The presence of chemical pollutants, especially heavy metals, affects the quality of honey. The objective of this study was to determine the levels of eight heavy metals (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in honey samples from Al-Baha region in Saudi Arabia, using inductively coupled plasma with optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The highest concentration was found for Zn (1707.93 μg kg⁻¹), while the lowest was found for Co (3.04 μg kg⁻¹). Cluster analysis and principal component analysis showed that two groups are recognized indicating two different metal sources. The first group includes only Zn and the second group includes the rest of the metals. In view of the recommended and established heavy metal intakes for humans, consumption of Saudi honey from Al-Baha should not be deemed a matter of concern for human health.

Ammonia (NH₃) is a highly irritant, alkaline gas. Atmospheric emission of NH₃ was recognized as an environmental challenge. As a global issue, the NH₃ emission survey with spatially detailed information demonstrated that the sources of atmospheric NH₃ include agriculture (livestock wastes, fertilizers) and some industrial activities. As an environmental pollution, excessive NH₃ exposure can induce many bird dysfunction. Neutrophils respond to multiple invading pathogens through different mechanisms. In order to investigate the effect of NH₃ exposure on broilers’ neutrophil, 1-day-old broilers were treated with/without NH₃ for 28 days. We extracted neutrophils from peripheral blood of chicken with/without NH₃ exposure and subsequently stimulated with PMA. Changes of cytokines and inflammatory bodies, heat shock proteins (HSPs), and glucose metabolism of neutrophil were examined in both cases. We not only explored that the index associated with inflammation changed due to NH₃ exposure but also observed the status of neutrophils which was treated with PMA stimulation. After NH₃ exposure, IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly increased on broilers neutrophil. Inflammatory-related factors (NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1) were significantly elevated. The mRNA expression of HSP70 and HSP90 was increased significantly. All glucose metabolism indicators were reduced. In summary, we concluded that NH₃ enhanced inflammation and disrupted glucose metabolism, and increased the expression of HSPs and inflammatory factors. In addition, the sensitivity of neutrophils to exogenous stimuli was diminished. This information can not only be used to evaluate the damage of NH₃-spiked neutrophils to chickens, but also provide clues for human health pathophysiology caused by excess NH₃, providing valuable information for NH₃ risk management.

Urban wastewater treatment plants (UWTPs) are among the major recipients of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB), antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and antibiotic residues in urban environments. Although during treatment, bacteria of human and animal origin are removed, some are able to survive, persisting in the final effluent. The occurrence of these bacteria, especially those harboring ARGs, may have a direct impact on the quality of the treated wastewater that is returned to the environment. In this study, we aimed to assess if the final effluent bacterial communities of three UWTPs (PT1, PT2, and PT3) located next to each other were distinct and if such differences were related with the antibiotic resistance profiles.It was observed that the bacterial community (16S rRNA gene Illumina sequencing) and load of selected ARGs of final effluent differed among the three UWTPs, irrespective of sampling time. Members of the families Aeromonadaceae, Campylobacteraceae, Veillonellaceae, [Weeksellaceae], and Porphyromonadaceae were observed to be positively correlated with some ARGs (blaCTX–M, blaOXA₋A, blaSHV) and intI1 (p < 0.05), while Intrasporangiaceae were observed to be negatively correlated. While Aeromonadaceae are recognized relevant ARG harbors, the other bacterial families may represent bacteria that co-exist with the ARG hosts, which may belong to minor bacterial groups omitted in the analyses. These findings suggest the importance of bacterial dynamics during treatment to the ARB&ARGs removal, a rationale that may contribute to design new strategies to apply in the UWTPs to prevent the spread of antibiotic resistance.

Chlordecone (CLD), also named Kepone, is a synthetic organochlorine pesticide. As one of the common persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in nature, CLD has a profound impact on the environment and human health. The study aims to investigate the reproductive toxicity effects of CLD on male Caenorhabditis elegans and on progeny. L1-stage male nematodes were exposed to the control group (M9 solution) and four dose groups (0.02, 0.2, 2, and 20 μg/L). After exposure for 48 h, the male nematodes were picked to mating experiment and progeny experiment that the number of progeny and the time of observation in male parent and in F1 generation were counted; the number of germ cells and the number of sperm in the meiotic division of male nematodes were counted by staining with dimercaptophenyl hydrazine (DAPI), and the nematode gland area was observed under the bright field of the microscope. In male nematodes, the results showed that a number of progeny were 351.20 ± 31.40, 321.60 ± 24.70, 307.30 ± 19.30, 240.10 ± 27.60, and 227.90 ± 22.70 (P < 0.05); the generation times were 55.80 ± 1.95 h, 56.40 ± 1.60 h, 56.70 ± 0.92 h, 60.80 ± 0.95 h, and 69.60 ± 1.97 h (P < 0.05); relative areas of gonad were (99.80 ± 6.27)%, (93.00 ± 1.70)%, (85.00 ± 1.70)%, (70.70 ± 9.81)%, and (60.00 ± 5.23)% (P < 0.05); DAPI staining results showed the number of germ cells in meiosis area were 191.00 ± 10.97, 181.10 ± 15.56, 177.00 ± 9.20, 147.50 ± 10.56, and 139.30 ± 23.79 (P < 0.05); the sperm numbers were 335.60 ± 21.31, 308.60 ± 19.60, 306.00 ± 11.23, 260.10 ± 27.41, and 255.00 ± 3.72 (P < 0.05). In the F1 generation, the progeny numbers were 328.10 ± 22.28, 167.50 ± 15.30, 150.00 ± 13.65, 131.30 ± 18.40, and 130.20 ± 16.17 (P < 0.05); the generation times were 55.50 ± 2.36, 71.10 ± 0.97, 70.90 ± 0.52, 74.10 ± 2.07, and 73.90 ± 1.35 h (P < 0.05). The groups are grouped in order as M9 solution, 0.02, 0.2, 2, and 20 μg/L. The results revealed that CLD caused decrease in progeny number, relative area of gonad, number of germ cells, and sperm number and prolonged the generation time in the male nematode. In offspring grown up without CLD, the effect of CLD on generation time and sperm number can still be observed on offspring. In conclusion, CLD induces male nematode reproductive toxicity and causes defects in offspring.

Novel adsorbent, diethylenetriamine-grafted Spirodela polyrhiza (DSP), was synthesized via modifying natural S. polyrhiza (SP) with diethylenetriamine by cross-linking with epichlorohydrin and applied to adsorb Ni²⁺ and Pb²⁺ from water. The effecting parameters on adsorption of Ni²⁺ and Pb²⁺ such as adsorbent dosage, pH, contact time, temperature, and initial concentration were studied through equilibrium experiments. The adsorption of Ni²⁺ and Pb²⁺ followed the pseudo-second-order model and the Langmuir isotherm adsorption model. The study discusses thermodynamic parameters, including changes in Gibbs free energy, entropy, and enthalpy, for the adsorption of Ni²⁺ and Pb²⁺ on DSP, and revealed that the adsorption process was spontaneous and exothermic under natural conditions. The maximum Ni²⁺ and Pb²⁺ adsorption capacities of DSP were 33.02 and 36.50 mg/g, respectively. The newly prepared materials were characterized through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mapping analysis, and zeta potential analysis. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses indicated that functional groups (-OH and N-H) were involved in Ni²⁺ and Pb²⁺ adsorption. Notably, DSP can be easily regenerated and reused for multiple cycles. Therefore, DSP is a promising adsorbent for effective Ni²⁺ and Pb²⁺ removal.

Lipase, a versatile hydrolytic enzyme, is gaining more importance in environmental applications such as treatment of oil and grease containing wastewater, pretreatment of solid waste/industrial wastewater for anaerobic treatment. In the present study, the attempts have been made to improve the production of lipase from Staphylococcus hominis MTCC 8980 by optimization of pH, temperature, and agitation speed in lab scale shake flasks culture. The experiments were designed using the full factorial central composite design of experiment. A total of 20 experiments were conducted, and the optimized pH, temperature, and agitation speed were found to be 7.9, 33.1 °C, and 178.4 rpm, respectively. The results of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) test revealed that the linear terms for temperature and agitation were significant (p value < 0.05). Interaction for pH and agitation speed was found to have a significant effect on lipase production from S. hominis MTCC 8980. A 150% increase in enzyme activity was observed under the optimized conditions with the maximum lipase activity of 1.82 U/ml. Further enhancement of enzyme activity can be expected from the optimization of medium components.

To investigate the acid-extractable heavy metals in fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) over Xi’an, China, 24-h PM₂.₅ samples were collected every 3 days from December 2015 through November 2016. The bioavailable fraction, termed here the bioavailability index (BI), of PM₂.₅-bound metal (As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Ti, V, and Zn) and potential influencing factors, including relative humidity, temperature, air pressure, wind speed, visibility, PM₂.₅, and SO₂ concentrations, were assessed in this study. The annual average PM₂.₅ concentration was 50.6 ± 35.6 μg m⁻³, 1.5 times higher than the Chinese national secondary standard. Zn, Ti, and As were the most abundant elements of those analyzed in the PM₂.₅ samples, accounting for 72.1% of total quantity. The seasonal variations and enrichment factor analysis of heavy metals revealed that coal combustion in winter was a crucial source of Pb, Co, Cu, and Zn; and dust resuspension in spring contributed considerable Mn, Ti, and V. The acid-extractable fractions of the measured metals varied. Pb, Cu, Mn, and Zn exhibited relatively high acid-extractable concentrations and BI values. Pb was mostly in the acid-extractable fraction in PM₂.₅, with a mean BI value of 66.7%, the highest in summer (69.8%) and lowest in winter (63.7%). Moreover, the BIs of PM₂.₅-bound heavy metals were inversely related to temperature and wind speed, whereas positively correlated with relative humidity, SO₂, and PM₂.₅ concentration in this study. This study assessed the seasonal distribution and meteorological influence of acid-extractable heavy metals, providing a deeper understanding of atmospheric heavy metal pollution in Xi’an, China.

The continuous adsorption-desorption of methylene blue (MB) on an invasive macrophyte, Salvinia minima, was investigated in fixed-bed columns. The effects of bed depth (h) (9.30, 18.70, and 28 cm), inlet dye concentration (C₀) (51 ± 1.20, 154 ± 2.00, and 250 ± 1.50 mg L⁻¹), and flow rate (Q) (7 and 14 mL min⁻¹) on dye removal and breakthrough curves were assessed. Thomas, modified dose-response (MDR) and bed depth service time (BDST) models were fitted to the experimental data. Desorption and regeneration studies were also performed. The breakthrough time was affected by h, C₀, and Q. The dynamic bed capacity at the breakthrough point (qb) increased with increasing h but decreased with increasing C₀ and Q. Dynamic bed capacities (qₑ) from 318 to 322 mg g⁻¹ were achieved at h = 28 cm, C₀ = 154 ± 2.0, or 250 ± 1.50 mg L⁻¹, independently of the Q value. High MB removals were also observed (75–78%). FTIR analysis revealed that hydroxyl and carboxyl groups could be involved in dye adsorption. MDR and BDST models were both successfully used to predict the breakthrough curves of MB adsorption onto S. minima. A high regeneration efficiency (> 87%) was obtained after three adsorption-desorption cycles. These results confirm that the use of S. minima biomass could be a very efficient and eco-friendly alternative for MB adsorption in continuous mode.

As one of the hard-templating methods, MgO-templating was employed to recycle cotton to produce activated carbon with magnesium acetate as MgO precursor. Results showed that cotton carbonized while magnesium acetate decomposed to nanoscale MgO particles based on thermogravimetric and X-ray diffraction analysis. Carbonized residuals of cotton were able to replicate the MgO morphology thus creating pores. The size of MgO varied with impregnation ratio, treatment temperature, and time. Overall, the optimum conditions were MgO/cotton impregnation ratio 0.25, temperature 800 °C, and treatment time 60 min. Cotton-based activated carbon thus produced manifested surface area and total pore volume of 1139 m²/g and 0.85 cm³/g respectively. Both micropores and mesopores were detected based on iodine, methylene blue adsorption values, and N₂ adsorption-desorption studies.

The stainless steel pickling residue (SSPR) produced from the stainless steel industries in China contains large amounts of heavy metals such as chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni). The study found that the hexavalent chromium Cr (VI) was the primary contributor to the leaching of Cr in the toxicity character leaching test. A chemical fixation with sodium sulfide was used to treat the SSPR, and the response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the process. The results revealed that the sodium sulfide dose and curing time had significant effects on the fixation of Cr. The higher was the sodium sulfide dose, and the longer the curing time, the lower the leaching concentration of Cr would be. The water addition amount had insignificant effect when it was higher than 70%. A dose of 1.2% sodium sulfide on dry mass basis, a water addition of 90–100%, and a curing time of longer than 10 days in the open air could reduce the leaching of Cr to below the beneficial use threshold. The low chemical dose and simple procedures established in this study make this treatment method cost-effective for rendering the SSPR into a nonhazardous and useful material.