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Toxics
Special Issues
Environmental Transport and Transformation of Pollutants
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Environmental Transport and Transformation of Pollutants

A special issue of Toxics (ISSN 2305-6304). This special issue belongs to the section "Toxicity Reduction and Environmental Remediation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2025 | Viewed by 5103

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Xiaoxia Lu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
Interests: transport and transformation of pollutants; remediation of contaminated soil and ground-water; effects of pollutants on microorganisms; effects of pollutants on human beings
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The presence of various pollutants in the environment causes concern due to their potential adverse effects on the ecosystem and human beings. Pollutants such as heavy metals, chlorinated solvents, petroleum hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, per- and poly-fluorinated compounds, pesticides, antibiotics, micro- and nano-plastics, etc., may be transported and transformed in the environment, and these processes are influenced by many factors, such as the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the pollutants, the physio-chemical and biological properties of the matrix, and the environmental conditions. Understanding the environmental processes of pollutants as well as their effects helps to establish sound science-based regulations and develop effective management practices.

This Special Issue seeks papers on advanced research in the environmental processes of pollutants. Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1) Technologies for measurements of pollutants;

(2) Approaches to characterize environmental transport and transformation;

(3) Methods to predict and quantify environmental processes;

(4) Assessments of interactions between pollutants and the environmental matrix;

(5) Effects of transport and transformation of pollutants.

Dr. Xiaoxia Lu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Toxics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • pollutants
  • transport
  • transformation
  • effects
  • environmental processes

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 12366 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Adsorption of Cadmium by a Covalent Organic Framework-Modified Biochar in Aqueous Solution
by Yanwei Hou, Shanna Lin, Jiajun Fan, Youchi Zhang, Guohua Jing and Chao Cai
Toxics 2024, 12(10), 717; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12100717 - 30 Sep 2024
Viewed by 796
Abstract
In the environmental field, the advancement of new high-efficiency heavy metal adsorption materials remains a continuous research focus. A novel composite, covalent organic framework-modified biochar (RH-COF), was fabricated via an in-situ polymerization approach in this study. The COF-modified biochar was characterized by elemental [...] Read more.
In the environmental field, the advancement of new high-efficiency heavy metal adsorption materials remains a continuous research focus. A novel composite, covalent organic framework-modified biochar (RH-COF), was fabricated via an in-situ polymerization approach in this study. The COF-modified biochar was characterized by elemental analysis, BET analysis, SEM, FT-IR, and XPS. The nitrogen and oxygen content in the modified material increased significantly from 0.96% and 15.50% to 5.40% and 24.08%, respectively, indicating the addition of a substantial number of nitrogen- and oxygen-containing functional groups to the RH-COF surface, thereby enhancing its adsorption capacity for Cd from 4.20 mg g−1 to 58.62 mg g−1, representing an approximately fourteen-fold increase. Both the pseudo-second-order model and the Langmuir model were suitable for describing the kinetics and isotherms of Cd2+ adsorption onto RH-COF. The adsorption performance of Cd2+ by RH-COF showed minimal sensitivity to pH values between 4.0 and 8.0, but could be slightly influenced by ionic strength. Mechanistic analysis showed that the Cd2+ adsorption on RH-COF was dominated by surface complexation and chelation, alongside electrostatic adsorption, surface precipitation, and Cπ–cation interactions. Overall, these findings suggest that the synthesis of COF-biochar composite may serve as a promising remediation strategy while providing scientific support for applying COF in environmental materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Transport and Transformation of Pollutants)
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17 pages, 951 KiB  
Article
Multiphase Partitioning of Estrogens in a River Impacted by Feedlot Wastewater Discharge
by Kuo-Hui Yang, Hao-Shen Hung, Wei-Hsiang Huang, Chi-Ying Hsieh and Ting-Chien Chen
Toxics 2024, 12(9), 671; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12090671 - 14 Sep 2024
Viewed by 734
Abstract
Estrogens in river systems can significantly impact aquatic ecosystems. This study aimed to investigate the multiphase partitioning of estrogens in Wulo Creek, Taiwan, which receives animal feedlot wastewater, to understand their distribution and potential environmental implications. Water samples were separated into suspended particulate [...] Read more.
Estrogens in river systems can significantly impact aquatic ecosystems. This study aimed to investigate the multiphase partitioning of estrogens in Wulo Creek, Taiwan, which receives animal feedlot wastewater, to understand their distribution and potential environmental implications. Water samples were separated into suspended particulate matter (SPM), colloidal, and soluble phases using centrifugation and cross-flow ultrafiltration. Concentrations of estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), and estriol (E3) in each phase were analyzed using LC/MS/MS. Partition coefficients were calculated to assess estrogen distribution among phases. Estrogens were predominantly found in the soluble phase (85.8–87.3%). The risk assessment of estrogen equivalent (EEQ) values suggests that estrogen concentration in water poses a higher risk compared to SPM, with a majority of the samples indicating a high risk to aquatic organisms. The colloidal phase contained 12.7–14.2% of estrogens. The log KCOC values (4.72–4.77 L/kg-C) were significantly higher than the log KOC and log KPOC values (2.02–3.40 L/kg-C) for all estrogens. Colloids play a critical role in estrogen distribution in river systems, potentially influencing their fate, transport, and biotoxicity. This finding highlights the importance of considering colloidal interactions in assessing estrogen behavior in aquatic environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Transport and Transformation of Pollutants)
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23 pages, 5631 KiB  
Article
Changes in the Aggregation Behaviour of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Influenced by Perfluorooctanoic Acid, Salts, and Humic Acid in Simulated Waters
by Anwar Ul Haq Khan, Yanju Liu, Ravi Naidu, Cheng Fang, Ho Kyong Shon, Huiming Zhang and Rajarathnam Dharmarajan
Toxics 2024, 12(8), 602; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12080602 - 18 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1114
Abstract
The increasing utilization of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) in many consumer products is of concern due to their eventual release into the natural environment and induction of potentially adverse impacts. The behaviour and environmental impacts of ZnO-NPs could be altered through their interactions [...] Read more.
The increasing utilization of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) in many consumer products is of concern due to their eventual release into the natural environment and induction of potentially adverse impacts. The behaviour and environmental impacts of ZnO-NPs could be altered through their interactions with environmentally coexisting substances. This study investigated the changes in the behaviour of ZnO-NPs in the presence of coexisting organic pollutants (such as perfluorooctanoic acid [PFOA]), natural organic substances (i.e., humic acid [HA]), and electrolytes (i.e., NaCl and CaCl2) in simulated waters. The size, shape, purity, crystallinity, and surface charge of the ZnO-NPs in simulated water after different interaction intervals (such as 1 day, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 3 weeks) at a controlled pH of 7 were examined using various characterization techniques. The results indicated alterations in the size (such as 162.4 nm, 1 day interaction to >10 µm, 3 weeks interaction) and zeta potential (such as −47.2 mV, 1 day interaction to −0.2 mV, 3 weeks interaction) of the ZnO-NPs alone and when PFOA, electrolytes, and HA were present in the suspension. Different influences on the size and surface charge of the nanoparticles were observed for fixed concentrations (5 mM) of the different electrolytes. The presence of HA-dispersed ZnO-NPs affected the zeta potential. Such dispersal effects were also observed in the presence of both PFOA and salts due to their large aliphatic carbon content and complex structure. Cation bridging effects, hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, and van der Waals forces could be potential interaction forces responsible for the adsorption of PFOA. The presence of organic pollutants (PFOA) and natural organic substances (HA) can transform the surface characteristics and fate of ZnO-NPs in natural and sea waters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Transport and Transformation of Pollutants)
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14 pages, 3734 KiB  
Article
Shift in Bacterial Community Structure in the Biodegradation of Benzene and Toluene under Sulfate-Reducing Condition
by Zhengwei Liu, Xiaoyu Lin, Xinzhe Wang, Mingbo Sun, Shici Ma and Shucai Zhang
Toxics 2024, 12(6), 423; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12060423 - 10 Jun 2024
Viewed by 787
Abstract
Groundwater contaminated by benzene and toluene is a common issue, posing a threat to the ecosystems and human health. The removal of benzene and toluene under sulfate-reducing condition is well known, but how the bacterial community shifts during this process remains unclear. This [...] Read more.
Groundwater contaminated by benzene and toluene is a common issue, posing a threat to the ecosystems and human health. The removal of benzene and toluene under sulfate-reducing condition is well known, but how the bacterial community shifts during this process remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate the shift in bacterial community structure during the biodegradation of benzene and toluene under sulfate-reducing condition. In this study, groundwater contaminated with benzene and toluene were collected from the field and used to construct three artificial samples: Control (benzene 50 mg/L, toluene 1.24 mg/L, sulfate 470 mg/L, and HgCl2 250 mg/L), S1 (benzene 50 mg/L, toluene 1.24 mg/L, sulfate 470 mg/L), and S2 (benzene 100 mg/L, toluene 2.5 mg/L, sulfate 940 mg/L). The contaminants (benzene and toluene), geochemical parameters (sulfate, ORP, and pH), and bacterial community structure in the artificial samples were monitored over time. By the end of this study (day 90), approximately 99% of benzene and 96% of toluene could be eliminated in both S1 and S2 artificial samples, while in the Control artificial sample the contaminant levels remained unchanged due to microbial inactivation. The richness of bacterial communities initially decreased but subsequently increased over time in both S1 and S2 artificial samples. Under sulfate-reducing condition, key players in benzene and toluene degradation were identified as Pseudomonas, Janthinobacterium, Novosphingobium, Staphylococcus, and Bradyrhizobium. The results could provide scientific basis for remediation and risk management strategies at the benzene and toluene contaminated sites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Transport and Transformation of Pollutants)
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13 pages, 5913 KiB  
Article
Adsorption of Pyrene and Arsenite by Micro/Nano Carbon Black and Iron Oxide
by Shuai Zhang, Gulijiazi Yeerkenbieke, Shuai Shi, Zhaoyang Wang, Lijin Yi and Xiaoxia Lu
Toxics 2024, 12(4), 251; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12040251 - 29 Mar 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1157
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and arsenic (As) are common pollutants co-existing in the environment, causing potential hazards to the ecosystem and human health. How their behaviors are affected by micro/nano particles in the environment are still not very clear. Through a series of [...] Read more.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and arsenic (As) are common pollutants co-existing in the environment, causing potential hazards to the ecosystem and human health. How their behaviors are affected by micro/nano particles in the environment are still not very clear. Through a series of static adsorption experiments, this study investigated the adsorption of pyrene and arsenite (As (III)) using micro/nano carbon black and iron oxide under different conditions. The objectives were to determine the kinetics and isotherms of the adsorption of pyrene and As (III) using micro/nano carbon black and iron oxide and evaluate the impact of co-existing conditions on the adsorption. The microstructure of micro/nano carbon black (C 94.03%) is spherical-like, with a diameter of 100–200 nm. The micro/nano iron oxide (hematite) has irregular rod-shaped structures, mostly about 1 µm long and 100–200 nm wide. The results show that the micro/nano black carbon easily adsorbed the pyrene, with a pseudo-second-order rate constant of 0.016 mg/(g·h) and an adsorption capacity of 283.23 μg/g at 24 h. The micro/nano iron oxide easily adsorbed As (III), with a pseudo-second-order rate constant of 0.814 mg/(g·h) and an adsorption capacity of 3.45 mg/g at 24 h. The mechanisms of adsorption were mainly chemical reactions. Micro/nano carbon black hardly adsorbed As (III), but its adsorption capability for pyrene was reduced by the presence of As (III), and this effect increased with an increase in the As (III) concentration. The adsorbed pyrene on the micro/nano black carbon could hardly be desorbed. On the other hand, the micro/nano iron oxide could hardly adsorb the pyrene, but its adsorption capability for As (III) was increased by the presence of pyrene, and this effect increased with an increase in the pyrene concentration. The results of this study provide guidance for the risk management and remediation of the environment when there is combined pollution of PAHs and As. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Transport and Transformation of Pollutants)
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