Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2026-01-09DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2026.144825
Subharthe Samandra , Ellis S.G. Mackay , Wesam S. Alwan , Amanda V. Ellis , Bradley O. Clarke
Microplastics are ubiquitous in the environment, capable of long-range transport via rainfall, waterbodies, wind, and snow, and often carry other emerging contaminants on their surface, as well as additives within their own structure. This makes them persistent, bioaccumulative, and potentially toxic. This study represents the first survey of multiple land use settings in Victoria and New South Wales, Australia. A total of 55 soil samples were analysed for 13 different polymers in the 10–1000 μm size range, using foam fractionation to separate microplastic particles from the soil. The mean abundance was 14,400 ± 20,000 microplastics/kg, with a median of 4200 microplastics/kg (range: 0–90,200 microplastics/kg). Most of the particles were between 10 and 100 μm, with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), and polyurethane (PU) being the most prominent polymers. The microplastic particle morphologies were dominated by fragments (38 %) and pellets (27 %), with the remaining consisting of spheres, films, foams and fibres.
{"title":"Widespread microplastic contamination in Australian soils: Sources, pathways, and environmental implications","authors":"Subharthe Samandra , Ellis S.G. Mackay , Wesam S. Alwan , Amanda V. Ellis , Bradley O. Clarke","doi":"10.1016/j.chemosphere.2026.144825","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chemosphere.2026.144825","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Microplastics are ubiquitous in the environment, capable of long-range transport via rainfall, waterbodies, wind, and snow, and often carry other emerging contaminants on their surface, as well as additives within their own structure. This makes them persistent, bioaccumulative, and potentially toxic. This study represents the first survey of multiple land use settings in Victoria and New South Wales, Australia. A total of 55 soil samples were analysed for 13 different polymers in the 10–1000 μm size range, using foam fractionation to separate microplastic particles from the soil. The mean abundance was 14,400 ± 20,000 microplastics/kg, with a median of 4200 microplastics/kg (range: 0–90,200 microplastics/kg). Most of the particles were between 10 and 100 μm, with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), and polyurethane (PU) being the most prominent polymers. The microplastic particle morphologies were dominated by fragments (38 %) and pellets (27 %), with the remaining consisting of spheres, films, foams and fibres.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":276,"journal":{"name":"Chemosphere","volume":"395 ","pages":"Article 144825"},"PeriodicalIF":8.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145924021","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 abandoned Ouixane iron ore mine in northeastern Morocco has generated a significant volume of mine wastes, which can generate contaminated water in the form of acid mine drainage (AMD) when sulfide minerals are present. This study evaluates the geochemical, mineralogical, and environmental characteristics of eleven representative samples (S1 to S11) collected from various zones of the site using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and static tests including acid-base accounting (ABA), net acid generation (NAG), and paste pH measurements. The results reveal high average concentrations of (mean 39.46 wt%) and (mean 17.71 wt%), along with mean elevated levels of (1.09 g/kg), (0.73 g/kg), (0.96 g/kg), and (1.02 g/kg). Mineralogical analysis confirmed the presence of reactive sulfide and sulfate phases. Most samples exhibit highly acidic pH values (<2) and negative net neutralization potentials (NNP) ranging from −1025.73 to +34.96 kg , with a mean of −263.54 kg , indicating a strong acid-generating potential. These findings highlight critical risks of acid generation and metal contamination at the Ouixane site, providing essential data for effective remediation strategies in Morocco.
摩洛哥东北部废弃的Ouixane铁矿产生了大量的矿山废物，当硫化物矿物存在时，这些废物会以酸性矿山废水（AMD）的形式产生污染水。本研究利用x射线荧光（XRF）、x射线衍射（XRD）、扫描电镜能谱（SEM-EDS）和静态测试（包括酸碱计算（ABA）、净酸生成（NAG）和膏体pH测量）评估了从现场不同区域采集的11个代表性样品（S1至S11）的地球化学、矿物学和环境特征。结果显示，Fe2O3（平均39.46 wt%）和SO3（平均17.71 wt%）的平均浓度较高，As （1.09 g/kg）、Pb （0.73 g/kg）、Zn （0.96 g/kg）和Cu （1.02 g/kg）的平均水平也有所升高。矿物学分析证实了活性硫化物和硫酸盐相的存在。大多数样品具有强酸性pH值（<2）和负的净中和电位（NNP），范围为- 1025.73至+34.96 kg CaCO3/t，平均为- 263.54 kg CaCO3/t，表明具有强的产酸电位。这些发现突出了Ouixane遗址产生酸和金属污染的关键风险，为摩洛哥的有效补救战略提供了重要数据。
{"title":"From iron ore to environmental risk: Geochemical, mineralogical, and acid generation behavior of mining wastes from the abandoned ouixane site, Northeastern Morocco","authors":"Hanae Chat , Hanae Ouaddari , Rkia Zari , Farida Salmoun","doi":"10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144809","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144809","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The abandoned Ouixane iron ore mine in northeastern Morocco has generated a significant volume of mine wastes, which can generate contaminated water in the form of acid mine drainage (AMD) when sulfide minerals are present. This study evaluates the geochemical, mineralogical, and environmental characteristics of eleven representative samples (S1 to S11) collected from various zones of the site using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and static tests including acid-base accounting (ABA), net acid generation (NAG), and paste pH measurements. The results reveal high average concentrations of <span><math><mrow><msub><mtext>Fe</mtext><mn>2</mn></msub><msub><mi>O</mi><mn>3</mn></msub></mrow></math></span> (mean 39.46 wt%) and <span><math><mrow><msub><mtext>SO</mtext><mn>3</mn></msub></mrow></math></span> (mean 17.71 wt%), along with mean elevated levels of <span><math><mrow><mtext>As</mtext></mrow></math></span> (1.09 g/kg), <span><math><mrow><mtext>Pb</mtext></mrow></math></span> (0.73 g/kg), <span><math><mrow><mtext>Zn</mtext></mrow></math></span> (0.96 g/kg), and <span><math><mrow><mtext>Cu</mtext></mrow></math></span> (1.02 g/kg). Mineralogical analysis confirmed the presence of reactive sulfide and sulfate phases. Most samples exhibit highly acidic pH values (<2) and negative net neutralization potentials (NNP) ranging from −1025.73 to +34.96 kg <span><math><mrow><msub><mtext>CaCO</mtext><mn>3</mn></msub><mo>/</mo><mi>t</mi></mrow></math></span> , with a mean of −263.54 kg <span><math><mrow><msub><mtext>CaCO</mtext><mn>3</mn></msub><mo>/</mo><mi>t</mi></mrow></math></span>, indicating a strong acid-generating potential. These findings highlight critical risks of acid generation and metal contamination at the Ouixane site, providing essential data for effective remediation strategies in Morocco.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":276,"journal":{"name":"Chemosphere","volume":"394 ","pages":"Article 144809"},"PeriodicalIF":8.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145836567","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 : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2026-01-21DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2026.144838
Farideh Pahlavan, Alireza Rahimi, Hamed Khodadadi Tirkolaei, Anthony Lamanna, Elham H. Fini
Increasing calcium (Ca2+) concentrations in water systems, largely attributed to industrial effluents and agricultural runoff, present serious environmental and health concerns, including scaling, infrastructure degradation, and elevated risk of kidney stone formation. Conventional calcium removal techniques such as chemical precipitation and reverse osmosis are often energy-intensive and economically unsustainable. This study explores engineered biochars derived from algae and wood as alternative, sustainable materials for Ca2+ remediation from aqueous environments. The performance of each biochar was evaluated through a combination of atomistic simulations, batch and continuous-flow adsorption experiments, and gas–liquid–solid phase carbonation tests. Algae-based biochar reduced Ca2+ concentrations by up to 47 percent, from 802.4 to 425 mg per liter, outperforming wood-based biochar, which reduced concentrations from 839.5 to 574.3 mg per liter. Both biochars demonstrated significantly higher Ca2+ uptake than inert glass bead controls. Carbonation experiments further confirmed the ability of biochar to facilitate calcium carbonate (CaCO3) precipitation, with algae biochar yielding 762 mg of CaCO3 and exhibiting substantial surface-scale deposition, suggesting enhanced nucleation and crystal growth. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations indicated that nitrogen- and oxygen-containing surface functional groups, particularly amine, pyridine, and carboxyl moieties, are key contributors to Ca2+ binding. The adsorption energy analysis supported the superior performance of algae biochar, driven by stronger Ca2+ affinity. These results demonstrate the potential of designed biochars as efficient, low-cost materials for water treatment, while supporting sustainable resource management and circular bioeconomy initiatives.
{"title":"Process-scale evaluation of biochar for calcium removal and mineral recovery in industrial wastewater treatment","authors":"Farideh Pahlavan, Alireza Rahimi, Hamed Khodadadi Tirkolaei, Anthony Lamanna, Elham H. Fini","doi":"10.1016/j.chemosphere.2026.144838","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chemosphere.2026.144838","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Increasing calcium (Ca<sup>2+</sup>) concentrations in water systems, largely attributed to industrial effluents and agricultural runoff, present serious environmental and health concerns, including scaling, infrastructure degradation, and elevated risk of kidney stone formation. Conventional calcium removal techniques such as chemical precipitation and reverse osmosis are often energy-intensive and economically unsustainable. This study explores engineered biochars derived from algae and wood as alternative, sustainable materials for Ca<sup>2+</sup> remediation from aqueous environments. The performance of each biochar was evaluated through a combination of atomistic simulations, batch and continuous-flow adsorption experiments, and gas–liquid–solid phase carbonation tests. Algae-based biochar reduced Ca<sup>2+</sup> concentrations by up to 47 percent, from 802.4 to 425 mg per liter, outperforming wood-based biochar, which reduced concentrations from 839.5 to 574.3 mg per liter. Both biochars demonstrated significantly higher Ca<sup>2+</sup> uptake than inert glass bead controls. Carbonation experiments further confirmed the ability of biochar to facilitate calcium carbonate (CaCO<sub>3</sub>) precipitation, with algae biochar yielding 762 mg of CaCO<sub>3</sub> and exhibiting substantial surface-scale deposition, suggesting enhanced nucleation and crystal growth. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations indicated that nitrogen- and oxygen-containing surface functional groups, particularly amine, pyridine, and carboxyl moieties, are key contributors to Ca<sup>2+</sup> binding. The adsorption energy analysis supported the superior performance of algae biochar, driven by stronger Ca<sup>2+</sup> affinity. These results demonstrate the potential of designed biochars as efficient, low-cost materials for water treatment, while supporting sustainable resource management and circular bioeconomy initiatives.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":276,"journal":{"name":"Chemosphere","volume":"395 ","pages":"Article 144838"},"PeriodicalIF":8.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146032071","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 : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2025-12-25DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144817
Yslaine Andrade de Almeida , Marcos Vinícius Quirino dos Santos , Honnara Santos Granja , Katlin Ivon Barrios Eguiluz , Eliana Midori Sussuchi , Giancarlo Richard Salazar-Banda , Iara de Fatima Gimenez
17α-Ethinylestradiol (EE2), a synthetic estrogen widely used in pharmaceuticals, is a potent endocrine disruptor capable of causing adverse effects even at trace concentrations. To enable its sensitive determination, we developed a carbon paste electrode modified with activated biochar derived from green coconut mesocarp and functionalized with Au@Pd nanoparticles. The activated biochar presented a porous, high-surface area framework, while the bimetallic nanoparticles enhanced conductivity and electrocatalytic activity. The resulting sensor exhibited excellent linearity in the range of 0.05–5.0 μM (R2 = 0.9993), achieving a detection limit of 2.53 nM and a quantification limit of 8.43 nM, nearly three orders of magnitude lower than those obtained by a reference chromatographic method (LOD: 5.14 μM, LOQ: 17.14 μM). Intra-day (RSD = 5.77 %) and inter-day (RSD = 8.14 %) reproducibility met accepted analytical criteria. Selectivity studies revealed significant interference only from 17β-estradiol and ascorbic acid, yielding relative errors of +165.38 % and +72.63 %, respectively. By contrast, urea, NaCl, and caffeine showed negligible effects (−10.38 % to +6.03 %), demonstrating the robustness of the sensor in biological and saline matrices. The applicability of the method was confirmed by quantifying EE2 in a commercial contraceptive (declared: 6.746 μM; found: 6.706 μM; recovery: 99.41 %) and in real and simulated matrices, including groundwater, tap water, synthetic urine, saline solution, and artificial breast milk. These results highlight the potential of this biochar-based nanocomposite electrode as a low-cost, sustainable, and efficient platform for decentralized monitoring of endocrine-disrupting contaminants.
{"title":"Waste-derived Au@Pd/activated biochar electrode for sensitive detection of 17α-ethinylestradiol in water","authors":"Yslaine Andrade de Almeida , Marcos Vinícius Quirino dos Santos , Honnara Santos Granja , Katlin Ivon Barrios Eguiluz , Eliana Midori Sussuchi , Giancarlo Richard Salazar-Banda , Iara de Fatima Gimenez","doi":"10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144817","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144817","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>17α-Ethinylestradiol (EE2), a synthetic estrogen widely used in pharmaceuticals, is a potent endocrine disruptor capable of causing adverse effects even at trace concentrations. To enable its sensitive determination, we developed a carbon paste electrode modified with activated biochar derived from green coconut mesocarp and functionalized with Au@Pd nanoparticles. The activated biochar presented a porous, high-surface area framework, while the bimetallic nanoparticles enhanced conductivity and electrocatalytic activity. The resulting sensor exhibited excellent linearity in the range of 0.05–5.0 μM (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.9993), achieving a detection limit of 2.53 nM and a quantification limit of 8.43 nM, nearly three orders of magnitude lower than those obtained by a reference chromatographic method (LOD: 5.14 μM, LOQ: 17.14 μM). Intra-day (RSD = 5.77 %) and inter-day (RSD = 8.14 %) reproducibility met accepted analytical criteria. Selectivity studies revealed significant interference only from 17β-estradiol and ascorbic acid, yielding relative errors of +165.38 % and +72.63 %, respectively. By contrast, urea, NaCl, and caffeine showed negligible effects (−10.38 % to +6.03 %), demonstrating the robustness of the sensor in biological and saline matrices. The applicability of the method was confirmed by quantifying EE2 in a commercial contraceptive (declared: 6.746 μM; found: 6.706 μM; recovery: 99.41 %) and in real and simulated matrices, including groundwater, tap water, synthetic urine, saline solution, and artificial breast milk. These results highlight the potential of this biochar-based nanocomposite electrode as a low-cost, sustainable, and efficient platform for decentralized monitoring of endocrine-disrupting contaminants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":276,"journal":{"name":"Chemosphere","volume":"394 ","pages":"Article 144817"},"PeriodicalIF":8.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145836573","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 : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2025-12-12DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144800
Amy-lynne Balaberda , Dennis Escolástico-Ortiz , Christine Martineau , Nicole E. Heshka , Matthew B.J. Lindsay , Dani Degenhardt
Froth treatment tailings (FTT) are byproducts of bitumen extraction at oil sands mines in northern Alberta. Produced during froth treatment, where diluent such as naphtha is added to separate bitumen from water and solids, FTT contain residual hydrocarbons and sulfide minerals like pyrite, potentially posing reclamation challenges. This study investigated the spatial and vertical distribution of hydrocarbons and microbial communities across a transect of an FTT deposit at Syncrude's Mildred Lake Settling Basin. Residual naphtha and petroleum hydrocarbon (PHC) concentrations reflected deposition history, with higher concentrations near the pond and in deeper, older tailings at the dyke. Microbial diversity was lower in FTT than in underlying coarse tailings, with the lowest diversity observed at ∼30 m depth, likely due to moderate to high PHC concentrations, anoxic conditions, and nutrient limitations. Microbial community composition varied with depth, material type, and location, and FTT were enriched in taxa involved in hydrocarbon degradation (Pseudomonas), sulfur cycling (Thiobacillus, Desulfovibrio, Desulfotomaculales), and methanogenesis (Methanosaeta). Among hydrocarbons, toluene and ethylbenzene were strong predictors of microbial variation. Pyrite content also emerged as an important driver, likely due to its role in redox processes. These results highlight the close links between residual diluent, tailings geochemistry, and microbial ecology, emphasizing the importance of accurate FTT characterization to support closure landform design and inform future reclamation monitoring.
{"title":"Biogeochemical characterization of froth treatment tailings","authors":"Amy-lynne Balaberda , Dennis Escolástico-Ortiz , Christine Martineau , Nicole E. Heshka , Matthew B.J. Lindsay , Dani Degenhardt","doi":"10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144800","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144800","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Froth treatment tailings (FTT) are byproducts of bitumen extraction at oil sands mines in northern Alberta. Produced during froth treatment, where diluent such as naphtha is added to separate bitumen from water and solids, FTT contain residual hydrocarbons and sulfide minerals like pyrite, potentially posing reclamation challenges. This study investigated the spatial and vertical distribution of hydrocarbons and microbial communities across a transect of an FTT deposit at Syncrude's Mildred Lake Settling Basin. Residual naphtha and petroleum hydrocarbon (PHC) concentrations reflected deposition history, with higher concentrations near the pond and in deeper, older tailings at the dyke. Microbial diversity was lower in FTT than in underlying coarse tailings, with the lowest diversity observed at ∼30 m depth, likely due to moderate to high PHC concentrations, anoxic conditions, and nutrient limitations. Microbial community composition varied with depth, material type, and location, and FTT were enriched in taxa involved in hydrocarbon degradation (<em>Pseudomonas</em>), sulfur cycling (<em>Thiobacillus</em>, <em>Desulfovibrio</em>, <em>Desulfotomaculales</em>), and methanogenesis (<em>Methanosaeta</em>). Among hydrocarbons, toluene and ethylbenzene were strong predictors of microbial variation. Pyrite content also emerged as an important driver, likely due to its role in redox processes. These results highlight the close links between residual diluent, tailings geochemistry, and microbial ecology, emphasizing the importance of accurate FTT characterization to support closure landform design and inform future reclamation monitoring.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":276,"journal":{"name":"Chemosphere","volume":"394 ","pages":"Article 144800"},"PeriodicalIF":8.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145748315","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 : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2026-01-20DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2026.144836
Sean M. Smith, Albert X. Wu, Tricia Smrz, Lee Xiong
Anion exchange resin (AEXR) and granular activated carbon (GAC) adsorbents are effective and well-explored media for the removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water streams. As such, these two adsorbent classes have been deemed two of the three best available technologies for water treatment by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. However, the breadth of PFAS studied remains disproportionately focused on long-chain (LC) perfluoroalkyl acids, such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). This work assesses the adsorption efficacy of commercially available AEXR and GAC adsorbents across a series of ultrashort-chain (USC), short-chain (SC), and LC PFAS, with an emphasis on the relatively underexplored USC class. Results uncover the relative adsorption selectivity for AEXR vs GAC, importance of the AEXR functional group, and the impact of competitive inorganic anions across different PFAS and adsorbents. A dynamic column test validates the capacity trends from batch adsorption testing in relation to bed volumes until breakthrough. The structure-property relationships identified expand on the fundamental understanding of adsorbent technology for PFAS remediation applications and highlight the challenges in expanding the application use case particularly for USC PFAS remediation from water.
{"title":"Adsorption of ultrashort-, short-, and long-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): Impacts of adsorbent, PFAS type, and competitive ions","authors":"Sean M. Smith, Albert X. Wu, Tricia Smrz, Lee Xiong","doi":"10.1016/j.chemosphere.2026.144836","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chemosphere.2026.144836","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Anion exchange resin (AEXR) and granular activated carbon (GAC) adsorbents are effective and well-explored media for the removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water streams. As such, these two adsorbent classes have been deemed two of the three best available technologies for water treatment by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. However, the breadth of PFAS studied remains disproportionately focused on long-chain (LC) perfluoroalkyl acids, such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). This work assesses the adsorption efficacy of commercially available AEXR and GAC adsorbents across a series of ultrashort-chain (USC), short-chain (SC), and LC PFAS, with an emphasis on the relatively underexplored USC class. Results uncover the relative adsorption selectivity for AEXR vs GAC, importance of the AEXR functional group, and the impact of competitive inorganic anions across different PFAS and adsorbents. A dynamic column test validates the capacity trends from batch adsorption testing in relation to bed volumes until breakthrough. The structure-property relationships identified expand on the fundamental understanding of adsorbent technology for PFAS remediation applications and highlight the challenges in expanding the application use case particularly for USC PFAS remediation from water.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":276,"journal":{"name":"Chemosphere","volume":"395 ","pages":"Article 144836"},"PeriodicalIF":8.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146013664","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 : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-10-29DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144745
Carla Letícia Gediel Rivero-Wendt , Ana Luisa Miranda-Vilela , Luana Garcia Fernandes , Elaine Silva de Pádua Melo , Valter Aragão Nascimento , Stefanni Alves Vasques Loureiro , Lana Fioravante Pereira , Nathalia Macedo Silva , Carlos Eurico Fernandes
Active biomonitoring using caged fish is a practical approach for assessing environmental contamination in urban aquatic ecosystems. In this study, Astyanax lacustris was employed to evaluate the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of trace metal exposure in an artificial urban reservoir in Brazil (Lago do Amor). Fish were exposed in situ for 3, 6, and 12 days, and sediment and muscle samples were analyzed for metal(loid) concentrations by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Sediments contained up to 838.7 ± 24.4 mg/kg Fe and 7.1 ± 0.04 mg/kg Mn, while fish muscles accumulated arsenic at 2.21 ± 0.14 mg/kg across exposure times. The comet assay revealed that DNA damage increased by 66 % after 6 days and 55 % after 12 days of exposure compared to controls, while integrated optical density (IOD) analysis showed significant nuclear alterations consistent with genotoxic stress. These findings suggest that even sub-threshold concentrations of metals may induce measurable genotoxic effects in fish. Importantly, this is one of the first studies in an artificial urban lake in Brazil to integrate cellular biomarkers with ICP-OES chemical analyses, demonstrating the sensitivity of A. lacustris as a native bioindicator. The data are consistent with the view that active biomonitoring can provide early warning of ecological risks, and this approach may serve as a cost-effective tool to support environmental management of urban freshwater systems.
利用笼鱼进行主动生物监测是评价城市水生生态系统环境污染的一种实用方法。在这项研究中，利用Astyanax lacustris来评估巴西（Lago do Amor）一个人工城市水库中微量金属暴露的遗传毒性和细胞毒性效应。鱼在原位暴露3、6和12天，并用电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法（ICP-OES）分析沉积物和肌肉样品中的金属（样蛋白）浓度。沉积物中含有高达838.7±24.4 mg/kg的铁和7.1±0.04 mg/kg的锰，而鱼类肌肉在暴露时间内积累的砷为2.21±0.14 mg/kg。彗星分析显示，与对照组相比，暴露6天后的DNA损伤增加了66%，暴露12天后的DNA损伤增加了55%，而综合光密度（IOD）分析显示，与遗传毒性应激一致的显著核改变。这些发现表明，即使低于阈值的金属浓度也可能对鱼类产生可测量的遗传毒性作用。重要的是，这是首次在巴西人工城市湖泊中将细胞生物标志物与ICP-OES化学分析相结合的研究之一，证明了湖芽草作为天然生物指标的敏感性。这些数据与主动生物监测可以提供生态风险早期预警的观点一致，这种方法可以作为支持城市淡水系统环境管理的成本效益工具。
{"title":"Caged native fish reveal genotoxic effects of metal contamination in an urban lake","authors":"Carla Letícia Gediel Rivero-Wendt , Ana Luisa Miranda-Vilela , Luana Garcia Fernandes , Elaine Silva de Pádua Melo , Valter Aragão Nascimento , Stefanni Alves Vasques Loureiro , Lana Fioravante Pereira , Nathalia Macedo Silva , Carlos Eurico Fernandes","doi":"10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144745","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144745","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Active biomonitoring using caged fish is a practical approach for assessing environmental contamination in urban aquatic ecosystems. In this study, <em>Astyanax lacustris</em> was employed to evaluate the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of trace metal exposure in an artificial urban reservoir in Brazil (Lago do Amor). Fish were exposed in situ for 3, 6, and 12 days, and sediment and muscle samples were analyzed for metal(loid) concentrations by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Sediments contained up to 838.7 ± 24.4 mg/kg Fe and 7.1 ± 0.04 mg/kg Mn, while fish muscles accumulated arsenic at 2.21 ± 0.14 mg/kg across exposure times. The comet assay revealed that DNA damage increased by 66 % after 6 days and 55 % after 12 days of exposure compared to controls, while integrated optical density (IOD) analysis showed significant nuclear alterations consistent with genotoxic stress. These findings suggest that even sub-threshold concentrations of metals may induce measurable genotoxic effects in fish. Importantly, this is one of the first studies in an artificial urban lake in Brazil to integrate cellular biomarkers with ICP-OES chemical analyses, demonstrating the sensitivity of <em>A. lacustris</em> as a native bioindicator. The data are consistent with the view that active biomonitoring can provide early warning of ecological risks, and this approach may serve as a cost-effective tool to support environmental management of urban freshwater systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":276,"journal":{"name":"Chemosphere","volume":"392 ","pages":"Article 144745"},"PeriodicalIF":8.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145411109","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 : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-10-29DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144735
Amr Nasr Fekry, Hazim Qiblawey, Fares Almomani
This study investigates the remarkable potential of living Mixed Indigenous Microalgae (MIMA) for mercury bioremediation in aquatic environments at environmentally relevant concentrations (10–100 μg/L). Our research demonstrates high mercury removal efficiency (89–94 %) across all tested concentrations, with rapid kinetics achieving equilibrium within just 2 min of contact time. The maximum biosorption capacity reached 0.10 mg/g at 100 μg/L initial concentration. Notably, MIMA maintained both viability and removal efficiency when exposed to Hg for 3 days without any addition of nutrients suggesting resilience under nutrient-limited conditions. Comprehensive isotherm analysis revealed the Dubinin-Radushkevich model provided the best fit (R2 = 0.998), indicating physical adsorption as the predominant mechanism, as the calculated mean free energy (E = 5.00 kJ/mol) falls within the 1–8 kJ/mol range characteristic of physical adsorption. Kinetic studies showed superior correlation with the pseudo-second-order model (R2 > 0.996), with rate constants decreasing systematically from 767.5 to 216.0 g/mg·min as concentration increased, suggesting secondary chemical interactions may also contribute to the overall mechanism. Advanced characterization revealed significant surface modifications, with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showing increased surface roughness, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) indicating involvement of hydroxyl, protein, and carbohydrate functional groups, and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) confirming Hg(II) binding to oxygen-containing moieties with distinctive Hg 4f peaks at 101.78 and 105.8 eV. Optical microscopy revealed the formation of sudden spherical-shell boundaries around individual cells providing visual evidence of an immediate physico-chemical response at the cell-mercury interface, correlating with the observed rapid kinetics. This research addresses critical knowledge gaps regarding living microalgae-mediated mercury removal and demonstrates MIMA's potential as a sustainable, efficient solution for mercury contamination in aquatic ecosystems, maintaining viability even under nutrient-limited conditions while effectively reducing mercury concentrations to near guideline values at the lowest initial level (10 μg/L).
{"title":"Rapid mercury removal using living indigenous microalgal communities for water treatment applications","authors":"Amr Nasr Fekry, Hazim Qiblawey, Fares Almomani","doi":"10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144735","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144735","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the remarkable potential of living Mixed Indigenous Microalgae (<em>MIMA</em>) for mercury bioremediation in aquatic environments at environmentally relevant concentrations (10–100 μg/L). Our research demonstrates high mercury removal efficiency (89–94 %) across all tested concentrations, with rapid kinetics achieving equilibrium within just 2 min of contact time. The maximum biosorption capacity reached 0.10 mg/g at 100 μg/L initial concentration. Notably, <em>MIMA</em> maintained both viability and removal efficiency when exposed to Hg for 3 days without any addition of nutrients suggesting resilience under nutrient-limited conditions. Comprehensive isotherm analysis revealed the Dubinin-Radushkevich model provided the best fit (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.998), indicating physical adsorption as the predominant mechanism, as the calculated mean free energy (E = 5.00 kJ/mol) falls within the 1–8 kJ/mol range characteristic of physical adsorption. Kinetic studies showed superior correlation with the pseudo-second-order model (R<sup>2</sup> > 0.996), with rate constants decreasing systematically from 767.5 to 216.0 g/mg·min as concentration increased, suggesting secondary chemical interactions may also contribute to the overall mechanism. Advanced characterization revealed significant surface modifications, with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showing increased surface roughness, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) indicating involvement of hydroxyl, protein, and carbohydrate functional groups, and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) confirming Hg(II) binding to oxygen-containing moieties with distinctive Hg 4f peaks at 101.78 and 105.8 eV. Optical microscopy revealed the formation of sudden spherical-shell boundaries around individual cells providing visual evidence of an immediate physico-chemical response at the cell-mercury interface, correlating with the observed rapid kinetics. This research addresses critical knowledge gaps regarding living microalgae-mediated mercury removal and demonstrates <em>MIMA</em>'s potential as a sustainable, efficient solution for mercury contamination in aquatic ecosystems, maintaining viability even under nutrient-limited conditions while effectively reducing mercury concentrations to near guideline values at the lowest initial level (10 μg/L).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":276,"journal":{"name":"Chemosphere","volume":"392 ","pages":"Article 144735"},"PeriodicalIF":8.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145411076","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 : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-11-03DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144749
Sunny O. Abarikwu , Ogechukwu E. Ezim , Guilherme M.J. Costa , Samyra M.S.N. Lacerda , Thalita Marcolan Valverde , Vivian Vasconcelos Costa , Oke Aruoren , Vivian E. Monye , Lauritta C. Ndufeiya-Kumasi , Iniobong A. Charles
Here, we investigated the effect of atrazine (ATZ, 50 mg kg−1 body weight) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, nitric oxide (NO) production, tissue weights and oxidative stress variables (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances; (TBARS; measured as malondialdehyde) and catalase activity) in the testis, liver, epididymis, and prostate of BALB/c mice. In vitro, we examined the effects of ATZ (1–200 μM) on LPS-induced oxidative stress markers and NO production in RAW 264.7 macrophages, and cytokine responses (tumor necrosis factor-α: TNF-α and interleukin-1β: IL-1β) in differentiated THP-1 human macrophages after 48 h. The liver, testis, and prostate of ATZ + LPS animals had low NO concentrations relative to the LPS values. Interestingly, TBARS was increased in the ATZ + LPS-exposed mice in liver, epididymis and prostate compared to the LPS-treated mice. ATZ + LPS co-exposure also decreased the weight of the testis, epididymis, and prostate and altered the expression of iNOS in all the tissues. In vitro, ATZ alters the responses of RAW264.7 macrophages to inflammatory stimuli (LPS) by suppressing NO production. In differentiated THP-1 human macrophages, ATZ diminished TNF and IL-1β production following LPS stimulation. Altogether, our data indicate that atrazine suppresses immunological response in LPS-stimulated BALB/c mice and macrophage cell lines.
{"title":"Atrazine alters nitric oxide secretion and cytokines production in LPS-stimulated BalB/c mice, RAW264.7 macrophage and THP-1 cell lines","authors":"Sunny O. Abarikwu , Ogechukwu E. Ezim , Guilherme M.J. Costa , Samyra M.S.N. Lacerda , Thalita Marcolan Valverde , Vivian Vasconcelos Costa , Oke Aruoren , Vivian E. Monye , Lauritta C. Ndufeiya-Kumasi , Iniobong A. Charles","doi":"10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144749","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144749","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Here, we investigated the effect of atrazine (ATZ, 50 mg kg<sup>−1</sup> body weight) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, nitric oxide (NO) production, tissue weights and oxidative stress variables (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances; (TBARS; measured as malondialdehyde) and catalase activity) in the testis, liver, epididymis, and prostate of BALB/c mice. In vitro, we examined the effects of ATZ (1–200 μM) on LPS-induced oxidative stress markers and NO production in RAW 264.7 macrophages, and cytokine responses (tumor necrosis factor-α: TNF-α and interleukin-1β: IL-1β) in differentiated THP-1 human macrophages after 48 h. The liver, testis, and prostate of ATZ + LPS animals had low NO concentrations relative to the LPS values. Interestingly, TBARS was increased in the ATZ + LPS-exposed mice in liver, epididymis and prostate compared to the LPS-treated mice. ATZ + LPS co-exposure also decreased the weight of the testis, epididymis, and prostate and altered the expression of iNOS in all the tissues. In vitro, ATZ alters the responses of RAW264.7 macrophages to inflammatory stimuli (LPS) by suppressing NO production. In differentiated THP-1 human macrophages, ATZ diminished TNF and IL-1β production following LPS stimulation. Altogether, our data indicate that atrazine suppresses immunological response in LPS-stimulated BALB/c mice and macrophage cell lines.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":276,"journal":{"name":"Chemosphere","volume":"392 ","pages":"Article 144749"},"PeriodicalIF":8.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145446875","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}
Cassava starch is a major global starch source, with 80 % of its production generating waste, predominantly cassava bagasse. This study valorized cassava bagasse by developing active packaging films incorporated with nutmeg essential oil (NO) at varying concentrations (1–3% w/w). The integration of NO increased film thickness from 0.38 mm to 0.67 mm, and tensile strength (TS) from 0.66 MPa to 1.19 MPa, while reducing density (1.33–1.21 g cm−3), transparency (75.51–53.62%), and solubility. Films exhibited higher opacity (46.72–58.73%) and enhanced color intensity. SEM images revealed fewer oil droplets and a more microporous structure, indicating improved compatibility. FT-IR confirmed that NO did not alter the film's chemical composition, although XRD indicated enhanced crystallinity. Thermal stability improved as the maximum decomposition temperature increased from 299.28 °C to 301.48 °C. Migration analysis demonstrated enhanced phytochemical release in different solvents, following Fickian-type diffusion. HS-SPME analysis revealed p-cymene, terpinen-4-ol, γ-terpinene, sabinene, and safrole as the dominant volatiles, contributing to antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. Disk diffusion assays showed N03 exhibited the largest inhibition zones against E. coli (20.67 mm) and S. aureus (31.33 mm). Moreover, grapes packed with N03 (NO 3%) film maintained quality for 10 d at room temperature, with reduced weight loss, color variation, and microbial proliferation compared to controls. The findings confirm that NO incorporation significantly enhanced the physicochemical, structural, and bioactive performance of cassava bagasse films, demonstrating strong potential for sustainable food packaging applications.
{"title":"Valorization of cassava starch waste for multifunctional packaging: Optimizing antimicrobial, thermal, mechanical, and functional performance through nutmeg essential oil integration","authors":"Chalani Akmeemana, Dulani Somendrika, Indira Wickramasinghe, Isuru Wijesekara","doi":"10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144739","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144739","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cassava starch is a major global starch source, with 80 % of its production generating waste, predominantly cassava bagasse. This study valorized cassava bagasse by developing active packaging films incorporated with nutmeg essential oil (NO) at varying concentrations (1–3% w/w). The integration of NO increased film thickness from 0.38 mm to 0.67 mm, and tensile strength (TS) from 0.66 MPa to 1.19 MPa, while reducing density (1.33–1.21 g cm<sup>−3</sup>), transparency (75.51–53.62%), and solubility. Films exhibited higher opacity (46.72–58.73%) and enhanced color intensity. SEM images revealed fewer oil droplets and a more microporous structure, indicating improved compatibility. FT-IR confirmed that NO did not alter the film's chemical composition, although XRD indicated enhanced crystallinity. Thermal stability improved as the maximum decomposition temperature increased from 299.28 °C to 301.48 °C. Migration analysis demonstrated enhanced phytochemical release in different solvents, following Fickian-type diffusion. HS-SPME analysis revealed <em>p</em>-cymene, terpinen-4-ol, γ-terpinene, sabinene, and safrole as the dominant volatiles, contributing to antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. Disk diffusion assays showed N03 exhibited the largest inhibition zones against <em>E. coli</em> (20.67 mm) and <em>S. aureus</em> (31.33 mm). Moreover, grapes packed with N03 (NO 3%) film maintained quality for 10 d at room temperature, with reduced weight loss, color variation, and microbial proliferation compared to controls. The findings confirm that NO incorporation significantly enhanced the physicochemical, structural, and bioactive performance of cassava bagasse films, demonstrating strong potential for sustainable food packaging applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":276,"journal":{"name":"Chemosphere","volume":"392 ","pages":"Article 144739"},"PeriodicalIF":8.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145460795","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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