Themed collection Best Papers 2019 – Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts

28 items
Open Access Perspective

Why is high persistence alone a major cause of concern?

High persistence has important implications for chemicals regulation and management.

Graphical abstract: Why is high persistence alone a major cause of concern?
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Open Access Critical Review

The concept of essential use for determining when uses of PFASs can be phased out

The concept of essential use is developed and applied to various uses of PFASs to determine the feasibility of elimination or substitution in each use category.

Graphical abstract: The concept of essential use for determining when uses of PFASs can be phased out
From the themed collection: PFAS
Critical Review

Theory and modelling approaches to passive sampling

Understanding the theory behind passive sampling is essential for proper development of sampling methods and for accurate interpretation of the results.

Graphical abstract: Theory and modelling approaches to passive sampling
Open Access Critical Review

Illuminating the dark side of indoor oxidants

A review of the current understanding of oxidants and their precursors in indoor environments.

Graphical abstract: Illuminating the dark side of indoor oxidants
Critical Review

Modelling consortium for chemistry of indoor environments (MOCCIE): integrating chemical processes from molecular to room scales

We report on the development of a modelling consortium for chemistry in indoor environments that connects models over a range of spatial and temporal scales, from molecular to room scales and from sub-nanosecond to days, respectively.

Graphical abstract: Modelling consortium for chemistry of indoor environments (MOCCIE): integrating chemical processes from molecular to room scales
Open Access Critical Review

Isocyanic acid (HNCO) and its fate in the atmosphere: a review

Isocyanic acid (HNCO) has recently been identified in ambient air at potentially concerning concentrations for human health. Since its first atmospheric detection, significant progress has been made in understanding its sources and sinks.

Graphical abstract: Isocyanic acid (HNCO) and its fate in the atmosphere: a review
Open Access Paper

Point source characterization of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and extractable organofluorine (EOF) in freshwater and aquatic invertebrates

Major point sources of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) cause ubiquitous spread of PFASs in the environment.

Graphical abstract: Point source characterization of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and extractable organofluorine (EOF) in freshwater and aquatic invertebrates
From the themed collection: PFAS
Paper

Biomagnification of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in the food web of an urban river: assessment of the trophic transfer of targeted and unknown precursors and implications

In the Orge River, the contribution of PFAA precursors decreases between the base and the top of the trophic web.

Graphical abstract: Biomagnification of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in the food web of an urban river: assessment of the trophic transfer of targeted and unknown precursors and implications
From the themed collection: PFAS
Open Access Paper

Children's exposure to perfluoroalkyl acids – a modelling approach

The present work assesses the exposure of a child cohort to PFOA, PFOS and PFHxS from 1 year to 10.5 years of age.

Graphical abstract: Children's exposure to perfluoroalkyl acids – a modelling approach
From the themed collection: PFAS
Paper

Partition coefficients of four perfluoroalkyl acid alternatives between bovine serum albumin (BSA) and water in comparison to ten classical perfluoroalkyl acids

Alternatives to long-chain PFAAs sorb similarly strongly to serum albumin as the classical PFAAs.

Graphical abstract: Partition coefficients of four perfluoroalkyl acid alternatives between bovine serum albumin (BSA) and water in comparison to ten classical perfluoroalkyl acids
From the themed collection: PFAS
Paper

N2O5 reactive uptake kinetics and chlorine activation on authentic biomass-burning aerosol

The reactive uptake kinetics of nitrogen pentoxide (N2O5) to authentic biomass-burning aerosol and the production of nitryl chloride (ClNO2) was determined using an entrained aerosol flow tube reactor.

Graphical abstract: N2O5 reactive uptake kinetics and chlorine activation on authentic biomass-burning aerosol
From the themed collection: Organic Aerosols
Open Access Paper

Emerging investigator series: interdependency of green rust transformation and the partitioning and binding mode of arsenic

Structural transformations of green rust and the partitioning of arsenic were tracked during aging for up to a year.

Graphical abstract: Emerging investigator series: interdependency of green rust transformation and the partitioning and binding mode of arsenic
From the themed collection: Emerging Investigator Series
Open Access Paper

Organic contaminants of emerging concern in Norwegian digestates from biogas production

The aim of this study was to analyze a variety of environmental organic contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) and their metabolites in representative digestate samples from Norwegian biogas production plants.

Graphical abstract: Organic contaminants of emerging concern in Norwegian digestates from biogas production
Open Access Paper

Overview of HOMEChem: House Observations of Microbial and Environmental Chemistry

The House Observations of Microbial and Environmental Chemistry (HOMEChem) study was a large-scale collaborative experimental investigation probing indoor air composition and chemistry.

Graphical abstract: Overview of HOMEChem: House Observations of Microbial and Environmental Chemistry
From the themed collection: Organic Aerosols
Open Access Paper

Secondary product creation potential (SPCP): a metric for assessing the potential impact of indoor air pollution on human health

Secondary Product Creation Potential (SPCP): a new metric for ranking the impact of volatile organic compounds on indoor air chemistry and human health.

Graphical abstract: Secondary product creation potential (SPCP): a metric for assessing the potential impact of indoor air pollution on human health
Paper

Human occupant contribution to secondary aerosol mass in the indoor environment

Occupancy in indoor spaces can contribute to indoor aerosol mass via reactions of oxidants such as ozone with skin constituents and subsequent partitioning of those oxidation product to existing aerosol.

Graphical abstract: Human occupant contribution to secondary aerosol mass in the indoor environment
From the themed collection: Organic Aerosols
Paper

Degradation of phthalate esters in floor dust at elevated relative humidity

Emerging investigator series: Phthalate losses in floor dust are due to abiotic chemical degradation as well as microbial degradation of phthalates under elevated relative humidity conditions.

Graphical abstract: Degradation of phthalate esters in floor dust at elevated relative humidity
From the themed collection: Emerging Investigator Series
Open Access Paper

Mass balance study of brominated flame retardants in female captive peregrine falcons

Mass balance study in peregrine falcons showed efficient dietary uptake, bioaccumulation, transfer to eggs of tri–decaBDE, HBCDD; metabolism also indicated.

Graphical abstract: Mass balance study of brominated flame retardants in female captive peregrine falcons
Paper

Evidence for non-electrostatic interactions between a pyrophosphate-functionalized uranyl peroxide nanocluster and iron (hydr)oxide minerals

Electrophoretic mobility measurements and ATR-FTIR provide the first evidence of non-electrostatic interactions between a uranyl-based polyoxometalate and iron oxide surface.

Graphical abstract: Evidence for non-electrostatic interactions between a pyrophosphate-functionalized uranyl peroxide nanocluster and iron (hydr)oxide minerals
Paper

Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in the surface water and sediment of two typical estuaries in Bohai Bay, China

Estuaries are considered to be seriously polluted by microplastics.

Graphical abstract: Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in the surface water and sediment of two typical estuaries in Bohai Bay, China
Paper

Role of organic components in regulating denitrification in the coastal water of Daya Bay, southern China

The impact of dissolved and particulate organic mater on coastal water denitrification is evaluated. Particulate organic matter and its composition play a dominant role in regulating denitrifying activity.

Graphical abstract: Role of organic components in regulating denitrification in the coastal water of Daya Bay, southern China
Paper

Emerging investigator series: investigation of mercury emission sources using Hg isotopic compositions of atmospheric mercury at the Cape Hedo Atmosphere and Aerosol Monitoring Station (CHAAMS), Japan

This study conducted mercury (Hg) isotopic analysis, which has been expected as a new indicator for understanding the behavior of atmospheric Hg.

Graphical abstract: Emerging investigator series: investigation of mercury emission sources using Hg isotopic compositions of atmospheric mercury at the Cape Hedo Atmosphere and Aerosol Monitoring Station (CHAAMS), Japan
From the themed collection: Emerging Investigator Series
Paper

Effect of maturity and mineralogy on fluid-rock reactions in the Marcellus Shale

Maturity and mineralogy of shale significantly controls dissolution/precipitation reactions and release of organic contaminants during hydraulic fracturing.

Graphical abstract: Effect of maturity and mineralogy on fluid-rock reactions in the Marcellus Shale
Open Access Paper

Global transport of perfluoroalkyl acids via sea spray aerosol

Sea spray aerosols can act as a vector for sea-to-land transport of perfluorinated alkyl acids via the atmosphere.

Graphical abstract: Global transport of perfluoroalkyl acids via sea spray aerosol
Paper

Effect of environmental factors on the oxidative transformation of cephalosporin antibiotics by manganese dioxides

The δ-MnO2 oxidation of cephalosporin antibiotics can be affected by different environment factors (MnO2 loading, pH, metal ions, natural organic matter and sunlight).

Graphical abstract: Effect of environmental factors on the oxidative transformation of cephalosporin antibiotics by manganese dioxides
Paper

Seasonal variation in aerosol composition and concentration upon transport from the outdoor to indoor environment

Outdoor-originated aerosols transported indoors impact air quality, and chemically transform due to temperature and humidity gradients.

Graphical abstract: Seasonal variation in aerosol composition and concentration upon transport from the outdoor to indoor environment
From the themed collection: Organic Aerosols
Paper

Microbial lipid biomarkers detected in deep subsurface black shales

Evidence for microbes has been detected in extreme subsurface environments as deep as 2.5 km with temperatures as high as 90 °C, demonstrating that microbes can adapt and survive extreme environmental conditions.

Graphical abstract: Microbial lipid biomarkers detected in deep subsurface black shales
Paper

Accuracy of methods for reporting inorganic element concentrations and radioactivity in oil and gas wastewaters from the Appalachian Basin, U.S. based on an inter-laboratory comparison

Results from this inter-laboratory comparison indicate that O&G waste analyses can be inaccurate and imprecise.

Graphical abstract: Accuracy of methods for reporting inorganic element concentrations and radioactivity in oil and gas wastewaters from the Appalachian Basin, U.S. based on an inter-laboratory comparison
28 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 2019 which really deserve recognition, we’ve gathered all nominated papers in this special collection.

Read the papers classed as the best of the portfolio at http://rsc.li/enviro-bestpapers and also browse the nominated papers from our sister journals Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology and Environmental Science: Nano

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