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24 pages, 2712 KiB  
Article
Impacts of Different Tillage and Straw Management Systems on Herbicide Degradation and Human Health Risks in Agricultural Soils
by Yanan Chen, Feng Zhang, Qiang Gao and Qing Ma
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(14), 7840; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15147840 - 13 Jul 2025
Viewed by 432
Abstract
Pesticide residues pose risks to the environment and human health. Little is known about how tillage and straw management affect herbicide behavior in soil. This study investigated the effects of different tillage practices under varying straw incorporation scenarios on the degradation of five [...] Read more.
Pesticide residues pose risks to the environment and human health. Little is known about how tillage and straw management affect herbicide behavior in soil. This study investigated the effects of different tillage practices under varying straw incorporation scenarios on the degradation of five commonly used herbicides in a long-term experimental field located in the maize belt of Siping, Jilin Province. Post-harvest soil samples were analyzed for residual herbicide concentrations and basic soil physicochemical properties. A human health risk assessment was conducted, and a controlled incubation experiment was carried out to evaluate herbicide degradation dynamics under three management systems: straw incorporation with traditional rotary tillage (ST), straw incorporation with strip tillage (SS), and no-till without straw (CK). Residual concentrations of atrazine ranged from not detected (ND) to 21.10 μg/kg (mean: 5.28 μg/kg), while acetochlor showed the highest variability (2.29–120.61 μg/kg, mean: 25.26 μg/kg). Alachlor levels were much lower (ND–5.71 μg/kg, mean: 0.34 μg/kg), and neither nicosulfuron nor mesotrione was detected. Soil organic matter (17.6–20.89 g/kg) positively correlated with available potassium and acetochlor residues. Health risk assessments indicated negligible non-cancer risks for both adults and children via ingestion, dermal contact, and inhalation. The results demonstrate that tillage methods significantly influence herbicide degradation kinetics, thereby affecting environmental persistence and ecological risks. Integrating straw with ST or SS enhanced the dissipation of atrazine and mesotrione, suggesting their potential as effective residue mitigation strategies. This study highlights the importance of tailoring tillage and straw management practices to pesticide type for optimizing herbicide fate and promoting sustainable agroecosystem management. Full article
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30 pages, 8143 KiB  
Article
An Edge-Deployable Multi-Modal Nano-Sensor Array Coupled with Deep Learning for Real-Time, Multi-Pollutant Water Quality Monitoring
by Zhexu Xi, Robert Nicolas and Jiayi Wei
Water 2025, 17(14), 2065; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17142065 - 10 Jul 2025
Viewed by 457
Abstract
Real-time, high-resolution monitoring of chemically diverse water pollutants remains a critical challenge for smart water management. Here, we report a fully integrated, multi-modal nano-sensor array, combining graphene field-effect transistors, Ag/Au-nanostar surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrates, and CdSe/ZnS quantum dot fluorescence, coupled to an edge-deployable [...] Read more.
Real-time, high-resolution monitoring of chemically diverse water pollutants remains a critical challenge for smart water management. Here, we report a fully integrated, multi-modal nano-sensor array, combining graphene field-effect transistors, Ag/Au-nanostar surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrates, and CdSe/ZnS quantum dot fluorescence, coupled to an edge-deployable CNN-LSTM architecture that fuses raw electrochemical, vibrational, and photoluminescent signals without manual feature engineering. The 45 mm × 20 mm microfluidic manifold enables continuous flow-through sampling, while 8-bit-quantised inference executes in 31 ms at <12 W. Laboratory calibration over 28,000 samples achieved limits of detection of 12 ppt (Pb2+), 17 pM (atrazine) and 87 ng L−1 (nanoplastics), with R2 ≥ 0.93 and a mean absolute percentage error <6%. A 24 h deployment in the Cherwell River reproduced natural concentration fluctuations with field R2 ≥ 0.92. SHAP and Grad-CAM analyses reveal that the network bases its predictions on Dirac-point shifts, characteristic Raman bands, and early-time fluorescence-quenching kinetics, providing mechanistic interpretability. The platform therefore offers a scalable route to smart water grids, point-of-use drinking water sentinels, and rapid environmental incident response. Future work will address sensor drift through antifouling coatings, enhance cross-site generalisation via federated learning, and create physics-informed digital twins for self-calibrating global monitoring networks. Full article
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14 pages, 3570 KiB  
Article
In Vitro Study of the Effects of Pesticide Mixtures Used in Maize Cultivation in Ecuador
by Ana Paulina Arévalo-Jaramillo, Jackeline Elizabeth Guamán Hurtado, Gabriela Cevallos-Solorzano and Natalia Bailon-Moscoso
Toxics 2025, 13(7), 530; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13070530 - 24 Jun 2025
Viewed by 376
Abstract
Ecuador, located in South America, ranks among the countries with the highest rates of pesticide use per unit of cropland. Pesticide exposure is linked to genotoxic effects and carcinogenicity. While most studies evaluating the effects of pesticides focus on the active ingredient, commercial [...] Read more.
Ecuador, located in South America, ranks among the countries with the highest rates of pesticide use per unit of cropland. Pesticide exposure is linked to genotoxic effects and carcinogenicity. While most studies evaluating the effects of pesticides focus on the active ingredient, commercial formulations are complex mixtures of several components that may alter their toxicological profile. In this study, we analyzed four pesticides commonly used in corn cultivation, and their typical field mixtures, including the herbicides atrazine and pendimethalin, the insecticides chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin, and a fertilizer, to evaluate their genotoxic effects, oxidative status, and potential to induce cellular transformation. CHO-K1 cells were treated with subtoxic doses of these formulations. MTS, comet, micronucleus, H2AX expression, SOD and GPx activity, and wound healing assays were performed. The results showed these formulations induced genotoxicity, evidenced by the comet assay. Additionally, exposure activated cellular DNA repair mechanisms, evidenced by a 1.89- to 2.63-fold increase in H2AX expression across all treatments and mixtures after 10 h. Notably, pendimethalin was associated with signs of cellular transformation, as evidenced by a 1.4-times greater cell migration observed in the wound healing assay. These findings suggest that even at subtoxic concentrations, these pesticide formulations can cause genetic damage and potentially alter cellular control mechanisms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agrochemicals and Food Toxicology)
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16 pages, 1977 KiB  
Article
Pesticides in Ground and Surface Water from the Rio Preto Hydrographic Basin, an Important Agricultural Area in the Midwestern Region of Brazil
by Nayara Luiz Pires, Esmeralda Pereira de Araújo, Daphne Heloisa de Freitas Muniz, Eduardo Cyrino Oliveira-Filho and Eloisa Dutra Caldas
Water 2025, 17(8), 1186; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17081186 - 15 Apr 2025
Viewed by 568
Abstract
The use of pesticides in agriculture can leave residues in the treated crops. Pesticides are also potential contaminants of ground and surface water, as reported in many countries. The development of efficient analytical methods to quantify pesticides in water samples is a challenge [...] Read more.
The use of pesticides in agriculture can leave residues in the treated crops. Pesticides are also potential contaminants of ground and surface water, as reported in many countries. The development of efficient analytical methods to quantify pesticides in water samples is a challenge due to the low levels present. The objective of this work was to develop and validate a method for pesticide analysis in water using sample lyophilization followed by UHPLC–MS/MS and to determine pesticide levels in samples from a Brazilian hydrographic basin. In total, 77 compounds were included, of which 28 were considered only qualitatively. The method was applied to analyze 142 water samples collected during the dry and rainy seasons of 2021–2022, of which 90 were surface and 52 were groundwater samples. In total, 19 compounds were detected in the samples (≥LOD), mainly atrazine (72.5%), atrazine-2-hydroxy (50%), fipronil (18.3%), and pirimiphos-methyl (15.5%). Most compounds (17) were detected during the rainy season regardless of the environmental compartment. Twenty-five samples had quantified levels of the compounds (≥LOQ), of which 80% were collected during the dry season, and 58.3% were groundwater samples (up to 1.045 µg L−1 of 2,4-D in an artesian well). The highest concentrations found in surface water were of atrazine-2-hydroxy (0.171 and 0.179 µg L−1), levels that represent a potential risk to aquatic organisms (risk quotient of 1.1). This work provides an analytical method for determining pesticides in water that can be applied to other environmental pollutants. Although the levels found in the samples complied with Brazilian legislation, constant monitoring should be conducted in the region to guarantee safe levels of the pesticide in water. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Water Quality and Contamination)
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14 pages, 11569 KiB  
Article
Machine Learning Models for Mapping Groundwater Pollution Risk: Advancing Water Security and Sustainable Development Goals in Georgia, USA
by Shivank Pandey, Srimanti Duttagupta and Avishek Dutta
Water 2025, 17(6), 879; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17060879 - 19 Mar 2025
Viewed by 834
Abstract
The widespread use of pesticides, such as atrazine and malathion, in agricultural systems raises significant concerns regarding the contamination of groundwater, which serves as a critical resource for drinking water. This study applies machine learning techniques to predict the concentrations of atrazine and [...] Read more.
The widespread use of pesticides, such as atrazine and malathion, in agricultural systems raises significant concerns regarding the contamination of groundwater, which serves as a critical resource for drinking water. This study applies machine learning techniques to predict the concentrations of atrazine and malathion in groundwater across Georgia, USA, using 2019 data. A Random Forest classifier was employed to integrate various environmental and demographic factors, including pesticide application rates, precipitation, lithology, and population density, to predict pesticide contamination in groundwater. The models demonstrated high training accuracies of 100% and moderate average testing accuracy of 55% for atrazine and 60% for malathion across five iterations. The low test accuracy of the model, ranging from 50% to 75%, is likely due to overfitting, which can be attributed to the small dataset size and the complex nature of pesticide-contamination patterns, making it challenging for the model to generalize to unseen data. Feature importance analysis revealed that average pesticide usage emerged as the most influential factor for atrazine, while aquifer lithology and precipitation played crucial roles in both models. These results provide valuable insights into the dynamics of pesticide contamination, highlighting areas at greater risk of contamination. The findings underscore the importance of integrating environmental, geological, and agricultural variables for more effective groundwater management and sustainable agricultural practices, contributing to the protection of water resources and public health. Full article
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18 pages, 583 KiB  
Review
Adaptations of the Genus Bradyrhizobium to Selected Elements, Heavy Metals and Pesticides Present in the Soil Environment
by Joanna Banasiewicz, Aleksandra Gumowska, Agata Hołubek and Sławomir Orzechowski
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2025, 47(3), 205; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb47030205 - 18 Mar 2025
Viewed by 894
Abstract
Rhizobial bacteria perform a number of extremely important functions in the soil environment. In addition to fixing molecular nitrogen and transforming it into a form available to plants, they participate in the circulation of elements and the decomposition of complex compounds present in [...] Read more.
Rhizobial bacteria perform a number of extremely important functions in the soil environment. In addition to fixing molecular nitrogen and transforming it into a form available to plants, they participate in the circulation of elements and the decomposition of complex compounds present in the soil, sometimes toxic to other organisms. This review article describes the molecular mechanisms occurring in the most diverse group of rhizobia, the genus Bradyrhizobium, allowing these bacteria to adapt to selected substances found in the soil. Firstly, the adaptation of bradyrhizobia to low and high concentrations of elements such as iron, phosphorus, sulfur, calcium and manganese was shown. Secondly, the processes activated in their cells in the presence of heavy metals such as lead, mercury and arsenic, as well as radionuclides, were described. Additionally, due to the potential use of Bradyrhziobium as biofertilizers, their response to pesticides commonly used in agriculture, such as glyphosate, sulfentrazone, chlorophenoxy herbicides, flumioxazine, imidazolinone, atrazine, and insecticides and fungicides, was also discussed. The paper shows the great genetic diversity of bradyrhizobia in terms of adapting to variable environmental conditions present in the soil. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Review Papers in Molecular Biology 2025)
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19 pages, 7292 KiB  
Article
Mechanism and Pathway of Atrazine Degradation by Peroxymonosulfate Activated by CoNiFe-Layered Double Hydroxide
by Zhanmei Zhang, Xinyue Li, Yang Deng, Yi Zhang, Yunxuan Huang and Huaili Zheng
Coatings 2025, 15(3), 346; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15030346 - 18 Mar 2025
Viewed by 529
Abstract
Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) based on activated persulfate (PS) are gradually being employed in the treatment of novel pollutants. In this study, an efficient and reliable CoNiFe-layered double hydroxide (LDH) was prepared by a hydrothermal method, which could effectively activate peroxomonosulfate (PMS) and [...] Read more.
Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) based on activated persulfate (PS) are gradually being employed in the treatment of novel pollutants. In this study, an efficient and reliable CoNiFe-layered double hydroxide (LDH) was prepared by a hydrothermal method, which could effectively activate peroxomonosulfate (PMS) and cause free sulfate radical (SO4•−) oxidation to decompose atrazine (ATZ). The degradation rate of ATZ was greater than 99% within 60 min at pH 7 when the initial concentration of ATZ was 10 mg·L−1, and the dosages of PMS and activator were 0.6 mM and 80 mg·L−1. The analysis of ATZ degradation confirmed the reusability of the activator and its strong structural stability. The generation of four free radicals was analyzed and confirmed, and the influence on the degradation reaction was SO4•− > O2•− > 1O2 > •OH. The analytical results showed that the metal ions reacted with HSO5 in PMS to cause an oxidation–reduction cycle change in the valence state of the metal ions and generated the primary factor affecting the degradation reaction—SO4•−. Nine degradation intermediates with reduced toxicity were detected and possible ATZ degradation pathways were deduced, thus confirming the activation mechanism of CoNiFe-LDH. Full article
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22 pages, 3116 KiB  
Article
Biodegradation of S-Triazine Herbicides Under Saline Conditions by Paenarthrobacter ureafaciens PC, a New Halotolerant Bacterial Isolate: Insights into Both the Degradative Pathway and Mechanisms of Tolerance to High Salt Concentrations
by Chunqing Fu, Yifan Jiang, Bingwen Xu, Xinmei Fu, Liang Tan and Mei Jin
Microorganisms 2025, 13(3), 649; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13030649 - 12 Mar 2025
Viewed by 832
Abstract
In this study, a halotolerant bacterial strain was isolated and identified. This bacterium was confirmed to efficiently degrade s-triazine herbicides under saline conditions. The optimal conditions for the metabolism and growth of this strain were determined through single-factor tests. Furthermore, the biodegradation pathways [...] Read more.
In this study, a halotolerant bacterial strain was isolated and identified. This bacterium was confirmed to efficiently degrade s-triazine herbicides under saline conditions. The optimal conditions for the metabolism and growth of this strain were determined through single-factor tests. Furthermore, the biodegradation pathways of prometryne (the target compound) by this strain were proposed based on the detection of possible degradation intermediates and genome sequencing analysis. Additionally, a possible halotolerance mechanisms of this strain were also revealed through screening halotolerance-related genes in its genome. The results demonstrated that a halotolerant bacterial strain (designated PC), which completely degraded 20.00 mg/L prometryne within 12 h under saline conditions (30.0 g/L NaCl), was isolated and identified as Paenarthrobacter ureafaciens. The optimal conditions for the metabolism and growth of the strain PC were identified as follows: yeast extract as the additional carbon source with the concentration of ≥0.1 g/L, NaCl concentration of ≤30.0 g/L, initial pH of 7.0, temperature of 35.0 °C, and shaking speed of ≥160 rpm. Furthermore, the strain PC demonstrated efficient removal of other s-triazine herbicides, including atrazine, ametryne, simetryne, and cyanazine. The strain PC might degrade prometryne through a series of steps, including demethylthiolation, deisopropylamination, deamination, dealkalation, decarboxylation, etc., relying on the relevant functional genes involved in the degradation of s-triazine compounds. Furthermore, the strain PC might tolerate high salinity through the excessive uptake of K+ into cells, intracellular accumulation of compatible solutes, and production of halophilic enzymes. This study is expected to provide a potentially effective halotolerant bacterium for purifying s-triazine pollutants in saline environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Biodegradation and Environmental Microbiomes)
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17 pages, 2399 KiB  
Article
A Systematic Investigation on Contamination of Pesticides and Relevant Metabolites in Pre- and Post-Treatment Drinking Water from the Yangtze River Delta, China
by Yuhang Chen, Chao Feng, Sunyang Le, Yuanjie Lin, Xinlei Qiu, Qian Xu, Xinyu Wang, Hailei Qian, Zixin Qian, Dasheng Lu, Guoquan Wang and Ping Xiao
Water 2024, 16(24), 3712; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16243712 - 23 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1159
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the distribution of commonly used pesticides and their metabolites in drinking water before and after treatment at drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) in the Yangtze River Delta and to assess the health risks from the perspective of non-carcinogenicity [...] Read more.
This study aimed to investigate the distribution of commonly used pesticides and their metabolites in drinking water before and after treatment at drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) in the Yangtze River Delta and to assess the health risks from the perspective of non-carcinogenicity and carcinogenicity. A total of 85 pesticides and their metabolites were analyzed in source, finished, and tap water using online solid-phase extraction coupled with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Across 91 water samples, 31 parent compounds and 9 metabolites were detected, with the median total concentrations of 62.2 (range: 6.20 to 392) ng/L. Atrazine, 2-hydroxyatrazine, and S-metolachlor were detected in all samples. Advanced treatment processes at DWTPs effectively reduced the residues of pesticides and their metabolites (removal rates 51.5~95.2%), with removal rates for metabolites significantly lower than those for parent compounds (p = 0.03). Regarding health risks, the estimated carcinogenic risk for pesticides and metabolites detected in tap water was within acceptable limits and the non-carcinogenic risk was insignificant. However, it is important to note that both of the two compounds with the relatively highest non-carcinogenic risks are pesticide metabolites. Overall, this study showed that despite dozens of pesticides and metabolites being detected in water from the Yangtze River Delta, their health risks were assessed to be insignificant. The lower effectiveness of current advanced treatments in removing pesticide metabolites indicates the necessity of technique improvement in DWTPs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Water Quality and Contamination)
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27 pages, 7608 KiB  
Article
Occurrence of Microplastics in the Sediments of an Irish River and Their Effects on Nematode Survival and Biodiversity
by Loriane Murphy, Kieran Germaine, John Cleary and Thomais Kakouli-Duarte
Appl. Biosci. 2024, 3(4), 532-558; https://doi.org/10.3390/applbiosci3040034 - 13 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1439
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs), defined as plastic particles of less than 5 mm, pose a significant global environmental threat, particularly in aquatic ecosystems, due to their persistence and potential harmful effects on wildlife and human health. They can absorb persistent organic pollutants (POPs), like polycyclic [...] Read more.
Microplastics (MPs), defined as plastic particles of less than 5 mm, pose a significant global environmental threat, particularly in aquatic ecosystems, due to their persistence and potential harmful effects on wildlife and human health. They can absorb persistent organic pollutants (POPs), like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), raising concerns about their impact on biota. To elucidate this impact, the present study employed attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) to analyse the characteristics of MPs sourced from commercial cosmetics. We investigated the toxicity of MPs on Caenorhabditis elegans and two entomopathogenic nematode species, Steinernema feltiae (the enviroCORE strain SB12(1)) and Steinernema carpocapsae (a commercial strain from e-NEMA) in laboratory bioassays. Nematodes were exposed to various concentrations of MPs and other pollutants, including atrazine, 1,3-dichloropropene, naphthalene, and fluorene, in controlled settings over 72 to 96 h. Additionally, high-throughput 18S rDNA sequencing was used to analyse nematode biodiversity in sediments from the River Barrow (RB) in SE Ireland. Our findings revealed that MPs increased nematode mortality and adversely affected community structure, as indicated by nematode maturity and sigma maturity indices, suggesting a potential disruption of the ecological balance in river sediments. This highlighted the ecological risks posed by MP pollution and emphasised the urgent need for further research into the health of benthic ecosystems in Ireland, particularly in relation to how MPs may influence nematode community dynamics and biodiversity. Full article
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14 pages, 4584 KiB  
Article
Degradation of Atrazine in Water by Dielectric Barrier Discharge Combined with Periodate Oxidation: Enhanced Performance, Degradation Pathways, and Toxicity Assessment
by Han Zhang, Jinping Duan, Pengcheng Luo, Luxiang Zhu and Yanan Liu
Toxics 2024, 12(10), 746; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12100746 - 14 Oct 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1411
Abstract
The widespread occurrence of atrazine (ATZ) in water environments presents a considerable risk to human health and ecosystems. Herein, the performance of dielectric barrier discharge integrated with periodate (DBD/PI) for ATZ decomposition was evaluated. Results demonstrated that the DBD/PI system improved ATZ decomposition [...] Read more.
The widespread occurrence of atrazine (ATZ) in water environments presents a considerable risk to human health and ecosystems. Herein, the performance of dielectric barrier discharge integrated with periodate (DBD/PI) for ATZ decomposition was evaluated. Results demonstrated that the DBD/PI system improved ATZ decomposition efficiency by 18.2–22.5% compared to the sole DBD system. After 10 min treatment, the decomposition efficiency attained 82.4% at a discharge power of 68 W, a PI dosage of 0.02 mM, and an initial ATZ concentration of 10 mg/L. As the PI dosage increased, the decomposition efficiency exhibited a trend of initially increasing, followed by a decrease. Acidic conditions were more favorable for ATZ removal compared to alkaline and neutral conditions. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) was adopted for characterizing the active species produced in the DBD/PI system, and quenching experiments revealed their influence on ATZ decomposition following a sequence of 1O2 > O2• > IO3• > OH•. The decomposition pathways were proposed based on the theoretical calculations and intermediate identification. Additionally, the toxic effects of ATZ and its intermediates were assessed. This study demonstrates that the DBD/PI treatment represents an effective strategy for the decomposition of ATZ in aquatic environments. Full article
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18 pages, 8210 KiB  
Article
Comprehensive Assessment of Herbicide Toxicity on Navicula sp. Algae: Effects on Growth, Chlorophyll Content, Antioxidant System, and Lipid Metabolism
by Chunyan Zheng, Jie Yang, Yunting Wang, Waqas Ahmed, Amir Khan, Jiannan Li, Jiechang Weng, Sajid Mehmood and Weidong Li
Mar. Drugs 2024, 22(9), 387; https://doi.org/10.3390/md22090387 - 28 Aug 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1957
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of herbicide exposure on Navicula sp. (MASCC-0035) algae, focusing on growth density, chlorophyll content, antioxidant system, and lipid metabolism. Navicula cultures were exposed to different concentrations of atrazine (ATZ), glyphosate (Gly), and acetochlor (ACT) for 96 h. Results [...] Read more.
This study investigated the effects of herbicide exposure on Navicula sp. (MASCC-0035) algae, focusing on growth density, chlorophyll content, antioxidant system, and lipid metabolism. Navicula cultures were exposed to different concentrations of atrazine (ATZ), glyphosate (Gly), and acetochlor (ACT) for 96 h. Results showed a significant decrease in cell numbers, with higher herbicide concentrations having the most noticeable impacts. For instance, Gly-G2 had reduced cell populations by 21.00% at 96 h. Chlorophyll content varied, with Gly having a greater impact on chlorophyll a compared to ATZ and ACT. Herbicide exposure also affected the antioxidant system, altering levels of soluble sugar, soluble protein, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Higher herbicide rates increased soluble sugar content (e.g., ATZ, Gly, and ACT-G2 had increased by 14.03%, 19.88%, and 19.83%, respectively, at 72 h) but decreased soluble protein content, notably in Gly-G2 by 11.40%, indicating cellular stress. Lipid metabolism analysis revealed complex responses, with changes in free proline, fatty acids, and lipase content, each herbicide exerting distinct effects. These findings highlight the multifaceted impacts of herbicide exposure on Navicula algae, emphasizing the need for further research to understand ecological implications and develop mitigation strategies for aquatic ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Microalgal Biorefinery for Bioactive Compound Production 2024)
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18 pages, 1413 KiB  
Review
Effects of Insecticide and Herbicides on Thyroid Disturbances in Zebrafish
by Tingting Ma, Xiangji An, Peng Wu, Xiaoli He and Yongming Luo
Toxics 2024, 12(8), 570; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12080570 - 3 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2667
Abstract
Thyroid cancer usually begins with thyroid dysfunction and nodules and has become the most common cancer globally, especially in women. Although the causes of thyroid dysfunction are complex, the presence of environmental pollutants, especially certain pesticides as established mutagens, has been widely accepted. [...] Read more.
Thyroid cancer usually begins with thyroid dysfunction and nodules and has become the most common cancer globally, especially in women. Although the causes of thyroid dysfunction are complex, the presence of environmental pollutants, especially certain pesticides as established mutagens, has been widely accepted. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) have similar toxic reactions and signal transduction pathways to humans and are very similar to humans in physiology, development, and metabolic function. Here, the direct toxicity effects and mechanisms of different insecticides and herbicides on zebrafish thyroid functions and indirect toxicity effects originating from thyroid dysfunction were summarized and compared. The overall toxicity of insecticides on the zebrafish thyroid was greater than that of herbicides based on effective concentrations. Penpropathrin and atrazine were more typical thyroid disruptors than other pesticides. Meanwhile, chiral pesticides showed more sophisticated single/combined toxicity effects on both parental and offspring zebrafish. Besides thyroid hormone levels and HPT axis-related gene expression alteration, developmental toxicity, immunotoxicity, and oxidative damage effects were all observed. These data are necessary for understanding the thyroid interference effect of pesticides on humans and for screening for thyroid disruptors in surface water with zebrafish models for the pre-assessment of human health risks and ecological risk control in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecotoxicity Induced by Pesticides Exposure Volume II)
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18 pages, 2711 KiB  
Article
Volatile Organic Compound Emission Inventory for Pesticide Spraying in an Agricultural City of Northeast China: Real-Time Monitoring and Method Optimization
by Ruimin Li, Zixuan Xia, Bo You, Bowen Shi and Jing Fu
Agriculture 2024, 14(8), 1223; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14081223 - 25 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1720
Abstract
Atmospheric volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as olefins and aromatics, released from synthetic chemical pesticide sprays can increase regional air pollution, public health risks, and food security risks. However, significant uncertainties remain regarding the measurement methods and chemical profiles of VOC emissions. Using [...] Read more.
Atmospheric volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as olefins and aromatics, released from synthetic chemical pesticide sprays can increase regional air pollution, public health risks, and food security risks. However, significant uncertainties remain regarding the measurement methods and chemical profiles of VOC emissions. Using an agricultural city, Changchun City in Northeast China, as a case study, we quantified real-time concentration and composition data based on online monitoring instruments for the year 2023. This study optimized data collection methods for emission factors and activity levels and developed a high-precision emission inventory of VOCs in pesticides at the city scale. The emission factors for VOCs from the seven categories of pesticides were estimated as follows: 78 g/kg (nicosulfuron and atrazine, oil-dispersible [OD] and suspension emulsion [SE], respectively), 4 g/kg (chlorpyrifos and indoxair conditioningarb, suspension concentrate [SC]), 5 g/kg (fluopicolide and propamocarb hydrochloride, SC), 217 g/kg (MCPA-dimethylammonium, aqueous solution [AS]), 34 g/kg (glyphosate, AS), 575 g/kg (beta-cypermethrin and malathion, emulsifiable concentrate [EC]), and 122 g/kg (copper abietate, emulsion in water [EW]), depending on the pesticide formulation components and formulation types. The orchard insecticide exhibited the highest emission factors among all pesticides owing to its emulsifiable concentrate formulation and 80% content of inactive ingredients (both factors contribute to the high content of organic solvents in the pesticide). The major components of VOC emissions from pesticide spraying were halocarbons (27–44%), oxygenated VOCs (OVOCs) (25–38%), and aromatic hydrocarbons (15–28%). The total VOC emissions from pesticide spraying in the Changchun region accounted for 10.6 t, with Yushu City contributing 28% of the VOC emissions and Gongzhuling City and Dehui City contributing 18.7% and 16.0%, respectively. Herbicides were the main contributors to VOC emissions because of their high emission factors and extensive use in fields (used for spraying maize and rice, the main crops in Changchun City). May and June exhibited the highest VOC emissions from pesticide application, with May accounting for 57.0% of annual pesticide emissions, predominantly from herbicides (95.1%), followed by insecticides (4.9%). June accounted for 30.1% of the annual pesticide emissions, with herbicides being the largest contributor of VOC emissions. An emission inventory of VOC with a monthly scale and spatial grid resolutions of 0.083° and 0.5° in 2023 was developed. These emission factors and inventories of pesticide applications provide valuable information for air quality modeling. This study also provides an important scientific basis for enhancing regional air quality and mitigating the environmental impact of pesticide use in major grain-producing areas. Full article
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25 pages, 1946 KiB  
Article
Laboratory Safety Evaluation and Weed Control Potential of Pre- and Post-Emergence Herbicides for Quinoa
by Haojun Xiong, Cheng Li, Mujeeba Fida, Mengyuan Yu, Xiangyu Tao and Yaling Bi
Sustainability 2024, 16(11), 4444; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16114444 - 24 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2196
Abstract
In this study, we aimed to identify suitable herbicides for quinoa fields in Anhui Province and explore the value of their potential application in order to achieve the sustainable weed management of the crop and tackle the global issue of unregistered herbicides in [...] Read more.
In this study, we aimed to identify suitable herbicides for quinoa fields in Anhui Province and explore the value of their potential application in order to achieve the sustainable weed management of the crop and tackle the global issue of unregistered herbicides in quinoa fields. Employing a pre-emergence seed soaking method, we evaluated the effects of different herbicides, such as anilofos, prometryn, pendimethalin, and atrazine on the germination inhibition rate of quinoa seeds, as well as their impacts on the growth indicators of quinoa seedlings. Our findings show that, while these herbicides initially suppressed quinoa seed germination, this effect decreased over time, allowing for the successful germination of all seeds, suggesting the existence of a recovery mechanism in quinoa. An increase in herbicide concentration was correlated with significant decreases in the germination vigor and index of quinoa seeds, along with a decrease in plant height, root length, and fresh weight. Notably, anilofos, prometryn, pendimethalin, and atrazine demonstrated significant inhibitory effects on quinoa seedlings, thus providing critical insights into the sensitivity of quinoa to these chemicals. Greenhouse pot experiments showed that pre-emergence herbicides, such as napropamide, pretilachlor, s-metolachlor, and anilofos, and post-emergence herbicides, including fluroxypyr, penoxsulam, clethodim, quizalofop-P-ethyl, oxaziclomefone, metamifop, benzobicyclon, nicosulfuron, and pinoxaden, are safe for quinoa and suitable for further field trials, broadening the options for integrated weed management strategies. The results of the mixture experiments indicated that penoxsulam and metamifop are safe for quinoa at a ratio of 1:4.6, and their combined activities against dominant weeds in quinoa fields in Anhui Province, such as Digitaria sanguinalis, Cyperus iria, and Amaranthus viridis, were higher than those of single-agent doses, with fresh weight inhibition rates ranging from 66.98% to 92.16% and selectivity indexes ranging from 176.88 to 3282.17. Therefore, this mixture offers a promising approach to enhanced weed control in a sustainable manner. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Product Quality Safety and Sustainable Development)
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