Heavy PAHs Research Articles

Groundwater quality assessment for irrigation and drinking water: health risks from heavy metals and PAHs in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

ABSTRACT The mean value for the samples ranged from 0.004 to 0.24 mg/L. Cadmium, cobalt, nickel, chromium, manganese, zinc, and lead were not significant and below the permissible limit set by the World Health Organization. Based on the calculation of the water pollution index, the mean values of water samples from all sampling locations fall within 29.02–134.78, indicating poor water quality. The order of decreasing HQing and HQderm values was as follows: cobalt > lead > chromium > cadmium > manganese > zinc > copper > nickel > iron, for both children and adults, respectively. Thirteen distinct polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were detected, with mean concentrations of 0.101 ± 0.09 for sample A, 0.1010 ± 0.09 for sample B, 0.0819 ± 0.09 for sample C, 0.01735 ± 0.02 for sample D, and 0.0118 ± 0.0 for sample E. The result showed total BaPeq (mg/kg) values ranging from 2.74E-1 for sample A, 2.80E-1 for sample B, 2.82E-1 for sample C, 2.64E-3 for sample D, and 1.22E-5 for sample E. Elevated levels of fluorene, naphthalene, and dibenzyl (a–h) anthracene were observed in all the sampled points. Irrigation quality of the investigated water sources are sodium adsorption ratio (A: 6.31, B: 4.42), magnesium adsorption ratio (B: 52.27), %Na (A: 55.61), residual sodium carbonate (B: −53.36), permeability index (A: 50.31), soluble sodium percentage (B: 52.62), and Kelly's ratio (equilibrium).

Adriatic Sea Fishery Product Safety and Prospectives in Relation to Climate Change

This bibliographic study addresses key aspects related to fishing, product safety, and climate change in the Adriatic Sea region. The examination of product safety focuses on the assessment of contaminants originating from human activities such as industry, mining, agriculture, and household waste disposal. The contamination of the aquatic environment has emerged as a pressing global concern, extending to the Adriatic basin. Aquatic organisms, including fish, are prone to accumulating pollutants directly from polluted water sources and indirectly through the food web. The bio-accumulation of potentially hazardous substances, particularly heavy metals, pesticides, PCBs, PAHs, and antibiotic resistance in aquatic organisms, poses a significant threat to human health. Climate change effects will deplete our seafood supply in terms of quantity and safety owing to negative consequences such as higher levels of pollution, parasites, viruses, infections, acidification, and toxicities such as shellfish poisoning. Global food safety strategies should be developed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote environmentally friendly technology, which indirectly affects seafood quality and microbiological safety, especially for the Adriatic Sea, which is part of the Mediterranean Sea, characterized by the most polluted waters in the world.

Effect of Petroleum Illegal Refining Activities on Cassava Plant in the Niger Delta

The evolution of illegal refining was briefly discussed leading to an experimental research of its effects on cassava plant which is a major staple food in the region. Two deactivated illegal refinery sites were selected for the studies; cassava plant (tubers, stem and leaves) samples were taken from these sites with a control and then analyzed for the concentrations of Heavy Metals, BTEX, PAHs and THC. The results show that the mean concentration of heavy metals in cassava tuber were Pb (5.31±0.17 mg/kg), Cd (6.44±0.23mg/kg), Cr (5.25±0.02 mg/kg), As (9.27±0.04 mg/kg), Zn (5.30±0.17 mg/kg), Cu (4.17±0.06 mg/kg), Ni (13.52±0.01 mg/kg) and Co (40.66±0.00) (mg/kg) for site A; while site B has Pb (0.15±0.03 mg/kg), Cd (0.107±0.06 mg/kg), Cr (0.167±0.03 mg/kg), As (1.83±0.02 mg/kg), Zn (0.063±0.02 mg/kg), Cu (0.079±0.04 mg/kg), Ni (0.113±0.01 mg/kg) and Co (0.082±0.05 mg/kg). The mean concentration values of heavy metals in cassava tuber were higher than the control mean values. Plant Concentration Factor was also calculated from the studies. Result also showed higher mean concentration values of BTEX and PAHs for cassava plant (tuber, stem and leaves) when compared with control values and WHO permissible limits for plants. The overall result indicates the contamination and pollution of cassava plant from both studied sites due to illegal petroleum crude oil refining activities.

PREPARATION OF IRON(II) AND SELENIUM(IV) DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS BY THEIR BIOTRANSFORMATION IN ARTHROSPIRA SP.

Background. The aim of the research was to develop a new method of growing Arthrospira sp. under closed conditions so that the resulting microalgae would be free of microbial contamination, heavy metal contamination and PAHs, while containing additional nutrients (iron and selenium). The project included industrial research, development work and patent applications for the results obtained. The industrial research consisted of experimental cultivation of spirulina and phycocyanin extraction under laboratory conditions, and research on the antioxidant ORAC parameter. Results and conclusions. The raw material obtained from the study meets all quality standards required by law in terms of heavy metal and PAH, as well as microbiological purity. It was shown that microalgae grown using the supplementation method contain on average 57.7 µg of selenium in a daily serving of 3 g. The iron contentin the raw material was up to 11.7 mg in 3 g. Moreover, a significant ORAC factor was recorded. Based on the results, it can be concluded that spirulina-Fe(II) and spirulina-Se(IV) show significant antioxidant potential and are useful raw materials for the production of dietary supplements and functional food. Dietary supplements and functional food produced using the methods employed in the study may not only be important in supplementing with micronutrients Fe(II) and Se(IV), but can also be used to supplement the diet with the valuable ingredients of Arthrospira sp.

Removal of selected contaminants of the soil and water environment on a model isolation barrier

Landfill leachate poses a threat to the soil and water environment. Protection against their migration is provided by sealing the bottom and sides of the landfill called containment barriers. Natural clay are used for their construction. Fine-grained industrial waste of a mineral nature has been proposed as an alternative to them. Two-component mixtures of ash from solid fuel combustion and waste coal sludge have been developed. The basic expected property of an isolation barrier is its impermeability. Also important is the sorption capacity of the material from which the barrier is made. Hence, the purpose of the study was to evaluate the potential of the obtained mixtures to remove selected heavy metals and PAHs from aqueous solutions. The examinations of static batch sorption and sorption under flow conditions were conducted in columns. Solutions containing Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) ions with initial concentrations of 100, 200, and 500 mg L−1 were used in the experiment. For all mixtures, regardless of the initial concentration, batch sorption of metals exceeded 99%. In polymetallic solutions, the competitive phenomena between zinc and cadmium ions were confirmed, resulting in a decrease in the efficiency of their removal from the solution. The column tests carried out using raw leachate from a municipal landfill showed the effectiveness of the mixture in removing PAHs, particularly noticeable for di- and hexacyclic hydrocarbons. The removal rate of the 5 analyzed PAH groups ranged from 47.49 to 70.0%. The obtained results confirmed the high sorption capacity of the tested material, which allows considering its use as a sorbent in environmental engineering.

The Cytotoxic Effects of Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) from Different Sources at the Air-Liquid Interface Exposure on A549 Cells.

The health of humans has been negatively impacted by PM2.5 exposure, but the chemical composition and toxicity of PM2.5 might vary depending on its source. To investigate the toxic effects of particulate matter from different sources on lung epithelial cells (A549), PM2.5 samples were collected from residential, industrial, and transportation areas in Nanjing, China. The chemical composition of PM2.5 was analyzed, and toxicological experiments were conducted. The A549 cells were exposed using an air-liquid interface (ALI) exposure system, and the cytotoxic indicators of the cells were detected. The research results indicated that acute exposure to different sources of particulate matter at the air-liquid interface caused damage to the cells, induced the production of ROS, caused apoptosis, inflammatory damage, and DNA damage, with a dose-effect relationship. The content of heavy metals and PAHs in PM2.5 from the traffic source was relatively high, and the toxic effect of the traffic-source samples on the cells was higher than that of the industrial- and residential-source samples. The cytotoxicity of particulate matter was mostly associated with water-soluble ions, carbon components, heavy metals, PAHs, and endotoxin, based on the analysis of the Pearson correlation. Oxidative stress played an important role in PM2.5-induced biological toxicity.

PROXIMATE ANALYSIS AND DETERMINATION OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS IN PROCESSED ANIMAL SKIN SOLD IN MAJOR MARKETS IN SOUTH WEST NIGERIA.

This study aimed at determining the nutritional and level of chemical contaminants (heavy metals and Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons PAHs) incommonly consumed animal skin sold in major markets in South-West, Nigeria. Proximate analysis (crude protein, moisture content, carbohydrate, ash content, oil content, nitrogen value and crude fibre) and heavy metals and PAHs concentrations were determined to evaluate the nutritional composition and safety of regular consumption of these products and to validate the notion that animal skin as a source of protein, can replace meat in meals. Samples of animal skin were purchased from three major markets in Lagos and Ogun State. Proximate composition was determine using standard analytical methods, while levels of heavy metal (Fe, Pb, Cd, Cr and As) and PAHs were using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy and GC-MS respectively.The results of proximate composition were as follows (%); for the brown samples; the moisture content (≤81.40±1.80, ash content (≤0.94±0.01, oil content (≤1.60±0.01, crude protein (≤3.75±0.85, crude fibre (≤1.25±0.01) and carbohydrate (≤14.51±1.20). The concentrations of heavy metals detected in the samples were as follows (mg/kg); Fe ≤0.068±0.001, Cd ≤0.006±0.001, Pb≤0.004 ±0.001 and Cr≤0.004±0.001, all were below the maximum permissible limit set by WHO and USEPA while, Arsenic was below the detection limit of the instrument. Seventeen PAHs were detected in the samples and all were above the maximum permissible limits with high health risk. It is therefore advised that cow skin be discouraged and more awareness created so that people will know the dangers to health posed by this harmful practice.

Valorization of agriculture wastes as biosorbents for adsorption of emerging pollutants: Modification, remediation and industry application

The scarcity of clean water resources combined with other environmental and anthropogenic effects have urged the development of advanced technology for wastewater treatment. Adsorption attracts great attention as a cost-effective technique for the remediation of contaminated water. Despite a broad variety of adsorbents existing in the literature, agriculture waste-derived biosorbents appear to hold the greatest promise for the adsorption of emerging contaminants. Herein, this review introduces the recent developments of biosorbents in the adsorption field. The role of biosorbents in the green chemistry principle and their contribution towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are discussed. Different types of modifications of biosorbents including activation and modification of magnetic, non-magnetic nanoparticles and polymers are systematically reviewed. Besides, the application of modified biosorbents in the adsorption of heavy metals, dyes, PAHs and oils along with their respective mechanisms are analyzed. Apart from this, the potential practical application of biosorbents is canvassed through introducing simultaneous adsorption of pollutants, usage of real industrial wastewater matrix and reusability performance. Finally, the recommendations for future adsorption studies are presented. This review is anticipated to critically review and explore the potential of biosorbents as economical and green candidates for the adsorption of emerging pollutants.

Simultaneous in-situ tar abatement and H2-enriched syngas production via heterogeneous doping of LaFeO3 during chemical looping gasification of microalgae

Chemical looping gasification (CLG) is an emerging environment-friendly technology for efficient and clean utilization of biomass, in which oxygen carrier (OC) is one of the key issues concerning the overall performance. As a rising-star material, perovskite with a tunable crystal structure shows great potential in syngas enrichment and tar decomposition during the CLG of biomass. In this study, the newly-developed LaNi0.5Fe0.5O3 (LN5F5) and La0.3Ba0.7FeO3 (L3B7F) perovskites through heterogeneous doping of LaFeO3 (LF) were evaluated as oxygen carriers with the purpose of simultaneous tar abatement and H2-enriched syngas production from microalgae. Silica sand (SS) and iron ore (IO) were used for comparison. Results showed that the CLG performance order of several materials was L3B7F > LN5F5 > LF > IO > SS at an oxygen carrier to biomass ratio (O/B) of 0.4, water injection rate of 0.3 mL/min and gasification temperature of 800 °C. The heterogeneous doping obviously improved the cyclic stability of perovskite during redox tests. In addition, possible tar conversion routes over L3B7F oxygen carrier were proposed. Results implied that heavy PAHs (4 rings or more) were first converted to light PAHs (1–3 rings) and n-hydrocarbon, which were finally transformed into micromolecular gases. The outstanding performance of L3B7F in microalgae CLG can be ascribed to the formation of oxygen vacancies and high-valence Fe4+ stimulated by the introduction of Ba2+, which were demonstrated by the XRD, H2-TPR and XPS results. These results evidence that the heterogeneous doped L3B7F is a good alternative for improving biomass availability in the CLG process.

Variations in Gonadal Steroids in Workers Occupationally Exposed to Toxicants at Automobile Workshops and Petrol Filling Stations

The most at risk for occupational toxicity brought on by exposure to heavy metals and PAHs among various vocations are gas station attendants and auto workers. The gonadal and its regulating hormonal pattern were identified in the current investigation in gas station attendants and car employees. Objective: This study's goal is to ascertain the impact of various occupational toxicants on the ovarian health of gasoline station attendants (PPA) and car technicians (AMM). Gonadal steroids and the hormones that control them were examined for this reason and their relationship to gonadal function was established. Methods: For this, blood samples from 19 gas station attendants and 29 auto mechanics were obtained from various gas stations and car shops, respectively. The University of the Punjab in Lahore provided the blood samples for the 24 controls. Using commercially available ELISA kits, the levels of serum estradiol, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone were examined. The significance of changes was evaluated using the one-way ANOVA test. Results: When compared to the control group, there was a little decrease in the levels of estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone among fuel station attendants and car employees. Conclusions: Pertinently, reduced reproductive and their regulatory hormonal levels predispose future risk of manifesting reproductive health issues.

Biochar: its characteristics application and utilization of on environment

Abstract There are a variety of organic waste feedstocks that may be used to make biochar, such as agricultural byproducts and municipal solid waste. Biochar’s distinctive properties, such as its high carbon content and cation exchange capacity, large specific outer area, and stable structure, have attracted increased interest. The purpose of this study was to offer an overview of biochar with a focus on its environmental application by methodically analyzing and summarizing research on its production, characterization, modification, and the utilization in this review. Based on the kind of feedstocks used, the Biochar’s physiochemical characteristics might vary greatly. A variety of processes are used to create biochar, including pyrolysis, gasification, and hydrothermal carbonization. Acidic, alkaline, oxidizing agent, carbonaceous materials, steam and gas purging may be used to alter biochar. The environment field of application influences the adoption of modification methods. Soil remediation and improvement, carbon sequestration, composting of organic solid waste, water and wastewater purification, catalyst and activator, electrode materials and electrode modification are all examples of applications for biochar. In order to get consistent results, additional research into the use of biochar in carbon sequestration is needed. Soil microorganisms and biochar should be studied further to determine the primary cause of increased soil fertility in various soils and feedstocks. When biochar is utilized for environment remediation, further consideration must be given to the release of heavy metals and PAHs from biochar into the environment. To further understand how biochar works as an activator for per sulfate, more research into the link between biochar structure and activation capabilities is needed. There are several environmental remediation applications for biochar, and greater research is needed to understand its mode of action.

Non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks associated with heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in well-water samples from an automobile junk market in Ibadan, SW-Nigeria

Unserviceable vehicles imported from developed countries are often dismantled in automobile junk markets and the useable parts sold. This generates hazardous waste oils which contain contaminants detrimental to the environment and human health. In this study, we quantified the potential human health risks associated with oral and dermal exposure to heavy metals and PAHs in well-water samples from a major automobile junk market in Ibadan, SW-Nigeria. Twenty-four to thirty-one water samples from seven wells within the market were analyzed for seven metals and eight PAHs using standard methods. Hazard-Quotient (HQ), Hazard-Index (HI), and Carcinogenic-Risk (CR) were computed for children and adults based on the USEPA Human-Health Risk Assessment model.Iron, Lead, Arsenic, Cadmium, Benzo(a)Anthracene, and Benzo(a)Pyrene exceeded regulatory limits. In children and adults, lead (1.14–3.71), cadmium (1.26–2.60) and arsenic (1.03–4.33) had HQingestion values exceeding 1. In addition, cadmium also posed risks via the dermal route in children in two of the seven sampled wells with an HQ of 1.76. Hazard Index was >1 via both routes in children (HIingestion:- 5.04–10.07; HIdermal:- 1.12–2.12) but only via ingestion in adults (HI ingestion:- 2.36–4.85). Well-3 samples posed the greatest non-carcinogenic risks via ingestion with HI values of 10.07 (children) and 4.85 (adults) respectively. Cadmium, arsenic, lead, and chromium could also elicit carcinogenic risk, with CR values of 1.00E − 02, 1.95E − 03, 1.11E − 04, and 3.30E − 04 which exceeded the 10−4 limit indicating high risk, particularly in children.However, HQ and HI values for PAHs were <1 via both pathways suggesting no non-carcinogenic risk from PAH exposure. Carcinogenic risk estimates for Benzo(a)Anthracene (9.66E − 04) and Benzo(a)Pyrene (2.31E − 04) suggest moderate risks in exposed children via the dermal route. Adverse health effects including cancer may occur in the exposed population on prolonged usage of these polluted water sources. Urgent remediation measures are therefore necessary to protect the exposed population.

Physico-Chemical and Ecotoxicological Evaluation of Marine Sediments Contamination: A Case Study of Rovinj Coastal Area, NE Adriatic Sea, Croatia.

Comprehensive spatial and temporal data on sediment quality in the Adriatic Sea are lacking. Therefore, prior to planned anthropogenic interventions in the local marine environment, such as deepening of the Rovinj harbour, the results of physicochemical and ecotoxicological analyses of five local coastal sediments were compared with regional averages and SQGs of neighbouring countries. Analyses of sediment grain size, content of metals and heavy metals, PAHs and PCBs were performed according to standard protocols. Sediment quality was classified according to French legislation (N1 and N2 level) and sediment guidelines. The phytotoxicity of the eluates was studied by flax seed germination tests. The logistic regression models Pmax and Pavg were used to estimate the probability of toxic effects. Except for the open sea (S5), all other sediments had concentrations slightly higher than the N1 for some metals (Cu, Ni, Hg, Cr) or ΣPAHs, while the Rovinj harbour (S1) reached the N2 value for mercury. The phytotoxicity assay with sediment eluates showed inhibition of germination, root length and root biomass production, with an average phytotoxicity index (PI) ranging from 6.06% to 42.00%. Significant correlations of Pavg and Pmax values with phytotoxicity and other specific parameters were found. In general, according to the applied SQGs, there are no potential ecological impacts on the marine environment at any of the investigated sites, with the exception of site S1.

Approaches for the complex assessment of polychemical pollution of permafrost-affected soils and the upper layer of permafrost.

The analysis of about 200 samples taken from 42 permafrost-affected soil profiles was carried out on four key sites in different regions of cryolithozone (West Siberia, Central, North, and North-East Yakutia) characterized by different active layer depths and soil lithology. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of different processes of cryogenic mass-exchange on the redistribution and accumulation of major pollutants such as petroleum products, acid-soluble forms of trace elements, polycyclic hydrocarbons, and technogenic radionuclides transferred via atmospheric transport or after the local anthropogenic impact in different soil horizons of Cryosols and in the upper layers of permafrost. Samples were analyzed using modern precise techniques (direct γ-spectrometric measurements with Ge(Li) and NaI(Tl) detectors; fluorometric method; reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography; spectrofluorimetric detection; atomic absorption spectrometry with flame atomization). The study has shown that processes (cryoturbations, frost heaving, gelifluction along with fluvial processes) that strongly affect Cryosols' profile structure can also lead to the active migration and accumulation of local and global pollutants in the middle and lowermost suprapermafrost soil horizons. The accumulation of some pollutants in suprapermafrost horizons of cryogenic soils and in the upper layers of permafrost (in particular, petroleum products and mobile forms of trace elements) can be associated with a combination of factors, such as the relatively light particle size distribution, relatively weak manifestation of cryoturbation processes, and low thickness of the active layer (about 40-60cm). The integral calculation of the geoaccumulation index values has shown that all of the groups of human-affected soil horizons are moderately to extremely polluted by petroleum hydrocarbons (and at a relatively lower level by trace elements) and the maximum pollution stands for the suprapermafrost horizons as well as in cryoturbated or buried fragments of organogenic matter in some cases. The maxima of the heavy PAH content in permafrost-affected soils can be confined to horizons enriched with anthropogenic inclusions and artifacts (for example, construction slag, coal) and to individual horizons of soils buried as a result of both cryogenic and alluvial processes. The specific activity of the technogenic radionuclide cesium in cryogenic soils revealed its association mainly with the surface organogenic and organomineral horizons of the studied profiles and rarely observed in the cryoturbated fragments of these horizons in the middle and suprapermafrost layers of soil profiles. The necessity of the complex analytical assessment of the permafrost-affected soils has been revealed especially in case of studying of the ecological state of the anthropogenically affected Cryosols.

The potential influence of bitumen emulsion on heavy metal and PAH content in arid land

The potential influence of bitumen emulsion on heavy metal and PAH content in arid land

Metals, PAHs and oxidative potential of size-segregated particulate matter and inhalational carcinogenic risk of cooking at a typical university canteen in Shanghai, China

Cooking is an important source of indoor emissions, and exposure to cooking emissions can instigate adverse health effects. Oxidative potential (OP) is a good indicator for assessing health risk, but studies detecting the OP of cooking emissions are rare. In this paper, size-segregated samples were collected at four sites in the canteen to study the chemical characteristics and OP of particulate matter (PM) emitted from cooking. The four sites were set to study the effects of different cooking styles and kitchen types. The results showed that the concentrations of most metals, water-soluble ions, PAHs, and OP at four sites followed the trend: deep-frying > stir-frying > second floor hall > first floor hall. And the concentration at the fine fraction (PM0.056-3.2) was much higher than that at coarse fraction (PM3.2-18). The PM OP at four sites were 1.1642 nmol m−3·min−1, 1.2088 nmol m−3·min−1, 0.8589 nmol m−3·min−1 and 0.9507 nmol m−3·min−1, respectively. The correlation between OP and other components showed that Zn (|r| = 0.444) and DBA (|r| = 0.507) were moderately related to OP, which suggested that heavy metals and PAHs might be contributed to PM OP. The carcinogenic risk assessments of heavy metals and PAHs showed that, there might be an increasing of potential carcinogenic risk if exposure to cooking environment for lifetime. Our results were firstly helpful for PM characteristics researches on cooking emissions, and also significant to public health protection, especially for people who usually cook.

Plastic Interactions with Pollutants and Consequences to Aquatic Ecosystems: What We Know and What We Do Not Know.

Plastics are a group of synthetic materials made of organic polymers and some additives with special characteristics. Plastics have become part of our daily life due to their many applications and uses. However, inappropriately managed plastic waste has raised concern regarding their ecotoxicological and human health risks in the long term. Due to the non-biodegradable nature of plastics, their waste may take several thousands of years to partially degrade in natural environments. Plastic fragments/particles can be very minute in size and are mistaken easily for prey or food by aquatic organisms (e.g., invertebrates, fishes). The surface properties of plastic particles, including large surface area, functional groups, surface topography, point zero charge, influence the sorption of various contaminants, including heavy metals, oil spills, PAHs, PCBs and DDT. Despite the fact that the number of studies on the biological effects of plastic particles on biota and humans has been increasing in recent years, studies on mixtures of plastics and other chemical contaminants in the aquatic environment are still limited. This review aims to gather information about the main characteristics of plastic particles that allow different types of contaminants to adsorb on their surfaces, the consequences of this adsorption, and the interactions of plastic particles with aquatic biota. Additionally, some missing links and potential solutions are presented to boost more research on this topic and achieve a holistic view on the effects of micro- and nanoplastics to biological systems in aquatic environments. It is urgent to implement measures to deal with plastic pollution that include improving waste management, monitoring key plastic particles, their hotspots, and developing their assessment techniques, using alternative products, determining concentrations of micro- and nanoplastics and the contaminants in freshwater and marine food-species consumed by humans, applying clean-up and remediation strategies, and biodegradation strategies.

Association Between Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) and the Reproductive System: A Narrative Review

In the last two decades, the issue on exposure to air pollution, especially fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and its health effects has been a global concern. PM2.5 can enter the bronchi, lung cells, and subsequently the body, thus causing adverse health effects. One of these health effects include damage to the reproductive system. However, this has not gained much attention. In addition, PM2.5 contain toxic compounds, such as heavy metals or PAHs, which can cross various barriers, including epithelial barrier and blood-testis barrier, causing hormonal disorders in both, men and women, thus resulting in infertility. In this review, an attempt was made to provide useful information about effects of PM2.5 on the reproductive system.

Assessment of the risk of exposure to Air pollutants and identifying the affecting factors on making pollution by PCA, CFA

ABSTRACT Today, one of the most important problems for humans is disease and mortality due to air pollutants, especially in large and industrial cities. This research is to evaluate the health risk of children and adults’ exposure to heavy metals and PAHs in the air of cities of Arak, Isfahan, Ahvaz, Tabriz, Shiraz, Karaj and Mashhad and identifying the factors affecting pollution, based on sampling data from 120 stations, was done during 2019–2020. ICP OES and GC/MS were used to determine the amount of heavy metals and PAHs, respectively. US-EPA models were used for carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk assessment and Factor analysis models, PCA, CFA with SPSS and LISREL software were used to identify factors affecting contamination. The risk index for children and adults, except in the cities of Arak and Isfahan, was obtained within the allowable range and the carcinogenicity and non-carcinogenicity risk of all metals, except Mn in Arak and Isfahan for children and adults was seen below the threshold. The carcinogenic risk of all PAHs was also obtained to an acceptable extent. During the statistical analysis, combustion of fuels, vehicle exhaust, tyre wear and industrial activities were identified as the most important factors in causing pollution.

Biotechnological Combination for Co-contaminated Soil Remediation: Focus on Tripartite "Meta-Enzymatic" Activity.

Soil pollution is a pressing problem requiring solutions that can be applied without large-scale side effects directly in the field. Phytoremediation is an effective strategy combining plant and root-associated microbiome to immobilize, degrade, and adsorb pollutants from the soil. To improve phytoremediation, it is necessary to think of plants, fungi, and bacteria not as individual entities, but as a meta-organism that reacts organically, synergistically, and cooperatively to environmental stimuli. Analyzing the tripartite enzymatic activity in the rhizosphere is necessary to understand the mechanisms underlying plant–microorganism communication under abiotic stress (such as soil pollution). In this work, the potential of a microbial consortium along with a plant already known for its phytoremediation capabilities, Schedonorus arundinaceus (Scheb.) Dumort., was validated in a mesocosm experiment with pluricontaminated soil (heavy metals, PAHs, and PCBs). Chemical analyses of the soil at the beginning and end of the experiment confirmed the reduction of the main pollutants. The microscopic observation and chemical analyses confirmed the greater root colonization and pollutant removal following the microbial treatment. To obtain a taxonomic and functional picture, tripartite (plant, fungi, and bacteria) enzyme activity was assessed using a metatranscriptomic approach. Total RNA was extracted from a sample of rhizosphere sampled considering 2 centimeters of root and soil attached. From the total reads obtained, mRNAs were filtered, and analysis focused on reads identified as proteins with enzymatic activity. The differential analysis of transcripts identified as enzymes showed that a general increase in potential enzyme activity was observed in the rhizosphere after our biotechnological treatment. Also from a taxonomic perspective, an increase in the activity of some Phyla, such as Actinobacteria and Basidiomycota, was found in the treated sample compared to the control. An increased abundance of enzymes involved in rhizospheric activities and pollutant removal (such as dehydrogenase, urease, and laccase) was found in the treated sample compared to the control at the end of the experiment. Several enzymes expressed by the plant confirmed the increase in metabolic activity and architectural rearrangement of the root following the enhancement of the rhizospheric biome. The study provides new outcomes useful in rhizosphere engineering advancement.