Pollutants in wastewater and exhaust gas bring out serious concerns to public health and the environment. Biochar can be developed as a sustainable adsorbent originating from abundant bio-wastes, such as agricultural waste, forestry residue, food waste and human waste. Here we highlight the state-of-the-art research progress on pyrochar and hydrochar for the sorption of pollutants (heavy metal, organics, gas, etc) in wastewater and exhaust gases. The adsorption performance of pyrochar and hydrochar are compared and discussed in-depth, including preparation procedures (carbonization and activation), sorption possible mechanisms, and physiochemical properties. Challenges and perspective for designing efficient and environmental benign biochar-based adsorbents are finally addressed.

Graphene (GR) and graphene oxide (GO) are widely being used as promising candidates for biomedical applications, as well as for bio-sensing, drug delivery, and anticancer therapy. However, their undesirable side effects make it necessary to assess further the toxicity and safety of using these materials. The main objective of the current study was to investigate the toxicities of GR and GO in predicted environmental relevant concentrations in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio), particularly on their behaviors, and conducted biochemical assays to elucidate the possible mechanism that underlies their toxicities. Zebrafish was chronically (∼14 days) exposed to two different doses of GR (0.1 and 0.5 ppm) or GO (0.1 and 1 ppm). At 14 ± 1 days, a battery of behavioral tests was conducted, followed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) test on the following day to inspect the alterations in antioxidant activity, oxidative stress, and neurotransmitters in the treated zebrafish brain. An alteration in predator avoidance behavior was observed in all treated groups, while GR-treated fish exhibited abnormal exploratory behavior. Furthermore, altered locomotor activity was displayed by most of the treated groups, except for the high concentration of the GR group. From the ELISA results, we discovered a high concentration of GR exposure significantly decreased several neurotransmitters and cortisol levels. Meanwhile, elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) were displayed by the group treated with low and high doses of GR and GO, respectively. These significant changes would possibly affect zebrafish behaviors and might suggest the potential toxicity from GR and GO exposures. To sum up, the present study presented new evidence for the effects of GR and GO in zebrafish behavioral dysregulation. We hope these assessments can contribute to our understanding of graphene and graphene oxide biosafety.

The hazardous effects of herbicides are well known; however, their effects on the reproductive system remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrated the anti-proliferative effects of dinitramine (DN) on immature murine testicular cell lines (Leydig and Sertoli cells) mediated via endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced calcium dysregulation in the cytosol and mitochondria. The results demonstrated that the viability and proliferation of DN-treated TM3 and TM4 cells decreased significantly, even in the spheroid state. DN induced the apoptosis of TM3 and TM4 cells and decreased the expression of genes related to cell cycle progression. Treatment with DN increased the cytosolic and intramitochondrial levels of calcium by activating ER stress signals. DN activated the Erk/P38/Jnk Mapk pathway and inactivated the Pi3k/Akt pathway in murine testicular cells. Co-treatment with 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB) mitigated DN-induced calcium upregulation in both testicular cell lines. Although 2-APB did not antagonize the anti-proliferative effect of DN in TM3 cells, treatment with 2-APB and 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid restored the proliferation of DN-treated TM4 cells.

Biochar amendment has the potential to reduce methylmercury (MeHg) uptake by rice grains in soil-rice ecosystem. Considering that sulfur can strongly bind Hg and thus reduce its bioavailability, S-modified biochar has been used to immobilize Hg in soils. However, whether natural S-enriched biochar can further reduce Hg and MeHg phytoavailability remains unknown. Moreover, the rhizosphere is one of the most important microbial hotspots regulating the pollutant dynamics in terrestrial ecosystems. Therefore, it is of greater practical significance to examine the impact of biochar amendment on MeHg production and phytoavailability in the rhizosphere versus nonrhizosphere. Here, by conducting a pot experiment, we evaluated the efficacy of biochar derived from sulfur-enriched oilseed rape straw to reduce MeHg accumulation in rice. The results demonstrated that: (1) biochar-induced enhancement of chloride ion and sulfate levels in the overlying water and pore water facilitate microbial methylation of Hg and thus MeHg production in rhizosphere soil. (2) biochar amendment increased rhizosphere soil sulfur content and humic acid-like substances, strengthening MeHg binding to soil, and thus reducing grain MeHg levels by 47%–75%. Our results highlight the necessity to applying natural sulfur-rich biochar accompanied with exogenous sulfur to further reduce MeHg phytoavailability.

The Clean Air Action implemented by the Chinese government in 2013 has greatly improved air quality in the North China Plain (NCP). In this work, we report changes in the chemical components of atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) at four NCP sampling sites from 2012/2013 to 2017 to investigate the impacts and drivers of the Clean Air Action on aerosol chemistry, especially for secondary inorganic aerosols (SIA). During the observation period, the concentrations of PM₂.₅ and its chemical components (especially SIA, organic carbon (OC), and elemental carbon (EC)) and the frequency of polluted days (daily PM₂.₅ concentration ≥ 75 μg m⁻³) in the NCP, declined significantly at all four sites. Asynchronized reduction in SIA components (large decreases in SO₄²⁻ with stable or even increased NO₃⁻ and NH₄⁺) was observed in urban Beijing, revealing a shift of the primary form of SIA, which suggested the fractions of NO₃⁻ increased more rapidly than SO₄²⁻ during PM₂.₅ pollution episodes, especially in 2016 and 2017. In addition, unexpected increases in the sulfur oxidation ratio (SOR) and the nitrogen oxidation ratio (NOR) were observed among sites and across years in the substantially decreased PM₂.₅ levels. They were largely determined by secondary aerosol precursors (i.e. decreased SO₂ and NO₂), photochemical oxidants (e.g. increased O₃), temperature, and relative humidity via gas-phase and heterogeneous reactions. Our results not only highlight the effectiveness of the Action Plan for improving air quality in the NCP, but also suggest an increasing importance of SIA in determining PM₂.₅ concentration and composition.

The surface modifications of nanoparticles (NPs), are well-recognized parameters that affect the toxicity, while there has no study on toxicity of Al₂O₃ NPs with different surface modification. Therefore, for the first time, this study pays attention to evaluating the toxicity and potential mechanism of pristine Al₂O₃ NPs (p-Al₂O₃), hydrophilic (w-Al₂O₃) and lipophilic (o-Al₂O₃) modifications of Al₂O₃ NPs both in vitro and in vivo. Applied concentrations of 10, 20, 40, 80,100 and 200 μg/mL for 24 h exposure on Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), while 100 μg/mL of Al₂O₃ NPs significantly decreased the survival rate. Using multiple toxicological endpoints, we found that o-Al₂O₃ NPs (100 μg/mL) could induce more severe toxicity than p-Al₂O₃ and w-Al₂O₃ NPs. After uptake by C. elegans, o-Al₂O₃ NPs increased the intestinal permeability, easily swallow and further destroy the intestinal membrane cells. Besides, cytotoxicity evaluation revealed that o-Al₂O₃ NPs (100 μg/mL) are more toxic than p-Al₂O₃ and w-Al₂O₃. Once inside the cell, o-Al₂O₃ NPs could attack mitochondria and induce the over-production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which destroy the intracellular redox balance and lead to apoptosis. Furthermore, the transcriptome sequencing and RT-qPCR data also demonstrated that the toxicity of o-Al₂O₃ NPs is highly related to the damage of cell membrane and the imbalance of intracellular redox. Generally, our study has offered a comprehensive sight to the adverse effects of different surface modifications of Al₂O₃ NPs on environmental organisms and the possible underlying mechanisms.

Previous studies have detected numerous organic contaminants and in vitro bioactivities in surface water from the South Platte River near Denver, Colorado, USA. To evaluate the temporal and spatial distribution of selected contaminants of emerging concern, water samples were collected throughout 2018 and 2019 at 11 sites within the S. Platte River and surrounding tributaries with varying proximities to a major wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Water samples were analyzed for pharmaceuticals, pesticides, steroid hormones, and wastewater indicators and screened for in vitro biological activities. Multiplexed, in vitro assays that simultaneously screen for agonistic activity against 24 human nuclear receptors detected estrogen receptor (ER), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ), and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) bioactivities in water samples near the WWTP outflow. Targeted in vitro bioassays assessing ER, GR, and PPARγ agonism corroborated bioactivities for ER (up to 55 ± 9.7 ng/L 17β-estradiol equivalents) and GR (up to 156 ± 28 ng/L dexamethasone equivalents), while PPARγ activity was not confirmed. To evaluate the potential in vivo significance of the bioactive contaminants, sexually-mature fathead minnows were caged at six locations upstream and downstream of the WWTP for 5 days after which targeted gene expression analyses were performed. Significant up-regulation of male hepatic vitellogenin was observed at sites with corresponding in vitro ER activity. No site-related differences in GR-related transcript abundance were detected in female adipose or male livers, suggesting observed environmental concentrations of GR-active contaminants do not induce a detectable in vivo response. In line with the lack of detectable targeted in vitro PPARɣ activity, there were no significant effects on PPARɣ-related gene expression. Although the chemicals responsible for GR and PPAR-mediated bioactivities are unknown, results from the present study provide insights into the significance (or lack thereof) of these bioactivities relative to short-term in situ fish exposures.

Plastisphere, an ecosystem of microbes thriving on floating plastic debris, has been extensively studied in marine waters since 2013. Currently, very little is known about the freshwater plastisphere. This review seeks to provide a broad insight into the freshwater science of plastisphere in the light of marine plastisphere, including research gaps, suggestions, and rising concerns, which would be of interest to the public, policymakers, and stakeholders. Given that freshwaters are endangered ecosystems, it is imperative to understand the role and impact of plastisphere on freshwaters. Plastic debris, especially microplastics (size <5 mm) in freshwater ecosystems, provide a stable, persistent, and buoyant substrate for microbes. Although current evidence suggests that freshwater environmental conditions and microplastics' physical and chemical properties significantly influence microbial colonisation, its role and integration in the aquatic ecosystems are unknown. Considering that the plastisphere biodiversity is unique, we seek to establish why and how many species co-exist in the plastisphere. Evaluating such fundamental questions should advance our basic understanding of the resilience of plastisphere to the changing environment. Plastisphere microbes, including the pathogenic bacteria, were found in both systems demonstrating their ability to survive on the plastic fragments from one ecosystem to another. A significant concern regarding plastisphere is the potential freshwater dispersal of anthropogenic pollutants and invasive or pathogenic species. Notably, microplastics aggregates may serve as a food source for grazers, which opens the question of the extent to which it can impact freshwater food webs. To gain a thorough understanding of the interplay between microplastics and the biogeochemical cycle, further insight into plastisphere microbes’ functional role is needed. This would shed light on the unconsidered freshwater elemental cycling pathways. Given the complexity and universal nature of the plastisphere, strong interdisciplinary global research initiatives or networks are required to address the emerging concerns of plastisphere in freshwaters.

The aims of this study were to determine type and application rate of composted animal manure to optimize sweet potato yield relative to N₂O emissions from upland soils. To this end, the study was conducted on upland soils amended with different types and rates of composted animal manure and located at two geographically different regions of South Korea. Field trials were established at Miryang and Yesan in South Korea during the sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) growing season over 2 years: 2017 (Year 1) and 2018 (Year 2). Three composted animal manures (chicken, cow, and pig) were applied at the rates of 0, 10, and 20 Mg ha⁻¹ to upland soils in both locations. In both Years and locations, manure type did not affected significantly cumulative N₂O emissions from soil during the sweet potato growing season or the belowground biomass of sweet potato. However, application rate of animal manures affected significantly the cumulative N₂O emission, nitrogen (N) in soil, and belowground biomass of sweet potato. An increase in cumulative N₂O emission with application rates of animal manures was related to total N and inorganic N concentration in soil. The belowground biomass yield of sweet potato but also the cumulative N₂O emission increased with increasing application rate of composted animal manures up to 7.6 and 16.0 Mg ha⁻¹ in Miryang and Yesan, respectively. To reduce N₂O emission from arable soil while increasing crop yield, composted animal manures should be applied at less than application rate that produce the maximum belowground biomass of sweet potato.

Many environmental chemicals have been found to exert estrogenic effects in cells and experimental animals by activating nuclear receptors such as estrogen receptors and estrogen-related receptors. These compounds include bisphenols, pesticides, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), organophosphate flame retardants, phthalates and metalloestrogens. G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) exists widely in numerous cells/tissues of human and other vertebrates. A number of studies have demonstrated that GPER plays a vital role in mediating the estrogenic effects of environmental pollutants. Even at very low concentrations, these chemicals may activate GPER pathways, thus affect many aspects of cellular functions including proliferation, metastasis and apoptosis, resulting in cancer progression, cardiovascular disorders, and reproductive dysfunction. This review summarized the environmental occurrence and human exposure levels of these pollutants, and integrated current experimental evidence toward revealing the underlying mechanisms of pollutant-induced cellular dysfunction via GPER. The GPER mediated rapid non-genomic actions play an important role in the process leading to the adverse effects observed in experimental animals and even in human beings.