Crystal structures of three uranyl-acetate-bipyridine complexes crystallized from hydraulic fracking fluid.

Hydraulic fracking exposes shale plays to acidic hydraulic fracking fluid (HFF), releasing toxic uranium (U) along with the desired oil and gas. With no existing methods to ensure U remains sequestered in the shale, this study sought to add organic ligands to HFF to explore potential U retention in shale plays. To test this possibility, incubations were set up in which uranyl acetate and one organic bipyridine ligand (either 2,2'-, 2,3'-, 2,4'-, or 4,4'-bipyridine) were added to pristine HFF as the crystallization medium.

Micro- and Nanoplastics Breach the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB): Biomolecular Corona's Role Revealed.

Humans are continuously exposed to polymeric materials such as in textiles, car tires and packaging. Unfortunately, their break down products pollute our environment, leading to widespread contamination with micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs). The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is an important biological barrier that protects the brain from harmful substances.

Manganese redox buffering limits arsenic release from contaminated sediments, Union Lake, New Jersey.

The sediments of Union Lake in Southern New Jersey are contaminated with arsenic released from the Vineland Chemical Company Superfund site 11 km upstream. Seasonal anoxia has been shown to release arsenic from sediments to similar lakes; this process was hypothesized as a major arsenic source to Union Lake. Data indicate, however, that releases of arsenic to bottom waters from the sediments or from pore waters within the sediments are relatively minor: bottom water arsenic concentrations reached ~30 ppb (~12 μM) at most, representing <13% of the dissolved arsenic content of the lake.

Sediment Core Sectioning and Extraction of Pore Waters under Anoxic Conditions.

We demonstrate a method for sectioning sediment cores and extracting pore waters while maintaining oxygen-free conditions. A simple, inexpensive system is built and can be transported to a temporary work space close to field sampling site(s) to facilitate rapid analysis. Cores are extruded into a portable glove bag, where they are sectioned and each 1-3 cm thick section (depending on core diameter) is sealed into 50 ml centrifuge tubes.

Organophosphate flame retardants in household dust before and after introduction of new furniture.

Flame retardant compounds originating from household items collect in household dust, a reasonable proxy for human exposure. Contributions of specific items or behaviors to dust are difficult to separate. This study examined standardized college housing before and after the introduction of new, flame retardant couches in order to explore any effect that changing upholstered furniture may have on flame retardant concentrations in dust.