Mechanisms of pesticide toxicity in freshwater fish: Insights into the emerging role of programmed cell death.

Distribution and transport of trace organic contaminants from land to the coastal sea.

A comprehensive evaluation of the effects and mechanisms of naringenin on zebrafish embryo development.

Mitigating risk of tire wear particles in Daphnia pulex: In silico approaches.

Emerging trace organic contaminants (TrOCs) in aquatic environments, characterized by high toxicity, persistence, and bioaccumulation, present major challenges for conventional water treatment technologies. While reactive oxygen species (ROS)-driven advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) hold great promise for TrOCs remediation, challenges persist in achieving efficient, sustainable, and scalable treatment. This review systematically compares ROS generation pathways and addresses associated in situ challenges. It elucidates the relationship between the electronic structures of catalysts and specific ROS production mechanisms. Furthermore, the impact of real water matrix components on both ROS generation and TrOCs degradation pathway is addressed. Our analysis highlights that an integrated approach is essential for overcoming existing limitations, enhancing degradation efficiency, and mitigating risks associated with traditional oxidant storage. We stress the urgent need for comprehensive mechanistic elucidation, robust technological integration, and thorough risk assessment to accelerate the transition of these in situ ROS technologies from laboratory research to widespread, industrial-scale environmental applications.

Wastewater treatment has become an important environmental concern due to the increasing accumulation of hazardous contaminants in aquatic environments. In this study, Persea americana (PA) seeds were utilized as a precursor for the production of magnetic biochar (mbPA) through pyrolysis at 450 °C, followed by iron modification. The prepared material was applied for the removal of anionic Alizarin Yellow GG (AYGG) from aqueous solutions. Its physicochemical characteristics were investigated using FT-IR, XRD, SEM-EDS, BET, zeta potential, and particle size analyses. The effects of main experimental parameters, including pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage, initial dye concentration, and temperature, were systematically examined. The adsorption data were found to fit the Langmuir isotherm model, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 5.35 mg g-1. Kinetic results showed that the process followed a pseudo-second-order model. Thermodynamic analysis indicated that the adsorption process was spontaneous (ΔG = -2.61 to -6.19 kJ mol-1) and endothermic. Furthermore, the experimental data were modeled using an artificial neural network (ANN), and the 5-7-1 structure yielded the most accurate predictions (R2 = 0.9758, MSE = 0.00173). Overall, the results indicate that mbPA can be considered a potential adsorbent for the removal of AYGG from aqueous media.

Development of a CO2 accounting methodology for acid mine drainage active treatment plants: Evaluation of CO2 emissions from real plants in Japan.

Nonradical routes with high selectivity, stability, and strong resistance to anion interference for wastewater treatment have attracted increasing interest. Herein, a cobalt-loaded graphitic carbon nitride (CoCN) photocatalyst was synthesized to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) under simulated sunlight for degradation of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride. The optimized 15CoCN/light/PMS catalyst achieved an exceptional degradation efficiency of 96.67% within 9 min, with a pseudo-first-order rate constant of 0.384 min-1, which is 2.6 and 4.5 times higher than that of standalone photocatalysis (0.146 min-1) and PMS activation (0.086 min-1). Mechanistic investigations, supported by radical scavenging and EPR analyses, reveal a predominantly nonradical reaction pathway in which singlet oxygen (1O2) serves as the primary reactive oxygen species, accompanied by a minor contribution from O2·- and photogenerated holes. In addition, the 15CoCN/light/PMS system exhibits excellent environmental robustness, including broad pH adaptability and strong resistance to common inorganic anions, and maintains high performance in real water matrices. These results highlight the great potential of Co-modified graphitic carbon nitride as an efficient and sustainable platform for the light-assisted remediation of antibiotic contaminants in aquatic environments.

Steroid drugs(SDs) have emerged as significant environmental pollutants due to their strong bioactivity and potential to disrupt endocrine systems. In this study, the occurrence of steroid drugs and their conjugates was investigated in wastewater treatment plants and natural river waters. A total of 57 steroid compounds, including parent drugs and conjugated forms, were screened using a suspect screening approach based on liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). Sampling was conducted in the Nakdong River around the Daegu and Busan regions of South Korea, as well as five wastewater treatment plants in 5 different regions.Among the screened compounds, testosterone sulfate and nandrolone acetate were identified with high confidence and were frequently detected in influent samples, exhibiting strong signal intensities. These compounds were effectively removed during the wastewater treatment processes, particularly after the bioreactor and nitrification-denitrification stages. However, no high-confidence detections were observed in river water samples, suggesting that these substances were either effectively removed or diluted to concentrations below the detection limit. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of LC-HRMS-based suspect screening for tracking steroid contaminants in aquatic environments. It also underscores the importance of monitoring not only parent steroid drugs but also their conjugated and potentially bioactive metabolites to fully assess environmental risks.

Recently, increasing attention has been focused on the intergenerational toxicity of environmental contaminants. Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate (TDCIPP) is a widely detected contaminant in aquatic environments, but its paternally mediated intergenerational toxicity in vertebrates has remained insufficiently elucidated. In this study, zebrafish at 50 days postfertilization (dpf) were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations (55, 550, and 5500 ng/L) of TDCIPP for 150 days. Following exposure, the males were paired with unexposed females, and cardiotoxicity and hepatotoxicity were assessed in the offspring larvae. It was found that TDCIPP accumulated in F0 testes but not in the offspring embryos. Furthermore, paternal exposure to TDCIPP led to an increased heart rate, abnormal cardiac morphology, and significantly elevated ventricular wall thickness in the offspring zebrafish. Additionally, lipid metabolism disorders, abnormal liver morphology, and functional impairment were also observed in the offspring. Moreover, paternal exposure to TDCIPP down-regulated the expression of the hepcidin antimicrobial peptide gene (hamp) in the offspring larvae, leading to iron overload, which might contribute to the observed cardiotoxicity and lipid metabolism disorders in the offspring, as well as the subsequent development of hepatotoxicity. Furthermore, the up-regulation of miR-184 in F0 testes and offspring larvae accounted for the suppression of hamp expression following paternal exposure to TDCIPP. Our findings reveal that paternal exposure to TDCIPP induces up-regulation of miR-184 in F0 testes, and this overexpressed microRNA can be transmitted to the offspring, subsequently inhibiting hamp expression, leading to iron overload and consequently contributing to cardiotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in the offspring.

The search for new technologies for the removal of heavy metals has intensified due to the increasing contamination of aquatic environments. In this context, biopolymer-based nanocomposites have stood out in the synthesis of new adsorbent materials. These nanocomposites are considered promising due to their abundance, low toxicity, versatility, and high affinity for metal ions. Therefore, this work presents a comprehensive discussion on the development, properties, and performance of biopolymer-based nanocomposites applied to the removal of heavy metals from aqueous systems. Biopolymers such as chitosan, cellulose, alginate, lignin, and pectin are highlighted due to their functional groups and the possibility of chemical modification and/or incorporation of nanoparticles to improve adsorption capacity. In addition, the main mechanisms involved in the metal adsorption process, such as ion exchange, electrostatic attraction, complexation, and chelation, are discussed together with the most commonly used isotherm and kinetic models to describe adsorption behavior. Furthermore, the potential for reuse of these materials is also described in order to evaluate their stability. Finally, possible processes related to nanoparticle leaching, bioaccumulation, and potential ecological risks are also discussed.

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are increasingly recognized as persistent and bioaccumulative contaminants in aquatic environments. To enhance understanding of their spatial distribution and prevalence across China, we have developed a comprehensive geospatial database containing 8,128 records of 250 PPCPs from 385 sampling sites nationwide. The dataset is organized at four geographic scales (i.e., provincial, prefectural, county, and township or finer), with each record detailing the sampling time, location, and measured concentrations. Importantly, this database expands on previous efforts by including frequently overlooked water sources, such as tap water, groundwater, and water treatment plants, which are directly relevant to public health. This resource provides valuable support for environmental agencies in developing targeted management strategies, and enables researchers in environmental science, ecotoxicology, and health geography to conduct nuanced analyses of PPCPs pollution across China.

Pharmaceutical contamination of aquatic environments is an emerging concern, particularly for over-the-counter drugs such as paracetamol (PA) and pseudoephedrine (PSE), which persist in surface waters due to incomplete wastewater treatment. This study investigated the bioaccumulation and physiological responses of Lemna minor exposed to PA, PSE, and their mixtures at environmentally relevant concentrations. Accumulation in fronds was quantified, and plant responses were assessed using biomass, chlorophyll content, and phenolic compounds. PSE showed strong, concentration-dependent accumulation, increasing significantly (p < 0.05) from 6.3 ± 1 µg/g d.w. at 0.001 mg/L to 219 ± 51 µg/g d.w. at 0.1 mg/L. In contrast, PA remained below detection limits at 0.01–0.1 mg/L and was detected only at 1 mg/L (12 ± 7 µg/g d.w.), suggesting limited uptake or rapid transformation. Under mixture exposure, PSE accumulation decreased by 39% at the lowest concentration but increased by 62% at the highest mixture level compared with single-compound treatments, whereas PA uptake remained largely unchanged. PA significantly stimulated biomass production, increasing fresh weight by up to 168% at 0.1 mg/L (p < 0.05), while PSE increased biomass by up to 119%. Low-dose exposures induced elevated phenolic levels, indicating activation of stress-related metabolic pathways, whereas higher PA concentrations enhanced chlorophyll a content, with the highest mixture treatment showing a 66% increase relative to control. PCA revealed a shift from photosynthetic investment toward secondary metabolism under pharmaceutical exposure. These asymmetric interactions demonstrate that mixture effects cannot be predicted from assays. Lemna minor exhibited sensitivity to pharmaceutical stress and a capacity to accumulate PSE, supporting its use as a bioindicator and phytoremediator.

Fluorescent optical sensor for Fe3+ detection using Syzygium aromaticum derived carbon quantum dots embedded in corn starch biopolymeric film.

Pharmaceutical pollutants in wastewater treatment plants: A global review of occurrence, treatment efficiency, and implications for receiving water bodies

ABSTRACT Pharmaceutical contaminants in aquatic environments represent a serious risk to ecosystems and human health. Among these pollutants, the widely prescribed β‐blocker atenolol, commonly used to treat hypertension and angina, has been detected at concerning levels in water sources. In this study, an innovative green hydrogel is introduced, specifically designed for the removal of atenolol from aqueous systems. The hydrogel is synthesized through an eco‐friendly, rapid, and scalable method that employs carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and Spirulina platensis soluble polysaccharides (SPSs) cross‐linked with citric acid. The originality of this study lies in its comprehensive methodological framework, which integrates green chemistry principles with experimental cost analysis to promote sustainable large‐scale applications. To improve the cost efficiency, the synthesis pathway was fully optimized, and activity‐based cost data were incorporated to develop improved production strategies for CMC/SPSs hydrogels. The hydrogel's morphology and structural properties were analyzed using SEM and FTIR. It demonstrated an outstanding adsorption capacity of 406 mg g −1 and retained high performance over five regeneration cycles under acidic pH conditions. Critical operational factors such as solution pH, contact time, and initial concentration were systematically examined. Kinetic modeling indicated that the fractal‐like pseudo‐ first and second‐order models provided the best fits, with optimal removal observed at pH 8.8 and 240 min of contact time. The process adheres to circular economy principles by utilizing renewable feedstocks, reducing environmental burdens, and promoting efficient pollutant remediation. A detailed cost analysis revealed an estimated production cost of approximately €2.13 per gram, with labor expenses constituting the dominant cost factor, especially during synthesis. Collectively, these findings highlight the feasibility of combining renewable materials and green chemistry approaches to achieve sustainable water purification, offering a promising and scalable approach for removing atenolol from wastewaters.

Disposable face masks and PBDEs in aquatic environments: Co-contamination and impacts.

Tracking photoinhibition and failure dynamics in algae under combined exposure to UVB and water-accommodated oil fractions.

MgFe2O4/ZVI@AC-activated peracetic acid system for efficient degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride: Mechanistic insights and matrix resilience.

An integrated review of glyphosate ecotoxicity and environmental fate in aquatic systems using species sensitivity distributions and meta-analysis.