Search Results (7,065)

Microplastic quantification in marine vegetated ecosystems remains analytically demanding, yet little is known about the environmental footprint of the laboratory procedures required to isolate and measure these particles. This study applies Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to laboratory analytical workflows for microplastics quantification, focusing exclusively on sample preparation and analytical procedures rather than natural environmental absorption or fate processes, in two ecologically relevant matrices: (i) pelagic algae (Sargassum) and (ii) seagrass biomass. Using the openLCA 2.5 and the ReCiPe Midpoint (H) v1.13 methods, the analysis integrates foreground inventories of digestion, filtration, drying, and spectroscopic identification, combined with background datasets from OzLCI2019, ELCD 3.2 and USDA. Results show substantially higher impacts for the algae scenario, particularly for climate change, human toxicity, ionising radiation and particulate matter formation, largely driven by longer digestion times, increased reagent use and higher energy demand during sample pre-treatment. Conversely, the seagrass scenario exhibited lower burdens per functional unit due to reduced organic complexity and shorter laboratory processing requirements. These findings highlight the importance of matrix-specific methodological choices and the influence of background datasets on impact profiles. This study provides the first benchmark for the environmental performance of microplastic analytical workflows and underscores the need for harmonised, low-impact laboratory protocols to support sustainable monitoring of microplastic pollution in marine ecosystems. Full article

Background: Cardiovascular risk models, such as the Framingham and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) calculators, have improved risk prediction but often fail to identify individuals who experience ASCVD events despite low or intermediate predicted risk. This suggests that underrecognized, non-traditional risk factors may contribute significantly to the development of atherosclerosis. Objective: This narrative review synthesizes and summarizes recent evidence on high-yield non-traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis, with a focus on clinically significant, emerging, and applicable contributors beyond conventional frameworks. This review is distinct in that it aggregates a wide array of non-traditional risk factors while also consolidating recent data on ASCVD in more vulnerable populations. Unlike the existing literature, this manuscript integrates in a single comprehensive review various domains of non-traditional atherosclerotic risk factors, including inflammatory, metabolic, behavioral, environmental, and physical pathways. An additional unique highlight in the same manuscript is the discussion of non-traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis in more vulnerable populations, specifically South Asians. We also focus on clinically actionable factors that can guide treatment decisions for clinicians. Results: Key non-traditional risk factors identified include inflammation and biomarker-based risk factors such as C-reactive protein or interleukin-6 levels, metabolic and microbial risk factors, behavioral factors such as E-cigarette use, and environmental or infectious risk factors such as air and noise pollution. We explore certain physical exam findings associated with atherosclerotic burden, such as Frank’s sign and Achilles tendon thickness. Conclusions: Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial process influenced by diverse and often overlooked factors. Integrating non-traditional risks into clinical assessment may improve early detection, guide prevention and personalize care. Future risk prediction models should incorporate molecular, behavioral, and environmental data to reflect the complex nature of cardiovascular disease. Full article

The widespread application of concrete with specific functions has become indispensable in modern technology. However, the persistent issue of electromagnetic pollution poses a serious hazard to human health, electronic equipment, and military operations. Although various conventional electromagnetic absorbing materials have been incorporated, the achievable EMW-absorption performance is still restricted, with only a narrow effective absorption bandwidth. This study investigates the application of advanced 3D-printing technology to produce concrete with enhanced EMW-absorption properties with the incorporation of SAP (super-absorbent polymers). To achieve this, concrete samples with three SAP occupying the concrete volumes (0 vol.%, 20 vol.%, and 40 vol.%) and three methods (pretreatment-addition) were examined to provide an in-depth analysis of the properties and microstructures. The study reveals superior electromagnetic absorption in concrete enhanced with SAP compared to the untreated counterpart. Specifically, samples subjected to 40 vol.% Dry Treatment SAP exhibited exceptional performance, achieving 98.77% absorption at 7.53 GHz frequency with a peak reflectance of −19.12 dB, outperforming unmodified absorbing resin concrete by 25.44%. Moreover, microscopic analysis revealed irregular void distribution within the concrete, while the 3D-printing and -mixing processes led to SAP particle fractures, forming a complex 3D structure, thereby enhancing EMW-absorption performance. Ultimately, by selecting appropriate SAP pre-treatment and mixing methods based on the specific frequency range, this study provides crucial references and practical guidance for the application of EMW-absorbing concrete in military and technological contexts. Full article

Growing pressure from shrinking freshwater supplies and worsening pollution has heightened the demand for more effective water treatment solutions, especially those that promote reuse. This review synthesizes findings from 235 peer-reviewed papers examining plant-, mineral-, and other naturally derived coagulants used in surface water purification. Overall, these materials demonstrate turbidity reduction performance on par with conventional chemical coagulants across a wide range of initial turbidity levels (roughly 50–500 NTU). They are generally inexpensive, biodegradable, low in toxicity, and produce smaller volumes of residual sludge. Most function through mechanisms such as polymer-chain bridging or charge neutralization. However, their deployment at scale is still constrained by limited commercialization pathways, technical integration issues, and uneven public acceptance. Continued cross-disciplinary work is required to refine their performance and broaden their use, particularly in regions with limited resources or rural infrastructure. Full article

The impact of sewage discharge on water quality in reversing rivers has rarely received attention. This study simulated water quality changes in Maoergang River (a water body with counter flow conditions) affected by effluent discharge from Yangjiabu Sewage Treatment Plant. The results revealed that the diffusion patterns of COD, NH₄⁺-N, and TP in the study area were largely consistent; however, different hydrological conditions and discharge scenarios resulted in obvious differences in pollutant distribution. During the dry season, regardless of normal or counter folow conditions, the Maoergang and Xitiaoxi downstream were the primary affected segments. Regulated by hydrodynamic forces, under normal flow conditions, the Xitiaoxi downstream received a higher pollutant load while the Xitiaoxi upstream received minimal inputs. In the wet season, pollutant concentrations were generally lower due to the dilution effect of increased runoff; notably, the primary affected segments shifted to the downstream reaches of Maoergang and Huanchenghe. Under accidental discharge scenarios, excessive sewage release expanded the scope of pollution impacts, with elevated pollutant concentrations causing water quality non-compliance in parts of the upstream and downstream Xitiaoxi—both of which are within the germplasm resource protection zone. Predictive analysis indicated that when the sewage treatment plant’s discharge was reduced to 1.0 × 10⁴ t·d⁻¹, the receiving water bodies could still meet local water quality standards, even under the counter flow hydrological conditions, which pose the greatest threat to water quality during the dry season. Full article

Sewage sludge (SS) management and wastewater (WW) treatment remain among the most critical environmental challenges. The pyrolysis of sewage sludge to produce biochar (BC) represents a sustainable and circular strategy for waste valorization and pollution mitigation. This scoping review provides a comprehensive overview of BC derived from SS (BCxSS), with particular emphasis on how pyrolysis conditions affect key physicochemical characteristics such as yield, ash content, pH, surface area, and functional groups. Although substantial research has focused on the removal of heavy metals and organic pollutants using BCxSS, far less attention has been directed toward its potential for pathogen adsorption and inactivation, revealing a notable research gap. Recent studies highlight BCxSS as a versatile material with considerable promise in adsorption and catalysis. However, its application in pathogen removal remains insufficiently investigated, underscoring the need for further investigation into sorption mechanisms and biochar–microbe interactions. Full article

As plastic and heavy metal pollution continue to escalate, the co-occurrence of microplastics and heavy metals in the environment poses significant threats to ecosystems and human health. This study was designed to explore the combined effects of polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs) and cadmium (Cd) pollution on wheat seedlings, focusing on antioxidant enzyme activity and Cd bioaccumulation. At low concentrations of PE ($1\mathrm{mg}·{\mathrm{L}}^{-1}$), peroxidase (POD) activity in wheat shoots slightly increased without significance, while at higher concentrations ($50\mathrm{mg}·{\mathrm{L}}^{-1}$ and $100\mathrm{mg}·{\mathrm{L}}^{-1}$) of PE, POD activity was significantly inhibited compared to $0\mathrm{mg}·{\mathrm{L}}^{-1}$ PE treatment. At Cd exposure activity, with POD activity in the shoots increasing by 73.7% at $50\mathsf{\mu }\mathrm{mol}·{\mathrm{L}}^{-1}$${\mathrm{Cd}}^{2+}$ compared to $0\mathsf{\mu }\mathrm{mol}·{\mathrm{L}}^{-1}$ Cd treatment. When wheat seedlings were exposed to a combination of $50\mathrm{mg}·{\mathrm{L}}^{-1}$ PE and Cd at different concentrations Cd, significant differences in POD activity were observed in the shoots compared to the control group, showing an upward trend with increasing Cd concentration. However, the addition of PE suspension generally reduced POD activity in wheat shoots compared to Cd treatment alone. Specifically, the presence of $50\mathrm{mg}·{\mathrm{L}}^{-1}$ PE did not significantly alter POD activity in the wheat shoots ($p>0.05$). Furthermore, exposure to different concentrations of Cd resulted in a general increase in POD activity of roots, with significant differences observed at $5\mathsf{\mu }\mathrm{mol}·{\mathrm{L}}^{-1}$ and $25\mathsf{\mu }\mathrm{mol}·{\mathrm{L}}^{-1}$ Cd ($p<0.05$). Regarding Cd bioaccumulation, at Cd low concentrations ($1\mathsf{\mu }\mathrm{mol}·{\mathrm{L}}^{-1}$ and $5\mathsf{\mu }\mathrm{mol}·{\mathrm{L}}^{-1}$), PE significantly promoted Cd accumulation in the shoots. However, at high Cd concentrations ($50\mathsf{\mu }\mathrm{mol}·{\mathrm{L}}^{-1}$), PE microplastics reduced Cd accumulation in the shoots but promoted its accumulation in the roots.These results suggest that PE microplastics influence the bioavailability of Cd, mitigating the toxic effects of high Cd concentrations. This paper scientifically elucidates the ecotoxicological effects of co-contamination for microplastics and heavy metals, also their potential impacts on agricultural production are discussed. Full article

The oily wastewater produced by transformer oil leakage contains pollutants such as mineral oil, metal particles, aged oil and additives, which can disrupt the dissolved oxygen balance in water bodies, pollute soil and endanger human health through the food chain, causing serious environmental pollution. Effective oil–water separation technology is the key to ecological protection and resource recovery. This paper reviews the principles, influencing factors and research progress of traditional (gravity sedimentation, air flotation, adsorption, demulsification) and new (nanocomposite adsorption, metal–organic skeleton materials, superhydrophobic/superlipophilic modified films) transformer oil–water separation technologies. Traditional technologies are mostly applicable to large-particle-free oil and are difficult to adapt to complex matrix wastewater. However, the new technology has significant advantages in separation efficiency (up to over 99.5%), selectivity and cycling stability (with a performance retention rate of over 85% after 20–60 cycles), breaking through the bottlenecks of traditional methods. In the future, it is necessary to develop low-cost and efficient separation technologies, promote the research and development of intelligent responsive materials, upgrade low-carbon preparation processes and their engineering applications, support environmental protection treatment in the power industry and encourage the coupling of material innovation and processes. Full article

The removal of copper–cyanide complexes from cyanide gold leaching tail water poses a significant challenge, as they are difficult to eliminate and risk causing secondary pollution. This study developed a synergistic flocculation–flotation process using the bio-collector sodium cocoyl glycinate (SCG) and the coagulant polyferric sulfate (PFS) for purification. Simulated wastewater, prepared based on actual gold mine effluent, was treated under optimized conditions of reagent dosage, a solution pH of 6–10, and a flotation time of 1–5 min, achieving high removal efficiencies of 96.48% for copper and 94.68% for total cyanide. Mechanistic studies via FT-IR, Zeta potential, and XPS revealed that Fe³⁺ from PFS formed Fe-CN complexes with both free and copper-complexed cyanide. Simultaneously, copper ions coordinated with SCG to generate a hydrophobic Fe-CN-Cu-SCG ternary complex, which was subsequently removed by adsorption onto air bubbles via the hydrophobic chains of SCG. This work provides a novel, efficient, and mechanistically clear strategy for the advanced treatment of cyanide-containing tailing water with a gold content of 0.021 mg/L. Full article

The van der Waals (vdW) interaction energy is a crucial factor in evaluating the potential destabilization of colloidal systems, such as those found in drinking-water treatment, where particles are often assumed to be spherical. Although the explicit dependence of the vdW interaction energy on the radii of spherical particles and their distances is known, a simple view is lacking due to the complexity of the relations. Here, we propose explicit, algebraically simple, approximate relations that provide insight into the fundamental influence of the input geometrical parameters. These relations, when combined with the exponentially decaying potential generated by the electrical double layer, can provide an approximate evaluation of the onset of raw water destabilization in drinking-water treatment, in other words, establishing the conditions under which pollutants in raw water begin to aggregate. Full article

Introduction: Open-circuit cooling systems (OCCSs), integral to many industrial processes, often release blowdown water containing elevated concentrations of treatment chemicals. These discharges, if uncontrolled, pose substantial risks to aquatic ecosystems and human health. This study addresses the environmental implications of chemical emissions from OCCS blowdown through the development of a predictive model designed to estimate contaminant concentrations in receiving water bodies. Methods: The research employs a computational model based on mass-balance equations to simulate the dynamics of chemical emissions from blowdown water. It incorporates key operational variables, including flow rates, degradation rates, and evaporation characteristics. The model evaluates two chemical dosing strategies, continuous and fractional, and their resultant pollutant dispersal patterns in river systems. Validation was performed using empirical data from sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) applications at a nuclear power plant between 2015 and 2022. Results: The model demonstrated strong agreement with observed sulfate ion concentrations in the receiving water body, confirming its predictive reliability. Continuous dosing resulted in stable levels of pollutants, while fractional dosing caused temporary peaks that did not exceed regulatory limits. Conclusion: The modeling of blowdown water reveals important implications for river water quality and suggests that current wastewater management practices may be insufficient, benefiting from the integration of predictive modeling for blowdown discharges in industrial settings. Full article

The intensification of extreme rainfall events under changing climate regimes has heightened concerns over nutrient losses from paddy agriculture, particularly nitrogen (N), a primary contributor to non-point source pollution. Despite advances in drainage management, limited studies have integrated probabilistic rainfall modeling with N transport simulation to evaluate mitigation strategies in rice-based systems. This study addresses this critical gap by coupling the Log-Pearson Type III (LP-III) distribution with the DRAINMOD-N II model to simulate N dynamics under varying rainfall exceedance probabilities and drainage design configurations in the Kunshan region of eastern China. The DRAINMOD-N II showed good performance, with R² values of 0.70 and 0.69, AAD of 0.05 and 0.39 mg L⁻¹, and RMSE of 0.14 and 0.91 mg L⁻¹ for NO₃⁻-N and NH₄⁺-N during calibration, and R² values of 0.88 and 0.72, AAD of 0.06 and 0.21 mg L⁻¹, and RMSE of 0.10 and 0.34 mg L⁻¹ during validation. Using around 50 years of historical precipitation data, we developed intensity–duration–frequency (IDF) curves via LP-III to derive return-period rainfall scenarios (2%, 5%, 10%, and 20%). These scenarios were then input into a validated DRAINMOD-N II model to assess nitrate-nitrogen (NO₃⁻-N) and ammonium-nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N) losses across multiple drain spacing (1000–2000 cm) and depth (80–120 cm) treatments. Results demonstrated that NO₃⁻-N and NH₄⁺-N losses increase with rainfall intensity, with up to 57.9% and 45.1% greater leaching, respectively, under 2% exceedance events compared to 20%. However, wider drain spacing substantially mitigated N losses, reducing NO₃⁻-N and NH₄⁺-N loads by up to 18% and 12%, respectively, across extreme rainfall scenarios. The integrated framework developed in this study highlights the efficacy of drainage design optimization in reducing nutrient losses while maintaining hydrological resilience under extreme weather conditions. Full article

Pak choi (Brassica chinensis L.) has a strong adsorption capacity for the heavy metal cadmium (Cd), which is a big threat to human health. Traditional detection methods have drawbacks such as destructiveness, time-consuming processes, and low efficiency. Therefore, this study aimed to construct a non-destructive prediction model for Cd content in pak choi leaves using hyperspectral technology combined with feature selection algorithms and multivariate regression models. Four different cadmium concentration treatments (0 (CK), 25, 50, and 100 mg/L) were established to monitor the apparent characteristics, chlorophyll content, cadmium content, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and spectral features of pak choi. Competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS), the successive projections algorithm (SPA), and random frog (RF) were used for feature wavelength selection. Partial least squares regression (PLSR), random forest regression (RFR), the Elman neural network, and bidirectional long short-term memory (BiLSTM) models were established using both full spectra and feature wavelengths. The results showed that high-concentration Cd (100 mg/L) significantly inhibited pak choi growth, leaf Cd content was significantly higher than that in the control group, chlorophyll content decreased by 16.6%, and damage to the PSII reaction centre was aggravated. Among the models, the FD–RF–BiLSTM model demonstrated the best prediction performance, with a determination coefficient of the prediction set (Rp²) of 0.913 and a root mean square error of the prediction set (RMSEP) of 0.032. This study revealed the physiological, ecological, and spectral response characteristics of pak choi under Cd stress. It is feasible to detect leaf Cd content in pak choi using hyperspectral imaging technology, and non-destructive, high-precision detection was achieved by combining chemometric methods. This provides an efficient technical means for the rapid screening of Cd pollution in vegetables and holds important practical significance for ensuring the quality and safety of agricultural products. Full article

The textile industry is one of the largest consumers of water worldwide and generates highly complex and pollutant-rich textile wastewater (TWW). Due to its high load of recalcitrant organic compounds, dyes, salts, and heavy metals, TWW represents a major environmental concern and a challenge for conventional treatment processes. Among advanced alternatives, electrooxidation (EO) and membrane technologies have shown great potential for the efficient removal of dyes, organic matter, and salts. This review provides a critical overview of the application of EO and membrane processes for TWW treatment, highlighting their mechanisms, advantages, limitations, and performance in real industrial scenarios. Special attention is given to the integration of EO and membrane processes as combined or hybrid systems, which have demonstrated synergistic effects in pollutant degradation, fouling reduction, and water recovery. Challenges such as energy consumption, durability of electrode and membrane materials, fouling, and concentrate management are also addressed. Finally, future perspectives are proposed, emphasizing the need to optimize hybrid configurations and ensure cost-effectiveness, scalability, and environmental sustainability, thereby contributing to the development of circular water management strategies in the textile sector. Full article

Some mining sites generate acid mine drainage (AMD)—a highly acidic, metal-rich waste stream that affects bodies of water. Passive treatment systems are widely being adapted, particularly for abandoned or closed mines, due to their cost-effectiveness and lower environmental impact. However, novel strategies and approaches still need to be developed, especially in their implementation. Through batch experiments, this study identifies the effective sequence of three locally available treatment media, namely limestone (LS), steel slag (SS), and activated carbon (AC), using various water quality and pollution indices (WQPIs). The performance of the sequences was assessed based on their ability to improve various in situ parameters (pH, oxidation–reduction potential (ORP), dissolved oxygen (DO), and electrical conductivity (EC)) and their efficiency in removing Fe, Mn, Cu, and SO₄²⁻. Six sequences of media were identified and ranked by calculating a score based on comparisons with the Philippine General Effluent Standard (GES) by normalization and specific WQPIs for AMD and AMD-impacted waters, such as the CCMEWQI, MAMDI, and WPI-AMD. Analysis showed that the sequence of LS-AC-SS and SS-LS-AC yielded the highest removal for heavy metals (98.78% for Fe and Mn and 89.92% for Cu). However, limited removal of SO₄²⁻ was observed (14.96%), which suggests that additional treatment beyond the materials explored must be considered. Considering all the parameters and assessing them through normalization and WQPIs, the sequence of SS-LS-AC achieved the overall best treatment performance. Differences were observed in the ranking between the methods, with WQPIs successfully capturing actual water quality, demonstrating its robustness as an assessment tool. This study shows that the treatment media sequence is a factor in treating AMD, specifically utilizing AC, SS, and LS. Full article