Themed collection Best Papers 2018 – Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts
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Best Papers from 2018 in the Environmental Science family of journals: great science with a global reach
The Editors-in-Chief of the Environmental Science journals introduce the Best Papers of 2018.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 603-604
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EM90014D
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Physiological modes of action across species and toxicants: the key to predictive ecotoxicology
We outline a research strategy that will deliver more effective theory and models for environmental risk assessment of chemicals.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2018,20, 48-57
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7EM00328E
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Methane emissions: choosing the right climate metric and time horizon
We compare and make recommendations for the use of different climate metrics and time horizons with respect to methane emissions, applying to a case study of LNG as a shipping fuel.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2018,20, 1323-1339
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EM00414E
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Sunlight-mediated inactivation of health-relevant microorganisms in water: a review of mechanisms and modeling approaches
Inactivation occurs via direct and indirect processes in sunlit waters.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2018,20, 1089-1122
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EM00047F
The cycle of nitrogen in river systems: sources, transformation, and flux
Suspended particle–water and sediment–water interfaces, where oxic and suboxic microenvironments coexist, are the hotspots of nitrogen transformation in river systems.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2018,20, 863-891
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EM00042E
Criegee intermediates and their impacts on the troposphere
Criegee intermediates (CIs), carbonyl oxides formed in ozonolysis of alkenes, play key roles in the troposphere.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2018,20, 437-453
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7EM00585G
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Environmental fate and exposure models: advances and challenges in 21st century chemical risk assessment
Twenty-five years of progress in modeling the environmental fate and exposure of organic contaminants is reviewed, and a strategy for more rapidly adopting scientific progress into regulatory models is proposed.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2018,20, 58-71
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7EM00568G
Emerging investigator series: determination of biphasic core–shell droplet properties using aerosol optical tweezers
Algorithm to fit whispering gallery modes retrieves biphasic properties.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2018,20, 1512-1523
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EM00166A
Formation of N-nitrosamines by micelle-catalysed nitrosation of aliphatic secondary amines
Cation micelle-forming surfactants can contribute to the formation of carcinogenic and mutagenic N-nitrosamines by catalysing the nitrosation of secondary amines.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2018,20, 1479-1487
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EM00335A
Understanding factors influencing the detection of mercury policies in modelled Laurentian Great Lakes wet deposition
Challenges for detecting sub-decadal policy-related changes in mercury wet deposition in the Great Lakes are identified through modelling.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2018,20, 1373-1389
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EM00268A
Photochemical degradation of halogenated estrogens under natural solar irradiance
Estrogen photolysis is strongly influenced by the extent of halogenation and pH.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2018,20, 1350-1360
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EM00275D
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Inter-individual, inter-city, and temporal trends of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in human milk from Swedish mothers between 1972 and 2016
Inter-individual, inter-city, and temporal trends (1972–2016) in PFAS concentrations were examined in human milk from Sweden.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2018,20, 1136-1147
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EM00174J
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Spatial variation in the atmospheric deposition of perfluoroalkyl acids: source elucidation through analysis of isomer patterns
Perfluorooctanoic acid present in the atmosphere stems from both telomer and electrochemical fluorination manufacturing.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2018,20, 997-1006
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EM00102B
An experimental methodology to measure the reaction rate constants of processes sensitised by the triplet state of 4-carboxybenzophenone as a proxy of the triplet states of chromophoric dissolved organic matter, under steady-state irradiation conditions
This is an assessment of the reactivity of 4-carboxybenzophenone under steady-state irradiation.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2018,20, 1007-1019
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EM00155C
Bacterial bioreporter detection of arsenic associated with iron oxides
The mineral properties that govern the detection of surface-bound As(V) by bacterial bioreporters are identified.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2018,20, 913-922
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EM00071A
Comparing winter-time herbicide behavior and exports in urban, rural, and mixed-use watersheds
This study compares winter-time herbicide yields, concentration patterns, and transport pathways in urban versus agricultural streams five to six years after a ban on cosmetic pesticide use.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2018,20, 767-779
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7EM00596B
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Predicting global scale exposure of humans to PCB 153 from historical emissions
Modeled global concentrations of PCB-153 in human milk agree with measurements within a factor 4 for 49 of 78 observations.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2018,20, 747-756
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EM00023A
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Mining legacy across a wetland landscape: high mercury in Upper Peninsula (Michigan) rivers, lakes, and fish
A geographic enigma is that atmospheric deposition of mercury is low and declining in the Upper Peninsula although total mercury (THg) and (MeHg) levels are high in waters and fish.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2018,20, 708-733
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7EM00521K
Hg isotopes reveal in-stream processing and legacy inputs in East Fork Poplar Creek, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
Reduction processes and inputs of hyporheic pore water influence Hg cycling and flux in Hg-contaminated headwater stream.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2018,20, 686-707
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7EM00538E
Emerging investigator series: methylmercury speciation and dimethylmercury production in sulfidic solutions
Experimental and computational evidence show that dimethylmercury is produced from decomposition of bis(methylmercury(II)) sulfide.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2018,20, 584-594
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7EM00533D
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Temporal trends of halogenated flame retardants in the atmosphere of the Canadian Great Lakes Basin (2005–2014)
Temporal and spatial trends of total air concentrations (gas + particle) of halogenated flame retardants at the Canadian Great Lakes Basin were assessed (2005–2014).
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2018,20, 469-479
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7EM00549K
Solid-phase extraction as sample preparation of water samples for cell-based and other in vitro bioassays
Effect recovery for bioassays was evaluated and was similar to recovery by chemical analysis for the studied SPE methods, providing support of bioassay use for water quality monitoring.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2018,20, 493-504
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7EM00555E
Exploring the hydraulic fracturing parameter space: a novel high-pressure, high-throughput reactor system for investigating subsurface chemical transformations
Hydraulic fracturing coupled with horizontal drilling (HDHF) involves the deep-well injection of a fracturing fluid composed of diverse and numerous chemical additives designed to facilitate the release and collection of natural gas from shale plays.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2018,20, 318-331
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7EM00470B
Emerging investigator series: geochemistry of trace elements associated with Fe and Mn nodules in the sediment of limed boreal lakes
We report on the geochemical legacy of the liming of acidified lakes in Norway. We document the occurrence of Fe–Mn nodules and the diagenetic redistribution of trace-elements at the sediment–water interface of limed boreal lakes.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2018,20, 406-414
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7EM00477J
Responses of deposition and bioaccumulation in the Great Lakes region to policy and other large-scale drivers of mercury emissions
The effect of policy on fish mercury levels varies spatially, even within the Great Lakes Basin.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2018,20, 195-209
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7EM00547D
Passive sampling of DDT, DDE and DDD in sediments: accounting for degradation processes with reaction–diffusion modeling
Applying passive sampling to reactive species may be a way to obtain information about in situ reactivity of compounds in sediments that occur on timescales of days to months.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2018,20, 220-231
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7EM00501F
Evaluating parameter availability for physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in zebrafish
Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models are considered useful tools to describe the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of xenobiotics.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2018,20, 105-119
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7EM00474E
Calibration and evaluation of PUF-PAS sampling rates across the Global Atmospheric Passive Sampling (GAPS) network
Here we present and evaluate a method to determine PUF-PAS sampling rates (RS), and the effective sampling volume (Veff), for gas-phase chemical compounds deployed anywhere in the world.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2018,20, 210-219
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7EM00360A
About this collection
The Environmental Science Best Papers Initiative identified a variety of excellent papers published in the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Environmental Science journal family, showcasing great science from across the globe in diverse subject areas. However, selecting the winning papers was no easy decision. The journals’ Editorial and Advisory Boards who selected these papers were faced with many difficult choices. So, to celebrate more of the great papers published in Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts which really deserve recognition, we’ve gathered all nominated papers in this special collection.
Read the portfolio’s winning papers here and also browse the nominated papers from our sister journals Environmental Science: Nano and Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology