Environmental Geochemistry and Health最新文献

This study presents a 13-year (2012-2024) assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface sediments from the Serbian Danube River (rkm 1112-864). A total of 132 sediment samples were collected during spring and autumn at seven sites, extracted via Accelerated Solvent Extraction (ASE), and analyzed by GC-MS. Total concentrations of 16 priority PAHs (Σ16PAHs) ranged from 33.4 to 1093.4 µg/kg in spring and 32.0-2747.4 µg/kg in autumn, with seasonal averages of 203-467 µg/kg and 269-561 µg/kg, respectively.Four-ring PAHs accounted for 49-81% of total PAHs, and carcinogenic PAHs contributed up to 61% of Σ16PAHs. The highest toxicity equivalent (TEQ) value of 458.3 µg TEQ/kg (S2, September 2016) remained below the Canadian guideline of 600 µg/kg. The sum of 10 PAHs was predominantly below or near the Serbian target value of 1 mg/kg, with autumn exceedances observed at S1 (1260 µg/kg) and S2 (2317 µg/kg). However, all values remained well below the maximum permissible limit of 10 mg/kg. Diagnostic ratios (BaA/(BaA + Chr), Flu/(Flu + Pyr), LMW/HMW) and the dominance of high-molecular-weight PAHs indicate predominantly pyrolytic sources, mainly coal and biomass combustion. TEQ values declined after 2019, suggesting reduced emissions. Overall, sediments are classified as low to moderately contaminated, with low to moderate ecological risks. This study provides updated long-term data for the central Serbian section of the Danube River, addressing a knowledge gap resulting from the limited temporal and spatial coverage of previous PAH studies, and highlights the importance of systematic monitoring and assessment of individual PAH distributions to evaluate trends and ecological risks.

Since seafood is a globally consumed food, the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their potential threat to human health should be given attention. The study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the concentration of PAHs in seafood around the world and their health risks through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Various databases such as ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched from January 1, 2013 to October 30, 2023. After rigorous screening, 18 high-quality studies were finally included for the review. The reliability of included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were conducted to evaluate the robustness of the synthesized results and to explore potential sources of heterogeneity. Diagnostic ratio analysis was performed to explore the sources of PAHs. The meta-analysis revealed a mean total PAHs concentration of 71.024 ng/g (95% CI 59.255, 82.792 ng/g) across all seafood samples. The mean concentration of benzo[a]pyrene was 3.110 ng/g (95% CI 1.995, 4.227 ng/g), which was below the 5.0 μg/kg limit set by the Chinese standard GB 2762-2025 for smoked and grilled aquatic products, but exceeded the EU limit of 2.0 μg/kg for fish and fishery products. There were significant differences in PAHs concentrations among different types of seafood and study regions. The combustion of solid organic materials, such as biomass and coal, was the major source of PAHs in the studied samples. The total carcinogenic or mutagenic risk in Italy (3.20 × 10^-4 and 2.71 × 10^-4), China (5.11 × 10^-4 and 5.12 × 10^-4), and Nigeria (9.86 × 10^-4 and 1.18 × 10^-3) exceeded the safety threshold of 1 × 10^-4, suggesting that these regions need to strengthen the monitoring and regulation of PAHs contamination in seafood products and their aquatic environments. Future research should expand the monitoring of the species diversity and geographical coverage of seafood to achieve a more accurate and comprehensive risk assessment.

This study evaluated the efficacy of vitamin E and a phytogenic (herbal) mix in mitigating oxidative stress and noxious effects induced by arsenic toxicity in young goats. Thirty weaned male Black Bengal kids (average body weight 6.21 ± 0.27 kg; age 180.50 ± 10.72 days) were divided into five groups in a completely randomized block design for a 30-week trial. The control group (T₀) received a basal diet ad libitum. Group T₁ received the same diet but was challenged with sodium arsenite [50 mg/kg feed dry matter (DM)]. Groups T₂, T₃, and T₄ were also exposed to arsenic but were supplemented with vitamin E (250 IU/kg feed DM), a phytogenic mix (turmeric, ginger, and moringa in a 1:1:1 ratio at 400 mg/kg feed DM), or both, respectively. DM intake/kg body weight was significantly lower (p < 0.001) in the arsenic-challenged group (T₁) compared to the control and supplemented groups (T₂-T₄). Arsenic intake was lowest in T₀ (11.52 µg/kg BW) and significantly greater (p < 0.001) in arsenic-exposed groups. Arsenic exposure markedly reduced antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) and elevated (p < 0.001) hepatic enzymes (alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine transaminase). Supplementation with vitamin E, phytogenic additive, or both partially restored these enzyme levels and normalized daily body weight gain. Dietary arsenic exposure raised (p<0.001) blood arsenic levels in goats, but supplementation, especially with vitamin E alone or with a herbal mix, effectively reduced it. Arsenic negatively affected blood Ca (p<0.023) and Cu (p<0.012) levels, while Mg, Mn, Zn, and Fe remained unchanged. Arsenic toxicity also led to visible symptoms, such as keratinization around the mouth, dermatitis, diarrhea, and urine with a slightly reddish tint in experimental goats. These were partially alleviated by all interventions. Arsenic-challenged goats (T₁) exhibited severe hepatic damages, marked by hepatocyte degeneration and vacuolation. The combined administration of vitamin E and the herbal mixture (T₄) demonstrated superior efficacy in mitigating arsenic-induced toxicity in young goats.

The treatment of wastewater co-contaminated with organic dyes and heavy metals remains challenging due to competitive adsorption. Herein, a magnetic multifunctional biochar (MMBC-400) was synthesized from corn cobs and red mud for the simultaneous removal of malachite green (MG) and Pb²⁺. In single systems, MMBC-400 exhibited high adsorption capacities (794.72 mg/g for MG and 129 mg/g for Pb²⁺). Crucially, in a binary system with 500 mg/L MG, it maintained high removal efficiencies (98.4% for MG and 93.8% for Pb²⁺), demonstrating exceptional anti-interference capability. Characterization revealed that site-specific adsorption mechanisms (π-π interactions for MG on the carbon matrix; complexation for Pb²⁺ on red mud components) led to minimal competition. Furthermore, MMBC-400 showed excellent regenerability, retaining over 85% removal after five cycles. This work presents a cost-effective and sustainable strategy for designing adsorbents for complex wastewater remediation.

Groundwater contamination is a concern for drinking and domestic supply across India. Escalating volumes of municipal solid waste (MSW) generation, and unsystematic dumping with the rapid urbanization process, enhance these concerns. This study investigates three MSW-affected groundwater systems in diverse climatic regions to elucidate contaminant transport and associated health risks. Objectives include seasonal pollutant analysis, groundwater pollution index (PIG) assessments, and non-carcinogenic health risk evaluations. Three location targets are Kolkata, Durgapur, and Bangalore, which represent urban settlements from Humid to Dry climates. Findings reveal significant pollution levels near Kolkata's Dhapa dumpsite, with approximately 70% of groundwater classified as low pollution risk (PIG > 1 to 1.5). In Bengaluru, nitrate contamination (HQ_Nitrate > 1) poses health risks for 20%, 37.5%, and 66.7% of adults during pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon periods, respectively. Similarly, Kolkata's dumpsite exposes 87.5%, 80%, and 62.5% of adults to health risks across corresponding seasons. Nitrate contamination poses health risks to 100% of the children's population near Kolkata's dumpsite, irrespective of season. Whereas HI_Total for the Nitrate, Fluoride and heavy metals combinedly showing all the samples from the three studied cities having potential for human health risk spatially and temporally. Additionally, heavy metal pollution index (HPI) exceeds the thresholds in all samples across the seasons suggest critical pollution levels in Kolkata. This information is vital for effective groundwater management to protect human health, ensure water quality, and quantify potential hydrological contaminants, especially in regions near MSW dumpsites where the demand for groundwater is high.

Manganese, as a strategic critical mineral resource, exhibits an uneven global distribution, with significant deposits concentrated in Sichuan Province across two distinct geological units: the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau tectonic unit in western Sichuan (plateau region) and the Sichuan Basin in eastern Sichuan (basin region). These two regions demonstrate substantial disparities in metallogenic settings, resource endowments, and development conditions; however, existing studies lack systematic comparative analyses and fail to adequately balance ecological preservation with economic development priorities in this context. To address this gap, we developed a tripartite analytical framework integrating exploitability, ecological, and geological conditions. This framework employs the entropy-weighting method and the InVEST model to quantitatively assess and compare the development potential of the western plateau and eastern basin regions. Building on this analysis, this research diagnoses the spatial mismatch between manganese resource distribution and development potential in Sichuan, formulates tailored strategies for its plateau and basin regions, and offers a generalizable triaxial assessment framework to guide sustainable resource development across diverse regions. The findings provide valuable insights into achieving synergy between resource exploitation and ecological protection, with important implications for the sustainable development of mineral resources in ecologically vulnerable regions worldwide.

Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM, known as garimpo in Brazilian Portuguese) remains a significant source of mercury (Hg) contamination worldwide, posing threats to both environmental integrity and One Health. Elevated Hg levels in affected regions typically arise from three interconnected pathways: (1) direct anthropogenic inputs of new mercury, such as elemental Hg released during gold amalgamation; (2) anthropogenic mobilization of existing Hg stocks through the mechanical disturbance of soils and sediments, including both legacy mining residues and naturally stored mercury; and (3) naturally occurring background mercury, derived from geogenic substrates and long-term atmospheric deposition into forested and aquatic ecosystems. This review synthesizes findings from peer-reviewed studies on garimpo-related Hg contamination in Brazil across multiple matrices, including human tissues, soils, sediments, water, air, and biota-and identifies the Amazon as a critical hotspot where high natural Hg backgrounds converge with historical and ongoing garimpos. Human exposure occurs primarily through occupational inhalation of elemental Hg vapor and dietary intake of methylmercury (MeHg) via fish consumption, particularly among riverine and Indigenous populations. Environmental compartments such as sediments, soils, and suspended particulate matter frequently exceed national prevention limits, underscoring mercury's persistence, mobility, and remobilization potential. Bioaccumulation is evident across trophic levels, with MeHg formation intensified under flooded, anoxic conditions typical of Amazonian wetlands and reservoirs. This complex interplay of geogenic, legacy, and active sources poses a sustained threat to ecological and human health. While Brazil's 2017 ratification of the Minamata Convention marks progress, reductions in fish MeHg may take decades, as stored Hg in floodplains continues to methylate. Effective mitigation will require mercury-free mining technologies, rigorous law enforcement, culturally appropriate health responses, and expanded monitoring tailored to geological and biogeochemical variability. Collectively, this integrated assessment highlights the multi-faceted nature of garimpo-related Hg contamination and provides insights to guide research priorities, policy frameworks, and stakeholder actions aimed at safeguarding human well-being and ecosystem health across Brazil.

Understanding the hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater and their spatiotemporal evolution patterns is crucial for sustainable water resource management. This study focuses on the Handan-Xingtai region in China, analyzing the hydrochemical composition and spatiotemporal variation patterns of a total of 82 groundwater samples collected in 2018 and 2021. Self-Organizing Maps (SOM) were employed, combined with Piper diagrams, Gibbs plots, ion ratio analysis, and Pearson correlation analysis, to identify groundwater chemical types and their controlling mechanisms. Results indicate that the predominant water chemistry types in the study area are Ca(Mg)-SO₄(Cl) and Ca(Mg)-HCO₃, with localized occurrences of Na-Cl and mixed-type waters. SOM clustering grouped samples into four categories (C1: 68.29%, C2: 14.63%, C3: 15.85%, C4: 1.22%) dominated by Ca(Mg)-HCO₃, Ca(Mg)-SO₄(Cl), Na(K)-SO₄(Cl), and mixed types, reflecting the combined effects of carbonate dissolution, silicate weathering, and evaporative concentration. Ion ratios and Gibbs diagrams reveal groundwater chemistry is primarily governed by carbonate dissolution and cation exchange, with significant local influences from evaporation and human activities such as mining and fertilization. Correlation analysis indicates extremely significant positive correlations between TDS and Na⁺, Mg²⁺, Cl^-, and SO₄^2- (with correlation coefficients r ranging from 0.86 to 0.95), confirming evaporation-concentration and salt dissolution as primary controlling processes. Weaker relationships between NO₃^- and other ions suggest its main sources are agricultural activities and domestic discharges. This study identifies the controlling factors influencing groundwater chemistry evolution in the Handan-Xingtai region, providing a theoretical basis for groundwater resource protection and rational utilization.

River water quality in agricultural areas is crucial for human health, ecological well-being, and productivity. Pollution and high concentrations of ions, particularly in developing countries, are caused by both natural and human-induced factors, including the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, making prompt action necessary to address pollution. Thus, this work evaluated the hydrogeochemistry and water quality of the Duero River, located in the northwest part of Michoacán State, México. Twelve sites were selected to cover its entire course, from its source to its mouth, passing through the Zamora Valley, known for its high agricultural productivity. Three sample collections were conducted to cover both the dry and rainy seasons. Physicochemical parameters (temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, redox potential, solids, total hardness, total alkalinity, BOD₅, COD, total phosphorus (TP), N-NH₃, NO₃^-), major ions (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, HCO₃^-, SO₄^2-, Cl^-), and fecal coliforms (FC) were analyzed. The results indicated that the river water had a slightly alkaline pH. Water from the first part of the river is suitable for agricultural irrigation, and only the water from the first site, which corresponds to the source of the river, is suitable for human use and consumption. The analysis revealed that most of the sites examined are contaminated with fecal matter. Statistical analysis indicates similarities between COD, total phosphorus, TDS, alkalinity, total hardness, N-NH₃, and electrical conductivity (EC). These findings suggest that agricultural activities in the area likely influence the contamination of the Duero River. The chemistry of river water is mainly controlled by the weathering of rocks, dissolution of carbonates, and ion exchange reactions.