Environmental Chemistry

Environmental Chemistry publishes papers reporting chemistry that enhances our understanding of the natural and engineered environment (including indoor and outdoor air, water, soil, sediments, and biota). Read more about the journal

Editor-in-Chief: Jamie Lead

Publishing Model: Hybrid. Open Access options available.

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Latest

These articles are the latest published in the journal. Environmental Chemistry is published under a continuous publication model. More information is available on our Continuous Publication page.

Published online 04 June 2025

EN24103Mercury concentration in Antarctic krill varies in time and space and with individual size

Rita M. Franco-Santos

, Sam Eggins, Michael J. Ellwood, Nils Hoem, Peter D. Nichols, Patti Virtue and William A. Maher

Illustration of the sampling locations, sample processing steps and seasonal variation in krill mercury concentrations.

Environmental context. Several predators that eat Antarctic krill may be unintentionally ingesting toxic substances. Studying aspects of krill life to understand the effects of potential increases in Antarctic mercury (Hg) availability revealed that seasons, locations and individual size influence krill Hg concentration. Despite increasing human presence (potential Hg sources) in Antarctica, krill Hg content remains stable, and evidence suggests that Hg accumulates in predators by both short (krill-based) and longer food chains. (Image credit: the authors.)

This article belongs to the collection: Mercury in the environment.

EN24103 Abstract | EN24103 Full Text | EN24103PDF (2.8 MB) | EN24103Supplementary Material (1 MB) Open Access Article

Published online 15 May 2025

EN23031Historical (1850–1995) nitrogen changes in UK catchments recorded by lake sediment δ¹⁵N

Simon David Turner

, Neil Rose

, John Boyle, Gavin Simpson and Elizabeth Gardner

Environmental context. Unprecedented modification of the global nitrogen cycle by human activity is strongly imprinted in UK lakes by the changing abundance of nitrogen isotopes found in layers of lake sediment. UK lakes in the last century have responded to this change depending on their location, particularly if they are remote and occur above ~300-m altitude. Historical sediment nitrogen isotope data illustrate the impact of variable N sources on UK lakes, from fossil fuel combustion, synthetic fertilisers, to land use change and wastewater.

This article belongs to the collection: Dedication to Prof. Edward Tipping.

Published online 14 May 2025

EN24098Precipitation Isotopes New Zealand (PINZ): improvements in precipitation isoscapes with machine learning

A. F. Hill

, A. McKenzie, B. D. Dudley and D. B. Nelson

Representative monthly precipitation isoscape for New Zealand (δ18O for October 2023 shown).

Environmental context. Stable water isotopes δ¹⁸O and δ²H in atmospheric precipitation are valuable hydrologic tracers with varied applications, but measuring them over large scales is impractical. Precipitation isotope models (isoscapes) are instead needed to predict isotopes through space and time. Precipitation isotopes are affected by numerous variables ranging from orographic effects to phase changes to moisture mass origin, making them challenging to predict in complex geographies such as New Zealand. Improving data density together with recent advances in modelling approaches hold promise for improving accuracy of precipitation isoscapes in New Zealand and similar locations. (Image credit: Alice Hill.)

EN24098 Abstract | EN24098 Full Text | EN24098PDF (1.7 MB) | EN24098Supplementary Material (2.1 MB) Open Access Article

Published online 17 April 2025

EN24054Aqueous lead speciation determined using DNAzyme GR5

Gaganprit K. Gill, Juewen Liu, Heather M. Gaebler, Ian Hamilton and D. Scott Smith

Schematic representation of the Pb species induced cleavage reaction of DNAzyme GR5.

Environmental context. The on-site and real-time detection of metal ions is important for environmental monitoring and risk assessment. For appropriate management decisions, it is necessary to specifically sense the labile fraction of metal rather than total metal. This study provides a proof-of-principle that the DNAzyme GR5 can be used to sense labile lead in natural waters containing dissolved organic matter. (Image credit: D. Scott Smith.)

Published online 24 March 2025

EN24083Bioindicators for monitoring atmospheric perfluorinated compounds: review of occurrences, transport, fate and analytical protocols

Nnanake-Abasi O. Offiong

, Imeh J. Okop, Solomon E. Shaibu, Edidiong S. Akwaowo, Akwaowo I. Inyangudoh, Nnamso D. Ibuotenang, Idongesit A. Victor, George A. Robert, Timilehin A. Adegboyega and Nsikak U. Benson

Environmental context: Perfluorinated compounds are emerging organic contaminants recently detected in various environmental matrices and remain largely unregulated. Among these matrices, air is the least studied one due to analytical challenges. This review explores emerging trends in analysing perfluorinated compounds in air with the use of bioindicators and highlights future research needs to address existing gaps in detection and monitoring.

EN24083 Abstract | EN24083 Full Text | EN24083PDF (2.2 MB) Open Access Article

Published online 20 March 2025

EN24093Altitudinal variations and local emission contributions to black carbon and ion deposition on Tibetan Plateau glaciers

Yixi Liu

, Chao Zhang, Fangping Yan, Pengling Wang and Chaoliu Li

Pictorial representation of the glaciers studied and their proximity and routes of exposure to pollutants.

Environmental context. Impurities deposited on glaciers can significantly accelerate their melting. This study investigated the spatial variability of concentrations of impurities across three glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau, revealing a pronounced concentration increase with decreasing altitude and the influence of local emissions. To accurately evaluate the potential for glacier melt, it is necessary to account for local emissions and altitude-dependent variations of impurities in individual glaciers. (Image credit: Yixi Liu)

EN24093 Abstract | EN24093 Full Text | EN24093PDF (1.5 MB) Open Access Article

Published online 26 February 2025

EN25009In memoriam: Peter G. C. Campbell

Graeme E. Batley

EN25009 Full Text | EN25009PDF (654 KB)

Published online 31 January 2025

EN24041Solubility and dissolution kinetics of particle-bound metals in a surrogate lung fluid

Sara D’Aronco, Valerio Di Marco, Alberto Gambalunga, Federica Chiara, Andrea Trevisan and Chiara Giorio

An illustration of aerosol transportation from the environment into the epithelial lining fluid where it can be partly solubilised.

Environmental context. Metals in airborne particles can interact with lung fluids once particles are inhaled. Water solubility of particle-bound metals is often used to define their bioavailability. We show that particle-bound metals exhibit a complex dissolution kinetics in a surrogate lung fluid, their solubility and dissolution kinetics are driven by the fluid composition, and only to a minor extent by atmospheric aqueous phase processing of aerosols. (Image credit: Francesco Battaglia and Chiara Giorio.)

This article belongs to the collection: Dedication to Roy Harrison.

Published online 28 January 2025

EN24088Mercury patterns in lakes within a natural hotspot in the Southern Volcanic Zone of the Andes (Nahuel Huapi National Park, Patagonia, South America)

Carolina Soto Cárdenas

, Zaida Fernandez, Marina Arcagni, Andrea Rizzo and María C. Diéguez

Movement of dissolved organic matter and mercury in wet and dry seasons for a shallow (left) and a deep (right) connected lakes of Andean Patagonia.

Environmental context. The pristine oligotrophic lakes of Andean Patagonia are influenced by volcanic eruptions and atmospheric deposition. This study focuses on mercury (Hg) dynamics in two connected lakes in a natural Hg hotspot of the southern Andes. The lake waters have low dissolved organic carbon and moderate to high Hg concentrations, resulting in high Hg availability. These promote Hg binding to natural particulates, thereby favouring its incorporation into food webs. (Image credit: Carolina Soto Cárdenas)

This article belongs to the collection: Mercury in the environment.

Published online 22 January 2025

EN24089Mercury wet deposition in the urban and industrialised region of Campinas, south-east Brazil

Amauris Hechavarria-Hernandez, José Lucas Martins Viana and Anne Hélène Fostier

A scheme depicting mercury wet deposition and analysis.

Environmental context. Wet deposition is a primary mechanism for transferring atmospheric mercury (Hg) to the Earth’s surface. In Brazil, as well as in the rest of the Southern Hemisphere, only limited data on wet Hg deposition are available. This article addresses this gap by providing a comprehensive dataset from nearly 2 years of monitoring, focusing on mercury concentrations in rainwater and wet Hg deposition in Campinas, one of the largest industrial and populated regions in São Paulo state (south-east Brazil). (Image credit: José L. M. Viana.)

This article belongs to the collection: Mercury in the environment.

Published online 20 January 2025

EN24060Influence of the external N and P inputs on nutrients in the coastal area of Xiamen, China

Siying Dai, Jiehua Hu, Shanshan Wang

, Siming Huang, Rong Tian, Shuhui Zhao, Yang Luo, Xiaoke Zhang, Xia Sun and Jinpei Yan

Bar charts (left) related to annual nutrients fluctuation and a scheme (right) depicting nutrients circulation in the environment.

Environmental context. Nutrients from external sources are related to critical ecological issues in coastal seawater. We investigated the nearshore nutrient concentrations and their sources in Xiamen Bay, China during 2013–2018. Our results provide support for the need to control sources of nearshore nutrient pollution. (Image credit: Siying Dai.)

Published online 13 January 2025

EN24087Mercury in an Australian sclerophyll Eucalyptus forest and emissions from fuel reduction prescribed burning

James R. Taylor

, Larissa Schneider

, Anne-Helene Fostier

, Heather Keith

, Fei Cao, Peter Davies, Geoffrey J. Cary, Simon G. Haberle and Susan Lawrence

A labelled diagram of a sclerophyll Eucalyptus forest on fire releasing mercury into the atmosphere.

Environmental context. Understanding how mercury cycles through the environment is crucial for protecting ecosystems and human health. Our study is among the first to measure mercury concentrations in Eucalyptus forest soils and litter, and estimate emissions from prescribed burns, addressing a significant gap in current knowledge. These new data enhance our understanding of mercury cycling in Australia and contribute to the global information on the biogeochemical cycle of mercury. (Image credit: Larissa Schneider)

This article belongs to the collection: Mercury in the environment.

EN24087 Abstract | EN24087 Full Text | EN24087PDF (2.3 MB) | EN24087Supplementary Material (260 KB) Open Access Article

Published online 20 December 2024

EN24065Assessment of mercury bioaccumulation in a tropical elasmobranch assemblage

Andréia S. Campos

, Moisés F. Bezerra, Victor L. Moura, Vicente V. Faria, Carlos E. Rezende, Wanderley R. Bastos, Iuri Aparecida S. Oliveira and Luiz D. Lacerda

Composite picture showing silhouettes of elasmobranchs and two graphs correlating increased Hg presence with length of subject.

Environmental context. Mercury (Hg) is a non-essential metal that can accumulate in aquatic biota, including top predators such as elasmobranchs (sharks and rays), and biomagnifying along the trophic web. This study provides data on Hg total, methylmercury (MeHg) and stable isotopes (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) for 13 elasmobranch taxa in the Equatorial Western Atlantic Ocean, relating biological and ecological properties with Hg concentrations and the estimated human consumption risk. (Image credit: Andréia dos Santos Campos.)

This article belongs to the collection: Mercury in the environment.

Published online 13 December 2024

EN24057Characterisation and source apportionment of chemical components in fine particulate matter from atmosphere in two districts of Lanzhou City

Qin Cui

, Jianyun Sun, Yufang Fan and Yongjun Li

Two pie charts detailing pollution sources for Chengguan (left) and Xigu (right) districts.

Environmental context. Exploring the characterisation and sources of the chemical composition of fine particulate matter in the atmosphere is critical to human health. Dust, primarily from soil, is the main source of atmospheric fine particulate matter in Chengguan and Xigu Districts of Lanzhou City, Gansu Province, rather than other causes. This provides directions and ideas for future local ecological environment and pollution management. (Image credit: Qin Cui.)

This article belongs to the collection: Dedication to Roy Harrison.

EN24057 Abstract | EN24057 Full Text | EN24057PDF (1.9 MB) Open Access Article

Published online 12 December 2024

EN23131Daphnia reproductive impacts following chronic exposure to micro- and nano-scale particles from three types of rubber

Brittany E. Cunningham

, Bryan J. Harper, Susanne M. Brander and Stacey L. Harper

Schematic showing the testing of Daphnia with different types of rubber.

Environmental context. Tyre rubber particles, from both driving and reuse of tyre rubber, are pollutants that carry toxic chemicals into the environment. We investigated the long-term effects that these particles have on small aquatic organisms and found that they drastically reduce their ability to reproduce. Continued exposure of aquatic invertebrates to tyre-related pollutants, has the potential to affect the population by inhibiting reproduction into future generations. (Image credit: Brittany Cunningham.)

This article belongs to the collection: Tyre road wear particles – chemistry and impacts.

EN23131 Abstract | EN23131 Full Text | EN23131PDF (1.3 MB) | EN23131Supplementary Material (1.1 MB) Open Access Article

More content

Just Accepted

These articles have been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. They are still in production and have not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

EN25014, Accepted 22 May 2025

Platinum speciation in the presence of natural organic matter in a simplified freshwater medium investigated using HPSEC-ICP-MS

Océane Hourtané

, Scott Smith

and Claude Fortin

EN25014Abstract

EN24101, Accepted 02 May 2025

Research on the effect of dissolved organic matter on the adsorption of oxytetracycline by high-density polyethylene

Qitian XIAO, Hui Liu

, Jiying Zou, Haonan He, Jia Wei and Zhesheng Hou

EN24101Abstract

EN25011, Accepted 02 May 2025

Determination of polyoxymethylene (POM) water partition coefficients for DDT and its degradation products, with inter-laboratory comparison of the passive sampling methodology and bioaccumulation in earthworm (Eisenia fetida)

Anja Enell

, Stephanie Casey

, Ayan Au Musse

, Sarah Josefsson

, Johannes Kikuchi-McIntosh, Greta Nilén

, Karin Wiberg, Anna-Karin Dahlberg

and Maria Larsson

EN25011Abstract

EN25007, Accepted 22 April 2025

Sources and risk evaluation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in dust and soil from an urban environment in Nigeria

Chukwujndu Maxwell Azubuike Iwegbue

, Chinedu J. Ossai, Ijeoma F. Ogwu, Eze W. Odali, Chijioke Olisah, Oguejiofo T. Ujam, Godwin E. Nwajei and Bice S. Martincigh

EN25007Abstract

Daphnia reproductive impacts following chronic exposure to micro- and nano-scale particles from three types of rubber

Environmental Chemistry 21 (8)

Brittany E. Cunningham , Bryan J. Harper, Susanne M. Brander, Stacey L. Harper
Bioindicators for monitoring atmospheric perfluorinated compounds: review of occurrences, transport, fate and analytical protocols

Environmental Chemistry 22 (2)

Nnanake-Abasi O. Offiong , Imeh J. Okop, Solomon E. Shaibu, Edidiong S. Akwaowo, Akwaowo I. Inyangudoh, Nnamso D. Ibuotenang, Idongesit A. Victor, George A. Robert, Timilehin A. Adegboyega, Nsikak U. Benson
Mercury in an Australian sclerophyll Eucalyptus forest and emissions from fuel reduction prescribed burning

Environmental Chemistry 22 (1)

James R. Taylor , Larissa Schneider , Anne-Helene Fostier , Heather Keith , Fei Cao, Peter Davies, Geoffrey J. Cary, Simon G. Haberle, Susan Lawrence
Characterisation and source apportionment of chemical components in fine particulate matter from atmosphere in two districts of Lanzhou City

Environmental Chemistry 21 (8)

Qin Cui , Jianyun Sun, Yufang Fan, Yongjun Li
Precipitation Isotopes New Zealand (PINZ): improvements in precipitation isoscapes with machine learning

Environmental Chemistry 22 (3)

A. F. Hill , A. McKenzie, B. D. Dudley, D. B. Nelson
Altitudinal variations and local emission contributions to black carbon and ion deposition on Tibetan Plateau glaciers

Environmental Chemistry 22 (2)

Yixi Liu , Chao Zhang, Fangping Yan, Pengling Wang, Chaoliu Li
Quantification of palladium-labelled nanoplastics algal uptake by single cell and single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Environmental Chemistry 21 (5)

Elizabeth C. Bair , Zhangzhen Guo, Tammi L. Richardson , Jamie R. Lead
In memoriam: Peter G. C. Campbell

Environmental Chemistry 22 (2)

Graeme E. Batley
From chemistry to culture: the need for an integrated approach to mercury research and policy making

Environmental Chemistry 21 (7)

Larissa Schneider , Saul Guerrero
Mercury concentration in Antarctic krill varies in time and space and with individual size

Environmental Chemistry 22 (4)

Rita M. Franco-Santos , Sam Eggins, Michael J. Ellwood, Nils Hoem, Peter D. Nichols, Patti Virtue, William A. Maher
Potential for atmospheric acid processing of mineral dust to supply bioavailable trace metals to the oceans

Environmental Chemistry 21 (3)

Anthony Stockdale , Michael D. Krom
Aqueous lead speciation determined using DNAzyme GR5

Environmental Chemistry 22 (3)

Gaganprit K. Gill, Juewen Liu, Heather M. Gaebler, Ian Hamilton, D. Scott Smith
Solubility and dissolution kinetics of particle-bound metals in a surrogate lung fluid

Environmental Chemistry 22 (1)

Sara D’Aronco, Valerio Di Marco, Alberto Gambalunga, Federica Chiara, Andrea Trevisan, Chiara Giorio
Influence of the external N and P inputs on nutrients in the coastal area of Xiamen, China

Environmental Chemistry 22 (1)

Siying Dai, Jiehua Hu, Shanshan Wang , Siming Huang, Rong Tian, Shuhui Zhao, Yang Luo, Xiaoke Zhang, Xia Sun, Jinpei Yan
Historical (1850–1995) nitrogen changes in UK catchments recorded by lake sediment δ¹⁵N

Environmental Chemistry 22 (3)

Simon David Turner , Neil Rose , John Boyle, Gavin Simpson, Elizabeth Gardner
Mercury wet deposition in the urban and industrialised region of Campinas, south-east Brazil

Environmental Chemistry 22 (1)

Amauris Hechavarria-Hernandez, José Lucas Martins Viana, Anne Hélène Fostier
Assessment of mercury bioaccumulation in a tropical elasmobranch assemblage

Environmental Chemistry 21 (8)

Andréia S. Campos , Moisés F. Bezerra, Victor L. Moura, Vicente V. Faria, Carlos E. Rezende, Wanderley R. Bastos, Iuri Aparecida S. Oliveira, Luiz D. Lacerda
Diversity of ammonia sources in Tianjin: nitrogen isotope analyses and simulations of aerosol ammonium

Environmental Chemistry 21 (6)

Libin Wu , Yiwen Zhang, Yunting Xiao, Jialei Zhu, Zongbo Shi , Yuantao Wang, Hong Xu, Wei Hu, Junjun Deng, Miao Tang, Pingqing Fu
Mercury patterns in lakes within a natural hotspot in the Southern Volcanic Zone of the Andes (Nahuel Huapi National Park, Patagonia, South America)

Environmental Chemistry 22 (1)

Carolina Soto Cárdenas , Zaida Fernandez, Marina Arcagni, Andrea Rizzo, María C. Diéguez
A comprehensive analysis of water-soluble arsenicals in Icelandic macroalgae

Environmental Chemistry 21 (4)

Rebecca Sim , Ásta H. Pétursdóttir

Collections

Collections are a curation of articles relevant to a topical research area

Mercury in the environment

This collection contains six papers representing the state-of-the-art in mercury investigations, largely originating from a symposium held in July 2023 in Canberra, ACT, Australia.

Last Updated: 04 Jun 2025

Dedication to Prof. Edward Tipping

This collection brings together a series of papers dedicated to Prof. Edward Tipping.

Last Updated: 15 May 2025

Dedication to Roy Harrison

This collection brings together a series of papers dedicated to Prof. Roy Harrison.

Last Updated: 31 Jan 2025

Tyre road wear particles – chemistry and impacts

This collection addresses the environmental chemistry of tyre wear particles and their associated chemicals, ranging in particle size fractions and composition, chemical additives and environmental transformation products, which is applied to improve the understanding of their environmental impact.

Last Updated: 12 Dec 2024

NAMs in Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology

This collection brings together papers on new approach methodologies (NAMs) that focus on translational NAM advances and their application within an environmental context.

Last Updated: 24 Jun 2024

Element Biogeochemistry and Human Health

In keeping with the ICOBTE 2019 conference theme, 'Biogeochemistry of trace elements for improved environmental sustainability and human health', we are pleased to present this collection containing a selection of recently published papers focusing on various aspects of trace element biogeochemistry and human health.

Last Updated: 03 Apr 2019

Organosulfates in the Atmosphere

This collection of Environmental Chemistry brings together papers reporting the detection and quantification of organosulfates in various atmospheric environments across the world, and thereby produces new insights into the atmospheric chemistry of organosulfates.

Last Updated: 21 Mar 2019