Wastewater contains a variety of compounds qualified as pollutants. These undergo incomplete treatment in wastewater treatment plants. The objective of this study is to determine the potential impacts on humans and aquatic environment of 46 organic and inorganic micropollutants using the USE-tox® model. The concentrations used in this study are obtained by analyzing raw and treated wastewater from the wastewater treatment plant of the city of Al-Hoceima, Morocco. The total human health impact score is 10-2, generally varying between 10-3 and 10-9. Ba, Hg, Zn and Cd had the highest score with a percentage of 92 % of the total score. For the aquatic environment, impact was estimated for 25 compounds. Pyrene, Anthracene, Benzo(a)Anthracene, Fluoranthene and PCB-77 were the major contributors with an impact ranging from 3.43E+02-1.21E+01 PDF.m3.d. With a value of 3.43E+02, Pyrene had the highest impact, contributing 73 % by itself.

Urban parks play a significant role in urban ecosystems and are strongly associated with human health. Nevertheless, the biological contamination of urban parks - opportunistic pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) - has been poorly reported. Here, metagenomic and 16 S rRNA sequencing methods were used to study the distribution and assembly of opportunistic pathogens and ARGs in soil and water from nine parks in Lanzhou city, and further compared them with local human gut microbiomes to investigate the potential transmission risk. Our results revealed that the most important type of drug resistance in urban parks was multidrug resistance, with various resistance mechanisms. Approximately half of ARGs were shared between human gut and park environment, and it was noteworthy that cross-species transmission might exist among some high-risk ARGs, such as mepA and mdtE, with a significant enrichment in human gut. Metagenomic binning uncovered several bacterial genomes carrying adjacent ARGs, MGEs, and virulence genes, indicating a possibility that these genes may jointly transfer among different environments, particularly from park environment to human. Our results provided a reference point for the management of environmental pollutants in urban parks.

The use of human and veterinary drugs has led to the accumulation of pharmaceuticals in various aquatic environments at progressively increasing levels, exhibiting strong ecological risks. Metformin is widely used as a first-line prescription drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus as well as a livestock drug. Unlike other drugs, metformin is not metabolized in the body, and almost all of its intake is excreted and released into the aquatic environment via urine and feces, causing adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems. This review provides an overview of the occurrence and detection of metformin in the aquatic environment and its toxic effects on different aquatic organisms (fish, daphnia, rotifers, chlorella). Metformin has been documented in a variety of aqueous environments such as wastewater, surface water, and groundwater as well as drinking water. The wide distribution of metformin in the aqueous environment calls for the development of more accurate detection methods. This paper reviews detection methods for metformin in the aqueous environment and evaluates their advantages and disadvantages. Toxicity studies have shown that metformin can cause adverse reactions in fish, such as oxidative stress, genotoxicity, disruption of intestinal flora, and morphological alterations; it also affects the growth and reproduction of small aquatic organisms. Knowledge gaps in the field of metformin research were assessed, and future research priorities were identified.

This study investigated the migration behavior of microplastics (MPs) covered with natural organic matter (NOM) and biofilm on three substrates (silica, Pseudomonas fluorescent and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms) in various ionic strengths, focusing on the alterations in surface properties based on surface energy theory that affected their deposition and release processes. Peptone and Pseudomonas fluorescens were employed to generate NOM-attached and biofilm-coated polystyrene (PS) (NOM-PS and Bio-PS). NOM-PS and Bio-PS both exhibited different surface properties, as increased roughness and particle sizes, more hydrophilic surfaces and altered zeta potentials which increased with ionic strength. Although the deposition of NOM-PS on biofilms were enhanced by higher ionic strengths and the addition of Ca2+, while Bio-PS deposited less on biofilms and more on the silica surface. Both types exhibited diffusion-driven adsorption on the silica surface, with Bio-PS also engaging in synergistic and competitive interactions on biofilm surfaces. Release tests revealed that NOM-PS and Bio-PS were prone to release from silica than from biofilms. The Extended Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (XDLVO) theory furtherly demonstrated that mid-range electrostatic (EL) repulsion had significantly impacts on NOM-PS deposition, and structural properties of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and substrate could affect Bio-PS migration.

This article reviews the literature on the consumption, street drug analysis, distribution, and main environmental impacts of illicit drugs in Brazil and analyzes the III National Survey on Drug Use by the Brazilian Population. The literature review is based on articles published in national and international journals between 2018 and 2023. This review consists of two analyses, the first of which addresses publications from the last 6 years on the monitoring of illicit drugs in Brazil and a second analysis based on the III National Survey on Drug Use that addresses the different possibilities of contact with drugs. The results revealed that the Southeast region of Brazil has the highest number of studies on the subject, especially in the state of São Paulo, while the North and Northeast regions have the lowest number of studies. The Midwest regions only have studies in the federal capital city, Brasília, while no studies were found in states bordering countries that produce illicit drugs, such as Paraguay and Bolivia. Analytical methods that use the concept of miniaturization, green chemistry, and the adoption of acceptance methods are frequent in most articles. Chemometric and statistical tools are widely used for the analysis, development, and conclusion of identification and quantification methods. Among the articles studied, there was a predominance in the analysis of cocaine metabolites and cannabis metabolites in the aquatic environment, where their concentrations ranged from 0.01 to 2000 ng L-1. Studies also reported bioaccumulation in marine biota with concentrations of up to 4.58 µg kg-1 for mussels and sediments, posing a risk to algae, crustaceans, and fish. Furthermore, the data show that the consumption of illicit drugs is increasing in Brazil, especially among young people.

The occurrence of antibiotics and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARBs), genes (ARGs), and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) in aquatic systems is growing global public health concern. These emerging micropollutants, stemming from improper wastewater treatment and disposal, highlight the complex and evolving nature of environmental pollution. Current literature reveals potential biases, such as a geographical focus on specific regions, leading to an insufficient understanding of the global distribution and dynamics of antibiotic resistance in aquatic systems. There is methodological inconsistency across studies, making it challenging to compare findings. Potential biases include sample collection inconsistencies, detection sensitivity variances, and data interpretation variability. Gaps in understanding include the need for comprehensive, standardized long-term monitoring programs, elucidating the environmental fate and transformation of antibiotics and resistance genes. This review summarizes current knowledge on the occurrence and dissemination of emerging micropollutants, their ecological impacts, and the global health implications of antimicrobial resistance. It highlights the need for interdisciplinary collaborations among researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders to address the challenges posed by antibiotic resistance in aquatic resistance in aquatic systems effectively. This review highlights widespread antibiotic and antibiotic resistance in aquatic environment, driven by human and agricultural activities. It underscores the ecological consequences, including disrupted microbial communities and altered ecosystem functions. The findings call for urgent measures to mitigate antibiotics pollution and manage antibiotic resistance spread in water bodies.

Biodegradable plastics are being the substitute for synthetic plastics and widely been used in order to combat plastic pollution. Yet not all biodegradable plastics are degradable especially when it does not meet its favourable conditions, and also when it comes to aquatic environments. Therefore, this review is intended to highlight the types of various biodegradable plastic synthesized and commercialised and identify the limitations and advantages of these micro-bioplastics or residual bioplastic upon degradation in various aquatic environments. This review paper highlights on biodegradable plastic, degradation of biodegradable plastic in aquatic environments, application of biodegradable plastic, polylactic acid (PLA), Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), Polysaccharide derivatives, Poly (amino acid), polycaprolactone (PCL), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBA/T), limitations and advantages of biodegradable plastic degradation in aquatic environment. There is no limit on the period for literature search as this field is continuously being studied and there is no wide range of studies. Biodegradable plastic that is commercially available has its own advantages and limitations respectively upon degradation in both freshwater and marine environments. There is a growing demand for bioplastic as an alternative to synthetic plastic which causes plastic waste pollution. Thus, it is crucial to understand the biodegradation of biodegradable plastic in depth especially in aquatic environments. Moreover, there are also very few studies investigating the degradation and migration of micro-bioplastics in aquatic environments.

In this study, we examined the aging characteristics of polyethylene (PE) and polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics (MPs), examining the adsorption behaviors and mechanisms concerning Cd(II) and Cr(VI) under both single and binary systems. The results revealed that aging treatment changed the physicochemical properties of MPs. The aging mechanisms of PLA and PE MPs were shown to be similar by the 2D-FTIR-COS study. These mechanisms involve the formation of oxygen-containing functional groups through the combination of carbon chain breakdown and oxygen. Aged MPs had a greater ability to adsorb metal ions than pristine MPs, with PLA MPs outperforming PE MPs. After 30 days of aging, Cd(II) adsorption increased by 40.61 % and 25.49 % for PE and PLA MPs, respectively, while Cr(VI) adsorption increased by 37.50 % and 69.29 %, respectively. The adsorption ability of PE and PLA MPs with Cd(II) or Cr(VI) under binary systems was less than that under single systems, with Cd(II) exhibiting more adsorption competitiveness than Cr(VI). Humic acid (HA), ionic species and strength, solution pH, and adsorption of Cd(II) and Cr(VI) were found to be significantly correlated. Further investigation into the adsorption mechanisms of Cd(II) and Cr(VI) on PE and PLA MPs revealed that pore-filling, electrostatic interactions, complexation, and hydrogen bonding play important roles in the adsorption process. The study\'s conclusions are crucial for assessing the risk associated with concurrent contamination by metal ions and microplastics.

Both microplastics and antibiotics are commonly found contaminants in aquatic ecosystems. Microplastics have the ability to absorb antibiotic pollutants in water, but the specific adsorption behavior and mechanism are not fully understood, particularly in relation to the impact of microplastics on toxicity in aquatic environments. We review the interaction, mechanism, and transport of microplastics and antibiotics in water environments, with a focus on the main physical characteristics and environmental factors affecting adsorption behavior in water. We also analyze the effects of microplastic carriers on antibiotic transport and long-distance transport in the water environment. The toxic effects of microplastics combined with antibiotics on aquatic organisms are systematically explained, as well as the effect of the adsorption behavior of microplastics on the spread of antibiotic resistance genes. Finally, the scientific knowledge gap and future research directions related to the interactions between microplastics and antibiotics in the water environment are summarized to provide basic information for preventing and treating environmental risks. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;00:1-12. © 2024 SETAC.

Pesticides are among the main drivers posing risks to aquatic environments, with effluents from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) serving as a major source. This study aimed to identify the primary pesticides for which there was a risk of release into aquatic environments through WWTP effluents, thereby enabling more effective contamination management in public water bodies. In this study, monitoring, risk assessment, and risk-based prioritization of 87 pesticides in effluents from three WWTPs in the Yeongsan River Basin, Korea, were conducted. A total of 59 pesticides were detected at concentrations from 0.852 ng/L to 82.044 μg/L and exhibited variable patterns across different WWTP locations. An environmental risk assessment based on the risk quotient (RQ) of individual pesticides identified 13 substances implicated in significant ecotoxicological risks, as they exceeded RQ values of 1 at least once. An optimized risk (RQf)-based prioritization, considering the frequency of the measured environmental concentration (MEC) exceeding the predicted environmental concentration (PNEC), was conducted to identify pesticides that potentially posed risks and thus should be managed as a priority. Four pesticides had an RQf value >1; metribuzin exhibited the highest RQf value of 4.951, followed by 3-phenoxybenzoic acid, atrazin-2-hydroxy, and atrazine. Additionally, five pesticides (terbuthylazine, methabenzthiazuron, diuron, thiacloprid, and fipronil) and another four pesticides (propazine, imidacloprid, hexaconazole, and hexazione) had RQf values >0.1 and > 0.01, respectively. By calculating the contributions of individual pesticides to the RQf of these mixtures (RQf, mix) based on the concentration addition model, it was determined that >95 % of the sum of RQf, mix was driven by the top seven pesticides. These findings highlight the importance of prioritizing pesticides for effective management of contamination sources.