Themed collection Best Papers 2019 – Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts
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Why is high persistence alone a major cause of concern?
High persistence has important implications for chemicals regulation and management.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 781-792
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EM00515J
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The concept of essential use for determining when uses of PFASs can be phased out
The concept of essential use is developed and applied to various uses of PFASs to determine the feasibility of elimination or substitution in each use category.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 1803-1815
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EM00163H
Theory and modelling approaches to passive sampling
Understanding the theory behind passive sampling is essential for proper development of sampling methods and for accurate interpretation of the results.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 1618-1641
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EM00215D
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Illuminating the dark side of indoor oxidants
A review of the current understanding of oxidants and their precursors in indoor environments.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 1229-1239
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EM00111E
Modelling consortium for chemistry of indoor environments (MOCCIE): integrating chemical processes from molecular to room scales
We report on the development of a modelling consortium for chemistry in indoor environments that connects models over a range of spatial and temporal scales, from molecular to room scales and from sub-nanosecond to days, respectively.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 1240-1254
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EM00123A
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Isocyanic acid (HNCO) and its fate in the atmosphere: a review
Isocyanic acid (HNCO) has recently been identified in ambient air at potentially concerning concentrations for human health. Since its first atmospheric detection, significant progress has been made in understanding its sources and sinks.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 793-808
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EM00003H
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Point source characterization of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and extractable organofluorine (EOF) in freshwater and aquatic invertebrates
Major point sources of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) cause ubiquitous spread of PFASs in the environment.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 1887-1898
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EM00281B
Biomagnification of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in the food web of an urban river: assessment of the trophic transfer of targeted and unknown precursors and implications
In the Orge River, the contribution of PFAA precursors decreases between the base and the top of the trophic web.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 1864-1874
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EM00322C
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Children's exposure to perfluoroalkyl acids – a modelling approach
The present work assesses the exposure of a child cohort to PFOA, PFOS and PFHxS from 1 year to 10.5 years of age.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 1875-1886
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EM00323A
Partition coefficients of four perfluoroalkyl acid alternatives between bovine serum albumin (BSA) and water in comparison to ten classical perfluoroalkyl acids
Alternatives to long-chain PFAAs sorb similarly strongly to serum albumin as the classical PFAAs.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 1852-1863
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EM00290A
N2O5 reactive uptake kinetics and chlorine activation on authentic biomass-burning aerosol
The reactive uptake kinetics of nitrogen pentoxide (N2O5) to authentic biomass-burning aerosol and the production of nitryl chloride (ClNO2) was determined using an entrained aerosol flow tube reactor.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 1684-1698
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EM00330D
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Emerging investigator series: interdependency of green rust transformation and the partitioning and binding mode of arsenic
Structural transformations of green rust and the partitioning of arsenic were tracked during aging for up to a year.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 1459-1476
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EM00267G
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Organic contaminants of emerging concern in Norwegian digestates from biogas production
The aim of this study was to analyze a variety of environmental organic contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) and their metabolites in representative digestate samples from Norwegian biogas production plants.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 1498-1508
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EM00175A
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Overview of HOMEChem: House Observations of Microbial and Environmental Chemistry
The House Observations of Microbial and Environmental Chemistry (HOMEChem) study was a large-scale collaborative experimental investigation probing indoor air composition and chemistry.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 1280-1300
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EM00228F
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Secondary product creation potential (SPCP): a metric for assessing the potential impact of indoor air pollution on human health
Secondary Product Creation Potential (SPCP): a new metric for ranking the impact of volatile organic compounds on indoor air chemistry and human health.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 1313-1322
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EM00140A
Human occupant contribution to secondary aerosol mass in the indoor environment
Occupancy in indoor spaces can contribute to indoor aerosol mass via reactions of oxidants such as ozone with skin constituents and subsequent partitioning of those oxidation product to existing aerosol.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 1301-1312
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EM00097F
Degradation of phthalate esters in floor dust at elevated relative humidity
Emerging investigator series: Phthalate losses in floor dust are due to abiotic chemical degradation as well as microbial degradation of phthalates under elevated relative humidity conditions.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 1268-1279
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EM00050J
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Mass balance study of brominated flame retardants in female captive peregrine falcons
Mass balance study in peregrine falcons showed efficient dietary uptake, bioaccumulation, transfer to eggs of tri–decaBDE, HBCDD; metabolism also indicated.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 1115-1131
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EM00177H
Evidence for non-electrostatic interactions between a pyrophosphate-functionalized uranyl peroxide nanocluster and iron (hydr)oxide minerals
Electrophoretic mobility measurements and ATR-FTIR provide the first evidence of non-electrostatic interactions between a uranyl-based polyoxometalate and iron oxide surface.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 1174-1183
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EM00139E
Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in the surface water and sediment of two typical estuaries in Bohai Bay, China
Estuaries are considered to be seriously polluted by microplastics.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 1143-1152
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EM00148D
Role of organic components in regulating denitrification in the coastal water of Daya Bay, southern China
The impact of dissolved and particulate organic mater on coastal water denitrification is evaluated. Particulate organic matter and its composition play a dominant role in regulating denitrifying activity.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 831-844
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EM00558C
Emerging investigator series: investigation of mercury emission sources using Hg isotopic compositions of atmospheric mercury at the Cape Hedo Atmosphere and Aerosol Monitoring Station (CHAAMS), Japan
This study conducted mercury (Hg) isotopic analysis, which has been expected as a new indicator for understanding the behavior of atmospheric Hg.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 809-818
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EM00590G
Effect of maturity and mineralogy on fluid-rock reactions in the Marcellus Shale
Maturity and mineralogy of shale significantly controls dissolution/precipitation reactions and release of organic contaminants during hydraulic fracturing.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 845-855
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EM00452H
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Global transport of perfluoroalkyl acids via sea spray aerosol
Sea spray aerosols can act as a vector for sea-to-land transport of perfluorinated alkyl acids via the atmosphere.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 635-649
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EM00525G
Effect of environmental factors on the oxidative transformation of cephalosporin antibiotics by manganese dioxides
The δ-MnO2 oxidation of cephalosporin antibiotics can be affected by different environment factors (MnO2 loading, pH, metal ions, natural organic matter and sunlight).
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 692-700
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EM00562A
Seasonal variation in aerosol composition and concentration upon transport from the outdoor to indoor environment
Outdoor-originated aerosols transported indoors impact air quality, and chemically transform due to temperature and humidity gradients.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 528-547
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EM00471D
Microbial lipid biomarkers detected in deep subsurface black shales
Evidence for microbes has been detected in extreme subsurface environments as deep as 2.5 km with temperatures as high as 90 °C, demonstrating that microbes can adapt and survive extreme environmental conditions.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 291-307
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EM00444G
Accuracy of methods for reporting inorganic element concentrations and radioactivity in oil and gas wastewaters from the Appalachian Basin, U.S. based on an inter-laboratory comparison
Results from this inter-laboratory comparison indicate that O&G waste analyses can be inaccurate and imprecise.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 224-241
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EM00359A
About this collection
The Environmental Science Best Papers Initiative identifies a variety of excellent papers published in the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Environmental Science journal family, showcasing great research from across the globe. To celebrate more of the great papers published in Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts during 2019 which really deserve recognition, we’ve gathered all nominated papers in this special collection.
Read the papers classed as the best of the portfolio at http://rsc.li/enviro-bestpapers and also browse the nominated papers from our sister journals Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology and Environmental Science: Nano