AEESP Journal Spotlight: Early 2018

The “spotlight” column draws attention to selected articles in Environmental Engineering Science, the official journal of the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP). Spotlight articles appear regularly in the journal as an Editor's Note, as well as in the AEESP newsletter. Through publication of high-quality peer-reviewed research, the EES journal helps AEESP achieve its mission of developing and disseminating knowledge in environmental engineering and science. In this entry, we shine the spotlight on selected articles from the August 2017 issue through the November 2017 issue of EES. Congratulations to all whose work is highlighted.

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles are used in many consumer applications including foods, personal care products, and pharmaceuticals. Waller et al. (2017) examined how exposure to TiO₂ nanoparticles can affect human health, focusing on the composition and phenotype of human gut microbiota. Using a reactor simulating the human colon, they demonstrated that exposure to TiO₂ altered the microbial ecology and reduced the colonic pH. Their results have important implications for environmental exposure and risk of TiO₂ nanoparticles.

The occurrence of harmful algal blooms and potential transmission of algal toxins through water treatment systems pose a threat to human health. Addressing this issue, Cho et al. (2017) demonstrated that a combined treatment process, including conventional coagulation, low-pressure membrane filtration, and granular activated carbon, was highly effective in removing blue-green algae. They also developed a new dynamic backwashing method for maintaining filter operation during algal blooms.

Klaus et al. (2017) studied the impact of NO₂⁻, N₂O, and NO on the operation of aqueous dissolved oxygen (DO) sensors. They found that the presence of NO results in positive interference in DO readings with some models of optical DO probes, and this can affect the monitoring and control of both bench-scale and full-scale wastewater treatment processes.

Orner et al. (2017) developed a House of Quality planning matrix for evaluating wastewater nutrient management technologies at the individual building, sewer (conveyance), and community scales. This customizable methodology can be used to determine the most appropriate technologies for any given municipality and it provides a means to identify emerging nutrient recovery technologies that may be preferable over current baseline technologies.

Kogo et al. (2017) used a partial lead service line replacement simulation loop to study the effects of corrosion inhibitors, water quality and flow conditions, and chlorine disinfection on biofilm growth and lead accumulation. A key finding was that biofilms can act as a lead reservoir and biofilm detachment and changes in water quality conditions could result in a significant release of lead.