Emerging Contaminants最新文献

The strategic review explores the evolving landscape of electronic waste (e-waste) management in Saudi Arabia, shedding light on the strategies implemented, challenges faced, and emerging opportunities in the realm of sustainable waste management. The comprehensive analysis encompasses the environmental and human health implications in association with the inappropriate handling of electronic waste. Saudi Arabia, a rapidly advancing technological hub, has witnessed a surge in e-waste generation, prompting the need for robust management frameworks. The review delves into the existing strategies employed by Saudi Arabia to tackle the growing e-waste dilemma, evaluating their effectiveness and potential areas for enhancement. Key challenges, including regulatory gaps, technological obsolescence, and awareness gaps, are examined to provide a holistic understanding of the obstacles hindering optimal e-waste management practices. Furthermore, the document explores opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and policy refinement to address these challenges and build a more sustainable e-waste management ecosystem. A crucial aspect of this review is the examination of the direct and indirect impacts of e-waste on human well-being and the environment. Insights are drawn from existing studies and data to illuminate the potential risks associated with improper disposal and the liberation of dangerous substances. The review highlights the urgent need for comprehensive e-waste management strategies to mitigate adverse consequences on both human well-being and the environment. In total, this strategic review aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse surrounding e-waste management in Saudi Arabia, offering valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders. By identifying key strategies, challenges, and opportunities, it seeks to inform and guide future initiatives, fostering a sustainable approach to electronic waste management in the Kingdom.

As we tread upon the ever-evolving canvas of our planet, one of the emerging concerns is the silent threat of heavy metal toxicity, a modern challenge that calls for both awareness and action. A single gram of mercury which is a potent and widespread aquatic contaminant, can contaminate a 20-acre lake to the extent that fish from the lake may become unsafe for human consumption. On the other hand, the wide application of HM-based chemical substances such as insecticides (market value of 19.5 billion USD in the year 2022 worldwide which is expected to increase by 28 billion USD by 2027) is growing significantly. This alarming fact highlights the far-reaching consequences of heavy metal pollution in our precious aquatic environments. The current review discusses one of the global issues which is bioaccumulation of heavy metals (HMs) in fish, concerns related to HM bioaccumulation, gathered data on HM concentrations in various fish organs, and research gaps primarily within India. The critical approach is made by emphasizing the intricate connection between the food chain and HM bioaccumulation, highlighting the consequent transfer of contaminants to humans. The scope of this article also covers the severity of toxicity induced by HMs in both humans and fish. Overall, this review serves to provide a comprehensive overview of the emerging issues concerning HM bioaccumulation in fish and its impact on human health highlighting the need for extensive studies in relevant areas.

The global insecticide market is undergoing significant changes, witnessing a surge in neonicotinoids (NEOs) usage, alongside the persistent application of traditional insecticides, such as organophosphates (OPs), carbamates (CMs) and pyrethroids (PYRs). In this study, therefore, NEOs, OPs, PYRs and CMs were measured in various pomelo tissues and paired soil and leaf samples collected from two pomelo orchards in South China. NEOs exhibited a higher median sum residue in pulp (ΣNEOs: 1.90 ng/g) than traditional insecticides (ΣOPs: 1.69 ng/g, ΣCMs: 0.49 ng/g, and ΣPYRs: 0.33 ng/g). Principal component analysis indicated that NEO residues in pulp was primarily originated from deep soil. Moreover, the migration pathway of NEOs potentially extends from the deep soil to the plant's root system, then travels through the carpopodium to access the pulp, whereas traditional insecticides adhere to a migration pathway that progresses from the epicarp to the pulp. Tissue-specific distribution analysis revealed that NEOs exhibit an enhanced propensity for accumulation in the pulp. In contrast, traditional insecticides display a preference for accumulating in seeds and endocarp. This study first to delineate distinction in residue, migration, tissue-specific distribution between NEOs and traditional insecticides, heightened emphasis is warranted on NEOs and their metabolites within the ambit of the “One-Health” framework.

Mycotoxin exposure during pregnancy has been associated with adverse birth outcomes and poor infant growth in low- and middle-income countries. We assessed multiple biomarkers and metabolites of exposure to mycotoxins during pregnancy and their associations with birth outcomes and infant growth in 305 pregnant participants, between 30 and 34 completed weeks of gestation, in rural Burkina Faso. In this study, whole blood microsamples were analyzed for mycotoxin concentrations using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Unadjusted and adjusted associations between mycotoxin exposure, and birth outcomes and infant growth at 6 months were estimated using linear regression models for continuous outcomes and linear probability models with robust variance estimation for binary outcomes. Infant growth trajectories from birth to 6 months were compared by exposure status using mixed-effects models with random intercept for the individual infant and random slope for the infant's age. Ochratoxin A (OTA) exposure was detected in 50.8 % of the study participants, with aflatoxin G1, aflatoxin M1, cyclopiazonic acid, deoxynivalenol and T-2-toxin being detected in the range of 0.33 % and 2.31 % of the population. We found no statistically significant (p ≥ 0.05) associations between OTA exposure, and birth outcomes and infant growth. Despite this, the findings indicate a significant presence of ochratoxin A among pregnant participants. Public health policies and nutrition-sensitive interventions must ensure that OTA exposure is reduced in Burkina Faso.

The presence of antibiotics as emerging micropollutants in the aquatic environment has been raising health concerns for a number of years. Macrolides (MLs) are a large class of widely-used antibiotics, but there is a lack of information on their distribution and risks in surface waters across the central and western regions of China. To clearly describe the pollution characteristics and risks of MLs in Weihe River (the largest tributary of the Yellow River), analysis of 5 typical MLs was conducted using a newly developed LC−MS/MS method for 50 water samples collected over three seasons during 2021–2022. The results revealed that the area showed comparable ML concentrations with other regions worldwide. However, the ML concentrations were much lower than those in the river during 2016 from a previous study. Furthermore, concentrations exhibited significant seasonal variation, with highest concentrations in the winter. Along the main stream of the Weihe River, the sampling sites close to the wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and livestock farms exhibited higher concentrations of MLs, indicating the significant contribution from WWTPs and animal husbandry to the emission of MLs. The risk quotients (RQs) suggested that the ecological risks associated with MLs were most pronounced in winter among the three seasons, with erythromycin posing a high or medium risk to algae at all sampling sites. The results of this study will be of importance towards the goal of understanding the presence of these emerging contaminants in surface waters and any required risk reduction measures.

In most developing countries, including Ethiopia, the excessive use of toxic and persistent pesticides for agricultural and malaria control purposes poses a significant challenge. This study focuses on evaluating the concentration and ecological risks associated with organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the sediments of Lake Tana and Hayqe. Employing a laboratory-based cross-sectional approach, the residues of OCPs in sediment samples were extracted using the Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS) method, followed by dispersive solid phase extraction cleanup (d-SPE) techniques and analyzed for 18 OCPs by gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The risk Quotient (RQ) method was adopted for ecological risk assessments by using fish, daphnia, and algae as indicators. The concentration of OCPs ranged from 10.11 to 125.65 μg/kg and 10.96–45.17 μg/kg in Lake Tana and Hayqe, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean concentration of OCPs across the sampling sites in Lake Tana. Deltamethrin and lindane exhibit comparatively lower concentrations among the OCPs, whereas endrin, DDT, and their metabolites were the predominant pesticides in the study area, exceeding WHO and USEPA residue limits, except for endosulfan. Risk Quotient values ranged from 0.006 to 865.4 in Lake Tana and 0.005 to 729.9 in Lake Hayqe, indicating potential low to high ecological risks for aquatic organisms. High ecological risks are particularly evident in fish, daphnia, and algae species exposed to α and β-Endosulfan, DDT, and their metabolites, while specifically in daphnia, endrin poses high ecological risks. The ANOVA test revealed there were statistically significant differences (p-value <0.05) among sampling sites in Lake Tana and the mean values between Lake Tana and Lake Hayqe, underscoring the importance of addressing pesticide-related ecological concerns in the region.

At the forefront of agricultural innovation, copper-based nanoparticles (Cu-based NPs) have seized global attention in recent years, revolutionizing fields as diverse as electronics, medicine, and, notably, agriculture. Their prowess in combating phytopathogenic microorganisms, boosting plant yield and defenses, and their dual role as pesticides or fertilizers - depending on the dosage - positions them at the epicenter of exciting scientific advancements. However, this is a two-edged sword: the environmental impact of Cu-based NPs is an escalating concern. The release of these particles post-use raises serious questions about the accumulation of toxic copper levels in soil and, consequently, in crops. In a market with rising metal nanoparticles, a deeper exploration is essential to balance the benefits and risks associated with Cu-based NPs in agriculture. This review synthesizes the state-of-the-art Cu-based NP synthesis, their application as antimicrobial agents, pesticides, and fertilizers, and their interactions with soil, highlighting its advantages and disadvantages. Finally, we delve into future perspectives, spotlighting the research gaps in Cu-based NP studies that beckon for attention in the coming years.

Bisphenols (BPs), prevalent endocrine disruptors in daily life, have been widely studied in vitro for their potential to cause liver diseases, including liver cancer. However, there is a dearth of research exploring BP levels in clinical populations with liver issues. This study comprehensively analyzed the distribution and characteristics of ten BPs in paired serum, blood, and urine samples from 197 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients and 100 non-HCC patients. The study investigated the impact of sociodemographic factors, such as gender, BMI (Body Mass Index), age, drinking, and smoking habits, on BP distribution. Additionally, it analyzed the relationship between BPs and three liver function biomarkers: γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). Notably, some BP levels were higher in non-HCC patients compared to HCC patients across all three sample types. For HCC patients, the BP concentrations followed the order of serum (29.12 ng/mL) > blood (18.36 ng/mL) > urine (14.91 ng/mL), whereas for non-HCC patients, the order was urine (30.79 ng/mL) > serum (29.51 ng/mL) > blood (24.34 ng/mL). Moreover, BP levels in all patient samples, regardless of HCC status, increased with age. Among HCC patients, females were found to have a higher exposure to BPs compared to males, while the opposite trend was observed in non-HCC patients. Furthermore, the study revealed positive correlations between BPs and liver function indicators, such as ALT and BPAF, BPAP, BPBP; GGT and BPF; and AFP and BPF. These findings suggest a potential association between BPs and liver disease. This comprehensive analysis of BP concentrations in bio-samples from liver disease patients provides valuable insights into the relationship between BPs and liver disease in clinical settings, serving as a reference for future research and clinical practice.

Sulfapyridine (SPY) is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant belonging to the sulfonamide antibiotics. Previous studies showed that hydroxylamine (HA) can improve the performance of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) by promoting Fe(II) regeneration, yet the reaction mechanisms were not elucidated. Therefore, the role of HA and the degradation mechanisms of SPY were systematically studied therein. The SPY degradation efficiency increased from 77.5 % to 91.6 % after HA was added. With radical scavenger experiment, a function of HA to promote ^•OH production for SPY degradation was clarified. The major radical from SO₄^•- and ^•OH to ^•OH with addition of HA in Fe(II)/potassium peroxydisulfate (PDS). Results showed that alkali, acid condition and high PDS concentration all contributed to SPY degradation. According to experimental results, density functional theory (DFT) was used to calculate the degradation pathway of SPY. Rate-limiting path was obtained by comparing the rate constants calculated from the transition-state theory. The cleavage of C–C bond in benzene ring with the slowest rate was essential to degrade SPY, which not only promotes the mineralization of SPY, but also prevent the production of toxic TPs effectively. This study provides valuable insight into the SPY degradation in HA/Fe(II)/PDS.

The application of plant extracts in the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has attracted significant attention owing to their eco-friendliness and cost-effective features. However, nanoparticles synthesized from plant materials may also display unique physicochemical properties. This study described an improved synthesis process for silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from the peel of the Citrus unshiu fruit, an agricultural waste product. In addition to evaluating the produced AgNPs' physico-chemical characteristics, the research also examines their antibacterial and cytotoxic/anticancer capabilities. The color change from yellow to dark brown was observed immediately when 20 ml of Citrus unshiu fruit peel extract was added to 0.5 g of silver nitrate. A surface plasmon resonance band at 424 nm revealed by ultra-violet spectroscopy was used as additional confirmation that AgNP had formed. The scanning electron microscope (SEM), and the transmission electron microscope (TEM), revealed spherical-shaped NPs with a mean size of 23 nm. Furthermore, X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the high crystallinity of the obtained NPs while Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the bioreducing capacity of the Citrus unshiu fruit peel extract. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) (31.25 μg/mL) of AgNPs significantly revealed a strong dose-dependent antibacterial effect on Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus. In contrast, their impact on gram-negative bacteria, such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium, displayed an MIC of 250 μg/mL. The assessment of cytotoxicity on human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293) and lung cancer cells (A549) through a 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay revealed no detectable cytotoxic effects. The IC₅₀ values were determined as 37.73 ± 0.34 μg/mL for HEK293 and 56.37 ± 0.73 μg/mL for A549, indicating the absence of significant adverse impacts on these cell lines. The anticancer drug doxorubicin was used as a reference standard, and had an IC₅₀ value of 1.22 ± 0.09 and 0.76 ± 0.12 μg/mL against HEK293 and A549 cells, respectively. The results show that AgNPs synthesized from Citrus unshiu fruit peel could serve as antibacterial agents that may in the future be optimized for us in for example nanofiltration systems.