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Mangrove ecosystems, critical intertidal zones at the land–ocean interface, are increasingly recognized for their role in microplastic (MP) pollution dynamics. Despite extensive research on the interaction of MPs with various chemical contaminants, the specific contamination levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) associated with MPs in mangroves remain poorly understood. In this study, we quantified the concentrations of PCBs on MPs extracted from representative mangrove sediment samples across China, revealing values ranging from 9.80 to 13.91 ng/g. In contrast, PCB concentrations in sediment samples were found to vary between 25.67 and 69.85 ng/g. Our findings indicate a consistent level of PCB contamination on MPs across different sites, although these levels were marginally elevated compared to those in the surrounding sediments. Notably, Penta-PCBs were detected with the highest frequency across all samples analyzed. This study provides crucial insights into the occurrence and distribution of PCBs on MPs within the mangrove ecosystem, highlighting their significance in environmental contamination assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on the occurrence and variation of total aflatoxins (TAF) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in different types of chicken feeds collected from various locations in Dar es Salaam. A total of 63 chicken feed samples based on cotton seed hulls, sunflower seed hulls, maize bran and mixed feeds were analysed using HPLC-FLD. It was revealed that all samples were contaminated with both TAF and AFB1, varying significantly with respect to their types. Specifically, 52.9% of the cotton seed hulls and 64.7% of maize bran samples exceeded the set tolerable limit of 5 ng g-1 for AFB1. All sunflower seed hull samples were contaminated, showing varying mean concentrations of TAF across the sites: Manzese (150.48 ng g-1), Mbagala (56.20 ng g-1), Bunju (49.08 ng g-1) and Kigamboni (33.83 ng g-1). Remarkably, all chicken feed samples from the poultry farms were contaminated with levels beyond the recommended international maximum tolerable limit of 20 ng g-1 of TAF for feeds with levels decreasing from Farm C (77.71 ng g-1), Farm A (48.19 ng g-1), Farm E (38.95 ng g-1) and Farm F (24.48 ng g-1). These findings call for urgent stringent quality control measures to mitigate aflatoxin contamination in chicken feeds, thereby safeguarding animal health and preventing potential health risks to humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our understanding of the environmental behavior, bioaccumulation and concentrations of chlorinated paraffins (CPs) and Dechloranes (Dec) in the Arctic environment is still limited, particularly in freshwater ecosystems. In this descriptive study, short chain (SCCPs) and medium chain (MCCPs) CPs, Dechlorane Plus (DP) and analogues, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured in sediments, benthic organisms, three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) and brown trout (Salmo trutta) in two Sub-Arctic lakes in Northern Norway. Takvannet (TA) is a remote lake, with no known local sources for organic contaminants, while Storvannet (ST) is situated in a populated area. SCCPs and MCCPs were detected in all sediment samples from ST with concentration of 42.26--115.29 ng/g dw and 66.18--136.69 ng/g dw for SCCPs and MCCPs, respectively. Only SCCPs were detected in TA sediments (0.4--5.28 ng/g dw). In biota samples, sticklebacks and benthic organisms showed the highest concentrations of CPs, while concentrations were low or below detection limits in both char and trout. The congener group patterns observed in both lakes showed SCCP profiles dominated by higher chlorinated congener groups while the MCCPs showed consistency in their profiles, with C14 being the most prevalent carbon chain length. Anti- and syn-DP isomers were detected in all sediment, benthic and stickleback samples with higher concentrations in ST than in TA. However, they were only present in a few char and trout samples from ST. Dec 601 and 604 were below detection limits in all samples in both lakes. Dec 603 was detected only in ST sediments, sticklebacks and 2 trout samples, while Dec 602 was the only DP analogue found in all samples from both lakes. While there were clear differences in sediment concentrations of DP and Dec 602 between ST and TA, differences between lakes decreased with increasing δ15N. This pattern was similar to the PCB behavior, suggesting the lake characteristics in ST are playing an important role in the lack of biomagnification of pollutants in this lake. Our results suggest that ST receives pollutants from local sources in addition to atmospheric transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Food Safety & Quality is the property of Journal of Food Safety & Quality Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Food Safety & Quality is the property of Journal of Food Safety & Quality Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Determination of heavy metals cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) in fresh milk refers to the FDA 2020 method by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was verified in this study. The objective of this study was to evaluate the heavy metal concentrations in fresh milk produced by traditional dairy farmers in Jakarta, a metropolitan city, analyzed by the verified method. Ninety-four milk samples were collected from 18 dairy farmers in southern Jakarta, which is the concentrated location of traditional dairy farms in Jakarta nowadays. Wet digestion was performed using microwave digestion with the reagents 65% HNO3, 30% H2O2, and 30% HCl to extract these samples. The analytical performance of the method was as follows: linearity (R value ≥ 0.9975), precision (RSD range 7.66%--13.38%), recovery values (tested on 0.10 ng/g to 1.0 ng/g milk) at 88%-102%, limits of Cd, Hg, and Pb detections at 0.41 ng/g, 0.86 ng/g, and 1.20 ng/g respectively. The results showed that the heavy metals concentrations in fresh milk were obtained with a range of Cd from not detected (nd) to 1.92 ng/g, Hg from nd to 9.85 ng/g, and Pb from nd to 13.24 ng/g. The concentrations were below the national standards for Cd, Hg, and Pb in milk and milk products, and Pb was below the Codex standard for fresh milk. The results of rapid risk assessment on Cd and Hg in fresh milk are below the provisional tolerable monthly intake (PTMI) of Cd according to Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA 2023) and the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of Hg according to JECFA 2011. Hence, the consumption of fresh milk in South Jakarta gave no health concern. Pb was not assessed due to no tolerable intake, according to JECFA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid urbanization and industrialization can lead to the accumulation of toxic halogenated organic pollutants (HOPs) in soil environments, which poses a risk to the wider eco‐environment. In this study, we explored the occurrence and health risks of halogenated organic pollutants by analysing surface soil samples (n = 209) collected from various E‐waste dismantling, industrialized and urban areas, rural areas and remote areas in Zhejiang Province, China. The mean average concentrations (d.w.) and range (min–max) of the HOPs were Dechlorane plus (DP) = 0.14 ng/g (below detection limit ( industrialized and urban areas > rural areas > remote areas. Nevertheless, we observed high detection ratios in rural and remote areas, indicating scattered industrialization led to ubiquitous HOP soil pollution in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the occurrence of bisphenol S (BPS) in the meat and meat products from a recent Canadian Total Diet Study (TDS) was investigated in more detail. In addition to their composite samples, the individual raw meat and meat products were also analysed for BPS to investigate the variations of BPS levels and provide some information on the potential sources for BPS in meat. BPS was detected in all the 11 composite samples of different meat and meat products, with the highest level in roast beef (118.23 ng/g) and lowest in cured pork (0.14 ng/g) and cold cuts luncheon meats (0.18 ng/g). BPS was also detected in all the 84 individual raw meat and meat products, with the highest level of 257.61 ng/g in roast beef, followed by 190.41 ng/g in organ meats, 110.15 ng/g in beef steak, 27.91 ng/g in veal cutlets, 17.63 ng/g in wieners & sausages, and 15.27 ng/g in ground beef. However, significant variations of BPS levels were observed in the individual meat and meat product samples under the same category collected from different stores. This may indicate that packaging is unlikely the sources for BPS in meat otherwise BPS levels would have been more or less the same with the same type of packaging (Styrofoam and cling film) regardless where they were collected. Thus, sources other than food packaging, such as the contaminated feed and farming environment (e.g. grass) for animals (e.g. cow), may be possible and should be investigated in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Every year, thousands of suspicious deaths are accounted for by an overdose of opioids. Occasionally all traditional matrices are unavailable due to decomposition. Skeletal tissue may pose a valid alternative. However, reference data on postmortem concentrations in bone tissue and bone marrow (BM) is sparse. Therefore, a liquid chromatography--tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and fully validated for the analysis of four opioids and two metabolites (tramadol, O-desmethyltramadol, morphine, fentanyl, norfentanyl, codeine) in bone tissue and BM. Sample preparation was performed using solid phase extraction (BM), methanolic extraction (bone) and a protein precipitation (whole blood). All validation parameters were successfully fulfilled. This method was applied to analyze 22 forensic cases involving opioids. All six opioids were proven to be detectable and quantifiable in all specimens sampled. When tramadol blood concentrations were correlated with bone concentrations, a linear trend could be detected. The same was seen between tramadol blood and BM concentration. A similar linear trend was seen when correlating codeine blood concentration with bone and BM concentration. Although some variability was detected, the same linear trend was seen for morphine. For fentanyl and norfentanyl, the sample size was too small to draw conclusions, regarding correlation. As far as the authors know this is the first-time fentanyl and norfentanyl are quantified in skeletal tissue. In conclusion, due to the absence of reference data for drugs in skeletal tissue, these findings are a step forward toward a more thorough understanding of drug concentration found in postmortem skeletal tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new 2-dimensional cyanide-bridged coordination polymers [Zn(H2 O)2 Ni(CN)4 6(H2 O) and Zn(H2 O)2 Ni(CN)4 3(C4 H8 O2) ], which were similar to Hofmann-type clathrates, were synthesized based on [Ni(CN)4 ]2- and Zn2+ as building blocks. These substances were synthesized as compounds in crystalline form. Thes tructures of the crystalline compounds were characterized via their spectral analyses. General information about the structures of the newly obtained Hofmann-type clathrates was obtained from their vibration spectra by considering significant changes in the vibration peaks of the cyanide group, water ligand molecule, and guest molecules (water and 1,4-dioxane). The thermal behavior of the Hofmann-type clathrates was investigated in the range of 25-500 °C. In addition, experimental data on the magnetic properties of the Hofmann-type clathrates were obtained using the Gouy method under normal conditions. Information on the properties of the structures of the Hofmann clathrates was obtained by applying the single crystal diffraction technique. The asymmetric unit of the first Hofmann-type clathrate contained 1 Zn(II) ion, 1 Ni(II) ion, 1 cyanide ligand, 1 water ligand molecule, and 2 guest water molecules. The asymmetric unit of the second Hofmann-type clathrate contained 1 Zn(II) ion, 1 Ni(II) ion, 2 cyanide ligands, 1 water ligand molecule, and 2 half guest 1,4-dioxane molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: For decades, the use of organochlorine (OC) pesticides has had a detrimental effect on the environment and human health. Contamination of soil, water, and air has also resulted in contaminated milk. Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate if any OC residues dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT, Dieldrin, Endrin, and Lindane) were present in raw bovine milk from West Delta, Egypt. Methods: 200 fresh raw cow milk samples (500 ml of each sample) collected from three different governorates, west Delta, Egypt, for determination of OC pesticides residues using gas chromatography with an Agilent 6890A model gas chromatograph equipped with a 63Ni microelectron capture detector. Results: The obtained results revealed that åDDT, dieldrin, endrin, and lindane were detected in Alexandria, Behera, and Matrouh at incidence levels (22.7%, 30.7%, and 10%), (20%, 20%, and 16%), (9.33%, 13.3%, and 16%), and (12%, 10.7%, and 14%) with mean values of 232.2 ± 163.6, 156.4 ± 134.6 and 100.4 ± 85.9; 91.3 ± 61.2, 95.3 ± 59.8 and 57.6 ± 3.33; 15.7± 3.86, 15.1 ± 3.96 and 20.1 ± 7.33; 33.7 ± 10.6, 36.9 ± 5.51 and 52.2 ± 21.8 ng/g fat, respectively. El-Behera was the most contaminated province with an incidence level of 53.3% with a mean value of 136.8 ± 128.0 ng/g fat, followed by Alexandria at 44% with a mean value of 173.7 ± 155.5 ng/g fat, and finally, Matrouh 40% with a mean value of 74.5 ± 56.5 ng/g fat. Conclusion: This research demonstrated that milk samples contain varying levels of OC pesticide residues, which can be hazardous to consumer health. Therefore, to safeguard consumers, especially children, and the elderly, OC pesticide residues in milk must be closely monitored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The object of the research is polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). For the purpose of determining the source and distribution of PAHs, soil samples from the 11 oil fields in the Basrah governorate (Seba, Safwan, Majnoon, Ratawi, Bergezia, Qurna1, Qurna2, Shuaaba, South and North Rumaila, and al Zubair) were taken at a depth of 0 to 20 cm. According to their molecular weight, they were separated into two main groupings. The first group of compounds consisted of six compounds: naphthalene, acenaphthylene, acenaphthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, and anthracene. These light (low molecular weight) compounds have two to three fused aromatic rings. The first group includes nine chemicals: floranthene, pyrene, benzo(a)anthracene, chrysene, benzo(b), benzo(k), benzo(a), benzo(a), indeno(1,2,3,c,d), and benzo(g,h,i)perylene. These heavy (high molecular weight) compounds included four or more fused aromatic rings. The PAHs compounds ranged in value from the lowest (0.16 ng/g dry weight of benzo(a)anthracene at station West Quarna1 to the highest (680 ng/g dry weight of benzo(g,h,i)perylene that emerged at station North Rumail). The total concentration of PAHs ranged from 77.67 ng/g in South Rumaila Field while highest concentration is 2284.27 ng/g in North Rumail. The PAHs compound has low and high molecular weight, their ratio of LMW/HMW (low molecular weight/high molecular weight) and phenanthrene/anthracene, fluoranthene/pyrene indicated that the source of PAHs was pyrogenic only. The PAH diagnostic ratios and principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that PAHs in soils essentially originated from emissions and combustion. This study gave a baseline on the source and distribution of these compounds in oil fields at Basrah governorate and can be used as a baseline for coming study in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An effective analytical method using NTM-COFs on-line pass-through cleanup method and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) to simultaneously quantify 12 illicit drugs (norketamine, ketamine, codeine, cocaine, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, amphetamine, benzoylecgonine, 6-acetylmorphine, morphine and methadone) in hair sample was developed and validated. The hair sample was extracted with 0.3% formic acid-acetonitrile (v/v) and passed through the nano-titania-modified covalent organic frameworks (NTM-COFs) pre-column to reduce the matrix effect caused by hair specimen. Under the optimal conditions, satisfactory extraction efficiency was obtained for 12 illicit drugs with recoveries between 84.6% and 108.8%. The proposed method was linear for each analyte with correlation coefficients over 0.9926. The limits of detection and limits of quantification for 12 illicit drugs were in the range of 0.012–0.558 ng/g and 0.036–1.860 ng/g, respectively. Acceptable precision and accuracy were also achieved with relative standard deviations values below 9.92% and relative error values below 15.4%. The analytical method was successfully applied to real hair samples from suspected drug abusers, which was proved to be reliable and robust for drug screening in forensic toxicology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Shanghai Ocean University is the property of Editorial Department of Journal of Shanghai Ocean University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Agricultural Resources & Environment / Nongye Ziyuan yu Huanjing Xuebao is the property of Journal of Agricultural Resources & Environment Editorial Board and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A study was conducted to assess the concentrations of persistent organochlorine pollutants (POPs) in high-moor peats of the Primorsky and Mezensky districts of the Arkhangelsk oblast. Peat deposits located in the zone of potential influence of pollutants and outside it were analyzed. Based on the results of chromatographic determination, data on the concentrations of some organochlorine compounds in the studied peats, in particular, persistent toxic hexachlorobenzene (HCB), pentachlorophenol (PCP), pentachloroanisole (PCA), and chlorinated phenols and their derivatives, were obtained. Target POPs were detected in all analyzed peat samples with noticeable variability in their concentrations across the study areas HCB (0.4–3.2 ng/g), PCP (0.2–1.8 ng/g), and PCA (up to 0.4 ng/g). The CP content of the studied peats varied over a wider range from 1.2 to 571 ng/g. The identified quantities of POPs (HCB, CP, and PCA) were most likely due to the entry of pollutants by atmospheric transport from various sources in the territories of nearby regions and neighboring states. The influence of local pollution sources associated with thermal processes should also be taken into account. Keywords: : [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indium (In) is a critical metal in liquid-crystal displays and solar panels. The Earth's crust has low In concentration in the order of 10 ng g−1, but it may be concentrated in sulphides by up to six orders of magnitude. Although In isotope studies may improve our understanding of the behaviour of In during different geological processes, such studies are limited for terrestrial samples. Here, we report a new method for In purification and high-precision isotope analysis for chemically different standards. A one-column method was used to separate In from the matrix with a recovery of 98% ± 2% (2SD). Indium concentrations and isotopic compositions were determined using the column eluate, and the results show large In isotope fractionation on desorbing In from the resin. Based on the mass balance, no significant In isotope fractionation was observed when In recovery is >93.8%. In terms of precision and accuracy of In isotopic compositions, the Ag-doping method was likely better than the standard–sample bracketing (SSB) method for correction of instrumental fractionation, with In uptake concentration down to 1 ng g−1 during isotope analysis. To ensure the accuracy of isotope analyses, the concentration match between the sample and standard should be within ±30%. An elemental doping study indicated that Na, K, Te, Sb, Pb, and Cu have no impact on the accuracy of In isotope analysis within the designated range; however, Ca/In, Mg/In, Cd/In and Sn/In ratios of >5, >20, >0.001 and >0.1, respectively, in sample solutions have significant impacts on In isotope analyses. Four international standards (BCR-2 basalt; J-Zn-1 sulphide; NIST-2711a soil; and OU-3 granite) and three in-house igneous rocks, purified using the developed method, had negligible isobaric interferences and matrix effect during In isotope analysis, demonstrating that the method can be used for terrestrial samples with different compositions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benzophenones (BPs) are used in various branches of industry as ultraviolet radiation filters, but they pollute the natural environment, penetrate living organisms, and disrupt endocrine balance. Knowledge of the exposure of domestic animals to these substances is extremely scant. The aim of the study was to investigate long-term exposure of companion dogs to BPs and relate this to environmental factors. Hair samples taken from 50 dogs and 50 bitches from under 2 to over 10 years old were analysed for BP content with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The results revealed that dogs are most often exposed to 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (BP-3) and 4-dihydroxybenzophenone (BP-1). Concentration levels of BP-3 above the method quantification limit (MQL) were noted in 100% of the samples and fluctuated from 4.75 ng/g to 1,765 ng/g. In turn, concentration levels of BP-1 above the MQL were noted in 37% of the samples and ranged from <0.50 ng/g to 666 ng/g. Various factors (such as the use of hygiene and care products and the dog's diet) were found to affect BP concentration levels. Higher levels of BP-3 were observed in castrated/spayed animals and in animals that required veterinary intervention more often. The results obtained show that the analysis of hair samples may be a useful matrix for biomonitoring BPs in dogs, and that these substances may be toxic to them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine sediments collected from the Zhujiang (Pearl) River Estuary (ZRE) and South China Sea (SCS) were utilized to study the occurrence and spatial distribution of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD). The levels of TBBPA and HBCDD in sediments ranged from not detected (nd) to 6.14 ng/g dry weight (dw) and nd to 0.42 ng/g dw. TBBPA concentrations in marine sediments were substantially higher than HBCDD. The concentrations of TBBPA and HBCDD in the ZRE sediments were significantly greater than those in the SCS. α-HBCDD (48.7%) and γ-HBCDD (46.2%) were the two main diastereoisomers of HBCDD in sediments from the ZRE, with minor contribution of β-HBCDD (5.1%). HBCDD were only found in one sample from the northern SCS. The enantiomeric fraction of α-HBCDD in sediments from the ZRE was obviously greater than 0.5, indicating an accumulation of (+)-α-HBCDD. The enantiomers of HBCDD were not measured in sediments from the SCS. This work highlighted the environmental behaviors of TBBPA and HBCDD in marine sediments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The agro-food surplus is considered the most abundant renewable resource, interesting for the economic and environmental impact, with a possible employment in different productive fields such as supplement in animal feed. For a safe and effective enhancement of agro-food wastes it is needed a toxicological analysis before of their employment, to avoid potential risks to animals, humans and environment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the metals content (Cu, Fe, Zn, Mg, Na, K, Ca, Mn, Se, Zn, Co, Ni, V, Sb, Mo, Cr and Pb, Cd, As, Ba), in agro-food wastes through ICP-MS analysis. The results obtained showed the presence of metals analysed with a significant content of essential micro and macro-elements; with regard to toxic metals, only strawberries and fennel samples showed Pb levels above the MRL. These data confirm, from the toxicological point of view, a possible and safe reuse of the most of all agro-food wastes, as raw material at low cost and rich of essential nutrients and particularly as supplement in animal feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The content of 17 individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was analyzed in samples of background and urban soils obtained during a geochemical survey of the territory of Ulan-Ude in the summer of 2022 for the first time. The average content of PAHs in the urban soils is 801 ng/g, which is more than 8.5 times higher than the level in background chestnut soils. The soil cover is contaminated primarily with medium- and high-molecular-weight PAHs. The proportions of individual PAHs in the soils of Ulan-Ude range within 4–11% at an average value of 6%. The urban soil cover is found to have ten high-contrast anomalies with the sum of PAHs ranging from 3162 to 10 189 ng/g. The principal component analysis and ratios of PAHs have made it possible to identify the main types of PAH sources and their contribution to urban soil pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread application of pesticides in the territories of the former USSR still exerts negative impacts on their ecological status. In this regard, dedicated programs for monitoring persistent organic pollutants (POP) in humans are implemented in several countries. Our study aimed to assess the accumulation of organic pollutants in breast milk of women residing the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug (CAO). Organochlorine pesticides (OCP) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) concentrations in breast milk samples were measured by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The POP concentrations in the samples varied from 13 ng/g lipid weight (lw) to 620.6 ng/g lw (median 58.3 ng/g lw). An assessment of health risk to infants fed breast milk from CAO women did not show any exceedance of the estimated daily intake (EDI). The results obtained are the indirect evidence of the presence of these compounds in the environment and their negative effects on ecosystems and human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Shanxi Agricultural Sciences is the property of Shanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), persistent organic pollutants, in the contaminated soil have been analysed by a gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (MS) in this work. OCPs were extracted with a mixture of dichloromethane and n-hexane by using accelerated solvent extraction at elevated temperature and high pressure. The extractant was concentrated by a rotary vacuum evaporator and cleaned up by silica gel solid phase extraction. OCPs were then separated by a gas chromatography in combination with an electron impact ionisation MS in MS/MS mode. The limit of detection, limit of quantification and other important parameters of the GC-EI-MS/MS analytical method, such as repeatability, recovery and so on, have been investigated and presented. Limit of detection and limit of quantification have been achieved from 0.005 ng g−1 (p,p'-DDE) to 0.405 ng g−1 (dieldrin) and 0.016 ng g−1 to 1.216 ng g−1, respectively. The repeatability of this method was achieved below 8.3% and 13.7% for short- and long-term stability. Recovery of all OCPs ranged from 78.1% ± 1.5% to 117.5% ± 3.2%. The developed analytical method was validated by spiking experiments in the real samples. The validated method has been then used for the analysis of OCPs in the soil samples that were collected from the contaminated areas in Vietnam. Results showed the presence of hexachlorocyclohexane isomers and p-p'-DDT in all analysed samples at elevated levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Due to their intrinsic biological activity biocides can pose an unintended threat to various aquatic organisms. Monitoring data on the spatial distribution and temporal trends are needed to evaluate potential risks and the effectiveness of mitigation measures, but these are scarce for biocides in aquatic environments. In particular, even though many biocides tend to sorb to particles, there are only few studies investigating the contamination of suspended particulate matter (SPM). The aim of this study was to obtain an overview of the temporal trends of selected biocides in SPM using German rivers as an example. For this purpose, SPM from the German Environmental Specimen Bank was used for a retrospective trend assessment of a broad spectrum of biocides in integrated SPM samples (yearly composite) in six large German rivers between 2008 and 2021. Results: Overall 16 of 23 analyzed biocides were found, whereof 10 substances were detected in all samples. Highest concentrations were found for quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs, the sum of four analyzed QACs were up to 8.7 µg/g) and methyl-triclosan (up to 280 ng/g), a transformation product of the bactericide triclosan. Considerably lower concentrations in the range of 0.08 to 88 ng/g and < 0.03 to 13 ng/g were detected for azoles and triazines, respectively. The pyrethroid permethrin, which is highly toxic to aquatic organisms (invertebrates: NOEC = 0.0047 µg/L; fish: NOEC = 0.41 µg/L) as well as to sediment-dwelling organisms (Chironomidae: LC50 = 2.1 mg/kg and NOEC 0.1 mg/kg), was detected at several sampling sites (up to 11.2 ng/g). Concentrations of the other analyzed pyrethroids were below the respective quantification or detection limits. In general, for most compounds, concentrations were higher for locations with higher wastewater proportion, but overall no clear differences in biocide concentration pattern between the different sampling locations were observed. For cybutryne and triclosan significant decreasing concentration trends were observed. This is consistent with regulatory use restrictions and confirms their effectiveness. For benthic organisms a toxicological risk from the individual azole fungicides and QACs seems to be low. Conclusions: Explicit differences between sampling sites and temporary changes in local concentrations indicate regional variations of biocide emissions which hamper identification of long-term concentration trends. Moreover, time trends could be affected by remobilization of legacy contamination from contaminated sites. Hence, for biocides a continuous long-term monitoring is crucial to identify the effectiveness of recent restrictions and mitigation measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed hardness is a unique trait for edibility and an important breeding target for pomegranates. We compared changes in hormones during the development of soft- and hard-seeded varieties in order to identify key hormones and developmental stages that affect seed lignin synthesis and accumulation. During the development of pomegranate seeds, lignin accumulates significantly in the stereid layer, and the degree of lignification is higher in Shandazi than in Huazi cultivars. The results showed that the accumulation of lignin in the stereid layer of the outer pomegranate seed coat is the reason for the differences in seed hardness between the soft-seeded variety and the hard-seeded variety. The hardness of pomegranate seeds was positively correlated with endogenous indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and jasmonic acid (JA), while it was negatively correlated with cytokinins (CTKs), abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellins (GAs), salicylic acid (SA), and strigolactones (SLs). The highest contents of IAA and JA were 8.615 ng·g−1 and 4.5869 ng·g−1, respectively, in the hard-seeded variety. In the soft-seeded variety, the maximum values of dihydrozeatin (DZ), dihydrozeatin-7-glucoside (DHZ7G), ABA, gibberellin A1 (GA1), SA, and 5-deoxystrigol (5-DS) were 281.82 ng·g−1, 1542.889 ng·g−1, 61.273 ng·g−1, 5.2556 ng·g−1, 21.15 ng·g−1, and 0.4494 ng·g−1, respectively. IAA, CTKs, ABA, GA1, and SA play major roles in the formation of lignin in pomegranate seeds, collectively determining seed hardness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are environmental contaminants that can accumulate in human tissues and pose potential health risks. Despite global efforts to reduce their prevalence, follow‐up studies are needed to see if the measures are successful. Since most infants in Norway are breastfed for the first 6 months of life, monitoring POP contamination in breastmilk is important for children's health and development. This study aims to evaluate the current levels of various POPs in women's breastmilk in Innlandet County, Norway. A cross‐sectional study was conducted measuring concentrations of 35 different POPs, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chlordanes (ChlDs), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs), Mirex, and brominated flame retardants in 120 breastmilk samples. The study analysed the impact of maternal age, parity, pre‐pregnancy BMI, and infant age on POPs levels and compared the estimated daily intake per body weight of infants to existing health guidelines. The detected percentages for PCBs were 100%, for DDTs 98.3%, and for ChlDs 98.3%. The highest median concentration was found for ΣPCBs (26.9 ng/g lw). Maternal age, parity, and infant age were significant determinants of POP concentrations. Most infants exceeded the health‐based guidance values for ΣPCB, and 6.4% percent did so for ΣHCHs. Despite lower POPs concentrations in breastmilk than in earlier studies, many breastfed infants are still exposed to levels exceeding health‐based guidance values. Although the study's design had limitations, the study provides updated population‐based data on POPs in breastmilk. Continued monitoring and research are necessary to understand and mitigate potential health risks associated with POPs. Key messages: Studying POPs in breast milk and their health impacts.Breast milk POPs analysis via GC‐MS.Maternal age, parity, and infant age impact POPs concentrations.Infants exceed safe limits for Σ7PCBs and ΣHCHs.Reduced POPs compared to past studies, but high infant exposure remains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is one of the most important toxic metabolites of fungi found in agricultural products. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and concentration of OTA in spices through meta-analysis. Therefore, online databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus were screened systematically from 1995 to 2022 to collect the related data. After assessing eligibility, 36 articles with 1686 samples were included in the current study. According to the findings, the global pooled prevalence of OTA was counted as 50% (95% CI: 47–52%). Also, a positive correlation between the prevalence of OTA with the year of study, region, and sample size was observed. Moreover, the highest and lowest concentrations of OTA in spices were noted in paprika (50.66 ng/g) and cinnamon (3.4 ng/g), respectively. The outcome of this meta-analysis can be used for risk assessment model development, aiming to help the government and industries to find a specific way to reduce the prevalence of OTA spice products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mixed mode dispersive solid phase extraction was introduced for the extraction of multi – class pesticides in mango samples. In the following, the extracted analytes were more concentrated by dispersive liquid – liquid microextraction. By the use of advantages of both sample preparation methods, the proposed analytical method was sensitive with high enrichment factors and less matrix effect. Some biopolymers including chitosan, agarose, and cellulose were employed as the sorbent in dispersive solid phase extraction due to their compatibility with the trends of green chemistry. The best composition of the biopolymers was obtained by a simplex centroid design and the data illustrated that the weight ratio of 4:1:1 (w/w/w) was the best composition of chitosan: agarose: cellulose for extraction of the pesticides, respectively. After optimisation of effective factors, the figures of merit were calculated. The validation data showed that the limit of detection were from 0.13 to 0.32 ng g−1. All of the calibration curves were linear in the range of 1.07–1000 ng g−1. The introduced method was successfully utilised for the extraction of the pesticides in mango samples. Fortunately, all studied samples were free of the analytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sewage treatment plants are considered as important pathways for the transfer of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the environment. In conventional wastewater treatment, some of these compounds accumulate in sewage sludge via sorption onto suspended solids posing a potential environmental threat during sludge disposal and reuse. This review paper summarizes data for the occurrence of 182 PFAS from different classes in sludge matrices. Most of these monitoring data originate from Europe, Asia and North America, while limited data are available from Africa and South America. The most commonly studied classes of PFAS are perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids, perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids, and perfluoroalkyl sulfonamides, while few results are available for the occurrence of new generation PFAS such as GenX. The range of the observed concentrations varies between 0.01 ng/g d.w. for perfluorobutane sulfonic acid to some μg/g, depending on the compound, with the highest concentrations found for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (8.2 μg/g d.w.). Limited information exists for the fate and removal of these substances in full-scale anaerobic digesters while recent articles indicate that some PFAS can be biotransformed under strictly anaerobic conditions. The exact mechanism remains unclear; additional data are needed to identify transformation products, apply mass balances, and understand the role of specific microorganisms. As regards novel thermal processes, encouraging results were recently published for the destruction of specific PFAS in hydrothermal liquefaction and carbonization, ranging between 55 and 100%, depending on the compound and the experimental conditions applied. Future studies should expand the list of studied compounds and focus on the mechanisms of their removal. PFAS are transferred to agricultural lands during sewage sludge reuse and their concentrations in soil are related to the applied biosolids' loading rates. The parameters that affect leaching and desorption of PFAS from sludge, their plant uptake and possible threats for the environment and human health from the use of sewage sludge as soil amendment should be examined in long-term studies. ZeroPM project aims to address some of the literature gaps regarding the behavior of PFAS during sludge treatment focusing to the modification of anaerobic digestion and to the use of hydrothermal carbonization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Recently, 7-diethylamino-4-methylcoumarin (DEAMC) has been identified as a potent antiandrogenic compound in the surface water; however, little is known about the antiandrogenic potentials of other synthetic coumarins and their occurrence in the aquatic ecosystem. In this study, for the first time, we observed that 7-dimethylamino-4-methylcoumarin (DAMC) elicited androgen receptor (AR) antagonistic activity with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 1.46 µM, which is 14.3 times more potent than that observed for DEAMC (IC50 = 20.92 µM). We further collected abiotic (water and sediment) and biotic (plant, plankton, and fish) samples (n = 208) from a subtropical freshwater ecosystem, the Dongjiang River basin, in southern China, and determined the concentrations of the two coumarins in these samples. Overall, DAMC was the predominant compound found in the sediment, plant, algae, zooplankton, and fish muscle samples, with median concentrations at 0.189, 0.421, 0.832, 0.798, and 0.335 ng/g dry wt. (DW), respectively, although it was not detected in any surface water sample. For DEAMC, the median concentrations observed in the surface water, sediment, plant, algae, zooplankton, and fish muscle samples were 0.105 ng/L, 0.012, 0.051, 0.009, 0.008, and 0.181 ng/g DW, respectively. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF) values of DAMC and DEAMC in the algae, zooplankton, and fish muscle exceeded 5000 L/kg, suggesting that the two coumarins may have significant bioaccumulation potentials in aquatic biota. Additionally, the mean daily intake (EDI) of coumarins through fish consumption was estimated as 0.19 ng/kg BW/day for male toddlers. This is the first field study to illustrate the antiandrogenic potential of DAMC and document the widespread occurrence of the two synthetic coumarins in aquatic ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]