Chiara Sarti

Soil heavy metal contamination poses a major environmental threat, negatively impacting ecosystems, agricultural productivity, and human health. Phytoremediation offers eco-sustainable alternatives to conventional remediation techniques by employing plant species capable of extracting and stabilizing pollutants. This study assesses the potential of Cannabis sativa L. var. ‘Carmagnola’ for the remediation of Pb, Cr, Cu, and Ni from four different growth substrates. This species was selected for its high biomass yield, tolerance to toxic environments, and capacity for heavy metal accumulation. Experimental results showed that the composition of the growing substrate significantly affected HM uptake, with higher accumulation occurring in less compact mixed substrates. HM removal from contaminated growth substrates varied between 55 and 75% for Cr, 60–78% for Ni, 32–86% for Cu and 43–84% for Pb after four months of growth in a greenhouse environment. In addition to pollutant removal efficiency, the study explored thermochemical harvested biomass post-processing via pyrolysis in order to produce biochar, a material with recognized agronomic beneficial properties and positive environmental value. Biochar generated from harvested biomass after phytoremediation tests showed residual HM content lower than the applicable EU thresholds for agricultural soil amendment. Integrating bioremediation with biochar production can promote a circular bioeconomy approach to environmental restoration, by transforming contaminated residual biomass into a useful resource rather than waste. These findings support the feasibility potential of coupling C. sativa phytoremediation and biochar production as an environmentally sustainable strategy for large-scale remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils.

Decentralized graywater treatment using nature-based systems represents a sustainable, low-energy alternative to centralized wastewater technologies, particularly in water-scarce regions. This study evaluates the performance of a rain-garden-based constructed wetland implemented at Zain Park in Jerash, Jordan, for on-site graywater treatment and potential non-potable reuse. The system consists of two filtration beds with multi-layer gravel–sand media planted with ornamental vegetation to promote physical filtration, adsorption, and biologically mediated transformations. Influent and effluent samples were monitored monthly from April 2024 to January 2025 and analyzed for biodegradable and oxidizable organic fractions (BOD₅ and COD), nutrients (TN, PO₄³⁻), suspended solids, turbidity, salinity indicators, and microbial parameters (E. coli and total coliform). Average removal efficiencies reached 98% for BOD and 96% for COD, while turbidity and TSS were reduced by more than 96%, indicating effective organic degradation and particulate retention. Nutrient removal was moderate, with 40% reduction in Total Nitrogen and 74% in nitrate, reflecting partial nitrification–denitrification and plant uptake. Microbial removal was variable, with an average reduction of 0.8 log₁₀ (64.7%) for E. coli and 1.1 log₁₀ (82.6%) for total coliforms, indicating that passive filtration alone may not ensure complete pathogen attenuation. Post-treatment disinfection and substrate enhancements (aeration and plant selection) can strengthen system efficiency and support sustainable graywater reuse in water-stressed regions, contributing directly to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). These findings support the applicability of compact constructed wetland systems as decentralized wastewater treatment solutions in arid and semi-arid urban environments.

A holistic investigation of legacy persistent organic pollutants and contaminants of emerging concern was conducted for 14 biota samples collected from Antarctica between 2018 and 2020. The sample set included sea stars, sea urchins, macrophytes, fish muscle, seal muscle and placenta, and penguin muscle and eggs. The four Water Framework Directive heavy metals (lead, cadmium, nickel, and mercury) were present in all samples. Organophosphorus flame retardants and brominated flame retardants were detected sporadically at low concentration levels (below 0.7 ng/g ww). Isomers of Dechlorane Plus were not detected (< 0.01 ng/g ww). In contrast, dioxins, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated bisphenols (PCBs) were frequently detected. The highest concentration was observed for PCBs, specifically PCB118 (up to 2,478 ng/g ww) and PCB105 (up to 977 ng/g ww). Wide-scope target screening of 2,236 compounds and suspect screening of 65,591 compounds were performed. Thirty-three contaminants from various chemical classes were detected through wide-scope target screening, of which 42% were pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) and 30% were industrial chemicals (ICs) and their transformation products. An additional 55 compounds were identified through suspect screening, with PPCPs and ICs each accounting for 26 compounds. Most of the identified compounds are registered as REACH substances by the European Chemicals Agency, with some produced in very high volumes, exceeding 1,000,000 tonnes. Contaminant levels in Antarctic biota samples were lower than those reported in similar European studies, such as those conducted in the Danube River Basin.

The persistence of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in the environment and the associated toxicological risks have made the development of efficient and rapid detection methods increasingly urgent. Despite regulatory mitigation action in many countries, BFRs such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) continue to threaten ecosystems due to their resistance to degradation. BFRs persist in air, water, soil, and sediments, and bioaccumulate in the food chain, leading to prolonged exposure risks for both humans and wildlife. Additionally, in regions with less stringent regulations, products containing BFRs are still being manufactured, posing a challenge for customs agencies responsible for regulating imports. This scenario underscores the urgent need for rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective methods to monitor BFRs in commercial products and environmental matrices. Biosensors present a promising solution, offering rapid detection and screening of BFR contamination at trace levels. Their ability to provide accurate, real-time data makes them invaluable for environmental monitoring, product safety, and regulatory compliance. This review explores the recent advancements in biosensor technology for BFR detection, highlighting their potential for improving environmental and human health protection but also underlining the specific areas that require further research.

Among microplastics (MPs), fibers are one of the most abundant shapes encountered in the aquatic environment. Growing attention is being focused on this typology of particles since they are considered an important form of marine contamination. Information about microfibers distribution in the Mediterranean Sea is still limited and the increasing evidence of the high amount of fibers in the aquatic environment should lead to a different classification from MPs which, by definition, are composed only of synthetic materials and not natural. In the past, cellulosic fibers (natural and regenerated) have been likely included in the synthetic realm by hundreds of studies, inflating “micro-plastic” counts in both environmental matrices and organisms. Comparisons are often hampered because many of the available studies have explicitly excluded the micro-fibers (MFs) content due, for example, to methodological problems. Considering the abundance of micro-fibers in the environment, a chemical composition analysis is fundamental for toxicological assessments. Overall, the results of this review work provide the basis to monitor and mitigate the impacts of microfiber pollution on the sea ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea, which can be used to investigate other basins of the world for future risk assessment.