Iranian Research Organization for Science and TechnologyAdvances in Environmental Technology2476-667412220260401Exploiting Microalgae for efficient removal of heavy metals: An in-silico approach138173165110.22104/aet.2026.7223.1991ENSankariMohanDepartment of Biotechnology, Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam (Women’s University), Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, IndiaBattiniKishoriDepartment of Biotechnology, Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam (Women’s University), Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, IndiaRamesh BabuESchool of Engineering and Technology, Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam (Women’s University), Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, IndiaHridyaHemachandranMuga Eri Silkworm Seed Organization Central Silk Board, Guwahati, Assam 781022, IndiaPavaniEemaniDepartment of Biotechnology, Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam (Women’s University), Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, IndiaHoneyRachelDepartment of Biotechnology, Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam (Women’s University), Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, IndiaSunanthaGanesanSchool of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, IndiaRUshaDepartment of Biotechnology, Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam (Women’s University), Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, IndiaJournal Article20241116In recent years, bioremediation has attracted a great deal of attention because of environmental pollutants and their implications for public health and environmental sustainability. In bioremediation, microalgae play a major role in environmental and wastewater treatment techniques. Among environmental contaminants, heavy metals (HMs) are significant pollutants due to their persistence in the environment and their potential to harm ecosystems and human health. Several conventional techniques are available for removing heavy metals, but they are expensive. Microalgae afford an environmentally friendly approach for heavy metal remediation. This review examines the major sources and health effects of heavy metals, including chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), Iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), and Copper (Cu), emphasizing microalgae as a potent tool for heavy metal decontamination. The primary analyses observed microalgal metallothioneins (MTs) and their potential to improve metal sequestration, supported by computational investigations of metal-MT interactions. The study revealed that metal ions with MT proteins binding energies of MT ranged between -16.67 to –3.24 kcal/mol for <em>P. tenue </em>and<em> </em>–5.90 to –3.21 kcal/mol for <em>C. sorokiniana,</em> –2.86 to –1.41 kcal/mol for <em>S. platensis, </em>indicating variable but significant affinity for different metal ions. These results suggest that microalgal MTs play an important role in heavy metal uptake and can be further enhanced using computational and biotechnological techniques. Based on the evidence reviewed, microalgae-based bioremediation systems with MT-enhanced strains are recommended as a potential and long-term solution for heavy-metal removal.https://aet.irost.ir/article_1651_4c558e52492ee87918d7ec5c1c44eb8d.pdfIranian Research Organization for Science and TechnologyAdvances in Environmental Technology2476-667412220260401Synergistic Effects of Antibiotics and Nanoplastics in Wastewater: A Growing Challenge in Aquatic Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Human Health Protection174197165510.22104/aet.2026.7923.2218ENSylvester ChibuezeIZAHDepartment of Community Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Bayelsa Medical University, Yenagoa 560221, Bayelsa state, Nigeria.Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Bayelsa Medical University, Yenagoa 560221, Bayelsa State, NigeriaMatthew ChidozieOGWUGoodnight Family Department of Sustainable Development, Appalachian State University, 212 Living Learning Center, 305 Bodenheimer Drive, Boone, NC 28608, USAEsther UgoAlumDepartment of Research and Publications, Kampala International University, P. O. Box 20000, Kampala UgandaJournal Article20251007The pervasive presence of nanoplastics and antibiotics in wastewater systems presents a dual threat to environmental and public health. Nanoplastics, with particle sizes under 1 μm, have become a major environmental contaminant, primarily due to their durability and potential to absorb harmful chemicals. These particles not only threaten aquatic ecosystems by disrupting microbial communities and harming marine life but also pose risks to human health through bioaccumulation in the food chain. Similarly, antibiotics frequently found in wastewater promote the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, further endangering ecological stability and human health. The synergistic effects of nanoplastics and antibiotics exacerbate their impacts, particularly by increasing the bioavailability and toxicity of contaminants in aquatic systems. This paper explores the sources, transport pathways, and combined ecological and health impacts of these pollutants. Additionally, it discusses the limitations of current wastewater treatment technologies in mitigating the effects of nanoplastics and antibiotics and proposes advanced strategies for reducing their environmental footprint. Addressing these contaminants requires a multifaceted approach, integrating technological, regulatory, and community-based solutions to safeguard the ecosystem, biodiversity, and human health.https://aet.irost.ir/article_1655_3095c7294b575e3c92ca6c843607e25e.pdfIranian Research Organization for Science and TechnologyAdvances in Environmental Technology2476-667412220260401Drinking water quality assessment using water quality index: A case study of the Shahrekord, Iran198207166110.22104/aet.2026.7932.2222ENAhmadShirani TakabiDepartment of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Shahrekord University, P.O. Box: 115, Shahrekord, IranMahboubeShiraniDepartment of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Jiroft, P. O. Box: 7867161167, Jiroft, IranAbolfazlSemnaniDepartment of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Shahrekord University, P.O. Box: 115, Shahrekord, IranSaeidAsadpourDepartment of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Shahrekord University, P.O. Box: 115, Shahrekord, IranJournal Article20251010In recent years, the use of water quality indices (WQI) to ensure the safety of drinking water has expanded. In this study, the quality of drinking water in Shahrekord was investigated. This study involves measuring eight physicochemical parameters (pH, EC, TDS, TH, SO<sub>4</sub><sup>2-</sup>, PO<sub>4</sub><sup>3-</sup>, NO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup>, Turbidity) of drinking water taken from the urban water network and calculating the water quality index. The obtained water quality index obtained for all water samples was below 50, indicating excellent and very good quality of Shahrekord's drinking water. After applying principal component analysis, the results indicated that first component, with the highest eigenvalue, is influenced by parameters such as sulfate, nitrate, electrical conductivity (EC), and TDS, confirming the salinity and chemical water quality are dominant. The second component, driven by phosphate, total hardness (TH), and turbidity, reflects the physical properties and hardness of water. The third component is associated with the contribution of phosphate and hardness. EC and TDS exhibit a high correlation.https://aet.irost.ir/article_1661_14aa3c5ebb674a7d5d3435230a3c0a8b.pdfIranian Research Organization for Science and TechnologyAdvances in Environmental Technology2476-667412220260401Fuzzy modelling for power generation in constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell during sewage water treatment207219167210.22104/aet.2026.7161.1970ENSakshiGuptaDepartment of Civil Engineering, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology Allahabad, Prayagraj 211004, IndiaKrishna KumarSinghDepartment of Civil Engineering, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology Allahabad, Prayagraj 211004, India0000-0002-1644-2837Rakesh ChandraVaishyaDepartment of Civil Engineering, Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology, Gorakhpur, 273010, IndiaJournal Article20241011In developing countries, such as India, hybrid constructed wetlands have proven to be an efficient technology due to their cost-effectiveness in installation, practicality, operation, and maintenance over the past decades. This study explores the integration of fuzzy modeling with hybrid constructed wetlands and Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC) for efficient power generation during sewage water treatment. There exists a significant gap between treated and untreated wastewater in India. MFCs, a cutting-edge technology, are gaining considerable attention worldwide due to their potential benefits in producing bioelectricity from wastewater treatment. Referred to as ‘Green technology’, microbial fuel cells offer an environmentally beneficial method of generating electricity while simultaneously purifying wastewater. MFCs directly convert the inorganic and organic substances present in wastewater into electricity using microorganisms as catalysts. In a standard MFC, a proton exchange membrane separates the anaerobic anode chamber from the aerobic cathode chamber. Electrons, traveling through an external circuit to the cathode chamber, produce electric current and power. Bioelectricity generation depends on the type of MFC, electrode materials, performance, substrates, design, and technological configuration. The choice of electrode material influences current production and power density; materials with high electrical conductivity, such as copper used for the anode and zinc for the cathode, lead to significant current production. In the study, this configuration achieved a power density of 352.125 mW/m^2 corresponding to a current of 2 mA, with removal efficiencies for COD, BOD, phosphates, and TSS at 64.64%, 77.87%, 70%, and 76.82%, respectively.https://aet.irost.ir/article_1672_020ad92bcb3ea15c9b3ca8246ddc2a32.pdfIranian Research Organization for Science and TechnologyAdvances in Environmental Technology2476-667412220260401Enhanced arsenic (V) removal from water using aluminium oxide nanoparticle-incorporated Polyethersulfone hollow fiber membranes220231166810.22104/aet.2026.7907.2213ENMruthyunjaya SwamyDasaiahMembrane and Separation Technology Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, IndiaArun MIsloorMembrane and Separation Technology Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, IndiaMuttannaVenkateshMembrane and Separation Technology Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, IndiaVijayendraShettiDepartment of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, IndiaJournal Article20251002The expansion of urbanization, industrialization, and population has led to water pollution due to severe contamination by toxic pollutants, increasing the demand for pure water. Arsenic poisoning of water is considered a highly hazardous chemical poisoning due to its harmful effects on the environment and human health. The present study combines nanotechnology and membrane technology to overcome water scarcity issues and the removal of arsenic from contaminated water. Polyethersulfone (PES) hollow fiber membranes, with and without nanoparticles (NPs), were fabricated through the dry-wet spinning process and used for ultrafiltration studies. Physicochemical characterization confirmed the successful synthesis of bare nanoparticles, and further, membranes were characterized and analyzed by various studies. The study demonstrated significant improvements in As (V) removal efficiency and water flux. The optimized membrane achieved a removal rate of 79.23% and the highest flux of 26.7 L/m²/h compared to the pristine membrane, which had a 65% removal rate and a flux of 18 L/m²/h, emphasizing potential for water purification applications.https://aet.irost.ir/article_1668_69f4f9a868b923311293941681d7dbfa.pdf