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Zhong H, Su Y, Wu X, Nunes L, Li C, Hao Y, Liu YR, Tang W. Mercury supply limits methylmercury production in paddy soils. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 927:172335. [PMID: 38604369 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
The neurotoxic methylmercury (MeHg) is a product of inorganic mercury (IHg) after microbial transformation. Yet it remains unclear whether microbial activity or IHg supply dominates Hg methylation in paddies, hotspots of MeHg formation. Here, we quantified the response of MeHg production to changes in microbial activity and Hg supply using 63 paddy soils under the common scenario of straw amendment, a globally prevalent agricultural practice. We demonstrate that the IHg supply is the limiting factor for Hg methylation in paddies. This is because IHg supply is generally low in soils and can largely be facilitated (by 336-747 %) by straw amendment. The generally high activities of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) do not limit Hg methylation, even though SRB have been validated as the predominant microbial Hg methylators in paddies in this study. These findings caution against the mobilization of legacy Hg triggered by human activities and climate change, resulting in increased MeHg production and the subsequent flux of this potent neurotoxin to our dining tables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Zhong
- School of Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yao Su
- School of Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xinda Wu
- School of Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Luís Nunes
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Civil Engineering Research and Innovation for Sustainability Center, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Chengjun Li
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay Area, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yunyun Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yu-Rong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Wenli Tang
- School of Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
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2
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Guo J, Lu X, Tian M. Modified phosphogypsum whiskers for decontamination of mercury tailings. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:32416-32427. [PMID: 38649609 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33385-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) tailings are hazardous solid wastes because of their high Hg concentrations. Modified phosphogypsum (PG) can decrease the bioactivity and mobility of heavy metals through chemisorption or electrostatic interactions. In this study, PG whiskers were modified by ZnCl2 and S, chitosan-hydrochloric acid, and thioglycolic materials; the resulting modified whiskers were used to decontaminate Hg tailings. Leaching tests and orthogonal experiments were conducted to optimize the modification parameters, including modifier quantity, pH, reaction temperature, and reaction time. The structure and physicochemical properties of the whiskers before and after modification were characterized through X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The stabilization efficiency of the modified PG whiskers ranged from 93.05 to 97.50%, demonstrating excellent stabilization effects. The stabilization was achieved through chemisorption or complexation. The decontamination process using modified whiskers reduced the pH and total nitrogen of the tailings; increased the cation exchange, total phosphorus, organic carbon, and total carbon; and made the tailings suitable for planting. In addition, the modified PG promoted the morphological transformation of Hg in the tailings, thereby significantly decreasing the Hg content in the effective states and mitigating the risk of Hg contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinfa Guo
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuan Lu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengkui Tian
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, People's Republic of China.
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3
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Zhong H, Zhou H, Li Y, Li C, Tsui MTK, Mitchell CPJ, Zhou Y, Yang Y, Chen L, Ren H, Tang W. Methylmercury photodegradation in paddy water: An overlooked process mitigating methylmercury risks. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 253:121332. [PMID: 38377924 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Photodegradation is critical to reduce the potent neurotoxic methylmercury (MeHg) in water and its subsequent accumulation along food chains. However, this process has been largely ignored in rice paddies, which are hotspots of MeHg production and receive about a quarter of the world's developed freshwater resources. Here, we reported that significant MeHg photodegradation, primarily mediated by hydroxyl radicals, occurs in the overlying water during rice growth. By incorporating field-measured light interception into a rice paddy biogeochemistry model, as well as photodegradation rates obtained from 42 paddy soils stretching ∼3500 km across China, we estimated that photodegradation reduced MeHg concentrations in paddy water and rice by 82 % and 11 %, respectively. Without photodegradation, paddy water could be a significant MeHg source for downstream ecosystems, with an annual export of 178 - 856 kg MeHg to downstream waters in China, the largest rice producer. These findings suggest that photodegradation in paddy water is critical for preventing greater quantities of MeHg entering human food webs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Zhong
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Hangyu Zhou
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Yanbin Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology (Ministry of Education) and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong Province, PR China.
| | - Chengjun Li
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay Area, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, PR China
| | - Martin Tsz-Ki Tsui
- School of Life Sciences, Earth and Environmental Sciences Programme, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Carl P J Mitchell
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Scarborough, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada
| | - Yang Zhou
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Yanan Yang
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Long Chen
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science (Ministry of Education), School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Hongqiang Ren
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Wenli Tang
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, PR China.
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4
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Zhong H, Tang W, Li Z, Sonne C, Lam SS, Zhang X, Kwon SY, Rinklebe J, Nunes LM, Yu RQ, Gu B, Hintelmann H, Tsui MTK, Zhao J, Zhou XQ, Wu M, Liu B, Hao Y, Chen L, Zhang B, Tan W, Zhang XX, Ren H, Liu YR. Soil Geobacteraceae are the key predictors of neurotoxic methylmercury bioaccumulation in rice. NATURE FOOD 2024; 5:301-311. [PMID: 38605129 DOI: 10.1038/s43016-024-00954-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Contamination of rice by the potent neurotoxin methylmercury (MeHg) originates from microbe-mediated Hg methylation in soils. However, the high diversity of Hg methylating microorganisms in soils hinders the prediction of MeHg formation and challenges the mitigation of MeHg bioaccumulation via regulating soil microbiomes. Here we explored the roles of various cropland microbial communities in MeHg formation in the potentials leading to MeHg accumulation in rice and reveal that Geobacteraceae are the key predictors of MeHg bioaccumulation in paddy soil systems. We characterized Hg methylating microorganisms from 67 cropland ecosystems across 3,600 latitudinal kilometres. The simulations of a rice-paddy biogeochemical model show that MeHg accumulation in rice is 1.3-1.7-fold more sensitive to changes in the relative abundance of Geobacteraceae compared to Hg input, which is recognized as the primary parameter in controlling MeHg exposure. These findings open up a window to predict MeHg formation and accumulation in human food webs, enabling more efficient mitigation of risks to human health through regulations of key soil microbiomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Zhong
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, China.
- Environmental and Life Sciences Program (EnLS), Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Wenli Tang
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, China
| | - Zizhu Li
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, China
| | - Christian Sonne
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark.
- Sustainability Cluster, School of Engineering, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, India.
| | - Su Shiung Lam
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, Malaysia
- Center for Global Health Research (CGHR), Saveetha Medical College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai, India
| | - Xiao Zhang
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, China
| | - Sae Yun Kwon
- Division of Environmental Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, South Korea
| | - Jörg Rinklebe
- School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Foundation Engineering, Water and Waste Management, Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Management, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Luís M Nunes
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Civil Engineering Research and Innovation for Sustainability Center, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Ri-Qing Yu
- Department of Biology, Center for Environment, Biodiversity and Conservation, The University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX, USA
| | - Baohua Gu
- Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Holger Hintelmann
- Department of Chemistry, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - Martin Tsz-Ki Tsui
- School of Life Sciences, Earth and Environmental Sciences Programme, Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jiating Zhao
- Department of Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xin-Quan Zhou
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Mengjie Wu
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, China
| | - Beibei Liu
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, China
| | - Yunyun Hao
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Long Chen
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science (Ministry of Education), School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Baogang Zhang
- School of Water Resources and Environment, MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Circulation and Environmental Evolution, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, China
| | - Wenfeng Tan
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xu-Xiang Zhang
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, China
| | - Hongqiang Ren
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, China
| | - Yu-Rong Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology and College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.
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5
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Liu JB, Zhou YJ, Du FZ, Man YB, Wong MH, Cheng Z. Human health risk assessment based on a total diet study of daily mercury intake in Chengdu, China. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2024; 46:138. [PMID: 38483661 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-024-01910-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
To assess the total daily mercury intake and main exposure sources of residents, six food groups, including marine fish, freshwater fish, poultry, livestock, vegetables, and cereals, were collected from five districts of Chengdu, China. The median concentrations of total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) were 12.8 and 6.94 μg kg-1 ww, respectively. Cereals (32.2%), vegetables (30.5%), and livestock (16.2%) contributed to a much larger extent to the total consumption for the participants in Chengdu. All food categories that contributed the most of THg (2.16 μg day-1) and MeHg 1.44 (μg day-1) to the daily intake in Chengdu were cereals and marine fish, respectively. The total Hazard Ratios values below 1 in this study indicate that there is no health risk associated with Hg ingestion from the consumption of these foods for the residents in Chengdu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Bo Liu
- College of Environment, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, People's Republic of China
| | - Ya Jun Zhou
- College of Environment, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang Zhou Du
- College of Environment, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Bon Man
- Consortium on Health, Environment, Education, and Research (CHEER), and Department of Science and Environmental Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Ming Hung Wong
- Consortium on Health, Environment, Education, and Research (CHEER), and Department of Science and Environmental Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhang Cheng
- College of Environment, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, People's Republic of China.
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6
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Li S, Li Z, Wu M, Zhou Y, Tang W, Zhong H. Mercury transformations in algae, plants, and animals: The occurrence, mechanisms, and gaps. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 911:168690. [PMID: 38000748 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a global pollutant showing potent toxicity to living organisms. The transformations of Hg are critical to global Hg cycling and Hg exposure risks, considering Hg mobilities and toxicities vary depending on Hg speciation. Though currently well understood in ambient environments, Hg transformations are inadequately explored in non-microbial organisms. The primary drivers of in vivo Hg transformations are far from clear, and the impacts of these processes on global Hg cycling and Hg associated health risks are not well understood. This hinders a comprehensive understanding of global Hg cycling and the effective mitigation of Hg exposure risks. Here, we focused on Hg transformations in non-microbial organisms, particularly algae, plants, and animals. The process of Hg oxidation/reduction and methylation/demethylation in organisms were reviewed since these processes are the key transformations between the dominant Hg species, i.e., elemental Hg (Hg0), divalent inorganic Hg (IHgII), and methylmercury (MeHg). By summarizing the current knowledge of Hg transformations in organisms, we proposed the potential yet overlooked drivers of these processes, along with potential challenges that hinder a full understanding of in vivo Hg transformations. Knowledge summarized in this review would help achieve a comprehensive understanding of the fate and toxicity of Hg in organisms, providing a basis for predicting Hg cycles and mitigating human exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shouying Li
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zhuoran Li
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Mengjie Wu
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Wenli Tang
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Huan Zhong
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing 210023, China.
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7
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Gong Y, Chu J, Kwong R, Nunes LM, Zhao D, Tang W, Li C, Wei Z, Ju Y, Li H, Ma LQ, Yu X, Zhong H. Contamination and Carcinogenic Risks of Lead in Lip Cosmetics in China. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2024; 112:27. [PMID: 38281165 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-024-03851-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
There are growing concerns about elevated lead (Pb) levels in lip cosmetics, yet in China, the largest lip cosmetic market, recent Pb contamination in lip cosmetics and associated Pb exposure remain unclear. Here, we measured Pb levels of 29 popular lip cosmetics in China and conducted the bioaccessibility-corrected carcinogenic risk assessments and sensitivity analysis regarding Pb exposure for consumers using Monte Carlo simulation. The Pb concentrations of collected samples ranged from undetectable (< 0.05 µg/kg) to 0.21 mg/kg, all of which were well below the Pb concentration limit set for cosmetics in China (10 mg/kg). The 50th percentile incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) of Pb in Chinese cosmetics (1.20E-07) was below the acceptable level (1E-06), indicating that the application of lip cosmetics and subsequent Pb exposure does not pose carcinogenic risks to consumers in most cases. The results of this study provide new insights into understanding the Pb risk in lip cosmetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Gong
- Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE), Nanjing, 210042, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Junru Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Raymond Kwong
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Luis M Nunes
- University of Algarve, Civil Engineering Research and Innovation for Sustainability Center, Faro, 8005-139, Portugal
| | - Di Zhao
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, P. R. China
| | - Wenli Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Chengjiu Li
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay Area, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
| | - Zhongbo Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Yongming Ju
- Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE), Nanjing, 210042, P. R. China
| | - Hongbo Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China
| | - Lena Q Ma
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Institute of Soil and Water Resources and Environmental Science, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, P. R. China
| | - Xiezhi Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China.
| | - Huan Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, P. R. China.
- Environmental and Life Science Program (EnLS), Trent University, Peterborough, ON, K9L 0G2, Canada.
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8
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Tang W, Bai X, Zhou Y, Sonne C, Wu M, Lam SS, Hintelmann H, Mitchell CPJ, Johs A, Gu B, Nunes L, Liu C, Feng N, Yang S, Rinklebe J, Lin Y, Chen L, Zhang Y, Yang Y, Wang J, Li S, Wu Q, Ok YS, Xu D, Li H, Zhang XX, Ren H, Jiang G, Chai Z, Gao Y, Zhao J, Zhong H. A hidden demethylation pathway removes mercury from rice plants and mitigates mercury flux to food chains. NATURE FOOD 2024; 5:72-82. [PMID: 38177223 DOI: 10.1038/s43016-023-00910-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Dietary exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) causes irreversible damage to human cognition and is mitigated by photolysis and microbial demethylation of MeHg. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) has been identified as a major dietary source of MeHg. However, it remains unknown what drives the process within plants for MeHg to make its way from soils to rice and the subsequent human dietary exposure to Hg. Here we report a hidden pathway of MeHg demethylation independent of light and microorganisms in rice plants. This natural pathway is driven by reactive oxygen species generated in vivo, rapidly transforming MeHg to inorganic Hg and then eliminating Hg from plants as gaseous Hg°. MeHg concentrations in rice grains would increase by 2.4- to 4.7-fold without this pathway, which equates to intelligence quotient losses of 0.01-0.51 points per newborn in major rice-consuming countries, corresponding to annual economic losses of US$30.7-84.2 billion globally. This discovered pathway effectively removes Hg from human food webs, playing an important role in exposure mitigation and global Hg cycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenli Tang
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, China
| | - Xu Bai
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, China
| | - Christian Sonne
- Department of Ecoscience, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark.
- Sustainability Cluster, School of Engineering, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, India.
| | - Mengjie Wu
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, China
| | - Su Shiung Lam
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, Malaysia
- Center for Global Health Research (CGHR), Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai, India
| | - Holger Hintelmann
- Department of Chemistry and School of the Environment, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carl P J Mitchell
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alexander Johs
- Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Baohua Gu
- Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Luís Nunes
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Civil Engineering Research and Innovation for Sustainability Center, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Cun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Naixian Feng
- College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sihai Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jörg Rinklebe
- School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Foundation Engineering, Water and Waste Management, Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Management, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Yan Lin
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Technology for Complex Trans-Media Pollution, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Long Chen
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science (Ministry of Education), School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanxu Zhang
- School of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanan Yang
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiaqi Wang
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, China
| | - Shouying Li
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, China
| | - Qingru Wu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Sources and Control of Air Pollution Complex, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Sik Ok
- Korea Biochar Research Center, APRU Sustainable Waste Management Program and Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Diandou Xu
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
| | - Hong Li
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
| | - Xu-Xiang Zhang
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, China
| | - Hongqiang Ren
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, China
| | - Guibin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhifang Chai
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yuxi Gao
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China.
| | - Jiating Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China.
- Department of Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Huan Zhong
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, China.
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9
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Guo P, Rennenberg H, Du H, Wang T, Gao L, Flemetakis E, Hänsch R, Ma M, Wang D. Bacterial assemblages imply methylmercury production at the rice-soil system. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 178:108066. [PMID: 37399771 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
The plant microbiota can affect plant health and fitness by promoting methylmercury (MeHg) production in paddy soil. Although most well-known mercury (Hg) methylators are observed in the soil, it remains unclear how rice rhizosphere assemblages alter MeHg production. Here, we used network analyses of microbial diversity to identify bulk soil (BS), rhizosphere (RS) and root bacterial networks during rice development at Hg gradients. Hg gradients greatly impacted the niche-sharing of taxa significantly relating to MeHg/THg, while plant development had little effect. In RS networks, Hg gradients increased the proportion of MeHg-related nodes in total nodes from 37.88% to 45.76%, but plant development enhanced from 48.59% to 50.41%. The module hub and connector in RS networks included taxa positively (Nitrososphaeracea, Vicinamibacteraceae and Oxalobacteraceae) and negatively (Gracilibacteraceae) correlating with MeHg/THg at the blooming stage. In BS networks, Deinococcaceae and Paludibacteraceae were positively related to MeHg/THg, and constituted the connector at the reviving stage and the module hub at the blooming stage. Soil with an Hg concentration of 30 mg kg-1 increased the complexity and connectivity of root microbial networks, although microbial community structure in roots was less affected by Hg gradients and plant development. As most frequent connector in root microbial networks, Desulfovibrionaceae did not significantly correlate with MeHg/THg, but was likely to play an important role in the response to Hg stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Guo
- Center of Molecular Ecophysiology (CMEP), College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Heinz Rennenberg
- Center of Molecular Ecophysiology (CMEP), College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hongxia Du
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Bio-resource for Bioenergy, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Center of Molecular Ecophysiology (CMEP), College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lan Gao
- Center of Molecular Ecophysiology (CMEP), College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Emmanouil Flemetakis
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Robert Hänsch
- Institute for Plant Biology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Humboldtstraße 1, D-38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Ming Ma
- Center of Molecular Ecophysiology (CMEP), College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Bio-resource for Bioenergy, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Dingyong Wang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Environment, College of Resources and Environment, Chongqing, China
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10
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Wu Z, Li P, Dong H, Feng X. Mercury and selenium co-ingestion assessment via rice consumption using an in-vitro method: Bioaccessibility and interactions. Food Res Int 2023; 170:113027. [PMID: 37316027 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2023.113027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) was reported to accumulate in rice grains, and, together with the selenium (Se) was found in rice, the co-exposure of Hg-Se via rice consumption may present significant health effects to human. This research collected rice samples containing high Hg:high Se and high Se:low Hg concentrations from high Hg and high Se background areas. The physiologically based extraction test (PBET) in vitro digestion model was utilized to obtain bioaccessibility data from samples. The results showed relatively low bioaccessible for Hg (<60%) and Se (<25%) in both rice sample groups, and no statistically significant antagonism was identified. However, the correlations of Hg and Se bioaccessibility showed an inverse pattern for the two sample groups. A negative correlation was detected in the high Se background rice group and a positive correlation in the high Hg background group, suggesting various micro forms of Hg and Se in rice from different planting locations. In addition, when the benefit-risk value (BRV) was calculated, some "fake" positive results showed while Hg and Se concentrations were directly used, which indicated that bioaccessibility should not be neglected in benefit-risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze Wu
- College of Eco-Environmental Engineering, Guizhou Minzu University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550025, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550025, China
| | - Ping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China.
| | - Hui Dong
- School of Karst Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550001, China
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
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11
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Du S, Wang X, Zhou Z, Zhang T, Kamran M, Ding C. Controlling Factors and Predictive Models of Total Mercury and Methylmercury Accumulation in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) from Mercury-Contaminated Paddy Soils. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2023; 111:5. [PMID: 37349509 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-023-03766-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
It is urgent to detect the major controlling factors and establish predictive models of mercury (Hg) accumulation in rice. A pot trial was conducted, exogenous Hg was added to 19 paddy soils at 4 concentration levels in this study. The major controlling factors of total Hg (THg) in brown rice were soil THg, pH and organic matter (OM) content, while those of methylmercury (MeHg) in brown rice were soil MeHg and OM. THg and MeHg in brown rice could be well predicted by soil THg, pH and clay content. The data from previous studies were collected to validate the predictive models of Hg in brown rice. The predicted values of Hg in brown rice were within the twofold prediction intervals of the observations, which demonstrated the predictive models in this study were reliable. The results could provide theoretical foundation for the risk assessment of Hg in paddy soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyang Du
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 71 East Beijing Road, Nanjing, 210008, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- Hunan Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Center, Changsha, 410082, China
| | - Xingxiang Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 71 East Beijing Road, Nanjing, 210008, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- Ecological Experimental Station of Red Soil, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yingtan, 335211, China
| | - Zhigao Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 71 East Beijing Road, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Taolin Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 71 East Beijing Road, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Muhammad Kamran
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 71 East Beijing Road, Nanjing, 210008, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Changfeng Ding
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 71 East Beijing Road, Nanjing, 210008, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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12
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Zhang J, Li C, Tang W, Wu M, Chen M, He H, Lei P, Zhong H. Mercury in wetlands over 60 years: Research progress and emerging trends. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 869:161862. [PMID: 36716881 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Wetlands are considered the hotspots for mercury (Hg) biogeochemistry, garnering global attention. Therefore, it is important to review the research progress in this field and predict future frontiers. To achieve that, we conducted a literature analysis by collecting 15,813 publications about Hg in wetlands from the Web of Science Core Collection. The focus of wetland Hg research has changed dramatically over time: 1) In the initial stage (i.e., 1959-1990), research mainly focused on investigating the sources and contents of Hg in wetland environments and fish. 2) For the next 20 years (i.e., 1991-2010), Hg transformation (e.g., Hg reduction and methylation) and environmental factors that affect Hg bioaccumulation have attracted extensive attention. 3) In the recent years of 2011-2022, hot topics in Hg study include microbial Hg methylators, Hg bioavailability, methylmercury (MeHg) demethylation, Hg stable isotope, and Hg cycling in paddy fields. Finally, we put forward future research priorities, i.e., 1) clarifying the primary factors controlling MeHg production, 2) uncovering the MeHg demethylation process, 3) elucidating MeHg bioaccumulation process to better predict its risk, and 4) recognizing the role of wetlands in Hg circulation. This research shows a comprehensive knowledge map for wetland Hg research and suggests avenues for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Chengjun Li
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay Area, Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Wenli Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Mengjie Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Mingying Chen
- School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Huan He
- School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Pei Lei
- School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Huan Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; Environmental and Life Science Program (EnLS), Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
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13
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Wang B, Yang S, Li P, Qin C, Wang C, Ali MU, Yin R, Maurice L, Point D, Sonke JE, Zhang L, Feng X. Trace mercury migration and human exposure in typical mercury-emission areas by compound-specific stable isotope analysis. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 174:107891. [PMID: 36963155 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic mercury (Hg) emissions have increased significantly since the Industrial Revolution, resulting in severe health impacts to humans. The consumptions of fish and rice were primary human methylmercury (MeHg) exposure pathways in Asia. However, the lifecycle from anthropogenic Hg emissions to human MeHg exposure is not fully understood. In this study, a recently developed approach, termed MeHg Compound-Specific Isotope Analysis (CSIA), was employed to track lifecycle of Hg in four typical Hg-emission areas. Distinct Δ199Hg of MeHg and inorganic Hg (IHg) were observed among rice, fish and hair. The Δ199Hg of MeHg averaged at 0.07 ± 0.15 ‰, 0.80 ± 0.55 ‰ and 0.43 ± 0.29 ‰ in rice, fish and hair, respectively, while those of IHg averaged at - 0.08 ± 0.24 ‰, 0.85 ± 0.43 ‰ and - 0.28 ± 0.68 ‰. In paddy ecosystem, Δ199Hg of MeHg in rice showed slightly positive shifts (∼0.2 ‰) from those of IHg, and comparable Δ199Hg of IHg between rice grain and raw/processed materials (coal, Hg ore, gold ore and sphalerite) were observed. Simultaneously, it was proved that IHg in fish muscle was partially derived from in vivo demethylation of MeHg. By a binary model, we estimated the relative contributions of rice consumption to human MeHg exposure to be 84 ± 14 %, 58 ± 26 %, 52 ± 20 % and 34 ± 15 % on average in Hg mining area, gold mining area, zinc smelting area and coal-fired power plant area, respectively, and positive shifts of δ202HgMeHg from fish/rice to human hair occurred during human metabolic processes. Therefore, the CSIA approach can be an effective tool for tracking Hg biogeochemical cycle and human exposure, from which new scientific knowledge can be generated to support Hg pollution control policies and to protect human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; Health Management Center, the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550009, China
| | - Shaochen Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Ping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China.
| | - Chongyang Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Chuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Muhammad Ubaid Ali
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Runsheng Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Ore Deposit Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Laurence Maurice
- Observatory Midi-Pyrénées, Geosciences Environment Toulouse Laboratory, Research Institute for the Development (IRD), University of Toulouse and CNRS, 31400, Toulouse, France
| | - David Point
- Observatory Midi-Pyrénées, Geosciences Environment Toulouse Laboratory, Research Institute for the Development (IRD), University of Toulouse and CNRS, 31400, Toulouse, France
| | - Jeroen E Sonke
- Observatory Midi-Pyrénées, Geosciences Environment Toulouse Laboratory, Research Institute for the Development (IRD), University of Toulouse and CNRS, 31400, Toulouse, France
| | - Leiming Zhang
- Air Quality Research Division, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto M3H 5T4, Canada
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
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14
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Huang ZL, Yang ZB, Xu XX, Lei YJ, He JS, Yang S, Wong MH, Man YB, Cheng Z. Health risk assessment of mercury in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed housefly maggots. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 852:158164. [PMID: 36055489 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The bioaccumulation of total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) by housefly maggots (HM) during the conversion of food waste (vegetables and meat (VM) and rice waste) under various waste feed ratios were investigated. Subsequently, Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were fed with the commercial feed, commercial dried HM, dried HM, and fresh HM, followed by a human health risk assessment of Hg via fish consumption. The THg concentrations of HM fed with food waste ranged from 39.5 to 100 μg kg-1 ww. Concentrations of MeHg in the maggots fed with 100 % vegetables and meat (VM) waste (13.7 ± 1.12 μg kg-1 ww) was significantly higher than that fed with other mixed ratios of rice waste and VM waste (p<0.05). Concentrations of MeHg were positively correlated with the weight and lipid content of houseflies (p<0.05). THg and MeHg concentrations in tilapia fed with the converted HM (dried and fresh HM) were 22.5 ± 6.50 μg kg-1 ww and 2.43 ± 0.36 μg kg-1 ww, respectively. There was no significant difference in MeHg between tilapia fed the four experiment diets (p>0.05). Health risk assessment results indicated that mercury in tilapia fed the food waste-grown HM did not pose potential health risks to humans (target hazard quotient < 1). In conclusion, HM could convert food waste into high-quality and safe fish feeds for cultivating tilapia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong-Li Huang
- College of Environment, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhan-Biao Yang
- College of Environment, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiao-Xun Xu
- College of Environment, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yong-Jia Lei
- College of Environment, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jin-Song He
- College of Environment, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Song Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ming Hung Wong
- Consortium on Health, Environment, Education, and Research (CHEER), and Department of Science and Environmental Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yu-Bon Man
- Consortium on Health, Environment, Education, and Research (CHEER), and Department of Science and Environmental Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Zhang Cheng
- College of Environment, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.
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15
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Qing Y, Li Y, Yang J, Li S, Gu K, Bao Y, Zhan Y, He K, Wang X, Li Y. Risk assessment of mercury through dietary exposure in China. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 312:120026. [PMID: 36029907 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a widespread heavy metal causing various damages to health, while insufficient studies assessed its exposure risk across China. This study explored concentrations in food items and dietary exposure risks across China by comprehensively analyzing the researches on total Hg (THg) in eight food items and methylmercury (MeHg) in aquatic foods published between 1980 and 2021. According to the included 695 studies, the average THg concentration in all food items was 0.033 mg/kg (ranging from 0.004 to 0.185 mg/kg), with the highest concentration in edible fungi. The average daily dietary THg exposure from all foods was 12.9 μg/day. Plant-based foods accounted for 62.7% of the dietary THg exposure. Cereals and vegetables were the primary source of THg exposure. The MeHg concentration in aquatic foods was 0.08 mg/kg, and the average dietary exposure was 3.8 μg/day. Monte Carlo simulations of the dietary exposure risk assessment of THg and MeHg showed that approximately 6.4 and 7.0% of residents exceeded the health-based guidance value set by the European Food Safety Authority, with higher exposure risk in Southwest and South China. The nationwide target hazard quotient index of THg was greater than 1, suggesting that the non-carcinogenic risk of dietary exposure to THg needed further concern. In summary, this study has a comprehensive understanding of dietary Hg exposure risks across China, which provide a data basis for Hg exposure risk assessment and policy formulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Qing
- Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, 201318, China
| | - Yongzhen Li
- Children's hospital affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, 201102, China
| | - Jiaqi Yang
- School of Public Health/Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Shichun Li
- Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, 201318, China
| | - Kaixin Gu
- Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, 201318, China
| | - Yunxia Bao
- Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, 201318, China
| | - Yuhao Zhan
- Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, 201318, China
| | - Kai He
- Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, 201318, China
| | - Xiaoying Wang
- Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, 201318, China
| | - Yanfei Li
- Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, Shanghai, 201300, China.
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16
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Wu Z, Li P, Feng X. Assessing the factors impacting the bioaccessibility of mercury (Hg) in rice consumption by an in-vitro method. J Environ Sci (China) 2022; 119:119-129. [PMID: 35934457 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2022.04.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) in rice is drawing mounting concern since methylmercury (MeHg) was found capable of accumulating in rice. In-vitro bioaccessibility is a feasible and reliable method to assess the health effects of Hg in rice and has been utilized in a number of studies. This study was done to investigate the impact of cultivar, planting location, and cooking on the total mercury (THg) and MeHg bioaccessibility of rice, for which multiple statistical analysis methods were used to analyze the significance of their effects. The THg concentrations of rice samples taken from non-Hg contaminated areas of China were all below 15 ng/g and their MeHg concentrations were below 2 ng/g. Cooking could significantly reduce the MeHg bioaccessibility of rice because the MeHg was mainly combined with protein and the protein will be denatured during the cooking process, and then the denatured MeHg is difficult to be dissolved into the liquid phase. Indica- and japonica-type rice cultivars did not show significant differentiation in either the concentration of Hg or its bioaccessibility. However, the glutinous rice type differed significantly from the above rice types, and it showed greater bioaccessibility of THg and MeHg due to its distinct protein contents and starch properties. Planting location can affect the Hg concentration in rice and THg bioaccessibility but has a limited impact on MeHg bioaccessibility. Based on these results, two macro factors (rice cultivar, planting location) are presumed to impact Hg bioaccessibility by how they affect micro factors (i.e., Hg forms).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze Wu
- College of Eco-Environmental Engineering, Guizhou Minzu University, Guiyang 550025, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Monitoring and Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Ping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China.
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17
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Tang W, Tang C, Lei P. Sulfur-driven methylmercury production in paddies continues following soil oxidation. J Environ Sci (China) 2022; 119:166-174. [PMID: 35934461 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2022.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) production in paddy soils and its accumulation in rice raise global concerns since rice consumption has been identified as an important pathway of human exposure to MeHg. Sulfur (S) amendment via fertilization has been reported to facilitate Hg methylation in paddy soils under anaerobic conditions, while the dynamic of S-amendment induced MeHg production in soils with increasing redox potential remains unclear. This critical gap hinders a comprehensive understanding of Hg biogeochemistry in rice paddy system which is characterized by the fluctuation of redox potential. Here, we conducted soil incubation experiments to explore MeHg production in slow-oxidizing paddy soils amended with different species of S and doses of sulfate. Results show that the elevated redox potential (1) increased MeHg concentrations by 10.9%-35.2%, which were mainly attributed to the re-oxidation of other S species to sulfate and thus the elevated abundance of sulfate-reducing bacteria, and (2) increased MeHg phytoavailability by up to 75% due to the reductions in acid volatile sulfide (AVS) that strongly binds MeHg in soils. Results obtained from this study call for attention to the increased MeHg production and phytoavailability in paddy soils under elevated redox potentials due to water management, which might aggravate the MeHg production induced by S fertilization and thus enhance MeHg accumulation in rice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenli Tang
- School of the Environment, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Chao Tang
- School of the Environment, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Pei Lei
- School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China.
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18
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Li H, Li Y, Tang W, Liu Y, Zheng L, Xu N, Li YF, Xu D, Gao Y, Zhao J. Bioavailability and methylation of bulk mercury sulfide in paddy soils: New insights into mercury risks in rice paddies. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 424:127394. [PMID: 34628266 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Mercury sulfide (HgS) constitutes the largest Hg reservoir in the lithosphere but has long been considered to be not bioavailable and a minor participant in Hg biogeochemical cycling. Herein, we report that bulk α-HgS can be dissolved and methylated in paddy soils, especially with rice culture. Bulk α-HgS exposure did not affect rice growth compared to the control group but significantly increased methylmercury (MeHg) contents in the rhizospheric soils (e.g., 80.15% and 108.71% higher for bulk α-HgS treatment vs. control at the seedling and maturation stages, respectively). Moreover, bulk α-HgS exposure induced an apparent accumulation of MeHg (50% higher for bulk α-HgS treatment vs. control) and markedly elevated total Hg (THg) in rice grains. The presence of DOM and reduced sulfide in paddy soils was further evidenced to drive the mobilization and dissolution of bulk α-HgS, thereby resulting in THg and MeHg accumulation in rice grains. These findings highlight the bioavailability of HgS in rice paddies and suggest that bulk HgS should be considered when assessing Hg health risks and developing efficient remediation approaches in Hg-contaminated croplands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Li
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Division of Nuclear Technology and Applications, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yunyun Li
- College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, China
| | - Wenli Tang
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yunpeng Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Division of Nuclear Technology and Applications, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lirong Zheng
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Division of Nuclear Technology and Applications, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Nan Xu
- School of Environm ental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China
| | - Yu-Feng Li
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Division of Nuclear Technology and Applications, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Diandou Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Division of Nuclear Technology and Applications, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yuxi Gao
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Division of Nuclear Technology and Applications, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Jiating Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Division of Nuclear Technology and Applications, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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19
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Lin P, Nan FH, Ling MP. Dietary Exposure of the Taiwan Population to Mercury Content in Various Seafood Assessed by a Total Diet Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:12227. [PMID: 34831984 PMCID: PMC8619390 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182212227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This paper examines the health risks of exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) through the consumption of mercury-contaminated seafood in Taiwan, based on the total diet study (TDS) method. Samples of seafood (n = 140) were purchased at fishing harbors or supermarkets and classified into seven categories (pelagic fish, inshore fish, farmed fish, shellfish, cephalopods, crustaceans, and algae). For each sample, we analyzed raw and cooked versions and compared the concentration difference. Total mercury (THg) was detected at the highest rate and in the highest concentrations in pelagic fish, followed by inshore fish and other farmed fish. The average concentration of THg was higher after cooking. In a 75th percentile scenario, the hazard indices for children aged 1 to 3 years and children aged 4 to 6 years were higher than 100% of the provisional tolerable weekly intake. Taking into consideration the risk assessment results, MeHg concentrations, and the nutritional composition of fish, we have provided weekly consumption advisories for children aged 1 to 3 years, children aged 4 to 6 years, and childbearing women aged 19 to 49 years. The weekly consumption advisories for childbearing women are 35 g/week of pelagic fish and 245 g/week of inshore fish based on the risk results from MeHg and the potential benefits from eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinpin Lin
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County 35053, Taiwan;
| | - Fan-Hua Nan
- Department of Aquaculture, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung City 20224, Taiwan;
| | - Min-Pei Ling
- Department of Food Science, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung City 20224, Taiwan
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20
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Wang W, Gong Y, Greenfield BK, Nunes LM, Yang Q, Lei P, Bu W, Wang B, Zhao X, Huang L, Zhong H. Relative contribution of rice and fish consumption to bioaccessibility-corrected health risks for urban residents in eastern China. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 155:106682. [PMID: 34120005 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
There are global concerns about dietary exposure to metal(loid)s in foods. However, little is known about the relative contribution of rice versus fish to multiple metal(loid) exposure for the general population, especially in Asia where rice and fish are major food sources. We compared relative contributions of rice and fish consumption to multi-metal(loid) exposure on the city-scale (Nanjing) and province-scale in China. The effects of ingestion rate, metal(loid) level, and bioaccessibility were examined to calculate modeled risk from Cu, Zn, total As (TAs), inorganic As (iAs), Se, Cd, Pb, and methylmercury (MeHg). Metal(loid) levels in rice and fish samples collected from Nanjing City were generally low, except iAs. Metal(loid) bioaccessibilities in fish were higher than those in rice, except Se. Calculated carcinogenic risks induced by iAs intake (indicated by increased lifetime cancer risk, ILCR) were above the acceptable level (1 0 -4) in Nanjing City (median: 3 × 10-4 for female and 4 × 10-4 for male) and nine provinces (1.4 × 10-4 to 5.9 × 10-4) in China. Rice consumption accounted for 85.0% to 99.8% of carcinogenic risk. The non-carcinogenic hazard quotients (HQ) for single metals and hazard index (HI) for multi-metal exposure were < 1 in all cases, indicating of their slight non-carcinogen health effects associated. In Guangdong and Jiangsu provinces, results showed that rice and fish intake contributed similarly to the HI (i.e., 42.6% vs 57.4% in Guangdong and 54.6% vs 45.4% in Jiangsu). Sensitivity analysis indicated that carcinogenic risk was most sensitive to rice ingestion rate and rice iAs levels, while non-carcinogenic hazard (i.e., HQ and HI) was most sensitive to ingestion rate of fish and rice, and Cu concentration in rice. Our results suggest that rice is more important than fish for human dietary metal(loid) exposure risk in China, and carcinogenic risk from iAs exposure in rice requires particular attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, PR China
| | - Yu Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, PR China; Division of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto 6158540, Japan
| | - Ben K Greenfield
- Public Health Program, Muskie School of Public Service, University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME 04101, USA
| | - Luís M Nunes
- University of Algarve, Civil Engineering Research and Innovation for Sustainability Center, Faro, Portugal
| | - Qianqi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, PR China
| | - Pei Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, PR China
| | - Wenbo Bu
- Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing 210042, PR China
| | - Bin Wang
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University/ Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Beijing 100191, PR China
| | - Xiaomiao Zhao
- Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, PR China
| | - Lei Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, PR China.
| | - Huan Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, PR China; Environmental and Life Sciences Program (EnLS), Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
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21
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Li C, Shen J, Zhang J, Lei P, Kong Y, Zhang J, Tang W, Chen T, Xiang X, Wang S, Zhang W, Zhong H. The silver linings of mercury: Reconsideration of its impacts on living organisms from a multi-timescale perspective. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 155:106670. [PMID: 34090260 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Research on mercury (Hg), a naturally occurring element in Earth's lithosphere, has been extremely hot in the past few decades due to the outbreak of a series of disastrous poisoning incidents. However, such studies might provide us a biased view towards Hg if no thorough review about its long-term effects on living organisms from a multi-timescale perspective was performed. Hg might have played a mysterious role in critical intervals (e.g., mass extinction and oceanic anoxia events) in several geologic periods due to the elevated Hg levels induced by volcanism whereas it has long been used for various purposes in human history. Therefore, it is necessary to go through previous studies and historical records of different timescales (100 to 106 yr). In this work, we conducted a thorough review of Hg knowledge at three different timescales, i.e., geologic periods (106 yr), human history (103 yr), and contemporary history (100 yr), summarizing recent advances and indicated potential research gaps. By doing so, we demonstrated that it is possible to achieve safe and sustainable Hg applications despite the current Hg crisis. However, such silver linings depend on a better understanding of ecosystem dynamics. Besides, considering the possible dire consequences of erupted Hg levels as suggested in geological periods, swift actions to mitigate the impacts of anthropogenic activities on the Hg cycle will be another key point. Overall, this review presented a unique perspective of Hg combining different timescales, shedding light on the importance of a better understanding of the global ecosystem as a whole and maintaining the sustainability of planet Earth in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengjun Li
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay Area, Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jun Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Pei Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yaqi Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jichao Zhang
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay Area, Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Wenli Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Tianyu Chen
- School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xin Xiang
- School of Information Management, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Shuxiao Wang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay Area, Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Huan Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; Environmental and Life Sciences Program (EnLS), Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
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22
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Yang S, Wang B, Qin C, Yin R, Li P, Liu J, Point D, Maurice L, Sonke JE, Zhang L, Feng X. Compound-Specific Stable Isotope Analysis Provides New Insights for Tracking Human Monomethylmercury Exposure Sources. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:12493-12503. [PMID: 34468125 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c01771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Monomethylmercury (MMHg) exposure can induce adverse neurodevelopmental effects in humans and is a global environmental health concern. Human exposure to MMHg occurs predominately through the consumption of fishery foods and rice in Asia, but it is challenging to quantify these two exposure sources. Here, we innovatively utilized MMHg compound-specific stable isotope analyses (MMHg-CSIA) of the hair to quantify the human MMHg sources in coastal and inland areas, where fishery foods and rice are routinely consumed. Our data showed that the fishery foods and rice end members had distinct Δ199HgMMHg values in both coastal and inland areas. The Δ199HgMMHg values of the human hair were comparable to those of fishery foods but not those of rice. Positive shifts in the δ202HgMMHg values of the hair from diet were observed in the study areas. Additionally, significant differences in δ202Hg versus Δ199Hg were detected between MMHg and inorganic Hg (IHg) in the human hair but not in fishery foods and rice. A binary mixing model was developed to estimate the human MMHg exposures from fishery foods and rice using Δ199HgMMHg data. The model results suggested that human MMHg exposures were dominated (>80%) by fishery food consumption and were less affected by rice consumption in both the coastal and inland areas. This study demonstrated that the MMHg-CSIA method can provide unique information for tracking human MMHg exposure sources by excluding the deviations from dietary surveys, individual MMHg absorption/demethylation efficiencies, and the confounding effects of IHg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaochen Yang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Critical Zone Evolution, School of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Bo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Chongyang Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Runsheng Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Ore Deposit Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Ping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Quaternary Science and Global Change, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Jinling Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Critical Zone Evolution, School of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - David Point
- Observatory Midi-Pyrénées, Geosciences Environment Toulouse Laboratory, Research Institute for the Development (IRD), University of Toulouse and CNRS, Toulouse 31400, France
| | - Laurence Maurice
- Observatory Midi-Pyrénées, Geosciences Environment Toulouse Laboratory, Research Institute for the Development (IRD), University of Toulouse and CNRS, Toulouse 31400, France
| | - Jeroen E Sonke
- Observatory Midi-Pyrénées, Geosciences Environment Toulouse Laboratory, Research Institute for the Development (IRD), University of Toulouse and CNRS, Toulouse 31400, France
| | - Leiming Zhang
- Air Quality Research Division, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto M3H 5T4, Canada
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Quaternary Science and Global Change, Xi'an 710061, China
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23
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Cheng M, Liu M, Li D, Luo Q, Zhang Z, Yuan L, Yu C, Xie H, Lin H, Zhang Q, Ji D, Wang X. Human Methylmercury Exposure and Potential Impacts in Central Tibet: Food and Traditional Tibetan Medicine. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2021; 107:449-458. [PMID: 33839798 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-021-03216-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury presents potent neurotoxicity to humans. Fish consumption is the leading source of human exposure to methylmercury worldwide. However, the exposure source in Tibet remains poorly understood because of the scarcity of observational data on most Tibetan foods, although high mercury levels were recently detected in some traditional Tibetan medicines. Here, the results of field investigations show that the joint consumption of traditional Tibetan medicines (TTMs), fish, and rice constitutes a primary exposure pathway to methylmercury in Tibetans and that the probable daily intake of methylmercury is close to that for many coastal regions. People who are young and high-income may have higher methylmercury exposure levels mainly because of economic development and cultural exchanges among regions. Our analysis indicates that a large proportion of the Tibetan population are likely to face a high methylmercury exposure risk and that mercury-susceptible populations in Tibet should be attentive to consuming TTMs with fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menghan Cheng
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Maodian Liu
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
- School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.
| | - Dou Li
- Department of Ocean Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clearwater Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Qing Luo
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Zhihao Zhang
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Liuliang Yuan
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
- Department of Life Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clearwater Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chenghao Yu
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Han Xie
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Huiming Lin
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Qianru Zhang
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - De Ji
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Tibet University, Tibet, 850012, China
| | - Xuejun Wang
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Process, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
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24
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Wang B, Chen M, Ding L, Zhao Y, Man Y, Feng L, Li P, Zhang L, Feng X. Fish, rice, and human hair mercury concentrations and health risks in typical Hg-contaminated areas and fish-rich areas, China. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 154:106561. [PMID: 33895437 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Revised: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Human exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) from consuming contaminated fish has been a major concern for decades. Besides, human MeHg exposure through rice consumption has been recently found to be important in some Asian countries. China is the largest country on mercury (Hg) production, consumption, and anthropogenic emission. However, the health risks of human Hg exposure are not fully understood. A total of 624 fish, 299 rice, and 994 human hair samples were collected from typical Hg-contaminated areas and major fish-rich areas to assess the health risks from human Hg exposure in China. Fish and rice samples showed relatively low Hg levels, except the rice in the Wanshan Hg mining area (WMMA). Human hair total Hg (THg) and MeHg concentrations were significantly elevated in WMMA, Zhoushan (ZS), Xiamen (XM), Qingdao (QD), and zinc smelting area (ZSA), and 85% of hair samples in WMMA, 62% in ZS, 40% in XM, 26% in QD, and 17% in ZSA had THg concentrations exceeding the limit set by the USEPA (1 μg/g). Rice consumption was the main pathway (>85%) for human MeHg exposure in the studied Hg-contaminated areas. Meanwhile, fish was the primary human MeHg exposure source (>85%) in coastal cities. Therefore, soil remediation in typical Hg-contaminated areas and scientific guidance for fish consumption in coastal provinces are urgently needed to reduce the health risks from human Hg exposure in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Min Chen
- School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Li Ding
- School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Yuhang Zhao
- School of Resource and Environment, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Yi Man
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lin Feng
- School of Public Health, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Ping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Quaternary Science and Global Change, Xi'an 710061, China.
| | - Leiming Zhang
- Air Quality Research Division, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto M3H 5T4, Canada
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550081, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Quaternary Science and Global Change, Xi'an 710061, China
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25
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Zhang Z, Chen L, Cheng M, Liu M, Wang X. Biotransport of mercury and human methylmercury exposure through crabs in China - A life cycle-based analysis. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 415:125684. [PMID: 33765564 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) has various toxic effects on humans. The evaluation of human MeHg exposure has previously focused on fish consumption. However, in this study, we found that MeHg levels in domestic crabs in China were also relatively high (range: 50-1400 ng/g, dry weight). The high MeHg levels in crabs and their high consumption do not match the risk assessment of MeHg, indicating an underestimated exposure risk, especially in MeHg-sensitive groups such as pregnant women. The annual crab MeHg content output in China was estimated to be 30 ± 27 kg. A total of 6.8% of the country's land area contributes 71% of the MeHg output. However, 66% of the output is redistributed to non-crab-producing regions via interregional food trade, posing risks to the population on a national scale. The daily intake of MeHg from crabs could easily exceed the reference dose (0.1 µg/kg of body weight per day) suggested by the United States Environmental Protection Agency with consideration of coexposure from fish, rice, and other food sources. We suggest that future MeHg exposure analysis includes crab MeHg as a coexposure pathway to estimate the dietary MeHg limit accurately and emphasize the influence of interregional food trade on MeHg exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihao Zhang
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Long Chen
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science, Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Menghan Cheng
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Maodian Liu
- School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, USA.
| | - Xuejun Wang
- Ministry of Education Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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26
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Lei P, Tang C, Wang Y, Wu M, Kwong RWM, Jiang T, Zhong H. Understanding the effects of sulfur input on mercury methylation in rice paddy soils. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 778:146325. [PMID: 33725612 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Sulfur could be introduced into paddy soils via dry or wet deposition, irrigation, and fertilization, which subsequently impacts the production of methylmercury (MeHg), a bioaccumulative neurotoxicant. However, effects of sulfur input on MeHg production are variable, possibly due to the multiple effects of sulfur on Hg mobility and/or microbial Hg methylators, leading to uncertainties in predicting MeHg risk. To address that, we explored the effects of different types and amounts of sulfur as well as concentrations of ambient sulfate on Hg methylation in paddy soils, and elucidated the mechanisms by quantifying changes in (1) Hg mobility and (2) microbial Hg methylators (e.g., sulfate-reducing bacteria, SRB). Our results indicated that MeHg levels increased by 40-86% and 30-96% in soils under various types (i.e., 200 mg kg-1 elemental sulfur, ammonium sulfate, sulfur-coated urea and potassium sulfate (K2SO4)) and different amounts (i.e., 100, 200 and 400 mg kg-1 K2SO4) of sulfur input. The enhanced MeHg production could be explained by increased Hg mobility but not changes in microbial Hg methylators. Besides, sulfate input increased MeHg levels (89-240%) in soils with low ambient sulfate levels (<100 mg kg-1) but had no effect on high-sulfate soils (>380 mg kg-1). These could be explained by the diverse responses of Hg mobility and microbial Hg methylators to sulfate input at different ambient sulfate levels. Our study opens the "black box" of Hg methylation under sulfur input, which would help reduce uncertainties in predicting MeHg risk in soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Chao Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yongjie Wang
- School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - MengJie Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | | | - Tao Jiang
- Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Agriculture Green Development in Yangtze River Basin, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China; Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå SE-90183, Sweden
| | - Huan Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; Environmental and Life Science Program (EnLS), Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
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27
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Miao X, Hao Y, Liu H, Xie Z, Miao D, He X. Effects of heavy metals speciations in sediments on their bioaccumulation in wild fish in rivers in Liuzhou-A typical karst catchment in southwest China. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 214:112099. [PMID: 33714139 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Although fish are widely confirmed to be susceptible to heavy metals (HMs) contamination in sediments, this bioconversion haven't been detailed. This is especially the case in karst areas, where HMs are less stably retained in the sediments and are more bioavailable. Therefore, we surveyed representative karst rivers in Liuzhou, China, in order to study the relationship between the speciations of seven HMs in the sediments with their bioaccumulation in wild fish. The results showed that the HMs in sediments are all below their permissible exposure limit (PEL), but Cd and Zn are significantly higher than soil basline. Most HMs are in residual fraction, while their exchangeable fractions are present in extremely low proportions. The concentration of Zn, Cr and Cd in some fish are above their maximum recommended limit (MRL). The concentrations of most of the HMs in the fish are significantly correlated with the levels in the sediments and given the higher correlation coefficients for their carbonate-bound phase, this phase can be seen to play a critical role in HMs bioconversion. However, the presence of this phase in low proportions enables other phases, especially oxidizable form, to play a greater role in HMs bioaccumulation. Apart from Do, HMs in the fish samples are significantly correlated with multiple environmental factors, demonstrating environmental fluctuations can manipulate HMs bioconversion from sediments; however, their significance depend heavily on the proportion of particular species. HMs in reducible and oxidizable fraction are more important in regulating, rather than promoting, their bioconversion during environmental fluctuations. Fluctuations in EC, TDS and pH can increase the impacts of HMs in carbonate-bound fraction on their bioconversion. Given the higher background values of EC and TDS and lower pH values during the monsoon period, careful attention should be paid to the increased bioconversion of HMs in karst rivers during this season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiongyi Miao
- Key Laboratory of Karst Dynamics, MNR&GZAR, Institute of Krast Geology, CAGS, Guilin 541004, China.
| | - Yupei Hao
- Key Laboratory of Karst Dynamics, MNR&GZAR, Institute of Krast Geology, CAGS, Guilin 541004, China.
| | - Hongwei Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Polar Environment and Global Change,Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China.
| | - Zhouqing Xie
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Polar Environment and Global Change,Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China.
| | - Dan Miao
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan Bioengineering Institute, Wuhan 430415, China.
| | - Xudong He
- The Second Engineering Investigation Institute of Guizhou Bureau of Geology and Mineral Exploration and Development, Zunyi 563000, China.
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Charette T, Bueno Dalto D, Rosabal M, Matte JJ, Amyot M. Assessment of In Vitro Bioaccessibility and In Vivo Oral Bioavailability as Complementary Tools to Better Understand the Effect of Cooking on Methylmercury, Arsenic, and Selenium in Tuna. TOXICS 2021; 9:27. [PMID: 33546146 PMCID: PMC7913187 DOI: 10.3390/toxics9020027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Fish consumption is the main exposure pathway of the neurotoxicant methylmercury (MeHg) in humans. The risk associated with exposure to MeHg may be modified by its interactions with selenium (Se) and arsenic (As). In vitro bioaccessibility studies have demonstrated that cooking the fish muscle decreases MeHg solubility markedly and, as a consequence, its potential absorption by the consumer. However, this phenomenon has yet to be validated by in vivo models. Our study aimed to test whether MeHg bioaccessibility can be used as a surrogate to assess the effect of cooking on MeHg in vivo availability. We fed pigs raw and cooked tuna meals and collected blood samples from catheters in the portal vein and carotid artery at: 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360, 420, 480 and 540 min post-meal. In contrast to in vitro models, pig oral bioavailability of MeHg was not affected by cooking, although the MeHg kinetics of absorption was faster for the cooked meal than for the raw meal. We conclude that bioaccessibility should not be readily used as a direct surrogate for in vivo studies and that, in contrast with the in vitro results, the cooking of fish muscle did not decrease the exposure of the consumer to MeHg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Charette
- Groupe de Recherche Interuniversitaire en Limnologie (GRIL), Département de Sciences Biologiques, Université de Montréal, Complexe des Sciences, C.P. 6128, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada;
| | - Danyel Bueno Dalto
- Sherbrooke Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Sherbrooke, QC J1M 0C8, Canada; (D.B.D.); (J.J.M.)
| | - Maikel Rosabal
- Groupe de Recherche Interuniversitaire en Limnologie et en Environnement Aquatique (GRIL), Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), 141 Avenue du Président-Kennedy, Montréal, QC H2X 1Y4, Canada;
| | - J. Jacques Matte
- Sherbrooke Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Sherbrooke, QC J1M 0C8, Canada; (D.B.D.); (J.J.M.)
| | - Marc Amyot
- Groupe de Recherche Interuniversitaire en Limnologie (GRIL), Département de Sciences Biologiques, Université de Montréal, Complexe des Sciences, C.P. 6128, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada;
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Luo Y, Duan Z, Wu Y. Risk Assessment for Oral Bioaccessibility of Lead and Cadmium in the Potato Growing in Smelter-Impacted Soil. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2021; 106:363-369. [PMID: 33439273 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-020-03099-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Smelting activities are an important source of heavy metals in soil. More seriously, oral ingestion of crops growing in contaminated soil potentially cause harmful effects on human health. The main purpose of this study is to apply the in vitro model (PBET) and Monte Carlo Simulation (MSC) to the health risk assessment process in order to more accurately and realistically evaluate health risks of residents eating contaminated potato. Results indicated in the raw and cooked potato, the bioaccessibility of Pb was 65.9% and 74.5%, and that of Cd was 79.6% and 61.7%, respectively. Additionally, the bioaccessible hazard quotient (BHQ) was less than the permitted level except for the BHQ of Pb for children. This indicated there wasn't potential non-carcinogenic risk for most potato-consumers but the dietary exposure risk for local children cannot be neglected. Sensitivity analysis showed that the bioaccessibility and ingestion rate appeared decisive with respect to potentially deleterious health effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Luo
- College of Resource and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Zhibin Duan
- College of Resource and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Yonggui Wu
- College of Resource and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China.
- Institute of Applied Ecology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China.
- Guizhou Kast Environmental Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education, Guiyang, 550025, China.
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Su Y, Kwong RWM, Tang W, Yang Y, Zhong H. Straw return enhances the risks of metals in soil? ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 207:111201. [PMID: 32905933 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Interactions between organic matter (OM) and metals in soils are important natural mechanisms that can mitigate metal bioaccumulation in terrestrial environments. A primary source of OM in soils is straw return, accounting for more than 65% of OM input. Straw-OM has long been believed to reduce metal bioaccumulation, e.g., by immobilizing metals in soils. However, there is growing evidence that straw return could possibly enhance bioavailability and thus risks (i.e., food safety) of some metals in crops, including Cd, Hg, and As. Poor understanding of straw return-induced increases in metal bioavailability would add uncertainty in assessing or mitigating risks of metals in contaminated farming soils. Here, 863 pieces of literature (2000-2019) that reported the effects of straw return on metal bioavailability and bioaccumulation were reviewed. Mechanisms responsible for the increased metal mobility and bioavailability under straw return are summarized, including the effects of dissolution, complexation, and methylation. Effects of straw return on the physiology and the absorption of metals in plants is also discussed (i.e., physiological effect). These mechanisms are then used to explain the observed increases in the mobility, bioavailability, and bioaccumulation of Cd, Hg, and As under straw amendment. Information summarized in this study highlights the importance to re-consider the current straw return policy, particularly in metal-contaminated farmlands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Su
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210023, PR China
| | - Raymond W M Kwong
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Wenli Tang
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210023, PR China
| | - Yanan Yang
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210023, PR China
| | - Huan Zhong
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210023, PR China; Environmental and Life Sciences Program (EnLS), Trent University, Peterborough, ON, K9L 0G2, Canada.
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31
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How Occupational Mercury Neurotoxicity Is Affected by Genetic Factors. A Systematic Review. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/app10217706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Occupational exposure to elemental mercury still represents a significant risk in the workplace. The sensitivity of the exposed subjects varies considerably. This study aims to summarize the literature on the role of genetic factors in occupationally exposed cohorts. A systematic search of the literature was carried out on PubMed Central (PMC), MEDLINE, and Google Scholar databases in accordance with the “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses” (PRISMA) guidelines, from 1946 to July 2020. Ten cross-sectional studies were included in the review. All studies referred to the polymorphisms that can favour some neurotoxic effects of the metal in occupational cohorts. Some genetic variants may be associated with an increase in the occupational effects of mercury. Given the limited evidence, genetic screening of all mercury-exposed workers is not recommended. However, a personalized search for polymorphisms could be taken into consideration if exposed workers report early neurotoxic symptoms.
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Liu T, Gao Q, Yang B, Yin C, Chang J, Qian H, Xing G, Wang S, Li F, Zhang Y, Chen D, Cai J, Shi H, Aschner M, Appiah-Kubi K, He D, Lu R. Differential susceptibility of PC12 and BRL cells and the regulatory role of HIF-1α signaling pathway in response to acute methylmercury exposure under normoxia. Toxicol Lett 2020; 331:82-91. [PMID: 32461003 PMCID: PMC7366344 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2020.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) is a critical nuclear transcription factor for adaptation to hypoxia; its regulatable subunit, HIF-1α, is a cytoprotective regulatory factor. We examined the effects of methylmercury (MeHg) in rat adrenal pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells and the rat hepatocyte cell line BRL. MeHg treatment led to time- and concentration-dependent toxicity in both lines with statistically significant cytotoxic effects at 5 μM and 10 μM in PC12 and BRL, respectively, at 0.5 h. HIF-1α protein levels were significantly decreased at 2.5 (PC12) and 5 (BRL) μM MeHg. Furthermore, MeHg reduced the protein levels of HIF-1α and its target genes (glucose transporter-1, vascular endothelial growth factor-A and erythropoietin). Overexpression of HIF-1α significantly attenuated MeHg-induced toxicity in both cell types. Notably, cobalt chloride, a pharmacological inducer of HIF-1α, significantly attenuated MeHg-induced toxicity in BRL but not PC12. In both cell lines, an inhibitor of prolyl hydroxylase, 3, 4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, and the proteasome inhibitor carbobenzoxy-L-leucyl-L-leucyl-L-leucinal(MG132), antagonized MeHg toxicity, while 2-methoxyestradiol, a HIF-1α inhibitor, significantly increased it. These data establish that: (a) neuron-like PC12 cells are more sensitive to MeHg than non-neuronal BRL cells; (b) HIF-1α plays a similar role in MeHg-induced toxicity in both cell lines; and (c) upregulation of HIF-1α offers general cytoprotection against MeHg toxicity in PC12 and BRL cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Liu
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health Laboratory Sciences, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Qianqian Gao
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health Laboratory Sciences, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Bobo Yang
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health Laboratory Sciences, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Changsheng Yin
- Institute of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China; Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health Laboratory Sciences, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Jie Chang
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health Laboratory Sciences, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Hai Qian
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health Laboratory Sciences, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Guangwei Xing
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health Laboratory Sciences, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Suhua Wang
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health Laboratory Sciences, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Fang Li
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health Laboratory Sciences, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Yubin Zhang
- Department of Occupational Health and Toxicology, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Da Chen
- School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China
| | - Jiyang Cai
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Lindsay, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Haifeng Shi
- Institute of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Michael Aschner
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Kwaku Appiah-Kubi
- Department of Applied Biology, C. K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences, Navrongo, UK-0215-5321, Ghana
| | - Dawei He
- Center for Experimental Research, Kunshan Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Kunshan, Jiangsu 215130, China
| | - Rongzhu Lu
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health Laboratory Sciences, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China; Center for Experimental Research, Kunshan Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Kunshan, Jiangsu 215130, China.
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Tang WL, Liu YR, Guan WY, Zhong H, Qu XM, Zhang T. Understanding mercury methylation in the changing environment: Recent advances in assessing microbial methylators and mercury bioavailability. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 714:136827. [PMID: 32018974 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a neurotoxin, mainly derived from microbial mercury methylation in natural aquatic environments, and poses threats to human health. Polar regions and paddy soils are potential hotspots of mercury methylation and represent environmental settings that are susceptible to natural and anthropogenic perturbations. The effects of changing environmental conditions on the methylating microorganisms and mercury speciation due to global climate change and farming practices aimed for sustainable agriculture were discussed for polar regions and paddy soils, respectively. To better understand and predict microbial mercury methylation in the changing environment, we synthesized current understanding of how to effectively identify active mercury methylators and assess the bioavailability of different mercury species for methylation. The application of biomarkers based on the hgcAB genes have demonstrated the occurrence of potential mercury methylators, such as sulfate-reducing bacteria, iron-reducing bacteria, methanogen and syntrophs, in a diverse variety of microbial habitats. Advanced techniques, such as enriched stable isotope tracers, whole-cell biosensor and diffusive gradient thin film (DGT) have shown great promises in quantitatively assessing mercury availability to microbial methylators. Improved understanding of the complex structure of microbial communities consisting mercury methylators and non-methylators, chemical speciation of inorganic mercury under geochemically relevant conditions, and the pathway of cellular mercury uptake will undoubtedly facilitate accurate assessment and prediction of in situ microbial mercury methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Li Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yu-Rong Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Wen-Yu Guan
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Huan Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; Environmental and Life Science Program (EnLS), Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario K9L 0G2, Canada
| | - Xiao-Min Qu
- College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
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Xu X, Han J, Pang J, Wang X, Lin Y, Wang Y, Qiu G. Methylmercury and inorganic mercury in Chinese commercial rice: Implications for overestimated human exposure and health risk. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 258:113706. [PMID: 31864929 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
China is the largest rice producer and consumer in the world, and mercury (Hg) levels, particularly methylmercury (MeHg), in rice and health exposure risks are public concerns. Total Hg (THg) and MeHg levels in 767 (domestic = 709 and abroad = 58) Chinese commercial rice were investigated to evaluate Hg pollution level, dietary exposures and risks of IHg and MeHg. The mean rice THg and MeHg levels were 3.97 ± 2.33 μg/kg and 1.37 ± 1.18 μg/kg, respectively. The highest daily intake of MeHg and IHg were obtained in younger groups, accounted for 6% of the reference dose-0.1 μg/kg bw/day for MeHg, 0.3% of the provisional tolerance week intake-0.571 μg/kg bw/day for IHg. Residents in Central China and Southern China meet the highest rice Hg exposure, which were more than 7 times of those in Northwest China. Lower concentrations than earlier studies were observed along the implementations of strict policies since 2007. This may indicate that a declining temporal trend of Hg in Chinese grown rice and associated exposures could be obtained with the implementations of strict policies. Though there exist Hg pollution in commercial rice, Hg levels in Chinese commercial rice is generally safe compared with Hg polluted sites. Populations dwelling in China have relatively a quite low and safe MeHg and IHg exposure via the intake of commercial rice. Strict policies contributed to the decrease in THg and MeHg levels in Chinese-grown rice. More attention should be paid to younger groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jialiang Han
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jian Pang
- Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550001, China
| | - Xun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China
| | - Yan Lin
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Oslo, 0349, Norway
| | - Yajie Wang
- College of Food Safety, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Guangle Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China.
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Miao X, Hao Y, Tang X, Xie Z, Liu L, Luo S, Huang Q, Zou S, Zhang C, Li J. Analysis and health risk assessment of toxic and essential elements of the wild fish caught by anglers in Liuzhou as a large industrial city of China. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 243:125337. [PMID: 31739255 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.125337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Most wild fish caught by anglers (WFAs) are likely to be contaminated by toxic metals, particularly the fish collected from the waterways in urban and suburban areas; hence, the determination of health risk caused by WFAs consumption associated with toxic metals is vital. Therefore, Liuzhou, one of the largest industrial cities in China, was considered as an example city in this study. Eight toxic elements were analysed to uncover the pollution status and consumption safety of WFAs. Moreover, the suitable angling waterways were identified in the urban and suburban areas. The obtained results suggested relatively high concentrations of Zn, Cr and Cd, which were also found to be beyond corresponding Maximum Residue Limit. Among all analysed elements, only the mean pollution indices of Cr and Cd were observed to be beyond 0.2, revealing that the observed WFAs were generally contaminated by these metals. However, the potential health risk of WFAs can be predominately attributed to Cr, confirmed by the significantly higher Target hazard quotients (THQ). For adults, all the THQ values were below 1, indicating no significant health risk being associated with WFAs consumption in the case of adults. On the contrary, all the THQ values for Children were beyond 1, suggesting children being susceptible to great health risks due to WFAs consumption. Furthermore, the weekly recommended consumption of WFAs in urban area is remarkably lower than the current rate of fish consumption observed among urban residents; therefore, the waterways in urban areas can be evaded for fish angling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiongyi Miao
- Key Laboratory of Karst Dynamics, MNR&GZAR, Institute of Krast Geology, CAGS, Guilin, 541004, China; Institute of Polar Environment, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China.
| | - Yupei Hao
- Key Laboratory of Karst Dynamics, MNR&GZAR, Institute of Krast Geology, CAGS, Guilin, 541004, China.
| | - Xing Tang
- Hunan Geological Testing Institute, Changsha, 410007, China
| | - Zhouqing Xie
- Institute of Polar Environment, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Liping Liu
- Hunan Geological Testing Institute, Changsha, 410007, China
| | - Shuwen Luo
- Key Laboratory of Karst Dynamics, MNR&GZAR, Institute of Krast Geology, CAGS, Guilin, 541004, China
| | - Qibo Huang
- Key Laboratory of Karst Dynamics, MNR&GZAR, Institute of Krast Geology, CAGS, Guilin, 541004, China
| | - Shengzhang Zou
- Key Laboratory of Karst Dynamics, MNR&GZAR, Institute of Krast Geology, CAGS, Guilin, 541004, China
| | - Chunlai Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Karst Dynamics, MNR&GZAR, Institute of Krast Geology, CAGS, Guilin, 541004, China
| | - Jun Li
- Key Laboratory of Karst Dynamics, MNR&GZAR, Institute of Krast Geology, CAGS, Guilin, 541004, China
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Xu X, Han J, Abeysinghe KS, Atapattu AJ, De Silva PMCS, Xu Z, Long S, Qiu G. Dietary exposure assessment of total mercury and methylmercury in commercial rice in Sri Lanka. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 239:124749. [PMID: 31505443 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.124749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) in rice has attracted growing health concern over the past decade, due to the accumulation of high MeHg levels, which may pose potential health risk to humans. Rice is the staple food in Sri Lanka; nevertheless, the presence of micro pollutants, such as MeHg has been not investigated. Therefore, commercial rice samples from the Sri Lankan market (n = 163) were measured to reveal the total mercury (THg) and MeHg levels. THg (mean: 1.73 ± 0.89 ng/g, range: 0.21-6.13 ng/g) and MeHg concentrations (mean: 0.51 ± 0.37 ng/g; range: 0.03-3.81 ng/g) were low. Compared to the fish MeHg exposure, the rice MeHg exposure was generally lower in different consumption groups, suggesting that rice plays a less role than fish in MeHg exposure in Sri Lanka. Babies (infants and toddlers) at one year old may face fish MeHg exposure (0.17 μg/kg bw/day) higher than the reference dose for MeHg (RfD)-0.1 μg/kg bw/day, which was more than 5 times that of rice MeHg exposure (0.031 μg/kg bw/day). Future studies in Sri Lanka should focus on health impacts under long-term overexposure of MeHg, especially in vulnerable populations. Some diet changes should be made to mitigate MeHg exposure levels in Sri Lankans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jialiang Han
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Kasun S Abeysinghe
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Anjana J Atapattu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, Yunnan, 666303, China; Agronomy Division, Coconut Research Institute, Lunuwila, 61150, Sri Lanka
| | | | - Zhidong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | | | - Guangle Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550081, China.
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Zheng L, Zhang Q, Li Z, Sun R, Zhong G. Exposure risk assessment of nine metal elements in Chongqing hotpot seasoning. RSC Adv 2020; 10:1971-1980. [PMID: 35494615 PMCID: PMC9048104 DOI: 10.1039/c9ra10028h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS) were used to analyze the contents of nine metal elements (Pb, As, Hg, Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn) in 100 groups of Chongqing hotpot seasoning (CHS). Meanwhile, Crystal Ball software based on Monte Carlo simulation technology was used to assess the exposure risk of the nine metal elements in CHS for people of different ages in Chongqing. In general, the average Hazard Index (HI) of the nine metal elements is 0.306 < 1, indicating no non-carcinogenic risks from these nine elements for inhabitants of Chongqing under the current consumption level of CHS. Children (ages 7–13) and adult women have higher chronic daily intake (CDI) than adult males. The carcinogenic risk of Pb, As and Cd are within the acceptable risk level (10−6 to 10−4). The sensitivity analysis suggests that the contents of the nine metal elements and daily intake (PIR) in CHS were positively correlated with the risk index, while the body weight was negatively correlated with the risk index. This study provides a scientific basis for guiding the safe consumption of Chongqing hotpot, and provides a theoretical basis for the development of safety-compliant CHS quality standards. Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS) were used to analyze the contents of nine metal elements (Pb, As, Hg, Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn) in 100 groups of Chongqing hotpot seasoning (CHS).![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianji Zheng
- College of Food Science
- Southwest University
- Chongqing 400715
- PR China
- Food Industry Research Institute of Chongqing
| | - Qi Zhang
- College of Food Science
- Southwest University
- Chongqing 400715
- PR China
| | - Zhi Li
- Food Industry Research Institute of Chongqing
- Chongqing 400042
- PR China
| | - Rui Sun
- College of Food Science
- Southwest University
- Chongqing 400715
- PR China
| | - Geng Zhong
- College of Food Science
- Southwest University
- Chongqing 400715
- PR China
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38
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Tang W, Hintelmann H, Gu B, Feng X, Liu Y, Gao Y, Zhao J, Zhu H, Lei P, Zhong H. Increased Methylmercury Accumulation in Rice after Straw Amendment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:6144-6153. [PMID: 30983351 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b07145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Consumption of rice has been shown to be an important route of dietary exposure to methylmercury (MeHg, a neurotoxin) for Asians having a low fish but high rice diet. Therefore, factors that increase MeHg production and bioaccumulation in soil-rice systems, could enhance the risk of MeHg exposure. On the basis of a national-scale survey in China (64 sites in 12 provinces) and rice cultivation experiments, we report that straw amendment, a globally prevalent farming practice, could increase MeHg concentrations in paddy soils (11-1043%) and rice grains (95%). By carrying out a series of batch incubation, seedling uptake and sand culture experiments, we demonstrate that these increases could be attributed to (1) enhanced abundances/activities of microbial methylators and the transformation of refractory HgS to organic matter-complexed Hg, facilitating microbial Hg methylation in soils; (2) enhanced MeHg mobility, and increased root lengths (35-41%) and tip numbers (60-105%), increasing MeHg uptake by rice roots; and (3) enhanced MeHg translocation to rice grains from other tissues. Results of this study emphasize fresh organic matter-enhanced MeHg production and bioaccumulation, and highlight the increased risk of MeHg after straw amendment and thus the need for new policies concerning straw management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenli Tang
- School of the Environment , Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse , Nanjing , Jiangsu Province 210023 , P. R. China
| | - Holger Hintelmann
- Department of Chemistry , Trent University , Peterborough , Ontario K9L 0G2 , Canada
| | - Baohua Gu
- Environmental Sciences Division , Oak Ridge National Laboratory , Oak Ridge , Tennessee 37830 , United States
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry , Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Guiyang , Guizhou Province 550081 , P. R. China
| | - Yurong Liu
- College of Resources and Environment , Huazhong Agricultural University , Wuhan , Hubei Province 430070 , P. R. China
| | - Yuxi Gao
- State Environmental Protection Engineering Center for Mercury Pollution Prevention and Control, and Laboratory of Metallomics and Nanometallomics , Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , P. R. China
| | - Jiating Zhao
- State Environmental Protection Engineering Center for Mercury Pollution Prevention and Control, and Laboratory of Metallomics and Nanometallomics , Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , P. R. China
| | - Huike Zhu
- School of the Environment , Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse , Nanjing , Jiangsu Province 210023 , P. R. China
| | - Pei Lei
- Institute for Advanced Study , Shenzhen University , Shenzhen , Guangdong Province 518060 , P. R. China
| | - Huan Zhong
- School of the Environment , Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse , Nanjing , Jiangsu Province 210023 , P. R. China
- Environmental and Life Sciences Program (EnLS) , Trent University , Peterborough , Ontario K9L 0G2 , Canada
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39
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Tang W, Su Y, Gao Y, Zhong H. Effects of Farming Activities on the Biogeochemistry of Mercury in Rice-Paddy Soil Systems. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2019; 102:635-642. [PMID: 31053868 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-019-02627-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The biogeochemistry of mercury (Hg) in rice-paddy soil systems raises concerns, given that (1) the redox potential in paddy soil favors Hg methylation and (2) rice plants have a strong ability to accumulate methylmercury (MeHg), making rice an important source for MeHg exposure to humans. Therefore, all factors affecting the behavior of Hg in rice-paddy soils might impact Hg accumulation in rice, with its subsequent potential risks. As a typical wetland, paddy soils are managed by humans and affected by anthropogenic activities, such as agronomic measures, which would impact soil properties and thus Hg biogeochemistry. In this paper, we reviewed recent advances in the effects of farming activities including water management, fertilizer application and rotation on Hg biogeochemistry, trying to elucidate the factors controlling Hg behavior and thus the ecological risks in rice-paddy soil systems. This review might provide new thoughts on Hg remediation and suggest avenues for further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenli Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yao Su
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuxi Gao
- State Environmental Protection Engineering Center for Mercury Pollution Prevention and Control, Laboratory of Metallomics and Nanometallomics, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Huan Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
- Environmental and Life Sciences Program (EnLS), Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada.
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40
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Lin H, Santa-Rios A, Barst BD, Basu N, Bayen S. Occurrence and bioaccessibility of mercury in commercial rice samples in Montreal (Canada). Food Chem Toxicol 2019; 126:72-78. [PMID: 30735750 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2019.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Revised: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to increase the understanding of mercury exposure via rice commonly consumed in a major North American city. Rice samples were collected from Montreal markets (n = 89) between 2016 and 2017 and analyzed for total mercury (THg) content. THg content ranged from 0.7 ± 0.1 to 9.3 ± 0.5 ng g-1 dw. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were recorded among the various rice types and countries of origin. Overall, cooking had little effect on the THg concentrations in rice. Thiols play a major role in the fate of Hg, therefore thiol contents in rice were measured, and a weak but significant relationship between thiol and THg contents in rice (p < 0.05) was observed. An in vitro gastro-intestinal digestion method was used to assess the bioaccessibility rate of THg in cooked rice samples, and less than 44.5% of THg from the initial rice samples was bioaccessible after in vitro digestion. Dietary exposure to Hg through rice consumption was calculated for the typical Canadian population and values were all below current provisional tolerable weekly intake guidelines. This study improves our understanding of Hg exposures via rice in a large North American city.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hefei Lin
- Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry, McGill University, Canada
| | | | - Benjamin D Barst
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Canada
| | - Niladri Basu
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Canada; School of Human Nutrition, McGill University, Canada
| | - Stéphane Bayen
- Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry, McGill University, Canada.
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41
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Chan PHY, Chan MHM, Li AM, Cheung RCK, Yu XT, Lam HS. Methylmercury levels in commonly consumed fish and methylmercury exposure of children and women of childbearing age in Hong Kong, a high fish consumption community. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2018; 166:418-426. [PMID: 29940474 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.06.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Revised: 05/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite high fish consumption levels of Hong Kong residents, little is known about the MeHg exposure levels of Hong Kong high-risk populations (i.e. young children and women of childbearing age). OBJECTIVES To investigate the MeHg levels in fish commonly consumed in Hong Kong and assess the exposure levels of local kindergarten children and women of childbearing age. METHODS A community-based survey was conducted in randomly recruited local kindergartens. The MeHg concentrations of the most commonly consumed fish items were measured. Based on their fish consumption data, subjects' MeHg exposure levels were estimated and compared with the reference dose (RfD) set by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. RESULTS A total of 2917 mother-child pairs were recruited. The MeHg levels of the fish samples ranged from < 2-1498.7 ng/g. Six frozen cod fish samples contained MeHg levels exceeding the local legal limit of 500 ng/g. The median estimated MeHg intake for children and mothers were 0.29 and 0.22 µg/kg bw/wk, respectively. Approximately 16% children and 9% mothers exceeded the RfD. CONCLUSIONS Apart from frozen cod fish, most fish species commonly consumed in Hong Kong had low MeHg content. Although the majority of our subjects were exposed to low MeHg levels, high fish consumers could still exceed the RfD and are potentially at risk of MeHg toxicity. To avoid excessive MeHg exposure, we suggest that young children and their mothers may consume a variety of locally available fish, but avoid consumption of frozen cod fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peggy Hiu Ying Chan
- Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Michael Ho Ming Chan
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Albert Martin Li
- Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | | | - Xin Ting Yu
- Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Hugh Simon Lam
- Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR.
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Zhang W, Zhang X, Tian Y, Zhu Y, Tong Y, Li Y, Wang X. Risk assessment of total mercury and methylmercury in aquatic products from offshore farms in China. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2018; 354:198-205. [PMID: 29753188 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2018.04.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2017] [Revised: 04/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Contamination of methylmercury (MeHg) in aquatic products has been a wide spread health concern. The objective of this study is to determine total mercury (THg) and MeHg concentrations in different species of aquatic products from major offshore farms in China, and to assess health impacts from consumption. Results showed that the concentrations of THg and MeHg ranged 5.6-328.4 ng/g (wet weight) and 4.3-303.6 ng/g (wet weight) in aquatic products, respectively, and were very variable among species and origin sources. Target hazard quotient (THQ) suggested that MeHg exposure via consumption posed high health risks to children aged 2-7 and higher income families. Residents above the age of 13 and with low income have relatively lower health risk of MeHg exposure. Health impacts on heart attacks and newborns' IQ from MeHg exposure were evaluated using dose-response relationships. Results showed that mother's consumption of aquatic products (at 6 ounce per day) may cause a loss of 0.38 IQ points for newborns. For non-pregnant, consumption of aquatic products may cause an increase rate of mortality and morbidity of heart attacks at 10.59 and 78.45 per 100,000 persons, respectively. The negative health impact of consuming seawater fish was higher than freshwater fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- School of Environment and Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China
| | - Xue Zhang
- School of Environment and Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China
| | - Yuling Tian
- School of Environment and Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China
| | - Yan Zhu
- School of Environment and Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China
| | - Yindong Tong
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, 37614, USA.
| | - Xuejun Wang
- MOE Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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