Rzeszów University of Technology researchers' article in the top 1% of most cited papers in the Web of Science database
The article entitled 'Limitations and future directions of application of the Fenton-like process in micropollutants degradation in water and wastewater treatment: A critical review' by Małgorzata Kida, BEng, PhD, and Sabina Ziembowicz, BEng, PhD, from the Department of Environmental and Chemistry Engineering of the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture was ranked in the prestigious 1% of the most cited papers in the field of environment/ecology in the Web of Science database for the period May2022/June2023.
Issues
Increasing water scarcity and environmental pollution are current environmental engineering challenges. There is a need for intensive research to develop effective methods for the removal of persistent and toxic pollutants. The article provides a critical review of the literature on the Fenton process, which is an example of advanced oxidation processes. Processes based on the Fenton reaction are promising for water and wastewater treatment applications. This review summarises the limitations, advantages and disadvantages of the classical Fenton process. A comprehensive literature review of the practical application of Fenton reaction-based processes for the removal of organic contaminants from water and wastewater has been conducted. The paper characterises the potential for process modification, focusing on industrial applications in water and wastewater treatment, particularly in the degradation of micropollutants. In addition, the potential for incorporating the Fenton process into existing water and wastewater treatment technologies, including industrial wastewater, is assessed.
About the authors
The scientific interests of Małgorzata Kida, BEng, PhD, are mainly focused on environmental issues, in particular the elimination of hazardous micropollutants and their impact on aquatic ecosystems. The research focuses on the search for innovative, green technologies for the removal of difficult-to-degrade pollutants from the environment. Their goal is to reduce the negative impact of chemicals on health and the environment and to understand the mechanisms of microplastic decomposition and the emission of environmentally harmful compounds, including greenhouse gases.
The subject of interest and scientific research of Sabina Ziembowicz, BEng, PhD., is broadly defined as environmental protection issues. A particularly important issue she deals with is the problem of the occurrence of organic micropollutants in the environment and the possibilities of their effective elimination. The scope of conducted research includes the application of advanced oxidation processes, including the Fenton process and its modifications in the degradation of persistent environmental pollutants. The scientist also carries out research on the development of effective methods for the removal of microplastics from water and wastewater, and tests the impact of conventional water and wastewater treatment processes on the degradation of microplastics and migration of harmful substances.
