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Zhang X, Zou G, Chu H, Shen Z, Zhang Y, Abbas MHH, Albogami BZ, Zhou L, Abdelhafez AA. Biochar applications for treating potentially toxic elements (PTEs) contaminated soils and water: a review. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1258483. [PMID: 37662433 PMCID: PMC10472142 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1258483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental pollution with potentially toxic elements (PTEs) has become one of the critical and pressing issues worldwide. Although these pollutants occur naturally in the environment, their concentrations are continuously increasing, probably as a consequence of anthropic activities. They are very toxic even at very low concentrations and hence cause undesirable ecological impacts. Thus, the cleanup of polluted soils and water has become an obligation to ensure the safe handling of the available natural resources. Several remediation technologies can be followed to attain successful remediation, i.e., chemical, physical, and biological procedures; yet many of these techniques are expensive and/or may have negative impacts on the surroundings. Recycling agricultural wastes still represents the most promising economical, safe, and successful approach to achieving a healthy and sustainable environment. Briefly, biochar acts as an efficient biosorbent for many PTEs in soils and waters. Furthermore, biochar can considerably reduce concentrations of herbicides in solutions. This review article explains the main reasons for the increasing levels of potentially toxic elements in the environment and their negative impacts on the ecosystem. Moreover, it briefly describes the advantages and disadvantages of using conventional methods for soil and water remediation then clarifies the reasons for using biochar in the clean-up practice of polluted soils and waters, either solely or in combination with other methods such as phytoremediation and soil washing technologies to attain more efficient remediation protocols for the removal of some PTEs, e.g., Cr and As from soils and water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Zhang
- Eco-Environmental Protection Research Institute, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Centre of Low-Carbon Agriculture, Shanghai, China
| | - Guoyan Zou
- Eco-Environmental Protection Research Institute, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Centre of Low-Carbon Agriculture, Shanghai, China
| | - Huaqiang Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng Shen
- National Engineering Research Center of Protected Agriculture, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Protected Agriculture, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yalei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mohamed H. H. Abbas
- Soils and Water Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Soils and Water Department, Benha University, Benha, Egypt
| | - Bader Z. Albogami
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia
| | - Li Zhou
- Eco-Environmental Protection Research Institute, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Centre of Low-Carbon Agriculture, Shanghai, China
| | - Ahmed A. Abdelhafez
- Soils and Water Department, Faculty of Agriculture, New Valley University, New Valley, Egypt
- National Committee of Soil Science, Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, Cairo, Egypt
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Aslam S, Khurram A, Hussain R, Qadir A, Ahmad SR. Sources, distribution, and incipient threats of polymeric microplastic released from food storage plastic materials. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:638. [PMID: 37138178 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11242-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The present study aimed to find out the source, distribution, quantity, and incipient threats of the microplastics (MPs) released by food-packing plastic materials, plastic bags, bottles, and containers on human health, biodiversity, water bodies, and atmosphere. For this purpose, 152 articles about MPs (0.1 to 5000 µm) and nanoplastics (NP) 1 to 100 nm) were reviewed and interpreted their results in the present articles about microplastics. The highest plastic waste is generated by China (⁓ 59 Mt), the USA (⁓ 38 Mt), Brazil (⁓ 12 Mt), Germany (⁓ 15 Mt), and Pakistan (⁓ 6 Mt). The count of MPs (MPs/kg) in Chinese salt was 718, UK 136, Iran 48, and USA 32, while MPs in bivalves, i.e., in Chinese bivalves was 2.93, UK 2.9, Iran 2.2, and Italy 7.2 in MPs/kg, respectively. The MPs count in Chinese fish was 7.3, Italy's 23, the USA's 13, and UK's 1.25 in MPs/kg, respectively. The MP concentrations in the water bodies, i.e., USA, were 15.2, Italy 7, and UK 4.4 in mg/L, respectively. It was critically reviewed that MPs can enter the human body causing various disorders (neurotoxic, biotoxic, mutagenic, teratogenic, and carcinogenic disorders) because of the presence of various polymers. The present study concluded that MPs were released from processed and stored food containers, either through physical, biological, or chemical means, which harshly affect the surrounding environment and human health. The study recommended that alternatives to plastic containers are glass and bioplastic containers, papers, cotton bags, wooden boxes, and tree leaves need to use to avoid direct consumption of MPs from food.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarfa Aslam
- College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 54590, Pakistan.
| | - Ayesha Khurram
- College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 54590, Pakistan
| | - Rahib Hussain
- College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 54590, Pakistan.
- Institute of Geographic Sciences &, Natural Resources Research, CAS, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Abdul Qadir
- College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 54590, Pakistan
| | - Sajid Rashid Ahmad
- College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 54590, Pakistan
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Cui D, Cox J, Mejias E, Ng B, Gardinali P, Bagner DM, Quinete N. Evaluating non-targeted analysis methods for chemical characterization of organic contaminants in different matrices to estimate children's exposure. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2023:10.1038/s41370-023-00547-9. [PMID: 37120701 PMCID: PMC10148696 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-023-00547-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children are vulnerable to environmental exposure of contaminants due to their small size, lack of judgement skills, as well as their proximity to dust, soil, and other environmental sources. A better understanding about the types of contaminants that children are exposed to or how their bodies retain or process these compounds is needed. OBJECTIVE In this study, we have implemented and optimized a methodology based on non-targeted analysis (NTA) to characterize chemicals in dust, soil, urine, and in the diet (food and drinking water) of infant populations. METHODS To evaluate potential toxicological concerns associated with chemical exposure, families with children between 6 months and 6 years of age from underrepresented groups were recruited in the greater Miami area. Samples of soil, indoor dust, food, water, and urine were provided by the caregivers, prepared by different techniques (involving online SPE, ASE, USE, QuEChERs), and analyzed by liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). Data post-processing was performed using the small molecule structure identification software, Compound Discoverer (CD) 3.3, and identified features were plotted using Kendrick mass defect plot and Van Krevelen diagrams to show unique patterns in different samples and regions of anthropogenic compound classifications. RESULTS The performance of the NTA workflow was evaluated using quality control standards in terms of accuracy, precision, selectivity, and sensitivity, with an average of 98.2%, 20.3%, 98.4% and 71.1%, respectively. Sample preparation was successfully optimized for soil, dust, water, food, and urine. A total of 30, 78, 103, 20 and 265 annotated features were frequently identified (detection frequency >80%) in the food, dust, soil, water, and urine samples, respectively. Common features detected in each matrix were prioritized and classified, providing insight on children's exposure to organic contaminants of concern and their potential toxicities. IMPACT STATEMENT Current methods to assess the ingestion of chemicals by children have limitations and are generally restricted by specific classes of targeted organic contaminants of interest. This study offers an innovative approach using non-targeted analysis for the comprehensive screening of organic contaminants that children are exposed to through dust, soil, and diet (drinking water and food).
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Affiliation(s)
- Danni Cui
- Institute of Environment, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Joseph Cox
- Institute of Environment, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Emily Mejias
- Institute of Environment, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
- Department of Psychology, Center for Children and Families, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Brian Ng
- Institute of Environment, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, North Miami, FL, USA
| | - Piero Gardinali
- Institute of Environment, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, North Miami, FL, USA
| | - Daniel M Bagner
- Department of Psychology, Center for Children and Families, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Natalia Quinete
- Institute of Environment, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, North Miami, FL, USA.
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Dietrich M, Rader ST, Filippelli GM. Using community science for detailed pollution research: a case-study approach in Indianapolis, IN, USA. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:4269-4277. [PMID: 35971050 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-22561-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Heavy metal contamination in urban environments, particularly lead (Pb) pollution, is a health hazard both to humans and ecological systems. Despite wide recognition of urban metal pollution in many cities, there is still relatively limited research regarding heavy metal distribution and transport at the household-scale between soils and indoor dusts-the most important scale for actual human interaction and exposure. Thus, using community-scientist-generated samples in Indianapolis, IN (USA), we applied bulk chemistry, Pb isotopes, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to illustrate how detailed analytical techniques can aid in interpretation of Pb pollution distribution at the household-scale. Our techniques provide definitive evidence for Pb paint sourcing in some homes, while others may be polluted with Pb from past industrial/vehicular sources. SEM revealed anthropogenic particles suggestive of Pb paint and the widespread occurrence of Fe-rich metal anthropogenic spherules across all homes, indicative of pollutant transport processes. The variability of Pb pollution at the household scale evident in just four homes is a testament to the heterogeneity and complexity of urban pollution. Future urban pollution research efforts would do well to utilize these more detailed analytical methods on community-sourced samples to gain better insight into where the Pb came from and how it currently exists in the environment. However, these methods should be applied after large-scale pollution screening techniques such as portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF), with more detailed analytical techniques focused on areas where bulk chemistry alone cannot pinpoint dominant pollution mechanisms and where community scientists can also give important metadata to support geochemical interpretations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Dietrich
- Department of Earth Sciences, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
| | - Shelby T Rader
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Gabriel M Filippelli
- Department of Earth Sciences, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Environmental Resilience Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
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Bilici N, Doğan E, Sevinç E, Sevinç N, Akinci G, Musmul A, Cengiz M, Şahin IK, Aslanipour B, Ayhanci A. Blood and Stool Arsenic Levels Are Decisive for Diagnosing Children's Functional Gastrointestinal Disease (FGD). Biol Trace Elem Res 2022; 200:3050-3059. [PMID: 34564832 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-021-02919-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Pediatric gastroenteritis is a potentially fatal disease that accounts for 10% of childhood deaths. The main risk is environmental factors and nutrition. Arsenic (As) is commonly found in the earth's crust. As is an essential element that can form many organic compounds. In children, it causes diarrhea, gums, tongue lesions, diabetes, conjunctivitis, ocular opacity, and impaired immune response. It also causes low growth, mental retardation, and neurological problems. It is also known as the cause of many cancers that originate at an early age. Regionally, there is an iron and steel industry for almost a century. According to the Rome IV criteria, the blood and stools of 50 children aged 6-18 years, male and female, living in our province with functional gastrointestinal disease (FGD), were screened for As, and compared with the Healthy group (control) of 30 children. The results were evaluated with the Mann-Whitney Rank Sum Test. When blood and stool As values in males were compared with control samples, a high level of significance (p = 0.001) was found between both blood and stool As values in sick males and the control group (p < 0.005). In females, blood and stool As median values were also highly significant when compared with the control group (p = 0.001). According to these data, when the sick children (children with male and female gender) are compared with the healthy ones, the difference is highly significant (p < 0.005). High blood As levels in children indicate environmental pollution. It can be said that blood As levels are high as a result of food, water, and inhaler exposure. The presence of a high level of significant difference in stool means that the amount of As is high in the foods consumed daily. High levels of As are in blood and stools; It was evaluated that FGD could be the cause of nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and colic. The increase in blood and stool As values due to environmental pollution is an important reason for FGD. For diseases of uncertain cause (such as FGD) resulting from chronic As exposure, blood and especially stool As values are more significant than urinary As levels. In conclusion, As a diagnostic criterion, it was concluded that blood and stool As values are an important marker in children with functional abdominal pain with other metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namik Bilici
- Faculty of Medicine Department of Medical Pharmacology, Karabuk University, Karabuk, Turkey
| | - Erkan Doğan
- Faculty of Medicine Department of Child Health and Diseases, Karabük University, Karabuk, Turkey
| | - Eylem Sevinç
- Faculty of Medicine Department of Child Health and Diseases, Karabük University, Karabuk, Turkey
| | - Nergiz Sevinç
- Faculty of Medicine Department of Public Health, Karabuk University, Karabuk, Turkey
| | | | - Ahmet Musmul
- Department of Medical Services and Techniques Medical Documentation and Secretariat Program, ESOGU Vocational School of Health Services, Eskisehir, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Cengiz
- Department of Elementary Education, Faculty of Education, Siirt University, Siirt, Turkey.
| | | | - Behnaz Aslanipour
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Adnan Ayhanci
- Faculty of Arts and Science, Department of Biology, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Eskişehir, Turkey
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