Environmental Research最新文献

The structural complexity and inherent stability of dyes in wastewater have driven research toward replacing conventional, less effective treatment methods with advanced technologies. In this study, a novel Cu-Ni@ZIF-8/BiOBr (CNZ/BOB) S-scheme heterojunction was synthesized by combining Cu-Ni bimetal-doped ZIF-8 (CNZ) nanomaterial with BiOBr (BOB) using a simple co-precipitation method. The as-synthesized heterojunction demonstrated excellent photocatalytic degradation capabilities for both Congo Red and Malachite Green, achieving efficiencies of 96.5% and 93.9%, respectively within 70 min of light irradiation. The CNZ/BOB composite significantly outperformed pristine ZIF-8 (2.4 and 2.5 times better) and BOB (3 and 3.2 times better) in degrading these toxic organic dyes. Detailed investigations and experimental results confirmed the improved photodegradation activity after incorporation of Cu and Ni dopants, which facilitated dual active sites, strong interfacial contact, and an S-scheme charge transfer pathway between CNZ and BOB. FE-SEM analysis showed a well-organized, flower-like stacked topology of the heterostructure, while XRD spectra confirmed its crystalline structure. UV-DRS analysis further demonstrated that heterostructure formation extended light absorption into the visible region and narrowed the bandgap of the composite to 2.56 eV. Furthermore, activity was observed over five consecutive cycles in reusability tests, demonstrating its robust structural and operational stability. Thus, these results confirm that the CNZ/BOB nanocomposite is a robust, effective, and reusable photocatalyst for visible-light-driven wastewater treatment.

Acute physiological responses to walking in natural versus urban environments remain uncertain. We reviewed studies of healthy adults completing single walks in actual outdoor settings. Six databases were searched through January 12, 2026, and reporting followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses framework. We included 21 studies; 20 contributed 57 effect estimates to a three-level meta-analysis. Pooled Hedges' g estimates with 95% confidence intervals were -0.01 [-0.26, 0.23] for heart rate (p = 0.90), 0.11 [-0.40, 0.62] for systolic blood pressure (p = 0.63), and -0.14 [-0.36, 0.08] for diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.18). Evidence was inconclusive for high frequency heart rate variability (g = -0.14 [-0.94, 0.66], p = 0.66) and the root mean square of successive differences between normal interbeat intervals (g = -0.01 [-0.89, 0.87], p = 0.98), with few estimates and wide intervals. Exploratory analyses found no clear moderating associations with walking duration or study sample sex composition, although small subgroups limited precision. Overall, current evidence does not show a consistent additional acute physiological response to natural walking. This does not establish equivalence or rule out true differences. Estimates reflect heterogeneous routes and protocols and cannot isolate a uniform causal effect of nature exposure. Psychological restoration, sustained physical activity, disease prevention, and clinical outcomes require separate evidence. Future studies should better characterize environmental exposures and standardize walking and measurement procedures.

Cobalt, a toxic environmental contaminant, has been implicated in human neurological damage. However, the detailed molecular basis of cobalt-triggered neurotoxicity remains poorly uncovered. In the present study, we elucidated the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) demethylase fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) downregulation mediates the activation of ferroptosis to drive cobalt-triggered neurodegeneration. We established an in vitro model using H4 cells and an in vivo model using C57BL/6 mice. Animal experiments provided initial evidence underscoring the critical involvement of ferroptosis in cobalt-associated neurotoxicity. Furthermore, in vitro assays revealed that ferroptosis is triggered subsequent to oxidative stress induced by cobalt exposure. Notably, MeRIP-seq profiling of H4 cells and mouse cortex revealed that ferroptosis-associated genes exhibited differential m6A modification, suggesting m6A modification might be involved in modulating ferroptosis. Concurrently, Gene Ontology and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed that genes bearing differential m6A modifications were significantly clustered within pathways linked to ferroptosis as well as neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, we found that FTO depletion effectively enhanced ferroptosis following cobalt-induced oxidative stress. Mechanistically, FTO depletion enhanced m6A modification of GPX4 and transferrin receptor protein 1 (TFRC) mRNAs, leading to reduced GPX4 and elevated TFRC expression, which aggravated cobalt-induced ferroptosis. More importantly, we observed that central nervous system specific knockout of Fto exacerbated cobalt-induced neurobehavioral deficits and neuropathological damage through ferroptosis activation. Collectively, these results provide important insights into cobalt-induced neurotoxicity by targeting FTO deficiency-mediated ferroptosis and offer an innovative strategy for investigating neurodegenerative processes driven by environmental toxicants.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects an estimated 936 million adults worldwide, yet how environmental exposures relate to sleep architecture and nocturnal oxygenation remains unclear. We conducted a retrospective polysomnography-based study of 4049 adults in Shenzhen, China, to examine the relationships of ambient air pollutants, PM_2.5 inorganic components, and meteorological factors with OSA severity, sleep architecture, and nocturnal oxygenation. Lag 0-180 days was selected post hoc as the main reporting window. Within this window, PM_2.5, PM₁₀, NO₂, SO₂, CO, and diurnal temperature range (DTR) were all linked to greater OSA severity. Multiple pollutants were associated with lighter sleep; for example, PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ were associated with 1.71%TST and 1.32%TST increases in N1 sleep and 1.51%TST and 1.32%TST decreases in N3 sleep, respectively. O₃ and DTR showed the clearest adverse relationships with nocturnal oxygenation and sleep continuity. Non-linear analyses showed increasing exposure-response associations for PM_2.5, SO₂, and DTR, but a U-shaped association for O₃. Interaction and mixture analyses further indicated meteorological modification and more consistent mixture relationships with altered sleep architecture than with categorical OSA severity. These findings highlight the importance of broader polysomnographic dimensions, cumulative exposure windows, and co-exposure patterns in future research.

Achieving high-value conversion of industrial solid waste and agricultural biomass is important for advancing circular agriculture. In this study, an alkaline co-thermal activation strategy was developed to convert coal gasification slag (CGS), rich in Fe₂O₃, CaO, and SiO₂, and cotton stalk (CS), rich in lignocellulose, into a multifunctional humic acid-containing fertilizer. The optimal preparation conditions were a CGS/CS mass ratio of 2 : 5, a pyrolysis temperature of 220 °C, a residence time of 120 min, and a KOH dosage of 20% based on CS, under which the artificial total humic acid yield reached 51.02% ± 1.10%. Under alkaline thermal conditions, the mineral components in CGS are activated and interact with organic intermediates derived from CS. These mineral-organic interactions may have facilitated the transformation and condensation of lignocellulosic derivatives, promoting the formation of aromatic and oxygen-containing carbon structures and contributing to the development of humus-like structures. FTIR and ¹³C NMR analyses revealed distinct aromatic and oxygen-containing carbon characteristics between the resulting product and mineral-derived potassium humate (M-HA-K). After solid-liquid separation, the water-soluble fraction (SF) contained water-soluble humic substances and nutrients, showing potential for short-term growth promotion, whereas the solid residue (IF) retained mineral components and carbonaceous structures, showing potential for use as a soil amendment. Hydroponic and pot experiments confirmed that humic substances and activated mineral elements synergistically enhanced wheat growth. This work provides a practical zero-waste route for producing multifunctional humic-based fertilizers from industrial and agricultural wastes.

The frequency of lithium-ion battery (LIB) fires is increasing globally, creating new challenges for firefighters and growing public safety concerns from smoke and intense heat. However, the health effects from exposure to LIB fires are not well understood. We collected soot and smoke particulate matter (PM) from LIB thermal runaway events (10 and 2 fire tests for soot and PM samples, respectively), filtered them to remove non-inhalable particles (>10 μm), analyzed for chemical composition and assessed for lung toxicity and pulmonary function in mice at 4 h and 24 h post exposure to 100 μg of the sample. Chemical and biological results were analyzed using a computational approach to identify hazardous chemical components that were potentially responsible for toxicity outcomes. Computational findings were further compared to those produced by other sources of air pollution. The soot sample contained more carbon species than the smoke PM sample (37% vs. 18%), whereas anions were higher in the PM sample (12% vs. 6%), and concentrations of inorganic elements were similar (23% vs. 28%). Fluoride particulate was found to account for up to 5% of the mass of each sample. Only soot significantly increased ventilatory timing and peak expiratory flow in mice and decreased relaxation time, while both samples caused significant increases in inflammatory responses. Soot and PM exhibited similar lung inflammatory outcomes relative to those caused by previously reported combustion-related air pollution sources. Computational analysis indicated that fluoride, Al, Fe, Ni, and Li from both samples were significantly associated with the lung toxicity responses (p < 0.05). The findings indicate that LIB fire soot and PM that contain hazardous metals and fluoride elicit pulmonary toxicity responses comparable to other sources of air pollution, increasing the need for awareness of potential strategies to mitigate public health impacts.

Biological treatment is widely used for nitrogen removal from wastewater. The discovery of aerobic-heterotrophic nitrogen removal (AHNR) strains challenged conventional views, yet research has concentrated on nitrification/denitrification while the contribution of ammonia assimilation has received little attention. In this study, the nitrogen metabolism of AHNR strain R. pyridinivorans B403 was characterized. Under optimal conditions (C/N = 11.5, salinity = 0.47%, inoculation amount = 3.0% (v/v)), B403 achieved liquid-phase removal efficiencies of 100%, 86.61%, and 92.24% for NH₄⁺-N, NO₃^--N, and NO₂^--N, with maximum rates of 18.77 mg/(L⋅h), 6.30 mg/(L⋅h), and 6.62 mg/(L⋅h), respectively. Nitrogen balance analysis indicated that assimilation was the primary nitrogen metabolism pathway, with 79.20%-89.34% of inorganic nitrogen assimilated into biomass nitrogen and no significant total nitrogen (TN) loss. B403 exhibited high activity of key assimilation enzymes and maintained high nitrogen removal efficiency under nitrification-inhibiting conditions. The genome was annotated with 37 nitrogen metabolism-related genes, including assimilation and nitrate/nitrite reduction pathways, but lacked canonical denitrification gas-production genes. The proposed nitrogen metabolism pathway of B403 is: NH₄⁺-N→ NH₂OH → NO₂^--N ↔ NO₃^--N → NH₄⁺-N → biomass nitrogen. Bioaugmentation of activated sludge with 5% (v/v) B403 under max 400 mg/L NH₄⁺-N conditions raised mean removal efficiency from 82.33% to 92.53%, significantly reduced NO₃^--N accumulation and increased sludge protein content. These findings indicate an assimilation-dominated nitrogen metabolism pathway of AHNR strain B403, enabling simultaneous liquid-phase inorganic nitrogen removal with biomass nitrogen accumulation, providing a promising strategy for the efficient treatment of nitrogen-rich wastewater.

Microbial chain elongation (CE) offers a promising route for producing medium-chain carboxylic acids (MCFAs), but its performance is often limited by product accumulation and associated inhibition. Here, biochar was shown to enhance CE not only by improving initial performance but, more importantly, by sustaining MCFA production through adsorption-mediated regulation, in contrast to nano-Fe₃O₄. Notably, secondary biochar addition to steady-state fermentation broth reinitiated substrate consumption and led to additional butyrate production. Nano-Fe₃O₄, while achieving a higher initial caproate concentration (14.35 ± 0.86 g COD/L, 1.82-fold of the control) through enhanced electron transfer, did not further stimulate CE once steady state was reached. Adsorption analysis showed that biochar retained 2146.7 mg COD/L of caproate and 756.9 mg COD/L of butyrate, substantially lowering dissolved product concentrations. Thermodynamic evaluation revealed that this in situ adsorption reduced product activity and increased the driving force for chain elongation, thereby increasing the apparent thermodynamic driving force and sustaining MCFA formation under near-steady-state conditions. These findings highlight adsorption-mediated equilibrium regulation as a previously overlooked mechanism by which biochar prolongs CE performance.

Introduction: Landscape fire-sourced fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 μm (PM_2.5) may be more oxidatively active and biologically toxic than PM_2.5 from other sources, but evidence of its kidney effects in children is limited.

Objectives: To examine the association between landscape fire-sourced PM_2.5 exposure and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in children and identify potentially susceptible subgroups.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 12,102 children aged 5-18 years who participated in the China National Nutrition and Health Surveillance of Children and Lactating Women between October 2016 and December 2018. eGFR was estimated from serum creatinine (Scr), and three-year average pre-survey exposure to landscape fire-sourced PM_2.5 was assigned using school addresses. Associations were estimated using linear mixed-effects models, with subgroup analyses by sex, obesity, NDVI, and nutrient intake.

Results: The mean age was 10.90 ± 3.12 years, and 6,064 participants (50.11%) were boys. Each IQR (0.505 μg/m³) increase in landscape fire-sourced PM_2.5 was associated with a 0.83 mL/min/1.73 m² reduction in eGFR (95% CI: -1.03, -0.62). The association was stronger among middle school students (β = -1.46 mL/min/1.73 m²; 95% CI: -1.83, -1.09) than among primary school students (β = -0.59 mL/min/1.73 m²; 95% CI: -0.84, -0.34; P_{for difference} < 0.001). Stratified analyses showed significant between-group differences by NDVI, vitamin intake, and carbohydrate intake, with stronger inverse associations in the lower-NDVI and lower-intake groups (P_{for difference} < 0.05 for all reported comparisons).

Conclusions: Landscape fire-sourced PM_2.5 exposure was associated with lower eGFR in the overall population, with stronger associations among middle school students and children with lower NDVI or lower vitamin or carbohydrate intake.

The reduction of mortality is essential for the conservation of long-lived threatened bird species such as the bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) and poisoning due to the ingestion of lead (Pb) ammunition used in hunting is among its main threats. In this study, we non-invasively assessed Pb exposure in the bearded vulture population of the French Alps by analyzing segments of flight feathers. Our aim was to determine the incidence of abnormal Pb exposure and examine its relationship with physiological stress, reflected by corticosterone levels in feathers. We also evaluated the contribution of Pb ammunition and diet, including soil ingestion, to Pb exposure in these birds, and examined its relationship with the Pb isotopic signature observed in birds, including some birds of prey found dead in the study area. The sequential analysis of flight feather segments allowed us to establish a monthly incidence of abnormal lead exposure of 3.3%. Corticosterone concentrations in flight feathers were not affected by Pb exposure. Regarding the contribution of different Pb sources, prey and soil contributed 0.021 and 0.016 mg/kg bw per day, respectively, whereas Pb ammunition particles ingested by scavengers when consuming shot prey frequently exceeded 100 mg. The isotopic signature of Pb ammunition is highly variable among manufacturers, but the discriminant analysis made it possible to associate Pb in the tissues of poisoned birds with the ingestion of Pb ammunition. Although the incidence of Pb exposure in bearded vultures is lower than in other scavenger birds in Europe, their conservation status underscores the need to reduce avoidable causes of mortality. In particular, Pb poisoning could be reduced by replacing Pb-based ammunition with non-toxic alternatives.