The new-generation geostationary satellites feature higher radiometric, spectral, and spatial resolutions, thereby making richer data available for the improvement of PM₂.₅ predictions. Various aerosol optical depth (AOD) data assimilation methods have been developed, but the accurate representation of the AOD-PM₂.₅ relationship remains challenging. Empirical statistical methods are effective in retrieving ground-level PM₂.₅, but few have been evaluated in terms of whether and to what extent they can help improve PM₂.₅ predictions. Therefore, an empirical and statistics-based scheme was developed for optimizing the estimation of the initial conditions (ICs) of aerosol in WRF-Chem (Weather Research and Forecasting/Chemistry) and for improving the PM₂.₅ predictions by integrating Himawari-8 data and ground observations. The proposed method was evaluated via two one-year experiments that were conducted in parallel over eastern China. The contribution of the satellite data to the model performance was evaluated via a 2-week control experiment. The results demonstrate that the proposed method improved the PM₂.₅ predictions throughout the year and mitigated the underestimation during pollution episodes. Spatially, the performance was highly correlated with the amount of valid data.

Constructed wetland effectiveness is often assessed by measuring reductions of contaminant concentrations in influent versus departing effluent, but this can be complicated by fluctuations in contaminant content/chemistry and hydrology. We assessed effectiveness of a constructed wetland at protecting downstream biota from accumulating elevated metal concentrations—particularly copper and zinc in effluents from a nuclear materials processing facility. Contaminants distributed throughout a constructed wetland system and two reference wetlands were assessed using six dragonfly nymph genera (Anax, Erythemis, Libellula, Pachydiplax, Tramea, and Plathemis) as biomonitors. Additionally, the crayfish, Cambarus latimanus, were analyzed from the receiving and two reference streams. Concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb, Mn, Cr, Cd, and Al were evaluated in 597 dragonfly nymph and 149 crayfish whole-body composite samples. Dragonfly genera varied substantially in metal accumulation and the ability to identify elevated metal levels throughout components of the constructed wetland. Genera more closely associated with bottom sediments tended to accumulate higher levels of metals with Libellula, Pachydiplax, and Erythemis often accumulating highest concentrations and differing most among sites. This, combined with their abundance and broad distributions make the latter two species suitable candidates as biomonitors for constructed wetlands. As expected, dragonfly nymphs accumulated higher metal concentrations in the constructed wetland than reference sites. However, dragonfly nymphs often accumulated as high of metal concentrations downstream as upstream of the water treatment cells. Moreover, crayfish from the receiving stream near the constructed wetland accumulated substantially higher Cu concentrations than from downstream locations or reference streams. Despite reducing metal concentrations at base flow and maintaining regulatory compliance, metal fluxes from the wetland were sufficient to increase accumulation in downstream biota. Future work should evaluate the causes of downstream accumulation as the next step necessary to develop plans to improve the metal sequestering efficiency of the wetland under variable flow regimes.

The Lumparn Bay, due to its nature, is prone both to natural and anthropogenic environmental pressures. It is a semi-enclosed rather large, but relatively shallow bay filled with glacial and postglacial sediments. Unlike any other areas in the world the seafloor in this area is filled with gas domes. Comparison with the chemistry of some 2000 surface core samples from the Gulf of Finland revealed that the concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, lead, zinc, and sulphur from the Lumparn Bay were in general on a low level, indicating only minor pressures on the seafloor. However, when compared to established sediment quality guidelines there are a few points of possible concern as some samples exceed the probable effects level for arsenic and quite a few samples exceed the effects range – median level for nickel. Also a few comparably high molybdenum concentrations exceed the lowest effects level.

The environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding was applied to assess benthic ecological health in the west coast of South Korea by investigating a long-term microbial community change (2015–17). The ecological interaction among microorganisms, from phylum to family level, and their associations to environmental variables across the five regions were highlighted. As part of the study, the available chemistry and toxicological data in the regions during the monitoring periods were incorporated into an integrated sediment triad assessment. The bacterial communities were dominated by Proteobacteria (34.2%), Bacteroidetes (13.8%), and Firmicutes (10.8%). Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes dominated consistently across regions and years, while Firmicutes and Cyanobacteria significantly varied by region and years (p < 0.05). The abundance of this phylum declined over time with the increasing abundance of Cyanobacteria, indicating their independent interactions to certain environmental changes. Planctomycetes and Gemmatimonadetes linked to some contaminants (ΣPAHs and Cu), implying indicator taxa. Overall, eDNA-based microbial community analysis combined with exposures of contaminants and responses of microorganisms is a promising strategy for the assessment of benthic ecological health in contaminated sediments from coastal waters.

Coastal ecosystems are increasingly threatened by a wide range of human activities. Fish otolith chemistry, by creating a unique specific signature, can be used as a natural tag for determining life stage dispersal, spatial connectivity and population structure. In this study, we tested whether differences in otolith composition among juveniles of gilthead sea bream, Sparus aurata, could enable their proper allocation to polluted areas based on higher concentrations of elements related to contaminants. Otoliths were embedded, sectioned and analysed by LA-ICP-MS in line scan mode. Multivariate analysis confirmed clear separation between sites and elements. Samples from the site under the strongest anthropogenic impact from industrial and agricultural river input were characterized by higher values of Pb/Ca and Zn/Ca. However, these relatively low values likely do not have a negative effect on S. aurata recruitment, though they could serve for identifying the contribution of polluted nurseries to stock dynamics.

Benthic foraminifera are sensitive to environmental changes and widely used as tools to monitor pollution. Rising numbers of deformed tests are often used as indicator for elevated levels of heavy metals, but little is known about the relation between heavy metal incorporation into foraminiferal tests and the formation of test deformities. Here, two sediment cores from the south-eastern North Sea are compared, regarding the occurrence of deformed foraminiferal tests, foraminiferal test chemistry (ICP-MS) and bulk sediment Pb content (XRF). The total abundance of deformed foraminiferal tests seems not to align temporarily with historical heavy metal pollution. Therefore, we suggest that foraminifera react with test deformation to other environmental stressors than the studied heavy metals. Test chemistry reflects historical increased bulk sediment heavy metal content, despite a slight temporal offset. We propose that Pb (and Cd) are only incorporated into foraminiferal tests above a yet to be defined threshold of pollution.

Nanotechnology is an emerging technology that deals with nanosized particles possessing crucial research roles and application. Disciplines like chemistry, biology, physics, engineering, materials science, and health sciences provide an accumulated knowledge of nanotechnology. Nonetheless, it has vast submissions precisely in biology, electronics, and medicine. Aimed at drug delivery system, nanoparticles are based on the mechanism of entrapment of the drugs or biomolecules into the interior structure of the particles; another mechanism could be that the drugs or the biomolecules can be absorbed onto the exterior surfaces of the particles. Currently, nanoparticles (NPs) are used in the delivery of drugs, proteins, genes, vaccines, polypeptides, nucleic acids, etc. In recent years, various applications of the drug delivery system via NPs have encountered an enormous position sector like pharmaceutical, medical, biological, and others. Considering the impact of NPs in drug delivery systems, this review focuses on the detailed profile of NPs, its impact on biology and medicine, and their commercialization prospects.

To evaluate the hazard assessment of dredging and disposal of sediments, an in-depth chemical and toxicological characterization of sediments was carried out in Venice Lagoon. The bioaccessible and mobile concentration of trace elements in superficial and deep sediments (in the Holocene-Pleistocene limit) can deeply affect the quality of the aquatic ecosystem. Geospeciation and total concentration of trace elements in sediment cores were assessed and several toxicological tests were carried out. The indices of contamination (e.g., geochemical accumulation index, Igₑₒ, pollution load index, PLI) and of speciation (individual contamination factor, ICF and global contamination factor, GCF) were evaluated. Factor Analysis (FA) was performed to explore possible significant correlations between toxicity data and sediment chemistry. Results underlined that the total concentration of trace elements cannot adequately assess the hazard, while bioavailability, mobility, and toxicity of trace elements allow a thorough evaluation of the environmental threats. The integration of results from chemical characterization ex ante and toxicity assays will provide for a better sustainable handling and management of sediments.