Environmental Sciences Europe最新文献

Many studies have investigated short-term peak concentrations of pesticides in surface waters resulting from agricultural uses. However, we lack information to what extent pesticides reoccur over medium (> 4 days) and longer time periods (> 10 days). We use here large-scale pesticide monitoring data from across Europe (~ 15 mil. measurements, i.e., quantified concentrations in water at > 17,000 sites for 474 pesticide compounds) to evaluate the degree to which pesticides were not only detected once, but in sequences of a compound repeatedly quantified in the same area (0.015 km²) within 4–30 days. Reoccurrence was observed at ~ 18% of sites for > 76% of compounds, ~ 40% of which not a priori considered to chronically expose aquatic ecosystems. We calculated a probability of reoccurrence (POR) over medium-term (4–7 days) and long-term (8–30 days) time periods for ~ 360 pesticides. Relative PORs (ratio between long-term and medium-term POR) revealed three occurrence patterns: ephemeral, intermittent and permanent. While fungicides dominated intermittently occurring substances, aligning with application strategies and physico-chemical properties, neonicotinoids and legacy pesticides were among substances permanently occurring. The results of this study shed new light on previously underestimated longer-term occurrence of many pesticides in aquatic environments (35% of investigated substances occurring intermittently or permanently were previously not considered to pollute the aquatic environment chronically), entailing new challenges for chronic risk assessments and the evaluation of pesticide effects on aquatic biodiversity.

In recent years, there has been growing interest in public valuation for forest ecosystem services in policymaking. This paper investigates the public’s perception of the Czech forest ecosystem services, i.e., provisioning, regulating and cultural services, with associated factors (changes in forest cover, production, and respondents’ characteristics). The performance perception of forest ecosystem services was gathered from a nationwide survey in 2020. The Coordination of Information on the Environment Land Cover information in 2000 and 2018 was used for observation of forest cover changes. Coniferous and non-coniferous (broadleaved) roundwood, mushroom, and bilberry production data from the observed years were acquired from the Czech Statistical Office and the Ministry of Agriculture’s annual nationwide surveys. The Bohemia vs. Moravia study areas were also statistically compared. Predictor analysis of the high score of performance perception from individual and cluster forest ecosystems was also performed to answer the research objectives. The group of forest provisioning services received high scores in public evaluation (from 3.9 to 4.2), followed by regulating services (mean range: 3.7–4.1). The highest score was found in forest as a natural habitat for wild animals and plants (mean: 4.6). However, the lowest value was the esthetic value (mean: 2.3). Both are categorized as forest cultural services. The broadleaved and mixed forest areas in 2018 were significantly higher than in 2000, especially in Bohemia. Meanwhile, the total coniferous forested region in 2018 declined substantially compared to 2000 (p = 0.030), especially in Moravian areas. A significantly higher total production of the coniferous and broadleaved roundwood removals in 2018 than in 2000 was reported, in contrast to a marked decrease in collected mushrooms and bilberries. The high score of performance perception of forests as the wood provisioning service was positively and significantly associated with the changes in broadleaved roundwood removals. Older-age and female respondents were the primary predictors of the studied cluster and individual forest ecosystem services. The findings indicate that the social value of the individual forest provisioning services supports the implementation of multi-species and multi-purpose forests; hence, it encourages the implementation of the current Czech forest policy.

This study aimed to optimize the production of bio-oil from Leucaena leucocephala wood using a fluidized bed reactor. Response surface methodology was used to optimize the fast pyrolysis through three operational parameters: pyrolysis temperature, nitrogen flow rate, and temperature of the first condensation stage. The optimum conditions obtained for bio-oil production were 500 °C, 26.4 L min^–1, that is, about 3.3 times the minimum fluidization flow, and 80 °C, respectively. The bio-oil obtained under optimum conditions was of good quality and did not require further treatment. Physical properties of the bio-oil were analysed according to ASTM D7544-12. In addition, the chemical composition of the non-condensed gases and bio-oil were identified using GC–MS. The non-condensed gases were found to contain mainly ketones and lignin derivatives, while the bio-oil contained cyclic ketones, alcohol ethers, aromatic alcohols, and lignin derivatives. The study found that increasing the pyrolysis temperature did not significantly increase the yield of H₂ and CO for syngas production. Regarding the solid obtained, a large amount of unreacted material (66.7 wt.%) is generated at 400 °C, and as the temperature is increased, a high-quality biochar is obtained.

Background

Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) exposure has a negative impact on the environment and biological health. However, the relationship between PFOS exposure and diabetes in adults is not clear.

Objective

In this study, we included two distinct components: (1) in the cross-sectional analysis, we used data from the National Health and Nutrition Inspection Survey (NHANES) from 2015 to 2018 and eventually included 2539 subjects. The association between PFOS exposure and the risk of diabetes in adults was assessed by a logistic regression model, and further subgroup analysis was carried out according to sex, hypertension status and high cholesterol status. We adjusted for all covariates and found that the positive association between higher PFOS exposure and diabetes remained stable. (2) In vitro experiments were conducted as follows, rat insulinoma β cells (INS-1) were used as experimental materials; cell proliferation activity was detected using the MTT assay; quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of insulin; and Western blotting was used to detect insulin protein expression levels.

Results

Compared with Q1, the OR of the highest exposure level group (Q4) of PFOS was 1.342(95% CI 0.940, 1.916). We conducted a logistic regression analysis based on sex, hypertension, and high cholesterol stratification. Stratified by sex, we found that the exposure level of PFOS was significantly positively associated with diabetes (P for trend < 0.05). Subgroup analysis showed that the positive association between PFOS exposure and diabetes was more significant in nonhypertensive individuals (P for trend < 0.01) and those with normal cholesterol levels (P for trend < 0.001). To further determine the causal relationship between PFOS exposure and diabetes, we used rat insulinoma β cells (INS-1) as experimental materials to study the effect of PFOS exposure on insulin secretion. We found that PFOS exposure significantly affected insulin secretion and insulin mRNA and protein expression.

Conclusions

In summary, PFOS exposure is positively associated with the risk of diabetes. However, further studies are needed to confirm our results.

Background

Currently, active chlorine is considered the most effective treatment for preventing biofouling of structures in contact with seawater. This compound falls under the scope of the EU Biocidal Products Regulation, which includes since 2018 a requirement to assess all active ingredients for their potential endocrine-disrupting properties on humans and non-target organisms. Therefore, this study examines the endocrine-disrupting (ED) potential of active chlorine based on the European Chemicals Agency and European Food Safety Authority guidance (ED TGD). It includes two approaches: (i) a systematic literature review using appropriate search terms and (ii) an in silico assessment, both supported by expert judgement. Finally, the feasibility and relevance of in vitro tests were examined by considering the stability of chlorine and the applicability domain of the recommended in vitro assays.

Results

No significant adversity or endocrine activity based on EATS (estrogen, androgen, thyroid, and steroidogenesis)-modalities were evidenced based on the literature data. However, these modalities remain understudied and further datasets are needed for a comprehensive assessment. The in silico approach revealed a low probability of binding between active chlorine and a set of 14 human nuclear receptors, for both agonist and antagonist effects. This is not surprising given the great structural difference between active chlorine and natural ligands. The in vitro investigation of the ED potential of active chlorine raises several operational limits, including: (i) its instability (t_1/2 < 48 h) which is incompatible with a reasonable time window between collection and ex situ analysis; (ii) its rapid and complete reaction with several essential nutrients in cell culture media; (iii) its documented cytotoxicity on various cell lines; and (iv) its exclusion from the scope of certain OECD guidelines.

Conclusions

Overall, neither the in silico evaluation nor the systematic literature review performed indicates a significant adversity based on EATS-mediated parameters or EATS-related endocrine activities. This study highlights the challenges of performing a comprehensive ED assessment for a data-poor chemical and questions the relevance of transposing generic methodologies to the case of unstable and inorganic molecules.

The bioaccumulation of some heavy metals in coaster waters directly affects the ecosystem and human beings. Thus, the objectives of this study are to evaluate the interaction between fish and coastal water and assess the long-term implications of human consumption of some major organs obtained from Tilapia brevimanus and Euthynnus alletteratus. The study determined the concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and lead (Pb) in twenty coaster water samples collected from two points and in the muscle, gills, and intestine of ten pieces of Tilapia brevimanus and ten pieces of Euthynnus alletteratus using a Perkin Elmer Model 306 Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. Furthermore, the accumulation of these metals and the assessment of the long-term implications of human consumption of the designated organs of the two species types were performed. The statistical significance level of the obtained results was determined using the T-test analysis tool, which revealed that the distribution of the metals varies in different organs of the fish species. The levels of pollutants were higher in Tilapia brevimanus organs than in Euthynnus alletteratus. The contents of As, Cd, Cr, and Pb in the gills were higher than those in the muscle. Also, the metal pollution index in the organs followed the order of intestine > gills > muscle for both Tilapia brevimanus and Euthynnus alletteratus, posing serious health risks.

Background

Risks of adverse ecological effects of copper (Cu) consider of water quality parameters were not fully understood in China. Here, a national-scale exposure of Cu in Chinese surface water was investigated, and the first report using multiple linear regression approach to predict and correct toxicity data based on water chemistries in China. Risk of Cu was overestimated without considering water quality parameters in the previous studies.

Results

Under prevalent water quality conditions of hardness = 150.0 mg/L, pH = 7.8, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) = 3.0 mg/L, across China, the predicted no effect concentration for total, dissolved Cu was 9.71 μg/L. Based on results of the preliminary risk quotients method, 1.19% (a total of 43 in 3610 sites) were classified as “high risk”, only one sixth of the percentage of sites with “high risk” than the proportion predicted when not considering water quality parameters, which was 7.51%. Similar results were obtained by application of both the margin of safety method (0.71% compared to 2.81%) and joint probability curve method (3.34% compared to 16.29%), both of which overestimated risks posed by Cu to aquatic organisms in China.

Conclusion

After correcting for bioavailability based on water quality parameters, consider both concentrations and frequencies during ecological risk assessment, regions of China at greatest risk from adverse effects of Cu were the Hai River (Haihe), Huai Rivers (Huaihe) and Chao Lake. These findings provide a comprehensive method for a more accurate assessment of risks of adverse effects of Cu to aquatic life in surface waters.

Background

The public understanding of environmental issues, such as chemical pollution due to flooding, is reflected and shaped by media representations and how these issues are framed. This study aims to identify how local, regional, and national German newspapers pick up and frame the issue of chemical pollution and related environmental and health risks regarding the 2021 summer flood using content analysis.

Results

The analysis shows that chemical pollution is rarely addressed compared to other flood-related topics. We identified 189 newspaper articles published in the months following the flood, which specifically mention chemical emissions. Of these articles, 50 report only marginally on chemical pollution, while 36 focus on the factual description of chemical emissions without addressing the consequences of pollution. The remaining 103 articles address impacts of certain pollutants such as oil, pesticides, heavy metals, or dioxins. Using content analysis, we identified four narratives that were common in their broad storylines and used to create a problem frame: (i) Highlighting severe contamination of the environment with chemical pollutants causing serious environmental damage (31 articles), (ii) describing possible contamination but with uncertainty about the extent and consequences (39 articles), (iii) tending to give the all-clear and emphasizing that there is no severe long-term contamination (25 articles), and (iv) indicating continuous contamination that does not allow the all-clear to be given (8 articles).

Conclusions

The results suggest that flood-related chemical pollution does not receive much media attention. Where it does, coverage focuses primarily on the description of the “tangible parts” of pollution, and thus contamination by oil, depicted by both smell and oil streaks, is frequently addressed Articles indicating severe contamination suggest threats to human and environmental health as likely consequences. However, most articles only report the results of chemical monitoring in the contaminated regions, which are evaluated by experts. This contrasts with other topics of controversy related to the flood, such as climate change as a potential cause. In light of our study, we propose that media and science communication need to pay more attention to chemical pollution—in general and as a result of flood events.

Cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase (CKX) is a key regulatory enzyme for the irreversible degradation of the plant hormone cytokinin (CK), which is important in growth and development and response to abiotic stresses in cotton. In this study, 27, 28, 14 and 14 CKXs were screened by FAD structural domain and cytokinin binding structural domain in Gossypium hirsutum, Gossypium barbadense, Gossypium arboreum and Gossypium raimondii, respectively. Their phylogenetic relationships and expression patterns were analyzed, and most GhCKXs were found to be tissue-specific and responsive to various abiotic stresses such as cold, heat, salt and PEG. GhCKX6b-Dt was selected for gene silencing in evolutionary branch II for salt stress, because its expression increased after salt stress in cotton plants. An increase in PRO and MDA content and a decrease in SOD activity due to this gene were found after inducing salt stress, contributing to oxidative damage and decreased salt tolerance. In this study, CKXs were analyzed to reveal the possible role of GhCKXs against abiotic stresses in cotton, which provides a basis for further understanding of the biological functions of CK in plants such as growth and development and stress resistance.

Background

Freshwater ecosystem degradation and biodiversity decline are strongly associated with intensive agricultural practices. Simultaneously occurring agricultural stressors can interact in complex ways, preventing an accurate prediction of their combined effects on aquatic biota. Here, we address the limited mechanistic understanding of multiple stressor effects of two globally important stressors, an insecticide (chlorantraniliprole), and increased fine sediment load and assessed their impact on the transcriptomic profile of two stream macroinvertebrates: the amphipod Gammarus pulex and the caddisfly Lepidostoma basale.

Results

We identified mainly antagonistic stressor interactions at the transcriptional level, presumably because the insecticide adsorbed to fine sediment particles. L. basale, which is phylogenetically more closely related to the insecticide’s target taxon Lepidoptera, exhibited strong transcriptional changes when the insecticide stressor was applied, whereas no clear response patterns were observed in the amphipod G. pulex. These differences in species vulnerability can presumably be attributed to molecular mechanisms determining the cellular affinity toward a stressor as well as differential exposure patterns resulting from varying ecological requirements between L. basale and G. pulex. Interestingly, the transcriptional response induced by insecticide exposure in L. basale was not associated with a disruption of the calcium homeostasis, which is the described mode of action for chlorantraniliprole. Instead, immune responses and alterations of the developmental program appear to play a more significant role.

Conclusions

Our study shows how transcriptomic data can be used to identify multiple stressor effects and to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying stressor-induced physiological responses. As such, stressor effects assessed at the molecular level can inform about modes of action of chemicals and their interplay with non-chemical stressors. We demonstrated that stressor effects vary between different organismic groups and that insecticide effects are not necessarily covered by their described mode of action, which has important implications for environmental risk assessment of insecticides in non-target organisms.