Article
Environmental Sciences
Philippe J. Thomas, David C. Eickmeyer, Kristin M. Eccles, Linda E. Kimpe, Emiel Felzel, Abraham Brouwer, Robert J. Letcher, Bruce D. Maclean, Laurie H. M. Chan, Jules M. Blais
Summary: Although the oil and gas industry in Northern Alberta has economic benefits, concerns exist over the impact of increased oil production on the environment and human health. This study linked chemical analysis of sediment cores with biological effect assessments, showing the feasibility of evaluating toxicity in river systems.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Wynona H. Klemt, Robert B. Brua, Joseph M. Culp, Keegan Hicks, Brent B. Wolfe, Roland Hall
Summary: Sediment metal concentrations in the Lower Athabasca River have been monitored since 1997, with most metals below the baseline level except for chromium in some samples. Predevelopment baselines are crucial for environmental monitoring and pollution control in the Alberta Oil Sands Region.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Diogo N. Cardoso, Sandra F. Gonsalves, Ana Rita R. Silva, Amadeu M. V. M. Soares, Frederick J. Wrona, Susana Loureiro
Summary: In order to understand the ecological effects of mining activities on aquatic systems in the Canadian oil sands region, it is important to understand the consequences of exposure to natural bitumen-containing soils/sediments. This study conducted laboratory-based bioassays to evaluate the potential ecotoxicological effects of eroded riverbank bitumen soils on different organisms. The results showed that the elutriates produced from natural bitumen had negative effects on tested organisms, indicating that eroded and transported bitumen-containing soils could be a source of contamination to aquatic biota.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Broghan M. Erland, Cristen Adams, Andrea Darlington, Mackenzie L. Smith, Andrew K. Thorpe, Gregory R. Wentworth, Steve Conley, John Liggio, Shao-Meng Li, Charles E. Miller, John A. Gamon
Summary: To combat global warming, Canada has committed to reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs) to 40%-45% below 2005 emission levels by 2025. This study compares two airborne mass-balance box-flight algorithms and finds that they produce similar estimates under ideal conditions. However, the algorithms may disagree under non-ideal conditions. The study also highlights the importance of increased sampling to understand the variability of emissions.
ATMOSPHERIC MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mitchell L. Kay, Johan A. Wiklund, Xiaoyu Sun, Cory A. M. Savage, Jennifer K. Adams, Lauren A. MacDonald, Wynona H. Klemt, Kathleen C. Brown, Roland I. Hall, Brent B. Wolfe
Summary: The study reveals that oil sands development since 1967 has not led to an enrichment of THg concentration in sediment cores in the Alberta Oil Sands Region and Peace-Athabasca Delta. The absence of enrichment of THg via fluvial pathways is a critical finding for stakeholders, indicating that oil sands development has not significantly contributed to mercury contamination in aquatic ecosystems.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Abdulla Al Mamun, Valbona Celo, Ewa Dabek-Zlotorzynska, Jean-Pierre Charland, Irene Cheng, Leiming Zhang
Summary: The oil sands industries in Alberta, Canada are potential sources of particulate-bound elements in the region. A study conducted in the Athabasca oil sands region found that concentrations of particulate elements were generally lower than urban and industrial sites in North America, with S and Zn being the most abundant elements. The sources of these elements included crustal dust, bitumen processing, haul road dust, biomass burning, and fugitive oil sands, with the oil sands industry significantly contributing to ambient element concentration levels.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Water Resources
Jean Birks, John Manchuk, Yi Yi, Cynthia N. McClain, Michael C. Moncur, John J. Gibson, Clayton V. Deutsch, Emily B. Taylor, Guy Bayegnak
Summary: This study compiled and analyzed groundwater quality data from the Alberta Oil Sands Region (AOSR) in Canada, aiming to provide regional water quality information for groundwater monitoring and land use planning. The study identified variations in baseline water quality conditions among different hydrostratigraphic units (HSUs), and found that some parameters exceeded interim trigger values considered by government regulators. The study also detected significant temporal changes in water quality in certain areas during the 2000s.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY-REGIONAL STUDIES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
L. Chasmer, E. Moura Lima, C. Mahoney, C. Hopkinson, J. Montgomery, D. Cobbaert
Summary: This study used bi-temporal airborne lidar data to compare changes in vegetation height near anthropogenic disturbances in the Oil Sands Region of Alberta, Canada. The results showed that up to 50% of wetlands were disturbed by anthropogenic activities, with bogs experiencing increased shrub growth and expansion, while fens and swamps showed varying responses to disturbances. Wetland shapes becoming elongated were associated with a decline in shrub prevalence between the two time periods.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rebecca McCerery, Onoriode Esegbue, Martin Jones, Kate Winter, Glen McHale, John Woodward
Summary: Oil spills and natural oil seeps are sources of petrogenic hydrocarbons in soil and sediment pollution. This study characterizes the deposits and detects their incorporation in surficial sediments using biomarker and other molecular marker diagnostic ratios of Alberta Oil Sands analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
ENVIRONMENTAL FORENSICS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alexandre P. J. Salat, David C. Eickmeyer, Linda E. Kimpe, Roland Hall, Brent B. Wolfe, Lukas J. Mundy, Vance L. Trudeau, Jules M. Blais
Summary: The study reveals that since 1980, a decrease in Athabasca River floodwaters and activities such as upstream oil sands mining have led to an increase in petroleum hydrocarbons in lake sediment cores from the PAD and AOSR regions. In reference lakes outside the surface minable area, there is a relatively low presence of petrogenic hydrocarbons.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Water Resources
Spencer J. Chad, S. Lee Barbour, Jeffrey J. McDonnell, John J. Gibson
Summary: This study was conducted in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region in Canada, with a focus on establishing inventories of site-wide water isotope signatures and developing a conceptual model for understanding temporal variations in the water balance. The study provides foundational evidence for monitoring and improving industrial water use efficiency and management.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY-REGIONAL STUDIES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Timothy Jiang, Mark Gordon, Paul A. Makar, Ralf M. Staebler, Michael Wheeler
Summary: Measurements were conducted in a forest in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region to investigate particle size distributions, particle deposition velocities, and vertical mixing in the canopy. Different sources were identified based on wind direction. Smokestack plumes from oil sands processing facilities had higher number concentrations at 70 nm, while aerosols from open-pit mine faces had peaks near 150 nm and 250 nm. Deposition fluxes were calculated and showed good agreement with previous measurements. Nighttime decoupling of air within and above the forest canopy was observed, with lag times of up to 40 min. Aerosol mass fluxes underestimated the flux magnitude when compared to eddy covariance flux measurements.
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fuquan Yang, Abdulla Al Mamun, Irene Cheng, Xin Qiu, Leiming Zhang
Summary: Model sensitivity tests were conducted to investigate the contributions of emission sources from oil sands activities and other sources to the ambient concentrations and deposition of 29 particulate elements in the Athabasca oil sands region of Canada. The results showed that the majority of element concentrations were linked to the oil sands source sector, which accounted for 78% and 68% of the sum of ambient concentrations in PM2.5 and PM2.5-10, respectively. The risks associated with inhalation exposure to airborne elements were below the recommended threshold levels.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Luis D. Virla, Dirk-Jan van de Ven, Jon Sampedro, Oscar van Vliet, Alistair Smith, Hector Pollitt, Jenny Lieu
Summary: Local perspectives on the Alberta oil sands as risks for sustainability transition in Canada were analyzed in this study, revealing that different stakeholder groups exhibited blind-spots on policy risks and expected sector growth despite environmental penalties and market pressures. Risk blindness increased as stakeholders became less certain about policy climate goals, possibly amplified by dominant institutional narratives contradicting scientific research and international climate policy. Strategies integrating marginalized local narratives are crucial for meeting climate targets and supporting a just transition.
ENVIRONMENTAL INNOVATION AND SOCIETAL TRANSITIONS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mohammadjavad Mohammadi, Seyed Mostafa Jafari Raad, Mohsen Zirrahi, Hassan Hassanzadeh
Summary: This study investigates the long-term fate of gases generated in situ during thermal oil recovery operations. The migration of these gases is found to be negligible in formations with continuous flow barriers, but potentially significant in formations with discontinuous flow barriers. Capillary barriers, particularly in sand layers, play a key role in controlling the upward migration of gases to prevent or reduce environmental risks. The migrated gas primarily consists of methane, free of CO2 and H2S, providing valuable insights for regulatory frameworks and risk assessments in thermal oil recovery operations.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kirsten K. Smythe, Colin A. Cooke, Paul E. Drevnick, Robert J. Cornett, Jules M. Blais
Summary: The study found that alkylated polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in sediments from Cold Lake were elevated and increased with the onset of bitumen extraction in the area. The PAC sources to lake sediments were dominantly pyrogenic, likely from historic forest fires, but shifted to more petrogenic sources with expanding oil sands extraction at Cold Lake.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Philippe J. Thomas, David C. Eickmeyer, Kristin M. Eccles, Linda E. Kimpe, Emiel Felzel, Abraham Brouwer, Robert J. Letcher, Bruce D. Maclean, Laurie H. M. Chan, Jules M. Blais
Summary: Although the oil and gas industry in Northern Alberta has economic benefits, concerns exist over the impact of increased oil production on the environment and human health. This study linked chemical analysis of sediment cores with biological effect assessments, showing the feasibility of evaluating toxicity in river systems.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
John L. Wilkinson, Alistair B. A. Boxall, Dana W. Kolpin, Kenneth M. Y. Leung, Racliffe W. S. Lai, Cristobal Galban-Malagon, Aiko D. Adell, Julie Mondon, Marc Metian, Robert A. Marchant, Alejandra Bouzas-Monroy, Aida Cuni-Sanchez, Anja Coors, Pedro Carriquiriborde, Macarena Rojo, Chris Gordon, Magdalena Cara, Monique Moermond, Thais Luarte, Vahagn Petrosyan, Yekaterina Perikhanyan, Clare S. Mahon, Christopher J. McGurk, Thilo Hofmann, Tapos Kormoker, Volga Iniguez, Jessica Guzman-Otazo, Jean L. Tavares, Francisco Gildasio De Figueiredo, Maria T. P. Razzolini, Victorien Dougnon, Gildas Gbaguidi, Oumar Traore, Jules M. Blais, Linda E. Kimpe, Michelle Wong, Donald Wong, Romaric Ntchantcho, Jaime Pizarro, Guang-Guo Ying, Chang-Er Chen, Martha Paez, Jina Martinez-Lara, Jean-Paul Otamonga, John Pote, Suspense A. Ifo, Penelope Wilson, Nikolina Udikovic-Kolic, Milena Milakovic, Despo Fatta-Kassinos, Lida Ioannou-Ttofa, Jan Vymazal, Bayable A. Kassa, Jeanne Garric, Arnaud Chaumot, Peter Gibba, Ilia Kunchulia, Sven Seidensticker, Gerasimos Lyberatos, Halldor P. Halldorsson, Molly Melling, Thatikonda Shashidhar, Manisha Lamba, Anindrya Nastiti, Adee Supriatin, Nima Pourang, Ali Abedini, Omar Abdullah, Salem S. Gharbia, Francesco Pilla, Benny Chefetz, Tom Topaz, Koffi Marcellin Yao, Bakhyt Aubakirova, Raikhan Beisenova, Lydia Olaka, Jemimah K. Mulu, Peter Chatanga, Victor Ntuli, Nathaniel T. Blama, Sheck Sherif, Ahmad Zaharin Aris, Ley Juen Looi, Mahamoudane Niang, Seydou T. Traore, Rik Oldenkamp, Olatayo Ogunbanwo, Muhammad Ashfaq, Muhammad Iqbal, Ziad Abdeen, Aaron O'Dea, Jorge Manuel Morales-Saldana, Heidi de la Cruz, Ian Navarrete, Fabio Carvalho, Alhaji Brima Gogra, Bashiru M. Koroma, Vesna Cerkvenik-Flajs, Mitja Gombac, Melusi Thwala, Kyungho Choi, Habyeong Kang, John L. Celestino Ladu, Andreu Rico, Priyanie Amerasinghe, Anna Sobek, Gisela Horlitz, Armin K. Zenker, Alex C. King, Jheng-Jie Jiang, Rebecca Kariuki, Madaka Tumbo, Ulas Tezel, Turgut T. Onay, Julius B. Lejju, Yuliya Vystavna, Yuriy Vergeles, Horacio Heinzen, Andres Perez-Parada, Douglas B. Sims, Maritza Figy, David Good, Charles Teta
Summary: Environmental exposure to active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) can have negative effects on ecosystems and human health. A global-scale study of API pollution in rivers highlights the highest concentrations in sub-Saharan Africa, south Asia, and South America, primarily in low- to middle-income countries with poor wastewater and waste management infrastructure. The most frequently detected APIs include carbamazepine, metformin, and caffeine, with some concentrations exceeding safe levels for aquatic organisms. Pharmaceutical pollution poses a global threat to environmental and human health and has implications for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
S. Stoyanovich, Z. Yang, M. Hanson, B. P. Hollebone, D. M. Orihel, V Palace, J. R. Rodriguez-Gil, F. Mirnaghi, K. Shah, J. M. Blais
Summary: The physical and chemical properties of dilute bitumens can affect the environmental fate and effects of the compounds. The study found that only a small proportion of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) from dilbit enters the aquatic system, but high concentrations can be found in sediments.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Samuel A. Patterson, Daniel T. J. Denton, Caleb T. Hasler, Jules M. Blais, Mark L. Hanson, Bruce P. Hollebone, Jose Luis Rodriguez-Gil, Valerie S. Langlois, Geraldine Patey, Zeyu Yang, Diane M. Orihel
Summary: This study investigates the effects of experimental spills of diluted bitumen on larval wood frogs. The results suggest that exposure to chemical compounds released from naturally weathered dilbit does not significantly impact survival, growth, or development of the larvae. However, a modest decrease in larval activity is observed.
AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Leslie J. Saunders, Jose L. Rodriguez-Gil, Sawyer S. Stoyanovich, Linda E. Kimpe, Mark L. Hanson, Bruce P. Hollebone, Diane M. Orihel, Jules M. Blais
Summary: Petroleum oil spills in water can impede the volatilization process and increase the persistence of chemicals in water. This study assesses the impact of diluted bitumen spills on the volatilization of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) in a lake, and finds that the volatilization rate of SF6 significantly decreases with increasing spill cover.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Matthew P. Duda, Frederic Cyr, Gregory J. Robertson, Neal Michelutti, Carsten Meyer-Jacob, April Hedd, William A. Montevecchi, Linda E. Kimpe, Jules M. Blais, John P. Smol
Summary: This study reconstructed the evolutionary process of seabirds in the Northwest Atlantic over approximately 10,000 years using dated lake sediments. It found that climatic oscillations and the North Atlantic Oscillation influenced the colony size of seabirds during the Holocene and Little Ice Age. However, in recent years, the effects of ocean dynamics on seabird colonies have been modified by human interference.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Neal Michelutti, Kathryn E. Hargan, Linda E. Kimpe, John P. Smol, Jules M. Blais
Summary: Lakes in the Arctic and Andean regions are experiencing significant temperature increases, leading to limnological changes. This study used stable isotope composition data to analyze water balance parameters and found that evaporative losses are significant in small Arctic ponds.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
B. R. B. Gregory, J. A. Kissinger, C. Clarkson, L. E. Kimpe, D. C. Eickmeyer, J. Kurek, J. P. Smol, J. M. Blais
Summary: This study found that mink farming in Nova Scotia potentially contributes contaminants such as mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), and organochlorine pesticides (OCP) to nearby lakes. Lakes in the catchment area of mink farms had significantly higher mercury and PCB levels compared to downstream lakes and reference lakes. The study also suggests that mink farming may be a source of PCBs in the sediment, along with local agriculture and atmospheric deposition. Additionally, the presence of DDT in lakes near mink farms indicates a possible connection between mink farming and elevated DDT levels, although the source attribution is complicated by mixed land use and historical DDT usage related to forestry. Overall, the study implies a possible association between marine fish meal, fur farms, and aquatic ecosystems in Nova Scotia.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Branaavan Sivarajah, Jennifer B. Korosi, Joshua R. Thienpont, Linda E. Kimpe, Jules M. Blais, John P. Smol
Summary: This study investigates the impact of past gold mining activities, urbanization, and climate warming on the lakes in the Yellowknife area, Canada. The diatom assemblage data from lake sediment cores suggest that the lakes closer to the city and mines experienced the highest diatom species turnover, indicating severe impacts from land-use changes and emissions from gold mines. Climate-induced changes to lake thermal properties also affected the diatom assemblages across the gradient of human activities. The study highlights the marked changes in diatom assemblages in the lakes over the past 80 years and the lack of biological recovery since the cessation of mining activities.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Jonathan Y. Seguin, Johanna Mason, Mark L. Hanson, Bruce P. Hollebone, Diane M. Orihel, Vince P. Palace, Jose Luis Rodriguez-Gil, Jules M. Blais
Summary: Oil spills pose a major risk to the environment, and in this study, the bioaccumulation potential and toxicokinetic parameters of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) and metals were investigated in giant floater mussels following experimental oil spills in a freshwater lake. It was found that exposure to diluted bitumen (dilbit)-contaminated water resulted in increased concentrations of PACs in the mussels, but there was no excess accumulation of metals. The study also showed that alkylated PACs had higher bioaccumulation potential compared to their parent PAC counterparts.
AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Cynthia Cheney, Martin Pothier, Philippe J. Thomas, Sailendra Nath Sarma, Alexandre J. Poulain, Jules M. Blais
Summary: This study investigates the contamination of lakes by industrial emissions using sediment analysis and toxicity tests. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of using lake sediment archives to infer missing biomonitoring data in areas affected by human activities.
AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lauren Timlick, Jamie Dearnley, Jules M. Blais, Jose L. Rodriguez-Gil, Mark Hanson, Bruce P. Hollebone, Diane M. Orihel, Lisa E. Peters, Sawyer S. Stoyanovich, Vince P. Palace
Summary: The study investigates the chronic exposure of fish to diluted bitumen spills in controlled environments. The results show that fish retrieval significantly decreased at exposures above a certain concentration. At lower concentrations, fish exhibited physiological responses to dilbit-derived polycyclic aromatic compounds. However, there were no significant differences in condition factor or the development of reproductive organs.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Environmental Sciences
Jennifer Keir, Paul A. White, Jules M. Blais, Rocio Aranda-Rodriguez, Tracy L. Kirkham
ENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Azdajic Mija, Blais M. Jules, Poulain J. Alexandre
Summary: This study investigated the impact of As(v) and sulfate on Hg methylation. It was found that Hg methylation was mainly limited by carbon substrate availability, rather than sulfate as a terminal electron acceptor. Under conditions where carbon was not limited, the addition of sulfate significantly increased the rate of Hg methylation. Furthermore, increasing concentrations of As(v) in sediments significantly decreased the production rate of MeHg, regardless of the sulfate concentration.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Toshimi Nakajima, Mao Kuragano, Makoto Yamada, Ryo Sugimoto
Summary: This study compared the contribution of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) to river nutrient budgets at nearshore and embayment scales, and found that SGD-derived nutrients become more important at larger spatial scales.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fan Liu, Lei Zhang, Chongyang Zhang, Ziguang Chen, Jingguang Li
Summary: NO2 emissions from wall-mounted gas stoves used for household heating have become a significant source of indoor pollution in Chinese urban areas. The high indoor concentration of NO2 poses potential health risks to residents. It is urgently necessary to establish relevant regulations and implement emission reduction technologies to reduce NO2 emissions from wall-mounted gas stoves.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Letter
Environmental Sciences
Hans Peter H. Arp, Raoul Wolf, Sarah E. Hale, Sivani Baskaran, Juliane Gluege, Martin Scheringer, Xenia Trier, Ian T. Cousins, Harrie Timmer, Roberta Hofman-Caris, Anna Lennquist, Andre D. Bannink, Gerard J. Stroomberg, Rosa M. A. Sjerps, Rosa Montes, Rosario Rodil, Jose Benito Quintana, Daniel Zahn, Herve Gallard, Tobias Mohr, Ivo Schliebner, Michael Neumann
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Philomina Onyedikachi Peter, Binessi Edouard Ifon, Francois Nkinahamira, Kayode Hassan Lasisi, Jiangwei Li, Anyi Hu, Chang-Ping Yu
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between dissolved organic matter (DOM) and Rare Earth Elements (REEs) in sediments from Yundang Lagoon, China. The results show four distinct fluorescent components, with protein-like substances being the most prevalent. Additionally, the total fluorescence intensity and LREE concentrations exhibit a synchronized increase from Outer to Inner to Songbai Lake core sediments. The findings demonstrate a strong correlation between DOM content and pollution levels.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Surya Gupta, Pasquale Borrelli, Panos Panagos, Christine Alewell
Summary: The objective of this study is to incorporate soil hydraulic properties into the erodibility factor (K) of USLE-type models. By modifying and improving the existing equations for soil texture and permeability, the study successfully included information on saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) into the calculation of K factor. Using the Random Forest machine learning algorithm, two independent K factor maps with different spatial resolutions were generated. The results show that the decrease in K factor values has a positive impact on the modeling of soil erosion rates.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jesmin Akter, Wendy J. M. Smith, Yawen Liu, Ilho Kim, Stuart L. Simpson, Phong Thai, Asja Korajkic, Warish Ahmed
Summary: The choice of workflow in wastewater surveillance has a significant impact on SARS-CoV-2 concentrations, while having minimal effects on HF183 and no effect on HAdV 40/41 concentrations. Certain components in the workflow can be interchangeable, but factors such as buffer type, chloroform, and homogenization speed can affect the recovery of viruses and bacteria.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yu Luo, Xueting Yang, Diwei Wang, Hongmei Xu, Hongai Zhang, Shasha Huang, Qiyuan Wang, Ningning Zhang, Junji Cao, Zhenxing Shen
Summary: Atmospheric PM2.5, which can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), is associated with cardiorespiratory morbidity and mortality. The study found that both the mass concentration of PM2.5 and the DTT activity were higher during the heating season than during the nonheating season. Combustion sources were the primary contributors to DTT activity during the heating season, while secondary formation dominated during the nonheating season. The study also revealed that biomass burning had the highest inherent oxidation potential among all sources investigated.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Erin L. Murphy, Leah R. Gerber, Chelsea M. Rochman, Beth Polidoro
Summary: Plastic pollution has devastating consequences for marine organisms. This study uses a trait-based framework to develop a vulnerability index for marine mammals, seabirds, and sea turtles in Hawai'i. The index ranks 63 study species based on their vulnerability to macroplastic pollution, providing valuable information for species monitoring and management priorities.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kenji Maurice, Amelia Bourceret, Sami Youssef, Stephane Boivin, Liam Laurent-Webb, Coraline Damasio, Hassan Boukcim, Marc-Andre Selosse, Marc Ducousso
Summary: Growing pressure from climate change and agricultural land use is destabilizing soil microbial community interactions. Little is known about microbial community resistance and adaptation to disturbances, hindering our understanding of recovery latency and implications for ecosystem functioning. This study found that anthropic disturbance and natural disturbance have different effects on the topology and stability of soil microbial networks.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yunhao Li, Yali Feng, Haoran Li, Yisong Yao, Chenglong Xu, Jinrong Ju, Ruiyu Ma, Haoyu Wang, Shiwei Jiang
Summary: Deep-sea mining poses a serious threat to marine ecosystems and human health by disturbing sediment and transmitting metal ions through the food chain. This study developed a new regenerative adsorption material, OMN@SA, which effectively removes metal ions. The adsorption mechanism and performance of the material for metal ion fixation were investigated.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Antonio Medici, Margherita Lavorgna, Marina Isidori, Chiara Russo, Elena Orlo, Giovanni Luongo, Giovanni Di Fabio, Armando Zarrelli
Summary: Valsartan, a widely used antihypertensive drug, has been detected in high concentrations in surface waters due to its unchanged excretion and incomplete degradation in wastewater treatment plants. This study investigated the degradation of valsartan and identified 14 degradation byproducts. The acute and chronic toxicity of these byproducts were evaluated in key organisms in the freshwater trophic chain.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiang Lin, Lianbao Chi, Qing Yuan, Busu Li, Mingbao Feng
Summary: This study investigated the photodegradation behavior and product formation of two representative pharmaceuticals in simulated estuary water. The study found that the formed transformation products of these pharmaceuticals have potential toxicity on marine organisms, including oxidative stress and damage to cellular components.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hua Fang, Dongdong Jiang, Ye He, Siyi Wu, Yuehong Li, Ziqi Zhang, Haoting Chen, Zixin Zheng, Yan Sun, Wenxiang Wang
Summary: This study revealed that exposure to lower levels of air pollutants led to decreased pregnancy rates, with PM10, NO2, SO2, and CO emerging as the four most prominent pollutants. Individuals aged 35 and above exhibited heightened susceptibility to pollutants.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ali Shaan Manzoor Ghumman, Rashid Shamsuddin, Amin Abbasi, Mohaira Ahmad, Yoshiaki Yoshida, Abdul Sami, Hamad Almohamadi
Summary: In this study, inverse vulcanized polysulfides (IVP) were synthesized by reacting molten sulfur with 4-vinyl benzyl chloride, and then functionalized using N-methyl D-glucamine (NMDG). The functionalized IVP showed a high mercury adsorption capacity and a machine learning model was developed to predict the amount of mercury removed. Furthermore, the functionalized IVP can be regenerated and reused, providing a sustainable and cost-effective adsorbent.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rita Bonfiglio, Renata Sisto, Stefano Casciardi, Valeria Palumbo, Maria Paola Scioli, Erica Giacobbi, Francesca Servadei, Gerry Melino, Alessandro Mauriello, Manuel Scimeca
Summary: This study investigated the presence of aluminum in human colon cancer samples and its potential association with biological processes involved in cancer progression. Aluminum was found in tumor areas of 24% of patients and was associated with epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cell death. Additional analyses revealed higher tumor mutational burden and mutations in genes related to EMT and apoptosis in aluminum-positive colon cancers. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of aluminum toxicity may improve strategies for the management of colon cancer patients.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
