Antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) in hospital wastewater present significant but under-researched risks for wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) workers. This study evaluated annual infection risks (P) from exposure to ESBL-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL E. coli) and the effectiveness of protective masks. Wastewater samples from 25 hospitals in Thailand revealed 88% of untreated samples were positive for ESBL E. coli (6.25 × 10 to 1.83 × 10 CFU/100 mL, mean 2.22 × 10), while 40% of treated samples tested positive (1.00 × 10 to 1.97 × 10 CFU/100 mL, mean 2.45 × 10). Using quantitative microbial risk assessment and data from 917 workers, risks were calculated under three scenarios: non-resistant, antibiotic-resistant, and highly virulent E. coli. Ingestion of aerosols and droplets posed a higher infection risk than hand-to-mouth contact, with P often exceeding the U.S. EPA benchmark of 10 per person per year. Mask use, particularly surgical and FFP2 masks, significantly reduced risks, bringing treated wastewater exposure below the benchmark. However, highly virulent E. coli risks remained high across all mask types. These findings highlight the need for effective protective measures and disinfection strategies to safeguard WWTP workers and mitigate ARB dissemination, protecting public health and environmental safety.

PM is a significant global public health hazard, with its components closely linked to various fatal diseases, thereby significantly increasing mortality rates. This study analysed the spatiotemporal evolution of PM-related mortality and death rates in China using risk attribution methods based on PM-component and population data. The study used a LightGBM model based on Bayesian and SHAP algorithms to identify the concentration thresholds at which the components of PM affect mortality. The results showed that from 2001 to 2022, the mortality rates influenced by the 5 PM components showed a consistent downward trend, decreasing by 101,000-529,000, with a mean annual decrease of 2.2-4.6 %. The relative importance of organic matter (OM), nitrate (NO) and ammonium (NH) in influencing mortality increased by 6.3, 17.4 and 4 % respectively, while the relative importance of black carbon (BC) and sulphate (SO) in influencing mortality decreased rapidly to approximately 2 %. The contribution of OM and SO to mortality exceeded 30 %, with thresholds of 8.6-10.3 and 9.6-10.5 μg/m, respectively. The thresholds for the effects of NO, NH, and BC on mortality were 6.8-9.4, 3.4-6, and 1.8-3.5 μg/m, respectively. This study provides effective insights for policymakers to help formulate targeted air pollution control measures and optimise public health interventions to support human health and sustainable societal development.

Cyclotriphosphazenes (CTPs) have been widely used as flame retardant electrolyte additives in the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, their environmental occurrence, behaviors, and toxic effects have not been well explored. This study analyzed six CTPs in surface water and sediment samples collected surrounding a LIB manufacturing park. All target CTPs were detected in surface water samples, displaying the detection frequencies of 10-90 %. Phosphonitrilicchloridetrimer (HCCTP; 55 ng/L) exhibited the highest mean water concentration, followed by ethoxy(pentafluoro)cyclotriphosphazene (EPFCTP; 29 ng/L) and hexafluorocyclotriphosphazene (HFCTP; 24 ng/L). Detection frequencies of CTPs in sediment were in the range of 19-95 %. EPFCTP (mean 24 ng/g dw) and hexaphenoxycyclotriphosphazene (HPCTP; 20 ng/g dw) were the predominant CTPs in sediment. HPCTP (3.5 ± 0.61) displayed the highest mean log K value, which was followed by phosphonitrilicchloridetrimer (HCCTP; 3.2 ± 0.69), EPFCTP (2.8 ± 0.60), and HFCTP (2.6 ± 0.43). In addition, a high-throughput phenotypic screening assay was used to evaluate the toxic effects of CTPs on Caenorhabditis elegans. Target CTPs showed different effects on the four phenotypic parameters (i.e., length, movement, survival, and fecundity) of Caenorhabditis elegans, and HCCTP was the most toxic CTP at the exposure levels of 50-500 μM. To our awareness, this study provides the first evidence on the environmental behaviors and toxic effects of CTPs. These findings are critical for the development of strategies to mitigate the release and toxic impact of CTPs derived from the LIB manufacturing.

Microplastics (MPs) are small plastic particles that result from the degradation of bigger fragments or introduced into the environment as primary particles. Their reduced size makes them available for ingestion by marine organisms, particularly in subtidal and deep-sea environments, which represent the largest sinks for MPs in the ocean. However, there is a lack of data regarding the effects of MPs in subtidal and deep-sea ecosystems. Thus, the present study aimed to assess the effects of MPs under hyperbaric conditions. Juvenile mussels, Mytilus galloprovincialis, were exposed to three concentrations of polyethylene MPs: 0.1, 1 and 10 mg/L, in a mixture of sizes (38-45, 75-90 and 180-212 μm), at different pressures: 1, 4 and 50 Bar, for 96 h. After exposure, the filtration rate, biochemical markers of oxidative stress and transcriptomic profile were analyzed to assess the effects of MPs. Results indicate that MPs affected functional endpoints, with a significant decrease in the filtration rate of mussels exposed to MPs at 1 mg/L and higher. Similarly, all tested oxidative stress biomarkers were affected in a treatment, concentration and pressure-dependent manner. RNA-seq analysis performed in organisms exposed to 1mg/L of MPs at 4 Bar identified several affected signaling pathways (430 differentially expressed genes) including cellular senescence, the MAPK, RAS PI3K-Akt signaling pathways, apoptosis, among others. Overall, the results here presented corroborate the hypothesis that MPs affect exposed organisms under short-term hyperbaric conditions. These findings highlight the need to study MPs effects in subtidal and deep-sea taxa and address, in future studies, combined effects with other stressors such as contaminants that might be sorbed to the surface of the particles. These findings also indicate that improving hazard assessment of MPs under hyperbaric conditions is paramount to support risk assessment and the implementation of mitigation strategies.

Biochar exhibits significant potential for the remediation of soil contaminated with organic pollutants and heavy metals. A comprehensive understanding of the interfacial interactions and sorption mechanisms of low-hydrophobicity phthalate plasticizers, such as dimethyl phthalate (DMP) and diethyl phthalate (DEP), along with Cd on biochar, is essential for the effective remediation of polluted soil environments. This study systematically examines the interaction and sorption mechanisms of PAEs-Cd on biochar at both macro and micro levels using sorption batch experiments and molecular dynamics simulations. The sorption of contaminants by biochar occurred through a combination of physical and chemical mechanisms. The presence of coexisting pollutants reduced the sorption capacity of biochar to PAEs but had a minimal effect on Cd adsorption. In the co-sorption system, PAEs and Cd demonstrated distinct interaction behaviors. Due to its smaller molecular size and higher diffusion coefficient, Cd readily bonded to surface sorption sites on biochar and infiltrated its pores. Although PAE-ion complexes enhanced the sorption of pollutants by biochar, PAE molecules, and cluster structures primarily accumulated on the biochar surface, interacting with heavy metals through electrostatic forces. This interaction reduced the contribution of pore filling to pollutant sorption and weakened the desorption hysteresis capacity of biochar. The intraparticle diffusion model had similar results. Thus, a larger specific surface area and an abundant pore structure are crucial factors in improving the co-sorption capacity of biochar. This study offers novel insights into the sorption behavior of PAEs and Cd on biochar within organic-inorganic composite pollution.

This study explores a novel application of sulfidated zero-valent iron (S-ZVI) bimetals for the treatment of chlorinated solvents in the vapor phase. The potential of these reactive materials was investigated through batch, column, and modeling tests. The materials were produced by disc milling of ZVI, sulfur (S), copper (Cu), and nickel (Ni) with molar ratios of 0.05 and 0.2. The reactivity of the materials was assessed through vapor degradation batch tests conducted under partially saturated conditions using trichloroethylene (TCE) as a model compound. Sulfidated materials with a 0.05 S/ZVI molar ratio were the most reactive, achieving up to 99% degradation of TCE vapors within 18 hours and first-order degradation constants of 5-5.7 d. Compared to the non-sulfidated materials, sulfidated ones remained reactive even after aging by exposure to air for 30 days. In all tests, C-C hydrocarbons were detected as main byproducts, indicating β-elimination as the dominant TCE degradation pathway, with minor dichloroethylene and vinyl chloride amounts from the hydrogenolysis pathway. To evaluate the use of sulfidated bimetals as Horizontal Permeable Reactive Barriers (HPRBs) for treating chlorinated vapors in the subsurface, TCE diffusion column tests were performed using a 5 cm thick reactive layer of S-ZVI-Ni. These tests demonstrated up to 70% degradation over 25 days. By integrating the column test results into an analytical model, it was estimated that an 18 cm HPRB could ensure up to 99% degradation of TCE vapors. These findings highlight the potential of S-ZVI bimetals as an effective passive mitigation system for reducing chlorinated solvent vapor emissions from the subsurface.

Low-cost monitors for measuring airborne contaminants have gained popularity due to their affordability, portability, and ease of use. However, they often exhibit significant biases compared to high-cost reference instruments. For optimal accuracy, these monitors require calibration and validation in their specific environment using expensive reference instruments, which are often scarce and costly. This study proposes machine-learning calibration methods that utilize a single high-cost instrument as an active reference to improve the accuracy of large networks of low-cost monitors. Three machine learning models-linear regression, random forest, and Gradient Boosting Regression (GBR)-were employed. The proposed approach was tested in a controlled chamber under two conditions: environmental simulations with salt- and dust-based aerosols and occupational settings using three electronic cigarette (ECIG) brands. The study involved thirty low-cost GeoAir2 monitors, divided into ten groups of three. Initially, all groups were collocated with a high-cost monitor using Aerosol A to develop prediction and regression models. These models, along with intrinsic error measurements from one group, were then applied to improve data accuracy for the remaining groups using Aerosol B. The results demonstrated substantial improvements in accuracy, with r values ranging from 0.91 to 1.00 and RMSE reductions of up to 88%, depending on the model and aerosol type. GBR consistently provided the highest accuracy and performance, particularly for complex, nonlinear patterns, while linear regression offered a faster, computationally efficient alternative suitable for less demanding scenarios. Random forest models performed moderately well, balancing accuracy and complexity. These methods provide a scalable and cost-effective solution for deploying networked low-cost sensors. Further research is needed to validate these findings in outdoor environments with meteorological influences and indoor occupational settings where humidity effects may play a role.

The coexistence of neonicotinoid insecticide thiamethoxam (TMX) and heavy metal cadmium (Cd) is quite common in agricultural soils, yet their effects on the emission of greenhouse gas CO remain insufficiently studied. To address this issue, microcosms spiked with singe or combined TMX (20 mg/kg) and Cd (20 mg/kg) in soil were studied for 90 days. It turned out that single TMX (+12.13%) and Cd (+22.76%) both stimulated the emission of CO, and the combined TMX and Cd exhibited synergic effect (+51.00%). The presence of Cd reduced the attenuation of TMX (-3.32%), while the presence of TMX increased the attenuation of Cd (+3.11%). The relative abundances of bacteria Sphingomonas, Devosia, Erythrobacter, Phaselicystis, Woeseia, FFCH7168, Rhizorhapis, Hamadaea and genes related to sugar metabolism, glycolysis and the TCA cycle were found positively correlated to CO emission in the studied microcosms (p<0.05). Results from this study provide scientific basis for developing sound environmental policies that aim to reduce CO emission from agricultural soils.

The pervasive occurrence of combined metal and antibiotic pollution (CMAP) in agricultural soils is increasingly being recognized as a novel threat to ecosystems. However, the toxicity variations of CMAP compared to single pollution and the mechanisms underlying these changes remain poorly understood. Herein in this study, the toxicities of copper (Cu)/erythromycin (ERY) and lead (Pb)/norfloxacin (NOR) to earthworms (Eisenia Fetida) were investigated. These results indicated that a single exposure to ERY and NOR at environmental concentrations had negligible effects on physiological processes. Combined Cu/ERY exposure induced more significant oxidative stress, disrupted energy metabolism, and caused cellular damage than Cu alone, as indicated by altered antioxidant enzyme activities, malondialdehyde and adenosine triphosphate content, elevated reactive oxygen species levels, and apoptosis rates in coelomocytes. Conversely, these adverse effects were mitigated by Pb/NOR exposure compared to Pb treatment alone. Further analysis of the gut microbiota revealed that Cu/Pb-tolerant Bacillus spp. play a critical mediating role in the contrasting toxicity profiles. ERY reduced the abundance of Bacillus spp., diminishing their ability to secrete soluble phosphate to immobilize Cu in the gut and leading to increased Cu absorption and toxicity. NOR enriches Bacillus spp. in the gut, facilitating Pb immobilization and reducing Pb bioavailability and toxicity. The contrast toxicity profile revealed the response of the gut microbiota taxa is the primary determinant of the variation in CMAP toxicity. These findings advance our understanding of the impact of CMAP on soil organisms and highlight the need for comprehensive ecological risk assessments to inform regulatory strategies.

Thermo Solar Systems are growing significantly around the world. Although they are thought to be clean, the analysis of its life cycle evidence a negative impact on the environment, due to unvoluntary spillages of heat fluid transfer (HTF). To know the risk of HTF spills for human health and environment, we selected human cell lines and toxicological model organisms to evaluate both aspects. In concrete, we selected two non-transformed human cell lines of fibroblasts and hepatocytes; Allivibrio fisherii, Dictyosphaerium chlorelloides, Emiliana huxleyi and Artemia salina. Using standardized toxicological tests, we studied the effect of HTF under two scenarios: 1) exposure cells to concentrations on the range from 0.1 to 15 μg/L for short periods (from 30 minutes to 72 hours) and 2) the same concentrations for 20 days. Additionally, we explored the toxic effect of two different HTF samples: commercial and thermal degraded HTF (used). Results proved that commercial is less toxic than used and that microalgae was extremely sensitive (IC50 around 3.5 μg/L) following of Allivibrio fisherii (IC50 around 200 μg/L), human cell lines (IC50 around 1,000 μg/L) and crustaceans (IC50 2,000 μg/L). The particularities of cell wall composition and the metabolic specialization justify the differences. Furthermore, a very interesting result was that exposure for 20 days produced greater damage than the same dose for periods of 72 hours in all the cell types studied. Our results suggest that HTF spillages have a bigger environmental impact than expected, which thermosolar plants are not as environmentally friendly as previously thought.

Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic commonly utilized in veterinary medicine and aquaculture. It functions by binding to the 50S subunit of 70S ribosomes, inhibiting protein synthesis and effectively treating numerous bacterial diseases. Due to the extensive use of erythromycin, it has been detected in various aquatic systems in recent years. Multiple studies have reported the occurrence of erythromycin resistance and its adverse effects on diverse aquatic organisms. Consequently, potential environmental health risks associated with erythromycin have garnered increasing attention. As an integral component of aquatic ecosystems, fish have been the subject of numerous reports regarding the bioaccumulation and adverse effects of erythromycin; however, these data have not been collated and interpreted. This report provides a comprehensive overview of the environmental fate of erythromycin, detection methods, pharmacokinetics, and impacts on fish. In addition to the therapeutic benefits against pathogens, acute or chronic exposure of fish to erythromycin at concentrations ranging from μg/L to mg/L disrupts the primary defense, antioxidant, and xenobiotic metabolism systems, leading to oxidative stress, cellular structural damage, and metabolic disorders, manifesting as cytotoxicity, organ toxicity, neurotoxicity, developmental toxicity, and reproductive toxicity. However, further in-depth studies are warranted to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy at relatively high levels, particularly when considering pathogens with developed resistance to erythromycin, as well as the long-term effects of erythromycin exposure at environmentally relevant concentrations in fish, thereby better assessing the health risks posed by erythromycin to fish and their consumers humans.

Water quality is under threat due to the presence of pathogenic and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Escherichia coli (E. coli) serves as an indicator of faecal contamination and the potential presence of other harmful pathogens. Understanding E. coli concentrations helps in assessing the overall health risks associated with waterborne diseases and developing effective water management strategies. Therefore, we developed the first large-scale model, GloWPa-Ecoli C1 to simulate E. coli loads and concentrations in rivers and apply this model to China. The model provides the first comprehensive overview of microbial water quality across China's rivers. The model simulates E. coli concentrations in 2020 to range from 10 to 10 CFU/L, with 45.6% to 78.1% of rivers exhibiting poor microbial water quality. Major hotspots of E. coli pollution are Haihe, Huaihe and Pearl River Basins. Direct discharge of human faecal waste contributes 80.2% of the total E. coli load, while directly discharged livestock waste accounts for 13.1%. To mitigate E. coli pollution in rivers in China, we recommend increasing human waste collection rates, expanding wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) coverage, phasing out primary treatment WWTPs and eliminating direct livestock waste discharge, particularly from smallholder farms. The study underscores the urgent need to improve microbial water quality in China's rivers. The findings provide actionable insights to inform policy development aimed at safeguarding water quality and public health. Furthermore, the modelling approach is applicable to other regions and microorganisms, offering a foundation for developing models to address antibiotic-resistant bacteria and other emerging water quality challenges.

The liver is vulnerable to damage from environmental pollutants, but evidence on the effects of non-essential metal/metalloid (NEM) mixture on liver function and their mechanisms remains limited. The study aimed to explore the correlations between individual NEMs and their combinations with liver function, and the mediating roles of lipid profiles. The research involved 2,642 individuals aged 60 and older in China. Urine concentrations of arsenic (As), cesium (Cs), barium (Ba), thallium (Tl), and cadmium (Cd) were analyzed using ICP-MS. Liver function was assessed based on the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and albumin (ALB). To evaluate the individual and combined effects of these NEMs on liver function, linear regression, restricted cubic splines (RCS), weighted quantile sum (WQS), quantile g-computation (QGC), and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models were utilized. Mediation analyses were conducted to explore the potential role of lipid profiles in NEM-liver function relations. Adjusted linear regression revealed positive associations of Tl with ALT (β = 0.044, 95% CI: 0.022 to 0.066) and AST (β = 0.019, 95% CI: 0.004 to 0.035), and negative associations of Cs (β = -0.015, 95% CI: -0.020 to -0.010), Tl (β = -0.010, 95% CI: -0.015 to -0.005), and Cd (β = -0.019, 95% CI: -0.024 to -0.014) with ALB. The RCS model confirmed these linear relationships. Mixture models consistently demonstrated a positive association between the NEM mixture and ALT/AST, primarily driven by Tl, and a negative association with ALB, predominantly influenced by Cd. Mediation analyses suggested triglycerides and total cholesterol partially mediated the associations between Tl, the NEM mixture, and liver function. In conclusion, the NEM mixture, mainly driven by Tl and Cd, is linked to liver function impairment, with lipid profiles potentially mediating these effects. More research is needed to confirm these findings and clarify the mechanisms.

Bile salt hydrolase (BSH) is produced by gut bacteria and is responsible for deconjugating amino acids from the aliphatic side chains of conjugated bile acids (BAs), initiating the critical first step in BAs metabolism. Lead (Pb) is known to cause gut microbial dysbiosis, but whether it affects BAs profiles by reshaping the gut microbiota remains elusive. Here, using targeted BAs metabolomics and metagenomics sequencing, we found that 200 μg/L Pb treatment led to a significant increase in the abundance of BSH-producing microbiota (e.g., Eubacterium and Yersinia), thus promoting the deconjugation of taurocholic acid (TCA) and taurochenodeoxycholic acid (TCDCA). Consequently, the accumulation of relatively hydrophobic BAs cholic acid (CA) and chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) may cause damage to enterocytes (e.g., reduced microvilli and enterocyte heights), which attenuated tadpole digestion and ultimately led to significant reductions in morphological parameters. The inhibition of tadpole growth by Pb toxicity may negatively affect their survival and even increase their risk of death. Overall, these results revealed for the first time the toxicological mechanism by which Pb reshapes the gut microbiota and thus disrupts the BAs profile, shedding new insights into the detrimental effects of Pb toxicity on amphibian growth.

The widespread distribution of microplastics in the environment has raised concerns about their potential implications for human health. Microplastics accumulate in animals and humans, but the risks associated with these pollutants are not fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the effects of polystyrene microplastics on the male reproductive system. The 0.1 μm polystyrene (PS) could accumulate in the testicular tissue and spermatogonia GC-1, while 1 μm PS was not easy to enter and accumulate in the testicular tissue and cells. Mice continuously exposed for 3-months to 0.1 μm PS demonstrated lower fertility and inhibited spermatogonium differentiation compared to control mice. The 0.1 μm PS were dispersed throughout the seminiferous tubule of the testis. Metabolic reprogramming was found to be involved in these processes. Histone methylation and autophagy-related pathways showed significant differences following PS treatment in testis tissue and GC-1 cells. Our findings suggest that chronic exposure to 0.1 μm PS inhibited spermatogenic cell differentiation and impaired fertility in male mice. We propose that abnormal epigenetic modifications in 0.1 μm PS exposed mice contributed to the dysregulation of glycolytic enzymes, and that the impaired autophagic pathway exacerbated the accumulation of glycolytic enzymes further. Glycolysis plays a critical role in the regulation of spermatogenic cell differentiation, and its regulation partially alleviated the impairments associated with PS exposure. In conclusion, our findings suggest that chronic exposure to nanoplastics PS inhibited spermatogenic cell differentiation and impaired fertility in male mice via disrupted epigenetic modification and metabolic dysregulation.

Chongqing is located upstream of the Yangtze River and within the Three Gorges Reservoir Area. Boasting a dense hydrological network comprising interconnected rivers, tributaries, and reservoirs, the condition of the natural environment in Chongqing is intrinsically linked to drinking water safety. To evaluate the regional distribution, pollution levels, health risks, and sources of 12 heavy metals, a total of 90 water samples (30 influent sewage, 30 effluent sewage, and 30 tap water samples) were systematically collected from 30 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) across Chongqing. Heavy metal pollution index (HPI), heavy metal evaluation index (HEI), degree of contamination (CD), and health risk assessment were utilized in this study to present the findings of a thorough assessment of heavy metal contamination in the region. Meanwhile positive matrices factorization (PMF) was applied to ascertain sources of heavy metals in influent sewage. The results showed that sewage treatment diminished pollutant concentrations. After treatment, Zn, Hg, Pb, and Cr were the primary contaminants in the effluent sewage, significantly surpassing the Class I standard limit for surface water in China. The primary sources of sewage contamination were anthropogenic activities, including agriculture, industry, and transportation. The cumulative health risk from carcinogenic heavy metals surpassed the permissible danger threshold. Cr was responsible for majority of health hazards. These findings indicate the priority control requirements for various heavy metals and establish a scientific foundation for the hierarchical management strategy of heavy metals, optimization of wastewater treatment processes, and the assurance system for drinking water safety.

Cage culture is a widely practiced aquaculture method in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, bays, and coastal areas, which generates significant economic benefits but also leads to ecological degradation and negatively impacting fish quality. Previous studies have highlighted substantial variations in fish quality across diverse cage culture regions. This study evaluated water quality, trophic status, heavy metal pollution in sediment and fish from five major large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) cage culture regions in China -DJ (30°12'00"N, 122°41'54"E), DC (28°28'07"N, 121°51'57"E), DT (27°58'49"N, 121°11'43"E), NJ (27°28'46"N, 121°02'37"E), and ND (26°41'21"N, 119°42'32"E)-over different seasons. Results revealed significant eutrophication and poor water quality in the ND aquaculture area, characterized by high nutrient concentrations, low pH, and dissolved oxygen. Heavy metal analysis showed that sediments in ND contained the highest levels of Fe, Cu, Hg, Cd, Pb, and Cr, with the muscle of L. crocea in ND exhibiting elevated levels of Cd, Fe, and As, posing potential ecological risks. In contrast, other aquaculture areas, particularly NJ, exhibited lower pollution levels in water, sediment, and fish muscle, reflecting a more favorable environment for fish farming compared to ND. Seasonal analysis showed a decline in essential metals (Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn) during summer, with recovery in autumn and winter, while toxic metals (As, Cd, Pb, Hg) accumulated in autumn and winter. Additionally, Trophic levels in water and sediments peaked in summer and autumn, displaying region-specific variations. Some correlations between sediment-water nutrients and sediment-fish muscle metals further emphasized the interconnections among sediments, water, and biological systems. These findings emphasize the necessity of enhanced management practices to mitigate pollution and promote sustainable aquaculture.

Cigarette filters comprise plasticised cellulose acetate, a synthetic polymer categorized as bioplastic. They represent a significant source of microplastics (MPs), in particular microfibers, and associated chemicals, yet their impact on organisms, especially soil invertebrates, is not well-studied. This research examines the effects of MPs milled from smoked (SCF-MPs) and unsmoked cigarette filters (UCF-MPs) on terrestrial invertebrates (Porcellio scaber, Tenebrio molitor) and aquatic invertebrates (Daphnia magna, Brachionus calyciflorus). SCF-MPs and UCF-MPs were found to be 9.06 ± 4.1 μm and 12.71 ± 6.82 μm in size, respectively. Both samples contained triacetin and potentially toxic metals, while SCF-MPs also contained nicotine and a larger number of trace organic compounds. While exposure to SCF-MPs or UCF-MPs (up to 1.5% MPs, w/w in soil) did not affect the survival of either terrestrial invertebrate, several physiological responses were observed. These included changes in immune parameters, energy-related biomarker levels, and altered glutathione S-transferase and acetylcholinesterase activities. Both types of MPs were acutely toxic to aquatic invertebrates, reducing the survival rates of B. calyciflorus (10 mg L of either particle after 48h exposure) and D. magna (100 mg L of SCF-MPs after 48h exposure). SCF-MPs generally caused more pronounced effects than UCF-MPs. This study highlights the need for effective environmental management to address both smoked and unsmoked cigarette filters.

Atmospheric microplastics (AMPs) transport and deposition in urban areas contribute to microplastics pollution. The present study investigates AMPs deposition, characteristics, potential sources, and the influence of meteorological factors in a central Indian city. AMPs were collected over three land-use types, viz. institutional, commercial, and industrial areas, during four seasons: summer, monsoon, autumn, and winter. The deposition flux of microplastics ranged from 212.53 ± 52.32 to 543.25 ± 71.23 particles/m/day. The AMPs were predominantly fibres (87.84 %), followed by films (5.43 %), with particle size <1000 μm contributed 43.67 %. The predominant polymer types identified were polyethylene terephthalate (PET, 37.39 %), nylon (20.49 %), and polypropylene (PP, 10.27 %). Higher deposition fluxes were recorded in summer, with 491.06 ± 73.37 particles/m/day. Correlation analysis revealed a negative correlation between rainfall and AMPs deposition, suggesting a potential cleaning role of rainfall. The estimated annual deposition flux of AMPs in Nagpur city was 3.22 × 10 particles. Higher AMPs deposition was attributed to plastic waste littering, industrial emissions, and textiles. The estimated mean annual inhalation exposures of AMPs of size 50 - 250 μm for children and adults were 7375.84 ± 1312.89 and 3738.17 ± 665.39 MPs/ kg-bw/year, respectively. The findings of this study contribute to understanding the fate of AMPs and its implications for human exposure. The findings underscore the importance of reducing and managing plastic waste.

Phthalate esters (PAEs), commonly employed as plasticizers, have emerged as widespread contaminants in agricultural soils. This study involved the collection of 52 representative agricultural soil samples from 13 counties and municipalities within the middle reaches of the Yangtze River to examine the distribution and ecological impacts of six priority PAEs in the agricultural soils of central China. The findings indicated that the detection rates for dimethyl phthalate (DMP), di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), and di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP) in the soil samples were 88.46%, 88.46%, 82.69%, 71.15%, 67.31%, and 59.62%, respectively. DEHP exhibited the highest concentration levels, ranging from 2.99 to 991.26 mg/kg. To elucidate the ecological mechanisms underlying PAEs contamination, further investigations focused on soil properties, enzyme activities, and bacterial community characteristics. Elevated PAEs concentrations resulted in significant increases in soil total carbon (TC), organic matter (OM), and total nitrogen (TN). These concentrations stimulated enzyme activities related to carbon and nitrogen cycles while inhibiting those associated with the phosphorus cycle, thereby disrupting soil biochemical processes. Additionally, microbial diversity and abundance diminished with increasing PAEs concentrations, significantly altering the soil microbial community structure. PAEs were determined to be the primary agents influencing these changes, promoting the proliferation of PAE-tolerant taxa, including Verrucomicrobia and Clostridiaceae, while diminishing the presence of sensitive taxa. This study underscores the significant impact of PAEs contamination on the ecological dynamics of agricultural soils, manifesting in the disruption of nutrient cycling, suppression of enzyme activity, and alteration of bacterial communities. These findings emphasize the critical need for future research to concentrate on devising bioremediation strategies that utilize microbiota to degrade PAEs and restore the ecological functions of soils.

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging contaminants found in various ecosystems including oceans, lakes, rivers, sediment air, and soil. Mapping of MPs in different deposition zones in fresh water sediment is important to identify their potential sources, sink, and transport mechanism. In this study, MPs were analyzed in sediment samples from Arun, Tamor, and Koshi Rivers in eastern Nepal. A total of 78 samples from 26 sites were collected from three independent deposition regions i.e. recent deposition (R0), recent past deposition (R1), and past deposition (R2) during monsoon season in 2023. All samples were analyzed following standard methods involving drying, peroxidation, density separation, microscopic examination and chemical identification by FTIR. In all the river basins differences in MPs count, color, and morphology were observed in three deposition regions. In Tamor basin the MPs count ranged from 3140-9500 MPKg, 3800-9420 MPKg, and 3180-9700 MPKg in R2, R1 and R0 regions, respectively. The mean abundance was found higher in downstream especially in Koshi River. The predominant shapes, sizes, and colors found in all three river basins were fragment (52.5%), 20-100 μm (58.86%), and black (33.76%). The particles were identified as polyamide, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polysulfone, nylon, and, polyether ether ketone. The pollution risk assessment indicated minimal MPs contamination upstream and moderate contamination downstream. Finally, principal component analysis (PCA) and land use and land cover change (LULC) data were utilized to identify the potential sources of MPs. Agricultural and anthropogenic sources were identified as major contributors to the MPs load. This study provided baseline data for MP concentrations and their potential sources in Arun, Tamor, and Koshi river sediments. This information could be important for future MPs mitigation strategies.