Understanding the risks of mercury sulfide nanoparticles in the environment: Formation, presence, and environmental behaviors

Mercury (Hg) could be microbially methylated to the bioaccumulative neurotoxin methylmercury (MeHg), raising health concerns. Understanding the methylation of various Hg species is thus critical in predicting the MeHg risk. Among the known Hg species, mercury sulfide (HgS) is the largest Hg reservoir in the lithosphere and has long been considered to be highly inert. However, with advances in the analytical methods of nanoparticles, HgS nanoparticles (HgS NPs) have recently been detected in various environmental matrices or organisms. Furthermore, pioneering laboratory studies have reported the high bioavailability of HgS NPs. The formation, presence, and transformation (e.g., methylation) of HgS NPs are intricately related to several environmental factors, especially dissolved organic matter (DOM). The complexity of the behavior of HgS NPs and the heterogeneity of DOM prevent us from comprehensively understanding and predicting the risk of HgS NPs. To reveal the role of HgS NPs in Hg biogeochemical cycling, research needs should focus on the following aspects: the formation pathways, the presence, and the environmental behaviors of HgS NPs impacted by the dominant influential factor of DOM. We thus summarized the latest progress in these aspects and proposed future research priorities, e.g., developing the detection techniques of HgS NPs and probing HgS NPs in various matrices, further exploring the interactions between DOM and HgS NPs. Besides, as most of the previous studies were conducted in laboratories, our current knowledge should be further refreshed through field observations, which would help to gain better insights into predicting the Hg risks in natural environment.     

Rethinking the Significance of Reovirus in Water and Wastewater

The genus Orthoreovirus contains nonenveloped viruses with double-stranded gene segments encased in a double-layered icosahedral capsid shell. These features constitute major determinants of virion stability in the environment and virion resistance against physical and chemical agents. Reovirus (ReoV) is the general term most commonly used for all virus strains that infect humans and nonhuman animals. Several studies have demonstrated the frequent occurrence of ReoV in wastewaters and natural waters, including surface and ground waters from different geographical areas. Most of these studies have reported higher concentrations of ReoV than any other enteric virus analyzed. They are more commonly isolated in chlorine-disinfected wastewaters than other enteric viruses, and appear to survive longer in water. The ability of ReoV to form large aggregates, even with different types of enteric viruses (e.g., poliovirus) and their ability to undergo mechanisms of gene segment reassortment among different serotypes may also explain their greater stability. Different approaches have been applied for concentration of ReoV from water; however, the recovery efficiency of the filtration methods has not been fully evaluated. Recently, molecular methods for identification of ReoV strains and quantification of virus genome have been developed. Studies have shown that the overall detection sensitivity of ReoV RNA is enhanced through initial replication of infectious virions in cell culture. More studies are needed to specifically address unresolved issues about the fate and distribution of ReoV in the environment since this virus is not commonly included in virological investigations.     

环境大气中半/中等挥发性有机物(S/IVOCs)的测量技术进展

总结了环境大气中半/中等挥发性有机物（S/IVOCs）的主要测量技术及其进展,重点介绍了基于气相色谱技术和化学电离质谱技术的测量方法.S/IVOCs的测量主要由气相色谱技术开始发展,并随着质谱技术的发展而不断发展.基于气相色谱技术的测量方法,能够直接测量非极性化合物,但在面对组分多达千万种的复杂体系时,传统的一维色谱相对耗时,而且由于峰容量不够,峰重叠现象十分严重,难以实现全组分的准确分离.新近发展的多维分离系统如全二维气相色谱,通过正交的分离系统,能够实现复杂体系中物种组分的准确、快速分离.目前基于化学电离质谱技术的在线测量方法已经逐渐应用于S/IVOCs的测量,虽然在物种定性方面相对较弱,但其可提供高时间分辨率的测量结果,帮助分析S/IVOCs在大气中的快速变化.在未来的研究中,高时间分辨率和全组分准确测量是S/IVOCs研究的关键.     

环境大气中半/中等挥发性有机物(S/IVOCs)的测量技术进展

总结了环境大气中半/中等挥发性有机物（S/IVOCs）的主要测量技术及其进展,重点介绍了基于气相色谱技术和化学电离质谱技术的测量方法.S/IVOCs的测量主要由气相色谱技术开始发展,并随着质谱技术的发展而不断发展.基于气相色谱技术的测量方法,能够直接测量非极性化合物,但在面对组分多达千万种的复杂体系时,传统的一维色谱相对耗时,而且由于峰容量不够,峰重叠现象十分严重,难以实现全组分的准确分离.新近发展的多维分离系统如全二维气相色谱,通过正交的分离系统,能够实现复杂体系中物种组分的准确、快速分离.目前基于化学电离质谱技术的在线测量方法已经逐渐应用于S/IVOCs的测量,虽然在物种定性方面相对较弱,但其可提供高时间分辨率的测量结果,帮助分析S/IVOCs在大气中的快速变化.在未来的研究中,高时间分辨率和全组分准确测量是S/IVOCs研究的关键.     

Inhibition of thrombin by functionalized C60 nanoparticles revealed via in vitro assays and in silico studies

The studies on the human toxicity of nanoparticles (NPs) are far behind the rapid development of engineered functionalized NPs. Fullerene has been widely used as drug carrier skeleton due to its reported low risk. However, different from other kinds of NPs, fullerene-based NPs (C₆₀ NPs) have been found to have an anticoagulation effect, although the potential target is still unknown. In the study, both experimental and computational methods were adopted to gain mechanistic insight into the modulation of thrombin activity by nine kinds of C₆₀ NPs with diverse surface chemistry properties. In vitro enzyme activity assays showed that all tested surface-modified C₆₀ NPs exhibited thrombin inhibition ability. Kinetic studies coupled with competitive testing using 3 known inhibitors indicated that six of the C₆₀ NPs, of greater hydrophobicity and hydrogen bond (HB) donor acidity or acceptor basicity, acted as competitive inhibitors of thrombin by directly interacting with the active site of thrombin. A simple quantitative nanostructure-activity relationship model relating the surface substituent properties to the inhibition potential was then established for the six competitive inhibitors. Molecular docking analysis revealed that the intermolecular HB interactions were important for the specific binding of C₆₀ NPs to the active site canyon, while the additional stability provided by the surface groups through van der Waals interaction also play a key role in the thrombin binding affinity of the NPs. Our results suggest that thrombin is a possible target of the surface-functionalized C₆₀ NPs relevant to their anticoagulation effect.     

环境微纳塑料的分析方法进展

为探究环境中微纳塑料的含量、归趋和生态风险,发展可靠的检测方法是重要前提.目前,对微纳塑料的分析方法多种多样,国内外已有多篇综述归纳了各方法的优缺点,甚至提出了"统一"或"标准化"的方法.然而,由于研究目标和技术方法本身的成熟度不同等原因,很难笼统地提出一套适用于所有监测或研究的方法.微纳塑料的研究是基于颗粒性和尺寸效应的研究,笔者将其划分为大粒级微塑料（0.02~5 mm）、小粒级微塑料（1~20 μm）和纳米塑料（1~1 000 nm）3个类别,分别概述各粒级的分析方法进展和技术目标等.对于大粒级微塑料,已形成相对成熟的检测方案,适合开展常规监测和大规模基线数据的调查,但方法多样化,数据的质量不统一导致可比性差,提高方法的可行性和统一性是努力重点;对于20 μm以下的小粒级微塑料,检测的准确度有待提高,发展可靠的定性及定量方法是当前的目标;对于1 000 nm以下的塑料颗粒和可溶性聚合物,发展尚不成熟,需要研究更有效的前处理和分析方法.今后,应针对不同粒级微纳塑料所面临的问题开展方法学研究,加强对微纳塑料环境行为等的基础研究,并逐步发展微纳塑料的预测模型,在可靠数据的基础上进行全面的生态风险评估.      

颗粒尺寸对纳米氧化物环境行为的影响

随着纳米技术迅猛发展,纳米颗粒的环境行为和生态效应越来越受到关注.纳米氧化物作为环境中的重要组成,广泛存在于水体、大气、土壤以及沉积物中,其大比表面积和高表面活性,控制和影响着环境中一些污染物和营养元素的形态、迁移、转化和生物有效性.纳米尺寸是纳米颗粒特有属性,颗粒尺寸大小调控和决定纳米氧化物的结构及物理化学特性,从而在较大程度上影响其与相关元素的界面反应性和环境地球化学行为.综述了纳米氧化物的尺寸对吸附、(还原)溶解、(催化)氧化、聚集和迁移等环境行为的影响,讨论了尺寸效应的作用机制,最后展望了环境中纳米金属氧化物尺寸效应有关的研究热点和方向.     

The combined toxicity and mechanism of multi-walled carbon nanotubes and nano copper oxide toward freshwater algae: Tetradesmus obliquus

Nanoparticles(NPs) are widely used for their special physical properties and released into the natural environment. When two types of NPs exist in the same environment, the presence of one type of NP may affect the properties of the other type of NP. This study investigated the toxic effects of multi-walled carbon nanotubes(MWCNTs) and copper oxide nanoparticles(Cu O NPs) on Tetradesmus obliquus. Both NPs had toxic effects on algae, and the toxic effects of MWCNTs were significantly stronger tha...     

Pure and Mg-doped self-assembled ZnO nano-particles for the enhanced photocatalytic degradation of 4-chlorophenol

A novel self-assembled pure and Mg doped ZnO nano-particles （NPs） were successfully synthesized by a simple low temperature co-precipitation method. The prepared photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, high resolution scanning electron mi- croscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and photoluminescence （PL） spectroscopy. The results indicated that the prepared photocatalysts showed high crystallinity with a uniform size distribution of the NPs. The degradation of cholorphenols is highly mandatory in today＇s scenario as they are affecting the environment adversely. Thus, the photocatalytic degradation of 4-chlorophenol （4-CP）, a potent endocrine disrupting chemical in aqueous medium was investigated by both pure and Mg-doped ZnO NPs under UV-light irradiation in the present study. The influence of the Mg content on the structure, morphology, PL character and photocatalytic activity of ZnO NPs were investigated systematically. Furthermore,the effect of different parameters such as 4-CP concentration, photocatalyst amount, pH and UV-light wavelength on the resulting photocatalytic activity was investigated.     

人工纳米颗粒对水生生物的毒性效应及其机制研究进展

随着纳米科技的飞速发展和纳米产品的普及,人工纳米颗粒(NPs)的生物毒性效应研究逐渐成为国内外关注的热点.以水环境和水生生物为对象,综述了近几年来NPs对水生生物的毒性效应、毒性机制等方面的研究进展.文中按NPs的分类总结了NPs对微生物、藻类、原生动物和鱼类等水生生物的毒性效应,着重论述了NPs的可能毒性机制及其与NPs的独特物理化学性质之间的关系,并在细胞和分子水平上探讨了NPs的摄取、跨膜运输等方面的可能机制.在自然水体中,NPs因其化学行为受水化学条件等影响而表现出不同于实验室研究中的生物毒性效应,本文也对这方面的研究进行了讨论和总结.最后分析了目前水生生物纳米毒性研究中的瓶颈和方法、技术方面的问题,并对以后应注重开展的研究进行了展望.     

Comparative toxicity of silver nanoparticles and silver ions to Escherichia coli

With the increase in silver(Ag)-based products in our lives, it is essential to test the potential toxicity of silver nanoparticles(Ag NPs) and silver ions(Ag ions) on living organisms under various conditions. Here, we investigated the toxicity of Ag NPs with Ag ions to Escherichia coli K-12 strain under various conditions. We observed that both Ag NPs and Ag ions display antibacterial activities, and that Ag ions had higher toxicity to E. coli K-12 strain than Ag NPs under the same concentrations. To understand the toxicity of Ag NPs at a cellular level, reactive oxygen species(ROS) enzymes were detected for use as antioxidant enzymatic biomarkers. We have also studied the toxicity of Ag NPs and Ag ions under various coexistence conditions including: fixed total concentration, with a varied the ratio of Ag NPs to Ag ions; fixed the Ag NPs concentration and then increased the Ag ions concentration; fixed Ag ions concentration and then increasing the Ag NPs concentration.Exposure to Ag NPs and Ag ions clearly had synergistic toxicity; however, decreased toxicity(for a fixed Ag NPs concentration of 5 mg/L, after increasing the Ag ions concentration) to E. coli K-12 strain. Ag NPs and Ag ions in the presence of L-cysteine accelerated the bacterial cell growth rate, thereby reducing the bioavailability of Ag ions released from Ag NPs under the single and coexistence conditions. Further works are needed to consider this potential for Ag NPs and Ag ions toxicity across a range of environmental conditions.Environmental Significance Statement: As silver nanoparticles(Ag NPs)-based products are being broadly used in commercial industries, an ecotoxicological understanding of the Ag NPs being released into the environment should be further considered. Here, we investigate the comparative toxicity of Ag NPs and silver ions(Ag ions) to Escherichia coli K-12 strain, a representative ecotoxicological bioreporter. This study showed that toxicities of Ag NPs and Ag ions to E. coli K-12 strain display different relationships when existing individually or when coexisting, and in the presence of L-cysteine materials. These findings suggest that the toxicology research of nanomaterials should consider conditions when NPs coexist with and without their bioavailable ions.     

基于FastICA算法的大气监测电子鼻设备的研究探讨

电子鼻是一种由具有部分选择性的化学传感器阵列和适当的模式识别系统组成,能识别简单或复杂气味的仪器,它模拟人的嗅觉系统,检测、分析、识别气味成分,广泛应用于现场污染源排放监测、突发事故现场的应急检测、作业场所安全监测和分析、污染气监测和分析。本设计由气体传感器阵列进行实时实地测量,由DSP芯片进行数据处理,采用盲源分离（BSS）原理,利用独立分量分析（ICA）算法分离出混合前的多个独立信号。便携式电子鼻由于其成本低、易携带、通用性好、能现场即时检测等特点在大气监测领域将会有广阔的应用前景。     

Effects of silica nanoparticles on growth and photosynthetic pigment contents of Scenedesmus obliquus

To assess the aquatic ecosystem safety for silica (SiO2) nanoparticles (NPs), the growth inhibition and photosynthetic pigment contents of Scenedesmus obliquus in logarithm growth phase exposed to SiO2 NPs and SiO2 bulk particles (BPs) suspensions were measured. SiO2 NPs with 10-20 nm diameters were found to be toxic. The 20% effective concentration (EC20) values for 72 and 96 hr were 388.1 and 216.5 mg/L, respectively. The contents of chlorophyll decreased significantly under moderate and high concentratio...     

持久性、迁移性和潜在毒性化学品环境健康风险与控制研究现状及趋势分析

持久性、迁移性、毒性或高持久和高迁移性化学品(PMT/vPvM)在全球地表水、地下水和饮用水水体已被广泛检出,是未来可能显著影响人类健康和环境的一类重要新兴污染物.按照欧盟提议的鉴别标准,现有化学品中的PMT/vPvM数以千计,涉及用途广泛,包括三聚氰胺等数10种较高产量的工业化学品.PMT/vPvM可通过农田径流、工业废水和生活污水排入环境,污水处理厂目前被认为是其主要排放途径.因难以被现行常规水处理技术有效去除,PMT/vPvM可长期存在于城镇人居环境水循环系统中,危及居民饮用水及生态系统安全.欧盟已率先开始将PMT/vPvM专门纳入现行化学品风险管理体系中的优先范畴.目前,环境中仍有众多潜在PMT/vPvM,其监测方法亟待进一步完善,物质鉴定、类别范围及清单建立均尚需时日;PMT/vPvM在全球各地区的环境分布和暴露研究十分有限,其潜在、长期的生态毒性和人体健康危害效应研究较为匮乏.与此同时,替代品或替代技术以及污水处理、污染场地修复等环境工程治理技术的研究和开发,都将成为未来PMT/vPvM风险科学研究与管理决策的迫切需求.     

Assessing the effect of different natural dissolved organic matters on the cytotoxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles with bacteria

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles(TiO_2 NPs) are among the most widely manufactured nanomaterials on a global scale. However, prudent and vigilant surveillance, incumbent upon the scientific community with the advent of new technologies, has revealed potentially undesirable effects of TiO_2 NPs on biological systems and the natural environment during their application and discharge. Such effects are likely best evaluated by first assessing the fate of the TiO_2 NPs in natural environments. In this study, the effects of terrestrial humic acid(HA) and tannic acid(TA), two major members of the collective:dissolved organic matter(DOM), on the cytotoxicity of TiO_2 NPs to Escherichia coli were investigated in the presence and absence of natural sunlight. Qualitative(transmission electron microscopy(TEM)) and quantitative(LC50) analyses were employed in this study. In addition, the production of reactive oxygen species(ROS) in the form of UOH was further assessed—as HA or TA increased the production of ROS decreased. The inhibition of bacterial viability in the light treatment groups, with respective treatment organics at concentrations of 10 ppm, was less in TA than in terrestrial HA. SAS was used to analyze the treatment effect of individual factors of light irradiation, DOM, and concentration of TiO_2 NPs.     

溶出伏安法测定海水中铜、铅、锌、镉存在形态的研究进展

海水中痕量金属的存在形态决定其生物毒性及可利用性,直接影响其迁移及归宿,因此备受关注。然而海水基体复杂、痕量金属浓度极低、采样和分析过程易引入污染,所以针对海水中痕量金属及其存在形态的研究对采样以及测试分析技术要求较高。在众多的形态分析方法中,溶出伏安法将有效的富集手段和先进的测量技术结合在一起,具有灵敏度高、选择性好等优点,目前被广泛使用。国际上,针对痕量金属存在形态分析的溶出伏安法一直在不断更新发展,但目前我国在该领域的研究,无论在近岸还是大洋,还较为匮乏。本文将介绍目前国际上应用溶出伏安法测定海水中几种痕量金属(Cu,Pb,Zn,Cd)存在形态及其最新研究进展,以推动我国海洋科学界在该领域的认识和发展。     

环境中抗生素污染物的研究进展

最近的研究显示,在城市污水、表面水、土壤甚至食物中都检测到了不同种类抗生素的存在,抗生素在环境中的残留问题已经引起了研究者的关注。本文主要介绍了当前国内外抗生素的使用情况、来源,在环境中暴露途径、归趋和对生态的影响等方面的最新研究进展及存在问题,并提出了今后抗生素环境污染研究的主要方向。     

高大空间变动尘源污染治理方法

对于有变动尘源的高大厂房而言,采用全面通风不但运行费用高、耗能大,而且难以达到环保节能的要求。以高大厂房为背景,探讨运用等温水平射流进行空间隔断,对高大空间内的污染物分层分区处理的方法,尝试解决具有高大空间变动尘源特点的高大厂房通风除尘问题。     

新型磁性Mn0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4@CdS纳米复合光催化剂的制备及其吸附和光催化特性

以两步水(溶剂)热法制备了一种新型磁性Mn_(0.6)Zn_(0.4)Fe_2O_4@CdS纳米复合光催化剂,并采用X-射线衍射(XRD)、比表面(S_(BET))、扫描电镜-能谱(SEM-EDX)、紫外漫反射(UV-vis)、透射电镜(TEM)、磁滞回线(VSM)和价带能谱(VB-XPS)等手段对制备的铁氧体、CdS和复合材料进行了表征分析.结果发现,得到的材料元素含量与设计预期值吻合,纯相晶格参数与理论值匹配较高,特征峰证实复合材料中存在尖晶石铁氧体和CdS晶格;高分辨透射电镜(HR-TEM)分析表明,CdS有效地附着在铁氧体上,且在可见光区发生了红移.利用该材料对亚甲基蓝(MB)进行了暗室吸附和光催化活性的系统研究,结果表明,复合物吸附速率较快,适宜用Langmuir模型描述吸附平衡,最大吸附容量q_(max)高达79.6 mg·g~(-1);在测试的3个样品中,复合物光催化活性最高,经5次重复光催化实验,MB的降解率仍可保留在50%以上,且易磁分离回收;此外,通过自由基和空穴捕获实验、光致发光(PL)和电子顺磁共振(ESR)测试分析提出了MB降解机理.     

药物及个人护理品的污染现状、分析技术及生态毒性研究进展

随着医药及洗化行业的快速发展,PPCPs（pharmaceuticals and personal care products,药物及个人护理品）的生产和使用量增长迅速,已经成为自然环境中具有潜在生态风险的一类新型污染物.由于PPCPs在环境中浓度低、检测难度大、生态风险具有潜伏性,高灵敏度的定量检测方法已成为研究的热点.比较了文献中常用的不同预处理方法〔液液萃取（liquid liquid extraction,LLE）、固相萃取（solid phase extraction,SPE）、固相微萃取（solid phase micro extraction,SPME）、超声波溶剂萃取（ultrasonic solvent extraction,USE）、加压液相萃取（pressurized liquid extraction,PLE）、微波辅助溶剂萃取（microwave assisted solvent extraction,MASE）〕和检测方法〔GC/MS（气相色谱-质谱）、GC/MS/MS（气相色谱-双质谱）、HPLC/MS（高效液相色谱-质谱）、HPLC/MS/MS（高效液相色谱-双质谱）〕对地表水、沉积物、饮用水等不同介质中PPCPs检出限和检出浓度的异同,发现水样预处理常采用固相萃取法,其具有高回收和富集倍数、消耗有机溶剂少、省时等优点;固相样品预处理常采用超声溶剂萃取,其具有操作简单、适用性广等优点;HPLC/MS/MS检测方法具有广泛适用性,可检测大多数PPCPs,并且操作简单、灵敏度高.PPCPs会在水生生物体富集,并会表现出抑制酶活性、蛋白质及核酸合成、干扰藻类生长、影响动物活动等毒性效应.建议未来应加强环境中超低浓度PPCPs定量、定性分析技术的研发与应用,同时加强其环境风险研究,为揭示PPCPs的环境归趋行为提供技术支持.