Themed collection Contaminant remediation and fate


Battling the known unknowns: a synoptic review of aquatic plastics research from Australia, the United Kingdom and China
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.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2021,23, 1663-1680
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EM00175B
Insufficient evidence for the existence of natural trifluoroacetic acid
Examination of literatures surrounding purported natural trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) reveals that all TFA observations can be reasonably altributed to anthropogenic sources.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2021,23, 1641-1649
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EM00306B
Chlorpyrifos in environment and food: a critical review of detection methods and degradation pathways
Chlorpyrifos pesticides residues in various sources and the comparision of the various detection and degradation methods of chlorpyrifos.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2021,23, 1255-1277
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EM00178G

Passive air sampling for semi-volatile organic chemicals
A comprehensive and critical review of the state-of-knowledge on the sampling of trace organic contaminants from the atmosphere without the help of a pump.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 1925-2002
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00194E
Effects of aging and weathering on immobilization of trace metals/metalloids in soils amended with biochar
Biochar is an effective amendment for trace metal/metalloid (TM) immobilization in soils.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 1790-1808
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00057D
Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate, a pervasive flame retardant: critical perspective on its emissions into the environment and human toxicity
Global production of organophosphate ester flame retardants (OPFRs) and non-target toxicity of tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP).
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 1809-1827
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00222D
Effects of soil particle size on the adsorption, distribution, and migration behaviors of heavy metal(loid)s in soil: a review
The adsorption, distribution, and migration behaviors of heavy metals in soil particles are critically reviewed from the perspectives of research method, soil type, and comparison of results.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 1596-1615
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00189A
How the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill reshaped our understanding of crude oil photochemical weathering at sea: a past, present, and future perspective
A critical review of the diverse and consequential roles that photochemical weathering plays in oil spill science, with emphasis placed on how our understanding of these roles has been reshaped since the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 1125-1138
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00027B

Quantifying the efficiency and selectivity of organohalide dechlorination by zerovalent iron
The various types and definitions of efficiency and selectivity that are used to quantitate the performance of organohalide reduction by zerovalent iron are reviewed and compared.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 528-542
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EM00592G
Spatial and temporal variability of perfluoroalkyl substances in the Laurentian Great Lakes
Concentrations and distributions of perfluoroalkyl substances vary widely in water, sediments, and biota in the Laurentian Great Lakes.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 1816-1834
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EM00265K
Ticks as novel sentinels to monitor environmental levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
To evaluate the use of ticks as informative sentinels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) environmental contamination because of their world-wide distribution, hematophagous nature, and ease of collection and sampling.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2021,23, 1301-1307
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EM00209K
Interactions of emerging contaminants with model colloidal microplastics, C60 fullerene, and natural organic matter – effect of surface functional group and adsorbate properties
Molecular properties of emerging contaminants (ECs) and interfacial compositions of colloidal matter dictate the extent of EC–particulate matter surface interaction.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 1190-1200
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00026D
Degradation pathways of penthiopyrad by δ-MnO2 mediated processes: a combined density functional theory and experimental study
The degradation pathway of penthiopyrad in a MnO2 system is proposed based on products and density functional theory.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2021,23, 1977-1985
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EM00339A
Enrichment of psychrophilic and acidophilic sulfate-reducing bacterial consortia – a solution toward acid mine drainage treatment in cold regions
Enrichment of psychrophilic and acidophilic SRB from Arctic mine sediments that successfully treated sulfate and metal contaminated water under a multi-stressor environment (low pH, low temperature, and high metal concentrations).
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2021,23, 2007-2020
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EM00256B

Investigating the origin and tissue concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in seafood and health risk in Niger Delta, Nigeria
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.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2021,23, 1803-1814
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EM00249J
Aerosol dynamics modeling of sub-500 nm particles during the HOMEChem study
Application of an aerosol dynamics model to estimate emission rates and fates of sub-500 nm particles in a test house.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2021,23, 1706-1717
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EM00259G
Micro- and nanoplastic transfer in freezing saltwater: implications for their fate in polar waters
While microplastics are trapped in saline ice, nanoplastics are expulsed along with salts. Natural organic matter, such as alginate, stabilizes nanoplastics against aggregation during freezing.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2021,23, 1759-1770
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EM00280E
Electrochemistry-coupled to liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-density functional theory as a new tool to mimic the environmental degradation of selected phenylurea herbicides
In vitro and in vivo experimental models, mainly based on cell cultures, animals, healthy humans and clinical trials, are useful approaches for identifying the main metabolic pathways.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2021,23, 1600-1611
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EM00351H
Adsorption of progesterone onto microplastics and its desorption in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids
Microplastics interact with molecules present in the environment. In this study, progesterone sorption on microplastics and its desorption were investigated, and it was found that desorption was promoted in gastrointestinal fluids.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2021,23, 1566-1577
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EM00226K

Insights into the factors influencing mercury concentrations in tropical reservoir sediments
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.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2021,23, 1542-1553
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EM00156F
Abiotic reduction of nitrite by Fe(II): a comparison of rates and N2O production
Nitrite reduction by Fe(II) in an agricultural sediment and complete conversion to N2O suggests chemodenitrification is important to N2O emissions.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2021,23, 1531-1541
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EM00222H
AOPs enhance the migration of polystyrene nanoparticles in saturated quartz sand
As one of the main wastewater treatment process, AOPs generate the ROS to attack the active sites on plastic particles, which would generate oxygen-containing groups and change the migration of plastic particles.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2021,23, 1509-1515
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EM00240F
Photolysis of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug sulindac: elucidation of kinetic behaviour and photodegradation pathways in water
Photochemical transformation of sulindac exhibits a consecutive reaction pathway.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2021,23, 1405-1417
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EM00167A
Elucidation of substrate interaction effects in multicomponent systems containing 3-ring homocyclic and heterocyclic polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons
This paper for the first time investigates substrate interactions during bacterial degradation of carbazole, fluorene, and dibenzothiophene mixtures.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2021,23, 1394-1404
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EM00140J

Polyvinyl chloride in consumer and environmental plastics, with a particular focus on metal-based additives
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.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2021,23, 1376-1384
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EM00213A
Involvement of a unique chemodosimeter in the selective estimation of noxious cyanide in common water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes): an environmental refinement
A naphthaldehyde-pyridoxal conjugated chemodosimeter (NPLC) was developed and employed for the sensitive and selective detection and estimation of cyanide in common water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) used in the phytoremediation process.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2021,23, 1308-1315
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EM00172H
Impacts of environmental levels of hydrogen peroxide and oxyanions on the redox activity of MnO2 particles
A H2O2/MnO2 molar ratio as low as 0.03 can affect the redox activity of MnO2 particles and their reactivity in natural systems.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2021,23, 1351-1361
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EM00177A
Towards a comprehensive understanding of malathion degradation: theoretical investigation of degradation pathways and related kinetics under alkaline conditions
Malathion is a commercially available insecticide that functions by acting as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2021,23, 1231-1241
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EM00181G
Enhanced tetrabromobisphenol A debromination by nanoscale zero valent iron particles sulfidated with S0 dissolved in ethanol
Modification of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) with reducing sulfur compounds has proven to improve the reactivity of nZVI towards recalcitrant halogenated organic contaminants.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2021,23, 86-97
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00375A
Adsorption of arsenite to polystyrene microplastics in the presence of humus
This work confirms HA interacts with the PSMP to form a π complex, providing more sites on the microplastics for As(III) adsorption while reducing the time required to reach equilibrium in waters.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 2388-2397
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00324G
Biodegradation mechanism of polycaprolactone by a novel esterase MGS0156: a QM/MM approach
The detailed depolymerization of polycaprolactone involves two elementary steps; C–O bond cleavage, rather than triad-assisted nucleophilic attack was determined to be the rate-determining step.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 2332-2344
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00340A

Modeling of 210Pb and 210Po radionuclide emissions from local power plants in central Poland
Due to the more volatile nature of 210Po in relation to 210Pb, an imbalance of activity concentrations in high temperature combustion processes can be observed, especially in fine particulates (diameter < 0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 μm).
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 2291-2297
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00141D
Sorption–desorption of dimethoate in urban soils and potential environmental impacts
The environmental fate and impact of dimethoate application in the urban environment were assessed in nine selected soils.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 2256-2265
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00337A

Biodegradation kinetics testing of two hydrophobic UVCBs – potential for substrate toxicity supports testing at low concentrations
This study assesses the impact of test concentration and potential mixture toxicity on biodegradation kinetics for individual constituents in two UVCB substances, diesel oil and lavender oil.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 2172-2180
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00288G
Reductive transformations of dichloroacetamide safeners: effects of agrochemical co-formulants and iron oxide + manganese oxide binary-mineral systems
Abiotic redox transformation rates of dichloroacetamide safeners slow when birnessite is added to slurries of Fe(II)-amended hematite.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 2104-2116
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00331J

Highly sensitive multi-residue analysis of veterinary drugs including coccidiostats and anthelmintics in pond water using UHPLC-MS/MS: application to freshwater ponds in Flanders, Belgium
Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites formed by fungi growing on crops, which may end up in the aquatic environment through rainfall and surface runoff from (manure-amended) cropland, posing a potential environmental risk.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 2117-2131
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00215A
Products and mechanism of thermal decomposition of chlorpyrifos under inert and oxidative conditions
A flow reactor study and quantum chemical calculations that report the products detected under inert and oxidative conditions from the decomposition of chlorpyrifos.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 2084-2094
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00295J

The importance of aromaticity to describe the interactions of organic matter with carbonaceous materials depends on molecular weight and sorbent geometry
DOM sorption by CMs is generally controlled by DOM aromaticity but complex sorbent surfaces with high porosity, curvatures and functional groups strongly reduce the importance of aromaticity for sorption.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 1888-1897
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00267D
Colloidal biliquid aphron demulsification using polyaluminum chloride and density modification of DNAPLs: optimal conditions and common ion effect
PAC can effectively demulsify CBLAs to reverse the density of DNAPLs and is not affected by specific ions in groundwater.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 1908-1915
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00248H
Modelling scenarios of environmental recovery after implementation of controls on emissions of persistent organic pollutants
Predictions of BaP concentrations in biota decreasing towards the EQS over time.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 1865-1876
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00137F
Surface quinone-induced formation of aqueous reactive sulfur species controls pine wood biochar-mediated reductive dechlorination of hexachloroethane by sulfide
The surface quinone moieties on biochar serve as one-electron acceptors to turn sulfide into polysulfides and polysulfide free radicals which dominate hexachloroethane reduction.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 1898-1907
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00307G
Photoformation of persistent free radicals on a montmorillonite-humic acid complex simulated as particulate organic matter in an aqueous solution
This study investigates the formation of persistent free radicals (PFRs) on simulated particulate organic matter (POM) under irradiation in water.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 1842-1851
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00009D
Influence of dissolved organic matter on carbonyl sulfide and carbon disulfide formation from cysteine during sunlight photolysis
Sunlight photolysis of cysteine and dissolved organic matter (DOM) from freshwater to open ocean water sources generates carbonyl sulfide (COS) but not carbon disulfide (CS2).
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 1852-1864
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00219D

A novel model concept for modelling the leaching of natural toxins: results for the case of ptaquiloside
Illustration of the processes considered in the model affecting toxin fate at the pedon-scale ( = ptaquiloside).
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 1768-1779
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00182A
Binding ability of arsenate towards Cu2+ and Zn2+: thermodynamic behavior and simulation under natural water conditions
The purpose of this study is obtaining reliable thermodynamic data for arsenate complexes and a consistent speciation model for applications in natural waters.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 1731-1742
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00136H
Glass surface evolution following gas adsorption and particle deposition from indoor cooking events as probed by microspectroscopic analysis
Microspectroscopic analyses of glass surfaces following a single day of cooking events reveal organic depositions that can be traced back to emission sources and airborne distributions.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 1698-1709
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00156B

Multimodal X-ray microanalysis of a UFeO4: evidence for the environmental stability of ternary U(V) oxides from depleted uranium munitions testing
An environmentally aged (>25 years) radioactive particle of UFeO4 recovered from soil contaminated with munitions depleted uranium (DU) was characterised by microbeam multimodal synchrotron X-ray analysis.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 1577-1585
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00243G
The interaction between dispersed crude oil droplets and particulate matter
In this study, the effect of particulate matter type, temperature, oil type and weathering degree on the interaction between dispersed crude oil droplets and particulate matter was investigated.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 1397-1407
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00114G

Photochemical fate of quaternary ammonium compounds in river water
The photochemical fate of quaternary ammonium compounds in surface water is largely influenced by reaction with hydroxyl radicals.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 1368-1381
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00086H
Geochemical and isotope analysis of produced water from the Utica/Point Pleasant Shale, Appalachian Basin
Elemental and isotopic ratios can be used to identify environmental contamination form the increasing development of the Utica/Point Pleasant Shale.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 1224-1232
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00066C
Sorption of sulfamethoxazole on biochars of varying mineral content
Negative charge assisted H-bond played a significant role in sulfamethoxazole sorption for low-temperature biochars (200–300 °C), while Ca-containing mineral content facilitated SMX sorption as pyrolysis temperature increased.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 1287-1294
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00102C
Photodegradation of bitumen-derived organics in oil sands process-affected water
Photolysis results in degradation of known toxic components of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW).
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 1243-1255
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00005A
Using elemental analyses and multivariate statistics to identify the off-site dispersion from informal e-waste processing
Electronic waste (e-waste) is informally processed and recycled in Agbogbloshie in Accra (Ghana), which may be the largest such site in West Africa.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 2042-2057
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EM00444K

Using recirculating flumes and a response surface model to investigate the role of hyporheic exchange and bacterial diversity on micropollutant half-lives
A flume experimental design to test effects of hyporheic exchange and bacterial diversity on the fate of micropollutants in rivers.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 2093-2108
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EM00327D
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
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
Vertical transport and sinks of perfluoroalkyl substances in the global open ocean
PFAS concentrations in the deep chlorophyll maximum depth in the tropical oceans and simultaneous estimates of vertical fluxes by eddy diffusivity are reported. Potential biotic/abiotic processes affecting PFAS fate in the ocean are discussed.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 1957-1969
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EM00266A
Tracking the distribution of microfiber pollution in a southern Lake Michigan watershed through the analysis of water, sediment and air
Microplastic waste is a worldwide problem, heavily afflicting marine and freshwater environments; the loading of this pollution in water, sediment and living organisms continues to escalate.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 1549-1559
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EM00193J
Sulfamethoxazole degradation by an Fe(II)-activated persulfate process: insight into the reactive sites, product identification and degradation pathways
The conversion characteristics of emerging pollutants in an oxidation system are predicted by theoretical calculations.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 1560-1569
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EM00254E

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
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
Sensitivity of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to cadmium stress is associated with phototaxis
A negatively phototactic alga accumulated less Cd than the normal one.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 1011-1020
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EM00013E
Enhanced biodegradation of atrazine at high infiltration rates in agricultural soils
Competing effects of increasing infiltration and enhanced degradation due to historical atrazine application in soils may limit the impact on atrazine transport under scenarios representative of climate change.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 999-1010
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EM00594J
Exploring co-occurrence patterns between organic micropollutants and bacterial community structure in a mixed-use watershed
Complex mixtures of low concentrations of organic micropollutants were quantified for inputs and surface water samples along a reach of the Des Plaines River; coupled with bacterial community analysis, these results document a significant link between the complex micropollutant mixtures and associated bacterial community structure.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 867-880
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EM00588E

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
About this collection
This web collection features research articles published in Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts focussed on the environmental fate of contaminants, and contaminant remediation.