Thermodynamic properties of common salts in aqueous solutions

A relationship between the activity of hydrogen ions and charge activity in an aqueous solution has been developed in a previous study. That study also revealed that the potential energy of an aqueous solution can be obtained by multiplying the charge activity with electrostatic potential of the solution. In this study, negative potential energy equalling Gibbs energy of four common salt (NaCl, KCl, NaNO3 and KNO3) solutions were quantified using the charge activity. Then the entropies of those salt solutions were computed using the Gibbs energy, enthalpy, and the charge activity. Charge activities were computed using the pH of those solutions at room temperature. It was found that potential energy, Gibbs energy, enthalpy and entropy of a solution is related to the charge activity of a solution, not the ionic charge number as previously thought. When the concentrations of NaCl, KCl, NaNO3 and KNO3 increased in single solutions the entropies of those solutions tend to decrease allowing them to achieve orderly states leading the salt particles to crystalise. The findings of this study will lead to better understanding and utilization of thermodynamic properties during crystallization which is vital important in brine recovery

Editorial: Integrated water management for enhanced water quality and reuse to create a sustainable future

Safe drinking water and sanitation are very important for the survival of human life. With the rapid proliferation of industries, growth in population and different forms of pollution, i.e. in water, air, soil and sediments, the living environment and the ecosystem is constantly polluted. In this context, integrating different water resources for enhanced water quality and reuse is important to solve the persisting problems and challenges in developing and the developed nations. Integrated water management offers environmental, economic and social benefits because it aims at maximizing the existing resources and prevents further depletion of the ecosystem

Applications of technology and innovation for a sustainable future

Sustainable future depends on ways in which we keep upgrading our living style. The goals and targets set by Sustainable Development Goals will definitely help us to protect all types of ecosystems and their biodiversity. Still, much more complementary advances in technology and innovation and their applications are essential in realising realizing a sustainable future. The aims and scope of Environmental Technology & Innovation is well geared to contribute to such ambition. Thus, this virtual special issue (VSI) contains 23 articles from the presentations made at the international conference on the Challenges in Environmental Science and Engineering, CESE-2021. A brief description of the topics and the articles in this VSI are given below