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 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

Published online 29 November 2024

EN24096From chemistry to culture: the need for an integrated approach to mercury research and policy making

Larissa Schneider

and Saul Guerrero

Environmental context. Mercury (Hg) has been extensively used throughout human history, leaving a persistent environmental legacy that continues to present challenges for pollution management and public health. This highlight focuses on the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to enhance our knowledge of mercury’s historical uses and emissions, supporting more effective strategies to address its environmental and societal impacts.

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

EN24096 Abstract | EN24096 Full Text | EN24096PDF (1.3 MB) Open Access Article

Published online 29 November 2024

EN24062Influence of initial speciation of platinum and palladium on their accumulation and toxicity towards phytoplankton

Julien Michaud-Valcourt

, Sylvie Blanc, Louis Courtois, Jelle Mertens, Séverine Le Faucheur and Claude Fortin

Diagram indicating the determined toxicity of the Pd and Pt complexes studied towards phytoplankton.

Environmental context. The increasing global demand for platinum and palladium for the development of new technologies will likely enhance their biogeochemical mobility. However, our understanding of the environmental risks of these metals remains incomplete. To help fill this knowledge gap, we determined the toxicity of various forms of platinum and palladium on a green alga. We found that palladium was more toxic than platinum and that platinum toxicity depended on the form tested. (Image credit: J. Michaud-Valcourt.)

Published online 25 November 2024

EN21103_COCorrigendum to: Speciation and mobility of antimony and arsenic in a highly contaminated freshwater system and the influence of extreme drought conditions

Steven Doherty, Matthew K. Tighe, Luke A. Milan, Leanne Lisle, Calvin Leech, Bernt Johannessen, Valerie Mitchell, Jessica Hamilton, Scott G. Johnston and Susan C. Wilson

EN21103_CO Full Text | EN21103_COPDF (670 KB)

Published online 18 September 2024

EN24030Diversity of ammonia sources in Tianjin: nitrogen isotope analyses and simulations of aerosol ammonium

Libin Wu

, Yiwen Zhang, Yunting Xiao, Jialei Zhu, Zongbo Shi

, Yuantao Wang, Hong Xu, Wei Hu, Junjun Deng, Miao Tang and Pingqing Fu

A photograph of Jingang Bridge with the Tianjin Eye behind, shrouded in air pollution.

Environmental context. Atmospheric particulate NH₄⁺, primarily produced from the reaction of NH₃ and acids, is an important component of PM_2.5. In this study, nitrogen stable isotope analyses and an atmospheric chemistry model were used to estimate the contribution of major NH₃ sources to particulate NH₄⁺ in Tianjin, a megacity in North China Plain (NCP). Our research has implications for investigations of NH₃ emission sources and relevant pollution control in Tianjin and NCP. Photograph by Libin Wu.

This article belongs to the collection Dedication to Roy Harrison.

Published online 13 September 2024

EN24042Photolysis characteristics and influencing factors of the pesticide pyrimethanil in natural waters

Jiayun Zhao, Hui Liu

, Zhiwen Li, Xiaomei Zhu and Bing Sun

Image depicting photodegradation of pesticide in aqueous environments and graph of increasing degradation with time.

Environmental context. The widespread use of pesticides leads to a large amount of residues in natural waters where photochemical degradation is the main removal process. The factors influencing the photodegradation of pyrimethanil were investigated in different aqueous matrixes, and a chlorinated product was found in saline water, indicating a higher ecological risk of residual pyrimethanil in estuarine and nearshore water than in fresh water. A better understanding of the natural degradation mechanisms for pesticides will inform their safer use in agriculture. (Image credit: Jiayun Zhao.)

Published online 02 September 2024

EN24031Methods and current developments of the Solvay process for brine management and CO₂ capture: a critical review

Zohreh Rahimi-Ahar

and Abbas Ghareghashi

Stylised picture of a factory releasing CO2 underneath a reactor schematic for the Solvay process.

Environmental context. This manuscript focuses on the introduction of the conventional and modified Solvay processes. The Solvay process is used to produce sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate, while also providing brine management and CO₂ capture. Optimal values must be used for reactant contents, temperature, salinity of the brine and stirring rate to enhance efficiency. (Image of the schematic diagram reproduced from Mourad et al. 2021 with permission.)

Published online 27 August 2024

EN24011Quantification of palladium-labelled nanoplastics algal uptake by single cell and single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Elizabeth C. Bair

, Zhangzhen Guo, Tammi L. Richardson

and Jamie R. Lead

Schematic of Pd@polymer nanoplastics in solution phase and cell samples after exposure.

Environmental context. Plastic pollution is widespread and continues to be a major concern, both for the environment and human health. Identifying nanoplastics is challenging but it is important to understand how they behave once in the environment. It is shown that a combination of single particle (SP)– and single cell (SC)–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) can be used to quantify nanoplastics on a per cell basis after exposure to algal cells. (Image credit: E. C. Bair.)

EN24011 Abstract | EN24011 Full Text | EN24011PDF (1 MB) | EN24011Supplementary Material (799 KB)

More content

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
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
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 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
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
Effect of wetting and drying processes on ultramafic and mafic tailing minerals amended with topsoil

Environmental Chemistry 21 (2)

Lewis Fausak , Anne Joseph , Ana C. Reinesch , Skylar Kylstra , Fernanda Diaz Osorio , Autumn Watkinson , Les Lavkulich
Natural cobalt–manganese oxide nanoparticles: speciation, detection and implications for cobalt cycling

Environmental Chemistry 21 (2)

Owen P. Missen , Stuart J. Mills, Thebny Thaise Moro, E. Eduardo Villalobos-Portillo , Hiram Castillo-Michel, Thomas E. Lockwood , Raquel Gonzalez de Vega, David Clases
Effects of arsenite and dimethylarsenic on the growth and health of hydroponically grown commercial Doongara rice

Environmental Chemistry 21 (2)

Hayden P. Martin, William A. Maher , Peter Snell, Kim J. Philpot, Michael J. Ellwood
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
Influence of initial speciation of platinum and palladium on their accumulation and toxicity towards phytoplankton

Environmental Chemistry 21 (7)

Julien Michaud-Valcourt , Sylvie Blanc, Louis Courtois, Jelle Mertens, Séverine Le Faucheur, Claude Fortin
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
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
Methods and current developments of the Solvay process for brine management and CO₂ capture: a critical review

Environmental Chemistry 21 (6)

Zohreh Rahimi-Ahar , Abbas Ghareghashi
Occurrence, spatial distribution, risk assessment, and management of environmental estrogens in surface waters of the Taihu basin

Environmental Chemistry 20 (8)

Minhao Wang, Hongran Ding, Guiyu Liang, Xueyin Wang, Luyue Yang, Ting Tong, Dongling Li, Xiao Zhou, Haifei Zhang, Fang Wang, Xiaowei Tie, Lei Han
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
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
Photolysis characteristics and influencing factors of the pesticide pyrimethanil in natural waters

Environmental Chemistry 21 (6)

Jiayun Zhao, Hui Liu , Zhiwen Li, Xiaomei Zhu, Bing Sun
Developing a modern approach to assess ecological risk from pesticides without unnecessary vertebrate animal testing

Environmental Chemistry 21 (3)

David A. Dreier , Christian Picard, Kent Kabler, Natalia Ryan, Haitian Lu, Odette Alexander-Watkins, John Abbott, Richard A. Currie , Douglas C. Wolf , Tharacad Ramanarayanan
A critical assessment of physicochemical indices used to characterise natural dissolved organic carbon (DOC), their inter-relationships, and the effects of pH

Environmental Chemistry 21 (4)

Carolyn Morris , Samantha Zulian, Colin J. Brauner , Chris M. Wood , D. Scott Smith
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

Collections

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

Mercury in the environment

Mercury is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant. In Australia, there is an active Mercury Australia Network that held a symposium in 2023 that demonstrated the interest in the topic. We are seeking papers that cover all aspects of mercury in the environment, not only in Australia but in other international locations.

Environmental Chemistry publishes manuscripts addressing the chemistry of the natural and engineered environment (including indoor and outdoor air, water, earth and biota), including the behaviour and impacts of contaminants and other anthropogenic disturbances. The scope encompasses atmospheric chemistry, geochemistry and biogeochemistry, climate change, marine and freshwater chemistry, polar chemistry, fire chemistry, soil and sediment chemistry, and chemical aspects of ecotoxicology. Papers that take an interdisciplinary approach, while advancing our understanding of the linkages between chemistry and physical or biological processes, are particularly encouraged. The special issue will consider all studies that cover any of these areas in relation to mercury as an environmental contaminant.

Last Updated: 28 Jan 2025

Dedication to Roy Harrison

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

Last Updated: 13 Dec 2024

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

Dedication to Prof. Edward Tipping

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

Last Updated: 19 Sep 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