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The adverse effects of antimony (Sb) pollution on ecosystems and human health caused by its use, enrichment, and bioaccumulation have become global environmental problems, particularly in China. Based on a scientometric analysis of the research topics and evolution of Sb pollution, 210 peer-reviewed articles across 264 locations in China were selected to analyze Sb concentrations, changes, and risks in different environments (i.e., soil, sediment, and water). Substantially elevated concentrations were reported in the chosen environments throughout the studied literature, with approximately 36.6%, 41.3% and 20.8% of the soil, water and sediment sampling sites, respectively, exceeding the national and international guidelines. Although Sb concentrations were stable in water and sediment, those in soil slightly increased slightly over the past two decades. The majority of studies and the highest Sb concentrations were typically concentrated in Hunan, Guangxi, and Guizhou, where most Sb deposits and intensive mining and smelting activities are concentrated. A temporal analysis over three crucial periods of the Sb industry further indicated that Sb concentrations and pollution had increased in several provinces in recent years. The estimated risk quotient, using Monte Carlo simulations, indicated that species were markedly affected by Sb contamination, with 21.6% of events occurring in the high-risk category. The ingestion of contaminated soils posed the highest potential health risk to the population, with 47.9% of the events indicated to represent at least a low risk. Risks of water ingestion were estimated to exist in 4.9% of the simulated exposure events. More environmental campaigns for Sb pollution control are urgently needed, especially in Sb hotspots, to reduce environmental pressure and avoid direct and indirect hazards to organisms and populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Atrazine, a potent herbicide for weeds removal during the growing season, has been widely used in China. It is known to be distributed in aquatic ecosystems with a long half-life, thus presenting a potential risk to species and consumers. This study analyzed the concentrations of degraded atrazine residues in marine organisms (N = 129) including 3 species of mollusks, 2 species of crustaceans, and 15 species of fish from a semi-enclosed bay, Jiaozhou Bay (JZB), adjacent to the Northwest Pacific Ocean in China. The corresponding trophic magnification factors (TMF), bioaccumulation factors (BCFs), and subsequent risks to final consumers were also determined. The results showed an average atrazine concentration of (0.301 ± 0.03) ng g−1 and (0.305 ± 0.04) ng g−1 in fish and invertebrates, respectively. The BCFs were (5.23 ± 1.75) L kg−1 and (5.81 ± 1.31) L kg−1 for fish and invertebrates, respectively. Atrazine was significantly bio-diluted in JZB through the sampled marine organisms with increasing trophic levels, with a TMF value below 1 (P < 0.01). An analysis of the species sensitivity distribution (SSD) predicted that<0.02% of species were exposed to a dissolved concentration of atrazine (57.88 ng L−1) that would lead to detrimental effects, while risk quotients predicted low long-term risks for species in the bay. Finally, people with a diet limited to species from JZB were found to face no associated health risk due to a significantly small daily intake and target hazard quotient of atrazine. The corresponding non-carcinogenic effect showed no significant risk from seafood consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the impact of humidity and temperature on the spread of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) by statistically comparing modelled pandemic dynamics (daily infection and recovery cases) with daily temperature and humidity of three climate zones (Mainland China, South America and Africa) from January to August 2020. We modelled the pandemic growth using a simple logistic function to derive information of the viral infection and describe the growth of infected and recovered cases. The results indicate that the infected and recovered cases of the first wave were controlled in China and managed in both South America and Africa. There is a negative correlation between both humidity (r = − 0.21; p = 0.27) and temperature (r = −0.22; p = 0.24) with spread of the virus. Though this study did not fully encompass socio-cultural factors, we recognise that local government responses, general health policies, population density and transportation could also affect the spread of the virus. The pandemic can be managed better in the second wave if stricter safety protocols are implemented. We urge various units to collaborate strongly and call on countries to adhere to stronger safety protocols in the second wave. • The relationship between temperature and humidity on spread of COVID-19 was studied. • Mainland China, Africa and South American countries have different saturation points. • Temperature and humidity negatively correlated with COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]