Design of honeycomb-structured magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers for efficient adsorption and detection of chloramphenicol in environmental water.

Development of a portable biosensor for glyphosate detection using bacterial surface-displayed glyphosate oxidase.

The contamination of water bodies in the Peruvian Amazon, particularly in the Madre de Dios region, has increased significantly due to illegal mining activities that severely impact human health and ecosystems. This issue is exacerbated by the lack of effective tools for monitoring and managing water bodies, which could help mitigate negative effects and ensure their preservation. In this study, water bodies were identified using machine learning and satellite image analysis from the area known as 'La Pampa', a zone severely affected by illegal mining located between kilometers 98 and 115 of the Interoceanic Highway in the Madre de Dios region, Peru. Using Google Earth Engine, 600 satellite images were collected and classified into three categories: water bodies (200), soil (200), and vegetation (200). Models such as Random Forest, K-Nearest Neighbors, Support Vector Machines, and a Multilayer Perceptron were trained and validated. The results show that the K-Nearest Neighbors model achieved the best performance, with a precision of 92.58%, recall of 92.74%, F1-Score of 92.61%, and an accuracy of 92.49%, outperforming the other evaluated models. These findings highlight the feasibility of combining machine learning with satellite images for the management of water resources in affected areas, offering a valuable tool for environmental decision-making.

Cobalt-modified exfoliated zirconium phosphate/histidine-functionalized graphene quantum dots-based electrochemical biosensor for promoting sensitive detection of methyl parathion in agricultural foods and water bodies samples.

Bifunctional fungi trade off denitrification and algicidal performance to inhibit algal growth and control algal bloom: Denitrification-algicidal interactions, organic matter dynamics, and raw water treatment.

Droughts adversely affect human life, economic activities, and ecosystems, For this reason, considerable efforts have been made to prepare for and mitigate their impacts. This study examines the natural runoff estimation in a disturbed basin by regionalizing a runoff model calibrated for an undisturbed basin. Four potential evapotranspiration (PET) estimation methods—Blaney-Criddle, Hargreaves, FAO Penman-Monteith, and Priestley-Taylor—were compared. Model performance was evaluated under two types of parameter range settings in automatic calibration: theoretically possible ranges (TPR) and empirically applicable ranges (EAR). The Seomijingang River basin was selected as the study area. The grid based rainfall-runoff model (GRM) model was calibrated using daily inflow data to the Seomjingang dam and subsequently regionalized to the downstream basin to estimate its natural runoff while considering water use circulation. Although the optimized parameter settings differed according to the calibration conditions, model performance during calibration was generally consistent across cases. Differences among the four PET methods in terms of the estimated natural runoff through regionalization were minimal. However, EAR-derived parameters performed slightly better in the simulation results. These findings suggest that any of the four PET estimation methods can be applied for model calibration using optimization techniques. However, regionalizing the optimized model by employing EAR, which considers the potential for model overfitting, provides more reliable runoff simulations. Therefore, the procedures and methods proposed in this study can be utilized when regionalizing a rainfall-runoff model calibrated using an automatic optimization method.

ABSTRACT Environmental protection has become increasingly critical due to challenges such as global warming, air pollution, and threats to human health and ecosystems. This study assesses environmental impacts of a hollow steel roof structure using a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment. Data were collected through interviews, a site visit to a steel structure with waffle slabs in Isfahan, and the Ecoinvent database within SimaPro software. Analysis using the ReCiPe 2016 Endpoint (H) method showed that steel beams and columns had the highest impact score of 36.36, followed by aluminum with 5.25 and concrete with 4.76, affecting human health, ecosystem quality, and resource depletion. In contrast, recycling polyethylene, glass, and steel resulted in lower impact scores of 1.68, 1.3, and 0.9. Monte Carlo analysis revealed uncertainties related to water quality, human health, and ecosystem integrity. The results emphasize recycling, circular economy strategies, and life cycle assessment in reducing construction environmental impacts.

Cyanide (CN-), a highly toxic substance, is prevalent across industrial, agricultural, and natural environments, posing a grave threat to human health and ecosystems. Numerous fluorescent probes for cyanide detection have been developed based on mechanisms such as photoinduced electron transfer (PET) and intramolecular charge transfer (ICT). In this study, a theoretical approach was employed to investigate the sensing mechanism, photophysical properties, and reaction pathways of the TTB fluorescent probe in tetrahydrofuran (THF) solvent. This approach integrates the polarizable continuum model (PCM), time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT), and the thermal vibration correlation function formalism (TVCF) to provide a comprehensive understanding of the probe's properties and behaviors. The photophysical and chemical properties of the fluorescent probe TTB and its cyanide adduct, TTB-CN, were systematically investigated. The results indicate that the TTB probe itself exhibits negligible fluorescence, whereas the product formed upon binding with cyanide demonstrates significant fluorescence emission. This difference is attributed to the substantially lower predicted radiative decay rate (kr) of TTB compared to that of TTB-CN. Furthermore, the presence of a fluorine atom in TTB enhances the intersystem crossing rate (kisc) by a factor of 7 relative to TTB-CN. Consequently, the calculated fluorescence quantum yield of TTB is only 0.042%, while that of TTB-CN exceeds 18.14%. These findings provide a scientific basis for the application of TTB as a fluorescent probe. Investigations into the reaction mechanism demonstrate that this reaction proceeds as a nucleophilic reaction featuring a relatively low energy barrier. Additionally, our calculations reveal that both TTB and TTB-CN exhibit two-photon absorption properties, suggesting their potential for two-photon-based detection in biological systems.

The red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta Buren (1972), commonly known as RIFA, is considered one of the world's 100 most invasive and threatening pest species. It is particularly notorious for its rapid expansion into new territories and its severe impacts on agriculture, nurseries, public infrastructure, and urban green areas. Due to its aggressive nature and broad ecological adaptability, RIFA poses significant challenges to human activities and ecosystems. Consequently, substantial research efforts have been directed toward both eradication in infested areas and the prevention of its spread into new regions. Core management strategies include quarantine measures and chemical, biological, and physical control methods, each with specific advantages and limitations. This article aims to underscore the global importance of RIFA, provide a comprehensive review of current control approaches, and analyze the challenges and opportunities associated with their implementation. The findings reported in the literature reviewed are intended to support the development and application of sustainable, site-specific Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and adaptive strategies for long-term control. Future efforts should prioritize predictive modeling of invasion pathways, genomic tools for resistance management, and enhanced biocontrol integration to address climate-mediated range expansions.

Abstract Frequent exposure to extreme temperature events (ETEs) has implications for human health and ecosystems. In this study, we investigate counties in the contiguous United States (US) at risk of increasing frequency of hazardous temperatures, as well as the demographic exposure over time. Absolute and seasonally relative ETEs were defined based on a duration-intensity metric calculated from excess apparent temperature factors. Hazard was defined as a statistically significant increasing trend in ETEs at the county level; exposure was defined as the total county population; and vulnerability was characterized using the social vulnerability index, which captures socioeconomic, and household factors linked to limited capacity to prepare for, respond to, and recover from ETEs. Focusing on ETE trends from ERA5 data, our results show that out of the 3109 counties and county equivalents in the US, 20% were exposed to increasing frequency of absolute extreme heat events (EHE) and 37% to seasonally relative extreme heat events (REHE) that occur outside typical warm months. The most populous exposed counties in California, Texas, Arizona, and Florida have urban-dominant populations. In 2020, approximately 92 million and 139 million people were exposed to increasing frequency of EHE and REHE, respectively. Additionally, between 1980 and 2020, the total exposed population to EHE and REHE increased by 100% and 93%, respectively. Risk to demographic exposure was most prominent in urban-heavy counties, such as Los Angeles, California and Maricopa, Arizona. These findings highlight the necessity for targeted adaptation strategies in densely populated urban areas to mitigate the health and environmental risks associated with increasing ETEs, while also acknowledging the exposed rural and socially vulnerable counties that may face distinct challenges in terms of resource availability and infrastructure resilience.

Microplastics are widely recognized as persistent and pervasive contaminants that endanger human health and ecosystems. Traditional remedial techniques are problematic due to high costs and inefficiency. One sustainable method of dissolving tough polymers into recyclable parts is through microbial and enzymatic engineering. Recent advances in genome-editing technologies, enzyme redesign, and synthetic biology particularly CRISPR-based systems have transformed the way we approach enhancing the efficiency of biodegradation. Recent CRISPR applications, such as base editing and promoter modification, have improved the stability and expression of enzymes, accelerating the catalytic activity of PET hydrolases, including PETase and cutinase. To enable scalable plastic biodegradation, this review combines hybrid CRISPR-based systems with microbial and enzyme engineering techniques. The goals of computational and machine learning-based enzyme design is thermostability and substrate adaptation, while hybrid microbial communities made up of modified bacteria and fungi improve degradation through cooperative processes. Furthermore, combining synthetic biology with hybrid remediation techniques, such as biofilm reactors and enzyme-nanoparticle conjugates, links laboratory research developments with real-world applications. However, issues remain regarding the scalability of polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS) degradation, biosafety standards for genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and environmental hazards associated with degradation byproducts. To effectively manage plastic waste, future research should focus on creating thermostable enzymes, forming synthetic consortia guided by multi-omics, and developing safe hybrid bio-physical systems that support circular bio economy models.

Modeling density-driven hydrogeological dynamics in arid endorheic basins: A numerical analysis of variable-density groundwater flow systems.

Oil contamination poses significant risks to human health and ecosystems, emphasizing the importance of studying alkane biodegradation. In this study, we found that Rhodococcus erythropolis XP can utilize various alkanes, including C16-C36 n-alkanes and iso-alkane (pristane). The degradation capacity was significant, with over 95% of C20 degraded (500-2,500 mg/L) within 72 h. The bioremediation capacity in oily sludge was determined by a novel Low Pressure Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry methodology especially for rapid analysis (within 12 min) of n-alkanes. Notable biodegradation of C14-C30 alkanes was observed in sludge treated with Rhodococcus erythropolis XP. In addition, metabolic intermediates of C16 and C20 were identified, indicating the presence of both terminal and subterminal pathways in Rhodococcus erythropolis XP. A new Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenase (BVMO_4041) was characterized, which catalyzes a key step in the subterminal pathway of alkane degradation. These results reflect the promise of Rhodococcus erythropolis XP in addressing the pressing need for efficient alkane degradation in contaminated environments.IMPORTANCEOil pollution posed a severe threat to human health and environmental safety due to its chemical stability and prolonged persistence. Although a lot of bacteria have been reported to degrade alkanes, the main components in oil pollution, it is urgent to identify strains that can degrade medium- and long-chain alkanes and to evaluate their performances during bioremediation. In this study, Rhodococcus erythropolis XP has been proved to obtain the almost strongest ability to degrade C16-C36 n-alkanes and branched alkanes (pristane), and to be a promising option for oily sludge bioremediation with newly developed rapid detection technology based on low pressure gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Meanwhile, the metabolic pathways and a new BVMO_4041 gene encoding Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenase were revealed. Our research provides a promising candidate for both practical bioremediation efforts and microbial research, and enriches the strain and gene resources for oil degradation.

ABSTRACT Elevated nitrate levels in surface and groundwater is a critical environmental problem, leading to devastating consequences for human health and natural ecosystems. This paper presents novel organosilica adsorbents that exhibit high efficiency in removing nitrates from contaminated water. Amino‐functionalized porous materials were synthesized via grafting and sol‐gel methods using various precursors. The sol–gel synthesis was carried out without tetraethoxysilane to increase the contents of amino groups, which act as adsorption sites for nitrate ions. Neither an acidic nor a basic catalyst was added to the reaction mixture. The sol–gel materials had higher contents of amino groups than the grafted ones (3.47–4.01 and 0.48–0.99 mmol/g, respectively). The amino groups were then converted to hydrochloride. It was found that even in the absence of a surfactant, the resulting material had a BET surface area of up to 217 m 2 /g, ensuring easy accessibility of surface amino groups for nitrate ions. The organosilica materials demonstrated excellent adsorption capacity for nitrate ions, which reached 3.68–4.04 mmol/g. These values exceed the corresponding literature data. The developed materials maintain high efficiency over a wide temperature range. They are recyclable and can be reused after regeneration. Biological testing confirmed significant inhibition of algae growth in contaminated water after treatment. The simplicity and environmental friendliness of production of these adsorbents using inexpensive and readily available chemicals, combined with their high adsorption efficiency, make them promising materials for removing nitrates from water to acceptable levels. Summary Effective organosilica adsorbents for removing nitrates from contaminated water were synthesized using an environmentally friendly method from inexpensive precursors. They demonstrated high adsorption capacity for nitrate ions, exceeding most published data under a wide range of conditions. The low cost of the developed materials and their recyclability suggest their potential for use in water purification.

The role of mobile genetic elements in adaptation of the microbiota to the dynamic human gut ecosystem.

Origin-dependent metabolic variations: How Atractylodes macrocephalae Rhizoma extract's chemical diversity leads to stage-specific changes in simulated digestion.

Citric acid and polyethylene glycol modified Na-cyclodextrin MOFs for efficient antibiotic removal and in-depth investigation of adsorption mechanisms.

(Text in French) Monitoring the environment: the exploits of mass spectrometry. The European Green Deal, through its “zero pollution” plan for 2050, aims to reduce air, water and soil pollution to levels that are harmless to human health and ecosystems. This requires the ability to detect minute quantities of species, including radioactive substances, and precisely identify their origin. Mass spectrometry is a key technology for this mission. It enables us to measure the presence of numerous species with great sensitivity and reliability, while analyzing their isotopic composition. To guarantee the accuracy of these measurements, European laboratories are currently developing new reference materials adapted to these analyses, which are essential for rigorous, harmonized environmental monitoring.

Plastic pollution has become a significant environmental challenge in India, causing adverse effects on human health, wildlife, and ecosystems. Although there are policies and regulations in place to address the issue, the problem persists, indicating a gap in their implementation. We examined the existing policies, the role of law enforcement agencies, the potential impact of environmental criminal law enforcement on plastic pollution in India, and the challenges of policy implementation. This paper contributes to the ongoing dialogue on addressing plastic pollution in India and provides recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders to implement measures for a cleaner, healthier environment.

Bridging ecosystem and human health: distinct neonicotinoids accumulation drivers and human exposure pathways in a multifunctional reservoir.