Drinking Water Research Articles

Comparing the Effect of Heat Therapy and Mitochondrial-Targeted Antioxidants in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Phenotype Induced by Junk Food Consumption.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine-metabolic disorder, and multiple factors contribute to its pathophysiology. The current study assessed a PCOS-like animal model induced by consuming a high-fat sugar (HFHS) diet and compared the treatment outcome of mitochondrial-targeted antioxidants versus heat therapy. Sixty rats were divided into the following study groups: three control groups (negative and positive for the treatments used), HFHS, hot tub therapy (HTT) treatment, and MitoQ10 treatment (500 µmol/L MitoQ10 in clean drinking water daily, from week fourteen till week twenty-two of the study). At week fourteen, PCOS was confirmed by vaginal smear examination; measurements of blood testosterone (T), anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), glucose, and insulin; and determination of the homeostatic model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR). At week 22, blood samples were collected for measurement of the serum LH, FSH, AMH, T, insulin, glucose, lipid profile, kisspeptin, ADAM metallopeptidase with thrombospondin type 1 motif 19 (ADAMTS19), S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B), fibulin 1 (FBLN1), immunoglobulin free light chains (FLCs), kappa and lambda. Ovaries were examined for morphological changes; for the levels of glutathione (GSH), catalase, SOD, malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO); and the expression of FK506 binding protein 52 (FKBP52) and the androgen receptor (AR). The consumption of HFHS diet-induced PCOS-like features, which have been ameliorated by both HTT and mitoQ10 as potential therapies, with MitoQ10 showing a superior effect over HTT.

Performance Assessment of a Permeable Reactive Barrier on Reducing Groundwater Transport of Nitrate from an Onsite Wastewater Treatment System

Elevated concentrations of nitrate in potable water supplies have been linked to negative health outcomes such as methemoglobinemia and various cancers. Groundwater can become contaminated with nitrate from sources including onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTSs). A groundwater well down-gradient from an OWTS serving an elementary school in Eastern North Carolina USA had 15 consecutive water samples collected over a 5-year period that exceeded the maximum contaminant level of 10 mg/L for nitrate. Corrective actions were required. A permeable reactive barrier (PRB) filled with woodchips was installed between the OWTS drainfield and the contaminated well. The concentration of nitrate in groundwater from the well steadily decreased after the PRB was installed, and a significant (p = 0.001) inverse correlation (−0.859) was observed between the mean annual nitrate concentration and years after the PRB. The nitrate concentration in groundwater from the well has been below 10 mg/L for the last 17 consecutive sampling events. The median nitrate concentration in the well was significantly lower (p = 0.007) post (6.93 mg/L) relative to pre (12.66 mg/L) PRB. The PRB has not required any maintenance over the past 10 years. The implemented PRB directly influences the sampling results from a monitoring well, but it is not necessarily confirmed that it intercepts the entire groundwater flow or fully prevents aquifer contamination. To confirm this, additional monitoring wells would need to be installed. This research has shown that PRBs can be an effective, low-maintenance, best-management practice to reduce the groundwater transport of nitrate.

A Modeling Framework to Estimate the Transport and Fate of Mercury in Nationwide Surface Waters

The use of mercury in gold mining, as well as the presence of uncontrolled and illegal releases to the environment, continues to create severe pollution and public health risks for over 14 million people worldwide, particularly in developing countries. This study presents a modeling framework to estimate the fate and transport of mercury on a national-scale river network, where a physical-based conceptual model is implemented. Using the model, mercury concentrations are estimated for every river segment in the network, serving as a tool for effective management and control nationwide, enabling establishing intervention priorities. To test the framework’s suitability, it was applied to Colombia’s river network, a country with documented mercury pollution issues from gold mining. Results revealed persistent concentrations above 0.001 µg/L in all major basins, and concentrations close to 7 µg/L in active mining areas. The release of nearly 300 mines led to the contamination of river distance between 50 and 285 km downstream, exceeding local drinking water standards. The model results were validated with mercury concentration data of available studies in the country, showing small deviations between modeled and measured concentrations (<0.95 µg/L), confirming the robustness and suitability of the proposed framework as a screening assessment for national-scale mercury transport and fate.

Current trends in household food insecurity, dietary diversity, and stunting among children under five in Asia: a systematic review.

Household food insecurity (HFI) and poor dietary diversity (DD) are major public health challenges in Asia, greatly contributing to stunting among children under five. While previous research has focussed primarily on African regions, this systematic review provides novel insights into the association between HFI, DD, and stunting within the Asian context. We searched across six major databases for studies published between 2019 and 2023 exploring the association between HFI, DD, and stunting in children under five across Asia. We then extracted their characteristics, evaluation methods, and outcomes related to stunting for analysis. From 3215 records, 37 met the inclusion criteria. Most studies were from South Asia (n = 22), followed by Southeast Asia (n = 8), with fewer from West (n = 4), East (n = 2), and Central Asia (n = 1), highlighting geographical research gaps. We found high stunting rates among children under five, especially in South and Southeast Asia. Stunting was strongly linked to HFI and poor DD, suggesting that these factors are critical in addressing malnutrition. Socioeconomic factors, maternal education, and access to clean water also influence stunting outcomes. Current research on HFI, DD, and stunting in Asia shows substantial variation, with the highest stunting rates in South and Southeast Asia. Limited data from Central and East Asia highlights the need for more comprehensive research in these regions. Addressing HFI and improving DD is critical for reducing stunting and achieving global nutrition targets by 2030.

Addressing drivers and data gaps in Spain's non-compliance of drinking water quality standards.

In 2021 Spain passed a new law regarding the quality of drinking water, increasing the transparency and introducing a risk assessment approach to the catchment area, which ascribe to the shift in recent years in how drinking water management is understood in the European Union legislation. Good data quality is important to ensure the correct implementation of policies. We used the drinking quality data uploaded to Spain's National Drinking Water Information System to gauge the state of the drinking water reporting in Spain, the differences between rural urban and rural areas in both quality and reporting and identify which variables at catchment level influence the probability of a municipality incurring in drinking water quality non-compliance. Random forest modeling was used to assess the drivers of non-compliance, including environmental (e.g., land cover, lithology, climate, state of the water supply source) and demographic (e.g., tap water expenditure, population density) data. We found that rural municipalities are more vulnerable both because of a lack of reporting but also because they have higher non-compliance rates for arsenic, microbiological and contaminants and nitrogen compounds (e.g. nitrate). We also found different spatial patterns of non-compliance according to each group of contaminants (e.g., microbiological violations are widespread in the northern half of Spain). The random forest model suggests that agriculture and confined livestock farming are behind nitrogen and microbiological non-compliances. Climate drivers have also emerged for all the groups of contaminants, which underscores the importance of studying drinking water quality non-compliance on a case-by-case basis in order to properly adapt to local realities and enhance compliance across Spain.

The Effect of Drinking Ionized Water on the Productive Performance, Physiological Status, and Carcass Characteristics of Broiler Chicks

Water treatment technologies have received great attention recently, as water is the most important nutritional element, and animals consume it daily in larger quantities than those of food. The ideal water treatment affects the chemical composition and physical properties of water, having a significant positive impact on the animal’s physiology, productivity, and welfare. Studies conducted on water ionization devices for broiler chickens remain limited; therefore, this study was planned to investigate the effect of ionized drinking water on the productive performance, physiological status, and carcass characteristics of broiler chicks. A total of 900 one-day-old broiler chicks were randomly and equally assigned to three groups, each with six replicates (50 birds/replicate). The first group (C) received tap drinking water and served as a control, while the second group (T1) received ionized drinking water from an ionizing device that worked for 1 h/100 L. The third group (T2) received ionized drinking water from an ionizing device that worked for 2 h/100 L. Water analysis for each treatment was performed. Productive traits, such as weekly body weight, feed intake, and water intake, were recorded. Hematological parameters and biochemical constituents were measured according to the reference’s description. Furthermore, carcass characteristics, such as carcass weight and dressing percentage, and bacterial count of the intestine, such as Lactobacilli and Coliform counts, were determined. From the results, ionized water (T1 and T2) had a negative ORP, which is often desirable as it suggests the presence of antioxidant properties and lower total dissolved solids (TDSs), heterotrophic plate count (HPC), and algal total count (ATC) than in tap water. The treated chicks showed higher final body weights and better feed conversion rates than the control. Ionized water also improved carcass quality characteristics, such as carcass weight and dressing percentage. T1 and T2 chicks exhibited higher hemoglobin, total protein, globulin, G and M immunoglobulin, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels, as well as lower malondialdehyde (MDA) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels than the control. Furthermore, they had lower pathogenic bacteria counts. Therefore, it is recommended to employ the ionizing approach for broiler chicken drinking water, particularly a 2 h/100 L ionization application, for better animal productivity, health, and welfare.

Age-Dependent Effects of Butyl Benzyl Phthalate Exposure on Lipid Metabolism and Hepatic Fibrosis in Mice

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), including phthalates, have been implicated in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and hepatic fibrosis. This study investigates the age-dependent effects of butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) exposure on lipid metabolism in the livers of young and aged mice. Young (2-month-old) and aged (20-month-old) male C57BL/6 mice were exposed to BBP through drinking water at a dose of 169 μg/kg/day for 6 and 4 months, respectively. Young mice exposed to BBP showed fatty liver, with downregulation of key fatty acid oxidation genes (CPT1A, CPT1B, CPT2, and Acox1) and elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6). In contrast, aged mice exhibited hepatic fibrosis, with increased collagen deposition and upregulation of genes related to fibrosis (Acta2, MMP2, TGF-ß1, and Col1a2), cirrhosis (CXCR4, SOX9, DCN, and MFAP4), and cancer (Bcl2, CDKN2a, c-Myc, and Fn1). Overall, these findings emphasize the importance of age when evaluating the risks of EDC exposure, such as BBP. Future research should focus on understanding the molecular mechanisms behind these age-related differences and explore Grem1 and SOCS3 as potential therapeutic targets for treating EDC-induced and age-related liver diseases.

Aquatic ecosystem indices, linking ecosystem health to human health risks

Abstract The good functioning of aquatic ecosystems is essential for providing diverse ecosystem services that benefit humans. The degradation of ecosystem health due to continuous stressors, such as climate change or water pollution, is leading to an increase in human health risks and well-being. Indicators have been developed to determine human health risks from recreational and drinking water. Still, a general application to aquatic ecosystems linking ecosystem health and human health risks has not been done. We here reviewed indicators and indices applied to assess the health of aquatic ecosystems and their links with human health risk and well-being. We evaluated the extent to which indicators can witness a risk to human health and well-being. A total of 245 articles were reviewed, consisting of 185 on the assessment of aquatic ecosystem health and 60 linking ecosystem health and human health or well-being. Out of the 65 indices described, we evaluated the use of several parameters and their relevance to evaluate human health risks, including physico-chemical parameters, bioindicators, contaminants, and pathogens, therefore covering the various sources of ecosystem disturbance. Based on our assessment, we propose a set of indicators that would allow for the inclusion of risks for human health and well-being in the assessment of ecosystem health (e.g. coliforms, algae, pH, nutrients, chemical compounds, and ecosystem services). Measuring these parameters should be incorporated into future studies to allow an understanding of the linkage of ecosystem and human health.

A Multicriteria Decision-Making Model for the Selection of Conventional/Hybrid Coagulants in Water Treatment.

Coagulation process is a well-known process that has been used in water treatment for many years. Coagulation process shows the treatment efficiency in terms of turbidity and suspended solids removal. However, despite all these good results, coagulant selection is not an easy task because a coagulant can effectively remove suspended solids but at the same time increase conductivity or coagulants can significantly increase chemical sludge production. The final selection of coagulants depends on the importance attributed to the parameter desired to be removed. In this study, the use of multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) is proposed to help select organic coagulants and hybrid coagulants, which have emerged as an alternative to inorganic coagulants in recent years due to the disadvantages of chemical coagulants and whose use and variety are increasing. Therefore, starting from the parameters determined by the coagulation process results, these techniques will allow weighting these parameters according to the judgments of drinking water treatment plant professionals and determining priorities among coagulants. The agreement between the obtained results and the literature shows that the AHP method is a useful tool for selecting coagulants. According to the results of the AHP matrix created with 4 criteria and 9 alternatives, it has been observed that hybrid coagulants with similar performances to inorganic coagulants have not yet been adopted by drinking water treatment professionals. This may have been due to the higher price of hybrid coagulants and the fact that they are not yet widely used in the drinking water industry.

Axolotls, environmentally conscious mayors and watermills: Didactic proposals for raising awareness on water conservation through pedagogical translation

The present article explores the possibilities of integrating Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #6 (Clean water and sanitation) in the content of materials designed for Spanish as a second or foreign language (S2/FL) learners in a Mexican context. The idea arose from the recent severe droughts in the country that affected water consumption in certain cities. For immersion students studying S2/FL in Mexico, this became a reality rarely discussed in the classroom. In addition, the use of pedagogical translation is proposed to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the learners’ already existing linguistics skills. Considering the particularities of the context where the project was developed, the material design stage was preceded by two smaller enquiries into the perception of Mexico and Mexican culture abroad as well as the country’s representation in existing S2/FL materials. One specific point of interest was if everyday realities where the lack of water received mention in the foreign press and / or if S2/FL textbooks. The resulting activities propose to cover these rather complex topics through a ludic perspective that can be replicated and adapted to a variety of contexts and any one of the SDG.

Hydroclimatic extremes threaten groundwater quality and stability

Heavy precipitation, drought, and other hydroclimatic extremes occur more frequently than in the past climate reference period (1961–1990). Given their strong effect on groundwater recharge dynamics, these phenomena increase the vulnerability of groundwater quantity and quality. Over the course of the past decade, we have documented changes in the composition of dissolved organic matter in groundwater. We show that fractions of ingressing surface-derived organic molecules increased significantly as groundwater levels declined, whereas concentrations of dissolved organic carbon remained constant. Molecular composition changeover was accelerated following 2018’s extreme summer drought. These findings demonstrate that hydroclimatic extremes promote rapid transport between surface ecosystems and groundwaters, thereby enabling xenobiotic substances to evade microbial processing, accrue in greater abundance in groundwater, and potentially compromise the safe nature of these potable water sources. Groundwater quality is far more vulnerable to the impact of recent climate anomalies than is currently recognized, and the molecular composition of dissolved organic matter can be used as a comprehensive indicator for groundwater quality deterioration.

A New Model of Emergency Supply Management for Swift Transition from Peacetime to Emergency Considering Demand Urgency and Supplier Evaluation

In recent years, the increasing complexity of natural disasters has highlighted the limitations of existing emergency material assistance systems. To address these challenges, this study proposes a collaborative adaptation mechanism for “peacetime and emergency integration” and develops a supplier evaluation framework. The framework incorporates multi-dimensional indicators such as profit, business credit, regional advantages, and emergency capability. Using a DEMATEL-ANP-based model, supplier L2 is identified as the optimal choice with a weight of 0.285. A fuzzy comprehensive assessment approach is applied to classify emergency materials based on demand urgency, identifying drinking water, rescue tools, medical supplies, and other critical items as priority resources. The evaluation vectors for these materials range from 0.1540 to 0.9909. This study enhances emergency material management through improved information systems, a better control of critical processes, and a unified assurance strategy. It provides theoretical support and practical guidance for more scientific and standardized disaster management practices.

The Effect of Boric Acid on Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Apoptosis in Embryonic and Fetal Tissues Damage Caused by Consumption of High-Fructose Corn Syrup in Pregnant Rats.

This study aimed to determine the protective role of boric acid in a pregnant rat model of high fructose corn syrup consumption. Consumption of high fructose corn syrup has been associated with adverse health outcomes in humans and animals. Twenty-eight healthy female Wistar albino rats (250-300g weight and 16-24 weeks old) were randomly distributed into four equal groups (n = 7): Control, Boric acid (BA), High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS), HFCS + BA. Boric acid (20mg/kg) was administered to pregnant rats via oral gavage every day during pregnancy. The prepared 30% HFCS (F30) solution (24% fructose, 28% dextrose) was added to the drinking water throughout pregnancy. At the end of pregnancy (day 19), blood, placenta, uterus, and fetuses were collected from rats. The results indicated that HFCS increases oxidative stress by increasing the level of MDA and decreasing GSH, SOD, and CAT activity in the blood of maternal. However, BA administration significantly decreased MDA levels and increased GSH levels, SOD, and CAT activity (p < 0.05). In addition, HFCS consumption significantly increased plasma TNF-α, IL-6, and leptin levels compared to control, BA, and HFCS + BA groups (p < 0.05). However, BA administration significantly decreased plasma TNF-α, IL-6, and leptin levels (p < 0.05). Furthermore, BA (20mg/kg) significantly decreased HFCS-induced histopathological and immunohistochemical alterations in the placenta, uterus, and fetal tissue. In conclusion, BA may prevent HFCS toxicity in maternal and fetal tissues, as it regulates oxidative imbalance in pregnant rat and alleviates histopathological and immunohistochemical changes. The findings indicate a need for further studies to assess the potential of boron in preventing or mitigating the effects of HFCS during pregnancy.

Nicotine Ameliorates α-Synuclein Preformed Fibril-Induced Behavioral Deficits and Pathological Features in Mice.

Epidemiologic study suggests that nicotine reduces the risk of Parkinson's disease (PD) and thus could serve as a potential treatment. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of nicotine on the behavioral phenotypes and pathological characteristics of mice induced by human alpha-synuclein preformed fibers (α-syn-PFF). Mice were injected with 5µg of human α-syn-PFF in the hippocampus while administering nicotine-containing drinking water (200µg/mL). After 1month, the motor ability, mood, spatial learning, and memory ability of the PD phenotype-like model mice were detected using open field, rotarod, Y maze, and O maze tests. The expression of pathological α-syn and apoptotic proteins, as well as the number of glial and neural stem cells in the hippocampus of mice, was detected using western blot and immunofluorescence. The results demonstrated that nicotine significantly reduced pathological α-syn accumulation, α-syn serine 129 phosphorylation, and apoptosis induced by α-syn-PFF injection in the hippocampus of mice. Nicotine also inhibited the increase in the number of glia, microglia, and neuronal apoptotic cells, and it decreased the expression of PI3K and Akt while also exhibiting significant memory impairment, motor deficits, and anxiety-like behavior. In conclusion, our findings suggest that nicotine ameliorates behavioral deficits and pathological changes in mice by inhibiting human α-syn-PFF-induced neuroinflammation and apoptosis.

Exploring health outcome disparities in African regional economics communities: a multilevel linear mixed-effect analysis

BackgroundIn African Regional Economic Communities (RECs), notable and enduring disparities exist in health outcomes. This study investigates the impact of macro-level characteristics of countries on health outcomes disparities within the African Regional Economic groupings. The study used panel data from the World Bank Development Indicators (WDI) and the Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI), spanning 37 African countries, grouped into eight RECs between 2000 and 2019. We employed infant and under-five mortality rates and life expectancy at birth as indicators of health outcomes.MethodThe study used a multilevel linear (ML) mixed-effect approach to examine the influence of country-level factors on health outcome disparities within the eight African RECs recognized by the African Union.ResultsThe findings show that higher unemployment rates and HIV incidence exacerbate these disparities, while a growing elderly population and improved access to basic drinking water can mitigate them. Increased internet usage correlates with higher within-regional inequalities in child mortality rates but reduces disparities in life expectant at birth. Urbanization trends contribute to lower-intra-regional inequality in infant mortality rates and life expectancy at birth. Higher domestic government health expenditure as a share of general government spending is linked to reduced disparities in under-five and infant mortality rates. Still, it increases inequalities in life expectancy at birth within the regional groupings. Moreover, a higher proportion of the population below 15 years old and trade gains positively influence regional disparities in life expectancy. Conversely, DTP immunization coverage among children aged 12–23 months is associated with higher within-regional inequality in infant mortality rates.ConclusionsPolices aimed at reducing unemployment rates and HIV incidence should be prioritized. In addition, governments should invest in elderly care programs and infrastructure development for water supply. Efforts to promote internet access should be complemented by interventions to enhance child health and healthcare accessibility. Encouraging urban planning policies that prioritize developing healthcare infrastructure and facilitating healthcare access in urban areas is crucial. Furthermore, Governments should increase their health expenditure allocation in general government spending. Promoting strategies to enhance healthcare access and quality for specific demographics, alongside leveraging trade gains to invest in healthcare infrastructure and services, is imperative. Targeted interventions ensuring equitable access to immunization services should also be emphasized.

Near Complete Removal of Total Mercury and Methylmercury from River Water during the Production of Municipal Drinking Water

Near Complete Removal of Total Mercury and Methylmercury from River Water during the Production of Municipal Drinking Water

Local knowledges and the right to participate in science

Abstract I discuss the right to participate in science, which is part of the UN Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (1966). Building on my previous work on this right as an ‘epistemic-cultural’ right, in this paper my goal is to clarify how fulfilling this right requires engaging with varieties of local knowledges that are too often severed in scientific narratives. I tease out three main varieties of local knowledges and highlight their distinctive features and their intersectionalities. In the second part of the paper, I argue that a more careful appreciation of varieties of local knowledges is not only key for the fulfilment of the right to participate in science but also for other human rights. I focus my attention here selectively on the right to food, and right to clean water. I conclude by highlighting the implications of this discussion for ongoing legal debates on rights of nature.

Reverse Osmosis Coupled with Ozonation for Clean Water Recovery from an Industrial Effluent: Technical and Economic Analyses

Reverse Osmosis Coupled with Ozonation for Clean Water Recovery from an Industrial Effluent: Technical and Economic Analyses

Majority of potable water microplastics are smaller than the 20 μm EU methodology limit for consumable water quality

Microplastic (MP) content in nutrition including potable water is unregulated, although MP concentrations in individual brands of bottled water diverge by several orders of magnitude. The EU Directive 2020/2184 on consumable water quality recently proposed methodological approaches to the detection of MPs in potable water in the size range of 20–5000 μm. However, fine MPs in the 1–20 μm range are far more likely to pass the human intestine into blood and organs. To evaluate the impact of this omission on the total number of detected MPs, we determined MP concentrations down to 1 μm in ten different brands of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottled water and one tap water sample using automated Raman microspectroscopy. We found that MP concentrations ranged from 19 to 1,154 (n/L) [0.001 to 0.250 μg/L], and although all the investigated samples of bottled water were stored in PET containers, PET accounted only for a small percentage of identified MPs in most samples. Importantly, 98 and 94% of MPs measured less than 20 and 10 μm in diameter, respectively, demonstrating the importance of small MP inclusion in potable water analyses and regulation. The current study presents a protocol to identify MPs down to 1 μm in any type of potable water regardless of hardness, and demonstrates the importance of implementing both negative and positive procedural, quality control measures.

Metal–Organic Framework-Assisted Atmospheric Water Harvesting Enables Cheap Clean Water Available in an Arid Climate: A Perspective

Extracting water directly from the atmosphere seems to be a perfect way to solve the water scarcity facing 2 billion people; however, traditional Atmospheric Water Harvesting (AWH) lacks the ability to adsorb water molecules in an arid climate. Porous materials are capable of assisting water adsorption; however, currently, only certain customizable Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are able to meet the standard of adsorbing water molecules at low humidity and releasing water at low temperatures at certain times that can realize assisted AWH’s practical and energy-efficient use (Energy consumption &lt; 5kWh/L-water). From this perspective, we offer a concise review of the advancements in enhanced AWH technologies, delve into the attributes of appropriate MOFs, and offer insights into the potential and future directions of MOFs–AWH. In conclusion, we underscore that that the development of designable MOFs holds the key to the widespread practical implementation of AWH, promising the availability of affordable clean water anywhere in the world.