Review
Environmental Sciences
Ashu Dastoor, Helene Angot, Johannes Bieser, Jesper H. Christensen, Thomas A. Douglas, Lars-Eric Heimburger-Boavida, Martin Jiskra, Robert P. Mason, David S. McLagan, Daniel Obrist, Peter M. Outridge, Mariia Petrova, Andrei Ryjkov, Kyra A. St Pierre, Amina T. Schartup, Anne L. Soerensen, Kenjiro Toyota, Oleg Travnikov, Simon J. Wilson, Christian Zdanowicz
Summary: This article provides a comprehensive assessment of the present-day total mercury mass balance in the Arctic. The majority of mercury is transported to the Arctic via air and ocean transport, and the deposition mainly occurs in terrestrial ecosystems, particularly in soils. Rivers and coastal erosion transfer a significant amount of terrestrial mercury to the Arctic Ocean, in approximate balance with net terrestrial mercury deposition. The revised Arctic Ocean mercury mass balance suggests that the deposition to the ocean and mercury burial in inner-shelf sediments are underestimated, calling for the need for seasonal observations.
NATURE REVIEWS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Han-Han Li, Martin Tsz-Ki Tsui, Peijia Ku, Huan Chen, Ziyu Yin, Randy A. Dahlgren, Sanjai J. Parikh, Jianjun Wei, Tham C. Hoang, Alex T. Chow, Zhang Cheng, Xue-Mei Zhu
Summary: Mercury pollution, especially its methylated form (MeHg), is a global health concern. The production of forest fire ash is increasing due to climate warming, but its interactions with mercury are poorly understood. This study found that wildfire ash has high adsorption capacity for aqueous inorganic mercury, but the leaching of labile organic matter may promote the production of toxic methylmercury in anoxic sediments.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Faqiang Zhan, Chubashini Shunthirasingham, Yuening Li, Jenny Oh, Ying Duan Lei, Amina Ben Chaaben, Abigaelle Dalpe Castilloux, Zhe Lu, Kelsey Lee, Frank A. P. C. Gobas, Nick Alexandrou, Hayley Hung, Frank Wania
Summary: Halomethoxybenzenes are organic compounds that are present in the atmosphere at higher concentrations than persistent organic pollutants. They have properties of persistence, long-range transport, bioaccumulation, and toxicity. These compounds are primarily synthesized by wood-rotting fungi, marine algae, and invertebrates, and enter the atmosphere through evaporation from water. Our research provides evidence of their continental-scale transport and sheds light on their widespread atmospheric dispersal.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Teresia Svensson, Henrik Kylin, Malin Montelius, Per Sanden, David Bastviken
Summary: Chlorine in terrestrial environments plays multiple roles such as serving as a tracer for water flow and contaminant transport, being present in organochlorine pollutants, cycling within ecosystems, and being an essential element for plant growth. While progress has been made in understanding the terrestrial chlorine cycle, there is still a lack of data on ecosystem-level perspectives and the overall complexities of biological chlorine cycling.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Xun Wang, Wei Yuan, Che-Jen Lin, Xinbin Feng
Summary: Forests serve as the largest atmospheric sink for mercury in the global ecosystem, storing significant amounts of mercury in surface soils and vegetation. However, climate change, land cover changes, deforestation, and wildfires can re-volatilize mercury back into the atmosphere, increasing ecological risks. Vegetative uptake of mercury vapor predominantly controls mercury accumulation and isotopic fractionation in the atmosphere and global forests. An integrated assessment of changing biogeochemical processes in response to human and natural perturbations is necessary to address the ongoing reduction of mercury emissions required by the Minamata Convention.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Chunhui Wang, Jian Zhao, Baoshan Xing
Summary: Microplastics, small plastic particles less than 5 mm in size, have attracted increasing global attention due to their widespread distribution in various environmental compartments. Studies show that the sources of microplastics are diverse, and their presence and impacts in the environment are influenced by multiple factors. Research gaps exist in quantitatively analyzing different exposure routes of microplastics and their toxicity to organisms. Further efforts are needed to focus on the occurrence and fate of microplastics in terrestrial environments, especially in the atmosphere and soil, as well as investigating the toxicity mechanisms of microplastics.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Heng Chen, Lingxiao Zhan, Liyan Gu, Hao Zhou, Qianyuan Feng, Hao Wu, Shilin Zhao, Linjun Yang
Summary: The study investigated the fate and distribution of mercury during wastewater evaporation, finding that the majority of Hg was released during the process. The release of Hg was sensitive to factors such as evaporation temperature, Cl- and SO32- content. Risk assessment showed that Hg release from the evaporation process would not impact total Hg content in main flue gas or solid-phase comprehensive utilization.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Jun Zhou, Daniel Obrist, Ashu Dastoor, Martin Jiskra, Andrei Ryjkov
Summary: Mercury, a global pollutant emitted through human activities and natural sources, is partly absorbed by vegetation and deposited into soil. The vegetation uptake of mercury plays a significant role in terrestrial mercury deposition globally.
NATURE REVIEWS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Robert Sablowski, Crisanto Gutierrez
Summary: Plant growth relies on the continuous production of new cells, with morphogenesis depending on the rate and direction of cell division and growth. Coordination between cell cycle progression, division orientation, growth cues, and cell fate changes is crucial. The retinoblastoma pathway and microtubule dynamics play key roles in linking cell cycle with growth, cell identity, and oriented cell divisions.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jicheng Qiu, Yuxin Yang, Jingyuan Kong, Yuying Cao, Yu Liu, Feifei Sun, Xingyuan Cao
Summary: This study investigated the environmental fate of Cefquinome (CEQ), a fourth-generation cephalosporin, and found that temperature, illumination, and pH affected its degradation rate. High temperatures and acidic environments accelerated the degradation of CEQ, and the degradation products exhibited lower antibacterial activity.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Tao Huanyu, Shi Jianghong, Guo Wei, Zhang Jiawei, Ge Hui, Wang Yunhe
Summary: This article reviews the latest research on the structure, source, distribution, and fate of androgens in ecological systems, and emphasizes the potential risk of androgens to aquatic organisms. Androgens have moderate solubility and hydrophobicity in water, with concentrations mainly found in the nanogram per liter range. The efficiency of wastewater treatment processes in removing androgens varies, with sludge adsorption and microbial degradation playing important roles. There is a need for global efforts to provide more toxicity data and establish standard monitoring methods to comprehensively assess the impact of androgens on the environment and ecology.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bozena Graca, Agnieszka Jedruch, Magdalena Beldowska, Jacek Beldowski, Lech Kotwicki, Grzegorz Siedlewicz, Ewa Korejwo, Wioletta Popinska, Katarzyna Lukawska-Matuszewska
Summary: Since the 1970s, the amount of aquatic plants and algae debris, called beach wrack (BW), has increased along the shores of industrialised regions. This study examines the fate of neurotoxic mercury and its labile and stable fractions in BW on sandy beaches of the Puck Bay (Baltic Sea). The findings suggest the significant role of BW as a mercury carrier in a land-sea interface and increased exposure of beach communities to the adverse effects of mercury in coastal ecosystems.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiangling Cai, Yurui Fan, Qinyuan Hong, Zhisong Liu, Zan Qu, Naiqiang Yan, Haomiao Xu
Summary: This study reveals the crucial role of halogenation in creating exceptionally stable Hg3Se2X2 compounds. By occupying pores at the periphery of HgSe clusters, halogen ions enhance the atomic arrangement of Hg, Se, and halogen components, leading to improved stability and acid resistance of mercury. This discovery holds great potential for advancements in mercury stabilization and environmental remediation strategies.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yongjie Wang, Yue Zhang, Yong Sik Ok, Tao Jiang, Peng Liu, Rui Shu, Dingyong Wang, Xinde Cao, Huan Zhong
Summary: Recent studies have shown that biochar impacts sulfur cycling in soils and MeHg-soil binding, which play crucial roles in controlling MeHg phytoavailability. Under anoxic conditions, biochar increases reduced inorganic sulfur in soils, facilitating MeHg binding and reducing MeHg phytoavailability. However, under oxic conditions, the released soil-bound MeHg increases MeHg phytoavailability.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Parisa Falakdin, Elisa Terzaghi, Antonio Di Guardo
Summary: Spatially resolved environmental models are important tools for incorporating spatial variability into modeling. However, the development and evaluation of these models are challenging due to difficulties in model setup, computational cost, and obtaining high-resolution data. This paper aims to review and compare different spatially resolved environmental models, with a focus on spatial multimedia fate models, to better understand their strengths and limitations. The review also highlights requirements for further improvement and integration of existing models.
Letter
Chemistry, Applied
Jerzy Falandysz
Summary: A recent study evaluated the occurrence of lanthanides in mushrooms from the German and Polish markets in relation to existing literature. The study found deviations from the predicted pattern, indicating potentially erroneous data. Additionally, the analytical method used had inadequate detection limits for certain lanthanides in mushrooms. While the scarcity of good quality data limits the availability of a credible database on lanthanide occurrence in mushrooms, it can still help identify anomalous results.
JOURNAL OF FOOD COMPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
(2023)
Letter
Environmental Sciences
Jerzy Falandysz
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yingying Guo, Yuping Xiang, Guangliang Liu, Ying Chen, Yanwei Liu, Maoyong Song, Yanbin Li, Jianbo Shi, Ligang Hu, Yongguang Yin, Yong Cai, Guibin Jiang
Summary: This study investigates the internalization and transformation of HgSNP in the microbial methylator Geobacter sulfurreducens PCA. It was found that microbial uptake of HgSNP is higher than that of the Hg2+-DOM complex. The internalized HgSNP are dissolved to Hg2+ in the cytoplasm, leading to higher methylation of HgSNP and highlighting its importance in MeHg production.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qingqing Yang, Yingying Guo, Yuping Xiang, Lufeng Chen, Guangliang Liu, Yanwei Liu, Jianbo Shi, Ligang Hu, Yong Liang, Yongguang Yin, Yong Cai, Guibin Jiang
Summary: This study constructed an Escherichia coli strain overexpressing merB gene (DH5 alpha J23106) and evaluated its effectiveness in degrading methylmercury (MeHg) in culture medium and sediment. Results showed that DH5 alpha J23106 could efficiently degrade MeHg in the culture medium under anoxic and oxic conditions. It could also degrade newly produced Me199Hg in actual sediment but with decreased efficiency for intrinsic MeHg. DH5 alpha J23106 showed potential in remediating bioavailable MeHg in contaminated sediments.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Eriko Yamazaki, Heesoo Eun, Sachi Taniyasu, Toshihiro Sakamoto, Nobuyasu Hanari, Hideyuki Inui, Rongben Wu, Huiju Lin, Paul K. S. Lam, Jerzy Falandysz, Nobuyoshi Yamashita
Summary: This study investigated the accumulation of PFAS in rice and found that PFAS exists in atmospheric particles, rainwater, irrigated water, soil, and rice plants. PFAS primarily enter the paddy field through atmospheric particles, and rainfall is a significant source of irrigation water contamination. Although there were no major differences in the residual PFAS trends in different rice varieties, the distribution of PFAS in soil, air, and rainwater varied. These findings are important for the daily exposure assessment of PFAS in rice consumption by different populations.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xuejun Sun, Qianggong Zhang, Mingyue Li, Jie Wang, Zijian Lu, Junming Guo, Shichang Kang, Jianbo Shi
Summary: Mercury (Hg) released by melting glaciers can bind to suspended particles in meltwater runoff, which can pose potential risks to downstream ecosystems. This study investigates the relationships between total suspended particles (TSP) and Hg in the context of glacier retreat. The results show that TSP concentration and number have an impact on the diurnal variation of Hg in meltwater runoff, and sites with high TSP concentrations tend to have higher Hg concentrations. The study also discusses the potential impact of TSP on Hg transport in different zones of the glacier recharge basin.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shiyu Li, Lin Yang, Jialong Wu, Linlin Yao, Deming Han, Yong Liang, Yongguang Yin, Ligang Hu, Jianbo Shi, Guibin Jiang
Summary: Developing practical and cost-effective adsorbents for mercury (Hg) remediation is crucial for protecting the aquatic environment and public health. In this study, a recyclable hierarchical MoS2/Fe3O4 nanocomposite was developed for the selective removal of Hg(II) from aquatic samples. The nanocomposite exhibited high adsorption capacity, fast kinetics, broad working pH range, excellent selectivity, and great reusability. It showed promising efficiency in removing Hg(II) from natural water and industrial effluents. The study provides insights into the mechanism of Hg(II) removal and highlights the potential of MoS2/Fe3O4 for sustainable water treatments.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xuelei Duan, Yuan Li, Changxian Zhao, Yiwen Shen, Qi Guo, Zhihao Huang, Dexu Shan, Yue Gao, Kegang Zhang, Jianbo Shi, Jingfu Liu, Yongsheng Chen, Chun-Gang Yuan
Summary: A composite material (WSe2/HNTs) consisting of tungsten diselenide (WSe2) supported by halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) was developed to efficiently capture mercury from complicated flue gas (CFG) and reduce secondary environmental risks. The sorbent exhibited exceptional performance with a high capture capacity of 30.6 mg/g and a rate of 9.09 μg/g·min, and showed good tolerance to high amounts of NOx and SOx. The adsorbed mercury was identified as mercury selenide (HgSe), which displayed high environmental stability after leaching toxicity test, minimizing its secondary environmental risks.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ying Wang, Guangliang Liu, Yingying Fang, Peng Liu, Yanwei Liu, Yingying Guo, Jianbo Shi, Ligang Hu, Yong Cai, Yongguang Yin, Guibin Jiang
Summary: This study verifies the importance of mercurous species (Hg(I)) in natural water contaminated by liquid elemental mercury droplet (Hg(0)l) and in simulating the dark oxidation process of Hg(0)l. The formation and transformation of Hg(I) control the overall oxidation of Hg(0)l and are influenced by environmental factors. The conversion of Hg(0) to Hg(I) is the rate-limiting step in the oxidation process, and ligands like OH-, Cl-, and natural organic matter can enhance the formation of Hg(I).
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zelin Shen, Guangliang Liu, Yingying Guo, Tao Jiang, Yanwei Liu, Jianbo Shi, Ligang Hu, Yongguang Yin, Yong Cai, Guibin Jiang
Summary: The aging kinetics of divalent mercury (Hg(II)) mediated by dissolved organic matter (DOM) play a significant role in controlling Hg(II) transformation and bioavailability in natural aquatic environments. However, the differential behaviors of new and aged Hg(II) in the same reaction system remain unknown. This study used multi-isotope tracing to investigate the impacts of binding site and sulfidation during DOM-mediated Hg(II) aging processes on Hg(II) reduction and microbial methylation in the same reaction system.
Correction
Environmental Sciences
Malgorzata Medyk, Jerzy Falandysz, Innocent Chidi Nnorom
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Letter
Environmental Sciences
Jerzy Falandysz
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mingyue Yu, Lufeng Chen, Hui Tao, Mengxi Cao, Xing Zhang, Yong Liang, Jianbo Shi
Summary: Sediment plays a crucial role in controlling the biogeochemical cycling of heavy metals in aquatic environments. This study investigated the concentrations, chemical fractions, and ecological risks of heavy metals in the sediment of Ya-Er Lake, a historically contaminated lake in Hubei province, China. The results revealed that the lake still suffers from serious heavy metal pollution, with higher concentrations compared to other reported lake systems. The study also identified Cd and Ni as the primary heavy metal pollutants in Ya-Er Lake, which poses risks to the lake ecosystem and downstream aquatic environment.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Malgorzata Medyk, Jerzy Falandysz, Innocent Chidi Nnoromi
Summary: Data on rare earth elements, yttrium, and scandium in foods, particularly edible wild mushrooms, are lacking. This study analyzed the concentrations and patterns of these elements in Cantharellus mushrooms from Poland and Yunnan using mass spectrometry. The results showed significant regional differences in REY and Sc concentrations, which may be attributed to variations in soil bedrock composition.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaoyan Zhang, Yingying Guo, Guangliang Liu, Yanwei Liu, Jianbo Shi, Ligang Hu, Lixia Zhao, Yanbin Li, Yongguang Yin, Yong Cai, Guibin Jiang
Summary: The widely distributed marine bacterium Alteromonas sp. KD01 is capable of extracellularly reducing Hg(II) through a superoxide-dependent mechanism. The generation of superoxide by Alteromonas sp. KD01 and the role of NADH in Hg(II) reduction were demonstrated. This finding provides insights into Hg(II) reduction by superoxide in various aerobic environments.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
