Themed collection Contaminant remediation and fate

Based on the reciprocity principle, this study evaluated the release and accumulation kinetics of microplastics from films, by developing an empirical model that linked the degradation performance of films under light with their molecular structure.

The state of the art of existing/published work in the prediction of environmental degradation of pesticides by EC-MS/EC-LC-MS coupling was reviewed. Ways to improve EC-MS techniques in the prediction of environmental degradation were proposed.

New approaches to better characterize chemical contamination from hydraulic fracturing of shale and other permeable rock formations for improved risk-based management are presented.

This paper focuses on the fate, degradation mechanisms and toxic effects of the neonicotinoid insecticide sulfentrazone in the environment.

Microcontaminants and microplastics are released at every stage of production and use and end up in wastewater treatment plants and eventually in surface waters.

An overview of the photodegradation of psychotropic drugs in the aquatic environment.

Effective remediation of a range of Difficult-to-Measure Radionuclides (DTMRs) in groundwater is needed to meet nuclear site end-state targets. This paper reviews recent developments in remediation of problem DTMRs, focusing on on-site application.

Deepwater Horizon oil was exposed to sunlight in the Gulf of Mexico, changing its composition and behavior.

This critical review presents the best remedy to protect human health by efficient materials-based air filters that can be used to air-purify and kill the dangerous SARS-CoV-2 virus and remove the other air pollutants.

Distribution of PPCPs in the African, Asian, European, and North and South American continents is presented and discussed.

Time series of contaminants in the Arctic are an important instrument to detect emerging issues and to monitor the effectiveness of chemicals regulation. Climate change can affect the link between primary emissions and concentrations in Arctic wildlife.

Future climate change in the Arctic will lead to loss of ice, snow and permafrost, increasing human activity and development, and changes in wind and ocean circulation patterns, that could alter the pathways, distribution and fate of contaminants.

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

Hundreds of review studies have been published focusing on microplastics (MPs) and their environmental impacts.

Comprehensive monitoring of 31 PFAS on a highly militarized island. ∑PFAS measured for 15 individual PFAS analogues. Varying PFAS fingerprints found at different geographical locations on the island.

This novel investigation revealed substantial PFAS contamination and plastic-PFAS co-occurrence in yard waste compost. Insights gained from the distribution of PFAS in compost are valuable for improving its management and application.

PFASs used in food packaging have the potential to contaminate the environment and numerous parts of the waste stream.

We discovered a biological mechanism supporting microbial degradation of bio-based poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA) plastic in soils under ambient and future climates.

The effect of triacontanol on Cd enrichment and tolerance in T. patula and the mechanism of action are investigated using a multi-omics approach, with a focus on the leaves and roots.

We developed a mechanistic diffusion model to describe the sorption kinetics of metallic and organic contaminants on nano- and micro-plastics.

A significant correlation between the relative abundances of ARGs and MGEs in a swine farm and its surrounding environments was found.

Septic tanks (STs) are an important pathway for pharmaceuticals entering rivers.

Multiple factors in the river–lake connected system can affect the transport and transformation of arsenic (As) in sediments.

Fourteen byproducts were found in industrial-grade TBBPA chemicals and the environment near a manufacturing site, indicating the environmental effects of TBBPA transformation/degradation products and byproducts should be independently estimated.

UV and FTIR spectroscopy combined with 2DCOS reveal that the binding sequence of GA with Cr³⁺ is meta-hydroxyl groups → carboxyl groups → para-hydroxyl groups.

Monomethylmercury (MMHg) photodegradation along the land-to-ocean aquatic continuum is affected by dissolved organic matter (DOM) composition, concentration, and salinity.

Due to their binding to possibly important high/medium-molecular mass intracellular proteins, technology-critical elements, actinides and other nonessential metals could pose a risk for aquatic organisms in highly contaminated aquatic environments.

Open dumping and burning of solid waste are widely practiced in underserved communities lacking access to solid waste management facilities. The generation of microplastics from these sites has been overlooked.

Retention of metal ions onto PET microplastic fibres is expected during sewage treatment.

This study takes a multifaceted approach toward characterizing total fluorine and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in traffic and bridge paints.

The degradation reaction process and influencing factors of norfloxacin in the sodium hypochlorite and micro–nano bubble composite system.

This study examines PFAS leaching behavior from concrete contaminated by the historical use of aqueous film-forming foams at an Australian Defence site, highlighting the long-term environmental implications of contaminated infrastructure.

A survey study of Se speciation in coal fly ash samples representative of coal source and combustion conditions.

The presence of microplastics in honey samples from a native Brazilian bee varied from 0.1 to 2.6 particles per mL across urban and vegetated areas.

Glyphosate translocation in soil and plants, and its effect on waterleaf growth.

Filtration performance of do-it-yourself (DIY) box fan air filters deployed across a university campus was assessed over an academic year.

The meta-method was used to analyze the impact of soil sieving particle size on the unit stabilisation efficiency of heavy metals.

Microplastics (MPs) pollution is a major issue in aquatic environments.

Fungal communities within bioretention cells were diverse, including taxa capable of biodegrading recalcitrant contaminants, and influenced by plant type. Fungal functional genes demonstrate bioremediation potential in stormwater infrastructure.

Chemical profiling of artificial turf crumb rubber reveals time-based trends in transformation products and transport pathways.

Indoor concentrations of total PFAS were ∼3.4 times higher than outdoor concentrations and indoor-to-outdoor emission rates suggest home emissions may contribute to ambient concentrations of some PFAS away from major point sources.

Galaxolide (HHCB) is the most common synthetic musk compound detected in numerous daily products.

Atmospheric aging enhances levels of fine particulate matter from road traffic and residential heating of current exhaust emission standards.

Polyethylene mulch films (MFs) are widely employed in agricultural land to enhance crop yield and quality, but the MF residue causes significant environmental concerns.

When water accommodated fractions made from burned and unburned oil were exposed to light, burning of crude oil removes some, but not all toxic compounds, leaving behind compounds of considerable toxicity.

This study confirms encapsulation of nontreated and humic acid treated polystyrene and polyethylene microplastics into aragonite, main building block of coral skeleton.

Wavelength-dependent Φ_λ of uridine, atrazine, PNA, sulfamethoxazole, and diclofenac were determined, which can be used to characterize and model the photodegradation of chemicals of interest.

Adsorption of different organic pollutants by three microplastics before and after weathering.

Tire wear particles and nickel have detrimental effects on plant health by causing blockage and altering nutrient hemotasis, ultimately reducing plant yield.

Runoff from a destroyed town following a large wildland-urban interface wildfire transported metals into adjacent watersheds.

This study investigates the concentrations, sources, and ecological and human health risks from exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils of rural communities around gas flaring points in Delta State, Nigeria.

Co-existing silica prolongs the stability of mixed valence iron minerals like green rust and magnetite, effectively immobilizing arsenic in anoxic environments.

Biodegradation of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) in compost environment enriched with iron, and gelatin significantly enhanced microbial enzymatic activity, thus accelerating PLA degradation at mesophilic conditions (home/backyard composting setting).

In mercury-contaminated soils, mercury sulfides (HgS) occur as nanoparticles in mineral surface coatings. The coatings are composed of ferrihydrite and its replacement by goethite results in the release of the HgS nanoparticles.

Dibasic esters, indoor air pollutants emitted from furniture coatings, readily adsorb to surfaces thus initially decreasing their gas phase concentrations but then slowly desorb leading to possible long term exposure.

Methylmercury (MeHg) continues to pose a significant global health risk to wildlife and humans through fish consumption.

Microplastics, especially aged microplastics can become vectors of metals from environment to organisms with potential negative effects on food chain.

The overall abundance of microplastics in water was 3.05 ± 1.16 items per L and in sediment was 0.15 ± 0.06 items per g dw. The pollution load index and the potential ecological hazards of microplastics in most sites are at a low level.

Quantitative structure–property relationships (QSPRs) can be used for the prediction of breakthrough of chemicals from wastewater treatment plants. These QSPRs are simple, interpretable, and checked both for overfitting and chance relationships.

Estimation of dermal bioaccessibility and characterization of listed-ingredient and residual per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in cosmetic products.

This study assesses the environmental impact of the fluoropolymer industry in Europe by making an inventory of their emissions of PFASs and other fluorinated organic substances.

Removal of atrazine and glyphosate from aqueous medium.

Treated wastewater effluent is a major contributor to concentrations of many anthropogenic chemicals in the environment.

The results suggest that atmospheric transformation can significantly change the hazard properties of LCMs, emphasizing the importance of atmospheric transformation when evaluating the hazards of LCMs.

To our knowledge, this study is the first to assess the effects of surface water particle content on human norovirus decay rate constants, which will be useful parameters in fate and transport models.

Cyanobacterial extracellular substances (CES) could promote the development of ARGs. CES could change the structure of a bacterial community and enrich ARB.

Nanoplastics (NPs) have been widely detected in soil–groundwater systems.

The remediation of heavy metal contaminated environments and related mechanisms in a comprehensive manner using metal-based nanomaterials can provide a useful resource for academic as well as industrial researchers.

Saline water increases aggregation and interfacial accumulation of PFAS found in AFFF mixtures, having the potential to affect retention during transport at or near coastal contamination sites.

It is possible that cation–π interactions with heterocyclic N structures is the primary mechanism for the sorption of Pb to biochar, highlighting the importance of feedstock nitrogen content to create biochars with a high Pb sorption capacity.