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The diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) technique serves as a passive sampling method, inducing analyte transport and concentration. Its application is widespread in assessing labile components of metals, organic matter, and nutrients across various environmental media such as water, sediments, and saturated soils. The DGT devices effectively reduce the porewater concentration through irreversible binding of solutes, consequently promoting the release of labile species from the soil/sediment solid phase. However, the precise quantification of simultaneous adsorption and desorption of labile species using DGT devices alone remains a challenge. To address this challenge, the DGT-Induced Fluxes in Soils and Sediments (DIFS) model was developed. This model simulates analyte kinetics in solid phases, solutions, and binding resins by incorporating factors such as soil properties, resupply parameters, and kinetic principles. While the DIFS model has been iteratively improved to increase its accuracy in portraying kinetic behavior in soil/sediment, researchers' incomplete comprehension of it still results in unrealistic fitting outcomes and an oversight of the profound implications posed by kinetic parameters during implementation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the optimization and utilization of DIFS models, encompassing fundamental concepts behind DGT devices and DIFS models, the kinetic interpretation of DIFS parameters, and instances where the model has been applied to study soils and sediments. It also highlights preexisting limitations of the DIFS model and offers suggestions for more precise modeling in real-world environments. [Display omitted] • DGT technology reveals the kinetic processes of pollutants in soil or sediment. • DIFS model reflects the reservoir and resupply rate of labile analytes. • The limitations and correction approaches of the DIFS model should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A macroporous MF-HA was prepared via a facile adsorbing method for phosphate removal. • MF-HA could effectively adsorb phosphate over a wide pH range with high selectivity. • Phosphate of 3 mg P/L could be reduced to 0.0015 mg/L. • MF-HA could be easily separated after adsorption with good recyclability. • The cost-efficient raw materials and simple engineering improved its practicality. Effective removal of phosphate from aqueous solution is of great significance in environmental protection. In this paper, the concept of developing a hierarchical and cost-effective aluminum functionalized melamine foam (MF) as phosphate adsorbent is presented. The material with 3D interconnected network, flexibility and ultralow density was fabricated via a simple adsorbing method based on hydrate aluminum and commercially available MF sponge. For use as an adsorbent, performance of the as-prepared MF-HA sponge was assessed with various pH, temperatures, adsorption time, initial P concentrations, ionic strengths and co-existing ions. The experimental results demonstrated that MF-HA performed well in a wide pH range of 4–10 and in the presence of foreign anions, with high maximum uptake capacity of 36.21 mg P/g. Furthermore, for the as-prepared material, the phosphate removal performance at different temperatures established the endothermic nature of the adsorption process. Moreover, MF-HA sponge could be directly separated from the solution and showed a satisfactory recyclability. The adsorbing strategy to design and fabricate the novel sponge with resultant high adsorption efficiency, cost-effectiveness, preferable selectivity, environmental friendliness, and easy separation from water may promote sponge functionalization for applications in extensive wastewater treatment areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A macroporous MF-HA was prepared via a facile adsorbing method for phosphate removal. • MF-HA could effectively adsorb phosphate over a wide pH range with high selectivity. • Phosphate of 3 mg P/L could be reduced to 0.0015 mg/L. • MF-HA could be easily separated after adsorption with good recyclability. • The cost-efficient raw materials and simple engineering improved its practicality. Effective removal of phosphate from aqueous solution is of great significance in environmental protection. In this paper, the concept of developing a hierarchical and cost-effective aluminum functionalized melamine foam (MF) as phosphate adsorbent is presented. The material with 3D interconnected network, flexibility and ultralow density was fabricated via a simple adsorbing method based on hydrate aluminum and commercially available MF sponge. For use as an adsorbent, performance of the as-prepared MF-HA sponge was assessed with various pH, temperatures, adsorption time, initial P concentrations, ionic strengths and co-existing ions. The experimental results demonstrated that MF-HA performed well in a wide pH range of 4–10 and in the presence of foreign anions, with high maximum uptake capacity of 36.21 mg P/g. Furthermore, for the as-prepared material, the phosphate removal performance at different temperatures established the endothermic nature of the adsorption process. Moreover, MF-HA sponge could be directly separated from the solution and showed a satisfactory recyclability. The adsorbing strategy to design and fabricate the novel sponge with resultant high adsorption efficiency, cost-effectiveness, preferable selectivity, environmental friendliness, and easy separation from water may promote sponge functionalization for applications in extensive wastewater treatment areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]