Groundwater contamination pathways of phthalates and bisphenol A: origin, characteristics, transport, and fate - A review

Concerted monoamine oxidase activity following exposure to di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate is associated with aggressive neurobehavioral response and neurodegeneration in zebrafish brain

Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) is the most commonly preferred synthetic organic chemical in plastics and its products for making them ductile, flexible and durable. As DEHP is not chemically bound to the macromolecular polymer of plastics, it can be easily leached out to accumulate in food and environment. Our recent report advocated that exposure to DEHP significantly transformed the innate bottom-dwelling and scototaxis behaviour of zebrafish. Our present study aimed to understand the possible role of DEHP exposure pertaining towards the development of aggressive behaviour and its association with amplified monoamine oxidase activity and neurodegeneration in the zebrafish brain. As heightened monoamine oxidase (MAO) is linked with genesis of aggressive behaviour, our observation also coincides with DEHP-persuaded aggressive neurobehavioral transformation in zebrafish. Our preliminary findings also showed that DEHP epitomized as a prime factor in transforming native explorative behaviour and genesis of aggressive behaviour through oxidative stress induction and changes in the neuromorphology in the periventricular grey zone (PGZ) of the zebrafish brain. With the finding demarcating towards heightened chromatin condensation in the PGZ of zebrafish brain, our further observation by immunohistochemistry showed a profound augmentation in apoptotic cell death marker cleaved caspase 3 (CC3) expression following exposure to DEHP. Our further observation by immunoblotting study also demarcated a temporal augmentation in CC3 and tyrosine hydroxylase expression in the zebrafish brain. Therefore, the gross findings of the present study delineate the idea that chronic exposure to DEHP is associated with MAO-instigated aggressive neurobehavioral transformation and neurodegeneration in the zebrafish brain.

A novel long non-coding RNA linc-93.2 participates in bisphenol induced oxidative stress and macrophage polarization in red common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Previous studies show that bisphenol A (BPA) and its analogs induce oxidative stress and promote inflammatory response. However, the key molecules in regulating this process remain unclear. Here, we report significant inductive effects of BPA and bisphenol AF (BPAF) on a newly found long non-coding RNA linc-93.2 accompanied by oxidative stress and activation of pro-inflammatory pathways in treated fish and fish primary macrophages. Silencing linc-93.2 in fish primary macrophages in vitro or fish in vivo significantly promotes the expression of anti-oxidative stress-related genes and anti-inflammatory cytokines. This inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, showing cell status disruption towards to M2 polarization. Followed by exposure to BPA or BPAF, silencing linc-93.2 in vitro or in vivo significantly attenuates the increased production of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde level aroused by bisphenol treatment, possibly owing to the enhancement of total antioxidant capacity observed in cells and tissue after linc-93.2 knockdown. RNA-sequencing further revealed regulation of nuclear factor-kappa b (NF-κB) in linc-93.2's downstream network, combining with our previous observation on the upstream regulation of linc-93.2 via NF-κB, which together suggest a critical role of linc-93.2 in promoting NF-κB positive feedback loop that may be an important molecular event initiating the immunotoxicity of bisphenols.

Polyamide 6 microplastics as carriers led to changes in the fate of bisphenol A and dibutyl phthalate in drinking water distribution systems: The role of adsorption and interfacial partitioning

Microplastics (MPs) co-exist with plastic additives and other emerging pollutants in the drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs). Due to their strong adsorption capacity, MPs may influence the occurrence of additives in DWDSs. The article investigated the occurrence of typical additives bisphenol A (BPA) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) in DWDSs under the influence of polyamide 6 (PA6) MPs and further discussed the partitioning of BPA/DBP on PA6s, filling a research gap regarding the impact of adsorption between contaminants on their occurrence within DWDSs. In this study, adsorption experiments of BPA/DBP with PA6s and pipe scales were conducted and their interaction mechanisms were investigated. Competitive adsorption experiments of BPA/DBP were also carried out with site energy distribution theory (SEDT) calculations. The results demonstrated that PA6s might contribute to the accumulation of BPA/DBP on pipe scales. The adsorption efficiencies of BPA/DBP with both PA6s and pipe scales were 26.47 and 2.61 times higher than those with only pipe scales. It was noteworthy that BPA had a synergistic effect on the adsorption of DBP on PA6s, resulting in a 26.47 % increase in DBP adsorption. The article provides valuable insights for the compounding effect of different types of additives in water quality monitoring and evaluation.

Health risks of Bisphenol-A exposure: From Wnt signaling perspective

Human beings are routinely exposed to chronic and low dose of Bisphenols (BPs) due to their widely pervasiveness in the environment. BPs hold similar chemical structures to 17β-estradiol (E2) and thyroid hormone, thus posing threats to human health by rendering the endocrine system dysfunctional. Among BPs, Bisphenol-A (BPA) is the best-known and extensively studied endocrine disrupting compound (EDC). BPA possesses multisystem toxicity, including reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, hepatoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Particularly, the central nervous system (CNS), especially the developing one, is vulnerable to BPA exposure. This review describes our current knowledge of BPA toxicity and the related molecular mechanisms, with an emphasis on the role of Wnt signaling in the related processes. We also discuss the role of oxidative stress, endocrine signaling and epigenetics in the regulation of Wnt signaling by BPA exposure. In summary, dysfunction of Wnt signaling plays a key role in BPA toxicity and thus can be a potential target to alleviate EDCs induced damage to organisms.

Co-migration behavior of toluene coupled with trichloroethylene and the response of the pristine groundwater ecosystems - A mesoscale indoor experiment

Experimental scale and sampling precision are the main factors limiting the accuracy of migration and transformation assessments of complex petroleum-based contaminants in groundwater. In this study, a mesoscale indoor aquifer device with high environmental fidelity and monitoring accuracy was constructed, in which dissolved toluene and trichloroethylene were used as typical contaminants in a 1.5-year contaminant migration experiment. The process was divided into five stages, namely, pristine, injection, accumulation, decrease, and recovery, and characteristics such as differences in contaminant migration, the responsiveness of environmental factors, and changes in microbial communities were investigated. The results demonstrated that the mutual dissolution properties of the contaminants increased the spread of the plume and confirmed that toluene possessed greater mobility and natural attenuation than trichloroethylene. Attenuation of the contaminant plume proceeded through aerobic degradation, nitrate reduction, and sulfate reduction phases, accompanied by negative feedback from characteristic ion concentrations, dissolved oxygen content, the oxidation-reduction potential and microbial community structure of the groundwater. This research evaluated the migration and transformation characteristics of typical petroleum-based pollutants, revealed the response mechanism of the ecosystem to pollutant, provided a theoretical basis for predicting pollutant migration and formulating control strategies.

Recent advances of piezo-catalysis and photocatalysis for efficient environmental remediation

The efficient degradation of organic pollutants in diverse environmental matrices can be achieved through the synergistic application of piezo-catalysis and photocatalysis. The focus of this study is on understanding the fundamental principles and mechanisms that govern the collaborative action of piezoelectric and photocatalytic materials. Piezoelectric nanomaterials, under mechanical stress, generate piezo-potential, which, when coupled with photocatalysts, enhances the generation and separation of charge carriers. The resulting cascade of redox reactions promotes the degradation of a wide spectrum of organic pollutants. The comprehensive investigation involves a variety of experimental techniques, including advanced spectroscopy and microscopy, to elucidate the intricate interplay between mechanical and photoinduced processes. The influence of key parameters, such as material composition, morphology, and external stimuli on the catalytic performance, is systematically explored. This study contributes to the increasing knowledge of environmental remediation and lays the foundation for the development of advanced technologies using piezo and photocatalysis for sustainable pollutant removal.

Phthalate acid esters: A review of aquatic environmental occurrence and their interactions with plants

The increasing use of phthalate acid esters (PAEs) in various applications has inevitably led to their widespread presence in the aquatic environment. This presents a considerable threat to plants. However, the interactions between PAEs and plants in the aquatic environment have not yet been comprehensively reviewed. In this review, the properties, occurrence, uptake, transformation, and toxic effects of PAEs on plants in the aquatic environment are summarized. PAEs have been prevalently detected in the aquatic environment, including surface water, groundwater, seawater, and sediment, with concentrations ranging from the ng/L or ng/kg to the mg/L or mg/kg range. PAEs in the aquatic environment can be uptake, translocated, and metabolized by plants. Exposure to PAEs induces multiple adverse effects in aquatic plants, including growth perturbation, structural damage, disruption of photosynthesis, oxidative damage, and potential genotoxicity. High-throughput omics techniques further reveal the underlying toxicity molecular mechanisms of how PAEs disrupt plants on the transcription, protein, and metabolism levels. Finally, this review proposes that future studies should evaluate the interactions between plants and PAEs with a focus on long-term exposure to environmental PAE concentrations, the effects of PAE alternatives, and human health risks via the intake of plant-based foods.

Insects to the rescue? Insights into applications, mechanisms, and prospects of insect-driven remediation of organic contaminants

Traditional and emerging contaminants pose significant human and environmental health risks. Conventional physical, chemical, and bioremediation techniques have been extensively studied for contaminant remediation. However, entomo- or insect-driven remediation has received limited research and public attention. Entomo-remediation refers to the use of insects, their associated gut microbiota, and enzymes to remove or mitigate organic contaminants. This novel approach shows potential as an eco-friendly method for mitigating contaminated media. However, a comprehensive review of the status, applications, and challenges of entomo-remediation is lacking. This paper addresses this research gap by examining and discussing the evidence on entomo-remediation of various legacy and emerging organic contaminants. The results demonstrate the successful application of entomo-remediation to remove legacy organic contaminants such as persistent organic pollutants. Moreover, entomo-remediation shows promise in removing various groups of emerging contaminants, including microplastics, persistent and emerging organic micropollutants (e.g., antibiotics, pesticides), and nanomaterials. Entomo-remediation involves several insect-mediated processes, including bio-uptake, biotransfer, bioaccumulation, and biotransformation of contaminants. The mechanisms underlying the biotransformation of contaminants are complex and rely on the insect gut microbiota and associated enzymes. Notably, while insects facilitate the remediation of contaminants, they may also be exposed to the ecotoxicological effects of these substances, which is often overlooked in research. As an emerging field of research, entomo-remediation has several knowledge gaps. Therefore, this review proposes ten key research questions to guide future perspectives and advance the field. These questions address areas such as process optimization, assessment of ecotoxicological effects on insects, and evaluation of potential human exposure and health risks.

Assessing health risks in bottled water: chemical compounds and their impact on human health

Bottled mineral and spring water constitute one of the main sources of drinking water. Relevant legal acts in each country individually regulate the highest permitted concentrations of harmful substances in these waters. However, current regulations do not take into account newly emerging contaminants such as BPA. Analysis of the chemical composition of 72 bottled waters from the Polish market showed that undesirable elements occur in quantities that do not exceed the maximum permissible concentrations. Special attention should be paid to bottled therapeutic water, which may contain elevated concentrations of some micronutrients, such as Al, B, Ba, Fe, Mn, or Sr contributing to the pattern of health risk with excessive consumption of this type of water. The presence of BPA was confirmed in 25 tested waters. The calculated hazard index values showed that the most exposed group are children up to 12 years of age. The greatest attention should be paid to waters with high mineralisation, for which the calculated risk values are the highest.

Acyclic Cucurbit[n]uril Receptors Function as Solid State Sequestrants for Organic Micropollutants

The accumulation of organic micropollutants (OMP) in aquatic systems is a major societal problem that can be addressed by approaches including nanofiltration, flocculation, reverse osmosis and adsorptive methods using insoluble materials (e.g. activated carbon, MOFs, nanocomposites). More recently, polymeric versions of supramolecular hosts (e.g. cyclodextrins, calixarenes, pillararenes) have been investigated as OMP sequestrants. Herein, we report our study of the use of water insoluble dimethylcatechol walled acyclic cucurbit[n]uril (CB[n]) hosts as solid state sequestrants for a panel of five OMPs. A series of hosts (H1-H4) were synthesized by reaction of glycoluril oligomer (monomer-tetramer) with 3,6-dimethylcatechol and fully characterized by spectroscopic means and x-ray crystallography. The solid hosts sequester OMPs from water with removal efficiencies exceeding 90 % in some cases. The removal efficiencies of the new hosts parallel the known molecular recognition properties of analogous water soluble acyclic CB[n]. OMP uptake by solid host occurs rapidly (≈120 seconds). Head-to-head comparison with CB[6] in batch-mode separation and DARCO activated carbon in flow-through separation mode show that tetramer derived host (H4) performs very well under identical conditions. The work establishes insoluble acyclic CB[n]-type receptors as a promising new platform for OMP sequestration.

Association of phthalate exposure with type 2 diabetes and the mediating effect of oxidative stress: A case-control and computational toxicology study

Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) are widely used as plasticizers and have been suggested to engender adverse effects on glucose metabolism. However, epidemiological data regarding the PAE mixture on type 2 diabetes (T2DM), as well as the mediating role of oxidative stress are scarce. This case-control study enrolled 206 T2DM cases and 206 matched controls in Guangdong Province, southern China. The concentrations of eleven phthalate metabolites (mPAEs) and the oxidative stress biomarker 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in urine were determined. Additionally, biomarkers of T2DM in paired serum were measured to assess glycemic status and levels of insulin resistance. Significantly positive associations were observed for mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) and Mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP) with T2DM (P < 0.001). Restricted cubic spline modeling revealed a non-linear dose-response relationship between MEHHP and T2DM (Pnon-linear = 0.001). The Bayesian kernel machine regression and quantile g-computation analyses demonstrated a significant positive joint effect of PAE exposure on T2DM risk, with MEHHP being the most significant contributor. The mediation analysis revealed marginal evidence that oxidative stress mediated the association between the mPAEs mixture and T2DM, while 8-OHdG respectively mediated 26.88 % and 12.24 % of MEHP and MEHHP on T2DM risk individually (Pmediation < 0.05). Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP, the parent compound for MEHP and MEHHP) was used to further examine the potential molecular mechanisms by in silico analysis. Oxidative stress may be crucial in the link between DEHP and T2DM, particularly in the reactive oxygen species metabolic process and glucose import/metabolism. Molecular simulation docking experiments further demonstrated the core role of Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor alpha (PPARα) among the DEHP-induced T2DM. These findings suggest that PAE exposure can alter oxidative stress via PPARα, thereby increasing T2DM risk.

Emerging organic compounds as markers of the degradation of groundwater qualitative and quantitative equilibrium in a context of rapid urban expansion

With the neo-metamorphosis of the residential landscape worldwide and sluggish sanitation strategies in urban environments, rudimentary on-site sanitation systems remain commonly used, especially in developing countries, despite the risks of groundwater contamination. The effective management of such water resources relies on assessment of the sensitivity of anthropized aquifers to man-made impact, including groundwater behavioural alteration, in terms of both quality and quantity. Associated with tracking of changes in land use, this study proposes an approach involving emerging organic contaminants (EOCs) as indicators of the alteration of groundwater balance due the exposure of shallow aquifers to the risks of infiltration of untreated wastewater from soak pits. This methodology was applied to the shallow aquifer beneath the urban agglomeration of Grand-Sfax (Tunisia). Combined with an updated follow-up of groundwater piezometric fluctuations in relation with inputs from surface contamination sources, the spatialisation of contamination levels by EOCs provided a clear delineation of the most impacted aquifer zones. This approach revealed a significant link between the continuous rise in piezometric levels by contributions from untreated inputs and the accumulation of high levels of contamination in groundwater. The understanding of EOC underground pathways allowed the determination of the fates and processes responsible for the diffusion of contamination throughout the studied aquifer. The ability of groundwater to reflect population life style and the use patterns of such organic molecules was also assessed. Besides revealing the legacy of persistent contamination, this approach involving EOCs as tracers with different levels of persistence provided a spatial observation of the aquifer exposure to continuous contamination processes. This approach made it possible to develop a conceptual presentation of aquifer vulnerability to urban pressures and to predict the effects of subsequent expansion of unplanned urbanisation on groundwater quality.

Investigation on the effect of several parameters involved in the biodegradation of polyethylene (PE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) under various seawater environments

This work investigates the biodegradation of polyethylene (PE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and the leaching of their harmful additives. Micro/macro-plastics of both types were subjected to different laboratory-controlled conditions for 3 months. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) results revealed that leachate concentrations ranged from 0.40 ± 0.07 μg/L to 96.36 ± 0.11 μg/L. It was concluded that the additives' leaching process was promoted by light. However, light was not the only factor examined; microorganisms, pH, salinity, aeration/mixing and temperature influenced the biodegradation process, too. GC-MS results showed a prodigious impact on the biodegradation process when Pseudomonas aeruginosa was added to the artificial seawater compared to plastics exposed to light/air only. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) micrographs demonstrated a significant alteration in the plastics' morphologies. Similarly, Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra showed obvious changes in plastics characteristic peaks, especially microplastics. Furthermore, it was shown that PE was more susceptible to degradation/biodegradation than LDPE. Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) findings showed that some toxic metals were present in water samples after experiments, with concentrations above the permissible limits. For instance, bio-augmentation/bio-stimulation experiments showed that the concentrations of Pb, Sr, and Zn were 0.59 mg/L, 70.09 mg/L, and 0.17 mg/L, respectively; values above the permissible limits. It is crucial to emphasise that plastics must be meticulously engineered to avoid environmental and human impacts, originated from their degradation by-products. Furthermore, a holistic approach engaging stakeholders, researchers, policymakers, industries and consumers, is essential to effectively tackle the global challenge of marine plastic pollution.

Gonad pathology, sex hormone modulation and vitellogenin expression in Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus from Lagos and Epe lagoons within the southern-lagoon system, Nigeria

Introduction: Estrogenic chemicals in aquatic environments impact fish reproductive health, with vitellogenin protein levels serving as a crucial biomarker for xenoestrogen exposure. Limited knowledge exists on estrogenic effects in tropical environments, prompting an investigation into the influence of environmental estrogens on Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus in Lagos and Epe lagoons. Methods: A total of 195 fish samples underwent analysis for vitellogenin protein, sex hormones (testosterone and 17 β-estradiol), and gonad pathology in effluent-receiving areas of the specified lagoons. Results: Gonadal alterations were observed in male and female fish, including empty seminiferous tubules and distorted ovaries. Intersex occurred in 3.81% of Lagos and 3.33% of Epe. Testosterone levels were generally higher in females and males from both lagoons, while E2 levels were higher in females from both lagoons, with Lagos showing higher levels than Epe. Vtg levels were higher in males than females in Lagos samples but showed no significant difference in Epe samples. Discussion: Contaminant analysis revealed similar trends in metals (Hg, As, Cr) and phthalates (DEHP, DBP, DEP) in both sexes in the Epe population. Multivariate depictions from the PCA showed sex-specific patterns of metal uptake (Cd) in male fishes at the Lagos Lagoon. The positive association between higher pH loadings and metal and DBP levels in sediment at the Lagos lagoon suggests the influence of higher alkalinity in lower bioavailability of contaminants. Conclusion: Endocrine disrupting effects were observed in male and female Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus in Lagos and Epe lagoons populations, with notable differences in hormone and contaminant concentrations between the two lagoon systems. Identification of specific contaminants and their spatial and temporal trends can inform targeted management and remediation efforts to protect and restore these valuable aquatic ecosystems.

Evaluation of exposure to multiple organic pollutants in riparian communities of the Brazilian Amazon: Screening levels and potential health risks

Organic pollutants are widely distributed in the environment. Due to their physical and chemical characteristics, they tend to be biomagnified in food chains, mainly in aquatic organisms. Therefore, food consumption is a significant route of lifelong exposure. Although the Amazon River basin contains the highest freshwater biodiversity on Earth, there is scarce literature focusing on the levels of organic pollutants in the local population. The present study was aimed at assessing the levels of several environmental pollutants (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, bisphenols, parabens, and benzophenones) in urine samples from riverside communities along the Tapajós and Amazon Rivers in the Brazilian Amazon region. The results show a 100 % detection of naphthalene metabolites (namely, 1-hydroxy-naphthalene (1OH-NAP), 2-hydroxy-naphthalene (2OH-NAP)), with the highest levels belonging to benzylparaben (BzP) (17.3 ng/mL). Gender-specific analysis revealed that women had significantly higher levels of certain PAH metabolites (i.e., 1OH-NAP and 2-hydroxy-fluorene (2OH-FLU)) than men. In turn, most of the evaluated compounds were higher in urine samples from people living near the Amazon River, which presents increased traffic of boats and ships than the Tapajós River. On the other hand, the human health risk assessment suggested that all communities are at risk of suffering non-carcinogenic effects from exposure to PAHs. At the same time, they are also at risk of carcinogenic effects from exposure to benzo[a]pyrene metabolites. Thus, further studies are needed in order to evaluate the potential health effects of exposure to a mixture of these organic pollutants and other contaminants present in the area, such as mercury.

Occurrence, ecological and health risk assessment of phthalates in a polluted urban river used for agricultural land irrigation in central Mexico

The escalating global concern on phthalate esters (PAEs) stems from their status as emerging contaminants, marked by their toxicity and their potential to harm both the environment and human health. Consequently, this study aimed to evaluate the occurrence, spatial distribution, and ecological and health risks associated with PAEs in the Atoyac River, an urban waterway in central Mexico that receives untreated and poorly treated urban and industrial wastewater. Of the 14 PAEs analyzed in surface water samples collected along the river mainstream, nine were detected and quantified by GC-MS. The concentration of each detected PAE ranged from non-detected values to 25.7 μg L-1. Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and di-n-hexyl phthalate (DnHP) were detected in all sampling sites, with concentrations ranging from 8.1 to 19.4 μg L-1 and from 6.3 to 15.6 μg L-1, respectively. The cumulative Σ9PAEs concentrations reached up to 81.1 μg L-1 and 96.0 μg L-1 in sites downstream to high-tech industrial parks, pinpointing industrial wastewater as the primary source of PAEs. Given that the river water is stored in a reservoir and used for cropland irrigation, this study also assessed the ecological and human health risks posed by PAEs. The findings disclosed a high ecological risk to aquatic organisms exposed to di-n-octyl phthalate (DOP), dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), DEHP, and DnHP. Additionally, a high carcinogenic (CR > 10-4) and noncarcinogenic (HQ > 10) risk for the DEHP exposure through ingestion of crops irrigated with river water was identified for both children and adults. These data on PAEs provide valuable insights for the Mexican government's future strategies in regulating these pollutants in water bodies, thereby minimizing the environmental and human health risks that they pose.

Inhibitory effects of phthalate esters (PAEs) and phthalate monoesters towards human carboxylesterases (CESs)

Phthalate esters (PAEs), accompanied by phthalate monoesters as hydrolysis metabolites in humans, have been widely used as plasticizers and exhibited disruptive effects on the endocrine and metabolic systems. The present study aims to investigate the inhibition behavior of PAEs and phthalate monoesters on the activity of the important hydrolytic enzymes, carboxylesterases (CESs), to elucidate the toxicity mechanism from a new perspective. The results showed significant inhibition on CES1 and CES2 by most PAEs, but not by phthalate monoesters, above which the activity of CES1 was strongly inhibited by DCHP, DEHP, DiOP, DiPP, DNP, DPP and BBZP, with inhibition ratios exceeding 80%. Kinetic analyses and in vitro-in vivo extrapolation were conducted, revealing that PAEs have the potential to disrupt the metabolism of endogenous substances catalyzed by CES1 in vivo. Molecular docking results revealed that hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic contacts formed by ester bonds contributed to the interaction of PAEs towards CES1. These findings will be beneficial for understanding the adverse effect of PAEs and phthalate monoesters.

Occurrence of contaminants of emerging concern and pesticides and relative risk assessment in Tunisian groundwater

Groundwater is an important source for drinking water supply, agricultural irrigation and industrial uses in the Middle East and North Africa region. Due to the growing need for groundwater use, groundwater quality studies on the presence of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) and pesticides have gained attention. The Wadi El Bey is one of the most polluted areas in Tunisia. However, very limited data on CECs infiltration into aquifers has been described, in comparison to industrialized countries where groundwater contamination has been comprehensively addressed. To gain early insight into potential contamination, groundwater wells in northeast Tunisia, an area with high population density and intensive agricultural activity were sampled during two seasons and were analyzed with two high resolution mass spectrometry approaches: target and suspect screening. The latter was used for screening banned pesticides. A selection of 116 CECs of which 19 are transformation products (TPs) and 20 pesticides previously prioritized by suspect screening were screened in the groundwater samples. The results showed the presence of 69 CECs and 1 TP and 20 pesticides at concentrations per well, ranging between 43 and 7384 ng L-1 and 7.3 and 80 ng L-1, respectively. CECs concentrations in Tunisian groundwater do not differ from those in industrialized countries. WWTPs were considered the main source of pollution, where the main classes detected were analgesics, antihypertensives and artificial sweeteners and especially caffeine, salicylic acid and ibuprofen were found to be ubiquitous. Regarding pesticides, triazines herbicides and carbamates insecticides pose the highest concern due to their ubiquitous presence, high leachability potential for most of them and high toxicity. The environmental risk assessment (ERA) highlighted the high risk that caffeine, ibuprofen, and propoxur may pose to the environment, and consequently, to non-target organisms. This study provides occurrence and ERA analysis of CECs and pesticides in Tunisian groundwater.

Environmental stressors altered the groundwater microbiome and nitrogen cycling: A focus on influencing mechanisms and pathways

Nitrogen cycling, as an important biogeochemical process in groundwater, strongly impacts the energy and matter flow of groundwater ecology. Phthalate esters (PAEs) were screened as key environmental stressors in the groundwater of Beijing, contributing to the alteration of microbial community structure and functions; thus, it could be deduced that these stressors might influence nitrogen cycling that is almost exclusively mediated by microorganisms. Identification of the influences of PAEs on groundwater nitrogen cycling and exploration of the potential influence mechanisms and pathways are vital but still challenging. This study explored the influence mechanisms and pathways of the environmental stressor PAE on nitrogen cycling in groundwater collected from a typical monitoring station in Beijing based on high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analysis combined with mediation analysis methods. The results suggested that among the 5 detected PAEs, dimethyl phthalate and diethyl phthalate significantly negatively impacted nitrogen cycling processes, especially nitrogen fixation and denitrification processes (p < 0.05), in groundwater. Their influences were fully or partially mediated by functional microorganisms, particularly assigned keystone genera (such as Dechloromonas, Aeromonas and Noviherbaspirillum), whose abundance was significantly inhibited by these PAEs via dysregulation of carbohydrate metabolism and activation of defense mechanisms. These findings confirmed that the influences of environmental stressors PAEs on nitrogen cycling in groundwater might be mediated by the "PAE stress-groundwater microbiome-nitrogen cycling alteration" pathway. This study may advance the understanding of the consequences of environmental stressors on groundwater ecology and support the ecological hazard assessment of groundwater stressors.

A global meta-analysis of phthalate esters in drinking water sources and associated health risks

Phthalate esters (PAEs) are known as esters of phthalic acid, which are commonly used as plasticizers in the plastic industry. Due to the lack of chemical bonding with the polymer matrix, these compounds are easily separated from plastic products and enter the environment. To investigate the growth of concentration of PAEs like DBP (Dibutyl phthalate), DEP (Diethyl phthalate), DMP (Dimethyl phthalate), DIBP (Diisobutyl phthalate), and TPMBP (tris(2-methylbutyl) phosphate) in different water sources, a study from January 01, 1976, to April 30, 2021, was implemented via a global systematic review plus meta-analysis in which, 109 articles comprising 4061 samples, 4 water types, and 27 countries were included. Between various types of water sources, river water and lake water were the most contaminated resources with PAEs. Among all studies of PAEs, DBP and DEP with the values >15,573 mg L-1 have the highest average concentration and TPMBP with the value 0.002885 mg L-1 has the lowest average concentration in water sources. The most contaminated water sources with PAEs were in Nigeria and the least contaminated was in China. Besides, Monte-Carlo simulation indicated that for DMP and DEP minimum values that are lower than the acceptable limit are generated. However, most of the population (>75 %) is at risk for both adults and child cases. For DIBP and DBP the situation is much worse, the simulations not providing at least one case where the R index is lower than the acceptable limit of 1E-06.

Invisible Hand behind Female Reproductive Disorders: Bisphenols, Recent Evidence and Future Perspectives

Reproductive disorders are considered a global health problem influenced by physiological, genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. The increased exposure to bisphenols, a chemical used in large quantities for the production of polycarbonate plastics, has raised concerns regarding health risks in humans, particularly their endocrine-disrupting effects on female reproductive health. To provide a basis for future research on environmental interference and reproductive health, we reviewed relevant studies on the exposure patterns and levels of bisphenols in environmental matrices and humans (including susceptible populations such as pregnant women and children). In addition, we focused on in vivo, in vitro, and epidemiological studies evaluating the effects of bisphenols on the female reproductive system (the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and vagina). The results indicate that bisphenols cause structural and functional damage to the female reproductive system by interfering with hormones; activating receptors; inducing oxidative stress, DNA damage, and carcinogenesis; and triggering epigenetic changes, with the damaging effects being intergenerational. Epidemiological studies support the association between bisphenols and diseases such as cancer of the female reproductive system, reproductive dysfunction, and miscarriage, which may negatively affect the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. Altogether, this review provides a reference for assessing the adverse effects of bisphenols on female reproductive health.

Efficient adsorption of organic pollutants phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA) utilizing magnetite functionalized covalent organic frameworks (MCOFs): A promising future material for industrial applications

The utilization of phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA) as the major component in plastic and its derivative industry has raised concerns among the public due to the harmful effects caused by these organic pollutants. These pollutants are found to exhibit unique physicochemical properties that allow the pollutants to have prolonged existence in the environment, thus causing damage to the environment. Since phthalates and bisphenol A are used in a variety of industrial applications, the industry must recover these compounds from its water before releasing the pollutants into the environment. As a result, these materials have a promising future in industrial applications. Therefore, the discovery of new quick and reliable abatement technologies is important to ensure that these organic pollutants can be detected and removed from the water sources. This review highlights the use of the adsorption method to remove phthalates and BPA from water sources by employing novel modified adsorbent magnetite functionalized covalent organic frameworks (MCOFs). MCOFs is a new class of porous materials that have demonstrated promising features in a variety of applications due to their adaptable structures, significant surface areas, configurable porosity, and customizable chemistry. The structural attributes, functional design strategies, and specialized for environmental applications before offering some closing thoughts and suggestions for further research were discussed in this paper in addition to developing an innovative solution for the industry to the accessibility for clean water.

Mitochondrial dysfunction and endoplasmic reticulum stress induced by activation of PPARα leaded testicular to apoptosis in SD rats explored to di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)

Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), as a common endocrine disrupting chemicals, can induce toxicity to reproductive system. However, the mechanism remains to be explored. In our study, DEHP exposure induced testicular injury in rats. The high throughput transcriptional sequencing was performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the treatment and control groups. KEGG analysis revealed that DEGs were enriched in apoptosis, PPARα, and ER stress pathway. DEHP up-regulated the expression of PPARα, Bax, Bim, caspase-4. GRP78, PERK, p-PERK, eIF2α, p-eIF2α, ATF4 and CHOP. This view has also been confirmed in TM3 and TM4 cells. In vitro, after pre-treatment with GW6471 (an inhibitor of PPARα) or GSK (an inhibitor of PERK), the apoptosis was inhibited and mitochondrial dysfunction was improved. Moreover, the improvement of mitochondrial dysfunction decreased the expression of PERK pathway by using SS-31(a protective agent for mitochondrial function). Interestingly, ER stress promoted the accumulation of ROS by ERO1L (the downstream of CHOP during ER stress), and the ROS further aggravated the ER stress, thus forming a feedback loop during the apoptosis. In this process, a vicious cycle consisting of PERK, eIF2α, ATF4, CHOP, ERO1L, ROS was involved. Taken together, our results suggested that mitochondrial dysfunction and ER stress-ROS feedback loop caused by PPARα activation played a crucial role in DEHP-induced apoptosis. This work provides insight into the mechanism of DEHP-induced reproductive toxicity.

Environmental pollutants induce NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pyroptosis: Roles and mechanisms in various diseases

Environmental pollution is changing with economic development. Most environmental pollutants are characterized by stable chemical properties, strong migration, potential toxicity, and multiple exposure routes. Harmful substances are discharged excessively, and large quantities of unknown new compounds are emerging, being transmitted and amplifying in the food chain. The increasingly severe problems of environmental pollution have forced people to re-examine the relationship between environmental pollution and health. Pyroptosis and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome are critical in maintaining the immune balance and regulating the inflammatory process. Numerous diseases caused by environmental pollutants are closely related to NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pyroptosis. We intend to systematically explain the steps and important events that are common in life but easily overlooked by which environmental pollutants activate the NLRP3 inflammasome and pyroptosis pathways. This comprehensive review also discusses the interaction network between environmental pollutants, the NLRP3 inflammasome, pyroptosis, and diseases. Thus, research progress on the impact of decreasing oxidative stress levels to inhibit the NLRP3 inflammasome and pyroptosis, thereby repairing homeostasis and reshaping health, is systematically examined. This review aims to deepen the understanding of the impact of environmental pollutants on life and health and provide a theoretical basis and potential programs for the development of corresponding treatment strategies.

Transport of bisphenol A, bisphenol S, and three bisphenol F isomers in saturated soils

With the limitation of the use of bisphenol A (BPA), the production of its substitutes, bisphenol S (BPS), and bisphenol F (4,4'-BPF) is increasing. Understanding the fate and transport of BPA and its substitutes in porous media can help reduce their risk of contaminating soil and groundwater systems. In this study, column and batch adsorption experiments were performed with 14C-labeled bisphenol analogs and combined with mathematical models to investigate the interaction of BPA, BPS, 4,4'-BPF, 2,2'-BPF, and 2,4'-BPF with four standard soils with different soil organic matter (SOM) contents. The results show that the transport capacity of BPS and 4,4'-BPF in the saturated soils is significantly stronger than that of BPA. Meanwhile, the mobility of the three isomers of bisphenol F exhibits variability in saturated soils with high SOM content. The two-site nonequilibrium sorption model was applied to simulate and interpret column experimental data, and model simulations described the interactions between the bisphenol analogs and soil very well. The fitting results underscore SOM's role in providing dynamic adsorption sites for bisphenol analogs. Hydrophobicity primarily accounts for the disparity in adsorption affinity between BPA, BPS, 4,4'-BPF, and soil, whereas hydrogen bonding forces may predominantly influence the differential adsorption affinity between 4,4'-BPF and its isomers and soil. The results of this study indicate that BPS and three isomers of BPF, as alternatives to BPA, have higher mobility in saturated soils and may pose a substantial risk to groundwater quality. This study enhances our understanding of bisphenol analogs' behavior in natural soils, facilitating an assessment of their environmental implications, particularly regarding groundwater contamination.

Review of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds (EDCs) in China's water environments: Implications for environmental fate, transport and health risks

Endocrine Disrupting Compounds (EDCs) are ubiquitous in soil and water system and have become a great issue of environmental and public health concern since the 1990s. However, the occurrence and mechanism(s) of EDCs' migration and transformation at the watershed scale are poorly understood. A review of EDCs pollution in China's major watersheds (and comparison to other countries) has been carried out to better assess these issues and associated ecological risks, compiling a large amount of data. Comparing the distribution characteristics of EDCs in water environments around the world and analyzing various measures and systems for managing EDCs internationally, the significant insights of the review are: 1) There are significant spatial differences and concentration variations of EDCs in surface water and groundwater in China, yet all regions present non-negligible ecological risks. 2) The hyporheic zone, as a transitional zone of surface water and groundwater interaction, can effectively adsorb and degrade EDCs and prevent the migration of high concentrations of EDCs from surface water to groundwater. This suggests that more attention needs to be paid to the role played by critical zones in water environments, when considering the removal of EDCs in water environments. 3) In China, there is a lack of comprehensive and effective regulations to limit and reduce EDCs generated during human activities and their discharge into the water environment. 4) To prevent the deterioration of surface water and groundwater quality, the monitoring and management of EDCs in water environments should be strengthened in China. This review provides a thorough survey of scientifically valid data and recommendations for the development of policies for the management of EDCs in China's water environment.

Degradation of dimethyl phthalate by morphology controlled β-MnO2 activated peroxymonosulfate: The overlooked roles of high-valent manganese species

Activated peroxymonosulfate (PMS) processes have emerged as an efficient advanced oxidation process to eliminate refractory organic pollutants in water. This study synthesized a novel spherical manganese oxide catalyst (0.4KBr-β-MnO2) via a simple KBr-guided approach to activate PMS for degrading dimethyl phthalate (DMP). The 0.4KBr-β-MnO2/PMS system enhanced DMP degradation under different water quality conditions, exhibiting an ultrahigh and stable catalytic activity, outperforming equivalent quantities of pristine β-MnO2 by 8.5 times. Mn(V) was the dominant reactive species that was revealed by the generation of methyl phenyl sulfone from methyl phenyl sulfoxide oxidation. The selectivity of Mn(V) was demonstrated by the negligible inhibitory effects of Inorganic anions. Theoretical calculations confirmed that Mn (V) was more prone to attack the CO bond of the side chain of DMP. This study revealed the indispensable roles of high-valent manganese species in DMP degradation by the 0.4KBr-β-MnO2/PMS system. The findings could provide insight into effective PMS activation by Mn-based catalysts to efficiently degrade pollutants in water via the high-valent manganese species.

Assessment of endocrine disruptor pollutants and their metabolites in environmental water samples using a sustainable natural deep eutectic solvent-based analytical methodology

In this work, an evaluation of the occurrence of fifteen phthalates, four metabolites and one adipate in different groundwater, seawater and wastewater samples has been carried out due to their relevance on human health as they act as endocrine disruptors. For this purpose, a sustainable, fast and easy-handling vortex-assisted liquid-liquid microextraction method using a natural hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent based on menthol and carvacrol as extraction agent, combined with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry technique, has been developed and applied for the first time. An optimization was performed to evaluate four important factors affecting the extraction performance, and an analytical validation was carried out in terms of matrix effect, linearity, extraction efficiency, and sensitivity. Recovery values were obtained in the range 72-119% for all analytes (except for monoethyl phthalate: 61.1-72.3%) with relative standard deviation values lower than 17%. Limits of quantification were found between 0.91 and 8.09 μg L-1. As a result of the assessment of 31 different environmental water samples, monoethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate and bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate were detected and quantified at different concentrations in the range 2.59-21.17 μg L-1 in 6 samples, and diallyl phthalate, butyl benzyl phthalate, dipentyl phthalate, dicyclohexyl phthalate, dihexyl phthalate and bis (2-ethylhexyl) adipate were detected in 20 more, showing the exposition of the population to these hazardous substances.

Application of iron-intercalated graphite for modification of nickel foam cathode in heterogeneous electro-Fenton system: Bisphenol A removal from water at neutral pH

The presence of bisphenol A (BPA) in natural waters can be highly harmful due to its high persistence and adverse effects, raising concerns to remove this hazardous compound. Herein, an electro-Fenton system is proposed to eliminate BPA, wherein the iron source in the Fenton reaction is provided by its intercalation into the carbon layers of graphite. The produced heterogeneous catalyst was then coated onto the nickel foam serving as a cathode. The magnetic graphite intercalated compound (mGIC) and the modified cathode (before and after experiments) were characterized by FE-SEM, EDX, XPS, and XRD analyses. Some effective parameters, namely pH (3-9), current density (0-20 mA cm-2), and BPA concentration (0.5-20 mg L-1) were studied. At pH 3, the removal of BPA was 95.52%, and under neutral circumstances, the BPA and TOC removals were 85.70 and 58.12%, respectively at the initial BPA concentration of 10 mg L-1. The proposed system was also applied to several water sources spiked with BPA at the concentration of 5 mg L-1 under neutral pH, which exhibited considerable removal of 99.74%, 99.72%, and 92.70% for groundwater, municipal effluent wastewater, and tap water, respectively. The proposed system was applied for 15 consecutive cycles without showing significant changes in BPA removal, indicating its excellent stability and reusability. Furthermore, based on the analysis of intermediates, a possible decomposition pathway was proposed, indicating a reduction in overall toxicity. By using the proposed heterogeneous electro-Fenton system, iron waste is avoided, and operational costs of treatment can be reduced due to the absence of iron sludge production and catalyst loss.

Palladium-Copper Bimetallic Aerogel as New Modifier for Highly Sensitive Determination of Bisphenol A in Real Samples

In this study, a bimetallic palladium-copper aerogel was synthesized and used for modification of a graphite paste electrode (Pd-Cu/GPE), allowing the sensitive determination of bisphenol A (BPA). Different techniques, such as SEM, TEM, XPS, and AFM, were used for characterization of the Pd-Cu aerogel. To elucidate the properties of the Pd-Cu/GPE, the electrochemistry methods such as differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used. DPV measurements were conducted in phosphate electrolyte and buffer solution (0.2 M PBS, pH 5) at a potential range from 0.4 to 0.9 V vs. Ag/AgCl. The DPVs peaks currents increased linearly with BPA concentrations in the 0.04-85 and 85-305 µM ranges, with a limit of detection of 20 nM. The modified electrode was successfully used in real samples to determine BPA, and the results were compared to the standard HPLC method. The results showed that the Pd-Cu/GPE had good selectivity, stability, and sensitivity for BPA determination.

Composition, distribution, health risks, and drivers of phthalates in typical red paddy soils

The accelerated accumulation of phthalate esters (PAEs) in paddy soils poses a serious threat to human health. However, related studies mainly focus on facility vegetable fields, drylands, and orchards, and little is known about paddy soils. In this study, 125 samples were collected from typical red paddy fields to investigate the pollution characteristics, sources, health risks, and main drivers of PAEs. Soil physicochemical properties, enzyme activity, and bacterial community composition were also measured simultaneously. The results showed that eight PAE congeners were detected ranging from 0.17 to 1.97 mg kg-1. Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and di-isobutyl phthalate (DIBP) were the most abundant PAE congeners, accounting for 81% of the total PAEs. DEHP exhibited a potential carcinogenic risk to humans through the intake route. The main PAEs were positively correlated with soil organic matter (SOM) and soil water content (SWC) contents. Low levels of PAEs increased bacterial abundance. Furthermore, most PAE congeners were positively correlated with hydrolase activity. Soil acidity and nutrient dynamics played a dominant role in the bacterial community composition, with PAE congeners playing a secondary role. These findings suggest that there may be a threshold response between PAEs and organic matter and nutrient transformation in red paddy soils, and that microbial community should be the key driver. Overall, this study deepens the understanding of ecological risks and microbial mechanisms of PAEs in red paddy soils.

MWCNTs Decorated with TiO2 as Highly Performing Filler in the Preparation of Nanocomposite Membranes for Scalable Photocatalytic Degradation of Bisphenol A in Water

Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine-disrupting compound with estrogenic behavior, is of great concern within the scientific community due to its high production levels and increasing concentration in various surface aquifers. While several materials exhibit excellent capacity for the photocatalytic degradation of BPA, their powdered nature and poor chemical stability render them unsuitable for practical application in large-scale water decontamination. In this study, a new class of nanocomposite membranes based on sulfonated polyethersulfone (sPES) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes decorated with TiO2 nanoparticles (MWCNTs-TiO2) were investigated as efficient and scalable photocatalysts for the photodegradation of BPA in aqueous solutions. The MWCNTs-TiO2 hybrid material was prepared through a facile and inexpensive hydrothermal method and extensively characterized by XRD, Raman, FTIR, BET, and TGA. Meanwhile, nanocomposite membranes at different filler loadings were prepared by a simple casting procedure. Swelling tests and PFG NMR analyses provided insights into the impact of filler introduction on membrane hydrophilicity and water molecular dynamics, whereas the effectiveness of the various photocatalysts in BPA removal was monitored using HPLC. Among the different MWCNTs-TiO2 content nanocomposites, the one at 10 wt% loading (sP-MT10) showed the best photoactivity. Under UV irradiation at 254 nm and 365 nm for 240 min, photocatalytic oxidation of 5 mg/L bisphenol A by sP-MT10 resulted in 91% and 82% degradation, respectively. Both the effect of BPA concentration and the membrane regenerability were evaluated, revealing that the sP-MT10 maintained its maximum BPA removal capability over more than 10 cycles. Our findings indicate that sP-MT nanocomposite membranes are versatile, scalable, efficient, and highly reusable photocatalysts for the degradation of BPA, as well as potentially for other endocrine disruptors.

Contaminant occurrence, distribution and ecological risk assessment of phthalate esters in the Persian Gulf

Due to the increasing population of the world, the presence of harmful compounds, especially phthalate esters (PAEs), are one of the important problems of environmental pollution. These compounds are known as carcinogenic compounds and Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) for humans. In this study, the occurrence of PAEs and the evaluation of its ecological risks were carried out in the Persian Gulf. Water samples were collected from two industrial sites, a rural site and an urban site. Samples were analyzed using magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) technique to measure seven PAEs including Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), Dimethyl phthalate (DMP), di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP), and Di-iso-butyl phthalate (DIBP). The BBP was not detected in any of the samples. The total concentration of six PAEs (Σ6PAEs) ranged from 7.23 to 23.7 μg/L, with a mean concentration of 13.7μg/L. The potential ecological risk of each target PAEs was evaluated by using the risk quotient (RQ) method in seawater samples, and the relative results declined in the sequence of DEHP >DIBP > DBP > DEP > DMP in examined water samples. DEHP had a high risk to algae, crustaceans and fish at all sites. While DMP and DEP showed lower risk for all mentioned trophic levels. The results of this study will be helpful for the implementation of effective control measures and remedial strategies for PAEs pollution in the Persian Gulf.

Bisphenols in water: Occurrence, effects, and mitigation strategies

Bisphenols (bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol S (BPS), bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol AF (BPAF)) are widely used as additives in numerous industries and therefore they are ubiquitously present throughout the world's natural environment including water. A review of the literature is presented on their sources, pathways of entry into the environment, and especially aquatic contexts, their toxicity to humans and other organisms and the technologies for removing them from water. The treatment technologies used are mostly adsorption, biodegradation, advanced oxidation, coagulation, and membrane separation processes. In the adsorption process, several adsorbents, especially carbon-based materials, have been tested. The biodegradation process has been deployed and it involves a variety of micro-organisms. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) such as UV/O₃-based, catalysis relevant AOPs, electrochemical AOPs and physical AOPs have been employed. Both the biodegradation process and AOPs generate by-products which may be toxic. These by-products need to be subsequently removed using other treatment processes. Effectiveness of the membrane process varies depending on the porosity, charge, hydrophobicity, and other properties of the membrane. The problems and limitations of each treatment technique are discussed and methods to overcome them are presented. Suggestions are articulated to use a combination of processes to improve the removal efficiencies.

Carbonaceous CoCr LDH nanocomposite as a light-responsive sonocatalyst for treatment of a plasticizer-containing water

The carbonous-based nanocomposites of CoCr layered double hydroxide (LDH) with graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) were prepared. The successful synthesis of the CoCr LDH in hydrotalcite crystalline structure was deduced from the pattern obtained from X-ray diffraction, and the chemical composition of its surface was checked by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The prosperous decorating of LDH on the sheets of rGO and GO was authenticated by the energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis and micrographs of scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy. The photo-assisted sonocatalytic activity of the prepared nanocomposites was appraised for the decomposition of dimethyl phthalate (DMP) as a plasticizer. The highest decomposition efficiency of 100% was obtained in the existence of CoCr LDH/rGO nanocomposite (0.5 g/L) during 20 min of reaction time via photo-assisted sonocatalysis. The rGO improved the catalytic activity of the CoCr LDH by increasing the specific surface area from 1.2 m²/g to 4.5 m²/g and reducing the band gap from 1.7 eV to 1.3 eV. Moreover, the results of the colony-forming unit method endorsed antibacterial property improvement of the CoCr LDH via hybridizing with rGO. The results of this research provide an optimistic perspective for applying carbonous-based nanocomposites of CoCr LDH as a novel catalyst with antibacterial properties in photo-assisted sonocatalytic processes.

Estrogenic and non-estrogenic effects of bisphenol A and its action mechanism in the zebrafish model: An overview of the past two decades of work

Bisphenol A (BPA) is the most simple and predominant component of the Bisphenol family. BPA is widely present in the environment and the human body as a result of its extensive usage in the plastic and epoxy resins of consumer goods like water bottles, food containers, and tableware. Since the 1930s, when BPA's estrogenic activity was first observed, and it was labeled as a "mimic hormone of E2", studies on the endocrine-disrupting effects of BPA then have been widely conducted. As a top vertebrate model for genetic and developmental studies, the zebrafish has caught tremendous attention in the past two decades. By using the zebrafish, the negative effects of BPA either through estrogenic signaling pathways or non-estrogenic signaling pathways were largely found. In this review, we tried to draw a full picture of the current state of knowledge on the estrogenic and non-estrogenic effects of BPA with their mechanisms of action through the zebrafish model of the past two decades, which may help to fully understand the endocrine-disrupting effects of BPA and its action mechanism, and give a direction for the future studies.

Association of urinary bisphenol A with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2016

Bisphenol A (BPA), one of the most widely consumed endocrine disrupting chemicals, has been found to be associated with a variety of diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases. However, few studies have investigated the association of BPA with long-term health outcomes. This study analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2016. The NHANES data were linked to mortality data (with a follow-up point of December 31, 2019). The urinary BPA concentration was estimated by adjusting for urinary creatinine (BPA/Cr, ng/mg). Complex sampling-weighted multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare the hazard ratios (HRs) of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality among participants with different urinary BPA concentrations. This study included 9243 adult participants. The median follow-up duration was 9.1 years. During this period, 1200 all-cause deaths occurred, of which 374 were cardiovascular deaths. Compared to the lowest BPA/Cr quartile group, the adjusted HRs of the highest BPA/Cr quartile group were 1.76 (95% CI, 1.23-2.52) for cardiovascular mortality and 1.21 (95% CI, 0.98-1.49) for all-cause mortality. In addition, there was a significant interaction between sex and BPA/Cr (P for interaction = 0.044) for the risk of cardiovascular mortality. The adjusted HR for cardiovascular mortality in female participants was 2.80 (95% CI, 1.56-5.02), while that in male participants was only 1.34 (95% CI, 0.79-2.24). Higher urinary BPA is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality among US adults. The effect of BPA on cardiovascular mortality may be more pronounced in women than in men.

Application, mechanism and prospects of Fe-based/ Fe-biochar catalysts in heterogenous ozonation process: A review

A growing number of novel organic contaminants have escalated the demands and challenges for water treatment technology. Advanced oxidation processes based on ozone have the advantage of strong oxidative capacity and higher efficiency, which have promising application prospects in the treatment of refractory organic contaminants. Biochar has attracted a lot of interest in recent years in wastewater treatment owing to its porous structure, portable preparation and outstanding stability. Moreover, iron species are widely used in catalytic ozonation owing to their magnetic polarization, vast abundance and low price. Despite a plethora of research on Fe-based catalysts in ozonation process, the heterogeneous catalytic ozonation with Fe-loaded biochar lacks a comprehensive compendium. This review intends to introduce the research progress on Fe-based catalysts and Fe-loaded biochar in heterogeneous catalytic ozonation progress, summarize and further explore the mechanisms and detection techniques of various active components in catalytic ozonation, as well as providing fresh insights for future research.

Current Evidence on Bisphenol A Exposure and the Molecular Mechanism Involved in Related Pathological Conditions

Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the so-called endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of different morbid conditions: immune-mediated disorders, type-2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. The purpose of this review is to analyze the mechanism of action of bisphenol A, with a special focus on mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) and adipogenesis. Its uses will be assessed in various fields: dental, orthopedic, and industrial. The different pathological or physiological conditions altered by BPA and the related molecular pathways will be taken into consideration.