Environmental Geochemistry and Health最新文献

Paddy soils undergo wet-dry cycles that greatly influence the behaviour and availability of nutrients, but also of potentially toxic elements (PTEs). This study assessed the quality of paddy soils (actively cultivated and abandoned) and rice (white, brown, and wild) produced in the Baixo Vouga Lagunar (BVL) region, central-north Portugal. Surface soils were analysed for physicochemical parameters and chemical compositions, alongside sequential selective chemical extraction to evaluate metal(loid) availability. Chemical analyses were also performed on interstitial- and irrigation waters, and rice grains. The BVL soils are very strongly to moderately acidic (pH = 4.4-5.8), with organic matter contents reaching up to 34%, and exhibit a wide range of electrical conductivity values. Abandoned rice fields generally show higher values of these parameters and evidence of saline water intrusion. Several sites showed As, Cu, Pb, and U concentrations exceeding Portuguese thresholds for agricultural soils. While Cu levels were similar in both cultivated and abandoned fields, the latter had higher contents of As, Pb, and U. A geogenic origin is envisaged for these metal(loid)s, though anthropogenic contributions cannot be excluded. Sequential selective chemical extraction showed that Pb and U are strongly associated with available fractions, whereas amorphous Fe-oxyhydroxides primarily support As and Cu. Nevertheless, porewaters and irrigation waters showed low concentrations of these PTEs, suggesting minimal mobilisation to water. Furthermore, translocation to rice grains was low, with concentrations well below European Commission limits, indicating that elevated PTEs in soils do not necessarily lead to toxic levels in rice, providing reassurance regarding food safety.

Airborne microplastics (AMPs) present significant health risks indoors due to prolonged exposure. This study evaluates AMP concentration, types, and health impacts in residential, office, and commercial settings in Ahvaz, Iran, during winter and summer. The annual inhaled AMP dose was calculated based on typical occupancy patterns. AMP particles were collected from 30 locations using active sampling at 5 L/min for 8 h. Raman spectroscopy identified polymers, and SEM-EDX analysis examined surface morphology and elemental composition. The inhaled dose was estimated using MP concentrations and typical indoor exposure times. The highest AMP concentrations were in offices during winter (up to 48 MPs/m³), moderate in residential areas, and lowest in commercial settings. Predominant AMPs were spherules (67.2% in winter, 69.3% in summer), with black/gray particles being most common. Smaller particles (< 250 µm) were more frequent in summer. Identified polymers included polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The estimated annual inhaled AMP dose was 2,952 MPs/kg/year, mainly from residential, followed by offices and commercial spaces. Results underscore the need for policies to reduce indoor AMP pollution, improve ventilation, and manage exposure risks, especially in high-occupancy areas like offices. Future research should focus on advanced chemical analyses and size-specific dose assessments to better evaluate health risks from inhaled microplastics.

Trace metal pollution is primarily driven by industrial, agricultural, and mining activities and presents complex environmental challenges with significant implications for ecological and human health. Traditional methods of environmental risk assessment (ERA) often fall short in addressing the intricate dynamics of trace metals, necessitating the adoption of advanced statistical techniques. This review focuses on integrating contemporary statistical methods, such as Bayesian modeling, machine learning, and geostatistics, into ERA frameworks to improve risk assessment precision, reliability, and interpretability. Using these innovative approaches, either alone or preferably in combination, provides a better understanding of the mechanisms of trace metal transport, bioavailability, and their ecological impacts can be achieved while also predicting future contamination patterns. The use of spatial and temporal analysis, coupled with uncertainty quantification, enhances the assessment of contamination hotspots and their associated risks. Integrating statistical models with ecotoxicology further strengthens the ability to evaluate ecological and human health risks, providing a broad framework for managing trace metal pollution. As new contaminants emerge and existing pollutants evolve in their behavior, the need for adaptable, data-driven ERA methodologies becomes ever more pressing. The advancement of statistical tools and interdisciplinary collaboration will be essential for developing more effective environmental management strategies and informing policy decisions. Ultimately, the future of ERA lies in integrating diverse data sources, advanced analytical techniques, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring a more resilient approach to mitigating trace metal pollution and protecting environmental and public health.

Anthropogenic activities drive heavy metal contamination in soil, making source-specific apportionment essential for managing health risks in rapidly urbanizing areas. This study focuses on the novel task of quantifying health risks from specific sources of heavy metal contamination and visualizing the spatial patterns of human activities' impact on heavy metal contamination and health risks. It combined multiple analytical techniques, including pollution indices, health risk assessments, and bivariate local indicators of spatial association analysis. Additionally, the absolute principal component score-multiple linear regression model, integrated with a human health risk assessment, was employed to quantify health risks and evaluate the contributions of specific sources. Results revealed that Cd and As were at moderate contamination levels, while Zn, Cu, and Ni showed low contamination. Despite generally low contamination levels, moderately to heavily contaminated areas were identified in the southern region correlated with human activities. Although both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were low for both children and adults, Cr and As were still the main contributors to health risks, primarily through ingestion, with children being at a greater risk compared to adults. The health risks were primarily linked to four sources: traffic and mining, natural sources, agricultural activities, and industrial sources. Industrial (children: 27.47%; adults: 31.96%) and agricultural activities (children: 27.11%; adults: 24.01%) were the primary contributors to non-carcinogenic risks, while the carcinogenic risks were mainly contributed by agricultural activities (children: 40.21%; adults: 40.14%). Therefore, controlling industrial and agricultural activities is crucial to safeguarding public health during sustainable regional development.

This study offers an updated analysis of the effects of ocean plastic accumulation on human health and biodiversity within the food chain, covering the period from 2018 to 2023. Through a comprehensive review of relevant literature, a framework has been developed to visually illustrate the progression of plastics through the food chain. This framework emphasizes the intricate connections among four key elements: humans, plastics, biodiversity, and the food chain. By examining the cycle of challenges encountered during the phases of production, consumption, and disposal, the research reveals how these stages are interrelated. This perspective not only delineates the complexities involved but also identifies potential solutions, particularly by incorporating circular economy principles. Consequently, the study highlights the importance of understanding the impact of plastics on the food chain while proposing strategies grounded in circular economy concepts to mitigate plastic pollution throughout the three stages.

The bioaccessibility of organic pollutants in the environment depends on the nature and speciation of the contaminants and is determined using in vitro methods that simulate gastro-intestinal digestion. The objectives of the present study were to study the bioaccessibility coefficients of p,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE in tropical soils based on the physico-chemical properties of the contaminant. The behavior of organic contaminants in soil ecosystems is characterized by their speciation and persistence, both of which depend on the extent to which the contaminant adsorbs to particulates in the soil matrix, as revealed in the characteristic persistence curve of the contaminant. Data are presented showing that the bioaccessibility coefficient of soil contaminants can be represented by a model based on the contaminant's speciation coefficients in the sample matrix, the desorption free energy of contaminant adsorbed speciation forms and temperature, provided its dissipation conforms to the multi-phase pseudo-zero order rate law. When the model was applied to determine the bio-accessibility coefficients of p,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE in tropical soils based on previously published data from the literature, mean bioaccessibility coefficient values of 0.30 ± 0.21 (n = 8) and 0.35 ± 0.13 (n = 9) (p,p'-DDT), and 0.43 ± 0.05 (n = 4) and 0.20 ± 0.01 (n = 2) (p,p'-DDE), were obtained depending on whether determinations were carried out using chromatographic or radiotracer methods. The results fall within the range of literature values obtained using in vitro methods, thus attesting to the potential of the model presented for predicting the bioaccessibility coefficients of persistent organic pollutants in soil ecosystems.

Heavy metal pollution poses a major threat to human health. Firefighters, a high-risk occupational group, are regularly exposed to airborne heavy metals and fly ash. Consequently, detailed investigations into their heavy metal exposure levels are essential. This study evaluated the heavy metal exposure of 14 firefighters across five stages before and after firefighting, with a focus on concentration trends and element interactions. The concentration order was Zn > Cu > Fe > Pb > Mn > Cr > As > Ni > Cd > Co. Comparisons with health reference values and other regions indicated that while most metals were within reference ranges, Zn concentrations were elevated. The elevated Zn concentrations may result from its attachment to hair through chemisorption and absorption from airborne particles and fly ash during combustion. Heavy metal concentrations in the hair of firefighters increased after firefighting, and continued firefighting missions may further accumulate heavy metals in the body. However, concentrations decreased after a period of firefighting. Correlation analysis revealed that, except for Zn, metals exhibited synergistic interactions, with correlations strengthening significantly after firefighting. Variation in heavy metals reflects long-term pollutant exposure, and Zn in hair may serve as a biomarker of fire-related exposure.

The potential impact of decommissioned mining areas on environmental quality is of major concern for local communities, posing a risk to water resources and human health. This study aims to investigate the impact of extraction activities on the surface environment by evaluating the occurrence of metal(oid)s, including potentially toxic elements (PTEs, i.e. As, Cd, Fe, Tl, Zn, Pb) and critical elements (As, Ge), at the Zn-Pb Raibl mining area (northeastern Italy). Elevated concentrations of metal(oid)s are found near mine waste heaps (< 100 mg/kg for Tl, Sb, Cd, Ge; > 1,000 mg/kg for As; > 1% for Pb and > 10% for Zn and Fe), which are made up of flotation tailings and waste rocks scattered around the mining village and stored in the tailings impoundments. Conversely, upstream from the mine, the environment is largely uncontaminated. According to the results, total and leachable metal(oid) concentrations are positively correlated. Tailings (65.1-754 mg/kg of Tl) are identified as the primary source of leachable Tl (11.4-255 mg/kg) and metal(oid)s are generally more mobile in organic-rich soils, suggesting increased metal(oid) mobility with soil ageing due to low soil pH and potential soluble organometallic complexes. Furthermore, the findings suggest that reprocessing of mine tailings could be a potential solution to recover valuable elements together with residue backfilling. Lastly, results from this study highlight how crucial mining site management is to limit PTE dispersion and reducing risks to the environment and public health.

There is a growing global concern about the presence of heavy metals in the environment due to their detrimental effects on human health. These metals are eminent poisons with carcinogenic features that can harm organs such as brain, kidney, lungs, etc. This study investigated the human health risks associated with toxic metals such as lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and copper (Cu) in drinking water and vegetable sources from Northern Areas, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. A total of 68 representative drinking water and the most commonly consumed green leafy vegetable samples were collected from Nagar and Hunza district. In this study, significant carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks were identified, particularly in children, using deterministic and Monte Carlo simulation methods in addition to spatial analysis, correlation, principal component analysis, and hierarchical clustering. Hazard quotient (HQ) oral > 1 for Cr, Ni, Cd, and Pb in the water and vegetables of the Hunza district; HQ > 1 for all heavy metals except for Mn in vegetables from Nagar in children. HQ > 1 for Mn and Cu in the water and vegetables of Hunza district, likewise Mn exceeded the HQ limit in the water and vegetables in adults from the Nagar region. Lifetime cancer risk (LCR) oral > 1E-4 for all toxic metals in children across all district samples. Similarly, Cd and Pb exceeded the LCR for adults from both districts. LCR_dermal > 1E-4 for Ni, Cr, and Pb in children of Hunza, suggesting more vulnerability to developing cancer over exposure to toxic metals. The level of HQ and LCR via inhalation, demonstrating no adverse health risks for children and adults. Furthermore, the Monte Carlo Simulation was applied to assess the probability of potential health risks, which indicated a significantly higher risk for children than for adults. These findings underline the urgent need for mitigation strategies to reduce heavy metal exposure in Nagar and Hunza regions.

Plastic products have significantly enhanced convenience in daily life; however, their degradation through weathering and environmental exposure leads to the formation of microplastics. These microplastics can serve as carriers for pollutants, such as heavy metals, through adsorption and desorption processes, posing potential risks to living organisms. This study focuses on the adsorption and desorption characteristics of nickel (Ni) on two representative microplastics-Polystyrene (PS) and Polylactic Acid (PLA)-before and after three aging processes: freeze-thaw cycling, alternating dry-wet conditions, and alkali treatment. Following these aging treatments, both microplastics exhibited increased specific surface area, pore size, and crystallinity, along with the emergence of oxygen-containing functional groups on their surfaces. Adsorption experiments indicated that nickel adsorption kinetics aligned more closely with the proposed second-order model, while adsorption isotherms were best described by the Langmuir model. Aged microplastics demonstrated higher adsorption capacities compared to their unaged counterparts, with adsorption capacity ranking as follows: alkali aging > alternating dry-wet aging > freeze-thaw cycling. Furthermore, PLA exhibited a greater adsorption capacity than PS. Among the aging processes, alkali treatment resulted in the highest nickel desorption rates, whereas freeze-thaw cycling and alternating dry-wet aging produced similar desorption outcomes. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of microplastic aging mechanisms and their implications for heavy metal adsorption and desorption in environmental systems.