Anthropogenic-induced ecological risks on marine ecosystems indicated by characterizing emerging pollutants in Pearl River Estuary, China.

Anthropogenic Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) in marine environments have raised significant concerns. Yet, analyses detailing their origins, fate, and environmental effects are limited. This study employs an integrated non-target screening methodology to elucidate CECs existence across 46 sampling sites in the Pearl River Estuary (PRE) of the South China Sea. Assisted by advanced liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry, we discovered 208 chemicals in six usage categories, with pesticides (33 %) and pharmaceuticals (29 %) predominating. Several CECs drew attention for their consistent detections, profound abundance, and significant ecotoxicities. The wide detection of them at offshore sites further implies that anthropogenic activities may contribute to large-scale contamination. Meanwhile, distinct distribution patterns of CECs across PRE are evident in semi-quantitative results, indicating regional anthropogenic influences. Identified transformation products may establish a novel and non-negligible negative contribution to ecology through elevated environmental toxicities, exemplified by HMMM and atrazine. Based on the ecological risks, we compiled a prioritized list of 21 CECs warranting intensified scrutiny. Our findings indicate the introduction of various CECs into the South China Sea via PRE, emphasizing the urgent necessity for ongoing surveillance of discharged CECs at estuary areas and assessment of their marine ecological consequences.

[Pollution Characteristics and Risk Assessment of Nitrated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Atmosphere of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area].

To investigate the pollution characteristics and sources of nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs) in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), 44 ambient air samples were collected using the active sampling method, which were then determined via gas chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry. The main results showed that filters, polyurethane foam, and XAD-2 resin were the essential materials for sampling NPAHs in ambient air in order to characterize the pollution status accurately. The levels of ρ(Σ18NPAHs) in ambient air at GBA ranged from 162 pg·m-3 to 2094 pg·m-3, and the average levels of ρ(Σ18NPAHs) were (675±430) pg·m-3 in summer and (637±349) pg·m-3 in winter. NPAHs were widely found in the ambient air of GBA and were dominated by 1-nitronaphthalene (220 pg·m-3), 2-nitronaphthalene (146 pg·m-3), 9-nitroanthracene (105 pg·m-3), and 2-nitrofluoranthene (72 pg·m-3). The congener profile characteristics of NPAHs in summer and winter were similar. The gas/particle partitioning characteristics of NPAHs revealed that dicyclic and tricyclic NPAHs tend to occur in the gas phase, and tetracyclic NPAHs tend to be adsorbed in the particle phase. The fraction of NPAHs concentrations in the particulate fraction of their total atmospheric concentrations increased with the increase in their molecular weight. In winter, NPAHs tend to be adsorbed in the particle phase, whereas in summer, NPAHs tend to exist in the gas phase. Based on the ratios of characteristic pollutants, in both the summer and winter season, photochemical reactions were the main source of NPAHs in the atmosphere of GBA and were primarily generated by the reaction of the hydroxyl radical in the daytime. The carcinogenic risk value calculation showed that the current carcinogenic risk of NPAHs in the ambient air of GBA was controllable.

Cultivar-Dependent Accumulation and Translocation of Perfluorooctanesulfonate among Lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L.) Cultivars Grown on Perfluorooctanesulfonate-Contaminated Soil.

Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) is a toxic and persistent organic pollutant that can be widely detected in agricultural soils. In this study, two lettuce cultivars with low PFOS accumulation were screened out to reduce the exposure of PFOS to the human body via vegetable consumption. The screened low-PFOS cultivars may help to ensure food safety, despite planting in highly PFOS-polluted soils (1.0 mg/kg), due to their high tolerance to PFOS and 4.4-5.7 times lower shoot PFOS concentration than the high-PFOS cultivars. Protein content and protein-mediated transpiration played key roles in regulating PFOS accumulation in the lettuce cultivars tested. Lower protein content, lower stomatal conductance, and lower transpiration rate resulted in low PFOS accumulation. This study reveals the mechanism of forming low-PFOS accumulation of lettuce cultivars at physiological and biochemical levels and lays a foundation for developing a cost-effective and safe approach to grow vegetables in PFOS-polluted soils.