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Studies on the distribution characteristics and environmental relevance of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in waterbird feathers are scarce. In the present study, the concentrations of twenty-three PFAS in the remiges, coverts, body, down, and tail feathers of three common species of Ardeidae (little egret, grey heron, and Chinese pond-heron) in Poyang Lake were investigated. The total PFAS concentrations in the pinna and scapus were 38 – 42 ng/g dry weight (dw) and 21 – 38 ng/g dw, respectively; long-chain C9–14 perfluorocarboxylic acids were abundant in all feathers. Most PFAS accumulated in the pinna; however, perfluorohexane sulfonic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonamide were predominant in the scapus. The PFAS concentrations were higher in the tail and flight feathers than in the cover and body feathers. Furthermore, the concentrations of PFAS in waterbird feathers were comparable with those in fish and higher than those in benthic invertebrates, all of which originated from Poyang Lake. The PFAS profiles in feathers were significantly and positively correlated with those in fish (r > 0.71) and benthos (r > 0.43). These results suggest that waterbird feather is a suitable biomonitor of PFAS contamination in regional freshwater ecosystems.

An improved understanding of the distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in PFAS-impacted concrete is important for risk management and decontamination of PFAS. This study incorporates µ-X-ray fluorescence (µ-XRF) and fluorine K-edge µ-X-ray absorption near-edge structure (µ-XANES) spectroscopy to gain non-destructive insights into PFAS distribution in the impacted concrete. The μ-XRF and μ-XANES spectroscopy provided additional details on the detection of PFAS, which were not detected by the desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) imaging method conducted previously. The shorter chain PFAS were found on the top part of the concrete core (0.5 cm), and longer chain PFAS were mostly at the bottom part of the concrete core (5 cm). The inorganic fluorine fraction was also detected, and it likely hampered the detection of organic fluorine such as PFAS in the concrete. Thus, this non-destructive technique is an complementary approach to detect PFAS in contaminated concrete.

Microplastics (MPs) have received great concern in recent years, and whether the bacteria carried by traveling MPs would cause ecological risks is a hot topic for debate. The colonized bacteria (i.e., hitchhikers) on traveling MPs which become invasive species in the new environment, need to be completed in three steps: arriving, falling, and growing. However, most previous studies only focused on the first step, which we think is insufficient to discuss species invasion. Thus, in this frontier review, we reviewed the progress of the current research on the uniqueness of bacterial communities on MPs, and we summarized that the uniqueness of the plastisphere was not as high as previously thought. Moreover, we explained why the three steps were necessary to complete the bacterial species invasion. Furthermore, we analyzed the technical difficulties hindering discussing MPs as invasive species carriers, as well as the perspectives in future research. Therefore, this frontier review presents new insights into the role of MPs as bacterial carriers, and suggests study directions for future research.

Isopthalamide based probe DPI has been synthesized by an easy two-step substitution reaction. Unique fluorescence properties of probe DPI were exploited for sensing of CNˉ and chloroform. Various spectroscopic techniques such as NMR, LC-MS, SEM, DLS, UV-Vis. and fluorescence spectroscopy in combination with DFT studies were used to confirm efficient detection of CN‾ through a non-covalent interaction of cyanide with probe. Furthermore, probe showed fluorescence emission at 360 nm which shifted significantly to 415 nm upon addition of water exhibiting unique AIE characteristics and formation of desired J-aggregates. Mechanistically, CN‾ and chloroform were selectively detected through fluorescence quenching with 9 nM and 0.2 % v/v limit of detection (LOD), respectively. Photoinduced electron transfer (PET) was proven to be involved as a sensing mechanism. Moreover, DPI exhibited interesting solvatochromism properties. DPI was proven to be a highly sensitive probe which showed solid-state and vapor phase on-field detection of CN‾. Similar sensing behavior of DPI probe towards CN‾ was seen in food and water samples.

This study investigated the relationship between MiPs, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and water quality in the Red River Delta. MiPs were collected from water samples at four locations: Hanoi, Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, and Cat Ba Island. Bacteria isolated from MiPs and the surrounding water were analyzed for β-lactamase genes. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polytridecanolactone (PTDL) exhibited notable correlations with coefficients with microbial abundance on MiPs. Aeromonas (99.2 % of all isolates) were the most common bacteria isolated from MiPs, with a fewer Escherichia coli (0.83 %). Of 207 bacterial strains isolated from microplastic, 23 (~11 % of total) were found to carry antibiotic resistance genes, mostly blaTEM (13/23; 56.5 %), blaSHV (9/23; 39.1 %) and blaCTXM-9 (1/23; 4.3 %). All seven environmental factors measured were found to affect the distribution of ARGs and ARBs on MiP surfaces. Chlorophyll-a showed a strong positive correlation with ARB abundance, suggesting a potential link between primary productivity and bacterial colonization. This study is one of the first to report the association of MPs with antibiotic-resistant microbiota and genes. The presence of ARGs on MiPs in areas with high human population highlights the need for effective pollution management strategies to mitigate the risks associated with AMR.

Our study investigates the interactions between nanoscale Metal-Organic Frameworks (nMOFs), specifically ZIF-8 and CuIm, and key enzymes: Acetylcholine Esterase (AChE), α-amylase. Using circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, we observed significant alterations in the secondary structures of these enzymes upon interaction with nMOFs. AChE showed a reduction in α-helix content from 20.1 % to a significantly lower value when exposed to 160 µg/mL of nMOFs, with a corresponding increase in β-sheet and other structural components. Enzymatic activity assays revealed that CuIm nMOFs decreased AChE activity by 67.08 % at the highest concentration tested (160 µg/mL). ZIF-8 also affected AChE activity significantly at this concentration. Similarly, α-amylase exhibited structural changes, with increasing concentrations of nMOFs leading to a near-total loss of secondary structure at 80 and 160 µg/mL. These structural changes were accompanied by a marked decrease in enzymatic activity, particularly with CuIm nMOFs showing the most substantial inhibitory effects. Our findings highlight the profound impact of nMOFs on enzyme structures and functions, emphasising the need for comprehensive assessments of nMOFs' potential toxicity and understanding the aspects of their safety-by-design.

This study investigates the efficacy of activated carbon derived from coconut shells for the removal of Triclosan (TCS) from aqueous solutions. Experimental results demonstrate the impressive efficiency of coconut shell-derived activated carbon in eliminating TCS from water. Statistical analysis underscores the significant role of agitation in enhancing adsorption efficiency, with increased agitation leading to higher contaminant removal rates. Equilibrium is rapidly achieved, with removal efficiencies exceeding 85 %. Kinetic analysis reveals rapid adsorption kinetics, predominantly following the pseudo-second-order model. Additionally, intraparticle diffusion analyses provide insights into TCS diffusion within activated carbon pores, highlighting its dependence on solute concentration. These findings underscore the potential of coconut shell-derived activated carbon as a viable solution for mitigating TCS contamination in water sources, contributing to the development of effective water treatment strategies.

Bioaccumulation of dissolved elemental mercury (DGM) by various organisms has been demonstrated, but no study has shown its uptake and sequestration by phytoplankton species. The present study aims to investigate the accumulation of mercury by phytoplankton species exposed to DGM. Diatoms (Cyclotella meneghiniana and Navicula pelliculosa) and green algae (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Haematococcus pluvialis) were exposed to constant high level of atmospheric gaseous Hg (∼7.7 µg m−3). Total mercury concentrations (THg) in the medium (dissolved fraction) and algae cells (cellular fraction) were determined using cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectroscopy. Results revealed a partitioning of Hg(0) between the atmosphere and phytoplankton cultures, with THg predominantly found in the algae cells. THg in the algae cultures decreased in the order: C. reinhardtii > H. pluvialis > N. pelliculosa > C. meneghiniana. However, the cellular concentration (mol cell−1) decreased in the order: H. pluvialis > C. reinhardtii > C. meneghiniana > N. pelliculosa. These results highlight species specificity in Hg accumulation upon exposure to DGM, further linked to the phytoplankton surface area. Our findings reveal for the first time that phytoplankton species significantly influence the partitioning of atmospheric Hg(0) in aquatic environments, with important implications for the understanding of the aquatic mercury cycle.

The study assessed the efficiency of in-vitro oxytetracycline (OTC) exposure on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) development in aquatic bacteria. Aeromonas hydrophila ATCC 49140 and Edwardsiella tarda ATCC 15947 were serially passaged to OTC for short and long durations. Short duration OTC exposure (30 min) at 0, 0.097 (0.25× Minimum Inhibitory Concentration: MIC), 0.195 (0.5× MIC) and 0.39 µg mL−1 (1× MIC) elicited high mutation rate in A. hydrophila (10−4) and E. tarda (10−2). Serial passage exposure to inhibitory concentration of OTC (0.39 µg mL−1) reduced the zone of inhibition of nitrofurantoin (NIT) for A. hydrophila and of tetracycline, NIT and gentamicin for E. tarda to a clinically significant level. The upsurge in MICs of OTC was 4-folds (1.56 µg mL−1) and 8-folds (3.12 µg mL−1) in A. hydrophila and E. tarda, respectively during serial passage exposure to 0.097, 0.195 and 0.39 µg mL−1 OTC. OTC exposure also increased the MICs of biocide triclosan (TCS) >4-folds (>100 µg mL−1) in A. hydrophila without any concentration-dependent pattern. This study shows that environmental OTC levels can drive bacterial mutation and AMR, potentially leading to cross-resistance to biocides like TCS. Reducing OTC use and improving disposal could help limit AMR spread through better antimicrobial management.

Multiple poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are present in aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) used for firefighting activities. Currently, no single analytical technique provides a complete accounting of total PFASs or total organofluorine content in AFFF-contaminated samples. To provide insight into the performance of existing methods, we compared ten previously described PFAS measurement techniques. In AFFF-amended tap water, US EPA Methods 533 and 1633, adsorbable organic fluorine with particle induced gamma emission spectroscopy (AOF-PIGE) and fluorine-19 nuclear magnetic resonance (19F NMR) provided similar estimates of total fluorine. The total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay, suspect screening, and adsorbable organic fluorine with combustion ion chromatography (AOF-CIC) yielded estimates of total organic fluorine that were about two to three times higher than the other techniques. Proximate to AFFF sources, suspect screening and modified EPA Method 1633 yielded higher results, while the TOP assay results were between the other two sets of analyses. Further from sources, suspect screening, modified EPA Method 1633, and the TOP assay yielded similar results that were 4-fold higher than results from targeted quantification methods, such as EPA Method 1633. These results are consistent with expectations about PFAS behavior and inform the selection of analytical techniques used for PFAS contamination characterization efforts.

Nanomaterials (NMs) have revolutionized food packaging by offering unique properties such as enhanced barrier functions, antimicrobial activity, and prolonged shelf life. However, concerns over the potential adverse effects of these materials on human health and the environment have prompted extensive research. This review explores the toxicological implications of NMs used in food packaging, focusing on their migration mechanisms, interactions with biological systems, and environmental impact. NMs, due to their small size and high surface area-to-volume ratio, can migrate from packaging materials into food under various conditions, potentially leading to human exposure through ingestion. Studies have highlighted the ability of certain NMs, such as silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs), and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), to induce oxidative stress, inflammation, genotoxicity, and cellular dysfunction in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the environmental release of NMs during manufacturing, use, and disposal stages poses risks to ecosystems and human health. This review synthesizes current knowledge, identifies research gaps, and discusses regulatory challenges associated with the safe use of NMs in food packaging. Future research directions are proposed to enhance the understanding of NM toxicity, improve risk assessment methodologies, and develop sustainable packaging alternatives. By addressing these issues, stakeholders can effectively manage the risks while harnessing the benefits of nanotechnology in food packaging innovation.

The presence of metformin (MTN) and erythromycin (ETM) in groundwater is a growing global concern due to their persistence and toxicity. This study addresses a critical gap in understanding the fate and transport of these pharmaceutical and personal care products in saturated sandy soil columns at environmentally relevant concentrations, an underexplored area. The results show that MTN, due to its high mobility, appeared earlier in the soil column with a recovery rate exceeding 90 % and an adsorption coefficient (Kd) of 1.063 Lkg−1. In contrast, ETM, with a higher Kd value of 5.426 Lkg−1, exhibited delayed breakthrough and recovery of less than 15 %, indicating stronger adsorption potential. Desorption studies indicated a greater risk of MTN leaching into groundwater, while ETM remained strongly adsorbed to soil particles. Despite the limited organic matter content in sandy soil, a significant amount of ETM was adsorbed, suggesting sands' high adsorption capacity and potential for natural remediation. This research fills a knowledge gap regarding the adsorption capacity of sandy soils at environmentally relevant concentrations, providing essential insights for environmental risk assessments and groundwater contamination mitigation strategies, directly supporting Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Health and Well-being), 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and 14 (Life Below Water).

Handling hot oil spillage, particularly from oil refineries, petrochemical industry and automobiles is challenging and there have been limited solutions to address the issue. Polyetherimide (PEI) electrospun fibrous membranes were developed in this study by leveraging PEI's high-temperature stability to serve as promising materials for hot oil sorption. The morphology of the membrane forming fibers varied from circular to dumbbell shaped, by judicious choice of solvents of varying boiling points, to study the effect of fiber morphology on oil sorption capacity. Crosslinking of PEI membranes was carried out using ethylenediamine (EDA) to impart structural integrity and resiliency to the membranes. The PEI membrane composed of dumbbell-shaped fibers demonstrated an oil-sorption capacity of 25.4 ±1.5 g/g for engine oil at 150°C within one hour, outperforming a commercial polypropylene (PP) nonwoven absorbent, which failed and collapsed under the same high-temperature conditions. Enhanced oil sorption in the dumbbell-shaped fibrous membrane was achieved due to its lower tortuosity, aligned inter-fiber channels, and higher capillary pressure. Usefulness and sorption capacity of PEI based electrospun membranes may further be explored for controlling the oil spillage through introduction of specific surface features and functionalization.

Ultraviolet radiation combined with free chlorine (UV/chlorine) is an attractive alternative to UV or chlorination alone for disinfection. However, •OH and Cl• radicals from UV/chlorine have recently raised increasing concerns about the possible formation of chlorinated products. A significant quantity of alkyl halides was generated from aliphatic carboxylic acids in the UV/chlorine process, in contrast to the absence of any detectable alkyl halides during chlorination alone. During the UV/chlorine process, the formation of CH3Cl, CH3CH2Cl and CH3CH2CH2Cl were was observed from acetic acid, propionic acid and n-butyric acid, respectively. The maximum yield of CH3Cl was up to 54.6 % when acetic acid was treated at a chlorine to precursors (Cl/P) ratio of 4.0. In addition to CH3Cl, CH2Cl2 and CHCl3 were also detected as the products of acetic acid. The presence of bromide ions resulted in a reduction in the yields of chloroalkanes, the formation of bromine byproducts, and an increase in the total amount of halocarbons. Hydroxyl radicals and chlorine radicals were identified as key reactants in the radical quenching experiments. The reactions described in this paper contribute to the understanding of the mechanism of halogenated byproduct formation during the UV/chlorine process. Synopsis: The radicals resulting from UV/chlorine lead to the conversion of carboxylic acids into a significant amount of alkyl halides that would not be generated by chlorination alone.

The prevalence of microplastics (MPs) in food items is of significant concern due to their potential to cause various human health issues when ingested. Milk and dairy products are widely consumed for their nutritional value and have been found to contain MPs, as evidenced by numerous research studies. This review paper examines the current contamination levels of MPs in dairy products and breast milk, as well as evaluates the environmental impact of the analytical methods used for MPs analysis. The highest contamination levels in dairy products and human breast milk have been found up to 2590 MPs/L. Hence policymakers should enforce stringent regulations to ensure food quality. Additionally, it has been noted that existing analytical methods for detecting MPs in dairy products often fail to adhere to the principles of green analytical chemistry, with many scorings below 0.58 on the AGREE scale. These findings emphasize the urgent necessity for the development of rapid and green analysis methods for detecting MPs in dairy products and breast milk.

In this study, Brevibacterium sp. strain CS2 was used to evaluate the mechanisms of arsenic interaction with the bacterium and its enzymatic and protein profiling under arsenic stress. The bacterium was capable to resist the arsenate 280 mM and arsenite 40 mM as per MIC. The whole genome, available on NCBI, was analyzed for genes associated with arsenic, which confirmed the genes for both arsenic oxidation (aioB) and arsenic reduction arsR, arsC, ACR3, and arsB. The sharpening and shifting of FTIR spectra in the ranges of 3278–2851 cm−1 are due to hydroxyl and amide stretching. SEM analysis showed no significant changes in morphology in arsenic stress while EDX analysis proved the arsenite interaction by showing arsenic peaks in the graph. Both glutathione and non-protein thiol showed different responses in the absence and presence of arsenic stress. Protein bands such as 25, 30, 32, 37, 42, 48, and 100 kDa were expressed more in arsenic-treated samples as compared to the control one. The presence of arsenic oxidizing genes, the ability to resist arsenic, and the varied response of enzymes and proteins in arsenic stress make the bacterium a suitable agent for arsenic eradication from contaminated sites.

Electrochemical chlorination is promising for direct potable reuse (DPR) with zero-chemical-input and was investigated in this study for its application potential in reverse osmosis (RO)-based and non-RO-based DPR processes. Treatment of the simulated reclaimed water from non-RO-based trains showed satisfactory chlorine evolution compared to that from the RO-based trains. Under an applied current of 100 mA, a desired free chlorine concentration of 2 mg Cl2 L−1 was obtained within a short reaction time of 3.5 s. Consistent chlorine evolution performance was achieved in continuous experiments for 500 cycles, and the effluent pH was within the range of potable water guidelines (6.5 – 8.5). Electrochemical chlorination showed competitive disinfection performance compared to conventional chemical chlorination (7 log inactivation of E. coli within 60 s) at a low energy demand of ∼ 0.05 kWh m−3. The results of this preliminary investigation encourage the further exploration of electrochemical chlorination for DPR through the use of noble-metal-free anodes, utilization of renewable energy sources, removing persistent organic contaminants, and examining the synergy with RO-based DPR.

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has garnered significant attention due to its low cost, ease of preparation, high chemical stability, and non-toxicity. Nevertheless, pristine g-C3N4 faces challenges in simultaneously achieving a broad absorption range, high stability, efficient charge separation, and strong redox capability, which hampers its practical applications. Recently, g-C3N4-based Z-scheme photocatalysts have emerged as research hotspots owing to their robust redox ability, effective charge carrier separation, and capacity to harness visible light for degradation of tetracyclines (TCs) in waters. This review delves into the fundamental photocatalysis, and application of g-C3N4-based Z-scheme photocatalysts for the degradation of TCs pollutants. The review concludes with final remarks and a concise discussion on the prospects of g-C3N4-based Z-scheme photocatalysts.

This study investigated the combination of UV persulfate (UV/PS) treatment of recycled water and deficit irrigation to minimize pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) accumulation and improve crop quality. Lettuce, carrot, and tomato, commonly consumed raw, were cultivated in a greenhouse using PPCPs spiked recycled water, UV/PS treated recycled water, and tap water control, under irrigation rates at 60 %, 80 % and 100 % of crop evapotranspiration (ETC) rates. UV/PS removed ≥ 99 % of carbamazepine, diclofenac, and fluoxetine from spiked recycled water. Post-treatment, carbamazepine accumulation in harvested lettuce, carrot, and tomato was reduced by 96–99 %, 35–70 % and 72–93 %, respectively. Minimal accumulation of diclofenac and fluoxetine occurred in edible crops due to their existence as dissociated ions. Three edible crops exhibited distinct trends of PPCPs accumulation in response to irrigation rates. Lettuce exhibited a decreasing PPCPs accumulation with a reduced irrigation rate, which was attributed to slower transpiration. In contrast, carrot and tomato exhibited increased PPCP accumulation due to osmotic adjustment. Lettuce and carrot exhibited higher irrigation water utilization efficiency at deficit irrigation, while the opposite was observed for tomato. This study highlights the beneficial integration of UV/PS with deficit irrigation to conserve water, maintain crop yield, and minimize PPCPs accumulation.

Since 2007, the market for e-cigarettes has resulted in increasing demand for newer technologies and flavorings contributing to the complexity of these products. As a result, methodologies for e-cigarette aerosol capturing and testing have become a necessity in understanding the toxicities surrounding e-cigarette products. This study tests an alternative aerosol capture method followed by toxicity testing of the sample collected on a lung in vitro model.

Plastic waste accumulation is a significant environmental concern as it promotes microbial growth and acts as a carrier for heavy metals. This study focuses on a Bacillus sp. strain isolated from the surface of a used plastic bottle, tolerant to various potential toxic elements (PTEs) such as chromium, nickel, cobalt, copper, zinc, arsenite [As(III)], but sensitive to uranium (U) and arsenate [As(V)] toxicity. The strain demonstrates growth under different abiotic stress conditions, with the optimal pH range of 5.0–8.0 and a temperature of 30 °C. It shows remarkable removal capabilities, removing > 23.3% of U, > 38% of As(III)), and > 22.6% of As(V) from an initial dose of 100 mg L−1 in an aqueous solution. The biosorption capacity for U, As(III), and As(V) is 3.12, 3.1, and 1.8 mg g−1 of biomass, respectively. Kinetic modelling suggests that the biosorption of U and As(V) follows a pseudo-second-order mechanism, while As(III) biosorption follows a pseudo-first-order mechanism. Moreover, the strain has the ability to precipitate > 38.1% and ∼67% of U using bacterially released phosphate from inorganic and organic sources, respectively. These findings highlight the strain's potential for bioremediation of PTE-contaminated environments, providing valuable insights for optimizing metal removal and immobilization processes in future research.

Present study was performed with the aim to isolate Heavy metal Tolerant- PGPB (HMT-PGPB) from metal-contaminated site and use them for Cr bioremediation. Six different bacterial strains were obtained from the endosphere of Solanum virginicum L. roots and cultured using nutrient agar media amended with 20 mg/L of Cr(VI). The ability of these Cr(VI) tolerant bacterial isolates were assessed for PGP traits like producing siderophores, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and phosphate solubilization. The findings indicated that all of the isolates could produce exopolymeric substances and IAA, five of them could produce siderophores, and three could solubilize phosphate. Furthermore, the minimum inhibitory concentrations of these strains werealso determined. These strains were identified as Bacillus licheniformis SxR1, B. tequilensis SxR2, B. subtilis SxR3, B. velezensis SxR4, B. amyloliquefaciens SxR6, and B. stercoris SxR8. To validate the findings, it is crucial to comprehend how Cr(VI) affects Bacillus sp. SxR1 cells to determine the course of uptake and bacterial cell alteration, which was assessed via Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).

Electrical resistance heating (ERH) is a promising in-situ technology for heterogeneous organic contaminated site remediation, yet may have low efficiency when treating semi-volatile organic contaminant (SVOC) of relatively high boiling point. Herein, we chose nitrobenzene as a representative SVOC, and proposed an ERH system powered by pulsed direct current (PDC) with simple hydraulic circulation for improved remediation efficiency in heterogeneous media. The proposed PDC-ERH with hydraulic circulation showed overall improvement in heating performance and energy efficiency, as well as migration and removal of nitrobenzene. This new system improved the uniformity of PDC heating and achieved a temperature increase of ∼15°C compared to that using conventional alternating current (AC) of same voltage. Nitrobenzene migration out of the low permeability zone (LPZ) was intensified by the dual effects of heat-induced diffusion enhancement and electric field-induced electroosmotic flow, while subsequent removal was enhanced by electrochemical degradation and volatilization. After 96 h, the proposed system has a higher nitrobenzene removal from LPZ (> 97.1%) compared to that using AC (84.0%–95.9%). These results suggest PDC heating coupled with hydraulic circulation was a promising approach for heterogeneous site remediation.

Objectives: This study addresses the critical issue of Cd contamination in agricultural soils, posing substantial risks to crop productivity and food safety. While prior pot experiment has undertook this issue on a small scale, this study aims to evaluate the efficacy of selected best soil amendments, at a large-scale field experiment. Methodology: Press mud and humic acid were applied at 0.5%, while gypsum and Fe2O3 were applied at 5 mg/kg alone and with foliar application of Fe nanoparticles at 5 mg/L. Analysis: Comparative analysis with control revealed the immobilization efficiency of all amendments in descending order of effectiveness as follows: 100, 102, 104, 104, 105, 102, 105, and 105% for PM, HA, GYP, Fe, PM + Fe Nps, HA + Fe Nps, GYP + Fe Nps, and Fe + Fe Nps. Additionally, reduced growth, photosynthetic activities, and elevated levels of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide, indicative of oxidative damage in control plant. Findings: Application of these amendments with foliar spraying of Fe Nps effectively mitigates Cd toxicity in maize crops, leading to improved growth, biomass, photosynthetic pigments, and antioxidant enzyme activities. Novelty/Improvement: These findings highlight the significance of exploring innovative approach of combining different amendments with foliar application of nanoparticles to mitigate Cd contamination and enhance soil health, thereby contributing to global efforts in ensuring food safety and security.

The removal of chrome waste (CW) has been identified as a significant environmental problem due to chromium's toxicity. This study tried to make a regenerated flexible sheet (RFS) with a leather alternative effect from chrome waste powder (CWP), cardboard waste fiber (CBWF), and protein binder (PB) fabricated by the hydraulic wet and hot press method. The prepared RFS was characterized by its High-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), mechanical analysis, and biodegradation properties. The result showed the strong binding achieved with fiber/polymer membrane for RFS. In this regard, RFS with suitable mechanical properties such as tensile strength (37.54 ± 1.32 MPa), elongation at break (33.64 ± 0.52 %), flexibility (5.34 ± 0.67 %), water absorption (27.74 ± 1.56 %), and water desorption (27.46 ± 0.76 %) properties. RFS possessed the required mechanical properties for leather sheet production and it was also biodegradable. The study proves that these composites could be successfully used for the production of cost-effective leather goods and footwear production. Production of useful byproducts from waste is income generating and at the same time reduces environmental pollution and a feasible technology for waste recycling has been proved in this study.

Bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol F (BPF), and bisphenol S (BPS) are contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) that humans are exposed to. In silico and zebrafish studies have linked BPA, BPF, and BPS exposure to pigmentation abnormalities, but no studies have examined their impact on primary human melanocytes. Herein, we examined the effects of BPA, BPF, and BPS exposure using human epidermal neonatal melanocytes. BPA induced the greatest cytotoxicity, followed by BPS, whereas BPF did not affect viability. BPA did not alter cellular melanin, whereas BPF and BPS diminished it at 100 µM. BPA decreased dendricity, as did BPF and BPS, although BPF was a potent suppressor of dendricity than BPS. BPA inhibited tyrosinase activity, followed by BPF, while BPS weakly suppressed tyrosinase activity. The tyrosinase activity was mostly recovered after the cessation of bisphenol treatments, although it remained lower for BPA and BPF. All bisphenols elevated cellular ROS production, although BPA and BPS showed non-monotonic dose responses. BPA and BPS augmented IL-6 cytokine secretion in melanocyte cultures treated with lipopolysaccharide, but BPF did not, suggesting that they exacerbate melanocyte inflammation. Collectively, these findings indicate BPA, BPF, and BPS, may impair melanocyte function and pose health hazards, warranting more study.

In this proof-of-concept study, a new mass spectrometry-based framework was introduced for concurrent tracking of infectious disease prevalence and community responses. The study focused on the detection of SARS-CoV-2 as the test pathogen and C-reactive protein (CRP) as the representative acute phase response protein. Through mass spectrometry (MS), the research provided preliminary insights into the prevalence of the virus and community acute immune responses, suggesting its strong potential as an early warning system. The high specificity and sensitivity of MS, combined with wastewater-based epidemiology's ability to provide a population-level perspective on virus prevalence, make it a valuable tool for public health surveillance. The study's findings demonstrate the utility of targeted proteomics technology in detecting specific protein biomarkers associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and inflammation in complex wastewater samples. This approach has advantages over traditional RNA-based methods, including the ability to simultaneously detect acute-phase response proteins such as CRP. The study lays the foundation for future research towards refining analytical techniques to extract more precise data from complex matrices. Synopsis: WBE proteomics holds a strong potential in wastewater surveillance for pathogens and disease outcomes

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have been found in toilet paper in Europe, the United States, and Africa; however, their presence in Chinese household paper has not been investigated. In this study, 21 legacy and 30 emerging PFASs were analyzed in tissue and toilet paper from China, including 48 samples of different origins and materials. Median concentrations of chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonates (Cl-PFESAs), hexafluoropropylene oxide homologs (HFPOs), and p-perfluorous nonenoxybenzenesulfonate (OBS) were 0.32, 0.19, and 0.10 ng/g dry weight (dw), respectively. The detection frequencies (DFs) of Cl-PFESAs and OBS both were greater than 96%, followed by hexafluoropropylene oxide trimer acid (HFPO-TrA, DF: 85%). Notably, the level of HFPO-TrA in one sample was as high as 540 ng/g dw, indicating a potential environmental risk to humans. In addition, the concentrations of Cl-PFESAs in toilet paper were significantly higher than that in tissue (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in the concentrations of PFASs in tissue and toilet paper from different materials and origins. This suggests that PFASs, particularly emerging PFASs, are widely detected in tissue and toilet paper products across China, and their presence is a potential source of landfill contamination and human exposure.

Water pollution is a major challenge in the industrial era that gained the attention of researchers, especially for dye wastewater. Membrane technology is applied to address this issue due to its efficient and effective process. MIL-100(Cr) is a metal-organic framework that becomes an interesting material in membrane technology due to its highly porous characteristics (pore sizes of 24 Å and 29 Å), large surface area, and decent stability. In this study, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) was modified with MIL-100(Cr) to fabricate PVDF/MIL-100(Cr) mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) for congo red (CR) dye removal. Furthermore, the membrane performances were determined by its permeability, selectivity, and antifouling properties. The results show that adding MIL-100(Cr) could enhance the membrane’s porosity and average pore size, which led to a boost in membrane permeability. Interestingly, the rejection of the membrane is maintained at a remarkably high level, above 95%, because of the electrostatic repulsion between the membrane surface with anionic congo red. The optimum concentration of MIL-100(Cr) is 1% (w/w), with a permeability of 50.90 L m−2 h−1 and rejection of 99.9%. Moreover, the flux recovery ratio (FRR) is around 90%, showing notable resistance to the fouling phenomena.

Bioremediation is a promising approach for mitigating commingled contaminations of chlorinated ethenes (CEs) and 1,4-dioxane (DX). However, aerobic bioremediation to simultaneously remove CEs and DX remains challenging. This study aimed to explore the ability of Pseudonocardia sp. D17 (D17) to aerobically degrade CEs and its applicability for concurrent removal of CEs and DX. Aerobic degradation experiments of individual CEs revealed that D17 could degrade trichloroethene (TCE), three isomers of dichloroethene (DCE), and vinyl chloride (VC), and the trend of its degradation ability was cis-1,2-DCE (cDCE) > VC > TCE > trans-1,2-DCE > 1,1-DCE. Notably, the CE-degrading activity of D17 was expressed even without any auxiliary substrates. Further, when TCE, cDCE, or VC was co-present with DX (each at 1 mg/L), D17 could degrade both compounds without any significant inhibition (for TCE and cDCE) or with only a transient and reversible suspension of its DX degradation ability (for VC). These findings indicated that D17 is a promising agent for the aerobic bioremediation of CEs and DX co-contamination and provide novel insights into the future development of efficient aerobic bioremediation strategies.

The widespread and injudicious usage of antibiotics to contain pathogenic microbial infections, coupled with inadequate treatment of wastes containing non-metabolized antibiotics and their residues is resulting in rising environmental antibiotic concentrations, leading to ‘antibiotic pollution’. Antibiotic pollution is an emerging global challenge as it is proving a major driver for antibiotic- or antimicrobial-resistance (ABR/ AMR) with escalating ramifications worldwide, precipitating a surge in human morbidity. The extensive administration of antibiotics across domains such as human healthcare settings, agriculture, and aquaculture farming endangers the presence of antibiotics in diverse matrices including water, soil, and air. As a result, this dissemination significantly leads to the development of antibiotic resistance in the profuse sectors of the environment further provoking consequential health implications at different trophic levels. Owing to its significance, and to mitigate antibiotic pollution and its subsequential AMR, governmental guidelines and regulations are implemented across the globe to cultivate public awareness as concerted efforts for addressing this global predicament. Given the insufficient attention to the growing antibiotic pollution issues, prompt efforts must be taken to contemplate current circumstances and the rigor of the ongoing research. In this review, we endeavor to elucidate the escalation of antibiotic concentration and antibiotic-driven AMR in water, air, and soil environments with potential public health threats. Further, it focuses on various strategies and interventions to attenuate antibiotic pollution and mitigate its adverse impacts on the healthcare infrastructure, highlighting the success stories, challenges, and future directions.

Sugars and sugar-rich agricultural by-products are cheaper and eco-friendly alternatives to conventional reductants used in recovering metals from spent lithium-ion batteries. Still, they are rarely used due to a poor understanding of their performance and reaction chemistry. In this study, two hypotheses bearing on the role of chemistry and influence of non-sugary organic compounds (impurities) on the performance of sugars, namely: glucose, fructose and sucrose, and a parent sugar-rich agro-industrial by-product – molasses, as reductants in the leaching of Li, Co, Mn and Ni from spent lithium-ion battery cathode material were tested. Statistical analysis using ANOVA revealed that the performance of the sugars and molasses are similar with >85% Mn, >88% Ni, >88%Co and >98% Li leached at 90 °C and 60 min. This shows that the presence of non-sugar organic compounds does not hamper the performance of the sugars-based reductants. The performance of the sugars relies more on temperature than chemistry. Furthermore, evaluation of the oxidation pathway hints at a potential inhibition of secondary oxidation reactions at lower temperatures. This study provides statistically validated proof that the performance of sugarcane molasses, even at lower concentration, is equipollent to the pure sugars in the leaching of critical metals from spent lithium-ion batteries.

The development of adsorbents capable of adsorbing both anionic and cationic dyes in wastewater treatment remains a challenge. This study presents the successful fabrication of Nb2O5-MgAl layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanocomposites for the effective removal of methylene blue (MB) and Congo red (CR) dyes via a one-step hydrothermal method. Incorporating a small amount of Nb into MgAl-LDH proved to be an effective strategy for creating nanocomposite materials with dual characteristics. The material’s morphological and crystalline structures were confirmed using FESEM-EDS and XRD. Incorporating Nb during the material preparation led to a remarkable enhancement in the material’s adsorption capacity - up to 3.4-fold and 9.0-fold increases for CR and MB, respectively. The kinetic and point zero charge analysis confirmed that the adsorption of the dyes onto the adsorbent surfaces occurred via an ionic interaction mechanism. These findings offer a promising alternative for fabricating dual-functional adsorbents, enhancing the effectiveness of dye removal in wastewater treatment technologies.

To assess the performance of hazardous waste sites remediation technologies like in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) with persulfate (S2O82−) researchers must periodically measure concentrations of target contaminants. Due to the presence of relatively high concentrations of the residual oxidant expected in many samples, the standard analytical method requires the addition of a relatively high concentration of ascorbic acid to prevent the oxidation process from continuing after sample collection. We discovered that addition of ascorbic acid quencher results in a radical chain reaction that transforms two common halogenated solvents (i.e., tetrachloroethene and hexachloroethane). To avoid the artifact associated with the radical chain reaction, a small quantity of n-hexane can be added to aqueous samples to extract target compounds and protect them from the radical chain reaction initiated by addition of the quencher. We recommend the use of this alternative sample preservation method whenever high concentrations of residual S2O82− are expected to be present in water samples that are contaminated with halogenated solvents.

With growing desire to destroy per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) now known to be detrimental to human health, a sound understanding of fluorocarbon combustion chemistry is important to efficient thermal destruction within incinerators. While most fluorocarbon combustion models and the sets of reactions contained within them were originally developed for the high temperatures encountered in flame suppression applications, they have often been used to assess PFAS destruction in incinerators, which emphasize a lower range of temperatures. We present results that demonstrate that low-temperature fluorocarbon oxidation pathways—not yet known to play a role in fluorocarbon combustion—impact key incinerator performance metrics, including: PFAS surrogate mole fractions, products of incomplete destruction, and waste destruction efficiencies. The results further point to the utility of NO as a potential additive. The present results show the influence of these pathways for CF3O2, for which some data are available, but analogous pathways would also occur for other fluoroalkylperoxy radicals, for which little is known. The results demonstrate the need for future work to identify and characterize low-temperature pathways more generally, consider such pathways in kinetic model development, and experimentally probe intermediate temperature conditions to better understand, design, and control thermal destruction technologies for improved PFAS management.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been used in paper products since the 1960s. PFAS emissions during the life cycle of these products have been substantial sources of these substances to the environment. Here, a total of 37 PFAS were analysed in 13 paper products sampled in 2021, for which some were made of virgin paper and others recycled paper, including food contact materials (FCM), packaging, and a notebook. In addition, different fractions of the recycling process of corrugated paper and board were sampled at a Norwegian cardboard recycling plant and analysed for the same PFAS, to get an overview of PFAS in the recycling stream of these materials in Norway. PFAS were found in recycled paper and board, indicating PFAS can be a non-intentionally added substance (NIAS) in recycled paper products. Sum of targeted PFAS detected in paper products (including products made of virgin and recycled materials) ranged between 0.4 and 971 µg kg−1, dominated by SAmPAP diester and 6:2 FTS (0–62% and 0–98%, respectively). The sum of targeted PFAS in returned corrugated paper and board in Norway is at least 32 kg per year (6 mg per capita per year). Recycling is important to ensure sustainability. As part of the broad PFAS restriction in Europe, PFAS are to be restricted in paper and board materials. Thus, lower levels of PFAS entering the recycling stream are expected in the future. Monitoring is necessary to assess reductions of PFAS in the paper waste stream due to PFAS regulations in Europe.

Heavy metal pollution is consistently a critical issue in many parts of the world, affecting living systems remarkably. Many microorganisms possess such toxic metals utilizing capacities that can be explored for remediation. The present study demonstrates a comparative analysis of Mercury (Hg), Lead (Pb), Cobalt (Co), Zinc (Zn), and Magnesium (Mg) resistance genes in genomes of 11 different Georgenia sps. and confirmation of this gene pool in Georgenia sp. SUBG003 by growth on HgCl2, CdCl2, CoCl2, and ZnCl2 with varying concentrations and periods of up to 144hrs in a liquid medium and on a solid medium. Over a period HgCl2 initial concentrations 0.01 mM, 0.03 mM, and 0.05 mM showed controlled growth, at interim concentrations of 0.07 mM, 0.09 mM were found to be an interim effect while 0.11 mM, 0.13 mM and 0.15 mM higher concentrations showed increased growth. While CdCl2, CoCl2, and ZnCl2 showed growth inhibition upon increasing concentration from 0.01 mM to 0.5 mM. The concentrations tested are in a higher range than the polluted sources observed and the probable role in remediation is discussed.

Organochlorine pesticides have been widely used in agriculture to control agricultural pests. Although effective in controlling pests, organochlorine pesticides present numerous hazards to ecosystems and human health due to their persistence in the environment, bioaccumulation, and toxicity. Scientific studies have shown that organochlorines may be associated with endocrine and neurological problems. Several strategies have been developed to apply treatment techniques to remove pesticides from various ecosystems, both aquatic and terrestrial. Physicochemical and biological methods have revealed other potentialities for remediation of aqueous environments contaminated with organochlorine pesticides. In addition, combined processes using different approaches have been highlighted as efficient alternatives to mitigate the impacts of agrochemicals on the environment, e.g., physical technique followed by a biological process. However, there are still numerous gaps that need to be explored and elucidated. Therefore, this review addressed the impacts of organochlorine pesticides on ecosystems and some treatment techniques used to remove agrochemicals from water. Furthermore, new findings, technological perspectives, and opportunities on this subject were presented and discussed.

Polyquaternium polymers are widely used in various applications, such as personal care products and wastewater treatment plants, and eventually end up in the aquatic environment. While polymers have been perceived of low toxicological concern due to their size, several studies have pointed towards water-soluble cationic polymers being toxic towards aquatic organisms – and that the toxicity largely is determined by the polymer charge density. The present study investigated the polyquaternium toxicological mechanism of action throughout lipidomic analysis and changes in immune-gene expression (qPCR) of zebrafish larvae exposed continuously to two water-soluble polymers; a high charge density polyquaternium-6 and a low charge density polyquaternium-10, for 5 and 12 days upon fertilization. The results showed that the investigated polyquaterniums cause both inflammatory responses and significant alterations of the zebrafish larvae lipidome. Depending on polyquaternium polymer and larvae development stage, the gene expression showed an inflammatory response (e.g. significant up-regulation of il8, il1β and tnfα) in the exposed zebrafish. Alterations of the lipidome were additionally observed, with severe depletion of lipids (e.g. lyso-glycerophosphocholines and ceramides) in the 12 days old larvae exposed to high charge density polymer. The findings furthermore support a hypothetical mechanism of action to be non-specific and lethality potentially to be narcosis-like driven.

Water borne emerging pollutants represents a significant challenge confronting the modern society. As a result of excessive use of dyes and pigments by the textile and other industries, substantial amount of these toxic and recalcitrant substances are widely dispersed into the aquatic sources that may raise serious health issues to all life forms besides causing potential disruption to the ecosystem. Treatments of these hazardous and non-biodegradable organic contaminants in wastewater effluents have become a focal point for researchers dedicated to environmental remediation. Notably, Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) and their composites have been reported to be promising materials for tackling such challenges. This review is dedicated to provide a concise overview by consolidating the diverse beneficial attributes of Cu-BTC MOF rendering it as a versatile material with applications spanning diverse domains, focusing on the reactivity, the role of the metal ion and its recent potential for addressing the elimination of toxic textile dye wastes from the wastewater effluent. Furthermore, it also documents the underlying mechanistic pathway governing the degradation mechanism and the superior electron transport property of Cu ̶ BTC, besides painting in detail the existing limitations that hinder their applicability at an industrial platform. Moreover, a set of future research outlooks serving as a roadmap for exploring the potentiality of Cu ̶ BTC MOFs have also been presented.

Arsenic is a trace element and a metalloid which is prominently known as an environmental hazard. At present, rising health apprehensions are linked to emanating from a wide array of industrial, chemical, residential, agricultural, and technological sources, leading to extensive pollution of water, soil, and air ecosystems including flora, fauna and humans. It poses significant harm to biological organisms upon acute and chronic exposure. In this review, we delve into the reported experimental data that elaborates on arsenic as a toxicant, with particular emphasis on its occurrence, metabolism and diverse molecular mechanisms involved. It also includes the major molecular mechanisms leading to systemic toxicity with special emphasis on shedding light on the intricate ways it disrupts the nervous system.

The synergetic and interactive effects of microplastics (MPs) as potential carriers of pollutants and pathogens have a manifold impact on human health and aquatic biota. The present study delineates the role of MPs in transporting heavy metals to the black clam, Villorita cyrpinoides of Vembanad Lake in South India. MPs in water (3.41 ± 1.87 items/L), sediment (154.6 ± 45.4 items/kg) and within clams (0.87 ± 0.34 items/g tissue) showed considerable variation based on their physical and chemical characteristics, which in turn reflected its differential potential to carry heavy metals. Though the levels of heavy metals (Al, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cr, Pb) within the clam and those carried by MPs were less than the hazardous limits, the concentration of Cd within the clam and MP was found to have a positive correlation. Though the present levels of heavy metal pollution in the lake do not pose a direct threat to humans, anthropogenic interventions and reduced water flow have turned the lower reaches of the lake into a sink of heavy metals. Hence with MP concentration increasing it is worth investigating how their future interactions with heavy metals and other pollutants would pose a risk to living organisms.

The biogeochemical cycling of iron is crucial to plenty of environmental processes, and is often influenced by black carbon with high electrical conductivity and abundant functional groups. This study for the first time revealed that diesel particulate matter (DPM), a typical black carbon material which often caused serious environmental effects, could significantly promote dissimilatory reduction of both abiogenic and biogenic goethite (CGt and BGt) by Shewanella oneidensis MR-1. In 7 days, Fe(II) production in CGt systems containing 0.5, 5, 10, 25, and 50 mg/L of DPM were 1.2, 1.3, 1.8, 1.9, and 2.7 folds higher than that in the system without DPM (0.12 mM), respectively. During the bioreduction of BGt, Fe(II) concentrations were 2.4–3.4 folds higher than those in the CGt systems, and were increased by 4.8%− 41.7% with the addition of 0.5–50 mg/L DPM. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis demonstrated that goethite was the sole mineralized product during the bioreduction of CGt, while vivianite appeared gradually during the microbial transformation of BGt. DPM enhanced electron transfer between cells and goethite via serving as electron shuttles. The results of this study would improve our understanding of interactions among microbes, natural minerals, and black carbon in the natural environments.

The paper presents the results of the application of raw phosphogypsum as an adsorbent for the preliminary treatment of coke-chemical wastewater with an initial concentration of phenol 395 mg/L. Studies in batch mode have proved that phenol removal is promoted by increasing the adsorbent dose and effluent temperature, the optimal phosphogypsum dose was found to be 5 g/L. The adsorption kinetics follows a pseudo-first-order model, the maximum adsorption capacity of phosphogypsum reaches 85 mg/g, which provides purification from phenol at the level of 85–90%. The process is spontaneous and endothermic. In column mode, at an effluent flow rate of 3 mL/min and the height of the fixed bed of 15 mm adsorbent dynamic capacity reached 124 mg/g. The obtained data indicate that raw phosphogypsum, available in huge quantities in the dumps of phosphoric acid plants, can be effectively used for the pretreatment of phenolic wastewater before biological treatment.

Electronic cigarettes (ECs), considered a healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes (TCs), vaporize e-liquid, which may produce harmful by-products due to thermal decomposition and metal transfer. These by-products' deposition in the respiratory tract is largely determined by particle size distribution (PSD). We employ the Multiple-Path Particle Dosimetry (MPPD) model to assess particle deposition within the human and mouse respiratory tracts. Leveraging the known connection between TC smoke inhalation and atherosclerosis, we used human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) and ApoE-/- mice to explore the potential effects of EC aerosol inhalation on atherosclerosis. Our findings reveal that TCs exhibit a highly variable PSD, with mean diameters of approximately 300 nm for mainstream (MS) smoke and 120 nm for side stream (SS) smoke. Conversely, ECs demonstrate a more stable PSD. Combined with MPPD, the deposition fraction in the human respiratory system and mice is mainly deposited in the pulmonary region and head airway. For the Apoe-/- mice exposure experiment, preliminary findings suggest a potential impact on atherosclerosis, although not statistically significant, likely due to the limited sample size and exposure duration. This study highlights the importance of considering PSD, exposure dosage, and species-specific differences in risk assessments of EC aerosols.

The possibility of combined adsorption-degradation processes in wastewater treatment using nanomaterials based on indium sulfide (In2S3) is examined in this review paper. Regarding the synergistic adsorption and degradation of pollutants, In2S3 performs exceptionally well, making it a suitable choice for wastewater remediation. Insights have been given to the pollutant removal mechanism through this integrated technique. The synergistic removal process is affected by several operational factors, including pH, catalyst dose, pollutant concentration, and contact duration. This analysis highlights the significance of optimizing these parameters for optimal contaminant removal efficiency. The influence of co-existing species, including cations, anions, and organic compounds, on the integrated elimination process is further highlighted by a discussion of their role. Future research directions are suggested, including a better comprehension of underlying processes, investigation of hybrid nanocomposites, and evaluation of long-term stability and recyclability to enhance the applicability of In2S3-based nanomaterials. This study aids in the creation of effective and long-lasting wastewater treatment methods by using the potential of In2S3-based nanomaterials.

While several sources of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are known, their use in consumer household products is far less explored. The aim of this study was to provide comprehensive bottom-up analysis of the types and concentrations of PFAS reported in the literature over the past decade. A total of 52 studies revealed 107 PFAS belonging to 15 different categories in 1040 consumer products. The highest number of products tested were from the USA (n = 389) followed by the Czech Republic (n = 111). Mean PFAS concentrations were highest in household firefighting products, followed by textile finishing agents and household chemicals. The highest diversity of PFAS was reported in textiles (72 PFAS). Fluorotelomer alcohol (FTOH), polyfluoroalkyl phosphate esters (PAPs), perfluorocarboxylic acid (PFCA) and perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) are the classes of PFAS of high interest. Eight out of 52 studies used High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry techniques. Highlighted knowledge gaps included (i) the development of analytical methods for detecting a range of PFAS in consumer products, (ii) method validation and QA/QC approaches, (iii) application of suspect and non-target analysis, and (iv) an understanding of human exposure risk. This review highlights that the presence of PFAS in consumer products is of concern and remains underexplored.

In this study, we investigated the benefit of combining Chlorella sorokiniana with manganese-containing ferrite nanoparticles (NPs) for heavy metal removal and cell harvesting. Our results demonstrate that the combination of non-toxic nanoparticles significantly enhances the heavy metal removal capacity of C. sorokiniana without affecting its growth. The microalgae combined with NPs was able to sequester Cr6+, Co2+, and Ni2+ from aqueous solutions and could remove these metals at a higher adsorption capacity and within a relatively short time than their individual counterparts, indicating a synergistic effect between the algal cells and the nanomaterials, where bioadsorption and chemisorption were the main players. Both biosorption and chemisorption capacities were found to be the highest for single-metal systems and decreased when coexisting ions were present in the solution. The adsorption of the heavy metals evaluated was better described by the pseudo-second order model than the pseudo-first order model, indicating that chemisorption dominated over physisorption. These characteristics suggest that the combination of biosorbents with nanosorbents is a promising approach for the treatment of water contaminated with heavy metals making this process more efficient, economical, sustainable, and clean.

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a metal oxide that occurs naturally when titanium reacts with airborne oxygen. It has various attractive and beneficial properties, such as thermal stability, photocatalysis potential, and resistance to ultraviolet radiation. As a result, it is widely used in industrial processes and commercial products. The physicochemical properties of TiO2 can vary depending on the material's primary particle size, crystallinity, and formulation. Different properties have been found to cause different toxicological responses. While most studies have focused on the effects of exposure to nano-TiO2, little attention has been given to other relevant TiO2 materials. In this review, we examine the toxicological profile of both titanium dioxide nanoparticles and pigmentary TiO2. This review aims to provide reliable information on titanium dioxide toxicity for public and private stakeholders to use in risk assessments.