Current Pollution Reports最新文献

Purpose of the Review

Climate change is intensifying the pressures on aquatic ecosystems by altering the dynamics of contaminants, with cascading effects on ecological and human health. This review synthesizes recent evidence on how rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events influence chemical and microbial contaminant dynamics in aquatic environments.

Recent Findings

Key findings reveal that elevated temperatures enhance phosphorus pollution and algal blooms, increase heavy metal release from sediments, and promote the mobilization of organic pollutants. Concurrently, climate change exacerbates microbial contamination by facilitating the spread of waterborne microbial contaminants, especially posing more pressure to antimicrobial resistance-related contaminants through temperature-driven horizontal gene transfer and extreme precipitation events. Complex interactions between chemical and microbial contaminants like heavy metals co-selecting for antibiotic resistance further amplify risks. The compounded effects of climate change and contaminants threaten water quality, ecosystem resilience, and public health, particularly through increased toxicant exposure via seafood and waterborne disease outbreaks. Despite growing recognition of these interactions, critical gaps remain in understanding their synergistic mechanisms, especially in data-scarce regions.

Summary

This review highlights the urgent need for integrated monitoring, predictive modeling, and adaptive policies under a One Health framework to mitigate the multifaceted impacts of climate-driven contamination. Future research should prioritize real-world assessments of temperature effects, urban overflow dynamics during extreme weather, and the socio-behavioral dimensions of contaminant spread to inform effective mitigation strategies.

Purpose of Review

Low-cost particulate matter (PM) sensors are increasingly used for indoor air quality monitoring due to their affordability and ease of deployment. However, concerns persist regarding the reliability of their built-in processing functions and the accuracy of their data. This study evaluates the performance of 30 Plantower PMS5003 sensors across three distinct indoor environments—Ex_Normal (typical occupied office space), Ex_Incense (space with anthropogenic particle emissions), and Ex_Bushfire (space affected by outdoor air pollution). The primary aim is to improve data reliability by examining the sensors’ internal processing algorithms and identifying effective calibration models.

Recent Findings

Piecewise linear regression analysis revealed two key internal functions within the sensor: one for converting particle number to mass and another for adjusting based on particle type. Three calibration models—Log-Linear (LN), non-Log-Linear (nLN), and Random Forest (RF)—were evaluated. All models showed improvements over raw sensor data in terms of coefficient of determination (r²), root mean square error (RMSE), mean normalized bias (MNB), and coefficient of variation (CV), with particularly notable enhancements in RMSE (up to 64%), MNB (up to 70%), and CV (over 50%).

Summary

Although all three calibration models significantly improved data quality, no substantial differences were observed among them. The LN model is recommended for its simplicity and comparable performance. These findings contribute to improving algorithmic processing in low-cost sensors and offer practical guidance for end-users seeking to enhance sensor reliability in indoor air quality monitoring applications.

Purpose of review

Although research on microplastic (MP) pollution in freshwater has increased, much remains unknown about the fate and distribution of this pollutant in sediments. This review provides a global perspective on how research efforts and data collection are distributed, also exploring recent studies on factors that play a key role in MPs transport and influence MP distribution in freshwater sediments worldwide.

Recent findings

The role of human activities, precipitation and stormwater run-off, water flow, sediment grain size, and land use on the spatial and temporal distribution of MPs in sediments has been demonstrated, highlighting the complex interactions between these factors and MP pollution. MPs have been found in sediments of rivers, tributaries, and lakes, from urbanized to remote areas, with variations across regions, ecosystems, and temporal scales. To date, most studies are concentrated in Asia, with limited representativeness of other continents. In addition, limitations remain, as data variations between studies may result from different scales or analytical methods.

Summary

This review provides an overview of the spatiotemporal variation of MP pollution in freshwater sediments, highlighting knowledge gaps and challenges. Future research should aim to more geographically balanced studies, addressing both temporal and spatial aspects to better assess the long-term environmental and ecological impacts of MPs in freshwater systems. 

Purpose of Review

Seagrass meadows, essential yet vulnerable marine ecosystems, display complex dual responses to eutrophication. These impacts are especially concerning in seagrass meadows due to the higher frequency and intensity of eutrophication. This review was aimed at summarizing stress responses and adaptive mechanisms of seagrass from the view of eutrophication.

Recent Findings

Moderate nitrogen and phosphorus inputs initially enhance photosynthesis and biomass accumulation in nutrient-poor environments by increasing chlorophyll synthesis and photosynthetic efficiency. However, prolonged exposure leads to detrimental effects, including light attenuation from algal blooms, ammonium toxicity impairing electron transport rates, and competitive exclusion by fast-growing algae. Species-specific tolerance varies significantly: resilient seagrasses like Halodule wrightii upregulate antioxidant enzymes (e.g., superoxide dismutase and catalase) and accumulate non-enzymatic flavonoids to mitigate oxidative stress, while sensitive species such as Syringodium filiforme suffer metabolic imbalances and biomass loss. Adaptive mechanisms span multiple scales. At the molecular level, stress-responsive transcription factors (e.g., WRKY transcription factor gene and MYB proto-oncogene transcription factor gene) regulate antioxidant and carbon metabolism genes in Posidonia oceanica under nutrient excess. Physiologically, seagrasses reallocate carbon to belowground tissues under shading and suppress algal competitors via allelochemicals. Ecologically, herbivory-mediated algal control indirectly reduces oxidative stress. Despite these adaptations, chronic eutrophication degrades ecosystem services and destabilizes fishery habitats.

Summary

This review summarized the stress responses and adaptive mechanisms of seagrass under eutrophication. Future research must address climate–eutrophication synergies and leverage omics technologies to decode epigenetic resilience mechanisms. Such interdisciplinary efforts are critical to preserving seagrass meadows as blue carbon hubs and biodiversity refuges in rapidly changing coastal ecosystems.

Purpose of Review

As fossil fuel–related emissions gradually decline, agriculture has become a major source of reactive nitrogen (Nr) in regions such as China, the USA, and Europe, significantly contributing to air pollution, including particulate matter (PM) and surface ozone (O₃), as well as climate change. Despite this, agriculture has historically been underrepresented in air quality management and climate policy. Without effective mitigation, agricultural Nr emissions are expected to rise, driven by growing food demand and climate change, further exacerbating their negative impacts on air quality and the climate. This review provides a process-level overview of the current understanding of agricultural Nr emissions and their effects on atmospheric chemistry, with a focus on the underlying mechanisms, and also highlights research gaps and proposes future research directions.

Recent Findings

Agricultural Nr emissions are influenced by a variety of factors and released through multiple biotic and abiotic pathways, resulting in significant spatial and temporal variability. Our understanding of the underlying mechanisms driving agricultural Nr emissions remains incomplete, and current emission estimates are associated with substantial uncertainties. Agriculture contributes to ambient PM pollution primarily through ammonia (NH₃) emissions and to surface O₃ pollution via oxidized Nr species, including nitrous acid (HONO) and nitrogen oxides (NO_x). Although the chemistry of PM and surface O₃ is highly nonlinear, with sensitivities to their precursors varying widely, agricultural Nr is gradually becoming a key contributor, particularly in regions where fossil fuel emissions are declining, such as China, the USA, and Europe. Agricultural Nr is estimated to exert a net cooling effect, with warming contributions from nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions and cooling from aerosols generated by Nr, although this estimate remains highly uncertain.

Summary

Our understanding of the underlying mechanisms driving agricultural Nr emissions remains limited, particularly when it comes to episodic pulses during extreme weather events. A knowledge-guided machine learning approach that integrates ground and airborne observations with process-based agroecosystem models could offer new opportunities for more accurate emission estimations. Further research is essential to fully understand the role of both reduced and oxidized reactive nitrogen in influencing air quality and climate.

Purpose of Review

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) present a growing threat to seagrass ecosystems, significantly impacting their ecological functions and blue carbon potential. Understanding the complex interactions between HABs and seagrasses is crucial for developing adaptive management strategies to protect seagrass ecosystems.

Recent Findings

Recent studies reveal that global HAB events have significantly expanded both geographically and in frequency over the past two decades. The geomorphological processes and depositional environments of seagrass meadows, along with the effects of climate change, act as contemporary drivers that influence algal invasion, presence, and retention within seagrass ecosystems. Emerging research demonstrates that macroalgal blooms can significantly accelerate seagrass carbon loss by enhancing decomposition rates and increasing greenhouse gas emissions from blue carbon stocks. Seagrass allelopathy and associated algicidal bacteria play crucial roles in natural HAB control. Advanced monitoring techniques combining artificial intelligence with remote sensing have achieved significant improvements in detecting and tracking HAB events and seagrass ecosystems.

Summary

This review provides a comprehensive analysis of HAB-seagrass interactions, documenting diverse types of HABs affecting seagrass beds, including macroalgal and microalgal blooms. We examine key environmental factors contributing to HABs in seagrass ecosystems, particularly eutrophication, global warming, and ocean acidification, and analyze their complex impact mechanisms, including light limitation, resource competition, biogeochemical alterations, and toxin effects. Natural defense mechanisms of seagrasses, particularly allelopathy and algicidal bacteria, offer potential solutions for HAB control. Effective protection of these valuable blue carbon resources requires integrated adaptive management strategies, combining advanced monitoring technologies, water quality improvement measures, and community-based conservation approaches.

Purpose of Review

Effective management of aquaculture wastewater is essential for maintaining ecosystem health, ensuring the safety of aquatic products, and protecting human health. Despite advancements in aquaculture practices and wastewater treatment technologies, a comprehensive review addressing the risks associated with various pollutants is lacking. This review aims to fill that gap by examining the risks and regeneration technologies related to aquaculture wastewater.

Recent Findings

This systematic review analyzes the risk profiles of different pollutants in aquaculture wastewater, highlighting the complexity of these contaminants. It reviews the characteristics and mechanisms of physical, chemical, and biological regeneration technologies employed in wastewater treatment. The findings indicate that the sources, composition, and hazardous properties of key pollutants vary, and the existing reuse technologies provide differing treatment advantages.

Summary

The review identifies limitations in current treatment methods and proposes future research directions, emphasizing the need to investigate the synergistic effects of pollutants, particularly emerging contaminants. It also suggests establishing clear criteria for acceptable contaminant levels and optimizing integrated treatment approaches. These insights will enhance aquaculture wastewater management and contribute to the sustainable development of the aquaculture industry.

Graphical Abstract

Purpose of Review

Microalgae exhibit immense potential for treating textile wet processing wastewater (TWPW), owing to efficient assimilation of pollutants while simultaneously generating valuable biomass for bio-based applications. This review investigates the integration of microalgae cultivation at different stages of textile wet processing (TWP) for TWPW treatment and resource recovery, addressing a key gap in literature, while emphasizing natural dye pigment production and sustainable biorefining potential within the circular bioeconomy principles.

Recent Findings

The textile industry, valued at USD 1837.27 billion, poses significant environmental challenges, due to the generation of chemically complex wastewater mainly during TWP. However, conventional treatment methods for TWPW are often inefficient and resource-intensive, whereas microalgae-integrated bioremediation provides a sustainable alternative, by removing pollutants through biosorption, biodegradation, and bioaccumulation/biotransformation, achieving ~ 99% nutrient removal. Furthermore, as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic dyes, microalgae-derived natural pigments, including chlorophylls, carotenoids, and phycocyanin, are capable of dyeing a variety of textiles, such as cotton, silk, wool, and synthetic fibers. Particularly, Chlorella and Spirulina exhibit promising dyeing potential, with ~ 87% of uptake efficiency and excellent colorfasness.

Summary

This review critically evaluates the feasibility of microalgae-integrated TWPW treatment, emphasizing the wastewater characteristics and the treatment potential of microalgae. Furthermore, the study evaluates the potential of microalgae pigment as a sustainable alternative to synthetic dyes and the valorization of residual biomass into low-value products, promoting a circular bioeconomy in the textile industry. Hence, the review concludes by highlighting the requirement for a paradigm shift in the current research to optimize industrial-scale TWPW bioremediation and the use of microalgae-derived pigments for textile dyeing.

Purpose of Review

Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) play a significant role in the global carbon cycle and climate change. While significant advancements have been made in terrestrial BVOCs research, critical gaps persist in understanding marine BVOCs, particularly their emission, multiphase oxidation pathways, and climate feedback mechanisms.

Recent Findings

Current atmospheric models underestimate the flux of marine VOCs. Recent studies have revealed isomerization pathways and heterogeneous reaction mechanisms, thereby revising the traditional theory dominated solely by gas-phase oxidation in atmospheric transformation of BVOCs. This advancement enables more accurate prediction of oxidation product distributions. These products can drive new particle formation at the tropopause, thereby influencing radiation balance and regulating climate through resultant feedback mechanisms.

Summary

This review systematically elaborates the sources and sinks of marine BVOCs, their atmospheric transformation mechanisms, and climate feedback, highlighting the critical role of marine biota in global climate regulation. The production and emission of marine BVOCs exhibit significant spatiotemporal heterogeneity, primarily regulated by marine internal processes including biological activities and chemical reactions. Upon entering the atmosphere via sea-air exchange, marine BVOCs undergo complex atmospheric oxidation processes to form aerosols (e.g., sulfur-containing aerosols, brown carbon) and reactive halogen species, thereby influencing the radiation balance and atmospheric oxidation capacity while exerting crucial feedback on global climate. This provides an overarching perspective for a more comprehensive understanding of the role of marine ecosystems in global climate regulation.

Graphical Abstract