Environmental Chemistry

Environmental Chemistry publishes papers reporting chemistry that enhances our understanding of the natural and engineered environment (including indoor and outdoor air, water, soil, sediments, and biota). Read more about the journal

Editor-in-Chief: Jamie Lead

Publishing Model: Hybrid. Open Access options available.

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Latest

These articles are the latest published in the journal. Environmental Chemistry has moved to a continuous publication model. More information is available on our Continuous Publication page.

Published online 18 September 2024

EN24030Diversity of ammonia sources in Tianjin: nitrogen isotope analyses and simulations of aerosol ammonium

Libin Wu

, Yiwen Zhang, Yunting Xiao, Jialei Zhu, Zongbo Shi

, Yuantao Wang, Hong Xu, Wei Hu, Junjun Deng, Miao Tang and Pingqing Fu

A photograph of Jingang Bridge with the Tianjin Eye behind, shrouded in air pollution.

Environmental context. Atmospheric particulate NH₄⁺, primarily produced from the reaction of NH₃ and acids, is an important component of PM_2.5. In this study, nitrogen stable isotope analyses and an atmospheric chemistry model were used to estimate the contribution of major NH₃ sources to particulate NH₄⁺ in Tianjin, a megacity in North China Plain (NCP). Our research has implications for investigations of NH₃ emission sources and relevant pollution control in Tianjin and NCP. Photograph by Libin Wu.

This article belongs to the collection Dedication to Roy Harrison.

Published online 13 September 2024

EN24042Photolysis characteristics and influencing factors of the pesticide pyrimethanil in natural waters

Jiayun Zhao, Hui Liu

, Zhiwen Li, Xiaomei Zhu and Bing Sun

Image depicting photodegradation of pesticide in aqueous environments and graph of increasing degradation with time.

Environmental context. The widespread use of pesticides leads to a large amount of residues in natural waters where photochemical degradation is the main removal process. The factors influencing the photodegradation of pyrimethanil were investigated in different aqueous matrixes, and a chlorinated product was found in saline water, indicating a higher ecological risk of residual pyrimethanil in estuarine and nearshore water than in fresh water. A better understanding of the natural degradation mechanisms for pesticides will inform their safer use in agriculture. (Image credit: Jiayun Zhao.)

Published online 02 September 2024

EN24031Methods and current developments of the Solvay process for brine management and CO₂ capture: a critical review

Zohreh Rahimi-Ahar

and Abbas Ghareghashi

Stylised picture of a factory releasing CO2 underneath a reactor schematic for the Solvay process.

Environmental context. This manuscript focuses on the introduction of the conventional and modified Solvay processes. The Solvay process is used to produce sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate, while also providing brine management and CO₂ capture. Optimal values must be used for reactant contents, temperature, salinity of the brine and stirring rate to enhance efficiency. (Image of the schematic diagram reproduced from Mourad et al. 2021 with permission.)

Published online 27 August 2024

EN24011Quantification of palladium-labelled nanoplastics algal uptake by single cell and single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Elizabeth C. Bair

, Zhangzhen Guo, Tammi L. Richardson

and Jamie R. Lead

Schematic of Pd@polymer nanoplastics in solution phase and cell samples after exposure.

Environmental context. Plastic pollution is widespread and continues to be a major concern, both for the environment and human health. Identifying nanoplastics is challenging but it is important to understand how they behave once in the environment. It is shown that a combination of single particle (SP)– and single cell (SC)–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) can be used to quantify nanoplastics on a per cell basis after exposure to algal cells. (Image credit: E. C. Bair.)

EN24011 Abstract | EN24011 Full Text | EN24011PDF (1 MB) | EN24011Supplementary Material (799 KB)

Published online 26 July 2024

EN23111Testing of the bioremediation on model substrates for complex refinery contaminants arising from accidental or deliberate facility damage

Tanja Jednak Beric

, Miroslav M. Vrvic, Marija Lješevic, Jelena Avdalovic, Mila Ilic, Dragan Crnkovic, Branimir Jovancicevic and Srdan Miletic

Environmental context. Mitigating the environmental fallout of industrial accidents is crucial. In a recent study, researchers conducted tests on model substrates to explore the effectiveness of bioremediation in treating complex refinery contaminants resulting from both accidental and deliberate facility damage. The research reveals that bioremediation can be a promising, eco-friendly solution for cleaning up such pollutants, aligning with broader efforts to combat environmental harm resulting from industrial incidents.

Published online 02 July 2024

EN24021A critical assessment of physicochemical indices used to characterise natural dissolved organic carbon (DOC), their inter-relationships, and the effects of pH

Carolyn Morris

, Samantha Zulian, Colin J. Brauner

, Chris M. Wood

and D. Scott Smith

Diagram of samples at differing pH showing trends in colour, lipophilicity, aromaticity and charge.

Environmental context. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is ubiquitous in freshwater and concentrations are rising universally while pH is decreasing with climate change. This study demonstrates the interrelationships among DOC characterisation techniques and the pH-sensitive aspects of these techniques that were previously not well understood. As DOC regulates important processes within ecosystems, understanding DOC behaviour at altered pH and identifying techniques to effectively evaluate DOC composition are critical requirements for monitoring aquatic ecosystem health. (Image credit: Carolyn Morris.)

Published online 28 June 2024

EN24024A comprehensive analysis of water-soluble arsenicals in Icelandic macroalgae

Rebecca Sim

and Ásta H. Pétursdóttir

Photograph of several seaweed species superimposed by structures of common water-soluble arsenic compounds.

Environmental context. Seaweeds are known to accumulate high levels of arsenic, and cellular concentrations may reach several orders of magnitude higher than that of the surrounding environment. Arsenic may be methylated by seaweed cells and further metabolised to water-soluble arsenic-containing sugars through unknown pathways. Whether these compounds are the result of a detoxification process or are produced with a biological purpose remains to be seen. (Image credit: Rebecca Sim.)

Published online 18 June 2024

EN23105Developing a modern approach to assess ecological risk from pesticides without unnecessary vertebrate animal testing

David A. Dreier

, Christian Picard, Kent Kabler, Natalia Ryan, Haitian Lu, Odette Alexander-Watkins, John Abbott, Richard A. Currie

, Douglas C. Wolf

and Tharacad Ramanarayanan

Environmental context. Pesticides are critical to agriculture and food production but require ecological risk assessments. Although most risk assessments require data from vertebrate animal testing, we have developed an approach to assess risk to fish, birds and mammals using other means. This approach could help to ensure protection of the environment while minimising animal testing.

This article belongs to the collection NAMs in Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology.

Published online 18 June 2024

EN23117Potential for atmospheric acid processing of mineral dust to supply bioavailable trace metals to the oceans

Anthony Stockdale

and Michael D. Krom

Environmental context. Mineral dust is an important external source of trace metals to the offshore ocean. Dust exposure to acids is a significant driver of the release of dissolved trace elements. This study provides an analysis of mineral dust interaction with acid, as a proxy for atmospheric processes. An insight is given into the processes that may occur in the atmosphere where desert dust may add nutrient or toxic metals to oceans.

This article belongs to the collection Dedication to Prof. Edward Tipping.

EN23117 Abstract | EN23117 Full Text | EN23117PDF (1.3 MB)

Published online 06 May 2024

EN23106Characteristics, potential sources and interaction of carbonaceous components in PM_2.5 in two adjacent areas in Shanxi, China

Xiaofeng Liu

, Xin Tan, Xinyang Li, Xuan Li, Yuhuan Cheng and Kun Wang

Environmental context. Carbonaceous components in PM_2.5 have a negative effect on the environment, human health and climate. We explored the pollution characteristic, potential sources and interaction of carbonous aerosols in two adjacent areas in Shanxi, China. The concentration levels of organic carbon and elemental carbon were of a moderate level of all those measured between 2009 and 2020. Vehicle exhaust and coal combustion were the two main sources, and Yuci may be affected by the regional transport of Taiyuan in winter.

Published online 10 April 2024

EN23108Size evolution of Eu^III–fulvic acid complexes with pH, metal, and fulvic acid concentrations: implications for modelling of metal–humic substances interactions

Yasmine Kouhail

, Pascal E. Reiller

, Laurent Vio and Marc F. Benedetti

Environmental context. This study investigates how rare earth elements (REEs), such as europium (Eu), bind to organic matter. We are also gaining valuable insights into how these elements affect the structure of the organic matter that controls their mobility in natural systems, helping us to better understand the broader processes that govern the behaviour of trace metals in the environment.

This article belongs to the collection Dedication to Prof. Edward Tipping.

Published online 28 March 2024

EN23116Distribution, speciation, mobility and ecological risk of potentially toxic elements in dust and PM_2.5 from abandoned mining areas

Zhaoying Shen, Hong Huang, Yujie Jiang, Yuan Tang, Changwei Zou

, Jianlong Li, Chenglong Yu and Fangxu Zhu

Environmental context. Dust is a heterogeneous material deposited on the ground surface and is a source and sink for potentially toxic elements (PTEs) originating from the air and soil. Tracking the distribution and effects of PTEs in an abandoned mining area is critical as few studies have quantified the speciation and bioavailability of PTEs contained in dust and PM_2.5. In this paper, we track the distribution of PTEs in an abandoned mining area, quantifying the mobility of PTEs using the speciation of PTEs in dust and PM_2.5 and quantitatively assess the environmental and ecological risks of PTE in a mining area.

More content

Quantification of palladium-labelled nanoplastics algal uptake by single cell and single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Environmental Chemistry 21 (5)

Elizabeth C. Bair , Zhangzhen Guo, Tammi L. Richardson , Jamie R. Lead
Effect of wetting and drying processes on ultramafic and mafic tailing minerals amended with topsoil

Environmental Chemistry 21 (2)

Lewis Fausak , Anne Joseph , Ana C. Reinesch , Skylar Kylstra , Fernanda Diaz Osorio , Autumn Watkinson , Les Lavkulich
Potential for atmospheric acid processing of mineral dust to supply bioavailable trace metals to the oceans

Environmental Chemistry 21 (3)

Anthony Stockdale , Michael D. Krom
Natural cobalt–manganese oxide nanoparticles: speciation, detection and implications for cobalt cycling

Environmental Chemistry 21 (2)

Owen P. Missen , Stuart J. Mills, Thebny Thaise Moro, E. Eduardo Villalobos-Portillo , Hiram Castillo-Michel, Thomas E. Lockwood , Raquel Gonzalez de Vega, David Clases
Effects of arsenite and dimethylarsenic on the growth and health of hydroponically grown commercial Doongara rice

Environmental Chemistry 21 (2)

Hayden P. Martin, William A. Maher , Peter Snell, Kim J. Philpot, Michael J. Ellwood
A comparison of characterisation and modelling approaches to predict dissolved metal concentrations in soils

Environmental Chemistry 21 (1)

Judith M. Garforth, Andrew M. Tye, Scott D. Young, Elizabeth H. Bailey, Stephen Lofts
Diversity of ammonia sources in Tianjin: nitrogen isotope analyses and simulations of aerosol ammonium

Environmental Chemistry 21 (6)

Libin Wu , Yiwen Zhang, Yunting Xiao, Jialei Zhu, Zongbo Shi , Yuantao Wang, Hong Xu, Wei Hu, Junjun Deng, Miao Tang, Pingqing Fu
Response surface optimised photocatalytic degradation and quantitation of repurposed COVID-19 antibiotic pollutants in wastewaters; towards greenness and whiteness perspectives

Environmental Chemistry 20 (6)

Heba T. Elbalkiny, Ola M. El-Borady, Sarah S. Saleh , Christine M. El-Maraghy
Methods and current developments of the Solvay process for brine management and CO₂ capture: a critical review

Environmental Chemistry 21 (6)

Zohreh Rahimi-Ahar , Abbas Ghareghashi
A comprehensive analysis of water-soluble arsenicals in Icelandic macroalgae

Environmental Chemistry 21 (4)

Rebecca Sim , Ásta H. Pétursdóttir
A critical assessment of physicochemical indices used to characterise natural dissolved organic carbon (DOC), their inter-relationships, and the effects of pH

Environmental Chemistry 21 (4)

Carolyn Morris , Samantha Zulian, Colin J. Brauner , Chris M. Wood , D. Scott Smith
Characterisation of organic carbon distribution and turnover by stable carbon isotopes in major types of soils in China

Environmental Chemistry 20 (7)

Danyang Meng, Yang Shao, Min Luo, Hangxin Cheng, Zhiming Liu, Diandou Xu, Lingling Ma
Developing a modern approach to assess ecological risk from pesticides without unnecessary vertebrate animal testing

Environmental Chemistry 21 (3)

David A. Dreier , Christian Picard, Kent Kabler, Natalia Ryan, Haitian Lu, Odette Alexander-Watkins, John Abbott, Richard A. Currie , Douglas C. Wolf , Tharacad Ramanarayanan
Occurrence, spatial distribution, risk assessment, and management of environmental estrogens in surface waters of the Taihu basin

Environmental Chemistry 20 (8)

Minhao Wang, Hongran Ding, Guiyu Liang, Xueyin Wang, Luyue Yang, Ting Tong, Dongling Li, Xiao Zhou, Haifei Zhang, Fang Wang, Xiaowei Tie, Lei Han
Molecular composition and the impact of fuel moisture content on fresh primary organic aerosol emissions during laboratory combustion of ponderosa pine needles

Environmental Chemistry 20 (8)

Mohammed Jaoui , Shawn P. Urbanski, Russell W. Long , Matthew S. Landis
Exploration of changes in the chemical composition of sedimentary organic matter and the underlying processes during biodegradation through advanced analytical techniques

Environmental Chemistry 20 (5)

Morgane Derrien , Laurent Jeanneau , Emilie Jardé, Jin Hur, Sunghwan Kim
Testing of the bioremediation on model substrates for complex refinery contaminants arising from accidental or deliberate facility damage

Environmental Chemistry 21 (5)

Tanja Jednak Beric , Miroslav M. Vrvic, Marija Lješevic, Jelena Avdalovic, Mila Ilic, Dragan Crnkovic, Branimir Jovancicevic, Srdan Miletic
Distribution, speciation, mobility and ecological risk of potentially toxic elements in dust and PM_2.5 from abandoned mining areas

Environmental Chemistry 21 (2)

Zhaoying Shen, Hong Huang, Yujie Jiang, Yuan Tang, Changwei Zou , Jianlong Li, Chenglong Yu, Fangxu Zhu
Photolysis characteristics and influencing factors of adenosine 5′-monophosphate in seawater

Environmental Chemistry 20 (7)

Xiao-Yan Cao , Min Liu, Ling Li, Gui-Peng Yang
Characterising earth scent

Environmental Chemistry 20 (5)

Ryan R. Busby , Morgan W. Conrady, Kyoo D. Jo, Donald M. Cropek

Collections

Collections are a curation of articles relevant to a topical research area

Dedication to Prof. Edward Tipping

This collection brings together a series of papers dedicated to Prof. Edward Tipping.

Last Updated: 19 Sep 2024

Dedication to Roy Harrison

This collection brings together a series of papers dedicated to Prof. Roy Harrison.

Last Updated: 18 Sep 2024

NAMs in Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology

This collection brings together papers on new approach methodologies (NAMs) that focus on translational NAM advances and their application within an environmental context.

Last Updated: 24 Jun 2024

Element Biogeochemistry and Human Health

In keeping with the ICOBTE 2019 conference theme, 'Biogeochemistry of trace elements for improved environmental sustainability and human health', we are pleased to present this collection containing a selection of recently published papers focusing on various aspects of trace element biogeochemistry and human health.

Last Updated: 03 Apr 2019

Organosulfates in the Atmosphere

This collection of Environmental Chemistry brings together papers reporting the detection and quantification of organosulfates in various atmospheric environments across the world, and thereby produces new insights into the atmospheric chemistry of organosulfates.

Last Updated: 21 Mar 2019