Source-specific ecological risks and critical source identification of PPCPs in surface water: Comparing urban and rural areas

Distribution and potential risk of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) subjected to land function: A case of coastal water source area, China

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) represent emerging contaminants of global concern, yet their distribution in ecologically vulnerable coastal water source areas remains underexplored. This study investigated 29 PPCPs in environment across urban, rural, and reservoir areas within a low-pollution watershed in eastern Guangdong, China. Urban areas exhibited the highest PPCPs concentrations (surface water: 106.92 ng/L; sediment: 185.26 ng/g), followed by rural and reservoir areas. Tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones dominated the detected compounds. Statistical analysis revealed strong positive correlations between PPCPs concentrations and both domestic wastewater discharge and GDP, while vegetation coverage showed negative correlations. Ecological risk assessment indicated primarily low to moderate risks, with macrolides presenting the highest potential hazards despite their lower concentrations. These findings emphasize the need for proactive PPCPs management strategies in ecologically important water source areas, even in regions with relatively low pollution levels, to safeguard downstream water security and ecosystem health.

A nationwide probabilistic risk assessment and a new insight into source-specific risk apportionment of antibiotics in eight typical river basins in China: Human health risk and ecological risk

China is the largest producer and consumer of antibiotics, a nationwide study on the contamination of antibiotics in China is urgently needed, and source apportionment towards risks associated with antibiotics is now attracting increasing attention. In this study, based on eight antibiotics at 666 sampling sites, spatial variations and probabilistic risks (human health and ecological risk) of antibiotics in eight river basins in China were analyzed. Source-specific health and ecological risk associated with antibiotics in a typical basin was apportioned quantitatively. Results showed that mean antibiotic concentration in Haihe River Basin (HaiRB) and Yellow River Basin (178.25 and 257.36 ng·L-1, respectively) was higher than other basins. In HaiRB, the contribution of livestock and poultry breeding (31.89 %) was the largest of all sources for health risk, whereas pharmaceutical wastewater (35.97 %) was the most dominant source for ecological risk. To determine the most important source for risks associated with antibiotics, the concept of risks-targeted key source was proposed, and a risks-targeted key source apportionment model was developed. Results showed that pharmaceutical wastewater should be prior controlled among all sources. The concept and apportionment model of risks-targeted key source proposed in this study are applicable and referential for related studies.

Pharmaceuticals in avian scavengers and other birds of prey: A toxicological perspective to improve risk assessments

Pharmaceuticals are emerging contaminants given their increasing use worldwide due to intensive food production and population growth. These compounds reach the environment through different pathways with potential negative consequences for wildlife. One dramatic example occurred in Asia, where three native vulture populations collapsed almost to extinction due to acute intoxication with diclofenac, a veterinary use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). As seen with diclofenac, avian scavengers are useful sentinels to monitor for the presence of pharmaceuticals in the environment given their position at the top of the trophic chain, and in the case of obligate avian scavengers (vultures), their intimate link to domestic animal carcasses. Unfortunately, little is known about the wider exposure and potential health and population risks of pharmaceuticals to birds of prey. Here we compile literature data regarding relevant toxicological aspects of the most important pharmaceutical groups for birds of prey in terms of toxicity: NSAIDs, antibiotics, external antiparasitics and barbiturates. This work also includes critical information for future risk assessments, including concentrations of drug residues that can remain in animal tissues after treatment, or specific pharmaceutical features that might influence their toxicity in avian scavengers and other birds of prey. We also consider future research needs in this field and provide management recommendations to prevent potential intoxication events with pharmaceuticals in these species. This review highlights the need to consider specific risk assessments regarding exposure to pharmaceuticals, especially those used in veterinary medicine, for birds of prey.

Assessment of occurrence, source appointment, and ecological risks of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in the water-sediment interface of Qiantang River in the Hangzhou region

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) have received global attention owing to their potential risks to human health and the ecological environment. However, limited research has explored the occurrence and ecological risks of PPCPs in the Qiantang River (QTR). QTR, the largest water system in Zhejiang Province, China, is significantly influenced by human activities. This study investigated the occurrence, distribution, and ecological risks of 10 types of PPCPs in both surface water and sediment within QTR. The findings revealed that the concentrations of PPCPs detected in surface water ranged from 81.26 to 149.45 ng L-1 during the wet season (April) and from 98.66 to 198.55 ng L-1 during the dry season (September). Moreover, in the sediments, PPCP concentration ranged from 63.24 to 80.66 and 72.54 to 75.06 ng per g dw during both wet and dry seasons, respectively. Among the selected PPCPs, triclosan (TCS) exhibited the highest concentration across, different phases and seasons, followed by benzotriazole in surface water. The analysis of sediment-water equilibrium distribution indicated that the diffusion tendency of PPCPs was closely correlated with their molecular weights. Particularly, TCS exhibited dynamic equilibrium between water and sediment. Principal component analysis and positive matrix factorization model results indicated similar pollution sources for the detected PPCPs. The dominant sources of the detected PPCPs were identified as wastewater of electroplating enterprises, discharge from wastewater treatment plants, and domestic sewage. The ecological risk assessment based on the risk quotient method revealed that TCS with the highest detected concentration posed a high risk in surface water and a low risk in sediment across all sampling sites. However, other detected PPCPs showed either no or low risks. Additionally, PPCPs showed a higher ecological risk during the dry season than during the wet season.

Unveiling the scope and perspectives of MOF-derived materials for cutting-edge applications

Although synthesis and design of MOFs are crucial factors to the successful implementation of targeted applications, there is still lack of knowledge among researchers about the synthesis of MOFs and their derived composites for practical applications. For example, many researchers manipulate study results, and it has become quite difficult to quit this habit specifically among the young researchers Undoubtedly, MOFs have become an excellent class of compounds but there are many challenges associated with their improvement to attain diverse applications. It has been noted that MOF-derived materials have gained considerable interest owing to their unique chemical properties. These compounds have exhibited excellent potential in various sectors such as energy, catalysis, sensing and environmental applications. It is worth mentioning that most of the researchers rely on commercially available MOFs for use as precursor supports, but it is an unethical and wrong practice because it prevents the exploration of the hidden diversity of similar materials. The reported studies have significant gaps and flaws, they do not have enough details about the exact parameters used for the synthesis of MOFs and their derived materials. For example, many young researchers claim that MOF-based materials cannot be synthesized as per the reported instructions for large-scale implementation. In this regard, current article provides a comprehensive review of the most recent advancements in the design of MOF-derived materials. The methodologies and applications have been evaluated together with their advantages and drawbacks. Additionally, this review suggests important precautions and solutions to overcome the drawbacks associated with their preparation. Applications of MOF-derived materials in the fields of energy, catalysis, sensing and environment have been discussed. No doubt, these materials have become excellent class but there are still many challenges ahead to specify it for the targeted applications.

Occurrence, distribution, and ecological risk assessment of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in the surface water of Lipu River, China

Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) are inadvertently released into the aquatic environment, causing detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystem. There is an urgent need of an in-deep investigation on contamination information of PPCPs in aquatic environment as well as the ecological risks to the aquatic ecosystem. This study was carried out in Lipu River basin, China, to investigate the distribution pattern and ecological risks of PPCPs. Results showed that PPCPs pollution is ubiquitous, 29 out of 30 targeted PPCPs were detected in Lipu River. Fourteen PPCPs were detected with a frequency of 100% in all water samples, and ten PPCPs were detected with a frequency of more than 80%. The cumulated PPCPs concentrations ranged from 33.30 ng/L to 99.60 ng/L, with a median value of 47.20 ng/L in Lipu River. Caffeine, flumequine, nifedipine, and lomefloxacin were the predominant PPCPs in study area. Caffeine showed high ecological risk, five and seven individual PPCP showed medium and low ecological risk to algae.

A Review on Fluoroquinolones' Toxicity to Freshwater Organisms and a Risk Assessment

Fluoroquinolones (FQs) have achieved significant success in both human and veterinary medicine. However, regulatory authorities have recommended limiting their use, firstly because they can have disabling side effects; secondly, because of the need to limit the spread of antibiotic resistance. This review addresses another concerning consequence of the excessive use of FQs: the freshwater environments contamination and the impact on non-target organisms. Here, an overview of the highest concentrations found in Europe, Asia, and the USA is provided, the sensitivity of various taxa is presented through a comparison of the lowest EC50s from about a hundred acute toxicity tests, and primary mechanisms of FQ toxicity are described. A risk assessment is conducted based on the estimation of the Predicted No Effect Concentration (PNEC). This is calculated traditionally and, in a more contemporary manner, by constructing a normalized Species Sensitivity Distribution curve. The lowest individual HC5 (6.52 µg L-1) was obtained for levofloxacin, followed by ciprofloxacin (7.51 µg L-1), sarafloxacin and clinafloxacin (12.23 µg L-1), and ofloxacin (17.12 µg L-1). By comparing the calculated PNEC with detected concentrations, it is evident that the risk cannot be denied: the potential impact of FQs on freshwater ecosystems is a further reason to minimize their use.

Environmental health hazards of untreated livestock wastewater: potential risks and future perspectives

Due to technological and economic limitations, waste products such as sewage and manure generated in livestock farming lack comprehensive scientific and centralized treatment. This leads to the exposure of various contaminants in livestock wastewater, posing potential risks to both the ecological environment and human health. This review evaluates the environmental and physical health risks posed by common pollutants in livestock wastewater and outlines future treatment methods to mitigate these risks. Residual wastes in livestock wastewater, including pathogenic bacteria and parasites surviving after epidemics or diseases on various farms, along with antibiotics, organic wastes, and heavy metals from farming activities, contribute to environmental damage and pose risks to human health. As the livestock industry's development increasingly impacts society's future negatively, addressing the issue of residual wastes in livestock wastewater discharge becomes imperative. Ongoing advancements in wastewater treatment systems are consistently updating and refining practices to effectively minimize waste exposure at the discharge source, mitigating risks to environmental ecology and human health. This review not only summarizes the "potential risks of livestock wastewater" but also explores "the prospects for the development of wastewater treatment technologies" based on current reports. It offers valuable insights to support the long-term and healthy development of the livestock industry and contribute to the sustainable development of the ecological environment.

Occurrence and distribution of PPCPs in water from two largest urban lakes of China: First perspective from DGT in-situ measurement

Pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) are an important group of emerging contaminants that may threaten organisms at trace concentrations. However, research on the occurrence of PPCPs in urban lakes in China is still scarce. In this study, 15 PPCPs in the Tangxun Lake and the Donghu Lake were collected using the diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT) technique and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Thirteen of the 15 targeted PPCPs were detected in the Tangxun Lake, and all PPCPs were detected in the Donghu Lake, with total concentrations ranging from 160 to 730 ng/L (average: 401 ng/L) and 187 to 1933 ng/L (average: 653 ng/L), respectively. Bisphenol A (BPA) was the dominant PPCP, followed by disinfectants in both lakes. The total concentrations of PPCPs in the Donghu Lake were higher than those in the Tangxun Lake. The spatial distribution characteristics of PPCPs in the two lakes were different, with higher total concentrations in the eastern part than in the western part of the Tangxun Lake spatially and higher in the north-western part than in the south-eastern part of the Donghu Lake. The results of the risk assessment showed that BPA and estrone posed high risks to the aquatic environment (RQ ≥ 1), while triclosan and estriol presented a medium risk (0.1 ≤ RQ < 1) in some sites. This study was the first attempt to apply DGT for providing vital data on the evaluation of the ecological risk of PPCPs in the two largest lakes in China, and attention should be paid to the long-term ecological effects caused by the occurrence of PPCPs in lakes.

Occurrence, Bioaccumulation, Metabolism and Ecotoxicity of Fluoroquinolones in the Aquatic Environment: A Review

In recent years, there has been growing concern about antibiotic contamination in water bodies, particularly the widespread presence of fluoroquinolones (FQs), which pose a serious threat to ecosystems due to their extensive use and the phenomenon of "pseudo-persistence". This article provides a comprehensive review of the literature on FQs in water bodies, summarizing and analyzing contamination levels of FQs in global surface water over the past three years, as well as the bioaccumulation and metabolism patterns of FQs in aquatic organisms, their ecological toxicity, and the influencing factors. The results show that FQs contamination is widespread in surface water across the surveyed 32 countries, with ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin being the most heavy contaminants. Furthermore, contamination levels are generally higher in developing and developed countries. It has been observed that compound types, species, and environmental factors influence the bioaccumulation, metabolism, and toxicity of FQs in aquatic organisms. FQs tend to accumulate more in organisms with higher lipid content, and toxicity experiments have shown that FQs exhibit the highest toxicity to bacteria and the weakest toxicity to mollusk. This article summarizes and analyzes the current research status and shortcomings of FQs, providing guidance and theoretical support for future research directions.

Assessment of the prevalence, serotype, and antibiotic resistance pattern of Salmonella enterica in integrated farming systems in the Maryland-DC area

Implementation of organic/pasture farming practices has been increasing in the USA regardless of official certification. These practices have created an increasingly growing demand for marketing safe products which are produced through these systems. Products from these farming systems have been reported to be at greater risk of transmitting foodborne pathogens because of current trends in their practices. Salmonella enterica (SE) is a ubiquitous foodborne pathogen that remains a public health issue given its prevalence in various food products, but also in the environment and as part of the microbial flora of many domestic animals. Monitoring antibiotic resistance and identifying potential sources contamination are increasingly important given the growing trend of organic/pasture markets. This study aimed to quantify prevalence of SE at the pre- and post-harvest levels of various integrated farms and sites in Maryland-Washington D.C. area, as well as identify the most prevalent serovars and antibiotic resistance patterns. Samples from various elements within the farm environment were collected and screened for SE through culture and molecular techniques, which served to identify and serotype SE, using species and serovar-specific primers, while antibiotic resistance was evaluated using an antibiogram assay. Results showed a prevalence of 7.80% of SE pre-harvest and 1.91% post-harvest. These results also showed the main sources of contamination to be soil (2.17%), grass (1.28%), feces (1.42%) and unprocessed produce (1.48%). The most commonly identified serovar was Typhimurium (11.32%) at the pre-harvest level, while the only identified serovar from post-harvest samples was Montevideo (4.35%). With respect to antibiotic resistance, out of the 13 clinically relevant antibiotics tested, gentamycin and kanamycin were the most effective, demonstrating 78.93 and 76.40% of isolates, respectively, to be susceptible. However, ampicillin, amoxicillin and cephradine had the lowest number of susceptible isolates with them being 10.95, 12.36, and 9.83%, respectively. These results help inform farms striving to implement organic practices on how to produce safer products by recognizing areas that pose greater risks as potential sources of contamination, in addition to identifying serotypes of interest, while also showcasing the current state of antibiotic efficacy and how this can influence antibiotic resistance trends in the future.

Multimedia fate of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) in a water-scarce city by coupling fugacity model and HYDRUS-1D model

Increased concentrations of pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) have raised concerns about their impact on the ecological system and human health. To understand the environmental impact of PPCPs, we evaluated the fate of a typical PPCP of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) in a water-scarce city of Tianjin during 2013-2020 using a coupled model based on the dynamic fugacity model and HYDRUS-1D model. The results showed that the coupled model successfully simulated the reported SMX concentrations in the main fate media of water and soils, which accounted for 46.4 % and 53.0 % with equilibrium concentrations of 135-165 ng/L and 0.4-0.5 ng/g, respectively. The cross-media transfer flux results showed that advection was the prime input path for SMX in water, while degradation was the dominant output path. Wastewater irrigation and degradation were the main transfer processes of SMX in the soil. Moreover, human activities (i.e., emission loads) and climate (i.e., temperature and precipitation) change can significantly affect the concentrations and transfer rate of SMX in the media. These findings provide basic data and methods for the risk assessment of SMX in water-scarce regions.

An Evaluation of Pumping Stations for Pressure Sewers System Made from Concrete Coils, Polymer Concrete, and High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

A deficiency in accurate and current regulations, along with a lack of experience in sanitary construction, makes the installation of sewers challenging. Using models, it was determined that if the pumps were operated simultaneously, the service would last for a long time over the entire sewer system. With a daily sewage inflow of 468 dm³, the system was found to run 14.4-14.7% longer than expected at 100 pumping stations. Each month, the pressure-sensitive sewer system receives more than 51 min of extended service from the city's central sewer system. Increasing wastewater inflow and the number of pumps decrease centrifugal pump capacity. In the study, the main findings were related to the number of pumps. With 100 centrifugal pumps simultaneously, the pressure-based system was most effective. An increase in operation time of 18.4-19.1% was observed over a period of 30 days and an average sewage inflow of 705 dm³ for each. In place of gravity sewerage, sewerage can be used. Pressure sewer systems should be designed in a way that addresses technical as well as economic concerns. Accordingly, this study indicates that pressure sewerage is a viable alternative to gravity sewerage in villages with scattered drinking water supplies.