Eco-Environment & Health最新文献

The spatial disparity of air pollutants is one of the key influential factors for environmental inequality. We quantitatively evaluated the evolution of PM_2.5 spatial disparity in China during 2013–2020, and investigated the associations between PM_2.5 spatial disparity and economic indicators. Differences in PM_2.5 between more- and less-polluted cities declined over time, suggesting decreased absolute disparity. However, the more polluted cities in 2013 remained so in 2017 and 2020, and vice versa, indicating persistent relative disparity. PM_2.5 pollution levels increased with higher GDP per capita in less-developed areas of China, but such negative effects weakened over time, while economic development tended to promote cleaner air in developed areas of China. Therefore, policies to improve air quality and promote economic development simultaneously are needed in China to reduce the disparity of air pollution and promote all people to enjoy environmental equality.

Liquid crystal monomers (LCMs) are a family of synthetic organic chemicals applied in the liquid crystal displays (LCDs) of various electric and electronic products (e-products). Due to their unique properties (i.e., persistence, bioaccumulative potential, and toxicity) and widespread environmental distributions, LCMs have attracted increasing attention across the world. Recent studies have focused on the source, distribution, fate, and toxicity of LCMs; however, a comprehensive review is scarce. Herein, we highlighted the persistence and bioaccumulation potential of LCMs by reviewing their physical–chemical properties. The naming rules were suggested to standardize the abbreviations regarding LCMs. The sources and occurrences of LCMs in different environmental compartments, including dust, sediment, soil, leachate, air and particulate, human serum, and biota samples, were reviewed. It is concluded that the LCMs in the environment mainly originate from the usage and disassembly of e-products with LCDs. Moreover, the review of the potential recycling and removal technologies regarding LCMs from waste LCD panels suggests that a combination of natural attenuation and physic-chemical remediation should be developed for LCMs remediations in the future. By reviewing the health risks and toxicity of LCMs, it is found that a large gap exists in their toxicity and risk to organisms. The fate and toxicity investigation of LCMs, and further investigations on the effects on the human exposure risks of LCMs to residents, especially to occupational workers, should be considered in the future.

Nanotechnology-enabled fertilizers and pesticides, especially those capable of releasing plant nutrients or pesticide active ingredients (AIs) in a controlled manner, can effectively enhance crop nutrition and protection while minimizing the environmental impacts of agricultural activities. Herein, we review the fundamentals and recent advances in nanofertilizers and nanopesticides with controlled-release properties, enabled by nanocarriers responsive to environmental and biological stimuli, including pH change, temperature, light, redox conditions, and the presence of enzymes. For pH-responsive nanocarriers, pH change can induce structural changes or degradation of the nanocarriers or cleave the bonding between nutrients/pesticide AIs and the nanocarriers. Similarly, temperature response typically involves structural changes in nanocarriers, and higher temperatures can accelerate the release by diffusion promoting or bond breaking. Photothermal materials enable responses to infrared light, and photolabile moieties (e.g., o-nitrobenzyl and azobenzene) are required for achieving ultraviolet light responses. Redox-responsive nanocarriers contain disulfide bonds or ferric iron, whereas enzyme-responsive nanocarriers typically contain the enzyme’s substrate as a building block. For fabricating nanofertilizers, pH-responsive nanocarriers have been well explored, but only a few studies have reported temperature- and enzyme-responsive nanocarriers. In comparison, there have been more reports on nanopesticides, which are responsive to a range of stimuli, including many with dual- or triple-responsiveness. Nano-enabled controlled-release fertilizers and pesticides show tremendous potential for enhancing the utilization efficiency of nutrients and pesticide AIs. However, to expand their practical applications, future research should focus on optimizing their performance under realistic conditions, lowering costs, and addressing regulatory and public concerns over environmental and safety risks.

Salt marsh plants play a vital role in mediating nitrogen (N) biogeochemical cycle in estuarine and coastal ecosystems. However, the effects of invasive Spartina alterniflora on N fixation and removal, as well as how these two processes balance to determine the N budget, remain unclear. Here, simultaneous quantifications of N fixation and removal via ¹⁵N tracing experiment with native Phragmites australis, invasive S. alterniflora, and bare flats as well as corresponding functional gene abundance by qPCR were carried out to explore the response of N dynamics to S. alterniflora invasion. Our results showed that N fixation and removal rates ranged from 0.77 ± 0.08 to 16.12 ± 1.13 nmol/(g·h) and from 1.42 ± 0.14 to 16.35 ± 1.10 nmol/(g·h), respectively, and invasive S. alterniflora generally facilitated the two processes rates. Based on the difference between N removal and fixation rates, net N₂ fluxes were estimated in the range of −0.39 ± 0.14 to 8.24 ± 2.23 nmol/(g·h). Estimated net N₂ fluxes in S. alterniflora stands were lower than those in bare flats and P. australis stands, indicating that the increase in N removal caused by S. alterniflora invasion may be more than offset by N fixation process. Random forest analysis revealed that functional microorganisms were the most important factor associated with the corresponding N transformation process. Overall, our results highlight the importance of N fixation in evaluating N budget of estuarine and coastal wetlands, providing valuable insights into the ecological effect of S. alterniflora invasion.

Increasing studies of plastisphere have raised public concern about microplastics (MPs) as vectors for pathogens, especially in aquatic environments. However, the extent to which pathogens affect human health through MPs remains unclear, as controversies persist regarding the distinct pathogen colonization on MPs as well as the transmission routes and infection probability of MP-associated pathogens from water to humans. In this review, we critically discuss whether and how pathogens approach humans via MPs, shedding light on the potential health risks involved. Drawing on cutting-edge multidisciplinary research, we show that some MPs may facilitate the growth and long-range transmission of specific pathogens in aquatic environments, ultimately increasing the risk of infection in humans. We identify MP- and pathogen-rich settings, such as wastewater treatment plants, aquaculture farms, and swimming pools, as possible sites for human exposure to MP-associated pathogens. This review emphasizes the need for further research and targeted interventions to better understand and mitigate the potential health risks associated with MP-mediated pathogen transmission.

The connections between urinary organophosphate ester (OPE) metabolites and child growth have been identified in prior research, but there is currently a dearth of epidemiological evidence regarding the sex-specific impact of OPEs on child growth trajectories. This study enrolled 804 maternal–child pairs, and five OPE congeners were quantified in maternal serum during pregnancy. In this study, the impact of prenatal OPE exposure on child growth trajectories was assessed using linear mixed-effect models and a group-based trajectory model (GBTM), with consideration given to sex-specific effects. Fetuses were frequently exposed to OPEs in utero, and tris(2-butoxyethel) phosphate (TBEP) exhibited the highest concentration levels in maternal serum. Among male children, an increase of 2.72 ng/g lipid in TBEP concentration was associated with a 0.11-unit increase in head circumference-for-age z-score (HCAZ), and the effect was mainly concentrated at 1 and 2 months of age. Among female children, an increase of 2.72 ng/g lipid in tris(2-chloro-1-(chloromethyl) ethyl) phosphate (TDCPP) concentration was associated with a 0.15-unit increase in length-for-age z-score (LAZ) and a 0.14-unit increase in weight-for-age z-score (WAZ), and the effects were mainly concentrated at 9 months of age. For HCAZ trajectories, higher prenatal TBEP exposure was associated with higher odds for the fast growth group in male children. For the LAZ and WAZ trajectories, higher prenatal TDCPP exposure was associated with higher odds for the fast growth group in female children. The trajectory analysis approach provided insight into the complex associations between OPE exposure and child growth.

The occurrence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water cycles poses a challenge to drinking water quality and safety. In order to counteract the large knowledge gap regarding PFAS in German drinking water, 89 drinking water samples from all over Germany were collected with the help of residents and were analyzed for 26 PFAS by high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The 20 PFAS recently regulated by sum concentration (PFAS_∑20), as well as six other PFAS, were quantified by targeted analysis. In all drinking water samples, PFAS_∑20 was below the limit of 0.1 μg/L, but the sum concentrations ranged widely from below the limit of quantification up to 80.2 ng/L. The sum concentrations (PFAS_∑4) of perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), and perfluorononanoate of 20 ng/L were exceeded in two samples. The most frequently detected individual substances were PFOS (in 52% of the samples), perfluorobutanesulfonate (52%), perfluorohexanoate (PFHxA) (44%), perfluoropentanoate (43%) and PFHxS (35%). The highest single concentrations were 23.5 ng/L for PFHxS, 15.3 ng/L for PFOS, and 10.1 ng/L for PFHxA. No regionally elevated concentrations were identified, but some highly urbanized areas showed elevated levels. Concentrations of substitution PFAS, including 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-(heptafluoropropoxy)propanoate and 2,2,3-trifluor-3-[1,1,2,2,3,3-hexafluor-3-(trifluormethoxy)propoxy]-propanoate (anion of ADONA), were very low compared to regulated PFAS. The most frequently detected PFAS were examined for co-occurrences, but no definite correlations could be found.

Antimony (Sb) in natural water has long-term effects on both the ecological environment and human health. Iron mineral phase transformation (IMPT) is a prominent process for removing Sb(V) from natural water. However, the importance of IMPT in eliminating Sb remains uncertain. This study examined the various Sb–Fe binding mechanisms found in different IMPT pathways in natural water, shedding light on the underlying mechanisms. The study revealed that the presence of goethite (Goe), hematite (Hem), and magnetite (Mag) significantly affected the concentration of Sb(V) in natural water. Elevated pH levels facilitated higher Fe content in iron solids but impeded the process of removing Sb(V). To further our understanding, polluted natural water samples were collected from various locations surrounding Sb smelter sites. Results confirmed that converting ferrihydrite (Fhy) to Goe significantly reduced Sb levels (<5 μg/L) in natural water. The emergence of secondary iron phases resulted in greater electrostatic attraction and stabilized surface complexes, which was the most likely cause of the decline of Sb concentration in natural water. The comprehensive findings offer new insights into the factors governing IMPT as well as the Sb(V) behavior control.