Best Papers from 2021 published in the Environmental Science journals of the Royal Society of Chemistry
The Editors-in-Chief of the Environmental Science journals introduce the Best Papers of 2021.
Perspective
Optimising air quality co-benefits in a hydrogen economy: a case for hydrogen-specific standards for NOx emissions
Hydrogen may play a major role as an energy source to support net zero but combustion leads to emissions of NOx, a key air pollutant. Delivering optimal air quality co-benefits may need more ambitious hydrogen-specific emission standards developing.
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.
Removal of antibiotics from aqueous solutions by electrocatalytic degradation
Electrocatalytic degradation of antibiotics.
Synthesis, fabrication, and mechanism of action of electrically conductive membranes: a review
Synthesis and mechanism of action of electrically conductive membranes.
Communication
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.
A reliable procedure to obtain environmentally relevant nanoplastic proxies
More environmentally relevant nanoplastic models are urgently needed.
Paper
Fates and spatial variations of accumulation mode particles in a multi-zone indoor environment during the HOMEChem campaign
We report on significant spatial gradients of accumulation mode particles emitted during the HOMEChem campaign and assess particle loss pathways.
Reciprocal redox interactions of lithium cobalt oxide nanoparticles with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and glutathione (GSH): toward a mechanistic understanding of nanoparticle-biological interactions
NADH and GSH reduce Co in LiCoO2 nanoparticles to enhance ion release and the nanoparticles oxidize NADH in model media. This poses two routes of toxicity for high-valent oxides: enhanced release of toxic metals and disruption of cell redox state.
Paper
Frequency of use of household products containing VOCs and indoor atmospheric concentrations in homes
VOCs are used ubiquitously in consumer products. This population study investigates a wide-range of VOC concentrations indoors and links high butane concentrations with universal and frequent aerosol use.
Paper
Insights into the molecular composition of semi-volatile aerosols in the summertime central Arctic Ocean using FIGAERO-CIMS
Molecular-level analysis of High Arctic aerosols sampled on a cruise to the North Pole shows: (1) a wide range of semi-volatile organic compounds, (2) no clear relationship between DMS oxidation products in the gas- and particle-phase
Enhancing the performance of a microbial electrochemical system with carbon-based dynamic membrane as both anode electrode and filtration media
The dynamic membrane can enhance the electricity generation and improve the effluent quality in microbial electrochemical systems.
Paper
Reproducibility and sensitivity of 36 methods to quantify the SARS-CoV-2 genetic signal in raw wastewater: findings from an interlaboratory methods evaluation in the U.S.
The reproducibility and sensitivity of 36 methods for quantifying the genetic signal of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater was evaluated in a nationwide interlaboratory assessment in the U.S.
About this collection
During 2021, the RSC’s Environmental Science journal family published papers covering areas ranging from the effect of aerosols on climate, to nanoplastics, to indoor air pollutants and their sources. Here, in this collection, we are delighted to highlight some of the incredible science published in our journals during 2021 and recognise the authors conducting this impactful research. The Editors-in-Chief for the journals (Paige Novak, Neil Donahue, Kris McNeill, Peter Vikesland) introduce the Best Papers from 2021 in their Editorial.