A method for the analysis of short-chain and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs and MCCPs) in house dust was developed. The method is based on sonication extraction, sample cleanup by solid phase extraction (SPE), and separation and detection by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) operated in electron capture negative ion (ECNI) chemical ionization mode. The method is sensitive, with method detection limits (MDLs) down to 0.22 μg/g for SCCPs and 0.55 μg/g for MCCPs. The overall recoveries of the method were 104 (± 11)% and 108 (± 16)% for SCCPs and MCCPs, respectively. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of SCCPs and MCCPs in NIST standard reference material (SRM 2585, organic contaminants in house dust) and a subset of house dust samples collected under the Canadian House Dust Study (CHDS). Average concentrations of SCCPs and MCCPs in SRM 2585 (n = 12 replicates) were 7.58 (± 0.43) μg/g for SCCPs and 16.4 (± 2.1) μg/g for MCCPs, respectively. A comparison was made between CP concentrations in paired dust samples collected using two different methods from the same homes: fresh or “active” dust (FD) collected by technicians and a sample taken from the household vacuum cleaner (HD). Spearman rank analysis showed a significant positive correlation (p < 0.01) between FD and HD samples for both MCCPs and SCCPs. CPs were detected in every house dust sample (n = 48 HD samples), with median (range) concentrations of 6.2 (4.0 - 57) μg/g and 19 (5.9-901) μg/g for SCCPs and MCCPs, respectively. Widely scattered CP levels and 100% detection frequency in this preliminary set of 48 HD samples suggest a wide variability in Canadian household exposures to CPs.

The electrochemical anodization method was used to dope graphite oxide (GO) onto TiO₂ nanotubes (TNTs). This study focused on enhancement of the photocatalytic activity of TNTs in the visible light region. In this study, we have checked the effect of different GO concentrations and effect of GO doping time on photocatalytic efficiency of composite. The photocatalytic activity of the GO-TNT composite was tested by degradation of an organic compound. The organic compound was most severely degraded (95%) when the GO-TNT catalyst was doped at an anodization of 60 V for 13 min and GO concentration of 0.25 g L⁻¹. This degradation was 5.6 times higher than that of bare TiO₂. The as-prepared catalyst was characterized using FE-SEM, XRD, AES, PL, UV-Vis DRS, and Raman analysis. Recycling of the GO-TNT composite was also performed in order to examine the stability of the visible light catalyst. We observed that the doping of GO on the TNT surface can enhance the photocatalytic efficiency under visible light. Graphene acts as an electron transport; therefore, GO-TNTs were favorable for the separation of e⁻ and h⁺ charges. This promoted the formation of OH radicals, h⁺, and superoxides, all of which degrade organics.

Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) and ammonia pollution from livestock feeding have gradually become the environmental concerns due to the spring up of livestock farms in worldwide. However, researches about the formation of atmospheric particulate matter related to ammonia are still limited. Therefore, a study to survey the total suspended particles (TSP), PM with the diameter less than 10 μm (PM₁₀), PM₄, PM₂.₅, PM₁, and ammonia was conducted at four types of hog houses distinguished by its building design as well as manure handling methods in South China. Four hog houses were monitored during three fattening periods from 2016 to 2017. The emissions of NH₃ per hog house averaged 210.42 μg s⁻¹. The emissions of PM per hog house averaged 2.017 μg h⁻¹ for PM₁, 2.149 μg h⁻¹ for PM₂.₅, 2.305 μg h⁻¹ for PM₄, 3.950 μg h⁻¹ for PM₁₀, and 9.317 μg h⁻¹ for TSP. The emissions of PM per hog house average 2.017 μg h⁻¹, 2.149 μg h⁻¹, 2.305 μg h⁻¹, 3.950 μg h⁻¹, and 9.317 μg h⁻¹, respectively for PM₁, PM₂.₅, PM₄, PM₁₀, and PM₁₀. In each hog house, while the quantity of manure determined the concentration of NH₃, biological fermentation bed was able to control the ammonia volatilization compared with other three manure handling methods. The largest percentage of fine PM (< 10 μm) is produced by the manual waterless method for manure handling. When it came to the manual waterless method, largest amount of fine PM (< 10 μm) was founded to form. Among various contributions of secondary inorganic PM to PM₁, the NH₃ was a dominant factor. Based on our experiment, the absolute concentration of NH₃ was inversely proportional to the concentration of PM₁ when the background influence was removed.

This research examines the role of poverty and logistical operations under the circumstance of environmental deterioration with panel data of ASEAN states from 2007 to 2017. The system-generalized method of moments (GMM) was adopted due to the presence of endogeneity. The results indicate that poverty and logistical operations have significant and positive relationship with greater environmental degradation. Because poor people are not skilled, they have to consume natural resources in original and unsustainable way for their survival and profits, which results in greater level of deforestation. On another hand, lacking fuel-efficient/green vehicles and green practices in logistical operations of ASEAN countries, logistics activities mainly depend on fossil fuel consumption, which generates greater carbon emission, methane, and greenhouse emissions that can directly damage the environment and become a primary source of climate change. Therefore, reduction in environmental degradation can be achieved through reduction in poverty and encouraging renewable energy and green practices in logistical operations. In addition, this study also provides detailed policy implications to regulatory bodies and corporate sector in order to improve environmental sustainability through adoption of green practices and reduction in poverty.

Aquaponics is a science that integrates animal aquatic production with vegetable culture in recirculating water systems. The performance of an aquaponics system using constructed semi-dry wetland with lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) planted on treating wastewater of culture of shrimp Macrobrachium amazonicum was evaluated. Each aquaponics module consisted in four culture tanks (1 m³ tank⁻¹), conical sedimentation tank (0.1 m³), circular holding tank (0.2 m³), and constructed semi-dry wetland (0.2 m × 1.0 m × 4.0 m). Post larvae (PL) shrimps with an initial average mass of 314 ± 4.75 mg were stocked at density treatments in quadruplicate: (A) 40 shrimps m⁻², (B) 80 shrimps m⁻², and (C) 120 shrimps m⁻². Our results showed the average final mass of shrimps had a slight reduction at the density 80 and 120 shrimps. However, it did not differ significantly between the treatments. The ultimate survival and productivity were higher in density 80 and 120 shrimps. The maximum biomass productivity occurred at the treatment with density 120 shrimps. The aquaponics recirculation system using constructed semi-dry wetlands with lettuce adequately treated the water at the densities tested. Various water quality parameters were deemed suitable for shrimp culture, but for lettuce not, especially the temperature. The shrimp density was inappropriate which limited the system to accumulate and increase the concentration of nutrients to vegetables with lessening the yield. Nonetheless, the system with higher density has higher nutrient content that plants demonstrated significantly better growth and yield. The results showed the potential use of organics waste generated in a family lettuce hydroponic production, but for a commercial production is indicated supplementation with nutrients like calcium, magnesium, and potassium in the water.

Eutrophication models are effective tools for assessing aquatic environments. The lake ecosystem consists of at least three trophic levels: phytoplankton, zooplankton, and fish. However, only a few studies have included fish sub-models in existing eutrophication models. In addition, no specific value or range is available for certain parameters of the fish sub-model. In the present study, a lake microcosm experimental system was established to determine the range of fish sub-model parameters. A three-trophic-level eutrophication model was established by combining the fish sub-model and eutrophication model. The Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo and genetic algorithm method was used to calibrate the parameters of the eutrophication model. The results show that the maximum relative errors were due to phosphate (5.31%), the minimum relative error was due to nitrate (1.94%), and the relative error of dissolved oxygen, ammonia N, zooplankton, and chlorophyll ranged from 3 to 4%. Compared with the two-trophic-level eutrophication model, the relative errors of ammonia nitrogen (4.17%), phosphate (− 5.31%), and nitrate (1.94%) in the three-trophic-level eutrophication model were lower than those in the two-trophic-level eutrophication model, indicating that the three-trophic-level eutrophication model can obtain highly accurate simulation results and provide a better understanding of eutrophication models for future use.

Sediment resuspension has been recognized as a crucial internal process in aquatic ecosystems. However, there is still a lack of reliable measuring methods due to the complex hydrodynamic conditions in large shallow eutrophic lakes. In this study, sequential sediment traps (SST) and instantaneous multiple point (IMP) methods were compared at 6 sites located in the littoral zone of Zhushan Bay in Lake Taihu. Results show that the average resuspension rates (RRs) estimated using the IMP method at sites 1 to 6 were 266.39, 272.79, 235.17, 254.95, 392.25, and 483.85 g·m⁻²d⁻¹, respectively. While the RRs estimated using the SST method were 195.16, 236.99, 116.76, 156.23, 389.53, and 509.85 g·m⁻²d⁻¹, respectively. In wind-disturbed areas, both methods were suitable for RR analysis in large and shallow eutrophic lakes and SST provides high-resolution temporal RR estimations. However, in the areas with cyanobacterial blooms and vegetation cover, the IMP method overestimated the RR. Therefore, SST was more suitable across different conditions in large and shallow eutrophic lakes, providing a simple, accurate, and high-resolution temporal estimation of RR, while furthering our understanding of lake evolution processes.

Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) have been used for decades for rodent control worldwide. Research on the exposure of the environment and accumulation of these active substances in biota has been focused on terrestrial food webs, but few data are available on the impact of ARs on aquatic systems and water organisms. To fill this gap, we analyzed liver samples of bream (Abramis brama) and co-located suspended particulate matter (SPM) from the German Environmental Specimen Bank (ESB). An appropriate method was developed for the determination of eight different ARs, including first- and second-generation ARs, in fish liver and SPM. Applying this method to bream liver samples from 17 and 18 sampling locations of the years 2011 and 2015, respectively, five ARs were found at levels above limits of quantifications (LOQs, 0.2 to 2 μg kg⁻¹). For 2015, brodifacoum was detected in 88% of the samples with a maximum concentration of 12.5 μg kg⁻¹. Moreover, difenacoum, bromadiolone, difethialone, and flocoumafen were detected in some samples above LOQ. In contrast, no first generation AR was detected in the ESB samples. In SPM, only bromadiolone could be detected in 56% of the samples at levels up to 9.24 μg kg⁻¹. A temporal trend analysis of bream liver from two sampling locations over a period of up to 23 years revealed a significant trend for brodifacoum at one of the sampling locations.

Plantago lanceolata L. is a common grassland and roadside plant, widely used in many countries in food and herbal preparations. In this study, samples of this wild plant were collected from rural, suburban/urban, and industrial environments; the concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, P, Pb, V, and Zn were measured in the edible parts of the plant (leaves), in the roots, and in the soils in order to calculate the bioaccumulation and translocation factors. The data obtained were compared with literature data available. Except for samples collected near mines and smelting plants, where Cd, Pb, and Zn concentrations were up to 15 times higher, in all other cases, no differences were observed with respect to samples from rural areas, except for Pb concentration, which was 3 times higher in urban areas. In the samples collected in our study area, the metal content does not pose particular health risks; however, even within a quite restricted region like the investigated area, high metal concentrations, possibly due to the presence of particular substrates, were observed in some samples collected from areas considered “clean” and suitable for wild food plant gathering.

There are mounting evidences indicated that maternal exposure to outdoor air pollutants in pregnancy affects children’s neural development, but the researches on children’s behavioral difficulties are seldom. We explored the association between maternal exposure to outdoor air pollution during different trimesters of pregnancy and the prevalence of behavioral difficulties among 657 preschool children aged 3–4 from three kindergartens in Wuhan, China. This is a cross-sectional study. Children’s behavioral difficulties were assessed by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) (reported by parents). Maternal exposure to outdoor air pollutants during pregnancy were estimated based on the daily average measured concentration levels from ground monitoring stations. Potential confounding factors including children-related, maternal, and socio-economic status (SES) were adjusted in the study. We calculated the prevalence of each type of behavioral difficulties and used binary logistic regression method to estimate the crude odds ratio (cOR), adjusted odds ratio (aOR), and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for 1 μg/m³ increase in each air pollutant during every exposure window in single- and two-pollutant models. The prevalence of participants’ total behavioral difficulties was 9.6%. In single-pollutant models, during full gestation, positive associations were observed between exposure to NO₂ (aOR = 1.204, 95% CI 1.042, 1.392), particle matter (PM)₁₀ (aOR = 1.070, 95% CI 1.018, 1.125), PM₂.₅ (aOR = 1.095, 95% CI 1.021, 1.176) and total difficulties, exposure to PM₁₀ (aOR = 1.040, 95% CI 1.001, 1.081), PM₂.₅ (aOR = 1.053, 95% CI 1.000, 1.109) and prosocial behavior, respectively. In the first trimester, exposure to SO₂ (aOR = 1.047, 95% CI 1.009, 1.086), NO₂ (aOR = 1.039, 95% CI 1.013, 1.066), PM₁₀ (aOR = 1.013, 95% CI 1.004, 1.023), and PM₂.₅ (aOR = 1.016, 95% CI 1.004, 1.028) were all positively associated with total difficulties. The associations between second and third trimesters’ exposure to all pollutants and outcomes were not statistically significant. However, in the two-pollutant models, second trimester exposure to PM₂.₅ (aOR = 1.078, 95%CI 1.023, 1.137) was positively associated with total behavioral difficulties after adjusting for PM₁₀. Exposure to outdoor air pollutants SO₂, NO₂, PM₁₀, and PM₂.₅ during pregnancy may be associated with behavioral difficulties, especially in the first trimester.