Environmental Sciences Europe最新文献

{"title":"Development of a new test design to investigate the degradation of pesticides in soil under sunlight conditions","authors":"Jan Hassink,&nbsp;Jochen Buda,&nbsp;Sebastian Multsch,&nbsp;Svenja Nellen,&nbsp;Sabine Noe,&nbsp;Tanja Schmidt","doi":"10.1186/s12302-024-00974-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12302-024-00974-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Pesticides applied to soil surface are subject to photodegradation if the parent molecule is sensitive to UV-light absorption. Photodegradation studies are therefore mandatory for the registration of plant protection products to provide data on the degradation rate and on the nature of photoproducts formed. In general, sunlight is simulated in these studies with xenon lamps, e.g., a Suntest® device. Surface application on very thin soil layers followed by direct irradiation is common practice, but the control of the boundary conditions, i.e. soil temperature and moisture, to maintain the structure and viability of the soil is challenging. A homogeneous and stable soil microclimate is crucial to compare the degradation data of the test item from the irradiated soil samples to the dark controls as well as to the results from the aerobic soil metabolism study. After trying different scale-up test systems with the UV-sensitive herbicide imazamox as comparative test item, a new soil photolysis test system was developed which is manageable in the laboratory and enables a more favorable management of the boundary conditions, especially with regard to the soil moisture and temperature. For this, the solar simulator SolarConstant® 1200, equipped with metal halide lamps Radium HRI-TS 1000W/D/S/PRO, was installed by Atlas Ametek (Germany) in a temperature controllable walk-in incubation chamber with aluminum racks and reflectors to minimize diffuse light and to maintain a homogenous temperature of 22(± 1)°C within the irradiated soil. Borosilicate glass vessels with an inner diameter of 10 cm and a maximum height of 9 cm, covered by quartz glass, were used for the incubation of the applied soil under light. Contrary to the imazamox degradation half-lives obtained with the Suntest® test system, where an unusual slower degradation was observed under light compared to the dark controls, the results from the new SolarConstant® study design showed the expected faster degradation under light. Hence, it can be concluded that the experimental boundary conditions of the new test system are more suitable to maintain the viablity of the irradiated soil. Since no adjustments of the soil water content were needed, compared to daily water adjustments for thin soil layers incubated under a Suntest®, drying–wetting cycles are eliminated and microbial-induced soil processes are maintained.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":546,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Sciences Europe","volume":"36 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s12302-024-00974-x.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142220356","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Circulatory trace element variations in Alzheimer’s disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Ying Qing,&nbsp;Jianheng Zheng,&nbsp;Meng Qin,&nbsp;Xiufen Liu,&nbsp;Zhao Dai,&nbsp;Xinyue Xu,&nbsp;Yingyi Luo,&nbsp;Shichun Li,&nbsp;Liqiang Wang,&nbsp;Shuyu Yang,&nbsp;Jun Du,&nbsp;Ying Lu,&nbsp;Yanfei Li","doi":"10.1186/s12302-024-00980-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12302-024-00980-z","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Trace element levels in the circulation (blood, serum, plasma) are believed to play a role in the pathophysiologic processes of Alzheimer’s disease (AD); however, there is heterogeneity in the available findings. This study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of trace elements (including: copper (Cu), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), and magnesium (Mg)) in AD patients and controls to assess the variation of trace elements in the circulation of AD patients. By systematically screening case–control studies on circulatory trace element levels in AD patients from 2000 to the present in the PubMed, Web of Science, and MEDLINE databases, 52 studies were included in the final meta-analysis. The results of the random-effects model showed significantly elevated circulatory levels of Cd (SMD = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.35, 1.24), Hg (SMD = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.03, 1.16), and Cu (SMD = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.37, 1.04) in AD patients, while levels of Fe (SMD = − 0.58, 95% CI: − 1.03, − 0.13), Se (SMD = − 0.53, 95% CI: − 0.85, − 0.21), and Zn (SMD = − 0.99, 95% CI: − 1.52, − 0.46) were significantly lower. The database formed in this study provides reliable population-based research evidence for exploring changes in circulating trace element levels in AD patients. Monitoring and stabilization of circulatory trace element levels in the elderly may be a potential preventive target for AD.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":546,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Sciences Europe","volume":"36 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s12302-024-00980-z.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142220357","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Greenhouse study and interviews indicate glyphosate residue via feed-feces-fertilizer route is a risk for horticultural producers using manure-based fertilizer","authors":"Traci Birge,&nbsp;Irma Saloniemi,&nbsp;Kari Saikkonen,&nbsp;Marjo Helander","doi":"10.1186/s12302-024-00973-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12302-024-00973-y","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>The herbicide glyphosate is the most widely used active ingredient in pesticides globally. Residues have been found in people, livestock, food and animal feed, and in the environment, but little is known about glyphosate residue in manure-based fertilizer. We describe a feed-feces-fertilizer route of glyphosate contamination with negative impacts for horticultural production. This exposure can harm sensitive plants, such as tomato, and pose a risk to effective waste disposal and nutrient cycling along principles of the circular economy.</p><p>We review the use and history of glyphosate and present a mixed methods research based on a real-world case from Finland where glyphosate residue in poultry manure fertilizer was suspected of inhibiting commercial organic tomato production. To test the fertilizer, we grew 72 ‘Encore’ variety tomato plants for 14 weeks in a climate-controlled greenhouse according to the practices of the commercial grower. To ascertain awareness and potential contamination mitigation measures, we contacted five fertilizer companies with sales of biogenic fertilizer in Finland, two farming organizations, a feed company, and two government organizations working on nutrient cycling and agricultural circular economy.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>The total harvest of tomatoes grown with fertilizer with the higher content of glyphosate residue was 35% smaller and the yield of first-class tomatoes 37% lower than that of the control, with lower glyphosate concentration. Two of the five fertilizer companies identified poultry manure as a source of glyphosate contamination. Companies with awareness of pesticide residues reported interest in establishing parameters for pesticide residues.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>The extent of glyphosate contamination of recycled fertilizers is unknown, but this study shows that such contamination occurs with negative impacts on crop production. Lack of testing and regulation to ensure that recycled fertilizers are free from harmful levels of glyphosate or other pesticides creates risks for agricultural producers. The issue is particularly acute for certified organic producers dependent on these products, but also for sustainable transitions away from mineral fertilizers in conventional farming. The example from Finland shows that a model of co-production between fertilizer producers and state regulatory agencies to establish safe limits can benefit both fertilizer producers and their customers.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":546,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Sciences Europe","volume":"36 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s12302-024-00973-y.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142227440","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Potential and goal conflicts in reverse auction design for bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS)","authors":"Mathias Fridahl,&nbsp;Kenneth Möllersten,&nbsp;Liv Lundberg,&nbsp;Wilfried Rickels","doi":"10.1186/s12302-024-00971-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12302-024-00971-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) is considered as a future key technology to provide baseload electricity, heat, pulp, paper, and biofuels, while also enabling atmospheric carbon dioxide removal (CDR). Sweden seeks to lead the way in bringing this technology up to scale, introducing a EUR 3.6 billion reverse auction scheme to facilitate market entry of companies producing BECCS. We explore instrument design preferences among politicians, regulators, and prospective BECCS operators to identify trade-offs and explore feasible policy design. Based on 35 interviews with experts in the latent BECCS sector in Sweden, we identify under which circumstances prospective operators would be willing to place bids and discuss how actor preferences both align with and challenge auction theory. The analysis concludes that at least four dilemmas need attention. These concerns how to: (1) balance the state’s demand for BECCS to be implemented already in 2030 against the prospective BECCS operators’ fear of the winner’s curse, i.e., a fear of bidding for a contract that turns out to be too costly to implement; (2) allocate contracts at the margin of the auctioneer’s demand for BECCS without driving up costs; (3) design compliance mechanism to achieve effectiveness without undermining efficiency, and; 4) integrate the auction with the voluntary carbon market—if at all—in a manner that safeguards the environmental integrity of the auctions.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":546,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Sciences Europe","volume":"36 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s12302-024-00971-0.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142227448","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mussels with luggage: the influence of artificially attached “backpack” devices on mussel movement behavior","authors":"Konstantina Drainas,&nbsp;Sebastian Beggel,&nbsp;Juergen Geist","doi":"10.1186/s12302-024-00976-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12302-024-00976-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Freshwater mussels are important keystone and indicator species of aquatic ecosystems. Recent advances in sensor technology facilitate applications to individually track mussels and to record and monitor their behavior and physiology. These approaches require the attachment of sensor devices as “backpacks” to the outer shell surface. The interpretation of such data makes it necessary to understand the influence of these attachments on the horizontal and vertical movement behaviors of freshwater mussels. Over a series of mesocosm experiments, this study systematically investigated the effects of three size- and wiring-specific variants of artificially attached backpacks on the horizontal and vertical movement behavior of <i>Anodonta anatina.</i></p><h3>Results</h3><p>Across all experiments, equipping mussels with backpacks did not result in a significant influence on horizontal movement for any of the backpack variants. In contrast to this finding, the big backpacks with a high ratio between backpack volume and mussel length resulted in a significantly negative effect on vertical movement, indicating a potential for adverse effects of such devices on mussels, especially in natural settings.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>The findings of this study show that assessing the effects of attached devices on mussels requires a species-specific evaluation of potential impacts on the endpoints of interest. Especially for vertical movement patterns, selection of the smallest available devices appears mandatory.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":546,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Sciences Europe","volume":"36 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s12302-024-00976-9.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142220358","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Existing and emerging mRNA vaccines and their environmental impact: a transdisciplinary assessment","authors":"Siguna Mueller","doi":"10.1186/s12302-024-00966-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12302-024-00966-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>mRNA vaccines have played a massive role during the COVID-19 pandemic and are now being developed for numerous other human and animal applications. Nevertheless, their potential ramifications on the environment lack scrutiny and regulation. On 14 July 2020, the EU decided to temporarily exclude the clinical trials with COVID-19 vaccines from prior environmental risk assessment. Even though billions of doses have been administered and large-scale agricultural and wildlife RNA applications are fast-tracked, there is no knowledge of their environmental impact via the dispersion of vaccine-derived material or their wastage. This knowledge gap is targeted here via a critical assessment of (1) the pharmacokinetic properties of these products; (2) their impact on the human microbiota; (3) novel risk factors exemplified by the human gut bacterium <i>Escherichia coli</i> resulting in pathogen evolution in the guts of wild animals, (4) findings on mRNA-LNP platforms that implicate extracellular vesicles (EVs) as superior carriers, and (5) potentials of exogenous regulatory RNAs. This analysis results in the first extrapolation of (a) the magnitude and likelihood of environmental risk as characterized by the FDA in 2015 for products that facilitate their action by transcription and/or translation of transferred genetic material or related processes, and (b) additional risks facilitated by the horizontal transfer of exogenous short RNAs. The arguments provided here establish the rationale for vaccine-derived bioactive material dispersed by EVs, impacted microbiota, and other exposed organisms to foster pathogen evolution, cross-species transfer of biological function, and driving widespread ecosystem disturbances. Evidence is emerging that vaccine-derived molecules, when ingested, could survive digestion and mediate gene expression regulation, host–parasite defense, immunity, and other responses in the consuming animals. Highlighting further unresolved questions, the comprehensive assessment provided here calls for open dialogue and more in-depth studies to get a clear picture in the EU and globally to most effectively gauge the environmental impact of existing and emerging human, livestock, and wildlife mRNA technologies or their potential as biological weapons or for other forms of misuse. Regulatory measures are urgently needed to mitigate potentially large-scale damage to public and ecosystem health as well as adverse societal, economic, and legal implications.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":546,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Sciences Europe","volume":"36 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s12302-024-00966-x.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141942725","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microplastic clouds in rivers: spatiotemporal dynamics of microplastic pollution in a fluvial system","authors":"Alexia Balla,&nbsp;Ahmed Moshen,&nbsp;Tímea Kiss","doi":"10.1186/s12302-024-00967-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12302-024-00967-w","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>The microplastic transport of rivers is a complex spatiotemporal process; however, only limited knowledge exists on it, making its monitoring complicated. The study aimed to analyze the spatial and temporal dynamics of suspended sediments and microplastics based on measurements (1) every five days for 2 years at one site and (2) annual repetition at 29 sites along the 750-km-long Tisza River for 3 years. Water samples were taken by pumping (1 m³). Machine learning algorithms were applied to Sentinel images to analyze the spatiality of sediment transport.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>In the Tisza River (Central Europe), the microplastic concentration (MPC_mean: 35 ± 27 item/m³) and the suspended sediment concentration (SSC_mean: 60 ± 57 g/m³) showed high temporal variations. During low stages, the concentrations dropped as most transported sediments were deposited on the bottom. These sediments, including microplastics, were remobilized during flood waves, thus, higher MPC and SSC were measured. The first flood wave after a low-stage period had the highest concentrations. The increased transport capacity of the river during floods created large-scale suspended sediment and microplastic waves with increased concentrations. The mean MPC gradually increased between 2021 (19 ± 13.6 item/m³) and 2022 (23.7 ± 15.8 item/m³), and then it more than doubled (2023: 57 ± 44.8 item/m³). The tributaries acted as suspended sediment and microplastic conveyors.</p><p>On the Sentinel images, medium-scale clouds were identified, with the suspended sediment clouds being more pronounced than microplastic clouds. Fewer and longer clouds appeared during low stages, separated by clearer water bodies. During flood waves, shorter clouds were detected. The tributaries with increased suspended sediment and microplastic transport created well-distinguishable clouds in the main river.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Identifying suspended sediment and microplastic clouds in a river could support more precise monitoring. The hydrological background of the monitoring and the existence of these clouds should be considered, as sampling from clouds with increased SSC and MPC provides different data than sampling from the clearer water bodies between two clouds.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":546,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Sciences Europe","volume":"36 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s12302-024-00967-w.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141942724","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correction: Assessing small hydropower viability in water-scarce regions: environmental flow and climate change impacts using a SWAT + based tool","authors":"Xavier Garcia,&nbsp;Laia Estrada,&nbsp;Oliu Llorente,&nbsp;Vicenç Acuña","doi":"10.1186/s12302-024-00963-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12302-024-00963-0","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":546,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Sciences Europe","volume":"36 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s12302-024-00963-0.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142410458","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association between TNF-α, cortisol levels, and exposure to PM10 and PM2.5: a pilot study","authors":"Jacopo Dolcini,&nbsp;Rosaria Landi,&nbsp;Elisa Ponzio,&nbsp;Laura Picchini,&nbsp;Aurora Luciani,&nbsp;Luca Formenti,&nbsp;Silvia Svegliati Baroni,&nbsp;Armando Gabrielli,&nbsp;Marcello Mario D’Errico,&nbsp;Pamela Barbadoro","doi":"10.1186/s12302-024-00961-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12302-024-00961-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><p>The most harmful atmospheric pollutant for human health is particulate matter (PM). We analyzed the correlation between short-term lag exposure to PM10 and PM2.5, salivary cortisol and TNF-α level, and methylation levels of the TNF-α promoter.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>A pilot study including 20 subjects. Eight salivary samples for each subject at various times of the day were collected for comparing cortisol levels and TNFα detection. TNFα promoter methylation levels on salivary DNA were analyzed. Regression analyses were performed using generalized linear mixed models between the different outcomes and 4, 3, 2 and 1 day’s lag values of PM10/PM2.5.Generalized additive mixed model (GAMM) was used to evaluate any potential deviation from linearity.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>Area under the curve with respect to the ground (AUCg) showed a statistically positive association with 4-, 3-, 2-, and 1-day lag of exposure to PM10. Area under the curve with respect to the increase (AUCi) showed a statistically negative association with 4-, 3- and 1-day lag of exposure to PM10. TNFα showed statistically significant association with both exposures, PM10 and PM2.5, at 4-, 3-, 2-, and 1-day lag.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Regarding cortisol levels there is an increase of overall hormone levels but a less dynamism of the system to answer to external stressors. Increase of TNF-α may reflect increased levels of oxidative stress and inflammation due to pollution exposure.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":546,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Sciences Europe","volume":"36 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s12302-024-00961-2.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141942726","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Distribution and risk assessment of nutrients and heavy metals from sediments in the world-class water transfer projects","authors":"Weiying Feng,&nbsp;Yingru Tao,&nbsp;Minjie Liu,&nbsp;Yuxin Deng,&nbsp;Fang Yang,&nbsp;Haiqing Liao,&nbsp;Tingting Li,&nbsp;Fanhao Song,&nbsp;Su Kong Ngien","doi":"10.1186/s12302-024-00970-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12302-024-00970-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>South-to-North Water Diversion Project, a globally renowned engineering feat, aims to address water supply issues. The sediments within reservoirs play a pivotal role in natural ecosystems, not only as habitats for diverse biota but also as repositories of heavy metals, organic matter, and other contaminants. These sediments serve as a critical interface between sediment and water bodies. This comprehensive analysis focused on the spatial patterns of nutrients, organic matter, and heavy metals in the surface layer and profiles of reservoirs, exploring their interconnectedness. Leveraging the integrated pollution index, organic pollution index, potential ecological risk index, and geo-accumulation index, an ecological risk assessment was performed. The key findings are as follows: (i) Along the Middle Route of the South-to-North Diversion Project, the nutrient and organic matter contents in sediments tends to rise with distance from the Danjiangkou Reservoir, with the TN and TC contents increasing by 2.35- and 3.05-fold, respectively. (ii) As the sediment depth increases, the carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic matter contents exhibit varying degrees of decline, with average decreases of 62.38%, 67.47%, 17.56%, and 41.83% for TN, TC, TP, and OM, respectively. (iii) Among the eight heavy metals, only manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) in the Yahekou Reservoir showed moderate pollution levels, according to the geo-accumulation index. The Mn content within the surface sediments of the six reservoirs ranges from 550 to 1837 mg/kg (average, 1019.5 ± 548.3 mg/kg), whereas the Zn content ranges from 89 to 360 mg/kg (average, 156.5 ± 101.6 mg/kg). (vi) Total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) emerged as the primary pollutants in surface sediments. Comprehensive nitrogen and phosphorus pollution assessment revealed that the surface sediment of Danjiangkou Reservoir is mildly polluted, while Baiguishan and Jiangang Reservoirs are moderately polluted, and the rest are heavily contaminated. For the Yahekou and Chaohe Reservoirs, the average pollutant content indicates moderate pollution, while the remaining reservoirs show mild pollution levels.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":546,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Sciences Europe","volume":"36 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s12302-024-00970-1.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141942727","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}