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        <title>Frontiers in Environmental Chemistry | New and Recent Articles</title>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/environmental-chemistry</link>
        <description>RSS Feed for Frontiers in Environmental Chemistry | New and Recent Articles</description>
        <language>en-us</language>
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        <pubDate>2026-05-14T11:23:55.540+00:00</pubDate>
        <ttl>60</ttl>
        <item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2026.1797359</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2026.1797359</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Wildfire-driven geochemical transformations from soils to pyrogenic nanoparticles]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-21T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Cristian Suarez-Oubiña</author><author>Mickael Tharaud</author><author>Nirina Taraconat</author><author>Véronique Michot</author><author>Claudia Rojas</author><author>Marc F. Benedetti</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionWildfires can substantially alter soil geochemistry in fire-prone environments, yet their influence on inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) remains poorly constrained.MethodsThis study investigated nanoparticle dynamics following a wildfire in the Cantillana Reserve (central Chile) by combining field sampling, controlled combustion experiments, bulk geochemical analyses, and single-particle ICP-TOFMS.ResultsFire exposure caused a marked increase in nanoparticle number concentration, reaching up to 1.4 × 109 particles per gram in ash-enriched soils, together with a shift from predominantly monometallic to multimetallic particles (e.g., Fe–Mn–Ti and Fe–Zn). Comparable patterns were observed in laboratory heating experiments, supporting temperature as a key control on elemental redistribution, reduction, and volatilization. Fire-affected samples also contained smaller nanoparticles enriched in Pb and Zn, suggesting enhanced post-fire metal mobility and potential environmental exposure. In addition, bimetallic nanoparticle ratios such as Fe/Mn and Fe/Zn may serve as geochemical indicators of wildfire severity.DiscussionOverall, the results show that wildfire can strongly modify nanoparticle abundance and composition, and that nanoscale characterization provides useful insight into post-fire geochemical transformations.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2026.1833826</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2026.1833826</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Editorial: Environmental chemistry of mercury: sources, pathways, transformations and impact vol II]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-09T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Editorial</category>
        <author>Robert P. Mason</author><author>Erik Bjorn</author><author>Marc Amyot</author>
        <description></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2026.1804240</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2026.1804240</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Surface-dominated photocatalytic degradation of polystyrene microplastics in TiO2/Fe3O4 thin films under UV irradiation]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-23T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Yusra Zabarmawi</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Polystyrene (PS) microplastics are persistent environmental contaminants whose degradation under realistic solid-state conditions remains poorly understood. In this study, the ultraviolet (UV-A, 365 nm, 143.5 h)-induced degradation of PS microplastics is systematically investigated using Fe3O4 and Fe3O4/TiO2 composite thin films under dry (air) conditions. This approach provides a controlled model for surface-exposed plastic aging beyond conventional aqueous systems. Structural, chemical, optical, and surface modifications were comprehensively analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XRD analysis reveals enhanced structural disorder of the PS matrix in the presence of Fe3O4/TiO2 compared with Fe3O4 alone. However, the crystalline phases of the inorganic components remain unchanged. Under identical UV irradiation conditions, FTIR carbonyl index quantification and UV–vis absorbance measurements indicate that Fe3O4 alone induces only limited bulk photo-oxidation and partial aromatic degradation compared with the Fe3O4/TiO2 system. Meanwhile, the incorporation of TiO2 suppresses extensive bulk macromolecular chain fragmentation despite prolonged UV exposure. In contrast, XPS reveals pronounced surface oxidation for the Fe3O4/TiO2 system, evidenced by a significant increase in oxygen-containing carbon species in the C 1s spectra. FTIR carbonyl index measurements and UV–vis absorbance changes indicate that bulk chemical and optical modifications remain modest under the applied UV conditions. Together, these results reveal that Fe3O4/TiO2 preferentially promotes the surface-localized photo-oxidation of PS microplastics rather than uniform bulk macromolecular chain fragmentation. Based on these findings, we propose a solid-state degradation mechanism in which UV-excited TiO2 generates charge carriers that may undergo interfacial charge interactions with Fe3O4. This mechanism facilitates oxygen-mediated surface oxidation in the absence of water. Accordingly, this work provides new mechanistic insight into the spatial nature of microplastic degradation under dry conditions. The work also highlights why surface-localized photo-oxidation should be distinguished from macromolecular chain fragmentation in environmental aging processes.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2026.1703150</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2026.1703150</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Recent advances in chemical, thermochemical, and biochemical processing of algae]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-23T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Muhammad Waseem</author><author>Faisal Mahmood</author><author>Yafan Cai</author><author>Shuaishuai Ma</author><author>M. Muzamil</author><author>Muhammad Usman Khan</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Considering today’s challenges regarding climate change and rapid depletion of conventional fossil fuels, algae-based fuels seem to be promising and sustainable alternatives via various conversion methods. Despite growing interest in algal-based applications, the full potential of algal biomass as a versatile and sustainable feedstock remains underutilized as it is abundantly available when compared to terrestrial plants. The biomass from algae can be used for producing biofuels and chemicals as they are high in proteins, carbs, and lipids. Producing fuel from algae remains commercially challenging because cultivation and harvesting demand significant energy and incur high costs. At the pilot scale, these challenges often create major bottlenecks in converting algae into biofuels or biochemicals. Adopting an integrated algae biorefinery approach can help lower both energy use and expenses. Such systems enable the simultaneous recovery of biopolymers, biochemicals, biofuels, and biofertilizers with better cost-effectiveness than traditional processes. Ultimately, making algae-based production more economically feasible strengthens its potential role in advancing a green economy. This review articulates recent advances in chemical, thermochemical, and biochemical conversion processes of algae-based biomass. Chemical transesterification, thermochemical processes such as gasification, pyrolysis, and hydrothermal treatments, and biochemical conversion methods like fermentation, anaerobic digestion, and photobiological techniques are discussed in this review. For biochemical conversion methods such as fermentation, anaerobic digestion and photobiological techniques are mentioned towards the end of this review.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2026.1759525</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2026.1759525</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Renewable energy MicroGrid power forecasting: AI techniques with environmental perspective]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-20T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Amanul Islam</author><author>Fazidah Othman</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionAccurate power forecasting is a fundamental requirement for the reliable and sustainable operation of renewable energy -based microgrids, particularly under the inherent variability of solar and wind resources.MethodsThis study presents a comparative analysis of traditional artificial intelligence models, including Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), Fuzzy Logic, and Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference Systems (ANFIS), alongside advanced deep learning architectures such as Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), Temporal Convolutional Networks (TCN), Transformer, and Squeeze-and-Excitation enhanced LSTM (SE+LSTM). Real-world hourly data collected from the King Saud University microgrid in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia --incorporating environmental variables such as solar irradiance, wind speed, temperature, humidity, and air pressure --are used for model training and evaluation. Forecasting performance is assessed using Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), and Sum of Squared Errors (SSE) across short-term (1-hour ahead) and mid-term (6-hour ahead) forecasting horizons.ResultsThe results show that attention-based models outperform conventional approaches. In particular, the SE+LSTM model achieves the best performance with an RMSE of 0.7015 kW and a MAPE of 2.01%, followed closely by the Transformer model. Statistical significance testing confirms that the observed improvements are not due to random variation.DiscussionOverall, the findings highlight the importance of incorporating environmental context to improve forecasting accuracy. Attention-enhanced deep learning models provide a robust and environmentally informed framework for intelligent and sustainable microgrid energy management.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2026.1773001</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2026.1773001</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Mechanistic insights into the role of biochar, alum, and iron sulfate in nutrient retention and DOC-associated leaching from poultry litter-amended soils]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-19T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Soura Shuvra Gupta</author><author>Rishi Prasad</author><author>Debolina Chakraborty</author><author>Prasenjit Ray</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionIndiscriminate application of poultry litter (PL) often exceeds crop nutrient demand, resulting in nitrate (NO3-N) and phosphate (PO4-P) leaching to groundwater. Conventional amendments, i.e., alum and iron sulfate, effectively immobilize nutrients but may induce soil acidification. Biochar (BC), a carbon-rich byproduct, has emerged as a potentially sustainable alternative. However, a systematic comparison with established amendments is required, along with the role of manure-derived dissolved organic carbon (DOC) on nutrient leaching dynamics, before broader adoption.Materials and methodsAn in-situ pot experiment was conducted using coarse-textured soil in 24 leaching columns under open-field conditions with corn (Zea mays) as the test crop. Six treatments were evaluated: (i) soil without PL, (ii) soil with 20 t ha−1 PL (iii) soil with 20 t ha−1 PL + 10% BC-1 (w/w relative to PL), (iv) soil with 20 t ha−1 PL + 10% BC-2, (v) soil with 20 t ha−1 PL + 10% alum, and (vi) soil with 20 t ha−1 PL + 10% iron sulfate. Leachate samples across five natural rainfall events were analyzed for NO3-N, PO4-P, and DOC.ResultsIn unamended PL-treated soil, NO3-N and PO4-P concentrations ranged from 0.53–51.5 and 3.88–20.5 mg L−1, respectively. With amendments, NO3-N concentrations ranged from 1.94–42.0 (BC-1), 1.72–39.2 (BC-2), 1.07–22.1 (alum), and 1.55–46.7 mg L−1 (iron sulfate), while PO4-P concentrations ranged from 3.20–13.9, 3.18–13.6, 1.51–8.25, and 1.99–11.6 mg L−1, respectively. Across, five rainfall events, amendments reduced cumulative average PO4-P loading by 14.5% (BC-1), 33% (BC-2), 48% (alum), and 52% (iron sulfate) and NO3-N loading by 37% (BC-2), 41% (alum), and 33% (iron sulfate), whereas BC-1 increased cumulative average NO3-N loading by 10% compared to unamended manure soil. DOC exhibited significant positive correlations with NO3-N (r = 0.54, p < 0.05) and PO4-P (r = 0.83, p < 0.001). Grain yield was similar in unamended and BC-amended soils, significantly higher than alum- and iron sulfate-amended soils.ConclusionThe role of amendments (BC-2, alum, and iron sulfate) was significant for PO4-P retention. The NO3-N retention was modest and influenced by crop growth stages, while PO4-P loss was governed by rainfall amount.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2026.1762724</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2026.1762724</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Synergistic removal of various emergent pollutants in biochar-enhanced constructed wetlands: a pilot-scale nature-based solution for municipal wastewater treatment improvements]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-11T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Chaimae Maldou</author><author>Yasmina El Janoussi</author><author>Dhafer Mohammed M. Al Salah</author><author>Majida Lahrouni</author><author>Naaila Ouazzani</author><author>Tonni Agustiono Kurnaiwan</author><author>Ayoub El Ghadraoui</author><author>Amine Elleuch</author><author>Aroua Ammar</author><author>John Poté</author><author>Faissal Aziz</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The primary drawback of reusing treated wastewater for irrigation is that most wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) remain unable to remove most emerging pollutants detected in recent decades, necessitating a strategy to improve these WWTPs’ performance. In this regard, the present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an enhanced pilot vertical-flow biochar-enriched constructed wetland for treating municipal wastewater pretreated with natural lagoons. Three key harmful micropollutants are addressed: heavy metals (trace elements), pharmaceutical residues, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB). The system utilizes a biochar layer to enhance treatment efficiency by increasing adsorption capacity and supporting beneficial microorganisms, in conjunction with Phragmites australis plants that facilitate oxygen transfer and nutrient uptake. To evaluate the treatment system’s performance, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to measure heavy metal concentrations. A molecular approach using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to quantify antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in water samples before and after treatment, including β-lactamases TEM, CTX-M, and SHV. The performance obtained is remarkable for the well-known toxic metals, reducing their concentrations from 16.35 ± 0.82 μg L-1 for arsenic, 0.0936 ± 0.0047 μg L-1 for cadmium, and 0.6036 ± 0.030 μg L-1 for lead to 2.75 ± 0.14 μg L-1, 0.0014 ± 0.000070 μg L-1, and 0.089 ± 0.0045 μg L-1, respectively. Furthermore, the results showed a significantly reduced copy number of the 16S rRNA gene and of the resistance-conferring genes. Pharmaceutical residues (doxycycline, ciprofloxacin, enoxacin, enrofloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, amoxicillin and ampicillin) were also effectively removed after treatment, with removal rates ranging from 63% to over 99% depending on the compound. For example, ibuprofen and ciprofloxacin were reduced by 96%–97% (from 7.310 to 238 ng L-1 and from 2.300 to 83 ng L-1, respectively). Even recalcitrant molecules such as carbamazepine and diclofenac have been reduced by more than 60%, confirming the high efficiency of the biochar-enriched artificial wetland system. These results highlight the considerable potential of this nature-based solution as a promising approach to addressing the global concern of enhancing WWTP removal of emergent pollutants. It therefore offers a sustainable, environmentally friendly alternative for wastewater treatment reuse in irrigation.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2026.1694851</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2026.1694851</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Identifying sources of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in an arid environment with de facto reuse]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-02-11T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Jessica Steigerwald</author><author>Rebecca Trenholm</author><author>Oscar Quiñones</author><author>Brett J. Vanderford</author><author>Eric Dickenson</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Lake Mead is the primary drinking water source for the Las Vegas Valley and supplies water to 25 million people in the Lower Colorado River Basin. Historically, Lake Mead per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) concentrations have been low; however, decreasing lake levels from drought may result in increased impact from the Las Vegas Wash (LVW) leading to increased PFAS levels. Thus, there is a need to better map Lake Mead PFAS sources. Herein, samples were collected from (1) Lake Mead, rainwater, and snowmelt; (2) wastewater, groundwater, and stormwater sources to the LVW; and (3) sewershed sampling for two wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) in the Las Vegas Valley. Nineteen PFAS were quantified via liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Additionally, some samples were either analyzed using non-targeted high resolution mass spectrometry or processed using the total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay method. Total PFAS in the Boulder Basin area of Lake Mead was 3.84 ng/L and was dominated by short-chain perfluorocarboxylic and perfluorosulfonic acids. The Colorado River was the primary source of PFAS to Lake Mead (65% of total PFAS loading) and the LVW was an important secondary source (27%). Total PFAS in precipitation samples were low (0.329–1.51 ng/L) with rainwater dominated by long-chain perfluoroalkyl acids while only perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) was detected in snowmelt. Domestic wastewater was the primary WWTP PFAS source due to high residential and domestic flow contributions (63%–94%) and lack of industry, while laundry and PFAS-containing cosmetics are significant PFAS sources in residential wastewater (i.e., estimated mass flow contributions of 11%, 9.3% and 2.2% for household laundry, shampoo and cosmetic cream, respectively). These results provide a better understanding of the PFAS sources to Lake Mead, and similar systems, and will help inform future efforts to manage PFAS flows to this important drinking water source.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2025.1715512</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2025.1715512</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Mercury stocks and methylmercury production remain unaffected by 17 years of experimental permafrost thaw]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-02-02T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Charlotte Haugk</author><author>Alyssa Azaroff</author><author>Stefan Bertilsson</author><author>Margareta Johansson</author><author>Tong Liu</author><author>Lauren Thompson</author><author>Sofi Jonsson</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Mercury (Hg) has been stored in permafrost peatlands for millennia. As permafrost thaw is predicted to increase with ongoing climate warming, Hg is at risk to be remobilized from those peatlands and hotspots for Hg methylation could potentially form. Monomethylmercury (MeHg) is a known neurotoxin and a health concern to northern communities if Hg is remobilized, transformed to MeHg and subsequently bioaccumulated in the food chain. It is uncertain how Hg cycles in thawing permafrost systems and how much of it could potentially be remobilized by thaw processes. In this study, we have investigated Hg dynamics in a permafrost peatland of northern Sweden, where a snow fence field experiment was set up in 2005 to simulate accelerated permafrost thaw through winter warming. We compared total mercury (THg) and MeHg concentrations in soil plots representing intact and thawed permafrost conditions, investigated seasonal variations and examined the coupling between microbial community composition and MeHg concentration. Similar stocks of both total THg and MeHg were observed in intact and thawed permafrost conditions, suggesting that 17 years of winter warming manipulation and accelerated permafrost thaw had not led to substantial Hg loss from the peat nor extensive MeHg production. The apparent stability of the Hg stocks contrasted with our hypothesis and with many previous studies. While there was no difference in microbial communities between treatments with or without accelerated thaw, putative methylators were more abundant in thaw plots in the fall. This indicates that permafrost thaw has increased the potential for Hg methylation, although these shifts have not yet been strong enough to measurably affect MeHg stocks. Our study emphasizes the complexity of Hg dynamics in thaw-affected permafrost landscapes and the need to consider thaw-related perturbations of the Hg cycle on various timescales.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2025.1675784</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2025.1675784</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Emerging micropollutants: risks, regulatory trends, and adsorption based-magnetic nanotechnology solutions]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-01-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Amina Mumtaz</author><author>Saul Santini</author><author>Martin Albino</author><author>Beatrice Muzzi</author><author>Cristian Marinelli</author><author>Alessandra Cincinelli</author><author>Claudio Sangregorio</author><author>Tania Martellini</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Emerging micropollutants (EMPs) like pharmaceuticals, personal care products, pesticides, microplastics, flame retardants and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are a growing concern in aquatic environments due to their persistence, bioaccumulation, and potential toxicity. While traditional wastewater treatment technologies like advanced oxidation processes and microbial degradation may be efficient, they tend to be expensive, sophisticated, and inadequate in fully eliminating EMPs. Adsorption via metallic and metal oxide nanomaterials offers an attractive, low-cost and effective option over traditional technologies. This review focuses on various EMPs, pesticides among them, and their adverse impacts. It presents the physical and chemical adsorption processes employed by metal and metal oxide nanomaterials for the removal of these contaminants. Various synthesis techniques of such nanoparticles from chemical, physical, and biological techniques are discussed, highlighting their respective merits and drawbacks. The role of nanomaterials in wastewater treatment, particularly in the removal of heavy metals, antibiotics, and pesticides, is highlighted due to their high adsorption efficiency. The review also discusses the importance of nanoparticle recovery and regeneration to promote green and sustainable water treatment systems. In conclusion, it demonstrates that although nanotechnology offers significant promise for addressing water pollution, more research is needed into eco-friendly synthesis methods to improve its effectiveness in environmental remediation.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2025.1713367</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2025.1713367</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Selective phosphate uptake in the presence of sulfate with granular spent coffee grounds-based adsorbents via metal oxide modification]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-12-05T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Bernd G. K. Steiger</author><author>Adekunle C. Faleye</author><author>Bolanle M. Babalola</author><author>Lee D. Wilson</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Selective phosphate (Pi) remediation from saline aquatic environments is crucial in combating eutrophication. In this study, biocomposite adsorbents with 80% spent coffee grounds, variable chitosan content, and either 1% or 5% metal oxide (MO) content (-A = 1 wt.%; -B = 5 wt.%) were evaluated. The type of MO was either Fe2O3 (Fe-B or Fe-A) or Al2O3 (Al-B or Al-A). The material characterization of these biocomposites was achieved via thermogravimetry and spectroscopic techniques (13C NMR, FT-IR, and X-ray diffraction (XRD)). Composite formation and coordination between functional groups was evidenced by FT-IR spectral and XRD results. The role of sulfate as a competitor anion was evaluated due to its environmental significance. Single-component isotherm studies showed equilibrium adsorption capacities that range from ca. 13 mg/g–20 mg/g for phosphate and 9 mg/g–36 mg/g for sulfate. To investigate the selectivity of phosphate over sulfate, binary selectivity experiments (equal concentration) were conducted. The binary selectivity factor αt/c ranged from 14 to 16 for Al-based and from 6 to 9 for Fe-based composites. The adsorption capacity ratio was ca. 2–3 for Al-based and ca. 4 for Fe-based composites, which favor phosphate in the presence of sulfate (at 100 mg/L for both anions). This was verified through adsorption experiments in binary, ternary, and quaternary anion systems, where different adsorption sites account for the concerted anion adsorption. Kinetic studies according to the pseudo nth-order model for two selected composites showed a reaction order of ca. 1.6–1.8 for Al-A and Fe-B. Adsorption of phosphate in spiked river water with 10 mg/L phosphate (spiked) and ca. 80 mg/L sulfate (natural) for Al-A and Fe-B resulted in ca. 0.4 mg/g–0.5 mg/g uptake capacity of phosphate. Coordination of phosphate was inferred to follow inner-sphere complexation, in contrast to that of sulfate. In turn, this study demonstrates how granular adsorbents derived from food waste with high lignocellulose content can be modified with MO to yield phosphate-selective adsorption in saline aqueous media.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2025.1701684</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2025.1701684</link>
        <title><![CDATA[An examination of the importance of air-sea exchange in mercury cycling in the Gulf of Maine]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-12-05T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Robert P. Mason</author><author>Hannah M. Inman</author><author>Sophia K. Smith</author><author>Vivien F. Taylor</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Mercury (Hg), primarily as methylmercury (MeHg), is a neurotoxin that biomagnifies up marine food chains, causing a health risk to humans and wildlife that consume fish. Coastal waters, such as the Gulf of Maine (GoM) are major fishing grounds, and understanding the cycling of Hg and MeHg in these ecosystems is important but understudied. Anthropogenic activity and climate change has increased temperature and altered atmospheric and terrestrial inputs of Hg and other constituents, such as dissolved organic carbon (DOC), which have further modified the aquatic transformations of Hg species within the GoM. Our study examined their impact on the overall fate and transport of Hg, and in particular the air-sea exchange of Hg, and the net formation of MeHg in the GoM. High resolution measurements of dissolved gaseous Hg (DGHg) were collected on two cruises in the GoM and the historically Hg-contaminated Penobscot River in April and August 2023 to help examine these fluxes. DGHg concentrations showed distinct seasonal trends and %DGHg was higher in the GoM even though unfiltered total Hg (HgT) concentrations were higher in the estuary. The role of DOC and other parameters in moderating surface DGHg and flux is discussed as well as how the levels of Hg and DGHg have changed since prior investigations more than a decade ago. Furthermore, the relative importance of gas exchange compared to other sinks (water flow offshore and sedimentation) was examined using water column measurements from four cruises, and a mass balance model developed for HgT and MeHg for the GoM. We used the additional information collected throughout the water column for HgT and MeHg, and correlations between variables to constrain the MeHg budget and discuss the importance of external versus internal sources and sinks for MeHg in the GoM, highlighting the importance of in situ methylation in this ecosystem. Overall, external inputs of MeHg are not the primary driver of water column MeHg concentrations, although further study is needed to confirm this conclusion.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2025.1736676</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2025.1736676</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Editorial: Emerging trends in adsorption process for environmental applications]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-11-11T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Editorial</category>
        <author>Yawei Shi</author><author>Mengqi Li</author><author>Jun Li</author>
        <description></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2025.1673525</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2025.1673525</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Photolytic and photocatalytic activity of polyethylene glycol-capped zinc ferrite nanocomposites for the removal of sethoxydim herbicide residues in pond water]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-10-28T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>K. Ramaraju</author><author>Tentu Nageswara Rao</author><author>Y. Prashanthi</author><author>Parameswaram Ganji</author>
        <description><![CDATA[AimThis study examines the photolytic and photocatalytic activities of a polyethylene glycol-capped zinc ferrite nanocomposite aimed at removing sethoxydim herbicide residues from pond water.Material and MethodsZinc ferrite nanoparticles were produced using the sol-gel method with precursors like zinc nitrate and iron nitrate. A clear PEG solution was formed by dissolving 1 g of PEG in distilled water. PEG-ZnFe2O4 nanocomposites were synthesized by heating and calcining the mixture at 300 °C for 3 h. Polyethylene glycol capped zinc ferrite nanocomposites (PEG-ZnFe2O4 NCs) were characterized using various methods such as TEM, SEM, FT-IR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and XRD. Two sets of spiked concentrations were prepared for experiments, one with the catalyst (PEG-ZnFe2O4) and the other without it. The samples were exposed to sunlight, collected at predetermined intervals, and filtered using a 0.45 μm PTFE membrane filter. The filtrates were collected into amber-colored vials before being validated using HPLC. The method validation process involved analyzing untreated control samples, working standard, and test solutions for method specificity, and calibration solutions were analyzed using HPLC at various concentrations.Results and DiscussionThe fortified samples were analyzed using the HPLC method to extract and quantify sethoxydim in pond water. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was established by performing five injections of recovery samples at a fortification level of 0.03 μg/mL for sethoxydim for low-level recovery. The limit of detection (LOD) was determined to be 0.01 μg/mL. The adsorption study assessed the effect of adsorbent dosage by mixing a 50 ml solution with various doses of PEG-ZnFe2O4 NCs. The study found that sethoxydim’s half-life in pond water without a catalyst was 4.80 days, while in the presence of a catalyst, it was 8.42 h.ConclusionWhen compared to photolysis, research on photocatalysis has revealed greater efficiency and quicker reactions, while the DT50 value, or half-life, holds considerable importance in environmental pond water. This study proposes new applications for PEG-ZnFe2O4 NCs in environmental remediation and waste water treatment.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2025.1717331</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2025.1717331</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Correction: Squalene recovery from Uzen oil field wastewater: a novel abiotic resource]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-10-17T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Correction</category>
        <author>Yerlan M. Suleimen</author><author>Alexander N. Trofimov</author><author>Gulnur K. Mamytbekova</author><author>Dilnaz Kurbanaliyeva</author><author>Burkitkan Akbay</author><author>Tursonjan Tokay</author>
        <description></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2025.1693281</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2025.1693281</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Editorial: Emerging trends in advanced oxidation processes for water treatment]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-10-13T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Editorial</category>
        <author>Sanaullah Khan</author><author>Javed Ali Khan</author><author>Zhen Wei</author>
        <description></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2025.1672872</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2025.1672872</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Squalene recovery from Uzen oil field wastewater: a novel abiotic resource]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-10-01T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Brief Research Report</category>
        <author>Yerlan M. Suleimen</author><author>Alexander N. Trofimov</author><author>Gulnur K. Mamytbekova</author><author>Dilnaz Kurbanaliyeva</author><author>Burkitkan Akbay</author><author>Tursonjan Tokay</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Squalene (C30H50), a triterpene hydrocarbon, a critical precursor in the biosynthesis of cell membrane steroids, is enzymatically derived via squalene synthase in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Its remarkable physicochemical properties and potent antioxidant characteristics underlie its extensive application across various sectors including nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and fragrance industries. Historically, squalene has been predominantly sourced from shark liver oil and select plant oils. However, contemporary sustainable considerations have spurred pioneering investigations into unconventional reservoirs. This study reports, for the first time, the extraction of squalene from wastewater of Kazakhstan’s Uzen oil field, identifying an abiotic reservoir with significant scientific and industrial potential. In this study, wastewater samples from the Uzen oil field were collected, extracted, and the composition of dissolved volatile compounds in the extract was investigated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Notably, the predominant constituents were hydrocarbons, which was expected. Intriguingly, the analysis also revealed substantial quantities of squalene–a natural biomarker of oil. This unexpected discovery underscores the significant promise of this unconventional source.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2025.1604054</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2025.1604054</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Mercury cycling in grasslands: deposition, plant uptake, and biomass-burning emissions]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-09-25T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Mini Review</category>
        <author>Satoshi Irei</author>
        <description><![CDATA[In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the Minamata Convention on mercury, understanding the air–surface mercury exchange in grasslands is important as they cover 20%–40% of the Earth's land surface. An in-depth quantitative understanding of the processes of the mercury cycle, such as dry and wet depositions, evasion from soil, plant uptake, and natural and prescribed biomass burning, is essential to explore the mercury cycle in these regions; however, only a limited number of studies are available on these processes, and many questions regarding them still remain. In this mini-review, the key emission and sinking processes occurring in natural and semi-natural grasslands and the potential of stable mercury isotope measurements for tracing studies of mercury origin(s) in grasslands are discussed.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2025.1512237</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2025.1512237</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Assessing the potential of low-cost minerals for the removal of hexavalent chromium from groundwater: a case study from Ukraine]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-08-06T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Yuliia Trach</author>
        <description><![CDATA[This study investigated the feasibility of passively treating acidic Cr6+ wastewater and reducing the migration of toxic Cr3+ using locally sourced, low-cost minerals from the mining industry, which are either waste products or secondary raw materials. Iron-rich aluminosilicates, quartz-glauconite sand (18% glauconite), volcanic tuff (30% chlorite and 10% pyroxene), and glauconite concentrate (70%) were evaluated in combination with limestone. Cr6+ reduction experiments were conducted at varying dosages (10–50 g/L) of the test materials in batch experiments, with changes in pH (initial 3.2), Eh, and total dissolved solids measured. Natural limestone (0–20 mm), sourced from an active limestone quarry in the Ternopil region, Ukraine, was used to assess its feasibility in reducing the migration of Cr3+ formed during Cr6+ reduction. The results demonstrated that the greatest Cr6+ reduction was achieved using a combination of volcanic tuff and quartz-glauconite sand. Both batch and column studies indicated that limestone effectively reduced Cr3+ concentrations by raising the water’s pH to the range of 7.8–8.2, aiding in its immobilization. Overall, the study confirmed the feasibility of utilizing local mining waste as valuable and cost-effective reagents or adsorbents for the highly toxic Cr6+. These findings enabled the development of practical recommendations for employing iron-rich aluminosilicates in combination with limestone.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2025.1591290</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvc.2025.1591290</link>
        <title><![CDATA[From persistence to progress: assessing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) environmental impact and advances in photo-assisted fenton chemistry for remediation]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-07-14T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Tasia Walker</author><author>Kimberly A. Milligan</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are highly stable anthropogenic compounds characterized by their persistence in the environment and potential for bioaccumulation. This review investigates the physicochemical properties that underlie their environmental persistence, particularly the robustness of the carbon-fluorine bond. It also examines the synthesis processes of PFAS, their extensive applications across various industries, and the related health risks, including endocrine disruption and carcinogenic effects. The occurrence of PFAS in diverse environmental matrices, such as soil, water, and biota, is analyzed. Additionally, this study assesses advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), with an emphasis on Fenton-based treatments for the oxidative degradation of PFAS. Methods such as Photo-Assisted Anodic Fenton Treatment (P-AAFT) are highlighted for their promise in achieving complete mineralization of PFAS. The findings highlight the critical need for continued research and policy advancement to address the environmental and health challenges posed by PFAS, underscoring the urgent requirement for effective remediation strategies to mitigate PFAS contamination.]]></description>
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