Themed collection Environmental Science for a Healthier Planet

A summary of amyloid fibrils and superfast amyloid-like protein assemblies, their derived material platforms, and their applications in health, food security, and environmental sustainability.

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are emerging as critical materials for advancing the green hydrogen economy due to their versatility, cost-effectiveness, and tunable catalytic properties.

Phosphorus (P) is an essential nutrient for the biological function of both animals and plants, and as a main constituent of industrial products, including crop fertilizers, detergents, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food, and construction materials.

This review explores how nanochannel membranes advance SED by improving ion selectivity and separation performance.

This review critically analyzes the shared mechanistic origins of nanoremediation efficacy and ecotoxicity, advocating for a safer-by-design paradigm.

PFAS contamination is widespread in the Arabian Gulf's aquatic system, yet no routine monitoring or remediation frameworks exist. This review notes gaps in data access and regulation and presents advanced analytical and emerging remediation methods.

A critical overview of the synthesis, structure–activity relationships, and diverse applications of single-atom nanozymes in environmental monitoring and remediation.

From spectroscopy to mass spectrometry, this review dissects how current techniques detect nanoplastics—and why none alone is enough—proposing practical multimodal workflows and a roadmap for future standardisation.

Nanozymes, nanomaterials with exceptional catalytic performance, are recognized for their unique benefits over natural enzymes. This review summarizes the advancements in MXene nanohybrids with enzyme-like features for biochemical sensor applications.

Lightning–sea interactions generate plasma bubbles that function as electrochemical reactors, enhancing carbon-nitrogen coupling and accelerating biogeochemical cycling, transforming CO₂ and NH₃ into bioavailable organic compounds.

Photochemically formed MnO_x effectively removed Tl(I), with Mn(II) inhibiting the oxidation of Tl(I), while Tl(I) suppressed the reductive transformation of δ-MnO₂, which favored its own immobilization.

U(V) is stabilized by structural Fe(II) in magnetite, which is evidenced by high-energy resolution fluorescence detection X-ray absorption spectroscopy.

Oxidant-containing microdroplet reaction provides an ultrafast and effective way to degrade toxic PFASs.

Bio-based cyanobacteria–alginate–chitosan hydrogels enable sustainable, scalable moisture-electric generators with enhanced ion transport under ambient humidity.

A Zr-metal organic framework was successfully grafted onto carbon nitride using electrostatic self-assembly to construct an internal electric field and hence boost piezocatalytic H₂O₂ production through water oxidation and oxygen reduction reactions.

ENM hazard assessment needs reliable nanoparticle measurements in biological samples. Perfusion then grinding and milling yields a homogeneous ENM-containing in-house biological reference material, supporting SP-ICP-MS validation.

This work uses high-content imaging to investigate how tuning surface hydrophobicity impacts interactions between porous silica nanoparticles and plant biosurfaces.

UVB irradiation and mechanical force break down larger polystyrene nanoparticles faster and more effectively compared with smaller nanoparticles.

Electrochemical cell design for the near full conversion of hexavalent chromium to trivalent chromium in a single pass.

This work describes the synthesis of copper-loaded carbon dots and their application for suppressing Fusarium disease in tomatoes. These carbon dots could be an effective tool for delivering copper or chelating out heavy metals in plants.

Open dumpsites in developing countries constitute a critical nexus of plastic contamination and microbial ecology.

An integrated flocculation-sedimentation sewage treatment equipment: dredged sludge residual water treatment in the environmental protection dredging project in the Wolong Lake area.

An integrated strategy combining intermittent aeration, methyl p-hydroxy-phenylpropionate with syringic acid, and hydrazine to address the instability of nitritation in autotrophic nitrogen removal systems treating low-ammonia wastewater.

We assessed potential exposures to a broad suite of contaminants (inorganic, organic and microbial) in culturally important surface waters from three watersheds in a northern plains Native American community with water insecurity concerns.

The integration of high-resolution optical coherence tomography with an image processing algorithm enables rapid detection and quantification of microplastics released from nylon tea bags, supporting accurate human exposure assessment.

The presence of rhamnolipid weakened the inhibitory effects of biochar colloids on neonicotinoid pesticide transport within the pH range of 5.0–9.0.

The study highlights the synthesis of various non-metal-doped graphitic carbon nitride-based photocatalysts, enabling enhanced visible light-driven photocatalytic performance for sustainable wastewater treatment applications.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “Forever Chemicals”, are a class of compounds characterized by their extremely stable C–F bonds. Graphene oxide can be tailored to optimize PFAS capture performance.

Furan–styrene interactions suppress secondary organic aerosol (SOA) yield and light absorption by inhibiting the formation of low-volatility and high absorptive compounds, revealing non-linear effects in biomass-burning emissions.

First comprehensive study of flame retardants in dust from the indoor environment of expedition cruise ships.

Alkali metal ion doping promotes H₂O activation and the formation of ∙OH radicals, thereby enabling efficient aromatic ring cleavage and deep mineralization of toluene.

We assessed private-well drinking water (DW) at the point of use (i.e., tapwater, TW) within a rural Nebraska community around a state-closed biofuel facility, which used pesticide-treated corn seed as feedstock for ethanol production.

Nitrate radicals react rapidly with vanillic acid aerosols, leading to the formation of light-absorbing organic particles under atmospheric conditions.

Biochar-derived dissolved organic carbon (BDOC) may influence the environmental fate and behavior of tetracycline antibiotics in subsurface environments.