The potential risks of emerging pollutants:Forms,features and management actions

Emerging pollutants are synthetic or chemical or micro-organic contaminants unregulated,which constitutes potent risks and dangers for human environment and,finally,its health.However,due to their potential risks in production,use and contamination,both states and the public are hardly aware of their potential damages done to health and the environment before it is a little too late.New forms of pollutants are emerging for modern world with unprecedented risks worthy of wariness.The present article explores the categories of newly emerging pollutants,analyses their features and attempts to come up with technological and managerial solutions in managing emerging pollutants of such nature as organic pollutants,Environmental Endocrine Disruptors,etc.The paper also provides suggestions in taking actions leading to effective management and treatment of the emerging pollutants.

Hydrogel-based materials as antibacterial agents and super adsorbents for the remediation of emerging pollutants:A comprehensive review

Hydrogels have various potential applications due to their unique characteristics and recently,hydrogels have been utilized as adsorbents in wastewater treatment because of their ability to remove contaminants from water.Constructing strong hydrogels with high adsorption capabilities is crucial for effective wastewater treatment.Scientists and researchers are working to improve the properties of hydrogels by incorporating inorganic elements into polymer networks,which further reduces the costs as well as simplifies their preparation.Natural polymers like starch and alginate are widespread due to their economic and biological advantages,such as biodegradability,biocompatibility,reduced toxicity,environmental friendliness,and low cost.The adsorption of pollutants onto hydrogels as well as their use as antimicrobial agents has garnered significant attention.This review paper summarizes the latest studies on using hydrogels as adsorbents to remove endocrine-disrupting chemicals(EDCs),persistent organic pollutants(POPs),and other emerging pollutants from water environments along with their use as antimicrobial agents.In the first step,different classes of hydrogels and different characterization techniques have been discussed.Next antimicrobial potential of hydrogels is elaborated to understand how these hydrogels can be a potential candidate for such activities.While discussing the adsorption application of hydrogels,different isothermal,kinetics and thermodynamics models have been discussed to highlight the mechanism and nature of forces involved in adsorption of pollutants.Further different simulations such as DFT and MD have been discussed to get more holistic understanding of pollutants adsorption onto hydrogels.A limited number of studies have utilized other techniques such as Monte Carlo simulations and computational fluid dynamics(CFD)so it is important to explore a variety of computational methods to gain a comprehensive understanding of the adsorption process onto hydrogels.

Toxicity assessment of polyethylene microplastics in combination with a mix of emerging pollutants on Physalaemus cuvieri tadpoles

Studies in recent years have shown that aquatic pollution by microplastics(MPs)can be considered to pose additional stress to amphibian populations.However,our knowledge of how MPs affect amphibians is very rudimentary,and even more limited is our understanding of their effects in combination with other emerging pollutants.Thus,we aimed to evaluate the possible toxicity of polyethylene MPs(PE-MPs)(alone or in combination with a mix of pollutants)on the health of Physalaemus cuvieri tadpoles.After 30 days of exposure,multiple biomarkers were measured,including morphological,biometric,and developmental indices,behavioral parameters,mutagenicity,cytotoxicity,antioxidant and cholinesterase responses,as well as the uptake and accumulation of PE-MPs in animals.Based on the results,there was no significant change in any of the parameters measured in tadpoles exposed to treatments,but induced stress was observed in tadpoles exposed to PE-MPs combined with themixture of pollutants,reflecting significant changes in physiological and biochemical responses.Through principal component analysis(PCA)and integrated biomarker response(IBR)assessment,effects induced by pollutants in each test group were distinguished,confirming that the exposure of P.cuvieri tadpoles to the PE-MPs in combination with a mix of emerging pollutants induces an enhanced stress response,although the uptake and accumulation of PE-MPs in these animalswas reduced.Thus,our study provides newinsight into the danger to amphibians of MPs coexisting with other pollutants in aquatic environments.

Iron-based biochar as efficient persulfate activation catalyst for emerging pollutants removal:A review

In recent years,biochar(BC)as a low-cost,easily available biomass product,is widely applied in sulfate radical-based advanced oxidation processes(SR-AOPs)for emerging pollutants remediation.Herein,a state-of-art review of iron-based biochar catalysts is currently available in SR-AOPs application.A general summary of the development of biochar and the catalytic properties of biochar is presented.Especially,the synthetic strategies of different types of iron-based biochar catalysts are discussed.Moreover,the theoretical calculation to interpret the interaction between biochar and iron species is discussed to explore the activation mechanisms.And the regeneration methods of biochar-based catalyst are presented.The unresolved challenges of the existent biochar-based SR-AOPs are pointed out,and the outlooks of future research directions are proposed.

The surface electron transfer strategy promotes the hole of PDI release and enhances emerging organic pollutant degradation

In semiconductor photocatalysts,the easy recombination of photogenerated carriers seriously affects the application of photocatalytic materials in water treatment.To solve the serious problem of electron−hole pair recombination in perylene diimide(PDI)organic semiconductors,we loaded ferric hydroxyl oxide(FeOOH)on PDI materials,successfully prepared novel FeOOH@PDI photocatalytic materials,and constructed a photo-Fenton system.The system was able to achieve highly efficient degradation of BPA under visible light,with a degradation rate of 0.112 min^(−1)that was 20 times higher than the PDI system,and it also showed universal degradation performances for a variety of emerging organic pollutants and anti-interference ability.The mechanism research revealed that the FeOOH has the electron trapping property,which can capture the photogenerated electrons on the surface of PDI,effectively reducing the compounding rate of photogenerated carriers of PDI and accelerating the iron cycling and H2O2 activation on the surface of FeOOH at the same time.This work provides new insights and methods for solving the problem of easy recombination of carriers in semiconductor photocatalysts and degrading emerging organic pollutants.

Emerging pollutants in the environment:A challenge for water resource management

A significant number of emerging pollutants(EPs)resulting from point and diffuse pollution is present in the aquatic environment.These are chemicals that are not commonly monitored but have the potential to enter the environment and cause adverse ecological and human health effects.According to the NORMAN network,at least 700 substances categorized into 20 classes,have been identified in the European aquatic environment.In light of their potential impact action is urgently required.In this study,we present a concept that shows the current state of art and challenges for monitoring programs,fate and risk assessment tools and requirements for policies with respect to emerging pollutants as a base for sustainable water resource management.Currently,methods for sampling and analysis are not harmonized,being typically focused on certain EP classes.For a number of known highly hazardous EPs detection limits are too high to allow proper risk assessment.For other EPs such as microplastics method development is in its infancy.Advanced ultra-sensitive instrumental techniques should be used for quantitative determination of prioritized EPs in water,suspended matter,soil and biota.Data on EPs'and their metabolites'properties that determine their fate in the environment are often not available.National surveys on water quality often use different parameters for water quality assessment and often do not include EPs.A harmonized monitoring of surface and groundwater is not yet achieved and urgently required.Specific component integrated into models assessing the fate of EPs in a multi compartment environmental approach are missing and must be developed.The main goal of risk assessment is the overall protection of ecological communities in the aquatic environment and human health.New methods for assessing the cumulative risks from combined exposures to several stressors,including mixtures of EPs in a multi-scale approach are required.A combination of regulations and management measures with respect to use/emissions of EPs into the environment,as well as to their occurrence in the environment are fundamental to reach an efficient water resource management.

Semiconductor based photocatalysts for detoxification of emerging pharmaceutical pollutants from aquatic systems: A critical review

The presence of emerging pharmaceutical pollutants at low concentration levels in the surface and ground water has caused a potential threat to the marine and human lives.The emerging pharmaceutical pollutants generally include analgesics and anti-inflammatories,lipid-lowering drugs,antiepileptics,antibiotics,and β-blockers compounds.In recent years,various processes have been developed and advanced oxidation process is the most effective for decontamination of emerging pharmaceutical pollutants till date.Semiconductor based photocatalysis technology has recently received a great interest for the removal of new emerging pharmaceutical pollutants.This review article highlights the removal of emerging pharmaceutical pollutants especially through photocatalysis as well as recent progress using different nanostructures.Additional focus has been given over fundamental key dynamics processes of nanomaterials and degradation pathways of emerging pharmaceutical pollutants.Finally,this review concludes with the perspectives and outlook over future developments in photocatalysis technology for the degradation of emerging pharmaceutical pollutants leading to a solution for realworld in near future.

An Epistaxis Emergency Associated with Multiple Pollutants in Elementary Students

Emergencies of epistaxis in students caused by environmental pollution have rarely been reported to date. This study aimed to explore the cause of an emergency of epistaxis in elementary students by using a field epidemiological investigation. Twenty-two epistaxis cases from a single school with differences in gender, age, and classroom,were diagnosed within a period of 7 days. The air concentration of chromic acid mist （Cr6~） in the electroplating factory area, new campus, and residential area exceeded the limit of uncontrolled emissions. The emission of HCL and HzSO4was also observed. Formaldehyde levels in the classrooms exceeded the limits of indoor air quality. Abnormal nasal mucosa was significantly more frequent in the case group （93.3%） and control group 1 （of the same school） （66.7%） than in control group 2 （from a mountainous area with no industrial zone） （34.8%; P 〈 0.05 and P 〈 0.01, respectively）. On the basis of the pre-existing local nasal mucosal lesions, excessive chromic acid mist in the school＇s surrounding areas and formaldehyde in the classrooms were considered to have acutely irritated the nasal mucosa, causing epistaxis. Several lessons regarding factory site selection, eradication of chemical emissions, and indoor air quality in newly decorated classrooms, should be learned from this emergency.

Discovery of emerging organic pollutants in the atmosphere through an omics approach

Ambient air pollution,containing numerous known and hitherto unknown compounds,is a major risk factor for public health.The discovery of harmful components is the prerequisite for pollution control;however,this raises a great challenge on recognizing previously unknown species.Here we systematically review the analytical techniques on air pollution in the framework of an omics approach,with a brief introduction on sample preparation and analysis,and in more detail,compounds prioritization and identification.Through high-resolution mass spectrometry(HRMS,typically coupled with chromatography),the complicated environmental matrix can be digitalized into“fullcomponent”data.A key step to discover emerging compounds is the prioritization of compounds from massive data.Chemical fingerprints,suspect lists and biological effects are the most vital untargeted strategies for comprehensively screening critical and hazardous substances.Afterward,compressed data of compounds can be identified at various confidence levels according to exact mass and the derived molecular formula,MS libraries,and authentic standards.Such an omics approach on full-component data provides a paradigm for discovering emerging air pollutants;nonetheless,new technological advancements of instruments and databases are warranted for further tracking the environmental behaviors,hence to evaluate the health risk of key pollutants.

Suggestions on Conducting Ecological Emergency Monitoring

The importance of ecological environment monitoring was discussed,and the problems in ecological emergency environment monitoring were analyzed.Based on this,some suggestions were put forward for ecological environment emergency monitoring,in order to provide effective reference for relevant staff.

O_(3) based advanced oxidation for ibuprofen degradation

The degradation of the anti-inflammatory ibuprofen(IBP)was evaluated by several advanced oxidation processes.IBP was treated by single ozonation and oxidation with hydrogen peroxide(H_(2)O_(2)),as well as a combination of these treatments.In order to improve the efficiency,the presence of catalysts such as original carbon nanotubes,labelled as CNT,and iron oxide supported on carbon nanotubes,named as Fe/CNT sample,was considered.The evolution of IBP degradation,mineralization and toxicity of the solutions was assessed.The formation of intermediates was also monitored.In the non-catalytic processes,IBP was faster removed by single ozonation,whereas no significant total organic carbon(TOC)removal was achieved.Oxidation with H_(2)O_(2) did not present satisfactory results.When ozone and H_(2)O_(2) were combined,a higher mineralization was attained(70%after 180 min of reaction).On the other hand,in the catalytic processes,this combined process allowed the fastest IBP degradation.In terms of mineralization degree,the presence of Fe/CNT increases the removal rate in the first hour of reaction,achieving a TOC removal of 85%.Four compounds were detected as by-products.All treated solutions presented lower toxicity than the initial solution,suggesting that the released intermediates during applied processes are less toxic.

Study of Behavioral Changes and Photosynthetic Activity of <i>Euglenas gracilis</i>in the Presence of Effluents from the Laboratory of Clinical Analysis

Healthcare waste has now been increasingly studied in terms of the risks or dangers that can cause the environment and human health. Waste generated in clinical analysis laboratories (CALs) deserves attention, because, due to the advent of the concept of emergent pollution, it is doubtful if the materials or reagents are disposed in the sewage by CALs, which are currently considered non-contaminated or with low risk potential, under current legislation, may actually impact the environment with actions not yet understood. This study was experimental and conducted at the Environmental Laboratory of the University of the Region of Joinville. It was used Euglena gracilis (primary trophic level) algae exposed to effluents from five sectors of a CAL: Biochemistry, Hematology, Viral Load, Tuberculosis and Immunochemistry. Samples were collected from the siphons attached to the wash sinks of the CAL materials. To verify changes in algae that denote environmental danger, behavioral changes were analyzed via NGTOX, and chlorophyll concentration was calculated by chlorophyll extraction according to Mendel’s method. Viral Load (VL) and Hematology (HT) sectors were the ones that most affected algae (Tukey test). In both sectors, there was inhibition of algae mobility and gravitaxy: in VL, due to the presence of chaotropic agents that denature organic structures;and in HT, due to the change in membrane permeability attributed to methylene blue. Also in HT, there was a search for algae adaptation by increasing the rise to the surface in order to overcome the lower luminosity due to the coloration of the environment, which also affects photosynthesis. Regarding the concentration of a-chlorophyll, the VL and HT were the most affected as well, being the first one the one that had more concentration reduction because of the presence of chaotropic agents. Considering new parameters evaluated, the discarded compounds need to be better evaluated for risk, as they affect algal photosynthesis. Procedures for removal of these compounds should be considered.

Numerical simulation of pollutant diffusion and decay process after a water pollution incident in the Three Gorges Reservoir

We established a hydrodynamic model to simulate the pollutant transport and decay process in the case of a pollution incident in the sections of the Yangtze and the Jialing passing through the city area of Chongqing. The Boussinesq assumptions and the Navier-Stokes equations of incompressible fluid were applied to setting up the pollutant diffusion equations and the equations for the decay process. E. colt was taken as the example pollutant, and chloride dosage, light, temperature and ultraviolet intensity were considered in the equations for bacterial decay process. The calculated values of the fluid velocities in the two rivers agree well with corresponding measured results, indicating an ideal accuracy of the model. In simulation, the concentration of E. colt in water was assumed to be zero before the accident. The and 1.75 m/s for the Yangtze flow, and the downriver boundary was upriver boundary velocity was -1.35 m/s for the Jialing flow water depth set at 0. Simulation results show that the bacteria are transported downstream along the riverbank. A long and narrow pollutant belt develops at 12 h after the start of the accident ascribed to the quick longitudinal transfer. After the pollution sources are cut off, the pollutant concentration decreases slowly, mostly by advection and diffusion, suggesting inadequate self-purification ability of the rivers and the necessity of effective decontaminating measures in the case of a pollution incident, The model can be a useful tool for understanding the polluting situations of an improper discharge incident and evaluating the effects of decontaminating measures for the water body of the Three Gorges Reservoir.

Challenges and perspectives of air pollution control in China

Air pollution is one of the most challenging environmental issues in the world.China has achieved remarkable success in improving air quality in last decade as a result of aggressive air pollution control policies.However,the average fine particulate matter(PM2.5)concentration in China is still about six times of the World Health Organization(WHO)Global Air Quality Guidelines(AQG)and causing significant human health risks.Extreme emission reductions of multiple air pollutants are required for China to achieve the AQG.Here we identify the major challenges in future air quality improvement and propose corresponding control strategies.The main challenges include the persistently high health risk attributed to PM2.5 pollution,the excessively loose air quality standards,and coordinated control of air pollution,greenhouse gases(GHGs)emissions and emerging pollutants.To further improve air quality and protect human health,a health-oriented air pollution control strategy shall be implemented by tightening the air quality standards as well as optimizing emission reduction pathways based on the health risks of various sources.In the meantime,an“oneatmosphere”concept shall be adopted to strengthen the synergistic control of air pollutants and GHGs and the control of non-combustion sources and emerging pollutants shall be enhanced.

Digitalizing river aquatic ecosystems

Traditional river health assessment relies on limited water quality indices and representative organism activity,but does not comprehensively obtain biotic and abiotic information of the ecosystem.Here,we propose a new approach to evaluate the ecological and health risks of river aquatic ecosystems.First,detailed physicochemical and biological characterization of a river ecosystem can be obtained through pollutant determination(especially emerging pollutants)and DNA/RNA sequencing.Second,supervised machine learning can be applied to perform classification analysis of characterization data and ascertain river ecosystem ecology and health.Our proposed methodology transforms river ecosystem health assessment and can be applied in river management.

Advances and perspectives in environmental health research in China

Environmental health research aims to identify environmental conditions suitable for the healthy living and reproduction of human beings.Through the interdisciplinary research bridging environmental sciences and health/medical sciences,the impacts of physical,chemical,and biological environmental factors on human health are investigated.This includes identifying environmental factors detrimental to human health,evaluating human exposure characteristics to environmental factors,clarifying causal relationships between environmental exposure and health effects,analyzing the underlying biochemical mechanisms,linking environmental factors to the onset and progression of diseases,establishing exposure-response relationships,and determining effect thresholds.Ultimately,the results of environmental health research can serve as a scientific basis for formulating environmental management strategies and guiding prevention and intervention measures at both the public and individual levels.This paper summarizes the recent advances and future perspectives of environmental health research in China,as reported by a group of Chinese scientists who recently attended a workshop in Hainan,China.While it is not intended to provide a comprehensive review of this expansive field,it offers a glimpse into the significant progress made in understanding the health impacts of environmental factors over the past decade.Looking ahead,it is imperative not only to sustain efforts in studying the health effects of traditional environmental pollution,but also to prioritize research on the health impacts of emerging pollutants and climate change.

Trichoderma viride F7 improves peanut performances while remediating cadmium-contaminated soil with microplastics

Microplastics(MPs)and cadmium(Cd)in soil have serious negative impacts on plant growth.As a bioremediator,Trichoderma viride may modulate the impacts of MPs and/or Cd on plant growth and heavy metal uptake.In this study,T.viride F7 was used to treat Cd-contaminated soil with and without the presence of polylactic acid MPs to investigate its effects on peanut growth,Cd uptake efficiency,and soil properties.Results showed that F7 increased soil pH,dissolved organic carbon,cation exchange capacity,microbial biomass nitrogen,and microbial biomass carbon,which resulted in increases of 2.10%-19.83%in peanut biomass and mitigated the negative effects of MPs and Cd on peanut growth.Trichoderma viride F7 reduced the soil bioavailable Cd and plant Cd concentrations by 16.68%-34.20%and 5.37%-25.84%,respectively.Regression path analysis showed that F7 could improve peanut performances by altering soil properties and reducing peanut Cd concentrations in MP-Cd-contaminated soil.Soil fungal community analysis indicated that the microbial community was altered via F7 inoculation,which antagonized Fusarium and promoted peanut growth.This study reveals the mechanisms of F7 in mitigating Cd contamination in the soil with the presence of MPs,which provides new ideas for managing MP-heavy metal-contaminated soil and improving soil health.

Overlooked risk of microplastics from municipal solid waste-storage site

Municipal solid waste(MSW)storage sites are potential and overlooked contributors to microplastic(MP)pollution.Herein,the distribution and dispersion characteristics of MPs at MSW storage sites were investigated through modeling,sampling analysis,and prediction methodologies.The results indicated a notable adsorption phenomenon of MPs on smooth surfaces within such sites,achieving high saturation levels and making MPs prone to re-release by airflow disturbance.Quantitative analysis revealed that the MP concentrations on these surfaces varied from 4.48×10^(5) to 1.90×10^(6) n/m^(2) and that MPs predominantly accumulated in the corner areas.Notably,MP accumulation on wall surfaces can be reduced by 76.4%using washing procedures.The majority of MPs were under 50μm in size and were primarily in fragment form.Operational activities such as ventilation and waste handling were identified to amplify the airborne spread of MPs.The atmospheric concentrations of MPs peaked seasonally,with concentrations of 28.25 n/m3 in summer and 3.90 n/m^(3) in winter,and the spatial dispersion ranged from 14.98 to 124.08 km^(2) per station.This study highlights that MSW storage sites are substantial yet overlooked sources of MP pollution,where wall surfaces play a critical role in MP adsorption and dispersal.The implementation of robust management and cleaning protocols is essential to mitigate the environmental footprint of MPs emanating from these locations.This study also provides a typical case for the precise prevention and control of MPs in the environment.

Development and assessment of an onsite large volume solid phase extraction (LV-SPE) device for the determination of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in water

It is essential to determine the occurrence of emerging organic contaminants(EOCs),such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products(PPCPs),in the ambient environment to address growing public concerns.However,such analysis is quite challenging due to the low trace level of such contaminants in water,which therefore requires several litres of water samples.In this study,a large volume solid phase extraction(LV-SPE)device was developed and evaluated for its performance in monitoring PPCPs as an example.Relatively good recoveries and reproducibility were obtained under specific operating conditions:a water sample volume of no more than 20 L,a flow rate not exceeding 120 mL/min,and a methanol elution volume of at least 30 mL.In addition,the results from the onsite enrichment approach using LV-SPE were compared with those from the conventional approach using a standard SPE device in the laboratory for real groundwater samples.Among the eight selected PPCPs(nalidixic acid,carbamazepine,bezafibrate,clofibric acid,sulfadiazine,sulfamethoxypyridazine,sulfamethazine and sulfamonomethoxine),LV-SPE approach detected more target compounds.While the detected concentrations were generally comparable,slightly higher concentrations were observed for carbamazepine,clofibric acid,sulfadiazine and sulfamethazine using the LV-SPE method.The developed LV-SPE device provides an alternative approach for trace analysis of PPCPs and may also be applicable for other emerging organic contaminants.

In situ single iron atom doping on Bi_(2)WO_(6)monolayers triggers efficient photo-fenton reaction

Developing an efficient photocatalytic system for hydrogen peroxide(H_(2)O_(2))activation in Fenton-like processes holds significant promise for advancing water purification technologies.However,challenges such as high carrier recombination rates,limited active sites,and suboptimal H_(2)O_(2)activation efficiency impede optimal performance.Here we show that single-iron-atom dispersed Bi_(2)WO_(6)monolayers(SIAD-BWOM),designed through a facile hydrothermal approach,can offer abundant active sites for H_(2)O_(2)activation.The SIAD-BWOM catalyst demonstrates superior photo-Fenton degradation capabilities,particularly for the persistent pesticide dinotefuran(DNF),showcasing its potential in addressing recalcitrant organic pollutants.We reveal that the incorporation of iron atoms in place of tungsten within the electron-rich[WO_(4)]^(2-)layers significantly facilitates electron transfer processes and boosts the Fe(II)/Fe(III)cycle efficiency.Complementary experimental investigations and theoretical analyses further elucidate how the atomically dispersed iron induces lattice strain in the Bi_(2)WO_(6)monolayer,thereby modulating the d-band center of iron to improve H_(2)O_(2)adsorption and activation.Our research provides a practical framework for developing advanced photo-Fenton catalysts,which can be used to treat emerging and refractory organic pollutants more effectively.