Themed collection Urgent communications in RSC Environmental Science journals
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Partitioning of secondary organic aerosol onto nanoplastics leading to hygroscopic partially-engulfed particles
Partitioning of secondary organic aerosol from α-pinene onto hydrophobic polystyrene nanoplastics leads to partially-engulfed particles that undergo hygroscopic growth.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2024,4, 9-17
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3EA00103B
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Stronger winds increase the sand-dust storm risk in northern China
Annual average wind speed and sand-dust storm frequency trends in China changed synchronously.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2022,2, 1259-1262
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EA00058J
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Room-temperature coupling of methane with singlet oxygen
A singlet oxygen involving radical-pathway is reported for room-temperature conversion of methane to ethane with a yield of 647 μmol g−1 h−1 under solar light irradiation.
Environ. Sci.: Adv., 2022,1, 438-442
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2VA00034B
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Emerging environmental contaminants at the air/aqueous and biological soft interfaces
Emerging contaminants at the air/aqueous and model biological interfaces.
Environ. Sci.: Adv., 2022,1, 430-437
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2VA00081D
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Activation energy of magnesite (MgCO3) precipitation: recent insights from olivine carbonation studies
Two new activation energies for olivine transformation to magnesite improves understanding of subsurface carbon mineralization, critical for aiding development of carbon-management technologies.
Environ. Sci.: Adv., 2022,1, 426-429
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2VA00066K
Nitrogen fixing bacteria facilitate microbial biodegradation of a bio-based and biodegradable plastic in soils under ambient and future climatic conditions
We discovered a biological mechanism supporting microbial degradation of bio-based poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA) plastic in soils under ambient and future climates.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2022,24, 233-241
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EM00426C
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Arsenic removal from Peruvian drinking water using milk protein nanofibril–carbon filters: a field study
A field study was carried out in Peru to remove arsenic from water in arsenic-contaminated regions using milk protein nanofibril filters. Results show that this technology can bring back water to drinking standard in both urban and rural settings.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2021,7, 2223-2230
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EW00456E
Increased prevalence of indoor Aspergillus and Penicillium species is associated with indoor flooding and coastal proximity: a case study of 28 moldy buildings
Indoor dampness causes mold growth. The likelihood of such molds being clinically relevant Aspergillus and Penicillium spp. is higher in coastal homes with history of indoor flooding. Fungal surveillance in flood prone homes is therefore critical.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2021,23, 1681-1687
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EM00202C
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Can determination of extractable organofluorine (EOF) be standardized? First interlaboratory comparisons of EOF and fluorine mass balance in sludge and water matrices
The first step towards the urgently needed standardization of EOF methods for PFAS-total assessment is presented in this interlaboratory study.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2021,23, 1458-1465
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EM00224D
Nano-dry-salt deposition on electret nonwoven confers anticoronaviral effect while retaining aerosol filtration performance
Direct deposition of nano-dry-salt on nonwovens was developed as a process that can be incorporated into conventional nonwoven production for timely application of biosafe anticoronaviral surfaces and reliable aerosol filtration performance.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2021,8, 2780-2791
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EN00369K
DOM removal is more important than the specific DOM removal pretreatment process for GAC adsorption of TrOCs
For high levels of TrOC removal by GAC, reducing DOC0 concentration is more important than the specific DOM removal pretreatment process.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2021,7, 1707-1713
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EW00375E
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
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Standardizing data reporting in the research community to enhance the utility of open data for SARS-CoV-2 wastewater surveillance
We propose a minimum set of meta-information to accompany the reporting of SARS-CoV-2 occurrence in wastewater for improved data interpretation.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2021,7, 1545-1551
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EW00235J
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Aerosol presence reduces the diurnal temperature range: an interval when the COVID-19 pandemic reduced aerosols revealing the effect on climate
DTRs from February to June during the COVID-19 pandemic are greater than 3 standard deviations above the climatological mean DTR.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2021,1, 208-213
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EA00021G
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Emerging investigator series: aramid amphiphile nanoribbons for the remediation of lead from contaminated water
Aramid amphiphiles with chelating head groups spontaneously form robust nanoribbons in water with surfaces capable of heavy metal remediation.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2021,8, 1536-1542
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EN00002K
Metals in microplastics: determining which are additive, adsorbed, and bioavailable
Microplastics from the North Atlantic Gyre deposited on Guadeloupe beaches were sampled and characterized.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2021,23, 553-558
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EM00017A
Monitoring the stability of aerobic granular sludge using fractal dimension analysis
The variability of the fractal dimension value can be used as an indicator of the stability of aerobic granular sludge.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2021,7, 706-713
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EW00015B
Efficient upcycling electroplating sludge and waste PET into Ni-MOF nanocrystals for the effective photoreduction of CO2
Simultaneously the upcycling of electroplating sludge and waste PET into Ni-MOF nanocrystals show superior activities towards the photoreduction of CO2.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2021,8, 390-398
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EN01061H
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Drinking water contamination from the thermal degradation of plastics: implications for wildfire and structure fire response
Plastic pipes are susceptible to thermal degradation which can produce volatile organic compounds such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene that leach into drinking water.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2021,7, 274-284
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EW00836B
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Interactions with freshwater biofilms cause rapid removal of common herbicides through degradation – evidence from microcosm studies
We found that biofilms drive the removal of bentazone, metazachlor and metribuzin from water through rapid mineralization of these herbicides, rather than by their sorption and accumulation.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2021,23, 66-72
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00394H
Natural organic matter facilitates formation and microbial methylation of mercury selenide nanoparticles
Tiemannite nanoparticles available for microbial mercury methylation are formed during the co-precipitation of natural organic matter, divalent mercury and selenium.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2021,8, 67-75
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EN00992J
Barium ion adduct mass spectrometry to identify carboxylic acid photoproducts from crude oil–water systems under solar irradiation
Photochemistry plays a role in the dissolution of petroleum derived carboxylic acids.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 2313-2321
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00390E
Optimization of bacterial bioaugmentation for groundwater Mn removal using a waste-based culture medium and lyophilization
Waste based bacterial culture media and inoculum lyophilization to optimize bioaugmentation processes applicable to Mn groundwater full-scale biofiltration.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2020,6, 3255-3261
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EW00777C
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Amyloid hybrid membranes for removal of clinical and nuclear radioactive wastewater
Highly efficient hybrid amyloid membrane to remove clinical and nuclear radioactive wastewater.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2020,6, 3249-3254
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EW00693A
High-throughput wastewater analysis for substance use assessment in central New York during the COVID-19 pandemic
Wastewater analysis provides insights into population lifestyle and health status during the coronavirus pandemic.
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 2147-2161
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00377H
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Levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in ski wax products on the market in 2019 indicate no changes in formulation
In the summer of 2019, eleven of the best-selling fluorinated ski wax products were purchased from one of Norway's largest sports stores and soon after analysed for a suite of 26 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 2142-2146
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00357C
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Efficacy of corrosion control and pipe replacement in reducing citywide lead exposure during the Flint, MI water system recovery
Enhanced corrosion control and replacement of all lead-based pipes are expected to reduce citywide lead exposure by about 72–84%. However, Flint's post-lead pipe era will not result in completely lead free drinking water.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2020,6, 3024-3031
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EW00583E
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Emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in human milk from Sweden and China
Emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were investigated in human milk from Stockholm (Sweden), and the cities of Shanghai, Jiaxing, and Shaoxing (China).
Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2020,22, 2023-2030
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00077A
Chemical vapor crosslinking of graphene oxide membranes for controlling nanochannels
The solvent-free chemical vapor crosslinking can directly fix the interlayer spacing of GO membranes for better water treatment.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2020,7, 2924-2929
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EN00710B
Adsorption of crude oil from crude oil–water emulsion by mesoporous hafnium oxide ceramics
An environmentally benign, mechanically stable, and renewable mesoporous hafnium oxide ceramic synthesized via a sol–gel process has exhibited 99.9% removal capacity of crude oil from an oil-in-water emulsion.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2020,6, 2035-2042
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EW00451K
Ageing remarkably alters the toxicity of carbon black particles towards susceptible cells: determined by differential changes of surface oxygen groups
Ageing process remarkably alters the toxicity of carbon black particles towards susceptible cells via changing the species of their surface oxygen groups.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2020,7, 1633-1641
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EN00281J
Harnessing salinity gradient energy in coastal stormwater runoff to reduce pathogen loading
First demonstration of the capture of salinity gradient energy from stormwater runoff to the ocean, used to power UV-LED disinfection.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2020,6, 1553-1558
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EW01137D
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
Rapid organic solvent extraction coupled with surface enhanced Raman spectroscopic mapping for ultrasensitive quantification of foliarly applied silver nanoparticles in plant leaves
An organic solvent-based extraction approach coupled with surface enhanced Raman spectroscopic mapping technique to quantify silver nanoparticles in spinach leaf.
Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2020,7, 1061-1067
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EN01246J
Faster removal of nitrite than nitrate in sulfur-based autotrophic denitrification coupled with anammox, affected by the anammox effluent
Faster removal of nitrite than nitrate in sulfur-based autotrophic denitrification (SADN) coupled with anammox was explored through contrasting single-stage SADN.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2020,6, 916-924
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EW00065E
Ferric tannate photothermal material for efficient water distillation
Ferric tannate is used as a photothermal material and integrated with a polymer membrane by atomic layer deposition for solar water distillation.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2020,6, 911-915
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EW01016E
The feasibility of hollow echinus-like NiCo2O4 nanocrystals for hybrid capacitive deionization
The hollowed echinus-like NiCo2O4 nanocrystal with excellent electrochemical behaviour has been demonstrated as high-performance cathode for hybrid capacitive deionization.
Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2020,6, 283-289
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9EW00939F
About this collection
This collection showcases the urgent communications published across our Environmental Science family journals. Our communication format is ideally suited to short, urgent studies that are of such importance that they require accelerated publication – we welcome your novel reports for quick dissemination.