Pesticides residues determination and probabilistic health risk assessment in the soil and cantaloupe by Monte Carlo simulation: A case study in Kashan and Aran-Bidgol, Iran.

Cantaloupe is a popular agricultural product in the hot season of Iran. On the other hand, the frequent use of pesticides in cantaloupe fields is the most important threat to the health of farmers and consumers. Therefore, the present study aims to measure the concentration of diazinon (DZN), chlorpyrifos (CPF), and malathion (MLT) in cantaloupe cultivated in Kashan and Aran-Bidgol (Iran) and to estimate the possible oral and dermal risk of these pesticides by Monte Carlo simulation (MCS). 36 cantaloupe samples, 18 samples before, and 18 samples after the latent period were collected from different places of cantaloupe cultivation from April to May 2021. After measuring the pesticides using the QuEChERS approach, oral and dermal risk assessments were calculated.The mean and standard deviation of the concentrations of chlorpyrifos, malathion, and diazinon in 18 cantaloupe samples, after the latent period, were (30.39 ± 13.85), (18.361 ± 1.8), and (21.97 ± 0.86) µg kg-1, respectively. Concentration of Malathion, diazinon, and Chlorpyrifos in the soil were 0.22, 0.25, and 0.3 mg kg-1, respectively, and pesticide cumulative risk assessment in soil was obtained 0.011 for Malathion, 0.05 for diazinon and 0.03 for Chlorpyrifos. Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) according to the cantaloupe consumption and dermal exposure in children and adults, was safe range. Although non-cancerous dermal and oral risk of cantaloupe is low, constant exposure can be harmful. Therefore, the findings of this study play an important role in increasing the understanding of the negative health consequences of pesticide contamination in cantaloupe for consumers, especially local residents, and can help by adopting remedial strategies to reduce environmental concerns.

Using neural networks and a fuzzy inference system to evaluate the risk of wildfires and the pinpointing of firefighting stations in forests on the northern slopes of the Zagros Mountains, Iran (case study: Shimbar national wildlife preserve).

Predicting potential fire hazard zones in natural areas is one of the means of mitigating and managing fires. The current research focuses on the prioritizing of elements which contribute to the spread of fire and the special zoning of potentially dangerous areas in addition to the pinpointing of locations for the establishment of fire stations in forested areas in the Shimbar national reserve based on historical data spanning 2001 to 2018. The study utilizes elements (physiological, vegetation cover, meteorological, anthropological factors) contributing to wildfires as inputs into an artificial neural network and the development of a fuzzy inference system in order to produce fire zoning maps for the region under study. The map is divided into five sectors, i.e., minimum, low, moderate, high, and maximum risk of fire. The validation of the fire zoning map was evaluated at 0.83 and the RMSE error was 0.75. The results obtained show that 20% of the area under study is within the average risk category, 11% is within the high-risk category, and 10% is within the very high-risk category of a potential fire hazard. The most important variables were distance from a flowing source, i.e., river or stream, the land formation type, elevation, and the minimum temperature. The identification of suitable locations for firefighting stations was carried out by merging the fuzzy inference system model and Arc GIS, and the results obtained defined 16 possible locations. It was concluded that the application of hybrid models when dealing with the aforementioned variables is effective when seeking to determine locations for the establishment of firefighting stations and rural safety services; moreover, such hybrid models are highly efficacious for determining of fire hazard zones. It is proposed that hybrid models be applied on a large scale for the prevention, control, and management of fires throughout the country.

Microplastics in the atmosphere of Ahvaz City, Iran.

Airborne particulate matter (PM) with an aerodynamic size cutoff of 10 µm (PM10) has been collected using a high volume air sampler at two locations (urban and residential) in the city of Ahvaz, Iran, for sixteen 24-hour periods over four months (late summer to early winter). Microplastics (MPs) in the PM were isolated after sample digestion and were subsequently characterised by established techniques. All MPs sampled (n = 322) were of a fibrous nature, with polyethylene terephthalate, nylon and polypropylene being the dominant polymers and consistent with textiles and fabrics as the principal source. Despite a distinct seasonality (temperature and wind) over the study period, the abundance, size and colour of the fibres exhibited no clear temporal trend, and no clear differences were observed between the two sites. Concentrations of MPs ranged from none detected to about 0.017/m3 (median = 0.0065/m3) and are at the low end of ranges reported in the recent literature for various urban and remote locations. While some MPs may have a local origin, the weathering of other MPs and their acquisition of extraneous geosolids and salts suggests that long-range transport is also important. Back-trajectory calculations indicate that regional sources are mainly to the north and west of Ahvaz, but a southerly, maritime source is also possible in late autumn. Although concentrations of MPs in the atmosphere are well below those encountered in indoor air, further studies are required to elucidate their potential ecological impacts.

Microplastics as carriers of antibiotic resistance genes and pathogens in municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill leachate and soil: a review.

Landfill leachate contains antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and microplastics (MPs), making it an important reservoir. However, little research has been conducted on how ARGs are enriched on MPs and how the presence of MPs affects pathogens and ARGs in leachates and soil. MPs possess the capacity to establish unique bacterial populations and assimilate contaminants from their immediate surroundings, generating a potential environment conducive to the growth of disease-causing microorganisms and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), thereby exerting selection pressure. Through a comprehensive analysis of scientific literature, we have carried out a practical assessment of this topic. The gathering of pollutants and the formation of dense bacterial communities on microplastics create advantageous circumstances for an increased frequency of ARG transfer and evolution. Additional investigations are necessary to acquire a more profound comprehension of how pathogens and ARGs are enriched, transported, and transferred on microplastics. This research is essential for evaluating the health risks associated with human exposure to these pollutants.

Alginate@Fe3O4@Bentonite nanocomposite for formaldehyde removal from synthetic and real effluent: optimization by central composite design.

In this study, Alginate@ Fe3O4/Bentonite nanocomposite was utilized to eliminate formaldehyde from wastewater. Structural features of bentonite, bentonite@Fe3O4, and Alginate@Fe3O4@Bentonite were determined using FT-IR, PXRD, Mapping, EDX, TEM, SEM, VSM, and BET analyses. The central composite design method was employed to find the optimal conditions for formaldehyde removal using Alg@Fe3O4@Bent nanocomposite. The maximum formaldehyde uptake efficiency (94.56%) was obtained at formaldehyde concentration of 10.69 ppm, the nanocomposite dose of 1.28 g/L, and pH of 9.96 after 16.53 min. Also, Alginate@Fe3O4@Bentonite composite was used to eliminate formaldehyde from Razi petrochemical wastewater and was able to eliminate 91.24% of formaldehyde, 70% of COD, and 68.9% of BOD5. The isotherm and kinetic investigations demonstrated that the formaldehyde uptake process by the foresaid adsorbent follows the Langmuir isotherm and quasi-first-order kinetic models, respectively. Also, the maximum uptake capacity was obtained at 50.25 mg/g. Moreover, the formaldehyde uptake process by the aforementioned nanocomposite was exothermic and spontaneous. Furthermore, the formaldehyde adsorption efficiency decreased slightly after six reuse cycles (less than 10%), indicating that Alginate@Fe3O4@Bentonite nanocomposite has remarkable recyclability. Besides, the influence of interfering ions like nitrate, carbonate, chloride, phosphate, and sulfate was studied on the formaldehyde removal efficiency and the results displayed that all ions except nitrate ion have low interaction with formaldehyde (less than 3% reduction in removal efficiency).

Spatial distribution, ecological and health risk assessment of organophosphorus pesticides identified in the water of Naseri artificial wetland, Iran.

Agricultural development is inevitable to meet the growing need for food. But along with this development, there are unintended and undesirable consequences for human life and the environment that need, found a solution and corrected. One of the most important adverse consequences of agricultural development is the pollution of surface and groundwater resources, which results from various factors such as soil erosion and improper use of different pesticides. This study aimed to conduct an environmental monitoring program in Naseri wetland to determine the concentrations of organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) in water samples and also to evaluate the potential risks (ecological and health risk assessment) of these pesticides. The salting-out assisted liquid-liquid extraction method was used to extract pesticides. The residual concentrations of OPPs evaluated by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). In this study, the ecological risk of OPPs calculated for wetland ecosystem, based on the acute risk quotient (RQi) formula with maximum (RQmax), mean (RQmean), and mixture (RQmix) concentrations of organophosphorus pesticides in the wetland water. Also, to assess the health risk of consuming contaminated fish with organophosphate pesticides, the potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were determined by the hazard quotient (Index) (HQ, HI) and incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) indices, respectively. The mean ± SD concentration of OPPs (Chlorpyrifos, Malathion, Ethion, Dichlorvos, Trifluralin and Diazinon) in samples of wetland water ranged from 0.14 ± 0.08 to 0.35 ± 0.12 and 0.054 ± 0.06 to 0.2 ± 0.1 (µg/L) in summer and autumn, respectively. The mean ± SD of OPPs in fish varied from 0.68 ± 0.86 to 3.94 ± 2.7 (µg/kg). Overall, the concentrations of pesticides in all water and fish samples were below the maximum residue limit (30 µg/kg) during the study period, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The results of acute risk quotient were in summer (RQmax = 3.49E-4 to 0.067, RQmean = 5.8E-5 to 0.029, RQmix = 0.139-0.026, 0.018-3.42E-3) and autumn (RQmax = 8E-4 to 0.051, RQmean = 7.74E-6 to 0.018 RQmix = 0.1-0.013, 6E-3- 1.5E-3). The non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk indexes due to fish consumption for adults and children were (HQ = 0.026-4.68E-4, HI = 0.041, ILCR = 1.7E-7) and (HQ = 1.85E-3-1.3E-5, HI = 0.041, ILCR = 5.55E-8), respectively. The risk of OPPs was generally low. But cumulative risk (pesticide mixtures), should not be ignored.

Cancer risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the soil and sediments of Iran: a systematic review study.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are organic pollutants containing several hydrocarbon rings affecting human health according to the published monitoring data. Most of these compounds can be absorbed by the soil and sediments due to the abundance of production resources of these compounds in the soil around the cities and sediments of the Iranian coast. Cancer risk assessment (CRA) is one of the most effective methods for quantifying the potentially harmful effects of PAHs on human health. In this study, the published papers that monitored PAHs in Iran's soil and sediments were reviewed. The extraction of different data and their equivalent factors were performed according to BaP equivalent, which is the main factor for calculating CRA of PAHs. The highest concentrations of PAHs were found in the sediments of Assaluyeh industrial zones (14,844 µg/kg), Khormousi region (1874.7 µg/kg), and Shadegan wetland (1749.5 µg/kg), respectively. Dermal exposure to sediments was 96% in adults, and 4% in children, and ingestion exposure to sediment was 99% in adults and 99.2% in children. Children dermal exposure to soil was 53%, and the accidental exposure to soil was 47%. In adults, dermal exposure to soil was 96% and the accidental exposure was 4%. The results of the present study indicated a significant, the carcinogenic risk of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in sediments of southern regions and soils of central regions of Iran is significant.

Correction to: Environmental impact assessment of a steel industry development plan using combined method involving Leopold matrix and RIAM.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s40201-021-00752-4.].

Eutrophication and sediment-water exchange of total petroleum hydrocarbons and heavy metals of Hashilan wetland, a national heritage in NW Iran.

The heavy metal(loid)s concentrations in water and sediments were analyzed in the Hashilan wetland to assess the spatial distribution, pollution status, fate, partitioning, and ecological risk and also to identify the heavy metal(loid)s sources in sediments using PMF (Positive Matrix Factorization) and APCs-MLR (absolute principal component score-multiple linear regression) receptor models. According to the pollution indices, (Ni, Cu, Cr, Mo), and (Zn, Cr, and Cu) are considered the most important pollutants in sediments and water, respectively. Ni, Cr, and Cu are the main contributors to ecological risks in sediments of some stations. The potential ecological risk assessment proposed low ecological risk in water of the study area. Higher distribution coefficient (Kp) values of Ni, Cr, Mn, Cu, Co, Pb, As, and Zn indicated the majority of these heavy metals present in the sediments; whereas, the majority of Cd concentration occurs in water. PMF and APCs-MLR results indicated the natural sources were the main factors affecting the concentrations of Ni, Cr, Zn, Al, Co, Fe, Pb, As, Cd and somewhat Cu. Mixed natural and agricultural activities are the main sources of Mo, and somewhat Cu. According to the results, there is low pollution of TPH (total petroleum hydrocarbons) in the sediment samples. Also, phosphate (PO42-) and nitrate (NO3-) concentrations were below the recommended permissible limits at all sampling sites except the S8 station for NO3-.

Increased allergic and asthmatic risks in children residing in industrial areas by surveying the pre-inflammatory (IgE, IL-4 and IL-13) biomarkers.

Toxic metal(loid)s can lead to high damages on human. This work was conducted to investigate the levels of metal(loid)s in PM2.5 and a total of 123 male children's (aged 6-9 years) blood chosen from different areas in Ahvaz and their association with the pre-inflammatory (Immunoglobulin E and cytokines: IgE, IL-4 and IL-13) responses in serum cells. Six metal(loid)s (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury, nickel and lead) in three regions including industrial (Padad), vehicle traffic (Golestan) and reference (Kianpars) areas were studied. Results showed the concentrations of As, Cr, Cd, Ni and Hg in the ambient air of industrial area (Padad) (P < 0.001), and Pb in vehicle traffic area (Golestan) were higher (p < 0.001). Moreover, the mean levels of IgE (mean = 146.44 pg/200landa, P < 0.003), IL-4 (mean = 548.23 pg/200landa, P < 0.001) and IL-13 (mean = 53.21 pg/200landa, P < 0.001) in Padad were higher than Golestan and Kianpars. Our results suggest that living in industrial areas leads to accelerated synthesis of IgE, IL-4 and IL-13 in blood. The spatial distribution of children's serum IgE, IL-4 and IL-13 concentrations showed an abnormal increase of 240 to 400 pg/200landa for IgE, 950 to 1400 pg/200landa for IL-4 and 90 to 128 pg/200landa for IL-13. Our results indicate children in the industrial area are prone to asthma, allergy, miRNA mutation, and other chronic diseases.

Effect of ambient air PM2.5-bound heavy metals on blood metal(loid)s and children's asthma and allergy pro-inflammatory (IgE, IL-4 and IL-13) biomarkers.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the concentrations of metals in fine particulate matter PM2.5 in the outdoor air around the home sites of 123 male children from Ahvaz, average age 7.56, along with their blood samples to measure pro-inflammatory responses (Immunoglobulin E and cytokines: IgE, IL-4 and IL-13). METHODS: We measured 6 metals (As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni and Pb) in three Ahvaz's regions including industrial (Padad), vehicle traffic (Golestan) and control (Kianpars). RESULTS: The higher concentrations of metals in the Padad as the industrial ambient air i.e., arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury and nickel coincided with the higher concentrations of those metals in exposed children (P < 0.05) versus the controls. Children in Golestan, the high traffic air pollution area had the highest lead concentrations (p < 0.05). Also a significant association was shown in Padad between blood arsenic and IgE (ß = 26.59, P < 0.001), IL-4 (ß = 172.1, P < 0.001) and IL-13 (ß = 14.84, P < 0.001), blood chromium and IgE (ß = 10.38, P < 0.001), IL-4 (ß = 75.27, P < 0.001) and IL-13 (ß = 5.27, P < 0.001) and blood mercury and IgE (ß = 13.11, P < 0.001), IL-4 (ß = 108.09, P < 0.001) and IL-13 (ß = 7.96, P < 0.001) and blood lead and IgE(ß = 0.92, P = 0.025), IL-4(ß = 7.16, P < 0.001) and IL-13(ß = 0.58, P = 0.003). However, no significant relation was found for Cadmium, Nickel in blood with IgE, IL-4 and IL-13 levels. Moreover, children from industrial areas showed significantly higher concentrations of IgE (mean = 146.44 pg/200landa, P < 0.001), IL-4 (mean = 548.23 pg/200landa, P < 0.001) and IL-13 (mean = 52.93 pg/200landa, P < 0.001) versus Golestan and Kianpars. CONCLUSION: Children residing in an industrial area with high concentrations of metals in PM2.5 had high metals in blood and high production of IgE, IL-4 and IL-13, reflecting an immune dysregulation and brisk inflammatory responses.

Dispersion of NO2 and SO2 pollutants in the rolling industry with AERMOD model: a case study to assess human health risk.

Steel and rolling industry are the most important industries polluting the environment. Therefore, aim of this study is to make an emission model for SO2 and NO2 pollutants released from the rolling industry of Sepid-Farab Kavir Steel (SKS) complex using the AERMOD model and health risk assessment. Sampling pollutants released from SKS complex was performed in January 2017 at 10 different sites. Distribution of these pollutants was investigated by AERMOD model, domain site of AERMOD was designed for area around the factory with a radius of 30 km, and also SO2 and NO2 modeling was performed for both natural gas and liquid fuel. Human health risk assessment was also studied. The results of this study demonstrated the emission of SO2 and NO2 from this complex is less than the maximum allowable, when used natural gas as the main fuel. The hourly concentration of SO2 reached about 324 µg/m3, which in higher than the standard value for 1 h. Considering the findings, the urban gas is considered as a clean source in terms of furnace air output and the concentration of emitted pollutants. Also, it has no side effects on workers' health.

Environmental impact assessment of a steel industry development plan using combined method involving Leopold matrix and RIAM.

The present study was conducted to determine positive and negative impacts of Sepid-Farab Kavir steel (SKS) complex development plan and to propose suitable managerial strategies by a combined method involving Leopold matrix and Rapid Impact Assessment matrix (RIAM). The SKS complex is located in Aran-Bidgol city, Isfahan, Iran. Two scenarios of project implementation and project cancellation were formulated for SKS complex development plan, which has two sub-phases: construction and operation Using Leopold and RIAM matrices, the direct and indirect impacts of the project on the study area was investigated. The impact analysis for project cancellation scenario showed that the obtained scores of construction and operation phases were -119 and -52, respectively. Also, for project implementation scenario, the obtained scores of construction and operation phases were + 302 and + 382, respectively. The number of positive impacts in the implementation and cancellation scenarios were 354 and 48, respectively, and the number of negative impacts in implementation and cancellation scenarios were 270 and 127, respectively. Also, comparison of positive and negative impacts frequency in the two scenarios, and in the two sub-phases, in RIAM indicated the project implementation will have positive impacts in social-cultural and economic-operational aspects compared to option of prevention, especially in operation phase. The results of environmental impact assessment of the mentioned project indicated the superiority of positive impacts over the negative ones.