Occurrence of emerging and persistent organic pollutants in the rivers Cam, Ouse and Thames, UK.

The widespread occurrence of new and emerging and persistent organic pollutants (NEPs and POPs) in surface water poses a risk to drinking water supply and consequently human health. The aim of this work was to investigate the occurrence and potential transport of 42 target NEPs and POPs (including per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), pharmaceuticals, pesticides and bisphenols) along the rural and urban environments of three rivers in England. The type and concentrations of pollutants varied between the sampling days and points.

Effect of short-term sample storage and preparatory conditions on losses of 18 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to container materials.

There is a lack of agreement on a suitable container material for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) analysis, particularly at trace levels. In this study, the losses of 18 short- and long-chain (C4-C10) PFAS to commonly used labware materials (high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polypropylene co-polymer (PPCO), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and glass were investigated. The influence of sample storage and preparation conditions, i.

Speciation of toxic metals in metal finishing filter cake by X-ray absorption spectroscopy.

The speciation of Cr, Zn, Cu and Pb in two metal finishing filter cakes (TX and ST) was investigated by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) complemented by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). XRF showed that concentrations of Cr, Zn, Cu and Pb were 1.4%, 0.

Disposable surgical/medical face masks and filtering face pieces: Source of microplastics and chemical additives in the environment.

The production and consumption of disposable face masks (DFMs) increased intensely during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a high amount of them being found in the terrestrial and aquatic environment. The main goal of this research study is to conduct a comparative evaluation of the water-leachability of microplastics (MPs) and chemical additives from various types of disposable surgical/medical face masks (MM DFMs) and filtering face pieces (FFPs). Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy was used for MPs analysis.

Speciation of toxic pollutants in Pb/Zn smelter slags by X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy in the context of the literature.

Pb/Zn smelter slag is a hazardous industrial waste from the Imperial Smelting Process (ISP). The speciation of zinc, lead, copper and arsenic in the slag controls their recovery or fate in the environment but has been little investigated. X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) was applied to this complex poorly crystalline material for the first time to gain new insights about speciation of elements at low concentration.

A new on-line SPE LC-HRMS method for simultaneous analysis of selected emerging contaminants in surface waters.

In recent years emerging contaminants (ECs) have received significant attention due to their widespread detection in surface waters and concerns that these compounds can cause adverse ecological and/or human health effects. Therefore, accurate methods for determining and quantifying ECs in surface water are essential for estimating their environmental impact. This work describes the development, validation and application of a sensitive multiclass method for simultaneous determination of 22 per and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs), 3 pharmaceuticals, 15 pesticides, and 2 bisphenols in surface water using on-line solid phase extraction (SPE) coupled with ultra-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS).

Algae, biochar and bacteria for acid mine drainage (AMD) remediation: A review.

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a global issue and causes harmful environmental impacts. AMD has high acidity and contains a high concentration of heavy metals and metalloids, making it toxic to plants, animals, and humans. Traditional treatments for AMD have been widely used for a long time.

Bioaccumulation of metals by algae from acid mine drainage: a case study of Frongoch Mine (UK).

In Frongoch Mine (UK), it is unclear the distribution of metals on indigenous algae and whether these species of algae can accumulate metals. This study aimed to investigate the role of indigenous algae for metal removal from acid mine drainage and understand if metals can be adsorbed on the surface of algae or/and bioaccumulated in algae. A sequential extraction procedure was applied for algae samples collected from acid mine drainage (AMD) water to identify the forms in which metals are found in algae.

What waste management can learn from the traditional mining sector: Towards an integrated assessment and reporting of anthropogenic resources.

Many organizations in Europe collect data and perform research on municipal solid waste and the secondary raw materials that can be produced from them through recycling, urban mining, or landfill mining. However, the information generated and presented thereby is often highly aggregated, while research activities are many a time isolated. Both reduce the usability of the data and information generated.

Legal situation and current practice of waste incineration bottom ash utilisation in Europe.

Almost 500 municipal solid waste incineration plants in the EU, Norway and Switzerland generate about 17.6 Mt/a of incinerator bottom ash (IBA). IBA contains minerals and metals.

Household slow sand filters in intermittent and continuous flows to treat water containing low mineral ion concentrations and Bisphenol A.

Household slow sand filter (HSSF) has been used as an alternative to drinking water treatment in rural communities worldwide; however, its performance to treat influent water with quality similar to rainwater still needs further studies. Rainwater presents low pH and slight mineral ion concentrations, an aspect that can modify the filter media and consequently the HSSF efficiency. Furthermore, house roofs used in rainwater harvesting can be made of plastic.

Characterisation of ashes from waste biomass power plants and phosphorus recovery.

Biowastes, such as meat and bone meal (MBM), and poultry litter (PL), are used as energy sources for industrial combustion in the UK. However, the biomass ashes remaining after combustion, which contain nutrients such as phosphorus, are landfilled rather than utilised. To promote their utilisation, biomass ashes from industries were characterised in terms of their elemental and mineral compositions, phosphorus extractability, and pH-dependent leachability.

Element composition and mineralogical characterisation of air pollution control residue from UK energy-from-waste facilities.

Air pollution control (APC) residues from energy-from-waste (EfW) are alkaline (corrosive) and contain high concentrations of metals, such as zinc and lead, and soluble salts, such as chlorides and sulphates. The EPA 3050B-extractable concentrations of 66 elements, including critical elements of strategic importance for advanced electronics and energy technologies, were determined in eight APC residues from six UK EfW facilities. The concentrations of Ag (6-15 mg/kg) and In (1-13 mg/kg), as well as potential pollutants, especially Zn (0.