Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology最新文献

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging pollutants that constitutes a very serious environmental nuisance and menace to the globe in the last decade. The environmental damages from MPs include ecological imbalance of the marine environment, flora, and fauna and these are yet to be understood in the African environment. The sustainable development goals 14 and 15 (SDGs #14 and #15) seek to address the challenges in combating the sustainability of marine and terrestrial lives respectively. Understanding the pollution dynamics of MPs in the environment is crucial to the sustainability of lives globally and in particular Africa soon. Hence, it is imperative to arrest this environmental challenge as swiftly as possible before the collapse of the entire biomes. MPs have been detected in several matrices; soil, air, aquatic environments, plants, fishes, animals, and humans. Their different source routes: ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact contribute an adverse effect (toxicity) to all spheres of life. To aquatic animals, terrestrial animals, and humans, it limits their movement, leads to the shedding of scales, inhibits growth, suppresses the immune system, and causes inflammation, coagulation, also blood cell toxicity among others, and on the long-run mortality was noted in this review. There is physical, chemical and biological transformation as microplastics age, leading to toxicity, mobility, and great environmental interaction. This has contributed to high MP intake by fish and other aquatic animals. For this reason, researchers should delve into simpler and cheaper ways of analyzing its presence in the environment and develop remediation strategies to curb its presence in the aquatic environment.

Fungal bioremediation represents a promising and sustainable approach to addressing environmental pollution by exploiting the natural metabolic capabilities of fungi to degrade and detoxify a wide array of pollutants. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms, applications, and future perspectives of fungal bioremediation. Fungi are uniquely equipped with an extensive arsenal of enzymes, including laccases, peroxidases, and hydrolases, which facilitate the breakdown of complex organic compounds, heavy metals, and xenobiotics into less harmful substances. The versatility of fungi enables their application across various environmental contexts, including soil, water, and air remediation. The efficacy of fungal bioremediation is demonstrated in its ability to degrade persistent organic pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and petroleum hydrocarbons, as well as to immobilize and transform heavy metals through biosorption and bioaccumulation. This review also discusses the challenges and limitations associated with fungal bioremediation, such as the need for optimized environmental conditions and potential ecological impacts. Future research directions are highlighted, including the integration of omics technologies for the elucidation of fungal metabolic pathways and the development of biotechnological innovations to scale up fungal bioremediation processes. This review underscores the critical role of fungi in environmental remediation and emphasizes the need for continued research and technological advancements to harness their full potential in addressing global environmental challenges.

The health risk associated with groundwater contamination of Oba community were studied. Water samples were collected from twelve boreholes, consumed by the inhabitants of the study area. Each sample was analyzed for 15 water quality parameters and the results indicated that all the groundwater samples were polluted with heavy metals (Pb, Co, As, Cr, and Cd). However, other physicochemical parameters of the samples (Cu, Cl⁻, NO₃⁻, PO₄³⁻, SO₄²⁻, TSS, TDS, EC, TH, and Salinity) were within the Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) and WHO. All locations' weight arithmetic water quality index, heavy metal pollution index, heavy metal evaluation index, and degree of contamination exceeded their critical pollution index values of 100, 100, 6, and 3 respectively. Cobalt in Ama-Enumah, Okpuno-Etiti, and Rando sample locations had ${\mathrm{HQ}}_{\mathrm{der}}$ > 1 in both adults and children. Also, the study revealed that children had ${\mathrm{HI}}_{\mathrm{ing}}$ > 1 in all sample locations when compared to their adult counterparts, suggesting non-carcinogenic health risks for children through oral intake. Hence, water from these boreholes should be treated before use for drinking and other domestic and irrigation purposes.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are omnipresent in the environment. Due to their physical and chemical properties, POPs bioaccumulate in higher trophic-level species. Birds inhabit many niches and trophic levels and share physiological characteristics with humans. Wild bird eggs reflect the pollution of the environment and exposure experienced by the female prior to egg formation. Bird eggs are relatively easy to collect, easy to handle and store, and decompose slowly. In addition, bird eggs can also be used as biomarkers by examining the eggshell pigmentation and thickness. Aquatic bird eggs have been used most often with less published on terrestrial birds that also suffer consequences of pollution. Here, we review candidate species whose eggs can be used as near-global indicators. We found the Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) as a suitable near-global indicator of terrestrial pollution. It is the most widespread Ardeid with extensive natural expansion, not threatened, occurs in high numbers, breeds in colonies with other Ardeids, has a high trophic status, and eggs are relatively large and easy to collect. Eggs of Cattle Egrets from eight countries and four continents have been analysed for pollutants such as PCBs, DDTs, HCH, HCB, dicofol, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, mirex, and endosulfan. Multi-country and trans-continental studies using Cattle Egret eggs would therefore be possible, tracking the effectiveness of interventions such as the Stockholm Convention.

In response to the novel coronavirus referred to as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – a virus that causes COVID-19 disease has led to wide use of sanitizers and disinfectants. This, in turn, triggered concerns on their potential deleterious effects to human health and the environment due to numerous chemicals incorporated in both product categories. Here, the current state of science regarding the occurrence and ecological effects of different classes of chemicals in these products (e.g., ultraviolent filters, fragrances, etc.) are summarized in different natural (e.g., rivers) and engineered (e.g., wastewater treatment plants) systems. Data collected in the literature suggests chemicals incorporated in sanitizers and disinfectants are present in the environment, and a large portion are toxic to fish, algae, and daphnia. Using the risk quotient approach based on occurrence data, we found eight chemicals that posed the highest risk to aquatic organisms in freshwater systems were benzalkonium chloride, 4-chloro-m-cresol, sodium ortho phenyl phenate, hydrogen peroxide, 1, 2-propanediol, 4-Methyl-benzilidine-camphor, ethylhexyl methoxy cinnamate, and octocrylene. Considering limited occurrence and effects information for most chemicals, further studies on environmental monitoring and potential consequences of long-term exposure in aquatic ecosystems are recommended.

Gold mining and other anthropometric activities in mining areas result in pollution. Mercury toxicosis is thus a common occurrence in chickens from gold mining areas (GMAs). The study was designed to evaluate and compare haematological response in chickens (Gallus Gallus domesticus) from Anka GMAs and Gusau Non‑gold mining areas (NGMAs) of Zamfara State, Nigeria. A total of sixty adult chickens were randomly selected in six locations (thirty each in GMAs and NGMAs). Blood mercury concentration was measured with atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) with thermal decomposition. Haematological parameters which include packed cell volume (PCV), Red blood cell count (RBC), haemoglobin, heterophils, lymphocytes, total white blood cell count (TWBC), monocytes and heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L) ratio were measured using standard procedure. Both multivariate and univariate analysis were used to measure differences while correlation and regression were also used to analyse relationship between mercury and haematological parameters. Mean PCV 23.26%, RBC 2.661 × 10⁶/L, Haemoglobin 13.70 g/dL, TWBC 5.07 × 10 ⁹/L, Heterophils 2.00 × 10⁹/L and Lymphocytes 2.65 × 10⁹/L were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in chickens from GMAs when compared with 33.39%, 3.77 × 10 ⁶/L, 19.79 g/dL, 10.13 × 10⁹/L, 2.82 × 10⁹/L and 4.91 × 10⁹/L respectively from NGMAs. However, monocytes 0.44 × 10⁹/L and H/L Ratio 0.788 were significantly higher in chicken from GMAs when compared with 0.24 × 10⁹/L and 0.54 from NMGAs. Hameatological parameters are direct correlates of mercury concentration. A unit increase in monocytes significantly (p < 0.05) correspond to an increase in blood Hg level by 0.262 μg/mL. In conclusion, this research suggested that mining activities in GMAs exerts deleterious impacts on chicken haematological parameters. Result of this study will be of diagnostic significance in local chicken mercury toxicosis.

Over the years, mining and metallurgical activities have rapidly influenced the human population. The manufacturing process of manganese (Mn) compounds and their use in industries increased the negative effect on the environment. Therefore, the recovery process of Mn from metal-containing wastes has become very crucial. Mn is a trace mineral found in various forms in the earth's crust and is present abundantly in terrestrial and aquatic environments. Due to the presence of high-level toxicity in surface waters, aquatic organisms exhibit a high-level toxic response. Mn is composed of many minerals such as oxides, sulfates, carbonates, etc. found naturally in the earth. Chronic exposure to this metal pollutant can result in adverse effects and various symptoms related to neurotoxicity including cognitive, Parkinson's disease, manganism, dystonia, and in plants symptoms like chlorosis in leaves and necrotic leaf spots. Mn is released into water bodies, especially through soil erosion, mining activities, and many anthropogenic activities. The toxicity depends on several aspects including the dose, route of exposure, species, and nutritional status of the individual. This element can be considered a systemic toxicant that can damage the multiple organs of humans. These microorganisms will degrade and detoxify the pollutants in the soil, water, and other environments into a non-toxic form that is not harmful to the environment. This review aims to summarize the toxicity of Mn mining pollutants in the environment as well as in humans, plants, and animals and describes the biological remediation strategies. This review also focuses on the environmental Mn pollution and the future aspects to control the Mn pollutants through biological remediation approaches.

Butachlor as a selective pre-emergent herbicide, is mainly used to control the growth and productivity of certain annual grass and broad-leaf weeds. As non-target soil creatures, earthworms are affected detrimentally due to direct contact with pesticides. Our purpose was to compare the changes in the oxidative stress biomarkers in earthworms Eisenia fetida under the exposure of fresh and expired butachlor in the natural soil. LC₅₀ of the fresh/unexpired and expired butachlor were determined by probit analysis amounting ≤440 and ≤ 471 mg/kg dry soil, respectively. Earthworms were then exposed to three sublethal concentrations (1/5th, 1/10th, and 1/20th of LC₅₀) of both fresh and expired butachlor for 4 and 8 days. The level of oxidative stress biomarkers namely lipid peroxidation, glutathione S-transferase, and carbonylated proteins were increased. Besides, the catalase activity and value of total antioxidant capacity in earthworm's caulomic fluid were found to be decreased. In addition, it was clearly showed that butachlor can cause tissue damages in earthworms. The fresh and expired butachlor trigger the onset of oxidative damages as illustrated by altered oxidative stress biomarkers and tissue damages, particularly at the end of 8 days and high concentrations. Contrary to expiration, we found evidence that expired BUC is acutely toxic to earthworms. The fresh BUC was more deleterious than expired one to earthworms. Meanwhile, it must be considered that the regulations towards disposal of expired toxicants must be strictly followed without impairing the soil ecosystem.

The exposure of marine reptiles to phthalates has received considerable attention due to the ubiquitous occurrence of these contaminants in the marine environment. The occurrence of phthalate metabolites is established in human populations and marine mammals, but data is scarce for marine reptiles. In this study, concentrations of 18 phthalate metabolites were determined in liver samples from 79 loggerhead marine turtle (Caretta caretta) samples collected between 2016 and 2021 in the limits of the Valencian Community (East Spain). For this purpose, the phthalate metabolites were purified from the livers by solid phase extraction and were quantified by UPLC-MS/MS. Fifteen phthalate metabolites were detected in the samples. Monoethyl phthalate (mEP), monomethyl phthalate (mMP), mono-n-butyl phthalate (mBP), phthalic acid (PA) and mono-n-hexyl phthalate (mHxP) were the most abundant metabolites, accounting for detection rates >85%. The highest median concentrations were found for PA (24.2 ng/g dry weight, d.w.) and mHxP (20.3 ng/g d.w.) followed by mMP (12.0 ng/g d.w.), mEP (5.76 ng/g d.w.) and mBP (4.26 ng/g d.w.). The sum of the medians of these five phthalate metabolites (Σ₅PhMet) indicated that concentrations were higher for turtles during year 2020, while a negative association was found between [Σ₅PhMet] and the turtle size. To our knowledge, this is the first study on the biomonitoring of 18 phthalate metabolites in loggerhead marine turtles, and results show that western Mediterranean loggerhead turtles are usually exposed to these contaminants.

The presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) in the environment is of great concern to human health. This study developed a new combination of high-frequency electromagnetic field (HEMF) and low-dosage chlorine disinfection to reduce the abundance of extracellular ARG (eARG) sul2 and intracellular ARG (iARG) adeF. The removal efficiencies of sul2 and adeF from sulfamethoxazole- and multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter junii were measured by quantitative PCR (qPCR). Compared to chlorine disinfection alone, the combination of HEMF treatment exhibited significantly improved ARG removal efficiency. The highest removal efficiencies of sul2 and adeF under the combination were 75.7% and 91.4%, respectively. Treatment time and the dosage of chlorine played pivotal roles in the removal efficiency of ARGs via HEMF treatment and chlorine disinfection, respectively. Importantly, a combination of low-dose chlorine with HEMF treatment could serve as a viable alternative to high-dose chlorine disinfection. This work offers essential process parameters for optimizing the elimination of iARGs and eARGs and presents a viable solution for addressing the issue of ARG contamination.