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Aging microplastics enhances the adsorption of pharmaceuticals in freshwater. (2023)
Journal Article
MOURA, D.S., PESTANA, C.J., MOFFAT, C.F., GKOULEMANI, N., HUI, J., IRVINE, J.T.S. and LAWTON, L.A. 2024. Aging microplastics enhances the adsorption of pharmaceuticals in freshwater. Science of the total environment [online], 912, article number 169467. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169467

Plastic pollution is an increasing environmental concern. Pollutants such as microplastics (< 5 mm) and pharmaceuticals often co-exist in the aquatic environment. The current study aimed to elucidate the interaction of pharmaceuticals with microplast... Read More about Aging microplastics enhances the adsorption of pharmaceuticals in freshwater..

In situ H2O2 treatment of blue-green algae contaminated reservoirs causes significant improvement in drinking water treatability. (2023)
Journal Article
MELO ROCHA, M.A., CLEMENTE, A., AMORIM SANTOS, A., DA SILVA MELO, J., PESTANA, C.J., LAWTON, L.A. and CAPELO-NETO, J. 2023. In situ H2O2 treatment of blue-green algae contaminated reservoirs causes significant improvement in drinking water treatability. Chemosphere [online], 333, article 138895. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138895

The evaluation of water quality improvement brought about by in situ treatment of eutrophic water bodies, especially those used for human supply, is a challenging task since each water system responds differently. To overcome this challenge, we appli... Read More about In situ H2O2 treatment of blue-green algae contaminated reservoirs causes significant improvement in drinking water treatability..

Characterisation of microplastics is key for reliable data interpretation. (2023)
Journal Article
MOURA, D.S., PESTANA, C.J., MOFFAT, C.F., HUI, J., IRVINE, J.T.S. and LAWTON, L.A. 2023. Characterisation of microplastics is key for reliable data interpretation. Chemosphere [online], 331, article number 138691. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138691

Microplastic research has gained attention due to the increased detection of microplastics (<5 mm size) in the aquatic environment. Most laboratory-based research of microplastics is performed using microparticles from specific suppliers with either...

Suppressing cyanobacterial dominance by UV-LED TiO2-photocatalysis in a drinking water reservoir: a mesocosm study. (2022)
Journal Article
PESTANA, C.J., SANTOS, A.A., CAPELO-NETO, J. et al. 2022. Suppressing cyanobacterial dominance by UV-LED TiO2-photocatalysis in a drinking water reservoir: a mesocosm study. Water research [online], 226, article 119299. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2022.119299

Cyanobacteria and their toxic secondary metabolites present challenges for water treatment globally. In this study we have assessed TiO2 immobilized onto recycled foamed glass beads by a facile calcination method, combined in treatment units with 365... Read More about Suppressing cyanobacterial dominance by UV-LED TiO2-photocatalysis in a drinking water reservoir: a mesocosm study..

Solar-driven semi-conductor photocatalytic water treatment (TiO2, g-C3N4, and TiO2+g-C3N4) of cyanotoxins: proof-of-concept study with microcystin-LR. (2022)
Journal Article
PESTANA, C.J., HUI, J., CAMACHO-MUÑOZ, D., EDWARDS, C., ROBERTSON, P.K.J., IRVINE, J.T.S. and LAWTON, L.A. 2022. Solar-driven semi-conductor photocatalytic water treatment (TiO2, g-C3N4, and TiO2+g-C3N4) of cyanotoxins: proof-of-concept study with microcystin-LR. Chemosphere [online], 310, article 136828. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136828

Cyanobacteria and their toxins are a threat to drinking water safety as increasingly cyanobacterial blooms (mass occurrences) occur in lakes and reservoirs all over the world. Photocatalytic removal of cyanotoxins by solar light active catalysts is a... Read More about Solar-driven semi-conductor photocatalytic water treatment (TiO2, g-C3N4, and TiO2+g-C3N4) of cyanotoxins: proof-of-concept study with microcystin-LR..

Adsorption of cyanotoxins on polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate: microplastics as vector of eight microcystin analogues. (2022)
Journal Article
MOURA, D.S., PESTANA, C.J., MOFFAT, C.F., HUI, J., IRVINE, J.T.S., EDWARDS, C. and LAWTON, L.A. 2022. Adsorption of cyanotoxins on polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate: microplastics as vector of eight microcystin analogues. Environmental pollution [online], 303, article 119135. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119135

Plastics are utilised globally but are of environmental concern due to their persistence. The global presence of microplastics (particles <5 mm in all dimensions) in freshwater environments is increasingly reported, as has the presence of cyanobacter...

Potentially poisonous plastic particles: microplastics as a vector for cyanobacterial toxins microcystin-LR and microcystin-LF. (2021)
Journal Article
PESTANA, C.J., MOURA, D.S., CAPELO-NETO, J., EDWARDS, C., DREISBACH, D., SPENGLER, B. and LAWTON, L.A. 2021. Potentially poisonous plastic particles: microplastics as a vector for cyanobacterial toxins microcystin-LR and microcystin-LF. Environmental science and technology [online], 55(23), pages 15940-15949. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.1c05796

The potential of microplastics to act as a vector for micropollutants of natural or anthropogenic origin is of rising concern. Cyanobacterial toxins, including microcystins, are harmful to humans and wildlife. In this study, we demonstrate for the fi... Read More about Potentially poisonous plastic particles: microplastics as a vector for cyanobacterial toxins microcystin-LR and microcystin-LF..

Radiolytic degradation of 2-methylisoborneol and geosmin in water: reactive radical species and transformation pathways. (2021)
Journal Article
CHRISTOPHORIDIS, C., PESTANA, C.J., KALOUDIS, T., LAWTON, L.A., TRIANTIS, T.M. and HISKIA, A. 2021. Radiolytic degradation of 2-methylisoborneol and geosmin in water: reactive radical species and transformation pathways. Chemical engineering journal advances [online], 15, article 100196. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceja.2021.100196

Water radiolysis can serve as a useful tool to study the degradation of organic pollutants in water. Manipulation of the radiolytic system enables the selective production of reactive species (RS) with known yields. Our aim was to explore the effects... Read More about Radiolytic degradation of 2-methylisoborneol and geosmin in water: reactive radical species and transformation pathways..

Comparison of UV-A photolytic and UV/TiO2 photocatalytic effects on Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7813 and four microcystin analogues: a pilot scale study. (2021)
Journal Article
MENEZES, I., CAPELO-NETO, J., PESTANA, C.J., CLEMENTE, A., HUI, J., IRVINE, J.T.S., GUNARATNE, H.Q.N., ROBERTSON, P.K.J., EDWARDS, C., GILLANDERS, R.N., TURNBULL, G.A. and LAWTON, L.A. 2021. Comparison of UV-A photolytic and UV/TiO2 photocatalytic effects on Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7813 and four microcystin analogues: a pilot scale study. Journal of environmental management [online], 298, article 113519. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113519

To date, the high cost of supplying UV irradiation has prevented the widespread application of UV photolysis and titanium dioxide based photocatalysis in removing undesirable organics in the water treatment sector. To overcome this problem, the use o... Read More about Comparison of UV-A photolytic and UV/TiO2 photocatalytic effects on Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7813 and four microcystin analogues: a pilot scale study..

Detection of morphological changes caused by chemical stress in the cyanobacterium Planktothrix agardhii using convolutional neural networks. (2021)
Journal Article
CARLOTO, I., JOHNSTON, P., PESTANA, C.J. and LAWTON, L.A. 2021. Detection of morphological changes caused by chemical stress in the cyanobacterium Planktothrix agardhii using convolutional neural networks. Science of the total environment [online], 784, article 146956. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146956

The presence of harmful algal bloom in many reservoirs around the world, alongside the lack of sanitation law/ordinance regarding cyanotoxin monitoring (particularly in developing countries), create a scenario in which the local population could pote... Read More about Detection of morphological changes caused by chemical stress in the cyanobacterium Planktothrix agardhii using convolutional neural networks..

Effect of hydrogen peroxide on natural phytoplankton and bacterioplankton in a drinking water reservoir: mesocosm-scale study. (2021)
Journal Article
SANTOS, A.A., GUEDES, D.O., BARROS, M.U.G., OLIVEIRA, S., PACHECO, A.B.F., AZEVEDO, S.M.F.O., MAGALHÃES, V.F., PESTANA, C.J., EDWARDS, C., LAWTON, L.A. and CAPELO-NETO, J. 2021. Effect of hydrogen peroxide on natural phytoplankton and bacterioplankton in a drinking water reservoir: mesocosm-scale study. Water research [online], 197, article 117069. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2021.117069

Cyanobacterial blooms are increasingly reported worldwide, presenting a challenge to water treatment plants and concerning risks to human health and aquatic ecosystems. Advanced oxidative processes comprise efficient and safe methods for water treatm... Read More about Effect of hydrogen peroxide on natural phytoplankton and bacterioplankton in a drinking water reservoir: mesocosm-scale study..

Oxidative stress in the cyanobacterium microcystis aeruginosa PCC 7813: comparison of different analytical cell stress detection assays. (2020)
Journal Article
MENEZES, I., MAXWELL-MCQUEENEY, D., CAPELO-NETO, J., PESTANA, C.J., EDWARDS, C. and LAWTON, L.A. 2021. Oxidative stress in the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa PCC 7813: comparison of different analytical cell stress detection assays. Chemosphere [online], 269, article ID 128766. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128766

Cyanobacterial blooms are observed when high cell densities occur and are often dangerous to human and animal health due to the presence of cyanotoxins. Conventional drinking water treatment technology struggles to efficiently remove cyanobacterial c... Read More about Oxidative stress in the cyanobacterium microcystis aeruginosa PCC 7813: comparison of different analytical cell stress detection assays..

Graphitic-C3N4 coated floating glass beads for photocatalytic destruction of synthetic and natural organic compounds in water under UV light. (2020)
Journal Article
HUI, J., PESTANA, C.J., CAUX, M., GUNARATNE, H.Q.N., EDWARDS, C., ROBERTSON, P.K.J., LAWTON, L.A. and IRVINE, J.T.S. 2020. Graphitic-C3N4 coated floating glass beads for photocatalytic destruction of synthetic and natural organic compounds in water under UV light. Journal of photochemistry and photobiology A: chemistry [online], 405, article ID 112935. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2020.112935

Many drinking water reservoirs can contain organic pollutants such as artificial synthesized dye and drugs. On the other hand, some naturally occurring microorganisms such as cyanobacteria, are capable of producing toxic secondary metabolites (cyanot... Read More about Graphitic-C3N4 coated floating glass beads for photocatalytic destruction of synthetic and natural organic compounds in water under UV light..

Degradation of microcystin-LR and cylindrospermopsin by continuous flow UV-A photocatalysis over immobilised TiO2. (2020)
Journal Article
CAMACHO-MUÑOZ, D., FERVERS, A.-S., PESTANA, C.J., EDWARDS, C. and LAWTON, L.A. 2020. Degradation of microcystin-LR and cylindrospermopsin by continuous flow UV-A photocatalysis over immobilised TiO2. Journal of environmental management [online], 276, article ID 111368. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111368

The increasing presence of freshwater toxins have brought new challenges to preserve water quality due to their potential impact on the environment and human health. Two commonly occurring cyanotoxins, microcystin-LR and cylindrospermopsin, with diff... Read More about Degradation of microcystin-LR and cylindrospermopsin by continuous flow UV-A photocatalysis over immobilised TiO2..

Photocatalytic removal of the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7813 and four microcystins by TiO2 coated porous glass beads with UV-LED irradiation. (2020)
Journal Article
PESTANA, C.J., PORTELA NORONHA, J., HUI, J., EDWARDS, C., GUNARATNE, H.Q.N., IRVINE, J.T.S., ROBERTSON, P.K.J., CAPELO-NETO, J. and LAWTON, L.A. 2020. Photocatalytic removal of the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7813 and four microcystins by TiO2 coated porous glass beads with UV-LED irradiation. Science of the total environment [online], 745, article number 141154. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141154

Cyanobacteria and their toxic secondary metabolites are a challenge in water treatment due to increased biomass and dissolved metabolites in the raw water. Retrofitting existing water treatment infrastructure is prohibitively expensive or unfeasible,... Read More about Photocatalytic removal of the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7813 and four microcystins by TiO2 coated porous glass beads with UV-LED irradiation..

Internal loading potential of phosphorus in reservoirs along a semiarid watershed. (2020)
Journal Article
MOURA, D.S., ALMEIDA, A.S.O.D., PESTANA, C.J., GIRÃO, L.G., and CAPELO-NETO, J. 2020. Internal loading potential of phosphorus in reservoirs along a semiarid watershed. Revista Brasileira de recursos hídricos [online], 25, article ID e13. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/2318-0331.252020180023

All rights reserved. Sediments are important to nutrient dynamics, especially due to phosphorus internal loading. Several studies have observed that internal loading could prevent water quality from improving in lakes, even when external phosphorus l... Read More about Internal loading potential of phosphorus in reservoirs along a semiarid watershed..

'All in one' photo-reactor pod containing TiO2 coated glass beads and LEDs for continuous photocatalytic destruction of cyanotoxins in water. (2020)
Journal Article
GUNARATNE, H.Q.N., PESTANA, C.J., SKILLEN, N., HUI, J., SARAVANAN, S., EDWARDS, C., IRVINE, J.T.S., ROBERTSON, P.K.J. and LAWTON, L.A. 2020. ‘All in one’ photo-reactor pod containing TiO2 coated glass beads and LEDs for continuous photocatalytic destruction of cyanotoxins in water. Environmental science: water research and technology [online], 6(4), pages 945-950. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1039/c9ew00711c

Blooms of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) in water reservoirs frequently produce highly toxic secondary metabolites including microcystins which have resulted in both human and animal fatalities. To tackle this global problem, we present here a viab... Read More about 'All in one' photo-reactor pod containing TiO2 coated glass beads and LEDs for continuous photocatalytic destruction of cyanotoxins in water..

Modeling phosphorus exchange between bottom sediment and water in tropical semiarid reservoirs. (2019)
Journal Article
MOURA, D.S., LIMA NETO, I.E., CLEMENTE, A., OLIVEIRA, S., PESTANA, C.J., APARECIDA DE MELO, M. and CAPELO-NETO, J. 2020. Modeling phosphorus exchange between bottom sediment and water in tropical semiarid reservoirs. Chemosphere [online], 246, article ID 125686. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.125686

This study investigated phosphorus (P) dynamics in the sediment-water interface of three distinct reservoirs located in a tropical semiarid region. Sequential chemical fractioning of the P content in the sediment and controlled experiments of the sed... Read More about Modeling phosphorus exchange between bottom sediment and water in tropical semiarid reservoirs..

Removal of microcystins from a waste stabilisation lagoon: evaluation of a packed-bed continuous flow TiO2 reactor. (2019)
Journal Article
PESTANA, C.J., HOBSON, P., ROBERTSON, P.K.J., LAWTON, L.A. and NEWCOMBE, G. 2020. Removal of microcystins from a waste stabilisation lagoon: evaluation of a packed-bed continuous flow TiO2 reactor. Chemosphere [online], 245, article number 125575. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.125575

Photocatalysis has been shown to successfully remove microcystins (MC) in laboratory experiments. Most research to date has been performed under ideal conditions in pure or ultrapure water. In this investigation the efficiency of photocatalysis using... Read More about Removal of microcystins from a waste stabilisation lagoon: evaluation of a packed-bed continuous flow TiO2 reactor..

Trends in crop reference evapotranspiration and climatological variables across Ceará state: Brazil. (2019)
Journal Article
PAULINO, V.E.N., STUDART, T.M.C., CAMPOS, J.N.B., PESTANA, C.J., LUNA, R.M., ALVES, J.M.B. 2019. Trends in crop reference evapotranspiration and climatological variables across Ceará state: Brazil. Revista Brasileira de meteorologia [online], 34(1), pages 79-88. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-7786334017

Irrigation has a substantial share in total world water demand. At the global level, the withdrawal ratio for agriculture is 69 percent. Irrigation is necessary to compensate evapotranspiration (ET) deficit due to insufficient precipitation. Knowing... Read More about Trends in crop reference evapotranspiration and climatological variables across Ceará state: Brazil..