Current Pollution Reports最新文献

Purpose of Review

Plastic pollution appears to be approaching saturation, with plastics being detected ubiquitously across nearly all terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Consequently, the world is witnessing a proliferation of proposed solutions to manage plastic waste, addressing a material that has transformed from a boon into a bane. This review seeks to elucidate the underlying causes and limitations of current strategies that fail to adequately address the global plastic waste crisis. Furthermore, it aims to provide a broader perspective on the issue and highlight the urgent need for a paradigm shift towards reducing plastic use in everyday life.

Recent Findings

Plastics can be a massive economic potential resource, but a major percentage of plastics are dumped in landfills or get dispersed into the environment. The application of the 3Rs ‘reduce, reuse, and recycle’, was found to be getting highly overlooked, with the focus of large-scale enterprises being solely on ‘recycling’ instead of ‘reduce, and reuse’. Consumer purchasing behavior plays a crucial role in reducing plastic waste generation. This review identified several shortcomings in current recycling practices, along with a substantial scope for improvement in their efficiency and implementation. Recent studies indicate that while mechanical recycling remains the primary waste management approach, its effectiveness is reduced due to contamination, downcycling, and economic inefficiencies. The growing interest in bioplastics as an alternative to fossil-based plastics is promising, but it presents challenges in large-scale production, degradation, and proper waste disposal. Additionally, the use of recycled plastics in textiles and fashion, once considered a sustainable solution, has raised concerns due to the release of microplastics, questioning its circularity.

Summary

Currently, the techniques towards plastic waste mitigation seem to be approaching a ‘recycling economy’ instead of a ‘circular economy’. Recycling economy follows an end-of-pipe solution, where products are recycled after use, unlike the circular economy approach, which calls for a complete system redesign, i.e., reduce, reuse, and re-thinking from the start. There is a need to re-think and re-evaluate the shortcomings of solely depending upon recycling. The inefficacy of a free-size-fit approach in plastics management through recycling was identified. Future efforts should be re-engineered with 3Rs approach, while optimizing recycling efficiency, scaling up bioplastic applications, and implementing carbon circularity solutions to achieve long-term environmental sustainability. There is an urgent need to revitalize and rethink existing mitigation solutions, which urgently calls for a paradigm shift.

Purpose of Review

This review comprehensively analyzes the ecological impacts of antibiotics at environmental concentrations on microalgal communities, focusing on hormesis effects on cyanobacterial species. We discuss how these effects influence cyanobacterial growth, community succession, and the formation of harmful algal blooms (HABs), which are detrimental to aquatic ecosystems and human health.

Recent Findings

Antibiotics at environmental concentrations can stimulate cyanobacterial growth, leading to a hormesis effect characterized by biphasic dose-response curves. Such stimulation phenomenon has been observed to enhance photosynthetic capacity, increase the production of microcystins (MCs), and alter the gene expression and metabolic processes. Furthermore, the presence of antibiotics in the environment has been shown to selectively promote cyanobacterial proliferation over green algae and diatoms, potentially facilitating the outbreak of cyanobacterial blooms. The review also highlights the role of antibiotics in modulating the interactions between cyanobacteria and bacteria, as well as the impact on antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in aquatic systems.

Summary

Antibiotics at environmental concentrations shape the structure of microalgal communities and promote the proliferation of cyanobacteria, which contributes to the formation of harmful blooms. The hormesis effect induced by antibiotics at low concentrations warrants critical attention in the context of aquatic ecosystem health and cyanobacterial bloom control. Future research should prioritize long-term, realistic environmental exposure scenarios, focusing on mechanisms such as community dynamics, resistance gene transmission, adaptive responses of cyanobacteria, and the potential influence of antibiotic mixtures on blooms stability and toxin production.

Purpose of Review

Plastics, owing to their durability, affordability and versatility, have become an indispensable global commodity. Unfortunately, the mismanagement of plastics has led to the widespread occurrence of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs), posing unpredictable environmental risks. Thus, it is essential to update the masses regarding this alarming situation and to acquaint them to the conventional as well as emerging plastic waste management strategies.

Recent Findings

Plastic waste management-biotechnology approaches are developing as viable solutions, as seen in Ideonella sakaiensis, a bacterium that completely degrades PET plastics within six weeks. The Aspergillus sp. fungus can destroy polyethene by as much as 70% within 21 days. Biodegradable polymers, such as PHA, can decompose in marine environments within 1.5 to 3.5 years, providing a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics. Despite the challenges in scaling these remedies, the combination of microbial and enzymatic degradation holds promise for mitigating the growing threat of microplastic pollution.

Summary

Traditional plastic disposal methods, such as landfilling and incineration, present environmental limitations. Bioremediation, chemical recycling, and bioplastics offer promising, sustainable alternatives. However, economic feasibility, policy integration, and societal awareness remain critical challenges. This review provides explicit information on the invention of plastics, the scale of plastic pollution, its ecological and health hazards, and critically evaluates traditional, contemporary and emerging strategies for plastic waste remediation within the sustainability framework. A multidisciplinary approach combining technological innovation (integrated waste management system: IWM). regulatory frameworks, and public engagement is essential to mitigate plastic pollution and foster a circular economy.

Purpose of review

Acid mine drainage (AMD), characterized by low pH and high concentrations of dissolved metals, poses serious environmental threats but also offers opportunities for metal resource recovery. However, most existing reviews primarily emphasize prevention and treatment methods, often overlooking the potential for selective recovery and valorization of valuable metals. This review aims to systematically summarize and compare current technologies for the selective recovery and resource utilization of key metals, iron, manganese, and copper, from AMD, emphasizing their mechanisms, efficiencies, and interrelations with metal physicochemical properties.

Recent findings

Recent studies have explored various technologies for the selective separation of heavy metals from AMD, including neutralization precipitation, adsorption, electrochemical processes, membrane separation, and biological treatments. The efficiency and selectivity of these technologies largely depend on metal-specific properties such as ionic radius, solubility product, charge density, and Eh–pH stability. Integrated or sequential treatment systems are increasingly adopted to enhance metal-specific selectivity. Recovered metals have been successfully reused in synthesizing adsorbents and catalysts or as secondary mineral resources in metallurgical operations. Moreover, techno-economic and life-cycle analyses indicate that resource-oriented approaches can simultaneously reduce treatment costs, sludge generation, and environmental impacts.

Summary

This review provides a comprehensive evaluation of current advances in selective metal recovery from AMD, establishing clear links between metal properties, removal mechanisms, and process efficiencies. It also underscores the potential of integrating selective recovery technologies with industrial applications. Future research should focus on smart process integration, the development of low-cost and renewable materials, and the use of digital optimization tools to promote scalable, economically feasible, and sustainable AMD management aligned with circular economy principles.

Graphical Abstract

Introduction

Plastics are ubiquitous in modern life, widely used in food containers, packaging, and textiles. Micro- and nano plastics (MNPs), originating from environmental sources, agricultural practices, and packaging materials, can infiltrate the food chain, posing potential health risks.

Results

Studies have demonstrated that MNPs leach into food from both the surrounding environment and plastic packaging, with factors such as low pH and elevated temperatures significantly enhancing their release. Upon ingestion, these particles traverse biological barriers, enter systemic circulation, and accumulate in organs, including neurons and brain regions, where they disrupt normal biological processes. Mechanistically, MNPs induce neuronal damage through oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, lysosomal dysfunction, altered proinflammatory gene expression, and neurotoxicity, which can trigger pyroptosis and progressive neuronal loss, ultimately contributing to neurodegeneration.

Methods

This systematic review synthesizes studies from the past fifteen years, documenting the presence of MNPs in food and beverages, quantifying their levels, and linking their occurrence to environmental plastic pollution and packaging materials. It also highlights the role of MNPs in neurotoxicity, elucidating potential biological mechanisms leading to neuronal damage, and their possible association with neurological disorders such as cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.

Conclusion

These findings underscore the urgent need for further research to track MNPs within the nervous system and to implement mitigation strategies aimed at reducing MNP contamination across the food supply chain.

Graphical Abstract

Purpose of Review

Assessing the risk of sediment phosphorus (P) release is essential for managing eutrophication in watershed. However, the crucial effects of electrolytes type and ionic strength on the potential for P release from sediments remain underexplored. This study investigates the influence of common types of electrolyte (CaCl₂, NaCl, KCl) and ionic strength (0 M, 0.001 M, 0.01 M CaCl₂) on indexes of P release from sediments.

Recent Findings

Here, our results show that (1) increasing the ionic strength in the water corresponded to an increase in the maximum adsorption capacity of sediment for P (SP_max), while the maximum desorption amount (R_max) and the equilibrium concentration of adsorbed P (EPC₀) decreased, which can be attributed to the electrostatic repulsion between the negatively charged sediment surface particles and P; (2) the presence of CaCl₂ resulted in lower EPC₀ and R_max values of the sediments, while the adsorption constant (k) and SP_max were higher. There was no difference in the NaCl and KCl systems. This discrepancy is believed to be due to calcium ions being more effective in inhibiting P release from sediments as they can form Ca-P precipitates with P and precipitates with anions, promoting P deposition in sediments. Furthermore, potassium ions, due to their smaller hydration radius and lower hydration energy compared to sodium ions, facilitate a closer approach to sediment colloid adsorption layers, favoring sediment P deposition stably.

Summary

This study aims to promote the proper use of buffer solutions in standardized experiments, particularly in the sediment of heavily P-polluted watersheds, minimizing biases due to incorrect procedures, and to provide accurate data and theoretical support for the broader scientific community.

Graphical Abstract

Purpose of Review

Aquaculture has grown rapidly over the years and Asia–Pacific is leading the World in aquaculture production. But poor water quality has serious impacts on farmed animals leading to stunted growth, low quality produce, high mortality rates and ultimately economic failure of aquaculture businesses. Many countries have set water quality standards (WQS) to protect aquaculture and assure the quality of its produce. However, WQS differ from country to country, while the market for aquaculture produce is global. This leads to inconsistencies that affect aquaculture producers and the environment.

Recent Findings

Key parameters for animal health include dissolved oxygen, pH, salinity, temperature, ammonia, heavy metals, pesticides and pathogens. On the other hand, bioaccumulation of heavy metals, pesticides, persistent organic pollutants, microbial contamination, drug residues and antimicrobial resistance are health risks for consumers of aquaculture produce and require careful control strategies. Considering Thailand as an example, the WQS set by the Thai Government are stringent compared with other Asian countries, but the literature review illustrates that for a few parameters coastal water quality in central Thailand regularly exceeds the set limits.

Summary

Practically speaking, setting strict WQS can make it challenging for small-scale producers with limited resources to meet these requirements, which discourages compliance. Therefore, a global approach is needed not just via food safety standards, but also for surface water quality protection, to assure fair competition in an increasingly globalized aquaculture market.

Purpose of Review

High temperature (HT) and heat waves (HWs) are escalating meteorological phenomena, with profound impacts on public health. This review aims to investigate the characteristics, regional heterogeneity, and health impacts of HT and HWs in China, with a focus on vulnerable populations and co-exposure risks. It addresses how HT/HW-related mortality and morbidity vary across regions, while evaluating the compounded effects of air pollution (e.g., ozone (O₃)) under extreme heat.

Recent Findings

Recent studies underscore that HT and HWs significantly increase all-cause, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular, and respiratory mortality and morbidity in China, particularly under co-exposure to pollutants like O₃. Vulnerable groups, including older adults, females, and children, exhibit heightened sensitivity. Climate projections warn of escalating burdens heat-related deaths could rise in the future. Standardizing HT and HWs definitions are essential to ensure consistent health impact assessments in vulnerability and exposure risks. Time series analysis was the most commonly used.

Summary

This review concludes that HT/HW-related health impacts exhibit significant heterogeneity in China, with older adults, females, and children facing heightened vulnerability to mortality. HT/HW increased the morbidity risk. The findings underscore the urgent need for standardized HT/HW definitions, multidisciplinary research integrating climate and health data, and expanded monitoring of long-term exposure effects. Appropriate health policies will be critical for mitigating risks and addressing disparities in heat wave adaptation across diverse climatic zones.

Graphical Abstract

Purpose of Review

Micro/nanoplastics (MNPs), as emerging pollutants, have attracted increasing attention due to their potential adverse effects on human health, ecosystems, and climate. The rapid, turbulent, and large-scale nature of atmospheric transport facilitates both horizontal and vertical movement of MNPs over long distances within a short time, largely independent of topographical constraints, thereby accelerating their global cycle and exacerbating their impacts. Despite growing interest, our understanding of the atmospheric lifecycle of MNPs remains limited. This review aims to synthesise recent advances in understanding the atmospheric lifecycle of MNPs, including their emission sources, long-range transport characteristics, and driving mechanisms. It also evaluates the key sources of uncertainty—particularly those related to emission flux estimates—and provides corresponding recommendations for future research.

Recent Findings

Current research on the atmospheric processes of MNPs primarily relies on a combination of observational data and numerical modelling. Two major uncertainties in atmospheric micro/nanoplastic (AMNP) emissions persist: the wide variability in marine emission estimates, which span four orders of magnitude, and the unresolved question of whether terrestrial or marine sources are the dominant contributors to AMNP emissions. Furthermore, this review highlights critical factors driving these uncertainties, including limited data availability, inconsistencies in observational methodologies, oversimplified simulations, and gaps in understanding atmospheric cycling mechanisms. Additionally, variations in the particle size ranges targeted by different observational and modelling studies hinder cross-comparisons and model evaluations, representing another important source of uncertainty.

Summary

AMNP research is constrained by multiple uncertainties that hinder a comprehensive understanding of their emissions, transport, and fate. To address these issues, we call for establishing a global network of standardised observations, improving sampling and simulation practices, and incorporating artificial intelligence. These strategies will enhance our understanding of the complete atmospheric cycle of MNPs, paving the way for more effective environmental management and better-informed policy decisions.