Article
Environmental Sciences
Yazeed Abdelmageed, Carrie Miller, Carrie Sanders, Timothy Egbo, Alexander Johs, Boakai Robertson
Summary: The study revealed the important role of microbial communities in Hg methylation in contaminated bank soils from East Fork Poplar Creek (EFPC) in Tennessee, USA. By comparing contaminated and uncontaminated soil samples, differences in microbial community composition in different seasons and information about microbial families associated with Hg methylation were identified. These findings provide insights into the biogeochemical drivers of MeHg production and are crucial for future remediation efforts.
WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wenli Tang, Junru Chu, Huan Zhong
Summary: Accurately measuring the concentration of methylmercury (MeHg) is crucial for mercury (Hg) research. In this study, we compared two widely used methods for extracting MeHg from paddy soils, namely acid extraction and alkaline extraction. Through evaluation and quantification, we found that alkaline extraction is the optimal choice for paddy soils, with minimal MeHg artifact and consistently high extraction efficiency compared to acid extraction. Our findings emphasize the importance of suitable pre-treatment and quality controls in measuring MeHg concentrations.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Hye Rim Hyun, Hakwon Yoon, Eun Sun Lyou, Jin Ju Kim, Sae Yun Kwon, Tae Kwon Lee
Summary: Short-term mercury amendment significantly affects soil microbial communities and rice growth, leading to reduced nitrogen fixation rate and dry weight of rice plants, while causing changes in the nifH gene-harboring community structure in the rhizosphere.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaosong Tian, Guanqun Chai, Qing Xie, Guanghui Li
Summary: Biochar has been receiving increased research attention for its effectiveness in mitigating mercury risks in agricultural soils. However, there is a lack of consensus on the impact of pristine biochar on methylmercury production, availability, and accumulation in paddy rice-soil system. A meta-analysis was conducted with 189 observations, revealing that biochar application could significantly increase methylmercury production in paddy soil, while decreasing its availability. Furthermore, biochar application inhibited methylmercury accumulation in paddy rice.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qinghui Liu, Cuihua Bai, Zhijun Zhang, Xueying Yin, Wanting Lin, Yinghui Huang, Lixian Yao
Summary: Rice straw incorporation can lead to arsenic methylation in soils, resulting in increased accumulation of methylated arsenic in rice plants and the emergence of rice straighthead disease. This study found that straw incorporation elevated the concentration of total and methylated arsenic in soils and rice plants, leading to decreased rice yield and the occurrence of straighthead disorder. Analysis of microbial communities revealed a reduction in abundance and diversity upon straw incorporation, with a notable increase in Rilcenellaceae, which was positively associated with methylated arsenic levels. These findings highlight the role of straw in shaping the soil microbial community and promoting arsenic methylation in soil, ultimately affecting rice uptake and causing straighthead disease.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Shehla Amin, Sardar Khan, Tasneem Sarwar, Javed Nawab, Muhammad Amjad Khan
Summary: This paper focuses on the contamination of mercury in degraded soil in mining areas, its impact on rice growth, and human health. It reveals that rice grown in damaged areas contain high levels of methylmercury, posing potential risks to human health.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hong-Ping Chen, Peng Wang, Jia-Dong Chang, Peter M. Kopittke, Fang-Jie Zhao
Summary: This study compared various methods to reduce grain Cd concentrations in different levels of Cd-contaminated soils, showing that genetic engineering is the most effective approach, significantly decreasing Cd accumulation.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiang Liu, Benqi Lu, Alexandre J. Poulain, Rui Zhang, Tong Zhang, Xinbin Feng, Bo Meng
Summary: Rice consumption is a major pathway for human methylmercury exposure in inland China, especially in mercury contaminated regions. However, high levels of methylmercury are still found in rice, calling for reconsideration of the bioavailability of mercury species in paddy soils. Incubation experiments showed that different Hg(II) species have varying impacts on mercury methylation at different mercury concentrations, emphasizing the importance of considering site-specific characteristics and the nature of mercury substrates for determining net methylmercury production.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Haixia Zhu, Ying Teng, Xiaomi Wang, Ling Zhao, Wenjie Ren, Yongming Luo, Peter Christie
Summary: The study investigated the response of soil microbiome, including bacteria in the rhizosphere of clover, to mercury stress in contaminated soils from Guizhou province, China. High concentrations of soil mercury reduced bacterial community abundance and diversity while increasing the abundance and diversity of nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Rhizobium was identified as a biomarker at sites with high soil mercury contents, and the co-occurrence network analysis indicated a positive relationship between the dominant module of Rhizobiaceae and soil mercury concentration. Additionally, soil total nitrogen, nitrate-nitrogen, soil organic matter, and available molybdenum contents were found to be important factors influencing the microbial community structure and abundance of functional genes.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jun Dai, Chuan Chen, A-Xiang Gao, Zhu Tang, Peter M. Kopittke, Fang-Jie Zhao, Peng Wang
Summary: The transformation of arsenic species in paddy soils has significant implications for the accumulation of arsenic in rice grains and its safety to consumers. The study found that DMMTA is the main methylated thioarsenate species in both flooded soils and paddy fields, accumulating in rice grains and increasing the risk to food safety and human health.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chi Zhang, Xian Xiao, Yuan Zhao, Jizhong Zhou, Bo Sun, Yuting Liang
Summary: The diversity and abundance of arsenic detoxification genes in paddy soils varied significantly across different climatic zones in China, mainly influenced by factors such as soil pH, average annual temperature, and arsenic contents. These functional genes were mainly carried by bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiong Yang, Dongming Wang, Ye Tao, Min Shen, Wei Wei, Chuang Cai, Changfeng Ding, Jiuyu Li, Lian Song, Bin Yin, Chunwu Zhu
Summary: This study investigates the effects and mechanisms of elevated CO2 concentration on cadmium (Cd) uptake by rice in a 3-year experiment. The results show that increased CO2 concentration leads to higher levels of dissolved Fe2+ in soil, resulting in more low-crystalline Fe oxides being deposited on the root surface. This inhibits the uptake of Cd by rice.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mahmoud A. Abdelhafiz, Jiang Liu, Tao Jiang, Qiang Pu, Muhammad Wajahat Aslam, Kun Zhang, Bo Meng, Xinbin Feng
Summary: Rice paddies provide optimal conditions for methylmercury (MeHg) production, with paddy soil being the main source of MeHg in rice grains. The role of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in controlling MeHg production in rice paddy systems is not well understood. This study investigated the variations in soil DOM and the influence of DOM concentration and optical characteristics on MeHg production in paddy soils from different cultivation sites in China. The results showed that MeHg production is correlated with the consumption of lower molecular weight DOM and the humic components of DOM play a significant role in MeHg variability in paddy soil. The study also revealed that allochthonous DOM limits Hg bioavailability in contaminated soils and autochthonous DOM enhances MeHg production in uncontaminated soils.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jiangtao Qiao, Jingyu Liu, Alejandro Palomo, Benjamin C. C. Bostick, Kongkea Phan, Yan Zheng, Fangbai Li
Summary: Microbially mediated inorganic-methylated arsenic transformation is crucial to rice safety. Bacteria harbor the most genes related to arsenic biotransformation, and some bacteria contain both arsM and arsI genes. The presence of the methylated arsenic pool and the arsenic methylation-demethylation cycle should be considered in paddy fields for rice safety.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Weiwei Zhai, Yanyue Ma, Su Yang, Williamson Gustave, Tiantian Zhao, Muhammad Zaffar Hashmi, Xiangliang Pan, Xianjin Tang
Summary: Rice straw amendment promotes arsenic methylation and methane emissions from paddy soils, which can cause straighthead disease and climate warming. The mechanism of these microbial groups on arsenic methylation in paddy soils with rice straw amendment remains unknown.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Junyao Yan, Ruolan Li, Muhammad Ubaid Ali, Chuan Wang, Bo Wang, Xingang Jin, Mingyu Shao, Ping Li, Leiming Zhang, Xinbin Feng
Summary: Mine waste in historical mercury mining areas continuously emits mercury into the local environment, including aquatic ecosystems. This study used data on mercury concentration, speciation, and isotopes to trace mercury migration from the mine waste and determine its contribution to mercury pollution. The findings revealed that rainfall can increase mercury concentrations in river water and influence the partitioning and transport of mercury in karst fissure zones. Despite remediation efforts, the treated mine waste remains a significant source of mercury pollution in local aquatic ecosystems.
Article
Water Resources
Longchao Liang, Yaru Zhu, Xiaohang Xu, Wanbin Hao, Jialiang Han, Zhuo Chen, Xian Dong, Guangle Qiu
Summary: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metal(loid)s (HMs) pose risks to environmental and human health. Identification of priority control contaminants is important in guiding the management and control of these synchronous pollutants. A total of 247 soil samples were collected from 64 urban parks in Guiyang, SW China to determine the concentrations, spatial distributions, and health risks of PAHs and HMs. The results indicated that dibenz(ah)anthracene and benzo(a)pyrene are the main PAHs species of high ecological risk, and Cr, Mn, and Ni pose elevated ecological risk among the HMs. Four sources were identified for PAHs (biomass burning, coke oven, traffic sources, and coal burning) and HMs (traffic sources, coal burning, industrial sources, and natural sources). The non-carcinogenic risk (NCR) and total carcinogenic risk (TCR) of PAHs were all determined to be negligible and at acceptable levels, several orders of magnitude below those of HMs. The NCR and TCR values of HMs were relatively high, especially for children (11.9% of NCR > 1; 79.1% of TCR > 10(-4)). Coal burning and natural sources make the greatest contributions to the NCR and TCR values from karst park soils in Guiyang. Considering HMs bioavailability, NCR and TCR values were rather low, due to the high residual HM fractions. Integrated insights into source specific ecological and human health risk indicate future directions for management and control of synchronous PAH and HM pollution, particularly for karst plateau areas.
EXPOSURE AND HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qiao Han, Mingya Wang, Xiaohang Xu, Mengfei Li, Yang Liu, Chunhui Zhang, Shehong Li, Mingshi Wang
Summary: This study found serious heavy metal pollution in road dust in Anyang, including priority control pollutant cadmium. Most heavy metals had relatively low bioaccessibilities in the gastrointestinal system, reducing non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks, especially for adults. These findings contribute to the understanding of heavy metal contamination in road dust and highlight the importance of risk assessment for populations living in fourth- and fifth-tier cities.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bo Wang, Shaochen Yang, Ping Li, Chongyang Qin, Chuan Wang, Muhammad Ubaid Ali, Runsheng Yin, Laurence Maurice, David Point, Jeroen E. Sonke, Leiming Zhang, Xinbin Feng
Summary: Anthropogenic mercury emissions have led to adverse health effects on humans. This study utilized the MeHg Compound-Specific Isotope Analysis (CSIA) approach to track the lifecycle of mercury in Hg-emission areas. The results revealed distinct differences in the isotopes of MeHg and IHg in rice, fish, and hair. The CSIA approach proved to be effective in understanding the biogeochemical cycle of mercury and its impact on human exposure, providing valuable information for pollution control policies and protection of human health.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mahmoud A. Abdelhafiz, Jiang Liu, Tao Jiang, Qiang Pu, Muhammad Wajahat Aslam, Kun Zhang, Bo Meng, Xinbin Feng
Summary: Rice paddies provide optimal conditions for methylmercury (MeHg) production, with paddy soil being the main source of MeHg in rice grains. The role of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in controlling MeHg production in rice paddy systems is not well understood. This study investigated the variations in soil DOM and the influence of DOM concentration and optical characteristics on MeHg production in paddy soils from different cultivation sites in China. The results showed that MeHg production is correlated with the consumption of lower molecular weight DOM and the humic components of DOM play a significant role in MeHg variability in paddy soil. The study also revealed that allochthonous DOM limits Hg bioavailability in contaminated soils and autochthonous DOM enhances MeHg production in uncontaminated soils.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Nantao Liu, Xinyuan Cai, Longyu Jia, Xun Wang, Wei Yuan, Che-Jen Lin, Dingyong Wang, Xinbin Feng
Summary: This study investigates the concentration and isotopic signatures of mercury (Hg) in the surface soil of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP). The spatial distribution and source contribution of Hg in the surface soil, as well as factors influencing Hg accumulation, are comprehensively studied. Results show that vegetation mediated atmospheric Hg0 deposition is the dominant source of Hg in the surface soil, followed by geogenic sources and atmospheric Hg2+ inputs.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Weiqing Zhou, Jianwei Zhou, Xinbin Feng, Bing Wen, Aiguo Zhou, Peng Liu, Guangyi Sun, Ziyi Zhou, Xin Liu
Summary: This study investigates the adsorption mechanisms of antimony (Sb) on iron (oxyhydr)oxides and finds that inner-sphere complexation occurs independently of pH and surface coverage. Lighter Sb isotopes are preferentially enriched on Fe (oxyhydr)oxides due to isotopic equilibrium fractionation. The results provide insights into the Sb adsorption mechanism by Fe (oxyhydr)oxides and clarify the Sb isotope fractionation mechanism, which is essential for future applications of Sb isotopes as tracers.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Jie Huang, Shichang Kang, Xinbin Feng, Wenjun Tang, Kirpa Ram, Junming Guo, Qianggong Zhang, Chhatra Mani Sharma, Chaoliu Li, Lekhendra Tripathee, Feiyue Wang
Summary: The Indian monsoon circulation plays a crucial role in transporting mercury pollution from South Asia to the Himalayas and Tibet Plateau region. A study found a strong overlap between Lake Gokyo and Indian anthropogenic sources, indicating the source of mercury from South Asia. The findings suggest that transboundary atmospheric transport can transport mercury from South Asia northwards to at least the Tanglha Mountains in the northern Himalaya-Tibet.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Da Lei, Haorui Cao, Kuankuan Zhang, Kang Mao, Yongkun Guo, Jen-How Huang, Guili Yang, Hua Zhang, Xinbin Feng
Summary: This study investigated the physiological responses of rice and the relationships between different antioxidant parameters under different levels of Se and Cd. The results revealed that the AsA-GSH cycle, GS-PCS coupling system, and GPX-SOD coupling system in aerial parts of rice contribute to the protection against Cd stress. However, in roots, the APX-GPX-CAT and PCS-GS-SOD systems play distinct roles.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jen-How Huang, Bjorn Berg, Chaoyue Chen, Anne Thimonier, Maria Schmitt, Stefan Osterwalder, Christine Alewell, Jorg Rinklebe, Xinbin Feng
Summary: Litterfall, including needles/leaves, contributes to over 50% of total mercury deposition in forest ecosystems. A study in a subalpine forest in Switzerland found that lichens and fine litter, along with needle litter, have a significant contribution to annual mercury deposition. The seasonal pattern of litterfall and rainfall suggests that this finding could be generally valid.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chaoyue Chen, Jen-How Huang, Kai Li, Stefan Osterwalder, Chenmeng Yang, Peter Waldner, Hui Zhang, Xuewu Fu, Xinbin Feng
Summary: This study investigates the role of vegetation and soil in regulating atmospheric Hg0 in a forest in Switzerland. The results show that foliage acts as a net sink for Hg-0 and preferentially absorbs light Hg isotopes. The soil mostly serves as a net source of atmospheric Hg0, with higher emissions from moss-covered soils. The study highlights the importance of soil in influencing atmospheric Hg-0 isotope signatures.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Fei Wu, Luhan Yang, Xun Wang, Wei Yuan, Che-Jen Lin, Xinbin Feng
Summary: Understanding the complexation of mercury (Hg) with soil organic matter is crucial for assessing Hg accumulation and sequestration in forest ecosystems. Separating soil organic matter into particulate organic matter (POM) and mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) can provide insights into Hg dynamics and cycling. The study found that atmospheric deposition is the main source of Hg in both POM and MAOM, with higher concentrations of Hg in MAOM compared to POM. The accumulation and sequestration of Hg in organic soil vary with vegetation succession, and the isotopic signatures of Hg are influenced by source mixing and sequestration processes.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qingqing Wu, Baolin Wang, Haiyan Hu, Andrea G. Bravo, Kevin Bishop, Stefan Bertilsson, Bo Meng, Hua Zhang, Xinbin Feng
Summary: Methylmercury produced in rice paddies poses a high risk to humans and wildlife. Sulfate reduction and methanogenesis play important roles in controlling the reduction of Hg(II) and MeHg. Oxidative demethylation is the main degradative pathway for MeHg in rice paddies.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xian Zhou, Bangxing Lei, Deliang Yin, Jichuan Kang, Zhangjiang He, Tianrong He, Xiaohang Xu
Summary: To regulate mercury accumulation in Pennisetum giganteum, different techniques including bacillus-inoculated biofertilizer, citric acid, earthworms, and selenium-modified activated clay were compared. The results showed that the biofertilizer significantly increased Bacillus sp. abundance and reduced the bioavailable mercury in the soil and plant tissues. This biofertilizer-assisted planting pattern has the potential to replace Hg-contaminated rice fields.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Correction
Environmental Sciences
Liwei Cui, Xue Tian, Hongxin Xie, Xin Cong, Lihong Cui, Han Wu, Jianxu Wang, Bai Li, Jiating Zhao, Yanshan Cui, Xinbin Feng, Yu-Feng Li
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)