Sci. Total Environ. [JOURNAL]
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200 papers
Distinctive factors driving microplastic distribution in arid zone ecosystems.
Al Maqbali F, Al Reasi H, Al-Alawi A … +1 more , Barry MJ
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42308984 · Publisher ↗
Microplastics (MPs) are a global threat but their transport and behavior vary between geographic regions. Arid zones cover 40% of the Earth's land area and are characterized by limited rainfall, intermittent streams, and...
Microplastics (MPs) are a global threat but their transport and behavior vary between geographic regions. Arid zones cover 40% of the Earth's land area and are characterized by limited rainfall, intermittent streams, and hydrophobic soils; yet little is known about the behavior of MPs in these regions. We quantified spatial patterns of MPs in a large fluvial valley in northern Oman, (wadi Al Khoud), and tested how a rainfall event altered MP abundance, composition, and associated pollution indices. Surface sediments (top 4 cm) were collected at 11 sites spanning agricultural, natural, residential, flood retention, and coastal residential zones during dry-season baseflow (October 2023) and again following flooding associated with heavy rainfall (March 2024). MPs were extracted and characterized by shape, size, and color, and polymer type. Pollution and polymer toxicity indices were calculated. MP concentrations differed significantly among sites, between zones, and between sampling periods, with a significant site by rainfall interaction. Flooding increased MP abundance at most locations, notably a 1000% increase at a flood-retention dam, relative to pre-flood conditions. Land use influenced MP burdens: before flooding, agricultural and residential sites exceeded the natural zone; after flooding, the flood retention became a pronounced hotspot. Fragments dominated in both periods, while fibers declined markedly after flooding. The smallest size class (0.01-0.05 mm) was the most prevalent in both periods. Polypropylene and polyethylene were the most common polymers across sites and seasons. MP abundance correlated positively with total organic content, silt, and clay, and negatively with sand. Pollution indices increased following flooding, indicating heightened post-flood toxicological risk. These results identify flooding, particularly retention-dam trapping, as a control on MP distribution in arid-zone stream sediments. The findings provide insights on the movement of MPs in arid zones and can act as a guide to assessing risks and mitigation strategies in the future.
Maintain local livestock or rely on imports? A consequential territorial life cycle assessment (LCA) of Reunion Island's food system.
Manon A, Anthony B, Mathieu V … +1 more , Jonathan V
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42308830 · Publisher ↗
This paper presents a methodology to help decision-makers assess the environmental relevance of maintaining local livestock in their territories rather than relying on animal products imported from regions where producti...
This paper presents a methodology to help decision-makers assess the environmental relevance of maintaining local livestock in their territories rather than relying on animal products imported from regions where production may be more efficient. Using the case of Reunion Island, we first conducted an attributional LCA to compare local and imported animal products, and second, a consequential territorial approach to assess the impacts of removing local livestock at the food system level. The attributional LCA showed that the impacts of imported animal products were lower than the impacts of local ones on global warming (-24%) and land use (-17%). However, the consequential territorial LCA showed that removing local livestock and relying on imports is not always environmentally beneficial, as the impacts depend largely on the fate of grassland. If current crops expand onto former grasslands, removing local livestock increases the impact of the food system on global warming by +3%, thereby contradicting the conclusions that could be drawn from attributional LCA alone. Other grassland conversion pathways were also tested, including return to natural vegetation, and the introduction of new crops to enhance crops-based food self-sufficiency. The consequential territorial approach accounts for effects of local livestock removal beyond the livestock sector itself and provides a systemic assessment of the role of local livestock in carbon storage and biomass recycling within the territory, by evaluating these services both in the presence and absence of local livestock.
Fate of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in a mega-city wastewater treatment network: The 'Precursor Paradox' in transitioning to 100% water reclamation.
Otim FN, Otim O
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42302509 · Publisher ↗
As municipalities strive to replace potable water with recycled sources in their effort to transition toward 100% wastewater recycling, understanding exposure to contaminants that wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) were...
As municipalities strive to replace potable water with recycled sources in their effort to transition toward 100% wastewater recycling, understanding exposure to contaminants that wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) were not designed to remove is important for environmental and public health. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are such contaminants. They are man-made chemicals that persist in the environment and are known to bioaccumulate in living tissues with adverse effects. In this context, the occurrence of 31 PFAS in the sprawling network of four municipal WWTPs serving 4 million people in Los Angeles (USA) is examined comprehensively in this study. With 3252 pieces of data collected over four calendar quarters, results show that the network, on average, receives 202 g and discharges 107 g of PFAS on a daily basis. In terms of species however, the network releases more PFAS than it receives, suggesting that influents from the WWTPs contain unidentified PFAS precursor. Reverse osmosis filtration (RO), used in the production of recycled water, is able to remove 99% of the 31 PFAS from treated wastewater. While that is laudable, RO concentrates PFAS in brine, up to 40-fold at a time when no safe disposal method exists for the PFAS-laden brine. Managing this concentrate is therefore key in protecting exposure level and water quality. More work is needed to identify the presumed PFAS precursors in influent to prevent unintened introduction of PFAS into the environment via the water reclamation processes. And while the data used here is centered on Los Angeles, the implications are universal.
Integrated Hydrochemical and isotopic fingerprints of groundwater evolution, water quality, and health risk in Northwest Bangladesh.
Moniruzzaman M, Hassan HB, Asad HA … +2 more , Majumder RK, Tareq SM
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42302508 · Publisher ↗
Groundwater degradation threatens water security in agriculturally intensive regions of northwest Bangladesh. This study evaluates hydrogeochemical controls, contamination patterns, aquifer vulnerability, and associated...
Groundwater degradation threatens water security in agriculturally intensive regions of northwest Bangladesh. This study evaluates hydrogeochemical controls, contamination patterns, aquifer vulnerability, and associated human health risks in the Chapainawabganj district across contrasting Holocene floodplain and Pleistocene Barind aquifers. 41 groundwater samples were analyzed using hydrochemistry, stable isotopes (δH, δO), integrated water quality indices, and a DRASTIC-based vulnerability model. Distinct hydrochemical facies were identified, with Ca-HCO type waters dominating shallow floodplain aquifers, reflecting active recharge conditions, while deeper Barind aquifers exhibit Na-HCO signatures indicative of prolonged water-rock interaction and limited modern recharge. Isotopic signatures confirm meteoric origin of groundwater with evaporation effects in shallow systems, whereas deeper aquifers show restricted mixing, suggesting weak vertical hydraulic connectivity. Although 72.7% of samples meet permissible drinking water limits based on IWQI, heavy metal contamination remains severe, with more than 40% of samples classified as highly polluted according to HPI. Arsenic concentrations reach up to 127 ppb, exceeding guideline values by more than an order of magnitude, while iron and manganese peak at 3990 ppb and 994 ppb, respectively at shallow aquifer. Notably, 100% of shallow aquifer samples exceed WHO (2022) guideline limits for As, Fe, and Mn, indicating pervasive contamination and limited natural attenuation in the shallow groundwater system. DRASTIC indices (146-205) indicate that approximately 40% of the study area falls within moderate to high vulnerability zones, primarily in southern and western floodplain regions, consistent with observed contamination hotspots. Health risk assessment further reveals widespread non-carcinogenic risk (HI > 1) for both adults and children, while arsenic-related carcinogenic risks exceed the acceptable threshold (10) in multiple shallow aquifer samples. These findings demonstrate that groundwater quality deterioration is controlled by aquifer-specific hydrogeochemical processes and intrinsic vulnerability conditions. Protection of deeper Pleistocene aquifers as strategic freshwater reserves, along with targeted mitigation in high-risk floodplain zones, is essential for sustainable groundwater management. This integrated framework provides a transferable approach for assessing groundwater contamination and vulnerability in intensively cultivated alluvial systems.
Chlordecone exposure and its hidden burden on human health: mechanisms, epidemiology, and biomonitoring.
Masmoudi D, Dore M, Lebrini M … +1 more , Alix-Panabieres C
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42296907 · Publisher ↗
Chlordecone is a highly persistent organochlorine pesticide that has caused long-term environmental contamination, particularly in the French West Indies, where it was widely used on banana plantations between the 1970s...
Chlordecone is a highly persistent organochlorine pesticide that has caused long-term environmental contamination, particularly in the French West Indies, where it was widely used on banana plantations between the 1970s and the early 1990s. Its chemical stability, high lipophilicity, and strong affinity for organic matter have led to prolonged retention in soil, water, and food chains, resulting in chronic exposure of local populations. Experimental studies indicate that chlordecone acts as a neurotoxin, hepatotoxin, and endocrine disruptor, and is involved in biological processes consistent with carcinogenicity. Epidemiological evidence has reported associations between chlordecone exposure and adverse health outcomes, including prostate cancer incidence in Guadeloupe and Martinique. Emerging experimental studies in animal models suggest possible epigenetic alterations and transgenerational effects following chlordecone exposure. Advances in analytical techniques, particularly chromatography and mass spectrometry methods, have improved the sensitivity and reliability of exposure assessment, although difficulties remain in distinguishing recent exposures from cumulative exposures. This study summarizes current knowledge on the impacts on human health and experimental models, as well as methodological advances, highlighting critical gaps and priorities for future research aimed at mitigating the current risks associated with this persistent pollutant.
Antimicrobial resistance in the river Trent under flood and non-flood conditions.
Spurr M, Hart A, Schmidt W
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42296906 · Publisher ↗
A comprehensive sampling campaign with high spatial resolution has revealed the nature of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in river water under varied hydrological conditions. A 2.6 km stretch of the river Trent in England...
A comprehensive sampling campaign with high spatial resolution has revealed the nature of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in river water under varied hydrological conditions. A 2.6 km stretch of the river Trent in England was sampled at 18 locations. The river was sampled during a lowland flood (in late winter) as waters were rising and receding, and during non-flood conditions (in the following autumn). The sampling encompassed reaches upstream and downstream of a large sewage treatment works (STW) and a sewer overflow (SO) to assess the impact on AMR of treated and untreated sewage discharges. We assessed AMR through enumeration of bacterial and fungal phenotypes, antimicrobial resistance gene (ARG) markers by high-throughput quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) as well as measuring a suite of physicochemical water quality parameters. The phenotypic AMR methods broadly underperformed with floodwater samples, as high particulate matter appeared to reduce antimicrobial efficacy resulting in false-positive colony growth. Nonetheless, most AMR and water quality parameters showed the influence of the treated sewage discharge which was measurable approximately 2 km downstream. When floodwaters were rising after heavy rainfall, the treated sewage discharge actually diluted AMR levels and improved the microbial water quality of the river (which was impacted by upstream SOs and runoff). The samples taken at sites beside actively discharging SOs recorded (i) the highest levels of total and putative cefotaxime-resistant E. coli, (ii) highest prevalence of colonies resistant to fluconazole antifungal and (iii) significantly increased absolute abundance of ARGs conferring resistance to diaminopyrimidine, disinfectants, sulfonamide and tetracycline drug classes and crAss64 bacteriophage.
Beavers (Castor canadensis) as biomonitors of trace elements in the environment: examples from industrial, urban, rural and remote areas in western and eastern Canada.
Haas-Neill S, Dergousoff M, Grant-Weaver I … +4 more , Hood G, Noernberg T, Pelletier R, Shotyk W
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42296905 · Publisher ↗
Beavers (Castor canadensis) have been used for environmental biomonitoring of trace elements (TEs) due to their semiaquatic habits and localized foraging ranges. Their ongoing population expansion in the northern hemisph...
Beavers (Castor canadensis) have been used for environmental biomonitoring of trace elements (TEs) due to their semiaquatic habits and localized foraging ranges. Their ongoing population expansion in the northern hemisphere combined with increasing industrial development in the same region, presents a growing scientific opportunity to assess environmental impacts on biota. In northern Alberta, Canada, open-pit mining and upgrading of the Athabasca Bituminous Sands (ABS) has raised concerns about TE contamination of wildlife and traditional Indigenous food sources. Despite extensive environmental monitoring in the ABS region, no systematic studies have assessed TE accumulation in the local beavers. Here, we measured concentrations of 24 TEs in liver, kidney, and muscle tissues of 51 beavers from Alberta. These span industrial, agricultural, and natural landscapes, and the data are compared with beavers from sites of no known point sources of contamination in Ontario. Several TEs showed regional variation, but most TE concentrations in Alberta beavers were statistically indistinguishable from Ontario animals. Notably, cadmium concentrations in Alberta beaver kidneys (up to 73.2 mg/kg) were higher than those reported in literature, though not uniquely elevated in ABS regions. Nickel was significantly enriched in kidneys of beavers from northern industrial sites (p = 0.00034), while vanadium (p = 2.0e-8) and selenium (p = 0.0096) were more elevated in beavers from urban than industrial sites. Overall, beavers near bitumen extraction operations showed no consistent or significant increase in TEs compared to those from natural areas, including distant regions. These findings challenge the assumption that ABS activities are major sources of TE contamination in local biota. Instead, they suggest that urban environments may pose a greater TE exposure risk to wildlife. This study provides a critical benchmark for future environmental monitoring and offers valuable context for Indigenous communities assessing risks from traditional food sources.
Atmospheric pollutants and airborne bacteria: adaptation mechanisms, virulence modulation, and public health implications.
Ababii M, Bohuon V, Chane A … +1 more , Poc CD
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42296904 · Publisher ↗
Outdoor air pollution is a major public health issue. Many studies correlate ambient air pollution with acute and chronic pulmonary disease. However, its interactions with airborne bacteria remain insufficiently characte...
Outdoor air pollution is a major public health issue. Many studies correlate ambient air pollution with acute and chronic pulmonary disease. However, its interactions with airborne bacteria remain insufficiently characterized. In particular, the mechanisms linking pollutants to microbial adaptation and pathogenicity are not clearly established. An increasing body of evidence shows that airborne bacteria respond actively to atmospheric pollutants. These responses affect their survival, behavior, and functional traits. However, a comprehensive synthesis of pollutant-driven microbial adaptation and its implications for virulence and public health, is still lacking. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the interactions between atmospheric pollutants and airborne bacteria within an integrative mechanistic and One Health framework. The nature and sources of major atmospheric pollutants are first outlined. The mechanisms by which these pollutants induce oxidative and nitrosative stress in bacteria are then analyzed, with a focus on the generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and their cellular impacts. Bacterial adaptive responses to these stresses are subsequently discussed. These include antioxidant defenses, membrane remodeling, biofilm formation, and horizontal gene transfer. The potential contribution of these processes to bacterial persistence, virulence-associated traits, and antibiotic resistance is discussed. The implications for human and environmental health are then addressed. Particular attention is given to respiratory infections, the enrichment of airborne resistomes, and the emergence of opportunistic taxa in polluted environments. Finally, future research directions including key knowledge gaps are summarized.
Removal of antibiotics metronidazole, sulfamethoxazole, and trimethoprim by the green microalga Chlorella sorokiniana, and assessment of their biotransformation products.
Sethanunt O, Selwe KP, Jeanmard L … +3 more , Sallach JB, Chong JPJ, Tonon T
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42288021 · Publisher ↗
Antibiotic consumption for human and animal health is increasing. This results in significant quantities of antibiotics remaining unmetabolized, entering wastewater and contaminating aquatic environments. Antibiotics dis...
Antibiotic consumption for human and animal health is increasing. This results in significant quantities of antibiotics remaining unmetabolized, entering wastewater and contaminating aquatic environments. Antibiotics disrupt microbial communities and pose environmental and human health risks. Microalgae-based bioremediation has emerged as an effective strategy for antibiotic removal. However, degradation pathways that produce transformation products (TPs) impact on microalgal growth, and nutrient dynamics remain underexplored when comparing single and mixed antibiotics treatments. In this study, antibiotics sulfamethoxazole (SMX), trimethoprim (TMP), and the less well investigated metronidazole (MTZ), were spiked individually or in combination into cultures of the green microalga Chlorella sorokiniana in BG11 medium, and the mechanisms associated with their degradation evaluated (in terms of % removal). After 21 days, the highest removal efficiency was observed for MTZ (98.8%), followed by TMP (52%) and SMX (36.2%) under the single antibiotic condition. In the presence of mixed antibiotics, the removal efficiency decreased to 31.6% for MTZ, 25.4% for TMP, and 34.5% for SMX. Biodegradation was the primary mechanism, with removal of 82.2% for MTZ, 42.7% for TMP and 31.6% for SMX in the presence of single antibiotics, and reduced to 2% for MTZ, 20.3% for TMP and 7.5% for SMX in the mixture. TPs analysis and identification for MTZ, TMP, and SMX suggested possible degradation pathways. C. sorokiniana growth significantly reduced chemical oxygen demand, and decreased nitrate, ammonium, and phosphate content in the growth media. These findings demonstrate the potential of C. sorokiniana for antibiotic and nutrient bioremediation and pave the way for future assessment of TPs environmental risk, in particular those associated with MTZ degradation.
Mercury exposure and Selenium interactions in South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens) from Patagonia, Southwestern Atlantic Ocean.
Federico NV, Birochio DE, Rizzuti MA … +3 more , Failla M, Guevara SR, Cáceres-Saez I
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42288020 · Publisher ↗
Mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) concentrations were analyzed in diverse internal tissues (muscle n = 10, liver n = 10, kidney n = 9 and lung n = 8), and the skin (n = 10) of -the South American sea lion (SASL)-stranded on...
Mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) concentrations were analyzed in diverse internal tissues (muscle n = 10, liver n = 10, kidney n = 9 and lung n = 8), and the skin (n = 10) of -the South American sea lion (SASL)-stranded on the beaches of marine protected areas in Patagonia, Argentina. Elemental concentrations (expressed in μg g DW (Dry Weight)) were determined using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). Mercury accumulated primarily in the liver, followed by the kidney, muscle, lung, and skin. Selenium also showed highest accumulation in the liver, followed by the kidney, lung, muscle, and skin. Significant positive correlations between Hg and Se concentrations were observed across all tissues. Hg levels increased with age and total body length (TBL), indicating bioaccumulation over time. Positive linear relationships between Hg and Se concentrations in the skin and internal organs suggests that skin biopsies may be used as a tool for monitoring Hg exposure in wild populations. The Se:Hg molar ratio indicates a potential protective role of Se against Hg toxicity; Se was present in molar excess relative to Hg in most organs examined, especially in lung and skin. In the liver, the ratio was close to 1 suggesting a limited protective effect of Se to Hg toxicity by forming stable compounds that accumulate in this organ. SASL feeds on prey that are also commercially important, making the monitoring of Hg in their environment relevant for both human health and guiding conservation strategies for the species.
Integrating microbial community dynamics into life cycle assessment: towards a microbial dimension of aquaculture sustainability.
Munir M, Giordano R, Russo C … +4 more , Cappelletti GM, Di Nezio F, Walker C, Pfister S
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42285010 · Publisher ↗
Aquaculture is a cornerstone of Mediterranean seafood production; however, its comprehensive environmental footprint, specifically its impact on microbial community dynamics, remains insufficiently assessed. Conventional...
Aquaculture is a cornerstone of Mediterranean seafood production; however, its comprehensive environmental footprint, specifically its impact on microbial community dynamics, remains insufficiently assessed. Conventional life cycle assessment (LCA) frameworks primarily focus on resource use and emissions along the supply chain, largely overlooking microbiological responses that may signal ecological degradation or legacy effects. This represents a limitation for sustainability assessment, as microbial community shifts can influence ecosystem functioning and environmental health. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether microbial community indicators can provide complementary insights to conventional LCA metrics in marine aquaculture systems in an exploratory manner. This study presents an integrated assessment of a marine finfish aquaculture system in Krifo Limani, Greece, combining LCA, nutrient-balance modelling, and microbial community analysis across three sampling locations. Environmental impacts were quantified using ReCiPe 2016 midpoint indicators based on primary data, using a functional unit of 1 kg of live fish at the farm gate. Nutrient-balance modelling estimated nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) release based on feed composition and whole-fish nutrient retention, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing was employed to assess shifts in water-column and sediment bacterial communities associated with aquaculture activity. This study represents an early attempt to integrate microbial community dynamics into LCA-based environmental assessment of aquaculture systems. Across all 18 impact categories, the active farm exhibited significantly lower impacts per unit of production compared to the inactive farm, with reductions of 30-40% in climate change, eutrophication, toxicity, ecotoxicity, resource depletion, and water consumption. These improvements reflect increased operational efficiency, particularly regarding feed conversion and energy use. Despite modelled differences in nutrient emissions, dissolved inorganic nutrient concentrations in surface waters remained consistently low and comparable to the control site. In contrast, microbial communities exhibited more distinct responses under the conditions sampled. Taxa commonly associated with pathogenicity or organic enrichment, such as Vibrio, Photobacterium, Sulfurovum, Desulfopila, and Desulfocapsa, were enriched at farm sites. These microbial signatures persisted in the sediments of the inactive farm long after production had ceased, suggesting a potential legacy effect. The findings suggest the potential value of integrating microbial metrics into aquaculture sustainability assessments. We explore the concept of "microbial marine toxicity" as a potential complementary impact dimension. This concept is proposed as a preliminary and conceptual framework rather than a fully established impact category, which requires further methodological development. However, the results are based on a single sampling campaign and should be interpreted as exploratory. This approach may contribute to the development of more comprehensive and ecologically relevant sustainability assessment frameworks for aquaculture.
Physics audited and uncertainty aware surrogate modeling for reactive nitrate transport in groundwater.
Arab A, Scheytt T, Nagel T … +1 more , Taherdangkoo R
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42275993 · Publisher ↗
Nitrate ( ) contamination in groundwater often persists due to donor limitation, redox competition, and long residence times that constrain natural attenuation. This study presents a physics audited and uncertainty aware...
Nitrate ( ) contamination in groundwater often persists due to donor limitation, redox competition, and long residence times that constrain natural attenuation. This study presents a physics audited and uncertainty aware surrogate modeling framework for reactive nitrate transport in porous media. High-fidelity PHREEQC simulations were generated for four one-dimensional benchmarks of increasing geochemical complexity, ranging from linear heterotrophic denitrification to dual-substrate Monod kinetics with explicit - competition. The surrogate models were trained directly on space-time concentration fields using the CatBoost gradient boosting algorithm, with hyperparameters tuned via Bayesian optimization and simulation level data partitioning to prevent leakage. The surrogate takes hydrodynamic and geochemical inputs along with spatial and temporal coordinates, and predicts nitrate concentration fields across the domain. Uncertainty quantification was performed using a subsampling ensemble to characterize epistemic variability and conformalized quantile regression to provide calibrated prediction intervals. A physics audit was applied post hoc to verify consistency with the governing advection-dispersion-reaction balance, solute mass conservation, and non-negativity. Results show that the surrogates accurately reproduce nonlinear reaction fronts and donor-acceptor competition, achieving test R up to 0.997 with mass balance errors typically below 0.5%. Epistemic uncertainty remains small relative to aleatoric variability, which is concentrated along reactive transition zones. The presented framework is a reliable and computationally efficient tool for scenario analysis and risk-informed groundwater quality management in nitrate-impacted aquifers.
Cadmium transfer from tungsten mining and refining to soil, plants, and humans: Geochemical baseline and probabilistic human health risk.
Lin Y, Cheng H, Gu X … +1 more , Lin C
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42275992 · Publisher ↗
Tungsten (W) mining and refining pose environmental contamination and health risks. W mine in Dayu County, Jiangxi Province, China, is one of the largest W deposits worldwide and has been active since 1908. This study ex...
Tungsten (W) mining and refining pose environmental contamination and health risks. W mine in Dayu County, Jiangxi Province, China, is one of the largest W deposits worldwide and has been active since 1908. This study explores the accumulation of Cadmium (Cd) in soil and sediment, its enrichment in plants, and the health risks to humans in the surrounding and downstream areas of W mining and refining. Soil, sediment, plant, river and ground water, wastewater, and solid wastes from W mining and refining were sampled and analyzed for Cd. The results showed that Cd levels were 0.06-3.47 mg/kg in soil, 0.09-10.16 mg/kg in sediment, 0.003-20.6 mg/kg dry weight (dw) in plants, 0.09-13 μg/L in river water, 0.13-0.53 μg/L in groundwater, 0.21-120 μg/L in wastewater, and 0.03-162 mg/kg in solid waste. A geochemical baseline for Cd was developed, showing average anthropogenic Cd concentrations of 0.24 and 2.29 mg/kg in the soil and sediment, respectively. Cd mobility generally decreased from soil to roots, roots to shoots, and shoots to edible parts. Citrus fruits contained the lowest Cd, which was generally two orders of magnitude lower than that in other plants. The non-carcinogenic hazard quotients of Cd exposure via soil, water, vegetable, rice, and fruit ingestion were >1 at 0.37-0.63 and 0.41-0.68 probabilities for local adults and children, respectively, depending on percentage of home-grown food ingestion out of the total food ingestion. These risk probabilities were further tested using the urinary Cd concentration of individuals in Dayu County, where the urinary Cd level of approximately 68% of adults was over 5 μg/g creatinine, according to the World Health Organization. Ingestion of home-grown rice and vegetables was the major source of Cd exposure for local residents, which accounted for almost all health risks associated with Cd exposure. It is suggested that citrus can be largely planted in the area for the phytostabilization of Cd-contaminated soil, control of Cd health risk, and fruit production.
Environmental assessment of tide-driven spatiotemporal dynamics of fecal coliform as a microbial hazard along Canada's coasts.
Li L, You S, Xiao L … +5 more , Moccia LP, Mercier V, Durand G, Pan Y, Zhang X
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42275991 · Publisher ↗
Fecal coliforms (FC), as indicators of pathogenic microbial hazards, represent an important environmental contaminant posing significant risks to coastal water quality, public health, and shellfish safety along Canada's...
Fecal coliforms (FC), as indicators of pathogenic microbial hazards, represent an important environmental contaminant posing significant risks to coastal water quality, public health, and shellfish safety along Canada's diverse shorelines. Tidal dynamics are a major driver of short-term variability in fecal indicator bacteria, yet their quantitative impacts remain poorly characterized across Canada's contrasting coastal regimes. This study addresses this gap using more than 10 years of national monitoring data to quantify tidal and rainfall effects on FC concentrations along Canada's west (Pacific) and east (Atlantic) coasts. We apply two Generalized Additive Mixed Models (GAMMs). Time-averaged sector models map mean effects of tide and rainfall, and dynamic GAMMs with seasonal smooths describe within-year and area-specific variations. On the west coast, tidal effects show a seasonal reversal, with flushing and dilution more evident in summer and enhanced nearshore retention in winter. On the east coast, spatial patterns vary with geomorphology and tidal range. Differences among Bay of Fundy's tidal basins, estuaries, embayments, exposed coastal areas, and semi-enclosed inland waters are associated with contrasts in flushing and FC retention. Rainfall frequently modifies these tidal relationships and amplifies contamination pulses in poorly flushed systems. These findings provide insights into coastal contamination behaviour and support the development of predictive risk assessment frameworks and adaptive management strategies that account for tidal phase and seasonality, thereby helping to protect shellfish-harvesting and recreational waters under changing climatic conditions.
Coastal marine sediments as a major sink for small microplastics: Evidence from a ~100-year varved sediment record.
Kuwae M, Kinugawa K, Masuhara T … +2 more , Tsugeki N, Hinata H
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42269577 · Publisher ↗
To gain a better understanding of the fate of the ocean's "missing plastics" and the onset of the Anthropocene through historical trends in the abundance of small microplastics (SMPs; 20-300 μm), varved marine sediments...
To gain a better understanding of the fate of the ocean's "missing plastics" and the onset of the Anthropocene through historical trends in the abundance of small microplastics (SMPs; 20-300 μm), varved marine sediments were analyzed to reconstruct records of sedimentary SMP concentrations, particle deposition fluxes, and mass deposition fluxes over the past ~100 years. Using a rigorously contamination-controlled analytical protocol, SMPs were first detected in sediments dating to 1951, after which their concentrations increased with large fluctuations. This first appearance is concordant with the 1952 onset of the Anthropocene Epoch proposed by the Anthropocene Working Group. The mean particle flux of SMPs after 1980 was 125 particles cm yr, which represented a fourfold increase relative to earlier periods and was approximately 9700 times greater than the flux of large microplastics (LMPs; 300-5000 μm). The mean mass flux of SMPs was 0.017 mg cm yr, approximately 27 times higher than that of LMPs. These results indicate the rapid transfer of SMPs to the seafloor, while many LMPs may be transported laterally out of the system, indicating that coastal marine sediments may represent a major sink for SMPs, and partly explaining the missing plastics phenomenon in the ocean. Because peaks in SMP deposition flux did not coincide with those of LMPs, their depositional processes likely differ. Multivariate analysis incorporating biological community proxies and meteorological and oceanographic parameters revealed a significant positive correlation between the SMP deposition flux and lutein, suggesting the attachment to and aggregation with prasinophytes, small phytoplankton with cell sizes of a few micrometers. These results indicate size-dependent sinking processes in coastal marine environments, whereby SMPs are rapidly transferred to the seafloor through flocculation/aggregation with fine marine particles and subsequent particle scavenging, whereas LMPs may be associated with longer-term processes such as biofouling before sinking.
Hidden radiation legacy revealed in Scots pine's xylem structure and hydraulic function after the Chornobyl accident.
Prokopuk Y, Porté AJ, Klisz M … +4 more , von Arx G, Gärtner H, Crivellaro A, Netsvetov M
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42269576 · Publisher ↗
The Chornobyl nuclear accident on 26 April 1986 released massive radioactive fallout at the onset of tree growth, causing extensive dieback in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) forests and inducing long-lasting biological da...
The Chornobyl nuclear accident on 26 April 1986 released massive radioactive fallout at the onset of tree growth, causing extensive dieback in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) forests and inducing long-lasting biological damage in surviving trees. However, radiation-driven wood anomalies and associated tracheid disruption remain poorly resolved, particularly in comparison with other environmental stressors that also leave anatomical signatures in tree rings. We analyzed 38 Scots pines from three sites within the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone spanning a radiation gradient from conditionally lethal through sub-lethal to moderate radiation exposure. Using qualitative wood anatomy, we distinguished specific xylem features associated with radiation, spring frost, and drought, and quantified eight tracheid traits related to hydraulic safety and efficiency. Radiation exposure in 1986 caused dose-dependent wood anomalies and reduced hydraulic capacity. In 1987, trees exhibited contrasting recovery pathways: a transport-first strategy under moderate to sub-lethal exposure and a safety-first strategy under conditionally lethal doses. From 1988 to 1991, anatomical and functional traits progressively approached pre-disturbance (1984-1985) conditions. These results show that extreme radiation exposure leaves persistent imprints on tree hydraulic architecture and reveal dose-dependent pathways by which trees rebalance hydraulic efficiency and safety during recovery. Wood anatomy thus provides a functional archive of extreme disturbance legacies relevant to forest resilience.
Summer carbon budget simulation in a lagoon ecosystem with submerged aquatic vegetation.
Fukuda Y, Maruyama M, Peng Y … +3 more , Yoneda H, Tada K, Nakayama K
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42269575 · Publisher ↗
As international efforts against global warming advance, blue carbon has gained attention as a CO₂ sink. This study quantitatively evaluated the carbon budget of an eelgrass (Zostera marina) ecosystem in Komuke Lagoon, a...
As international efforts against global warming advance, blue carbon has gained attention as a CO₂ sink. This study quantitatively evaluated the carbon budget of an eelgrass (Zostera marina) ecosystem in Komuke Lagoon, a restricted coastal lagoon on the northeastern coast of Hokkaido, Japan. Based on outdoor experiments conducted in 2018 and 2023, a new DIC equation was constructed that incorporates photosynthetic responses to photon flux density and water temperature. Furthermore, a box model integrating river inflow, seawater exchange with the open ocean, air-water CO₂ flux, bottom dilution, and absorption by eelgrass was developed to reproduce the seasonal variations of DIC in the lagoon. The results demonstrated that excluding eelgrass led to a summer-validated overestimation, projected on an annual basis, of DIC by a maximum of approximately 300 μmol kg, indicating that eelgrass significantly affects DIC dynamics. Additionally, ignoring variations in Total Alkalinity (TA) in the simulation resulted in an underestimation of pCO₂ by up to 150 μatm, potentially leading to a several-fold overestimation of atmospheric CO₂ uptake. Analysis of the summer-validated carbon budget, integrated over the simulated calendar year 2018, indicated that CO₂ supply from the open ocean via tides was the most dominant factor, contributing approximately 66%. While eelgrass absorbed about half of the CO₂ supplied to the lagoon, atmospheric CO₂ uptake accounted for only about 5.4% of the total. This study demonstrated that for carbon budget evaluation in highly enclosed shallow coastal areas, it is important to utilize modeling that considers flow and water exchange processes associated with river inflow and tides, as well as TA variations. Simulations for 2013 and 2019 were additionally performed as reproducibility and inter-annual consistency checks against available summer observations; their full-year DIC trajectories are reported only as model projections, and the detailed carbon-budget partitioning reported here refers exclusively to 2018.
Disentangling agricultural and non-agricultural drivers of groundwater nitrate contamination using an integrated footprint-statistical approach.
Voccia D, Mortella G, Trevisan M … +2 more , Forestieri B, Lamastra L
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42269574 · Publisher ↗
Nitrate (NO₃) contamination of groundwater is a widespread environmental and public health concern, particularly in intensively managed agricultural regions. This study investigates the spatial and temporal dynamics of g...
Nitrate (NO₃) contamination of groundwater is a widespread environmental and public health concern, particularly in intensively managed agricultural regions. This study investigates the spatial and temporal dynamics of groundwater NO₃ pollution across the Po Valley (northern Italy), integrating the Grey Water Footprint (GWF) framework with multivariate statistical and geospatial analyses. Using data from approximately 2100 monitoring sites between 2013 and 2023, nitrogen loads to groundwater were estimated and partitioned into agricultural and non-agricultural contributions. Results indicate that while agriculture remains an important source of NO₃ pollution-especially in Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont-it does not fully explain observed contamination patterns. Non-agricultural sources, including urban and industrial activities, contribute significantly, particularly in Lombardy and, to a lesser extent, Veneto. The estimated non-agricultural nitrogen load (L) exceeded 10 kg N/ha/yr in over 50% of sites across the study area, highlighting the relevance of diffuse anthropogenic pressures beyond farming. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) reveals that both anthropogenic factors (population density, industrial activity, and agricultural intensity) and natural drivers (precipitation, soil texture, and drainage) jointly control NO₃ distribution. Natural factors, especially precipitation and soil properties, often play a dominant role in regulating nitrate transport and accumulation, explaining regional differences that cannot be attributed solely to nitrogen application rates. Temporal analysis further shows that the relative importance of these drivers varies over time, influenced by climatic variability. Uncertainty analysis underscores the influence of poorly constrained parameters, particularly groundwater recharge and natural background NO₃ concentrations, on model outputs. Overall, the study demonstrates that groundwater nitrate pollution in the Po Valley arises from a complex interplay of sources and processes. These findings highlight the need for integrated management strategies that address both agricultural and non-agricultural inputs while accounting for hydrogeological and climatic conditions.
Seasonal influence of a roadside tree belt on sleep disturbance in Tomakomai, Japan.
Morihara T, Hiraguri Y, Tsujimura S … +1 more , Yano T
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42269573 · Publisher ↗
Socio-acoustic surveys were conducted across four seasons at three sites in Tomakomai, Japan. At Site A, the south façades of the surveyed detached houses faced a tree belt; at Site B, the south façades faced an arterial...
Socio-acoustic surveys were conducted across four seasons at three sites in Tomakomai, Japan. At Site A, the south façades of the surveyed detached houses faced a tree belt; at Site B, the south façades faced an arterial road; and at Site C, the north façades faced the road. The percentage of respondents who were at least very sleep disturbed (%VSD) was significantly lower at Site A than at Site B. This suggests that the presence of green space significantly reduced sleep disturbance-an effect that was larger in summer than in the other seasons-and is consistent with previous findings. The location of the tree belt between the road and the houses may reduce residents' stress and improve sleep quality. This improvement may be further enhanced by the moderating effects of the tree belt on the thermal environment and its reduction of air pollution, particularly in summer when people open bedroom windows more frequently than in other seasons.
Contrasting influence of exogenous organic matter application on the transfer of trace elements from soil to plants.
Arbalestrie B, Van de Casteele A, Quénéa K … +4 more , Baudin F, Anquetil C, Bemelmans N, Agnan Y
Sci Total Environ · 2026 Jun · PMID 42269572 · Publisher ↗
Trace elements pose significant risks to environmental and human health, particularly when their levels exceed critical thresholds in contaminated ecosystems. In agricultural soils, the addition of exogenous organic matt...
Trace elements pose significant risks to environmental and human health, particularly when their levels exceed critical thresholds in contaminated ecosystems. In agricultural soils, the addition of exogenous organic matter (EOM) can substantially influence trace element dynamics by modifying soil organic matter (SOM) chemistry, offering a potential lever for mitigating associated risks. This study aimed to: (1) evaluate the influence of three EOM types (cattle manure, green waste compost, and cover crop restitution) on trace element transfer from agricultural soils with contrasting contamination levels to plants; and (2) assess how differences in EOM quality affect these transfers. Greenhouse and field experiments were conducted across a range of contamination contexts in Wallonia, Belgium. EOM application either increased or decreased trace element concentrations in soil solutions and plant tissues compared to the control, indicating that organic matter simultaneously acted as a source of trace elements and a retention compartment. Cattle manure and green waste compost induced the greatest magnitude of variation in trace element concentrations, including both increases and decreases, compared to cover crop restitution. This likely results from their higher carbon inputs and greater proportion of labile organic compounds. Soil properties emerged as key determinants of the direction and magnitude of these effects. Contrasting patterns between greenhouse and field experiments suggested that accelerated organic matter decomposition under greenhouse conditions promoted trace element mobilization, highlighting the need for caution when extrapolating such results to field systems. Comprehensive molecular characterizations (solid-state C NMR, Rock-Eval, and Py-GC-MS) further showed that organic matter quality (maturity and lability), both of SOM and EOM, plays a central role in shaping trace element behavior in soil solutions. Overall, these findings underscore the importance of considering both soil characteristics and EOM type to improve trace element management in agricultural systems.
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