Current Opinion in Environmental Science and Health最新文献

Arsenic (As) contamination in paddy and consequently the dietary system is an emerging global threat to human health. The harvesting, post-harvesting and cooking procedures of rice in Bengal delta further involves the use of As tainted groundwater which results in a concomitant increase of As levels in sunned, parboiled, and cooked grains, respectively. Inorganic arsenic (iAs) causing potential health risks is therefore high (appx. 90 %) due to the daily rice consumption. This study sheds light on higher As accumulation, distribution and assimilation during parboiling (24 %) and cooking processes (34 %) using As-tainted water, culminating additional As burden in cooked rice. Rice grain mediated health risk has displayed a concern level of 5 according to “Severity Adjusted Margin of Exposure” value. This study also takes heed of the domestic livestock exposed to As toxicity through contaminated fodder, resulting in contaminated animal by-products which initiates further longer lasting deleterious impacts on the society.

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been widely used since the mid-20th century in industry and everyday household products. They also persist in the environment and bioaccumulate in humans and wildlife. Despite these concerns, the number of PFAS introduced to the global market has rapidly outpaced research on their health impact, and the identities of most PFAS in environmental waters are unknown. Non-targeted screening (NTS) is an innovative mass spectrometry approach that will accelerate the identification of unknown organic pollutants. This review aims to: (i) describe new techniques to identify emerging PFAS (ii), highlight new PFAS that have been identified in environmental waters, and (iii) show potential health effects from studies using novel approaches such as metabolomics and biomedical imaging in animal models.

The constant creation and release of new chemicals to the environment is forming an ever-widening gap between available analytical standards and known chemicals. Developing non-targeted analysis (NTA) methods that have the ability to detect a broad spectrum of compounds is critical for research and analysis of emerging contaminants. There is a need for methods that make it possible to identify compound structures based on their MS and MS/MS information and quantify them without analytical standards. Method refinements that utilize machine learning algorithms and chemical descriptors to estimate the instrument response of particular compounds have made progress in recent years. This narrative review seeks to summarize the current state of the field of NTA toward quantification of unknowns without the use of analytical standards. Despite the limited accumulation of validation studies on real samples, the ongoing enhancement in data processing and refinement of machine learning tools could lead to more comprehensive chemical coverage of NTA and validated quantitative NTA methods, thus boosting confidence in their usage and enhancing the utility of quantitative NTA.

This review examines the significant advancements and challenges in the field of gas sensing and separation, focusing on the detection and filtration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are critical atmospheric pollutants. Emphasis is placed on the integration of nanotechnology and novel materials such as metal–organic frameworks and covalent organic frameworks in enhancing the efficiency and selectivity of gas sensors and separation filters. Recent innovations in surface-modified metal oxide semiconductors (MOSs) are explored, highlighting their improved interaction with VOCs due to nanoparticle enhancement. The review further delves into the application of various nanostructures such as graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, and noble metal–modified MOS in gas-sensor development, highlighting their role in improving sensor reactivity and selectivity. Despite these advancements, the review identifies key challenges such as the uniform distribution of nanoparticles, scalability, cost-effectiveness, and long-term stability of the materials. Future perspectives include the need for efficient, low-energy, and environmentally friendly regeneration techniques for gas filters, along with addressing biocompatibility and environmental concerns related to the use of nanoparticles. The potential of novel synthesis techniques and a holistic approach to system design around the unique properties of nanostructured materials is also highlighted as a future direction in this field.

Heterogenous electro-Fenton (H-EF)-based technologies are incredibly potent in mitigating recalcitrant emerging contaminants from different wastewater matrices. The H-EF process facilitates Fenton's oxidation at circumneutral pH and also enable catalyst recycling. However, heterogeneous solid catalysts are often synthesised from expensive and virgin precursors, making H-EF treatment expensive and unsustainable. In this regard, synthesising these catalysts from waste material could be a judicious alternative with multiple environmental and economic benefits. Already in H-EF systems, nitrogen-containing porous biochar has exhibited exceptional H₂O₂ selectivity replacing conventional carbon catalysts, while metallic scraps have been efficiently repurposed to substitute the virgin metal components of heterogenous catalysts. In addition, life cycle assessments have affirmed that repurposed waste catalysts can substantially lower the adverse environmental impacts of H-EF systems. Hence, this opinion article explicitly focuses on materials explored for synthesising waste-derived Fenton catalysts and their most recent application in the remediation of emerging contaminants from wastewater.

Numerous emerging pollutants, including pharmaceutical compounds, dyes, personal care products, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and pesticides, are increasingly found in landfill leachates, groundwater, and surface water systems. Their persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity, even at low concentrations, represent a major environmental and human health concern. So far, diverse degradation treatment processes have been explored; enzyme-assisted methodologies have been recognized as greener, safer, less expensive, and eco-friendly alternatives. However, the limited reusability and instability of natural enzymes under typical harsh environmental conditions significantly hinder applicability. Thus, different strategies have emerged, such as the design of engineered modified enzymes, the immobilization of enzymes on nanomaterials, and the development of artificial enzymes. Nanomaterials with enzyme-like activities have emerged as artificial enzymatic tools that catalytically degrade toxic pollutants. Recent studies have reported excellent performances of enzymes in the removal of emerging contaminants. This review thoroughly examines the most recent developments in the use of nanozymes for the remediation of various aquatic matrices. We finalize by discussing the current challenges faced by nanozymology for water remediation treatments to provide insight into potential future research directions.

Floods are recurrent events that are expected to increase in a climate change context. Nature-based solutions (NBS) are increasingly used in flood risk management, as they offer multiple co-benefits. Different policies and strategies, such as the European Union Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, advocate for implementing NBS. However, they require more land than grey infrastructure. The needed land often belongs to private persons and is thus protected from unlawful, disproportional state interference. Therefore, state authorities should establish a suitable legal framework to enforce the adoption of NBS on privately owned land. These provisions could stem from national or EU regulations concerning disaster risk management, environmental protection, or spatial planning. For those provisions to be successful, it is important to establish a strong partnership with stakeholders.

Wildfires, exacerbated by climate change and human activities, threaten global ecosystems and societies. Urgent soil restoration strategies are needed to combat the resulting land degradation. Nature-based solutions (NBS) are emerging as sustainable methods to revitalize fire-affected soils and improve ecosystem recovery and resilience. Herein we provide an overview of key NBS strategies, namely microbial soil remediation, biochar application, mulching, seeding, and erosion control. Challenges in scaling and standardizing NBS remain and require robust evaluation frameworks. Further research should quantify the effectiveness of NBS, facilitate its integration into policy and mitigation strategies, and promote public and scientific acceptance. NBS offers a proactive approach to address escalating wildfire risks and harness nature's resilience to restore fire-affected landscapes and maintain the delicate balance between communities and ecosystems in the face of growing environmental challenges.