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Cheng F, Escher BI, Li H, König M, Tong Y, Huang J, He L, Wu X, Lou X, Wang D, Wu F, Pei Y, Yu Z, Brooks BW, Zeng EY, You J. Deep Learning Bridged Bioactivity, Structure, and GC-HRMS-Readable Evidence to Decipher Nontarget Toxicants in Sediments. Environ Sci Technol 2024. [PMID: 38696305 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c10814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
Identifying causative toxicants in mixtures is critical, but this task is challenging when mixtures contain multiple chemical classes. Effect-based methods are used to complement chemical analyses to identify toxicants, yet conventional bioassays typically rely on an apical and/or single endpoint, providing limited diagnostic potential to guide chemical prioritization. We proposed an event-driven taxonomy framework for mixture risk assessment that relied on high-throughput screening bioassays and toxicant identification integrated by deep learning. In this work, the framework was evaluated using chemical mixtures in sediments eliciting aryl-hydrocarbon receptor activation and oxidative stress response. Mixture prediction using target analysis explained <10% of observed sediment bioactivity. To identify additional contaminants, two deep learning models were developed to predict fingerprints of a pool of bioactive substances (event driver fingerprint, EDFP) and convert these candidates to MS-readable information (event driver ion, EDION) for nontarget analysis. Two libraries with 121 and 118 fingerprints were established, and 247 bioactive compounds were identified at confidence level 2 or 3 in sediment extract using GC-qToF-MS. Among them, 12 toxicants were analytically confirmed using reference standards. Collectively, we present a "bioactivity-signature-toxicant" strategy to deconvolute mixtures and to connect patchy data sets and guide nontarget analysis for diverse chemicals that elicit the same bioactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Cheng
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Beate I Escher
- Cell Toxicology, UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Huizhen Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Maria König
- Cell Toxicology, UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Yujun Tong
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Jiehui Huang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Liwei He
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Xinyan Wu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Xiaohan Lou
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Dali Wang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Fan Wu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Yuanyuan Pei
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Zhiqiang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Bryan W Brooks
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute of Biomedical Studies, Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems Research, Baylor University, Waco, Texas 76798, United States
| | - Eddy Y Zeng
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Jing You
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
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Lin H, Gao W, Li J, Zhao N, Zhang H, Wei J, Wei X, Wang B, Lin Y, Zheng Y. Exploring Prenatal Exposure to Halogenated Compounds and Its Relationship with Birth Outcomes Using Nontarget Analysis. Environ Sci Technol 2024; 58:6890-6899. [PMID: 38606954 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c09534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Halogenated organic compounds (HOCs) are a class of contaminants showing high toxicity, low biodegradability, and high bioaccumulation potential, especially chlorinated and brominated HOCs (Cl/Br-HOCs). Knowledge gaps exist on whether novel Cl/Br-HOCs could penetrate the placental barrier and cause adverse birth outcomes. Herein, 326 cord blood samples were collected in a hospital in Jinan, Shandong Province from February 2017 to January 2022, and 44 Cl/Br-HOCs were identified with communicating confidence level above 4 based on a nontarget approach, covering veterinary drugs, pesticides, and their transformation products, pharmaceutical and personal care products, disinfection byproducts, and so on. To our knowledge, the presence of closantel, bromoxynil, 4-hydroxy-2,5,6-trichloroisophthalonitrile, 2,6-dibromo-4-nitrophenol, and related components in cord blood samples was reported for the first time. Both multiple linear regression (MLR) and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models were applied to evaluate the relationships of newborn birth outcomes (birth weight, length, and ponderal index) with individual Cl/Br-HOC and Cl/Br-HOCs mixture exposure, respectively. A significantly negative association was observed between pentachlorophenol exposure and newborn birth length, but the significance vanished after the false discovery rate correction. The BKMR analysis showed that Cl/Br-HOCs mixture exposure was significantly associated with reduced newborn birth length, indicating higher risks of fetal growth restriction. Our findings offer an overview of Cl/Br-HOCs exposome during the early life stage and enhance the understanding of its exposure risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Lin
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Wei Gao
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Jingjing Li
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Nan Zhao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Hongna Zhang
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Juntong Wei
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Xiaoran Wei
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Bing Wang
- Biomedical Centre, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Yongfeng Lin
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Environmental Processes and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Yuxin Zheng
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
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Zhang R, Zhang X, Zhang Q, Li Y, Wang Y, Xu J, Cheng Z, Chen H, Yao Y, Sun H. Heterogeneous Photodegradation Behavior of Liquid Crystal Monomers in Dust: Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship and Product Identification. Environ Sci Technol 2024; 58:3908-3918. [PMID: 38329000 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
The heterogeneous photodegradation behavior of liquid crystal monomers (LCMs) in standard dust (standard reference material, SRM 2583) and environmental dust was investigated. The measured photodegradation ratios for 23 LCMs in SRM and environmental dust in 12 h were 11.1 ± 1.8 to 23.2 ± 1.1% and 8.7 ± 0.5 to 24.0 ± 2.8%, respectively. The degradation behavior of different LCM compounds varied depending on their structural properties. A quantitative structure-activity relationship model for predicting the degradation ratio of LCMs in SRM dust was established, which revealed that the molecular descriptors related to molecular polarizability, electronegativity, and molecular mass were closely associated with LCMs' photodegradation. The photodegradation products of the LCM compound 4'-propoxy-4-biphenylcarbonitrile (PBIPHCN) in dust, including •OH oxidation, C-O bond cleavage, and ring-opening products, were identified by nontarget analysis, and the corresponding degradation pathways were suggested. Some of the identified products, such as 4'-hydroxyethoxy-4-biphenylcarbonitrile, showed predicted toxicity (with an oral rat lethal dose of 50%) comparable to that of PBIPHCN. The half-lives of the studied LCMs in SRM dust were estimated at 32.2-82.5 h by fitting an exponential decay curve to the observed photodegradation data. The photodegradation mechanisms of LCMs in dust were revealed for the first time, enhancing the understanding of LCMs' environmental behavior and risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiqi Zhang
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China
| | - Qiuyue Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Yongcheng Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Yu Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Jiaping Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Zhipeng Cheng
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Hao Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Yiming Yao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Hongwen Sun
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
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Liu Y, Jin R, Lv Q, Zhang Q, Zheng M. Screening and Evaluation of Children's Sensitively Toxic Chemicals in New Mosquito Repellent Products Based on a Nationwide Investigation. Environ Sci Technol 2024; 58:2704-2715. [PMID: 38286788 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c10510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
New mosquito repellent products (NMRPs) are emerging popular repellents among children. There are increasing reports on children's sensitization reactions caused by NMRPs, while regulations on their productions, sales, or usage are still lacking. One of the reasons could be the missing comprehensive risk assessment. We first conducted a nationwide investigation on children's NMRP usage preferences. Then, we high-throughput screened volatile or semivolatile organic chemicals (VOCs/SVOCs) in five representative NMRPs by the headspace gas chromatography-orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry analytical method. After that, toxic compounds were recognized based on the toxicity forecaster (ToxCast) database. A total of 277 VOCs/SVOCs were recognized, and 70 of them were identified as toxic compounds. In a combination of concentrations, toxicities, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion characteristics in the body, 28 chemicals were finally proposed as priority-controlled compounds in NMRPs. Exposure risks of recognized toxic chemicals through NMRPs by inhalation and dermal intake for children across the country were also assessed. Average daily intakes were in the range of 0.20-7.31 mg/kg/day for children in different provinces, and the children in southeastern coastal provinces were found to face higher exposure risks. By controlling the high-priority chemicals, the risks were expected to be reduced by about 46.8% on average. Results of this study are therefore believed to evaluate exposure risks, encourage safe production, and promote reasonable management of NMRPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yahui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310024, China
- College of Resource and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Rong Jin
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Qing Lv
- Key Laboratory of Consumer Product Quality Safety Inspection and Risk Assessment for State Market Regulation, Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine, Beijing 100176, China
| | - Qing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Consumer Product Quality Safety Inspection and Risk Assessment for State Market Regulation, Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine, Beijing 100176, China
| | - Minghui Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310024, China
- College of Resource and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Li XP, Huang GY, Qiu SQ, Lei DQ, Wang CS, Xie L, Ying GG. Identification of Additives in Disposable Face Masks and Evaluation of Their Toxicity Using Marine Medaka ( Oryzias melastigma). Environ Sci Technol 2024; 58:121-131. [PMID: 38118121 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c06216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in huge amounts of face masks worldwide. However, there is a lack of awareness on the additives and their potential risk to aquatic ecosystems of face masks. To address this issue, the additives and their toxicity in 13 face masks (e.g., polypropylene, polyethylene, and polylactic acid) were determined using nontarget analysis and bioassays. A total of 826 organic additives including intermediates (14.8%), surfactants (9.3%), plasticizers (8.2%), and antioxidants (6.1%) were tentatively identified, with 213 compounds being assigned confidence levels of 1 and 2. Interestingly, polylactic acid masks contained more additives than most polypropylene or polyethylene masks. Among these additives, the concentration of tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate in masks was 9.4-978.2 ng/g with a 100% detection frequency. Furthermore, 13 metals such as zinc (up to 202.0 μg/g), copper (32.5 μg/g), and chromium (up to 5.7 μg/g) were detected in the face masks. The methanol extracts of the masks showed the developmental toxicity, swimming behavior, and/or endocrine disruption in embryos/larvae of Oryzias melastigma. The findings demonstrate that face masks contain various toxic additives to marine medaka, which deserves close attention to pollution by face masks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Pei Li
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Guo-Yong Huang
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Shu-Qing Qiu
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Dong-Qiao Lei
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Chen-Si Wang
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Lingtian Xie
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Guang-Guo Ying
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
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Chen X, Lv Z, Yang Y, Yang R, Shan G, Zhu L. Screening Novel Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Human Blood Based on Nontarget Analysis and Underestimated Potential Health Risks. Environ Sci Technol 2024; 58:150-159. [PMID: 38153813 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c06675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Nontarget analysis has gained prominence in screening novel perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the environment, yet remaining limited in human biological matrices. In this study, 155 whole blood samples were collected from the general population in Shijiazhuang City, China. By nontarget analysis, 31 legacy and novel PFASs were assigned with the confidence level of 3 or above. For the first time, 11 PFASs were identified in human blood, including C1 and C3 perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs), C4 ether PFSA, C8 ether perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acid (ether PFCA), C4-5 unsaturated perfluoroalkyl alcohols, C9-10 carboxylic acid-perfluoroalkyl sulfonamides (CA-PFSMs), and C1 perfluoroalkyl sulfonamide. It is surprising that the targeted PFASs were the highest in the suburban population which was impacted by industrial emission, while the novel PFASs identified by nontarget analysis, such as C1 PFSA and C9-11 CA-PFSMs, were the highest in the rural population who often drank contaminated groundwater. Combining the toxicity prediction results of the bioaccumulation potential, lethality to rats, and binding affinity to target proteins, C3 PFSA, C4 and C7 ether PFSAs, and C9-11 CA-PFSMs exhibit great health risks. These findings emphasize the necessity of broadening nontarget analysis in assessing the PFAS exposure risks, particularly in rural populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, P. R. China
| | - Zixuan Lv
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, P. R. China
| | - Yi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, P. R. China
| | - Rongyan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, P. R. China
| | - Guoqiang Shan
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, P. R. China
| | - Lingyan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, P. R. China
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Xiao Q, Su Z, Wang L, Yuan G, Ma H, Lu S. Establishment of an Integrated Nontarget and Suspect Screening Workflow for Organophosphate Diesters (Di-OPEs) and Identification of Seven Previously Unknown Di-OPEs in Food Contact Plastics. J Agric Food Chem 2023; 71:20348-20358. [PMID: 38051668 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c06207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
In this study, an innovative, integrated nontarget and suspect screening workflow was developed for identifying organophosphate diesters (di-OPEs) using high-resolution mass spectrometry. The workflow featured the utilization of 0.02% acetic acid as a mobile-phase additive, differentiated screening methods for alkyl and aryl di-OPEs, and a combination of electrospray negative ionization and positive ionization. Using this workflow, 18 di-OPEs were identified in the extracts of 75 food contact plastic (FCP) samples sourced from South China. Among these, six alkyl and one aryl di-OPEs were previously unknown (one unequivocal identification and six probable structures based on diagnostic evidence). (Semi)quantification revealed that bis(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate was the major di-OPE in FCPs, with a median concentration of 1079 ng/g (range: 23.4-158,414 ng/g). The migration efficiencies of di-OPEs from an FCP sample to four kinds of food simulants were between 2.58 and 54.3%. This study offered a useful workflow for the comprehensive profiling of di-OPEs in FCPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinru Xiao
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Zhanpeng Su
- School of Agriculture, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Lei Wang
- School of Agriculture, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Guanxiang Yuan
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Haojia Ma
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Shaoyou Lu
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
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Tang C, Zheng R, Zhu Y, Liang Y, Liang Y, Liang S, Xu J, Zeng YH, Luo XJ, Lin H, Huang Q, Mai BX. Nontarget Analysis and Comprehensive Characterization of Iodinated Polyfluoroalkyl Acids in Wastewater and River Water by LC-HRMS with Cascade Precursor-Ion Exclusions and Algorithmic Approach. Environ Sci Technol 2023; 57:17099-17109. [PMID: 37878998 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Poly- and perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are a large family of widespread contaminants of worldwide concern and well-known as "forever chemicals". Direct emission of PFAAs from the fluorochemical industry is a crucial source of PFAA pollutants in the environment. This study implemented nontarget analysis and comprehensive characterization for a category of new PFAA contaminants, i.e., iodinated PFAAs (IPFAAs), in fluorochemical industry wastewater and relevant contaminated river water by liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry with a cascade precursor ion exclusion (PIE) strategy and in-house developed data extraction and processing algorithms. A total of 26 IPFAAs (including 2 isomers of an IPFAA) were found and identified with tentative molecular structures. Semiquantification of the IPFAAs was implemented, and the total concentrations of IPFAAs were 0.16-285.52 and 0.15-0.17 μg/L in wastewater and river water, respectively. The high concentrations in association with the predicted ecotoxicities and environmental behaviors demonstrate that these IPFAAs are worthy of more concern and further in-depth research. The cascade PIE strategy along with the data extraction and processing algorithms can be extended to nontarget analysis for other pollutants beyond IPFAAs. The nontarget identification and characterization outcomes provide new understanding on the environmental occurrence and pollution status of IPFAAs from a comprehensive perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caiming Tang
- Laboratory of Advanced Analytical Chemistry and Detection Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan 523808, China
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Ruifen Zheng
- Laboratory of Advanced Analytical Chemistry and Detection Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Yizhe Zhu
- Laboratory of Advanced Analytical Chemistry and Detection Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Yutao Liang
- Laboratory of Advanced Analytical Chemistry and Detection Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Yiyang Liang
- Laboratory of Advanced Analytical Chemistry and Detection Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Shangtao Liang
- College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, University of Georgia, Griffin, Georgia 30223, United States
| | - Jiale Xu
- Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58102, United States
| | - Yan-Hong Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Xiao-Jun Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Hui Lin
- Laboratory of Advanced Analytical Chemistry and Detection Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Qingguo Huang
- College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, University of Georgia, Griffin, Georgia 30223, United States
| | - Bi-Xian Mai
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
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Li T, Lü F, Zhang H, Xu Q, He PJ. Nontarget Insights into the Fate of Cl-/Br-Containing DOM in Leachate during Membrane Treatment. Environ Sci Technol 2023; 57:16033-16042. [PMID: 37822265 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Halogenated organic compounds in wastewater are persistent and bioaccumulative contaminants of great concern, but few are known at the molecular level. Herein, we focus on nontarget screening of halogenated dissolved organic matter (DOM) in highly concentrated organic matrices of waste leachates and their concentrates. Solid-phase extraction (SPE) was optimized before capturing halogenated signatures via HaloSeeker 2.0 software on mining full-scan high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) fingerprints. This study identified 438 Cl-/Br-containing DOM formulas in 21 leachates and membrane concentrates. Among them, 334 formulas were achieved via SPE with mixed-sorbent cartridges (mixed-SPE), surpassing the 164 formulas achieved through Bond Elut PPL cartridges (PPL-SPE). Herein, only four samples identified via PPL-SPE exhibited a resolution of >50% for extracted Cl-/Br-containing DOM by either SPE. The halogenated DOM constituted 6.87% of the total DOM mass features. Nevertheless, more abundant adsorbable organic halogens deciphered waste leachates and highly concentrated waste streams as reservoirs for halogenated contaminants. Remarkably, 75.7-98.1% of Cl-/Br-containing DOM in primary membrane concentrates remained stable through the secondary membrane treatment, indicating the persistence of these unknown contaminants even post-treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianqi Li
- Institute of Waste Treatment and Reclamation, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Fan Lü
- Institute of Waste Treatment and Reclamation, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Hua Zhang
- Institute of Waste Treatment and Reclamation, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Qiyong Xu
- School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, PR China
| | - Pin-Jing He
- Institute of Waste Treatment and Reclamation, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, PR China
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10
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Yu N, Deng Y, Wang X, Shi W, Zhou D, Pan B, Yu H, Wei S. Nontarget Discovery of Antimicrobial Transformation Products in Wastewater Based on Molecular Networks. Environ Sci Technol 2023. [PMID: 37211672 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c07774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial transformation products (ATPs) in the environment have raised extensive concerns in recent years due to their potential health risks. However, only a few ATPs have been investigated, and most of the transformation pathways of antimicrobials have not been completely elucidated. In this study, we developed a nontarget screening strategy based on molecular networks to detect and identify ATPs in pharmaceutical wastewater. We identified 52 antimicrobials and 49 transformation products (TPs) with a confidence level of three or above. Thirty of the TPs had not been previously reported in the environment. We assessed whether TPs could be classified as persistent, mobile, and toxic (PMT) substances based on recent European criteria for industrial substances. Owing to poor experimental data, definitive PMT classifications could not be established for novel ATPs. PMT assessment based on structurally predictive physicochemical properties revealed that 47 TPs were potential PMT substances. These results provide evidence that novel ATPs should be the focus of future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanyang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Province Ecology and Environment Protection Key Laboratory of Chemical Safety and Health Risk, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Yiyan Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Province Ecology and Environment Protection Key Laboratory of Chemical Safety and Health Risk, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Xuebing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Province Ecology and Environment Protection Key Laboratory of Chemical Safety and Health Risk, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Wei Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Province Ecology and Environment Protection Key Laboratory of Chemical Safety and Health Risk, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Dongmei Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, People's Republic of China
| | - Bingcai Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongxia Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Province Ecology and Environment Protection Key Laboratory of Chemical Safety and Health Risk, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Si Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Province Ecology and Environment Protection Key Laboratory of Chemical Safety and Health Risk, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
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11
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Bonnefille B, Karlsson O, Rian MB, Raqib R, Parvez F, Papazian S, Islam MS, Martin JW. Nontarget Analysis of Polluted Surface Waters in Bangladesh Using Open Science Workflows. Environ Sci Technol 2023; 57:6808-6824. [PMID: 37083417 PMCID: PMC10157886 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c08200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Nontarget mass spectrometry has great potential to reveal patterns of water contamination globally through community science, but few studies are conducted in low-income countries, nor with open-source workflows, and few datasets are FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable). Water was collected from urban and rural rivers around Dhaka, Bangladesh, and analyzed by liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry in four ionization modes (electrospray ionization ±, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization ±) with data-independent MS2 acquisition. The acquisition strategy was complementary: 19,427 and 7365 features were unique to ESI and APCI, respectively. The complexity of water pollution was revealed by >26,000 unique molecular features resolved by MS-DIAL, among which >20,000 correlated with urban sources in Dhaka. A major wastewater treatment plant was not a dominant pollution source, consistent with major contributions from uncontrolled urban drainage, a result that encourages development of further wastewater infrastructures. Matching of deconvoluted MS2 spectra to public libraries resulted in 62 confident annotations (i.e., Level 1-2a) and allowed semiquantification of 42 analytes including pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and personal care products. In silico structure prediction for the top 100 unknown molecular features associated with an urban source allowed 15 additional chemicals of anthropogenic origin to be annotated (i.e., Level 3). The authentic MS2 spectra were uploaded to MassBank Europe, mass spectral data were openly shared on the MassIVE repository, a tool (i.e., MASST) that could be used for community science environmental surveillance was demonstrated, and current limitations were discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bénilde Bonnefille
- Department of Environmental Science, Exposure and Effects Unit, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Stockholm 106 91, Sweden
| | - Oskar Karlsson
- Department of Environmental Science, Exposure and Effects Unit, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Stockholm 106 91, Sweden
| | - May Britt Rian
- Department of Environmental Science, Exposure and Effects Unit, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Stockholm 106 91, Sweden
| | - Rubhana Raqib
- Immunobiology, Nutrition and Toxicology Unit, Infectious Diseases Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Faruque Parvez
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Stefano Papazian
- Department of Environmental Science, Exposure and Effects Unit, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Stockholm 106 91, Sweden
- National Facility for Exposomics, Metabolomics Platform, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Solna 171 65, Sweden
| | - M Sirajul Islam
- Laboratory of Food Safety and One Health, Laboratory Sciences and Services Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Jonathan W Martin
- Department of Environmental Science, Exposure and Effects Unit, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Stockholm 106 91, Sweden
- National Facility for Exposomics, Metabolomics Platform, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Solna 171 65, Sweden
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12
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Fang C, Luan X, Ao F, Wang X, Ding S, Du Z, Liu S, Jia R, Chu W. Decomposition of Total Organic Halogen Formed during Chlorination: The Iceberg of Halogenated Disinfection Byproducts Was Previously Underestimated. Environ Sci Technol 2023; 57:1433-1442. [PMID: 36626160 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c03596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Total organic halogen (TOX) is widely used as a surrogate bulk parameter to measure the overall exposure of halogenated disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in drinking water. In this study, we surprisingly found that the level of TOX in chlorinated waters had been significantly underestimated under common analytical conditions. After the addition of quenching agent sodium thiosulfate, total organic chlorine and total organic bromine exhibited a two-phase decomposition pattern with increasing contact time, and a significant decomposition was observed for different types of quenching agents, quenching doses, and pH conditions. More importantly, the decomposed TOX closely correlated with the acute toxicity of quenched water against luminous bacteria, implying that the DBPs responsible for TOX decomposition could be of important toxicological significance. Based on nontarget analysis by using high-resolution mass spectrometry, molecular formulas for the decomposed TOX were determined. After re-examining the mass balance of TOX in the context of unintentional decomposition, it was found that both the level and percentage of unknown TOX in chlorinated waters were considerably higher than historically thought. Overall, this study brings new insights into the knowledge of TOX formed during chlorination, providing important clues on the identification of toxicity driver in drinking water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xinmiao Luan
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Feiyang Ao
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xingyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Shunke Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Zhenqi Du
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Shushen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Ruibao Jia
- Shandong Province Water Supply and Drainage Monitoring Centre, Jinan 250101, China
| | - Wenhai Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
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13
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Tang C, Zhu Y, Liang Y, Zeng YH, Peng X, Mai BX, Xu J, Huang Q, Lin H. First Discovery of Iodinated Polyfluoroalkyl Acids by Nontarget Mass-Spectrometric Analysis and Iodine-Specific Screening Algorithm. Environ Sci Technol 2023; 57:1378-1390. [PMID: 36622151 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c07976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) including polyfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids and polyfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids are a large category of crucial environmental pollutants of global concern. Besides known PFAAs, numerous unknown species may exist in the environment, urgently needing discovery and characterization. This study implemented nontarget analysis for a group of novel PFAA pollutants, viz., iodinated PFAAs (I-PFAAs) in wastewater from a fluorochemical manufacturing park by liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry in combination with an iodine-specific data-processing algorithm. The algorithm took into account the diagnostic fragment iodine ion (I-) together with carbon and sulfur isotopologue distributions. In total, 18 I-PFAA formulas involving 21 congeners were identified. Semiquantification was conducted, and the total concentrations of I-PFAAs were 1.9-274.7 μg/L, indicating severe pollution of I-PFAAs in the wastewater. The determined concentrations along with predicted environmental behaviors and toxicities demonstrate that I-PFAAs merit further in-depth investigation. The analytical method including the instrumental analysis and data-processing algorithm can be extended to screening and identification of I-PFAAs in other matrices. Furthermore, the analysis results for the first time provide recognition on the occurrence, distribution features, and pollution status of I-PFAAs in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caiming Tang
- Laboratory of Advanced Analytical Chemistry and Detection Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan523808, China
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou510640, China
| | - Yizhe Zhu
- Laboratory of Advanced Analytical Chemistry and Detection Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan523808, China
| | - Yutao Liang
- Laboratory of Advanced Analytical Chemistry and Detection Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan523808, China
| | - Yan-Hong Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou510640, China
| | - Xianzhi Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou510640, China
| | - Bi-Xian Mai
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou510640, China
| | - Jiale Xu
- Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota58102, United States
| | - Qingguo Huang
- College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, University of Georgia, Griffin, Georgia30223, United States
| | - Hui Lin
- Laboratory of Advanced Analytical Chemistry and Detection Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan523808, China
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14
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Qiu J, Lü F, Li T, Zhang H, He P. A Novel 4-Set Venn Diagram Model Based on High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry To Monitor Wastewater Treatment. Environ Sci Technol 2022; 56:14753-14762. [PMID: 36166304 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c02229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
A 4-set Venn diagram model oriented to high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) data was developed to decipher the fate of dissolved organic matters (DOM) in three-stage continuous wastewater treatment processes. In total, 24 typical wastewater treatment modes conceptualized into a combination of three stages were generalized so that this model can be applied to all common types of actual wastewater treatment processes. As a result, eight kinds of native DOM and seven kinds of wastewater-produced (WW-produced) DOM separately represented by each proper subset of the 4-set Venn diagram could be identified so as to offer a molecular profile of DOM transformation. The 15 proper subsets of the 4-set Venn diagram could then explain how different wastewater treatment units work. Transformation rates of each DOM molecular formula can be estimated as a semiquantitative result. We further discussed the relationship between the transformation rates and proper subsets. As a proof of concept, the 4-set Venn diagram model was successfully applied in a complicated full-scale mature leachate treatment process with nine treatment units. This model can help to overcome the challenging task of data mining when applying HRMS and reduce the workload of data screening in the subsequent structural annotation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Qiu
- Institute of Waste Treatment and Reclamation, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Fan Lü
- Institute of Waste Treatment and Reclamation, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, PR China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Multi-source Solid Wastes Co-processing and Energy Utilization, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Tianqi Li
- Institute of Waste Treatment and Reclamation, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Hua Zhang
- Institute of Waste Treatment and Reclamation, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, PR China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Multi-source Solid Wastes Co-processing and Energy Utilization, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Pinjing He
- Institute of Waste Treatment and Reclamation, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, PR China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Multi-source Solid Wastes Co-processing and Energy Utilization, Shanghai 200092, PR China
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15
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Li L, Yu N, Wang X, Shi W, Liu H, Zhang X, Yang L, Pan B, Yu H, Wei S. Comprehensive Exposure Studies of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in the General Population: Target, Nontarget Screening, and Toxicity Prediction. Environ Sci Technol 2022; 56:14617-14626. [PMID: 36174189 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c03345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Novel per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the environment and populations have received extensive attention; however, their distribution and potential toxic effects in the general population remain unclear. Here, a comprehensive study on PFAS screening was carried out in serum samples of 202 individuals from the general population in four cities in China. A total of 165 suspected PFASs were identified using target and nontarget analysis, including seven identified PFAS homolog series, of which 16 PFASs were validated against standards, and seven PFASs [4:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (4:2 Cl-PFESA), 7:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (7:2 Cl-PFESA), hydrosubstituted perfluoroheptanoate (H-PFHpA), chlorine-substituted perfluorooctanoate (Cl-PFOA), chlorine-substituted perfluorononanate (Cl-PFNA), chlorine-substituted perfluorodecanoate (Cl-PFDA), and perfluorodecanedioic acid (PFLDCA n = 8)] were reported for the first time in human serum. The Tox21-GCN model (a graph convolutional neural network model based on the Tox21 database) was established to predict the toxicity of the discovered PFASs, revealing that PFASs containing sulfonic acid groups exhibited multiple potential toxic effects, such as estrogenic effects and stress responses. Our study indicated that the general population was exposed to various PFASs, and the toxicity prediction results of individual PFASs suggested potential health risks that could not be ignored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laihui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, People's Republic of China
| | - Nanyang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuebing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongling Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaowei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, People's Republic of China
| | - Liuyan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, People's Republic of China
| | - Bingcai Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongxia Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, People's Republic of China
| | - Si Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, People's Republic of China
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16
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Ma C, Cao R, Sun S, Zhang H, Chen J, Xiong Z, Lu X. [Screening of risky substances in sea cucumbers based on gas chromatography-orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry]. Se Pu 2022; 40:944-51. [PMID: 36222258 DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1123.2022.04001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A new method for sample pretreatment using improved QuEChERs was established, and 289 organic pollutants with health risks could be identified and quantified through gas chromatography-orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC-Orbitrap HRMS). A high-resolution database of 289 environmental pollutants belonging to ten categories, including organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phthalates (PAEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and other agricultural chemicals (ACs), was established for the non-targeted screening and quantitative analysis. A simple method for biological sample preparation using improved QuEChERs was proposed by combining a conventional QuEChERs method and a column purification method. After purification using a Florisil column, the lipid content was reduced by 99.9%, which significantly reduced the interference of the matrix effect observed during the analysis. Furthermore, simultaneous high-accuracy qualitative screening and quantitative analysis of the target compounds were performed through high-resolution mass spectrometry (60000 resolution) conducted in the full scan mode. The limits of quantification were 0.56-57.8 pg/g, presenting a large linear range (~106), and the recovery range was 40%-120%. Due to the high-resolution and sensitivity of Q Exactive GC-Orbitrap HRMS, the limits of quantification of the target compounds were significantly lower than those achieved through methods based on conventional chromatography and mass spectrometry. Moreover, ultratrace organic contaminants that cannot be detected by conventional methods can be accurately quantified by the proposed method. Sea cucumber samples collected at the breeding site were analyzed using the proposed high-coverage multi-objective analytical method, and more than 100 types of organic pollutants were detected; the mean contents of PAHs, ACs, PAEs, and OCPs were 157.8, 153.2, 64.4, and 46.4 ng/g dw, respectively, which were higher than those of other pollutants. Some new contaminants, such as 9-chlorofluorene, 5-chloroacenaphthene, and 3-methylcholanthrene, were detected at very low contents for the first time in the sea cucumber samples. The proposed method is simple and efficient, allows the detection of pollutants at very low contents, and provides accurate and reliable results. Thus, this high-coverage multi-objective analytical method can be widely used for broad-spectrum screening and accurate quantification of contaminants in various aquatic products, providing technical support for food safety control.
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17
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Li X, Yao Y, Chen H, Zhang Q, Li C, Zhao L, Guo S, Cheng Z, Wang Y, Wang L, Sun H. Identification of Novel Organophosphate Esters in Hydroponic Lettuces ( Lactuca sativa L.): Biotransformation and Acropetal Translocation. Environ Sci Technol 2022; 56:10699-10709. [PMID: 35849551 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c01610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The absorption, translocation, and biotransformation behaviors of organophosphate esters (OPEs) and diesters (OPdEs) in a hydroponic system were investigated. The lateral root was found as the main accumulation and biotransformation place of OPEs and OPdEs in lettuce. The nontarget analysis using high-resolution mass spectrometry revealed five hydroxylated metabolites and five conjugating metabolites in the OPE exposure group, among which methylation, acetylation, and palmitoyl conjugating OPEs were reported as metabolites for the first time. Particularly, methylation on phosphate can be a significant process for plant metabolism, and methyl diphenyl phosphate (MDPP) accounted for the majority of metabolites. The translocation factor values of most identified OPE metabolites are negatively associated with their predicted logarithmic octanol-water partitioning coefficient (log Kow) values (0.75-2.45), indicating that hydrophilicity is a dominant factor in the translocation of OPE metabolites in lettuce. In contrast, palmitoyl conjugation may lead to an enhanced acropetal translocation and those with log Kow values < 0 may have limited translocation potential. Additionally, OPE diesters produced from the biotransformation of OPEs in lettuce showed a higher acropetal translocation potential than those exposed directly. These results further emphasize the necessity to consider biotransformation as an utmost important factor in the accumulation and acropetal translocation potential of OPEs in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxiao Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Yiming Yao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Hao Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Qing Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
- School of Environmental and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Cheng Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
- College of Geography and Environment, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250000, China
| | - Leicheng Zhao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Sai Guo
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Zhipeng Cheng
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Yu Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Lei Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Hongwen Sun
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
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18
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Yao J, Sheng N, Guo Y, Yeung LWY, Dai J, Pan Y. Nontargeted Identification and Temporal Trends of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in a Fluorochemical Industrial Zone and Adjacent Taihu Lake. Environ Sci Technol 2022; 56:7986-7996. [PMID: 35584306 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c00891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Various per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) remain undiscovered and unexplored in the environment. The goals of this study were to discover new species of PFASs in effluent and surface waters from a fluorochemical industrial zone, and to assess their concentration, distribution, and temporal trends in the adjacent natural environment. In total, 83 emerging PFASs from 14 classes were identified, 22 of which were reported for the first time. Authentic standards were synthesized for 13 per- and polyfluoroalkyl ether carboxylic acids (PFECAs), thereby greatly expanding the scope of PFAS-targeted monitoring. The newly identified compounds accounted for 27%-95% of the total PFAS concentrations. Of note, a novel diether carboxylic acid, 2-[2-(trifluoromethoxy)hexafluoropropoxy]tetrafluoropropanoic acid (C7 HFPO-TA) was detected at an extremely high concentration in the fluorochemical zone effluent (447 000 ng/L) and at a median concentration in the fluorochemical zone surface water (670 ng/L), with detectable levels also found in the natural environment, that is, Wangyu River (23 ng/L) and Taihu Lake (5.6 ng/L). The distinct geographic distribution of C7 HFPO-TA suggests transport from the industrial point source to Taihu Lake via the Wangyu River. The concentration of C7 HFPO-TA in Taihu Lake, along with that of many other emerging PFASs, continued to grow in three sampling campaigns from 2016 to 2021. Considering the environmental persistence and toxicity of structurally similar PFECAs (e.g., HFPO-DA), studies on C7 HFPO-TA are urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingzhi Yao
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Nan Sheng
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Yong Guo
- Key Laboratory of Organofluorine Chemistry Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Leo W Y Yeung
- Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre (MTM), School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, SE-70182 Örebro, Sweden
| | - Jiayin Dai
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Yitao Pan
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
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19
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McDonough CA, Li W, Bischel HN, De Silva AO, DeWitt JC. Widening the Lens on PFASs: Direct Human Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Acid Precursors (pre-PFAAs). Environ Sci Technol 2022; 56:6004-6013. [PMID: 35324171 PMCID: PMC10782884 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c00254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Determining health risks associated with per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) is a highly complex problem requiring massive efforts for scientists, risk assessors, and regulators. Among the most poorly understood pressing questions is the relative importance of pre-PFAAs, which are PFASs that degrade to highly persistent perfluoroalkyl acids. How many of the vast number of existing pre-PFAAs are relevant for direct human exposure, and what are the predominant exposure pathways? What evidence of direct exposure to pre-PFAAs is provided by human biomonitoring studies? How important are pre-PFAAs and their biotransformation products for human health risk assessment? This article outlines recent progress and recommendations toward widening the lens on human PFAS exposure to include the pre-PFAA subclass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie A. McDonough
- Department of Civil Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Wenting Li
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616 USA
| | - Heather N. Bischel
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616 USA
| | - Amila O. De Silva
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Water Science Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario L7S 1A1, Canada
| | - Jamie C. DeWitt
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
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20
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Li J, Aziz MT, Granger CO, Richardson SD. Are Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs) Formed in My Cup of Tea? Regulated, Priority, and Unknown DBPs. Environ Sci Technol 2021; 55:12994-13004. [PMID: 34523331 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c03419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Globally, tea is the second most consumed nonalcoholic beverage next to drinking water and is an important pathway of disinfection byproduct (DBP) exposure. When boiled tap water is used to brew tea, residual chlorine can produce DBPs by the reaction of chlorine with tea compounds. In this study, 60 regulated and priority DBPs were measured in Twinings green tea, Earl Grey tea, and Lipton tea that was brewed using tap water or simulated tap water (nanopure water with chlorine). In many cases, measured DBP levels in tea were lower than in the tap water itself due to volatilization and sorption onto tea leaves. DBPs formed by the reaction of residual chlorine with tea precursors contributed ∼12% of total DBPs in real tap water brewed tea, with the remaining 88% introduced by the tap water itself. Of that 12%, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, and chloroform were the only contributing DBPs. Total organic halogen in tea nearly doubled relative to tap water, with 96% of the halogenated DBPs unknown. Much of this unknown total organic halogen (TOX) may be high-molecular-weight haloaromatic compounds, formed by the reaction of chlorine with polyphenols present in tea leaves. The identification of 15 haloaromatic DBPs using gas chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry indicates that this may be the case. Further studies on the identity and formation of these aromatic DBPs should be conducted since haloaromatic DBPs can have significant toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiafu Li
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Md Tareq Aziz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Caroline O Granger
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Susan D Richardson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
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21
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Abstract
The advent of new data acquisition and handling techniques has opened the door to alternative and more comprehensive approaches to environmental monitoring that will improve our capacity to understand and manage environmental systems. Researchers have recently begun using machine learning (ML) techniques to analyze complex environmental systems and their associated data. Herein, we provide an overview of data analytics frameworks suitable for various Environmental Science and Engineering (ESE) research applications. We present current applications of ML algorithms within the ESE domain using three representative case studies: (1) Metagenomic data analysis for characterizing and tracking antimicrobial resistance in the environment; (2) Nontarget analysis for environmental pollutant profiling; and (3) Detection of anomalies in continuous data generated by engineered water systems. We conclude by proposing a path to advance incorporation of data analytics approaches in ESE research and application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suraj Gupta
- The Interdisciplinary PhD Program in Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Diana Aga
- Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14226, United States
| | - Amy Pruden
- Via Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Liqing Zhang
- Department of Computer Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Peter Vikesland
- Via Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
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22
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Tue NM, Goto A, Fumoto M, Nakatsu S, Tanabe S, Kunisue T. Nontarget Screening of Organohalogen Compounds in the Liver of Wild Birds from Osaka, Japan: Specific Accumulation of Highly Chlorinated POP Homologues in Raptors. Environ Sci Technol 2021; 55:8691-8699. [PMID: 34100289 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c00357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Nontarget screening studies have recently revealed the accumulation of typically unmonitored organohalogen compounds (OHCs) in various marine animals, but information for terrestrial food chains is still lacking. This study investigated the accumulation profiles of known and unknown OHCs in the liver of representative wild bird specimens from Osaka, Japan using nontarget analysis based on two-dimensional gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. A large number of unmonitored OHCs were identified, including anthropogenic contaminants and marine halogenated natural products (HNPs), and their accumulation profiles were considered to be influenced by terrestrial and brackish water-based diets. Anthropogenic OHCs were highly accumulated in terrestrial predator species (peregrine falcon, hawks, and black kite), and some unmonitored highly chlorinated contaminants reached the levels of microgram per gram lipid in the liver, i.e., C10-/C15-based chlordane related compounds (CHLs) and their epoxides, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) homologues, and polychlorinated terphenyls (PCTs). In contrast, HNPs were accumulated at higher levels in piscivorous birds (gray heron and common cormorant). Considering the enrichment of the unmonitored C10-/C15-based CHLs, PCTs, and DDE homologues relative to structurally similar persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in high trophic-level species such as raptors, further studies are needed to elucidate their environmental levels, behavior in terrestrial food chains, and ecotoxicological impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nguyen Minh Tue
- Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, 2-5 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan
| | - Akitoshi Goto
- Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, 2-5 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan
| | - Mitsuo Fumoto
- Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, 2-5 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan
| | - Susumu Nakatsu
- Nakatsu Veterinary Surgery, 2-2-15 Shorinjichonishi, Sakai 590-0960, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Tanabe
- Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, 2-5 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Kunisue
- Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, 2-5 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan
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23
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McDonough CA, Choyke S, Barton KE, Mass S, Starling AP, Adgate JL, Higgins CP. Unsaturated PFOS and Other PFASs in Human Serum and Drinking Water from an AFFF-Impacted Community. Environ Sci Technol 2021; 55:8139-8148. [PMID: 34029073 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c00522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Understanding how exposure to aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF)-impacted drinking water translates to bioaccumulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) is essential to assess health risks. To investigate spatial variability of PFAS exposure in communities near an AFFF source zone, blood serum was collected in 2018 from 220 adult residents of El Paso County (Colorado), as were raw water samples from several wells. C6 and C8 perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFSAs) were predominant in serum and water. PFASs were most elevated in the water district nearest the source zone (median ∑PFSA of 618 ng/L in water and 33 ng/mL in serum). A novel PFAS, unsaturated perfluorooctane sulfonate, was detected in >80% of water and serum samples at low concentrations (≤1.9 ng/mL in serum). Drinking water wells nearest the source zone displayed increased prevalence of perfluoroalkyl sulfonamide precursors not detected in serum. Serum-to-water ratios were the greatest for long-chain PFASs and were elevated in the least impacted water district. Additional serum samples collected from a subset of study participants in June 2019 showed that PFAS concentrations in serum declined after exposure ceased, although declines for perfluoropentane sulfonate were minimal. Our findings demonstrate that AFFF-impacted communities are exposed to complex, spatially variable mixtures of PFASs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie A McDonough
- Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
- Department of Civil Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
| | - Sarah Choyke
- Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Kelsey E Barton
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
| | - Sarah Mass
- Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Anne P Starling
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
| | - John L Adgate
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
| | - Christopher P Higgins
- Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
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24
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Black GP, He G, Denison MS, Young TM. Using Estrogenic Activity and Nontargeted Chemical Analysis to Identify Contaminants in Sewage Sludge. Environ Sci Technol 2021; 55:6729-6739. [PMID: 33909413 PMCID: PMC8378343 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c07846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Diverse organic compounds, many derived from consumer products, are found in sewage sludge worldwide. Understanding which of these poses the most significant environmental threat following land application can be investigated through a variety of predictive and cell-based toxicological techniques. Nontargeted analysis using high-resolution mass spectrometry with predictive estrogenic activity modeling was performed on sewage sludge samples from 12 wastewater treatment plants in California. Diisobutyl phthalate and dextrorphan were predicted to exhibit estrogenic activity and identified in >75% of sludge samples, signifying their universal presence and persistence. Additionally, the application of an estrogen-responsive cell bioassay revealed reductions in agonistic activity during mesophilic and thermophilic treatment but significant increases in antagonism during thermophilic treatment, which warrants further research. Ten nontarget features were identified (metoprolol, fenofibric acid, erythrohydrobupropion, oleic acid, mestranol, 4'-chlorobiphenyl-2,3-diol, medrysone, scillarenin, sudan I, and N,O-didesmethyltramadol) in treatment set samples and are considered to have influenced the in vitro estrogenic activity observed. The combination of predictive and in vitro estrogenicity with nontargeted analysis has led to confirmation of 12 estrogen-active contaminants in California sewage sludge and has highlighted the importance of evaluating both agonistic and antagonistic responses when evaluating the bioactivity of complex samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle P. Black
- Agricultural & Environmental Chemistry Graduate Group, University of California, Davis
| | - Guochun He
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Davis
| | | | - Thomas M. Young
- Agricultural & Environmental Chemistry Graduate Group, University of California, Davis
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California, Davis
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25
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Barrett H, Du X, Houde M, Lair S, Verreault J, Peng H. Suspect and Nontarget Screening Revealed Class-Specific Temporal Trends (2000-2017) of Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances in St. Lawrence Beluga Whales. Environ Sci Technol 2021; 55:1659-1671. [PMID: 33444015 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c05957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The global use of >3000 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) has given rise to chemical regulatory action. However, limited information exists regarding current and historical emissions for the majority of PFASs under currently implemented regulations. This study employed suspect and nontarget screening to examine the temporal trends of legacy and unregulated PFASs in liver of the endangered beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) population from the St. Lawrence Estuary in Canada collected from 2000 to 2017. A suite of 54 PFASs were tentatively identified, and were grouped into nine structurally distinct classes. Single-hydrogenated perfluoro carboxylic acids (H-PFCAs), single-hydrogenated sulfonamides (H-Sulfonamides), as well as other select sulfonamides were detected for the first time in wildlife. Greater concentrations of the majority of PFASs were determined in newborns and juveniles than in adults, suggesting effective placental and lactational transfer of PFASs. Legacy per- and polyfluoroalkyl acids and perfluorooctane sulfonamide in beluga whale liver were found to significantly decrease in concentration between 2000 and 2017, while unregulated short-chain PFAS alternatives, H-PFCAs, and odd-chain FTCAs were found to increase over time. The implementation of suspect and nontarget screening revealed class-specific temporal trends of PFASs in SLE beluga whales, and supported continuous emissions of unregulated PFASs into the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly Barrett
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Xuan Du
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Magali Houde
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, 105 McGill Street, Montréal, Québec H2Y 2E7, Canada
| | - Stéphane Lair
- Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec J2S 7C6, Canada
| | - Jonathan Verreault
- Centre de Recherche en Toxicologie de l'Environnement (TOXEN), Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, P.O. Box 8888, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Hui Peng
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
- School of the Environment, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S3H6 Ontario, Canada
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26
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Yang D, Han J, Hall DR, Sun J, Fu J, Kutarna S, Houck KA, LaLone CA, Doering JA, Ng CA, Peng H. Nontarget Screening of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Binding to Human Liver Fatty Acid Binding Protein. Environ Sci Technol 2020; 54:5676-5686. [PMID: 32249562 PMCID: PMC7477755 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c00049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
More than 1000 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have been discovered by nontarget analysis (NTA), but their prioritization for health concerns is challenging. We developed a method by incorporating size-exclusion column co-elution (SECC) and NTA, to screen PFASs binding to human liver fatty acid binding protein (hL-FABP). Of 74 PFASs assessed, 20 were identified as hL-FABP ligands in which eight of them have high binding affinities. Increased PFAS binding affinities correlate with stronger responses in electrospray ionization (ESI-) and longer retention times on a C18 column. This is well explained by a mechanistic model, which revealed that both polar and hydrophobic interactions are crucial for binding affinities. Encouraged by this, we then developed an SECC method to identify hL-FABP ligands, and all eight high-affinity ligands were selectively captured from 74 PFASs. The method was further applied to an aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) product in which 31 new hL-FABP ligands were identified. Suspect and nontargeted screening revealed these ligands as analogues of perfluorosulfonic acids and homologues of alkyl ether sulfates (C8- and C10/EOn, C8H17(C2H4O)nSO4-, and C10H21(C2H4O)nSO4-). The SECC method was then applied to AFFF-contaminated surface waters. In addition to perfluorooctanesulfonic acid and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid, eight other AFFF chemicals were discovered as novel ligands, including four C14- and C15/EOn. This study implemented a high-throughput method to prioritize PFASs and revealed the existence of many previously unknown hL-FABP ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diwen Yang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jiajun Han
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - David Ross Hall
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jianxian Sun
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jesse Fu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Steven Kutarna
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Keith A. Houck
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711 USA
| | - Carlie A. LaLone
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, Minnesota 55804 United States
| | - Jon A. Doering
- Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, Minnesota 55804 United States
- National Research Council, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, Minnesota 55804 USA
| | - Carla A. Ng
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, 3700 O’Hara St, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Hui Peng
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- School of the Environment, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Corresponding author: Hui Peng, , Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S3H6, Canada
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27
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Abstract
Millions of people around the world may be exposed to drinking water impacted by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) at levels exceeding local or national advisories. Many studies indicate that the full extent of PFAS contamination is significantly underestimated when only targeted analytical methods are used. Here, we review techniques using bulk organofluorine measurement to quantify the (as of yet) unidentified fraction of PFASs. We discuss advantages and disadvantages of specific approaches and their applicability to water analysis with a focus on the tradeoff between selectivity and inclusivity, and provide suggestions for a path forward to better characterize the wide array of PFASs present in environmental samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie A. McDonough
- Colorado School of Mines Civil & Environmental Engineering Department, 1500 Illinois Street, Golden, CO 80401
| | - Jennifer L. Guelfo
- Brown University School of Engineering, 184 Hope Street, Providence, RI 02912
| | - Christopher P. Higgins
- Colorado School of Mines Civil & Environmental Engineering Department, 1500 Illinois Street, Golden, CO 80401
- Corresponding author
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28
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Oberacher H, Reinstadler V, Kreidl M, Stravs MA, Hollender J, Schymanski EL. Annotating Nontargeted LC-HRMS/MS Data with Two Complementary Tandem Mass Spectral Libraries. Metabolites 2018; 9:metabo9010003. [PMID: 30583579 PMCID: PMC6359582 DOI: 10.3390/metabo9010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Tandem mass spectral databases are indispensable for fast and reliable compound identification in nontargeted analysis with liquid chromatography–high resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS/MS), which is applied to a wide range of scientific fields. While many articles now review and compare spectral libraries, in this manuscript we investigate two high-quality and specialized collections from our respective institutes, recorded on different instruments (quadrupole time-of-flight or QqTOF vs. Orbitrap). The optimal range of collision energies for spectral comparison was evaluated using 233 overlapping compounds between the two libraries, revealing that spectra in the range of CE 20–50 eV on the QqTOF and 30–60 nominal collision energy units on the Orbitrap provided optimal matching results for these libraries. Applications to complex samples from the respective institutes revealed that the libraries, combined with a simple data mining approach to retrieve all spectra with precursor and fragment information, could confirm many validated target identifications and yield several new Level 2a (spectral match) identifications. While the results presented are not surprising in many ways, this article adds new results to the debate on the comparability of Orbitrap and QqTOF data and the application of spectral libraries to yield rapid and high-confidence tentative identifications in complex human and environmental samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herbert Oberacher
- Institute of Legal Medicine and Core Facility Metabolomics, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Vera Reinstadler
- Institute of Legal Medicine and Core Facility Metabolomics, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Marco Kreidl
- Institute of Legal Medicine and Core Facility Metabolomics, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Michael A Stravs
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland.
| | - Juliane Hollender
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland.
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Emma L Schymanski
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland.
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, 4367 Belvaux, Luxembourg.
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