Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-06-18DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2025.06.031
Jianhong Jiang , Man Yang , Min Huang , Xinyao Guo , Xia Tao , Li Xu , Yue Lu , Lin Tang , Yi Cheng
Three-dimensional (3D) electrochemical treatment of organic wastewater has gained enormous interest due to its merits such as high processing efficiency, low energy consumption and environmental friendliness. However, the stability and cost issues of electrode materials still limit their practical applications. In this study, granular activated carbon (GAC) supported metal (Sn, Fe, Mn and Co) composites have been developed through an impregnation and pyrolysis method. Metal oxides and metal nitrides were formed on the GAC particle through high-temperature pyrolysis with the presence of cyanamide. The materials were applied for the removal of simulated and real humic acid (HA) wastewater, the Sn loaded GAC composite displays exceptionally high performance for electrocatalytic HA removal, achieving a removal rate of 98.4 % for simulated HA wastewater in 90 min and a similar removal rate (98.9 %) for real HA wastewater in 120 min. Further, the material demonstrated outstanding cyclic stability in simulated HA wastewater, the removal efficiency only slightly dropped from 98.2 % to 94.2 % after 14 cycles. The high removal efficiency of the metal-loaded GAC (GAC/M) is likely due to the transition metal bringing abundant catalytic sites and enhanced charge transfer as well as the electro Fenton-like effect. These findings highlight the substantial potential of metal-loaded GAC 3D electrochemical systems for sustainable applications in wastewater treatment.
{"title":"Transition metal-loaded granular activated carbon as efficient three-dimensional electrode for humic acid removal","authors":"Jianhong Jiang , Man Yang , Min Huang , Xinyao Guo , Xia Tao , Li Xu , Yue Lu , Lin Tang , Yi Cheng","doi":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.06.031","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.06.031","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Three-dimensional (3D) electrochemical treatment of organic wastewater has gained enormous interest due to its merits such as high processing efficiency, low energy consumption and environmental friendliness. However, the stability and cost issues of electrode materials still limit their practical applications. In this study, granular activated carbon (GAC) supported metal (Sn, Fe, Mn and Co) composites have been developed through an impregnation and pyrolysis method. Metal oxides and metal nitrides were formed on the GAC particle through high-temperature pyrolysis with the presence of cyanamide. The materials were applied for the removal of simulated and real humic acid (HA) wastewater, the Sn loaded GAC composite displays exceptionally high performance for electrocatalytic HA removal, achieving a removal rate of 98.4 % for simulated HA wastewater in 90 min and a similar removal rate (98.9 %) for real HA wastewater in 120 min. Further, the material demonstrated outstanding cyclic stability in simulated HA wastewater, the removal efficiency only slightly dropped from 98.2 % to 94.2 % after 14 cycles. The high removal efficiency of the metal-loaded GAC (GAC/M) is likely due to the transition metal bringing abundant catalytic sites and enhanced charge transfer as well as the electro Fenton-like effect. These findings highlight the substantial potential of metal-loaded GAC 3D electrochemical systems for sustainable applications in wastewater treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15788,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Sciences-china","volume":"163 ","pages":"Pages 463-473"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146189277","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"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}
The interaction between divalent iron (Fe(II)) and humic substances (HS) is crucial for geochemical cycles in terrestrial and aquatic environments, influencing soil phosphorus (P) cycling and aquatic eutrophication. However, the impact of Fe(II)-HS interactions on P sequestration remains unclear. This research employed controlled lab experiments and advanced characterization techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), to study the mechanisms of P fixation by Fe(II)-HS complexes under neutral pH and anaerobic conditions. Results indicate that Fe(II) availability is crucial for P fixation, more so than HS content. Elevated Fe/P ratios boost P removal by encouraging vivianite formation, even in the presence of HS, reducing dissolved P to below 0.3 mg/L at Fe/P of 2.2. HS primarily hinders P adsorption through competitive ligand exchange. Solution pH also impacts P fixation, with higher pH levels (≥7) enhancing P immobilization. While HS binds Fe(II) and prevents hydrolysis, Fe(II) hydrolysis products like Fe(OH)2/Fe(OH)3-can co-precipitate and remove P. XRD analysis indicated vivianite crystals form at pH 7, but their diffraction peak intensity decreases under acidic or alkaline conditions, with formation controlled by Fe species and HS. The potential pathways of P in the Fe(II)-HS system include P combining with Fe(II) to form vivianite, P combining with HS to form HS-P composites, and P combining with Fe(II)-OM species to form carbon-containing vivianite. These insights improve understanding of the Fe-C-P biogeochemical cycle and P mobility in natural environments.
{"title":"Fe(II)-humus interactions drive phosphorus immobilization: Insights into vivianite formation","authors":"Junhui Li , Hanjie Chen , Hongling Bu , Yanfu Wei , Meiqing Chen , Wenpo Xu , Xiangying Hao , Peng Yuan","doi":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.06.053","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.06.053","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The interaction between divalent iron (Fe(II)) and humic substances (HS) is crucial for geochemical cycles in terrestrial and aquatic environments, influencing soil phosphorus (P) cycling and aquatic eutrophication. However, the impact of Fe(II)-HS interactions on P sequestration remains unclear. This research employed controlled lab experiments and advanced characterization techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), to study the mechanisms of P fixation by Fe(II)-HS complexes under neutral pH and anaerobic conditions. Results indicate that Fe(II) availability is crucial for P fixation, more so than HS content. Elevated Fe/P ratios boost P removal by encouraging vivianite formation, even in the presence of HS, reducing dissolved P to below 0.3 mg/L at Fe/P of 2.2. HS primarily hinders P adsorption through competitive ligand exchange. Solution pH also impacts P fixation, with higher pH levels (≥7) enhancing P immobilization. While HS binds Fe(II) and prevents hydrolysis, Fe(II) hydrolysis products like Fe(OH)<sub>2</sub>/Fe(OH)<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup>can co-precipitate and remove P. XRD analysis indicated vivianite crystals form at pH 7, but their diffraction peak intensity decreases under acidic or alkaline conditions, with formation controlled by Fe species and HS. The potential pathways of P in the Fe(II)-HS system include P combining with Fe(II) to form vivianite, P combining with HS to form HS-P composites, and P combining with Fe(II)-OM species to form carbon-containing vivianite. These insights improve understanding of the Fe-C-P biogeochemical cycle and P mobility in natural environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15788,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Sciences-china","volume":"163 ","pages":"Pages 209-220"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146189811","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"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}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-07-25DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2025.07.048
Aiyu Niu, Xin Li, Shanshan Yang, Fei Liu
The chemical reduction of pollutants by Fe2+aq-iron oxides heterogeneous systems is an important component of abiotic natural attenuation. A linear free energy relationship (LFERs) can be established between the reduction potential (EH) of the heterogeneous system and the kinetic parameter (k) of pollutant degradation. However, this relationship was limited to a single iron oxide. The difference in iron oxides particle size and the coexisting anions and cations in groundwater should also be considered. Here, this study investigated the effect of coexisting ions on the nitrobenzene reduction in the Fe2+aq-goethite systems with different particle sizes, and explored the response of LFERs. The results indicated that the standard reduction potential (EH0) of Gt-200 was highest among Gt-200, Gt-700 and Gt-1000. However, the nitrobenzene reduction rate exhibited the highest in the Fe2+aq-Gt-200 heterogenous systems, which was ascribed to the best adsorption affinity of Fe2+aq on Gt-200. Besides, the presence of cations and anions inhibited the reduction rate of nitrobenzene. As for LFERs, the slopes were the same for the Fe2+aq-goethite systems with different particle sizes and coexisting ions. The intercept terms were different. The maximum difference in intercept terms was reduced from 0.98 to 0.37 by correcting the LFERs based on the saturated adsorption capacity of Fe2+aq. The adsorption performance of Fe2+aq on goethite was an important factor affecting the reduction of nitrobenzene. These findings would provide theoretical support for accurately predicting the abiotic natural attenuation rate of nitrobenzene in the presence of coexisting ions in actual groundwater.
{"title":"Impact mechanism of particle size and coexisting ions on nitrobenzene reduction in the Fe2+aq-goethite heterogeneous system: Insights from reduction potential","authors":"Aiyu Niu, Xin Li, Shanshan Yang, Fei Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.07.048","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.07.048","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The chemical reduction of pollutants by Fe<sup>2+</sup><sub>aq</sub>-iron oxides heterogeneous systems is an important component of abiotic natural attenuation. A linear free energy relationship (LFERs) can be established between the reduction potential (<em>E</em><sub>H</sub>) of the heterogeneous system and the kinetic parameter (<em>k</em>) of pollutant degradation. However, this relationship was limited to a single iron oxide. The difference in iron oxides particle size and the coexisting anions and cations in groundwater should also be considered. Here, this study investigated the effect of coexisting ions on the nitrobenzene reduction in the Fe<sup>2+</sup><sub>aq</sub>-goethite systems with different particle sizes, and explored the response of LFERs. The results indicated that the standard reduction potential (<em>E</em><sub>H</sub><sup>0</sup>) of Gt-200 was highest among Gt-200, Gt-700 and Gt-1000. However, the nitrobenzene reduction rate exhibited the highest in the Fe<sup>2+</sup><sub>aq</sub>-Gt-200 heterogenous systems, which was ascribed to the best adsorption affinity of Fe<sup>2+</sup><sub>aq</sub> on Gt-200. Besides, the presence of cations and anions inhibited the reduction rate of nitrobenzene. As for LFERs, the slopes were the same for the Fe<sup>2+</sup><sub>aq</sub>-goethite systems with different particle sizes and coexisting ions. The intercept terms were different. The maximum difference in intercept terms was reduced from 0.98 to 0.37 by correcting the LFERs based on the saturated adsorption capacity of Fe<sup>2+</sup><sub>aq</sub>. The adsorption performance of Fe<sup>2+</sup><sub>aq</sub> on goethite was an important factor affecting the reduction of nitrobenzene. These findings would provide theoretical support for accurately predicting the abiotic natural attenuation rate of nitrobenzene in the presence of coexisting ions in actual groundwater.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15788,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Sciences-china","volume":"163 ","pages":"Pages 338-347"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146189836","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"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}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-09-02DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2025.08.065
Haseeb Ahmad, Jiu Yang Mao, Rayyan Khan, Muhammad Ali Shah, Kashif Khan, Muhammad Asad Naseer, Shahid Ali, Rida Rashid, Rui He, Xun Bo Zhou
Cadmium (Cd) pollution in soils severely impacts maize growth. This study investigates the potential application of Bacillus subtilis to soil (BSS) as a bioremediator to mitigate Cd-induced stress during the V8 and VT growth stages of maize. The effects of B. subtilis on maize growth, photosynthesis, antioxidant defense, cellular ultrastructure, osmo-regulatory substances, ion homeostasis, and yield under Cd stress were evaluated. Cd exposure (Cd25 and Cd50 mg/kg) significantly reduced plant height, shoot biomass, leaf area, chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic efficiency by 8 %-47 % while increasing oxidative stress markers (superoxide anion (O2•−), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA)) up to 3-fold. Co-exposure of B. subtilis with Cd stress (Cd25BSS and Cd50BSS) improved these parameters, enhancing plant growth and photosynthetic performance by 7 %-40 % and reduced stress biomarkers by 8 %-38 %. Cd25BSS also enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione reductase (GR) by 12 %-34 % and upregulated antioxidant genes (ZmSOD1, ZmPOD4, ZmCAT1, ZmAPX1, and ZmGR1) compared to Cd25. Additionally, Cd25BSS increased osmotic regulation through higher soluble sugars and proteins, contributing to cellular stability under stress. Ion homeostasis was improved by increasing essential nutrients from 6 %-70 % while reducing Cd accumulation by 25 %-85 % in different maize tissues at both growth stages. Moreover, yield exhibited a strong positive correlation with growth parameters and essential ions (nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, iron, and zinc), while showing negative correlation with MDA and Cd accumulation. This study highlights B. subtilis as an effective strategy for mitigating Cd stress, improving maize productivity in contaminated soils, and supporting sustainable agricultural practices.
{"title":"Bacillus subtilis enhances maize yield by restricting cadmium translocation and modulating ion homeostasis","authors":"Haseeb Ahmad, Jiu Yang Mao, Rayyan Khan, Muhammad Ali Shah, Kashif Khan, Muhammad Asad Naseer, Shahid Ali, Rida Rashid, Rui He, Xun Bo Zhou","doi":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.08.065","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.08.065","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cadmium (Cd) pollution in soils severely impacts maize growth. This study investigates the potential application of <em>Bacillus subtilis</em> to soil (BSS) as a bioremediator to mitigate Cd-induced stress during the V8 and VT growth stages of maize. The effects of <em>B. subtilis</em> on maize growth, photosynthesis, antioxidant defense, cellular ultrastructure, osmo-regulatory substances, ion homeostasis, and yield under Cd stress were evaluated. Cd exposure (Cd25 and Cd50 mg/kg) significantly reduced plant height, shoot biomass, leaf area, chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic efficiency by 8 %-47 % while increasing oxidative stress markers (superoxide anion (O<sub>2</sub><sup>•−</sup>), hydrogen peroxide (H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>), malondialdehyde (MDA)) up to 3-fold. Co-exposure of <em>B. subtilis</em> with Cd stress (Cd25BSS and Cd50BSS) improved these parameters, enhancing plant growth and photosynthetic performance by 7 %-40 % and reduced stress biomarkers by 8 %-38 %. Cd25BSS also enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione reductase (GR) by 12 %-34 % and upregulated antioxidant genes (<em>ZmSOD1, ZmPOD4, ZmCAT1, ZmAPX1, and ZmGR1</em>) compared to Cd25. Additionally, Cd25BSS increased osmotic regulation through higher soluble sugars and proteins, contributing to cellular stability under stress. Ion homeostasis was improved by increasing essential nutrients from 6 %-70 % while reducing Cd accumulation by 25 %-85 % in different maize tissues at both growth stages. Moreover, yield exhibited a strong positive correlation with growth parameters and essential ions (nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, iron, and zinc), while showing negative correlation with MDA and Cd accumulation. This study highlights <em>B. subtilis</em> as an effective strategy for mitigating Cd stress, improving maize productivity in contaminated soils, and supporting sustainable agricultural practices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15788,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Sciences-china","volume":"163 ","pages":"Pages 311-327"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146189819","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"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}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-05-24DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2025.05.052
Xinrong He , Bang Xu , Sanli Tang , Xiaoguang Liu , Qibin Liu , Zongguo Wen , Maohong Fan
A new strategy for preparing highly dispersed, richer oxygen vacancies Ni/ZrO2 catalysts derived from UiO-66-NH2 is reported via pyrolysis-calcination removal of the ligands under N2, CO2, and Air atmospheres followed by loading Ni with 5 wt. % via wet impregnation method. Subsequently, the low-temperature dry reforming of methane (DRM) reaction over the obtained Ni/ZrO2 catalysts was preliminarily investigated. The results indicated that the Ni/ZrO2C catalyst, obtained by two-step pyrolysis in CO2, contained smaller Ni particles with a size of only 5–7 nm and possessed a hierarchical porous structure, as well as richer oxygen vacancies and basic active sites compared to the other two catalysts. Its catalytic activity in the DRM reaction presented the highest initial conversion of CH4 (35 %) and CO2 (26 %) at 600 °C, which was 5 % higher than that of the Ni/ZrO2N and Ni/ZrO2O catalysts obtained by two-step pyrolysis under an N2 atmosphere and one-step pyrolysis under an air atmosphere, respectively. Meanwhile, an in-situ DRIFTS experiment revealed that Ni/ZrO2C could enhance the adsorption and activation of CO2 by promoting the formation of formate as an intermediate of CO hydrogenation and reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) reactions, which in turn facilitates the decomposition of CH4.
{"title":"CO2-assisted two-step pyrolysis fabrication of hierarchical porous Ni/ZrO2 catalyst for low-temperature dry reforming of methane","authors":"Xinrong He , Bang Xu , Sanli Tang , Xiaoguang Liu , Qibin Liu , Zongguo Wen , Maohong Fan","doi":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.05.052","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.05.052","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A new strategy for preparing highly dispersed, richer oxygen vacancies Ni/ZrO<sub>2</sub> catalysts derived from UiO-66-NH<sub>2</sub> is reported via pyrolysis-calcination removal of the ligands under N<sub>2</sub>, CO<sub>2</sub>, and Air atmospheres followed by loading Ni with 5 wt. % via wet impregnation method. Subsequently, the low-temperature dry reforming of methane (DRM) reaction over the obtained Ni/ZrO<sub>2</sub> catalysts was preliminarily investigated. The results indicated that the Ni/ZrO<sub>2<img></sub>C catalyst, obtained by two-step pyrolysis in CO<sub>2</sub>, contained smaller Ni particles with a size of only 5–7 nm and possessed a hierarchical porous structure, as well as richer oxygen vacancies and basic active sites compared to the other two catalysts. Its catalytic activity in the DRM reaction presented the highest initial conversion of CH<sub>4</sub> (35 %) and CO<sub>2</sub> (26 %) at 600 °C, which was 5 % higher than that of the Ni/ZrO<sub>2<img></sub>N and Ni/ZrO<sub>2<img></sub>O catalysts obtained by two-step pyrolysis under an N<sub>2</sub> atmosphere and one-step pyrolysis under an air atmosphere, respectively. Meanwhile, an in-situ DRIFTS experiment revealed that Ni/ZrO<sub>2<img></sub>C could enhance the adsorption and activation of CO<sub>2</sub> by promoting the formation of formate as an intermediate of CO hydrogenation and reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) reactions, which in turn facilitates the decomposition of CH<sub>4</sub>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15788,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Sciences-china","volume":"163 ","pages":"Pages 163-174"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146189818","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"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}
Dinotefuran is a widely used neonicotinoid insecticide with a chiral structure, and its potential neurotoxic mechanism has not been fully elucidated. This study revealed that S-dinotefuran showed more significant inhibitory effect than R-dinotefuran and rac-(±)-dinotefuran on various mitochondrial damage indexes of SH-SY5Y. This discovery provides a new perspective for the study of the toxicity mechanism of dinotefuran. S-dinotefuran exerts cytotoxicity by suppressing the cellular antioxidant system, disrupting mitochondrial membrane potential, and interfering with energy metabolism pathways. The primary mechanism involves strong inhibition of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex activity, leading to impaired Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis and abnormal alterations in energy-related metabolites in SH-SY5Y cells.
{"title":"Based on oxidative stress of dinotefuran in SH-SY5Y cells: Chirality in energy metabolism","authors":"Jingtong Yu, Yuan Tang, Chang Liu, Aiqi Feng, Quan Zhang, Meirong Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.05.056","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.05.056","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dinotefuran is a widely used neonicotinoid insecticide with a chiral structure, and its potential neurotoxic mechanism has not been fully elucidated. This study revealed that <em>S</em>-dinotefuran showed more significant inhibitory effect than <em>R</em>-dinotefuran and rac-(±)-dinotefuran on various mitochondrial damage indexes of SH-SY5Y. This discovery provides a new perspective for the study of the toxicity mechanism of dinotefuran. <em>S</em>-dinotefuran exerts cytotoxicity by suppressing the cellular antioxidant system, disrupting mitochondrial membrane potential, and interfering with energy metabolism pathways. The primary mechanism involves strong inhibition of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex activity, leading to impaired Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis and abnormal alterations in energy-related metabolites in SH-SY5Y cells.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15788,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Sciences-china","volume":"163 ","pages":"Pages 492-500"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146189280","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"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}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-06-27DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2025.06.042
Tao Tian , Chunyue Wu , Chuangye Yao , Shuai Yi , Zulfiqar Ali Sahito
Tailings contaminated with multiple metals represents a significant environmental concern owing to their toxicity, persistence, and capacity to bioaccumulate within the food chain. Heavy metal distribution in tailings is closely linked to aggregate-related characteristics. To elucidate the effect of vegetation restoration on heavy metals and organic carbon in lead-zinc tailings, this study investigated tailing aggregates across four different vegetation coverage types: dense area (DA), sparse area (SA), bare area (BA), and control group (CK). The results showed that the heavy metals in lead-zinc tailings were mainly Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn. Heavy metals in tailings accumulate more readily in microaggregates, while macroaggregates have lower heavy metal concentrations. With the improvement of vegetation restoration, the form transformation of heavy metals occurred, and the residual-state Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn in tailings increased. In addition, vegetation restoration promoted macroaggregate formation and enhanced aggregate stability in tailings. Macroaggregates in tailings contained higher organic carbon contents relative to microaggregates, and vegetation restoration enhanced the sequestration and accumulation of organic carbon in tailing aggregates. Correlation analysis indicated that the tailing pH was negative correlated with acid-soluble Cd, acid-soluble Cu, and acid-soluble Zn in tailings. A positive correlation was found between aggregate stability and macroaggregate-associated organic carbon, along with a strong negative correlation between organic carbon in <0.05 mm and acid-soluble Cd, Cu, and Zn. These findings suggest that vegetation restoration regulates heavy metal concentrations, enhances aggregate stability, and promotes organic carbon sequestration in lead-zinc tailings.
{"title":"Unveiling vegetation restoration effect on the heavy metal immobilization and aggregate-associated organic carbon in lead-zinc tailings","authors":"Tao Tian , Chunyue Wu , Chuangye Yao , Shuai Yi , Zulfiqar Ali Sahito","doi":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.06.042","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.06.042","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Tailings contaminated with multiple metals represents a significant environmental concern owing to their toxicity, persistence, and capacity to bioaccumulate within the food chain. Heavy metal distribution in tailings is closely linked to aggregate-related characteristics. To elucidate the effect of vegetation restoration on heavy metals and organic carbon in lead-zinc tailings, this study investigated tailing aggregates across four different vegetation coverage types: dense area (DA), sparse area (SA), bare area (BA), and control group (CK). The results showed that the heavy metals in lead-zinc tailings were mainly Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn. Heavy metals in tailings accumulate more readily in microaggregates, while macroaggregates have lower heavy metal concentrations. With the improvement of vegetation restoration, the form transformation of heavy metals occurred, and the residual-state Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn in tailings increased. In addition, vegetation restoration promoted macroaggregate formation and enhanced aggregate stability in tailings. Macroaggregates in tailings contained higher organic carbon contents relative to microaggregates, and vegetation restoration enhanced the sequestration and accumulation of organic carbon in tailing aggregates. Correlation analysis indicated that the tailing pH was negative correlated with acid-soluble Cd, acid-soluble Cu, and acid-soluble Zn in tailings. A positive correlation was found between aggregate stability and macroaggregate-associated organic carbon, along with a strong negative correlation between organic carbon in <0.05 mm and acid-soluble Cd, Cu, and Zn. These findings suggest that vegetation restoration regulates heavy metal concentrations, enhances aggregate stability, and promotes organic carbon sequestration in lead-zinc tailings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15788,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Sciences-china","volume":"163 ","pages":"Pages 687-696"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146190472","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"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}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-06-18DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2025.06.033
Fankang Zhao , Shiru Lin , Jae-Seong Lee , Minghua Wang
Dynamic shifts in multiple stressors are frequent in the marine environment. Here, we conducted a multigenerational experiment (F1-F4) to explore how different temporal scenarios of climate change, i.e., offspring/persistent ocean acidification (OA), warming (OW), and their combination (AW), could affect inorganic mercury (IHg) toxicity in the marine copepod Tigriopus japonicus. We found that persistent OA exhibited stronger mitigating effect on IHg toxicity in copepods than offspring OA, while offspring/persistent OW and AW aggravated its toxicity effects. We specifically performed transcriptomic analysis for the copepods of F4. Our transcriptomic result showed energy metabolism and detoxification were activated by persistent OA, enabling the copepods to resist IHg exposure. Instead, detoxification- and reproduction-related processes were inhibited in IHg-treated copepods under offspring/persistent OW and AW scenarios. Although apoptosis was suppressed to probably protect IHg-treated copepods under persistent AW, oxidative stress and lysosomal dysfunction ultimately caused reproductive impairment. Our study highlights that offspring/persistent (i.e., developmental/transgenerational) OA and OW could differentially modulate Hg toxicity in marine copepods, and more studies should focus on the temporal variation and complex interaction of multiple stressors, helping accurately project marine biota’s response in the future ocean.
{"title":"Developmental and transgenerational effects of climate change on inorganic mercury toxicity in a marine copepod","authors":"Fankang Zhao , Shiru Lin , Jae-Seong Lee , Minghua Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.06.033","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.06.033","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dynamic shifts in multiple stressors are frequent in the marine environment. Here, we conducted a multigenerational experiment (F1-F4) to explore how different temporal scenarios of climate change, i.e., offspring/persistent ocean acidification (OA), warming (OW), and their combination (AW), could affect inorganic mercury (IHg) toxicity in the marine copepod <em>Tigriopus japonicus</em>. We found that persistent OA exhibited stronger mitigating effect on IHg toxicity in copepods than offspring OA, while offspring/persistent OW and AW aggravated its toxicity effects. We specifically performed transcriptomic analysis for the copepods of F4. Our transcriptomic result showed energy metabolism and detoxification were activated by persistent OA, enabling the copepods to resist IHg exposure. Instead, detoxification- and reproduction-related processes were inhibited in IHg-treated copepods under offspring/persistent OW and AW scenarios. Although apoptosis was suppressed to probably protect IHg-treated copepods under persistent AW, oxidative stress and lysosomal dysfunction ultimately caused reproductive impairment. Our study highlights that offspring/persistent (i.e., developmental/transgenerational) OA and OW could differentially modulate Hg toxicity in marine copepods, and more studies should focus on the temporal variation and complex interaction of multiple stressors, helping accurately project marine biota’s response in the future ocean.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15788,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Sciences-china","volume":"163 ","pages":"Pages 557-565"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146190476","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"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}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-06-20DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2025.06.024
Zhanghan Li , Pin Wang , Cheng Ye , Jiacheng Luo , Yayun Zhang , Wenhai Chu
Increasing fluoride (F-) in groundwater sources due to geological and anthropogenic activities poses a threat to human health. Simultaneous removal of F- and natural organic matter (NOM) is challenging during the drinking water treatment. In this study, the coagulation performance of a novel zirconium (Zr) salt coagulant for removing F- and disinfection by-products (DBPs) precursors was tested against a traditional aluminum sulfate (Alum) coagulation. F- can be effectively removed by Alum and Zr salt coagulation at a wide pH ranging from 4.5 to 8.5, while the metal residual in the Zr salt coagulation effluents (< 0.05 mg Zr4+/L) was much lower than that in Alum coagulation effluents (> 0.1 mg Al3+/L). In the case of Zr salt enhanced coagulation, the maximum removal of F- was 64.8 % at pH 4.5. The adsorption of F- onto the Zr salt precipitates through the electrostatic attraction and ion-exchange was the main route for removal of F-. Meanwhile, the formation potential and the calculated toxicity of DBPs were reduced by 43.1 % and 41.8 % in Zr salt enhanced coagulation, respectively. The enhancement in removing low molecular weight acids contributed to the effective control of DBPs formation and associated toxicity in Zr salt enhanced coagulation. Hence, Zr salt coagulants show great promise in controlling F- and highly toxic DBPs precursors simultaneously during drinking water treatment.
{"title":"Simultaneous removal of fluoride and disinfection by-product precursors through Zr salt enhanced coagulation","authors":"Zhanghan Li , Pin Wang , Cheng Ye , Jiacheng Luo , Yayun Zhang , Wenhai Chu","doi":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.06.024","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.06.024","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Increasing fluoride (F<sup>-</sup>) in groundwater sources due to geological and anthropogenic activities poses a threat to human health. Simultaneous removal of F<sup>-</sup> and natural organic matter (NOM) is challenging during the drinking water treatment. In this study, the coagulation performance of a novel zirconium (Zr) salt coagulant for removing F<sup>-</sup> and disinfection by-products (DBPs) precursors was tested against a traditional aluminum sulfate (Alum) coagulation. F<sup>-</sup> can be effectively removed by Alum and Zr salt coagulation at a wide pH ranging from 4.5 to 8.5, while the metal residual in the Zr salt coagulation effluents (< 0.05 mg Zr<sup>4+</sup>/L) was much lower than that in Alum coagulation effluents (> 0.1 mg Al<sup>3+</sup>/L). In the case of Zr salt enhanced coagulation, the maximum removal of F<sup>-</sup> was 64.8 % at pH 4.5. The adsorption of F<sup>-</sup> onto the Zr salt precipitates through the electrostatic attraction and ion-exchange was the main route for removal of F<sup>-</sup>. Meanwhile, the formation potential and the calculated toxicity of DBPs were reduced by 43.1 % and 41.8 % in Zr salt enhanced coagulation, respectively. The enhancement in removing low molecular weight acids contributed to the effective control of DBPs formation and associated toxicity in Zr salt enhanced coagulation. Hence, Zr salt coagulants show great promise in controlling F<sup>-</sup> and highly toxic DBPs precursors simultaneously during drinking water treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15788,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Sciences-china","volume":"163 ","pages":"Pages 575-583"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146189975","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"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}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-06-18DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2025.06.028
Qin Liao , Cong Jin , Ping Li , Jinhua Wu , Chiqian Zhang , Zhiqiang Hu
Piggery tail water (PTW), the biochemical unit effluent rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, causes eutrophication when directly discharged, threatening the ecological environment. Stricter standards and environmental regulations necessitate the urgent development of green, low-carbon advanced treatment technologies. This study introduces a nitrate-mediated anaerobic microorganism-sponge iron (mic-Fe0) system, which leverages microbial metabolism, in situ iron oxidation, and iron-phosphorus biomineralization to enhance nitrogen and phosphorus removal. A 262-day column experiment was conducted to compare three systems (abiotic sponge iron (s-Fe0), microbial s-Fe0, and nitrate-mediated mic-Fe0) and to optimize s-Fe0 dosage (5 %-15 %, V/V). The results indicated that when the s-Fe0 dosage was 10 %, the system achieved 83.55 % nitrate removal and 87.53 % total phosphorus (TP) removal, reducing the effluent TP concentration to 2.55 ± 1.06 mg/L, a 60 % decrease compared to the abiotic s-Fe0 system (6.33 ± 1.83 mg/L). Several analytical techniques revealed that the nitrate-mediated mic-Fe0 system exhibited the highest iron corrosion among all experimental groups and generated substantial iron-phosphorus minerals, such as vivianite and strengite. This confirmed that microbial-induced biocorrosion accelerated iron dissolution and promoted phosphorus fixation. Simultaneously, nitrate mediation further enhanced the corrosion process, facilitating the sustained dissolution of s-Fe0 and thereby achieving efficient phosphorus removal. Additionally, the enrichment of autotrophic and heterotrophic denitrifying bacteria expanded the nitrogen cycling pathway, enabling efficient nitrogen removal under low carbon-to-nitrogen ratios. This study elucidates the mechanism of enhanced nitrogen and phosphorus removal in the nitrate-mediated mic-Fe0 system, offering a novel strategy for the advanced treatment of PTW.
{"title":"Nitrate-mediated anaerobic microorganism-sponge iron system promoting simultaneous nitrogen and phosphate removal from piggery tail water","authors":"Qin Liao , Cong Jin , Ping Li , Jinhua Wu , Chiqian Zhang , Zhiqiang Hu","doi":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.06.028","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.06.028","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Piggery tail water (PTW), the biochemical unit effluent rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, causes eutrophication when directly discharged, threatening the ecological environment. Stricter standards and environmental regulations necessitate the urgent development of green, low-carbon advanced treatment technologies. This study introduces a nitrate-mediated anaerobic microorganism-sponge iron (mic-Fe<sup>0</sup>) system, which leverages microbial metabolism, in situ iron oxidation, and iron-phosphorus biomineralization to enhance nitrogen and phosphorus removal. A 262-day column experiment was conducted to compare three systems (abiotic sponge iron (s-Fe<sup>0</sup>), microbial s-Fe<sup>0</sup>, and nitrate-mediated mic-Fe<sup>0</sup>) and to optimize s-Fe<sup>0</sup> dosage (5 %-15 %, <em>V/V</em>). The results indicated that when the s-Fe<sup>0</sup> dosage was 10 %, the system achieved 83.55 % nitrate removal and 87.53 % total phosphorus (TP) removal, reducing the effluent TP concentration to 2.55 ± 1.06 mg/L, a 60 % decrease compared to the abiotic s-Fe<sup>0</sup> system (6.33 ± 1.83 mg/L). Several analytical techniques revealed that the nitrate-mediated mic-Fe<sup>0</sup> system exhibited the highest iron corrosion among all experimental groups and generated substantial iron-phosphorus minerals, such as vivianite and strengite. This confirmed that microbial-induced biocorrosion accelerated iron dissolution and promoted phosphorus fixation. Simultaneously, nitrate mediation further enhanced the corrosion process, facilitating the sustained dissolution of s-Fe<sup>0</sup> and thereby achieving efficient phosphorus removal. Additionally, the enrichment of autotrophic and heterotrophic denitrifying bacteria expanded the nitrogen cycling pathway, enabling efficient nitrogen removal under low carbon-to-nitrogen ratios. This study elucidates the mechanism of enhanced nitrogen and phosphorus removal in the nitrate-mediated mic-Fe<sup>0</sup> system, offering a novel strategy for the advanced treatment of PTW.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15788,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Sciences-china","volume":"163 ","pages":"Pages 741-750"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146190097","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"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}
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