Environmental Sciences Europe最新文献

In recent years, taking medicine has been increasing around the world due to population growth and the spread of disease. Antibiotics as a kind of these medicines include about 10 to 15% of drug consumption. Studies show that antibiotics, which are not completely removed, have a permanent and destructive effect on the environment. In this study, the chitosan@polyacrylamide@ZIF-8 as an adsorbent was simultaneously used to remove cefixime and amoxicillin from the aqueous solution by adsorption methods. XRD and FTIR patterns were analyzed to investigate the surface crystallinity and the chemical properties of the adsorbent. In the following, SEM and TEM images were used for surface morphology study. Finally, a numerical investigation was done for predicting the adsorption effective parameters. The results show that pH 4, contact time 30 min, initial concentration 50 mg/L, temperature 25 °C and 15 mg of adsorbent in 10 mL of polluted water are optimal conditions at which a removal percentage of up to 90% was achieved. The Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherms were examined by experimental data and Langmuir model presented the best consistency with the experimental results and the maximum calculated adsorption capacity for amoxicillin and cefixime are 910 mg/g and 588 mg/g, respectively. Pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order and intraparticle diffusion were investigated for kinetic studies. The results of the calculations illustrated the pseudo-second order model has been dominant. Overall, this study expresses, chitosan@polyacrylamide coated by ZIF-8 can be used an appropriate, effective, and economical adsorbent for the adsorption of amoxicillin and cefixime.

Graphical Abstract

Although green technology innovation is an important means to balance the environment and economy, few studies have analyzed the employment effects of green technology innovation in developing countries. Therefore, this paper employs the panel data of 286 prefecture-level cities in China from 2006 to 2017 to empirically test the impact of various green technology innovations on urban employment. Meanwhile, from the perspectives of air quality and industrial structure optimization, the influencing mechanism of green technology innovation on employment is deeply analyzed. The results reveal that all kinds of green technology innovation can significantly increase the employment level of the city, and the promotion effect is strongest in the 2nd year after the patent application. According to the results of heterogeneity analysis, key cities of environmental protection and non-resource cities are more likely to generate positive employment effects through green technology innovation. Finally, the mediation effect test model confirms that green technology innovation can promote employment by improving air quality and causing industrial structure optimization.

Background

Because of global climate change, extreme flood events are expected to increase in quantity and intensity in the upcoming decades. In catchments affected by ore mining, flooding leads to the deposition of fine sediments enriched in trace metal(loid)s. Depending on their concentration, trace metal(loid)s can be a health hazard. Therefore, exposure of the local population to flood sediments, either by ingestion (covering direct ingestion and consuming food grown on these sediments) or via inhalation of dried sediments contributing to atmospheric particulate matter, is of concern.

Results

The extreme flood of July 2021 deposited large amounts of sediment across the town of Eschweiler (western Germany), with the inundation area exceeding previously mapped extreme flood limits (HQ_extreme). These sediments are rich in fine material (with the < 63 µm fraction making up 32% to 96%), which either can stick to the skin and be ingested or inhaled. They are moderately to heavily enriched in Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd > Sn compared to local background concentrations. The concentrations of Zn, Pb, Cd, Cu, and As in flood sediments exceed international trigger action values. A simple assessment of inhalation and ingestion by humans reveals that the tolerable daily intake is exceeded for Pb. Despite the enrichment of other trace elements like Zn, Cu, Cd, and Sn, they presumably do not pose a risk to human well-being. However, exposure to high dust concentrations may be a health risk.

Conclusions

In conclusion, flood sediments, especially in catchments impacted by mining, may pose a risk to the affected public. Hence, we propose to (I) improve the flood mapping by incorporating potential pollution sources; (II) extend warning messages to incorporate specific guidance; (III) use appropriate clean-up strategies in the aftermath of such flooding events; (IV) provide medical support, and (V) clue the public and medical professionals in on this topic accordingly.

Graphical Abstract

Background

The default values in the models used for environmental risk assessment are mostly more than a decade old. Market developments, structural and legal changes lead to adaptions of animal husbandry and manure management during this time. The scope of this research project was the critical review with regard to the topicality and plausibility of the default values for the assessment of insecticides/larvicides and disinfectants in stables, which are mentioned in the relevant emission scenario documents (Joint Research Centre, Institute for Health and Consumer Protection, Raffael B, Van de Plassche E (2012) Emission scenario document for product type 3: veterinary hygiene biocidal products. Publications Office. 10.2788/29747; OECD (2006) Emission Scenario Document for Product Type 18 No.14 Emission Scenario Document for Insecticides for Stables and Manure Storage Systems”, ENV/JM/MONO(2006)4), supplemented by the draft of Addendum 1 (European Chemicals Acd 1999 agency (ECHA) (draft recommendation of 2021). Addendum to OECD SERIES ON EMISSION SCENARIO DOCUMENTS, Number 14: Emission Scenario Document for Insecticides for Stables and Manure Storage Systems, ENV/JM/MONO(2006)4 Version 1.2).

Results

Several default values used in the current emission scenario documents (ESDs) were identified as outdated such as the housing scenarios for laying hens. It should be evaluated if outside climate housing was already covered by the existing scenarios or requires the addition of a new one. Additionally, the lack of valid data regarding for instance biocide application and biodegradation data, may also have an impact on the predicted environmental concentration (PEC).

Conclusions

Based on the results of the present study an update of the ESDs is suggested.

Background

The drastic change in an ecosystem as a threshold phenomenon caused by abrupt changes in environmental conditions is a focus of current ecological research. However, the study of ecological thresholds has generally been limited to estimating the threshold values of single factors. Using eDNA metabarcoding technology, we collected zooplankton data from Baiyangdian Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the North China Plain, to explore the zooplankton community distribution characteristics and the relevant environmental factors. We used Threshold Indicator Taxa Analysis (TITAN) to determine the thresholds of key environmental factors and to identify the factors influencing biological diversity.

Results

By comparing previous studies, we found that the zooplankton community composition based on eDNA metabarcoding was similar to that based on morphological methods, and that the data could be used to estimate ecological thresholds and assess risk conditions. Temperature (T), electrical conductivity (EC), and turbidity were the major environmental factors affecting the zooplankton community structure. The composition and structure of zooplankton communities in rivers and lakes were significantly different due to the influence of specific environmental factors. The results of TITAN analysis showed that there were different indicator species for T and EC in rivers and lakes. The protection thresholds of zooplankton in rivers were T = 19.0 °C and EC = 795 μS/cm, whereas the protection thresholds of zooplankton in lakes were T = 14.3 °C and EC = 1920 μS/cm. The overall values for the Baiyangdian watershed were T = 15.5 °C and EC = 1073 μS/cm. Compared with the field monitoring results, approximately 50% of the water quality index values at the sampling points in the Baiyangdian watershed exceeded the negative response threshold, indicating that Baiyangdian Lake was disturbed.

Conclusions

The validity of eDNA technology in biodiversity analysis was confirmed by the zooplankton community data from Baiyangdian Lake. The ecological thresholds derived by combining eDNA technology with Threshold Indicator Taxa Analysis (TITAN) are beneficial to the biological conservation of the region.

Current approaches for the prospective regulatory assessment of chemicals do not account sufficiently for elevated mixture risks. The Mixture Assessment Factor (MAF, better labeled a Mixture Allocation Factor) has been suggested for mixtures of industrial chemicals in the EU’s Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, as a pragmatic tool to account for potential mixture risks already during the risk and safety assessment of individual chemicals. The MAF is to be applied in scenarios in which specific mixture risk assessments are not possible, due to a lack of data and/or the complexity of the relevant exposure scenarios. Several approaches and algorithms for calculating a MAF have been suggested in the literature. The MAF_exact, which is a member of the larger MAF_ceiling class, is defined as the maximum fraction of the risk quotient of each chemical that is still acceptable to occur in a mixture, without the sum of risk quotients exceeding 1. This paper provides a comparative overview of the different MAF types discussed in the literature. It argues that the MAF_exact is the most promising approach in the context of chemical registration and authorization under regulatory frameworks such as REACH because this approach ensures a protection level that is similar to the protection level used in the current safety assessment of individual chemicals under REACH. Other MAF approaches either disproportionally impact low-risk substances, without leading to any appreciable risk reduction, or hamper risk communication because they lead to fluctuating residual risks after the MAF application. The paper also presents a case study comparing the different MAF approaches and finally discusses the MAF concept in the wider context of chemical regulation.

Background

Pyrethroids have been widely used in the United States and worldwide. Few studies examined the effect of pyrethroids exposure on sleep problems among adolescents.

Objectives

This study investigated the associations between pyrethroids exposure and sleep problems in male and female adolescents.

Methods

The data were used from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007–2014. In this study, 3-Phenoxybenzoic Acid (3-PBA) was used as a validated biomarker for pyrethroids exposure. The association between urinary 3-PBA and sleep problems was analyzed using logistic regression models.

Results

A total of 805 adolescents aged 16–20 years old were included in this study. The proportion of sleep problems was higher in females than in males (10.18% vs.7.35%, P = 0.154). A significant interaction was found between sex and 3-PBA (P interaction = 0.021) in the risk of sleep problems. A positive association of 3-PBA exposure with sleep problems was observed in male adolescents after adjusting for all the other covariates (OR = 4.04, 95% CI 1.31, 12.42). No statistically significant association was observed in female adolescents.

Conclusions

A positive association was observed between pyrethroids exposure and sleep problems in male adolescents, but not in female adolescents. More studies are required to confirm our findings.

Background

Urban streams are characterised by species-poor and frequently disturbed communities. The recovery of heavily polluted urban streams is challenging but the simple community structure makes recolonisation patterns more transparent. Therefore, they are generally applicable model systems for recolonisation of restored streams. Principal questions of stream restoration concern the drivers and patterns of recolonisation processes. Rarely, recolonisation of restored streams is recorded for a sufficient time to observe patterns of habitat and community development in detail. Over 10 years, we monitored benthic habitat changes and macroinvertebrate communities of eight restored sites in an urban stream network that was formerly used as an open sewer and thus, almost uninhabitable for macroinvertebrates prior to restoration. We analysed changes in environmental variables and communities with a selection of multi-variate analyses and identified indicator species in successional stages.

Results

Proportions of stony substrate and conductivity decreased over time since restoration, while the riparian vegetation cover increased along with the amount of sandy substrate. The communities fluctuated strongly after restoration but began to stabilise after around eight years. TITAN analysis identified 9 species, (e.g. the mayfly Cloeon dipterum and the beetle Agabus didymus), whose abundances decreased with time since restoration, and 19 species with an increasing abundance trend (e.g. several Trichopteran species, which colonised once specific habitats developed). Woody riparian vegetation cover and related variables were identified as major driver for changes in species abundance. In the last phase of the observation period, a dry episode resulted in complete dewatering of some sites. These temporarily dried sections were recolonised much more rapidly compared to the recolonisation following restoration.

Conclusions

Our results underline that community changes following urban stream restoration are closely linked to the evolving environmental conditions of restored streams, in particular habitat availability initialised by riparian vegetation. It takes about a decade for the development of a rich and stable community. Even in streams that were almost completely lacking benthic invertebrates before restoration, the establishment of a diverse macroinvertebrate community is possible, underlining the potential for habitat restoration in formerly heavily polluted urban areas.

Background

There is limited evidence supporting a relationship of ambient particulate matter (PM), especially PM₁, with hospital admissions, hospital costs, and length of hospital stay (LOS) due to cardiovascular disease (CVD). We used a generalized additive model (GAM) to estimate the associations of these indicators due to CVD for each 10 μg/m³ increase in the level of PM₁, PM_2.5, and PM₁₀, and the attributable risk caused by PM on CVD was determined using the WHO air quality guidelines from 2005 and 2021.

Results

For each 10 μg/m³ increase in the level of each PM and for a 0-day lag time, there were significant increases in daily hospital admissions for CVD (PM₁: 1.006% [95% CI 0.859, 1.153]; PM_2.5: 0.454% [95% CI 0.377, 0.530]; PM₁₀: 0.263% [95% CI 0.206, 0.320]) and greater daily hospital costs for CVD (PM₁: 523.135 thousand CNY [95% CI 253.111, 793.158]; PM_2.5: 247.051 thousand CNY [95% CI 106.766, 387.336]; PM₁₀: 141.284 thousand CNY [95% CI 36.195, 246.373]). There were no significant associations between PM and daily LOS. Stratified analyses demonstrated stronger effects in young people and males for daily hospital admissions, and stronger effects in the elderly and males for daily hospital costs. Daily hospital admissions increased linearly with PM concentration up to about 30 µg/m³ (PM₁), 60 µg/m³ (PM_2.5), and 90 µg/m³ (PM₁₀), with slower increases at higher concentrations. Daily hospital costs had an approximately linear increase with PM concentration at all tested concentrations. In general, hospital admissions, hospital costs, and LOS due to CVD were greater for PM_2.5 than PM₁₀, and the more stringent 2021 WHO guidelines indicated greater admissions, costs, and LOS due to CVD.

Conclusions

Short-term elevation of PM of different sizes was associated with an increased risk of hospital admissions and hospital costs due to CVD. The relationship with hospital admissions was strongest for men and young individuals, and the relationship with hospital costs was strongest for men and the elderly. Smaller PM is associated with greater risk.

Groundwater and soil contaminated with arsenic (As) are significant environmental health concerns worldwide and have become a serious health issue for millions of Bangladeshis. This contaminated groundwater is commonly used for Boro rice production during the dry season in Bangladesh, leading to long-term As deposition in soils. The consequences of long-term irrigation with As-contaminated groundwater for bioaccumulation in food crops and hence dietary exposure to As and other metals are a threat to the resident. Highly arsenic (292 µg L⁻¹) contaminated groundwater used to irrigate in the study area increases the As content (mean: 24.5 mg kg⁻¹) in irrigated soil than non-irrigated soil (mean: 8.43 mg kg⁻¹). The high enrichment factor (mean: 16.8) and geo-accumulation index (mean: 2.33) revealed that the soil of that particular area is strongly contaminated by As. In paddy, roots showed the maximum As concentration (mean: 139.8 mg kg⁻¹) followed by straws (mean: 5.25 mg kg⁻¹) and grains (mean: 1.23 mg kg⁻¹) where 85–95% As exist in the roots of paddy, and only 0.8–1% As translocate to the harvesting part of the rice in the study area. In food samples, two rice grains (R-1, R-3) and a drumstick (FS-5) exceed the Indian standard of As concentration (As: 1.1 mg kg⁻¹) in food. According to World Health Organization, the metals concentrations in all food samples exceeded the permissible limit except for Cu and Pb in red amaranth; Cr, Cd, and Pb in guava; and Cu and Cd in drumsticks. Higher values of bioaccumulation factor (BAF: 2.94) and the net translocation coefficient (NTC: 6.17) indicate As-accumulation in food from adjacent contaminated soil. Daily metal intake from food consumption suggests that the heavy metal(loid)s like As, Ni, and Pb represent high concentrations and exceed the daily ingestion limits (As: 3 µg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹, Ni: 1.3 µg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹, and Pb: 3.57 µg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹) developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization and European Food Safety Authority. Carcinogenic (> 10^–6) and non-carcinogenic (HQ > 1) health risks of As, Pb, Cd, and Cu suggest that the community was at potential health risk according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.