To better understand the potential impacts of metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) on Gram(+) Bacillus subtilis and Gram(−) Escherichia coli (K12) bacteria, eight different nanosized titanium dioxide (TiO₂) suspensions with five different concentrations were used. Water quality parameters (pH, temperature, and ionic strength), light sources, and light intensities were also changed to achieve different environmental conditions. The photosensitive TiO₂ NPs were found to be harmful to varying degrees under ambient conditions, with antibacterial activity increasing with primary particle sizes from 16 to 20 nm. The presence of light was a significant factor under most conditions tested, presumably due to its role in promoting generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, bacterial growth inhibition was also observed under dark conditions and different water quality parameters, indicating that undetermined mechanisms additional to photocatalytic ROS production were responsible for toxicity. The results also indicated that nano-TiO₂ particles in the absence and the presence of photoactivation induced lipid peroxidation and cellular respiration disruption.

It is suspected that drinking water containing fluoride and aluminum results in negative health effects especially on brain, liver, and kidney. In this investigation, the effect of F, Al, and AlFₓ complex on chronic kidney disease (CKD) was investigated. Mice were treated either with WHO recommended or slightly higher F and Al levels in drinking water. Treatment solutions contained 0.05–10.0 mg/L of F, 0.08–10.0 mg/L of Al, or 0.07–15 mg/L of AlFₓ, and the treatment period was 42 weeks. Blood urea level and creatinine levels were investigated as a measure of malfunction of kidneys. Histopathological evaluations of kidney tissues were carried out to assess the extent of damage that F, Al, and AlFₓ complex could cause. It was demonstrated that the treated drinking water containing F and Al with par with WHO or moderately above the WHO levels or AlFₓ in low level (0.07–15 mg/L) does not lead to CKD in mice.

The effects of inorganic and organic arsenic on the germination and seedling growth of 10 crop plants were investigated to elucidate the relationship between toxicity and the arsenic chemical states. Two types of soils, soil A and B, were also tested to determine how physicochemical properties of soils were related to toxicity of arsenic and the sensitivity of the plants. All tested plant species, except mung bean and cucumber, showed inhibition of germination by two types of inorganic arsenic, arsenite, and arsenate, while the organic arsenic compound, dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), had no inhibitory effects on plants in soil A. In contrast, the growth of seedlings of all 10 plant species was sensitive to the presence of arsenic. The sensitivity of the plants toward inorganic arsenic compounds showed similar trends but differed for DMA. Overall, seedling growth was a more sensitive endpoint to arsenic toxicity than germination, and the relative toxicity of arsenic compounds on plants was arsenite > DMA > arsenate. Interestingly, the sensitivity of wheat varied significantly when the soil was changed, and the DMA was most toxic rather than arsenite in soil B. Thus, the systematic study employed here provides insights into the mechanisms of arsenic toxicity in different plant species and the role of physicochemical properties of soils.

It is common knowledge that soils irrigated with wastewater accumulate heavy metals more than those irrigated with cleaner water sources. However, little is known on metal concentrations in soils and cultivars after the cessation of wastewater use. This study assessed the accumulation and health risk of heavy metals 3 years post-wastewater irrigation in soils, vegetables, and farmers’ hair. Soils, vegetables, and hair samples were collected from villages previously irrigating with wastewater (experimental villages) and villages with no history of wastewater irrigation (control villages). Soil samples were digested in a mixture of HCL/HNO₃/HCLO₄/HF. Plants and hair samples were digested in HNO₃/HCLO₄ mixture. Inductive coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) was used to determine metal concentrations of digested extracts. Study results indicate a persistence of heavy metal concentration in soils and plants from farms previously irrigated with wastewater. In addition, soils previously irrigated with wastewater were severely contaminated with cadmium. Hair metal concentrations of farmers previously irrigating with wastewater were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than farmers irrigating with clean water, but metal concentrations in hair samples of farmers previously irrigating with wastewater were not associated with current soil metal concentrations. The study concludes that there is a persistence of heavy metals in soils and plants previously irrigated with wastewater, but high metal concentrations in hair samples of farmers cannot be associated with current soil metal concentrations.

Ultrafine particles, PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ mass concentration, NOₓ, Ozone, SO₂, back-trajectories of air masses and meteorological parameters were studied in a small city over the period February, 2013 to June, 2014. The profiles of PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ particles are provided, showing averaged values of 16.6 and 21.6 μg m⁻³, respectively. The average number concentration of particles in the range of diameters 5.6–560 nm was 1.2 × 10⁴#/ cm³ with contributions of 42, 51 and 7 % from the nucleation, Aitken, and accumulation modes, respectively. The average number concentration of ultrafine particles was 1.1 × 10⁴#/ cm³. The results obtained are evidence for some differences in the pollution of ambient air by particles in the studied town in comparison to bigger cities. Nucleation events due to emissions from the city were not observed, and traffic emissions amount to a small contribution to PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ particles which are mainly due to crustal origin from the arid surroundings and long-range transport from the Sahara Desert.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were extensively used in various fields, particularly in medicine as an antimicrobial agent. The unavoidable and extensive usage of AgNPs in turn accumulates in the environment. Plants are the essential base of ecosystem and are ready to disturb by environmental pollutants. Therefore, in the present study, we have planned to evaluate the impact of biologically synthesized AgNPs on the essential food crop Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis). The effects of AgNP-induced plant morphological and physiological changes were investigated in different concentrations (100, 250, and 500 mg/L). The results of morphological features showed that AgNPs at lower concentrations (100 mg/L) exhibit growth-stimulating activity, whereas at higher concentrations (250 and 500 mg/L), particularly, 500 mg/L exhibited growth-suppressing activities which are in terms of reduced root, shoot growth, and fresh biomass. The increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, malondialdehyde production, anthocyanin biosynthesis, and decreased chlorophyll content were also more obviously present at higher concentrations of AgNPs. The concentration-dependent DNA damage was observed in the AgNP-treated plants. The molecular responses of AgNPs indicate that most of the genes related to secondary metabolism (glucosinolates, anthocyanin) and antioxidant activities were induced at higher concentrations of AgNP treatment. The dose-dependent phytotoxicity effects of AgNPs were also observed. Taken together, the highest concentration of AgNPs (500 mg/L) could induce growth-suppressing activities via the induction of ROS generation and other molecular changes in B. rapa seedlings.

Madín Reservoir (MR) is located on the Río Tlalnepantla in Mexico. Previous studies seeking to identify pollutants at this site evidence that MR water contains a considerable metal load as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) at concentrations above those determined suitable for aquatic life. This study aimed to evaluate whether chronic exposure to pollutants in MR alters oxidative stress status and flesh quality in muscle of the common carp Cyprinus carpio. The following biomarkers were evaluated in muscle of carp caught in the general area of discharge from the town of Viejo Madín: hydroperoxide content (HPC), lipid peroxidation (LPX), protein carbonyl content (PCC), and activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Physicochemical and textural properties of muscle were also evaluated. Results show that the metals Al and Fe were accumulated in muscle of C. carpio at levels of 21.3 and 29.6 μg L⁻¹, respectively, and the NSAIDs diclofenac, ibuprofen, and naproxen at levels from 0.08 to 0.21 ng L⁻¹. Fish exposed to discharge from the town of Viejo Madín showed significant increases in HPC (9.77 %), LPX (69.33 %), and PCC (220 %) with respect to control specimens (p < 0.05). Similarly, enzyme activity increased significantly: SOD (80.82 %), CAT (98.03 %), and GPx (49.76 %). In muscle, physicochemical properties evidenced mainly significant reductions compared to control values while textural properties showed significant increases. Thus, water in this reservoir is contaminated with xenobiotics that alter some biological functions in C. carpio, a fish species consumed by the local human population.

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are persistent organic pollutants that could cause deleterious effects on human health. Breast milk represents a noninvasive specimen source to assess maternal and infant exposure to OCPs. This study recruited 142 pregnant mothers in 2011–2012 in Shanghai, China, and their breast milk samples were collected during lactation and analyzed for 27 OCP compounds. Detection rates were in a range of 65.5 to 100 %. In particular, metabolites of 2,2-bis(chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (DDT) such as 2-chloro-1,1-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDMU), 2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethanol (DDOH), bis(4-chlorophenyl)ketone (DBP), and 4,4′-dichlorodiphenylmethane (DDM) were detected in most milk samples. DDTs, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) were dominant OCPs with mean levels of 316, 49.8, and 41.5 ng/g lipid content, respectively, whereas levels of methoxychlor, ∑Drins, ∑Heptachlor, ∑Chlordane, and ∑Endosulfan were fairly low (0.87–5.6 ng/g lipid content). Milk concentrations of OCPs were weakly correlated with maternal age, body weight, and body mass indexes (BMIs). ∑OCPs in this study were much lower than those in human breast milk samples collected in 2002 and 2007. Consumption of higher amounts of fish was associated with higher milk levels of OCPs. Specific OCP patterns in breast milk samples from migrant mothers in Shanghai reflected features of OCP production, use, and exposure in their home provinces. The probabilistic exposure assessment model reveals that Shanghai infants were exposed to low levels of OCPs through breast milk consumption. However, infants as the vulnerable group might be subject to the potential additive and/or synergistic health effects from complex OCP exposure.

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly mobile toxic element in soil-plant systems that interferes with plant growth and nutrient acquisition by modulations in the rhizospheric environment. The current study investigated the influence of maize roots on the medium pH, alterations in nutrient uptake, and impact on the plant’s physiological attributes under Cd stress. Among the nine maize cultivars, subjected to Cd stress (9.15 mg/kg of sand), one was identified as Cd tolerant (3062—Pioneer) and the second as Cd sensitive (31P41—Pioneer). The selected maize cultivars were grown in nutrient solutions supplemented with 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50 μM CdCl₂ under controlled conditions and a starting pH of 6.0. The rhizospheric pH dynamics were monitored each day up to 3 days. Both cultivars caused medium basification; however, the response was different at low (10 and 20 μM) Cd treatments (sensitive cultivar caused medium basification) and at higher (50 μM) Cd treatment (tolerant cultivar caused medium basification). Furthermore, higher Cd was accumulated by the sensitive cultivar which was predominantly found in the roots. Higher Cd levels in the medium resulted in increased uptake and translocation of both Cd and K (in the tolerant cultivar) or only Cd (in the sensitive cultivar). Uptake of other nutrients (Ca, Zn, and Fe) was antagonistically affected by Cd stress in both cultivars. Moreover, Cd stress significantly impaired chlorophyll content, catalase activity, and total protein content; irrespective of the genotype. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content was found to increase, in both cultivars, together with Cd level. However, the extent to which Cd interfered with the studied attributes was more pronounced in the sensitive cultivar as compared to the tolerant one. It is concluded that the maize roots responded to Cd stress by initiating modulations of medium pH which might be dependent on Cd tolerance levels. The study results may help to develop strategies to reduce Cd accumulation in maize and decontamination of metal-polluted soil sediments.