Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A-toxic\/hazardous Substances & Environmental Engineering最新文献

{"title":"Effectiveness of advanced treatment technologies in the reduction of ecotoxicity and micropollutants at a German municipal wastewater treatment plant.","authors":"Catalina Trejos-Delgado, Jana Borth, Sophia Lampas, Andrea Dombrowski, Filip Milosevic, Jörg Oehlmann","doi":"10.1080/10934529.2026.2639118","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10934529.2026.2639118","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Conventional wastewater treatment in industrialized countries effectively removes readily degradable organic matter and nutrients but often fails to sufficiently reduce micropollutants. To overcome this gap and assess the resulting benefits in effluent quality and downstream conditions, advanced processes such as ozonation and powdered activated carbon dosing followed by cloth filtration can be implemented to enhance micropollutant elimination and reduce biological effects in treated effluents. In this case study, a municipal wastewater treatment plant was evaluated following the implementation of a two-step advanced treatment system during summer and fall 2023. To assess changes in effluent quality, effect-based methods were combined with targeted chemical measurements of indicator substances. To investigate potential ecological responses downstream, the benthic invertebrate community in the receiving river was analyzed additionally as an ecologically relevant endpoint shortly after the upgrade. Following implementation, advanced treatment substantially reduced both toxic effects and concentrations of the indicator substances compared with conventional treatment. Nevertheless, residual adverse effects were still observed in the receiving water, as indicated by active biomonitoring with gammarids and gastropods and by patterns in the benthic invertebrate community. In addition, the techniques applied in this study showed that there will be room for further optimization in the upgraded WWTP.</p>","PeriodicalId":15671,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A-toxic\\/hazardous Substances & Environmental Engineering","volume":" ","pages":"229-248"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147389837","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"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}

{"title":"Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the river Rwizi watershed in Uganda: Occurrence, sources, ecological and human health risk assessment.","authors":"Grace Birungi, Denis Byamugisha, Lydia Mwikali, Robinah Asiimwe, James Bolender","doi":"10.1080/10934529.2026.2675170","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10934529.2026.2675170","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Sixteen (16) priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in the River Rwizi water and sediment in order to evaluate the sources, extent of pollution, and potential risk posed to ecological and human health. The PAHs were quantified using gas chromatography with a mass spectrometer detector (GC-MS). The sources were identified using diagnostic ratios, and ecological risk was assessed using the Mean Effect Range Median Quotient (M-ERM-Q). Human health risk was evaluated using Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR). Analytical method performance was assessed based on recovery, limits of detection and quantitation, and linearity. All the16 PAHs were detected in surface water, sediment and wastewater released from stabilization ponds in Mbarara City, in the ranges of ND-87.722 µg/L, ND-389.110 µg/kg, ND-142.196 µg/L respectively. PAH sources were pyrogenic and the upper reaches of the River Rwizi were more impacted. Ecological risk was low to medium, while human health risk from drinking untreated river water was high for both children and adults. Risk associated with accidental drinking of water during swimming was negligible to acceptable. The occurrence of PAHs at concentrations higher than the World Health Organization guidelines threatens ecological and human health; therefore, mitigation efforts are urgently required.</p>","PeriodicalId":15671,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A-toxic\\/hazardous Substances & Environmental Engineering","volume":" ","pages":"668-681"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147987738","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"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}

{"title":"Quantification of heavy metal(oid)s in wood briquettes and residual ash.","authors":"Mirha Pazalja, Sabina Begić, Jasmina Sulejmanović, Selma Špirtović-Halilović, Mirsada Salihović","doi":"10.1080/10934529.2026.2646058","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10934529.2026.2646058","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Sustainable development demands research into safe, renewable energy sources. Wood briquettes offer numerous advantages, but they can contain heavy metal(oid)s, posing environmental challenges, particularly in the ash produced during combustion. This study examines the concentrations of heavy metal(oid)s (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Co, Zn, and As) in wood briquettes and their residual ash. Samples were prepared <i>via</i> wet digestion using 65% nitric acid (HNO₃) in polytetrafluoroethylene vessels, followed by analysis using flame and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The results showed that arsenic (As) had the lowest concentration in wood briquettes, while iron (Fe) was the highest. In the ash, chromium (Cr) was detected at the lowest concentration (0.80 mg/kg), while iron (Fe) reached 5830 mg/kg. Heavy metal concentrations in wood briquettes often exceeded permissible limits, and the concentrations in ash were significantly higher, making some ash samples unsuitable for agricultural use. The ash content ranged from 0.70% to 2.34%. This study provides valuable quantitative data on heavy metal(oid)s before and after combustion, highlighting their potential environmental impact and emphasizing the need for careful management of wood briquette ash.</p>","PeriodicalId":15671,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A-toxic\\/hazardous Substances & Environmental Engineering","volume":" ","pages":"320-327"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147498803","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"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}

{"title":"Abattoir effluents crisis: groundwater pollution reality and adverse environmental impact in Umuahia South and Aba South, Nigeria.","authors":"Oluwaseun Princess Okimiji, Angela Tochukwu Okafor, Taiwo Atoro, Eke ThankGod Ezekiel","doi":"10.1080/10934529.2026.2629152","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10934529.2026.2629152","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The study examined how abattoir effluent discharge affects groundwater quality and the environment in Umuahia South and Aba South, Nigeria. Twenty-seven groundwater samples were taken upstream, midstream, and downstream for duration of six months. Standard techniques and influential statistics in SPSS were used to analyze parameters (pH, Cl^-, TSS, TDS, NH₄N, NO₃^-, EC, PO₄, and SO₄^2-). Hence, in Umuahia South, mean values of pH (9.72 ± 0.08), Cl^- (279.06 ± 76.63 to 329.58 ± 77.39), TSS (915.84 ± 12.13 to 1178.33 ± 85.70), TDS (604.62 ± 46.16 to 707.46 ± 17.21), NH₄N (13.75 ± 1.07 to 16.93 ± 1.38), and PO₄ (33.55 ± 1.06 to 36.47 ± 0.66) exceeded WHO limits. While in Aba South, mean values of pH (9.44 ± 0.05), Cl^- (345.43 ± 76.75 to 495.96 ± 9.60), TSS (1488.28 ± 36.65 to 1673.26 ± 83.00), TDS (766.89 ± 39.40 to 981.66 ± 50.89), NH₄N (11.72 ± 0.55 to 13.63 ± 0.54), PO₄ (27.64 ± 4.08 to 39.14 ± 1.18) were above recommended standard. There was a significant difference between Cl^-, TSS, TDS, NH₄N, NO₃^-, EC, and SO₄² at <i>P</i>-value <0.05 across the study area. There is a substantial positive association between pH (TDS, NH₄N, PO₄, Cl^-), Cl^- (EC, PO₄), TSS (NH₄N, NO₃^-), TDS and NH₄N (EC, PO₄, Cl^-), and NO₃^- and EC (PO₄ pH (TDS, NO₃^-), Cl^- (EC, PO₄), TSS (SO₄²), TDS, NH4N (NO₃^-), and NO₃^- (PO₄) in Umuahia South and Aba South. Finally, abattoir water should be sanitized before use. Therefore, the state environmental protection agency should actively supervise slaughterhouses and assure health and safety compliance.</p>","PeriodicalId":15671,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A-toxic\\/hazardous Substances & Environmental Engineering","volume":" ","pages":"78-87"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146207170","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"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}

{"title":"Preparation of cationic modified starch flocculant starch-grafted-poly (methacryloyloxyethyl trimethylammonium chloride) (St-g-PDMC) and its application in oily sludge treatment.","authors":"Lanlan Yu, Lifeng Song, Bo Yang","doi":"10.1080/10934529.2026.2686018","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10934529.2026.2686018","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Oily sludge is a typical hazardous pollutant with complex components and multiple emission sources, posing severe threats to the ecological environment and human health. Physicochemical conditioning with high-efficiency flocculants is a promising method for oily sludge treatment. In this study, a cationic modified starch flocculant with a backbone-branch dual cationic site structure (St-g-PDMC) was prepared <i>via</i> two-step etherification and graft polymerization using soluble starch (St) as the raw material, 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride (CTA) as the etherifying agent, and methacryloyloxyethyl trimonammonium chloride (DMC) as the grafting monomer, with potassium persulfate (KPS) as the initiator. The optimal preparation conditions were optimized by single-factor experiments and orthogonal tests: initiator dosage 0.35%, mass ratio of DMC to starch 3:1, mass ratio of CTA to starch 2:1, and reaction temperature 85 °C. When applied to oily sludge treatment, the flocculant achieved a maximum oil removal rate of 87 ± 1% under the conditions of 80 mg/L dosage, 60 °C temperature and pH 8, which was significantly superior to the commercial flocculants polyacrylamide (PAM) and polyaluminum chloride (PAC). Zeta potential, XRD, FT-IR and other characterization results confirmed the successful synthesis of St-g-PDMC, and its oil removal mechanism for oily sludge was clarified as the synergistic effect of electric double layer compression, electric neutralization, adsorption bridging and sweep flocculation.</p>","PeriodicalId":15671,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A-toxic\\/hazardous Substances & Environmental Engineering","volume":" ","pages":"843-854"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148217738","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"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}

{"title":"PM_2.5 chemical composition in Cape Town, South Africa.","authors":"Anna Alfeus, Johan Boman, Peter Molnár, Janine Wichmann","doi":"10.1080/10934529.2026.2694238","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10934529.2026.2694238","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Numerous health outcomes have been attributed to PM_2.5 exposure, even at low concentrations, from studies in developed countries. There is a lack of studies in Africa that reported on PM_2.5, PM_2.5 absorbance (soot), BC, UV-PM (organic carbon) and trace element concentrations and their health effects. PM_2.5 samples were collected over 24 h and every third day at an urban background site in Cape Town during 18 April 2017 to 16 April 2018. The mean PM_2.5 concentration was 13 µg.m^-3 (range: 1.2-39 µg.m^-3). PM_2.5 concentrations exceeded the yearly World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guideline (5 µg.m^-3). The daily WHO guideline (15 µg.m^-3) was exceeded on 38 occasions during the 121-day study period. The mean soot, black carbon and organic carbon concentrations were 1.4 m^-1 x 10^-5, 2.5 µg.m^-3 and 2.4 µg.m^-3, respectively. Eight trace elements (Ca, Cl, Fe, K, S, Si, Ti and Zn) were detected with high signal to noise ratios. The observed exposure levels at this urban background site, if believed to be experienced across the city, may pose a risk to human health.</p>","PeriodicalId":15671,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A-toxic\\/hazardous Substances & Environmental Engineering","volume":" ","pages":"951-957"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148330423","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"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}

{"title":"Long-Term and seasonal assessment of PM₁₀ concentrations in a semi-arid urban Area: the case of diyarbakır, Turkey.","authors":"Hüseyin Fidan, Tamer Bağatur, Şeyhmus Tümür","doi":"10.1080/10934529.2026.2667070","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10934529.2026.2667070","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigates the long-term and seasonal variation of PM₁₀ concentrations in the city center of Diyarbakır, Türkiye, for the period 2016-2025, using daily monitoring data obtained from an urban air quality station located in a semi-arid environment. Temporal trends were evaluated using the non-parametric Mann-Kendall test and Sen's slope estimator. The results revealed a statistically significant decreasing trend in PM₁₀ concentrations (<i>p</i> < 0.05), indicating a gradual improvement in air quality. However, PM₁₀ levels frequently exceeded both European Union and World Health Organization guideline values, highlighting the persistence of particulate matter pollution. Seasonal analysis showed higher PM₁₀ concentrations in winter due to residential heating and unfavorable atmospheric conditions, while lower concentrations were observed in summer. Occasional summer increases suggest the influence of natural sources such as dust transport. Although air quality shows improvement, PM₁₀ pollution remains a complex issue influenced by both anthropogenic and natural factors. This study contributes to the limited body of long-term, statistically supported PM₁₀ assessments in semi-arid urban environments and supports future air quality management strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":15671,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A-toxic\\/hazardous Substances & Environmental Engineering","volume":" ","pages":"528-537"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147838797","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"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}

{"title":"Hydrogeochemical characterization and ecological risk screening of heavy metals in the Bagmati River, Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.","authors":"Dhurba Pokhrel, Suman Man Shrestha","doi":"10.1080/10934529.2026.2668912","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10934529.2026.2668912","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The key characteristics of physicochemical parameters, their possible sources, and the extent of potential ecological risks posed by heavy metals in the core urban area of the Bagmati River, Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, were studied through the proxy screening of the river water in dry season. Heavy metals were analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrometer. The concentrations of NO₃^-, PO₄^3-, NH₃, Cl^-, and heavy metals demonstrate the influence of anthropogenic activities in the river. The significant positive loadings of K⁺, NH₃, NO₃^-, and moderate loading of Na⁺ in a principal component reflect the influence of agricultural runoff and fertilizers. Gibbs diagram suggests the dominance of rock-water interaction in the river. United States Salinity Laboratory diagram, Kelly's ratio, and permeability index indicate that the river water is not suitable for irrigation. The mean pollution load index of 2.08 depicts that the river is contaminated by heavy metals based on their background natural concentration. The mean potential ecological risk index (E_rⁱ) of Cd is 49.39, indicating the existence of moderate ecological risk in the river. The order of E_rⁱ is Cd > Fe > Zn > Cr.</p>","PeriodicalId":15671,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A-toxic\\/hazardous Substances & Environmental Engineering","volume":" ","pages":"605-618"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148138312","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"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}

{"title":"Deep learning-based monitoring and localization in autonomous underwater vehicle networks for aquatic ecosystem analysis.","authors":"M Ananthi, C Suresh, P Poovizhi, R Lakshmana Kumar","doi":"10.1080/10934529.2026.2672257","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10934529.2026.2672257","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Monitoring the aquatic ecosystem is crucial for effective communication and issuing alerts regarding underwater environmental conditions. None of the existing studies have accounted for varying environmental conditions in underwater ecosystem monitoring and communication systems. In this work, sensor data from the Autonomous Underwater Vehicular Network are tuned using a Fuzzy Custom Convex-based Rule to monitor the aquatic ecosystem effectively. Underwater photos and sensor data are pre-processed, features are extracted, correlations are examined, sensor nodes and AUVs are initialized and grouped, cluster heads are chosen, and models are trained to precisely identify species and detect pollution. Finally, pollution is detected using the DSRCN method. The Disaster Management Model is also trained in the same way as the PDM. The DMM attained an accuracy of 98.91%. Thus, the control stations are based on the SMM, PDM, and DMM outputs. Hence, environmental protection is done based on the alert, and the resource is managed accordingly.</p>","PeriodicalId":15671,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A-toxic\\/hazardous Substances & Environmental Engineering","volume":" ","pages":"635-649"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148138322","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"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}

{"title":"Assessment of trace elements concentrations and associated health risks in imported vegetable samples.","authors":"Bashdar Abuzed Sadee, Amanj Zrar Hasan, Yaseen Galali, Mahmood Fadhil Saleem, Tanya Salam Salih","doi":"10.1080/10934529.2026.2661296","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10934529.2026.2661296","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Vegetables are a key component of the human food chain and can serve as a source of heavy metal exposure. The concentrations of Ag, Al, As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Si, Ti, V, and Zn were measured in various imported vegetables from Erbil City using ICP-MS. The mean values of Cd (0.095 mg/kg), Cu (5.219 mg/kg), and Zn (23.07 mg/kg) in all vegetables of this study were below the maximum limit established by WHO/FAO. However, Pb (0.463 mg/kg) and Ni (0.547 mg/kg) exceeded the maximum limit of WHO/FAO and the European Commission guidelines. The hazard quotient (HQ) for all metals except As was below the USEPA threshold value. The Hazard Index (HI) values for adults and children for most vegetables exceeded the USEPA threshold, and the HI values for children were higher than for adults; this finding suggests that children are more vulnerable and susceptible to trace elements. Cancer risk (CR) values for Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb were within acceptable limits. In contrast, CR values for As exceeded the acceptable threshold in adults, suggesting potential lifetime cancer risk, while in children, only leeks showed a high cancer risk.</p>","PeriodicalId":15671,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A-toxic\\/hazardous Substances & Environmental Engineering","volume":" ","pages":"456-474"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147772989","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"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}