Persistent Organic Pollutants Research Articles

A novel kind of hollow SiO2@g-C3N4@TiO2 microspheres for rapid removal of dyes and antibiotics in water under sunlight

In this paper, using PVP-modified polystyrene microspheres as template, tetrabutyl titanate (TEOT), tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and melamine as precursor, we developed a facile one-pot two-step method to preparing a novel kind of mesoporous hollow SiO2@TiO2@g-C3N4 ternary composite microspheres with plush surface, in which highly active black titanium dioxide (TiO2) was formed by simple calcination without further chemical reduction treatment. The structure and morphology of the composite microspheres were detailed characterized for understanding the formation mechanism. Research results indicated that the hollow SiO2 microspheres can promote the formation of oxygen vacancies in TiO2, and the ternary combination narrowed the bandgap width of the black hollow composite microspheres to 1.43 eV, thus endowing it with excellent broad-spectrum catalytic performance for rapid photo-degradation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as dyes and antibiotics in water under sunlight. The removal rates of dyes reached more than 70 %, as well as that of antibiotics more than 50 % within one hour. Finally, a plausible catalytic degradation mechanism was discussed.

Current trends and patterns of PFAS in agroecosystems and environment: A review.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are one of the more well-known highly persistent organic pollutants with potential risks to agroecological systems. These compounds are of global concern due to their persistence and mobility, and they often lead to serious impacts on environmental, agricultural, and human health. In the past 20 years, the number of science publications on PFAS has risen; despite this, certain fundamental questions about PFAS occurrence, sources, mechanism of transport, and impacts on agroecosystems and the societies dependent on them are still open and evolving. There is a lack of systematic and comprehensive analysis of these concerns in agroecosystems. Therefore, we reviewed the current literature on PFAS with a focus on agroecosystems; our review suggests that PFASs are nearly ubiquitous in agricultural systems. We found the current research has limitations in analyzing PFAS in complex matrices because of their small size, distribution, and persistence within various environmental systems. There is consistency in the properties and composition of PFAS in and around agroecosystems, suggesting evidence of shared sources and similar components within different tropic levels. The introduction of new and varied sources of PFAS appear to be growing, adding to their residual accumulation in environmental matrices and leading to possible new types of chemical compounds that are difficult to assess accurately. This review determines existing research trends, understands mechanisms and incidence of PFAS within agroecosystems and their impact on human health, and thereby recommends further studies to remedy research gaps.

Microplastics and nanoplastics in soil: Sources, impacts, and solutions for soil health and environmental sustainability.

The present review discusses the growing concern of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) in soil, together with their sources, concentration, distribution, and impact on soil microorganisms, human health, and ecosystems. MPs and NPs can enter the soil through various pathways, such as agricultural activities, sewage sludge application, and atmospheric deposition. Once in the soil, they can accumulate in the upper layers and affect soil structure, water retention, and nutrient availability. The presence of MPs and NPs in soil can also have ecological consequences, acting as carriers for pollutants and contaminants, such as heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants. Additionally, the leaching of chemicals and additives from MPs and NPs can pose public health risks through the food web and groundwater contamination. The detection and analyses of MPs and NPs in soil can be challenging, and methods involve spectroscopic and microscopy techniques, such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. To mitigate the presence and effects of MPs and NPs in soil, it is essential to reduce plastic waste production, improve waste management practices, and adopt sustainable agricultural practices. Effective mitigation measures include implementing stricter regulations on plastic use, promoting biodegradable alternatives, and enhancing recycling infrastructure. Additionally, soil amendments, such as biochar and compost, can help immobilize MPs and NPs, reducing their mobility and bioavailability. This review article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of these emerging environmental issues and identify potential solutions to alleviate their impact on soil health, ecosystem functioning, and community health.

Perfluorooctanoic acid transport and fate difference driven by iron-sulfide minerals transformation interacting with different types of groundwater

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is an emerging persistent organic pollutant that threatens human health and ecosystems. However, the intricate mechanism of the change in PFOA transport behavior that interacts with FexSy minerals under groundwater-type differences is not clear. To address this knowledge gap, multi-scale experiments and multi-process reaction models were constructed to investigate the underlying mechanisms. The results showed that different groundwater (NO3-, Cl--Na+, SO42-, and HCO3- types) had significant effects on PFOA transport. NO3-, Cl--Na+, SO42-, and HCO3- decreased the retardation effect of PFOA in the FexSy media. Compared to other groundwater types, the adsorption sites of FexSy were the least occupied in the NO3- groundwater. This observation was supported by the least inhabition of λ in FexSy-NO3- interaction system, which demonstrated that more PFOA was in a high reaction zone and electrostatic repulsion was weakest. The surface tension of different ion types in groundwater provided evidence explaining the lowest inhibition in the FexSy-NO3- system. The 2D spatiotemporal evolution results showed that in FexSy with NO3- system, the pollutant flux (6.00 ×10−5 mg·(m2·s)−1) was minimal. The pollutant flux in the SO42- groundwater system was 9.95-fold that in FexSy with the NO3- groundwater. These findings provide theoretical support for understanding the transport and fate of PFOA in FexSy transformations that interact with different types of groundwater.

Trajectories of long-term exposure to PCB153 and Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) air pollution and risk of breast cancer

BackgroundWhile genetic, hormonal, and lifestyle factors partially elucidate the incidence of breast cancer, emerging research has underscored the potential contribution of air pollution. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) are of particular concern due to endocrine-disrupting properties and their carcinogenetic effect.ObjectiveTo identify distinct long term trajectories of exposure to PCB153 and BaP, and estimate their associations with breast cancer risk.MethodsWe used data from the XENAIR case–control study, nested within the ongoing prospective French E3N cohort which enrolled 98,995 women aged 40–65 years in 1990–1991. Cases were incident cases of primary invasive breast cancer diagnosed from cohort entry to 2011. Controls were randomly selected by incidence density sampling, and individually matched to cases on delay since cohort entry, and date, age, department of residence, and menopausal status at cohort entry. Annual mean outdoor PCB153 and BaP concentrations at residential addresses from 1990 to 2011 were estimated using the CHIMERE chemistry-transport model. Latent class mixed models were used to identify profiles of exposure trajectories from cohort entry to the index date, and conditional logistic regression to estimate their association with the odds of breast cancer.Results5058 cases and 5059 controls contributed to the analysis. Five profiles of trajectories of PCB153 exposure were identified. The class with the highest PCB153 concentrations had a 69% increased odds of breast cancer compared to the class with the lowest concentrations (95% CI 1.08, 2.64), after adjustment for education and matching factors. The association between identified BaP trajectories and breast cancer was weaker and suffered from large CI.ConclusionsOur results support an association between long term exposure to PCB153 and the risk of breast cancer, and encourage further studies to account for lifetime exposure to persistent organic pollutants.

Plant Defense Mechanisms against Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Contamination: Insights into the Role of Extracellular Vesicles.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are persistent organic pollutants that pose significant environmental and health risks. These compounds originate from both natural phenomena, such as volcanic activity and wildfires, and anthropogenic sources, including vehicular emissions, industrial processes, and fossil fuel combustion. Their classification as carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic substances link them to various cancers and health disorders. PAHs are categorized into low-molecular-weight (LMW) and high-molecular-weight (HMW) groups, with HMW PAHs exhibiting greater resistance to degradation and a tendency to accumulate in sediments and biological tissues. Soil serves as a primary reservoir for PAHs, particularly in areas of high emissions, creating substantial risks through ingestion, dermal contact, and inhalation. Coastal and aquatic ecosystems are especially vulnerable due to concentrated human activities, with PAH persistence disrupting microbial communities, inhibiting plant growth, and altering ecosystem functions, potentially leading to biodiversity loss. In plants, PAH contamination manifests as a form of abiotic stress, inducing oxidative stress, cellular damage, and growth inhibition. Plants respond by activating antioxidant defenses and stress-related pathways. A notable aspect of plant defense mechanisms involves plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs), which are membrane-bound nanoparticles released by plant cells. These PDEVs play a crucial role in enhancing plant resistance to PAHs by facilitating intercellular communication and coordinating defense responses. The interaction between PAHs and PDEVs, while not fully elucidated, suggests a complex interplay of cellular defense mechanisms. PDEVs may contribute to PAH detoxification through pollutant sequestration or by delivering enzymes capable of PAH degradation. Studying PDEVs provides valuable insights into plant stress resilience mechanisms and offers potential new strategies for mitigating PAH-induced stress in plants and ecosystems.

Synthesis, morphological characterization, and evaluation of nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) in the degradation of water contaminated with POPs

Nanostructured zero valence iron (nZVI) has been applied in advanced oxidative processes aimed at the treatment of water contaminated with Persistent Organic Pollutant (POP). Considering that such compounds cannot be eliminated by traditional treatment methods, this study proposes the synthesis of nZVI by the reduction of Iron Chloride III by sodium borohydride in the absence of O2, in ultrasound bath. The material obtained has only a wide diffraction halo at 45.13º of 2θ, with an average diameter of the crystallite calculated at 8.3 nm. The method of Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET method) analysis infer that the synthesized material is classified as mesoporous and showing a large surface area of 91.48 m2.g-1. According to transmission electron microscopy (TEM) the compound exhibits a core-shell type structure being the average size smaller than 50 nm. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrates that the compound is thermally stable, exhibiting only a thermal event close to 70º C in which there is a loss of approximately 25% of mass related to water loss. The synthesis was efficient because there is no formation of metal oxides and no residue from the synthesis process according to FT-IR analyzes. To evaluate the effectiveness and present the parameters that most positively contributed to the degradation of water contaminated with 24 of the most common POPs, a chemometric study was applied considering the following variables: reaction time, concentration of applied iron nanoparticles and pH values. The approach reduces costs, time, and waste generation. Among the variables, reaction time is crucial, mainly due to solubility differences between compounds. Kinetic tests show increased efficiency after one hour, emphasizing a direct correlation between degradation rate and water solubility for the studied POPs.

The Role of Mass Spectrometry in Protecting Public Health and the Environment from Synthetic Chemicals.

Mass spectrometry (MS) has dramatically transformed environmental protection by facilitating the precise quantification and identification of pollutants. This review charts the evolution of environmental chemistry, intertwining it with advancements in analytical chemistry and MS technologies. It specifically focuses on the role of MS in studying persistent organic pollutants like organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), brominated fire retardants (BFRs), and perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), marking significant milestones and their implications. Notably, the adoption of gas chromatography with MS in the 1970s and liquid chromatography with MS in the late 1990s profoundly expanded scientists' ability to detect complex pollutant mixtures. Over the past 50 years, the proliferation of potential pollutants has surged, necessitating more sophisticated analysis techniques, such as high-resolution mass spectrometry-nontargeted analysis (HRMS-NTA) and suspect screening. While HRMS promises to enhance the characterization of new environmental pollutants, a significant shift in chemical management strategies remains imperative. Despite technological advances, MS alone is insufficient to mitigate the risks from the continuous emergence of novel chemicals, with many potentially already present in the environment and bioaccumulating in humans.

Biodiversity of multi-trophic biological communities within riverine sediments impacted by PAHs contamination and land use changes

River ecosystems currently face a significant threat of degradation and loss of biodiversity resulting from continuous emissions of persistent organic pollutants and human activities. In this study, multi-trophic communities were assessed using DNA metabarcoding in a relatively stable riverine sediment compartment to investigate the biodiversity dynamics in the Beiluo River, followed by an evaluation of their response to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and land use changes. A total of 48 bacterial phyla, 4 fungal phyla, 4 protist phyla, 9 algal phyla, 31 metazoan phyla, and 12 orders of fish were identified. The total concentration of PAHs in the Beiluo River sediments ranged from 25.95 to 1141.35 ng/g, with low molecular weight PAHs constituting the highest proportion (68.67%), followed by medium (22.19%) and high (9.14%) molecular weight PAHs. Notably, in contrast to lower trophic level aquatic communities such as bacteria, algae, and metazoans, PAHs exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on fish. Furthermore, the diversity of aquatic communities displayed obvious heterogeneity across distinct land use groups. A high proportion of cultivated land reduced the biodiversity of fish communities but increased that of metazoans. Conversely, an elevated proportion of built-up land reduced metazoan biodiversity, while simultaneously enhancing that of fungi and bacteria. Generally, land use changes exert both indirect and direct effects on aquatic communities. The direct effects primarily influence the abundance of aquatic communities rather than their diversity. Nevertheless, PAHs pollution may have limited potential to disrupt community structures through complex species interactions, as the hub species identified in the co-occurrence network did not align with those significantly affected by PAHs. This study indicates the potential of PAHs and land use changes to cause biodiversity losses. However, it also highlights the possibility of mitigating these negative effects in riverine sediments through optimal land use management and the promotion of enhanced species interactions.

Detection of PCBs and OCPs in the Irtysh River Water (GC-MS/MS) and ecological risk assessment

This study optimized a gas chromatography-tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) method for the determination of 21 persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in Irtysh River water, including 14 organochlorines (OCPs) and 7 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Factors such as column temperature ramping, selection of qualitative and quantitative ion pairs and collision energy were considered to achieve perfect separation and accurate quantification of all 21 target compounds. The limits of detection (LOD) for PCBs and OCPs ranged from 0.21 to 1.18 ng/L. Applying this method to detect POPs in the Irtysh River revealed concentrations of OCPs ranging from ND to 20.2 ng/L and PCBs from ND to 0.411 ng/L. Source analysis indicated that POPs in the Irtysh River mainly originate from historical industrial and agricultural activities, particularly the deliberate use of pesticides. To ensure ecological safety and human health, expanding the range of target analytes and monitoring periods is necessary. This study provides:•Qualitative and quantitative analysis methods for 7 PCBs and 14 OCPs.•Recoveries achieved ranged between 74.6 to 109 % with RSD less than 15 %.•Analysis of sources, transport pathways, accumulation status, and ecological risks of PCBs and OCPs in the Irtysh River.

Persistent Organic Pollutants in Tagus Estuary Salt Marshes: Patterns of Contamination and Plant Uptake.

The presence of anthropogenic compounds, including organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), was studied in three salt marshes within the Tagus estuary, Portugal, along an anthropogenic pressure gradient. Results revealed differences in OCPs and PCBs among the marshes, with differing concentration levels. Specifically, one marsh, with surrounding agricultural activity, showed the highest OCP concentrations, while another, with a historical industrial past, exhibited elevated PCB levels. In contrast, a third marsh, part of a natural reserve, displayed comparatively lower concentrations of both substances. Sediment concentrations, likely influenced by agricultural practices, were found to be comparable to or higher than those observed in other Portuguese estuaries. The halophyte Spartina maritima was found to absorb OCPs, particularly in its aboveground tissues, suggesting bioaccumulation within the plant. Additionally, PCB levels appeared to be influenced by industrial history, with one marsh displaying notably higher concentrations. In conclusion, the persistence of organochlorine compounds in the salt marsh ecosystems notwithstanding the regulatory prohibitions implemented in the 1990s highlights the need for continuous monitoring and study of such sites and the necessity of remediation practices, which are imperative to mitigate ecological and health risks in these polluted salt marshes.

A Zwitterionic Hydrogel-Based Heterogeneous Fenton Catalyst for Water Treatment.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including xenoestrogens and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), demand urgent global intervention. Fenton oxidation, catalyzed by iron ions, offers a cost-effective means to degrade POPs. However, numerous challenges like acid dependency, catalyst loss, and toxic waste generation hinder practical application. Efforts to create long-lasting heterogeneous Fenton catalysts, capable of simultaneously eliminating acid requirements, sustaining rapid kinetics, and retaining iron efficiently, have been unsuccessful. This study introduces an innovative heterogeneous zwitterionic hydrogel-based Fenton catalyst, surmounting these challenges in a cost-effective and scalable manner. The hydrogel, hosting individually complexed iron ions in a porous scaffold, exhibits substantial effective surface area and kinetics akin to homogeneous Fenton reactions. Complexed ions within the hydrogel can initiate Fenton degradation at neutral pH, eliminating acid additions. Simultaneously, the zwitterionic hydrogel scaffold, chosen for its resistance to Fenton oxidation, forms strong bonds with iron ions, enabling prolonged reuse. Diverging from existing designs, the catalyst proves compatible with UV-Fenton processes and achieves rapid self-regeneration during operation, offering a promising solution for the efficient and scalable degradation of POPs. The study underscores the efficacy of the approach by demonstrating the swift degradation of three significant contaminants-xenoestrogens, pesticides, and PFAS-across multiple cycles at traceconcentrations.

Underexplored food safety hazards of beekeeping products: Key knowledge gaps and suggestions for future research.

These days, a growing consumer demand and scientific interest can be observed for nutraceuticals of natural origin, including apiculture products. Due to the growing emphasis on environmental protection, extensive research has been conducted on the pesticide and heavy metal contamination of bee products; however, less attention is devoted on other food safety aspects. In our review, scientific information on the less-researched food safety hazards of honey, bee bread, royal jelly, propolis, and beeswax are summarized. Bee products originating from certain plants may inherently contain phytotoxins, like pyrrolizidine alkaloids, tropane alkaloids, matrine alkaloids, grayanotoxins, gelsemium alkaloids, or tutin. Several case studies evidence that bee products can induce allergic responses to sensitive individuals, varying from mild to severe symptoms, including the potentially lethal anaphylaxis. Exposure to high temperature or long storage may lead to the formation of the potentially toxic 5-hydroxymethylfurfural. Persistent organic pollutants, radionuclides, and microplastics can potentially be transferred to bee products from contaminated environmental sources. And lastly, inappropriate beekeeping practices can lead to the contamination of beekeeping products with harmful microorganisms and mycotoxins. Our review demonstrates the necessity of applying good beekeeping practices in order to protect honeybees and consumers of their products. An important aim of our work is to identify key knowledge gaps regarding the food safety of apiculture products.

Critical review on toxic contaminants in surface water ecosystem: sources, monitoring, and its impact on human health.

Surface water pollution is a critical and urgent global issue that demands immediate attention. Surface water plays a crucial role in supporting and sustaining life on the earth, but unfortunately, till now, we have less understanding of its spatial and temporal dynamics of discharge and storage variations at a global level. The contamination of surface water arises from various sources, classified into point and non-point sources. Point sources are specific, identifiable origins of pollution that release pollutants directly into water bodies through pipes or channels, allowing for easier identification and management, e.g., industrial discharges, sewage treatment plants, and landfills. However, non-point sources originate from widespread activities across expansive areas and present challenges due to its diffuse nature and multiple pathways of contamination, e.g., agricultural runoff, urban storm water runoff, and atmospheric deposition. Excessive accumulation of heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, pesticides, chlorination by-products, pharmaceutical products in surface water through different pathways threatens food quality and safety. As a result, there is an urgent need for developing and designing new tools for identifying and quantifying various environmental contaminants. In this context, chemical and biological sensors emerge as fascinating devices well-suited for various environmental applications. Numerous chemical and biological sensors, encompassing electrochemical, magnetic, microfluidic, and biosensors, have recently been invented by hydrological scientists for the detection of water pollutants. Furthermore, surface water contaminants are monitored through different sensors, proving their harmful effects on human health.

Perfluoroalkyl substances exposure and the risk of breast cancer: A nested case-control study in Jinchang Cohort

BackgroundAs persistent organic pollutants (POPs), perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may potentially impact human health. Our study aimed to investigate the prospective association between PFAS exposure and the incidence risk of breast cancer in females. MethodsBy fully following the Jinchang Cohort after a decade, we conducted this nested case-control study with 135 incidence cases of breast cancer (BC) and 540 bias-paired controls. The PFAS levels were tested by baseline serum samples. Conditional logistic regression and a restricted cubic spline model were employed to investigate the BC incidence risks and the dose-response associated with single PFAS component exposure. Furthermore, the Quantile g-computation model (Qgc), random forest model (RFM), and bayesian kernel machine regression models (BKMR) were integrated to estimate the mixed effects of PFAS exposure on the incidence risk of BC. ResultsExposures to specific PFAS components were positively associated with an increased incidence risk of breast cancer. By grouping the study population into different baseline menopausal statuses, PFHxS, PFNA, PFBA, PFUdA, PFOS, and PFDA demonstrated a similarly positive correlation with BC incidence risks. However, the increased incidence risks of BC associated with PFOA, PFOS, PFUdA, and 9CL-PF3ONS exposure were exclusively found in the premenopausal population. Both BKMR and Qgc revealed that exposure to mixed PFAS was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, with Qgc specifically indicating an odds ratio (OR) of 2.21 (95% CI: 1.53, 3.19). Random forests showed that PFBA, PFOS, PFHxS, and PFDA emerged as predominant factors potentially influencing breast cancer incidence. ConclusionOur findings suggest a strong association between PFAS exposure and the incidence of breast cancer. Premenopausal women should exercise more caution regarding PFAS exposure.

Understanding the persistence of hexachlorobenzene and its intermediates in agricultural chemical usage areas

This study examined the presence and distribution of Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and its derivatives in sediment samples. The investigation was conducted in a watershed along the Lum Stream agricultural area during the 2021 rainy season. The results showed HCB persistence despite being banned for a prolonged period. The water quality, indicated by the suspended solids (SS) and organic content, was evaluated at ten different observation points. However, only trace amounts of chemicals were detected in the sediment samples. The concentration levels of HCB, PeCB, and 1235-TeCB in the sediments ranged from 0.032 to 0.631 ppm, 0.018 to 0.485 ppm, and 0.091 to 0.366 ppm, respectively. The relationship between HCB, SS, and organic content was analyzed monthly, revealing interesting patterns. For instance, June and July exhibited similar trends, while HCB and its intermediates were negatively correlated with distance in September. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between 1235-PeCB and BOD of 0.48. This implies that as the amount of 1235-PeCB increased in the sediment samples, the BOD of the water also increased, suggesting a possible impact of 1235-PeCB on the water quality. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT HIGHLIGHTS Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) have been detected in trace amounts over an extended period, constituting a part of the environmental compartment where they remain. The re-emergence of suspended solids in river water is likely to have a significant correlation with the concentration of Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and its intermediary compounds.

Visible-light enhanced tetracycline degradation via SnO2/TiO2-Ni@rGO ternary heterostructures.

This study explores the synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic performance of a SnO2/TiO2-Ni@rGO nanocomposite for tetracycline (TC) degradation under visible light irradiation. The nanocomposite was precisely designed to enhance structural stability, charge transfer efficiency, and catalytic activity. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the structural integrity of the SnO2/TiO2-Ni@rGO composite, demonstrating excellent reusability and resistance to photo-corrosion after multiple cycles. Photocatalytic experiments revealed that the SnO2/TiO2-Ni@rGO nanocomposite significantly outperformed individual SnO2/TiO2-Ni and rGO catalysts, achieving a remarkable 94.6% degradation of TC within 60 min. The degradation process followed pseudo-first-order kinetics, with a rate constant (k) of 0.046 min-1. The Z-scheme charge transfer mechanism facilitated efficient separation and migration of photogenerated charge carriers, generating reactive oxygen species such as superoxide (•O2 -) and hydroxyl (•OH) radicals crucial for the oxidation of TC. Radical scavenger studies confirmed that superoxide and hydroxyl radicals were the primary active species. The SnO2/TiO2-Ni@rGO composite also exhibited excellent reusability, maintaining high catalytic performance over four consecutive cycles. These findings suggest that the SnO2/TiO2-Ni@rGO nanocomposite is a promising candidate for the efficient and sustainable photocatalytic degradation of persistent organic pollutants like TC, offering significant potential for environmental remediation applications.

Prenatal exposure to persistent organic pollutants and its impact on the ovarian reserve at 12 years old in the PELAGIE mother-child cohort

Although the ovarian reserve is constituted in utero, the literature on the effects of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) during this vulnerable period on the ovarian reserve later in life is limited. We investigated whether cord blood concentrations of POPs were associated with decreased anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH, a marker of the ovarian reserve) levels in girls at the age of 12.We included 239 girls from the French mother-child PELAGIE cohort. POP concentrations of 14 organochlorine pesticides, 17 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 5 polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and 9 per-polyfluoroalkyl substances were measured on cord blood sampled at birth. During a follow-up study at 12 years old, blood samples were collected to measure AMH levels. Single-exposure associations were examined with multivariable linear regression models adjusted a priori for potential confounders. Stratification on menarche status was also performed. Mixture effects were investigated using quantile g-computation and Bayesian kernel machine regression.Overall, 16 POPs were measured in at least 30% of samples. No significant associations were found in multivariable linear regressions, except for the third tercile of exposure to PCB 180 which was statistically significantly associated with an increase in AMH levels at 12 years old (Tercile 2 v. Tercile 1: 0.13 ng/mL, 95% CI = −0.29, 0.56; Tercile 3 v. Tercile 1: 0.51 ng/mL, 95% CI = 0.02, 0.99). Additionally, in post-menarcheal girls (N = 104) only, the second tercile of p,p’-DDE was statistically significantly associated with decreased AMH levels at 12 years old (Tercile 2 v. Tercile 1: −0.61 ng/mL, 95% CI = −1.16, −0.05, Tercile 3 v. Tercile 1: 0.02 ng/mL, 95% CI = −0.51, 0.54). Both mixture models returned null associations.Despite the limited associations observed in this study, we recommend exploring these associations in larger mother-child cohorts and at older ages.

Studies on the characteristics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons accumulation in lipids and the disturbance of lipid metabolism of Ruditapes philippinarum

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) constitute a class of persistent organic pollutants with strong lipophilicity, which readily accumulate within organisms and have the effect to induce disorders in lipid metabolism. The present study aimed to investigate the accumulation localization and pattern of PAHs in Ruditapes philippinarum, and to reveal the association between PAHs and lipids metabolism. The 21-day exposure experiment was conducted using a mixture of phenanthrene, chrysene, and benzo[a]pyrene (the proportion is 1:1:1) at concentrations of 0.4 μg/L, 2 μg/L, and 10 μg/L. The tissue distribution of PAHs indicated that the digestive gland was the primary site of PAHs accumulation. Meanwhile, fluorescence colocalization suggested that PAHs primarily accumulated within the lipid droplets of digestive gland cells. This study further determined the transcriptomic and lipidomic profiles of the digestive gland to analyze the key genes involved in disrupted lipid metabolism and the major lipids affected. Lipidomic analysis identified the key differential metabolites as triglycerides (TGs). Furthermore, TGs were upregulated in the digestive gland had a total carbon atom number of 50–64 and a total number of 3–9 double bonds in the acyl side chains. Biochemical analysis experiments and oil red O stained frozen sections confirmed that the content of TGs steadily increased in various tissues during the experiment, leading to an elevated digestive gland index. Changes of lipid metabolism associated genes expression level also indicated that the synthesis of lipid in digestive gland were up-regulated while the decomposition was down-regulated. This study is the first to demonstrate the cellular localization of PAHs accumulation in bivalves and confirms the pattern of variation in TGs, providing new insights into the mechanisms of PAHs bioaccumulation and lipid metabolism disruption.

Shining light on environmental remediation: a type-II heterojunction MnFe2O4/rGO nanocomposites for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes and bisphenol A.

In this study, the pressing issue of persistent organic pollutants in wastewater was addressed by designing and fabricating a magnetically separable MnFe2O4/rGO heterostructure catalyst for efficient mineralization of bisphenol A (BPA) and dyes such as alizarin red S (anionic) and malachite green (cationic), which are known for their resistance to biodegradation and carcinogenic properties. Comprehensive structural and surface analyses using XRD, XPS, SEM, and TEM/HRTEM coupled with magnetic and optical property measurements revealed the formation of the MnFe2O4/rGO heterostructures. Among all, the MnFe2O4/rGO-10 catalyst with 10% wt% of rGO exhibited 100% efficiency in the mineralization of BPA and both dyes under visible light illumination within 60min. The stability and recyclability of the catalyst, assessed through XRD and VSM studies, demonstrated its consistent performance over multiple uses. The cost-effectiveness and stability of this catalyst underscore its potential for practical application in wastewater treatment, offering a viable solution to the persistent challenge of removing stubborn organic contaminants.