environmental-chemistry

Nature Communications, Published online: 15 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-74369-2 Catalyst fouling hinders oxidation-driven polymerization of organic pollutants. This study shows a facet-programmed BiOI/H2O2 system generating I2 in situ to drive solution-phase polymerization, eliminating fouling while enabling resource recovery.

Scientific Reports, Published online: 15 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41598-026-49163-1 Sunlight-activated carbon nanotubes for anionic dye removal: characterization, efficiency, and biological assessment against some aquaculture and human pathogenic bacteria

Study of mothers in Seattle underscores ‘widespread, systemic problem’ of chemical contamination, experts say Breast milk samples from mothers in Seattle contain alarming levels of dangerous hormone-disrupting chemicals, including BPA, BPS, melamine, cyanuric acid, and triclosan, new peer-reviewed research has found. The chemicals present a serious risk to infants because they likely interfere wi…

Researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have developed a computation-guided strategy to produce urea more efficiently from carbon dioxide and nitrate. By combining large language models, density functional theory calculations and experiments, the approach identified a cadmium-modified iron oxide catalyst that maintains high urea selectivity at practical current densities. Urea…

A cheap crystal of four common elements produces clean hydrogen from water at temperatures hundreds of degrees lower than older methods need.

Nature Communications, Published online: 13 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-74387-0 Okara, a major by-product of soybean processing, is generated at an estimated 140 million tonnes annually, with landfill disposal contributing to pollution and the loss of valuable organic resources. Conventional aerobic composting is land-intensive, slow, and associated with substantial greenhouse gas emissions…

Researchers have developed a solar-driven catalyst material that harnesses the energy of a single photon to reduce carbon dioxide and oxidize organic waste at the same time, producing valuable chemicals in both reactions. Scientists at the University of Nottingham have created two catalyst materials that, when coupled together within the same reactor, can simultaneously convert […]

Scientific Reports, Published online: 11 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41598-026-52640-2 Adsorption mechanisms of methylene blue and methyl orange on activated carbon: scientific interpretation and modeling simulation

I've recently come across a number of articles which suggest that car tires (and items made from recycled car tires, such as crumb rubber) may present a chemical hazard at various points throughout ...

Scientists find fog droplets host growing bacteria that may help clean polluted air.

A discarded plastic bottle and an old car battery do not seem to have much in common. Yet scientists have found a way to bring them together in an innovative process that produces hydrogen.

Nature Communications, Published online: 10 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-74182-x Organonitrogen electrosynthesis restores N cycle sustainably but is limited by asynchronous proton-electron transfer. Here, the authors report a synergistic proton-electron donor interface of protonated polyaniline/graphite, enabling dual-path nitrate reduction for high efficiency oxime production.

An overview of how heterogeneous metal-based nanocatalysts can hydrogenate nitroarenes to amino arenes has drawn a lot of interest because of its industrial significance as an intermediate in the production of plastics, as well as for the pharmaceutical, agrochemical and material sciences industries. Novel nanocatalysts, including noble (Pd, Pt, Au, Ru, Rh and Ag) and non-noble (Cu, Fe, Ni, Co an…

Tea choice significantly changes kombucha’s chemistry, flavor, and antioxidant potential, with green and oolong teas showing the strongest biological activity. Kombucha has surged in popularity worldwide in recent years, but researchers are looking beyond its flavor to better understand its chemistry and possible health-related properties. A team from the Wrocław University of Environmental and L…

Our ELI today is 'What am I made of? - a comparison between the chemistry of the human body and the rest of the Earth'. This activity compares the chemical elements that make up a human body with those that make up the Earth. Notes and possible answers to some of the questions are provided. Related activities can be found in Minerals and Elements in our Earth materials category.

The tool, a class project, estimates how hazardous vapors build up in enclosed spaces after a spill.

The chemical industry is involved in virtually every product we use in daily life. However, it is also responsible for a significant share of global CO₂ emissions. ETH researcher Ronja Rappold wants to change that. As an ETH Pioneer Fellow, she is developing microorganisms that convert CO₂ into usef...