2023 Outstanding Papers published in the Environmental Science journals of the Royal Society of Chemistry
The Editors-in-Chief of the Environmental Science journals introduce the Outstanding Papers of 2023.
Critical Review
Analytical methodologies for oxidized organic compounds in the atmosphere
Recent findings on oxidized organic compounds in the atmosphere and analytical methodologies for their detection and quantification.
Critical Review
Lithium-ion battery recycling: a source of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the environment?
PFAS are widely used in lithium-ion batteries, which may be problematic for the rapidly growing battery recycling industry.
Particulate matter and ultrafine particles in urban air pollution and their effect on the nervous system
Pollutant particulate matter and ultrafine particles have been related to the rise of neurodegenerative diseases and other brain disorders. It is necessary to understand their potential health impacts in order to develop strategies to reduce risks.
PFAS on atmospheric aerosol particles: a review
PFAS are detected in particulate matter around the world.
Critical Review
Assessing and managing environmental hazards of polymers: historical development, science advances and policy options
Approaches to regulatory assessment and management of polymers are reviewed and opportunities for improvements are highlighted based on a critical appraisal of current science on their environmental fate and effects.
Paper
Contact with soil impacts ferrihydrite and lepidocrocite transformations during redox cycling in a paddy soil
We studied the transformation of 57Fe-labelled ferrihydrite and lepidocrocite mixed with a flooded paddy soil by using 57Fe-Mössbauer spectroscopy.
Paper
Ranking the accelerated weathering of plastic polymers
Mass loss and increases in carbonyl index proceeded more rapidly in polypropylene and low-density polyethylene than the other polymers tested.
Non-targeted identification and semi-quantitation of emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in US rainwater
Analysis of precipitation finds many emerging PFAS.
Autoxidation of glycols used in inhalable daily products: implications for the use of artificial fogs and e-cigarettes
The use of glycols is seen in various industries and occupations.
Paper
Emerging investigator series: aqueous photooxidation of live bacteria with hydroxyl radicals under cloud-like conditions: insights into the production and transformation of biological and organic matter originating from bioaerosols
In this study, we investigate what happens when live bacteria are exposed to hydroxyl radicals under cloud-like conditions.
Wildfires in the western United States are mobilizing PM2.5-associated nutrients and may be contributing to downwind cyanobacteria blooms
Wildfire activity is increasing in the continental U.S. and can be linked to climate change effects and nutrient emissions, with potential effects on downwind ecosystems.
Paper
A field-validated equilibrium passive sampler for the monitoring of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in sediment pore water and surface water
A simple equilibrium passive sampler, consisting of water in an inert container capped with a rate-limiting barrier, for the monitoring of PFAS in sediment pore water and surface water was developed and tested through a series of laboratory and field experiments.
Paper
Widespread presence of chlorinated paraffins in consumer products
Prohibited short-chain chlorinated paraffins were widely detected in indoor consumer products.
Emerging investigator series: an instrument to measure and speciate the total reactive nitrogen budget indoors: description and field measurements
A robust and quantitative instrument that measures total gas-phase reactive nitrogen (tNr) has been developed for indoor air quality surveys. It can focus on NOx, HONO, and NH3 levels indoors, from the complete tNr budget, on timescales of 5–20 min.
Influence of microbial weathering on the partitioning of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in biosolids
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of man-made fluorinated organic chemicals that can accumulate in the environment.
Formation pathways of aldehydes from heated cooking oils
We studied the mechanisms of cooking oil decomposition that lead to emission of aldehydes, an important group of air pollutants, from food cooking.
About this collection
The Environmental Science journals Outstanding Papers identifies a selection of excellent papers published in the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Environmental Science journal family, showcasing great research from across the globe. This collection of our outstanding papers in 2023 can be read here: https://rsc.li/enviro-outstanding
To celebrate more of the great papers published in Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts during 2023, we’ve gathered all shortlisted papers in this special collection.
Outstanding Papeer: Lithium-ion battery recycling: a source of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the environment?
Runner-Up Outstanding Paper: Wildfires in the western United States are mobilizing PM2.5-associated nutrients and may be contributing to downwind cyanobacteria blooms
Outstanding Review: Particulate matter and ultrafine particles in urban air pollution and their effect on the nervous system
Outstanding Emerging Investigator Series Paper: Autoxidation of glycols used in inhalable daily products: implications for the use of artificial fogs and e-cigarettes