Environmental Science and Pollution Research最新文献

The world’s rapid advancements have increased energy demand, necessitating both traditional and alternative sources. Non-renewable energy sources contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, prompting urgency to address climate change. The study explores the implementation of a hybrid energy microgrid system for a mountain shelter “refuge” in southern France, aiming to reduce environmental impact. The system uses photovoltaics, electrolysers, and batteries, focuses on hydrogen production and storage, as well as renewable electric power generation. The study compares the environmental impacts of the hybrid system and conventional energy systems, focusing on the impact of photovoltaic module production both globally and locally in France. The study highlights the importance of renewable energy sources in reducing environmental impact. A study using SimaPro and the ecoinvent database found that PV arrays account for 97% of environmental impacts, while other components contribute to 3%. Locally manufactured microgrids in France reduced environmental impact by 39% compared to standard systems. The PV system and electrolyser in a mountain shelter showed favourable environmental and economic outcomes. The study emphasizes the importance of local manufacturing locations and electricity mix for PV module manufacturers.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of anode surface modifications on microbial community composition and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Four different anode electrodes were fabricated: bare nickel foam (NF), reduced graphene oxide-coated nickel foam (rGO/NF), and rGO/NF modified with 30 wt% and 50 wt% molybdenum (Mo). These electrodes were tested in a single-chamber, membraneless, air–cathode MFC. Surface morphology was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and microbial diversity was assessed through 16S rRNA metagenomic sequencing. Distinct microbial profiles were observed across the electrode types. The NF anode supported high abundances of Mesoterricola sediminis (22.2%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (10.1%), and other facultative species. The rGO/NF electrode promoted colonization by Cutibacterium acnes (8.1%) and Paracidovorax avenae (5.4%). On the 30Mo/rGO/NF electrode, notable species included Escherichia coli (8.4%) and Salmonella enterica (6.0%). The 50Mo/rGO/NF anode exhibited the highest microbial diversity, with species such as Streptomyces sp. RerS4 (6.9%) and Micromonospora endophytica (6.5%) being predominant. The highest COD removal efficiency (88.58%) was achieved using the 50Mo/rGO/NF anode. These findings demonstrate that molybdenum-modified rGO coatings enhance both microbial colonization and electrochemical performance, offering a promising strategy for improving MFC efficiency in wastewater treatment applications.

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This study presents the first campaign-based assessment of the physio-chemical characteristics, sources, and health risks of particulate matter (PM_2.5 and PM₁₀) across Uttarakhand state in the Central Himalaya, India. Spanning 13 districts across diverse geographical features during winter and summer with a low volume PM sampler, the research integrates advanced analytical techniques (XRD, SEM–EDX, ICP-MS) with receptor modeling (Positive Matrix Factorization) and health risk assessment. Results reveal significant spatial and seasonal variability: PM_2.5 (20–125 µg/m³) and PM₁₀ (25–190 µg/m³) concentrations frequently exceeded WHO guidelines, with higher PM_2.5/PM₁₀ ratios (0.48–0.72) in winter indicating anthropogenic dominance, while summer showed stronger crustal influences. Aerosol optical depth (380-1020 nm) was lower at high-altitude sites (0.24–0.46), with spectral anomalies at 936 nm highlighting absorbing aerosols (e.g., black carbon, mineral dust). Mixed aerosols (58%) dominated over dust (18%) and biomass burning (7%). XRD identified carcinogenic quartz and hematite, alongside crustal and industrial minerals (kaolinite, gypsum, calcite etc.). SEM–EDX revealed diverse particle morphologies, with C, O, Si, and Al as dominant elements. PMF source apportionment (ICP-MS) traced PM₁₀ primarily to mineral dust (41.7%) and combustion activities (34.5%), and PM_2.5 to biomass burning (12.3%) and dust (51.1%). Enrichment factors and health risk assessments indicated potential non-carcinogenic risks (especially for children) from Cd and Al, and carcinogenic risks from Cr. This study highlights the need for targeted mitigation strategies and future research, incorporating a wider range of PM constituents (ions, carbonaceous aerosols, PAHs, trace gases) for a comprehensive understanding of aerosol impacts in the region.

The upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor effectively removes organic matter from wastewater but does not remove ammoniacal nitrogen, which harms aquatic life in water bodies when in excess. The trickling filter (TF) has been used in Brazil mainly as post-treatment of anaerobic effluents to remove organic carbon and residual solids. Information on N-ammonium removal in UASB–low-rate TF systems at full treatment scale is scarce. Therefore, this work aims to evaluate the performance of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), with stone media, featuring natural ventilation and including nighttime effluent recirculation, operating at an average flow rate of 53 L·s⁻¹ in southern Brazil, which combines a UASB reactor and low-rate TF, as well as the transformations of N in the liquid phase of treatment. A 37-month monitoring period was conducted, along with seasonal 24-h sampling campaigns. Results showed that the system’s efficiency was above 90% for the parameters BOD, TSS, and SS, and the results for average N-ammonium removal in the low-rate TF showed a reduction of 18% when compared to the influent. In addition, nitrification was influenced by the N-ammonium load and the recirculation occurring in the system.

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Pollution-induced changes in gut microbiota may have serious effects on avian health and physiology. Particularly, early-life exposure to environmental pollutants may influence the gut microbiota development and microbiota-dependent physiological functions. We studied the associations of metal pollution with early-life microbial environment of wild passerines by exploring gut bacterial diversity and community composition in nestlings by 16S rRNA sequencing. Samples were collected from three common model species, great tits (Parus major), blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus), and pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca) breeding near a copper-nickel smelter, an area with the highest rates of metal pollution in Finland. Responses of microbiota to pollution and microclimate were measured and connected to ecological measures (brood size, growth, fledging success) of nestling performance. The most abundant bacterial phyla across species were Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. Our results showed that the faecal microbial alpha diversity decreased with increasing brood size in great tits and blue tits, while in pied flycatchers the diversity increased with increasing nestling growth. However, alpha diversity did not differ between the polluted and control areas. The faecal microbial communities (beta diversity) differed between the species and study areas, and several bacterial orders were associated with metal concentrations, temperature, body mass, or fledging success. Differential abundance analyses showed species-specific differences in microbial abundances between polluted and control areas, e.g., Catellicoccus and Serratia showing elevated abundance within the polluted area. The results suggest that metal pollution may alter the early-life bacterial communities in small passerine species living in metal-polluted areas.

In Morocco as well as in many countries located in semi-arid areas, irrigation with water from lake-reservoirs is a common agricultural practice and an important tool for farmers to improve crop yields. However, this kind of water can contain toxic bloom-forming cyanobacteria, and its use as a source for irrigation water can enable a transfer of cyanobacterial toxins (microcystins) into crop plant. When microcystins are accumulated in crop plants, they pose serious human health risk. The aim of this study is to explore the potential of selected rhizobacteria strains in inoculation with Vicia faba plants to mitigate microcystins-induced phytotoxicity and health risks. Irrigation with water containing 200 µg L⁻¹ microcystins reduced plant growth, photosynthetic efficiency, and nitrogen assimilation. Inoculation with selected rhizobacteria strains alleviated these effects, enhancing root biomass, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll content, leaf quantum yield, and nitrogen content and slightly increasing GS activity. Among tested strains, Achromobacter marplatensis showed the strongest protection, reducing microcystin accumulation by approximately 36% compared to uninoculated plants. Estimated daily intake values derived from residual microcystins remained below World Health Organization safety thresholds, indicating a lowered potential risk. These findings demonstrate that soil-based inoculation with targeted rhizosphere bacteria can protect plants from microcystin-induced damage, providing a strain-specific, sustainable bioremediation strategy to maintain crop productivity and food safety in regions exposed to microcystin-contaminated irrigation water.

Even as there are extensive genetic linkages across Latin America, local health risk is influenced by a host of interdependent factors that include (a) ethnic heterogeneity, (b) geographical isolation, and (c) disproportionate access to healthcare. The article presents a new explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) model for mapping and interpreting health vulnerability, combining several open-access datasets, such as disease prevalence, medical supply, and genetic ancestry profiles. We introduce a compound Interaction Index, as the product of ethnic diversity (E), inverted medical access (1 − M), and altitude (A), to quantify compounded structural and biological risk factors. Applying supervised learning models (F1 = 0.596 for SVM, F1 = 0.571 for gradient boosting, and logistic regression), in combination with unsupervised clustering and interpretable classification trees, we detect the high-risk regions with high diversity, low access, and mid-to-high altitude. This transparent and scalable methodology for equitable public health planning illuminates such ‘clusters of vulnerability’ which might remain hidden amid aggregate data.

Polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics have become major neurotoxicants in the environment with respect to mental health in the case of depression. This review summarizes the existing experimental, epidemiological, and mechanistic data pertaining to exposure to polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics and their relationship with neurobehavioral imbalances. The particles may enter the brain by passing through the blood–brain barrier and accumulate in neural tissues, leading to in turn cause neuronal imbalance via oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and synaptic and neurotransmitter maladaptation. These processes resemble the neurobiological foundation of major depressive disorders, such as serotonergic, dopaminergic, and glutamatergic dysfunction; dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis; and impairment of neuroplasticity. Despite limited human research, biomonitoring has shown the presence of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics in the blood, placenta, and feces, leading to widespread and chronic exposure to these plastics. There is a risk that the most vulnerable groups (children, pregnant women, and industrial workers) may be affected disproportionately. To address these risks, human-relevant models and omics approaches, as well as longitudinal cohort studies, must be incorporated into future studies with regulatory frameworks to reduce exposure and safeguard mental health.