Critical Review
Metal oxide-based electrochemical sensors for pesticide detection in water and food samples: a review
The increasing need for food and agricultural resources necessitates using pesticides to protect plants, but this approach also poses pesticide poisoning and environmental hazards.
Critical Review
Microplastic emerging pollutants – impact on microbiological diversity, diarrhea, antibiotic resistance, and bioremediation
Advanced economic development and technologies cause worldwide plastic waste to increase many folds, leaving policymakers with the dilemma of managing it.
Paper
Analysis of nitro- and oxy-PAH emissions from a pilot scale silicon process with flue gas recirculation
Substituted PAH emissions (oxy- and nitro-PAHs) were investigated during silicon alloy production by carbothermic reduction of quartz in a submerged arc furnace with and without flue gas recirculation.
Paper
Development of an innovative optical sensor to detect extremely low levels of chromium in real samples using colorimetric methods
The investigation focused on a methodology for concentrating and analyzing Cr(VI) in aqueous samples.
Paper
The missing small microplastics: easily generated from weathered plastic pieces in labs but hardly detected in natural environments
Plentiful small microplastics and nanoplastics can easily generate from weathered plastics, but few small microplastics and no nanoplatics could be detected in surrounding sediments, possibly due to a lack of suitable detection approach.
Paper
Characterization and quantification of microplastics and organic pollutants in mussels by microwave-assisted sample preparation and analytical pyrolysis
We developed a method to isolate and quantify various classes of both non-polymeric contaminants and polymers from mussel flour using microwave-assisted extraction/digestion and analytical pyrolysis-GC-MS.
Paper
Development of a portable, microwell-based, smartphone-assisted colorimetric device to measure the activities of anaerobic digestion
This compact, paper-microwell-based device, supported by smartphone, offers a convenient solution for assessing the activity of anaerobic digestion a multifaceted process that can be severely impacted by toxicants, leading to system failure.
Paper
Assessing sources and fractions of metals associated with environmental plastics: a case study in Lake Como (Italy)
We applied a multi-tiered analytical approach to assess the sources of metals in environmental plastic samples. This approach permits evaluation of the impact of plastic pollution on metal bioavailability.
Paper
Development and application of a sensitive feeding assay for daphnids based on the ingestion of fluorescent microparticles
The toxicological hazard and safety assessment of chemical substances relies on the outcome of animal testing involving phenotypic tests such as feeding.
Paper
Exploring regression-based QSTR and i-QSTR modeling for ecotoxicity prediction of diverse pesticides on multiple avian species
Ensuring the protection of endangered bird species from pesticide exposure plays a vital role in safeguarding ecosystem integrity.
Paper
Development of diffusive gradients in thin-films with mixed binding gels for in situ monitoring of artificial sweeteners in waters
The extensive use of artificial sweeteners (ASs) has raised concerns regarding their presence, fate, and detrimental effects in water resources.
About this collection
The term ‘chemicals of emerging concern’ refers to substances where there is a rising concern about their danger to both the environment and human health. Many of these have only recently been identified as a risk and so have not been regulated under national or international legislation. These chemicals can include micro/nano plastics, antibiotics, drugs, hormones and industrial additives. Therefore, early warning methods for these emerging chemicals which can reduce disaster risks are of paramount importance, with clear implications for policy.
This collection aims to highlight important emerging pollutants, and increase our understanding of their transport, fate, and behaviour in the environment, as well as highlighting ‘early warning’ methods, and inspire future work in this area.