Dissolved organic matter (DOM) controls the degradation and sequestration of aquatic pollutants and, in turn, water quality. In particular, pollutant degradation is performed by oxidant species that are generated by exposure of DOM to solar light, yet, since DOM is a very complex mixture of poorly known substances, the relationships between potential oxidant precursors in DOM and their oxydative capacity

There is a growing society demand for healthier, safer and environmental-friendly products. For instance, essential oils are emerging as a natural alternatives for replacing synthetic pharmaceuticals. Essential oils have indeed proven in vitro pharmacological activities to treat various diseases. Nonetheless, the application of essential oils is limited by their low solubility, low bioavailability

Human activities have led to a massive increase in \(\hbox {CO}_{2}\) emissions as a primary greenhouse gas that is contributing to climate change with higher than \(1\,^{\circ }\hbox {C}\) global warming than that of the pre-industrial level. We evaluate the three major technologies that are utilised for carbon capture: pre-combustion, post-combustion and oxyfuel combustion. We review the advances

Photocatalytic optical fibers are promising materials for degrading organic pollutants in wastewater, owing to their low light mass transfer resistance, their high efficiency of light utilization, and their inhibition of photocatalyst deactivation. In particular, optical fibers have been applied for the removal of phenols, dyes, organic acids and antibiotics in wastewater. Yet, optical fibers have

Climate change and pollution induced by fossil fuel consumption is calling for alternative, renewable organic products in the context of the future circular economy. For instance, biochar has emerged as a versatile material produced during pyrolysis, hydrothermal liquefaction and gasification of biomass such as algae, plant and organic waste. Here, we review algal biomass, biochar production by hydrothermal

Rising worldwide concern about the quantity and quality of water available to living beings calls for efficient technologies of water treatment. Nanomaterials are promising adsorbents to remove contamination from aqueous solution, and magnetic nanomaterials based on iron have attracted attention because magnetic materials are easy to separate. Here, we review iron magnetic nanomaterials applied for

Pollution and climate change induced by fossil fuel usage are calling for the development of a circular bioeconomy based on carbon neutral resources such as marine macroalgae, also named seaweeds. Macroalgal biomass can generate biofuels and valuable bioproducts such as hydrocolloids and other unique biomolecules. Biorefinery of marine macroalgae involves a minimum use of energy and chemicals, and

Pollution by toxic, non-degradable metals is a rising health concern in the context of increasing industrialization and metal demand. Diseases may include brain damage, cardiovascular problems, gastrointestinal disorders and cancer, calling for advanced methods to clean soil, water, wastewater and air. Here, we review the use of ionic liquids, which are considered as eco-friendly solvents, to remove

Silica nanoparticles have rapidly found applications in medicine, supercapacitors, batteries, optical fibers and concrete materials, because silica nanoparticles have tunable physical, chemical, optical and mechanical properties. In most applications, high-purity silica comes from synthetic organic precursors, yet this approach could be costly, polluting and non-biocompatible. Alternatively, natural

Mercury emission from industrial activities has become a major environmental health concern, because mercury is one of the most toxic metals encountered in the environment. Elemental mercury is the dominant Hg species in gas streams. Adsorption is regarded as a practical technique for Hg0 removal, for which developing efficient and economic adsorbents are needed. Chalcogenides have recently gained

Food wastage is a major issue impacting public health, the environment and the economy in the context of rising population and decreasing natural resources. Wastage occurs at all stages from harvesting to the consumer, calling for advanced techniques of food preservation. Wastage is mainly due to presence of moisture and microbial organisms present in food. Microbes can be killed or deactivated, and

CO2 emission is partly responsible for climate change induced by greenhouse effects. Carbon capture, utilization and storage is a major pathway to reduce CO2 emission. This article reviews conversion of CO2 into value-added products by photocatalytic, electrocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic processes, which involve a catalyst, a reducing agent, an electrolyte and a reactor. An ideal catalyst should

Disinfection is a common practice to inhibit pathogens, yet success is limited by microbial adaptation and our poor knowledge of viral transmission, notably in the current COVID-19 pandemic. There is a need for alternative disinfection strategies and techniques that are adapted to the actual behavior of humans living in densely populated mega-cities. Here, high public circulation in shared passenger

In Japan, chloroethylene is a regulated substance under the soil contamination countermeasures act since 2017, due to the presence of chloroethylene in soil leachate and groundwater. As a consequence, chloroethylene concentrations must be accurately determined to ensure the safety of drinking water, yet chloroethylene standard solutions with reliable concentrations have not been available because chloroethylene

The demand for quality food is expected to increase with the rising population across the globe. Fruits are a major source of nutraceuticals, yet nutrient depletion in soils is altering fruit cultivation. Conventional fertilizers have raised food production after the green revolution, yet intensive agriculture has induced soil degradation and food contamination by pesticides. Conventional fertilizers

The use of electric arc furnaces is important in steelmaking, notably to recycle scrap steel, yet arc furnace is an unintentional source of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as chlorinated dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs), dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) and brominated dioxins and furans (PBDD/Fs). Here, we review the level, profiles, influencing factors and formation mechanisms

Water contamination and freshwater shortage are calling for advanced technologies of water recycling. High performance of membrane separation has been recently obtained using carbon-based membrane materials such as carbon, carbon nanotubes, carbon fiber membranes, activated carbon and graphene. Properties of carbon materials improve fouling mitigation, hydrophilicity and permeate quality. Here, we

Chromium is a major strategic mineral widely used in industrial processes, yet mineral resources are decreasing, calling for advanced recycling techniques to recover chromium from ores, waste and contaminated media. Here, we review chromium resources and methods to leach out Cr, such as calcium-roasting, sodium-roasting, acidic leaching, alkaline leaching and sub-molten technology.

Waste will become the major resource in the future circular economy. In particular, E-waste is a major sector growing at an annual rate of about 2 million tonnes (Mt) with rising users of electrical and electronic items worldwide. This is a consequence of versatility and affordability of technological innovation, thus resulting in massive sales and e-waste increases. Most end-users lack knowledge on

The growing pollution by hazardous agents is a major concern due to pollutant transfer to water, air, soil and food. Since actual analytical methods are limited, there is a need for detectors that are more sensitive, more selective, faster and cheaper. For instance, advanced portable biosensors have better sensitivity compared to classical diagnostic devices. Here, we review ultrasensitive detection

l-lactate is a major analyte in the food industry, bioprocess engineering, sports medicine and clinical care unit. l-lactate detection by standard analytical techniques is expensive, time-consuming and difficult for in situ studies. Therefore, selective l-lactate biosensors are developed to overcome the current challenges of food industries and biological sectors. High-throughput nanobiosensors appear

Antibiotics released in agricultural soils alter soil bacterial communities, inducing antimicrobial resistance and, in turn, canceling the efficiency of antibiotic drugs used for human and animal health. In soils, antibiotic impact on nitrogen cycling is poorly known, notably when antibiotic mixtures are applied. We hypothesized that the impact of antibiotic mixtures would have higher effects on denitrification

Platinum (Pt)-based catalysts have sparked intensive interest in fuel cell research. Activated carbon fibers are widely used for electrodes due to their high conductivity, yet their surface treatment commonly involves toxic reagents. Here we treated activated carbon fibers with CO2 and H2O at 100 °C for 1 h under 20 bar. Results show that treated activated carbon fibers display a higher Pt(IV) adsorption

Accidental oil spills in ocean may occur during exploration, production, transportation and use. The spilled oil frequently reaches shoreline where it may harm more or less the ecosystem depending on the physicochemical properties of spilled oil. Here, we review the physicochemical behavior of petroleum hydrocarbons, such as crude oil and refined products, on various types of shorelines under various

Contamination by heavy metals including As, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni and Zn in agricultural fields is a global safety issue. Indeed, excessive accumulations of metals have detrimental effects on life by altering cell components such as lipids, proteins, enzymes and DNA. Phytoremediation appears as a solution to remove metals from contaminated sites, yet metal uptake is usually low in most common

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has brought speculations on possible transmission routes of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causal agent of the pandemic. Air pollution has been linked to increased risks of COVID-19 infection and mortality rates in regions with poor air quality, yet no retrospective study has been reported on foodborne transmission of COVID-19

Knowledge of the behavior of microbial communities in ecosystems is limited, yet microbes control partly all element cycles and, in turn, processes influencing pollution and climate change. In particular, heterotrophic denitrification is major process controlling the transformation of nitrogen oxides pollutants, e.g. nitrates (NO4-) and nitrous oxide (N2O), a greenhouse gas. Iron acts as either nutrient

Glass waste dumps from crystal glass production is an health issue due to the occurrence of antimony, arsenic, cadmium and lead in crystal glass. Recovery of those elements could both decrease pollution and recycle metals in the circular economy. Pyrometallurgy is a potential recovery method, yet limited by high energy consumption. Here we tested a lower-energy alternative in which glass is mechanically

The use of natural compounds in medicine for the treatment of diseases started since ancient days. Though many natural compounds exhibit potent pharmacological activity, their medicinal application is limited by low solubility, permeability or stability. Therefore, pharmaceutical scientists are developing drug delivery systems and carriers that allow better efficacy and clinical success. For instance

Plastics are common in our daily lifestyle, notably in the packaging of goods to reducing volume, enhancing transportation efficiency, keeping food fresh and preventing spoilage, manufacturing healthcare products, preserving drugs and insulating electrical components. Nonetheless, massive amounts of non-biodegradable plastic wastes are generated and end up in the environment, notably as microplastics

Systemic insecticides such as neonicotinoids are widely used in seed coating practices for pest control in many crops, e.g., corn. Their success is due to their ability to protect the whole plant, from the roots to the upper leaves, but their use at high amounts is causing possible adverse effects on non-target animals exposed to contaminated pollen, nectar, leaves, and dust emitted during sowing.

Chromite mining activities are indispensable for production of goods and services. Sukinda is a major mining site of Odisha, India, polluted by chromium, which is highly toxic in its hexavalent form. The Sukinda valley is a rich source of chromites, amounting to almost 95% of Cr available in India, and is the fourth most polluted site worldwide. Immediate solutions are needed to protect the health

The extensive use of petroleum-based synthetic and non-biodegradable materials for packaging applications has caused severe environmental damage. The rising demand for sustainable packaging materials has encouraged scientists to explore abundant unconventional materials. For instance, cellulose, extracted from lignocellulosic biomass, has gained attention owing to its ecological and biodegradable nature

The USA, China and India are the top three producers of municipal solid waste. The composition of solid wastes varies with income: low-to-middle-income population generates mainly organic wastes, whereas high-income population produces more waste paper, metals and glasses. Management of municipal solid waste includes recycling, incineration, waste-to-energy conversion, composting or landfilling. Landfilling

Anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere is inducing global warming, ocean acidification, polar ice melting, rise in sea level, droughts and hurricanes, thus threatening human health and the global economy. Therefore, there is a need to develop cost-effective technologies for CO2 capture. For instance, solution absorption is promising due to a large processing capacity, high

Many major cities that witnessed heavy air pollution by nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM) have experienced a high rate of infection and severity of the coronavirus disease pandemic (COVID-19). This phenomenon could be explained by the overexpression of the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) on epithelial cell surfaces of the respiratory tract. Indeed, ACE-2 is a receptor for coronaviruses

Household wastewaters contain microplastics and nanoplastics that end up in ecosystems because these pollutants are not filtered by current wastewater treatment plants. Therefore, there is a need for advanced removal technologies. Here, we tested the degradation of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and polystyrene (PS) nanoparticles by photocatalysis with TiO2–P25/β-SiC foams under UV-A radiation. We studied

The inert nature of most commercial polymers and nanomaterials results in limitations of applications in various industrial fields. This can be solved by surface modifications to improve physicochemical and biological properties, such as adhesion, printability, wetting and biocompatibility. Polymer functionalization allows to graft specific moieties and conjugate molecules that improve material performances

Ever increasing demand for food and agricultural resources have led to escalation of pesticide poisoning and environmental hazards. An efficient system for pesticide detection is a constant endeavour and several technologies are working hand in hand to generate effective biosensors for various classes of pesticides. Innovative technologies are being developed for pesticides detection which overcome

Many natural substances are efficient in vitro and in vivo for the treatment of various disorders. However, treatment is often limited by their low bioavailability, water solubility and permeation. As a consequence, drugs are administered frequently and in large doses. There is therefore a need for techniques to enhance the solubility, permeability and the stability. Here, we review methods to improve

Traditional dyeing usually consumes a large amount of water and chemicals, thus causing environmental problems. To alleviate these problems, non-aqueous dyeing technology appears as an alternative for improving dye fixation and reducing effluent discharge. Here we used silicone non-aqueous medium to dye a wool fabric. Continuous pad dyeing with reactive dyes was investigated. We optimized the type

Microalgae are feedstocks for production of carbon-neutral biofuels. Efforts have been performed to market microalgae biofuels, yet the production of microalgae biofuel remains a challenge due to the high production cost and low product yield. In particular, lipid extraction is a critical step to be optimized. Here, we review lipid extraction technologies and cell lysis strategies. Extraction techniques

Passive techniques are a constantly evolving method of monitoring water pollution, allowing the simultaneous sampling and concentration of selected chemical compounds. The most popular aqueous passive samplers are those in which sorbents are used as receiving phases, including: the Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Sampler (POCIS). Originally, POCIS contained the copolymer poly(divinylbenzene)-co-N-vinylpyrrolidone

Environmental pollution is a major issue, yet actual remediation techniques are limited. Carbon-based materials are increasingly used to treat air and water. Here we review the applications of carbon nanomaterials made of biochar, activated carbon, carbon nanotubes and graphene for the adsorption of toxic gases, the removal of pollutants from ecosystems, and the improvement of anaerobic digestion.

Laccases are multi-copper oxidase enzymes produced by living organisms such as bacteria, fungi and plants. Laccases are widely used by the industry because laccases are abundant and highly efficient. Laccases isolated from microbial sources are less stable and less active. To improve their kinetic properties and reusability, laccases have been immobilized on various supports. Immobilized laccases have

Microorganisms develop in food during slaughtering, processing, packaging operations and transportation. Foodborne infections and decay are major concerns for farmers and the food industry. Gaseous chlorine dioxide (ClO2) is increasingly used for disinfection in packaging of fresh meat, meat products and other produce because ClO2 has strong antimicrobial effect with minimal impact on the environment

Nanoparticles are a potential source and carrier of nutrients and pollutants in aquatic ecosystems, yet the stability of nanoparticles in environmental conditions is poorly known. Here, we studied volcanic ash nanoparticles by simultaneous application of capillary zone electrophoresis and laser diffraction for determination of size, zeta-potential and long-term aggregation stability. Results show that

Biotransformation of organic wastes into value-added products is gaining interest owing to waste management issues, exhaustion of fossil fuels and the demand for biodegradable plastics. Lactic acid is widely used for polymers, foods, beverages, medicines, cosmetics and clothing. However, the major obstacle in large-scale fermentation of lactic acid is achieving enhanced yield, productivity and optical

Electrospun fibers are advanced supporting layers in water purification. Coating the fibers with polydopamine should increase the hydrophilicity and removal efficiency. Here, we report a simple method to fabricate an adsorbent based on polydopamine and electrospun fibers. Polyacrylonitrile and dopamine coelectrospun micro-/nanofibers were selected as supporting layer, and then self-polymerization of

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are found in the aquatic environment globally. Such drugs including naproxen, ibuprofen and ketoprofen are chiral molecules. Enantiomers of those drugs have identical physicochemical properties but can behave and interact differently in chiral environments due to differences in their three-dimensional shape. This results in enantiospecific differences

Recycling methods will be essential for the future circular economy in the context of declining natural resources. Nanomaterials are promising adsorbents to recover rare earth elements from wastewater, yet the practical application of nanomaterials is limited by spontaneous agglomeration, easy collapse of structures and the difficulty in collecting nanomaterials after adsorption. To solve these issues

Reactions in water as a safe and cheap solvent is a major goal of green chemistry. Actual synthesis of pyrido-dipyrimidine scaffold, named DNA-base hybrids, involves catalysis in hazardous solvents. Here we synthesised pyrido-dipyrimidines by one-pot heterocyclization of thiobarbituric acid, vanillic aldehydes and amines in water. Enamine and vanillidene are key intermediates of the Biginelli-like

Nonylphenol is a typical endocrine-disrupting chemical that has received considerable attention from government officials, scientists and the public due to its estrogenicity and ubiquitous occurrence in water environments. Here we review the current knowledge on nonylphenol occurrence, distribution, toxic effects and water quality criteria related to the protection of freshwater organisms. Nonylphenol

Food safety is a major concern in the context of rising population and decreasing earth resources. Food is often contaminated by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites, which induce disease such as hemolytic uremic, irritable bowel and Guillain–Barre syndromes. Detection of pathogenic microbes is therefore essential for food safety. Detection methods include biological methods, biosensors and methods

The COVID-19 pandemic has induced dramatic effects on the population of the industrialized north of Italy, whereas it has not heavily affected inhabitants of the southern regions. This might be explained in part by human exposure to high levels of fine particulate matter (PM) in the air of northern Italy, thus exacerbating the mortality. Since trees mitigate air pollution by intercepting PM onto plant

Green synthesis of nanoparticles has many potential applications in environmental and biomedical fields. Green synthesis aims in particular at decreasing the usage of toxic chemicals. For instance, the use of biological materials such as plants is usually safe. Plants also contain reducing and capping agents. Here we present the principles of green chemistry, and we review plant-mediated synthesis

Global energy demand and pollution are calling for advanced materials such as visible light semiconductor photocatalysts. In particular, cadmium sulfide (CdS) appears promising due to its tunable bandgap, high absorption of visible light and excellent optical properties. Here we review the photocatalytic mechanism, properties, synthesis and application to wastewater treatment of CdS photocatalysts

The overuse of antibiotics has led to an increase in bacterial resistance and, in turn, to a decreasing efficiency of the rare available antibiotics. Alternatively, gold nanoparticles are promising antibacterials due to their high specific surface area, easy modification by functional groups and broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. Their antibacterial properties are closely related to particle size

Unlike in developed countries, most public toilets in China do not provide toilet paper onsite and users must bring their toilet paper. Moreover, an open waste bin is placed in each user’s cubicle to collect used toilet paper and tissues. Such practices, which are common in East Asia and central America, have induced a dilemma of toilet paper disposal because some municipalities have removed waste

Environmental policies are becoming more restrictive in preserving ecosystems, encouraging the use of renewable resources such as wood. Wood products need to be protected, notably in outdoor situations, because wood is aging under the effect of climate conditions such as light, water and biodegradation. Surface color modifications occur, accompanied by a decline in physico-mechanical properties. Classical