This study evaluated the effect of continuous and batch feeding on the removal of 8 pharmaceuticals (carbamazepine, naproxen, diclofenac, ibuprofen, caffeine, salicylic acid, ketoprofen and clofibric acid) from synthetic wastewater in mesocosm-scale constructed wetlands (CWs). Both loading modes were operated at hydraulic application rates of 5.6 cm day⁻¹ and 2.8 cm day⁻¹. Except for carbamazepine, clofibric acid and naproxen, removal in CWs was significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced under the batch versus continuous mode. For all compounds tested except naproxen, values for first-order decay constants (k) for drain and fill operation were higher than that for the continuous mode of operation. Correlation between the distribution coefficient (log Dₒw) and removal efficiencies of pharmaceutical compounds in the CWs, showed that pharmaceutical removal efficiency was significantly (p < 0.1) and inversely correlated with log Dₒw value, but not with log Kₒw value.

Complementary sorption of different chemicals was expected and investigating the relationship between the sorption inhibition of primary sorbate (ΔQᵖʳⁱ) and sorption of secondary sorbate (Qˢᵉᶜ) could provide a new angle to understand coadsorption of different chemicals. This study used bisphenol A (BPA) as the primary adsorbate, sulfamethoxazole (SMX) as the competitor, and carbon nanotubes as model adsorbents to study their complementary and competitive adsorption. At low BPA concentrations, the sorption of SMX (Qˢᵉᶜ) exceeded BPA sorption inhibition (ΔQᵖʳⁱ), indicating that these two chemicals complementarily adsorbed on their respectively preferred sorption sites. At high BPA concentrations, higher ΔQᵖʳⁱ was observed in comparison to Qˢᵉᶜ, which may be resulted from different packing efficiencies of the adsorbed SMX and BPA. This study emphasized that both competitive and complementary sorption should be discussed in binary sorption system.

Atmospheric nitrogen deposition and [CO₂] are increasing and represent environmental problems. Planting fast-growing species is prospering to moderate these environmental impacts by fixing CO₂. Therefore, we examined the responses of growth, photosynthesis, and defense chemical in leaves of Eucalyptus urophylla (U) and the hybrid of E. deglupta × E. camadulensis (H) to different CO₂ and nitrogen levels. High nitrogen load significantly increased plant growth, leaf N, net photosynthetic rate (Agᵣₒwₜₕ), and photosynthetic water use efficiency (WUE). High CO₂ significantly increased Agᵣₒwₜₕ, photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency (PNUE) and WUE. Secondary metabolite (SM, i.e. total phenolics and condensed tannin) was specifically altered; as SM of U increased by high N load but not by elevated [CO₂], and vice versa for SM of H.

The coexistence of heavy metals and antibiotics is common in the environment, and their interactions may mutually alter their environmental behaviors and risks. This study investigated ofloxacin (OFL)–Cu(II) interaction using fluorescence quenching experiments. The possible artifacts were excluded and OFL quenching was attributed to static quenching as suggested by the linear Stern–Volmer plot and decreased quenching with increased temperature. The OFL–Cu(II) interaction was quantitatively described using a stoichiometry equation. The calculation suggested that OFL–Cu(II) association was the mixture of 1:1 and 1:2 complexes. The negative ΔG values and the negative ΔH values suggested that the complexation is a spontaneous and exothermic process. Cation-π binding and electrostatic interaction were excluded and the complexation of Cu(II) with OFL ketonic and carboxyl groups was proposed through UV–visible spectrum characterization, pH dependent complexation, and thermodynamic analysis.

We used the eggs of an avian sentinel, the Northern gannet (Morus bassanus), to determine long-term (1977–2007) trends in PBDE contamination in Western Atlantic (Ailsa Craig colony) and North Sea (Bass Rock colony) waters around the UK. BDEs 47, 49, 99, 100, 153, 154 were the most abundant and were found in all eggs. Individual congener and ΣPBDE concentrations in eggs from both colonies increased mainly from the late 1980s, peaked in 1994, and then rapidly declined so that concentrations in 2002 were similar to or lower than those in the 1970s and 1980s. The PBDE congener profile and temporal variation in PBDE concentrations suggests that the Penta-BDE technical formula was the main source of PBDE contamination. However, contributions of heavier BDE congeners to ΣPBDE concentrations have increased over time, suggesting other sources are becoming more important. PBDEs had no measurable effect on egg volume or eggshell index.

Current-use insecticides including organophosphate (OPs) and synthetic pyrethroid (SPs) insecticides were analyzed in 35 sediment samples collected from Chaohu Lake in China, where a transition from a traditional agricultural to a modern urbanized society is ongoing. Total concentrations of five OPs and eight SPs ranged from 0.029 to 0.681 ng/g dry weight and 0.016–301 ng/g dry weight, respectively. Toxic unit analysis showed that 13% of the sediment samples likely produced over 50% of the mortality for benthic invertebrates. Analysis also showed that cypermethrin was the principal contributor to the toxicity. Spatial distribution evaluation implied that OPs were mainly from non-point sources associated with agricultural activities. Conversely, SPs may have been derived from runoff of inflowing rivers through urban regions, as their concentrations were well-correlated with concentrations of other urban-oriented contaminants.

Alveolar and tracheobronchial-deposited submicrometer particle number and surface area data received by different age groups in Australia are shown. Activity patterns were combined with microenvironmental data through a Monte Carlo method. Particle number distributions for the most significant microenvironments were obtained from our measurement survey data and people activity pattern data from the Australian Human Activity Pattern Survey were used. Daily alveolar particle number (surface area) dose received by all age groups was equal to 3.0 × 10¹⁰ particles (4.5 × 10² mm²), varying slightly between males and females. In contrast to gender, the lifestyle was found to significantly affect the daily dose, with highest depositions characterizing adults. The main contribution was due to indoor microenvironments. Finally a comparison between Italian and Australian people in terms of received particle dose was reported; it shows that different cooking styles can affect dose levels: higher doses were received by Italians, mainly due to their particular cooking activity.

Fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) and perfluorooctane sulfonamides (FOSAs) are present in consumer products and are semi-volatile precursors of persistent perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs). The high variability of levels of FTOHs and FOSAs in products makes it difficult to derive FTOH- and FOSA-emissions from urban areas based on emission factors. Here we used a multimedia mass balance model that describes the day–night cycle of semi-volatile organic chemicals in air to interpret measurements of 8:2 FTOH, 10:2 FTOH, MeFOSA and EtFOSA from a sampling campaign in summer 2010 in Zurich, Switzerland. The estimated emission source strength of the four substances follows the sequence: 8:2 FTOH (2.6 g/h) > 10:2 FTOH (0.75 g/h) > MeFOSA (0.08 g/h) > EtFOSA (0.05 g/h). There is no FTOHs- or FOSAs-related industry in Zurich. Accordingly, our estimates are representative of diffusive emissions during use and disposal of consumer products, and describe noticeable sources of these PFASs to the environment.

While nano-Fe₂O₃(magnetic) is generally considered non-toxic, it could serve as a carrier of other toxic chemicals such as As(V) and enhance their toxicity. The bioaccumulation of nano-Fe₂O₃(m) with different exposure times, NP concentrations, and pH conditions was investigated using Ceriodaphnia dubia (C. dubia) as the model organism. Under natural pH conditions, C. dubia significantly accumulated nano-Fe₂O₃(m) in the gut, with the maximum accumulation being achieved after 6 h of exposure. The concentration of nano-Fe₂O₃ also impacted its accumulation, with the maximum uptake occurring at 20 mg/L or more. In addition, the highest bioaccumulation occurred in a pH range of 7–8 where the highest feeding rate was reported, confirming that the ingestion of NPs is the main route of nano-Fe₂O₃(m) bioaccumulation. In a clean environment without NPs, depuration of nano-Fe₂O₃(m) occurred, and food addition accelerated the depuration process.

This study is a contribution towards a risk assessment of the São Domingos Mine area (Portugal), integrating information from: soil physicochemical characteristics, pseudo-total and bioavailable trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn), ecotoxicological evaluation, and microbial indicators. The bioassays using soil eluates (seed germination, luminescent inhibition of Vibrio fischeri and Daphnia magna immobilization) confirmed the soil toxicity categorization obtained with the bioassays using soil (plant growth tests, Eisenia fetida mortality and avoidance behaviour). However, the soil identified as the most toxic using bioassays, was different from the expected when considering the results from pseudo-total and effective bioavailable trace elements. Taking in consideration the observations, it is highly recommended to complement the results from environmental chemistry with results from bioassays, in order to provide a more complete and relevant information on the bioavailability of contaminants and to characterize the risk of contaminated soils.