Environmental systems research最新文献

The antibiotics ciprofloxacin and sulfamethoxazole are well-known to be persistent in drinking water, as they have been detected at the highest concentration and frequency, respectively. These antibiotics persist despite their residence time, water treatment, and environmental conditions encountered in drinking water distribution systems. To better understand this phenomenon, the objectives of this study were to determine their degradation kinetics at a residual, sub-minimum inhibitory concentration while exposed to multi-species biofilms in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe, as well as examine their effect on total cell count (TCC). The results revealed that both antibiotics continued to be detected after the experimental period of 12 days. Ciprofloxacin concentrations decreased by 31.1% (± 3.9%) and 27.4% (± 7.7%) during exposure to the biofilm and PVC-only control respectively, whereas sulfamethoxazole concentrations decreased by 87.2% (± 15.8%) and 3.6% (± 8.6%) during exposure to the biofilm and PVC-only control, respectively. Biofilm TCC increased significantly when exposed to ciprofloxacin (p-value < 0.005), but showed no significant change when exposed to sulfamethoxazole (p-value > 0.05), which suggested that ciprofloxacin enhanced biofilm formation. These results address the gap in antibiotic persistence research by tracing their concentrations, elucidating the mechanisms of sorption and degradation, and discussing their relative implications. As antibiotics continue to persist in drinking water, their interaction with biofilms may contribute to the long-term selection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, posing potential risks to drinking water safety and public health.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40068-025-00396-5.

Urban flooding has become a growing concern for many cities due to accelerating urbanisation, changing weather, and drainage system aging. Earlier studies of floods have taken primarily the traditional process-based approach to predicting urban floods, offering limited exploration of recent advancements in AI-driven, real-time, and community-integrated approach, which this paper brings into focus. This paper reviews how flood prediction has improved over the last two decades. It begins by reviewing physical process-based models (PPBMs), which often could not handle the fast changes in cities. New tools like geographic information systems (GIS), light detection and ranging (LiDAR), and satellite images helped improve flood mapping and planning. A big shift came with the use of AI and machine learning. They have made predictions faster, smarter, and more accurately. They allow many types of data, like weather information, sensor data, and social media (crowdsourcing) data. Recently, new tools like Internet of Things devices, deep learning, and hybrid models have brought even more progress. However, there are still challenges. Many cities still do not have the data, sensors, or systems needed to use these tools. Many models work on their own, not linked with city planning or community efforts. Flood solutions must now be more than just technical. Future systems should combine AI, hydrodynamics, GIS, and real-time monitoring, adapt to city change, and include input from communities. Open-source tools, public education, and better planning are also needed to make cities safer and more resilient to costly floods.

Rapid identification is critically important in the protection of endangered species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). One such species is American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), whose remaining wild populations are vulnerable to the effects of poaching. Direct Analysis in Real Time Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (DART-ToF MS) is a mature but underutilized forensic tool suitable for rapidly analyzing plant materials. This tool offers greater convenience over alternative species identification methods commonly requiring extensive sample preparation and instrument run times. In the current study, four categories of ginseng, including wild and cultivated American ginseng, Korean ginseng (P. ginseng), and Chinese ginseng (P. notoginseng), were analyzed by DART-ToF MS. The collected mass spectra were visually compared by heat map prior to application of multivariate statistical analysis to cluster sample groups, yielding a two-step identification model capable of identifying the origin of blind quality assurance samples. With fast sample preparation, data acquisition, and statistical analysis, DART-ToF MS shows great potential as a forensic screening tool in combating poaching and illegal trade of endangered and CITES-listed species such as wild American ginseng.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40068-025-00414-6.

There is growing awareness of the environmental presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and their harmful effects on animals and humans. Recent studies have revealed changes in human embryonic stem cells and maternal biomarkers, underscoring the severity and unpredictable outcomes associated with long-term exposure to PFAS. Monitoring efforts continually identify additional PFAS compounds worldwide, but a standardized and unified approach is still lacking. Traditional treatment methods such as adsorption and membrane filtration have been effective in removing 80-95% of PFAS from wastewater. However, complete removal of short-chain PFAS remains limited to a few recently developed techniques. The inability of advanced treatment methods to eliminate emerging short-chain and ultrashort-chain PFAS suggests the need for more integrated approaches that target all PFAS classes. Additionally, a few studies have discussed the potential toxicity outcomes of these treatments at both laboratory and full-scale levels. While advanced oxidative processes (AOPs) are rapidly gaining attention for degrading 90-100% of PFAS in sewage, it remains challenging to fully break down PFAS into non-toxic, mineralized products such as CO₂ and H₂O due to the strong C-F bonds and the potential toxicity of by-products in post-treated wastewater. Standardized and reliable bioassays for assessing PFAS toxicity are still under development, and current predictive models linking molecular structure to human health effects are at an early stage. This review examines the emerging health and ecological risks associated with both legacy and novel PFAS, alongside recent advances and limitations in individual and combined treatment technologies for water and wastewater. Emphasis is placed on the potential toxicity of degradation products, highlighting the need for more integrated and comprehensive toxicity assessments to guide safer PFAS remediation strategies.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40068-025-00411-9.

The unprecedented surge in the demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) worldwide during the covid pandemic resulted in a significant increase in PPE consumption and subsequent waste generation. Despite the importance of PPE, its widespread usage and disposal have sparked worries about the environmental impact and its long-term sustainability. The increasing awareness of environmental challenges, resource scarcity, and the urgent need to mitigate climate change necessitates a paradigm shift in the product design, manufacturing process, and waste management of PPE. To address these challenges and have a sustainable PPE future, the development of degradable polymers and natural fibers offers a promising alternative to traditional plastics. Additionally, recycling and upcycling methods can convert the waste into valuable alternate products or energy sources, thereby reducing their environmental impact. Better waste management systems, comprehensive policy frameworks, and international collaborations are essential for the effective PPE waste management and the promotion of sustainable practices. Despite the challenges, collaborative efforts across governments, manufacturers, research institutions, and waste management authorities are crucial for transitioning to a more sustainable PPE industry and a circular economy, ultimately benefiting both the environment and society.