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The escalation of technological advancements, coupled with the increased use of hazardous chemicals, has emerged as a significant concern for human health. Exposure to environmental pollutants like heavy metals and pesticides (insecticides, herbicides and fungicides) is known to significantly contribute to various health problems, particularly affecting reproductive health. Disturbances in reproductive potential and reproductive toxicity in males are particularly worrisome. Existing literature suggests that exposure to these environmental pollutants significantly alters male reproductive parameters. Thus, it is imperative to thoroughly analyze, comprehend, and evaluate their impact on male reproductive toxicity. Oxidative stress and disruptions in redox equilibrium are major factors through which these pollutants induce changes in sperm parameters and affect the reproductive system. Insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides act as endocrine disruptors, interfering with the secretion and function of reproductive hormones such as testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH), consequently impacting spermatogenesis. Additionally, heavy metals are reported to bio-accumulate in reproductive organs, acting as endocrine disruptors and triggering oxidative stress. The co-operative association of these pollutants can lead to severe damage. In this comprehensive review, we have conducted an in-depth analysis of the impact of these environmental pollutants on the male reproductive system, shedding light on the underlying mechanisms of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an editorial from the journal Frontiers in Environmental Science titled "Developments in managing emerging pollutants in natural waters: a focus on low- and middle-income regions." The editorial highlights the global issue of inadequate wastewater treatment, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, which leads to the release of emerging pollutants (EPs) into natural water bodies. EPs include various substances such as surfactants, pharmaceuticals, and microplastics, which can have adverse effects on the environment and human health. The editorial emphasizes the need for improved regulation, control, and treatment technologies to address this problem. The document also provides an overview of the articles included in the research topic, which cover topics such as the presence of EPs in drinking water, groundwater quality, and alternative methods for pollutant removal. The editorial concludes by suggesting future research directions and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure clean water resources for all communities. [Extracted from the article]

The present study examines the arsenic associated human health risk in Sri Lanka with due consideration to age and gender vulnerability. While the existing low-grade metamorphic rock carries less possibility of arsenic contamination, the usage of old generation arsenical pesticides may increase the future possibility of a catastrophe. Through a comprehensive Health Risk Index (HRI) it could be seen that the north part of the country carries higher risk for children below eight years of age to develop cancer in long run. Interestingly rainfall pattern correlates with arsenic vulnerable zones, denoting that high monsoon led recharge may prevent rapid anthropogenic fluctuations in anoxic zones thereby preventing vigorous formation of oxy-hydroxides. However, the possibility of sea-water intrusion due to excessive groundwater abstraction may change the major-ion chemistry soon which may impact the co-occurrence scenario of arsenic and fluoride. In this regard the study identifies the wetter regions and their shift from 1981 to 2018 to propose a more stable groundwater regime in terms of sea water intrusion. There exist few scientific literatures concerning the occurrence of arsenic in the groundwater of Sri Lanka but there exists no framework to provide a meaningful interpretation by combining all the available research outputs. The present study therefore provides a basis for understanding the existing groundwater arsenic contamination of Sri Lanka by providing a scientific framework to the studies done so far by various researchers in the past 30 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sequential extraction procedure (SEP), batch desorption experiments and the concept of partition coefficient were applied on seven sediment samples from the Subansiri-Dikrong-Ranganadi River System (SDRS), a subset of the upper Brahmaputra floodplain (BFP), to understand leaching of arsenic (As) and fluoride (F−). Sediment samples were collected during monsoon and post-monsoon seasons from each of three river banks to distinguish the effect of annual cyclic flooding events on As content and mobilization. SEP revealed that the readily leachable chemisorbed As phase and amorphous Fe (hydr)oxides were the principal contributors to mobilized As during the monsoon season. Constant flushing of the rivers removed most of the physisorbed and chemisorbed As during the monsoon. A submerged anoxic condition toward late monsoon resulted in Fe (hydr)oxides becoming the dominant source of removable As during the post-monsoon season. Iron in the sediments was positively correlated with F− during both monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. This suggests that Fe (hydr)oxides are a host for F− and a correlation between reductive hydrolysis and F−. Removal of Fe (hydr)oxides from the sediments significantly reduced As retention/leaching capacity. Arsenic desorption was especially high from raw sediments of the Ranganadi River owing to the fact that it had the highest amount of As associated with Fe (hydr)oxides, which falls sharply in the post-monsoon season due to a prolonged submerged state leading to reductive dissolution. However, as leached F− is being constantly flushed out by the SDRS, F− contamination may not pose a problem in the current or futuristic scenarios. Unlabelled Image • Subansiri-Dikrong-Ranganadi River System (SDRS) sediments were studied for As, F mobilization. • Sequential extraction, desorption and partitioning coefficient were coupled to study As-F sorption. • Fe (hydr)oxides, a potential secondary host of F−, lead to its co-leaching with As. • Leached F is being flushed regularly and thus not leading to its enrichment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Bioconversion of tea factory and paper mill coal ash is a novel effort. [•] Solubility of Cr and Ni in coal ashes is reduced due to vermiconversion. [•] Vermicomposted coal ashes improve soil health. [•] Vermicomposted tea factory coal ash enhances crop yield. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Our surrounding environment has been influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic situation. The second wave of COVID-19 in India has proven to be more devastating and aggressive than the first wave of the pandemic, which led to recognizing India as one of the world's topmost worst-hit nations considering >4000 fatalities reported in a single day in May 2021. Such "resurgence and acceleration" of COVID-19 transmission has been fuelled by the MahaKumbh festival and political mass gathering (elections rallies) events, where the COVID-19 protocols have been ignored by millions of pilgrims/followers. The present review discusses only the consequences of this year's MahaKumbh festivals, the largest religious mass gathering on earth, which was held during the COVID-19 pandemic in India, and its impact on both the spread of SARS-CoV-2 among participants and their families and its influence on the quality of the river Ganga. This article tries to give readers outside of India an overview of how much impact of any such single large gathering of any relgion in any part of the world can drive coronavirus infections and effectively commence the second/third wave outbreak with this case study. Furthermore, the religious large scale celebration are widely accepted through out the world that have played a significant role in the spread of the pandemic into remote villages and towns all over the subcontinent/world, thus affecting many areas with insufficient healthcare facilities that have been relatively spared. This review also highlights the potential risk of transmission from infected humans into the aquatic environment of the river Ganga. Besides the obvious relevance of SARS-CoV-2, a large variety of other water-related disease vectors (bacteria, viruses, and protozoa) stemming from visitors to the religious congregation were introduced into the upstream regions of the Ganga river. Their sheer number is assumed to have had a severe influence on its delicate ecosystem, including endangered mammals such as the river Dolphins. The detailed epidemiological and clinical study on transmission routes of SARS-CoV-2 is the need of the hour to understand the pathogenesis of RNA virus infection and prevent the massive spreading of such infectious respiratory diseases. An interdisciplinary approach, rooted in evidence-based efficient learning, contextual strategies, and a streamlined unified approach should be adopted to help in the development of a proactive prevention model during future MahaKumbh festival (and similar religious gatherings) instead of just "picking up the pieces" in a conventional post-event model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We made the first ever successful effort in India to detect the genetic material of SARS-CoV-2 viruses to understand the capability and application of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) surveillance in India. Sampling was carried out on 8 and 27 May 2020 at the Old Pirana Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) at Ahmedabad, Gujarat that receives effluent from Civil Hospital treating COVID-19 patients. All three, i.e. ORF1ab, N and S genes of SARS-CoV-2, were found in the influent with no genes detected in effluent collected on 8 and 27 May 2020. Increase in SARS-CoV-2 genetic loading in the wastewater between 8 and 27 May 2020 samples concurred with corresponding increase in the number of active COVID-19 patients in the city. The number of gene copies was comparable to that reported in untreated wastewaters of Australia, China and Turkey and lower than that of the USA, France and Spain. However, temporal changes in SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations need to be substantiated further from the perspectives of daily and short-term changes of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater through long-term monitoring. The study results SARS-CoV-2 will assist concerned authorities and policymakers to formulate and/or upgrade COVID-19 surveillance to have a more explicit picture of the pandemic curve. While infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 through the excreted viral genetic material in the aquatic environment is still being debated, the presence and detection of genes in wastewater systems makes a strong case for the environmental surveillance of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlabelled Image • First ever report of the presence of gene of SARS-CoV-2 in the wastewater in India. • C T value is explicitly indicative of the increase of COVID-19 patient in the vicinity. • All three i.e. ORF1ab, N and S genes of SARS-CoV-2 were discerned in the influents. • None of three genes were spotted in the effluent collected on 8 and 27 May 2020. • Increase in the SARS-CoV-2 genetic loading concurred with active COVID-19 patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the first time, we present, i) an account of decay in the genetic material loading of SARS-CoV-2 during Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) treatment of wastewater, and ii) comparative evaluation of polyethylene glycol (PEG), and ultrafiltration as virus concentration methods from wastewater for the quantification of SARS-CoV-2 genes. The objectives were achieved through tracking of SARS-CoV-2 genetic loadings i.e. ORF1ab, N and S protein genes on 8th and 27th May 2020 along the wastewater treatment plant (106000 m3 million liters per day) equipped with UASB system in Ahmedabad, India. PEG method performed better in removing materials inhibiting RT-qPCR for SARS-CoV-2 gene detection from the samples, as evident from constant and lower C T values of control (MS2). Using the PEG method, we found a reduction >1.3 log 10 reduction in SARS-CoV-2 RNA abundance during UASB treatment, and the RNA was not detected at all in the final effluent. The study implies that i) conventional wastewater treatment systems is effective in SARS-CoV-2 RNA removal, and ii) UASB system significantly reduces SARS-CoV-2 genetic loadings. Finally, PEG method is recommended for better sensitivity and inhibition removal during SARS-CoV-2 RNA quantification in wastewater. Unlabelled Image • First report of the decay of SARS-CoV-2 gene during UASB treatment • Polyethylene glycol method had superior inhibition removal than filtration method. • The viral genetic loading reduction during UASB treatment was more than 1.3 log 10. • Higher RNA loading in the influent on 27th May 2020 translated into higher reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]