{"title":"The Pollution Load of Phthalates in the Effluent of Plastic Recycling Units in the Coastal Areas of the Southern Caspian Sea","authors":"Sepideh Keshtkar Sahnsarayi, Fatemeh Shariati, Hassan Karimzadegan","doi":"10.1007/s11270-024-07701-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11270-024-07701-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Population growth followed by the increase in plastic consumption and excessive production of plastic waste has caused many concerns for mankind. At present, human is taking action to deal with the plastic pollution crisis through mechanical recycling and returning it to the production cycle. Therefore, in the recycling process when plastics are crushed and washed, phthalic acid esters, which are one of their components, are easily separated from plastics due to their weakness and lack of covalent bond in their structure and enter the water and finally through the effluent enters the environment. This study aims to investigate the pollution load of diethyl phthalate (DEP), isobutyl phthalate (IBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (BEHP), di n-octyl-phthalate (DOP) and Di methyl phthalate (DMP) in the effluent of plastic recycling units. Sampling of the effluent from 32 plastic recycling workshops in the cities of the three southern coastal provinces of the Caspian Sea in Iran was carried out. Laboratory analysis was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer method after phthalates extraction with hexane. According to the specificity of each workshop in terms of the type of plastic they grind and wash, and data analysis using SPSS software, the average total concentration of phthalates as ppb was determined for DMP (0.27), DEP (8.02), IBP (20.97), DBP (3.41), BBP (8.18), BEHP (23.26) and DOP (0.04). The average total concentration of BEHP in all three PET, HDPE and LDPE recycling units was higher than other phthalates and the highest value was 41.94 ppb belonging to the PET recycling unit. LDPEs did not have DMP and except for DEP and DBP which had the highest concentration in HDPE form, other phthalates had the highest concentration in PET form and there was a significant relationship between different types of plastic with the type and amount of phthalates (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Also the risk assessment of phthalates in the effluent of the plastic recycling workshops in the southern coastal areas of the Caspian Sea showed that BEHP has the potential adverse effects in living organisms and has a very high risk and the cumulative risk assessment (CRA) of the measured phthalates showed a serious threat to health (HI > 100).</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":808,"journal":{"name":"Water, Air, & Soil Pollution","volume":"236 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142939276","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":"Biogenic Synthesis and Potential Applications of Nano-Ag Particles from Bacillus velezensis KKWHNGU1 Isolated from Photovoltaic Solar Panel","authors":"Kuldeep Luhana, Bhakti Patel, Janvi Patel, Santosh Kumar Sahu, Mohd Abul Kalam, Rabbani Syed, Nisha Choudhary, Virendra Kumar Yadav, Ashish Patel","doi":"10.1007/s11270-025-07743-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11270-025-07743-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Bacteria on photovoltaic (PV) solar panels have adapted to dehydration, temperature fluctuations, and sunlight. In the current study, a bacterial strain, <i>Bacillus velezensis</i> KKWHNGU1, was isolated from a photovoltaic solar panel and characterized. The strain demonstrated resistance to acidic pH (pH 5), salt (1–9% w/v), UV radiation (approximately 8 min), and temperatures of up to 55 °C. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using this strain via a green synthesis approach. Tandem mass spectrometry with liquid chromatography (LC–MS) was used to perform metabolomics, which detected substances such as 2-Hydroxy-3-methylhexadecanoyl CoA, Lapachol, Oxytocin, Icosanoyl-CoA, 3-hydroxyisoheptadecanoyl-CoA, etc. in ethyl acetate extracts. AgNPs synthesis was confirmed by UV–visible spectroscopy, which showed wavelength peaks around 430 and 492 nm, and functional groups were identified based on FTIR. XRD analysis revealed three high-intensity peaks at 27.9°, 32.2°, and 46.3°, demonstrating the crystalline form of AgNPs. According to Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the AgNPs were spherical and had a regular size of 87 nm, whereas EDX examination confirmed that the produced AgNPs contained 84.10 wt.% Ag. Antimicrobial activity testing demonstrated maximum efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus (12 mm zone of inhibition), followed by Serratia marcescens, Priestia megaterium (9 mm each), and Escherichia coli (8 mm) at a concentration of 1 mg. The AgNPs also exhibited antibiotic removal capabilities, with a maximum cephalexin removal efficiency of 80.85% at a 10 ppm concentration over a contact time of 100 min. The removal efficiency decreased at higher concentrations (57.69% at 30 ppm and 12.97% at 50 ppm). These findings suggest potential applications of the synthesized AgNPs in water treatment and biomedical fields.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":808,"journal":{"name":"Water, Air, & Soil Pollution","volume":"236 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142939275","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}
Mohamedalameen H. A. Hussain, Gulin Selda Pozan SOYLU
{"title":"Synthesis of Ionic Liquid-Assisted Nanoparticles: High Activity, Fast Removal for Photodegradation of Methylene Blue in Water","authors":"Mohamedalameen H. A. Hussain, Gulin Selda Pozan SOYLU","doi":"10.1007/s11270-025-07737-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11270-025-07737-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The discharge of dye residues from the textile industry is a major contributor to water pollution, highlighting the urgent need for effective wastewater treatment solutions. This study investigates the synthesis of ZnO and Bi₂O₃ nanoparticles using ionic liquid-assisted methods for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue. Three ionic liquids were employed: 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIM]-BF₄), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM]-PF₆), and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([BMIM]-Cl). The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Results showed that ionic liquid incorporation led to improved crystallinity, uniform morphology, and reduced particle sizes. ZnO-[BMIM]-BF₄ (1%) and Bi₂O₃-[BMIM]-BF₄ (1%) exhibited the lowest band gap energies of 2.50 eV and 2.20 eV respectively, indicating enhanced light absorption. These catalysts also demonstrated superior photocatalytic activity, achieving complete degradation of methylene blue within 40 and 35 min under UV-B irradiation, and 60 min under sunlight. The enhanced performance was attributed to improved light absorption, reduced electron–hole recombination, and efficient charge transfer facilitated by the ionic liquids. The catalysts showed excellent stability over multiple degradation cycles. This study highlights the potential of ionic liquid-assisted synthesis in developing highly efficient and stable photocatalysts for environmental remediation applications.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":808,"journal":{"name":"Water, Air, & Soil Pollution","volume":"236 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11270-025-07737-1.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142938691","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"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}
Swetaleena Tripathy, Om Prakash Kar, Aakankshya Pradhan
{"title":"Challenges and Innovations in Industrial Wastewater Treatment: Safeguarding Water Resources and Promoting Sustainable Practices","authors":"Swetaleena Tripathy, Om Prakash Kar, Aakankshya Pradhan","doi":"10.1007/s11270-025-07742-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11270-025-07742-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Water, a vital resource for life, is increasingly threatened by industrial activities that contribute significantly to water pollution. Industrial wastewater, rich in organic substances, heavy metals, and toxic chemicals from sectors like manufacturing, mining, and petrochemicals, poses significant health and environmental risks. Understanding its physicochemical and microbial properties is essential for effective treatment. Technological advances in wastewater treatment, including membrane filtration, advanced oxidation processes, biological treatments, electrochemical treatments, adsorption, and hybrid systems, have enhanced the effectiveness and efficiency of contaminant removal while ensuring treated water complies with regulatory standards. Large-scale implementation of innovative solutions, such as zero liquid discharge systems and integrated treatment approaches, has demonstrated the potential for significant water savings and pollutant reduction, particularly in high-demand industries. These technologies also promote sustainability through resource recovery, such as nutrient recycling and energy generation, fostering circular economy practices. Beyond environmental benefits, effective wastewater treatment contributes to socio-economic development by ensuring water security, improving public health, creating employment opportunities, and reducing the costs associated with water scarcity and pollution. Smart monitoring and control systems optimize treatment processes through real-time data and predictive analytics. Addressing the environmental impact of industrial wastewater requires robust regulatory frameworks, public awareness, and collaborative efforts to ensure the preservation of water quality, the protection of ecosystems, and the safeguarding of public health for future generations.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":808,"journal":{"name":"Water, Air, & Soil Pollution","volume":"236 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142938810","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":"Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Toxic Wastewater using Electrodes based on Transition d-metal Oxides","authors":"Semra Yaşar Çırak, Dilara Öztürk, Abdurrahman Akyol","doi":"10.1007/s11270-024-07727-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11270-024-07727-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The process of electrooxidation of the active substances Paracetamol (PCT), benzoquinone (BQ) and hydroquinone (HQ) was studied using a set of different dimensionally stable anode (DSA) and Boron doped diamond (BDD) electrodes. Comparison of the efficiency of electrocatalytic anodes was assessed using percent total organic carbon (%TOC) removal and PCT amount removal values. The removal of %TOC in synthetically prepared waters for the BDD anode reached 96%, for DSA electrodes Ti/PbO<sub>2</sub>-IrO<sub>2</sub>-RuO<sub>2</sub> 57%, Ti/IrO<sub>2</sub>-RuO<sub>2</sub>-TiO<sub>2</sub> 35%, Ti/IrO<sub>2</sub>-RuO<sub>2</sub>-SnO<sub>2</sub> 31%, Ti/RuO<sub>2</sub>-SnO<sub>2</sub> 30% and Pt 24%. BDD effectively degrades PCT and almost completely mineralizes BQ and HQ. A DSA-Ti/PbO<sub>2</sub>-IrO<sub>2</sub>-RuO<sub>2</sub> electrode and a BDD electrode were used in the electrooxidation process of real industrial wastewater containing PCT. The BDD electrode had a TOC removal efficiency of 58%, while the DSA-Ti/PbO<sub>2</sub>-IrO<sub>2</sub>-RuO<sub>2</sub> electrode achieved 52%. Despite similar values of PCT removal by both electrodes, the Ti/PbO<sub>2</sub>-IrO<sub>2</sub>-RuO<sub>2</sub> anode showed low mineralization of organic matter. The originality of this paper lies in the study of the electrooxidation of real PCT wastewater and the use of a Ti/PbO<sub>2</sub>-IrO<sub>2</sub>-RuO<sub>2</sub> electrode.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":808,"journal":{"name":"Water, Air, & Soil Pollution","volume":"236 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11270-024-07727-9.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142938813","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"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":"Optimized Removal of Cr (VI) and Ni (II) From Wastewater Using Corncob-Derived Activated Carbon","authors":"Moatasem Kamel, Ali M. Bastaweesy, Rasha A. Hefny","doi":"10.1007/s11270-024-07711-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11270-024-07711-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This research explores the potential of activated carbon (AC), produced from corncobs, for eliminating dissolved hexavalent chromium and divalent nickel. SEM analysis revealed a rough, textured surface on the corncob-derived activated carbon with well-defined pores and crevices, indicating the successful formation of activated carbon. We employed X-ray diffraction to confirm the presence of crystalline graphite within the carbon structure, suggesting effective alignment of carbon atoms. Utilizing Design of Experiments (DOE), we optimized adsorption conditions for enhanced removal efficiency. Our findings reveal that under optimized conditions, the activated carbon achieved a maximum removal of 99.2% for Chromium (VI) at 105 min, pH 2, temperature of 37°C, an initial chromium concentration of 37.2 ppm, and an AC dosage of 0.289 g. Similarly, Nickel (II) removal reached 98.7% at pH 12, temperature of 40°C, a starting concentration of 31 ppm, and an adsorbent amount of 0.94 g. The adsorption kinetics of both metals followed a pseudo-second-order mechanism, suggesting chemisorption as the controlling mechanism. The adsorption data was best described by the Langmuir isotherm, indicating a monolayer coverage of metal ions on the adsorbent surface. These results demonstrate the potential of corncob-derived AC as a promising waste material for removing heavy metal from wastewater.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":808,"journal":{"name":"Water, Air, & Soil Pollution","volume":"236 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11270-024-07711-3.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142938812","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"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}
Jacqueline Zanin Lima, Jéssica Pelinsom Marques, Isabel Kimiko Sakamoto, Eduardo Ferreira da Silva, Valéria Guimarães Silvestre Rodrigues
{"title":"Effects of Amendments on Tropical Mining Soils: Geochemical, Toxicological and Microbiological Approaches","authors":"Jacqueline Zanin Lima, Jéssica Pelinsom Marques, Isabel Kimiko Sakamoto, Eduardo Ferreira da Silva, Valéria Guimarães Silvestre Rodrigues","doi":"10.1007/s11270-024-07700-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11270-024-07700-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Soil amendments have emerged as a crucial remediation strategy. However, the effects of improvements on tropical soils contaminated by potentially toxic metals and metalloids (PTMs) in mining areas remain largely unknown. This paper reports on a pot experiment conducted with peat, compost, and biochar, together with soil and slag containing high concentrations of PTMs from an abandoned mine site (Ribeira Valley, Brazil). Mixtures of slag, soil, and amendments altered the geochemical fractionation and, in most improvements, resulted in positive changes in maize (<i>Zea mays</i>) growth, which may be due to the lower bioavailability of contaminants and/or the greater supply of nutrients. The germination rate was less sensitive to the effect of the improvements, with values greater than 75%. However, the addition of 10% biochar resulted in 0% germination. Contaminants were present in the roots of all samples, but they were observed exclusively in the shoots of certain plants. The combination of bioconcentration factor (BCF) < 1 and translocation factor (TF) < 1 suggests mechanisms that limit the uptake of metals and metalloids from the soil, with minimal translocation to the shoots of plants. Regarding ecological risk, improvements were notable with the addition of 10% compost (resulting in lower risks for Cd, Pb, Zn, and Co) and with 5% peat + compost + biochar (resulting in lower risks for Pb, Zn, As, and Ni). The results of ACE and Chao1 for the improvements were equal to or greater than those for soil and slag, indicating the amendments tended to increase species richness. Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, and Actinobacteriota phyla were identified in the improvements and the presence of amendments altered the soil bacterial community at the genus level. Although peat, compost, and biochar (including their combined use) are promising alternatives for PTMs contaminated soils, the addition rates must be adjusted correctly for avoiding undesirable ecotoxicological effects.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":808,"journal":{"name":"Water, Air, & Soil Pollution","volume":"236 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142938674","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}
Shuyu Ye, Xinyu Jiang, Yirong Yang, Xuemin Xu, Chenhao Zhao, Jinzhao Ma, Wan Yang, Longfei Liu
{"title":"Removal of Pb2+from Aqueous Media by Solidago canadensis L.-Derived and Crab Shell-Derived Biochar: Adsorption Behavior and Optimization of Adsorption Conditions","authors":"Shuyu Ye, Xinyu Jiang, Yirong Yang, Xuemin Xu, Chenhao Zhao, Jinzhao Ma, Wan Yang, Longfei Liu","doi":"10.1007/s11270-025-07746-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11270-025-07746-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Pb<sup>2+</sup>, as a heavy metal ion, has been recognized for its strong toxicity and imperative removal from industrial wastewater. In pursuit of resource efficiency, this study employed biochars preparate by limited-oxygen pyrolysis at elevated temperatures, using Solidago canadensis L. (SC) and discarded crab shells (CS) as raw materials. The objective was to investigate the adsorption behaviors and capacities of the resultant biochars for Pb<sup>2+</sup>. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was utilized to optimize the environmental conditions for the adsorption of Pb<sup>2+</sup> by the biochars. Adsorption kinetics indicated that Pb<sup>2+</sup> primarily adhered to the biochar via chemical bonding. Isotherm analysis revealed that Pb<sup>2+</sup> was fixed by biochar through monolayer adsorption, with the CS-700 demonstrating superior adsorption capacity (93.29 mg/g). The adsorption mechanisms of Pb<sup>2+</sup> by SC biochar and CS biochar involved complexation, precipitation, electrostatic attraction, and pore filling. Moreover, the solution pH influenced the adsorption efficiency by altering the speciation of Pb<sup>2+</sup>, while the concentration of dissolved organic carbon showed a biphasic effect, initially enhancing and then diminishing the adsorption capacity of CS-700 for Pb<sup>2+</sup>. RSM can accurately predict the removal rate of Pb<sup>2+</sup>by CS-700 under different environmental conditions. For the given adsorption system, the optimal conditions for the removal of Pb<sup>2+</sup> by CS-700 were achieved at a solution pH of 8.65, with an adsorbent dosage of 0.019 g, and a dissolved organic carbon concentration of 11.85 mg/L. This research provides a valuable approach for the recycling of waste materials and the remediation of heavy metals in contaminated water.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":808,"journal":{"name":"Water, Air, & Soil Pollution","volume":"236 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142938771","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":"Spatiotemporal Distribution of Insecticides on Eu Agricultural Land: An Agri-Environmental Index Analysis (2000–2021)","authors":"Vassilios Triantafyllidis","doi":"10.1007/s11270-024-07720-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11270-024-07720-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Despite the effort to implement EU environmental strategies to reduce pesticide use, the annual distribution of insecticides on agricultural land remained almost unchanged over the 22 years (2000–2021). It was estimated that about 0.21 kg ha<sup>−1</sup> of active substances with insecticidal activity were used annually in the studied EU agricultural land, about 58% lower than their global use. Spatial distribution of the insecticides use showed differences both between countries and the four EU sub-regions. The highest mean value of insecticides use index (<i>InsI</i>: 0.52 kg ha<sup>−1</sup>) was recorded by Southern EU (S<sub>EU</sub>) followed by Western EU (W<sub>EU</sub>: 0.28 kg ha<sup>−1</sup>). Cyprus (1.22 kg ha<sup>−1</sup>), Netherlands (0.86 kg ha<sup>−1</sup>) and Italy (0.67 kg ha<sup>−1</sup>) presented the highest mean values of <i>InsI</i>. To identify the causes of this variability, selected agri-environmental variables were examined. This long-term use of insecticides to control pests and reduce crop losses was higher: (i) in cropland rather than pastureland; (ii) in high-value crops such as fresh vegetables, root crops and permanent crops than in cereal crops; (iii) in smaller farms (< 2 hectare) rather than on larger ones (≥ 100 hectare). To monitor this structural variability, a discriminant model was created. Discrimination between EU sub-regions and Countries based on these variables could contribute to a targeted rather than universal application of agricultural policy across the EU. Future efforts to incorporate these indices, using machine learning methods, could be a useful tool for agricultural and environmental management decisions, to reduce thus, their use in the era of Farm to Fork.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":808,"journal":{"name":"Water, Air, & Soil Pollution","volume":"236 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142939013","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}
Iqbal Ansari, Charu Arora, Aazad Verma, Alaa El Din Mahmoud, Maha M. El-Kady, Ravikumar Rajarathinam, Dakeshwar Kumar Verma, Pramod Kumar Mahish
{"title":"A Critical Review on Biological Impacts, Ecotoxicity, and Health Risks Associated with Microplastics","authors":"Iqbal Ansari, Charu Arora, Aazad Verma, Alaa El Din Mahmoud, Maha M. El-Kady, Ravikumar Rajarathinam, Dakeshwar Kumar Verma, Pramod Kumar Mahish","doi":"10.1007/s11270-024-07731-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11270-024-07731-z","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Microplastics (MPs) present in the environment are pervasive and tenacious as emerging pollutant concerns due to which global environment, flora, fauna, and aquatic bodies are now at an alarming stage. This is due to the result of anthropogenic activities and the unsuitable disposal, and unplanned segregation of plastics by humans. MPs are now additionally precarious because they enter into a higher level of organisms through a trophic level and biological magnification. This makes MPs an obscure risk to human health. According to certain research, MPs have a negative impact on feeding behaviour and obstruct digestive tracts in aquatic species, leading to sluggish growth. It also affects their respiratory, digestive, circulatory, and reproductive systems. Raman microspectroscopy was used to find MPs in the human placenta. The present review articles explain the glitches faced by microplastics to the environment along with animals, classifications, their mechanisms of entry, accumulation biological effects and mitigation process. In-depth study regarding MPs entry, accumulation and effects needs further research on the interactions with MPs which would provide an understanding of its impacts on the organisms due to its capability to sustain in the ecosystems for a long period. It has become crucial to propose the proper regulations and their implementation to reduce the generation and the occurrence of MPs in the environment.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":808,"journal":{"name":"Water, Air, & Soil Pollution","volume":"236 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142938769","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}