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Roveri V, Lopes Guimarães L, Correia AT. Prioritizing pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) based on occurrence-persistency-mobility-toxicity (OPMT) criteria: an application to the Brazilian scenario. SAR AND QSAR IN ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 34:1023-1039. [PMID: 38047444 DOI: 10.1080/1062936x.2023.2287516] [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: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
A study of Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship (QSAR) was performed to assess the possible adverse effects of 25 pharmaceuticals commonly found in the Brazilian water compartments and to establish a ranking of environmental concern. The occurrence (O), the persistence (P), the mobility (M), and the toxicity (T) of these compounds in the Brazilian drinking water reservoirs were evaluated. Moreover, to verify the predicted OPMT dataset outcomes, a quality index (QI) was also developed and applied. The main results showed that: (i) after in silico predictions through VEGA QSAR, 19 from 25 pharmaceuticals consumed in Brazil were classified as persistent; (ii) moreover, after in silico predictions through OPERA QSAR, 15 among those 19 compounds considered persistent, were also classified as mobile or very mobile. On the other hand, the results of toxicity indicate that only 9 pharmaceuticals were classified with the highest toxicity level. Ultimately, the QI of 7 from 25 pharmaceuticals were categorized as 'optimal'; 15 pharmaceuticals were categorized as 'good'; and only 3 pharmaceuticals were categorized as 'regular'. Therefore, based on the QI criteria used, it is possible to assume that this OPMT prediction dataset had a good reliability. Efforts to reduce emissions of OPMT-pharmaceuticals in Brazilian drinking water reservoirs are encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Roveri
- Departamento de Gestão Ambiental, Universidade Metropolitana de Santos (UNIMES), Santos, Brazil
- Laboratório de EcoFisiologia, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR/CIMAR), Matosinhos, Portugal
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Produtos Naturais, Universidade Santa Cecília (UNISANTA), Santos, Brazil
| | - L Lopes Guimarães
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Produtos Naturais, Universidade Santa Cecília (UNISANTA), Santos, Brazil
| | - A T Correia
- Laboratório de EcoFisiologia, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR/CIMAR), Matosinhos, Portugal
- Escola das Ciências da Vida e do Ambiente da Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD-ECVA), Vila Real, Portugal
- Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar da Universidade do Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal
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2
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Carstensen L, Beil S, Schwab E, Banke S, Börnick H, Stolte S. Primary and ultimate degradation of benzophenone-type UV filters under different environmental conditions and the underlying structure-biodegradability relationships. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 446:130634. [PMID: 36599278 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Ten common benzophenone-based UV filters (BPs), sharing the same basic structure and differing only in their substituents, were investigated with respect to their primary and ultimate biodegradability. This study was carried out in order to gain deeper insights into the relationship between structure and biodegradability. The primary biodegradation of the selected BPs was studied in river water at environmentally relevant concentrations (1 µg/L) while varying specific, crucial environmental conditions (aerobic, suboxic, supplementation of nutrients). For this purpose, both batch and column degradation tests were performed, which allowed a systematic study of the effects. Subsequently, the ultimate biodegradation, i.e. the potential to achieve full mineralization of BPs, was examined according to OECD guideline 301 F. The results indicate that mineralization is limited to derivatives in which both aromatic rings contain substituents. This hypothesis was supported by docking simulations showing systematic differences in the orientation of BPs within the active site of the cytochrome P450 enzyme. These differences in orientation correspond to the substitution pattern of the BPs. This study provides valuable insights for assessing the environmental hazards of this class of trace organic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lale Carstensen
- Institute of Water Chemistry, Technical University of Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Stephan Beil
- Institute of Water Chemistry, Technical University of Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Ekaterina Schwab
- Institute of Water Chemistry, Technical University of Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Sophie Banke
- Institute of Water Chemistry, Technical University of Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Hilmar Börnick
- Institute of Water Chemistry, Technical University of Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefan Stolte
- Institute of Water Chemistry, Technical University of Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany.
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von Vacano B, Mangold H, Vandermeulen GWM, Battagliarin G, Hofmann M, Bean J, Künkel A. Sustainable Design of Structural and Functional Polymers for a Circular Economy. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202210823. [PMID: 36197763 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202210823] [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: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
To achieve a sustainable circular economy, polymer production must start transitioning to recycled and biobased feedstock and accomplish CO2 emission neutrality. This is not only true for structural polymers, such as in packaging or engineering applications, but also for functional polymers in liquid formulations, such as adhesives, lubricants, thickeners or dispersants. At their end of life, polymers must be either collected and recycled via a technical pathway, or be biodegradable if they are not collectable. Advances in polymer chemistry and applications, aided by computational material science, open the way to addressing these issues comprehensively by designing for recyclability and biodegradability. This Review explores how scientific progress, together with emerging regulatory frameworks, societal expectations and economic boundary conditions, paint pathways for the transformation towards a circular economy of polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hannah Mangold
- Group Research, BASF SE, 67056, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Guido W M Vandermeulen
- Functional Polymers R&D, Care Chemicals Division, BASF SE, 67056, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | | | | | - Jessica Bean
- Group Research, BASF SE, 67056, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Andreas Künkel
- Group Research, BASF SE, 67056, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
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4
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Rodrigues-Silva F, V M Starling MC, Amorim CC. Challenges on solar oxidation as post-treatment of municipal wastewater from UASB systems: Treatment efficiency, disinfection and toxicity. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 850:157940. [PMID: 35952890 PMCID: PMC9554792 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The application of solar photo-Fenton as post-treatment of municipal secondary effluents (MSE) in developing tropical countries is the main topic of this review. Alternative technologies such as stabilization ponds and upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) are vastly applied in these countries. However, data related to the application of solar photo-Fenton to improve the quality of effluents from UASB systems are scarce. This review gathered main achievements and limitations associated to the application of solar photo-Fenton at neutral pH and at pilot scale to analyze possible challenges associated to its application as post-treatment of MSE generated by alternative treatments. To this end, the literature review considered studies published in the last decade focusing on CECs removal, toxicity reduction and disinfection via solar photo-Fenton. Physicochemical characteristics of effluents originated after UASB systems alone and followed by a biological post-treatment show significant difference when compared with effluents from conventional activated sludge (CAS) systems. Results obtained for solar photo-Fenton as post-treatment of MSE in developed countries indicate that remaining organic matter and alkalinity present in UASB effluents may pose challenges to the performance of solar advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). This drawback could result in a more toxic effluent. The use of chelating agents such as Fe3+-EDDS to perform solar photo-Fenton at neutral pH was compared to the application of intermittent additions of Fe2+ and both of these strategies were reported as effective to remove CECs from MSE. The latter strategy may be of greater interest in developing countries due to costs associated to complexing agents. In addition, more studies are needed to confirm the efficiency of solar photo-Fenton on the disinfection of effluent from UASB systems to verify reuse possibilities. Finally, future research urges to evaluate the efficiency of solar photo-Fenton at natural pH for the treatment of effluents from UASB systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Rodrigues-Silva
- Research Group on Environmental Applications of Advanced Oxidation Processes, Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Maria Clara V M Starling
- Research Group on Environmental Applications of Advanced Oxidation Processes, Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Camila C Amorim
- Research Group on Environmental Applications of Advanced Oxidation Processes, Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil.
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Aldas-Vargas A, Poursat BAJ, Sutton NB. Potential and limitations for monitoring of pesticide biodegradation at trace concentrations in water and soil. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 38:240. [PMID: 36261779 PMCID: PMC9581840 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-022-03426-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Pesticides application on agricultural fields results in pesticides being released into the environment, reaching soil, surface water and groundwater. Pesticides fate and transformation in the environment depend on environmental conditions as well as physical, chemical and biological degradation processes. Monitoring pesticides biodegradation in the environment is challenging, considering that traditional indicators, such as changes in pesticides concentration or identification of pesticide metabolites, are not suitable for many pesticides in anaerobic environments. Furthermore, those indicators cannot distinguish between biotic and abiotic pesticide degradation processes. For that reason, the use of molecular tools is important to monitor pesticide biodegradation-related genes or microorganisms in the environment. The development of targeted molecular (e.g., qPCR) tools, although laborious, allowed biodegradation monitoring by targeting the presence and expression of known catabolic genes of popular pesticides. Explorative molecular tools (i.e., metagenomics & metatranscriptomics), while requiring extensive data analysis, proved to have potential for screening the biodegradation potential and activity of more than one compound at the time. The application of molecular tools developed in laboratory and validated under controlled environments, face challenges when applied in the field due to the heterogeneity in pesticides distribution as well as natural environmental differences. However, for monitoring pesticides biodegradation in the field, the use of molecular tools combined with metadata is an important tool for understanding fate and transformation of the different pesticides present in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Aldas-Vargas
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 EV, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Baptiste A J Poursat
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 EV, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Nora B Sutton
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 EV, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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6
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Gu W, Zhao Y, Yang L, Du M, Li Q, Ren Z, Li X. A new perspective to improve the treatment of Lianhuaqingwen on COVID-19 and prevent the environmental health risk of medication. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:74208-74224. [PMID: 35635661 PMCID: PMC9148946 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-21125-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Lianhuaqingwen (LH), one traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been used to treat the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but its ecotoxicity with potential human health security has not been well investigated. To overcome such adverse effects and improve its medication efficacy, an intelligent multi-method integrated dietary scheme, screening, and performance evaluation approach was developed. Thirteen LH compounds were selected, and the main protease (Mpro) was used as the potential drug target. Resulted information showed that the more compounds of LH added, the higher medication efficacy obtained using multi-method integrated screening system, expert consultation method, and molecular dynamics simulation. Pharmacodynamic mechanism analysis showed that low total energy and polar surface area of LH active compound (i.e., β-sitosterol) will contribute to the best therapeutic effect on COVID-19 using quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) and sensitivity models. Additionally, when mild COVID-19 patients take LH with the optimum dietary scheme (i.e., β-lactoglobulin, α-lactalbumin, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, carotene, and vitamin E), the medication efficacy were significantly improved (23.58%). Pharmacokinetics and toxicokinetics results showed that LH had certain human health risks and ecotoxicity. This study revealed the multi-compound interaction mechanism of LH treatment on COVID-19, and provided theoretical guidance for improving therapeutic effect, evaluating TCM safety, and preventing human health risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Gu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Systems Optimization, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206 China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Systems Optimization, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206 China
| | - Luze Yang
- College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012 China
| | - Meijin Du
- MOE Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Systems Optimization, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206 China
| | - Qing Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Systems Optimization, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206 China
| | - Zhixing Ren
- College of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, No. 26 Hexing Road, Harbin, China
| | - Xixi Li
- Northern Region Persistent Organic Pollution Control (NRPOP) Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University, St. John’s, NL A1B 3X5 Canada
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7
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Gwak J, Lee J, Cha J, Kim M, Hur J, Cho J, Kim MS, Jang KS, Giesy JP, Hong S, Khim JS. Molecular Characterization of Estrogen Receptor Agonists during Sewage Treatment Processes Using Effect-Directed Analysis Combined with High-Resolution Full-Scan Screening. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:13085-13095. [PMID: 35973975 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c03428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Endocrine-disrupting potential was evaluated during the sewage treatment process using in vitro bioassays. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-, androgen receptor (AR)-, glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-, and estrogen receptor (ER)-mediated activities were assessed over five steps of the treatment process. Bioassays of organic extracts showed that AhR, AR, and GR potencies tended to decrease through the sewage treatment process, whereas ER potencies did not significantly decrease. Bioassays on reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography fractions showed that F5 (log KOW 2.5-3.0) had great ER potencies. Full-scan screening of these fractions detected two novel ER agonists, arenobufagin and loratadine, which are used pharmaceuticals. These compounds accounted for 3.3-25% of the total ER potencies and 4% of the ER potencies in the final effluent. The well-known ER agonists, estrone and 17β-estradiol, accounted for 60 and 17% of the ER potencies in F5 of the influent and primary treatment, respectively. Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry analysis showed that various molecules were generated during the treatment process, especially CHO and CHOS (C: carbon, H: hydrogen, O: oxygen, and S: sulfur). This study documented that widely used pharmaceuticals are introduced into the aquatic environments without being removed during the sewage treatment process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyun Gwak
- Department of Marine Environmental Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Junghyun Lee
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences & Research Institute of Oceanography, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihyun Cha
- Department of Marine Environmental Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Mungi Kim
- Department of Marine Environmental Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Hur
- Department of Environment and Energy, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinwoo Cho
- Department of Environment and Energy, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Sung Kim
- Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju 28119, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung-Soon Jang
- Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju 28119, Republic of Korea
| | - John P Giesy
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences & Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon SK S7N5B3, Canada
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, Waco, Texas 76798-7266, United States
| | - Seongjin Hong
- Department of Marine Environmental Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Seong Khim
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences & Research Institute of Oceanography, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
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8
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Huang K, Zhang H. Classification and Regression Machine Learning Models for Predicting Aerobic Ready and Inherent Biodegradation of Organic Chemicals in Water. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:12755-12764. [PMID: 35973069 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c01764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Machine learning (ML) is viewed as a promising tool for the prediction of aerobic biodegradation, one of the most important elimination pathways of organic chemicals from the environment. However, available models only have small datasets (<3200 records), make binary classification predictions, evaluate ready biodegradability, and do not incorporate experimental conditions (e.g., system setup and reaction time). This study addressed all these limitations by first compiling a large database of 12,750 records, considering both ready and inherent biodegradation under different conditions, and then developing regression and classification models using different chemical representations and ML algorithms. The best regression model (R2 = 0.54 and root mean square error of 0.25) and classification model (the prediction accuracy from 85.1%) achieved very good performance. The model interpretation indicated that the models correctly captured the effects of chemical substructures, following the order of C═O > O═C-O > OH > CH3 > halogen > branching > N > 6-member ring. The consideration of chemical speciation based on pKa and α notations did not affect the regression model performance but significantly improved the classification model performance (the accuracy increased to 87.6%). The models also showed large applicability domains and provided reasonable predictions for more than 98% of over 850,000 environmentally relevant chemicals in the Distributed Structure-Searchable Toxicity database. These robust, trustable models were finally made widely accessible through two free online predictors with graphical user interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuan Huang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Huichun Zhang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
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9
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Redman AD, Bietz J, Davis JW, Lyon D, Maloney E, Ott A, Otte JC, Palais F, Parsons JR, Wang N. Moving persistence assessments into the 21st century: A role for weight-of-evidence and overall persistence. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2022; 18:868-887. [PMID: 34730270 PMCID: PMC9299815 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Assessing the persistence of chemicals in the environment is a key element in existing regulatory frameworks to protect human health and ecosystems. Persistence in the environment depends on many fate processes, including abiotic and biotic transformations and physical partitioning, which depend on substances' physicochemical properties and environmental conditions. A main challenge in persistence assessment is that existing frameworks rely on simplistic and reductionist evaluation schemes that may lead substances to be falsely assessed as persistent or the other way around-to be falsely assessed as nonpersistent. Those evaluation schemes typically assess persistence against degradation half-lives determined in single-compartment simulation tests or against degradation levels measured in stringent screening tests. Most of the available test methods, however, do not apply to all types of substances, especially substances that are poorly soluble, complex in composition, highly sorptive, or volatile. In addition, the currently applied half-life criteria are derived mainly from a few legacy persistent organic pollutants, which do not represent the large diversity of substances entering the environment. Persistence assessment would undoubtedly benefit from the development of more flexible and holistic evaluation schemes including new concepts and methods. A weight-of-evidence (WoE) approach incorporating multiple influencing factors is needed to account for chemical fate and transformation in the whole environment so as to assess overall persistence. The present paper's aim is to begin to develop an integrated assessment framework that combines multimedia approaches to organize and interpret data using a clear WoE approach to allow for a more consistent, transparent, and thorough assessment of persistence. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:868-887. © 2021 ExxonMobil Biomedical Sciences, Inc. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jens Bietz
- Clariant Produkte (Deutschland) GmbHSulzbachGermany
| | - John W. Davis
- Dow, Inc.MidlandMichiganUSA
- John Davis Consulting, LLCMidlandMichiganUSA
| | | | | | - Amelie Ott
- Newcastle University, School of EngineeringNewcastle upon TyneUK
- European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals (ECETOC)BrusselsBelgium
| | | | - Frédéric Palais
- SOLVAY, HSE PRA‐PS, RICL—Antenne de GenasSaint‐FonsCedexFrance
| | - John R. Parsons
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem DynamicsUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Neil Wang
- TotalEnergies Marketing & ServicesParis la DéfenseFrance
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10
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van Dijk J, Flerlage H, Beijer S, Slootweg JC, van Wezel AP. Safe and sustainable by design: A computer-based approach to redesign chemicals for reduced environmental hazards. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 296:134050. [PMID: 35189194 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Persistency of chemicals in the environment is seen a pressing issue as it results in accumulation of chemicals over time. Persistent chemicals can be an asset in a well-functioning circular economy where products are more durable and can be reused or recycled. This objective can however not always be fulfilled as release of chemicals from products into the environment can be inherently coupled to their use. In these situations, chemicals should be designed for degradation. In this study, a systematic and computer-aided workflow was developed to facilitate the chemical redesign for reduced persistency. The approach includes elements of Essential Use, Alternatives Assessment and Green and Circular Chemistry and ties into goals recently formulated in the context of the EU Green Deal. The organophosphate chemical triisobutylphosphate (TiBP) was used as a case study for exploration of the approach, as its emission to the environment was expected to be inevitable when used as a flame retardant. Over 6.3 million alternative structures were created in silico and filtered based on QSAR outputs to remove potentially non-readily biodegradable structures. With a multi-criteria analysis based on predicted properties and synthesizability a top 500 of most desirable structures was identified. The target structure (di-n-butyl (2-hydroxyethyl) phosphate) was manually selected and synthesized. The approach can be expanded and further verified to reach its full potential in the mitigation of chemical pollution and to help enable a safe circular economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanke van Dijk
- Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, 3584, CB, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 94240, GE, 1090, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Hannah Flerlage
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 94240, GE, 1090, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 94157, GD, 1090, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Steven Beijer
- Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 94157, GD, 1090, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - J Chris Slootweg
- Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 94157, GD, 1090, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Annemarie P van Wezel
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 94240, GE, 1090, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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11
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Gwak J, Cha J, Lee J, Kim Y, An SA, Lee S, Moon HB, Hur J, Giesy JP, Hong S, Khim JS. Effect-directed identification of novel aryl hydrocarbon receptor-active aromatic compounds in coastal sediments collected from a highly industrialized area. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 803:149969. [PMID: 34481160 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149969] [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: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we identified major aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonists in the sediments from Yeongil Bay (n = 6) using effect-directed analysis. Using the H4IIE-luc bioassays, great AhR-mediated potencies were found in aromatic fractions (F2) of sediment organic extracts from silica gel column chromatography and sub-fractions (F2.6-F2.8) from reverse phase-HPLC. Full-scan mass spectrometric analysis using GC-QTOFMS was conducted to identify novel AhR agonists in highly potent fractions, such as F2.6-F2.8 of S1 (Gumu Creek). Selection criteria for AhR-active compounds consisted of three steps, including matching factor of NIST library (≥70), aromatic structures, and the number of aromatic rings (≥4). Fifty-nine compounds were selected as tentative AhR agonist candidates, with the AhR-mediated activity being assessed for six compounds for which standard materials were available commercially. Of these compounds, 20-methylcholanthrene, 7-methylbenz[a]anthracene, 10-methylbenz[a]pyrene, and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene exhibited significant AhR-mediated potency. Relative potency values of these compounds were determined relative to benzo[a]pyrene to be 3.2, 1.4, 1.2, and 0.2, respectively. EPA positive matrix factorization modeling indicated that the sedimentary AhR-active aromatic compounds primarily originated from coal combustion and vehicle emissions. Potency balance analysis indicated that four novel AhR agonists explained 0.007% to 1.7% of bioassay-derived AhR-mediated potencies in samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyun Gwak
- Department of Marine Environmental Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihyun Cha
- Department of Marine Environmental Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Junghyun Lee
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Research Institute of Oceanography, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngnam Kim
- Department of Marine Environmental Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Ah An
- Department of Marine Environmental Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunggyu Lee
- Department of Marine Science and Convergence Engineering, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo-Bang Moon
- Department of Marine Science and Convergence Engineering, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Hur
- Department of Environment and Energy, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Republic of Korea
| | - John P Giesy
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences & Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N5B3, Canada; Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798-7266, United States
| | - Seongjin Hong
- Department of Marine Environmental Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jong Seong Khim
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Research Institute of Oceanography, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
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12
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Singh AK, Bilal M, Iqbal HMN, Raj A. Trends in predictive biodegradation for sustainable mitigation of environmental pollutants: Recent progress and future outlook. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 770:144561. [PMID: 33736422 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The feasibility of in-silico techniques, together with the computational framework, has been applied to predictive bioremediation aiming to clean-up contaminants, toxicity evaluation, and possibilities for the degradation of complex recalcitrant compounds. Emerging contaminants from different industries have posed a significant hazard to the environment and public health. Given current bioremediation strategies, it is often a failure or inadequate for sustainable mitigation of hazardous pollutants. However, clear-cut vital information about biodegradation is quite incomplete from a conventional remediation techniques perspective. Lacking complete information on bio-transformed compounds leads to seeking alternative methods. Only scarce information about the transformed products and toxicity profile is available in the published literature. To fulfill this literature gap, various computational or in-silico technologies have emerged as alternating techniques, which are being recognized as in-silico approaches for bioremediation. Molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, and biodegradation pathways predictions are the vital part of predictive biodegradation, including the Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR), Quantitative structure-biodegradation relationship (QSBR) model system. Furthermore, machine learning (ML), artificial neural network (ANN), genetic algorithm (GA) based programs offer simultaneous biodegradation prediction along with toxicity and environmental fate prediction. Herein, we spotlight the feasibility of in-silico remediation approaches for various persistent, recalcitrant contaminants while traditional bioremediation fails to mitigate such pollutants. Such could be addressed by exploiting described model systems and algorithm-based programs. Furthermore, recent advances in QSAR modeling, algorithm, and dedicated biodegradation prediction system have been summarized with unique attributes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anil Kumar Singh
- Environmental Microbiology Laboratory, Environmental Toxicology Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR), Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Muhammad Bilal
- School of Life Science and Food Engineering, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huaian 223003, China
| | - Hafiz M N Iqbal
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Monterrey 64849, Mexico.
| | - Abhay Raj
- Environmental Microbiology Laboratory, Environmental Toxicology Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR), Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
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13
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Sanabria P, Scunderlick D, Wilde ML, Lüdtke DS, Sirtori C. Solar photo-Fenton treatment of the anti-cancer drug anastrozole in different aqueous matrices at near-neutral pH: Transformation products identification, pathways proposal, and in silico (Q)SAR risk assessment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 754:142300. [PMID: 33254902 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Anastrozole (ANZ) is a breast cancer drug that was introduced onto the pharmaceutical market in the 1990s and is still one of the most widely consumed cytotoxic compounds. Due to the persistence of the drug, its continued presence after passing through wastewater treatment plants can lead to harm to aquatic environments. The present study investigates use of the solar photo-Fenton (SPF) process applied for ANZ degradation, considering the fate of ANZ and its transformation products (TPs). The SPF process was performed using different concentrations of ferrous iron (Fe2+) and H2O2 in solutions produced with deionized water (DW) and hospital wastewater (HWW), at pH close to neutrality. When solar irradiation in the SPF process was carried out the best ANZ removal rates were found under the following conditions: (i) for the DW matrix, [ANZ]0 = 50 μg L-1, [Fe2+] = 5 mg L-1, and [H2O2]0 = 25 mg L-1, achieving 95% primary ANZ elimination; (ii) for the HWW matrix, [ANZ]0 = 50 μg L-1, [Fe2+] = 10 mg L-1(multiple additions), and [H2O2]0 = 25 mg L-1, achieving 51% primary ANZ elimination. LC-QTOF MS analysis allowed to identify tentatively five transformation products (TPs) formed during the ANZ degradation process in DW, and two TPs when HWW was used. The main proposed degradation pathways were demethylation and hydroxylation. Different in silico models free available (quantitative) structure-activity relationship ((Q)SAR) software were used to predict the ecotoxicities and environmental fates of ANZ and the TPs. The in silico (Q)SAR predictions indicated that ANZ and the TPs were non-biodegradable compounds. In silico (Q)SAR predictions for mutagenicity and carcinogenicity end-points identified some TPs that require further study. Attention is drawn to the formation of several TPs for which statistical and rule-based positive alerts for mutagenic activities were found, requiring further confirmatory in vitro validation tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Sanabria
- Instituto de Química-UFRGS, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, CEP 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Davi Scunderlick
- Instituto de Química-UFRGS, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, CEP 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Marcelo L Wilde
- Instituto de Química-UFRGS, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, CEP 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Diogo S Lüdtke
- Instituto de Química-UFRGS, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, CEP 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Carla Sirtori
- Instituto de Química-UFRGS, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, CEP 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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14
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An Y, Hong S, Yoon SJ, Cha J, Shin KH, Khim JS. Current contamination status of traditional and emerging persistent toxic substances in the sediments of Ulsan Bay, South Korea. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 160:111560. [PMID: 32841802 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Contamination status of traditional and emerging persistent toxic substances (PTSs) in sediments and their major sources were investigated in Ulsan Bay, Korea. A total of 47 PTSs, including 15 traditional PAHs, ten styrene oligomers (SOs), six alkylphenols (APs), and 16 emerging PAHs (E-PAHs) were analyzed. Concentrations of traditional PAHs, SOs, and APs ranged from 35 to 1300 ng g-1 dry weight (dw), 30 to 3800 ng g-1 dw, and 30 to 430 ng g-1 dw, respectively. For the last 20 years, PTSs contamination in the bay area has been improved. However, 12 E-PAHs were widely detected in sediments, with a maximum of 240 ng g-1 dw (for benzo[e]pyrene) at the creek site. These E-PAHs seemed to originate from surrounding activities, such as biomass combustion, mobile sources, and diesel combustion. Due to environmental concerns for E-PAHs, further research on the potential toxicity, distribution, and behavior of these compounds should be implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoonyoung An
- Department of Ocean Environmental Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Seongjin Hong
- Department of Ocean Environmental Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea.
| | - Seo Joon Yoon
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences & Research Institute of Oceanography, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihyun Cha
- Department of Ocean Environmental Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Hoon Shin
- Department of Marine Science and Convergence Engineering, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Seong Khim
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences & Research Institute of Oceanography, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
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15
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Osawa RA, Monteiro OC, Oliveira MC, Florêncio MH. Comparative study on photocatalytic degradation of the antidepressant trazodone using (Co, Fe and Ru) doped titanate nanowires: Kinetics, transformation products and in silico toxicity assessment. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 259:127486. [PMID: 32634724 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Titanate nanomaterials have been outstanding in the removal of emerging contaminants by the photocatalysis process. These photocatalysts, when modified through techniques such as doping with metals, they have advantages over TiO2, especially in the region of visible light. In this work, the photocatalytic performance of four recent reported catalysts, pristine titanate nanowires, cobalt-doped titanate nanowires, iron-doped titanate nanowires and ruthenium-doped titanate nanowires, for the removal of the antidepressant trazodone under visible light radiation was compared. The iron-doped titanate nanowires presented the best catalytic activity by the catalyst surface area. Additionally, thirteen transformation products (TPs) were identified by high-resolution mass spectrometry and, to the best of our knowledge, nine of them have never been described in the literature. It was shown that for each catalyst different TPs were formed with distinct time profiles. Finally, toxicity assessment by computational methods showed that TPs were not readily biodegradable and they presented toxicity to aquatic organisms with mutagenic potential. These findings reinforce the importance of taking into consideration the TPs formed during the removal of pollutants since many of them may be toxic and can be produced during photocatalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo A Osawa
- Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, ULisboa, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal; Laboratório de FTICR e Espectrometria de Massa Estrutural, Faculdade de Ciências, ULisboa, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Olinda C Monteiro
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Faculdade de Ciências, ULisboa, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - M Conceição Oliveira
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Instituto Superior Técnico, ULisboa, 1049-001, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - M Helena Florêncio
- Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, ULisboa, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal; Laboratório de FTICR e Espectrometria de Massa Estrutural, Faculdade de Ciências, ULisboa, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal
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16
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Della-Flora A, Wilde ML, Pinto IDF, Lima ÉC, Sirtori C. Degradation of the anticancer drug flutamide by solar photo-Fenton treatment at near-neutral pH: Identification of transformation products and in silico (Q)SAR risk assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 183:109223. [PMID: 32045729 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Flutamide (FLUT) is a non-steroidal drug mainly used in the treatment of prostate cancer and has been detected in the aquatic environment at ng L-1 levels. The environmental fate and effects of FLUT have not yet been studied. Conventional treatment technologies fail to completely remove pharmaceuticals, so the solar photo-Fenton process (SPF) has been proposed as an alternative. In this study, the degradation of FLUT, at two different initial concentrations in ultra-pure water, was carried out by SPF. The initial SPF conditions were pH0 5, [Fe2+]0 = 5 mg L-1, and [H2O2]0 = 50 mg L-1. Preliminary elimination rates of 53.4% and 73.4%. The kinetics of FLUT degradation could be fitted by a pseudo-first order model and the kobs were 6.57 × 10-3 and 9.13 × 10-3 min-1 t30W and the half-life times were 95.62 and 73.10 min t30W were achieved for [FLUT]0 of 5 mg L-1 and 500 μg L-1, respectively. Analysis using LC-QTOF MS identified thirteen transformation products (TPs) during the FLUT degradation process. The main degradation pathways proposed were hydroxylation, hydrogen abstraction, demethylation, NO2 elimination, cleavage, and aromatic ring opening. Different in silico (quantitative) structure-activity relationship ((Q)SAR) freeware models were used to predict the toxicities and environmental fates of FLUT and the TPs. The in silico predictions indicated that these substances were not biodegradable, while some TPs were classified near the threshold point to be considered as PBT compounds. The in silico (Q)SAR predictions gave positive alerts concerning the mutagenicity and carcinogenicity endpoints. Additionally, the (Q)SAR toolbox software provided structural alerts corresponding to the positive alerts obtained with the different mutagenicity and carcinogenicity models, supporting the positive alerts with more proactive information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Della-Flora
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, CEP 91501-970, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Marcelo L Wilde
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, CEP 91501-970, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Igor D F Pinto
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, CEP 91501-970, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Éder C Lima
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, CEP 91501-970, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Carla Sirtori
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, CEP 91501-970, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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17
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Nolte TM, Chen G, van Schayk CS, Pinto-Gil K, Hendriks AJ, Peijnenburg WJGM, Ragas AMJ. Disentanglement of the chemical, physical, and biological processes aids the development of quantitative structure-biodegradation relationships for aerobic wastewater treatment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 708:133863. [PMID: 31771845 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.133863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
Attenuation of organic compounds in sewage treatment plants (STPs) is affected by a complex interplay between chemical (e.g. ionization, hydrolysis), physical (e.g. sorption, volatilization), and biological (e.g. biodegradation, microbial acclimation) processes. These effects should be accounted for individually, in order to develop predictive cheminformatics tools for STPs. Using measured data from 70 STPs in the Netherlands for 69 chemicals (pharmaceuticals, herbicides, etc.), we highlighted the influences of 1) chemical ionization, 2) sorption to sludge, and 3) acclimation of the microbial consortia on the primary removal of chemicals. We used semi-empirical corrections for each of these influences to deduce biodegradation rate constants upon which quantitative structure-biodegradation relationships (QSBRs) were developed. As shown by a global QSBR, biodegradation in STPs generally relates to structural complexity, size, energetics, and charge distribution. Statistics of the global QSBR were reasonable, being R2training=0.69 (training set of 51 compounds) and R2validation=0.50 (validation set of 18 compounds). Class-specific QSBRs utilized electronic properties potentially relating to rate-limiting enzymatic steps. For class-specific QSBRs, values of R2 of in between 0.7 and 0.8 were obtained. With caution, environmental risk assessment methodologies may apply these models to estimate biodegradation rates for 'data-poor' compounds. The approach also highlights 'meta data' on STP operational parameters needed to develop QSBRs of better predictability in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom M Nolte
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, PO Box 9010, 6500 GL Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Eidgenossische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zurich, Laboratory of Inorganic Chemistry, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Guangchao Chen
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, PO Box 9010, 6500 GL Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, 2300 RA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Coen S van Schayk
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, PO Box 9010, 6500 GL Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Kevin Pinto-Gil
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques (IMIM), Dept. of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Jan Hendriks
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, PO Box 9010, 6500 GL Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Willie J G M Peijnenburg
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, 2300 RA Leiden, the Netherlands; National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, PO Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Ad M J Ragas
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, PO Box 9010, 6500 GL Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Science, Faculty of Management, Science & Technology, Open University, Valkenburgerweg 177, 6419 AT Heerlen, the Netherlands
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18
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Cha J, Hong S, Kim J, Lee J, Yoon SJ, Lee S, Moon HB, Shin KH, Hur J, Giesy JP, Khim JS. Major AhR-active chemicals in sediments of Lake Sihwa, South Korea: Application of effect-directed analysis combined with full-scan screening analysis. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 133:105199. [PMID: 31675573 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This study utilized effect-directed analysis (EDA) combined with full-scan screening analysis (FSA) to identify aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-active compounds in sediments of inland creeks flowing into Lake Sihwa, South Korea. The specific objectives were to (i) investigate the major AhR-active fractions of organic extracts of sediments by using H4IIE-luc in vitro bioassay (4 h and 72 h exposures), (ii) quantify known AhR agonists, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and styrene oligomers (SOs), (iii) identify unknown AhR agonists by use of gas chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-QTOFMS), and (iv) determine contributions of AhR agonists to total potencies measured by use of the bioassay. FSA was conducted on fractions F2.6 and F2.7 (aromatics with log Kow 5-7) in extracts of sediment from Siheung Creek (industrial area). Those fractions exhibited significant AhR-mediated potency as well as relatively great concentrations of PAHs and SOs. FSA detected 461 and 449 compounds in F2.6 and F2.7, respectively. Of these, five tentative candidates of AhR agonist were selected based on NIST library matching, aromatic structures and numbers of rings, and available standards. Benz[b]anthracene, 11H-benzo[a]fluorene, and 4,5-methanochrysene exhibited significant AhR-mediated potency in the H4IIE-luc bioassay, and relative potencies of these compounds were determined. Potency balance analysis demonstrated that these three newly identified AhR agonists explained 1.1% to 67% of total induced AhR-mediated potencies of samples, which were particularly great for industrial sediments. Follow-up studies on sources and ecotoxicological effects of these compounds in coastal environments would be required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihyun Cha
- Department of Ocean Environmental Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Seongjin Hong
- Department of Ocean Environmental Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jaeseong Kim
- Department of Ocean Environmental Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Junghyun Lee
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences & Research Institute of Oceanography, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Seo Joon Yoon
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences & Research Institute of Oceanography, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunggyu Lee
- Department of Marine Science and Convergence Engineering, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo-Bang Moon
- Department of Marine Science and Convergence Engineering, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Hoon Shin
- Department of Marine Science and Convergence Engineering, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Hur
- Department of Environment & Energy, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Republic of Korea
| | - John P Giesy
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences & Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B3, Canada; Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798-7266, United States
| | - Jong Seong Khim
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences & Research Institute of Oceanography, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
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19
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Koutinas M, Vasquez MI, Nicolaou E, Pashali P, Kyriakou E, Loizou E, Papadaki A, Koutinas AA, Vyrides I. Biodegradation and toxicity of emerging contaminants: Isolation of an exopolysaccharide-producing Sphingomonas sp. for ionic liquids bioremediation. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2019; 365:88-96. [PMID: 30412811 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2018.10.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Revised: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/20/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Ionic liquids (ILs) have been characterized as contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) that often resist biodegradation and impose toxicity upon environmental release. Sphingomonas sp. MKIV has been isolated as an extreme microorganism capable for biodegradation of major classes of ILs. Six imidazolium-, pyridinium- and ammonium-based ILs (pyridinium trifluoromethanesulfonate [Py][CF3SO3], 1-(4-pyridyl)pyridinium chloride [1-4PPy][Cl], 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide [BMIM][Br], 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium methanesulfonate [BMIM][MeSO4], tetrabutylammonium iodide [n-Bu4N][I] and tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate [n-Bu4N][PF6]) were used for microbial growth. The strain achieved 91% and 87% removal efficiency for cultures supplemented with 100 mg L-1 of [BMIM][MeSO4] and [n-Bu4N][I] respectively. The metabolic activity of MKIV was inhibited following preliminary stages of cultures conducted using [BMIM][MeSO4], [BMIM][Br], [Py][CF3SO3] and [n-Bu4N][PF6], indicating potential accumulation of inhibitory metabolites. Thus, a comprehensive toxicological study of the six ILs on Aliivibrio fischeri, Daphnia magna and Raphidocelis subcapitata was conducted demonstrating that the compounds impose moderate and low toxicity. The end-products from [BMIM][MeSO4] and [n-Bu4N][I] biodegradation were assessed using Aliivibrio fischeri, exhibiting increased environmental impact of the latter following biotreatment. MKIV produced 19.29 g L-1 of biopolymer, comprising mainly glucose and galacturonic acid, from 25 g L-1 of glucose indicating high industrial significance for bioremediation and exopolysaccharide production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michalis Koutinas
- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Cyprus University of Technology, 30 Archbishop Kyprianou Str., 3036, Limassol, Cyprus.
| | - Marlen I Vasquez
- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Cyprus University of Technology, 30 Archbishop Kyprianou Str., 3036, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Euthimia Nicolaou
- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Cyprus University of Technology, 30 Archbishop Kyprianou Str., 3036, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Petros Pashali
- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Cyprus University of Technology, 30 Archbishop Kyprianou Str., 3036, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Eleni Kyriakou
- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Cyprus University of Technology, 30 Archbishop Kyprianou Str., 3036, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Elena Loizou
- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Cyprus University of Technology, 30 Archbishop Kyprianou Str., 3036, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Aikaterini Papadaki
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 118 55, Athens, Greece
| | - Apostolis A Koutinas
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 118 55, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Vyrides
- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Cyprus University of Technology, 30 Archbishop Kyprianou Str., 3036, Limassol, Cyprus
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20
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Rücker C, Mahmoud WMM, Schwartz D, Kümmerer K. Biodegradation tests of mercaptocarboxylic acids, their esters, related divalent sulfur compounds and mercaptans. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:18393-18411. [PMID: 29667058 PMCID: PMC6061509 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-1812-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Mercaptocarboxylic acids and their esters, a class of difunctional compounds bearing both a mercapto and a carboxylic acid or ester functional group, are industrial chemicals of potential environmental concern. Biodegradation of such compounds was systematically investigated here, both by literature search and by experiments (Closed Bottle Test OECD 301D and Manometric Respirometry Test OECD 301F). These compounds were found either readily biodegradable or at least biodegradable to a significant extent. Some related compounds of divalent sulfur were tested for comparison (mercaptans, sulfides, disulfides). For the two relevant monofunctional compound classes, carboxylic acids/esters and mercaptans, literature data were compiled, and by comparison with structurally similar compounds without these functional groups, the influence of COOH/COOR' and SH groups on biodegradability was evaluated. Thereby, an existing rule of thumb for biodegradation of carboxylic acids/esters was supported by experimental data, and a rule of thumb could be formulated for mercaptans. Concurrent to biodegradation, abiotic processes were observed in the experiments, rapid oxidative formation of disulfides (dimerisation of monomercaptans and cyclisation of dimercaptans) and hydrolysis of esters. Some problems that compromise the reproducibility of biodegradation test results were discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Rücker
- Institute of Sustainable and Environmental Chemistry, Leuphana University Lüneburg, Universitätsallee 1, 21335, Lüneburg, Germany.
| | - Waleed M M Mahmoud
- Institute of Sustainable and Environmental Chemistry, Leuphana University Lüneburg, Universitätsallee 1, 21335, Lüneburg, Germany
- Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt
| | - Dirk Schwartz
- Bruno Bock Thiochemicals, 21436, Marschacht, Germany
| | - Klaus Kümmerer
- Institute of Sustainable and Environmental Chemistry, Leuphana University Lüneburg, Universitätsallee 1, 21335, Lüneburg, Germany
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21
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Molecular docking and dynamic studies of bioactive compounds from Naravelia zeylanica (L.) DC against glycogen synthase kinase-3β protein. JOURNAL OF TAIBAH UNIVERSITY FOR SCIENCE 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtusci.2014.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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22
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Zhan Z, Li L, Tian S, Zhen X, Li Y. Prediction of chemical biodegradability using computational methods. MOLECULAR SIMULATION 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/08927022.2017.1328556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhixiong Zhan
- Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Soochow University, Suzhou, P.R. China
| | - Linlang Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Translational Research and Therapy for Neuro-Psycho-Diseases and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, P.R. China
| | - Sheng Tian
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Translational Research and Therapy for Neuro-Psycho-Diseases and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, P.R. China
| | - Xuechu Zhen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Translational Research and Therapy for Neuro-Psycho-Diseases and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, P.R. China
| | - Youyong Li
- Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Soochow University, Suzhou, P.R. China
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23
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Geerts R, van Ginkel CG, Plugge CM. Read-across of ready biodegradability based on the substrate specificity of N-alkyl polypropylene polyamine-degrading microorganisms. SAR AND QSAR IN ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2017; 28:311-323. [PMID: 28480742 DOI: 10.1080/1062936x.2017.1316517] [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: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The biodegradation of N-alkyl polypropylene polyamines (NAPPs) was studied using pure and mixed cultures to enable read-across of ready biodegradability test results. Two Pseudomonas spp. were isolated from activated sludge with N-oleyl alkyl propylene diamine and N-coco alkyl dipropylene triamine, respectively. Both strains utilized all NAPPs tested as the sole source of carbon, nitrogen and energy for growth. Mineralization of NAPPs was independent of the alkyl chain length and the size of the polyamine moiety. NAPPs degraded in closed bottle tests (CBTs) using both river water and activated sludge. However, ready biodegradability of NAPPs with alkyl chain lengths of 16-18 carbon atoms and polyamine moieties with three and four nitrogen atoms could not be demonstrated. Biodegradation in the CBT was hampered by their limited bioavailability, making assessment of the true ready biodegradability of these highly adsorptive surfactants impossible. All NAPPs are therefore classified as readily biodegradable through read-across. Read-across is justified by the broad substrate specificity of NAPP-degrading microorganisms, their omnipresence and the mineralization of NAPPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Geerts
- a Akzo Nobel Chemicals B.V. , Deventer , The Netherlands
| | - C G van Ginkel
- a Akzo Nobel Chemicals B.V. , Deventer , The Netherlands
| | - C M Plugge
- b Laboratory of Microbiology , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
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24
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Nolte TM, Ragas AMJ. A review of quantitative structure-property relationships for the fate of ionizable organic chemicals in water matrices and identification of knowledge gaps. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2017; 19:221-246. [PMID: 28296985 DOI: 10.1039/c7em00034k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Many organic chemicals are ionizable by nature. After use and release into the environment, various fate processes determine their concentrations, and hence exposure to aquatic organisms. In the absence of suitable data, such fate processes can be estimated using Quantitative Structure-Property Relationships (QSPRs). In this review we compiled available QSPRs from the open literature and assessed their applicability towards ionizable organic chemicals. Using quantitative and qualitative criteria we selected the 'best' QSPRs for sorption, (a)biotic degradation, and bioconcentration. The results indicate that many suitable QSPRs exist, but some critical knowledge gaps remain. Specifically, future focus should be directed towards the development of QSPR models for biodegradation in wastewater and sediment systems, direct photolysis and reaction with singlet oxygen, as well as additional reactive intermediates. Adequate QSPRs for bioconcentration in fish exist, but more accurate assessments can be achieved using pharmacologically based toxicokinetic (PBTK) models. No adequate QSPRs exist for bioconcentration in non-fish species. Due to the high variability of chemical and biological species as well as environmental conditions in QSPR datasets, accurate predictions for specific systems and inter-dataset conversions are problematic, for which standardization is needed. For all QSPR endpoints, additional data requirements involve supplementing the current chemical space covered and accurately characterizing the test systems used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom M Nolte
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9010, 6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Ad M J Ragas
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9010, 6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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25
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François B, Armand M, Marie-José D, Thouand G. From laboratory to environmental conditions: a new approach for chemical's biodegradability assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 23:18684-93. [PMID: 27312897 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-7062-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
With thousands of organic chemicals released every day into our environment, Europe and other continents are confronted with increased risk of health and environmental problems. Even if a strict regulation such as REgistration, Authorization and restriction of CHemicals (REACH) is imposed and followed by industry to ensure that they prove the harmlessness of their substances, not all testing procedures are designed to cope with the complexity of the environment. This is especially true for the evaluation of persistence through biodegradability assessment guidelines. Our new approach has been to adapt "in the lab" biodegradability assessment to the environmental conditions and model the probability for a biodegradation test to be positive in the form of a logistic function of both the temperature and the viable cell density. Here, a proof of this new concept is proposed with the establishment of tri-dimensional biodegradability profiles of six chemicals (sodium benzoate, 4-nitrophenol, diethylene glycol, 2,4,5-trichlorophenol, atrazine, and glyphosate) between 4 to 30 °C and 10(4) to 10(8) cells ml(-1) as can be found in environmental compartments in time and space. The results show a significant increase of the predictive power of existing screening lab-scale tests designed for soluble substances. This strategy can be complementary to those current testing strategies with the creation of new indicators to quantify environmental persistence using lab-scale tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brillet François
- Université de Nantes, UMR CNRS 6144 GEPEA, IUT Génie Biologique, La Roche sur Yon, France
| | - Maul Armand
- Université de Lorraine, LIEC-UMR CNRS, 7360, Metz, France
| | - Durand Marie-José
- Université de Nantes, UMR CNRS 6144 GEPEA, IUT Génie Biologique, La Roche sur Yon, France
| | - Gérald Thouand
- Université de Nantes, UMR CNRS 6144 GEPEA, IUT Génie Biologique, La Roche sur Yon, France.
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26
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Benfenati E, Belli M, Borges T, Casimiro E, Cester J, Fernandez A, Gini G, Honma M, Kinzl M, Knauf R, Manganaro A, Mombelli E, Petoumenou MI, Paparella M, Paris P, Raitano G. Results of a round-robin exercise on read-across. SAR AND QSAR IN ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2016; 27:371-384. [PMID: 27167159 DOI: 10.1080/1062936x.2016.1178171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
A round-robin exercise was conducted within the CALEIDOS LIFE project. The participants were invited to assess the hazard posed by a substance, applying in silico methods and read-across approaches. The exercise was based on three endpoints: mutagenicity, bioconcentration factor and fish acute toxicity. Nine chemicals were assigned for each endpoint and the participants were invited to complete a specific questionnaire communicating their conclusions. The interesting aspect of this exercise is the justification behind the answers more than the final prediction in itself. Which tools were used? How did the approach selected affect the final answer?
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Affiliation(s)
- E Benfenati
- a IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri , Milano , Italy
| | - M Belli
- a IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri , Milano , Italy
| | - T Borges
- b Direcção-Geral da Saúde , Lisboa , Portugal
| | - E Casimiro
- c INFOTOX, Consultores de Riscos Ambientais e Tecnológicos, Lda , Lisboa , Portugal
| | - J Cester
- d Universitat Rovira i Virgili , Tarragona , Spain
| | - A Fernandez
- d Universitat Rovira i Virgili , Tarragona , Spain
| | - G Gini
- e Politecnico di Milano, Dipartimento di Elettronica e Informazione , Milan , Italy
| | - M Honma
- f Division of Genetics and Mutagenesis , National Institute of Health Sciences , Tokyo , Japan
| | - M Kinzl
- g Umweltbundesamt GmbH , Vienna , Austria
| | - R Knauf
- h Centro REACH S.r.l. , Milan , Italy
| | | | - E Mombelli
- j Institut National de l'Environnement Industriel et des Risques , Verneuil-en-Halatte , France
| | - M I Petoumenou
- a IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri , Milano , Italy
| | | | - P Paris
- k Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale , Rome , Italy
| | - G Raitano
- a IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri , Milano , Italy
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27
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Baderna D, Lomazzi E, Passoni A, Pogliaghi A, Petoumenou MI, Bagnati R, Lodi M, Viarengo A, Sforzini S, Benfenati E, Fanelli R. Chemical characterization and ecotoxicity of three soil foaming agents used in mechanized tunneling. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2015; 296:210-220. [PMID: 25917697 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2015.04.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2014] [Revised: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The construction of tunnels and rocks with mechanized drills produces several tons of rocky debris that are today recycled as construction material or as soil replacement for covering rocky areas. The lack of accurate information about the environmental impact of these excavated rocks and foaming agents added during the excavation process has aroused increasing concern for ecosystems and human health. The present study proposes an integrated approach to the assessment of the potential environmental impact of three foaming agents containing different anionic surfactants and other polymers currently on the market and used in tunnel boring machines. The strategy includes chemical characterization with high resolution mass spectrometry techniques to identify the components of each product, the use of in silico tools to perform a similarity comparison among these compounds and some pollutants already listed in regulatory frameworks to identify possible threshold concentrations of contamination, and the application of a battery of ecotoxicological assays to investigate the impact of each foaming mixture on model organisms of soil (higher plants and Eisenia andrei) and water communities (Daphnia magna). The study identified eleven compounds not listed on the material safety data sheets for which we have identified possible concentrations of contamination based on existing regulatory references. The bioassays allowed us to determine the no effect concentrations (NOAECs) of the three mixtures, which were subsequently used as threshold concentration for the product in its entirety. The technical mixtures used in this study have a different degree of toxicity and the predicted environmental concentrations based on the conditions of use are lower than the NOAEC for soils but higher than the NOAEC for water, posing a potential risk to the waters due to the levels of foaming agents in the muck.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Baderna
- Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Via Giuseppe La Masa 19, 20156 Milan, Italy.
| | - Eleonora Lomazzi
- Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Via Giuseppe La Masa 19, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Alice Passoni
- Unit of Analytical Instrumentation, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Via Giuseppe La Masa 19, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Pogliaghi
- Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Via Giuseppe La Masa 19, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Ifigeneia Petoumenou
- Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Via Giuseppe La Masa 19, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Renzo Bagnati
- Unit of Analytical Instrumentation, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Via Giuseppe La Masa 19, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Lodi
- Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Via Giuseppe La Masa 19, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Aldo Viarengo
- Department of Sciences and Technological Innovation (DiSIT), University of Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", 15121 Alessandria, Italy
| | - Susanna Sforzini
- Department of Sciences and Technological Innovation (DiSIT), University of Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", 15121 Alessandria, Italy
| | - Emilio Benfenati
- Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Via Giuseppe La Masa 19, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Fanelli
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Via Giuseppe La Masa 19, 20156 Milan, Italy
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28
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Fernández A, Rallo R, Giralt F. Prioritization of in silico models and molecular descriptors for the assessment of ready biodegradability. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2015; 142:161-168. [PMID: 26160046 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2015.06.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2015] [Revised: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 06/25/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Ready biodegradability is a key property for evaluating the long-term effects of chemicals on the environment and human health. As such, it is used as a screening test for the assessment of persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic substances. Regulators encourage the use of non-testing methods, such as in silico models, to save money and time. A dataset of 757 chemicals was collected to assess the performance of four freely available in silico models that predict ready biodegradability. They were applied to develop a new consensus method that prioritizes the use of each individual model according to its performance on chemical subsets driven by the presence or absence of different molecular descriptors. This consensus method was capable of almost eliminating unpredictable chemicals, while the performance of combined models was substantially improved with respect to that of the individual models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Fernández
- Departament d'Enginyeria Quimica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Robert Rallo
- Departament d'Enginyeria Informatica i Matematiques, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Francesc Giralt
- Departament d'Enginyeria Quimica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain
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29
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Abstract
The importance of biodegradation data as part of the design of safer chemicals is presented using ionic liquids (ILs) as a model study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Jordan
- School of Chemical Sciences
- Dublin City University
- Dublin 9
- Ireland
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30
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Boethling R. Comparison of ready biodegradation estimation methods for fragrance materials. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 497-498:60-67. [PMID: 25119791 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.07.090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2014] [Revised: 07/22/2014] [Accepted: 07/22/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Biodegradability is fundamental to the assessment of environmental exposure and risk from organic chemicals. Predictive models can be used to pursue both regulatory and chemical design (green chemistry) objectives, which are most effectively met when models are easy to use and available free of charge. The objective of this work was to evaluate no-cost estimation programs with respect to prediction of ready biodegradability. Fragrance materials, which are structurally diverse and have significant exposure potential, were used for this purpose. Using a database of 222 fragrance compounds with measured ready biodegradability, 10 models were compared on the basis of overall accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC), a measure of quality for binary classification. The 10 models were VEGA© Non-Interactive Client, START (Toxtree©), Biowin©1-6, and two models based on inductive machine learning. Applicability domain (AD) was also considered. Overall accuracy was ca. 70% and varied little over all models, but sensitivity, specificity and MCC showed wider variation. Based on MCC, the best models for fragrance compounds were Biowin6, VEGA and Biowin3. VEGA performance was slightly better for the <50% of the compounds it identified as having "high reliability" predictions (AD index >0.8). However, removing compounds with one and only one quaternary carbon yielded similar improvement in predictivity for VEGA, START, and Biowin3/6, with a smaller penalty in reduced coverage. Of the nine compounds for which the eight models (VEGA, START, Biowin1-6) all disagreed with the measured value, measured analog data were available for seven, and all supported the predicted value. VEGA, Biowin3 and Biowin6 are judged suitable for ready biodegradability screening of fragrance compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Boethling
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC, USA.
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31
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Lombardo A, Pizzo F, Benfenati E, Manganaro A, Ferrari T, Gini G. A new in silico classification model for ready biodegradability, based on molecular fragments. CHEMOSPHERE 2014; 108:10-16. [PMID: 24875906 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.02.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2013] [Accepted: 02/22/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Regulations such as the European REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and restriction of Chemicals) often require chemicals to be evaluated for ready biodegradability, to assess the potential risk for environmental and human health. Because not all chemicals can be tested, there is an increasing demand for tools for quick and inexpensive biodegradability screening, such as computer-based (in silico) theoretical models. We developed an in silico model starting from a dataset of 728 chemicals with ready biodegradability data (MITI-test Ministry of International Trade and Industry). We used the novel software SARpy to automatically extract, through a structural fragmentation process, a set of substructures statistically related to ready biodegradability. Then, we analysed these substructures in order to build some general rules. The model consists of a rule-set made up of the combination of the statistically relevant fragments and of the expert-based rules. The model gives good statistical performance with 92%, 82% and 76% accuracy on the training, test and external set respectively. These results are comparable with other in silico models like BIOWIN developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); moreover this new model includes an easily understandable explanation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Lombardo
- IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Via G. La Masa 19, 20156 Milano, Italy
| | - Fabiola Pizzo
- IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Via G. La Masa 19, 20156 Milano, Italy
| | - Emilio Benfenati
- IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Via G. La Masa 19, 20156 Milano, Italy.
| | - Alberto Manganaro
- IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Via G. La Masa 19, 20156 Milano, Italy
| | - Thomas Ferrari
- Politecnico di Milano, Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria, Piazza L. da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Gini
- Politecnico di Milano, Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria, Piazza L. da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy
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