Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Biological Treatment of Effluent and Waste Water

Biological Treatment of Effluent and Waste Water

Biological wastewater treatment relies on the metabolic activity of microorganisms to remove pollutants from sewage. In modern treatment systems, this process is organized into sequential stages that progressively reduce solid material, dissolved organic matter, and microbial contamination. Each stage plays a distinct role in improving water quality and preparing the effluent for safe discharge or reuse.Primary and Secondary TreatmentPrimary treatment is a physical process that removes large...

Microbial Wastewater Treatment

Microbial Wastewater Treatment

Microbial communities in aquatic ecosystems play a key role in the natural breakdown of contaminants introduced through domestic and industrial effluents. Acting as biological catalysts, these microbes change and mineralize a wide range of organic and inorganic pollutants under different redox conditions.In oxygen-rich surface waters, aerobic heterotrophs lead organic matter breakdown, using oxygen as the terminal electron acceptor to efficiently oxidize substrates to carbon dioxide and water.

Microbial Bioremediation of Plastics

Microbial Bioremediation of Plastics

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a synthetic polymer widely utilized in the packaging industry, particularly for bottles and containers. Due to its chemical stability and durability, PET accumulates in the environment, contributing significantly to plastic pollution. It comprises repeating units of terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol, resulting in a semi-crystalline structure that is resistant to natural degradation processes.A notable breakthrough in plastic biodegradation came with the...

Biofuels

Biofuels

The microbial conversion of organic matter into biofuels holds potential as a renewable energy source. Among biofuel sources, microalgae are recognized as a highly efficient and adaptable feedstock for biodiesel production, owing to their rapid biomass accumulation, elevated lipid productivity, and capacity to proliferate in diverse aquatic systems, including freshwater, marine, and wastewater habitats. Unlike terrestrial crops, microalgae do not compete for land and can achieve significantly...

Microbial Bioremediation of Uranium

Microbial Bioremediation of Uranium

Microorganisms play a critical role in the transformation and immobilization of uranium in contaminated environments through four main pathways: bioreduction, biosorption, bioaccumulation, and biomineralization. These mechanisms reduce uranium’s toxicity and prevent its migration through groundwater systems, offering sustainable approaches for in situ bioremediation.Bioreduction of UraniumBioreduction is driven by anaerobic bacteria such as certain strains of Geobacter and Shewanella, which use...

Microbial Fuel Cells

Microbial Fuel Cells

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are bioelectrochemical devices that generate electricity by exploiting the metabolic processes of electrogenic bacteria. These systems provide a renewable energy source and serve as an innovative method for treating organic waste, such as wastewater.A typical MFC consists of two chambers: an anoxic (oxygen-free) compartment that houses the bacteria and an oxic (oxygen-rich) compartment that contains oxygen as the terminal electron acceptor. Many MFCs use proton...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Impacts of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on Phragmites australis root exudation throughout plant life cycle: Defense responses and phytoremediation potential.

Journal of environmental sciences (China)·2026

Same author

Beyond yellow: discovery and genetic dissection of an apricot petal color in <i>Brassica juncea</i> L.

Frontiers in plant science·2026

Same author

Assessing the potential for a novel Composite Integrative Passive Sampler (CIPS) to investigate transboundary movement of organic chemicals in the Tijuana River Estuary.

The Science of the total environment·2025

Same author

Evidence of transboundary movement of chemicals from Mexico to the U.S. in Tijuana River Estuary sediments.

Chemosphere·2023

Same author

Locomotion and brain gene expression exhibit sex-specific non-monotonic dose-response to HFPO-DA during Drosophila melanogaster lifespan.

Neurotoxicology·2023

Same author

Assessing urban flooding risk in response to climate change and urbanization based on shared socio-economic pathways.

The Science of the total environment·2023

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Measuring Biomethane Potential of Food Scrap Waste Anaerobically Co-Digested with Waste-Activated Sludge Using Respirometry

Measuring Biomethane Potential of Food Scrap Waste Anaerobically Co-Digested with Waste-Activated Sludge Using Respirometry

Published on: April 26, 2024

Municipal solid waste management in China: status, problems and challenges.

Dong Qing Zhang¹, Soon Keat Tan, Richard M Gersberg

¹DHI-NTU Centre, Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, N1.2-B1-02, Singapore 639798, Singapore. dqzhang@ntu.edu.sg

Journal of Environmental Management

|April 24, 2010

Summary

China

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Measuring Biomethane Potential of Food Scrap Waste Anaerobically Co-Digested with Waste-Activated Sludge Using Respirometry

Measuring Biomethane Potential of Food Scrap Waste Anaerobically Co-Digested with Waste-Activated Sludge Using Respirometry

Published on: April 26, 2024

Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Waste Management
Urban Planning

Background:

Rapid urbanization and industrialization in China have led to a significant increase in municipal solid waste (MSW) generation.
MSW generation in China surged from 31.3 million tonnes in 1980 to 212 million tonnes in 2006.
The waste generation rate per capita also rose from 0.50 kg/day in 1980 to 0.98 kg/year in 2006.

Purpose of the Study:

To examine municipal solid waste (MSW) generation and composition in China.
To provide an overview of current MSW management practices.
To analyze existing challenges and propose future improvements for MSW systems.

Main Methods:

Analysis of MSW generation trends and composition data from 1980 to 2006.
Review of current MSW collection, separation, recycling, and disposal methods.
Assessment of MSW treatment rates and facility infrastructure.

Main Results:

MSW in China is characterized by high organic and moisture content, with kitchen waste comprising about 60% of urban waste.
In 2006, 91.4% of collected MSW was landfilled, 6.4% incinerated, and 2.2% composted.
The overall MSW treatment rate was approximately 62% in 2007, with 460 facilities operational.

Conclusions:

Current MSW management in China faces significant challenges due to increasing waste volumes and composition.
There is a need for improved strategies in waste collection, separation, recycling, and disposal.
Recommendations are provided to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of China's MSW management system.