Cost-effective Fe tailings were utilized to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for the removal of persistent antibiotics such as tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) from water. In this study, ilmenite-containing tailings served as raw material for preparing a magnetic Fe tailings catalyst (MFT) through magnetic separation, which increased the concentration of active components. The MFT catalyst efficiently activates PMS for rapid TC degradation. It achieves a 24.05% adsorption ratio within 20 minutes. Within 35 minutes, it achieves a 91% degradation ratio. After six cycles, the catalyst maintained an 86% degradation ratio despite a slight decline in adsorption. The outstanding adsorption performance of the catalyst for TC was primarily attributed to calcite and chlorite. Importantly, ilmenite, magnetite, anatase, calcite, and chlorite served as active minerals in the catalyst. Ilmenite, magnetite, chlorite, and anatase activated PMS to generate a large amount of SO and O, while and calcite activated PMS to produce a significant quantity of O. TC underwent rapid mineralization through the action of both free and non-free radicals. A 0.5∼1 mm granular catalyst maintained a 75% degradation ratio after treating 40 L of TC wastewater, with low heavy metal ion leaching, preventing secondary pollution. This method presents a sustainable solution for water remediation and waste valorization.

The current paper proposes a new approach to address the low separation rate of photogenerated charge carriers in g-CN by decorating it with low concentrations of α-AgWO. g-CN and α-AgWO were prepared separately via urea pyrolysis and co-precipitation, respectively. The composites were then physically prepared using a sonication-grinding method. The effect of the preparation medium was considered a crucial aspect of this study. Two different media were examined: pure water and a water/ethanol mixture (50% v/v). It was found that pure water was more favorable for achieving high photocatalytic performance compared to the ethanol/water mixture. The photocatalytic hydrogen production through ethanol photoreforming under simulated solar light was investigated. The results showed that α-AgWO/g-CN (w), prepared in pure water, exhibited significantly higher efficiency for H production compared to both pure g-CN and the series prepared in the ethanol/water solution. This improvement was attributed to the intimate contact between the two phases in the heterojunction when water was used as the preparation medium. The optimal photocatalyst, 2% α-AgWO/g-CN (w), achieved an H evolution rate of 110.28 μmol g h, whereas pure g-CN reached only 25.32 μmol g h. The formation of a heterojunction between α-AgWO and g-CN promotes the separation of photogenerated charge carriers and prolongs their lifespan, which is the primary reason for the enhanced H evolution activity.

Phthalate esters (PAEs) are a class of organic ester compounds containing benzene rings, which have been widely applied as additives in various fields, especially as plasticizers in plastic product to improve the flexibility. Due to the non- covalent bonding, PAEs inevitably leach out from the plastic polymers into environments. PAEs are endocrine disruptors, which possess seriously hazards to organisms, such as reproductive and genetic abnormalities. Now, PAEs pollution has become a serious environmental problem. Moreover, due to its difficulty in natural degradation, it has become a widespread concern to eliminate PAEs pollution with energy-saving technology. Among various degradation technologies for organic pollutant removal, photocatalytic degradation has attracted more attentions due to the merits of low energy consumption, high removal efficiency, abundant photocatalyst and low secondary pollution. In this article, the photocatalytic degradation using nanomaterial photocatalysts towards four kinds of typical PAEs were reviewed, including di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), dimethyl phthalate (DMP), and diethyl phthalate (DEP). To improve the photocatalytic degradation efficiency, various semiconductor photocatalysts have been developed, and the optical and electrochemical properties, and the degradation mechanism and pathway have been also discussed. Finally, the challenges and perspectives of photocatalytic technology on PAEs elimination were presented.

Human activity and global climate change increasingly affect marine environments, leading to increases in harmful algal blooms (HABs) caused by phytoplankton. These blooms pose significant threats to public health, tourism, fisheries, and ecosystems. As an important fishing ground and tourist destination, the Beibu Gulf faces growing environmental pressure. This study sought to assess the phytoplankton community structure and status of HABs, with a focus on potential HAB species. Using environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding, summer and winter surveys at both coastal and offshore waters revealed 66 potential HAB species, 23 of which were newly recorded in the Beibu Gulf. The potential HAB species exhibited greater richness and relative abundance in summer than in winter. Offshore areas showed greater diversity, whereas coastal areas showed greater relative abundance. Temperature emerged as the most influential factor shaping phytoplankton composition, and pH was found to play an important role in coastal areas. Nutrients such as silicate and ammonium are critical for the distribution of potential HAB species. Among the potential HAB species, Cyclotella cryptica predominated in coastal areas during winter, whereas Chaetoceros tenuissimus predominated in summer. Some species that caused severe HAB events in other oceanic regions were first detected in this study, including Margalefidinium polykrikoides, Karlodinium veneficum, and Prorocentrum concavum. This study revealed the diversity and complexity of the phytoplankton community in the Beibu Gulf, emphasizing the critical importance of monitoring and early warning of potential HAB species, particularly those driven by human activities and climate change.

Tetracycline antibiotics residues pose significant health risks to individual and public health by their cytotoxicity and promotion on antibiotic resistance spread. Tet(X4) is a newly-identified tetracycline-inactivating enzyme that efficiently eliminates all antibiotics within tetracycline class. To address the limitations of Tet(X4)-based approaches in suboptimal stability and cost-efficiency balance in realistic environments, this study established a hydrogel-based composite to encapsulate the Tet(X4) for efficiently and economically eliminating the tetracycline residues in aqueous environments. Herein, we synthesized a composite comprising carboxymethyl chitosan (CC), agarose (Ag), Tet(X4), FeO, and CaO. It maintained 73.1 ± 9.4%, 50.0 ± 2.8% and 58.9 ± 0.6% of enzymatic activity with desirable tolerance to UV, and ionic strength. By exploring the properties of composites, we found that 3% Tet(X4) in a 1.0 g weighted composite with average diameters of 5.0 mm could efficiently degrade tetracycline residues. Additionally, the magnetic components in the composite conferred recyclability to the Tet(X4)-dependent biodegradation for multiple use, maximally reducing the costs. The composite endowed the promising applicability of Tet(X4) to eradicate approximately 85% the residual tetracyclines in various aqueous environments, including tap water, lakes, pharmaceutical wastewater, and livestock sewage. Mouse experiments showed that the as-prepared composites are totally safe and will not cause metabolic and immune abnormalities. Taken together, this study constructed a feasible platform to render the Tet(X4)-mediated tetracycline removal more stable and recyclable, highlighting encapsulation with the nanocarriers as a promising strategy to facilitate the enzymatic degradation of antibiotic residues with enhanced efficiency, stability and recyclability.

Telomere length (TL) and mitochondrial DNA content (mtDNAc) are biomarkers of biological ageing that respond to multiple stressors, including air pollution. Despite growing research interest, the association between recent and chronic air pollution and these biomarkers in the general population remains unclear. This study investigated the association between air pollution exposure and TL and mtDNAc using data from the 2018 Belgian Health Examination Survey. Multivariable adjusted generalised linear mixed models were applied to assess the exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO), fine particulate matter ≤ 2.5 μm (PM), and black carbon (BC) over 1-week (recent) and 1-year (chronic) periods prior to participation, estimated with a high-resolution spatiotemporal model. Leucocyte TL and mtDNAc were measured using qPCR. A total of 756 participants (mean age 50.6 years, 49.9% women) were included in the study. Recent exposure to PM was associated with a 2.40% (95% CI: 0.16, 4.69; p = 0.036) longer TL per IQR increment. Trends of lower mtDNAc were observed for chronic exposure to BC (-3.18, 95% CI: -6.28, 0.02; p = 0.051) and NO (-4.18, 95% CI: -8.39, 0.23; p = 0.063) per IQR increment. No significant associations were observed between chronic air pollution and TL or recent exposure and mtDNAc. These results suggest an inverse association between chronic air pollution and mtDNAc, and a positive association between recent exposure and TL, providing insight into the time-sensitive and air pollutant effects on ageing biomarkers.

Extreme temperatures are expected to be more frequent, intense, and complex in the context of climate change. However, epidemiologic evidence about associations between extreme temperature and mental disorders is limited.

As an emerging pollutant, the synthetic cannabinoid N-(1-amino-3,3-dimethyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (ADB-FUBINACA) is widely abused and frequently detected in metropolitan wastewater. However, its effect on aquatic organisms remains unexplored. In this study, embryonic and larval zebrafish were exposed to sublethal concentrations of ADB-FUBINACA to assess its toxic effects via behavioral, biochemical, and metabolomic analyses. The observed morphological defects included reduced heartbeat, shorter body length, spinal deformation, and pericardial edema. Transgenic zebrafish exhibited cardiac developmental defects and apoptosis, indicating that cardiotoxicity is associated with dysregulated gene expression. Impaired motor activity and disrupted neuronal development suggested neurotoxicity. Elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels indicate oxidative stress, whereas transcriptional changes in immune-related genes reflect a dysregulated inflammatory response. Metabolomic analyses revealed disruptions in pathways related to alanine, purine, and pyrimidine metabolism, and arginine biosynthesis, which correlated with oxidative damage, cardiotoxicity, and neurodevelopmental effects. In conclusion, ADB-FUBINACA induces developmental toxicity in zebrafish embryos via oxidative stress and metabolic disruption, highlighting the potential environmental risks posed by this emerging pollutant.

The increasing use of synthetic chemicals, including pesticides for agriculture and flame retardants from consumer products like electronics, raises environmental concerns for public health and biodiversity, particularly in agricultural and rural communities. Although these chemicals have been extensively studied in industrialized regions, data on human exposure particulary near protected areas in sub-Saharan Africa, remain scarce. This study provides novel insights into chemical exposure among different occupational groups in Uganda using silicone wristbands. We collected 39 silicone wristbands from participants living around Kibale National Park, including tea workers (n = 8), researchers (n = 10), commercial farmers (n = 6), subsistence farmers (n = 7), and urban workers (n = 8), and analyzed for 21 polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDEs), 11 novel flame retardants (nFRs), 20 current-use pesticides (CUPs), and 21 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). CUPs were the most abundant chemicals detected (range 18.2-54.4 ng/g), significantly higher for commercial and subsistence farmers and tea workers. Urban workers and researchers had higher levels of PBDEs and nFRs than the other three groups with BDE-47, -99, -139, -153, -209, bis (2-ethylhexyl) tetrabromophthalate (BETHTBP) and decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE) being the most detected compounds. Ametryn, ß-HCH, o,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDT, and endosulfan sulfate were the most frequently detected pesticides. The widespread detection of legacy and emerging chemicals at levels similar to urban and industrialized areas among populations near a protected area in Eastern Africa highlights an urgent environmental and public health concern.

The increased environmental vanadium exposure levels have drawn widespread attention to its health risks. However, the specific impacts of vanadium exposure during pregnancy on child neurodevelopment are unknown. Prenatal vanadium exposure was assessed using 3,777 urine samples from 1,259 mothers over three stages of pregnancy, and child neurodevelopment at 2 years old was evaluated using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development to get mental development index (MDI) and psychomotor development index (PDI) scores. In boys, versus with the first tertile of vanadium, MDI scores decreased by 5.08 points [95% Confidence Interval (CI): -9.42, -0.74], 4.81 points (95% CI: -9.52, -0.10) in the second and third tertiles, respectively; and the OR of mental developmental delay (MDD) rose 1.97 times (95% CI: 1.06, 3.67) in the third tertile. The trimester-specific analysis found that the associations were most pronounced in the third trimester [-5.56 (95% CI: -9.81, -1.31) and -6.29 (95% CI: -10.7, -1.89) for MDI; OR = 1.93 (95% CI: 1.03, 3.60) and OR = 2.50 (95% CI: 1.34, 4.66) for MDD risk in the second and third tertiles of vanadium, respectively] in boys. Overall, prenatal vanadium exposure may have adverse impacts on child neurodevelopment, particularly among boys, and the third trimester may be a critical window of the effect.

Freshwater species play a key role in monitoring microplastics (MPs) pollution, providing insights into its distribution, accumulation, and potential ecological and human health risks in aquatic ecosystems. This study evaluates the invasive snail Sinotaia quadrata as a potential tool for monitoring MPs pollution in freshwater ecosystems heavily impacted by human activities. Specifically, we examined whether the characteristics of MPs (i.e., shape, color, and chemical composition) found in water and sediment were reflected in those accumulated by S. quadrata, and whether MPs accumulation varied across different snail size classes. MPs were detected in all environmental matrices and snail samples, with fragments and filaments as the dominant shapes, blue, white, and black as the most common colors, and polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyethylene terephthalate as the primary polymers. A significant difference in MPs concentration per gram was found across snail size classes, with smaller snails accumulating more MPs than larger individuals, likely due to higher feeding rates during growth. A positive correlation was observed between snail shell length and weight, while MPs concentration per gram showed significant negative correlations with both parameters. These findings suggest that S. quadrata accumulates MPs from the environment, reflecting local contamination levels. While S. quadrata is an invasive species, this study demonstrates its potential utility in MPs monitoring, particularly in the context of eradication efforts. This approach integrates pollution assessment with invasive species management, offering a broader perspective on the role of biological invasions in environmental monitoring.

In this study, we have found a new method to recovery phosphorus selectively from high-fluoride-phosphoric wastewater. This new method was a microalgae-based phosphorus recovery technology.The results showed that Chlorella sp. can not only grew very well in high-fluoride-phosphoric wastewater, but also has the highest ability to reduce the phosphorus from the wastewater among Scenedesmus sp., Selenastrum bibraianum.and Chlamydomonas sp.. After Chlorella sp. cultured for 16 days, the concentration of phosphorus decreased from 12.76 mg/L to 5.00 mg/L. There were two ways to reduce phosphorus by Chlorella sp.. One was the specific uptakes phosphorus into algal cells and the other was absorbs phosphorus through the functional groups on the EPS. These algal cells can be separated from the wastewater through harvesting or other methods, enabling the subsequent recovery of phosphorus. The results of this study could provide valuable information for phosphorus recovery from high-fluoride-phosphoric wastewater.

The Dazu Rock Carvings, a UNESCO World Heritage site with over a millennium of history, are facing significant deterioration from microbial biofilms. However, the key microbial species responsible and the environmental factors driving their growth remain unclear. To address this gap, we conducted metagenomic sequencing to characterize the microbial community on the carvings, followed by correlation analyses with a variety of environmental factors in the surrounding air and within the rocks. Bacterial communities exhibited significantly higher richness and diversity than eukaryotic communities, though diversity metrics showed no significant differences between visibly colonized and uncolonized surfaces. We identified a distinctive consortium of 64 bacterial species, 35 fungal species, and 1 algal species specifically associated with visible biofilms, occurring at 9.56-fold higher relative abundance in colonized areas. These microorganisms contribute to characteristic green, brown-black, and white coloration on the carvings. Statistical analysis revealed absolute humidity and dew point temperature as key environmental factors influencing biofilm visibility, with thresholds of 21.00 g/m and 23.4 °C respectively, above which biofilms became visible. This study provides precise targets for conservation efforts and establishes critical environmental parameters to guide preservation strategies for this irreplaceable cultural heritage.

Throughout industrial advancement, substantial quantities of industrial solid waste are produced, carrying significant potential for utilization. Utilizing such waste to prepare geopolymers represents a prevalent approach to resource recycling, offering promising applications in pollution adsorption and construction materials. This review delves into recent advancements in synthesizing industrial solid waste-based geopolymers (ISWGs) and scrutinizes their diverse functional attributes, such as compressive strength, porosity, water uptake, among others. Furthermore, it expounds upon the formation mechanisms of ISWGs derived from dual systems: (Si+Al) and (Si+Ca), furnishing fresh insights into the underlying mechanisms governing ISWGs. Notably, the study gives particular attention to the frost behavior during the fabrication of ISWGs, an aspect that is pivotal for the sustainable development of these materials. Lastly, the review underscores the prevailing challenges in the development of ISWGs composite materials and outlines prospective directions for future growth, grounded in prior research findings and extant obstacles.

The carboxylic (COOH) and phenolic (PhOH) functional groups of natural organic matter (NOM) are the major binding sites for environmental compounds such as minerals and contaminants. This study focusses on the sorptive fractionation of a humic acid onto goethite (α-FeOOH) at various pH, [NOM], [NaCl], and under static (batch) and dynamic flow (column) conditions. During batch experiments at low pH and [NOM], adsorption behaviors of COOH- and PhOH-rich compounds were similar. At low [NaCl] and high pH or [NOM], the adsorption of NOM decreased, with a preferential adsorption of PhOH over COOH-rich compounds. This can be ascribed to the surface site saturation and competition between COOH, PhOH and OH for surface binding, combined with electrostatic effects. Higher [NaCl], which was previously shown to favor NOM-NOM interactions at mineral surface, led to increased adsorption of COOH, while the adsorption of PhOH was not affected. Under flow-through conditions, multiple-binding-site mechanism was shown to control the fractionation of PhOH- and COOH-rich compounds. These results provide insights into the molecular interactions between the NOM and soil components, which control the fate and behavior of contaminants and nutrients in the environment.

In this paper, a SrTiO/CuO/CNT nanocomposite was synthesized through a co-precipitation to achieve better visible light photocatalytic performance. Analysis of X-ray diffraction (XRD) combined with field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed a successful integration of CuO and CNTs into the SrTiO nanoparticle. The modifications resulted in a smaller particle size while narrowing the bandgap to 2.85 eV. They enhanced electric charge capabilities with lower PL intensity, increased photocurrent density, and decreased charge transfer resistance. The photocatalytic performance was evaluated for both organic pollutant degradation and hydrogen production through water splitting. The nanocomposite demonstrated complete degradation of methylene blue (MB) within 60 min, with high efficiency for other pollutants like methyl orange (MO) and rhodamine B (RhB). A study of the mechanism using scavenger methods identified the type-II charge transfer while showing superoxide radicals act as main reactive species. The nanocomposite produced hydrogen with a rate of 1495 μmol/g.h. The degradation kinetics followed a pseudo-first-order model at low concentrations and a Langmuir-Hinshelwood model at higher levels, emphasizing the role of CNTs in enhancing charge transfer and degradation efficiency. The enhanced photocatalytic activity is attributed to the synergistic effects of CuO and CNTs, promoting efficient charge separation, extended visible light absorption, and faster electron transport. Stability tests confirmed the composite's durability, retaining 91 % efficiency after four cycles.

Artificial mixing is usually one of the means to improve water quality in reservoirs or lakes. In this study, XiKeng Reservoir (XKR), which was equipped with water-lifting aerators (WLAs) capable of artificial mixing, was selected in southern China. Using two phytoplankton classification methods (taxonomic and functional groups), high-frequency monitoring was synchronized for six months in the old and new reservoir areas to investigate the characteristics and mechanisms of phytoplankton response to artificial mixing and natural mixing, and to compare the differences between the two mixing processes. The results showed that both artificial and natural mixing significantly decreased phytoplankton abundance in the surface water layer. The phytoplankton abundance in the vertical dimension became homogenized with complete water column mixing. During the artificial mixing process, the phytoplankton shifted from Cyanobacteria to Bacillariophyta, and the functional groups shifted from M, SN, and S1 to P and D. The taxonomic groups shifted in line with artificial mixing during the natural mixing process, while the functional groups shifted from SN and S1 to P. While the mixing depth (Z), light availability (Z/Z; the euphotic depth (Z)), and relative water column stability (RWCS) were the main drivers of phytoplankton change due to artificial mixing at XKR, the natural mixing process was driven by RWCS and water temperature (WT). This study also provided a successful example of effective control of phytoplankton overgrowth in a warmly stratified drinking water reservoir, which will be valuable to water quality and ecological managers.

Low temperatures can significantly reduce nitrogen (N) removal efficiency of constructed wetlands (CWs), thus limiting the application of this technology in cold climates and cold areas. We developed modular moving bed constructed wetlands (MMB-CWs) by integrating biofilm method into CWs through specialized design and achieved satisfactory N removal under ambient condition. Evaluating the N removal performance of MMB-CWs at low temperature is crucial for promoting CWs in cold climates. This study investigated the N removal performances of MMB-CWs and the variations of core functional genera at low temperature. Results indicated that the MMB-CW with a 60% substrate filling rate achieved the highest N removal efficiency of 68.6%, exceeding horizontal subsurface flow CW by 19.5% (p<0.05). The incorporation of vertical baffles and partial substrate filling optimized the distribution and concentration of dissolved oxygen. Although microbial community in the MMB-CW experienced a decline in microbial richness and diversity, N-transforming genera became more concentrated. Proteobacteria increased significantly from 46.6% to 69.0% (p<0.05) as temperature decreased, in which the denitrifying genera including unclassified_f__Comamonadaceae, Hydrogenophaga and Acinetobacter increased significantly (p<0.05) and dominated the N removal process. The distribution of N-transforming functional genes suggested that denitrification was the primary pathway for N removal at low temperature, while anaerobic ammonium oxidation played a pivotal role as well. The findings reveal the mechanism by which the MMB-CW enhance N removal in low C/N wastewater at low temperature, providing strategy and theoretical support for improving the N removal performance of CWs in response to low temperature stress.

Volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) and sulfur-containing antibiotic wastewater are pervasive environmental pollutants that pose significant risks to atmospheric and aquatic ecosystems. Traditional photocatalysts often lack the versatility to simultaneously address multiple pollutants, highlighting the need for multifunctional materials. A novel FeUiO-66-NH@b-TiO composite with a Z-scheme heterojunction has been developed as a highly efficient and tunable visible-light photocatalyst for the degradation of both VSCs and sulfur-containing antibiotics. The composite was synthesized through a one-pot hydrothermal method, and its photocatalytic performance was optimized by varying the ratio of FeUiO-66-NH to b-TiO. The Z-scheme heterojunction facilitates effective separation and transfer of photogenerated carriers, significantly enhancing the material's photocatalytic activity. The material's structure and photoresponse were evaluated using XRD and FTIR. Under visible light, the composite exhibited remarkable degradation performance. For example, FU1T6 achieved complete degradation of CHSH within 20 minutes, while FU3T1 degraded 90% of the antibiotic cefixime within 140 minutes. Moreover, the material demonstrated excellent degradation efficiency for other cephalosporins and amoxicillin, proving its broad-spectrum capability for sulfur-containing antibiotics. This study highlights the FeUiO-66-NH@b-TiO composite as a promising candidate for the treatment of complex environmental pollutants, including odorous gases and antibiotic wastewater. The results suggest that material design, particularly the integration of the Z-scheme heterojunction, enables multifunctional pollutant treatment, contributing significantly to environmental protection and public health. These findings provide an innovative strategy for tackling diverse sulfur-based pollutants in environmental remediation.

Tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) is a widely used flame retardant in numerous commercial and industrial products. Due to its widespread release and detection in various environmental matrices, TCEP has raised great concerns about its risk to aquatic biota and human health. To this end, the present study investigates the TCEP environmental and human health mediated effects on aquatic biological species/models belonging to different trophic levels, as well as on human peripheral blood lymphocytes, respectively. Specifically, TCEP ability to promote (a) growth inhibition in algae, like the freshwater species Chlorococcum sp. and the saltwater species Tisochrysis lutea, (b) cytotoxic and oxidative stress-like events, such as Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) formation and lipid peroxidation, in challenged mussel hemocytes, as well as (c) cytogenotoxicity in human lymphocytes, were investigated. Based on the results, environmentally relevant concentrations of TCEP could differentially affect the growth of both algal species, with the freshwater one (Chlorococcum sp.) to be more vulnerable compared to saltwater species Tisochrysis lutea. Accordingly, TCEP-treated mussel hemocytes showed increased levels of cell death and a concomitant enhancement of ROS generation and lipid peroxidation at most concentrations tested. Lastly, TCEP at concentrations tested showed significant cytogenotoxic effects on human lymphocytes, as revealed by the low Cytokinesis Block Proliferation Index (CBPI) values and the high micronuclei (MN) frequencies in challenged cells. These findings are of great interest, thus highlighting the risk posed by the TCEP environmental release and the need for further protection of aquatic basins, in favor of aquatic biota and human health.