Article
Entomology
William G. Meikle, Milagra Weiss
Summary: The study found that the pesticide flonicamid, classified as a neonicotinoid, did not have significant harmful effects on honey bees at concentrations of 50 and 250 ppb. Both field and cage studies showed no treatment effects on colony population, hive weight, thermoregulation, or bee survivorship. This suggests that field applications of flonicamid at concentrations up to 250 ppb may be safe for honey bees.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xue Ma, Jingjing Xiong, Huizhen Li, Bryan W. Brooks, Jing You
Summary: This study found that long-term exposure to acetamiprid may cause feminization and reproductive dysfunction in zebrafish, as well as impair the production and development of their offspring. Acetamiprid also affected hormone production and the transcription levels of related genes in fish.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yuanyuan Zhao, Xixi Li, Qing Li, Hao Yang, Wenjin Zhao, Yu Li
Summary: The study developed a system to design neonic derivatives, simulate microbial degradation of neonic compounds in soil, and formulate dietary control measures for sensitive populations, thereby reducing human health risks associated with pesticide exposure.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Angela N. Stiegler, Aidan R. Cecchetti, David L. Sedlak
Summary: Uptake and translocation of water-soluble organic compounds by plants represent an important exposure pathway for terrestrial organisms to organic contaminants, especially in arid regions. The analysis of antiepileptic drug, carbamazepine, in plants grown in effluent-dominated riparian zones indicates that concentrations in plant tissues exceed levels that may pose risks to herbivorous and/or detritivorous organisms.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zijian Li
Summary: The study found that different types of pesticides leave varying levels of residues in the nectar and pollen of plants, which in turn have different impacts on honeybees. The high consistency between simulated and measured data indicates that the proposed model can be used for screening-level pesticide exposure assessment for honeybees.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Wenfeng Hu, Rongnian Tang, Chuang Li, Teng Zhou, Jing Chen, Kai Chen
Summary: The nondestructive estimation of nitrogen content in rubber tree foliage was successfully achieved using NIR spectroscopy processed with fractional calculus. Among the models tested, PLS-DA performed the best with a recognition rate of 97.73% using 1.6-order spectra. This method has wide applicability and can provide valuable information for NIR spectral analysis in agriculture and beyond.
JOURNAL OF NEAR INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Steven Hiemstra, Mirjam Fehling-Kaschek, Isoude A. Kuijper, Luc J. M. Bischoff, Lukas S. Wijaya, Marcus Rosenblatt, Jeroen Esselink, Allard van Egmond, Jornt Mos, Joost B. Beltman, Jens Timmer, Bob van de Water, Daniel Kaschek
Summary: This study presents a quantitative dynamic model that accurately describes the dynamic response of cells to oxidative stress. The model can explain the activation of the Nrf2 pathway by compounds with different activation mechanisms, and reveal differences in the activation dynamics of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) inducing drugs.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hong-Jie Sun, Song Ding, Dong-Xing Guan, Lena Q. Ma
Summary: The Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway and associated anti-oxidative enzymes play an important role in countering arsenic toxicity in mice, which may have implications for human health.
Article
Plant Sciences
Junyan Ding, Nate McDowell, Yilin Fang, Nicholas Ward, Matthew L. Kirwan, Peter Regier, Patrick Megonigal, Peipei Zhang, Hongxia Zhang, Wenzhi Wang, Weibin Li, Stephanie C. Pennington, Stephanie J. Wilson, Alice Stearns, Vanessa Bailey
Summary: Relative sea level rise is causing the formation of ghost forests, leading to impacts on coastal ecosystems. By incorporating physiological effects of salinity and hypoxia into a vegetation model, researchers have explored the mechanisms of conifer tree mortality on the east and west coasts of the USA. Different patterns of mortality were observed, with carbon starvation dominating on the east coast and hydraulic failure dominating on the west coast due to different forms of seawater exposure.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiawei Hong, Xiaoyan Wang, Hangbiao Jin, Yuanchen Chen, Yifan Jiang, Keyi Du, Diyu Chen, Shusen Zheng, Linping Cao
Summary: This study reveals that PFOA can promote the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma and activates specific signaling pathways. The presence of PFOA is a serious environmental pollution issue that poses a threat to human health and ecological integrity.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cheng-Ting Xie, Mei-Ling Tan, Ying-Wen Li, Qi-Liang Chen, Yan-Jun Shen, Zhi-Hao Liu
Summary: This study found that low concentrations of carbamazepine in the environment can affect the anxiety of zebrafish and may have adverse ecological consequences by interfering with neurotransmission and the endocrine system.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY C-TOXICOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Reza Shokoohi, Samira Khamutian, Mohammad Taghi Samadi, Manoochehr Karami, Ali Heshmati, Mostafa Leili, Mohammad Javad Shokoohizadeh
Summary: This study investigated the acute and chronic hazards of chlorpyrifos and diazinon for tomatoes in preharvest and postharvest conditions. It also evaluated the relationship between temperature, contact time, and pesticide dissipation using response surface methodology. The results showed that the hazard quotient and estimated daily intake values were influenced by consumption rate, pesticide concentration, and body weight.
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Luning Zhuang, Kunyi Wu, Seong H. Jang, Kellie S. Reynolds, Shrimant Mishra, Dmitri Iarikov
Summary: This article aims to evaluate the dosage regimen and therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) strategy for plazomicin in cUTI patients with renal impairment using population PK modeling, exposure-response analysis, and CART analysis. The analysis suggests that dose reduction and TDM can reduce the risk of nephrotoxicity for cUTI patients with renal impairment.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Virginia Zamponi, Kevin O'Brien, Erik Jensen, Brandon Feldhaus, Russell Moore, Christopher J. Lynch, Ross Gore
Summary: Prolonged exposure to extreme heat and direct sunlight can lead to illness and death. Tree canopies in urban areas provide shade and help to cool the environment, reducing the risk of extreme heat and direct sunlight exposure. However, the tree planting program in Norfolk, VA is not effectively addressing the inequities in extreme heat and direct sunlight exposure, with lower-income residents experiencing significantly higher levels of exposure in summer months.
ECOLOGICAL MODELLING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Eric Bollinger, Jochen P. P. Zubrod, Dominic Englert, Annika Pollitt, Bastian Fuss, Ralf Schulz, Mirco Bundschuh
Summary: This study investigates the effect of the neonicotinoid thiacloprid on stable isotope signatures and the feasibility of using stable isotope analysis to track dietary composition in organisms. The results show that the impact of thiacloprid on trophic enrichment factors is small and stable isotope analysis aligns with direct observations of consumption.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alexis P. Roodt, Sonja Schaufelberger, Ralf Schulz
Summary: Exposure of freshwater ecosystems to insecticides can negatively impact the development of emerging aquatic insects, which in turn affects terrestrial food webs.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sebastian Koethe, Florian D. Schneider, Nikita Bakanov, Carsten A. Bruehl, Lisa Eichler, Thomas Fickel, Birgit Gemeinholzer, Thomas Hoerren, Alexandra Lux, Gotthard Meinel, Livia Schaeffler, Christoph Scherber, Martin Sorg, Stephanie J. Swenson, Wiltrud Terlau, Angela Turck, Vera M. A. Zizka, Gerlind U. C. Lehmann, Roland Muehlethaler
Summary: In recent years, there has been increasing public attention and demand for political action regarding the decline of insect biodiversity and its consequences on ecosystem functions and services. To address the complex causes of insect decline, the DINA project in Germany assesses insect communities in nature reserves and investigates their interactions with various factors such as plant diversity, pesticide exposure, and climate. The project involves obtaining scientific data and engaging stakeholders to identify opportunities and challenges in insect conservation. Results show a positive association between insect richness and biomass, while also highlighting the negative impacts of pesticides and agricultural production on insect diversity. Stakeholders expressed support for insect conservation but emphasized the need for more information, data, and flexible policy options.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Sascha Bub, Jakob Wolfram, Lara L. Petschick, Sebastian Stehle, Ralf Schulz
Summary: This study proposes the assessment of pesticide toxicity for different species groups based on both mass and toxicity to evaluate environmental risks. The authors calculated and compared the Total Applied Toxicity (TAT) in Germany between 1995 and 2019, finding a decrease in TAT for terrestrial vertebrates by about 20%, whereas TAT for fishes increased by a factor of three largely due to insecticides. Different species groups showed varying trends in TAT, with pollinators likely being affected by neonicotinoid use restrictions.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jakob Wolfram, Sascha Bub, Lara L. Petschick, Anna Schemmer, Sebastian Stehle, Ralf Schulz
Summary: A complete ban on pesticide use in sensitive areas, such as nature conservation areas, is currently being discussed in the EU. A study in Germany found that surface waters in protected areas are contaminated by pesticides, posing ecological risks. Therefore, it is crucial to improve the protection of these valuable water resources.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Daniel Schmitz, Johanna Girardi, Eva Ullrich, Katherine Munoz-Sepulveda, Mirco Bundschuh, Kai Riess, Jens Schirmel
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the impact of Fallopia japonica and Impatiens glandulifera on soil-plant interactions, particularly focusing on fungi. The results showed that these invasive species had minor effects on soil physicochemical properties, soil microbial activity, and soil fungal richness. However, they significantly influenced the abundance of soil arthropods and exhibited differences in root-associated fungal communities compared to native plants.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sara Goncalves, Ruben Post, Marco Konschak, Jochen Zubrod, Alexander Feckler, Mirco Bundschuh
Summary: Microbially-mediated leaf litter decomposition plays an important role in forested running waters, but can be influenced by fungicides. Previous studies have mainly focused on black alder leaves, which have favorable traits for decomposition. Little is known about fungicide effects on other leaf species with less favorable traits. In this study, we investigated the effects of increasing fungicide concentrations on three leaf species with different traits. The results showed that beech, with the least favorable traits, had a significantly lower decomposition rate in the absence of fungicides and a decrease in microbial decomposition and fungal biomass in the presence of high fungicide concentrations.
BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Mirco Bundschuh
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Jonas Jourdan, Mirco Bundschuh, Denis Copilas-Ciocianu, Cene Fiser, Michal Grabowski, Kamil Hupalo, Anita Jemec Kokalj, Jana Kabus, Joerg Roembke, Laura J. Soose, Joerg Oehlmann
Summary: The use of genetic methods has allowed the discovery of previously undistinguishable species based on morphology. However, these cryptic species are rarely considered in ecotoxicology, which can lead to false extrapolations and lack of reproducibility in experiments. It is crucial to address the ecological differentiation and sensitivity of closely related cryptic species for evolutionary ecology, conservation biology, and regulatory ecotoxicology.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Johannes Raths, Jacob Schnurr, Mirco Bundschuh, Fernanda E. Pinto, Christian Janfelt, Juliane Hollender
Summary: The bioaccumulation of organic contaminants from contaminated food sources is a potentially underestimated risk for shredding invertebrates. Monitoring studies and modeling experiments have shown the significance of dietary uptake as an exposure pathway for bioaccumulation of contaminants. The findings highlight the importance of considering dietary uptake in environmental exposure scenarios.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mirco Bundschuh, Francesc Mesquita-Joanes, Andreu Rico, Antonio Camacho
Summary: Recovery, recolonization, and adaptation are processes that regenerate local populations and communities after chemical stress. Recolonization involves the dispersal of organisms from other areas to fill empty niches, while adaptation refers to phenotypic and genetic changes that allow the persistence of existing taxa. Understanding the relative importance of these processes is crucial for the regeneration of biological communities after chemical exposure. This study provides case studies and recommendations to assess and compare the importance of these processes for risk assessment and ecosystem management.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sebastian Stehle, Viktoriia Ovcharova, Jakob Wolfram, Sascha Bub, Larissa Zoe Herrmann, Lara Luisa Petschick, Ralf Schulz
Summary: Neonicotinoids are widely used insecticides that have raised concerns over their impact on non-target ecosystems, specifically surface waters. A meta-analysis of 173 peer-reviewed studies found a lack of exposure information in over 90% of agricultural areas globally. The study revealed low acute risks but significant chronic risks, especially for multispecies endpoints.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gabriela Kalcikova, Rajdeep Roy, Barbara Klun, Ula Rozman, Gregor Marolt, Tina Skalar, Alexander Feckler, Mirco Bundschuh
Summary: The adsorption mechanism of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nTiO2) on polyethylene microplastics (MPs) and the resulting photocatalytic properties were investigated. Ecotoxicological assessments of MPs with adsorbed nTiO2 on the behavior of Daphnia magna under UV irradiation were also conducted. The results showed that nTiO2 were rapidly adsorbed on the surface of MPs, and both suspended nTiO2 and nTiO2 immobilized on MPs exhibited comparable photocatalytic properties.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nikita Bakanov, Carolina Honert, Lisa Eichler, Gerlind U. C. Lehmann, Ralf Schulz, Carsten A. Bruehl
Summary: A simple acetonitrile-based extraction method using HPLC-ESI-MS/MS was developed for the determination of 98 current-use pesticides in soil and herbaceous vegetation. The method exhibited good accuracy and precision, with percentage recoveries ranging from 71-125% (soil) and 70-117% (vegetation), and relative standard deviations of 1-14% (soil) and 1-13% (vegetation). Matrix-matched calibration curves showed excellent linearity (R-2 > 0.99). The method was successfully applied to agricultural sites in Germany, where 44 of the 98 pesticides were detected, indicating a high qualitative load compared to EU arable soils.