Excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy combined with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) and multivariable analysis were employed to compare components of dissolved (DOM) and particulate (POM) organic matter and to reveal their correlations with water quality in Baitapuhe River and Xihe River in Shenyang City of northeast China. Eighteen water samples in Baitapuhe River and 16 water samples in Xihe River were collected along a human impact gradient. The DOM concentrations in Baitapuhe River were lower than those in Xihe River, so were the POM concentrations. The DOM in Baitapuhe River mainly derived from livestock wastewater and domestic sewage, which had strong biodegradability. However, the DOM in Xihe River mainly originated from industrial wastewater, which exhibited weak biodegradability. Four PARAFAC components (C1 to C4) were extracted from the DOM and POM. C1 was defined as fulvic-like component, and C2 was assigned as microbial humic component. C3 and C4 were ubiquitous protein-like component, which were referred as tryptophan-like and tyrosine-like components, respectively. The C3 was representative for the DOM in Baitapuhe River. The C3 and C4 were the main fractions of the DOM in Xihe River across the centralized wastewater-discharge region, whereas the C2 was the major component across the dispersed wastewater-discharge region. POM was dominated by the C4 in both rivers. Latent factors of water quality included the DOM, DO, Chl a, NO₃-N, and NH₄-N in Baitapuhe River, but the latent factors contained DOM, DO, BOD₅, and COD in Xihe River. Baitapuhe River was under the aerobic condition, but Xihe River was under the anaerobic condition.

Environmental bisphenol A (BPA) exposure has been linked to a variety of adverse health effects such as developmental and reproductive issues. However, establishing a clear association between BPA and the likelihood of human health is complex yet fundamentally uncertain. The purpose of this study was to assess the potential exposure risks from environmental BPA among Chinese population based on five human health outcomes, namely immune response, uterotrophic assay, cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, and behavior change. We addressed these health concerns by using a stochastic integrated risk assessment approach. The BPA dose-dependent likelihood of effects was reconstructed by a series of Hill models based on animal models or epidemiological data. We developed a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model that allows estimation of urinary BPA concentration from external exposures. Here we showed that the daily average exposure concentrations of BPA and urinary BPA estimates were consistent with the published data. We found that BPA exposures were less likely to pose significant risks for infants (0–1 year) and adults (male and female >20 years) with <10⁻⁶-fold increase in uterus weight and immune response outcomes, respectively. Moreover, our results indicated that there was 50 % risk probability that the response outcomes of CVD, diabetes, and behavior change with or without skin absorption would increase 10⁻⁴–10⁻²-fold. We conclude that our approach provides a powerful tool for tracking and managing human long-term BPA susceptibility in relation to multiple exposure pathways, and for informing the public of the negligible magnitude of environmental BPA pollution impacts on human health.

The effects of plant-bound zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) on element uptake and their interactions in a parasite-host system were investigated in a model experiment. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (C, P, TC and TP). Groups TC and TP were infected with the rat tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta. Groups C and TC were fed a standard rodent mixture (ST-1) and received 10.5 mg of Zn per week, while groups P and TP were fed a mixture supplemented with the Zn- and Cd-hyperaccumulating plant Arabidopsis halleri at a dosage of 236 mg Zn/week and 3.0 mg Cd/week. Rats were euthanized after 6 weeks, and Cd and Zn levels were determined in rat and tapeworm tissue. The results indicate that tapeworm presence did have an effect on Cd and Zn concentrations in the host tissue; the majority of tissues in infected rats had statistically significant lower Zn and Cd concentrations than did uninfected rats. Tapeworms accumulated more zinc and cadmium than did the majority of host tissues. This important finding confirms the ability of tapeworms to accumulate certain elements (heavy metals) from the host body to their own body tissues. Thus, tapeworms can decrease heavy metal concentrations in host tissues.

Periphyton is a valuable, environmentally benign resource widely used in environmental remediation. A protocol for reusing agro-wastes to improve the metabolic activity and versatility of periphyton was tested in this study. Peanut shell (PS), decomposed peanut shell (DPS), acidified peanut shell (APS), rice husks (RHs), acidified rice husks (ARHs), and a commonly used synthetic carrier, ceramsite (C), were used to support periphyton attachment and growth. The results show that the modified carriers have more hydrophilic groups, higher periphyton biomass, and autotrophic indices than the unmodified carriers. As a consequence, they promote the metabolic versatility of periphyton microbial communities. Thus, the periphyton attached to modified agro-wastes (DPS, APS, and ARH) grew in a stable and sustainable manner. This study suggests that modified PS and RH are effective and environmentally benign carriers that enhance periphyton activity and functionality. Development of periphytic carriers using agro-wastes is also a sustainable method of reusing these materials.

Vermifiltration eco-friendly system is an alternative and low-cost artificial ecosystem for decentralized wastewater treatment and excess sludge reduction. The biofilm characteristics of a vermifilter (VF) with earthworms, Eisenia fetida, for domestic wastewater treatment were studied. A conventional biofilter (BF) without earthworms served as the control. Pore number in VF biofilm was significantly more than BF biofilm, and VF biofilm showed a better level-administrative structure through scanning electron microscope. VF biofilms had lower levels of protein and polysaccharide, but phosphoric acids and humic acid showed the opposite results. Furthermore, in the presence of earthworms, VF biofilms contained higher total organic carbon (TOC) percentage composition in the condition of less volatile suspended substances (VSS) contents. Dehydrogenase activity (DHA) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) contents along VF showed better results than BF by increment of 12.84 ∼ 16.46 %. Overall findings indicated that the earthworms’ presence remarkably decreases biofilm contests but increases enzyme activity and improves the community structure of VF biofilms, which is beneficial for the wastewater disposal.

To investigate the effect of NO on the different origin and regulation of oxidative stress of Cu and/or Cd, tomato seedlings were treated with Cu, Cd, or Cu + Cd in a nutrient solution culture system. The main effect of Cu²⁺ was a significant reduction in root activity and nitrate reductase (NR) activity, which was similar to that under 50 μM Cd treatment, but promoted Cu accumulation. The supply of Cu under Cd treatment decreased Cd concentration, while not altered Cu concentration by contrast with Cu treatment, which is suggestive of a replacement of Cu²⁺ with Cd²⁺ and effective decrease in the boiotoxicity of 50 μM Cd²⁺ to tomato seedlings. However, NO alleviated the restriction to NR activity significantly and made the biomass of tomato seedlings recover under Cd treatment, and also increased root activity under Cu and Cu + Cd treatment. Exogenous NO markedly reduced the absorption and transportation of Cu but did not obviously change the translocation of Cd to the aboveground parts under Cu + Cd treatment. Both metals induced lipid peroxidation via the decreasing activation of antioxidant enzymes. The antioxidant enzyme system worked differently under Cu, Cd, or Cu + Cd stress. The activities of peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) were higher under single Cd stress than under the control. Meanwhile, Cu + Cd treatment decreased the activities of POD, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and ascorbic acid peroxidase (APX). Exogenous NO increased POD and SOD activities in the leaves and roots, and CAT activity in the roots under combined Cu and Cd stress. These results suggest that a different response and regulation mechanism that involves exogenous NO is present in tomato seedlings under Cu and Cd stress.

In the present study, we report on the co-occurrence of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) adsorbed on nanoparticular titanium dioxide (TiO₂). We report on the finding of polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on the surface of commercially available TiO₂ nanoparticles, being formed during the fabrication process of the TiO₂. Thereby, the samples comprise PCBs with higher congener numbers or, in the absence of PCBs, a high concentration of PCDDs and PCDFs. This new class of POPs on an active catalytic surface and the great range of applications of nanoparticular TiO₂, such as in color pigments, cosmetics, and inks, give rise to great concern due to their potential toxicity.

The degradation of butyltin compounds in surface water samples under different storage conditions has been studied. A triple spike solution, containing monobutyltin (MBT), dibutyltin (DBT) and tributyltin (TBT) labelled with a different tin isotope, was added to the sample to calculate the extent of the interconversion reactions among butyltin compounds. Real surface water samples (river water) were collected and stored in glass, polypropylene or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) containers. The presence of light, addition of acetic acid, storage temperature (22, 4 or −18 °C), and the influence of a filtration step were evaluated. Moreover, Milli-Q water with and without the addition of a high concentration of humic acids was prepared in parallel and the results compared to those obtained from the real samples. The water samples were analysed by gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) in selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode at two different storage times (2 weeks and 4 months after its preparation) to carry out both a short- and a long-term stability study. The lowest butyltin degradation was obtained when the samples were stored at −18 °C in the dark. Under these conditions, both TBT and DBT showed negligible dealkylation factors after 2 weeks. After 4 months, DBT dealkylation to MBT increased up to 19 % but TBT degradation was not observed.

Degradation of dibuytl phthalate (DBP), a plasticizer and also a widely distributed endocrine disruptor, by UV-254 nm/H₂O₂ advanced oxidation process (AOP) was investigated in this study. A significant DBP removal of 77.1 % at an initial concentration of 1.0 μM was achieved at UV fluence of 160 mJ/cm², initial H₂O₂ dosage of 1.0 mM, and pH of 7.6 ± 0.1. The DBP degradation exhibited a pseudo-first-order reaction kinetic pattern, with the rate constants linearly increasing with increasing H₂O₂ dosage while decreasing with increasing initial DBP concentration and pH value in a specific range. DBP destruction was significantly inhibited in the presence of alkalinity and natural organic matter (NOM), two known factors that should be taken a serious consideration of in the research and design of UV/H₂O₂-based AOPs. Presence of common inorganic anions (i.e., Cl⁻, SO₄ ²⁻, and NO₃ ⁻) and metal cations (i.e., Fe³⁺ and Zn²⁺) had a slight impact on the degradation of DBP, although Cu²⁺ could improve the degradation efficiency even at a concentration as low as 0.01 mg/L, suggesting a strong potential of applying UV/H₂O₂ for the removal of DBP with an environmental relevant level of copper.

Perchlorate (ClO₄ ⁻) pollution is widespread in the natural environment, but the effects of ClO₄ ⁻ on the terrestrial insects are rarely studied. Here, when phytophagous insect Spodoptera litura larvae were fed on the diets with different ClO₄ ⁻ concentrations, changes in their life-history traits were recorded; ClO₄ ⁻ accumulations in feces and insect body were detected. The results demonstrated that ClO₄ ⁻ bioaccumulation in insect at the different developmental stages was ranked in the order: adults > pupae > the 4th > 5th > 6th instar larvae. Besides, ClO₄ ⁻ accumulations in the feces were ranked in the order: the 6th > 5th > 4th instar larvae. The ClO₄ ⁻ accumulations in female pupae and adults were significantly higher than that in males. ClO₄ ⁻ bioaccumulation in insect prolonged larval development time and caused a skewed sex ratio (the percentage of males at metamorphosis significantly decreased) under 100 to 200 mg ClO₄ ⁻/kg treatment. Therefore, ClO₄ ⁻ accumulations in S. litura body presented developmental stage-, sex-specific pattern, and the sex-specific ClO₄ ⁻ accumulations resulted in difference of sex ratio. These effects were observed at concentrations reported in natural environments contaminated with ClO₄ ⁻, suggesting that this contaminant may pose a threat to the normal development and growth of this insect species.