Environmental Chemistry

Eco-friendly ionic liquid halves energy use in industrial chemical separation

A Chinese research team has proposed a novel approach to separate dimethyl carbonate from methanol using a tailor-made ionic liquid and heat pump-assisted distillation. The method significantly reduces energy consumption and costs compared to traditional methods, making it an attractive solution for the chemical industry.

Ceramic vessels reveal how social inequalities were also cooked into 19th-century Brazil

A study analyzing over 180 ceramic vessels from southern Brazil reveals differences in diet among Indigenous, African, and European communities. Marine resources were more prevalent among Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities, while German immigrants relied on plant-based products.

From CO₂, a new way to make chemistry more sustainable

A new method for the controlled cleavage of carbon-carbon double bonds in alkenes has been developed using CO₂ as an oxygen donor and visible light. This process replaces traditional oxidising substances with a safer and more sustainable approach, yielding ketones and carboxylic acids.

Removing ‘forever chemicals’ from farmlands — at a fraction of the cost

A Yale-led team developed a new process for removing PFAS from agricultural land at a fraction of the current remediation costs. The approach involves spreading crushed rock, which accelerates PFOS removal via plant growth, followed by biochar generation to destroy both PFAS chemicals.

Nanoplastics found in Antarctic soils for the first time

Researchers at Lancaster University have discovered nanoplastics in remote soils of Antarctica, raising concerns about plastic pollution's global reach. The finding highlights the urgent need for reduced plastic emissions and improved waste management practices.

New integrated framework bridges aquatic and terrestrial ecological risk assessment for lake conservation

A new 'Hydrology–Environment–Ecology' framework bridges aquatic and terrestrial ecological risk assessment for lake conservation. The framework reveals significant increasing trends in both aquatic and terrestrial ecological risks from 2000 to 2019, with habitat quality identified as the key risk indicator.

Air pollution mixtures may pose hidden risks during pregnancy

Exposure to even moderate levels of multiple air pollutants during critical stages of pregnancy may increase the risk of preterm birth. The study found that a mixture of ozone and fine particulate matter posed the strongest relationship to early preterm birth.

NEW Community debuts at Goldschmidt 2026: An open scholarly community connecting artificial intelligence, environmental science, and geochemical research

NEW Community facilitated international outreach and scholarly exchange during Goldschmidt 2026, focusing on artificial intelligence, environmental science, and sustainability. The platform presented its potential role in interdisciplinary collaboration and open scholarly communication.

AI helps close critical data gaps on thousands of chemicals used in plastics

Researchers developed an AI framework that extracts and organizes large amounts of information about plastic chemicals from text and images. The system achieved high accuracy and completeness in extracted data, identifying 2,144 chemicals with persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity characteristics.

New solutions to the PFAS problem

Scientists at HZDR have developed two new processes to degrade PFAS: one uses hydrodynamic cavitation and the other employs cold atmospheric plasma. These methods show promise for reducing PFAS release into water bodies, a significant step towards securing Germany's drinking water supply.

Ru/BaSiN2:O: an air-stable catalyst powered by floating electrons

Researchers develop air-stable surface electrene, BaSiN2:O, with ultralow work function and freely floating electrons. This material catalyzes ammonia synthesis under mild conditions, overcoming previous air instability limitations.

Low carbon dioxide levels improve microbial production of biodegradable plastic

Reducing carbon dioxide concentration improves microbial production of biodegradable plastic, such as poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutyrate]. Lower CO2 levels trigger adaptive cellular responses that enhance carbon utilization efficiency.

From diagnosis to prediction: a cross-scale intelligence framework redefines how we assess aquatic ecosystem health

A new review article proposes a gene-to-landscape framework to assess aquatic ecosystem health, predicting collapse and tipping points. The framework spans four interconnected scales, integrating molecular signals and landscape stability for early warning systems.

New knowledge synthesis for policy: Ecological characterization of peatlands and coastal lagoons in Europe

The report provides an ecological characterisation of two contrasting habitat groups: inland peat-forming wetlands and coastal lagoons. Hydrology is identified as the dominant control on ecosystem functioning, with a persistently high water table sustaining anoxic conditions in peatlands.

Chitosan-enhanced biochar could help keep arsenic out of rice

Researchers found that chitosan-functionalized biochar reduced plant-available arsenic by 21.1% and lowered arsenic concentrations in rice grains by 43.1%. The modified biochar continued to reduce arsenic accumulation after six months of natural aging, supporting healthier root development.

New electrochemical device targets climate change by sucking CO2 out of air

A new collaborative study has developed an electrochemical device that can pull carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere using electricity and water-based chemistry, addressing the planet's excess CO2 problem. The technology is designed to reduce new emissions and remove CO2 that has already accumulated in the atmosphere.

Biochar’s hidden chemistry may help protect soil carbon, but the effect depends on soil type

New research reveals biochar's reactive chemistry can slow soil organic carbon decomposition by suppressing enzymes, particularly in acidic soils. The protective effect varies among different soils, with some biochars increasing carbon dioxide emissions.

Decolorization does not necessarily mean detoxification: RB5 degradation can increase toxicity

Researchers found that anaerobic decolorization of RB5 dye by Clostridium sp. strain T4 increased acute toxicity, despite efficient color removal. The study highlights the importance of integrating subsequent aerobic or oxidative treatment to achieve further detoxification in azo dye-containing wastewater management systems.

Soil nitrogen levels determine how biochar helps store carbon, global study finds

A global analysis of 932 observations shows that biochar delivers stronger carbon gains in nitrogen-poor soils and follows different carbon storage pathways depending on soil fertility. Biochar effectiveness varies greatly from one field to another, with the amount of nitrogen already present in soil controlling how much carbon it stores.

Machine learning calibration of biosensors for microcystin toxin monitoring in freshwater

Researchers developed a machine learning framework to account for water quality differences, enabling accurate MC-LR measurements without repeated calibration. The model achieved a Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency of 0.89 and improved analytical efficiency while reducing time, labor, and sensor consumption.

Green manure and biochar help farmers cut nitrogen use while rebuilding soil health

A new study published in Biochar shows that combining green manure with biochar can improve soil quality, support maize yield, and reduce dependence on nitrogen fertilizer. The research found that soil microbial diversity emerged as a central driver of improved soil quality.

Biochar “switches on” natural oxygen chemistry to suppress soil-borne pathogens and reshape healthier microbial communities

A new study reveals how biochar can directly suppress destructive soil-borne pathogens like Ralstonia solanacearum, while helping rebuild a richer and more stable soil bacterial community. Biochar's reactive oxygen species profile changes with pyrolysis temperature, making it a powerful tool for precision agriculture.

Public invited to online Forum on Biochar Research exploring 30 years of progress in soil, crops and climate solutions

The online forum will synthesize evidence from 30 years of biochar research on its interactions with soil and plants. Biochar can increase phosphorus availability, reduce plant uptake of heavy metals, build soil organic carbon, lower non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions and improve crop yields.

Survival comes at a price: Mizzou study links salt adaptation to increased risk of disease

Researchers found that wood frogs' adaptation to salty water increases their vulnerability to ranavirus, a common and fatal disease. The study highlights the hidden costs of survival in wildlife under environmental stress.

Turning agricultural waste into a sunlight-driven tool for microplastic cleanup

Researchers developed a waste-to-resource strategy using agricultural biomass to break down polyethylene microplastics. Walnut shell-derived biochar improved the photodegradation of TiO2, reducing microplastic particles by 70 micrometers in 40 hours.

Researchers are unraveling the building blocks of Earth’s pigments

A new study reveals common properties of eumelanin and natural organic matter, two substances responsible for Earth's pigments. The research could lead to more efficient solar power cells, longer-lasting batteries, and electronics.

Liquid biochar fertilizer could help farmers grow more with fewer nutrient losses

A new study shows that liquid biochar mineral complex fertilizers can substantially improve pasture yield, nutrient balance and farm-level economic returns. The nitrogen-enriched formulation delivered the strongest performance, increasing pasture yield by 42.20 t ha⁻¹.

New biochar composite offers a two-in-one strategy for safer rice and lower methane emissions

A new study published in Biochar reports a promising approach to address food safety and climate challenges at the same time. A titanium dioxide-loaded biochar material reduces arsenic mobilization and methane emissions in flooded paddy soil, offering a two-in-one strategy for safer rice and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Fungi help biochar and compost lock more carbon in nutrient-poor urban soils

A new study found that soil fungi play a key role in supporting carbon retention and improving fertility in nutrient-poor urban soils. Biochar and compost increased soil carbon and nitrogen storage most strongly in these soils, with amendment effects up to 14.4 times greater than those observed in nutrient-rich soils.

Two types of biochar help alfalfa survive salty soils in different ways

Researchers found that acid-modified and alkaline biochars helped reduce stress from saline-alkali soil, improving soil conditions and supporting alfalfa performance. Alkaline biochar promoted biomass growth, while acid-modified biochar improved soil chemistry and root defense in highly alkaline soils.

Biochar and beneficial microbes team up to restore polluted soils and boost crop growth

A new review highlights the potential of biochar-immobilized microbes (BIMs) to improve soil quality, increase crop yields, and remediate pollutants. BIMs have shown strong potential to support sustainable agriculture by enhancing nutrient cycling, root development, stress tolerance, and pathogen suppression.

Biochar can reshape how soils respond to warming, but the effect depends on the soil

A new study found that biochar can lower the temperature sensitivity of nitrous oxide emissions in agricultural soil but increase it in forest soil. Researchers tested different soils and biochar treatments and found that temperature was the dominant driver of nitrous oxide emissions, while biochar acted as a secondary modulator.

Carbon Research reaches new high in Scopus CiteScore rankings

Carbon Research has achieved a new milestone with a 2025 CiteScore Tracker of 19.2, reflecting growing visibility and citation performance. The journal focuses on carbonaceous materials, renewable energy, and greenhouse gases, publishing high-quality research for climate change, sustainable energy, and environmental remediation.

Biochar and beneficial fungi work together to restore soils damaged by coal mining

A three-year field study shows that pairing biochar with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can improve soil health, nutrient supply, microbial diversity, and maize productivity. The treatment also increased soil water content, porosity, organic carbon, available phosphorus, and enzyme activity.

Straw and biochar work together to reshape the molecular “architecture” of soil organic matter

A new study reveals how combining crop straw with biochar may help soils build humic substances that are both chemically active and structurally persistent. The research found that straw and biochar do more than just add carbon to soil, reorganizing the molecular building blocks of humic acid.

Carbon ratios in concrete can improve carbon accounting

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have discovered a method to quantify CO2 absorbed by cementitious materials and its atmospheric contamination using carbon isotope measurements. This breakthrough aims to improve carbon accounting and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in concrete production.

Long-term biochar use can help cropland soils store more microbial carbon, but depth matters

Long-term biochar study reveals that topsoil benefits from biochar's effect on microbial necromass carbon, with significant increase in fungal necromass carbon. In contrast, subsoil shows reduced microbial necromass carbon due to lower nitrogen availability and increased microbial nutrient mining.

Continuous biochar use helps rice fields cut methane emissions over the long term

A new five-year field study suggests that pairing annual biochar amendment with water-saving irrigation can reduce methane emissions from paddy fields. Continuous biochar use maintained and strengthened methane mitigation over time, while a one-time application's effect weakened.

Saltier soils may help biochar last longer, new study finds

Researchers found that higher soil salinity can slow biochar's aging process, preserving its carbon content and reducing microbial activity. This study provides new insights for sustainable management of saline farmland and highlights the importance of microorganisms in shaping biochar's environmental functions.

Biochar could help make tea farming cleaner, safer, and more climate resilient

Biochar can restore acidic tea soils, reduce toxic metal uptake, and support climate-smart cultivation. It also improves fertilizer use efficiency, supports biochemical pathways linked to tea quality, and reduces heavy metal exposure risks for consumers.

Not all biochar is equal: New perspective calls for clearer claims in carbon removal and soil health

Researchers argue that biochar's long-term carbon storage potential and its soil improvement benefits should not be conflated. The authors call for a 'designer biochar' approach, tailoring products to specific end uses rather than marketing them as universally beneficial.

Hydrochar turns agricultural waste into a powerful tool for healthier, carbon-rich soils

Researchers found that hydrochar improves soil structure while increasing soil organic carbon, with different feedstocks showing varying benefits. The study suggests hydrochar could become a customizable amendment for climate-smart soil management.

Turning microalgae waste into high-performance membranes for cleaner municipal wastewater

Researchers developed amine-functionalized biochar/cellulose acetate hybrid membranes using microalgae biomass, improving water filtration and reducing foulant adhesion. The modified membranes achieved a water flux of 169.1 L m⁻² h⁻¹ and 64.1% removal of natural organic matter.

Hidden carbon cost of urban construction: excavated soils may be an overlooked source of greenhouse gases

A new study found that excavated urban soils in South Korea emit measurable amounts of CO2 and CH4, highlighting a previously overlooked climate cost. Researchers suggest simple practices like soil capping and biochar amendment could be integrated into construction workflows to mitigate these emissions.

Climate change weakens the purification function of lakes

A new study found that climate change can weaken the natural purification process in lakes, removing excess nitrogen from the water. This could have severe consequences for coastal marine ecosystems, including algal blooms and oxygen depletion.

Weathering changes the long-term role of biochar in soil carbon storage and pollution control

A new review highlights how biochar weathers over time, affecting its benefits and risks in soil health, carbon sequestration, and pollution control. Weathered biochar can improve nutrient retention and metal binding but also fragment and reduce long-term carbon storage potential.

Machine learning helps farmers use biochar more precisely to manage soil phosphorus

A new study uses machine learning to predict how pristine biochar affects soil phosphorus availability under different conditions. The model identifies key factors such as pyrolysis temperature and application rate that influence phosphorus regulation, suggesting a more precise approach to biochar use.

Thames microplastics research targets policy reform

A new study by University of East London researchers aims to gather data on microplastic contamination across the Thames, combining new sampling with existing datasets. The findings could inform discussions around wastewater management, river protection, and plastic pollution policy.

SwRI expands ISO 14001:2015 environmental management certification

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has expanded its ISO 14001:2015 environmental management certification to include multiple research areas. The internationally recognized standard supports proactive systems to reduce emissions and protect the environment, giving clients peace of mind about SwRI's commitment to stewardship.

WashU expert: Scaling up the circular economy

Iron minerals help decide whether dissolved organic matter becomes microbial food or long-term carbon

A new explanation for 'Snowball Earth'

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.

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.

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.