Environmental science. Advances最新文献

{"title":"Aqueous solution degradation pathways of trimethylsiloxane surfactants†","authors":"Maleigh Mifkovic, Brian D. Etz, Manoj K. Shukla and Shubham Vyas","doi":"10.1039/D4VA00256C","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D4VA00256C","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Trimethylsiloxane (TriSil) surfactants are promising alternatives to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are global recalcitrant and persistent environmental contaminants, in aqueous film-forming fire-fighting foams (AFFF). However, much less information is available on the environmental fate and degradation of TriSil surfactants. Thus, it is important to study the degradation chemistry of fluorine-free TriSil surfactants in the solution phase under various conditions to further assess their environmental impact. This computational study reports the prominent hydrolysis, reduction, and oxidation pathways of a truncated TriSil and proposes the major degradation products using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. We have identified the polydimethylsiloxane unit of TriSil to play a prominent role in aqueous solution reactivity initiated <em>via</em> hydrolysis and reduction, while oxidation mainly proceeds through H-atom abstraction along the polyethylene glycol unit. The results of this study aid in establishing the use of the alternative fluorine-free surfactant, TriSil, for fire-fighting foams from an environmental perspective.</p>","PeriodicalId":72941,"journal":{"name":"Environmental science. Advances","volume":" 1","pages":" 147-158"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/va/d4va00256c?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142976322","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Wet wipes in untreated wastewater are a source of litter pollution to the arctic marine environment – a case study on the loads of litter and microplastics in wastewater effluents in Greenland†","authors":"Lis Bach, Jakob Strand, Hadi Salame, Márta Simon, Janne Fritt-Rasmussen and Pernille Erland Jensen","doi":"10.1039/D4VA00233D","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D4VA00233D","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Plastic litter is ubiquitous in the Arctic marine environment, but knowledge of the importance of specific sources is limited. This project aimed to investigate the input of plastic from untreated sewage discharged to the sea in Greenland. A method was developed to sample and quantify inputs of plastic in different size fractions from wastewater from two towns in Greenland. Plastic findings were visually characterized in terms of abundance, morphology, size, and chemically by characterizing the polymer composition using FTIR spectroscopy. The wastewater was found to be a source of both macro- and micro-sized plastic pollution. Of the total litter load, 70% of the mass was from plastic items larger than 25 mm. Wet wipes were found to be dominating and constituted 59% of the total emitted plastic by mass, but other sanitary items (sanitary pads and condoms) were also detected. A polymeric characterization of the macro-items by ATR-FTIR revealed that the wet wipes were mainly of PET (polyethylene terephthalate, a polyester) but also viscose and cellulose wet wipes were detected. In the microplastic fraction (&lt;300 μm), the main contributor was PP (polypropylene; 65%), but also PE (polyethylene), PES (polyester), PS (polystyrene), cellulose and other polymers were detected. A characterization of the microfibers revealed a large contribution of white/transparent fibers that primarily were composed of cellulose (67%) while a smaller fraction (10%) was polyester (PES), including polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The findings of white/transparent microplastic fibers in the wastewater suggest that a fraction of these fibers is directly related to the presence of the cellulose, viscose and PET wet wipes. Our results suggest that implementing either regulatory or behavioral measures to prevent wet wipes from entering the wastewater or using technical solutions to eliminate the discharge of wet wipes into the marine environment <em>via</em> wastewater, could significantly reduce the emission of plastics of all sizes from wastewater to the marine environment.</p>","PeriodicalId":72941,"journal":{"name":"Environmental science. Advances","volume":" 2","pages":" 223-234"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/va/d4va00233d?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143107384","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Household welfare improvement in the Mbulu district of Tanzania: does rural electrification matter?","authors":"Hadija Matimbwa and Marco E. Mng'ong'o","doi":"10.1039/D4VA00259H","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D4VA00259H","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Access to electricity is crucial for basic human activities and serves as a direct measure of energy poverty. In recent years, intergovernmental organizations have made significant strides in rural electrification to ensure energy security for all (rural populations, the poor, and the vulnerable). In developing countries, there is a positive correlation between rural infrastructure enhancement and rural livelihoods. Since the early 2000s, in Tanzania, there has been a major government rural electrification initiative to boost rural development. However, the extent to which rural electrification improves rural livelihoods remains unclear. This study was conducted to investigate the impact of rural electrification on household livelihoods in Tanzania, using the Mbulu District as a case study. The study employed a mixed research approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methods. The data were collected from 447 respondents through surveys and interviews with households in electrified and non-electrified areas, where information such as income levels, health, education access, self-employment, and asset ownership was collected. The results indicated a significant 45% increase in household income following electrification compared to non-electrification. About 47% of the respondents earned over 1 000 000 Tsh per month post-electrification, compared to 6% before. Access to modern healthcare improved, with 36% of the respondents being able to afford medication after electrification compared to 13% before electrification. Furthermore, educational opportunities expanded where 31% of the children were enrolled in private schools after electrification compared to 11% before electrification. Asset ownership showed marked improvements, with fewer households living in mud houses (10% post-electrification, down from 22%); all this confirms the significant impact of rural electrification on the improvement of rural development and household livelihood. Our study concludes that rural electrification significantly boosts household income, health service provision, education, and overall welfare which have a significant impact on environmental management. It recommends continued investment and sustained efforts from stakeholders, including the Tanzania Electricity Supply Company (TANESCO) to address challenges hindering electricity service expansion in rural areas. This study provides a foundation for informed policy decisions and actionable strategies to promote sustainable development in rural communities.</p>","PeriodicalId":72941,"journal":{"name":"Environmental science. Advances","volume":" 11","pages":" 1586-1597"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2024/va/d4va00259h?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142524273","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Laccase-mediated degradation of emerging contaminants: unveiling a sustainable solution","authors":"Pooja Thathola, Elda M. Melchor-Martínez, Priyanka Adhikari, Saúl Antonio Hernández Martínez, Anita Pandey and Roberto Parra-Saldívar","doi":"10.1039/D4VA00173G","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D4VA00173G","url":null,"abstract":"<p >The excessive use of emerging contaminants (ECs) in various applications has led to a global health crisis. ECs are found in groundwater, surface water, soils, and wastewater treatment plants at concentrations ranging from ng L<small>⁻¹</small> to μg L<small>⁻¹</small>. This review explores the sources of ECs and laccase's role in their degradation. ECs encompass diverse categories with potential implications for human health, animals, and the environment, and their adverse effects are examined. Laccase, a key mediator, can oxidize non-phenolic compounds, broadening its substrate range. The review discusses the intricacies of laccase-mediated degradation and highlights its potential to improve global water resource sustainability. Innovative strategies, like laccase immobilization, are explored for EC removal, benefiting environmental preservation. In summary, the review addresses the issue of excessive EC use, their presence in water sources, and their impact on health, wildlife, and the ecosystem. Laccase offers promise for EC degradation, emphasizing its mechanism and potential for sustainable water resource management. Advanced techniques, including laccase immobilization, further demonstrate the commitment to tackling EC-induced environmental challenges.</p>","PeriodicalId":72941,"journal":{"name":"Environmental science. Advances","volume":" 11","pages":" 1500-1512"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2024/va/d4va00173g?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142208597","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Advancements in visible light-driven micro/nanomotors for photodegradation of environmental pollutants","authors":"Vanessa R. Ferreira and Manuel Azenha","doi":"10.1039/D4VA00230J","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D4VA00230J","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Visible light-driven motors (Vis-LDMs) have shown significant potential for water decontamination processes through the synergistic interaction between their active movement and photocatalytic properties, enabling more efficient degradation of organic pollutants. This review highlights recent advances in Vis-LDMs photocatalysts for sustainable environmental pollution mitigation. Innovations include fuel-less Vis-LDMs with hybrid structures and crystalline materials, and biofuel alternatives like water and glucose, though logistical challenges persist. The use of natural materials like lignin and cellulose nanocrystals promotes sustainability but faces energy conversion efficiency challenges. Strategies to enhance efficiency, such as doping and heterojunction formation, are discussed. Advances in stability, reuse, and magnetic recovery capabilities are also reviewed. Collective behavior and environmental adaptability are explored to improve catalytic efficiency. Despite the presented advances, definitive solutions to these limitations have not yet been found. A perspective on the directions for future research is also included in this review, namely the need to resolve issues of scalability, cost-effectiveness, and environmental compatibility. Additionally, investing in Vis-LDMs with programmable routes and precise navigation can enhance versatility and accuracy. Selective behavior to target hazardous contaminants is important; the molecular imprinting technique being a potential solution. Future research should also focus on real-world testing and navigation improvements. Overcoming these challenges is essential to fully harness the potential of Vis-LDMs for environmental remediation and global environmental health.</p>","PeriodicalId":72941,"journal":{"name":"Environmental science. Advances","volume":" 11","pages":" 1474-1499"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2024/va/d4va00230j?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142208627","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A brief review on flue gas desulfurization gypsum recovery toward calcium carbonate preparation","authors":"Wei Xu, Chunhong Liu, Kaimin Du, Qiangsheng Gao, Zheming Liu and Weijian Wang","doi":"10.1039/D4VA00179F","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D4VA00179F","url":null,"abstract":"<p >The past several years have witnessed great progress in utilization of industrial waste gypsum. Newly developed carbonation technology toward CaCO<small>₃</small> preparation also reveals a significant utilization way to recover high-value products from waste gypsum, whereas there is a shortage of systematic reviews reporting the most recent progress in carbonation of flue gas desulfurization gypsum (FGDG). This review provides a timely and comprehensive summary of major achievements regarding FGDG carbonation and calcium carbonate production to address future investigation directions. We start with a brief introduction of FGDG production and utilization approaches in practical use with their advantages and disadvantages. Then we systematically summarize two types of carbonation, including a direct way and an indirect way. The direct way typically involves three steps: CO<small>₂</small> capture and CO<small>₃</small><small>²⁻</small> formation; CaSO<small>₄</small>·2H<small>₂</small>O dissolution; CaCO<small>₃</small> crystallization. High purity CaCO<small>₃</small> is prepared and the polymorph of precipitated CaCO<small>₃</small> is affected by many factors, such as the Ca<small>²⁺</small>/CO<small>₃</small><small>²⁻</small> ratio, reaction conditions, impurities, and additives. The indirect way involves gypsum thermal reduction, carbonation, and sulfur recovery. Finally, challenges of current work and perspectives are presented to expedite future industrialization progress and provide a promising research direction for FGDG carbonation.</p>","PeriodicalId":72941,"journal":{"name":"Environmental science. Advances","volume":" 10","pages":" 1351-1363"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2024/va/d4va00179f?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142208622","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impacts of biochar and slag on carbon sequestration potential and sustainability assessment of MgO-stabilized marine soils: insights from MIP analysis†","authors":"Chikezie Chimere Onyekwena, Qi Li, Yong Wang, Ishrat Hameed Alvi, Yunlu Hou, Chima Finnian Ukaomah and Theogene Hakuzweyezu","doi":"10.1039/D4VA00095A","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D4VA00095A","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Mineral carbonation is a promising strategy for mitigating carbon emissions and combating climate change. This study investigates the efficacy and sustainability of MgO-based stabilization techniques for soft marine soils, incorporating supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) such as biochar and slag. A combination of laboratory experiments and rigorous analyses was utilized to elucidate the complex interplay between the additives and their impacts on soil hydraulic characteristics, carbon sequestration potential, embodied energy, and economic viability. Mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) was employed to characterize pore structure changes induced by carbonation, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to correlate mineral formations. The results indicate that MgO–biochar-treated soils exhibit enhanced soil air content, pore connectivity, and carbon sequestration efficiency compared to MgO–slag-treated soils, exhibiting reduced pore volumes and limited CO<small>₂</small> diffusion. Integrating biochar with MgO enhanced brucite and nesquehonite precipitation due to biochar's porous structure and functionalized surface area, facilitating gas diffusion and nucleation for mineral formation. Sustainability assessments highlight the environmental and economic trade-offs, positioning MgO–biochar and MgO–slag combinations as cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternatives. This research provides theoretical guidance for sustainable soil stabilization and efficient CO<small>₂</small> mineralization, offering valuable insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers addressing climate change challenges.</p>","PeriodicalId":72941,"journal":{"name":"Environmental science. Advances","volume":" 11","pages":" 1564-1577"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2024/va/d4va00095a?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142208599","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Naked eye detection of arsenite, arsenate, and H2S by a Schiff base naphthaldehyde conjugate using a single paper strip, based on a deprotonation mechanism†","authors":"Diptiman De, Priyotosh Ghosh, Sriman De and Prithidipa Sahoo","doi":"10.1039/D4VA00213J","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D4VA00213J","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Considering the significant toxicity of arsenite (AsO<small>₂</small><small>⁻</small>), arsenate (AsO<small>₄</small><small>³⁻</small>), and hydrogen sulphide (H<small>₂</small>S), the early detection of these ions and gas using simple methods like naked-eye chemosensing could have substantial implications for environmental and industrial applications. With these factors in mind, we have developed a novel and straightforward colorimetric chemosensor called NADNP (2-hydroxy naphthaldehyde conjugated 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazine) for swift paper-based colorimetric detection of arsenite, arsenate, and H<small>₂</small>S, based on a deprotonation mechanism. NADNP exhibits strong binding affinity towards sulfide, arsenite, and arsenate, with very lower detection limits (LOD) of 0.17 μM, 0.15 μM and 0.15 μM respectively, and the binding stoichiometry between these detected ions and NADNP is determined to be 1 : 1 through Job's plot analysis. Structural elucidation and electronic properties calculation have been conducted <em>via</em> DFT (Density Functional Theory) studies for correlation with the spectroscopic analyses. The ‘three-in-one’ paper strip-based chemosensor could be considered a promising colorimetric tool for rapid, cost-effective, selective, and sensitive “on-spot” sensing and monitoring of arsenite, arsenate, and sulfide in environmental samples.</p>","PeriodicalId":72941,"journal":{"name":"Environmental science. Advances","volume":" 11","pages":" 1578-1585"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2024/va/d4va00213j?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142208624","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Life cycle assessment methods for investigating novel food packaging systems","authors":"Ina Bremenkamp and Maria J. Sousa Gallagher","doi":"10.1039/D3VA00380A","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D3VA00380A","url":null,"abstract":"<p >The high volume of plastic waste generated and its potential harm to wildlife and ecosystems are negative consequences of poor end-of-life food packaging management. An essential part of designing food packaging is minimizing its environmental impact, which is a significant challenge for the industry. The aim of this study was to examine existing life cycle assessment (LCA) approaches for investigating the environmental advantages of novel food packaging systems in the field of ready-to-eat fish and meat products. The scope of studies differed, with some including food products and others focusing on the direct and/or indirect environmental impacts of packaging. The reviewed LCA performances showed how different focuses could be used as sequential steps in obtaining a comprehensive understanding of the environmental impact of a food-packaging system. By considering a holistic LCA approach and evaluating the environmental performance of different packagings, industry stakeholders can make informed decisions. Therefore, playing an active role that balances necessity and wastefulness and creates efficient and sustainable packaging solutions.</p>","PeriodicalId":72941,"journal":{"name":"Environmental science. Advances","volume":" 10","pages":" 1337-1350"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2024/va/d3va00380a?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142208623","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The financial market wants to believe in European sustainability. Time trends and persistence analysis of green vs. brown bond yields","authors":"Manuel Monge","doi":"10.1039/D4VA00193A","DOIUrl":"10.1039/D4VA00193A","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Green bonds are becoming a popular investment option as a result of growing investor awareness of social and environmental issues. Green bonds are financial securities used to fund initiatives aimed at mitigating the effects of global industrialization on the environment and climate change, as well as initiatives that make use of cutting-edge technology. For the SDGs to be achieved, this kind of financial product must be successfully promoted. Therefore, the objective of this research work is to statistically analyze the characteristics of green and brown bond yields. In addition, to ascertain how the two yields relate to one another and how they change over time.</p>","PeriodicalId":72941,"journal":{"name":"Environmental science. Advances","volume":" 10","pages":" 1452-1463"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-08-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2024/va/d4va00193a?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142208626","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}