Articles tagged with Environmental Chemistry
A new robotic system recreates the deep-sea environment, allowing scientists to study microorganisms that thrive in extreme conditions. The technology enables the growth and isolation of previously inaccessible microbes, holding promise for breakthroughs in fields like energy, materials, and biotechnology.
Scientists have uncovered the mechanisms behind wood shrinkage when turned into biochar, revealing the importance of wood chemistry and natural minerals in controlling this process. The study found that different wood species and chemical treatments influence the shrinkage behavior, which can impact the performance of biochar in enviro...
A new study analyzed over 180 million water measurements from the French long-term monitoring program
A new study reveals sharp declines in PFOS and PFOA emissions in China, with emissions falling by 89% and 99% respectively, but hotspots persist in the Bohai Rim, Yangtze River Delta, and Pearl River Delta.
Researchers developed biochar-based amendments to reduce cadmium accumulation and increase selenium levels in rice grains, offering a sustainable solution for farming in naturally metal-rich regions. The approach increased selenium mobility and availability while immobilizing cadmium, improving rice yields and nutritional quality.
A UC Riverside study found that wastewater chemicals from the Tijuana River can travel 20 miles into the air, affecting San Diego's air quality. The research suggests that the ocean acts as a storage and transportation system, preserving pollutants and allowing them to become airborne much farther from their original source.
Researchers at Ohio State University have identified a new path for more efficient methanol manufacturing using sustainable resources. The study reveals that the speed of catalyst binding to carbon monoxide molecules is a crucial factor in determining the reaction's efficiency.
Researchers measured significant amounts of microplastics in Sierra snowfall, with 270-3,200 plastic particles per square meter deposited per day. The study found polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyester/PET, as well as cellulose derivatives, in the snowpack, suggesting the reach of everyday plastic use far beyond products themselves.
Researchers at FAU's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute will investigate environmental and biological mechanisms driving harmful algal blooms in subtropical estuaries. The project aims to refine predictive models to mitigate blooms in other estuaries, with potential economic benefits of $28.3 billion.
Researchers discovered that adding manganese to biochar strengthens a natural microbial process, boosting nitrogen-conserving microbes and reducing nitrous oxide emissions. Manganese-loaded biochar increased a key nitrogen-conserving process by 2.9 times, reducing emissions by 89%.
Researchers at the University of Vienna have developed molecular sponges from various types of plastic waste, which can capture significant amounts of moisture from the air. These sponges can hold large quantities of water and release it again under moderate heating, offering promise as a decentralized water source.
Researchers detected trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in 91% of NJ tap water samples and 80% of bottled beverages, with higher concentrations in sports drinks and electrolyte waters. The study highlights a gap in conventional PFAS monitoring and suggests that ingredients or manufacturing processes may contribute to contamination.
Chemical Insights will share research on chemical and exposure safety at the ISES Annual Meeting, highlighting impacts on human health. The symposium will feature five presentations, one workshop, and six poster sessions on chemical emissions and exposure safety.
Researchers have developed a biochar catalyst that can actively break down antibiotics, achieving high removal efficiency in wastewater treatment. By controlling the nitrogen-to-boron ratio, the material's surface structure and active sites can be optimized for efficient degradation.
Researchers at Chonnam National University discovered a century-old solvent, dichloromethane, can efficiently synthesize amide bonds. The breakthrough method enables scalable and cost-effective amide synthesis, reducing waste and using benign byproducts.
Research found that small particles from activated carbon and biochar can transport particle-bound pollutants after filtration, affecting water treatment performance. Dissolved contaminants may be overlooked when particles are removed, leading to incomplete contaminant transport assessment.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a method to reduce nitrates into compounds that can be reused as fertilizer or recycled. The method uses an iron complex and hydrogen bonding to break down nitrate into nitric oxide and ammonia.
A new study found that long-term biochar amendment can reshape nitrogen cycling in deep alkaline paddy soils, promoting nitrogen retention. The effect of biochar on nitrogen cycling depends on soil depth, initial soil pH, biochar aging, and changes in available carbon.
A team at Rice University has developed a method to capture fluoride from environmental waste and recycle it into a useful reagent, silver fluoride. The process can recover 90% of the fluoride as silver fluoride, removing over 99.9% of the fluoride available in the PFAS.
Researchers found altered gene expression in wharf roach guts after consuming expanded polystyrene, but no significant impact on lifespan. The gut microbiome showed little change, but rare microbes were detected in EPS-fed specimens. This highlights the need to manage EPS waste carefully and prioritize coastal cleanup efforts.
A new study found that urban rivers in Beijing harbor the highest burden of antibiotic resistance genes, while receiving waters show stronger mobilization signals, indicating a high risk of resistance exchange. The study highlights the need for risk-oriented water management in megacities.
A closed-loop recycling system for spent cathode materials has been proposed, utilizing artificial intelligence to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions. The system uses precision recycling, enabling adaptive, data-informed decision-making throughout the battery life cycle.
Researchers found that 78% of children's toys in the El Paso-Ciudad Juárez region contain at least one toxic element, with nickel being the most common cause of allergic reactions. The study, led by the University of Texas at El Paso, highlights the need for harmonized safety standards and better labeling to protect children from poten...
Researchers have developed a custom liquid chromatography–isotope ratio mass spectrometry device capable of high-temperature, high-pressure combustion to analyze halogenated compounds. The method provides a new tool for source identification and fate analysis, contributing to effective management strategies.
Researchers have found that nano-biochar can rapidly transform silver ions into silver nanoparticles under alkaline conditions, with superoxide radicals playing a key role in the process. The study also showed that the structure of nano-biochar and pH conditions can control metal transformations in water.
A new review suggests that artificial intelligence could help scientists develop more precise and mechanism-guided biochar management strategies for acidic soils. Researchers should distinguish between organic and inorganic sources of alkalinity in biochar to improve predictive models.
Researchers found lead levels were 7 times higher near airports compared to other areas of Portland, with aviation fuel as the dominant source. The study highlights the need for soil testing to address lead exposure risks for children.
Microplastics have been found throughout a protected Florida wetland, with concentrations highest along waterways. The study reveals that water movement plays a crucial role in transporting and concentrating microplastics within the ecosystem.
A new study finds that rain falling through wildfire smoke can deliver unusually large bursts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to ecosystems in the United States. The nutrient pulses could become an increasingly important ecological consequence of fire as wildfires become more frequent.
Researchers found that natural gas drilling can lead to elevated radium content in local drinking water due to increased salt levels. This can pose serious health risks, including an increased risk of cancer. The study used private water wells and springs to collect samples and found a connection between drilling operations and radium ...
Irrigated mountain hayfields act as large filtration systems, reducing nutrient concentrations in runoff and improving water quality. This study found that voluntary adoption of best management practices can effectively mitigate the impacts of agricultural nutrient use in mountain meadow hay systems.
Wiley launches its first Spectral Analysis API portfolio, extending its gold-standard spectral data and analytical intelligence into modern API-driven environments. This enables labs and platforms to integrate high-quality spectral intelligence directly into their workflows, reducing manual effort and increasing analysis speed.
The new Wiley Registry/NIST Mass Spectral Library expands coverage to over 1.2 million spectra, enhancing the analysis of unknown chemical compounds in GC-MS workflows. This combined resource delivers high-confidence identification capabilities for leading laboratories worldwide.
A recent study reveals that marine microplastics can persist and leach chemicals from plastic additives even after fragmentation. Chemicals such as antioxidants, plasticizers, and flame retardants were detected in both microplastics and larger plastic debris collected around Japan.
Researchers at KAIST have developed a technology converting CO2 dissolved in seawater into calcium carbonate, enabling permanent storage and helping the ocean absorb more carbon dioxide. The system reduced electricity consumption by up to 54% and produced high-purity hydrogen and magnesium hydroxide.
Researchers found that polyethylene microplastics modify as they age in soil, but these changes have little effect on how they interact with various organic contaminants. The study suggests the soil itself, not the plastic, remains the main factor influencing the environmental fate of these chemicals.
A comparative review identifies how EU and US surface water monitoring architectures can strengthen surface water protection in China. The analysis suggests combining routine assessment with rapid diagnosis and long-term ecological observation to support precise and adaptive water governance.
A research team uses machine learning to regulate environmental processes, achieving precise and predictable remediation of polluted soil. This approach allows for the creation of high-performance charcoal-like substances from farm and forestry waste and polluted soil.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.