#EnvChem2021: Chemistry of the Whole Environment Research
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Tom Sizmur
University of Reading t.sizmur@reading.ac.uk |
Dominik Weiss
Imperial College London d.weiss@imperial.ac.uk |
ECG Bulletin January 2022
This one-day conference was held virtually on 9th June 2021, hosted by the Society of Chemical Industry (SCI) (https://www.soci.org) and organised by the SCI Environment, Health, Safety and Food groups and the RSC’s Environmental Chemistry, Toxicology, and Food Chemistry groups. The event was the second in a series started in June 2019. Aimed at the civil service, academia and industry, it seeks to address challenges around the current use of plastics, their toxicology and standardisation, the complex issues of sampling and analysis of plastic debris and the future of plastic usage.
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Now in its third year, #EnvChem is quickly becoming a destination for environmental chemists to showcase their latest findings. The delegates and speakers in 2021 were once again drawn from across the globe to join this conference, held online for the second year running. We received 67 abstracts and 244 registrations. A large portion of the audience comprised PhD students, with representative delegates from academia, industry, and regulatory agencies, as shown in the word cloud on the right. The presentations spanned the breadth of environmental chemistry, with the talks interspersed with three “creative display presentation” sessions akin to posters.
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Word cloud © H Gomes
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The first talk of the day was given by Borbála Szabó, who presented her work on inter-individual variance as a source of information in ecotoxicology (see pp. 23-24). While high variance is typically considered a nuisance, her work shows that valuable information can still be extracted from the data. Monitoring growth, reproduction and behaviour of Folsomia candida (Collembola) following exposure to sub-lethal doses of insecticide (Trebon 30 EC) showed consistent variance changes through generations in two parameters: clutch size and growth-reproduction trade-off. Next, Wojciech Mrozik presented on hazards from lithium-ion batteries, now found in many aspects of our lives, from portable electronic devices to electric vehicles. His investigations incorporated nail penetration experiments carried out at various stages of charge.
This was followed by the first creative display presentations in breakout rooms. Aaron G. Schultz presented his work on the developmental and cardiovascular toxicity of PVP-coated silver nanoparticles of different sizes (50nm and 5nm) and uncoated copper oxide nanoparticles on zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos.
Benjamin Bálint described his studies to determine the effects of selenium on F. candida (e.g. mortality, reproduction, lipid peroxidation) and to verify if there is a difference between the effects of the two selenium oxidation states. Friday Ojie Ehiguese discussed the effects of exposure to polycyclic compounds galaxolide and tonalide on clams (Ruditapes philippinarum). A battery of biomarkers were measured in digestive glands related with xenobiotics detoxification, oxidative stress, and genotoxicity. Harriet Sleight described a study aimed to systematically review and analyse all of the existing empirical data for the uptake of pharmaceuticals in terrestrial crops. Hattie Brunning presented her work on identifying water-soluble polymers used in common UK household products and disposed down the drain, and on assessing the resulting environmental exposure and risk (see pp. 25-26). Huan V. Doan reported on the synthesis of a novel complex metal-organic framework from waste feedstock which exhibited excellent catalytic performance in the photodegradation of toxic pollutants (e.g. anionic azo dyes) in water. Neha Mehta explored the feasibility of biomethane for the decarbonisation of heat generation in Northern Ireland. Alice Marshall presented a high-resolution assessment of plant uptake and distribution of priority compounds via the novel application of single-cell mass spectrometry. Jay C. Bullen described a study on arsenic detection in contaminated groundwater in Mexico using a low-cost, commercial, open-source potentiostat based on Arduino technology. Niall Marsay reported on the development of a rapid non-invasive tool for assessing the presence and recovery of heavy metals and complex chemical mixtures from brownfield sites. The current surveying method involves collecting samples that are then sent to an accredited laboratory for ICP and GC-MS analysis. Portable visible-near infrared (Vis-NIR) and mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIR) show promise as a rapid, low-cost method to speed up the first stages of site surveying.
Benjamin Bálint described his studies to determine the effects of selenium on F. candida (e.g. mortality, reproduction, lipid peroxidation) and to verify if there is a difference between the effects of the two selenium oxidation states. Friday Ojie Ehiguese discussed the effects of exposure to polycyclic compounds galaxolide and tonalide on clams (Ruditapes philippinarum). A battery of biomarkers were measured in digestive glands related with xenobiotics detoxification, oxidative stress, and genotoxicity. Harriet Sleight described a study aimed to systematically review and analyse all of the existing empirical data for the uptake of pharmaceuticals in terrestrial crops. Hattie Brunning presented her work on identifying water-soluble polymers used in common UK household products and disposed down the drain, and on assessing the resulting environmental exposure and risk (see pp. 25-26). Huan V. Doan reported on the synthesis of a novel complex metal-organic framework from waste feedstock which exhibited excellent catalytic performance in the photodegradation of toxic pollutants (e.g. anionic azo dyes) in water. Neha Mehta explored the feasibility of biomethane for the decarbonisation of heat generation in Northern Ireland. Alice Marshall presented a high-resolution assessment of plant uptake and distribution of priority compounds via the novel application of single-cell mass spectrometry. Jay C. Bullen described a study on arsenic detection in contaminated groundwater in Mexico using a low-cost, commercial, open-source potentiostat based on Arduino technology. Niall Marsay reported on the development of a rapid non-invasive tool for assessing the presence and recovery of heavy metals and complex chemical mixtures from brownfield sites. The current surveying method involves collecting samples that are then sent to an accredited laboratory for ICP and GC-MS analysis. Portable visible-near infrared (Vis-NIR) and mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIR) show promise as a rapid, low-cost method to speed up the first stages of site surveying.
Back in the main room, and after a short break, Marc Fadel delivered a talk on his work on characterising the chemical composition and health risk of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from samples collected for a year in two urban sites under industrial influence in Lebanon. Celeste Felion described how trace analysis of organic micropollutants in environmental research and monitoring currently relies on chromatographic techniques, which can be expensive to implement and operate (see pp. 27-28). Her group developed a simple colorimetric assay based on gold nanoparticles using an available aptamer to monitor 17β-estradiol biodegradation.
The first keynote speaker, Dr Helena Gomes (University of Nottingham) then delivered a presentation on waste resource recovery, framing her talk on the transition from a linear to a circular economy and the obstacles to this process. She focused on a few key case studies, including vanadium, a critical raw material used in redox flow batteries that is also an emerging contaminant. Technologies for the recovery of vanadium from waste streams were introduced, such as microorganisms for increasing metal solubilisation for enhanced bioleaching from steel slag and municipal solid waste incineration residues. Dr Gomes’ interactive talk employed the ‘Mentimeter’ app to collect audience opinions at key points.
After lunch, Albern Tan presented his work on the removal of phosphate dissolved in water. Phosphate is a key pollutant contributing to eutrophication, which in turn leads to algal blooms that harm ecosystems and impact water quality. Novel mineral-hydrogel composites of calcium alginate, calcium phosphate, and wollastonite, a naturally occurring calcium silicate mineral, were synthesised and tested to provide new sustainable ways to remove and control phosphate in water. Then, Alexander Tait described his work investigating the chemical speciation of mercury in a contaminated canal bed sediment from the River Weaver (Cheshire, UK) using a sequential extraction procedure in combination with ICP-MS and XAFS, with a view to establish the impact of iron nanoparticles and biostimulation.
This was followed by our second round of creative display presentations. Theodora Nah presented her research on the formation of light absorbing secondary organic aerosols (brown carbon) from the aqueous-phase nitrate-mediated photooxidation of phenolic compounds. Megan Griffiths reported on the acute toxicity and risk of individual plant-produced alkaloids to Daphnia magna, focusing on the longer term reproductive effects of a representative alkaloid, sparteine. Shweta Gehlout investigated two kinds of agriculturally-relevant iron oxide nanoparticles, biogenic and chemically synthesised, for their potential acute and sub-lethal effects on zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos at increasing test concentrations. Alexandra Richardson described the development and application of a miniaturised 3D-printed passive sampler device for monitoring of emerging contaminants of concern in river water. Astrid Solvåg Nesse focused on developing a method for the quantitative determination of 16 antibiotics and steroid hormones and applied it to digestates from 14 Norwegian commercial biogas plants. Kerry Sims presented the recently developed Prioritisation and Early Warning System (PEWS) for chemicals of emerging concern in England. PEWS was created by assessing each substance in terms of its use, fate and ecotoxicology to ensure the appropriate regulatory focus on individual and groups of substances of emerging concern. Ahmed Shalan described his research on Ag-CdSe/GO nanocomposites in cellulose acetate (Ag-CdSe/GO@CA) and their characterisation in terms of structural, morphological, and photocatalytic properties, with the aim to use them to aid the photochemical degradation of malachite green in wastewater treatment. Samantha Richardson presented on the development of a simple paper-based microfluidic device for the detection of phosphates in freshwater systems, suitable for citizen-led real-world monitoring.
Celeste Magallanes focused on the detection of Pb2+ in water by means of polyelectrolyte assemblies constructed by a drop casting technique on screen-printed electrodes. She used electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) for the final characterisation of the system after the interaction of Pb2+ with the polyelectrolyte assemblies. Sophie Purser introduced the use of Laser Dispersion Spectroscopy (LDS) for ambient emissions monitoring. LDS is capable of providing continuous measurements in real time across an area of ~ 1km2 in almost all weather conditions with a precision below 5 ppb.
After the break, Helena Rapp Wright presented her results from a year-long study and risk assessment of contaminants of emerging concern at ng/L to µg/L concentrations in a range of aquatic matrices in Ireland. Samples for surface waters and wastewater (both influent and effluent) were collected monthly for a year from a rural and an urban influenced area in Ireland.
This was followed by the third and final set of creative display presentations. Luke Woodliffe discussed the synthesis and characterisation of magnetic framework composites for carbon capture, focusing on porous and non-porous microspheres, their surface functionalisation and induction heating studies. Alejandra Bouzas-Monroy used global monitoring data to assess the ecotoxicological risks of pharmaceuticals in rivers. Katie O’Rourke assessed both acute and chronic effects of several pharmaceuticals (diclofenac, metformin, carbamazepine and gabapentin) and their mixtures on the physiology of Daphnia magna. Mathavan Vickneswaran reported on the best methods to extract targeted pesticide analytes from the soil samples, focusing in particular on comparing the QuEChERS and Dutch Mini-Luke extraction methods. Melanie Egli used rapid direct injection LC-MS/MS to investigate the contamination of the river Thames and five of its tributaries in 2019 and 2020, and to assess the environmental impact of the pandemic on detected levels of antidepressants, pain, and anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), and pesticides in river water. Narinj Taghiyeva described the removal of pesticides from aqueous solution using a modified montmorillonite (MMT) clay. The potential of acid- and base-activated MMTs for removing benzofuranyl methyl carbamate was tested against non-activated MMT in batch experiments. Ping-I Chou investigated the effects of bicarbonate on arsenic mobilisation in managed aquifer recharge systems. The effects of different bicarbonate concentrations (0.01 mM, 0.1 mM, 1 mM, and 10 mM) on the dissolution of arsenopyrite and the formation of nanoscale iron-containing secondary minerals were assessed. Rachel Little presented laboratory experiments to determine the rate of aqueous photolytic degradation of metronidazole and its products. Kate Fell discussed the novel use of a sonotrode device, which applies indirect sonication without being directly submerged in the sample, for extraction of emerging pharmaceutical compounds in biosolid samples (see pp. 29-30). Shuai Guo investigated the distribution and retained amount of benzo[a]pyrene in mangrove leaf surfaces in situ using a novel confocal microscopic fluorescence spectral analysis (CMFSA) system, focusing on Kandelia obovata, Aegiceras corniculatum and Avicennia marina leaves.
To close the conference, Dr Zhugen Yang (Cranfield University) provided a keynote presentation on the use of paper-based devices for the rapid diagnosis of wastewater-based epidemiology. This timely talk covered sensitive, rapid, and low cost sensors that can operate with no tubing, no power, and work by lateral flow capillary forces, and are thus ideal for deployment in low resource settings. Dr Yang’s research is at the forefront of innovative wastewater testing for SARS CoV-2. There are many advantages over standard techniques, which require samples to be collected and transported to labs prior to concentration, RNA extraction, molecular detection, and data analysis using sophisticated equipment. Dr Yang also provided a number of other applications for his devices, such as the detection of malaria or illicit drugs.
A two-day meeting organised by the ECG of the RSC and the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry with a hybrid component.
Where: University of York When: 13th-15th July 2022
Where: University of York When: 13th-15th July 2022
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#EnvChem2022 provides forum for early career and established researchers working in environmental chemistry and ecotoxicology, to share latest findings.
Themes
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Key dates
Abstract submission deadline: 1st March 2022 Early bird registration deadline: 15th April 2022 Standard registration deadline: 13th June 2022 Registration Fees incl. conference dinner. Non-member in brackets. Early bird: £165 (£200) Early bird student: £140 Standard: £215 (£240) Online only: £65 (£80) |
