Environmental Science And Pollution Research International[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
The impact of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on freshwater fish and implications for human health.
Tan H, Gore I, Sharp S … +4 more , Johnstone D, Lewis P, Mikkonen A, Saaristo M
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42183978 · Publisher ↗
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) present a significant environmental issue due to their widespread occurrence and potential toxicity to exposed organisms. Our study investigated PFAS concentrations present in a...
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) present a significant environmental issue due to their widespread occurrence and potential toxicity to exposed organisms. Our study investigated PFAS concentrations present in a range of freshwater biota exposed to wastewater discharge and urban stormwater runoff from creeks and rivers in Victoria, Australia. We also assessed bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) in fish, and conducted a human health risk assessment. We sampled 18 sites located along seven waterways (4 effluent-receiving, 1 urban stormwater and 2 reference waterways) with three sampling locations at each of the polluted waterways: at the discharge point, and upstream and downstream of discharge. We analysed freshwater (n = 56), crustacea (n = 18), and fish (n = 242 from 12 species) samples for 32 PFAS. Our study shows that the concentrations and range of PFAS present were highest in samples from the urban stormwater waterway (mean ∑PFAS water concentration = 0.12 µg/L), followed by the wastewater-exposed waterways (mean ∑PFAS = 0.027 µg/L), and then the control reference waterways (mean ∑PFAS = 0.0043 µg/L). The higher concentrations found in the urban waterway suggests that stormwater may be a greater source of PFAS pollution than wastewater discharges. Additionally, the highest BAFs were for PFOS, PFDA, and PFHxS, and occurred in fish with a carnivorous diet. Lastly, consumption of three portions of fish per week caught from the urban stormwater and several effluent-receiving waterways could result in exceedances of health-based guidance values for PFOS in children.
Emission and operational metrics of algae biodiesel (FAME)-powered diesel engine enhanced with FeO nanomaterials and lanthanum zirconate-based coating system.
Balusamy M, Balasubramanian K, Jesuretnam BR … +1 more , Veerasigamani M
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42183977 · Publisher ↗
The depletion of fossil fuel attracts researchers to search for alternative fuels. Bio-fuels are gaining more attention nowadays due to their less pollution characteristics. Further, more energy can be extracted from it...
The depletion of fossil fuel attracts researchers to search for alternative fuels. Bio-fuels are gaining more attention nowadays due to their less pollution characteristics. Further, more energy can be extracted from it by adding nano-additives. In addition, thermal barrier coating of engine parts provides added advantages. In this current research, an attempt was made to study the influence of lanthanum zirconate thermal barrier coating and iron oxide on behavior of diesel engine driven by algae biodiesel (FAME). The engine was tested with different energy sources. The behavior of the engine was analyzed based on the experimental data by comparing the different fuels' performance. Results showed that the nanoparticles showed significant influence on engine operation. Further, coating provided notable changes in performance of the engine in positive manner. The B20C/FeO explored the least BSFC (0.32 kg/kW h) plus maximum BTE of 34% by the BP of 5 kW. Further, the emissions were notably controlled in relation to diesel fuel.
pH dependence of precipitation and adsorption of Pb(II) ions onto sepiolite.
Sabah E, Kara M, Çelik MS
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42177719 · Publisher ↗
Quantifying the adsorption capacity of hydrolyzable heavy metals presents a significant challenge, as the formation of metal hydroxides at high pHs often obscures the true removal mechanism. Standard measurements based o...
Quantifying the adsorption capacity of hydrolyzable heavy metals presents a significant challenge, as the formation of metal hydroxides at high pHs often obscures the true removal mechanism. Standard measurements based on solute depletion often fail to distinguish between surface complexation and bulk-phase separation, leading to inflated adsorption values. Addressing this ambiguity, the present study investigates the pH-dependent removal of Pb(II) ions by natural sepiolite, with a specific focus on isolating the "true adsorption" contribution from chemical precipitation. To achieve this, a comprehensive methodological approach combining electrokinetic measurements, ion-exchange monitoring, and thermodynamic solubility modeling was applied for an initial Pb(II) concentration of 2.5 × 10 mol/L (approximately 518 mg/L). Kinetic analysis was consistent with a pseudo-second-order model (R = 1), supporting-but not proving-the involvement of chemically controlled interactions and possible Pb/Mg exchange. By superimposing theoretical speciation diagrams onto experimental removal curves, a system-specific, operational transition threshold was estimated at pH ≈ 5.32 for 2.5 × 10 mol/L Pb(II) concentration. Below this point, removal is consistent with the adsorption of free Pb(II) ions; however, above pH 5.32, the onset of hydrolysis leads to the formation of species such as Pb(OH) and Pb(OH), causing a sharp decline in true adsorption capacity despite high total removal rates. Consequently, model-assisted operational adsorption profiles were described by control-based subtraction of the precipitation component, suggesting that the affinity of sepiolite is strongly influenced by the speciation state of the metal ions.
Airborne microplastics as evolving contaminant carriers: atmospheric weathering, transformation pathways, and the Trojan horse hypothesis.
Romarate RIA, Ochigue PCD, Bacosa HP
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42176154 · Publisher ↗
Atmospheric microplastics represent a rapidly emerging environmental threat, yet their dynamic behavior remains poorly understood. This study synthesizes 113 publications to reveal that airborne microplastics undergo con...
Atmospheric microplastics represent a rapidly emerging environmental threat, yet their dynamic behavior remains poorly understood. This study synthesizes 113 publications to reveal that airborne microplastics undergo continuous transformation through atmospheric weathering, fundamentally altering their toxicological properties. The analysis introduces the atmospheric microplastic transformation and exposure framework (AMTEF), demonstrating how weathering processes such as photodegradation, oxidation, and fragmentation progressively enhance particle reactivity and contaminant-carrying capacity. Critically, only approximately 1.77% of existing studies examine this "Trojan horse" effect, despite its central role in health risks. The research proposes the evolving toxicity paradigm (ETP), which reconceptualizes microplastic hazards as dynamic rather than static, driven by surface amplification, contaminant concentration, synergistic interactions, and size-dependent transformation. Recent evidence of microplastic bioaccumulation in the human brain tissue (Nihart et al., Nat Med 31:1114-1119, 2025) further underscores the urgency of understanding transformation-driven toxicity pathways. This paradigm shift from inert particles to active vectors demands transformation-aware risk assessment protocols. The findings reveal that current toxicological models substantially underestimate exposure risks by ignoring atmospheric evolution, with implications for the 99% of humans who breathe urban air containing these evolving contaminants.
Next generation silver nanoweb-carbon composite for protection against chem-bio threat and toxic industrial gases.
Verma A, Sharma PK, Singh VV … +4 more , Pandey LK, Thakare VB, Agarwal K, Upadhyay S
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42162496 · Publisher ↗
In the realm of asymmetric warfare, the intentional deployment of chemical warfare agents (CWAs), toxic industrial chemicals (TICs), and biological pathogens presents a substantial challenge to global security. This stud...
In the realm of asymmetric warfare, the intentional deployment of chemical warfare agents (CWAs), toxic industrial chemicals (TICs), and biological pathogens presents a substantial challenge to global security. This study reports the development of functional material integrated with silver nanoweb for the fabrication of a lightweight, flexible, low-resistance multilayer filter designed to provide simultaneous protection against CWAs, TICs and pathogens. The facemask is designed for use in low-intensity conflict scenarios and aims to provide rapid protection during chemical or biological exposure events. It functions primarily as an escape mask, enabling individuals to safely evacuate contaminated areas. A metal-functionalized activated carbon fabric (ACF) integrated silver-embedded nanoweb (fabricated through electrospinning) enables simultaneous protection against chemical, biological, and industrial agents along with antimicrobial activity. Filter layers were optimized for chemical, biological, and particulate filtration, with tuning of surface functionality, nanoweb deposition, and layer configuration. The filter layers were characterized using XRD, BET surface area, SEM, EDX, TGA, and FT-IR to elucidate structural and chemical properties. The developed filter materials were evaluated against TICs (NH, SO, Cl, HS), CWA simulants, blood agent (HCN and CNCl), and pathogens. These chem-bio facemask filter layers exhibited 95% filtration efficiency (0.3 µm) and enabled simultaneous removal of CWAs, TICs, and pathogens. To prevent the shedding of micro-fragments from the adsorbent layer, the mask is reinforced with a multifunctional outer fabric on the top surface and a non-woven support layer on the inner side. Owing to its ease of use and broad applicability, the device has significant potential for protecting the general public during unforeseen chemical or biological emergencies. This broad-spectrum protection is attributed to the synergistic role of high surface area ACF, metal-ACF and silver-embedded nanoweb. The developed hybrid material offers valuable insights for designing next-generation filter media for toxic gases removal.
Correction to: Microplastics ingested by freshwater fish in rivers of the Syr Darya basin and associated ecological risks.
Frank YA, Vorobieva SN, Khusanov AK … +7 more , Namozov SM, Vorobiev ED, Yuldashov MA, Zakirov I, Karimjonov DD, Sobirov JJ, Vorobiev DS
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42159644 · Publisher ↗
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
Comparative evaluation of carbon capture separation technologies for shipboard applications using multi-criteria decision analysis.
Zincir BA, Zincir B, Arslanoglu Y
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42159643 · Publisher ↗
Maritime transportation accounts for approximately 3.1% of global anthropogenic CO₂ emissions while enabling nearly 85% of world trade, prompting increasingly stringent regulations to decarbonize the sector. Ship-based c...
Maritime transportation accounts for approximately 3.1% of global anthropogenic CO₂ emissions while enabling nearly 85% of world trade, prompting increasingly stringent regulations to decarbonize the sector. Ship-based carbon capture systems (CCS) have emerged as a promising transitional solution to support regulatory compliance and emission reduction. This study evaluates alternative carbon capture methods and technologies for maritime applications using a multi-criteria decision-making framework. Six evaluation criteria, maturity, efficiency, energy demand, cost, applicability, and safety, were identified based on the literature. Criterion weights were derived using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) with expert input and complemented by objective entropy weighting. A hybrid AHP-entropy approach was employed to balance subjective judgment with data-driven insights, while sensitivity and bounded perturbation analyses were conducted to assess robustness. The results indicate that post-combustion carbon capture is the most suitable method for shipboard application. Among the evaluated technologies, chemical adsorption ranks highest, followed by chemical looping combustion and membrane separation. The rankings remain stable under reasonable uncertainty in both weighting and performance scoring. Overall, the proposed framework provides a transparent and robust decision-support tool for monitoring CCS configurations in maritime transport.
Biogas production using the microbial community present in the soil from Deception Island, maritime Antarctica.
Ortigoza PYA, Luiz FN, Ghellere GJ … +3 more , Meyer RF, Rosa LH, Passarini MRZ
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42159642 · Full text
The current energy crisis is increasing the production of sustainable energy, such as biogas, a fuel generated by the anaerobic digestion of organic waste. The use of oat, an agricultural waste, makes the anaerobic diges...
The current energy crisis is increasing the production of sustainable energy, such as biogas, a fuel generated by the anaerobic digestion of organic waste. The use of oat, an agricultural waste, makes the anaerobic digestion more sustainable. Antarctic microbial communities can utilize a wide range of substrates and adapt to different temperatures. Thus, this study evaluated methane production through an innovative approach, using microbial enrichment, and assessed archaeal diversity through metagenomic techniques in Antarctic soils, Deception Island, Maritime Antarctica. Metagenomic analyses showed low archaeal diversity and abundance. The Euryarchaeota (95.2%) and Methanobrevibacter were the most abundant and frequent phylum and genus, respectively. The average biogas production values were 595 LN kg VS⁻ and 561 LN kg VS⁻ in tests with individual oat (IO) and oat with enriched mixed culture (O + MC), respectively. However, O + MC showed a higher methane production, 4% (319 LN kg VS⁻) more than the results from the IO test with inoculum. Soils from Deception Island may represent a promising source of methanogenic communities capable of producing methane using agricultural waste as an alternative for energy production. Future studies are needed to understand the methane production using soil samples from cold environments.
Distribution characteristics and release flux estimation of nitrogen and phosphorus in sediments of Liangzi Lake, China.
Hu J, Hu Y, Hu S … +3 more , Li G, Chen X, Wang Z
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42156664 · Publisher ↗
Liangzi Lake bears important ecological functions in the metropolitan area of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, yet these functions face worsening endogenous pollution from sediments due to historical aquaculture...
Liangzi Lake bears important ecological functions in the metropolitan area of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, yet these functions face worsening endogenous pollution from sediments due to historical aquaculture and agricultural runoff. Given this, this study investigated the vertical distribution of nitrogen and phosphorus indicators in sediments of the lake, quantified nutrient diffusion fluxes to the overlying water, and analyzed their correlation. The results showed a significant concentration gradient, with the average concentration of ammonia nitrogen (NH-N) in the interstitial water being four times that of the overlying water, indicating significant release potential. The NH⁺-N diffusion flux ranges from 4.01 to 7.16 mg·(m·d)⁻ (mean 5.61 mg·(m·d)⁻), and its high diffusion flux areas are concentrated in Liangzi Island, Niushan Lake in the north and Ezhou area; Orthophosphate (PO⁻-P) flux is -0.08-0.14 mg·(m·d)⁻ (mean 0.014 mg·(m·d)⁻), and the diffusion area of high PO⁻-P is concentrated in Xiliangzi Lake. Correlation analysis shows that the diffusion flux of NH-N is significantly positively correlated with organic matter (OM) and is also affected to varying degrees by sediment nitrogen content and water content (WC); The diffusion flux of PO⁻-P is significantly negatively correlated with the overlying water PO⁻-P. Overall, this study provides a key theoretical basis for the "zoning policy" strategy needed for endogenous control.
Optimization of biosurfactant production by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Saccharomyces cerevisiae using waste cooking oil and diesel fuel.
Fezzani B, Hedhiri R, Guessemi B … +2 more , Belloumi M, Saidi N
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42154136 · Publisher ↗
The growing demand for sustainable and cost-effective surfactants has intensified interest in microbial biosurfactants, yet optimizing synergistic microbial systems using industrial waste streams remains a significant ch...
The growing demand for sustainable and cost-effective surfactants has intensified interest in microbial biosurfactants, yet optimizing synergistic microbial systems using industrial waste streams remains a significant challenge. This study introduces a novel co-culture strategy combining Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Saccharomyces cerevisiae for biosurfactant production, uniquely leveraging a dual-substrate approach with waste cooking oil (WCO) and diesel fuel. This design not only valorizes two abundant industrial wastes but also enhances biosurfactant yield through substrate diversification. Under controlled fermentation, the soil-derived microbial consortium exhibited exceptional emulsification performance, achieving E values of 83.33 ± 0.6% with diesel fuel and 73.33 ± 0.9% with WCO, while maintaining emulsion stability (ESI ≈ 0%) under optimized conditions (pH 8, 37-50 °C). Notably, yeast extract supplementation increased diesel-based biosurfactant yield by 22%, highlighting a practical process innovation for enhanced production. The statistical analysis of the experimental data revealed that emulsification and stability were strongly influenced by synergistic interactions among temperature, pH, organic substrate, and microbial strain, emphasizing the importance of co-optimization in multi-factor systems. The proposed co-culture system demonstrates high efficiency, scalability, and robustness, offering promising commercial applications in environmental remediation (e.g., enhanced oil recovery, soil washing), eco-friendly cleaning formulations, and agricultural adjuvants. By integrating waste valorization with process optimization, this work provides a sustainable and economically viable solution for industrial biosurfactant production.
Mechanical and sustainability assessment of expanded shale as an alternative to lightweight expanded clay aggregate in concrete production.
Torabi-Kaveh M, Esmaeili Z, Emami Meybodi E … +1 more , Morshed R
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42151512 · Publisher ↗
The production of Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate (LECA) is a very energy-consuming process as well as depletes natural resources. Therefore, there is a need for alternative lightweight aggregates with lesser impact...
The production of Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate (LECA) is a very energy-consuming process as well as depletes natural resources. Therefore, there is a need for alternative lightweight aggregates with lesser impact on the environment. This study intends to examine the possibility of using Expanded Shale (ES) instead of LECA in concrete. ES was produced via a thermal treatment process, and concrete mixtures containing ES were compared to LECA concrete in terms of mechanical performance. The methodology included compressive, tensile, and flexural strength tests, as well as petrographic analysis for alkali-silica reaction (ASR) assessment. Quantitative results showed that ES concrete achieved 28-day compressive, tensile, and flexural strengths of 19.1 MPa, 2.62 MPa, and 3 MPa, respectively, compared to 13.9 MPa, 1.64 MPa, and 2 MPa for LECA concrete. However, petrographic examination revealed ASR gel formation around volcanic aggregates in ES concrete, indicating that ASR potential requires further mitigation rather than being negligible. ES exhibits superior mechanical properties compared to LECA; however, requires life-cycle assessment and quantification of carbon footprint to qualify as a sustainable alternative. The findings suggest that ES is a promising high-performance lightweight aggregate, provided that ASR risks are addressed through mix optimization or supplementary materials.
Sustainable recovery of vanadium from spent sulfuric acid catalysts using oxalic acid leaching and hydrothermal treatment.
Hasbaoui NE, Hadrami AE, Essifi K … +2 more , Ojala S, Brahmi R
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42143658 · Publisher ↗
In industrial sulfuric acid production, vanadium-based catalysts are indispensable, yet their inevitable deactivation generates hazardous spent catalyst waste requiring sustainable management. In this study, we focus on...
In industrial sulfuric acid production, vanadium-based catalysts are indispensable, yet their inevitable deactivation generates hazardous spent catalyst waste requiring sustainable management. In this study, we focus on the particular problem of the spent catalysts produced at the Moroccan OCP Group plant at Jorf Lasfar (El Jadida), which contain about 4.40% VO, 0.90% AlO, 1.18% FeO, and 65.23% SiO, together with some metal oxides in traces. The notably high vanadium content of the materials presents serious ecological and disposal problems, but on the other hand, it yields an important secondary resource. In order to make use of this resource, a sustainable recovery process has been developed and involves leaching with oxalic acid followed by hydrothermal treatment to precipitate vanadium. The effect of the time of hydrothermal treatment on the recovery efficiency was investigated in some detail, and a complete characterization (XRD, XRF, SEM-EDX, Raman, FTIR-ATR, ICP-OES) revealed that the vanadium so recovered was mainly in the form of VO and FeVO. The optimum hydrothermal conditions (24 h) resulted in a high recovery of 76 wt.% of VO and a vanadium extraction efficiency of 99.75% from the leachate. These results show an eco-efficient method to valorize vanadium wastes, promoting sustainability and the circular economy.
Assessment of water quality and microbial contamination in Santa Marta's major rivers using conventional methods and next-generation sequencing.
Rodríguez MM, Urrea V, Luna N … +6 more , Romero I, Polo DP, Patiño LH, Ramírez JD, Muñoz M, Castro LR
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42142232 · Full text
Water quality assessment is critical for determining the suitability of water resources for human consumption. In Santa Marta, northern Colombia, limited access to potable water and sewage systems, along with poor treatm...
Water quality assessment is critical for determining the suitability of water resources for human consumption. In Santa Marta, northern Colombia, limited access to potable water and sewage systems, along with poor treatment infrastructure, poses a significant risk to both urban and rural communities. In some areas, untreated water is sourced directly from rivers or cisterns. Despite being a public health concern, molecular surveillance of waterborne pathogens remains limited. In this study, we integrated next-generation sequencing (NGS) with conventional physicochemical and microbiological analyses to assess water quality in the Gaira and Manzanares rivers. A total of 24 water samples were collected from eight sites along these rivers between August 2023 and February 2024. Microbial communities were characterized using Oxford Nanopore sequencing targeting the 16S-rRNA and 18S-rRNA genes. Physicochemical variables evidenced high levels of contamination, as elevated concentrations of nitrates, phosphates, ammonium, BOD, and COD were detected across the sampling sites. Other parameters, such as pH and temperature, remained stable, while conductivity and dissolved oxygen varied across sites. Microbiological analyses indicated elevated coliform levels, and Cryptosporidium spp. DNA, but not Giardia intestinalis DNA, was detected by PCR. Sequencing analysis revealed 1080 prokaryotic and 149 eukaryotic taxa, including environmental bacteria, Escherichia-Shigella group, and important taxa like Enterocytozoon. Diversity analyses showed that prokaryotic community structure was significantly influenced by basin location (upstream vs. downstream), whereas eukaryotic communities were primarily structured by river identity. Overall, integrating NGS with conventional methods provided a comprehensive characterization of microbial diversity and contamination risks in these tropical river systems, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen water management and public health strategies in Santa Marta and similar regions.
Correction to: Efficacious use of potential biosurfactant producing plant growth promoting rhizobacteria to combat petrol toxicity in Zea mays L. plants.
Habib S, Ahmed A, Farhan Ul Haque M … +1 more , Ijaz R
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42141229 · Publisher ↗
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
Adsorptive removal of methylene blue from wastewater using sawdust of Cedrus deodara and its composite with iron oxide nanoparticles: a comparative study.
Shakeel M, Ali S, Waseem M … +6 more , Liaqat B, Aurangzeb M, Noor A, Bibi S, Iqbal U, Mehmood-Ul-Hassan
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42141228 · Publisher ↗
The aim of this study was to prepare a composite of sawdust of Cedrus deodara with iron oxide nanoparticles (CDION) and to use this sawdust and its composite as adsorbents for the removal of methylene blue (MB) from wast...
The aim of this study was to prepare a composite of sawdust of Cedrus deodara with iron oxide nanoparticles (CDION) and to use this sawdust and its composite as adsorbents for the removal of methylene blue (MB) from wastewater. Iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by co-precipitation method and both the adsorbents were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area and pore size analysis. These analyses showed successful loading of iron oxide NPs onto the fibrous surface of sawdust in agglomerated form and specific surface area of the nano-composite was found to be 172 m/g. The BET surface area of uncoated sawdust (CD) was about 6.8 m/g. The Freundlich adsorption isotherm gave a better fit for CD while the Langmuir adsorption isotherm better described adsorption process on CDION. The maximum adsorption capacities were 406.52 mg/g for CD and 417.70 mg/g for CDION. Maximum dye adsorption occurred above pH 3 for CD and above pH 4 for CDION. Kinetic study showed that adsorption of MB on both adsorbents followed pseudo second order kinetics to a greater extent than pseudo first order. The values of Gibbs free energy change, activation energy, and other thermodynamic parameters for adsorption supported the occurrence of physical adsorption of MB on both adsorbents. The adsorption process was found to occur through film diffusion. Thermodynamic parameters showed that the adsorption process was spontaneous, as indicated by negative Gibbs free energy change values, endothermic and resulted in increase in randomness as enthalpy and entropy changes were positive.
Black Soldier Fly: A sustainable insect for waste valorisation and resource recovery.
Mandaliya VB
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42141227 · Publisher ↗
The Black Soldier Fly (BSF) (Hermetia illucens) is globally acknowledged for its potential to transform organic waste into high-value products. The article has identified and evaluated the valuable produce from various s...
The Black Soldier Fly (BSF) (Hermetia illucens) is globally acknowledged for its potential to transform organic waste into high-value products. The article has identified and evaluated the valuable produce from various stages of BSF, and comprehended the methods for valuable extractions. The innovative potential of BSF valuables is derived using Patentscope - a patent database from World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Geneva. A total of 591 patent records were derived, and recent patents in year 2025 were summarized along with their key features. Following that, this narrative review has given special attention towards 169 targets of UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) attainment. On closure observation of all the reviewed literature, it is apparent that various researchers had aligned BSF valuables to a selected few SDGs only. Based on that, the present article focused on to BSF valuables mapping with 169 targets of all 17 SDGs. Each target in SDGs is quantified on a scale of 1 to 10 where, scale 1 is the lowest and 10 is the highest, while 0 is given where no connection is possible. BSF-based value chains show the highest contribution potential to SDG 12, 2, 9, 1 and 13 under the proposed scoring framework. This article derived the BSF success stories from fifteen nations. At the last, this article comprehended the policy intervention based on success stories and constrains to achieve targets of sustainable global goals. In a nutshell, this article worked out the innovations in BSF, and mapped successfully BSF valuable with 169 targets of 17 SDGs.
Characterization of particulate depositions collected from archeological monuments in Greece and Cyprus using multiple analytical techniques.
Gkraikou T, Kozari A, Vouvoudi E … +4 more , Papadopoulou L, Melfos V, Santarelli B, Samara C
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42141226 · Full text
Morphological and geochemical characterization of the particulate depositions collected from the surfaces of urban monuments located in two Mediterranean cities characterized by high levels of atmospheric particulate mat...
Morphological and geochemical characterization of the particulate depositions collected from the surfaces of urban monuments located in two Mediterranean cities characterized by high levels of atmospheric particulate matter (PM), namely Thessaloniki in Greece and Nicosia in Cyprus, was carried out using multiple analytical techniques. The geochemical composition of bulk samples was found to be dominated by CaO and SiO with lower proportions of AlO, FeO, and MgO suggesting influence from local and/or transported dust (road dust, Saharan dust). The effect of traffic was evident on the sides of monuments oriented towards busy roads with higher concentrations of anthropogenic elements such as Zn, Ba, Cu, V, and Ni. Gypsum was detected in a few samples only and is possibly attributed to sulfation process and/or windblown Saharan dust. Notably, a wide spectrum of low- and high-molecular-weight organic compounds was also detected (aliphatic hydrocarbons and organic compounds containing carbonyl- and carboxyl-groups, urea and nitrogen-containing biomass, amino acids, fatty acids and lipids, plant residues, synthetic polymer residues, and combustion products) suggesting the presence of various natural and anthropogenic sources. The results obtained in the study may serve as a guide for the development of appropriate strategies for protection and conservation of the urban architectural heritage in the two countries.
A study on the mechanical and self-healing behavior of bio-concrete blocks based on Spirulina algae.
Lessly H, Subramanian V, Dandapani A
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42141225 · Publisher ↗
The construction industry significantly contributes to global carbon emissions, primarily due to Portland cement production, which is essential for the construction of concrete structures. The growing demand for sustaina...
The construction industry significantly contributes to global carbon emissions, primarily due to Portland cement production, which is essential for the construction of concrete structures. The growing demand for sustainable materials has prompted research into using algae for bio-concrete blocks. In this study, bio-concrete blocks incorporating algal biomass were cast and evaluated to assess their structural and mechanical performance. Algae, known for rapid growth, can enhance the properties of concrete. This study focuses on integrating Spirulina, a type of blue-green algae, into concrete formulations. Spirulina not only improves mechanical properties but also helps seal cracks, reducing the need for expensive and time-consuming repairs. Experiments tested different percentages of algal incorporation (0.2%, 0.3%, and 0.4%) in cement content, yielding average compressive and split tensile strengths of 7.2 MPa and 1.32 MPa, respectively. Results show that 0.4% algal biomass can increase compressive strength by 8-12% due to its ability to seal micro-cracks and enhance load-bearing capacity. Additionally, bacteria can improve tensile strength by up to 63%, contributing to enhanced mechanical behavioral properties that extend the longevity of bio-concrete.
Differential prevalence of PFAS, PCBs and pesticides in liver of hunted game.
Esther A, Peter M, Ritz V … +7 more , Esther D, Gabriel D, Trommler R, Schenke D, Polaczek K, Fisch K, Müller C
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42141224 · Full text
Free foraging game animals are constantly exposed to environmental pollutants and can therefore serve as bioindicators for these substances. However, they can also pose a health risk to humans if polluted meat of wild ga...
Free foraging game animals are constantly exposed to environmental pollutants and can therefore serve as bioindicators for these substances. However, they can also pose a health risk to humans if polluted meat of wild game animals enters the food chain. We analysed 219 potentially critical pollutants in 164 liver samples of hunted wild boar (Sus scrofa) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) from north-eastern Germany. Overall, 24 pollutants were detected and 16 of them were detected quantitatively. PCBs, PFAS and rodenticides were more frequent and present in far higher concentrations in wild boar than in roe deer. Only for rodenticides can it be assumed that there is no health risk for the game animals; otherwise, no statement can be made due to a lack of reference data. Risks for human consumers of liver arise from concentrations in wild boar liver exceeding the tolerable weekly intake for PFAS by up to 17 times and in individual cases the acute reference dose for brodifacoum by up to 485%. In contrast, the health risk of eating game meat is usually negligible, as chemical residues generally accumulate in the liver and less in muscle tissue. The significance of up to 12 co-occurring residues for animal and human health is still an open research issue.
Spatiotemporal analysis of climatic and anthropogenic drivers of winter smog in the Indo-Gangetic Plain with a focus on Lahore.
Ghani MZ, Hassan M, Chishtie FA … +3 more , Ali SSF, Hussain Shah SW, Bilal A
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42141223 · Publisher ↗
The Indo-Gangetic Plain has emerged as a major global hot spot of wintertime particulate pollution. This is especially evident in Northeastern Pakistan, where cities like Lahore are now recording increasingly extreme smo...
The Indo-Gangetic Plain has emerged as a major global hot spot of wintertime particulate pollution. This is especially evident in Northeastern Pakistan, where cities like Lahore are now recording increasingly extreme smog levels. In this study, we establish the smog formation process over the larger Indo-Gangetic Plain with a focus on Lahore. Our results show that these events are not isolated incidents but rather a complex interplay between anthropogenic emission growth and chronic meteorological stagnation. To understand these dynamics, we used historical fog climatology data from OPLA visibility records, with long-term emission data from the REAS v3.2 inventory. By applying the Anthropogenic Growth Index (AGI), the analysis confirms a significant causal relationship (p < 0.05) between the tripling of regional pollution loads and the sustained decline in local visibility. The study also investigated the vertical thermodynamic profiles using ERA5 reanalysis. The spatial extent of fog and aerosol loading is tracked using the Normalized Difference Snow Index (NDSI) and MODIS aerosol optical depth (AOD). The resulting data highlights a critical atmospheric trapping mechanism that compounds human-induced forcing. This state is defined by persistent temperature inversions between 700 and 900 hPa and weak near-surface winds. These stagnant, anti-cyclonic conditions drive relative humidity toward saturation (80-95%), effectively collapsing the surface dew-point depression and preventing the vertical or horizontal dispersal of pollutants. Additionally, an ensemble of CMIP6 models was validated against ERA5-Land reanalysis for winter conditions (2016 to 2024), showing strong agreement in near-surface air temperature (R = 0.9) and good correlation for relative humidity (R = 0.7), confirming their overall reliability for further analysis. The results indicate that smog over Lahore is linked to large-scale atmospheric processes across the Indo-Gangetic Plain, including inversion conditions and transboundary pollutant transport. Future projections using CMIP6 ensemble multi-models HadGEM3-GC31-MM, EC-Earth3-Veg-LR, CNRM-ESM2-1, MPI-ESM1-2-HR, and CNRM-CM6-1 with the SSP5-8.5 scenario indicate a climatological shift toward increased atmospheric stability for the near-term climate (2025-2049). The analysis forecasts a sustained recurrence of stagnation windows, suggesting that without structural reductions in the anthropogenic baseline identified by the AGI, the region's meteorology will become increasingly conducive to pollutant retention. These findings highlight that the fog season is evolving into a chronic smog hazard, necessitating adaptive air quality management strategies for urban South Asia.
About
- Frequency
- Sun
- Papers found
- 200
- RSS feed
- Subscribe