Water Pollution Research Articles

Radon quantification in water and dose estimation via inhalation and ingestion across age groups in the Pattan region of North Kashmir, India.

Human survival hinges on access to water, which provides vital necessities. It is crucial to secure reliable, affordable, and uncontaminated water to maintain health and sustain life. For the potential impact of radioactive water pollution on human well-being, a scintillation-based smart RnDuo detector was employed in the Pattan region of North Kashmir Baramulla to quantify radon levels in diverse underground water. The dose contribution to various organs through inhalation and ingestion pathways has been analyzed. The study assesses the levels of radon in water, which varied from 19.88 to 74.37Bq/L with an average of 37.65Bq/L. All of the values were higher than the United States Environmental Protection Agency(USEPA) suggested guideline of 11Bq/L but lower than the 100Bq/L prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO). The age group-wise inhalation and ingestion doses are higher than the 100 μSv/y recommended by WHO but within the prescribed range of 3-10mSv/y as suggested by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). Doses to various organs (lungs and stomach) are also calculated in the present study. The results of the present investigation will help to enhance the quality of the water and guide future epidemiological studies.

Synthesis, characterization and adsorption of Pb(Ⅱ), Cd(Ⅱ) and Cu(Ⅱ) by red mud/polyacrylic acid/sodium carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogel

Heavy metal pollution in water and pollution hazards caused by red mud disposal are urgent environmental problems to be solved. Red mud waste can be utilized as resources by preparing hydrogels. By employing free radical polymerization, a red mud/polyacrylate/sodium carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogel (RMAAC) was synthesized using red mud (RM) as the main component, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (SCMC) as the grafting substrate, N, N’-methylene bisacrylamide (MBA) as the crosslinking agent, and potassium persulfate (KPS) as the initiator. The proportions of MBA, KPS, and SCMC were optimized using the response surface method. The adsorption kinetics and isothermal adsorption model were applied to analyze the adsorption characteristics, while XRD, FTIR, SEM-EDS, and XPS characterization methods were employed to study the adsorption mechanism. The results demonstrated that the optimal proportions of MBA, KPS, and SCMC in RMAAC were determined to be 0.15 %, 0.2 %, and 1.5 %, respectively, and the addition of 0.5 % RM to enhance the adsorption performance of the hydrogel. The adsorption processes of Pb(II), Cd(II), and Cu(II) by RMAAC followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir model, suggesting chemisorption through a single molecular layer as the main adsorption mechanism. The maximum theoretical adsorption capacities of the three heavy metal ions at 25°C were determined to be 730.16, 292.71, and 215.37 mg/g, respectively. It was found that RMAAC exhibited a higher affinity toward Pb(II) compared to Cu(II) and Cd(II). Characterization analyses revealed that ion exchange and coordination chelation were the predominant mechanisms involved in the adsorption of Pb(II), Cd(II), and Cu(II) by RMAAC.

Efficient Catalytic Reduction of Organic Pollutants Using Nanostructured CuO/TiO2 Catalysts: Synthesis, Characterization, and Reusability

The catalytic reduction of organic pollutants in water is a critical environmental challenge due to the persistent and hazardous nature of compounds like azo dyes and nitrophenols. In this study, we synthesized nanostructured CuO/TiO2 catalysts via a combustion technique, followed by calcination at 700 °C to achieve a rutile-phase TiO2 structure with varying copper loadings (5–40 wt.%). The catalysts were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR–FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis-differential thermal analysis (TGA–DTA), UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDS). The XRD results confirmed the presence of the crystalline rutile phase in the CuO/TiO2 catalysts, with additional peaks indicating successful copper oxide loading onto TiO2. The FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of all the functional groups in the prepared samples. SEM images revealed irregularly shaped copper oxide and agglomerated TiO2 particles. The DRS results revealed improved optical properties and a decreased bandgap with increased Cu content, and 4-Nitrophenol (4-NP) and methyl orange (MO), which were chosen for their carcinogenic, mutagenic, and nonbiodegradable properties, were used as model organic pollutants. Catalytic activities were tested by reducing 4-NP and MO with sodium borohydride (NaBH4) in the presence of a CuO/TiO2 catalyst. Following the in situ reduction of CuO/TiO2, Cu (NPs)/TiO2 was formed, achieving 98% reduction of 4-NP in 480 s and 98% reduction of MO in 420 s. The effects of the NaBH4 concentration and catalyst mass were investigated. The catalysts exhibited high stability over 10 reuse cycles, maintaining over 96% efficiency for MO and 94% efficiency for 4-NP. These findings demonstrate the potential of nanostructured CuO/TiO2 catalysts for environmental remediation through efficient catalytic reduction of organic pollutants.

Image recognition enhances efficient monitoring of the coagulation-settling in drinking water treatment plants

Water pollution is a major issue in the context of increasing population and industrialization, yet many drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) are not fully efficient countering it. In particular, coagulation-settling stage often faces multiple disturbances and time lags, which lower the efficiency because coagulant dosage cannot be accurately calculated in real-time based on the effluent turbidity. To address this issue, we developed a method using deep learning image recognition to monitor the coagulation-settling stage in real-time. For that we used 5761 operational data and images of flocs from the sedimentation tank of a DWTP in East China in 2022, to build an image recognition regression model that predict the turbidity of the sedimentation tank effluent. Results show that our deep learning regression model, performs better with r-square (R2) of 0.97, mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.016 and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 2.74%, compared with the traditional machine learning giving R2 of 0.76, MAE of 0.045 and MAPE of 8.26%. The model also avoids misclassification at different turbidity intervals. The incorporation operational data of the sedimentation tank, prediction accuracy is improved by 79.6%. By adjusting the turbidity data to correct time misalignment, our model effectively handles the time lag caused by the hydraulic retention time of the sedimentation tank, thus enhancing the timeliness and accuracy of its practical application.

Role of Hydroxyl Radical in the Degradation of ATO: DFT Study.

Large-scale implementation of NTO (5-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-3-one), an energetic material used in military applications, causes its discharge to the environment. Reduction of NTO with bacterial nitroreductase or iron-containing minerals results in the formation of ATO (5-amino-1,2,4-triazol-3-one), which is an important intermediate in the process of NTO degradation in the environment. ATO may be dissolved in surface water and groundwater due to its good water solubility. Many organic pollutants in surface water can be decomposed under the action of the hydroxyl radical, an important reactive oxygen species produced under sunlight irradiation. A detailed investigation of possible mechanisms for ATO decomposition in water induced by the hydroxyl radical as one of the pathways for ATO environmental degradation was performed by computational study at the PCM(Pauling)/M06-2X/6-311++G(d,p) level. Decomposition of ATO was found to be a multistep process that can begin with a hydrogen atom abstraction from ATO. Formed intermediates undergo further H atom abstraction, hydroxyl radical attachment to carbon atoms, and rupture of C-N bonds, leading to low-weight inorganic species such as nitrogen gas, ammonia, nitric acid, and carbon(IV) oxide. The calculated activation energy and exergonicity of the studied reactions support the contribution of hydroxyl radical to ATO degradation in the environment.

The Dilemma of Deforestation in Indonesia: The Perspective of Buya Hamka and Quraish Shihab (Comparative Study of Al Misbah Interpretation & Al Azhar Interpretation)

This research is motivated by the increasingly complex environmental problems in Indonesia, such as deforestation, water and air pollution, ecosystem damage, and the significant impacts of climate change. The environmental crisis is not only caused by inappropriate policies, but also by the low public awareness of the importance of preserving nature. In this context, Islamic thought derived from the Qur'an is relevant to provide moral and practical solutions. This study examines the wisdom of two great Indonesian scholars, Buya Hamka and Quraish Shihab, through their tafsir works, Tafsir Al-Azhar and Tafsir Al-Misbah, which contain views on the relationship between humans and nature. This comparative study aims to identify the relevance of the interpretations of the two figures in answering contemporary environmental problems in Indonesia. Although there are differences in methodology in interpretation, both Buya Hamka and Quraish Shihab emphasize the importance of environmental ethics and human responsibility as caliphs on earth. In conclusion, their interpretations not only have theological value, but also provide relevant practical guidelines for addressing environmental challenges in Indonesia.

PVA/CNT/PPy Aerogels for Driving Water Evaporation Through both Photo‐Thermal and Electro‐Thermal Effects

AbstractSolar‐driven interfacial water evaporation technology is considered as a promising clean water production strategy addressing the issues of global water pollution and scarcity. In this study, highly efficient polyvinyl alcohol/carbon nanotube/polypyrrole (PVA/CNT/PPy) aerogel evaporator is fabricated by combining hydrophilic PVA aerogel with superior water absorption property and carbon‐based fillers with coupled photo‐thermal conversion effects. By regulating the pore structure of PVA aerogel, the capillary effect is enhanced, thereby optimizing the water transport rate. Based on the photo‐thermal effect, the evaporation rate of the evaporator under one standard solar irradiation (1 kW m−2) is 3.17 kg m−2 h−1. Additionally, after the input of electrical energy, the heat converted from light absorbed by carbon‐based material can promote the Joule heating effect, and the synergistic effect further increases the evaporation rate of the aerogel to 5.59 kg m−2 h−1 when subjected to one solar irradiation combined with a 5 V input voltage. This electro‐thermal assistance enables efficient water evaporation even in low‐light and dark conditions. Furthermore, the PVA/CNT/PPy aerogel evaporator demonstrates significant potential in terms of desalination performance and long‐term stability.

Risk Estimation of Surface Water Pollution in Vam Co Tay River Based on Remote Sensing Data and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Methods

Risk Estimation of Surface Water Pollution in Vam Co Tay River Based on Remote Sensing Data and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Methods

Rotating micropolar hybrid nanofluid: Exothermic/endothermic effects and waste discharge on exponential sheet

This research offers a comprehensive investigation into the steady‐state, three‐dimensional flow of an incompressible hybrid nanofluid over a bi‐directionally stretching exponential sheet. A central aspect of the study is the behavior of rotating micropolar fluids within a Darcy‐Forchheimer porous medium, enhanced by the inclusion of electromagnetic forces. The effects of embedding nanoparticles and in a water‐based fluid are explored to reveal their influence on fluid motion and heat transfer. The thermal dynamics are scrutinized, with particular emphasis on the roles of heat absorption and viscous dissipation. Moreover, this study incorporates both endothermic and exothermic reactions in radiative flows, alongside the impact of Soret and Dufour diffusion effects. The discharge of wastewater is a critical issue in environmental management and industrial applications, underscoring the need for rigorous regulation to prevent water pollution and ensure adherence to environmental standards. This research addresses the non‐Newtonian flow resulting from wastewater discharge, incorporating Arrhenius activation energy in the analysis. Furthermore, the behavior of microorganisms within the flow is studied under velocity slip conditions and a range of convective boundary conditions. Through the application of similarity transformations, the governing differential equations are derived and solved numerically using MATLAB's bvp4c solver, with results depicted through detailed graphical analysis to illustrate the fluid's complex behavior. The heat transfer rate gets reduced by 1.96% with the enhancement in the Eckert number.

Infiltration and Hydrophobicity in Burnt Forest Soils on Mediterranean Mountains

Forest fires are a major global environmental problem, especially for forest ecosystems and specifically in Mediterranean climate zones. These fires can seriously impact hydrologic processes and soil erosion, which can cause water pollution and flooding. The aim of this work is to assess the effect of forest fire on the hydrologic processes in the soil, depending on soil properties. For this purpose, the infiltration rate has been measured by ring infiltration tester, and the hydrophobicity has been quantified by the “water drop penetration time” method in several soils of burnt and unburnt forest areas in the Mediterranean mountains. The infiltration rates obtained are higher in burnt than in unburnt soils (1130 and 891 mm·h−1, respectively), which contradicts most of the research in Mediterranean climates in southeast Spain with calcareous soils. Burnt soils show no hydrophobicity on the surface, but it is there when the soil is excavated by 1 cm. Additionally, burnt soils reveal a low frequency of hydrophobicity (in less than 30% of the samples) but more severe hydrophobicity (above 300 s); whereas, in unburnt soils, the frequency is higher (50%) but the values of hydrophobicity are lower. The results obtained clearly show the infiltration processes modified by fire, and these results may be useful for land managers, hydrologists, and those responsible for decision-making regarding the forest restoration of burnt land.

Sentinel-2A imaging in mapping greenhouse rose production and rainwater harvesting for agricultural irrigation use

Abstract Agricultural production within controlled environments, such as rose cultivation, has traditionally followed the principles of a linear economy focused on maximizing crop yields through increased evapotranspiration. This approach significantly elevates water consumption throughout the year, leading to water scarcity and pollution in various regions. In this context, this study aims to assess the expansion of areas designated for production and the volume of rainwater captured by the roofs of floral greenhouses. The study was conducted in the Pisque River basin in Ecuador from 2016 to 2023. Using remote sensing techniques, the increase in greenhouse areas was quantified, water capture was measured in two types of greenhouses through rainfall simulations, and water requirements were calculated using the Penman-Monteith method. Results indicate a 70% increase in flower production, particularly in the upper and middle basin communities, with a notable rise following the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 5,473.54 hectares of greenhouses were identified, which can capture rainwater with 93% efficiency, thereby meeting 35% of the annual water needs for crop irrigation. The study concludes that capturing, storing, and utilizing rainwater in rose production is viable and facilitates the transition from a linear to a circular economy.

Insight into thermal dynamic of stagnated flow of MHD Jeffery fluid when the joule heating, viscous dissipation and Soret effect are present: A multistep Milne's approach

The purpose of this work is to use the RK approach in conjunction with Milne's Predictor Corrector method to investigate the numerical solution of the magnetohydrodynamic Jeffery fluid passing over the upper horizontal parabolic surface. Milne's predictor-corrector methodology is highly important since it increases result accuracy when compared to either approach alone. The physical aspects are investigated by using the variable fluid properties, and consider the stagnation point and boundary layer flow of the MHD Jeffery fluid, which flows on the upper horizontal parabolic surface. The influence of Jeffery fluid flowing the paraboloid surface is ascertained by measuring the velocity slip and melting surface effects. We examined both the heat and mass transfer rates with the effects of viscous dissipation, Joule heating, heat source/sink, activation energy, and the Soret effect because these rates are important in chemical reactions, electronic devices, climate change, separation and distillation processes, and water and air pollution. The governing equations in the form of PDEs are obtained by implementing all of the assumptions on the fundamental conservation laws. These equations are then converted into ODEs by using the similarity variables. The "Milne's Predictor-Corrector Method" is a numerical strategy used to solve numerical problems and the results are analyzed both graphically and numerically manners with this numerical technique. Analysis is done on the graphical behavior of many parameters on the temperature, concentration, and velocity regions. The numerical findings of skin friction and Nusselt number are also presented here, and the outcomes are compared with the results of the BVP5c and Milne's (Predictor-Corrector) methods. The obtained results indicated that the motion (velocity) of Jeffery fluid is restricted by the enhancement in Deborah number, retardation to relaxation parameter, Hartmann number, and viscosity parameter, whereas augmentation happens in fluid velocity due to melting parameter and stretching ratio parameter. The temperature region can be increased by the source of the viscosity parameter, Hartmann number, heat source/sink parameters, and Eckert number. The decline in the concentration distribution is noted due to activation energy and the reaction rate parameter, while an upsurge in concentration occurs due to the Soret number.

Conceptual and terminological features and legal content of environmental quality standards for water bodies in Ukraine and EU

The article investigates the compliance of Ukrainian and European water legislation in the part of legal instruments, which are the standards for determining, for assessing the ecological status and for regulating the quality of surface waters. Such instruments are included in the main environmental and legal institutions of these legislations. The relevance of the study is determined by the transition of Ukrainian water legislation to the phase of practical support for the implementation of European river basin management. The use of these legal instruments should be envisaged in the first Ukrainian river basin management plans. The purpose of the article is to determine the terminological correctness and conceptual conformity for standards of environmental regulating to ensure that Ukrainian river basin management plans are provided with European equivalents (or analogues) of legislative means to combat environmental status degradation and for surface water pollution, in particular, as a result of the impacts of point sources. The study is based on a comparative analysis of the legal requirements of Ukrainian and European water legislation. Numerous inconsistencies have been identified that impede the harmonization of the both legislations. The most significant of these inconsistencies concerns the recently created Ukrainian ecosystem-based framework of environmental and chemical standards (and corresponding classifications) for surface water bodies. These standards have significant terminological inconsistencies and inconsistencies with the water legislation of Ukraine in terms of the concept of environmental water quality standards. It is determined that the European term and concept of environmental quality standards does not correspond to the Ukrainian concept of the environmental water quality standard and does not allow implement of European regulation of pollutant discharges without changes in legislation. In addition, find inconsistencies create significant obstacles to compliance with the requirements of Ukrainian legislation in the field of drinking water and drinking water supply. It is noted that the principle of building a Ukrainian analog of the European system of environmental quality regulations complicates the policy of nationwide unification of activities in the areas of environmental safety and economical use of aquatic ecosystems.

Public complaints of water pollution: A long-term spatiotemporal analysis in Japan

Public complaints about water pollution are important indicators of public environmental risk perception and provide crucial feedback for evaluating the effectiveness of water resource management strategies. This study conducts a comprehensive analysis of water pollution complaints in Japan from 1989 to 2021, utilizing integrated datasets that include river networks, water quality monitoring stations, regional industrial demographics, and socioeconomic indicators. Our findings reveal a significant decline in complaints—over 45% from the peak in 2006—following the implementation of various environmental policies aimed at reducing industrial discharge and restoring natural ecosystem function. The shift in complaint targets from industries to individuals suggests that these policies have been effective in mitigating industrial pollution, while also highlighting the need to address individual behaviors that impact water quality. Despite long-term improvement in water quality indicators such as Suspended Solids (SS) and Dissolved Oxygen (DO), no significant correlation was observed between these indicators and the temporal or spatial patterns of water pollution complaints. Instead, a strong positive correlation was observed between complaints and reported water quality incidents, reflecting heightened public sensitivity to acute pollution events. Spatial analysis further identified a significant association between complaints and the manufacturing workforce, indicating that industrial activity continues to shape public perception of water pollution risks. Our findings underscore the complex interaction between public perception, environmental policies, and industrial activities, and suggest that effective water management requires a multifaceted approach. Policymakers should continue to enforce stringent industrial regulations, while also enhancing public education and communication strategies to improve awareness of individual responsibilities in water protection. This research provides a theoretical basis for developing more responsive and effective environmental policies and public education strategies.

Towards the definition of treatment wetland pathogen log reduction credits.

Treatment wetlands have the potential to treat a range of water and wastewater pollutants while using less energy and chemicals than conventional treatment processes, making them a viable option for improving the sustainability of water treatment systems. However, water treatment systems used for water reuse must also be protective of human health. To date, the human health protection benefits of treatment wetlands have not been rigorously quantified in the context of current human health risk frameworks. This study presents a comprehensive review of the ability of treatment wetlands to provide reliable pathogen reduction to meet risk-based treatment targets for water reuse. Following an existing protocol for establishing log reduction credits, we systematically reviewed the documented pathogen reduction performance of major treatment wetland types in terms of core components of that protocol, including pathogen removal mechanisms, identification of target pathogens, and influencing factors. Results of the review point to design and operational conditions under which treatment wetlands could likely be credited with a log reduction value of approximately 0.5 or greater for virus, protozoa and bacteria. These conditions are specified in terms of preliminary operating envelopes, or design and operational parameter windows associated with optimal performance. Important caveats are noted, as are specific and tractable recommendations for future research and data collection efforts that would help refine operating envelopes and define log reduction credits for these promising water treatment technologies. As a resource to other practitioners, we have also included the detailed performance characterization database as Supplemental Information. This database includes a detailed tracking of log reduction values as well as design and operational parameters reported in the literature.

Fabrication of magnetic Cu2O nanocomposites for enhanced iodide removal: Adsorption properties, mechanism and application

The presence of iodine in water poses significant health risks to humans and aquatic ecosystems, necessitating the development of efficient and sustainable remediation strategies. Here, we present Fe3O4/Ti3C2Tx/Cu2O-Cu nanocomposites as high-performance adsorbents for iodide removal. A multistep process was utilized in the fabrication of the nanocomposite, which involved the modification of Fe3O4 nanoparticles with polydopamine (PDA) and the assembly of Ti3C2Tx nanosheets, followed by the growth of Cu2O/Cu nanoparticles. The nanocomposites showed a maximum iodide adsorption capacity of 41.34 mg/g at 25 °C, following quasi second-order adsorption kinetics and the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. A thermodynamic study revealed that the adsorption process was exothermic and spontaneous. Additionally, the nanocomposite displayed excellent selectivity for iodide despite competing anions and retained over 50 % of its adsorption capacity after two washing cycles. A mechanistic investigation indicated that the removal of iodide was primarily due to the formation of insoluble CuI under acidic conditions and surface complexation between Cu2O and iodide under neutral conditions. Owing to its high adsorption capacity, good selectivity, magnetic separability, and reusability, the Fe3O4/Ti3C2Tx/Cu2O-Cu nanocomposite offers great promise for the effective remediation of iodide-contaminated water. This study provides valuable insights into the development and application of advanced functional materials for addressing the critical issue of water pollution due to iodine.

Natural-based UV-shielding additives to protect photosensitive pesticides: Production of nanoparticles from the co-self-assembly of lignin and tannin

This work explores the development of a renewable, carbon-neutral, light-colored UV-shielding film to protect photosensitive pesticides from solar radiation, as these chemicals are easily degraded under UV light, substantially reducing their efficiency and causing soil and water pollution. The abundant benzene rings in lignin and phenolic hydroxyls in tannin boosted the co-self-assembly of lignin and tannin into composite nanospheres by the simultaneous π-π stacking and H-bonding interactions between these two biopolymers. These lignin-tannin (LT) composite nanoparticles were used as natural UV-shielding additives to coat a poly-vinyl-alcohol (PVA) film, endowing the PVA-LT film with an excellent UV-shielding ability (>95 % efficiency) due to the strong π-π stacking and concentrated phenolic hydroxyls. Typical photosensitive pesticides covered with the PVA-LT film significantly increased their remaining rate by 1.5 times compared to those under the uncoated film. Besides, intensive intermolecular hydrogen bonds were generated between PVA and the abundant phenolic hydroxyl groups exposed on the hydrophilic shell of the LT coating, enhancing the mechanical properties and water vapor retention of the composite film. Our biodegradable composite film derived from natural plant extracts not only protected photosensitive pesticides from UV irradiation but also allowed the transmission of visible light to guarantee the photosynthesis process of crops.

Effects of antibiotics on aquatic plant growth and removal of antibiotics by plants in water containing microplastics

ABSTRACT Phytoremediation is widely used for water pollution control. The effect of antibiotics on aquatic plants and their removal by plants in water containing microplastics is unknown. Four aquatic plants were used for hydroponic tests to analyze the effect of antibiotics on the plant growth and their removal by plants in water containing low-density polyethylene microplastics (LDPE-MPs). The results indicated that under LDPE-MP stress, antibiotics at < 100 μg·L−1 promoted plant heights and leaf chlorophyll contents, while antibiotics at > 100 μg·L−1 had inhibitory effects; the ability of plants to remove antibiotics was Canna indica > Myriophyllum verticillatum > Pontederia cordata > Nymphaea tetragona; the plants with the best removal of norfloxacin, sulfadiazine and hygromycin at 100 μg·L−1 were Myriophyllum verticillatum, Canna indica and Canna indica, with removal rates of 51.7%, 51.4% and 52.9%, respectively; the antibiotic accumulation in plant tissues was root > stem > leaf; the rhizosphere microbial diversity decreased with increasing antibiotic concentrations, while Aeromonas, Bacillus, Lysinibacillus, Providencia, and Staphylococcus increased. LDPE-MP stress resulted in a 10∼20% decrease in antibiotic removal by plants. The findings suggest that the use of Canna indica can be prioritised to remove antibiotics from the water containing microplastics.

Micro– and mesoplastic pollution in the surface water and nekton from the eastern Indian ocean: Spatiotemporal variation, correlation and risk assessment

The pollution of micro– and mesoplastic (MMP) in the Eastern Indian Ocean (EIO) remains poorly understood. The present study revealed that MMP abundance in nekton from EIO in 2022 (mean: 2.30 ± 0.39 items individual−1 and 1.81 ± 0.54 items g−1) was significantly higher than that in 2021 (mean: 1.60 ± 0.22 items individual−1 and 0.80 ± 0.13 items g−1). In contrast, MMP abundance in surface water varied insignificantly between 2021 (mean: 0.04 ± 0.01 items m−3) and 2022 (mean: 0.05 ± 0.02 items m−3). The rise in predominant polymers—polypropylene (PP), rayon (RA), and polyester (PES)—in nekton from 2021 to 2022 may suggest increased pollution from face masks and home textiles along coastal regions. Notable spatial variation in PP and RA between the northeastern and southeastern regions was observed only in nekton, suggesting they are better indicators of MMP spatiotemporal variation than surface water. Shadow driftfish ingested more MMPs than purpleback flying squid and mackerel scad, likely due to its deeper habitat. By simultaneously considering color, composition, and shape, integrated MMP analysis showed insignificant correlation between MMP pollution in surface water and nekton, suggesting that nekton may ingest MMPs through multiple pathways beyond surface water. Risk indices for surface water and nekton reached moderate to upper levels globally, emphasizing the need for continued monitoring in the EIO. Epoxy resin, rubber, and PP + acrylic were identified as the most hazardous polymers, providing a valuable basis for developing effective strategies to mitigate plastic pollution.

Prussian Blue Analogue‐Based Materials: Synthesis and Their Application in Peroxymonosulfate Activation for Wastewater Treatment

AbstractPeroxymonosulfate‐(PMS) based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are effective in degrading refractory organic pollutants in water. The unique internal chemical tunability of Prussian blue analogues (PBAs), a type of metal–organic framework materials (MOFs), makes them promising catalysts for PMS‐AOPs. However, the pristine PBA is limited in practical application due to its structural instability and easy leaching of metal ions. To this end, various methods have been developed to enhance the recycling and catalytic performance of PBAs. In this paper, the recent advances in the modification and composite strategies of PBA catalysts are systematically reviewed. PBA modification by the regulation of synthesis conditions and postsynthesis treatment, along with composite strategy involving metal and nonmetal‐based materials are introduced. The structural morphology improvement, physical and chemical property adjustment, vacancy design, and crystal surface modulation of PBAs induced by these modification and composite strategies are discussed in depth. In addition, the performance of the modified and composite catalysts to activate PMS for organic pollutant degradation is demonstrated. The radical pathway via SO4•−, •OH, and O2•−, nonradical pathway through 1O2, electron transfer process and high‐valent metal–oxo species, or a combination of radical and nonradical pathways are revealed in PMS‐AOPs with PBAs and their derivatives as catalysts.