Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-11-14DOI: 10.1016/j.enceco.2025.11.020
Fengjie Chen , Qiuhan Meng , Ange Zhu , Yu Xia , Qingchun Liu , Mengxi Cao , Pu Wang , Bolei Chen , Yong Liang , Yongguang Yin , Ligang Hu , Yawei Wang , Maoyong Song
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastics (MPs) are prevalent in the atmosphere and, as they migrate, inevitably interact with flowing moist air. Despite this, our understanding of the surface chemistry of MPs remains limited. In this study, friction experiments were conducted using a custom-designed model to simulate the interaction between PVC MPs and moist air. The physicochemical changes and reactive species were systematically characterized using ion chromatography, electron spin resonance, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Results demonstrate that PVC MPs release chloride ions when subjected to friction with moist air in dark conditions. The release of chloride ions is primarily driven by the reduction of CCl bonds, induced by hydrogen radicals generated through electron transfer from water to the polymer during friction. Furthermore, these released chloride ions are subsequently converted into atomic chlorine due to the generation of hydroxyl radicals, a process facilitated by contact electrification between water vapor and the polymer under solar irradiation. Our findings suggest that PVC MPs could act as a source of reactive chlorine, influencing redox processes and potentially impacting air quality in the atmosphere.
{"title":"Chlorine release induced by contact electrification between polyvinyl chloride microplastics and moist air","authors":"Fengjie Chen , Qiuhan Meng , Ange Zhu , Yu Xia , Qingchun Liu , Mengxi Cao , Pu Wang , Bolei Chen , Yong Liang , Yongguang Yin , Ligang Hu , Yawei Wang , Maoyong Song","doi":"10.1016/j.enceco.2025.11.020","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enceco.2025.11.020","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastics (MPs) are prevalent in the atmosphere and, as they migrate, inevitably interact with flowing moist air. Despite this, our understanding of the surface chemistry of MPs remains limited. In this study, friction experiments were conducted using a custom-designed model to simulate the interaction between PVC MPs and moist air. The physicochemical changes and reactive species were systematically characterized using ion chromatography, electron spin resonance, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Results demonstrate that PVC MPs release chloride ions when subjected to friction with moist air in dark conditions. The release of chloride ions is primarily driven by the reduction of C<img>Cl bonds, induced by hydrogen radicals generated through electron transfer from water to the polymer during friction. Furthermore, these released chloride ions are subsequently converted into atomic chlorine due to the generation of hydroxyl radicals, a process facilitated by contact electrification between water vapor and the polymer under solar irradiation. Our findings suggest that PVC MPs could act as a source of reactive chlorine, influencing redox processes and potentially impacting air quality in the atmosphere.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100480,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology","volume":"8 ","pages":"Pages 290-295"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145618180","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-11-22DOI: 10.1016/j.enceco.2025.11.025
Junyu Ma , Yongzhi Chi , Cancan Jiang , Yanghui Xiong , Cong Wang , Nan Wan , Xiaoxuan Liu , Xiaoxu Zheng , Zailei Wang , Shengjun Xu
Urbanization, characterized by high population density and industrial diversity, accelerates the release of emerging contaminants (ECs) into aquatic environments. However, the impacts of urbanization on ECs occurrence and prevalence remain poorly understood. This study used the Yiwu River, the Yiwu city's main watercourse, as a model to evaluate impacts of urbanization on ECs distribution. 40 ECs were detected, classified into four major categories: environmental estrogens (EEs), antibiotics (ABs), organophosphate pesticides (OPPs), and phthalates (PAEs). Among them, 19 compounds exhibited detection frequencies greater than 50 %. The predominant categories were EEs and PAEs with drastically high concentrations and raising high ecological risk. The dominant EC components in mainstream mirrored those in the tributaries. However, tributaries exhibited significantly higher concentrations of both conventional water quality parameters and ECs, resulting in greater ecological risks. Spatially, EC concentrations in both mainstream and tributaries followed the trend: midstream > upstream > downstream, with the midstream region being closest to the urban center of Yiwu City. The higher ratio of artificial surfaces in the midstream (56.9 %) with a lower ratio of green covered area (only 15 %) may further deteriorate the water quality. PAEs were strongly associated with the assembly of chemical fiber-textile-dyeing industries. Finally, the alleviating solutions were proposed. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers concerned with protecting scarce urban water resources, and offer a useful reference for researchers studying urbanization impacts on emerging contaminants.
{"title":"Emerging contaminants in the Yiwu River adjacent to China's leading international trade hub: Occurrence, ecological risk assessment and influencing factors","authors":"Junyu Ma , Yongzhi Chi , Cancan Jiang , Yanghui Xiong , Cong Wang , Nan Wan , Xiaoxuan Liu , Xiaoxu Zheng , Zailei Wang , Shengjun Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.enceco.2025.11.025","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enceco.2025.11.025","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Urbanization, characterized by high population density and industrial diversity, accelerates the release of emerging contaminants (ECs) into aquatic environments. However, the impacts of urbanization on ECs occurrence and prevalence remain poorly understood. This study used the Yiwu River, the Yiwu city's main watercourse, as a model to evaluate impacts of urbanization on ECs distribution. 40 ECs were detected, classified into four major categories: environmental estrogens (EEs), antibiotics (ABs), organophosphate pesticides (OPPs), and phthalates (PAEs). Among them, 19 compounds exhibited detection frequencies greater than 50 %. The predominant categories were EEs and PAEs with drastically high concentrations and raising high ecological risk. The dominant EC components in mainstream mirrored those in the tributaries. However, tributaries exhibited significantly higher concentrations of both conventional water quality parameters and ECs, resulting in greater ecological risks. Spatially, EC concentrations in both mainstream and tributaries followed the trend: midstream > upstream > downstream, with the midstream region being closest to the urban center of Yiwu City. The higher ratio of artificial surfaces in the midstream (56.9 %) with a lower ratio of green covered area (only 15 %) may further deteriorate the water quality. PAEs were strongly associated with the assembly of chemical fiber-textile-dyeing industries. Finally, the alleviating solutions were proposed. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers concerned with protecting scarce urban water resources, and offer a useful reference for researchers studying urbanization impacts on emerging contaminants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100480,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology","volume":"8 ","pages":"Pages 296-306"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145618179","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-11-24DOI: 10.1016/j.enceco.2025.11.029
Yunhao Ding , Wen-Xiong Wang
Tire additive 6PPD and its transformation product 6PPD-Quinone have garnered substantial attention due to their association with mass salmon mortality events. This study investigated the bioaccumulation and sublethal toxicological effects of 6PPD and 6PPD-Q using zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model fish. Both 6PPD and 6PPD-Q exhibited distinct distribution and bioaccumulation potential in the fish. Specifically, 6PPD was enriched in the guts and liver, whereas 6PPD-Q was enriched in the brain, liver, and gills. Zebrafish liver exhibited strong absorption capacity for both compounds, while the eyes and gills showed selective absorption for 6PPD and 6PPD-Q, respectively. At elevated exposure concentrations, 6PPD demonstrated lower bioaccumulation potential but higher adsorption capacity. In contrast, 6PPD-Q displayed the opposite pattern. This suggested that depuration processes predominantly regulated the accumulation dynamics of these compounds. Exposure to both chemicals at concentrations ranging from environmentally relevant to high concentrations induced multi-levels of toxic responses in zebrafish. These included behavioral impairments with reduced swimming activity and histopathological damages of inflammation, fat droplets, vacuoles, and cell gap enlargement in liver tissue. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that both compounds induced pathological liver damage in zebrafish through disruption of glycolysis and gluconeogenesis pathways. Additionally, effects on P450 metabolic systems led to differential bioaccumulation patterns between the two compounds. This study provides important toxicological evidence for assessing the ecological risks of tire-derived pollutants and emphasizes the necessity of monitoring both parent compounds and their transformation products in environmental surveillance.
{"title":"Tissue-specific bioaccumulation and hepatotoxicity of 6PPD and 6PPD-Quinone in zebrafish","authors":"Yunhao Ding , Wen-Xiong Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.enceco.2025.11.029","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enceco.2025.11.029","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Tire additive 6PPD and its transformation product 6PPD-Quinone have garnered substantial attention due to their association with mass salmon mortality events. This study investigated the bioaccumulation and sublethal toxicological effects of 6PPD and 6PPD-Q using zebrafish (<em>Danio rerio</em>) as a model fish. Both 6PPD and 6PPD-Q exhibited distinct distribution and bioaccumulation potential in the fish. Specifically, 6PPD was enriched in the guts and liver, whereas 6PPD-Q was enriched in the brain, liver, and gills. Zebrafish liver exhibited strong absorption capacity for both compounds, while the eyes and gills showed selective absorption for 6PPD and 6PPD-Q, respectively. At elevated exposure concentrations, 6PPD demonstrated lower bioaccumulation potential but higher adsorption capacity. In contrast, 6PPD-Q displayed the opposite pattern. This suggested that depuration processes predominantly regulated the accumulation dynamics of these compounds. Exposure to both chemicals at concentrations ranging from environmentally relevant to high concentrations induced multi-levels of toxic responses in zebrafish. These included behavioral impairments with reduced swimming activity and histopathological damages of inflammation, fat droplets, vacuoles, and cell gap enlargement in liver tissue. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that both compounds induced pathological liver damage in zebrafish through disruption of glycolysis and gluconeogenesis pathways. Additionally, effects on P450 metabolic systems led to differential bioaccumulation patterns between the two compounds. This study provides important toxicological evidence for assessing the ecological risks of tire-derived pollutants and emphasizes the necessity of monitoring both parent compounds and their transformation products in environmental surveillance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100480,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology","volume":"8 ","pages":"Pages 307-318"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145618178","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-12-20DOI: 10.1016/j.enceco.2025.12.016
Wang Fu , Yundie Liang , Quan Chen , Min Wu , Danping Wu , Patryk Oleszczuk , Bo Pan
The coexistence of cations and anions critically influences contaminant behavior in various environments, yet their roles in redox-driven remediation remain underexplored. This study elucidates how cations (K(I), Mg(II), Zn(II), Cu(II), and Cr(III)) enhance biochar-mediated Cr(VI) removal through electrostatic modulation. By quantitatively decoupling the adsorption and reduction pathways, we demonstrated that cation co-presence promoted Cr(VI) adsorption (3.5–26.2-fold) and reduction (1.1–3.0-fold), with more than 63.9 % the overall Cr(VI) removal attributing to reduction. While superoxide radicals (·O₂−) contributed− to liquid-phase reduction, their efficacy depended on interfacial accessibility rather than abundance. A significant correlation between zeta potential elevation and Cr(VI) reduction (P < 0.01) indicated electrostatic modulation as the key mechanism for the enhanced Cr(VI) removal in the presence of ions. Two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2DCOS) revealed that the preferential complexation of Cr(III) with carboxyl groups served as the primary electrostatic modulation pathway, retarding Cr(VI) adsorption. Subsequent reduction was driven by phenolic hydroxyl groups, which were oxidized to carboxylates during the conversion of Cr(VI) to Cr(III). This work emphasizes surface charge modification as a critical strategy for optimizing the redox functionality of biochar.
{"title":"Cation-driven electrostatic modulation enhances Cr(VI) reduction by biochar","authors":"Wang Fu , Yundie Liang , Quan Chen , Min Wu , Danping Wu , Patryk Oleszczuk , Bo Pan","doi":"10.1016/j.enceco.2025.12.016","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enceco.2025.12.016","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The coexistence of cations and anions critically influences contaminant behavior in various environments, yet their roles in redox-driven remediation remain underexplored. This study elucidates how cations (K(I), Mg(II), Zn(II), Cu(II), and Cr(III)) enhance biochar-mediated Cr(VI) removal through electrostatic modulation. By quantitatively decoupling the adsorption and reduction pathways, we demonstrated that cation co-presence promoted Cr(VI) adsorption (3.5–26.2-fold) and reduction (1.1–3.0-fold), with more than 63.9 % the overall Cr(VI) removal attributing to reduction. While superoxide radicals (·O₂<sup>−</sup>) contributed<sup>−</sup> to liquid-phase reduction, their efficacy depended on interfacial accessibility rather than abundance. A significant correlation between zeta potential elevation and Cr(VI) reduction (<em>P</em> < 0.01) indicated electrostatic modulation as the key mechanism for the enhanced Cr(VI) removal in the presence of ions. Two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2DCOS) revealed that the preferential complexation of Cr(III) with carboxyl groups served as the primary electrostatic modulation pathway, retarding Cr(VI) adsorption. Subsequent reduction was driven by phenolic hydroxyl groups, which were oxidized to carboxylates during the conversion of Cr(VI) to Cr(III). This work emphasizes surface charge modification as a critical strategy for optimizing the redox functionality of biochar.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100480,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology","volume":"8 ","pages":"Pages 680-687"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145839473","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-01-17DOI: 10.1016/j.enceco.2026.01.013
Siyuan Li , Caiqing Li , Zhixiang Xu , Guangzhou He , Yitao Ma , Hao Lu , Keying Chen , Longlong Miao , Xianyao Zheng , Xuejun Pan
The synergistic effects between antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and horizontal gene transfer involving non-antibiotic pollutants such as microplastics represent an emerging frontier in ecological and public health research. Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP), a prevalent phthalate (PAE) plasticizer, volatilizes into aquatic environments, posing significant risks to aquatic ecosystems. This study systematically investigated the regulatory mechanisms by which DIBP promotes conjugative transfer of ARGs at environmentally relevant concentrations (0.01–100 μg/L), showing increases of 1.02–1.67-fold and 1.02–1.36-fold compared to controls. By establishing both intra- and inter-genus systems, we elucidated the synergistic interactions among oxidative stress, membrane permeability, and energy metabolism that collectively drive ARG dissemination. Moving beyond previous studies, the present work establishes a more comprehensive mechanistic evaluation framework through with DIBP induced ARG conjugation, namely “oxidative stress-membrane permeability-energy metabolism” coupling model. Related results extend the specificity of PAEs in facilitating ARG transfer from straight-chain to branched-chain isomers, representing a deep attempt to move from observational phenomena to systematic mechanistic analysis within this field. These findings reveal potential aquatic ecological and public health risks, ultimately providing novel theoretical support for mitigating PAE-induced antibiotic resistance transmission.
{"title":"Diisobutyl phthalate at environmental concentration promotes the conjugative transfer of antibiotic resistance genes: Mechanistic insights and ecological implications","authors":"Siyuan Li , Caiqing Li , Zhixiang Xu , Guangzhou He , Yitao Ma , Hao Lu , Keying Chen , Longlong Miao , Xianyao Zheng , Xuejun Pan","doi":"10.1016/j.enceco.2026.01.013","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enceco.2026.01.013","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The synergistic effects between antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and horizontal gene transfer involving non-antibiotic pollutants such as microplastics represent an emerging frontier in ecological and public health research. Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP), a prevalent phthalate (PAE) plasticizer, volatilizes into aquatic environments, posing significant risks to aquatic ecosystems. This study systematically investigated the regulatory mechanisms by which DIBP promotes conjugative transfer of ARGs at environmentally relevant concentrations (0.01–100 μg/L), showing increases of 1.02–1.67-fold and 1.02–1.36-fold compared to controls. By establishing both intra- and inter-genus systems, we elucidated the synergistic interactions among oxidative stress, membrane permeability, and energy metabolism that collectively drive ARG dissemination. Moving beyond previous studies, the present work establishes a more comprehensive mechanistic evaluation framework through with DIBP induced ARG conjugation, namely “oxidative stress-membrane permeability-energy metabolism” coupling model. Related results extend the specificity of PAEs in facilitating ARG transfer from straight-chain to branched-chain isomers, representing a deep attempt to move from observational phenomena to systematic mechanistic analysis within this field. These findings reveal potential aquatic ecological and public health risks, ultimately providing novel theoretical support for mitigating PAE-induced antibiotic resistance transmission.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100480,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology","volume":"8 ","pages":"Pages 1079-1090"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146077148","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-01-17DOI: 10.1016/j.enceco.2026.01.017
Yarui Liu , Nan Xiao , Yongcheng Li , Yiming Yao , Haining Luo
Organophosphate esters (OPEs), bisphenols, benzophenones, and parabens are acknowledged as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and used as flame retardants, plasticizers, and personal care products, but their associations with steroid hormone levels in females diagnosed of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) remain unclear. In this study, urinary and follicular fluid (FF) concentrations of 9 metabolites of OPEs (mOPEs), 7 bisphenols, 3 benzophenones, and 4 parabens were investigated in childbearing-age females with and without PCOS in China (n = 72). Bis(2-butoxyethyl) 2-hydroxyethyl phosphate (BBOEHEP) had higher FF concentrations in females with PCOS than without PCOS (4.22 and 0.26 ng/mL, p < 0.01). FF EDCs were positively associated with cortisol (p < 0.01). The major contribution came from mOPEs. Specifically, BBOEHEP alone accounted for 87.4% of this contribution. FF BBOEHEP, ΣmOPEs, bisphenol A, and Σbisphenols had positive associations with PCOS risk (OR = 2.58, 95% CI: 1.56, 4.25; OR = 4.93, 95% CI: 2.10, 11.6; OR = 14.1, 95% CI: 3.84, 51.6; OR = 15.0, 95% CI: 3.98, 56.7; p < 0.01). This study suggested FF is a better biomonitoring target for reproductive effects in ovary. The association between EDCs and steroid hormones is also worth further study for understanding their crucial impacts in PCOS females.
{"title":"Environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals in urine and follicular fluid: Association with steroid hormones and risk of polycystic ovarian syndrome","authors":"Yarui Liu , Nan Xiao , Yongcheng Li , Yiming Yao , Haining Luo","doi":"10.1016/j.enceco.2026.01.017","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enceco.2026.01.017","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Organophosphate esters (OPEs), bisphenols, benzophenones, and parabens are acknowledged as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and used as flame retardants, plasticizers, and personal care products, but their associations with steroid hormone levels in females diagnosed of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) remain unclear. In this study, urinary and follicular fluid (FF) concentrations of 9 metabolites of OPEs (mOPEs), 7 bisphenols, 3 benzophenones, and 4 parabens were investigated in childbearing-age females with and without PCOS in China (<em>n</em> = 72). Bis(2-butoxyethyl) 2-hydroxyethyl phosphate (BBOEHEP) had higher FF concentrations in females with PCOS than without PCOS (4.22 and 0.26 ng/mL, <em>p</em> < 0.01). FF EDCs were positively associated with cortisol (<em>p</em> < 0.01). The major contribution came from mOPEs. Specifically, BBOEHEP alone accounted for 87.4% of this contribution. FF BBOEHEP, ΣmOPEs, bisphenol A, and Σbisphenols had positive associations with PCOS risk (<em>OR</em> = 2.58, 95% CI: 1.56, 4.25; <em>OR</em> = 4.93, 95% CI: 2.10, 11.6; <em>OR</em> = 14.1, 95% CI: 3.84, 51.6; <em>OR</em> = 15.0, 95% CI: 3.98, 56.7; <em>p</em> < 0.01). This study suggested FF is a better biomonitoring target for reproductive effects in ovary. The association between EDCs and steroid hormones is also worth further study for understanding their crucial impacts in PCOS females.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100480,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology","volume":"8 ","pages":"Pages 1223-1231"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146173092","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-12-21DOI: 10.1016/j.enceco.2025.12.017
Miaocui Xi, Xue Bai, Lu Fang, Xuedong Wang, Jin Yan, Qiuhui Qian, Zejun Wang, Huili Wang
Herein, we systematically compared the cardiotoxicity effects of two structurally similar organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs; EHDPP and its major metabolite DPHP) using zebrafishi as a model organism. Predictive toxicity data from two aquatic species, together with empirical LC₅₀ values obtained in zebrafish larvae, consistently demonstrated that 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate (EHDPP) is substantially more toxic than diphenyl phosphate (DPHP). At LC₅₀-scaled concentrations, both contaminants induced the reduced heart rate, pericardial edema, and cardiac malformations, in concomitant with enhanced activities of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and downregulated cardiac transcription factors (gata4 and Nkx2.5) and upregulated structural gene cmlc2. Even at low concentrations, EHDPP triggered apoptosis and elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in cardiac and pericardial tisues, along with prominent lipid accumulation in the heart, vasculature, and intersegmental arteries. It activated multiple pathways including MAPK, calcium signaling, and excitation-contraction coupling, while DPHP primarily affected cardiac function via calcium pump regulation and neuro-signaling pathways. Disease ontology (DO) enrichment analysis revealed that both EHDPP and DPHP associated target genes were most significantly enriched in cardiovascular-related diseases. Pharmacological rescue experiments using pathway-specific agents (Y-27632 and isoproterenol) further validated the functional roles of key signaling pathways in mediating the observed cardiotoxicity. Albeit differing in only one alkyl chain, EHDPP and DPHP displayed significantly differential cardiotoxicity and molecular mechanisms in zebrafish. These observations are conducive to illustrating OPFRs' structure-activity relationship and their health risk.
{"title":"The differential cardiotoxicity effects and molecular mechanisms induced by two emerging organophosphorus flame retardants (EHDPP and DPHP) with similar parent structures in zebrafish","authors":"Miaocui Xi, Xue Bai, Lu Fang, Xuedong Wang, Jin Yan, Qiuhui Qian, Zejun Wang, Huili Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.enceco.2025.12.017","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enceco.2025.12.017","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Herein, we systematically compared the cardiotoxicity effects of two structurally similar organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs; EHDPP and its major metabolite DPHP) using zebrafishi as a model organism. Predictive toxicity data from two aquatic species, together with empirical LC₅₀ values obtained in zebrafish larvae, consistently demonstrated that 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate (EHDPP) is substantially more toxic than diphenyl phosphate (DPHP). At LC₅₀-scaled concentrations, both contaminants induced the reduced heart rate, pericardial edema, and cardiac malformations, in concomitant with enhanced activities of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and downregulated cardiac transcription factors (<em>gata4</em> and <em>Nkx2.5</em>) and upregulated structural gene <em>cmlc2</em>. Even at low concentrations, EHDPP triggered apoptosis and elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in cardiac and pericardial tisues, along with prominent lipid accumulation in the heart, vasculature, and intersegmental arteries. It activated multiple pathways including MAPK, calcium signaling, and excitation-contraction coupling, while DPHP primarily affected cardiac function via calcium pump regulation and neuro-signaling pathways. Disease ontology (DO) enrichment analysis revealed that both EHDPP and DPHP associated target genes were most significantly enriched in cardiovascular-related diseases. Pharmacological rescue experiments using pathway-specific agents (Y-27632 and isoproterenol) further validated the functional roles of key signaling pathways in mediating the observed cardiotoxicity. Albeit differing in only one alkyl chain, EHDPP and DPHP displayed significantly differential cardiotoxicity and molecular mechanisms in zebrafish. These observations are conducive to illustrating OPFRs' structure-activity relationship and their health risk.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100480,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology","volume":"8 ","pages":"Pages 780-793"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145924317","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-12-26DOI: 10.1016/j.enceco.2025.12.020
Runtong Dong , Yunfeng Ma , Yi Liu , Fanxiang Meng , Jiabao Lv , Angjian Wu , Zhongkang Han , Yujue Yang , Bingcheng Lin , Rong Jin , Minghui Zheng , Guorui Liu
Efficient catalytic oxidation of chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs) with minimal polychlorinated byproducts remains challenging, and the positive effect of water vapor could facilitate it. Based on MnCeOx catalyst, the formation characteristics of polychlorinated benzenes, highly toxic polychlorinated byproducts (PCDD/Fs, PCBs, and PCNs), and PAHs during catalytic oxidation of chlorobenzene (CBCO) were systemically revealed. A phosphate-modified strategy (trimethyl phosphate, CePO4, and H3PO4) was developed for promoting chlorine desorption and desirable inhibition on the polychlorinated byproducts. The trimethyl phosphate TMP-modified catalyst demonstrated highest CB conversion (T90 = 205 °C), stability, and water resistance. A series of experiments involving D2O-TPD-MS, radical trapping, and DFT calculation provided complete insights into promotion effect of phosphate-modification strategy on the formation of Brønsted acid sites and the hydrolysis effect on H2O molecule. H2O performed an essential proton-rich environment and highly reactive water-source oxygen species (·OH), thereby improving dechlorination and deep oxidation properties. The generation pathways of polychlorinated byproducts mainly include reaction steps such as free radical coupling, dechlorination, and condensation. TMP-modified MnCeOx catalyst exhibited the strongest suppression effect on the formation of chlorinated and non-chlorinated byproducts, and their concentrations were decreased by 87.7 % (Polychlorinated benzenes), 82.2 %(PCDD/Fs), 8.5 %(PCBs), and 92.0 %(PAHs), respectively. This work demonstrates a valuable phosphate-modified strategy to suppress the generation of polychlorinated byproducts during CVOCs elimination process and improved the application potential of Mn-based catalysts under practical application conditions (containing water vapor).
{"title":"Insight into catalytic performance of chlorobenzene over phosphate-modified MnCeOx catalysts and suppression mechanism of polychlorinated byproducts","authors":"Runtong Dong , Yunfeng Ma , Yi Liu , Fanxiang Meng , Jiabao Lv , Angjian Wu , Zhongkang Han , Yujue Yang , Bingcheng Lin , Rong Jin , Minghui Zheng , Guorui Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.enceco.2025.12.020","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enceco.2025.12.020","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Efficient catalytic oxidation of chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs) with minimal polychlorinated byproducts remains challenging, and the positive effect of water vapor could facilitate it. Based on MnCeOx catalyst, the formation characteristics of polychlorinated benzenes, highly toxic polychlorinated byproducts (PCDD/Fs, PCBs, and PCNs), and PAHs during catalytic oxidation of chlorobenzene (CBCO) were systemically revealed. A phosphate-modified strategy (trimethyl phosphate, CePO<sub>4</sub>, and H<sub>3</sub>PO<sub>4</sub>) was developed for promoting chlorine desorption and desirable inhibition on the polychlorinated byproducts. The trimethyl phosphate TMP-modified catalyst demonstrated highest CB conversion (T<sub>90</sub> = 205 °C), stability, and water resistance. A series of experiments involving D<sub>2</sub>O-TPD-MS, radical trapping, and DFT calculation provided complete insights into promotion effect of phosphate-modification strategy on the formation of Brønsted acid sites and the hydrolysis effect on H<sub>2</sub>O molecule. H<sub>2</sub>O performed an essential proton-rich environment and highly reactive water-source oxygen species (·OH), thereby improving dechlorination and deep oxidation properties. The generation pathways of polychlorinated byproducts mainly include reaction steps such as free radical coupling, dechlorination, and condensation. TMP-modified MnCeOx catalyst exhibited the strongest suppression effect on the formation of chlorinated and non-chlorinated byproducts, and their concentrations were decreased by 87.7 % (Polychlorinated benzenes), 82.2 %(PCDD/Fs), 8.5 %(PCBs), and 92.0 %(PAHs), respectively. This work demonstrates a valuable phosphate-modified strategy to suppress the generation of polychlorinated byproducts during CVOCs elimination process and improved the application potential of Mn-based catalysts under practical application conditions (containing water vapor).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100480,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology","volume":"8 ","pages":"Pages 729-737"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145883806","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-12-06DOI: 10.1016/j.enceco.2025.12.005
Mohammed Alsafran, Mariam Mohamed Razavi, Kamal Usman, Najeeb Ullah, Muhammad Rizwan
Vanadium (V) is a key element for multiple industrial applications due to its exceptional physicochemical properties. Nevertheless, the extensive utilization of V has raised significant environmental issues, posing substantial risks to ecosystem, particularly through uncontrolled emissions and soil deposition. This review provides a comprehensive overview and thoroughly examines the occurrence, sources, and speciation of V in soil system, with particular emphasis on its complex behavior, mobility and transformation in response to soil pH, redox potential, and organic matter content. Furthermore, the role of microbial processes and the impact of V on plant growth are also discussed in detail. Additionally, potential human health risks associated with dietary and environmental exposure to V are examined. This paper uniquely integrates soil geochemistry, plant-microbe interactions, and human health perspectives to provide a general understanding of V behavior in soil-plant systems. Integrating current advances in V research, this review aims to expand our understanding of its fate in the environment and toxicology and to contribute to guiding future work and the development of long-term effective soil remediation technology.
{"title":"Vanadium in agroecosystems: Toxicity across the soil-microbe-plant-human continuum","authors":"Mohammed Alsafran, Mariam Mohamed Razavi, Kamal Usman, Najeeb Ullah, Muhammad Rizwan","doi":"10.1016/j.enceco.2025.12.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enceco.2025.12.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Vanadium (V) is a key element for multiple industrial applications due to its exceptional physicochemical properties. Nevertheless, the extensive utilization of V has raised significant environmental issues, posing substantial risks to ecosystem, particularly through uncontrolled emissions and soil deposition. This review provides a comprehensive overview and thoroughly examines the occurrence, sources, and speciation of V in soil system, with particular emphasis on its complex behavior, mobility and transformation in response to soil pH, redox potential, and organic matter content. Furthermore, the role of microbial processes and the impact of V on plant growth are also discussed in detail. Additionally, potential human health risks associated with dietary and environmental exposure to V are examined. This paper uniquely integrates soil geochemistry, plant-microbe interactions, and human health perspectives to provide a general understanding of V behavior in soil-plant systems. Integrating current advances in V research, this review aims to expand our understanding of its fate in the environment and toxicology and to contribute to guiding future work and the development of long-term effective soil remediation technology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100480,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology","volume":"8 ","pages":"Pages 606-617"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145789685","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-12-17DOI: 10.1016/j.enceco.2025.12.013
Pan Yi , Jianqiu Chen , Hanxiao Han , Yuqing Liu , Shuo Yang , Guodong Kang , Ruixin Guo , Yanhua Liu
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are a class of long-lasting, high-risk contaminants in aquatic environments, and their toxicity is modulated by fluctuations in environmental factors. Dispersed black carbon (DBC) is a prevalent particulate matter in water bodies that exhibits a strong adsorption capacity, which can alter the bioavailability and toxicity of pollutants. This study investigated the intergenerational toxicity mechanisms of 2,2′,4,4′-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47), a representative POPs, through a 60-day exposure experiment. BDE-47 was administered at concentrations of 0, 2, 20, and 200 μg/L, with DBC at 0.5 mg/L, to assess its interference. The results demonstrate that DBC can adsorb BDE-47 efficiently, with an adsorption capacity of 34.6 mg/g, thereby modifying its bioavailability. Through a 60-day exposure experiment on adult zebrafish, we established that BDE-47 induces sex-specific toxicity. Females showed higher survival rates than males, but surviving females displayed more severe tissue damage and behavioral impairments. DBC-mediated adsorption mitigated the BDE-47-induced toxic effects in adult zebrafish via the modulation of steroidogenic pathways. Specifically, DBC increased gonad weight by 27.6 %, reduced the occurrence of atretic follicles, and elevated sperm count. At the molecular level, DBC alleviated the transcriptional dysregulation of key steroidogenic genes, notably upregulating the expression of Cyp17a1 and Star by approximately two-fold and three-fold, respectively. Conversely, in a 7-day assessment of offspring (F1), DBC enhanced the toxicity of BDE-47 in offspring, exacerbating tachycardia and behavioral disturbances in offspring fish. Based on evidence from gonadal histopathology, steroid synthesis gene dysregulation, and the behavioral phenotypes of the offspring, this study discovered the intergenerational paradox of particle-mediated POPs toxicity, namely that DBC reduces the bioavailability of BDE-47 in adult zebrafish but exacerbates intergenerational health risks. The research results emphasize that under the mediation of DBC, the persistent impact of POPs on aquatic ecosystems has intensified.
{"title":"Dispersed black carbon mediates intergenerational BDE-47 toxicity in zebrafish by regulating steroidogenesis: Attenuated parental toxicity with exacerbated offspring impairment","authors":"Pan Yi , Jianqiu Chen , Hanxiao Han , Yuqing Liu , Shuo Yang , Guodong Kang , Ruixin Guo , Yanhua Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.enceco.2025.12.013","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enceco.2025.12.013","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are a class of long-lasting, high-risk contaminants in aquatic environments, and their toxicity is modulated by fluctuations in environmental factors. Dispersed black carbon (DBC) is a prevalent particulate matter in water bodies that exhibits a strong adsorption capacity, which can alter the bioavailability and toxicity of pollutants. This study investigated the intergenerational toxicity mechanisms of 2,2′,4,4′-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47), a representative POPs, through a 60-day exposure experiment. BDE-47 was administered at concentrations of 0, 2, 20, and 200 μg/L, with DBC at 0.5 mg/L, to assess its interference. The results demonstrate that DBC can adsorb BDE-47 efficiently, with an adsorption capacity of 34.6 mg/g, thereby modifying its bioavailability. Through a 60-day exposure experiment on adult zebrafish, we established that BDE-47 induces sex-specific toxicity. Females showed higher survival rates than males, but surviving females displayed more severe tissue damage and behavioral impairments. DBC-mediated adsorption mitigated the BDE-47-induced toxic effects in adult zebrafish via the modulation of steroidogenic pathways. Specifically, DBC increased gonad weight by 27.6 %, reduced the occurrence of atretic follicles, and elevated sperm count. At the molecular level, DBC alleviated the transcriptional dysregulation of key steroidogenic genes, notably upregulating the expression of <em>Cyp17a1</em> and <em>Star</em> by approximately two-fold and three-fold, respectively. Conversely, in a 7-day assessment of offspring (F1), DBC enhanced the toxicity of BDE-47 in offspring, exacerbating tachycardia and behavioral disturbances in offspring fish. Based on evidence from gonadal histopathology, steroid synthesis gene dysregulation, and the behavioral phenotypes of the offspring, this study discovered the intergenerational paradox of particle-mediated POPs toxicity, namely that DBC reduces the bioavailability of BDE-47 in adult zebrafish but exacerbates intergenerational health risks. The research results emphasize that under the mediation of DBC, the persistent impact of POPs on aquatic ecosystems has intensified.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100480,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology","volume":"8 ","pages":"Pages 688-707"},"PeriodicalIF":8.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145883811","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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