Themed collection Best Papers of 2022 from RSC’s Environmental Science journals

19 items
Open Access Perspective

Microplastics in ecosystems: their implications and mitigation pathways

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

Graphical abstract: Microplastics in ecosystems: their implications and mitigation pathways
Critical Review

Construction of adsorbents with graphene and its derivatives for wastewater treatment: a review

A comprehensive and critical overview of graphene-based adsorbents in capturing various water contaminants within the recent five years is presented to drive the rational development of high-performance adsorbents with graphene and its derivatives.

Graphical abstract: Construction of adsorbents with graphene and its derivatives for wastewater treatment: a review
Open Access Critical Review

Emerging investigator series: surfactants, films, and coatings on atmospheric aerosol particles: a review

Surfactants alter the physical and chemical properties of atmospheric aerosol particles.

Graphical abstract: Emerging investigator series: surfactants, films, and coatings on atmospheric aerosol particles: a review
Open Access Critical Review

Emerging investigator series: metal nanoparticles in freshwater: transformation, bioavailability and effects on invertebrates

MNPs may undergo different environmental transformations in aquatic systems, consequently changing their mobility, bioavailability and toxicity to freshwater invertebrates.

Graphical abstract: Emerging investigator series: metal nanoparticles in freshwater: transformation, bioavailability and effects on invertebrates
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Open Access Critical Review

Critical review of antibiotic resistance genes in the atmosphere

Our critical review compares ARG profiles in the atmosphere across different locations and discusses characterization methods, atmospheric transport, and future research questions.

Graphical abstract: Critical review of antibiotic resistance genes in the atmosphere
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Critical Review

Emerging investigator series: contributions of reactive nitrogen species to transformations of organic compounds in water: a critical review

Reactive nitrogen species (RNS) pose a potential risk to drinking water quality because they react with organic compounds to form toxic byproducts.

Graphical abstract: Emerging investigator series: contributions of reactive nitrogen species to transformations of organic compounds in water: a critical review
From the themed collection: Emerging Investigator Series
Critical Review

Photo-chemical/catalytic oxidative/reductive decomposition of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), decomposition mechanisms and effects of key factors: a review

Mechanisms of photodegradation of PFAS with different chain lengths and structures using a wide range of photo-oxidative/reductive agents, effects of key parameters on these processes, and synergistic effects of other treatments are reviewed.

Graphical abstract: Photo-chemical/catalytic oxidative/reductive decomposition of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), decomposition mechanisms and effects of key factors: a review
Open Access Critical Review

Particulate nitrate photolysis in the atmosphere

Particulate nitrate photolysis can lead to the formation of secondary inorganic and organic aerosols that affect climate, air quality, and human health.

Graphical abstract: Particulate nitrate photolysis in the atmosphere
Open Access Communication

Microbial nanocellulose biotextiles for a circular materials economy

Harnessing microbial biofabrication coupled to a protocol inspired by indigenous textile processes, we engineer high-performance biotextiles with a sustainable circular life cycle, including the plant and mineral dyed bioleather sneakers shown.

Graphical abstract: Microbial nanocellulose biotextiles for a circular materials economy
From the themed collection: Sustainable fashion
Paper

Non-targeted identification and semi-quantitation of emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in US rainwater

Analysis of precipitation finds many emerging PFAS.

Graphical abstract: Non-targeted identification and semi-quantitation of emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in US rainwater
Open Access Paper

New insight into the evaluation of complex mixture biodegradability: an UHPLC-qToF “all-ion MS/MS” acquisition technique for the untargeted and targeted analysis of pharmaceutical formulation biodegradation

New technologies to improve the investigation of biodegradability and the environmental fate of pharmaceutical formulations.

Graphical abstract: New insight into the evaluation of complex mixture biodegradability: an UHPLC-qToF “all-ion MS/MS” acquisition technique for the untargeted and targeted analysis of pharmaceutical formulation biodegradation
Open Access Paper

Are cosmetics a significant source of PFAS in Europe? product inventories, chemical characterization and emission estimates

Estimates of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) emission from the use of cosmetics in Europe.

Graphical abstract: Are cosmetics a significant source of PFAS in Europe? product inventories, chemical characterization and emission estimates
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Open Access Paper

The evolution of surface structure during simulated atmospheric ageing of nano-scale coatings of an organic surfactant aerosol proxy

A nano-scale proxy for atmospheric surfactant organic films undergoes changes in morphology and hygroscopicity during simulated atmospheric processing.

Graphical abstract: The evolution of surface structure during simulated atmospheric ageing of nano-scale coatings of an organic surfactant aerosol proxy
Open Access Paper

Removal of 293 organic compounds in 15 WWTPs studied with non-targeted suspect screening

The influence of WWTP treatment standard on contaminant breakthrough is explored for 293 compounds.

Graphical abstract: Removal of 293 organic compounds in 15 WWTPs studied with non-targeted suspect screening
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Open Access Paper

Emerging investigator series: meta-analyses on SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA levels in wastewater and their correlations to epidemiological indicators

Recent applications of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) have demonstrated its ability to track the spread and dynamics of COVID-19 at the community level.

Graphical abstract: Emerging investigator series: meta-analyses on SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA levels in wastewater and their correlations to epidemiological indicators
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Paper

Carbon dots can strongly promote photosynthesis in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)

In vitro root amendment with CDs can promote photosynthesis of lettuce by enhancing photoreaction processes and CO2 fixation.

Graphical abstract: Carbon dots can strongly promote photosynthesis in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)
Open Access Paper

Photoreaction of biomass burning brown carbon aerosol particles

Short-term light exposure of primary brown carbon aerosols causes an increase in absorption. Continuous aging in the dark afterwards results in a persistent increase in absorption.

Graphical abstract: Photoreaction of biomass burning brown carbon aerosol particles
Paper

Algae control in oligotrophic surface water under the joint effect of nutritional competition and microbial algae-lytic substances

A novel algae control strategy in oligotrophic surface water was proposed. Under the combined effect of nutritional competition and bacilysin lysis, a 97% decline in chlorophyll-a content was achieved in South-to-North water and 61.5% in stormwater.

Graphical abstract: Algae control in oligotrophic surface water under the joint effect of nutritional competition and microbial algae-lytic substances
Open Access Paper

Surface functionalisation-dependent adverse effects of metal nanoparticles and nanoplastics in zebrafish embryos

High throughput imaging is used to assess hatching, lethality and malformations in zebrafish embryos and is suitable for hazard ranking of different nanomaterials.

Graphical abstract: Surface functionalisation-dependent adverse effects of metal nanoparticles and nanoplastics in zebrafish embryos
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
19 items

About this collection

In this collection, we are delighted to highlight some of the incredible science published in our journals during 2022 and recognise the authors conducting impactful research.

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