Themed collection Environmental Science Advances Recent Review Articles

AI-assisted design of high-entropy alloys for electro-degradation of POPs could greatly accelerate and improve the design–synthesis–test cycle, hence providing a practical strategy to solve the challenges we might face during mitigation of POPs.

The current plastic circular economy lacks a uniform framework. It overfocuses on recycling, reuse and energy recovery. An enhanced plastic economy drives innovation and concerted effort in reducing plastic pollution and waste management.

Healthy and sustainable diets should be put at the center of food systems planning if we want to feed the growing population while making a sustainable use of natural resources and to protect biodiversity.

Few studies consider human behaviour and relationship impacts on how people use and manage plastic.

This paper summarizes recent groundbreaking research and regulations for microplastics and provides critical recommendations to overcome additional barriers.

“Advanced Materials” (AdMas) represent the next technology frontier.

Chemical pollution poses a threat to biodiversity on a global scale.

Massive CO₂ removals will be necessary to avoid climate tipping. Comparing removals with past, current and future carbon stocks and flows reveals the importance of avoiding fossil emissions completely and developing scalable technical solutions.

The current challenges and opportunities for machine learning in the interdisciplinary fields of metabolomics and environmental science.

Microplastic (MP) pollution is an emerging threat to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

This review discusses the most recent research focused on the abundance and removal of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants.

The production of renewable biocarbon from waste biomass through pyrolysis as a sustainable and ecofriendly alternative to carbon black poses major scientific challenges for value-added uses in plastic and composite industries.

The widespread production and utilization of plastic products have become ingrained in our society, resulting in a staggering amount of plastic waste, severe environmental challenges, and resource depletion.

Biotransformation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has received growing attention as more research becomes available indicating that bioremediation may have a future role to play in addressing PFAS contamination.

Heterogeneous catalytic ozonation (HCO) is a promising advanced oxidation process (AOP) that can effectively degrade recalcitrant organic pollutants; but formation of harmful byproducts should be carefully evaluated.

This review presents an overview of various analytical techniques for arsenic determination in drinking water, and will enhance awareness and appreciation of their role in informing and protecting our environment and water resources, globally.

AOM rates in literature were analyzed and anaerobic methanotrophs significantly cut methane emissions in oceans but not in wetlands, rice paddy, and fresh water. The trophic and metabolic patterns of microorganisms may be limiting the AOM rates.

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are ubiquitous in nature. They can play dual functions, one in neuroprotection and other in neurodegeneration.

Addressing the climate crisis stands as one of the paramount challenges of this era.

The review presents a complete update of previous reviews on the topics of environmental contamination, climate change and human impact on Antarctic ecosystems.

There is large variations in diverse water samples due to time interval between sample collection and analysis in the presence of fluoride and humic substances in hot arid regions.

The Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants is an effective global instrument for the eradication of hazardous chemicals known as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the environment.

The increasing need for food and agricultural resources necessitates using pesticides to protect plants, but this approach also poses pesticide poisoning and environmental hazards.

Pharmaceutical pollutants, stemming from waste disposal, animal discharge, and drug manufacturing, pose health risks to humans and animals through their biological activity.

Advanced economic development and technologies cause worldwide plastic waste to increase many folds, leaving policymakers with the dilemma of managing it.

Application of differential technique is based on the comparison of the fluorescence of the standard with a sample of similar but unknown concentration on the same sample weight basis, by the use of H₃PO₄–NH₄H₂PO₄ as a fluorescence-enhancing reagent.

Aqueous acidic wastes are generated as a result of various industrial processes, and remediation and recycling of inorganic acids are required to mitigate their negative environmental effects and extending the sustainability of their uses.

An integrated strategy combining 3D architecture design and chemical doping holds great promise for enhancing the performance of bio-based engineered carbon materials in environmental applications.

Sampling, storage, preservation, pre-treatment, and extraction are essential components of microplastic detection. Hence, to obtain an accurate representation of microplastics, it is crucial to carefully choose the most suitable pre-analysis methods.

Biochar production and utilization is proposed as an innovative approach for enhancing food production and climate change mitigation. Globally, biochar has the potential to increase crop productivity by ∼11% and reduces annual human-induced GHG emissions by ∼12%.

Non-enzymatic nanocomposites and their modified electrodes, including carbon nanotubes, graphene, metal nanoparticles, metal oxides, conductive polymers, MOFs and derivatives, molecularly imprinted polymers are discussed in the rapid electrochemical sensing of OPPs.

Microalgae are a source of scientific curiosity and inspiration for their utilization as ‘inoculants’ in agriculture and the commercial production of high-value products.

Decentralization of energy generation to minimize energy distribution costs and maximize local energy production capacity.

CCUS have gained attention to combat rising climate change challenges. Transdisciplinary approaches are required for deploying large-scale CCUS projects. Acceptance of CCU seems higher than CCS while CCS is cost-effective compared to CCU.

Structure activity relationship, density functional theory, catalytic oxidation and mechanism have become the frontier in MnO₂ environmental catalysis.

The fabrication of biopolymer fibers through electrospinning technology with the elucidation of the adsorption and biodegradation mechanism of the employed electrospun biopolymer fibers in wastewater treatment for the removal of toxic entities.

As a key component of all electrical and electronic equipment, waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs) are an important target for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) treatment.

Membrane distillation (MD) is envisaged as a cost-effective water desalination technology. However, its industrial application has been limited by process inefficiencies caused by fouling, amongst other factors.

ANN models for predicting wastewater treatment efficacy of biomaterial adsorbents.

As of 2020, a cumulative total of 31 306 kilotonnes of manmade persistent organic pollutants had been synthesized and commercialized worldwide, resulting in cumulative releases of 20 348 kilotonnes into the global environment.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals are a group of contaminants that have severe effects on humans and animals when exposed, like cancer and alterations to the nervous and reproductive systems.

Fluoride contamination has created a drinking water crisis globally.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a class of persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

This study presents the energy assessment of 49 different crops in various countries. Energy utilization in diversified crop operations has been discussed.

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) in the environment are an emerging issue of global concern.

Pretreatment routes of oil palm biomass.

Mining wastewater treatment (MWWT) methods have played a vital role in sustainable water management in recent years.