Chemosphere最新文献

Exposure to particulate matter (PM) has been linked to an increased risk of multiple diseases, primarily lung cancer, through various molecular mechanisms. However, the mutagenic potential of PM remains unclear. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive description of genetic mutations and mutagenic signatures resulting from chronic exposure to PM₁₀ or PM_2.5. Using whole exome sequencing, we identified driver mutations and mutational signatures in A549 cells, a lung epithelial cell model subjected to weekly exposure to either PM₁₀ or PM_2.5, for a period of 28 weeks. The number of single nucleotide variations, insertions, and deletions increased depending on the duration of exposure. PM₁₀ generated the highest number of genomic alterations. Amplifications in SYK (oncogene) and mutations in NCOR1 (tumor suppressor gene) were prevalent in cells exposed to either PM₁₀ or PM_2.5; however, other mutations were exclusive, such as TP53 and ANK3 for PM₁₀, and ERCC1 and ERCC2 for PM_2.5. Different p53-related signaling pathways were most enriched by driver mutations upon exposure to both PM₁₀ and PM_2.5, particularly the glucose deprivation pathway. Exposure to either PM₁₀ or PM_2.5 resulted in high frequencies of C>A substitutions and one-base insertions/deletions in microhomology sites. The single-base substitution (SBS) signature SBS05, related to the nucleotide excision DNA repair pathway, contributed the most to both PM₁₀- and PM_2.5-exposed cells. The contribution of signature SBS18, related to oxidative stress, was observed in cells exposed to either PM₁₀ or PM_2.5, but a greater contribution was observed in PM_2.5-exposed cells. In addition, SBS03 and SBS36, which are related to different DNA damage repair mechanisms, were observed more frequently in PM₁₀-exposed cells. We assessed the mutagenic potential of PM₁₀ and PM_2.5, as a complete mixture, identifying mutated driver genes and mutational signatures generated by chronic PM exposure, which could contribute to the development of cancer, cardiovascular, and digestive diseases.

Biochar has been recognized for its potential to improve the fertility soils by reducing the reliance on chemical fertilizers, mitigating carbon emissions, and fostering soil microbial growth. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of biochar addition on the physicochemical properties of arid and semi-arid soils containing microplastics, while also assessing its effect on Barley (Hordeum vulgare) yield under drought stress. The experiment was conducted in a glass greenhouse. Plastic pots containing 3 kg of soil were each planted with 6 barley grains. Biochar was applied at three doses (B0 = 0 g biochar/kg soil, B1 = 6 g biochar/kg soil, B2 = 10 g biochar/kg soil), while microplastics were added at three levels (M0 = Control without microplastics, M1 = 0.5 g/kg soil, and M2 = 1 g/kg soil) on the same sowing date. Water stress was induced when the plants reached the four-leaf stage. ANOVAs and Tukey post-hoc tests were employed for multiple mean comparisons of soil and plant parameters. Drought stress and microplastics negatively influenced soil parameters namely soil moisture, organic carbon, and nitrates, while also affecting electrical conductivity and pH. Biochar exhibited minimal effect on soil properties but significantly altered pH, nitrates, and total CaCO₃. Plant chlorophyll levels decreased under stress, particularly with microplastic dose M1. However, biochar and microplastics enhanced chlorophyll a content, except for dose B1 of biochar, which leads to a decrease in chlorophyll b (0.91 ± 0.138 μg/g FM). Microplastics, at dose M2, improved chlorophyll b content (1.11 ± 0.090 μg/g FM). Aboveground biomass, leaf area, and yield were generally unaffected by tested stresses. Nonetheless, barley grain yield decreased in biochar and microplastic dose M1 (0.47 ± 0.108 g/plant), while it improved with microplastic dose M2 (0.65 ± 0.168 g/plant). Leaf relative water content increased under water stress and microplastics but not with biochar alone. Interaction between microplastics and biochar enhanced plant water content. Drought stress and microplastics diminished soil parameters, whereas biochar lowered nitrates and pH without significantly affecting soil organic carbon. Plant productivity parameters generally exhibited no significant change under water stress, microplastics, or biochar, except for yield and chlorophyll pigments.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different voltage and aeration conditions on catering wastewater treatment and membrane fouling in a novel annular electric field membrane bioreactor (AEMBR). The results indicated that the synergistic effect of annular electric field and aeration promoted the degradation of wastewater and the alleviation of membrane fouling. The treatment effect was optimal under a micro electric field of 0.5 V, with removal rates for COD, NH₄⁺-N, TP, and oil ranging from 96.85% to 99.36%, 80.43% to 83.01%, 95.46% to 97.79%, and 98.83% to 99.15%, respectively. Additionally, the fluorescence intensity of macromolecular proteins and small molecular acids decreased. Simultaneously, the average growth rate of transmembrane pressure (TMP) reduced by approximately 0.4 kPa/d. The species abundance and diversity of activated sludge increased, promoting the growth of dominant bacteria, all while maintaining low energy consumption. The aeration intensity had relatively little impact on system operation, and the force of the annular electric field was greater than the force of aeration. This study verified the optimal benefits under micro electric field conditions and provided a basis for the optimization of future process design to achieve a more efficient and economical wastewater treatment system.

This critique examines a review article in this journal on adsorption techniques for removing metal ions from wastewater. The article is marred by several flaws, including tortured phrases, unsubstantiated quotes, incoherent statements, and factual inaccuracies. These problems weaken the article's clarity and reliability, raising doubts about the authors' understanding of the subject. As a result, the review's credibility is compromised, limiting its value as a reliable resource for researchers. This critique highlights these issues, stressing the importance of accuracy and rigor in scientific writing.

In the treatment of industrial wastewater by electron beam technology, the flocculation process was frequently coupled with electron beam radiation to improve the water quality to meet the discharge standard. Iron-containing coagulant was widely used in the flocculation process. Therefore, this study investigated the impact of residual iron-containing coagulants on pollutant degradation by the ionizing radiation process. Results showed that the absorbed dose required for complete removal of 50 mg/L bisphenol A decreased from 5 kGy to 2.5 kGy in the presence of 100 μM typical iron coagulant (FeCl₃). BPA degradation efficiency increased with the increase of FeCl₃ dosage over a wide pH range (3.0 to 10.0), and the TOC removal efficiency increased from 20% to 45% with the addition of 300 uM Fe(III). The mechanistic investigation demonstrated that ^•OH was the primary reactive species responsible for BPA degradation. The residual iron coagulants (FeCl₃) significantly enhanced the degradation and mineralization efficiency. Under suitable pH conditions (3.0 to 6.0), the reducing reactive species (e_aq^‒ and ^•H) could effectively reduce Fe(III) to Fe(II), which then reacted with H₂O₂, thus inducing in-situ Fenton reaction to generate more ^•OH, thus promoting the radiolysis degradation of micropollutants. This study explored the potential of using residual iron coagulants from the flocculation process to enhance the performance of electron beam technology for wastewater treatment.

Plastic pollution has emerged as a growing environmental concern, affecting even the most remote regions of the planet as the Antarctic continent, endangering its ecosystem and contributing to climate change. In this context, a continuous atmospheric microplastics monitoring study was conducted at Carlini Argentine Antarctic Station located in the southwest of 25 de Mayo (King George) Island (South Shetlands). Passive samplers were installed at three locations throughout the station, chosen based on the intensity of human activity and proved to be effective in collecting atmospheric particles over a one-year study period. Micro-FTIR and micro-Raman spectroscopies were used to characterize the suspected microplastic particles. These techniques revealed a wide variety of plastic polymers compositions and industrial dyes associated with textile and plastic materials. Microfibers were found to be the predominant particle form, constituting approximately 80% of the particles detected at each sampling point. Semi-synthetic cotton, polyester, and polyamide were widely detected, along with other plastic compositions. Micro-Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of indigo blue, reactive blue 238, and copper phthalocyanine on both synthetic and semi-synthetic fibers, representing the first report of these types of anthropogenic pigments in the Antarctic atmosphere. The results suggest a significant role of short-range transport from local human activities; however, the potential influence of large-scale atmospheric patterns should also be evaluated. Our findings highlight the need to expand the monitoring network to additional scientific stations and remote regions with minimal human activity. Increasing the number of observational sites and conducting complementary studies on airborne dispersion will strengthen assessments of potential long-range pollution sources.

The increasing consumption of medicines and the lack of efficient technologies in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) can release pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) into any given river with the subsequent risk to the environment and human health. To assess the occurrence and transfer pathways of PhACs through the river ecosystem, 22 PhACs and one metabolite were analyzed in WWTPs, river sediments and fish collected alongside the Tagus River basin between 2020 and 2022. All the matrices presented at least two drugs being azithromycin the only one quantified in all of them. Analgesics, anti-inflammatories, antihypertensives, antidepressants and beta-blockers were the main PhACs in influents, with median concentrations up to 19 μg/L. In effluents, antihypertensives and antidepressants were the PhACs with the highest contribution. For acetaminophen, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen, atorvastatin, azithromycin, clarithromycin, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, and valsartan WWTPs treatments reached removal efficiencies above 75%. Compounds with a high tendency to bind to organic matter were retained in sludge (clotrimazole, 96 ng/g before digester, 100%). However, results showed that applied treatments were not effective in removing PhACs from this matrix. Although the total mass balance revealed a high removal rate of some PhACs, many of them were still present in the effluent and their release into rivers became the main source of PhAC pollution of the aquatic ecosystem. The most hydrophobic ones (irbesartan, 24 ng/g, 61%), positively charged (o-desmethylvenlafaxine, 95 ng/g, 68%) and those with affinity to organic matter (clotrimazole, 21 ng/g, 61%) reached sediment samples. Only clotrimazole (7.8 ng/g) and azithromycin (160 ng/g) were found in fish samples. Risk assessment revealed a high risk for (i) acetaminophen, clarithromycin, erythromycin A, and venlafaxine in phototrophic organisms and (ii) acetaminophen and venlafaxine in fish.

Compost phytotoxicity affects the safety of organic fertilizers returned to the field, thus hindering the breeding cycle, so it is essential to reduce the compost phytotoxicity. The phytotoxicity of compost was estimated utilizing the germination index (GI) and the aqueous substances (organics and ions) present in compost correlated closely with GI. This study assessed the effect of carbon additives from different plant sources (mushroom substrates (MS), cornstalks (CS) and garden substrates (GS)) on maturity parameters (temperature, pH, EC, C/N), content of aqueous carbon and nitrogen matters, salt ions, heavy metal ions, and microbiome of piles when composting with chicken manure and especially focused on their effect on GI. Results showed that all additives significantly improved GI (85.25%-106.28%). The primary factors influencing seed germination were Mg²⁺ and SO₄^2- in CM compost, acetic acid and NH₄⁺ in CM+MS compost, humic acid in CM+CS compost, and dissolved total nitrogen in CM+GS compost. During composting, the growth of heavy metal passivating bacteria (Bacillus) and organic matter degrading bacteria (Desemzia and Turicibacter) can be promoted by decreasing aqueous carbon and nitrogen substances (volatile fatty acids, NH₄⁺, dissolved total nitrogen, amino acids) and increasing the content of humic acid, which improved the composting environment and provided favourable conditions for the germination of seeds, thereby increasing GI. Therefore, GS showed the best potential for accelerating degradation of organic matter and improving GI during composting with chicken manure.

The low degradation rate of lignocellulose limits the humification process of citrus organic waste composting. This study explored the roles of general microbial inoculation (GM), citrus waste-derived function microbial inoculation (CM), and CM combined with biochar (CMB) in citrus waste compost. Results showed microbial inoculations all promoted lignocellulose degradation and humus formation, but the roles of CM and CMB were better than GM, especially CMB. Compared to the control, CMB raised the temperature and duration of thermophilic phase by 2.8 °C and 4 days, and improved lignin degradation rate and humus content by 21.5% and 7.6%. Furthermore, CMB promoted bacterial community succession and cooperation, and decreased network complexity. Moreover, CMB strengthened the correlation between mainly bacterial communities and polysaccharides, reducing sugars as well as carbohydrates metabolic, enhancing the contribution of bacteria such as Bacillus, Flavobacterium and Staphylococcus to humus and its precursors. It concludes that the naturally derived microbes in compost had better effects on promoting humus synthesis than exogenous microbes, which provides a new route for rapid humification of high-lignin organic waste in composting.