Article
Environmental Sciences
Dawn A. Montgomery, Nimisha Edayilam, Hayden Page, S. Andrew Sheriff, Nishanth Tharayil, Brian A. Powell, Nicole E. Martinez
Summary: This study investigates the impact of the grass species Andropogon virginicus on the subsurface transport and redistribution of various radionuclides in Savannah River Site soil. The presence of plants reduces the release of radionuclides from the soil columns, primarily due to differences in system hydrology and plant uptake. Plant uptake of 99Tc is particularly significant in this system.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
S. A. Bennett, K. Garrett, D. K. Sharp, S. J. Freeman, A. G. Smith, T. J. Wright, B. P. Kay, T. L. Tang, I. A. Tolstukhin, Y. Ayyad, J. Chen, P. J. Davies, A. Dolan, L. P. Gaffney, A. Heinz, C. R. Hoffman, C. Muller-Gatermann, R. D. Page, G. L. Wilson
Summary: We present a novel technique for obtaining fission data for nuclei that are not in beta stability. These data are important for understanding the astrophysical r process, the origin of heavy elements, and developing predictive models for fission. They are also relevant for terrestrial applications in power generation and safeguarding. The solenoidal spectrometer technique, commonly used for studying nucleon-transfer reactions in inverse kinematics, has been successfully applied to deduce the fission-barrier height of 239U via the 238U(d, pf) reaction, confirming the validity of this technique.
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jakub Kaizer, Michio Aoyama, Marek Bujdos, Raffaele Buompane, Jan Panik, Pavel P. Povinec, Ivan Sykora, Yutaka Tateda, Filippo Terrasi
Summary: The scientific interest in radiocesium and plutonium found in the oceans and seas has increased significantly due to the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. This study processed and analyzed seawater samples collected from the North Pacific Ocean offshore Fukushima from 2011 to 2015 to determine their radiocesium activities and isotopic ratios of 134Cs/137Cs and 240Pu/239Pu. The results showed that the investigated region remained impacted by releases from the damaged power plant even after four years, and successful separation of plutonium from large volume seawater samples was confirmed.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Richard M. Essex, Lav Tandon, Amy Gaffney, Cole R. Hexel, Debbie A. Bostick, Lisa M. Colletti, Diana L. Decker, Casey C. Finstad, Joe M. Giaquinto, Elmer Lujan, John D. Partridge, Benjamin D. Roach, John Rolinson, Kyle Samperton, Alice K. Slemmons, Khalil J. Spencer, Floyd E. Stanley, Lisa E. Townsend, Kerri C. Treinen, Ross W. Williams, Christopher G. Worley, Ning Xu
Summary: Two plutonium oxides were prepared as unique reference materials for measuring trace actinide elements, showing that plutonium and trace actinides are homogeneous, except for limited heterogeneity observed for uranium, primarily for the U-238 isotope. Model purification ages calculated from measured americium and uranium attribute values are consistent with material histories, indicating that these impurities are predominantly due to the decay of plutonium isotopes.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Doru Pacesila, Shawn Bishop, Iuliana Stanciu, Mihaela Enachescu, Alexandru Razvan Petre, Marian Virgolici, Decebal Iancu, Liviu Tugulan, Laurentiu Done, Antonio Petraglia, Filippo Terrasi, Fabio Marzaioli, Giuseppe Porzio, Rafaelle Buompane, Lucio Gialanella
Summary: For the ultrasensitive determination of Pu-244, a suitable methodology was developed using accelerator mass spectrometry. The performance of the radiochemical procedure for plutonium extraction was verified using alpha spectrometry. The Pu-244 measurements were performed using two AMS systems, and the measurement efficiency and concentration in sediment were evaluated. The results were in agreement with other published results.
JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL ATOMIC SPECTROMETRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yan-Mei Chen, Cong-Zhi Wang, Lei Zhang, Qun-Yan Wu, Jian-Hui Lan, Zhi-Fang Chai, Wei-Qun Shi
Summary: Effective treatment of transuranic neptunium and plutonium from nuclear waste remains a challenge. Neutral extractants containing phosphorus have shown potential for actinides separation. In this study, three phosphorus derivatives were explored for their extraction and separation performances. The results indicated that these phosphorus reagents act as monodentate ligands through the P--O group and have strong complexing ability towards actinide cations. Thermodynamic analysis demonstrated the potential application of these extractants in Np and Pu separation, with the P350 ligand being the most promising.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Shuai Zhang, Guosheng Yang, Jian Zheng, Shaoming Pan, Liguo Cao, Tatsuo Aono, Shinnosuke Yamazaki, Wenfang Zhang, Ji Shen, Yong Wang
Summary: The study of plutonium isotopes, neptunium-237, and cesium-137 in sediment core from Lake Xingkai provides valuable information about their source, deposition process, geochemical behavior, and response to environmental changes in the catchment area.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Lewis R. Blackburn, Luke T. Townsend, Sebastian M. Lawson, Amber R. Mason, Martin C. Stennett, Shi-Kuan Sun, Laura J. Gardner, Ewan R. Maddrell, Claire L. Corkhill, Neil C. Hyatt
Summary: This study comprehensively investigates the incorporation of Dy3+ in the zirconolite solid solution, revealing different phase structures at varying Dy concentrations. The presence of Dy as Dy3+ in the zirconolite matrix, similar to Am3+, was confirmed. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that the addition of Dy leads to the formation of zirconolite-4M and pyrochlore polytype phases.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Ananda Karak, Bholanath Mahanty, Prasanta K. Mohapatra, Richard J. M. Egberink, Thichur P. Valsala, Darshan B. Sathe, Raj B. Bhatt, Jurriaan Huskens, Willem Verboom
Summary: Liquid-liquid extraction of actinide ions UO22+, Pu4+, and Am3+ using tripodal amide extractants HONTA and HDDNTA in nitric acid feed solutions showed that HONTA was more effective than HDDNTA in extracting the metal ions. Different chemical species were formed for each metal ion under various conditions, and efficient back extraction methods were identified for quantitatively stripping Pu(IV), U(VI), and Am(III). The ligand solutions exhibited good radiation stability and distribution data were obtained for possible nuclear fuel cycle applications under U(VI) loading conditions.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bo Xie, Xinggui Long, Sheng Hu
Summary: The experimental results show that the formation mechanisms of Ce-bearing aerosols during chemical explosions depend on various factors, including the morphological characteristics of Ce materials, composition of the pellets, and explosive dosage. The dominant phase in Ce-bearing aerosols formed by Ce powder is dendritic particles with monoclinic Ce6O11 (5CeO(2)center dot CeO), where the diffusion characteristics of oxygen defects on the surface of CeO2-x lead to the coexistence of Ce(iv) and Ce(iii) in the aerosol particles.
NEW JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chengrui Liang, Shuxiao Wang, Ruolan Hu, Guanghan Huang, Jinzi Xie, Bin Zhao, Yuyang Li, Wenfei Zhu, Song Guo, Jingkun Jiang, Jiming Hao
Summary: This study investigates the formation and aging of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) in winter Beijing. It finds that urban cooking and fossil fuel burning are significant sources of SOA, with cooking SOA produced through photooxidation and aqueous-phase processing, and less oxidized SOA resulting from photooxidation of fossil fuel burning OA and subsequent aqueous-phase aging.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Frank J. Pavia, Emily H. G. Cooperdock, Juan Carlos de Obeso, Kenneth W. W. Sims, Francois L. H. Tissot, Frieder Klein
Summary: The aqueous alteration of mantle rocks plays a key role in Earth's global biogeochemical cycling. This study uses uranium isotopes to investigate the weathering of subaerial and submarine serpentinites, finding that uranium isotopes are sensitive to post-serpentinization weathering processes and can provide information about fluid sources. The results suggest that serpentinites from different environments have different uranium isotopic compositions, reflecting variations in protolith composition and weathering processes. This research is important for understanding Earth's elemental cycling.
EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Kaushik Sanyal, Buddhadev Kanrar, Shiny S. Suresh, Sangita Dhara
Summary: This paper presents a novel and simple micro-analytical method using micro X-Ray Fluorescence (μ-XRF) spectrometry for determining the Pu percentage in fast reactor nuclear fuels with respect to uranium. The method requires minimal sample amount for analysis with low radioactivity, and provides highly accurate analytical results.
JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL ATOMIC SPECTROMETRY
(2022)
Article
Spectroscopy
M. Bootharajan, G. V. S. Ashok Kumar, B. Sreenivasulu, R. Senthilvadivu, P. M. Garnayak, A. Pandey, A. Kelkar, D. B. Sathe, R. B. Bhatt, C. V. S. Brahmananda Rao, K. Sundararajan, V. Jayaraman, N. Sivaraman
Summary: In this study, K-edge densitometry (KED) and Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) were examined as alternative methods for determining uranium and plutonium in solutions, yielding precise results with minimal waste generation.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART B-ATOMIC SPECTROSCOPY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Shuai Zhang, Guosheng Yang, Jian Zheng, Tatsuo Aono, Shaoming Pan
Summary: A rapid method for analyzing Np-237 and Pu isotopes in steel and concrete samples was developed using HCl-HNO3-NH4HF2 digestion, CaF2/LaF3 co-precipitation, AG MP-1 M resin column separation, and SF-ICP-MS measurement. The method offers lower detection limits and avoids the use of toxic HF, making it suitable for detecting low level Pu and Np in samples.
JOURNAL OF RADIOANALYTICAL AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Nuria Casacuberta, John N. Smith
Summary: Releases of anthropogenic radionuclides from European nuclear fuel reprocessing plants serve as tracers for water circulation and deep-water formation in the Arctic and North Atlantic Oceans. Early studies focused on Cs-137, while recent advancements in accelerator mass spectrometry allowed for the measurement of other radionuclide tracers, such as I-129 and U-236. With the support of simulations and transit time distributions, these studies provide valuable transport data for global thermohaline circulation and climate.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Richard F. Ott, Dirk Scherler, Karl W. Wegmann, Mitch K. D'Arcy, Richard J. Pope, Susan Ivy-Ochs, Marcus Christl, Christoph Vockenhuber, Tammy M. Rittenour
Summary: This study quantifies sediment supply in alluvial channels of Crete and finds that past climate changes had little effect on landscape-wide denudation rates but exerted a strong control on the aggradation-incision behavior.
EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Dario Puentener, Pavel Samonil, Dmitry Tikhomirov, Pavel Danek, Marcus Christl, Jan Rolecek, Markus Egli
Summary: Despite long-term human impact, Central and Eastern Europe contain steppe ecosystems with the highest plant species diversity worldwide. The persistence of these ecosystems can be attributed to various disturbances such as grazing, fire events, and human activities, as recorded in local erosion rates. A study in Transylvania, Romania, aimed to understand soil dynamics by deciphering long- and short-term erosion rates and the age of the soil mantle.
EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Sarah Kamleitner, Susan Ivy-Ochs, Lucia Manatschal, Naki Akcar, Marcus Christl, Christof Vockenhuber, Irka Hajdas, Hans-Arno Synal
Summary: This study evaluates glacial landforms preserved within the former LGM Rhine glacier and the eastern lobes of the LGM Reuss glacier system to understand LGM glacier dynamics. Through geomorphological mapping and new dating techniques, it is determined that the Rhine and Reuss glaciers reached their LGM maximum positions around 26-22 ka and 25/24 +/- 2 ka respectively. The glaciers showed subsequent oscillations, with late LGM readvances occurring after 20.6 +/- 1.7 ka and 20.8 +/- 1.3 ka for the Rhine and Reuss glaciers. The results provide valuable insights into the glacial history of the Alpine forelands.
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Marcus Christl, Philip Gautschi, Sascha Maxeiner, Arnold Milenko Mueller, Christof Vockenhuber, Hans-Arno Synal
Summary: Compact, low-energy accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) has become one of the most sensitive, selective, and robust techniques for analyzing heavy and long-lived radionuclides. This study focuses on the analytical capabilities of the compact AMS system MILEA, specifically for 236U analyses. The setup for actinide analyses and the technical setup for 23xU/238U (x = 3, 6, 5) are discussed, followed by a detailed investigation of the background and sensitivity for 236U/238U. The results demonstrate that the ETH Zurich MILEA system is well-suited for fast, reliable, high-sensitivity, and nearly background-free analyses of 236U/238U in environmental samples.
NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH SECTION B-BEAM INTERACTIONS WITH MATERIALS AND ATOMS
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Hans Fernandez-Navarro, Juan-Luis Garcia, Samuel U. Nussbaumer, Dmitry Tikhomirov, Francia Perez, Isabelle Gartner-Roer, Marcus Christl, Markus Egli
Summary: This study reconstructed glacier fluctuations during the latest Holocene using Terrestrial Cosmogenic Nuclides (10Be) dating of boulders on moraines in central Chile. The findings reveal at least two maximum glacier advances by the Universidad Glacier in the 13th-16th centuries and the early to mid-19th century. These fluctuations were attributed to the equatorward shift of the Southern Westerly Winds (SWW), influenced by the long-term negative phase of the Southern Annular Mode (SAM) and associated humid and cold conditions in central Chile. The glacier chronology aligns with other regions, showing the culmination of the latest Holocene glacial maximum in the mid-19th century followed by accelerated ice loss in a warming world since the mid-20th century.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Shan Xing, Chenyang Peng, Marcus Christl, Keliang Shi, Hans-Arno Synal, Xiaolin Hou
Summary: A new method was developed for simultaneous determination of transuranium nuclides using 300 kV AMS after sequential chemical separation. The method showed consistent chemical behaviors of Np and Pu on the TK200 column and Am and Cm on the DGA column during the separation process. The detection limits for all radionuclides were below femtogram level.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Joanna Beata Kowalska, Markus Egli, Martina Vogtli, Dmitry Tikhomirov, Beata Labaz, Marcus Christl, Jaroslaw Waroszewski
Summary: Loess deposits are important archives for studying deposition and erosion events. Long-term erosion rates are crucial for understanding loess stability and soil evolution. This study used meteoric Be-10 to analyze its distribution, determine erosion rates, and assess soil thickness and stability over time.
Article
Geography, Physical
Pavel Samonil, Jakub Jaros, Pavel Danek, Dmitry Tikhomirov, Vojtech Novotny, George Weiblen, Marcus Christl, Markus Egli
Summary: Trees play an important role in hillslope dynamics by mechanically disturbing the soil. This study focuses on determining soil erosion rates and the role of trees in hillslope processes in a tropical forest in Papua New Guinea.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Marjolaine Verret, Cassandra Trinh-Le, Warren Dickinson, Kevin Norton, Denis Lacelle, Marcus Christl, Richard Levy, Tim Naish
Summary: Continental-scale ice sheets have covered Antarctica since around 33.9 million years ago. The sequence of events that led to the persistent ice sheet in East Antarctica remains disputed. By assessing meteoric beryllium-10 profiles, researchers have found that the polar aridity in high elevations of East Antarctica began in the late Miocene. This finding suggests that the McMurdo Dry Valleys may be more susceptible to climate change than previously believed.
Article
Geography, Physical
Anders Romundset, Naki Akcar, Ola Fredin, Jane L. Andersen, Fredrik Hogaas, Marcus Christl, Serdar Yesilyurt, Christian Schluchter
Summary: This study describes the thinning and final decay of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet in the Gudbrandsdalen area in central southern Norway. The research was based on surface exposure dating, radiocarbon dating, and mapping of ice-dammed lakes. The results indicate that the ice sheet remained above 1800 m a.s.l. during the Younger Dryas and experienced rapid thinning during the Early Holocene. The final stage of deglaciation involved the formation of large ice-dammed lakes.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Amaneh Kaveh-Firouz, Jean-Pierre Burg, Negar Haghipour, Sanjay Kumar Mandal, Marcus Christl, Ali Mohammadi
Summary: The study focuses on the tectonic and climatic controls on landscape evolution in the NNW Iranian Plateau and west Alborz region. By analyzing erosion rates and topographic/climatic metrics, the researchers found that erosion rates were low in the Plateau and relatively high in the west Alborz, with sediment fluxes controlled by topographic parameters and surface uplift and active thrust-faulting in the respective regions. Climate had a secondary role in erosion rates. Exhumation rates were also calculated and showed an increase during the collision between Arabia and Eurasia. The study highlights the importance of understanding the interplay between tectonic and climatic factors in shaping landscapes.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Giulia Sinnl, Florian Adolphi, Marcus Christl, Kees C. Welten, Thomas Woodruff, Marc Caffee, Anders Svensson, Raimund Muscheler, Sune Olander Rasmussen
Summary: During the last glacial, Greenland experienced a cold stadial phase with two short warm interstadials. Greenland ice-core calcium data shows two periods of high atmospheric dust loading, which is not well understood. The Chinese Hulu Cave speleothems also exhibit an climate signal during the same time. Antarctic ice cores show a relative warming, interpreted as a counterpart to a cool phase in the Northern Hemisphere. New Be-10 datasets from Greenland and Antarctic ice cores are examined to test the agreement between different timescales. Evidence of an event similar to the Maunder Solar Minimum is found in the new Be-10 datasets, supporting a synchronization with the Chinese speleothem around 22 kyr b2k. The offset between the Greenland ice-core chronology and the Antarctic chronology is determined to be 125 +/- 40 years, and the offset between the speleothem and ice-core timescales is determined to be 375 years for GICC05 and 225 years for WD2014, respectively.
CLIMATE OF THE PAST
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Robert Mulvaney, Eric W. Wolff, Mackenzie M. Grieman, Helene H. Hoffmann, Jack D. Humby, Christoph Nehrbass-Ahles, Rachael H. Rhodes, Isobel F. Rowell, Frederic Parrenin, Loic Schmidely, Hubertus Fischer, Thomas F. Stocker, Marcus Christl, Raimund Muscheler, Amaelle Landais, Frederic Prie
Summary: We propose an age model for the Skytrain Ice Rise ice core in Antarctica, which includes aligning the core with the AICC2012 age model using tie points and applying the Paleochrono program. Methane and delta O-18(air) are used for ties in the gas phase, while Be-10 and ice chemistry related to dust transport are used in the ice phase. The model provides a good outcome up to about 605 m, with signs of flow disturbance and possible repeated ice sections beyond that.
CLIMATE OF THE PAST
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Shan Xing, Chenyang Peng, Marcus Christl, Keliang Shi, Hans-Arno Synal, Xiaolin Hou
Summary: Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) is a highly sensitive technique for measuring long-lived actinides. A new method was developed for simultaneous determination of transuranium nuclides (Np, Pu, Am, and Cm isotopes) using 300 kV AMS. The method uses sequential chemical separation and tracers for monitoring yield. The established method has high detection efficiency and has been successfully applied in nuclear forensic investigation.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Toshimi Nakajima, Mao Kuragano, Makoto Yamada, Ryo Sugimoto
Summary: This study compared the contribution of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) to river nutrient budgets at nearshore and embayment scales, and found that SGD-derived nutrients become more important at larger spatial scales.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fan Liu, Lei Zhang, Chongyang Zhang, Ziguang Chen, Jingguang Li
Summary: NO2 emissions from wall-mounted gas stoves used for household heating have become a significant source of indoor pollution in Chinese urban areas. The high indoor concentration of NO2 poses potential health risks to residents. It is urgently necessary to establish relevant regulations and implement emission reduction technologies to reduce NO2 emissions from wall-mounted gas stoves.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Letter
Environmental Sciences
Hans Peter H. Arp, Raoul Wolf, Sarah E. Hale, Sivani Baskaran, Juliane Gluege, Martin Scheringer, Xenia Trier, Ian T. Cousins, Harrie Timmer, Roberta Hofman-Caris, Anna Lennquist, Andre D. Bannink, Gerard J. Stroomberg, Rosa M. A. Sjerps, Rosa Montes, Rosario Rodil, Jose Benito Quintana, Daniel Zahn, Herve Gallard, Tobias Mohr, Ivo Schliebner, Michael Neumann
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Philomina Onyedikachi Peter, Binessi Edouard Ifon, Francois Nkinahamira, Kayode Hassan Lasisi, Jiangwei Li, Anyi Hu, Chang-Ping Yu
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between dissolved organic matter (DOM) and Rare Earth Elements (REEs) in sediments from Yundang Lagoon, China. The results show four distinct fluorescent components, with protein-like substances being the most prevalent. Additionally, the total fluorescence intensity and LREE concentrations exhibit a synchronized increase from Outer to Inner to Songbai Lake core sediments. The findings demonstrate a strong correlation between DOM content and pollution levels.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Surya Gupta, Pasquale Borrelli, Panos Panagos, Christine Alewell
Summary: The objective of this study is to incorporate soil hydraulic properties into the erodibility factor (K) of USLE-type models. By modifying and improving the existing equations for soil texture and permeability, the study successfully included information on saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) into the calculation of K factor. Using the Random Forest machine learning algorithm, two independent K factor maps with different spatial resolutions were generated. The results show that the decrease in K factor values has a positive impact on the modeling of soil erosion rates.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jesmin Akter, Wendy J. M. Smith, Yawen Liu, Ilho Kim, Stuart L. Simpson, Phong Thai, Asja Korajkic, Warish Ahmed
Summary: The choice of workflow in wastewater surveillance has a significant impact on SARS-CoV-2 concentrations, while having minimal effects on HF183 and no effect on HAdV 40/41 concentrations. Certain components in the workflow can be interchangeable, but factors such as buffer type, chloroform, and homogenization speed can affect the recovery of viruses and bacteria.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yu Luo, Xueting Yang, Diwei Wang, Hongmei Xu, Hongai Zhang, Shasha Huang, Qiyuan Wang, Ningning Zhang, Junji Cao, Zhenxing Shen
Summary: Atmospheric PM2.5, which can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), is associated with cardiorespiratory morbidity and mortality. The study found that both the mass concentration of PM2.5 and the DTT activity were higher during the heating season than during the nonheating season. Combustion sources were the primary contributors to DTT activity during the heating season, while secondary formation dominated during the nonheating season. The study also revealed that biomass burning had the highest inherent oxidation potential among all sources investigated.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Erin L. Murphy, Leah R. Gerber, Chelsea M. Rochman, Beth Polidoro
Summary: Plastic pollution has devastating consequences for marine organisms. This study uses a trait-based framework to develop a vulnerability index for marine mammals, seabirds, and sea turtles in Hawai'i. The index ranks 63 study species based on their vulnerability to macroplastic pollution, providing valuable information for species monitoring and management priorities.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kenji Maurice, Amelia Bourceret, Sami Youssef, Stephane Boivin, Liam Laurent-Webb, Coraline Damasio, Hassan Boukcim, Marc-Andre Selosse, Marc Ducousso
Summary: Growing pressure from climate change and agricultural land use is destabilizing soil microbial community interactions. Little is known about microbial community resistance and adaptation to disturbances, hindering our understanding of recovery latency and implications for ecosystem functioning. This study found that anthropic disturbance and natural disturbance have different effects on the topology and stability of soil microbial networks.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yunhao Li, Yali Feng, Haoran Li, Yisong Yao, Chenglong Xu, Jinrong Ju, Ruiyu Ma, Haoyu Wang, Shiwei Jiang
Summary: Deep-sea mining poses a serious threat to marine ecosystems and human health by disturbing sediment and transmitting metal ions through the food chain. This study developed a new regenerative adsorption material, OMN@SA, which effectively removes metal ions. The adsorption mechanism and performance of the material for metal ion fixation were investigated.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Antonio Medici, Margherita Lavorgna, Marina Isidori, Chiara Russo, Elena Orlo, Giovanni Luongo, Giovanni Di Fabio, Armando Zarrelli
Summary: Valsartan, a widely used antihypertensive drug, has been detected in high concentrations in surface waters due to its unchanged excretion and incomplete degradation in wastewater treatment plants. This study investigated the degradation of valsartan and identified 14 degradation byproducts. The acute and chronic toxicity of these byproducts were evaluated in key organisms in the freshwater trophic chain.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiang Lin, Lianbao Chi, Qing Yuan, Busu Li, Mingbao Feng
Summary: This study investigated the photodegradation behavior and product formation of two representative pharmaceuticals in simulated estuary water. The study found that the formed transformation products of these pharmaceuticals have potential toxicity on marine organisms, including oxidative stress and damage to cellular components.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hua Fang, Dongdong Jiang, Ye He, Siyi Wu, Yuehong Li, Ziqi Zhang, Haoting Chen, Zixin Zheng, Yan Sun, Wenxiang Wang
Summary: This study revealed that exposure to lower levels of air pollutants led to decreased pregnancy rates, with PM10, NO2, SO2, and CO emerging as the four most prominent pollutants. Individuals aged 35 and above exhibited heightened susceptibility to pollutants.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ali Shaan Manzoor Ghumman, Rashid Shamsuddin, Amin Abbasi, Mohaira Ahmad, Yoshiaki Yoshida, Abdul Sami, Hamad Almohamadi
Summary: In this study, inverse vulcanized polysulfides (IVP) were synthesized by reacting molten sulfur with 4-vinyl benzyl chloride, and then functionalized using N-methyl D-glucamine (NMDG). The functionalized IVP showed a high mercury adsorption capacity and a machine learning model was developed to predict the amount of mercury removed. Furthermore, the functionalized IVP can be regenerated and reused, providing a sustainable and cost-effective adsorbent.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rita Bonfiglio, Renata Sisto, Stefano Casciardi, Valeria Palumbo, Maria Paola Scioli, Erica Giacobbi, Francesca Servadei, Gerry Melino, Alessandro Mauriello, Manuel Scimeca
Summary: This study investigated the presence of aluminum in human colon cancer samples and its potential association with biological processes involved in cancer progression. Aluminum was found in tumor areas of 24% of patients and was associated with epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cell death. Additional analyses revealed higher tumor mutational burden and mutations in genes related to EMT and apoptosis in aluminum-positive colon cancers. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of aluminum toxicity may improve strategies for the management of colon cancer patients.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
