Bin Hu,Ganbin Luo,Yuzhe Yang,Mingjie Ma,Huiling Cheng
In this study, dual-template ion-imprinted polymers (DIIPs) were successfully fabricated via the surface imprinting technique, using MIL-101(Cr, Mg) as the support material, methacrylic acid as the functional monomer, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as the cross-linking agent, with Pb(ii) and Zn(ii) as the dual template ions. Through systematic optimization of preparation conditions, the optimal polymer (DIIP21) was identified, and comprehensive structural characterization and adsorption performance evaluations were conducted on both DIIP21 and the corresponding non-imprinted polymer (NIP21). The results showed that the maximum adsorption capacities of DIIP21 for Pb(ii) and Zn(ii) were 1.73 mmol g−1 and 1.78 mmol g−1, respectively. The adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order model, while the adsorption isotherms were better described by the Freundlich model. Furthermore, competitive adsorption experiments in a mixed system containing five coexisting metal ions demonstrated that DIIP21 exhibited high specific recognition and binding affinity towards Pb(ii) and Zn(ii). Therefore, this study provides a useful reference for the development of dual-template ion-imprinting technology.
{"title":"Synthesis and performance study of dual-template ion-imprinted polymers based on MOFs","authors":"Bin Hu,Ganbin Luo,Yuzhe Yang,Mingjie Ma,Huiling Cheng","doi":"10.1039/d6en00271d","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00271d","url":null,"abstract":"In this study, dual-template ion-imprinted polymers (DIIPs) were successfully fabricated via the surface imprinting technique, using MIL-101(Cr, Mg) as the support material, methacrylic acid as the functional monomer, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as the cross-linking agent, with Pb(ii) and Zn(ii) as the dual template ions. Through systematic optimization of preparation conditions, the optimal polymer (DIIP21) was identified, and comprehensive structural characterization and adsorption performance evaluations were conducted on both DIIP21 and the corresponding non-imprinted polymer (NIP21). The results showed that the maximum adsorption capacities of DIIP21 for Pb(ii) and Zn(ii) were 1.73 mmol g−1 and 1.78 mmol g−1, respectively. The adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order model, while the adsorption isotherms were better described by the Freundlich model. Furthermore, competitive adsorption experiments in a mixed system containing five coexisting metal ions demonstrated that DIIP21 exhibited high specific recognition and binding affinity towards Pb(ii) and Zn(ii). Therefore, this study provides a useful reference for the development of dual-template ion-imprinting technology.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"132 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148853464","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}
Pharmaceuticals and nanoplastics are increasingly co-occurring in agroecosystems, yet their interactions in crop systems remain insufficiently characterized. Here, we examined the individual and combined effects of sertraline hydrochloride (Ser-HCl) and polystyrene nanoplastics (PS; 80 and 300 nm) on hydroponically grown rice (Oryza sativa). Biomass responses and oxidative stress indicators in root tissues, together with dissolved organic matter (DOM) fluorescence and microbial characteristics in hydroponic solution, were evaluated. Ser-HCl exposure alone caused dose-dependent phytotoxicity, leading to significant reductions in root biomass. Under co-exposure, PS caused modest changes in Ser-HCl-induced biomass responses. Root biomass was partially restored in some treatments, but this effect was not consistent across PS particle sizes. PS partially attenuated selected Ser-HCl-associated microbial responses, including changes in alpha diversity and community-level carbon-source utilization, whereas effects on DOM fluorescence characteristics were comparatively limited. In contrast, co-exposure was associated with greater changes in selected oxidative stress indicators in root tissues. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that nanoplastics can exert limited but spatially differentiated modulatory effects on pharmaceutical toxicity in hydroponically grown rice. These findings underscore the complexity of co-contaminant interactions in crop systems and highlight the importance of distinguishing between root-tissue and root-solution responses.
{"title":"Polystyrene nanoplastics exert dual roles in modulating sertraline hydrochloride toxicity in hydroponically grown rice","authors":"Xue Cao,Ziqin Li,Xiangju Fan,Huizhen Deng,Youming Dong,Zhengguo Song,Minling Gao","doi":"10.1039/d5en00913h","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5en00913h","url":null,"abstract":"Pharmaceuticals and nanoplastics are increasingly co-occurring in agroecosystems, yet their interactions in crop systems remain insufficiently characterized. Here, we examined the individual and combined effects of sertraline hydrochloride (Ser-HCl) and polystyrene nanoplastics (PS; 80 and 300 nm) on hydroponically grown rice (Oryza sativa). Biomass responses and oxidative stress indicators in root tissues, together with dissolved organic matter (DOM) fluorescence and microbial characteristics in hydroponic solution, were evaluated. Ser-HCl exposure alone caused dose-dependent phytotoxicity, leading to significant reductions in root biomass. Under co-exposure, PS caused modest changes in Ser-HCl-induced biomass responses. Root biomass was partially restored in some treatments, but this effect was not consistent across PS particle sizes. PS partially attenuated selected Ser-HCl-associated microbial responses, including changes in alpha diversity and community-level carbon-source utilization, whereas effects on DOM fluorescence characteristics were comparatively limited. In contrast, co-exposure was associated with greater changes in selected oxidative stress indicators in root tissues. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that nanoplastics can exert limited but spatially differentiated modulatory effects on pharmaceutical toxicity in hydroponically grown rice. These findings underscore the complexity of co-contaminant interactions in crop systems and highlight the importance of distinguishing between root-tissue and root-solution responses.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148853465","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}
Successful seed germination is critical for agricultural production and ecosystem sustainability. Naturally occurring nano-minerals often coexist with seeds in the environment, yet their effects on seed germination remain largely unexplored. Here, we show that exposure to nano-hematite (α-Fe2O3) significantly promotes maize seed germination and resistance to multiple stresses (drought, cold, and salinity). Mechanistically, hematite at the nano-scale (∼200 nm) is internalized into seeds during germination and activate redox signaling, initiating early and vigorous mitochondrial respiration, as reflected by increased O2 consumption rate and elevated ATP production (34.1%) compared to unexposed seeds. LC-MS/MS analysis revealed higher abundance of primary metabolites (sugars, amino acids, fatty acids) in seeds exposed to hematite, indicating boosted catabolism of storage reserves. This metabolic shift provides carbon skeletons to fuel energy metabolism, ultimately accelerating germination. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) detected oxygen vacancies (OVs) and Fe2+ on the surface of hematite. The Fe2+/hematite hybrid acts as a Fenton-like catalyst, decomposing H2O2 to generate hydroxyl radicals (·OH). RNA-Seq analysis further revealed that nano-hematite reprograms the seed transcriptome, differentially regulating genes involved in redox signaling, ROS-quenching, central carbon and nitrogen metabolism, sugar/amino acid/ion transport, and defense response. This coordinated transcriptional reprogramming collectively fuels germination and enhances the plant's adaptive capacity to adverse conditions. These findings expand our understanding of the role of naturally occurring nano-minerals on seed germination, with potential benefits for agricultural productivity and ecological sustainability, especially under a changing climate.
{"title":"Nano-hematite promotes seed germination and stress resilience of maize: redox-mediated kick-start of respiratory metabolism","authors":"Qijun Wang,Yixia Zhu,Xionghui Deng,Jia Mei,Zhichao Yang,Xueyuan Gu,Shujuan Zhang,Dongmei Zhou,Jiankang Lu,Yichao Wang,Yujun Wang,Lijuan Zhao","doi":"10.1039/d6en00377j","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00377j","url":null,"abstract":"Successful seed germination is critical for agricultural production and ecosystem sustainability. Naturally occurring nano-minerals often coexist with seeds in the environment, yet their effects on seed germination remain largely unexplored. Here, we show that exposure to nano-hematite (α-Fe2O3) significantly promotes maize seed germination and resistance to multiple stresses (drought, cold, and salinity). Mechanistically, hematite at the nano-scale (∼200 nm) is internalized into seeds during germination and activate redox signaling, initiating early and vigorous mitochondrial respiration, as reflected by increased O2 consumption rate and elevated ATP production (34.1%) compared to unexposed seeds. LC-MS/MS analysis revealed higher abundance of primary metabolites (sugars, amino acids, fatty acids) in seeds exposed to hematite, indicating boosted catabolism of storage reserves. This metabolic shift provides carbon skeletons to fuel energy metabolism, ultimately accelerating germination. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) detected oxygen vacancies (OVs) and Fe2+ on the surface of hematite. The Fe2+/hematite hybrid acts as a Fenton-like catalyst, decomposing H2O2 to generate hydroxyl radicals (·OH). RNA-Seq analysis further revealed that nano-hematite reprograms the seed transcriptome, differentially regulating genes involved in redox signaling, ROS-quenching, central carbon and nitrogen metabolism, sugar/amino acid/ion transport, and defense response. This coordinated transcriptional reprogramming collectively fuels germination and enhances the plant's adaptive capacity to adverse conditions. These findings expand our understanding of the role of naturally occurring nano-minerals on seed germination, with potential benefits for agricultural productivity and ecological sustainability, especially under a changing climate.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"144 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148729287","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}
The increasing prevalence of nanoplastics (NPs) in soil ecosystems raises concerns regarding their phytotoxic effects. This research investigated the potential of soil extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) to overcome polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs; ∼400 nm)–induced toxicity in Allium sativum L. Pristine aminated (ANPs) and carboxylated nanoplastics (CNPs) were initially assessed for their toxicity (0.1–10 mg L−1). Exposure to 10 mg L−1 NPs significantly reduced root length and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, with ANPs exhibiting greater toxicity than CNPs, indicating surface-charge-dependent phytotoxic effects. To elucidate the stress-mitigating potential of the soil EPS, two exposure strategies were employed with three varying ratios of EPS: (i) in situ co-addition of EPS and NPs, and (ii) ex situ EPS pre-coronation of NPs prior to plant exposure. Both approaches markedly alleviated NPs-induced oxidative stress and growth inhibition when compared to their pristine counterparts. However, ex situ EPS coronation proved more effective than the in situ addition, highlighting the importance of eco-corona formation in regulating NPs' physicochemical behaviour and plant interaction. Among the surface-functionalized NPs, EPS coronation resulted in a greater reduction of toxicity in the ANPs-treated groups compared to the CNPs-treated groups, suggesting stronger EPS interactions with positively charged NPs. Physicochemical characterisation, like Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, total organic carbon (TOC) analysis and 3-dimensional excitation and emission matrix (3D-EEM), revealed that EPS modulated the surface interactions and minimised direct cell contact of the NPs. Further, the correlation among physiological and biochemical parameters was established using a clustered heatmap and the Pearson correlation model. Overall, the findings demonstrate that soil EPS serves as a natural attenuator of NPs' phytotoxicity by modulating NPs–plant interactions and reducing their ecological risk in agroecosystems.
{"title":"Surface chemistry-dependent phytotoxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) in L. and its attenuation by the soil EPS: an and approach","authors":"Dhivya Viswanathan,Amisha Murugesan Angel,Abisha Christy Christudoss,R. Seenivasan,Murugesh Shivashankar,Amitava Mukherjee","doi":"10.1039/d6en00401f","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00401f","url":null,"abstract":"The increasing prevalence of nanoplastics (NPs) in soil ecosystems raises concerns regarding their phytotoxic effects. This research investigated the potential of soil extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) to overcome polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs; ∼400 nm)–induced toxicity in Allium sativum L. Pristine aminated (ANPs) and carboxylated nanoplastics (CNPs) were initially assessed for their toxicity (0.1–10 mg L−1). Exposure to 10 mg L−1 NPs significantly reduced root length and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, with ANPs exhibiting greater toxicity than CNPs, indicating surface-charge-dependent phytotoxic effects. To elucidate the stress-mitigating potential of the soil EPS, two exposure strategies were employed with three varying ratios of EPS: (i) in situ co-addition of EPS and NPs, and (ii) ex situ EPS pre-coronation of NPs prior to plant exposure. Both approaches markedly alleviated NPs-induced oxidative stress and growth inhibition when compared to their pristine counterparts. However, ex situ EPS coronation proved more effective than the in situ addition, highlighting the importance of eco-corona formation in regulating NPs' physicochemical behaviour and plant interaction. Among the surface-functionalized NPs, EPS coronation resulted in a greater reduction of toxicity in the ANPs-treated groups compared to the CNPs-treated groups, suggesting stronger EPS interactions with positively charged NPs. Physicochemical characterisation, like Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, total organic carbon (TOC) analysis and 3-dimensional excitation and emission matrix (3D-EEM), revealed that EPS modulated the surface interactions and minimised direct cell contact of the NPs. Further, the correlation among physiological and biochemical parameters was established using a clustered heatmap and the Pearson correlation model. Overall, the findings demonstrate that soil EPS serves as a natural attenuator of NPs' phytotoxicity by modulating NPs–plant interactions and reducing their ecological risk in agroecosystems.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148729297","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}
Jingjing Fang,Chan Song,Zishuo Liu,Qiwen Ling,Zhangzhi Li,Cheng Yao,Guanyao Wang
Excessive accumulation of Al3+ poses risks to environmental safety and human health, necessitating rapid and reliable detection. Herein, a pyrophosphate (PPi)-assisted “on–off–on” colorimetric sensor for Al3+ is developed using a ruthenium-doped porphyrinic metal–organic framework (Ru-PCN-222). The enhanced peroxidase-like activity of Ru-PCN-222 originates from the intrinsic catalytic properties of Ru3+ centers and their electronic modulation of the framework. PPi effectively suppresses the catalytic activity of Ru-PCN-222, while Al3+ preferentially binds PPi, alleviating this inhibition and restoring activity. Owing to this specific interaction, the sensor can detect Al3+, with a linear range of 1–40 μM and a detection limit of 0.28 μM. The platform also performs reliably in real samples, demonstrating potential for environmental and food analysis.
{"title":"On–off–on colorimetric detection of Al using PPi-regulated Ru-doped porphyrinic MOFs","authors":"Jingjing Fang,Chan Song,Zishuo Liu,Qiwen Ling,Zhangzhi Li,Cheng Yao,Guanyao Wang","doi":"10.1039/d6en00489j","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00489j","url":null,"abstract":"Excessive accumulation of Al3+ poses risks to environmental safety and human health, necessitating rapid and reliable detection. Herein, a pyrophosphate (PPi)-assisted “on–off–on” colorimetric sensor for Al3+ is developed using a ruthenium-doped porphyrinic metal–organic framework (Ru-PCN-222). The enhanced peroxidase-like activity of Ru-PCN-222 originates from the intrinsic catalytic properties of Ru3+ centers and their electronic modulation of the framework. PPi effectively suppresses the catalytic activity of Ru-PCN-222, while Al3+ preferentially binds PPi, alleviating this inhibition and restoring activity. Owing to this specific interaction, the sensor can detect Al3+, with a linear range of 1–40 μM and a detection limit of 0.28 μM. The platform also performs reliably in real samples, demonstrating potential for environmental and food analysis.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"35 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148729302","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}
Seong Jae Kim,Yoon Sick Eom,Jun Young Park,Sanha Kim
The continuous release of diverse pollutants poses serious risks to ecosystems and human health, driving the urgent demand for highly sensitive and selective analytical tools. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has emerged as a promising platform for environmental monitoring due to its label-free detection capability and ultrahigh sensitivity. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in SERS sensors from materials design to practical implementation. First, we summarize key strategies for fabricating high-performance and cost-effective SERS substrates, highlighting nanostructure engineering, hotspot optimization, and scalable fabrication routes. Next, we discuss analyte delivery strategies tailored to different analyte types—including liquid, solid, gas, and aerosol phases—to improve SERS performance. Representative applications for detecting heavy metals, nanoplastics, perfluoro- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and pesticides are then presented, emphasizing the advantages of SERS over conventional analytical techniques. Finally, current challenges in in situ measurement and multiplex detection in complex matrices are critically examined, and future perspectives are proposed for AI-assisted SERS technologies and on-site analytical systems. By bridging nanofabrication technologies with environmental sensing applications, this review aims to guide the rational design of next-generation SERS platforms for effective environmental monitoring.
{"title":"SERS sensors for environmental monitoring: fabrication, analyte delivery, and applications","authors":"Seong Jae Kim,Yoon Sick Eom,Jun Young Park,Sanha Kim","doi":"10.1039/d6en00246c","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00246c","url":null,"abstract":"The continuous release of diverse pollutants poses serious risks to ecosystems and human health, driving the urgent demand for highly sensitive and selective analytical tools. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has emerged as a promising platform for environmental monitoring due to its label-free detection capability and ultrahigh sensitivity. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in SERS sensors from materials design to practical implementation. First, we summarize key strategies for fabricating high-performance and cost-effective SERS substrates, highlighting nanostructure engineering, hotspot optimization, and scalable fabrication routes. Next, we discuss analyte delivery strategies tailored to different analyte types—including liquid, solid, gas, and aerosol phases—to improve SERS performance. Representative applications for detecting heavy metals, nanoplastics, perfluoro- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and pesticides are then presented, emphasizing the advantages of SERS over conventional analytical techniques. Finally, current challenges in in situ measurement and multiplex detection in complex matrices are critically examined, and future perspectives are proposed for AI-assisted SERS technologies and on-site analytical systems. By bridging nanofabrication technologies with environmental sensing applications, this review aims to guide the rational design of next-generation SERS platforms for effective environmental monitoring.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"22 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148729286","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}
D. Baragaño,B. Astray,M. Vítková,V. Chrastný,M. Komárek,G. Ratié
Cadmium (Cd) immobilization during soil remediation with nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) is commonly assessed through changes in dissolved Cd concentrations, but the mechanisms controlling Cd redistribution between soil, plants, and newly formed Fe phases remain poorly understood. Here, Cd isotope systematics were applied to elucidate Cd immobilization and bioavailability in a soil–plant system treated with nZVI and cultivated with Agrostis capillaris, a locally collected Cd accumulator species. The application of nZVI decreased Cd concentrations in pore water (145 to 33 μg L−1) and aerial plant tissues (22 to 9 mg kg−1) while preferentially immobilizing light Cd isotopes. Approximately 80% of Cd was immobilized by newly formed Fe oxyhydroxides coming from nZVI oxidation, with an estimated δ114/110Cd value of −0.05‰. Conversely, plants mobilized additional Cd pools from soil, contributing to isotopically lighter Cd in plant tissues. The combined isotopic fractionation induced by nZVI and plants modified Cd isotope compositions in pore water and plant compartments, with the lightest signatures observed in roots, consistent with Cd retention by Fe oxide phases formed during nZVI oxidation. These findings highlight the potential of Cd isotopes to unravel Cd fate and transformation pathways during soil remediation and provide valuable insights for the development of more effective soil management strategies.
{"title":"Insights of cadmium isotopes in the soil–plant system for deciphering nanoscale zero-valent iron remediation processes in contaminated soil","authors":"D. Baragaño,B. Astray,M. Vítková,V. Chrastný,M. Komárek,G. Ratié","doi":"10.1039/d6en00022c","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00022c","url":null,"abstract":"Cadmium (Cd) immobilization during soil remediation with nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) is commonly assessed through changes in dissolved Cd concentrations, but the mechanisms controlling Cd redistribution between soil, plants, and newly formed Fe phases remain poorly understood. Here, Cd isotope systematics were applied to elucidate Cd immobilization and bioavailability in a soil–plant system treated with nZVI and cultivated with Agrostis capillaris, a locally collected Cd accumulator species. The application of nZVI decreased Cd concentrations in pore water (145 to 33 μg L−1) and aerial plant tissues (22 to 9 mg kg−1) while preferentially immobilizing light Cd isotopes. Approximately 80% of Cd was immobilized by newly formed Fe oxyhydroxides coming from nZVI oxidation, with an estimated δ114/110Cd value of −0.05‰. Conversely, plants mobilized additional Cd pools from soil, contributing to isotopically lighter Cd in plant tissues. The combined isotopic fractionation induced by nZVI and plants modified Cd isotope compositions in pore water and plant compartments, with the lightest signatures observed in roots, consistent with Cd retention by Fe oxide phases formed during nZVI oxidation. These findings highlight the potential of Cd isotopes to unravel Cd fate and transformation pathways during soil remediation and provide valuable insights for the development of more effective soil management strategies.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"21 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148729289","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 ions (HMIs) such as Pb2+, Hg2+, and Cd2+ pose a severe threat to environmental sustainability and human health due to their high toxicity, persistence, and bioaccumulation. Mining activities are major sources of HMI contamination, releasing these ions into surrounding soil and wastewater during mineral extraction and processing. These toxic ions can migrate into nearby water bodies and agricultural land, ultimately entering the food chain and posing long-term health risks specifically to mine workers. Therefore, continuous monitoring of HMIs in mining wastewater is critically important. However, existing detection systems still lack the sensitivity and selectivity required for simultaneous monitoring of multiple HMI in complex mining wastewater matrices. To address this, herein we developed a sulfur-and nitrogen-doped MnFeCo trimetallic MOF (S/N–MFC–TM-MOF). The porous framework enhances electron transfer while thiourea-derived S/N groups provide abundant binding sites for selective adsorption. Performance was further optimized through machine learning (ML), enabling identification of the best-fit parameters. The resulting ML-optimized sensor achieved a wide linear range (0.1–160 μg L−1), ultralow LODs (Cd2+: 0.073, Hg2+: 0.069, Pb2+: 0.065 μg L−1), and excellent recovery rates in mining wastewater. This ML-guided TM-MFC–MOF sensor effectively overcomes the mentioned challenges, providing a robust platform for the real-time monitoring of toxic heavy metal ions in mining wastewater.
{"title":"Machine learning-optimized electrochemical sensor for real-time detection of Pb, Hg, and Cd in mining wastewater","authors":"Hina Fatima Tahira,Ameer Hamza,Sehrish Hanif,Nosherwan Adil,Akhtar Hayat,Naeem Akhtar,Muhammad Nasir,Hamdy Khamees Thabet","doi":"10.1039/d6en00258g","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00258g","url":null,"abstract":"Heavy metal ions (HMIs) such as Pb2+, Hg2+, and Cd2+ pose a severe threat to environmental sustainability and human health due to their high toxicity, persistence, and bioaccumulation. Mining activities are major sources of HMI contamination, releasing these ions into surrounding soil and wastewater during mineral extraction and processing. These toxic ions can migrate into nearby water bodies and agricultural land, ultimately entering the food chain and posing long-term health risks specifically to mine workers. Therefore, continuous monitoring of HMIs in mining wastewater is critically important. However, existing detection systems still lack the sensitivity and selectivity required for simultaneous monitoring of multiple HMI in complex mining wastewater matrices. To address this, herein we developed a sulfur-and nitrogen-doped MnFeCo trimetallic MOF (S/N–MFC–TM-MOF). The porous framework enhances electron transfer while thiourea-derived S/N groups provide abundant binding sites for selective adsorption. Performance was further optimized through machine learning (ML), enabling identification of the best-fit parameters. The resulting ML-optimized sensor achieved a wide linear range (0.1–160 μg L−1), ultralow LODs (Cd2+: 0.073, Hg2+: 0.069, Pb2+: 0.065 μg L−1), and excellent recovery rates in mining wastewater. This ML-guided TM-MFC–MOF sensor effectively overcomes the mentioned challenges, providing a robust platform for the real-time monitoring of toxic heavy metal ions in mining wastewater.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"10 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148729301","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 Bilal Asif,Ahror Ismoili,Abdul Ghaffar,Seok-Jin Kim,Javeed Mahmood,Cafer T. Yavuz
Organic micropollutants (OMPs), such as pharmaceuticals and endocrine disruptors, have been recognized as threats to both ecosystems and human health. Several advanced polymeric adsorbents have been developed over the last decade to address the issue of OMP pollution. However, their efficacy in complex mixtures is rarely assessed to evaluate their applicability. This study presents the technical feasibility of an emerging covalent triazine framework (CTF) adsorbent with a high surface area (1226 m2 g−1) and nitrogen-rich triazine cores for OMP removal from water. The CTF adsorbent demonstrated ultrafast adsorption kinetics, with 85% removal of bisphenol A within 10 s, and was superior to activated carbon (AC) based on mass transfer and effective diffusion coefficients. It also exhibited remarkable durability by maintaining performance for 10 cycles without pore collapse and versatility by achieving above 99% removal of individual OMPs. However, in mixed OMP systems, the CTF exhibited a significant decline in adsorption kinetics, with the pseudo-second-order rate constant (k2) decreasing by up to 62.4-fold as compared to individual OMPs. Importantly, the presence of co-existing impurities in real water matrices inhibited both the instant and overall removal of mixed OMPs due to competitive adsorption and steric hindrance. This study is a concrete example of the significance of examining advanced polymeric adsorbents under environmentally relevant conditions.
{"title":"Micropollutant elimination from complex water matrices by microporous covalent triazine frameworks","authors":"Muhammad Bilal Asif,Ahror Ismoili,Abdul Ghaffar,Seok-Jin Kim,Javeed Mahmood,Cafer T. Yavuz","doi":"10.1039/d6en00327c","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00327c","url":null,"abstract":"Organic micropollutants (OMPs), such as pharmaceuticals and endocrine disruptors, have been recognized as threats to both ecosystems and human health. Several advanced polymeric adsorbents have been developed over the last decade to address the issue of OMP pollution. However, their efficacy in complex mixtures is rarely assessed to evaluate their applicability. This study presents the technical feasibility of an emerging covalent triazine framework (CTF) adsorbent with a high surface area (1226 m2 g−1) and nitrogen-rich triazine cores for OMP removal from water. The CTF adsorbent demonstrated ultrafast adsorption kinetics, with 85% removal of bisphenol A within 10 s, and was superior to activated carbon (AC) based on mass transfer and effective diffusion coefficients. It also exhibited remarkable durability by maintaining performance for 10 cycles without pore collapse and versatility by achieving above 99% removal of individual OMPs. However, in mixed OMP systems, the CTF exhibited a significant decline in adsorption kinetics, with the pseudo-second-order rate constant (k2) decreasing by up to 62.4-fold as compared to individual OMPs. Importantly, the presence of co-existing impurities in real water matrices inhibited both the instant and overall removal of mixed OMPs due to competitive adsorption and steric hindrance. This study is a concrete example of the significance of examining advanced polymeric adsorbents under environmentally relevant conditions.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148729303","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}
This study developed a label-free, high-resolution platform for environmental quantification of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in biological barriers, integrating two-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (TP-FLIM) with a dual-modality mask generation (DMMG) algorithm. This approach enables in situ, label-free mapping, automated identification, and large-scale quantitative analysis of PM2.5 in biological tissues based on its intrinsic photophysical properties. The study reveals that urban PM2.5 exhibits a distinctive short fluorescence lifetime (τ ∼ 0.1–0.2 ns), which can be clearly distinguished from tissue autofluorescence lifetimes (τ ∼ several ns), enabling reliable and label-free detection suitable for submicron particle assessment in complex biological matrices. In model systems, PM2.5 deposition showed a dose-dependent correlation with environmental exposure levels. Notably, analysis of six human placental samples (five with intact barrier function and one pathological case of placenta increta) revealed a significant 5.0 ± 2.0-fold submicron PM2.5 density reduction on the fetal side in the intact group compared to the maternal side, providing direct visual evidence for the size-selective filtration function of the placental barrier. In contrast, the placenta increta case exhibited disrupted barrier integrity and loss of this maternal–fetal protective gradient, indicating increased fetal exposure risk. This work provides high-resolution, visual evidence for the biodistribution of ambient PM2.5 in human placental tissues, and establishes a powerful biomonitoring tool for characterizing environmental health risks associated with PM2.5 exposure.
{"title":"Label-free mapping of ambient PM in human placental tissues using two-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging with a dual-modality mask generation algorithm","authors":"Jiacheng Zhou,Yulan Wang,Yang Ning,Wenjia Zhao,Dongxia Fan,Duantao Hou,Yiyan Fei,Jiong Ma,Jinzhuo Zhao,Lan Mi","doi":"10.1039/d6en00334f","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00334f","url":null,"abstract":"This study developed a label-free, high-resolution platform for environmental quantification of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in biological barriers, integrating two-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (TP-FLIM) with a dual-modality mask generation (DMMG) algorithm. This approach enables in situ, label-free mapping, automated identification, and large-scale quantitative analysis of PM2.5 in biological tissues based on its intrinsic photophysical properties. The study reveals that urban PM2.5 exhibits a distinctive short fluorescence lifetime (τ ∼ 0.1–0.2 ns), which can be clearly distinguished from tissue autofluorescence lifetimes (τ ∼ several ns), enabling reliable and label-free detection suitable for submicron particle assessment in complex biological matrices. In model systems, PM2.5 deposition showed a dose-dependent correlation with environmental exposure levels. Notably, analysis of six human placental samples (five with intact barrier function and one pathological case of placenta increta) revealed a significant 5.0 ± 2.0-fold submicron PM2.5 density reduction on the fetal side in the intact group compared to the maternal side, providing direct visual evidence for the size-selective filtration function of the placental barrier. In contrast, the placenta increta case exhibited disrupted barrier integrity and loss of this maternal–fetal protective gradient, indicating increased fetal exposure risk. This work provides high-resolution, visual evidence for the biodistribution of ambient PM2.5 in human placental tissues, and establishes a powerful biomonitoring tool for characterizing environmental health risks associated with PM2.5 exposure.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"48 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148729304","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}
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