environmental chemistry research paper pdf

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Environmental chemistry articles from across Nature Portfolio

Environmental chemistry is the study of chemical processes that occur in water, air, terrestrial and living environments, and the effects of human activity on them. It includes topics such as astrochemistry, atmospheric chemistry, environmental modelling, geochemistry, marine chemistry and pollution remediation.

Photoferrotrophs are inhibited by denitrification in ferruginous habitats

Laboratory experiments show that Fe( II ) oxidizing phototrophic bacteria, or photoferrotrophs, thought to be a major depositor of Archean and Palaeoproterozoic iron formations, are inhibited by toxic intermediates produced during denitrification in iron-rich systems. This identifies a previously overlooked stressor impacting mineral formation by photoferrotrophs during early Earth history.

Brine concentration at ambient conditions using ion exchange

A two-step process of water uptake by ion-exchange resin followed by evaporation can concentrate brine solutions without the need for heating.

• Treavor H. Boyer

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• Astrochemistry
• Atmospheric chemistry
• Environmental monitoring
• Geochemistry
• Marine chemistry
• Pollution remediation

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Study on Fenton-based discoloration of reactive-dyed waste cotton prior to textile recycling

• Elise Meurs
• Mohammad Neaz Morshed

Assessing the impact of meteorological factors and air pollution on respiratory disease mortality rates: a random forest model analysis (2017–2021)

• Yousef Dowlatabadi
• Shaghayegh abadi
• Seyed Mohammad Mahdi Moezzi

Biofunctionalized magnetic nanoparticles incorporated MoS 2 nanocomposite for enhanced n-butanol sensing at room temperature

• Ruchika Thayil
• Saidi Reddy Parne

Applying minerals to soil to draw down atmospheric carbon dioxide through synergistic organic and inorganic pathways

Soil-based carbon dioxide removal approaches that make use of primary and secondary minerals can create synergies between inorganic carbon, soil organic carbon, and stable biochar carbon formation.

• Wolfram Buss
• Heath Hasemer
• Justin Borevitz

Estimating the burden of diseases attributed to PM 2.5 using the AirQ + software in Mashhad during 2016–2021

• Nayera Naimi
• Maryam Sarkhosh
• Ehsan Musa Farkhani

Direct observation of the complex S(IV) equilibria at the liquid-vapor interface

The complex equilibria of sulfur compounds at the liquid-vapor interface play key roles in atmospheric processes. Here, using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics simulations the authors determining pKa values and tautomer ratios at the air-vapor interface in a liquid microjet.

• Tillmann Buttersack
• Ivan Gladich
• Hendrik Bluhm

News and Comment

Women in Chemistry: Q&A with Dr Shira Joudan

Dr Shira Joudan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada. Her environmental analytical chemistry research group studies the environmental fate of organic contaminants, including halogenated chemicals like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Membrane emulsification and de-emulsification by physical and entropic levers

Functional liquid-infused porous membranes show promise in many applications including emulsification of liquid mixtures and de-emulsification for water purification. In situ liquid-infused aerogel membranes with reverse functionality exploit a hierarchical microstructure of hydrated aerogels and the functionality of micro-confined water, enabling on-demand emulsification/de-emulsification.

• James D. Martin
• Lucian Lucia

Deconvoluting the impacts of harmful algal blooms in multi-stressed systems

Water quality impacts by harmful algal blooms co-occur with anthropogenic chemicals and waste pollution. We need to embrace multidisciplinary approaches to advance the science and improve the practice of water quality assessment and management.

• Bryan W. Brooks

Global plant nitrogen use is controlled by temperature

Plant nitrogen source in the soil is challenging to track. Compiling the most comprehensive global δ 15 N dataset, a new study shows the plant use of various available soil nitrogen forms (ammonium, nitrate, and organic nitrogen) is strongly controlled by temperature.

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2019 Best Papers published in the Environmental Science journals of the Royal Society of Chemistry

In 2019, the Royal Society of Chemistry published 180, 196 and 293 papers in Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts , Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology , and Environmental Science: Nano , respectively. These papers covered a wide range of topics in environmental science, from biogeochemical cycling to water reuse to nanomaterial toxicity. And, yes, we also published papers on the topic of the environmental fate, behavior, and inactivation of viruses. 1–10 We are extremely grateful that so many authors have chosen our journals as outlets for publishing their research and are equally delighted at the high quality of the papers that we have had the privilege to publish.

Our Associate Editors, Editorial Boards, and Advisory Boards were enlisted to nominate and select the best papers from 2019. From this list, the three Editors-in-Chief selected an overall best paper from the entire Environmental Science portfolio. It is our pleasure to present the winners of the Best Papers in 2019 to you, our readers.

Overall Best Paper

In this paper, Johansson et al. examine sea spray aerosol as a potential transport vehicle for perfluoroalkyl carboxylic and sulfonic acids. The surfactant properties of these compounds are well known and, in fact, key to many of the technical applications for which they are used. The fact that these compounds are enriched at the air–water interface makes enrichment in sea spray aerosols seem reasonable. Johansson et al. systematically tested various perfluoroalkyl acids enrichment in aerosols under conditions relevant to sea spray formation, finding that longer chain lengths lead to higher aerosol enrichment factors. They augmented their experimental work with a global model, which further bolstered the conclusion that global transport of perfluoroalkyl acids by sea spray aerosol is and will continue to be an important process in determining the global distribution of these compounds.

Journal Best Papers

Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts

First Runner-up Best Paper: Yamakawa, Takami, Takeda, Kato, Kajii, Emerging investigator series: investigation of mercury emission sources using Hg isotopic compositions of atmospheric mercury at the Cape Hedo Atmosphere and Aerosol Monitoring Station (CHAAMS), Japan , Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts , 2019, 21 , 809–818, DOI: 10.1039/C8EM00590G .

Second Runner-up Best Paper: Avery, Waring, DeCarlo, Seasonal variation in aerosol composition and concentration upon transport from the outdoor to indoor environment , Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts , 2019, 21 , 528–547, DOI: 10.1039/C8EM00471D .

Best Review Article: Cousins, Ng, Wang, Scheringer, Why is high persistence alone a major cause of concern? Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts , 2019, 21 , 781–792, DOI: 10.1039/C8EM00515J .

Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology

First Runner-up Best Paper: Yang, Lin, Tse, Dong, Yu, Hoffmann, Membrane-separated electrochemical latrine wastewater treatment , Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol. , 2019, 5 , 51–59, DOI: 10.1039/C8EW00698A .

Second Runner-up Best Paper: Genter, Marks, Clair-Caliot, Mugume, Johnston, Bain, Julian, Evaluation of the novel substrate RUG™ for the detection of Escherichia coli in water from temperate (Zurich, Switzerland) and tropical (Bushenyi, Uganda) field sites , Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol. , 2019, 5 , 1082–1091, DOI: 10.1039/C9EW00138G .

Best Review Article: Okoffo, O’Brien, O’Brien, Tscharke, Thomas, Wastewater treatment plants as a source of plastics in the environment: a review of occurrence, methods for identification, quantification and fate , Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol. , 2019, 5 , 1908–1931, DOI: 10.1039/C9EW00428A .

Environmental Science: Nano

First Runner-up Best Paper: Janković, Plata, Engineered nanomaterials in the context of global element cycles , Environ. Sci.: Nano , 2019, 6 , 2697–2711, DOI: 10.1039/C9EN00322C .

Second Runner-up Best Paper: González-Pleiter, Tamayo-Belda, Pulido-Reyes, Amariei, Leganés, Rosal, Fernández-Piñas, Secondary nanoplastics released from a biodegradable microplastic severely impact freshwater environments , Environ. Sci.: Nano , 2019, 6 , 1382–1392, DOI: 10.1039/C8EN01427B .

Best Review Article: Lv, Christie, Zhang, Uptake, translocation, and transformation of metal-based nanoparticles in plants: recent advances and methodological challenges , Environ. Sci.: Nano , 2019, 6 , 41–59, DOI: 10.1039/C8EN00645H .

Congratulations to the authors of these papers and a hearty thanks to all of our authors. As one can clearly see from the papers listed above, environmental science is a global effort and we are thrilled to have contributions from around the world. In these challenging times, we are proud to publish research that is not only great science, but also relevant to the health of the environment and the public. Finally, we also wish to extend our thanks to our community of editors, reviewers, and readers. We look forward to another outstanding year of Environmental Science , reading the work generated not just from our offices at home, but also from back in our laboratories and the field.

Kris McNeill, Editor-in-Chief

Paige Novak, Editor-in-Chief

Peter Vikesland, Editor-in-Chief

• A. B Boehm, Risk-based water quality thresholds for coliphages in surface waters: effect of temperature and contamination aging, Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts , 2019, 21 , 2031–2041,   10.1039/C9EM00376B .
• L. Cai, C. Liu, G. Fan, C Liu and X. Sun, Preventing viral disease by ZnONPs through directly deactivating TMV and activating plant immunity in Nicotiana benthamiana , Environ. Sci.: Nano , 2019, 6 , 3653–3669,   10.1039/C9EN00850K .
• L. W. Gassie, J. D. Englehardt, N. E. Brinkman, J. Garland and M. K. Perera, Ozone-UV net-zero water wash station for remote emergency response healthcare units: design, operation, and results, Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol. , 2019, 5 , 1971–1984,   10.1039/C9EW00126C .
• L. M. Hornstra, T. Rodrigues da Silva, B. Blankert, L. Heijnen, E. Beerendonk, E. R. Cornelissen and G. Medema, Monitoring the integrity of reverse osmosis membranes using novel indigenous freshwater viruses and bacteriophages, Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol. , 2019, 5 , 1535–1544,   10.1039/C9EW00318E .
• A. H. Hassaballah, J. Nyitrai, C. H. Hart, N. Dai and L. M. Sassoubre, A pilot-scale study of peracetic acid and ultraviolet light for wastewater disinfection, Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol. , 2019, 5 , 1453–1463,   10.1039/C9EW00341J .
• W. Khan, J.-Y. Nam, H. Woo, H. Ryu, S. Kim, S. K. Maeng and H.-C. Kim, A proof of concept study for wastewater reuse using bioelectrochemical processes combined with complementary post-treatment technologies, Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol. , 2019, 5 , 1489–1498,   10.1039/C9EW00358D .
• J. Heffron, B. McDermid and B. K. Mayer, Bacteriophage inactivation as a function of ferrous iron oxidation, Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol. , 2019, 5 , 1309–1317,   10.1039/C9EW00190E .
• S. Torii, T. Hashimoto, A. T. Do, H. Furumai and H. Katayama, Impact of repeated pressurization on virus removal by reverse osmosis membranes for household water treatment, Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol. , 2019, 5 , 910–919,   10.1039/C8EW00944A .
• J. Miao, H.-J. Jiang, Z.-W. Yang, D.-y. Shi, D. Yang, Z.-Q. Shen, J. Yin, Z.-G. Qiu, H.-R. Wang, J.-W. Li and M. Jin, Assessment of an electropositive granule media filter for concentrating viruses from large volumes of coastal water, Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol. , 2019, 5 , 325–333,   10.1039/C8EW00699G .
• K. L. Nelson, A. B. Boehm, R. J. Davies-Colley, M. C. Dodd, T. Kohn, K. G. Linden, Y. Liu, P. A. Maraccini, K. McNeill, W. A. Mitch, T. H. Nguyen, K. M. Parker, R. A. Rodriguez, L. M. Sassoubre, A. I. Silverman, K. R. Wigginton and R. G. Zepp, Sunlight mediated inactivation of health relevant microorganisms in water: a review of mechanisms and modeling approaches, Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts , 2018, 20 , 1089–1122,   10.1039/C8EM00047F .

Transformation Products of Synthetic Chemicals in the Environment

• © 2009
• Alistair B. A. Boxall

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• Provides an overview of the formation, detection, occurrence, effects and treatability of transformation products in the environment.
• Elucidates the risks of transformation products and of how to control them.
• Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Part of the book series: The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry (HEC, volume 2 / 2P)

Part of the book sub series: Reactions and Processes (HEC2)

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• Biodegradation
• Degradation Products
• Persistence
• Syhthetic Chemicals
• Treatment Processes
• ecotoxicity
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• linear optimization
• transformation

Table of contents (9 chapters)

Front matter, formation, detection and occurrence of transformation products, mechanisms of degradation of synthetic chemicals.

• Lawrence P. Wackett, Lynda B. M. Ellis

Predicting the Persistence of Organic Compounds

• Philip H. Howard

Analyzing transformation products of synthetic chemicals

• Sandra Pérez, Mira Petrovic, D. Barceló

Occurrence of Transformation Products in the Environment

• Dana W. Kolpin, William A. Battaglin, Kathleen E. Conn, Edward T. Furlong, Susan T. Glassmeyer, Steven J. Kalkhoff et al.

Exposure of Transformation Products

Fate of transformation products of synthetic chemicals.

• Dingfei Hu, Keri Henderson, Joel Coats

Modelling Environmental Exposure to Transformation Products of Organic Chemicals

• Kathrin Fenner, Urs Schenker, Martin Scheringer

Treatment of Transformation Products

• Craig D. Adams

Effects of Transformation Products

Ecotoxicity of transformation products.

• Chris J. Sinclair, Alistair B.A. Boxall

Predicting the Ecotoxicological Effects of Transformation Products

• Beate I. Escher, Rebekka Baumgartner, Judit Lienert, Kathrin Fenner

Back Matter

Bibliographic information.

Book Title : Transformation Products of Synthetic Chemicals in the Environment

Editors : Alistair B. A. Boxall

Series Title : The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-88273-2

Publisher : Springer Berlin, Heidelberg

eBook Packages : Earth and Environmental Science , Earth and Environmental Science (R0)

Copyright Information : Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2009

Hardcover ISBN : 978-3-540-88272-5 Published: 22 September 2009

Softcover ISBN : 978-3-642-26041-4 Published: 14 March 2012

eBook ISBN : 978-3-540-88273-2 Published: 01 September 2009

Series ISSN : 1867-979X

Series E-ISSN : 1616-864X

Edition Number : 1

Number of Pages : XIV, 249

Topics : Environmental Chemistry , Geochemistry , Analytical Chemistry

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• Published: 01 April 2020

A golden period for environmental soil chemistry

• Donald L. Sparks 1  

Geochemical Transactions volume  21 , Article number:  5 ( 2020 ) Cite this article

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In many respects, the field of environmental soil chemistry has never been more important than today. Many of the critical environmental issues we face globally are linked to the changing climate, which is having profound impacts on the chemistry of soils. We have a poor understanding of how climate impacts not only chemical, but also physical, biological, and mineralogical properties and processes of soils. Figure  1 shows some of the major impacts of climate change on soils and water. Soils, globally, are under immense stress due to erosion, nutrient imbalances, salinization, desertification, pollution and acidification [ 1 ]. Our very best soils are being lost to development. In short, the fate of our soils and human security are inextricably linked [ 2 ]. The population of the world stands at 7.5 billion. It is expected to rise to 9–9.5 billion by 2050 and perhaps to 11 billion by 2100. Megacities are sprouting up in many areas, particularly in Asia. These are cities of more than 10 million people. Much of the population growth is occurring in urban areas, in particular coastal regions. For example, more than 50% of the U.S. population lives in coastal areas. The latter areas are very susceptible to increased flooding and sea level rise.

Climate change impacts on soils

With the impacts of climate and environmental change, there is incredible pressure to ensure an adequate food supply, especially for the most vulnerable regions, e.g., those in Africa. The production of enough food is dependent on adequate water, productive land, and in general healthy soils. A recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [ 3 ] found that a half billion people live in locations that are seeing increased desertification and soils are being lost between 10 and 100 times faster than they are forming. Climate change will exacerbate these threats even more due to flooding, droughts, storms and other extreme weather events, further affecting the food supply. The report also notes that presently more than 10 percent of the world’s population is undernourished which could enhance cross-border migration and a quarter of humanity faces significant water crises.

Water quantity is particularly problematic with the increasing high temperatures and drought that we are seeing in areas such as the Western U.S., Africa, and many other parts of the world. Of the total water on Planet Earth, 96.5% is in oceans, bays, and glaciers. Groundwater, which is a major source of drinking water, comprises only 1.69% of the total water, and of this, only 0.76% is fresh water [ 4 ]. In a recent article in the New York Times [ 5 ], it was noted that 17 countries are under severe water stress. In addition to issues related to water scarcity, there are major challenges globally with water quality, related to excess nutrients such as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) derived from organic wastes and inorganic fertilizers. In areas of high animal production, excess N and P in soils enter water bodies, causing hypoxia, resulting in algal blooms, fish kills and further impacts on tourism and even human health. Emerging organic contaminants such as antibiotics, hormones, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and others and their impact on drinking water, are also of great concern, particularly as populations increase. All of these contaminants impact human health and our economic vitality.

Carbon dioxide levels have been increasing at an alarming rate, particularly over the last few decades. Prior to the industrial revolution, CO 2 levels were about 280 ppm. By 2019 they had risen above 410 ppm, levels that last occurred 3 million years ago. Human activities are estimated to have caused an approximately 1.0 ℃ rise in global warming above pre-industrial levels, with a probable range of 0.8–1.2 ℃, and are likely to reach 1.5 ℃ between 2030 and 2052 if global warming continues at the present rate [ 6 ] (Fig.  2 ). The last several years have been the warmest on record. Many scientists have called this geological period in history the Anthropocene as conclusive scientific evidence shows that humans are having a major impact on Planet Earth. As Aldo Leopold so insightfully noted in 1933, “The reaction of land to occupancy determines the nature and duration of human civilization”.

Global temperature change with time

The increases in greenhouse emissions and rising temperatures have resulted in melting glaciers, less snow cover, diminishing sea ice, rising sea levels, ocean acidification, and increasing atmospheric water vapor. Extreme events such as intense rainfall, heat waves, and forest fires, and droughts are becoming more frequent [ 7 ]. In terms of sea level rise, the global sea level has risen 0.18–0.20 m since 1900, with about half (0.08 m) of the rise occurring since 1993. The increasing sea level has resulted in more frequent flooding in coastal areas. Global average sea levels will continue to rise with model projections of a rise of 0.26–0.77 m by 2100 if global warming of 1.5 ℃ occurs [ 6 ]. The most vulnerable areas in the continental U.S. are along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. Subsidence, or land that is sinking, is compounding the problem, e.g., along the Mid-Atlantic Coast of the U.S. With increases in sea levels and flooding, there is increasing salinization of land and groundwater. Additionally, there are 2500 sites along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts that are contaminated with metals, metalloids, and organic chemicals in areas that are heavily populated [ 8 ] (Fig.  3 ). It is not known how flooding and sea level rise, with its attendant salinity, will impact cycling of the contaminants and human health.

Contaminated sites in the U.S. which are subject to flooding

There is great concern about the impacts of rising temperatures on melting of permafrost soils. Permafrost soils sequester 1035 petagrams (Pg) of carbon (C) [ 9 ] in the top 3 m of soil, which represents about 70% of the current estimate for global soil C storage in the top 3 m (1500 Pg C) [ 10 ]. Research has already shown high labile C fractions released from permafrost soils that are thawing [ 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Plaza et al. [ 14 ], by quantifying C related to fixed ash content, measured soil C pool changes over a period of 5 years in warmed and ambient tundra ecosystems in Alaska. They found a 5.4% loss of C/year. They attributed much of the loss to lateral hydrological export. In a recent paper, Hemingway et al. [ 15 ] found that tightly mineral bound OC persists for millennia. It is critical to understand the role of warming in release of C, particularly C that is complexed with soil minerals such as iron oxides, which are major components for sequestering soil carbon [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ].

Major decadal research thrusts in environmental soil chemistry

In view of the above environmental challenges, it seems clear that the major research frontiers in environmental soil chemistry over the next 5–10 years will be heavily focused on the impacts of climate change on various soil chemical and mineralogical reactions and processes. Progress in these and other areas will result in large part due to rapid advances in analytical tools, data science, and modeling capabilities. As Nobel Laureate Sydney Brenner once said, “Progress (in science) depends on the interplay of techniques, discoveries, and ideas, probably in that order of importance [ 21 ].

Some of the major research thrusts and needs include:

Effects of sea level rise, salt water intrusion, and flooding on cycling of inorganic and organic contaminants such as metal (loid)s and nutrients

Fate and transport of antibiotics, hormones, PFAS and other emerging contaminants

Effects of warming of permafrost soils on carbon complexation with and release from soil minerals and emission of greenhouse gases

Modeling that integrates spatial and temporal scales

Advances in field-based spectroscopic techniques

Development and deployment of real-time sensors

Real-time investigations of soil chemical reactivity at the molecular scale

Coupled physical, chemical, and biological process studies

Mechanisms of mineral/microbe interactions

Advances in understanding light element chemistry, e.g., Al, B, Ca, and S in soils using new tender and soft X-ray techniques

Challenges and opportunities in environmental soil chemistry research

While there are so many exciting opportunities in the next decade in environmental soil chemistry research, there are still outstanding challenges now and in the future. One of the hallmarks of some of the most pioneering research in the field has been fundamental basic research. Soil chemists in the past were able to focus on a few areas for multiple periods such that they could “dig deeply” into the topic and become leading experts. This was made possible due to a continuity in funding for multiple periods. Over the past decade or more, institutional funding has decreased along with funding from federal agencies and the private sector. Additionally, the focus areas of research that funders support also change frequently which causes scientists to shift on a frequent basis from one topic to another. Thus, it is difficult to work in a particular area for an extended period of time and be viewed as an expert. Such shifting in focus could deleteriously impact the long-term reputation of a scientist. My thoughts on the critical need for basic, fundamental research and taking a deep dive into a particular area are best summed up by Albert Einstein, who stated, “I have little patience with scientists who take a board of wood, look for its thinnest part, and drill a great number of holes where drilling is easy”. There has also been a tendency for funding agencies to create large team science programs where multiple investigators, often from different institutions, pursue research on an interdisciplinary project. There is no question that many of the big challenges and opportunities in environmental soil chemistry research require an interdisciplinary approach. While soil chemists must focus on a few areas in depth at the fundamental level, they should take advantage of the exciting research opportunities that cross academic disciplines. However, the downside for individual scientists who pursue primarily large interdisciplinary science projects, especially early career scientists, is that their individual research products, i.e., refereed papers, often are not given the degree of credit that would result from publications that included only them and their students/postdocs. The overall significant research impacts from large team science recently was questioned. In a recent paper by Wu et al. [ 22 ], more than 64 million papers, patents and software products over a period of 1954–2014 were examined. The results showed that small teams of scientists tended to produce impactful results and ideas while large teams developed existing ideas.

The environmental challenges we face are daunting. However, with challenges there are opportunities. The advances in analytical tools and cyberinfrastructure offer exciting opportunities for soil chemists to tackle and help solve some of the most pressing issues facing humankind. In short, the future of environmental soil chemistry is indeed bright.

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Acknowledgements

I am deeply indebted to Young-Shin Jun, Washington University in St. Louis, Mengqiang Zhu, University of Wyoming, and Derek Peak, University of Saskatchewan, who served as editors of this Special Issue, and who invited me to contribute a feature article, and to all of the authors for their outstanding contributions.

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Sparks, D.L. A golden period for environmental soil chemistry. Geochem Trans 21 , 5 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12932-020-00068-6

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Published : 01 April 2020

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1186/s12932-020-00068-6

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