Environmental context. Assessing environmental and human health impacts of chemical spills relies on information about how chemicals move across multiple environments. We measured volatile contaminants in the air above soil saturated with water to provide estimates of air concentrations of selected chemicals released to soil from an oil refinery in Texas during Hurricane Harvey. Estimated concentrations were below recommended exposure limits, even in a worst-case scenario.

Environmental context. Contamination of water resources with arsenic is a serious environmental problem requiring efficient, viable and environmentally safe As removal processes. This study reports an arsenic remediation strategy using carbon modified titanium dioxide supported on activated carbon as a photocatalyst. The study highlights a practical process for efficient remediation of As-contaminated water under natural sunlight.

Environmental context. Trace elements in coastal environments represent an environmental concern and their monitoring in sediment cores provides insight into their historical sources. A well-dated core from Kiel Bay, western Baltic Sea, provided trace element data, including lead, cadmium, rare earth elements, mercury and methyl mercury. Lead and mercury isotope ratios were useful for the apportionment of pollution sources, indicating that coal burning was a major contributor.