Article
Engineering, Environmental
Finnian Freeling, Marco Scheurer, Jan Koschorreck, Gabriele Hoffmann, Thomas A. Ternes, Karsten Noedler
Summary: This study presents the concentrations and temporal trends of TFA in archived leaf samples from the German Environmental Specimen Bank. The results show a significant positive trend in TFA concentration over the past three decades.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chen Huang, Biao Jin, Min Han, Gan Zhang, Hans Peter H. Arp
Summary: Shale gas exploitation generates flowback and produced water (FPW) containing complex organic compounds, some of which are persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT) or very persistent and very mobile (vPvM). A literature review identified 162 organic compounds in FPW, with only 22 considered PMT/vPvM substances. Examples of PMT substances in FPW include anthracene, 1,4-dioxane, and 1,4-dichlorobenzene. Prioritizing risk management and monitoring of PMT/vPvM compounds in FPW is crucial for protecting regional water resources.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Sarah E. Hale, Olga I. Kalantzi, Hans Peter H. Arp
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES EUROPE
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Ksenia J. Groh, Hans Peter H. Arp, Matthew MacLeod, Zhanyun Wang
Summary: Polymers are widely used in materials and products, but their environmental safety is not assessed as thoroughly as non-polymeric substances. The regulatory approaches for polymers need to catch up with scientific advances. Transparency, environmental fate, hazards, and production patterns are key aspects that require attention in polymer regulation for a toxic-free and sustainable circular economy.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shi Yao, Xiaona Li, Tao Wang, Xin Jiang, Yang Song, Hans Peter H. Arp
Summary: This study found that soil metabolites from different soils create a similar eco-corona on microplastics, acting as a barrier that inhibits the adsorption of other metabolites and organic contaminants. The formation and composition of the eco-corona in soils have not received much attention, but it has significant implications for the fate and impacts of microplastics and co-occurring chemical contaminants.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Engineering, Environmental
Hans Peter H. Arp, Dagny Aurich, Emma L. Schymanski, Kerry Sims, Sarah E. Hale
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Katinka M. Krahn, Gerard Cornelissen, Gabriela Castro, Hans Peter H. Arp, Alexandros G. Asimakopoulos, Raoul Wolf, Rune Holmstad, Andrew R. Zimmerman, Erlend Sormo
Summary: The use of sewage sludge biochars (SSBCs) as sorbents for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) removal from water and soil was compared to wood chip biochar (WCBC). The sorption of PFCAs by SSBCs showed similar performance to commercial activated carbons. These findings could promote the use of SSBCs in soil remediation and water filtration solutions.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Michel Hubert, Hans Peter H. Arp, Mona Cecilie Hansen, Gabriela Castro, Thomas Meyn, Alexandros G. Asimakopoulos, Sarah E. Hale
Summary: This study investigated the sorption of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in different size fractions of soil that was historically contaminated with Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF). The results showed that the smaller size fractions with higher organic carbon content had higher sorption coefficients (Kd values) for PFAS.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gabriela Castro, Erlend Sormo, Guanhua Yu, Shannen T. L. Sait, Susana Gonzalez, Hans Peter H. Arp, Alexandros G. Asimakopoulos
Summary: A simple and reliable sample preparation method, combined with UPLC-MS/MS, was developed to determine the occurrence and removal efficiency of 21 OPFRs in sewage sludge. The optimized method showed good repeatability and the analysis can be completed within 20 minutes. The method was applied to sludge samples from waste treatment plants in Norway, where 16 out of 21 OPFRs were detected, and the highest concentration found was 2186 ng/g in digested sludge.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sarah E. Hale, Loretta von der Tann, Alanna J. Rebelo, Karen J. Esler, Ana Paula Morais de Lima, Aline F. Rodrigues, Agnieszka Ewa Latawiec, Nancy Andrea Ramirez-Agudelo, Elisabet Roca Bosch, Lina Suleiman, Nandita Singh, Amy M. P. Oen
Summary: The term nature-based solutions (NBS) has been widely used in various settings, but there is a lack of comprehensive assessment frameworks that can guide the planning and implementation of NBS and capture their short- and long-term impacts. In this study, a recently presented framework based on the theory of change was applied to seven diverse case studies on water quality and quantity issues in peri-urban areas. The results showed that the framework was applicable to the case studies, but the diversity of contexts highlighted the limitations of transferring NBS projects from one location to another easily.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sanne J. Smith, Melanie Lauria, Lutz Ahrens, Philip McCleaf, Patrik Hollman, Sofia Bjalkefur Seroka, Timo Hamers, Hans Peter H. Arp, Karin Wiberg
Summary: We present a practical treatment train that combines foam fractionation and electrochemical oxidation to effectively remove persistent PFAS contaminants from water. The study used an experimental approach, characterizing the process through target analysis, PFAS sum parameters, and toxicity testing. Results were successfully reproduced through a newly developed numerical model. The treatment train achieved an average degradation of 50% for total PFAS, with significant degradation of long-chain and short-chain PFAS. The treatment also reduced the toxicity and extractable organofluorine concentration of the water.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Erlend Sormo, Gabriela Castro, Michel Hubert, Viktoria Licul-Kucera, Marjorie Quintanilla, Alexandros G. Asimakopoulos, Gerard Cornelissen, Hans Peter H. Arp
Summary: The current treatment options for organic waste contaminated with PFAS include incineration, composting, and landfilling, all of which result in emissions. Dry pyrolysis is a promising alternative, but the fate of PFAS during this process is uncertain. This study developed a robust method for determining PFAS in complex matrices and established a mass balance for 56 different PFAS during full-scale pyrolysis of various wastes. PFAS were present in all wastes but were removed by at least 96.9% through pyrolysis. Residual PFAS were detected in biochars obtained at temperatures up to 750 degrees C, with emissions consisting mainly of short chain PFAS.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Min Han, Biao Jin, Jun Liang, Chen Huang, Hans Peter H. Arp
Summary: Determining PMT/vPvM substances on the global market is crucial for preventing drinking water contamination. This study developed machine learning models to screen these substances using molecular descriptors. The models achieved high accuracy in identifying PMT/vPvM substances and were compared to a three-step prediction approach. Additionally, the prediction mechanism was interpreted using Shapley additive explanations (SHAP). This work advances the identification of substances that meet PMT/vPvM criteria through big data in silico screening models.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lena Mutzner, Kefeng Zhang, Richard G. Luthy, Hans Peter H. Arp, Stephanie Spahr
Summary: Urban stormwater, once managed primarily for flood control and property protection, is now increasingly recognized as an underutilized water resource. However, conventional stormwater treatment systems are inefficient at removing persistent and toxic organic substances, which may pose risks when urban runoff is used for drinking water sources or discharged into surface waters. By reviewing numerous stormwater monitoring studies, we identified 49 persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT) and very persistent, very mobile (vPvM) substances in urban stormwater. The lack of surveillance data on these substances and their fate in stormwater control measures hinders reliable risk assessments of stormwater capture. Unified guidelines are needed to monitor and assess the risks of PMT/vPvM substances in urban stormwater runoff and establish improved stormwater management criteria for safe water supply.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-WATER RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
