{"title":"Treatments of Heavy Metals in Bio Electrochemical Systems (BES) and Microbial Transfer Mechanisms: Analyses of Influencing Factors, Future Research Directions, Prospect and Outlook","authors":"Zelin Lian, Fan-Ying Kong","doi":"10.1007/s11270-025-08055-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11270-025-08055-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The environmental threat, pollution and damage posed by heavy metals to air, water, and soil emphasize the critical need for effective remediation strategies. This review mainly focuses on microbial electrochemical technologies (MET) for treating heavy metal pollutants, specifically includes Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), and Cobalt (Co). First, it explores the mechanisms and current applications of MET in heavy metal treatments in detail. Second, it systematically summarizes the key microbial communities involved, analyzing their extracellular electron transfer (EET) processes and summarizing strategies to enhance the EET efficiencies. Next, the review also highlights the synergistic microbial interactions in bioelectrochemical systems (BES) during the recovery and removal (remediation) processes of heavy metals, underscoring the crucial role of microorganisms in the transfer of the electrons. Then, this paper discussed how factors including pH values, applied voltages, types and concentrations of electron donors, electrode materials, biofilm thickness and other factors affect the treatment efficiencies of some specific metals in BES. BES has shown its great superiority in treating heavy metals. For example, for the treatments of Cr<sup>6+</sup>, under low pH conditions, the recovery and removal rate of Cr⁶⁺ by double chambers microbial fuel cell (DCMFC) can generally reach 98–99%, with some cases even achieving 100% (Gangadharan & Nambi, 2015). For the treatments of heavy metal ions such as Cu<sup>2+</sup>, Zn<sup>2+</sup> and Cd<sup>2+</sup>, BES can also achieve the rates of treatments of more than 90% under the corresponding conditions of appropriate pH values and applied voltages(Choi, Hu, & Lim, 2014; W. Teng, G. Liu, H. Luo, R. Zhang, & Y. Xiang, 2016; Y. N. Wu et al., 2019; Y. N. Wu et al., 2018). After that, the review outlines the future challenges and the research opportunities for understanding the mechanisms of BES and microbial EET in heavy metal treatments. Finally, the prospect of future BES researches are pointed out, including the combinations with existing wastewater treatment systems, the integrations with the wind energy and the solar energy, and the application of machine learning (ML) in future BES. This article has certain significance and value for readers to better understand the working principles of BES and better operate and control BES to deal with heavy metal pollutants.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":808,"journal":{"name":"Water, Air, & Soil Pollution","volume":"236 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144091219","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Fuzzy-Based Evaluation of the Air Bubble Barrier as an Alternative Oil Spill Response Equipment","authors":"Canberk Hazar, Mahmut Mollaoglu, Ali Cemal Töz","doi":"10.1007/s11270-025-08115-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11270-025-08115-7","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Many different types of barriers have been developed because of ever-increasing environmental awareness and need to protect the marine environment from pollution. Most barriers comprise floating booms to block floating debris with a skirt or subsurface portion to trap oil. An alternative is air bubble barriers, which have several advantages over traditional booms for protecting permanent structures like harbor entrances and water intakes. This study investigates the use of air bubble barriers as an oil spill containment technique. Eleven marine professionals with an average of 15 years experience participated in a SWOT-Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (IT2-FAHP). In-depth interviews and literature review of studies of air bubble barriers were conducted to establish the SWOT critera and sub-criteria. The main critera identified was strengths, with a score of 0.459, while the top-prioritized sub-critera was “Unlike traditional oil containment booms, the fastest response to the spread of oil spills”, with a score of 0.187.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":808,"journal":{"name":"Water, Air, & Soil Pollution","volume":"236 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11270-025-08115-7.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144091176","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Characterization and Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Topsoil of Agricultural Land from an Agate Dyeing Village","authors":"Haodong Wang, Ye Li, Jia Fu, Shanshan Feng, Quanguo Cheng, Jianbing Wei","doi":"10.1007/s11270-025-08043-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11270-025-08043-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>To investigate the impact of agate dyeing on the surrounding farmland, a total of 118 soil samples were collected from farmland surrounding an agate dyeing village. These samples were analyzed for metal concentrations and soil contamination of Cd, Hg, As, Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn. Additionally, an ecological risk assessment was conducted along with an assessment of health risks for residents through oral ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. The results of the Nemerow complex indices showed that the eight heavy metals exceeded the warning line. High concentrations of Ni were present in areas around village, likely due to the presence of metallic Ni in the agate stain. The risk assessment revealed that the potential ecological risk in the study area was classified as low to medium. However, the total carcinogenic risk for both children and adults exceeded the acceptable threshold of 10<sup>–6</sup>, indicating an unacceptable risk. On the other hand, the total non-carcinogenic hazard quotients were within acceptable limits. Oral ingestion was the primary pathway of exposure.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":808,"journal":{"name":"Water, Air, & Soil Pollution","volume":"236 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144091177","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Homa Mohammadalimirza Shahrestanaki, Amirhesam Hassani, Amirhossein Javid, Ali Torabian
{"title":"A Comparative Analysis of the Efficiencies of Pre-ozonation with and without Chitosan and Ferric Chloride in Eliminating Diatoms, Chlorophyceae, and Cyanophyceae from Surface Waters: A Case Study of Mijran Dam Reservoir","authors":"Homa Mohammadalimirza Shahrestanaki, Amirhesam Hassani, Amirhossein Javid, Ali Torabian","doi":"10.1007/s11270-025-08104-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11270-025-08104-w","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The Mijran Dam reservoir is of significant importance as it is used for potable water supply. Many consumers are dissatisfied with the taste and odor of drinking water, which is often caused by compounds from chemical fertilizers, animal manure, pesticides, heavy metals, algae and wastewater. This study examines the effectiveness of pre-ozonation and the application of chitosan and ferric chloride coagulants in removing diatoms, chlorophyceae, and cyanophyceae from the Mijran Dam water reservoir. A laboratory-based experimental methodology was employed to identify algal species and conduct microscopic sample analyses. The experimental framework was meticulously crafted using Design-Expert v13 software, with validation of findings achieved via applying the response surface method (RSM). Statistical scrutiny of the amassed data was executed using SPSS software. The study investigated the influence of various parameters, including the pH level of chitosan (5–10) and ferric chloride (5–10), chitosan concentration (20 to 500 mg/L), ferric chloride concentration (5 to 100 mg/L), ozone pH levels (3 to 11), and injected ozone concentration (2 to 8 mg/L). Pre-ozonation at a concentration of 8 mg/L and a pH of 7 could eliminate approximately 70% of diatoms, 78% of chlorophyceae, and 88% of cyanophyceae. Ozonation (2 mg/L) used along with chitosan (500 mg/L) at a pH of 10 enhanced algal removal, leading to the elimination of approximately 77% of diatoms, 81% of chlorophyceae, and 92% of cyanophyceae. Ozonation (2 mg/L) in conjunction with ferric chloride (75 mg/L) at a pH of 10 resulted in the elimination of diatoms, chlorophyceae, and cyanophyceae at rates of approximately 79%, 83%, and 97%, respectively. Ozonation, employed together with ferric chloride and chitosan enhanced efficiency while concurrently reducing ozone demand.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":808,"journal":{"name":"Water, Air, & Soil Pollution","volume":"236 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144091218","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ratul Kumar Shil, Ismail M. M. Rahman, Yuto Sakai, Moe Marumoto, M. Mehedi Hasan Rocky, Masaru Endo, Kuo H. Wong, Asami S. Mashio, Hiroshi Hasegawa
{"title":"Iron- and Zirconium-Modified Nanocellulose Adsorbent: Broad-Range Selectivity Test for Potentially Toxic Elements and Effective Arsenite Removal","authors":"Ratul Kumar Shil, Ismail M. M. Rahman, Yuto Sakai, Moe Marumoto, M. Mehedi Hasan Rocky, Masaru Endo, Kuo H. Wong, Asami S. Mashio, Hiroshi Hasegawa","doi":"10.1007/s11270-025-08113-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11270-025-08113-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Iron oxide and its composite adsorbents are widely used for removing arsenic and other potentially toxic elements (PTEs) due to their affordability and eco-friendly properties. However, understanding their selectivity and storage stability is vital for their effective use in practical applications. Current work reports the selectivity behavior of a newly developed adsorbent, iron- and zirconium oxide nanoneedle-impregnated cellulose nanofibers (Fe-Zr-NN-CNF), toward cationic and anionic PTEs. Key findings are- (i) The adsorbent demonstrated exceptional selectivity for anionic potentially toxic elements (PTEs), achieving a removal efficiency of at least 98% across a broad pH range (2–9), while exhibiting minimal selectivity for cationic PTEs; (ii) The adsorbent effectively removed arsenite (As<sup>III</sup>) from aqueous media at a dosage of 1 g L<sup>–1</sup> and pH 7.0. High phosphate concentrations hindered As<sup>III</sup> removal, whereas chloride, nitrate, and sulfate had negligible effects; (iii) Adsorption kinetics, isotherm studies, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) analyses confirmed that As<sup>III</sup> adsorption follows a chemisorption mechanism, involving monolayer binding on a heterogeneous surface; and (iv) The adsorbent exhibited excellent storage stability for at least four weeks at both room temperature (25 °C) and 40 °C, indicating long-term usability in practical applications. Thus, the results suggest that Fe-Zr-NN-CNF could be a potential solution for water remediation strategies.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":808,"journal":{"name":"Water, Air, & Soil Pollution","volume":"236 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144091178","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mahmoud Mohery, Ahmed Mindil, Gamal Mahran, Abdullah Alsubaie
{"title":"Eco-Friendly Copper Adsorption by a Novel Bis-Aminophosphonate: Design, Synthesis, Equilibrium, and Bioactive Applications","authors":"Mahmoud Mohery, Ahmed Mindil, Gamal Mahran, Abdullah Alsubaie","doi":"10.1007/s11270-025-08125-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11270-025-08125-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>A novel composite material, pyridyl-bis-aminophosphonate derivative (Pyph), was successfully synthesized via a high-yield reaction involving pyridine-2,6-dialdehyde and N,N'-diphenyl thiosemicarbazide. This innovative material exhibits exceptional potential for the efficient removal of Cu<sup>2+</sup> ions from both drinking and wastewater, as confirmed through rigorous analytical techniques. A comprehensive optimization study was conducted to determine the optimal experimental conditions for maximum Cu<sup>2+</sup> adsorption, including pH, equilibrium time, initial Cu<sup>2+</sup> concentration, Pyph dosage, temperature, and eluting agent type. Notably, Pyph achieved a remarkable sorption capacity of 185 mg/g under optimal conditions: ambient temperature, pH 3.5, 10 min of agitation, and an initial Cu<sup>2+</sup> concentration of 500 mg/L. Equilibrium isotherm analysis revealed a superior fit to the Langmuir model compared to the Freundlich model, predicting a maximum uptake capability of 185.18 mg/g, aligning closely with experimental observations. Kinetic studies further substantiated the adsorption process, with the pseudo-first order model accurately describing the adsorption behavior and predicting a theoretical sorption capacity of 186.33 mg/g. The Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm model provided insights into the adsorption mechanism, indicating chemisorption as the dominant process due to an adsorption energy (E) of 9.053 kJ/mol and a theoretical retention power of 186.6 mg/g. Thermodynamic evaluations indicated that the sorption process is exothermic, spontaneous, and favored at lower temperatures, emphasizing the material's efficient operation under ambient conditions. The efficient desorption of Cu<sup>2+</sup> ions from the loaded Pyph was achieved using sulfuric acid (2 M ≈ 95% efficiency), hydrochloric acid (1.5 M ≈ 99%), and nitric acid (2 M ≈ 99%) as eluting agents, demonstrating a high level of elution efficacy. Importantly, Pyph's efficacy in removing Cu<sup>2+</sup> ions from drinking water aligns with stringent safety standards set by the American Public Health Association (APHA), World Health Organization (WHO), Indian Standard Institution (ISI), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), ensuring safe drinking water after a single treatment cycle. Furthermore, the compound Pyph exhibits potent antioxidant and antibacterial properties, demonstrating efficacy against both Gram-negative (<i>E. coli</i>) and Gram-positive (<i>B. subtilis</i>) bacteria. This multi-faceted functionality positions Pyph as a promising and effective material for water purification and potential applications in the biomedical field.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":808,"journal":{"name":"Water, Air, & Soil Pollution","volume":"236 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144091179","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gomathi Ramalingam, Priya Arunkumar, Mashael Daghash Alqahtani, Ahmed M. Elgarahy
{"title":"Microwave-assisted in-Situ Synthesis of ZnS/g-C3N4 Heterojunction Composite for Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Malachite Green Dye","authors":"Gomathi Ramalingam, Priya Arunkumar, Mashael Daghash Alqahtani, Ahmed M. Elgarahy","doi":"10.1007/s11270-025-08082-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11270-025-08082-z","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The escalating impacts of climate change coupled with rapid population growth, and unsustainable consumption patterns, have created a global water crisis of unprecedented proportions. The availability of clean water is a fundamental human right, yet billions of people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation. This necessitates the development of advanced wastewater treatment systems capable of producing high-quality effluent. In this study, we successfully synthesized highly efficient photocatalysts, specifically ZnS, bulk-g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>, and bulk-g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>/ZnS composites, using microwave-assisted technique. These materials were designed to serve as effective photocatalysts driven by visible light for environmental applications. The synthesized materials included ZnS, bulk-g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>, and their composites at a 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 weight ratios. Comprehensive characterization of the prepared composites using various techniques, including XRD, UV–Vis, FTIR, FESEM, EDS, HRTEM, and XPS was conducted. The cubic zinc blend structure and layered stacking arrangement for the ZnS, and bulk-g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> compounds were revealed by the composite material's XRD analysis; the sizes of ZnS, pure bulk-g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>, and their composites with various ratios of ZnS/bulk-g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> (1:1, 1:2, 1:3) were 2.72 nm, 5.62 nm, 3.02 nm, 2.74 nm, and 2.69 nm, respectively. FTIR analysis revealed that the stretching vibrations of C = N and C≡N bonds were located inside certain spectrum regions. Peaks in the 1600–1800 cm<sup>−1</sup> range were seen for C = N bonds, while peaks in the 2350 cm<sup>−1</sup> range were observed for C≡N bonds. Moreover, the noticeable peaks observed between 1300 and 1570 cm<sup>−1</sup> are caused by the aromatic C-N stretching vibrations. The FESEM analysis showed that ZnS/bulk-g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> composites had a sheet-like nanohybrid morphology, whereas pure ZnS and bulk-g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> appeared as nanosheets and nanohybrids, respectively. The Zn, S, C, and N elements found in the produced materials were identified by EDS analysis, which also confirmed the lack of impurities. The HRTEM image of the ZnS/bulk-g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> (1:1) composite was used to quantify the interatomic distance between the ZnS atoms. The cubic zinc blend structure of ZnS was discovered to have a (111) plane that corresponds to a 0.31 nm lattice spacing. XPS revealed that Zn, S, C, and N were in the Zn 2p, S 2p, C 1 s, and N 1 s oxidation states. The photocatalytic performance of the different composites (e.g., 30 mg) was evaluated for the degradation of malachite green dye (e.g., 3 × 10<sup>5</sup> M) in aqueous solution, utilizing a custom-built photocatalytic reactor equipped with a 250W halogen lamp under continuous magnetic stirring for 120 min. The findings indicated that the g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub","PeriodicalId":808,"journal":{"name":"Water, Air, & Soil Pollution","volume":"236 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144084969","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Occurrence and Antibacterial Susceptibility of Salmonella spp. & Shigella spp. along the Southern Coastal Belt of Sri Lanka, from Galleface to Mirissa","authors":"Samarathunga Mudiyanselage Thilini Vasana Bandara, Ponnamperuma Arachchige Kasun Chamara Wijerathna, Gayani Yasodara Liyanage, Pathmalal Marakkale Manage","doi":"10.1007/s11270-025-08121-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11270-025-08121-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p><i>Salmonella</i> spp. and <i>Shigella</i> spp. are widespread pathogenic bacteria that cause Salmonellosis and Shigellosis, respectively. The resistance of these bacteria to commonly used antibiotics is a critical global challenge. The present study focuses on the prevalence of <i>Salmonella</i> spp. and <i>Shigell</i>a spp. along the Galle face to Mirissa coastal belt in Sri Lanka and to assess their antibiotic resistance to Amoxicillin (AMX), Ciprofloxacin (CPX), Augmentin (AUG), Tetracycline (TET), Cloxacillin (CLOX), and Erythromycin (ERM). Water samples were collected in triplicate from nineteen selected beach sites that are famous for tourism-related recreational activities. <i>Salmonella</i> spp. and <i>Shigella</i> spp. were identified following standard microbiological procedures and confirmed through biochemical tests. Antibacterial susceptibility and Multiple Antibiotic Resistance (MAR) were evaluated based on the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Water quality analysis was carried out according to APHA standard methods. The results showed that <i>Salmonella</i> spp. was present in 18 sites out of 19 selected beach sites, while <i>Shigella</i> spp. was detected in 17 out of the 19. Notably, 94.4% of S<i>almonella</i> spp. isolates resisted AMX at 60 µg/mL, and 66.7% were resistant to AMX at 360 µg/mL. Additionally, 88.9% of <i>Shigella</i> spp. isolates were resistant to AMX at 60 µg/mL, and 82.35% were resistant at 360 µg/mL. However, all bacteria were susceptible to CPX, TET, and ERM at 60 µg/mL. Resistance rates for AUG, ERM, and CLOX were 4.7%, 3.15%, and 38.94%, respectively. The MAR of the isolated bacteria ranged from 0.166 to 0.5. These findings underscore the urgent need for responsible antibiotic usage.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":808,"journal":{"name":"Water, Air, & Soil Pollution","volume":"236 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144084967","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Microplastics Contamination in Water and Sediments: Seasonal and Spatial Distributions from the Urban Wetlands of Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India","authors":"Krishnan Anandhan, Thirunavukkarasu Muralisankar, Arumugam Yogeshwaran, Said Hamid Thangal, Kumaraswamy Sharavanabhavan Janani","doi":"10.1007/s11270-025-08117-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11270-025-08117-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Plastics are becoming widespread and universal contaminants after they are reduced in size (< 5 mm) to form microplastics (MPs). MPs contamination in freshwater ecosystems poses a severe threat to biota. The present study investigated the seasonal and spatial distributions of MPs in significant urban wetlands such as Ukkadam (UD), Selvampathy (SP) and Singanallur (SN) in Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India. The results indicated that MPs ranged from 10 to 33 particles/L, 6 to 34 particles/L, and 9 to 30 particles/L in the surface water of UD, SP, and SN, respectively. Moreover, the UD, SP, and SN shoreline sediments contained 17 to 45 particles/0.5 kg, 14 to 47 particles/0.5 kg, and 15 to 45 particles/0.5 kg, respectively. The MPs length ranges were between 0.17 and 1.6 mm and 0.16 and 1.1 mm in surface waters and shoreline sediments, respectively. The colour distribution of the MPs in the examined environmental matrices was dominated by blue, transparent, and black, whereas fibres and fragments were the most common shapes of the MPs. The dominant polymers of the MPs were polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene from the environmental matrices of the studied wetlands. Among the seasons, the monsoon season influences the abundance of MPs in both water and sediments of the UD, SP, and SN wetlands. Spatial influences from each lake reveal the transfer of MPs from urban environments. The present findings reveal the seasonal and spatial influences on the abundance, shape, colour and polymer nature of MPs in Coimbatore’s wetlands, reflecting the risk of MPs pollution.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":808,"journal":{"name":"Water, Air, & Soil Pollution","volume":"236 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144084968","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mohammad Yavari Foroushani, Ali Yavari Foroushani, Hossein Yarahmadi
{"title":"Sustainable Adsorption of Nickel and Chromium from Aqueous Solutions by Plant-Based Adsorbent","authors":"Mohammad Yavari Foroushani, Ali Yavari Foroushani, Hossein Yarahmadi","doi":"10.1007/s11270-025-08114-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11270-025-08114-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study introduces a novel and sustainable method for the removal of the heavy metals nickel and chromium from aqueous solutions using modified microcellulose. The modification process utilizes green tea extract and iron sulfate to enhance the surface and structural properties of microcellulose, significantly improving its adsorption performance. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed an increase in the crystallinity index from 93 to 98% following modification. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the diameter of the modified cellulose fibers reached approximately 6.75 µm. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area increased from 1.7 to 2.98 m<sup>2</sup>/g, while the pore volume nearly doubled compared to unmodified cellulose, indicating enhanced surface characteristics. Particle size distribution analysis showed a reduction in particle size, with a range of 1 to 500 µm. The maximum adsorption capacities were calculated as 8.702 mg/g for chromium and 3.949 mg/g for nickel. The removal efficiencies reached 81% for chromium and 16% for nickel. These results demonstrate the promising potential of green-modified microcellulose as an effective, eco-friendly adsorbent for water treatment applications.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":808,"journal":{"name":"Water, Air, & Soil Pollution","volume":"236 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144084970","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}