Environmental and Health Issues and Solutions for Anticoccidials and other Emerging Pollutants of Special Concern

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Although previous Topics have considered emerging pollutants, new and crucial data are continuously being generated in this field of research, in terms of both classic and new pollutants. Among them, anticoccidial compounds are gaining increasing attention, and this is also the case for a variety of other substances of emerging concern. This Topic will be open to submissions focused on various environmental elements (soil, water, and air) and those specifically considering living organisms affected by these kinds of contaminants. Both the detection/quantification and removal of these pollutants should be the main objectives in research within this Topic. In addition, articles related to technical, scientific, and/or social aspects affecting this theme will be also considered and well received. The editors of this Topic come from different countries and continents, and their specific fields of research are wide and include a broad variety of subjects, which will facilitate the assessment and finding of appropriate reviewers for each of the submissions: research papers, reviews, short communications, perspectives, etc. The editors expect the published papers to contribute to the establishment solid science and promote new ideas/views that could help to further develop this interesting field.

Prof. Dr. Avelino Núñez-Delgado
Prof. Dr. Elza Bontempi
Prof. Dr. Yaoyu Zhou
Prof. Dr. Esperanza Alvarez-Rodriguez
Prof. Dr. Maria Victoria Lopez-Ramon
Dr. Mario Coccia
Dr. Zhien Zhang
Dr. Vanesa Santas-Miguel
Dr. Marco Race
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Processes processes	3.5	4.7	2013	13.7 Days	CHF 2400
Materials materials	3.4	5.2	2008	13.9 Days	CHF 2600
Sustainability sustainability	3.9	5.8	2009	18.8 Days	CHF 2400
Toxics toxics	4.6	3.4	2013	14.7 Days	CHF 2600
Environments environments	3.7	5.9	2014	23.7 Days	CHF 1800
Standards standards	-	-	2021	45.6 Days	CHF 1000

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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16 pages, 3099 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Determination of 24 Trace Aromatic Substances in Rosemary Hydrosol by Dispersed Liquid–Liquid Microextraction–Gas Chromatography

by Xiaoming Zeng, Hao He, Liejiang Yuan, Haizhi Wu and Cong Zhou

Processes 2024, 12(3), 498; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12030498 - 28 Feb 2024

Viewed by 520

Abstract

A combined dispersed liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) and chromatography (GC) method was developed for the determination of 24 aromatic substances in rosemary hydrosol in this work. The pretreatment method of DLLME was optimized by carefully selecting the appropriate extraction agents, dispersants, and their respective [...] Read more.

A combined dispersed liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) and chromatography (GC) method was developed for the determination of 24 aromatic substances in rosemary hydrosol in this work. The pretreatment method of DLLME was optimized by carefully selecting the appropriate extraction agents, dispersants, and their respective amounts. With carbon tetrachloride as the extractant and acetone as the dispersant, the enrichment factor of DLLME is 13.3, and the 24 target substances such as eucalyptol, camphor and verbenone can be separated within 31 min and quantified by an external standard method using gas chromatography (GC). The correlation coefficient r² of the linear regression equation is within the range of 0.9983 to 0.9991. The detection limit of the method was 0.02 mg/L, the recovery rate of the spiked solution was 76.4–118.4%, the relative standard deviation was 0.4–6.9% and the method was used to detect the semi-finished products of rosemary hydrosol and the finished rosemary hydrosol sold on the market. This method also provides a reference for the qualitative and quantitative determination of aromatic substances in other hydrosols. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental and Health Issues and Solutions for Anticoccidials and other Emerging Pollutants of Special Concern)

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16 pages, 6955 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

A Study on Sensitivity of Soil-Based Building Mixtures to Biodeterioration by Fungi: Towards Sustainable Earth Structures

by Amer Al-Jokhadar, Yasmine Soudi, Suzanne Abdelmalek, Sarah R. Badran and Yasser Abuhashem

Sustainability 2024, 16(3), 1294; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16031294 - 03 Feb 2024

Viewed by 859

Abstract

Earth structures have a significant sustainable impact on regulating indoor environmental qualities. Yet, using soil materials can lead to fungal growth, impacting occupant health and structural stability. This study investigates the susceptibility of earth-based construction materials with cement, limestone, and acrylic-based additives to [...] Read more.

Earth structures have a significant sustainable impact on regulating indoor environmental qualities. Yet, using soil materials can lead to fungal growth, impacting occupant health and structural stability. This study investigates the susceptibility of earth-based construction materials with cement, limestone, and acrylic-based additives to fungal growth. Laboratory tests were conducted on mixtures under conditions found in inhabited buildings in hot–arid regions. The proposed methodology was based on a 7-week artificial incubation of fungi obtained from moldy walls through regulating the room temperature to fall between 18 °C and 19 °C and a controlled humidity level of around 45%. These conditions were adopted according to the readings monitored in typical buildings in the study area. The results showed that fungal growth was evident on the surface of mixtures, including higher percentages of soil and lower percentages of additives. Mixtures comprising 50% soil, 15% acrylic-based additive, 15% quicklime, and 20% cement supported the least fungal growth, presenting the best choice as a sustainable, efficient replacement. Visual observation followed by microscopic examination ensured the results. Furthermore, results of an environmental post-occupancy evaluation of a constructed rammed earth building using the optimized mixture showed no signs of fungal proliferation on the inner walls afterward. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental and Health Issues and Solutions for Anticoccidials and other Emerging Pollutants of Special Concern)

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15 pages, 2326 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Assessing Biodegradation Processes of Atrazine in Constructed Wetland Using Compound-Specific Stable Isotope Analysis

by Songsong Chen, Yuncai Wang and Limin Ma

Processes 2023, 11(11), 3252; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11113252 - 20 Nov 2023

Viewed by 695

Abstract

To bridge the gap between lab-scale microcosm research and field application in the compound-specific stable isotope analysis (CSIA) of atrazine, we studied the characteristics of carbon and nitrogen isotope fractionation in the atrazine degradation processes within a constructed wetland. In the wetland, we [...] Read more.

To bridge the gap between lab-scale microcosm research and field application in the compound-specific stable isotope analysis (CSIA) of atrazine, we studied the characteristics of carbon and nitrogen isotope fractionation in the atrazine degradation processes within a constructed wetland. In the wetland, we observed multiple element (C, N) isotope fractionation parameters, such as kinetic isotope effects and dual isotope slopes. These parameters are very consistent with those observed in the cultivation of AtzA- or TrzN-harboring strains, suggesting a similarity in the pathway and reaction mechanism of atrazine biodegradation between the two settings. However, we recorded variable carbon (${\epsilon }_C:$−3.2 ± 0.6‰ to −4.3 ± 0.6‰) and nitrogen isotope fractionation (${\epsilon }_N:$1.0 ± 0.3‰ to 2.2 ± 0.3‰) across different phases. This variance could lead to an over- or underestimation of the biodegradation extent of atrazine when employing the large or small enrichment factor of the carbon isotope. Intriguingly, the estimation accuracy improved considerably when using the enrichment factor (−4.6‰) derived from the batch cultivation of the pore water. This study advances the application of CSIA in tracking atrazine biodegradation processes in ecosystems, and it also underlines the importance of the careful selection and application of the enrichment factor in quantifying the intrinsic biodegradation of atrazine in ecosystems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental and Health Issues and Solutions for Anticoccidials and other Emerging Pollutants of Special Concern)

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18 pages, 10881 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Visualization Network Analysis of Studies on Agricultural Drainage Water Treatment

by Chaoqun Wang, Yongxiang Zhang, Lirong Deng, Mingtao Zhao, Meiqi Liang, Lien-Chieh Lee, Cristhian Chicaiza-Ortiz, Long Yang and Tonghui He

Processes 2023, 11(10), 2952; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11102952 - 11 Oct 2023

Viewed by 1072

Abstract

Excessive chemical substances in agricultural drainage water have serious adverse effects on the ecological environment of the watershed into which they are discharged. Therefore, it has attracted widespread attention from scholars worldwide. In this paper, 282 scientific articles related to agricultural drainage water [...] Read more.

Excessive chemical substances in agricultural drainage water have serious adverse effects on the ecological environment of the watershed into which they are discharged. Therefore, it has attracted widespread attention from scholars worldwide. In this paper, 282 scientific articles related to agricultural drainage water treatment are selected from the Web of Science Core Collection database, and CiteSpace was used to visualize and analyze the knowledge map of this field. The most productive authors, institutions, and countries in agricultural drainage water research are graphically presented in this paper. Developing countries are becoming the core force in this realm of inquiry. In addition, this paper explains the changes in research topics in this field over time and reveals current research hotspots, including “desalination”, “denitrification”, and “phosphorus removal”. Future research endeavors in using bioreactors and agricultural drainage water ditches for treating agricultural drainage water are implied to become a research focus in this field. This paper also emphasizes that future environmental protection research should increase case studies in developing countries and develop corresponding solutions based on the actual situation of agriculture in rural areas of developing countries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental and Health Issues and Solutions for Anticoccidials and other Emerging Pollutants of Special Concern)

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15 pages, 3909 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Chlortetracycline on the Growth of Eggplant and Associated Rhizosphere Bacterial Communities

by Lingling Li, Yuanyuan Xue, Hengsheng Wang and Yansong Chen

Sustainability 2023, 15(19), 14593; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151914593 - 08 Oct 2023

Viewed by 756

Abstract

The widespread use of tetracycline antibiotics in the poultry and cattle sectors endangers both human health and the terrestrial ecosystem. Chlortetracyclines (CTCs), in particular, have been proven to affect soil microorganisms in addition to plants in the terrestrial ecosystem. In order to assess [...] Read more.

The widespread use of tetracycline antibiotics in the poultry and cattle sectors endangers both human health and the terrestrial ecosystem. Chlortetracyclines (CTCs), in particular, have been proven to affect soil microorganisms in addition to plants in the terrestrial ecosystem. In order to assess the effects of CTC on soil properties, eggplant growth, and soil microorganisms, a potted experiment was carried out in this study. CTC significantly reduced the levels of ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺–N) and nitrite nitrogen (NO₂⁻–N) in soil. Meanwhile, the eggplant’s growth was clearly hampered. CTC dramatically and dose-dependently lowered the fluorescence parameters except the quantum yield of non-regulated energy dissipation (Φ_NO). Rhodoplanes and Cupriavidus, which were involved in N cycle, were enriched by 10 mg/kg CTC, according to results about different microorganisms at the genus level. Flavisolibacter was reduced by 10 and 50 mg/kg CTC, while Methylosinus and Actinocorallia were enriched by 250 mg/kg CTC. Redundancy analysis highlighted the profound impact of CTC on the soil microbial community, where strong correlations were observed with soil potential of hydrogen (pH), nitrate nitrogen (NO₃⁻–N), and NO₂⁻–N. These findings demonstrated the interdependence between the microbial community and soil characteristics, with CTC primarily affecting the microbes responsible for nitrogen cycling. Consequently, chlortetracycline poses potential hazards to both eggplant plants and the soil microbes in eggplant cultivation soil. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental and Health Issues and Solutions for Anticoccidials and other Emerging Pollutants of Special Concern)

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19 pages, 1112 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Examining the Relationship between Pro-Environmental Attitudes, Self-Determination, and Sustained Intention in Eco-Friendly Sports Participation: A Study on Plogging Participants

by Jongho Kim, Sujin Kim and Jinwook Chung

Sustainability 2023, 15(15), 11806; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151511806 - 01 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 949

Abstract

In response to rising environmental concerns and the increase in eco-friendly sports activities, this study investigated the determinants of sustained intention to participate in plogging, a combination of jogging and litter collection. A total of 288 randomly assigned plogging participants were surveyed to [...] Read more.

In response to rising environmental concerns and the increase in eco-friendly sports activities, this study investigated the determinants of sustained intention to participate in plogging, a combination of jogging and litter collection. A total of 288 randomly assigned plogging participants were surveyed to discern the effects of autonomy, competence, and relatedness experiences on sustained plogging intentions as suggested by self-determination theory. The study also examined the moderating role of eco-friendly attitudes. The analysis, executed using multi-group structural equation modeling, revealed that while autonomy and competence did not significantly influence extrinsic motivation, relatedness emerged as the most influential factor. This suggests that plogging primarily serves as a prosocial behavior, enhancing relationships, rather than a means to increase physical competence. The values derived from plogging and the intention to continue varied based on the participants’ eco-friendly attitudes. The authors conclude that voluntary participation and socialization are the core values of plogging and understanding these can promote healthier and more sustainable behaviors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental and Health Issues and Solutions for Anticoccidials and other Emerging Pollutants of Special Concern)

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13 pages, 1757 KiB  

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Efficient Degradation of Chlortetracycline by Graphene Supported Cobalt Oxide Activated Peroxydisulfate: Performances and Mechanisms

by Wei Li, Bin Yao, Yuguo Zheng, Guiqiang Zhang, Dan Zhi and Yaoyu Zhou

Processes 2023, 11(5), 1381; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11051381 - 03 May 2023

Viewed by 1153

Abstract

Cobalt oxide has good catalytic activity for peroxydisulfate (PDS) activation but poor stability and is vulnerable to inactivation because of agglomeration. In this work, the chlortetracycline (CTC) degradation by peroxydisulfate (PDS) catalysis using the reduced graphene oxide support cobalt oxide (Co₃O [...] Read more.

Cobalt oxide has good catalytic activity for peroxydisulfate (PDS) activation but poor stability and is vulnerable to inactivation because of agglomeration. In this work, the chlortetracycline (CTC) degradation by peroxydisulfate (PDS) catalysis using the reduced graphene oxide support cobalt oxide (Co₃O₄/rGO) composite catalyst was investigated. It was found that 86.3% of CTC was degraded within 120 min in the Co₃O₄/rGO-800/PDS system. The influences of catalyst dosage, PDS concentration, solution pH, and reaction temperature were systematically explored. The excellent removal performance of CTC could be attributed to the synergistic effect between adsorption and catalytic degradation. $\equiv$Co²⁺ and surface functional groups played as active sites to catalyze PDS, and the circulation of $\equiv$Co²⁺/$\equiv$Co³⁺ was achieved. Moreover, Co₃O₄/rGO-800 showed satisfactory reusability after three cycles. This research can provide useful information for the development of efficient PDS catalysts and facilitate insights into CTC degradation mechanism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental and Health Issues and Solutions for Anticoccidials and other Emerging Pollutants of Special Concern)

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15 pages, 21511 KiB  

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Efficiency of Coagulation/Flocculation for the Removal of Complex Mixture of Textile Fibers from Water

by Sanja Vasiljević, Maja Vujić, Jasmina Agbaba, Stefania Federici, Serena Ducoli, Radivoj Tomić and Aleksandra Tubić

Processes 2023, 11(3), 820; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11030820 - 09 Mar 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3628

Abstract

Synthetic fibers enter wastewater treatment plants together with natural fibers, which may affect treatment efficiency, a fact not considered in previous studies. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficiency of the coagulation/flocculation process for the removal of a [...] Read more.

Synthetic fibers enter wastewater treatment plants together with natural fibers, which may affect treatment efficiency, a fact not considered in previous studies. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficiency of the coagulation/flocculation process for the removal of a mixture of textile fibers from different water matrices. Natural and synthetic fibers (100 mg/L; cotton, polyacrylonitrile, and polyamide) were added to a synthetic matrix, surface water and laundry wastewater and subjected to coagulation/flocculation experiments with ferric chloride (FeCl₃) and polyaluminum chloride (PACl) under laboratory conditions. In the synthetic matrix, both coagulants were found to be effective, with FeCl₃ having a lesser advantage, removing textile fibers almost completely from the water (up to 99% at a concentration of 3.94 mM). In surface water, all dosages had approximately similar high values, with the coagulant resulting in complete removal. In laundry effluent, the presence of surfactants is thought to affect coagulation efficiency. PACl was found to be effective in removing textile fibers from laundry wastewater, with the lowest removal efficiency being 89% and all dosages having similar removal efficiencies. Natural organic matter and bicarbonates showed a positive effect on the efficiency of FeCl₃ in removing textile fibers from surface water. PACl showed better performance in coagulating laundry wastewater while surfactants had a negative effect on FeCl₃ coagulation efficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Environmental and Health Issues and Solutions for Anticoccidials and other Emerging Pollutants of Special Concern)

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Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.