Search Results (4,341)

Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs), including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs), have raised global concerns due to their persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and toxicity. This study presents a comprehensive investigation of the occurrence, spatiotemporal distribution, potential sources, and the ecological and human health risks associated with 18 PFASs and 9 OPFRs in the surface waters of the upper Yangtze River, China. The water samples were collected from the main stream and five major tributaries (Min, Jinsha, Tuo, Jialing, and Wu Rivers) in 2022 and 2023. The total concentration of PFASs and OPFRs ranged from 16.07 to 927.19 ng/L, and 17.36 to 190.42 ng/L, respectively, with a consistently higher concentration observed in the main stream compared to the tributaries. Ultra-short-chain PFASs (e.g., TFMS) and halogenated OPFRs (e.g., TCPP) were the predominant compounds, likely originating from industrial discharges, wastewater effluents, and other anthropogenic sources. Ecological risk assessments indicated low-to-moderate risks at most sampling sites, with higher risks near wastewater discharge points. Human health risk evaluations suggested negligible non-carcinogenic risks but identified potential carcinogenic risks from OPFR exposure for adults at specific locations, particularly in Leshan city. This study highlights the importance of understanding the fate and impacts of PFASs and OPFRs in the upper Yangtze River, and provides valuable insights for developing targeted pollution control strategies and risk management measures. Full article

Abstract: This longitudinal ecological study analyzed racial disparities in mortality trends for stomach cancer (SC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) in Brazil (2000 to 2023) stratified by sex. Data from the National Mortality Information System were analyzed for individuals aged 25 to 80. Self-reported race/skin color followed the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics classification: White (White group) and Black or Brown/multiracial (Black group). Age-standardized mortality rates used the world population as a reference, and Prais–Winsten autoregression calculated trends. SC mortality rates declined for both sexes and racial groups, with a greater reduction in the Annual Percent Change (APC) among Whiteindividuals. Conversely, CRC mortality rates increased, with the Black group showing a higher percentage increase in APC. Despite progress in reducing SC mortality, disparities persist, particularly for CRC, where Black populations experience worse outcomes. Higher SC and CRC mortality rates were observed among White individuals, but the trends highlight the growing burden of CRC in Black populations. These findings emphasize the urgent need to address racial disparities in cancer outcomes, as they remain a critical public health challenge despite advancements in healthcare access and disease control in Brazil. Full article

Plant protection against phytophagous pests still largely relies on the application of synthetic insecticides, which can lead to environmental and health risks that are further exacerbated by the development of resistant pest populations. These are the driving forces behind the current trend of research and the development of new ecological insecticides. The mode of action does not have to rely exclusively on acute or chronic toxicity. Another promising approach is the use of plant antifeedants, which can significantly reduce the food intake of phytophagous insects. However, the information on antifeedant substances has not yet been sufficiently evaluated. The aim of this review was to find the most promising plants that provide potent extracts, essential oils (EOs), or isolated compounds with antifeedant properties. The selection was based on a comparison of effective concentrations or doses. Effective extracts were obtained from 85 plant species belonging to 35 families and the EOs came from 38 aromatic plant species from 11 families. Based on the results, Angelica archangelica, Caesalpinia bonduc, Grindelia camporum, Inula auriculata, Lavandula luisieri, Mentha pulegium, Piper hispidinervum, and Vitis vinifera were selected as promising plants with antifeedant potential. These plants are potent antifeedants, and at the same time provide sufficient biomass for industrial use in the development and production of botanical antifeedants. Full article

Urban areas face increasing environmental challenges, including fine dust pollution and climate change, which significantly impact public health and urban resilience. To address these issues, this study explores the integration of Nature-based Solutions (NbSs) and landscape architecture processes to develop a systematic approach for enhancing urban environmental outcomes. Through a comprehensive review of prior studies, the strengths and weaknesses of NbSs and landscape architecture processes were analyzed, leading to the development of the Nature-based Landscape Process (NLP), which synthesizes the key principles of both approaches. The Dongmyeong Elementary School Fine Dust Mitigation Forest Project was analyzed as a case study to evaluate the applicability of the NLP. This project, implemented using traditional landscape processes, was critically reviewed to identify areas where NbS principles could enhance ecological, social, and functional outcomes. The findings highlight how the integration of NbS principles into landscape architecture processes can address existing gaps and improve project sustainability and precision. This study provides practical insights into the application of the NLP in urban landscape projects, contributing to the development of strategies that align with long-term sustainability and climate adaptation goals. Full article

The Oued Zénati, a vital waterway in Algeria, faces severe pollution from urban discharges, hospital wastewater, and agricultural activities, threatening both the ecosystem and public health. This pollution is characterized by high nutrient levels, suspended solids, and fecal contamination indicators, jeopardizing biodiversity and human well-being. To explore natural restoration solutions, this study assessed the purification potential of reeds (Phragmites australis) found in the Oued Zénati riverbed. Water quality was analyzed at three sites: a non-polluted control site (S1), a wastewater discharge area (S2), and a reed-dense area (S3). Results revealed a significant deterioration in water quality at site S2, with high concentrations of nutrients, suspended solids (SS), and fecal contamination indicators. However, a notable improvement in water quality was observed at site S3, downstream of the reed-dense area, with reductions in fecal coliforms (68.5%), fecal streptococci (92.3%), and phosphates (40.3%), and increased levels of dissolved oxygen (DO). These findings suggest that phytoremediation using P. australis could offer a cost-effective, sustainable, and eco-friendly solution for restoring the Oued Zénati. This study recommends establishing phragmifiltration stations, developing artificial wetlands, and enhancing sanitation systems, including hospital wastewater treatment. Public awareness campaigns promoting water and environmental protection are crucial for long-term success. This phytoremediation approach offers economic, ecological, and aesthetic advantages over conventional wastewater treatment techniques. Full article

Antibiotic resistance (AR) is recognized by the World Health Organization as a major threat to human health, and recent studies highlight the role of microplastics (MPs) in its spread. MPs in the environment may act as vectors for antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Bacterial communities on the plastisphere, the surface of MPs, are influenced by plastic properties, allowing ARB to colonize and form biofilms. These biofilms facilitate the transfer of ARGs within microbial communities. This study analyzed data from the LUCAS soil dataset (885 soil samples across EU countries) using the Emu tool to characterize microbial communities at the genus/species level. Functional annotation via PICRUSt2, supported by a custom tool for Emu output formatting, revealed significant correlations between the genera Solirubrobacter, Bradyrhizobium, Nocardioides, and Bacillus with pathways linked to microplastic degradation and antibiotic resistance. These genera were consistently present in various soil types (woodland, grassland, and cropland), suggesting their potential as bioindicators of soil health in relation to MP pollution. The findings underscore MPs as hotspots for ARB and ARGs, offering new insights into the identification of bioindicators for monitoring soil health and the ecological impacts related to MP contamination. Full article

This study investigates the distribution and mobility of metals and metalloids (M&Ms) in soils, rocks, and groundwater within the geologically complex southwestern region of Sicily. The study aims to highlight how natural sources, like rocks and soils, can release elements potentially harmful to human health. It underlines their dual role as both natural reservoirs and active sources of M&M release, driven by leaching processes influenced by physicochemical factors such as pH and redox potential (Eh). Lithological characteristics significantly influence the retention and release of elements, with clay-rich formations exhibiting higher immobilization capacity. However, environmental parameter variations can enhance element mobilization, increasing bioavailability and the risk of groundwater contamination. Water quality analyses reveal regulatory exceedances for As, B, Ni, and Be, underscoring potential health and ecological risks. Concurrently, microbiological investigations identify diverse microbial communities capable of altering the oxidative states of specific elements through oxidation and reduction processes, further influencing their mobility. This study underscores the importance of understanding natural sources of M&Ms and their interactions with geochemical and microbiological processes for effective environmental risk assessment. The findings provide a foundation for developing integrated and sustainable water resource management strategies to mitigate contamination risks and safeguard ecosystems and public health. Full article

Mangroves play a crucial role in supporting the biodiversity of coastal wetlands, acting as a vital link between terrestrial and marine ecosystems. In mainland China, Sonneratia apetala, an invasive mangrove species, has recently become dominant in these environments. While it contributes to the stability of mangrove ecosystems and is widely used in coastal restoration efforts, its rapid growth poses a significant threat to the survival of native mangrove species. However, the spatiotemporal growth dynamics and landscape impacts of Sonneratia apetala remain underexplored in scholarly research. This study employs remote sensing and GIS techniques to analyze the growth patterns of Sonneratia apetala over a 14-year period along the eastern coast of the Leizhou Peninsula in China. The analysis revealed the following key findings: (1) The mangrove area expanded from 274.17 hm² to 383.42 hm², with an average annual growth rate of 2.84%. (2) The area of Sonneratia apetala increased from 115.15 hm² in 2010 to 254.81 hm² in 2023, with an average annual growth rate of 1.29%. The area of local mangrove species declined from 163.02 hm² to 125.06 hm² (a decrease from 22.11% to 16.96%), with an average annual growth rate of −1.66%. (3) The number of Sonneratia apetala patches increased from 139 to 324, while the area-weighted shape index rose from 3.4 to 7.81. The decline of native mangrove species, driven by the rapid spread of Sonneratia apetala, suggests that this species is encroaching on native mangrove habitats. Through geospatial analysis, this study provides valuable insights into how introduced species can reshape mangrove landscape structures and the broader implications for regional biodiversity. These findings clearly demonstrate that Sonneratia apetala is encroaching upon local mangrove habitats, highlighting the urgent need for strategic management and conservation efforts to mitigate the ecological impacts of the proliferation of this species. Furthermore, this research is important for coastal sustainability management strategies that balance ecological restoration with the preservation of native biodiversity, ensuring long-term ecosystem health and resilience. Full article

Agricultural practices significantly impact soil properties and ecological functions, highlighting the importance of comprehensive soil health assessments. Traditionally, these assessments have focused on physical and chemical indicators, often neglecting microbiological properties. This review explores the potential of microbiological indicators in evaluating the effects of agricultural practices on soil ecological functions, emphasizing their significance and addressing challenges associated with their application. A key advantage of microbiological indicators is their high sensitivity and rapid response to environmental changes. These indicators can be grouped into three categories: microbial biomass and abundance, microbial taxonomic composition and diversity, and microbial activity. Among these, microbial biomass carbon, basal respiration, and decomposition rates are considered the most reliable and interpretable indicators. Microbial taxonomic composition and diversity remain limited in their diagnostic and predictive capabilities due to challenges in interpretation. Integrating microbiological indicators offers a more holistic understanding of the interactions between agricultural practices and soil health, enhancing our ability to monitor, manage, and preserve soil ecosystems. To facilitate their adoption in agricultural production and land management, further efforts are needed to improve the interpretability of these indicators and to establish standardized criteria for soil health assessment. Full article

Waterbirds serve as indicator species for the quality and health of wetland ecosystems, and their conservation is of critical significance for global biodiversity. Citizen science has gradually emerged in recent years, playing an increasingly positive role in scientific research, particularly in ornithological studies. However, a systematic description of the application of citizen science data in waterbird conservation remains lacking. Bibliometrics is an effective method for analyzing the development of scientific disciplines, exploring trends, and examining thematic evolution. This paper utilizes bibliometric analysis of citation data from the Web of Science database, covering the period from 1970 to September 2024. The analysis reveals that this research field has undergone three distinct developmental phases, with a significant increase in annual publication volume during the third phase. Research focus has shifted from specific species and types of waterbirds to key hotspots and ecological phenomena. Future research hotspots are expected to include migratory birds, China, citizen science, and biodiversity. Influential papers within the field emphasize that the primary focus of waterbird conservation is habitat protection and the construction of habitat networks. As the discipline has developed, there is growing recognition that increasing public awareness of waterbird conservation, starting with student education, plays a crucial role in the accumulation of citizen science data and the advancement of waterbird conservation efforts. Full article

Communicative misunderstandings, cultural misinterpretations, and tribal hatreds are not phenomena that emerge and develop only in the digital world. Within platforms, conflicts explode and circulate mainly in crisis situations, but the relationship (constructive or destructive) with the similar and the different, as well as the narration of the symbolic meanings of specific cultural events, originate first and foremost in interpersonal relationships, institutional political contexts, and the representations (and consumption) of traditional media, such as the television space. Italian television is still one of the reference means of communication for the majority of the population, a figure that has been recorded especially during the recent pandemic emergency despite the significant collapse in advertising investments. Hatred, especially anti-Semitic hatred, is increasingly present in the information ecology, linked to nationalist narratives or aimed at restoring traditional values and fuelling an already highly polarised political debate in a now “dense” public sphere. In particular, during the health crisis, television journalists found it very difficult to report in depth on cases of discrimination or COVID-19. Full article

The World Health Organization’s Healthy Cities movement recommends action on the determinants of health and health equity. While economic and ecological circumstances have been studied with respect to health outcomes, research shows that the relationship between these broad determinants and population health is not always clear. Municipal governments, whose relative proximity to individuals means that they are optimally situated to address local health concerns, can demonstrate political will for healthy communities by developing health community policies. Therefore, the aim of this study is to interrogate how the idea of a ‘healthy community’ has been conceptualized by municipal governments in order to inform the future uptake of the concept. This study uses a post-structural policy analysis to examine government discourse on healthy communities in a medium-sized census metropolitan area (CMA) in Ontario, Canada. The findings highlight economic growth and ecological sustainability as priorities for fostering a healthy community. With emphasis on long-standing issues linking health outcomes to broader societal conditions, this study calls on municipal governments to explicitly consider the health impacts of healthy community strategies and adoption of a Health-in-All-Policies (HiAP) approach. Full article

The renewal of underground infrastructure is an emerging challenge for most municipalities in the United States. As compared to trenchless cured-in-place pipes (CIPPs), excavation technologies (ETs) have adverse impacts on the environment. Due to its lower ecological impact, trenchless technology is preferred in comparison to conventional pipe replacement. The selection of the most appropriate method depends on factors such as the existing sewer network, traffic disruption, soil conditions, and environmental safety. Recent concerns pertaining to environmental impact have increased the demand for reduced carbon footprints. The objectives of this paper are the following: (1) to present a comprehensive review on the achievements achieved over the years in understanding the factors influencing environmental emissions from the use of CIPP and ETs and (2) to analyze and compare the environmental emissions produced from CIPPs and ETs for 8-inch-, 10-inch-, and 12-inch-diameter pipes. Published papers from 1990 through 2024 have been included, which reported emissions from both alternatives. A comparison of total environmental emissions produced from both the processes is presented. The literature review and analysis suggest that higher emissions are a result of higher fuel consumption, material use, and input allocation. The emissions of pipeline renewal methods were evaluated using USEPA’s TRACI 2.1 methodology within SimaPro software. The analysis showed that CIPP renewal greatly reduced carbon emissions when compared with ET. CIPPs exhibited approximately 70% less ecological impact, 75% less impact on human health, and 60% less depletion of resources. CIPPs reduced carbon emissions by 78–100% in comparison to ETs. The recycling materials used in CIPPs potentially reduce the environmental impact by 10%, making them highly sustainable. The installation phase should therefore be carefully analyzed for factors like the pipe material and the pipes’ external diameter in view of achieving the greatest sustainability of these methods, as these characteristics affect emissions. It can be inferred that the comparison of the emissions of both alternatives is extremely vital for sustainable underground infrastructure development. Full article

Local adaptation of plants to environmental conditions is gaining attention, particularly in the context of climatic change and the microbiota that are associated with it. It should be noted that endophytes play a large role in shaping plants. These are microorganisms that reside within plant tissues without causing any apparent harm to their host. It should also be highlighted that endophytes play an essential role in ecosystems by contributing to plant health through multiple mechanisms. We suggest that endophytes affect some animals, as they are used in the ecological niche in which animals thrive. Thus, we analyzed this aspect of endophytes as persistent but impermanent inhabitants of various ecological niches. Therefore, the aim of the current review is to present the knowledge (from the last 10 years) on plant endophytes, their applicability in agriculture and endophytes affecting animals. We focused on bioproducts and biofertilizers containing endophytes, which are indirectly connected with agrobiotechnology, and the legal conditions associated with the marketing of these products, which also impact some animals, as they are used in the ecological niche in which animals thrive. Full article

Histoplasmosis, caused by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, poses health risks to various mammals, including humans. Bats are primary wild carriers of Histoplasma capsulatum, playing a crucial role in its epidemiology. However, fecal shedding in Europe remains poorly studied, with no data available for Portugal. This study analyzed 285 guano samples from 22 bat species, collected across Portuguese regions between 2014 and 2018, using a nested PCR assay. Despite using a sensitive method, no positive samples were detected. These results align with other European studies, suggesting that Histoplasma capsulatum circulates at low levels in European bat populations. However, they contrast with findings from regions like Brazil and Mexico, where the fungus is more prevalent due to differing geographic, climatic, and ecological factors. The absence of Histoplasma capsulatum in Portuguese bat guano highlights the importance of local environmental conditions and raises questions about its distribution in Europe. Although bats can harbor zoonotic pathogens, our findings suggest they do not shed Histoplasma capsulatum in Portugal. Continuous monitoring and research are essential in understanding infectious disease dynamics. Targeted surveillance in caves could improve early detection and management strategies for potential histoplasmosis outbreaks, contributing to public health efforts in these ecosystems. Full article