Environmental Toxicology最新文献

The extensive utilization of plastics has resulted in the emergence of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) as a major contaminant in the environment, posing serious implications for human and animal health. Multiple investigations suggest that exposure to DEHP impairs female reproductive capacity, causing depletion of primordial follicles and disruption of hormone production. However, the specific mechanisms by which DEHP influences ovarian development and function in females remain unclear. In our work, we conducted an in vivo study using a mouse model exposed to 200 mg/kg DEHP for 28 days. We found that exposure to DEHP inhibited ovarian development and follicle maturation, leading to decreased numbers of primary and antral follicles. Furthermore, we observed that exposure to DEHP destroyed mitochondrial dynamics in the ovary, leading to mitophagy and autophagy. Additionally, DEHP exposure induced oxidative stress and abnormal mitochondrial energy metabolism by inhibiting Sirt3/Sod2-regulated signaling pathway in the ovary. Furthermore, our findings showed that DEHP exposure caused ovarian DNA damage and apoptosis by inhibiting Akt/mTOR signaling cascade. In conclusion, our study shows that DEHP exposure profoundly impairs ovarian function through inhibiting Sirt3/Sod2 and Akt/mTOR signaling pathways. These results provide valuable insights into the detrimental effects of DEHP on the female reproductive system.

In this study, we examined metal accumulation and biochemical responses of Azolla imbricata (Roxb.) Nakai exposed to water medium (WM) and nutrient medium (NM) under single and combined (co-exposure) treatments with five metals (As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) at 10% environmentally relevant concentrations. Marked differences between WM and NM highlighted the influence of nutrient availability on plant responses. An inverse relationship was observed, with higher biomass in NM (WM < NM) and greater metal accumulation in WM (WM > NM). Growth inhibition, reflected by reduced photosynthetic pigment contents, was accompanied by elevated stress indicators, including electrolyte leakage, proline, malondialdehyde, and anthocyanins, confirming metal-induced phytotoxicity. Metal interactions under co-exposure were predominantly antagonistic in WM and synergistic in NM. Metal accumulation patterns (mg/kg) varied across media and exposure types: under single exposure, values ranged from 83.8 (As) to 43 881 (Zn) in WM and from 11.7 (Cd) to 12 135 (Cu) in NM; under co-exposure, they ranged from 346 (Cd) to 12 688 (Cu) in WM and from 46 (Cd) to 2859 (Cu) in NM. Accumulation sequences did not correspond to exposure concentrations, indicating metal-specific and media-dependent uptake. Under co-exposure, concurrent accumulation of multiple metals was more frequent in WM than that in NM, suggesting nutrient availability constrained simultaneous uptake. Bioconcentration factor values exceeded common thresholds under certain treatments, indicating strong accumulation potential rather than definitive hyperaccumulation. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of A. imbricata for phytoremediation of metal-contaminated waters while emphasizing cautious application in agroecosystems due to potential soil-crop-food pathway transfer.

Pharmaceutical pollution is a global concern due to its pervasive impact on water quality, affecting diverse ecosystems. Despite this fact, contamination within UNESCO heritage natural sites remains understudied. To address this gap, our study focused on assessing pharmaceutical pollution in Pruhonice Park, screening water samples for 98 pharmaceuticals across nine different sites throughout the Park during all four seasons, using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. Our findings identified the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent upstream of the Park boundaries and a tributary from an adjacent village as the primary sources of pollution. Concentrations of 20 pharmaceuticals were above the limit of detection, with gabapentin, metformin, caffeine, diclofenac, and carbamazepine among the most prevalent, reaching concentrations up to 2120 ng/L. Seasonal variations were substantial, with significantly lower concentrations detected in winter and spring. Risk quotients for more than half of detected analytes indicated high predicted risk for the aquatic environment in at least one sampling site, with carbamazepine and diclofenac exceeding the extreme risk threshold. Despite high upstream contamination, the outflow from the Park exhibits a significant reduction in pollution as compared to the inflow. Our results suggest that the combination of physical, chemical and biological processes can contribute to the reduction of human-derived contaminants within the biodiverse UNESCO natural park. To enhance these natural attenuation mechanisms, our findings highlight the need for targeted policy measures, including stricter discharge regulations, improved wastewater management, and systematic monitoring programs implemented by governmental authorities.