Water, Air, & Soil Pollution最新文献

{"title":"Thermal Upcycling of Spent Molasses Concentrate for Malachite Green Removal: Multilayer Adsorption Mechanism and Economic Potential","authors":"Satheera Suchaad,&nbsp;Anis Atikah Ahmad,&nbsp;Azduwin Khasri,&nbsp;Mohd Azmier Ahmad","doi":"10.1007/s11270-026-10024-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11270-026-10024-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The valorisation of industrial waste into value-added materials provides a sustainable approach to waste management and resource recovery. In this study, spent molasses concentrate (SMC), a by-product of bioethanol production, was thermally treated to produce a carbonaceous adsorbent for the removal of malachite green (MG) from aqueous solution. The adsorbent was characterised using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), revealing oxygen-containing functional groups and a rough, heterogeneous surface that could favour MG adsorption. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted at different initial MG concentrations (100–300 mg L⁻¹), contact times, solution pH values (3–9), and temperatures (30–60 °C). The SMC-derived adsorbent achieved a maximum MG removal efficiency of 99.67% at an initial MG concentration of 100 mg L⁻¹, while the adsorption capacity reached 295.1 mg g⁻¹ at 300 mg L⁻¹. Adsorption performance increased with increasing initial MG concentration and solution pH but decreased with increasing temperature. Among the equilibrium models evaluated, the BET model provided the highest R² (0.9963), followed closely by the Aranovich model (R² = 0.9956), suggesting that multilayer adsorption may contribute to the adsorption behaviour. For adsorption kinetics, the pseudo-second-order model provided the most suitable fit based on the combined assessment of R², SSE, and RMSE. Thermodynamic analysis indicated a spontaneous and exothermic adsorption process with predominantly physical interactions. A preliminary economic assessment estimated a direct production cost of 0.61 USD kg⁻¹, indicating the potential of the SMC-derived adsorbent as a low-cost material. Overall, the findings demonstrate the potential of thermally treated SMC for effective MG removal while providing a sustainable route for the valorisation of bioethanol industry waste.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":808,"journal":{"name":"Water, Air, & Soil Pollution","volume":"237 23","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149132322","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":"Adsorptive Removal of F⁻ and P2O5 From Real Phosphogypsum Leachate Using Graphene Oxide and Reduced Graphene Oxide: Performance Evaluation and Process Parameter Optimization","authors":"Ertuğrul Çelik,&nbsp;Cemre Avşar Kaya,&nbsp;Esra Nur Doğan,&nbsp;Neşe Keklikcioğlu Çakmak,&nbsp;Kiymet Deniz Yagcioglu,&nbsp;Suna Ertunç","doi":"10.1007/s11270-026-10023-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11270-026-10023-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Phosphogypsum (PG), a byproduct of wet-process phosphoric acid production, contains water-soluble impurities such as F⁻ and P₂O₅ that may leach into the environment and pose ecological risks. This study evaluates the removal of these pollutants from real PG leachate using nano graphene oxide (nGO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as adsorbents. FTIR and XRD characterizations confirmed the successful chemical oxidation of graphite to nGO and its subsequent eco-friendly reduction to rGO, which restored the graphitic sp² network. Batch adsorption experiments were performed to investigate the effects of pH (3–7) and contact time (30–120 min) on removal efficiency. The experimental data were further assessed to identify the predominant operational parameters and optimal treatment conditions. Both pH and contact time significantly influenced adsorption performance, with maximum removal observed at pH 7 and 120 min. Under these conditions, nGO achieved removal efficiencies of 48.74% for F⁻ and 77.38% for P₂O₅, while rGO exhibited markedly higher performance, reaching 75% and 97.73%, respectively. Across all tested conditions, rGO consistently outperformed nGO, indicating superior adsorption capacity owing to its higher density of accessible graphitic domains and lower surface crowding. The underlying adsorption mechanisms were successfully addressed, revealing that multi-component retention under near-neutral conditions is governed by calcium-mediated bridging effects from the real leachate matrix, alongside surface complexation and hydrogen bonding. Results demonstrate that operational parameter optimization is critical for effective treatment and that rGO-based materials show strong potential for reducing F⁻ and P₂O₅ release from PG-derived effluents. This study provides insight into the application of graphene-based adsorbents for improving the environmental management and valorization prospects of phosphogypsum.</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":"237 23","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149132249","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":"Ecological and Human Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination in the Aras Transboundary River","authors":"Fariborz Masoumi,&nbsp;Behnam Sedaghat,&nbsp;Behnam Asgari Lajayer,&nbsp;Mohammad Taghi Sattari,&nbsp;Hushang Gholami,&nbsp;Mohammad Pirhayati,&nbsp;Mohammad Mosaferi","doi":"10.1007/s11270-026-09999-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11270-026-09999-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Metal pollution in the rivers crossing different nations is a challenging issue to be addressed regarding environmental sustainability and human health. The current research studies the spatiotemporal variations of 13 metals (As, Mo, Cd, Ba, Al, Co, Cr, Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, Mn, Fe) in the surface water of the Aras River and its five tributaries. In total, 1456 samples have been gathered from 14 stations on the Iranian side from September 2021 to August 2022. The comprehensive risk assessments have been conducted through the use of the following indices – Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI), Metal Index (MI), Potential Ecological Risk Index (PRID), and Human Health Risk (HHR). Numerical analysis demonstrated that Aluminum (Al) and Iron (Fe) were the main pollutants with levels of concentration above allowable limits. Thus, the average level of Al at S7 was 1.221 mg/L (MPC: 0.1 mg/L), while Fe at S8 was 17.245 mg/L (MPC: 0.3 mg/L). While arsenic (As) was consistently above 0.01 mg/L upstream and reduced downstream because of dilution, HPI and MI revealed moderate to significant pollution caused by high concentrations of aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) with MI exceeding 6 at most sites. Nevertheless, based on HHR, Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Hazard Index were below 1, which indicates that there is no significant non-cancer risk associated with the current level of contamination. It may be concluded that, although human risks are manageable now, the extreme ecological damage is a matter of concern and needs mitigation measures.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":808,"journal":{"name":"Water, Air, & Soil Pollution","volume":"237 23","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149132252","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":"Urban Road Dust as a Cross-Media Pollutant Reservoir: PM10 Oxidative Potential and Stormwater Metal Contamination in Kolkata","authors":"Swadhin Mazumdar,&nbsp;Abhinandan Ghosh,&nbsp;Jay Karmakar,&nbsp;Abhishek Mandal,&nbsp;Abhijit Chatterjee,&nbsp;Gopala Krishna Darbha","doi":"10.1007/s11270-026-09989-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11270-026-09989-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Road dust in urban megacities represents a significant non-point source of both airborne and waterborne pollution. This study presents an integrated assessment of road dust in Kolkata, India, to evaluate its potential associations with the oxidative potential (OP) of ambient PM₁₀ and its role as a persistent urban metal reservoir associated with stormwater contamination. Road dust and runoff were collected from 16 diverse urban zones, while ambient PM₁₀ sampling was conducted at a representative commercial site during the pre-monsoon season. This study provides an integrated cross-media assessment by combining chemically resolved PM₁₀ oxidative potential measurements obtained during the pre-monsoon period of 2022 with road dust, stormwater runoff, and surface water samples collected during the pre-monsoon season of 2024. Given the non-concurrent sampling periods, the study evaluates persistent environmental patterns and cross-media consistency rather than direct event-specific transport across compartments. Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) source apportionment identified road dust as the largest individual resolved contributor to PM₁₀ (20%). PM₁₀-road dust bound redox-active metals such as Fe, Mn, and Ni were strongly correlated (r: 0.6 to 0.75) with the volume normalized oxidative potential (OP_v) (average OP_v : 12.9 nmol DTT <span>({text{m}text{i}text{n}}^{-1}{text{m}}^{-3})</span>), suggesting a potential contribution of these redox-active metals to PM₁₀ oxidative potential. Simultaneously, stormwater road runoff analysis revealed high concentrations of Pb (up to 1.22 <span>({text{m}text{g} text{L}}^{-1})</span>), Cr (0.85 <span>({text{m}text{g} text{L}}^{-1})</span>), and Fe (up to 98.7 <span>({text{m}text{g} text{L}}^{-1})</span>) particularly in landfill and industrial areas. Post-runoff measurements showed metal accumulation in nearby aquatic systems, with Pb levels increasing from 0.097 to 0.154 <span>({text{m}text{g} text{L}}^{-1})</span> in urban canals. The East Kolkata Wetlands, a Ramsar site, also showed signs of increased contamination. These findings underscore road dust as a persistent urban contaminant reservoir, influencing both atmospheric and aquatic pollution pathways. The study highlights the potential value of considering chemically relevant indicators such as OP alongside mass concentration in urban air-quality assessment and implementing stormwater interception measures to mitigate environmental and health risks in South Asian cities experiencing rapid urbanization.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":808,"journal":{"name":"Water, Air, & Soil Pollution","volume":"237 23","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149133147","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":"Appraisal of Heavy Metals and Pollution Sources in Drinking Water from an Arid Region of Pakistan through Geospatial and Multivariate Statistical Techniques","authors":"Humaira Kanwal,&nbsp;Lubna Ghazal,&nbsp;Suraiya Jabeen,&nbsp;Syed Wasi Haider","doi":"10.1007/s11270-026-10019-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11270-026-10019-z","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Water scarcity is a global concern faced by arid to semi-arid countries like Pakistan. Many districts of Balochistan province in the country are facing water scarcity and droughts spells. The research aimed at assessing drinking water quality based on heavy metals (HMs) contamination: Copper(Cu), Cobalt (Co), Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb), Chromium (Cr), Zinc (Zn) and Iron (Fe) in Lasbela District. Water samples (n = 75) were collected and analysed using geospatial and multivariate statistical techniques. The results revealed hotspots for Fe, Pb and Cr exceeding WHO limits while based on mean concentration values only Fe and Pb were of concern. The multivariate statistical analysis revealed rock-water interaction among geogenic, and use of metal-based pesticides, mining and industrial activities among anthropocene sources of pollution. Ordinary Kriging was used to map HMs spatial distribution. The Fe, Pb and Cr were further modeled through Cokriging to establish targeted hazard maps. Regional comparative assessment of heavy metal contamination in similar climatic conditions was also conducted to compare pollution profile at a broader scale. The study findings with relevant recommendations provide a scientific basis to plan and execute water quality and pollution prevention strategies, thereby contributing to the SDG Goal 6.</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":"237 23","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149133382","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":"Efficient Degradation of Tetracycline by Copper-Cobalt Bimetallic Supported Mesoporous Geopolymer Microspheres: Intermediates Identification, Toxicity Analysis and Degradation Mechanism","authors":"Ying Zhang,&nbsp;Yutong Yang,&nbsp;Wenkang Qi,&nbsp;Chunjie Huang,&nbsp;Ying Lin,&nbsp;Xingyong Xue,&nbsp;Lihong Lan,&nbsp;Yaocong Han,&nbsp;Qiaoqiao Su,&nbsp;Jinlu Liang,&nbsp;Dongping Wei,&nbsp;Shaogang Liu,&nbsp;Linqiang Mo","doi":"10.1007/s11270-026-10013-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11270-026-10013-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In this study, solid waste slag was used as raw material to prepare geopolymer microspheres (GM) via the suspension solidification method. Copper and cobalt bimetals were then impregnated and loaded onto the geopolymer to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for the degradation of tetracycline (TC). Single-factor experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of Cu: Co ratio, catalyst dosage, PMS concentration, pH value, interfering ions (H₂PO₄⁻, HCO₃⁻, Cl⁻, etc.) and natural organic matter (HA) on the TC degradation efficiency. The results show that under the conditions of Cu: Co ratio of 1:1, catalyst dosage of 0.2 g/L, PMS concentration of 0.25 mM and TC concentration of 15 mg/L, pH = 3–11 can high-efficiency TC degradation. Radical quenching experiments and EPR measurements indicate that singlet oxygen (¹O₂) is the dominant reactive species, while superoxide radical (·O₂⁻) is the secondary reactive species. Seventeen intermediate products were identified by LC–MS, and the possible degradation pathways were deduced. In addition, tetracycline degradation was achieved with extremely low leaching concentrations of copper and cobalt (0.232 mg/L and 0.184 mg/L), and the total organic carbon mineralization efficiency reached 72.2%. Toxicity analysis of the degradation intermediates was performed using the Ecosar software, which demonstrates that most intermediates are harmless or low toxic, and it indicated that the CuCo-GM/PMS system could effectively reduce the toxicity of the TC wastewater. This study provides an environmentally friendly, green and high-efficiency bimetallic geopolymer catalyst for the treatment of antibiotic wastewater.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":808,"journal":{"name":"Water, Air, & Soil Pollution","volume":"237 23","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149133090","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":"Enhanced Cd2+ Adsorption by Na2SeO3-Modified Grapevine Pruning Waste-Derived Biochar (Se-GBC): Synthesis, Characterization, and Mechanisms","authors":"Ting Du,&nbsp;Shuxian An,&nbsp;Hanbing Tian,&nbsp;Qingjie Li,&nbsp;Jing Yan,&nbsp;Xiaoqin Wang,&nbsp;GSK Zackariah,&nbsp;Qifeng Zhao,&nbsp;Zhigang Dong,&nbsp;Jianqiang Yang,&nbsp;Zhaojun Li","doi":"10.1007/s11270-026-09984-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11270-026-09984-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The utilization rate of grapevine pruning waste for resource recovery is low, with most material being disposed of through incineration, creating an urgent need for high-value transformation. To develop an adsorbent with high Cd²⁺ adsorption performance, three biochar samples derived from grapevine pruning waste (GBC) were prepared at relatively low pyrolysis temperatures (300, 400 and 500℃) and modified via a facile impregnation method using trace Na₂SeO₃ at varying dosages<b>.</b> The loaded selenium exists predominantly as surface Se-O functional groups, with minor CaSe and SeO₂ crystalline phases detected by XRD. The modification slightly reduced the specific surface area but significantly enlarged the average pore diameter, creating a macroporous structure that facilitates Cd²⁺ mass transfer. The enrichment of oxygen-containing functional groups (OFGs) arises from selenium-containing species introduced during impregnation, which promote the retention and formation of surface oxygen groups. The results indicate that Cd²⁺ adsorption onto GBCs follows a monolayer adsorption model involving both physical and chemical processes. Among the samples, GBC pyrolyzed at 400 °C, and modified at a Se:GBC mass ratio of 1:1500 (Se-GBC400) exhibited the highest efficiency, achieving a maximum adsorption capacity of 24.52 mg/g under the conditions of initial Cd²⁺ concentration of 50 mg/L, adsorbent dosage of 0.1 g/40 mL, pH 6.0, and 25 °C, showing a 61.03% increase in adsorption capacity compared to the unmodified biochar. The loading of Na₂SeO₃ increased the proportion of OFGs such as C-O, C = O, and -COOH on the GBCs surface, thereby enhancing complexation and ion exchange with Cd²⁺, promoting the formation of insoluble precipitates and effectively immobilizing Cd²⁺. These findings provide a scientific basis for the resource utilization of grapevine pruning waste in heavy metal remediation and clarify the adsorption mechanism of Se-GBC400 for Cd²⁺.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":808,"journal":{"name":"Water, Air, & Soil Pollution","volume":"237 23","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149133374","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":"Adsorption Performance and Mechanism of Ciprofloxacin in Aqueous Solution by Artemisia przewalskii Krasch. Biochar-supported Sulfur-modified Nanoscale Zero-valent Iron","authors":"Jinkui Zhong,&nbsp;Li Liu,&nbsp;Yin Zhang,&nbsp;Xiaowen Li,&nbsp;Jing Chen,&nbsp;Lina Yang,&nbsp;Runyujie Ma,&nbsp;Xuewen Zhu,&nbsp;Yaxin Hu","doi":"10.1007/s11270-026-10003-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11270-026-10003-7","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Ciprofloxacin (CIP), a widely used fluoroquinolone antibiotic, is frequently detected in aquatic environments because of its chemical stability and resistance to degradation, posing potential risks to ecosystems and human health. In this study, biochar derived from <i>Artemisia przewalskii Krasch.</i> was used as a support to synthesize a sulfide-modified nanoscale zero-valent iron composite (S-nZVI/HWB) via liquid-phase reduction and sulfidation for the removal of CIP from water. Characterization indicated that S-nZVI/HWB features a short-chain core–shell structure with a hydrophobic surface, enabling magnetic separation. Batch experiments showed that under optimal conditions (25 °C, pH 5, dosage 1 g/L), S-nZVI/HWB achieved 98.30% removal of 10 mg/L CIP, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 109.60 mg/g. The adsorption kinetics were well described by the pseudo-second-order model, and the equilibrium data fitted the Langmuir isotherm. After 30 days of aging, the removal efficiency remained at 81.20%, indicating good stability. Regeneration experiments further revealed that S-nZVI/HWB maintained 53% removal after four adsorption–desorption cycles, substantially outperforming nZVI/HWB (3% under identical conditions). Co-existing substances showed distinct effects: Cl⁻ and humic acid promoted CIP removal, while CO₃²⁻, HCO₃⁻, and SO₄²⁻ suppressed it. Mechanistic investigations revealed that removal is suggested to occur through a combination of adsorption and surface-mediated redox interactions. XPS analysis directly confirmed the involvement of surface complexation and electron transfer, while FTIR spectra indicate the possible participation of hydrogen bonding and π-π interactions; pore filling is inferred from the material’s porous structure. The S-nZVI/HWB offers an efficient approach for the remediation of CIP-contaminated wastewater and enhances the utilization of distinctive biomass resources in Northwest China.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":808,"journal":{"name":"Water, Air, & Soil Pollution","volume":"237 23","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149133217","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":"Manure-derived Organic Matter Dynamics and Environmental Risks: A Review","authors":"Manobendro Sarker,&nbsp;Moh Moh Thant Zin,&nbsp;Ravi Raj Mishra,&nbsp;Teng-Teeh Lim","doi":"10.1007/s11270-026-10014-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11270-026-10014-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Manure fertilization plays a critical role in improving soil health by supplying essential nutrients and enhancing soil organic matter (SOM), thereby influencing soil structure and biological activity. However, the effects of manure application are highly dependent on application rate, timing, and frequency, and are constrained by non-linear nutrient dynamics and potential environmental risks. This review synthesizes field-based evidence to evaluate the impacts of manure-derived organic matter on soil physicochemical properties, microbial processes, and environmental risks. Repeated manure applications gradually increase SOM, thereby improving aggregate stability through microbial activity, pore structure, and reduced bulk density, aiding infiltration and nutrient transport. Furthermore, SOM leads to greater microbial biomass, a more diverse community structure, and higher enzyme activity. However, these benefits are accompanied by environmental risks, including phosphorus (P) accumulation, nitrate (NO₃⁻) leaching, greenhouse gas emissions, heavy metal buildup, and the proliferation of antibiotic resistance. Evidence further indicates that short-term improvements may mask long-term constraints driven by nutrient saturation and contaminant accumulation. Integrated nutrient management strategies are therefore essential to balance agronomic benefits with environmental risks. While manure application can improve crop yield and grain nutritional quality, its economic and environmental performance remains context-dependent. Overall, manure should be considered as a valuable but management-intensive resource for sustainable agriculture.</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":"237 23","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11270-026-10014-4.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149133275","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":"Soil and Water Contamination by Perfluoroalkyl Acids (PFAAs) at Fire Outbreak Sites in Ghana: Distribution and Screening-level Risk Assessment","authors":"Bernard Barnor,&nbsp;Christopher Curtis,&nbsp;Kriveshini Pillay,&nbsp;Albert Eshun,&nbsp;David Essumang","doi":"10.1007/s11270-026-09990-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11270-026-09990-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental contaminants of concern because of their mobility, persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and possible adverse health effects. In this study, only two legacy perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) that include perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) were quantified. Fire-outbreak locations are potential points of release because firefighting foams, thermally affected PFAS-containing materials, industrial activities, wastewater, landfill leachate, and atmospheric deposition can contribute target PFAAs to surrounding soil and water. To our knowledge, this study provides the first field investigation of PFOA and PFOS at documented fire-outbreak sites in Africa. Across 18 fire-affected soil sites, PFOA and PFOS ranged from non-detectable to 5.72 ng/g dw and non-detectable to 10.80 ng/g dw, respectively; lower-bound site means (non-detects assigned zero) were 1.12 and 1.03 ng/g dw. Among seven surface-water sites, PFOA was detected at 5/7 sites and PFOS at 4/7 sites, with ranges of non-detectable–0.793 ng/L and non-detectable–13.50 ng/L and lower-bound means of 0.357 and 2.17 ng/L, respectively. One shallow hand-dug well (WR 3W), interpreted separately from surface water, contained 5.14 ng/L PFOA and non-detectable PFOS. Using updated U.S. EPA 2024 oral reference doses in a deterministic screening model, Hazard Index (HI) exceeded 1 at one surface-water site (GR 6W, driven by PFOS) and at WR 3W (driven by PFOA), while other surface-water HIs were below 1. These Hazard Quotient (HQ)/HI values are screening indicators rather than predictions of disease and depend strongly on intake, body weight, exposure duration, treatment, and benchmark selection. Comparison with the U.S. EPA 4.0 ng/L drinking-water Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) is contextual rather than a compliance determination because most samples were untreated environmental waters. The EU 0.10 µg/L 'Sum of PFAS' parametric value cannot be fully assessed because only two of the 20 listed PFAS were measured, and WHO has not finalized PFOA/PFOS guideline values. The findings therefore provide preliminary baseline evidence of spatially heterogeneous PFOA/PFOS occurrence and support expanded analyte suites, seasonal and groundwater monitoring, source apportionment, biomonitoring, and Ghana-specific exposure assessment.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":808,"journal":{"name":"Water, Air, & Soil Pollution","volume":"237 23","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11270-026-09990-4.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149133218","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}