Themed collection Recent Open Access Articles

Characterizing the degradation behavior of chemicals in the environment is a key component of chemical hazard and risk assessment.

A more ubiquitous use of process-based models will enhance the information gained from biogeochemical experimentation through both, a more rigorous interpretation of acquired data and the optimal design of future experiments.

While per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of synthetic organic substances with diverse structures, properties, uses, bioaccumulation potentials and toxicities, nearly all PFAS are highly persistent.

Bacteria degrading 1,2,3-trichloropropane were constructed by genetic engineering and may be applicable for groundwater bioremediation, following the example of 1,2-dichloroethane.

A multi-disciplinary perspective on connecting chemistry, exposure and medical information to “neurotoxicity” for mass spectrometry-based environmental assessment, including multiple interactive resources for readers to use and explore.

High persistence has important implications for chemicals regulation and management.

Applying POP screening to a large chemical domain requires less reliance on individual criteria and more on integrated assessment with models.

The distribution of trace elements (TEs) in the bituminous sands is dichotomous: V, Ni, Mo, Se and Re are found predominantly in the bitumen fraction, and all other TEs in the mineral fraction.

Approaches to regulatory assessment and management of polymers are reviewed and opportunities for improvements are highlighted based on a critical appraisal of current science on their environmental fate and effects.

Time series of contaminants in the Arctic are an important instrument to detect emerging issues and to monitor the effectiveness of chemicals regulation. Climate change can affect the link between primary emissions and concentrations in Arctic wildlife.

Direct and indirect effects of climate change influence contaminant sources, transport, re-distribution and circulation in the physical environment of the Arctic. Linkages of such observations to Arctic ecosystem exposure and effects are needed.

Global climate change-driven shifts in physical and ecological processes may alter POPs concentrations in Arctic food webs.

Future climate change in the Arctic will lead to loss of ice, snow and permafrost, increasing human activity and development, and changes in wind and ocean circulation patterns, that could alter the pathways, distribution and fate of contaminants.

This review covers 40 laboratory- and plot-scale wildfire and rainfall simulation experiments which focus on wildfire hydrologic and water quality effects, guiding future researchers in the optimal design of their own simulation experiments.

Our critical review compares ARG profiles in the atmosphere across different locations and discusses characterization methods, atmospheric transport, and future research questions.

Synthetic fibre release is an important source of microplastics to agricultural soils, through the application of sewage sludge. Microplastics are potential vectors for the transport of sorbed metal(loid)s from wastewater to soils and organisms.

Pathways of human exposure to MPs and associated risks.

With polystyrene nanoparticles being widely used in various applications, there is a great need for deeper knowledge on the safety, fate and biological effects of these particles on both individual living organisms and the whole ecosystems.

A synoptic review of aquatic plastics research from Australia, the United Kingdom and China is presented, highlighting (a) key research and management challenges, and (b) a need to converge on standardised methods and bioindicator species to make global comparisons more reliable.

The essential-use concept is a tool that can guide the phase-out of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and potentially other harmful substances of concern.

The fate of plastic in the ocean is influenced by physical, chemical and biological stressors. These cause fragemntation and the formation of micro and nanoplastics but also degradation of plastics.

The first step towards the urgently needed standardization of EOF methods for PFAS-total assessment is presented in this interlaboratory study.

Mine tailings are sources of metal(loid)-rich particulate matter (PM), particularly in dry climates. Inhaled or ingested PM bioavailability and toxicity depends on the solid phase speciation and the rate of PM dissolution.

Cleaning surfaces with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) bleach can lead to high levels of gaseous chlorine (Cl₂) and hypochlorous acid (HOCl); these have high oxidative capacities and are linked to respiratory issues.

Quantum chemistry based calculation methods enable the reliable prediction of the vapor pressure of molecules with rather general structure and are particularly valuable for non-rigid substances with low volatilities.

The removal of volatile content enhances the ice nucleation of soot particles by increasing the particle porosity and surface wettability.

Prioritization of PMT plastic additives based on their in silico retention in wastewater treatment plants and physical–chemical property space.

The rate and pathway of ferrihydrite transformation in soil depends on the properties of the soil pore water and diffusion processes.

Heteroaggregation of microplastic and ferrihydrite leads to sedimentation and therefore removal of microplastic from the water column.

A marine test-bed diesel engine was used to study how international fuel sulfur content (FSC) regulations and wet scrubbing can affect physical properties of submicron exhaust particles.

HR-XANES data suggest that atmospheric (gaseous) elemental mercury (Hg(0)_g) is transformed to inorganic Hg(II)-sulphides at the bark surface and subsurface, and further transformed to organic Hg-dithiolate phases at increasing depth inside the bark.

Estimates of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) emission from the use of cosmetics in Europe.

Biogeochemical cycling of S, Fe, and C in the hyporheic zone is influenced by dynamic hydrologic conditions.

We studied the extent and mode of thallium adsorption onto several phyllosilicate minerals. Thallium, in analogy to cesium, strongly adsorbs onto micaceous phyllosilicates in soils and sediments via complexation in siloxane cavities.

We study the uptake of atmospheric mercury by vegetation in a chemical transport model and available observations. Due to the importance of this sink in the global mercury cycle, perturbations to forested areas can elevate mercury risks.

We link selenium concentrations in herring muscle and liver spanning four decades and twenty stations along the Swedish coastline to spatio-temporal variability in deposition and riverine source loads.

A holistic multi-analyses (led by Hg stable isotope analysis), multi-media, multi-site approach to improving contaminated site Hg geochemistry, particularly process tracing.

Characterization of particulate matter with regards to size distribution, phase composition and mixing state at various locations at a cement plant.

Monitoring of a critical drinking water source reveals not all cyanobacteria that bloom can be detected using the chl-a/biomass relationship. Here we illustrate a shift from N-fixing Dolichospermum to a previously undetected autumn Planktothrix bloom.

Sharp-Cute Cyclones (SSCs) are frequently employed as particle separators in aerosol metrology. Here we report on the manufacturing of a cost-effective SCC by 3D-printing, and on the comparison of its performance against a metallic counterpart.

The fate-directed risk assessment helps evaluate whether the risk assessment of known constituents is representative for an entire UVCB.

We present a whole-body aquatic food web bioaccumulation model for perfluoroalkyl acids and two alternatives. Results highlight structure-dependent mechanisms, including phospholipid partitioning, blood plasma protein binding, and renal elimination.

We used a modeling approach to explore how toxicokinetics and food-web trophodynamics affect MeHg bioaccumulation in the Beaufort Sea shelf.

Mass balance analysis of organofluorine in raw and treated water revealed that at least 68% of EOF could not be explained by target PFAS. Ultra-short PFAS (TFA, PFPrA, TFMS, PFEtS and PFPrS) contributed to 6% to 89% of ∑PFAS.

Within-room (between elevated surface dust and floor dust) and within-home (between indoor and outdoor dust) spatial variability in concentrations of HBCDDs were observed.

Spatially resolved atmospheric gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) concentrations from an urban area in the Southern Hemisphere are reported for the first time.

Fog processing of atmospheric aerosol enhances the solubility and the dissolution kinetics of particle-bound metal ions.

Passive and active air-sampling results from 10 years of monitoring for 28 semivolatile organic compounds at six sites across Europe are compared and recommendations for interpreting passive air-sampler results are offered.

Theoretical predictions overestimate experimental rising velocities, especially for less spherical (heavily weathered) pellets.

Zinc is an essential element for aquatic organisms, however, activities such as mining and refining, as well as zinc's ubiquitous role in modern society can contribute to elevated environmental concentrations of zinc.

We compared how FTICR-MS characterization of riverine dissolved organic matter varied across four sample pre-treatment and instrument ionization methods to provide guidelines for future researchers utilizing FTICR-MS in environmental analyses.

A matrix-based approach implemented in the PBK model helps perform high-throughput simulation of residue levels in foods of animal origin.

Charts display the length of the linear uptake period, the time to equilibrium, and the loss of depuration compounds for the PUF-PAS. Required are only the length, temperature, and wind speed of deployment and the chemical partitioning properties.

Fingerprints associated with long-range atmospheric transport, production of paper products, and use of aqueous film forming foams (AFFF) were identified.

The illudane glycosides ptesculentoside, caudatoside and ptaquiloside from bracken ferns (Pteridium sp.) are found in surface waters, follow the same hydrolysis rate law and express similar stability.

Hydrogeologic transport contributes to limited organic chemical contamination in a region of intense gas extraction, even 10 years post-development.

Aqueous PFAS concentrations fluctuate seasonally and precursor concentrations rapidly decline within the surface-water/groundwater boundary, indicating that transport through this boundary can affect spatial and temporal PFAS composition.

This paper concludes that mass absorption cross-section (MAC) values in London, UK have changed over time. It provides possible explanations and highlights implications for the interpretation of long-term trends.

Temperature variability controls the extent of the diel E_H measured under quasi-stationary conditions in soils and sediments.

The origin, tissue concentration, and health risk of PAH contaminants in three economically important species of seafood, including catfish, prawns, and periwinkles from the crude oil-impacted Niger Delta region, were investigated.

Levels of PCBs and some PBDEs in Lagos house dust have declined, demonstrating the efficacy of restrictions on these chemicals. In contrast, deca-BDE levels show no clear decline; implying its more recent restriction has yet to be fully effective.

Acrolein is released by several sources into indoor air. As it impacts human health, an easy-to-handle, fast and robust method with low detection limits is needed.

This work shows the applicability of non-target screening for prioritizing environmental contaminants in the ovarian follicular fluid, identifying both substances associated to embryo quality and with high calculated hazard to humans.

Significantly lower total mercury concentrations were observed in sediments in larger (∼1300 km²) compared to smaller reservoirs (<100 km²), suggesting reservoir size to be a critical driver of the amount of Hg accumulating in the sediments.

(1) Physicochemical characterisation of single particles collected in an FeMn/SiMn furnace hall. (2) Bioaccessibility of manganese in particulate matter tested in terms of dissolution in Gamble solution.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is one of the most widely used thermoplastics but is also a material of concern because of the generation and release of harmful chemicals during its life cycle.

Comparisons of hydrocarbon-produced waters from multiple basins and experiments using multiple shales illustrate water–rock interaction influence on produced water chemistry.

Variability of plant uptake of PFAAs from soil is explored with measured uptake factors for 13 PFAAs in 4 crops.

Nesting allows a new global modelling tool to combine computational efficiency with the fine spatial resolution required for many applications.

[¹O₂]_SS within lake epilimnia are highly affected by epilimnion depth and are barely affected by DOC concentration within the lake.