Ecotoxicity Assessment Research Articles

Treatment and ecotoxicity assessment of wastewater containing organic pollutants using a new CoFe2O4/biochar photocatalyst composite

ABSTRACT This is the first record on literature to use biochar as support for CoFe2O4 to applicate and evaluate it as photocatalyst for degradation of organic pollutants. The support was verified by XRD, FT-IR, SEM, EDS and band gap. Composites CFO1BQ3, CFO1BQ1, and CFO3BQ1 showed 100% degradation in 60 min. This outstanding performance can be related to the drop in band gap energy and recombination rate of e¯/h + . The composites showed better efficiency when compared to pure CoFe2O4 (∼78%). This might be associate to the fact that biochar has a high concentration of phenolic, hydroxyl and carboxylic functional groups on its surface. In this reaction h+, O2 •-, and •OH were the reactive species involved in the degradation. The toxicity of ponceau was tested before and after the treatment, through biochemical biomarkers in Danio rerio fish. In general, the treatment proved to be efficient in reducing ponceau toxicity in D. rerio fish.

Ornamental plants as vectors of pesticide exposure and potential threat to biodiversity and human health

The production of conventional ornamental plants is pesticide-intensive. We investigated whether pesticide active ingredients (AIs) are still present in ornamentals at the time of purchase and assessed their potential ecotoxicity to non-target organisms. We purchased 1000 pot plants and 237 cut flowers of different species from garden centers in Austria and Germany between 2011 and 2021 and analyzed them for up to 646 AIs. Ecotoxicological risks of AIs were assessed by calculating toxic loads for honeybees (Apis mellifera), earthworms (Eisenia fetida), birds (Passer domesticus), and mammals (Rattus norvegicus) based on the LD50 values of the detected AIs. Human health risks of AIs were assessed on the basis of the hazard statements of the Globally Harmonized System. Over the years, a total of 202 AIs were detected in pot plants and 128 AIs in cut flowers. Pesticide residues were found in 94% of pot plants and 97% of cut flowers, with cut flowers containing about twice as many AIs (11.0 ± 6.2 AIs) as pot plants (5.8 ± 4.0 AIs). Fungicides and insecticides were found most frequently. The ecotoxicity assessment showed that 47% of the AIs in pot plants and 63% of the AIs in cut flowers were moderately toxic to the considered non-target organisms. AIs found were mainly toxic to honeybees; their toxicity to earthworms, birds, and mammals was about 105 times lower. Remarkably, 39% of the plants labeled as “bee-friendly” contained AIs that were toxic to bees. More than 40% of pot plants and 72% of cut flowers contained AIs classified as harmful to human health. These results suggest that ornamental plants are vectors for potential pesticide exposure of consumers and non-target organisms in home gardens.

Ecotoxicity Assessment of α-Amino Acid-Derived Polyamidoamines Using Zebrafish as a Vertebrate Model.

The aquatic ecotoxicity of three α-amino acid-derived polyamidoamines (PAAs) was studied using zebrafish embryos as a viable vertebrate model organism. The PAAs examined were water-soluble amphoteric polyelectrolytes with a primarily negative charge, which were efficient flame retardants for cotton. The fish embryo acute toxicity test performed with PAA water solutions using 1.5-500 mg L-1 concentrations showed that toxicity did not statistically differ from the control. The survival rates were indeed >90%, even at the highest concentration; the hatching rates were >80%; and the numbers of morphological defects were comparable to those of the control. Tests using transgenic zebrafish lines indicated that the numbers of microscopic vascular and musculoskeletal defects were comparable to the control, with one random concentration showing doubled alterations. Sensory-motor tests in response to visual and tactile stimuli were also performed. In the presence of PAAs, embryos exposed to alternating light/dark cycles showed an insignificant mobility reduction during the dark phase. Touch-evoked response tests revealed a mild effect of PAAs on the neuromotor system at concentrations > 10 mg L-1. The cystine/glycine copolymer at 100 mg L-1 exhibited the greatest effect. Overall, the studied PAAs showed a minimal impact on aquatic systems and should be further considered as promising ecofriendly materials.

Degradation of Isotianil in Water and Soil: Kinetics, Degradation Pathways, Mechanisms, and Ecotoxicity Assessments.

Pesticides are transported and transformed in soil and can enter surface water through various pathways. They undergo hydrolysis, oxidation, and photoconversion in surface water. Isotianil is a new fungicide that effectively controls rice blast. However, there are limited reports on its degradation. Herein, the hydrolysis and photolysis of isotianil in water and its degradation in soil samples from five provinces of China were investigated. The degradation products of isotianil were identified using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-Q exactive hybrid quadrupole-orbitrap high-resolution accurate mass spectrometry, and four compounds were discovered for the first time. The degradation pathways of isotianil were inferred, and the reaction active site and degradation mechanism of isotianil were clarified based on density functional theory calculations. The ecotoxicity of the degradation product M118 (aminobenzonitrile) was found to be moderate toward Daphnia magna, which was predicted and confirmed by Ecological Structure Activity Relationships and the experiment, respectively. The results of this study will contribute to a better understanding of the fate of isotianil in the environment.

Theoretical studies into the degradation mechanisms and kinetics of gemfibrozil mediated by hydroxyl and sulfate radicals in the aqueous phase and ecotoxicity evaluation

Gemfibrozil (GEM), an acidic pharmaceutical used to reduce plasma triglycerides and total cholesterol levels, persists in conventional wastewater treatment processes. However, understanding its degradation mechanism and kinetics through advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) remains unexplored. Therefore, this study employed density functional theory (DFT) at the M06-2X/6-311++G(3df,2p) //M06-2X/6-311G(d,p) level to theoretically investigate the oxidation of GEM by hydroxyl and sulfate radicals in aqueous environments. Mechanistic pathways, reaction kinetics, and ecotoxicological assessments were conducted. Two distinct mechanisms involving addition and hydrogen abstraction were delineated. The overall rate constants, accounting for diffusion-limited effects, were determined as 1.84 × 109 M−1 s−1 and 7.73 × 109 M−1 s−1 at 298 K for •OH and SO4•−-initiated reactions, respectively. Analysis revealed that hydrogen abstraction at the carboxyl group predominated, while favorable addition occurred at the carbon atom positioned at the 3rd position of the benzene ring. The calculated half-life of GEM initiated by •OH and SO4•− was approximately 377 and 90 s with their concentration of 10−12 mol/L at 298 K. Ecotoxicity assessment via quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) indicated a certain degree of danger posed by GEM and its degradation by-products to aquatic organisms, albeit exhibiting lower toxicity compared to GEM itself.

Ecotoxicity assessment of ashes from calcium-rich fuel combustion: contrasting results and regulatory implications.

The European Union's (EU) regulation for the waste classification based on their ecotoxicological hazard (hazardous property HP14) came into force on 5 July 2018. The regulation advocates the utilisation of computational formulae for the hazard classification of waste associated with hazardous property HP14. Concurrently, ecotoxicological testing remains an alternative. To date, the absence of a consensus regarding test organisms and methodologies has vested EU member states with autonomy in determining the approach for conducting ecotoxicity assessments. The discussions on waste classification are also ongoing globally, namely the discussions under the Basel Convention. This paper endeavours to elucidate whether the widely employed test organisms, Daphnia magna and Aliivibrio fischeri, may serve as suitable indicators for the evaluation of the ecotoxicity of waste. The research is grounded in the examination of ashes derived from a combustion process of calcium-rich fuel. Ecotoxicity testing was conducted on 14 ash samples with a liquid-to-solid ratio of 10:1. The results of the Aliivibrio fischeri testing indicated that all 14 ash samples were non-hazardous in terms of their ecotoxicity. However, the results of the Daphnia magna testing showed the opposite, suggesting that the ash samples may have the potential to be ecotoxic. This study offers valuable insights into ecotoxicity assessment and waste classification, emphasising the need for scientific rigour and comprehensive understanding before making regulatory decisions. It also situates its findings within the broader global context of waste management discussions, particularly those related to international agreements like the Basel Convention.

Discerning the role of a site cation in ACoO3 perovskites for boosting Co3+/Co2+ redox cycle for pollutant degradation: DFT calculation, mechanism and toxicity evolution

The degradation of persistent and refractory pollutants, particularly plastic and resins manufacturing wastewater, poses a significant challenge due to their high toxicity and high concentrations. This study developed a novel hybrid ACoO3 (A = La, Ce, Sr)/PMS perovskite system for the treatment of multicomponent (MCs; ACN, ACM and ACY) from synthetic resin manufacturing wastewater. Synthesized perovskites were characterized by various techniques i.e., BET, XRD, FESEM with EDAX, FTIR, TEM, XPS, EIS, and Tafel analysis. Perovskite LaCoO3 exhibited the highest degradation of MCs i.e., ACN (98.7%), ACM (86.3%), and ACY (56.4%), with consumption of PMS (95.2%) under the optimal operating conditions (LaCoO3 dose 0.8 g/L, PMS dose 2 g/L, pH 7.2 and reaction temperature 55 °C). The quantitative contribution (%) of reactive oxygen species (ROS) reveals that SO4•− are the dominating radical species, which contribute to ACN (58.3% for SO4•− radicals) and ACM degradation (46.4% for SO4•− radicals). The tafel plots and EIS spectra demonstrated that perovskites LaCoO3 have better charge transfer rates and more reactive sites that are favorable for PMS activation. Further, four major degradation pathways were proposed based on Fukui index calculations, as well as GC-MS characterization of intermediate byproducts. Based on a stability and reusability study, it was concluded that LaCoO3 perovskites are highly stable, and minimal cobalt leaching occurs (0.96 mg/L) after four cycles. The eco-toxicity assessment performed using QSAR model indicated that the byproducts of the LaCoO3/PMS system are non-toxic nature to common organism (i.e., fish, daphnids and green algae). In addition, the cost of the hybrid LaCoO3/PMS system in a single cycle was estimated to be $34.79 per cubic meter of resin wastewater.

Insights into In Situ Benthic Caging Tests for Ecotoxicity Assessments Targeting Discharging Groundwater Contaminant Plumes

While in situ toxicity testing with caged organisms has been used to assess surface water and sediment contamination, no successful application to benthic organisms exposed to highly contaminated groundwater plumes discharging to surface waters has been reported. The objective of this study was to demonstrate and evaluate this application using four sets of tests performed at three previously reported contaminated groundwater sites, which include one river site affected by volatile organic contaminant plumes, and two sites, one pond and one small urban stream, impacted by landfill plumes. The study examined multiple cage designs and orientations and two test organisms: an amphipod (Hyalella azteca) and midge larvae (Chironomus riparius; only one study). Cages were deployed for between 5 and 28 days and assessed for organism survival and growth. At all sites and for some deployment conditions, cages exposed to high contaminant concentrations in the plume footprint had greater mortality compared to those exposed to lower or background concentrations. Organism growth was less clear as a metric of toxicity. Vertically oriented cages typically showed high mortality to plume contaminants, but some were also affected by other non-target groundwater conditions (e.g., low dissolved oxygen, other contaminant sources), while horizontally oriented cages were rarely responsive to either groundwater influence. A hybrid cage design showed much promise in its single study. Useful observations on the test organisms and on potentially problematic site conditions were also made. The informed use of in situ toxicity cages could be an additional beneficial tool for groundwater contaminated site assessments.

Decarbonization frameworks to industrial-scale ammonia production: Techno-economic and environmental implications

Ammonia production traditionally relies on steam methane reforming (SMR), but it emits carbon and harms the environment. To address decarbonization frameworks of industrial-scale ammonia production process, a 100,000-ton ammonia manufacturing plant is presented using green ammonia synthesis methods. This study presents two promising hydrogen production methods for ammonia production, utilizing water electrolysis as scenario 1 and biomass gasification as scenario 2, while nitrogen is supplied using a cryogenic air separation unit (CASU). The techno-economic analysis shows that the ammonia production via SMR as the base case has lower total costs than Scenarios 1 and 2 due to not using green electricity. Through the environmental impact assessment of climate change, ozone depletion, terrestrial ecotoxicity, and natural land transformation, it is shown that Scenario 1 has lower impacts than the base case and Scenario 2 due to using green electricity. It is noted that the base case and Scenario 1 ensure the lowest production cost and environmental impacts, respectively, and Scenario 2 is the best balance between the economy and the environment.

Improving azo dyes degradation by CoFe2O4-activated peroxymonosulfate: Performance, degradation mechanism, and ecotoxicity assessment

Development of an effective catalyst is essential to eliminate the risks to ecological environment and human health caused by the accumulation of azo dyes in environmental water. Herein, the cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) nanoparticles (NPs), facilely prepared by a one-pot hydrothermal procedure, were developed for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation towards Congo red (CR) degradations. The key experimental parameters were comprehensively investigated to optimize the degradation performance for CR in CoFe2O4/PMS system. Under optimal conditions, the CoFe2O4 NPs exhibited an excellent capability for PMS activation to degrade CR with the degradation efficiency of nearly 100 % in a wide range of pH values (3.0–9.0). The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and quenching experiments confirmed that the entire CR degradation process was dominantly by the non-radical (1O2) and surface-bound SO4·−and ·OH. CoFe2O4 NPs displayed the remarkable stability and reusability, with degradation efficiency of 85.5 % even after six recycles. The possible degradation pathway in CR degradation process was proposed, and the qualitative analysis and ecotoxicity of the degradation intermediates were investigated. This work provided a facile and green strategy to prepare a prospective catalyst for the efficient removal of azo dyes by PMS activation.

A rapid and multi-endpoint ecotoxicological test using Mychonastes afer for efficient screening of metals and herbicides

Microalgal growth-based tests are international standards for ecotoxicity assessment; however, their long exposure times, large sample volumes, and reliance on a single growth-endpoint make them inadequate for rapid toxicity screening. Here, we aimed to develop a rapid and simple ecotoxicological test using the fast-growing green alga Mychonastes afer, with multiple endpoints—growth, lipid content, and photosynthesis. We exposed M. afer to two metals—silver and copper—and two herbicides—atrazine and diuron—for 24 h and identified the most sensitive and reliable endpoints for each toxicant: the maximum electron transport rate (ETRmax) for Ag, Cu and atrazine, and the lipid content for diuron. Lipid content was found to be both a sensitive and reliable biomarker, meeting the effluent limit guidelines in both the Republic of Korea and the USA. The sensitivity of M. afer to Ag and atrazine also closely matched the HC5 values derived from the species sensitivity distribution approach, confirming its reliability for setting regulatory concentrations of these contaminants. Our calculated predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC) values were similar to established European Union PNECs for Ag, Cu, atrazine, and diuron, underlining the utility of these biological endpoints for ecological risk assessment and regulatory decision making. This method required lower sample volume (2 mL vs 100 mL) and exposure time (24 h vs 72–120 h) than conventional green algal tests, and eliminated the need for labour-intensive cell counting, expensive equipment, and chlorophyll fluorescence measurement expertise. Overall, this M. afer test can be a valuable tool for the rapid screening of wastewater for metals and herbicides, contributing to environmental protection and management practices.

Performance, mechanism, and ecotoxicity assessment of sulfamethoxazole degradation by coupling visible-light photocatalysis with persulphate activation over Fe3O4/ZnO composites

ABSTRACT To probe the efficient and ecofriendly treatment of emerging pollutants, a magnetically separable Fe3O4/ZnO composite was facilely synthesised and utilised to establish a combined oxidation process by coupling photocatalysis with persulphate activation (Fe3O4/ZnO-PS). As proved by various characterisations, the Fe3O4/ZnO composite was constituted of highly dispersed Fe3O4 nanoparticles with ZnO nanorods as the support, and it showed the increased visible-light harvesting and facilitated charge transfer. The Fe3O4/ZnO-PS process significantly enhanced sulfamethoxazole (SMX) degradation under visible light irradiation, and the degradation rate constant and synergy coefficient approached 0.222 h−1 and 1.98, respectively. The enhancement mechanism of Fe3O4/ZnO-PS process for SMX degradation was resulted from the promotion of reactive oxygen species formation. Electron spin resonance and fluorescence measurements indicated that •OH and SO4•‒ majorly contribute to the SMX degradation. In addition, the effects of catalyst dosage, PS dosage, solution pH and inorganic anions were systematically investigated. Based on liquid chromatography – mass spectrometry (LC/MS) identification, there were totally 12 products of SMX degradation found in the Fe3O4/ZnO-PS process, the degradation pathways of which involve hydroxylation, S‒N bond cleavage, and SO2 abstraction. The ecotoxicities of these degradation products were predicted by quantitative structure-activity relationship software and were verified by actual experiments using Vibrio fischeri. The ecotoxicity assessment results indicated that although the Fe3O4/ZnO-PS process degraded SMX effectively, more toxic intermediates appeared and accordingly increased the ecological risk, which should be deeply concerned.

Alternative end-of-life options for disposable bioplastic products: Degradation and ecotoxicity assessment in compost and soil

Four different end-of-life options for disposable bioplastic cups were investigated and compared based on their environmental implications. Two products with distinct polymeric composition were tested simulating the following scenarios at laboratory scale: i) industrial composting (180 days at 58 °C); ii) anaerobic digestion followed by industrial composting (45 days at 55 °C and 180 days at 58 °C); iii) anaerobic digestion followed by direct digestate use on soil for agricultural purposes (45 days at 55 °C and 180 days at 25 °C); iv) uncontrolled release into a soil environment (180 days at 25 °C). Ecotoxicity tests were run at the end of each experiment to investigate the effects of the materials on three main groups of terrestrial model organisms: plants, earthworms and nitrifying bacteria. Complete biodegradation of the cups was observed in 180 days in the scenarios involving composting environment. A low degree of biodegradation (22.9 ± 4.5%) of the digestates in soil was observed, warning for a potential micro-bioplastics discharge into the environment. No degradation was observed for the cups in soil during the same testing period. Ecotoxicity tests revealed a negative effect on plants biomass growth across all samples, which was 17–30% lower compared to the blank sample. The experimental campaign highlighted the need for a systematic assessment of controlled treatment of bioplastics, as well as the need for a harmonized legislative framework.

Advancing ecotoxicity assessment: Leveraging pre-trained model for bee toxicity and compound degradability prediction

The prediction of ecological toxicity plays an increasingly important role in modern society. However, the existing models often suffer from poor performance and limited predictive capabilities. In this study, we propose a novel approach for ecological toxicity assessment based on pre-trained models. By leveraging pre-training techniques and graph neural network models, we establish a highperformance predictive model. Furthermore, we incorporate a variational autoencoder to optimize the model, enabling simultaneous discrimination of toxicity to bees and molecular degradability. Additionally, despite the low similarity between the endogenous hormones in bees and the compounds in our dataset, our model confidently predicts that these hormones are non-toxic to bees, which further strengthens the credibility and accuracy of our model. We also discovered the negative correlation between the degradation and bee toxicity of compounds. In summary, this study presents an ecological toxicity assessment model with outstanding performance. The proposed model accurately predicts the toxicity of chemicals to bees and their degradability capabilities, offering valuable technical support to relevant fields.

New insights into dual metals boost PMS activation over iron tungstate: The role of surface hydroxyl

The activity of iron oxychloride (FeOCl) in advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) was limited by the redox cycle of Fe(III)/Fe(II). To resolve this problem, FeOCl loading on WS2 (FW-X) was successfully synthesized with the different ratios of Fe/W (X = 0.5, 1, 2, 3) to active peroxymonosulfate (PMS). Among them, FW-3 displayed excellent catalytic performance which activated 0.5 mM PMS to degrade 97 % thiamphenicol (TAP) in 45 min. FW-3/PMS performed well in a wide pH range (3–10). Besides, the anions (Cl-,NO3-,H2PO4-,HPO42-andHCO3-) and humic acid inhibited the oxidation of TAP in varying degrees. During the catalytic process, H2O and PMS were adsorbed on the surface of FW-3 with the formation of surface hydroxyl groups (Fe–OH) and Fe–HOOSO3. Surface hydroxyls as a bridge promoted the electron transfer between O–O bond and Fe sites. Then O–O bond broke to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS, HO·, SO4∙-, Fe(IV), O2∙- and 1O2), and SO4∙- was the dominant ROS for the degradation of TAP. Additionally, WS2 as a co-catalyst broke the limitation of the iron redox cycle. Under the attack of these ROS, TAP produced eighteen intermediates through four possible degradation pathways. According to ecotoxicity assessment, toxicity of some intermediates produced from path of S-C bond breakage was less harmful than TAP. After three consecutive cycles, FW-3 maintained outstanding catalytic performance. Additionally, FW-3/PMS possessed a good non-selectivity that could remove different contaminants. In a word, this paper proved the potential of FW-3/PMS in practical wastewater remediation.

Ecotoxicity Assessment of Four Oxidizing Agents for Remediation of BTEXs-Contaminated Soil

Ecotoxicity Assessment of Four Oxidizing Agents for Remediation of BTEXs-Contaminated Soil

A Comprehensive Assessment of Environmental Implications, Ecotoxicity and Bioaccumulation Potential of Repurposed Drug Hydroxychloroquine: From Challenges to Sustainability

A Comprehensive Assessment of Environmental Implications, Ecotoxicity and Bioaccumulation Potential of Repurposed Drug Hydroxychloroquine: From Challenges to Sustainability

Assessment of Ecotoxicity of Silver Particles Different in Size according to Biological Indicators in Haplic Chernozem

Assessment of Ecotoxicity of Silver Particles Different in Size according to Biological Indicators in Haplic Chernozem

Algal growth inhibition test with TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers

Ecotoxicity data on cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) are limited despite their wide potential applications prospects, such as structural and packaging materials, filters, coatings, foods, and cosmetics. In this study, toxicity tests of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (TEMPO)-oxidized CNFs (TEMPO-CNFs), which are one of the major CNF products commercially available in Japan, on the green alga Raphidocelis subcapitata were conducted. As nanomaterials are considered difficult-to-test substances, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has released a guidance document that provides considerations regarding ecotoxicity tests of nanomaterials. In the algal growth inhibition tests of TEMPO-CNFs, there were specific issues to be examined, including the effects of medium components on the characteristics of TEMPO-CNFs, CNF interference with algal density measurements, algal interference with CNF measurements, and the effects of ion concentration changes in the test medium by the addition of CNFs on algal growth. To examine these issues, we conducted preliminary studies and established a suitable test method for algal growth inhibition tests of TEMPO-CNFs. We confirmed that the components in the medium for algal growth inhibition tests had negligible effects on the characteristics (zeta-potential, viscosity, and morphology) and concentration stability of TEMPO-CNFs and that in vitro and in vivo fluorescence measurements were applicable for estimating the algal densities, without interference by TEMPO-CNFs. In contrast, we observed that the grown algae interfered with the CNF concentration measurements. Therefore, we established a method to correct the measured CNF concentrations by estimating the algal contribution. Furthermore, we found that the nutrient salt concentrations in the medium changed due to interactions with CNFs; however, this change did not affect algal growth. Based on the results of the preliminary studies, algal growth inhibition tests of TEMPO-CNFs were conducted using in vitro and in vivo fluorescence measurements, along with measurements of CNFs and ion concentrations in the test dispersions. The test results showed that no growth inhibition was observed on growth rate or yield even at the maximum CNF concentration of 100 mg/L, suggesting that the ecological effect of TEMPO-CNFs on algae was relatively low. The results of this study will be valuable for conducting ecotoxicity assessments on additional CNFs and comparable nanomaterials in future studies.

Iron-lanthanum supported on graphite sheets for As(III) removal from aqueous solution: kinetics, thermodynamic and ecotoxicity assessment.

Graphene-based material is widely used to remove arsenic from water due to its layered structure with high surface area. Here, we have successfully synthesized Fe-La bimetallic modified graphite sheet materials to more efficiently remove As(III) from aqueous solution. The results showed that Fe-La-graphite sheets (FL-graphite sheets) have a larger specific surface area (194.28 m2·g-1) than graphite sheets (2.80 m2·g-1). The adsorption capacity of FL-graphite sheets for As(III) was 51.69mg·g-1, which was higher than that of graphite sheets (21.91mg·g-1), La-graphite sheets (26.06mg·g-1), and Fe-graphite sheets (40.26mg·g-1). The FL-graphite sheets conformed to the Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm, and the maximum adsorption capacity was 53.62mg·g-1. The removal process obeys intra-particle diffusion and pore diffusion for As(III). The results of batch adsorption experiments and characterization analyses demonstrated that oxidation, ligand exchange, and inner sphere complexation mechanisms involved in the adsorption of FL-graphite sheets to As(III) in comparison with graphite sheets. In addition, electrostatic attraction mechanism was found vital in the adsorption. Ecotoxicity assessment revealed that FL-graphite sheets have little influence on rice germination and growth, but reduced the toxicity of As(III) to rice. Therefore, the FL-graphite sheets have good practical application value in purifying As(III) polluted water with litter ecotoxicity.