Biochar, a natural sourced carbon-rich material, has been used commonly in particle shape for carbon sequestration, soil fertility and environmental remediation. Here, we report a facile approach to fabricate freestanding biochar composite membranes for the first time. Wood biochars pyrolyzed at 300 °C and 700 °C were blended with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF) in three percentages (10%, 30% and 50%) to construct membranes through thermal phase inversion process. The resultant biochar composite membranes possess high mechanical strength and porous structure with uniform distribution of biochar particles throughout the membrane surface and cross-section. The membrane pure water flux was increased with B300 content (4825–5411 ± 21 L m⁻² h⁻¹) and B700 content (5823–6895 ± 72 L m⁻² h⁻¹). The membranes with B300 were more hydrophilic with higher surface free energy (58.84–60.31 mJ m⁻²) in comparison to B700 (56.32–51.91 mJ m⁻²). The biochar composite membranes indicated promising adsorption capacities (47–187 mg g⁻¹) to Rhodamine B (RhB) dye. The biochar membranes also exhibited high retention (74–93%) for E. coli bacterial suspensions through filtration. After simple physical cleaning, both the adsorption and sieving capabilities of the biochar composite membranes could be effectively recovered. Synergistic mechanisms of biochar/PVdF in the composite membrane are proposed to elucidate the high performance of the membrane in pollutant management. The multifunctional biochar composite membrane not only effectively prevent the problems caused by directly using biochar particle as sorbent but also can be produced in large scale, indicating great potential for practical applications.

Concentrations of particulate matter less than 1 μm, 2.5 μm, 10 μm and their contents of heavy metals were investigated in two different stations, urban and roadside at Algiers (Algeria). Sampling was conducted during two years by a high volume samplers (HVS) equipped with a cascade impactor at four levels stage, for one year sampling. The characterization of the heavy metals associated to the particulate matter (PM) was carried out by X-Ray Fluorescence analysis (XRF). The annual average concentration of PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 in both stations were 18.24, 32.23 and 60.01 μg m⁻³ respectively. The PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations in roadside varied from 13.46 to 25.59 μg m⁻³, 20.82–49.85 μg m⁻³ and 45.90–77.23 μg m⁻³ respectively. However in the urban station, the PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations varied from 10.45 to 26.24 μg m⁻³, 18.53–47.58 μg m⁻³ and 43.8–91.62 μg m⁻³. The heavy metals associated to the PM were confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-Ray analyses (SEM-EDX). The different spots of PM2.5 analysis by SEM-EDX shows the presence of nineteen elements with anthropogenic and natural origins, within the heavy metal detected, the lead was found with maximum of 5% (weight percent). In order to determine the source contributions of PM levels at the two sampling sites sampling, principal compound analysis (PCA) was applied to the collected data. Statistical analysis confirmed anthropogenic source with traffic being a significant source and high contribution of natural emissions. At both sites, the PM2.5/PM10 ratio is lower than that usually recorded in developed countries. The study of the back-trajectories of the air masses starting from Sahara shows that desert dust influences the concentration and the composition of the PM measured in Algiers.

Ecological quality objectives (EcoQOs), as tools for implementing ecosystem approach, have long been acknowledged to protect the marine ecosystems and fisheries in regional seas through joint efforts by surrounding countries over the past decade. The present review analyzed the best available meta-data relating to the five ecosystem elements that were recently proposed by the Northwest Pacific Action Plan to evaluate the current status of coastal ecosystem health in marine environment of the Yellow Sea. We suggested the six tentative EcoQOs among five ecological quality elements including: 1) biological and habitat diversity; 2) invasive species; 3) eutrophication; 4) pollutants; and 5) marine litters. Environmental status was assessed, depending on the EcoQOs targets, by comparison to the world average values, existing environmental standards, or reported values of other regional seas. Results of analysis revealed that among the six tentative EcoQOs, two target objectives to marine biodiversity and concentrations of nutrients (viz., DIN and DIP) were met towards good environmental status. Whilst, three EcoQOs relating to hypoxia and red-tide, pollutants (persistent toxic substances and metals), and marine litters (including microplastics) did not meet and one relating to invasive species could not be judged due to insufficient data sets. The biggest weak point for developing suitable EcoQOs and assessing status of ecosystem health could be insufficient meta-data sets available and/or discrepancy in methodological details cross the data-sets or between the two targeted countries. Thus, the cooperation of neighboring countries, viz., Korea and China for the Yellow Sea, is necessary for the ecosystem based management of our regional sea in the future. Overall, this first time review for the assessment of target tentative EcoQOs in the Yellow Sea region encompassing coasts of Korea and China would provide a better understanding of the current status of environmental pollution and ecosystem health.

Thallium (Tl) and its compounds are non-essential and highly toxic for living organisms, even at low concentrations. In this paper, we analyzed the presence and geochemical distribution of Tl in different mining-metallurgical and sediment samples collected from several mining zones of Mexico. A modified BCR sequential extraction procedure was also applied to the samples to investigate the geochemical behavior and potential environmental risk of Tl according to types of ore deposit and mineral processing method applied. Results revealed the presence of Tl in the majority of the mining-metallurgical samples, with labile concentrations reaching up to values of 184.4 mg kg⁻¹, well above the environmental standards. A comparison of Tl partitioning in different samples showed that Tl was usually found associated with labile fractions instead of entrapped in the environmentally-passive residual fraction. Specifically, high levels of Tl were extracted from the exchangeable/acid-extractable and poorly-crystalline reducible fractions, suggesting its association with both soluble and amorphous Fe-Mn oxyhydroxides, respectively. Besides, Tl was also frequently found associated with the crystalline reducible fraction, presumably bonded to manganese oxides and jarosite-like minerals. Lastly, little amounts of Tl were extracted from the oxidizable fraction. Considering the fractionation of Tl in these mining-metallurgical samples, they may pose a significant environmental hazard. This study provides useful insights into the potential sources of Tl pollution in Mexico and emphasizes the need for further research to determine the extent of its impact and to develop effective remediation protocols to protect the environment from Tl toxicity.

The associations of air pollution with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have not yet been fully studied. We enrolled 8,497 Taipei City residents older than 65 years and calculated the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the Taiwanese Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation. Proteinuria was assessed via dipstick on voided urine. CKD prevalence and risk of progression were defined according to the KDIGO 2012 guidelines. Land-use regression models were used to estimate the participants’ one-year exposures to PM of different sizes and traffic-related exhaust, PM₂.₅ absorbance, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and NOₓ. Generalized linear regressions and logistic regressions were used to examine the associations of one-year air pollution exposures with eGFR, proteinuria, CKD prevalence and risk of progression. The results showed that the interquartile range (IQR) increments of PM₂.₅ absorbance (0.4 × 10⁻⁵/m) and NO₂ (7.0 μg/m³) were associated with a 1.07% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.54–1.57] and 0.84% (95% CI: 0.37–1.32) lower eGFR, respectively; such relationships were magnified in subjects who had an eGFR >60 ml/min/1.73 m² or who were non-diabetic. Similar associations were also observed for PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅₋₁₀. Two-pollutant models showed that PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅ absorbance were associated with a lower eGFR. The odd ratios (ORs) of CKD prevalence and risk of progression also increased with exposures to PM₂.₅ absorbance and NO₂. In summary, one-year exposures to traffic-related air pollution were associated with lower eGFR, higher CKD prevalence, and increased risk of CKD progression among the elderly population. Air pollution-related impaired renal function was stronger in non-CKD and non-diabetic subjects.

Environmental chemicals originating from human activities, such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), may interfere with the endocrine system of aquatic organisms. The effect of these chemicals on biota and human populations is of high public concern but remains poorly understood, especially in aquatic environments of South America. The aim of this study was to investigate the bioavailability of POPs and the related effects in caged male tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in four cascading reservoirs of the Iguaçu River, Southern Brazil. POPs including organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were determined in the reservoir water and tissue samples of tilapia after two months of exposure. The PCB levels in water (14.7 ng L−1) were 14 times higher than the limits permitted by the Brazilian legislation in the Salto Santiago (SS) reservoir. Similarly, concentrations of aldrin and its metabolites (6.05 ng L−1) detected in the water sample of the Salto Osório (SO) reservoir were also above the permitted limits. RT-qPCR analysis revealed different transcript levels of cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP1A and CYP3A) in the liver among the four groups, with induced activity in tilapia from the SS reservoir. Quantification of the CYP3A mRNA expression and catalytic activity showed higher values for fish caged at the SS reservoir. The fish from this site also had a higher number of eosinophils observed in the testes. Although overt measurements of endocrine disruption were not observed in caged fish, alteration of CYP enzymes with co-occurrence of organochlorine contaminants in water may suggest bioavailability of contaminants from agricultural sources to biota. Additional studies with feral or caged animals for a longer duration may be necessary to evaluate the risks of the waterways to humans and wildlife.

The increased release and accumulation of Bisphenol A (BPA) in contaminated wastewater has resulted in the world wide concerns because of its potential negative effects on human health and aquatic ecosystems. Starting with metal-organic frameworks, we present a simple method to synthesize magnetic porous microcubes (N-doped Fe⁰/Fe₃C@C) with graphitized shell and highly dispersed active kernel via the pyrolysis process under N₂ atmosphere. Batch adsorption experimental results showed that N-doped Fe⁰/Fe₃C@C had high adsorption capacity for BPA (∼138 mg g⁻¹ at pH = 7 and 298 K). Degradation of BPA adsorbed on N-doped Fe⁰/Fe₃C@C was further investigated as a function of BPA concentration, persulfate amount, temperature and solution pH. It was found that potassium peroxodisulfate could be activated by N-doped Fe⁰/Fe₃C@C, and a large number of free radicals were generated which was crucial for the degradation of BPA. The concentration of BPA was barely changed in the individual persulfate system. BPA (10 mg L⁻¹) was almost completely degraded within 60 min in the presence of N-doped Fe⁰/Fe₃C@C (∼0.2 g L⁻¹). When the BPA content increased to 25 mg L⁻¹, the removal efficiency of BPA achieved to 98.4% after 150 min. From the XRD, Raman, and XPS analysis, the main adsorption mechanism of BPA was π-π interactions between the π orbital on the carbon basal planes and the electronic density in the BPA aromatic rings. While the superior degradation was attributed to the radical generation and evolution in phenol oxidation. This work not only proved the potential application of N-doped Fe⁰/Fe₃C@C in the adsorption and degradation of BPA, but also opened the new possibilities to eliminate organic pollutants using this kind of magnetic materials in organic pollutants’ cleanup.

Six different approaches are applied in the present study to apportion the sources of precipitation nitrogen making use of precipitation data of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN, including NO3− and NH4+), dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) and δ15N signatures of DIN collected at six sampling sites in the mountain region of Southwest China. These approaches include one quantitative approach running a Bayesian isotope mixing model (SIAR model) and five qualitative approaches based on in-situ survey (ISS), ratio of NH4+/NO3− (RN), principal component analysis (PCA), canonical-correlation analysis (CCA) and stable isotope approach (SIA). Biomass burning, coal combustion and mobile exhausts in the mountain region are identified as major sources for precipitation DIN while biomass burning and volatilization sources such as animal husbandries are major ones for DON. SIAR model results suggest that mobile exhausts, biomass burning and coal combustion contributed 25.1 ± 14.0%, 26.0 ± 14.1% and 27.0 ± 12.6%, respectively, to NO3− on the regional scale. Higher contributions of both biomass burning and coal combustion appeared at rural and urban sites with a significant difference between Houba (rural) and the wetland site (p < 0.05). The RN method fails to properly identify sources of DIN, the ISS and SIA approach only respectively identifies DON and DIN sources, the PCA only tracks source types for precipitation N, while the CCA identify sources of both DIN and DON in precipitation. SIAR quantified the contributions of major sources to precipitation NO3− but failed for precipitation NH4+ and DON. It is recommended to use ISS and SIAR in combination with one or more approaches from PCA, CCA and SIA to apportion precipitation NO3− sources. As for apportioning precipitation NH4+ sources, more knowledge is needed for local 15N databases of NH3 and DON and 15N fractional mechanisms among gaseous, liquid and particulate surfaces in this mountain region and similar environments.

The knowledge of gene-chemical interaction can be used to derive toxicological mechanism of chemical pollutants, therefore, it might be useful to discriminate chemicals with different mechanisms. In this study, three narcotic chemicals (4-chlorophenol (4-CP), 3, 4-dichloroaniline (DCA) and 2, 2, 2-trichloroethanol (TCE)) and three specific acting chemicals (triclosan (TCS), clarithromycin (CLARY), sulfamethoxazole (SMX)) were assessed by Escherichia coli (E. coli) genome-wide knockout screening. 66, 97, 88, 144, 198 and 180 initial robust hits were identified by exposure to 4-CP, DCA, TCE, TCS, CLARY and SMX with two replicates at the concentration of IC50, respectively. The average fold change values of responsive mutants to the three narcotic chemicals were smaller than the three specific acting chemicals. The common gene ontology (GO) term of biological process enriched by the three narcotic chemicals was “response to external stimulus” (GO: 0009605). Other GO terms like “lipopolysaccharide biosynthetic process” (induced by 4-CP) and “purine nucleotide biosynthetic process” (induced by DCA) were also influenced by the narcotic chemicals. The toxic target of three known specific acting chemicals could be validated by GSEA of responsive genes. Four genes (flhC, fliN, fliH and flhD) might serve as potential biomarkers to distinguish narcotic chemicals and specific acting chemicals. The E. coli functional genomic approach presented here has shown great potential not only for the molecular mechanistic screening of chemicals, rather it can discriminate chemicals based on their mode-of-action.

Antibiotics can effectively protect livestock from pathogen infection, but residual antibiotics in manure bring risks to ecosystems and public health. Here, we demonstrated that black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) could provide an environmentally friendly manure treatment based on their ability to effectively and rapidly degrade tetracycline (TC). Investigation of the biological mechanisms and degradation pathways of TC by BSFL indicated that nearly 97% of TC was degraded within 12 days in a non-sterile BSFL treatment system, which is up to 1.6-fold faster than that achieved by normal composting. Our results showed that rapid TC-degradation was largely carried out by the intestinal microbiota of the larvae, which doubled the TC-degradation rates compared to those achieved in sterile BSFL systems. This conclusion was further supported by highly-efficient TC-biodegradation both in vivo and in vitro by four larval intestinal isolates. Moreover, detailed microbiome analysis indicated that intestinal bacterial and fungal communities were modified along with significantly increased tet gene copy number in the gut, providing the means to tolerate and degrade TC. Through analysis of TC degradation in vitro, four possible biodegradation products, two hydrolysis products and three conceivable inactivation products were identified, which suggested TC degradation reactions including hydrolysis, oxygenation, deamination, demethylation, ring-cleavage, modification, etc. In conclusion, our studies suggested an estimation of the fate of TC antibiotics in manure treatment by BSFL colonized by gut microbes. These results may provide a strategy for accelerating the degradation of antibiotics by adjusting the intestinal microbiota of BSFL.