Environmental Science and Pollution Research最新文献

Since the establishment of the COVID-19 pandemic, a range of studies have been developed to understand the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection, vaccine development, and therapeutic testing. However, the possible impacts that these viruses can have on non-target organisms have been explored little, and our knowledge of the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for biota is still very limited. Thus, the current study aimed to address this knowledge gap by evaluating the possible impacts of oral exposure of C57Bl/6 J female mice to SARS-CoV-2 lysate protein (at 20 µg/L) for 30 days, using multiple methods, including behavioral assessments, biochemical analyses, and histopathological examinations. Although we did not have evidence of hematological, mutagenic, or genotoxic effects, we noted that the ingestion of SARS-CoV-2 lysate protein-induced behavioral disorders (hypoactivity, anxiety-like behavior, and short-term memory deficit), which were associated with oxidative stress and dopaminergic and cholinesterase imbalance in the animal brain. Furthermore, the elevation of bilirubin levels and lactate dehydrogenase levels in these animals suggests the occurrence of hepatic changes, and the redox imbalance, nitrosative stress, and elevated production of IFN-γ and inflammatory infiltration in the duodenum, disrupted follicular structure, and presence of vacuoles in granulosa cells, in ovarian, indicate that the SARS-CoV-2-exposed group showed significant toxicity. Principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis confirmed that the groups were clearly separated and showed that the largest changes upon SARS-CoV-2 exposure were related to ROS, MDA, nitrite, IFN-γ/IL-10 levels and SOD and catalase activity in the ovary; IFN-γ/IL-10 production and SOD activity in the duodenum; BChE activity in the brain; bilirubin levels and lactate dehydrogenase activity in the serum; number of primary follicles in the ovary. In conclusion, our study provides new insights into the toxicity of SARS-CoV-2 lysate proteins in a non-target terrestrial organism of infection and, therefore, expands our understanding of the real extent of the ecological/environmental impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Riverine physical and chemical characteristics are influencing ecosystem integrity while shaping and impacting species richness and diversity. Changes in these factors could potentially influence community structuring through competition, predation and localised species extinctions. In this study, eight sampling sites over multiple seasons were assessed along the streams draining the City of Nelspruit, South Africa, to examine river health based on water and sediment quality, while using macroinvertebrates as bioindicators for pollution. All water variables with the exception for salinity were found to be significantly different among seasons, with sites having significant differences among all water variables. All sediment chemistry variables were also found to be significantly different among sites and seasons, with the exception of K for sites and Zn and Ca for seasons. The PCA factor loadings and two-cluster analysis identified two groupings, i.e. group 1 that consisted of all metals apart from K and Na and group 2 with K and Na metals. A total of 4470 macroinvertebrate taxa were identified, with Crustacea Caridina nilotica and Diptera Chironominae being dominant across seasons, with macroinvertebrate communities being found to be significantly different among sites and seasons. The most common functional feeding groups across sites were the collector-gatherers (52.2%), followed by collector-filters (26.8%), predators (16.4%), scrapers (4.4%) and shredders (0.1%). Boosted regression trees indicated that high variation in species richness occurred with change in resistivity, P, water pH, ORP, conductivity and S concentrations. These results evidence a strong linkage among the sediment, water quality, substratum embeddedness and habitat structure and community structure. It is important to protect the integrity of aquatic ecosystems through effective monitoring due to the increasing water and sediment quality pressures that arise from various anthropogenic activities.

Landfill biomining is indeed a promising eco-friendly approach to sustainably manage and reclaim old dumpsites. Soil like fractions of < 8-10 mm size, also known as bioearth or good earth constitute a substantial part of the legacy waste. Detailed characterization is necessary to meet regulatory standards for the safe use of bioearth and minimize its environmental and human health impacts upon reuse. In this study, bioearth recovered from six different dumpsites of Tamil Nadu, India, constituted 1.2 to 9.1% of total organic carbon that can improve soil structure, water retention, and nutrient supply. Macronutrients which are regarded as main factors for plant growth namely nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium ranged 800 to 9800 mg kg^-1, 700 to 2800 mg kg^-1, and 3100 to 5900 mg kg^-1, respectively, and highlighted the suitability of bioearth for use as soil amendment upon nutrient enrichment. However, the presence of heavy metals like Cu (15.9 to 254.4 mg kg^-1), Ni (34.5 to 62.1 mg kg^-1), Cr (48.2 to 152.3 mg kg^-1), Pb (58.5 to 123.7 mg kg^-1), and Zn (75.4 to 464.2 mg kg^-1), with Cr and Ni levels beyond the regulatory standards, higher pollution (I_geo, 0.6 to 3.6; EF, 0.1 to 5.5), and ecological risk indicator values (E_r, 4.4 to 91.5; ERI, 67.6 to 224.3) suggested its unsuitability for certain types in reuses, especially in agricultural applications where it could pose risks to biota. Nevertheless, the human health risk indicator values (HQ and HI < 1) for bioearth showed that the current levels of metals are within the safe limits for human exposure. Pearson's correlation and principal component analysis uncovered close relationship between bioearth physicochemical properties and heavy metals. The current study highlights that bioearth from landfill mining presents an attractive option for reuse, the high levels of metals necessitate proper treatment like phytoremediation, chemical stabilization, thermal treatment, or soil washing before it can be safely utilized offsite. This ensures compliance with environmental and health safety standards, making the bioearth suitable for applications such as agriculture, landscaping, and land reclamation.

This study investigates the relation and Granger causality among inflation, fiscal expenditure, energy consumption, economic growth, energy efficiency, renewable energy consumption, and environmental pollution in the G7 countries utilizing the PLSTRVAR model for 1975-2022. Our findings highlight the results that inflation and fiscal expenditure have impact on environmental pollution across different regimes. On the other hand, unlike some studies in the literature, it emphasizes that renewable energy consumption may have pollution-increasing effects on environmental pollution. In the context of PLSTRVAR-GC results, it determines that the selected variables are the Granger cause of environmental pollution. However, within the framework of the direction of Granger causality, the results differ between regimes and variables. Notably, the causality analysis reveals a bidirectional causality between energy policy; energy efficiency and renewable energy, and environmental pollution in both regimes, while a unidirectional causality from inflation and fiscal expenditure to environmental pollution. These insights underscore the necessity for governments to adeptly balance fiscal policy, inflation control, and environmental pollution. Policymakers are thus challenged to implement fiscal measures that simultaneously stimulate economic growth, manage inflation, and support the transition to a low-carbon economy, thereby reducing CO₂ emissions.

Magnetic composites (MC) prepared from magnetite nanoparticles (MNP) and activated carbon from bovine bone (AC) in different proportions (75/25, 50/50, and 25/75) were used as catalysts in the photo-Fenton process to degrade methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solution. The materials were prepared by the citrate-nitrate sol-gel synthesis method and used as catalysts in the photo-Fenton process. The photocatalytic tests were performed in a cylindrical reactor with a 4.13-cm internal diameter and 300-mL maximum capacity, equipped with 9.9-W visible light lamps. The specific surface area of the MC increased by up to 1138.39% with the addition of AC. Morphological analysis confirmed the anchoring of MNPs on the AC surface. The band gap values of the materials ranged from 1.16 to 1.55 eV and increased proportionally with the addition of AC to the MC compositions. MC-75/25 and MC-50/50 presented predominantly superparamagnetic behavior, while for MC-25/75 superparamagnetic and superimposed paramagnetic phases were observed. All samples showed good reduction of the MB concentration, exceeding 80% after 10 cycles of use. The mineralization advanced extensively to simple organic acids, proving the non-generation of harmful by-products and the efficiency of this photocatalytic system. The use of magnetic composites favored the efficient separation of the catalyst without causing secondary pollution, in addition to increasing the stability and reusability of the catalysts.

Pakistan, like many other regions around the world, is experiencing the impacts of climate change, particularly in its northern region. These changes have adverse impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity. Herein, we have investigated future projections of temperature and precipitation trends for three periods historical (HT = 1975-2005), near-term (NT = 2010-2029), and mid-term (MT = 2030-2050) using climate model intercomparison projects along with global climate models (GCMs) including RCP4.5 and RCP8.5. The historical records spanning from 1975 to 2005 reveal that the Chilas region has a notable rise of 8 °C in maximum temperature (T_max), whereas the Astore district exhibited a trend of decreasing temperatures. When examining the projected temperature trends using GCMs (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5), the Chilas region is predicted to undergo a further increase of 6 °C in T_max. In contrast, the Babusar region is projected to observe a significant decrease of 2 °C for the period between 2010 and 2050. Additionally, the precipitation results obtained from historical-based analysis for the period 1975 to 2005 indicated that the Babusar area exhibited increased precipitation patterns to 20 mm on an annual basis. Similarly, the Astore region has the most significant decline in precipitation, with a reduction of 40 mm annually. The predicted precipitation patterns for the period between 2010 and 2050 under the RCP8.5 revealed that the Babusar region has maximum precipitation (25 mm). Conversely, the Astore region exhibited reduced precipitation patterns, recording minimum precipitation (40 mm). In the results from RCP4.5, the precipitation showed a similar pattern with a maximum of 35 mm and a minimum of 15 mm in the Babusar and Astore, respectively. The region's glaciers, snow cover, and land use systems are deteriorated by these changes in temperature and precipitation patterns. The increased winter and decreased summer precipitation under varied temperatures and precipitation cause land degradation, forest, and water resources. The cumulative impacts result in individuals experiencing poverty and raising concerns about the region's long-term viability.

Constructed wetlands (CWs) are a cost-effective, efficient, and long-term wastewater treatment solution in various countries. The efficacy and performance of constructed wetlands are greatly influenced by the substrate. Recently, biochar as a substrate, along with sand and gravel in constructed wetlands, has gained importance due to its various physical, chemical, and biological properties. This review presents a detailed study of biochar as a substrate in CWs and the mechanism involved in efficiency enhancement in pollutant removal. Different methods for producing biochar using various types of biomasses are also addressed. The effect of biochar in removing pollutants like biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), nitrogen, heavy metals, and non-conventional pollutants (microcystin, phenanthrene, antibiotics, etc.) are also discussed. Furthermore, post-harvest utilization of constructed wetland macrophytic biomass via bioenergy production, biochar formation, and biosorbent formation is explained. Various challenges and future prospects in biochar-amended constructed wetlands are also discussed. Biochar proved to be an effective substrate in the removal of pollutants and proved to be a promising technique for wastewater treatment, especially for developing countries where the cost of treatment is a constraint. Biochar is an effective substrate; further modification in biochar with the right plant combination for different wastewater needs to be explored in the future. Future researchers in the field of constructed wetlands will benefit from this review during the utilization of biochar in constructed wetlands and optimization of biochar characteristics, viz., quantity, size, preparation method, and other biochar modifications.

The coordinated development of water, energy, and food (WEF) is crucial to the fate and overall development plan of China in the new era. The aim of this study is to examine the coupling coordination of China's inter-provincial WEF security system, by using comprehensive development index model, coupling coordination model, the GM (1,1) gray forecast model, and China's provincial panel data from 2004 to 2021. The results of the study showed that the coupling coordination of China's inter-provincial WEF security system has significantly improved, adjusting from a near imbalance in 2004 to a good coupling coordination state in 2021. As of 2021, 13 provinces in China have entered a state of good coupling coordination. The forecast results display that the coupling coordination level of China's WEF security will show a significant upward trend from 2022 to 2030. By 2030, 22 provinces in the country are expected to achieve good coupling coordination or above. And 13 of these countries will achieve a high-quality coupling coordination.

In this work, Terminalia chebula leaf extract was used to synthesize CuO-Co₃O₄ nanoparticles, which were then embedded in a rice straw biochar. This new biochar-based nano-catalyst is used to photocatalytically degrade a variety of dyes (Eosin Y, Trypan Blue, Crystal Violet, Methylene Blue, Brilliant Green), as well as a binary mixture of Eosin Y and Trypan Blue dyes. It is also used for the catalytic reduction of nitro compounds (4-NP, 3-NP, and Picric acid). To ascertain the structure, composition, and morphology of the CuO-Co₃O₄@BC photocatalyst, various analytical techniques were employed, including Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Photoluminescence (PL) spectra, Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, and High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM). The optical properties of the nanocatalyst sample were accurately assessed by the use of UV-Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (UV-DRS). The as-synthesized nanocatalyst's photocatalytic capacity was assessed by observing dye degradation in the presence of visible light. It suggests a significant reduction in the rate of recombination of electrons and holes and therefore better charge separation from the catalyst optical properties. It was discovered that the efficient photocatalytic activity of the nanocatalyst had been brought about as a result of the synergistic interactions that had occurred between the different moieties. The growing organic water pollutants Trypan Blue were found to deteriorate to 96.80 ± 1.25% in 21 min and Eosin Y to 98.12 ± 1.42% in 30 min by the photocatalyst under visible light irradiation. For the photodegradation, pseudo-first-order kinetics were employed, with specific reaction rate constant of 0.1068 min^-1 and 0.1429 min^-1 for EY and TB, respectively. Studies have also been conducted to determine the effects of additional variables on deteriorating performance, such as water matrices, beginning concentration, catalyst dose, and contact length. With high catalytic characteristics, the developed CuO-Co₃O₄@BC catalyst completes the reduction reactions of 4-NP, 3-NP, and Picric acid in 3, 2.5, and 5 min, respectively. An affordable CuO-Co₃O₄@BC is a potential catalyst for turning harmful nitro chemicals into useful products. It also serves as a nano photocatalyst that is stable, can be used again, and is cost-effective.