Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology最新文献

{"title":"A highly sensitive biosensor for estradiol detection in environmental water samples using aptamer conformational switching and RCA-Cas12a amplification","authors":"Chenqi Niu ,&nbsp;Chong Zhang ,&nbsp;Changwen Ye","doi":"10.1016/j.enceco.2025.05.018","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enceco.2025.05.018","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Estradiol poses a potential threat to human health through bioaccumulation in aquatic food chains. The CRISPR-Cas system has revolutionized nucleic acid-based detection. However, adapting CRISPR-based diagnostics for small molecule detection remains a significant challenge. In this study, a biosensor for estradiol detection was developed using an aptamer-based strategy. This biosensor employs a high-affinity estradiol-binding aptamer (CN-Es2), which was previously identified by our group, to construct a “microbead-capture strand-blocker” functional probe. By integrating rolling circle amplification (RCA) with Cas12a-mediated nucleic acid cleavage, the system achieved robust signal amplification, enabling the highly sensitive and specific detection of estradiol. Moreover, this biosensor exhibited a dynamic detection range of 10 pM to 10 nM, with a detection limit of 19.2 pM (5.2 ng/L). Overall, this method provides a rapid and efficient strategy for monitoring trace levels of estradiol in complex matrices, addressing a critical requirement in the context of public food safety.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100480,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 1037-1045"},"PeriodicalIF":9.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144168887","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Heterogeneous aggregation of microplastics and mineral particles in aquatic environments: Effects of surface functional groups, pH, and electrolytes","authors":"Yanhua Wang ,&nbsp;Zhengli Tang ,&nbsp;Yingnan Liu ,&nbsp;Yilin Qian ,&nbsp;Shuo Yang ,&nbsp;Anqi Wang ,&nbsp;Zhibao Dong ,&nbsp;Baoshan Xing","doi":"10.1016/j.enceco.2025.04.012","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enceco.2025.04.012","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Microplastics (MPs) aggregation critically governs their environmental transport, yet interactions with mineral surfaces remain underexplored. In this study, polyethylene (PE) MPs were employed as model particles to prepare both pristine PE and bovine serum albumin (BSA)-coated PE (B-PE). The heterogeneous aggregation of these particles with inorganic minerals (goethite, hematite, pyrite, magnetite) and clay minerals (kaolinite, montmorillonite) was systematically investigated under varying pH conditions (3.0, 6.0, 9.0) and ionic strengths (NaCl 5–300 mmol/L, CaCl₂ 1–50 mmol/L). Results demonstrated that positively charged inorganic minerals exhibited significantly stronger heterogeneous aggregation with negatively charged PE, exhibiting aggregation capacities 2.97 times higher than those of negatively charged clay minerals. The introduction of oxygen-containing functional groups such as <img>COOH and <img>OH on the B-PE surface not only enhanced electrostatic attraction but also facilitated ligand exchange and hydrogen bonding, further improving aggregation efficiency. At pH 3.0, removal efficiencies of PE and B-PE for inorganic minerals exceeded 90 %, while aggregation was nearly completely inhibited at pH 9.0. With increasing NaCl concentration, the critical coagulation concentration (CCC) of B-PE decreased by 29.6 %–42.6 % compared to pristine PE. Moreover, Ca²⁺ ions exhibited a stronger promoting effect on aggregation via cation bridging than Na⁺ ions. These findings reveal the synergistic regulatory effects of mineral type, protein coating, and environmental factors on microplastic-mineral heterogeneous aggregation, providing a theoretical foundation for predicting the transport and fate of microplastics in complex natural aquatic environments, as well as for developing biomolecule-based sustainable remediation strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100480,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 848-858"},"PeriodicalIF":9.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143895903","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Interlayer-expanded LDH@biochar nanoreactors via sodium citrate mediation: Unlocking hidden active sites for persulfate-driven imidacloprid removal","authors":"Xiaolong Dong ,&nbsp;Guorui Liu ,&nbsp;Fuxiang Zhang ,&nbsp;Xiaohu Fan ,&nbsp;Jialin Lv ,&nbsp;Qiang Fu ,&nbsp;Song Cui","doi":"10.1016/j.enceco.2025.05.012","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enceco.2025.05.012","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The widespread usage of imidacloprid (IMI) has led to its frequent detection in aquatic environments, posing significant risks to ecosystems and human health. To address this issue, we developed a sodium citrate modified layered metal hydroxide (LDH) and biochar (BC)-based catalyst, SC-FCL@BC-2, for the activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to efficiently remove IMI. Our findings demonstrate that within 15 min, the degradation rate of IMI (5 mg L⁻¹) reached 95.6 % using 0.3 g L⁻¹ SC-FCL@BC-2 catalyst and 2 mM PMS, surpassing both the FCL@BC/PMS system (70.4 %) and the FeCo-LDH/PMS system (61.5 %). The incorporation of sodium citrate as an interlayer anion enhanced IMI adsorption onto SC-FCL@BC-2, facilitated Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ and Co²⁺/Co³⁺ cycling, and provided abundant active sites. Additionally, SC-FCL@BC-2 exhibited excellent stability across a wide pH range of 4.0 to 10.0, maintaining a degradation efficiency of 86.0 % after four cycles. The catalyst demonstrated broad applicability by effectively degrading more than 82.3 % of five neonicotinoid insecticides (NNIs) and maintaining over 73.7 % efficiency across various water matrices. Quenching experiments, electron paramagnetic resonance analysis, and electrochemical experiments confirmed that ·OH, ·SO₄⁻, ¹O₂, and electron transfer collectively promoted IMI degradation. By elucidating the efficacy and mechanistic basis of SC-FCL@BC-2, this study not only provides valuable insights into enhancing LDH@biochar-based Fenton-like catalysts but also advances their practical application in water treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100480,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 1130-1141"},"PeriodicalIF":9.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144195198","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"In vivo nitration mechanisms of bisphenol compounds in vegetables and risk assessment at the cellular and subcellular levels","authors":"Zelian Yu ,&nbsp;Xiaojia Li ,&nbsp;Xiangxiang Li ,&nbsp;Yina Guan ,&nbsp;Tian Gao ,&nbsp;Kai Zheng ,&nbsp;Chunguang Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.enceco.2025.05.019","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enceco.2025.05.019","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nitrate in water promotes the generation of toxic nitrogen-containing organic compounds through photochemical reactions, raising the question of whether excessive nitrogen fertilizer use may also stimulate the formation of such compounds in plants. Bisphenol F (BPF), as a widely detected bisphenol compound in vegetables, was investigated for its nitrogenous derivatives' formation and potential toxicity within plant subcellular structures. Using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), six BPF-derived nitrogen-containing compounds were identified. ECOSAR software analysis and mouse hepatocyte experiments confirmed that these derivatives exhibit greater toxicity than BPF. Transcriptomic analysis and validation experiments with inhibitors revealed that, compared to mitochondria and the cytoplasm, chloroplasts possess unique conditions for the generation of nitric oxide radical (NO•) and nitrogen dioxide radical (NO₂•), which promotes the formation of BPF-derived nitrogen-containing compounds. This study highlights the need for rational nitrogen fertilizer use and monitoring of bisphenol compounds in vegetables.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100480,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 1203-1215"},"PeriodicalIF":9.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144254111","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of the toxicity and potential ecological risks of various pesticides for nurses of honey bee (Apis mellifera. L)","authors":"Euijin You ,&nbsp;JooHeon Cha ,&nbsp;HeeJin Kim ,&nbsp;Young Ho Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.enceco.2025.04.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enceco.2025.04.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The honey bee (<em>Apis mellifera</em>. L) is an important pollinator worldwide, but it is facing significant population declines due to the influence of various factors, particularly the use of pesticides. Forager bees come into contact with pesticides during their foraging activity, while nurse bees are exposed to pesticides within the hive when they consume contaminated food sources. Based on established pesticide exposure routes, the present study assessed the oral toxicity and ecotoxic risks of 13 pesticides, including two organophosphates [coumaphos (COU) and fenitrothion (FEN)], two pyrethroids [τ-fluvalinate (τFLU) and cypermethrin (CYP)], four neonicotinoids [acetamiprid (ACE), imidacloprid (IMI), thiamethoxam (THIA), and flupyradifurone (FLU)], two carbamates [carbaryl (CAR) and carbofuran (CAB)], two avermectins [abamectin (ABA) and ivermectin (IVE)], and one phenyl pyrazole, fipronil (FIP) for nurse bees using the median lethal dose (LD₅₀) and hazard quotients (HQs), respectively. Based on LD₅₀ data from bioassays and previous reports, ranking pesticides by their toxicity for nurse bees resulted in the following order: FIP = THIA &gt; ABA &gt; IVE &gt; CAB &gt; IMI = FEN &gt; CAR &gt; CYP &gt; FLU &gt; ACE &gt; COU = τFLU. The HQs were calculated using the LD₅₀ and arithmetic field-detected concentration for each pesticide in bee bread and honey based on the previous studies. The HQ results indicated THIA had the highest potential risk for honey bees, followed by FIP, CAR, FLU, CYP, CAB, FEN, IMI, COU, τFLU, and ACE. Quadrant-based analysis subsequently revealed that high LD₅₀ values were not necessarily associated with high HQs for nurse honey bees. These findings suggest that differences in the residue concentration of the pesticides due to differences in their chemical properties and usages can influence their actual risk in natural systems, which is not in direct accordance with their toxicity. This study thus highlights the importance of assessing the effect of agrochemicals on honey bees in an ecological context.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100480,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 791-801"},"PeriodicalIF":9.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143843560","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The blockage of the electron transport chains caused by PFOA isomers induced metabolic damage of Arabidopsis leaves","authors":"Hao Wang ,&nbsp;Jianxiong Mei ,&nbsp;Zeying He ,&nbsp;Bingjie Liu ,&nbsp;Jishi Wang ,&nbsp;Yue Geng ,&nbsp;Yanwei Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.enceco.2025.02.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enceco.2025.02.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Different metabolic damage could be caused by PFOA isomers, although the harm mechanism has not been well studied. The effects of PFOA isomers on Arabidopsis metabolism were investigated using metabolomics, proteomics and molecular docking. Compared to Pn (linear PFOA), P3 (3 - methyl - perfluoroheptanoic acid, P3MHpA) induced a greater amount of oxidative damage and more dysregulation proteins. Both PFOA isomers caused significant metabolic disorders in oxidative stress and photosynthetic dysregulation, and they happened in similar molecular components including chloroplast and thylakoids. Proteins were more readily bound by ionic PFOA, and P3 exhibited higher ability than Pn. Isomers of the ionic PFOA bound to proteins in photosynthesis, particularly the ETC proteins, leading to a blockage of the electron transport chains in the chloroplast, which induced oxidative stress and photosynthetic toxicity. This study provides a novel and important mechanism for the photosynthetic toxicity of different PFOA isomers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100480,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 516-526"},"PeriodicalIF":9.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143548872","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Analytical and structural characterization of waste lithium-ion batteries for their effective recycling strategy","authors":"Sailaja Priyadarsini,&nbsp;Alok Prasad Das","doi":"10.1016/j.enceco.2024.12.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enceco.2024.12.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are crucial for energy storage but pose environmental and health risks due to toxic materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel. Their rapid increase raises concerns about soil and water contamination from improper disposal, highlighting the need for effective recycling. Developing strategies requires understanding their chemical and structural composition, as well as assessing battery safety and integrity to minimize risks during processing. This study presents a comprehensive analytical and structural characterization of waste LIBs to apprise recycling processes using techniques including Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) to investigate the phase changes, material degradation, and chemical composition of the cathode, anode, electrolyte, and binder materials in spent LIBs. SEM micrographs and EDX mapping of LIB residues at 1000× and 1500× magnifications showed rough, spherical particles with a uniform size distribution of 10–12 μm. These particles, identified as metal and metal oxide components from the cathodes, play a key role in influencing microbial interactions and enhancing metal recovery efficiency during bioleaching. XRD patterns indicated the crystalline structures of LiCoO₂, with a dominant peak at 2θ = 26.39°. At the same time, Li (Ni Co Mn) O₂ exhibited distinct peaks at 2θ = 18.7°, 26.39°, 44.46°, and 66.18°, with some overlapping with LiCoO₂ at lower intensities. The FTIR spectrum provided insights into the chemical composition and molecular structures supporting the recycling of LIBs by offering critical information to improve material recovery, optimize processes, and enhance sustainability. This study underscores the importance of characterization in developing sustainable and cost-effective recycling strategies for LIBs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100480,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 182-191"},"PeriodicalIF":9.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143141259","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Octahedral zero-valent copper activated peracetic acid for efficient tetracycline hydrochloride degradation under neutral condition: Theoretical calculation and toxicity evaluation","authors":"Jianjun Lian ,&nbsp;Weiwei Li ,&nbsp;Haocheng Tao ,&nbsp;Bo Chen ,&nbsp;Jiajia Lian ,&nbsp;Qiaoping Kong ,&nbsp;Qingqing Li","doi":"10.1016/j.enceco.2025.05.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enceco.2025.05.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>With the enhancement of environmental awareness, the efficient and environmentally friendly catalyst activated peracetic acid (PAA) technology has been research focus of research in recent years. Herein, octahedral Cu/CN500 derived from nitrogen doped copper-based metal organic framework (N-Cu-MOF) was prepared by a calcination strategy, and was used as a heterogeneous catalyst for the PAA-activated degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH). The <em>k</em> value for TCH removal in the Cu/CN500/PAA system was three times higher than that in the N-Cu-MOF/PAA system, showing excellent PAA activation by Cu/CN500. The Cu²⁺/Cu⁺ redox cycle facilitated PAA activation, which generated reactive species such as HO•, CH₃C(O)O•, CH₃C(O)OO•, ¹O₂ and O₂^·-. Among these, CH₃C(O)OO• and ¹O₂ played a dominant role in facilitating the degradation of TCH. Furthermore, the effects of humic acid (HA), Cl⁻, and NO₃⁻ on the degradation of TCH were negligible in the Cu/CN500/PAA system. Based on density-functional theory (DFT) calculations and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analyses, the degradation pathways of TCH were further elucidated. Moreover, the toxicity of TCH and its intermediate degradation products was evaluated using the four-season creamy cabbage experiments and the Toxicity Evaluation Software Tool. The results indicated that the biological toxicity of TCH diminishes as the degradation process progresses. Finally, the practical application of the material is explored. This study described the performance of an efficient and easily separable catalyst for PAA activation, which promoted the development and application of PAA-based AOPs in wastewater treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100480,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 910-923"},"PeriodicalIF":9.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143941810","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Anticoagulant rodenticides in mesocarnivores around the world: A review","authors":"David Fernández-Casado,&nbsp;Javier García-Muñoz,&nbsp;Ángel Portillo-Moreno,&nbsp;Salomé Martínez-Morcillo,&nbsp;María Prado Míguez-Santiyán,&nbsp;Marcos Pérez-López,&nbsp;Francisco Soler-Rodríguez","doi":"10.1016/j.enceco.2025.05.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enceco.2025.05.009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) have been the main tool to control rodent pests since the 1950s; however, they can affect “non-target” species causing serious environmental problems, such as secondary poisonings in wildlife by an indirect route of exposure. Mesocarnivores are the second group of wild animals most affected by ARs poisoning, only preceded by raptors, with dire incidence values in the literature: 63.78% of the studied animals were exposed to ARs. This exposure is mainly due to life history traits, such as diet (increasingly based on rodents and micromammals), ethology (opportunistic animals, scavenging), and adaptations to the anthropized environment. In this review, we have compiled data from over 40 studies from 17 countries from the 1990s to the present. A total of 11 different ARs were analyzed. Brodifacoum had the highest detection incidence (56.31%). In some cases, several ARs were detected in the same animal. Secondary intoxication (from food based on ARs target species or their carcasses) is the main type of AR intoxication in mesocarnivores. Among the most affected species are the fox (<em>Vulpes vulpes</em>) (Europe) and the fisher (<em>Pekania pennanti</em>) (an endangered mustelid in the USA). In most cases, the AR concentrations in the liver exceeded the diagnostic threshold (100–200 ng/g wet weight), although sublethal exposure was also a problem. The impact of ARs on mesocarnivore populations is unknown, mainly because of the lack of specific studies which usually focus on other species that are of “greater interest” because of biological, economic, or social reasons. In addition, there is a lack of research on the toxic effects of sublethal exposure to ARs, which may contribute to the death of predators. More exhaustive analysis and study of the real implications of ARs on the world's mesocarnivores and the application of mechanisms to mitigate exposure, as well as the search for new alternatives for pest control, are therefore needed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100480,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 966-979"},"PeriodicalIF":9.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144105466","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Surface protonation amplifies carbon nitride nanosheet-induced phospholipid extraction: Mechanistic insights into enhanced cytotoxicity","authors":"Yiping Feng ,&nbsp;Jiayong Lao ,&nbsp;Jingchuan Xue","doi":"10.1016/j.enceco.2025.05.025","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enceco.2025.05.025","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The transformation of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) in biological and environmental systems can significantly alter its properties and toxicity, posing potential risks to human health and biological systems. This study systematically examines the cytotoxicity evolution of protonated carbon nitride (p-C₃N₄) toward red blood cells and elucidates its underlying mechanisms. Hemolysis assays revealed that p-C₃N₄ exhibits enhanced phospholipid membrane-rupturing capabilities compared to pristine g-C₃N₄, with absence of significant lipid peroxidation detected via malondialdehyde assays. Surface characterization revealed that protonation reduces the net negative charge of carbon nitride, thereby increasing its affinity with phospholipid membranes. Molecular docking simulations identified that the interactions between p-C₃N₄ and phospholipid molecules are governed by electrostatic and hydrophobic forces, as well as hydrogen bonding with oxygen-containing functional groups. Molecular dynamics simulations further revealed that larger oxygen-bearing macropores on p-C₃N₄ allow for tight and specific binding with phospholipid headgroups, facilitating efficient lipid extraction and intensifying membrane disruption. These findings provide critical insights into the cytotoxic changes that carbon nitride materials may undergo during transformations, emphasizing the importance of careful application and disposal of them in biomedical and environmental contexts. Furthermore, this work highlights opportunities to mitigate associated risks or use surface protonation for enhanced functionality in carbon nitride-based technologies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100480,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 1169-1177"},"PeriodicalIF":9.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144221592","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}