Toxicity of Cu and Cu-based nanoparticles (NPs) to aquatic biota is usually mitigated in natural freshwater compared to organics-free artificial freshwater. The main aim of this study was to evaluate whether mitigated toxicity is accompanied by lower total copper body burden in the freshwater crustacean Daphnia magna and whether CuO NPs are more hazardous in this aspect than soluble Cu salts.Total copper body burden in different media (OECD202 artificial freshwater and two natural freshwaters) was measured by a relatively novel technique - total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) spectroscopy - which proved suitable for the analysis of individual juvenile daphnids. Mean copper body burden was 2.8–42 times higher in daphnids exposed to CuO NPs (0.05 mg Cu/L and 1 mg Cu/L) than in daphnids exposed to equal or equitoxic concentrations (0.025 mg Cu/L and 0.05 mg Cu/L) of CuSO4. Using natural freshwater instead of artificial one resulted in increased copper burden after exposure to CuO NPs but not after exposure to Cu salt. After 24 h post-exposure depuration in the presence of algae Raphidocelis subcapitata, total copper body burden in daphnids exposed to CuO NPs sharply decreased while in daphnids exposed to Cu salt it did not. Despite the CuO NP toxicity mitigating effect of natural freshwater, total copper body burden of aquatic crustaceans in natural waterbodies may be greater than could be predicted based on the results obtained using artificial freshwater as the test medium.

Short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) in multi-environmental matrices are studied in Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, China, which is a notorious e-waste dismantling area. The investigated matrices consist of paddy field soil, paddy seeds (Oryza sativa, separated into hulls and rice unpolished) and apple snails (Ampullariidae, inhabiting the paddy fields). The sampling area covered a 65-km radius around the contamination center. C10 and C11 are the two predominant homologue groups in the area, accounting for about 35.7% and 33.0% of total SCCPs, respectively. SCCPs in snails and hulls are generally higher than in soil samples (30.4–530 ng/g dw), and SCCPs in hulls are approximate five times higher than in corresponding rice samples (4.90–55.1 ng/g dw). Homologue pattern analysis indicates that paddy seeds (both hull and rice) tend to accumulate relatively high volatile SCCP homologues, especially the ones with shorter carbon chain length, while snails tend to accumulate relatively high lipophilic homologues, especially the ones with more substituted chlorines. SCCPs in both paddy seeds and snails are linearly related to those in the soil. The e-waste dismantling area, which covers a radius of approximate 20 km, shows higher pollution levels for SCCPs according to their spatial distribution in four matrices. The preliminary assessment indicates that SCCP levels in local soils pose no significant ecological risk for soil dwelling organisms, but higher risks from dietary exposure of SCCPs are suspected for people living in e-waste dismantling area.

Wildlife lead exposure is an increasing conservation threat that is being widely investigated. However, for some areas of the world (e.g., South America) and certain species, research on this subject is still scarce or only local information is available. We analyzed the extent and intensity of lead exposure for a widely distributed threatened species, the Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus). We conducted the study at two different scales: 1) sampling of birds received for rehabilitation or necropsy in Argentina, and 2) bibliographic review and extensive survey considering exposure event for the species' distribution in South America. Wild condors from Argentina (n = 76) presented high lead levels consistent with both recent and previous exposure (up to 104 μg/dL blood level, mean 15.47 ± 21.21 μg/dL and up to 148.20 ppm bone level, mean 23.08 ± 31.39 ppm). In contrast, captive bred individuals -not exposed to lead contamination- had much lower lead levels (mean blood level 5.63 ± 3.08 μg/dL, and mean bone level 2.76 ± 3.06 ppm). Condors were exposed to lead throughout their entire range in continental Argentina, which represents almost sixty percent (>4000 km) of their geographical distribution. We also present evidence of lead exposure events in Chile, Ecuador, and Peru. Lead poisoning is a widespread major conservation threat for the Andean Condor, and probably other sympatric carnivores from South America. The high number and wide range of Andean Condors with lead values complement the results for the California Condor and other scavengers in North America suggesting lead poisoning is a continental threat. Urgent actions are needed to reduce this poison in the wild.

Although it was recently determined that silicon can alleviate cadmium (Cd) toxicity in rice, the effects of silicon properties and the molecular mechanisms are still unclear. Here, the effect of silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) on Cd toxicity in rice was examined using cells cultured in suspension in the presence or absence of SiNPs (19 nm, 48 nm and 202 nm). The results showed that the presence of SiNPs substantially enhanced the proportion of live cells to 95.4%, 78.6% and 66.2%, respectively, suggesting that the extent of alleviation of Cd toxicity decreased gradually with size of SiNPs. The morphological results showed that dramatic damage and severe structural changes in the organelle integrity of cells occurred in the absence of SiNPs, whereas the cells exposed to the SiNPs remained nearly intact even in the presence of high concentrations of Cd. Furthermore, the SiNPs accumulated on the surface of the rice cells. Using inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy, Cd accumulated preferentially in plant cells with cell walls. In addition, noninvasive microtest technology showed that the average Cd2+ influx in those treated with SiNPs (19 nm, 48 nm and 202 nm) decreased by 15.7-, 11.1- and 4.6-fold, respectively. The gene expression of Cd uptake and transport (OsLCT1 and OsNramp5) was inhibited by SiNPs, but the gene expression of Cd transport into vacuole (OsHMA3) and Si uptake (OsLsi1) was enhanced by the SiNPs. These results indicate that the presence of SiNPs increased at least 1.87-fold the Si uptake capacity and inhibited the Cd uptake capacity, which together resulted in the alleviation of the toxicity of Cd in rice. This study provided a molecular-scale insight into the understanding of the SiNPs-induced alleviation of the toxicity of Cd in rice.

Microwave irradiation (MW) is an effective technique in heating and pyrolysis. This study compared the properties of peanut shell-biochars produced using MW and muffle furnace (FN). At the same pyrolysis temperature, MW biochars preserved more biomass (as indicated by their higher yields and higher abundance of functional groups) and possessed larger surface areas due to the high abundance of micropores. MW biochars generally exhibited higher adsorption of carbamazepine (CBZ) and bisphenol A (BPA) than FN biochars. However, their surface area-normalized sorption was lower, suggesting that the inner pores may not be fully available to CBZ and BPA sorption. We observed significant free radical signals in both types of biochars. Although CBZ and BPA did not degrade in the biochar sorption systems, the potential role of stronger free radical signals in MW biochars for organic contaminant control may not be overlooked in studies with other chemicals.

To investigate the relationship between metal concentrations in abiotic compartments and in aquatic species, sediment, suspended matter and several aquatic species (Polychaeta, Oligochaeta, four crustacean species, three mollusc species and eight fish species) were collected during three seasons at six locations along the Scheldt estuary (the Netherlands-Belgium) and analysed on their metal content (Ag, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn and the metalloid As). Sediment and biota tissue concentrations were significantly influenced by sampling location, but not by season. Measurements of Acid Volatile Sulphides (AVS) concentrations in relation to Simultaneously Extracted Metals (SEM) in the sediment suggested that not all metals in the sediment will be bound to sulphides and some metals might be bioavailable.For all metals but zinc, highest concentrations were measured in invertebrate species; Ag and Ni in periwinkle, Cr, Co and Pb in Oligochaete worms and As, Cd and Cu in crabs and shrimp. Highest concentrations of Zn were measured in the kidney of European smelt. In fish, for most of the metals, the concentrations were highest in liver or kidney and lowest in muscle. For Zn however, highest concentrations were measured in the kidney of European smelt. For less than half of the metals significant correlations between sediment metal concentrations and bioaccumulated concentrations were found (liver/hepatopancreas or whole organism). To calculate the possible human health risk by consumption, average and maximum metal concentrations in the muscle tissues were compared to the minimum risk levels (MRLs). Concentrations of As led to the highest risk potential for all consumable species. Cadmium and Cu posed only a risk when consuming the highest contaminated shrimp and shore crabs. Consuming blue mussel could result in a risk for the metals As, Cd and Cr.

This study utilized a long-term satellite-based vegetation index, and considered culture-specific emission sources (temples and Chinese restaurants) with Land-use Regression (LUR) modelling to estimate the spatial-temporal variability of PM2.5 using data from Taipei metropolis, which exhibits typical Asian city characteristics. Annual average PM2.5 concentrations from 2006 to 2012 of 17 air quality monitoring stations established by Environmental Protection Administration of Taiwan were used for model development. PM2.5 measurements from 2013 were used for external data verification. Monthly Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) images coupled with buffer analysis were used to assess the spatial-temporal variations of greenness surrounding the monitoring sites. The distribution of temples and Chinese restaurants were included to represent the emission contributions from incense and joss money burning, and gas cooking, respectively. Spearman correlation coefficient and stepwise regression were used for LUR model development, and 10-fold cross-validation and external data verification were applied to verify the model reliability. The results showed a strongly negative correlation (r: −0.71 to −0.77) between NDVI and PM2.5 while temples (r: 0.52 to 0.66) and Chinese restaurants (r: 0.31 to 0.44) were positively correlated to PM2.5 concentrations. With the adjusted model R² of 0.89, a cross-validated adj-R² of 0.90, and external validated R² of 0.83, the high explanatory power of the resultant model was confirmed. Moreover, the averaged NDVI within a 1750 m circular buffer (p < 0.01), the number of Chinese restaurants within a 1750 m buffer (p < 0.01), and the number of temples within a 750 m buffer (p = 0.06) were selected as important predictors during the stepwise selection procedures. According to the partial R², NDVI explained 66% of PM2.5 variation and was the dominant variable in the developed model. We suggest future studies consider these three factors when establishing LUR models for estimating PM2.5 in other Asian cities.

Prenatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is a high-priority public health concern. However, maternal to fetal transplacental transfer of PAHs has not been systematically studied. To investigate the transplacental transfer of PAHs from mother to fetus and determine the influence of lipophilicity (octanol-water partition coefficient, KOW) on transfer process, in the present study, we measured the concentrations of 15 PAHs in 95 paired maternal and umbilical cord serum, and placenta samples (in total 285 samples) collected in Shanghai, China. The average concentration of total PAHs was the highest in maternal serums (1290 ng g−1 lipid), followed by umbilical cord serums (1150 ng g-1 lipid). The value was the lowest in placenta samples (673 ng g-1 lipid). Low molecular weight PAHs were the predominant compounds in the three matrices. Increases in fish and meat consumption did not lead to increases in maternal PAH levels, and no obvious gender differences in umbilical cord serums were observed. The widespread presence of PAHs in umbilical cord serums indicated the occurrence of transplacental transfer. The ratios of PAH concentrations in umbilical cord serum to those in maternal serum (F/M) and the concentrations in placenta to those in maternal serum (P/M) of paired samples were analyzed to characterize the transfer process of individual PAHs. Most F/M ratios on lipid basis were close to one (range: 0.79 to 1.36), which suggested that passive diffusion may control the transplacental transfer of PAHs from maternal serum to the fetal circulation. The P/M and F/M values calculated on lipid basis showed that PAHs with lower KOW were more likely to transfer from mother to fetus via the placenta.

Comprehensive measurements were conducted at the summit of Mount (Mt.) Huang, a rural site located in eastern China during the summer of 2011. They observed that ozone showed pronounced diurnal variations with high concentrations at night and low values during daytime. The Weather Research and Forecasting with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) model was applied to simulate the ozone concentrations at Mt. Huang in June 2011. With processes analysis and online ozone tagging method we coupled into the model system, the causes of this diurnal pattern and the contributions from different source regions were investigated. Our results showed that boundary layer diurnal cycle played an important role in driving the ozone diurnal variation. Further analysis showed that the negative contribution of vertical mixing was significant, resulting in the ozone decrease during the daytime. In contrast, ozone increased at night owing to the significant positive contribution of advection. This shifting of major factor between vertical mixing and advection formed this diurnal variation. Ozone source apportionment results indicated that approximately half was provided by inflow effect of ozone from outside the model domain (O3-INFLOW) and the other half was formed by ozone precursors (O3-PBL) emitted in eastern, central, and southern China. In the O3-PBL, 3.0% of the ozone was from Mt. Huang reflecting the small local contribution (O3-LOC) and the non-local contributions (O3-NLOC) accounted for 41.6%, in which ozone from the southerly regions contributed significantly, for example, 9.9% of the ozone originating from Jiangxi, representing the highest geographical contributor. Because the origin and variation of O3-NLOC was highly related to the diurnal movements in boundary layer, the similar diurnal patterns between O3-NLOC and total ozone both indicated the direct influence of O3-NLOC and the importance of boundary layer diurnal variations in the formation of such distinct diurnal ozone variations at Mt. Huang.

Exposure to phthalate esters (PAEs) has been associated with childhood asthma, but the congener-specific effects of PAEs on childhood asthma were unclear. We aimed to systematically review and meta-analyze observational studies on the associations between specific effects of PAEs and the risk of childhood asthma.Relevant studies were identified by searching three databases up to October 20, 2016. The reference lists of the retrieved articles were also reviewed. We included observational studies that reported risk estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations between phthalate exposure and the risk of childhood asthma. Fixed-effects models were generally applied to calculate pooled risk estimates. When heterogeneity was present, random-effects models were applied.A total of nine studies featuring 43 data points were included in our final meta-analyses. Results indicated that the benzyl butyl phthalate (BBzP) exposure had a significant association with the risk of childhood asthma. The Odd Ratios (ORs) were from 1.39 to 1.41 for different combination strategies. Subgroup analyses by different exposure period or samples used showed that prenatal exposure to BBzP had a stronger association with the risk of childhood asthma (OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.09–1.75), compared to those with postnatal exposure. Besides, the association was evident when the phthalate exposure was measured from dust samples. The OR for the associations between di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) in dust and childhood asthma was 2.71 (95% CI = 1.39–5.28), and 2.08 (95% CI = 1.10–3.92) for BBzP.Our study suggested a positive association between DEHP and BBzP exposure and childhood asthma. Future studies are warranted to identify the underlying mechanisms of the association.