Recent trends in pesticides in crops: A critical review of the duality of risks-benefits and the Brazilian legislation issue

How do glyphosate and AMPA alter the microbial community structure and phosphorus cycle in rice-crayfish systems?

Glyphosate, a commonly used organophosphorus herbicide in rice-crayfish cropping regions, may alter regional phosphorus cycle processes while affecting the structure of microbial communities. However, the effects of glyphosate residues on rice-crayfish systems remain unclear. In this study, we assessed the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of glyphosate and its primary degradation products, as well as the impact mechanisms of glyphosate on microbial communities and the phosphorus cycle in rice-crayfish systems such as paddy fields, breeding ditches and recharge rivers. The detection rates of glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) were 100% in rice-crayfish systems. Concentrations of glyphosate in the water phase and soil/sediment were as high as 0.012 μg/L and 7.480 μg/kg, respectively, and concentrations of AMPA were as high as 17.435 μg/L and 13.200 μg/kg, respectively. Glyphosate concentrations were not affected by rainfall or sampling site, but concentrations of AMPA in the water phase of recharge rivers were affected by rainfall. The glyphosate concentration was significantly and positively correlated with RBG-16-58-14 abundance, and the AMPA concentration was significantly and positively correlated with Actinobacteria and Lysobacter abundance, and negatively correlated with Cyanobacteria abundance (P < 0.05). The highest abundances of phoD, phnK, and ppx genes were found in all soils/sediments. Glyphosate concentration in soil/sediment was significantly and positively correlated with the abundance of phoD gene encoding an organophosphorus-degrading enzyme and ppx gene encoding poly inorganic phosphate (Pi) hydrolase (P < 0.05). In addition, the glyphosate concentration was significantly and positively correlated with the Ca-bonded Pi content (P < 0.05). This implies that glyphosate may promote the production of stable Pi in rice-crayfish systems by increasing the abundance of phoD and ppx genes. The results of this study reveal the impact mechanism of glyphosate on the phosphorus cycle in rice-crayfish systems and provide a basis for the risk assessment of glyphosate.

Levels and health risk assessment of twenty-one current-use pesticides in urban and riverside waters of the Brazilian Amazon Basin

In Brazil, the favorable weather conditions and abundant land contribute to the thriving agricultural production. Brazilian crops extensively employ pesticides due to their high efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and permissive regulatory framework. However, pesticide use also endangers water resources, animal organisms, and human health. Due to the lack of data on pesticide use in the Amazonas forest-based Brazil, the present study aimed to assess the levels of twenty-one current-use pesticides (CUPs) from five different classes in river waters collected from urban and riverside areas in this region. Moreover, the non-carcinogenic risks associated with water consumption were also characterized. Thirteen CUPs were detected in concentrations above the limit of detection (LOD) in at least one of the water samples, and most pesticides were detected in riverside areas. In contrast, only 18% of the analyzed samples were considered "clean," with only one compound detected. Fenitrothion showed the highest concentration, with a mean value of 4.86 ng/mL (0.30-14.3 ng/mL). Up to 33% of the samples showed levels of fipronil above the LOD, an issue of environmental and human health concern, mainly because of the adverse effects observed in honeybees. Despite this, the human health risk assessment showed a target hazard quotient below one (HQ < 1) in adults for all substances, suggesting that pesticide exposure through water consumption should not mean risk for the riverside populations. Taking into account the large extension of Brazil, as well as its different agricultural practices throughout the country, it would be of great importance to conduct extensive research in other areas. It would help to gain knowledge in this field and to promote eco-friendly alternatives to mitigate pesticide use and, consequently, to reduce their potential adverse effects on human health and the ecosystems.

Time trends in the mortality of testicular cancer across the BRICS: an age-period-cohort analysis for the GBD 2019

Testicular cancer (TCa) is a rare but impactful malignancy that primarily affects young men. Understanding the mortality rate of TCa is crucial for improving prevention and treatment strategies to reduce the risk of death among patients. We obtained TCa mortality data by place (5 countries), age (20-79 years), and year (1990-2019) from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Age-period-cohort model was used to estimate the net drift, local drift, age effects, period and cohort effects. In 2019, the global mortality of TCa increased to 10842 (95% UI 9961, 11902), with an increase of 50.08% compared to 1990.The all-age mortality rate for TCa in 2019 increased from 0.17/100,000 (95% UI 0.13, 0.20) in China to 0.48/100,000 (95% UI 0.38, 0.59) in Russian Federation, whereas the age-standardized mortality rate in 2019 was highest in the South Africa 0.47/100,000 (95% UI 0.42, 0.53) and lowest in the China 0.16/100,000 (95% UI 0.13, 0.19). China's aging population shifts mortality patterns towards the elderly, while in Russian Federation, young individuals are primarily affected by the distribution of deaths. To address divergent TCa mortality advancements in BRICS countries, we propose a contextually adaptive and resource-conscious approach to prioritize TCa prevention. Tailoring strategies to contextual diversity, including policy frameworks, human resources, and financial capacities, will enhance targeted interventions and effectiveness in reducing TCa mortality.

Synergistic mitigation of atrazine-induced oxidative stress on soybeans in black soil using biochar and Paenarthrobacter sp. AT5

Atrazine, a widely used herbicide in modern agriculture, can lead to soil contamination and adverse effects on specific crops. To address this, we investigated the efficacy of biochar loaded with Paenarthrobacter sp. AT5 (an atrazine-degrading bacterial strain) in mitigating atrazine's impact on soybeans in black soil. Bacterially loaded biochar (BBC) significantly enhanced atrazine removal rates in both unplanted and planted soil systems. Moreover, BBC application improved soybean biomass, photosynthetic pigments, and antioxidant systems while mitigating alterations in metabolite pathways induced by atrazine exposure. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of BBC in reducing atrazine-induced oxidative stress on soybeans in black soil, highlighting its potential for sustainable agriculture.

Biomonitoring and risk assessment of human exposure to triazole fungicides

Risk assessment and biomarkers were evaluated in volunteers exposed to triazole fungicides in southern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Volunteers were divided into two groups: occupationally and environmentally exposed to pesticides (n = 140) and those unexposed (n = 50) from urban areas. Urine samples were analyzed by GC-MS for triazoles, and samples from men and women in the exposed group were quantified. Groups were further stratified by sex to evaluate the biomarkers results. Oxidative stress was indicated by biomarker analysis for occupationally exposed men with elevated malondialdehyde levels and reduced superoxide dismutase and catalase activity (p < 0.0001). Bile acid levels were also elevated in the exposed group (p < 0.0001). Biomarkers in this study suggest recent, reversible changes due to pesticide exposure. Liver enzyme levels showed no significant differences. The highest Estimated Daily Intake for epoxiconazole ranged from 0.534 to 6.31 μg/kg-bw/day for men and 0.657-8.77 μg/kg-bw/day for women in the exposed group. Considering the highest detected urinary triazole value, the calculated Hazard Quotient for epoxiconazole was 0.789 for men and 1.1 for women. Results indicate a health risk associated with environmental triazole exposure, highlighting the importance of biomonitoring in risk assessment to prevent intoxication and assist in mitigating adverse health effects from chronic pesticide exposure.

Ecological Implications on Aquatic Food Webs Due to Effects of Pesticides on Invertebrate Predators in a Neotropical Region

Predation presents specific behavioral characteristics for each species, and the interaction between prey and predator influences the structuring of the food web. Concerning insects, predation can be affected in different ways, such as exposure to chemical stressors, e.g., pesticides. Therefore, analyses were carried out of the effects of exposure to insecticide fipronil and the herbicide 2,4-D on predation, parameters of food selectivity, and the swimming behavior of two neotropical predatory aquatic insects of the families Belostomatidae (giant water bugs) and larvae of Libellulidae (dragonfly). These predatory insects were exposed for 24 h to a commercial formulation of the chlorophenoxy herbicide, 2,4-D at nominal concentrations of 200, 300, 700, and 1400 μg L-1, and to a commercial formulation of the phenylpyrazole insecticide, fipronil at nominal concentrations of 10, 70, 140, and 250 µg L-1. In a control treatment, the insects were placed in clean, unspiked water. At the end of the exposure, the maximum swimming speed of the predators was evaluated. Afterward, the predators were placed in clean water in a shared environment for 24 h with several prey species, including the cladoceran Ceriodaphnia silvestrii, larvae of the insect Chironomus sancticaroli, the amphipod Hyalella meinerti, the ostracod Strandesia trispinosa, and the oligochaete Allonais inaequalis for 24 h. After this period, the consumed prey was counted. The results reveal that predators from both families changed prey consumption compared with organisms from the control treatment, marked by a decrease after exposure to fipronil and an increase in consumption caused by 2,4-D. In addition, there were changes in the food preferences of both predators, especially when exposed to the insecticide. Exposure to fipronil decreased the swimming speed of Belostomatidae individuals, possibly due to its neurotoxic effect. Exposure to the insecticide and the herbicide altered prey intake by predators, which could negatively influence the complex prey-predator relationship and the functioning of aquatic ecosystems in contaminated areas.

First surveillance of pesticides in soils of the perimeter of Tadla, a Moroccan sugar beet intensive area

With the long-term application of pesticides on sugar beet farms in the irrigated perimeter of Tadla in Morocco for over 50 years, pesticide monitoring is necessary to assess soil health. The objective of our study was to monitor multiple pesticide residues in topsoil samples collected from post-harvest sugar beet fields and verify their migration to deep soil layers. Topsoil and deep soil samples were collected from arbitrarily selected sugar beet fields in the IPT. In this study, a target-screening method was applied. All target pesticides were detected in soil samples, with tefluthrin being the most frequently detected pesticide. The residue with the highest concentration in soil samples was DDE. All the soil samples contained a mixture of pesticide residues, with a maximum of 13 residues per sample. The total pesticide content decreased toward more profound layers of soil, except in one field where it reached a concentration of 348 µg/kg at the deeper soil layer. For pesticides detected at the three soil depths, only tefluthrin concentration increased in the deep soil layer. The results provide comprehensive and precise information on the pesticide residue status in sugar beet soils warning against the multiple risks that this contamination can cause. This study indicates the need of regular monitoring of pesticides over a large area of the perimeter to enable decision-makers to pronounce the impacts of the extension and intensification of sugar beet cultivation at the irrigated perimeter of Tadla.

Effect of glyphosate on the growth and survival of rhizobia isolated from root nodules of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.)

Grass pea (L. sativus L.) is a widely cultivated crop worldwide, forming a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing rhizobia. Glyphosate is commonly used by farmers for weed control during agricultural processes. However, the application of this chemical herbicide negatively impacts soil fertility by affecting the nitrogen-fixing rhizobia. This study aimed to assess the effects of glyphosate on rhizobia isolated from healthy and robust Grass pea plants. Specifically, Grass pea plants exhibiting vigorous growth and a healthy appearance were intentionally selected to isolate rhizobia from their root nodules. The isolated rhizobia were then characterized based on their morphological features, biochemical properties, and resistance to abiotic traits. Rhizobial isolates from grass peas exhibited Gram-negative, rod-shaped morphology, milky colony color, and variable colony sizes. Additionally, the majority displayed smooth colony surfaces on yeast extract mannitol agar medium. Based on morphological and biochemical characteristics, the isolates could be grouped under the genus Rhizobium. Optimum growth conditions for these isolates were observed at temperatures between 28 and 38 °C, pH levels ranging from 5 to 8, and salt (NaCl) concentrations of 0.5% and 1%. At a concentration of 20 mL L-1, glyphosate inhibited 5.52-47% of the Rhizobium population. The inhibition percentage increased to 17.1-53.38% at a concentration of 40 mL L-1. However, when exposed to a higher concentration (60 mL/L) of glyphosate, 87% of the isolates were inhibited. The number of colonies after glyphosate exposure was significantly dependent on concentration, and there were notable differences between treatments with varying glyphosate concentrations (p < 0.05). Glyphosate negatively impacted the survival of grass pea rhizobia, leading to a reduction in the Rhizobium population (CFU). However, the effect varied between Rhizobium isolated from grass pea root nodules.

A new solid phase extraction sorbent developed based on cyanopropyl functionalized silica nanoparticles for organophosphorus pesticides determination

In this work, a simple sol-gel approach was used for the preparation of cyanopropyl (CNPr) functionalized silica nanoparticles (SiO2-CNPr) that tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and cyanopropyltriethoxysilane (CNPrTEOS) used as precursors. This as-prepared SiO2-CNPr nanoparticle sorbent was first characterized using FESEM, EDX, FTIR, TGA, and BET techniques. Then, the SiO2-CNPr nanoparticle was applied as a new SPE sorbent for determining trace levels of OPPs in environmental water samples. To enhance the simultaneous extraction of non-polar or/and polar OPPs and to obtain the most efficient sorbent, several sol-gel synthesis parameters were studied. In addition, the effect of several effective parameters on SPE performance was investigated toward simultaneous extraction of non-polar or/and polar OPPs. Moreover, the figures of merit such as precision, linearity, LOQ, LOD, and recovery were evaluated for the sorbent. Finally, the designed SiO2-CNPr SPE was used to determine OPPs in real water samples, and its extraction performance was compared to commercial cartridges based on cyanopropyl.

Confinement-enhanced microalgal individuals biosensing for digital atrazine assay

Microalgal sensors are widely recognized for their high sensitivity, accessibility, and low cost. However, the current dilemma of motion-induced spatial phase changes and concentration-related multiple scattering interferes with induced test instability and limited sensitivity, which has hindered their practical applications. Here, a differentiated strategy, named confinement-enhanced microalgal biosensing (C-EMB), is developed and proposed to pave the way. The in-situ printed microgel trap is designed to confine Chlamydomonas reinhardtii individuals, stabilizing their spatial phase. The microgel trap arrays are introduced to eliminate the multiple scattering of microalgae, breaking the existing effective concentration in traditional microalgal sensing and enabling sensitive assays. The integration with lab-on-a-chip technology and a developed digital imaging algorithm empower portable and automated detection. With this system, a microalgae analyzer is developed for atrazine detection, featuring a linear range of 0.04-100 μg/L. We assess the system's performance through practical atrazine assays on commercial food, using a double-blind test against a standard instrument. Our results demonstrate the good accuracy and test stability of this system with the mean bias atrazine detection in corn and sugarcane juice samples (SD) were 1.661 μg/L (3.122 μg/L) and 3.144 μg/L (4.125 μg/L), respectively. This method provides a new paradigm of microalgal sensors and should advance the further applications of microalgal sensors in commercial and practical settings.

Model-Based Analysis of Lactuca sativa Root Growth under the Action of Herbicides in Milli-Channel Arrays with In Situ Imaging

Extracting practical information from the large amounts of data gathered during the live imaging analysis of plant organs is a challenging issue. The present work investigates the use of the logistic growth model to analyze experimental data from root elongation assays performed in milli-fluidic devices with in situ imaging. Lactuca sativa was used as a bioindicator and was subjected to wide concentration ranges of four different herbicides: 2,4-D, atrazine, glyphosate, and paraquat. The model parameters were directly connected to standard indicators of toxicity and plant development, such as the LD50 and the absolute growth rate, respectively. In addition, it was found that realistic predictions of the maximum root length can be achieved about 60 h before the bioassay end point, which could significantly shorten the turnaround time. The combination of milli-fluidic devices, real-time imaging, and model-based data analysis becomes a powerful tool for environmental studies and ecotoxicity testing.