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Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) constitute an assorted class of multi-dimensional materials that offer the potential to serve as luminescent sensors for the sensitive and selective detection of antibiotics in wastewater. Herein, a new Zn(II)-based MOF with the formula [Zn(PMA)0.5(bbp)·H2O·DMA] (1) (bbp = 3,5-bis(benzoimidazo-1-ly)pyridine; PMA = pyromellitic acid) was synthesized by a solvothermal method and characterized. Crystallographic analysis reveals that MOF 1 possesses a 4,4-connected net with the Schläfli symbol {32·4·52·6}2{32·42·52}. The fabricated MOF exhibited luminescent property and was employed as a luminescent sensor to sensitively and selectively detect tetracycline (TCY) antibiotic amongst thiamphenicol (THI), 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA), tetracycline (TCY), sulfamethoxazole (SMT), thiabendazole (TBZ), tinidazole (TDZ), sulfadiazine (SDZ), chloramphenicol (CAP), metamitron (MMT), and dinotefuran (DTF). Further, restoration of the emissive response of TCY@1 was achieved by adding salicylic acid with a concomitant bathochromic shift in the emissive response. The possible sensing mechanism and restoration of emissive response were assessed with the aid of theoretical calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a powerful analytical technique that has found application in the trace detection of a wide range of contaminants. In this paper, we report on the fabrication of 2D silver nanodendrites, on silicon chips, synthesized by electrochemical reduction of AgNO3 at microelectrodes. The formation of nanodendrites is tentatively explained in terms of electromigration and diffusion of silver ions. Electrochemical characterization suggests that the nanodendrites do not stay electrically connected to the microelectrode. The substrates show SERS activity with an enhancement factor on the order of 106. Density functional theory simulations were carried out to investigate the suitability of the fabricated substrate for pesticide monitoring. These substrates can be functionalized with cyclodextrin macro molecules to help with the detection of molecules with low affinity with silver surfaces. A proof of concept is demonstrated with the detection of the herbicide 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Urea fertilizer and MCPA herbicide are widely used agrochemicals in pastures. Even though urea hydrolysis impacts soil pH, potentially affecting MCPA dissipation, little is known about the effects of their co-application into the rhizosphere. Hence, we aimed to analyze the dynamics of urea transformation and MCPA dissipation when both are co-applied to the soil. Methods: A greenhouse experiment was conducted with a planted control and treatments incorporating urea and/or MCPA. Subsequently, pH changes, urea transformation into N-NH4+ and N-NO3−, the enzymatic activity of urease and dehydrogenase, and MCPA dissipation were monitored for 30 d. Results: Urea application induced a significant (p < 0.05) pH change, production of N-NH4+ (from 50 and 250 mg kg−1) and N-NO3− (from 206 to 347 mg kg−1), and urease (from 12 to 35 µmol N-NH4+g−1 h−1) and dehydrogenase (from 0.5 to 2.5 mg TPF g−1 h−1) activities. Urea also decelerated MCPA dissipation in the latter half of the experiment, whereas MCPA reduced urease activity when urea and herbicide were co-applied. Conclusions: Urea was the primary factor modifying the properties of the rhizosphere by stimulating the activity of microbial enzymes, shaping the pH changes during its mineralization, and decelerating MCPA dissipation. MCPA did not reduce urea mineralization but slowed urease activity, constituting an insight that requires further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbicides, such as MCPA and clopyralid, may be transported to surface waters via runoff, which can have unintended environmental consequences. A split herbicide application strategy, wherein applications are spread across a season, may improve herbicide effectiveness, although impacts of this strategy on runoff mitigation have not been investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to (1) quantify the impact of split‐dose applications of MCPA and clopyralid on herbicide losses in surface runoff and (2) assess the impact of split‐dose applications of MCPA on the quantity and classification of MCPA‐degrading soil bacteria. Intact grassed soil sods were placed in 1 m‐long × 0.25 m‐wide × 0.1 m‐deep laboratory flumes, onto which either MCPA or clopyralid were applied in one full‐dose (13.5 kg MCPA ha−1; 2 kg clopyralid ha−1) or two split‐doses (each 6.75 kg MCPA ha−1; 1 kg clopyralid ha−1) 42 days apart. On days 2, 7 and 21 following herbicide applications, flumes were subjected to controlled rainfall simulations at an intensity of 11 mm h−1, and the herbicides in the runoff were quantified. MCPA and clopyralid concentrations in the runoff were highest immediately after the initial application. Both herbicides were below the limit of detection (0.1 μg l−1 for MCPA and 0.45 μg l−1 for clopyralid) by 44 days. No herbicides were detected in the runoff following the second split‐dose application. For MCPA, this was attributed to an adaptation in the microbial community with the emergence of bacteria possessing the tfdA class III gene in the soil. These results support split‐dose herbicide application as a strategy for agricultural management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, the excessive and increasing use of phenoxy family herbicides such as 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) and (2,4- dichlorophenoxy) acetic acid (2,4-DCPA) for reasons such as indestructibility and pollution of groundwater resources is one of the most important environmental problems. Pesticide adsorbents like layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are commonly utilized due to their straightforward synthesis, substantial specific surface area resulting from their layered structure, and the potential for surface modification. These natural minerals serve as effective options for adsorption. In this study, a co-precipitation approach was used to create an MgAl-LDH@Fe3O4 magnetic adsorbent for the simultaneous removal of MCPA and 2,4-DCPA herbicides from aqueous solution. Using different techniques such as TGA, XRD, FESEM, EDS and zeta potential, we investigated the properties of the prepared adsorbent. The partial least squares method measures the concentration of each herbicide in their mixture. The optimization of MCPA and 2,4-DCPA simultaneous adsorption by LDH was achieved through Doehlert experimental design and the response surface method. The optimal conditions for absorption were determined to be an adsorbent dose of 40.20 mg L-1, a pH of 6.8, and an initial concentration of 28.35 mg L-1. In this work, the equilibrium, kinetic, and thermodynamic absorption data of the absorption process were studied, and the obtained results were well described by the Freundlich model, and the pseudo-second-order model, respectively, and showed the spontaneity of the absorption process in this research. The highest absorption capacities of MCPA and 2.4-DCPA herbicides on the prepared adsorbent were 134.50 and 131.30 mg g-1, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study encompasses a quick, efficient, repeatable and reproducible analytical method for simultaneous determination of Bromoxynil (3, 5-Dibromo-4-hydroxybenzonitrile) and MCPA (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid) using RP-HPLC with UV-Detector. Bromoxynil + MCPA is one of the most selective post emergent herbicide formulations for the control of important broad leaf weeds infesting small grains (wheat, barley, oats, rye), conservation reserve program areas and grass grown for seed. Optimum weed control is achieved when Bromoxynil + MCPA is applied to actively growing weed seedlings. So, a simple, repeatable, reproducible and efficient simultaneous analytical method was developed for Bromoxynil + MCPA. The developed method was applied for the detection and quantitation of these pesticides in formulations and raw materials with excellent recoveries. It was validated according to ICH Guidelines with excellent linearity R2 = 0.992 for Bromoxynil and 0.998 for MCPA. For Bromoxynil, LOD = 1.57 mg/L and LOQ = 5.22 mg/L while for MCPA the LOD = 1.08 mg/L and LOQ = 3.62 mg/L was found. The proposed method has shown high precision (RSD %) 0.06% and 0.11% for Bromoxynil and MCPA respectively while the trueness has been calculated in terms of recovery percentage obtained as "mean value of Bromoxynil 99.53% and MCPA 100.10%" which is excellent under optimized conditions. For repeatability and reproducibility, five replicate readings of standard and sample were taken and had found within acceptable limits of relative standard deviation (RSD ≤ ± 2%). Finally, the robustness of the developed method was determined by changing flow rate and mobile phase ratios that has found within the permissible limits (% RSD NMT 1.5). So, the proposed analytical method has found to be more precise, valid and accurate at commercial scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bayesian network (BN) models are increasingly used as tools to support probabilistic environmental risk assessments (ERAs), because they can better account for uncertainty compared with the simpler approaches commonly used in traditional ERA. We used BNs as metamodels to link various sources of information in a probabilistic framework, to predict the risk of pesticides to aquatic communities under given scenarios. The research focused on rice fields surrounding the Albufera Natural Park (Valencia, Spain), and considered three selected pesticides: acetamiprid (an insecticide), 2‐methyl‐4‐chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA; a herbicide), and azoxystrobin (a fungicide). The developed BN linked the inputs and outputs of two pesticide models: a process‐based exposure model (Rice Water Quality [RICEWQ]), and a probabilistic effects model (Predicts the Ecological Risk of Pesticides [PERPEST]) using case‐based reasoning with data from microcosm and mesocosm experiments. The model characterized risk at three levels in a hierarchy: biological endpoints (e.g., molluscs, zooplankton, insects, etc.), endpoint groups (plants, invertebrates, vertebrates, and community processes), and community. The pesticide risk to a biological endpoint was characterized as the probability of an effect for a given pesticide concentration interval. The risk to an endpoint group was calculated as the joint probability of effect on any of the endpoints in the group. Likewise, community‐level risk was calculated as the joint probability of any of the endpoint groups being affected. This approach enabled comparison of risk to endpoint groups across different pesticide types. For example, in a scenario for the year 2050, the predicted risk of the insecticide to the community (40% probability of effect) was dominated by the risk to invertebrates (36% risk). In contrast, herbicide‐related risk to the community (63%) resulted from risk to both plants (35%) and invertebrates (38%); the latter might represent (in the present study) indirect effects of toxicity through the food chain. This novel approach combines the quantification of spatial variability of exposure with probabilistic risk prediction for different components of aquatic ecosystems. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:182–196. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) was successfully intercalated into zinc layered hydroxide (ZLH) by anion exchange technique followed by hydrothermal treatment, resulting in the formation of nanoherbicide, zinc-layered hydroxide-2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (ZMCPA). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) was used to confirm the intercalation of herbicide into ZLH, while Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis) was employed to assess the plant's protein content and amino acid composition before and after 1 h treatment with ZnO, MCPA and ZMCPA via the foliar technique and direct soil application. The basal spacing of ZMCPA in this study is 21.6 Å at 4.0815°, revealing the triumphant incorporation of MCPA into the ZLH host. The zinc oxide (ZnO) fingerprint from 30° to 60° that certainly vanished in the ZMCPA diffractogram indicates that all ZnO has successfully converted to ZLH matrices. The FTIR spectrum of ZMCPA shows the similarity of most MCPA spectra, but with the COO-peaks at 1610 and 1700 cm-1 replacing the intense C=O band at 1742.21 cm-1, implying that the herbicide has assimilated into the host. The protein level of the plant treated with ZMCPA was discovered to be more significant, which signifies that ZLH has effectively acted as a herbicide carrier. This study has depicted the potential of ZMCPA as a more unassailable agrochemical agent in increasing crop productivity while minimizing environmental consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conventional herbicide 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) provide substantial risk to the environment such as contamination of soil and groundwater. The overuse application of conventional herbicide can leave harmful residues in soil and be washed off as runoff, thus causes toxic effect to nontarget organism. For instance, MCPA can cause toxicity to the freshwater organisms such as Daphnia magna and alga Selenastrum capricornutum. Zinc oxide as nanomaterials that are intercalated with 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (ZMCPA) herbicide may be useful to resolve the problems associated with MCPA. Nanoherbicide are known to provide a better penetration of active substances hence reduces the amount of herbicide to be applied. The nanostructured herbicide such as ZMCPA could substantially replace the conventional herbicide MCPA if it able to kill the targeted weeds efficiently and have a low risk to the environment. Therefore, it is important to compare the differences of herbicidal activity of MCPA and ZMCPA. The objective of this research is to determine the effects of MCPA and ZMCPA on growth and pigment content of Sphagneticola trilobata. The 2nd objective of this research is to measure the physiological effect and effectiveness of herbicidal activity between the conventional and nanoformulation against Sphagneticola trilobata. The preliminary study was conducted to determine a minimal concentration for MCPA to exert its effect on Sphagneticola trilobata. Then, in the main research, Sphagneticola trilobata was exposed to different concentrations of MCPA and ZMCPA in low, medium and high concentrations. The effect of MCPA and ZMCPA on growth and pigment content of Sphagneticola trilobata was observed at 7, 14 and 21 days, respectively. The results indicated there were no obvious differences in plant growth and pigment content observed between treatment of MCPA and ZMCPA at the same exposure concentration at 7, 14 and 21 days, respectively. MCPA showed higher herbicide efficacy than ZMCPA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2-Methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) is a highly mobile herbicide that is frequently detected in global potable water sources. One potential mitigation strategy is the sorption on biochar to limit harm to unidentified targets. However, irreversible sorption could restrict bioefficacy thereby compromising its usefulness as a vital crop herbicide. This research evaluated the effect of pyrolysis temperatures (350, 500 and 800°C) on three feedstocks; poultry manure, rice hulls and wood pellets, particularly to examine effects on the magnitude and reversibility of MCPA sorption. Sorption increased with pyrolysis temperature from 350 to 800°C. Sorption and desorption coefficients were strongly corelated with each other (R2 = 0.99; P <.05). Poultry manure and rice hulls pyrolyzed at 800°C exhibited irreversible sorption while for wood pellets at 800°C desorption was concentration dependent. At higher concentrations some desorption was observed (36% at 50 ppm) but was reduced at lower concentrations (1–3% at < 5 ppm). Desorption decreased with increasing pyrolysis temperature. Sorption data were analyzed with Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin–Radushkevich and Temkin isotherm models. Freundlich isotherms were better predictors of MCPA sorption (R2 ranging from 0.78 to 0.99). Poultry manure and rice hulls when pyrolyzed at higher temperatures (500 and 800°C) could be used for remediation efforts (such as spills or water filtration), due to the lack of desorption observed. On the other hand, un-pyrolyzed feedstocks or biochars created at 350°C could perform superior for direct field applications to limit indirect losses including runoff and leaching, since these materials also possess the ability to release MCPA subsequently to potentially allow herbicidal action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperature and soil moisture are known to control pesticide mineralization. Half‐life times (DT50$$ {DT}_{50} $$) derived from pesticide mineralization curves generally indicate longer residence times at low soil temperature and moisture but do not consider potential changes in the microbial allocation of pesticide‐derived carbon (C). We aimed to determine carbon use efficiency (CUE$$ CUE $$, formation of new biomass relative to total C uptake) to better understand microbial utilization of pesticide‐derived C under different environmental conditions and to support the conventional description of degradation dynamics based on mineralization. We performed a microcosm experiment at two MCPA (2‐methyl‐4‐chlorophenoxyacetic acid) concentrations (1 and 20 mg kg−1) and defined 20°C/pF 1.8 as optimal and 10°C/pF 3.5 as limiting environmental conditions. After 4 weeks, 70% of the initially applied MCPA was mineralized under optimal conditions but MCPA mineralization reached less than 25% under limiting conditions. However, under limiting conditions, an increase in CUE$$ CUE $$ was observed, indicating a shift towards anabolic utilization of MCPA‐derived C. In this case, increased C assimilation implied C storage or the formation of precursor compounds to support resistance mechanisms, rather than actual growth since we did not find an increase in the tfdA gene relevant to MCPA degradation. We were able to confirm the assumption that under limiting conditions, C assimilation increases relative to mineralization and that C redistribution, may serve as an explanation for the difference between mineralization and MCPA dissipation‐derived degradation dynamics. In addition, by introducing CUE$$ CUE $$ to the temperature‐ and moisture‐dependent degradation of pesticides, we can capture the underlying microbial constraints and adaptive mechanisms to changing environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intestinal toxicity can occur following ingestion of various drugs, chemicals, and toxins. Intestinal fatty acid binding protein is a cytosolic protein specific to intestinal epithelial cells released into the systemic circulation following intestinal injury. Understanding intestinal toxicity in poisoning has the potential to explain mechanisms of toxicity and gastrointestinal symptoms. Plasma samples were retrospectively analysed for intestinal fatty acid binding protein in 25 healthy controls and in those poisoned with Gloriosa superba (n = 18), Thevetia peruviana (n = 26), organophosphates (in various solvents) (n = 17), paracetamol (n = 14), glyphosate (n = 20), 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (n = 18) and propanil (n = 19). Median peak plasma intestinal fatty acid binding protein concentrations were significantly higher in patients poisoned with Gloriosa superba (2,994.1 µg/L; interquartile range 600.0–5,158.2, P < 0.001), Thevetia peruviana (1,292.5 µg/L; interquartile range 760.3 − 2,076.2; P < 0.001), glyphosate (1,803.6 µg/L; interquartile range 225.7–8,927.7; P < 0.001), 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (1,236.2 µg/L; interquartile range 192.6 − 1,709.7; P = 0.010), paracetamol (1,066.5 µg/L; interquartile range 512.9 − 1,336.9; P = 0.035), and organophosphate poisoning (729.8 µg/L; interquartile range 431.5 − 1,588.2; P = 0.046) than in healthy controls (221.6 µg/L; interquartile range 134.8 − 460.1). Median intestinal fatty acid binding protein was not statistically significantly increased compared to controls after propanil poisoning (630.0 µg/L; interquartile range 23.5 − 1,390.3; P = 0.423). Our pilot study describes intestinal injury assessed by elevated plasma intestinal fatty acid binding protein concentrations following the ingestion of several poisons. This serves as a foundation for further exploration into enterocyte damage in toxicology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing consumption of phenoxyacetic acid-derived herbicides is becoming a major public health and environmental concern, posing a serious challenge to existing conventional water treatment systems. Among the various physicochemical and biological purification processes, adsorption is considered one of the most efficient and popular techniques due to its high removal efficiency, ease of operation, and cost effectiveness. This review article provides extensive literature information on the adsorption of phenoxyacetic herbicides by various adsorbents. The purpose of this article is to organize the scattered information on the currently used adsorbents for herbicide removal from the water, such as activated carbons, carbon and silica adsorbents, metal oxides, and numerous natural and industrial waste materials known as low-cost adsorbents. The adsorption capacity of these adsorbents was compared for the two most popular phenoxyacetic herbicides, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA). The application of various kinetic models and adsorption isotherms in describing the removal of these herbicides by the adsorbents was also presented and discussed. At the beginning of this review paper, the most important information on phenoxyacetic herbicides has been collected, including their classification, physicochemical properties, and occurrence in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last 30 years, the area occupied by pearorchards, in Romania, is decreasing from 9974 ha to 4827.05 ha. Favorable conditions for pear cultivation can be found in 14 counties. Orchards are annually infested with weeds that compete with fruit trees for nutrients, space, water, light and reduce growth, vigor, flowering, production and fruit quality. Herbicides are an effective, easy and relatively cheap method of weed control. The effectiveness of herbicides against weeds is different for each species. The aim of this study was to reduce populations of Lamium purpureum and Ranunculus repens by using MCPA and Fluroxypyr-methyl. The testing of herbicides against the two weed species (Ranunculus repens and Lamium purpureum, was carried out in the Orchards Experimental Research Station - Lugoj Herindești (Timiș county). The experimental field included 5 variants: three treated with the hormonal herbicide MCPA 50% DMA (0.9 l/ha, 1.2 l/ha, 1.5 l/ha), one in which the herbicide Cerlit was applied (1.0 l/ha) and a control untreated variant. These herbicides were applied post-emergence (21.04.2022). The impact of MCPA and fluroxypyr, in the control of Ranunculus repens and Lamium purpureum species, was determined 10-38 days after application. 10 days after applying the treatments, the species Lamium purpureum was reduced by 70-75%, regarding the species Ranunculus repens it was observed that the product MCPA 50% DMA 1.5 l/ha managed to reduce the population in percentage of 80%. At 38 days after application, an increase in the effectiveness of herbicides in the control of segetal species was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of hollow-fiber liquid-phase microextraction (HF-LPME) is very promising for the clean-up, enrichment, and analysis of chlorophenoxyacetic acid herbicides and their metabolites from environmental and biological samples. An on-line methodology coupling HF-LPME (using a hydrophobic polypropylene hollow fiber of 57 cm length, 0.3 mm i.d., 0.2 μm pore size, and 75% porosity) and HPLC-UV has been developed for the analysis of these compounds in soil samples taken from environments treated with these herbicides. Di-hexyl ether was found to be the best solvent for the enrichment of the target herbicides. The use of supported liquid membranes has shown a high and efficient clean-up of the dissolved organic matter present in soil extracts. The enrichment factors achieved with the on-line methodology have allowed us to reach the detection limits of 0.1–0.3 µg·kg−1 soil, by analyzing 20 mL of alkaline extract as a donor solution and using 1 mL of stripping solution, which has permitted us to detect and follow the presence of these compounds in soil samples until nine days after the application of the herbicide. The on-line method has been applied in a preliminary study to assess the mobility of the chlorophenoxyacetic acid herbicides through soils. It has also been found that degradation of these compounds in soil is relatively fast and some metabolites were detected in soils just one day after the application of the herbicide. The high enrichment factors obtained with the HF-LPME procedure allow for the obtainment of low detection limits, which permits the use of a simple HPLC detector, such as UV, which simplifies and reduces the cost of analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, an efficient preconcentration method was presented that is based on dispersive liquid‐liquid microextraction taking the advantage of newly synthesized phosphonium deep eutectic solvents used as extractants and ultrasound probe as a dispersing agent. The extracts obtained were analyzed by high‐performance liquid chromatography. To optimize the five most important factors for the microextraction procedure a central composite design plan was used. Under optimal conditions (140 μl of extractant, 60 mg of NaCl, pH = 2.0, 120 s of extraction time with ultrasound probe as the dispersing agent, 16 min of centrifugation for phase separation), the proposed method allowed to achieve good precision with RSD between 3.2% and 9.7% at 1.0, 5.0 and 40.0 ng ml levels. The preconcentration factors were equal to 42, 39, and 41, and the limits of detection 0.128, 0.103, and 0.135 ng/ml for dicamba, 2‐methyl‐4‐chlorophenoxyacetic acid, and 2‐methyl‐4‐chlorophenoxypropionic acid, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of chlorophenoxy acid herbicides in water samples from drainage ditches with a good recovery in the range of 70%–93%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, char and activated carbon (AC) materials were prepared from water bottles, recuperated from the waste collection point in Mourouj, Ben Arous, Tunisia, by using a rotative horizontal tubular furnace, on a lab/pilot scale and through chemical and physical activation. Different samples were characterized by N2 adsorption isotherms, SEM-EDX, XRD, EA as well as by the determination of the pHzpc. The efficiency of the ACs to remove (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)) herbicides fromaqueous solutions was also investigated. The results demonstrated that a maximumadsorption capacity of 192 mg·g-1, forMCPA, and 290 mg·g-1 for 2,4-Dhad been attained. The adsorption kinetics was fitted to pseudo first, second order and Elovich model, while the adsorption isotherms were fitted applying the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The potential use as solid fuel materials was evaluated using elemental analysis and numerical high calorific value (HCV). The experimental results were compared to the conventional solid fuels classified in the Van Krevelen graph. The essays performed showed that the HCV was in the range of 10.2-11.9 MJ/kg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2-Methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) is a widely used chlorophenoxy herbicide. MCPA poisoning causes mitochondrial dysfunction, which can lead to kidney injury and death. The objective of this study is to describe the epidemiology, case fatality and extent of renal injury in a large cohort of MCPA self-poisonings. The study consists of two parts: (1) A report of epidemiological data and clinical outcomes in MCPA poisoned patients in Sri Lanka between 2002 and 2019; (2) Evaluation of acute kidney injury (AKI) using renal biomarkers in a subset from this cohort. Serum creatinine (sCr) and biomarkers were measured soon after hospitalization (2 [IQR 1–3] h) and at different time intervals. We measured serum biomarkers: sCr, cystatin C (sCysC), creatine kinase (CK), and urinary biomarkers: creatinine, kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), clusterin, albumin, beta-2-microglobulin (β2M), cystatin C, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), osteopontin (OPN), trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) and cytochrome C (CytoC). Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria was used to define acute kidney injury (AKI). There were 1653 patients; 65% were male. The median time from ingestion to examination was 3:54 (IQR 2:19–6:57) h. The overall case-fatality rate was 5.3%. Patients who died were older (42 [IQR 33.5–54] vs 27 [IQR 20–37] for survivors). The median estimated amount of MCPA ingested by patients who died was also greater (88 [IQR 34–200] vs. 30 [IQR 15–63] ml in survivors). Moderate to severe AKI (AKI2/3) was uncommon (6/59 patients in the biomarker study had KDIGO stage 2 or 3). Most patients in AKI2/3 group with increased sCr were older (median age 35 years [IQR 27–41]) compared to No AKI (23 years (19–29) years) or AKI1 (26 years (21–40) years) group who had no or mild increase in sCr. These patients had no pre-existing kidney diseases. In these patients, serum creatinine (maximum medium concentration; 1.12 [IQR 0.93–1.67] mg/dl) and CK (maximum medium concentration; 284 [IQR 94–428] U/l) were increased but sCysC (maximum medium concentration; 0.79 [IQR 0.68–0.81] mg/l) remained in the normal range within 72 h. All urinary biomarkers performed poorly in diagnosing AKI (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve < 0.68). The higher numbers of men with MCPA poisoning likely reflects greater occupational access to pesticides. Fatal outcome and higher ingested dose were more common in the elderly. Significant AKI with tubular injury biomarkers was uncommon. Most people with raised sCr were older and appeared to have no pre-existing kidney disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid, and 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid have been extensively used as herbicides in field crops and they can also act as a plant growth regulator at low concentrations. However, these compounds possess high vapor pressure and high volatility. In this regard, the introduction of ionic liquids (ILs) has emerged as an effective approach to overcome these shortcomings. The present study aimed to prepare a series of ILs with bactericidal activity cations and phenoxyacetic acid series compounds as anions. The synthesized compounds were tested for their physicochemical properties, antibacterial activity and citrus preservation through experiments. ILs showed lower volatility, better soil adsorption capacity, and dual functions of plant growth regulation and antibacterial activity. The tested ILs effectively delayed the aging rate of citrus, reduced the decay rate, inhibited citrus storage diseases, and improved the storage quality of citrus. Overall, the study results provide a theoretical basis for the development of sustainable multifunctional ILs by introducing anions and cations with targeted effects. These newly synthesized ILs allowed us to achieve benefits far exceeding the simple additive rule, improving the physical and chemical properties and reducing environmental pollution by decreasing the amount of chemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel sorbent (SiO2‐(CH2)3‐DABCO) for solid‐phase extraction (SPE) was successfully prepared by chemical‐bonding formation of diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane ionic liquid onto silica gel. The structure of SiO2‐(CH2)3‐DABCO sorbent was characterized by FT‐IR, TGA, SEM, EDX, and BET methods. Cartridges packed with the synthetic SiO2‐(CH2)3‐DABCO were used for the preconcentration of trace‐level of phenoxyacetic acid herbicides in water samples for the first time. The factors influencing on the recovery were investigated, such as type of ion liquids, loading volume, eluents, elution volume, loading rate, and capacity. After the enrichment, the phenoxyacetic acid herbicides were analyzed by high‐performance liquid chromatography with an ultraviolet detector. Four model phenoxyacetic acid herbicides, including 2‐methyl‐4‐chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA), 2,4,5‐trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5‐T), fenoprop (2,4,5‐TP) and haloxyfop were well retained and separated by this material with a recovery efficiency from 77 to 103 %. The SiO2‐(CH2)3‐DABCO demonstrated a good capacity corresponding to 0.56 mg of the analyte adsorbed per 100 mg of the material. The mixture of phosphate buffer (pH 7) : MeOH (50 : 50, v/v) was used to elute the analytes and provided the highest recovery with the standard deviations from 2.4 to 6.5. The high sensitivity with detection limits of 1.070–9.587 μg/L can be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The carbon black N-220 surface was subjected to modification through H2O2 oxidation and deposition of aminopropyltriethoxysilane. The pristine (CB-NM) and modified materials (CB-Ox and CB-APTES) were characterized by N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), thermogravimetry, and FTIR spectroscopy. Carbon black samples were applied as adsorbents for the removal of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) herbicides from aqueous solutions. The influence of their surface properties on adsorption efficiency was analyzed and discussed. The results showed that the adsorption of the herbicides was pH-dependent, and the most favorable adsorption was observed in an acidic environment. The experimental data best fit pseudo-second-order and Langmuir models for kinetic and equilibrium data, respectively. The adsorption rate of both the herbicides increased in the order of CB-APTES < CB-Ox < CB-NM and was closely correlated with the mesopore volume of the carbon blacks. The monolayer adsorption capacities were found to be 0.138, 0.340, and 0.124 mmol/g for the adsorption of 2,4-D and 0.181, 0.348, and 0.139 mmol/g for the adsorption of MCPA on CB-NM, CB-APTES, and CB-Ox, respectively. The results showed that the surface chemistry of the adsorbent plays a more important role than its porous structure. Both herbicides were preferably adsorbed on APTES-modified carbon black and were adsorbed the worst on oxidized carbon black (CB-APTES > CB-NM > CB-Ox). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few studies of the relationship between residential proximity to agricultural pesticide applications and pesticide levels in the home have incorporated crop location or wind direction. We evaluated the relationship between agricultural pesticide applications using the California Pesticide Use Reporting (CPUR) database and pesticide concentrations in carpet dust accounting for land use and wind direction. We measured concentrations (ng/g) of seven herbicides and two fungicides in carpet dust samples from 578 California homes (2001–2007). We created three metrics by computing the density (kg/km2) of use of each pesticide reported in CPUR within 0.5-, 1-, 2-, and 4-km buffers around homes 180- and 365-days before sampling (CPUR metric). We apportioned applications to the crop area within the buffers (CROP-A metric) and weighted CPUR applications by the proportion of days that the home was within ±45° of the downwind direction (W-CPUR metric). We modeled natural-log concentrations (Tobit regression) and dust detections (logistic regression) adjusting for season/year, occupation, and home/garden use. Detections were >90 % for glyphosate, 2,4-D, and simazine. Detection rates and dust concentrations increased with increasing CPUR densities for all herbicides and one fungicide. Compared to homes without applications within 4 km, the highest tertile of 365-day glyphosate use was associated with ∼100 % higher concentrations (CPUR T3>9.2kg/km 2 % change = 110, 95 %CI = 55, 183; CROP-A T3>13.4kg/km 2 % change = 144, 95 %CI = 81, 229; and W-CPUR T3>2.1kg/km 2 % change = 102, 95 %CI = 50, 171). The highest density tertiles of 2,4-D, simazine, and trifluralin were associated with 2- to 6-times higher concentrations, respectively; that was similar across metrics. Across all metrics, agricultural use of dacthal, dicamba, and iprodione were associated with 5- to 10-times higher odds of dust detections. Associations were unclear for 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid and null for chlorothalonil. Agricultural herbicide and fungicide use was an important determinant of indoor contamination within 4 km of homes. Accounting for crops and wind direction did not substantially change these relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) investigation of two widely used herbicide compounds MCPA and 2,4-D is reported. The GW calculations are shown to offer a good description of their electronic structure. There is excellent agreement between the experimental and theoretical energies of the HOMO states of 2,4-D and MCPA, which are at 8.7 eV and 8.5 eV binding energy, respectively. The low energy tail of the HOMO state extends to about 8 eV. The good agreement between the UPS (ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy) spectra and the simulation validates the proposed conformer. The presented gas phase data will help researchers to analyze data from liquid and diluted samples of these herbicide molecules and perform additional theoretical modelling. • The UPS spectra of two widespread herbicides MCPA and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid have been obtained and analyzed. • A side-by-side comparison of the geometric and electronic structures is presented. • There is excellent agreement between the experimental and theoretical energies of the HOMO states of 2,4-D and MCPA, which are at 8.7 eV and 8.5 eV binding energy, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tribenuron-methyl-resistant (TmR) cleavers (Galium aparine L.) have been reported around the major winter wheat farming region in China. From 2017 to 2020, cleavers seeds were collected from wheat production fields across Jiangsu Province to evaluate the frequency and distribution of tribenuron-methyl-, bensulfuron-methyl- and halosulfuron-methyl-resistant cleavers, and to assess the frequency of multiple resistance. Here we report resistance frequency as percent resistance within a population, and resistance distribution as the percentage and locations of populations classified as resistant to a discriminating herbicide dose. From 2017 to 2020, cleavers populations were screened with tribenuron-methyl, bensulfuron-methyl and halosulfuron-methyl. The percentages of tribenuron-methyl-resistant cleavers populations from 2017 to 2020 were 53.33%, 51.52%, 52.38% and 47.17%, respectively; and the percentages of cleavers populations with low tribenuron-methyl resistance were 23.33%, 26.67%, 30.00% and 36.67%, respectively. The percentages of bensulfuron-methyl-resistant cleavers populations from 2017 to 2020 were 36.67%, 39.39%, 35.71% and 33.96%, respectively; and the percentages of cleavers populations had low tribenuron-methyl resistance were 30.00%, 40.00%, 53.33% and 23.33%, respectively. The percentages of halosulfuron-methyl-resistant cleavers populations from 2017 to 2020 were 26.67%, 27.27%, 50.00% and 41.51%, respectively; and the percentages of cleavers population with low tribenuron-methyl resistance were 50.00%, 53.33%, 33.33% and 40.00%, respectively. Finally, 26.67%, 22.22%, 19.05% and 20.75% of cleavers populations had resistance to 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid sodium (MCPA-Na) from 2017 to 2020, respectively; however, all populations were sensitive to fluroxypyr and carfentrazone-ethyl. This confirmation of multiple resistance in cleavers populations emphasizes the importance of diversity in herbicide sites of action as critical to extending the usefulness of remaining effective herbicides such as MCPA-Na, fluroxypyr and carfentrazone-ethyl for the management of this weed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semicoke (SC) is a kind of powder of industrial by-products that easily cause environmental pollution due to the presence of stable organic matter in clay minerals. In this work, a porous magnetic semicoke-based geopolymer (MSC-GP) was prepared using SC as the raw material. Then, 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA), a typical herbicide, was loaded into the porous MSC-GP and composited with sodium alginate (SA) using calcium as a crosslinking agent, which afforded MSC-GP/SA encapsulating MCPA (MCPA@MSC-GP/SA). The structure and micromorphology of SC, SC-GP and MCPA@MSC-GP/SA were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, TG-DTG, SEM and EDS. After measuring the swelling behavior in water and saline solutions, the water retention capacity, pH effect, degradation efficiency, site-specific targeted release, recovery, slow-release behavior, and pot experiments of MCPA@MSC-GP/SA were assessed. This indicated that the water retention capacity of soils was improved by the addition of MCPA@MSC-GP/SA. The release rate of the herbicide in MCPA@MSC-GP/SA was 65.2% in 90 days, which indicated that MCPA@MSC-GP/SA possessed a higher utilization efficiency and control of weeds compared to traditional herbicide. In summary, this study opens up a new avenue for improving the utilization efficiency of SC and prolonging the duration of herbicide action, which may have potential applications in agricultural production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of freezing stress around herbicides application is one of the most important factors influencing their performance. This experiment was performed to evaluate the efficacy of clodinafop-propargyl and 2,4-D plus MCPA (2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid plus 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid), the most important herbicides used in wheat fields in Iran, under the influence of a freezing treatment (-4°C). Wheat and its two common weeds, winter wild oat (Avena ludoviciana Durieu) and turnipweed [Rapistrum rugosum (L.) All.], were exposed to the freezing treatment for three nights from 7:00 P.M. to 5:00 A.M. before and after herbicide application, and their response was compared with plants that did not grow under freezing stress. Under no freezing (NF) and freezing after spray (FAS) conditions, winter wild oat was completely controlled with the recommended dose of clodinafop-propargyl (64 g ai ha-1; hereafter g ha-1). However, the survival percentage of winter wild oat in the freezing before spray (FBS) of clodinafop-propargyl 64 g ha-1 was 7%, and it was completely controlled with twice the recommended dose (128 g ha-1). Under NF conditions and FAS treatment, turnipweed was completely controlled with twice the recommended dose of 2,4-D plus MCPA (2025 g ae ha-1; hereafter g ha-1), while there was no complete control under recommended rate. However, in the FBS treatment, the survival of turnipweed was 7% under double dose. The LD50 (dose required to control 50% of individuals in the population) and GR50 (dose causing 50% growth reduction of plants) rankings were NF

Agricultural pesticides are known to significantly impact the non-target aquatic communities and key ecosystem processes of stream ecosystems such as litter decomposition. The unresolved questions are remaining of how such stressors interact to alter ecosystem structure and function, and how impacted ecosystems are able to maintain their ecological balance. Hence, this paper discusses the effects of the insecticide Profenofos and herbicide MCPA on Ficus racemosa and Panicum maximum litter breakdown in 40 days of indoor microcosm systems. Litter breakdown rates were analysed in microcosms treated with pesticide concentrations of 0.010, 0.025, 0.100, 0.250, 1.000 mg/L and in control tanks with no pesticides. The results of the study indicated a significant alteration of litter breakdown rate of MCPA-treated tanks compared to the control tanks in terms of reduction percentage of dry weight, remaining organic matter content, microbial community sporulation, and remaining nutrient content (p < 0.05). The herbicide MCPA accelerated the structural impairment of leaf material by destructing the leaf material. No significant differences were observed between Profenofos-treated leaf packs and control leaf packs (p < 0.05). Aquatic hyphomycetes have degraded the applied Profenofos by consuming the nutrients from the litter. These alterations were modulated by the litter quality and microbial colonizations on leaf materials. The findings of the study emphasize the effects of pesticides on the structure and functional properties of lower levels organisms in the ecological food chain and the importance of considering indirect effects of pesticides in ecological processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been shown that 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) forms an ionic associate (IA) with the polymethine dye Astrafloxin FF (AF). The energy efficiency of IA formation is substantiated by the method of mathematical modeling. The molecular modeling of MCPA– + AF+ systems and related calculations are performed by using the HyperChem 8.0 software package in various initial variants for the mutual arrangement of counterions ("single point" procedure). The geometric optimization of ions is carried out by the molecular mechanics method MM+. The obtained IA is quite well extracted by various aromatic hydrocarbons. The maximum IA extraction from the aqueous phase is attained at pH = 6–12. The effect of the dye concentration on the optical density of the toluene extracts of MCPA–AF ionic associates is studied. The IA extraction attains a maximum at a dye concentration of (1.6–2.8) × 10–4 M. Extraction equilibrium is reached for 50–60 s. The stoichiometry of the MCPA–AF ionic associate is established by the spectrophotometric methods of isomolar series and equilibrium shift; the ratio of components is 1 : 1. The IA formation and extraction scheme is proposed. The conditional molar absorption coefficient of the ionic associate is 1.1 × 105. The calibration dependence of the optical density of extracts on the MCPA concentration is described by the linear equation a = 0.0116 + 0.0613 within the MCPA concentration range of 0.9–45.6 μg/cm3. The MCPA detection limit calculated by the 3s criterion (n = 5, P = 0.95) is 0.8 μg/cm3. The disperancy of the plotted calibration curve for the detection of 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid is estimated by using the Cochran test G. The calculated Cochran criterion (n = 5, P = 0.95) is lower than its tabular value, i.e., Gcalcd = 0.25 < Gtab = 0.64 to evidence variance homogeneity. The method for the photometric extraction detection of 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid in water and bottom sediments has been developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carrier water quality is an essential consideration for enhancing herbicide performance. Water hardness can negatively affect some herbicides. Two separate dose-response experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of carrier water hardness and ammonium sulfate (AMS) and urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) as adjuvants on the performance of 2,4-D plus MCPA and mesosulfuron plus iodosulfuron plus mefenpyr-diethyl. The experimental factors included herbicide rates at five levels (63.3, 126.6, 253.1, 506.3 and 1012.5 g a. i. ha−1 for 2,4-D plus MCPA and 1.125, 2.25, 4.5, 9 and 18 g a. i. ha−1 for mesosulfuron plus iodosulfuron plus mefenpyr-diethyl), carrier water hardness based on concentrations of CaCO3 at five levels (0, 250, 500, 750, and 1000 mg L−1), and tank-mix of ammonium sulfate (AMS) and urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) as adjuvants at three levels (0, 1%, and 2% [w/v]). The results indicated that increased carrier water hardness up to 500 mg L−1 did not affect the performance of 2,4-D plus MCPA for wild mustard control. However, water hardness higher than 500 mg L−1 led to a reduction in the herbicide performance. The application of AMS and UAN was effective on the performance of 2,4-D plus MCPA herbicide in controlling wild mustard and overcame the negative effects of carrier water hardness. The performance of mesosulfuron plus iodosulfuron plus mefenpyr-diethyl herbicide in controlling wild mustard was not affected by carrier water hardness. In the case of herbicides such as mesosulfuron plus iodosulfuron plus mefenpyr-diethyl, which are not sensitive to carrier water hardness, the use of 2% AMS or UAN may also increase herbicide performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthetic auxin 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is sometimes applied commercially to delay calyx senescence, decay and maintain citrus fruit internal quality parameters, however, there is a need to find alternative treatments to reduce calyx senescence and maintain fruit quality during storage. In this study, the effectiveness of pre-storage dips of different auxin formulations, 2-(4-amino-3,5-dichloro-6-fluoropyridin-2yl) oxyacetic acid (fluroxypyr), 3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid (dicamba) and 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA), were assessed against the standard 2,4-D treatment using Valencia oranges at concentrations of 0.2 and 1 mM. Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) a gaseous signalling compound known to delay senescence in postharvest produce was also assessed by fumigating Valencia oranges at 100 µL L−1. During four weeks storage at 20°C, fluroxypyr produced the greatest reduction in calyx abscission, calyx browning and fruit decay and down regulation in endogenous ethylene production, respiration rate and ethanol formation, relative to other treatments. Fluroxypyr dip at 1 mM was most effective, with the 0.2 mM concentration still superior to 2,4-D. MCPA showed only modest activity, while dicamba was ineffective. H2S fumigation significantly reduced calyx deterioration and delayed the loss of internal quality factors. Therefore fluroxypyr or H2S, as a non-auxin treatment, have the potential to replace 2,4-D for commercial use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This correction notice addresses errors in the authorship and affiliations of a research article titled "2-Methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) sorption and desorption as a function of biochar properties and pyrolysis temperature." The third author's name was misspelled as "Beatriz Gámiz" and the correct citation should include the correct spelling. Additionally, there were errors in the author affiliations, which have been corrected in the notice. The authors are Abdullah Niaz, Kurt A. Spokas, Beatriz Gámiz, David Mulla, Khaliq R. Arshad, and Sarfraz Hussain. The notice provides the correct affiliations for each author. [Extracted from the article]

[Display omitted] • The phosphorus-oxygen component in magnetic biochar can effectively enhance its catalytic ability. • P doping effectively enhanced the electron transfer capacity of magnetic biochar and the exposure degree of active sites. • Excellent graphitization structure can accelerate the electron transfer speed of the Fe-O-P pathway. • The removal of MCPA in the oxidation system is dominated by non-radical pathway. In this study, the incorporation of phosphorus (P) atoms into magnetic biochar was strategically achieved, and the preparation conditions of the composites were optimized by adjusting the pyrolysis temperature and iron doping. The resulting P-doped magnetic biochar (Fe 2 P@BC-700) exhibited remarkable catalytic activity towards peroxymonosulfate (PMS), rendering it highly effective for the degradation of common organic pesticides, such as 2-Methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA), in aqueous environments. Among them, the apparent rate constant in the oxidation stage was 6.42 times as large as that of magnetic biochar (Fe 2 BC-700). This was attributed to the fact that the introduced P species tuned the surface electronic configuration of the pristine carbon layer with excellent electron storage and transport capabilities, and the Fe-O-P bonds in the composites acted as electron transport bridges to promote iron cycling in the magnetic nanoparticles during catalysis. The elimination of MCPA in the constructed adsorption enrichment-oxidative degradation system (Fe 2 P@BC-700/PMS) was achieved through a non-radical pathway dominated by singlet oxygen (1O 2) and electron transfer process (ETP). It also ensured broad pH adaptability, environmental stability and repeatability. Density-functional theory calculated that ROS tended to attack the C-Cl branched chain in MCPA and the degradation products showed a tendency of toxicity reduction. This study provided new ideas for the design of market-oriented functional biochar catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2-Methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) is one of the most widely used herbicides, so adsorption and detection of MCPA in the environment is critical. Blue fluorescent carbon dot (CD) was synthesized from citric acid and urea, which could be quenched by MCPA. Herein, bifunctional molecularly imprinted polymer (CD@MIP) was prepared on monodisperse poly (glycidyl methacrylate- co -ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) microspheres, with 4-vinylpyridine as the functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as the cross-linking agent, and doped with CD. The enrichment ability of CD@MIP for MCPA and fluorescence detection performance were determined. The maximum adsorption amount of MCPA was 93.9 mg g−1 as determined by isothermal adsorption experiments and was in accordance with the Langmuir adsorption model. The results of the kinetic experiments showed that the adsorption equilibrium reached within 30 min, which possessed a relatively fast adsorption rate and was in accordance with the pseudo-second-order adsorption model. Both MIP without CD and non-imprinted polymers were also fabricated and tested as references. Fluorescence experiments showed good linearity of CD@MIP in the range of 0–80 μmol. The cabbage samples were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography with a linear range of 0.02–15 μg mL−1, recoveries of 90.5%–98% and low relative standard deviations (RSD, n = 3) of 1.5%–5.9%. CD@MIP with excellent performance provides a feasible practical application in the detection and enrichment of MCPA. [Display omitted] • Surface imprinted polymer prepared based on SI-ATRP improves the traditional method. • Molecularly imprinted polymers doped with carbon dots combine their advantages. • The dual-function MIP allows simultaneous adsorption and detection of MCPA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pesticides are considered one of the main sources of contamination of surface waters, especially in rural areas highly influenced by traditional agricultural practices. The objective of this work was to evaluate the impact caused by pesticides and their transformation products (TPs) related to olive groves in surface waters with strong agricultural pressure. 11 streams were monitored during four sampling campaigns over 2 years. A solid-phase extraction, followed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) analysis was used in the quantitative target approach, with more than 70 validated compounds. Target method was combined with a suspect screening strategy involving more than 500 pesticides and TPs, using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) to identify additional pesticides and TPs out of the scope of analysis. A total of 43 different compounds were detected with the target method. The herbicide MCPA was present in all samples and at the highest concentration (1260 ng L−1), followed by the fungicide carbendazim (1110 ng L−1), and the herbicide chlorotoluron (706 ng L−1). The suspect screening strategy revealed the presence of 7 compounds out of the target analysis (1 pesticide and 6 TPs). 6 analytes were confirmed with the analytical standards. Semi-quantification results revealed that TPs exhibited higher concentrations than their corresponding parent compounds, indicating higher persistency. Some small streams showed a comparable number of pesticides and concentrations to the most polluted large river. The determined pesticide and TPs concentrations represented an estimated environmental hazard in almost all sampling sites under study. This work underscores the importance of including pesticide TPs and small streams impacted by extensive agricultural activities in water quality monitoring programs. [Display omitted] • Combination of target (LC-MS/MS) and suspect (LC-HRMS) screening strategies. • Comprehensive monitoring of pesticides and their TPs in surface waters over 2 years. • Some small streams showed similar number of compounds compared to large rivers. • TPs exhibited higher estimated concentrations than their active substances. • 8 out of 11 catchment sites showed a high risk for algae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolism data for MCPA in rat, dog and human shows a single oral dose is quantitatively and rapidly absorbed with evidence of non-linear kinetics at >100 mg/kg bw. The extent of metabolism is low and consistent between rat and human, with substantially higher metabolic conversion in dog. Parent accounts for 50%–67% dose in rat, ∼40% in human and 2%–27% in dog. No dog specific metabolite is apparent. In rat and human, MCPA and metabolites are rapidly eliminated in urine (65%–70% within 24 h) but in dog, excretion is via urine and faeces (20%–30% within 24 h), with renal excretion saturating between 5 and 100 mg/kg bw. The species difference in excretion is reflected in pharmacokinetics. Terminal half-life is similar in rat and human (15–17 h) but higher in dog (47 h). Modelling shows species differences in single dose kinetics profoundly affect systemic exposure following repeat dosing. The difference in renal excretion and systemic exposure of MCPA between dogs and rats has been attributed to species differences in active transporters (OAT1/OAT3). A new in vitro flux study in renal proximal tubules supports this hypothesis with net secretion in rat and human of a similar magnitude but significantly less in dog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six novel mixed-ligand complexes, [Cd(MCPA)2(bbhb)]n (1), [Cd(MCPA)2(bib)2]n (2), [Co2(MCPA)4(pbix)2] (3), [Zn(MCPA)2(pbix)2]n (4), [Cd(MCPA)2(obix)2]n (5), and [Co(MCPA)2(obix)2]n (6), have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and structurally characterized, where MCPAH = 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid, bbhb = 1,1′-(1,4-butanediyl)bis-1H-benzimidazole, bib = 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-yl)-butane, pbix = 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene and obix = 1,2-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene. X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that the N-donor ligands bridge the metal centers into different 1 D chains in complexes 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6, while three is a dinuclear molecule containing 26-membered ring. Furthermore, the luminescent properties of 1, 2, 4, and 5 are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of syringic acid (SA), a plant secondary metabolite (PSM), on the properties of soil contaminated with 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) and the condition of two cucurbit species zucchini (C. pepo L. 'Atena Polka') and cucumber (C. sativus 'Cezar') grown on that soil. It was found that amendment with MCPA and MCPA + SA modified the soil physico-chemical properties. Content of N and K was significantly higher for variants amended with SA and/or MCPA, while P content was lower in variant amended with SA. The cucurbits demonstrated varied efficiencies in mitigating the phytotoxicity of the MCPA-treated soil. For soil amended with MCPA + SA, samples remediated with cucumber were characterized as slightly toxic or toxic (45.2%–81.5%), while those planted with zucchini were nontoxic or slightly toxic (−40.6%−47.8%). Development of cucumber seedlings was fully inhibited by MCPA, regardless of SA application, zucchini demonstrated enhanced growth in soil treated with MCPA + SA and no statistically significant differences between morphological parameters of MCPA + SA-treated zucchini in comparison to control plants were observed. The obtained findings suggest that the application of SA is a promising way to mitigate the toxic influence of MCPA in the soil, depending on the cultivated plant species. Novelty statement: The study meets the criteria of novelty and innovativeness. Most importantly, the study is focused on: phytotoxicity studies to inform about the limitations of phytotechnology based on PSMs. Additionally, this manuscript provides an interdisciplinary description of the effects of MCPA and naturally occurring PSM- SA on cucurbits and soil parameters. Such studies, which combine the interactions between cucurbits, their secondary metabolite (SA) and their role in mitigation of phytotoxicity in MCPA-contaminated soil, has not been performed before. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of biofilms on modified natural zeolites was investigated with purpose to obtain biocomposites with biodegradation activity towards pesticides MCPA (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid) and glyphosate (N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine) for potential application in bioaugmentation of polluted agricultural soils. Microbial communities were selected from agricultural pesticide-contaminated soil/water samples and enriched on the basis of their ability to biodegrade the pesticides. In order to enhance affinity of microbial communities to the support material, the natural mineral zeolite was modified by nontoxic environmentally friendly cations (Li+, Na+, K+, NH4+, H+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Fe3+) by methods preserving its structure and characterised using powder XRD, surface area measurement and chemical composition analysis. Kinetics of pesticide degradation by the biocomposites was studied in liquid media. Results showed that according to zeolite modifications, the microbial activity and biodiversity changed. The best biodegradation rate of MCPA and glyphosate reached 0.12–0.13 mg/h with half-life of 16–18 h, which is considerably quicker than observed in natural environment. However, in some cases, biodegradation activity towards pesticides was lost which was connected to unfavourable zeolite modification and accumulation of toxic metabolites. High-throughput sequencing on the 16S rRNA genes of the biofilm communities highlighted the selection of bacteria genera known to metabolise MCPA (Aminobacter, Cupriavidus, Novosphingobium, Pseudomonas, Rhodococcus, Sphingobium and Sphingopyxis) and glyphosate (Pseudomonas). Altogether, results suggested that zeolites do not only have a passive role of biofilm support but also have protective and nutrient-supportive functions that consequently increase biodiversity of the pesticide degraders growing in the biofilm and influence the pesticide biodegradation rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbicides are often used to support weed control in herbicide-sensitive medicinal herb productions; however, the herbicide tolerance of these plants is less known. To reduce the chemical hazard risk, a study was conducted in 2018 at Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Budapest, Hungary, to explore the tolerance of the cultivated oregano to seven specific and widely used herbicides. In addition, the validity and usability of the applied bioassay procedures were compared for future methodological purposes. In laboratory and greenhouse studies, we applied three different bioassay tests, in which oregano leaves or plants were treated by different herbicides (i.e., glyphosate, MCPA, bromoxynil, oxyfluorfen, phenmedipham-desmedipham, propyzamide, pendimethalin). The tissue damage represented the level of sensitivity analyzed by dose-response curve model fitting. The post-emergence herbicides such as MCPA, bromoxynil and glyphosate imposed a much higher technological risk for the oregano production than the others, such as pendimethalin, phenmedipham-desmedipham and oxyfluorfen, primarily used in pre-emergence technology, while the propyzamide was harmless. Nevertheless, all bioassays were considered to be valid, showing high repeatability, providing consistent tolerance ranks. The pre-emergence weed control could offer more, less harmful herbicide alternatives for the oregano farmers than the post-emergence technology. The applied bioassays could support the labour-intensive toxicological studies where the rapidity, accuracy and genetic control is especially crucial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volatilization and leaching are two critical pathways for pesticide transportation from their applied areas to non-target regions. Nanocarrier-based formulations can improve the use efficiency and reduce the off-target effects of pesticides, however, the complicated preparation process seriously restricts the large-scale application of nanopesticides in the agricultural field. In this work, taking 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) acetic acid (2,4-D), 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA), and 3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzonitrile (bromoxynil) as model herbicides, herbicide-intercalated Zn–Al hydrotalcites (herbicide@HTlcs) were facilely fabricated by a modified co-precipitation method without heating, aging, organic solvents, and inert gas. The obtained herbicide@HTlcs showed high entrapment efficiencies (71.7%–86.7%), a sheet structure with an average size of 339.4 nm, and positive surface charges (+40.5). The volatilities of herbicide@HTlcs were reduced more than 3-fold compared with those of pure herbicides. The release rates of 2,4-D@HTlcs were in line with the selectivity sequence of HTlcs for the anions and controlled by non-Fickian diffusion. The leaching experiments performed in two agricultural topsoils collected from Beijing and Yunnan province and a grassland soil from Neimenggu province all demonstrated that the developed 2,4-D@HTlc nanosheets could evidently retard 2,4-D leaching through the soil. Additionally, 2,4-D@HTlcs exhibited no delay in the control efficacy against Amaranthus retroflexus compared with free 2,4-D sodium salt. This study provides a novel insight into the facile fabrication of controlled release formulations of pesticides that can reduce the volatilization and leaching risks simultaneously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel zero-valent iron (ZVI) and zero-valent zinc (ZVZ) bimetal-supported biochar (ZF@BC) was developed for heterogeneous catalytic ozonation (HCO), which demonstrated the unique dual synergistic adsorption and catalysis-induced effective O 3 triggering and interfacial decontamination. ZF@BC exhibited impressive catalytic and structure stabilities for 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) degradation during long-lasting HCO, which can resist interference from a complex water quality background. Abundant electron-rich oxygen-containing functional groups and defects on BC contributed to the adsorption of MCPA and O 3 , respectively, while the introduced ZVZ was anticipated to expedite O 3 decomposition by facilitating single-electron transfer reduction of O 2 and establishing a robust connection with ZVI. Continuous efficacy of bimetal in three stages enhanced the efficiency of O 3 utilization and hydroxyl radicals (•OH) yield, thereby safely mitigating the associated toxicity of MCPA after treatment. The development of O 3 /ZF@BC introduced a sustainable, long-term decontamination strategy and provided valuable insights for the advancement of HCO. [Display omitted] • Novel bimetal-supported biochar (ZF@BC) was developed. • Electron-rich functional groups and defects contributed to the adsorption of MCPA and O 3 , respectively. • Continuous efficacy of ZVI/ZVZ in two stages enhanced the O 3 utilization and •OH yield. • Concerned toxicity of MCPA was safely altered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbicides have been extensively used around the world, which poses a potential hazard to humans and wildlife. Accurate detection of herbicides is crucial for the environment and human health. Herein, a simple and sensitive fluorescence sensor array was constructed for discrimination and identification of herbicides. Fluorescent gold nanoclusters modified with 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid or reduced glutathione were prepared, respectively. Metal ions quenched the fluorescence of nanoclusters through coordination and leading to the aggregation of gold nanoclusters. The addition of auxin herbicides (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid, decamba, picloram, quinclorac) restored the fluorescence of nanoclusters with different degrees. The mechanism study showed auxin herbicides can bind with metal ions and re-disperse the gold nanoclusters from the aggregation state. The "on-off-on" fluorescent sensor array was constructed basic on above detection mechanism. Combined with principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) methods, auxin herbicides are well separated on 2D/3D PCA score plots and HCA dendrogram in the range of 40–500 μm. In addition, the fluorescence sensor array performed successful in detecting real samples and blind samples. The developed sensor system shows a promising in practical detection of herbicides. [Display omitted] • A simple and sensitive fluorescence sensor array was constructed for discrimination and identification of herbicides. • Auxin herbicides are well separated on principal component analysis score plots. • The sensor array was applied in determination of auxin herbicides in blind sample and environmental water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2-Methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) is a pervasive phenoxyacetic acid herbicide, frequently identified in environmental matrices. This study undertakes a systematic investigation of the atmospheric environmental transformation behavior and potential ecological risks of hydroxyl radical (HO•) induced MCPA for the first time, employing computational chemistry and computational toxicology methodologies. Our findings indicate that the initial degradation of MCPA can be triggered by both HO•-addition and hydrogen-abstraction reactions, with the latter being more likely to occur. The primary reaction pathways were identified as R2, R3, R8, and R13. The total rate constant for the gas-phase reaction of MCPA with HO• was calculated as 8.59 × 10−12 cm3 molecule −1 s−1 at 298 K. This total rate constant displayed a distinct positive temperature dependence within the temperature range of 250–375 K. Structures of 25 transformation products, which include 7 experimentally observed compounds, were determined from further reactions of crucial intermediates. The toxicity assessment of MCPA and its transformation products indicated that most of the hydroxyl oxidation products exhibit toxicity to aquatic organisms and possess mutagenic, developmental toxic, non-genotoxic carcinogenic, and skin irritating or corrosive properties. This research contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the transformation mechanisms, kinetics, and environmental repercussions of gas-phase MCPA, enhancing our ability to predict and mitigate its ecological impact. • H-abstraction occurring on the methyl group is the most favorable initial pathway. • Rate constants and branching ratios were determined for the MCPA+HO • reaction. • Ecological risk assessment of MCPA and its products were conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring and quantifying organic chemicals in the environment play a vital role in understanding their behavior and ensuring environmental safety. MCPA (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid) is a commonly used phenoxy herbicide that poses potential risks to aquatic life. In this study, we present an innovative analytical approach for MCPA quantification, employing molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for selective extraction and ambient plasma mass spectrometry for direct on-line analysis. To synthesize functional MIPs, we employed a post-polymerization strategy based on a thiol-ene click reaction conducted on a short-chain poly[2-(3-butenyl)-2-oxazoline] (poly(ButenOx)) that allowed attachment of 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) to polymer side chains. The incorporation of MPA groups into polymer structure enabled the attainment of elevated maximum adsorption capacities and enhanced selectivity towards MCPA. Utilizing a specially designed ambient plasma mass spectrometry setup, we successfully quantified MCPA in water samples, achieving significantly improved detection limits compared to conventional solution-based analysis, whereas the quantification of MCPA in real-life river water samples demonstrated excellent recoveries. In conclusion, this novel analytical method employing MIPs and ambient plasma mass spectrometry provides an effective and sensitive approach for accurate MCPA detection in environmental water samples. The technique holds promise for facilitating reliable monitoring and management of MCPA levels in aquatic ecosystems. [Display omitted] • Poly(ButenOx) was functionalized with 3-mercaptopropionic acid with click reaction. • The obtained materials were cross-linked to obtain MIPs imprinted with MCPA. • MIPs with the highest modification degrees showed the highest adsorption properties. • Ambient mass spectrometry was used to quantify the analate adsorbed by MIPs. • Real-life sample analysis proved applicability of the proposed analytical procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new Ag(I) metal–organic framework (Ag-MOF) [Ag(p-OH-C6H4COOH)2(NO3)]n [Ag(PHBA)2(NO3)]n, (1) (PHBA: C8H6O4{p-hydroxybenzoic acid}) was synthesized using two different methods; the laying method (single crystal) and sonochemical irradiation (nanostructures). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), powder XRD, and FT-IR spectroscopy were used to characterize the materials. The impacts of various parameters, including the ultrasonic (US) power, reaction time, reactant concentration, and temperature requirements to reach a controlled synthesis were extensively investigated. Compound 1-5 (obtained via sonochemical irradiation) showed an excellent catalytic activity towards simultaneous photodegradation of 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) in an aqueous solution under sunlight irradiation. The response surface methodology (RSM) for the modelization and optimization of the photodegradation of the MCPA/2,4-D mixture was utilized. The maximum photodegradation efficiencies for 2,4-D and MCPA (96.0 and 98.0% respectively) were observed under optimal conditions of C0 = 4.5 mg L−1, catalyst dose = 0.4 g L−1, pH = 5.5 and irradiation time = 20 min. The determined quantum yield of Ag-MOF was 3.21 × 10−5 molecules per photon with excellent reusability in terms of the degradation efficiency (e.g., 97% for the first cycle and 86% for the fifth). Ag-MOF is suggested for the efficient treatment of organic pollutants in wastewater systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humic substances (HSs) as a major part of soil organic matter (SOM) are complex combinations of natural organic matter, which are ubiquitous in the environment and occur predominantly in soils, residues and natural water. They play a crucial role in the fate and behaviour of contaminants in the environment. In this work, an HS nanopore model was based on a structural motif containing polar and nonpolar domains. The polar domain was represented by the carboxyl groups that predominate in the composition of HSs, whereas the nonpolar domain was constructed by aliphatic chains. The effect of hydrophobic/hydrophilic interactions on sorption in HSs was analysed by the inclusion of the nonpolar polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon naphthalene and the polar herbicide 2‐methyl‐4‐chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) in the nanopore. Water cluster was also included to allow the formation of the water molecular bridges (WaMB), which stabilized the whole system. Thermodynamic potential‐of‐mean‐force (PMF) calculations by means of classical molecular dynamics simulations were performed to investigate the effect of polar and nonpolar domains in the adsorption mechanism. The polar MCPA molecule was stabilized at the hydrophilic water–HS interface, whereas nonpolar naphthalene was stabilized inside of the hydrophobic nanovoid of the HS nanopore model. The obtained results demonstrated that the adsorption strength of HSs regarding polar and nonpolar species is similar, but the adsorption mechanisms differ. Highlights: The work elucidates the adsorption mechanism of polar and nonpolar species in SOM at the molecular scale.The derived HS model was suitable to describe and explain the adsorption properties of SOM by means of constrained molecular dynamics simulations.Adsorption mechanisms for polar and nonpolar species in SOM differ. Polar molecules prefer the water–SOM interface, whereas nonpolar molecules are trapped in hydrophobic nanovoids of SOM.Molecular dynamics simulation is an effective method providing a detailed description of the adsorption processes in SOM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pesticide contamination of drinking water is of high concern due to their hazardous effects on ecosystems. Several detection methods are available which are associated with many drawbacks, e.g. slow response time and laborious procedural techniques. This limits their practicability. Therefore, there is a dire need to develop quick, simpler but equally sensitive and practical methods for pesticide detection. Herein, we report a highly sensitive assay using fluorescent AuNCs for the detection of a pesticide i.e., 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA). For this purpose, three different fluorescent Au nanoclusters stabilized by histidine (His-AuNCs), lysozyme (Lys-AuNCs) and RNase (RNase-AuNCs) were systematically studied as optical probes for the detection of MCPA using a turn-on assay. The fluorescence of these AuNCs was initially quenched with Cu2+ ions followed by the quantitative recovery of their fluorescent signals in the presence of MCPA. The sensitivity and selectivity of these clusters for MCPA were in a linear dynamic range, i.e., 110–180 nM, 100–170 nM and 90–160 nM in case of His-AuNCs, Lys-AuNCs and RNase-AuNCs, respectively. Also, the aforesaid clusters were having a different limit of detection (LOD) by each type, i.e., highest by His-AuNCs (21.87), intermediate by Lys-AuNCs (12.97) and lowest by RNase-AuNCs (9.26 nM). Hence, the RNase-AuNCs are found to be the most sensitive, whereas His-AuNCs are least sensitive for the detection of MCPA. These findings offer a rapid, sensitive and selective assay for MCPA detection and have potential implications for the on-site, real-time monitoring of noxious pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of our study was to test whether limited microbial degradation at low pesticide concentrations could explain the discrepancy between overall degradability demonstrated in laboratory tests and their actual persistence in the environment. Studies on pesticide degradation are often performed using unrealistically high application rates seldom found in natural environments. Nevertheless, biodegradation rates determined for higher pesticide doses cannot necessarily be extrapolated to lower concentrations. In this context, we wanted to (i) compare the kinetics of pesticide degradation at different concentrations in arable land and (ii) clarify whether there is a concentration threshold below which the expression of the functional genes involved in the degradation pathway is inhibited without further pesticide degradation taking place. We set up an incubation experiment for four weeks using 14C-ring labeled 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) as a model compound in concentrations from 30 to 20,000 μg kg–1 soil. To quantify the abundance of putative microorganisms involved in MCPA degradation and their degradation activity, tfdA gene copy numbers (DNA) and transcripts (mRNA) were determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Mineralization dynamics of MCPA derived-C were analyzed by monitoring 14CO2 production and 14C assimilation by soil microorganisms. We identified two different concentration thresholds for growth and activity with respect to MCPA degradation using tfdA gene and mRNA transcript abundance as growth and activity indices, respectively. The tfdA gene expression started to increase between 1,000 and 5,000 μg MCPA kg–1 dry soil, but an actual increase in tfdA sequences could only be determined at a concentration of 20,000 μg. Accordingly, we observed a clear shift from catabolic to anabolic utilization of MCPA-derived C in the concentration range of 1,000 to 5,000 μg kg–1. Concentrations ≥1,000 μg kg–1 were mainly associated with delayed mineralization, while concentrations ≤1,000 μg kg–1 showed rapid absolute dissipation. The persistence of pesticides at low concentrations cannot, therefore, be explained by the absence of functional gene expression. Nevertheless, significant differences in the degradation kinetics of MCPA between low and high pesticide concentrations illustrate the need for studies investigating pesticide degradation at environmentally relevant concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combination of adsorption on particulate materials and electrochemical oxidation in 3D electrochemical systems is potentially a very efficient process for the treatment of micropollutants in water. This paper presents results on the use of granular activated carbon as particulate material in the process and treatment of the dye 4-nitrosodimethylaniline and pesticides MCPA (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid), MCPP (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxypropionic acid), and the pesticide transformation product BAM (2,6-dichloro-benzamide) in drinking water. 4-nitrosodimethylaniline was used to investigate influential factors as loading of GAC in a batch electrochemical setup and strength of the electric field in a flow cell recirculation batch setup. Results showed that compared to previous studies in distilled water, only additive effects were found in batch setup, and higher electric field strength was needed in the flow cell setup to achieve slight synergy (~ 5%). Reasons were likely due to the indirect oxidation pathways mediated by the anodic chloride oxidation induced by the content of chloride in the drinking water. On MCPA, MCPP and BAM synergies from 28 to 38% were measured in the batch setup, but in the flow cell, results ranged from additive effects (~ 0%) up to 70%. Considering the low price and widespread availability of granular activated carbon, the gain in process removal rates achieved in the combined 3D electrochemical reactor is of interest compared to the individual processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]