Search Results (6,424)

Micro and nanoplastics (MNPs), defined as particles under 5 mm down to the submicron scale (<1 µm or 1–1000 nm), have shifted from an environmental concern into a general potential contaminant of our global food supply. As plastic production escalates, the fragmentation process disperses particles across soils, water bodies and the atmosphere, resulting in their reported detection in a variety of food products and, in some studies, in human biological matrices including the bloodstream to major organs. However, confirming their presence is not equivalent to tracing their journey. Current scientific understanding of how these contaminants migrate remains uncertain, since most studies focus on isolated sources rather than the interconnected stages of production and exposure. To address this, we propose the Farm-to-Table Microplastic Exposure Cascade (FT-MPEC), an integrated concept designed to describe the potential progressive accumulation of MNPs across the food continuum. This review synthesizes the trajectory of particles from primary production into the food chain, evaluating potential transfer pathways during post-harvest handling, industrial processing and domestic preparation. By mapping these routes, we identify critical knowledge gaps and research priorities necessary to improve future monitoring, exposure assessment and mitigation strategies for public health. Full article

Metal additive manufacturing (AM) plays an increasingly important role in sustainable production owing to its material efficiency, design freedom, and compatibility with circular economy (CE) strategies. Yet the high cost and environmental burden of producing virgin metallic powders remain major barriers to large-scale adoption. This review synthesizes current and emerging approaches for recycling metallic powder feedstocks within AM, organizing them into four pathways: reusing, reconditioning, repurposing, and resourcing. Reusing preserves powders within the AM loop through controlled handling and qualification strategies, whereas reconditioning applies mechanical, thermal or chemical treatments to restore powder properties. Repurposing redirects powder to alternative value-added routes, including wire feedstock, metal–polymer composites, extrusion materials, and elemental or oxide recovery. Resourcing generates new powder from end-of-life powder, printing scrap, and waste through mechanical size reduction, atomization-based processes, or solid-state conversion routes. Across these pathways, the review highlights technological advances, process limitations, and cross-cutting challenges related to oxidation, morphology deterioration, contamination, and scalability, and identifies underexplored methodologies with potential for AM-specific recycling. By integrating insights across the field, this work outlines the expanding landscape of metallic powder circularity and demonstrates how diversified recycling strategies can reduce environmental impact, lower material costs, and support a more sustainable AM ecosystem. Full article

Hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs) in water–soil systems pose persistent risks to pore water quality and groundwater safety because of their low aqueous solubility and strong soil sorption affinity. Electrokinetic remediation has emerged as a promising technology for controlling HOCs in contaminated water–soil systems, as it can regulate pore water movement, ionic migration, and contaminant transport under an applied electric field. However, the limited transfer of HOCs from soil into the aqueous phase restricts their electrokinetic removal efficiency, necessitating the use of surfactants to overcome these technical bottlenecks. This review elucidates the mechanistic basis of surfactant-enhanced electrokinetic remediation, with particular emphasis on micellar solubilization in pore water, contaminant desorption from soil matrices, and electrically driven transport across water–soil interfaces. Building on this mechanistic framework, the applications and performance of nonionic, anionic, cationic, biosurfactant, and mixed surfactants are summarized. Furthermore, the key factors governing surfactant efficacy are analyzed, including soil properties, contaminant characteristics, remediation objectives, operational parameters, environmental safety, and economic feasibility. By integrating mechanistic insights with environmental considerations, this review establishes a science-based framework for surfactant selection in electrokinetic remediation. This work provides a reference for enhancing contaminant transfer from soil matrices to the aqueous phase, reducing secondary risks to pore water and groundwater, and advancing the theoretical development and implementation of surfactant-enhanced electrokinetic remediation in environmental management. Full article

Biochar, a carbon-rich product resulting from the thermochemical transformation of organic biomass under limited oxygen condition, is currently drawing much worldwide attention due to its multiple applications in carbon sequestration, soil improvement, environmental remediation, and biomass waste management. Initially, the focus of research was primarily on the technical possibilities of biochar production, its economic aspects, and its contribution to climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration and the promotion of sustainable agriculture. Nevertheless, recent research indicates the high complexity and dynamics of biochar interactions with the environment, driven by a combination of factors like feedstock type, process conditions, biochar properties, and other factors. While biochar exhibits multiple beneficial effects, including improving soil structure, enhancing nutrient retention, promoting microbial activities, and remediating contaminants, several environmental risks associated with biochar application have also been identified, namely the formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heavy metal contamination, creation of persistent free radicals, changes in soil chemistry, and modification of soil microbial community structure. Such risks are greatly related to production process parameters, treatment methods, and biochar application practices. Moreover, differences in feedstock choice, pyrolysis temperature, reactor design, biochar application rate, and analytical methods used make comparative analysis of results difficult. Full article

Mercury (Hg) mobility in contaminated soils may be altered by solarization-induced thermal disturbance and organic amendments. This study evaluated whether a cover-induced prior solarization pretreatment of a mining-impacted soil–compost system modifies the operationally defined labile Hg fraction (F1 + F2, considered potentially bioavailable), rice productivity, grain Hg accumulation, and screening-level health risk. Mining soils from San Jorge River basin were amended with compost at a 1:9 ratio and solarized for one month before crop establishment, generating temperatures of 32, 40, 44, and 50 °C under different cover conditions. After pretreatment, covers were removed and rice was cultivated for four months under uniform flooded conditions. Total Hg in soils and grains was determined by EPA Method 7473, and the potentially bioavailable fraction by modified Bloom extraction. Prior thermal exposure increased this fraction, especially at 50 °C, whereas compost reduced total Hg and partially buffered this increase. Productivity depended on the compost × temperature interaction: compost improved yield at 40 and 44 °C, while no grain production occurred in substrates previously exposed to 50 °C. Compost-amended treatments showed lower grain Hg than unamended soils, although all values exceeded the 20 μg kg⁻¹ reference limit. Hazard quotients remained below 1, with the highest value in unamended soil previously exposed to 44 °C. Full article

Small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) have garnered considerable attention in recent years, following accumulating evidence of their critical roles in many cellular processes. Among sncRNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs) and their isoforms (isomiRs), tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs), rRNA-derived fragments (rRFs), and Y RNA-derived fragments (yRFs) account for more than 95% of all sncRNAs found in cells. Despite their critical regulatory roles, most sncRNAs remain uncharacterized because their functionalization is a lengthy and challenging undertaking. Knowing an sncRNA’s abundance helps prioritize among the various choices, while knowing where it localizes in the cell greatly limits the number and identity of its potential targets and helps understand its function. Most studies to date have assumed that the subcellular localization of the various sncRNA classes is understood and remains unchanged across cell types. However, as we have recently demonstrated, the subcellular distribution of sncRNAs follows complex patterns that depend on the sequence of the sncRNA, the presence or absence of post-transcriptionally added non-templated nucleotides, and the cell type. To determine the subcellular localization and abundance of sncRNAs and aid the design of targeted experimental studies of sncRNA function, we developed “Fraction-seq.” The method combines an experimental and an analytical component to remove cross-fraction contamination and reconstruct the true abundance of sncRNAs in each considered fraction. Fraction-seq can be applied to any adherent cells from any organism without modifications and can reconstruct the abundance of all categories of sncRNAs. Accompanying this detailed protocol is a newly developed port of the original SAS codes to the widely used R programming language. The codes and an example are freely available through our center’s GitHub page. Full article

Microplastics are increasingly recognized as prevalent contaminants in freshwater ecosystems, where they interact with a wide range of co-occurring pollutants, including heavy metals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and persistent organic pollutants. Evidence indicates that microplastics can act as vectors, enhancing pollutant mobility and facilitating trophic transfer, while also modulating toxicity through synergistic or antagonistic effects. Ecotoxicological studies reveal adverse impacts on aquatic organisms, ranging from physiological stress and impaired reproduction to altered community dynamics, with implications for ecosystem functioning and human health. Despite growing knowledge, significant gaps remain in understanding long-term environmental behavior, standardized methodologies, and risk assessment frameworks. This review synthesizes current findings on microplastic–pollutant interactions in freshwater systems, highlights emerging ecotoxicological risks, and identifies critical research needs to inform effective management and policy interventions. Full article

Ion-imprinted polymers (IIPs) are advanced adsorbents featuring selective recognition cavities for targeted metal ion capture, offering a promising route to high-efficiency separation in extractive metallurgy. In the present work, the evolution, design principles, synthesis strategies, separation mechanisms, and practical applicability of IIPs for metal recovery from complex aqueous matrices are overviewed. Key material components, including functional monomers, crosslinkers, template ions, initiators, solvents, and support materials, are discussed in relation to adsorption capacity, selectivity, kinetics, stability, and recyclability. Major preparation routes, such as surface imprinting, bulk polymerization, in situ polymerization, and sol–gel methods, are critically compared to clarify their advantages and limitations. Recent applications for base metals, precious metals, and rare-earth elements demonstrate that IIPs can achieve high specificity and rapid equilibrium under optimized conditions. However, their translation from simulated solutions to real leachates remains constrained by interfering ions, organic contaminants, mass transfer resistance, incomplete template removal, and matrix complexity. Mitigation strategies, including sample pretreatment, improved polymer architecture, and hybrid supports, are therefore emphasized. Additionally, chemometric modelling, machine learning, or artificial intelligence-assisted design may be implemented to advance the prospects of IIPs in industry. Conclusively, IIPs represent a strong separation platform, yet industrial deployment requires robust validation with real feed streams and scalable regeneration protocols during column operation, as well as under chemically aggressive conditions at scale. Full article

The increasing use of plastics in agriculture has enhanced crop productivity, water-use efficiency, and food supply stability. Nevertheless, the ongoing degradation of agricultural plastics and waste-derived materials has resulted in the widespread occurrence of microplastics (<5 mm) and nanoplastics (<1 μm) in agricultural soils, raising concerns about ecosystem functioning, food safety and human health. This review was conducted using literature obtained primarily from Web of Science, Scopus and PubMed. Publications published between 2019 and 2026 were primarily included. In addition, selected landmark studies published before 2019 were incorporated when they provided foundational concepts, methodological frameworks, or highly cited evidence that remains essential for understanding the sources, fate, and impacts of micro- and nanoplastics in agricultural systems. The review synthesizes recent scientific evidence regarding the sources, environmental fate, biological interactions, and food-chain transfer of micro- and nanoplastics within agricultural and food production systems, tracing their movement from farm to fork. Major contamination pathways include agricultural plastic materials, organic amendments, polymer-coated agrochemicals and atmospheric deposition. Mechanisms governing transport, aging, plant uptake and trophic transfer are also discussed. Current evidence suggests that agricultural soils are among the largest terrestrial reservoirs of micro- and nanoplastics; however, substantial uncertainties remain regarding environmental concentrations, plant uptake under field conditions, and human health risks due to methodological limitations and the lack of standardized analytical protocols. Future research should focus on standardized monitoring methods, enhanced risk assessment frameworks, the development of biodegradable alternatives, and integrated mitigation strategies to reduce plastic contamination. Full article

Chemolithotrophic denitrifying bacteria Thiobacillus denitrificans and Sulfurimonas denitrificans are model organisms for sulfur and nitrogen cycling and are frequently used as model organisms in biogeochemical and applied research. Their cultivation is considered technically demanding, largely due to the assumption that strict anaerobic equipment is required. Here, we provide a simplified, reproducible cultivation workflow designed for laboratories with limited anaerobic infrastructure, with a special focus on establishing growth under practical pseudo-anoxic conditions. Three media were evaluated (modified DSMZ 113, ATCC 152 Thiobacillus broth, and a commercial Thiobacillus broth) in both liquid and solid formats using anaerobic jars and a sealed-bottle “pseudo-anoxic” approach. Consistent growth of both organisms was achieved exclusively in modified DSMZ 113. Importantly, T. denitrificans grew reproducibly not only under anaerobic jar conditions but also under the sealed-bottle pseudo-anoxic setup, demonstrating that successful cultivation is feasible without specialized anaerobic systems. The S. denitrificans grew successfully, but exclusively under anoxic conditions. Additionally, we describe a simple and novel coverslip-on-agar microscopy method for rapid confirmation of small transparent colonies, supporting reliable isolation and contamination control. Overall, our results provide a practical step-by-step cultivation guide, highlighting that T. denitrificans can be robustly cultured even without complying with strict protocol for anaerobic cultivation. Full article

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) contamination and proliferation in aquaculture and aquatic systems is worrisome for global food safety, as well as veterinary and public health. Traditionally linked with terrestrial ruminant reservoirs, aquaculture matrices, including farmed finfish, shellfish, culture water, and benthic organisms, are increasingly acknowledged as potential conduits for the dissemination of STEC. Herein, the review documented data concerning the prevalence, genomic composition, and ecological dynamics of STEC across various aquaculture environments across different regions of the globe. As a result, the persistence of virulence-associated genes (VAGs) and antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs) in STEC within the aquaculture supply chain presents a considerable risk to global food security and public health, highlighting the urgent necessity for comprehensive “One Health” surveillance frameworks aimed at alleviating aquatic biosecurity challenges. Full article

Glyphosate is one of the most widely used herbicides worldwide, and its extensive application has raised increasing concern regarding environmental occurrence, ecological exposure, and potential risks to non-target organisms. Its major degradation product, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), has also received growing attention because of its persistence, transport behavior, and contribution to long-term contamination profiles. To clarify the development and emerging priorities of this field, we conducted a bibliometric review of glyphosate-related publications indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection from 1974 to 2024. After screening and data cleaning, 7050 articles and reviews were included. Publication output increased markedly over time, with annual publications exceeding 300 after 2019 and reaching a peak of 488 in 2023. The United States ranked first with 1928 publications, accounting for 27.4% of the total output, followed by Brazil and China. Keyword co-occurrence, temporal overlay, and collaboration analyses showed that glyphosate research has shifted from early agronomic topics, including herbicide efficacy, crop selectivity, and resistance management, toward a broader environmental research framework. Three major research fronts were identified: mechanism-oriented ecotoxicology in non-target organisms, environmental fate and transport of glyphosate and AMPA across soil–water–sediment systems, and the development of analytical and sensing technologies for environmental monitoring. The results further indicate that the field is moving from single-compound residue assessment toward integrated contaminant-ecology perspectives linking occurrence, transformation, biological response, exposure assessment, and ecological risk. Future studies should strengthen the integration of long-term environmental monitoring, AMPA-inclusive risk assessment, realistic multi-stressor exposure scenarios, and field-deployable detection technologies. This review provides a quantitative overview of the global research landscape and identifies priority directions for environmental assessment and management of glyphosate and AMPA contamination. Full article

Techniques such as adsorption have been widely adopted to remove residual microplastics (MPs) because they are efficient at removing contaminants from aqueous environments. In this study, we report a novel, low-cost, biodegradable, and scalable biocomposite (LCMAG NaOH) derived from Luffa cylindrica fruit (LC) and micrometric natural magnetite (MAG), prepared without organic solvents, for the removal of MPs. The performance of LCMAG NaOH was evaluated for the removal of polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) MPs, with particle sizes ranging from 75 to 600 µm in three distinct aqueous media: drinking water, simulated seawater, and water collected from the eutrophic lake of Dourados, MS, Brazil. The material was also evaluated for capture capacity and for reutilization in drinking water over three cycles, using a neodymium magnet. The biocomposite exhibited maximum removal capacities of 163 mg g⁻¹ and 158 mg g⁻¹ for PS and PET, respectively, in drinking water. Additionally, it demonstrated high magnetic recovery efficiency (>90% of the initial mass) and good reusability after immersion (10 and 20 min) and a dry step during the first cycle. Full article

Understanding the environmental fate of microplastics (MPs) in agricultural soils remains a major challenge, particularly under field conditions where soil structure and hydraulic processes jointly regulate particle transport and retention. This study investigated whether hydro-physical soil functioning can explain the distribution and accumulation of MPs in pistachio orchard soils from a semi-arid region of southeastern Türkiye. A total of 42 soil samples were analyzed for MP abundance, size distribution, and morphology, together with key hydro-physical properties including texture, porosity, bulk density, aggregate stability, organic matter content, and soil water retention characteristics. To identify the dominant controls on MP occurrence, explainable machine learning approaches combining Random Forest (RF), Gradient Boosting Decision Trees (GBDT), and SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) analysis were employed. Microplastic abundance differed among management systems. Former landfill or construction sites represented the largest proportion of the total recorded microplastic abundance (40.9%), followed by conventionally managed (25.2%), manure-amended (24.5%), and sewage-sludge-amended orchards (9.4%). Median microplastic abundances were 1433, 667, 4633, and 633 particles kg⁻¹ soil, respectively. Fine-sized MPs constituted the dominant particle fraction and exhibited strong associations with pore-system characteristics, indicating that pore-size compatibility governs their retention and mobility within the soil matrix. Morphology-specific analyses further revealed contrasting relationships between soil hydro-physical properties and individual MP forms, suggesting distinct retention pathways for granules, films, fragments, and fibers. Explainable AI analysis identified organic matter, silt content, bulk density, and water retention characteristics as the most influential predictors of MP occurrence. Among the tested models, RF demonstrated superior predictive robustness and generalization capacity. The findings demonstrate that hydro-physical soil functioning plays a central role in determining microplastic fate in agricultural soils and highlight the value of interpretable machine learning frameworks for uncovering the mechanisms underlying contaminant retention and redistribution. Integrating soil structural indicators with explainable artificial intelligence offers a promising pathway for improving microplastic risk assessment in agroecosystems. Full article

Coastal sediments can store contaminants for decades and become exposure sources when disturbance alters partitioning, transport, or biological contact. We propose the Coastal Sediment Toxicological Activation Protocol (CSTAP), a theoretical and empirically testable protocol for organizing event-conditioned toxicological activation potential in coastal sediments. The associated Coastal Sediment Toxicological Activation Index (CSTAI) is an exploratory, semi-quantitative score intended for hypothesis generation and future calibration, not a validated toxicity endpoint or regulatory threshold. The CSTAP separates chemical burden, effective bioavailability, mixture pressure, event activation, receptor vulnerability, evidence adequacy, uncertainty priority, and procedural integrity. The primary score alone assigns the exploratory class, whereas evidence adequacy, uncertainty priority, and forensic readiness qualify interpretation without changing the class. The protocol includes benchmark selection, information-source safeguards against double counting, route-resolved receptor weighting, event and mass-conservation checks, data-tier declarations, and validation logic. Limiting-case tests, a reproducible worked example, and illustrative Mediterranean case encodings show internal coherence and reporting structure. The CSTAP is intended to guide monitoring design, scenario comparison, and calibration with paired chemistry, exposure, bioassay, and ecological-effect datasets. Full article