Because the pollutants produced by human activities have destroyed the ecological balance of natural water environment, and caused severe impact on human life safety and environmental security. Hence the task of water environment restoration is imminent. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), structured from organic ligands and inorganic metal ions, are notable for their outstanding crystallinity, diverse structures, large surface areas, adsorption performance, and excellent component tunability. The water stability of MOFs is a key requisite for their possible actual applications in separation, catalysis, adsorption, and other water environment remediation areas because it is necessary to safeguard the integrity of the material structure during utilization. In this article, we comprehensively review state-of-the-art research progress on the promising potential of MOFs as excellent nanomaterials to remove contaminants from the water environment. Firstly, the fundamental characteristics and preparation methods of several typical water-stable MOFs include UiO, MIL, and ZIF are introduced. Then, the removal property and mechanism of heavy metal ions, radionuclide contaminants, drugs, and organic dyes by different MOFs were compared. Finally, the application prospect of MOFs in pollutant remediation prospected. In this review, the synthesis methods and application in water pollutant removal are explored, which provide ways toward the effective use of water-stable MOFs in materials design and environmental remediation.

Four most concerned heavy metal pollutants, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury may share common mechanisms to induce metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, recent studies exploring the relationships between MetS and metal exposure presented inconsistent findings. We aimed to clarify the relationship between heavy metal exposure biomarkers and MetS using a meta-analysis and systematic review approach. Literature search was conducted in international and the Chinese national databases up to June 2020. Of selected studies, we extracted the relevant data and evaluated the quality of each study’s methodology. We then calculated the pooled effect sizes (ESs), standardized mean differences (SMDs), and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a random-effect meta-analysis approach followed by stratification analyses for control of potential confounders. Involving 55,536 participants, the included 22 articles covered 52 observational studies reporting ESs and/or metal concentrations on specific metal and gender. Our results show that participants with MetS had significantly higher levels of heavy metal exposure [pooled ES = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.23; n = 42, heterogeneity I² = 75.6%; and SMD = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.15, 0.29; n = 32, I² = 94.2%] than those without MetS. Pooled ESs in the subgroups stratified by arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury were 1.04 (95% CI: 0.97, 1.10; n = 8, I² = 61.0%), 1.10 (0.95, 1.27; 11, 45.0%), 1.21 (1.00, 1.48; 12, 82.9%), and 1.26 (1.06, 1.48; 11, 67.7%), respectively. Pooled ESs in the subgroups stratified by blood, urine, and the other specimen were 1.22 (95% CI: 1.08, 1.38; n = 26, I² = 75.8%), 1.06 (1.00, 1.13; 14, 58.1%), and 2.41 (1.30, 4.43; 2, 0.0%), respectively. In conclusion, heavy metal exposure was positively associated with MetS. Further studies are warranted to examine the effects of individual metals and their interaction on the relationship between MetS and heavy metals.

The exploitation of a new adsorbent with a high adsorption performance and recyclability is of great practical significance for the treatment of wastewater containing mercury ions. In this study, a novel membrane adsorbent was fabricated by blending MoS₂ nanosheets into a PVDF polymer matrix (P-PVDF/MoS₂) followed by non-solvent-induced phase conversion. This material was able to bind mercury ions and was not affected by the solution ionic strength, co-existing anions, or interfering heavy metal ions. The optimal pH range for mercury ion elimination was 4.5–6.0, and P-PVDF/MoS₂ exhibited a maximum adsorption capacity of 578 mg g⁻¹. The pseudo-second-order adsorption kinetics and Langmuir isotherm models best described the adsorption process. The adsorption mechanism was mainly monolayer chemisorption, for which the S groups were the major active sites. Furthermore, the membrane could be removed from the aqueous solution easily using tweezers, and the removal efficiency of mercury ions remained over 90% after ten cycles. This study suggests that the inexpensive and recyclable P-PVDF/MoS₂ membranes can be used for the efficient removal of heavy metal ions from wastewater at a large scale.

Current understanding of biochar's effect on antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in soil is limited, and whether the effect could change after long-term field aging remains largely unknown. In this study, we employed high-throughput quantitative PCR to assess the effect of biochar amendment on soil resistome as affected by three years of field aging. Application of fresh biochar significantly elevated the number and abundance of ARGs in the manured soil, but did not show such effect under pakchoi cultivation. The presence of aged biochar caused a marked reduction of ARGs only in the planted manured soil. Results of principal coordinate analysis and structural equation modeling indicate that biochar's effect on soil ARG profile was changed by field aging through altering soil microbial composition. These results highlight the necessity of considering aging effect of biochar during its on-farm application to mitigate soil antibiotic resistance.

Nitrate is a major pollutant component in ambient PM₂.₅. It is known that chronic exposure to PM₂.₅ NO₃⁻ damages respiratory functions. We aim to explore the underlying toxicological mechanism at single cell resolution.We systematically conducted exposure experiments on forty C57BL/6 mice, assessed respiratory functions, and profiled lung transcriptome. . Afterward, we estimated the cell type compositions from RNA-seq data using deconvolution analysis. The genes and pathways associated with respiratory function and dysregulated by to PM₂.₅ NO₃⁻ exposure were characterized at bulk-tissue and single-cell resolution.PM₂.₅ NO₃⁻ exposure did not significantly modify the cell type composition in lung, but profoundly altered the gene expression within each cell type. At ambient concentration (22 μg/m³), exposure significantly (FDR<10%) altered 95 genes’ expression. Among the genes associated with respiratory functions, a large fraction (74.6–91.7%) were significantly perturbed by PM₂.₅ NO₃⁻ exposure. For example, among the 764 genes associated with peak expiratory flow (PEF), 608 (79.6%) were affected by exposure (p = 1.92e-345). Pathways known to play role in lung disease pathogenesis, including circadian rhythms, sphingolipid metabolism, immune response and lysosome, were found significantly associated with respiratory functions and disrupted by PM₂.₅ NO₃⁻ exposure.This study extended our knowledge of PM₂.₅ NO₃⁻ exposure’s effect to the levels of lung gene expression, pathways, lung cell type composition and cell specific transcriptome. At single cell resolution, we provided insights in toxicological mechanism of PM₂.₅ NO₃⁻ exposure and subsequent pulmonary disease risks.

Previous nationwide studies have reported links between long-term concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and COVID-19 infection and mortality rates. In order to translate these results to the state level, we use Bayesian hierarchical models to explore potential links between long-term PM2.5 concentrations and census tract-level rates of COVID-19 outcomes (infections, hospitalizations, and deaths) in Colorado. We explicitly consider how the uncertainty in PM2.5 estimates affects our results by comparing four different PM2.5 surfaces from academic and governmental organizations. After controlling for 20 census tract-level covariates, we find that our results depend heavily on the choice of PM2.5 surface. Using PM2.5 estimates from the United States EPA, we find that a 1 μg/m³ increase in long-term PM2.5 concentrations is associated with a statistically significant 26% increase in the relative risk of hospitalizations and a 34% increase in mortality. Results for all other surfaces and outcomes were not statistically significant. At the same time, we find a clear association between communities of color and COVID-19 outcomes at the Colorado census tract level that is minimally affected by the choice of PM2.5 surface. A per-interquartile range (IQR) increase in the percent of non-African American people of color was associated with a 31%, 43%, and 56% increase in the relative risk of infection, hospitalization, and mortality respectively, while a per-IQR increase in the proportion of non-Hispanic African Americans was associated with a 4% and 7% increase in the relative risk of infections and hospitalizations. The current disagreement among the different PM2.5 estimates is a key factor limiting our ability to link environmental exposures and health outcomes at the census tract level. These results have strong implications for the implementation of an equitable public health response during the crisis and suggest targeted areas for additional air monitoring in Colorado.

Per-and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of chemicals used in a wide variety of commercial products and industrial applications. These chemicals are persistent, can accumulate in humans' and animals' tissues and in the environment, representing an increasing concern due to their moderate to highly toxicity. Their global distribution, persistence and toxicity led to an urgent need to investigate bioaccumulation also in marine species. In 2013 PFAS contamination was detected in a vast area in Veneto region, mainly in Adige and Brenta rivers. In order to investigate any relevant presence of these substances in marine vertebrates constantly living in the area, PFAS were measured in hepatic tissue samples of 20 bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) stranded along the northern Adriatic Sea coastline between 2008 and 2020. Using high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, 17 target PFAS (PFBA, PFPeA, PFHxA, PFHpA, PFOA, PFNA, PFDA, PFUnA, PFDoA, PFTrDA, PFTeDA, PFBS, PFHxS, PFOS, PFDS, PFHpS, PFPeS), were quantified in the samples. PFAS profiles were generally composed of the same five dominant PFAS (PFOS > PFUnA > PFDA ≈ PFDoA ≈ PFTrDA). The greatest PFOS concentration found was 629,73 ng/g wet weight, and PFOS accounted until 71% in the PFAS profiles. No significant differences between sexes were found, while calves showing higher mean values than adults, possibly indicating an increasing ability in the elimination of PFAS with age. Finally, a temporal analysis was carried out considering three different periods of time, but no temporal differences in concentrations were found. The results suggest that long-chain PFAS are widespread in bottlenose dolphins along the North Adriatic Sea. Furthermore, they represent a baseline to investigate the impact of PFAS on marine mammals’ conservation and health. Filling an important gap in the knowledge of PFAS accumulation in bottlenose dolphins, this study highlights the relevant role of Environmental and Tissue Banks for retrospective analyses on emergent contaminants.

Sulfate (SO₄•⁻) and hydroxyl-based (HO•) radical are considered potential agents for As(III) removal from aquatic environments. We have reported the synergistic role of SO₄•⁻ and HO• radicals for As(III) removal via facile synthesis of biochar-supported SO₄•⁻ species. MoS₂−modified biochar (MoS₂/BC), iron oxide-biochar (FeOₓ@BC), and MoS₂−modified iron oxide-biochar (MoS₂/FeOₓ@BC) were prepared and systematically characterized to understand the underlying mechanism for arsenic removal. The MoS₂/FeOx@BC displayed much higher As(III) adsorption (27 mg/g) compared to MoS₂/BC (7 mg/g) and FeOx@BC (12 mg/g). Effects of kinetics, As(III) concentration, temperature, and pH were also investigated. The adsorption of As(III) by MoS₂/FeOx@BC followed the Freundlich adsorption isotherm and pseudo-second-order, indicating multilayer adsorption and chemisorption, respectively. The FTIR and XPS analysis confirmed the presence of Fe–O bonds and SO₄ groups in the MoS₂/FeOₓ@BC. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and radical quenching experiments have shown the generation of SO₄•⁻ radicals as predominant species in the presence of MoS₂ and FeOₓ in MoS₂/FeOx@BC via radical transfer from HO• to SO₄²⁻. The HO• and SO₄•⁻ radicals synergistically contributed to enhanced As(III) removal. It is envisaged that As(III) initially adsorbed through electrostatic interactions and partially undergoes oxidation, which is finally adsorbed to MoS₂/FeOx@BC after being oxidized to As(V). The MoS₂/FeOₓ@BC system could be considered a novel material for effective removal of As(III) from aqueous environments owing to its cost-effective synthesis and easy scalability for actual applications.

As a volatile organic compound existing in the atmosphere, methanol plays a key role in atmospheric chemistry due to its comparatively high abundance and long lifetime. Croplands are a significant source of biogenic methanol, but there is a lack of systematic assessment for the production and emission of methanol from crops in various phases. In this study, methanol emissions from spring wheat during the growing period were estimated using a developed emission model. The temporal and spatial variations of methanol emissions of spring wheat in a Canadian province were investigated. The averaged methanol emission of spring wheat is found to be 37.94 ± 7.5 μg·m⁻²·h⁻¹, increasing from north to south and exhibiting phenological peak to valley characteristics. Moreover, cold crop districts are projected to be with higher increase in air temperature and consequent methanol emissions during 2020–2099. Furthermore, the seasonality of methanol emissions is found to be positively correlated to concentrations of CO, filterable particulate matter, and PM₁₀ but negatively related to NO₂ and O₃. The uncertainty and sensitivity analysis results suggest that methanol emissions show a Gamma probabilistic distribution, and growth length, air temperature, solar radiation and leafage are the most important influencing variables. In most cases, methanol emissions increase with air temperature in the range of 3–35 °C while the excessive temperature may result in decreased methanol emissions because of inactivated enzyme activity or increased instant methanol emissions due to heat injury. Notably, induced emission might be the major source of biogenic methanol of mature leaves. The results of this study can be used to develop appropriate strategies for regional emission management of cropping systems.

Packaging is necessary for preserving and delivering products and has significant impacts on human health and the environment. Particle matter (PM) may be released from packages and transferred to the air during a typical peeling process, but little is known about this package-to-air migration route of particles. Here, we investigated the emission profiles of total and biological particles, and the horizontal and vertical dispersion abilities and community structure of viable microbes released from packaging to the air by peeling. The results revealed that a lot of inhalable particles and viable microbes were released from package to the air in different migration directions, and this migration can be regulated by several factors including package material, effective peeling area, peeling speed and angles, as well as the characteristics of the migrant itself. Dispersal of package-borne viable microbes provides direct evidence that viable microbes, including pathogens, can survive the aerosolization caused by peeling and be transferred to air over different distances while remaining alive. Based on the experimental data and visual proof in movies, we speculate that nonbiological particles are package fibers fractured and released to air by the external peeling force exerted on the package and that microbe dispersal is attributed to surface-borne microbe suspension by vibration caused by the peeling force. This investigation provides new information that aerosolized particles can deliver package-borne substances and viable microbes from packaging to the ambient environment, motivating further studies to characterize the health effects of such aerosolized particles and the geographic migration of microbes via packaging.