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Tang Y, Liu Y, He Y, Zhang J, Guo H, Liu W. Quantifying the impact of anthropogenic emissions and aquatic environmental impacts on sedimentary mercury variations in a typical urban river. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 355:124185. [PMID: 38782160 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124185] [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: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
In urban and industrial regions, sedimentary mercury (Hg) serves as the crucial indicator for Hg pollution, posing potential risks to ecology and human health. The physicochemical processes of Hg in aquatic environments are influenced by various factors such as anthropogenic emissions and aquatic environmental impacts, making it challenging to quantify the drivers of total mercury (THg) variations. Here, we analyzed the spatiotemporal variations, quantified driving factors, and assessed accumulation risks of sedimentary THg from the mainstream of a typical urban river (Haihe River). THg in the urban region (37-3237 ng g-1) was significantly higher (t-test, p < 0.01) than in suburban (71-2317 ng g-1) and developing regions (156-916 ng g-1). The sedimentary THg in suburban and developing regions increased from 2003 to 2018, indicating the elevated atmospheric deposition of Hg. Together with the temperature, grain size of sediments, total organic carbon (TOC), the pH and salinity of water, 40 components of parent and substituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were first introduced to quantify the driver of sedimentary THg based on generalized additive model. Results showed that anthropogenic emissions, including three PAHs components (31%) and TOC (63%), accounted for 94% of sedimentary THg variations. The aquatic environmental impacts accounted for 5% of sedimentary THg variations. The geo-accumulation index of THg indicated moderate to heavy accumulation in the urban region. This study demonstrates that homologous pollutants such as PAHs can be used to trace sources and variations of Hg pollution, supporting their co-regulation as international conventions regulate pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Science, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Groundwater Conservation of Ministry of Water Resources, School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China; State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China; Key Laboratory for Earth Surface and Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Science, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
| | - Yong He
- Key Laboratory for Earth Surface and Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Science, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Jiaodi Zhang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, South Kensington Campus, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Huaming Guo
- Key Laboratory of Groundwater Conservation of Ministry of Water Resources, School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China; State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Wenxin Liu
- Key Laboratory for Earth Surface and Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Science, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
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Bensadi L, Azzoug M, Benslimane A, Benlaribi R, Bouledouar S, Merzeg FA. Distribution, levels, sources and risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the bottom sediments of a Mediterranean river under multiple anthropopressures (Soummam River), Algeria. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 202:116416. [PMID: 38669853 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116416] [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: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
The Soummam River, a vital watercourse in Algeria is threatened by anthropogenic activities despite its protected wetland status. This study is the first to assess sediment pollution in the Soummam River, examining levels, compositions, sources of 16 PAHs and their effects on the environment and human health. Analysis employing Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and molecular diagnostic ratios pointed to petrogenic sources, likely stemming from petroleum leaks originating from aging pipeline and vehicles, as well as pyrogenic sources arising from vehicle exhaust and biomass combustion. Environmental and health risks were assessed through risk quotients (RQ), Sediments Quality Guidelines (SQG) and Total Lifetime Cancer Risk (TLCR). Ecological risk was found to range from moderate to high, with anticipated biological impacts, while cancer risk was deemed low. Toxicity assessment, measured by TEQ, revealed that the majority of monitoring stations exceeded safe levels. Consequently, urgent action by local authorities is warranted to implement ecosystem rehabilitation measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Bensadi
- Université de Bejaia, Faculté de Technologie, Laboratoire des Procédés Membranaires et des Techniques de Séparation et de Récupération (LPMTSR), 06000 Bejaia, Algeria.
| | - Moufok Azzoug
- Université de Bejaia, Faculté de Technologie, Laboratoire des Procédés Membranaires et des Techniques de Séparation et de Récupération (LPMTSR), 06000 Bejaia, Algeria
| | - Abdelhakim Benslimane
- Université de Bejaia, Faculté de Technologie, Laboratoire Mécanique, Matériaux et Energétique, 06000 Bejaia, Algeria
| | - Rabia Benlaribi
- Institut National de Criminalistique et de Criminologie de la Gendarmerie Nationale (INCC/GN), Cheraga, Algeria
| | - Samira Bouledouar
- Université de Bejaia, Faculté de Technologie, Laboratory of Materials and Process Engineering (LTMGP), 06000 Bejaia, Algeria; Scientific and Technical Research Center in Physical and Chemical Analyses (CRAPC), BP 384 Bou-Ismail, RP 42004 Tipaza, Algeria
| | - Farid Ait Merzeg
- Scientific and Technical Research Center in Physical and Chemical Analyses (CRAPC), BP 384 Bou-Ismail, RP 42004 Tipaza, Algeria; Research Unit in Physico-Chemical Analyzes of Fluids and Soils (URAPC-FS), 11 Chemin, Doudou Mokhtar, Ben Aknoun, 16028 Alger, Algeria; Technical Platform for Physico-chemical Analyzes (PTAPC-Bejaia), Targa Ouzemmour, 06000 Bejaia, Algeria
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Shomar B, Rovira J. Human health risk assessment associated with the reuse of treated wastewater in arid areas. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 345:123478. [PMID: 38311158 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123478] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Qatar produces more than 850,000 m3/day of highly treated wastewater. The present study aims at characterizing the effluents coming out of three central wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) of chemical pollutants including metals, metalloids and antibiotics commonly used in the country. Additionally, the study is assessing human health risks associated with the exposure to the treated wastewater (TWW) via dermal and ingestion routes. Although the origin of domestic wastewater is desalinated water (the only source of fresh water), the results show that the targeted parameters in TWW were within the international standards. Concentrations of Cl, F, Br, NO3, NO2, SO4 and PO4, were 389, <0.1, 1.2, 25, <0.1, 346, and 2.8 mg/L, respectively. On the other hand, among all cations, metals and metalloids, only boron (B) was 2.1 mg/L which is higher than the Qatari guidelines for TWW reuse in irrigation of 1.5 mg/L. Additionally, strontium (Sr) and thallium (Tl) were detected with relatively high concentrations of 30 mg/L and 12.5 μg/L, respectively, due to their natural and anthropogenic sources. The study found that the low concentrations of all tested metals and metalloids do not pose any risk to human health. However, Tl presents exposure levels above the 10 % of oral reference dose (HQ = 0.4) for accidental oral ingestion of TWW. The results for antibiotics show that exposure for adults and children to TWW are far below the admissible daily intakes set using minimum therapeutic dose and considering uncertainty factors. Treated wastewater of Qatar can be used safely for irrigation. However, further investigations are still needed to assess microbiological quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basem Shomar
- Environmental Science Center, Qatar University, P.O. Box: 2713, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Joaquim Rovira
- Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Paisos Catalans Avenue 26, 43007, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain; Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201, Reus, Catalonia, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Sanitaria Pere Virgili (IISPV), 43204, Reus, Catalonia, Spain.
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Zhang M, Chen W, Chuan X, Guo X, Shen X, Zhang H, Wu F, Hu J, Wu Z, Wang X. Remediation of heavily PAHs-contaminated soil with high mineral content from a coking plant using surfactant-enhanced soil washing. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 909:168499. [PMID: 37977369 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the effectiveness of various surfactants at different concentrations in removing high concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from soil with high mineral content, focusing on the impact of surfactant treatment on the mobility of the residual PAHs in soil. The results revealed that the cationic surfactant (CTMAB) inhibited removal of PAHs in the whole tested concentration range of 0.1-8 g/L. In contrast, the non-ionic and anionic surfactants (Triton X-100 and SDBS) significantly enhanced removal of PAHs as their amendment concentrations reached 2 g/L and above. Triton X-100 exhibited steadily increased efficacy with increasing amendment concentrations and maintained favorable solubilization capability when continuously amended, making it the preferable choice for remediating PAHs-contaminated soil. Surfactant and water washing processes altered soil physicochemical properties by removing some clay minerals (e.g., faujasite) and organic matter that can bind or sequester PAHs, potentially increasing their extractability and bioavailability in the washed soil, thereby posing higher ecological risks compared to the original one. Although soil washing decreased retention of the remaining PAHs in soil, it did not significantly impact PAHs release from soil by flowing water. These findings provide insights into the long-term effectiveness and ecological impacts of surfactant-enhanced washing as a potential remediation technique for PAHs-contaminated soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Zhang
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Weixiao Chen
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xiuyun Chuan
- School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xiaoying Guo
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xiaofang Shen
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Haiyun Zhang
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Fan Wu
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jing Hu
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Zhipeng Wu
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xilong Wang
- Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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Peng B, Dong Q, Li F, Wang T, Qiu X, Zhu T. A Systematic Review of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Derivatives: Occurrences, Levels, Biotransformation, Exposure Biomarkers, and Toxicity. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:15314-15335. [PMID: 37703436 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) derivatives constitute a significant class of emerging contaminants that have been ubiquitously detected in diverse environmental matrixes, with some even exhibiting higher toxicities than their corresponding parent PAHs. To date, compared with parent PAHs, fewer systematic summaries and reanalyses are available for PAH derivatives with great environmental concerns. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the chemical species, levels, biotransformation patterns, chemical analytical methods, internal exposure routes with representative biomarkers, and toxicity of PAH derivatives, primarily focusing on nitrated PAHs (NPAHs), oxygenated PAHs (OPAHs), halogenated PAHs (XPAHs), and alkylated PAHs (APAHs). A collection of 188 compounds from four categories, 44 NPAHs, 36 OPAHs, 56 APAHs, and 52 XPAHs, has been compiled from 114 studies that documented the environmental presence of PAH derivatives. These compounds exhibited weighted average air concentrations that varied from a lower limit of 0.019 pg/m3 to a higher threshold of 4060 pg/m3. Different analytical methods utilizing comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC-TOF-MS), gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF-MS), comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC × GC-QQQ-MS), and Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS), that adopted untargeted strategies for the identification of PAH derivatives are also reviewed here. Additionally, an in-depth analysis of biotransformation patterns for each category is provided, including the likelihood of specific biotransformation reaction types. For the toxicity, we primarily summarized key metabolic activation pathways, which could result in the formation of reactive metabolites capable of covalently bonding with DNA and tissue proteins, and potential health outcomes such as carcinogenicity and genotoxicity, oxidative stress, inflammation and immunotoxicity, and developmental toxicity that might be mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Finally, we pinpoint research challenges and emphasize the need for further studies on identifying PAH derivatives, tracking external exposure levels, evaluating internal exposure levels and associated toxicity, clarifying exposure routes, and considering mixture exposure effects. This review aims to provide a broad understanding of PAH derivatives' identification, environmental occurrence, human exposure, biotransformation, and toxicity, offering a valuable reference for guiding future research in this underexplored area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Peng
- SKL-ESPC and College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Center for Environment and Health, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Qianli Dong
- SKL-ESPC and College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Center for Environment and Health, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Fangzhou Li
- SKL-ESPC and College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Center for Environment and Health, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Teng Wang
- SKL-ESPC and College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Center for Environment and Health, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xinghua Qiu
- SKL-ESPC and College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Center for Environment and Health, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Tong Zhu
- SKL-ESPC and College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Center for Environment and Health, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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Lu Z, Tian W, Zhang S, Chu M, Zhao J, Liu B, Yang K, Cao H, Chen Z. Spatiotemporal variability of PAHs and their derivatives in sediments of the Laizhou Bay in the eastern China: Occurrence, source, and ecological risk assessment. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 460:132351. [PMID: 37625296 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
To understand the pollution status and risk levels in the Laizhou Bay, the spatiotemporal distribution, source, and ecological risk of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 20 substituted PAHs (SPAHs) were studied in surface sediments in 2022. The findings indicated significant seasonal differences in the concentrations of PAHs and SPAHs under the influences of precipitation, temperature, light, and human activities, with higher storage levels in summer than in spring, and there was also a spatial distribution trend of estuary > coast > offshore. 2-Nitrofluorene (2-NF) and 2-methylnaphthalene (2-MN) were the most abundant components of SPAHs in both spring and summer, with levels of 21.44 ng/g and 17.89 ng/g in spring, 43.22 ng/g and 25.51 ng/g in summer, respectively. The results of the diagnostic ratio and principal component analysis - multiple linear regression identified sources of PAHs and SPAHs as combustion sources, including petroleum, coal, and biomass. The risk level of PAHs was low-to-moderate according to the toxicity equivalent quotient (TEQ) and risk quotient. A novel calculation method based on TEQ was proposed to assess the ecological risk of SPAHs, and the results indicated that the risk level of SPAHs was moderate-to-high.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyang Lu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, PR China
| | - Weijun Tian
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, PR China; Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Qingdao 266100, PR China.
| | - Surong Zhang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, PR China
| | - Meile Chu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, PR China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Qingdao 266100, PR China
| | - Bingkun Liu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, PR China
| | - Kun Yang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, PR China
| | - Huimin Cao
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, PR China
| | - Zhuo Chen
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, PR China
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