Understanding the dynamics of organic matter (OM) and the roles in global and local carbon cycles is challenging to the fields of environmental sciences and biogeochemistry. The accurate ...identification of OM is an essential element to achieve this goal. Lipids, due to their ubiquitous presence and diagenetic and chemical stability, have long and successfully been used as molecular makers in assessing the sources and the fate of OM in natural environments. In parallel, optical properties of dissolved organic matter (DOM) have been suggested as efficient tools in tracing OM sources. In this review, three representative lipid biomarkers and several common spectroscopic indices were compared for their capabilities to identify OM sources in various aquatic environments. Spectroscopic indices present various benefits in term of the high sensitivity, easy and rapid analysis, and a low cost, providing reliable information on major sources (i.e., autochthonous, allochthonous and anthropogenic) of DOM in given systems investigated. However, for further understanding the associated biogeochemistry (e.g., diagenetic changes in sources), using biomarkers is preferable due to their abilities to identify a wide spectrum of different sources simultaneously as well as their high resolution for mixed OM sources. Thus, a complementary use of both tools is highly recommended for accurately tracking OM sources and the dynamics in aquatic systems, particularly in a watershed affected by multiple sources. Nevertheless, future studies need to be carried out (1) to refine the accuracy of the source assignments in a wide range of settings along with the development of an extensive database encompassing various sources, environmental factors, and geographical locations and (2) to understand how biogeochemical processes reflect the biomarkers and the spectroscopic indices used.
Display omitted
•Popularly used lipid biomarkers and spectroscopic indices are compared for source discrimination.•Lipid biomarkers are preferable due to the high resolution for mixed organic matter sources.•Spectroscopic indices present benefits in terms of sensitivity and rapidity of analysis at low cost.•Complementary utilization of both is recommended to overcome limitations of independent use.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Despite the wide use of absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy for tracking the sources of dissolved organic matter (DOM), there are limited studies on evaluating their source discrimination ...capabilities at variable solution chemistry (pH, NaCl, Ca2+, and DOM concentration). For this study, we compared the applicability of several well-known spectroscopic indices via end member mixing analysis based on two contrasting DOM sources (Suwannee River fulvic acid and an algal DOM). The absorption coefficients and the intensities of fluorescent components from parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) showed linear relationships with increasing algal carbon fraction in the mixture of the two DOMs. In contrast, although they still behaved conservatively, spectral ratio indices such as spectral slopes, ratios of PARAFAC components, humification index, and fluorescence index changed in nonlinear patterns with the mixing ratios. The indices based on PARAFAC results exhibited strong discrimination capabilities, as indicated by high susceptibility to the changes in DOM sources relative to the analytical precision. While variable NaCl concentrations had limited effects, most fluorescence indices were considerably affected by other solution chemistry such as pH, Ca2+, and DOM level. Our study demonstrated that the applicability of the source discrimination indices should be critically examined especially in the environments with notable changes in the solution chemistry. The solution chemistry effects could be minimized by adjusting samples to a constant condition prior to the measurements or otherwise the effects should be fully taken into account in interpreting the field observations.
Display omitted
•Source tracing capabilities of spectroscopic indices are critically evaluated.•Different behaviors (linear or nonlinear) of indices with mixing are identified.•Solution chemistry effects are systematically demonstrated for well known indices.•An insight into field data interpretation in variable environments is provided.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
•It is the first review to compile FT-ICR-MS results for DOM in water treatments.•EEM-PARAFAC and FT-ICR-MS are two powerful tools for characterizing DOM.•The high diversity of DOM composition is a ...major challenge for water treatments.•Effects of water treatments on DOM are largely dependent on the DOM composition.•The DOM composition and its removal is key to optimize the treatment processes.
Dissolved organic matter (DOM) plays a critical role in determining the quality of wastewater and the safety of drinking water. This is the first review to compare two types of popular DOM monitoring techniques, including absorption spectroscopy and fluorescence excitation-emission matrices (EEMs) coupled with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) vs. Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS), for the applications in wastewater and drinking water treatments. The optical techniques provide a series of indices for tracking the quantity and quality of chromophoric and fluorescent DOM, while FT-ICR-MS is capable of identifying thousands of DOM compounds in wastewater and drinking water at the molecule level. Both types of monitoring techniques are increasingly used in studying DOM in wastewater and drinking water treatments. They provide valuable insights into the variability of DOM composition in wastewater and drinking water. The complexity and diversity of DOM highlight the challenges for effective water treatments. Different effects of various treatment processes on DOM are also assessed, which indicates that the information on DOM composition and its removal is key to optimize the treatment processes. Considering notable progress in advanced treatment processes and novel materials for removing DOM, it is important to continuously utilize these powerful monitoring tools for assessing the responses of different DOM constituents to a series of treatment processes, which can achieve an effective removal of DOM and the quality of treated water.
Display omitted
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
•Two humic-like and one tryptophan-like components were identified using fluorescence EEM–PARAFAC.•TTHM FP was correlated strongly with absorbance and all PARAFAC components.•NDMA FP was correlated ...with protein-like PARAFAC component.•Raw water DOM source and humification degree are important for the treatability of DOM and TTHM FP.
The formation of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) is a major challenge in drinking water treatments. This study explored the applicability of fluorescence excitation–emission matrices and parallel factor analysis (EEM–PARAFAC) for assessing the formation potentials (FPs) of trihalomethanes (THMs) and N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), and the treatability of THM and NDMA precursors in nine drinking water treatment plants. Two humic-like and one tryptophan-like components were identified for the samples using PARAFAC. The total THM FP (TTHM FP) correlated strongly with humic-like component C2 (r=0.874), while NDMA FP showed a moderate and significant correlation with the tryptophan-like component C3 (r=0.628). The reduction by conventional treatment was more effective for C2 than C3, and for TTHM FP than NDMA FP. The treatability of DOM and TTHM FP correlated negatively with the absorption spectral slope (S275–295) and biological index (BIX) of the raw water, but it correlated positively with humification index (HIX). Our results demonstrated that PARAFAC components were valuable for assessing DBPs FP in drinking water treatments, and also that the raw water quality could affect the treatment efficiency.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
•DOM spectroscopic features showed notable variability in 57 industrial effluents.•Fluorescence EEMs were grouped into seven clusters with distinct PARAFAC components.•Clustered analyses of FT-IR ...spectra provided further insight into effluent DOM reactivity.
The quantity and spectroscopic features of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in treated wastewaters were studied for up to 57 facilities across 12 industrial categories to evaluate the potential influences of the effluents on downstream ecosystems and the feasibility of spectroscopic techniques in discriminating pollution sources. The average dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration was 3.30±0.70–73.4±14.0mgL−1 for each category, high enough to pollute downstream waterbodies. The average specific UV absorbance at 254nm (SUVA) for each category spanned a broad range between 0.79±0.24 and 5.35±1.41L(mgm)−1, suggesting a variable aromaticity of DOM. Fluorescence excitation emission matrix–parallel factor analysis (EEM–PARAFAC) identified four humic-like and two protein-like components. The EEMs were grouped into seven clusters, five of which were dominated by a single PARAFAC component in each cluster. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy revealed notable variations in relative intensities of several characteristic absorbance bands among different wastewaters. The large variability in SUVA, PARAFAC and FT-IR features indicated that the chemical composition of DOM greatly differ among industrial wastewaters, and further implied variable biogeochemical reactivity in downstream waterbodies. The results also suggested the potential of DOM features in discriminating different wastewaters, although the variations within each industrial category were also significant.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
The benthic fluxes of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), chromophoric and fluorescent dissolved organic matter (CDOM and FDOM) were studied for the sediment from an artificial lake, based on laboratory ...benthic chamber experiments. Conservative estimates for the benthic flux of DOC were 71 ± 142 and 51 ± 101 mg m−2 day−1 at hypoxic and oxic conditions, respectively. Two humic-like (C1 and C2), one tryptophan-like (C3), and one microbial humic-like (C4) components were identified from the samples using fluorescence excitation emission matrices and parallel factor analysis (EEM-PARAFAC). During the incubation period, C3 was removed while C4 was accumulated in the overlying water with no significant difference in the trends between the redox conditions. The humification index (HIX) increased with time. The combined results for C3, C4 and HIX suggested that microbial transformation may be an important process affecting the flux behaviors of DOM. In contrast, the overall accumulations of CDOM, C1, and C2 in the overlying water occurred only for the hypoxic condition, which was possibly explained by their enhanced photo-degradation and sorption to redox-sensitive minerals under the oxic condition. Our study demonstrated significant benthic flux of DOM in lake sediment and also the possible involvement of biogeochemical transformation in the processes, providing insight into carbon cycling in inland waters.
Display omitted
•DOC benthic fluxes were quantified for lake sediments based on benthic chamber experiments.•EEM-PARAFAC was applied to successfully track changes in benthic flux DOM quality.•Different behaviors of the net DOM benthic fluxes were found for contrasting redox conditions.•Potential influences of various biogeochemical processes on the apparent DOM benthic flux were discussed.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
In the past two decades, neonicotinoid insecticides have been widely used in agricultural activities in China. Many previous studies have investigated the neonicotinoid pollution in aquatic ...ecosystems, but the status of water safety of neonicotinoid uses in China is very scarce. The present study aims to reveal the spatial and temporal distribution of neonicotinoids in rivers, and then evaluate the ecological risks to aquatic animals. Water samples were collected from all sixteen rivers along the east coast of China during the dry and wet seasons in 2016, and nine individual commercialized neonicotinoids were quantified. Higher concentrations were found during the dry season (343 ± 210 ng/L) compared to those during the wet season (174 ± 162 ng/L). The concentration of neonicotinoid insecticides in river water is mainly affected by the intensity of agricultural activities. The spatial and temporal pollution patterns we discovered suggested the use of neonicotinoids has shifted from old types (i.e., imidacloprid and acetamiprid) to new types (i.e., dinotefuran and nitenpyram) in some areas. The estimated annual quantity of neonicotinoids released into the adjacent seas totaled 1256 ± 780 tons, most of which (95%) ran into the East China Sea due to heavy agricultural use in the Yangtze River Basin. Using the species sensitive distribution (SSD) method, the thresholds for aquatic animals were determined (acute: 362 ng/L; chronic: 58 ng/L). Under current agricultural practices, 27% and 84% of the river water samples exceeded the thresholds for acute and chronic ecological risks, suggesting intervention programs are in urgent need to ensure river water safety for aquatic life in China.
Display omitted
•Neonicotinoid concentrations were higher during dry than wet season.•Total neonicotinoid concentrations reflect agricultural use of the watershed.•Usage change from old to new types of neonicotinoids was undergoing.•Neonicotinoid concentrations substantially exceeded the thresholds.•Approximate 1256 tons neonicotinoids were transferred to the adjacent seas.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Display omitted
•Gestational exposure to air pollutants increases the preterm birth risk.•SO2 exposures contribute most to the preterm birth risk.•The first and third trimester exposures are most ...crucial for pregnant mothers.•The thresholds for gestational exposure are much lower than national standards.•Quasi-AQI and PCA-GLM are better to handle the collinearity of different pollutants.
Preterm birth (PTB) can give rise to significant neonatal morbidity and mortality, as well as children’s long-term health defects. Many studies have illustrated the associations between ambient air pollution exposure during gestational periods and PTB risks, but most of them only focused on one single air pollutant, such as PM2.5. In this population-based environmental-epidemiology study, we recruited 6275 pregnant mothers in Zhejiang Province, China, and evaluated their gestational exposures to various air pollutants during 2013–2017. Time-to-event logistic regressions were performed to estimate risk associations after adjusting all confounders, and Quasi-AQI model and PCA-GLM analysis were applied to resolve the collinearity issues in multi-pollutant regression models. It was found that gestational exposure to ambient air pollutants was significantly associated with the occurrence of PTB, and SO2 was the largest contributor with a proportion of 29.4%. Three new variables, prime factor (a combination of PM2.5, PM10, SO2, and NO2), carbon factor (CO), and ozone factor (O3), were generated by PCA integration, contributing 63.4%, 17.1%, and 19.5% to PTB risks, respectively. The first and third trimester was the most crucial exposure window, suggesting the pregnant mothers better to avoid severe air pollution exposures during these sensitive periods.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
•Stream DOM was monitored in a forested watershed with a high resolution during storm events.•The export fluxes of DOC, CDOM, and fluorescent components were all enhanced during peak flows.•The ...contributions of four spectroscopically unique end members varied throughout the study period.•The contribution of leaf litter peaked while that of deeper soils decreased to minima at peak flows.
The source of river dissolved organic matter (DOM) during storm events has not been well constrained, which is critical in determining the quality and reactivity of DOM. This study assessed temporal changes in the contributions of four end members (weeds, leaf litter, soil, and groundwater), which exist in a small forested watershed (the Ehwa Brook, South Korea), to the stream DOM during two storm events, using end member mixing analysis (EMMA) based on spectroscopic properties of DOM. The instantaneous export fluxes of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), chromophoric DOM (CDOM), and fluorescent components were all enhanced during peak flows. The DOC concentration increased with the flow rate, while CDOM and humic-like fluorescent components were diluted around the peak flows. Leaf litter was dominant for the DOM source in event 2 with a higher rainfall, although there were temporal variations in the contributions of the four end members to the stream DOM for both events. The contribution of leaf litter peaked while that of deeper soils decreased to minima at peak flows. Our results demonstrated that EMMA based on DOM properties could be used to trace the DOM source, which is of fundamental importance for understanding the factors responsible for river DOM dynamics during storm events.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Pulmonary fibrosis is an end-stage respiratory disease characterized by fibroblast proliferation and accumulation of extracellular matrix and collagen, which is accompanied by inflammatory damage. ...The disease is mainly based on pulmonary dysfunction and respiratory failure, the incidence of it is increasing year by year, and the current treatment methods for it are limited. In recent years, it has been found that gut microbes play a crucial role in the pathogenesis and development of pulmonary fibrosis. The microecological disturbance caused by changes in the composition of the intestinal flora can affect the course of pulmonary fibrosis. The regulatory network or information exchange system for gut-lung crosstalk is called the “gut-lung axis”. This review focuses on the frontier research on entero-pulmonary regulation in pulmonary fibrosis and on intervention strategies for changing the gut microbiota to improve pulmonary fibrosis, including fecal microbiota transplantation, traditional Chinese medicine interventions, and supplementation with probiotics. In addition, the present problems in this field are also raised in order to provide strong theoretical and strategic support for the future exploration of regulatory mechanisms and therapeutic drug development. This paper reviews the interaction of the intestinal flora with pulmonary fibrosis, introduces the research progress for improving pulmonary fibrosis through interventions targeted at the intestinal flora, and provides new ideas for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.
PDF
