Abstract The proliferation of mosquito-borne diseases is a major health concern worldwide. An effective strategy to prevent the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases is using larvae control. Cinnamaldehyde, a substance from the cinnamon tree, is widely used in larvicide formulations, yet applications are limited due to the poor water solubility of cinnamaldehyde. Therefore, we prepared a sodium alginate–chitosan

Abstract There is actually health concern about the uncontrolled use of pesticides, as some banned pesticides continue to be used in many regions of the world, especially in Latin America. Advanced analytical methods are thus required to detect pesticides in water. Common pesticide analysis is done by grab sampling of water volumes ranging from milliliters to liters. Grab sampling is suitable for moderate

Abstract Global warming is mainly due to the massive emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), which should thus be limited in the future. For that, dry reforming of methane (DRM) is promising because this process uses CH4 and CO2. Ni-based catalysts have been recently developed for DRM, as a cheaper alternative to noble metal catalysts. Here, we review CO2 reforming

Abstract Gas chromatography is commonly employed to detect gaseous pollutants. However, gaseous pollutants in paper mills are multicomponent and difficult to be detected and analyzed by gas chromatography. Therefore, we developed a novel autoanalyzer with an embedded supervisory system, with which multicomponent gaseous pollutants in paper mills can be detected in real time. The autoanalyzer was applied

Abstract Environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) are emerging contaminants of increasing concern due to their toxicity for life and ecosystems, yet their formation, behavior and fate are poorly known. In particular, there is actually no knowledge on the formation of those radicals during the thermal treatment of soils containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Such knowledge is important

Abstract Climate change issues are calling for the design of renewable sources of energy. In particular, biomass energy from algae is encouraging because production of algae at the commercial scale can be done successfully with various techniques. Here, we review the conversion of algal biomass into energy by fast, slow, microwave and catalytic pyrolysis. The article details algae classification; cultivation

Abstract The leather industry earns special attention because of its strong potential for foreign exchange earnings and employment generation prospects. This industry has developed enormously over the past decades; since, leather has become a material of choice in the world of fashion. However, this industry, like many others, is facing stringent environmental regulations worldwide, due to vast usage

Abstract It is widely assumed that the discharge of nanoparticles into the environment may cause adverse effects on organisms. Nonetheless, so far most nanoparticles have demonstrated little to no observed hazards in multiple biological test systems. It is not until nanoparticles undergo transformations, e.g., release of metal ions, that most environmental toxicities are induced, yet the ionization

Abstract Cellulose is the main structural component of plant cell walls. Cellulose is a fibrous, water-insoluble substance and is considered to be the most abundant bio-derived polymer on earth. From an industrial perspective, plant cellulose has been the mainstay of the wood industries for the past 100 years. The hierarchical organization and semicrystalline nature of cellulose found in plant fibers

Abstract Soil pollution by lead (Pb) is a major health concern due to Pb toxicity. Phytoextraction could remove Pb, but this technique is limited by the low Pb mobility in soils. Pb mobility can be increased by bioaugmentation, which consists in adding selected bacteria in soil to increase Pb bioavailability. Nonetheless, many bioaugmentation and phytoextraction experiments have failed because bacterial

Abstract Divalent mercury (Hg (II)) is the predominant mercury species in aquatic environments. Hg (II) combines easily with human enzymes, thus causing acute diseases, even at very low concentrations. Among existing procedures to remove Hg (II) from water, adsorption is widely used, achieving high removal efficiencies. However, most actual adsorption techniques require high temperatures, long times

Abstract Hydrothiolations are the most useful and atom-economical pathway for the generation of sulfur–carbon and sulfur–nitrogen bonds. In particular, the preparation of sulfenylhydrazines-1,2-dicarboxylates by sulfur functionalization of nitrogen–nitrogen double bonds has received great interest in organic synthesis of compounds of unique biological properties. Previous protocols have drawbacks such

Abstract The production of fossil fuel-derived, synthetic plastics is continually increasing, while poor plastic waste management has recently induced severe pollution issues. Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5 mm. Microplastics are ubiquitous and slowly-degrading contaminants in waters and soils. Microplastics have long residence time, high stability, high potential of being fragmented

Abstract The rising activities of global agriculture and forestry industries are producing huge amounts of lignocellulosic waste, which needs to be well recycled. The management of this waste involves environmental, social, economic and political challenges. Lignocellulosics have been commonly used for construction materials and energy production, thus achieving positive social and environmental impacts

Abstract Natural polymers are recognized for health improvement and, as a consequence, are widely used in controlled drug delivery, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, wound dressing, anti-allergy textiles and personal care. Lignin is a valuable, renewable aromatic polymer and a source of low molecular weight chemicals. Lignin can also be converted into biofuels. This article reviews lignin

Abstract Rapid development of China’s industrialization and urbanization in the past decades has highly decreased air quality. For instance, the Yangtze River Delta, a major economic area in China, is incurring strong haze pollution, yet precise pollution sources are unknown. Here, we hypothesized that sources of haze pollution might be the same in nearby cities within the region. To test this hypothesis

Abstract Persistent pollutants cause adverse effects to human and environmental health. Most polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are toxic and stable in the environment, yet their removal is rarely targeted by conventional remediation methods. Alternatively, nanotechnology appears promising for contaminant removal. Indeed, nanomaterials have unique size-dependent

Abstract Carbon and graphene quantum dots are prepared using top-down and bottom-up methods. Sustainable synthesis of quantum dots has several advantages such as the use of low-cost and non-toxic raw materials, simple operations, expeditious reactions, renewable resources and straightforward post-processing steps. These nanomaterials are promising for clinical and biomedical sciences, especially in

Abstract Environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFR) are emerging contaminants of health concern. Their levels in the environment are not well known because few studies have optimized EPFR extraction. Therefore, here we studied the extraction and decay of EPFR that are formed on the surfaces of Cu(II)-montmorillonite clay contaminated by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) including benzo[a]pyrene

Abstract Nanomaterials may be of engineered or natural origin, the later being less known. Ores from many metal deposits contain high Hg concentrations, yet the chemical and structural composition of Hg-containing minerals is rarely investigated. Here, we studied pyrrhotite samples from the Hetai goldfield, Guangdong Province, China, by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM)

In the original publication of the article, the first author name has been misspelt.

Abstract Many pollution sources are difficult to identify because pollutants are transported far away into complex environments. In particular, the mechanisms of petroleum migration in sediments are poorly known. Here, we studied two sediments from the circuit of a heating plant and three sediments located at 100, 200 and 300 m away from the plant. Saturated hydrocarbons were isolated and group composition

Abstract Pollution is a major issue impacting the health of life and ecosystems. In particular, some pollutants may alter gene expression by epigenetic mechanisms such as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methylation, histone modifications, and microRNA (miRNA) expression. Epigenetics is the study of heritable changes without alteration in the DNA sequence. In the healthy state, the coordinated actions of

Abstract Uranium tailings are radioactive and toxic solid wastes that could contaminate waters, soils and sediments. Actually the risk of contamination is poorly known due to the lack of knowledge on the mobility of contaminants, especially the influence of acid rain on leaching, transformation and speciation of contaminants. Here, we studied the effect of simulated rain at different pH on the transport

Abstract Enzymes of industrial importance are primarily employed for biotechnological applications. However, high-cost and instability issues of purified enzymes hamper their usage. Multiple reuses rather than the single use is more cost-effective. A robuster bioprocess is feasible by enzyme immobilization. Performance of immobilized enzymes depends on the nature of support materials. Chitin and its

Abstract Many fruits and vegetables are sensitive to ethylene, which upon prolonged exposure induces the deterioration of food quality, such as change in taste, odour and colour, or microbial growth. Therefore, ethylene scavengers in packages can be used to limit ethylene accumulation. Ethylene scavengers extend the shelf life and retain the original food quality. Here, we review ethylene scavenging

Abstract The rising presence of antibiotics in the environment induces the production of resistant genes and thus threatens animal health because there are actually few alternative antibiotics. Here, we review recent trends on antibiotic research in water. For that, we analyzed countries, institutes, journals and keywords of 5420 articles on antibiotics in water or wastewater published between 2000

Abstract Green chemistry has fostered research on recyclable, insoluble and easily separable heterogeneous catalysts. Carbon materials are widely used for renewable energy and environmental studies. Here, we review the synthesis, properties and applications of carbon solid acids in the form of biomass, polymers, and carbon/silica-based catalysts. We show in particular that mesoporosity has a major

Abstract Chitosan is an alternative to synthetic polymers for food packaging. The mechanical and barrier properties of pure chitosan films are promising. Chitosan properties can be modified by combining chitosan with other components such as plasticizers, other polysaccharides, proteins and lipids. Here we review mechanical and barrier properties of composite films based on chitosan. The major points

Abstract Cyanobacteria are among the earth’s oldest known living groups of organisms and can form layered accretions called microbialites, found in both the fossil record and existing lakes. Studies of cyanobacterial biochemical processes help to understand the evolution of life on earth. The conserved metabolism of cyanobacterial species includes the biosynthesis of unusual nonprotein amino acids

Abstract Eutrophication of water bodies is a phenomenon during which toxic microcystins from cyanobacteria are released into water. Natural minerals in soils and sediments are able to catalyze the degradation of microcystins. Here we studied the hydrolytic removal of microcystins on the surface of pyrite (FeS2). The surface structure of pyrite was analyzed by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron

Abstract The shortage of fossil fuels is actually a major economic issue in the context of increasing energy demand. Renewable energies are thus gaining in importance. For instance, microalgae-based fuels are viewed as an alternative. Microalgae are microscopic unicellular plants, which typically grow in marine and freshwater environments. They are fast growing, have high photosynthetic efficiency

Abstract Energy consumption is a major factor influencing climate change. Low-carbon strategies can be defined from carbon (C) footprint and ecological pressure caused by energy consumption. We hypothesized that this should be done at the regional and city levels because factors controlling C footprints vary with location and time, yet there is actually little knowledge at local levels. Here, we mapped

Abstract Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are major pollutants in air, soils and sediments. PAH-polluted soils can be cleaned rapidly by thermal treatment. PAH volatilization is considered as the main process explaining PAH removal at low temperature, yet other processes may occur. Particularly, we hypothesize that thermal transformation can also explain PAH removal, where transformation refers

Abstract Elevated soil concentrations of antimony (Sb) and co-contaminants are frequently encountered where antimony has been mined on a large scale. For instance, the Xikuangshan antimony mine in central South China has sustained, over many centuries, dispersed and spatially variable input of toxic elements into the soil ecosystem. We utilized this unique environment to assess the impact of geochemical

Abstract Climate change, greenhouse gas emissions and energy demand are actually calling for new methods to manage better carbon-containing compounds. In particular, the valorization of CH4 and CO2 by dry reforming of methane may both abate pollution and produce a syngas with a H2/CO ratio close to 1, which is advantageous for industrial applications, and is a cheaper and cleaner alternative to fossil

Abstract Transforming carbon dioxide (CO2) into value-added fuels is an innovative way to address both the energy and the climate issues. In particular, formic acid, as formate salt, is recently attracting attention because this acid can be used as a chemical fuel in fuel cells. Here we present a novel method for hydrogenating CO2-containing industrially relevant salts, such as sodium bicarbonate ammonium

Abstract Most organic solvents used in quaternization reactions are volatile, hazardous, toxic and form by-products, thus inducing health issues and pollution. Deep eutectic solvents are greener alternatives, but they have not been tested yet in the quaternization reaction. Here we propose eutectic solvents in the quaternization reaction of nicotinamide with substituted 2-bromoacetophenones. The reaction

Abstract The herbicide glyphosate is widely used to control weeds in grain crops. The overuse of glyphosate has induced issues such as contamination of surface water, decreased soils fertility, adverse effects on soil microbiota and possible incorporation in food chains. Here we review biochemical, agricultural, microbiological and analytical aspects of glyphosate. We discuss uptake, translocation

Abstract Industrial wastewater often contains xenobiotics such as heavy metals, dyes and proteins, yet there is a lack of efficient cleaning methods. Therefore, here we fabricated hollow fiber membranes using polyphenylsulfone containing 1, 3 and 5 wt% of cellulose acetate and cellulose acetate phthalate by non-solvent induced phase separation. Membrane morphology was characterized by field emission

Abstract Oxyanions are ubiquitous in soils, organisms and the environment. Due to their unique chemical structure, oxyanions can be easily transferred into other systems. Carbonate (CO32−), nitrate (NO3−), phosphate (PO43−), silicate (SiO42−) and sulfate (SO42−) are the major oxyanions in organisms and the soil environment, whereas arsenate (AsO43−), antimonate (SbO43−), borate (BO33−), selenate (SeO42−)

Abstract Microbial bioactive compounds are one of the most natural and raw form of chemical metabolites present in nature. There has been recently an increasing interest in the use of microorganisms for the isolation and production of metabolites for application in health care. A large number of microbial metabolites have been isolated and screened for the treatment of human diseases. Here, we review

Abstract Polymers are used in drug delivery devices for drug encapsulation and release. Natural polymers often have advantages such as biocompatibility, biodegradability and biologically recognizable moieties which support cellular activities, compared to synthetic polymers. Chitosan, a naturally occurring polysaccharide obtained from chitin, has recently drawn attention because chitosan is non-toxic

Abstract Water pollution and energy production are major issues in the context of climate change, urbanization and industrialization. There is need for cost-effective and sustainable processes for wastewater treatment. Here we designed a novel system made of a stack of 12 vertically-arranged constructed wetlands coupled with microbial fuel cells. Performance was evaluated in terms of chemical oxygen

d-glucosamine contributes to cell membrane stability. d-Glucosamine controls biological responses and protect both cells and tissues. This review focuses the mechanisms of stability in biomedical situations. Positively charged amino groups of d-glucosamine can bind the cell membrane electrically to protect against tissue damage. Wound healing can be accelerated by the application of a d-glucosamine

Abstract 3-Cyanopiperidin-2,6-diones are key intermediates in the synthesis of several drugs and natural products. We developed one-pot synthesis of 3-cyanopiperidin-2,6-diones by Knoevenagel condensation of cyanoacetic acid and aldehydes, followed by addition of cyanoacetic acid, Achmatowicz reaction and decarboxylation. We tested a wide range of aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes. Products were obtained

Abstract Due to strict legislation which governs the use of pesticides, fertilizers and plant growth regulators, there is a demand for organic alternatives. Potential risks for people, possible long-term health effects, and pesticide environmental fate resulted in a widespread societal issue. Because sustainable agriculture interconnects the economically and socially, the use of environmentally sound

Abstract In 2012, 7 million premature deaths were attributed to air pollution, of which 4.3 million to indoor air pollution inducing the “sick building syndrome.” In particular, formaldehyde, a toxic and highly reactive chemical, has been linked to cancer. The use of soil microbial biomass and plants to remove formaldehyde from polluted air by plants has been proposed, but there are so far few quantitative

Abstract Daily dishwashing is a common household activity. Washing dishes in a sink is considered safe for the environment because it requires few water and human energy. There are concerns, however, that residues from the detergent used may impact health and the environment. Here, we studied the adsorption and toxicity of two detergent ingredients, the biocide 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one and the

Abstract With the rapid development of nanotechnology, metal sulfide nanoparticles have been widely detected in the environment including water, soils and sediments. Metal sulfides are considered as stable species in the environment, while transformation and risk of nanoparticles have attracted increasing attention due to their specific physicochemical properties compared to bulk materials. Here we

Biogas, e.g., biomethane, is produced by fermentation of organic matter and can be used as an alternative fuel or as a raw material for the production of hydrogen and syngas. However, biogas includes hydrogen sulfide (H2S) as a byproduct of fermentation. Hydrogen sulfide is toxic, has a foul odor, corrodes equipments, and deactivates catalysts. Thus, hydrogen sulfide has to be removed before biogas

Natural and synthetic adsorbents are used to remove contaminants from polluted waters. In particular, polymer-based aerogels are promising but their adsorption capacity and dimensional stability should be improved. Here we propose a new design strategy to prepare a dual-network aerogel, consisting of physical cross-linked agar and Ca2+ cross-linked sodium alginate as the first and second networks,

Sulfate radicals (SO4·−) are highly efficient for the degradation organic pollutants. SO4·− can be produced by activation of sulfites, yet actual heterogeneous activators exhibit a lower reactivity for activation of sulfite to SO4·− at pH 7.0–8.0. Here we hypothesized that zero-valent copper can activate sulfite under mild conditions. We tested the reaction with iohexol, diatrizoate, atrazine, benzoic

Chitosan, a deacetylated derivative of chitin, has many functional properties that can be used for processing, preservation and as food additive. Chitosan application can be done by edible coatings, direct addition to the batter, and tumbling in the chitosan solution. Chitosan exhibits antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Here we review applications of chitosan in seafood products and effects

Denim is a cotton fabric specifically used to manufacture jeans. Denim processing generates complex effluents with high levels of pumice stone, color and chemical oxygen demand (COD). There is therefore a need for advanced treatment methods to limit pollution of natural waters. Here, we hypothesized that Fenton oxidation, a method using Fe2+ and H2O2, could replace the traditional step of activated

Coalbed methane is an abundant form of natural gas extracted from coal beds. Coalbed methane is viewed as a cleaner energy source versus petroleum and coal combustion because methane extraction, transport and use are more efficient and less polluting. However, coalbed methane contains high amounts of CO2 that induce solidification during liquefaction. Therefore, CO2 has to be reduced below 2% to meet

Water monitoring by conventional analytical methods is often complicated, time-consuming and laborious, requiring highly skilled personnel, thus calling for simpler, rapid and cost-effective methods. Polymer inclusion membranes (PIM) are of interest in environmental analysis due to their selectivity and sensitivity for the detection of a wide range of analytes such as metals. PIM have been used in

Abstract A major goal of green chemistry is to avoid the use of toxic organic solvents. In particular, there are few green methods allowing extraction and quantification of chromium species in environmental samples. Here, we developed home-made, dual-gel electromembrane extraction combined with a microfluidic paper-based analytical device for the simultaneous determination of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in

Abstract Increasing amounts of engineered nanomaterials such as TiO2 and CeO2 are released into air, waters, soils, and sediments. However, assessing the human-made origin of those nanomaterials is rather difficult because Ti- and Ce-rich particles are naturally present in soils and sediments at concentrations typically much higher than estimated concentrations of engineered nanomaterials. In addition

Activated carbon refers to a wide range of carbonised materials of high degree of porosity and high surface area. Activated carbon has many applications in the environment and industry for the removal, retrieval, separation and modification of various compounds in liquid and gas phases. Selection of the chemical activator agent is a major step controlling the performance and applicability of activated