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Legacy and Emerging Pollutants and Their Effects through the Lens of Environmental Management

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A special issue of Journal of Xenobiotics (ISSN 2039-4713). This special issue belongs to the section "Ecotoxicology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2025) | Viewed by 13682

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Petros Samaras

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Guest Editor

Laboratory of Technologies of Environmental Protection and Utilization of Food By-Products, Department of Food Science and Technology, International Hellenic University, Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests: water and wastewater management; environmental engineering; environmental monitoring; circular bio/economy; utilization of food by-products; microalgal biorefinery; nutrients recovery
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Dorothea S. Kasiteropoulou

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Co-Guest Editor

Department of Environmental Studies, University of Thessaly, Larisa, Greece
Interests: nanoparticle technology; modeling of complex environmental processes; nano- and meso-materials; industrial symbiosis; design and operation of antipollution technologies; cultiva-tion of microalgae and production of biogas

Dr. Christina Emmanouil

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Co-Guest Editor

School of Spatial Planning and Development, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests: risk assessment of chemicals; REACH directive; environmental health; ecotoxicology; pesti-cide pollution
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The quest for worldwide financial development is never ending and currently involves both established (such as the EU or USA) and fast developing economies (such as the BRICs). In this race, sometimes the principles of sustainable development that encompass social justice and environmental protection are forgotten; as such, there may be incidents of point or diffuse pollution from anthropogenic activities. This dangerous deterioration may jeopardize human health and environmental quality, causing detrimental effects to biotic or abiotic components of the ecosystem. Furthermore, adaptation measures against climate change and novel circular business models of reuse and recycling may aggravate the (bio)accumulation of well-known or emerging pollutants within a semi-closed ecosystem. This risk has become a topic of major concern because chemical or biological agents are widely and increasingly used in multitude of activities, resulting in their continued release into the environment through several different routes.

This Special Issue (Selected Papers from the 10th (CEMEPE 2023) and 11th (CEMEPE2024) International Conference on Environmental Management, Engineering, Planning and Economics and SECOTOX Conference) aims to compile the current state of the art and provide future perspectives regarding environmental pollution solutions using a multidisciplinary approach towards topics, such as:

Occurrence of classic and emerging pollutants in different environmental compartments;
Analytical monitoring, quantification, and assessment;
Technical and/or biological treatment and removal through novel solutions;
Fate of pollutants in atmosphere, aquatic, or terrestrial ecosystems;
Toxicity and ecotoxicity transfer along the food chain;
Risk assessment, characterization, and mitigation;
In vitro, in vivo, and in silico approaches to analysis and quantification;
Energy-saving, decarbonization, and circular economy solutions and their effect on pollution aggravation or diminishment;
Simulation and forecast of pollutants in atmosphere, aquatic, or terrestrial ecosystems.

Prof. Dr. Petros Samaras
Dr. Dorothea S. Kasiteropoulou
Dr. Christina Emmanouil
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Xenobiotics is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

environmental pollution
fate and transfer of pollutants
circular economy
waste management
toxicity and ecotoxicity
risk assessment
energy decarbonization
environmentally friendly nanomaterials

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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10 pages, 645 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Apis mellifera as a Model Species to Evaluate Toxicological Effects of Fungicides Used in Vineyard Agroecosystems

by Tommaso Campani, Ginevra Manieri, Ilaria Caliani, Agata Di Noi and Silvia Casini

J. Xenobiot. 2025, 15(1), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox15010018 - 21 Jan 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 792

Abstract

Agroecosystems provide habitats, food, and water for many pollinators and insects, but they are also heavily exposed to threats from the widespread use of pesticides and fertilizers. Managed honeybees and wild bees encounter pesticides in vineyards by collecting morning dew from vine leaves and accessing sugars from grapes, particularly during dry periods. This study assessed the toxicological effects of the commercial fungicide formulations Fantic FNCWG^® and Ramedit combi^®, both individually and in combination, on honeybees. Using a multi-biomarker approach, we evaluated neurotoxicity, metabolic disturbances, phase II detoxification processes, and immune system function. Our findings revealed that commercial fungicide mixtures with multiple active ingredients affect bees differently than single active compounds. Biomarker responses highlighted how these complex mixtures disrupt various enzymatic pathways; including immune function; altering critical enzyme kinetics involved in detoxification and potentially impairing essential bee functions. This study emphasizes the need for more comprehensive research into the sublethal effects of commercial pesticides, particularly those used in vineyards, which are understudied compared to pesticides used in orchards. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Legacy and Emerging Pollutants and Their Effects through the Lens of Environmental Management)

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20 pages, 2290 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Short-Chain Perfluoropropylene Oxide Acids on Biochemical and Behavioural Parameters in Eisenia fetida (Savigny, 1826)

by Davide Rotondo, Davide Gualandris, Candida Lorusso, Albert Braeuning, Antonio Calisi and Francesco Dondero

J. Xenobiot. 2025, 15(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox15010002 - 26 Dec 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 936

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of persistent organic pollutants that pose a growing threat to environmental and human health. Soil acts as a long-term reservoir for PFAS, potentially impacting soil biodiversity and ecosystem function. Earthworms, as keystone species in soil ecosystems, are particularly vulnerable to PFAS exposure. In this study, we investigated the sublethal effects of three short-chain (C4–C6) next-generation perfluoropropylene oxide acids (PFPOAs) on the earthworm Eisenia fetida, using a legacy perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acid (PFCA), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), as a reference. We assessed a suite of biochemical endpoints, including markers for oxidative stress (catalase and superoxide dismutase activity), immunity (phenol oxidase activity), neurotoxicity (acetylcholinesterase activity), and behavioural endpoints (escape test). Results indicate that all tested PFAS, even at sub-micromolar concentrations, elicited significant effects across multiple physiological domains. Interestingly, HFPO-DA demonstrated the most substantial impact across all endpoints tested, indicating broad and significant biochemical and neurotoxic effects. Our findings underscore the potential risks of both legacy and emerging PFAS to soil ecosystems, emphasising the need for further research to understand the long-term consequences of PFAS contamination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Legacy and Emerging Pollutants and Their Effects through the Lens of Environmental Management)

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21 pages, 4443 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Chicken Fecal Contamination Using Microbial Source Tracking (MST) and Environmental DNA (eDNA) Profiling in Silway River, Philippines

by Lonny Mar Opog, Joan Cecilia Casila, Rubenito Lampayan, Marisa Sobremisana, Abriel Bulasag, Katsuhide Yokoyama and Soufiane Haddout

J. Xenobiot. 2024, 14(4), 1941-1961; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox14040104 - 12 Dec 2024

Viewed by 1422

Abstract

The Silway River has historically failed to meet safe fecal coliform levels due to improper waste disposal. The river mouth is located in General Santos City, the tuna capital of the Philippines and a leading producer of hogs, cattle, and poultry. The buildup of contaminants due to direct discharge of waste from chicken farms and existing water quality conditions has led to higher fecal matter in the Silway River. While there were technical reports in the early 2000s about poultry farming, this is the first study where fecal coliform from poultry farming was detected in the Silway River using highly sensitive protocols like qPCR. This study characterized the effect of flow velocity and physicochemical water quality parameters on chicken fecal contamination. Gene markers such as Ckmito and ND5-CD were used to detect and quantify poultry manure contamination through microbial source tracking (MST) and environmental DNA (eDNA) profiling. The results of this study showed the presence of chicken fecal bacteria in all stations along the Silway River. The results revealed that normal levels of water quality parameters such as temperature, pH, and high TSS concentrations create favorable conditions for chicken fecal coliforms to thrive. Multiple regression analysis showed that flow velocity and DO significantly affect chicken fecal contamination. A lower cycle threshold (Ct) value indicated higher concentration of the marker ND5-CD, which means higher fecal contamination. It was found that there was an inverse relationship between the Ct value and both velocity (R² = 0.55, p = 0.01) and DO (R² = 0.98, p = 0.2), suggesting that low flow velocity and low DO can lead to higher fecal contamination. Findings of fecal contamination could negatively impact water resources, the health of nearby residents, and surrounding farms and industries, as well as the health and growth of fish. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Legacy and Emerging Pollutants and Their Effects through the Lens of Environmental Management)

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11 pages, 920 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Potential Toxicity of Nine Rare Earth Elements (REEs) on Marine Copepod Tigriopus fulvus

by Francesca Biandolino, Ermelinda Prato, Asia Grattagliano, Giovanni Libralato, Marco Trifuoggi and Isabella Parlapiano

J. Xenobiot. 2024, 14(4), 1919-1929; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox14040102 - 4 Dec 2024

Viewed by 795

Abstract

The present study focused, for the first time, on the adverse effects of nine REEs on the marine copepod Tigriopus fulvus. For this purpose, copepod mortality, immobilization, and naupliar development were assessed. Overall, the results demonstrated that all REEs tested exerted significant adverse effects on T. fulvus, with LC50 values ranging from 0.56 to 1.99 mg/L. Concentration-dependent increases in mortality and immobilization for all tested REEs were observed. Following exposure of nauplii to REEs, a significant slowing of nauplii development was shown with all REEs tested. The results obtained clearly highlight the potential toxicity of REEs, and, in particular, of Lanthanum, which could have consequences on the survival and development of T. fulvus, affecting the copepod population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Legacy and Emerging Pollutants and Their Effects through the Lens of Environmental Management)

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16 pages, 2890 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Bioaccumulation of Organic and Inorganic Pollutants in Fish from Thermaikos Gulf: Preliminary Human Health Risk Assessment Assisted by a Computational Approach

by Konstantinos M. Kasiotis, Effrosyni Zafeiraki, Electra Manea-Karga, Demetrios Kouretas, Fotis Tekos, Zoi Skaperda, Nikolaos Doumpas and Kyriaki Machera

J. Xenobiot. 2024, 14(2), 701-716; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox14020041 - 1 Jun 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2122

Abstract

The monitoring of contaminants in fish species is pivotal for fishes’ health and reproduction, as well as for human health. In the specific work, three major categories of contaminants, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and macro and trace elements, were investigated in two major fish species, Dicentrarchus labrax and Solea solea, collected from Thermaikos Gulf, in Greece. To achieve this goal, three analytical methods using LC-MS/MS, GC-MS/MS, and ICP-MS were developed, validated, and applied to the collected fish samples. The results indicated a very low prevalence of caffeine and acetaminophen, both not exceeding 3.8 μg/kg fish. Similarly, thiabendazole, cypermethrin, and tricyclazole (pesticides) were found in a concentration range of 0.9 to 13.7 μg/kg fish, while in one D. labrax sample, traces of the metabolite of organochlorine pesticide DDT, o,p’-DDE were detected. Al, Mn, Fe, Zn, and Sr were the predominant trace elements in a concentration range of 500–20,000 μg/kg fish. Macro elements levels varied from 280 to 5405 mg/kg fish. Health risk assessment did not unveil an unacceptable risk for the human health of adults, apart from one sample presenting Hg above the regulatory levels. On the contrary, for children, the calculated hazard quotient values for Hg in all cases and for two As detections were higher than the threshold value of 1, indicating a potential risk. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Legacy and Emerging Pollutants and Their Effects through the Lens of Environmental Management)

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13 pages, 4308 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Effects of Graphene-Based Nanoparticles on Early Salmonids Cardiorespiratory Responses, Swimming and Nesting Behavior

by Tomas Makaras, Magdalena Jakubowska-Lehrmann, Živilė Jurgelėnė and Sergej Šemčuk

J. Xenobiot. 2024, 14(2), 484-496; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox14020029 - 14 Apr 2024

Viewed by 1489

Abstract

Graphene-based nanomaterials are exceptionally attractive for a wide range of applications, raising the likelihood of the release of graphene-containing nanoparticles into aquatic environments. The growing use of these carbon nanomaterials in different industries highlights the crucial need to investigate their environmental impact and evaluate potential risks to living organisms. The current investigation evaluated the nanotoxicity of graphene (nanoflakes) and graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles on the cardiorespiratory responses (heart rate, gill ventilation frequency), as well as the swimming and nesting behavioral parameters of early stage larvae and juvenile salmonids. Both short-term (96 h) and long-term (23 days) exposure experiments were conducted using two common species: brown trout (Salmo trutta) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The findings demonstrated notable alterations in fish nesting behavior, swimming performance, and cardiorespiratory functions, indicating the potential toxicity of nanoparticles. This impact was observed at both physiological and whole-organismal levels in salmonids at early stages. Future investigations should explore different types of nanocarbons and their potential enduring effects on fish population structure, considering not only individual survival but also broader aspects of development, including feeding, reproductive, and other social dynamics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Legacy and Emerging Pollutants and Their Effects through the Lens of Environmental Management)

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13 pages, 1983 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Pyriproxyfen Contamination in Daphnia magna: Identifying Early Warning Biomarkers

by Beatriz Salesa, Javier Torres-Gavilá, María Dolores Ferrando-Rodrigo and Encarnación Sancho

J. Xenobiot. 2024, 14(1), 214-226; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox14010013 - 2 Feb 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1844

Abstract

Pyriproxyfen is an insecticide currently employed in numerous countries for the management of agricultural and indoor pests. Several studies indicate that this insecticide has been detected in multiple rivers, with concentrations reaching as high as 99.59 ng/L in the Júcar River in Spain. Therefore, the determination of some biochemical and genetic effects of this insecticide on aquatic organisms could serve as an early warning mechanism to identify potential disruptions in various biomarkers. Based on this, Daphnia magna organisms were exposed to pyriproxyfen sublethal concentrations for 21 days. Some biochemical parameters, including cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, lactate, and LDH activity, were determined. Additionally, some genetic biomarkers associated with oxidative stress, heat shock proteins, lipid metabolism, hemoglobin, metallothioneins, and vitellogenin synthesis were evaluated in daphnids exposed to the insecticide for 21 days. LDH activity increased significantly in those daphnids exposed to the highest insecticide concentration (14.02 µg/L), while cholesterol levels decreased significantly. In contrast, glucose, total proteins, and triglycerides remained unaffected in D. magna exposed to pyriproxyfen. On the other hand, exposure to the insecticide led to notable alterations in gene expression among individuals. Specifically, genes associated with lipid metabolism and reproduction exhibited a significant reduction in gene expression. Fabd expression was decreased by approximately 20% in exposed daphnids, while vtg expression was suppressed as much as 80% when compared to control values. Furthermore, it was observed that the hgb1 and hgb2 genes, associated with hemoglobin synthesis, exhibited significant overexpression. Notably, the dysfunction observed in both hemoglobin genes was linked to an increase in pigmentation in Daphnia magna during the course of the experiment. These alterations in gene expression could serve as effective indicators of early contamination even at low pesticide concentrations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Legacy and Emerging Pollutants and Their Effects through the Lens of Environmental Management)

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19 pages, 6516 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Anthropogenic Microparticles in Sea-Surface Microlayer in Osaka Bay, Japan

by Mi Zhou, Hirofumi Yanai, Chee Kong Yap, Christina Emmanouil and Hideo Okamura

J. Xenobiot. 2023, 13(4), 685-703; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox13040044 - 7 Nov 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2193

Abstract

The abundance, distribution, and composition of microparticles (MPs) in the sea-surface microlayer (S-SML, less than 100 μm of sea surface in this experiment) and in bulk water (1 m under the sea surface) were investigated to evaluate the pollution level of MPs in Osaka Bay in Japan. Both seawater fractions were collected at eight sites including ship navigation routes, the coastal area, and the center of Osaka Bay for 2021–2023. MPs were filtered for four size ranges (10–53, 53–125, 125–500, and >500 μm) and then digested with H₂O₂. MPs’ abundance was microscopically assessed; and polymer types of MPs were identified by a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR). For the 22 collections performed along eight sites, the average MPs’ abundance was 903 ± 921 items/kg for S-SML, while for the 25 collections performed along the same sites, the average MPs’ abundance was 55.9 ± 40.4 items/kg for bulk water, respectively. MPs in both S-SML and bulk water exhibited their highest abundance along the navigation routes. The smallest MPs (10–53 μm) accounted for 81.2% and for 62.2% of all MPs in S-SML and in bulk water among all sites, respectively. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) was the major type of MPs identified while minor ones were polyethylene, polyesters, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyamide, etc. PMMA comprised 95.1% of total MPs in S-SML and 45.6% of total MPs in bulk water. In addition, PMMA accounted for 96.6% in S-SML and 49.5% in bulk water for the smallest MP category (10–53 μm). It can be assumed that the MP sources were marine paints—primarily APPs (antifouling paint particles)—as well as land coatings. Sea pollution due to microparticles from ship vessels should be given proper attention. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Legacy and Emerging Pollutants and Their Effects through the Lens of Environmental Management)

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Review

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27 pages, 639 KiB

Open AccessReview

Developments in Toxicity Testing with Duckweeds

by Paul Ziegler

J. Xenobiot. 2025, 15(2), 48; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox15020048 - 26 Mar 2025

Viewed by 453

Abstract

Duckweeds are a family of small floating macrophytes (the Lemnaceae) that inhabit quiet freshwaters worldwide. They have long been employed to determine toxicity to higher plants in the aquatic environment, and standardized national and international protocols have been developed for this purpose using two representative species. While these protocols, which assess the growth of the leaf-like fronds of the tested duckweed, are indeed suitable and still frequently used for detecting the toxicity of water-borne substances to aquatic higher plant life, they are cumbersome and lengthy, determine endpoints rather than depict toxicity timelines, and provide no information as to the mechanisms involved in the indicated toxicity. Progress has been made in downscaling, shortening and improving the standardized assay procedures, and the use of alternative duckweed species, protocols and endpoints for detecting toxicity has been explored. Biomarkers of toxic effect have long been determined concomitantly with testing for toxicity itself, and their potential for the assessment of toxicity has recently been greatly expanded by transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic techniques complemented by FITR spectroscopy, transformation and genotoxicity and timescale toxicity testing. Improved modern biomarker analysis can help to both better understand the mechanisms underlying toxicity and facilitate the identification of unknown toxins. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Legacy and Emerging Pollutants and Their Effects through the Lens of Environmental Management)

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