Environmental Chemistry

Environmental context. Glyphosate is a highly effective and widely used organophosphorus pesticide, but its residues can harm the environment and human health. We report a carboxylated carbon nanotubes-graphene oxide aerogel that can efficiently remove glyphosate from water. This technology has great application prospects in dealing with water contaminated with glyphosate.

Environmental context. Denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidation (DAMO) is a new process in wastewater treatment with the potential to provide cheap and sustainable development. To better apply this technology to the large scale, we studied the response mechanism of DAMO microorganisms to ammonia, the main form of nitrogen in the nitrogenous wastewater. The results can provide a theoretical basis for the stable and efficient operation of DAMO processes.

Environmental context. Attractive interactions and subsequent contacts between nanoparticles and microorganisms are the first steps of a chain of events leading to adverse effects toward cells. We show that the electrophoretic response of complex mixtures of engineered nanoparticles and bacteria reflects initial nanoparticle-mediated cell surface damage. The technique is a promising option for rapid detection of deleterious actions of nanoparticles on biological cells.

Environmental context. Antibiotic residues released to the environment could influence the selection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and hence their spread within the aquatic environment. We report a multi-method approach for determining 47 antibiotics in wastewater, surface water, drinking water and groundwater. The method provides a rapid screening of water samples for common antibiotics that have the potential to alter natural bacterial populations.

Environmental context. Antimony is classified as a priority pollutant and is increasingly detected in the environment as a result of various anthropogenic activities. Natural secondary iron minerals are important sinks for many toxic elements. We found that antimony promotes structural transformations in secondary iron minerals, and that antimony is then further immobilised by the newly formed iron mineral phases.

Environmental context. The release of antimony and its compounds to the environment can present a toxic hazard for humans. We evaluated the use of birnessite to dissolve antimony trioxide and found that birnessite accelerated the dissolution process, and ~50 % of the oxidised antimony was absorbed. The results can help evaluate the bioavailability of antimony in the environment.

Environmental context. The fresh pleasant smell of laundry dried outside in sunlight is recognised by most people, but despite decades of speculation the origin of the smell has not been demonstrated. We show that the smell of line-dried laundry is due to the unique combination of traces of atmospheric hydrocarbons, sunlight and a wet fabric surface. This surface photochemistry is likely to be widespread in the environment on surfaces of natural materials.

Environmental context. Aromatic compounds are major organic pollutants that are hard to clean up by either adsorption or biological treatment processes. We synthesised Cu-doped Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles and showed that they efficiently degrade various aromatic compounds with H₂O₂ under mild conditions. This active and stabile heterogeneous Fenton-like catalyst has the potential for various environmental applications.

Environmental context. The detailed mechanism of hydrolysis of gas-phase ketene to form acetic acid is critical for understanding the formation of certain atmospheric contaminants. This study explores the effect of nitric acid and water on the hydrolysis of ketene in the atmosphere. The calculated results show that nitric acid is an effective catalyst in the hydrolysis of ketene to form acetic acid in atmospheric water-restricted environments.

Environmental context. The behaviour of herbicides in the environment is largely determined by the partitioning of the compounds between soil solids and soil solution. We determined that the rice herbicide-metabolite benzobicyclon hydrolysate partitions more into soil solution, and does so increasingly as pH increases. These results indicate that benzobicyclon hydrolysate is a risk for leaching in much of the rice-producing area in the US mid-South.

Environmental context. The fate of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in aqueous systems could be influenced by the hydrophobicity of natural organic matter. We observed that the aggregation and dissolution of oppositely charged AgNPs were controlled by the selectivity and dynamics of sorption processes involving the nanoparticle surface and hydrophobic groups on natural organic matter. These findings will be helpful to understand the fate and effects of coated AgNPs in natural systems.

Environmental context. Safeguarding the quality of residential indoor air depends on exposure assessment of potential contaminants. Using online survey responses from households in Korea, and focusing on those households containing preschoolers, we created a database of exposure, characterising household insecticide usage patterns. Evaluating the combined inhalation exposure to insecticides available in retail markets will support efforts to improve residential indoor air quality and the health and safety of all inhabitants.

Environmental context. The quality of drinking water can be greatly compromised by the presence of dimethyl polysulfides. We studied the rate and mechanism of decomposition of dimethyl polysulfides in aqueous solution under solar irradiation, and found that they decompose photochemically in seconds to minutes, i.e. much faster than under dark conditions. These results suggest that photochemical pathways of dimethyl polysulfide decomposition may prevail in euphotic zones of natural aquatic systems.

Environmental context. The toxicity of copper to aquatic life is highly dependent on its chemical form. In the vineyards of the Loire valley, mixtures of copper compounds are increasingly being used as fungicides. Our study investigating the origin and behaviour of dissolved copper on the land-sea continuum of the Loire advances our understanding of the chemical forms and fate of copper in estuarine systems.

Environmental context. Although arsenic-containing lipids are widespread in marine environments, their origin remains unknown. We show that the arsenolipids in a filter-feeding bivalve mollusc closely match those found in marine food sources, including unicellular algae and bacteria. The results demonstrate the role of lower trophic levels in determining the forms of arsenic found in higher organisms.

Environmental context. Natural organic matter exerts a powerful control on chemical conditions in waters and soils, affecting pH and influencing the biological availability, transport and retention of metals. Modelling can help to predict these effects, but for many metals, model parameters are missing. We report parameters for four technology-critical elements in a chemical speciation model, and consider the chemistries of the elements in natural waters.

Environmental context. Although ruthenium is a technology-critical element used in several new industries, little is known about its environmental impact or possible human health risks. We report a toxicological evaluation of laboratory animals during co-exposure to ruthenium and silver. We identified interactions between the two elements that could lead to unwanted biological effects.

Environmental context. The origin of organic matter at Earth’s continental surface can be either terrestrial or microbial, and its precise composition can influence its reactivity towards metals. We investigated the potential of rare earth elements to fingerprint the origin of various organic matters through their reactivity and composition. The rare earth element patterns can be useful tools to determine the reactivity and also pristine source of natural organic matter.

Environmental context. Emerging contaminants such as platinum are continuously released into aquatic environments. Analytical challenges, however, have restricted information on their geochemical cycles. We examine the potential use of platinum as a tracer of anthropogenic inputs in a model industrial/urban site (Genoa Harbor, Italy), and provide a first estimate of dissolved platinum baseline concentrations in the northern Mediterranean coast.

Environmental context. Lead is a toxic trace element, widely distributed in the Arctic environment as the result of both natural and anthropogenic processes. High-precision measurements of lead’s isotopic composition are used to distinguish the possible sources and track the transport pathways of this toxic metal. These measurements can provide unique global information on the history and status of lead contamination.

Environmental context. Among chemical elements classified as elements of strategic importance, tellurium is rapidly becoming an emergent contaminant. There is, however, no accurate and sensitive method for measuring tellurium concentrations in environmental and geological samples (e.g., soils, sediments), and thus it is not possible to determine whether an ecosystem is being polluted by human activities. This study provides a reliable answer to this problem.

Environmental context. Obtaining biodegradation data over time can be difficult, especially when dealing with environmental compartments of increasing complexity. We evaluated the possibility of obtaining a full biodegradation depletion curve from a single biodegradation-time experimental measurement, and found that environmental information related to potential chemical persistence can be derived. The applicability of this ‘single-data’ strategy is illustrated using simulated and experimental data for several compounds.

Environmental context. Rare earth elements (REEs) are strategic metals and emerging contaminants for which plant-based remediation measures are needed. We screened a collection of hardy ferns and identified new accumulator species that preferentially transferred light REEs to their fronds. This study is an important step towards understanding the mechanisms of REE accumulation in plants.

Environmental context. Following stringent regulations, based on environmental health concerns, for controlling the production and usage of bisphenol A, several analogues have been developed as replacement chemicals. These analogues are now found in environmental samples at similar or even higher concentrations than bisphenol A. We report a sensitive and easy-to-perform analytical method for the determination of 11 bisphenols in vegetables.

Environmental context. Antimony is found at high concentrations in airborne particulate matter in urban cities. Contaminants that enter humans through the breathing of fine particulate matter are released directly into the blood after overcoming the first barrier of the immune system including macrophages. We investigated the effects of antimony on the inflammatory response in macrophages and its potentially harmful effects.

Environmental context. Antimony pollution has become a global issue given its wide distribution in the environment and its potential threat to human health. This large population-based study demonstrated that exposure to high levels of antimony may impair liver function in adults. The study highlights the potential hazard to liver function of antimony exposure, and provides convincing evidence of the need to monitor and control antimony exposure in the prevention of liver dysfunction.

Environmental context. Indium is a metal increasingly used in high-technology industries, creating a demand for efficient recycling technology. We investigated extraction of indium from waste using a subcritical water extraction with organic acids. Compared with conventional methods employing concentrated mineral acids, the new method is less corrosive, more efficient and required shorter extraction times.

Environmental context. Technology-critical elements, widely used in modern industry, are found in the environment as a result of both anthropogenic usage and natural sources. This review describes current knowledge on the transport of technology-critical elements in sand, soils and aquifer environments. The chemical compositions of the soils and groundwaters influence the transport of technology-critical elements, and natural colloids increase their mobility.

Environmental context. Estuaries play an important role in global carbon cycling in terms of transforming dissolved organic matter (DOM). We describe the molecular composition and spatial distribution of DOM in the Pearl River Estuary, an area severely impacted by anthropogenic activities, and show how DOM composition gradually changes with salinity. The results will help our understanding of the sources and transformations of anthropogenic DOM discharged to the coastal seas.

Environmental context. Natural weathering of rocks may release technology critical elements (TCEs) to the environment, and anthropogenic activities can noticeably increase TCE release rates. We investigated acid mine drainage outflows from an underground sulfide mine in south-west Spain, reporting TCE concentrations orders of magnitude higher than those observed in natural waters. The findings improve our knowledge on mobility of TCEs in different geological settings.

Environmental context. The fundamental basis for the high flexibility of humic substances is still unclear, though it is crucial for the understanding of metal bioavailability and toxicity in soil and aqueous environments. We show at the molecular level how characteristics of organic matter affect metal binding depending on the environmental conditions. Such understanding will help in the modulation of metal availability in soil and water in changing environmental situations.

Environmental context. Antimony (Sb) contamination from mining is an emergent environmental issue, and there is an urgent need for the development of effective water treatment technology. This study reports a complete Sb remediation strategy using granular titanium dioxide as the adsorbent, and describes adsorbent manufacture, Sb adsorptive removal and regeneration of the adsorbent. The findings highlight a practical way for on-site remediation of Sb-contaminated water.

Environmental context. Platinum concentrations in natural waters such as oceans, rivers and lakes are extremely low, hindering studies of Pt distributions and biogeochemical cycles. An improved electrochemical method was used to reliably determine Pt in estuarine conditions at trace concentrations. Platinum displayed a near-conservative behaviour along the salinity gradient of the estuary, with about 90 % remaining in the dissolved form.

Environmental context. Antimony is a metalloid occurring at overall low concentrations in the Earth’s crust. Owing to anthropogenic activities, however, antimony can be found at elevated and detrimental levels in some environments. We report eco-toxicological effects of antimony in biological models, results from which can help predict antimony’s ecological and environmental impact.

Environmental context. Rare earth element profiles of foodstuffs reflect both the soil fingerprint and the specific agricultural practice for a certain location. This review describes the advantages and limitations of using rare earth elements as markers for geographical discrimination as a function of food matrix. The technique has great potential for establishing the geographical origin of foodstuffs.

Environmental context. Despite thallium’s high toxicity, water solubility and bioaccumulation tendency, its ecotoxicological relevance is largely unknown. We investigated thallium concentrations in fish, amphipods and parasitic worms from a karst freshwater ecosystem, and estimated total and cytosolic thallium concentrations in intestine of fish from the karst and lowland rivers impacted by wastewater inflow. The study provides the first data on dietary thallium accumulation in the intestine of freshwater fishes.