The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the secondary biological treatment plant effluent administration on the kidneys, urinary bladder, and testis of Wistar rats in relation to lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) accumulation, since such an effluent is used for irrigation of edible plants. Male Wistar rats, randomly assigned into 5 groups, were treated with domestic sewage effluent (DSE) for 24 months. Cadmium and lead concentrations in the DSE, rats’ tissues, and urine were estimated by means of atomic spectroscopy. Lead was rapidly accumulated in high amounts in rats’ kidney and to a lesser extent in the testis whereas Cd concentration was raised in all tissues examined. Deposition of Cd and Pd in the kidney of the rats resulted in profound damage over time. The results showed that long-term administration to DSE as drinking water exposes living organisms to urogenital stress related to heavy metal concentration and pH of the effluent.

Daphniopsis tibetana Sars lives in elevation, usually with strong solar UV radiation. We speculate that UV may have an effect on the ecology and evolutionary biology of this species. However, the regulatory effect and mechanism of UV on D. tibetana have not been studied previously. Here, our results showed that UVB could act as a positive factor in the relative body lengths, reproductive parameters, and population growth parameters of D. tibetana when UVB radiation is 20–170 mJ cm⁻², compared with the control group. Strikingly, these parameters were highest at 120 mJ cm⁻². To explore the mechanism underlying the UVB irradiation effects, we conducted a transcriptome analysis using the Trinity platform. The results indicated that differentially regulated genes were mostly enriched in lipid transport and lipid localization by Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis of 146 differentially expressed genes (83 upregulated and 63 downregulated). This is the first study of UVB radiation of D. tibetana to reveal genes that may have crucial roles in survival, growth, and reproduction and could be candidates for future functional studies. Additionally, the study could supply a substantial resource for investigating and elucidating lipids that could play important roles in a physiological context.

Waste electric and electronic equipment (WEEE) represents a potential secondary source of valuable materials, whose recovery is a growing business activity worldwide. In low-income countries, recycling is carried out under poorly controlled conditions resulting in severe environmental pollution. High concentrations of both metallic and organic pollutants have been confirmed in air, soil, water, and sediments in countries with informal recycling areas. The release of these contaminants into the environment presents a risk to the health of the exposed population that has been widely acknowledged but still needs to be quantified. The aim of this work was to evaluate the relative risk from inhalation associated with the open burning of different kinds of WEEE. The shrinking core model was applied to estimate the concentration of the metals which would be released into the environment during the incineration of different types of WEEE. In addition, the potential generation of dioxins during the same informal practice was estimated, based on the plastic content of the WEEE. The results provided for the first time a comparative analysis of the risk posed from the open burning of WEEE components, proposing a methodology to address the absolute risk assessment to workers from the informal recycling of WEEE.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are environmental pollutants. Exposure to PAHs is associated with several adverse health outcomes. However, no previous study has examined the relationship between PAH exposure and functional dependence in an elderly population. Our aim was to examine whether PAH exposure was associated with functional dependence including total disability, activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), leisure and social activities (LSA), lower extremity mobility (LEM), and general physical activities (GPA) in an elderly population. A total of 5816 elderly adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2001 to 2006 were examined. PAH exposure was measured by urinary biomarkers. Functional dependence was assessed by 19 structured questions. The association between PAH exposures with functional dependence was performed by using a multivariable linear regression model. After adjusting for pertinent variables, positive associations were observed between the total number of disabilities and 2-naphthalene and 1-pyrene quartiles (all Pₜᵣₑₙd < 0.05). There was a dose-dependent relationship between 1-pyrene quartiles and all functional dependence domains, and the higher quartile of 1-pyrene was more closely associated with functional impairment (all Pₜᵣₑₙd < 0.05). PAH exposure is associated with functional dependence in American elderly adults. Future research is needed to bring to light the pathophysiological underlying mechanisms related to these findings.

Disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in swimming pool have elicited increasing worldwide concern due to their potential health risks. However, only trihalomethanes (THMs) are regulated by several local governing bodies. Studies indicated that specific unregulated DBP classes would drive disinfected water toxicity in addition to THMs. Halobenzoquinones (HBQs), a type of emerging unregulated DBPs, have been shown to be possible bladder cancer carcinogens. This study aimed to determine the distribution and formation of HBQs in indoor and outdoor swimming pool waters of Nanning City, Southwest China. Seven HBQs in water from seven public indoor and outdoor swimming pools were examined using an effective ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method. Results suggest the presence of 2,6-dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone in all the swimming pool waters in the range of 4.56–45.30 ng/L. Furthermore, 2,6-dibromo-1,4-benzoquinone and 3,4,5,6-tetrachloro-1,2-benzoquinone (TetraC-1,2-BQ) were detected in two pools at concentrations of < 0.38–14.20 and < 0.54–2.60 ng/L, respectively. The swimming pool water featured higher HBQs than input tap water, and TetraC-1,2-BQ was only detected in pool water. Higher HBQ levels were observed in the indoor pools than in the outdoor pools. These findings demonstrate that low NH₃–N, high chloride, humic acid, chemical oxygen demand, and UV₂₅₄ in the indoor pools increased the HBQ formation. This study is the first to reveal the occurrence and formation of HBQs in water from Chinese indoor and outdoor swimming pools. The findings should be useful in the management of these governing factors and HBQ controls in swimming pools.

In this study, the quality of groundwater was tested in 95 sampling wells in Shuangliao City. Based on the results, the coefficient of variation method was used to calculate the comprehensively evaluated value F, and the grade of groundwater quality, in accordance with the actual scenario in the study area, was classified according to the results of the evaluation. The spatial distribution of groundwater quality types in the study area was classified. In addition, the influence of human activity on each groundwater subsystem was assessed. Combined with the land use types in the study area, the Circle model was used to extract the land use types in the circular buffer zone with a radius of 500 m, and the Kendall rank correlation test was used to analyze the influence of the land use types on the spatial distribution of groundwater pollution. Based on the coefficient of variation, the groundwater quality standard was divided into four sections considering the actual scenario: ≤ 0.92 (I), 0.92~≤ 1.75 (II), 1.75~≤ 2.40 (III), and > 2.40 (IV). Water from class II was considered the main type for groundwater quality. NO₃⁻, TFe, and Mn were deemed the main indexes of groundwater pollution. Further, land use type was found to have a great influence on the spatial distribution of groundwater pollution; specifically, dry land, paddy field, areas with dense traffic, and residential areas are the main land types that affect the groundwater environment.

The study was initiated to evaluate constructed wetland technology as a method for treating alkaline (pH 8.0–8.6) drainage high in Al, Mo, V, As and Ga originating from bauxite residue storage areas. Pilot-scale horizontal flow constructed wetlands were operated over a 40-week period using three filter materials (granitic gravel, bauxite and alum water treatment sludge), and half of the wetlands were planted with Phragmites australis and the other half left unplanted. Gravel was the least effective medium for removing the target elements, while of the two active media, water treatment sludge was more effective than bauxite. Plants removed only small amounts of elements into their above- and below-ground dry matter (0.4–4.9% of that added). Nonetheless, the presence of plants greatly increased the effectiveness of all three media since their presence decreased effluent pH values by 0.5–1.3 pH units and that of the filter media by 0.4 pH units. Removal of elements followed the order Al > Ga > V > As > Mo. For planted wetlands, total elemental removal ranged from 18 to 98% for gravel, 80 to 99% for bauxite, and 93 to 99% for water treatment sludge. The lowest removal was for Mo (ranging from 18% for gravel to 93% for water treatment sludge) and the highest for Al (ranging from 98% in gravel to 99% in water treatment sludge). A sequential fractionation scheme for As, V and Mo on filter material at the end of the experiment showed that for bauxite and water treatment sludge, V and As were concentrated in the NaOH extractable fraction while Mo was concentrated in the less strongly adsorbed NaHCO₃ extractable fraction. It was concluded that a constructed wetland with water treatment sludge as an active filter material is an effective technology for removal of the target elements from the alkali drainage.

BACKGROUND: Land use change has a significant impact on ecosystem services in watershed systems. The upper part of Qiantang River, Kaihua Country has experienced land-use changes over the past 15 years, but the effect of these changes on ecosystem services remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates land-use changes in response to ecological protection and the effects on ecosystem services. METHODS: Ecosystem services during 2000–2015 are assessed and compared to future land use scenarios in 2025 (business-as-usual, strategic planning, environmental protection, and economic development). These scenarios are identified in collaboration with local stakeholders and used to assess changes in ecosystem services under future scenarios. RESULTS: Analysis shows that during 2000–2015, the woodland increased by 7335 ha as a result of the “Grain for green” policy, and the built-up land increased by 2259 ha due to urbanization, and these changes affected ecosystem services, such as water yield, nitrogen and phosphorus exports which decreased by 0.29%, 12.45%, and 13.74%, respectively, and soil retention, carbon storage, and habitat quality index increased by 0.05%, 1.36%, and 0.80%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Among all the future scenarios, the strategic planning scenario is an optimal land use strategy to balance the demand for urban development, while providing higher levels of ecosystem services.

Fluoxetine (FLX) is one of the main antidepressants used worldwide. After human use, FLX enters the aquatic ecosystems, where it has commonly detected in the high ng/L concentration range. Several investigations have shown that exposure to different concentrations of FLX caused different adverse effects towards a number of aquatic species. However, the information on the onset and the relationship between molecular and behavioral FLX-induced effects remains scant. The aim of this study was to assess the effects induced by two FLX concentrations, namely 50 ng/L and 500 ng/L, on swimming activity of zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae at 96-h post-fertilization (hpf) and to investigate if such behavioral effects were related to modulation of the expression of oxidative stress-related (sod1, sod2, cat, gpxa, and gst), stress- and anxiety-related (oxtl, prl2, npy, and ucn3l) genes, and genes encoding for the transporters of the main neurotransmitters (slc6a3, slc6a4a, slc6a4b, slc6a11). Fluoxetine exposure altered the swimming behavior of larvae, as shown by the reduction of the distance traveled by treated larvae in response to an external stimulus. Such behavioral change was related, at molecular level, to an enhanced expression of sod1, cat, and gpxa, suggesting an overproduction of pro-oxidant molecules. In addition, FLX modulated the expression of oxtl, slc6a4a, slc6a4b, and slc6a11, suggesting its capability to affect anxiety- and neurotransmitter-related genes.

Aquatic geochemical distribution in the Central, Highland, and Southern regions of Vietnam, including: Da Nang city (Hoa Khanh Industrial Park, Aquaculture Industrial Zone Tho Quang, Do Toa River Deposit Area), Da Lat city (Prenn Pass), Dong Nai province (Suoi Ram hamlet, Cam My district, Long Giao) was investigated by using 2D electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) combined with geochemical analysis. In this research, the correlation between tectonic formation, geochemical composition, and groundwater distribution was assessed between regions. Geochemistry of the Holocene aquifer (from 10 to 30 m underground) was studied considering major ions and trace elements measured in wet and dry seasons. The results of chemometric evaluation show that groundwater in Central Vietnam, Da Nang in particular, has a higher frequency of environmental toxin distribution than in Da Lat and Dong Nai. Groundwater in Da Lat with the advantage of high distribution of K, Ca, Mg, Fe, and Zn. The micro and macro elements such as Co, Mo, Na have high distribution in groundwater in Dong Nai. Meanwhile, groundwater at the study sites in Da Nang showed high concentrations of heavy metals with high toxicity such as, Al, Pb, and Ni. In Da Nang city, the concentration of Pb in groundwater samples from Holocene aquifer ranges between 74 in dry season and 214 ppb in wet season, exceeding the WHO guideline of 21 ppb. There is an increase of mean temperature of groundwater from Holocene aquifer of studied areas, from 17 in wet season to 26.2 °C in dry season. It shows that the ambient temperature effects on the groundwater reflects the relatively surficial character of Holocene aquifer. At the same time, the impact factors, including natural conditions, production methods, customs, and habits were analyzed to formulate the risks and potential risks of geohazards in mechanical construction, infrastructure, civil works, and underground works affecting the social security in the research areas. Through the convection and transfer processes, the electrolyte pollutants such as NaCl, KCl, and acetic acid (the resistivity is about 5.38 Ω m) have been accumulated in groundwater of Da Nang — a developing city with industrial clusters. This problem is similar to Suoi Ram hamlet, where groundwater is also showing signs of pollution due to the use of chemicals in cultivation (mainly cashew nut growth). In terms of density and flow of underground water, according to the results of the electrical images, generally in Suoi Ram Hamlet pollution is much larger than the Hoa Khanh industrial park (Da Nang), which is also quite reasonable because the southern area is lower than the Central and Highland regions. Research contributed importantly in finding the rules of geological distribution, groundwater at elevation topography, of great significance in the earth and environmental science.