Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-05-24DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2025.05.052
Xinrong He , Bang Xu , Sanli Tang , Xiaoguang Liu , Qibin Liu , Zongguo Wen , Maohong Fan
A new strategy for preparing highly dispersed, richer oxygen vacancies Ni/ZrO2 catalysts derived from UiO-66-NH2 is reported via pyrolysis-calcination removal of the ligands under N2, CO2, and Air atmospheres followed by loading Ni with 5 wt. % via wet impregnation method. Subsequently, the low-temperature dry reforming of methane (DRM) reaction over the obtained Ni/ZrO2 catalysts was preliminarily investigated. The results indicated that the Ni/ZrO2C catalyst, obtained by two-step pyrolysis in CO2, contained smaller Ni particles with a size of only 5–7 nm and possessed a hierarchical porous structure, as well as richer oxygen vacancies and basic active sites compared to the other two catalysts. Its catalytic activity in the DRM reaction presented the highest initial conversion of CH4 (35 %) and CO2 (26 %) at 600 °C, which was 5 % higher than that of the Ni/ZrO2N and Ni/ZrO2O catalysts obtained by two-step pyrolysis under an N2 atmosphere and one-step pyrolysis under an air atmosphere, respectively. Meanwhile, an in-situ DRIFTS experiment revealed that Ni/ZrO2C could enhance the adsorption and activation of CO2 by promoting the formation of formate as an intermediate of CO hydrogenation and reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) reactions, which in turn facilitates the decomposition of CH4.
{"title":"CO2-assisted two-step pyrolysis fabrication of hierarchical porous Ni/ZrO2 catalyst for low-temperature dry reforming of methane","authors":"Xinrong He , Bang Xu , Sanli Tang , Xiaoguang Liu , Qibin Liu , Zongguo Wen , Maohong Fan","doi":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.05.052","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.05.052","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A new strategy for preparing highly dispersed, richer oxygen vacancies Ni/ZrO<sub>2</sub> catalysts derived from UiO-66-NH<sub>2</sub> is reported via pyrolysis-calcination removal of the ligands under N<sub>2</sub>, CO<sub>2</sub>, and Air atmospheres followed by loading Ni with 5 wt. % via wet impregnation method. Subsequently, the low-temperature dry reforming of methane (DRM) reaction over the obtained Ni/ZrO<sub>2</sub> catalysts was preliminarily investigated. The results indicated that the Ni/ZrO<sub>2<img></sub>C catalyst, obtained by two-step pyrolysis in CO<sub>2</sub>, contained smaller Ni particles with a size of only 5–7 nm and possessed a hierarchical porous structure, as well as richer oxygen vacancies and basic active sites compared to the other two catalysts. Its catalytic activity in the DRM reaction presented the highest initial conversion of CH<sub>4</sub> (35 %) and CO<sub>2</sub> (26 %) at 600 °C, which was 5 % higher than that of the Ni/ZrO<sub>2<img></sub>N and Ni/ZrO<sub>2<img></sub>O catalysts obtained by two-step pyrolysis under an N<sub>2</sub> atmosphere and one-step pyrolysis under an air atmosphere, respectively. Meanwhile, an in-situ DRIFTS experiment revealed that Ni/ZrO<sub>2<img></sub>C could enhance the adsorption and activation of CO<sub>2</sub> by promoting the formation of formate as an intermediate of CO hydrogenation and reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) reactions, which in turn facilitates the decomposition of CH<sub>4</sub>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15788,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Sciences-china","volume":"163 ","pages":"Pages 163-174"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146189818","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-06-27DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2025.06.042
Tao Tian , Chunyue Wu , Chuangye Yao , Shuai Yi , Zulfiqar Ali Sahito
Tailings contaminated with multiple metals represents a significant environmental concern owing to their toxicity, persistence, and capacity to bioaccumulate within the food chain. Heavy metal distribution in tailings is closely linked to aggregate-related characteristics. To elucidate the effect of vegetation restoration on heavy metals and organic carbon in lead-zinc tailings, this study investigated tailing aggregates across four different vegetation coverage types: dense area (DA), sparse area (SA), bare area (BA), and control group (CK). The results showed that the heavy metals in lead-zinc tailings were mainly Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn. Heavy metals in tailings accumulate more readily in microaggregates, while macroaggregates have lower heavy metal concentrations. With the improvement of vegetation restoration, the form transformation of heavy metals occurred, and the residual-state Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn in tailings increased. In addition, vegetation restoration promoted macroaggregate formation and enhanced aggregate stability in tailings. Macroaggregates in tailings contained higher organic carbon contents relative to microaggregates, and vegetation restoration enhanced the sequestration and accumulation of organic carbon in tailing aggregates. Correlation analysis indicated that the tailing pH was negative correlated with acid-soluble Cd, acid-soluble Cu, and acid-soluble Zn in tailings. A positive correlation was found between aggregate stability and macroaggregate-associated organic carbon, along with a strong negative correlation between organic carbon in <0.05 mm and acid-soluble Cd, Cu, and Zn. These findings suggest that vegetation restoration regulates heavy metal concentrations, enhances aggregate stability, and promotes organic carbon sequestration in lead-zinc tailings.
{"title":"Unveiling vegetation restoration effect on the heavy metal immobilization and aggregate-associated organic carbon in lead-zinc tailings","authors":"Tao Tian , Chunyue Wu , Chuangye Yao , Shuai Yi , Zulfiqar Ali Sahito","doi":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.06.042","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.06.042","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Tailings contaminated with multiple metals represents a significant environmental concern owing to their toxicity, persistence, and capacity to bioaccumulate within the food chain. Heavy metal distribution in tailings is closely linked to aggregate-related characteristics. To elucidate the effect of vegetation restoration on heavy metals and organic carbon in lead-zinc tailings, this study investigated tailing aggregates across four different vegetation coverage types: dense area (DA), sparse area (SA), bare area (BA), and control group (CK). The results showed that the heavy metals in lead-zinc tailings were mainly Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn. Heavy metals in tailings accumulate more readily in microaggregates, while macroaggregates have lower heavy metal concentrations. With the improvement of vegetation restoration, the form transformation of heavy metals occurred, and the residual-state Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn in tailings increased. In addition, vegetation restoration promoted macroaggregate formation and enhanced aggregate stability in tailings. Macroaggregates in tailings contained higher organic carbon contents relative to microaggregates, and vegetation restoration enhanced the sequestration and accumulation of organic carbon in tailing aggregates. Correlation analysis indicated that the tailing pH was negative correlated with acid-soluble Cd, acid-soluble Cu, and acid-soluble Zn in tailings. A positive correlation was found between aggregate stability and macroaggregate-associated organic carbon, along with a strong negative correlation between organic carbon in <0.05 mm and acid-soluble Cd, Cu, and Zn. These findings suggest that vegetation restoration regulates heavy metal concentrations, enhances aggregate stability, and promotes organic carbon sequestration in lead-zinc tailings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15788,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Sciences-china","volume":"163 ","pages":"Pages 687-696"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146190472","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-06-18DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2025.06.033
Fankang Zhao , Shiru Lin , Jae-Seong Lee , Minghua Wang
Dynamic shifts in multiple stressors are frequent in the marine environment. Here, we conducted a multigenerational experiment (F1-F4) to explore how different temporal scenarios of climate change, i.e., offspring/persistent ocean acidification (OA), warming (OW), and their combination (AW), could affect inorganic mercury (IHg) toxicity in the marine copepod Tigriopus japonicus. We found that persistent OA exhibited stronger mitigating effect on IHg toxicity in copepods than offspring OA, while offspring/persistent OW and AW aggravated its toxicity effects. We specifically performed transcriptomic analysis for the copepods of F4. Our transcriptomic result showed energy metabolism and detoxification were activated by persistent OA, enabling the copepods to resist IHg exposure. Instead, detoxification- and reproduction-related processes were inhibited in IHg-treated copepods under offspring/persistent OW and AW scenarios. Although apoptosis was suppressed to probably protect IHg-treated copepods under persistent AW, oxidative stress and lysosomal dysfunction ultimately caused reproductive impairment. Our study highlights that offspring/persistent (i.e., developmental/transgenerational) OA and OW could differentially modulate Hg toxicity in marine copepods, and more studies should focus on the temporal variation and complex interaction of multiple stressors, helping accurately project marine biota’s response in the future ocean.
{"title":"Developmental and transgenerational effects of climate change on inorganic mercury toxicity in a marine copepod","authors":"Fankang Zhao , Shiru Lin , Jae-Seong Lee , Minghua Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.06.033","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.06.033","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dynamic shifts in multiple stressors are frequent in the marine environment. Here, we conducted a multigenerational experiment (F1-F4) to explore how different temporal scenarios of climate change, i.e., offspring/persistent ocean acidification (OA), warming (OW), and their combination (AW), could affect inorganic mercury (IHg) toxicity in the marine copepod <em>Tigriopus japonicus</em>. We found that persistent OA exhibited stronger mitigating effect on IHg toxicity in copepods than offspring OA, while offspring/persistent OW and AW aggravated its toxicity effects. We specifically performed transcriptomic analysis for the copepods of F4. Our transcriptomic result showed energy metabolism and detoxification were activated by persistent OA, enabling the copepods to resist IHg exposure. Instead, detoxification- and reproduction-related processes were inhibited in IHg-treated copepods under offspring/persistent OW and AW scenarios. Although apoptosis was suppressed to probably protect IHg-treated copepods under persistent AW, oxidative stress and lysosomal dysfunction ultimately caused reproductive impairment. Our study highlights that offspring/persistent (i.e., developmental/transgenerational) OA and OW could differentially modulate Hg toxicity in marine copepods, and more studies should focus on the temporal variation and complex interaction of multiple stressors, helping accurately project marine biota’s response in the future ocean.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15788,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Sciences-china","volume":"163 ","pages":"Pages 557-565"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146190476","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-10-14DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2025.10.018
Yafei Gao , Biwen Wang , Liting Hua , Juanhua Li , Junqi Liu , Yang Peng , Lu Cheng , Hongkai Zhu , Hongwen Sun , Han Li , Hongzhi Zhao
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are well-known for their adverse health effects and have garnered significant global attention. This study assessed the levels of ten monohydroxy metabolites of PAHs (OH-PAHs), derived from naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, and pyrene, in urine samples collected from 495 elderly individuals in southern China. OH-PAH concentrations ranged from 0.134 to 183 ng/mL, with OH-Nap (the monohydroxy metabolite of naphthalene) being the most prevalent, accounting for 76.8 % of total metabolites. Significant correlations were observed between urinary OH-PAH levels and demographic factors including gender, smoking, and alcohol consumption, with smoking emerging as the strongest determinant. Regression analyses indicated that steaming significantly reduced PAH exposure (e.g., for 1-OHNap: β = -0.103, 95 % CI: -0.67, -0.04, p < 0.05), while dietary factors, such as fish, mycorrhizal algae, soy products, and coarse grains, influenced OH-PAH concentrations (p < 0.05). Monte Carlo simulations revealed a hazard index below the safety threshold of 1 and an overall carcinogenic risk ranging from 6.40 × 10⁻⁸ to 1.05 × 10⁻⁴, with approximately 85 % of individuals exceeding the acceptable carcinogenic risk threshold (lg(CR) > -6), primarily due to pyrene and naphthalene, which together accounted for 87.2 % of the total. This study delineates the link between PAH metabolites and dietary habits, uncovering health risks for the elderly population in the region. It provides a scientific basis for environmental health and pollution prevention policies aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of PAHs on environmental and public health.
{"title":"Risk assessment and exposure patterns of hydroxypolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in elderly population: Insights from urinary metabolite levels and dietary habits","authors":"Yafei Gao , Biwen Wang , Liting Hua , Juanhua Li , Junqi Liu , Yang Peng , Lu Cheng , Hongkai Zhu , Hongwen Sun , Han Li , Hongzhi Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.10.018","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.10.018","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are well-known for their adverse health effects and have garnered significant global attention. This study assessed the levels of ten monohydroxy metabolites of PAHs (OH-PAHs), derived from naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, and pyrene, in urine samples collected from 495 elderly individuals in southern China. OH-PAH concentrations ranged from 0.134 to 183 ng/mL, with OH-Nap (the monohydroxy metabolite of naphthalene) being the most prevalent, accounting for 76.8 % of total metabolites. Significant correlations were observed between urinary OH-PAH levels and demographic factors including gender, smoking, and alcohol consumption, with smoking emerging as the strongest determinant. Regression analyses indicated that steaming significantly reduced PAH exposure (e.g., for 1-OHNap: <em>β</em> = -0.103, 95 % CI: -0.67, -0.04, <em>p</em> < 0.05), while dietary factors, such as fish, mycorrhizal algae, soy products, and coarse grains, influenced OH-PAH concentrations (<em>p</em> < 0.05). Monte Carlo simulations revealed a hazard index below the safety threshold of 1 and an overall carcinogenic risk ranging from 6.40 × 10⁻⁸ to 1.05 × 10⁻⁴, with approximately 85 % of individuals exceeding the acceptable carcinogenic risk threshold (lg(CR) > -6), primarily due to pyrene and naphthalene, which together accounted for 87.2 % of the total. This study delineates the link between PAH metabolites and dietary habits, uncovering health risks for the elderly population in the region. It provides a scientific basis for environmental health and pollution prevention policies aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of PAHs on environmental and public health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15788,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Sciences-china","volume":"163 ","pages":"Pages 37-47"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146036185","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-06-16DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2025.06.014
Xin Li , Anning Li , Bentao Bao , Zejin Zhang , Shiyu Li , Xiaoyong Cui , Hans Christian Bruun Hansen , Qingjun Guo , Flemming Ekelund
Dissolved organic matter (DOM) plays an important role in the nutrient cycle and energy flow. However, as the key node linking anthropogenic DOM with natural ecosystems, limited attention has been paid to the fate of DOM in the municipal wastewater treatment process, especially in the combined wastewater treatment plant and constructed wetland system. In this study, the fluorescence excitation-emission matrix combined with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) was applied in the coupled water-processing system to elucidate the fate of DOM in the water treatment process. In terms of the relative abundance of PARAFAC components, amino acid or protein-like DOM and microbial humic-like DOM were predominantly altered in the wastewater treatment plant, whereas low-molecular-weight humic fraction and terrestrial humic-like DOM were predominantly altered in the constructed wetland. Moreover, the concentration of dissolved organic carbon was fluctuating in the system, decoupling from the removal of pollutants such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Correspondingly, the humification index, an indicator of DOM stability, mainly increased in the wastewater treatment plant, whereas the biological index and the fluorescence index exhibited greater variability in the constructed wetland. Based on the combination of the Mantel test, partial least squares path modeling, and random forest analysis, a suggestion is provided that the management of DOM stability can be coordinated with the management of nitrogen, phosphorus, and PARAFAC components like amino acid or protein-like DOM. Thus, this study provided a new picture to understand both the quality and quantity of DOM during water treatment.
{"title":"Fate of dissolved organic matter in the wastewater treatment plant-constructed wetland system","authors":"Xin Li , Anning Li , Bentao Bao , Zejin Zhang , Shiyu Li , Xiaoyong Cui , Hans Christian Bruun Hansen , Qingjun Guo , Flemming Ekelund","doi":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.06.014","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.06.014","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dissolved organic matter (DOM) plays an important role in the nutrient cycle and energy flow. However, as the key node linking anthropogenic DOM with natural ecosystems, limited attention has been paid to the fate of DOM in the municipal wastewater treatment process, especially in the combined wastewater treatment plant and constructed wetland system. In this study, the fluorescence excitation-emission matrix combined with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) was applied in the coupled water-processing system to elucidate the fate of DOM in the water treatment process. In terms of the relative abundance of PARAFAC components, amino acid or protein-like DOM and microbial humic-like DOM were predominantly altered in the wastewater treatment plant, whereas low-molecular-weight humic fraction and terrestrial humic-like DOM were predominantly altered in the constructed wetland. Moreover, the concentration of dissolved organic carbon was fluctuating in the system, decoupling from the removal of pollutants such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Correspondingly, the humification index, an indicator of DOM stability, mainly increased in the wastewater treatment plant, whereas the biological index and the fluorescence index exhibited greater variability in the constructed wetland. Based on the combination of the Mantel test, partial least squares path modeling, and random forest analysis, a suggestion is provided that the management of DOM stability can be coordinated with the management of nitrogen, phosphorus, and PARAFAC components like amino acid or protein-like DOM. Thus, this study provided a new picture to understand both the quality and quantity of DOM during water treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15788,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Sciences-china","volume":"163 ","pages":"Pages 175-184"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146189446","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-10-10DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2025.10.001
Sijie Tian , Ruixiang Li , Ya Zeng , Lingfeng Qin , Caicheng Long , Taiping Qing , Peng Zhang , Bo Feng
Microplastics (MPs) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are common emerging environmental contaminants in aquatic environments, and their ecological risks have become a research focus. Although they coexist widely in aquatic environments, the combined toxicity of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) and PFOA to aquatic organisms remains unclear. This study investigated the individual and combined toxicity of PS-MPs and PFOA to zebrafish after 28 days of exposure. The results showed that ingestion of PS-MPs and PFOA induced intestinal and liver tissue damage, alterations in oxidative stress, and lipid index in zebrafish. The breakdown of the intestinal barrier will further lead to the increase of lipopolysaccharide in the blood. Notably, combined exposure to PS-MPs and PFOA exerted greater adverse effects than exposure to each contaminant individually. Additionally, exposure to PS-MPs and PFOA significantly disrupted the homeostasis of the intestinal microbiota, and the relative abundances of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria significantly increased. Transcriptomic analysis further revealed that exposure to PS-MPs and PFOA would lead to the upregulation of genes related to lipid metabolism in zebrafish and alterations in pathways such as glycerolipid metabolism, fat digestion and absorption, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that combined exposure to PS-MPs and PFOA exacerbates liver and intestinal damage in zebrafish, disrupts lipid homeostasis, and may contribute to the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. This study has enhanced our understanding of the environmental health risks from the coexistence of MPs and PFOA, and has reference value for formulating complex pollution control standards.
{"title":"Co-exposure to polystyrene microplastics and perfluorooctanoic acid can exacerbate lipid metabolism disorders and liver damage in adult zebrafish","authors":"Sijie Tian , Ruixiang Li , Ya Zeng , Lingfeng Qin , Caicheng Long , Taiping Qing , Peng Zhang , Bo Feng","doi":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.10.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.10.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Microplastics (MPs) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are common emerging environmental contaminants in aquatic environments, and their ecological risks have become a research focus. Although they coexist widely in aquatic environments, the combined toxicity of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) and PFOA to aquatic organisms remains unclear. This study investigated the individual and combined toxicity of PS-MPs and PFOA to zebrafish after 28 days of exposure. The results showed that ingestion of PS-MPs and PFOA induced intestinal and liver tissue damage, alterations in oxidative stress, and lipid index in zebrafish. The breakdown of the intestinal barrier will further lead to the increase of lipopolysaccharide in the blood. Notably, combined exposure to PS-MPs and PFOA exerted greater adverse effects than exposure to each contaminant individually. Additionally, exposure to PS-MPs and PFOA significantly disrupted the homeostasis of the intestinal microbiota, and the relative abundances of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria significantly increased. Transcriptomic analysis further revealed that exposure to PS-MPs and PFOA would lead to the upregulation of genes related to lipid metabolism in zebrafish and alterations in pathways such as glycerolipid metabolism, fat digestion and absorption, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that combined exposure to PS-MPs and PFOA exacerbates liver and intestinal damage in zebrafish, disrupts lipid homeostasis, and may contribute to the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. This study has enhanced our understanding of the environmental health risks from the coexistence of MPs and PFOA, and has reference value for formulating complex pollution control standards.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15788,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Sciences-china","volume":"163 ","pages":"Pages 185-196"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146189804","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-07-18DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2025.07.036
Yanan Zhao , Yuting Ding , Ruoyun Dong , Yuanyuan Wu , Chenxi Zhou , Yaguang Nie , Guoping Zhao , An Xu , Yun Liu
Selenium (Se), an essential trace element, plays a critical role in protecting the toxicity of methylmercury (MeHg). However, its detoxification mechanism for alleviating MeHg-induced damage remains largely unexplored. This study focused on the antagonistic effects of Se supplementation on the toxic responses induced by MeHg pretreatment in Caenorhabditis elegans. Our results showed that following a 20 h pre-exposure to MeHg, 4 h exposure to Se effectively and rapidly antagonized the reproductive and neurological impairments induced by MeHg. Meanwhile, we found that the total Hg content decreased from 166 ± 46.0 to 109 ± 18.7 μg/g after the addition of Se. Apart from inhibiting the bioaccumulation of Hg, Se supplementation reduced MeHg-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and promoted mitochondrial fusion to improve mitochondrial quality. In addition, MeHg-induced autophagy could be alleviated by increasing lysosome activity after the addition of Se. Further studies revealed that Se supplementation modulated the expression of gss-1 and gst-4, regulating glutathione (GSH) synthesis and elevated MeHg-decreased GSH content from 45.5 % to 79.7 %. These findings suggested that Se recovered MeHg-induced reproductive and neurological damage by modulating mitochondrial function and GSH synthesis, providing valuable insights for developing novel therapeutic strategies against MeHg toxicity.
{"title":"Antagonistic effects of selenium on methylmercury-induced toxicity through mitochondrial quality control and enhanced GSH synthesis in Caenorhabditis elegans","authors":"Yanan Zhao , Yuting Ding , Ruoyun Dong , Yuanyuan Wu , Chenxi Zhou , Yaguang Nie , Guoping Zhao , An Xu , Yun Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.07.036","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.07.036","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Selenium (Se), an essential trace element, plays a critical role in protecting the toxicity of methylmercury (MeHg). However, its detoxification mechanism for alleviating MeHg-induced damage remains largely unexplored. This study focused on the antagonistic effects of Se supplementation on the toxic responses induced by MeHg pretreatment in <em>Caenorhabditis elegans</em>. Our results showed that following a 20 h pre-exposure to MeHg, 4 h exposure to Se effectively and rapidly antagonized the reproductive and neurological impairments induced by MeHg. Meanwhile, we found that the total Hg content decreased from 166 ± 46.0 to 109 ± 18.7 μg/g after the addition of Se. Apart from inhibiting the bioaccumulation of Hg, Se supplementation reduced MeHg-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and promoted mitochondrial fusion to improve mitochondrial quality. In addition, MeHg-induced autophagy could be alleviated by increasing lysosome activity after the addition of Se. Further studies revealed that Se supplementation modulated the expression of <em>gss-1</em> and <em>gst-4</em>, regulating glutathione (GSH) synthesis and elevated MeHg-decreased GSH content from 45.5 % to 79.7 %. These findings suggested that Se recovered MeHg-induced reproductive and neurological damage by modulating mitochondrial function and GSH synthesis, providing valuable insights for developing novel therapeutic strategies against MeHg toxicity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15788,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Sciences-china","volume":"163 ","pages":"Pages 252-261"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146189807","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-08-25DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2025.08.041
Zijing Lu , Hengshuang Wang , Zhixiang Wang , Jiazhi Liu , Shaoxian Song , Yinta Li , María Luciana Montes , Ling Xia
Coal tailings, a byproduct of mining activities, pose severe threats to ecosystem health due to structural degradation and poor water retention. Herein, this study proposed a photosynthetic microbially induced carbonate precipitation strategy driven by the synergistic interaction of Chlorella sorokiniana FK and Bacillus sp. QX4 to rehabilitate coal tailings soil. Photosynthetic biomineralization effectively aggregates dispersed coal tailing particles, enhancing the content of water-stable macroaggregates by 128 % following five cycles of dry-wet alternation. This process also results in a 14 % increase in average weight diameter, doubles the calcium-bound organic carbon content, reduces water evaporation by 47.9 %, and decreases surface crack proportion by 64 %. Ca2+ and extracellular polymeric substances are key regulators of CaCO3 nucleation and particle binding with the cation-π bonds they form being the primary mechanism for increasing the stability of the coal tailing macroaggregate composite structure. This urea-free method significantly enhances aggregate stability and water retention capacity, offering a sustainable strategy for the functional soil transformation of coal tailings. This holds significant implications for the ecological restoration of mining-affected areas.
{"title":"Photosynthetic MICP: A sustainable pathway for soil remediation in coal tailings","authors":"Zijing Lu , Hengshuang Wang , Zhixiang Wang , Jiazhi Liu , Shaoxian Song , Yinta Li , María Luciana Montes , Ling Xia","doi":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.08.041","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.08.041","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Coal tailings, a byproduct of mining activities, pose severe threats to ecosystem health due to structural degradation and poor water retention. Herein, this study proposed a photosynthetic microbially induced carbonate precipitation strategy driven by the synergistic interaction of <em>Chlorella sorokiniana</em> FK and <em>Bacillus</em> sp. QX4 to rehabilitate coal tailings soil. Photosynthetic biomineralization effectively aggregates dispersed coal tailing particles, enhancing the content of water-stable macroaggregates by 128 % following five cycles of dry-wet alternation. This process also results in a 14 % increase in average weight diameter, doubles the calcium-bound organic carbon content, reduces water evaporation by 47.9 %, and decreases surface crack proportion by 64 %. Ca<sup>2+</sup> and extracellular polymeric substances are key regulators of CaCO<sub>3</sub> nucleation and particle binding with the cation-π bonds they form being the primary mechanism for increasing the stability of the coal tailing macroaggregate composite structure. This urea-free method significantly enhances aggregate stability and water retention capacity, offering a sustainable strategy for the functional soil transformation of coal tailings. This holds significant implications for the ecological restoration of mining-affected areas.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15788,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Sciences-china","volume":"163 ","pages":"Pages 231-241"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146189825","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
In order to clarify the stabilization characteristics of cadmium (Cd) after different aging methods, soil culture tests of freeze-thaw, wetting-redrying cycles, and natural aging affecting on Cd phytotoxicity to rice were conducted. According to the national food safety standard GB2762–2022, the toxicity thresholds (RT) of Cd under different aging modes were derived. The results showed that: as the aging time increased to 360 days, the RT of different parent soils increased by 28.49 %-204.86 % (freeze-thaw), 37.80 %-192.55 % (natural), 34.45 %-205.87 % (wetting-redrying), compared with 14d’ aging. Compared with natural aging: The RT of granite soil (SG), river sandy mud (SR), stucco field (SS) increased by 99.46 % under freeze-thaw aging, decreased by 66.68 % under wetting-redrying aging; The RT of purple sandy shale (SP), quaternary red clay soil (SQ) decreased by 20.32 % under freeze-thaw aging, increased by 70.99 % under wetting-redrying aging. RT of yellow mud soil (SY) showed a decreasing trend under unnatural aging. The prediction models of RT based on different parental characteristics under different aging methods were established: log10(AF360)=1.038AG-0.251Chaol-1.052, log10(AF360)=0.481pH+1.492CEC+1.223MW-6.375, log10(AF360)=0.119pH+0.264CEC+1.091AD+0.263. The regression coefficients of aging factors (AF360), which were 1.04, 1.49, and 1.09 respectively, provided that water-stable aggregates (AG), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and the adhesive film (AD) were the primary controlling factors influencing RT with positive correlations. This study provided an important basis for evaluating different long-term aging modes affecting on soil Cd toxicity behavior and RT of Cd on rice.
{"title":"Cd toxicity thresholds in response to freeze-thaw and wetting-redrying cycles in various parental paddy soils","authors":"Jing Wang, Meng Wang, Lei Yu, Xiaoyi Sun, Luyao Qin, Jiaxiao Liu, Ruyan Zhou, Yun Han, Shibao Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.07.059","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.07.059","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In order to clarify the stabilization characteristics of cadmium (Cd) after different aging methods, soil culture tests of freeze-thaw, wetting-redrying cycles, and natural aging affecting on Cd phytotoxicity to rice were conducted. According to the national food safety standard GB2762–2022, the toxicity thresholds (RT) of Cd under different aging modes were derived. The results showed that: as the aging time increased to 360 days, the RT of different parent soils increased by 28.49 %-204.86 % (freeze-thaw), 37.80 %-192.55 % (natural), 34.45 %-205.87 % (wetting-redrying), compared with 14d’ aging. Compared with natural aging: The RT of granite soil (<em>S</em><sub>G</sub>), river sandy mud (<em>S</em><sub>R</sub>), stucco field (<em>S</em><sub>S</sub>) increased by 99.46 % under freeze-thaw aging, decreased by 66.68 % under wetting-redrying aging; The RT of purple sandy shale (<em>S</em><sub>P</sub>), quaternary red clay soil (<em>S</em><sub>Q</sub>) decreased by 20.32 % under freeze-thaw aging, increased by 70.99 % under wetting-redrying aging. RT of yellow mud soil (<em>S</em><sub>Y</sub>) showed a decreasing trend under unnatural aging. The prediction models of RT based on different parental characteristics under different aging methods were established: log<sub>10</sub>(AF<sub>360</sub>)=1.038AG-0.251Chaol-1.052, log<sub>10</sub>(AF<sub>360</sub>)=0.481pH+1.492CEC+1.223MW-6.375, log<sub>10</sub>(AF<sub>360</sub>)=0.119pH+0.264CEC+1.091AD+0.263. The regression coefficients of aging factors (AF<sub>360</sub>), which were 1.04, 1.49, and 1.09 respectively, provided that water-stable aggregates (AG), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and the adhesive film (AD) were the primary controlling factors influencing RT with positive correlations. This study provided an important basis for evaluating different long-term aging modes affecting on soil Cd toxicity behavior and RT of Cd on rice.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15788,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Sciences-china","volume":"163 ","pages":"Pages 455-462"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146189276","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-08-19DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2025.08.032
Delong Meng , Yu Liu , Xiaohui Huang , Jing Wen , Teng Zhang , Huaqun Yin , Ling Xia , Wenyi Liu , Jing Xiong , Xing Li , Zhenghua Liu , Xiangdong Xiao , Ibrahim Ahmed Ibrahim , Xueduan Liu , Min Zhang
Tailings pedogenesis plays a fundamental role in the ecological restoration of mining wastelands by converting barren tailings into soil-like substrates through physical, chemical, and biological processes. To systematically investigate the contributions and interactions of natural weathering and plant regeneration in the tailings pedogenesis, this study analyzed the microstructure, chemical composition, and rhizosphere microbial communities of original tailings samples (OR), 15-year naturally weathered samples (PW), and naturally regenerated samples spontaneously colonized by Miscanthus (PM), Lolium perenne (LP), and Cynodon dactylon (CD). X-ray micro-computed tomography revealed that natural weathering increased the total soil porosity of the tailings by 13.45 %, with negligible effects on chemical properties. After natural regeneration, soil porosity further increased from 18.74 % to 41.45 %. Scanning Electron Microscope revealed microaggregates attaching to the root surfaces. In addition, plant species exhibited distinct influences on soil chemical properties. Specifically, PM significantly increased soil organic matter and nitrate nitrogen content, whereas CD primarily promoted the accumulation of rapidly available potassium. Compared to the OR, natural weathering initiated the reconstruction of microbial communities, which were further enriched by plant root systems during natural regeneration. Notably, PM enriched functional genera such as Haliangium and Bryobacter, which were positively associated with heavy metal stabilization, suggesting its role as a critical pioneer species for ecological restoration of tailings. This study highlights the distinct and synergistic roles of natural weathering and plant regeneration in tailings pedogenesis, offering insights for plant selection and ecological restoration strategies.
{"title":"Natural weathering and plant regeneration accelerate soil restoration of fine particle mine tailings","authors":"Delong Meng , Yu Liu , Xiaohui Huang , Jing Wen , Teng Zhang , Huaqun Yin , Ling Xia , Wenyi Liu , Jing Xiong , Xing Li , Zhenghua Liu , Xiangdong Xiao , Ibrahim Ahmed Ibrahim , Xueduan Liu , Min Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.08.032","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jes.2025.08.032","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Tailings pedogenesis plays a fundamental role in the ecological restoration of mining wastelands by converting barren tailings into soil-like substrates through physical, chemical, and biological processes. To systematically investigate the contributions and interactions of natural weathering and plant regeneration in the tailings pedogenesis, this study analyzed the microstructure, chemical composition, and rhizosphere microbial communities of original tailings samples (OR), 15-year naturally weathered samples (PW), and naturally regenerated samples spontaneously colonized by <em>Miscanthus</em> (PM), <em>Lolium perenne</em> (LP), and <em>Cynodon dactylon</em> (CD). X-ray micro-computed tomography revealed that natural weathering increased the total soil porosity of the tailings by 13.45 %, with negligible effects on chemical properties. After natural regeneration, soil porosity further increased from 18.74 % to 41.45 %. Scanning Electron Microscope revealed microaggregates attaching to the root surfaces. In addition, plant species exhibited distinct influences on soil chemical properties. Specifically, PM significantly increased soil organic matter and nitrate nitrogen content, whereas CD primarily promoted the accumulation of rapidly available potassium. Compared to the OR, natural weathering initiated the reconstruction of microbial communities, which were further enriched by plant root systems during natural regeneration. Notably, PM enriched functional genera such as <em>Haliangium</em> and <em>Bryobacter</em>, which were positively associated with heavy metal stabilization, suggesting its role as a critical pioneer species for ecological restoration of tailings. This study highlights the distinct and synergistic roles of natural weathering and plant regeneration in tailings pedogenesis, offering insights for plant selection and ecological restoration strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15788,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Sciences-china","volume":"163 ","pages":"Pages 388-398"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146189273","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号