Search Results (3,280)

The fashion industry is facing increasing challenges related to textile waste and environmental pollution, driving the need for sustainable material innovations. Bacterial cellulose (BC), a biodegradable and non-polluting biomaterial, has emerged as a promising alternative for the sustainable transformation of fashion materials. Investigations into printing and dyeing techniques are expected to provide methodological frameworks for the design and functional application of BC materials, promoting their adoption and development in the fashion sector. This study, using the kombucha culture method, systematically investigated the cultivation, purification, plasticization, and drying processes of BC as a fashion material, examined its color characteristics using plant and reactive dyeing, and evaluated the effects of pattern printing and the feasibility of traditional plant pigment stencil printing, digital printing, and cyanotype printing on BC. Based on these printing and dyeing methods, digital printing combined with reactive dyeing—offering richer print effects, a wider color gamut, and higher rubbing fastness—was selected to realize the fashion design series Photosynthesis using BC as the primary material. This research contributes methodological insights into the integration of bio-based materials in fashion design and promotes the advancement of sustainable practices within the textile and apparel industries. Full article

Environmental pollution driven by socioeconomic development has intensified the need for advanced and sustainable wastewater treatment technologies. Herein, TiO₂-based photocatalysis emerged as a promising solution due to its oxidative potential, chemical stability, and eco-friendliness but does have unavoidable immobilized recoverability challenges. Therefore, this study explored the challenges and prospects of TiO₂-based photocatalysis for the degradation of emerging contaminants in wastewater. A comprehensive keyword analysis was conducted by using a decade of publications retrieved from Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science (WOS) databases via Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework. From a pool of 518 refined publications, 318 significant keyword occurrences related to TiO₂-based photocatalysis advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) were revealed. The review delved into various types of AOP mechanisms and catalysts and highlighted the synergistic effect of process parameters and magnetization as recoverability potential for TiO₂-based photocatalysts. Furthermore, emerging strategies including surface modifications, doping, and hybrid AOP integrations were discussed to improve photocatalysis performance and industrial scalability. The study underscores the economic opportunity and environmental sustainability of degrading persistent organic pollutants by integrating a TiO₂-based photocatalytic system with a regenerative magnetic field into the water sector. Full article

The rapid growth of global urbanisation has resulted in significant environmental pollution, with urban water pollution emerging as a critical factor in comprehensive urban development. The present study employs panel data from 268 Chinese cities between 2013 and 2022, utilising entropy weighting and a two-effect fixed-effects model to empirically analyse how urban water pollution control promotes comprehensive urban development. The research findings reveal that water pollution control significantly promotes comprehensive urban development, but there are differences across urban regions and scales, with greater effectiveness observed in central and western regions and medium-sized and small cities. This paper also highlights that water pollution control can promote urban development by optimising industrial structure and proposes that governments should formulate regionally differentiated water pollution control policies, establish a ‘Regional Water Environment Governance and Industrial Transformation Coordination Centre,’ and implement the ‘River and Lake Chief System+’ policy. Full article

Plastic pollution is one of the leading global problems of modern society. The growing demand for and production of plastic polymers has caused bisphenol A (BPA) and its emergent substitute molecules bisphenol S and F (BPS and BPF) to be present in water, food, and soil worldwide, exposing humans to endocrine disruptors. Exposure to these compounds has been associated with pathologies such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and psychiatric disorders. Interestingly, hypovitaminosis D (or low 25(OH)D) is also associated with this class of diseases. Therefore, the present work, for the first time, explores the relationship patterns between urinary bisphenols (BPs) and low 25(OH)D in a large general cohort (NHANES 13–16). Descriptive statistical analyses, comparative analyses, linear regressions, and binomial and multinomial logistic regressions were performed. Descriptive and comparative analysis, and simple linear regressions, showed different trends between BPs, and binomial logistic regressions showed that only BPS is a risk factor of low 25(OH)D, independently of age, BMI, gender, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, and vitamin supplements consumption; odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 1.10 (1.04–1.17). The different trend patterns observed in urinary bisphenols show that, despite being structurally similar molecules and potential analogs, they may affect the body in different ways. From an integrated perspective, this could represent an even greater potential threat than that posed by BPA alone. Future integrated studies will be required to further explore and clarify this emerging paradigm. Full article

Background: Greek islands face mounting pressures on their marine water resources due to tourism growth, agricultural runoff, climate change, and emerging pollutants. Safeguarding seawater quality is critical for ecosystem integrity, public health, and the sustainability of tourism-based economies. Objectives: This scoping review synthesizes and evaluates the existing research on seawater quality in the Greek islands, with emphasis on pollution sources, monitoring methodologies, and socio-environmental impacts, while highlighting the gaps in addressing emerging contaminants and aligning with sustainable development goals. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in Scopus, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, Web of Science, and PubMed for English- and Greek-language studies published over the last two to three decades. The search terms covered physical, chemical, and biological aspects of seawater quality, as well as emerging pollutants. The PRISMA-ScR guidelines were followed, resulting in the inclusion of 178 studies. The data were categorized by pollutant type, location, water quality indicators, monitoring methods, and environmental, health, and tourism implications. Results: This review identifies agricultural runoff, untreated wastewater, maritime traffic emissions, and microplastics as key pollution sources. Emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals, PFASs, and nanomaterials have been insufficiently studied. While monitoring technologies such as remote sensing, fuzzy logic, and Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) are increasingly applied, these efforts remain fragmented and geographically uneven. Notable gaps exist in the quantification of socio-economic impact, source apportionment, and epidemiological assessments. Conclusions: The current monitoring and management strategies in the Greek islands have produced high bathing water quality in many areas, as reflected in the Blue Flag program, yet they do not fully address the spatial, temporal, and technological challenges posed by climate change and emerging pollutants. Achieving long-term sustainability requires integrated, region-specific water governance linked to the UN SDGs, with stronger emphasis on preventive measures, advanced monitoring, and cross-sector collaboration. Full article

As the demand for effective wastewater treatment continues to rise, the application of three-dimensional (3D) electrochemical particle electrodes for the removal of organic compounds from industrial wastewater has emerged as a promising solution. This approach offers significant advantages, including high treatment efficiency, operational flexibility, high current efficiency, low energy consumption, and the ability to degrade non-biodegradable organic pollutants, ultimately mineralizing them. This review provides a comprehensive and systematic exploration of the research and development of particle electrodes for use in 3D electrochemical reactors in wastewater treatment. The pivotal role of particle electrodes in removing organic contaminants from wastewater was highlighted, with most materials used as particle electrodes characterized by a specific surface area and well-defined porous structure, both of which were thoroughly discussed. Through the synergistic mechanism of adsorption, the particle electrode aids in the breakdown of organic contaminants, demonstrating the 3D particle electrode’s effectiveness in facilitating multiple oxidation mechanisms for organic wastewater treatment. Furthermore, this review categorized various particle electrode types used in 3D electrochemical wastewater treatment based on their primary components or carriers and the presence or absence of catalysts. Finally, the current status and prospects for the development and enhancement of 3D electrode particles were presented. This review offers valuable insights into the application of the 3D electrode process for environmental water treatment. Full article

The present study provides a comprehensive characterization of soil elemental composition in the Nile Delta, Egypt. The soil samples were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES), highly appropriative for the major element determination and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP–MS), outstanding for the trace element analysis. A total of 55 elements were measured across 53 soil samples. A variety of statistical and analytical techniques, including both descriptive and inferential methods, were employed to assess the elemental composition of the soil. Bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses, discriminative ternary diagrams, ratio biplots, and unsupervised machine learning algorithms—such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA), t-Distributed Stochastic Neighbour Embedding (t-SNE), and Hierarchical Agglomerative Clustering (HAC)—were utilized to explore the geochemical similarities between elements in the soil. The application of t-SNE for soil geochemistry is still emerging and is characterized by the fact that it preserves the local distribution of elements and reveals non-linear relationships in geochemical research compared to PCA. Geochemical background levels were estimated using Bayesian inference, and the impact of outliers was analyzed. Pollution indices were subsequently calculated to assess potential contamination. The findings suggest that the studied areas do not exhibit significant pollution. Variations in background levels were primarily attributed to the presence of outliers. The clustering results from PCA and t-SNE were consistent in terms of accuracy and the number of identified groups. Four distinct groups were identified, with soil samples in each group sharing similar geochemical properties. While PCA is effective for linear data, t-SNE proved more suitable for nonlinear dimensionality reduction. These results provide valuable baseline data for future research on the studied areas and for evaluating their environmental situation. Full article

The biochemical conversion of biomass waste and organic slurries into clean methane is a valuable strategy for both reducing environmental pollution and advancing alternative energy sources to support energy security. Anaerobic digestion (AD), a mature renewable technology operated in high-performance bioreactors, continues to attract attention for improvements in energy efficiency, profitability, and long-term sustainability at scale. Recent efforts focus on optimizing biochemical reactions throughout all phases of the anaerobic process while mitigating the production of inhibitory compounds that reduce biodegradation efficiency and, consequently, economic viability. A relatively underexplored but promising strategy involves supplementing fermentation substrates with nanoscale additives to boost biomethane yield. Laboratory-scale studies suggest that nanoparticles (NPs) can enhance process stability, improve biogas yield and quality, and positively influence the value of by-products. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in the application of nanoparticles in catalyzing anaerobic digestion, considering both biochemical and economic perspectives. It evaluates the influence of NPs on bioconversion efficiency at various stages of the process, explores specific metabolic pathways, and addresses challenges associated with recalcitrant biomass. Additionally, currently employed and emerging pre-treatment methods are briefly discussed, highlighting how they affect digestibility and methane production. The study also assesses the potential of various nanocatalysts to enhance anaerobic biodegradation and identifies research gaps that limit the transition from laboratory research to industrial-scale applications. Further investigation is necessary to ensure consistent performance and economic feasibility before widespread adoption can be achieved. Full article

Urban expressway interchanges, though primarily engineered for traffic efficiency, also serve as crucial ecological nodes within urban landscapes. This study evaluates the ecological functions of arborous vegetation across four typical interchange configurations—cloverleaf, single trumpet, double trumpet, and irregular—along the Nanjing Ring Expressway. Using the i-Tree Eco model, we quantified key ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration and storage, air pollutant removal, and stormwater mitigation. Field surveys documented 7985 trees from 45 species, with the 10 most abundant accounting for over two-thirds of total individuals. Results revealed that the trees sequester around 115 tons of carbon annually and store nearly 1850 tons in total, equivalent to an estimated economic benefit of ¥5.8 million. Trees also removed more than 1.5 tons of air pollutants and intercepted nearly 2400 cubic meters of stormwater each year. Species such as Sophora japonica, Phoebe zhennan, and Cinnamomum camphora emerged as key contributors to ecological performance. Among interchange types, double trumpet configurations yielded the highest overall service value, while single trumpet interchanges demonstrated superior efficiency per unit area. These findings highlight the underutilized ecological potential of transport-adjacent green spaces and underscore the importance of species selection and spatial design in maximizing multifunctional benefits. Full article

Tropospheric ozone (O₃), a secondary pollutant of mounting global concern, emerges from complex, nonlinear photochemical reactions involving nitrogen oxides (NO_x) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) under dynamically evolving meteorological conditions. Accurately characterizing and effectively regulating O₃ formation necessitates not only precise and multi-dimensional precursor observations but also modeling frameworks that are structurally coherent, chemically interpretable, and sensitive to regime variability. Despite significant technological progress, current research remains markedly fragmented: observational platforms often operate in isolation with limited vertical and spatial interoperability, while modeling paradigms—ranging from mechanistic chemical transport models (CTMs) to data-driven machine learning approaches—frequently trade interpretability for predictive performance and struggle to capture regime transitions across heterogeneous environments. This review provides a dual-perspective synthesis of recent advances and enduring challenges in the VOC–O₃ research landscape. We first establish a typology of ground-based, airborne, and satellite-based VOC monitoring systems, evaluating their capabilities, limitations, and roles within a vertically structured sensing architecture. We then examine the evolution of O₃ modeling strategies, from empirical and semi-mechanistic models to hybrid frameworks that integrate physical knowledge with algorithmic flexibility. By diagnosing the structural decoupling between observation and inference, we identify key methodological bottlenecks and advocate for a system-level redesign of the VOC–O₃ research paradigm. Finally, we propose a forward-looking framework for next-generation atmospheric governance—one that fuses cross-platform sensing, regime-aware modeling, and policy-relevant diagnostics into an integrated, adaptive, and chemically robust decision-support system. Full article

Polypyrrole, which belongs to the conducting polymer family, has demonstrated profound potential in advanced water purification applications due to its inherent electrical conductivity, environmental stability, and tunable surface chemistry. As a sorbent, PPy exhibits high sorption capacity for aquatic contaminants, including heavy metals, pharmaceutical compounds, and their metabolites, as well as synthetic dyes. The removal efficiency is correlated to a complex interaction mechanism involving electrostatic attractions, redox activity, and π–π stacking. Recent advances have expanded the utility by further developing nanostructured PPy-based (nano)composites, which elevate sorption performance by increasing surface area, mechanical integrity, and selective affinity. In addition, its integration into membrane technologies has enabled the design of an effective filtration system with improved selectivity and regeneration capabilities. Moreover, PPy is effective in electrochemical processes of water treatment, including capacitive deionization and electrochemically assisted sorption, opening novel paths towards energy-efficient pollutant removal. The multifunctionality of PPy as a sorbent material highlights its value as an important material for water treatment, with the capability of extended modification tailored for emerging environmental needs revised in this work. Full article

Mollusks are among the most ecologically and economically significant invertebrates; yet, their associated microbiomes remain understudied relative to those of other metazoans. This scoping review synthesizes the current literature on the diversity, composition, functional roles, and ecological implications of molluscan microbiomes, with an emphasis on three major groups: gastropods, bivalves, and cephalopods. Drawing on studies from terrestrial, freshwater, and marine systems, we identified the dominant bacterial phyla, including Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes, and explored how microbiota vary across different habitats, diets, tissue types, and host taxonomies. We examined the contribution of molluscan microbiomes to host functions, including digestion, immune modulation, stress responses, and nutrient cycling. Particular attention was given to the role of microbiota in shell formation, pollutant degradation, and adaptation to environmental stressors. The review also evaluated microbial interactions at different developmental stages and under aquaculture conditions. Factors influencing microbiome assembly, such as the host’s genetics, life history traits, and environmental exposure, were mapped using conceptual and graphical tools. Applications of molluscan microbiome research in aquaculture, conservation biology, and environmental biomonitoring are highlighted. However, inconsistencies in the sampling methods, taxonomic focus, and functional annotations limit the generalizability across taxa. We identify key knowledge gaps and propose future directions, including the use of meta-omics, standardized protocols, and experimental validation to deepen insights. By synthesizing emerging findings, this review contributes to a growing framework for understanding mollusk–microbiome interactions and their relevance to host fitness and ecosystem health. It further establishes the importance of mollusks as model systems for advancing microbiome science. Full article

Background: Despite escalating global pollution from microplastics (MPs) and the concurrent surge in high-fat food consumption, the health impacts of MP exposure on individuals under different dietary patterns remain poorly understood. Methods: This study investigated the differential effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of polystyrene microplastics (5 μm, 8 mg/kg) on gut barrier function in mice fed either a normal chow diet (CD) or a high-fat diet (HFD). Results: Key findings revealed that, in HFD-fed mice, MP exposure significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the transcriptional levels of genes encoding the tight junction proteins (ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-1), as well as the mucin protein Muc-2, accompanied by decreased protein expression levels of these markers in both colonic and ileal tissues. In contrast, no significant differences were observed in CD-fed mice exposed to MPs. Analysis of the gut microbiota and measurement of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) metabolites showed that MPs induced significant alterations in the composition and diversity indices of the gut microbiota, along with a marked decrease (p < 0.05) in the levels of the characteristic metabolite butyrate in HFD-fed mice. Conversely, butyrate levels remained unchanged in CD-fed mice following MP exposure. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) and immunofluorescence staining of colonic tissues demonstrated that MP exposure significantly downregulated (p < 0.05) both the transcription and protein expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in HFD-fed mice. Again, no significant changes were detected in CD-fed mice. Conclusions: These results collectively indicate that the impact of microplastics on the intestinal barrier differs significantly between mice fed normal and high-fat diets. The gut microbiota and its metabolites, particularly butyrate, may play a critical role, possibly through modulating PPARγ signaling. This study contributes valuable insights into understanding the toxicity profiles of microplastics and establishing crucial links between dietary patterns and the health effects of emerging pollutants. Full article

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) utilizing peroxymonosulfate (PMS) have emerged as a promising technology for organic pollutant degradation due to their distinct environmental advantages. In this study, copper–iron bimetallic oxide catalysts with varying ratios were synthesized via a co-precipitation method to activate PMS for degrading simulated tetracycline hydrochloride wastewater. The catalysts were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The effects of key parameters—including the PMS concentration, catalyst dosage, initial pH, and tetracycline hydrochloride concentration—on the degradation efficiency were systematically investigated. The results demonstrated that the CuFe(2)/PMS system exhibited the highest degradation efficiency. Under optimal conditions (20 mg/L tetracycline hydrochloride, 0.4 mM PMS, 0.5 g/L CuFe(2) catalyst, and pH 3), this system achieved a 94.12% degradation rate of tetracycline hydrochloride within 120 min. The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) tests and radical quenching experiments identified sulfate radicals (SO₄·⁻) as the predominant reactive species. Furthermore, the XPS analysis elucidated the persulfate activation mechanism, while the liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) identified the potential degradation pathways and intermediate products of tetracycline hydrochloride. Full article