Guiyu, China, is well-known for the crude disposal of electronic waste (EW) and severe persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Therefore, in this study, the occurrence, composition, and source of ...polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), 2,2′,4,4′,5,5’-hexabromobiphenyl (BB153), some novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs), Dechlorane Plus (DP) and polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs) in farmland soils covering Guiyu were studied. In EW disposal area soils, PBDEs were the most abundant FRs, with concentrations of 13–1014 ng g−1. The primary PBDE sources were technical Penta- and Deca-BDE mixtures in northern and southern Guiyu, respectively. The levels of BB153 were relatively low, possibly because it has been banned in the 1970s. The concentrations of hexabromobenzene (HBB) were 0.048–3.3 ng g−1, while pentabromoethylbenzene (PBEB) was almost not detected in the soils. Two alternatives to commercial PBDEs, decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) and 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy) ethane (BTBPE), were the primary NBFRs, with concentrations of 1.8–153 ng g−1 and 0.43–15 ng g−1, respectively. DP was another primary FR, with concentrations of 0.57–146 ng g−1. Moreover, syn-DP and anti-DP isomers were not stereoselectively decomposed during the EW disposal process and were therefore present in their original fractions in the soils. The levels of PBDD/Fs in EW disposal area soils were 2.5–17 pg TEQ g−1. 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpBDF and OBDF were the dominant congeners, mainly derived from processing, pyrolysis and combustion of BFRs. The regional distribution of pollutants was shown to be related to the disposal manner of EW, with their open thermal disposal tending to release more highly brominated compounds such as BDE209, DBDPE, and 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpBDF. Additionally, some riverbank sites were heavily polluted because of nearby point sources, downwind Simapu (SMP) town without EW disposal activity was also contaminated by these pollutants.
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•Levels of PBDEs, some NBFRs, DP and PBDD/Fs in Guiyu soils are relatively high.•Levels of FRs in EW disposal area soils are PBDEs > DBDPE > DP ≈ BTBPE > HBB > BB153 > PBEB.•Technical Penta- and Deca-BDE mixtures are the major PBDE sources in Guiyu soils.•PBDD/Fs are derived from the processing, pyrolysis and combustion of BFRs.•Thermal disposal of EW incline to release more highly brominated compounds.
Guiyu soils are mainly polluted by PBDEs, DBDPE, DP, BTBPE and PBDD/Fs, which are derived from the thermal disposal of BFRs, especially for highly brominated compounds.
•A new cleanup material (EMR-Lipid) was evaluated in the analysis of food contaminants.•EMR-Lipid showed excellent lipid removal efficiency, and partial removal of chlorophyll.•To date, this is the ...first peer-reviewed publication on the use of EMR-Lipid.•Validation results were acceptable for most analytes in kale, avocado, salmon, and pork.•Matrix effects were relatively low using analyte protectants in fast GC–MS/MS.
This study demonstrates the application of a novel lipid removal product to the residue analysis of 65 pesticides and 52 environmental contaminants in kale, pork, salmon, and avocado by fast, low pressure gas chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry (LPGC–MS/MS). Sample preparation involves QuEChERS extraction followed by use of EMR-Lipid (“enhanced matrix removal of lipids”) and an additional salting out step for cleanup. The optimal amount of EMR-Lipid was determined to be 500mg for 2.5mL extracts for most of the analytes. The co-extractive removal efficiency by the EMR-Lipid cleanup step was 83–98% for fatty samples and 79% for kale, including 76% removal of chlorophyll. Matrix effects were typically less than ±20%, in part because analyte protectants were used in the LPGC–MS/MS analysis. The recoveries of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and diverse pesticides were mostly 70–120%, whereas recoveries of nonpolar polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polychlorinated biphenyls were mostly lower than 70% through the cleanup procedure. With the use of internal standards, method validation results showed that 76–85 of the 117 analytes achieved satisfactory results (recoveries of 70–120% and RSD≤20%) in pork, avocado, and kale, while 53 analytes had satisfactory results in salmon. Detection limits were 5–10ng/g for all but a few analytes. EMR-Lipid is a new sample preparation tool that serves as another useful option for cleanup in multiresidue analysis, particularly of fatty foods.
Childhood exposure to air pollution contributes to cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Immune and oxidative stress disturbances might mediate the effects of air pollution on the cardiovascular ...system, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood in adolescents. Therefore, we aimed to identify immune biomarkers linking air pollution exposure and blood pressure levels in adolescents.
We randomly recruited 100 adolescents (mean age, 16 years) from Fresno, California. Using central-site data, spatial-temporal modeling, and distance weighting exposures to the participant's home, we estimated average pollutant levels particulate matter (PM), polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), ozone (O
), carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NO
). We collected blood samples and vital signs on health visits. Using proteomic platforms, we quantitated markers of inflammation, oxidative stress, coagulation, and endothelial function. Immune cellular characterization was performed via mass cytometry (CyTOF). We investigated associations between pollutant levels, cytokines, immune cell types, and blood pressure (BP) using partial least squares (PLS) and linear regression, while adjusting for important confounders.
Using PLS, biomarkers explaining most of the variance in air pollution exposure included markers of oxidative stress (GDF-15 and myeloperoxidase), acute inflammation (C-reactive protein), hemostasis (ADAMTS, D-dimer) and immune cell types such as monocytes. Most of these biomarkers were independently associated with the air pollution levels in fully adjusted regression models. In CyTOF analyses, monocytes were enriched in participants with the highest versus the lowest PM
exposure. In both PLS and linear regression, diastolic BP was independently associated with PM
, NO, NO
, CO and PAH
pollution levels (P ≤ 0.009). Moreover, monocyte levels were independently related to both air pollution and diastolic BP levels (P ≤ 0.010). In in vitro cell assays, plasma of participants with high PM
exposure induced endothelial dysfunction as evaluated by eNOS and ICAM-1 expression and tube formation.
For the first time in adolescents, we found that ambient air pollution levels were associated with oxidative stress, acute inflammation, altered hemostasis, endothelial dysfunction, monocyte enrichment and diastolic blood pressure. Our findings provide new insights on pollution-related immunological and cardiovascular disturbances and advocate preventative measures of air pollution exposure.
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•Occurrence of several BP analogues in sludge was confirmed.•High levels of bisphenol A were found in industrial WWTP sludge.•Emission fluxes of bisphenols via WWTPs in Korea were ...estimated.•This is the first nationwide survey to determine BP analogues in sewage sludge of Korea.
Due to the regulation on bisphenol A (BPA) in several industrialized countries, the demand for other bisphenol analogues (BPs) as substitutes for BPA is growing. Eight BPs were determined in sludge from 40 representative wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Korea. Total concentrations of BPs (ΣBP) in sludge ranged from <LOQ to 25700ngg−1. The highest concentrations of ΣBP were found in sludge collected from WWTPs that received discharges from the paper and textile industries. The profiles of BPs were dependent on the proportions of industrial wastewater treated at each of the WWTPs. The sludge from industrial WWTPs contained elevated proportions of BPA, whereas sludge from domestic WWTPs was dominated by bisphenol F (BPF), suggesting use of BPF in certain industrial products in Korea. No significant correlations were found between BPs and the WWTP characteristics. The average per-capita emissions of BPs ranged from 0.04 (BPP) to 886gcapita−1d (BPA) through WWTP discharges. The emission fluxes of ΣBP through industrial WWTPs were 2–3 orders of magnitudes higher than those calculated for domestic WWTPs, indicating that industrial discharges are the major source of BPs into the Korean environment. This is the first nationwide survey of BPs in sludge from Korean WWTPs.
This study focuses on the ecological health assessment of Chilika, a shallow lagoon present in east coast of India, through nutrient stoichiometry and trophic state index (TSI). Multivariate ...statistical analysis such as ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and Discriminant Analysis (DA) were employed for data interpretation. Nutrient stoichiometry revealed that the Chilika Lagoon experiences phosphorus limitation with regard to nitrogen and silicate (N:P:Si = 16:1:16) throughout the study period. As per the computed TSI values, the southern sector (SS), central sector (CS), and outer channel (OC) were assigned with a mesotrophic status, whereas the northern sector (NS) was assigned with the eutrophic status. From PCA, total nitrogen was found to be negatively correlated with salinity and positively correlated with silicate, thus indicating that the major source of nitrogen in the lagoon was freshwater ingress by rivers with high silicate content. DA indicated that it was successful in discriminating the groups as predicted.
•Trophic state index (TSI) and nutrient stoichiometry ratio are used to access ecological health of Lake System.•Contour maps shows the spatial distributions of water quality parameters in Chilika lake and drawn by Surfer software.•High canonical correlation indicates a significant relation between group of variables and functions of discriminate.•With respect to trophic state index, northern sector of Chilika lagoon categorized as eutrophication zone.•The findings may be the baseline reference for the lake scientist to find out the source of nutrient load to the sectors.
The aim of this study was to determine the levels of trace metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) in plastic pellets collected from two sandy beaches on the island of Vis, Croatia. A total of 92 ...pellets in a sediment volume of 3965 mL were collected at the investigated sampling sites. Concentrations of pellets in sediment samples ranged from 6 to 36 particles dm−3 of wet sediment. Mean particle weight of the collected beached pellets ranged from 17 mg to 31 mg. Trace metal concentrations in plastic pellets were greater than the concentrations reported for seawater in the investigated area, which indicates that plastic pellets sorb metals from the marine environment. The adsorbed trace metals may enter the food chain due to incidental ingestion of microplastic particles by marine animals, which presents a potential human health risk due to consumption of seafood.
•Standing stocks of plastic pellets were assessed in surface sediments of two beaches on Vis island.•Trace metal levels (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) were determined in beached plastic pellets.•Investigated trace metals were detected in all of the studied samples.•Trace metal levels in plastic pellets were greater than those in the surrounding seawater.
Heavy metals (HMs) and metalloids migrate into their surroundings, thus increasing environmental risks and threatening human health. Current studies on coal-mine brownfields, however, have not ...thoroughly investigated soil-associated HMs and metalloids produced by coal mining. Therefore, this study explored the spatial and particle fraction distribution and human health implications of HMs and metalloids. The soil-associated HMs and metalloids are Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Mercury (Hg), Manganese (Mn), Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb), Scandium (Sc), Titanium (Ti) and Zinc (Zn). Results showed that Cd, Cu, Pb, and Ni were enriched in bulk soils. Cadmium, Cu and Pb from anthropogenic source were mainly found at entrance roadsides and in sites closest to coal mines. HMs and metalloids primarily accumulated in fine fractions (<1, 1–5, and 5–10 μm). Moreover, HM and metalloid loadings substantially accumulated in the 75–250 μm and 250–1000 μm fractions. Most fine soil fractions showed moderate to strong potential ecological risks, whereas all the coarse particle fractions (50–75, 75–250, and 250–1000 μm) presented slight potential ecological risk. Exposure to soil-associated HMs and metalloids mainly occurred via ingestion. The total non-carcinogenic risks to children and adults fell below the safe level of 1, whereas the total carcinogenic risks to these individuals were higher than that of the maximum acceptable level set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA, 1 × 10 −4). The total carcinogenic risk was mainly contributed by Cd and Ni through ingestion and dermal access. Therefore, hygiene and food security in areas should be emphasized.
Fig. 7. The relationship among heavy metal content, particle size and TOC of soils from Qingshui River basin. Display omitted
•Distribution and sources of heavy metals in coal mine brownfield were determined.•Distribution characteristics of heavy metals in different soil particles were evaluated.•Sources of heavy metals in various particle sizes were evaluated.•Human health risk of coal mine brownfield was assessed.
The occurrence of fifty-five pharmaceuticals, hormones and metabolites in raw waters used for drinking water production and their removal through a drinking water treatment were studied. Thirty-five ...out of fifty-five drugs were detected in the raw water at the facility intake with concentrations up to 1200 ng/L. The behavior of the compounds was studied at each step: prechlorination, coagulation, sand filtration, ozonation, granular activated carbon filtration and post-chlorination; showing that the complete treatment accounted for the complete removal of all the compounds detected in raw waters except for five of them. Phenytoin, atenolol and hydrochlorothiazide were the three pharmaceuticals most frequently found in finished waters at concentrations about 10 ng/L. Sotalol and carbamazepine epoxide were found in less than a half of the samples at lower concentrations, above 2 ng/L. However despite their persistence, the removals of these five pharmaceuticals were higher than 95%.
► Thirty-five out of fifty-five drugs detected in raw waters. ► Drinking treatment effectively removes 30 out of 35 target pharmaceuticals. ► Phenytoin, atenolol, sotalol, hydrochlorothiazide and carbamazepine epoxide detected in finished waters.
The craniofacial skeleton is derived from both neural crest cells and mesodermal cells; however, the majority of the bone, cartilage, and connective tissue is derived from the neural crest. Dentin ...sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) is a precursor protein that is expressed by the connective tissues of the craniofacial skeleton, namely, bone and dentin with high expression levels in the dentin matrix. Gene ablation studies have shown severe dental defects in DSPP-null mutant mice. Therefore, to elucidate the role of DSPP on the developing dental-craniofacial complex, we evaluated phenotypic changes in the structure of intramembranous bone and dentin mineralization using 3 different age groups of DSPP-null and wild-type mice. Results from micro–computed tomographic, radiographic, and optical microscopic analyses showed defective dentin, alveolar and calvarial bones, and sutures during development. The impaired mineralization of the cranial bone correlated well with low expression levels of Runx2, Col1, and OPN identified using calvarial cells from DSPP-null and wild-type mice in an in vitro culture system. However, the upregulation of MMP9, MMP2, FN, and BSP was observed. Interestingly, the null mice also displayed low serum phosphate levels, while calcium levels remained unchanged. Alizarin red and von Kossa staining confirmed the dysfunction in the terminal differentiation of osteoblasts obtained from the developing calvaria of DSPP-null mice. Immunohistochemical analysis of the developing molars showed changes in Runx2, Gli1, Numb, and Notch expression in the dental pulp cells and odontoblasts of DSPP-null mice when compared with wild-type mice. Overall, these observations provide insight into the role of DSPP in the normal development of the calvaria, alveolar bone, and dentin-pulp complex.
Deteriorating air quality with high levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) over National Capital Region (NCR) of India is one of the serious environmental and scientific issues. In this paper, ...PM2.5 samples were collected for 24 h twice or thrice a week during December 2016–December 2017 at three sites Delhi (IG), Modinagar (MN) and Mahendragarh (HR) over NCR to analyse the carbonaceous aerosols. Source apportionment of PM2.5 was attempted using Principal Component analysis (PCA) and Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) based on the analysed carbonaceous fractions Organic carbon, Elemental carbon, Secondary organic carbon (SOC). Organic compounds: alkanes, hopanes, steranes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phthalates, levoglucosan and n-alkanoic acids were analysed to distinguish the emission sources. Total Carbonaceous Aerosols (TCA) contributed significantly (∼26%) to PM2.5 which revealed their importance in source apportionment. Estimated SOC contributed 43.2%, 42.2% and 58.2% to OC and 5.4%, 5.3% and 7.8% to PM2.5 at IG, MN and HR sites respectively. PCA and PMF apportion five emission sources i.e., vehicular emissions (34.6%), biomass burning (26.8%), cooking emissions (15.7%), plastic and waste burning (13.5%) and secondary organic carbon (9.5%) for PM2.5. Source attributed health risk has also been calculated in terms of Lung cancer risk (LCR) associated with PAHs exposure and concluded that vehicular emissions (40.3%), biomass burning (38.1%), secondary organic carbon (12.8%) contributed higher to LCR (503.2 × 10−5; ∼503 cases in 1,00,000). Health risk assessment combined with source apportionment inferences signifies the immediate implementation of emissions reduction strategies with special target on transport sector and biomass burning over the NCR of India.
•Carbonaceous aerosols contributed 26% to PM2.5 over NCR of India.•Secondary organic carbon contributed 40–58% to Organic Carbon.•Source apportionment was performed to identify emission sources of PM2.5 over NCR.•Source attributed health risk associated with PAHs was calculated.
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