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The recent application of non-targeted analysis (NTA) techniques in environmental monitoring has revealed numerous novel fluorinated species in surface water, wildlife, and humans in the Cape Fear River (CFR) region of North Carolina. In this study, we have re-examined archived alligator, striped bass, horse, and dog serum as well as archived seabird tissue data from previously reported exposure studies in order to extend the panel of detected novel PFAS. In this study, the compounds CF 3 -(OCF 2) x -COOH, x = 6, 7, 8 (Abbreviated PFO6TeDA, PFO7HxDA, PFO8OcDA, respectively), and 6H-Perfluoro-3-oxa,4-methylhexanesulfonic acid (Nafion byproduct 6) were detected for the first time in environmental tissues even though these analytes were not previously detected in the CFR. Analytical standards were available for PFO6TeDA and Nafion Byproduct 6, and therefore, were quantitated in investigated tissues. PFO7HxDA and PFO8OcDA had no available standards and were semi-quantitated using NTA techniques. Of note, PFO6TeDA, PFO7HxDA, and PFO8OcDA were observed in alligator, bass, and seabird but not horse and dog. PFO6TeDA was detected at the highest frequency in all investigated tissues with PFO7HxDA and PFO8OcDA detected at lower frequencies. No Nafion Byproduct 6 values are reported in serum due to poor analytical reproducibility of the measurements. Seabird tissue to blood ratios suggests PFO6TeDA is highest in the heart, kidney, and liver and lowest in the brain. Overall, additional studies are needed to fully understand the potential impact of these additional novel PFAS on both wildlife and humans in the CFR region. [Display omitted] • CF 3 -(OCF 2) x -COOH, x = 6, 7, 8 were observed in gator, bass, & seabird but not horse & dog. • CF 3 -(OCF 2) x -COOH, x = 6 was detected at a higher frequency compared to the x = 7 & 8 compounds. • Nafion Byproduct 6 was observed in seabird but was not reliably observed in other species. • Seabird tissue concentration of CF 3 -(OCF 2) 6 –COOH is highest in the heart, kidney, & liver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the influence of seasonal monsoon flooding on heavy metal contamination and bioaccumulation in benthic macroinvertebrate communities within a stream ecosystem. We analyzed sediment and benthic macroinvertebrate samples for eight heavy metals [zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg)] ) before (BF) and after (AF) a major flooding event. Significant spatial and temporal variations in heavy metal concentrations were observed, with generally higher levels detected after the flood. Chironomidae consistently exhibited high bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) for several metals, highlighting their role as bioindicators. Notably, elevated Cu accumulation was observed in multiple species, including Radix auricularia (R. auricularia), Cipangopaludina chinensis malleata (C. c. malleata), and Palaemon spp. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analysis revealed shifting correlations between environmental variables and bioaccumulation patterns before and after flooding. Pre-flood, total nitrogen (TN) showed a strong positive correlation with Hg bioaccumulation, while post-flood, large sand content emerged as a more influential factor for Zn, Cr, Ni, and Pb bioaccumulation. Our findings emphasize the complex interplay between seasonal flooding, environmental factors, and heavy metal dynamics, with potential implications for ecological risk assessment and water quality management., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest ☒ The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are major sources of volatile gaseous compounds, especially in mixed-source systems such as domestic wastewater and landfill leachate. This study aimed to investigate the emission behavior and environmental impact of gaseous substances, such as hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), ammonia (NH 3 ), carbon sulfide (CS 2 ), and phosphine (PH 3 ), at a WWTP in Northwest China. Odorants were detected in the air surrounding the grid room (XGS), biochemical treatment tank (SHC), secondary sedimentation tank (ECC), and sludge dewatering room (NTS). For comparison, the upwind boundary (O-SF) and downwind boundaries (O-XF) monitoring points were used, with odor concentrations ranging from 3.95 to 725.27 odor units. The concentration ranges of the odorant substances were 5.27-88.69, 5.61-71.96, 5.70-32.63, and 0.12-5.87 mg/m 3 for H 2 S, NH 3 , CS 2 , and PH 3 , respectively. Meteorological factors such as temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed and direction substantially influence odorant emissions. The concentrations of various odorants and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) detected at the O-XF monitoring point were higher than those detected at the O-SF monitoring point, indicating that the wind intensified their diffusion toward the downwind plant boundary. The average odor intensities of odorant substances emitted from wastewater or sludge treatment equipment were 3.37, 5.09, 4.42, 2.00, and 3.82 for total VOCs, H 2 S, NH 3 , CS 2 , and PH 3 , respectively. Among them four, with downwind diffusion, only H 2 S presented olfactory and chronic toxicity risks based on Gaussian plume model calculations. The hazard index ranking across monitoring sites was XGS > NTS > SHC > ECC > O-XF > O-SF. These findings emphasize the urgent need for effective measures to control and mitigate gaseous pollutants emitted by collaborative WWTPS, thereby protecting environmental quality and public health., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The pervasive distribution of microplastics (MPs) in aquatic ecosystems presents a significant threat to wildlife, with amphibians being particularly vulnerable due to their complex life cycles and ecological roles. This study investigates physiological and ecological impacts of aquatic MP exposure on juvenile black-spotted pond frogs (Pelophylax nigromaculatus), focusing on juvenile frog stage, history of life after metamorphosis. MP examinations in the intestine and body revealed accumulation primarily in the gastrointestinal tracts without evidence of systemic distribution. Experimental exposure to different concentrations of MPs demonstrated adverse effects on growth, physiological stress, and immune function. Notably, higher MP concentrations led to significant reductions in growth and innate immunity, indicative of compromised health. High concentrations of MPs were associated with elevated levels of corticosterone and antioxidant enzymes, indicating physiological stress. However, there was no evidence of extreme hormonal surges or imbalances in antioxidant enzyme activity, suggesting that amphibians were able to effectively cope with the levels of MPs used in the study. Changes in gastrointestinal morphology and fecal microbiota composition were observed, reflecting response of metabolic adaptation to MP exposure. At low concentrations of MPs, adaptive changes in digestive tract morphology and the maintenance of gut microbiota balance were observed, indicating that the frogs were able to manage the exposure below a certain threshold. In contrast, high concentrations of MPs had clear negative effects on amphibians, which could impact biodiversity and ecosystem stability. These findings also suggest that MPs may trigger adaptive responses at lower concentrations, while still posing significant environmental risks at higher levels., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and their degradation products are a concern to human and ecosystem health. Wastewater treatment plants are not efficient at removing PFAS compounds and are thought to be a major source of these compounds to marine environments. The sewerage infrastructure in the UK, has over 20,000 combined stormwater overflows (CSOs). These CSOs are relief values whereby untreated wastewater can discharge under permit from the Environment Agency with exceptional rain/snowfall conditions. CSOs discharged 3.6 million monitored hours of untreated wastewater into English rivers and coasts in 2023. Concerns have been raised about the proximity of these CSO discharges to highly protected marine habitats. This study is the first to determine that PFAS concentrations are elevated in a highly protected marine bay (Langstone Harbour, England) following recent sewage releases compared to an extended period without discharge. Analysis was carried out into a suite of 54 PFAS compounds of which only one (PFHpA) was detectable above LOD prior to discharges but 8 afterwards. These included banned PFOS (Linear and Branched 8.6 ng/L ∓ 0.90) and PFOA (2.9 ng/L ∓ 0.29) which were above annual average EQS for inland and 'other' surface waters. Most of the PFAS compounds detected doubled in concentration above LODs. These two-fold increases we discuss are likely conservative estimates based on the use of LODs and tidal conditions. Additional Oysters (Crassostrea gigas) and Seaweed (Fucus vesiculosus) were taken revealing high concentrations of the shorter chain PFBA (6.99μg/kg ∓ 2.42 ww) in seaweed samples. These seaweeds were calculated to have conservative bioaccumulation factors (BAF) > 6000 for PFBA indicating these algae might be an important reservoir of some PFAS contamination. We discuss these results in the context of the largescale discharges of untreated wastewater nationally and globally, and call upon a need for a better understanding of the transfer of PFAS contaminants into marine food chains., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

In this study, a total of 1425 atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) samples were collected and analyzed for four water-soluble inorganic ions from 2016 to 2021 in Shenzhen. The average PM 2.5 concentrations exhibit an overall decreasing trend, with a total decrease of 57.5% during the six-year period, which is related to the reduction of emissions due to the 13th Five-Year Plan, the COVID-19, and the introduction of new energy conservation and emission reduction policies. The analyzed ions were all detected in PM 2.5 during the observation period in the concentration order of SO 4 2-  > NO 3 -  > NH 4 + >Cl - . These ions also showed a declining trend over the six years, with the average concentrations of the four ions decreasing to 3.95, 2.25, 1.59, and 0.17 μg m -3 until 2021, respectively. Seasonally, the concentration of SO 4 2- peaks in autumn and winter, and Cl - peaks in spring, while both NO 3 - and NH 4 + peak in winter and spring. Variations in meteorological factors are the main contributors to their different seasonal concentrations. The average mass percentages of SO 4 2- , NO 3 - , Cl - and NH 4 + in PM 2.5 are 51.2%, 25.5%, 2.7% and 20.6%, respectively. Three secondary ions (SO 4 2- , NO 3 - and NH 4 + ) contribute significantly to the formation of PM 2.5 as well as having a stronger correlation with it., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Ultrafine particles (UFP) associated with air quality and health impacts are a major concern in growing urban regions. Concentrations of UFP (particles of size between 10 and 100 nm) and accumulation mode (N acc ) (particles of size >100 and up to 1000 nm), are analyzed over a highly polluted megacity, Delhi, in conjunction with vehicular flow density, during peak (morning, and evening) and non-peak hours. UFP contributes ≥60% to total particle concentration during autumn and monsoon. UFP concentrations are about 50,000 particles per cm 3 in winter which reduces to about 25,000 particles during monsoon. N acc are about 20,000 (winter) and 10,000 (monsoon) particles per cm 3 . UFP concentration and N acc during peak hours are at least twice higher than those obtained in non-peak hours, confirming the dominant influence of emissions from vehicular exhaust in the study region. Seasonal analysis of UFP size distribution reveals that direct emissions dominate the particle concentrations during winter and autumn, whereas new particle formation mechanism contributes the highest in spring and summer. Assessment of inhalable particle number concentration and particle deposition in the human respiratory tract using Multiple Path Particle Dosimetry (MPPD) model, performed for the first time, shows that the order in which these particles deposit in the human respiratory tract is alveoli > bronchiole > bronchus. The deposition ranges between 10 and 18 million nanoparticles during different hours of the day, whereas the estimated inhalable particle concentration (IPN) varies between 0.5 and 1 billion. Results on the IPN during activities classified from light (walking), medium, heavy, very heavy to severe (long-distance running) provide insights into health effects on vulnerable populations. These quantitative results obtained over a megacity on hourly and seasonal variations of nanoparticles along with IPN and deposition rates for different activities are important, and are invaluable inputs for developing mitigation policies aimed to improve air quality and public health, both of which are major concerns in South Asia., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The increased production and expanding demand for cellulosic products have required companies to provide solutions for the proper disposal of generated residues without compromising soil quality. In this context, the current research aimed at evaluating the ecotoxicological impacts of dregs application in subtropical soils. The experiments were carried out with the earthworm Eisenia andrei, the springtail Folsomia candida, and the potworm Enchytraeus crypticus in two subtropical soils (Neosol and Cambisol) collected in the southern region of Brazil. The considerable differences in texture and organic matter content motivated the choosing of these soils. The reproductive rate of all organisms was influenced, with varying EC 50 values depending on the soil type. However, more pronounced effects were observed for Neosol. The springtail F. candida proved to be the most sensitive to contamination (EC 50  = 5.8 g kg -1 for Neosol and 48.5 g kg -1 for Cambisol), followed by the earthworm E. andrei (EC 50  = 62.4 g kg -1 for Neosol and 129.5 g kg -1 for Cambisol) and the potworm E. crypticus (EC 50  = 67.2 g kg -1 for Neosol and 230.4 g kg -1 for Cambisol). As a result, while dregs can be used to correct soil acidity, they have been shown to have negative effects on important organisms responsible for functions critical to maintaining ecosystem quality., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Arsenic (As) contamination in groundwater is emerging as a significant global concern, posing serious risks to the safety of drinking water and public health. To understand the release mechanisms, mobilization processes, spatial distribution, and probabilistic health risks of As in western Bangladesh, forty-seven samples were collected and analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). The As concentrations in groundwater ranged from 1.97 to 697.4 μg L⁻ 1 (mean: 229.9), significantly exceeding recommended levels. The dominant hydrochemistry of As-enriched groundwater was Ca-Mg-HCO₃, with the primary sources of arsenic in groundwater being the dissolution of arsenic-bearing minerals in sediment and the recharge of aquifers from the Ganges River Basin. The assessment using the Entropy Water Quality Index revealed that the groundwater is unsuitable for drinking, with 89.36% (n = 42) of the samples surpassing the WHO's limit for arsenic. Rock-water interactions, including calcite dissolution and silicate weathering within the confined aquifer, predominantly influenced hydrochemical properties. The significant relationships among Fe, Mn, and As indicate that the reductive dissolution of FeOOH and/or MnOOH considerably contributes to the release of As from sediment into groundwater. Geochemical modeling analysis revealed that siderite and rhodochrosite precipitate into aquifer solids, suggesting a weak to moderate relationship among As, Fe, and Mn. The long residence time of groundwater, combined with the presence of a clayey aquitard, likely controls the mobilization of arsenic in the aquifer. For the first time, Monte Carlo simulations have been used in arsenic-prone areas to assess the severity of arsenic contamination in western Bangladesh. The analysis indicates that out of 100,000 people, 10 may develop cancer as a result of drinking arsenic-contaminated water, with children being more susceptible than adults., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Leaching of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) is a significant pathway for nitrogen (N) loss in agricultural ecosystems. The excessive application of N for enhanceing agricultural productivity often results in the leaching of N into groundwater. Yet not well understood, the extent of retention in the vadose zone has critical implications for risk management and remediation strategies. This study aims to advance simulation techniques for modelling the transport process of reactive DON within a heterogeneous vadose zone. Through a combination of laboratory experiments and numerical simulations, the study firstly examines the extent of DON retention in the vadose zone and quantitatively analyse groundwater contamination risk from this kind of accumulation. Our findings indicate that heavy N fertilizer application and high-intensity rainfall events led to elevated contents of DON in the vadose zone and increased DON leaching fluxes into groundwater. Besides, intensifier rainfall reduced the N storage more quickly in scenarios devoid of DON application with higher mineralization rate, while DON slowly mineralized to other forms, largely accumulated in the top layer and migrated deeper with intensifier rainfall after input of urea. In our scenarios, DON accounted for a substantial portion (33-68%) of the total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) leaching fluxes, with exogenous DON content contributing significantly (25-85%) to the overall DON leaching into the aquifer. These results underscore the need for effective strategies to mitigate groundwater contamination risks associated with agricultural N use., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Microplastics (MP) pose a significant environmental and health risk due to their pervasive presence and potential adverse effects. This study investigates the release of MP from cardiac invasive catheters, which are essential medical devices used in cardiovascular procedures. Twenty-one catheter samples from four diagnostic catheter and three guider catheter brands were analysed using a comprehensive experimental approach. MP were detected in all samples, with varying counts across brands and types. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference in MP counts among catheter brands, while morphological and chemical characterization provided insights into types, sizes and compositions of leached MP. Our detailed discussion highlights patient safety and health implications, emphasizing the need for further research to address MP leaching in catheter materials and to promote design improvements for sustainable healthcare practices., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) present in biosolids are influenced by their source, treatment processes, and the dynamics of water resource recovery facilities (WRRF). Understanding these effects is vital for informed decisions in treatment process selection, however, comprehensive studies are sparse. This study examined the impact of anaerobic digestion (AD) and the addition of a thermal hydrolysis process (THP) before AD on PFAS in the solids stream at a WRRF. Targeted analysis of 58 PFAS (linear and branched) and suspect screening of the solid stream before and after AD as well as THP, with the total PFAS (ΣPFAS) concentrations ranging between 244 and 566 μg/kg dw . Precursor and intermediate PFAS, mainly di-substituted polyfluoroalkyl phosphate esters (diPAPs) followed by fluorotelomer carboxylic acids (FTCAs), were the dominant contributors (62-96 mol % ΣPFAS) in all 5 sample types. AD impacts were observed both before and after deploying THP altering the relative contribution of different PFAS classes through biotransformation, with an increase in PFCAs and a decrease in diPAPs. However, we observed that THP reduced the % of precursor conversion as well as conversion of the FTCA intermediates in the AD process as evidenced by a substantial increase in FTCAs post-THP + AD and lower PFCA generation compared to AD only. Total PFAS organofluorine (∑F PFAS ) decreased by 28% pre- and post-AD, which on total fluorine (TF) showed a larger reduction to 43%. Fluoride was <3% of the TF in all cases, thus, the greater reduction in TF vs ∑F PFAS could be volatile losses of PFAS and other non-PFAS F-containing molecules. After THP installation, a 32% decrease in (∑F PFAS ) was observed in the combined THP-AD system whereas adjusted total organofluorine increased by ∼43%. Overall, achieving higher solids handling capacity and energy neutrality with the THP addition did not lead to a significant difference in quantifiable PFAS concentrations compared to AD-only., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests:Linda S. Lee reports financial support was provided by United States Environmental Protection Agency. Linda S. Lee reports financial support was provided by USDA Hatch 1006516. Linda S. Lee reports was provided by Hampton Roads Sanitation District. Caroline Alukkal reports financial support was provided by Hampton Roads Sanitation District. Caroline Alukkal reports financial support was provided by United States Environmental Protection Agency. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Regional water scarcity is among the most urgent challenges of global climate change. Atmospheric water harvesting is a promising method to mitigate these challenges, and the atmospheric water generator (AWG) is already an established technology. Although this method can produce over 10,000 L of water per day, the water's quality has not been studied in depth. Air pollutants, especially volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are potential contaminants of water produced from air. We evaluated the chemical and physical parameters of different VOCs that might influence their ability to be transferred from air to AWG water. Our findings strongly suggest that the ability to form hydrogen bonds is a key factor in this transfer. Henry's law constant, polarity, and intrinsic solubility were the main predictors of a VOC's transfer to AWG water. Hence, aliphatic or aromatic compounds (such as benzene or octane) were not found at significant concentrations in AWG water (e.g. above WHO guidelines), whereas ammonia and alcohol compounds were. This should be taken into consideration when analyzing potential contaminants in harvested atmospheric water. The condensation process itself was also found to enhance the transfer of VOCs into water droplets, and higher relative humidity (%RH) also increased VOC transfer. Gas-phase infrared spectrum analysis of VOCs at different %RH revealed possible interactions between water vapor and specific VOCs in the air. However, our main conclusion from this study is that VOC transfer from the air into AWG water occurs predominantly via dissolution in the condensed droplets, and strongly depends on their chemical properties of polarity and hydrogen-bond formation., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

In order to clarify the nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) regeneration patterns and internal mechanism for initiating and maintaining algal blooms in Lake Taihu, samples (including surface water and sediment) from 8 sites in Lake Taihu were collected for nine times from May 2010 to April 2011, and analyzed for total and labile organic matter, P fractionation and sorption behaviors, extracellular enzymatic activities (EEA), dehydrogenase activity, the respiratory electron transport system activity, and iron in sediment, EEA, N and P species and chlorophyll a (Chl. a) in surface water, as well as N and P species in interstitial water. In Lake Taihu, although severe blooms occurred in both Meiliang Bay and Zhushan Bay, the nutrient regeneration patterns stimulating the initiation and maintenance of algae blooms in these two bays were different. In Zhushan Bay with low EEA in surface water, abundant N and P flux from sediments, due to the degradation of organic matter and enzymatic hydrolysis in sediment, further stimulated the initiation and maintenance of algae blooms. In Meiliang Bay, in spite of lower nutrient supply from sediment, high EEA in surface water occurred later than the serious blooms, showing that the nutrient regeneration from sediment, not water body, was still the trigger for the start of the bloom, and sediment nutrient release and predominant surface water nutrient regeneration by abundant exoenzymes sustained the algal blooms. In the Western region, algal bloom started in the northern area and further spread in the remaining part of the lake; nutrient regeneration in the surface water sustained the slight bloom. In the East Bays, the decay and decomposition of macrophytes led to anaerobic conditions in sediments and high ammonia in interstitial water, but low iron bound phosphorus resulted in anaerobic release of very few P, thus showed extremely low Chl. a concentration., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest We declare that we have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) enter surface waters through wastewater discharge and atmospheric deposition, accumulating within aquatic ecosystems and organisms, causing dysfunction or mortality. This study investigates the migration, sources and ecological risks of six PFCAs in the coastal Wulong River basin and the estuary along the eastern coast of China. The six PFCAs detected in the Wulong River included, at concentrations ranging from 17.36 to 57.92 ng/L. The distribution of PFCAs concentrations throughout the estuary were as follows: Northeast China (414.07 ng/L) > North China (325.97 ng/L) > East China (249.53 ng/L) > South China (63.61 ng/L), with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) being the dominant PFCA. Toxicity data was collected for all detected PFCAs and the species sensitivity distribution (SSD) method was used to derive the predicted no effect concentrations (PNECs) for all six PFCAs. The risk quotient (RQ) method showed that the risk posed to aquatic organisms in the river basin from all six PFCAs was relatively low (RQ < 1). However, joint probability curve (JPC) analysis revealed that the probability of perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) causing harm to 5% of aquatic species reached 41.13%. Considering the frequency of occurrence and persistence of PFCAs in aquatic environments, these findings indicate they have the potential to induce serious toxic effects on aquatic organisms., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Wildfires induce changes in soil and vegetation composition, significantly impacting the hydrological cycle and altering future runoff and infiltration patterns. Ash residue on the ground can infiltrate the subsoil along with water, leading to modifications in groundwater hydrochemistry. Climate change and summer heatwaves can create favourable conditions for severe wildfires, such as the one that occurred in Zamora, Spain, in 2022. Fourteen simultaneous points of origin across various locations in Zamora triggered the worst environmental disaster in this province, as well as the largest fire recorded in the history of Spain. Following the severe wildfires in Sierra de la Culebra, Zamora, groundwater samples were obtained to compare the hydrochemistry with pre-fire background data spanning several years. A general decline in pH across all sampling points was observed, most notably at Z1, likely due to its very high permeability and leaching of organic acids from burned vegetation. Increases in major ions such as SO 4 2- and NO 3 - were detected at Z1-2, while HCO 3 - levels decreased, indicating possible oxidation of soil organic matter and the introduction of wildfire-derived organic acids into the groundwater system. Elevated concentrations of Na + , K + , Mg 2+ , and Ca 2+ were observed at Z3, suggesting possible ash residue infiltration. Despite the severity of the wildfires, the results indicate that there were no significant long-lasting impacts on groundwater quality overall. This finding suggests that the groundwater systems in the study area are resilient to such environmental catastrophes., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been a global concern in relation to human exposure. Dust has been proven to be an important source of human exposure to many groups of organic pollutants, however, no study so far has systematically evaluated human exposure to PFAS depending on time spent in different indoor environments i.e., houses, offices and public transport vehicles. Archived dust samples were collected from residential houses (n = 38), offices (n = 15), and public transport vehicles (n = 12) in Australia to assess human exposures to PFAS via dust ingestion and dermal contact. Amongst the 19 target analytes, 14 compounds were detected in >50% of the samples. Significantly higher PFAS concentrations were found in dust samples collected from offices with mean ± SD of 400 ± 810 ng/g than houses (170 ± 350 ng/g) and public transport vehicles (39 ± 33 ng/g). Composition patterns of PFAS varied among indoor environments with Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) (median 2.5 ng/g dust) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) (median 5.7 ng/g) were the most prevalent compounds detected (DF = 100%). PFOA was the dominant PFAS compound in both offices (median 11 ng/g) and houses (median 5.8 ng/g). Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA) (median 3.6 ng/g) was found to be the most abundant compounds in public transport vehicles. Considering the time spent in indoor environments, relatively higher estimated daily intakes (EDIs) were identified in offices than in houses and public transport vehicles. EDIs for PFOA and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) for adults and toddlers were well below the acceptable levels of 20 ng/kg/day proposed by U.S Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and Food Standard Australia and New Zealand (USEPA, 2016; FSANZ et al. (2016)), suggesting low or negligible exposure pathways via dust ingestion and dermal contact., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Despite the detection of poly- and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in the water system in Africa, the effort towards mitigating PFAS in water in Africa needs to be better understood. Therefore, this review evaluated the contamination status and mitigation methods for handling PFAS-contaminated water systems in Africa. The findings revealed the presence of PFAS in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents, surface water and commercially available bottled and tap water in African countries. The concentration of PFAS in drinking water sources reviewed ranged from < limits of quantification to 778 ng L -1 . The sources of PFAS in water systems in Africa are linked to uncontrolled importation of PFAS-containing products, WWTP effluents and inappropriate disposal of PFAS-containing materials. The information on treatment methods for PFAS-contaminated water systems is scanty. Unfortunately, the treatment method is challenged by poor water research infrastructure and facilities, lack of awareness, poor research funding and weak legislation; however, adsorption and membrane technology seem favourable for removing PFAS from water systems in Africa. It is essential to focus on monitoring and assessing drinking water quality in Africa to reduce the disease burden that this may cause. Most African countries' currently implemented water treatment facilities cannot efficiently remove PFAS during treatment. Therefore, governments in Africa need to fund more research to develop an efficient water treatment technique that is sustainable in Africa., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The decline in fish populations and the depletion of marine resources have sparked concerns about sustainable fish production, driving the innovation of new aquaculture methods. While some argue that wild fish are healthier than farmed fish due to less exposure to contaminants and pathogens, wild fish can accumulate contaminants from more contaminated water sources. The slower growth of wild fish and their longer exposure to the environment may contribute to higher pollutant levels in fish tissues. In this study, we focus on 25 contaminants considered as high production volume chemicals (HPVCs), such as organophosphate esters (OPEs), benzothiazoles (BTs), benzosulfonamides (BSAs) and phthalates (PAEs). The compounds were extracted from the edible part of the fish using the QuEChERS method and analysed by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. A total of 74 samples were analysed from three of the most commonly consumed species in Catalonia, Spain (turbot, sea bass and sea bream). Two samples of each species were collected each month, one form farmed and one from wild origin. In general, the compounds were found in all the samples in a wide concentrations range, although no significant differences were observed between the mean concentration of wild and farmed samples. Although similar mean concentrations for the OPEs, BTs and BSAs were found between farmed and wild origin samples, PAEs were more frequently detected in farmed samples. Di-n-octyl phthalate and diethyl phthalate showed the highest concentrations in all fish samples, with values up to 19505 and 17605 ng g -1 (d.w.), in sea bass and sea bream, respectively. Di-(2-ethylexyl)-adipate proved to be the most relevant carcinogenic compound, with no associated health risk. Despite the detection of the studied HPVCs, no health risk was associated with the consumption of these three fish species., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Geospatial maps can show how the ineffective operations of inactive mines affect water and aquifer quality. As such, the purpose of this study is to assess the impact of mining and irrigation on the aquifer ecosystem through the evaluation of LULC and slope maps through the application of Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS and DEM data. A total of 50 groundwater samples were prepared from villages in the close proximity to inactive mines during pre and post monsoon periods in 2021. The results of the analysis revealed alarming statistics, that 14% of groundwater samples exceeded the WHO nitrate limit in pre & post monsoon season, indicating a high-risk in the study area. According to guidelines (USEPA, 2014), 34% in pre-monsoon and 26% post-monsoon of samples exceeded the THI levels for adults and children respectively, indicating non-carcinogenic health risks. In addition, 80% of the samples in both seasons exhibited high NPI values, indicating nitrate contamination associated with blue baby syndrome. From the Geospatial analysis the findings from the LULC classification indicate that there has been a significant increase in cropland area from 2016 to 2021 due to changes in forest land, fallow land, and water resources. These problems have been exacerbated by the expansion of cultivated land, which has increased from 71.1 square kilometers in 2016 to 118 square kilometers in 2021, accounting for 13.1% of the total area. This expansion, coupled with elevated water body resource availability, has compounded the nitrate pollution including in intensely irrigated regions. The slope map analysis revealed that the inactive mines occur at low slope, high rainfall areas and these are compounded by runoff from other sources such as domestic and agricultural wastes. For these matters, sealing and remediating these inactive mines is essential so as to prevent further nitrate leakage., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Groundwater is an essential source of drinking water and agricultural irrigation water, and its protection has become a global goal for public health. However, knowledge about heavy metal(loid) resistance genes (MRGs) in groundwater and the potential co-selection of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have seldom been developed. Here, during the wet and dry seasons, we collected 66 groundwater samples (total dissolved solids = 93.9-9530 mg/L) adjacent to Baiyangdian Lake in Northern China, which presented the few metal(loid) and antibiotic contamination. We identified 160 MRGs whose composition exhibited significant seasonal variation, and dissolved metal(loid)s (particularly Ba) played a determinative role in promoting the MRGs proliferation though with relatively low concentrations, suggesting the relatively vulnerable groundwater ecosystems. Moreover, 27.4% of MRG-carrying metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) simultaneously carried ARGs, with the most frequently detected MRG types of Cu, Hg, and As, and ARG types of multidrug and bacitracin. Physicochemical variables, variables related to total dissolved solids, metal(loid)s, and antibiotics synthetically shaped the variation of MRG-ARG hosts in groundwater. We found that the increase of MRG-ARG hosts was critically responsible for the spread of MRGs and ARGs in groundwater. Our findings revealed the widespread co-occurrence of MRGs and ARGs in few-contaminated groundwater and highlighted the crucial roles of salinity in their propagation and transmission., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Despite the remoteness of the Antarctic continent and Southern Ocean, microplastic (MPs) contamination has been evidenced in recent years. However, the deep-sea compartments of the Southern Ocean are yet to be investigated. In the present study, we conducted a baseline MP assessment of the deep-sea waters and bottom sediments of the Bransfield Strait, Antarctica. A low abundance of suspected MPs was found. The average MP abundances in bottom sediments and water samples were 0.09 MP/g (range of 0-0.2 MP/g) and 7.00 MP/L (range of 0-16 MP/L), respectively. The majority of the particles were fibers identified as cellulose, although polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) was also detected. These results suggest low MP contamination levels in the Southern Ocean's deepest environmental compartments. However, future studies must aim to investigate the smallest MP fractions and, if possible, nanoplastic (<1 μm) contamination in these remote compartments., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. Acknowledgments This study was financially supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, grant N(o) N304 139940 to AG. Fieldwork was carried out in the Magura National Park with the consent of the Minister of the Environment in Poland, N(o) DOPpn-936/47968/10/RS.

The extensive use of neonicotinoids (NEOs) in agricultural production has led to their pervasive presence in various environmental matrices, including human samples. Given the central role of fruits and vegetables in daily human diets, it is crucial to evaluate the levels of NEOs residues and their potential health risks. In this study, 3104 vegetable samples and 1567 fruit samples from the Shenzhen city were analyzed. Using the relative potency factor (RPF) method, the residue levels of six representative neonicotinoids, including imidacloprid (IMI), acetamiprid (ACE), thiamethoxam (THM), dinotefuran (DIN), clothianidin (CLO), thiacloprid (THI), were systematically evaluated. The estimated daily intake (EDI), hazard quotient (HQ), and hazard index (HI) for both children and adults were calculated to gauge the prevalence and potential health risks of NEOs in fruits and vegetables. Acetamiprid (ACE) was the most frequently detected NEO in vegetables (69.4%) and fruits (73.9%), making it the predominant contributor to total residues. Further analyses indicated notably higher levels of imidacloprid-equivalent total neonicotinoids (IMI RPF ) in root and tuber vegetables (3025 μg/kg) and other fruits (243 μg/kg). A significant strong positive correlation (r = 0.748, P < 0.05) was observed between thiamethoxam (THM) and clothianidin (CLO), possibly due to their shared metabolic pathways. Although the mean HI values for adults and children from daily fruit (adults: 0.02, children: 0.01) and vegetable (adults: 0.02, children: 0.03) intake were generally below safety thresholds, some maximum HI values exceeded these limits, indicating that the potential health risks associated with NEOs exposure should not be overlooked., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The Mundaú lagoon in Maceió (Alagoas, Brazil) is a crucial resource for the local population, particularly fishing communities. Recent studies have revealed potential toxic metal contamination in the lagoon, particularly with mercury (Hg) levels exceeding the maximum regulated values. This inorganic contaminant may be impacting the health of fishermen and the local population. In this context, metabolomics, a study of small-molecule metabolites, can offer insights into the physiological impact of environmental contamination on humans. Thus, volunteers from the control and exposed groups were selected, considering the main exposure criteria primarily defined by their proximity and interaction with the lagoon. Blood and urine samples were collected from the volunteers and subjected to analysis using NMR spectroscopy. The data underwent Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Orthogonal Partial Least-Squares Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA) based on metabolic patterns to establish group discrimination or identification. Metabolic pathways were assessed through enrichment analysis. The study revealed several metabolic disturbances in the exposed group's urine and plasma samples compared to control group. Noteworthy findings included arginine and proline metabolism disruptions, indicative of ammonia recycling and urea cycle impairment. These changes suggest compromised ammonia detoxification in the exposed group. Disturbances in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and the transfer of acetyl groups into mitochondria suggested systemic metabolic stress in energy metabolism. Furthermore, elevated carnitine and ketone levels may indicate compensatory responses to low TCA cycle activity. Alterations in glutamate and glutathione metabolism and imbalances in glutathione levels indicate oxidative stress and impaired detoxification. This study highlights significant metabolic changes in fishermen exposed to contaminated environments, which can affect various metabolic pathways, including energy metabolism and antioxidant processes, potentially making individuals more vulnerable to the adverse effects of environmental contaminants. Finally, this work highlights insights into the relationship between environmental contamination and metabolic pathways, particularly in regions with limited studies., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest All the authors have no financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence this work. The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Polychlorinated biphenyl compounds (PCBs) are industrial chemicals whose production was discontinued in the early nineties in most countries. Sill, PCBs are detectable in pristine and remote locations. Occurrence in regions such as Southern Oceans and Antarctica are influenced by the global, and regional, cycling. Here, we studied the surface and deep ocean distribution of indicator- and dioxin-like PCB congeners in the Southern Indian Ocean (SIO), and the coast of Antarctica (COA) during the tenth Indian Southern Ocean Expedition (SOE-10), December 2017-February 2018. ∑ 21 PCBs in SIO surface waters ranged from 3.8 to 167.1 pg L -1 (average ± standard deviation: 35.7 ± 48.4 pg L -1 ), and in COA from 1.0 to 41.8 pg L -1 (13.8 ± 12.7 pg L -1 ), respectively. A noticeable gradient was observed, with higher PCBs levels in northern latitudes than southern latitudes in the SIO, and higher levels in the eastern longitudes compared to western longitudes in the COA. Results suggest the influence of secondary sources, or re-emission, of PCBs in the Southern Oceans and Antarctica. Both regions showed notable PCB levels in surface and deep waters (up to 1000 m) due to ongoing surface sources and remineralization processes in deeper waters. Multimedia modeling with the global model (BETR-Global) suggests the SIO act as a net sink for PCBs in the ocean., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Environmental pollution due to plastic waste is a global challenge causing adverse impacts on the ecosystem and public health. Microplastic (MP) originates at the upstream processes such as industrial and household activities; however, their existence is affecting the downstream environment. Even though many governments and non-government organizations have taken technological and regulatory steps, these current efforts and strategies are insufficient to prevent the MP release in the environment. Thus, a multidisciplinary global approach is required, which must prioritize the reducing of plastic inputs to the environment. To regulate MP levels in the environment, worldwide reformative and preventive strategies are required because the issue is not limited to a single nation or region. In relation to marine plastic waste, a number of multilateral agreements and measures exist at global level. Several regulatory measures have been examined by regulatory bodies with the intention of safeguarding the environment from excessive MP contamination. However, neither of the frameworks in place is specifically made to stop the increased MP pollution in the environment. Therefore, this review focused on the preventive measures taken by the government and non-government organizations for MP control through legislations. The study also critically discussed MP-related policies aiming to increase the viability and efficiency of implementing future plastic management. This review is expected to provide the basic guidelines for formulating MP standards in the environment., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Microcystin (MC) toxin produced by cyanobacteria has become a significant concern for societies worldwide. The risk of MC in drinking water has been assessed to human health. Nonetheless, its risk to animal health has not been thoroughly evaluated. This study investigated MCs in irrigation water and alfalfa plant from nearby farmlands. Both irrigation water and alfalfa shoots contained greater MC concentrations (1.8-17.4 μg L -1 and 0.053-0.128 μg g -1 ) during summer than winter (2.4 μg L -1 and 0.017 μg g -1 ). These MC concentrations showed a correlation with the predominance of cyanobacteria in the sites, triggering the potential risk of these microorganisms in irrigation waters. Accordingly, there would be a high risk (risk quotient, RQ > 1) during summer and a moderate risk (0.1

Passive air samplers were used to monitor polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorobiphenyls (dl-PCBs) between 2020 and 2022 in four residential areas around Bien Hoa hot spot (BHS) including Trung Dung (TD), Tan Phong (TP), Quang Vinh (QV), and Buu Long (BL). The total toxic equivalents of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs (∑TEQs) were highest in the TD area, from 284 to 642 fg TEQ/PUF day. Next was the QV area, where ∑TEQs ranged from 229 to 569 fg TEQ/PUF day. Then, ∑TEQs varied from 205 to 503 fg TEQ/PUF day in the TP area. The lowest ∑TEQs were between 179 and 385 fg TEQ/PUF day in the BL area. The temporal, spatial, and seasonal variations in concentrations of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs were related to the prevailing wind direction and the distance from each area to the dioxin hot spot. The average ∑TEQs for all four areas surrounding BHS in the dry season (423 fg TEQ/PUF day) were 1.4 times higher than in the rainy season (303 fg TEQ/PUF day). Health risk assessments from airborne dioxin exposure were estimated using the average daily doses through inhalation (ADDI). The ADDI for residents surrounding BHS ranged from 14.6 to 208 fg TEQ/kg BW/day. The ADDI values by areas were as follows: 23.2-208 fg TEQ/kg BW/day in the TD, 18.7-184 fg TEQ/kg BW/day in the QV, 16.7-163 fg TEQ/kg BW/day in the TP, and 14.6-125 fg TEQ/kg BW/day in the BL. These ADDI values remained within and below the 10% threshold of the WHO-recommended tolerable daily intake (100-400 fg TEQ/kg BW/day). It is necessary to control the excavation activities inside the BHS and cover the temporary storage sites of dioxin-contaminated materials to minimize the emissions of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCB into the ambient air., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Homegrown crops can present a significant exposure source of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to humans. Field studies studying PFAS accumulation in multiple vegetable food categories and examining the potential influence of soil characteristics on vegetable bioavailability under realistic exposure conditions are very scarce. Crop PFAS accumulation depends on a complex combination of factors. The physicochemical differences among the numerous PFAS makes risk assessment very challenging. Thus, simplification of this complexity into key factors that govern crop PFAS accumulation is critical. This study analyzed 29 targeted legacy, precursor and emerging PFAS in the vertical soil profile (0-45 cm depth), rainwater and edible crop parts of 88 private gardens, at different distances from a major fluorochemical plant. Gardens closer to the plant site showed higher soil concentrations which could be linked with historical and recent industrial emissions. Most compounds showed little variation along the soil depth profile, regardless of the distance from the plant site, which could be due to gardening practices. Annual crops consistently accumulated higher sum PFAS concentrations than perennials. Highest concentrations were observed in vegetables, followed by fruits and walnuts. Single soil-crop relationships were weak, which indicated that other factors (e.g., porewater) may be better measures of bioavailability in homegrown crop accumulation. Regression models, which additionally considered soil characteristics showed limited predictive power (all R 2  ≤ 35%), possibly due to low variability in crop concentrations. Human intake estimations revealed that the PFAS exposure risk via crop consumption was similar nearby and remotely from the plant site, although the contribution to the overall dietary exposure can be relatively large. The tolerable weekly intake was frequently exceeded with respect to fruit and vegetable consumption, thus potential health risks cannot be ruled out., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Microplastics negatively impact soil health and productivity. Organic fertilizers constitute significant contributors of microplastics in agricultural soils. Nevertheless, comprehensive data on the diversity of microplastics in long-term fertilized soils remain unavailable. In this study, we assessed the presence of microplastics in soils subjected to application of three different organic fertilizers (pig manure, chicken manure, and sludge composts) over 12 years, and evaluated the potential ecological risks posed by microplastic accumulation. The average microplastic abundance in soil was 368.88 ± 207.97 (range: 90-910) items/kg. Microplastic abundance differed among fertilization treatments, with substantial increases of 16.67%, 71.67%, and 61.43% upon low to high application of the three treatments, respectively. Overall, the microplastics predominantly comprised fibers (70.94%) and fragments (25.25%), of which a substantial proportion constituted light-colored microplastics (transparent and white). The size of microplastics was mainly concentrated in the 1-2 mm range (39.96%), with rayon, polypropylene, polyester, and polyethylene being identified as the major types. The risk assessment indices of the three treatments were 229.38, 257.64, and 175.89, respectively, and were all classified as level 4 (high risk). The microplastic diversity integrated index and principal component analysis revealed that microplastics were uniformly distributed throughout the 0-20 cm soil depth consequent to tillage activity. Together, these findings provide a comprehensive assessment of microplastic pollution in long-term fertilized soils and serve as a scientific basis for reducing microplastic contamination in agricultural soils., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest We declare that we do not have any possible financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that can inappropriately influence our work. We declare that we have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The Iguaçu River basin, known for its rich endemic ichthyofauna, faces a significant threat from chemical pollution. The Jordão River, a major tributary, drains extensive agricultural and livestock areas and receives poorly treated domestic and industrial effluents before joining the Iguaçu River. This study investigated the pollution and toxic effects of water samples from the Iguaçu upstream (UI), Jordão (JR), and their confluence (DI) on Steindachneridion melanodermatum embryos and larvae. Chemical analyses of the water samples revealed that most contaminants were present at levels below detection limits or within the limits established by Brazilian legislation. However, cadmium in UI, aluminum in JR, and lead in DI exceeded the legal limits. Exposure up to 96 h post-fertilization revealed higher mortality and deformity rates in individuals exposed to water samples from UI and JR, despite JR having fewer detected pollutants. JR and DI samples induced increased superoxide dismutase activity, indicating activation of the antioxidant defense system due to xenobiotic exposure. Overall, the integrated biomarker response indexes showed that individuals exposed to JR water displayed the most significant variations in their responses compared to the control treatment, suggesting a higher level of contamination and toxicity. Although a direct link between water quality and toxicity in the Jordão and Iguaçu Rivers was inconclusive, the results confirmed pollution and risks to local wildlife. The study highlighted the harmful effects of pollutants, even at low concentrations. These findings underscore the need for conservation measures to safeguard endemic and endangered species in the Iguaçu River basin. Understanding pollutant effects on native species is crucial for effective mitigation strategies and ecological health preservation., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Incineration is an effective method for reducing and safely treating municipal solid waste. However, microplastics (MPs) inevitably remain in the bottom ash, potentially introducing new pollution risks during subsequent treatment processes. This study conducted an analysis of the accumulation and release potential of MPs in bottom ash samples collected from 4 municipal solid waste incineration plants in Zhejiang, China. The results showed that the abundance of MPs ranged from 20 to 118 items g -1 . Remarkably, MPs were found to accumulate predominantly in smaller bottom ash particles below 4.75 mm accounted for up to 70% of the total MPs. Most MPs in the bottom ash were under 100 μm in size, with a majority exceeding 50% being less than 50 μm, typically manifesting as shafts and fibers. In scenarios of secondary crushing, the abundance of MPs increased gradually with the degree of bottom ash crushing. When bottom ash was crushed to a particle size of less than 0.6 mm, the abundance of MPs reached up to 87-901 items g -1 , which is 5-10 times higher than the original bottom ash. It is estimated that the annual release of MPs may reach up to 4.05 × 10 16 particles. Re-incinerating thoroughly crushed bottom ash at 600 °C successfully decomposed the MPs. Mechanical stress can significantly increase the risk of MPs releasing in bottom ash. This risk can be eliminated by using secondary incineration to achieve complete MPs decomposition., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

In the context of increasing environmental contamination, our study employed fish as bioindicators, focusing on non-invasive cortisol measurements in scales and fins in response to severe PFAS pollution in the Veneto area of Italy. Our preliminary findings showed species-specific stress responses, as observed in Squalius cephalus and Padogobius bonelli, suggesting the need for broader biomonitoring to capture the complex impact of environmental stressors on aquatic organisms. Moreover, due to the unusual characteristics of the rivers selected for the biomonitoring activity, a possible link between PFAS exposure and cortisol levels in S. cephalus demonstrates the method's potential., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest There is no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Among bee species, the western honey bee (Apis mellifera) is preferred in monitoring studies performed in the agricultural landscape, while bee matrices, pollen, and honey are mostly a subject of these studies due to their unique composition. A justified question about the relevance of other bee matrices, like larvae, foragers, beebread, and/or wax, has been raised. The ability of different bee matrices (wax, pollen grains, bee bread, foragers, larvae, nectar, and honey) to absorb pesticide residues is subjected in this study. All samples were collected during a crop flowering season (oilseed rape) on intensively managed agricultural land in Slovakia and Germany. The observed high variability in residue levels, profile, and number of detections among studied matrices from Germany, west, and east Slovakia gave us an assumption of the use of different agricultural practices between these two countries. Fungicides clearly dominated across all samples in all sampling regions. The increased pesticide profile positively correlated with the oilseed rape pollen grains in pollen pellets and/or bee bread. Bee wax, pollen, and bee bread showed a high number of detected active substances and total residue concentrations among matrices, indicating their high ability to absorb pesticide residues in the surrounding hive environment., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

As climate change induces changes in water quality and available water quantity of drinking water supply sources, the final product water quality changes in terms of trace organics including disinfection byproducts (DBPs) formed during water treatment. In this study, the seasonal variability and speciation of DBPs across nine sample sites within a drinking water distribution system serving ∼400k people over a one-year period was investigated considering the governing parameters of water quality and treatment/transport/storage of finished water. The system considered treats surface water from a river and practices aquifer storage and recovery to address seasons water availability changes. Eighty-eight (88) sample sets were collected and held for 6-months in the laboratory to simulate extended storage scenarios associated with ASR operations, and each was analyzed at 9 different timesteps for concentration and speciation of chlorinated DBPs. Samples from groundwater influenced sites exhibited significantly lower total organic carbon (TOC) compared to other sites from the river source, and also were observed to have the lowest DBP formation. Three sites exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for four total trihalomethanes (THM 4 ) within 30-60 days of storage. Chloroform was the predominant THM 4 species, even in groundwater-influenced locations, whereas di- and tri-chloroacetic acid (DCA and TCA) were the most prevalent haloacetic acids (HAA 5 ). Extended water age at one site, coupled with low initial chlorine concentrations exhibited higher initial THM 4 concentrations and flat DBP formation curves. The study results provide new insights into DBP occurrence and fate in drinking water distribution systems which consider water storage such as in ASR., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests:Krishna Pagilla reports financial support was provided by Truckee Meadows Water Authority. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in commercial baby food products from various European countries was investigated in this study. A total of 96 samples were collected and analyzed to assess PFASs levels, composition profiles, and potential dietary intake among infants. The results indicated detectable levels of PFASs in the sampled baby food products, with carboxylic acid prevalence over sulfonic acids. Among the various baby food groups studied, dry cereals exhibited the highest PFASs concentrations. This finding emphasizes the need for further monitoring and investigation of PFASs contamination in this specific food category. While the concentrations detected were generally low, they indicated the widespread presence of PFASs in various types of baby food. Furthermore, a preliminary exposure assessment was conducted on the basis of the measured PFASs concentrations, providing an initial insight into the potential exposure levels among infants from three months to three years old. Calculations based on two scenario types revealed the best-case scenario likely underestimating actual exposure, while the worst-case scenario occasionally exceeded the limits set by the governmental institutions. Further research is needed to understand the sources, pathways, and potential health effects of PFASs exposure in this vulnerable population., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Cultural eutrophication from excessive human-related nutrient (phosphorus, P, and nitrogen, N) inputs is a major concern for water quality. Because P historically was regarded as the critical nutrient in controlling noxious algal/plant growth, P became the focus of "capturing" techniques, with emphasis on removal performance rather than environmental impacts. Here, we synthesize a literature review of known environmental effects linked to use of metal-cation-based P-capturing materials under eutrophic conditions in freshwaters. P-capturing materials with functional cations based on aluminum (Al), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), lanthanum (La), and magnesium (Mg) were reviewed in terms of their ecotoxicity, persistence, and bioaccumulation-standard criteria used to evaluate environmental risks of chemical substances. We found very few published studies on environmental impacts of metal-cation-based P-capturing materials under eutrophic conditions. Available reports indicated that environmental effects vary depending on the selected material, dose, target organism(s), and experimental conditions. The Al-based materials had the potential to negatively impact various biota; several Fe-based materials caused various levels of toxicity in a limited group of aquatic organisms; La-based materials can bioaccumulate and some were linked to various harmful effects on biota; and Mg-based materials also adversely affected various organisms. The limited number of published studies underscores the need for further research to characterize the environmental impacts of these materials. Results can be used to guide future work and can assist resource managers in sustainable management strategies. Among various research needs, future assessments should assess the impacts of chronic exposures on sensitive species under realistic field conditions in eutrophic waters., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The presence of pharmaceutical pollutants in water sources has become a growing concern due to its potential impacts on human health and other organisms. The physicochemical properties of pharmaceuticals based on their intended therapeutical application, which include antibiotics, hormones, analgesics, and antidepressants, is quite diverse. Their presence in wastewater, sewerage water, surface water, ground water and even in drinking water is reported by many researchers throughout the world. Human exposure to these pollutants through drinking water or consumption of aquatic and terrestrial organisms has raised concerns about potential adverse effects, such as endocrine disruption, antibiotic resistance, and developmental abnormalities. Once in the environment, they can persist, undergo transformation, or degrade, leading to a complex mixture of contaminants. Application of treated wastewater, compost, manures or biosolids in agricultural fields introduce pharmaceutical pollutants in the environment. As pharmaceuticals are diverse in nature, significant differences are observed during their uptake and accumulation in plants. While there have been extensive studies on aquatic ecosystems, the effect on agricultural land is more disparate. As of now, there are few reports available on the potential of plant uptake and transportation of pharmaceuticals within and between plant organs. This review summarizes the occurrence of pharmaceuticals in aquatic water bodies at a range of concentrations and their uptake, accumulation, and transport within plant tissues. Research gaps on pharmaceutical pollutants' specific effect on plant growth and future research scopes are highlighted. The factors affecting uptake of pharmaceuticals including hydrophobicity, ionization, physicochemical properties (pKa, logK ow , pH, Henry's law constant) are discussed. Finally, metabolism of pharmaceuticals within plant cells through metabolism phase enzymes and plant responses to pharmaceuticals are reviewed., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests:Md Khaled Mosharaf reports financial support was provided by Commonwealth Scholarship Commission. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Crown Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This research aims to assess the concentration of metals in human and canine placentas from the same geographic area and to investigate how these metal levels influence gene expression within the placenta. Placentas of 25 dogs and 60 women who had recently given birth residing in Ankara, Turkey were collected and subjected to metal analysis using ICP-OES. Placentas with detectable metal levels underwent further examination including Next Generation Sequencing, transcriptional analysis, single nucleotide polymorphism investigation, and extensive scrutiny across various groups. For women, placentas with concurrent detection of aluminum (Al), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) underwent transcriptomic analysis based on metal analysis results. However, the metal load in dog placentas was insufficient for comparison. Paired-end sequencing with 100-base pair read lengths was conducted using the DNBseq platform. Sequencing quality control was evaluated using FastQC, fastq screen, and MultiQC. RNA-sequencing data is publicly available via PRJNA936158. Comparative analyses were performed between samples with detected metals and "golden" samples devoid of these metals, revealing significant gene lists and read counts. Normalization of read counts was based on estimated size factors. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to all genes using rlog-transformed count data. Results indicate that metal exposure significantly influences placental gene expression, impacting various biological processes and pathways, notably those related to protein synthesis, immune responses, and cellular structure. Upregulation of immune-related pathways and alterations in protein synthesis machinery suggest potential defense mechanisms against metal toxicity. Nonetheless, these changes may adversely affect placental function and fetal health, emphasizing the importance of monitoring and mitigating environmental exposure to metals during pregnancy., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Dechloranes, including dechlorane 602 (Dec 602), dechlorane 603 (Dec 603), dechlorane 604 (Dec 604), dechlorane plus (DP, including syn- and anti-DP) and mirex, were determined in marine food web from Dalian Bay, Northeast China to investigate their occurrence andtrophic transfer. In all organisms, the detection rates were Dec 602 (99%) > mirex (95%) > Dec 603 (92%) > anti-DP (91%) > syn-DP (82%) > Dec 604 (9.6%). The concentrations were 0.92-16 ng/g lipid weight (lw) for mirex, 0.53-2.3 ng/g lw for syn-DP, 1.1-4.5 ng/g lw for anti-DP, 0.19-5.0 ng/g lw for Dec 602, 0.26-1.9 ng/g lw for Dec 603 and 0.020-0.33 ng/g lw for Dec 604. Significant positive relationships (p < 0.0001) were observed between lipid normalized concentrations and trophic levels for mirex (R 2  = 0.80) and Dec602 (R 2  = 0.82) in food webs, with the calculated TMFs values of 3.09 and 3.39, respectively, indicating the trophic magnification potential of these compounds. For syn-DP, anti-DP, Dec 603 and Dec 604, the similar significant relationships were not found, suggesting that these chemicals do not trophic magnification nor trophic dilution in the food web. With low log K OW values for mirex (7.01) and Dec 602 (8.05), these two compounds have the highest magnifications potentials, while the magnification potential of Dec 603, Dec 604 and DP dramatically decreased because of their extremely big log K OW values (higher than 10). The observed fractional abundance of anti-DP (f anti ) ranged of 0.58-0.69, closing to the one in Chinese industrial products, indicating DP isomers had not undergone significant differences of physicochemical or biological process in the studied food web., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Pharmaceuticals have been deemed as 'contaminants of emerging concern' within the Arctic and are a potentially perennial form of pollution. With recent innovations in detection technology for organic compounds, researchers have been able to find substantial evidence of the presence and accumulation of pharmaceutical pollution within the Arctic marine ecosystem. The pharmaceuticals, which are biologically active substances used in diagnosis, treatment or prevention of diseases, may persist in the Arctic environment and may have an impact on the resident marine biota. Thus, to understand the standing of current research on the origin, transport, bioaccumulation and impacts of pharmaceutical pollution on the Arctic marine ecosystem, this study collates research from the early 2000s to the end of 2023 to act as a baseline for future research. The study highlights the fact that there is an evident threat to the Arctic marine ecosystem due to pharmaceutical pollution. It also shows that the impacts of pharmaceuticals within the Arctic ocean are not well studied., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Microplastic (MP) pollution is currently one of the most serious environmental issues. MPs were investigated in the Kürtün Dam Lake in healthy individuals of the native leuciscid hybrid (Alburnus derjugini x Squalius orientalis) species and individuals infected with the Ligula intestinalis parasite. Although MP abundance appeared to be higher in non-infected fish (NIF) than in L. intestinalis (L) and infected fish (IF), the MP abundance in IF was higher, because the parasite theoretically belongs to IF. In addition to the observation of MPs in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of fish, the diffusion of MPs by parasites settled in the body cavity indicates that MPs are not only present in the GIT. Therefore, predation on existing fish by birds causes MP dispersion. In the present study, the most common MP shape was fiber (100% for NIF and IF, 85.7% for L), the MP color was black (57.1% for IF and L) and orange (50% for NIF), and the polymer type was polyamide (57.1% for IF, 50% for NIF) and polyethylene terephthalate (28.5% for L). These MP compositions led us to believe that textile effluents and aquaculture operations in dam lakes could be sources of pollution. Therefore, this study provides insights for future research to elucidate the connection between MP consumption and parasite infection., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Coastal ecosystems, such as coral reefs, are particularly vulnerable to mercury contamination due to direct contact with terrestrial sources. Here, we evaluated, for the first time, the concentration of mercury in coral reefs in the Southwestern Atlantic using the amphi-atlantic scleractinian coral Montastraea cavernosa. Sampling was realized over an extension of 200 km along different coral reefs. Our data show mercury values ranging from 0.01 to 0.27 mg kg -1 in the tissue and 0.001-0.06 mg kg -1 in the skeleton and higher values when compared to coral worldwide. The concentration of mercury in the tissue from Todos os Santos Bay was higher than in open sea regions but also higher compared to other coral reefs of the world, while the skeleton concentration did not indicate any differences when compared to the open sea regions. The data presented is of concern as we consider the importance of coral reefs and should be used in future environmental management planning., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Assessing historical records of DOC concentrations (DOC) in drinking water sources is important for water utilities to understand long-term planning for infrastructure needs. This study investigates 15-20 years of historical data of the Woronora water supply catchment in Australia inclusive of the water filtration plant (WFP), the lake from where the water was drawn for WFP supply, and the two primary river inputs. The DOC at each site ranged from 0.8 mg L -1 to 13.9 mg L -1 , with the highest and lowest concentrations observed in Waratah Rivulet. The DOC in the lake and WFP significantly (p < 0.001) increased at annual change rates of 0.192 and 0.180 mg L -1 yr -1 . However, Woronora River showed a ∼50% lower rate of DOC increase at 0.096 mg L -1 yr -1 (p < 0.001), while Waratah Rivulet showed no trend (p > 0.05). UV 254 also showed increasing trends at Woronora River, Lake Woronora, and Woronora WFP, indicating an increase in aromatic DOC compounds in all three sites. Waratah Rivulet, however, transported more than 60% of the total DOC load into Lake Woronora due to high flow volumes (more than 65% of total annual system flow). Annual DOC load to the lake is positively correlated with annual rainfall (R 2  > 0.92; p < 0.001). The higher percentage (>73%) of the samples had SUVA 254 greater than 2 L mg -1  m -1 in all four sites indicating a dominance of hydrophobic DOC. The terrestrial plant-derived DOC has increased in Lake Woronora, predominantly influenced by historical rainfall magnitude. The results underscore the importance of considering the impact of increased DOC at the treatment plant intake for the planning and operation of the Woronora water supply system., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

The growing scale of plastic pollution causes a devastating impact on the aquatic ecosystem. The people largely depend on animal-based food for their protein requirements. In this study, we analysed 10 different fish meal samples and 20 feed samples used in farming to understand the level of microplastic (MPs) contamination and estimate the amount of MPs ingested by farmed fish, shrimp, and chicken through feed. The abundance of MPs in fish meal samples ranges from 210 ± 98.21 to 1154 ± 235.55 items/kg. The fish meal produced from dried fish is more prone to MPs contamination than that produced from fresh fish. In the case of fish feed, MP abundances range from 50 ± 22.36 to 160 ± 36.57 items/kg in shrimp feeds, 60 ± 26.74 to 230 ± 52.32 items/kg in fish feeds and 90 ± 25.11 to 330 ± 36.12 items/kg in chicken feeds. The exposure rate of MPs is higher in the grower- and finisher-stage feeds than in the starter feed. Fiber-shaped MPs of size 100-500 μm with PE and PP polymers were predominantly found in fish meal and feed samples. EDAX analysis showed the presence of Cr, Cd, Ti, Ni, Cu, As, Al, Pb, Hg, Cd, Ti, Fe, Ca, K, and Si in fish meal samples and Ca, Na, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cl, Al, Si, S, Pb, Cd, Ti, Cr, Mg and Fe in feed samples. The possible level of exposure of microplastic particles was calculated based on MP contamination in feed, feed consumption rate, and body weight. We estimated an MP exposure level of 531-1434 items/kg feed for farmed shrimp, 234-4480 items/kg feed for fishes, and 3519-434,280 items/kg feed for chicken. This study concludes that fish meal and feed are one of the important exposure routes of MPs to the farmed animals., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest There is no conflict of interest among the authors., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been used for decades in a broad range of consumer products and industrial applications. A variety of waste and products containing PFAS inevitably end up at waste management facilities when they are no longer considered useful. Drainage water samples (n = 157) were collected from eight subsections at a waste management facility in Sweden and analyzed for 23 PFAS and extractable organofluorine (EOF). Two different sampling methods were used, grab sampling (n = 32, without filtration) and composite sampling (n = 8, produced by pooling 16 filtered samples taken at the same subsection). Although PFAS have been studied at waste sites, the information is scarce regarding how the concentrations and homologue profiles could differ within the sites. In this study, we investigated if composite sampling could be an alternative to grab sampling for PFAS monitoring purposes. Herein, the PFAS concentrations ranged from <1 to 22 μg/L; the grab samples showed systematic higher concentrations than their corresponding composite sample. Short-chain perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (C 4 and C 5 ) were the largest contributing sub-class, followed by short-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (C 4 to C 6 ). EOF was measured up to approximately 140 μg/L F with 99% being unexplained by the fluorine mass balance analysis. The results from this study showed that both sampling methods were comparable for target analysis and that 11 compounds represented most of the PFAS concentrations. However, the discrepancy between the sampling methods was greater for EOF analysis and may be due to the preparation of composite samples and/or due to fluctuating discharges during the sampling period. Composite sampling was observed to be comparable to grab sampling for target analysis., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Ore mineralizations in bedrock and their exploitation may have a negative impact on air quality of surrounding urban areas and, subsequently, on human health. This study uses lichens as bioindicators of atmospheric pollution to evaluate the spatial distribution of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the towns close to the massive sulfide deposits of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB) in SW Spain. Altogether 89 native lichen samples of Xanthoria parietina were collected from the mining towns, control towns out of the reach of the mining activity, as well as from distal sampling sites. The samples were analyzed for 29 elements after acid digestion. The concentrations for Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Rb, Mo, Cd, Sn, Sb, Cs, Ba, W, Tl, Pb, S, and Fe are significantly higher in the mining towns in comparison to the control towns. The ore mineral-associated PTEs, including Cu, Zn, As, Ba, and Pb, exhibit extreme concentrations in the urban areas close to the mining activity, and particularly in the small settlement of La Dehesa next to the mineral processing plant and the tailings pond. The distal samples confirm the decrease in the concentrations of all PTEs, and these samples present similar values as in the control areas. The results, point at increased bioaccumulation of PTEs in the lichen thalli of the adjacent urban areas, suggesting that the air quality of the adjacent urban areas is locally impacted by the massive polymetallic sulfide deposits which is enhanced by the mining activity. Therefore, monitoring the urban air quality is recommended., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests:Annika Parviainen reports financial support was provided by University of Granada. Annika Parviainen reports financial support was provided by Government of Andalusia. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Mercury (Hg) is a toxic contaminant of global concern and the impact on Arctic ecosystems, particularly in seabirds, is critical due to large-scale Hg transport towards polar regions and its biomagnification in marine trophic systems. While the adverse effects of Hg on reproductive processes in seabirds are established, the understanding of Hg maternal transfer pathways and their control on Hg reproductive toxicity is limited. The combination of Hg compounds speciation (inorganic mercury and monomethylmercury MMHg) and Hg stable isotope composition in the different egg compartments (yolk, albumen, membrane, and shell) before embryo development was investigated to provide information on (i) Hg maternal transfer mechanisms, (ii) influence of egg biochemical composition on Hg organotropism and (iii) proxies of inputs of Hg contamination. Eggs of three seabird species (the common eider, the black-legged kittiwake and the little auk) collected within the same breeding period (summer 2020) in East Greenland were investigated. For all seabirds, albumen and membrane, the most protein-rich compartments, were the most contaminated (from 1.2 to 2.7 μg g -1 for albumen and from 0.3 to 0.7 μg g -1 for membrane). In these two compartments, more than 82% of the total Hg amount was in the form of MMHg. Additionally, mass-dependent fractionation values (δ 202 Hg) were higher in albumen and membrane in the three species. This result was mainly due the organotropism of MMHg as influenced by the biochemical properties and chemical binding affinity of these proteinous compartments. Among the different egg compartments, individuals and species, mass-independent fractionation values were comparable (mean ± sd were 0.99 ± 0.11‰, 0.78 ± 0.11‰, 0.03 ± 0.05‰, 0.04 ± 0.10‰ for Δ 199 Hg, Δ 201 Hg, Δ 200 Hg and Δ 204 Hg, respectively). We conclude that initial MMHg accumulated in the three species originated from Arctic environmental reservoirs exhibiting similar and low photodemethylation extent. This result suggests a unique major source of MMHg in those ecosystems, potentially influenced by sea ice cover., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Groundwater is an often-overlooked resource, while its declining quantity and quality is of global concern. To protect and ensure stable quantity and quality of groundwater systems used as drinking water supplies, a common method is to artificially recharge these groundwater supplies with surface water, a process called managed aquifer recharge (MAR), that has been used globally for decades. However, surface waters used for MAR often contain elevated concentrations of anthropogenic chemicals of emerging concern (CECs), such as plastics, pesticides, pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). When infiltrating this surface water, MAR can thus act as a shortcut for CECs into groundwater systems and eventually drinking water supplies. Especially PFAS are an example of very persistent contaminants showing atypical transport patterns during MAR and thus posing a risk for ground- and drinking water contamination. This systematic review addresses the transport process of CECs through MAR systems by looking at (1) common CEC concentrations in surface waters, (2) factors affecting CEC transport and possible retention during MAR, such as sorption and other physio-chemical mechanisms of CECs, biological and chemical decomposition, or hydrogeological properties of the MAR system, and (3) key contaminants leaching through the MAR systems as well as possible treatment options to improve the retention of CECs during MAR. Since we are facing increasing needs for high quality drinking water, lower CEC drinking water guidelines as well as an increasing number of identified CECs in surface waters, we conclude with a series of recommendations and future research directions to address these issues. Those include the need for regular monitoring programs specifically addressing CECs and especially not yet regulated, (very) persistent and (very) mobile contaminants, such as PFAS, as well as redesigned MAR systems to ensure stable ground- and drinking water quantity and quality., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)