Themed collection Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts: Recent Review Articles

This article emphasizes the crucial role of metrology, the science of measurement, in modern life.

Based on the reciprocity principle, this study evaluated the release and accumulation kinetics of microplastics from films, by developing an empirical model that linked the degradation performance of films under light with their molecular structure.

The state of the art of existing/published work in the prediction of environmental degradation of pesticides by EC-MS/EC-LC-MS coupling was reviewed. Ways to improve EC-MS techniques in the prediction of environmental degradation were proposed.

This review provides valuable insights into environmental contamination caused by petroleum hydrocarbons and contributes to the development of effective remediation strategies.

Lead (Pb) has been used in human civilization for centuries, but the quantity and source of Pb pollution released into the environment varies spatially and temporally. Ice cores and snowpits are an excellent record of past Pb use.

This paper focuses on the fate, degradation mechanisms and toxic effects of the neonicotinoid insecticide sulfentrazone in the environment.

Microcontaminants and microplastics are released at every stage of production and use and end up in wastewater treatment plants and eventually in surface waters.

An overview of the photodegradation of psychotropic drugs in the aquatic environment.

The nano-self-assembly of natural organic matter (NOM) profoundly influences the occurrence and fate of NOM and pollutants in large-scale complex environments.

This work introduces the reader to machine learning principles and highlights its usage in examining microplastics in soil samples.

The review highlights advanced removal strategies and their impacts on soil algae and nematodes, addressing plasticizer pollution comprehensively.

The critical review scrutinizes some of the public statements on fluorinated gases and gives a detailed overview of the available alternatives to fluorinated gases used as refrigerants.

This review focuses on the impact of cell types and other experimental factors such as exposure duration, dose, chemical composition, and atmospheric processing of PM, on the results of cell-based assays.

Optical surrogates are used to characterize dissolved organic matter composition like aromaticity and molecular weight. We both review the genesis of surrogate-composition relationships and critically evaluate additional supporting evidence.

The Galician rías (NW Iberia, Spain) are responsible for most of the national shellfish production. This is the first review of red tides in that area including an historical overview, social challenges and proposals for improving their monitoring.

Effective remediation of a range of Difficult-to-Measure Radionuclides (DTMRs) in groundwater is needed to meet nuclear site end-state targets. This paper reviews recent developments in remediation of problem DTMRs, focusing on on-site application.

Deepwater Horizon oil was exposed to sunlight in the Gulf of Mexico, changing its composition and behavior.

Electrochemically active microorganisms (EAMs) play an important role in the fields of environment and energy.

There is limited data on perfluorinated PFAS, with PFOS and PFOA dominating the research field. Laboratory studies with these two compounds demonstrate potential biodegradation and bioadsorption, but also show negative impacts on the performance of AS and AGS after long-term exposure.

CPs are extensively existed in human samples with increased M/S ratio. Dietary intake is the main source. The reported upper bound of EDIs may be close or exceed TDIs, thus further risk assessments are required.

Recent findings on oxidized organic compounds in the atmosphere and analytical methodologies for their detection and quantification.

PFAS are widely used in lithium-ion batteries, which may be problematic for the rapidly growing battery recycling industry.

The reaction mechanism on the right is realized in device 6 and the performance of the particle electrode is improved by the bimetallic load. The efficient removal of VOCs is achieved by the overall 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.

Solid-phase extraction is potentially a safe alternative to in-field dissolved Hg sampling, particularly in challenging environments.

Overview of vermicomposting and its prevailing research gaps.

The contextualization of macroplastics in a budget framework can help to improve our understanding of the physical processes determining macroplastic behaviour and impacts in rivers. Hence, better management practices can be adopted.

A comprehensive review was performed on the environmental fate, environmental occurrence, toxicity, physical–chemical properties, abiotic and biotic removal and degradation of phthalate esters (PAEs) to compute the overall phthalate exposure and their impact on human beings.

Considering the explosive growth of the list of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), the scientific community is combatting increasing challenges to protect humans and wildlife from the potentially negative consequences of POPs.

Increased production and use of plastics has resulted in growth in the amount of plastic debris accumulating in the environment, potentially fragmenting into smaller pieces.

The fate of plastic in the ocean is influenced by physical, chemical and biological stressors. These cause fragemntation and the formation of micro and nanoplastics but also degradation of plastics.

Modern agricultural practices have triggered the process of agricultural pollution.

Drinking water consumption results in exposure to complex mixtures of organic chemicals, including natural and anthropogenic chemicals and compounds formed during drinking water treatment such as disinfection by-products.