Environmental Monitoring Studies Research Articles

Environmental effects of acid mine drainage and rehabilitation options at closed mine site: a case study.

Irregular waste storage at closed mine sites poses severe environmental problems. This study evaluates the concentrations and effects of trace elements released into the environment by mining activity by analyzing soil, water, and sediment samples taken from a copper mining site. According to the data, acidic mine drainage was the main cause of the high concentrations of trace elements in the soil and sediments, including arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and copper (Cu). The concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, and Cu in soil and sediments were 2734-times, 1189-times, 157-times and 32 times higher, respectively, in comparison to the background values of averaged concentrations of these elements in the upper crust. Geological and statistical studies indicate that the primary constituents of these pollutants are chalcopyrite and pyrite derivatives present in the primary rock structure. Using water analysis data from 2011 to 2020, the release of essential trace element into water was investigated to monitor the environmental effects of acidic mine drainage (AMD) from the closed Kuvarshan copper mine in the Artvin region of Turkey. This study demonstrates that trace elements concentrations may change according to local and seasonal factors and highlights the importance of conducting routine environmental monitoring studies.

Advanced LC-MS/MS Technique for Environmental Ivermectin Detection.

Ivermectin is a widely used broad-spectrum antiparasitic agent employed in both companion animals and livestock. While generally safe for mammals, its acute and chronic toxicity has been proven in many nontarget fish and insect species at low concentrations. The present study aimed to develop, validate, and test a more accurate method for ivermectin detection in various matrices (feces, soil, and sewage) for environmental studies. The method was validated using the Eurachem network. The applicability of the method was established at 1.5-500 μg/L for feces and 1.5-15 μg/L for sewage and soil. No dilution effect was observed at 5000 μg/L. The limit of detection was 0.66, 0.54, and 0.36 μg/kg for feces, soil, and sewage, respectively. The limit of quantification was set at 1.5 μg/kg and verified experimentally. Overall recovery was 92.27 ± 12.01% for feces and 96.19 ± 13.78% in soil, reaching a linearity of at least 0.99. The present method was successfully applied to 228 feces, 20 sewage, and 105 soil samples. This validated method enables the precise detection and quantification of ivermectin in the tested matrices, thereby envisaging potential applications in environmental monitoring studies with improved sensitivity and specificity.

Assessment of Essential Trace Elements Cu, Zn, Mn, and Ni in Mediterranean Mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from the Algerian Coast.

The aim of this study was to determine the levels of essential trace elements copper, zinc, manganese, and nickel in two size groups of mussels, Mytilus galloprovincialis, sampled from three sites along the Algerian coast with different levels of pollution. The results of this work are very interesting for determining the effect of mussel size on the variation of contaminant levels in environmental monitoring studies. Thirty individuals from 2 size groups, less than 4-cm and more than 4-cm shell length, were collected over 4 seasons at each site studied. The samples were dissected, and copper, zinc, manganese, and nickel were measured in the whole soft tissues by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The maximum concentrations of copper, zinc, manganese, and nickel expressed in mg/kg dry weight at the three sites were 54.01, 146.25, 20.69, and 8.85, respectively. A clear distribution pattern of the studied elements was observed in the two size classes. In fact, significantly higher concentrations (P < 0.05) were found in individuals with a shell length of less than 4 cm. Significantly, higher concentrations (P < 0.05) were found in individuals with a shell length of less than 4 cm due to their high filtration and low excretion activities compared to long individuals. In addition, metal pollution index (MPI) values were higher in small bivalve individuals. The trace element contents found in the mussel samples of the present study showed large spatial and temporal variations among the different sites studied, highlighting the typical exposure of marine sites to different marine pollutants. Notably, elevated concentrations of copper were observed in the port of Zemmouri, likely due to port activities. Conversely, the highest levels of manganese and nickel were recorded at Boudouaou El Bahri, potentially attributable to the use of fertilisers by agricultural activities. Some shellfish samples had exceeded the permissible concentration levels of copper and manganese, thereby posing a danger to bivalve consumers.

Functional traits data for testate amoebae of Northern Holarctic realm

The functional traits of soil protists have been employed in ecological research to enhance comprehension of the underlying mechanisms of ecological processes. Among the numerous soil protists, testate amoebae emerge as a prominent and abundant group, playing a pivotal role in soil micro-food webs. Furthermore, they are regarded as valuable bioindicators for environmental monitoring and palaeoecological studies due to their sensitivity to environmental changes. We screened 372 testate amoebae species widely distributed across Northern Holarctic realm and collected trait data, representing the morphological and feeding characteristics of testate amoebae. The dataset would provide valuable basis for investigation of the functional diversity and ecological roles of testate amoebae, thus facilitating further research on soil protist communities and ecosystem dynamics.

Comparative performance of electronegative membrane filtration and automated concentrating pipette for detection of antibiotic resistance genes and microbial markers in river water samples

The target viral and bacterial concentrations in river water are essential for environmental monitoring and public health studies. Filtration-based methods are commonly employed, yet challenges arise due to recoverability and filter pore size. This study aimed to compare the performance of electronegative membrane filtration (EMF) and automated Concentrating Pipette (CP) Select (InnovaPrep) methods for quantifying antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), mobile genetic elements (MGEs), and bacterial and viral markers in river water samples. Fifty-four river water samples were collected from upstream and downstream locations in a river in Japan. The CP Select method was modified by adding MgCl2 and using different tips. The recovery efficiencies for total coliforms and Escherichia coli were assessed, and class 1 integron-integrase gene (intI1), 16S rRNA, gene encoding sulfonamide resistance (sul1), cross-assembly phage (crAssphage), pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV), and Escherichia coli gene (sfmD) were detected. CP Select showed recovery efficiencies of 45 %–63 % for total coliforms and 17 %–35 % for E. coli. The intI1, 16S rRNA, sul1, crAssphage, PMMoV, and sfmD concentrations using the modified CP Select method were 10.1 ± 0.5, 8.7 ± 0.2, 7.7 ± 0.2, 6.7 ± 0.2, 5.4 ± 0.2, and 3.5 ± 0.5 log10 copies/L, respectively. Higher intI1 and sul1 concentrations were observed downstream, with the highest contribution percentage (22 % and 21 %) using CP Select or EMF. The modified CP Select method with 0.05 μm tips yielded more quantifiable results for all target genes and greater PMMoV concentrations (p < 0.05). Positive correlations were found among bacterial, ARG/MGE, and viral markers (Spearman's ρ = 0.71 for 16S rRNA and sfmD, 0.88 for intI1 and sul1, and 0.64 for PMMoV and crAssphage). The modified CP Select method demonstrated effective recovery of bacteria and quantification of ARGs, MGEs, and microbial markers in river water. Further studies are required to validate these methods and confirm their applicability in diverse environmental contexts.

Synthesis, structural characterization, DNA binding ability and luminescent sensing of nitroaromatics by a mononuclear zinc(II) carboxylate complex

A mononuclear zinc(II) carboxylate complex containing 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and N-donor 2-aminopyridine was synthesized in aqueous methanol and comprehensively characterized by elemental, spectroscopic, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The complex crystallized in monoclinic space group P21/c having a distorted square pyramidal structure. Spectral and X-ray diffraction analyses confirm the molecular composition of the complex. The complex has shown strong fluorescence emission, acts as a selective and sensitive chemosensor for nitroaromatics. The complex is able to selectively detect picric acid in the presence of other nitroaromatics. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations further elucidate the complex’s preferential binding towards nitroaromatics, revealing the involvement of π-stacking and spodium bonding interactions. This work not only expands the understanding of zinc(II) carboxylate complexes in supramolecular chemistry but also highlights their promising applications in environmental monitoring and biological studies due to their significant fluorescence quenching in the presence of nitroaromatics and moderate DNA binding affinity.

Influence of acute heat shock on antioxidant defense of tropical fish, Psalidodon bifasciatus

Psalidodon bifasciatus is a fish species sensitive to physical and chemical changes in water. It serves as a good bioindicator of temperature variations and is utilized in environmental monitoring studies in Brazilian rivers. The objective of this study was to evaluate antioxidant defense biomarkers in the heart, brain, and muscle of P. bifasciatus exposed to a 10 °C thermal increase. P. bifasciatus were collected and divided into a control group (21 °C) and groups subjected to thermal shock (31 °C) for periods of 2, 6, 12, 24, and 48h. Two-way ANOVA indicated that a 10 °C temperature increase caused oxidative stress in P. bifasciatus. This was evidenced by altered levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO), carbonylated proteins (PCO), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the heart, catalase (CAT) and LPO in the brain, and LPO in the muscle. Principal component analysis (PCA) and integrated biomarker response (IBR) analysis indicated that, compared to the heart and muscle, the brain exhibited a greater activation of the antioxidant response. Sensitivity analysis indicated that the muscle was the most sensitive organ, followed by the brain and heart. Our results indicate that the stress response is tissue-specific through the activation of distinct mechanisms. These responses may be associated with the tissue's function as well as its energy demand. As expected, P. bifasciatus showed changes in response to thermal stress, with the brain showing the greatest alteration in antioxidant defenses and the muscle being the most sensitive tissue.

LULC change detection analysis of Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka state, India using CNN-based deep learning method

The change detection analysis of land use land cover (LULC) is an important task in several fields and applications such as environmental monitoring, urban planning, disaster management, and climate change studies. This study focuses on the use of remote sensing (RS) and geographic information systems (GIS) to identify the changes in Chamarajanagar district, which is located in Karnataka state, South India. This paper mainly focuses on the classification and change detection analysis of LULC in 2011 and 2021 using linear imaging self-scanning sensor-III (LISS-III) satellite images. Traditional methods for LULC classification involve manual interpretation of satellite images, which provides lower accuracy. Therefore, this paper proposed the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)-based deep learning classification method for LULC classification. The main objective of the research work is to perform an accurate change detection of the Chamarajanagar district using the classified maps of the years 2011 and 2021. The proposed classification method is outperformed, with a classification accuracy of 95.27 % and 94.57 % for LISS-III satellite imagery of the years 2011 and 2021 respectively. Further, change detection analysis has been carried out using classified maps and results show a decline of 3.23 sq. km, 22.7 sq. km, and 3.83 sq. km in the areas covered by vegetation, agricultural land, and forest area, respectively. In other classes, such as built-up, water bodies, and barren land, an increase in land cover was observed by 5.59 sq. km, 1.99 sq. km, and 20.92 sq. km, respectively.

Environmental monitoring of a freezing tunnel and its close surroundings in the potato processing industry: Insights into Listeria monocytogenes contamination, cleaning and disinfection efficacy, and transmission risks

Produce is a known vehicle for Listeria monocytogenes, with the number of produce-related outbreaks increasing. Consumers occasionally misuse frozen vegetables as ready-to-eat instead of ready-to-cook, raising the possibility of L. monocytogenes contamination. Environmental monitoring studies focusing on the freezing step in frozen produce are relatively scarce, yet essential, as this step could cause post-contamination. In this study, conducted between February 2021 and December 2021, a total of 607 samples were collected and analyzed for the presence of L. monocytogenes and surrounding microflora (sulfite-reducing Clostridia, Escherichia coli, coliforms, Pseudomonas spp., lactic acid bacteria, thermophiles, and anaerobic spores). These samples were taken after heat treatment, within and around a freezing tunnel in a frozen potato processing facility. Overall, 33.7% (n = 486) of the fixed infrastructure (food contact surfaces, non-food contact surfaces, and surroundings) and 48.8% (n = 121) of the mobile elements (e.g., staff, cleaning utensils, and transport trolleys) tested positive for L. monocytogenes. The cleaning and disinfection (C&D) could reduce L. monocytogenes to undetectable levels, but its execution proved inconsistent. C&D reduced the positive samples by 26.2% (n = 122) inside the freezing tunnel and by 30.9% (n = 184) outside the freezing tunnel. The main areas of concern proved to be the conveyor belt area for post-contamination risk and the staff as a transmission vehicle with cell counts up to 4.8 log CFU normalized over a surface of 50 cm2. During production, L. monocytogenes positive samples increased in the production environment outside the freezing tunnel going from 27.7% (n = 65) to 46.7% (n = 76) on the fixed elements and from 31.8% (n = 22) to 75.0% (n = 24) on mobile elements. Areas prone to L. monocytogenes contamination contained higher cell counts of coliforms, sulfite-reducing Clostridia, and lactic acid bacteria. Monitoring the presence of L. monocytogenes assists in enhancing the overall hygiene within the processing plant by discovering hard-to-reach places susceptible to contamination, potential transmission routes, and the verification of the C&D procedure. It demonstrates how environmental monitoring can contribute to the overall hygiene of the frozen produce industry.

Hematological and genotoxic biomarkers in a natural population of freshwater turtles Trachemys dorbigni (Duméril & Bibron, 1835) (Testudines: Emydidae) living in an urban area in Southern Brazil.

The present study aimed to report the morphometric and hematological indices and genotoxicity of a free-life population of D'Orbigny's slider turtles (Trachemys dorbigni) living in an urban area in Southern Brazil. For that, 16 specimens were randomly captured in an urban canal that receives irregular releases of wastewater. Biometrics and external visual changes were analyzed, such as turtle shell deformities, and the presence of parasites. Blood samples were collected to evaluate the hematological profile and the presence of micronuclei and other erythrocyte nuclear abnormalities as potential mutagenic and genotoxic effects. Water physicochemical parameters were also measured. Organisms with ectoparasites (31.25%) and small carapace deformations (56.25%) were observed, but maximum carapace length and weight were considered normal for the species according to the literature. The blood profile indicated low hemoglobin and hematocrit and a high number of total leukocytes, particularly eosinophils which characterize parasitic infections. A frequency of 0.12% for the micronucleus was considered basal, but the frequency of other erythrocyte abnormalities was evident, mainly of blebbed nuclei (63.79%), indicating chromosomal damage in the early stage. The results of this study suggest that natural populations of chelonian inhabiting urbanized areas are impacted by anthropogenic activities in the surrounding environment. Furthermore, it provides comprehensive data which can serve as a comparative model for environmental monitoring studies involving turtles.

Air Quality Monitoring Using Low-Cost Sensors in Urban Areas of Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

Air pollution poses a significant health hazard in urban areas across the globe, with India being one of the most affected countries. This paper presents environmental monitoring study conducted in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India, to assess air quality in diverse urban environments. The study involved continuous indoor and outdoor air quality monitoring, focusing on particulate matter (PM2.5) levels, bioaerosols, and associated meteorological parameters. Laser sensor-based low-cost air quality monitors were utilized to monitor air quality and Anderson 6-stage Cascade Impactor & Petri Dish methods for bioaerosol monitoring. The study revealed that PM2.5 levels were consistently high throughout the year, highlighting the severity of air pollution in the region. Notably, indoor PM2.5 levels were often higher than outdoor levels, challenging the common notion of staying indoors during peak pollution. The study explored the spatial and temporal diversity of air pollution across various land-use patterns within the city, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions in different urban areas. Additionally, bioaerosol assessments unveiled the presence of pathogenic organisms in indoor and outdoor environments, posing health risks to residents. These findings underscore the importance of addressing particulate matter and bioaerosols in air quality management strategies. Despite the study's valuable insights, limitations, such as using low-cost air quality sensors and the need for long-term data collection, are acknowledged. Nevertheless, this research contributes to a better understanding of urban air quality dynamics and the importance of public awareness in mitigating the adverse effects of air pollution. In conclusion, this study underscores the urgent need for effective air quality management strategies in urban areas. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and researchers striving to address air pollution in rapidly urbanizing regions.

Multitemporal Seagrass Mapping and Monitoring of Posidonia Meadows and Banquettes for Blue Carbon Conservation: The Poseidon Project

Abstract. In the framework of mapping underwater environments, Posidonia Oceanica (PO) is a fundamental indicator for environmental monitoring and related studies and analyses for climate change. The POSEIDON project aims to study, develop and test new methodologies to provide knowledge, as well as ultra-high-resolution (UHR) and beyond ultra-high-resolution (BUHR) mapping and monitoring data for the conservation of the PO and related meadows and banquettes in the Mediterranean area. The project is funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and stems from the recommendation of international organizations (European Environmental Directives, Mediterranean PO Network, International Partnership for Blue Carbon, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO in the Save the Wave project). Starting from new integrated survey methods and legacy data, the PO, ichthyofauna and seagrass banquettes will be mapped to understand their evolution and extract indicators and useful trends. Furthermore, the produced information will be stored and shared in a webGIS and a dedicated app to prevent unexpected damages during sailing or other activities. POSEIDON will use imaging sensors (RGB and multi/hyperspectral cameras) to extract information. With specific lighting equipment for significant water depths, these sensors will be conducted (by scuba divers or Autonomous Underwater Vehicles) next to the object to acquire BUHR data. Finally, to monitor the fauna (fish, other species, invertebrates), terrestrial and underwater videogrammetry will be applied using mono and stereo-cameras with object detection algorithms.

MEASUREMENT AND ENHANCEMENT OF GRAVITY DATA FOR GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATIONS IN ABUJA, NIGERIA

The availability of gravity data is useful to individuals, governments and organizations that wish to carry out a geophysical investigation in Abuja. The data provides an accurate model for environmental monitoring and disaster studies. This research was aimed at measurement and prediction of gravity data in Abuja, Nigeria. The aim was achieved by observation of terrestrial gravity data at forty (40) gravity stations around the federal capital territory Abuja, prediction of the gravity data at other points and the evaluation of the predicted data. Gravity reduction was carried out on the measured data to account for drift correction, free air correction, bouguer correction latitude correction and terrain correction. The data was further enhanced by interpolation using the Kriging method. A total of 59 points were predicted from the 40 measured stations. The predicted gravity anomalies were validated by comparing with their corresponding gravity anomalies obtained from the Earth Gravity Model 2008 (EGM08) because of their well-established reliability. For the number of observations, n = 59, the RMSE and SE were computed as 4.797mGal (4.787x10-5 ms-2) and 4.880mGal (4.880 x10-5 ms-2) respectively. Also, the correlation value obtained was 0.991 which is significant at 0.01 level. This shows a strong relationship signifying a perfect possible agreement in the values obtained. It was therefore concluded that Kriging is a good interpolator that provides an estimate with high reliability and dependency. In this regard, considering the high cost of geophysical data collection, gravity prediction can make geophysical data collection more efficient and cost-effective.

Advancing 2D imaging of ammonium for biological application: Planar and nanoparticle-based ion-selective optodes

This study investigates the development and optimization of ammonium-selective chromoionophore-based optodes for two-dimensional (2D) imaging with conventional cameras. Ammonium, vital in various fields like agriculture, ecology, and health, requires accurate measurement. Traditional methods have limitations, leading to the exploration of optical sensors, or optodes, for direct imaging of ammonium gradients. The research covers planar and nanoparticle designs, exploring absorbance and fluorescence readouts with commercial cameras. The study extends to repeatability, response time, and selectivity of the optodes. Planar optodes, utilizing chromoionophores under different background colors, demonstrate improved characteristics with the addition of TiO2. The impact of plasticizer choice on response characteristics, including hysteresis, is explored. Nanoparticle designs using PVC and F127 are compared, with autoclaving identified as the superior sterilization method. The work effectively demonstrates 2D real-time NH4+ visualization using optode nanoparticles in agar gels. Finally, a proof-of-concept was performed to showcase a biological application for identifying urease-producing pathogens (Bacillus subtilis) without relying on pH changes. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive exploration of ammonium-selective optodes with promising applications in environmental monitoring and biological studies.

Recent Advances in Dielectric Properties-Based Soil Water Content Measurements

Dielectric properties are crucial in understanding the behavior of water within soil, particularly the soil water content (SWC), as they measure a material’s ability to store an electric charge and are influenced by water and other minerals in the soil. However, a comprehensive review paper is needed that synthesizes the latest developments in this field, identifies the key challenges and limitations, and outlines future research directions. In addition, various factors, such as soil salinity, temperature, texture, probing space, installation gap, density, clay content, sampling volume, and environmental factors, influence the measurement of the dielectric permittivity of the soil. Therefore, this review aims to address the research gap by critically analyzing the current state-of-the-art dielectric properties-based methods for SWC measurements. The motivation for this review is the increasing importance of precise SWC data for various applications such as agriculture, environmental monitoring, and hydrological studies. We examine time domain reflectometry (TDR), frequency domain reflectometry (FDR), ground-penetrating radar (GPR), remote sensing (RS), and capacitance, which are accurate and cost-effective, enabling real-time water resource management and soil health understanding through measuring the travel time of electromagnetic waves in soil and the reflection coefficient of these waves. SWC can be estimated using various approaches, such as TDR, FDR, GPR, and microwave-based techniques. These methods are made possible by increasing the dielectric permittivity and loss factor with SWC. The available dielectric properties are further synthesized on the basis of mathematical models relating apparent permittivity to water content, providing an updated understanding of their development, applications, and monitoring. It also analyzes recent mathematical calibration models, applications, algorithms, challenges, and trends in dielectric permittivity methods for estimating SWC. By consolidating recent advances and highlighting the remaining challenges, this review article aims to guide researchers and practitioners toward more effective strategies for SWC measurements.

Diflubenzuron Mass Concentration Determination Method in Pesticides Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography.

Pesticides are actively used in agriculture to protect crops from pests, and accurate determination of the concentration of their active ingredient is critical to ensuring their efficacy and safety. The research aims to develop a methodology that will enable the accurate determination of the mass concentration of diflubenzuron, a widely used active ingredient in pesticide formulations. This is achieved through the use of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The proposed method for determining the mass concentration of diflubenzuron using HPLC was developed through a series of experiments and optimisation steps. The sample preparation procedure was optimised to extract the maximum amount of diflubenzuron from the pesticide formulation. The chromatography conditions were optimised to separate diflubenzuron from other components in the sample matrix. A calibration approach was established for accurate quantification of diflubenzuron in the sample based on peak area measurements. The developed method can be widely used in agriculture, where accurate determination of diflubenzuron concentrations in pesticide formulations is critical for proper application and regulatory compliance. Both regulatory organizations and pesticide manufacturers can use it for batch-release testing and quality control to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pesticide products. In addition, the method can serve as a valuable tool for researchers and analysts working with pesticide residues in crops and environmental monitoring studies. The optimised sample preparation, chromatography conditions, and calibration approach provide reliable and reproducible results.

In silico biomarker analysis of the adverse effects of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) exposure on the metabolic physiology of embryo-larval zebrafish

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a ubiquitous pollutant in global aquatic ecosystems with increasing concern for its toxicity to aquatic wildlife through inadvertent exposures. To assess the likely adverse effects of PFOS exposure on aquatic wildlife inhabiting polluted ecosystems, there is a need to identify biomarkers of its exposure and toxicity. We used an integrated systems toxicological framework to identify physiologically relevant biomarkers of PFOS toxicity in fish. An in silico stoichiometric metabolism model of zebrafish (Danio rerio) was used to integrate available (published by other authors) metabolomics and transcriptomics datasets from in vivo toxicological studies with 5 days post fertilized embryo-larval life stage of zebrafish. The experimentally derived omics datasets were used as constraints to parameterize an in silico mathematical model of zebrafish metabolism. In silico simulations using flux balance analysis (FBA) and its extensions showed prominent effects of PFOS exposure on the carnitine shuttle and fatty acid oxidation. Further analysis of metabolites comprising the impacted metabolic reactions indicated carnitine to be the most highly represented cofactor metabolite. Flux simulations also showed a near dose-responsive increase in the pools for fatty acids and acyl-CoAs under PFOS exposure. Taken together, our integrative in silico results showed dyslipidemia effects under PFOS exposure and uniquely identified carnitine as a candidate metabolite biomarker. The verification of this prediction was sought in a subsequent in vivo environmental monitoring study by the authors which showed carnitine to be a modal biomarker of PFOS exposure in wild-caught fish and marine mammals sampled from the northern Gulf of Mexico. Therefore, we highlight the efficacy of FBA to study the properties of large-scale metabolic networks and to identify biomarkers of pollutant exposure in aquatic wildlife.

Highly Sensitive and Wide-Range Detection of Thiabendazole via Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Using Bimetallic Nanoparticle-Functionalized Nanopillars.

Thiabendazole (TBZ) is a benzimidazole; owing to its potent antimicrobial properties, TBZ is extensively employed in agriculture as a fungicide and pesticide. However, TBZ poses environmental risks, and excessive exposure to TBZ through various leakage pathways can cause adverse effects in humans. Therefore, a method must be developed for early and sensitive detection of TBZ over a range of concentrations, considering both human and environmental perspectives. In this study, we used silver nanopillar structures (SNPis) and Au@Ag bimetallic nanoparticles (BNPs) to fabricate a BNP@SNPi substrate. This substrate exhibited a broad reaction surface with significantly enhanced surface-enhanced Raman scattering hotspots, demonstrating excellent Raman performance, along with high reproducibility, sensitivity, and selectivity for TBZ detection. Ultimately, the BNP@SNPi substrate successfully detected TBZ across a wide concentration range in samples of tap water, drinking water, juice, and human serum, with respective limits of detection of 146.5, 245.5, 195.6, and 219.4 pM. This study highlights BNP@SNPi as a promising sensor platform for TBZ detection in diverse environments and contributes to environmental monitoring and bioanalytical studies.

An Algorithm for Solving the Problem of Phase Unwrapping in Remote Sensing Radars and Its Implementation on Multicore Processors

The problem of the interferometric phase unwrapping in radar remote sensing of Earth systems is considered. Such interferograms are widely used in the problems of creating and updating maps of the relief of the Earth’s surface in geodesy, cartography, environmental monitoring, geological, hydrological and glaciological studies, and for monitoring transport communications. Modern radar systems have ultra-high spatial resolution and a wide band, which leads to the need to unwrap large interferograms from several tens of millions of elements. The implementation of calculations by these methods requires a processing time of several days. In this paper, an effective method for equalizing the inverse vortex field for phase unwrapping is proposed, which allows solving a problem with quasi-linear computational complexity depending on the interferogram size and the number of singular points on it. To implement the method, a parallel algorithm for solving the problem on a multi-core processor using OpenMP technology was developed. Numerical experiments on radar data models were carried out to investigate the effectiveness of the algorithm depending on the size of the source data, the density of singular points and the number of processor cores.

Development and evaluation of a comprehensive workflow for suspect screening of exposome-related xenobiotics and phase II metabolites in diverse human biofluids

Suspect and non-target screening (SNTS) methods are being promoted in order to decode the human exposome since a wide chemical space can be analysed in a diversity of human biofluids. However, SNTS approaches in the exposomics field are infra-studied in comparison to environmental or food monitoring studies. In this work, a comprehensive suspect screening workflow was developed to annotate exposome-related xenobiotics and phase II metabolites in diverse human biofluids. Precisely, human urine, breast milk, saliva and ovarian follicular fluid were employed as samples and analysed by means of ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with high resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS/MS). To automate the workflow, the “peak rating” parameter implemented in Compound Discoverer 3.3.2 was optimized to avoid time-consuming manual revision of chromatographic peaks. In addition, the presence of endogenous molecules that might interfere with the annotation of xenobiotics was carefully studied as the employment of inclusion and exclusion suspect lists. To evaluate the workflow, limits of identification (LOIs) and type I and II errors (i.e., false positives and negatives, respectively) were calculated in both standard solutions and spiked biofluids using 161 xenobiotics and 22 metabolites. For 80.3 % of the suspects, LOIs below 15 ng/mL were achieved. In terms of type I errors, only two cases were identified in standards and spiked samples. Regarding type II errors, the 7.7 % errors accounted in standards increased to 17.4 % in real samples. Lastly, the use of an inclusion list for endogens was favoured since it avoided 18.7 % of potential type I errors, while the exclusion list caused 7.2 % of type II errors despite making the annotation workflow less time-consuming.