Ashraf Aly Hassan
@uaeu.ac.ae
Scopus Publications
Scholar Citations
Scholar h-index
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Abdul Mannan Zafar, Badr A. Mohamed, Qilin Wang, and Ashraf Aly Hassan
Elsevier BV
Muhammad Asad Javed and Ashraf Aly Hassan
Elsevier BV
Sana Ajaz, Ashraf Aly Hassan, Ruby N. Michael, and Frederic D.L. Leusch
Elsevier BV
Muhammad Asad Javed, Sarah Mohamed Alhamdi Alyammahi, Fatema Abdulla Alhar Alshehhi, Sheym Ali Almukhaini Aljneibi, Salama Ali Obaid Alketbi, and Ashraf Aly Hassan
Elsevier BV
Jyotsana Mehta, Rahul Kumar Dhaka, Neeraj Dilbaghi, Dong Kwon Lim, Ashraf Aly Hassan, Ki-Hyun Kim, and Sandeep Kumar
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Hassan Mohamad Anabtawi, Woo Hyoung Lee, Abdulaziz Al-Anazi, Mohamed Mostafa Mohamed, and Ashraf Aly Hassan
MDPI AG
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a primary environmental concern, threatening freshwater ecosystems and public health and causing economic damages in the billions of dollars annually. These blooms, predominantly driven by phytoplankton species like cyanobacteria, thrive in nutrient-rich, warm, and low-wind environments. Because of the adverse impacts of HABs, this review examines various control methods, focusing on biological strategies as sustainable solutions. While effective in disrupting algal populations, traditional chemical and physical interventions carry ecological risks and can be resource-intensive. Biological control methods, including biomanipulation and using algicidal microorganisms such as Streptococcus thermophiles, Myxobacteria, and Lopharia spadicea, emerge as eco-friendly alternatives offering long-term benefits. Additionally, barley and rice straw application has demonstrated efficacy in curbing HAB growth. These biological approaches work by inhibiting algal proliferation, disrupting cellular structures, and fostering algal cell aggregation. Despite their advantages over conventional methods, biological controls face challenges, including intricate ecological interactions. This article delves into the latest biological techniques aimed at eradicating HABs, intending to diminish their frequency and reduce toxin levels in aquatic environments. While most research to date has been confined to laboratory settings, scaling these methods to field applications presents hurdles due to the variability and complexity of natural ecosystems. The review underscores the need for further research and development in this critical area of environmental science.
M. Sherief, M. A. Javed, B. Bunker, B. Dvorak, M. A. Maraqa, and A. Aly Hassan
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Raisa Jabeen, Mahmoud E. Ahmed, Mohamed A. Hamouda, and Ashraf Aly Hassan
MDPI AG
Bioaerosol emission at various WWTP treatment units has drawn attention due to their potential negative impacts on human health. This study conducted a bibliometric analysis of the global research on bioaerosol emissions from WWTPs from 1995 to 2022. The Scopus database was used to identify relevant articles and research trends, major contributors in the field, and recent developments. The study examined 122 articles in the field of bioaerosols in WWTPs. The analysis findings showed that publications and citations peaked in 2022, with values of 25 and 818, respectively. At the beginning of the study period, the USA, Poland, and Italy led the publications’ ranking, but with time, China emerged as the most influential country in the field. Recent advances in the field have revealed that spectral intensity bioaerosol sensors have contributed to the faster and more reliable identification and classification of bioaerosols. It was also observed that probabilistic techniques relying on mathematical models and assumptions to ascertain the risks associated with bioaerosols may result in false interpretations. Despite their high cost, epidemiological studies were best for assessing plant workers’ health risks. The outbreak has raised questions about accurately evaluating and modeling SARS-CoV-2 persistence, infectivity, and aerosolization over WWTP sites and environmental factors. Finally, the study highlighted the potential of three control treatment approaches: carbon absorption, UV irradiation, and ozone treatments, which proved efficient in reducing bioaerosol emissions.
Abdul Mannan Zafar and Ashraf Aly Hassan
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Abdul Mannan Zafar and Ashraf Aly Hassan
Elsevier BV
Muhammad Asad Javed and Ashraf Aly Hassan
Elsevier BV
Maitha Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Muhammad Asad Javed, Khaled A. El-Tarabily, Woo Hyoung Lee, and Ashraf Aly Hassan
Elsevier BV
Tayyaba Jamil, Saima Yasin, Naveed Ramzan, Hafiz Muhammad Zaheer Aslam, Amir Ikhlaq, Abdul Mannan Zafar, and Ashraf Aly Hassan
MDPI AG
Dyes are the most carcinogenic organic compounds that are discarded by most of the textile industries without any prior treatment, which is harmful for the environment. This study aims to develop a bentonite-clay/carbon-nanotube (CNT)-based adsorbent to treat textile wastewater for water sustainability. The preliminary and post-characterization of adsorbent involves scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis to determine the changes in surface morphology, functional group, and surface area of the adsorbent. Linear and nonlinear isotherms and kinetic studies were performed to explore the sorption mechanism. The results show that the nonlinear form of the Langmuir isotherm best fits adsorption with a qmax of 550 mg/g. The adsorption followed the nonlinear pseudo-first-order kinetics, favoring chemisorption with R2 ≈ 1 and X2 = 0.22. Maximum dye removal (89.9%) was achieved under the optimum conditions of pH 3, an adsorbent dose of 100 mg, and a contact time of 120 min, with an initial COD concentration of 1140 mgL−1. This study has demonstrated the successful application of a bentonite-clay/CNT-based adsorbent on textile wastewater treatment.
Tripti Singh, Anisha Sehgal, Rajeev Singh, Shalini Sharma, Dan Bahadur Pal, Hanaa M. Tashkandi, Rajaa Raddadi, Steve Harakeh, Shafiul Haque, Manish Srivastava,et al.
Elsevier BV
Abdul Mannan Zafar, Hasan Al Mosteka, and Ashraf Aly Hassan
Elsevier BV
Brendan Bunker, Bruce Dvorak, and Ashraf Aly Hassan
MDPI AG
The treatment of gaseous contaminants, such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S), is often carried out with adsorbent materials that are disposed of after saturation. The reuse of such materials promotes sustainability and the reduction in unnecessary waste. Granular activated carbon (GAC) is a well-known adsorbent used to capture gaseous H2S which can be reused. It is hypothesized that it can also concentrate contaminants for future treatment, thereby reducing secondary treatment costs. Cyclic adsorption/desorption experiments were completed with samples of GAC to investigate the feasibility of implementing the concept of repeated H2S adsorption/desorption in the construction of a pilot odor control device. A column filled with GAC was exposed to a stream of H2S gas and then heated to 500 °C to regenerate the carbon. The concentration of H2S at the inlet and outlet of the column was measured at regular intervals. Three samples of GAC had an average adsorption efficiency of 82% over the course of three cycles and were regenerated to 70% of initial adsorptive capacity after one cycle, and 60% after two cycles. These results indicate that after being saturated with H2S, GAC can be regenerated at high temperatures, evidence that H2S may become concentrated during the process. Additional characterization experiments confirmed that the sulfur content of the carbon increased after adsorption and decreased after thermal regeneration. The procedures demonstrated in this experiment were further utilized with a pilot device designed to provide a low-cost method for reducing odors in landfill gas.
Muhammad Raashid, Mohsin Kazmi, Amir Ikhlaq, Tanveer Iqbal, Muhammad Sulaiman, Abdul Mannan Zafar, and Ashraf Aly Hassan
MDPI AG
Water pollution is a globally recognized serious problem that is hindering human development and societal progress. One of the most feasible methods to eliminate this problem is wastewater treatment and reuse. Emerging micropollutants, such as pesticides, are notorious for not being removed using traditional treatment methods. Therefore, novel techniques such as advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have been proposed, among which photocatalytic ozonation is arguably the best option. Sulfoxaflor belongs to a relatively newer class of compounds known as sulfoximines and has not been studied for degradation using photocatalytic ozonation. In this work, we explore the degradation of sulfoxaflor, specifically a Dow product containing sulfoxaflor as an active ingredient using various AOPs, particularly photocatalytic ozonation. Photocatalytic ozonation has shown a synergy of 2.23 times compared to photocatalysis and ozonation alone. Fe-zeolite can improve the treatment time as an ozonation catalyst, reducing the removal time from 22 min to 18 min while reducing the electrical energy per order and electrical energy per order (EEO) from 69.5 to 42.92 kWh m−3 order−1. Catalysts have been characterized using scanning electron microscopy and point of zero charge. The effects of the initial concentration, UV intensity, catalyst dose, and catalyst reuse have been studied. Moreover, the rate constants have been determined using curve fitting, and the mechanism is proposed.
Melinda Joy Biggs Albuquerque, Dina Mustafa Mohammad Awadalla, Francisco Daniel Benicio de Albuquerque, and Ashraf Aly Hassan
MDPI AG
There has been a widespread call for improvement in undergraduate STEM education, leading to what are known as evidence-based instructional practices (EBIPs). However, EBIP usage in STEM is a more recent phenomenon in the United Arab Emirates, which is historically known for its passive teaching practices but is now taking strides to transform its educational system. This study sought to assess (i) STEM faculty EBIP awareness, adoption, and ease-of-implementation perceptions from STEM faculty at a leading university in the United Arab Emirates and the demographic factors correlated with faculty responses, and (ii) the contextual factors that influence faculty EBIP adoption. Data was compared to that of STEM faculty at a top-tier research and teaching university in the United States of America. Finally, this study sought to provide a snapshot of current STEM faculty teaching practices when both a leader (United States of America) and a newcomer (United Arab Emirates) in STEM EBIPs were considered. A survey containing 16 teaching practices—3 traditional, 13 EBIPs—along with 20 contextual factors was developed and completed by faculty. EBIP awareness and usage were positively affected by time spent on teaching, teaching experience, and teaching workshop participation, and negatively affected by more class time spent lecturing. Significant contextual factors point to potential factors for consideration in efforts to improve EBIP adoption.
Mohammed H. Alzard, Hilal El-Hassan, Ashraf Aly Hassan, Tamer El-Maaddawy, and Omar Najm
Springer Nature Singapore
Shirin P. Arimbrathodi, Muhammad Asad Javed, Mohamed A. Hamouda, Ashraf Aly Hassan, and Mahmoud E. Ahmed
MDPI AG
Demand for clean energy has increased due to the proliferation of climate change impact from excessive emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) from the combustion of fossil fuels. H2 is a clean energy source since water vapor is the only byproduct after its combustion. Growing microalgae offers a promising low-energy and low-cost approach for bioH2 production. In this study, a bibliometric analysis was performed for the production of H2 using microalgae to evaluate the conceptual, intellectual, and social structure of the dataset. In addition, a scoping review of articles was conducted to highlight recent advancements and identify future research recommendations. A total of 184 relevant publications over 23 years (2000–2022) were retrieved from the Scopus database for analysis. The results demonstrated an exponential increase in citations from 283 to 996 in the last decade, indicating the interest in bioH2 production from microalgae. Results also revealed that the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy accounted for more than 25% of the published articles, of which China contributed almost 28%. Oxygen sensitivity of the H2ase enzyme and sulfur deprivation were highlighted as the main limiting factors of bioH2 production using microalgae. It was also evident that the most widely studied microalgae species were green algae, especially Chlamydomonas and Chlorella. Effective process modifications, particularly hybridizing microalgae with bacteria consortium and implementing oxygen regulating strategies, were shown to give up to a 10-fold increase in H2 yield. This study also discusses recent developments in technologies, strategies, microalgal species, and optimizing controlling factors affecting bioH2 production.
Mahmoud E. Ahmed, Abdul Mannan Zafar, Mohamed A. Hamouda, Ashraf Aly Hassan, and Shirin Arimbrathodi
MDPI AG
Due to rising population and industrialization, two-thirds of the world’s population may suffer water scarcity by 2025. Biodesalination is a promising sustainable practice targeting salt removal from seawater by micro-organisms, using lower energy consumption and resulting in less environmental impact. This study examined the evolution of biodesalination from 2007 to 2022 by applying bibliometric analysis. A scoping review was also conducted through content analysis of biodesalination publications. Using the Scopus database, the research trends, major contributors in the field, and recent advancements were identified. The study investigated a total of 80 peer-reviewed journal articles in the field of biodesalination. Results of the bibliometric analysis revealed that publications peaked in 2022 and citations in 2021, with values of 14 and 473, respectively. Results also revealed that the research trend in biodesalination is leaning towards the use of microbial desalination cells. Furthermore, advancements in the field focused on enhancing the nutrient medium to yield better growth rates for algae and cyanobacteria and improve desalination efficiencies to up to 40%. Other modifications focused on introducing microbial strains with increased salinity tolerance. Finally, an outline of future research potential was presented, focusing on nutrient medium modifications, specifically the substitution of chloride and sodium salts in the medium with nitrate and potassium minerals.
Shibin Nadersha, , and Ashraf Aly Hassan
EJournal Publishing
Produced water (PW) is the effluent generated during oil mining and extraction. On average, for every barrel of oil, 4-5 barrels of PW are generated worldwide. The presence of various contaminants in PW makes it toxic. Disposal of untreated PW into oceans and water bodies can cause adverse effects on human health and the environment. Taking into account the large volumes of it being generated, and its effects on the environment, proper treatment is required before reuse or disposal. Microalgal treatment is an effective method for the bioremediation and biodesalination of produced water when acclimatized algal biomass is used for the treatment. However, harvesting this acclimatized high-value algal biomass for reuse and recycling, and the reuse or disposal of produced water is challenging. Thus, the immobilization of microalgae into polymer matrices will be beneficial in solving both problems. Different polymers, both natural and synthetic are used as matrices for immobilizing cells. In this study, experiments were done with alginate and chitosan matrices to immobilize algae. Microalgae enriched and grown in wastewater were acclimatized to three different produced water samples by progressive adaptation in a steadily increasing ratio of produced water. The algae which could adapt and grow in the highest ratio in minimum time were immobilized and used for bioremediation of produced water. The study also evaluated the stability of the matrix in produced water and the treatment efficiency. The results of the study led to the conclusion that produced water is highly toxic for the stability of alginate and chitosan matrices. A more stable matrix has to be determined and experimented with for immobilizing algae and treatment of produced water.
Shafiul Haque, Rajeev Singh, Steve Harakeh, Addisu Demeke Teklemariam, Saif A. Alharthy, S.C. Tripathi, Ravindra Pratap Singh, Ashraf Aly Hassan, Neha Srivastava, and Vijai Kumar Gupta
Elsevier BV
Muhammad Asad Javed, Abdul Mannan Zafar, Sulaiman Al-Zuhair, Amro El Badawy, and Ashraf Aly Hassan
American Chemical Society (ACS)
Salma Shaikhoun, Abdul Mannan Zafar, Yin-Hu Wu, and Ashraf Aly Hassan
Elsevier BV