Search Results (5,733)

Soils are increasingly affected by microplastic (MP) contamination, mainly coming from industrial activities, agricultural practices, atmospheric or waterborne transport, and improper waste disposal. Despite the increasing attention to the fate of MPs in soil over the last few years, research in this area is still limited compared to aquatic ecosystems. The introduction of MPs into the soil environment can modify not only the soil properties but also the interactions among soil components, plants, and microorganisms, thus affecting the mobility and availability of other contaminants, such as potentially toxic elements (PTEs). This review critically examines the complex dynamics between MPs and PTEs in the soil ecosystem, with a focus on the conditions under which MPs can act as a source or a sink of PTEs. Indeed, on the one hand, MPs can adsorb or complex PTEs on their surfaces (similarly to natural soil colloids), thus reducing their mobility and availability; on the other hand, they can release/mobilize PTEs after MP degradation or act as micro-/nano-vectors of PTEs. Understanding such mechanisms is relevant when evaluating the environmental risks associated with the co-presence of MPs and PTEs in soil, a situation likely to occur in most contaminated sites and in many agricultural soils. Full article

Large-scale disasters can result in chronic pollution of coastal environments with unanticipated and poorly quantified impacts, such as the reshaping of marine connectivity. A recent example is the collapse of the Fundão tailings dam in 2015, which released about 50 million m³ of mine waste into the Doce River, affecting one of Brazil’s largest estuarine–mangrove systems. Here, we combine a high-resolution CROCO hydrodynamic simulation with an individual-based Lagrangian model (Ichthyop) to track the dispersal of mangrove crab (Ucides cordatus) larvae from four estuaries along the southeastern Brazilian margin between 2022 and 2024. Trajectories crossing seasonal msPAF fields derived from in situ water-quality measurements were used to quantify larval exposure to contaminants from mine waste. These fields were based on measured concentrations of As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, Zn, and Al. Results show that surface shelf flow and mesoscale activity in the vicinity of the Doce River mouth contribute to offshore export of larvae, while the reef-dominated Abrolhos shelf promotes retention. Interannual variability alternates between long-distance export and local retention, associated with regional climate variability. Larval mortality rates caused by offshore advection and lethal temperature are high (65–75%). In addition to these modeled mortality sources, surviving cohorts frequently crossed areas with elevated msPAF values during transport, indicating potential exposure to metal(loid) mixtures. This suggests that the regional connectivity of U. cordatus is under chronic stress that likely compromises the integrity and resilience of coastal populations, since southern estuaries depend strongly on northern larval sources. The integration of Lagrangian simulations with in situ contaminant monitoring and spatially explicit exposure metrics demonstrates that transport pathways regulate not only connectivity among estuaries but also the duration and intensity of larval exposure to pollutants. Full article

Mycofiltration uses saprophytic fungi immobilised on dead organic matter to treat contaminated water. This systematic review aimed to collate literature on mycofiltration, identify water sources subjected to mycofiltration, types of fungi employed, contaminants removed, and removal efficiencies (R%). Articles written in English between 1990 and 2023 were collected from various sources, screened based on inclusion criteria, and critically appraised. Metadata were extracted, and a narrative synthesis was conducted. Forty articles representing 156 studies passed appraisal, with 116 from journal articles, 24 from theses, and 16 from reports. Synthetic stormwater and real wastewater were the most frequently mycofiltered. Fungi of the Pleurotus genus were predominantly used in creating mycofilters. Organic contaminants removed included pharmaceuticals and pesticides, with R% between 60% and 100%. E. coli was the most studied microbial contaminant, and R% of 30%, 60%, and 90% were reported. Inorganic contaminants were mostly metals with R% above 60%. Overall, contaminant removal by mycofiltration varied, but the technology remained a promising tool. Research gaps observed included a lack of standardised methods for mycofilter preparation and design and little to no assessment of mycofilter saturation. Addressing gaps could aid in increasing mycofilter efficiency and reliable upscaling of mycofiltration. Full article

Dioxins are highly persistent organic pollutants that exist in soil. Their hydrophobic and lipophilic characteristics facilitate long-term stability, posing high risks to the ecosystem and human health. They can be released by different sources, such as the incineration of waste materials, industrial activities, the production of pesticides, and natural or accidental events like forest fires. Dioxins accumulate in food chains and persist in the environment because dioxins are less volatile as well as chemically stable and can strongly bind to organic matter. The accumulation and persistence of dioxins in aquatic and terrestrial systems make them a significant threat to the environment, even at very low concentrations. This review explains the key sources of dioxin-contaminated soil, including industrial emissions and atmospheric deposition, and assesses the associated risks. The transport, places of contamination, and overall status of dioxins are also highlighted in this study. The review also examines the mechanisms of dioxin toxicity, focusing on their interference with hormonal functions and gene expression, as mediated through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). This AhR activation leads to gene responses and causes immunotoxicity, endocrine disruption, and oxidative stress. Furthermore, various remediation strategies like biological, physical, and chemical remediation are discussed here as effective approaches for reducing ecological and health risks and promoting soil sustainability. Full article

At present, human activity is the main source of water pollution. The tanning industry is a primary source of water contamination with Cr(III), which can cause various diseases if ingested. A circular economy approach proposes an effective, low-cost solution. The utilization of waste from the food industry is used for the removal of Cr(III) through biosorption. This study evaluated the adsorption capacity of orange peel (OP) and pineapple crown (PC) pretreated with H₂O₂ and NaOH was evaluated under different operating conditions. The physicochemical properties of the biosorbents were characterized using techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results show that treatment with NaOH at 60 °C obtained an adsorption capacity of 61.63 mg/g and 64.19 mg/g for OP and PC, respectively. The combined biosorbents resulted in an approximately 50% increase in the adsorption capacity of Cr(III) compared to individual biosorbents. The isotherms that best fit the experimental data were Sips and Redlich–Peterson (RP) models, suggesting heterogeneous adsorption behavior in biosorbents. Thermodynamic parameters indicated that biosorption process was spontaneous and endothermic. Full article

The pollution of water, including salt and fresh water, has become an emergency problem. Pollutants come from different sources and have various characteristics, starting from industry and fertilizers used in agriculture, sewage related to human living, and other sources. Diverse sources of pollution require a comprehensive approach to water purification. One possible approach may be the use of appropriate sorbents. Currently, one of the most promising materials used is zeolites. This is because they can come from various sources, including waste raw materials such as fly ash, and, therefore, allow for the use of a circular economy approach. Moreover, these materials can be modified, which enables their selective use for selected types of pollutants. Eventually, these materials become economically viable options. The main aim of this article is to present and analyze possible solutions to water pollution based on zeolite materials. For this purpose, a critical literature review was prepared. The review reveals that zeolites perform particularly well in ion-exchange-driven removal of inorganic contaminants, while their effectiveness for organic micropollutants under realistic conditions is often limited. The identified trade-offs between removal efficiency, regeneration stability, and scalability indicate that zeolites are best applied as function-specific rather than universal sorbents. From a sustainability perspective, this targeted applicability is supported by advantages, such as low material cost, long service life, and the possibility of using naturally occurring or waste-derived precursors, which, together, enable resource-efficient water treatment processes, reduced reliance on energy-intensive technologies, and the valorization of industrial byproducts within circular economy frameworks. Full article

Water security in rapidly urbanising river basins is increasingly threatened by untreated city effluents, industrial discharges, and legacy agricultural contamination. The Tula River basin in central Mexico illustrates this issue, absorbing the majority of Mexico City’s effluent while sustaining a heavily exploited aquifer beneath one of the nation’s largest irrigation districts. This study provides an integrated assessment of surface water and groundwater quality throughout the basin, including the Endhó Dam and its associated aquifer. Water quality analysis revealed severe surface water contamination (WQI > 300), driven by untreated sewage and inadequate sanitation infrastructure. Elevated COD, BOD, and nutrient concentrations indicate significant organic loading and eutrophication risk. Near Tula City, arsenic, copper, and zinc were detected at levels posing direct risks to human health. Groundwater quality was comparatively favourable, with 71% of wells recording WQI < 100; however, arsenic exceeded permissible limits more than twentyfold in select wells, attributed to geological sources. The detection of SVOCs in both hydrological compartments confirms cross-compartment contamination. Point-source reduction alone is insufficient for aquifer recovery; comprehensive sanitation strategies and long-term monitoring are urgently required. These findings carry direct relevance for water governance in megacity-dependent basins globally, where urban, agricultural, and geological stressors demand integrated management approaches. Full article

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), a category of naturally occurring secondary metabolites, are commonly found in various botanical sources. Accumulating evidence indicates that PAs and their biologically active metabolites can interact with cellular components and trigger a variety of toxic effects in animals and humans. Notably, PAs exhibit significant hepatotoxic potential via nutritional supplements, environmental dissemination, food chain contamination, and broader ecological pollution. In this review, we summarize PA-induced hepatotoxicity in humans and animals and the underlying molecular mechanisms. It involves oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, ER stress, inflammation, autophagy, and ferroptosis. Several key signaling pathways, such as nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), toll like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), p53, farnesoid X receptor (FXR), and pregnane X receptor (PXR), are also implicated. Furthermore, this review discusses diagnostic approaches, metabolic activation pathways, and detoxification strategies targeting PA-induced liver injury. Collectively, this review provides a comprehensive understanding of the molecular basis of PA hepatotoxicity and underscores the urgent need for improved risk assessment, early diagnosis, and effective detoxification interventions to mitigate PA-related liver diseases in humans and animals. Full article

This study investigates the environmental and health impacts of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in solid and liquid wastes from phosphate beneficiation and fertilizer production in the Mdhilla area, Gafsa Basin, Tunisia. Solid wastes, including phosphate tailings (PTs) and phosphogypsum (PG), and associated industrial effluents from phosphate beneficiation (PBE) and fertilizer production (PFE), were characterized using physicochemical analysis, ICP-MS, SEM–EDX, and ion chromatography. Single and integrated pollution indices, along with conservative human health risk assessments, were applied to evaluate cumulative contamination and potential risks. PT exhibited near-neutral pH (7.64) and high PTE enrichment (Zn 350 mg kg⁻¹, Cr 329 mg kg⁻¹, Cd 38.8 mg kg⁻¹), whereas PG was strongly acidic (pH 3.13) and comparatively depleted in metals, reflecting process-dependent partitioning. Despite neutral pH, PBEs contained markedly higher metal concentrations than PFEs, with Fe (163 mg L⁻¹), Cr (3.09 mg L⁻¹), Cd (0.49 mg L⁻¹), and Pb (0.71 mg L⁻¹) exceeding discharge limits. Pollution indices indicated severe to extreme contamination, with PBE showing an exceptionally high contamination degree (C_deg = 63,659) compared to PFE (C_deg = 12,815), and elevated Toxic Element Pollution Index (PTEPI) values confirmed stronger cumulative pollution in PBE. Potential ecological risk indices (PERI > 600) revealed very high ecological risk for both effluents, primarily driven by Cd, Co, and Tl. Although dermal contact may represent the most frequent exposure route, risk assessment results indicated that accidental oral ingestion is the dominant pathway contributing to both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks, with children being particularly vulnerable. Non-carcinogenic risk thresholds (HQ > 1) were exceeded for PBE, while total carcinogenic risks approached or exceeded regulatory limits (10⁻⁶–10⁻⁴), mainly due to Cd and Cr. Overall, phosphate beneficiation was the primary source of cumulative metal loading and associated ecological and health risks, while fertilizer production partially reduced contamination. These findings underscore the urgent need for improved management and mitigation of phosphate-processing wastes in industrial regions. Full article

This study quantifies the concentrations, spatial patterns, and sources of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in Fluvisols from the Bosna River floodplain. Total As, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ba, V, and Co contents locally exceed national thresholds (e.g., As > 15 mg/kg, Cr > 80 mg/kg, Ni > 40 mg/kg), yet Ti-normalised enrichment factors mostly remain in the “no to minor” range (EF ≈ 1–3) and contamination factors in the “low to moderate” range (CF ≈ 1–3), indicating only slight to moderate enrichment even where absolute concentrations are high. Cr, Ni, Co, Ba, and V display similar spatial patterns, strong positive correlations with Mg and Fe, and consistently low EF values, confirming their predominantly geogenic origin linked to ultramafic and mafic parent rocks. In contrast, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd form coherent spatial clusters, share positive correlations, and show slightly elevated EF and CF values in flooded soils (typically EF and CF between 1 and 3), indicating diffuse industrial and agricultural inputs superimposed on a strong natural background. Flooding did not uniformly increase PTE concentrations but enhanced spatial heterogeneity and reorganised geochemical associations, particularly for Zn, As, and Cd, while the observed links between inorganic carbon (TIC), Ca, and Mg indicate that carbonate buffering and base cations help constrain metal mobility rather than exert a dominant control on all elements. The novelty of this work lies in integrating Ti-normalised EF and CF referenced to a local Fluvisol background with high-resolution GIS mapping and paired flooded versus control multivariate analysis, providing a quantitative, transferable framework to disentangle geogenic and anthropogenic signals and to prioritise post-flood monitoring of As, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd in naturally metal-rich floodplains. Full article

Biosurfactant production by hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria is strongly influenced by the nature and concentration of available carbon substrates, which determine hydrocarbon bioavailability and microbial metabolic responses. In this study, five Bacillus subtilis strains isolated from weathered oil-contaminated sites in Qatar were evaluated for growth and biosurfactant activity using diesel fuel, fresh corn oil, and five-times-overheated corn oil as sole carbon sources. Cultures were grown in mineral salts medium under controlled conditions, and biosurfactant production was assessed through emulsification activity (EA), solubilization activity (SA), and colony-forming unit counts. All strains grew on the tested substrates but exhibited distinct strain-specific responses. Fresh corn oil supported the highest biomass production with values up to 3.3 × 10⁷ CFU mL⁻¹, whereas the strongest emulsification activity yield was observed in diesel cultures at low carbon loading (59 ± 2.3 EU g⁻¹ carbon. Five-times-overheated corn oil maintained more stable emulsification activity across a broader concentration range, indicating tolerance to oxidized hydrocarbons and adaptation to chemically altered substrates. Increasing hydrocarbon concentrations led to progressive declines in EA and SA, indicating inhibitory effects at high substrate loads. Overall, biosurfactant production did not correlate directly with biomass, highlighting the importance of substrate properties in regulating functional output. These findings demonstrate that substrate composition and concentration are key determinants of biosurfactant performance in B. subtilis isolates and support the potential use of waste oils as low-cost feedstocks for biotechnological and bioremediation applications. Full article

Damage to urban water supply infrastructure can rapidly compromise access to safe water and force households to rely on alternative sources of uncertain quality. This study presents a case-based assessment of water quality and emergency household-level treatment options in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, following conflict-induced disruption of the centralized water supply system. Water samples collected from selected groundwater and distribution-network points were analyzed for physicochemical, organoleptic, and microbiological indicators, including total dissolved solids, hardness, sulfates, chlorides, iron, permanganate oxidizability, total microbial count, and E. coli. The results showed elevated mineralization, increased sulfate and chloride concentrations, high hardness, organic load indicators, and episodic microbiological contamination in several samples. A low-cost four-stage household treatment procedure combining chemical oxidation, thermal treatment, sorption, and short-term preservation was evaluated as a preliminary emergency approach. The procedure improved odor, taste, hardness, iron content, permanganate oxidizability, and microbiological safety; however, it did not fully reduce total dissolved solids, sulfates, or chlorides to drinking-water standards. Therefore, the treated water should be considered non-potable and suitable mainly for limited domestic and hygienic uses unless additional desalination or blending is applied. The study highlights both the potential and the limitations of simple household-level interventions under emergency water supply disruption and emphasizes the need for decentralized treatment support, monitoring, and long-term infrastructure recovery. Full article

Frequent reservoir navigation and the deployment of coastal refueling stations pose a potential risk of sudden petroleum contamination to the raw water in reservoirs, necessitating effective containment strategies. This study uses a river flow model and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with a three-phase volume of fluid (VOF) approach to investigate vortex generation and synergistic oil removal mechanisms for containment drums and nets under varying submersion depths, flow velocities, and layout configurations. The simulation identifies a critical flow velocity for oil droplet entrainment failure of 0.23 m/s. A drum submersion depth of 1.5 cm generates stable upstream and downstream vortices that maximize oil–drum contact, whereas increasing the depth to 3.0 cm causes downstream vortex detachment, reducing contact time and leading to failure. For containment nets, the vertical double-layer deployment creates a low-velocity storage zone between layers, forcing oil to breach two barriers, while vertical tiling generates a static wall effect that prolongs oil residence time. In the combined drum–net system, the favorable vortex areas generated by both devices can be fully utilized to improve oil spill control. These findings demonstrate that optimizing drum submersion depth and net configuration significantly enhances oil containment efficiency, providing guidance for emergency response in source water reservoirs. Full article

The Mediterranean limpet (Patella caerulea, Linnaeus, 1758) is a native species in Türkiye that is not yet a major commercial species but has potential for future commercialisation, particularly given the country’s substantial mollusc export market. This study aimed to evaluate seasonal and station-level variation in trace-element burdens in P. caerulea collected from the Sinop inner harbour (southern Black Sea coast, Türkiye) and to assess the associated trace-element–related non-carcinogenic health risks under a precautionary consumption scenario. Spatial and seasonal variations in the concentrations of 10 trace elements (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Hg, and total As) were analysed in specimens collected seasonally from autumn 2022 to summer 2023. Permutational multivariate analysis of variance revealed that season was the primary factor influencing trace element concentration variability, accounting for 76.9% of the total variance, followed by station (11.2%) and the season × station interaction (7.2%). All elements varied significantly among seasons (Kruskal–Wallis, p < 0.001), with maxima in autumn and minima in winter. Spatial differences were significant only for Mn, Co, Pb, Zn, and Hg, indicating localised sources. A human health risk assessment was performed for 6-year-old children, 12-year-old children, and adults. Total target hazard quotient (TTHQ) values were <1 across all groups; however, Cd was the dominant contributor, with the highest value observed in children (max TTHQ = 0.94). TTHQ followed the seasonal contamination pattern, peaking in autumn. Even under the high-consumption scenario, TTHQ for P. caerulea from the Sinop inner harbour remained below the non-carcinogenic risk threshold. The strong seasonal signal supports its use in locally focused biomonitoring, while the health-risk assessment should be limited to the analysed trace elements and associated non-carcinogenic effects. Full article

Water contamination by phenolic endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is a global environmental concern. Yet, the occurrence of phenolic EDCs in artificial water diversion systems remains poorly understood. Thus, the Eastern Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, the world’s longest water diversion project, was chosen as the study area to investigate the spatiotemporal distribution of alkylphenols (APs) and bisphenol A (BPA), typical phenolic EDCs, and to evaluate their risks. During the diversion operation, higher mean ΣAP concentrations were observed in lakes of Nansi and Dongping relative to the Luoma Lake–Dongping Lake and Yangtze–Luoma Lake diversion channels. The AP composition in the two lakes was also different from that in the two channels. These findings demonstrated that the canal water was not a key source of AP contamination in the lakes, highlighting the importance of local wastewater inputs. The spatial distribution of ΣAP and BPA concentrations in the lakes was mainly affected by the riverine inputs. For ecological risks, 4-n-nonylphenol (4-n-NP) exhibited moderate ecological risks at 81.3% of sampling sites in Dongping Lake and 68.8% of those in Luoma Lake, highlighting the need for heightened attention in future studies. Even under the high exposure scenario, 4-n-NP and BPA would not produce health risks to residents through water intakes. Overall, surface water resources of the Eastern Route Project were confirmed to be safe for human consumption. Full article