Article
Environmental Sciences
Hongwei Luo, Qianqian Cheng, Dongqin He, Ganning Zeng, Jianqiang Sun, Jun Li, Xiangliang Pan
Summary: This study investigated the influence of solar radiation and sulfide addition reaction on the complexation of methylmercury (MeHg) with dissolved organic matter (DOM). Fluorescence and FT-IR spectroscopic analysis showed that different treatments resulted in changes in the affinity of binding sites in DOM for MeHg.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Menghan Yu, Yicheng Hua, Muhammad Tariq Sarwar, Huaming Yang
Summary: The concentrations of terrestrially sourced dissolved organic matter (DOM) in aquatic ecosystems have increased in recent decades. The mechanisms of organic matter-mineral interactions, one major pathway for soil organic matter sequestration, are not well understood. This study investigated the effect of calcium phosphate mineralization on humic acid (HA) fixation in simulated soil solutions with or without clay mineral montmorillonite (Mt). It was found that Mt promoted nucleation and crystallization of calcium phosphate, contributing to the long-term persistence and accumulation of HA. The findings highlight the crucial role of Mt in DOM sequestration and suggest knowledge gaps that can improve soil C sequestration.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lei Chen, He Wang, Yanping Sun, Yue Zhao, Huixiang Shi
Summary: The study synthesized siliceous ferrihydrite (FhSi) through co-precipitation, which increased surface area, reduced the point of zero charge, and prevented iron leaching. The presence of silicon-occupied growth sites enhanced coordination symmetry, inhibited transition to more stable crystalline Fe (hydr)oxides, and improved catalytic performance in alkaline solutions. After five cycles of catalytic ozonation, the FhSi system exhibited higher surface hydroxyl group density and total acid content, leading to enhanced catalytic activity for ozone generation.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Jianfei Yu, Haowei Zhu, Xumu Zhang, Gen-Qiang Chen
Summary: A new series of chiral ferrocene-based diphosphino-ethane ligands, f-DPE, were developed and applied in the hydrogenation of 2-substituted acrylic acids to obtain chiral propanoic acids with high yields and enantioselectivities. The synthesis of well-known anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and flurbiprofen, was also efficiently achieved using this method. The synthetic utilities of the method were demonstrated through gram-scale experiments.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Ivan Maisuls, Thomas M. Kirse, Alexander Hepp, Jutta Koesters, Ezequiel Wolcan, Cristian A. Strassert
Summary: This work describes the synthesis and characterization of a new coordination chemical concept involving rhenium(I) complexes with novel bidentate chromophores. The study shows that the photophysical properties of the complexes can be tuned by substitution patterns and coligand variation. Theoretical calculations also provide insight into the excited electronic configurations and radiative transition energies of the complexes.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Eleni Vrantsi, Achillia Lakka, Eleni Bozinou, Vassilis Athanasiadis, Eirini S. Papadaki, Vassilis G. Dourtoglou, Stavros I. Lalas
Summary: This study evaluated the ability of humic and fulvic acids isolated from lignite to bind the active ingredients of herbicides contaminating drinking water. The maximum reducing ability of humic and fulvic acids was 72.72% for thifensulfuron methyl and tribenuron methyl, and 37.52% for imazamox, with humic acids showing superior binding ability compared to fulvic acids.
CLEAN-SOIL AIR WATER
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shota Yoshioka, Ke Wen, Susumu Saito
Summary: The study focused on modifying the structure of bidentate diphosphine (PP) ligands to achieve higher catalytic activity in carboxylic acid hydrogenation, leading to significantly increased activity and durability of the (PP)Ru catalyst compared to other molecular Ru catalyst systems. The approach used in this study could benefit further advancements in carboxylic acid self-induced hydrogenation.
BULLETIN OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY OF JAPAN
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Stephanos Karafiludis, Ana Guilherme Buzanich, Zdravko Kochovski, Ines Feldmann, Franziska Emmerling, Tomasz M. Stawski
Summary: This study reports the synthesis of Ni- and Co-struvites for simultaneous co-precipitation of P, ammonia, and metals. The reaction parameters were optimized to control the phase, stability, and crystal morphology of the struvites. The ability to control the morphology and size makes this method promising for direct metal recovery and valuable phosphate production.
CRYSTAL GROWTH & DESIGN
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ahmed M. Mansour, Nourhan M. Ibrahim, Ahmad M. Farag, Mahmoud T. Abo-Elfadl
Summary: In this study, two Re(I) complexes were synthesized and their solvatochromic characteristics were examined. The study found that both complexes exhibited autofluorescence emission inside cells and showed increased apoptotic changes in specific cell lines.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yanxing Yang, Sharareh Jalali, Bradley L. Nilsson, Cristiano L. Dias
Summary: The study found that electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions play important roles in the peptide-bilayer binding process. Peptides are strongly attracted to anionic lipid bilayers due to electrostatic interactions between positive residues and negative phosphate moieties. However, the presence of calcium ions significantly reduces the binding of peptides to the bilayer.
ACS CHEMICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
K. Rajeshwari, P. Vasantha, B. Sathish Kumar, P. V. Anantha Lakshmi
Summary: Novel nickel(II) complexes were synthesized and characterized. The DNA binding properties of these complexes were investigated and it was found that they bind to DNA through groove mode of binding with high affinity. The thermal degradation pattern and kinetic parameters of the complexes were studied. Complex 1 showed the highest docking score in its interaction with the B-DNA receptor protein.
BIOLOGICAL TRACE ELEMENT RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Thorsten Scherpf, Cody R. Carr, Laurie J. Donnelly, Zachary S. Dubrawski, Benjamin S. Gelfand, Warren E. Piers
Summary: This study introduces a new mesoionic carbene as a potent ligand platform for Mn-based electrocatalysis, showing good catalytic performance and stability in CO2 electroreduction.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Holger Lippold, Lukas Zedek
Summary: The study describes the slow kinetics of multivalent metal dissociation from humic substances, which is further impeded with increasing time of contact. Findings from isotope exchange experiments suggest that the time dependence of dissociation can be fully described by a complex two-site approach.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fan Yang, Qiang Fu, Markus Antonietti
Summary: In recent years, the synthesis of artificial humic substances (A-HS) through alkaline hydrothermal processing of waste biomass has been described. These A-HS have shown to have various effects on soil, including water and mineral binding, soil structure alteration, inhibition of fertilizer mineralization, and promotion of plant growth. The observed macroscopic effects have been attributed to the stimulation of the microbiome, which plays a key role in this anthropogenic soil system. By understanding this complex system, it is possible to address global issues such as soil fertility, nutrition for a growing population, and climate change.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lukas M. Sigmund, Eliane Engels, Nick Richert, Lutz Greb
Summary: In this study, the synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of calix[4]pyrrolato gallates, which consist of square planar-coordinated gallium(iii) atoms, were reported. Unusual structural constraint-induced Lewis acidity and fully reversible metal-ligand cooperative capture of CO2 were revealed by both experimental and computational methods.
Article
Environmental Sciences
D. Scott Smith, R. Nasir, Wayne Parker, A. Peters, G. Merrington, R. van Egmond, S. Lofts
Summary: The study compared WHAM predictions with measured ionic silver in diverse DOM, capturing the variability within model uncertainty. WHAM significantly underestimated silver binding in sewage samples, proposing a revised empirical model to account for sewage-specific binding sites. It is suggested that as sewage organic matter degrades, WHAM may better model the form.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Bingjie Shi, Christina M. Smeaton, Eric E. Roden, Seungyeol Lee, Kai Liu, Huifang Xu, Brian Kendall, Clark M. Johnson, Chris T. Parsons, Philippe Van Cappellen
Summary: This study investigated the evolution of bioreducible Fe(III) in nontronite NAu-1 over consecutive redox cycles, finding a gradual decrease in bioreducible Fe(III) due to preferential reductive dissolution of Fe(III) from the finest clay particles. The results suggest that around 4% of total clay-bound Fe remains permanently redox-active, with the fraction of renewable Fe for Fe-reducing bacteria dependent on the evolving size distribution of clay particles in redox dynamic environments.
GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Clare Nelligan, Ryan J. Sorichetti, Meguel Yousif, Janis L. Thomas, Christopher C. Wellen, Christopher T. Parsons, Mohamed N. Mohamed
Summary: The research found that the importance of nonpoint source nutrient export has increased in agricultural watersheds in southern Ontario since the mid-1970s, emphasizing the need for targeted best management practices specific to the fall and winter seasons.
JOURNAL OF GREAT LAKES RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Matthew Coulas, Christopher Parsons, Saraswati Saraswati, Maria Strack
Summary: Comparison between the constructed fen and reference fens shows that decomposition of plant tissue is significantly slower in the constructed fen, possibly due to nutrient limitation suppressing microbial activity. There was little evidence that mulch or planting treatments at the constructed fen altered short-term litter decomposition rate, suggesting future research should focus on differences in biomass production between species and strategies for peat accumulation.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ora E. Johannsson, Marcio S. Ferreira, D. Scott Smith, Chris M. Wood, Adalberto L. Val
Summary: The study found that oxygen concentration and light spectral composition affect the photo-oxidation processes of dissolved organic carbon. Near-anoxia decreases absorbance and fluorescence indices, and changes in absorbance can still occur even under reduced sunlight if oxygen is present. Larger molecules are broken down near the water's surface, while medium to smaller molecules continue to be processed at depth.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alexandria Loveridge, D. Scott Smith, James C. McGeer
Summary: The demand for rare earth elements (REEs) is increasing, leading to environmental exposure concerns. This study evaluated the acute toxicity of Thulium (Tm) to Hyalella azteca and the potential for toxicity modification by dissolved organic matter (DOM) and certain cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+). Results showed that Tm toxicity was not affected by cationic competition, while DOM provided significant protection against Tm toxicity. This research contributes to understanding Tm toxicity and the importance of considering dissolved organic matter in assessing the environmental risk of REEs.
ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Weibin Chen, Celine Gueguen, D. Scott Smith, Josep Galceran, Jaume Puy, Encarna Companys
Summary: The Conditional Affinity Spectrum (CAS) is crucial for describing binding site heterogeneity of natural organic matter. The numerical method FOCUS is compared with the analytical solution of CAS based on the NICA model for H and Pb binding, showing differences in CAS distribution features. FOCUS-CAS can describe strong metal-binding sites that NICA-CAS cannot, making it a suitable alternative.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tamzin A. Blewett, Erin M. Leonard, Chris N. Glover, Grant B. McClelland, Chris M. Wood, James C. McGeer, Robert C. Santore, D. Scott Smith
Summary: This study found that naturally sourced dissolved organic carbon (DOC) did not limit nickel (Ni) accumulation in sea urchin larvae, but instead modified the bioavailability of Ni through indirect effects or the absorption of DOC-Ni complexes. Additionally, there was evidence for regulation of Ni accumulation in later-stage embryos, suggesting that known relationships between Ni speciation, bioavailability, and bioreactivity may not hold for natural marine DOC samples in sea urchin models.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY C-TOXICOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
N. Kao, M. Mohamed, R. J. Sorichetti, A. Niederkorn, P. Van Cappellen, C. T. Parsons
Summary: Fanshawe Reservoir on the Thames River is not only an important sink for phosphorus (P) in the Lake Erie watershed, but also modulates the timing and speciation of P loads. It functions as a net sink for P annually, but oscillates between a source and sink seasonally. The reservoir has significant influence on the distribution and forms of P in the river, highlighting the potential to attenuate downstream P loads.
JOURNAL OF GREAT LAKES RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tamara L. Van Staden, Kim J. Van Meter, Nandita B. Basu, Chris T. Parsons, Zahra Akbarzadeh, Philippe Van Cappellen
Summary: Management strategies to reduce nutrient enrichment of surface waters may face challenges due to accumulated nutrient legacies in the landscape. A study in Ontario, Canada applied the Net Anthropogenic Phosphorus Input (NAPI) model to reconstruct historical phosphorus input and found that despite a general downward trend, Lake Erie continues to suffer from algal blooms. Comparison with river monitoring data revealed that only 12.5% of the phosphorus discharged by Canadian rivers into Lake Erie came from agricultural areas, indicating that over 85% of agricultural phosphorus is retained in watersheds, contributing to a long-term risk for lake recovery. To mitigate this risk, the study proposes a methodology to identify source areas with the highest potential of exporting legacy soil phosphorus to surface waters for prioritized soil conservation efforts.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Md Abdus Sabur, Christopher T. Parsons, Taylor Maavara, Philippe Van Cappellen
Summary: Adsorption experiments with goethite showed that maximum silicate adsorption occurred under alkaline conditions while the competitive effect of silicate on phosphate adsorption was more pronounced under alkaline conditions and elevated molar Si:P ratios (>4). Dissolved silicate did not affect phosphate desorption, even at high Si:P ratios and alkaline pH, indicating kinetic factors prevented silicate from displacing phosphate from goethite binding sites.
ACS EARTH AND SPACE CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Nolan J. T. Pearce, Chris T. Parsons, Sarah M. Pomfret, Adam G. Yates
Summary: Effective modeling and management of phosphorus (P) losses from landscapes to waterbodies requires understanding of P retention and remobilization along the terrestrial-aquatic continuum. Stream periphyton has the capability to transiently store bioavailable P, but its response to dynamic P concentrations is largely unknown.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Linden Fairbairn, Fereidoun Rezanezhad, Mehdi Gharasoo, Chris T. Parsons, Merrin L. Macrae, Stephanie Slowinski, Philippe Van Cappellen
Summary: Soil moisture is an important variable in predicting carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Previous studies have focused on aerobic respiration as the source of CO2, ignoring anaerobic processes. This study conducted experiments at different moisture levels under both oxic and anoxic conditions. The results showed that moderate moisture levels resulted in maximum CO2 fluxes, but substantial CO2 fluxes were also measured at fully saturated conditions. Methane (CH4) fluxes increased over time in anoxic conditions. A kinetic model was proposed to represent both aerobic and anaerobic CO2 production. This study highlights the importance of considering anaerobic reaction pathways in predicting soil CO2 production at high moisture levels.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Stephanie Slowinski, Jovana Radosavljevic, Alyssa Graham, Isabella Ippolito, Kathryn Thomas, Fereidoun Rezanezhad, Mahyar Shafii, Chris T. Parsons, Nandita B. Basu, Johan Wiklund, Roland I. Hall, Philippe Van Cappellen
Summary: This study reconstructed changes in phosphorus loading and cycling in Lake Wilcox, Ontario, Canada, using sediment core and water quality data. The lake experienced eutrophication due to increased phosphorus loading from agricultural intensification and urbanization. However, improved soil conservation and urban stormwater management have reduced phosphorus loading to levels comparable to the early 1900s. The lake's eutrophication-like symptoms, particularly hypoxia in the hypolimnion, are now driven by salinization caused by increased use of deicing agents in the expanding urban area.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Tariq Aziz, Alain-Desire Nimubona, Philippe Van Cappellen
Summary: Economic valuations of ecosystem services often rely on transferring global unit values to the local context, but the reliability of this approach depends on the representativeness of the large-scale average unit values. This study compared local, regional, and global unit values to estimate the values of water filtration, nutrient cycling, and carbon sequestration in the Grand River watershed. The results showed that the global database provided significantly higher monetary values for ecosystem services compared to local and regional estimates. The research highlights the importance of critically assessing the origin of unit values and land cover resolution in ecosystem services valuation.
