Leveraging the water-environment-health nexus to characterize sustainable water purification solutions

Johnson, A. C., Jin, X. W., Nakada, N. & Sumpter, J. P. Learning from the past and considering the future of chemicals in the environment. Science 367, 384–387 (2020).
Google Scholar
Wang, Z. Y. et al. We need a global science-policy body on chemicals and waste. Science 371, 774 (2021).
Google Scholar
Escher, B. I., Stapleton, H. M. & Schymanski, E. L. Tracking complex mixtures of chemicals in our changing environment. Science 367, 388 (2020).
Google Scholar
Deziel, N. C. & Villanueva, C. M. Assessing exposure and health consequences of chemicals in drinking water in the 21st Century. J. Expo. Sci. Environ. Epidemiol. 34, 1–2 (2024).
Google Scholar
Zhang, Y. Z., Gao, Y. R., Liu, Q. S., Zhou, Q. F. & Jiang, G. B. Chemical contaminants in blood and their implications in chronic diseases. J. Hazard. Mater. 466, 133511 (2024).
Google Scholar
Fairbairn, D. J. et al. Contaminants of emerging concern: mass balance and comparison of wastewater effluent and upstream sources in a mixed-use watershed. Environ. Sci. Technol. 50, 36–45 (2016).
Google Scholar
Jia, D. T. et al. Exposure to trace levels of metals and fluoroquinolones increases inflammation and tumorigenesis risk of zebrafish embryos. Environ. Sci. Ecotechnol. 10, 100162 (2022).
Google Scholar
Villanueva, C. M. et al. Assessing exposure and health consequences of chemicals in drinking water: current state of knowledge and research needs. Environ. Health Perspect. 122, 213–221 (2014).
Google Scholar
Shannon, M. A. et al. Science and technology for water purification in the coming decades. Nature 452, 301–310 (2008).
Google Scholar
van der Hoek, J. P., Bertelkamp, C., Verliefde, A. R. D. & Singhal, N. Drinking water treatment technologies in Europe: state of the art – challenges – research needs. J. Water Supply Res Technol. Aqua 63, 124–130 (2014).
Google Scholar
Teodosiu, C., Gilca, A. F., Barjoveanu, G. & Fiore, S. Emerging pollutants removal through advanced drinking water treatment: A review on processes and environmental performances assessment. J. Clean. Prod. 197, 1210–1221 (2018).
Google Scholar
Maziotis, A. & Molinos-Senante, M. Understanding energy performance in drinking water treatment plants using the efficiency analysis tree approach. npj Clean Water 7, 13 (2024).
Google Scholar
Werber, J. R., Osuji, C. O. & Elimelech, M. Materials for next-generation desalination and water purification membranes. Nat. Rev. Mater. 1, 16018 (2016).
Google Scholar
Zodrow, K. R. et al. Advanced materials, technologies, and complex systems analyses: emerging opportunities to enhance urban water security. Environ. Sci. Technol. 51, 10274–10281 (2017).
Google Scholar
Mitch, W. A. Tap water and bladder cancer in China. Nat. Sustain. 5, 643–644 (2022).
Google Scholar
Li, X. F. & Mitch, W. A. Drinking Water Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs) and human health effects: multidisciplinary challenges and opportunities. Environ. Sci. Technol. 52, 1681–1689 (2018).
Google Scholar
Lau, S. S. et al. Toxicological assessment of potable reuse and conventional drinking waters. Nat. Sustain. 6, 39–46 (2023).
Google Scholar
Nika, C. E. et al. Nature-based solutions as enablers of circularity in water systems: a review on assessment methodologies, tools and indicators. Water. Res. 183, 115988 (2020).
Google Scholar
Ray, C., Melin, G. & Linsky, R. B. Riverbank Filtration: Improving Source-Water Quality 43 (Springer Netherlands, 2003).
Chung, M. G., Frank, K. A., Pokhrel, Y., Dietz, T. & Liu, J. G. Natural infrastructure in sustaining global urban freshwater ecosystem services. Nat. Sustain. 4, 1068 (2021). +.
Google Scholar
Kondor, A. C. et al. Efficiency of the bank filtration for removing organic priority substances and contaminants of emerging concern: a critical review. Environ. Pollut. 340, 122795 (2024).
Google Scholar
Kovacevic, S., Radisic, M., Lausevic, M. & Dimkic, M. Occurrence and behavior of selected pharmaceuticals during riverbank filtration in The Republic of Serbia. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. 24, 2075–2088 (2017).
Google Scholar
Albergamo, V. et al. Removal of polar organic micropollutants by pilot-scale reverse osmosis drinking water treatment. Water. Res. 148, 535–545 (2019).
Google Scholar
Zhai, Y. J., Liu, G. & van der Meer, W. G. J. One-step reverse osmosis based on riverbank filtration for future drinking water purification. Engineering 9, 27–34 (2022).
Google Scholar
Osorio, S. C., Biesheuvel, P. M., Spruijt, E., Dykstra, J. E. & van der Wal, A. Modeling micropollutant removal by nanofiltration and reverse osmosis membranes: considerations and challenges. Water. Res. 225, 119130 (2022).
Google Scholar
Wang, X. et al. Impact hotspots of reduced nutrient discharge shift across the globe with population and dietary changes. Nat. Commun. 10, 2627 (2019).
Google Scholar
Zijp, M. C. & van der Laan, H. Life Cycle Assessment of Two Drinking Water Production Schemes (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, 2015).
Wold Health Organization. Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quality, 4th Ed. (World Health Organization, 2011).
Shemer, H. et al. Remineralization of desalinated water by limestone dissolution with carbon dioxide. Desalin. Water Treat. 51, 877–881 (2013).
Google Scholar
Nielsen, C. J. et al. Atmospheric Degradation of Amines (ADA). Summary Report: Gas phase photo-oxidation of 2-aminoethanol (MEA) CLIMIT Project No. 193438 (Norwegian Institute for Air Research, 2010).
de Paula, E. C. & Amaral, M. C. S. Extending the life-cycle of reverse osmosis membranes: a review. Waste Manag. Res. 35, 456–470 (2017).
Google Scholar
Qiu, G. H., Wang, S. H., Song, D. W., Liu, S. H. & Wang, H. T. Review of performance improvement of energy recovery turbines in the reverse osmosis desalination. Desalin. Water Treat. 119, 70–73 (2018).
Google Scholar
Pan, Y. R. et al. Characterization of implementation limits and identification of optimization strategies for sustainable water resource recovery through life cycle impact analysis. Environ. Int. 133, 105266 (2019).
Google Scholar
Choi, H., Shin, J. & Woo, J. Effect of electricity generation mix on battery electric vehicle adoption and it its environmental impact. Energy Policy 121, 13–24 (2018).
Google Scholar
Hertwich, E. G. et al. Integrated life-cycle assessment of electricity-supply scenarios confirms global environmental benefit of low-carbon technologies. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 112, 6277–6282 (2015).
Google Scholar
Chang, S. Y., Zhuo, J. K., Meng, S., Qin, S. Y. & Yao, Q. Clean coal technologies in China: current status and future perspectives. Engineering 2, 447–459 (2016).
Google Scholar
Larsen, T. A., Hoffmann, S., Luthi, C., Truffer, B. & Maurer, M. Emerging solutions to the water challenges of an urbanizing world. Science 352, 928–933 (2016).
Google Scholar
Landrigan, P. J. et al. The Lancet Commission on pollution and health. Lancet 391, 462–512 (2018).
Google Scholar
Nansai, K. et al. Consumption in the G20 nations causes particulate air pollution resulting in two million premature deaths annually. Nat. Commun. 12, 6286 (2021).
Google Scholar
Kaufman, J. U. & Curl, C. L. Environmental Health Sciences in a translational research framework: more than benches and bedsides. Environ. Health Perspect. 127, 045001 (2019).
Google Scholar
Schullehner, J., Cserbik, D., Gago-Ferrero, P., Lundqvist, J. & Nuckols, J. R. Integrating different tools and technologies to advance drinking water quality exposure assessments. J. Expo. Sci. Environ. Epidemiol. 34, 108–114 (2024).
Google Scholar
Ferraro, P. J. & Prasse, C. Reimagining safe drinking water on the basis of twenty-first-century science. Nat. Sustain. 4, 1032–1037 (2021).
Google Scholar
Isaacs, K. K. et al. Screening for drinking water contaminants of concern using an automated exposure-focused workflow. J. Expo. Sci. Environ. Epidemiol. 34, 136–147 (2024).
Google Scholar
Xiao, F. et al. Cross-national challenges and strategies for PFAS regulatory compliance in water infrastructure. Nat. Water 1, 1004–1015 (2023).
Google Scholar
Rahman, M. F., Peldszus, S. & Anderson, W. B. Behaviour and fate of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in drinking water treatment: a review. Water Res. 50, 318–340 (2014).
Google Scholar
Zhao, S. F. et al. Engineering antifouling reverse osmosis membranes: a review. Desalination 499, 114857 (2021).
Google Scholar
Bellona, C., Drewes, J. E., Xu, P. & Amy, G. Factors affecting the rejection of organic solutes during NF/RO treatment – a literature review. Water. Res. 38, 2795–2809 (2004).
Google Scholar
Salamon, E. & Goda, Z. Coupling riverbank filtration with reverse osmosis may favor short distances between wells and riverbanks at RBF sites on the River Danube in Hungary. Water 11, 113 (2019).
Google Scholar
Hoang, N. A. T., Covatti, G. & Grischek, T. Methodology for evaluation of potential sites for large-scale riverbank filtration. Hydrogeol. J. 30, 1701–1716 (2022).
Google Scholar
Wang, H. S. et al. Replacing traditional pretreatment in one-step UF with natural short-distance riverbank filtration: Continuous contaminants removal and TMP increase relief. Water. Res. 249, 120948 (2024).
Google Scholar
Ahmed, A. K. A. & Marhaba, T. F. Review on river bank filtration as an in situ water treatment process. Clean Technol. Environ. Policy 19, 349–359 (2017).
Google Scholar
Imbulana, S., Oguma, K. & Takizawa, S. Evaluation of groundwater quality and reverse osmosis water treatment plants in the endemic areas of Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology (CKDu) in Sri Lanka. Sci. Total Environ. 745, 140716 (2020).
Google Scholar
Cherukumilli, K., Ray, I. & Pickering, A. J. Evaluating the hidden costs of drinking water treatment technologies. Nat. Water 1, 319–327 (2023).
Google Scholar
Falinski, M. M. et al. A framework for sustainable nanomaterial selection and design based on performance, hazard, and economic considerations. Nat. Nanotechnol. 13, 708–714 (2018).
Google Scholar
Jenkins, A. et al. Watersheds in planetary health research and action Comment. Lancet Planet. Health. 2, E510–E511 (2018).
Google Scholar
Liu, J. G. et al. Systems integration for global sustainability. Science 347, 1258832 (2015).
Google Scholar
Ross, S. & Evans, D. Excluding site-specific data from the LCA inventory: How this affects Life Cycle impact Assessment. Int. J. Life Cycle Assess. 7, 141–150 (2002).
Google Scholar
Okampo, E. J. & Nwulu, N. Optimisation of renewable energy powered reverse osmosis desalination systems: a state-of-the-art review. Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. 140, 110712 (2021).
Google Scholar
Santana, M. V. E., Zhang, Q. & Mihelcic, J. R. Influence of water quality on the embodied energy of drinking water treatment. Environ. Sci. Technol. 48, 3084–3091 (2014).
Google Scholar
Alardhi, S. M. et al. Separation techniques in different configurations of hybrid systems via synergetic adsorption and membrane processes for water treatment: a review. J. Ind. Eng. Chem. 130, 91–104 (2024).
Google Scholar
Zhi, W., Appling, A. P., Golden, H. E., Podgorski, J. & Li, L. Deep learning for water quality. Nat. Water 2, 228–241 (2024).
Google Scholar
Kumari, M. & Kumar, A. Identification of component-based approach for prediction of joint chemical mixture toxicity risk assessment with respect to human health: a critical review. Food Chem. Toxicol. 143, 111458 (2020).
Google Scholar
Wee, S. Y. et al. Pharmaceuticals, hormones, plasticizers, and pesticides in drinking water. J. Hazard. Mater. 424, 127327 (2022).
Google Scholar
Puri, M., Gandhi, K. & Kumar, M. S. Emerging environmental contaminants: a global perspective on policies and regulations. J. Environ. Manag. 332, 117344 (2023).
Google Scholar
Levin, R. et al. US drinking water quality: exposure risk profiles for seven legacy and emerging contaminants. J. Expo. Sci. Environ. Epidemiol. 34, 3–22 (2024).
Google Scholar
Wang, B. & Yu, G. Emerging contaminant control: from science to action. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng. 16, 81 (2022).
Google Scholar
Colzani, L., Forni, C., Clerici, L., Barreca, S. & Dellavedova, P. Determination of pollutants, antibiotics, and drugs in surface water in Italy as required by the third EU Water Framework Directive Watch List: method development, validation, and assessment. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. 13, 24791–14803 (2024).
Mueller, N. C. & Nowack, B. Exposure modeling of engineered nanoparticles in the environment. Environ. Sci. Technol. 42, 4447–4453 (2008).
Google Scholar
Westh, T. B. et al. The USEtox story: a survey of model developer visions and user requirements. Int. J. Life Cycle Assess. 20, 299–310 (2015).
Google Scholar
Rahman, S. M., Eckelman, M. J., Onnis-Hayden, A. & Gu, A. Z. Comparative life cycle assessment of advanced wastewater treatment processes for removal of chemicals of emerging concern. Environ. Sci. Technol. 52, 11346–11358 (2018).
Google Scholar
Hao, X. D. et al. Environmental impacts of resource recovery from wastewater treatment plants. Water Res. 160, 268–277 (2019).
Google Scholar
Loubet, P., Roux, P., Loiseau, E. & Bellon-Maurel, V. Life cycle assessments of urban water systems: A comparative analysis of selected peer-reviewed literature. Water Res. 67, 187–202 (2014).
Google Scholar
link