Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), in particular polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), their nitro derivatives (NPAHs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pose a major environmental and public health challenge worldwide. Our study evaluated the content of PAHs, NPAHs, and PCBs in eight common, wild macrofungal species collected from urban (Kamenički and Dunavski parks) and natural (Fruška Gora Mt.) environments in Northern Serbia. Among analyzed species, the edible Laetiporus sulphureus (Bull.) Murrill 1920 exhibited the highest total concentrations of Σ15PAHs (837.97 ± 11.49 ng g−1 dry weight, DW), Σ6NPAHs (166.99 ± 4.51 ng g−1 DW), and Σ10PCBs (265.27 ± 0.32 ng g−1 DW), followed closely by Auricularia mesenterica (Dicks.) Pers. 1822 (Σ15PAHs: 725.42 ± 16.02 ng g−1 DW; Σ6NPAHs: 160.63 ± 14.82 ng g−1 DW, Σ10PCBs: 214.28 ± 22.56 ng g−1 DW), both species from Kamenički park. High-molecular-weight PAHs such as dibenz[a,h]anthracene and benzo[ghi]perylene were dominant across most species most inspected species, while 6-nitrobenzo[a]pyrene was the most prevalent NPAH. PCBs showed species- and congener-specific adsorption patterns, with the highest concentrations detected in L. sulphureus and Stereum subtomentosum Pouzar 1964. Overall, variation in pollutant levels strongly depended on the locality and species-specific traits. In conclusion, this study provides novel evidence that wild macrofungi, from urban areas, may represent powerful accumulators of PAHs, NPAHs, and PCBs, offering important insights into environmental pollution monitoring and potential food safety risks.
持久性有机污染物(POPs),特别是多环芳烃(PAHs)及其硝基衍生物(NPAHs)和多氯联苯(PCBs),在全世界构成了重大的环境和公共卫生挑战。本研究评估了从塞尔维亚北部城市(kameni ki和Dunavski公园)和自然(Fruška Gora Mt.)环境中采集的8种常见野生大型真菌的多环芳烃、NPAHs和多氯联苯含量。在分析的物种中,可食用的Laetiporus sulphureus (Bull.)Murrill 1920的总浓度最高,分别为Σ15PAHs(837.97±11.49 ng g-1干重,DW)、Σ6NPAHs(166.99±4.51 ng g-1 DW)和Σ10PCBs(265.27±0.32 ng g-1 DW),其次为木耳(Auricularia mesenterica, Dicks)。Pers. 1822 (Σ15PAHs: 725.42±16.02 ng g-1 DW; Σ6NPAHs: 160.63±14.82 ng g-1 DW, Σ10PCBs: 214.28±22.56 ng g-1 DW),均来自kameni公园。高分子量多环芳烃以二苯并[a,h]蒽和苯并[ghi]苝为主,6-硝基苯并[a]芘为最常见的多环芳烃。多氯联苯呈种特异性和同属特异性吸附模式,在L. sulphureus和Stereum subtomentosum Pouzar 1964中检测到的浓度最高。总体而言,污染物水平的变化强烈依赖于地区和物种特异性特征。总之,本研究提供了新的证据,表明来自城市地区的野生大型真菌可能是多环芳烃、非多环芳烃和多氯联苯的强大蓄积者,为环境污染监测和潜在的食品安全风险提供了重要的见解。
{"title":"Wild macrofungi as bioindicators of persistent organic pollutants (PCBs, NPAHs, and PAHs) in urban and natural environments","authors":"Milena Rašeta , Marko Kebert , Milana Rakić , Eleonora Čapelja , Saša Orlović , Saša Kostić","doi":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123890","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123890","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), in particular polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), their nitro derivatives (NPAHs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pose a major environmental and public health challenge worldwide. Our study evaluated the content of PAHs, NPAHs, and PCBs in eight common, wild macrofungal species collected from urban (Kamenički and Dunavski parks) and natural (Fruška Gora Mt.) environments in Northern Serbia. Among analyzed species, the edible <em>Laetiporus sulphureus</em> (Bull.) Murrill 1920 exhibited the highest total concentrations of Σ<sub>15</sub>PAHs (837.97 ± 11.49 ng g<sup>−1</sup> dry weight, DW), Σ<sub>6</sub>NPAHs (166.99 ± 4.51 ng g<sup>−1</sup> DW), and Σ<sub>10</sub>PCBs (265.27 ± 0.32 ng g<sup>−1</sup> DW), followed closely by <em>Auricularia mesenterica</em> (Dicks.) Pers. 1822 (Σ<sub>15</sub>PAHs: 725.42 ± 16.02 ng g<sup>−1</sup> DW; Σ<sub>6</sub>NPAHs: 160.63 ± 14.82 ng g<sup>−1</sup> DW, Σ<sub>10</sub>PCBs: 214.28 ± 22.56 ng g<sup>−1</sup> DW), both species from Kamenički park. High-molecular-weight PAHs such as dibenz[<em>a,h</em>]anthracene and benzo[<em>ghi</em>]perylene were dominant across most species most inspected species, while 6-nitrobenzo[<em>a</em>]pyrene was the most prevalent NPAH. PCBs showed species- and congener-specific adsorption patterns, with the highest concentrations detected in <em>L. sulphureus</em> and <em>Stereum subtomentosum</em> Pouzar 1964. Overall, variation in pollutant levels strongly depended on the locality and species-specific traits. In conclusion, this study provides novel evidence that wild macrofungi, from urban areas, may represent powerful accumulators of PAHs, NPAHs, and PCBs, offering important insights into environmental pollution monitoring and potential food safety risks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":312,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Research","volume":"295 ","pages":"Article 123890"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146111553","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 : 2026-03-15Epub Date: 2026-01-16DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2026.123793
Hongliang Chen , Nana Lu , Qian Long , Mengbi Yang , Dandan Luo , Zhipeng Wang
A porous composite catalyst, designated as 0.1Co/RM@G, is successfully fabricated with red mud (RM). This catalyst, incorporating CoFe2O4, Fe3O4 and Na4CoO3 as active species, is employed to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for the methylene blue (MB) degradation in aqueous solutions. The results demonstrate that under optimal conditions: 1 g/L of 0.1Co/RM@G and 10 mM PMS, the removal efficiency of MB (initial concentration: 100 mg/L) achieves up to 99.7 % within 15 min. Radical scavenging experiments combined with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analyses confirm that singlet oxygen (1O2) is the primary reactive oxygen species (ROS) responsible for the MB degradation. A plausible mechanism for PMS activation by 0.1Co/RM@G is proposed, where the synergistic effect between Co3+/Co2+ and Fe3+/Fe2+ redox cycles plays a crucial role in sustaining the high catalytic performance. Furthermore, recycling experiments reveal that the catalyst retains over a 71.3 % MB removal efficiency after four cycles, highlighting its strong reusability. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest that the N sites (30, 21) and C sites (13, 6, 15, 11, 2, 4) on the MB molecule are particularly susceptible to attack by 1O2 during the oxidation process. The potential pathways for the MB degradation are proposed through intermediates analysis using LC-MS technology. Thanks to its robust catalytic efficiency and excellent recyclability, the 0.1Co/RM@G composite shows a great potential for practical applications in the treatment of MB wastewater.
{"title":"Cobalt-doped red mud composite as a porous catalyst for activating peroxymonosulfate to degrade methylene blue","authors":"Hongliang Chen , Nana Lu , Qian Long , Mengbi Yang , Dandan Luo , Zhipeng Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123793","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123793","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A porous composite catalyst, designated as 0.1Co/RM@G, is successfully fabricated with red mud (RM). This catalyst, incorporating CoFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>, Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> and Na<sub>4</sub>CoO<sub>3</sub> as active species, is employed to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for the methylene blue (MB) degradation in aqueous solutions. The results demonstrate that under optimal conditions: 1 g/L of 0.1Co/RM@G and 10 mM PMS, the removal efficiency of MB (initial concentration: 100 mg/L) achieves up to 99.7 % within 15 min. Radical scavenging experiments combined with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analyses confirm that singlet oxygen (<sup>1</sup>O<sub>2</sub>) is the primary reactive oxygen species (ROS) responsible for the MB degradation. A plausible mechanism for PMS activation by 0.1Co/RM@G is proposed, where the synergistic effect between Co<sup>3+</sup>/Co<sup>2+</sup> and Fe<sup>3+</sup>/Fe<sup>2+</sup> redox cycles plays a crucial role in sustaining the high catalytic performance. Furthermore, recycling experiments reveal that the catalyst retains over a 71.3 % MB removal efficiency after four cycles, highlighting its strong reusability. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest that the N sites (30, 21) and C sites (13, 6, 15, 11, 2, 4) on the MB molecule are particularly susceptible to attack by <sup>1</sup>O<sub>2</sub> during the oxidation process. The potential pathways for the MB degradation are proposed through intermediates analysis using LC-MS technology. Thanks to its robust catalytic efficiency and excellent recyclability, the 0.1Co/RM@G composite shows a great potential for practical applications in the treatment of MB wastewater.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":312,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Research","volume":"293 ","pages":"Article 123793"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145996712","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 : 2026-03-15Epub Date: 2026-02-04DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2026.123972
Li Zhang , Dongli She , Menghua Xiao , Yongchun Pan , Cheng Lu , Shenhao Qu , Taohong Cao , Yongqiu Xia
Inland water networks, comprising hydrologically integrated rivers, agricultural ditches, and aquaculture ponds, are significant N2O sources, yet their complexity impedes accurate quantification. Here we developed an integrated framework combining structural equation modeling (SEM), machine learning (ML), and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) to bridge causal inference with nonlinear predictive modeling in China's Taihu Basin. Our results demonstrate that NO3−-N and water temperature (WT) dominate N2O variability, explaining significantly more variance than discrete water body categories. This framework successfully reconciled the dual role of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). SEM identifies DOC as a macroscopic sink driven by the complete denitrification of nitrate to N2 (standardized effect = −0.143), while SHAP reveals its role as a microscopic catalyst that enhances N2O production efficiency per unit of nitrate. Although the ensemble model achieved high accuracy (test R2 = 0.70), the parsimonious model using four routine parameters (NO3−-N, DO, NH4+-N, and WT) proved more suitable for regional assessment, demonstrating satisfactory predictive capability (test R2 = 0.54) and successfully reconstructing basin-wide spatiotemporal patterns. This study provides a scalable and transferable methodology for unlocking the driving mechanisms of complex aquatic ecosystems, offering a robust tool for basin-scale N2O estimation and targeted greenhouse gas mitigation.
{"title":"Driving factors and predictive model of dissolved N2O concentrations in a complex aquatic network","authors":"Li Zhang , Dongli She , Menghua Xiao , Yongchun Pan , Cheng Lu , Shenhao Qu , Taohong Cao , Yongqiu Xia","doi":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123972","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123972","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Inland water networks, comprising hydrologically integrated rivers, agricultural ditches, and aquaculture ponds, are significant N<sub>2</sub>O sources, yet their complexity impedes accurate quantification. Here we developed an integrated framework combining structural equation modeling (SEM), machine learning (ML), and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) to bridge causal inference with nonlinear predictive modeling in China's Taihu Basin. Our results demonstrate that NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>-N and water temperature (WT) dominate N<sub>2</sub>O variability, explaining significantly more variance than discrete water body categories. This framework successfully reconciled the dual role of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). SEM identifies DOC as a macroscopic sink driven by the complete denitrification of nitrate to N<sub>2</sub> (standardized effect = −0.143), while SHAP reveals its role as a microscopic catalyst that enhances N<sub>2</sub>O production efficiency per unit of nitrate. Although the ensemble model achieved high accuracy (test R<sup>2</sup> = 0.70), the parsimonious model using four routine parameters (NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>-N, DO, NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup>-N, and WT) proved more suitable for regional assessment, demonstrating satisfactory predictive capability (test R<sup>2</sup> = 0.54) and successfully reconstructing basin-wide spatiotemporal patterns. This study provides a scalable and transferable methodology for unlocking the driving mechanisms of complex aquatic ecosystems, offering a robust tool for basin-scale N<sub>2</sub>O estimation and targeted greenhouse gas mitigation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":312,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Research","volume":"295 ","pages":"Article 123972"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146130648","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 : 2026-03-15Epub Date: 2026-01-30DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2026.123926
Yi-Sheng Wang , Bong-Seop Lee , Hongzhi Zhang , Hyeong-Kyu Cho , Runsheng Lin , Shafiq Ishak , Xiao-Yong Wang
The concrete industry urgently requires innovative carbon management strategies to mitigate its substantial CO2 footprint. Conventional carbonation curing is often constrained by equipment requirements and limited applicability to precast components, highlighting the need for alternative solutions suitable for cast-in-place concretes. This study introduces a novel method of incorporating solid CO2 (dry ice) into hybrid alkaline cement (HAC) systems, enabling simultaneous performance enhancement and carbon storage. HAC mixtures containing 0–15% dry ice were prepared and systematically investigated in terms of hydration kinetics, mechanical strength, durability, and phase evolution. Isothermal calorimetry, XRD, TG, FTIR, and SEM were employed to reveal the mechanisms underlying the observed changes. Results demonstrate that dry ice moderates system alkalinity, promotes clinker hydration, and induces early precipitation of carbonates that subsequently transform into carbonaluminate phases. At an optimal dosage of 10%, compressive strength increased by 37.45% and surface resistivity by 22.69% at 28 days, accompanied by significant microstructural densification. However, excessive addition (15%) led to early temperature drops and reduced slag activation, which impaired overall performance. Sustainability analysis considering two boundary scenarios of CO2 escape revealed that incorporating 10% dry ice reduced unit strength CO2 emissions to 3.87–7.8 kg·CO2/MPa, representing reductions of 51.9–3.23% compared with the control. These findings demonstrate that dry ice addition provides a low-cost, simple, and scalable route to integrate carbon storage with HAC development. This strategy offers new opportunities for achieving carbon-neutral cementitious materials with enhanced durability and structural performance, particularly in field applications where conventional carbonation curing is impractical.
{"title":"Harnessing solid CO2 in hybrid alkaline cement: Dry ice as a pathway to high-performance and low-emission materials","authors":"Yi-Sheng Wang , Bong-Seop Lee , Hongzhi Zhang , Hyeong-Kyu Cho , Runsheng Lin , Shafiq Ishak , Xiao-Yong Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123926","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123926","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The concrete industry urgently requires innovative carbon management strategies to mitigate its substantial CO<sub>2</sub> footprint. Conventional carbonation curing is often constrained by equipment requirements and limited applicability to precast components, highlighting the need for alternative solutions suitable for cast-in-place concretes. This study introduces a novel method of incorporating solid CO<sub>2</sub> (dry ice) into hybrid alkaline cement (HAC) systems, enabling simultaneous performance enhancement and carbon storage. HAC mixtures containing 0–15% dry ice were prepared and systematically investigated in terms of hydration kinetics, mechanical strength, durability, and phase evolution. Isothermal calorimetry, XRD, TG, FTIR, and SEM were employed to reveal the mechanisms underlying the observed changes. Results demonstrate that dry ice moderates system alkalinity, promotes clinker hydration, and induces early precipitation of carbonates that subsequently transform into carbonaluminate phases. At an optimal dosage of 10%, compressive strength increased by 37.45% and surface resistivity by 22.69% at 28 days, accompanied by significant microstructural densification. However, excessive addition (15%) led to early temperature drops and reduced slag activation, which impaired overall performance. Sustainability analysis considering two boundary scenarios of CO<sub>2</sub> escape revealed that incorporating 10% dry ice reduced unit strength CO<sub>2</sub> emissions to 3.87–7.8 kg·CO<sub>2</sub>/MPa, representing reductions of 51.9–3.23% compared with the control. These findings demonstrate that dry ice addition provides a low-cost, simple, and scalable route to integrate carbon storage with HAC development. This strategy offers new opportunities for achieving carbon-neutral cementitious materials with enhanced durability and structural performance, particularly in field applications where conventional carbonation curing is impractical.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":312,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Research","volume":"295 ","pages":"Article 123926"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146099559","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}
The OneWater paradigm emphasizes integrated and circular management of water resources, promoting technologies that simultaneously address water scarcity, energy demand, and environmental sustainability. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) support these objectives by converting organic pollutants into renewable bioelectricity while treating wastewater. In this study, high-performance bioanodes based on polypyrrole–titanium dioxide (PPy–TiO2) nanocomposites were developed on nickel foam (PPy–TiO2/NF) and graphite sheet (PPy– TiO2/GS) substrates to enhance electrochemical activity and microbial electron transfer. Comprehensive structural characterization (XRD, FTIR, SEM, TEM, SAED, EDX) confirmed the uniform incorporation of anatase-phase TiO2 within a conductive PPy matrix, forming a porous and electroactive surface. Electrochemical analyses revealed significantly reduced charge-transfer resistance and enhanced pseudocapacitive behavior for PPy–TiO2/NF, which translated into superior MFC performance. When operated with Citrobacter freundii, the PPy– TiO2/NF anode achieved a peak voltage of 998 ± 10 mV, maximum power density of 2411 ± 30 mW/m2, current density of 2416 ± 25 mA/m2, and high treatment efficiency with 86.40 ± 0.8 % COD removal and 35.56 ± 1.7 % coulombic efficiency. Dense, viable biofilms on the 3D nickel foam scaffold further supported enhanced electron recovery. To assess practical scalability, three PPy–TiO2/NF-based MFC units were successfully stacked in series, generating >2.0 V sufficient to illuminate an LED bulb. Following treatment, the effluent was UV-disinfected and safely reused for non-potable applications such as landscape irrigation, demonstrating direct integration of wastewater treatment, energy recovery, and water reuse. These results highlight PPy–TiO2-modified electrodes as robust and sustainable candidates for decentralized circular water–energy systems under OneWater frameworks.
{"title":"OneWater-driven waste-to-watt innovation: Electroactive Polymer–Metal oxide nanostructures for integrated energy production and reuse of wastewater","authors":"Lakeswer Dadsena , Tungabidya Maharana , Satya Eswari Jujjavarapu","doi":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123764","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123764","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The OneWater paradigm emphasizes integrated and circular management of water resources, promoting technologies that simultaneously address water scarcity, energy demand, and environmental sustainability. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) support these objectives by converting organic pollutants into renewable bioelectricity while treating wastewater. In this study, high-performance bioanodes based on polypyrrole–titanium dioxide (PPy–TiO<sub>2</sub>) nanocomposites were developed on nickel foam (PPy–TiO<sub>2</sub>/NF) and graphite sheet (PPy– TiO<sub>2</sub>/GS) substrates to enhance electrochemical activity and microbial electron transfer. Comprehensive structural characterization (XRD, FTIR, SEM, TEM, SAED, EDX) confirmed the uniform incorporation of anatase-phase TiO<sub>2</sub> within a conductive PPy matrix, forming a porous and electroactive surface. Electrochemical analyses revealed significantly reduced charge-transfer resistance and enhanced pseudocapacitive behavior for PPy–TiO<sub>2</sub>/NF, which translated into superior MFC performance. When operated with <em>Citrobacter freundii</em>, the PPy– TiO<sub>2</sub>/NF anode achieved a peak voltage of 998 ± 10 mV, maximum power density of 2411 ± 30 mW/m<sup>2</sup>, current density of 2416 ± 25 mA/m<sup>2</sup>, and high treatment efficiency with 86.40 ± 0.8 % COD removal and 35.56 ± 1.7 % coulombic efficiency. Dense, viable biofilms on the 3D nickel foam scaffold further supported enhanced electron recovery. To assess practical scalability, three PPy–TiO<sub>2</sub>/NF-based MFC units were successfully stacked in series, generating >2.0 V sufficient to illuminate an LED bulb. Following treatment, the effluent was UV-disinfected and safely reused for non-potable applications such as landscape irrigation, demonstrating direct integration of wastewater treatment, energy recovery, and water reuse. These results highlight PPy–TiO<sub>2</sub>-modified electrodes as robust and sustainable candidates for decentralized circular water–energy systems under OneWater frameworks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":312,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Research","volume":"293 ","pages":"Article 123764"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145984204","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}
This study aimed to evaluate the association between prenatal exposure to inorganic arsenic (iAs) and maternal and offspring thyroid hormone levels, assessed during pregnancy and at 15 years of age. We also evaluated the role of genetic polymorphisms in the DIO1 and DIO2 genes in this association.
The study population comprised pregnant women-offspring pair participants in the INMA project in Spain. Free thyroxine (FT4), total triiodothyronine (TT3) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured in serum samples collected during the first trimester and at 15 years of age. iAs and its metabolites (DMA, MMA) were measured in urine samples collected during the first trimester. The sum of iAs and its metabolites (SumAs) and the iAs methylation efficiency (%iAs, %DMA, %MMA) were calculated. Covariates were obtained through questionnaires. Two SNPs in the DIO1 (rs2235544) and DIO2 (rs12885300) genes were genotyped in maternal and offspring DNA. The association between maternal As exposure and thyroid hormone levels measured at both time points (n = 981 and n = 330) was evaluated using multivariable linear regression models. Interaction terms were included in the models in order to evaluate effect modification.
A lower methylation efficiency of maternal iAs (denoted as higher %MMA) was directly associated with maternal FT4, and maternal SumAs concentrations were directly associated with adolescent TSH levels. Additionally, these associations seemed to be modified by two SNPs in the DIO1 and DIO2 genes. Our results suggest that prenatal exposure to iAs could disrupt thyroid function during both pregnancy and adolescence, and that deiodinase enzymes may play a role.
{"title":"Prenatal arsenic speciation and thyroid hormone levels during pregnancy and adolescence","authors":"Sabrina Llop , Julia Lönnqvist , Maria-Jose Lopez-Espinosa , Mario Murcia , Loreto Santa-Marina , Ferran Ballester , Amaia Irizar , Simone Braeuer , Ana Esplugues , Manuel Lozano , Jorge Vallejo-Ortega , Gonzalo García-Baquero , Ziortza Barroeta , Florencia Harari , Raquel Soler-Blasco","doi":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123773","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123773","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to evaluate the association between prenatal exposure to inorganic arsenic (iAs) and maternal and offspring thyroid hormone levels, assessed during pregnancy and at 15 years of age. We also evaluated the role of genetic polymorphisms in the <em>DIO1</em> and <em>DIO2</em> genes in this association.</div><div>The study population comprised pregnant women-offspring pair participants in the INMA project in Spain. Free thyroxine (FT4), total triiodothyronine (TT3) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured in serum samples collected during the first trimester and at 15 years of age. iAs and its metabolites (DMA, MMA) were measured in urine samples collected during the first trimester. The sum of iAs and its metabolites (SumAs) and the iAs methylation efficiency (%iAs, %DMA, %MMA) were calculated. Covariates were obtained through questionnaires. Two SNPs in the <em>DIO1</em> (rs2235544) and <em>DIO2</em> (rs12885300) genes were genotyped in maternal and offspring DNA. The association between maternal As exposure and thyroid hormone levels measured at both time points (n = 981 and n = 330) was evaluated using multivariable linear regression models. Interaction terms were included in the models in order to evaluate effect modification.</div><div>A lower methylation efficiency of maternal iAs (denoted as higher %MMA) was directly associated with maternal FT4, and maternal SumAs concentrations were directly associated with adolescent TSH levels. Additionally, these associations seemed to be modified by two SNPs in the <em>DIO1</em> and <em>DIO2</em> genes. Our results suggest that prenatal exposure to iAs could disrupt thyroid function during both pregnancy and adolescence, and that deiodinase enzymes may play a role.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":312,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Research","volume":"293 ","pages":"Article 123773"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145987669","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}
Discharged fungal bulking sludge (FBS) is a byproduct of wastewater treatment processes, due to high costs and environmental contamination. This study proposes a novel design, biosynthesized iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) on the surface of fungal biofilm, for simultaneous generating electricity with the action of a single water droplet. The output performances of electric energy were achieved, with an instant voltage of 40 mV. The hydrophily and pore structure of fungal biofilm contributes to the dragging force of water droplets. The electricity generation of the devices depends on electron transfer at long distance due to the conductivity of FeNPs. The stimulation model of hydroelectric power generation demonstrated that electric potential attributed to the asymmetric proton concentration gradient. Batch experiments demonstrated that protonation and ionic dynamics were crucial for electricity generation. This study is the first to utilize non-electroactive fungal biofilm to biosynthesize iron nanoparticles on their surface for energy conversion, achieving a stable and continuous power output with the action of the movement and dissociation of water molecules within the porous structure of the biofilm. These discoveries offer new ideas for the development of novel energy materials and technologies in the crossing field between wastewater treatment and water-based power generation.
{"title":"Droplet electricity generation via biogenic iron nanoparticle-coated fungal bulking sludge.","authors":"Liying Zhang, Fanjian Meng, Xin Lu, Haifeng Zhang, Lanhe Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.124291","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.124291","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Discharged fungal bulking sludge (FBS) is a byproduct of wastewater treatment processes, due to high costs and environmental contamination. This study proposes a novel design, biosynthesized iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) on the surface of fungal biofilm, for simultaneous generating electricity with the action of a single water droplet. The output performances of electric energy were achieved, with an instant voltage of 40 mV. The hydrophily and pore structure of fungal biofilm contributes to the dragging force of water droplets. The electricity generation of the devices depends on electron transfer at long distance due to the conductivity of FeNPs. The stimulation model of hydroelectric power generation demonstrated that electric potential attributed to the asymmetric proton concentration gradient. Batch experiments demonstrated that protonation and ionic dynamics were crucial for electricity generation. This study is the first to utilize non-electroactive fungal biofilm to biosynthesize iron nanoparticles on their surface for energy conversion, achieving a stable and continuous power output with the action of the movement and dissociation of water molecules within the porous structure of the biofilm. These discoveries offer new ideas for the development of novel energy materials and technologies in the crossing field between wastewater treatment and water-based power generation.</p>","PeriodicalId":312,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Research","volume":" ","pages":"124291"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147472002","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 : 2026-03-15Epub Date: 2026-01-12DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2026.123758
Yue Wang , Ke Xing , Nan Xiao , Yanni Zhang , Yixuan Wang , Lingzao Zeng , Yijun Yao
Mercury (Hg) is a globally distributed toxic pollutant with well-documented neurotoxic and nephrotoxic effects, yet comprehensive assessments of Hg contamination in vegetables—a potentially significant dietary exposure pathway for non-fish-consuming populations—remain lacking. This study presents the first global assessment of Hg concentrations in edible vegetables by compiling 8546 records from 49 countries, integrating data from peer-reviewed literature, the WHO GEMS Food contaminants database, and national Total Diet Studies. The compiled dataset revealed pronounced geographic inequalities in monitoring coverage, with high-income countries contributing the majority of observations while many low- and middle-income regions remained substantially underrepresented. Despite these data gaps, the global median Hg concentration was 0.0012 mg/kg, suggesting that vegetables generally constitute a secondary exposure pathway relative to fish and seafood. However, regional median concentrations varied by nearly 50-fold, from 0.00014 mg/kg in North America to 0.0067 mg/kg in the Middle East and North Africa, with extreme values recorded in Côte d'Ivoire (0.140 mg/kg) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (0.057 mg/kg). Temporal analysis revealed divergent trajectories: while emission controls drove a 58 % reduction in median concentrations in China (from 0.0024 to 0.0010 mg/kg), high contamination levels persisted in regions with unregulated mining. Correlation analyses indicated that PM2.5 (r = 0.49) and artisanal gold mining emissions (r = 0.46) exhibited the strongest positive associations with vegetable Hg concentrations, implicating atmospheric deposition as a predominant contamination pathway. Probabilistic risk assessment identified Côte d'Ivoire and Bosnia and Herzegovina as potential high-risk hotspots, where estimated Hazard Quotients (HQ) exceeded the safety threshold for both children (HQ: 1.05–1.39) and adults (HQ: 1.47–1.95). Sensitivity analyses confirmed that the identification of these priority regions remains robust to demographic uncertainties. These findings demonstrate that in specific inland hotspots, vegetable-borne exposure rivals aquatic pathways, underscoring the urgent need for expanded surveillance in the Global South.
{"title":"Assessing global patterns and health risks of vegetables as a dietary mercury exposure pathway","authors":"Yue Wang , Ke Xing , Nan Xiao , Yanni Zhang , Yixuan Wang , Lingzao Zeng , Yijun Yao","doi":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123758","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123758","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mercury (Hg) is a globally distributed toxic pollutant with well-documented neurotoxic and nephrotoxic effects, yet comprehensive assessments of Hg contamination in vegetables—a potentially significant dietary exposure pathway for non-fish-consuming populations—remain lacking. This study presents the first global assessment of Hg concentrations in edible vegetables by compiling 8546 records from 49 countries, integrating data from peer-reviewed literature, the WHO GEMS Food contaminants database, and national Total Diet Studies. The compiled dataset revealed pronounced geographic inequalities in monitoring coverage, with high-income countries contributing the majority of observations while many low- and middle-income regions remained substantially underrepresented. Despite these data gaps, the global median Hg concentration was 0.0012 mg/kg, suggesting that vegetables generally constitute a secondary exposure pathway relative to fish and seafood. However, regional median concentrations varied by nearly 50-fold, from 0.00014 mg/kg in North America to 0.0067 mg/kg in the Middle East and North Africa, with extreme values recorded in Côte d'Ivoire (0.140 mg/kg) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (0.057 mg/kg). Temporal analysis revealed divergent trajectories: while emission controls drove a 58 % reduction in median concentrations in China (from 0.0024 to 0.0010 mg/kg), high contamination levels persisted in regions with unregulated mining. Correlation analyses indicated that PM2.5 (r = 0.49) and artisanal gold mining emissions (r = 0.46) exhibited the strongest positive associations with vegetable Hg concentrations, implicating atmospheric deposition as a predominant contamination pathway. Probabilistic risk assessment identified Côte d'Ivoire and Bosnia and Herzegovina as potential high-risk hotspots, where estimated Hazard Quotients (HQ) exceeded the safety threshold for both children (HQ: 1.05–1.39) and adults (HQ: 1.47–1.95). Sensitivity analyses confirmed that the identification of these priority regions remains robust to demographic uncertainties. These findings demonstrate that in specific inland hotspots, vegetable-borne exposure rivals aquatic pathways, underscoring the urgent need for expanded surveillance in the Global South.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":312,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Research","volume":"293 ","pages":"Article 123758"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145975160","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}
Gangue discharge and accumulation cause serious environmental issues. Activating gangue for subsided soil reclamation aids disposal and resource use. To address this, we used a 'calcination-acid leaching' activation method. XRD, FTIR, BET, and SEM-EDS assessed mineral changes, pore structure, and available silicon in calcined-acid-leached coal gangue (CA-CG) across different calcination temperatures and acid concentrations. Furthermore, soil column experiments measured water and salt transport, varying fly ash-to-gangue ratios, isolation layer thicknesses, and reclamation structures. Notably, at 700 °C, kaolinite completely dehydroxylates to metakaolinite, boosting silicon-aluminum reactivity. With 5 % acid leaching, amorphous silicon reacts rapidly with hydrogen ions, yielding 103 mg/kg accessible silicon. At this acid level, the CA-CG surface area was 28.81 % higher than at 1 % acid. As the ash-to-coal ratio increases, the water retention coefficient R first increases, then drops. Moreover, double-layer structures improve bottom desalination and reduce surface salt during evaporation. They resist upward ion migration better than single-layer structures. Finally, the control order for ion migration is: SO42−, Ca2+, Na+, Cl−.
{"title":"Regulating water-salt transport in subsided soil reclamation: The mechanism of calcination-acid leaching activated coal gangue","authors":"Guiyuan Wang, Junmeng Li, Chenyang Li, Yanli Huang, Yachao Guo, Laiwei Wu, Pucheng Rui","doi":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123774","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123774","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Gangue discharge and accumulation cause serious environmental issues. Activating gangue for subsided soil reclamation aids disposal and resource use. To address this, we used a 'calcination-acid leaching' activation method. XRD, FTIR, BET, and SEM-EDS assessed mineral changes, pore structure, and available silicon in calcined-acid-leached coal gangue (CA-CG) across different calcination temperatures and acid concentrations. Furthermore, soil column experiments measured water and salt transport, varying fly ash-to-gangue ratios, isolation layer thicknesses, and reclamation structures. Notably, at 700 °C, kaolinite completely dehydroxylates to metakaolinite, boosting silicon-aluminum reactivity. With 5 % acid leaching, amorphous silicon reacts rapidly with hydrogen ions, yielding 103 mg/kg accessible silicon. At this acid level, the CA-CG surface area was 28.81 % higher than at 1 % acid. As the ash-to-coal ratio increases, the water retention coefficient R first increases, then drops. Moreover, double-layer structures improve bottom desalination and reduce surface salt during evaporation. They resist upward ion migration better than single-layer structures. Finally, the control order for ion migration is: SO<sub>4</sub><sup>2−</sup>, Ca<sup>2+</sup>, Na<sup>+</sup>, Cl<sup>−</sup>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":312,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Research","volume":"293 ","pages":"Article 123774"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145975656","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 : 2026-03-15Epub Date: 2026-01-11DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2026.123751
Xinyao Zhang , Rong Yang , Wenxia Zhu , Di Meng , Xuanjie Huang , Zulin Wang , Bo Ma , Jun Yao , Wenjihao Hu
Heavy metal ions such as Pb(II) and Cd(II) in aquatic environments and contaminated soils pose severe risks to ecosystems and human health, thereby necessitating their effective removal and immobilization. In this study, a phosphate-functionalized attapulgite material (C-ATP) was synthesized through a calcination-assisted modification strategy, achieving efficient phosphate incorporation while preserving the intrinsic crystalline framework of attapulgite (ATP). The resulting C-ATP exhibited significantly enhanced maximum adsorption capacities for Pb(II) and Cd(II), with increases of 80.89 % and 21.44 %, respectively, compared to unmodified ATP. Moreover, C-ATP exhibited remarkable adsorption stability over wide variations in pH and temperature, while sustaining high adsorption performance even under elevated concentrations of competing Ca(II) ions. In soil remediation experiments, C-ATP achieved immobilization efficiencies of 77.9 % for Pb(II) and 35.59 % for Cd(II) within 7 days, which were 2.8 and 1.5 times higher than those of unmodified attapulgite, and it maintained stable solidification performance after 56 days. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis verified that the phosphate functionalities were actively involved in the adsorption of heavy metal ions through the generation of inner-sphere coordination complexes at the material surface. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) further revealed that phosphate groups exhibited stronger binding affinity toward Pb(II) than the original hydroxyl groups on the attapulgite surface, providing a molecular-level explanation for the superior performance of C-ATP. This work provides a simple and cost-effective strategy for fabricating phosphate-modified attapulgite, elucidating the molecular mechanism by which phosphate groups enhance adsorption performance, and offering new insights into efficient heavy metal removal and contaminated soil remediation.
{"title":"Phosphate-modified attapulgite for efficient Pb(II) and Cd(II) removal: surface functionalization and adsorption mechanisms","authors":"Xinyao Zhang , Rong Yang , Wenxia Zhu , Di Meng , Xuanjie Huang , Zulin Wang , Bo Ma , Jun Yao , Wenjihao Hu","doi":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123751","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envres.2026.123751","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Heavy metal ions such as Pb(II) and Cd(II) in aquatic environments and contaminated soils pose severe risks to ecosystems and human health, thereby necessitating their effective removal and immobilization. In this study, a phosphate-functionalized attapulgite material (C-ATP) was synthesized through a calcination-assisted modification strategy, achieving efficient phosphate incorporation while preserving the intrinsic crystalline framework of attapulgite (ATP). The resulting C-ATP exhibited significantly enhanced maximum adsorption capacities for Pb(II) and Cd(II), with increases of 80.89 % and 21.44 %, respectively, compared to unmodified ATP. Moreover, C-ATP exhibited remarkable adsorption stability over wide variations in pH and temperature, while sustaining high adsorption performance even under elevated concentrations of competing Ca(II) ions. In soil remediation experiments, C-ATP achieved immobilization efficiencies of 77.9 % for Pb(II) and 35.59 % for Cd(II) within 7 days, which were 2.8 and 1.5 times higher than those of unmodified attapulgite, and it maintained stable solidification performance after 56 days. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis verified that the phosphate functionalities were actively involved in the adsorption of heavy metal ions through the generation of inner-sphere coordination complexes at the material surface. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) further revealed that phosphate groups exhibited stronger binding affinity toward Pb(II) than the original hydroxyl groups on the attapulgite surface, providing a molecular-level explanation for the superior performance of C-ATP. This work provides a simple and cost-effective strategy for fabricating phosphate-modified attapulgite, elucidating the molecular mechanism by which phosphate groups enhance adsorption performance, and offering new insights into efficient heavy metal removal and contaminated soil remediation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":312,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Research","volume":"293 ","pages":"Article 123751"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145964848","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}