Current Pollution Reports最新文献

Introduction

Ambient fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) is a significant environmental and public health concern. Chemical concentrations and toxicity of PM_2.5 vary depending on its sources and environmental conditions, necessitating a detailed understanding of their characteristics and respective health impacts.

Methodology

A scientific literature search was conducted using different sources such as PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar, covering publications from January 2020 to May 2024. The search terms included ambient fine particulate matter, PM_2.5 chemical constituent, health effects of PM_2.5, sources of PM_2.5, and other related keywords.

Results

The review identified various concentrations of PM_2.5 ranging between (10–250 μg/m³), and their chemical constituents such as SO₄²⁻ (1.0–25.0 μg/m³), NO₃⁻ (0.3–20 μg/m³), NH₄⁺ (0.2–1.5 μg/m³), OM (1–35 μg/m³), and BC (0.5–40 μg/m³), metals, and trace elements. Major sources of PM_2.5 identified include vehicle emissions, industrial processes, residential heating, and natural phenomena. Health effects associated with PM_2.5 exposure encompassed respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and neurological disorders. The toxicological profiles of specific chemical components were highlighted, and the potential mechanisms underlying these health effects were discussed.

Conclusion

The findings emphasize the need for targeted mitigation strategies to reduce PM_2.5 emissions concentrations and exposure. Future research should focus on advancing analytical techniques for pollutant dispersion and evaluating the effectiveness of intervention measures.

Purpose of review

This study aims to investigate anthropogenic noise impact on avian species by means of a systematic review of literature.

Recent findings

Based on previous anthropogenic noise impact frameworks, it was possible to: clarify the impacts of noise on birds; optimise the existing frameworks with findings produced over 44 years; recategorise noise impacts into more appropriate categories, indicating which are the positive and negatives, as well as acute and chronic impacts caused by anthropogenic noise; provide a significant cluster model of anthropogenic noise impacts on avian species subdivided into impacts on ‘Behaviour’ and ‘Communication/Perception’ (Cluster 1) and ‘Physiology’ (Cluster 2); and show how avian hearing frequency range overlaps noise source frequency range.

Summary

This research adopted the database of Peacock et al. [1, 2] regarding avian species due to its vast coverage across taxa. A systematic literature review of 50 peer-reviewed papers about anthropogenic noise impact on birds was undertaken. A Two-Step Cluster analysis was calculated, showing the data subdivided into two clusters. Cluster 1 (76.9%) showed behavioural responses mainly composed of negative and auditory perception and communication impacts, presenting positive or negative noise impacts. Cluster 2 (23.1%) mainly showed negative impacts on physiological outcomes caused by traffic, anthropogenic, and background noise.

Purpose of Review

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are prevalent environmental contaminants detected in materials such as soils, biosolids, and wastes. Understanding PFAS leaching is crucial for assessing risks associated with leaving impacted material in place, reuse, or disposal. However, there is limited guidance on laboratory methods to measure extent and rate of leaching. This review aims to identify the best methods for assessing PFAS leaching that are reflective of relevant release scenarios.

Recent Findings

Various methods have been applied to assess PFAS leaching from contaminated materials. The most common are batch leaching methods that simulate particular conditions (e.g. rainfall, landfill), with the intention of providing conservative estimates (worst-case scenarios) of cumulative PFAS release over time. Columns, static leaching, and rainfall simulators are also used to simulate less aggressive field-like conditions. While less common, pan and suction lysimeters have been used to measure PFAS leaching in situ. Most methods use saturated conditions that do not account for the possible influence of air–water interface accumulation and wetting–drying cycles on leaching. A notable gap is the scarcity of data benchmarking laboratory-leached concentrations with real-world PFAS concentrations. Establishing this relationship is crucial for reliable laboratory protocols.

Summary

This article reviews methods for estimating leaching of PFAS from contaminated materials. Given the variety of methods, selecting those that best simulate assessment objectives is essential. Specific scenarios requiring PFAS leaching assessment, such as leaving materials in place, reuse, and disposal, are discussed. The knowledge gaps presented could be used to improve existing leaching methods for better predictions and understanding of PFAS leachability.

Graphical Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review takes summarizing the interaction mechanisms between microalgae and bacteria as the starting point, aiming to outline the superiorities, influencing factors, and reinforcement strategies of microalgae-bacteria consortia in treating swine wastewater.

Recent Findings

It is reported that approximately 1.12 × 10¹⁰ tons of swine wastewater is generated yearly. Swine wastewater contains copious nutrients and suspended solids (SS), as well as antibiotics, heavy metals, hormones, and pathogens; it will cause profound jeopardy to human health and the ecosystem without effective disposal. Fortunately, the constructed microalgae-bacteria consortia is a promising microbial treatment system that can efficiently treat swine wastewater. Several cases demonstrated that microalgae-bacteria consortia could remove more than 80% of nutrients and over 70% of heavy metals, antibiotics, and hormones in swine wastewater.

Summary

This review takes the interaction mechanisms of microalgae and bacteria as the starting point, expounds on why to use microalgae-bacteria consortia to treat swine wastewater, and then summarizes how to further improve the comprehensive treatment performance from the perspectives of influence factors and reinforcement strategies. Based on the above writing ideas, this review first introduces the interaction mechanisms between microalgae and bacteria in swine wastewater treatment and elaborates on the ascendancy of microalgae-bacteria consortia. Subsequently, the specific influence and corresponding pivotal mechanisms of swine wastewater characteristics and other factors on treatment effects are summarized. In addition, atmospheric and room-temperature plasma (ARTP) mutagenesis, 3D/4D bioprinting, and other burgeoning strategies that can upgrade the treatment performance of swine wastewater are also recommended.

Graphical Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous; persistent environmental pollutants generated mostly during the incomplete combustion of organic materials. Because of the dangers that bioavailable PAH fraction pose to receptors, the necessity of the site, the degree of exposure, and the potential for toxicity, remediation of PAH-contaminated locations is crucial. Recent findings suggest that organic amendments, such as compost, manure, and cover crops, play a crucial role in improving soil/sediment health by increasing organic matter content, enhancing structure, fostering beneficial microbial activity, and removing the pollutants. Moreover, they contribute to nutrient cycling and retention, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers, and mitigating their adverse effects on the environment. In summary, it is considered that organic amendments offer promising solutions for sustainable remediation, restoration, and agriculture practise, promoting soil/sediment health and productivity while reducing environmental impacts. However, there remains a critical gap in understanding the effects of these materials, their preparation and application into the environment on groundwater quality, and their long-term impacts on sediment, water, and soil quality. This review paper aims to identify future research directions and open further questions based on what has been published so far in this area.

Graphical Abstract

Purpose of Review

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) has demonstrated significant potential in controlling cyanobacterial blooms, with its efficacy and ecological effects assessed across diverse aquatic ecosystems. This review scrutinized the death mechanism, affecting factors, impact on the aquatic ecosystem, and development and challenge of the technique; aimed to assist with the application; and provide direction for future study.

Recent Findings

Glutathione and glutathione peroxidase were pivotal in the detoxification of H₂O₂ in bloom-forming cyanobacteria, yet this system is less efficient than that in chlorophytes and diatoms, leading to selective suppression on cyanobacteria and a shift toward other phytoplankton after H₂O₂ application. Notably, colonial Microcystis was less sensitive than filamentous bloom-forming cyanobacteria, and non-toxic Microcystis was less sensitive than toxic Microcystis. Light intensity was particularly important for the effective application of H₂O₂. The presence of chlorophyta, H₂O₂-degrading bacteria, and high cyanobacterial biomass will diminish the removal efficiency. Toxic metabolites such as microcystin could be degraded in a couple of days. Consecutive H₂O₂ exposure, slowing-releasing H₂O₂ formulation, and combining with other technologies would be efficient ways to minimize non-target effects specifically on zooplankton, e.g., rotifer and cladoceran.

Summary

H₂O₂ is recognized as an environmentally friendly and promising cyanocide. It could be particularly applied in the early stage of cyanobacterial bloom on sunny days. A pre-test is crucial for the successful application across various aquatic ecosystems. Future research should focus on minimizing the impact on non-target organisms, preventing secondary blooms, and refining H₂O₂ as a sustainable bloom management tool.

Purpose of Review

Recent progress in bioremediation of soils contaminated with polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is reviewed. Innovative techniques, traditional approaches, and combinations of technologies are examined.

Recent Findings

Bioremediation was heavily researched in past decades and continues to be studied with excellent advances. Phytoremediation, bioaugmentation, biostimulation, and natural attenuation remain important but are now studied in conjunction with genetic analyses, community dynamics, and extracellular enzymes and/or surfactants. Field soils contaminated with heavy matrices have lower rates of degradation (often < 25%), even for the most aggressive techniques.

Summary

Significant strides have been taken in improving the efficacy of bioremediation of PAH-contaminated soils and understanding the fundamental processes. Key genes, important enzymes, and optimal conditions have been identified. Research continues in the challenging and important area of degradation of PAHs in anaerobic environments. Bioremediation endures as a viable approach to decontamination of soils and a fertile area for future research.

Graphical Abstract

Bioremediation is the use of living organisms (soil bacteria, fungi, macroinvertebrates) to remove contaminants from soil. In the case of PAHs, the system is complex with multiple interactions between the organisms and the environment, including human interventions such as soil bioslurries, bioaugmentation, and biostimulation.

Purpose of the Review

This paper is devoted to the review of the most popular literature Road Traffic Noise Models (RTNMs) frameworks, from the oldest ones to the recent machine learning techniques. A dedicated section is reserved to the review of Noise Emission Models (NEMs), with specific focus on approaches that allow the assessment of single vehicles’ emissions. Finally, some propagation models are also briefly presented, along with the assessment of the impact on the population of road traffic noise, in terms of time-averaged indicators and exposure descriptors.

Recent Findings

In recent years, many efforts have been devoted to developing methods and models to assess the impact of environmental noise. Considering the primary role of road traffic as a noise source, estimating its impact is fundamental when evaluating the acoustic environment of a specific urban area. The scope of RTNMs is to provide an assessment of the noise emitted by the source in terms of traffic flows, propagate it at any desired point, including possible corrective factors, assess the impact at the receiver, and use this information to provide maps and other useful outputs.

Summary

This review summarizes the so-far developed approaches for road traffic noise evaluation and furthermore underscores the ongoing necessity for research to develop more precise tools useful for managing road traffic noise’s adverse effects on urban environments and public well-being. Challenges and limitations of such models are discussed in the conclusions, highlighting the need for providing high quality input data and avoiding site-dependent approaches.

Purpose of Review

Shortage of resources and waste-related problems have been exacerbated in recent years due to the growing population and bustling commercial and industrial development. In this research, the production of volatile fatty acids (VFA) from organic waste streams has been reviewed, focusing on current issues and challenges in promoting the hydrolysis of biopolymers in the organic feedstocks, controlling impacting factors of the fermentation processes, and extraction and purification techniques of these valuable products.

Recent Findings

Development of high sludge concentration systems under acidogenic conditions can be among the key approaches to high VFA productivity systems. An example of comparing VFA platforms with methane versus conventional aerobic treatment of two types of organic-rich wastewater generated in Vietnam shows the potential opportunities for maximizing resource recovery from organic-rich waste streams.

Summary

The main current issues and challenges are the increase in VFA yields, selective VFA product spectrums, and effective harvest of VFA from the fermentation broth. This review presents directive opportunities for the development of waste treatment technology to produce valuable chemicals and materials.

Purpose of Review

An increase in the generation of waste within cities is unavoidable due to the increasing global population growth, particularly in urban areas. Municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in these urban areas are being pushed to their design limits resulting in issues with WWTP residual management. This paper reviews potential applications of transitioning a municipal WWTP into an urban biorefinery for converting wastes into various value-added chemicals and energy.

Recent Findings

Primary WWTP-based residuals produced are waste-activated sludge, biosolids, grit, and effluent. These components are becoming viable feedstocks for producing many potential products and can be recovered for commercial purposes as opposed to simple disposal. Example products include chemicals, energy, and transportable biofuels. An advantage to biorefinery operations composed of WWTPs is that they provide greener solutions while posing little to no threat to the environment. There has also been an increasing interest in co-feedstocks to WWTPs, such as municipal solids, food wastes, agriculture wastes, and lignocellulosic biomass, which can enhance product yields while providing sustainable management solutions to these additional waste streams.

Summary

Municipal wastewater influents generated within the USA have a chemical energy potential of 1.3 MJ/person/day which represents about 4% of the total daily electricity consumed globally. The cost of waste management is expected to rise by 5.5% by 2027 which can be significantly lowered by having WWTPs integrated into biorefineries. This review found that there is great potential for converting WWTPs into true biorefineries that can effectively produce numerous value-added chemicals. Often, minor process changes can be applied which will yield the envisoned products. This paper provides the framework towards both commercialization opportunities and needed research.