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Measuring the concentration of PAHs in the freely dissolved phase is crucial for assessing ecological impacts in the marine environment. However, various environmental conditions make short-term monitoring challenging. This study used an optimized High Speed Rotation-Type Passive Sampling Device (HSR-PSD) equipped with linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) to conduct the first nationwide monitoring of freely dissolved PAHs in Korean coastal waters. The HSR-PSD enabled faster short-term monitoring by measuring C free of PAHs within 12 h and was less affected by environmental conditions compared to conventional PSDs. Σ 15 PAH concentrations ranged from 2.8 to 9.4 ng/L, with significantly higher levels on the western coast. Anthropogenic activities and oceanic conditions affected C free distribution in coastal areas. Based on C free , the estimated PAH levels in bivalves and fish were aligned with reported tissue concentrations, exhibiting low ecological risk to aquatic organisms. Therefore, the HSR-PSD with LLDPE is a suitable tool for nationwide short-term monitoring. • The freely dissolved PAHs were first monitored nationwide in Korean coastal waters. • Automatic passive sampler with LLDPE is an suitable tool for short-term monitoring. • Anthropogenic activities and oceanic conditions together affect C free distribution. • Estimated PAHs level in bivalves and fish using C free align with tissue concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are emerging contaminants that serve as alternatives to regulated substances in aquatic environments. A nationwide large-scale assessment for OPEs, including point sources, remains insufficient. To address this issue, we aimed to investigate OPEs occurrence and novel OPEs via comprehensive target, suspect and non-target analysis. Among the 11 target OPEs, 10 were detected at sampling sites distributed evenly nationwide. The highest mean concentrations were measured for tris-(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBOEP) and tris(2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCIPP). The multivariate statistical analysis revealed that TBOEP and TCIPP are essential components for assessing total OPEs pollution. The systematic risk assessment results evaluated the overall risk contribution of TBOEP and the significant risk impact of 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate. Promising suspect and non-target analysis enabled frequent detection and identification of 6 antioxidant transformation products (TPs), as well as the tentative identification of 14 OPEs and TPs, including 3 di-OPEs. Based on sampling site classification, we confirmed that major OPEs are significantly discharged near point sources. We believe that this is the first attempt to assess the nationwide risk and potential sources of OPEs in Korean surface waters, providing insights that could support further prioritization and regulation efforts. [Display omitted] • Nationwide monitoring showed OPEs, especially TBOEP, as predominant in Korean surface waters. • Multivariate analysis identified TBOEP and TCIPP as essential components for OPEs assessment. • TBOEP had overall risk contribution, with EHDPP showing significant risk impact. • Suspect and non-target analysis identified 20 novel OPEs and antioxidant TPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Globally there are few synoptic-scale (over 1000 km) animal density index maps available, except for special cases such as important game species or alien species subject to control programs. Here, we propose a method of estimating synoptic-scale density index distribution of mammals, including non-game and non-pest species, by using roadkill records collected by municipalities. In order to correct biases caused by location, environment and traffic density to roadkill data, we constructed an animal density index model by using environmental factors as land use and climates, and fitted to roadkill records taking into account road types as delegate of traffic density. Since alien species are expanding geographic ranges and some native species were historically extinct regionally, we considered a regional factor not predictable by environment. We then estimated density indices over the research area for nine animals. Geographical distribution of density indices in nine mammal species were obtained. Density index maps of three of four animals agreed (AUC > 0.7) with the data on previous presence/absence maps. The exception was that the red fox was distributed over almost of all the research area on previously published maps, but we found that its density was low in southern Pacific areas. The species was considered as endangered in some prefectures there, and it clearly showed the importance of our density index estimation. Significant differences in the regional factor explained ongoing range expansion of alien species (masked palm civet and raccoon) and the historical regional extinction of sika deer. Roadkill data were useful data source for deriving huge-scale density index maps of wildlife. Animal density index monitoring should now become feasible even at a synoptic spatial scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Loss of habitat, eutrophication and reduced grazing intensity are known drivers of landscape-level changes in plant species composition; however, consequences of the massive decline in insect abundance are still to be understood. Pollinator decline can reduce seed set in plants relying on insects for successful reproduction. This may result in a reduced recruitment of insect-pollinated plant species with associated changes in species composition. So far, large-scale studies addressing this issue have relied on few data points-typically consisting of 'historic' records of numbers of insect-pollinated plants compared to present-day records. Such comparisons can provide information as to whether the diversity of insect-pollinated plants has changed, but not whether the process is still ongoing. Here, we use nationwide monitoring data of plant species richness in Danish grasslands from the period 2004-2014, covering 244 grassland sites and encompassing more than 790 flowering plant species. We show an ongoing decrease in insect-pollinated, but not wind-pollinated, plant species across different habitat types. In both dry calcareous and Nardus grasslands, loss of insect-pollinated plants was greatest at sites with low grazing intensity. However, insect-pollinated plants also declined from sites with higher grazing intensity, and plants requiring more specialized insect pollination tended to decline most. In addition to changes in plant diversity driven by land-use intensification, loss of pollinators may also play a role in reducing the richness of insect-pollinated plants. Ongoing reduction in floral richness could further increase the threat to insects relying on these plants as a food source.

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has become a very useful tool to monitor a population's drug consumption or exposure to environmental and food contaminants. In this work, WBE has been applied to estimate tobacco consumption in seven Spanish regions. To this end, 24 h composite wastewater samples were taken daily for one week in 17 wastewater treatment plants, covering altogether a population of ca. 6 million inhabitants. The samples were treated by enzymatic deconjugation and the wastewater content of two human-specific nicotine metabolites (namely, cotinine and trans-3′-hydroxycotinine) was measured to estimate the daily consumption of nicotine. The population-weighted average nicotine consumption in the seven analyzed regions was 2.2 g/(day∙1000 inh.), without any daily pattern. This average estimated nicotine consumption value agreed with the value derived from official tobacco sales data. Differences in consumption among the seven studied regions were found, being Galicia, the region with the lowest rate, and the Basque Country and Catalonia those with the highest rates. However, no conclusive correlation was found between those values and the prevalence data taken from two different national surveys, nor sociodemographic and health data. This study demonstrates that this tool can complement other indicators in order to accurately assess tobacco consumption rates at regional and national levels and provides the most extensive application of the approach in the Spanish territory. Unlabelled Image • Nicotine metabolites measured in 17 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) • The nicotine consumed was estimated through wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE). • The mean per capita nicotine consumed daily was 2.2 mg (ca. 2.8 cigarettes). • Largest Spanish study on nicotine by WBE • The consumption estimates through WBE are consistent with official sales data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]