Pub Date : 2025-04-15DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.121621
Giovanni Libralato , Martina Inversini , Silvia Giorgia Signorini , Stefano Magni , Silvia Angelillo , Marco Trifuoggi , Andrea Binelli , Camilla Della Torre
Rare earth elements (REEs), including gadolinium (Gd), are increasingly released into the environment because of their widespread use in medical imaging, electronics, and renewable energy technologies. Despite growing concerns over their accumulation in soil ecosystems, the effects of Gd on terrestrial organisms are poorly understood. To address this gap, we evaluated the toxic effects of Gd on the soil organism Lumbricus terrestris at both the adult and juvenile stages. Adult earthworms were exposed for 28 days to 1 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg Gd to assess both acute and sublethal effects, including cellular and oxidative stress, neurotoxicity, growth and reproductive performance. The offspring were exposed to 1 mg/kg of Gd for 28 days, followed by an additional 28 days of exposure to 5 mg/kg, and the same sublethal parameters were assessed. The results revealed a low accumulation of Gd in adults and a lack of acute and sublethal effects in Gd-treated worms, except for an increase in lysosomal membrane destabilization. Juveniles were more susceptible, showing increased growth and glycogen content. Upon exposure to Gd, catalase activity was inhibited, whereas acetylcholinesterase activity increased. The effects on glycogen and catalase were exacerbated in juveniles exposed to relatively high Gd concentrations. Overall, the results indicate that L. terrestris is susceptible to Gd exposure, highlighting the need for further research on its long-term effects.
{"title":"Effects of environmental concentrations of gadolinium on adults and juveniles of the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris","authors":"Giovanni Libralato , Martina Inversini , Silvia Giorgia Signorini , Stefano Magni , Silvia Angelillo , Marco Trifuoggi , Andrea Binelli , Camilla Della Torre","doi":"10.1016/j.envres.2025.121621","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envres.2025.121621","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rare earth elements (REEs), including gadolinium (Gd), are increasingly released into the environment because of their widespread use in medical imaging, electronics, and renewable energy technologies. Despite growing concerns over their accumulation in soil ecosystems, the effects of Gd on terrestrial organisms are poorly understood. To address this gap, we evaluated the toxic effects of Gd on the soil organism <em>Lumbricus terrestris</em> at both the adult and juvenile stages. Adult earthworms were exposed for 28 days to 1 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg Gd to assess both acute and sublethal effects, including cellular and oxidative stress, neurotoxicity, growth and reproductive performance. The offspring were exposed to 1 mg/kg of Gd for 28 days, followed by an additional 28 days of exposure to 5 mg/kg, and the same sublethal parameters were assessed. The results revealed a low accumulation of Gd in adults and a lack of acute and sublethal effects in Gd-treated worms, except for an increase in lysosomal membrane destabilization. Juveniles were more susceptible, showing increased growth and glycogen content. Upon exposure to Gd, catalase activity was inhibited, whereas acetylcholinesterase activity increased. The effects on glycogen and catalase were exacerbated in juveniles exposed to relatively high Gd concentrations. Overall, the results indicate that <em>L. terrestris</em> is susceptible to Gd exposure, highlighting the need for further research on its long-term effects.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":312,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Research","volume":"278 ","pages":"Article 121621"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143854782","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 : 2025-04-14DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.121592
Hongjie Wang , Hang Li , Qiushuo Zhang , Yutong Wu , Yali Wang
Al2O3, one multifunctional adsorbent and dehydrator, was widely recognized as a practical and environmentally friendly additive that enhances fermentation efficiency and facilitates the recovery of resources from waste-activated sludge (WAS). However, its potential harmful effects on WAS fermentation, such as the generation of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), have been previously overlooked. This study found that with the increase of Al2O3 dosage from 0 to 60 mg/g VSS, the maximum production of H2S decreased from 371.60 ± 3.72 × 10−4 to 303.36 ± 3.03 × 10−4 mg/g VSS. The study on the transformation of sulfur-containing compounds has identified that the primary cause for lowering the formation of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is the inhibitory effect of aluminium oxide (Al2O3) on sulfate reduction. The mechanism analysis discovered that Al2O3 initially stimulated the functional groups and hydrogen bonding networks present in sludge EPS. This resulted in a 2.04 % rise in the content of C-C groups, a 7.78 % increase in the content of C-O-C groups, and a 4.24 % increase in the content of β-turn and α-Helix structures. This resulted in the fracturing of sludge EPS and the release of soluble metal ions such as aluminium, magnesium, and iron. The liberated metal ions facilitated the conversion of H2S gas and dissolved sulfide into metal sulfide, hence contributing significantly to the reduction of H2S gas emissions. Microbial community research revealed that the inclusion of Al2O3 enhanced the performance of methanogens (e.g., Methanothrix), but inhibited sulfate reducing bacteria (e.g., unclassified_c__Deltaproteobacteria). Additional examination of functional genes demonstrated that Al2O3 decreases the amount of functional genes involved in the hydrolysis of organic sulfur (such as MetQ, pepD, CDO1, yhdR, etc.). and sulfate reduction processes (sat, cysC, aprAB, dsrAB, etc.). These findings offer novel perspectives on the treatment of sludge using Al2O3 and could have substantial consequences for sludge treatment.
{"title":"Revealing the effect of Al2O3 on sulfur transformation in anaerobic sludge process","authors":"Hongjie Wang , Hang Li , Qiushuo Zhang , Yutong Wu , Yali Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.envres.2025.121592","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envres.2025.121592","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, one multifunctional adsorbent and dehydrator, was widely recognized as a practical and environmentally friendly additive that enhances fermentation efficiency and facilitates the recovery of resources from waste-activated sludge (WAS). However, its potential harmful effects on WAS fermentation, such as the generation of hydrogen sulfide (H<sub>2</sub>S), have been previously overlooked. This study found that with the increase of Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> dosage from 0 to 60 mg/g VSS, the maximum production of H<sub>2</sub>S decreased from 371.60 ± 3.72 × 10<sup>−4</sup> to 303.36 ± 3.03 × 10<sup>−4</sup> mg/g VSS. The study on the transformation of sulfur-containing compounds has identified that the primary cause for lowering the formation of hydrogen sulfide (H<sub>2</sub>S) is the inhibitory effect of aluminium oxide (Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>) on sulfate reduction. The mechanism analysis discovered that Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> initially stimulated the functional groups and hydrogen bonding networks present in sludge EPS. This resulted in a 2.04 % rise in the content of C-C groups, a 7.78 % increase in the content of C-O-C groups, and a 4.24 % increase in the content of β-turn and α-Helix structures. This resulted in the fracturing of sludge EPS and the release of soluble metal ions such as aluminium, magnesium, and iron. The liberated metal ions facilitated the conversion of H<sub>2</sub>S gas and dissolved sulfide into metal sulfide, hence contributing significantly to the reduction of H<sub>2</sub>S gas emissions. Microbial community research revealed that the inclusion of Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> enhanced the performance of methanogens (e.g., <em>Methanothrix</em>), but inhibited sulfate reducing bacteria (e.g., <em>unclassified_c__Deltaproteobacteria</em>). Additional examination of functional genes demonstrated that Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> decreases the amount of functional genes involved in the hydrolysis of organic sulfur (such as <em>MetQ</em>, <em>pepD</em>, <em>CDO1</em>, <em>yhdR</em>, etc.). and sulfate reduction processes (<em>sat</em>, <em>cysC</em>, <em>aprAB</em>, <em>dsrAB</em>, etc.). These findings offer novel perspectives on the treatment of sludge using Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> and could have substantial consequences for sludge treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":312,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Research","volume":"277 ","pages":"Article 121592"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143834045","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 : 2025-04-14DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.121612
Maria Rita Assenza , Giulia Gaggi , Andrea Di Credico , Barbara Ghinassi , Federica Barbagallo
Endocrine disruptors (EDs) are environmental chemicals that interfere with hormone function, posing significant risks to human health, including the cardiovascular system. This review comprehensively examines the impact of EDs on cardiovascular health, with a specific focus on sex differences observed in various models. Utilizing in-vitro studies, in vivo animal models, and human clinical data, we delineate how sex-specific hormonal environments influence the cardiovascular effects of ED exposure. In vitro studies highlight cellular and molecular mechanisms that differ between male and female-derived cells. In vivo models reveal distinct physiological responses and susceptibilities to EDs, influenced by sex hormones. Human studies provide epidemiological evidence and clinical observations that underscore the variability in cardiovascular outcomes between men and women. This review underscores the necessity of considering sex as a critical factor in understanding the cardiovascular implications of ED exposure, advocating for gender-specific risk assessment and therapeutic strategies. The findings aim to enhance awareness and inform future research and policy-making to mitigate the adverse cardiovascular effects of EDs across different sexes.
内分泌干扰物（EDs）是一种干扰激素功能的环境化学物质，对人类健康（包括心血管系统）构成重大风险。本综述全面探讨了内分泌干扰素对心血管健康的影响，特别关注在各种模型中观察到的性别差异。利用体外研究、体内动物模型和人类临床数据，我们描述了特定性别的荷尔蒙环境如何影响暴露于 ED 的心血管效应。体外研究强调了男性和女性衍生细胞之间不同的细胞和分子机制。体内模型揭示了受性激素影响的不同生理反应和对 ED 的易感性。人体研究提供了流行病学证据和临床观察结果，强调了男性和女性在心血管后果方面的差异。本综述强调，在了解 ED 对心血管的影响时，有必要将性别视为一个关键因素，并倡导针对不同性别的风险评估和治疗策略。研究结果旨在提高人们的认识，为未来的研究和决策提供信息，以减轻 ED 对不同性别心血管的不良影响。
{"title":"The effect of endocrine disruptors on the cardiovascular system: does sex matter?","authors":"Maria Rita Assenza , Giulia Gaggi , Andrea Di Credico , Barbara Ghinassi , Federica Barbagallo","doi":"10.1016/j.envres.2025.121612","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envres.2025.121612","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Endocrine disruptors (EDs) are environmental chemicals that interfere with hormone function, posing significant risks to human health, including the cardiovascular system. This review comprehensively examines the impact of EDs on cardiovascular health, with a specific focus on sex differences observed in various models. Utilizing <em>in-vitro</em> studies, <em>in vivo</em> animal models, and human clinical data, we delineate how sex-specific hormonal environments influence the cardiovascular effects of ED exposure. <em>In vitro</em> studies highlight cellular and molecular mechanisms that differ between male and female-derived cells. <em>In vivo</em> models reveal distinct physiological responses and susceptibilities to EDs, influenced by sex hormones. Human studies provide epidemiological evidence and clinical observations that underscore the variability in cardiovascular outcomes between men and women. This review underscores the necessity of considering sex as a critical factor in understanding the cardiovascular implications of ED exposure, advocating for gender-specific risk assessment and therapeutic strategies. The findings aim to enhance awareness and inform future research and policy-making to mitigate the adverse cardiovascular effects of EDs across different sexes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":312,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Research","volume":"277 ","pages":"Article 121612"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143834042","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 : 2025-04-14DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.121608
Filipa Esteves , Joana Madureira , Bela Barros , Sara Alves , Joana Pires , Sandra Martins , Marta Oliveira , Josiana Vaz , Klara Slezakova , Maria do Carmo Pereira , Adília Fernandes , Simone Morais , João Tiago Guimarães , Stefano Bonassi , João Paulo Teixeira , Solange Costa
While occupational exposure as a firefighter is considered a dangerous occupation, research on the underlying mechanisms remains limited, particularly in wildland firefighters. Inflammation, a key effect of wildfire exposure, plays a significant role in the development of various diseases. The current study aims to investigate the impact of wildland firefighting exposure on the levels of pro-inflammatory systemic biomarkers. A pre-post study design investigated 59 wildland firefighters comparing data collected after participation in a wildfire event (Phase II) with data obtained before wildfire season (Phase I). Data on demographics, lifestyle, health and occupational-related factors were assessed. Exposure factors, such as fire combat (e.g., exposure duration), were also registered. Inflammatory biomarkers (i.e. interleukin-6 [IL-6], interleukin-8 [IL-8], tumor necrosis factor α [TNF-α] and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP]) and hydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons metabolites (1-OHNaph+1-OHAce, 2-OHFlu, 1-OHPhen, 1-OHPyr) were analysed in blood and urine samples, respectively. Serum IL-8 and IL-6 levels were significantly increased after wildland fire combat. IL-8 levels were 2.62 times higher (95 % CI: 1.96–3.50; p < 0.01), whereas IL-6 levels were 1.25 times higher (95 % CI: 1.00–1.57; p = 0.04). Furthermore, IL-8 levels were significantly correlated with urinary 2-hydroxyfluorene levels and fire combat duration (>12 h). In addition, the mean hs-CRP level, in both phases, was above 3.0 mg/L, indicating a potential risk for cardiovascular events. Given the long-term health implications of firefighting occupational exposure, biomonitoring and early detection of occupational risks are essential for protecting firefighters’ health. Protective measures must be urgently implemented to enhance occupational health and strengthen preventive strategies in this sector.
{"title":"Impact of occupational exposure to wildfire events on systemic inflammatory biomarkers in Portuguese wildland firefighters","authors":"Filipa Esteves , Joana Madureira , Bela Barros , Sara Alves , Joana Pires , Sandra Martins , Marta Oliveira , Josiana Vaz , Klara Slezakova , Maria do Carmo Pereira , Adília Fernandes , Simone Morais , João Tiago Guimarães , Stefano Bonassi , João Paulo Teixeira , Solange Costa","doi":"10.1016/j.envres.2025.121608","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envres.2025.121608","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>While occupational exposure as a firefighter is considered a dangerous occupation, research on the underlying mechanisms remains limited, particularly in wildland firefighters. Inflammation, a key effect of wildfire exposure, plays a significant role in the development of various diseases. The current study aims to investigate the impact of wildland firefighting exposure on the levels of pro-inflammatory systemic biomarkers. A pre-post study design investigated 59 wildland firefighters comparing data collected after participation in a wildfire event (Phase II) with data obtained before wildfire season (Phase I). Data on demographics, lifestyle, health and occupational-related factors were assessed. Exposure factors, such as fire combat (e.g., exposure duration), were also registered. Inflammatory biomarkers (i.e. interleukin-6 [IL-6], interleukin-8 [IL-8], tumor necrosis factor α [TNF-α] and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP]) and hydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons metabolites (1-OHNaph+1-OHAce, 2-OHFlu, 1-OHPhen, 1-OHPyr) were analysed in blood and urine samples, respectively. Serum IL-8 and IL-6 levels were significantly increased after wildland fire combat. IL-8 levels were 2.62 times higher (95 % CI: 1.96–3.50; p < 0.01), whereas IL-6 levels were 1.25 times higher (95 % CI: 1.00–1.57; p = 0.04). Furthermore, IL-8 levels were significantly correlated with urinary 2-hydroxyfluorene levels and fire combat duration (>12 h). In addition, the mean hs-CRP level, in both phases, was above 3.0 mg/L, indicating a potential risk for cardiovascular events. Given the long-term health implications of firefighting occupational exposure, biomonitoring and early detection of occupational risks are essential for protecting firefighters’ health. Protective measures must be urgently implemented to enhance occupational health and strengthen preventive strategies in this sector.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":312,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Research","volume":"277 ","pages":"Article 121608"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143834048","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 : 2025-04-14DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.121611
Dong Hu , Xiang Li , Kang An , Xin Zhang , Minjia Zheng , Peng Li , Long Ji , Ruibao Jia
The accumulation of pipeline sediments within drinking water distribution systems (DWDS) has garnered widespread attention because of their roles as microbial reservoirs. However, previous investigations predominantly concentrated on microbial occurrence in unchlorinated DWDS sediments but largely overlooked chlorinated systems and failed to characterize the spatial distribution patterns of potential pathogens along the DWDS. This study systematically examined bacterial communities in both the sediment and bulk water phases across a chlorinated DWDS through the seasonal collection of 96 samples. Physicochemical water quality parameters, such as turbidity and residual chlorine, exhibited relative stability throughout the network. As anticipated, sediment samples showed substantial particulate accumulation (summer: 1.13 ± 0.61 Log10 NTU; winter: 1.07 ± 0.45 Log10 NTU). Microbial biomass proved significantly elevated in sediments (summer: 4.78 ± 0.65 Log10 gene copies/mL; winter: 4.99 ± 0.42 Log10 gene copies/mL) than water samples (summer: 3.98 ± 0.50 Log10 gene copies/mL; winter: 4.06 ± 0.57 Log10 gene copies/mL; p < 0.05), with similar patterns emerging for the potentially pathogenic fungi, Mycobacterium spp., and Legionella spp. Notably, no longitudinal accumulation gradient of microbial biomass was detected along the pipeline network in either the sediment or water samples. Interestingly, the winter sediment samples displayed peak microbial biomass levels. Seasonal variation exerted a substantial effect on microbial community composition, with turbidity and residual chlorine demonstrating stronger correlations with biomass in summer than in winter. These findings underscore the necessity for regular sediment removal from chlorinated DWDS as a critical preventive measure against waterborne pathogen proliferation and disease transmission.
{"title":"A comprehensive investigation of bacterial communities in sediment and bulk water in a chlorinated drinking water distribution system","authors":"Dong Hu , Xiang Li , Kang An , Xin Zhang , Minjia Zheng , Peng Li , Long Ji , Ruibao Jia","doi":"10.1016/j.envres.2025.121611","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envres.2025.121611","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The accumulation of pipeline sediments within drinking water distribution systems (DWDS) has garnered widespread attention because of their roles as microbial reservoirs. However, previous investigations predominantly concentrated on microbial occurrence in unchlorinated DWDS sediments but largely overlooked chlorinated systems and failed to characterize the spatial distribution patterns of potential pathogens along the DWDS. This study systematically examined bacterial communities in both the sediment and bulk water phases across a chlorinated DWDS through the seasonal collection of 96 samples. Physicochemical water quality parameters, such as turbidity and residual chlorine, exhibited relative stability throughout the network. As anticipated, sediment samples showed substantial particulate accumulation (summer: 1.13 ± 0.61 Log<sub>10</sub> NTU; winter: 1.07 ± 0.45 Log<sub>10</sub> NTU). Microbial biomass proved significantly elevated in sediments (summer: 4.78 ± 0.65 Log<sub>10</sub> gene copies/mL; winter: 4.99 ± 0.42 Log<sub>10</sub> gene copies/mL) than water samples (summer: 3.98 ± 0.50 Log<sub>10</sub> gene copies/mL; winter: 4.06 ± 0.57 Log<sub>10</sub> gene copies/mL; <em>p</em> < 0.05), with similar patterns emerging for the potentially pathogenic fungi, <em>Mycobacterium</em> spp., and <em>Legionella</em> spp. Notably, no longitudinal accumulation gradient of microbial biomass was detected along the pipeline network in either the sediment or water samples. Interestingly, the winter sediment samples displayed peak microbial biomass levels. Seasonal variation exerted a substantial effect on microbial community composition, with turbidity and residual chlorine demonstrating stronger correlations with biomass in summer than in winter. These findings underscore the necessity for regular sediment removal from chlorinated DWDS as a critical preventive measure against waterborne pathogen proliferation and disease transmission.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":312,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Research","volume":"277 ","pages":"Article 121611"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143844258","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}
Ammonium nitrogen (NH4+) is a highly recalcitrant pollutant, leading to severe degradation of aquatic ecosystems and posing serious risks to human health. The application of biochar for NH4+ removal from wastewater has gained widespread attention. However, its inherent limitations in adsorption capacity present a significant constraint on its broader practical implementation. To address this limitation, various modification techniques have been developed to endow biochar with a range of physicochemical properties. In this review, a systematic investigation was conducted to assess the efficacy of various modification methods on the adsorptive capacity of biochar for NH4+ in aqueous solutions. Additionally, this review summarizes the adsorption mechanisms which are divided into five categories: hydrogen bonding, pore filling, electrostatic interaction, ion exchange and surface complexation. This review offers valuable insights into the strategies for achieving enhanced adsorption of NH4+ by modified biochar, along with a comprehensive summary of the associated removal mechanisms.
{"title":"Evaluating biochar for adsorption of ammonium nitrogen in wastewater:insights into modifications and mechanisms","authors":"Yuheng Zhu , Sichen Liu , Hanbo Chen , Pingfeng Yu , Chongjun Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.envres.2025.121615","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envres.2025.121615","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ammonium nitrogen (NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup>) is a highly recalcitrant pollutant, leading to severe degradation of aquatic ecosystems and posing serious risks to human health. The application of biochar for NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> removal from wastewater has gained widespread attention. However, its inherent limitations in adsorption capacity present a significant constraint on its broader practical implementation. To address this limitation, various modification techniques have been developed to endow biochar with a range of physicochemical properties. In this review, a systematic investigation was conducted to assess the efficacy of various modification methods on the adsorptive capacity of biochar for NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> in aqueous solutions. Additionally, this review summarizes the adsorption mechanisms which are divided into five categories: hydrogen bonding, pore filling, electrostatic interaction, ion exchange and surface complexation. This review offers valuable insights into the strategies for achieving enhanced adsorption of NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> by modified biochar, along with a comprehensive summary of the associated removal mechanisms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":312,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Research","volume":"277 ","pages":"Article 121615"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143864732","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 : 2025-04-14DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.121613
Yiting Wu , Fangxing Yang
Air pollution is believed to exacerbate the prevalence of allergic diseases. But the underlying processes and mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, the effects of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) with a diameter of 0.1 μm, 1 μm, and 5 μm were investigated on the allergenic potentials of house dust mite allergen Der p 1. The results reveal that co-exposure to PS-MPs promoted the IgE-binding capacity of Der p 1 by altering the conformation, elevating the ligand-binding activity, and strengthening the aggregation of Der p 1. PS-MPs also exacerbated the damage to airway epithelial barrier by increasing the permeability of bronchial epithelial cells. Ultimately, co-exposure to PS-MPs aggravated the Th2-mediated immune responses and allergic sensitization induced by Der p 1. These evidences indicate that co-exposure to PS-MPs enhanced the allergenic potentials of Der p 1. Moreover, the PS-MPs-induced enhancement of the allergenic potential of Der p 1 is size-dependent, with smaller PS-MPs exhibiting greater promotion on the allergenic potential of Der p 1. Given the ubiquitous occurrence of PS-MPs in the environment, the co-exposure of allergens and PS-MPs should be seriously considered when assessing the allergenic risk of allergens in the real environment, especially for the PS-MPs with smaller size.
{"title":"Co-exposure to microplastics enhances the allergenic potentials of house dust mite allergen Der p 1","authors":"Yiting Wu , Fangxing Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.envres.2025.121613","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envres.2025.121613","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Air pollution is believed to exacerbate the prevalence of allergic diseases. But the underlying processes and mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, the effects of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) with a diameter of 0.1 μm, 1 μm, and 5 μm were investigated on the allergenic potentials of house dust mite allergen Der p 1. The results reveal that co-exposure to PS-MPs promoted the IgE-binding capacity of Der p 1 by altering the conformation, elevating the ligand-binding activity, and strengthening the aggregation of Der p 1. PS-MPs also exacerbated the damage to airway epithelial barrier by increasing the permeability of bronchial epithelial cells. Ultimately, co-exposure to PS-MPs aggravated the Th2-mediated immune responses and allergic sensitization induced by Der p 1. These evidences indicate that co-exposure to PS-MPs enhanced the allergenic potentials of Der p 1. Moreover, the PS-MPs-induced enhancement of the allergenic potential of Der p 1 is size-dependent, with smaller PS-MPs exhibiting greater promotion on the allergenic potential of Der p 1. Given the ubiquitous occurrence of PS-MPs in the environment, the co-exposure of allergens and PS-MPs should be seriously considered when assessing the allergenic risk of allergens in the real environment, especially for the PS-MPs with smaller size.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":312,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Research","volume":"277 ","pages":"Article 121613"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143838073","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 : 2025-04-14DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.121617
Yingtao Lu , Yiping Zhang , Wanting He , Yongchao Zhou , Qiyu Lian
A series of bimetallic carbon catalysts (FeM@C, M = Bi, Ce, Co, Ni, Mn) were synthesized via pyrolysis of metal-organic framework (MOF) precursors, among which FeBi@C exhibits exceptional catalytic ozonation performance, achieving 90.73 % oxalic acid removal within 30 min and retaining 84 % of its initial activity over eight consecutive cycles. Advanced characterizations, including EPR, and in-situ Raman spectroscopy, revealed that oxygen vacancies (OV) serve as active sites for ozone adsorption, leading to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ≡ Fe-O-O- peroxo intermediates. The post-reaction XPS analysis indicated significant shifts in binding energies and changes in the proportions of oxygen species, revealing the unique Fe-Bi synergy. The Fe2p spectra showed a decrease in Fe2+ content and a negative shift in binding energy, indicating an active Fe2+/Fe3+ redox cycle. The Bi4f spectra confirmed the presence of zero-valent Bi, which acts as an “electron reservoir”, continuously donating electrons to enhance Fe2+/Fe3+ redox cycle and promote ozone activation. This unique mechanism, where zero-valent Bi sustains the electron transfer cycle, significantly enhances both the catalytic efficiency and long-term stability of the FeBi@C system, distinguishing it from conventional bimetallic catalysts. This work provides a novel strategy for designing high-performance catalysts for environmental remediation.
{"title":"Enhanced catalytic ozonation via FeBi bimetallic catalyst: Unveiling the role of zero-valent Bi as an oxygen vacancy-mediated electron reservoir","authors":"Yingtao Lu , Yiping Zhang , Wanting He , Yongchao Zhou , Qiyu Lian","doi":"10.1016/j.envres.2025.121617","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envres.2025.121617","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A series of bimetallic carbon catalysts (FeM@C, M = Bi, Ce, Co, Ni, Mn) were synthesized via pyrolysis of metal-organic framework (MOF) precursors, among which FeBi@C exhibits exceptional catalytic ozonation performance, achieving 90.73 % oxalic acid removal within 30 min and retaining 84 % of its initial activity over eight consecutive cycles. Advanced characterizations, including EPR, and <em>in-situ</em> Raman spectroscopy, revealed that oxygen vacancies (O<sub>V</sub>) serve as active sites for ozone adsorption, leading to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ≡ Fe-O-O<sup>-</sup> peroxo intermediates. The post-reaction XPS analysis indicated significant shifts in binding energies and changes in the proportions of oxygen species, revealing the unique Fe-Bi synergy. The Fe2p spectra showed a decrease in Fe<sup>2+</sup> content and a negative shift in binding energy, indicating an active Fe<sup>2+</sup>/Fe<sup>3+</sup> redox cycle. The Bi4f spectra confirmed the presence of zero-valent Bi, which acts as an “electron reservoir”, continuously donating electrons to enhance Fe<sup>2+</sup>/Fe<sup>3+</sup> redox cycle and promote ozone activation. This unique mechanism, where zero-valent Bi sustains the electron transfer cycle, significantly enhances both the catalytic efficiency and long-term stability of the FeBi@C system, distinguishing it from conventional bimetallic catalysts. This work provides a novel strategy for designing high-performance catalysts for environmental remediation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":312,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Research","volume":"277 ","pages":"Article 121617"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143838236","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 : 2025-04-12DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.121606
Sichen Li , Yujiang Huang , Wenjun Zhou
The remediation of combined contamination with heavy metals and antibiotics in soil and aqueous environments represents an ongoing challenge. In this study, a novel highly functionalized biochar-based composite (FeS2@OA-BC) was synthesised by combining oxalic acid (OA) pre-treatment with ball-milling of FeS2 for the simultaneous removal of cadmium (Cd2+) and tetracycline (TC) from aqueous solutions. FeS2@OA-BC demonstrated exceptional performance in simultaneously removing 74.7 % of Cd2+ and 95.8 % of TC from the binary systems, meanwhile the degradation rate of TC reached up to 64.8 %. Moreover, no significant competitive or promoting effects between Cd2+ and TC removal were observed by FeS2@OA-BC in binary systems. The adsorption of Cd2+ was primarily governed by three mechanisms: complexation with functional groups, Cd-π conjugation and cation exchange. Meanwhile, TC degradation relied on reactive oxygen species (ROS), where hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) played dominant roles, with singlet oxygen (1O2) contributing minimally. The co-modification of OA and FeS2 synergistically introduces abundant exogenous defect sulphur vacancies (SVs), enhancing molecular oxygen activation and stimulating more ROS for TC degradation, as well as promoting more functional groups as adsorption sites for Cd2+ complexation. This therefore ultimately led to the reinforcement of the concurrent removal of Cd2+and TC. Overall, FeS2@OA-BC shows great promise for addressing combined pollution involving heavy metals and antibiotics in environmental systems.
{"title":"Simultaneous removal of cadmium and tetracycline from aqueous solutions by oxalic acid and pyrite co-modified biochar: Performance and mechanism","authors":"Sichen Li , Yujiang Huang , Wenjun Zhou","doi":"10.1016/j.envres.2025.121606","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envres.2025.121606","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The remediation of combined contamination with heavy metals and antibiotics in soil and aqueous environments represents an ongoing challenge. In this study, a novel highly functionalized biochar-based composite (FeS<sub>2</sub>@OA-BC) was synthesised by combining oxalic acid (OA) pre-treatment with ball-milling of FeS<sub>2</sub> for the simultaneous removal of cadmium (Cd<sup>2+</sup>) and tetracycline (TC) from aqueous solutions. FeS<sub>2</sub>@OA-BC demonstrated exceptional performance in simultaneously removing 74.7 % of Cd<sup>2+</sup> and 95.8 % of TC from the binary systems, meanwhile the degradation rate of TC reached up to 64.8 %. Moreover, no significant competitive or promoting effects between Cd<sup>2+</sup> and TC removal were observed by FeS<sub>2</sub>@OA-BC in binary systems. The adsorption of Cd<sup>2+</sup> was primarily governed by three mechanisms: complexation with functional groups, Cd-π conjugation and cation exchange. Meanwhile, TC degradation relied on reactive oxygen species (ROS), where hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and hydrogen peroxide (H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>) played dominant roles, with singlet oxygen (<sup>1</sup>O<sub>2</sub>) contributing minimally. The co-modification of OA and FeS<sub>2</sub> synergistically introduces abundant exogenous defect sulphur vacancies (SVs), enhancing molecular oxygen activation and stimulating more ROS for TC degradation, as well as promoting more functional groups as adsorption sites for Cd<sup>2+</sup> complexation. This therefore ultimately led to the reinforcement of the concurrent removal of Cd<sup>2+</sup>and TC. Overall, FeS<sub>2</sub>@OA-BC shows great promise for addressing combined pollution involving heavy metals and antibiotics in environmental systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":312,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Research","volume":"277 ","pages":"Article 121606"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143830175","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}
Green synthesized iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) have gained popularity in contaminant removal due to their low cost and environmentally friendly properties. However, a gap remains in understanding how synthesis conditions (SC), material properties (MP), and reaction processes (RP) affect their removal capacities on typical contaminants. This study utilizes advanced machine learning methods to explore complex dependencies in contaminant removal, achieving high predictive accuracies with R2 rankings of XGBoost (0.9867) > RF (0.9749) > LightGBM (0.8545), and detailed SHAP analyses that elucidate the specific impacts of features. The model revealed that RP significantly influenced FeNPs' removal capacity. Both linear and SHAP analyses demonstrated that SC indirectly affected removal efficiency by influencing MP, thereby weakening their impact on FeNPs' removal capabilities due to their strong linear correlation. For all three contaminants (antibiotics, dyes and heavy metals), the removal capacity of FeNPs was primarily influenced by the C/Fe ratio and the type of plant present in the SC, as well as the pore volume of the MP. Antibiotics removal depends on antibiotic type and FeNPs' Fe content. The interaction time between Fe ions and plant extracts during SC and the specific surface area (SSA) of MP significantly influenced dyes removal, while the pore diameter in MP and the pH in RP were vital for heavy metals removal. MP impacts antibiotics removal more than SC, but SC's indirect effects are more significant for dyes and heavy metals. SHAP analysis clarified the importance and independent roles of specific features in the predictive modeling of removal efficiencies.
{"title":"Machine learning predicts selectivity of green synthesized iron nanoparticles toward typical contaminants: critical factors in synthesis conditions, material properties, and reaction process","authors":"Yiwen Xiao , Zhenjun Zhang , Jiajiang Lin , Wei Chen , Jianhui Huang , Zuliang Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.envres.2025.121605","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envres.2025.121605","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Green synthesized iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) have gained popularity in contaminant removal due to their low cost and environmentally friendly properties. However, a gap remains in understanding how synthesis conditions (SC), material properties (MP), and reaction processes (RP) affect their removal capacities on typical contaminants. This study utilizes advanced machine learning methods to explore complex dependencies in contaminant removal, achieving high predictive accuracies with R<sup>2</sup> rankings of XGBoost (0.9867) > RF (0.9749) > LightGBM (0.8545), and detailed SHAP analyses that elucidate the specific impacts of features. The model revealed that RP significantly influenced FeNPs' removal capacity. Both linear and SHAP analyses demonstrated that SC indirectly affected removal efficiency by influencing MP, thereby weakening their impact on FeNPs' removal capabilities due to their strong linear correlation. For all three contaminants (antibiotics, dyes and heavy metals), the removal capacity of FeNPs was primarily influenced by the C/Fe ratio and the type of plant present in the SC, as well as the pore volume of the MP. Antibiotics removal depends on antibiotic type and FeNPs' Fe content. The interaction time between Fe ions and plant extracts during SC and the specific surface area (SSA) of MP significantly influenced dyes removal, while the pore diameter in MP and the pH in RP were vital for heavy metals removal. MP impacts antibiotics removal more than SC, but SC's indirect effects are more significant for dyes and heavy metals. SHAP analysis clarified the importance and independent roles of specific features in the predictive modeling of removal efficiencies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":312,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Research","volume":"277 ","pages":"Article 121605"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143830277","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}
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