Metal-organic frameworks of -hydroxybenzoic acid: synthesis, structure and ring opening polymerization capability.

Two new, isostructural, metal-organic frameworks {[Co(OCCHO)(DMF)]} and {[Mn(OCCHO)(DMF)]} have been synthesised and structurally characterized. Use of -hydroxybenzoic acid resulted in a three-dimensional MOF featuring a linker with a carboxylic group and a -hydroxyl group. Ring opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone and δ-valerolactone has been performed using these MOFs as catalysts, and results compared with the known zinc MOF Zn(OCCHO).

Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Chemical and Microbial Contamination in Nonurban Floodwaters.

During major flood events, waterborne contaminants are relatively poorly characterized. This is due to logistical difficulties associated with obtaining water samples in potentially dangerous flood conditions. Herein, we report analyses of water samples from a large, flooded landscape in Victoria, Australia, during a major flood event.

Pharmaceuticals in biota: The impact of wastewater treatment plant effluents on fish in Australia.

Globally, pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are detected in surface waters receiving wastewater, yet their presence in biota, remain largely understudied. To address this, we conducted a study that measured 46 PPCPs in spot water samples and fish caught up- and downstream from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Victoria, Australia. We sampled 15 sites located along four waterways following a 3-site design: WWTP-discharge('hotspot'), 'upstream'(∼2 km) and 'downstream'(∼2 km).

Monitoring of ammonia in marine waters using a passive sampler with biofouling resistance and neural network-based calibration.

A biofouling resistant passive sampler for ammonia, where the semi-permeable barrier is a microporous hydrophobic gas-diffusion membrane, has been developed for the first time and successfully applied to determine the time-weighted average concentration of ammonia in estuarine and coastal waters for 7 days. Strategies to control biofouling of the membrane were investigated by covering it with either a copper mesh or a silver nanoparticle functionalised cotton mesh, with the former approach showing better performance. The effects of temperature, pH and salinity on the accumulation of ammonia in the newly developed passive sampler were studied and the first two parameters were found to influence it significantly.

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Ducks and the Relationship with Concentrations in Water, Sediment, and Soil.

The present study examined the occurrence and concentration of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) measured in game ducks (13 compounds), water, sediment, and soils (33 compounds) in waterways in Victoria, Australia. The study aimed to identify potential ecological and human health risks from measured PFAS concentrations. Four species of duck and samples of water, sediment, and soil were collected from 19 wetlands, which were chosen based on their popularity as hunting locations.

Superimposed microplastic pollution in a coastal metropolis.

The mitigation of microplastic pollution in the environment calls for a better understanding of the sources and transportation, especially from land sources to the open ocean. We conducted a large-scale investigation of microplastic pollution across the Greater Melbourne Area and the Western Port area, Australia, spanning gradients of land-use from un-developed catchments in conservation areas to more heavily-developed areas. Microplastics were detected in 94% of water samples and 96% of sediment samples, with abundances ranging from 0.

Detecting long-term temporal trends in sediment-bound trace metals from urbanised catchments.

The shift from rural lifestyles to urban living has dramatically altered the way humans interact and live across the globe. With over 50% of the world's populations living within cities, and significant increases expected over the next 50 years, it is critical that changes to social, economic and environmental sustainability of cities globally be implicit. Protecting and enhancing aquatic ecosystems, which provide important ecosystem services, is challenging.