Pub Date : 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2026.123709
Jingchuan Fu, Jiayuan Liu, Jingyi Li, Chenyu Zhu, Huanli Wang
This study reports the rational design and construction of a novel S-scheme Bi4Ti3O12/MgIn2S4 (BTO/MIS) heterojunction for the photocatalytic purification of tetracycline (TC) and hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) under visible light. The heterojunction was engineered to couple the strong oxidation capability of BTO with the strong reduction capability of MIS, aiming to overcome the rapid charge recombination and limited redox power of single-component photocatalysts. The optimized 10 %BTO/MIS composite demonstrated markedly enhanced activity, with a TC degradation rate constant (0.02 min−1) 2.3 to 3.8 times higher than those of pristine BTO and MIS. Performance was maximized under alkaline conditions and at an optimal catalyst dosage. Mechanistic investigations, combining radical trapping experiments and in-situ XPS analysis, unequivocally verified an S-scheme charge transfer pathway. This mechanism facilitates the separation of powerful charge carriers: holes (h+) and superoxide radicals (⋅O2−) dominate TC oxidation, while electrons (e−) accumulated on MIS drive Cr(VI) reduction. The composite also exhibited excellent stability over multiple cycles, effective mineralization (TOC removal), and low ecological toxicity in plant germination assays. These results underscore the BTO/MIS S-scheme heterojunction as a highly efficient, durable, and environmentally benign photocatalyst with promising potential for practical wastewater treatment.
{"title":"Construction of a novel S-scheme Bi4Ti3O12/MgIn2S4 heterojunction for efficient photocatalytic removal of tetracycline and Cr(VI)","authors":"Jingchuan Fu, Jiayuan Liu, Jingyi Li, Chenyu Zhu, Huanli Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123709","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123709","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study reports the rational design and construction of a novel S-scheme Bi<sub>4</sub>Ti<sub>3</sub>O<sub>12</sub>/MgIn<sub>2</sub>S<sub>4</sub> (BTO/MIS) heterojunction for the photocatalytic purification of tetracycline (TC) and hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) under visible light. The heterojunction was engineered to couple the strong oxidation capability of BTO with the strong reduction capability of MIS, aiming to overcome the rapid charge recombination and limited redox power of single-component photocatalysts. The optimized 10 %BTO/MIS composite demonstrated markedly enhanced activity, with a TC degradation rate constant (0.02 min<sup>−1</sup>) 2.3 to 3.8 times higher than those of pristine BTO and MIS. Performance was maximized under alkaline conditions and at an optimal catalyst dosage. Mechanistic investigations, combining radical trapping experiments and in-situ XPS analysis, unequivocally verified an S-scheme charge transfer pathway. This mechanism facilitates the separation of powerful charge carriers: holes (h<sup>+</sup>) and superoxide radicals (⋅O<sub>2</sub><sup>−</sup>) dominate TC oxidation, while electrons (e<sup>−</sup>) accumulated on MIS drive Cr(VI) reduction. The composite also exhibited excellent stability over multiple cycles, effective mineralization (TOC removal), and low ecological toxicity in plant germination assays. These results underscore the BTO/MIS S-scheme heterojunction as a highly efficient, durable, and environmentally benign photocatalyst with promising potential for practical wastewater treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":312,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Research","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 123709"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145931683","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 : 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2026.123715
Yulong Geng , Weihua Guo , Quanzhi Li , Fan Zhang , Anya zhong , Zhenqi Hu
Vegetation carbon sequestration plays a crucial role in mitigating global warming and maintaining regional carbon balance. The Yellow River Basin (YRB) is a key region for energy development and ecological conservation in China, yet the driving mechanisms underlying the spatial distribution of vegetation carbon sequestration and the carbon sequestration capacity of open-pit mines have not been systematically evaluated. Based on multi-source datasets, this study first employs the Sen's slope estimator combined with the Mann–Kendall trend test model to identify the temporal trends of vegetation carbon sequestration. It then applies a Bayesian-optimized Bayesian-optimized Extreme Gradient Boosting model integrated with Shapley Additive Explanations model to uncover the driving mechanisms of climate, soil, and human activities on its spatial distribution. Finally, a buffer zone comparison method is used to quantify the carbon sequestration potential of open-pit mines. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) Over the 24-year period, Net Ecosystem Productivity (NEP) in the YRB has shown a continuous increase, reaching 159.69 gC·m−2 in 2024, which is five times the level in 2001. The most significant growth occurred in the middle and upper reaches, while the endorheic region exhibited limited improvement, with some areas even functioning as carbon sources. (2) Among the driving factors of NEP distribution in the YRB, precipitation, solar radiation, and soil organic carbon are the dominant contributors, accounting for more than 58 % in total. (3) The NEP of different types of open-pit mines varies substantially. Active mines function overall as carbon sources (−17.93 Gg), whereas stable and revegetated mines act as carbon sinks. The total carbon sequestration potential of all open-pit mines is 93.57 Gg, representing approximately 89 % of the current carbon sequestration level. This study provides a quantitative foundation for enhancing carbon sequestration, evaluating ecological restoration, and supporting the implementation of the “dual-carbon” strategy in the YRB.
{"title":"Driving mechanisms of vegetation carbon sink distribution based on explainable machine learning and evaluation of carbon sequestration in open-pit mines","authors":"Yulong Geng , Weihua Guo , Quanzhi Li , Fan Zhang , Anya zhong , Zhenqi Hu","doi":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123715","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123715","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Vegetation carbon sequestration plays a crucial role in mitigating global warming and maintaining regional carbon balance. The Yellow River Basin (YRB) is a key region for energy development and ecological conservation in China, yet the driving mechanisms underlying the spatial distribution of vegetation carbon sequestration and the carbon sequestration capacity of open-pit mines have not been systematically evaluated. Based on multi-source datasets, this study first employs the Sen's slope estimator combined with the Mann–Kendall trend test model to identify the temporal trends of vegetation carbon sequestration. It then applies a Bayesian-optimized Bayesian-optimized Extreme Gradient Boosting model integrated with Shapley Additive Explanations model to uncover the driving mechanisms of climate, soil, and human activities on its spatial distribution. Finally, a buffer zone comparison method is used to quantify the carbon sequestration potential of open-pit mines. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) Over the 24-year period, Net Ecosystem Productivity (NEP) in the YRB has shown a continuous increase, reaching 159.69 gC·m<sup>−2</sup> in 2024, which is five times the level in 2001. The most significant growth occurred in the middle and upper reaches, while the endorheic region exhibited limited improvement, with some areas even functioning as carbon sources. (2) Among the driving factors of NEP distribution in the YRB, precipitation, solar radiation, and soil organic carbon are the dominant contributors, accounting for more than 58 % in total. (3) The NEP of different types of open-pit mines varies substantially. Active mines function overall as carbon sources (−17.93 Gg), whereas stable and revegetated mines act as carbon sinks. The total carbon sequestration potential of all open-pit mines is 93.57 Gg, representing approximately 89 % of the current carbon sequestration level. This study provides a quantitative foundation for enhancing carbon sequestration, evaluating ecological restoration, and supporting the implementation of the “dual-carbon” strategy in the YRB.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":312,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Research","volume":"293 ","pages":"Article 123715"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145931670","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 : 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2026.123700
Haixiang Wang , Hezhong Yuan , Zhongying Sang , Mengqi Li , Jianqi Gao , Longjiang Zhang , Lei Wang , Jinbang Cai , Hao Chen , Shenqiang Wang , Yu Wang
Phosphorus (P)-driven eutrophication remains a major ecological threat to aquatic ecosystems, particularly in intensively farmed regions. However, the relative contributions of agricultural legacy P and internal sediment-derived P remain poorly constrained due to complex transformation pathways and the lack of integrated source-tracing approaches. In this study, we combined chemical fractionation, phosphate oxygen isotope (δ18OP) tracing, and high-resolution molecular characterization to identify dominant P sources and their bioavailability in Nanyihu Lake, China. Results from lake and estuarine sediments, as well as adjacent agricultural soils, indicate that labile (LP) and moderately labile phosphorus (MLP) are the main bioavailable fractions. Bayesian mixing models indicate that agricultural sources attributed 46 % of total P inputs, including agricultural soils (25 %) and feces (21 %), exceeding contributions from internal sediment release (38 %) and wastewater treatment plants (16 %). In situ profiling using diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) and Peeper methods reveals that iron (oxy)hydroxide reduction facilitates sedimentary P release, with soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) fluxes reaching 6.32 ± 0.11 mg m−2d−1, underscoring its substantial role in annual internal P loading. Furthermore, Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) indicates that lipid- and protein-like organic P compounds in sediments can be readily mineralized, continuously replenishing bioavailable P pools. These findings demonstrate that agricultural activities not only drive external P loading but also promote accumulation of reactivatable P in sediment, sustaining internal P cycling and long-term eutrophication. Effective watershed management requires integrating control of external inputs and sediment legacy P across the landscape.
{"title":"Integrated isotopic and molecular insights reveal agricultural legacy phosphorus driving Nanyihu Lake eutrophication","authors":"Haixiang Wang , Hezhong Yuan , Zhongying Sang , Mengqi Li , Jianqi Gao , Longjiang Zhang , Lei Wang , Jinbang Cai , Hao Chen , Shenqiang Wang , Yu Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123700","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123700","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Phosphorus (P)-driven eutrophication remains a major ecological threat to aquatic ecosystems, particularly in intensively farmed regions. However, the relative contributions of agricultural legacy P and internal sediment-derived P remain poorly constrained due to complex transformation pathways and the lack of integrated source-tracing approaches. In this study, we combined chemical fractionation, phosphate oxygen isotope (δ<sup>18</sup>O<sub>P</sub>) tracing, and high-resolution molecular characterization to identify dominant P sources and their bioavailability in Nanyihu Lake, China. Results from lake and estuarine sediments, as well as adjacent agricultural soils, indicate that labile (LP) and moderately labile phosphorus (MLP) are the main bioavailable fractions. Bayesian mixing models indicate that agricultural sources attributed 46 % of total P inputs, including agricultural soils (25 %) and feces (21 %), exceeding contributions from internal sediment release (38 %) and wastewater treatment plants (16 %). <em>In situ</em> profiling using diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) and Peeper methods reveals that iron (oxy)hydroxide reduction facilitates sedimentary P release, with soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) fluxes reaching 6.32 ± 0.11 mg m<sup>−2</sup>d<sup>−1</sup>, underscoring its substantial role in annual internal P loading. Furthermore, Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) indicates that lipid- and protein-like organic P compounds in sediments can be readily mineralized, continuously replenishing bioavailable P pools. These findings demonstrate that agricultural activities not only drive external P loading but also promote accumulation of reactivatable P in sediment, sustaining internal P cycling and long-term eutrophication. Effective watershed management requires integrating control of external inputs and sediment legacy P across the landscape.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":312,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Research","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 123700"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145931363","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 : 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2026.123703
Jose L. Domingo
Since the early 1990s, considerable progress has been made in understanding the teratogenic and embryotoxic effects of metals in mammalian systems. The present updated review synthesizes over three decades of research findings, examining the developmental toxicity of metals across four categories: (a) metals of greatest toxicological significance (arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, and uranium), (b) essential trace metals (chromium, cobalt, manganese, selenium, and zinc), (c) other metals with evident biological interest (nickel and vanadium), and (d) metals of pharmacological interest (aluminum and lithium). Recent advances in understanding molecular mechanisms, epigenetic effects, transgenerational impacts, and improved chelation therapies are comprehensively reviewed. The emergence of new analytical techniques has revealed previously unrecognized low-dose effects and complex metal-metal interactions that affect developmental outcomes. Current evidence shows that environmental exposures to multiple metals at concentrations previously considered safe can produce significant developmental toxicity through oxidative stress, epigenetic modifications, and disruption of essential metabolic pathways. Chelating agents, including improved formulations of DMSA and DMPS, continue to show promise in preventing and treating metal-induced developmental toxicity, although their own potential developmental effects require careful consideration.
{"title":"Developmental toxicity of metals: Three decades of insights into mechanisms, epigenetics, and transgenerational inheritance","authors":"Jose L. Domingo","doi":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123703","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123703","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Since the early 1990s, considerable progress has been made in understanding the teratogenic and embryotoxic effects of metals in mammalian systems. The present updated review synthesizes over three decades of research findings, examining the developmental toxicity of metals across four categories: (a) metals of greatest toxicological significance (arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, and uranium), (b) essential trace metals (chromium, cobalt, manganese, selenium, and zinc), (c) other metals with evident biological interest (nickel and vanadium), and (d) metals of pharmacological interest (aluminum and lithium). Recent advances in understanding molecular mechanisms, epigenetic effects, transgenerational impacts, and improved chelation therapies are comprehensively reviewed. The emergence of new analytical techniques has revealed previously unrecognized low-dose effects and complex metal-metal interactions that affect developmental outcomes. Current evidence shows that environmental exposures to multiple metals at concentrations previously considered safe can produce significant developmental toxicity through oxidative stress, epigenetic modifications, and disruption of essential metabolic pathways. Chelating agents, including improved formulations of DMSA and DMPS, continue to show promise in preventing and treating metal-induced developmental toxicity, although their own potential developmental effects require careful consideration.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":312,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Research","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 123703"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145931694","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}
Ambient air pollution could be associated with poor mental health. Black carbon (BC) has been highlighted as a crucial component of particulate matter; however, its isolated role independent from the total particulate matter mass has been poorly studied. Our study aimed to examine the associations between long-term exposure to particulate matter with a diameter <2.5 μm (PM2.5), BC and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and psychological distress in the French CONSTANCES cohort and to assess the role of BC independently of PM2.5. This cross-sectional study included 104,146 adults. Psychological distress was assessed in 2019 using the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12). Annual concentrations of PM2.5, BC, and NO2 estimated from land-use regression models at each participant's residential address. Negative binomial models with different covariate adjustments were used. A residuals method was used to assess the independent role of BC. Incident rate ratios (IRR) per an interquartile range (IQR) increase in exposure to each pollutant were calculated. Stratified analyses by age, sex, education and season were also conducted. Mean exposures were 9.38 μg/m3 for PM2.5 (IQR = 2.6), 1.15 × 10−5/m for BC (IQR = 0.5) and 19.1 μg/m3 for NO2 (IQR = 11.5). Exposure to each pollutant was significantly associated with higher psychological distress (IRR (95 % CI): 1.052 (1.014–1.092) for PM2.5, 1.078 (1.055–1.101) for BC, and 1.082(1.057–1.109) for NO2). Stronger associations were found for men, elderly, lower-educated, and during warm season. BC residuals were significantly associated with higher psychological distress when regressed on PM2.5 (1.055 (1.039–1.071)) and when regressed on NO2 (1.067(1.041–1.093)). Exposure to ambient air pollution was associated with psychological distress, with BC showing a deleterious role independently of PM2.5 and NO2.
{"title":"Long-term air pollution exposure and mental health in French adults of the CONSTANCES cohort: Role of black carbon independently of PM2.5","authors":"Zeinab Bitar , Baptiste Pignon , Cédric Lemogne , Kees de Hoogh , Marcel Goldberg , Franck Schürhoff , Danielle Vienneau , Mohammad Javad Zare Sakhvidi , Marie Zins , Emeline Lequy , Emilie Burte , Bénédicte Jacquemin","doi":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123673","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123673","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ambient air pollution could be associated with poor mental health. Black carbon (BC) has been highlighted as a crucial component of particulate matter; however, its isolated role independent from the total particulate matter mass has been poorly studied. Our study aimed to examine the associations between long-term exposure to particulate matter with a diameter <2.5 μm (PM<sub>2.5</sub>), BC and nitrogen dioxide (NO<sub>2</sub>) and psychological distress in the French CONSTANCES cohort and to assess the role of BC independently of PM<sub>2.5.</sub> This cross-sectional study included 104,146 adults. Psychological distress was assessed in 2019 using the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12). Annual concentrations of PM<sub>2.5,</sub> BC, and NO<sub>2</sub> estimated from land-use regression models at each participant's residential address. Negative binomial models with different covariate adjustments were used. A residuals method was used to assess the independent role of BC. Incident rate ratios (IRR) per an interquartile range (IQR) increase in exposure to each pollutant were calculated. Stratified analyses by age, sex, education and season were also conducted. Mean exposures were 9.38 μg/m<sup>3</sup> for PM<sub>2.5</sub> (IQR = 2.6), 1.15 × 10<sup>−5</sup>/m for BC (IQR = 0.5) and 19.1 μg/m<sup>3</sup> for NO<sub>2</sub> (IQR = 11.5). Exposure to each pollutant was significantly associated with higher psychological distress (IRR (95 % CI): 1.052 (1.014–1.092) for PM<sub>2.5</sub>, 1.078 (1.055–1.101) for BC, and 1.082(1.057–1.109) for NO<sub>2</sub>). Stronger associations were found for men, elderly, lower-educated, and during warm season. BC residuals were significantly associated with higher psychological distress when regressed on PM<sub>2.5</sub> (1.055 (1.039–1.071)) and when regressed on NO<sub>2</sub> (1.067(1.041–1.093)). Exposure to ambient air pollution was associated with psychological distress, with BC showing a deleterious role independently of PM<sub>2.5</sub> and NO<sub>2</sub>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":312,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Research","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 123673"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145931426","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 : 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2026.123707
Zining Li , Zhuyu Sun , Lulu Chen , Yanan Liu
Non-thermal plasma (NTP) is a promising technology for soil remediation. However, its effects on soil dissolved organic matter (DOM) remain poorly understood. This study systematically investigated the structural evolution of natural soil DOM during dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) treatment using a suit of complementary techniques. These included UV–Vis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy combined with two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D-COS), three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix (3D-EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy, and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS) characterizations. Key findings reveal that the DOM concentration increased 8-fold, from 20.44 to 182.4 mg L−1, over 120 min of treatment, while its aromaticity and molecular weight exhibited U-shaped trends. FTIR spectroscopy indicated the rapid decomposition of lignin and carbohydrates in the initial 20 min, followed by the formation of nitrogen-rich amides up to 90 min. This transformation pathway was confirmed at the molecular level by FT-ICR-MS, which showed an initial phase of oxidative fragmentation reducing molecular weight, succeeded by a period of nitrogen incorporation and condensation that increased molecular weight. Prolonged treatment led to re-aromatization, risking the formation of refractory compounds. Furthermore, the electron-donating of DOM initially decreased from 0.51 to 0.39 before recovering to 0.47, a shift correlated with changes in hydrophobicity. The treatment also preferentially mobilized soil cations, notably increasing Ca2+ concentration from 23.83 to 268.83 mg L−1, with metal dissolution strongly correlated with DOM oxidation (r > 0.77). Optimal treatment duration of 2–20 min generated biodegradable DOM which enhanced wheat germination rates by 25 % and microbial activity. In contrast, prolonged discharge promoted the formation recalcitrant compounds. These results provide molecular-level insights into DOM changes during NTP treatment and establish guidelines for balancing remediation efficiency with soil health preservation.
{"title":"Molecular composition changes of soil dissolved organic matter (SDOM) during non-thermal plasma treatment","authors":"Zining Li , Zhuyu Sun , Lulu Chen , Yanan Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123707","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123707","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Non-thermal plasma (NTP) is a promising technology for soil remediation. However, its effects on soil dissolved organic matter (DOM) remain poorly understood. This study systematically investigated the structural evolution of natural soil DOM during dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) treatment using a suit of complementary techniques. These included UV–Vis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy combined with two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D-COS), three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix (3D-EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy, and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS) characterizations. Key findings reveal that the DOM concentration increased 8-fold, from 20.44 to 182.4 mg L<sup>−1</sup>, over 120 min of treatment, while its aromaticity and molecular weight exhibited U-shaped trends. FTIR spectroscopy indicated the rapid decomposition of lignin and carbohydrates in the initial 20 min, followed by the formation of nitrogen-rich amides up to 90 min. This transformation pathway was confirmed at the molecular level by FT-ICR-MS, which showed an initial phase of oxidative fragmentation reducing molecular weight, succeeded by a period of nitrogen incorporation and condensation that increased molecular weight. Prolonged treatment led to re-aromatization, risking the formation of refractory compounds. Furthermore, the electron-donating of DOM initially decreased from 0.51 to 0.39 before recovering to 0.47, a shift correlated with changes in hydrophobicity. The treatment also preferentially mobilized soil cations, notably increasing Ca<sup>2+</sup> concentration from 23.83 to 268.83 mg L<sup>−1</sup>, with metal dissolution strongly correlated with DOM oxidation (r > 0.77). Optimal treatment duration of 2–20 min generated biodegradable DOM which enhanced wheat germination rates by 25 % and microbial activity. In contrast, prolonged discharge promoted the formation recalcitrant compounds. These results provide molecular-level insights into DOM changes during NTP treatment and establish guidelines for balancing remediation efficiency with soil health preservation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":312,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Research","volume":"293 ","pages":"Article 123707"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145931454","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 : 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2026.123702
S Antignani, M Ampollini, M Caprio, V Carelli, C Carpentieri, C Cordedda, C Di Carlo, F Bochicchio
National surveys on radon concentration in dwellings that are representative of population exposure are recommended by international regulations but are often difficult and costly to carry out. Furthermore, evaluation of sample representativeness is usually not reported, making it impossible to quantify or correct potential biases. This study aimed to develop and test, in a real-world setting, methods to plan and implement a cost-effective national survey on radon concentration in dwellings that includes a large proportion of municipalities, allows for the assessment of representativeness, and enables bias correction when the sample is not fully representative. A comprehensive national survey was conducted efficiently and at low cost in collaboration with a national company with numerous worksites. The company provided: i) a list of all employee dwelling addresses, enabling random selection across all 110 Italian provinces; ii) internal email and web platforms, for communication with workers and completion of questionnaire data, iii) internal mail service, for distributing and retrieving radon detectors which were centrally prepared and read out. Moreover, questionnaire data on dwelling characteristics were collected and compared with census data to assess representativeness and adjust for potential biases. Valid radon measurements were obtained for 5,354 dwellings. After correcting for two major identified biases, the national Italian arithmetic mean was 79 Bq/m3 with values ranging from 34 to 132 Bq/m3 across the 21 Regions and from 25 to 343 Bq/m3 across the 110 Provinces. Without corrections, the national mean would have been underestimated by about 10%, regional means by up to 30%, and even more at the provincial level. The results demonstrate that a national survey can be conducted effectively and affordably, using methods that can be adopted by other countries. Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of assessing representativeness to avoid significant biases.
{"title":"Towards a representative and affordable national survey on radon in dwellings: a new methodological approach with findings from Italy.","authors":"S Antignani, M Ampollini, M Caprio, V Carelli, C Carpentieri, C Cordedda, C Di Carlo, F Bochicchio","doi":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123702","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2026.123702","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>National surveys on radon concentration in dwellings that are representative of population exposure are recommended by international regulations but are often difficult and costly to carry out. Furthermore, evaluation of sample representativeness is usually not reported, making it impossible to quantify or correct potential biases. This study aimed to develop and test, in a real-world setting, methods to plan and implement a cost-effective national survey on radon concentration in dwellings that includes a large proportion of municipalities, allows for the assessment of representativeness, and enables bias correction when the sample is not fully representative. A comprehensive national survey was conducted efficiently and at low cost in collaboration with a national company with numerous worksites. The company provided: i) a list of all employee dwelling addresses, enabling random selection across all 110 Italian provinces; ii) internal email and web platforms, for communication with workers and completion of questionnaire data, iii) internal mail service, for distributing and retrieving radon detectors which were centrally prepared and read out. Moreover, questionnaire data on dwelling characteristics were collected and compared with census data to assess representativeness and adjust for potential biases. Valid radon measurements were obtained for 5,354 dwellings. After correcting for two major identified biases, the national Italian arithmetic mean was 79 Bq/m<sup>3</sup> with values ranging from 34 to 132 Bq/m<sup>3</sup> across the 21 Regions and from 25 to 343 Bq/m<sup>3</sup> across the 110 Provinces. Without corrections, the national mean would have been underestimated by about 10%, regional means by up to 30%, and even more at the provincial level. The results demonstrate that a national survey can be conducted effectively and affordably, using methods that can be adopted by other countries. Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of assessing representativeness to avoid significant biases.</p>","PeriodicalId":312,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Research","volume":" ","pages":"123702"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145931472","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 : 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2026.123718
Rongjun Shi , Tingting Han , Huangchen Zhang , Honghui Huang , Lanlan Xiong , Yong Liu , Zhanhui Qi
Mangrove ecosystems, as highly sensitive and productive habitats, host diverse microbial communities essential to biogeochemical cycling. In recent years, large-scale mangrove restoration in former aquaculture ponds has expanded rapidly in China. This represents a typical land-use shift that likely reshapes microbial communities. However, despite its increasing implementation, the accompanying changes in microbial composition and function remain insufficiently understood. Therefore, we compared sediment microbial community composition, diversity, and functional potential between mangrove-planted and reference areas. By absolute-quantification sequencing and metagenomics, we aimed to assess how mangrove restoration regulates the microbial dynamics and their metabolic potentials for carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen cycling after two years of restoration. Mangrove restoration induced a marked phylum shift from Chloroflexota to Pseudomonadota and significantly increased microbial β-diversity (p < 0.05), reflecting enhanced phylogenetic niche differentiation. Specialist species in restored sediments were predominantly Pseudomonadota (e.g., Gammaproteobacteria), contrasting with the Chloroflexota- and Actinobacteriota-dominated reference sites. Functional analysis revealed significant up-regulation of genes involved in polysaccharide metabolism (celB/chbC, sacB, treC, fruB; p < 0.05), assimilatory sulfate reduction, sulfur oxidation (soxZ; p < 0.05), nitrogen fixation (nifH; p < 0.05), and assimilatory nitrate reduction. Furthermore, most high-abundance metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from mangrove sediments encoded sulfate reduction genes. Notably, microbial carbon cycling potential correlated with particulate organic nitrogen, while nitrate concentration linked to nitrogen and sulfur cycling genes, highlighting cross-element synergies. These findings demonstrated that two years of mangrove restoration alters sediment microbiomes and their biogeochemical functions potential, thereby may influence carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling in coastal ecosystems.
红树林生态系统作为高度敏感和多产的栖息地，拥有对生物地球化学循环至关重要的多种微生物群落。近年来，在中国，在原水产养殖池塘中大规模恢复红树林的活动迅速扩大。这代表了一种典型的土地利用变化，可能会重塑微生物群落。然而，尽管其越来越多的实施，伴随的微生物组成和功能的变化仍然不够了解。因此，我们比较了红树林和对照区沉积物微生物群落组成、多样性和功能潜力。通过绝对定量测序和宏基因组学，我们旨在评估红树林恢复两年后如何调节微生物动力学及其碳、硫和氮循环的代谢潜力。红树林恢复导致绿藻门向假单胞藻门的明显转变，微生物β-多样性显著增加（p < 0.05），反映了系统发育生态位分化的增强。修复沉积物中的特殊物种主要是假单胞菌（如γ变形菌），与氯氟菌和放线菌为主的参考位点形成对比。功能分析显示，参与多糖代谢（celB/chbC、sacB、treC、fruB, p < 0.05）、同化硫酸盐还原、硫氧化（soxZ, p < 0.05）、固氮（nifH, p < 0.05）和同化硝酸盐还原的基因显著上调。此外，大多数来自红树林沉积物的高丰度宏基因组组装基因组（MAGs）编码硫酸盐还原基因。值得注意的是，微生物碳循环潜力与颗粒有机氮相关，而硝酸盐浓度与氮和硫循环基因相关，突出了跨元素协同作用。这些发现表明，两年的红树林恢复改变了沉积物微生物组及其生物地球化学功能潜力，从而可能影响沿海生态系统的碳固存和养分循环。
{"title":"Response of sediment microbial community composition and function to mangrove restoration from an aquaculture pond in Southern China","authors":"Rongjun Shi , Tingting Han , Huangchen Zhang , Honghui Huang , Lanlan Xiong , Yong Liu , Zhanhui Qi","doi":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123718","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123718","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mangrove ecosystems, as highly sensitive and productive habitats, host diverse microbial communities essential to biogeochemical cycling. In recent years, large-scale mangrove restoration in former aquaculture ponds has expanded rapidly in China. This represents a typical land-use shift that likely reshapes microbial communities. However, despite its increasing implementation, the accompanying changes in microbial composition and function remain insufficiently understood. Therefore, we compared sediment microbial community composition, diversity, and functional potential between mangrove-planted and reference areas. By absolute-quantification sequencing and metagenomics, we aimed to assess how mangrove restoration regulates the microbial dynamics and their metabolic potentials for carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen cycling after two years of restoration. Mangrove restoration induced a marked phylum shift from Chloroflexota to Pseudomonadota and significantly increased microbial β-diversity (<em>p</em> < 0.05), reflecting enhanced phylogenetic niche differentiation. Specialist species in restored sediments were predominantly Pseudomonadota (e.g., Gammaproteobacteria), contrasting with the Chloroflexota- and Actinobacteriota-dominated reference sites. Functional analysis revealed significant up-regulation of genes involved in polysaccharide metabolism (<em>cel</em>B/<em>chb</em>C, <em>sac</em>B, <em>tre</em>C, <em>fru</em>B; <em>p</em> < 0.05), assimilatory sulfate reduction, sulfur oxidation (<em>sox</em>Z; <em>p</em> < 0.05), nitrogen fixation (<em>nif</em>H; <em>p</em> < 0.05), and assimilatory nitrate reduction. Furthermore, most high-abundance metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from mangrove sediments encoded sulfate reduction genes. Notably, microbial carbon cycling potential correlated with particulate organic nitrogen, while nitrate concentration linked to nitrogen and sulfur cycling genes, highlighting cross-element synergies. These findings demonstrated that two years of mangrove restoration alters sediment microbiomes and their biogeochemical functions potential, thereby may influence carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling in coastal ecosystems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":312,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Research","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 123718"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145931386","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 : 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2026.123692
Rong Guo, Lina Wang, Di Zhang, Chuanhui Jiang, Guoxiu Qian, Yonggang Wu
Waste activated sludge (WAS) produced in the industrial process is major pollutants, which has gained extensive attention. Appropriate treatment and resource utilization are of great significance to the economy development and environment protection. Herein, a novel strategy using WAS coupled with bentonite (BT) to synthesize mineral-carbon nanosheets (MCN) to enhance dye adsorption was proposed. The results demonstrated BT promoted the pyrolysis of WAS, thereby forming a sheet-like structure and construction of C-O-Si/C-O-Al sites on the surface. This composite exhibited enhance adsorption performance for dye methylene blue (MB) with a kinetic (0.000314 mg/(g/min)) and equilibrium adsorption capacity (90 mg/g), compared with those of activated carbon (0.000423 mg/(g/min)) and 25.6 mg/g). Spectroscopic tests indicated that C-O-Si/C-O-Al sites were dominate sites and the sheet-like structure could expose these sites, thus increasing the adsorption performance. This study demonstrates that WAS is an effective low-cost raw material for carbon adsorbent, offering a sustainable strategy for resource utilization of WAS and environmental remediation, achieving the goal of “treating waste with waste”.
{"title":"Construction of mineral-carbon nanosheet using waste activated sludge and bentonite for boosting dye adsorption","authors":"Rong Guo, Lina Wang, Di Zhang, Chuanhui Jiang, Guoxiu Qian, Yonggang Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123692","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123692","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Waste activated sludge (WAS) produced in the industrial process is major pollutants, which has gained extensive attention. Appropriate treatment and resource utilization are of great significance to the economy development and environment protection. Herein, a novel strategy using WAS coupled with bentonite (BT) to synthesize mineral-carbon nanosheets (MCN) to enhance dye adsorption was proposed. The results demonstrated BT promoted the pyrolysis of WAS, thereby forming a sheet-like structure and construction of C-O-Si/C-O-Al sites on the surface. This composite exhibited enhance adsorption performance for dye methylene blue (MB) with a kinetic (0.000314 mg/(g/min)) and equilibrium adsorption capacity (90 mg/g), compared with those of activated carbon (0.000423 mg/(g/min)) and 25.6 mg/g). Spectroscopic tests indicated that C-O-Si/C-O-Al sites were dominate sites and the sheet-like structure could expose these sites, thus increasing the adsorption performance. This study demonstrates that WAS is an effective low-cost raw material for carbon adsorbent, offering a sustainable strategy for resource utilization of WAS and environmental remediation, achieving the goal of “treating waste with waste”.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":312,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Research","volume":"293 ","pages":"Article 123692"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145931710","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 : 2026-01-05DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2026.123698
Xin Liu , Xiaofang Yang , Zhiqiang Tan , Jiayi Hu , Yi Shi , Qingwen Deng , Xiaodong Wen
Environmental biomarkers play unique roles in assessing contamination levels, evaluating risks, and apportioning sources of pollutants. This study focused on the wild Plantago asiatica L. (AL) and its habitat soils in regions with complex anthropogenic activities, utilizing AL as an environmental biomarker. A composite evaluation of relevant indices was employed to assess the pollution levels of heavy metals (HMs), evaluate ecological risks, and apportion pollution sources. For the first time, an environmental biomarker response assessment model was successfully established, quantifying the response of environmental biomarkers to various pollution sources. The results indicated that Cd levels in all habitat soils reached severe pollution, and the integrated ecological risk posed by HMs exceeded the threshold for low ecological risk. Both the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks associated with HMs in AL surpassed the acceptable threshold values. The response of AL to various pollution sources was ranked as follows: mining (1.317) > traffic (1.131) > natural (0.678) > agriculture (0.536) > domestic (0.224). This study quantitatively analyzed the response of environmental biomarkers to these pollution sources, revealing the correlation between pollution sources and the quality of environmental biomarkers. This provides new insights for environmental assessment and ecological risk management.
{"title":"Response assessment of environmental biomarkers to heavy metal pollution in habitat soils: A case study of Plantago asiatica L.","authors":"Xin Liu , Xiaofang Yang , Zhiqiang Tan , Jiayi Hu , Yi Shi , Qingwen Deng , Xiaodong Wen","doi":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123698","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123698","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Environmental biomarkers play unique roles in assessing contamination levels, evaluating risks, and apportioning sources of pollutants. This study focused on the wild <em>Plantago asiatica</em> L. (<em>AL</em>) and its habitat soils in regions with complex anthropogenic activities, utilizing <em>AL</em> as an environmental biomarker. A composite evaluation of relevant indices was employed to assess the pollution levels of heavy metals (HMs), evaluate ecological risks, and apportion pollution sources. For the first time, an environmental biomarker response assessment model was successfully established, quantifying the response of environmental biomarkers to various pollution sources. The results indicated that Cd levels in all habitat soils reached severe pollution, and the integrated ecological risk posed by HMs exceeded the threshold for low ecological risk. Both the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks associated with HMs in <em>AL</em> surpassed the acceptable threshold values. The response of <em>AL</em> to various pollution sources was ranked as follows: mining (1.317) > traffic (1.131) > natural (0.678) > agriculture (0.536) > domestic (0.224). This study quantitatively analyzed the response of environmental biomarkers to these pollution sources, revealing the correlation between pollution sources and the quality of environmental biomarkers. This provides new insights for environmental assessment and ecological risk management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":312,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Research","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 123698"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145916311","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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