Occurrence, behavior, and fate of 11 OPEs in multiple environmental matrices, which include air, rainwater, dustfall, paddy soil, irrigation water, and rice plants from nine subtropical paddy fields of South China, were investigated. The total concentrations of 11 OPEs (∑₁₁OPEs) in all matrices are generally higher in the urban areas than in rural areas, and they are higher in summer than in fall. However, both urban and rural areas showed a similar composition profile of OPEs, indicating that the OPEs come from similar sources in the two areas. Except for irrigation water, significant positive correlations of ∑₁₁OPEs were observed between air and the other five matrices. The exchange and partition of OPEs among air, soil, and water demonstrate that most of OPEs were transferred from air into water and soil, and from water into soil. Thus, the air may be an important source of OPEs in the paddy fields, and the soil may act as a principal environmental reservoir of OPEs. The contribution of air-soil exchange, atmospheric deposition (rainwater plus dustfall), and irrigation water to the total input fluxes of OPEs (2100 ± 980 ng/m²/day) reached an average of 19%, 38% (37% + 1%), and 43%, respectively. The water (rainwater plus irrigation water) is the primary medium transferring the OPEs into the paddy fields and contributed to the input flux by 80%. Output flux of OPEs via mature rice plants was about 220 μg/m², 2% of which were presented in rice, and the remaining 98% may be re-released into the environment through the pathway of straw turnover or burning. Dietary exposure via rice was much higher than inhalation exposure, dust ingestion, and dermal absorption via dust. However, no data shows that all of the intakes via the four exposure pathways could cause the risks to human health at present.

Evidence for effects of PM₂.₅ on systemic oxidative stress in pregnant women is limited, especially in early pregnancy. To estimate the associations between ambient PM₂.₅ exposures and biomarkers of lipid peroxidation and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in women with normal early pregnancy (NEP) and women with clinically recognized early pregnancy loss (CREPL), 206 early pregnant women who had measurements of serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and T-AOC were recruited from a larger case-control study in Tianjin, China from December 2017 to July 2018. Ambient PM₂.₅ concentrations of eight single-day lags exposure time windows before blood collection at the women’s residential addresses were estimated using temporally-adjusted land use regression models. Effects of PM₂.₅ exposures on percentage change in the biomarkers were estimated using multivariable linear regression models adjusted for month, temperature, relative humidity, gestational age and other covariates. Unconstrained distributed lag models were used to estimate net cumulative effects. Increased serum MDA and T-AOC were significantly associated with increases in PM₂.₅ at several lag exposure time windows in both groups. The net effects of each interquartile range increase in PM₂.₅ over the preceding 8 days on MDA were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in CREPL [52% (95% CI: 41%, 62%)] than NEP [22% (95% CI: 9%, 36%)] women. Net effects of each interquartile range increase in PM₂.₅ over the preceding 5 days on T-AOC were significantly lower (p = 0.010) in CREPL [14% (95% CI: 9%, 19%)] than NEP [24% (95% CI: 18%, 29%)] women. Exposure to ambient PM₂.₅ may induce systemic lipid peroxidation and antioxidant response in early pregnant women. More severe lipid peroxidation and insufficient antioxidant capacity associated with PM₂.₅ was found in CREPL women than NEP women. Future studies should focus on mechanisms of individual susceptibility and interventions to reduce PM₂.₅-related oxidative stress in the first trimester.

High concentrations of microcystins (MCs) in sediment pose a serious hazard to aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Hence, we investigated the seasonal variation of dominant MCs (MC-LR, MC-RR and MC-YR) in sediments of Lake Taihu over four seasons for the first time. Sediment MCs varied seasonally (p < 0.01) with concentrations highest in August and lowest in February. The MCs were dominated by MC-LR (61.47%) with the content ranging from 0.02 to 2.37 μg/g dry weight in sediment. The three MC congeners and their proportions were significantly correlated with latitude and longitude. Meiliang Bay in the north had the highest MCs of all sites, while the eastern part of the lake had a high level especially in August. Variation of MC-LR and MC-RR concentrations was significantly correlated (p < 0.05) with water temperature, dissolved total organic carbon, cyanobacteria density, total suspended solid particles, and total organic carbon and total nitrogen in sediment, while MC-YR was negatively correlated (p < 0.01) with nutrients in the water column and heavy metals in sediments. An ecological risk assessment suggested the MCs already pose significant adverse effects on Potamopyrgus antipodarum; although the adverse effects on humans were weak, children were at greater risk than adults.

The central mountainous area of Japan is affected by air pollutant emissions from nearby countries such as China and Korea. Sharp increases in the consumption of fossil fuels in the early 21st century, associated with rapid industrialization in China, resulted in long-range transport of pollutants from East Asia and increases in the harmful effects of pollution. However, the air pollutants emissions have decreased since 2006, when air pollution countermeasures were implemented in China. Furthermore, climatic patterns during 2008–2013 reduced tropospheric ozone concentrations around Japan. Such major changes in the social and climatic environment may have had a significant impact on forests. To investigate this, long-term forest monitoring data obtained at Buna-daira (1190 m a.s.l.), Buna-zaka (1090 m a.s.l.) and Arimine (1350 m a.s.l.) were analyzed. Buna-daira and Buna-zaka forests face the continental side of Mt. Tateyama in Toyama Prefecture. In both stands, the girth growth rate of Fagus crenata was found to have increased after 2008; however, such a tendency was not detected at Arimine, which is surrounded by mountains. The growth rates of Cryptomeria japonica, a conifer resistant to air pollution, were found to remain unchanged or decrease. Here, regional long-range transport of air pollution (including ozone and sulfur oxide) has been demonstrated to influence mountain forests in Japan. In particular, recent decreases in regional air pollution may be an important factor controlling increases in F. crenata, likely through changes in interspecific relationships between species sensitive to and tolerant of air pollution.

Molting is a crucial physiological process in arthropods development, growth, and adult reproduction, where the chitinolytic enzyme chitobiase (CB) and the apoptosis process (caspase-3 activity) play crucial roles. Both molecular endpoints have been observed to be affected by different toxics that may be present in aquatic environments. However, the role of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in the molting process remains with poor evidence and the possible effect of the previous exposure on F1 generation is unknown. Here, we conducted laboratory experiments with chronic UVR exposure to test the effect on the molting process of Daphnia commutata. Our results showed a clear negative effect of the UVR that affected the molting process with a reduction in individual growth. This trend was also observed in CB and caspase-3 activities. Our results also suggest that the UV dose received by the mother and eggs has an additive effect with the dose received by the offspring. These results imply that the cumulative impact of small UVR doses (2 h per day, daily dose: 2520 J m⁻² of 340 nm) on mothers and eggs (which cannot be discriminated in our experiments) can have an additive or synergistic effect along with the generations through a potential increase in lethal effect. Finally, the observed desynchronization in the molting process by UVR will affect the fitness of individuals and population dynamics.

Fungicides have been extensively used around the world in agriculture due to their effectiveness of sterilization. Recent evidences have shown that fungicides would exert a negative effect on gut microbiota and result in gut microbiota dysbiosis and metabolism disorder on non-target organisms and even humans. However, research on residues and potential health risks of fungicides in daily consumed vegetables has received less attention compared to insecticides. In this study, we studied three widely applied fungicides, procymidone, dimethomorph, and azoxystrobin, in China. We collected 551 samples of 10 different vegetables in 11 cities from Zhejiang province during 2015–2017. Three fungicides were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The average apparent recoveries of three fungicides ranged from 84.2% to 110% with the relative standard deviations lower than 10%. The LOD values of procymidone, dimethomorph, and azoxystrobin was 2, 0.09, and 1 μg/kg, respectively. The levels of procymidone, dimethomorph, and azoxystrobin in those vegetables ranged from ND-875, ND-238, and ND-76 μg/kg, respectively. The highest mean concentrations of procymidone, dimethomorph, and azoxystrobin were found in eggplant (68 μg/kg), spinach (16.4 μg/kg), and kidney bean (4 μg/kg), respectively. Tomato (62.6% of samples), eggplant (44.3% of samples), and cucumber (41.6% of samples) were most frequently detected with fungicides. Solanaceous fruit vegetables have the highest detection rate than other vegetables, and fungicides were most frequently detected in winter. The mean concentrations of three fungicides in different vegetables were all below the maximum residue limits for the national food safety standards of China, and the health risks resulting from consuming those vegetables in adults and children were all within the safe ranges. The data provided here clarify the distributions of fungicides in commonly consumed vegetables and their potential health risks.

Exposure to long-term ambient air pollution is believed to have adverse effects on human health. However, the mechanisms underlying these impacts are poorly understood. DNA methylation, a crucial epigenetic modification, is susceptible to environmental factors and likely involved in these processes. We conducted a whole-genome bisulfite sequencing study on 120 participants from a highly polluted region (HPR) and a less polluted region (LPR) in China, where the HPR had much higher concentrations of five air pollutants (PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, SO₂, NO₂, and CO) (fold difference 1.6 to 6.6 times; P value 1.80E-07 to 3.19E-23). Genome-wide methylation analysis revealed 371 DMRs in subjects from the two areas and these DMRs were located primarily in gene regulatory elements such as promoters and enhancers. Gene enrichment analysis showed that DMR-related genes were significantly enriched in diseases related to pulmonary disorders and cancers and in biological processes related to mitochondrial assembly and cytokine production. Further, HPR participants showed a higher mtDNA copy number. Of those identified DMRs, 15 were significantly correlated with mtDNA copy number. Finally, cytokine assay indicated that an increased plasma interleukin-5 level was associated with greater air pollution. Taken together, our findings suggest that exposure to long-term ambient air pollution can lead to alterations in DNA methylation whose functions relate to mitochondria and immune responses.

Lockdown measures to contain COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a considerable change in air pollution worldwide. We estimate the temporal and diurnal changes of the six criteria air pollutants, including particulate matter (PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀) and gaseous pollutants (NO₂, O₃, CO, and SO₂) during lockdown (25ᵗʰ March – 3ʳᵈ May 2020) across regions of India using the observations from 134 real-time monitoring sites of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Significant reduction in PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, NO₂, and CO has been found in all the regions during the lockdown. SO₂ showed mixed behavior, with a slight increase at some sites but a comparatively significant decrease at other locations. O₃ also showed a mixed variation with a mild increase in IGP and a decrease in the South. The absolute decrease in PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, and NO₂ was observed during peak morning traffic hours (08–10 Hrs) and late evening (20–24 Hrs), but the percentage reduction is almost constant throughout the day. A significant decrease in day-time O₃ has been found over Indo Gangetic plain (IGP) and central India, whereas night-time O₃ has increased over IGP due to less O₃ loss. The most significant reduction (∼40–60%) was found in PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀. The highest decrease in PM was found for the north-west and IGP followed by South and central regions. A considerable reduction (∼30–70%) in NO₂ was found except for a few sites in the central region. A similar pattern was observed for CO having a ∼20–40% reduction. The reduction observed for PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, NO₂, and enhancement in O₃ was proportional to the population density. Delhi’s air quality has improved with a significant reduction in primary pollutants, however, an increase in O₃ was observed. The changes reported during the lockdown are combined effect of changes in the emissions, meteorology, and atmospheric chemistry that requires detailed investigations.

Soils in urban and industrial areas, especially in larger metropolitan areas such as the Ruhr area, Germany, are commonly characterized by severe anthropogenic overprinting due to urbanization processes including land development measures. Such urban soils often contain various anthropogenic substrate admixtures, like ash, coal, tailings, building rubble, industrial waste materials, as well as urban dust, soot, fly ash, and others. These admixtures often carry higher contents of pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Whereas elevated PAH concentrations are commonly attributed to non-point pyrogenic carbon sources like soot and particulate matter, petrogenic PAH sources are still largely neglected in this context.In this study, an extended sample set of 62 samples of PAH source materials and urban soils containing anthropogenic substrate components was investigated by combining extended PAH analysis of 59 PAH, alkylated PAH distributions and benzene polycarboxylic acid (BPCA) analysis with regard to petrogenic and pyrogenic PAH source identification. For more reliability of source apportionment by a more integrative signal, the alkylated PAH distributions of different PAH groups were combined according to their degrees of alkylation. Based on this combination, a new PAH alkylation index (ΣC0/(ΣC0+ΣC2)) was derived, which considers, in contrast to commonly used single PAH ratios, a series of non-alkylated and alkylated PAH.By comparison of this PAH alkylation index with the degree of aromatic condensation a new robust and economic method for identifying petrogenic, pyrogenic and mixed PAH sources within soil samples and sediments was developed. It is shown that coal and coal ash particles are a not negligible PAH source in urban soils of mining-dominated regions and can make up a large proportion of the anthropogenic substrate components encountered.Further analyses of samples with defined levels of petrogenic and pyrogenic PAH are necessary to finally evaluate the usefulness of this proposed new PAH-BPCA approach.

Parameters such as the settling rate, aggregation rate, and collision frequency in predictive models used to describe the fate of nanoparticles (NPs) are very important for the risk assessment of NPs in the environment. In this study, CeO₂ NPs were chosen as the model particles to investigate such parameters through aggregation-settling experiments under environmentally relevant conditions. The results indicate that natural colloids (Ncs) have no effect on the settling of NPs in seawaters, whereas they stabilize the NPs at a low initial particle concentration and promote the heteroaggregation of NPs at a high initial particle concentration in lake waters. In all cases, a suspended sediment absorbs the NPs and Ncs as mixed aggregates, resulting in a rapid settling. Furthermore, the calculation results of the model indicate that the shear force increases the collision frequency of the NPs by 4–5 orders of magnitude higher than that in quiescent waters. However, the break-up effect by the shear force is more obvious, namely, the shear force hinders the aggregation of NPs in natural waters, instead of promoting aggregation. Remarkably, a negative value of the dis-heteroaggregation rate based on the combined von Smoluchowski–Stokes equation can reflect the hindering effect on the aggregation process. The results of this study will provide scientific and accurate guidance for the parameter selection in the existing prediction model and contribute to a prediction of the fate and transport of NPs in the environment.