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Environmental Chemistry

Environmental Chemistry

Environmental Chemistry publishes papers reporting chemistry that enhances our understanding of the natural and engineered environment (including indoor and outdoor air, water, soil, sediments, and biota). Read more about the journal

Editor-in-Chief: Jamie Lead

Publishing Model: Hybrid. Open Access options available.

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Latest

These articles are the latest published in the journal. Environmental Chemistry is published under a continuous publication model. More information is available on our Continuous Publication page.

Published online 15 May 2025

EN23031Historical (1850–1995) nitrogen changes in UK catchments recorded by lake sediment δ15N

Simon David Turner 0000-0001-8692-8210, Neil Rose 0000-0002-5697-7334, John Boyle, Gavin Simpson and Elizabeth Gardner
 

Environmental context. Unprecedented modification of the global nitrogen cycle by human activity is strongly imprinted in UK lakes by the changing abundance of nitrogen isotopes found in layers of lake sediment. UK lakes in the last century have responded to this change depending on their location, particularly if they are remote and occur above ~300-m altitude. Historical sediment nitrogen isotope data illustrate the impact of variable N sources on UK lakes, from fossil fuel combustion, synthetic fertilisers, to land use change and wastewater.

This article belongs to the collection: Dedication to Prof. Edward Tipping.

EN23031 Abstract  | PDF (2.6 MB) - $35.00   | EN23031Supplementary Material (846 KB)
Published online 14 May 2025

EN24098Precipitation Isotopes New Zealand (PINZ): improvements in precipitation isoscapes with machine learning

A. F. Hill 0000-0003-4089-5147, A. McKenzie, B. D. Dudley and D. B. Nelson
 

Representative monthly precipitation isoscape for New Zealand (δ18O for October 2023 shown).

Environmental context. Stable water isotopes δ18O and δ2H in atmospheric precipitation are valuable hydrologic tracers with varied applications, but measuring them over large scales is impractical. Precipitation isotope models (isoscapes) are instead needed to predict isotopes through space and time. Precipitation isotopes are affected by numerous variables ranging from orographic effects to phase changes to moisture mass origin, making them challenging to predict in complex geographies such as New Zealand. Improving data density together with recent advances in modelling approaches hold promise for improving accuracy of precipitation isoscapes in New Zealand and similar locations. (Image credit: Alice Hill.)

EN24098 Abstract  |  EN24098 Full Text  | EN24098PDF (1.7 MB)  | EN24098Supplementary Material (2.1 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 17 April 2025

EN24054Aqueous lead speciation determined using DNAzyme GR5

Gaganprit K. Gill, Juewen Liu, Heather M. Gaebler, Ian Hamilton and D. Scott Smith 0000-0002-3075-4087
 

Schematic representation of the Pb species induced cleavage reaction of DNAzyme GR5.

Environmental context. The on-site and real-time detection of metal ions is important for environmental monitoring and risk assessment. For appropriate management decisions, it is necessary to specifically sense the labile fraction of metal rather than total metal. This study provides a proof-of-principle that the DNAzyme GR5 can be used to sense labile lead in natural waters containing dissolved organic matter. (Image credit: D. Scott Smith.)

EN24054 Abstract  | PDF (1.9 MB) - $35.00   | EN24054Supplementary Material (590 KB)
Published online 24 March 2025

EN24083Bioindicators for monitoring atmospheric perfluorinated compounds: review of occurrences, transport, fate and analytical protocols

Nnanake-Abasi O. Offiong 0000-0003-4692-7891, Imeh J. Okop, Solomon E. Shaibu, Edidiong S. Akwaowo, Akwaowo I. Inyangudoh, Nnamso D. Ibuotenang, Idongesit A. Victor, George A. Robert, Timilehin A. Adegboyega and Nsikak U. Benson
 

Environmental context: Perfluorinated compounds are emerging organic contaminants recently detected in various environmental matrices and remain largely unregulated. Among these matrices, air is the least studied one due to analytical challenges. This review explores emerging trends in analysing perfluorinated compounds in air with the use of bioindicators and highlights future research needs to address existing gaps in detection and monitoring.

EN24083 Abstract  |  EN24083 Full Text  | EN24083PDF (2.2 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 20 March 2025

EN24093Altitudinal variations and local emission contributions to black carbon and ion deposition on Tibetan Plateau glaciers

Yixi Liu 0009-0009-0508-8199, Chao Zhang, Fangping Yan, Pengling Wang and Chaoliu Li
 

Pictorial representation of the glaciers studied and their proximity and routes of exposure to pollutants.

Environmental context. Impurities deposited on glaciers can significantly accelerate their melting. This study investigated the spatial variability of concentrations of impurities across three glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau, revealing a pronounced concentration increase with decreasing altitude and the influence of local emissions. To accurately evaluate the potential for glacier melt, it is necessary to account for local emissions and altitude-dependent variations of impurities in individual glaciers. (Image credit: Yixi Liu)

EN24093 Abstract  |  EN24093 Full Text  | EN24093PDF (1.5 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 31 January 2025

EN24041Solubility and dissolution kinetics of particle-bound metals in a surrogate lung fluid

Sara D’Aronco, Valerio Di Marco, Alberto Gambalunga, Federica Chiara, Andrea Trevisan and Chiara Giorio 0000-0001-7821-7398
 

An illustration of aerosol transportation from the environment into the epithelial lining fluid where it can be partly solubilised.

Environmental context. Metals in airborne particles can interact with lung fluids once particles are inhaled. Water solubility of particle-bound metals is often used to define their bioavailability. We show that particle-bound metals exhibit a complex dissolution kinetics in a surrogate lung fluid, their solubility and dissolution kinetics are driven by the fluid composition, and only to a minor extent by atmospheric aqueous phase processing of aerosols. (Image credit: Francesco Battaglia and Chiara Giorio.)

This article belongs to the collection: Dedication to Roy Harrison.

EN24041 Abstract  | PDF (1.3 MB) - $35.00   | EN24041Supplementary Material (385 KB)
Published online 28 January 2025

EN24088Mercury patterns in lakes within a natural hotspot in the Southern Volcanic Zone of the Andes (Nahuel Huapi National Park, Patagonia, South America)

Carolina Soto Cárdenas 0000-0001-5886-7780, Zaida Fernandez, Marina Arcagni, Andrea Rizzo and María C. Diéguez 0000-0002-8241-3719
 

Movement of dissolved organic matter and mercury in wet and dry seasons for a shallow (left) and a deep (right) connected lakes of Andean Patagonia.

Environmental context. The pristine oligotrophic lakes of Andean Patagonia are influenced by volcanic eruptions and atmospheric deposition. This study focuses on mercury (Hg) dynamics in two connected lakes in a natural Hg hotspot of the southern Andes. The lake waters have low dissolved organic carbon and moderate to high Hg concentrations, resulting in high Hg availability. These promote Hg binding to natural particulates, thereby favouring its incorporation into food webs. (Image credit: Carolina Soto Cárdenas)

This article belongs to the collection: Mercury in the environment.

EN24088 Abstract  | PDF (2.5 MB) - $35.00   | EN24088Supplementary Material (544 KB)
Published online 22 January 2025

EN24089Mercury wet deposition in the urban and industrialised region of Campinas, south-east Brazil

Amauris Hechavarria-Hernandez, José Lucas Martins Viana and Anne Hélène Fostier 0000-0002-6250-7419
 

A scheme depicting mercury wet deposition and analysis.

Environmental context. Wet deposition is a primary mechanism for transferring atmospheric mercury (Hg) to the Earth’s surface. In Brazil, as well as in the rest of the Southern Hemisphere, only limited data on wet Hg deposition are available. This article addresses this gap by providing a comprehensive dataset from nearly 2 years of monitoring, focusing on mercury concentrations in rainwater and wet Hg deposition in Campinas, one of the largest industrial and populated regions in São Paulo state (south-east Brazil). (Image credit: José L. M. Viana.)

This article belongs to the collection: Mercury in the environment.

EN24089 Abstract  | PDF (1.5 MB) - $35.00   | EN24089Supplementary Material (242 KB)
Published online 20 January 2025

EN24060Influence of the external N and P inputs on nutrients in the coastal area of Xiamen, China

Siying Dai, Jiehua Hu, Shanshan Wang 0000-0002-4712-2238, Siming Huang, Rong Tian, Shuhui Zhao, Yang Luo, Xiaoke Zhang, Xia Sun and Jinpei Yan
 

Bar charts (left) related to annual nutrients fluctuation and a scheme (right) depicting nutrients circulation in the environment.

Environmental context. Nutrients from external sources are related to critical ecological issues in coastal seawater. We investigated the nearshore nutrient concentrations and their sources in Xiamen Bay, China during 2013–2018. Our results provide support for the need to control sources of nearshore nutrient pollution. (Image credit: Siying Dai.)

EN24060 Abstract  | PDF (3.3 MB) - $35.00   | EN24060Supplementary Material (982 KB)
Published online 13 January 2025

EN24087Mercury in an Australian sclerophyll Eucalyptus forest and emissions from fuel reduction prescribed burning

James R. Taylor 0009-0008-0567-0798, Larissa Schneider 0000-0001-5276-2531, Anne-Helene Fostier 0000-0002-6250-7419, Heather Keith 0000-0001-5956-7261, Fei Cao, Peter Davies, Geoffrey J. Cary, Simon G. Haberle and Susan Lawrence
 

A labelled diagram of a sclerophyll Eucalyptus forest on fire releasing mercury into the atmosphere.

Environmental context. Understanding how mercury cycles through the environment is crucial for protecting ecosystems and human health. Our study is among the first to measure mercury concentrations in Eucalyptus forest soils and litter, and estimate emissions from prescribed burns, addressing a significant gap in current knowledge. These new data enhance our understanding of mercury cycling in Australia and contribute to the global information on the biogeochemical cycle of mercury. (Image credit: Larissa Schneider)

This article belongs to the collection: Mercury in the environment.

EN24087 Abstract  |  EN24087 Full Text  | EN24087PDF (2.3 MB)  | EN24087Supplementary Material (260 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 20 December 2024

EN24065Assessment of mercury bioaccumulation in a tropical elasmobranch assemblage

Andréia S. Campos 0009-0000-3085-1904, Moisés F. Bezerra, Victor L. Moura, Vicente V. Faria, Carlos E. Rezende, Wanderley R. Bastos, Iuri Aparecida S. Oliveira and Luiz D. Lacerda
 

Composite picture showing silhouettes of elasmobranchs and two graphs correlating increased Hg presence with length of subject.

Environmental context. Mercury (Hg) is a non-essential metal that can accumulate in aquatic biota, including top predators such as elasmobranchs (sharks and rays), and biomagnifying along the trophic web. This study provides data on Hg total, methylmercury (MeHg) and stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) for 13 elasmobranch taxa in the Equatorial Western Atlantic Ocean, relating biological and ecological properties with Hg concentrations and the estimated human consumption risk. (Image credit: Andréia dos Santos Campos.)

This article belongs to the collection: Mercury in the environment.

EN24065 Abstract  | PDF (2.2 MB) - $35.00   | EN24065Supplementary Material (557 KB)
Published online 13 December 2024

EN24057Characterisation and source apportionment of chemical components in fine particulate matter from atmosphere in two districts of Lanzhou City

Qin Cui 0009-0007-9328-5541, Jianyun Sun, Yufang Fan and Yongjun Li
 

Two pie charts detailing pollution sources for Chengguan (left) and Xigu (right) districts.

Environmental context. Exploring the characterisation and sources of the chemical composition of fine particulate matter in the atmosphere is critical to human health. Dust, primarily from soil, is the main source of atmospheric fine particulate matter in Chengguan and Xigu Districts of Lanzhou City, Gansu Province, rather than other causes. This provides directions and ideas for future local ecological environment and pollution management. (Image credit: Qin Cui.)

This article belongs to the collection: Dedication to Roy Harrison.

EN24057 Abstract  |  EN24057 Full Text  | EN24057PDF (1.9 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 12 December 2024

EN23131Daphnia reproductive impacts following chronic exposure to micro- and nano-scale particles from three types of rubber

Brittany E. Cunningham 0000-0002-2164-9402, Bryan J. Harper, Susanne M. Brander and Stacey L. Harper
 

Schematic showing the testing of Daphnia with different types of rubber.

Environmental context. Tyre rubber particles, from both driving and reuse of tyre rubber, are pollutants that carry toxic chemicals into the environment. We investigated the long-term effects that these particles have on small aquatic organisms and found that they drastically reduce their ability to reproduce. Continued exposure of aquatic invertebrates to tyre-related pollutants, has the potential to affect the population by inhibiting reproduction into future generations. (Image credit: Brittany Cunningham.)

This article belongs to the collection: Tyre road wear particles – chemistry and impacts.

EN23131 Abstract  |  EN23131 Full Text  | EN23131PDF (1.3 MB)  | EN23131Supplementary Material (1.1 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 29 November 2024

EN24096From chemistry to culture: the need for an integrated approach to mercury research and policy making

Larissa Schneider 0000-0001-5276-2531 and Saul Guerrero
 

Environmental context. Mercury (Hg) has been extensively used throughout human history, leaving a persistent environmental legacy that continues to present challenges for pollution management and public health. This highlight focuses on the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to enhance our knowledge of mercury’s historical uses and emissions, supporting more effective strategies to address its environmental and societal impacts.

This article belongs to the collection: Mercury in the environment.

EN24096 Abstract  |  EN24096 Full Text  | EN24096PDF (1.3 MB)   Open Access Article

Just Accepted

These articles have been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. They are still in production and have not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

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Collections

Collections are a curation of articles relevant to a topical research area

Mercury in the environment

Mercury remains a contaminant of environmental concern, largely as a consequence of historical activities. By its nature, the assessment of the distribution, behaviour and impacts of mercury on aquatic, terrestrial and atmospheric environments requires a multidisciplinary approach, primarily based on environmental chemistry, but supplemented with expertise in ecotoxicology, ecology and archaeology.

In Australia, an active group of researchers came together in 2020, under the umbrella of Mercury Australia (https://www.mercury-australia.com.au) to share information on the historical and contemporary uses and impacts of mercury on the environment and human health. Members are strongly networked to other international researchers, in particular, those in the Southern Hemisphere. Mercury Australia holds bi-annual symposia at which latest research is presented.

This special issue contains six papers representing the state-of-the-art in mercury investigations, largely originating from a symposium held in Canberra in July 2023.

Guest Editors:
Graeme Batley - Adjunct Fellow, Macquarie University, Australia
Larissa Schneider - Associate Professor, The Australian National University, Australia

Last Updated: 27 Mar 2025

Dedication to Roy Harrison

This collection brings together a series of papers dedicated to Prof. Roy Harrison.

Last Updated: 31 Jan 2025

Tyre road wear particles – chemistry and impacts

This collection addresses the environmental chemistry of tyre wear particles and their associated chemicals, ranging in particle size fractions and composition, chemical additives and environmental transformation products, which is applied to improve the understanding of their environmental impact.

Last Updated: 12 Dec 2024

NAMs in Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology

This collection brings together papers on new approach methodologies (NAMs) that focus on translational NAM advances and their application within an environmental context.

Last Updated: 24 Jun 2024

Element Biogeochemistry and Human Health

In keeping with the ICOBTE 2019 conference theme, 'Biogeochemistry of trace elements for improved environmental sustainability and human health', we are pleased to present this collection containing a selection of recently published papers focusing on various aspects of trace element biogeochemistry and human health.

Last Updated: 03 Apr 2019

Organosulfates in the Atmosphere

This collection of Environmental Chemistry brings together papers reporting the detection and quantification of organosulfates in various atmospheric environments across the world, and thereby produces new insights into the atmospheric chemistry of organosulfates.

Last Updated: 21 Mar 2019

Environmental Chemistry Showcase 2014–2015

Environmental Chemistry is proud to present this collection featuring highlight articles published during 2014 and 2015 and covering a wide range of topics.

Last Updated: 16 Jun 2016

Environmental Chemistry – Highlights from 2012

This collection is but a small representation of subjects representing the broad scope of Environmental Chemistry, including Surface Ocean-Lower Atmosphere science (SOLAS); atmospheric aerosol chemistry; arsenic binding and microbial sulfate reduction; size fractionation and mercury speciation; diffusion of nanoparticles in biofilms; and organic phosphorus in aquatic systems.

Last Updated: 20 Mar 2014

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