Search Results (167)

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are persistent environmental contaminants of growing concern for soil ecosystems, yet their effects on the humoral arm of innate immunity in soil invertebrates remain poorly characterized. Here, we used the earthworm Eisenia fetida to screen 31 legacy and emerging PFAS congeners for their ability to modulate the hemolytic activity of cell-free coelomic fluid, a functional readout of soluble immune effectors including the pore-forming toxin lysenin. Earthworms were exposed under OECD 207 contact-filter conditions at two concentrations (0.6 and 229 µM) for 72 h, after which decellularized coelomic fluid was tested against sheep erythrocytes. To dissect direct biochemical interference from organism-mediated regulation, the same panel was also applied ex vivo (2.5 µM) to coelomic fluid from unexposed earthworms. In vivo, PFASs produced markedly heterogeneous, congener-specific responses: PFBS, PFBA and PFMOPrA suppressed hemolytic activity, whereas PMDA, PFHxA and HFPO-DA enhanced it. In contrast, ex vivo exposure produced a consistent, broad inhibition of hemolysis, indicating a direct interaction of PFASs with soluble immune proteins. Proteomic profiling of the lysenin family under PFOA and HFPO-DA suggested isoform-level reweighting rather than uniform abundance shifts, although effects did not survive multiple-testing correction. Together, these data show that PFASs act as congener-specific immunomodulators of extracellular humoral defense in E. fetida and identify candidate congeners for confirmatory mechanistic studies. Full article

Phytoremediation is a sustainable approach for the remediation of heavy metal–contaminated soils; however, the management of contaminated biomass generated during this process remains an insufficiently addressed challenge. Such biomass constitutes a secondary waste stream that may release mobile pollutants and pose environmental risks. In this study, an integrated ecotoxicological assessment framework was applied to evaluate phytoremediation-derived biomass and its transformation products obtained via pyrolysis. Two types of woody biomass with different heavy metal contents and their corresponding biochars produced at 700 °C were investigated. A multitrophic battery of bioassays combining direct exposure assays using terrestrial organisms (higher plants, Eisenia fetida, and soil microbial activity) with leachate-based assays using aquatic organisms (Lemna minor, Daphnia magna, and Aliivibrio fischeri) was applied. Untreated biomass exhibited high to extreme toxicity in aquatic systems (toxic units, TU >100) and significant phytotoxic effects. Pyrolysis substantially reduced contaminant mobility and ecotoxicity of leachates, resulting in lower toxicity (TU typically <15) and no significant effects on plant growth, earthworm survival, or soil microbial functional diversity. Residual toxicity was linked to elevated pH and trace amounts of thermally generated organic substances. These results demonstrate that pyrolysis effectively reduces the environmental risk of contaminated biomass and supports the use of multitrophic ecotoxicological testing for safe waste valorization within circular economy strategies. Full article

This study investigated the behavioural responses of the arthropods Folsomia candida (springtails) and Porcellionides pruinosus (woodlice) to leachates released from additive-free plastic polymers. Avoidance behaviour was evaluated to assess potential reductions in soil habitat function, while aggregation status was investigated to highlight possible functional impairments in the woodlice population. Leachates from pristine and artificially aged low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP) microplastics were tested at three different concentrations, ranging from environmentally relevant levels to a worst-case scenario of soil contamination. The distinct physicochemical structures of LDPE and PP led to different release compounds. The results revealed no statistically significant avoidance responses in arthropods for either treatment. Unlike PP, LDPE induced a statistically significant impairment of gregarious behaviour at the highest tested concentration (150 mg/kg d.w.). Furthermore, pristine LDPE induced more pronounced disaggregation than the aged one, suggesting that weathering may modulate behavioural responses depending on polymer type and endpoint. Therefore, it is recommended that high levels of plastic leachates can have an adverse effect on soil arthropods and that the aggregation behaviour of woodlice may be a more informative and sensitive biological endpoint than avoidance alone. Full article

Glitter is a distinctive and largely overlooked form of primary microplastic. Unlike more commonly studied microplastics, glitter particles are typically flat, highly reflective, multi-layered, and are composed of polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride with metallic coatings and a wide range of additives. In response to regulatory restrictions on intentionally added microplastics and increasing consumer demand, “eco-friendly” alternatives based on modified regenerated cellulose, cellulose nanocrystals, or mica have been introduced, although their environmental safety remains insufficiently characterized. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the environmental occurrence and ecotoxicological effects of both conventional and biodegradable glitters. A systematic literature search in Scopus identified 15 peer-reviewed experimental studies meeting predefined inclusion criteria. Evidence spans a wide range of taxa, including bacteria (i.e., Aliivibrio fischeri), microalgae and cyanobacteria (i.e., Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Raphidocelis subcapitata, Microcystis aeruginosa), aquatic plants (i.e., Lemna minor, Egeria densa), marine and freshwater invertebrates as crustaceans (i.e., Daphnia magna), bivalves (i.e., Mytilus galloprovincialis), sea urchins (i.e., Paracentrotus lividus), brine shrimp (Artemia sp.) and terrestrial soil fauna (Eisenia fetida, Folsomia candida). Results indicate that glitter cannot be treated as a uniform stressor: biological responses vary markedly with particle size, shape, colour, polymer type, additive composition, and weathering time, and leachates often exert stronger effects than intact particles. Reported impacts include impaired photosynthesis and growth, oxidative stress, developmental abnormalities, altered energy metabolism, and reduced reproduction. Substantial gaps remain regarding environmental concentrations, ageing processes, mixture effects, and long-term ecological consequences, particularly for biodegradable glitters. Addressing these gaps will require realistic exposure scenarios, mesocosm and field studies, and integrated chemical–biological approaches to support robust risk assessment and safer material design. Full article

Petroleum hydrocarbon contamination of soils remains a persistent environmental problem in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, where oil extraction, pipeline transportation, fuel storage, industrial legacy sites, and diesel-dependent infrastructure coexist with fragile cold-climate ecosystems. Remediation in these regions is constrained by low temperatures, short thaw seasons, permafrost, waterlogged active layers, slow vegetation recovery, limited infrastructure, and high mobilization costs, which limit the direct transferability of conventional temperate-zone technologies. This study presents a structured narrative review of international and Russian evidence on petroleum-contaminated soil management in cold regions, focusing on monitoring as a basis for remediation decision-making. Peer-reviewed studies, technical guidance documents, regulatory frameworks, and regional case studies were analyzed across key domains, including environmental constraints, hydrocarbon behavior, monitoring methodologies, and remediation technologies. Particular attention is given to chemical analysis, hydrocarbon fractionation, bioavailability-oriented methods, ecotoxicological bioassays, and microbial indicators as tools linking contamination assessment with remediation strategy selection. Reliance on total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) concentration as a primary endpoint is shown to be insufficient, especially in cold-region soils where strong sorption and limited mass transfer decouple concentration from biological exposure. Multi-endpoint monitoring systems provide a more reliable basis for assessing contaminant risk, treatment effectiveness, and soil recovery. For the Russian Arctic, the integration of national recultivation frameworks with risk-based assessment and ecotoxicological monitoring is identified as a key pathway for improving remediation outcomes. A decision-oriented framework is proposed that links environmental conditions, contaminant properties, and monitoring data to support the selection and optimization of remediation strategies. This study supports a transition from concentration-based cleanup toward risk-informed and ecosystem-oriented management of petroleum-contaminated soils in Arctic and sub-Arctic environments. Full article

Perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) are persistent contaminants increasingly subjected to regulatory restrictions. To date, their effects on terrestrial plants remain poorly investigated. To address these knowledge gaps, a comparative assessment was conducted to identify the most sensitive plant species and the most responsive early-growth endpoints. Five PFCAs were selected according to their carbon-chain length (from 3 to 8 C-atoms). Seven plant species were exposed to a wide range of concentrations (from 0.01 up to 100 µg kg⁻¹). Germination and root elongation were evaluated as developmental endpoints to assess both acute and sublethal effects. Across species, germination exhibited weak responses, whereas root elongation appeared to be the most sensitive screening parameter, displaying divergent species-specific patterns. Notably, Sinapis alba and Cucumis sativus emerged as the most responsive species, although they exhibited opposite responses. While mustard exhibited low-dose root stimulation, cucumber showed root inhibition. Interestingly, species within the same family (Brassicaceae and Cucurbitaceae) showed contrasting sensitivity, suggesting that PFCA phytotoxicity is species-specific rather than driven by taxonomic relatedness. This divergent pattern may be linked to distinct morpho-physiological traits, supporting their use as suitable model organisms for phytotoxicity screening of PFCAs. Full article

Trans-cinnamaldehyde (CIN), the main component of cinnamon essential oil, is a promising sustainable alternative to synthetic pesticides. Despite its use, ecotoxicological data on non-target species remain fragmented. This study systematically evaluates CIN’s acute toxicity across multiple trophic levels to characterize the biological sensitivity and environmental response of key organisms. Aquatic assays measured bioluminescence inhibition in Aliivibrio fischeri and immobilization in Daphnia magna. Terrestrial evaluations included lethality tests on Eisenia fetida and root elongation in Allium cepa. Additionally, the impact on soil and river microbial communities was analyzed via Biolog EcoPlates™. Significant dose–response relationships were observed across all bioindicators (p < 0.0001). A. fischeri was the most sensitive species (EC₅₀ = 1.428 mg·L⁻¹), followed by D. magna (EC₅₀ = 4.533 mg·L⁻¹). In terrestrial models, A. cepa (EC₅₀ = 11.644 mg·L⁻¹) exhibited higher sensitivity than E. fetida (LC₅₀ = 412.519 mg·kg⁻¹). Microbial metabolic activity showed dose-dependent inhibition, particularly affecting carbohydrate and polymer degradation at high concentrations. These findings define the first ecotoxicological benchmarks for CIN, establishing EC₁₀ and EC₅₀ values under standardized conditions. These data provide the necessary toxicological constraints to ensure environmental safety in future field-scale applications of this natural compound. Full article

Hydrogels (HGs), three-dimensional cross-linked hydrophilic polymer networks, have emerged as a promising class of functional materials for sustainable agriculture due to their exceptional water retention capacity, responsiveness to environmental stimuli, and favorable biocompatibility. This review systematically summarizes the key functional properties of hydrogels and critically examines their multidimensional roles within agricultural systems. The major synergistic benefits of hydrogels are highlighted, including (1) improvement of soil physical structure, chemical properties, and the biological microenvironment, thereby facilitating soil remediation; (2) direct enhancement of seed germination, root development, and crop productivity when employed as soil amendments or seed-coating materials; (3) controlled and sustained release of water, nutrients (N, P, K, and trace elements), and pesticides, leading to significant improvements in resource use efficiency; (4) functional delivery of beneficial microorganisms, enabling precise regulation of their activity and efficacy; and (5) advancement of soilless cultivation technologies through the development of sophisticated hydrogel-based substrates. Furthermore, this review discusses the key challenges that currently limit large-scale agricultural implementation, including insufficient biodegradability, potential ecotoxicological risks, and techno-economic constraints. Finally, future research directions are proposed from an interdisciplinary perspective, emphasizing rational material design, performance optimization, and practical field application. This comprehensive review aims to provide systematic theoretical guidance and practical insights for the development and deployment of hydrogel-based technologies in sustainable agriculture. Full article

The extensive use of agrochemicals and plastic materials has led to the accumulation of persistent pollutants in agricultural soils, raising concerns about agroecosystems through posing potential risks to soil and environmental health. This review synthesizes recent knowledge on these pollutant sources, including their distribution, fate, transformation pathways, and detection methods, as well as their impacts on soil physicochemical properties, microbial populations, plants, and ecosystems. Existing findings indicate that agrochemicals and micro-nano plastics (MPs-NPs) can significantly impede the stability of soil aggregation, increase soil water holding capacity (WHC) and porosity, reduce bulk density and infiltration, alter soil structure, and affect soil pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), electrical conductivity (EC), and nutrient retention capacity. Moreover, exposure to these pollutants alters soil microbial communities, enzymatic activity, nitrification and denitrification processes, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), thereby affecting carbon pools and fluxes as well as nutrient cycling. However, the magnitude and direction of these effects are strongly influenced by soil type, pollutant class, concentration, and physicochemical properties. Furthermore, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems are negatively affected due to the presence of such persistent pollutants by impairing their physiological processes. Despite these findings, mechanistic understanding remains limited due to a lack of long-term field investigation and proper detection methods, particularly regarding NPs. A comprehensive understanding of agrochemical and MP-NP interactions is essential for developing sustainable soil management strategies and agroecosystems. Future studies should address the development of standardized NP detection methods and the conducting of long-term field studies to elucidate MP-NP and agrochemical interactions, soil impacts, and crop uptake mechanisms. Full article

Microplastic (MP) contamination has become a global environmental and public health concern due to the extensive use of plastics and ineffective waste management. These microscopic particles are now detected in air, water, soil, and food products, raising serious concerns about their persistence, bioaccumulation, and potential risks. Microplastics (MPs) have been shown to disrupt marine biodiversity, affect plant metabolism, and enter food webs, leading to accumulation in human tissues. Chronic exposure is increasingly linked to reproductive toxicity, carcinogenesis, neurotoxicity, and metabolic disorders. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the sources, pathways, and environmental fate of microplastics, with an emphasis on their ecotoxicological effects and human health implications. It also summarises key analytical methods for detecting microplastics in environmental and food matrices, including spectroscopy, microscopy, and emerging sensor-based technologies. Finally, the review highlights the need for improved waste management, stronger policy interventions, and enhanced public awareness to mitigate microplastic pollution and protect ecosystem and human health. Full article

The increasing adoption of biopolymeric and nanostructured coatings for horticultural produce has emerged as a sustainable strategy to mitigate postharvest losses and extend shelf life. However, while their technological performance has been extensively documented, comprehensive and integrative assessments of biosafety, potential human health implications, and environmental risks profiles are still insufficiently explored. This review critically analyzes recent advances in polysaccharide, protein, and lipid-based coatings, including nanoenabled systems incorporating metallic nanoparticles and bioactive agents. The mechanisms underlying gas barrier properties, antimicrobial activity, and preservation efficacy are discussed alongside degradation pathways in composting, soil, and aquatic environments. Particular attention is given to nanoparticle release, migration potential, gastrointestinal fate, and toxicological endpoints such as oxidative stress, genotoxicity, endocrine disruption, and immunomodulation. Ecotoxicological evidence across trophic levels, from microorganisms and invertebrates to fish and amphibians, is examined, highlighting sublethal and mechanistic biomarkers relevant to environmental risk assessment. Regulatory frameworks from major agencies are also compared to contextualize current safety standards and limitations. Overall, although biopolymeric coatings represent promising alternatives to conventional plastics, their life-cycle impacts, transformation products, and nano-related uncertainties require comprehensive, multilevel risk evaluation to ensure truly sustainable and safe postharvest applications. Full article

Magnetic biochar (MBC), a magnetically responsive soil amendment, has attracted considerable attention due to its efficient magnetic separation capability and strong potential for remediating heavy metal-contaminated soils. Despite extensive research, a comprehensive evaluation of its raw materials, synthesis routes, performance-influencing factors, removal mechanisms, and microbial interactions remains limited. This review systematically examines biomass feedstocks and magnetic precursors used in MBC production and critically evaluates preparation methods, including hydrothermal carbonization, co-precipitation, ball milling, microwave pyrolysis, and impregnation–pyrolysis. Key factors affecting heavy metal removal—such as metal speciation, pyrolysis temperature, soil properties, dosage, and feedstock type—are discussed in detail. The primary immobilization mechanisms, including redox reactions, surface and co-precipitation, ion exchange, functional group complexation, physical adsorption, π–π interactions, and electrostatic attraction, are comprehensively analyzed. Furthermore, the interactions between MBC, soil physicochemical parameters, and microbial communities are evaluated to assess ecotoxicological implications. Finally, we provide valuable recommendations for the future direction of magnetic biochar research to advance its application in heavy metal removal from soil. Full article

The pervasive environmental dispersal of glyphosate has established this herbicide as a dominant anthropogenic xenobiotic, necessitating advanced bioremediation strategies to restore soil integrity. This study assessed the bioremediation efficacy of biosurfactants produced by Serratia ureilytica BM01-BS in glyphosate-contaminated soils, establishing their adsorption dynamics and ecotoxicological safety. The strain S. ureilytica BM01-BS gave a biosurfactant yield of 3.7 g·L⁻¹ with promising surface properties, utilizing babassu (Attalea speciosa) waste as the sole nutrient source. Whole-Genome Sequencing and Biosynthetic Gene Cluster mining identified a Nonribosomal Peptide Synthetase cluster homologous to rhizomide-type lipopeptides responsible for biosurfactant production. Bioremediation assays in glyphosate-contaminated soils demonstrated a removal efficiency exceeding 95% in approximately 60 min, outperforming the synthetic surfactant SDS (20–30% efficiency). Kinetic and isothermal modeling suggest that the bioremediation process is governed by chemisorption, adhering to a pseudo-second-order model (R² = 0.998) with a maximum adsorption capacity of 845 µg·kg⁻¹. Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy confirmed that the biosurfactant effectively removes glyphosate and restores the soil’s mineral integrity, as evidenced by the complete disappearance of glyphosate-associated phosphonic and carboxylic bands. Ecotoxicological assessments verified the environmental safety of the bioremediation process. These findings position the BM01-BS biosurfactant as a sustainable, biodiversity-based adjuvant for enhancing ecological resilience in glyphosate-impacted landscapes. Full article

Microplastics can bind with toxic metals via surface complexation and chelation, forming combined pollutants. However, research regarding the toxicological impacts of these combined pollutants on soil fauna remains limited. This study employed Folsomia candida in a 28-day incubation experiment to investigate the ecotoxicological effects of combined pollution by polylactic acid microplastics (PLA-MPs) and thallium (Tl) on the functional traits of Folsomia candida, including biology, morphology, and gut microbiota. The results showed that the combined effects of PLA-MPs and Tl on these functional traits were characterized by amplified toxicity and trait-specific responses. Morphological traits exhibited lower sensitivity to the pollution treatments compared to other indicators. Exposure to high-concentration PLA-MPs (10%) significantly affected mortality and fecundity, and reduced gut bacterial diversity. Conversely, low-concentration Tl (1 mg/kg) significantly inhibited body length and antenna length while increasing gut bacterial diversity. Structured equation modeling further revealed that the pollution treatments exerted significant negative effects on the functional traits of Folsomia candida, both directly and indirectly by altering soil properties and soil microbiota. These findings provide valuable insights into the ecotoxicological effects of combined PLA-MPs and Tl pollution on soil fauna, contributing to ecological health risk assessments of microplastics and toxic metals in terrestrial ecosystems. Full article

Cyantraniliprole, a second-generation diamide insecticide, exhibits broad-spectrum efficacy against numerous insect pests due to its selective activation of insect ryanodine receptors (RyRs). This activation triggers uncontrolled calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, resulting in sustained muscle contraction, paralysis, and ultimately death. Its unique mode of action, which is different from that of organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids, and neonicotinoids, helps minimize cross-resistance, making it a valuable component of integrated pest management (IPM). However, continuous field use has led to the development of resistance, primarily mediated by target-site mutations within the RyR transmembrane domain (e.g., G4946E, I4743M, and I4790K) and by enhanced metabolic detoxification via cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, carboxylesterases, and glutathione S-transferases. These mechanisms often confer cross-resistance to other diamide insecticides, thereby complicating resistance management. Moreover, sublethal exposures can disrupt insect growth, development, and reproduction, potentially accelerating resistance evolution. In addition, cyantraniliprole poses ecological risks due to its toxicity to non-target organisms such as aquatic species, including zebrafish and water fleas, pollinators such as honeybees, and soil fauna, as well as the environmental persistence of its major metabolite, J9Z38. This review comprehensively integrated current knowledge on the molecular mechanisms of action, genetic and metabolic bases of resistance, sublethal effects, and ecotoxicological impacts of cyantraniliprole, along with its environmental fate, plant uptake and translocation, and residue dynamics in agricultural systems. Finally, we discuss potential risk-mitigation strategies, including formulation optimization, application-method improvements, and resistance monitoring. Overall, this review aims to provide a comprehensive scientific foundation for the sustainable use, resistance management, and regulatory assessment of this widely used insecticide. Full article