{"title":"Lignin precursors enhance exolaccase-started humification of bisphenol A to form functional polymers","authors":"Shunyao Li , Dan Hong , Kai Sun","doi":"10.1016/j.eehl.2023.08.006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eehl.2023.08.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Humification plays a significant role in converting phenolic pollutants and forming heterogeneous polymers, but few studies have been performed to investigate exolaccase-started humification (ESH). Herein, the influences of lignin precursors (LPs) on exolaccase-induced bisphenol A (BPA) removal and humification were explored. In particular, the architectural features and botanical effects of the formed humification products were also tested. ESH was extremely beneficial in boosting BPA removal in the presence of LPs. Compared with LP-free (58.49%), 100% of BPA was eliminated after the reaction with ESH for 72 h. Such a process was controlled by an exolaccase-caused random assembly of radicals, which generated a large number of hydrophobic polymers through nonspecific covalent binding of C–C and/or C–O. These humified polymers were extremely stable at pH 2.0–10.0 and −20 °C to 80 °C and displayed unique functions, <em>i.e.</em>, scavenged 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl/2,2′-azino-bis3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid radicals and exerted antioxidant capacities. More importantly, the functional polymers could act as auxin analogs to increase the germination index (>100%), plant biomass, and salt tolerance of radish seedlings. Our findings disclosed that ESH could not only be optimized to mitigate the ecological risks of phenolic pollutants and sequester organic carbon in environmental bioremediation, but the resulting abundant auxin analogs also contributed to agricultural productivity.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":29813,"journal":{"name":"Eco-Environment & Health","volume":"2 4","pages":"Pages 219-226"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49729777","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":"Nonmicrobial mechanisms dominate the release of CO2 and the decomposition of organic matter during the short-term redox process in paddy soil slurry","authors":"Jinsong Liu, Changyin Zhu, Xiantang Liu, Xiaolei Wang, Dongmei Zhou","doi":"10.1016/j.eehl.2023.08.005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eehl.2023.08.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Both biotic and abiotic mechanisms play a role in soil CO<sub>2</sub> emission processes. However, abiotically mediated CO<sub>2</sub> emission and the role of reactive oxygen species are still poorly understood in paddy soil. This study revealed that <img>OH promoted CO<sub>2</sub> emission in paddy soil slurries during short-term oxidation (4 h). <img>OH generation was highly hinged on active Fe(II) content, and the <img>OH contribution to CO<sub>2</sub> efflux was 10%–33% in topsoil and 40%–77% in deep-soil slurries. Net CO<sub>2</sub> efflux was higher in topsoil slurries, which contained more dissolved organic carbon (DOC). CO<sub>2</sub> efflux correlated well with DOC contents, suggesting the critical role of DOC. Microbial mechanisms contributed 9%–45% to CO<sub>2</sub> production, as estimated by γ-ray sterilization experiments in the short-term reoxidation process. Solid-aqueous separation experiments showed a significant reduction in net CO<sub>2</sub> efflux across all soil slurries after the removal of the original aqueous phase, indicating that the water phase was the main source of CO<sub>2</sub> emission (>50%). Besides, C emission was greatly affected by pH fluctuation in acidic soil but not in neutral/alkaline soils. Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry and excitation-emission matrix results indicated that recalcitrant and macromolecular dissolved organic matter (DOM) components were more easily removed or attacked by <img>OH. The decrease in DOM content during the short-term reoxidation was the combined result of <img>OH oxidation, co-precipitation, and soil organic matter release. This study emphasizes the significance of the generally overlooked nonmicrobial mechanisms in promoting CO<sub>2</sub> emission in the global C cycle, and the critical influence of the aqueous phase on C loss in paddy environments.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":29813,"journal":{"name":"Eco-Environment & Health","volume":"2 4","pages":"Pages 227-234"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49706044","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":"Human-driven global nutrient imbalances increase risks to health","authors":"Josep Penuelas , Jordi Sardans","doi":"10.1016/j.eehl.2023.08.003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eehl.2023.08.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Human-induced inputs of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) into the biosphere have reached unprecedented levels, particularly N, leading to an escalating global anthropogenic N:P ratio. This ratio has emerged as a significant driver of environmental change, impacting organisms, ecosystems, and global food security. However, the implications of this ratio for human health have been largely overlooked and remain uncertain. This article aims to fill this knowledge gap by exploring the potential effects of N:P ratios on both non-infectious and infectious diseases. Preliminary data emphasize the importance of investigating the influence of N:P ratios on human health, suggesting a potential role in the rise of non-infectious diseases, such as cancer, as well as the proliferation of infectious diseases, including Zika and malaria. These findings highlight the urgent need for increased attention from the scientific community and policymakers regarding the complex impacts of the human-induced biospheric N:P ratio. It is crucial to investigate and understand the underlying mechanisms and drivers behind these effects. Furthermore, there is significant potential for improving human health through the manipulation of N:P ratios and the availability of N and P. This applies not only to medical treatments but also to innovative fertilizer management strategies. These avenues present promising opportunities to address the challenges associated with human health in an ever-changing world.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":29813,"journal":{"name":"Eco-Environment & Health","volume":"2 4","pages":"Pages 246-251"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49705792","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}
Yu Sun , Hao Tang , Shuang Du , Yang Chen , Zheyuan Ou , Mei Zhang , Zhuoru Chen , Zhiwei Tang , Dongjun Zhang , Tianyi Chen , Yanyi Xu , Jiufeng Li , Dan Norback , Jamal Hisham Hashim , Zailina Hashim , Jie Shao , Xi Fu , Zhuohui Zhao
{"title":"Indoor metabolites and chemicals outperform microbiome in classifying childhood asthma and allergic rhinitis","authors":"Yu Sun , Hao Tang , Shuang Du , Yang Chen , Zheyuan Ou , Mei Zhang , Zhuoru Chen , Zhiwei Tang , Dongjun Zhang , Tianyi Chen , Yanyi Xu , Jiufeng Li , Dan Norback , Jamal Hisham Hashim , Zailina Hashim , Jie Shao , Xi Fu , Zhuohui Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.eehl.2023.08.001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eehl.2023.08.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Indoor microorganisms impact asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR), but the associated microbial taxa often vary extensively due to climate and geographical variations. To provide more consistent environmental assessments, new perspectives on microbial exposure for asthma and AR are needed. Home dust from 97 cases (32 asthma alone, 37 AR alone, 28 comorbidity) and 52 age- and gender-matched controls in Shanghai, China, were analyzed using high-throughput shotgun metagenomic sequencing and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Homes of healthy children were enriched with environmental microbes, including <em>Paracoccus</em>, <em>Pseudomonas</em>, and <em>Psychrobacter</em>, and metabolites like keto acids, indoles, pyridines, and flavonoids (astragalin, hesperidin) (False Discovery Rate < 0.05). A neural network co-occurrence probability analysis revealed that environmental microorganisms were involved in producing these keto acids, indoles, and pyridines. Conversely, homes of diseased children were enriched with mycotoxins and synthetic chemicals, including herbicides, insecticides, and food/cosmetic additives. Using a random forest model, characteristic metabolites and microorganisms in Shanghai homes were used to classify high and low prevalence of asthma/AR in an independent dataset in Malaysian schools (N = 1290). Indoor metabolites achieved an average accuracy of 74.9% and 77.1% in differentiating schools with high and low prevalence of asthma and AR, respectively, whereas indoor microorganisms only achieved 51.0% and 59.5%, respectively. These results suggest that indoor metabolites and chemicals rather than indoor microbiome are potentially superior environmental indicators for childhood asthma and AR. This study extends the traditional risk assessment focusing on allergens or air pollutants in childhood asthma and AR, thereby revealing potential novel intervention strategies for these diseases.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":29813,"journal":{"name":"Eco-Environment & Health","volume":"2 4","pages":"Pages 208-218"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49729774","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}
Yudong Feng , Chen Tu , Ruijie Li , Di Wu , Jie Yang , Yankai Xia , Willie J.G.M. Peijnenburg , Yongming Luo
{"title":"A systematic review of the impacts of exposure to micro- and nano-plastics on human tissue accumulation and health","authors":"Yudong Feng , Chen Tu , Ruijie Li , Di Wu , Jie Yang , Yankai Xia , Willie J.G.M. Peijnenburg , Yongming Luo","doi":"10.1016/j.eehl.2023.08.002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eehl.2023.08.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) pollution has become a pressing global environmental issue, with growing concerns regarding its impact on human health. However, evidence on the effects of MNPs on human health remains limited. This paper reviews the three routes of human exposure to MNPs, which include ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. It further discusses the potential routes of translocation of MNPs in human lungs, intestines, and skin, analyses the potential impact of MNPs on the homeostasis of human organ systems, and provides an outlook on future research priorities for MNPs in human health. There is growing evidence that MNPs are present in human tissues or fluids. Lab studies, including <em>in vivo</em> animal models and <em>in vitro</em> human-derived cell cultures, revealed that MNPs exposure could negatively affect human health. MNPs exposure could cause oxidative stress, cytotoxicity, disruption of internal barriers like the intestinal, the air–blood and the placental barrier, tissue damage, as well as immune homeostasis imbalance, endocrine disruption, and reproductive and developmental toxicity. Limitedly available epidemiological studies suggest that disorders like lung nodules, asthma, and blood thrombus might be caused or exacerbated by MNPs exposure. However, direct evidence for the effects of MNPs on human health is still scarce, and future research in this area is needed to provide quantitative support for assessing the risk of MNPs to human health.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":29813,"journal":{"name":"Eco-Environment & Health","volume":"2 4","pages":"Pages 195-207"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49711140","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}
Yijing Zhu , Ernani F. Choma , Kexin Wang , Haikun Wang
{"title":"Electric vehicle adoption delivers public health and environmental benefits","authors":"Yijing Zhu , Ernani F. Choma , Kexin Wang , Haikun Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.eehl.2023.07.008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eehl.2023.07.008","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":29813,"journal":{"name":"Eco-Environment & Health","volume":"2 4","pages":"Pages 193-194"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49730016","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":"World Health Organization’s first-ever release of a fungal priority pathogens list: A reply action proposal for the prevention and treatment of fungal pathogens","authors":"Gen Zou , Yongjun Wei","doi":"10.1016/j.eehl.2023.04.003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eehl.2023.04.003","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":29813,"journal":{"name":"Eco-Environment & Health","volume":"2 2","pages":"Pages 43-44"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49708332","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":"Decades of effort help improve lake ecology and environment in China","authors":"Ganlin Zhang, Xiaohong Gu, Yunlin Zhang, Ligang Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.eehl.2023.03.003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eehl.2023.03.003","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":29813,"journal":{"name":"Eco-Environment & Health","volume":"2 2","pages":"Pages 45-46"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49708340","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}
Junjie Zhang , Xu Tang , Yongjia Hong , Guanyu Chen , Yong Chen , Li Zhang , Wenran Gao , Yang Zhou , Bin Sun
{"title":"Carbon-based single-atom catalysts in advanced oxidation reactions for water remediation: From materials to reaction pathways","authors":"Junjie Zhang , Xu Tang , Yongjia Hong , Guanyu Chen , Yong Chen , Li Zhang , Wenran Gao , Yang Zhou , Bin Sun","doi":"10.1016/j.eehl.2023.04.002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eehl.2023.04.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have been widely recognized as state-of-the-art catalysts in environment remediation because of their exceptional performance, 100% metal atomic utilization, almost no secondary pollution, and robust structures. Most recently, the activation of persulfate with carbon-based SACs in advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) raises tremendous interest in the degradation of emerging contaminants in wastewater, owning to its efficient and versatile reactive oxidant species (ROS) generation. However, the comprehensive and critical review unraveling the underlying relationship between structures of carbon-based SACs and the corresponding generated ROS is still rare. Herein, we systematically summarize the fundamental understandings and intrinsic mechanisms between single metal atom active sites and produced ROS during AOPs. The types of emerging contaminants are firstly elaborated, presenting the prior pollutants that need to be degraded. Then, the preparation and characterization methods of carbon-based SACs are overviewed. The underlying material structure–ROS type relationship in persulfate-based AOPs is discussed in depth to expound the catalytic mechanisms. Finally, we briefly conclude the current development of carbon-based SACs in AOPs and propose the prospects for rational design and synthesis of carbon-based SACs with on-demand catalytic performances in AOPs in future research.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":29813,"journal":{"name":"Eco-Environment & Health","volume":"2 2","pages":"Pages 47-60"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49708344","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}
Sujuan Yu , Zhiqiang Tan , Yujian Lai , Qingcun Li , Jingfu Liu
{"title":"Nanoparticulate pollutants in the environment: Analytical methods, formation, and transformation","authors":"Sujuan Yu , Zhiqiang Tan , Yujian Lai , Qingcun Li , Jingfu Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.eehl.2023.04.005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eehl.2023.04.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The wide application of nanomaterials and plastic products generates a substantial number of nanoparticulate pollutants in the environment. Nanoparticulate pollutants are quite different from their bulk counterparts because of their unique physicochemical properties, which may pose a threat to environmental organisms and human beings. To accurately predict the environmental risks of nanoparticulate pollutants, great efforts have been devoted to developing reliable methods to define their occurrence and track their fate and transformation in the environment. Herein, we summarized representative studies on the preconcentration, separation, formation, and transformation of nanoparticulate pollutants in environmental samples. Finally, some perspectives on future research directions are proposed.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":29813,"journal":{"name":"Eco-Environment & Health","volume":"2 2","pages":"Pages 61-73"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49703781","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}