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Pollution by persistent organic pollutants (POPs) constitutes an environmental and public health crisis of planetary scale due to their toxicity, persistence, and capacity for bioaccumulation in ecosystems. Given the limitations of conventional methods, which are often costly or generate hazardous byproducts, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have emerged as critical alternatives for the terminal destruction of these compounds. However, a persistent gap remains between laboratory-scale innovations and their real industrial application. To address this issue, the study employs a systematic and quantitative bibliometric analysis of the scientific literature produced between 2000 and 2026. A total of 5911 documents indexed in Scopus were analyzed using specialized tools such as R Studio (bibliometrix) 2026.04.0+526 and VOSviewer (1.6.20) to map productivity, impact, and the intellectual structure of the field through co-occurrence networks and international collaboration. The results demonstrate exponential growth in research, with an annual rate exceeding 18%. China leads scientific production with 109 publications, while Spain and France record the highest impact per article, with averages of 217.5 and 213.5 citations respectively, underscoring the influence of their researchers as theoretical and methodological benchmarks. Authors such as Malato (Spain) and Oturan (France) act as central nodes of international collaboration, accumulating thousands of citations in areas such as solar photocatalysis and electro-Fenton processes. The analysis confirms that solar photocatalysis and electrochemical processes are the most effective AOP families, consistently reporting degradation efficiencies above 85-90%. Wastewater treatment is identified as the primary research driver, while advanced catalyst design has evolved into a niche technical specialization. Journals such as Chemosphere and Science of the Total Environment have consolidated as the main dissemination channels for this research.
Antibiotics are prescribed to humans and animals to fight and heal bacteriological diseases. Their accumulation in natural waters and real wastewaters can enhance the resistance to bacterial infection with damage of beneficial bacteria. This work presents a comprehensive and didactic review on the most relevant research of the homogeneous and heterogeneous electro-Fenton (EF) treatments of antibiotics in aqueous matrices, covering the period 2022-2025. The fundamentals and characteristics of each kind of EF process are separately detailed, explaining the generation of oxidizing agents such as •OH, O2•-, and 1O2, sulfate radical, and HClO. The application of homogeneous EF, homogeneous EF-like, and heterogeneous EF with solid catalysts or functionalized cathodes to the fast and (almost) total degradation and/or slower mineralization of antibiotics is subsequently analyzed. Stirred undivided tank reactors and flow reactors with two- or three-electrodes filled with synthetic solutions were considered, with didactic attention to the role of generated oxidants, operating variables, by-products formed, reaction sequences proposed, and reusability of the electrolytic systems. A continuous flow-through reactor with functionalized carbon/N-CNTs/FeNi cathode maintained total degradation with 78%TOC reduction of 117 mg L-1 florfenicol during 72 h. The behavior of several real wastewaters was examined as well. The changes of toxicity of treated antibiotic effluents are detailed using bioindicators or theoretical predictions of by-products formed with ECOSAR and T.E.S.T. programs. Challenges and future perspectives of EF techniques over antibiotics removal are finally discussed.
This study presents, the conversion of almond peel waste into activated carbon (APAC) and its use for removing tetracycline (TC) antibiotic from water. The prepared APAC possesses a rough, highly porous, and mesoporous carbon structure with a high surface area, as revealed by FESEM and BET analysis. FTIR, XRD, and XPS results showed the presence of oxygenated and phosphorus-containing surface functionalities and a predominantly amorphous carbon framework, which favored effective TC adsorption. Adsorption experiments indicated that TC removal was best described by the Elovich kinetic model (R2 = 0.9999), while equilibrium data fit the Freundlich isotherm model (R2 = 0.9961), suggesting adsorption on a heterogeneous surface. The maximum adsorption capacity obtained from the Langmuir model was 87.91 mg/g. Thermodynamic results confirmed that the process was spontaneous and exothermic, with a ΔH° value of -14.76 kJ/mol. After 3 reuse cycles, APAC retained approximately 76.65% of its initial removal efficiency and showed reliable TC removal in real water samples. Phytotoxicity tests using Brassica juncea demonstrated that APAC treatment significantly reduced the toxic effects of TC on plant growth. Machine learning models developed from 180 experimental data points showed excellent prediction accuracy, with CatBoost giving the best performance (Test R2 = 0.9853). SHAP assessment of the optimized CatBoost model identified TC concentration and time as the dominant predictors. Greenness and applicability assessment gave AGREE, ComplexMoGAPI, and BAGI scores of 0.53, 73, and 67.5, respectively, indicating moderate overall sustainability and practical applicability with scope for improvement. Overall, APAC shows promise as an effective biomass derived adsorbent for TC removal from wastewater.
Seasonal road salt application is vital for winter road safety, but repeated use of chloride (Cl-)-rich salts (e.g., NaCl) releases high Cl- loads to nearby soils. Elevated Cl- levels can mobilize toxic trace metals from roadside soils, posing environmental risks. Although Cl--free organic salts are recommended as alternatives, their geochemical behavior in soils under varying environmental conditions remains less well understood. This study investigated the effects of pH and temperature on metal release performance from an agricultural roadside soil exposed to different deicing chemicals (NaCl, CaCl2, KCl, calcium magnesium acetate [CMA], sodium acetate [NaOAc], and potassium formate [HCOOK]) under laboratory conditions. The soil was amended with Pb (13 mg/kg) and Cd (3 mg/kg), divided into six portions, incubated separately with each salt (1000 mg/L for Cl--based salts and 1400 mg/L for formate/acetate-based salts) and subjected to alternative freshening and salting cycles under two pHs (5 and 8) and temperatures (5 and 20 °C). Changing the temperature from 5 °C to 20 °C had a minimal influence on the pH of the salt-added soil samples, except for NaOAc-treated soils, which caused the highest alkalinization (pH 6.0 to pH 8.8). This soil also released the greatest concentrations of Zn2+, Cu2+, Pb2+, and Cd2+ in all four pH and temperature conditions during the first freshening stage (cumulative release ∼ 2 mg/kg), mostly driven by stable acetate-complexes; for instance, ∼70% of total aqueous Pb2+ was mobilized as acetates at pH 8 and 20 °C, as identified through geochemical modeling. In contrast, Cl--based salts showed limited trace metal leaching given the low Cl- input concentration (∼28 mM) used during the incubation. CMA had the least influence on soil properties, including pH, EC, Cl-, and trace metal release, while promoting Ca2+ and Mg2+ availability. Although all trace metal concentrations remained below regulatory limits, the findings highlight distinct Cl--driven vs. organic ligand-driven pathways that govern metal mobility and underscore the need for salt selection strategies based on soil chemistry and seasonal factors.
Silver-loaded activated carbon (Ag/AC) was synthesized via an impregnation method and evaluated in a 180-day continuous-flow column system treating natural river water to investigate its long-term antibacterial performance and likely impact on organic matter removal. Compared with activated carbon before silver loading (AC), Ag/AC suppressed bacterial proliferation and biofilm development during operation, as indicated by lower bacterial counts and reduced 16S rDNA copy numbers in both effluent and attached biofilm. During the operation, bacterial accumulation and biofilm growth increased, and an elevation in effluent 16S rDNA was observed prior to hydraulic cleaning at day 140. After cleaning, antibacterial performance improved. Silver loading slightly reduced the removal efficiency of dissolved organic matter (DOM) including humic-like, fulvic-like, and protein-like components, as well as p-nitrophenol (PNP), a representative low-molecular-weight organic compound. Longer empty bed contact time (EBCT) enhanced both antibacterial performance and organic matter removal. Overall, Ag/AC exhibited sustained antibacterial activity throughout the 180-day operation, while showing slightly lower organic matter removal compared with AC. These findings could contribute to better understanding of the long-term operational behaviour of Ag-modified activated carbon in drinking water treatment.
Copper is an essential microelement for energy metabolism and serves as an enzyme cofactor; however, high concentrations cause toxicity and lead to contamination in black soldier fly larvae (BSFL; Hermetia illucens; Diptera: Stratiomyidae) production for feed and food. This study assessed the effects of high-dose Cu exposure on the growth, substrate conversion, mortality rate, Cu bioaccumulation, and nutritional quality of BSFL. Six-day-old larvae were reared for 10 d on substrates supplemented with copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate (CuSO4·5H2O) at six concentrations: T0 = 0.01; T1 = 436; T2 = 868; T3 = 1312; T4 = 1744; and T5 = 2182 mg kg-1 dry matter (DM). The results indicated a clear dose-dependent response, where increasing Cu exposure progressively reduced the final body weight and weight gain (p < 0.010). A relative tolerance was observed at the medium dose (436 mg kg-1 DM, where performance did not differ significantly from that of the control. In contrast, high-dose exposure (≥868 mg kg-1 DM) caused a marked decline in growth performance, with the most severe effect observed at 2182 mg kg-1 DM (T5). A dose of 436 mg kg-1 DM represents the peak of bioaccumulation but decreases at higher doses. This pattern indicates a physiological mechanism of saturation or enhanced excretion. The Cu content in BSFL biomass reached a maximum of 26.3 mg kg-1 DM and remains within the safe feed limits established by the European Food Safety Authority (15-170 mg kg-1 DM). The level of essential amino acids (arginine, histidine, and phenylalanine) decreased significantly under Cu treatment ≥436 mg kg-1, as confirmed by multivariate analysis (p < 0.050, KMO = 0.636). In conclusion, Cu exposure reduces BSFL production by altering physiology and nutritional quality, with 868 mg kg-1 serving as the critical threshold for growth and amino acid composition.
The non-target toxicity of organophosphorus (OP) insecticides has affected the distribution and metabolic performances of native microbial communities resulting in loss of soil productivity. Dimethoate (DM) and other OP insecticides are known to decrease physiological performances and change the biochemical composition of cyanobacteria but detailed evaluation of the impact of DM on the photosystem II (PS II), specifically on the major light harvesting and water splitting processes, is lacking. We observed that DM (at 50-200 μM) reduced growth, pigment contents, and photosynthesis, but enhanced respiration, lipid peroxidation and accumulation of fluorescing chlorophyll catabolites of Anabaena sp. PCC 7119. OJIP fluorescence transients showed an increase in OJ fluorescence with proportionate enhancement at J inflection. Donor limitation of PS II was observed with fluorescence rise at K and L inflections, which could be compared with that of ammonia. The increase in the magnitude of parameters of PS II acceptor side functions, VJ, φD0, Abs/RC and D0/RC, indicated reduced PS II-PS I electron transport. This was supported by decrease in proportion of PS I reduction, which could be increased with addition of ascorbate. Increase in PS I reduction under ascorbate rich medium confirmed the donor limitation of PS II.
While the sea bottom is the major final sink for plastic items in the oceans, where they end up buried in sediments, the biodegradation of biopolymers has been studied so far under oxic conditions in the water column or the water-sediment interface. Here, the biodegradability of thin films of commercial biopolyesters, i.e., poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA), poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), and poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBH), was investigated in microcosms of an anoxic marine sediment. PHBH rapidly biodegraded within 1 month both under sulfate-reducing and sulfate-depleted conditions, showing evidences of mineralization into carbon dioxide and methane. Hydrolytic and fermentative bacteria likely acting in the first PHBH degradation steps, along with sulfate-reducing bacteria and methanogens completing its mineralization, enriched in the sediment microbial community. All other biopolyesters did not biodegrade within 8 months of incubation. No biodegradation was also observed over 4 months when incubated concomitantly with PHBH, pointing out that PHBH biodegradation does not promote the contextual biodegradation of other biopolyesters. This work indicates that current commercial biopolyesters, except polyhydroxyalkanoates, would persist after burying in anoxic marine sediments and highlights the importance to expand the current standard tests for determining bioplastic biodegradability in marine settings to anoxic sediments.
Sea surface temperature (SST) in the Northwest Pacific exerts a first-order control on typhoon genesis, monsoon dynamics, and regional ocean-atmosphere feedbacks. Yet the extent to which anthropogenic aerosols, especially their distinct chemical species, modulate SST remains insufficiently understood, limiting our ability to attribute observed variability and to improve coupled model performance. Here, using high-resolution WRF-Chem simulations, we disentangle the species-dependent impacts of aerosols on SST through both direct radiative forcing and cloud-mediated indirect pathways. Accounting for aerosols reduces the regional SST bias by 13% and reveals a robust vertical cloud adjustment pattern characterized by enhanced low clouds and suppressed high clouds. Sulfate and organic carbon exert strong cooling effects, black carbon drives localized warming through atmospheric absorption, and ammonia substantially amplifies indirect cooling via cloud microphysical responses. These results highlight the crucial role of aerosol chemical composition in shaping regional SST patterns, with significant implications for predicting typhoon activity, monsoon variability, and ecosystem responses in the Northwest Pacific.
Tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA), the main brominated flame retardant in acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) plastics, is widely found in waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). As an additive, it can migrate from the polymer matrix and degrade, forming hazardous brominated compounds. The photochemical behavior of TBBPA in ABS, however, has not been systematically investigated, limiting accurate evaluation of occupational exposure during recycling. This study examined the photodegradation of TBBPA-containing ABS under controlled UV and thermal conditions using spectroscopic, chromatographic, and microscopic analyses. TBBPA accelerated ABS oxidation through bromine radical reactions, suppressing the induction period typical of commercial ABS. Major transformation products included carboxylic acids, esters, aldehydes, ketones, and lactones. After 220 h of irradiation, about 50 % of TBBPA and 20 % of bromine were lost, accompanied by surface cracking and yellowing that slowed down further oxidation by limiting light and oxygen diffusion. No brominated volatiles were detected in the gas phase, indicating that degradation products remained in solid phase. Bromine-rich residues on the aged polymer surface were easily transferable by contact, suggesting exposure of WEEE workers through dermal, inhalation, or ingestion pathways. These results provide mechanistic evidence of TBBPA degradation in ABS and support improved risk management and safer recycling practices for brominated plastics.
The overuse of antibiotics in human and veterinary medicine has led to soil and water contamination, posing a significant threat to environmental and human health. This study investigated the effects of leonardite on the uptake of ciprofloxacin by leek (Allium ampeloprasum L.) grown in ciprofloxacin-contaminated soil, characterizing plant morphological traits, phytochemical properties, and the activity of soil rhizosphere microbial community. The fully factorial greenhouse experiments were conducted with the treatments of leonardite (0, 20 and 50 g kg-1 soil) and ciprofloxacin (0 and 368 mg kg-1 soil) in three replications. At harvest (42 days after planting), ciprofloxacin exposure significantly inhibited plant growth, reducing shoot height by 18% and stem diameter by 48% compared to the control. The most pronounced inhibition of dry weight (by 35%) occurred at the highest leonardite application rate of 20 g kg-1. The concentration of ciprofloxacin in shoot significantly decreased with leonardite application. Leeks grown in antibiotic-free soil amended with 50 g kg-1 leonardite exhibited a significant increase in total phenols (46%) and DPPH radical scavenging activity (38%) compared to the control. The application of 50 g kg-1 leonardite also increased flavonoid content by 73% and SPAD values (an indicator of chlorophyll) by 10%. In the ciprofloxacin-contaminated soil, the leonardite application at 20 and 50 g kg-1 enhanced soil microbial abundance based on the plating method (2.3 and 2.8 times, respectively) and respiration (2.1 and 3.1 times) as well as activities of dehydrogenase (1.2 and 1.6 times), alkaline phosphatase (2.0 and 2.7 times), and urease (2.4 and 3.4 times, respectively) compared with the control without leonardite. This study highlights the potential of leonardite as an effective and low-cost soil amendment to mitigate ciprofloxacin uptake by plants, enhance plant growth, and improve soil microbial abundance and enzyme activities in antibiotic-contaminated soils.
Bioretention systems can effectively remove heavy metals from urban stormwater runoff. However, seasonal dynamics of metal accumulation and the role of road salt in metal mobilization from bioretention media under field conditions remain poorly understood. Moreover, limited research has examined metal accumulation in plants in bioretention systems in field. This study investigated seasonal variation in metal (Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Nickel, Lead, and Zinc) and major cation (Sodium, Magnesium, Calcium, and Potassium) contents and metal accumulation in leaf tissue of 14 plant species across 19 field-scale bioretention sites in Toronto, Canada. Media and catchment characteristics influencing metal retention in bioretention systems were examined. All metals were positively correlated with electrical conductivity and exchangeable sodium percentage; Copper, Lead, and Zinc showed positive correlations with chloride, indicating mobilization by ion exchange and chloride complexation. Metals and major cation contents (dry weight basis) were 2-26% lower in summer compared with winter, except for Zinc and Calcium, indicating mobilization with potential risks to freshwater degradation. Media with higher organic matter and fine sediments retained more metals. Sites receiving runoff from high-traffic roads had elevated Chromium and Nickel contents, while those with large directly connected impervious areas had higher Copper, Lead, and Zinc. Older systems (∼10 operational years) retained higher metals, with Copper, Zinc, and Chromium exceeding environmental toxicity thresholds, particularly in the inlet and middle zones at some sites. Therefore, bioretention systems older than 10 years and those draining large impervious areas, high-traffic roads will likely require more frequent maintenance, which can be done through periodic removal of the top 2-5 cm of accumulated surface sediment. Plant species from the Asteraceae family accumulated a wide range of metals at potentially phytotoxic levels. These species may aid phytoremediation in systems receiving high metal loads, though seasonal pruning may be required to prevent release back into media.
The intensive use of herbicides in agriculture has caused contamination of soil, surface waters and underground waters. The presence of atrazine (ATZ), an herbicide widely used in soybean, wheat, and corn crops, is particularly relevant. This study evaluated the degradation of ATZ by persulfate (PS), using Fe oxide activation of two highly weathered soils (Oxisol and Alfisol), with contrasting hematite (Hm) and goethite (Gt) contents. To better predict the mechanisms involved in PS activation and ATZ degradation, tests were also conducted with synthetic ferrihydrite (Fh), Gt, and Hm. The soils were subjected to sequential extractions to obtain residues free of: i) more soluble forms of iron (pyrophosphate - PYR); ii) low crystalline oxides (ammonium oxalate - AO); iii) well-crystalline oxides (citrate-bicarbonate- dithionite - CBD). The decomposition rate of PS by synthetic Fe oxides decreased in the following order (L-1 min-1): Fh - 0.168 > Gt - 0.024 > Hm - 0.011. Positive effects of PS and Fh concentrations and negative effects of pH were observed on the degradation of ATZ. The best experimental conditions were PS 700 mg L-1; Fh 12 mg and pH 3.5. Oxisol and Alfisol and their sequential residues were less efficient in ATZ degradation than synthetic Fe oxides. The maximum percentage of ATZ removal for Oxisol occurred in PYR residue (20%). To successfully remediate highly weathered soils contaminated with ATZ, periodic and continuous supplementation of PS is necessary. The high proportion of crystalline Fe should favor the continuous and long-term heterogeneous process in the soils.
Copper contamination in water and irrigation sources is an essential environmental exposure pathway that can affect ecosystem health and, indirectly, food safety. Here, we present a sustainable optical sensing platform based on bio-inspired carbon quantum dots (CQDs) synthesized from Mucuna pruriens seeds via a green hydrothermal route. The synthesis yields uniformly dispersed nanoparticles (∼2.5 nm) enriched with oxygen- and nitrogen-containing surface functionalities, imparting strong colloidal stability and efficient photoluminescence with a quantum yield of 18.70%. These CQDs exhibit excitation-dependent fluorescence that is selectively quenched by Cu2+ ions via a photoinduced electron transfer (PeT) mechanism, achieving detection limits of 0.34 μM. The CQDs enable both solution-based and filter paper-mediated visual detection. Low phytotoxicity in seed germination assays underscores their environmental compatibility. This study demonstrates that Mucuna pruriens-derived CQDs provide a promising, sustainable fluorescent agent for sensitive, portable monitoring of Cu2+ ions in aqueous environments.
There is a lack of specific treatments to mitigate medium-range mercury concentrations in soil in the context of mercury-based industrial sites decommission. Treatability tests were carried out to assess the immobilization of Hg(0) using in situ solidification-stabilization (S/S). Various chemical treatments were investigated. They were based on solidifying agents and sulfur-based mercury stabilizers, used individually and in combination. These treatments were applied to a limestone backfill model material (BM), at concentrations around 1000 mg kg-1 of Hg(0). Although its ultimate purpose was reagent injection, the treatment was performed through mixing to minimize result variability and enable a robust assessment of the applied chemical treatments. Chemical treatments were assessed considering the Hg-mobility from the treated BM, its mechanical strength, and its residual permeability. The apparently conflicting objectives of mercury sequestration, solidification of a macro-porous material, and maintenance of BM permeability were achieved using very low reagent concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 4% w/w. The study revealed the synergy operating between solidifying and stabilizing agents. After 5 contact days, reductions of up to 600-fold in GEM release and up to 80-fold of total mercury in leachates were observed relative to the untreated contaminated BM, whereas the permeability of the treated BM was only reduced by half.
Mercury (Hg) is a persistent and highly toxic pollutant that poses significant threats to ecosystems and human health. Its long-range transport, bioaccumulation, biomagnification, and complex environmental cycling amplify these risks. This review provides a comprehensive overview of mercury's sources, transformations, impacts, health risks, remediation strategies, and regulatory frameworks. Mercury enters the environment from natural sources, such as volcanic eruptions, rock weathering, forest fires, and ocean emissions, as well as from anthropogenic sources, such as coal combustion, mining, industrial discharge, and waste incineration. After release, mercury undergoes various physical, chemical, and biological transformations, including the microbial conversion of inorganic mercury to methylmercury, its most toxic and bioaccumulative form. It accumulates in aquatic organisms and biomagnifies through food webs, causing reproductive toxicity, growth inhibition, behavioral changes, and biodiversity loss. Human exposure primarily occurs through consumption of contaminated fish or water, occupational activities, or inhalation of mercury vapor, leading to neurotoxicity, kidney damage, developmental disorders, and immune dysfunction. Remediation strategies, involving physical, chemical, biological, and nanotechnology-based approaches, aim to remove or immobilize mercury. Effective pollution control requires sustainable remediation, monitoring, stringent regulations, and international cooperation through agreements such as the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
Plasticizers are persistent contaminants commonly detected in treated sewage effluent (TSE), which has raised concerns regarding their potential neurotoxic effects in exposed aquatic species. This study examined the neurobehavioral and molecular impacts of chronic exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of plasticizer-contaminated TSE in adult zebrafish and their offspring. Adult zebrafish were chronically exposed for three months to TSE collected from three wastewater treatment stations (A, B, C). Locomotor, expression of key neurodevelopmental as well as genes involved in oxidative stress and apoptosis were evaluated in both adults and embryos to assess life stage-specific and parental exposure-mediated responses in F1 offspring. TSE analysis revealed station specific plasticizer mixtures, with the highest cumulative concentrations detected at Station A. These chemical differences preceded distinct biological effects. Adult zebrafish exhibited significant hyperactivity across stations, while embryos from exposed adults showed reduced motility, strongest for Station B. Gene expression analysis showed station dependent alterations in neurodevelopmental, oxidative stress, and apoptotic markers, with adults displaying overall downregulation of neuronal genes and offspring exhibiting increased neurotrophic and stress related responses. These findings suggest that chronic exposure to environmentally realistic plasticizer mixtures in TSE is associated with life stage-dependent neurotoxic responses and parental exposure-mediated molecular alterations in F1 offspring; however, causal attribution to specific compounds cannot be established from these mixture-based data. These findings highlight the need for mixture aware risk assessment and sustained monitoring of reclaimed water quality in water scarce regions.
A common environmental pollutant, mercury (Hg) has serious effects on ecosystems and human health. This review examines the intricate biogeochemical mechanisms that control mercury, its effects on human health and ecological systems, and new remediation techniques. Mercury's elemental (Hg0), inorganic (Hg (II)), and organic methylmercury (MeHg) forms interact intricately throughout its environmental cycle. Its mobility and toxicity are significantly influenced by variables like temperature, atmospheric deposition, microbial methylation and demethylation, and the presence of organic matter. Mercury's bioaccumulation and biomagnification in terrestrial and aquatic environments food chains and biodiversity, endangering both people and wildlife. Human exposure to mercury causes serious health problems, such as neurotoxicity, immune system impairments, and developmental difficulties. This exposure occurs mostly from occupational exposure and the ingestion of seafood contaminated with mercury. Those who are more susceptible to mercury contamination include pregnant women and youngsters. Innovative technologies like phytoremediation, bioremediation, and mercury capture techniques have been included into remediation techniques to address this pressing problem. Globally, agreements such as the Minamata Convention play a crucial role in combating mercury pollution. There are critical data includes the scale of release from permafrost thaw of Hg already present in sediments remains uncertain by a factor of 10 and there is no reliable method exists for predicting MeHg hotspots based on DOM character or hgcAB genes. The necessity of an integrated approach to mercury management is emphasized in this study, which promotes cooperation between stakeholders, scientists, and legislators in order to safeguard human health and the environment.
Perovskite nanomaterials are increasingly used in energy storage, catalysis, and sensing, but their effects on human health and the environment remain poorly understood, especially for newer types. This study presents the first direct comparison of two emerging perovskites, nickel-titanate (NiTiO3) and calcium-manganite (CaMnO3) tested simultaneously in human epithelial cells (A549) and Escherichia coli bacteria, providing a dual-host perspective on their biological impact. The materials differed notably in shape and size: NiTiO3 formed smooth, spherical-like particles (∼367 nm), while CaMnO3 had irregular, sharp-edged structures (∼588 nm). Neither caused destruction of red blood cells up to 400 μg/mL, although CaMnO3 induced visible deformation. In human cells, CaMnO3 was more toxic, causing oxidative stress, DNA damage, and activation of inflammatory and cell-death pathways. In bacteria, both nanomaterial increased cell membrane permeability, oxidative stress, with CaMnO3 showing stronger bactericidal effects. Metabolomic analysis of bacterial and human cells via NMR revealed NiTiO3 disrupted amino acid and energy metabolism primarily. Surprisingly, CaMnO3 caused broader but moderate metabolic changes., whereas NiTiO3 caused greater metabolic disruption despite being less lethal, suggesting that cell death and metabolic harm are not always correlated. Notably, both nanomaterials significantly enhanced horizontal gene transfer between bacteria, especially via outer membrane vesicles, raising concerns about accelerating antibiotic resistance spread. Overall, small differences in composition and shape led to vastly different biological outcomes. This study establishes a cross-species testing framework for nanomaterial safety and underscores the importance of biosafety considerations in developing next-generation perovskites. Environmental implication: This study highlights important environmental concerns associated with the growing use of perovskite nanomaterials. Once released into air, water, or soil, NiTiO3 and CaMnO3 may interact with human cells and beneficial microbial communities. CaMnO3 showed higher toxicity in human cells and bacteria, while both nanomaterials significantly increased horizontal gene transfer, which may accelerate the spread of antibiotic resistance in the environment. Such changes can affect ecosystem balance and public health. These findings emphasize the need for responsible production, controlled disposal, and rigorous environmental risk assessment before the large-scale application of perovskite nanomaterials.