Soil cadmium (Cd) pollution has received increasing attention from scholars. In the field of Cd pollution remediation, there is an urgent need to study the combined bioremediation technology of earthworms and microbes. In this paper, a short-term stress test and a long-term stress test were conducted. Eisenia fetida were inoculated into artificial soil that was contaminated with Cd. After different Cd stress times, the regulation process between the microbial communities in the earthworms and in the soil was studied. Canonical correlation analysis and the TOPSIS method were combined to establish a mathematical model for data analysis, and the changes in the carbon source utilization intensity by microbes were analysed. The results showed that in the short-term stress tests, the regulation process could be divided into five stages. Specifically, after 1–3 days of stress, the microbial community in the earthworms regulated the soil microbial community, but on the 3rd day, the regulation was weakened. On the 4th day, the soil microbial community was affected not only by the microbes in the earthworms but also by the increasing intensity of Cd stress. After 5 days of stress, the microbial communities in the earthworms and the soil were both greatly affected by Cd poisoning, and the microbes transitioned from stable to declining. At 6–7 days, the microbes in the earthworms gained control over those in the soil once again, and the Cd-tolerant microbes began to appear and proliferate. At 8–10 days, the regulation of the soil microbes by the earthworm microbes weakened, while the Cd-tolerant population in the soil microbial communities gradually evolved at this stage to adapt to the increasing Cd stress. The long-term stress tests showed that the difference between the microbial communities in the soil and in the earthworms increased, and there was almost no regulation between them.

Roundup is a widely used glyphosate-based herbicide worldwide. Roundup residues can be detected in the organs and urine of animals. However, its toxicity on mammalian preimplantation embryos has not been well investigated. Here, we show Roundup impairs the development and quality of bovine preimplantation embryos in a dose-dependent manner. Exposure to the agricultural recommended doses of Roundup caused in vitro developmental arrest and quick death of bovine embryos. Furthermore, even a very low concentration (0.9 ppm) of Roundup was harmful to bovine preimplantation development. In addition, Roundup increases intracellular calcium levels and induces oxidative stress and apoptosis in bovine embryos. Even if the embryos developed to morphologically normal blastocysts when cultured with low concentrations of Roundup, abnormal intracellular calcium and oxidative stress could be detected inside the embryos and led to an increased incidence of apoptosis in the blastocysts. These data suggest Roundup residues from the agricultural application are potentially dangerous to mammalian preimplantation embryos.

Presence of formaldehyde as a preservative in commonly available fishes (Labeo rohita, Catla catla, Anabas testudineus and Clarias gariepinus) has become a serious health concern in the public health of eastern region of India. Formaldehyde content was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results showed high formaldehyde content in frozen carp (19.66 and 23.3 mg/kg in Labeo rohita and Catla catla, respectively); however, the amount of formaldehyde was significantly reduced in boiled and fried fish (80 °C and 100 °C for 5 min) in mustard, coconut, and sesame oils. However, formaldehyde contents in non-carp fishes (Anabas testudineus and Clarias gariepinus) were almost negligible, compared to those in L. rohita and C. catla. In vivo toxicity studies showed a time-dependent increase in blood formaldehyde levels in rats after they were fed formaldehyde-contaminated fish (23.3 mg/kg) for 7 days. Histopathological analysis of the stomach of rats fed contaminated fish showed destruction and granulation of the protective mucus layer and detachment from the secretory layer. Taken together, our results indicated that continuous consumption of formaldehyde-contaminated carps commonly available in the eastern region of India may be associated with adverse health effects.

Acrolein is a widely distributed pollutant produced from various sources such as industrial waste, organic combustion, and power plant emissions. It is also intentionally released into irrigation canals to control invasive aquatic plants. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) has a good reputation for being an attractive model organism for developmental and toxicological research. In this study, zebrafish embryos were exposed to acrolein to investigate the cardiotoxic effects. The 96-h LC₅₀ (median lethal concentration) value of acrolein was determined as 654.385 μg/L. Then, the embryos were treated with the sublethal experimental concentrations of acrolein (1, 4, 16, 64, and 256 μg/L) for 96 h. Embryos were examined at 48, 72, and 96 h post-fertilization (hpf). Acrolein affected the cardiac morphology and function of the embryos. Sinus venosus-bulbus arteriosus (SV-BA) distance of 64 μg/L and 256 μg/L acrolein groups was elongated compared with the control samples. Immunostaining with MF20 antibody clearly exhibited that the atrium positioned posterior to the ventricle which indicated cardiac looping inhibition. Histological preparations also showed the mispositioning and the lumens of the chambers narrowed. Acrolein-induced increased heart rate was noted in the 4, 16, 64, and 256 μg/L treatment groups. Taken together, these results indicated that acrolein disrupted the heart development and cardiac function in zebrafish, suggesting that its water-borne risks should be considered seriously.

Chromium is an essential element that is required for the normal physiology but can be toxic to humans above a certain level. In spite of growing interest in research on chromium exposure to human health consensus about its effect on human, semen quality has not been achieved. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the impact of chromium exposure on semen parameters. A total of 760 males attending andrology laboratory of Tongji Hospital, Wuhan, for routine semen analysis were enrolled and requested to provide semen and urine samples. The urine level of chromium was evaluated using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) was applied to examine semen parameters. Associations between semen parameters and urinary chromium were analyzed by means of multivariate linear regression analysis. Multivariate analysis showed a negative association between the urinary concentrations of chromium and progressive motility (β = − 0.014, p = 0.040) and total motility (β = − 1.077, p = 0.048), while other semen parameters did not show any statistically significant changes. Urinary chromium could influence semen quality parameters and impair male fecundity.

The combination of adsorption on particulate materials and electrochemical oxidation in 3D electrochemical systems is potentially a very efficient process for the treatment of micropollutants in water. This paper presents results on the use of granular activated carbon as particulate material in the process and treatment of the dye 4-nitrosodimethylaniline and pesticides MCPA (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid), MCPP (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxypropionic acid), and the pesticide transformation product BAM (2,6-dichloro-benzamide) in drinking water. 4-nitrosodimethylaniline was used to investigate influential factors as loading of GAC in a batch electrochemical setup and strength of the electric field in a flow cell recirculation batch setup. Results showed that compared to previous studies in distilled water, only additive effects were found in batch setup, and higher electric field strength was needed in the flow cell setup to achieve slight synergy (~ 5%). Reasons were likely due to the indirect oxidation pathways mediated by the anodic chloride oxidation induced by the content of chloride in the drinking water. On MCPA, MCPP and BAM synergies from 28 to 38% were measured in the batch setup, but in the flow cell, results ranged from additive effects (~ 0%) up to 70%. Considering the low price and widespread availability of granular activated carbon, the gain in process removal rates achieved in the combined 3D electrochemical reactor is of interest compared to the individual processes.

Road dust was investigated within Philadelphia, a major United States city with a long history of industrial activities, in order to determine pollution levels. Almost all of the investigated minor elements were enriched relative to the continental crust. Furthermore, mean concentrations of Cr, Co, Cu, and Pb were high compared with those reported in cities in other countries. Lead pollution should be investigated further in Philadelphia, where 8 of the 30 sample sites, including those heavily trafficked by civilians, were at or above the EPA’s child safety threshold for Pb in bare soil. High Spearman correlations between Zn and Cu, Zn and Cr, Cu and Cr, and Sn and V, as well as factor analysis of minor elements suggests that the primary sources of these elements were anthropogenic. Potential sources included the breakdown of alloys, non-exhaust traffic emissions, paint, smelting, and industry. We found that higher organic content in road dust may be related to higher traffic densities, which could be due to tire-wear particles. Additionally, higher mean concentrations of Fe, Cr, Cu, and Zn were found at sites with elevated traffic densities. Land use impacted some of the elements not influenced by traffic density, including Co, Sn, and Pb. Bulk mineral content was similar across different land uses and traffic densities and, thus, did not appear to be influenced by these factors. Our research emphasized the complexity of road dust and utilized a more comprehensive approach than many previous studies. This study established fundamental groundwork for future risk assessment in Philadelphia, as it identified several key pollutants in the city. Overall, this assessment serves as an informative reference point for other formerly heavily industrialized cities in the USA and abroad.

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient and important component of oxidase which protects cell membranes, eliminate the role of free radicals in the human body. Se is necessary for low Se rice genotypes and Se deficient areas. Zinc (Zn) is a micro-battalion that affects the growth, development, aging, drought resistance, disease resistance, and many other aspects for rice. The effects of Se and Zn fertilization on Se and Zn concentrations were evaluated including the response of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) enzymes activity, and grain yield under single Se, Zn, and combined Se-Zn application using R725 rice variety in pot experiment with 8 treatments (0, Zn5, Zn10, Zn15, Se1, Zn5 + Se1, Zn10 + Se1, and Zn15 + Se1) mg/kg of soil and three replications. Moreover, germination% and seedling growth of resulted seeds from this experiment were evaluated for the agronomical benefit of farmers. The results revealed that Se and Zn had a cumulative effect on each other, but more Se increase was activated than Zn under the combined Se-Zn application. Zinc application had the small effect on Zn concentration in the different fractions but the positive effect on carotenoids and the yield (both applied alone and in combination with Se). Single Se application resulted in a positive effect on Zn accumulation in grain and husk with the high effectiveness of Se accumulation and loss during processing. Combined Se-Zn application had positive effect on carotenoids, CAT, grain yield, and total dry matter. Moreover, single Zn and combined Se-Zn application had a positive effect on germination% and seedling growth. Agronomic biofortification with combined Se-Zn supply provided both agronomic and nutritional benefits for rice in the current pot trail. However, as Se preferably accumulated in the edible part as compared to Zn, 1 mg Se/kg fertilization was unsafe for edible purposes according to the national standard of China (0.04–0.3 mg/kg) but could be recommended as medicine.

Human exposure to silica nanoparticles (SNPs) and formaldehyde (FA) is increasing and this has raised some concerns over their possible toxic effects on the exposed working populations. Notwithstanding several studies in this area, the combined toxicological effects of these contaminants have not been yet studied. Therefore, this in vitro study was designed to evaluate the SNPs and FA combined toxicity on human lung epithelial cells (A549 cells). The cells were exposed to SNPs and FA separately and in combined form and the single and combined toxicity of SNPs and FA were evaluated by focusing on cellular viability, DNA damage, and apoptosis via MTT, DAPI staining, DNA ladder, and Annexin V-FITC apoptosis assays. The results showed a significant increase in cytotoxicity, DNA damage, and chromatin fragmentation and late apoptotic\necrotic rates in combined treated cells compared with SNPs and FA-treated cells (P value < 0.05). Two-factorial analysis showed an additive toxic interaction between SNPs and FA. Eventually, this can be deduced that workers exposed simultaneously to SNPs and FA may be at high risk compared with exposure to each other.

Vermicomposting is the process of composting using worms and is applied in waste management to produce high-quality organic fertilizer. Garden waste (GW) is often mixed with other raw materials for vermicomposting. In the present study, the feasibility of vermicomposting using only GW was investigated in comparison with cow dung (CD). The total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and total potassium (TK) contents and the electrical conductivity increased, while total organic carbon (TOC) and the C/N ratio decreased in both substrates after vermicomposting. The nutrient content (TN, TP, and TK) of the GW vermicompost was promoted less than that in CD. Scanning electron microscopy images and specific surface area analysis showed that the vermicompost was strongly disaggregated and became more compacted and fragmented compared with the raw substrates. No mortality of earthworms was observed in GW; however, the earthworms had a higher mean body weight and reproduction rate in CD than that in GW. There were higher bacterial community richness and diversity in the vermicompost than that in the raw materials, and the dominant phylum species were Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes. Redundancy analysis demonstrated that TN, C/N ratio, and TOC play an important role in bacterial community dynamics. These data indicate that vermicomposting is a robust process that is suitable for the management of GW.