Juan Ignacio Bertucci, Angie Blanco Osorio, Leticia Vidal-Liñán, Juan Bellas
{"title":"Molecular markers of stress in the sea urchin embryo test: Analysing the effect of climate change and pollutant mixtures on Paracentrotus lividus larvae.","authors":"Juan Ignacio Bertucci, Angie Blanco Osorio, Leticia Vidal-Liñán, Juan Bellas","doi":"10.1016/j.cbpc.2025.110320","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cbpc.2025.110320","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Climate change and pollution represent critical stressors for marine ecosystems, particularly for calcifying organisms such as the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus. This study examines the combined effects of ocean acidification (OA), ocean warming (OW), and microplastics (MP) loaded with chlorpyrifos (CPF), a broad-spectrum organophosphate insecticide, on sea urchin larvae, evaluating growth and molecular endpoints. Experimental treatments simulated future ocean conditions predicted for 2100, exposing larvae to varying temperature and pH levels, alongside CPF-contaminated MP. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was utilized to assess gene expression changes, revealing significant transcriptional shifts in metabolic, cellular, and developmental pathways. Morphological responses showed reduced larval growth, exacerbated under OA and OW conditions. Molecular analyses identified key upregulated pathways associated with stress response, including nitrogen metabolism and extracellular matrix remodelling, while downregulated genes involved DNA stability, cell cycle regulation, and enzymatic activities. These findings suggest a dual compensatory and deleterious response to combined stressors. Notably, temperature acted as a modulator of stressor effects, amplifying oxidative stress and metabolic costs at higher temperatures. Potential biomarkers, such as genes involved in actin regulation and embryonic development, were identified, offering possible tools for early detection of environmental stress. This study highlights the compounded impacts of anthropogenic and climate-induced stressors on marine invertebrates, emphasizing the need for integrative molecular approaches in ecotoxicology. Our findings contribute to the understanding of organismal adaptation and vulnerability in the face of global climate change and pollution, informing conservation strategies for marine ecosystems.</p>","PeriodicalId":10602,"journal":{"name":"Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology C-toxicology & Pharmacology","volume":" ","pages":"110320"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144803826","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marine pollution bulletinPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-08-08DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118549
Vishal Patil, Yahui Gao, Dazhi Wang
{"title":"The allelopathic efficacy of aqueous extracts derived from Pyropia haitanensis on five species of bloom-forming microalgae: An environmentally viable approach to control harmful microalgal blooms.","authors":"Vishal Patil, Yahui Gao, Dazhi Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118549","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118549","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Various methods have been used to control harmful algal blooms (HAB), including chemical and physical strategies, but their long-term ecological harm remains. As key ecosystem components, macroalgae like Pyropia haitanensis offer potential; we explore the antialgal effects of its water-soluble extracts on microalgal blooms. Initially, the inhibitory effects of water-soluble extracts from the residual biomass following methanol and ethanol extraction of dried P. haitanensis were evaluated against five bloom-forming microalgal species for 120 h. In comparison with methanol, the powder residue subsequent to ethanol extraction demonstrated greater effectiveness, indicating that numerous water-soluble compounds were extracted by methanol (ME), which was further fractionated for testing on microalgae. The pure water-soluble fraction obtained from the ME significantly impacted these strains; however, microalgal cells survived at lower densities even after 96 h of exposure. A GC-MS analysis identified 36 confirmed compounds in the aqueous extract phase. Notably, the water-soluble extracts effectively regulate microalgal growth without fully lysing cells, offering an eco-friendly strategy for managing HAB.</p>","PeriodicalId":18215,"journal":{"name":"Marine pollution bulletin","volume":"221 ","pages":"118549"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144812182","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marine pollution bulletinPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-08-08DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118559
Cândida Juliana Albertin-Santos, Guilherme V B Ferreira, Anne K S Justino, Flávia Lucena-Frédou, Laureen Michelle Houllou
{"title":"Does the trophic guild influence microplastic ingestion in nursery areas? A case study on a southwestern Atlantic mangrove-dominated estuary.","authors":"Cândida Juliana Albertin-Santos, Guilherme V B Ferreira, Anne K S Justino, Flávia Lucena-Frédou, Laureen Michelle Houllou","doi":"10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118559","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118559","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mangroves are highly productive ecosystems that serve as critical interfaces between freshwater and marine environments, providing essential habitats for numerous species during early developmental stages. However, these ecosystems face increasing threats from habitat loss and hazardous waste, including microplastics (MPs <5000 μm). This study investigated MP ingestion in ten fish species inhabiting a nursery ground in a mangrove-dominated estuary in the Southwestern Tropical Atlantic. Microplastics were detected in 61 % of the 145 specimens analysed, the polymers consisted primarily of polystyrene and polypropylene (detection limit of 20 μm). The zooplanktivorous species (Atherinella brasiliensis) exhibited the highest ingestion (2.33 ± 1.99 MPs ind<sup>-1</sup>; p = 0.0045), influenced by filter-feeding behavior and habitat use in the water column. No correlation was observed between the standard length (ρ = -0.072, p = 0.393) or total weight (ρ = -0.065, p = 0.439) of the specimens with the number of MPs ingested, indicating that ecological factors, are more influential in MP ingestion patterns. Regarding particle size, zooplanktivorous species ingested significantly smaller MPs (501.7 ± 391.9 μm) compared to zoobenthivorous species (802.7 ± 631.0 μm; p = 0.0178). Fibres were the predominant shape detected, reflecting their abundance in the water column. Therefore higher likelihood of ingestion by filter-feeding species. Scanning Electron Microscopy revealed weathered surfaces in the ingested MPs, indicating prolonged environmental exposure and enhanced potential for adsorbing chemical pollutants. These findings highlight mangroves' ecological importance as pollution sinks and underscore the need for conservation efforts and strategies to mitigate plastic contamination in such vulnerable ecosystems.</p>","PeriodicalId":18215,"journal":{"name":"Marine pollution bulletin","volume":"221 ","pages":"118559"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144812213","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marine pollution bulletinPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-08-18DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118568
Shin Yeong Park, Junghyun Lee, Yujung Byeon, Jong Seong Khim
{"title":"Systematic review of suspended sediment effects on aquatic organisms across taxa, developmental stages, and endpoints.","authors":"Shin Yeong Park, Junghyun Lee, Yujung Byeon, Jong Seong Khim","doi":"10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118568","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118568","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Suspended sediment (SS) is a key stressor in aquatic ecosystems, and numerous experimental studies have investigated its biological effects across various taxa and endpoints. In this systematic review, we analyzed 76 experimental studies to evaluate how SS effects differ across taxonomic groups, developmental stages, exposure durations, and biological endpoints, while also identifying trends in sediment-specific parameters. Sublethal thresholds for fish and bivalves were often below 100 mg L<sup>-1</sup>, whereas phytoplankton were typically exposed to concentrations exceeding 1000 mg L<sup>-1</sup>. Although physiological indicators were commonly applied, mortality and growth were the most frequently reported endpoints. Only 4 % of studies performed chemical analyses, 29 % reported particle size data, and none assessed particle structure. While all studies used natural sediments, 17 % included non-natural particles such as kaolin or volcanic ash. These findings underscore the need to integrate sediment-specific properties into SS toxicity assessments to enhance ecological relevance and support the development of robust sediment quality guidelines.</p>","PeriodicalId":18215,"journal":{"name":"Marine pollution bulletin","volume":"221 ","pages":"118568"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144883147","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Environmental ResearchPub Date : 2025-11-15Epub Date: 2025-08-05DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.122399
Gerrit Bredeck, Tina Wahle, Angela A M Kämpfer, Jochen Dobner, A John F Boere, Paul Fokkens, Evert Duistermaat, Tim Spannbrucker, Andrea Rossi, Flemming R Cassee, Roel P F Schins
{"title":"Assessing the toxicity of traffic-derived air pollution using a primary human air-liquid interface airway in vitro model.","authors":"Gerrit Bredeck, Tina Wahle, Angela A M Kämpfer, Jochen Dobner, A John F Boere, Paul Fokkens, Evert Duistermaat, Tim Spannbrucker, Andrea Rossi, Flemming R Cassee, Roel P F Schins","doi":"10.1016/j.envres.2025.122399","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envres.2025.122399","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Traffic-derived air pollution (TDAP) frequently exceeds the 2021 World Health Organization air quality guideline levels and is linked to respiratory diseases through molecular mechanisms such as oxidative stress and inflammation. To determine these mechanisms without relying on animal models and inter-species extrapolation, physiologically relevant human in vitro models are promising tools. We sought to investigate the oxidative stress and inflammatory responses to TDAP in a co-culture model of the human lung. Additionally, we aimed to examine the variability arising from different exposure days and across primary human in vitro models from different donors. Therefore, primary human bronchial epithelial cultures from three donors, each combined with primary alveolar macrophages, were exposed to a continuous flow of ambient TDAP from a high-traffic street in Düsseldorf, Germany on three consecutive days. A versatile aerosol concentration enrichment system was used to increase the fine particulate matter levels from 8 to 42 μg/cm<sup>2</sup> to 54-143 μg/cm<sup>2</sup>. Gene expression of four oxidative stress markers and four inflammatory cytokines was analyzed by quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR. Compared to incubator controls, even low airflow itself induced the expression of the oxidative stress marker heme oxygenase 1 and the cytokines interleukin 8 and tumor necrosis factor alpha. TDAP exposure, compared to clean air controls, upregulated interleukin 6 in one of the three co-cultures. Because TDAP exposure had minimal effects, exposure day-specific responses could not be discerned. In four of twelve genes, we observe exposure-independet donor differences. Transcriptomic analysis suggested TDAP-induced differential expression of four lung disease-related genes which, however, could not be confirmed by qRT-PCR. Higher TDAP concentrations or repeated exposures may be required to detect robust effects in this system. Our findings highlight inter-donor variability, underscoring the need for larger donor panels. Future studies should also minimize background effects from airflow to enhance model reliability for real-time TDAP exposure studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":312,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Research","volume":" ","pages":"122399"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144774428","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Environmental ResearchPub Date : 2025-11-15Epub Date: 2025-08-05DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.122494
Zhiyuan Wang, Lei Tan, Xingxiang Zhang, Gang Wen, Xiaojie Chen, Baoshan Wang
{"title":"Iron-manganese synergistic enhanced denitrification in slow-release carbon-based fillers: Mechanisms and performance.","authors":"Zhiyuan Wang, Lei Tan, Xingxiang Zhang, Gang Wen, Xiaojie Chen, Baoshan Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.envres.2025.122494","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envres.2025.122494","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Agricultural waste offers economic and environmental benefits as a slow-release carbon source for denitrification; however, its inherent release of ammonia nitrogen limits its effectiveness. In this study, a novel solid-phase slow-release carbon filler was developed by doping Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> and MnO<sub>2</sub> oxides into a corn cob matrix. Experimental results showed that the CC-Fe&Mn group achieved nitrate nitrogen and ammonia nitrogen removal rates of 98.52 % and 85.09 %, respectively, with significantly improved efficiency and the shortest reactor startup time. Mechanistic analysis indicated that the Fe-Mn oxides acted as both electron acceptors and electron shuttles by (1) facilitating electron transfer through Fe<sup>3+</sup>/Fe<sup>2+</sup> and Mn<sup>4+</sup>/Mn<sup>2+</sup> redox cycles, (2) establishing a nitrification-denitrification synergistic pathway to enhance nitrogen removal, and (3) suppressing ammonia nitrogen release via metal ion coordination (reduction rate: 29.6 %). This filler effectively addressed the ammonia release issue associated with traditional agricultural carbon sources, providing a cost-effective and functionally improved solution for low C/N wastewater treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":312,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Research","volume":" ","pages":"122494"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144793075","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Environmental ResearchPub Date : 2025-11-15Epub Date: 2025-07-18DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.122352
Alexander J Piro, Natalia Kozak, Ossi Keva, Emmi S Eerola, Katja Kulo, Timo J Ruokonen, Jan Weckström, Tommi Malinen, Mikko Kiljunen, Sami J Taipale, Kimmo K Kahilainen
{"title":"Mercury biomagnification patterns in boreal and subarctic lake food webs.","authors":"Alexander J Piro, Natalia Kozak, Ossi Keva, Emmi S Eerola, Katja Kulo, Timo J Ruokonen, Jan Weckström, Tommi Malinen, Mikko Kiljunen, Sami J Taipale, Kimmo K Kahilainen","doi":"10.1016/j.envres.2025.122352","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envres.2025.122352","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Climate change and land use are significant pressures on northern environments with the potential to influence mercury (Hg) biomagnification in lake food webs. How this process may differ along a north-south gradient, defined by simultaneously changing environmental characteristics, has not been thoroughly explored. Lake food webs, from primary producers to top predators, from 19 subarctic and 16 boreal lakes in Finland were tested for total Hg (THg) biomagnification through the linear regression of THg content (log<sub>10</sub>[THg]) and trophic level derived from δ<sup>15</sup>N. Climate, productivity, lake, and catchment variables were combined and assessed in a principal component analysis (PCA), and the first three principal components (PC) (71.1% of overall variability) were individually regressed with regional trophic magnification slopes (TMS), and mercury baselines ([THg] baseline). PC1 (climate-productivity), PC2 (water bodies), and PC3 (catchment metrics) were used in stepwise multiple linear regression models to assess the combined influence of PCs on regional TMS and [THg] baseline. Subarctic TMS and [THg] baseline were positively and negatively important, respectively, along a climate-productivity gradient (PC1). The stepwise model for subarctic TMS included PC1 and PC2, which explained 42.3% of variation, while the model for boreal TMS included all three PCs, which explained 35.4% of variation. The notable complexity of influences on boreal lakes makes modelling and future predictions challenging for this region, while the ongoing and simultaneous influences of climate warming and land use intensification in the subarctic region suggest lower TMS in the future.</p>","PeriodicalId":312,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Research","volume":" ","pages":"122352"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144673558","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Environmental ResearchPub Date : 2025-11-15Epub Date: 2025-08-05DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.122523
Wei Wang, Haoyu Shi, Haojie Shi, Tatyana V Fedorova, Olga A Glazunova, Liangang Mao, Lan Zhang, Lizhen Zhu, Chi Wu, Xingang Liu
{"title":"Highly porous biochar engineered from agricultural waste for efficient removal of sulfonylurea herbicides in aqueous systems.","authors":"Wei Wang, Haoyu Shi, Haojie Shi, Tatyana V Fedorova, Olga A Glazunova, Liangang Mao, Lan Zhang, Lizhen Zhu, Chi Wu, Xingang Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.envres.2025.122523","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envres.2025.122523","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Pesticide contamination in aquatic environments, particularly due to sulfonylurea herbicides, has become a growing concern. Herein, a highly porous biochar was synthesized using potassium bicarbonate (KHCO<sub>3</sub>) as a green activating agent through a one-step pyrolysis and acid washing process. Among the different samples, KBC-6 exhibited the highest specific surface area (3548.8 m<sup>2</sup> g<sup>-1</sup>), the greatest defect density, and abundant oxygen-containing functional groups. As a result, KBC-6 demonstrated impressive adsorption capacities of 227.5 mg g<sup>-1</sup> for bensulfuron-methyl (BSM) and 195.9 mg g<sup>-1</sup> for nicosulfuron (NIC) at 298 K. The adsorption process followed pseudo-first-order kinetics and was well-described by the Freundlich model, with physical mechanisms, including pore filling, hydrogen bonding, and π-π interactions, contributing 49.4 % and 52.7 %, 15.7 % and 13.6 %, and 25.6 % and 23.9 % for BSM and NIC, respectively. KBC-6 achieved high removal efficiency of BSM and NIC across a wide range of conditions, including pH 5-9, 0.1 M anions, 10 M ionic strength, and 0-100 mg L<sup>-1</sup> humic acid. After six regeneration cycles, KBC-6 maintained over 72.3 % removal efficiency. Fixed-bed column tests showed treatment volumes of 244.16 BV for BSM and 222.93 BV for NIC, and the treated effluent did not affect soybean root growth or fresh weight, indicating its safety. These results suggest that KHCO<sub>3</sub>-activated biochar provides a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution for removing sulfonylurea herbicides from polluted water.</p>","PeriodicalId":312,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Research","volume":" ","pages":"122523"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144797776","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Environmental ResearchPub Date : 2025-11-15Epub Date: 2025-08-07DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.122547
Ji Yang, Xiangdong Zhang, Qiang Zhao, Lijuan Su
{"title":"Mechanical and microstructural enhancement of coal gangue backfill using polypropylene fiber and silica fume.","authors":"Ji Yang, Xiangdong Zhang, Qiang Zhao, Lijuan Su","doi":"10.1016/j.envres.2025.122547","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envres.2025.122547","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The brittle failure characteristics of backfill materials have limited their engineering applications. Herein, we propose a novel synergistic enhancement strategy to improve these characteristics. We prepared coal gangue-based backfill material (SGBS-PsFs) using industrial solid waste carbide slag to activate coal gangue powder and slag, to which polypropylene fibers (PP) and silica fume (SF) were introduced for synergistic enhancement. The workability, uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), splitting tensile strength (STS), and peak strain of the SGBS-PsFs were then analyzed using macroscopic tests. Digital image correlation and super depth microscopy were used to investigate the damage mechanism and three-dimensional state of the fracture surfaces. Various microscopic techniques were also used to characterize the material. The results indicate that the incorporation of PP and SF was negatively correlated with the flowability of the SGBS-PsFs. In addition, excessive addition affected the material's workability. The synergistic use of PP and SF significantly enhanced the UCS, STS, and peak strain by 37.94 %, 42.26 %, and 47.17 %, respectively. Notably, PP more effectively improved the STS, whereas SF enhanced the UCS. The synergy between PP and SF promoted the material's transition from tensile failure to a combined tensile-shear failure mode, increased the number of damage cracks, and enhanced the roughness of the fracture surfaces. Microscopic analyses indicate that SF optimized the density and pore structure of the SGBS-PsFs matrix, increased the C-S-H gel content, and improved interfacial bonding and stress transfer between PP and the matrix. The combined use of PP and SF exhibited a coupling effect. The substitution of the material developed herein for cement-based backfill material offers environmental benefits, as its use would reduce costs and carbon emissions. The findings of this study provide technical support and a theoretical basis for utilizing industrial solid waste to prepare novel cementitious materials for engineering applications that incorporate environmental protection.</p>","PeriodicalId":312,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Research","volume":" ","pages":"122547"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144811502","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Environmental ResearchPub Date : 2025-11-15Epub Date: 2025-07-28DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.122469
Maria J Rodriguez-Pascual, Claudia Vega, Natasha Andrade, Luis E Fernández, Shih-Huai Cheng, Birthe Kjellerup, Alba Torrents
{"title":"\"Effects of mercury exposure in three Amazonian agricultural plant species and the impact on bacterial population in soil\".","authors":"Maria J Rodriguez-Pascual, Claudia Vega, Natasha Andrade, Luis E Fernández, Shih-Huai Cheng, Birthe Kjellerup, Alba Torrents","doi":"10.1016/j.envres.2025.122469","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.envres.2025.122469","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Amazonian region of Madre de Dios in Peru is highly impacted by mercury (Hg) emissions from Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) in the Amazon rainforest. Peru adopted soil screening levels (SSL) for Hg in agricultural soil (6.6 mg kg-1) to protect the environment and human health from Hg exposure based on regulations adopted by Canada without considering research on native plant and animal species. To close the knowledge gap on Hg toxicity in Amazonian plant species, we studied the impact of Hg exposure on the survival, growth, and health of three Amazonian agricultural plant species commonly used in the local population's diet: aji dulce, sacha culantro, and uncucha. Experiments were conducted growing the three plant species studied in pots with soil spiked with Hg to concentrations ranging from 2 to 100 mg kg<sup>-1</sup> (dry weight). At the end of the experiments, adverse plant health effects, such as mortality, reduction in root length, and above-ground weight, were found in aji dulce and uncucha plants after exposure to every Hg concentration tested, and mortality was found in sacha culantro plants after exposure to 50 and 100 mg kg<sup>-1</sup> of Hg. The lowest observable concentration of Hg affecting the plant's health was 2 mg kg<sup>-1</sup>, three times lower than the SSL for Hg in agricultural soil established in the Peruvian regulation. The results of the study suggest that a review of this SSL would be necessary for developing appropriate environmental and human health risk assessments in areas impacted by ASGM in the Amazon region.</p>","PeriodicalId":312,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Research","volume":" ","pages":"122469"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144751968","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}