Themed collection Best Papers 2021 - Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts

23 items
Critical Review

Emerging investigator series: the role of chemical properties in human exposure to environmental chemicals

We review how chemical properties govern human exposure to environmental chemicals through different routes from different sources.

Graphical abstract: Emerging investigator series: the role of chemical properties in human exposure to environmental chemicals
From the themed collection: Emerging Investigator Series
Critical Review

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.

Graphical abstract: Insufficient evidence for the existence of natural trifluoroacetic acid
Critical Review

Absorption, distribution, and toxicity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the brain: a review

This review integrates current understanding on uptake, accumulation and distribution of PFAS in the brain, along with potential neurotoxic outcomes.

Graphical abstract: Absorption, distribution, and toxicity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the brain: a review
Open Access Critical Review

Finding essentiality feasible: common questions and misinterpretations concerning the “essential-use” concept

The essential-use concept is a tool that can guide the phase-out of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and potentially other harmful substances of concern.

Graphical abstract: Finding essentiality feasible: common questions and misinterpretations concerning the “essential-use” concept
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Critical Review

Macroplastics in rivers: present knowledge, issues and challenges

The contextualization of macroplastics in a budget framework can help to improve our understanding of the physical processes determining macroplastic behaviour and impacts in rivers. Hence, better management practices can be adopted.

Graphical abstract: Macroplastics in rivers: present knowledge, issues and challenges
Critical Review

Ecotoxicology of persistent organic pollutants in birds

Considering the explosive growth of the list of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), the scientific community is combatting increasing challenges to protect humans and wildlife from the potentially negative consequences of POPs.

Graphical abstract: Ecotoxicology of persistent organic pollutants in birds
Critical Review

Plastic particles in soil: state of the knowledge on sources, occurrence and distribution, analytical methods and ecological impacts

Increased production and use of plastics has resulted in growth in the amount of plastic debris accumulating in the environment, potentially fragmenting into smaller pieces.

Graphical abstract: Plastic particles in soil: state of the knowledge on sources, occurrence and distribution, analytical methods and ecological impacts
Open Access Critical Review

The fate of plastic in the ocean environment – a minireview

The fate of plastic in the ocean is influenced by physical, chemical and biological stressors. These cause fragemntation and the formation of micro and nanoplastics but also degradation of plastics.

Graphical abstract: The fate of plastic in the ocean environment – a minireview
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Critical Review

Recent advances in the applications of nano-agrochemicals for sustainable agricultural development

Modern agricultural practices have triggered the process of agricultural pollution.

Graphical abstract: Recent advances in the applications of nano-agrochemicals for sustainable agricultural development
Open Access Communication

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.

Graphical abstract: Can determination of extractable organofluorine (EOF) be standardized? First interlaboratory comparisons of EOF and fluorine mass balance in sludge and water matrices
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Open Access Paper

Determination of acrolein in ambient air and in the atmosphere of environmental test chambers

Acrolein is released by several sources into indoor air. As it impacts human health, an easy-to-handle, fast and robust method with low detection limits is needed.

Graphical abstract: Determination of acrolein in ambient air and in the atmosphere of environmental test chambers
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Paper

Adsorption of progesterone onto microplastics and its desorption in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids

Microplastics interact with molecules present in the environment. In this study, progesterone sorption on microplastics and its desorption were investigated, and it was found that desorption was promoted in gastrointestinal fluids.

Graphical abstract: Adsorption of progesterone onto microplastics and its desorption in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids
Open Access Paper

Emerging investigator series: a holistic approach to multicomponent EXAFS: Sr and Cs complexation in clayey soils

Strontium and caesium are fission products of concern at many nuclear legacy sites. In this study we used a novel approach to EXAFS spectra to determine the details of Cs and Sr surface complexation in clayey soils.

Graphical abstract: Emerging investigator series: a holistic approach to multicomponent EXAFS: Sr and Cs complexation in clayey soils
From the themed collection: Emerging Investigator Series
Open Access 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.

Graphical abstract: Fates and spatial variations of accumulation mode particles in a multi-zone indoor environment during the HOMEChem campaign
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Paper

Changes in neighborhood air quality after idling of an urban oil production site

Near urban oil and gas production sites, residents may face poorer air quality due to the oil and gas activities which may pose adverse health and environmental risks to fenceline communities.

Graphical abstract: Changes in neighborhood air quality after idling of an urban oil production site
Paper

Distribution and fate of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in wastewater treatment facilities

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from industrial and residential sources enter wastewater treatment facilities where they may be partially transformed, sequestered into sludge solids, or discharged into receiving water bodies.

Graphical abstract: Distribution and fate of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in wastewater treatment facilities
From the themed collection: PFAS: cleaning up drinking water
Open Access Paper

Risk assessment of soil heavy metal contamination at the census tract level in the city of Santa Ana, CA: implications for health and environmental justice

Soil-based risk assessment shows a U.S. city to exceed federal acceptable risk levels for both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health outcomes in many areas, with total risk and soil contamination being correlated with socioeconomic factors.

Graphical abstract: Risk assessment of soil heavy metal contamination at the census tract level in the city of Santa Ana, CA: implications for health and environmental justice
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Open Access 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.

Graphical abstract: Frequency of use of household products containing VOCs and indoor atmospheric concentrations in homes
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Open Access Paper

The fate of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances in a marine food web influenced by land-based sources in the Norwegian Arctic

Local point sources (mainly firefighting stations) and diffuse sources contributed to the exposure of PFAS to the marine food web near Longyearbyen on Svalbard. Certain PFOS substitutes showed a bioaccumulation potential in marine invertebrates.

Graphical abstract: The fate of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances in a marine food web influenced by land-based sources in the Norwegian Arctic
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Paper

PFAS soil and groundwater contamination via industrial airborne emission and land deposition in SW Vermont and Eastern New York State, USA

We document soil and groundwater contamination caused by industrial airborne PFAS emission over an area of ∼200 km2 that has impacted over 1200 wells.

Graphical abstract: PFAS soil and groundwater contamination via industrial airborne emission and land deposition in SW Vermont and Eastern New York State, USA
Paper

Concentrations and properties of ice nucleating substances in exudates from Antarctic sea-ice diatoms

Field Antarctic sea-ice diatom supernatant samples showed ice nucleating abilities.

Graphical abstract: Concentrations and properties of ice nucleating substances in exudates from Antarctic sea-ice diatoms
Paper

COVID-19 lockdowns induced land surface temperature variability in mega urban agglomerations in India

Reduced anthropogenic activities during COVID-19 lockdowns improved air quality and dampened LST in highly populated and polluted Indian megacities.

Graphical abstract: COVID-19 lockdowns induced land surface temperature variability in mega urban agglomerations in India
Paper

Why analysing microplastics in floodplains matters: application in a sedimentary context

Microplastics are mainly transported in rivers where different fluvial processes occur that can defined by microplastic detection.

Graphical abstract: Why analysing microplastics in floodplains matters: application in a sedimentary context
23 items

About this collection

The Environmental Science Best Papers Initiative identifies a variety of excellent papers published in the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Environmental Science journal family, showcasing great research from across the globe. To celebrate more of the great papers published in Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts during 2021 which really deserve recognition, we’ve gathered all nominated papers in this special collection.

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