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Pharmaceuticals, also known as medicines, are a mixture of substances used to prevent and treat human or animal diseases or infections. These products are used in many areas, such as medicine, aquaculture, animal husbandry, and, not least, in people’s everyday lives. According to the literature, they are classified into several therapeutic classes, the ones of interest for this paper being non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; antidiabetic drugs, and antacid drugs. The mentioned drugs have raised concerns due to their presence in the environment and the potential health risks they pose. Recently, much research has focused on compounds that have direct harmful effects but are found in the environment at relatively low concentrations. These compounds could seriously threaten aquatic ecosystems, especially in the long term, due to their ability to accumulate in living organisms through bioaccumulation or generate secondary metabolites with harmful side effects. To effectively monitor pharmaceuticals in the environment, it is essential to have a variety of rapid, reliable, and sensitive methods capable of detecting numerous compounds. The most commonly employed techniques include solid phase extraction (SPE) followed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS). This study supports ongoing efforts to monitor and regulate drug contamination in water sources, evaluating potential risks to human health and emphasizing the importance of addressing these contaminants to protect environmental and public health.

Better sanitation and hygiene standards are beneficial for preventing infections, limiting the spread of pathogens, and fostering overall health in educational environments. On the other hand, not much is known about school-student's hygiene and sanitation habits. The purpose of this study is to identify and comprehend the variables that affect students' behaviour related to sanitation and hygiene in classrooms. This study was carried out at the Katiadi Government High School, a high school in a Bangladeshi upazilla town. An exploratory qualitative study design, based on the Integrated Behavioural Model for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (IBM-WASH) was used. Before utilizing them, the effectiveness and clarity of the semi-structured interview guides were tested, which included questions about behaviour, access, and practices related to sanitation and hygiene. The students had quite low sanitation and hygiene practices despite having a reasonable level of awareness and knowledge. Sanitation and hygiene practices were influenced by a wide range of interrelated factors, which also affected one another. Contextual factors (lack of upkeep and cleanliness, availability of sanitary products), socio-behavioural factors (norms, peer influence), and individual factors (gender awareness, perception, and sense of health benefits). To advance improved sanitation and hygiene practices among school students, multi-level interventions such as regular delivery of WASH-related materials and agents, promotion of low-cost WASH interventions, quality cleaning services improvement, close observation of cleaning activities, individual hygiene behaviour promotion, and introduction of gender-sensitive WASH infrastructure and construction may be helpful.

Background: Metals and metalloids in roadside dust pose considerable threats to both human health and the environment. Objectives: This study assesses human health risks of metal exposure to roadside dust by conducting a health risk assessment (HRA) for metals and metalloids uptake rates for children and adults via exposure pathways. Methods: Settled dust samples were collected from the major roads in Osogbo, Osun state. These samples were subjected to standard laboratory procedures for metals and metalloids analysis using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). Results: All the metals and metalloids except Cd had their concentration below the WHO limit. The average concentration of Cd was 1.54 mg kg-1, significantly above the WHO guideline of 0.80 mg kg-1, indicating a possible health concern. A strong positive correlation exits between Ni and Cd (0.774⁎⁎) (p < 0.01), Pb (0.662⁎⁎) (p < 0.01), Zn (0.606⁎⁎) (p < 0.01), and as (0.549*) (p < 0.05), showing that greater Ni concentrations are associated with higher concentrations of Cd, Pb, Zn, and As. Two principal components were identified, accounting for 80 % of the overall variation. PC1 has an eigenvalue of 60.834; however, PC2 has a higher eigenvalue of 74.952, implying that PC2 explains more of the variation in the data than PC1. Non-carcinogenic risk evaluations identify possible health risks linked with Cu, Cd, Cr, and As exposure, primarily through inhalation routes. Carcinogenic risk showed that Cd demonstrated high CR values ranging from 3740 to 1.30×1012 for adults and children throughout the study's various exposure paths. Conclusion: This study offered significant insight into the metals and metalloids pollution status in Osogbo, Nigeria, employing data and statistics, highlighting the need for evidence-based actions for environmental preservation to safeguarding people's health.

Background: The safety of food, especially among developing countries like Nigeria, is increasingly becoming a genuine call for concern due to food contamination. While culinary spices are often used for their flavour and colouring capabilities, they also contain significant trace minerals that may be harmful to human health. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the concentrations of trace minerals, including Iron (Fe), Chromium (Cr), Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), and Arsenic (As), in commonly used spices in Ado Ekiti, Nigeria. Additionally, it sought to evaluate the potential health risks associated with these concentrations. Methods: The research employed an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) to detect trace minerals like iron (Fe), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As) present in commonly consumed spices in Ado Ekiti, Nigeria. The assessment involved various methods such as Estimation of Daily Intake (EDI), Hazard Quotient (THQ), Total Hazard Quotient (TTHQ), and Cancer Risk (CR). Results: The results indicated that iron (Fe) levels varied from 0.62 mg/kg in dry onion to 210.40 mg/kg in turmeric, with an average concentration of 45.09±59.83 mg/kg. Chromium (Cr) concentrations ranged from non-detectable (ND) to 0.72 mg/kg, with an average value of 0.1 ± 0.16 mg/kg. All the Cr concentrations were higher than the regulatory limits. The Pb concentration in the spices varied between ND to 0.10 mg/kg with a mean concentration of 0.03±0.03 mg/kg. Scent leaf, bay leaf, dry suya powder, Maggi powder, dry onions, cinnamon, alligator pepper and onion leaf had Pb contents above the permissible level. EDI follows the order: Fe > Cr > Pb > Cd > As. EDI for Cr (0.133 mg/kg) exceeded the reference dose (RfD). All other spices had their THQ for Cr > 1 except for cayenne pepper and dry onions. Scent leaf, curry, bay leaf, thyme, turmeric, black pepper, garlic, Cameroun pepper and alligator pepper had THQ for Pb>1. Conclusion: All the spices showed TTHQ > 1 except dry onions, with TTHQ

Background/Introduction: Anthropogenic activities, including those carried out by artisans, have been confirmed to be one of the various means by which potentially toxic elements (PTE) are introduced into the soil. This study aims to determine the PTE concentration and distribution in soils around artisans workshops in Ago-Iwoye, southwestern Nigeria. Methods: Twenty (20) soil samples comprising ten (10) samples from soil around auto-mechanic workshops, six (6) from soils around vulcanizer workshops and four (4) from soils around welder workshops were collected and analyzed for elemental concentration using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results: Elemental analysis revealed the following trend for selected metals in auto-mechanic, vulcanizing and welding workshops, respectively: Ba (60–100, 100–200 and 130–590 mg.kg−1); Co (10–47, 8–19 and 15–37 mg.kg−1); Cr (29–161, 22–95 and 57–272 mg.kg−1); Cu (28–123, 16–100 and 88–486 mg.kg−1); Ni (11–33, 7–29 and 34–112 mg.kg−1); Pb (17–75, 12–77 and 36–677 mg.kg−1); Sc (2–16, 1–7 and 2–8 mg.kg−1); Sr (13–55, 17–72 and 33–91 mg.kg−1); V (35–212, 20–117 and 40–103 mg.kg−1) and Zn (82–684, 70–548 and 314–3240 mg.kg−1). Geochemical assessment using contamination factor, and geo-accumulation index showed that the artisanal workshops exhibited significant contamination levels for metals such as Ba, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sr, and Zn and the contamination level varied across the artisan workshops with soils around welders workshops showing highest contamination. Conclusion: Contamination indices revealed the artisan workshops have varying contribution to the metal load in the area and Pollution Load Index (PLI) indicated a decline in soil quality across all artisanal workshops with welding workshops revealing the highest anthropogenic contribution of PTE to the soil.

Terminal lakes (without outflow) retain elements and compounds that reach them through fluvial, point source or atmospheric deposition. If the lake sediment is exposed, some of these chemicals could become toxic dust particulates. The Great Salt Lake (GSL) in Utah is a terminal lake that experienced record-low lake elevation in 2021-22, exposing vast areas of playa. Here, we used inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to analyze the environmental chemistry of GSL shallow sediment during historic lows in spring, summer, and fall of 2021. Contaminants at the subsurface interface are most able to influence diffusion into the water column and uptake by benthic biota. We focused our analysis on copper, thallium, arsenic, mercury, lead, and zinc, which have been historically deposited in this region and are toxic when at high concentrations. We compared records of regional mining activity to understand the current contamination and assess relevant spatial and temporal gradients. We also used two different extraction methods (EPA 3050b and NH4AcO at pH=7) that can distinguish “environmentally available” vs. tightly associated and less available fractions. We observed consistent concentration of copper across sites indicating a larger relative impact of atmospheric deposition, with some evidence indicating further impacts of point sources. Arsenic, on the other hand, is maintained at high levels in submerged sediments and is likely geologically- and fluvially- derived. Thallium and mercury fluctuate seasonally and correlate with lake elevation. Lead and zinc levels are relatively low in GSL sites compared with freshwater input sites, indicating the deep brine layer may sequester these heavy metals, preventing their release into the water column. Overall, the concentrations of most metals in GSL sediments have declined from historic highs. However, each contaminant has distinct sources, seasonality, mobility and transmission. Complete recovery (if possible) may require many more decades and individual remediation strategies.

In response to significant demand for evaluating the presence of heavy elements in diverse industrial areas of Saudi Arabia, the study sought to analyze the concentration ratios of 16 elements across 11 different artificial soil types in the industrial zones situated in Riyadh, Sudair, and Al-Ahsa. To achieve this objective, the research utilized the wet digestion technique and employed an ICPE-9000 spectrophotometer for quantifying element concentrations. The study had a dual focus: initially, it sought to gauge the pollution attributed to heavy metals arising from enrichment processes, and second, it evaluated the geographical accumulation of pollutants in the soil. The results revealed varying concentration levels of heavy metals across the industrial areas under study. Specifically, the soil in the Yanbu region exhibited the highest concentration values for iron, manganese, zinc, chromium, nickel, copper, cobalt, cadmium, and beryllium. In contrast, the soil in the industrial area of Riyadh had the highest concentration values for lead, mercury (Hg), molybdenum (Mo), selenium (Se), and arsenic (As). Furthermore, the highest concentration of Cd was recorded in the soil of the Jubail region. Conversely, the soil in the Al-Ahsa region displayed the lowest concentration levels for these heavy metals. The conductivity of the synthetic soil ranged from 0.47 to 6.07 μS·cm−1, accompanied by a pH range of 6.6–8.6. The results emphasized the fluctuations in element concentrations, indicating significant implications for both environmental and human health. Notably, around 20% of the gathered samples showed concentrations of heavy elements like Mo, As, Hg, and Se that surpassed the allowable limits.

Indentations in rolling bearings from particle contamination introduce surface damage because they disturb lubrication and produce stress concentrations. In this article, a methodology is proposed where non-failed bearings that have been running in the field are inspected, indentations are counted and their geometry is characterized. With this information and the use of a mathematical model previously developed, the inferred damage in the bearing can be estimated and with this also the actual contamination parameter, ηc as described in the ISO 281 standard. In this way giving more certainty on the real contamination conditions in the application than other indirect assessment methods.

Background: The Ogun River estuary is located at the northwestern corner of the Lagos Lagoon in southwest Nigeria. Metal smelting, petroleum products transport, sewage disposal and chemical production are activities within this region, which could lead to the release of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) into the immediate environment. This study investigates the contamination levels of PTEs in the Ogun River estuary sediments, with emphasis on ecological and human health risks. Methods: Fourteen sediment samples were collected from the estuary through the Ogun River and Majidun environments. These samples were analyzed for PTEs including Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). The contamination levels of sedimented PTEs from selected sample sites in the estuary were documented for ecological and health risk assessments. Results: The analysis revealed bulk concentrations of PTEs across the sampling stations. The contamination factor (CF) showed high contamination levels for Cd and Zn at sample sites 2, 14 and 16; while the other metals revealed moderate pollution indices across all the sites. The risk factor (Er) values of Cd at stations 2, 15 and 16 showed potential contamination. The canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) signified that the distribution of the PTEs is independent of the environmental factors, exposing significant anthropogenic input. Evaluations of the sediment quality revealed that PTEs such as Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn, whose concentrations are above their TECs and ERLs, have little to no detrimental effects on sediment living organisms. The health risk assessment has shown that HI values for the elements fall within the non-carcinogenic risk range. The effects of the mean concentrations of these metals on the non-carcinogenic risk (HQ) for adults and children in decreasing order of impact are Co > Pb > Mn > Ni > Cd > Cu > Zn > Fe for both ingestion and dermal pathways. The human health risk index varies from low cancer risk in adult (LCR = 4.4 × 10−5) to moderate cancer risk in children (LCR = 4.1 × 10−4). Conclusion: This study has revealed the significance of anthropogenic input of PTEs into the environment. The sedimented PTEs are within permissible range, but monitoring and assessment activities should be focused on the Majidun axis since most metals show high concentration in this region.

In the present study, the adsorption of arsenic(V) and cadmium(II) onto microplastics from poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate) (PBSA) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic mulch films was investigated through batch experiment. The surface morphology and elemental composition of soil and microplastics were analyzed with scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results show that the adsorption of As(V) and Cd(II) on microplastics led to surfaces with coarseness and more cracks, and many small particles. Under the conditions added with 100 pieces of microplastic, PBSA enhanced the adsorption capacity of As(V) (from 0.43 to 0.49 mg/g), and LDPE increased the adsorption of Cd(II) (from 0.174 to 0.176 mg/g) due to the “superimposed effect” caused by hydrogen bonds. Conversely, LDPE reduced the adsorption of As(V) (from 0.44 to 0.40 mg/g) due to a “dilution effect” of PE. Particularly, PBSA exhibited an insignificant effect on the adsorption of Cd(II) in soil during the present study. Overall, our findings provide new insights into the impacts of microplastics on the fate and behavior of heavy metals in the soil system.

Background: Groundwater contamination with chlorinated hydrocarbons (CLHCs), particularly with tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE), which are used in industry for degreasing and cleaning, can be considered a serious problem concerning the entire world. In addition to conventional groundwater monitoring from a network of wells, several screening methods have been proposed to identify and delineate groundwater contamination with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as soil gas measurement, bioindicators, direct-push technologies or geophysical techniques. The main objectives of this study were to confirm the feasibility of active soil gas screening for the characterisation of groundwater contamination with CLHCs under the wider area of the former refrigerator manufacturer (city of Zlaté Moravce, western Slovakia) and to evaluate the human health risks through exposure to CLHCs present in groundwater. Methods: a conventional site investigation based on concentration measurements using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry from monitoring wells and soil gas measurements using a portable photo-ionisation detector device were applied. Results: The chemical analyses showed the persistent contamination of groundwater, with PCE, TCE and other CLHCs, such as cis-1,2-dichloroethylene (cis-DCE) or 1,1,2-trichloroethane (TCA), being most severe in the zone of the former factory (up to 2690, 83,900, 6020 and 156 µg/L for PCE, TCE, cis-DCE and TCA, respectively), but also extended into the residential zone located 600 m along the groundwater flow line. Soil gas measurements of VOCs and other chemical parameters (methane (CH4), total petroleum (TP), carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxygen (O2)) from a densely designed network of sampling points (n = 300) helped trace the current state of groundwater contamination. Spatial distribution maps of VOCs concentrations in soil gas clearly marked the areas of the highest CLHCs concentrations in groundwater. Principal component analysis (PCA) confirmed a significant correlation of VOCs and CLHCs with the first principal component, PC1, explaining up to 84% of the total variability of the concentration data, suggesting that VOCs in soil gas were a suitable marker of the extent of groundwater contamination with CLHCs. Despite severe groundwater contamination with CLHCs reaching residential areas, local residents were not exposed to non-carcinogenic risks, but a potential carcinogenic risk was present. Conclusions: based on the results, it could be confirmed that soil gas screening is an efficient and quick tool for identifying the sources of groundwater contamination with CLHCs as well as the level of this contamination.

This study evaluates the concentrations of trace elements (TEs) in soils from the rutile deposit area of Akonolinga, Cameroon, and analyzes the associated health risks. A total of 25 samples were analyzed using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The results show that TE concentrations follow the decreasing order Fe, Ti, Zr, Mn, Cr, V, Ba, Zn, Nb, Ni, Pb, Ga, Cu, Co, Y, Br, and Sn. Pollution indices and the Pearson correlation matrix reveal moderate correlations between Fe and several other TEs, indicating a common origin. Enrichment Factors show significant enrichment in Zr, Nb, and Ti, with notable enrichment in Cr and Co at certain sites. Although the Geo-Accumulation Index indicates no direct contamination and the overall ecological risk is low, the Contamination Factor reveals high levels for Cr, Nb, Ti, and Zr. The carcinogenic risk is moderate, while non-carcinogenic risks are high for children and considerable for adults. These research highlight the potential public health impacts in this mining region and provide essential baseline data for future environmental risk management.

Soil pollution with heavy metals has become a serious global threat, largely due to anthropogenic activities, and cadmium (Cd) is one of the most toxic known heavy metals. This study aimed to assess cadmium levels in several agricultural soils in several Syrian regions. Soil samples were taken from six agricultural lands, prepared, and processed to determine the total content of cadmium using a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The results showed that the values of cadmium concentration ranged between 0.60 and 1.48 ppm in the studied soil samples, exceeding the permissible limit in some areas. Cadmium values were higher in farmland soils near industrial facilities than those far from them. This study indicates the spread of Cd contamination throughout the study area, significantly near the industrial activities; thus, it may impact local agricultural production safety and human health.

This research aimed at assessing the heavy metals concentration in imported Scomber scombrus fish samples purchased from cold rooms in Lagos, Nigeria. The samples were digested using the wet digestion method, and the concentration of Chromium (Cr), Arsenic (As), Lead (Pb), and Cobalt (Co) were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Chromium (Cr) was present in twelve Scomber scombrus samples, and the level ranged from 0.004 to 0.046 mg/kg, while arsenic (As) was present in seven fish samples, with concentrations varying within 0.001 to 0.006 mg/kg. Lead (Pb) was present in eleven samples and not detected in SS5 and SS7. The concentration ranged from 0.004 to 0.062 mg/kg. Cobalt (Co) was present in seven Scomber scombrus samples, the level ranged from 0.004 to 0.046 mg/kg. However, SS3, SS10, and SS13 had lead concentrations above the maximum permissible limit (0.05 mg/kg) recommended by WHO/FAO. This study established the need for Nigerian agencies in charge of food to verify, check and ascertain the safety of imported fish before endorsing them as harmless for citizens' consumption.

Anthropic activities are responsible for the increase in environmental contamination, especially in aquatic systems, demanding studies to assess and monitor contamination levels in different water bodies. We have done a chemical characterization of eleven sediments in order to evaluate the level of contamination by domestic sewage from the Capibaribe River, between the cities of Santa Cruz do Capibaribe and Toritama in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. The classical analyses were performed, as well as the determination of sterol biomarkers using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Sterol ratios corroborated the presence of fecal-derived organic matter, mainly in the sediments collected in regions of higher population occupation. The multivariate statistical analysis clearly showed the regions from the most contaminated to the least contaminated, indicating the severe contamination by domestic sewage in the region. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to assess anthropic contamination of the Capibaribe River by using sterol biomarkers and classical analyses in an integrative data interpretation. This can be helpful when making decisions about preventive and corrective actions for human health concerns.

Remediation is vital in advancing the agriculture yield and decreasing the hazard of food poisoning in contaminated soil. The aim of this study was to remediate lead and cadmium contaminated soil from Evbareke spare parts market using surface modified calcium oxide nanoparticle (SMCON). Soil samples were collected from Evbareke spare parts market, Benin City, Edo state Nigeria, using quadrant sampling method at the depth of 0-15cm using soil auger. The soil samples obtained were physicochemically and geochemically characterized. The SMCON was synthesized and characterized using Fourier Transform-Infra Red, Scanning electron spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction. A leaching experiment was carried out to authenticate the immobilization efficiency and capacity of SMCON on the lead and cadmium in the contaminated soil. The SMCON efficiency for lead and cadmium immobilization in the contaminated soil increased with increase in immobilizer up to the optimum 4% of SMCON in contaminated soil for lead and ≤1% of SMCON for cadmium. Likewise, the immobilization capacity of SMCON in the contaminated soil also revealed that more of lead and cadmium were immobilized as SMCON content in the contaminated soil mixture increased, thereby disallowing leaching of lead and cadmium from the contaminated soil. The SMCON effectively decreased the lead and cadmium in the soil by in situ adsorption, ion exchange and complexation mechanism thus reducing its accessibility for uptake by plants and its transmission to man and animals.

Using residual biomass in biological processes is increasingly promoted to alleviate environmental impacts. However, the focus is mainly based on emerging technologies and limited resources, and the conditions of the technologies remain unclear. The objective of this research is to establish the conditions of a solid-state fermentation system (SSF) for the growth of fungal biomass and the production of ligninolytic enzymes of environmental interest using Aspergillus niger. In a screening step, the biomass and lipase enzyme expression of three A. niger strains obtained from different screening sites will be extended. In the second stage, the effect of packing density (ρs) and airflow (vvm) was evaluated through a 23, on the growth of fungal biomass, fiber degradation, and CO2 generation in a lipid-contaminated SSF system. The generation of biomass and the concentration of specific enzymatic activity (U/L) of lipase present a correlation for all the strains evaluated. It was estimated that the A. niger strain AN19bc isolated from sugarcane bagasse presents the highest accumulation of biomass and concentration of specific enzyme activity of lipase (0.027 U/L) after nine days. The most appropriate conditions for the production of fungal biomass of the AN19bc strain in an SSF system are presented with an airflow of 33.33 vvm and packing density ρs = 360 kg Mss/m3, levels with which Yx/s= 0.91 is reached. After the process, the solid support used in the SSF presents a change in composition, with the fiber being the component that suffers a considerable degradation of 78.70%.

Pyrolysis is a promising way to reuse of waste tires. However, the carbon black generated in the process is often contaminated with various pyrolysis products. This study aims to recycle low-quality recycled carbon black (rCB) from waste tire pyrolysis, addressing the challenges posed by organic residues (up to 5 wt% bituminous substances, 112.2 mg/kg PAH). This causes the agglomeration of particles and decreases the active specific surface area. Cavitational vortex milling (both wet and dry) emerges as a promising method to valorize contaminated rCB, allowing for a significant reduction in the concentration of contaminants. This novel method allows for the generation of hydrophilic and hydrophobic black pigments. In parallel experiments, low-quality rCB is incorporated into solid biofuel to enhance its calorific value. The addition of 10 wt% rCB) to peat residues significantly elevates the calorific value from 14.5 MJ/kg to 21.0 MJ/kg. However, this improvement is accompanied by notable increases in CO2 and SO2 emissions. This dual effect underscores the necessity of considering environmental consequences when utilizing recycled carbon black as a supplement to solid biofuels. The findings provide valuable insights into the potential of cavitational vortex milling for carbon black valorization and highlight the trade-offs associated with enhancing biofuel properties through the addition of rCB.

This study examined the sorption of heavy metals in selected soils (e.g., Andosol, Cambisol, Planosol) in Slovakia, focusing on the kind and quantity of humic materials as well as the soil’s characteristics. Heavy metals were detected using GT AAS, while UV-Vis spectroscopy was used to determine humic substances’ colour quotients. The impact of the total organic carbon on the total cadmium, bioavailable lead, and cadmium was highlighted. The results reveal positive correlations among humic substances and bioavailable forms of Cd (r = 0.692) and Pb (r = 0.709). A relationship was discovered between FAs and the bioavailable forms of Pb (r = 0.743) and Cd (r = 0.700) and between the level of HSs and the bioavailable content of Cd (r = 0.499). Bioavailable heavy metals showed a positive correlation with clay fraction and a negative correlation with heavy metal content. Correlations were found between the bioavailable heavy metal forms and the colour quotients of humic substances and humic acids. Heavy metals in bioavailable forms decreased with the levels of the condensation and dispersion of humic substances. From clay to silt, the amounts of Cd and Pb increased. This study’ results provide insights into the relationships between soil properties, humic substances, and the sorption of the studied elements.

Fish is a food that is widely produced, marketed, and consumed around the world. It is a basic component of human nutrition due to its chemical and nutritional composition, but at the same time is highly perishable and susceptible to contamination throughout the food chain, compromising its quality and safety. Fishing and aquaculture products, being perishable, require adequate processing and preservation to maintain their quality and safety as much as possible until their acquisition and final consumption. Different preservation methods have been developed and used to extend the shelf life of fish products with minimal impact on their nutritional and organoleptic properties. Therefore, the objective of this document is to provide, through the search, analysis, and selection of information from various databases such as Scopus, Scielo, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, among others, a general and basic informative description of fish, aimed at academics, producers, industrialists, and the general public that allows them to identify the basic points in the processing and preservation of the quality and safety of fish. Aspects related to production; the nutritional qualities of fish; the various physical, chemical, and biological contaminating hazards of fish; the control and prevention of contaminants and diseases for consumers; and food legislation for products are included, as well as the main traditional and modern methods applied in the preservation of fishery and aquaculture products to maintain their nutritional value, quality, and safety that allow for the availability of food and the protection of public health.

Heavy metal contamination of soil is becoming a life-threatening issue causing serious threat to our ecosystem. These metals reduce the potency of soil and affect the entire environment negatively. In plants, these metals inhibit the rate of photosynthesis, production of major proteins and enzymes. Decrease in the trend of seed germination, premature- growth have also been observed. Phytoremediation is a modern strategy that is used for treatment of contaminated soil using various methods, including phytoextraction, phytostabilization, phytovolatilization and phytofiltration. Phytoremediation has gained importance over different physical and chemical methods like soil replacement, washing policies and solidification as it is cost-effective and easy to adopt technology. The utilization of this green technology has benefited mankind via the reduction of heavy metal accumulation in plant parts, specifically non-edible plants. In view of the several merits of the green technology, this review paper discussed several literatures published on heavy metal toxicity, their risk assessment and phytoremediation method, while various research gaps were suggested to tackle some challenges inherent in phytoremediation approach for the treatment of heavy-metal contaminated soils.

The assessment of pesticide residues in agricultural soils is an essential prerogative in maintaining environmental health standards. Intensive vegetable cultivation is practiced in the Al-Kharj area of the eastern Najd region of Saudi Arabia, where excessive applications of agrochemicals are reported to pollute vegetable-growing soils, challenging the sustainable management of soils and groundwater resources. This study aimed to monitor the levels of thirty-two types of pesticide residues in the soils of vegetable fields and the estimated potential health risk for humans due to non-dietary exposure to pesticides in soils in the Al-Kharj region. Pesticide residues were evaluated at 0–10 cm and 10–20 cm depths at 20 sampling sites from Al-Kharj. Gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry, coupled with a quadrupole mass spectrometer with a GC column, was used in the analysis. The results indicated that agrochemical residues show prolonged soil pollution that may cause adverse impacts on human and environment. Herbicides Atrazine, Isoproturpon, and Linuron have been detected in the soils, and these pose many problematic environmental threats. Bromoxynil, Pendimetholin, and Diclofop-methyl could be used as per the recommendations to sustainably manage soil and water resources in the Al-Kharj area. Resmethrin, Methidathion, Ethoprophos, Tetramethrin, Bromophis-methyl, Bifenthion, Permethrin, Fenoxycarb, Cyfluthrin, Phosmet, and Azinophos-methyl can be used safely in the Al-Kharj agricultural area, maintaining sustainable soils and water resources. Applications of Carbaryl require sufficient care, while Endosulfan, Deltamethrin, Lindane, Chlorpyrifos, Chlorpyrifos-methly, Dimethoate, Heptachlor, and Mevinphos, which are detected in soils, require policy guidelines to limit the use to ensure sustainability. Policy interventions need to be formulated to increase the sustainability of soil management and groundwater resources in the Al-Kharj region to ensure the safety of people who are in direct contact with the agrochemicals used and to ensure the safety of agricultural products generated in this region.

Biosolids are the solid by-product of the wastewater treatment system. They are regularly applied to agricultural land in the UK to fertilize and increase crop yields, but they have been shown to contain high concentrations of microplastics. Here we sampled a selection of agricultural soils in the Southeast of England which had received or never received biosolid treatment. Sites were sampled on two occasions in the summer and winter. Microplastic (MP) numbers were high in both the biosolid treated fields (874 MP/kg) and the untreated fields (664 MP/kg) and a wide variety of polymers were found across sites. However, there was a lack of significant difference between treated and untreated soils. This suggests the influence of other microplastic sources e.g. agricultural plastic and general littering, and external conditions e.g. farm management and rainfall. Microplastic concentrations were higher in the summer suggesting that erosion, runoff, and wind transport may be removing microplastics from these systems. The dynamic nature of the agricultural soils may result in them becoming a vector for microplastics into the wider environment. The high variability in results seen here highlights the complexity of microplastic concentrations in heterogeneous agricultural soils. This study suggests that biosolids, whilst are likely a contributor, are not the sole source of microplastics in agricultural soils. Further research is required to determine source and sink dynamics in these systems. Understanding the sources of microplastic contamination in soils is imperative for future mitigation strategies to be effective.

The Santos and São Vicente Estuarine System (SSVES) is a region with significant economic importance in southeastern Brazil. It contains petrochemical and metallurgical industrial complexes and the largest commercial harbor in South America, which have made the area vulnerable to degradation by chemical pollutants, such as mercury (Hg). This study is the first to evaluate the environmental parameters that control the spatial distribution of Hg in the surface sediments of the SSVES which is influenced mainly by hydrodynamics and total organic carbon. The innermost part of the estuarine system, where weaker currents lead to an environment with more sediment deposition, has anomalous Hg concentrations, reaching values over 7.0 mg kg–1 and enrichment factors of 115, resulting from historical anthropogenic activities. Although there is a low probability of harmful effects of Hg in organisms, this element demonstrates greater mobility and bioavailability in the environment, indicating the need for monitoring Hg for the conservation of this region.

The study aimed to assess the concentration of dioxins, furans, and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in natural feed additives used in animal nutrition. The research material consisted of four natural sorbents used as feed additives registered in the EU. The samples were analysed for the content of six octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (OCDDs) congeners, nine octachlorodibenzofurans (OCDFs) and fourteen dL-PCBs, and seven PCB congeners. Detailed analysis was performed using gas chromatography with high-resolution mass spectrometry. Analysing the results of congeners of individual sorbents, it was found that they were below the limit of detection or quantification and can be used as feed additives.

Gold mining activity at Tiabo river in the North Halmahera causes the water on the river is contaminated by mercury. The contamination mercury on the water can damage food chain and adverse consequences toward health of people, fish, and so on. The purpose of this study is to obtain the concentration of mercury contamination that was caused by gold mining activity. The water and sediment sample was obtained by purposive sampling. The characterization of concentration mercury in the water and sediment using mercury analyzer HG-300 in the wave length 253.72 nm. The result shows that mercury concentration of the water in the six and five sample point in the rainy session and the dry session respectively is

River delta soils are the final spatial units of the matter flow within the whole river catchment. Due to their spatial position in the catchment and due to their fine grain size composition, river delta soils are important matter sinks in general, especially for heavy metals. The article presents the results of spectrometric analysis of heavy metals in the soils of the Ili River Delta and State Natural Reserve “Ili-Balkhash” in 2021. This area is included in the list of wetlands of international importance under the Convention on Wetlands. Heavy metals in the samples were determined using the flame atomic absorption spectrometric method using the AA-7000 atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The spatial distribution of the metals was visualized in the ArcGIS 10.5 environment. Copper concentrations were measured in the soils of the dry steppe, semi-desert and desert zones with average values up to 28.5 mg kg−1 and a maximum level of 75.1 mg kg−1. The concentrations of lead are 8.0–15.9 mg kg−1. The cadmium content exceeds the standards from 2.1 to 6.5 mg kg−1 on the whole territory at MPC 2.0 mg kg−1, reaching up to 3.3 MPC (Maximum Permissible Concentration). The cobalt concentration ranges from 6.7 to 20.6 mg kg−1, and nickel ranges from 11.3 to 22.2 mg kg−1. Soil contamination due to cobalt and nickel is observed in the northern and eastern parts of the study area. The received data about pollution of the soil cover by heavy metals makes it possible to assess the degree of anthropogenic load of the unique natural environment in the Ili River Delta and natural reserve.

Wheat, along with maize and rice, is one of the “big 3” cereal crops, and although it is a major component of many food products, it is one of the top eight food allergens listed by the Codex Alimentarius. The wheat protein gluten is responsible for several diseases including wheat allergy (WA), gluten sensitivity (GS), and celiac disease (CD). The presence of a “gluten free” label on food products specially produced for these patients facilitates the selection of safe products. To enforce food labeling regulations and quantitatively assess the potential degree of gluten contamination in gluten-free foods, standardized analytical methodologies are required. In recent years, multiple techniques for detecting gluten utilizing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), lateral flow devices/dipsticks, polymerase chain reaction, and mass spectrometry have been developed. In this study, the R-Biopharm Ridascreen® Gliadin Kit, a commercial ELISA kit, was used to assess the degree of gluten contamination, if any, in naturally gluten-free foods and foods labeled “gluten free” obtained from Izmir Province and its surroundings. In total, 71 samples (45 naturally gluten-free food samples, and 26 processed food samples labeled “gluten free”) were investigated for gluten contamination. Gluten extraction was performed with cocktail solution (patented, R-Biopharm), and contamination was analyzed quantitatively using the ELISA method based on the antigen–antibody relationship with the R-Biopharm Ridascreen® Gliadin Kit. In total, 94.37% of the samples were found to be gluten-free, 4.23% were found to be low in gluten, and 1.40% were found to be beyond the limit. In conclusion, gluten-free product manufacturers should implement comprehensive measures in the production stage to eliminate contamination risks, and individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should be vigilant when reading labels and inquiring about food preparation to manage symptoms and maintain good health.

Nitroaromatic compounds in general and 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (picric acid) in particular have recently attracted significant research attention as environmental contaminants. This spurred a wave of development regarding the methods of detecting these compounds. This work focuses on picric acid as the most common and problematic of these contaminants. The key classes of materials sensitive to picric acid are indicated, and recent developments are discussed in detail. Particular attention is given to the detection and speciation capabilities of the discussed materials and methods utilising them, with various technical considerations noted as relevant.

This paper presents the results of a study which was aimed at determining the concentration of Fusarium fungi and their mycotoxins in fresh bee pollen, stored for different periods. The analysed parameters included palynological analysis, moisture content, fungal counts, identification and toxigenic profiles. In this study, 45 bee pollen samples collected from the same apiary families were investigated. Palynological analysis determined six plant families, among which Brassicaceae prevailed. The number of detected isolates in the bee pollen during the study period ranged from 3.5 × 103 to 9.1 × 104 cfu g−1. During the study, the most prevalent fungal genera of Alternaria, Cladosporium and Yeasts were found in fresh bee pollen. The significantly highest amounts of fungal colonies were determined after 3 days of storage of undried pollen. Fusarium fungal genera were detected in 46% of all studied samples, with levels ranging from 101 cfu g−1. After 3 days of storage, the most significant Fusarium spp. increase (17.03%) was detected. F. graminearum and F. sporotrichioides prevailed during the whole period of the study. The highest concentrations of mycotoxins ZEN (280 µg kg−1) and DON (120 µg kg−1) were found after 3 days of pollen storage. The results of the present study report the importance of microbiological and mycotoxicological analyses in monitoring bee pollen from the initial stages of its production process.

In this article, the assessment of the radioactivity content in bovine meat from the Calabria region, Southern Italy, was performed. For this purpose, High Purity Germanium (HPGe) gamma spectrometry measurements were carried out in order to investigate any possible radioactive contamination by natural (40K) and anthropogenic (137Cs) radionuclides. Experimental mean values were found to be in the range from (78.9 ± 10.5) Bq kg−1 to (88.2 ± 12.5) Bq kg−1 for 40K and lower than the minimum detectable activity (MDA) in all cases for 137Cs, respectively. Moreover, any possible radiological health risk was also estimated, by calculating the total annual effective dose due to the ingestion of bovine meat by adult members of the population and by comparing it with the total natural radioactivity value (external + internal) for humans. Obtained values are in the range from 10.3 µSv y−1 to 11.5 µSv y−1, several orders of magnitude lower than the value of the total exposure to natural radioactivity for human beings, i.e., 2.4 mSv y−1. It is worth noting that the used approach could be used, in principle, for the evaluation of the radiological risk due to the presence of radionuclides in a large variety of food samples of particular interest, and thus it can constitute a guideline for investigations focused on the monitoring of food quality.

Abstract Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous pollutants that are released by incomplete combustion of carbon-containing materials. The top soils of rice paddies were collected from Gyeonggi-do (18 sites), Ulsan (20 sites), and Pohang (19 sites) in Korea to assess the spatial distribution and potential sources of PAHs. The total concentrations of 15 PAHs in the soils were 19.53–672.93, 125.01–3106.27, and 51.94–8106.21 mg/kg in Gyeonggi province, Ulsan, and Pohang, respectively. The concentration of 7 key carcinogenic PAHs were followed the order: Pohang (38.54–4826.63 ng/g) > Ulsan (28.54–1561.39 ng/g) > Gyeonggi province (19.53–206.51 ng/g). Three-ring PAHs were predominant in the soils from Gyeonggi-do while 3–5 ring compounds were abundant in the agricultural soils from the two industrial regions (Ulsan and Pohang). The PAH isomeric diagnostic ratios indicated that PAH contamination in the two cities mainly originated from pyrogenic sources. The principal component analysis indicated that pyrogenic coal burning and residential biomass combustion were major contributors to the soil contamination in the two cities. The transportation of PAHs through the air from industrial complexes and high volume of traffic may influence the PAHs distribution in the soils of the two cities in Korea.

Portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) is one of the main geochemical techniques employed in multi-elemental analysis screening for contaminated sites management. As the confidence of pXRF analyses are matrix-specific, efforts are made to provide studies of pXRF quality on different geochemical datasets, focusing on less investigated elements such as mercury (Hg) and antimony (Sb), to help both new and experienced users. The analysis of environmental solid samples from two decommissioned mining sites in NE Italy, characterised by Pb-Zn and (Hg-rich) Cu-Sb ore deposits, were prepared with two different protocols and compared with traditional destructive analyses. Sample composition was found strictly dependent to the occurrence of false positives and overestimation at low concentrations. In contrast, milling the sample did not produce major variations in the overall quality. Lead (Pb), Sb, and Zn reached the definitive data quality in at least one of the two datasets. Consequently, as far as a thorough QA/QC protocol is followed, pXRF can rapidly produce chemical data that is as accurate as that produced by destructive standard laboratory techniques, thus allowing to identify potential sources of contamination that could be reprocessed for the extraction of valuable elements and mitigating the dispersion of contaminants and ecological or health risks.

The upper reaches of the Crocodile River (West) system are located in the western basin of the Witwatersrand mountain chain, an area heavily influenced by gold mining. After the spill of highly acidic and contaminated mining-influenced water into the river system in 2002, chemical water treatment was implemented to compensate for the consequences of acid mine drainage. Some studies thereafter have shown metal concentrations of concern in the system, but never considered longer periods of time. For this study, we investigated water and sediments over a period of 13 months from 7 sampling sites in the system. In addition to physico-chemical parameters such as temperature, pH, and electrical conductivity, a multi-element analysis was conducted. We used various versions of atomic-absorption-spectroscopy, total reflection x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in filtered and acidified water samples as well as sediment leachates. Concentrations of Ni, Zn, As, Pb, and U in the sediment were clearly elevated at the site closest to the mine as well as further downstream, some of them far exceeding quality guidelines. Moreover, dissolved Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn and U occurred irregularly in concentrations of concern at the site of mining-influenced water inflow. Our findings clearly indicate a risk of further and chronic mobilization of toxic elements from this site and a possible threat to the connected river system.

The sorption properties of the sand-breakstone mixture based on the mineral component of building refuse of the 0-10 mm fraction with respect to Pb2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Cd2+ and Hg2+ ions were studied using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The mechanisms of accumulation of heavy metal ions on the surface of the mixture particles are described. It was found that after washing the contaminated material distilled water, the residual concentration of metals in the filtrate does not exceed the established sanitary and hygienic standards. The practical value of the work lies in the possibility of applying the results in reclamation of technogenic formations or production of materials for the technical stage of reclamation using technogenic soils.