Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry最新文献

Nanotechnology serves as a nanoscale interface that directly bridges our perception of the macroscopic world with the intricate nanoworld where individual biomolecules reside. This technology has emerged as a luminary in the domains of biology and medicine, paving the way for novel medical research. However, the widespread and indiscriminate use of nanomaterials raises significant concerns regarding environmental, health, and safety issues for the public. Hence, understanding the toxicological properties of nanomaterials in biological interactions becomes pivotal for their safe application. A key challenge in this field lies in the complex and dynamic nature of nano-bio interactions, the strong dependence of toxicity on the physicochemical properties of nanomaterials, and the lack of standardized and predictive toxicity assessment methods capable of supporting reliable risk evaluation and safe-by-design strategies. This review article delves into the potential biological risks and influencing factors contributing to the toxicity of common nanomaterials. Additionally, it explores the mechanisms underlying nano-bio interactions and applications of nanomedicine. The antiviral strategies based on nanomaterials are also introduced, and the possible risks and benefits of nanomaterials in specific nanomedicine applications are described through illustrative examples. Future research should focus on integrating artificial intelligence and advanced models for predictive toxicology, alongside long-term biosafety studies. The goal of this review is to facilitate a deeper understanding of the underlying biological processes between nanomaterials and biological systems. We strive for solving the problem of reducing the threats in the initial stage of nano-products design, ultimately providing theoretical support for better research on nanotoxicology.

Negligible depletion micro-extraction (nd-ME) is widely used for determining the freely dissolved concentration of pollutants. However, it typically requires a long equilibrium time. In this study, an in situ electrochemical approach based on nd-ME was developed to assess the sorption coefficient of methyl parathion (MP) onto humic acid, as well as the freely dissolved MP concentration in the real water samples, using a beta-cyclodextrin modified reduced graphene oxide composite electrode (β-CD/RGO/GCE). The sorption behavior of MP toward two representative humic acids-Acros humic acid (AcHA) and Suwannee River humic acid (SRHA)-across a dissolved organic carbon (DOC) range of 0 to 25 mg L-1 was investigated with the proposed method and validated using the conventional negligible depletion-solid phase microextraction (nd-SPME) technique. Equilibrium between freely dissolved MP and the β-CD/RGO composite was achieved within 16 min, representing a reduction to less than 1/22 of the time required by nd-SPME. Under equilibrium conditions, the obtained sorption coefficients (log K  DOC) were 4.56 for AcHA and 4.58 for SRHA, which align closely with the values derived from nd-SPME (log K  DOC = 4.23 for AcHA and 4.27 for SRHA). Moreover, the measured freely dissolved MP concentrations in water samples ranged from 3.96 to 4.44 μg L-1, basically consistent with the nd-SPME results (freely dissolved concentration, C  free = 4.17-4.76 μg L-1), demonstrating the reliability of the proposed method. Meanwhile, if combined with a portable electrochemical workstation, this study holds promise for providing a method applicable to on-site detection of the freely dissolved concentration of various compounds.

Spill treating agents (STAs) such as surface washing agents (SWA), surface collecting agents (or chemical herders) and solidifiers are designed to alter the behavior of crude oil by enhancing its removal from affected surfaces, aggregating it for easier recovery, or by transforming it into a more manageable solid form. They may be authorized for use under the United States National oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan to support oil spill mitigation efforts. By the nature of their role in spill response, direct application to oil or around oil slicks, STA yields various mixtures of oil components and STA chemicals. This study evaluated the acute toxicity of mixtures of Alaska North Slope (ANS) crude oil and six STAs (three SWAs, two herders, and one solidifier) using standard freshwater and marine test species. A combination of traditional (frequentist) and Bayesian statistical approaches were used to analyze dose-response data. Results showed that SWAs significantly increased oil toxicity by enhancing the bioavailability of toxic hydrocarbons, where oil and agent mixtures were more toxic than oil alone in approximately 80% of expected cases for the four aquatic species. Meanwhile, herders and solidifiers generally caused minimal changes to oil toxicity. Bayesian credible intervals provided more nuanced differentiation between oil and STA-oil mixtures, revealing the potential for increased ecological risk from certain STA-oil combinations that may be indistinguishable using conventional methods. These findings support a more comprehensive understanding of the toxicity of oil spills treated with STAs and expands the knowledgebase for agents with only limited toxicity data.

Plastic pollution poses a global threat to aquatic ecosystems due to its persistence, and widespread dispersion. Antarctic ecosystems are no exception, with plastics detected in seawater, marine sediments, meltwater streams, and marine organisms. However, no prior studies have investigated microplastics (MPs) pollution in Antarctic lakes and its consumption by invertebrates. This research assessed MPs densities in an Antarctic lake and experimentally evaluated their ingestion on a native copepod (Boeckella poppei) and an anostracan (Branchinecta gaini) under varying conditions, including MPs concentrations and biofilm presence. Water samples from Ionosférico Lake (King George/25 de Mayo Island, Antarctica) were collected in 2023, and MPs were analyzed using micro-FTIR. Microplastic densities ranged from 0.35 to 1.61 items/m³ with average sizes of 2.0 ± 1.5 mm, and fibers were the most abundant particle type (>80%). The primary polymers identified were polyester (65%) and acrylic (16%). As model organisms, B. gaini and B. poppei were collected from the same lake and used in bioassays, including the use of lake water and irregularly shaped polyethylene and polypropylene particles, two of the most widely produced plastics globally. Experimental results showed no significant alteration in survival but confirmed MPs ingestion in both species, albeit with low grazing rates, and B. poppei ingested more biofilm-coated MPs. This study provides the first evidence of MPs in an Antarctic lake and their ingestion by two key species in this ecosystem, establishing a baseline for understanding MPs contamination and biological interactions in Antarctic freshwater environments.

This study assesses pesticide in crops from Togo's Plateaux region and evaluates health risks associated with farmers' exposure during pesticide application. A survey was conducted involving 350 farmers and 48 pesticide sellers. Operator exposure was assessed using the British Predictive Operator Exposure Model (U.K.-POEM) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) calculator. A multi-residue analysis of 51 pesticides was carried out after a QuECHERS extraction and purification, using a gas chromatography system on six types of agricultural products during both rainy and dry seasons. The survey established the profile of pesticides in use. The herbicide spectrum was dominated by glyphosate, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, nicosulfuron, paraquat, and propanil. For insect control, applications primarily relied on λ-cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, acetamiprid, imidacloprid, and chlorpyrifos. Notably, 83% of operators reported not using personal protection equipment during mixing, loading or spraying. Modelling indicated high-risk exposure levels (Risk Quotient >1) for all pesticides, highlighting inadequate phytosanitary practices Residue analysis detected 13 pesticides. The most frequently detected were chlorpyrifos, endosulfan sulfate, acetamiprid and lambda-cyhalothrin. In the most contaminated produce, lettuce and cabbage, total pesticides concentrations ranged from 69 to 219 and 192 to 330 ng/kg respectively with higher contamination levels observed in the dry season. This study reveals the likelihood of elevated pesticide exposure in Togo, taking into account agriculture products contamination and operator exposure, raising concerns about long-term health risks such as chronic cancer and autism. Further assessment of drinking water contamination by these organic pollutants is warranted.

Phthalate esters (PAEs) are typical industrial and agricultural chemicals that are readily released into the environment. Due to their endocrine-disrupting properties, PAEs pose considerable ecological risks in different environmental matrices. However, current standards for evaluating ecological risks of PAEs focus primarily on environmental quality thresholds and do not account for criteria based on native species. This study integrated the species sensitivity distribution (SSD) modeling, interspecies correlation estimation (ICE), and acute-chronic ratio (ACR) calculations using toxicity data for 7 representative PAEs (dimethyl phthalate [DMP], diethyl phthalate [DEP], dibutyl phthalate [DnBP], butyl benzyl phthalate [BBP], dis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate [DEHP], diisodecyl phthalate [DIDP], and dihexyl phthalate [DnHP]) from native species in freshwater. Short- and long-term predicted no-effect concentrations (PNECs) were estimated and applied to the ecological risk assessment (ERA) for these PAEs in freshwater and sediment across major basins of China. The PNECs for DIDP and DnHP were derived for the first time. The values of PNECs for the remaining PAEs were generally lower than previously reported value. The freshwater ERA results indicated a consistent risk ranking of DEHP > DnBP > BBP > DEP > DMP (DnHP) for both acute and chronic exposure. For sediment, the short- and long-term risk rankings differed, with acute risks following DnBP > DEP (DMP) > DEHP > BBP > DnHP, and chronic risks following DEHP > DnBP > DEP > DMP > BBP > DnHP. The DEHP should be warranted particular concern in sediments, as its ecological risk increased over time.

To provide insights into the potential impacts of releases of oil sands process affected water (OSPW) into the environment, chronic toxicity tests on early-life stage rainbow trout (ELS-RBT) were conducted. The objective of the testing was to better characterize the effects of OSPW from the Alberta Oil sands on swim-up fry mortality, development (fish length and width, yolk sac development), and deformities (skeletal, craniofacial, finfold, and edemas) as a function of OSPW dilution (%) and ∑O2-naphthenic acid concentrations. More than 95% mortality in ELS-RBT was observed in the range of 22 to 100% OSPW. Lethal concentrations of 50% of the test population (LC50) values expressed in terms of OSPW dilutions were 13.7 (SE 0.7), 10.6 (SE 0.5), and 12.7 (SE 0.5) % for OSPW collected in 2019, 2021, and 2022, respectively. Corresponding LC50 values for ∑O2-naphthenic acids concentrations were 2.8 (SE 0.14), 2.0 (SE 0.11), and 2.2 (SE 0.09) mg/L, respectively. Primary sublethal effects included delayed development, craniofacial defects, and evidence of cardiovascular toxicity, including pericardial and yolk sac edema and hemorrhaging. Evidence of sublethal developmental effects was observed at OSPW dilutions above 10% and corresponding ∑O2-naphthenic acid concentrations above 1.69 mg/L. The only exception was for 17.1 (SE 3.3) % craniofacial deformities at OSPW concentrations of 3.2% and corresponding ∑O2-naphthenic acid concentrations of 0.66 mg/L, but only for OSPW collected in 2019. The results from this indicate that a 20-fold or greater dilution (or a corresponding removal of OSPW) of the tested OSPW from the Kearl site is sufficient to negate the chronic toxicity in Rainbow trout investigated in this study.

Micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) are both pollutants and carriers of other toxic pollutants, which produce complex combined effects with co-exposed pollutants. Tris (1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP), a widely used organophosphate ester (OPE) plasticizer and flame retardant in plastics, was selected to examine how microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) modulate its bioaccumulation and toxicity in zebrafish embryos. The results indicated that MPs did not significantly affect the bioaccumulation or toxicity of TDCIPP in embryos. In contrast, NPs increased the accumulation of TDCIPP in embryos, thereby enhancing adverse effects on hatching, development and survival. Toxicokinetic (TK) and toxicodynamic (TD) models were further applied to validate the influence of MPs and NPs on the bioaccumulation and toxicity of co-existing pollutants. The TK-TD modeling revealed that MPs had no significant effect on the bioconcentration factor (BCF) or internal threshold concentration (CIT) of TDCIPP, whereas NPs significantly increased BCF and decreased CIT. Moreover, the ratio CIT/BCF was found to explain the differential toxicity effects of TDCIPP in the presence of MPs and NPs. This study quantified the disparate effects of MPs and NPs at environmental concentrations on the bioaccumulation and toxicity of TDCIPP from the TK-TD perspective, contributing to a better understanding of the toxicity mechanism of the mixture.

Hyalella azteca is a North and Central American amphipod used worldwide to evaluate the toxicity of sediments and water matrices. While current evaluation procedures extensively use H. azteca standard life-cycle tests, there are no protocols specifically designed in this species to assess contaminant effects on reproductive processes and embryonic development at the individual level. Based on a methodology available in European gammarids, this study aims to initiate the development of a chronic test, leveraging an advanced knowledge of the female reproductive cycle in these amphipods. Parameters such as molting advancement, embryonic development in marsupium, and realized fecundity are the fundamental endpoints of the proposed 2-week biotest. First, females were monitored between two egg-laying events at three temperatures (16 °C, 20 °C, 24 °C) to describe the molting process and the embryonic development. Afterwards, we proposed a biotest consisting in exposing couples for one reproductive cycle (10 days at 24 °C) starting with females in AB molting stage (post-molting time <24 hr). Molting impairment and embryonic development are assessed at a first time of observation (Day 6), followed by a measurement of realized fecundity at Day 13 (three days post-laying in clean water), that is, embryo number in the maternal pouch for the second reproductive cycle. Four control experiments and one exposure test to cadmium (at 1 and 5 µg L-1) validated the robustness and the sensitivity of the method. As in other amphipods, cadmium inhibited the molting and embryonic development in Hyalella. The proposed Hyalella reprotoxicity test offers a rapid tool for specifically assessing reproductive impairments caused by chemicals and environmental matrices, complementing the standardized life-cycle tests available in this species for population-level toxicity assessment.

Anthropogenic stressors, such as pollution and climate change, are altering selective pressures on natural populations, but the evolutionary consequences of chronic exposure to complex mixtures of contaminants remain poorly understood. Addressing this knowledge gap is critical to the emerging field of evolutionary ecotoxicology, which aims to understand how long-term exposure to environmental contaminants shapes adaptive evolution and genome-wide variation. In this study, we employed urban runoff sediment as complex and environmentally realistic model stressor to investigate how multigenerational exposure affects fitness and potentially drives genomic adaptation in the freshwater midge Chironomus riparius. We combined an evolutionary life-cycle test with the Evolve and Resequence (E&R) approach, exposing replicate populations over seven generations to three treatments: control and two concentrations of urban runoff sediment (0.5% and 10%). Key fitness traits, including mortality, mean emergence time (EmT50), fertility, and population growth rate (PGR), were measured, while allele frequency changes (AFC) were tracked to identify genomic signatures of selection. The results revealed distinct and non-linear fitness responses across treatments, including transgenerational effects, recovery of performance, and evidence of life-history trade-offs. Candidate haplotypes were enriched for genes involved in membrane transport, metabolism, and gene regulation, suggesting selection on general stress-response pathways consistent with polygenic adaptation. Signals of selection were also detected in control populations, underscoring the evolutionary influence of laboratory conditions. Overall, our findings demonstrate how evolutionary ecotoxicology can reveal both the potential and the constraints of rapid adaptation to realistic environmental stressors and highlight the importance of integrating evolutionary perspectives into ecological risk assessment.