Article
Environmental Sciences
Masho Hilawie Belay, Ulrich Precht, Peter Mortensen, Emilio Marengo, Elisa Robotti
Summary: The increasing use of pharmaceuticals and their presence in the aquatic environment have raised concerns. In this study, a new method using online solid-phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was developed and validated for the determination of 10 pharmaceuticals in wastewaters. The method showed low limits of detection, good repeatability, and high sensitivity for ultratrace quantification of the studied pharmaceuticals in wastewaters.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Cristian Gomez-Canela, Silvia Edo, Natalia Rodriguez, Gemma Gotor, Silvia Lacorte
Summary: Wastewaters are a major source of pollution in aquatic environments, releasing a high number of contaminants daily. This study developed an analytical method using solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography coupled to MS/MS to determine 76 pharmaceuticals and their metabolites in wastewater. The study provides comprehensive optimization of MS conditions for the detection and identification of pharmaceutical compounds in water.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chun-Kit Au, K. K. Jason Chan, Wan Chan, Xiangru Zhang
Summary: Through water sample analysis in rivers and coastal waters in Hong Kong, we have identified widespread PCMX pollution. Additionally, our research has demonstrated that the commonly used chemically enhanced primary treatment (CEPT) in wastewater treatment processes is not effectively removing PCMX. Furthermore, PCMX has been found to be relatively stable in water environments, posing a risk to aquatic organisms. These findings highlight the importance of increasing public awareness about the environmental impact of excessive use of PCMX-based disinfectants and the need to reevaluate wastewater treatment processes for PCMX removal.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yufei Shi, Guochen Shen, Jinju Geng, Yingying Fu, Shengnan Li, Gang Wu, Liye Wang, Ke Xu, Hongqiang Ren
Summary: Pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) such as carbamazepine (CBZ), erythromycin (ERY), atenolol (ATL), and clofibric acid (CA) are frequently detected in aquatic environments, raising concerns due to their persistence and ecological risk. The UV/H2O2 advanced oxidation process is effective for removing pharmaceuticals from wastewater. Different degradation rates were observed for the four PhACs studied, and a kinetic model combining steady state concentrations successfully predicted the degradation process of pharmaceuticals.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Vasile-Ion Iancu, Roxana-Elena Scutariu, Florentina-Laura Chiriac, Gabriel-Lucian Radu
Summary: This study developed a new analytical method for identifying and quantifying antidiabetic drugs in influent and effluent of wastewater treatment plants. The most used antidiabetic drug, metformin, showed high elimination efficiency in WWTPs, followed by gliclazide.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH PART A-TOXIC/HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Patrice Turcotte, Shirley Anne Smyth, Francois Gagne, Christian Gagnon
Summary: This study investigated the fate of lanthanides in different wastewater treatment processes, and differentiated the origin of gadolinium (Gd) between medical application and geological background using a normalization approach. The results showed that the removal efficiency of lanthanides decreased with their atomic number, and the process using alum as a flocculating agent had the highest removal efficiency.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shaojing Sun, Fan Meng, Hong Qi
Summary: An online solid-phase extraction (SPE) liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method (HPLC-MS/MS) combined with accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) was developed for simultaneous determination of 14 pharmaceuticals in sludge. Ultrapure water with no additives was used as the loading solvent in the online SPE procedures. Low molecular weight targets such as atenolol were difficult to retain on SPE column after acetone was added to the washing solvent. By adding 0.2% formic acid to the mobile phase, the response signal of analytes can be greatly improved. Under the optimized conditions, the recoveries of all the analytes ranged between 75.1 and 112%. The limit of detections ranged from 1.8 to 7.9 ug/kg. The precision of analytical data was determined with relative standard deviation (RSD)<= 4.87%. This method was successfully applied to determine the concentration of pharmaceuticals in sludge.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jakub Maculewicz, Piotr Stepnowski, Joanna Dolzonek, Anna Bialk-Bielinska
Summary: Imidazolium ionic liquids (ILs) are increasingly being used, and there is evidence of their presence in the environment. Due to their potential for bio-concentration, it is necessary to monitor the presence of these compounds in organisms from potentially contaminated waters. This study developed a novel analytical procedure for the determination of imidazolium ILs in mussel tissues using a combination of extraction techniques and LC-MS/MS analysis.
Article
Water Resources
Catarina Silva, Cristina M. M. Almeida, Joao A. Rodrigues, Sofia Silva, Maria do Rosario Coelho, Antonio Martins, Rita Lourinho, Eugenia Cardoso, Vitor Vale Cardoso, Maria Joao Benoliel, Maria Joao Rosa
Summary: The study found a range of pharmaceutical compounds in urban wastewaters in two water-scarce regions in Portugal, with seasonal temperature variations identified as a key factor affecting the occurrence of these compounds. Research should focus on temperature rather than calendar seasons to account for climate change uncertainties.
URBAN WATER JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Junwon Park, Changsoo Kim, Youngmin Hong, Wonseok Lee, Soohyung Lee, Hyenmi Chung, Hyunook Kim, Dong-Hwan Jeong
Summary: The study applied a pretreatment method based on the QuEChERS method to simultaneously extract 27 residual pharmaceuticals from wastewater solids and analyzed them using online SPE-LC-MS/MS. Results showed that using Na2SO4 as an absorbent and adding Na(2)EDTA during extraction process produced the highest recovery efficiency and repeatability. The established analytical method can reliably analyze residual pharmaceuticals in solid samples with concentrations below the limits of quantification.
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Patricia M. Clyde, Cheng-Shiuan Lee, Roy E. Price, Arjun K. Venkatesan, Bruce J. Brownawell
Summary: This study monitored the removal of 26 different pharmaceuticals and personal care products in various nitrogen removing biofilters, finding that a large portion of removal occurred within the anoxic nitrifying layer. The results suggest that nitrogen removing biofilters are effective at removing PPCPs and are comparable or even better than conventional wastewater treatment plants in terms of PPCP removal efficiency.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Marina Celia Campos-Manas, Natan Van Wichelen, Adrian Covaci, Alexander L. N. van Nuijs, Christoph Ort, Frederic Been, Sara Castiglioni, Felix Hernandez, Lubertus Bijlsma
Summary: Wastewater analysis of THC biomarkers provides important information on cannabis consumption trends. Analyzing both the liquid and solid phases yields more accurate results.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
D. Luque-Cordoba, F. Priego-Capote
Summary: Steroidogenesis is a crucial process in maintaining physiological levels of steroids in the body, and its deficiency can lead to various pathologies. A research has developed a high-throughput and fully automated method for quantifying multiple steroids in human serum, achieving high sensitivity and selectivity. This method was tested on human serum samples and showed satisfactory results in line with physiological ranges reported in literature.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Yujihn Kwon, Yongeui Koo, Yoonhwa Jeong
Summary: This study developed an analytical method to determine pyrrolizidine alkaloids in teas using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry combined with rapid-easy extraction. The method showed excellent repeatability, sensitivity, and reproducibility, and could be applied to various tea samples. Overall, the method allows complete separation of lycopsamine and intermedine peaks, making it useful for monitoring pyrrolizidine alkaloids in teas.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Joao Aleixo Rodrigues, Sofia Silva, Vitor Vale Cardoso, Maria Joao Benoliel, Eugenia Cardoso, Maria Rosario Coelho, Antonio Martins, Cristina Maria Martins Almeida
Summary: Pharmaceutical active compounds (PhACs) from analgesics, antibiotics, and NSAIDs were monitored in wastewater from two Portuguese urban treatment plants over 24 months. The study found high occurrence of PhACs in influents, with efficient removal in effluents. Different behaviors were observed among the target compounds, with seasonal variations affecting the concentrations.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
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)