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Molecules
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Chemical Analysis of Pollutant in the Environment
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Chemical Analysis of Pollutant in the Environment

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Green Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 2354

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ewa Szpyrka

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Biology and Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, 35-310 Rzeszów, Poland
Interests: instrumental analysis of chemical pollutants; methods of remediation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Mohammad Russel

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Chemical Engineering, Ocean and Life Science, Dalian University of Technology (Panjin Campus), Dalian, China
Interests: analysis of chemical pollutants; algae; biotechnology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The level of environmental pollutants is constantly growing, requiring the development of new methods for their analysis or the optimization of existing ones. Concern for human health and the natural environment has led to the search for newer, more advanced, and sensitive methods of analyzing chemical pollutants.

We invite you to submit scientific articles on the chemical analysis of environmental contaminants: both chemical and biological pollutants of air, water, soil, bees, food, etc. Review articles comparing existing analytical methods and validation parameters are also welcome.

Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Chemical analysis of pollutants: heavy metals, pesticides, nano- and microplastic, medicines, organic pollutants, PFAS, PAHs, etc.
  • Different methods of sample preparation;
  • Advanced analytical instrumental methods;
  • Validation data;
  • Comparison of methods.

We look forward to receiving your contributions. 

Dr. Ewa Szpyrka
Dr. Mohammad Russel
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • inorganic and organic pollutants
  • persistent organic pollutants
  • heavy metals
  • nano- and microplastics
  • chemical methods
  • instrumental methods
  • validation

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 3325 KB  
Article
The Effect of Ozone on the Behavior of Systemic and Non-Systemic Pesticides in Cereal Grains
by Izabela Hrynko
Molecules 2025, 30(20), 4087; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30204087 - 14 Oct 2025
Viewed by 397
Abstract
Cereal grains make up a significant part of both human and animal diets; therefore, they should meet pesticide residue standards and be characterized by the lowest possible concentrations of these residues. Known for its strong oxidizing properties, ozone is gaining popularity as a [...] Read more.
Cereal grains make up a significant part of both human and animal diets; therefore, they should meet pesticide residue standards and be characterized by the lowest possible concentrations of these residues. Known for its strong oxidizing properties, ozone is gaining popularity as a natural agent for eliminating chemical contaminants at the stages of production, processing, and storage of raw materials of plant origin. The present study is the first to assess the effect of ozonation on the behavior of 12 (seven systemic and five non-systemic) compounds. The procedure was conducted in two time variants (30 and 60 min) for three cereal types: barley, wheat, and rye. Treatment efficiency was confirmed through instrumental determination conducted using the LC–MS/MS technique based on the QuEChERS protocol. The level of systemic compounds was reduced by 37–82%, and of non-systemic ones by approximately 72–95%. The reduction in difenoconazole amounted to only 39%, whereas the highest decrease of 95% was recorded for deltamethrin. The rate of pesticide degradation occurred in the following sequence: rye > wheat > barley. The results show that ozonation of cereal grains may successfully support assurance of food and feed safety. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Analysis of Pollutant in the Environment)
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14 pages, 1139 KB  
Article
An Innovative Use of the QuEChERs Method and LC-MS/MS Technique for Fast and Simple Determination of Quinolizidine Alkaloids in Leguminous Plants
by Ewa Rutkowska
Molecules 2025, 30(20), 4085; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30204085 - 14 Oct 2025
Viewed by 357
Abstract
Quinolizidine alkaloids, found particularly in leguminous plants (Fabaceae), are known for their role in plant protection, acting as toxic secondary metabolites against pests and pathogens. However, their toxicity also makes them anti-nutritional factors in food and feed. Therefore, it is necessary [...] Read more.
Quinolizidine alkaloids, found particularly in leguminous plants (Fabaceae), are known for their role in plant protection, acting as toxic secondary metabolites against pests and pathogens. However, their toxicity also makes them anti-nutritional factors in food and feed. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor their presence. The aim of this study is to optimise two stages of the research procedure, i.e., (1) the conditions of LC–MS/MS instrumental analysis for the simultaneous determination of five alkaloids: angustifolin, hydroxylupanine, sparteine, and two geometric isomers of lupanine and isolupanine, and (2) the extraction and isolation stage of six different leguminous matrices: field beans, peas, lupins (narrow-leaved, white, yellow) and lentils. The modified and validated QuEChERS method based on LC-MS/MS shows acceptable recoveries (71–115%) with relative standard deviation <15%. A slight matrix effect (−20–14%) was observed. The uncertainty of the method <28%. The developed method shows significant progress in terms of sensitivity, achieving a detection limit as low as 0.01 mg/kg. This is a significant improvement over existing analytical methods and highlights the great potential of this method for detecting trace amounts. The innovative, sensitive, and selective method, offering simplicity and speed, was applied to the analysis of real leguminous samples. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Analysis of Pollutant in the Environment)
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19 pages, 7612 KB  
Article
Co-Exposure to Glyphosate and Polyethylene Microplastic Affects Their Toxicity to Chlorella vulgaris: Implications for Algal Health and Aquatic Risk
by Magdalena Podbielska, Małgorzata Kus-Liśkiewicz, Dariusz Płoch and Ewa Szpyrka
Molecules 2025, 30(19), 3972; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30193972 - 3 Oct 2025
Viewed by 645
Abstract
Polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs) and glyphosate (GLY) are widespread aquatic contaminants, but their combined effects on microalgae remain poorly understood. This study assessed the individual and joint toxicity of GLY and PE-MPs to the model microalga Chlorella vulgaris. Acute (3-day) and chronic (7-day) [...] Read more.
Polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs) and glyphosate (GLY) are widespread aquatic contaminants, but their combined effects on microalgae remain poorly understood. This study assessed the individual and joint toxicity of GLY and PE-MPs to the model microalga Chlorella vulgaris. Acute (3-day) and chronic (7-day) exposures were performed using GLY at 1–40 mg/L, alone or combined with PE-MPs (10 mg/L). A four-parameter log-logistic (4PL) model was applied to estimate median effect concentrations (EC50). After 72 h, the EC50 values were 9.77 mg/L for the GLY single system and 2.31 mg/L for the GLY-PE combined system, confirming enhanced toxicity in combined exposures. Co-exposure reduced pigment levels (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids) by up to 65% and significantly increased oxidative stress markers, including reactive oxygen species production and malondialdehyde accumulation, compared with single treatments. Antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase) showed concentration- and time-dependent responses, indicating activation of cellular defense mechanisms. Scanning Electron Microscopy revealed PE-induced aggregation and structural damage to algal cells, particularly at higher GLY concentrations. These findings demonstrate that PE-MPs can amplify the toxic effects of GLY on microalgae and highlight the need for further studies at environmentally relevant concentrations and with different polymer types. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Analysis of Pollutant in the Environment)
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22 pages, 595 KB  
Article
An Assessment of the Public Health Risk Associated with Consumption of Imported Fish Based on the Intake of Essential and Harmful Elements
by Agata Witczak, Artur Ciemniak, Beata Więcaszek, Sławomir Keszka, Mikołaj Protasowicki and Kamila Pokorska-Niewiada
Molecules 2025, 30(18), 3836; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30183836 - 22 Sep 2025
Viewed by 738
Abstract
Despite its many important health benefits, fish consumption is associated with a growing risk of toxicity due to increasing levels of environmental pollution. Therefore, this study compared the potential risks to human health associated with the consumption of imported fish and locally produced [...] Read more.
Despite its many important health benefits, fish consumption is associated with a growing risk of toxicity due to increasing levels of environmental pollution. Therefore, this study compared the potential risks to human health associated with the consumption of imported fish and locally produced fish, which may be contaminated with toxic elements. A selection of the most commonly consumed fish in Poland, imported and domestic, was assayed for 11 trace elements in muscle tissue using ICP-AES, CV-AAS and GF-AAS. In general, the levels of toxic elements decreased according to the following sequence: As > Hg > Cd > Pb; however, the values of lead were slightly higher than those of cadmium in cod. All imported fish contained significantly more cadmium than the Polish species. Our assessment of EDI, THQ, TTHQ, TWI, PTMI and BMDL01 indicates that typical levels of consumption of fish do not pose a risk based on the assumed intake. The highest TTHQ was observed in tilapia, but it did not exceed 0.169. This was well below the acceptable value. Hence, the consumption of these fish does not appear to entail any non-carcinogenic or carcinogenic health risks. In addition, the estimated consumer risk parameters indicate no risk to consumer health in the short term; however, the presence of these elements may present a long-term hazard due to the potential for bioaccumulation. Continuous monitoring of trace element concentrations, especially toxic ones, is recommended for the protection of communities in both local and global contexts. Our findings provide a clearer picture of the health risk associated with the consumption of fish in the Polish market. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Analysis of Pollutant in the Environment)
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