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Landfill biomining is indeed a promising eco-friendly approach to sustainably manage and reclaim old dumpsites. Soil like fractions of < 8-10 mm size, also known as bioearth or good earth constitute a substantial part of the legacy waste. Detailed characterization is necessary to meet regulatory standards for the safe use of bioearth and minimize its environmental and human health impacts upon reuse. In this study, bioearth recovered from six different dumpsites of Tamil Nadu, India, constituted 1.2 to 9.1% of total organic carbon that can improve soil structure, water retention, and nutrient supply. Macronutrients which are regarded as main factors for plant growth namely nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium ranged 800 to 9800 mg kg -1 , 700 to 2800 mg kg -1 , and 3100 to 5900 mg kg -1 , respectively, and highlighted the suitability of bioearth for use as soil amendment upon nutrient enrichment. However, the presence of heavy metals like Cu (15.9 to 254.4 mg kg -1 ), Ni (34.5 to 62.1 mg kg -1 ), Cr (48.2 to 152.3 mg kg -1 ), Pb (58.5 to 123.7 mg kg -1 ), and Zn (75.4 to 464.2 mg kg -1 ), with Cr and Ni levels beyond the regulatory standards, higher pollution (I geo , 0.6 to 3.6; EF, 0.1 to 5.5), and ecological risk indicator values (E r , 4.4 to 91.5; ERI, 67.6 to 224.3) suggested its unsuitability for certain types in reuses, especially in agricultural applications where it could pose risks to biota. Nevertheless, the human health risk indicator values (HQ and HI < 1) for bioearth showed that the current levels of metals are within the safe limits for human exposure. Pearson's correlation and principal component analysis uncovered close relationship between bioearth physicochemical properties and heavy metals. The current study highlights that bioearth from landfill mining presents an attractive option for reuse, the high levels of metals necessitate proper treatment like phytoremediation, chemical stabilization, thermal treatment, or soil washing before it can be safely utilized offsite. This ensures compliance with environmental and health safety standards, making the bioearth suitable for applications such as agriculture, landscaping, and land reclamation., Competing Interests: Declarations: Ethical approval Not applicable Consent to participate: Not applicable. Consent to publish: The paper is submitted with the consent of all authors Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Exposure to heavy metals from vegetable consumption poses a serious health risk to the Chinese population. The lack of knowledge on the overall status of vegetable contamination at the national level hinders the development of national regulations on preventing heavy metal exposure. To address this issue, the study presents an overview of heavy metal contamination in vegetables across China based on 96 peer-reviewed studies published over the past 20 years. The average concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the edible parts of vegetables are 3.7 ± 12.9, 1.6 ± 4.0, 4.3 ± 10.3, 18.6 ± 27.6, 164 ± 281, 4.5 ± 5.5, 7.7 ± 23.7, and 105 ± 283 mg kg -1 (dry weight), respectively. The associated daily exposures are 0.1-5.7, 0.1-1.7, 0.6-4.2, 4.1-20.5, 26-107, 0.7-3.0, 0.4-16.0, and 13-93 μg kg -1 d -1 , respectively. General linear models explained 80%, 44%, 83%, 79%, 64%, 81%, 65%, and 55% of the total variance in As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentrations in vegetables, respectively, based on vegetable type and selected geological, meteorological, economic, and environmental factors. Agroforestry is the main source of heavy metal contamination, accounting for 3%-30% of the total variance in heavy metal concentrations in vegetables. Mining, smelting, refining, metalworking, and electrical equipment manufacturing are important source of As, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Pb, accounting for 7%-17% of the total variance., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval: This study did not involve human participants, their data or biological material. Consent to participate: This study did not involve human subjects. Consent to publish: This study did not involve human subjects. Competing interests: The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Rare earth elements (REEs) are emerging contaminants rendering potential risks in soils to environmental quality and human health. The causation between their geochemical signatures and contamination levels with parent rocks and soil properties are critical for REEs risk assessments, which are urgently needed globally. Thus, this study aimed to elucidate cause-and-effect among hydrofluoric-acid-digested total and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid extracted bioavailable soil REEs and their contamination degree evaluated by pollution indices in 268 soil layer (horizon) samples from 50 soil profiles derived from felsic, intermediate, mafic, ultramafic, and sedimentary rocks in Taiwan. The total REEs was 133 ± 61.9 mg/kg and all individual REEs were classified as minimal contamination by the enrichment factor. The highest total soil REEs was from granite, followed by sandstone and shale, mafic rocks, andesite, and ultramafic rocks. All soils were ranked as significantly pollution risk by the pollution loading index. Furthermore, REEs were accumulated in all subsoils due to the co-translocation with soil colloids during the intensive leaching, corresponding with their higher geoaccumulation index value than those in surface soils. The contamination degree and bioavailable REEs significantly increased with the increasing total REEs. However, the stronger sequestration of clay and free Fe oxides for heavy REEs (HREEs) over light REEs (LREEs) mitigated their bioavailability, especially in the highly weathered soils like Ultisols and Oxisols. This study highlighted the dominance of soil properties in REEs fractionation, where the preferential fixation of soil colloids for HREEs throughout soil profiles reduced their uptake risk for biome even under the rising contamination potential., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethical approval: The authors have not submitted my manuscript to a preprint server before submitting it to Environmental Science and Pollution Research, and the publication has been approved by all co-authors. Consent to participate: The authors declare that they consent to participate in the work. Consent for publication: The authors declare that they consent to publish this paper. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Environmental consequences of petroleum mulch application are crucial in regions prone to wind erosion and desertification. This study aimed to assess the long-term effects of petroleum mulching on soil polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations and the associated human and ecological risk indices. These indices include incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR), hazard index (HI), toxic equivalent concentration (TEQ BaP ), toxic unit (TU), and risk quotient (RQ) in soil samples from Khuzestan province, Iran. Soil samples were collected from two depths: surface soil (0-10 cm) and deep soil (10-50 cm) across four regions with varying durations of petroleum mulch application: less than 5 years (T5), 5-20 years (T20), 20-30 years (T30), and 30-40 years (T40), and a control sample without mulching. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to analyze the concentrations of 19 PAHs and 23 groups of alkylated PAHs (alkyl PAHs) in the soil. Petroleum mulching significantly impacted heavily contaminated soil samples (T5 and T20) with PAH levels ranging from 2.03 to 2.08 mg kg -1 . Older samples (T30 and T40) showed lower contamination levels (0.29 and 0.41 mg kg -1 ), primarily due to the alkylated compounds. ILCR, HI, TEQ BaP , TU, and RQ indices were highest in T5 and T20 surface samples, indicating high risk in T5 surface soil from RQ and moderate risk in the others, despite low cancer and non-carcinogenic risks. Although the risk from the compounds, particularly alkyl PAHs, has decreased over time, they could still adversely affect the ecosystem, emphasizing the use of environmentally friendly alternative mulches in such areas., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethical approval: Not applicable. Consent to participate: Not applicable. Consent for publication: All the authors have given approval to the final version of the manuscript. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The assessment of soil contamination by heavy metals is of high importance due to its impact on the environment and human health. Standard high-sensitivity spectroscopic techniques for this task such as atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP-OES and ICP-MS) are effective but time-consuming and costly, mainly due to sample preparation and lab consumables, respectively. In the present study, a laser-based spectroscopic approach is proposed, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), which, combined with machine learning (ML), can provide a tool for rapid assessment of soil contamination by heavy metals. A dataset comprising 523 soil samples, from the areas of Mati, Kineta, Varympompi, and Evia (Greece) after the wildfires of 2018 and 2021, was employed to train and validate various ML models. The analysis focused on Cr, Ni, Zn, and Pb concentrations, utilizing environmental and human health screening values for soil classification. Two classification schemes were employed: the first identified samples "outside the danger zone" of contamination, while the second focused on samples "inside the safe zone". The models achieved over 93% performance for Cr, Ni, and Zn in the first scheme and 97% for Pb in the second. These findings demonstrate that LIBS, coupled with ML, can provide a reliable and efficient solution for preliminary assessment of soil contamination, particularly suited for large-scale operations of environmental monitoring and remediation efforts., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethical approval: Not applicable. Consent to participate: All the authors agreed to participate in this work. Consent for publication: All the authors agreed to publish this work in Environmental Science and Pollution Research. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Laboratory leaching tests are tools to assess the mobility of environmental contaminants released from granular materials. Comparative leaching tests were performed using four PFAS-contaminated soils whose concentration patterns of 10 selected perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) differed due to the two types of contamination sources. This study aimed to evaluate the equivalence of two usual laboratory-scale leaching test procedures, batch and column percolation tests, at liquid-to-solid ratios (L/S) of 2 l/kg, which is the current practice within the German assessment framework, and 10 l/kg (relevant for some EU regulations such as the landfill directive). The differences between the replicates of leaching tests investigating PFAS were smaller for column percolation tests than for batch tests, probably mainly due to the greater sample size and the better representativeness of the sample portion analyzed. It was observed that batch tests overestimate the release of shorter-chain PFAS, whereby the effect was greater with carboxylic than with sulfonic acids. Currently, the limits of detection of analyses given by the DIN standard with regard to PFCA and PFSA in soils are partly not sufficient to detect very low contents, whereas the detection of selected PFCA and PFSA in eluates is more sensitive, in accordance with the available standards. This results in limitations when calculating mass balances., Competing Interests: Declarations. Compliance with ethical standards: Not applicable. Consent to participate: Not applicable as the study did not include human research participants. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The main objective of this study was to determine whether species that are considered to be indicator species for former iron ore mining areas also have value as indicators for remnants of former lead ore mining areas. The study was conducted at an abandoned post-mining field dating from the sixteenth century with visible remains from the exploitation of lead ore deposits (post-mining mounds, PMM). In each of the 41 plots (21 on PMM and 21 in the surroundings of PMM), an inventory was conducted of all vascular plants growing in the vegetation layer indicating both their coverage in percent and analyzing them based on indicator species for former iron mining sites. Additionally, soil samples were taken from each, and chemical analyses were done: pH in H 2 O; contents of Ca, and Pb; and available forms of K, P, and Mg. Changes in the chemical properties of the soil impacted the diversity of the flora of the analyzed area. In the 21 research plots established on the PMM of the former lead ore mining area, as many as 18 species of mesophilic deciduous forest considered to be indicator species for former iron mining areas were identified. The analyses conducted indicate a strong preference for these species for the soil occurring on the lead PMM. Indicator species for former iron mining areas can also be a good indicator for former lead ore mining areas., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethical approval: Not applicable. Consent to participate: Not applicable. Consent to publish: The author confirms that the work contains original research carried out by the author, and the manuscript is not being considered for publication elsewhere while it is being considered for publication in this journal. Competing interests: The author declares no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Microplastics (MPs), plastic pieces smaller than 5 mm, are emerging as a critical ecological threat, potentially disrupting ecosystems and complicating waste management practices. Landfill-Mined Soil-Like Material (LMSLM), a byproduct of landfill reclamation, is gaining global traction for rehabilitating degraded land and repurposing it for geotechnical applications. While studies have examined contaminants like heavy metals and salts, MPs contamination has been largely overlooked, raising environmental concerns. The widespread use of LMSLM in earth-filling increases the risk of MP pollution. Additionally, significant gaps remain in understanding how MPs are distributed across different size fractions during sieving, which is critical for developing effective remediation strategies and informing future policies. This study aims to fill the existing knowledge gap by investigating the presence of microplastics in LMSLM collected from three aged waste dumpsites in New Delhi, India, and evaluating the ecological risks associated with its reuse. The results revealed the presence of MPs in all LMSLM samples with concentrations ranging from 25950 to 41110 items/kg. Fibers and fragments were the dominant shapes, with 60 % of particles measuring less than 425 µm. The color characteristics revealed the dominance of white, transparent, and black color. Polyethylene and polypropylene were the most common polymers, with smaller amounts of polyamide, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyester. SEM-EDX analysis revealed weathering effects and the presence of heavy metals, including Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), and Arsenic (As), adsorbed on the MP surface. Ecological risk assessment using the Polymer Hazard Index and Pollution Load Index identified hazard levels of V and II, respectively, while the Potential Ecological Risk Index indicated a medium risk. Furthermore, the dimensional analysis demonstrates that MP width, particularly in fiber-shaped MPs, plays a crucial role in determining retention and migration during sieving, while MPs with uniform shapes, like spheres and fragments, exhibit limited movement. These findings underscore the need for protective measures when using LMSLM in geotechnical applications to prevent MP migration and contamination of surrounding environments. The study highlights the importance of further research on MP contamination in reclaimed landfill materials and its implications for sustainable land use and waste management., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethical approval: Not applicable. Consent to participate: Not applicable. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The properties of soil matrix have an impact on the fluorescence intensity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which restricts the application of fluorescence spectral technology in detecting PAHs in soil. The present study explored the mechanism of the influence of soil matrix properties on the fluorescence intensity of PAHs from the perspective of specific surface area (SSA). A three-factor three-level experimental design was adopted for investigating the relationship between soil matrix properties, PAH fluorescence intensity, and soil SSA. The typical benzo[ghi]perylene pollutant in soil as the research object, 27 soil samples with different sand content, moisture content, humic acid content, and given benzo[ghi]perylene concentration (2 mg/g) were prepared. On the basis of obtaining the fluorescence spectra and SSA data of soil samples, statistical analyses of fluorescence intensity and SSA were investigated in relation to the soil matrix properties. The statistical results showed that the soil matrix properties had a significant influence (P < 0.05) on the fluorescence intensity and SSA. Furthermore, combined with the technology of fluorescence microscopy imaging, the influence mechanism of soil matrix properties on fluorescence intensity was revealed. The soil matrix properties affected the soil SSA, resulting in a change of benzo[ghi]perylene concentration in the soil surface at the probe window, thereby affecting the fluorescence intensity., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethical approval: We declare that this manuscript has complied with all the ethical requirements of the journal. Consent to participate: All authors of this manuscript have agreed to participate in the writing of the manuscript. Consent for publication: All the authors of this manuscript consented to its publication. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Soil degradation poses a significant challenge to Egypt's agriculture, making resource optimization essential. Nanobiochar presents a promising solution for pollutant removal; however, its low yields may hinder commercialization. This study investigates the production of biochar from sugarcane bagasse and olive mill waste, focusing on its composition, morphology, and effectiveness in soil immobilization. Advanced techniques like SEM, TEM, and FTIR were used to characterize the nanobiochar, highlighting its potential as a sustainable solution to soil contamination. The study revealed that ZnCl2 treatment significantly lowers pH, while KOH modification raises it. Surface morphology analysis showed that SCB biochar exhibited a highly porous structure, while OMW biochar had less porous edges and irregular oval-shaped pores. The effects of biochar activation on the availability of heavy metals like Ni, Pb, and Mo (in mg.Kg -1 ) were also examined. Ni concentrations decreased from 1.27 mg.Kg -1 in untreated biochar (NA) to 0.78 mg.Kg -1 in KOH-treated biochar (KA) and 0.67 mg.Kg -1 in ZnCl2-treated biochar (ZnA). Pb levels dropped from 7.7 mg.Kg -1 in NA to 5.2 mg.Kg -1 in KA and slightly to 4.74 mg.Kg -1 in ZnA. Mo showed a similar trend, with the highest concentration in NA at 1.21 mg.Kg -1 , followed by 0.88 mg.Kg -1 in KA and 0.75 mg.Kg -1 in ZnA. Overall, OMW nanobiochar demonstrated a greener, more sustainable solution to soil contamination compared to SCB nanobiochar., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

One of the goals of sustainable agricultural production is to avoid soil contamination by elements defined as trace metals (TMs). The aim of this study was to assess the long-term impact of the use of pig slurry (PS) and NPK mineral fertilizers on the soil content of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn). In a 9-year crop rotation, PS was used three times only before root crops. The same four levels of NPK doses (N 0 P 0 K 0 , N 1 P 1 K 1 , N 3 P 2 K 2 , N 4 P 2 K 2 ) were applied to both plots with and without PS. Soil samples were collected in early spring from topsoil (0-0.3 m) and subsoil (0.3-0.6 m). Three forms of TMs were determined in the soil: pseudo-total (Aqua regia); bioavailable (Mehlich 3 method) and readily bioavailable (mobile) forms (1 M NH 4 NO 3 ). The tested factors did not have a significant impact on the Cd, Cu and Pb content, regardless of the form analyzed and the soil depth. PS application significantly increased the content of bioavailable forms of Zn regardless of the year, and the content of pseudo-total Zn only in the sugar beet year, i.e. after manure application. Increasing NPK doses increased the content of mobile Zn in the topsoil, especially in PS plots. A tendency to accumulate mobile forms of Cd and Pb was also observed on NPK-fertilized plots. Thus, long-term application of high NPK doses may increase the risk of contamination of the food chain with these metals. The content of mobile Cd and Zn was positively related to the content of total nitrogen in the soil and negatively related to pH., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

A comparative study between fertigation and spraying procedures in terms of the status of Cadmium (Cd) and Arsenic (As) in greenhouse cucumber was conducted as a two-factor split plot based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Soil and Water Research Institute, Karaj, Iran in 2023. The main and sub-factors were respectively fertigation and spraying that were used in two levels [the maximum permissible concentration of Cd and As in granular triple super phosphate fertilizer (25 ppm Cd and 50 ppm As) and the minimum permissible concentration of these metals in granular triple super phosphate fertilizer (5 ppm Cd and 5 ppm As)]. Spraying was done in three modes (spraying of leaves, leaves and fruit, and fruit). On average, the results showed that the order of the concentration of Cd in plant tissues (DW) was as leaf (0.284 mg/kg) > fruit peel (0.102 mg/kg) > fruit peel + flesh (0.054 mg/kg) > fruit flesh (0.044 mg/kg). This order for As was as leaf (0.608 mg/kg) > fruit flesh (0.127 mg/kg) > fruit peel + flesh (0.109 mg/kg) > fruit peel (0.072 mg/kg). Based on the measurements, the spraying procedure accumulated more amounts of Cd and As in the fruit (i.e., peel + flesh) than the fertigation procedure. In general, it is concluded that under soilless culture, the status of heavy metals in plant tissues of greenhouse cucumber is related to the nature of the metal, the organ exposed to the metal, and the fertilization procedure. Because there is the risk of contamination of vegetables grown in the areas fertigated and sprayed with poor-quality nutrient solutions in terms of the content of heavy metals, the frequency of fertigation and spraying needs to be monitored continuously for the quality of the vegetables cultivated in greenhouses., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

This study investigated arsenic (As) concentrations in diverse environmental components and their potential impact on the health risks faced by residents of the arsenic (As)-contaminated Nadia district in West Bengal, India. A random selection of 182 cattle and 255 goats from 40 livestock farmers in the district revealed that both animals and humans were naturally exposed to elevated arsenic levels through contaminated drinking water, foods, grasses, concentrate feeds, various fodder tree leaves, and other food/feed resources. The mean As concentration in roughages (483.18 µg/kg DM) was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than in tree leaves (391.53 µg/kg DM), and concentrate feed/ingredients (186.66 µg/kg DM). Pond water exhibited higher arsenic levels (106.11 µg/L) compared to shallow tube well water (47.96 µg/L) and deep tube well water/tap water (10.64 µg/L and 10.04 µg/L, respectively). The mean arsenic concentration in soils DM of fodder fields, crop fields, and grassland was 10.25, 10.58, and 10.20 mg/kg, respectively. It was observed that protein-rich feeds had lower levels of arsenic accumulation (p < 0.048), while fiber-rich feeds containing more cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin had higher arsenic levels (p < 0.017). Goats consumed 73.46% more arsenic per kg body weight compared to dairy cows. Although chronic and sub-chronic arsenic exposure in the district did not typically manifest symptoms or visible signs in ruminant animals, concentrations in the hair and feces of both cattle and goats exceeded normal values. Cattle feces had significantly higher arsenic (410.43 µg/kg DM) levels (p < 0.001) than goat feces (227.00 µg/kg DM), and arsenic concentration in cattle hair (1917.74 µg/kg DM) was also significantly greater (p < 0.001) than goat hair (1435.74 µg/kg DM). Arsenic levels in milk samples from both species were below 10 µg/kg. Liver (356.02 µg/kg DM) and kidney (317.22 µg/kg DM) contained significantly higher (p < 0.001) levels of arsenic compared to muscle (204.23 µg/kg DM), and bone (161.98 µg/kg DM) in local meat-type adult male goats. The skin accumulated the highest amount of arsenic (576.24 µg/kg DM) among the non-edible parts of the goat carcass. The cumulative cancer risk value for adults was 4.96 × 10 -3 , exceeding the threshold value (1 × 10 -6 ). This suggests a significant risk of cancer development for the population in arsenic-affected areas. Non-cancer risks (hazard indexes) were estimated at 11.01 for adults. Our observations revealed that the highest bioaccumulation of arsenic occurred in the hair of cows, and goats in the examined localities. The biotransformation factor (BTF) for hair was much higher compared to other excreted samples from both species. The calculated BTF followed the order: hair > feces > milk for cows and goats. Livestock farmers in Nadia district are advised to carefully select feed resources, prioritizing those high in crude protein and low in neutral detergent fiber, and they should provide drinking water from deep aquifers to ensure the safety of milk and meat for human consumption., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Very little information exists on the particle and chemical contamination of consumer (horticultural) composts. In this study, anthropogenic microcellulosics (AMCs), microplastics (MPs) and other microscopic debris, along with anthropogenically impacted metals (Cu, Zn, Pb), have been determined in 12 composts (seven garden composts and five growbags) purchased at outlets in the UK. AMCs and MPs, determined microscopically, were present in all samples at up to about 1100 kg -1 dw. AMCs were more abundant and were dominated by fibres constructed of rayon and cotton, while petroleum-based MPs exhibited a greater diversity in shape and polymeric construction (including polyolefins, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, resins, paints and rubbers). Other microdebris, present in much smaller concentrations in the composts, consisted of fragments of glass, metal and machined wood and spherical glass beads. Concentrations of the anthropogenically impacted metals, Cu, Pb and Zn, determined directly by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, were heterogeneously distributed and averaged 52.4, 192 and 51.6 mg kg -1 dw, respectively. Although concentrations of anthropogenic particles were not related to cost or type of compost, physico-chemical properties or metal concentrations, a significant relationship between Pb content and particle diversity (number of polymers and debris types) was established. This relationship might result from the general contamination of the environment by both Pb and anthropogenic particulates, or the association of the metal with various types of material (e.g. paints, polyvinyl chloride, glass). Despite the ubiquity and diversity of MPs and microdebris in consumer composts, an understanding of their impacts on plant growth, either directly or indirectly (e.g. by interacting with metals), is unknown., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The transfer of arsenic (As) from soil to plant could be significantly influenced by soil parameters through regulating soil As bioavailability. To distinguish the bioavailable As provided by soil and the As uptaken by plants, herein two different soil bioavailable were defined, namely potential soil bioavailable As (evaluated through the bioavailable fraction of As) and actual soil bioavailable As (assessed through plant bioaccumulation factor, BF, and BF available ). To identify the dominant soil parameters for the two soil bioavailable As forms, soil and plant samples were collected from a former As mine site. The results showed that the potential bioavailable As only accounted for 1.77 to 11.43% in the sampled soils, while the BF and BF available in the sampled vegetables ranged from 0.00 to 1.01 and 0.01 to 17.87, respectively. Despite a similar proportion of As in the residual fraction, soil with higher pH and organic matter (OM) content and lower iron (Fe) content showed a higher potential soil bioavailable As. Correlation analysis indicated a relationship between the soil pH and potential soil bioavailable As (r = 0.543, p < 0.01) and between the soil Fe and actual soil bioavailable As (r =  - 0.644, p < 0.05, r =  - 0.594, p < 0.05). Stepwise multiple linear regression (SMLR) analysis was employed to identify the dominant soil parameters and showed that soil pH and phosphorus (P) content could be used to predict the potential soil bioavailable As (R 2  = 0.69, p < 0.001). On the other hand, soil Fe and OM could be used to predict the actual soil bioavailable As (R 2  = 0.18-0.86, p < 0.001-0.015, in different vegetables). These results suggest that different soil parameters affect potential and actual soil bioavailable As. Hence, soil Fe and OM are the most important parameters controlling As transfer from soil to plant in the investigated area., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

HVO has been noted as a more sustainable fuel, not only leading to lower total CO 2 emissions, but also resulting in lower emissions of toxic substances upon fuel burning. The environmental impact of HVO and HVO diesel blends when accidentally spilled into the soil and ground water has, however, received little attention. While HVO and diesel exhibit nearly identical viscosity and density, their behavior in soils differs due to varying water solubility and fuel additives. In laboratory- and pilot-scale soil columns and lysimeters, we compared the migration and biostimulation-enhanced degradation of HVO, HVO-diesel blend (HVO15), and fossil diesel over 120 days. Additionally, we investigated the impact of fuel additives on migration by comparing HVO without additives to HVO15 and diesel in wet and dry soil columns over 21 days. Notably, HVO migrated through soil more rapidly and in greater quantities than diesel. In wet soil, 69% of added HVO, 8.4% of HVO15, and 21% of diesel leached through as light non-aqueous phase liquid (LNAPL). Dry soil showed smaller differences in fuel migration, but HVO did not mobilize when water was added, unlike HVO15 and diesel. Biostimulation reduced HVO leaching by 15% more than HVO15 and 48% more than diesel. Overall, HVO's behavior in soil differs significantly from fossil diesel, with factors like lower water solubility, reduced mobilization from dry soil, and higher in situ degradability contributing to its reduced environmental risk compared to fossil fuel alternatives in accident scenarios., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Phosphogypsum (PG) is a solid by-product of the phosphate industry, rich in contaminants and produced in large quantities. Raw materials and stabilized specimens, consisting of bentonite-lime-PG mixtures, were characterized by mineralogical, microstructural, chemical, alpha-particle, and gamma-ray spectrometry analysis before hydration and after hardening. Compressive strength and leaching tests were performed on hardened specimens. The physicochemical parameters and chemical composition of leachates from raw materials and hardened specimens were determined. PG contains high concentrations of natural radionuclides, specially from U series. Uranium-238 activities are double in PG than the worldwide average for soil values. The mobility of PTEs from PG is Cd (2.43%), Zn (2.36%), Ni (2.07%), Cu (1.04%), Pb (0.25%), and As (0.21%). Cadmium is the cation most easily released by PG in water with a concentration 0.0316 mg kg -1 . When PG is added to bentonite-lime mixture, cadmium is no longer released. The radionuclide 238,234 U and 210 Po predominates in the leachates of PG. However, the activity of 210 Po becomes negligible in the leachates of bentonite-lime-PG mixtures. The addition of PG to bentonite-lime mixtures facilitates the trapping of trace elements (PTEs) and radionuclides, providing potential applications for PG as road embankments and fill coatings., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented increase in pharmaceutical drug consumption and plastic waste disposal from personal protective equipment. Most drugs consumed during the COVID-19 pandemic were used to treat other human and animal diseases. Hence, their nearly ubiquitous presence in the soil and the sharp increase in the last 3 years led us to investigate their potential impact on the environment. Similarly, the compulsory use of face masks has led to an enormous amount of plastic waste. Our study aims to investigate the combined effects of COVID-19 drugs and microplastics from FFP2 face masks on important soil processes using soil microcosm experiments. We used three null models (additive, multiplicative, and dominative models) to indicate potential interactions among different pharmaceutical drugs and mask MP. We found that the multiple-factor treatments tend to affect soil respiration and FDA hydrolysis more strongly than the individual treatments. We also found that mask microplastics when combined with pharmaceuticals caused greater negative effects on soil. Additionally, null model predictions show that combinations of high concentrations of pharmaceuticals and mask MP have antagonistic interactions on soil enzyme activities, while the joint effects of low concentrations of pharmaceuticals (with or without MP) on soil enzyme activities are mostly explained by null model predictions. Our study underscores the need for more attention on the environmental side effects of pharmaceutical contamination and their potential interactions with other anthropogenic global change factors., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) are emerging pollutants that need to be analyzed precisely. Chromatography-based determination of PAE content in soils are frequently affected by matrix effect, which may limit the quantification of different kinds of PAEs from different types of soil. Here we optimized a QuEChERS protocol combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for simultaneous determination of 16 PAEs in different soils. PAEs in different type of soils (fluvo-aquic soil, red soil, and black soil) were extracted with acetonitrile followed by GC-MS detection based on quantitative ion internal standard method. All 16 PAEs showed excellent linear relationships with mass peak areas (R 2  > 0.99). The limits of detection (LOD) and limits of quantitation (LOQ) of all the samples were in the range of 0.91-66.97 µg/kg and 2.7-200.9 µg/kg, respectively. The accurate test at 0.5, 0.1, and 1.0 mg/kg spiking level recorded recovery rate between 80.11% and 100.99% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) ranging from 0.37 to 8.50% in tested matrices. No significant matrix effect was observed for most tested PAEs. This is a simple method with high sensitivity and strong stability, which is suitable and reproducible for quantifying large number of PAEs in different types of soil., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The system of fertilizing agricultural soils with sludge or compost from wastewater treatment processes, as one of the principles of the circular economy, can lead to microplastic (MP) contamination. The existing technical standards for fertilization are very recent and do not consider this problem, although there is scientific evidence of their existence. Therefore, this study, on the one hand, evaluates the presence of MPs in agricultural soils, previously treated with sludge or compost from wastewater treatment plants for fertilization, and on the second hand, it studies the effect of these MPs on earthworms in three different locations in the south of Spain. For the study, selected composts deriving from the different stages of the composting process and three fertilized soils with increasing MP doses were followed. Samples were taken from different sections in depth (0-5, 5-10, and 10-20 cm) to study the shape, size, type, and abundance of MPs using infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results showed that the most abundant shape was fiber, followed by fragment and finally bulk, for both composts and soils. Regarding size distribution, 100 µm was the predominant size in composts (64.3% ± 9.8), while in the case of soils, the predominant range was from 100 to 500 µm. The prevalent polymers in both, composts and soils, were PTFE, TPE, PP, and PET, with four times higher amounts in composts than in soils. Ingestion of common MPs were also verified in two earthworm species, which ingested concentrations higher than 2.1% w/w. PP was the most ingested MP and Eisenia fetida was more voracious compared with Lumbricus terrestris. Therefore, it can be considered a suitable bioindicator for monitoring microplastic contamination in agricultural soil., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Iron-steel (IS) and textile (T) are among the major polluting industries worldwide which generate large quantities of effluents containing potentially toxic metals (PTMs). Irrigation application of these effluents due to freshwater shortage is a common practice in developing countries. The current research endeavors to investigate potentially toxic metals in IS and T effluents, contamination status and ecological risk assessment of irrigated soils, PTMs accumulation in grains of diverse wheat germplasm and human health risk appraisal. Soil irrigation with effluents significantly enhanced soil nitrate-nitrogen (T, 285.86 mg/kg; IS, 539.70 mg/kg), phosphorus (T, 8.35 mg/kg; IS, 11.44 mg/kg), organic matter (T, 6.05%; IS, 4.48%) and PTMs contents compared to control (C). Enrichment factor and geo-accumulation index revealed substantial contamination trend of PTMs in IS (Ni > Cr > Co > Cd > Pb > Zn > Mn) and T (Co > Cd > Ni > Cu > Cr) treated soils. Potential ecological risk index and modified potential ecological risk index placed T (very high risk) and IS (considerable risk) irrigated soils in respective categories, with highest risk contributions from Cd, Co and Ni. The interactive effects for PTMs accumulation in grains of 30 wheat genotypes were recorded significant. Average PTMs accumulation in grains for the three irrigation treatments was IS > T > C for Zn, Cr, Mn, Pb, Fe, Ni and T > IS > C for Co, Cd, Cu. Multivariate statistical analysis ( principal component analyses) was used to identify the wheat genotypes with higher or lower grain PTMs accumulative potential on effluent irrigation. The genotypes with a lower grain PTMs accumulation and human health risks are recommended for cultivation in agro-systems receiving IS and T effluents, in order to safeguard wheat crop and human health., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

This study comprehensively investigated the abundance, morphologies, and polymer types of plastics, larger (1-5 mm) and smaller (< 1 mm) microplastics (MPs), in organic fertilizers using spectroscopic and microscopic methods. MPs abundance varied depending on the type of waste employed. MPs were detected in 80% of the investigated compost samples, while macro/meso plastics were found in only four samples. Compost from mixed municipal solid waste exhibited the highest MPs contamination (23100 ± 3615 items/kg dry weight), whereas compost produced from canteen waste had the lowest contamination (100 ± 65 items/kg dry weight). Smaller MPs were dominant in all samples. The estimated loads of MPs introduced into agricultural soil exceeded the previous studies. Common morphologies observed were sheet, film, fragment, and fiber, while dominant polymer types were polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polystyrene (PS). Heavy metals, including Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb, were identified in association with MPs. Results indicate that the utilization of appropriate waste for composting and upgrading fertilizer regulations is crucial to protect the environment and human health from smaller MPs., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The evaluation and monitoring of sites contaminated with heavy metals are essential for pollution remediation and prevention. In this study, we conducted geophysical and geochemical investigations at a site exhibiting heavy metal contamination downstream from an abandoned mine, with the aim of analyzing the extent of contamination and its temporal variation. We employed geophysical survey methods including electrical resistivity and induced polarization surveys of areas contaminated with heavy metals. Repeated surveys were conducted over time using the electrical resistivity method. Numerical simulations were employed to mitigate and eliminate electrical noise stemming from topography on the site. Additionally, time-lapse inversion was conducted on the resistivity data sets to analyze the changes in resistivity caused by variations in heavy metal contaminants. In the geochemical survey, soil samples were collected from the same locations as the geophysical survey, and chemical properties including pH, water content, electrical conductivity, and cation exchange capacity were analyzed. Our results showed that with the reduction of major sources of As and Zn contamination by 50%, the time-lapse electrical resistivity inversion results indicated that the resistivity of the subsurface materials increased by a factor of two. This paper demonstrated the natural reduction of the heavy metal contaminants at the site due to rainfall, aiming to comprehensively analyze the resultant alteration of both geochemical and geophysical properties., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Urban horticulture poses a sustainable form of food production, fosters community engagement and mitigates the impacts of climate change on cities. Yet, it can also be tied to health challenges related to soil contamination. This work builds on a previous study conducted on eleven urban gardens in the city of Vienna, Austria. Following the findings of elevated Pb levels in some soil and plant samples within that project, the present study investigates the elemental composition of soil and plants from two affected gardens 1 year after compost amendment. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis of skin, pulp and seeds of tomato fruits revealed minor variations in elemental composition which are unlikely to have an impact on food safety. In turn, a tendency of contaminant accumulation in root tips and leaves of radishes was found. Washing of lettuce led to a significant reduction in the contents of potentially toxic elements such as Be, Al, V, Ni, Ga and Tl, underscoring the significance of washing garden products before consumption. Furthermore, compost amendments led to promising results, with reduced Zn, Cd and Pb levels in radish bulbs. Pb isotope ratios in soil and spinach leaf samples taken in the previous study were assessed by multi-collector (MC-) ICP-MS to trace Pb uptake from soils into food. A direct linkage between the Pb isotopic signatures in soil and those in spinach leaves was observed, underscoring their effectiveness as tracers of Pb sources in the environment., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The patterns of the potentially toxic elements (PTEs: Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Pb, Hg) distribution in soils were studied together with the health risk assessment in the area of ore mineralization, past gold activity, and tailing effects of the Sarala gold-ore group located in the Republic of Khakassia, Russia. High PTE concentrations were found in soils with the presence of potential negative impact on human health based on the following: local background investigation, according to statistics; geochemical, environmental, and human health risk calculations; and comparative analysis using international and local reference, such as continental crust, clarke, and permissible concentrations. Sources of PTE soil enrichment and pollution were statistically identified in ascending order of degree: geogenic (local background) < geogenic-technogenic (sites with geological exploration traces - trenches) < technogenic (waste tailings). The main pollutants are Hg and As which showed moderate to significant ecological risk. Negative impact of Cr on soils was found. The pollution degree and toxicity (moderate to significant) of other PTEs increase in the location of ore mineralization zone with exploration trenches and waste tailings. Arsenic poses a carcinogenic risk to adults and children upon contact with polluted soils and non-carcinogenic effect on children in areas affected by tailings and ore mineralization zone. The non-carcinogenic effect of Fe on children was found in soils of all sites. The results provide useful information regarding the studied PTEs and their impact on the environment and human health. Such information can be helpful for the state-level decision-making process when addressing solutions for contaminated areas., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The present study examined the ability of three naturally occurring low molecular weight organic acids (tartaric, TA; citric, CA; and oxalic, OA) to improve the efficiency of cadmium (Cd) phytoextraction in Lepidium didymus L. (Brassicaceae). The plants were grown in soil containing three different concentrations, i.e., 35, 105, and 175 mg kg -1 , of total Cd and 10 mM of TA, CA, and OA. After 6 weeks, plant height, dry biomass, photosynthetic traits, and metal accumulation were determined. All three organic chelants significantly increased the Cd accumulation in L. didymus plants; however, the greatest accumulation was seen with TA (TA > OA > CA). In general, Cd accumulation was the highest in the roots, followed by the stems, and the leaves. Highest BCF Stem was observed upon the addition of TA (7.02) and CA (5.90) at Cd 35 , compared to Cd-alone (3.52) treatment. The BCF was the highest in the stem (7.02) and leaves (3.97) under Cd 35 treatment supplemented with TA. The BCF Root in the plants under different chelant treatments were in the following order: Cd 35  + TA (~ 100) > Cd 35  + OA (~ 84) > Cd 35  + TA (~ 83). The stress tolerance index and translocation factor (root-stem) were maximal at Cd 175 with TA and OA supplementation, respectively. The study concludes that L. didymus could be a viable option for Cd-remediation projects, and the addition of TA improved its phytoextraction efficiency., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Severe pollution threatens the ecosystem and human health in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) in China because of the rapid development of industry in this area. This study examines the types, distribution, concentration, and origin of fourteen typical organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) in agricultural soils within the YRD region to offer insights for pollutant control and policy-making. The total concentration of OPFRs (ΣOPFRs) varied between 79.19 and 699.58 μg/kg dry weight (dw), averaging at 209.61 μg/kg dw. Among the OPFRs detected, tributoxyethyl phosphate (TBEP) was identified as the main congener, followed by tri-n-butyl phosphate (TnBP), tris(2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCPP), and trimethyl phosphate (TMP). Source analysis, conducted through correlation coefficients and PCA, indicated that OPFRs in agricultural soils within the YRD region mainly originate from emissions related to plastic products and transportation. The health risk exposure to ΣOPFRs in agricultural soil was considered negligible for farmers, with values below 1.24 × 10 -2 and 1.76 × 10 -9 for noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks, respectively. However, the ecological risk of ΣOPFRs in all the samples ranged from 0.08-1.08, indicating a medium to high risk level. The results offer a comprehensive understanding of OPFR pollution in agricultural soils in the YRD region and can be useful for pollution control that mitigates ecological and health risks in this region., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Elevated metal(loid) concentrations in soil and foodstuffs is a significant global issue for many densely populated countries like Bangladesh, necessitating reliable estimation for sustainable management. Therefore, a comprehensive data synthesis from the published literature might help to provide a wholistic view of metal(loid) contamination in different areas in Bangladesh. This study provided a clearer view of metal(loid) contamination status and their associated ecological and health risks in different land use and ecosystems in Bangladesh. Comprehensive analyses were performed on data gathered from 143 published articles using multiple statistical techniques including meta-analysis. Considering the potential loading of metal(loid), the data were summarized under various groups, including coastal, rural, urban and industrial regions. Also, the concentrations of seven metal(loid)s, e.g., cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and arsenic (As) in soil, sediment, cereal, vegetable, fruit, surface water and groundwater were included. Results showed that the relative concentrations of metal(loid)s in comparison to the maximum permissible limit (MPL) were mostly less than one, although they varied significantly for locations and individual metal(loid). However, the normalized cumulative relative concentrations over the MPL for all seven metal(loid)s across different environmental samples were 4.75, 2.97, 1.51 and 2.79 for coastal, industrial, rural and urban areas, respectively, which was due to the higher concentration of Cd, Cr and Cu. Similar to the metal(loid) concentrations, the average of cumulative median non-cancer risks for all metal(loid)s was in the order of industrial (6.46) > urban (4.05) > rural (3.83) > coastal (2.41). This research outcome will provide a foundation for future research on metal(loid)s and will help in pertinent policy-making by the relevant authorities in Bangladesh., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Peatlands records can be used to reconstruct and understand the history of environmental evolution, as well as a more accurate reflection of human activities. The black carbon (BC) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ideal natural archives of anthropogenic activities. To identify the information of anthropogenic activities recorded by peatlands in the middle and high latitudes of the alpine mountains in the arid and semi-arid regions of China. this study analyzed the concentrations of BC, δ 13 C ratios of BC, PAHs, and molecular diagnostic ratios of PHAs (including Benzo(a) anthracene (BaA), Chrysene (Chr), fluoranthene (Flt), anthracene (Ant), phenanthrene (Phe), Benzo(a) pyrene (BaP), and pyrene (Pyr) in a 30-cm peat profile from the Altay Mountain, northwestern China. Our results revealed concentrations of BC from 11.71 to 67.5 mg·g -1 , and PAHs from 168.09 to 263.53 ng·g -1 . The δ 13 C BC value ranged from - 31.37 to - 26.27‰, with an average of - 29.54‰, indicating that the BC mainly comes from biomass combustion. The ratios of BaA/(BaA + Chr), Flt/(Flt + Pyr), and Ant/(Ant + Phe) exceeded 0.35, 0.5, and 0.1, respectively, revealing that the PAHs pollutants mainly originated from the combustion of biomass and fossil fuel burning. Furthermore, based on these findings and our knowledge of social development in Altay, industrial transport and tourism have influenced the emission, transport, and deposition of BC and PAH in peatlands in the Altay mountains since the 1980s. After 1980, pollutant concentrations decreased with the implementation of environmental policies. The results not only reveal the influence of anthropogenic activities on the sedimentary characteristics of peatlands in the Altay Mountains, but also provide an important theoretical basis for the conservation of fragile mountain peatlands., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Metal(loid)s pose a significant hazard due to inherent toxicity. Individuals are particularly exposed to metal(loid)s in soil through direct or indirect contact. Identifying metal(loid) sources in soil is required for exposure mitigation to anthropogenic metal(loid)s, while metal(loid)s are natural constitutes of soil. Metal(loid) concentrations and Pb isotopes were determined in residential soil profiles impacted by a Zn smelter to distinguish the anthropogenic effect from natural levels. One hundred sixty-nine core soil samples were collected from depths down to 5.5 m below ground level at 19 sites and were divided into Zn-Cd-As- and As-contaminated groups based on the worrisome level (WL) of soil contamination. The Zn-Cd-As-contaminated group (n = 62) was observed at depths < 1 m, showed high Zn levels (mean of 1168 mg/kg) and Cd and As frequently exceeding WLs, and had low 206 Pb/ 207 Pb ratios close to the Zn smelter. In contrast, the As-contaminated group (n = 96) was observed at depths > 1 m, did not have other metals exceeding WLs, and showed a wide range of 206 Pb/ 207 Pb ratios far away from the Zn smelter. The results indicated that the pollution sources of Zn-Cd-As- and As-contaminated soils were fugitive dust emissions from smelter stacks and geology, respectively. The metal(loid)s in host rock set geochemical baselines in soil profiles, while smelting activities affected the upper layers over 50 years. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of utilizing the vertical distribution of metal(loid) concentrations and Pb isotopes in soil profiles for distinguishing between anthropogenic and geogenic origins, in combination with baseline assessment., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The presence of human and veterinary pharmaceuticals (PhACs) in the environment poses potential risks. To comprehensively assess these risks, robust multiresidual analytical methods are essential for determining a broad spectrum of PhAC classes in various environmental compartments (soil, plants, and soil organisms). This study optimized extraction methods for analyzing over 40 PhACs from various matrices, including soil, lettuce, and earthworms. A four-step ultrasonic extraction method with varying extraction conditions and subsequent solid phase extraction was developed for soil samples. QuEChERS methods were optimized for extracting PhACs from lettuce and earthworm samples, addressing a literature gap in these less-studied matrices. The quantification of PhACs in soil, lettuce, and earthworm extracts was performed using a single LC-MS/MS method. Following thorough method validation, earthworms and lettuce were exposed to a mixture of 27 pharmaceuticals in a soil environment. The method validation results demonstrated the robustness of these methods for a broad spectrum of PhACs. Specifically, 29 out of 42 PhACs were extracted with an average efficiency > 50% and RSD < 30% from the soil; 40 out of 42 PhACs exhibited average efficiency > 50% and %RSD < 30% from the earthworms, while 39 out of 42 PhACs showed average efficiency > 50% and RSD < 30% from the lettuce. Exposure experiments confirmed the viability of these methods for quantifying a diverse range of PhACs in different environmental compartments. This study presents three thoroughly validated methods for determining more than 40 PhACs in diverse matrices, enabling a comprehensive assessment of PhAC dissemination in the environment., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The present study was conducted to evaluate the arsenic (As) contamination and possible associated health hazards to exposed population in four villages of two districts (Nadia and North 24 Parganas) of West Bengal, India. The study included two villages each from Nadia (Jaguli and Kugacchi) and North 24 Parganas (Chamta and Byaspur) districts. Groundwater, surface water, soil, rice grains and rice-based food samples were collected from these villages. The results revealed the presence of As in high concentrations in groundwater (35.00 to 186.00 µg L -1 ), surface water (30.00 to 61.00 µg L -1 ), soil (46.17 to 66.00 mg kg -1 ), rice grains (0.017 to 1.27 µg g -1 ) and rice-based food products (0.012 to 0.40 µg g -1 ). The maximum As levels were recorded in all types of samples collected from Kugacchi village. The rice grain samples included high-yielding and local varieties, and the level of As in high-yielding varieties was found to be higher (0.72 to 1.27 µg g -1 ) than in local varieties (0.25 to 1.06 µg g -1 ). The data of As concentrations was used for understanding the hazard quotient (HQ) and incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) to the As-exposed population, and significant non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were revealed considering consumption of rice grains at 400 g per day. The study demonstrates the severity of As contamination in the surveyed villages, which may pose a hindrance to attainment of sustainable development goals (SDGs) by 2030 and proposes the implementation of requisite safety measures., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The shifting of tannery industries from Hazaribagh to Savar adjacent to Dhaleshwari River might have inevitable adverse impacts, especially the heavy metal contamination of both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The study was carried out to investigate the concentrations of four heavy metals in the soil, water, and plant samples collected from around Dhaleshwari River adjacent to the Bangladesh Small & Cottage Industries Corporation Tannery Industrial Estate, Dhaka. This study revealed that average concentrations of cadmium and chromium in soil exceeded the maximum permissible limit of World Health Organization (1996) and average concentrations of lead, cadmium, and chromium in water exceeded the maximum permissible limit of World Health Organization (2011) and Environmental Conservation Rules (1997). The average concentrations of lead, cadmium, and chromium in the roots and shoots of both Eichhornia crassipes and Cynodon dactylon exceeded the maximum permissible limit of Food and Agriculture Organization/ World Health Organization (2016). Ecological risk assessment using indices model for soil pollution indicated that soil is mostly contaminated with cadmium and chromium which can pose strong ecological risk Health risk assessment using indices model for water pollution revealed the high degree of contamination and unacceptable non-carcinogenic risk and carcinogenic risk for adults as well as children through ingestion of water. Average bioconcentration factor and bioaccumulation factor were higher in Eichhornia crassipes than Cynodon dactylon for lead, cadmium, and chromium. Average translocation factor was also higher in Eichhornia crassipes for all the metals except cadmium. It is suggested remedial and mitigation measures be instituted to control environmental degradation of the newly established Tannery Industrial Estate., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The Wuda coal fire in Inner Mongolia, China, is a global catastrophic event. It emits a huge volume of organic pollutants, including polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), which are widely concerning due to their physiological toxicity and environmental persistence. However, there is no systematic study on the enrichment and migration patterns of PACs emitted from coal fires. Here, we compared samples from coal fire sponges and surrounding soil, and analyzed 47 PACs using GC × GC-TOFMS. Data analysis showed that the average content of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (16PAHs) in the coal fire sponge was 15400.65 ng/g, which is about 4.2 times higher than that in the surrounding soil. Meanwhile, 31 PACs were detected at levels far exceeding those of 16PAHs. The distribution pattern of PACs showed that coal fire sources are more likely to produce and store 16PAHs while surrounding soils are more likely to be enriched with PAH derivatives. The cancer risk assessment revealed a significant cancer risk in both the coal fires and the surrounding soil. The formation mechanism of oxygenated PAHs was also explored, and it was found that coal fires emit 16PAHs and alkylated PAHs, which oxidize to form oxygenated PAHs during migration to surrounding soils. The value of naphthaldehyde/alkylated naphthalene (< 2) can be referenced as characteristic markers of coal fire pollution. This provides a new perspective on the sources of PACs in the current environment., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Different vegetable species and topsoils were collected from different urban gardens of Seville, Cordoba, and Huelva (South Spain) and from two small towns in a mining area (Riotinto), together with topsoil close to the plants. The concentration of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) (As, B, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, and Zn) was evaluated in edible plant parts and in the soils. The same species were also purchased from Seville local markets and from a peri-urban area (domestic garden in a rural area) and also analyzed. Plant/soil pollution relation was studied and human health risk was assessed by different parameters. Soils of urban gardens from the mining area were more contaminated with As, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn in comparison with other locations, and generally, soils from cities showed higher values of As, Pb, and Zn than the peri-urban ones. The mean concentration of almost all potentially toxic elements was higher in leafy than in fruiting and bulbous species. Arsenic, Cd, and Pb concentrations were below health-based guidance values in all vegetables except Cd in one sample in the peri-urban area. In general, PTEs concentration in vegetables from city urban gardens did not exceed the one found in market vegetables for almost all studied elements, except in lettuce for almost elements. The hazard quotient (HQ) values were lower than the unit for all PTEs in plant species from the studied gardens, as well as the hazard index (HI), indicating that consumption of these vegetables can be considered safe and without risk to human health. Also, cancer risk values for As were below the established limits in all vegetables from the studied urban gardens, including those from the As-contaminated soils in the mining area., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The dynamic change of redox conditions is a key factor in emission of elemental mercury (Hg 0 ) from riparian soils. The objective of this study was to elucidate the influences of redox conditions on Hg 0 emission from riparian soils. Soil suspension experiments were conducted to measure Hg 0 emission from five Hg-contaminated soil samples in two redox conditions (i.e., treated with air or with N 2 ). In four of the five samples, Hg 0 emission was higher in air treatment than on N 2 treatment. Remaining one soil, which has higher organic matter than other soils, showed no distinct difference in Hg 0 production between air and N 2 treatment. In soil suspensions subject to N 2 treatment, the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and Fe 2+ concentrations were 3.38- to 1.34-fold and 1.44- to 2.28-fold higher than those in air treatment, respectively. Positive correlations were also found between the DOC and Fe 2+ (r = 0.911, p < 0.01) and Hg 2+ (r = 0.815, p < 0.01) concentrations in soil solutions, suggesting Fe 2+ formation led to the release of DOC, which bound to Hg 2+ in the soil and, in turn, limited the availability of Hg 2+ for reduction to Hg 0 in N 2 treatment. On the other hand, for remaining one soil, more Hg 2+ might be adsorbed onto the DOM in the air treatment, resulted in the inhibition of Hg 0 production in air treatment. These results imply that the organic matter is important to prevent Hg 0 production by changing redox condition. Further study is needed to prove the role of organic matter in the production of Hg 0 ., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Nonpoint source pollution (NPSP) has always been the dominant threat to regional waters. Based on empirical models of the revised universal soil loss equation and the phosphorus index, an NPSP risk assessment model denoted as SL-NPSRI was developed. The surface soil pollutant loss was estimated by simulating the rain-runoff topographic process, and the influence of path attenuation was quantified. A case study in the Yellow River Delta and corresponding field surveys of soil pollutants and water quality showed that the established model can be applied to evaluate the spatial heterogeneity of NPSP. NPSP usually occurs during high-intensity rainfall periods and in larger estuaries. Summer rainfall increased pollutant transport into the sea from late July to mid-August and caused estuarine dilution. Higher NPSP risks often correspond to coastal areas with lower vegetation coverage, higher soil erodibility, and higher soil pollutant concentrations. Agricultural NPSP originating from cropland significantly increase the pollutant fluxes. Therefore, area-specific land use management and vegetation coverage improvement, and temporal-specific strategies can be explored for NPSP control during source-transport hydrological processes. This research provides a novel insight for coastal NPSP simulations by comprehensively analyzing the soil erosion process and its associated pollutant loss effects, which can be useful for targeted spatiotemporal solutions., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The safety of human health and agricultural production depends on the quality of farmland soil. Risk assessment of heavy metal pollution sources could effectively reduce the hazard of soil pollution from various sources. This study has identified and quantitatively analyzed pollution sources with geostatistical analysis and the APCS-MLR model. The potential ecological risk index was combined with the APCS-MLR model which has quantitatively calculated the source contribution. The results revealed that As, Cr, Cd, Pb, Zn, and Cu were enriched in soil. Geostatistical analysis and the APCS-MLR model have apportioned four pollution sources. The Mn and Ni were attributed to natural sources; As and Cr were from agricultural activities; Cu and Zn were originated from natural sources; Cd and Pb were derived from atmospheric deposition. Atmospheric deposition and agricultural activities were the largest contributors to ecological risk of heavy metals in soil, which accounted for 56.21% and 36.01% respectively. Atmospheric deposition and agricultural activities are classified as priority sources of pollution. The combination of source analysis receptor model and risk assessment is an effective method to quantify source contribution. This study has quantified the ecological risks of soil heavy metals from different sources, which will provide a reliable method for the identification of primary harmfulness sources of pollution for future studies., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Two commercial biopesticides were studied to determine their persistence in two soil types, such as sandy clay loam and clay loam soils. For this purpose, an orange oil-based biopesticide was used, being limonene its main ingredient. The other biopesticide was based on cinnamon extract and trans-cinnamaldehyde as its main component. Degradation of these compounds was monitored, and transformation products or metabolites were detected. Limonene and its metabolites were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and trans-cinnamaldehyde by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC). Both techniques were coupled to a high-resolution mass (HRMS) analyzer, such as quadrupole (Q)-Orbitrap. Limonene and trans-cinnamaldehyde were rapidly degraded as result of first-order kinetics. Possible metabolites such as thymol, cymene, isoterpinolene and cymenene for limonene, and hydroxycinnamic acid for trans-cinnamaldehyde were tentatively identified. Moreover, four other metabolites of trans-cinnamaldehyde, some of them not previously described, were also detected., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

We present an analytical method to detect and quantify residues of currently used pesticides (CUPs), which include 31 active ingredients (ai) and seven transformation products (TPs) in tropical and agricultural soils of Cuba. Ten isotopically labeled analogous compounds served as internal standards (IL-IS). The novelty of this research is the inclusion of different tropical soils type scarcely studied for CUPs and TPs, based on the QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe) method, followed by chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. All figures of merit proved to be satisfactory according to SANTE guidelines 2020 and 2021. Matrix effects (ME) calculated by the external standard method were significant (|ME| > 20% for almost all compounds; grand mean ± standard deviation (STD) 104 ± 108%) in all soils. The internal standard method compensated ME to non-significant levels (8 ± 50%), even for analytes with a non-structure identical IL-IS (STD, 13 ± 57%). Repeatability (relative standard deviation, RSD r ) and reproducibility (RSD R ) for skeletic regosol (SR) were 7.5 ± 2.8% and 11.7 ± 4.7%, respectively. Absolute (quantified for 11 analytes with structure identical IL-IS) and relative recovery from SR was 92 ± 13% (mean ± STD) and 90 ± 12%, respectively. Limits of quantification for SR ranged from 0.1 to 10 ng/g, except metalaxyl and oxyfluorfen (25 ng/g each). Linearity of matrix-matched (MM) calibration curves (5 to 100 ng/g) had an R 2 of ≥ 0.99 for all soils and almost all analytes. The method was successfully applied to 30 real soil samples., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Raisins and grape pekmez are consumed commonly by human all over the globe. Consumption of contaminated foods may be the likely pathway of heavy metal exposure. Therefore, the objectives of the present research were to quantify trace elements concentration in raisins and grape pekmez produced from locally grown grapes in Gonabad and to assess non-carcinogenic (HQ and HI) and carcinogenic (total cancer risk, CRt) health risks caused by trace elements exposure via oral intake of these products for children, teenagers, and adults. For this purpose, a totally 30 (15 raisins and 15 grape pekmez) samples were purchased from the vineyard gardeners and examined for ten trace elements including As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn. The HI values signaled that the studied population consuming these products is at risk. The HQ, HI, and CRt values of the elements were in order of children > teenagers > adults. The highest cancer risk contribution was attributed to As and Ni for all the studied age groups in both raisins and grape pekmez samples. However, it is recommended that the concentration of trace elements in the soil and crops of the study area and its related health risks be regularly monitored to avoid significant health risks in the future., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Accurate prediction of cadmium (Cd) ecotoxicity to and accumulation in soil biota is important in soil health. However, very limited information on Cd ecotoxicity on naturally contaminated soils. Herein, we investigated soil Cd ecotoxicity using Folsomia candida, a standard single-species test animal, in 28 naturally Cd-contaminated soils, and the back-propagation neural network (BPNN) model was used to predict Cd ecotoxicity to and accumulation in F. candida. Soil total Cd and pH were the primary soil properties affecting Cd toxicity. However, soil pH was the main factor when the total Cd concentration was < 3 mg kg -1 . Interestingly, correlation analysis and the K-spiked test confirmed nutrient potassium (K) was essential for Cd accumulation, highlighting the significance of studying K in Cd accumulation. The BPNN model showed greater prediction accuracy of collembolan survival rate (R 2  = 0.797), reproduction inhibitory rate (R 2  = 0.827), body Cd concentration (R 2  = 0.961), and Cd bioaccumulation factor (R 2  = 0.964) than multiple linear regression models. Then the developed BPNN model was used to predict Cd ecological risks in 57 soils in southern China. Compared to multiple linear regression models, the BPNN models can better identify high-risk regions. This study highlights the potential of BPNN as a novel and rapid tool for the evaluation and monitoring of Cd ecotoxicity in naturally contaminated soils., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Trace element pollution from anthropogenic sources is increasingly widespread. This pollution in terrestrial environments threatens agricultural crop production, while in aquatic environments, it threatens fish cultivation. The contamination of these crucial food sources raises significant concerns regarding food safety, security, and its potential adverse effects on human health. Coastal areas are particularly vulnerable to heavy metal pollution due to their proximity to industrial and urban centres, as well as their susceptibility to contamination from marine sources. In attempting to identify the sources of heavy metals (As, Cu, Cr, Cd, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) and measure their contributions, we collected soil samples from thirty sites along the three coastal districts (Patuakhali, Barguna, and Bhola) in Bangladesh. Using atomic absorption spectroscopy, heavy metal concentrations in soil samples were measured and three receptor models (PMF, PCA-MLR, and UNMIX) were applied to detect their sources. Pairwise correlation analysis of metal concentrations in 30 sites across 3 coastal districts showed all possible patterns, including both significant and insignificant positive and negative relationships between different metals, except for As and Hg which did not display any significant relationships with other metals. The concentrations of Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn exceed the US-EPA sediment quality standard. The applied PCA-MLR, PMF, and UNMIX models identified several sources of heavy metal contamination, including (i) mixed anthropogenic and natural activities: contribution of 59%, 37%, and 43%, and (ii) vehicle emissions: contribution of 23%, 26% and 29%. The recognized metal sources should be prioritised to avoid the discharge of poisonous pollutants from anthropogenic factors and any possible future exposure. This study's findings have implications for ongoing monitoring and management of heavy metal contamination in coastal environments to mitigate potential health and ecological impacts and can inform policy development and management strategies., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Elevated levels of arsenic in crop plants have been found in various regions worldwide, especially where agricultural soils have been affected by arsenic-enriched aquifers and human activities including mining, smelting, and pesticide application. Given the highly toxic nature of arsenic, remediation should be carried out immediately to reduce this potentially toxic element transport from soil to crop plants. This study focused on the utilization of biofertilizer which is a combination of arsenic-accumulating microorganisms and adsorbent (carrier) in order to achieve high efficiency of arsenic immobilization and ability to apply in the field. Thirty-two bacterial strains were isolated from 9 soil samples collected from the Dongjin and Duckum mining areas in Korea using a nutrient medium amended with 2 mM sodium arsenite. Among isolates, strain DE12 identified as Bacillus megaterium exhibited the greatest arsenic accumulation capacity (0.236 mg/g dry biomass) and ability to resist up to 18 mM arsenite. Among the three agricultural waste adsorbents studied, rice straw was proved to have a higher adsorption capacity (0.104 mg/g) than rice husk and corn husk. Therefore, rice straw was chosen to be the carrier to form biofertilizer together with strain DE12. Inoculation of biofertilizer in soil showed a reduction of arsenic content in the edible part of lettuce, water spinach, and sweet basil by 17.5%, 34.1%, and 34,1%, respectively compared to the control group. The use of biofertilizer may open up the potential application in the field for other food plants., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Heavy metal pollution is a serious environmental problem worldwide, creating the necessity to find eco-friendly strategies for monitoring and remediating environments. This study aimed to evaluate morphological, physiological, and biochemical responses as indicative of Zn tolerance in Limonium brasiliense and to determine the ability of this halophyte to accumulate different concentrations of Zn (0, 100, and 200 μM) in hydroponic conditions. The leaf shape at high Zn concentration showed enlarged petioles and lanceolate blades, whereas the leaf size was reduced. Water content, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and pigment content decreased with Zn addition. Of the antioxidant activities, only APx increased 75% compared to the control by Zn stress. Zn concentration was higher in aerial structures than in roots (BAC> 1 and TF> 1), suggesting that L. brasiliense could function as an accumulator of Zn. Its great ability to resist metal stress and its strong capacity to protect itself against high Zn concentration postulate it as a good phytoremediation of environments enriched with Zn. The study emphasizes using leaf morphology as an early biomonitoring tool for detecting Zn pollution, providing more evidence of their potential use as a biomarker for evaluating and assessing ecosystem health in biomonitoring programs., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Fe-enriched biochar has proven to be effective in reducing Cd uptake in rice plants by enhancing iron plaque formation. However, the effect of Fe on biochar, especially the biochar with high S content, for Cd immobilization in rice rhizosphere was not fully understood. To obtain eco-friendly Fe-loaded biochar at a low cost, garlic straw, bean straw, and rape straw were chosen as the feedstocks for Fe-enhanced biochar production by co-pyrolysis with Fe 2 O 3 . The resulting biochars and Fe-loaded biochars were GBC, BBC, BRE, GBC-Fe, BBC-Fe, and BRE-Fe, respectively. XRD and FTIR analyses showed that Fe was successfully loaded onto the biochar. The pristine and Fe-containing biochars were applied at rates of 0% (BC0) and 0.1% in pot experiments. Results suggested that BBC-Fe caused the highest reduction in Cd content of rice grain, and the reductions were 67.9% and 31.4%, compared with BC0 and BBC, respectively. Compared to BBC, BBC-Fe effectively reduced Cd uptake in rice roots by 47.5%. The exchangeable and acid-soluble fraction of Cd (F1-Cd) in soil with BBC-Fe treatment was 37.6% and 63.7% lower than that of BC0 and BBC, respectively. Compared to BC0, soil pH was increased by 0.53 units with BBC-Fe treatment. BBC-Fe significantly increased Fe oxides (free Fe oxides, amorphous Fe oxides, and complex Fe oxides) content in the soil as well. DGT study demonstrated that BBC-Fe could enhance the mobility of sulfate in the rhizosphere, which might be beneficial for Cd fixation in the rhizosphere. Moreover, BBC-Fe increased the relative abundance of Bacteroidota, Firmicutes, and Clostridia, which might be beneficial for Cd immobilization in the rhizosphere. This work highlights the synergistic effect of loaded Fe and biochar on Cd immobilization by enhancing Cd deposited with Fe oxides., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

A field trial was performed to carry out an enhanced phytoremediation technique for multi-metal contaminated copper tailings by Sudan grass (Sorghum Sudanese), ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon), using conditioner (TH-LZ01) and straw combination into composite amendments as soil amendments, aimed to obtain the maximum of phytoremediation effect. The results showed that compared with untreated herbaceous plants, the application of conditioner and straw planted with herbaceous plants reduced the pH and conductivity and increased the organic matter and water content of the copper tailings to different degrees. With the addition of conditioner and straw, the DTPA-Cd, DTPA-Cu, DTPA-Pb, and DTPA-Zn contents in the copper tailings showed a decreasing trend compared with the untreated group. The herbaceous plants were promoted to reduce the percentage contents of acid soluble fractions Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn and to increase the percentage contents of reducible, oxidizable, and residual fractions heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) in the copper tailings to different degrees. The contents of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in the underground part of herbaceous plants were higher than those in the aboveground part, and the contents of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in the aboveground part and underground part decreased after adding conditioner and straw, which indicated that the conditioner and straw inhibited the transport of heavy metals in the plant. Furthermore, the principal component analysis showed that the application of conditioner and straw with planting ryegrass had more potential for improving the physicochemical properties of copper tailings and reducing heavy metal toxicity, followed by Bermuda grass and Sudan grass., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Arsenic (As) contamination of rice grain poses a serious threat to human health. Therefore, it is crucial to reduce the bioavailability of As in the soil and its accumulation in rice grains to ensure the safety of food and human health. In this study, mango (Mangifera indica) leaf-derived biochars (MBC) were synthesized and modified with iron (Fe) to produce FeMBC. In this study, 0.5 and 1% (w/w) doses of MBC and FeMBC were used. The results showed that 1% FeMBC enhanced the percentage of filled grains/panicle and biomass yield by 17 and 27%, respectively, compared to the control. The application of 0.5 and 1% FeMBC significantly (p < 0.05) reduced bioavailable soil As concentration by 33 and 48%, respectively, in comparison to the control. The even higher As flux in the control group as compared to the biochar-treated groups indicates the lower As availability to biochar-treated rice plant. The concentration of As in rice grains was reduced by 6 and 31% in 1% MBC and 1% FeMBC, respectively, compared to the control. The reduction in As concentration in rice grain under 1% FeMBC was more pronounced due to reduced bioavailability of As and enhanced formation of Fe-plaque. This may restrict the entry of As through the rice plant. The concentrations of micronutrients (such as Fe, Zn, Se, and Mn) in brown rice were also improved after the application of both MBC and FeMBC in comparison to the control. This study indicates that the consumption of parboiled rice reduces the health risk associated with As compared to cooked sunned rice. It emphasizes that 1% MBC and 1% FeMBC have great potential to decrease the uptake of As in rice grains., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Laboratory ecotoxicological tests are important tools for the management of environmental changes derived from anthropogenic activities. Folsomia candida is usually the model species used in some procedures. However, this species may not be sufficiently representative of the sensitivity of the other collembolan species. This study aimed to evaluate (i) the effects of soils naturally rich in potentially toxic elements (PTE) and soil characteristics on the reproduction and survival of different collembolan species, (ii) whether the habitat function of these soils is compromised, and (iii) to what extent F. candida is representative of the other collembolan species. For this, reproduction tests with six collembolan species were conducted in 14 different samples of soils. In general, collembolan reproduction was not completely inhibited in none of the natural tested soils. Even soils with high pollution load index values did not negatively affect collembolan reproduction for most of the species. In contrast, the lowest collembolan reproduction rates were found in a visually dense soil (lowest volume/weight ratio), highlighting that soil attributes other than total PTE concentration also interfere in the reproduction of collembolans. Our results support the idea that the F. candida species might not be representative of other collembolan species and that laboratory tests to assess soil contaminations should be conducted using diverse collembolan species., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Fluoride and its constituents in soil affect plant growth and public health. In this study, soil fluoride was measured for the semi-arid regions in southern India, using Sentinel-1 data in conjunction with the dual polarimetric saline-associated fluoride model (also known as fluoride model). A loss angle was estimated from laboratory-based dielectric components of soil samples with strong electrical conductivity under high and low fluoride conditions. The conductivity loss angle and real and imaginary dielectric constants were used to study fluoride salt's dielectric behavior. The imaginary dielectric component sensitive to dielectric loss could predict fluoride across large areas over time. This was statistically analyzed with R 2  = 0.86, RMSE = 1.90, and bias = 0.35 showing a promising depiction that C-band SAR data can distinguish fluoride levels over varied clay soil and soil with varying vegetation development. Moreover, the association between biomass and simulated fluoride helped to identify fluoride-tolerant and non-tolerant crops. The study found that Sorghum and Oryza sativa tolerate saline-associated fluoride, whereas Peanut and Allium do not. Furthermore, the model successfully retrieves fluoride from saline salts based on tangent loss., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)