Environmental Science and Pollution Research

Pan, Shouhui; Guo, Chongtao; Zhang, Hai; Cen, Hao; Zhang, Quan; Dai, Fei; Li, Congyong; Yang, Qing; Zhang, Zhouqiong; Yin, Wang; Deng, Renju

doi: 10.1007/s11356-026-37849-ypmid: 42189469

Planarians, distinguished by their extraordinary regenerative capacity and ecological role as benthic predators, have emerged as a transformative model in ecotoxicology. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of research on the effects of diverse classes of pollutants, including metals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, nanomaterials, and a dedicated category of “other pollutants,” namely biotoxins and physical stressors, on these organisms. We introduce a novel conceptual framework of “regenerative toxicology,” which focuses on how contaminants impair an organism’s innate self-repair mechanisms. Our analysis reveals a convergent toxicity pattern: despite differing initial targets, most pollutants induced oxidative stress, which triggered cellular responses, including apoptosis, ultimately disrupting neoblast function and leading to failures in regeneration, behavior, and reproduction. A key advancement of this study is its emphasis on ecological realism and complex exposure scenarios. We critically evaluate the sensitivity of planarians to real-world environmental samples and highlight the significant implications of combined toxicity, such as the “Trojan horse” effect, in which microplastics increase the bioavailability of co-pollutants such as metals. This review further integrates methodological innovations, from multi-endpoint behavioral assays to multi-omics and AI-driven predictive modelling, while underscoring the urgent need for standardization in culture and testing methods. By bridging molecular mechanisms with individual and potential population-level outcomes, the planarian model offers a unique, cost-effective platform for assessing the sublethal and long-term hazards of environmental pollution. This review establishes planarians as an indispensable tool for elucidating the consequences of contaminants on tissue homeostasis and ecosystem health, thereby informing more robust environmental risk assessments.

Sudiartha, Gede Adi Wiguna; Effendi, Nelson Darma; Anugerahani, Hanna; Nurkolis, Fahrul

doi: 10.1007/s11356-026-37860-3pmid: 42207367

This review examines the growing concern over persistent, non-biodegradable micro- and nanopollutants in marine environments, driven largely by industrial activities, particularly manufacturing processes involving micro- and nanoparticles. Global oceans are increasingly burdened by complex mixtures of heavy metals, engineered nanomaterials (ENPs), and micro- to nanoplastics, all of which threaten ecosystem integrity and seafood safety. Heavy metals accumulate in sediments and marine organisms, enabling biomagnification through the food web. ENPs, with their nanoscale dimensions and unique physicochemical properties, are difficult to remove using conventional treatment methods. Micro- and nanoplastics worsen the problem by acting as vectors for toxic substances, enhancing their transport and bioavailability across trophic levels. Mitigating these pollutants demands integrated solutions. Advanced separation technologies, such as membrane filtration (MF, UF, NF), achieve high nanoparticle removal efficiency, while adsorption-based materials like MOFs and COFs effectively capture plastics and associated contaminants. Biological strategies, including enzymatic degradation by marine algae and their microbial consortia, offer sustainable, low-impact alternatives for long-term management. The combined application of physical, chemical, and biological interventions provides a multi-barrier defense, improving pollutant removal, reducing ecological risks, and supporting the restoration of marine ecosystem resilience.

Supaphol, Pitt

doi: 10.1007/s11356-026-37887-6pmid: 42223883

The escalating contamination of aquatic ecosystems with microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) presents unprecedented environmental and health challenges worldwide. Electrospun nanofiber membranes have emerged as promising materials to address this crisis through their unique structural properties, tunable surface chemistry, and versatile removal mechanisms. This comprehensive review examines recent advances in electrospun fiber-based technologies for MP/NP removal, encompassing fundamental electrospinning principles, polymer selection strategies, surface modification approaches, and multi-functional designs. We critically analyze removal mechanisms, including size exclusion, electrostatic interactions, hydrophobic associations, and photocatalytic degradation, while evaluating performance metrics across diverse polymer systems ranging from synthetic polyacrylonitrile and poly(vinylidene fluoride) to bio-based cellulose and chitosan materials. Advanced functionalization strategies incorporating metal oxides, quaternary ammonium groups, and photocatalysts demonstrate remarkable synergistic effects, achieving removal efficiencies exceeding 99% for polystyrene particles of 0.1–25 µm in synthetic and doped natural water matrices under gravity-driven or low-pressure operation (0.04–0.7 bar). Reduced—but still > 85%—efficiencies are reported for sub-100 nm particles and for filtrations performed in real seawater and wastewater. The review addresses scalability challenges and environmental sustainability considerations aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including explicit linkage to SDG 6.3 wastewater-treatment targets, circular-economy principles, and the substantially lower energy footprint of gravity-driven electrospun membranes relative to reverse-osmosis systems. It also identifies critical research gaps requiring attention. Future directions emphasize integrated multi-functional platforms, green chemistry approaches, replacement of toxic solvents such as DMF by greener alternatives, melt electrospinning, and real-world validation to transition laboratory innovations toward practical implementation for safeguarding water quality and ecosystem health.Graphical Abstract[graphic not available: see fulltext]

Kumar, Devendra; S., Archana T.; Hijam, Richard Singh; Pranay, ; Kumar, Vipul

doi: 10.1007/s11356-026-37872-zpmid: 42228244

Micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) are emerging contaminants in soil ecosystems that influence microbial communities and key ecological processes through complex physicochemical and biological interactions. This review synthesizes current knowledge on MNP-microbe interactions, highlighting the central role of the eco-corona, which governs particle bioavailability and mediates interactions with microbial cells in realistic soil environments. At the nanoscale, MNPs exhibit distinct molecular mechanisms, including surface charge-driven interactions, hydrophobic insertion into lipid bilayers, and cellular internalization, leading to oxidative stress and membrane disruption. The formation of plastisphere biofilms is identified as a critical factor shaping microbial community dynamics and acting as a hotspot for antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) enrichment and horizontal gene transfer (HGT). In addition, the impacts of weathered plastics, additive leaching, and co-contaminant transport are discussed in relation to their enhanced ecological risks. The review also adopts a critical perspective on microbial degradation, distinguishing superficial surface modifications from true biodegradation involving polymer depolymerization and mineralization, and highlights the limited evidence for effective degradation of conventional plastics. Despite recent advances, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding long-term environmental behavior, standardized analytical approaches, and realistic soil conditions, underscoring the need for more integrated and mechanistic research to better understand the ecological implications of MNP contamination.Graphical abstract[graphic not available: see fulltext]

Borovkova, Aleksandra D.; Donets, Maksim M.; Belanov, Maksim A.; Masaleva, Kristina R.; Tsygankov, Vasiliy Yu.

doi: 10.1007/s11356-026-37895-6pmid: 42234376

The increasing pollution of the environment by anthropogenic xenobiotics poses a significant global threat. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), are of major concern due to their high toxicity, persistence, and capacity for long-range transport and bioaccumulation. Aquatic ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to POP contamination, which can lead to severe ecological degradation and human health risks. The International Mussel Watch program was established to monitor such contaminants in marine environments using bivalve mollusks as sensitive bioindicators. While the program has been active in the Asia-Pacific region (APR) for decades, a comprehensive synthesis of recent data is needed to assess current pollution status and trends. Here, we review recent data on POP levels in bivalves from the APR countries from 1989 to 2025. The major points are the following: (1) Marine ecosystems in the APR remain contaminated by POPs, with OCPs, particularly DDT and its metabolites, being dominant in many areas such as China, Thailand, and Indonesia; (2) PCB contamination is prominent in post-industrial nations like Japan and South Korea, but elevated levels are also found in some developing countries; (3) the qualitative composition of POPs is often dominated by degradation products, indicating historical contamination, though evidence of fresh inputs persists in some locations; (4) temporal trend analysis reveals a general decrease in POP concentrations in several countries, attributed to regulatory measures, yet increasing or stable trends are observed in others, highlighting the need for continued monitoring.

Balusamy, Mathivanan; Balasubramanian, Kumaragurubaran; Jesuretnam, Bensam Raj; Veerasigamani, Manieniyan

doi: 10.1007/s11356-026-37850-5pmid: 42183977

The depletion of fossil fuel attracts researchers to search for alternative fuels. Bio-fuels are gaining more attention nowadays due to their less pollution characteristics. Further, more energy can be extracted from it by adding nano-additives. In addition, thermal barrier coating of engine parts provides added advantages. In this current research, an attempt was made to study the influence of lanthanum zirconate thermal barrier coating and iron oxide on behavior of diesel engine driven by algae biodiesel (FAME). The engine was tested with different energy sources. The behavior of the engine was analyzed based on the experimental data by comparing the different fuels’ performance. Results showed that the nanoparticles showed significant influence on engine operation. Further, coating provided notable changes in performance of the engine in positive manner. The B20C/Fe2O3 explored the least BSFC (0.32 kg/kW h) plus maximum BTE of 34% by the BP of 5 kW. Further, the emissions were notably controlled in relation to diesel fuel.Graphical abstract[graphic not available: see fulltext]

Tan, Hung; Gore, Isabella; Sharp, Simon; Johnstone, Dean; Lewis, Phoebe; Mikkonen, Antti; Saaristo, Minna

doi: 10.1007/s11356-026-37864-zpmid: 42183978

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) present a significant environmental issue due to their widespread occurrence and potential toxicity to exposed organisms. Our study investigated PFAS concentrations present in a range of freshwater biota exposed to wastewater discharge and urban stormwater runoff from creeks and rivers in Victoria, Australia. We also assessed bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) in fish, and conducted a human health risk assessment. We sampled 18 sites located along seven waterways (4 effluent-receiving, 1 urban stormwater and 2 reference waterways) with three sampling locations at each of the polluted waterways: at the discharge point, and upstream and downstream of discharge. We analysed freshwater (n = 56), crustacea (n = 18), and fish (n = 242 from 12 species) samples for 32 PFAS. Our study shows that the concentrations and range of PFAS present were highest in samples from the urban stormwater waterway (mean ∑32PFAS water concentration = 0.12 µg/L), followed by the wastewater-exposed waterways (mean ∑32PFAS = 0.027 µg/L), and then the control reference waterways (mean ∑32PFAS = 0.0043 µg/L). The higher concentrations found in the urban waterway suggests that stormwater may be a greater source of PFAS pollution than wastewater discharges. Additionally, the highest BAFs were for PFOS, PFDA, and PFHxS, and occurred in fish with a carnivorous diet. Lastly, consumption of three portions of fish per week caught from the urban stormwater and several effluent-receiving waterways could result in exceedances of health-based guidance values for PFOS in children.

Ouahbi, Amina; Jrifi, Abderrahim; Bouari, Abdeslam El; Tanane, Omar

doi: 10.1007/s11356-026-37857-ypmid: 42189470

The rising global need for sustainable energy has driven the exploration of efficient and cost-effective pathways for producing biodiesel from renewable resources. This work presents the development of an enhanced solid catalyst (NES9-3) derived from a synergistic blend of eggshells and sardine scales (ES). Unlike conventional eggshell-derived calcium oxide (CaO) catalysts, which often suffer from rapid deactivation due to leaching, the incorporation of sardine scale-derived hydroxyapatite (HAP) introduces a synergistic effect, providing improved structural stability and partial resistance to catalyst deactivation. The 1:1 ES mixture was first thermally treated at 900 °C for 3 h to obtain the ES9-3 catalyst, which served as a reference catalyst. A subsequent hydration–dehydration–recalcination process was employed to produce the NES9-3 catalyst, aiming to generate a more porous structure with increased surface area and enhanced catalytic activity. Structural characterization using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM–EDS), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis confirmed significant phase transformations, enhanced textural properties, and reduced crystallite size following the modification treatment. The transesterification of waste frying oil (WFO) was optimized using response surface methodology. Under the optimized conditions (2.97 wt% catalyst, 12.35:1 methanol-to-oil molar ratio, and 3.02 h reaction time), the NES9-3 catalyst achieved a biodiesel yield of 93.72% with a conversion efficiency of 97.29%, as confirmed by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR). In contrast, ES9-3 exhibited a lower yield of 85.8% under identical conditions and required a longer reaction time and higher methanol consumption to achieve an 89% yield. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis confirmed the formation of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), and the resulting biodiesel complied with ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 fuel standards. This study demonstrates that coupling CaO with hydroxyapatite, followed by hydration–dehydration modification, provides a strategy to partially mitigate catalyst deactivation and improve catalytic efficiency, offering a sustainable and economically viable approach for biodiesel production within a circular bioeconomy framework.

Biru, Tewodros Birhan; Yimer, Tamrat Tesfaye; Tadesse, Melkie Getnet; Kayakada, Murugesh Babu

doi: 10.1007/s11356-026-37858-xpmid: 42189472

The treatment of textile wastewater sludge (TWS) and cattle manure (CM) is a serious environmental concern because of their high organic content, toxic compounds, and potential greenhouse gas emissions. This study explores the feasibility and optimization of co-digesting TWS and CM in an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor for improved biogas yield, process efficiency, and digestate quality. Two laboratory-scale UASB reactors with a working capacity of 5 L each were maintained at mesophilic temperatures (35 ± 1 °C) with varying proportions of textile wastewater sludge to cattle manure (TWS:CM = 75:25, 50:50, and 25:75, based on volatile solids). The ratios (TWS:CM) represent the proportion of textile wastewater sludge to cattle manure on a volatile solids (VS) basis. The influence of rice straw biochar amendment (2 g L⁻1) on reactor performance and digestion kinetics was also investigated. The best proportion of co-digestion was found to be 25:75 (TWS), which resulted in a maximum chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal of 94.2% and biogas production rate of 1.62 L L⁻1 reactor d⁻1, with methane concentration varying between 68 and 72%. Biochar addition increased methane production by up to 80% compared to the least efficient substrate ratio and shortened the lag period of methanogenesis by 64%, as modeled by the modified Gompertz equation. Analysis of heavy metals showed efficient stabilization of Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni, and Pb in the digestate. The concentrations of these heavy metals were found to be below the international regulatory limits for agricultural use. The findings of this study demonstrate the synergistic effects of co-digestion and biochar addition in UASB reactors and provide a viable circular economy strategy for the production of renewable energy and bioresources from industrial and agricultural wastes.