The 12th International Conference on Water Resource and Environment (WRE 2026)

Abstract: Dams are critical infrastructures built for multiple purposes, such as electricity production, water supply, and irrigation. Building big dams significantly impacts population life, activity, and the natural ecosystems. River flow modifications are among their most obvious impacts on the environment. This presentation reviews the results of the methodology used in the analysis and modeling the water flow of one of the most important rivers in Romania, and the changes in the water flow due to building the Siriu Dam. Various techniques, including IHA indicators, multifractal analysis, decomposition models, and Intrinsic Mode Functions (IMFs), and AI where used for modeling the river discharge. Whereas the visualizations display evident oscillations in the river's monthly average discharge, the long-range dependence analysis indicates the various patterns of the river discharge. The study reveals that most techniques provide a good estimation of the series trend but fail to capture the maxima. All indicates the existence of two different patterns of the analyzed series, indicating 1984 as a change point.

Abstract: Urban waterways in New Taipei City receive combined loadings of domestic sewage, industrial wastewater, and surface runoff, leading to the accumulation of heavy metals (Cu, Zn) in sediment and elevated water-column concentrations of ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). This study integrates three sampling campaigns (April 29, May 29, and June 17, 2026) across five sites (Longan Road, Tanti Ditch, Yakoukeng Creek, Zhongzheng Road, and Lujiao Creek; n = 9 per campaign), applying three complementary statistical approaches: multiple linear regression (MLR: C_w = β_0 +β_1 ·C_s +β_2 ·fine fraction + β_3·organic matter +β_4 ·pH + β_5·ORP), partition coefficient (Kd = Cs/Cw) analysis, and Pearson correlation. MLR results show that sediment total Cu remained a stable, dominant predictor of dissolved Cu across all three campaigns (R² ≈ 0.99), whereas the Zn model's explanatory power declined progressively (R² = 0.981→0.957→0.889) and lost overall significance by June. NH3-N and COD models exhibited an alternating source-term (sediment TN) - redox (ORP) - source-term (TN) control pattern, reaching their best fits in June (R² = 0.9987 and 0.9946, respectively). Partition coefficients confirmed Cu (log Kd 4.23-4.32) and Zn (log Kd 3.98-4.16) as consistently strongly sediment-bound, while NH3-N log Kd rose from 2.86 to 3.07, largely driven by a sharp NH3-N decline at the wetland site Lujiao Creek (11.0/11.2 → 1.64 mg/L). Site-level heterogeneity was notable: Cu Kd at Zhongzheng Road rose continuously (42,387→97,412 L/kg), while at Lujiao Creek it fell sharply after April. Pearson analysis consistently identified three co-source structures across campaigns: Cu-Zn (industrial metal co-source), organic matter-fine fraction (sediment physicochemical coupling), and NH3-N-sediment Cu (persistent cross-correlation), though the COD-NH3-N linkage was significant only in April and June. These findings indicate that heavy-metal partitioning is temporally stable, favoring sediment-focused remediation (e.g., dredging, reductive settling) as a management priority, whereas NH3-N/COD control requires combined point-source reduction and maintenance of oxidizing conditions (ORP > 0 mV).

Abstract: Electrochemical technologies provide versatile and sustainable strategies for both the detection and removal of contaminants in water. This work presents two representative electrochemical approaches based on functionalized electrode materials, focusing on sensitive pollutant sensing and selective electrocatalytic conversion.
First, a copper ferrite/multiwalled carbon nanotube (CuFe₂O₄@MWCNT) nanocomposite was developed and decorated onto a glassy carbon electrode for the electrochemical determination of diuron, a widely used herbicide of environmental and health concern. The physicochemical properties of the CuFe₂O₄@MWCNT composite were systematically characterized using microscopic techniques, while its electrochemical performance was evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The resulting electrode exhibited a detection range between 1.0x10-2 and 1.8x102 μM and a detection limit of 6x10-2 μM. Good selectivity, repeatability, reproducibility, and satisfactory recoveries in real samples further demonstrated its potential for monitoring diuron in agricultural and environmental samples.
Nitrate contamination in water, mainly arising from agricultural runoff and wastewater discharge, is an important environmental concern, as excessive exposure may pose health risks such as methemoglobinemia. To address this issue, a series of Pd-functionalized Cu electrodes were fabricated through controlled Pd electrodeposition for the electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate in water. Structural characterization confirmed the formation of a PdCu alloy with uniformly distributed Pd nanoparticles on the Cu substrate. By controlling the Pd electrodeposition time, the surface characteristics and catalytic properties of the electrodes could be tailored to enhance nitrate conversion and nitrogen selectivity. Among the investigated electrodes, Pd/Cu prepared with a deposition time of 180 s achieved approximately 98% nitrate removal and 87% N₂ selectivity at a current density of 6.8x10-2 mA cm⁻². The enhanced catalytic activity and durability demonstrate the potential of Pd/Cu electrodes for efficient nitrate removal and selective conversion to environmentally benign nitrogen gas.
Overall, the integration of advanced electrode materials with electrochemical sensing and treatment technologies offers a promising platform for environmental monitoring, wastewater treatment, and sustainable water management.

Abstract: Amidst the severe challenges of global urbanization and climate change, urban land-use transitions have exacerbated carbon emissions and caused severe fragmentation of green spaces critical for carbon storage. Re-evaluating the carbon sequestration potential of urban land through the lens of spatial heterogeneity is essential for implementing effective urban climate adaptation strategies. Using a urban experiencing rapid land-use change as an empirical studied area, this research systematically evaluates the spatial distribution of carbon emissions and carbon storage across different land-use categories by referencing the IPCC Guidance. The methodology employs global spatial autocorrelation analysis (Moran's I) to quantify and visualize carbon management under the spatial competition of land use during the urbanization process. The results indicate that high-emission traffic and residential lands exhibit significant spatial clustering, whereas agricultural and forest lands, which possess excellent carbon sequestration benefits, face severe land fragmentation and marginalization. Furthermore, based on the Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) Sustainable Soil Management (SSM) analytical framework, this study figures out that soils with good nutrient retention retain substantial carbon storage potential even under intense anthropogenic disturbance. Notably, in the northern areas of the analyzed area, implementing the SSM1 land management scenario with a 5% carbon input can yield a maximum soil carbon storage potential reaching 193.26 to 117.63 tC/ha. These results emphasize that urban planning in this region must re-evaluate appropriate land-use allocation, ensuring that cities heavily impacted by rapid greenhouse gas emissions maintain their climate adaptive capacity.

Abstract: Microplastics are persistent marine contaminants that provide substrates for microbial colonization, potentially altering coastal microbial communities and posing health risks in aquaculture systems. This study examined harmful microbiota associated with microplastic biofilms and assessed the intestinal effects of environmentally relevant exposure to polyester microplastics in fish. Biofilms developed during 21-day field incubations in marine waters exhibited high taxonomic diversity and marked spatiotemporal variation, despite generally low abundances of potentially pathogenic microorganisms. Community composition was primarily governed by polymer type and further influenced by local water-use conditions. Histological assessment and multi-omics profiling revealed reduced intestinal mucus secretion and time-dependent host–microbiome responses following exposure. On day 3, host transcriptomes indicated increased energy metabolism and suppression of detoxification-associated pathways. By day 7, epithelial maintenance and anti-inflammatory responses were disrupted. Exposure also transiently enriched potential pathobionts and activated microbial antioxidant biosynthesis pathways, suggesting both exploitative and cooperative host–microbe interactions under particulate stress. Although overall dysbiosis was limited, impaired gut barrier function and disrupted homeostatic regulation suggest greater vulnerability during prolonged exposure. These findings highlight the importance of considering both plastisphere microbial communities and host intestinal responses when evaluating microplastic risks in marine aquaculture, while identifying priorities for longer-term research into fish health and aquaculture sustainability.

Abstract: Global environmental regulations require transportation fuels to contain less than 10 ppm sulfur. Dibenzothiophene (DBT) remains one of the most difficult sulfur compounds to remove using conventional hydrodesulfurization (HDS). Ultrasound-assisted oxidative desulfurization (UAOD) offers an alternative under mild operating conditions. Conventional response surface methodology (RSM) focuses on maximizing oxidation efficiency and does not consider operating cost. This study developed a multi-objective fuzzy optimization (MOFO) framework integrated with the ε-constraint method to optimize DBT oxidation efficiency and operating cost simultaneously. The optimization combined the quadratic RSM model of Chen et al. (2025) with an operating cost model. It included catalyst, phase-transfer agent, oxidant, and electrical energy consumption. The Pareto frontier showed that DBT conversion ranged from 45.98 % to 100 %, while operating cost ranged from 7.28 to 13.65 USD/L. The MOFO model identified a fuzzy optimum with a satisfaction degree of 0.7886 at an initial sulfur concentration of 291.55 ppm, a catalyst dosage of 0.11 g, a reaction time of 25.63 min, and an H2O2/DBT volumetric ratio of 0.92. Under these conditions, the model achieved 88.58 % DBT oxidation at an operating cost of 8.63 USD/L. Compared with complete conversion, the fuzzy optimum reduced operating cost by 36.8 % while sacrificing only 11.42 % oxidation efficiency. Relative to the single-objective RSM optimum, the proposed MOFO framework also reduced catalyst loading, reaction time, and oxidant consumption while maintaining high desulfurization performance. These results demonstrate that MOFO provides a practical approach for balancing oxidation efficiency and operating cost and can support the economic optimization of UAOD processes.

Abstract: One of the grand challenges afflicting human society is inadequate access to water resources with suitable water quality. Membrane water treatment is expected to play an increasingly important role in addressing the water challenge. In this presentation, we will discuss the development of advanced polymer-matrix nanocomposite membranes for water purification. The focus is to illustrate how membrane properties could be designed to meet specific applications and to probe the importance of porous structures in the membrane for the control of membrane performance. By exploiting a vast range of properties enabled by different nanomaterials, the nanocomposite membranes could be tailored to meet specific water treatment applications by tuning their structure and physicochemical properties (e.g., hydrophilicity, porosity, charge density, and thermal and mechanical stability) and introducing unique functionalities (e.g., antibacterial, photocatalytic, and adsorptive capabilities).

Abstract: As semiconductor technology—essential for AI-driven digitalization—gains increasing importance, a global race is underway for rare metals, the raw materials used in semiconductors. To counter China, which dominates the rare metals market through a low-price strategy fueled by subsidies, governments around the world are moving to secure rare metals through seabed mineral resources. How do import prices for seabed mineral resources and domestic mining subsidies affect economic welfare through mineral extraction, the development of mining technologies, and economic growth rates? To answer this question, this study incorporates a dynamic resource extraction model and cost-reduction-oriented mining innovation into an R&D-based growth model. Depending on the resource-input technology per markup, the amount of resources extracted per unit of labor becomes socially excessive. Since mining subsidies increase the volume of resources extracted, proven reserves decline in the long run. Under a resource-importing regime, a “poverty trap” regarding the level of resource exploration arises; within this context, increased subsidies lead to a decline in the level of resource exploration and an increase in the difficulty of extraction. On the other hand, in a high steady state and under a resource-self-sufficient system, these subsidies lead to an increase in the level of resource exploration and a decrease in the difficulty of extraction. In this case, a rise in resource import prices leads to an increase in the level of resource exploration and the difficulty of extraction. As productivity in the R&D sector declines, the welfare-deteriorating effect of subsidies shifts to a welfare-improving effect.

Abstract: Advancing the sustainability of lithium metal batteries is crucial for future energy storage; meanwhile, the increasing accumulation of agricultural waste poses environmental challenges, necessitating sustainable waste valorization strategies. This study explores the conversion of agricultural residues into value-added materials for lithium metal battery manufacturing using environmentally friendly processes. In this work, lignin was extracted from passion fruit vines and water bamboo husks. To improve its water solubility, the lignin was subsequently sulfonated using sodium bisulfite to produce water-soluble sodium lignosulfonate. The modified lignin was applied as a bio-based binder for aqueous cathode fabrication, effectively replacing conventional polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and eliminating the need for toxic N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy verified the structural characteristics and the successful sulfonation of the lignin. The results demonstrate the potential of the modified lignin to serve as a binder for the preparation of aqueous-based cathodes. By transforming agricultural waste into high-value binders, this study supports the goals of a circular economy and offers a viable pathway for the green transition of lithium metal battery manufacturing processes.

Abstract: Arsenic pollution is widespread in groundwater systems, posing a serious threat to the environment and human health. Therefore, the development of highly efficient and recyclable adsorption materials is of great significance. This study used nano-magnetite (Fe3O4) as a substrate and modified it with dopamine to form a composite material (Fe3O4@PDA) with a high specific surface area. The adsorption capacity for arsenic species was enhanced by the catechol and amino functional groups abundant on the polydopamine surface. The surface properties and structure of the material were characterized using relevant analytical techniques. The results showed that dopamine was successfully coated on the magnetite surface, providing a large number of active adsorption sites. In adsorption experiments, Fe3O4@PDA exhibited good removal effects for both As(III) and As(V), suggesting that the main mechanisms include multiple interactions such as surface coordination, hydrogen bonding, and electrostatic adsorption. This electrochemical synthesis method offers a promising and feasible solution for the dispersion removal and recovery of arsenic from contaminated groundwater.

Abstract: Water is one of our most precious resources, and managing it efficiently is essential Water management maps are important for all the actors involved in this activity. From decision-makers to operators, the stakeholders need to collect, visualize, and analyze data to decide a solution. In 2020 European Commission adopted Water Framework Directive, which represents the main legislation related to water policy in all european countries. This Directive substantially changed European water management from an administrative boundary to a river basin-based approach. River basin maps are essential instruments for water management but over the years, their manufacturing methods have undergone substantial changes. Initially, the maps are drawn by hand. By combining visual evaluations with topographic indicators, researchers and engineers would trace the outlines of drainage basins, analyze water flow patterns, and delineate the boundaries of watersheds. This method was less accurate, time-consuming, and often relied on interpretation. The potential to use databases, satellite imagery, photogrammetry, and other digital sources in contemporary research is expanding due to rapid technological advancements. Nevertheless, analog maps remain the primary source for reconstructing historical conditions and conducting long-term retrospective assessments.
In this retrospective we discuss the long-term analysis of main parameters used to assess the drought over the Dobrogea region. The Dobrogea region is situated in the southeastern part of Romania. This territory is surrounded by water on all three sides: the Danube River forms the frontier to the North and West, and to the East, Black Sea bathes the shores of ancient Scythia Minor. To the South Dobrogea shares a frontier with Bulgaria. The Dobrogea region is the driest area in Romania. Here, the average temperature is around 12oC and the precipitation is between 400-450mm. The data used for a long-term analysis consists of temperature and precipitation. These parameters are offered by the National Administration of Meteorology. Ten principal stations cover Dobrogea area. Analysis conducted on these two climatic parameters revealed that the temperature is increasing (the increasing is more than 1. 0C). The long-term precipitation analysis shows that the trend of precipitation differs from subregion to subregion. The mapping of spatio-temporal precipitation and temperature, for the period 1965-2025, differs from the old maps. Through statistical methods we determined several breaks in the time series. The maps generated with GIS for the period after the breaks show that higher temperatures appear on the Black Sea coast compared to those before the break. The results concerning drought indicators reveal that the results obtained via remote sensing techniques contribute to a better understanding of drought evolution in Dobrogea region.

Abstract: Electrochemical conversion of nitrate (NO3⁻) to ammonium (NH4⁺) turns a hazardous aquatic pollutant into a valuable nutrient resource. Conventional operations involving single or binary metal catalysts suffer from inadequate selectivity and poor durability under acidic environments. Herein, we report a homogeneous multi-element catalyst, consisting of Cu, Ni, Pt, and Ru, synthesized via a rapid and effective Joule heating approach. The design utilizes the correlative roles of each component: Ru facilitates the initial adsorption of NO3⁻ species, while Cu serves as the primary site for N–O bond cleavage. In addition, Ni and Pt promote the hydrogenation required for NH4⁺ formation. Additionally, this quaternary composition increases electrochemically active surface area and accelerates electron transfer kinetics, leading to improved performance of NO3⁻-to-NH4⁺ reduction compared to ternary CuNiPt and CuNiRu counterparts. Specifically, an exceptional NO3⁻ conversion of 89.2%, an NH4⁺ selectivity of 89.6%, and an NH4⁺ formation rate of 1330 (g(h-1(cm-2 were achieved. Furthermore, a proof-of-concept zinc–nitrate battery incorporating homogeneous CuNiPtRu catalyst provides excellent rate reversibility and a peak power density of 21.9 mW·cm-2. This study outlines a promising platform for bypassing thermodynamic miscibility boundaries to engineer complex catalyst frameworks for environmental remediation and energy conversion.

Abstract: Pharmaceuticals are an important cornerstone in modern health care. With an increasing world population that lives longer, the use of pharmaceuticals is on the rise. Also, taking into account the drugs used in farming, the accumulation of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in the environment is on a dramatic rise due to long half-lives and lack of removal during wastewater treatment. In addition, to the positive health effects that modern pharmaceuticals have brought, this comes with a severe side effect that we do not exactly know the full effect off – exposure of non-target organisms in the environment to our full range of pharmaceuticals.
This takes place since conventional wastewater treatment plants do not sufficiently remove most of the APIs in use. Our research is focused on how we can make biologically active compounds more susceptible to degradation after use and before they reach the environment. The talk will highlight our efforts to develop strategies for photodecomposition (Scheme 1) [1].

Scheme 1. Schematic presentation of our strategy.

Abstract: The primary goal of desulfurization is to remove sulfur compounds from fuels or crude oil, thereby creating a cleaner product. This helps avoid harmful environmental effects, such as particulate matter and acid rain. However, conventional desulfurization methods only have high selectivity for inorganic sulfur compounds. Ultrasound-assisted oxidative desulfurization (UAOD) can address this as it has high selectivity towards organic sulfur compounds and occurs at mild conditions.
The present work utilizes a novel heterogeneous catalyst using magnetic particles andphosphotungstic acid. It is then tested under different conditions by varying the active site loading ratio (1:1–1:4), catalyst dosage (0.4 g to 1 g), O/S ratio (6:6 mL to 16:8 mL), and ultrasound reaction time (3 min to 10 min) to determine the optimal parameters for this system. Various phase transfer agents (PTAs) are also tested to determine their effectiveness in improving the performance of the oxidation system.
This catalyst design addresses the solubility issue with polyoxometalates which are a common catalyst choice for UAOD. It also tests the system using real fuel oils to further establish its application in an industrial setting. This resulted in an oxidation efficiency of 90.04% with the parameters of loading ratio, catalyst dosage, and ultrasound time having the greatest effect on the efficiency. The presence of PTAs was also investigated to determine the effect on desulfurization. As such, this study establishes the reaction conditions necessary to efficiently desulfurize fuel oils using this catalyst.

Abstract: Seawater mining is a sustainable strategy for mineral exploitation, yet achieving high calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) selectivity remains challenging due to the complex seawater matrix. This study evaluated the performance of obtained seawater Ca/Mg on biochars pyrolyzed under varying temperatures (400–800 °C) through photothermal evaporation. Our results indicated that after 5 days of exposure, a high Ca loading (0.42 ± 0.11 mmol/g) with a high Ca selectivity (Ca/Mg of 4.34) can be achieved. Interestingly, high Ca loadings (0.65 ± 0.12 mmol/g) was also observed at high-T biochar, suggesting that exposure time is the major factor regulating Ca/Mg deposition. However, a low Ca selectivity (Ca/Mg of 1.99) noted in this case indicated that surface chemistry is likely responsible for the Ca selectivity. Intriguingly, high reversible CO_2 uptake up to 0.35 mmol/g was noted at those biochar with low Ca/Mg ratio, which exhibited very insignificant correlation to the Ca/Mg loading. It is therefore expected that the entrapped Mg species would destabilize the deposited Ca species and consequently possess higher reactivity for reversible CO_2 uptake. Our findings reveal the fundamental role of biochar interfacial chemistry in selective crystallization, offering a practical, near zero-energy-input route to effectively mine seawater minerals.

Abstract: Strengthening global understanding of the variety of services ocean provides, as well as the impact humans have on the ocean is vital to support the development and further implementation of effective decision making and thus in the process of achieving the sustainability targets of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. It is also important to influence our daily decisions, hence behavioural change, which are necessary for achieving the future sustainability. It requires changes on every level of daily activities, from individual choices to decision making processes. The shift in the decision making and policy creation processes to the level where the ocean and its services are acknowledged at every stage, requires universal understanding across all aspects, from ecological to societal. Multidisciplinary approaches, tools and strategies are needed, and they must be tailored to individuals, sectors and regions that incorporate many disciplines, methods and technologies. It is especially crucial for coastal areas, which are at the front of the planetary environmental and societal change due to a variety of climate change and hence societal related pressures. Therefore, the development of robust, transparent, and transferable approaches for combining all types of knowledge is essential for achieving sustainable coastal management and informing conservation and spatial planning decisions. In this talk, using the most up-to-date findings of the UN World Ocean Assessment III, I describe the key ocean and related societal issues and then I present practical lessons learned during the development and application of the Ecological Evaluation Tool within the EU MARBEFES project. I further outline recommendations for improving future interdisciplinary assessment methods. Therefore, this talk demonstrates how environmental and social knowledge can be brought together to support ecosystem-based management while highlighting the scientific and technical barriers that still limit effective integration.