Environmental chemistry, a cornerstone of environmental science, faces critical challenges including research homogenization, the persistent gap between laboratory-scale discoveries and engineering-scale applications, and the need to rationally integrate emerging data-driven tools. Drawing on deliberations from the 6th Youth Forum on Frontiers of Environmental Science and Engineering, this perspective outlines three guiding principles for the discipline’s future. First, fundamental mechanistic research—particularly on interfacial reaction kinetics, radical pathways, and molecular recognition—must be strengthened to provide interpretable physicochemical bases for cross-disciplinary innovations. Second, engineering thinking should be embedded from the outset, incorporating life-cycle assessment and real-water-matrix complexities to bridge the “last mile” between high-performance materials and practical deployment. Third, artificial intelligence (AI) should be positioned as an auxiliary tool rather than a universal solution; its pattern-recognition capabilities can accelerate hypothesis generation and process optimization, but its outputs require mechanistic validation and causality scrutiny. Ultimately, the authors advocate a closed-loop paradigm of “hypothesis–prediction–validation” that integrates empirical research, AI-assisted analytics, and collaborative academia–industry–government platforms, ensuring that environmental chemistry evolves from homogenized competition toward original breakthroughs and tangible environmental benefits.
Nuclear energy plays a crucial role as a clean energy source in modern society. The use of nuclear energy will result in the generation of a large amount of radioactive nuclear wastewater. Separation of nuclides from radioactive wastewater is crucial for the safe disposal of nuclear wastes and the sustainable development of resources. However, it remains a great challenge to achieve precise separation between different radionuclide ions due to their similar properties. Herein, we constructed a radiation-resistant graphene-based membrane via ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) functionalization with highly stable and aligned two-dimensional subnanochannels, which exhibits adjustable ion diffusion energy barrier and ultrahigh radionuclide ion selectivity. The functional groups within the GO-EDTA channel exhibit strong affinitive binding interactions with Sr2+ and La3+. The mono/multivalent metal-ion selectivity up to 485 and 1300 for Cs+/Sr2+ and Cs+/La3+, respectively, outperforms other reported membranes. Besides, the channel can still maintain stable separation performance under irradiation conditions. Furthermore, using quartz crystal microbalance, we break down the contributions of partitioning at the pore mouth and intrapore diffusion to the overall energy barrier for salt transport, indicating that the precise separation of ions is achieved by regulating the diffusion energy barrier. This work provides a mechanism for the design of membranes with high ionion selectivity and demonstrates the application potential of nuclear resource recycling.
The integration of anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) with sulfide-dependent autotrophic denitrification (S-SADN) offers a promising low-carbon route for biological nitrogen removal from large volumes of wastewater generated worldwide. However, its application is hindered by sulfide toxicity, nitrite competition, and excessive sulfate production. Here, we developed a stable mixotrophic model system (KAS1–AutoDN2) by integrating an anammox-enriched culture (KAS1) with a sulfide-oxidizing denitrifier, Thauera sp. AutoDN2. At a low carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C/N) of 0.8, with acetate and sulfide serving as co-electron donors, the KAS1–AutoDN2 system achieved 98.1
The treatment of air pollutants in iron and steel industry was crucial for environmental protection, but this process generated GHG emissions. This study adopted the emission factor approach to assess the spatiotemporal variation and future trends of GHG emissions from air pollutants treatment in the global steel industry. In 2019, global GHG emission from air pollutants treatment in iron and steel industry reached 5.37×109 kg CO2e in 2019, comparable in scale to GHG emissions from wastewater and waste treatment. Among these, SO2 treatment accounted for the largest source of GHG emissions. Spatially, Asia accounted for 91
Karst aquifers, characterized by high hydraulic connectivity and limited natural attenuation capacity, accelerate the migration of heavy metals in groundwater, posing a significant risk to regional water supply security. Accurate prediction of arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) contamination in such systems remains challenging because of spatial heterogeneity, sparse monitoring networks, and the structural biases inherent in single-model machine learning approaches. To overcome these limitations, we propose a TOPSIS-based regression ensemble (TRE) framework that integrates seven algorithmically diverse base learners, including tree-based, kernel-based, and connectionist models. An entropy-weighted TOPSIS metalearner assigns optimal aggregation weights through multicriteria performance evaluation, effectively mitigating the structural biases of individual models without the overfitting risk of conventional stacking. The framework achieved excellent predictive performance, with R2 values of 0.8937 for As and 0.8877 for Pb. Spatial risk mapping indicated that 12.69
Multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens and associated antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in tailwater pose a threat to public health and food safety. Bacteriophages have emerged as promising biocontrol agents for MDR pathogens, yet their efficacy in disinfecting tailwater for the elimination of MDR pathogens and ARGs remains unexplored. We developed a bacteriophage-mediated disinfection technique for targeted removal of MDR Vibrio parahaemolyticus and ARGs from aquaculture tailwater. A novel lytic Caudoviricetes phage VBY against MDR V. parahaemolyticus was isolated from aquaculture, while its disinfection performance in aquaculture tailwater outperformed ozone (O3) and ultraviolet (UV) controls. Genomic and phylogenetic analyses identified VBY as a Caudoviricetes, lacking virulence factors and ARGs. The phage VBY exhibited robust stability under aquaculture-relevant environmental conditions and potential activity against biofilms, accompanied by significant ARGs reduction. In the real tailwater treatment system, the phage VBY achieved 5.5-log reduction in MDR bacterial loads and 4–6 log suppression of key ARGs over 72 h. Phage treatment maintained a remarkably long-term inhibitory effect. The phage VBY could preserve water quality during the removal of MDR V. parahaemolyticus, which overcame the key limitation of conventional chemical disinfection strategies. These findings demonstrated that phage-mediated disinfection, which could effectively remove MDR pathogens and the associated ARGs from recycled tailwater, was an environmentally sustainable water treatment technique.
Antimony (Sb) is a persistent and highly toxic contaminant. Its environmental risk is dictated by its redox state, as Sb(III) and Sb(V) exhibit vastly different adsorption behaviors. Although previous machine learning (ML) studies have investigated Sb adsorption, this speciation-dependent behavior still hinders the rational design of biochars for effective Sb immobilization. Here, we establish a data-driven and mechanism-informed framework (BiMeSorb) that integrates interpretable ML with density functional theory (DFT) to quantitatively resolve interactions between Sb(III)/Sb(V) and biochars. Built on a curated database of 437 data points, our Gradient Boosting Decision Tree model achieves high predictive accuracy for adsorption capacity (test R2 = 0.934). Interpretable ML analyses (SHAP and PDP) reveal that oxygen-containing functional groups, specific surface area, and Sb speciation dominate adsorption, while appropriate initial Sb concentration and adsorbent dosage are critical operational conditions for achieving high adsorption performance. DFT calculations confirm that Sb(III) and Sb(V) interact strongly with carboxyl and hydroxyl groups via hydrogen bonding, exhibiting distinct binding energetics. Targeted adsorption experiments with Fe-modified biochars further validated the ML-identified descriptor-performance relationships. By integrating prediction, mechanism, and validation, the BiMeSorb framework provides a quantitative and transferable strategy for rational design of biochar adsorbents to improve aqueous Sb adsorption performance under tested experimental conditions.
Mariculture tailwater, characterized by high nitrate (NO3−-N) and a low carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio, presents a significant challenge for coastal environment protection. To address this, we developed a hybrid carrier biofilter combining pyrite and maifanite (PM) to enhance nitrogen removal performance. The PM biofilter achieved 88.98
Solar-driven evaporation-adsorption for lithium extraction from seawater can improve the adsorption efficiency towards lithium ions, however, the fabrication of conventional solar-driven evaporation-adsorption materials offen suffers from secondary pollution. To address these issues, this study developed a biomass-based evaporation-adsorption material PVV@VLJ-LIS by synergistically utilising multiple components of Vaccinium bracteatum Thunb. leaves, enabling the integrated coupling of interfacial evaporation and selective lithium adsorption. A freezing and salting out strategy was employed to crosslink a poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel and a VLJ-modified titanium-based lithium-ion sieve on the evaporator surface, thereby achieving in situ self-assembly between the organic components from the leaves and the lithium-ion sieve. VLJ endows PVV@VLJ-LIS with broadband photothermal absorption and antibacterial activity, and simultaneously promotes interfacial Li+ diffusion kinetics. Meanwhile, P-VLR serves as a porous supporting framework, facilitating the fixation of the lithium-ion sieve and water transport. Under 1 sun irradiation, the PVV@VLJ-LIS evaporator achieved a photothermal evaporation rate of 1.61 kg/(m2·h) with an evaporation efficiency of 80
Emerging contaminants (ECs) are becoming increasingly widespread in terrestrial ecosystems, with growing evidence that their presence poses substantial risks to plant health. As EC-induced effects can propagate across molecular, physiological, organismal, and ecological levels, a systematic framework is needed to organize and interpret their biological consequences across scales. In this review, the Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) framework is employed to describe the progression of EC-induced effects in plants, from initial molecular interactions to final adverse outcomes (AOs). Major exposure routes in plant environments are first outlined, with particular attention to how uptake, translocation, biotransformation, and subcellular localization shape internal exposure, target-site availability, and potential interactions with biomacromolecular targets. The subsequent key event (KE) modules are then synthesized, linking upstream molecular and cellular perturbations to downstream physiological dysfunction and functional impairment. These mechanistic alterations are further related to plant-relevant AOs, including growth inhibition, deterioration in crop yield and quality, reduced carbon sequestration capacity, and potential broader impairment of ecosystem functioning. Current knowledge gaps are also highlighted, and the potential utility of an EC-plant AOP perspective in risk assessment and management is discussed. By integrating evidence along the AOP continuum, this review provides a mechanistic and multi-scale perspective on EC-induced plant effects and offers a scientific basis for assessing and managing EC risks in ecosystems.
The composition of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash is influenced by regional waste characteristics, incineration technology, and air pollution control systems. However, systematic characterization of the elemental distribution patterns across large-scale databases remains limited. Therefore, this study constructed a comprehensive dataset of 1439 fly ash samples from multiple countries and Chinese provinces and used integrated statistical analysis, machine learning imputation, and correlation network approaches to reveal the underlying geochemical relationships. Random forest imputation successfully addressed missing data problems (11.7
As prevalent emerging contaminants, organophosphate esters (OPEs) are widely detected in aquatic ecosystems. However, few studies have systematically compared their bioaccumulation and trophodynamics across different aquatic food webs. In this study, a total of 34 species (n = 498) were collected from Liaodong Bay (LDB) and Songhua River (SHR). Tri-n-propyl phosphate (TPP) and tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) were the predominant OPEs in the organisms from LDB and SHR, respectively, with median concentrations of 147 and 266 ng/g lipid weight, lw. Low bioaccumulation was observed for 8 OPEs in LDB because their logarithmic bioaccumulation factors (log BAFs) were all below 3.7. In SHR, phytoplankton exhibited the strongest accumulation capacity for most OPEs, with the exception of TCEP. Overall, most OPEs presented higher bioaccumulation potential in freshwater food webs than in marine ones. TCEP and tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (TEHP) had the highest biota-sediment accumulation factor (BSAF) in SHR (87.0) and LDB (248), respectively. A hump-shaped relationship between log Kow and log BAF suggested that OPEs with moderate hydrophobicity were more susceptible to bioaccumulation. Eight OPEs underwent biodilution in LDB; only TCEP displayed distinct biomagnification (trophic magnification factor = 1.75) in SHR, whereas other congeners showed biodilution. Salinity, pH and dissolved organic carbon exerted distinct effects on the bioaccumulation and trophodynamics of different OPEs. TCEP in most organisms in SHR may pose potential cancer risk, with the incremental lifetime cancer risk ranging from 10−6 to 10−4. This finding provides reliable field data and scientific support for differentiated ecological risk control of OPEs in diverse aquatic environments.
Cadmium (Cd) contamination in farmland soils poses a significant threat to agricultural sustainability and environmental safety. Although research on soil and crop Cd pollution has expanded, systematic comparative analyses of how different remediation materials affect core soil properties, Cd bioavailability, and crop attributes remain limited. To address this gap, we performed a meta-analysis of data from 116 published studies spanning the past 15 years. This study evaluates the efficacy of various remediation materials, including mixed amendments, synthetic agents, natural minerals, organic materials, and biochar, in remediating Cd-contaminated farmland. Biochar most comprehensively improved soil properties such as pH, soil organic matter (SOM), and available phosphorus, with pronounced enhancement of available P (effect size > 1) and cation exchange capacity (CEC) (effect size > 0.4), while effectively reducing soil bioavailable Cd (effect size = −0.37) and exchangeable Cd (effect size = −0.24). The consistency of biochar performance between pot and field experiments supports the translatability of laboratory findings to practical applications. Biochar efficacy was modulated by its properties: alkaline biochar was more effective at improving soil fertility, and biochar produced at temperatures above 600 °C exhibited stronger Cd immobilization capacity. Furthermore, biochar combined with other materials (biochar + x) outperformed biochar alone. This study addresses a critical gap in the evaluation of single remediation agents, clarifies the scientific basis for material selection, and establishes an integrated research framework from agent screening to field application.
Heterogeneous catalytic ozonation (HCO) has emerged as a promising route for eliminating refractory organic contaminants from wastewater, relying on catalyst-assisted ozone activation to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the low electron transfer efficiency between active sites of the catalyst and ozone molecules hinders the efficient and sustainable ROS generation, thereby impacting the overall HCO performance. Herein, we propose a ligand-based strategy for expediting electron transfer and valence circulation of catalyst for HCO. We found that oxalic acid (OA), a representative terminal product generated during the ozonation of various aromatic organics, induced a 3.3-fold increase in the rate constant of catalytic ozonation of ibuprofen (IBU) by CeO2, surpassing other low-molecular-weight organic acids. Experiments and characterizations proved that OA not only accelerated the Ce3+/Ce4+ valence cycle for activating ozone into hydroxyl radical (·OH), but also could be transformed into carbon-centered radicals (C2O4•− and CO2•−) that participated in the degradation of pollutants, achieving a dual-pathway synergy to promote the catalytic performance of HCO. Moreover, we unveiled that the self-accelerating phenomenon of OA prevailed in the HCO of multi-structured pollutants. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of organic ligands to regulate electron transfer processes and redox dynamics in catalytic ozonation, offering new insight into the design of more efficient water treatment systems.
Surface ozone pollution in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) is strongly modulated by mesoscale weather patterns (MWPs), which govern the emission, transport, and chemical evolution of ozone and its precursors. To develop weather-specific control strategies, we used unsupervised classification to identify four characteristic MWPs associated with ozone exceedance days in the PRD during 2015–2023: spring/fall convergence between inland and coastal flow near the PRD estuary (MWP-1), spring coastal convergence between inland flow and sea breeze (MWP-2), summer/early-fall warm stagnant conditions under the Subtropical High (MWP-3), and summer/early-fall weak northerlies under typhoon influence (MWP-4). MWP-3 accounted for the largest share of exceedance days (35.4
The control of NOx emissions is of critical importance for improving air quality. Selective catalytic reduction of NOx with NH3 (NH3-SCR) remains the leading technology for NOx abatement. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in typical metal oxide catalysts, including V-based, Ce-based, Fe-based, and Mn-based systems. It critically discusses the underlying reaction mechanisms and highlights the pivotal roles of catalyst supports, additives, morphology, pretreatment, preparation methods, and synergistic effects between different metal components in determining catalytic activity and poisoning resistance. Furthermore, a comprehensive analysis of the practical challenges posed by complex flue gas compositions—including H2O, SO2, P, and heavy or alkali metals—is provided. For V-based catalysts, regeneration methods are discussed in detail. In contrast to conventional V-based systems, the challenges associated with the industrial application of non-vanadium catalysts are also summarized, with particular emphasis on their durability under real-world conditions and resistance to flue gas components. Finally, we present perspectives and outline future research directions aimed at guiding the development of next-generation SCR catalysts, with a focus on elucidating reaction mechanisms under complex conditions and bridging the gap between laboratory-scale research and practical industrial application.
Energy-storage deployment in renewable projects is often assessed without considering when storage is manufactured and replaced, or how rapidly supporting grids decarbonize across regions. This study develops a prospective dynamic life-cycle assessment framework to evaluate the climate value of floating photovoltaic (FPV)-storage systems across China’s provincial grids. The framework links province-specific grid decarbonization trajectories with year-specific life-cycle emissions from FPV systems coupled with lithium iron phosphate batteries (LFP), vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFB), and pumped hydro storage (PHS), and quantifies net climate benefit using marginal carbon abatement efficiency (MCAE). Accounting for temporal changes in grid carbon intensity during storage replacement substantially revises replacement-phase emissions relative to static assessment. Results reveal strong spatial heterogeneity in storage climate value. Under the modelling assumptions adopted here, PHS generally achieves the highest MCAE, followed by LFP and VRFB. In hydropower-dominated low-carbon provinces such as Sichuan, MCAE can become negative, indicating that adding storage to FPV systems may increase rather than reduce life-cycle CO2 emissions. The zero-benefit analysis suggests a model-dependent grid carbon-intensity screening zone of approximately 0.14–0.24 kg CO2/kWh under the tested sensitivity range, rather than a generally applicable threshold. These findings indicate that uniform storage mandates may misallocate decarbonization effort, and that storage deployment should be differentiated according to regional grid conditions, storage technology, and deployment timing.
Achieving simultaneous high-efficiency nitrogen removal and membrane fouling control remains a critical challenge in Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) technology. In this study, we investigated the integration of microgranular activated carbon (μGAC) into a flat-sheet MBR to enhance system performance. By strategically optimizing the sludge retention time (SRT) to 20 d, the system maintained a high concentration of functional biomass, which, when coupled with the fluidized state of μGAC, established a highly efficient simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) environment. The biofilm on μGAC exhibited a relatively high total abundance of nitrogen-removing and organic-degrading bacteria, and the SND rate in the μGAC–MBR was 85.53
In this study, a two-stage upflow anaerobic sludge blanket-anoxic/oxic (UASB-A/O) coupled reactor system was developed for the rapid start-up of high-ammonium wastewater treatment, with partial denitrification-Anammox (PD/A) as the core nitrogen-removal pathway. Rapid start-up was assessed based on stable nitrogen-removal performance, sustained nitrite availability for Anammox, and enrichment of Anammox-related bacteria. The operating performance and microbial community succession were evaluated over 166 d of continuous operation under progressively increasing influent NH4+-N concentrations. The front-end UASB reactor maintained a nitrogen-removal efficiency of 84
