LuBO₃ crystallizes in the calcite type (CaCO₃) structure and is a widely applied inorganic host for luminescent materials and scintillators. Even though many scientific works have been published concerning the optical properties of rare-earth-doped LuBO₃, so far, no study of the emission spectra as function of the excitation energy of such orthoborates has been conducted. Therefore, this work elaborates on the photoluminescence of RE-doped LuBO₃ with RE = Ce³⁺, Eu³⁺, Gd³⁺, or Tb³⁺, while an emphasize is laid on the energy dependence of these four luminescent compounds. The reflection, emission, and excitation spectra were additionally recorded, and the particle size distribution was determined. Calcite type LuBO₃ was successfully obtained, and the characteristic RE luminescence was observed. Furthermore, the Gd³⁺-doped sample showed no scintillation due to its monovalence and a sensitizer is required to transfer the respective energy to the Gd³⁺-activator.

Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) can cause detrimental health effects. The consumption of contaminated food is viewed as a major exposure pathway for humans, but the relationship between agriculture and PFASs has not been investigated thoroughly, and it is becoming a pressing issue since health advisories are continuously being reassessed. This semi-systematic literature review connects the release, environmental fate, and agriculture uptake of PFASs to enhance comprehension and identify knowledge gaps which limit accurate risk assessment. It focuses on the heavily agricultural state of Minnesota, USA, which is representative of the large Midwestern US Corn Belt in terms of agricultural activities, because PFASs have been monitored in Minnesota since the beginning of the 21st century. PFAS contamination is a complex issue due to the over 14,000 individual PFAS compounds which have unique chemical properties that interact differently with air, water, soil, and biological systems. Moreover, the lack of field studies and monitoring of agricultural sites makes accurate risk assessments challenging. Researchers, policymakers, and farmers must work closely together to reduce the risk of PFAS exposure as the understanding of their potential health effects increases and legacy PFASs are displaced with shorter fluorinated replacements.

Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) can cause detrimental health effects. The consumption of contaminated food is viewed as the major exposure pathway for humans, but the relationship between agriculture and PFAS has not been investigated thoroughly, which becomes a pressing issue since health advisories are continuously being reassessed. This review connects the release, environmental fate and agriculture uptake of PFASs to enhance comprehension and identify knowledge gaps which limit accurate risk assessment. It focuses on the heavily agricultural state of Minnesota, USA, which is representative of the large Midwestern US corn-belt in terms of agricultural activities and because PFASs are being monitored in Minnesota since the beginning of the 21st century. PFAS contamination is a complex issue due to the over 14,000 individual PFAS compounds which have unique chemical properties that interact differently with air, water, soil, and biological systems. Moreover, the lack of field studies and monitoring of agricultural sites makes accurate risk assessments challenging. Researchers, policymakers and farmers must work closely together to reduce the risk of PFASs exposure as the understanding of the potential health effects increases and legacy PFASs are displaced with shorter fluorinated replacements.

LuBO3 crystallizes in the calcite type (CaCO3) structure and is a widely applied inorganic host for luminescent materials and scintillators. Even though many scientific works have been published concerning the optical properties of rare earth doped LuBO3, so far, no study of the emission spectra as function of the excitation energy of such orthoborates has been conducted. Therefore, this work deals with the photoluminescence of RE doped LuBO3 with RE = Ce3+, Eu3+, Gd3+, or Tb3+, while an emphasize is laid on the energy dependence of these four luminescent compounds.