Assessing the potential of inorganic anions (Cl-, NO3-, SO42- and PO43-) to increase the bioaccessibility of emitted palladium in the environment: Experimental studies with soils and a Pd model substance

Recent Advances in Metal-Organic Framework (MOF)-Based Photocatalysts: Design Strategies and Applications in Heavy Metal Control

The heavy metal contamination of water systems has become a major environmental concern worldwide. Photocatalysis using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has emerged as a promising approach for heavy metal remediation, owing to the ability of MOFs to fully degrade contaminants through redox reactions that are driven by photogenerated charge carriers. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of recent developments in MOF-based photocatalysts for removing and decontaminating heavy metals from water. The tunable nature of MOFs allows the rational design of composition and features to enhance light harvesting, charge separation, pollutant absorptivity, and photocatalytic activities. Key strategies employed include metal coordination tuning, organic ligand functionalization, heteroatom doping, plasmonic nanoparticle incorporation, defect engineering, and morphology control. The mechanisms involved in the interactions between MOF photocatalysts and heavy metal contaminants are discussed, including light absorption, charge carrier separation, metal ion adsorption, and photocatalytic redox reactions. The review highlights diverse applications of MOF photocatalysts in treating heavy metals such as lead, mercury, chromium, cadmium, silver, arsenic, nickel, etc. in water remediation. Kinetic modeling provides vital insights into the complex interplay between coupled processes such as adsorption and photocatalytic degradation that influence treatment efficiency. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is also crucial for evaluating the sustainability of MOF-based technologies. By elucidating the latest advances, current challenges, and future opportunities, this review provides insights into the potential of MOF-based photocatalysts as a sustainable technology for addressing the critical issue of heavy metal pollution in water systems. Ongoing efforts are needed to address the issues of stability, recyclability, scalable synthesis, and practical reactor engineering.

Variation in the concentration of particulate Pd in the Nandu River Estuary during spring-neap tides

Estuaries are environmental systems with great resource potential and environmental benefits. This study investigates the role of particulate palladium (Pd) in the Nandu River Estuary in the enrichment of estuarine geochemical processes during spring-neap tides. Particulate Pd was found to show different characteristics during spring-neap tides, with the hydrodynamic condition being one of the key factors causing the difference. In addition, particulate Pd showed a decreasing trend while moving from the mouth to the upstream. The highest value of particulate Pd was 35.32 ng L^-1, which occurred at the intersection of the mainstream and the branch during the neap tide, and the lowest value was 0.86 ng·L^-1, which occurred in the far mouth area during the spring tide. The concentrations of particulate Pd during the neap and spring tides were 5.53 (1.01-35.32) ng·L^-1 and 2.33 (0.86-5.22) ng·L^-1, respectively. With the exception of stations 1, 5, 10, 11, and 15, the concentration of particulate Pd during the neap tide was greater than that during the spring tide. The variation in the particulate Pd was inconsistent between the spring tide and the neap tide, and the fluctuation in each study section during the neap tide was greater than that during the spring tide. In addition, since the emissions from catalytic converter are in the form of nanoparticles, they are difficult to be dissolve in natural water, and therefore, the concentration of particulate Pd was obviously greater in the waters near large bridges and main roads. An analysis of the physical and chemical properties of the water showed that Cl^- easily combined with dissolved Pd and was one of the important factors that affected the concentration of particulate Pd. In addition, DO and Eh had little effect on the change in the particulate Pd during the tidal cycle, and pH had a significant positive correlation with particulate Pd.

Solid-liquid partitioning and variation of palladium in rainfall runoff

Palladium (Pd) is most widely used in the production of automotive catalytic converters that serve to reduce toxic emissions from motor vehicles. The aim of this study was to analyze the solid-liquid partitioning and dynamic variation of Pd in rainfall runoff. The results showed that the partition coefficients (K) of Pd ranged from 0.05 to 8.55. Transport via suspended particulate matter as the main carrier was the main form of Pd migration in rainfall runoff. Pd phase distribution exhibited complex dynamic variations. The variation in Pd could be roughly divided into three categories, namely the W, M and N types, and the semi-U type was also observed. Rainfall characteristics and microenvironmental factors had a profound effect on Pd phase distribution in the first flush runoff. Under the influence of multifactor coupling, the impact of water quality parameters such as pH, Eh and Cl^- on Pd partitioning was significantly weakened.

The effect of rainfall runoff on phase partition of palladium in receiving water bodies and the underlying influential mechanism

The influx of rainfall runoff intensifies phase partition of the pollutant in receiving water bodies, and the phase partition plays an important role in the speciation transformation and spatial partition of pollutants. In this study, the Meishe River on Hainan Island, China, was adopted as the research area, and palladium (Pd) was selected as the target pollutant. The purpose of this study was to explore phase partition of Pd in receiving water bodies and the underlying influential mechanism. The partition coefficients (K_ds) of Pd between water and suspended particulate matter in receiving water bodies and rainfall runoff were 0.74 (0.1 × 10^-2 - 8.75) and 2.74 (0.5 × 10^-2 - 15.70), respectively. These results indicated that Pd dominated the dissolved phase in the receiving water bodies and that Pd dominated the particulate phase in rainfall runoff. Variations in the K_d value of Pd in the receiving water bodies were relatively smooth over time during the precipitation events in May and June. There were no significant differences in phase partition of Pd between the receiving water bodies and rainfall runoff. The K_d value for Pd in the receiving water bodies showed a fluctuating upward trend over time during the precipitation events in August, and the difference in K_d values of Pd between the receiving water bodies and the rainfall runoff were large. Variations in the K_d value of Pd among sections of the receiving water bodies could be roughly divided into two categories, namely, U and inverted-U types. After rainfall runoff converged for 20-25 min, the Pd phase transitions were more frequent within 7 m downstream of the outfall. The K_d value of Pd in the receiving water bodies was correlated with pH, Eh, and total suspended solid (TSS), and the correlation coefficients were 0.52, -0.57, and 0.84, respectively (p < 0.05). Compared with rainfall runoff, pH, Eh, TSS had less influence on phase partition of Pd in receiving water bodies. This might be attributed to the dilution effect of natural water and the unique dynamic mechanism of rivers.

Analysis of the palladium response relationship of a receiving water body under multiple scenario changes in rainfall-runoff pollution

Urban rainfall-runoff pollution is one of the main reasons for the deterioration of the receiving water quality. In this study, the lower reaches of the Meishe River on Hainan Island, China were adopted as the research area, and palladium (Pd) was selected as the target pollutant. The purpose of this study was to construct an input response model and to examine the Pd response relationship of receiving water bodies under multiple scenario changes of rainfall-runoff pollution combined with scenario analysis methods. The results showed that the mean absolute percent error (MAPE) and relative mean square error (RMSE) of the input response model were within 15%, which demonstrated the reliability of the model when applied to the simulation of the response of Pd in receiving water bodies to rainfall runoff. The dissolved Pd concentration in the receiving water body decreased in the following order: the moderate rain scenario > rainstorm scenario > the heavy rain scenario. The suspended Pd concentration in the receiving water body first increased and then decreased, and its decay rate was closely related to rainfall intensity and duration. Under the heavy rain and rainstorm scenarios, within 20 m downstream from the outfall, the occurrence time of the maximum suspended Pd concentration in the receiving water body was inversely proportional to the distance. The number of previous clear days was inversely proportional to the dissolved Pd concentration in the receiving water body and proportional to the suspended Pd concentration in the receiving water body. Under the short period of previous clear day scenario, the maximum suspended Pd concentration in each section of the receiving water body appeared earlier than that under the moderate and long periods of previous clear day scenarios.

Platinum group elements contamination in soils: Review of the current state

Platinum group elements (PGE: Ru, Rh, Pd, Os Ir, Pt) are rare metals with low abundance in the continental crust. The elements of the palladium subgroup of PGE (PPGE: Pt, Pd, Rh) have been exploited more and more over the last thirty years for their physicochemical properties such as high melting point, high resistance to corrosion, mechanical strength and ductility. This led to emerging environmental contamination in different media such as air, road dust, soil, sediment, vegetation, and snow. The aim of this review is to summarize the available data on soil contamination by PPGE and its potential environmental impact. In this paper, the environmental issue of PPGE is discussed with regard to their anthropogenic emission and fate, which includes speciation, possible transformations into bioavailable forms and toxicity. Soil contamination by PPGE is described taking into account urban and non-urban areas. The analytical determination process is also discussed.

Response of palladium in receiving water bodies to rainfall-runoff

Palladium (Pd) is widely used in automotive catalytic converters to reduce toxic gas emissions. The input of Pd in the rainfall-runoff is an important contributing factor to the accumulation of Pd in receiving water bodies. In this study, the Meishe River in Haikou, Hainan Province, China, was used as the research area, and palladium (Pd) was selected as the target pollutant. This study explored the response of Pd in the receiving water body to rainfall-runoff and to analyze the influencing factors. The results showed that the dissolved Pd concentration in the receiving water body had a corresponding relationship with that in rainfall-runoff. The response of suspended Pd in the receiving water body to rainfall-runoff was closely related to the location of the drainage outlet. Compared with that of suspended Pd, the response of dissolved Pd in the receiving water body to that in the rainfall-runoff was more obvious. Seven meters downstream from the outfall was the most sensitive response distance of dissolved Pd in receiving water bodies to rainfall-runoff, and the response time was approximately 0-10 min. The suspended Pd at 3 m downstream from the outfall also had a certain response to the rainfall-runoff, and the response time was approximately 15-25 min. The response time of the suspended Pd in the receiving water body depended largely on the first flush ability of the runoff. There was a moderately positive correlation between the dissolved Pd and Cl^- in the receiving water body (r = 0.687; p < 0.05). The effects of pH, Eh, and total suspended solids (TSS) on suspended Pd were reduced in the response process of the receiving water body. The synergistic effect of multiple factors increased the uncertainty of the Pd response.

Search for effective eluent for Pd separation on ion-exchange sorbent before voltammetric determination

Determination of Pd traces in environmental samples is still a challenging analytical task. The aim of this study was to propose an efficient system (i.e. ion-exchange resin and eluent) for Pd elution from SPE column after the analyte preconcentration. Moreover, the search was focused on solvents that would not interfere voltammetric determination of Pd, as well as ICP-MS analysis. Five ion-exchange sorbents were compared in terms of effective Pd separation from matrix components when using different eluents. The highest recovery (up to 91%) of palladium was obtained for Dowex 1 and ammonium buffer as the eluent. This solution not only provides relatively high palladium elution efficiency but also allows both voltammetric and ICP-MS determinations, without any additional sample preparation. It was proven that the proposed procedure including SPE separation and determination with AdSV and/or ICP-MS could be used for quantitative Pd measurement in environmental samples, such as quartz sand used for the monitoring of Pd emission in the areas of high traffic density.

Dynamic change in particulate palladium concentrations in a mangrove wetland water environment and its mechanism in Dongzhai Harbor, China

Palladium (Pd), in platinum group elements (PGEs), is widely used as a catalyst in vehicle exhaust catalytic converters (VECs). The cumulative level of Pd in the environment is growing rapidly, and the potential threat to human health is increasing. In this paper, the mangrove wetland in Dongzhai Harbor, Hainan Province, China, was taken as the research area for the collection of water samples. The particulate Pd was determined by microwave digestion and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The particulate Pd showed a decreasing trend from the estuary to offshore. The land origin of Pd in the mangrove wetland was explained. The Pd concentrations in the suspended state were lower in the wet season than in the dry season. Tide had an obvious influence on particulate Pd. The concentrations of particulate Pd at spring tide were higher than those at neap tide. The concentrations of particulate Pd at ebb tide were higher than those at flood tide. The rainfall intensity also had a strong influence on the particulate Pd. The particulate Pd increased after moderate and light rain but decreased after heavy rain. The pH, redox potential(Eh), and Cl^- had little effect on particulate Pd in the water environment. This study is helpful for understanding the environmental geochemical characteristics of Pd in mangrove wetlands and provides a theoretical basis for the study of Pd in urban coastal mangrove environment.

Variation in palladium and water quality parameters and their relationship in the urban water environment

Palladium (Pd) is widely used in vehicle exhaust catalysts (VECs) to reduce toxic emissions from motor vehicles. The study aimed to quantitatively determine Pd content and water quality parameters, to analyze the variation differences and to explore the effect of water quality parameters on Pd content in the urban water environment system (wet deposition-rainfall runoff-receiving water body-estuary) of the city of Haikou, Hainan Island, China. The method used in this study included microwave digestion under high pressure and temperature, analysis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, quality control of the experimental procedure and guaranteed recovery (85% -125%). The results showed that the dissolved Pd average content in the urban water environment system was the highest in rainfall runoff (4.93 ng/L), followed by that in the receiving water body (4.56 ng/L), and it was the lowest in wet deposition (0.1 ng/L). The suspended Pd average content was the highest in the estuary (2.83 ng/L), followed by that in rainfall runoff (1.26 ng/L), and it was the lowest in wet deposition (6 × 10^-4 ng/L). The particle-water partition ratio of the estuary Pd was the highest (1.26), followed by that of Pd in rainfall runoff (0.26). The particle-water partition ratio of the wet deposition Pd was the lowest (6 × 10^-3). The dissolved Pd was correlated with the pH, Cl^-, and total suspended solids (TSS) (correlation coefficient = 0.52, -0.68, 0.39, p < 0.05; regression coefficient = 1.27, -1.39, 0.01). The suspended Pd was only correlated with Cl^- and TSS (correlation coefficient = -0.36, 0.76, p < 0.05; regression coefficient = -1.45, 0.01). Cl^- and TSS were the most closely related to Pd in the water environment system. Although individual factors such as pH, Cl^-, and TSS had certain migration and transformation effects on Pd in the wet deposition-rainfall runoff-receiving water body-estuary system, the probability of strong correlations was not high. In particular, Eh was not related to the dissolved nor suspended Pd content (correlation coefficient = 0.14, 0.13), which may be due to the synergistic effect of the multiple physical factors on Pd. This study was helpful to better understand the environmental behavior of Pd and provided important theoretical support for the prevention and protection against urban water environmental pollution.

Palladium release from catalytic converter materials induced by road de-icer components chloride and ferrocyanide

Environmental levels of platinum group elements (PGEs) are rising due to emissions of vehicle catalytic converter (VCC) materials containing palladium, platinum and rhodium. When these PGE-containing VCC materials are exposed to soil and water, coordination complex formation with ligands present in the environment may mobilize PGEs into solution, particularly Pd. Road de-icing salt contains two ligands with high affinities for Pd²⁺: chloride (Cl^-) from NaCl and cyanide (CN^-) from ferrocyanide (Fe(CN)₆^4-) anti-caking agents. Batch leaching studies of VCC materials were conducted with solutions representative of de-icer-contaminated road runoff at pH 8 and room temperature for 48 h. Ferrocyanide (FC) concentrations of 0 μM, 1 μM, 2 μM and 10 μM were tested with background electrolyte concentrations of 0.028 M NaCl (1000 mg/L Cl^-) or 0.028 M NaClO₄. Palladium release increased with FC concentration, ranging from 0.014 ± 0.002 μM Pd without FC to 5.013 ± 0.002 μM Pd at 10 μM FC. At 0 μM, 1 μM and 2 μM FC, chloride induced further Pd release, but had no effect at 10 μM FC. PHREEQC modeling predicted that the predominant species present in equilibrium with Pd(OH)₂(s) were Pd(OH)₂⁰ and Pd(CN)₄^2-, and that PdCl_x^2-x complexes had only a minor effect on the total concentration of dissolved palladium. The effect of FC on Pd release was predicted but not the effect of Cl^-, indicating possible kinetic control. Platinum was measured above limits of detection (LODs) only at 10 μM FC, and rhodium levels were below LODs, consistent with their slower complexation kinetics.

Evaluation of phytotoxicity and cytotoxicity of industrial catalyst components (Fe, Cu, Ni, Rh and Pd): A case of lethal toxicity of a rhodium salt in terrestrial plants

Until recently, chemical derivatives of platinum group metals have not been in a systematic direct contact with living organisms. The situation has changed dramatically due to anthropogenic activity, which has led to significant redistribution of these metals in the biosphere. Millions of modern cars are equipped with automotive catalytic converters, which contain rhodium, palladium and platinum as active elements. Everyday usage of catalytic technologies promotes the propagation of catalyst components in the environment. Nevertheless, we still have not accumulated profound information on possible ecotoxic effects of these metal pollutants. In this study, we report a case of an extraordinarily rapid development of lethal toxicity of a rhodium (III) salt in the terrestrial plants Pisum sativum, Lupinus angustifolius and Cucumis sativus. The growth stage, at which the exposure occurred, had a crucial impact on the toxicity manifestation: at earlier stages, RhCl₃ killed the plants within 24 h. In contrast, the salt was relatively low-toxic in human fibroblasts. We also address phytotoxicity of other common metal pollutants, such as palladium, iron, nickel and copper, together with their cytotoxicity. None of the tested compounds exhibited phytotoxic effects comparable with that of RhCl_3. These results evidence the crucial deficiency in our knowledge on environmental dangers of newly widespread metal pollutants.

Enhanced release of palladium and platinum from catalytic converter materials exposed to ammonia and chloride bearing solutions

The environmental levels of platinum group elements (PGEs) are steadily rising, primarily due to exhaust emissions of vehicle catalytic converter (VCC) materials containing solid PGEs. Once these VCC materials reach soil and water, the PGEs may be transported in the form of nanoparticles (dimensions 1-100 nm) or they may be mobilized by forming coordination complexes with ligands in the environment. Chloride (Cl-) and ammonia (NH3) are two ligands of particular concern due to their ubiquity as well as their potential to form the chemotherapy drug cisplatin (Pt(NH3)2Cl2) or other potentially bioactive complexes. This initial study examines the release of Pd and Pt into solutions exposed to VCC materials at pH 8 and 25 °C, using elemental analysis of metal content in post-exposure extracts. The solutions had total ammonia nitrogen concentrations (TAN, [NH4+] + [NH3]) of 0 μM, 5.56 μM, 55.6 μM and 1.13 × 105 μM (0 ppm, 0.1 ppm, 1 ppm, and 2147 ppm). The former three represent background environmental levels had a minimal effect on release. However, when combined with 1.13 × 105 μM Cl- (4000 ppm Cl-), 55.6 μM TAN induced a marked increase in metal release (∼41× for Pd). High TAN solutions induced more Pd and Pt release than equimolar NaCl solutions. Materials characterization revealed that ∼4 nm palladium-containing nanoparticles were present, spatially associated with nanoparticles of γ-Al2O3; ceria-zirconia nanoparticles were also present but did not have any metal associated with them. Platinum-containing nanoparticles were not observed.

Mobility of traffic-related Pd and Pt species in soils evaluated by sequential extraction

The aim of this study was to evaluate the mobility of platinum (Pt) and palladium (Pd) emissions from automotive catalysts in soils and to contribute to the risk assessment of platinum group metals (PGMs) discharged from catalysts in the environment. To address this question, for the first time risk assessment code (RAC) was applied to consider the results from sequential extraction of different Pd and Pt species from soils. For this purpose, model soil samples were prepared spiking defined Pd or Pt species, respectively, at known concentrations. In order to mimic emitted species as well as possible transformation products of traffic-related Pd and Pt emissions in soils, coated and uncoated elemental nanoparticles (cPd/cPt NPs, Pd/Pt NPs) and ionic divalent metal species (Pd(II)/Pt(II)) were applied. All model samples were characterized in detail and the developed sequential extraction scheme was validated. RAC values ranged between 24 and 8% revealing medium to low risk. The order of mobility for the studied species was found to be Pt(II) > cPd NPs » Pd(II) > Pd NPs > Pt NPs > cPt NPs. Furthermore, migration of Pd species in gravity columns was studied confirming highest transport of cPd NPs.

An assessment of the inhalation bioaccessibility of platinum group elements in road dust using a simulated lung fluid

Metal enrichment of road dust is well characterized but available data on the bioaccessibility of metals in particle size fractions relevant to human respiratory health remain limited. The study goal was to investigate the bioaccessibility of platinum group elements (PGE), which are used as catalysts in automotive exhaust converters, in the inhalable fraction of road dust. Street sweepings were provided by the City of Toronto, Canada, collected as part of its Clean Roads to Clean Air program.The particle size relevance of road dust for inhalation exposures was confirmed using a laser diffraction particle size analyzer (mean Dx(50): 9.42 μm). Total PGE were determined in both bulk and inhalable fractions using nickel sulfide (NiS) fire-assay and instrumental neutron-activation analysis (INAA). PGE lung solubility was examined for the inhalable fraction using Gamble's extraction. Sample digests were co-precipitated with Te-Sn, to pre-concentrate and isolate PGE, prior to their measurement using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).Total PGE concentrations were enriched in the inhalable fraction of road sweepings. Geomean concentrations in the inhalable fraction were: palladium (Pd) (152 μg/kg), platinum (Pt) (55 μg/kg), rhodium (Rh) (21 μg/kg) and iridium (Ir) (0.23 μg/kg). Osmium (Os) concentrations were below the limit of detection (LOD). Bioaccessible PGEs (n = 16) using Gamble's solution were below LOD for Ir and ruthenium (Ru). For the remainder, the geomean % bioaccessibility was highest for platinum (16%), followed by rhodium (14%) and palladium (3.4%). This study provides evidence that PGE in road dust are bioaccessible in the human lung.

Tracing platinum accumulation kinetics in oyster Crassostrea gigas, a sentinel species in coastal marine environments

Platinum Group Elements (PGEs) are extremely scarce in the Earth's Crust and of strong interest for high-end technologies due to their specific properties. They belong to the Technology Critical Elements (TCEs) for which use is forecast to increase, implying growing emissions into the environment in the following years. In particular, with the intensive use of platinum (Pt) in car catalytic converters, the anthropogenic geochemical cycle of this element has surpassed the natural cycle. Yet, environmental Pt levels are still in the sub picomolar range, making its analytical detection a challenge. Few studies cover the behavior of Pt in marine waters in terms of speciation, reactivity and possible transfer to the biota. In this study, oysters (Crassostrea gigas) from an unpolluted estuary were exposed to the stable isotope ¹⁹⁴Pt in seawater at a range of concentrations during 35days. Seawater was renewed daily and spiked to three nominal Pt concentrations (50, 100, and 10,000ng·L^-1) for two replicate series. In addition, control conditions were monitored. Five oysters from each tank were dissected after 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35days of Pt exposure, and analyzed by ICP-MS. Accuracy of this analytical method applied to biological matrix was checked by an inter-method comparison with a voltammetrical technique. A concentration-dependent accumulation of Pt in oysters increasing with exposure time occurred. After 28days, oyster Pt accumulation from low and intermediate exposure conditions reached a plateau. This was not the case of the highest exposure condition for which oyster tissues showed increasing concentrations until the last day of the experiment. A linear correlation exists between seawater concentrations and Pt content in oysters for low and intermediate exposure concentrations i.e. closer to environmental concentrations. By showing high Pt accumulation potential, oysters may serve as sentinels, ensuring biomonitoring of Pt concentrations in marine coastal waters.