PI: Prof. ZHOU Qiaohong, PhD 

Team Members: 

Professors and Dr. WU Zhenbin, LIU Biyun, ZHANG Yi 

Assistant Professor and Dr. XIAO Enrong 

Senior Experimentalist ZHANG Liping 

Senior Engineer and Dr. WU Junmei 

Project Assistant Professors and Dr. WANG Pei, LIU Zisen 

Assistant Professor and Dr. ZHANG Lu 

7 Postdocs, 2 Project Assistants, and 46 Graduate Students. 

Contact Us: 

E-mail address: qhzhou@ihb.ac.cn 

Tel: 86-27-68780020 ; Fax: 86-27-68780675 

General Introduction: 

Focusing on the frontiers of environmental science and national & social needs, the Research Group of Purification and Restoration Ecology is committed to the basic research and engineering applications of water quality improvement and aquatic ecological restoration to protect aquatic ecological environment. 

It has been carrying on many projects including of the International Cooperation Projects (INCO) of the Europe Union, the National High technology and Development Program of China (863 Program), the 11th, 12th and 13th Five-year National Science and Technology Major Project, the National Key Research and Development Program, the National Science and Technology Basic Resources Survey Project, the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, the Key Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Joint Funds of National Natural Science Foundation, the Main Direction Program of Knowledge Innovation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the International cooperation Project of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Significant Science and Technology Projects of Hubei Province, the Key Research and Development Program of Hubei Province and so on. Researchers from this group have gained systematic scientific research and engineering application achievements. In addition to one second prize of National Award of Science and Technology Progress, the group has won 13 provincial and ministerial awards, three Chinese Academy of Sciences Science and Technology Progress Award; published more than 740 academic articles and four monographs; and owned more than 90 authorized patents. 

They designed or constructed more than 300 projects, including the “Constructed Wetland in Beijing Olympic Forest Park”, “Water Ecological Restoration Project in West Lake, Hangzhou”, and “Restoration projects of the Six Lakes Water Body in Hanyang, Wuhan”, covering 24 provinces, cities and autonomous regions. They also initiated and held the Cross-Strait Constructed Wetland symposiums and the first International Training Course on Water Environmental Protection and Water Pollution Control. 

Major Research Directions: 

Constructed wetland: the development of innovative vertical flow-based constructed wetland technologies, focusing on synergistic pollutant reduction and carbon sequestration mechanisms for various water quality targets, the efficient and long-term operation of constructed wetlands, the development of novel substrates of constructed wetlands, the regulation of microbial ecology and functional communities of constructed wetlands, and the bio-ecological coupling processes based on constructed wetlands. 

Aquatic ecological restoration: the technologies centered on the restoration of aquatic vegetation, emphasizing the physiological and ecological responses and reproductive mechanisms of submerged plants under stress conditions, the establishment, propagation, and structural optimization of submerged plants, the sediment remediation techniques using novel environmentally friendly materials, the ecological response processes of microorganisms during macrophyte-phytoplankton transitions in lakes, and the assessment of the ecological benefits of aquatic ecosystem restoration. 

Allelopathy between aquatic plants and algae: the chemical ecological mechanisms and technologies of aquatic plants regulating algal community structures. The main research interests include: the screening of highly efficient algae-inhibiting aquatic plants, the isolation and identification of highly active allelopathic substances, the allelopathic roles of aquatic plants in inhibiting algal growth and regulating community succession, and the development of efficient ecological algal inhibitors. 

Selective publications for the past five years (*Corresponding author; #Equal contribution)  

1.     Liu X F^#, Guo Y^#, Li Y H, Li Q Z, Yao L, Yu J Q, Chen H, Wu K X, Qiu D R, Wu Z B, Zhou Q H*. 2024. Mitigating sediment cadmium contamination through combining PGPR Enterobacter ludwigii with the submerged macrophyte Vallisneria natans. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 473-134662. 

2.     Liu S Z^# and Wu K X^#, Yao L, Li Y H, Chen R N, Zhang L P, Wu Z B, Zhou Q H*. 2024. Characteristics and correlation analysis of heavy metal distribution in China’s freshwater aquaculture pond sediments, Science of The Total Environment, 931:172909. 

3.     Guo Y^#, Gu S S^#, Andrew J T, Wang P, Li Q Z, Wu K X, He P, Liu X F, Yu J Q, Qiu D R, Wu J M, Bai G L, Lee S M, Wu Z B*, Zhou Q H*.2024. Submerged macrophyte restoration enhanced microbial carbon utilization in shallow lakes. Science of The Total Environment,934:173357. 

4.     Peng X, Zhang X W, Li Z X, Zhang S X, Zhang X Y, Zhang H K, Lin Q W, Li X, Zhang L, Ge F J, Wu Z B, Liu B Y*. 2024. Unraveling the ecological mechanisms of Aluminum on microbial community succession in epiphytic biofilms on Vallisneria natans leaves: Novel insights from microbial interactions. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 409:133932. 

5.     Yang H, Feng Q, Zhu J Y, LIU G L, Dai Y R, Zhou Q H, Xai S B*, Wu Z B, Zhang Y*. 2024. Towards sustainable futures: A review of sediment remediation and resource valorization techniques. Journal of Cleaner Production,435:140529. 

6.     Yang H, Feng Q, Xu W X, Tang Y D, Bai G L, Liu Y L , Xia S B*, Wu Z B, Zhang Y. 2024. Unraveling the nuclear isotope tapestry: Applications, challenges, and future horizons in a dynamic landscape. Eco-Environment and Health, 3(2): 208-226. 

7.     Zhou Q H*, Wu K X, Yao L, Chen R N, Liu S Z, Xing H, Nie L M, Wu Z B. 2024. Bio-ecological remediation of freshwater aquaculture environments: A systematic review and bibliometric analysis. Water Biology and Security,3:10229. 

8.     Peng X, Zhang X Y, Zhang S X, Li Z X, Zhang Z K, Zhang L, Wu Z B, Liu B Y*. 2024. Revealing the response characteristics of periphyton biomass and community structure to sulfamethoxazole exposure in aquaculture water: The perspective of microbial network relationships. Environmental Pollution, 123301. 

9.     Lu R, Zhang Q Q, Chen Y H, An H, Zhang L P, Wu Z B, Xiao E R*. 2024. Nitrate reduction pathway of iron sulphides based MFC-CWs purifying low C/N wastewater: Competitive mechanism to inorganic and organic electrons. Chemical Engineering Journal, 479, 147379, 1-10. 

10. Ma L, Yang L L, Zhang Y, Zhou Q H, Wu Z B, He F*. 2023. The occurrence characteristics and underlying removal mechanism of combined copper and sulfamethoxazole pollution in constructed wetlands. Chemical Engineering Journal, 466: 143022. 

11. Guo Y, Gu S S, Wu K X, Andrew J T, Yu J Q, Liu X F, Li Q Z, He P, Qiu D R, Deng Y, Wang P*, Wu Z B, Zhou Q H*. 2023. Temperature- mediated microbial carbon utilization in China's lakes. Global Change Biology. 29(17): 5044-5061. 

12.  Zhu J L, Li Y H, Huang M H, Xu D, Zhang Y, Zhou Q H, Wu Z B, Wang C*. 2023. Restoration effects of submerged macrophytes on methane production and oxidation potential of lake sediments. Science of The Total Environment, 866: 161218. 

13. Yang H, Fang Q J, Feng Q, Zhu J Y, Li B N, Bai G L, Tang Y D*, Peng L, Wu Z B, Zhang Y*. 2023. Spatiotemporal variation and dynamics of endogenous nutrient fluxes from sediments in Hangzhou West Lake. ACS EST Water. 

14. Wang R, Liu Y L, Luo F, Bai G L, Tang Y D, Fang Q J, Zhu J Y, Li B N, Liu Z S, He F, Zhou Q S, Wu Z B, Zhang Y*. 2023. Synergistic effect of vermiculite and submerged plants on lake sediments. Water Biology and Security, 100181. 

15. Yang H, Zeng G L, Liu Y L, Tang Y D, Bai G L, Liu Z S, Diao H L, Zhang Y*, Liu L, Xue Q, Xia S B*, Zhou Q H, Wu Z B. 2023. Study on adsorption and recovery utilization of phosphorus using alkali melting-hydrothermal treated oil-based drilling cutting ash. Journal of Environmental Management, 332, 117373. 

16. Wang R, Zhu J, Li B N, Liu Y L, Fang Q J, Bai G L, Tang Y D, He F, Zhou Q H, Wu Z B, Zhang Y. 2023. Effects of attapulgite on the growth status of submerged macrophytes Vallisneria spiralis and sediment microenvironment. Journal of Environmental Management., 344:118496. 

17. Zhang L, Liu Y J, Ge F, Peng X, Li X, Zhang X Y, Zhang S X, Zhou Q H, Wu Z B, Liu B Y. 2022. Spatial characteristics of nitrogen forms in a large degenerating lake: Its relationship with dissolved organic matter and microbial community. Journal of Cleaner Production.371: 133617. 

18. Zhang L, Ge F J, Zhang S X, Li X, Peng, X, Zhang X Y, Zhou Q H, Wu Z B, Liu B Y. 2022. Potential effects of Cladophora oligoclora decomposition: microhabitat variation and microcystis aeruginosa growth response. Ecotoxicology and environmental safety, 247: 114236. 

19. Bai G L, Xu D, Zou Y, Liu Y L, Liu Z S, Luo F, Wang C, Zhang C, Liu B Y, Zhou Q H, He F., Wu Z B, Zhang Y. 2022. Impact of submerged vegetation, water flow field and season changes on sediment phosphorus distribution in a typical subtropical shallow urban lake: water nutrients state determines its retention and release mechanism. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 3:107982. 

20. Bai G L, Liu Y L, Liu Z S, Kong L W, Tang Y D, Ding Z, Zou Y, Wang C, Zhang C, Chen D S, Liu L, Liu B Y, Rao L, Xia S, Zhou Q H, Xu D Y, He F, Wu Z B, Zhang Y*. 2022. Effects of Lake Geo-Engineering on Plankton in a Typical Shallow Urban Lake: Evidence Based on 10-year Data. ACS EST Engineering, 3: 105-120. 

21. Liu Y L, Bai G L, Zou Y L Y, Ding Z M, Tang Y D, Wang R, Liu Z S, Zhou Q H, Wu Z B, Zhang Y*. 2022. Combined remediation mechanism of bentonite and submerged plants on lake sediments by DGT technique. Chemosphere, 298:134236. 

22. Liu Z S, Bai G L, Liu Y L, Zou Y, Ding Z, Wang R, Chen D S, Kong L W, Wang C, Liu L, Liu B Y, Zhou Q H, He F, Wu Z B, Zhang Y*. 2022. Long-term study of ecological restoration in a typical shallow urban lake. Science of the total environment, 157505. 

23. Wang C, Li Q Z, Ge F J, Hu Z, He P, Chen D S, Xu D, Wang P, Zhang Y, Zhang L P, Wu Z B, Zhou Q H*. 2020. Responses of aquatic organisms downstream from WWTPs to disinfectants and their by-products during the COVID-19 pandemic, Wuhan. Science of Total Environmental, 818: 151711. 

24. Lu R, Chen Y H, Wu J M, Chen D S, Wu Z B, Xiao E R*. In situ COD monitoring with use of a hybrid of constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell. Water Research, 2022, 210. 

25. Chu Y F, Liu W, Tan Q Y, Yang L L, Chen J M, Ma L, Zhang Y, Wu Z B, He F*. Vertical-flow constructed wetland based on pyrite intensification: Mixotrophic denitrification performance and mechanism. Bioresource Technology, 2022, 347. 

26. Liu W, Chu Y F, Tan Q Y, Chen J M, Yang L L, Ma L, Zhang Y, Wu Z B, He F*. Cold temperature mediated nitrate removal pathways in electrolysis-assisted constructed wetland systems under different influent C/N ratios and anode materials. Chemosphere, 2022, 295. 

27. Bai G L, Luo F, Zou Y L Y, Liu Y L, Wang R, Yang H, Liu Z S, Chang J J, Wu Z B, Zhang Y. 2022. Effects of vermiculite on the growth process of submerged macrophyte Vallisneria spiralis and sediment microecological environment. Journal Environmental Sciences. 118: 130-139. 

28. Peng X, Lin Q W, Liu B Y*, Huang S Z, Yan W H, Zhang L, Ge F J, Zhang Y, Wu Z B. 2022 Effect of submerged plant coverage on phytoplankton community dynamics and photosynthetic activity in situ. Journal of Environmental Management, 301: 113822. 

29. Zhang M Z, Xu D*, Bai G L, Cao T T, Liu W, Hu Z, Chen D S, Qiu D R, Wu Z B. 2021. Changes of microbial community structure during the initial stage of biological clogging in horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands. Bioresource Technology, 337:125405.  

30. Tan Q Y, Chen J M, Chu Y F, Liu W, Yang L L, Ma L, Zhang Y, Qiu D R, Wu Z B, He F*. 2021. Triclosan weakens the nitrification process of activated sludge and increases the risk of the spread of antibiotic resistance genes. Journal of Hazardous Materials,416: 126085. 

31. Peng X, Zhang L, Li Y, Lin Q W, He C, Huang S Z, Li H, Zhang X Y, Liu B Y？, Ge F J, Zhou Q H, Zhang Y, Wu Z B. 2021. The changing characteristics of phytoplankton community and biomass in subtropical shallow lakes: Coupling effects of land use patterns and lake morphology. Water Research, 200, 117235. 

32. Wang C, Wang H H, Li Y H, Li Q Z, Yan W H, Zhang Y, Wu Z B, Zhou Q H*. 2021. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria isolation from rhizosphere of submerged macrophytes and their growth-promoting effect on Vallisneria natans under high sediment organic matter load. Microbial Biotechnology, 14(2): 726-736. 

33. Ma L, Yang L L, Liu W, Zhang Y, Zhou Q H, Wu Z B, He F？. 2021. Effects of root exudates on rhizosphere bacteria and nutrient removal in pond-ditch circulation systems (PDCSs) for rural wastewater treatment. Science of the Total Environment, 785: 147282. 

34. Liu Y L, Zou Y L Y, Kong L W, Bai G L, Luo F, Liu Z S, Wang C, Ding Z M, He F, Wu Z B, Zhang Y*. 2021. Effects of bentonite on the growth process of submerged macrophytes and sediment microenvironment. Journal of Environmental Management, 287: 112308.  

35. Zhang L, Huang S Z, Peng X, Liu B Y？, Zhang X Y, Ge F J, Zhou Q H, Wu Z B. 2021. Potential ecological implication of Cladophora oligoclora decomposition: Characteristics of nutrient migration, transformation, and response of bacterial community structure. Water Research, 190: 116741. 

36. Xu P, Xiao E R*, He F, Xu D, Zhang Y, Wu Z B. 2021. Microbial fuel cell improves restoration of Hydrilla verticillata in an algae-rich sediment microcosm system. Chemosphere, 266, 128987(1-14).  

37. Ma L, Yang L L, Liu W, Zhang Y, Zhou Q H, Wu Z B, He F*. 2021. Environmental factors and microbial communities jointly regulate biological dephosphorization process in pond-ditch circulation systems (PDCSs) for rural wastewater treatment. Science of the Total Environment, 758:143629. 

38. Yang H, Huang S Y, Zhang Y*, Zhou B X, Sanjrani Manzoor Ahmed, Liu H M, Liu Y W, He Y, Xia S B. 2020. Remediation effect of Cr (VI)-contaminated soil by secondary pyrolysis oilbased drilling cuttings ash. Chemical Engineering Journal, 398, 125473 

39. Liu Y L, Han F, Bai G L, Kong L W, Liu Z S, Wang C, Liu B Y, He F, Wu Z B, Zhang Y*. 2020. The promotion effects of silicate mineral maifanite on the growth of submerged macrophytes Hydrilla verticillata. Environmental pollution, 267: 115380(1-9). 

40. Bai G L, Zhang Y*, Yan P, Yan W H, Kong L W, Wang L, Wang C, Liu Z, Liu B Y, Ma J M, Zuo J C, Li J, Bao J, Xia S B, Zhou Q H, Xu D, He F, Wu Z B*. 2020. Spatial and seasonal variation of water parameters, sediment properties, and submerged macrophytes after ecological restoration in a long-term (6 year) study in Hangzhou west lake in China: Submerged macrophyte distribution influenced by environmental variables. Water research, 186: 116379(1-15). 

41. Du L, Zhao Y, Wang C, Wu Z B, Zhou Q H*. 2020. Effects of plant on denitrification pathways in integrated vertical-flow constructed wetland treating swine wastewater. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 201, 110752. 

42. Lin Q W, Fan M J, Peng X, Ma J M, Zhang Y, Yu F, Wu Z B, Liu B Y*. 2020. Response of Vallisneria natans to aluminum phytotoxicity and their synergistic effect on nitrogen, phosphorus change in sediments. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 400, 123167. 

43. Du L, Zhao Y, Wang C, Zhang H P, Chen Q R, Zhang X, Zhang L P, Wu J M, Wu Z B, Zhou Q H*. 2020. Removal performance of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes in swine wastewater by integrated vertical-flow constructed wetlands with zeolite substrate. Science of the Total Environment, 721, 137765. 

44. Huang T, Liu W, Zhang Y, Zhou Q H, Wu Z B, He F*. 2020. A stable simultaneous anammox, denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidation and denitrification process in integrated vertical constructed wetlands for slightly polluted wastewater. Environmental Pollution, 262, 114363. 

45. Liu Z S, Zhang Y*, Yan P, Luo J, Kong L W, Chang J J, Liu B Y, Xu D, He F, Wu Z B. 2020.Synergistic control of internal phosphorus loading from eutrophic lake sediment using MMF coupled with submerged macrophytes. Science of the Total Environment, 731, 138697. 

46. Han F, Zhang Y*, Liu Z S, Wang C, Luo J, Liu B Y, Qiu D R, He F, Wu Z B. 2020. Effects of maifanite on growth, physiological and phytochemical process of submerged macrophytes Vallisneria spiralis. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 189, 109941. 

47. Xiao E R*, Zhou Y, Xu D, Lu R, Chen Y H, Zhou Q H, Wu Z B. 2020. The physiological response of Arundo donax and characteristics of anodic bacterial community in BE-CW systems: Effects of the applied voltage. Chemical Engineering Journal, 380, 122604. 

48. Lin Q W, Peng X, Liu B Y*, Min F L, Zhang Y, Zhou Q H, Ma J M, Wu Z B. 2019. Aluminum distribution heterogeneity and relationship with nitrogen, phosphorus and humic acid content in the eutrophic lake sediment. Environmental Pollution, 253: 516-524. 

49. Liu Z S, Zhang Y*, Kong L W, Liu L, Luo J, Liu B Y, Zhou Q H, He F, Xu D, Wu Z B. 2019. Preparation and preferential photocatalytic degradation of acephate by using the composite photocatalyst Sr/TiO₂-PCFM. Chemical Engineering Journal, 374: 852–862. 

50. Xu P, Xiao E R*, Wu J M, He F, Zhang Y, Wu Z B. 2019. Enhanced nitrate reduction in water by a combined bio-electrochemical system of microbial fuel cells and submerged aquatic plant Ceratophyllum demersum. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 78: 338-351.