Driving mechanisms for the adaptation and degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons by native microbiota from seas prone to oil spills.

Offshore waters have a high incidence of oil pollution, which poses an elevated risk of ecological damage. The microbial community composition and metabolic mechanisms influenced by petroleum hydrocarbons vary across different marine regions. However, research on metabolic strategies for in-situ petroleum degradation and pollution adaptation remains in its nascent stages. This study combines metagenomic techniques with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The data show that the genera Pseudoalteromonas, Hellea, Lentisphaera, and Polaribacter exhibit significant oil-degradation capacity, and that the exertion of their degradation capacity is correlated with nutrient and oil pollution stimuli. Furthermore, tmoA, badA, phdF, nahAc, and fadA were found to be the key genes involved in the degradation of benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and their intermediates. Key genes (INSR, SLC2A1, and ORC1) regulate microbial adaptation to oil-contaminated seawater, activating oil degradation processes. This process enhances the biological activity of microbial communities and accounts for the geographical variation in their compositional structure. Our results enrich the gene pool for oil pollution adaptation and degradation and provide an application basis for optimizing bioremediation intervention strategies.

Environmentally relevant concentrations of naphthenic acids initiate intestinal injury and gut microbiota dysbiosis in marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma).

Naphthenic acids (NAs) are important pollutants in marine crude oils and have obvious toxic effects on marine organisms. However, the effects of NAs on the intestine are largely unknown. Thus, we evaluated the effects of NAs exposure in the intestines of marine medaka. Fish were experimentally exposed to NAs (0.5 mg/L, 5 mg/L, and 10 mg/L) for 96 h and monitored for changes in intestinal histology, markers of oxidative stress, and intestinal microbiome responses. Significant mucosal damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress were observed in the intestines of marine medaka after exposure to NAs. In addition, significant changes in the gut microbiota were observed. Specifically, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria decreased, while that of Verrucomicrobiota increased in the high-concentration exposure group. In addition, nutrient synthesis and metabolism in the gut were affected. The results of this study contribute to a better understanding of the ecological risk of different concentrations of NAs to marine organisms. CAPSULE ABSTRACT: Changes in the gut microbial community of marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma) caused by naphthenic acids in the marine environment were investigated through the assessment of gut inflammatory factors and comprehensive analysis using 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing. The results indicated the induction of intestinal inflammation and changes in the structural composition of the intestinal flora.

Spatiotemporal evolution of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and its response to environmental factors and human activities.

The South-to-North Water Diversion East Project (SNWDP-E) is an effective way to realize the optimal allocation of water resources in China. The North Dasha River (NDR) is the reverse recharge section that receives water from the Yufu River to the Wohushan Reservoir transfer project line in the SNWDP. However, the dissolved organic matter (DOM) evolution mechanism of seasonal water transfer projects on tributary waters has not been fully elucidated. In this paper, the NDR is the main object, and the changes in the composition and distribution of spectral characteristics during the winter water transfer period (WT) as well as during the summer non-water transfer period (NWT) are investigated by parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC). The results showed that the water connectivity caused by water transfer reduces the environmental heterogeneity of waters in the basin, as evidenced by the ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N) and total phosphorus (TP) in the water body were significantly lower (p<0.05, p<0.01) during the water transfer period than the non-water transfer period. In addition, the fluorescence intensity of DOM was significantly lower in the WT than the NWT (p<0.05) and was mainly composed of humic substances generated from endogenous sources with high stability. While the NWT was disturbed by anthropogenic activities leading to significant differences in DOM composition in different functional areas. Based on the redundancy analysis (RDA) and multiple regression analysis, it was found that the evolution of the protein-like components is dominated by chemical oxygen demand (COD) and NH4+-N factors during the WT. While the NWT is mainly dominated by total nitrogen (TN) and TP factors for the evolution of the humic-like components. This study helps to elucidate the impact of water transfer projects on the trunk basin and contribute to the regulation and management of inter-basin water transfer projects.

Remediation materials for the immobilization of hexavalent chromium in contaminated soil: Preparation, applications, and mechanisms.

Hexavalent chromium is a toxic metal that can induce severe chromium contamination of soil, posing a potential risk to human health and ecosystems. In recent years, the immobilization of Cr(VI) using remediation materials including inorganic materials, organic materials, microbial agents, and composites has exhibited great potential in remediating Cr(VI)-contaminated soil owing to the environmental-friendliness, short period, simple operation, low cost, applicability on an industrial scale, and high efficiency of these materials. Therefore, a systematical summary of the current progress on various remediation materials is essential. This work introduces the production (sources) of remediation materials and examines their characteristics in detail. Additionally, a critical summary of recent research on the utilization of remediation materials for the stabilization of Cr(VI) in the soil is provided, together with an evaluation of their remediation efficiencies toward Cr(VI). The influences of remediation material applications on soil physicochemical properties, microbial community structure, and plant growth are summarized. The immobilization mechanisms of remediation materials toward Cr(VI) in the soil are illuminated. Importantly, this study evaluates the feasibility of each remediation material application for Cr(VI) remediation. The latest knowledge on the development of remediation materials for the immobilization of Cr(VI) in the soil is also presented. Overall, this review will provide a reference for the development of remediation materials and their application in remediating Cr(VI)-contaminated soil.

Release of dissolved organic matter from wetland plants and its interaction with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) derived from wetland plants played a critical role in CWs pollutant migration. This study investigated the character and release pattern of DOM derived from two wetland plants, Phragmites australis and Cladophora sp., and the interaction between DOM with phenanthrene (PHE), benzo(a)pyrene (Bap), and benzo [k]fluoranthene (BkF) under different physical conditions were also studied using spectroscopic techniques. DOM release was related to plant species and withering stage. Humic acid (HA)-like fractions (C3 and C5) were dominated in P. australis (52%) and completely withered Cladophora sp. groups (55%), while protein-like fractions (C1 and C2) dominated in early withered Cladophora sp. groups (52%). Due to the cell and tissue structure difference among plants and their withering stage, DOM derived from early withered P. australis revealed a two-stage slow-fast phase, while other groups were linearly released (R2 0.87207-0.97091). A strong correlation existed between HA-like fractions and water quality index, reflecting the critical influence of plant decay in CWs operation performance. The analysis with Stern-Volmer equation indicated that plant-based DOM interacted with PAHs to form ground state complexes with possible involvement of π-π interaction, hydrogen bonding and cation bridging effect. Aromatic, molecular weight, and hydrophilicity of both DOM and PAHs affected their binding with the interaction capability in the order of BKF > Bap > PHE and C3 > C5 > C2 > C1 > C4. Besides, alkaline environment and high DO condition was highly unsuitable for the combination. Scientific management and appropriate operating condition were important in optimizing operation performance and controlling pollutant migration in CWs.

Influence of nitrogen sources on wastewater treatment performance by filamentous algae in constructed wetland system.

Although filamentous algae have the characteristics of high nutrient assimilation ability, and adaptation to different conditions, studies on their role in water purification of constructed wetlands (CWs) are limited. In this study, the wastewater treatment capacity under different nitrogen sources was explored by constructing a filamentous algal CW (FACW) system. Results confirmed the fast and stable operation efficiency of the FACW system. Ammonia nitrogen was preferred in Cladophora sp. absorption and assimilation. The nutrient consumption rate (NCR) for total nitrogen (TN) of AG was 2.65 mg g-1 d-1, much higher than that of nitrate nitrogen (NG) (0.89 mg g-1 d-1). The symbiosis of bacteria and Cladophora sp. Contributed to pollutant removal. A stable and diverse community of microorganisms was found on Cladophora sp. Surface, which revealed different phylogenetic relationships and functional bacterial proportions with those attached on sediment surface. In addition, temperature and light intensity have great influence on the purification ability of plants, and low hydraulic retention time is beneficial to the cost-effective operation of the system. This study provides a method to expand the utilization of wetland plants and apply large filamentous algae to the purification of wetland water quality.

Treatment of atrazine-containing wastewater by algae-bacteria consortia: Signal transmission and metabolic mechanism.

Atrazine is a toxic endocrine disruptor. Biological treatment methods are considered to be effective. In the present study, a modified version of the algae-bacteria consortia (ABC) was established and a control was simultaneously set up to investigate the synergistic relationship between bacteria and algae and the mechanism by which atrazine is metabolized by those microorganisms. The total nitrogen (TN) removal efficiency of the ABC reached 89.24% and the atrazine concentration was reduced to below the level recommended by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) regulatory standards within 25 days. The protein signal released from the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) secreted by the microorganisms triggered the resistance mechanism of the algae, and the conversion of humic acid to fulvic acid and electron transfer constituted the synergistic mechanism between the bacteria and algae. The mechanism by which atrazine is metabolized by the ABC mainly consists of hydrogen bonding, H-pi interactions, and cation exchange with atzA for hydrolysis, followed by a reaction with atzC for decomposition to non-toxic cyanuric acid. Proteobacteria was the dominant phylum for bacterial community evolution under atrazine stress, and the analysis revealed that the removal of atrazine within the ABC was mainly dependent on the proportion of Proteobacteria and the expression of degradation genes (p < 0.01). EPS played a major role in the removal of atrazine within the single bacteria group (p < 0.01).

Synergistic effect of zero-valent iron and static magnetic field on wastewater purification and bioelectricity generation in electroactive constructed wetlands.

This study investigated the enhancement effect of zero-valent iron and static magnetic field on the pollutant removal and power generation of electroactive constructed wetland. As demonstration, a conventional wetland was systematically modified by introducing zero-valent iron and then a static magnetic field, leading to progressive increases in pollutant (namely NH4+-N and chemical oxygen demand) removal efficiencies. By introducing both zero-valent iron and a static magnetic field, the power density increased four-fold to 9.2 mW/m2 and the internal resistance decreased by 26.7% to 467.4 Ω. Notably, static magnetic field decreased the relative abundance of electrochemically active bacteria (such as Romboutsia), while significantly enhancing species diversity. The permeability of the microbial cell membrane was improved, leading to a reduction in activation loss and internal resistance, thereby enhancing power generation capacity. Results showed that the addition of zero-valent iron and the applied magnetic field were beneficial to the pollutants removal and bioelectricity generation.

Transcriptome reveals the toxicity and genetic response of zebrafish to naphthenic acids and benzo[a]pyrene at ambient concentrations.

Naphthenic acids (NAs) are typical contaminants in heavily crude oil. Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is also a component of crude oil, but their combined effects have not been systematically explored. In this study, zebrafish (Danio rerio) were used as the test organisms, and behavioral indicators and enzyme activities were used as toxicity indicators. Combined with the effects of environmental concentrations, the toxic effects of low concentrations of commercially available NAs (0.5 mg/LNA) and benzo[a]pyrene (0.8 µg/LBaP) at single and compound exposures (0.5 mg/LNA and 0.8 µg/LBaP) were assayed in zebrafish, and transcriptome sequencing technology was used to explore the molecular mechanism of the two compounds affecting zebrafish from the molecular biology level. Sensitive molecular markers that could indicate the presence of contaminants were screened. The results showed that (1) zebrafish in the NA and BaP exposure groups exhibited increased locomotor behavior, and the mixed exposure group exhibited inhibition of locomotor behavior. Oxidative stress biomarkers showed increased activity under single exposure and decreased activity under the mixed exposure. (2) NA stress led to changes in the activity of transporters and the intensity of energy metabolism; BaP directly stimulates the pathway of actin production. When the two compounds are combined, the excitability of neurons in the central nervous system is decreased, and the actin-related genes are down-regulated. (3) After BaP and Mix treatments, genes were enriched in the cytokine-receptor interaction and actin signal pathway, while NA increased the toxic effect on the mixed treatment group. In general, the interaction between NA and BaP has a synergistic effect on the transcription of zebrafish nerve and motor behavior-related genes, resulting in increased toxicity under combined exposure. The changes in expression of various zebrafish genes are manifested in the changes in the normal movement behavior of zebrafish and the intensification of oxidative stress in the apparent behavior and physiological indicators. CAPSULE ABSTRACT: We investigated the toxicity and genetic alterations caused by NA, B[a]P, and their mixtures in zebrafish in an aquatic environment using transcriptome sequencing technology and comprehensive behavioral analysis. These changes involved energy metabolism, the generation of muscle cells, and the nervous system.

Microbial degradation mechanisms of surface petroleum contaminated seawater in a typical oil trading port.

Petroleum hydrocarbons are significant new persistent organic pollutants for marine oil spill risk areas. Oil trading ports, in turn, have become major bearers of the risk of offshore oil pollution. However, studies on the molecular mechanisms of microbial degradation of petroleum pollutants by natural seawater are limited. Here, an in situ microcosm study was conducted. Combined with metagenomics, differences in metabolic pathways and in the gene abundances of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) are revealed under different conditions. About 88% degradation of TPH was shown after 3 weeks of treatment. The positive responders to TPH were concentrated in the genera Cycloclasticus, Marivita and Sulfitobacter of the orders Rhodobacterales and Thiotrichales. The genera Marivita, Roseobacter, Lentibacter and Glaciecola were key degradation species when mixing dispersants with oil, and all of the above are from the Proteobacteria phylum. The analysis showed that the biodegradability of aromatic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and dioxin were enhanced after the oil spill, and genes with higher abundances of bphAa, bsdC, nahB, doxE and mhpD were found, but the photosynthesis-related mechanism was inhibited. The dispersant treatment effectively stimulated the microbial degradation of TPH and then accelerated the succession of microbial communities. Meanwhile, functions such as bacterial chemotaxis and carbon metabolism (cheA, fadeJ and fadE) were better developed, but the degradation of persistent organic pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was weakened. Our study provides insights into the metabolic pathways and specific functional genes for oil degradation by marine microorganisms and will help improve the application and practice of bioremediation.

Cladophora can mitigate the shock of glyphosate-containing wastewater on constructed wetlands coupled with microbial fuel cells.

This study investigated the performance of constructed wetlands coupled with microbial fuel cells (CW-MFCs) treating agricultural wastewater containing glyphosate (N-phosphonomethyl glycine, PMG), and the use of Cladophora as a cathode plant in this system. Ten devices were divided into Cladophora groups (CGs) and no Cladophora groups (NGs), with five PMG concentrations (0, 10, 25, 50, and 100 mg/L). PMG removal efficiency significantly decreased with increasing PMG (P < 0.01) and was higher in CG devices than in NG devices at low PMG concentrations (<50 mg/L). The removal efficiency of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and NH4+ in CGs was significantly higher than in NGs (P < 0.01). The highest power densities of 6.37 (CGs) and 6.26 mW/m2 (NGs) were obtained at 50 mg/L PMG, and the average voltage was significantly higher in CGs than in NGs (p < 0.01). Moreover, PMG had a negative effect on the enrichment of electrochemically active bacteria, but Cladophora could mitigate this effect. The abundance of the resistance gene epsps was stabilized; The phnJ gene increased with increasing PMG in NGs and was downregulated at high PMG concentration in CGs, indicating better microbial adaptation to PMG in CGs throughout the experiment.

Constructed wetland-microbial fuel cells enhanced with iron carbon fillers for ciprofloxacin wastewater treatment and power generation.

In this study, the following three experimental devices were operated for 70 days for the treatment of ciprofloxacin pollutants in wastewater: constructed wetlands (CW), constructed wetland-microbial fuel cells (EG), and constructed wetland-microbial fuel cells with new iron-carbon fillers (TPFC). The water quality, power generation capacity, microbial community structure, and changes in the resistance gene qnrs were studied. The efficiency of removal of total phosphate in the TPFC (97.1% ± 2.5%) was significantly higher than that in the EG (51.6% ± 4.8%) and the CW (68.1% ± 2.9%). The efficiency of removal of ciprofloxacin was also significantly higher (TPFC: 91.2% ± 3.4%, EG: 82.1% ± 2.3%, and CW: 75.1% ± 5.6%) (P < 0.05). The voltage of TPFC reached 300.16 ± 12.12 mV, which was apparently greater than that of EG (180.36 ± 16.73 mV) (P < 0.05), possibly because of the higher abundance of microorganisms such as Burkholderiaceae, Hydrogenophaga, and Proteobacteria. There were more copies of the resistance gene qnrs (TPFC: 7.74/µL, EG: 5.52/µL, and CW: 2.65/µL), which may be associated with stronger resistance; therefore, the efficiency of removal of ciprofloxacin was higher in the TPFC. TPFCs are a promising way to remove ciprofloxacin in wastewater.

Dynamic changes in the microbial community in the surface seawater of Jiaozhou Bay after crude oil spills: An in situ microcosm study.

The changes in the composition and structure of microbial communities in Jiaozhou Bay are strongly affected by marine oil pollution, but the outcomes of the microbial responses and effects of dispersant application remain unclear. Herein, we performed an in situ microcosm study to investigate the response of the indigenous microbial community under crude oil alone and combined oil and dispersant treatment in the surface seawater of a semi-enclosed marine area of Jiaozhou Bay. The dynamics of the bacterial classification based on 16s rDNA sequencing were used to assess the changes with the crude oil concentration, dispersant use, and time. The crude oil resulted in a high abundance of the genera Pseudohongiella, Cycloclasticus, Marivita, and C1-B045 from the Gammaproteobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria classes, suggesting for hydrocarbon degradation. However, the dispersant treatment was more advantageous for Pacificibacter, Marivita, and Loktanella. Besides accelerating the rate of bacterial community succession, the dispersants had significantly stronger effects on the structure of the bacterial community and the degradation functions than the oil. A higher dose of oil exposure corresponded to fewer dominant species with a high relative abundance. Our study provides information for screening potential degradation bacteria and assessing the risks that oil spills pose to marine ecosystems.

Toxicity of Naphthenic Acids on the Chlorophyll Fluorescence Parameters and Antioxidant Enzyme Activity of Heterosigma akashiwo.

Petroleum hydrocarbons can serve as a carbon source for marine phytoplankton; so, marine high-acid crude oil pollution events are likely to result in algal outbreaks or harmful algal blooms (HABs) in surface waters. Naphthenic acids (NAs) are the primary acidic component of crude oil, and red tide is of great concern due to its high diffusivity and strong destructive properties. It is important to study the mechanism of the toxic effect of NAs on the typical red tide algae, Heterosigma akashiwo, for the balance and stability of marine algae. The mechanism of NAs' damage effect was investigated in terms of the antioxidant enzyme activity, cell number, the chlorophyll positive fluorescence parameters, and the cell morphology of microalgae. Experiments confirmed the hormesis of low-concentration (0.5, 2, and 4 mg/L) NAs on Heterosigma akashiwo, and the indicators of high-concentration (8 and 16 mg/L) NA exposures showed inhibition. In this study, the toxic effect of NAs on the target organism showed a clear concentration-dose relationship. The 16 mg/L NAs stress caused severe damage to the morphology and structure of the target biological cells in a short time (96 h), and the population growth decreased. The target organisms showed a staged oxidative stress response to NAs. The behavior in the low-concentration treatment groups showed toxicant excitatory effects on the photosynthetic efficiency and antioxidant enzyme activity of the target organisms. This study provides theoretical and practical data for the development of an important toxicological model of the toxicant's excitement effects and antioxidant defense mechanisms. In addition, it provides prospective research data for the prediction and avoidance of ecological risk from NA pollution in marine environments.

Transcriptome aberration associated with altered locomotor behavior of zebrafish (Danio rerio) caused by Waterborne Benzo[a]pyrene.

Waterborne Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) pollution is a global threat to aquatic organisms. The exposure to waterborne B[a]P can disrupt the normal locomotor behavior of zebrafish (Danio rerio), however, how it affect the locomotor behavior of adult zebrafish remains unclear. Herein, B[a]P at two concentrations (0.8 µg/L and 2.0 µg/L) were selected to investigate the molecular mechanisms of the affected locomotor behavior of zebrafish by B[a]P based on transcriptome profiling. Adverse effects of B[a]P exposure affecting locomotor behavior in zebrafish were studied by RNA sequencing, and the locomotion phenotype was acquired. The gene enrichment results showed that the differentially highly expressed genes (atp2a1, cdh2, aurka, fxyd1, clstn1, apoc1, mt-co1, tnnt3b, and fads2) of zebrafish are mainly enriched in adrenergic signaling in cardiomyocytes (dre04261) and locomotory behavior (GO:0007626). The movement trajectory plots showed an increase in the locomotor distance and velocity of zebrafish in the 0.8 µg/L group and the opposite in the 2.0 µg/L group. The results showed that B[a]P affects the variety of genes in zebrafish, including motor nerves, muscles, and energy supply, and ultimately leads to altered locomotor behavior.

Improving the outcomes from electroactive constructed wetlands by mixing wastewaters from different beverage-processing industries.

Denitrification in electroactive constructed wetland (EW) systems is constrained by the carbon source and the carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio (the COD/TN ratio). In this study, wastewater with a high C/N from a brewery was added to wastewater with a low C/N (dairy wastewater) in an EW system, and the pollutant removal, bioelectricity generation, transformations of dissolved organic matter, and microbial community structures were evaluated. The results showed that the average removal rates of ammonium nitrogen, total nitrogen, and chemical oxygen demand from the wastewater mixture were 6.40%, 46.44%, and 23.85% higher than those from the wastewater with a low C/N, respectively. Dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium was effectively inhibited, and the NH4+-N removal was 25.52% higher, when the wastewater mixture was used instead of the high C/N wastewater. Similarly, the output voltage was significantly increased, and the internal resistance of the device was reduced, for the wastewater mixture. The structure of the microbial community improved, the relative abundance of electrochemically active bacteria was higher, and the protein-like and humic-like components were lower, in the mixture treatment than in the individual treatment. The results show that the nitrogen removal and biopower generation improved in an EW system when high C/N wastewater was used as the carbon source.

Application of constructed wetlands in the PAH remediation of surface water: A review.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) pose adverse risks to ecosystems and public health because of their carcinogenicity and mutagenicity. As such, the extensive occurrence of PAHs represents a worldwide concern that requires urgent solutions. Wastewater treatment plants are not, however, designed for PAH removal and often become sources of the PAHs entering surface waters. Among the technologies applied in PAH remediation, constructed wetlands (CWs) exhibit several cost-effective and eco-friendly advantages, yet a systematic examination of the application and success of CWs for PAH remediation is missing. This review discusses PAH occurrence, distribution, and seasonal patterns in surface waters during the last decade to provide baseline information for risk control and further treatment. Furthermore, based on the application of CWs in PAH remediation, progress in understanding and optimising PAH-removal mechanisms is discussed focussing on sediments, plants, and microorganisms. Wetland plant traits are key factors affecting the mechanisms of PAH removal in CWs, including adsorption, uptake, phytovolatilization, and biodegradation. The physico-chemical characteristics of PAHs, environmental conditions, wetland configuration, and operation parameters are also reviewed as important factors affecting PAH removal efficiency. Whilst significant progress has been made, several key problems need to be addressed to ensure the success of large-scale CW projects. These include improving performance in cold climates and addressing the toxic threshold effects of PAHs on wetland plants. Overall, this review provides future direction for research on PAH removal using CWs and their large-scale operation for the treatment of PAH-contaminated surface waters.

Microbial abundance and community in constructed wetlands planted with Phragmites australis and Typha orientalis in winter.

NOVELTY STATEMENT: The microbial abundance and communities were characterized in CWs with different plant species during winter. Better removal efficiency with high microbial abundance and diversified microbial community were found in CWs planted with Phragmites australis. This study confirmed that in winter, withered plants in CWs can effectively remove NH4+-N and COD by affecting microbial abundance and community structure.

Safety evaluation and ibuprofen removal via an Alternanthera philoxeroides-based biochar.

Pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) are a representative class of emerging contaminants. This study aimed to investigate the PPCP removal performance and application safety of a biochar fabricated using the invasive plant Alternanthera philoxeroides (APBC). According to scanning electron microscopy and pore size analyses, APBC exhibited a porous structure with a specific surface area of 857.5 m2/g. A Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis indicated the presence of surface functional groups, including phosphorus-containing groups, C=O, C=C, and -OH. The adsorption experiment showed that the maximum removal efficiency of ibuprofen was 97% at an initial concentration of 10 mg/L and APBC dosage of 0.8 g/L. The adsorption kinetics were fitted by the pseudo-second-order model with the highest correlation coefficient (R2 = 0.9999). The adsorption isotherms were well described by the Freundlich model (R2 = 0.9896), which indicates a dominant multilayer adsorption. The maximum adsorption capacity of APBC was 172 mg/g. A toxicity evaluation, based on Chlorella pyrenoidosa and human epidermal BEAS-2B cells, was carried out using a spectrum analysis, thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide assay, and flow cytometry. The results of the above showed the low cytotoxicity of APBC and demonstrated its low toxicity in potential environmental applications.