Environmental Geochemistry and Health最新文献

Chromium (Cr) contamination originating from the tanning industry presents a significant threat to soil and groundwater. Traditional static risk assessment models often lack the capacity to account for the dynamic evolution of risks due to oversights in hydrogeological processes, changes in Cr speciation, and uncertainties in parameters. In this study, an integrated analytical framework combining contaminant transport models with Bayesian networks was proposed to investigate the dynamic health risks associated with Cr exposure at 10 tannery sites in China. Key parameters were derived from laboratory experiments and field studies, enabling analysis of the dynamic changes and health risks associated with Cr pollution. By integrating solute transport with chemical equilibrium models, the dynamic changes in Cr speciation were simulated. Additionally, a Bayesian network model incorporating 43 variables was used to address multi-parameter uncertainty. Results indicated that Type III sites (Inadequate landfills) exhibited high and most persistent carcinogenic risk of Cr exposure (CR = 1.0 × 10^-5 at 6000 days, 10 times above threshold), while Type II sites (legacy tanneries) had the highest short-term carcinogenic risk (CR = 1.0 × 10^-2 at day 100). Risk levels in Type I sites (modernized tanneries) were acceptable. Sensitivity analysis revealed that groundwater Cr(VI) concentration was the dominant driver of the human health risk, followed by groundwater flow velocity and hydraulic gradient. These findings highlight the importance of considering Cr speciation dynamics and key influencing parameters in dynamic risk management, emphasizing the need for process-based assessments to effectively manage Cr pollution at tannery sites.

Airborne particulate matter enriched with heavy metals constitutes a significant health threat across the developing world. To investigate the distribution, sources, and health risks of PM_2.5-bound heavy metals, ambient samples were collected in Baoding city from 2014 to 2022 and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results showed that the annual mean PM_2.5 concentration in Baoding exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) Interim Target-1. PM_2.5 levels generally declined from 2014 to 2022, with seasonal variation following the order: winter > autumn > spring > summer. Heavy metal concentrations peaked in winter, significantly exceeding those in spring, autumn, and summer, the latter exhibiting the lowest metal loading. Despite long-term air pollution controls, the annual average concentration of carcinogenic Cr(VI) may still surpass the WHO limit. Five major PM_2.5 sources were identified: coal combustion, secondary aerosols, vehicle emissions, dust, and industrial emissions. Coal combustion was the dominant source before 2017, after which secondary aerosols became predominant. Secondary aerosols also constituted the primary source in summer. Vehicle emissions and secondary aerosols contributed more to PM_2.5 in summer than in other seasons, while dust contributions were more pronounced in spring. Monte Carlo simulations indicated that PM_2.5-bound heavy metals pose non-carcinogenic risks to different populations at varying probabilities, with children exhibiting higher non-carcinogenic risks than adults. Manganese contributed most to non-carcinogenic risk. For carcinogenic risk, heavy metals showed a low probability of significant carcinogenic risk (SCR) or a high probability of acceptable risk (ACR). Carcinogenic risk probability ranked as: adult males > adult females > children, suggesting adult males may face the highest carcinogenic risk from PM_2.5-bound heavy metals. Among the five assessed metals, carcinogenic risk probability decreased in the order: As > Cr(VI) > Cd > Co > Ni, with As and Cr(VI) as dominant contributors. Both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks were higher in winter than in other seasons. This study demonstrates that while coordinated air pollution controls in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region have achieved some outcomes, Mn, Cr, and As still present notable potential health risks, requiring urgent attention.

This study evaluated harmful elements and associated health risks in Moatize, Mozambique's surface and groundwater, aligning with SDGs 3 (good health) and 6 (clean water). During both wet and dry seasons, 30 water samples were collected. Ions (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, SO₄^2-, HCO₃^-, NO₃^-, F^-, and Cl^-) were analyzed using Ion Chromatography (IC), while concentrations of PTEs (Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Pb, Sr, V, U, and Zn) were determined in water, coal, and ash samples by ICP-MS. Results indicated that PTE levels in coal and coal ash exceeded global average trace element concentrations. Moatize's water chemistry is mainly influenced by natural geological processes, especially rock weathering. Most water samples showed Pb and Se levels above the WHO (2021). Guidelines for drinking-water quality (4th ed., incorporating the first and second addenda). World Health Organization and Mozambican Water Quality Limits (MWQL). In surface water, Pb ranged from 0.006 to 0.11 mg/L during the dry season and 0.003-0.11 mg/L during the wet season; groundwater levels ranged from 0.003 to 0.016 mg/L, with two samples exceeding the WHO/MWQL limit of 0.01 mg/L. Se was elevated only in dry season groundwater (0.017-0.022 mg/L), exceeding the MWQL of 0.01 mg/L. The Pollution Index (PI) ranged from low (0) to highly polluted (392.77) due to PTEs. The most common pollutants were Pb > Se > Mn > Cu in dry season surface water and Pb > Se > Cu > Mn in wet season surface water and groundwater. Health risk assessments indicated potential non-carcinogenic issues from oral exposure (HQoral > 1), especially from NO₃^-, Cu, and Se, with children being more vulnerable. Conversely, dermal exposure (HQdermal < 1) did not pose significant health risks for any group.

The Huixian Wetland faces severe contamination from heavy metals (HMs) (particularly Hg and Cd) from industrial, agricultural, and aquaculture activity; however, comprehensive source-oriented health-risk assessment studies integrating multiple analytical methods for this karst wetland ecosystem remain limited. This study employed a multi-model approach to investigate the sources of heavy-metal contamination and the associated health risks in sediments from the Guilin-Huixian Karst Wetland. The absolute principal component score-multiple linear regression (APCS-MLR) and predictor model factorization (PMF) models, were used for source apportionment whereas the health-risk assessment combined the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) framework with a Monte Carlo model to quantify parameter uncertainties and identify high-risk populations. We collected sediment samples from 18 sampling points (58 sediment samples) and the contents were analyzed for seven HMs (As, Hg, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn). Results revealed that the average As, Hg, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentrations were 2.10-, 1.54-, 1.47-, 1.92-, 1.94-, 2.22-, and 3.15-times higher, respectively, than the background values of the Guangxi soils, with pollution severity ranked as Zn > Pb > Cr > As > Ni > Hg > Cu. Source apportionment identified three primary pollution sources: (1) traffic-related emissions, contributing significantly to Ni (81.08%), Pb (63.07%), As (48.32%), and Cu (28.87%); (2) industrial activity, contributing to Hg (36.81%) and Cr (25.79%); and (3) Notably, Zn exhibited the highest enrichment level (3.15 times the background value), but source attribution differed markedly between models. APCS-MLR attributed 80.77% to unidentified mixed sources due to weak inter-element correlations (KMO = 0.514), whereas PMF identified traffic emissions as the primary source (Factor 2: 47.23%), better resolving the contribution from tire wear and brake pad abrasion. Health-risk assessment indicated non-carcinogenic risk (CR) probabilities of 2.8% for adults and 43.1% for children, whereas unacceptable CR probabilities were 0.03% for adults and 18.5% for children, with As identified as the primary carcinogenic substance. These findings highlight the importance of traffic emissions, agricultural non-point source pollution, enhanced industrial waste management, and regular monitoring with source-specific remediation of key pollutants, particularly As, to ensure regional ecological security and protect the health of residents.

Carbofuran (CBF) is a highly toxic carbamate pesticide that poses significant risks to environmental and human health, necessitating sensitive and reliable monitoring in environmental matrices. In this study, a N and S-doped nonacobalt octasulfide carbon (Co₉S₈@NSC) nanocomposite was synthesized via a one-pot high-temperature pyrolysis method and employed as a modifier for a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) to develop an efficient voltammetric sensor for CBF detection. The structural and morphological characteristics of the synthesized nanocomposite were systematically characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The electrochemical properties were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry. The Co₉S₈@NSC-modified GCE exhibited superior electrocatalytic activity toward CBF oxidation, as evidenced by an enhanced oxidation peak current and a reduced oxidation potential compared with bare and other modified electrodes. The sensor demonstrated a wide linear response range from 10 to 260 µM with an ultralow detection limit of 0.003 µM. Furthermore, the fabricated sensor showed excellent selectivity in the presence of inorganic ions, biological molecules, and other pesticide-related compounds as potential interferents, while maintaining a good reproducibility and storage stability. The practical applicability of the proposed sensor was validated through the successful determination of CBF in wastewater, soil, and orange peel extract samples, yielding satisfactory recoveries in the range of 97.4-99.9%. These findings demonstrate that the Co₉S₈@NSC-based electrochemical sensor is a promising platform for environmental monitoring of CBF contamination in complex real matrices.

Synthetic urban surfaces, such as synthetic tracks and artificial turf, are increasingly recognised as sources of airborne microplastic (AMP) emissions in school environments, raising environmental and public health concerns. Children face heightened vulnerability due to their physiology and activity patterns, yet research specifically addressing AMP generation, distribution, and child-specific health implications in school contexts remains limited. Additionally, AMPs can also carry hazardous substances such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and endocrine disruptors, posing combined health risks that remain largely overlooked in current child exposure assessments. This review synthesises evidence from 2015 to June 2025, highlighting mechanistic evidence linking inhaled AMPs to oxidative stress, inflammation, and systemic health effects, and underscoring children's enhanced susceptibility. It also critically evaluates existing knowledge on AMP emission mechanisms from synthetic sports surfaces, identifies distinctive environmental pathways and spatiotemporal distribution patterns within school settings, and addresses methodological limitations in current exposure monitoring and modelling frameworks. Drawing on recent regulatory developments, such as EU restrictions on intentionally added microplastics, this work outlines science-based strategies for targeted risk mapping, source control, maintenance practices, and child-centred environmental design in educational infrastructure. By shifting focus from predominantly urban- and traffic-oriented studies to the underexplored micro-scale of school campuses and synthetic sports surfaces, this review complements broader urban research while bridging key knowledge gaps, providing a foundation for future research, evidence-based policymaking, and practical measures to safeguard children's health.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are persistent and carcinogenic contaminants that accumulate in soils, posing ecological and public health concerns in recreational environments. This study examines the concentrations, ring-based composition, spatial distribution, and seasonal dynamics of 16 U.S. EPA priority PAHs in surface soils of Gölcük Nature Park (Bolu, Türkiye), a heavily visited recreational area where outdoor barbecuing is widespread. A total of 42 soil samples were collected during summer and winter 2016, and PAH concentrations were quantified using a rigorously validated high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method incorporating matrix-matched calibration and procedural blank correction. ΣPAH₁₆ spanned 108.3-2587.8 ng/g dry weight (dw) in summer and 111.8-3125.8 ng/g dw in winter, with higher winter levels reflecting cumulative atmospheric deposition following intense late-summer and early-autumn recreational activities. Molecular-weight- and ring-based assessments revealed the consistent dominance of high-molecular-weight PAHs, particularly 5-6 ring species, driven by their low volatility and strong sorption. Spatial interpolation maps generated in MapInfo (IDW) identified pronounced seasonal shifts in ΣPAH₁₆ and HMW PAH hotspots, especially in the eastern lakeside picnic-barbecue zone, whereas shaded forested areas exhibited distinct photo-oxidative attenuation patterns. According to the Maliszewska-Kordybach classification, up to one-third of winter samples corresponded to heavily contaminated soils. Benchmarking against a reference lake and international datasets indicates that PAH levels in this protected nature park exceed those of many urban green spaces and approach concentrations typical of industrial settings. Overall, the findings demonstrate that recreation-derived emissions substantially degrade soil quality and highlight the need for evidence-based management strategies to prevent long-term ecological deterioration in protected natural areas.

Saline-alkali soil has the potential for agricultural productivity, electrokinetic treatment can be used as a development method. In order to explore and verify the complex changes of saline-alkali soil properties under electrokinetic treatment, the study adopted soil agrochemical analysis and a pot experiment. Firstly, the changes in soil pH and electrical conductivity (EC) under different voltage intensities (8, 16, 24, 32 V) and treatment durations (6, 12, 18, 24 h) was investigated. Based on the improvement effects and the movement pattern of the alkaline migration zone, the condition of 32 V for 24 h was selected for further experimentation. Subsequently, the redistribution of soil physicochemical properties after this treatment was evaluated. Furthermore, the feasibility of cultivating Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis) in the treated soil was verified through a pot experiment. Following treatment, the pH in the anode area decreased from 9.10 to 7.24, and the electrical conductivity (EC) reduced from 4.39 to 3.13 dS/m, which makes original moderately saline-alkali soil meets the standard of slightly saline soil in expanded anode area. Significant removal of harmful salt ions was achieved, with reduction rates from 13.83 to 83.45% for Na⁺ and from 14.14 to 74.74% for Cl^-. Sulfate (SO₄^2-) was also removed in localized areas. Conversely, the concentrations of base cations (K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺) increased in specific zones. The content of soil organic matter (SOM) locally increased by 14.27% to 66.38%, alkali-hydrolyzed nitrogen (AN) increased by 16.29% to 84.52% and available phosphorus (AP) locally increased by 8.82% to116.46% after electrokinetic treatment. The soil texture in most areas was improved. In the pot experiment, the 7th day germination rate of Chinese cabbage increased to 45% near the treated soil's anode, compared with untreated group (CK, 0%). However, the treatment also led to the formation and migration of a highly alkaline zone, soil compaction, and sandification, which require management through agronomic measures. The results indicate promise for improving certain soil properties and agricultural potential, while also revealing several problems that need to be solved.

This study was conducted to investigate the presence of microplastics (MPs) in individuals of Hyla orientalis and Hyla savignyi, two tree frog species naturally distributed in Türkiye, to determine the qualitative and quantitative distribution of these particles in their gastrointestinal tracts (GITs) and to analyze their morphological (color, shape, size) and chemical (polymer type) properties in detail. A total of 276 individuals were examined within the scope of the research, 76 of which belonged to H. orientalis and 200 to H. savignyi. A total of 192 microplastic particles were detected in their GITs, and the average size of these particles was determined to be 206.56 ± 12.88 µm. The most common microplastic type was PET (67.20%), its shape was fiber (76.00%), and its color was navy blue (25.50%). The highest proportion of microplastic-containing individuals was observed in H. savignyi (56.50%), and microplastic was found in only 11.84% of H. orientalis individuals. No statistically significant difference was found between the two species in terms of polymer type, microplastic shape, and color (p > 0.05). Data obtained from 24 different provinces across Türkiye indicate that microplastic contamination has a wide geographical distribution. The highest microplastic amount was recorded from Hatay-Hassa (44 pieces), followed by Kilis and Bitlis provinces. Significant differences were found between provinces in terms of color, shape, and polymer type (p < 0.001). These findings suggest that microplastic pollution is widespread in terrestrial vertebrates and may vary among species and geographic regions, suggesting that amphibians may be important bioindicators for monitoring ecosystem health.