The Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region is China’s cultural and political center. Rapid social and economic development has led to serious water pollution in this region. A comprehensive investigation of mercury (Hg) pollution in riverine sediments was carried out in a typical irrigation area in this region. The results show that the total Hg levels in the surface sediments of the Duliujian River Network (DRN) ranged from 0.169 to 1.391 mg kg⁻¹, with an average of 0.528 mg kg⁻¹. The Hg levels at most of the sample points were higher than the background. The Hg fractions were categorized as exchangeable (B1), reducible (B2), oxidizable (B3), and residual (B4). The Hg was mainly present in the B4 fraction (0.439 mg kg⁻¹, on average). The order of the average percentage of different fractions of Hg was B4 > B3 > B2 > B1. A risk assessment using total Hg showed that the potential ecological risk in each section of the DRN ranged from 80.4 to 662 (average = 263). A risk assessment using Hg speciation showed that the average risk for B1 was 3.28%. Because the potential ecological risk is very high, more attention should be given to this risk in the management of the river. This research also provides theoretical support for the study of Hg in the developed area of the agricultural irrigation canal. The information obtained in this study could be used to develop effective management strategies to control Hg pollution in the DRN.

The minimum detectable difference (MDD) is a measure of the difference between the means of a treatment and the control that must exist to detect a statistically significant effect. It is a measure at a defined level of probability and a given variability of the data. It provides an indication for the robustness of statistically derived effect thresholds such as the lowest observed effect concentration (LOEC) and the no observed effect concentration (NOEC) when interpreting treatment-related effects on a population exposed to chemicals in semi-field studies (e.g., micro-/mesocosm studies) or field studies. MDD has been proposed in the guidance on tiered risk assessment for plant protection products in edge of field surface waters (EFSA Journal 11(7):3290, 2013), in order to better estimate the robustness of endpoints from such studies for taking regulatory decisions. However, the MDD calculation method as suggested in this framework does not clearly specify the power which is represented by the beta-value (i.e., the level of probability of type II error). This has implications for the interpretation of experimental results, i.e., the derivation of robust effect values and their use in risk assessment of PPPs. In this paper, different methods of MDD calculations are investigated, with an emphasis on their pre-defined levels of type II error-probability. Furthermore, a modification is suggested for an optimal use of the MDD, which ensures a high degree of certainty for decision-makers.

In the current study, we had two main purposes. Firstly, we aimed to compare genetic damages in the agricultural workers of two different types of environmental conditions including the greenhouse and open fields. Secondly, we aimed to compare genetic damages in the total agricultural workers as the exposed group (greenhouse and open field workers) (n = 114) and the non-exposed control group (n = 98) living in the same area in Canakkale, Turkey. For these purposes, we investigated the incidence of micronucleus (MN), nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs), and nuclear buds (NBUDs) in peripheral blood lymphocytes. We observed that the frequencies of MN, NPB, and NBUD obtained for the greenhouse workers were statistically significantly higher than those obtained for the open field workers. When the results of the control group were compared with those of the total workers, there were statistically significant differences in terms of MN and NBUD frequencies. We found that age and MN were correlated at a significant level in both the agricultural workers and the control group. The MN frequency of the female workers was 1.5 times greater than that of the male workers, and it was a significant level in the agricultural workers.

Up to nine kinetic and fourteen isotherm adsorption models are employed to model the adsorption of Sudan IV, a lipophilic model pollutant present in a biphasic mixture of cyclohexane-water system to simulate oily wastewater. Six different modified activated carbons were used as adsorbents. The highest amount adsorbed of Sudan IV was found in the material prepared by successive treatments of the parent commercial activated carbon Norit ROX 0.8 with nitric acid and urea, followed by thermal treatment at 800 °C under continuous flow of nitrogen. Kinetic and isotherm adsorption models can be employed to simulate the process, since the effect of the presence of water in the adsorption of Sudan IV from the cyclohexane phase was found to be negligible, owing to the high lipophilic character of both adsorbent and adsorbate. All kinetic and isotherm coefficients, coupling with statistical parameters (r², adjusted r² and sum of squared errors), are determined by non-linear regression fitting and compared to literature data. The model of Avrami is found to be the most appropriate model to represent the adsorption of the pollutant in any of the six modified carbons tested, the highest value of the kinetic constant being 0.055 min⁻¹. The isotherm adsorption is well-modelled by using the general isotherm equation of Tóth and the multilayer Jovanović expression for the adsorption of Sudan-IV on that material, resulting in a high monolayer uptake capacity (qₘ = 193.6 mg g⁻¹).

A pilot-scale batch-flow free water surface (FWS) constructed wetland (CW) system planted with Rhynchospora corymbosa (L.) Britton was developed with a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 2.5 days. The average porosity of the substrate was 0.55 and calculated hydraulic loading rate (HLR) was 3.96 (g BOD/m²-day). Quantitative and qualitative characterization of the greywater were done. The concentrations of pollutants in the greywater before and after it was fed into the FWS CWs were measured using standard sampling and analyses methods. The average daily per capita water use estimated was 162 L, out of which 72.5 L was greywater. The mean removal efficiencies (RE) of the CWs were 81% COD, 85% TN, 82% TK, 10% TP, 0.2% pH, 81% TSS, Zn 91%, 81% Al, 94% Mg, and 90% Fe. It was observed that the FWS with batch-flow configuration tested in the study was slightly different in terms of results reported on the conventional continuous flow system. R. corymbosa as a macrophyte has roots that can provide a surface area for microbial growth and oxygen exchange and can be used as emergent macrophytes in phytoremediation of greywater. The result provided information on the performance and pollutant removal efficiency of a batch-operated FWS CW system planted with R. corymbosa.

Blood biochemical profile can be used to evaluate the health status of fish and ambient environmental conditions. However, it is not well known in the aquaponic systems, let alone their differences between hydroponic and aquatic plants. A 5-month trial was conducted to investigate the changes in the growth performance and blood index of Qihe crucian carp Carassius auratus in eight aquaponic systems (control, Ipomoea aquatica, Lactuca sativa, Lemna minor, Amaranthus tricolor, Ceratophyllum demersum, Vallisneria spiralis, and C. demersum-net, indicated by CK, Ia, Ls, Lm, At, Cd, Vn, and Cd-ns). Results showed that weight gain rate and specific growth rate did not significantly differ among the eight groups. However, most blood parameters significantly differed among the eight groups. The glucose level and activities of alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase were generally larger in Cd, Lm, Vn, and CK groups, and smaller in Ia, Ls, or At groups. Additionally, the triglyceride, cholesterol, albumin, and albumin/globulin were mostly elevated in Ia and At groups. Moreover, the creatinine, total proteins, and globulin levels peaked in Vn group. These findings showed that the blood biochemical profile was more sensitive than the growth performances and that hydroponic plants can induce a higher production and more healthy status of Qihe crucian carp C. auratus when compared with aquatic plants or no plants.

The climate change on the impact of grain production potential has significant regional differences. Researchers have studied the grain production potential of various crop combinations or focused on single crop types in a typical area; however, the regional differences of the climate change on the impact of grain production potential were neglected. This paper used the Global Agro-Ecological Zone (GAEZ 3.0) model to focus on the analysis what is the climate change on the impact of grain production potential in different geographic units (Northern Shaanxi Plateau, Guanzhong Basin, Qinba Mountain) in Shaanxi Province of China. The case showed that the precipitation (Pre) what made changes of grain production potential was the most important factor in different geographic units. The increase of Pre had a positive impact on the grain production potential in Northern Shaanxi Plateau and Guanzhong Basin. However, in Qinba Mountain, due to excessive Pre in the Qinba Mountains, the decrease of Pre had a certain positive impact on the grain production potential. The precipitation was less in the Northern Shaanxi Plateau; therefore, its major factors leading to changes of crop production were precipitation and rainfall days. The increase of the mean maximum temperature (Tmx) and the mean minimum temperature (Tmn) had a positive impact of the grain production potential in the Northern Shaanxi Plateau and Guanzhong Basin. The higher temperature had a negative impact on the grain production potential. In Qinba Mountain, the increase of the temperature has a certain negative impact on the grain production potential. It has more influence of Tmx in the Guanzhong Basin and Qinba Mountain rather than that in the Northern Shaanxi Plateau. Generally speaking, the major climatic factors leading grain production potential were Pre and Tmx in Guanzhong Basin and Qinba Mountain.

The pharmaceuticals bisoprolol (BIS), sotalol (SOT), and ranitidine (RAN) are among the most consumed pharmaceuticals worldwide and are frequently detected in different aquatic ecosystems. However, very few ecotoxicity data are available in the literature for them. To help fill these data gaps, toxicity tests with the algae Raphidocelis subcapitata, the macrophyte Lemna minor, the cnidarian Hydra attenuata, the crustacean Daphnia similis, and the fish Danio rerio were performed for assessing the ecotoxicity of these pharmaceuticals. Standard, as well as non-standard endpoint, was evaluated, including the locomotor behavior of D. rerio larvae. Results obtained for SOT and RAN showed that acute adverse effects are not expected to occur on aquatic organisms at the concentrations at which these pharmaceuticals are usually found in fresh surface waters. On the other hand, BIS was classified as hazardous to the environment in the acute III category. Locomotor behavior of D. rerio larvae was not affected by BIS and RAN. A disturbance on the total swimming distance at the dark cycle was observed only for larvae exposed to the highest test concentration of 500 mg L⁻¹ of SOT. D. similis reproduction was affected by BIS with an EC₁₀ of 3.6 (0.1–34.0) mg L⁻¹. A risk quotient (RQ) of 0.04 was calculated for BIS in fresh surface water, considering a worst-case scenario. To the best of our knowledge, this study presents the first chronic toxicity data with BIS on non-target organisms.

The development of societies has led information and communication technology (ICT) to play a gradually important role in people’s lives, transforming the way societies and economies function. ICTs are often associated with the path to reducing CO₂ emissions; however, do they lead to that path? Or are they themselves a growing source of energy consumption and emissions? The current study estimates the effect of ICT, trade, economic growth, financial development, and energy consumption on carbon emissions in South and Southeast Asian (SSEA) region for the period of 1990–2014. Moreover, the study also tried to validate the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis between GDP per capita and CO₂ emissions. Cluster analysis was used to identify two groups (potential and advanced countries) based on their social development score. The long-run connection between the variables was examined and the long-run elasticities of ICT, financial development, energy consumption, trade, and economic growth with respect to CO₂ emissions were estimated. Besides, individual country-wise long-run coefficients were found. Results show that financial development and ICT deteriorated the environment quality in the SSEA region, suggesting ICT goods and services are not energy-efficient in both potential and advanced countries and that most of the financial investment was made in non-friendly environmental projects, in potential countries. On the contrary, in advanced countries, financial development mitigates CO₂ emissions. In addition, results also confirmed an inverted U-shaped relationship for all the considered three panels such as potential, advance, and full-countries panels, confirming EKC. Causality findings showed a bidirectional causality between CO₂ emissions and energy consumption as well as unidirectional causality from trade, economic growth, financial development, and ICT to CO₂ emissions. Policymakers should be aware of the ICT impact on energy consumption and strengthen the regulation of their manufacture to facilitate the integration of energy efficiency into user routines. Due to the increasing use of standby mode and Wi-Fi assistive devices, the rapid implementation of legislation regulating these technologies to make them more efficient is recommended.

As phosphorus plays a significant role in the maintenance of ecosystem service at watershed scale, it has been studied with a dramatic growth of publications. The bibliometric dataset of publications on watershed phosphorus was downloaded from the Science Citation Index Expanded from the Web of Science and visualized with cluster and network analysis to map global research status and trends. The results showed that annual output of articles experienced a notable increase since 1991. Most research articles on watershed phosphorus appeared in the Journal of Environmental Quality. “Environmental Sciences,” “Water Resources,” and “Marine Freshwater Biology” were the most popular subject categories, and a development tendency of cross-disciplinary research appeared since 2005. The USA was a leading country in total publications, collaborating closely with China, Canada, and the UK. Chinese Academy of Sciences, USDA ARS, and US Geological Survey were the most productive institutions, and Chinese Academy of Sciences has become the core force of international cooperation recently. The mainstream research related to watershed phosphorus was environmental issues like eutrophication. Moreover, phosphorus management using models (soil and water assessment tool and best management practices) has emerged as an important research direction recently. To tackle environmental issues and realize sustainable development of watershed, it is crucial to further strengthen (1) the interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly between natural and social sciences; (2) North–South, South–South, and triangular regional cooperation on science and technology; and (3) theoretical research on the impact of human activities and climate change on biogeochemical cycle of phosphorus and ecosystem integrality of watershed.