Membrane capacitive deionization (MCDI) has emerged as an efficient technology for brackish water desalination, operating by immobilizing ions within porous carbon electrodes under an electrical field. Porous carbon materials are considered a highly promising candidate for MCDI due to their tunable pore structures and high surface area. However, the precise relationship between their pore size distribution and MCDI performance remains unclear. Herein, we have prepared porous electrodes with varied pore size distributions via a molten salt-assisted exfoliation-evaporation strategy. This study provides direct experimental evidence that the pore size distribution is a critical determinant of MCDI efficiency, with narrow mesopores centered around 2 nm in size contributing most significantly to ion adsorption. This optimal size is attributed to efficient double-layer formation in confined spaces. By strategically tailoring the electrode’s porosity toward this favorable distribution, a remarkable salt adsorption capacity of 52.36 mg g-1 and an average desalination rate of 1.75 mg g-1 min-1 have been achieved. Optimization of the hierarchical pore structure of carbon electrodes presents a promising pathway for pushing MCDI performance closer to its thermodynamic limits.
{"title":"Optimizing Membrane Capacitive Deionization Performance through Tailored Pore Size Distribution","authors":"Yao Wang,Kuo Meng,Guorui Deng,Chengbo Kou,Zhonglei Zhu,Haojie Li,Fuming Chen,Chengding Gu,Xiaoyun Yang,Yuxiao Zhang,Lu Guo","doi":"10.1039/d6en00380j","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00380j","url":null,"abstract":"Membrane capacitive deionization (MCDI) has emerged as an efficient technology for brackish water desalination, operating by immobilizing ions within porous carbon electrodes under an electrical field. Porous carbon materials are considered a highly promising candidate for MCDI due to their tunable pore structures and high surface area. However, the precise relationship between their pore size distribution and MCDI performance remains unclear. Herein, we have prepared porous electrodes with varied pore size distributions via a molten salt-assisted exfoliation-evaporation strategy. This study provides direct experimental evidence that the pore size distribution is a critical determinant of MCDI efficiency, with narrow mesopores centered around 2 nm in size contributing most significantly to ion adsorption. This optimal size is attributed to efficient double-layer formation in confined spaces. By strategically tailoring the electrode’s porosity toward this favorable distribution, a remarkable salt adsorption capacity of 52.36 mg g-1 and an average desalination rate of 1.75 mg g-1 min-1 have been achieved. Optimization of the hierarchical pore structure of carbon electrodes presents a promising pathway for pushing MCDI performance closer to its thermodynamic limits.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"47 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148980699","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lanthanide-doped upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) have demonstrated promising applications in biomedicine and environmental sensing; however, their behavior and biological effects in freshwater environments remain poorly understood. This study involved the synthesis of hydrophilic, monodisperse NaYF4:18%Yb3+,2%Er3+ UCNPs via thermal co-precipitation and their evaluation in the freshwater green alga Desmodesmus communis under environmentally relevant conditions. The UCNPs were made water-dispersible by removing oleate ligands, and their effects were investigated in two different exposure media: a nutrient-rich algal growth medium (MWC) and natural Neris River water. Optical analysis revealed progressive destabilization of the UCNPs in both media over a 96 hour period; however, dispersions in river water exhibited greater homogeneity, likely due to stabilization by natural organic matter. Biological responses were more strongly influenced by the composition of the medium than by the concentration of the UCNPs. The content of pigments, such as chlorophyll a and carotenoids, was not notably affected by UCNP exposure (p > 0.05), whereas oxidative and antioxidant responses displayed clear patterns dependent on the medium. Confocal imaging revealed that the UCNPs were primarily associated with the algal cell surface, with no evidence of intracellular internalization. Multivariate analysis further differentiated response patterns, indicating that oxidative and antioxidant variables were more prominent in MWC medium, while growth-related variables were more significant in river water. Overall, these findings demonstrate that freshwater chemistry profoundly affects UCNP stability and bioavailability, underscoring that assessments based solely on artificial media may underestimate the effects of nanomaterials in natural aquatic environments.
{"title":"Environmental behavior and biological effects of rare-earth upconverting nanoparticles on freshwater green algae","authors":"Živilė Jurgelėnė,Danguolė Montvydienė,Vilius Poderys,Eglė Ežerskytė,Jūratė Karosienė,Artūras Katelnikovas,Augustas Morkvėnas,Taseer Mustafa,Lukrecija Miliūtė,Vitalijus Karabanovas,Vaidas Klimkevičius","doi":"10.1039/d6en00661b","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00661b","url":null,"abstract":"Lanthanide-doped upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) have demonstrated promising applications in biomedicine and environmental sensing; however, their behavior and biological effects in freshwater environments remain poorly understood. This study involved the synthesis of hydrophilic, monodisperse NaYF4:18%Yb3+,2%Er3+ UCNPs via thermal co-precipitation and their evaluation in the freshwater green alga Desmodesmus communis under environmentally relevant conditions. The UCNPs were made water-dispersible by removing oleate ligands, and their effects were investigated in two different exposure media: a nutrient-rich algal growth medium (MWC) and natural Neris River water. Optical analysis revealed progressive destabilization of the UCNPs in both media over a 96 hour period; however, dispersions in river water exhibited greater homogeneity, likely due to stabilization by natural organic matter. Biological responses were more strongly influenced by the composition of the medium than by the concentration of the UCNPs. The content of pigments, such as chlorophyll a and carotenoids, was not notably affected by UCNP exposure (p > 0.05), whereas oxidative and antioxidant responses displayed clear patterns dependent on the medium. Confocal imaging revealed that the UCNPs were primarily associated with the algal cell surface, with no evidence of intracellular internalization. Multivariate analysis further differentiated response patterns, indicating that oxidative and antioxidant variables were more prominent in MWC medium, while growth-related variables were more significant in river water. Overall, these findings demonstrate that freshwater chemistry profoundly affects UCNP stability and bioavailability, underscoring that assessments based solely on artificial media may underestimate the effects of nanomaterials in natural aquatic environments.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"59 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148973497","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Amaia Green Etxabe,Rudo Verweij,Nathaniel J. Clark,Ryo Sekine,Samuel Harrison,William Bennett,Carolin Schultz,Stephen Short,Marianne Matzke,David Spurgeon,Claus Svendsen,Alex Robinson,Geert Cornelis,Sarah Thacker,Alexander G. Hunt,Hayley Guyatt,Patrick Keenan,M. Glória Pereira,Elma Lahive
Understanding the environmental risks of engineered silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) is complicated by transformation processes which occur in soil, such as dissolution and sulphidation, generating diverse Ag forms, altering bioavailability and uptake by organisms. Despite this, integrated studies linking nanoparticle speciation to plant uptake in soil systems remain limited, and gaps persist in understanding Ag transformations as a function of soil type and their consequences for bioavailability. Using complementary techniques we compared the speciation (XAS and spICP-MS), bioavailability, and uptake of three Ag forms, two Ag NPs (Ag NP, Ag2S NP) and AgNO3 (all at 10 mg kg−1), in wheat (Triticum aestivum L) grown in three different field soils over 27 days. Results showed that Ag forms were differentially bioavailable (Ag NPs >/≈ AgNO3 > Ag2S NP), and that soil type can have a pronounced influence on the extent of Ag uptake (approx. 7- to 15-fold variation for NPs across soils). Notably Ag2S NPs, though considered “less mobile”, can be more bioavailable to wheat than other Ag forms in some soil contexts. XAS speciation analysis revealed slower transformation dynamics in Woburn soil that may influence the overall pool of bioavailable Ag. While no single soil property fully explained the observed patterns, these findings indicate that intrinsic nanoparticle properties alone are not always sufficient to predict environmental behaviour in soil systems.
{"title":"Differential uptake of Ag nanoparticle forms by wheat across field soils","authors":"Amaia Green Etxabe,Rudo Verweij,Nathaniel J. Clark,Ryo Sekine,Samuel Harrison,William Bennett,Carolin Schultz,Stephen Short,Marianne Matzke,David Spurgeon,Claus Svendsen,Alex Robinson,Geert Cornelis,Sarah Thacker,Alexander G. Hunt,Hayley Guyatt,Patrick Keenan,M. Glória Pereira,Elma Lahive","doi":"10.1039/d6en00494f","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00494f","url":null,"abstract":"Understanding the environmental risks of engineered silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) is complicated by transformation processes which occur in soil, such as dissolution and sulphidation, generating diverse Ag forms, altering bioavailability and uptake by organisms. Despite this, integrated studies linking nanoparticle speciation to plant uptake in soil systems remain limited, and gaps persist in understanding Ag transformations as a function of soil type and their consequences for bioavailability. Using complementary techniques we compared the speciation (XAS and spICP-MS), bioavailability, and uptake of three Ag forms, two Ag NPs (Ag NP, Ag2S NP) and AgNO3 (all at 10 mg kg−1), in wheat (Triticum aestivum L) grown in three different field soils over 27 days. Results showed that Ag forms were differentially bioavailable (Ag NPs >/≈ AgNO3 > Ag2S NP), and that soil type can have a pronounced influence on the extent of Ag uptake (approx. 7- to 15-fold variation for NPs across soils). Notably Ag2S NPs, though considered “less mobile”, can be more bioavailable to wheat than other Ag forms in some soil contexts. XAS speciation analysis revealed slower transformation dynamics in Woburn soil that may influence the overall pool of bioavailable Ag. While no single soil property fully explained the observed patterns, these findings indicate that intrinsic nanoparticle properties alone are not always sufficient to predict environmental behaviour in soil systems.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"34 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148964364","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Heavy metal contamination remains a persistent environmental challenge because target species span simple cations, redox-active ions, oxyanions, and metal–ligand complexes, while practical waters contain competing ions, dissolved organic matter, and fluctuating redox conditions that complicate removal. These challenges are driving the field beyond adsorbent screening toward mechanism-guided material design and integration with treatment processes. Among emerging materials, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is uniquely attractive because its sulfur-rich lattice, phase tunability, defect chemistry, and redox activity enable not only strong metal binding, but also interfacial electron transfer, detoxification, immobilization, and, in some cases, resource recovery. However, the rapidly expanding literature remains scattered across adsorption studies, modification strategies, and technology-specific demonstrations, making it difficult to identify the unifying principles that govern performance and practical deployment. This review, therefore, provides a timely, mechanism-centered synthesis of MoS2-based materials for heavy metal remediation. We first discuss the structural and physicochemical features of MoS2 that control metal binding and transformation, and then summarize how defect engineering, heteroatom doping, phase regulation, and composite design alter active-site accessibility, selectivity, and stability. We further organize metal removal pathways into adsorption-dominated, adsorption–reduction-coupled, and reduction-dominated regimes, and connect these mechanisms to applications in membranes, electrochemical systems, advanced oxidation processes, in situ reactive zones, and photoreduction platforms. Finally, we highlight key translational challenges, including material aging, secondary release, regeneration, and performance under realistic continuous-flow conditions, and propose design principles for advancing MoS2 from laboratory studies to practical heavy-metal treatment technologies.
{"title":"MoS2-Based Materials for Heavy Metal Remediation: From Active-Site Chemistry to Integrated Treatment Systems","authors":"Mengxia Wang,Zhongying Wang","doi":"10.1039/d6en00518g","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00518g","url":null,"abstract":"Heavy metal contamination remains a persistent environmental challenge because target species span simple cations, redox-active ions, oxyanions, and metal–ligand complexes, while practical waters contain competing ions, dissolved organic matter, and fluctuating redox conditions that complicate removal. These challenges are driving the field beyond adsorbent screening toward mechanism-guided material design and integration with treatment processes. Among emerging materials, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is uniquely attractive because its sulfur-rich lattice, phase tunability, defect chemistry, and redox activity enable not only strong metal binding, but also interfacial electron transfer, detoxification, immobilization, and, in some cases, resource recovery. However, the rapidly expanding literature remains scattered across adsorption studies, modification strategies, and technology-specific demonstrations, making it difficult to identify the unifying principles that govern performance and practical deployment. This review, therefore, provides a timely, mechanism-centered synthesis of MoS2-based materials for heavy metal remediation. We first discuss the structural and physicochemical features of MoS2 that control metal binding and transformation, and then summarize how defect engineering, heteroatom doping, phase regulation, and composite design alter active-site accessibility, selectivity, and stability. We further organize metal removal pathways into adsorption-dominated, adsorption–reduction-coupled, and reduction-dominated regimes, and connect these mechanisms to applications in membranes, electrochemical systems, advanced oxidation processes, in situ reactive zones, and photoreduction platforms. Finally, we highlight key translational challenges, including material aging, secondary release, regeneration, and performance under realistic continuous-flow conditions, and propose design principles for advancing MoS2 from laboratory studies to practical heavy-metal treatment technologies.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"14 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148957866","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nanotechnology offers innovative approaches to improving the efficiency of agrochemicals through targeted delivery systems. Among polymeric nanocarriers, lignin nanoparticles (Ln) represent a biodegradable and biocompatible platform for the delivery of plant growth regulators (PGRs). Recent advances in the encapsulation of phytohormones using polymeric nanoparticles have increased interest in their agricultural applications. However, most studies have focused on seed treatments, whereas foliar applications remain comparatively unexplored. In this context, we evaluated the foliar localization, physiological responses, and agronomic performance of Ln and Ln-IAA formulations in cherry tomato plants cultivated under greenhouse conditions throughout the complete growth cycle. Lignin nanoparticles measuring 220–230 nm and exhibiting encapsulation efficiency above 90% were synthesized by solvent displacement and characterized by dynamic light scattering and zeta potential analyses. The Ln and Ln-IAA formulations, both containing carvacrol, together with free IAA (0.05, 5, 50, and 100 μg mL−1), were applied through three foliar sprays, and plants were evaluated using anatomical, physiological, and photosynthetic pigment analyses, including confocal imaging of fluorescently labeled lignin nanoparticles, chlorophyll quantification, gas-exchange measurements, and fruit traits. Confocal microscopy showed rapid detection of nanoparticle-associated fluorescence following foliar application. Fluorescence was detected in the stomatal region and mesophyll within one hour after application. Although the Ln-IAA formulations generally elicited weaker biological responses than free IAA, the Ln formulation (50 μg mL−1) and the Ln-IAA formulations (50 and 100 μg mL−1) were associated with foliar injury, reduced physiological performance, and lower fruit number, whereas the lower-concentration Ln-IAA formulations produced comparatively limited effects. Overall, fluorescently labeled lignin nanoparticles were detected in leaf tissues following foliar application, with fluorescence patterns consistent with entry through stomatal openings, whereas the biological responses of the evaluated formulations depended on treatment concentration and formulation characteristics. These findings highlight the importance of optimizing nanoparticle formulations and application strategies for safe and effective agricultural use.
{"title":"Foliar delivery and biological responses of lignin nanoparticle formulations encapsulating indole-3-acetic acid in cherry tomato plants","authors":"Rodrigo Faleiro,Magda Andreia Tessmer,Anderson do Espírito Santo Pereira,Marcela Trevenzoli Miranda,Leonardo Fernandes Fraceto,Rafael Vasconcelos Ribeiro,Juliana Lischka Sampaio Mayer","doi":"10.1039/d6en00016a","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00016a","url":null,"abstract":"Nanotechnology offers innovative approaches to improving the efficiency of agrochemicals through targeted delivery systems. Among polymeric nanocarriers, lignin nanoparticles (Ln) represent a biodegradable and biocompatible platform for the delivery of plant growth regulators (PGRs). Recent advances in the encapsulation of phytohormones using polymeric nanoparticles have increased interest in their agricultural applications. However, most studies have focused on seed treatments, whereas foliar applications remain comparatively unexplored. In this context, we evaluated the foliar localization, physiological responses, and agronomic performance of Ln and Ln-IAA formulations in cherry tomato plants cultivated under greenhouse conditions throughout the complete growth cycle. Lignin nanoparticles measuring 220–230 nm and exhibiting encapsulation efficiency above 90% were synthesized by solvent displacement and characterized by dynamic light scattering and zeta potential analyses. The Ln and Ln-IAA formulations, both containing carvacrol, together with free IAA (0.05, 5, 50, and 100 μg mL−1), were applied through three foliar sprays, and plants were evaluated using anatomical, physiological, and photosynthetic pigment analyses, including confocal imaging of fluorescently labeled lignin nanoparticles, chlorophyll quantification, gas-exchange measurements, and fruit traits. Confocal microscopy showed rapid detection of nanoparticle-associated fluorescence following foliar application. Fluorescence was detected in the stomatal region and mesophyll within one hour after application. Although the Ln-IAA formulations generally elicited weaker biological responses than free IAA, the Ln formulation (50 μg mL−1) and the Ln-IAA formulations (50 and 100 μg mL−1) were associated with foliar injury, reduced physiological performance, and lower fruit number, whereas the lower-concentration Ln-IAA formulations produced comparatively limited effects. Overall, fluorescently labeled lignin nanoparticles were detected in leaf tissues following foliar application, with fluorescence patterns consistent with entry through stomatal openings, whereas the biological responses of the evaluated formulations depended on treatment concentration and formulation characteristics. These findings highlight the importance of optimizing nanoparticle formulations and application strategies for safe and effective agricultural use.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"3 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148964378","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Diatomaceous earth is widely used in pest management and other industrial applications; however, non-target ecological risks remain poorly resolved. Using a predator–prey microcosm model (Xylocoris flavipes and Tribolium castaneum), we show that diatomite nanoparticles (DNP) impact the predator primarily via trophic transfer after predators consume DNP-exposed prey. Predator mortality increased with prey pretreatment dose and was higher under trophic transfer than co-occurrence exposure, identifying food-web transfer as the dominant pathway driving predator mortality. To mitigate non-target effects while preserving pest control, we developed a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-loaded DNP formulation via APTES silanization and electrostatic adsorption (dsRNA@DNP). dsRNA@DNP maintained lethality against T. castaneum while significantly reducing predator mortality during trophic exposure. Release assays showed that dsRNA remained largely associated with DNP across low-ionic-strength and tested pH conditions but was substantially released under high ionic strength, consistent with reversible electrostatic association. Gene-expression analysis showed reduced Chc expression in the predator with no detectable reduction in the prey. These findings identify trophic transfer as an important pathway for non-target effects of diatomite nanoparticles and demonstrate a safety-by-design strategy to reduce predator mortality while maintaining prey suppression.
{"title":"Trophic Transfer-Driven Predator Risk from Diatomite Nanoparticles Is Mitigated by a dsRNA Safety Switch","authors":"Zihan Shen,Kangxu Wang","doi":"10.1039/d6en00469e","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00469e","url":null,"abstract":"Diatomaceous earth is widely used in pest management and other industrial applications; however, non-target ecological risks remain poorly resolved. Using a predator–prey microcosm model (Xylocoris flavipes and Tribolium castaneum), we show that diatomite nanoparticles (DNP) impact the predator primarily via trophic transfer after predators consume DNP-exposed prey. Predator mortality increased with prey pretreatment dose and was higher under trophic transfer than co-occurrence exposure, identifying food-web transfer as the dominant pathway driving predator mortality. To mitigate non-target effects while preserving pest control, we developed a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-loaded DNP formulation via APTES silanization and electrostatic adsorption (dsRNA@DNP). dsRNA@DNP maintained lethality against T. castaneum while significantly reducing predator mortality during trophic exposure. Release assays showed that dsRNA remained largely associated with DNP across low-ionic-strength and tested pH conditions but was substantially released under high ionic strength, consistent with reversible electrostatic association. Gene-expression analysis showed reduced Chc expression in the predator with no detectable reduction in the prey. These findings identify trophic transfer as an important pathway for non-target effects of diatomite nanoparticles and demonstrate a safety-by-design strategy to reduce predator mortality while maintaining prey suppression.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"105 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148957869","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Wildfires are increasingly transforming the nanoscale geochemistry of terrestrial systems, yet the persistence and environmental pathways of fire-derived nanoparticles (NPs) remain largely unexplored. This study examines the production, composition, and post-fire mobility of metallic and multimetallic NPs generated by the 2023 megafires in the Biobío Region of south-central Chile. Field sampling of burned soils, vegetation, and surface waters, complemented by controlled combustion experiments, revealed abundant metal-bearing NPs in post-fire compartments, including complex particles such as Fe–Mn, Fe–Ti–Mn, and Ti–Zn. Intermediate fire temperatures produced the highest NP yields and compositional diversity, whereas the highest temperature treatment favoured a lower-yield, Mn-selective ultrafine assemblage. Mn-bearing NPs emerged as a selective pyrogenic signal in burned vegetation and surface soils, while Fe–Ti-bearing particles formed a more recurrent, mass-dominant soil reservoir. Post-fire streams contained Fe-bearing colloids (108–109 NPs L-1), highlighting their occurrence in surface waters more than one year after fire. Hydrochemical patterns further suggested a soluble post-fire component, with a positive relationship between Cl-/Na+ and S/Na+ consistent with an anion-rich salt-leaching fingerprint. Recurrent nanoparticle signatures—such as Fe–Ti–Mn, Ti–Zn, and Ce–La associations—emerged as potential indicators of combustion conditions and post-fire redistribution. These findings indicate that large fires can leave a post-fire nanogeochemical signature, highlighting nanoparticles as sensitive tracers of combustion processes and potential carriers of metals in fire-affected landscapes.
{"title":"Wildfire Legacy and Nanoparticle Occurrence Across Post-Fire Landscapes of South-Central Chile","authors":"Cristian Suarez Oubiña,Sélène CALVEL,Mickael Tharaud,Nirina Taraconat,Véronique Michot,Emma Andrieux,Marc Benedetti","doi":"10.1039/d6en00462h","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00462h","url":null,"abstract":"Wildfires are increasingly transforming the nanoscale geochemistry of terrestrial systems, yet the persistence and environmental pathways of fire-derived nanoparticles (NPs) remain largely unexplored. This study examines the production, composition, and post-fire mobility of metallic and multimetallic NPs generated by the 2023 megafires in the Biobío Region of south-central Chile. Field sampling of burned soils, vegetation, and surface waters, complemented by controlled combustion experiments, revealed abundant metal-bearing NPs in post-fire compartments, including complex particles such as Fe–Mn, Fe–Ti–Mn, and Ti–Zn. Intermediate fire temperatures produced the highest NP yields and compositional diversity, whereas the highest temperature treatment favoured a lower-yield, Mn-selective ultrafine assemblage. Mn-bearing NPs emerged as a selective pyrogenic signal in burned vegetation and surface soils, while Fe–Ti-bearing particles formed a more recurrent, mass-dominant soil reservoir. Post-fire streams contained Fe-bearing colloids (108–109 NPs L-1), highlighting their occurrence in surface waters more than one year after fire. Hydrochemical patterns further suggested a soluble post-fire component, with a positive relationship between Cl-/Na+ and S/Na+ consistent with an anion-rich salt-leaching fingerprint. Recurrent nanoparticle signatures—such as Fe–Ti–Mn, Ti–Zn, and Ce–La associations—emerged as potential indicators of combustion conditions and post-fire redistribution. These findings indicate that large fires can leave a post-fire nanogeochemical signature, highlighting nanoparticles as sensitive tracers of combustion processes and potential carriers of metals in fire-affected landscapes.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"376 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148902492","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Muhammad Mubashar Iqbal,Muhammad Ansar Farooq,Rattan Lal,Mohamed Abdalla,Pete Smith
Carbon dots (CDs) are increasingly explored as carbon (C)-based nanomaterials for plant stress mitigation, nutrient delivery, and pollutant remediation, yet their rhizosphere effects remain difficult to predict. Here, we synthesize current evidence through a soil-transformation framework, in which interactions with soil minerals, root exudates, microbes, contaminants, and redox processes can generate environmentally relevant exposure forms that differ from pristine CDs in mobility, accessibility, reactivity, or structure. These transformed forms can reprogram plant-microbe interactions, alter nutrient transformations and C-routing, and modify contaminant dynamics. The same properties that support agronomic benefits, may also stimulate metal mobilization, contaminant co-transport, trophic exposure, and dose-dependent toxicity. Current evidence supports short-term physiological and biogeochemical responses but remains insufficient to establish durable soil improvement, long-term C stabilization or ecological safety. We propose that future research must move beyond efficacy screening toward exposure-resolved, mechanism-based evaluations that track transformed CD forms, process fluxes, persistence, and long-term ecological risk under realistic field conditions.
{"title":"Carbon Dots in Soil and the Rhizosphere: Environmental Transformations, Biogeochemical Trade-offs and Ecological Risks","authors":"Muhammad Mubashar Iqbal,Muhammad Ansar Farooq,Rattan Lal,Mohamed Abdalla,Pete Smith","doi":"10.1039/d6en00515b","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00515b","url":null,"abstract":"Carbon dots (CDs) are increasingly explored as carbon (C)-based nanomaterials for plant stress mitigation, nutrient delivery, and pollutant remediation, yet their rhizosphere effects remain difficult to predict. Here, we synthesize current evidence through a soil-transformation framework, in which interactions with soil minerals, root exudates, microbes, contaminants, and redox processes can generate environmentally relevant exposure forms that differ from pristine CDs in mobility, accessibility, reactivity, or structure. These transformed forms can reprogram plant-microbe interactions, alter nutrient transformations and C-routing, and modify contaminant dynamics. The same properties that support agronomic benefits, may also stimulate metal mobilization, contaminant co-transport, trophic exposure, and dose-dependent toxicity. Current evidence supports short-term physiological and biogeochemical responses but remains insufficient to establish durable soil improvement, long-term C stabilization or ecological safety. We propose that future research must move beyond efficacy screening toward exposure-resolved, mechanism-based evaluations that track transformed CD forms, process fluxes, persistence, and long-term ecological risk under realistic field conditions.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"51 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148899079","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yi Yang,Xin Wang,Zhimin Su,Xinwei Liu,Yinqing Zhang
Particulate emerging contaminants (PECs), including engineered nanoparticles and micro(nano)plastics, have garnered significant attention on their interactions and environmental behavior, due to widespread release and potential health hazards. This study investigated the effects of photoaged polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) on the chemical transformations of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) at environmentally relevant concentrations. Pristine PSNPs underwent hetero-aggregation with AgNPs primarily via hydrophobic and π–π interactions. UV irradiation of PSNPs introduced oxygen-containing functional groups, which enhanced their binding affinity for AgNPs. Notably, the dissolution rate of AgNPs exhibited a strong positive correlation with the carbonyl group content on photoaged PSNPs, as these groups facilitated the generation of oxidative hydroxyl radicals under simulated sunlight. Furthermore, the sulfidation of AgNPs was significantly accelerated in the presence of photoaged PSNPs, attributable to a reduction in electrostatic repulsion between AgNPs and sulfide ions. This acceleration was also driven by the release of dissolved organic matter from photoaged PSNPs, which inhibited aggregation through steric hindrance, thereby increasing the reactive sites available for sulfidation. Collectively, these findings revealed that hetero-interactions between co-present PECs critically regulate their physicochemical properties and transformation pathways. This study provides crucial insights into the environmental fate and potential ecological impacts of PECs in aquatic systems.
{"title":"Photoaging of polystyrene nanoplastics promoted dissolution and sulfidation of silver nanoparticles: Crucial role of functional groups and derived dissolved organic matter","authors":"Yi Yang,Xin Wang,Zhimin Su,Xinwei Liu,Yinqing Zhang","doi":"10.1039/d6en00313c","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00313c","url":null,"abstract":"Particulate emerging contaminants (PECs), including engineered nanoparticles and micro(nano)plastics, have garnered significant attention on their interactions and environmental behavior, due to widespread release and potential health hazards. This study investigated the effects of photoaged polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) on the chemical transformations of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) at environmentally relevant concentrations. Pristine PSNPs underwent hetero-aggregation with AgNPs primarily via hydrophobic and π–π interactions. UV irradiation of PSNPs introduced oxygen-containing functional groups, which enhanced their binding affinity for AgNPs. Notably, the dissolution rate of AgNPs exhibited a strong positive correlation with the carbonyl group content on photoaged PSNPs, as these groups facilitated the generation of oxidative hydroxyl radicals under simulated sunlight. Furthermore, the sulfidation of AgNPs was significantly accelerated in the presence of photoaged PSNPs, attributable to a reduction in electrostatic repulsion between AgNPs and sulfide ions. This acceleration was also driven by the release of dissolved organic matter from photoaged PSNPs, which inhibited aggregation through steric hindrance, thereby increasing the reactive sites available for sulfidation. Collectively, these findings revealed that hetero-interactions between co-present PECs critically regulate their physicochemical properties and transformation pathways. This study provides crucial insights into the environmental fate and potential ecological impacts of PECs in aquatic systems.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"26 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148893442","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xingyu Yan,Wenhui Li,Yating Wang,Jing Liu,Guanghui Guo,Shuai Song,Jiawei Wang,Zhongxiang Cao,Jining Li,John P. Giesy,George P. Cobb,Baoshan Xing
As global food demand rises, rice production is facing multiple pressures such as low fertilizer utilization efficiency, intensified stress from metal(loid) contamination, and increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The fertilizers included conventional fertilizers (F), biochar-based fertilizers (BF), and nano-biochar-based fertilizers (NBF), each formulated with three ratios of nitrogen : phosphorus : potassium (N : P : K) (I, II, and III). A life-cycle cultivation of rice (Oryza sativa L.) coupled with soil column leaching experiments was performed in cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) co-contaminated soil to evaluate fertilizer effects on nutrient dynamics, GHG emissions, and metal(loid) remediation. Compared to F (99.93% N release), NBF and BF reduced cumulative N release to 83.22% and 67.16%, respectively, while NBF achieved a balanced P release of ∼25%, demonstrating effective slow-release performance. In particular, the optimized nutrient supply by NBF-II was accompanied by 85.4% reduction in CH4 emissions and 39.8% decrease in global warming potential relative to F-II. Enhanced nutrient release was positively correlated with increased soil enzyme activities, including catalase, alkaline phosphatase, sucrase, and urease, demonstrating alleviation of microbial nutrient limitation. Notably, NBF-II reduced grain Cd concentration by 46.2% compared with F-II, and both BF-II and NBF-II achieved remediation efficacy indices below 1 for Cd and As, respectively, confirming effective suppression of metal(loid) translocation. These findings highlight NBF as a promising strategy for simultaneously improving nutrient efficiency, mitigating GHG emissions, and ensuring safe rice production in Cd–As co-contaminated soils.
{"title":"Nano-biochar regulates fertilizer nutrient release kinetics and greenhouse gas emissions during the life cycle of rice ()","authors":"Xingyu Yan,Wenhui Li,Yating Wang,Jing Liu,Guanghui Guo,Shuai Song,Jiawei Wang,Zhongxiang Cao,Jining Li,John P. Giesy,George P. Cobb,Baoshan Xing","doi":"10.1039/d6en00337k","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00337k","url":null,"abstract":"As global food demand rises, rice production is facing multiple pressures such as low fertilizer utilization efficiency, intensified stress from metal(loid) contamination, and increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The fertilizers included conventional fertilizers (F), biochar-based fertilizers (BF), and nano-biochar-based fertilizers (NBF), each formulated with three ratios of nitrogen : phosphorus : potassium (N : P : K) (I, II, and III). A life-cycle cultivation of rice (Oryza sativa L.) coupled with soil column leaching experiments was performed in cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) co-contaminated soil to evaluate fertilizer effects on nutrient dynamics, GHG emissions, and metal(loid) remediation. Compared to F (99.93% N release), NBF and BF reduced cumulative N release to 83.22% and 67.16%, respectively, while NBF achieved a balanced P release of ∼25%, demonstrating effective slow-release performance. In particular, the optimized nutrient supply by NBF-II was accompanied by 85.4% reduction in CH4 emissions and 39.8% decrease in global warming potential relative to F-II. Enhanced nutrient release was positively correlated with increased soil enzyme activities, including catalase, alkaline phosphatase, sucrase, and urease, demonstrating alleviation of microbial nutrient limitation. Notably, NBF-II reduced grain Cd concentration by 46.2% compared with F-II, and both BF-II and NBF-II achieved remediation efficacy indices below 1 for Cd and As, respectively, confirming effective suppression of metal(loid) translocation. These findings highlight NBF as a promising strategy for simultaneously improving nutrient efficiency, mitigating GHG emissions, and ensuring safe rice production in Cd–As co-contaminated soils.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"78 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148877570","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
京公网安备 11010802042870号
京ICP备2023020795号-1
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：