Major contaminants of emerging concern in soils: a perspective on potential health risks

Abstract

Contaminants of emerging concern: sources, soil burden, human exposure, and toxicities.

In-soil degradation of polymer materials waste – A survey of different approaches in relation with environmental impact

“…A given pH favors specific microorganisms and enzymes, influencing the decomposition of a corresponding polymer, but the resulting degradation of by-products may change in turn the acido-basic equilibrium. The presence of other pollutants and additives may impact biodegradation by affecting the surface properties of polymers, as well as the soil texture, moisture content, pH, and biota (Maddela et al 2022;Sajjad et al 2022). Plastics themselves frequently contain various amounts and types of substances added to improve the resilience and practical performances of native polymer chains, which could significantly alter the biological degradative response (Allen and Edge 2020;Brdlik et al 2022;Hahladakis et al 2018;Hermabessiere et al 2022;Sridharan et al 2022).…”

Deashed Wheat-Straw Biochar as a Potential Superabsorbent for Pesticides

“…They have all been detected in aquatic environments and may cause ecological or human health impacts. Pesticides chosen for this study—2,4-D, MCPA, carbofuran, carbaryl and metolachlor—can all be classified as endocrine disruptors [ 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ], and soil is an important environmental sink for these substances [ 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 ]. They have distinct physiochemical properties, which is why finding a relatively recalcitrant biosorbent (as a filtering material or soil amendment) that will effectively immobilize both polar and hydrophobic organic xenobiotics is a challenge.…”

Editorial: Vermiremediation in contaminated soils: An approach for soil stabilization

“…Soil is the most important asset to the farmer because it is where all agricultural activities invariably take place. In the last 2-3 decades, soil has been contaminated by a multitude of contaminants; these include traditional contaminants, such as agrochemicals (pesticides and insecticides), and new emerging contaminants, such as microplastics, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), persistent organic pollutants (POPs), etc., which discharge potentially toxic elements and other poisonous material into the soil (Maddela et al, 2022). Potentially toxic elements in soil include both metals and metalloids, e.g., arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), and antimony (Sb) or micronutrients, e.g., chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn).…”