Occurrence and dietary risk assessment of 37 pesticides in wheat fields in the suburbs of Beijing, China.

The co-occurrence of multiple pesticides in wheat fields adversely affects human health and the environment. Herein, 206 pairs of wheat and soil samples were collected from wheat fields in Beijing, China from 2018 to 2020. One or multiple pesticide residues were detected, and carbendazim (maximum: 38511.5 µg/kg) and tebuconazole (maximum: 45.4 µg/kg) had heavy occurrence in the wheat samples. Carbendazim, triazoles, and neonicotinoids were frequently detected in the soil samples. HCHs and DDTs were detected, with p,p'-DDE in 100.0% of the soil samples at a maximum concentration of 546.0 µg/kg in 2020. Concentrations of carbendazim, tebuconazole, hexaconazole, and cyhalothrin in the paired soil and wheat samples exhibited significant positive correlations. Pesticides that exceeded the maximum residue limits do not pose non-carcinogenic risks, with one exception. The results provide important references towards risk monitoring and control in wheat fields, as well as facilitating the scientific and reasonable use of these pesticides.

Acetaminophen degradation by a synergistic peracetic acid/UVC-LED/Fe(II) advanced oxidation process: Kinetic assessment, process feasibility and mechanistic considerations.

Application of peracetic acid (PAA) in Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) has seen an increase in the last few years. In this study, PAA/UVC-LED/transition metal was used to degrade acetaminophen (ACT) in an aqueous solution. Amongst tested transition metals (Fe, Cu, Co, Mn, Ag), Fe(II) demonstrated the highest efficiency. The effect of pH, PAA dosage, initial concentration of ACT and Fe(II) concentration was investigated on ACT removal. More than 95% removal efficiency was obtained in 30 min employing pH = 5.0, PAA 4 mM and 0.5 mM Fe(II) (kapp = 0.0993 min-1). Scavenging experiments highlighted the contribution of oxygen-centered radicals; however, the dominant mechanism is hydroxyl radical-induced, while the superoxide radicals had a negligible role. The effect of anions in water showed that carbonate, (dihydrogen) phosphate and nitrite ions had a strong inhibitory effect, while a neutral effect was observed by sulfate, nitrate and chloride ions. Seven intermediates of ACT oxidation were determined and the ACT degradation pathway by the PAA/UVC-LED/Fe(II) is presented. The efficacy of the PAA/UVC-LED/Fe(II) process was also verified for the degradation of other contaminants of emerging concern and disinfection of fecal indicator microorganisms in real matrix (secondary WW). In conclusion, the studied PAA/UVC-LED/Fe(II) process opens a new perspective as a promising application of advanced oxidation for the degradation of organic pollutants.

Occurrence, source and ecotoxicological risk assessment of pesticides in surface water of Wujin District (northwest of Taihu Lake), China.

This study investigated the occurrence and distribution of pesticides in surface water (lakes, major rivers and tributaries) and potential discharge sources (fish ponds, livestock and poultry farms, and sewage treatment plants) in Wujin District (northwest of Taihu Lake), Jiangsu province, China. An analytical liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for 38 pesticides, which was applied in the monitoring of 240 surface water samples and 76 potential discharge source samples. Eleven insecticides and five fungicides with temporal and spatial variation were detected in surface water. The total pesticide concentrations in surface water in different seasons were as follows: March > August > June > November. The two most polluting and widespread pesticides were carbendazim (maximum concentration 508 ng L-1, detection rate 100%) and imidacloprid (maximum concentration 438 ng L-1, detection rate 88%). Gehu Lake (S46) and Sanshangang River (S12) were seriously polluted water bodies. Seven insecticides and four fungicides were detected in the potential discharge sources; and their composition changed significantly with the seasons. The concentrations of detected organophosphorus pesticides and neonicotinoids (e.g. acetamiprid in March and dichlorvos in November) in a few non-agricultural planting sources were far greater than those detected in surface water, and hence a few fish ponds, livestock and poultry farms, and sewage treatment plants might be the potential discharge sources of pesticides in the surrounding surface water. The estimated input flux of the studied pesticides from upstream rivers to Taihu Lake was 141.95 kg a-1. Furthermore, more attention should be paid to the medium or high aquatic ecotoxicological risk presented by the levels of organophosphorus pesticides, carbamates, and benzimidazoles.