Environmental context. In natural waters, the impact of metals on biota is modulated by their binding with ligands. Ion-exchange techniques can provide information about metal-ligand complexes in solution, which can be linked to metal bioavailability in natural waters. We investigate modelling approaches to interpreting data from ion-exchange experiments to help elucidate the contribution of a particular complex to the overall metal uptake.

Environmental context. Dimethyl disulfide, a malodorous product of decomposing organic matter, can severely compromise the quality of drinking water. We studied the abiotic decomposition of dimethyl disulfide in aqueous solutions under dark, oxygenated conditions and found that the half-life varied from thousands to hundreds of thousands of years. The results indicate that in natural aquatic systems the decomposition of dimethyl disulfide is governed by other chemical, photochemical and microbial processes.

Environmental context. The agricultural usage of neonicotinoid insecticides is a matter of environmental and human health concern, requiring assessment of human exposure. The implementation of a human exposure assessment is dependent on analytical methods to quantitatively determine neonicotinoids in human urine. We describe a simple and sensitive method suitable for monitoring human exposure to neonicotinoids and their metabolites.

Environmental context. Phosphorus is a key nutrient element associated with eutrophication in aquatic ecosystems. We studied phosphate sorption processes, which play a key role in phosphorus cycling, in sediments collected from 23 sites including estuary, coastal sea and aquaculture areas in China. The results show the influence of sediment type on phosphorus buffering capacity and allow better interpretation of phosphorus migration in aquatic ecosystems.

Environmental context. Carbonaceous aerosols are major components of atmospheric fine-particulate material. We studied the characteristics and sources of carbonaceous aerosols in the urban–rural fringe area of Taiyuan, China, and found that pollutant levels were generally higher than in similar areas of northern China, and that vehicle emissions were the dominant source. The study highlights the importance of source analysis to help control pollution from particulate matter in the ambient air.

Environmental context. Continuous anthropogenic CO₂ emissions have led to an increase in seawater acidity, potentially affecting the growth of phytoplankton and their production of the climate-moderating biogenic gas, dimethyl sulfide. Our simulation experiments showed that ocean acidification, coupled with light and temperature changes, had a significant influence on dimethyl sulfide concentrations. This research provides fundamental data for predicting the biogeochemical cycle of dimethyl sulfide under various global change scenarios.