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.

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.

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.

A comparative study on emergent pollutants photo-assisted degradation using ruthenium modified titanate nanotubes and nanowires as catalysts

Several methods have been used to tailor nanomaterials structure and properties.Sometimes,slight changes in the structure outcomes expressive improvements in the optical and photocatalytic properties of semiconductor nanoparticles.In this context,the influence of the metal doping and the morphology on a catalyst performance was studied in this work.Here,ruthenium doped titanate nanotubes(RuTNT)were synthesised for the first time using an amorphous Ru-containing precursor.Afterwards,the photocatalytic performance of this sample was compared to the one obtained for ruthenium titanate nanowires(RuTNW),recently reported.Two samples,RuTNW and RuTNT,were produced using the same Ru-containing precursor but distinct hydrothermal methodologies.The powders were structural,morphological and optical characterized by X-ray diffraction and fluorescence,transmission electron microscopy,Raman,X-ray photoelectron and photoluminescence spectroscopies.Distinct variations on the structural and optical properties of the RuTNT and RuTNW nanoparticles,due to ruthenium incorporation were observed.Their potential use as photocatalysts was evaluated on the hydroxyl radical photo-assisted production.Both samples were catalytic for this reaction,presenting better performances than the pristine counterparts,being RuTNT the best photocatalyst.Subsequently,the degradation of two emergent pollutants,caffeine and sulfamethazine,was studied.RuTNT demonstrated to be better photocatalyst than RuTNW for caffeine but identical performances were obtained for sulfamethazine.For both catalysts,the degradation mechanism of the pollutants was explored through the identification and quantification of the intermediate compounds produced and several differences were found.This indicates the importance of the structural and morphological aspects of a material on its catalytic performance.

Seasonal occurrence of microplastics in sediment of two South African recreational reservoirs

Inland water systems are regarded as a pathway and sink of plastic pollutants from the terrestrial environment.Aquatic ecosystems are globally contaminated with microplastics,but the spatiotemporal occurrence and density of microplastics in freshwater ecosystems remain poorly understood.The present study seasonally assessed differences in microplastic density in the sediments from two South African recreational reservoirs associated with low human activities(macadamia orchards)and high human activities(communal areas).Microplastics were recovered from all of the reservoirs assessed,indicating their extensive occurrence and densities.Microplastic numbers were significantly higher in reservoirs associated with high anthropogenic activities during the hot-dry season(140.6 particles kg^(-1)dwt)and lower in reservoirs associated with low anthropogenic activities during the hot-wet and cool-dry seasons,i.e.,22.60 particles kg^(-1)dwt and 16.13 particles kg^(-1)dwt,respectively.Overall,polypropylene(31%)and polystyrene(30%)were identified as the dominant types of microplastic polymer in both reservoir types.Moreover,no correlative relationships were observed for environmental parameters and microplastic densities across reservoirs and seasons,suggesting a widespread and largely context-independent pollution level.These results show that microplastics are not evenly distributed between waters associated with low human activities and high human activities.Future work should seek greater sample sizes and centre around observing microplastic contamination in the region by examining their sources,transport,and impacts to freshwater environments,whilst informing management strategies.

Potential Health Impact of Microplastics:A Review of Environmental Distribution,Human Exposure,and Toxic Effects

Microplastics are ubiquitous in the global environment.As a typical emerging pollutant,its potential health hazards have been widely concerning.In this brief paper,we introduce the source,identification,toxicity,and health hazard of microplastics in the human.The literature review shows that microplastics are frequently detected in environmental and human samples.Humans are potentially exposed to microplastics through oral intake,inhalation,and skin contact.We summarize the toxic effects of microplastics in experimental models like cells,organoids,and animals.These effects consist of oxidative stress,DNA damage,organ dysfunction,metabolic disorder,immune response,neurotoxicity,as well as reproductive and developmental toxicity.In addition,the epidemiological evidence suggests that a variety of chronic diseases may be related to microplastics exposure.Finally,we put forward the gaps in toxicity research of microplastics and their future development directions.This review will be helpful to the understanding of the exposure risk and potential health hazards of microplastics.

Insights into the enzymatic degradation of DNA expedited by typical perfluoroalkyl acids

Perfluoroalkyl acids(PFAAs)are considered forever chemicals,gaining increasing attention for their hazardous impacts.However,the ecological effects of PFAAs remain unclear.Environmental DNA(eDNA),as the environmental gene pool,is often collected for evaluating the ecotoxicological effects of pollutants.In this study,we found that all PFAAs investigated,including perfluorohexanoic acid,perfluorooctanoic acid,perfluorononanoic acid,and perfluorooctane sulfonate,even at low concentrations(0.02 and 0.05 mg/L),expedited the enzymatic degradation of DNA in a nonlinear dose–effect relationship,with DNA degradation fragment sizes being lower than 1,000 bp and 200 bp after 15 and 30 min of degradation,respectively.This phenomenon was attributed to the binding interaction between PFAAs and AT bases in DNA via groove binding.van der Waals force(especially dispersion force)and hydrogen bonding are the main binding forces.DNA binding with PFAAs led to decreased base stacking and right-handed helicity,resulting in loose DNA structure exposing more digestion sites for degrading enzymes,and accelerating the enzymatic degradation of DNA.The global ecological risk evaluation results indicated that PFAA contamination could cause medium and high molecular ecological risk in 497 samples from 11 contamination-hot countries(such as the USA,Canada,and China).The findings of this study show new insights into the influence of PFAAs on the environmental fates of biomacromolecules and reveal the hidden molecular ecological effects of PFAAs in the environment.

How does the brown mussel Perna perna respond to environmental pollution?A review on pollution biomarkers

The brown mussel Perna perna(Linnaeus,1758)is a valuable resource for aquaculture in tropical and subtropical coastal regions.It presents desirable characteristics for biomonitoring,including being sessile,widely distributed and abundant,and is a filter-feeder able to accumulate several classes of pollutants(e.g.,metals,hydrocarbons,among others).Mussels’biological responses to pollution exposure can be measured as biomarkers,which include alterations ranging from molecular to physiological levels,to estimate the degree of environmental contamination and its effects on biota.This full review compiles two decades(2000–2020)of literature concerning biological effects on P.perna mussel caused by environmental pollutants(i.e.,metals,hydrocarbons,and emerging pollutants),considering environmental and farm-based biomonitoring.Biochemical markers related to mussels’oxidative status were efficient for the biomonitoring of metals(i.e.,antioxidant enzymes associated with oxidative damage in biomolecules).Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity indicators(i.e.,comet,micronucleus,and neutral red assays)provided a depiction of hydrocarbon contamination.The neutral red assay gave a time-concentration cytotoxic response to a wide range of pollutants,including emerging pollutants(e.g.,pharmaceuticals and biocides)and hydrocarbons.Perna perna hemocyte parameters provided a useful approach for biocide biomonitoring.This paper summarizes useful biomarkers from molecular to physiological levels in this mussel species used to identify and quantify the degree of coastal pollution.An integrated biomarker analysis may provide a way to overcome possible biomarker variations and assess multi-polluted sites.Nevertheless,it is necessary to investigate biomarker variations according to natural factors(e.g.,season and gonad maturation stage)to standardize them for trustworthy biomonitoring.

Preliminary studies on occurrence of monensin antibiotic in Bosque River Watershed

Water quality impact due to excessive nutrients has been extensively studied. In recent years, however, micro-pollutants such as pharmaceuticals and hormonal products used in animal agriculture have added an additional impact to overall water quality. Pharmaceuticals used in the poultry, swine, beef, and dairy industries have been detected in various environmental matrices such as, soil, groundwater and surface water. In this study, 26 surface water samples were collected throughout the Bosque River Watershed （BRW） with samples representing a range of land use conditions and locations of major dairy operations. Samples were analyzed using commercially available Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay test. Of the 26 samples, three samples consistently tested positive for monensin antibiotic with concentration ranging from 0.30 to 3.41 μg/L. These three samples were collected from sites that received varying amount of agriculture wastes （11.7% to 31.3%） and located downstream from sites associated with moderate levels of animal agriculture. The preliminary results suggest that there is a potential for monensin occurrence in the BRW, although initial findings indicate only very low levels.

Development and application of a water pollution emergency response system for the Three Gorges Reservoir in the Yangtze River, China

There are many watercraft and production accidents in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area （TGRA） of the Yangtze River in China every year. Accidents threaten the water quality of the 1085 km 2 surface area of the TGRA and millions of local people if oil and chemical leakage were to occur. A water pollution management system for emergency response （WPMS ER） was therefore designed for the management of pollution in this area. An integrated geographic information system （GIS）-based water pollution management information system for the TGRA, called WPMS ER TGRA, was developed in this study. ArcGIS engine was used as the system development platform, and Visual Basic as the programming language. The models for hydraulic and water quality simulation and the generation of body-fitted coordinates were developed and programmed as a dynamically linked library file using Visual Basic, and they can be launched by other computer programs. Subsequently, the GIS-based information system was applied to the emergency water pollution management of a shipwreck releasing 10 tons of phenol into the Yangtze River during two hours. The results showed that WPMS ER TGRA can assist with emergency water pollution management and simulate the transfer and diffusion of accidental pollutants in the river. Furthermore, it can quickly identify the affected area and how it will change over time within a few minutes of an accident occurring.

Ecotoxicological effects of polycyclic musks and cadmium on seed germination and seedling growth of wheat(Triticum aestivum)

Single and joint toxic effects of polycyclic musks including 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta[g]-2- benzopyran （HHCB） and 7-acetyl-1,1,3,4,4,6-hexamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronapthalene （AHTN） and cadmium （Cd） on seed germination and seedling growth of wheat （Triticum aestivum） were investigated. The results showed that the toxicity sequence of HHCB toxic to wheat seed germination and seedling growth was similar to that of AHTN, that is, germination rate 〉 shoot elongation 〉 root elongation, while the toxicity of Cd was in the sequence of root elongation 〉 shoot elongation 〉 germination rate, according to the LC50 and EC50 values. It is suggested that polycyclic musks and Cd had different toxicological mechanisms. Root and shoot elongation of wheat might be good bioindicators for the contamination of polycyclic musks and Cd in soil. The mixture of polycyclic musks and Cd had synergistic effects on T. aestivum according to the equi-toxic mixture approach when root elongation was selected as the toxicological endpoint. Thus, the joint toxicity of HHCB and Cd was significantly higher than the single toxicity of HHCB or Cd, which was also confirmed by the EC50mix value of the mixture （EC50mix = 0.530 TUrnix）. The EC50mix value of the mixture of AHTN and Cd was 0.614 TUmix, which indicated that the mixture toxicity was strengthened when AHTN coexisted with Cd.