Environmental Chemistry
Articles tagged with Environmental Chemistry
Iron minerals help decide whether dissolved organic matter becomes microbial food or long-term carbon
A new explanation for 'Snowball Earth'
BRIGHT and LanzaTech launch new partnership to accelerate carbon to value biotechnology in Europe
The partnership aims to establish a next-generation C1 biofoundry at DTU to convert CO2, CO, and methane into valuable products. This technology has the potential to reduce industrial emissions and enable circular, climate-positive solutions.
FAU engineering researcher earns NSF CAREER Award for air, water purification
FAU engineering researcher Masoud Jahandar Lashaki has been awarded a prestigious NSF CAREER award to study the oxidative degradation of amine-functionalized sorbents. The project aims to design longer-lasting technologies for capturing pollutants from air and water, improving indoor and outdoor air quality.
The Crop Journal study showcases CRISPR/CAS genome editing for high-quality cotton
Researchers from China have successfully demonstrated CRISPR/Cas genome editing in nonregenerative cotton via sexual hybridization, opening a novel technical avenue for genetic improvement. The approach eliminates toxicity in cottonseed protein, enabling valuable resource utilization and advanced biotechnologies.
Liquid biochar fertilizers boost crop yields while improving soil sustainability, study finds
Researchers developed liquid biochar mineral complex fertilizers that significantly increase crop yields and improve nutrient efficiency. The nitrogen-enriched formulation delivered the strongest results, achieving positive nitrogen and phosphorus balances while reducing labor and cost.
Trapping light magic: MOF-derived nanoconfined hollow polyhedral photocatalyst
A novel MOF-derived nanoconfined hollow polyhedral bimetallic sulfide heterojunction exhibits enhanced light harvesting efficiency and promotes rapid tetracycline degradation, with a kinetic rate constant five times higher than pristine Ag2S. The material maintained over 90% efficiency in real water matrices.
Biochar and smart water management offer a new pathway to cut peatland emissions
A new study shows that combining biochar application with moderate water table management can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural peat soils. Biochar consistently lowers carbon dioxide emissions and suppresses methane production, making it a promising strategy for climate mitigation.
Thiol-modified biochar stabilizes toxic mercury in soils under extreme climate conditions
Researchers found that thiol-modified biochar reduces mercury mobility by up to 80% in soils exposed to dry-wet cycles. The material promotes natural weathering processes, traps mercury in stable forms, and alters the soil microbial community, creating a resilient ecosystem.
New biochar composite tackles arsenic pollution and methane emissions in rice paddies
A new study reports a promising solution to address both arsenic contamination and greenhouse gas emissions in rice paddies using an engineered biochar material enhanced with titanium dioxide. The findings highlight a new strategy to improve food safety while lowering agriculture’s climate footprint.
Biochar triggers long-term soil recovery by reshaping microbes and metabolism, five-year field study shows
A five-year field study reveals that biochar can reorganize entire soil ecosystems, creating lasting benefits for agriculture and environmental sustainability. Biochar triggers a coordinated transformation across the entire soil system, improving soil acidity and reducing metal toxicity.
Biochar reshapes climate-driven soil emissions, but effects depend on soil type
Researchers found that biochar can either dampen or amplify temperature sensitivity of nitrous oxide emissions in soils. Biochar's effects depend on soil properties and environmental conditions.
Biochar boosts soil carbon storage through microbial pathways, but effects vary with soil depth
A new field study reveals that biochar significantly increases microbial necromass carbon in topsoil by up to 39%, linked to improved nutrient availability and microbial efficiency. However, in subsoil layers, biochar reduces microbial necromass carbon by as much as 30% due to nutrient limitations.
Tailored biochar strategies boost alfalfa growth and resilience in saline soils
A new study reveals that carefully designed biochar amendments can improve plant growth and soil health in saline-alkali soils by reshaping plant metabolism and microbial communities. Alkaline biochar was found to stimulate key metabolic pathways, while acid-modified biochar enhanced root development and activated plant defense systems.
Biochar offers climate-smart pathway to healthier soils and safer tea production
A new scientific review highlights how biochar can transform tea farming by restoring soil health, reducing pollution risks, and improving both yield and quality. Biochar can increase tea yields by 10 to 40 percent while enhancing quality traits such as amino acids and polyphenols that influence flavor.
Turning algae waste into powerful filters: New biochar membranes clean wastewater more efficiently
Researchers created a novel material by converting microalgae biomass into biochar and modifying it with amine functional groups, producing hybrid filters with enhanced purification performance. The new membranes achieved better pollutant rejection and improved resistance to fouling.
Five-year field study reveals smarter biochar strategy to cut methane from rice paddies
A five-year field study shows that small, repeated additions of biochar combined with water-saving irrigation can significantly reduce methane emissions from rice paddies over time while maintaining strong crop yields. Continuous application maintained and strengthened methane reduction, producing net negative emissions in some cases.
Salty soils slow biochar aging but limit beneficial microbes, study finds
Researchers found that increasing soil salinity slows biochar aging and limits microbial colonization. Biochar retains more carbon and shows greater structural stability in saline environments compared to low-salinity conditions.
Hydrochar boosts soil carbon storage and structure more effectively than biochar, study finds
A new study finds that hydrochar significantly enhances soil organic carbon and aggregation, offering a promising strategy for sustainable soil management. Hydrochar can simultaneously improve soil structure and increase carbon sequestration, making it a versatile solution for improving soil health in agriculture.
Urban construction soils identified as hidden carbon source, with biochar offering a scalable climate solution
A new study reveals excavated urban soils as a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, primarily carbon dioxide and methane. Biochar application and soil capping can dramatically reduce emissions by up to 96%, offering a practical climate solution for urban development.
Tides supercharge biochar’s carbon capture power in coastal wetlands
A field study found that adding biochar to estuarine wetlands increased sediment carbon storage while suppressing carbon loss. Tidal dynamics amplified the effectiveness of biochar as a climate solution by stabilizing carbon in sediments and reducing microbial activity associated with carbon decomposition.
Not all biochar is created equal: study calls for clearer standards in carbon markets and agriculture
A new study highlights the critical misunderstanding of biochar's role in fighting climate change and improving soils, warning that oversimplified claims could undermine scientific progress and carbon markets. Biochar is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and its effectiveness depends on where it is used.
Biochar from peanut shells boosts soil health and crop quality over the long term
A six-year field study reveals that biochar made from peanut shells improves soil fertility and enhances crop quality by reshaping soil microbial communities. The study shows that biochar acts as both a habitat and a nutrient source for beneficial microbes, promoting plant growth and increasing soluble sugar content in tobacco leaves.
Biochar can curb methane emissions in rice fields, but nitrogen levels make the difference
A new study found that biochar can significantly reduce methane emissions from rice paddies when applied at optimal nitrogen levels. However, high nitrogen inputs may actually increase methane emissions, highlighting the need for careful management of fertilizer inputs.
Biochar offers climate-smart path to restore dryland soils and fight desertification
A new review highlights biochar's potential to reverse land degradation, improve soil health, and support sustainable agriculture in arid regions. Biochar can increase crop yields, reduce erosion risks, and enhance soil resilience, while also contributing to global carbon sequestration efforts.
Biochar helps forests fight acid rain by restoring vital soil nitrogen
A new field study reveals that biochar can significantly restore soil health and nitrogen availability in forests affected by acid rain. Biochar triggers major biological changes in the soil, enhancing microbial biomass and increasing nitrogen use efficiency.
U-M study reveals nitrile and latex gloves may cause overestimation of microplastics
A University of Michigan study suggests that scientists wearing nitrile and latex gloves while measuring microplastics may overestimate the amount of tiny pollutants in air, water, and samples. The researchers recommend using cleanroom gloves instead to minimize contamination with stearates.
Nano-enabled biochar fertilizers help rice grow safer in contaminated soils
A new study reveals that nano-biochar fertilizers can actively regulate soil processes and help protect rice from harmful metal accumulation. The findings show improved rice growth, enhanced soil biological activity, and reduced cadmium and arsenic uptake in contaminated soils.
Freezing soils may hold the key to locking away toxic arsenic, new study finds
A new study reveals that freeze-thaw cycles can dramatically improve biochar's ability to trap toxic arsenic in contaminated soils. The research found that freezing and thawing fundamentally reshapes how biochar interacts with soil at microscopic scales, creating stronger connections between biochar particles and soil minerals.
Viciazites: Efficient carbon capture designer materials that could desorb below 60 oC
Researchers have developed a new class of carbon materials called 'viciazites' that contain carefully controlled configurations of nitrogen groups, enabling low-temperature operation and efficient CO2 capture. The materials outperform untreated carbon fibers in CO2 uptake and desorption at temperatures below 60°C.
Long-term field study shows biochar delivers dual benefits for soil health and climate mitigation
A 14-year field study shows that biochar can simultaneously reduce heavy metal risks in agricultural soils while enhancing carbon storage. Biochar improved soil carbon storage, reducing toxicity by up to 91 percent and increasing organic carbon content.
Engineered biochar with minerals could unlock new solutions for soil health and water cleanup
Researchers combine biochar with naturally occurring minerals to create more durable and effective materials for improving soil fertility, capturing contaminants, and delivering nutrients. Engineered composites show promising potential for agricultural and pollution control applications.
Biochar and beneficial fungi team up to detoxify toxic red mud and restore soil health
Researchers developed a system combining biochar with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to target specific pollutants in red mud. The results showed that each fungal species played a distinct role in detoxifying arsenic and lead, as well as improving soil health.
A complicated future for a methane-cleansing molecule
A new model developed by MIT scientists suggests that the hydroxyl radical, a key air cleanser, may boost methane breakdown levels due to rising water vapor but also reduce them due to increased biogenic emissions, resulting in a small net gain in its effectiveness.
Turning crop waste into climate solutions: Biochar reduces greenhouse gas emissions in bamboo forests
A new study reveals that biochar can significantly reduce nitrous oxide emissions from forest soils, shifting them from a source to a potential climate solution. Biochar was found to suppress key microbial genes responsible for producing N2O while increasing the abundance of microbes that convert it into harmless nitrogen gas.
University of Houston BRAIN Center finds exposure to nature associated with reductions in negative emotions
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 33 studies found that nature exposure is associated with reductions in negative emotions and increases in positive emotions. Experts recommend integrating nature into urban design to promote brain health and treat mental illnesses.
Biochar-based nanotechnology cleans toxic herbicide from soil while protecting crops
Researchers developed a nitrogen-doped biochar-modified zero-valent iron nanocomposite that rapidly removes harmful herbicides from soil and protects crops. The material also triggers the formation of an iron plaque on plant roots, capturing contaminants and improving crop health.
Baking the earth to cool the sky: How tailored biochar can dial down agricultural emissions
A comprehensive meta-analysis reveals that biochar functions as a highly active biological regulator, restructuring the earth to boost porosity and moisture retention. Biochar disrupts the soil's nitrogen cycle by suppressing specific enzyme activities, slowing down processes like nitrification and denitrification.
Turning waste into a solution: micro-nano bone biochar boosts rice yield and cuts toxic cadmium
A novel soil amendment made from animal bone waste increases rice production and reduces cadmium accumulation in edible grains. Micro-nano bone char alters soil chemistry and microbial community, creating a more favorable environment for plant growth and improving grain nutritional quality.
New insights into biochar reveal how to better capture phosphorus and protect water systems
Researchers have developed a calcium-modified biochar that more effectively captures organic phosphorus, offering a solution to reduce nutrient pollution in water systems. The study reveals how molecular structure influences phosphorus adsorption, providing a clearer roadmap for designing more effective materials.
The ultimate dirt filter: 'Oxychar' offers a cheaper, smarter way to scrub toxic cadmium from farmland
Researchers develop oxychar, a highly efficient, budget-friendly alternative to traditional charred organic materials for toxic cadmium removal. The new material soaks up both agricultural ammonia and cadmium, promising a practical win for sustainable farming.
Aged silicon-rich biochar reduces cadmium accumulation in leafy vegetables
Aging silicon-rich biochar reduces cadmium uptake in leafy vegetables, improving plant resistance to heavy metal stress. The material reshapes soil microbial communities, contributing to reduced cadmium availability.
Major discovery sparks chain reactions in medicine, recyclable plastics - and more
Researchers have discovered a new chemical reaction that can be used to modify anti-tumor compounds, produce recyclable plastics, and develop new materials. The 'trisulfide metathesis reaction' is a clean, efficient method that can be completed within seconds.
Jason Ross awarded Roy G. Post Scholarship for research on removing radioactive substances from the body
Jason Ross has been honored for his work on the German-French ActiDecorp project, developing novel active substances to remove radioactive actinides from the human body. The project aims to address a growing risk of contamination through accidents or occupational exposure.
Biochar type shapes how water moves through phosphorus rich vegetable soils
Two types of biochar, rice husk and palm silk, influence water infiltration and leakage in phosphorus-enriched vegetable soils. Biochar slows water movement, reducing phosphorus leaching and improving water retention for crops.
Online forum to explore how organic carbon amendments can improve soil health while storing carbon
The 22nd Carbon Research International Forum will examine the benefits of organic carbon amendments for improving soil health and sequestrating carbon in agricultural systems. Researchers will discuss recent approaches to managing organic carbon inputs in soils to support both productivity and climate outcomes.
Modified biochar helps compost retain nitrogen and build richer soil organic matter
Researchers designed modified biochars with phosphorus and magnesium to improve compost quality by retaining nitrogen and accelerating humification. The study found that these materials reduced ammonia emissions and promoted microbial activity, resulting in higher nitrogen retention and improved soil fertility.
New technology could use sunlight to break down ‘forever chemicals’
Scientists have developed a new catalyst that uses sunlight to break down polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of water-repellent chemicals linked to increased cancer risk. The technology could be scaled up for detection or removal from the environment and human body.
Engineered biochar could unlock more effective and scalable solutions for soil and water pollution
A new review highlights how engineering biochar with magnetic and mineral modifications can expand its environmental applications while overcoming practical limitations. Engineered biochars combine adsorption with reactive processes to trap pollutants, transform or degrade them, reducing the risk of secondary contamination.
Water: the unlikely hero in creating next-generation green hydrophobic materials for environmental cleanup
A new mechanochemical approach uses water as a catalyst to transform renewable resources into high-performance porous materials capable of capturing CO2 while removing pollutants. The method produces carbon-negative materials with exceptional hydrophobic characteristics and scalable production.
Iron, carbon, and the art of toxic cleanup
Researchers at Tongji University identified ferrihydrite as the mineral that effectively traps chromium while storing organic carbon. The study's findings provide a new blueprint for environmental remediation using nature-based solutions to clean up contaminated mine soils and fight climate change.
Seashells and coconut char: A coastal recipe for super-compost
A study published in Carbon Research reveals that a unique Ca-modified biochar can act as a powerful catalyst for the composting process, transforming pig manure and rice straw into stable, nutrient-rich humus. The innovation helps improve waste management in tropical regions, reducing nitrogen loss and environmental footprint.
Lehigh University professor Israel E. Wachs elected to National Academy of Engineering
Wachs was recognized for his work on mixed oxide catalysts that guide the rational design of solid catalysts for air pollution remediation, sustainable energy, fuels, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. His election to the NAE honors his contributions to chemical engineering and the modern field of operando molecular spectroscopy.
Making hydrogen fuel cells ‘less precious’
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have found ways to stabilize ubiquitous iron components for use in fuel cells, replacing expensive platinum metals. This innovation aims to lower costs for fuel-cell vehicles and other niche applications, enabling widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel-cell technology.
CFC replacements behind hundreds of thousands of tonnes of global ‘forever chemical’ pollution
A new study reveals that CFC replacement chemicals and anaesthetics are behind a third of a million tonnes of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) being deposited from the atmosphere across the Earth's surface between 2000 and 2022. TFA production is expected to continue growing, posing environmental concerns.
Scientists uncover how biochar microzones help protect crops from toxic cadmium
A new study reveals that biochar can create microenvironments that significantly reduce cadmium contamination in crops. By forming a distinct zone known as the 'charosphere,' biochar limits the mobility of toxic heavy metals like cadmium, resulting in reduced cadmium levels and improved crop safety.
Shrinking shellfish? FAU study uncovers acidic water risks in Indian River lagoon
A new FAU study uncovers the impact of acidic water on shell-building marine organisms, highlighting the need for strategies to mitigate coastal acidification. The research found that nutrient pollution, freshwater input, and other environmental factors contribute to reduced aragonite saturation.
From biocidal coatings to medicines: A nanocomposite sting for microorganisms
The B-STING silica nanocomposite acts as a nanofactory of reactive oxygen species, activating itself in response to changes in the chemical environment. This material can be used to create biocidal coatings that are safe, durable, and resistant to dirt, with potential applications in medicine and other industries.
York U study finds forever chemical plumets in urban atmosphere during pandemic
Researchers found significant decline of atmospheric trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in Toronto during COVID-19, suggesting its sources and enabling future reduction strategies. The decrease is attributed to short-lived chemical precursors emitted into the atmosphere, offering new hope for mitigating this persistent pollutant.