The lag effect in the polar organic chemical integrative sampler (POCIS) equipped with a polyethersulfone (PES) membrane (POCIS-PES) is a potential limitation for its application in water environments. In this study, a POCIS with a poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) membrane (POCIS-PTFE) was investigated for circumventing membrane sorption in order to provide more reliable concentration measurements of organic contaminants. Sampler characteristics such as sampling rates (RS) and sampler-water partition coefficients (KSW) were similar for POCIS-PES and POCIS-PTFE, indicating that partitioning into Oasis HLB as the receiving phase dominates the overall partitioning from the aqueous phase to the POCIS. Membrane sorption was quantified in both laboratory and field experiments. Although POCIS-PTFE showed minor membrane sorption, the PTFE membranes were not robust enough to prevent changes in the sorption of the pollutants to the inner Oasis HLB sorbent due to biofouling. This was reflected in significant ionization effects in the electrospray ionization (ESI) source during the LC-MS/MS analysis. Despite clear differences in the ionization effects, the two POCISs types provided similar time-weighted average (CTWA) concentrations after a two-week passive sampling campaign in surface water and the outflow of a wastewater treatment plant. This study contributes to a more detailed understanding of POCIS application by providing a quantitative evaluation of membrane sorption and its associated effects in the laboratory and field.

Telomeres are located at the end of eukaryotic chromosomes and vulnerable to exogenous chemical compounds. Exposure to coke oven emissions (COEs) leads to a dose-related telomere damage, and such chromosomal damage might trigger the cGAS/STING signaling pathway which plays an important role in immune surveillance. However, the relationship between the genetic variations in the cGAS/STING signaling pathway and telomere damage in the COEs-exposure workers has not been investigated. Therefore, we recruited 544 coke oven workers and 238 healthy control participants, and determined the level of COEs exposure, concentration of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHPYR), genetic polymorphisms and telomere length. The results showed that the telomere length significantly decreased from the control-to high-exposure groups as defined by the external exposure level (P < 0.05). The results also indicated that STING rs7447927 CC, cGAS rs34413328 AA, and cGAS rs610913 AA could inhibit telomere shortening in the exposure group (P < 0.05), and cGAS rs34413328, urine 1-OHPYR and cumulative exposure dose (CED) had a significant association with telomere length by generalized linear model. In conclusion, telomere shortening was a combined consequence of short-term exposure, long-term exposure, and genetic variations among the COEs-exposure workers.

Exposure to particulate matters (PM) is recognized as an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. A change in cardiac autonomic function is one postulated mechanism leading to PM related cardiovascular events. This study therefore evaluated the associations of short-term exposure to PM and heart rate variability (HRV) parameters, which can reflect the cardiac autonomic function.Four electronic databases were searched for controlled studies of rodents published prior to December 2018. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted. Effect sizes were calculated for five main HRV parameters, including standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN), square root of mean squared differences between successive normal-to-normal intervals (rMSSD), low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF), and the ratio of LF and HF (LF/HF).The review included 23 studies with 401 animals. Short-term exposure to PM by instillation yielded statistically significant effects on SDNN (Standardized Mean Difference [SMD] = −1.11, 95% Confidence Intervals [CI] = −2.22 to −0.01, P = 0.05), LF (SMD = −1.19, 95% CI = −1.99 to −0.40, P = 0.003) and LF/HF (SMD = −1.05, 95% CI = −2.03 to −0.07, P = 0.04). Short-term exposure to PM by inhalation only yielded statistically significant effect on LF/HF (SMD = −0.83, 95% CI = −1.39 to −0.27, P = 0.004). There was no evidence that animal model and exposure frequency influenced the relationship of PM and HRV.Short-term exposure to PM can decrease HRV of rodents, affecting cardiac autonomic function. Exposure methods can influence the relationships of PM and HRV parameters. Further studies should focus on the effects of long-term PM exposure, on human beings, and potential influential factors of PM-HRV associations.

The trace elements contamination of agricultural soils near petrochemical industry complexes is a concern due to the risk of accumulating in food systems and subsequently affecting human health. We measured representative trace elements (Cu, Ni, Cr, Pb, Zn, Pb, Hg and As) through the soil-plant (maize)-human contamination pathway near a petrochemical industry complexes in an agricultural region from September 20 to 28, 2016. We found that the soil was mildly to moderately polluted by multiple trace elements, which was also confirmed by the contamination factor and enrichment factor values. Cd (enrichment factor = 2.28), Cu (2.75), Zn (1.85) and Pb (1.70) should be given more attention and prioritized over the other trace elements due to their higher potential risks. Furthermore, the trace elements contamination in maize grains was lower than the corresponding limits. The sequence of the transfer coefficient values was Zn > Cd > Cu > Hg > Ni > As > Cr > Pb. Maize grain safety was threatened mainly by Zn, Cd and Cu. There was no risk to humans through soil ingestion, while a potential health risk from maize grain consumption existed. Children were more sensitive than adults to the non-carcinogenic risks of maize grain consumption. Trace element As was found to be the priority metal for risk control. For carcinogenic risk, adults were more sensitive than children; As, Cr and Cd were the priority metals for risk control, with CRₘₐᵢzₑ values exceeding the risk threshold (1 × 10⁻⁴). Overall, strict, intensive monitoring, especially of Cr and Cd, and soil protection measures are needed to prevent any furthertrace elements contamination and to ensure food safety. This study also provides a reference for similar studies worldwide.

A combined approach integrating bioenergetics and major biological activities is essential to properly understand the impact of microplastics (MP) on marine organisms. Following experimental exposure of polystyrene microbeads (micro-PS of 6 and 10 μm) at 0.25, 2.5, and 25 μg L⁻¹, which demonstrated a dose-dependent decrease of energy balance in the pearl oyster Pinctada margaritifera, a transcriptomic study was conducted on mantle tissue. Transcriptomic data helped us to decipher the molecular mechanisms involved in P. margaritifera responses to micro-PS and search more broadly for effects on energetically expensive maintenance functions. Genes related to the detoxification process were impacted by long-term micro-PS exposure through a decrease in antioxidant response functioning, most likely leading to oxidative stress and damage, especially at higher micro-PS doses. The immune response was also found to be dose-specific, with a stress-related activity stimulated by the lowest dose present after a 2-month exposure period. This stress response was not observed following exposure to higher doses, reflecting an energy-limited capacity of pearl oysters to cope with prolonged stress and a dramatic shift to adjust to pessimum conditions, mostly limited and hampered by a lowered energetic budget. This preliminary experiment lays the foundation for exploring pathways and gene expression in P. margaritifera, and marine mollusks in general, under MP exposure. We also propose a conceptual framework to properly assess realistic MP effects on organisms and population resilience in future investigations.

In China, more than 10,000 tons of bean-worm, which is rich in protein (68.5%) and essential amino acids (52.8%), is consumed annually. Thus, a large amount of bean-worm skin waste is generated, and is often indiscriminately disposed of, potentially causing environment problems. In this study, bean-worm skin (BWS) waste was pyrolyzed at 500 °C to produce biochar (BWS-BC), and the surface properties of BWS and BWS-BC were characterized using various spectroscopic techniques. Pb(II) adsorption properties of BWS and the corresponding biochar as a function of solution pH, contact time, and equilibrium concentration of Pb(II) were examined using adsorption isotherm, kinetics and thermodynamics studies. The maximum Pb(II) adsorption capacities based on the Langmuir isotherm model were calculated as 45 and 62 mg g⁻¹ for BWS and BWS-BC, respectively, which were comparable to the values obtained for biochars derived from other agro-wastes. The adsorption feasibility, favorability and spontaneity of Pb(II), as derived from the thermodynamic parameters, indicated that chemisorption and precipitation (e.g., hydroxypyromorphite) were the main adsorption mechanism in case of BWS and BWS-BC, respectively. Thus, conversion of BWS to biochar for Pb(II) adsorption can be considered as a feasible, promising and high value-added approach for BWS recycling.

Global concern exists regarding human exposure to organic pollutants derived from public open spaces and indoor dust. This study has evaluated the occurrence of 18 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 11 organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) and bisphenol A (BPA). To achieve this, a new simple, efficient and fast multi-residue analytical method based on a fully automated pressurised liquid extraction (PLE) and subsequent quantification by gas chromatography coupled to electron ionization-mass spectrometry (GC-EI-MS) in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode was developed. The developed method was applied to indoor dust (12 sampling households) and soil derived from two public open spaces (POSs). Among all compounds studied, PAHs were the most ubiquitous contaminants detected in POS soils and indoor dust although some OPFRs and BPA were detected in lower concentrations. An assessment of the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) was done and indicated a high potential cancer risk from the POS sites and some of the indoor dust sampled sites. However, key variables, such as the actual exposure duration, frequency of contact and indoor cleaning protocols will significantly reduce the potential risk. Finally, the ingestion of soils and indoor dust contaminated with OPFRs and BPA was investigated and noted in almost all cases to be below the USEPA reference doses.

The co-contamination of arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) in soils is a common problem. Selenium (Se) can reduce the uptake of As and Cd in plants, and in practice, the alternate wetting and drying is a common culture mode in rice production. However, it is unknown whether Se can efficiently reduce As and Cd concentrations in crops suffering from a high-level contamination of As and Cd under different soil water conditions. In this study, we assessed the efficiency and risks of selenite [Se(IV)], in a pot experiment, to reduce the uptake of As and Cd in a rice plant (YangDao No 6) growing in a heavily contaminated soil by As and Cd (pH 7.28) under different soil water conditions. The results showed that Se(IV) failed to control the grain total As and Cd concentrations within their individual limited standard (0.2 mg kg⁻¹) despite that Se(IV) significantly reduced the grain total As and Cd concentrations. The soil drying treatment alone could reduce the accumulation of arsenite [As(III)] in the grains, but additional Se(IV) stimulated the accumulation of As(III) in the grains under soil drying conditions. In addition, the addition of Se(IV) enhanced the As and Cd concentrations in the shoots and/or roots of rice plants under certain conditions. The above results all suggested that the utilization of Se(IV) in a high contaminated soil by As and Cd cannot well control the total concentrations of As and Cd in plants. In this study, the available concentrations of As and Cd in the rhizosphere soil, the rhizosphere soil pH, the formation of root iron/manganese plaques and the concentrations of essential elements in the grains were monitored, and the related mechanisms on the changes of these parameters were also discussed. This study will give a guideline for the safe production of rice plants in a heavily co-contaminated soil by As and Cd.

The occurrence and composition profiles of 13 triester organophosphate flame retardants and their three diester metabolites in river water, wastewater, and tap water in China were studied. Most target organophosphate esters (OPEs) were found in water samples, with average concentrations of 787 ng/L for triethyl phosphate (TEP) and 0.1 ng/L for tripropyl phosphate (TPP) in wastewater, 1.48 × 10³ ng/L for TEP and 0.12 ng/L for tripentyl phosphate (TPeP) in river water, and 15.5 ng/L for tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) and 0.08 ng/L for tritolyl phosphate (TMPP) in tap water. TEP was the most abundant compound among the detected OPEs in all water types. The exposure of zebrafish embryos showed negligible effects of TEP, triphenyl phosphate (TPHP), and diphenyl phosphate (DPHP), while mixed solutions that mimic river water and wastewater composition disturbed the development of embryos and led to the altered transcription of genes relating to the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis. In addition, the binding affinity between OPEs and a thyroid hormone receptor (TRβ) protein was further investigated by molecular docking modeling, which helped to estimate the effects of OPEs on TRβ. This research provides experimental and theoretical evidence for the ecotoxicological effects of OPEs in aquatic environments.

Microplastics are widespread across the global oceans, yet the potential risks of the ubiquitous environmental contaminant to marine organisms has been less known. Accumulation of microplastics and associated contaminants in marine fish, may pose adverse impacts to human health via seafood consumption. This study evaluated microplastic contamination in 24 fish species collected from Beibu Gulf, one of the world’s largest fishing grounds in South China Sea. Microplastics were detected in 12 fish species at an abundance of 0.027–1.000 items individual⁻¹ and found in fish stomach, intestines and gills with the count percentage of 57.7%, 34.6% and 7.7%, respectively. Transparent fibers were observed as the predominant microplastics, which might be ingested accidently by fish or transferred through other animals at lower trophic levels. Majority of microplastics were identified as polyester (44%) and nylon (38%), whereas polypropylene (6%), polyethylene (6%), and acrylics (6%) were also found. Relatively, higher microplastic abundances were found in demersal fish compared to the pelagic species. Overall, the abundance of microplastics was documented as relatively low in the commercial fish collected from the open water of Beibu Gulf, South China Sea.