Environmental context. Ofloxacin, a widely used fluorinated antibiotic, is resistant to biodegradation and hence can accumulate in the environment. A systematic investigation of ofloxacin on marine sediments showed that sediment organic carbon and heterogeneous sites on sediments play important roles in sorption processes. The results help our understanding of the environmental behaviour and fate of ofloxacin in marine systems.

Environmental context. Norfloxacin is widely used as a human and veterinary medicine for its broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. It is chemically stable, rendering it difficult to remove from water using the traditional water and wastewater treatment techniques. We investigate the use of iron oxide catalysts for the degradation of norfloxacin in water prior to its release into the environment.

Environmental context. The search for alternative solvents to prevent environmental damage is one of the main interests in ‘green’ sciences. Five of these new substances from biodiesel production were evaluated to assess their negative environmental effects. The results obtained showed that three of these chemicals may be harmless for short exposure in aquatic biomodels. Although more tests are required, this family of compounds promises to be safe and useful for industrial purposes.

Environmental context. Queensland fruit fly is a major pest of fruits and vegetables in eastern Australia, sometimes causing complete loss of unprotected crops. Odours that attract fruit flies can help control these pests and this study investigated how six fruit fly species smell these chemicals. The strength of fly responses to tested odours gives insight into the way flies smell and provides information for making better attractants, potentially reducing insecticide use.

Environmental context. Bisphenol A, an important industrial material widely used as a plasticiser, fire retardant and resin polymer material, can cause endocrine disorders and precocious puberty. We developed a portable and efficient method for determining bisphenol A, and apply it to the detection of bisphenol A in bottles for infants and young children.

Environmental context Increasing global plastic production adds plastic debris to the environment. We show that potentially harmful additives present in plastic particles are released to water at an increased rate when material properties change by aging due to exposure to high temperature and especially to UV radiation. For risk assessment of such plastic additives, more information on their degradation products and their toxicity is needed.