Bentonite-goethite composite Colloids: Unraveling the mechanisms of strontium adsorption inhibition in claystone for nuclear waste geologic repositories.

The management and disposal of radioactive waste, especially strontium (Sr), is a critical aspect of sustainable nuclear energy utilization. This study examines the adsorption of Sr onto the surrounding rock of a high-radioactivity geological repository, with a specific emphasis on the Suhongtu claystone and its interaction with bentonite‒goethite composite colloids. By utilizing a sequence of static adsorption experiments, adsorption kinetic models, and diverse spectroscopic methods, this research aims to shed light on the adsorption mechanism of Sr influenced by these composite colloids.

Bioelectronic and photogenerated electron synergistic catalyzed removal of chlorhexidine: Degradation and mechanism.

The extensive use of the antimicrobial compound chlorhexidine (CHD) has emerged as a significant threat to both the ecological environment and human health. To address this concern, a photo-electrochemical cell-microbial fuel cell (PMFC) system was studied for CHD removal by incorporating, for the first time, the photocatalysts black phosphorus/carbon nitride (BPCN) and CuO into the bioanode and air cathode of an MFC, respectively. By combining electrochemical, macro-genomic, and intermediate product analyses, the underlying mechanisms of bioelectronic and photoelectronic synergies were elucidated.

Enhanced photocatalytic performance and a mechanistic study of novel black phosphorus/graphene/TiO composite membrane for o-chlorophenol removal.

The heterogeneous catalysis of the composite membrane not only exerts the synergistic effect of different materials but also enable the recyclable use of catalysts, making it an ideal and sustainable strategy for removing pollutants in water. In this study, a novel black phosphorus/graphene/titanium dioxide (BP/GR/TiO) membrane was successfully prepared through the sol-gel method. The composite membrane not only overcame the instability of black phosphorus and the rapid recombination of e/h pairs in titanium dioxide but also synergized with GR to produce a new reactive oxygen species (ROS), singlet oxygen (O), with a longer lifetime and migration distance.

Global distribution, drivers, and potential hazards of microplastics in groundwater: A review.

Since microplastics (MPs) were first detected in groundwater, an increasing number of studies have focused on groundwater pollution by MPs. However, knowledge of the global properties of groundwater MPs: distribution, concentration, composition, and morphology remains limited, while potential factors regulating their transport and distribution in groundwater, especially the hydrogeological background and climate warming conditions, have been omitted from most analyses. Furthermore, previous field investigations did not assess the risks posed by groundwater MPs to the environment and to human health, a necessary preliminary to remediation.

Cytotoxicity evaluation of organophosphorus flame retardants using electrochemical biosensors and elucidation of associated toxic mechanisms.

In recent years, organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) have been widely used as substitutes for brominated flame retardants with excellent properties, and their initial toxicological effects on the water ecosystem and human health have gradually emerged. However, to date, research on the cytotoxicity and health risks of OPFRs is still limited. Therefore, this study aims to systematically explore the cytotoxic effects and toxic mechanisms of OPFRs on cells.

Nano- and micro-plastic transport in soil and groundwater environments: Sources, behaviors, theories, and models.

With the increasing use of plastics, nano- and micro-plastic (NMP) pollution has become a hot topic in the scientific community. Ubiquitous NMPs, as emerging contaminants, are becoming a global issue owing to their persistence and potential toxicity. Compared with studies of marine and freshwater environments, investigations into the sources, transport properties, and fate of NMPs in soil and groundwater environments remain at a primary stage.

Synergistic degradation for o-chlorophenol and enhancement of power generation by a coupled photocatalytic-microbial fuel cell system.

A hierarchically photocatalytic microbial fuel cell system (PMFC) coupled with TiO photoanode and bioanode was established to enhance the power generation based on single-chamber MFC. Compared with the conventional anaerobic mode, oxygen in the solution could be utilized by the photoanode of PMFC to improve the removal of o-chlorophenol (2-CP). The maximum power densities were increasing from 261 (MFC) to 301 mW/m (PMFC).

A sensitive electrochemical sensor for environmental toxicity monitoring based on tungsten disulfide nanosheets/hydroxylated carbon nanotubes nanocomposite.

There has been growing concern about the toxic effects of pollutants in the aquatic environment. In this study, a novel cell-based electrochemical sensor was developed to detect the toxicity of contaminants in water samples. A screen-printed carbon electrode, which was low-cost, energy-efficient, and disposable, was modified with tungsten disulfide nanosheets/hydroxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (WS/MWCNTs-OH) to improve electrocatalytic performance and sensitivity.

Cytotoxicity and action mechanisms of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by a miniature electrochemical detection system.

The effects of six polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on the activity of V79 cells were studied by using a miniature electrochemical system based on graphene oxide quantum dots and multiwall carbon nanotubes modified anodized screen printed carbon electrode. The cytotoxicity sequence of PAHs on V79 cells was different with guanine/xanthine (G/X), adenine (A), hypoxanthine (HX), and the end product of purine nucleotide catabolism, uric acid (UA), as biomarkers. The IC values measured with UA as the biomarker were the lowest, indicating that UA in cells was more sensitive to PAHs.

Cytotoxicity assessment of antibiotics on Ctenopharyngodon idellus kidney cells by a sensitive electrochemical method.

As emerging pollutants, antibiotics are ubiquitous in the environment and pose a threat to human health, giving rise to an urgent need to assess their biological toxicity. In the present study, a cell electrochemical method based on the bromocresol violet/carbon nanotubes/glassy carbon electrode (BCP/MWCNTs/GCE) was established to evaluate the cytotoxicities of sulfamethoxazole (SMZ), ciprofloxacin (CIP), and tetracycline (TC). BCP/MWCNTs/GCE has advantages due to its excellent electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of electroactive species of the Ctenopharyngodon idellus kidney (CIK) cells.

Evaluation of single and combined toxicity of bisphenol A and its analogues using a highly-sensitive micro-biosensor.

Bisphenol analogues have been developed as alternatives to bisphenol A (BPA), a common chemical with potential adverse effects on human health. It is imperative to perform a fast and sensitive evaluation for the toxicity of these bisphenol analogues. This study introduces a label-free electrochemical biosensor based on a screen-printed electrode modified with the carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotube/rhodamine B/gold nanoparticle.

Pollution characteristics of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance of coliform bacteria in the Yitong River, China.

In this study, the concentrations of nine typical antibiotics, including sulfadiazine (SD), sulfamerazine (SMR), sulfamethazine (SM2), sulfamethoxazole (SMZ), ofloxacin (OFX), ciprofloxacin (CIP), trimethoprim (TMP), oxytetracycline (OTC), and tetracycline hydrochloride (TC), were detected in the Yitong River by solid-phase extraction high-performance liquid chromatography. The concentrations of the antibiotics were analyzed. Additionally, an improved immobilized substrate enzyme substrate method (DST-enzyme substrate method) was developed and used to evaluate the antibiotic resistance of coliform bacteria to OFX, CIP, enrofloxacin (ENR), TC, sulfisoxazole (SOX), and TMP in the Yitong River.

A miniaturized electrochemical toxicity biosensor based on graphene oxide quantum dots/carboxylated carbon nanotubes for assessment of priority pollutants.

The study presented a sensitive and miniaturized cell-based electrochemical biosensor to assess the toxicity of priority pollutants in the aquatic environment. Human hepatoma (HepG2) cells were used as the biological recognition agent to measure the changes of electrochemical signals and reflect the cell viability. The graphene oxide quantum dots/carboxylated carbon nanotubes hybrid was developed in a facile and green way.