Biography: Professor Wong is a Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, and Chang Jiang Chair Professor of the Ministry of Education, China. He served as the Editor-in-Chief of ‘Environmental Geochemistry and Health’ (Springer Nature) for 20 years (2002-2023). Professor Wong was the Coordinator of Central and North-East Asia of ‘Regionally Based Assessment of Persistent Toxic Substances’ and a Panel Member (of 3 experts) of ‘Chemicals Management Issues of Developing Countries and Countries with Economies in Transition’, sponsored by UNEP/GEF, during 2001-2003 and 2010-2012, respectively. His research areas included ‘Environmental toxicology’; ‘Ecological restoration’; and ‘Resource reuse’. He has published over 840 SCI papers. In addition to his PhD (Durham), he was awarded two higher Doctoral Degrees: DSc (Durham) and DSc (Strathclyde) based on published papers in 1992 and 2004. Professor Wong is ranked 6th for 3 years and 8th for 1 year (career-long ranking) and is listed as the top Chinese scientist in Environmental Science according to the World’s Top 2% Scientists (Stanford University, 2020-2023). According to Research.com's Best Researchers in Various Disciplines (2nd Ed, 2023), he ranked No. 1 in China under Environmental Science.

Abstract: The basic purpose of Seismic Microzonation is to evaluate the seismic hazard on the ground surface with respect to ground shaking intensity. A probabilistic local seismic hazard study is the initial phase to define the probable earthquake characteristics on the rock outcrop. In recent years, with the increase in the computational capabilities, detailed probabilistic site response analyses are being conducted to determine possible site effects and earthquake characteristics on the ground surface to estimate earthquake damages for the existing building stock.
The basic issues are the uncertainties in source characteristics, soil profile, soil properties, and characteristics of the building inventories that would introduce critical uncertainties associated with these analyses. At this stage, the probability distribution of the related earthquake parameters on the ground surface may be determined considering all possible input acceleration time histories, site profiles, and dynamic soil properties. One option, the variability in earthquake source and path effects may be considered using a large number of acceleration records compatible with the site-dependent earthquake hazard. Likewise, a large number of soil profiles may be used to account for the site condition variability. A seismic microzonation methodology is proposed based on the probabilistic assessment of these factors involved in site response analyses. The second important issue in the seismic microzonation procedure is the selection of microzonation parameters. The purpose is mitigation of structural damage, it is possible to adopt earthquake parameters like cumulative average velocity (CAV) or Housner intensity (HI) that was observed to have a better correlation with building damage during past earthquakes. The main approach is to develop a microzonation procedure for ground shaking intensity considering probabilistic values of ground motion parameters. The third issue is the reliability and correctness of the site response analysis procedure. The adopted site response method is updated for frequency and stress dependence to achieve the preferred correctness.

Biography: Dr. Atilla Ansal received his Ph.D. in Geotechnical Engineering from Northwestern University, USA in 1977. He was promoted to full Professorship in 1988 in Istanbul Technical University, moved to Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute of Bogaziçi University in 2002. Since March 2012, he is professor in the Civil Engineering Department of Ozyegin University. He served as the Secretary General of European Association for Earthquake Engineering during 1994-2014 and President during 2014-2018, Vice President during 2018-2022 and currently Honorary Member of EAEE. He also served as Co-Chairman of ISSMFE Technical Committee TC4 on “Earthquake Geotechnical Engineering between 2005 – 2009. He has been the Editor in Chief of the Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering and the book series on “Geotechnical, Geological and Earthquake Engineering” by Springer since 2002. He worked as visiting scholar in Tokyo University, Japan, in LNEC, Portugal, in University College, UK, University of Napoli, Italy, and USGS Menlo Park, USA. He served as the President of the Turkish Chamber of Civil Engineers during 1998-2000 and Co-Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the 2014 Second European Conference on Earthquake Engineering and Seismology held in Istanbul. He was selected for the Prof. Ambraseys Lecture Award by EAEE for the year of 2024, 15th Nonveiller Lecture Award for the year of 2017 by Croatian Geotechnical Society, Zagrep, Croatia, Third Prof.Dr. Rıfat Yarar Lecture Award for 2015 by Chamber of Turkish Civil Engineers and Earthquake Engineering Committee of Turkish Earthquake Foundation, and Third Ord.Prof.Dr. Hamdi Peynircioglu Lecture Award for 1988 by the Turkish National Committee on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering. His main areas of interest are microzonation methodologies, site response analysis, effects of geotechnical factors on earthquake damage, liquefaction, cyclic behaviour of clays and sands, constitutive soil models. He published large number of papers in conferences and engineering journals.

Biography: Dr. Zhimin Qiang is a distinguished professor at the School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. He was a recipient of the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, and had served as the director of Drinking Water Science and Technology of Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the director of Sate Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry of China. His research covers advanced treatment, green disinfection, and safe distribution of water and wastewater. Prof. Qiang has led over 40 research projects, published about 250 SCI papers (H index = 62) and 120 Chinese papers, and been recognized as a Highly Cited Researcher by Elsevier in China. He holds 20 innovation patents and has received 8 national/provincial honors and awards.

Abstract: Rapid population growth and technological advancements in various industries have led to the generation of significant volumes of wastewater requiring effective treatment. Among the available methods, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are highly favored due to their high efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendly nature. These processes utilize non-selective hydroxyl radicals (•OH) to oxidize and degrade toxic pollutants in wastewater. Among the AOPs, the Fenton process has demonstrated exceptional efficacy in treating recalcitrant organic compounds. However, a key limitation of this process is the generation of large quantities of sludge, necessitating additional treatment and disposal. The fluidized-bed Fenton (FBF) process addresses this issue by crystallizing iron onto the surface of carriers within the reactor, significantly reducing sludge production.
This presentation provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in applying the FBF process to treat industrial wastewater. Case studies are explored across sectors such as thin-film transistor liquid crystal display manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, textiles, phenol production, refractory organics, petrochemicals, and other chemical industries. These examples underscore the potential of FBF technology to effectively reduce recalcitrant organic contaminants in wastewater. Key advantages of the FBF process over conventional Fenton-based technologies are highlighted, including improved performance, optimized operating conditions, and critical factors influencing removal efficiency. Additionally, the presentation delves into the reaction kinetics and mechanisms involved, along with the characteristics and selection of carrier materials used in the process. Finally, insights into large-scale applications of the FBF process are discussed, showcasing its viability and adaptability in addressing the challenges of industrial wastewater treatment on a broader scale.

Biography: Prof. Ming-Chun Lu is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Environmental Engineering at National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan. He has served as an editor for Desalination since 2024 and has been an associate editor for Sustainable Environment Research since 2015. His outstanding achievements have been widely recognized with numerous honors. These include the Platinum Award at the Taiwan Innotech Expo Invention Competition in 2023 and 2024, the prestigious Future Technology Award from the National Science and Technology Council in both years, and the Outstanding Advisor Award for College Student Research and Creativity in 2023. He also led his team to win the championship in the Net-Zero Carbon Technology International Competition hosted by the TECO Technology Foundation in 2023 and was honored with the Outstanding Engineering Professor Award by the Chinese Institute of Engineers the same year. Professor Lu's research interests encompass advanced oxidation processes for water and wastewater treatment, fluidized-bed crystallization technology for treating wastewater containing metallic and non-metallic salts, and carbon dioxide capture from flue gas. He is also an innovator in developing disinfection, deodorization, antimicrobial, and antifungal technologies, as well as oil emulsification and desulfurization techniques. His work not only addresses pressing environmental challenges but also provides sustainable solutions that drive technological advancements.

Biography: Distinguished Professor Chih-Huang Weng is currently the Chairman of the Department of Civil Engineering at I-Shou University, Taiwan. He also served as Vice-President of North Kaohsiung Community University, Taiwan. He is serving as the Editor of Water (MDPI), Environmental Geochemistry and Health (Springer), and on the Editorial Board Panel Member of Coloration Technology (Wiley). He has also served as a Guest Editor of SCI journals, such as Agricultural Water Management (Elsevier), Environmental Science and Pollution Research (Springer), and Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering. He has also organized and chaired several international conferences. Professor Weng was listed in the World’s Top 2% of Scientists (Stanford University, 2021-2023). His main research interests focus on using advanced oxidation processes and adsorption to treat wastewater and bacteria inactivation, groundwater modeling, and application of electrokinetic technologies to soil remediation/sludge treatment/activated carbon regeneration.