The transition from regulated to unregulated pesticides poses emerging challenges for aquatic ecosystem management. This study combined field monitoring in the Taipu River network with a global literature review to evaluate the contamination status of regulated and unregulated pesticides in river sediments. In the Taipu River network, 56 pesticides and 7 degradation products were detected, with unregulated compounds dominating the contamination profile (45%-85%). Despite regulatory actions, certain regulated pesticides (e.g., parathion) and specific degradation products (e.g., phorate sulfone) still exhibited elevated levels and season-specific variations, indicating potential illegal use. Spatial and buffer zone analyses showed that nonpoint source inputs from croplands and built-up lands were the main sources of pesticides locally. A multicriteria prioritization framework identified 21 priority pollutants, including 13 unregulated pesticides, 5 regulated pesticides, and 3 degradation products. Comparative analysis with global data sets reveals that unregulated pesticides are an emerging worldwide concern, yet they remain insufficiently monitored. These findings underscore the phenomenon of "regrettable substitution" and emphasize the urgent need to establish adaptive, risk-based management strategies for high-risk unregulated substances and their environmental transformation products.

Zinc (Zn) metal, with abundant resources, intrinsic safety, and environmental benignity, presents an attractive prospect as a novel electrode material. However, many substantial challenges remain in realizing the widespread application of aqueous Zn-ion batteries (AZIBs) technologies. These encompass significant material corrosion challenges (This can lead to battery failure in an unloaded state.), hydrogen evolution reactions, pronounced dendrite growth at the anode interface, and a constrained electrochemical stability window. Consequently, these factors contribute to diminished battery lifespan and energy efficiency while restricting high-voltage performance. Although numerous reviews have addressed the potential of electrode and separator design to mitigate these issues to some extent, the inherent reactivity of water remains the fundamental source of these challenges, underscoring the necessity for precise regulation of active water molecules within the electrolyte. In this review, the failure mechanism of AZIBs (unloaded and in charge and discharge state) is analyzed, and the optimization strategy and working principle of water in the electrolyte are reviewed, aiming to provide insights for effectively controlling the corrosion process and hydrogen evolution reaction, further controlling dendrite formation, and expanding the range of electrochemical stability. Furthermore, it outlines the challenges to promote its practical application and future development pathways.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are persistent organic pollutants primarily emitted by heavy industry, while their relationship with light industry has remained largely overlooked. This study quantified 16 priority PAHs in sediments from an urbanized river and its tributaries using gas chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry, assessing the impact of local light industries. The total sedimentary PAH concentrations ranged from 244 to 24,616 ng/g dw (mean: 2097 ± 2673 ng/g dw), with high molecular weight PAHs predominating. PAH concentrations closely mirrored the operational footprint of the textile and shipping industries, including significantly higher PAH concentrations in the midstream compared to the upstream and downstream areas with fewer industrial activities. Additionally, PAH concentrations were significantly higher in the rainy season in the semi-closed lakes than in the dry season and normal season, likely due to increased industrial production and shipping activity, combined with the periodical closure of sluice gates that restricts the outflow of PAHs from connected lakes to the main watercourse. Multiple statistical analyses revealed that coal and petroleum combustions, primarily from these local industries, contributed 88% to the sedimentary PAH load, while vehicle exhausts and oil leakages accounted for the remaining 12%. According to sediment quality guidelines, PAHs exhibited pervasive ecological risks, even near drinking water sources. This study highlights the substantial influence of industrial activities on PAH distribution in urbanized rivers and provides a robust theoretical foundation for energy transition and drinking water protection strategies.

Process analytical technology (PAT) is a key tool in the chemical and biological production industry. However, it is still desirable to develop online PAT enabling rapid and sensitive detection of various reaction intermediates, to meet the requirements of precise and green chemistry. Here these challenges are addressed by developing a cavity-like silver aggregate (Ag cavity)-based colloidal surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) microfluidic platform, which exhibits a reproducible flow detection window, enabling sensitive online monitoring and identification of the organic reaction intermediates of the model flow photochemical reactions. The key element of the platform is the colloidal Ag cavity prepared through a template-mediated method. Finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulation and molecular adsorption measurements indicate the increased electromagnetic field and the high surface area contribute to the high SERS sensitivity of the cavity-like silver aggregates. Moreover, the Ag cavity shows a long-term flow detection window in the microfluidic channel with high reproducibility (RSD = 3.72%). This platform is successfully used to monitor and analyze the photodegradation intermediates of the model antibiotics, indicating the promising practical applications. This study contributes to the advancement of online chemistry studies and provides an effective tool for online reaction monitoring across diverse organic production fields.

Biocontaminants in aquatic environments exhibit high viability, proliferative capacity, and spatiotemporal heterogeneity, posing a fundamental challenge to traditional static and lagging monitoring paradigms. Artificial intelligence (AI) is driving a paradigm shift from 'passive response' to 'proactive intelligence'. This review systematically elaborates the latest advances in the full-chain technical system powered by AI, including intelligent identification, dynamic prediction, and precise source tracking of aquatic biocontaminants. In the identification phase, intelligent sensing and edge computing synergize to enable on-site and real-time monitoring. The application of deep learning and generative AI-based augmentation enhances identification accuracy and robustness in complex scenarios. For prediction, AI involves integrating multi-source data for dynamic early warning of algal blooms, as well as coupling with ecological mechanisms to simulate long-term effects. Regarding source tracking, explainable AI can quantify the contribution rates of pollution sources and trace the transmission pathways of biocontaminants across multi-media environments. However, the deployment of AI faces challenges such as data scarcity, model interpretability, and integration with ecological mechanisms, which are critically examined. Finally, this article concludes by outlining future directions, including AI-based adaptive identification techniques for emerging biocontaminants, the deep integration of data-driven approaches with ecological mechanisms, and the establishment of AI-driven risk assessment frameworks. The AI-driven capabilities in sensing, prediction, and source tracking pave the way for a next-generation, precise management and control system for aquatic biocontaminants.

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) shows great potential for applications in environmental remediation and the development of new energy sources. This is attributable to its advantageous energy band alignment and visible light responsiveness, which can catalyze photocatalytic redox reactions. Although these advantages, g-C3N4 suffers from high recombination rates of photogenerated carriers and a scarcity of active sites. This review paper delves into the synergistic incorporation of metal clusters with g-C3N4 to mitigate these intrinsic shortcomings, thereby enhancing its redox capabilities. We, therefore, present a comprehensive classification of metal clusters and outline their modification strategies on g-C3N4, including heterojunction construction, elemental doping, and defect engineering. This review paper provides a thorough classification and systematic summary on various modification strategies, encompassing the current employed preparation methods and their impacts on the enhancement of photocatalyst performance. Moreover, the review paper highlights the challenges associated with metal cluster-modified g-C3N4 in the fields of energy (such as photocatalytic hydrogen production and carbon dioxide reduction) and the environment (including the removal of gaseous pollutants, wastewater treatment, and elimination of organic pollutants). In this review, we also put forward the challenges of modification strategies and preparation methods to enhance their application efficiency in the aforementioned areas, thereby providing direction for future research.

The efficacy of radiotherapy (RT) is often limited by insufficient tumor selectivity and suboptimal therapeutic responses. To overcome these problems, a new kind of selenium-doped Ag/Ag2S Janus nanoparticles (Ag/Ag2SexSy JNPs) is presented as radio-responsive molecular probes for precise tumor imaging and enhanced radiosensitization. By adjusting the selenium precursor input, heterojunction nanoparticles with tunable doping ratios are synthesized, optimizing X-ray absorption and energy storage properties. Upon X-ray irradiation, the Ag/Ag2SexSy JNPs interact with overexpressed hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in tumor cells, generating highly toxic hydroxyl radicals (·OH), which effectively induce tumor cell apoptosis. Additionally, Selenium incorporation improves electron-hole pair separation efficiency and enhances the photocurrent response, promoting increased electron transfer and ·OH generation, thus amplifying reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and enhancing radiosensitization. Furthermore, the fluorescence "OFF-ON" mechanism, triggered by H2O2-induced etching of silver allows real-time monitoring of H2O2 levels via the second near-infrared window (NIR-II) fluorescence (FL) imaging "Turn On", which delineates tumor boundaries for precise RT and reduce side effects to normal tissue. This dual-functional platform not only enables real-time tracking but also enhances therapeutic outcomes, offering a promising approach to precision cancer treatment.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is widely employed due to its high sensitivity and distinctive fingerprinting capabilities. Colloidal nanoaggregates are commonly used as SERS substrates because of their mobility and the abundance of “hotspots”. Although the reagent-free “freeze-thaw-ultrasonication” method for preparing Ag nanoaggregates (AgNAs) does not introduce additional background interference and maintains the original interfacial properties of AgNAs, their unstable physical nanostructure limits SERS detection to just 7 days. Herein, we demonstrate mesoporous silica-encapsulated colloidal Ag nanoaggregates (AgNAs@m-SiO2) by combining a freeze-thaw-ultrasonication method and a cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-assisted silanization reaction, achieving long-term SERS stability of more than two months. The prepared AgNAs@m-SiO2 serve a dual capability: (1) preserving electromagnetic “hotspots” for ultra-sensitive detection (e.g., malachite green detection limit: 3.60 × 10−8 M), and (2) maintaining structural stability under harsh conditions. The AgNAs@m-SiO2 substrate exhibited superior structural stability after 50 min of ultrasonic treatment, with an initial SERS signal retention of 91.8%, which is twice that of the bare AgNAs (retention of 45%). The long-term performance further highlighted its superiority: after 70 days of storage, the composite maintained 84.3% of its original signal strength, outperforming the uncoated controls by over ten times (which retained only 8%). Crucially, the substrate’s robust design enables the direct detection of contaminants in real environmental matrices (river and seawater) for qualitative analyses and water quality assessments, thus validating its suitability for environmental sensing applications in the field.

The rapid growth of plant-based biodegradable tableware, driven by plastic restrictions, necessitates rigorous safety assessments of potential chemical contaminants like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). This study comprehensively evaluated PFAS contamination risks in commercial sugarcane pulp tableware, focusing on the residues of five target PFASs (PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxA, PFPeA) and their migration behavior under simulated use and takeout conditions. An analysis of 22 samples revealed elevated levels of total fluorine (TF: 33.7–163.6 mg/kg) exceeding the EU limit (50 mg/kg) in 31% of products. While sporadic PFOA residues surpassed the EU single compound limit (0.025 mg/kg) in 9% of samples (16.1–25.5 μg/kg), the levels of extractable organic fluorine (EOF: 4.9–17.4 mg/kg) and the low EOF/TF ratio (3.19–10.4%) indicated inorganic fluorides as the primary TF source. Critically, the migration of all target PFASs into food simulants (water, 4% acetic acid, 50% ethanol, 95% ethanol) under standardized use conditions was minimal (PFOA: 0.52–0.70 μg/kg; PFPeA: 0.54–0.63 μg/kg; others < LOQ). Even under aggressive simulated takeout scenarios (50 °C oscillation for 12 h + 12 h storage at 25 °C), PFOA migration reached only 0.99 ± 0.01 μg/kg in 95% ethanol. All migrated levels were substantially (>15-fold) below typical safety thresholds (e.g., 0.01 mg/kg). These findings demonstrate that, despite concerning residue levels in some products pointing to manufacturing contamination sources, migration during typical and even extended use scenarios poses negligible immediate consumer risk. This study underscores the need for stricter quality control targeting PFOA and inorganic fluoride inputs in sugarcane pulp tableware production.

The construction of Z-scheme heterojunction is an effective strategy to improve photocatalytic performance. First principles density functional theory (DFT) calculates that Bi3O4Cl and MoSe2 have crossed band structures. In this work, we successfully constructed MoSe2/Bi3O4Cl 2D/3D Z-scheme heterojunction by solvothermal method. Characterization by DRS, EIS and PL shows that MoSe2/Bi3O4Cl has stronger light absorption, better electrochemical properties, and higher carrier separation efficiency, which indicates the successful construction of heterojunctions. The obtained composites were further used to degrade the dye RhB in wastewater with excellent photocatalytic activity. The photocatalytic apparent rate constant of 1.0 % MoSe2/Bi3O4Cl is 7.82 times that of pure Bi3O4Cl. In addition, the catalyst has good cyclic stability, and the activity does not attenuate significantly after five cycles. Finally, according to the reaction mechanism of Z-scheme heterojunction, a detailed electron transfer path is proposed. This research provides a new inspiration for designing complex catalyst heterojunctions for the treatment of dyes in wastewater.

Fluorine (F) has substantial social and environmental significance. Despite its high natural abundance, which often leads to the neglect of its sustainable management, its primary source, fluorspar, is limited and nonrenewable. As the world's largest producer and consumer of F resources, China encounters considerable challenges in managing these resources sustainably. However, a comprehensive understanding of F flows across China's economy has been notably absent. This study establishes a national-level material flow analysis (MFA) framework to examine the circulation and accumulation of F substances across various sectors in China from 2000 to 2020. The MFA encompasses over 200 F-containing products and 15 key sectors, tracking F flows through the stages of production, manufacturing, use, and waste management. Key findings show that China's F resource supply increased from 2297.9 kt in 2000 to 6392.2 kt in 2020, with 91.1% sourced from domestic ore mining. F consumption for manufacturing F-containing products rose from 270.1 to 2462.9 kt over the same period. Traditional sectors like metallurgy, cement production, and electrolytic aluminum dominated F consumption, while emerging sectors like photovoltaics experienced rapid growth. China has been a net exporter of F resources, with exports totaling 14,732.3 kt compared to 1931.1 kt of imports over the two decades. Nonetheless, China's role in global F trade has shifted from primarily exporting ores to becoming a major producer and exporter of F-containing products. This study provides a comprehensive analysis to date of China's F resource flows, offering critical insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders to enhance sustainable F management practices and address key challenges related to resource supply, utilization efficiency, and environmental impacts.

Pharmaceuticals, which are closely linked to human activities, have attracted global attention. This study investigated the occurrence characteristics of 20 pharmaceuticals in surface water of the Yangtze Estuary and adjacent sea. A total of 14 targeted pharmaceuticals were detected in both spring and summer sampling campaigns. The mean concentrations of sulfonamides and non-sulfonamides were 36.60 ± 19.43 ng·L−1 and 50.02 ± 41.07 ng·L−1, respectively. As for non-antibiotics, their concentrations were in the range of 24.34 ± 916.8 ng·L−1 with caffeine accounting for 6.17 86.70

This study investigated the contamination levels of five typical organotin compounds in Arctic and Antarctic marine sediments. Organotin total concentrations ranged from not detected (ND) to 37.9 ng Sn/g dw and from ND to 34.0 ng Sn/g dw in surface sediments of Svalbard and Fildes Peninsula, respectively. Dibutyltin accounted for 11.3 %-100 % of butyltins in Arctic sediments, whilst diphenyltin was the predominant phenyltin species in both Arctic and Antarctic. However, the concentrations of tributyltin and triphenyltin were lower than low-substituted organotins in the study areas, indicating the effectiveness of international ban on the use of triorganotin-based antifouling paints. No significant difference in organotin contamination was found between Arctic and Antarctic, although the time suffered from human interference was shorter in the Antarctic. Overall, these data can provide a diagnosis of recent organotin inputs in polar regions and serve as a baseline for future study assessing their local applications.

This study specifically focused on Litopenaeus vannamei and examined the distribution of residual antibiotics in various components of shrimp ponds throughout an aquaculture cycle. The findings revealed that aquaculture feed served as the primary source of antibiotics, continuously introducing them into the ponds throughout the entire production cycle. A multimedia distribution model for antibiotics in the ponds was established based on the principle of mass balance. The distribution characteristics of six antibiotics with higher levels in the feed, namely, sulfamethoxazole (SMX), norfloxacin (NOF), levofloxacin (LEOF), tetracycline (TC), oxytetracycline (OTC), and chlortetracycline (CTC), were investigated in the pond water, sediment, and shrimp. At the end of the cultivation period, the total antibiotic residues accounted for 65~80% in various media, with the sediment containing 50~60% of the distribution proportion (p < 0.01), which was identified as the primary reservoir for most antibiotics, with LEOF and NOF accounting for the highest proportions (45.78% and 50.29%, respectively). Based on the model’s findings and the allowable daily dosage of antibiotics, recommendations were made for the effective control of antibiotic residues in shrimp farming management. To address the significant net loss of sulfonamides (SAs) and tetracyclines (TCs) in aquaculture production, it is crucial to carefully regulate their dosages and administration methods. Implementing eco-friendly additives and regularly cleaning surface sediments can aid in reducing antibiotic residue levels in various environmental media, thereby mitigating the environmental impact on aquaculture production activities.

High-performance adsorbents often require efficient selectivity in wastewater, recoverability, and ease of multiple regeneration cycles, but achieving this remains a significant challenge. We report a new strategy for the efficient removal of lead (Pb(II)) from contaminated water streams using an innovative tannic acid (TA)-Fe(III)-based metal-phenolic network (MPN) hybrid membrane (MPN-PAM). This novel membrane exploits the tunable pH-sensitive coordination structure of the MPN to achieve selective removal and recovery of Pb(II) while enabling efficient membrane regeneration by filtration. This membrane demonstrates superior selectivity for Pb(II) with a removal efficiency of up to 98 % and an adsorption capacity of approximately 117.58 mg/g, even in the presence of high salinity, as well as coexisting heavy metals. The membrane maintains high Pb(II) removal efficiency over 20 consecutive cycles and 95 % efficiency over 10 regeneration cycles. Under continuous operation, it treats approximately 85 L per m2 of membrane, reducing Pb(II) concentrations to trace levels (~40 μg/L), meeting electroplating wastewater standard (GB21900-2008). Additionally, even low concentrations of Pb(II) (<5 mg/L) are efficiently purified to below WHO drinking water standard (10 μg/L). The operational cost for treating Pb(II)-contaminated wastewater is about $0.13 per ton, highlighting the cost-effectiveness and potential for large-scale application in wastewater treatment.

The reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) and achieving carbon neutrality in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) has gained significant research attention due to China's dual carbon goals. However, the temporal and spatial characteristics of GHG emissions and the reduction potential regarding GHG emissions from WWTPs in China remain significant uncertainties. This study aims to evaluate GHG emissions characteristics over the years using a set of computational methods, and assess the reduction potential from WWTPs based on operational parameters and economic considerations. This study evaluated GHG emissions of more than 1000 WWTPs in China from 2009 to 2016 using operational data integrated methods (ODIM) and emission factors method to estimate direct N2O, direct CH4 emissions and indirect electricity-induced GHG emissions. GHG emissions were analyzed from temporal, spatial and operational parameters aspects. Besides, data envelopment analysis (DEA) was used to analyze WWTPs' efficiency in 2017. The results show that GHG emissions increased from 8163 Gg in 2009 to 14,008 Gg in 2016, with emission intensity maintained in the range of 0.266 kgCO2-eq/m3 to 0.298 kgCO2-eq/m3. Indirect GHG emissions from electricity consumption were the main source, which accounted for 72%-80% of the total emissions. Remarkable differences in GHG emissions were observed among six different regions and 31 provinces. WWTPs with AAO process, large treatment capacity, high loading, low influent COD concentration and high effluent NH3-N concentration contributed to lower GHG emission intensity. Further-more, the treatment process was correlated significantly with GHG emission intensity, whereas influent COD concentration had the least influence from regression analysis results. DEA evaluation indicated that the average efficiency score in 2016 was only up to 0.240 with 27 WWTPs reaching a full efficiency score (efficiency score above 1.000). Electricity consumption and ammonia nitrogen reduction were the most prioritized indicators which could be changed by-53.55% and 592.60%, respectively, to achieve a full efficiency score. The study provides a valuable reference for policymakers and stakeholders to reduce GHG emissions and achieve carbon neutrality in WWTPs, thus contributing to the larger goal of reducing GHG and mitigating climate change.

Pollen, as the male gametophyte of plants, plays a critical role in plant sexual reproduction. Investigating pollen-specific promoters not only helps to understand the regulatory mechanisms of pollen development but also provides tissue-specific promoters for plant genetic engineering. Previously, wheat promoter PSG076 was found to confer pollen-specific activity in tobacco. To determine the tissue-specific activity of PSG076 in wheat, a 1.4-kb promoter fragment was fused with the β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene and stably introduced into wheat via particle bombardment. Histochemical analysis in T1 progeny plants showed that the activity of PSG076 promoter was detected specifically in mature pollen and pollen tube. No GUS activity was found in other floral and vegetable tissues. Weak GUS staining was also visible in pollen at 45 days post anthesis (DPA). Further analysis showed that GUS activity was found weakly in middle tricellular pollen grains and increased rapidly as pollen matured. These results indicated that PSG076 promoter has strong activity specifically at late pollen development stage and can be utilized in genetic engineering investigations for creating male sterility in wheat and other plant species for hybrid seed production.

Sediments are the vital fate of organic compounds, and the recognition of organic compounds in sediments is constructive in providing comprehensive and long-term information. In this study, a three-step nontarget screening (NTS) analysis workflow using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC-TOFMS) revealed the extensive existence of organic compounds in the Taipu River sediment. Organic compounds (705) were detected and divided into four structure-related groups or eight use-related classes. In the Taipu River’s mainstream, a significant difference was found in the composition profiles of the identified organic compounds among various sites, demonstrating the organic compounds were more abundant in the midstream and downstream than in the upstream. Meanwhile, the hydrodynamic force was recognized as a potential factor influencing organic compounds’ occurrence. Based on multiple statistical analyses, the shipping and textile printing industries were considered the significant contributors to the identified organic compounds. Considering the principles of the priority substances and the current status of the substances, two traditional pollutants and ten emerging organic compounds were recognized as the priority organic compounds for the Taipu River. Conclusively, this study established a workflow for NTS analysis of sediment samples and demonstrated the necessity of NTS analysis to evaluate the impact of terrestrial emissions of organic compounds on the aquatic environment.