Human factors/errors (such as inappropriate actions by operators and unsafe supervision by organizations) are a primary cause of oil spill incidents. To investigate the influences of active operational failures and unsafe latent factors in offshore oil spill accidents, an integrated human factor analysis and decision support process has been developed. The system is comprised of a Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) framework to qualitatively evaluate the influence of various factors and errors associated with the multiple operational stages considered for oil spill preparedness and response (e.g., oil spill occurrence, spill monitoring, decision making/contingency planning, and spill response); coupled with quantitative data analysis by Fuzzy Set Theory and the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (Fuzzy-TOPSIS) to enhance decision making during response operations. The efficiency of the integrated human factor analysis and decision support system is tested with data from a case study to generate a comprehensive priority rank, a robust sensitivity analysis, and other theoretical/practical insights. The proposed approach improves our knowledge on the significance of human factors/errors on oil spill accidents and response operations; and provides an improved support tool for decision making.

Vehicle emissions are a major contributor to air pollution in China. In this study, a high-resolution inventory of eight on-road vehicle-emitted pollutants in 53 cities within the North China Plain (NCP) was established for 152 sub-sources. Monthly emission factors were then simulated using the COPERT v5 model and their spatial distribution at 4 km × 4 km resolution was allocated based on the transportation network. In 2017, emissions of BC, CO, NH₃, NMVOCs, NOₓ, PM₁₀, PM₂.₅, and SO₂ were 38.3, 2900, 21.8, 578, 2460, 113, 85.9, and 4.7 kt, respectively. These emissions and their sources differed between cities, mainly due to different vehicle populations, fleet compositions, emission share rates of different vehicle types, and emission standards in each city. Small-medium petrol passenger cars and both 20–26 t and 40–50 t heavy-duty diesel trucks of China 3 and 4 emissions standards were the main contributors for all pollutants. Higher cold-start emission factors caused higher emissions of CO, NMVOCs, NOₓ, and PM₂.₅ in winter. The cities of Beijing, Zhengzhou, Tianjin, Tangshan, Xuzhou, Qingdao, Jinan, Jining, and Zibo had the highest emission intensities. Overall, emissions decreased from the city centers toward surrounding areas. The higher contributions of heavy-duty trucks meant that higher emissions appeared along highways in a vein-like distribution. These results provide a theoretical basis for the effective prevention and control of air pollution in the NCP.

The incorporation of crop straw with fertilization is beneficial for soil carbon sequestration and cropland fertility improvement. Yet, relatively little is known about how fertilization regulates the emissions of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N₂O) in response to straw incorporation, particularly in soils subjected to long-term fertilization regimes. Herein, the arable soil subjected to a 31-year history of five inorganic or organic fertilizer regimes (unfertilized; chemical fertilizer application, NPK; 200% NPK application, 2 × NPK; manure application, M; NPK plus manure application, NPKM) was incubated with and without rice straw to evaluate how historical fertilization influences the impact of straw addition on N₂O emissions. The results showed that compared to the unfertilized treatment, historical fertilization strongly increased N₂O emissions by 0.48- to 34-fold, resulting from increased contents of hot water-extracted organic carbon (HWEOC), NO₃⁻, and available phosphorus (Olsen-P). Straw addition had little impact on N₂O emission from the unfertilized and NPK treatments, primarily due to Olsen-P limitation. In contrast, straw addition increased N₂O emissions by 102–316% from the 2 × NPK, M, and NPKM treatments as compared to the corresponding straw-unamended treatments. These results indicated that N₂O emissions in response to straw addition were largely regulated by historical fertilization. The N₂O emissions were closely associated with the depletion of NO₃⁻ and decoupled from change in NH₄⁺ content, suggesting that NO₃⁻ was the main substrate for N₂O production upon straw addition. The stoichiometric ratios of HWEOC to mineral N and mineral N to Olsen-P were key factors affecting N₂O emissions, underscoring the importance of resource stoichiometry in regulating N₂O emissions. In conclusion, historical fertilization largely regulated the impacts of crop straw incorporation on N₂O emissions via shifts in NO₃⁻ depletion and the stoichiometry of HWEOC, mineral N, and Olsen-P.

Removal of dissolved sulfide contaminants from aqueous model solution using bio-derived porous graphitic carbon (PGC) impregnated with δ-MnO₂ was investigated. The composite adsorbent was synthesized using the chemical wet deposition method wherein MnO₂ was deposited on carbon walls through an in-situ reaction between permanganate and ethanol. Formation of transition metal oxide of manganese in the form of birnessite nanoparticles on interconnected PGC cell structure was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, elemental analysis, and X-Ray diffraction characterization studies. The composite nanomaterial was tested for sulfide removal from aqueous solution at various conditions, including the pH, adsorbent dosage, initial solution concentration, and contact time. Adsorption results demonstrated an excellent adsorption capacity of ca. 90% within 20 min of contact time at 298 K. Equilibrium data collected from batch adsorption experiments fitted well with the Langmuir isotherm model (KL = 190 L/mg; R² = 0.99). The maximum adsorption capacity of the composite was estimated as 526.3 mg S²⁻/g at highly alkaline conditions compared to ca. 340 mg/g for a δ-MnO₂ adsorbent. Adsorptive oxidation of sulfides on composite MnO₂-PGC adsorbent was found to be controlled by the chemisorption process in accordance with the pseudo-second-order reaction model. Characterization of spent adsorbents revealed that sulfide was removed through adsorptive oxidation resulting in the formation of agglomerated particles of metal sulfate complexes and elemental sulfur. Analysis of reaction mechanism revealed that both MnO₂ and PGC played a role in the adsorptive oxidation of sulfides to CaSO₄ and elemental sulfur.

Among the most used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), ketoprofen (KTF) assumes an important position. Nevertheless, its ecotoxicological effects in non-target organisms are poorly characterized, despite its use and frequency of occurrence in aquatic matrices. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the possible toxicological effects of KTF contamination, in two freshwater species, Lemna minor and Daphnia magna, by measuring biochemical, physiological and population parameters. To attain this objective, both species were exposed to KTF at the same concentrations (0, 0.24, 1.2, 6 and 30 μg/L). L. minor plants were exposed during 4 d to these levels of KTF, and the enzymatic activity (catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) and carbonic anhydrase (CA)), and pigments content (chlorophylls a, b and total and carotenoids) were analyzed to evaluate the toxicity of this drug. D. magna was acutely and chronically exposed to KTF, and enzymatic activities (CAT, GSTs and cyclooxygenase (COX)), the feeding rates, and reproduction traits were assessed. In L.minor, KTF provoked alterations in all enzyme activities, however, it was not capable of causing any alteration in any pigment levels. On the other hand, KTF also provoked alterations in all enzymatic activities in D. magna, but did not affect feeding rates and life-history parameters. In conclusion, exposure to KTF, provoked biochemical alterations in both species. However, these alterations were not reflected into deleterious effects on physiological and populational traits of L. minor and D. magna.

The use of some systemic insecticides has been banned in Europe because they are toxic to beneficial insects when these feed on nectar. A recent study shows that systemic insecticides can also kill beneficial insects when they feed on honeydew. Honeydew is the sugar-rich excretion of hemipterans and is the most abundant carbohydrate source for beneficial insects such as pollinators and biological control agents in agroecosystems. Here, we investigated whether the toxicity of contaminated honeydew depends on i) the hemipteran species that excretes the honeydew; ii) the active ingredient, and iii) the beneficial insect that feeds on it. HPLC-MS/MS analyses demonstrated that the systemic insecticides pymetrozine and flonicamid, which are commonly used in Integrated Pest Management programs, were present in honeydew excreted by the mealybug Planococcus citri. However, only pymetrozine was detected in honeydew excreted by the whitefly Aleurothixus floccosus. Toxicological studies demonstrated that honeydew excreted by mealybugs feeding on trees treated either with flonicamid or pymetrozine increased the mortality of the hoverfly Sphaerophoria rueppellii, but did not affect the parasitic wasp Anagyrus vladimiri. Honeydew contaminated with flonicamid was more toxic for the hoverfly than that contaminated with pymetrozine. Collectively, our data demonstrate that systemic insecticides commonly used in IPM programs can contaminate honeydew and kill beneficial insects that feed on it, with their toxicity being dependent on the active ingredient and hemipteran species that excretes the honeydew. Insecticides recommended in Integrated Pest Management programs reach honeydew and kill beneficial insects that feed on it.

The plastic mulch films used in agriculture are considered to be a major source of the plastic residues found in soil. Mulching with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is widely practiced and the resulting macro- and microscopic plastic residues in agricultural soil have aroused concerns for years. Over the past decades, a variety of biodegradable (Bio) plastics have been developed in the hope of reducing plastic contamination of the terrestrial ecosystem. However, the impact of these Bio plastics in agroecosystems have not been sufficiently studied. Therefore, we investigated the impact of macro (around 5 mm) and micro (<1 mm) sized plastic debris from LDPE and one type of starch-based Bio mulch film on soil physicochemical and hydrological properties. We used environmentally relevant concentrations of plastics, ranging from 0 to 2% (w/w), identified by field studies and literature review. We studied the effects of the plastic residue on a sandy soil for one month in a laboratory experiment. The bulk density, porosity, saturated hydraulic conductivity, field capacity and soil water repellency were altered significantly in the presence of the four kinds of plastic debris, while pH, electrical conductivity and aggregate stability were not substantially affected. Overall, our research provides clear experimental evidence that microplastics affect soil properties. The type, size and content of plastic debris as well as the interactions between these three factors played complex roles in the variations of the measured soil parameters. Living in a plastic era, it is crucial to conduct further interdisciplinary studies in order to have a comprehensive understanding of plastic debris in soil and agroecosystems.

The plastic mulch films used in agriculture are considered to be a major source of the plastic residues found in soil. Mulching with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is widely practiced and the resulting macro- and microscopic plastic residues in agricultural soil have aroused concerns for years. Over the past decades, a variety of biodegradable (Bio) plastics have been developed in the hope of reducing plastic contamination of the terrestrial ecosystem. However, the impact of these Bio plastics in agroecosystems have not been sufficiently studied. Therefore, we investigated the impact of macro (around 5 mm) and micro (1 mm) sized plastic debris from LDPE and one type of starch-based Bio mulch film on soil physicochemical and hydrological properties. We used environmentally relevant concentrations of plastics, ranging from 0 to 2% (w/w), identified by field studies and literature review. We studied the effects of the plastic residue on a sandy soil for one month in a laboratory experiment. The bulk density, porosity, saturated hydraulic conductivity, field capacity and soil water repellency were altered significantly in the presence of the four kinds of plastic debris, while pH, electrical conductivity and aggregate stability were not substantially affected. Overall, our research provides clear experimental evidence that microplastics affect soil properties. The type, size and content of plastic debris as well as the interactions between these three factors played complex roles in the variations of the measured soil parameters. Living in a plastic era, it is crucial to conduct further interdisciplinary studies in order to have a comprehensive understanding of plastic debris in soil and agroecosystems.

The environmental neurotoxin β-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) may represent a risk for human health in case of chronic exposure or after short-term exposure during embryo development. BMAA accumulates in freshwater and marine organisms consumed by humans. It is produced by marine and freshwater phytoplankton species, but the range of producers remains unknown. Therefore, analysing the phytoplankton composition is not sufficient to inform about the risk of freshwater contamination by BMAA. Filter-feeders mussels have accumulation capacities and therefore appear to be relevant to monitor various pollutants in aquatic ecosystems. We investigated the suitability of the freshwater mussels Dreissena polymorpha and Anodonta anatina for monitoring BMAA in water. Both species were exposed to 1, 10, and 50 μg of dissolved BMAA/L daily for 21 days, followed by 42 days of depuration in clean water. On days 0, 1, 7, 14, and 21 of exposure and 1, 7, 14, 21 and 42 of depuration, whole D. polymorpha and digestive glands of A. anatina were sampled, and the total BMAA concentration was measured. D. polymorpha accumulated BMAA earlier (from day 1 at all concentrations) and at higher tissue concentrations than A. anatina, which accumulated BMAA from day 14 when exposed to 10 μg BMAA/L and from day 7 when exposed to 50 μg BMAA/L. As BMAA accumulation by D. polymorpha was time and concentration-dependent, with a significant elimination during the depuration period, this species may be able to reflect the levels and dynamics of water contamination by dissolved BMAA. The species A. anatina could be used for monitoring water concentrations above 10 μg BMAA/L. D. polymorpha and A. anatina could be used to biomonitor BMAA in fresh water.

Heavy metal contaminants in Mirror Peninsula, East Antarctica, have rarely been studied and the source and influencing factors are poorly understood. We sampled a grid of 189 topsoil samples from Mirror Peninsula and analyzed the concentrations of Zn, Cu, U, Cr, Ga, Pb, Hg, Se and As; we also calculated the chemical index of alteration (CIA), a proxy of weathering. The results show that the distributions of Cr, Ga, Cu, and Zn are associated with weathering; the distributions of As and Pb are related to vehicle use and unloading activities at the wharfs, respectively; and the distribution of Hg is likely associated with both anthropogenic impacts and biological activity. The contamination level of these heavy metals in Mirror Peninsula is relatively low and within the controllable range. Both weathering processes and anthropogenic impacts can cause the enrichment of heavy metals; thus reliable source apportionment is crucial in studying heavy metal enrichment and contamination.