{rfName}
Re

Indexed in

Citations

2

Altmetrics

Analysis of institutional authors

De La Fuente, MarioAuthor

Share

October 14, 2025
Publications
>
Article
No

Removal of meropenem from hospital wastewater using biochar derived from grape stalks

Publicated to: JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT. 393 127004- - 2025-10-01 393(), DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.127004

Authors:

Duarte, Jose L S; Hayat, Ana; de la Fuente, Mario; Dominguez, Carmen M; Santos, Aurora; Cotillas, Salvador
[+]

Affiliations

Univ Complutense Madrid, Fac Chem Sci, Dept Chem & Mat Engn, Ave Complutense S-N, Madrid 28040, Spain - Author
Univ Politecn Madrid, Sch Agron Food & Biosyst Engn, Dept Agr Prod, Ciudad Univ, Madrid 28040, Spain - Author

Abstract

This study focuses on synthesizing biochar from grape stalks and its application for removing the antibiotic meropenem (MRP) from aqueous solutions. The raw biochar was chemically activated with NaOH under mild conditions and thoroughly characterized to elucidate its adsorption mechanisms. Preliminary tests confirmed the need for activation to enhance the adsorption efficiency. The effect of initial MRP concentration, biochar dosage, solution pH, kinetics, and equilibrium were investigated. Furthermore, the adsorption of MRP contained in simulated hospital wastewater (HWW) was also evaluated. Characterization revealed a honeycomb pore structure, high mineral content, and surface functional groups relevant for adsorption. Kinetic data fitted the pseudo-second-order model, and equilibrium isotherms fitted the Freundlich model. Thermodynamic analysis indicated spontaneous adsorption in ultrapure water, with an enhanced spontaneity observed in HWW due to the presence of competing ions. Desorption tests showed 90 % MRP removal after five cycles. In simulated HWW, the activated biochar achieved complete MRP removal at low (5 mg dm-3) and high (100 mg dm-3) concentrations and concurrently reduced salinity. The maximum adsorption capacity (80 mg g-1) was reached at an initial concentration of 100 mg dm-3, under optimal conditions of pH 3 and 1.0 g dm-3 of biochar. These findings highlight the potential of grape stalk-derived biochar as an effective and reusable adsorbent for hospital wastewater treatment.
[+]

Keywords

AdsorptionAnti-bacterial agentsBiocharCharcoalGrape residuesHospital wastewaterHospitalsHydrogen-ion concentrationKineticsMeropenemVitisWastewaterWater pollutants, chemical

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2025, it was in position 31/376, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Environmental Sciences. Notably, the journal is positioned above the 90th percentile.

Independientemente del impacto esperado determinado por el canal de difusión, es importante destacar el impacto real observado de la propia aportación.

Según las diferentes agencias de indexación, el número de citas acumuladas por esta publicación hasta la fecha 2026-04-25:

  • WoS: 1
  • Scopus: 1
[+]

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2026-04-25:

  • The use, from an academic perspective evidenced by the Altmetric agency indicator referring to aggregations made by the personal bibliographic manager Mendeley, gives us a total of: 16.
  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 16 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

  • The Total Score from Altmetric: 35.
  • The number of mentions on the social network X (formerly Twitter): 5 (Altmetric).
  • The number of mentions in news outlets: 4 (Altmetric).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • Assignment of a Handle/URN as an identifier within the deposit in the Institutional Repository: https://oa.upm.es/92134/

As a result of the publication of the work in the institutional repository, statistical usage data has been obtained that reflects its impact. In terms of dissemination, we can state that, as of

  • Views: 45
  • Downloads: 40
[+]

Awards linked to the item

This research is part of the grant CNS2022-135764 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by the European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR, and the project PID2022-137828OB-I00 funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by ERDF/EU. Project TEC-2024/ECO-69 (CARESOIL-CM), funded by the Community of Madrid, is also acknowledged. Dr. Jose Leandro da Silva Duarte acknowledges the funding received through the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant no 847635 of the H2020 program (UNA4CAREER) and the Cesar Nombela grant 2023-T1/ECO-29390 of the Talent Attraction program from Community of Madrid.
[+]