Environmental Science And Pollution Research International[JOURNAL]
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200 papers
Compressive strength and microstructure of eco-friendly brick waste-based geopolymers under partial and full immersion in seawater.
Borçato AG, Beltrame NAM, Vieira GL … +1 more , Medeiros-Junior RA
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42218315 · Publisher ↗
The production of Portland cement has a significant environmental impact due to high energy consumption, intensive raw material extraction, and substantial CO emissions. Geopolymers represent a more sustainable alternati...
The production of Portland cement has a significant environmental impact due to high energy consumption, intensive raw material extraction, and substantial CO emissions. Geopolymers represent a more sustainable alternative, particularly when produced from industrial by-products, as they exhibit a reduced environmental footprint. This study investigates the compressive strength and microstructural behavior of sustainable geopolymers produced with ceramic brick waste (BW) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) under different exposure conditions, including air curing, water immersion, and both partial and full immersion in seawater. Three mixtures were prepared by partially replacing BW with GGBFS at replacement levels of 0%, 25%, and 50% by mass. Compressive strength was assessed at curing ages of 7, 28, and 91 days. In addition, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), and thermogravimetry (TG) analyses were performed to characterize the microstructure. Replacing BW with GGBFS significantly enhanced the mechanical properties and eco-efficiency of the mixtures. At 91 days, the compressive strength improved by up to 87% compared to the reference mixture, reaching 56 MPa. Moreover, CO emissions and normalized embodied energy decreased by up to 45%. Full immersion in seawater resulted in a 32.5% increase in compressive strength, which was attributed to the formation of a brucite (Mg(OH)) layer that reduced leaching and promoted geopolymerization. TG analysis quantified the brucite content at 4.50%, 5.57%, and 7.35% with increasing GGBFS content. The coexistence of C-(A)-S-H and N-A-S-H gels was confirmed, indicating matrix densification. These results contribute to advancing the understanding of durability in sustainable geopolymers for marine infrastructure applications.
Agro-waste biochars as soil amendments for peat-reduced substrates: balancing nutrient supply, salinity stress, and buffering capacity for plant growth.
Choochuay C, Tungsudjawong K, Deelaman W
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42216986 · Publisher ↗
A replacement of the non-renewable type of peat with circular ones entails the resolution of the so-called nutrient-salinity conflict of pyrolyzed agro-wastes. This study aims to assess physicochemical profiles, toxicity...
A replacement of the non-renewable type of peat with circular ones entails the resolution of the so-called nutrient-salinity conflict of pyrolyzed agro-wastes. This study aims to assess physicochemical profiles, toxicity mechanisms, and critical safety levels of biochars obtained from shrimp shells (SS), pineapple peels (PP), and eggshells (ES). Biochars were produced through slow pyrolysis at 500 °C and characterized for macronutrients, electrical conductivity (EC), pH, and elemental composition. Agronomic validation was conducted using three indicator crops (Capsicum annuum, Solanum lycopersicum, and Cucumis sativus) to determine safe substitution levels in peat-reduced substrates. Slow pyrolysis concentrated essential macronutrients (SS: 15.5% P₂O₅; PP: 15.2% K₂O) but also produced very high EC (39.5 and 31.9 dS m⁻) and highly alkaline matrices (pH 10.0-12.0). Elemental profiling described a marine salinity complex in SS biochar with extreme salinity coupled with cadmium (4.35 mg kg⁻) exceeding international safety limits. Salinity-induced osmotic stress was the main physiological limitation on plant survival. A maximum substitution rate of 10% (v/v) was identified for high-salinity biochars (SS, PP). Although biomass remained lower than the peat control due to nitrogen dilution and residual osmotic stress, this level prevented plant mortality and moderated alkalinity through natural buffering capacity. Low-salinity ES biochar functioned as a calcitic buffer at 30% (v/v). These results provide practical safety thresholds for using agro-waste biochars in peat-reduced substrates, balancing nutrient supply, salinity stress, and buffering capacity for sustainable plant growth.
Caffeine is a widespread pollutant in rivers and drinking water of a coastal tropical city (Esmeraldas, Ecuador).
Molinero J, Cipriani-Avila I, Cabrera M … +3 more , Medina-Villamizar EJ, Barrado M, Mogollón NGS
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42216985 · Publisher ↗
Emerging contaminants, particularly pharmaceuticals, enter surface waters through untreated or partially treated wastewater and pose significant risks to human health and the environment due to their persistence in aquat...
Emerging contaminants, particularly pharmaceuticals, enter surface waters through untreated or partially treated wastewater and pose significant risks to human health and the environment due to their persistence in aquatic systems. This study evaluated the presence of diclofenac, acetaminophen, trimethoprim, sulfamethoxazole, and caffeine in surface and drinking water of Esmeraldas, Ecuador. Compounds were extracted using solid-phase extraction and detected by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Caffeine was the most prevalent, detected in 66% of the samples, with significantly higher concentrations in surface waters than in domestic or commercial bottled water. It was also the only pharmaceutical detected in both domestic and commercial bottled water. Diclofenac and acetaminophen were detected less frequently (5% and 13% of samples, respectively), while trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole were not detected. The maximum observed concentrations were 795 ng L of caffeine, 895 ng L of acetaminophen and 37.7 ng L of diclofenac. This study highlights the importance of monitoring of PHs in surface and drinking waters to safeguard both public health and the environment.
Sustainable adsorption-photodegradation of doripenem using MIL-100(Fe)@TiO metal-organic framework composite.
Soegianto JC, Ismadji MS, Humphrey AF … +8 more , Denesa EM, Soetaredjo FE, Kurniawan D, Putro JN, Santoso SP, Yuliana M, Kurniawan A, Ismadji S
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42215852 · Publisher ↗
The massive and uncontrolled use of antibiotics, especially doripenem, has led to increased contamination in aquatic environments. This compound is difficult to remove using conventional methods and may trigger bacterial...
The massive and uncontrolled use of antibiotics, especially doripenem, has led to increased contamination in aquatic environments. This compound is difficult to remove using conventional methods and may trigger bacterial resistance. This study aims to synthesize and evaluate MIL-100(Fe)@TiO composite materials as hybrid adsorbents-photocatalysts for sustainable removal of doripenem. MIL-100(Fe) and MIL-100(Fe)@TiO were synthesized by solvothermal methods and characterized by SEM-EDX, XRD, FTIR, nitrogen sorption, and DRS-Tauc to reveal their structures, crystallinity, porosity, and optical properties. Isotherm tests showed that doripenem adsorption followed the Langmuir model, with maximum capacities of 221.57 mg/g (MIL-100(Fe)) and 169.55 mg/g (MIL-100(Fe)@TiO) at 30 °C. The adsorption kinetics followed a pseudo-second-order model, while the photodegradation followed first-order kinetics with the rate constant (kapp) increasing with increasing temperature. The measured pHzc values of 4.5 for MIL-100(Fe) and 6.3 for MIL-100(Fe)@TiO indicated that, under the experimental condition of pH 7.0, doripenem adsorption was governed mainly by hydrogen bonding, π-π interactions, and specific surface interactions rather than by dominant electrostatic attraction. The integration of TiO significantly enhanced the photocatalytic activity through charge separation e/h and ROS formation. Five-cycle reusability tests showed higher stability of MIL-100(Fe)@TiO (efficiency decreased from ~ 95 to 88%), compared to pure MIL-100(Fe) (~ 84 to 70%). These results confirmed that the MIL-100(Fe)@TiO composite has the potential to serve as a sustainable, multifunctional material for the remediation of pharmaceutical waste containing antibiotics.
Bacterial community profiling in artificial lagoons and groundwater of Qatar using a MALDI-TOF MS approach.
Aljabiry H, Bailey EH, Young SD … +2 more , Sundararaju S, Zouari N
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42215851 · Full text
In Qatar, potable water depends largely on desalination, while groundwater and treated wastewater are used for irrigation, with the latter having limited reuse opportunities that have led to the establishment of artifici...
In Qatar, potable water depends largely on desalination, while groundwater and treated wastewater are used for irrigation, with the latter having limited reuse opportunities that have led to the establishment of artificial storage lagoons across the country. Those artificial lagoons can act as microbial reservoirs, raising interest in their potential interaction and possible infiltration into the groundwater aquifers in Qatar. Hence, this study investigated bacterial community dynamics and their possible infiltration in nine lagoons and 13 nearby wells using culture-based methods and MALDI-TOF MS. A total of 150 strains were identified, representing 33 species, dominated by Pseudomonas (37%), Acinetobacter (15%), Aeromonas (12%), and Enterobacter (10%), with the remaining 26% from other genera. Both lagoons and wells contained coliform bacteria at levels exceeding regulatory thresholds for irrigation water. Alpha diversity indices showed significantly higher richness and diversity in lagoons compared with wells (Shannon, p = 0.038; Simpson, p = 0.045; and Chao1, p = 0.012), indicating the lagoon open system supports microbial diversity. PCA and GLM analyses highlighted associations between treated wastewater-related bacterial communities in lagoons and adjacent wells, with P. aeruginosa found to be abundant across both environments. Protein profile clustering of E. coli and P. aeruginosa further supported similarities between lagoon and groundwater strains. These findings demonstrate that MALDI-TOF MS can provide rapid and reliable insight into bacterial communities in arid region water systems and highlight the value of expanding microbial monitoring beyond traditional coliform indicators.
Kinetic degradation of reactive dye RED 243 using potassium peroxymonosulfate with zero-valent iron particles.
Santos LAM, de Alcântara Queiroz ES, de Souza RG … +2 more , Yokoyama L, Dos Santos FS
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42213363 · Full text
The degradation of persistent organic pollutants reduces their harmful effects on the environment. Various treatment techniques are employed to remediate these pollutants, and among them, advanced oxidative processes are...
The degradation of persistent organic pollutants reduces their harmful effects on the environment. Various treatment techniques are employed to remediate these pollutants, and among them, advanced oxidative processes are effective for breaking down recalcitrant compounds. This manuscript investigated the degradation of the dye RED 243 using PMS in combination with zero-valent iron particles of different sizes. The reduction in the dye's colorimetric intensity occurred rapidly, within a few seconds. The results indicated that the reduction in colorimetric intensity ranged from 62 to 83% by the end of the tests when PMS was used with ZVI at various temperatures. It examined several types of acids to assess the impact of anions on the degradation process and found that organic acids were more efficient. The optimal reaction conditions, which minimized reagent usage, occurred at the original sample pH, 313 K, 25 mg L PMS, and 100 mg L micrometric zero-valent iron. Under these conditions, we achieved a degradation efficiency of 83% in colorimetric intensity. The dye degradation reaction followed pseudo-first-order kinetics with respect to dye concentration, yielding activation energies of 39.77 kJ mol for micro-sized iron and 55.67 kJ mol for nano-sized iron particles.
Central composite design-based optimization of copper nanoparticles and their integration with graphene oxide for hydroperoxide-assisted phenol red removal.
Nguyen TD, Ho TN, Trinh GT … +3 more , Hoang YH, Thai NT, Phung HT
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42213362 · Publisher ↗
This study reports the statistical optimization and catalytic evaluation of copper nanoparticles integrated with graphene oxide for hydrogen peroxide-assisted degradation of phenol red. The current research innovates thr...
This study reports the statistical optimization and catalytic evaluation of copper nanoparticles integrated with graphene oxide for hydrogen peroxide-assisted degradation of phenol red. The current research innovates through a novel integration of statistical synthesis optimization with catalytic performance evaluation, enabling a direct correlation between synthesis parameters and catalytic efficiency. In addition, graphene oxide is demonstrated to play a dual role as both a stabilizing support and an electron-transfer mediator, significantly enhancing nanoparticle dispersion and catalytic activity. Copper nanoparticle synthesis was optimized using response surface methodology based on a central composite design, establishing optimal conditions at a pectin concentration of 0.6 g/L, an ascorbic acid-to-copper precursor molar ratio of 2.3, and a precursor concentration of 24.1 mM. To synthesize the composite, optimized nanoparticles were loaded onto graphene oxide at a concentration of 2.0 mg/100 mL. The resulting composite exhibited an average particle size of 65.1 nm and a remarkable specific surface area of 47.3 m/g compared to just 4.4 m/g for the bare particles. Catalytic degradation experiments, further optimized statistically, identified optimal operational parameters at a catalyst dosage of 43.5 ppm and a hydrogen peroxide concentration of 1.25%. Using the identified optimal conditions, the model predicted a phenol red conversion of 98%, which closely matched the actual experimental value of 95% within 90 min. A coefficient of determination of 0.974 confirmed the goodness of fit and high reliability of the optimization model. Radical scavenging analysis confirmed a heterogeneous Fenton-like oxidation pathway involving hydroxyl, superoxide, and hydroperoxide radicals. The experimental evidence demonstrates that coupling statistical synthesis design with composite engineering significantly enhances catalytic efficiency for the oxidative removal of persistent phenolic contaminants from wastewater.
The ameliorating role of sulfur nanoparticles on some physiological and biochemical traits of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare L.) under salt stress.
Razavi SM, Shahbaz MD, Mousavi F … +5 more , Javan ZS, Nasrollahi P, Ghasemian A, Zargar M, Ghorbani A
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42213361 · Publisher ↗
Despite the essential role of sulfur in plant stress tolerance, the effects of green-synthesized sulfur nanoparticles (S-NPs) on medicinal plants under salinity stress remain insufficiently explored. The purpose of this...
Despite the essential role of sulfur in plant stress tolerance, the effects of green-synthesized sulfur nanoparticles (S-NPs) on medicinal plants under salinity stress remain insufficiently explored. The purpose of this research was to investigate the impact of S-NPs on Foeniculum vulgare L. plants under salt stress. This research seeks to clarify how these nanoparticles affect physiological and biochemical indicators related to plant adaptation to salt stress. Nanoparticles were generated by the green approach utilizing Cinnamon zeylanicum bark extract and sodium thiosulfate. Two parameters were evaluated for this purpose: the first component includes different salinity concentrations (50, 100, and 150 mM), and the second factor includes S-NPs (1 mg·mL). The results showed that salinity has a negative effect on most of the parameters: for example, with the increase in salinity level, the fresh weight of shoot, chlorophyll fluorescence (4.4-51.4%), chlorophyll a (10.62-25.6%), chlorophyll b (23.4-70.39%), and plant carotenoids (16.5-30.2%) decreased, while the treatment of S-NPs led to the improvement of these parameters (3.5-109.5% increase). Regarding stress markers and osmolyte contents, salinity led to an increase in these parameters (up to 218.8%), while nanoparticles decreased the amount of stress markers (47.9%) but increased the amount of proline (69.8-104.5%). This study showed that S-NPs had a substantial capacity to alleviate the damage caused by NaCl treatment in F. vulgare plants in saline soils.
Distribution and ecological risk of antibiotics and herbicides in the Seto Inland Sea, Japan.
Onduka T, Ohara S, Ueki S … +4 more , Kono K, Matsubara T, Hamaguchi M, Koike K
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42209940 · Publisher ↗
The global use of antibiotics and herbicides has significantly increased, yet their environmental impacts in coastal waters remain insufficiently explored. This study examined the dynamics of these compounds in the Seto...
The global use of antibiotics and herbicides has significantly increased, yet their environmental impacts in coastal waters remain insufficiently explored. This study examined the dynamics of these compounds in the Seto Inland Sea of Japan, with a focus on ecological risks relative to predicted no-effect concentrations (PNECs). Surface water samples were collected between 2019 and 2023 from multiple sites. In total, 249 seawater samples were analyzed using solid-phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to target three herbicides and eleven antibiotics. The results showed that sulfamethoxazole had the highest detection frequency (65.9%), while bromacil, diuron, and several antibiotics, including clarithromycin and azithromycin, were also frequently detected. Higher concentrations were observed in the inner zones of Hiroshima Bay and at river mouths, indicating significant land-based contamination sources. Comparative analysis revealed that clarithromycin, diuron, sulfamethoxazole, and azithromycin were present at levels exceeding their respective PNECs, highlighting potential ecological risks, particularly near sewage treatment plants and constricted estuary regions. Notably, over half of the diuron samples surpassed the PNEC, raising serious concerns for ecological health in coastal regions.
Temporal and spatial variations in airborne PCDD/F and dl-PCB concentrations in Hanoi, Vietnam, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sau TK, Truong NX
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42209939 · Publisher ↗
The airborne polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), and dioxin-like polychlorobiphenyls (dl-PCBs) were monitored by using passive air samplers during and after the COVID-19 pandemic (2021-2024...
The airborne polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), and dioxin-like polychlorobiphenyls (dl-PCBs) were monitored by using passive air samplers during and after the COVID-19 pandemic (2021-2024) in Hanoi, Vietnam. The acceleration of production activities in Quang Minh Industrial (QMI) area increased PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs in ambient air. The total toxic equivalents (∑TEQs) of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs in QMI area were highest (445-11328 fg TEQ/PUF day, average: 2486 fg TEQ/PUF day). The temporal, seasonal, and spatial variations in their concentrations depended on distance from the QMI area and wind direction. ∑TEQs in the Nghia Do urban area (289-615 fg TEQ/PUF day, average: 438 fg TEQ/PUF day) and the Dong Da urban core area (282-572 fg TEQ/PUF day, average: 412 fg TEQ/PUF day) were 6 times lower than those in the QMI area, while ∑TEQs in the Ba Vi rural area (71-332 fg TEQ/PUF day, average: 193 fg TEQ/PUF day) were 13 times lower. The annual average ∑TEQs varied widely at the QMI area (555-5941 fg TEQ/PUF day); in contrast, in the Nghia Do urban area (393-465 fg TEQ/PUF day), the Dong Da urban core area (354-495 fg TEQ/PUF day), and the Ba Vi rural area (150-226 fg TEQ/PUF day) showed no significant differences. Average daily doses through inhalation in the QMI area (36.3-3666 fg TEQ/kg BW/day) exceeded 10% of the WHO-estimated tolerable daily intake and were greater than in the former hotspot in Da Nang airport.
Alternative filter materials to natural sand and gravel in soil-based wastewater treatment systems.
Sindhøj E, Ulinder E, Cornelis G … +7 more , Lindhe A, Sylwan I, Dahlberg AK, Löffler P, Eveborn D, Gustafsson JP, Wiberg K
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42209938 · Full text
Natural sand and gravel are widely used as filter media in soil treatment systems for decentralized wastewater treatment, but their extraction contributes to resource conflicts and environmental pressure. This study eval...
Natural sand and gravel are widely used as filter media in soil treatment systems for decentralized wastewater treatment, but their extraction contributes to resource conflicts and environmental pressure. This study evaluated seven alternative filter materials: crushed rock, crushed concrete, washed excavated material, glacial till, bark, shredded tires, and biochar. A multi-criteria analysis was applied to assess technical performance, environmental sustainability, economic feasibility, and social acceptability. Bark showed strong environmental and social performance, while shredded tires and glacial till scored well in technical and economic criteria. Crushed concrete and washed excavated material performed similarly to natural gravel, whereas biochar scored lower due to high cost and uncertainty regarding long-term hydraulic and structural behavior. Across materials, trade-offs and data gaps were evident, particularly regarding long-term pollutant removal, leaching risks, and consistency of material quality. No single alternative outperformed natural gravel under all conditions. However, several materials demonstrated clear potential, provided that quality control measures are applied and field-scale validation is conducted. The applied multi-criteria framework provides a transparent basis for selecting sustainable filter materials and supports efforts to reduce dependence on natural gravel in decentralized wastewater treatment systems under context-specific conditions.
Emerging persistent micro- and nanopollutants in marine ecosystems: sources, risks on seafood security, and current remediation technology.
Sudiartha GAW, Effendi ND, Anugerahani H … +1 more , Nurkolis F
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42207367 · Publisher ↗
This review examines the growing concern over persistent, non-biodegradable micro- and nanopollutants in marine environments, driven largely by industrial activities, particularly manufacturing processes involving micro-...
This review examines the growing concern over persistent, non-biodegradable micro- and nanopollutants in marine environments, driven largely by industrial activities, particularly manufacturing processes involving micro- and nanoparticles. Global oceans are increasingly burdened by complex mixtures of heavy metals, engineered nanomaterials (ENPs), and micro- to nanoplastics, all of which threaten ecosystem integrity and seafood safety. Heavy metals accumulate in sediments and marine organisms, enabling biomagnification through the food web. ENPs, with their nanoscale dimensions and unique physicochemical properties, are difficult to remove using conventional treatment methods. Micro- and nanoplastics worsen the problem by acting as vectors for toxic substances, enhancing their transport and bioavailability across trophic levels. Mitigating these pollutants demands integrated solutions. Advanced separation technologies, such as membrane filtration (MF, UF, NF), achieve high nanoparticle removal efficiency, while adsorption-based materials like MOFs and COFs effectively capture plastics and associated contaminants. Biological strategies, including enzymatic degradation by marine algae and their microbial consortia, offer sustainable, low-impact alternatives for long-term management. The combined application of physical, chemical, and biological interventions provides a multi-barrier defense, improving pollutant removal, reducing ecological risks, and supporting the restoration of marine ecosystem resilience.
An integrated circular approach to chromium remediation via adsorption, adsorbent regeneration, and ceramic immobilization.
Romano MS, Corne V, Centurión E … +2 more , Azario RR, García MC
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42201533 · Publisher ↗
Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) contamination in water bodies remains a major environmental concern due to its high toxicity, persistence, and carcinogenicity. Among available remediation strategies, adsorption using natura...
Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) contamination in water bodies remains a major environmental concern due to its high toxicity, persistence, and carcinogenicity. Among available remediation strategies, adsorption using natural and modified clays has emerged as a cost-effective and sustainable alternative. In this study, a natural clay from Entre Ríos, Argentina, was modified with hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTMA-Br) to produce an organoclay, which was evaluated for Cr(VI) removal. Material characterization by XRD, FTIR, and pHpzc analysis supported successful surfactant incorporation and the presence of both mineral and organic functional groups. Batch experiments showed that the organoclay achieved over 80% Cr(VI) removal under strongly acidic conditions. Kinetic analysis followed a pseudo-second-order model, indicating surface-controlled adsorption, while intraparticle diffusion contributed to the process but was not the rate-limiting step. Although the Langmuir model provided the best statistical fit, the contribution of heterogeneous surface domains cannot be excluded, as reflected by the reasonable agreement with the Freundlich model. Regeneration studies demonstrated that the organoclay retained considerable adsorption capacity over successive cycles, showing only a moderate decline in performance. The chromium-loaded material was subsequently incorporated into ceramic matrices, where leaching tests confirmed effective immobilization, with concentrations below regulatory limits. The resulting ceramic products also exhibited adequate mechanical strength, supporting their potential reuse. Overall, the integration of adsorption, regeneration, and ceramic stabilization represents a sustainable and scalable strategy for Cr(VI) remediation, enabling both efficient contaminant removal and safe valorization of chromium-laden residues.
Global association between ambient air pollution and age-related macular degeneration: an ecological analysis across 203 countries.
Mimura T, Nishijima Y, Hasegawa D … +2 more , Yoshida Y, Noma H
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42201532 · Publisher ↗
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of visual impairment worldwide, and both environmental and lifestyle factors have been implicated in its development; however, international-scale evidence regard...
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of visual impairment worldwide, and both environmental and lifestyle factors have been implicated in its development; however, international-scale evidence regarding the impact of air pollution remains limited. We conducted a cross-sectional ecological study to evaluate national-level associations between AMD burden and environmental as well as lifestyle factors using data from the Global Burden of Disease study. Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), age-standardized DALYs, and age-standardized prevalence of AMD from 1990 to 2020 were analyzed in relation to ambient air pollutants, including particulate matter ≤ 2.5 μm (PM), PM ≤ 10 μm (PM), nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone, household air pollution from solid fuel use, and national smoking prevalence obtained from global databases. Between 1990 and 2020, global DALYs attributable to AMD increased by 26.7%, whereas age-standardized DALYs and age-standardized prevalence decreased by 19.2% and 3.4%, respectively. In 2020, age-standardized AMD prevalence showed significant positive correlations with PM (r = 0.65, p < 0.001), ozone (r = 0.55, p < 0.001), and household air pollution (r = 0.30, p < 0.001), and a significant negative correlation with smoking prevalence (r = -0.25, p < 0.001). Multivariable regression analyses identified PM (odds ratio [OR] 8.09, p < 0.001) and ozone (OR 5.42, p < 0.001) as independent predictors of AMD prevalence. These findings suggest that exposure to ambient air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter and ozone, may contribute to the global burden of AMD and represent potentially modifiable risk factors, underscoring the need for further research to clarify causal relationships and to inform public health and environmental policy interventions.
Report of the scientific network Holimitox on succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) pesticides: new insights and challenges with an EcoHealth approach-presentations and round tables from the Holimitox day on November 7, 2024.
Bonmatin JM, Chamaraux F, Jean S … +36 more , Abbey E, Bézard E, Bouly L, Buffin-Meyer B, Buleon M, Castellino T, Delbac F, Demortain D, Denis C, Diogon M, Dormio G, El Alaoui H, Fardel O, Favier J, Feuillet G, Gilbert J, Hagimont A, Kerhoas M, Le Naour A, Le Page S, Le Vée M, Lemarié A, Lemery T, Lorber S, Maillet T, Mazzocco C, Pasquet C, Pompili J, Puel O, Sanceau J, Schanstra J, Sebbag M, Soutjis B, Westbrook R, Zimmermann M, Huc L
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42192070 · Publisher ↗
Succinate dehydrogenase (complex II of the mitochondrial respiratory chain) plays an essential role in cellular respiration in all living organisms. Its inhibition in humans leads to severe pathologies. It is targeted by...
Succinate dehydrogenase (complex II of the mitochondrial respiratory chain) plays an essential role in cellular respiration in all living organisms. Its inhibition in humans leads to severe pathologies. It is targeted by succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) pesticides that are seeing a global rise in usage within the farming industry. Concerned about the systemic toxic effects, the use and the regulation of SDHI pesticides, the interdisciplinary Holimitox consortium, made up of sixteen French research laboratories, has been working on the subject for four years. This article is a report of the concluding meeting of the consortium, combining research programme synthesis phases and round table discussions. The Holimitox consortium emphasizes the importance of taking an interest in this family of pesticides, which are still little known yet rapidly expanding, using an integrative EcoHealth approach. This is because the challenges of public health, environmental protection, and biodiversity require a detailed understanding of food and agricultural production chains, economic issues, and the regulatory assessment procedures for these pesticides.
Synergistic biogas production from textile sludge and cattle manure: impact of biochar and upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor configuration.
Biru TB, Yimer TT, Tadesse MG … +1 more , Kayakada MB
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42189472 · Publisher ↗
The treatment of textile wastewater sludge (TWS) and cattle manure (CM) is a serious environmental concern because of their high organic content, toxic compounds, and potential greenhouse gas emissions. This study explor...
The treatment of textile wastewater sludge (TWS) and cattle manure (CM) is a serious environmental concern because of their high organic content, toxic compounds, and potential greenhouse gas emissions. This study explores the feasibility and optimization of co-digesting TWS and CM in an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor for improved biogas yield, process efficiency, and digestate quality. Two laboratory-scale UASB reactors with a working capacity of 5 L each were maintained at mesophilic temperatures (35 ± 1 °C) with varying proportions of textile wastewater sludge to cattle manure (TWS:CM = 75:25, 50:50, and 25:75, based on volatile solids). The ratios (TWS:CM) represent the proportion of textile wastewater sludge to cattle manure on a volatile solids (VS) basis. The influence of rice straw biochar amendment (2 g L⁻) on reactor performance and digestion kinetics was also investigated. The best proportion of co-digestion was found to be 25:75 (TWS), which resulted in a maximum chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal of 94.2% and biogas production rate of 1.62 L L⁻ reactor d⁻, with methane concentration varying between 68 and 72%. Biochar addition increased methane production by up to 80% compared to the least efficient substrate ratio and shortened the lag period of methanogenesis by 64%, as modeled by the modified Gompertz equation. Analysis of heavy metals showed efficient stabilization of Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni, and Pb in the digestate. The concentrations of these heavy metals were found to be below the international regulatory limits for agricultural use. The findings of this study demonstrate the synergistic effects of co-digestion and biochar addition in UASB reactors and provide a viable circular economy strategy for the production of renewable energy and bioresources from industrial and agricultural wastes.
Novel framework for river health assessment: principal component-based water quality index and causal inference through regression discontinuity design.
Sanyal S, Sarkar S, Chakrabarty M
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42189471 · Publisher ↗
Rivers in industrial regions face significant pressure from anthropogenic activities, often resulting in degraded water quality. This study investigates long-term water quality dynamics of the Damodar River in West Benga...
Rivers in industrial regions face significant pressure from anthropogenic activities, often resulting in degraded water quality. This study investigates long-term water quality dynamics of the Damodar River in West Bengal, India, using a multi-index approach and advanced statistics. Six established Water Quality Indices (WQIs) were computed using monthly data from 2014 to 2024 across ten monitoring sites. To reconcile the inconsistencies among individual indices, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to generate a unified metric termed the Principal Component Averaged WQI (PCAWQI). Furthermore, to quantify the causal impact of the COVID-19 lockdown (March-May 2020) on river health, we employed a Regression Discontinuity Design (RDD) using Bayesian structural time-series modeling (CausalImpact). The composite PCAWQI successfully captured spatial and temporal pollution gradients, highlighting critical midstream deterioration. Additionally, site-specific improvements in water quality were observed during the lockdown, with some sites exhibiting significant gains likely due to industrial inactivity. However, heterogeneous responses underscored the influence of socio-cultural and hydrological factors. Thus, by integrating dimensionality reduction and causal inference techniques, we developed a robust and replicable framework for water quality assessment. This framework can be utilized for environmental monitoring and policy evaluation in heavily industrialized river basins.
Hydration-dehydration modified chicken eggshell and sardina pilchardus scale catalyst for high-yield biodiesel production.
Ouahbi A, Jrifi A, Bouari AE … +1 more , Tanane O
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42189470 · Publisher ↗
The rising global need for sustainable energy has driven the exploration of efficient and cost-effective pathways for producing biodiesel from renewable resources. This work presents the development of an enhanced solid...
The rising global need for sustainable energy has driven the exploration of efficient and cost-effective pathways for producing biodiesel from renewable resources. This work presents the development of an enhanced solid catalyst (NES9-3) derived from a synergistic blend of eggshells and sardine scales (ES). Unlike conventional eggshell-derived calcium oxide (CaO) catalysts, which often suffer from rapid deactivation due to leaching, the incorporation of sardine scale-derived hydroxyapatite (HAP) introduces a synergistic effect, providing improved structural stability and partial resistance to catalyst deactivation. The 1:1 ES mixture was first thermally treated at 900 °C for 3 h to obtain the ES9-3 catalyst, which served as a reference catalyst. A subsequent hydration-dehydration-recalcination process was employed to produce the NES9-3 catalyst, aiming to generate a more porous structure with increased surface area and enhanced catalytic activity. Structural characterization using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis confirmed significant phase transformations, enhanced textural properties, and reduced crystallite size following the modification treatment. The transesterification of waste frying oil (WFO) was optimized using response surface methodology. Under the optimized conditions (2.97 wt% catalyst, 12.35:1 methanol-to-oil molar ratio, and 3.02 h reaction time), the NES9-3 catalyst achieved a biodiesel yield of 93.72% with a conversion efficiency of 97.29%, as confirmed by H nuclear magnetic resonance (H NMR). In contrast, ES9-3 exhibited a lower yield of 85.8% under identical conditions and required a longer reaction time and higher methanol consumption to achieve an 89% yield. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis confirmed the formation of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), and the resulting biodiesel complied with ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 fuel standards. This study demonstrates that coupling CaO with hydroxyapatite, followed by hydration-dehydration modification, provides a strategy to partially mitigate catalyst deactivation and improve catalytic efficiency, offering a sustainable and economically viable approach for biodiesel production within a circular bioeconomy framework.
Advances in ecotoxicological research using planarians: a comprehensive review.
Pan S, Guo C, Zhang H … +8 more , Cen H, Zhang Q, Dai F, Li C, Yang Q, Zhang Z, Yin W, Deng R
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42189469 · Full text
Planarians, distinguished by their extraordinary regenerative capacity and ecological role as benthic predators, have emerged as a transformative model in ecotoxicology. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of...
Planarians, distinguished by their extraordinary regenerative capacity and ecological role as benthic predators, have emerged as a transformative model in ecotoxicology. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of research on the effects of diverse classes of pollutants, including metals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, nanomaterials, and a dedicated category of "other pollutants," namely biotoxins and physical stressors, on these organisms. We introduce a novel conceptual framework of "regenerative toxicology," which focuses on how contaminants impair an organism's innate self-repair mechanisms. Our analysis reveals a convergent toxicity pattern: despite differing initial targets, most pollutants induced oxidative stress, which triggered cellular responses, including apoptosis, ultimately disrupting neoblast function and leading to failures in regeneration, behavior, and reproduction. A key advancement of this study is its emphasis on ecological realism and complex exposure scenarios. We critically evaluate the sensitivity of planarians to real-world environmental samples and highlight the significant implications of combined toxicity, such as the "Trojan horse" effect, in which microplastics increase the bioavailability of co-pollutants such as metals. This review further integrates methodological innovations, from multi-endpoint behavioral assays to multi-omics and AI-driven predictive modelling, while underscoring the urgent need for standardization in culture and testing methods. By bridging molecular mechanisms with individual and potential population-level outcomes, the planarian model offers a unique, cost-effective platform for assessing the sublethal and long-term hazards of environmental pollution. This review establishes planarians as an indispensable tool for elucidating the consequences of contaminants on tissue homeostasis and ecosystem health, thereby informing more robust environmental risk assessments.
Groundwater quality assessment in Bihar's aquifers: a machine learning approach.
Kumar P, Singha SS, Singha S
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int · 2026 May · PMID 42189468 · Publisher ↗
Globally, the primary concern affecting the suitability of groundwater for drinking is the presence of numerous chemical contaminants in large-scale aquifer systems. Therefore, it is essential to establish reliable metho...
Globally, the primary concern affecting the suitability of groundwater for drinking is the presence of numerous chemical contaminants in large-scale aquifer systems. Therefore, it is essential to establish reliable methods for assessing groundwater quality and determining the origin of groundwater contaminants. This study developed a comprehensive, data-driven method for evaluating the quality of large-scale groundwater in the State of Bihar, India, using a traditional Water Quality Index (WQI) and a statistically based Root Mean Square Water Quality Index (RMS-WQI). In the present study, four state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms, namely, Classification and Regression Tree (CART), Light Gradient Boosting Model (LGBM), Random Forest (RF), and Extreme Gradient Boosting Model (XGBoost), were evaluated to assess their utility in predicting groundwater quality. Of the four models tested, XGBoost demonstrated the highest degree of predictive performance, exhibiting high levels of accuracy in terms of R values of 0.984 for the WQI and 0.994 for the RMS-WQI and low error metrics. Spatial diagnostics of the RMS-WQI model employing the Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE), Model Efficiency Factor (MEF), and Percent Relative Error Index (PREI) identified heterogeneity in model performance, particularly in the data-volatile Gaya District, where NSE = -0.1. The uncertainty and robustness of the ML model were thoroughly evaluated using Monte Carlo simulations, which showed a reliability of 88.5%. Geochemical analysis indicated that both natural geochemical and anthropogenically influenced processes contributed to the variability in groundwater chemistry. Four main contributors to groundwater chemistry were identified through absolute principal component scores-multiple linear regression (APCS-MLR): mineral dissolution (32.7%), water-rock interactions (20.1%), mixed sources (16.3%), and anthropogenic inputs (13.2%). This innovative integrated methodology provides a scalable and cost- effective decision-making tool for predicting the spatial distribution of groundwater quality and supports the development of sustainable hydro-environmental management practices, while also supporting the achievement of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6.
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