérrez Provecho, Carmen; Sabater, Sergi; Mas-Pla, Josep Climate change, land use, and resource exploitation increasingly threaten river hydrology and water quality, leading to scarcity. Non-perennial or intermittent rivers are vulnerable systems characterised by highly variable flows. While recent research has advanced understanding of their natural variability, integrating the complex effects of multiple human impacts at the basin scale remains challenging. Aiming to improve this understanding and supporting effective management, this study uses end-member mixing analysis (EMMA) to identify streamflow sources in an intermittent Mediterranean river network, based on hydrochemical data from 23 sites over 14 monthly surveys and potentiometric data from six shallow wells. The analysis identifies three main contributors to streamflow: headwater runoff, groundwater baseflow from aquifers and hillslopes and treated wastewater. Their relative contributions varied spatially and seasonally. Upstream of urban areas, headwater runoff dominated (71%), while in the central catchment, groundwater contributed 15%-75%. Downstream of industrial areas, contributions were more balanced: 35% runoff, 27% groundwater and 38% wastewater. Alluvial groundwater was more important in small upstream subbasins in terms of maintaining the connectivity of the streamflow, whereas groundwater contribution from deeper aquifers dominated in lower reaches. EMMA results also highlighted discrepancies with point potentiometric data, emphasising the limitations of local measurements for understanding basin-scale hydrology. Under future climate scenarios, reduced headwater runoff and groundwater storage are expected to lower baseflow, increasing reliance on treated but lower-quality wastewater to sustain streamflow. This highlights the need for long-term monitoring and management, with a focus on protecting baseflow sources and improving wastewater quality to ensure water sustainability Mon, 23 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10256/27174 2025-06-23T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10256/26991 Evaluation of pharmaceutical removal through a full-scale UASB-CW system in a water-scarce Mediterranean region Castaño-Ortiz, Jose Maria; Alonso, Lucas Leonel; Noutsopoulos, Constantinos; Seintos, Taxiarchis; Sáez, Natalia; Rodríguez-Mozaz, Sara; Buttiglieri, Gianluigi In a world threatened by water scarcity, the use of non-conventional water sources, as reclaimed wastewater, for irrigation purposes is a promising option. Nonetheless, a suitable water treatment strategy must be implemented to reduce the concentration of emerging contaminants such as pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs). Upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) technology is characterized by lower sludge production, lower energy demand as well as lower construction and operational costs compared with conventional activated sludge systems. In this work, the efficiency of a UASB system coupled to a constructed wetland (UASB-CW) was evaluated for the removal of pharmaceuticals present in urban wastewater on a Greek Island in a Mediterranean area suffering from water scarcity. Results showed that influent wastewater (IWW) concentrations in summer doubled in fall (238[thin space (1/6-em)]856 ng L−1 and 95[thin space (1/6-em)]057 ng L−1, respectively). The UASB reactor achieved a high removal efficiency for PhACs, particularly for acetaminophen (the most concentrated PhAC in the IWW), with removal rates of 88% in fall and 90% in summer, while exhibiting lower removal rates for other PhACs. The CW, however, decreased the concentration of most pharmaceuticals. The overall removal rate of the system ranged between 64% (summer) and 69% (fall) of the total IWW concentrations. Upon irrigation with reclaimed water, the impacts on the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems were also considered. Effluent dilution and/or further polishing treatment would be necessary to better eliminate the contaminants and prevent any risk to the environment Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10256/26991 2025-07-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10256/26960 Integration of Specific Aeration Demand (SAD) into Flux-Step Test for Submerged Membrane Bioreactor Galizia Amoraga, Albert; Comas Matas, Joaquim; Rodríguez-Roda Layret, Ignasi; Blandin, Gaetan; Monclús Sales, Hèctor This study proposes a novel methodology to assess fouling that complements the flux-step test (FST) by integrating aeration-step tests (ASTs) to optimise the specific aeration demand (SADm) for ultrafiltration hollow-fibre (UF-HF) submerged membranes in membrane bioreactor (MBR) configurations. Three membranes with distinct manufactur- ing processes non-thermal-induced phase separation (NIPS) and thermal-induced phase separation (TIPS) were evaluated under continuous and intermittent aeration. The AST revealed that the critical SADm has a range of 0.1-0.5 m3·m−2·h−1 for continuous aeration and 0.1-0.2 m3·m−2·h−1 for intermittent aeration. NIPS membranes with homogeneous structures were less prone to fouling under intermittent aeration, while TIPS membranes with a heterogeneous structure exhibited better recovery under continuous aeration, reflecting distinct fouling dynamics. Findings indicate that the FST alone does not fully represent operational conditions, as aeration efficiency is linked to membrane structure and aeration mode. By combining the FST with ASTs, our approach enables tailored fouling control strategies, reducing energy consumption and improving MBR performance. These insights are critical for advancing toward energy-efficient wastewater treatment technologies Thu, 03 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10256/26960 2025-04-03T00:00:00Z