Search Results (1,209)

Microplastic (MP) contamination has become a defining feature of twenty-first century environmental change, yet the toxicological and ecological consequences for amphibians and reptiles—two vertebrate classes already facing severe extinction pressures—remain fragmented across taxa, regions, and methodological traditions. Here, we synthesize field and experimental evidence from five continents to provide a taxonomically balanced, mechanistically grounded, and geographically explicit assessment of MP exposure, bioaccumulation, and toxicity in herpetofauna, drawing on a structured literature search in Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed (January 2015—March 2026). Field detection rates of MPs in amphibian larvae range from 26% in conservatively screened Central European populations to 73–80% in anuran tadpoles from high-anthropogenic-pressure Anatolian catchments, with fibrous polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), and polypropylene (PP) particles dominating the detected burden. Mechanistic evidence converges on oxidative stress cascades, hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid axis disruption, gut and cutaneous microbiome dysbiosis, and compromised antiviral and antifungal immunity, with the latter potentially amplifying vulnerability to Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and to ranavirus. Among reptiles, sea turtles display near-universal MP ingestion with documented maternal transfer to eggs; freshwater turtles, terrestrial squamates, and crocodilians remain critically understudied. Three structural asymmetries constrain current ecotoxicological risk characterization: taxonomic bias toward anurans and sea turtles, geographic bias toward the Global North, and experimental bias toward acute, supra-environmental laboratory exposures using pristine, single-polymer particles that fail to capture the chemical complexity of weathered field mixtures. We argue that MP burden may warrant consideration as a candidate stressor criterion within IUCN Red List assessments and within environmental risk assessment frameworks for freshwater and terrestrial biodiversity once a robust quantitative relationship between MP burden and demographic decline or population-level fitness has been established, and propose six hypothesis-driven research priorities: methodological standardization, reptile toxicokinetics, transgenerational epigenetics, MP–pathogen microbiome interactions and their translation into population viability models, temperature × MP interaction under climate warming, and population-genetic consequences of contemporary MP-driven selection, as the most tractable avenues for ecotoxicological progress and for the development of herpetofauna-specific risk characterization frameworks. Full article

The Greater Khingan, a key cold-temperate coniferous forest region in northern China, is frequently affected by forest fires with severe ecological and economic impacts. The study investigates the influence of key environmental and anthropogenic drivers on forest fire susceptibility and evaluates multiple machine-learning approaches for regional fire assessment. Using 2001–2018 fire point data and multi-source remote sensing data, we integrated 13 driving factors across four dimensions: meteorology, topography, vegetation, and human activities. Collinear variables were screened using the Variance Inflation Factor (VIF). Three machine learning models—Logistic Regression (LR), Random Forest (RF), and Support Vector Machine (SVM)—were constructed to assess the long-term potential risk of forest fire occurrence. Driving mechanisms were analyzed using standardized regression coefficients and the SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) interpretable algorithm, and spatial distribution maps of regional forest fire risk were generated based on the optimal model. Among the three models, RF achieved the highest predictive accuracy, with an accuracy of 0.919 and an Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (AUC) of 0.966, significantly outperforming LR and SVM. SHAP analysis reveals that forest fires are primarily driven by climatic factors (Pres and Prec as core drivers), regulated by topographic factors, and weakly affected by human factors. The proposed framework provides an effective tool for long-term forest fire susceptibility assessment by combining robust predictive performance with interpretable model outputs. The findings provide scientific support for long-term strategic forest fire risk zoning, regional firefighting resource allocation, and the formulation of differentiated prevention and control strategies, and also offer methodological references for forest fire prediction in other cold-temperate forest regions in China. Full article

Engineered nanomaterials are widely used in environmental remediation, agriculture, and industrial applications owing to their large specific surface area, high reactivity, and tunable physicochemical properties. However, their release into aquatic environments has raised increasing concerns regarding potential risks to primary producers. Microalgae are highly sensitive to environmental stressors and play essential roles in photosynthesis, nutrient cycling, carbon fixation, and aquatic food-web stability, making them important model organisms for assessing the toxicity of engineered nanomaterials. This review summarizes the toxic effects and mechanisms of representative engineered nanomaterials, including metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, nanoplastics, and carbon-based nanomaterials, on microalgae. Major toxic pathways include nanoparticle attachment and aggregation on algal surfaces, shading effects, membrane damage, altered permeability, cellular internalization, toxic ion release, reactive oxygen species overproduction, photosynthetic inhibition, and metabolic disturbance. The review further discusses how particle size, morphology, surface coating, dissolution, aging, light, pH, and natural organic matter regulate nanomaterial bioavailability and toxicity. Combined toxicity caused by coexisting nanoparticles or emerging pollutants is also considered, with emphasis on synergistic, antagonistic, and concentration-dependent effects. Finally, recent methodological advances, such as near-native imaging, Raman-based spectroscopy, particle-specific elemental analysis, and multi-omics approaches, are highlighted. This review provides an integrated perspective for understanding nanomaterial toxicity to microalgae and supports future ecological risk assessment in aquatic environments. Full article

Potentially toxic elements (PTE) are persistent contaminants in coastal systems and may accumulate in marine organisms, with relevance for both environmental monitoring and seafood safety assessment. This study provides an exploratory cross-biota assessment of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb in fishery resources from the Romanian Black Sea in 2024. The dataset included 24 composite samples and 120 analyte-level observations across bivalves, gastropods, pelagic fish, and demersal fish. Tissue concentrations were integrated with regulatory maximum levels, bioconcentration factors (BCF), biota–sediment accumulation factors (BSAF), and adult dietary risk indices, including estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), and total target hazard quotient (TTHQ). Within the limits of this single-year dataset, Cd and Pb concentrations were generally higher in bivalves than in fish and gastropods, whereas Cr showed higher values in several fish samples, particularly pelagic fish. Cd was the main element of concern, with regulatory exceedances occurring mainly in bivalves and fewer exceedances in pelagic fish, while Pb exceedance was isolated. BCF and BSAF supported the relevance of Cd as a priority element but were interpreted only as descriptive tissue–water and tissue–sediment ratios, not as evidence of specific uptake pathways. Low abiotic Cd concentrations may have inflated some ratio-based values, and Cr interpretation remains limited by the absence of Cr speciation and dissolved/particulate partitioning data. The adult dietary risk assessment did not indicate substantial non-carcinogenic concern, as all individual THQ values and cumulative TTHQ values remained below 1. Overall, the findings support continued PTE monitoring in the Romanian Black Sea, using sessile bivalves as indicators of local environmental contamination and including gastropods and representative pelagic and demersal fish species of ecological and fisheries relevance to capture contaminant patterns across benthic and mobile fishery resources. Future monitoring should improve species-level replication, integrate metal partitioning in abiotic matrices, and include additional contaminants of seafood safety relevance, particularly Hg and As. Full article

To address the environmental evolution and management needs of emerging contaminants in the Yellow River Basin (Henan Section), China, nine typical functional cross-sections, covering industrial outfalls, sewage treatment plant (STP) effluents, human activity-dense areas, and baseline tributaries, were selected to systematically investigate the occurrence, potential sources, and multi-dimensional risks of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in surface water. The results indicated a 100% detection rate of the target pollutants across all sites, with PFOA (0.45–7.46 ng/L) being the absolute dominant analogue. The spatial distribution exhibited an evident industrial point-source-driven pattern, where the pollution loads at the Jili District industrial outfall (S7) and STP effluent (S5) were significantly higher than those in non-point sources and natural baseline waters. Source apportionment suggested that direct wastewater discharge and secondary release from regional industrial clusters were likely key contributors to PFAS spatial heterogeneity. Multi-dimensional risk assessments revealed that the current ecological risk quotients (RQ < 0.01) for aquatic organisms and the human health risk values (HR < 0.1) via drinking water ingestion for various age groups were well within safe and controllable ranges. However, PFOS contributed significantly more to the ecological risk than PFOA, and children exhibited slightly higher health exposure vulnerability than adults. Although the overall risk is minimal, PFOA concentrations at high-load cross-sections have exceeded the latest stringent maximum contaminant level (4.0 ng/L) mandated by the US EPA in 2024. This study suggests an urgent need to establish a dynamic, life-cycle monitoring network for PFASs in the basin and to prioritize targeted deep-reduction strategies for high-risk industrial point sources. Full article

The aim of this study was to critically assess the usefulness of pollution indicators in monitoring riverside soils (fluvisols) for heavy metal content. A novel methodological approach was used, comparing areas located inside and outside flood embankments, which allowed for a precise determination of the impact of fluvial and anthropogenic processes on heavy metal accumulation. The experimental logic validated the usefulness of four indicators: the Individual Pollutant Index (PI), the Background Enrichment Factor (PIN), the Potential Ecological Risk (RI), and the Pollution Load Index (PLI). Comparative analysis revealed that soils within the embankment zone have higher metal concentrations, resulting from the continuous deposition of alluvial material, which often contains industrial and municipal pollutants. The vertical distribution of pollutants in fluvisols was shown to be closely related to sediment dynamics and soil properties (clay fraction, organic matter, redox conditions). Validation of the indicators revealed their varying sensitivity. The study revealed the limitations of the PLI, which, due to its summary nature, did not account for significant variability in contamination within the soil profile. Consequently, the PI, PIN, and RI indices were shown to be the most effective tools in assessing the actual degree of soil contamination by fluvisols in the middle Oder Valley. The study results emphasise the need for the selective selection of indicators in environmental monitoring. This comparative approach provides a reliable method for assessing the effectiveness of floodplain management strategies under exposure to chemical pressure. Full article

Potentially toxic elements (PTE) pollution from lead–zinc (Pb–Zn) production poses significant ecological risks, requiring systematic assessment across the industrial chain. This study investigated soil, surface water, and sediments near a Pb–Zn mining area, integrating pollution indices (I_geo, NIPI, RI) with human health risk models. A spatial analysis framework was established by combining proportional symbol mapping and Thiessen polygons to analyze contamination patterns under small-sample conditions. Results showed a clear pollution hierarchy: smelting > beneficiation > tailings ≈ mining. Smelting and beneficiation zones exhibited multi-element pollution; Hazard Index (HI) exceedance probabilities reached 89% and 95%, respectively, while carcinogenic risk (CR) exceedance approached 100% across all zones. Cd was the dominant ecological risk factor, particularly in mining and tailings zones, where risk was mainly driven by a single element. Source apportionment identified two industrial groups—smelting-related (Pb, Hg, Zn, Se) and ore-associated (As, Cd, Cu, Sb)—whereas Cr, Ni, Co, and V were mainly derived from natural sources. These results indicate the need for coordinated management of beneficiation and smelting processes and provide a spatial analysis approach for small-sample assessment. Full article

Climate change and rapid urbanization increasingly threaten water security in large river basins, yet existing assessments often fail to capture the multi-scale interactions between hydroclimatic extremes and human activities. To address this gap, we developed an integrated framework combining risk assessment, multi-method driver diagnosis (Geodetector, Multi-Scale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR), and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM)), and Zoned Management. Using a landscape-derived Ecological Risk Index (ERI) as a proxy indicator of runoff and non-point source potential, based on established empirical linkages between landscape metrics and hydrological processes, we applied the framework to three major urban agglomerations in the Yangtze River Basin from 2000 to 2020. Our results reveal three distinct risk mechanisms: in the Chengdu–Chongqing area (CYUA), a 165.8% increase in impervious surfaces drives altered runoff; in the Middle Reaches (MRC), the q-value of the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) rose from 0.017 in 2000 to 0.146 in 2020, corresponding to a 759% relative increase. Although the absolute q-value of SPI remains moderate at around 0.15, its rapid rise suggests increasing hydrological sensitivity of the MRC’s river–lake system to precipitation extremes; in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD), socioeconomic activities exert overriding pressure. Based on these diagnostics, we propose tailored strategies for water environment management, adaptive planning, and disaster mitigation. This framework offers a scientific basis for differentiated water governance in large river basins facing coupled anthropogenic and hydroclimatic pressures. Full article

During the industrial restructuring in China, numerous outdated coking enterprises were phased out. Despite the cessation of production for several years, the soil in the production area of the retired coking plant remains heavily contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which continue to adversely affect soil health. However, research on the pollution characteristics of soil PAHs under prolonged PAH exposure and the associated changes in functional genes related to soil carbon cycling is still inadequate. This study aims to identify the pollution characteristics and ecological risks of PAHs in the coking plant and to investigate the effects of long-term PAH contamination from abandoned coking plants on the functional genes involved in soil carbon cycling. It was found that PAHs in the soil were predominantly composed of high-molecular-weight PAHs (HMW-PAHs), which constituted 65.7% to 83.4% of the total PAH content. The total concentration of PAHs in the surface soil ranged from 3.79 to 554 mg·kg⁻¹, with an average concentration of 147.6 mg·kg⁻¹. Source analysis based on isomer ratios indicated that PAHs primarily originated from the combustion of coal and biomass. Utilizing the toxicity equivalent factor (TEF) method, we found that the PAH levels in the CA group exceeded the Serious Risk Concentration, indicating that PAH pollution poses a potential threat to the ecological environment. Metagenomic analysis revealed that the gene abundance of alpha-amylase in the CA group was significantly higher than that in the OLA group (p < 0.05), suggesting that prolonged exposure to PAHs has enhanced the starch hydrolysis capabilities of soil microorganisms. The findings of this study refine methods for assessing the risks associated with soil PAH contamination and provide a theoretical foundation for the risk management and reuse of retired coking plant sites. Full article

To characterize the transport of the mining-induced sediment plume in the Clarion–Clipperton Zone (CCZ) nodule area, this study introduces a particle relative dispersion (RD) to assess material dispersion in 2D and 3D. In 2D, forward and backward RD results show clear sub-regional differences in particle aggregation and diffusion. Forward RD reaches a maximum ridge value of 40 km in regions of strong shear and strain. Backward RD effectively identifies upstream source regions and convergence pathways. High RD values align closely with strong strain-rate gradients, indicating that particle separation and mixing are primarily driven by transition regions between flow structures rather than uniform high- or low-strain areas. In the 3D, the vertical domain was limited to the 4500–4600 m depth range above the seabed. The overall RD patterns remain broadly consistent with the 2D results, while the maximum RD increases to approximately 80 km due to the inclusion of vertical displacement and local vertical shear effects. Within the 4500–4600 m depth range, horizontal transport remains dominant, whereas vertical variations are comparatively weak, and particle trajectories exhibit only minor local differences. Compared with the 2D case, the deep-layer 3D RD distribution exhibits lower skewness values, suggesting a more spatially balanced particle separation pattern with reduced directional asymmetry. Multi scale quasi-3D RD analysis provides essential insights into material dispersion and convergence patterns, offering valuable information for evaluating transport pathways, potential pollutant spread, and ecological risks associated with deep-sea mining. Full article

Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) are a major cryosphere-related hazard in High Mountain Asia (HMA), where glacier mass loss and changing hydroclimatic conditions are reshaping glacial-lake systems and increasing the prevalence of potentially unstable lake–dam configurations. However, current knowledge remains fragmented across HMA. Therefore, this review synthesizes historical evidence, future changes, and risk-reduction strategies of GLOFs across HMA from a remote-sensing perspective. Historical evidence derived from satellite archives, multi-temporal lake inventories, geomorphological analyses, and documented event records indicate that reported GLOFs in HMA are strongly clustered by sub-region and dam type, with moraine-dammed lakes representing the dominant source of documented events, while ice-dammed lakes remain important in several mountain belts. The compiled record also shows that GLOFs have caused severe human, economic, geomorphic, and ecological losses. Future projections based on glacier evolution, glacial-lake expansion, and climate-sensitive hazard assessments indicate continued glacial-lake growth under global warming. However, reliable prediction of future GLOF event timing, magnitude, and frequency remains constrained by uncertainties in glacier evolution, dam stability, and triggering processes. This review further shows that effective GLOF risk reduction in HMA requires integrated systems that combine hazard and risk mapping, early warning, structural interventions, and non-structural measures. It also highlights the need to better link remote sensing with monitoring, assessment, and implementation frameworks, and proposes an integrated management cycle to support practical risk reduction. It concludes that the most urgent research priorities are harmonized multi-temporal lake inventories, targeted field observations, explicit consideration of heatwaves and compound extremes, transparent uncertainty propagation, and stronger operationalization of monitoring and warning systems to support durable climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction across HMA. Full article

To investigate the contamination status, sources, spatial distribution, and health risks of heavy metals in paddy soils of Hexian County, 63 surface soil samples were analyzed for eight metals. Multiple pollution indices and multivariate statistical methods were applied to evaluate contamination levels and identify potential sources. Source apportionment was conducted using principal component analysis (PCA) combined with correlation analysis and spatial distribution characteristics. Results showed variable concentrations of heavy metals, with arsenic, copper, and lead exhibiting relatively higher single-factor pollution indices. The Nemerow pollution index (PN) ranged from 0.86 to 3.05 (mean = 1.16), indicating overall slight to moderate pollution, with localized areas showing higher pollution levels. The potential ecological risk index (RI) ranged from 28.06 to 66.45 (mean = 35.66), which was well below the threshold of 150, indicating a low ecological risk. Health risk assessment indicated negligible non-carcinogenic risks for both children and adults. Although carcinogenic risks remained within acceptable limits, children exhibited higher susceptibility, suggesting potential long-term concerns. Overall, these findings provide scientific evidence for targeted pollution control and risk-based agricultural management in Hexian County, and offer practical implications for mitigating heavy metal contamination and protecting agricultural sustainability in regions along the lower Yangtze River. Full article

Background/Objectives: Plant-based dietary patterns like the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) reduce cardiovascular risk, which is a leading cause of mortality globally and in Spain. Diet is also a major environmental determinant, highlighting the need to evaluate public health alongside environmental sustainability. The aim of this study was to analyze the evolution of adherence to the DASH dietary pattern in Spain between 2006 and 2023 and evaluate its relationship with environmental sustainability indicators. Methods: This was an ecological epidemiological study. Food consumption data were harmonized into daily servings to calculate annual DASH scores using a standard 80-point methodology. Environmental impact was assessed by calculating the comprehensive Ecological Footprint (EF) using the Agribalyse^® 3.2 database. The study utilized open data from the Spanish Household Budget Surveys, capturing the consumption habits of approximately 24,000 randomly selected Spanish households annually from 2006 to 2023. The primary measures evaluated were the annual DASH adherence index score and the overall environmental Ecological Footprint. Temporal trends were evaluated using segmented regression models selected via the Akaike Information Criterion and Davies test. Pareto analysis determined individual food group environmental contributions, and correlations assessed the relationship between DASH scores and the EF. Results: DASH adherence increased by 8.26% over the study period, peaking in 2020. The EF demonstrated an overall decrease over time, largely driven by reduced consumption of meat, fish, and eggs. A strong inverse correlation was found between the DASH score and the EF (r = −0.8237 (95% CI: −0.932 to −0.580; p < 0.001)). Conclusions: A shift toward the DASH dietary pattern in Spain demonstrates potentially convergent health and environmental associations, promoting population cardiovascular health potential while simultaneously mitigating environmental impacts. Full article

Microplastic (MP) contamination in terrestrial ecosystems has emerged as a critical environmental concern, particularly in agricultural soils influenced by anthropogenic activities. This study investigated the depth-wise distribution, polymer composition, and associated ecological and human health risks of MPs in homestead agricultural soils across four regions of Bangladesh representing different levels of industrialization: Narayanganj (old industrial), Savar (moderate industrial), Gazipur (emerging industrial), and Mymensingh (non-industrial). Soil samples were collected from two depth intervals (0–20 cm and 21–50 cm), and MPs were extracted using density separation, identified through microscopic analysis, and characterized via ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. A diverse range of MP morphologies and polymers was detected, with irregular particles and fragments dominating the composition. Polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were the most abundant polymers, reflecting widespread domestic, industrial, and agricultural plastic usage. MP abundance was consistently higher in surface soils, indicating dominant surface inputs, although vertical migration into subsoil layers was evident. Spatial analysis revealed higher MP contamination in industrial regions, particularly Narayanganj and Savar, compared to the non-industrial reference site. Ecological risk assessment indicated low risk levels across all regions; however, significant spatial variability was observed. Human exposure assessment demonstrated that inhalation was the primary pathway, followed by dermal contact and ingestion, with children exhibiting higher exposure levels than adults. Lifetime average daily dose (LADD) and carcinogenic risk estimates remained below acceptable thresholds, suggesting minimal immediate health risks. Nevertheless, the persistence, mobility, and cumulative nature of MPs highlight potential long-term concerns. Therefore, this study provides comprehensive insights into the sources, distribution, and risks of MPs in homestead agricultural soils and underscores the need for improved waste management practices, sustainable agricultural strategies, and long-term monitoring to mitigate environmental and human health impacts. Full article

The quantitative identification of heavy metal sources is essential to clarify their relationships with ecological and health risks. This study focused on the Manghe Watershed in Jiyuan City, Henan Province, China, integrating the Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) model, ecological risk index (RI), and health risk assessment (HRA) to construct a coupled PMF-RI/PMF-HRA framework to quantify source-specific risk contributions and propose targeted mitigation strategies. Key findings included: (1) Among the 121 surface soil samples, Cr and Ni showed natural background levels, while Cd, Pb, Hg, Zn, As, and Cu exceeded regional backgrounds by 1.63–33.65 times with anthropogenic-driven spatial heterogeneity. (2) The PMF identified four sources: natural–agriculture mixed (42.65%), the main contributor to Cr, Ni, As, and Cu; industrial activity (24.99%), the primary source of Cd and Zn; traffic–agriculture mixed (20.99%), primarily emitting Pb and As; and coal combustion (11.36%), dominating Hg emissions. (3) Ecological and health risks were governed by heavy metal toxicity and exposure pathways rather than mere concentration levels. Specifically, industrial sources (Cd, Zn) should be prioritized for ecological risk control, whereas natural–agricultural mixed sources (As, Pb, Cr) should be prioritized for health risk control. Oral ingestion was the dominant exposure pathway for both non-carcinogenic risk and carcinogenic risk in children, with the natural–agricultural mixed source contributing the most to this pathway. (4) The total carcinogenic risk (TCR) for children was 1.17 × 10⁻⁴, which exceeds the commonly accepted unacceptable threshold of 1 × 10⁻⁴, indicating a potential carcinogenic concern. (5) The PMF-RI and PMF-HRA frameworks quantitatively proved that the main sources of ecological risks and health risks may be completely different, and this phenomenon was jointly regulated by the toxicity response coefficient and exposure pathways. A “source–risk-pathway” quantitative attribution was achieved and provides clear support for targeted interventions, emphasizing source control for industrial emissions (Cd-Zn), traffic–agriculture inputs (Pb-As), and coal-derived Hg, alongside optimized agricultural practices. Full article