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A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental and Green Processes".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 June 2025 | Viewed by 11369

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Miguel Andrés Peluso

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Guest Editor

Laboratorio UPL (CICPBA-UNLP), M.B. Gonnet, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Interests: recycling; batteries; PET; plastics, LIBS; lithium; glycolysis; catalysis; life cycle; circular economy; metal oxides; Zn; Mn
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. María Victoria Gallegos

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Guest Editor

Centro de Investigación Y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicadas, CIC-CONICET-UNLP, La Plata, Argentina
Interests: recycling; electronic waste; batteries waste; solar cells; waste valorization

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are delighted to invite you to submit your latest research and findings on recovery technologies from wastewater and waste for an upcoming Special Issue of Processes, a scientific journal dedicated to the publication of innovative and high-quality research in engineering, chemistry, environmental science, and related fields.

As we face increasing pressure to address global challenges related to water scarcity and environmental pollution, innovative and sustainable approaches to resource recovery are critical.

Advancements in technology have led to the development of novel and innovative methods for recovering resources from waste and wastewater. These technologies address the increasing challenges of handling and disposing of waste, while also providing a source of valuable materials to be utilized in various industries.

Moreover, the recovered materials and resources from waste and wastewater can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower the demand for fossil fuels, and improve overall sustainability. Investing in waste and wastewater recovery technologies not only enables us to be more responsible for our waste management but also provides us with a new source of valuable resources, which are essential for a more sustainable and circular economy.

This Special issue will focus on new and emerging technologies for recovering resources from wastewater and waste that can reduce environmental impact and promote a more efficient resource use.

We welcome submissions on a wide range of topics related to resource recovery technologies, including, but not limited to, adsorption, membrane filtration, electrochemical processes, biotechnology, pyrolysis, and nanotechnology. We are particularly interested in research that provides innovative solutions to the challenges of wastewater treatment and waste management.

We encourage authors to submit original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that highlight the latest advances and challenges in the field of resource recovery. All submitted papers will undergo thorough peer review to ensure the highest standards of quality and scientific rigor.

We look forward to receiving your contributions and publishing groundbreaking research that will shape the future of resource recovery in the years to come.

Prof. Dr. Miguel Andrés Peluso
Dr. María Victoria Gallegos
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Processes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

recycling
life cycle
waste valorization
wastewater treatment
resource recovery
sustainable development
electronic waste
nanotechnology

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Published Papers (13 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 2637 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Achieving High-Efficiency Wastewater Treatment with Sequencing Batch Reactor Grundfos Technology

by Tomasz Sionkowski, Wiktor Halecki, Paweł Jasiński and Krzysztof Chmielowski

Processes 2025, 13(4), 1173; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13041173 - 12 Apr 2025

Viewed by 414

Abstract

Sequencing batch reactor Grundfos technology (SBR-GT) system efficiently treats municipal and selected industrial wastewater, designed for small and medium-scale facilities. It offers advanced solutions for biodegradable wastewater, including municipal and food industry effluents. Important features include stable sedimentation under fluctuating influent conditions, no need for sludge recirculation, and full process automation. The system uses a static decanter and constant chamber filling for optimal oxygenation efficiency and reduced costs. The system uses a static decanter and constant chamber filling for optimal oxygenation efficiency and reduced costs. It is ideal for small settlements with variable inflow, such as towns, allowing flexible operation and cost-effective maintenance. Implementations showed stable parameters for COD (chemical oxygen demand), BOD5 (biochemical oxygen demand), total suspended solids (TSS), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) and up to 99% pollutant reduction, demonstrating high effectiveness in regular and stormwater conditions. Using multivariate multiple linear regression, significant relationships were identified. A multiple regression analysis revealed a strong relationship between water quality parameters. Total suspended solids, Total nitrogen, and Total phosphorus collectively and significantly influenced both chemical oxygen demand and biochemical oxygen demand (p < 0.01 for all). The models explained a high proportion of variance, with R² values of 0.99 for COD and 0.93 for BOD5 (p < 0.001 for both). Specifically, TSS had a strong positive effect on COD (p < 0.001), while TN and TP also significantly affected COD (p < 0.01). Although the overall BOD5 model was highly significant, the individual effects of TSS, TN, and TP on BOD5 were not statistically significant in this model. This method demonstrated high effectiveness in both regular and stormwater conditions, enhancing overall treatment performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Recovery Technologies from Wastewater and Waste)

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13 pages, 1803 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enzymatic Recovery of Glucose from Textile Waste

by Marina Valentukeviciene, Ivar Zekker and Giedre Juozapaviciute

Processes 2025, 13(4), 1165; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13041165 - 11 Apr 2025

Viewed by 248

Abstract

The enzymatic hydrolysis process is important in the field of textile waste reuse in the circular economy context. Currently, enzymatic cellulase treatment of waste textiles, such as bamboo mixture with spandex samples (BS), cotton jeans (CJ), linen (L), and cotton T-shirts (CT), has been tested, in which glucose production was measured at the presence of 6 and 8% NaOH solution. The characteristics of the textiles and hydrolysis capacity were evaluated by the amount of glucose (g) obtained from each textile. The following indicators were also measured during the experiment: temperature, pH, enzymatic cellulase solution composition, final glucose concentrations, turbidity, and color intensity. The temperature of the mixture was maintained at 50 °C, and a pH level of 5–7 along with a contact time of 48–94 min were controlled. The experiments demonstrated that when the enzymatic hydrolysis was active, turbidity increased from 86 nephelometric turbidity unit (NTU) to >1000 NTU; the color of the hydrolyzed samples was obtained from 86 NTU to >1000 NTU; and the final glucose concentration was approximately between 0.49 and 33.9 mmol/L for L, CT, and CJ samples measured to produce up to one gram of glucose from 3.330 g of textile, and a BS samples produced one gram of glucose from 3.164 g of textile. The findings show that recycled glucose obtained from textile waste materials is environmentally sustainable. Such textile waste can then be reused rather than being dumped in already overloaded landfills. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Recovery Technologies from Wastewater and Waste)

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20 pages, 7029 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Mechanical Recycling of Crosslinked High-Density Polyethylene (xHDPE)

by Hibal Ahmad and Denis Rodrigue

Processes 2025, 13(3), 809; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13030809 - 10 Mar 2025

Viewed by 713

Abstract

This study introduces a mechanical recycling technique for crosslinked high-density polyethylene (xHDPE) using cryogenic pulverization and compression molding. This method is shown to effectively transform xHDPE into valuable fillers for recycled HDPE (rHDPE(B)) sourced from recycled bottles using different concentrations (15–60%) and particle sizes (0–250 µm, 250–500 µm, and 500–1000 µm). In particular, the recycling method significantly reduced the gel content from 60.5% to 41.8% for the 0–250 µm particles, indicating partial decrosslinking. Morphological analysis revealed good interfacial adhesion between rHDPE(B) and recycled xHDPE (r-xHDPE), improving the overall performance and resulting in a balanced combination of properties from both materials. The r-xHDPE samples exhibited improved thermal stability. While particle size had minimal effect on material properties, increasing its concentration significantly improved impact strength (612%) with a slight (3%) reduction in density at 60% 500–1000 µm particles. This research underscores the possibility of recycling crosslinked polymers and highlights the need for further studies to optimize the material properties and expand the methodology to a wider range of polymers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Recovery Technologies from Wastewater and Waste)

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19 pages, 6121 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Optimising Batch Sorption: Effect of Mixing Speed and Reactor Design on Wastewater Treatment Kinetics and Efficiency

by Anita Bašić, Mario Nikola Mužek, Željko Penga and Sandra Svilović

Processes 2025, 13(3), 712; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13030712 - 28 Feb 2025

Viewed by 518

Abstract

The batch sorption process is used to remove various species from wastewater and can be optimised by selecting adequate process parameters and reactor geometry. As sorption is a heterogeneous process, achieving the desired process outcomes in a batch reactor relies heavily on establishing conditions in which the influence of interphase diffusion is minimised while keeping the efficiency and cost of the process at acceptable values. These conditions can be managed by the selection of appropriate reactor geometries and mixing speed through examination of their influence on the sorption yield and cost. The relationship between mixing speed and power consumption is important, as excessive mixing can lead to increased energy costs without proportional gains in sorption kinetics and efficiency. For these reasons, the effect of reactor geometry and mixing speed on copper sorption kinetics, efficiency, and energy consumption was studied. The Ritchie model and Mixed surface reaction and diffusion-controlled sorption kinetic model were employed for the kinetic study. CFD simulations were carried out to identify optimal designs that enhance process efficiency and reduce energy consumption. Data obtained indicate that the sorption process generally follows second-order kinetics. Results demonstrate that sorption can be effectively conducted at impeller speeds lower than the critical suspension speed (N_JS), achieving almost equal removal efficiencies (after 30 min) while reducing energy consumption. From the perspective of energy consumption, reactors without baffles are a significantly better solution than baffled reactors, especially when using a PBT impeller. From a kinetic standpoint, better results are achieved at the highest N/N_JS or N_JS. In baffled reactors, considering both power consumption and process duration, the SBT impeller emerges as the most efficient choice. Considering the compromises between power consumption and process duration the choice of reactor geometry and specific operating conditions should align with process priorities, such as energy savings through lower power consumption or reduced mixing time. FTIR spectra did not reveal the differences in the zeolite structure after the sorption process occurred. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Recovery Technologies from Wastewater and Waste)

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16 pages, 3819 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Remediation of Polluted Soils from the Oil Industry Using Sludge from Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants

by Cristian Mugurel Iorga, Lucian Puiu Georgescu, Constantin Ungureanu and Mihaela Marilena Stancu

Processes 2025, 13(1), 245; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13010245 - 16 Jan 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 940

Abstract

Soil pollution with hydrocarbons is a consequence of activities associated with the petroleum industry and related sectors. The effects of petroleum pollution are devastating, making the remediation of contaminated sites imperative. Consequently, soil decontamination represents a significant and costly challenge for the petroleum industry. The article proposes a dual-recovery bioremediation solution that is both efficient and cost-effective, exploring the potential use of dehydrated sewage sludge from municipal wastewater treatment plants to treat petroleum-contaminated soils. Over the three-month bioremediation experiment, changes in the density of indigenous bacteria in petroleum-contaminated soil samples, treated or untreated with sludge, were monitored along with the reduction in petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations. In parallel, the evolution of other contaminants, such as heavy metals, was monitored during the bioremediation experiment. Geotechnical tests were also conducted to evaluate the feasibility of returning the treated soil to its original location after the bioremediation experiment. Our results demonstrate that the proposed method effectively addresses both the remediation of petroleum-contaminated soils (hazardous waste) and the reuse of sewage sludge from municipal wastewater treatment plants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Recovery Technologies from Wastewater and Waste)

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19 pages, 3623 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Advancing Energy Recovery: Evaluating Torrefaction Temperature Effects on Food Waste Properties from Fruit and Vegetable Processing

by Andreja Škorjanc, Sven Gruber, Klemen Rola, Darko Goričanec and Danijela Urbancl

Processes 2025, 13(1), 208; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13010208 - 13 Jan 2025

Viewed by 669

Abstract

Most organic waste from food production is still not used for energy production. From the perspective of energy production, one option is to valorise the properties of organic waste. The fruit juice industry is growing rapidly and generates large amounts of waste. One of the main wastes in food and fruit juice processing is peach pits and apple peels. The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of torrefaction temperature on the properties of food waste, namely apple peels, peach pits and pea shells, in order to improve their energy value and determine their potential for further use and valorisation as a renewable energy source. The aim was to analyse the influence of different torrefaction temperatures on the heating value (HHV), mass yield (MY) and energy yield (EY) in order to better understand the behavior of the thermal properties of individual selected samples. The torrefaction process was carried out at temperatures of 250 °C, 350 °C and 450 °C. The obtained biomass was compared with dried biomass. For apple peels, HHV after torrefaction was (28 kJ/kg), MY decreased by (66–34%), while EY fell by (97–83%). Peach pits, despite a higher HHV after torrefaction (18 kJ/kg), achieved low MY (38–89%) and EY (59–99%), which reduces their efficiency in biochar production. Pea peels had EY (82–97%) and a lower HHV after torrefaction (11 kJ/kg), but their high ash content limits their wider use. The results confirm that, with increasing temperature, MY and EY for all selected biomasses decrease, which is a consequence of the degradation of hemicellulose and cellulose and the loss of volatile compounds. In most cases, increasing the torrefaction temperature improved the resistance to moisture adsorption, as this is related to the thermal process that causes structural changes. The results showed that the torrefaction process improved the hydrophobic properties of the biomass samples. Temperature was seen to have a great impact on mass energy efficiency. Apple peels generally had the highest mass and energy yield. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Recovery Technologies from Wastewater and Waste)

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22 pages, 4283 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

GIS-Driven Methods for Scouting Sources of Waste Heat for Fifth-Generation District Heating and Cooling (5GDHC) Systems: Railway/Highway Tunnels

by Stanislav Chicherin

Processes 2025, 13(1), 165; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13010165 - 9 Jan 2025

Viewed by 716

Abstract

This paper explores the innovative application of Geographic Information Systems (GISs) to identify and utilize waste heat sources from railway and highway tunnels for fifth-generation district heating and cooling (5GDHC) systems. Increasing the number of prosumers—entities that produce and consume energy—within 5GDHC networks enhances their efficiency and sustainability. While potential sources of waste heat vary widely, this study focuses on underground car/railway tunnels, which typically have a temperature range of 20 °C to 40 °C. Using GIS software, we comprehensively analyzed tunnel locations and their potential as heat sources in Belgium. This study incorporates data from various sources, including OpenStreetMap and the European Waste Heat Map, and applies a two-dimensional heat transfer model to estimate the heat recovery potential. The results indicate that railway tunnels, especially in the southern regions of Belgium, show significant promise for waste heat recovery, potentially contributing between 0.8 and 2.9 GWh annually. The integration of blockchain technology for peer-to-peer energy exchange within 5GDHC systems is also discussed, highlighting its potential to enhance energy management and billing. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on sustainable energy systems and presents a novel approach to leveraging existing district heating and cooling infrastructure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Recovery Technologies from Wastewater and Waste)

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17 pages, 22056 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Heavy Metals Research in the Black Soil Region of Liaoning Province, China: Spatial Patterns, Risk Assessment, and Sources Apportionment

by Fan Gao, Jinhan Zhou, Jie Jiang and Guoxin Sun

Processes 2025, 13(1), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13010057 - 30 Dec 2024

Viewed by 713

Abstract

Heavy metals are enriched in black soil area and affect human safety through the food chain. In this research, 149 soil samples were collected from the black soil region in Liaoning Province; seven heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Pb, As, and Cd) were investigated to determine the status, ecological-health risks, and contamination risks and to identify sources. The method of potential ecological risk assessment, Nemerow index, and geo-accumulation index were used to appraise the heavy-metal contamination. Principal component analysis was combined with an absolute factor score/multiple linear regression model to identify the heavy metals’ sources in the soil. The average concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Pb, As, and Cd were 0.92, 0.87, 0.84, 0.95, 1.09, 0.97, and 1.86 times of the soil background value, respectively. In the research area, Ni and Cr were basically non-enriched; As, Cu, and Zn were mildly enriched; Pb was moderately enriched; and Cd was seriously enriched. The source analysis identified three primary sources of heavy metals: the first was natural sources, including Cr, Ni, and Cu. The second was industrial sources, including smelting, with a high contribution from Cd and Zn. The third was human activities, such as mining operations, which have a high contribution rate to Pb and As. The research area was not heavily contaminated with heavy metals. This work lays a foundation for the environmental restoration of heavy-metals-polluted black soil, which is vital to restoring the ecology of and fostering sustainable agriculture in Liaoning’s black soil region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Recovery Technologies from Wastewater and Waste)

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12 pages, 2871 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Recovery of Cellulose Contained in Mixed Fabrics

by Juan A. Conesa and Viviana N. Córdoba

Processes 2024, 12(12), 2854; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12122854 - 12 Dec 2024

Viewed by 779

Abstract

The present work focuses on the recovery of cellulose from mixed fabrics containing polyester and cotton through the use of different chemical and hydrothermal treatment methods. Through the application of various analytical techniques, such as thermogravimetry (TG) and infrared spectroscopy (IR), we seek to determine the effectiveness of the methods used. The results indicate that different treatments with NaOH and distilled water at high temperatures and pressures are particularly effective for the extraction of the cellulose fraction. Furthermore, these methods were compared with previous studies to evaluate their feasibility and sustainability. The findings underline the importance of selecting appropriate experimental conditions to maximize the purity of the cellulose obtained and minimize fiber degradation, thus promoting more efficient and sustainable textile recycling processes. These results have significant implications for industrial applications by enabling the development of scalable recycling methods and contribute to reducing the environmental impact of textile waste. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Recovery Technologies from Wastewater and Waste)

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13 pages, 4244 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bioleaching of Industrial Metallic Steel Waste by Mixed Cultures of Thermoacidophilic Archaea

by Alma Memic, Artem Mashchenko, Denise Kölbl, Holger Schnideritsch, Dominik Wohlmuth, Gerald Klösch and Tetyana Milojevic

Processes 2024, 12(11), 2327; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12112327 - 23 Oct 2024

Viewed by 1173

Abstract

Different mixed cultures of extremely thermoacidophilic microorganisms were used for bioleaching of metalliferous industrial dust waste derived from the basic oxygen furnace (BOF) steelmaking process. Such mixed cultures can extract various metals from multi-metallic BOF-dust waste, improving the metal dissolution and bioleaching performance in frames of metal recycling processes to assist circular economies and waste management. The results of the investigation showed that mixed cultures of thermoacidophilic archaea of the order Sulfolobales (Acidianus spp., Sulfolobus spp., and Metallosphaera sedula) during their growth in laboratory glass bioreactors provided a superior bioleaching system to Acidianus manzaensis alone. Depending on the composition of mixed thermoacidophilic cultures, extraction of various metals from BOF-dust could be achieved. Among the three different types of mixed cultures tested, the mixed culture system of A. manzaensis, A. brierleyi, and S. acidocaldarius was most effective for extraction of major elements (Fe, Ca, Zn, Mn, and Al). The mixed culture of A. manzaensis, A. brierleyi, and M. sedula showed high performance for bioleaching of most of the minor elements (Cu, Ni, Pb, Co, Mo, and Sr). The efficient ability of mixed cultures to colonise the mineral matrix of the metal waste product was observed via scanning electron microscopy, while their metal extraction capacities were analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. These investigations will promote the further design of microbial consortia in order to break down the solid matrix and efficiently extract metals from metalliferous waste materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Recovery Technologies from Wastewater and Waste)

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11 pages, 1210 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Evaluation and Optimization of a Decentralized Incineration Facility for Animal By-Products: Performance, Cost Analysis and Resource Recovery

by Panagiotis J. Charitidis, Alexandros Eftaxias, Evangelos A. Voudrias and Vasileios Diamantis

Processes 2024, 12(9), 1847; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12091847 - 29 Aug 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1604

Abstract

In this study, a decentralized incineration facility was evaluated over a three-year period, focusing on performance aspects, such as the burning rate, ash production, fuel and electricity consumption, and ash composition, while processing animal by-products (ABPs). The total cost for ABP incineration was determined to be EUR 159 t⁻¹ ABP, with the major components being capital depreciation (42%), maintenance expenditures (26%), labor (18%), and transportation costs (9%). Liquified petroleum gas consumption ranged from 3 to 7 kg t⁻¹, while electricity use was between 15 and 20 kWh t⁻¹ incinerated ABP. The incineration process generated 7–10% (by weight) ABP ash, which was characterized by high calcium and phosphorus contents and low levels of hazardous trace elements. Leaching tests demonstrated the potential for recovering an alkaline supernatant for flue gas treatment and a phosphorus-rich slurry for fertilizer production. The findings suggest that energy recovery and valorization are crucial for minimizing the operational costs and the environmental impact, emphasizing the benefits of integrating advanced resource recovery techniques in ABP incineration facilities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Recovery Technologies from Wastewater and Waste)

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13 pages, 5180 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of Corn Straw, an Agro-Waste, to Remove Dyes in an Aqueous Medium, Producing Blue or Red Fibers

by Andressa dos Santos, Anne R. Sotiles and Fauze J. Anaissi

Processes 2024, 12(4), 694; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12040694 - 29 Mar 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1344

Abstract

The contaminant dyes that, even at low concentrations, may cause a series of adverse effects in humans and animals, and their removal by adsorption methods using alternative adsorbents as natural fibers, are regarded as a research topic that has become increasingly relevant. In this study, corn straw (CS), an agro-industrial residue, was used to remove dyes. The samples were characterized by ATR-FTIR, SEM-EDS, zeta potential, diffuse spectra, and colorimetry, before and after dye removal. The analyses allowed us to differentiate the morphology of CS after the treatment’s fiber on the adsorbent surface. The zeta potential showed a negative surface charge, but the acidic or alkaline treatment affected the surface charge of the sample, influencing the adsorption of cationic or anionic dyes. Adsorption data presented an increased removal when alkaline treatment was applied for the methylene blue (MB; q_max = 16.7 mg g⁻¹), and the acid treatment was more effective for the Congo red (CR; q_max = 2.13 mg g⁻¹). After color stability tests, it was observed that the anionic dye CR was more easily desorbed due to the surface charge of the adsorbent. Due to the chemical treatment, corn straw proved to be a good sustainable adsorbent for removing anionic or cationic dyes from aqueous media, contributing directly to the objective of sustainable development (#6—drinking water and sanitation) and with SDG numbers 3, 11, 12, 14, and 17. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Recovery Technologies from Wastewater and Waste)

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12 pages, 1546 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Contribution of Commercial Flights to the Global Emissions of Inorganic and Organic Pollutants

by Juan A. Conesa and Jonathan Mortes

Processes 2025, 13(4), 995; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13040995 - 26 Mar 2025

Viewed by 313

Abstract

The aviation industry significantly contributes to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for approximately 2–3% of total annual CO₂ emissions, with high-altitude operations amplifying radiative forcing effects. This study quantitatively examines aviation’s contributions to global pollution compared to other transportation sectors, such as road and maritime, highlighting the substantial challenges in mitigating its environmental footprint. We focus on emissions of organic compounds, including polycyclic aromatic compounds and dioxins, and analyze key pollutants such as CO₂, NO_X, and ultrafine particles alongside the sector’s indirect effects. Our estimation indicates that dioxin emissions from commercial flights are negligible, at only 0.76 g annually; however, the sector’s broader impact on climate and air quality is significant. The analysis also evaluates current mitigation strategies, including the adoption of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), international initiatives like CORSIA, and advancements in aircraft technologies and operational efficiency. Despite these efforts, the projected growth in air traffic, estimated to increase annually by 5% over the next decade, underscores the urgent need for accelerated innovation and robust policy frameworks to achieve sustainable aviation. These findings emphasize the necessity of addressing aviation’s unique environmental challenges through international cooperation, technological advancements, and targeted climate actions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Recovery Technologies from Wastewater and Waste)

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