The 11th International Conference on Water Resource and Environment (WRE 2025)

Abstract: The intensification of land use in watersheds due to industrial development and urbanization has increased the environmental discharge of various emerging pollutants including pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and microplastics. These substances are not completely removed by conventional water treatment processes and continuously accumulate in the environment. Temperature rise and increased frequency of extreme rainfall due to climate change are altering the fate and ecotoxicity of these pollutants, threatening aquatic ecosystem health. Microplastics were detected at concentrations of 24 particles/L in stormwater runoff and 3.52 particles/L in wastewater. Korean freshwater fish studies revealed 4-48 particles per fish in intestines and 1-16 particles per fish in gills, indicating severe bioaccumulation levels. Korea's annual mean temperature has risen approximately 1.5°C since 1920, with increasing frequency of heavy rainfall intensifying runoff from non-point sources. Emerging pollutants cause endocrine disruption, immune system suppression, and reproductive impairment in fish. Microplastics induce gill inflammation, gastrointestinal blockage, and liver and kidney dysfunction, while transporting adsorbed toxic substances into organisms, resulting in complex toxicity. Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are crucial for addressing these issues. Secondary treatment of wastewater treatment plants through constructed wetlands, urban water circulation through Low Impact Development (LID) techniques, and floodplain restoration are effective approaches. The Taebaek City non-point source pollution reduction facility achieved removal efficiencies of 37.1% for total nitrogen and 62.8% for total phosphorus, while LID facilities demonstrated 93-98% microplastic reduction effectiveness. NbS also provide multiple benefits including carbon sequestration, flood control, and biodiversity enhancement.In conclusion, comprehensive approaches encompassing pollution source management, NbS application, and climate change adaptation from a watershed integrated management perspective can protect aquatic ecosystem health from emerging pollutants and establish sustainable water environments.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: This research was conducted as part of KEITI's Wetland Ecosystem Value Enhancement Technology Development Project, for which we express our gratitude.

REFERENCES
Haque, M.T., Geronimo, F.K., Robles, M.E., Vispo, C., and Kim, L.H.(2025). Yourname, A. A., Hisname, B. B., and Theirnames, C. C., (2023). Comparative evaluation of the carbon storage capacities in urban stormwater nature-based technologies, Ecological Engineering, 212, pp. 1-7.
Oh, Y., Robles, M.E., Vispo, C., Jeon, M., and Kim, L.H. (2024). Exploring Research Trends on Antibiotic Pollution Control in Constructed Wetlands through a Bibliometric Analysis and Comprehensive Review, Journal of Wetlands Research, 26(4), pp.511-52.

Biography: Prof. Lee-Hyung Kim received his Bachelor's degree (1994) and Master's degree (1996) from Korea University, and was received his Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from UCLA, USA (2002). He has been a professor at Kongju National University in Korea since 2003, and currently serves as President of the Korean Wetlands Society, a member of the IWA DPSG Committee, and Chair of the Executive Committee for UNESCO-iWSSM. His research laboratory focuses on water environment and environmental ecological engineering within the broader field of environmental engineering. The primary research areas include improving water quality through nonpoint source pollution management and developing technologies based on Nature-based Solutions (NbS), such as Low Impact Development (LID) and Green Infrastructure. His lab is conducting research to address various environmental issues—such as algal blooms, soil erosion, nonpoint source pollution, urban heat island effects, and urban flooding—caused by land use changes and climate change in watersheds, by establishing sustainable water circulation systems. In addition, the lab is actively developing carbon absorption and storage technologies using nature-based solutions such as constructed wetlands, ecological detention basins, and rain gardens. He has published approximately 250 academic papers in journals and holds 31 patents.

Abstract: Phosphorus (P) is a finite, non-renewable resource, and excessive nitrogen (N) and P discharges from livestock wastewater contribute to eutrophication. This talk reviews emerging technologies for recovering N and P from livestock wastes, with a focus on fluidized-bed homogeneous crystallization (FBHC). Various crystallization approaches, including struvite (MgNH4PO4·6H2O) formation for simultaneous N and P recovery, and precipitation of tricalcium phosphate (Ca3(PO4)2) and ferric phosphate (FePO4) for phosphorus recycling, are discussed. The principles, operational parameters, and performance of these technologies are highlighted, including the use of swine slurry, magnesium sources, and industrial wastewater streams. Advantages of FBHC over conventional methods, such as high removal efficiency, low moisture content, and scalable production of crystalline products, are emphasized. The potential applications of recovered products as fertilizers and raw materials for bioactive materials are also addressed. This review provides insights into sustainable, circular strategies for livestock wastewater management, demonstrating how FBHC and related crystallization techniques can support nutrient recovery, environmental protection, and resource reuse.
Keywords: Swine slurry; Nitrogen recovery; Phosphorus recovery; fluidized-bed reactor

Biography: Prof. Ming-Chun Lu is a Chair Professor in the Department of Environmental Engineering at National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan. He has served as an editor for Desalination since 2024 and has been an associate editor for Sustainable Environment Research since 2015. His outstanding achievements have been widely recognized with numerous honors. These include the Platinum Award at the Taiwan Innotech Expo Invention Competition in 2023 and 2024, the prestigious Future Technology Award from the National Science and Technology Council in both years, and the Outstanding Advisor Award for College Student Research and Creativity in 2023. He also led his team to win the championship in the Net-Zero Carbon Technology International Competition hosted by the TECO Technology Foundation in 2023 and was honored with the Outstanding Engineering Professor Award by the Chinese Institute of Engineers the same year. Professor Lu's research interests encompass advanced oxidation processes for water and wastewater treatment, fluidized-bed crystallization technology for treating wastewater containing metallic and non-metallic salts, and carbon dioxide capture from flue gas. He is also an innovator in developing disinfection, deodorization, antimicrobial, and antifungal technologies, as well as oil emulsification and desulfurization techniques. His work not only addresses pressing environmental challenges but also provides sustainable solutions that drive technological advancements.

Abstract: Waterborne microbial contamination continues to pose significant challenges to global public health and environmental sustainability. This study integrates circular-economy biomass valorization with advanced photochemical disinfection and near-native 3D cellular imaging to develop next-generation antimicrobial materials for water and environmental applications. Fishery-waste-derived chitosan (CTS) was combined with polyphenol-rich fruit-pomace extracts (JAE) to create multifunctional bioactive films exhibiting vigorous antibacterial activity, antioxidant performance, and biocompatibility. CTS–JAE composites achieved >5.7-log reduction of E. coli and effectively inhibited microbial activity through synergistic electrostatic membrane disruption and polyphenol-mediated oxidative stress. To enhance applicability in environmental systems, a visible-light-responsive CTS–N-TiO₂ photocatalytic composite was further developed, achieving 99.999% inactivation of S. aureus and 99.9% of E. coli under visible light, and maintaining disinfection capability even under dark conditions through combined ROS-driven oxidation and CTS-induced metabolic inhibition. A key contribution of this work is the first application of Transmission X-ray Microscopy (TXM) and Cryogenic Soft X-ray Tomography (SXT) to resolve the near-native 3D morphology and subcellular dynamics of microorganisms during inactivation. The imaging results reveal progressive cell-wall fragmentation, membrane lysis, intracellular matrix shrinkage, organelle leakage, and nanoscale structural collapse across full 360° perspectives—behaviors that remain undetectable in conventional 2D SEM/TEM observations. Overall, this research establishes an integrated framework—from waste-derived antimicrobial materials to visible-light photocatalysis and 3D mechanistic visualization—supporting sustainable water treatment, microbial risk reduction, and circular-economy-driven material innovation. The findings offer a scalable, low-carbon technological pathway with strong potential for advancing environmental biotechnology and water pollution control across diverse global settings.

Biography: Professor Yao-Tung Lin is a globally recognized expert in environmental engineering, with over three decades of academic and professional experience spanning carbon sequestration, high-value material innovation from agricultural and fishery waste, and advanced synchrotron-based characterization. As a principal investigator and lead scientist, Professor Lin has pioneered novel methods to transform waste into multifunctional materials with antimicrobial, antioxidant, and environmental applications. His research integrates nanotechnology, photocatalysis, and AI-driven material sensing, with special emphasis on chromatic pH-responsive indicators for wound diagnostics and food freshness.

In his leadership role, Professor Lin serves as Director of the Taiwan Science and Technology Office for Net-Zero Emission under the Executive Yuan. He is responsible for developing strategies, formulating R&D budgets, and steering technological innovation to meet Taiwan’s 2050 Net-Zero goals. He is also renowned for pioneering work using synchrotron X-ray imaging to visualize the 3D inactivation process of bacteria and intracellular stress responses under environmental stimuli. Professor Lin’s integrative leadership connects science, policy, and sustainability toward a circular, carbon-neutral future.

Biography: Prof. Qiuwen Chen received PhD from Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands in 2004. He was awarded the “100 Talents Program” of Chinese Academy of Sciences in the same year and worked in Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences till 2013. Since then, he worked in Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute and established the Department of Eco-environmental Research from scratch. He has been long engaged in Eco-environmental conservation for hydraulic engineering and water resources development. He has published more than 400 international peer-reviewed papers, and was awarded the 20th Arthur Thomas Ippen Award from the International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering (IAHR) and the Xplore Prize. He is now the chairman of Global Water Security of IHAR, and associate editor of 2 international journals.

Biography: Xiaohong Guan, Distinguished Professor at East China Normal University (ECNU), serves as the Vice Dean of the School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences at ECNU. She is a recipient of the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC). Her research focuses on the chemistry of water pollution control. As the first or corresponding author, she has published over 150 SCI-indexed papers in prestigious journals such as Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Environmental Science & Technology, and Water Research. She has been consecutively listed as a Highly Cited Researcher by Elsevier for five years. Her scientific achievements have earned her numerous awards, including the First Prize of the Invention and Entrepreneurship Award from the China Invention Association (ranked 1st), and the Second Prize of the Shanghai Natural Science Award (ranked 1st). As an editor, she has published several influential books, including Essentials for Writing High-Quality SCI Papers: From Topic Selection to Publication (which won the Second Prize of the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Excellent Publications Award - Textbook Award), Advanced Oxidation Technologies for Water Pollution Control, and Water Chemistry. She has led over 30 research projects, including nine funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and key research and development programs. Currently, She is an Editor for Water Research.

Biography: Prof. Zhongping Lai is currently a professor in Shantou University, and the head of luminescence dating laboratory and Quaternary geology & marine geology group. He obtained his PhD in 2005 from Oxford University as a Clarendon Scholar. He was then awarded an Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship and spent nearly two years in Marburg and Bayreuth Universities in Germany. He came back to China in late 2007 in Chinese Academy of Sciences (2007-2014), in China University of Geosciences (2014-2018), and in Shantou University since 2018. He has published more than 170 papers in international SCI journals, such as Earth and Planetary Science Letters, Geophysical Research Letters, Catena, Quaternary Science Reviews, Geomorphology, Quaternary Geochronology, Science of the Total Environment, Environmental Pollution, Frontiers in Marine Science. In ResearchGate, he has an h-index of 46 and a citation of >6200.
He is currently the Editor of “Catena” and and a member of editorial boards of “Geochronometria”. He has also served as associate editors for both "Quaternary Research (2010-2017)" and "Aeolian Research (2010-2017)", and as reviewers for British NERC, Switzerland NSF, and Norway NSF. He was selected in both lists, established by Stanford University, of the “World's Top 2% Scientists 2021: Career-long impact”, and of the “World's Top 2% Scientists: Single year impact” for both 2020 and 2021.
His main research interests include: (1) Quaternary geology, marine geology and geochronology; (2) Coupling of Sea level, delta, fluvial system and land surface processes; (3) Mechanism of arsenic pollution in underground water associated with global climate change and sedimentology; (4) Luminescence dating in both application and technique development.

Abstract: In situ reactive zone has been recognized as an effective method to deep groundwater remediation. The traditional reactive zones depend on reduction or microbial degradation for contaminant removal with the aid of the emplaced materials such as zero valent iron nanoparticles. These traditional reactive zones, however, are not effective in removing diverse organic contaminants which are recalcitrant to reductive or microbial transformation. The oxidative reactive zone, which activates in situ the oxidants injected to degrade contaminants, offers an alternative to the traditional one since oxidation, typically advanced oxidation processes, has much less selectivity to contaminants. The Fe-based materials, such as Fe minerals, Fe-based complex metal oxides and Fe-doped carbon, has high potential in application for the oxidative reactive zone due to the potential of Fe-containing compounds to activate oxidants and the high availability of these materials. The successful application of the method asks for success in two aspects: one is the high efficiency and sustainability of the Fe-based materials for activation of oxidants such as persulfate and H2O2, and the other is the high transportability of the materials in micro or nano particle form in pores of the aquifer for deployment of the reactive zone. Also the cost-effectiveness of contaminant removal should also be counted, especially when the concentration of the contaminants is low. that A series of studies have been conducted by the research team in recent years to address these needs and this presentation will report the results in a comprehensive way.

Biography: Dr. Hua Zhong is currently a senior researcher in the Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo, China. His research is focused on transport and transformation of contaminants in porous media and novel technologies for in situ groundwater remediation and rainwater treatment. He was selected for the national high-level talent support program of China and had secured 20+ research projects from multiple sources including National Natural Science Foundation and the Ministry of Science and Technology of China. He also participated as a key member in 3 projects funded by the SUPERFUND program, Department of Defense, and Department of Energy of US. He has published more than 150 peer-reviewed journal articles and authorized 20+ patents. He had a Web-of-Science core citation number over 6000 and H-index of 40, and was listed as Elsevier BV-Stanford University global 2% top scientist several times. He is the editorial member of several SCI journals such as International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health and has been the program chair, session chair and technical committee members of 20+ international conferences. He supervised 4 research associates, 6 postdocs and 50+ phD and MS students. The specific research interests include (1) coupled processes of contaminant mass transfer, transport and transformation in porous media; (2) interfacial behaviors of surfactants and removal of nonaqueous phase liquid; (3) in situ chemical oxidation of recalcitrant organic compounds based on advanced oxidation processes; (4) colloid and nanoparticles transport for remediation; (5) processes of contaminant removal in low-impact development facilities.

Abstract: Maintaining a residual disinfectant/oxidant, such as chlorine and chlorine dioxide, is a generally used strategy to control microbial contaminants and bacterial growth and to improve the hygienic drinking water quality in distribution systems. Secondarily oxidant, such as hypobromous acid (HOBr), can be formed during chlorination of bromide-containing waters. In copper pipe distribution systems, corrosion of pipes gives rise of cupric oxide (CuO). CuO generally enhanced the decay of these halogen-containing oxidants, leading to the loss of residual oxidants. Three pathways are involved: 1) catalytic disproportionation to yield an oxidized form of halogen (i.e., halate) and reduced form (halide or chlorite for chlorine dioxide), 2) oxygen formation, and 3) oxidation of a metal in a reduced form (e.g., cuprous oxide) to a higher oxidation state. The complexation of hypohalous acids (HOX, e.g., HOCl and HOBr) by the Lewis acid CuO increased their reactivities, leading to the formation of CuO-HOCl or CuO-HOBr complex and thereby enhancing the disproportionation, leading to the formation of bromate or chlorate. In the presence of dissolved organic matter (DOM), the CuO-HOX complex reactions with DOM moieties with slow reacting sites can prompt the the formation of one- to two-carbon-atom disinfection byproducts (DBPs) during water chlorination. In addition, results showed that 0.1 g L-1 CuO elevated the Chinese hamster ovary cell cytotoxicity of chlorinated waters by 20% and 120% at initial bromide concentrations of 15 and 415 µg L-1, respectively. The preferential formation of brominated DBPs in the presence of CuO was ascribed to the higher formation rate constant of CuO-HOBr than CuO-HOCl complex and lower adsorption energies based on density functional theory calculation. Furthermore, the CuO-HOCl complex exhibits a higher reactivity towards hypoiodous acid, trichloroacetaldehyde, oxalic acid, and phenolic compounds than chlorine alone. These results demonstrate that CuO can enhance the oxidation capacity of chlorine for selected compounds. This work provides insights into the role of CuO into oxidative water treatment processes.

Biography: Dr. Chao Liu is a full Professor of Environmental Engineering and group leader at the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences (RCEES), Chinese Academy of Sciences. He also holds adjunct appointments with University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS). Prof. Liu received his Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from UCAS in 2009. After his Ph.D, he had worked at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag). Before joining RCEES in 2020, he was a faculty at Clemson University. Dr. Liu’s research focuses on the development of innovative hybrid water treatment processes for the provision of safe and clean drinking water from non-conventional source waters. His primary research is on the removal of undesired constituents and mitigating the formation of toxic by-products in water treatment. His research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Ministry of Science and Technology of China, U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), U.S. Water Research Foundation, and industry. His findings have been published in the premier journals of his field – Nature Water, Environmental Science and Technology, and Water Research. Professor Liu is a recipient of the National Overseas High-level Talent Program. He is an Associate Editor of the journal of Water Research. He also serves various Advisory Committees both nationally and internationally.

Abstract: Micropollutants (MPs) discharged from municipal wastewater treatment plants are of great environmental concern due to their toxicities to aquatic organisms. Given the knowledge gaps on how MPs affect receiving aquatic ecosystems, we initiated the EcoImprove project to unravel the causal relationship between MP discharge and variation in biocommunity (especially microbial community) composition and function in receiving aquatic ecosystems. After integrating laboratory studies, field investigations, and flume simulation experiments from 2014 to 2021, we investigated how different MPs affect the growth and metabolic function of microbial species, developed several microbial indicators to evaluate the effects of MP discharge on receiving rivers, and evaluated the ecological benefits of municipal wastewater treatment plant upgrade on receiving aquatic ecosystems. Here, we summarize the main outcomes of the EcoImprove project and propose future research plans to deepen our understanding of the ecological impacts of anthropogenic activity.

Biography: Prof. Yaohui Bai obtained his B.Sc. degree from the Department of Biology, Sichuan University in 1998. He then completed his Master's degree at the School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University in 2005, and obtained his Ph.D. degree at the College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University in 2009. Between 2008 and 2009, he was an exchange Ph.D. student at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, USA. In 2011, he joined RCEES as an Assistant Professor (Associate Professor from 2013 to 2020). At RCEES, he continued his research into controlling water pollution with an emphasis on microbiological techniques. From 2013 to 2014, he worked at the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag) as a research scientist. Currently, he is a professor (since 2020) at RCEES and his research mainly focuses on (i) new biological water treatment techniques, and (ii) microecology process & manipulation. He has published more than 150 peer-reviewed papers.

Biography: Dr. Mengkai Li is a Full Professor at the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). He received his Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from CAS, completed postdoctoral research at the School of Chemistry, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), and later served as the Edwards M. Curtis Visiting Professor at the Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University. Dr. Li’s research focuses on: (1) advanced optical devices and experimental apparatus; (2) efficient removal mechanisms and technologies for emerging contaminants and pathogenic microorganisms; and (3) the development of efficient, reliable UV water-treatment systems. He developed the micro-fluorescent silica detector (MFSD) and the mini-fluidic photoreaction system (MFPS), which have been widely adopted in water-treatment research and practice. He has published 70+ peer-reviewed papers in leading journals, including Environmental Science & Technology and Water Research.

Abstract: Gas-driven groundwater remediation technology integrates the advantages of physical stripping, chemical oxidation, and biological enhancement, enabling the synergistic and efficient removal of multiple contaminants. However, conventional gas-driven remediation approaches suffer from several limitations: (i) gas flow is strongly constrained by the capillary resistance of aquifer media, leading to limited air channels, preferential flow bypassing low-permeability zones, a narrow influence radius, and thus low gas-liquid mass transfer efficiency; (ii) when dissolved oxygen is delivered via gas-driven technology, the inherently limited capacity of Fe(II) to activate oxygen results in low electron utilization efficiency and inadequate yields of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thus severely compromising the oxidative degradation performance; and (iii) functional microorganisms exhibit poor mobility and dispersion in heterogeneous aquifers, restricting the effective utilization of dissolved oxygen and reducing aerobic biodegradation efficiency. To address these challenges, this study developed a series of methods to enhance the physical, chemical, and biological remediation effect during the gas- driven process. For the physical stripping process, addition of surfactants enhanced gas penetration through the aquifer media, significantly improving gas-liquid mass transfer and achieving efficient volatilization-based contaminant removal. For the chemical oxidation process, the introduction of ligands enhanced the ability of Fe(II) to activate molecular oxygen, increased the production of ROS, and enabled the rapid chemical degradation of contaminants. For the biological enhancement process, colloidal gas aphrons were employed as a carrier to enhance the transport and distribution of degrading bacteria, thereby boosting the activity of aerobic microbes and increasing the efficiency of biodegradation. Finally, this study proposes an integrated “physical-chemical-biological” system for synergistic and enhanced remediation of contaminated groundwater based on the gas-driven technology. This study provides new theoretical insights and technical support for the efficient in situ treatment of complex groundwater pollution.

Biography: Prof. Chuanyu Qin serves as Associate Dean of the College of New Energy and Environment of Jilin University (JLU) and Deputy Director of the Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment of Ministry of Education. Dr. Qin obtained his Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from JLU in 2010 and pursued advanced research as a visiting scholar at Oregon Health & Science University in 2017. Dr. Qin’s research focuses on advancing theoretical frameworks, innovative materials, cutting-edge technologies, and specialized equipment for contaminated site remediation, with successful applications in multiple demonstration remediation projects. He has led or participated in more than 20 research projects. Notably, he has served as the Principal Investigator on a National Key Research and Development Program of China, and has undertaken several projects funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China. Dr. Qin has published more than 50 articles in top journals like Environmental Science & Technology, Water Research. He has received the McKee Award from the Water Environment Federation (WEF), as well as the Science and Technology Progress Award from China's Ministry of Education and Jilin Province. Dr. Qin holds the position of Deputy Director of the Jilin Provincial Designated Committee for Solid Waste Treatment and Utilization. He also serves as Editorial Board Member of journals, such as China Environmental Science, Environmental Sanitation Engineering, Environmental Protection Science, and Journal of Jilin University (Earth Science Edition).

Biography: Prof. Yin Ran is an Associate Professor at the Institute for the Environment and Health at Nanjing University. Prior to this appointment, he served as a Research Assistant Professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). Dr. Yin earned his B.Eng. in Environmental Engineering from Nanjing University in 2014 and his Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from HKUST in 2020. He has also held visiting scholar positions at Purdue University in 2019 and at Stanford University in 2022. Dr. Yin’s research focuses on applying fundamental principles of photochemistry and radical chemistry to advance water treatment and reuse technologies. He also develops novel ultraviolet-based methods for healthcare applications and investigates the connections between water quality and public health. His work has appeared in more than 50 research and review articles in leading international journals such as Nature Water, ES&T and Water Research. He has received several distinguished awards and grants, including inclusion in the “World’s Top 2% Scientists” list by Stanford University for 2024 in Environmental Sciences. Other honors include the NSFC Excellent Young Scientist Award (Overseas), the IUVA Rising Star Award, the RGC Postdoctoral Fellowship, and the SENG PhD Research Excellence Award. Dr. Yin is actively involved in the international scientific community. He serves as a Board Member of the International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA) and is a member of the Young Leadership Committee of the International Water Association (IWA). He also holds a position as an Early-career Editorial Board Member of Environmental Science & Technology.

Abstract: Reducing carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality stand a critical global challenge. The wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is a major contributor to carbon emissions. Under the background of China's "Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality" goals, the WWTPs in China face dual pressures of reducing pollution loads and cutting carbon emissions. This study conducts a carbon accounting analysis using typical WWTP in Shanghai as a case study. The carbon emission intensity was found to be 0.50 - 0.57 kg CO2-eq/m3, with total carbon emissions decreasing from 42,899 t CO2-eq in 2021 to 41,385 t CO2-eq in 2023. Direct emissions from electricity consumption and biochemical reactions are the primary contributors to carbon emissions in the WWTP. Electricity consumption is the largest source of carbon emissions, accounting for over 50% of total emissions. Based on traditional carbon accounting methods, a new classification framework for carbon reduction pathways is proposed, categorized as "carbon reduction, carbon sequestration, carbon substitution, and endogenous carbon negativity." Key technological pathways for achieving energy carbon neutrality in WWTPs are outlined from three perspectives: energy recovery and reuse from wastewater (internal cycling), utilization of clean and renewable energy (external supplementation), and integrated energy utilization. The research findings provide scientific support for achieving carbon neutrality goals in WWTPs.

Biography: Prof. Yiliang He is the associate dean of China-UK International Low Carbon College and a full Professor of School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. He was a visiting scholar at Gifu University in Japan in 2003, a visiting professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology in the United States in 2006, and a guest professor at the National University of Singapore from 2013 to 2025. He is a leading talent in Minhang District, Shanghai, and a thematic expert for the National Major Science and Technology Special Project on Water. He has long been engaged in teaching, research, and engineering practice in the field of environmental engineering. He has published over a hundred papers in top academic journals at home and abroad and at important international conferences such as the annual meeting of the International Water Association, and has compiled and published two academic monographs. As the project leader, he has presided over two research projects of the National Major Science and Technology Special Project on "Water Pollution Control and Treatment" during the "11th Five-Year Plan" and "12th Five-Year Plan" periods. As the project principal, he has successively undertaken six projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China. As the chief PI, he is responsible for the research of the E2S2 project under the CREATE major international cooperation project of the Singapore government.
Research interests: Water pollution control and water environment restoration, environmental behavior of emerging pollutants, and environmentally friendly purification technologies.

Abstract: Erhai Lake, the second-largest freshwater lake on the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau, covers an area of 252 km² with an average depth of 10.5 m, and its watershed is approximately ten times the size of the lake itself. In recent years, comprehensive management efforts have yielded remarkable improvements: the total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) loads from inflowing rivers have decreased by about 35% within six years, leading to a notable enhancement in overall water quality. However, the chemical oxygen demand (COD) and permanganate index have remained persistently high, emerging as critical factors preventing the lake from meeting water quality standards. Our study revealed pronounced shifts in the algal community structure of Erhai Lake, with dominant taxa alternating among Cyanophyta, Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta, and Pyrrophyta. Cluster analysis indicated a strong correlation between algal dominance, biomass, and COD concentration. Fluorescence spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses further demonstrated that extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) produced during algal growth and metabolism directly contribute to elevated COD levels. Notably, approximately two-thirds of the EPS produced by pseudoanabaena sp. are resistant to rapid biodegradation. Future research should therefore focus on algal community succession and organic matter transformation processes to support the sustained improvement of Erhai Lake’s water quality and ecosystem stability.

Biography: Prof. Wang Xinze is a Chief Researcher in School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), China. Dr Wang obtained his Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from Harbin Institute of Technology, China in 2002. Dr Wang is Director of the Erhai Lake National Field Scientific Observation and Research Station in Yunnan and Dean of Yunnan Dali Research institute of SJTU. Dr Wang’s research focuses on lake eutrophication control and rural area domestic wastewater treatment. Dr Wang has published more than 100 research articles on wastewater treatment or lake eutrophication control. Dr Wang has been granted over 20 patents, The patented technologies have been successfully applied in Dali, Yunnan. In addition, he serves as a council member of the Lake Branch under the Chinese Society of Oceanology and Limnology and on the editorial board of the Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology.

Biography: Prof. Xiaoyun Xu earned her Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Engineering from Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) in 2015. Following her doctoral studies, she conducted three years of postdoctoral research in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at SJTU and spent one year as a visiting scholar in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at the University of Florida. In 2019, she joined SJTU as an Associate Professor. Her research focuses on the biogeochemical cycling of trace metals in the environment, remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils, and the design of engineered carbon materials for contaminant control. She has published over 100 SCI-indexed papers in leading environmental journals such as Nature Communications, Environmental Science & Technology, and Water Research, with 8 highly cited papers and an H-index of 44. She has been selected for the National Youth Talent Program, Shanghai Rising-Star Program, and Stanford University’s "World’s Top 2% Scientists" list; She currently serves on the ES&T Early Career Editorial Board and as a Youth Committee Member of the Soil Remediation Division, Chinese Society of Soil Science.

Abstract: Electrochemical O2 activation offers a green approach for efficient synthesis of singlet oxygen (1O2). However, it is commonly determined by adsorption-dependent O2 activation and transformation and can suffer from the sluggish desorption of surface-bounded superoxide species (•O2−*/•OOH*). Our recent works have demonstrated the adsorption/desorption-independent O2 activation strategy for efficient 1O2 electrosynthesis. Firstly, a dual O2 coactivation pathway on shortened Fe1−OV−Ti sites is constructed by subtly controlling the distance of adjacent catalytic sites. This desorption-independent pathway bypasses the formidable •O2−*/•OOH* desorption process, as the Ti−•O2− and Fe−•OOH will be recombined through exothermic disproportionate reaction on catalyst surface. Furthermore, an adsorption-independent O2 activation pathway via an O2 mono-hydrogenation process is discovered on compressive-strained rutile TiO2 (CSR−TiO2). This compressive-strained surface suppresses the formation of reductive unsaturated sites for the O2 adsorption and enhance the reductive ability of atomic hydrogen (H*), favouring the O2 mono-hydrogenation pathway and avoiding the generation of traditional surface-bound •OOH*. Based on these adsorption/desorption-independent O2 activation pathway, we realize a state-of-the-art 1O2 generation rate (148.26 μmol l−1 min−1 in acid condition, 54.5 μmol l−1 min−1 in neutral condition). This 1O2 electrosynthesis system, which requires only oxygen and renewable electricity, enhances the biodegradability of wastewater while avoiding the generation of toxic substances, thereby offering a promising and sustainable pretreatment solution.

Biography: Prof. Yancai Yao is an associate professor in the School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU). She obtained her Ph.D. from the Department of Chemistry at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) in Hefei. Dr. Yao’s research specializes in the atomic-scale controlled synthesis of functional materials and electrochemical water treatment technologies. As the first or corresponding author, she has published 28 SCI papers in journals such as Nat. Catal., Nat. Synth., Nat. Commun., PNAS, JACS, Angew, ES&T, etc. Her work have garnered significant international attention, with highlights in Nature Catalysis, Chemical Reviews, Technology Times, and EurekAlert!, as well as extensive media coverage by Xinhua News Agency, People’s Daily and Science Network. She has been honored with the "Top 2% Global Scientists List", the "Outstanding Graduate Supervisor Award" at the ACS Annual Conference, the "President’s Outstanding Award" from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the "Top 100 Excellent Doctoral Theses" award by CAS. She has also served as a Young Editor for international journals such as National Science Open, Carbon Neutralization, and EcoEnergy.

Abstract: As a promising thermally driven separation process, membrane distillation (MD) is capable of treating challenging wastewaters. However, membrane fouling, and low thermal utilization efficiency of membrane modules limited the application of MD technology in large-scale wastewater treatment. To tackle these key challenges, a novel anti-wetting and anti-fouling multifunctional Janus membrane was developed at lab scale and successfully scaled up for industrial mass production via a two-step electrospray strategy. The resultant composite structure presented high omniphobicity (water contact angle of omniphobic sub-surface was 159.3±1.1°) and underwater superoleophobicity (underwater oil contact angle of hydrophilic top surface was 152.7±0.5°). During continuous MD treatment for emulsified oily hypersaline solution, the Janus membrane exhibited stable permeate flux (10 L/m2h) and salt rejection (around 100%). To optimize the system performance, a vacuum-air gap membrane distillation (V-AGMD) module was designed and evaluated through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. The membrane module with finned air-gap cooling plate increased the flux by 16.5% compared to the module with flat air-gap cooling plate under extreme experimental conditions. Additionally, the gain-output ratio (GOR) and temperature polarization coefficient (TPC) were improved by 12% and 8%, respectively. CFD results show that fins achieve condensation efficiency enhancement by increasing the heat transfer area, breaking the boundary layer, and promoting turbulence. Based on these insights, the fabricated membrane and module were used to treat the concentrated landfill leachate, with particular focus on effects of different pretreatment methods on MD process. It was found that coagulation pretreatment could significantly reduce membrane fouling through removal of hydrophobic humic acids and aromatic organics. The hybrid Coagulation-Membrane Distillation process can reduce the discharge of concentrated landfill leachate by 80%, while ensuring that the produced water met the emission standards.

Biography: Prof. De-Yin Hou is the deputy director of National Engineering Research Center, he obtained his Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2010. Dr. Hou’s research focuses on membrane separation technology, wastewater treatment and resource recovery. Dr. Hou has published more than 100 research articles in international journals and applied for more than 30 invention patents. His research and development in membrane distillation technology has received two science and technology awards. In recent years, Dr. Hou has developed a series of superwetting membrane materials, such as superhydrophobic membranes and superhydrophilic membranes, and has achieved industrial production and application demonstration. Dr. Hou also developed high-efficiency membrane distillation equipment for concentrating high-salinity wastewater, which has been applied in landfill leachate treatment, coal chemical wastewater concentration, and desulfurization wastewater treatment.

Abstract: Micro-level evidence on household climate action remains scarce in global sustainability research. From 2023 to 2025, our research team conducted three large-scale household surveys in China, creating a unique dataset that links energy behavior, climate perception, and sustainability outcomes. Initial surveys focused on household adoption of distributed solar photovoltaics, documenting pathways and barriers. The final survey employed a comprehensive Household-SDG framework assessing economic, educational, health, gender, and environmental dimensions. Findings indicate distributed solar offers meaningful decarbonization opportunities, yet financial, institutional, and operational hurdles persist. The assessment also uncovers major disparities in climate literacy and low-carbon behaviors. We propose a scalable methodological framework for evaluating household climate action, offering empirical support for designing targeted, socially grounded interventions to aid low-carbon transitions.

Biography: Prof. Wendong Wei is a Professor, Doctoral Advisor, and Chair of the Department of Environmental Management at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), honored as a Chang Jiang Young Scholar. His research focuses on carbon neutrality and environmental management, spanning energy-environment systems engineering and Sustainable AI. He has published over 50 papers as first or corresponding author in leading journals such as Nature Sustainability, One Earth, Fundamental Research, and the Bulletin of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. His work is supported by numerous grants, including those from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC). His leadership extends to key international and national posts, including serving as Associate Editor for Carbon Footprints, Deputy Chief Engineer for the WFEO Committee on Engineering and Environment, and an Advisory Expert to China's Ministry of Finance on sustainable disclosure.

Biography: Dr. Yayi Wang is a Professor at the College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University. She received Ph. D. (2004) and M.S. (2001) in Municipal Engineering from Harbin Institute of Technology. Dr. Wang’s research focuses on innovative nitrogen removal processes (Anammox, SHARON), enhanced biological phosphorus removal, the elimination of emerging pollutants (antibiotic and antibiotic resistance genes) and the assessment and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions (N2O). She has published over 100 papers in high-impact international journals, including Nature Sustainability, Nature Water, Environmental Science & Technology, and Water Research. According to Scopus, Dr. Wang has an h-index of approximately 51 and more than 7,600 citations, and has been listed among the world’s top 2% of scientists (2025) in Environmental Sciences. She has led over 30 research projects, holds 32 invention patents, and has contributed to four national industry standards. Dr. Wang is a recipient of the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (2022), the Excellent Young Scientists Fund (2015), and the Changjiang Young Scholars Program by the Ministry of Education (2016). She currently serves as an Associate Editor of Water Research X and is an active member of the International Water Association (IWA).

Abstract: This study conducted long incubation experiments with water and sediment samples from the South-to-North Water Diversion Project’s recipient basins to reveal DOM transformations and their driving mechanisms. Results showed that aromaticity and molecular weight of DOM in the overlying layer exhibited obvious divergent characteristics after 75 d of incubation. Nitrate and ammonia nitrogen were the key water quality factors driving these differences. Metagenomic analysis further demonstrated that the inorganic nitrogen concentration level in the inflowing water altered the succession of microbial communities and functional metabolism. Proteobacteria and Cyanobacteria responded sensitively to nitrogen level changes at the phylum level. Furthermore, nitrate reduction pathways influenced refractory carboxylic-rich alicyclic molecules (CRAM) metabolism through the action of key functional genes. This study highlights the influence of inflowing water on the CRAM transformation process driven by sediments, thereby enhancing the understanding on DOM environmental fate in the recipient basins.

Biography: Dawei obtained his B.E and Ph.D degrees in Environmental Engineering from Hohai University in 2011 and 2016, respectively. During 2014–2016, he also worked as a visiting student in the Department of Chemistry at University of California, Riverside, USA. After completed postdoc fellowships at Virginia Commonwealth University, USA (2016-2018) and at Clemson University (2018-2020), he is currently a professor in the College of Environment, Hohai University, China. His research focuses on the fate and transformation of photo-responsive matters in water conservancy projects. He has published more than 70 peer-reviewed articles in leading international journals, 1 book chapters, and edited 2 special issues of scientific journals. He is the recipient of the Alan Tetlow Award (Royal Society of Chemistry). He is now serving as the youth editorial board member of Engineering.