Establishing ozone flux–response relationships for winter wheat: Analysis of uncertainties based on data for UK and Polish genotypes

The work outlined in this paper had three objectives. The first was to explore the effects of ozone pollution on grain yield and quality of commercially-grown winter wheat cultivars. The second was to derive a stomatal ozone flux model for winter wheat and compare with those already developed for spring wheat. The third was to evaluate exposure- versus flux–response approaches from a risk assessment perspective, and explore the implications of genetic variation in modelled ozone flux.Fifteen winter wheat cultivars were grown in open-top chambers where they were exposed to four levels of ozone. During fumigation, stomatal conductance measurements were made over the lifespan of the flag leaf across a range of environmental conditions. Although significant intra-specific variation in ‘ozone sensitivity’ (in terms of impacts on yield) was identified, yield was inversely related (R² = 0.63, P < 0.001) to the accumulated hourly averaged ozone exposure above 40 ppb during daylight hours (AOT40) across the dataset. The adverse effect of ozone on yield was principally due to a decline in seed weight. Algorithms defining the influence of environmental variables on stomatal uptake were subtly different from those currently in use, based on data for spring wheat, to map ozone impacts on pan-European cereal yield. Considerable intra-specific variation in phenological effects was identified. This meant that an ‘average behaviour’ had to be derived which reduced the predictive capability of the derived stomatal flux model (R² = 0.49, P < 0.001, 15 cultivars included). Indeed, given the intra-specific variability encountered, the flux model that was derived from the full dataset was no better in predicting O₃ impacts on wheat yield than was the AOT40 index. The study highlights the need to use ozone risk assessment tools appropriate to specific vegetation types when modelling and mapping ozone impacts at the regional level.     

Economic assessment of the negative impacts of ozone on crop yields and forest production. A case study of the estate Ostads Säteri in southwestern Sweden

Ground level ozone concentrations, in combination with the prevailing climate, at the estate Ostads S?teri in southwestern Sweden were estimated to reduce the yield of wheat and potato ranging between 5% and 10%. Occasionally, in years with the highest ozone concentrations and/or climatic conditions favoring high rates of ozone uptake to the leaves, yield loss levels above 10% may occur. Based on simple extrapolation, these ozone-induced reductions of crop yields at Ostads S?teri represent a potential total annual yield loss in Sweden in the range of 24.5 million Euro for wheat and 7.3 million Euro for potato, respectively. A simulation of forest growth at Ostad S?teri predicted that prevailing mean ozone exposure during 1993-2003 had the potential to reduce forest growth by 2.2% and the economic return of forest production by 2.6%. Using this value for extrapolation to the national level, the potential annual economic loss for Sweden due to negative impacts of ozone on forest production would be in the range of 56 million Euro (2004 prices).     

Measuring, modelling and testing ozone exposure, flux and effects on vegetation in southern European conditions--what does not work? A review from Italy

Ozone (O3) exposure at Italian background sites exceeds UN/ECE concentration-based critical levels (CLe(c)), if expressed in terms of AOT40. Yet the occurrence of adverse effects of O3 on forests and crops is controversial. Possible reasons include (i) ability of response indicators to provide an unbiased estimate of O3 effects, (ii) setting of current CLe(c) in terms of cut-off value and accumulation level, (iii) response functions adopted to infer a critical level, (iv) environmental limitation to O3 uptake and (v) inherent characteristics of Mediterranean vegetation. In particular, the two latter points suggest that critical levels based on accumulated stomatal flux (CLe(f)) can be a better predictor of O3 risk than CLe(c). While this concept is largely acknowledged, a number of factors may limit its applicability for routine monitoring. This paper reviews levels, uptake and vegetation response to O3 in Italy over recent years to discuss value, uncertainty and feasibility of different approaches to risk assessment.     

Noise exposure and risk of myocardial infarction incidence and mortality: a dose–response meta-analysis

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The strength and shape of the dose–response relationship between different types of noise and myocardial infarction (MI) remain unclear....     

A review of plant–pharmaceutical interactions: from uptake and effects in crop plants to phytoremediation in constructed wetlands

Pharmaceuticals are commonly found both in the aquatic and the agricultural environments as a consequence of the human activities and associated discharge of wastewater effluents to the environment. The utilization of treated effluent for crop irrigation, along with land application of manure and biosolids, accelerates the introduction of these compounds into arable lands and crops. Despite the low concentrations of pharmaceuticals usually found, the continuous introduction into the environment from different pathways makes them ‘pseudo-persistent’. Several reviews have been published regarding the potential impact of veterinary and human pharmaceuticals on arable land. However, plant uptake as well as phytotoxicity data are scarcely studied. Simultaneously, phytoremediation as a tool for pharmaceutical removal from soils, sediments and water is starting to be researched, with promising results. This review gives an in-depth overview of the phytotoxicity of pharmaceuticals, their uptake and their removal by plants. The aim of the current work was to map the present knowledge concerning pharmaceutical interactions with plants in terms of uptake and the use of plant-based systems for phytoremediation purposes.     

Development and application of LC–APCI–MS method for biomonitoring of animal and human exposure to imidacloprid

Imidacloprid (IMI) is a relatively new neuro-active neonicotinoid insecticide and nowadays one of the largest selling insecticides worldwide. In the present study a LC–APCI–MS based method was developed and validated for the quantification of imidacloprid and its main metabolite 6-chloronicotinic acid (6-CINA) in urine and hair specimens. The method was tested in biomonitoring of intentionally exposed animals and subsequently applied for biomonitoring of Cretan urban and rural population.     

Does interspecific competition alter effects of early season ozone exposure on plants from wet grasslands? Results of a three-year experiment in open-top chambers

Chronic effects of ozone on wet grassland species early in the growing season might be altered by interspecific competition. Individual plants of Holcus lanatus, Lychnis flos-cuculi, Molinia caerulea and Plantago lanceolata were grown in monocultures and in mixed cultures with Agrostis capillaris. Mesocosms were exposed to charcoal-filtered air plus 25 nl l(-1) ozone (CF+25), non-filtered air (NF), non-filtered air plus 25 nl l(-1) ozone (NF+25) and non-filtered air plus 50 nl l(-1) ozone (NF+50) early in the growing seasons of 2000 through 2002. Ozone-enhanced senescence and visible foliar injury were recorded on some of the target plants in the first year only. Ozone effects on biomass production were minimal and plant response to ozone did not differ between monocultures and mixed cultures. After three years, above-ground biomass of the plants in mixed culture compared to monocultures was three times greater for H. lanatus and two to four times smaller for the other species.     

Spatiotemporal pattern of reference crop evapotranspiration and its response to meteorological factors in Northwest China over years 2000–2019

Agricultural irrigation water in Northwest China accounts for more than 80% of total local water consumption, which is 1.23 times that of China. However, Northwest China is the most water-scarce place in China. Water scarcity in restricts crop growth and production. Reference crop evapotranspiration (ET₀) is important for agricultural water management. Understanding the reason for ET₀ change is helpful to provide a basis for rational planning of agricultural irrigation systems to conserve water. This study investigated the temporal and spatial variation characteristics of ET₀ at 181 meteorological stations in Northwest China from 2000 to 2019. And the sensitive factors and dominant factors affecting ET₀ change were quantitatively identified based on sensitivity analysis and contribution rate evaluation. Results showed that (1) a significant increase in maximum and minimum temperature (T_max and T_min), a significant decrease in sunshine duration (SD) and relative humidity (RH), and a slight increase in wind speed at 10 m height (U₁₀) were observed. (2) Annual ET₀ had an insignificant increasing trend. Spring and autumn ET₀ contributed greatly to the growth of annual ET₀, especially in March, May, September, October, and November. ET₀ in HH (Yellow River Basin area) had decreased at annual scale, while other subregions were the opposite trend. Significant differences in monthly and seasonal changes in the spatial distribution of ET₀. (3) U₁₀ was the dominating contribution factor related to annual ET₀ variability, followed by T_min, RH, T_max, and SD. In seasonal time scale, T_min, SD, U₁₀, and RH were the most dominant factors in spring, summer, autumn, and winter respectively. (4) Spatial distribution for contribution rates of various meteorological factors showed significant diversity among various subregions. The positive contribution of U₁₀ was the major cause of the increase in ET₀ in semi-arid grassland area (BGH), the southwest of “Qice line” (QCXXN), and the southeast of “Qice line” (QCXDN); the significant increase in T_min contributed most in Qaidam Basin (CDM), Hexi inland river basin (HX), the northeast of “Qice line” (QCXDB), and the northwest of “Qice line” (QCXXB), while the contribution of decreasing SD offsets the positive effects of other factors, leading to the decrease in ET₀ in HH. Our work illustrates that water management measures should be different at different spatial and temporal scales. The effect of U₁₀ can be offset by covering, to reduce evaporation and maintain water in BGH, QCXXN, and QCXDN. And high-temperature resistant varieties are planted to adapt to temperature growth in CDM, HX, QCXDB, and QCXXB. Agricultural water management strategies should be formulated and selected according to local conditions.

     

A long-term study of background ozone concentrations in the central Mediterranean—diurnal and seasonal variations on the island of Gozo

A four and a half year study of ozone concentrations in the Central Mediterranean was carried out between January 1997 and August 2001 on a background monitoring station located on the island of Gozo midway between Southern Europe and North Africa.Seasonal and diurnal variations of background ozone are documented. They show the existence of seasonal cycles with a primary maximum in spring followed by a secondary, more variable maximum in summer which indicates that photochemically produced ozone is being transported over the Mediterranean to the rural island of Gozo. Although peak ozone concentrations seldom exceeded 100 ppbv during summer, the background ozone-mixing ratios (as monthly averages) are some of the highest values which can be found at low latitude sites throughout the world. An increasing trend in the annual background ozone concentration from 48.2 ppbv in 1997 to 52.2 ppbv in 2000 is observed. During wintertime the average ozone mixing-ratio (as monthly averages) of 44 ppbv in December is approximately twice as high as on the European continent. This may imply that on Malta, due to higher average ozone concentrations between autumn and spring (the main growing season), crop damage of high economic value may occur.     

The acute effects of fine particles on respiratory mortality and morbidity in Beijing, 2004–2009

Recent epidemiological and toxicological studies have shown associations between particulate matter and human health. However, the estimates of adverse health effects are inconsistent across many countries and areas. The stratification and interaction models were employed within the context of the generalized additive Poisson regression equation to examine the acute effects of fine particles on respiratory health and to explore the possible joint modification of temperature, humidity, and season in Beijing, China, for the period 2004–2009. The results revealed that the respiratory health damage threshold of the PM_2.5 concentration was mainly within the range of 20–60 μg/m³, and the adverse effect of excessively high PM_2.5 concentration maintained a stable level. In the most serious case, an increase of 10 μg/m³ PM_2.5 results in an elevation of 4.60 % (95 % CI 3.84–4.60 %) and 4.48 % (95 % CI 3.53–5.41 %) with a lag of 3 days, values far higher than the average level of 0.69 % (95 % CI 0.54–0.85 %) and 1.32 % (95 % CI 1.02–1.61 %) for respiratory mortality and morbidity, respectively. There were strong seasonal patterns of adverse effects with the seasonal variation of temperature and humidity. The growth rates of respiratory mortality and morbidity were highest in winter. And, they increased 1.4 and 1.8 times in winter, greater than in the full year as PM_2.5 increased 10 μg/m³.     

α-Amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitor effects and pancreatic response to diabetes mellitus on Wistar rats of Ephedra alata areal part decoction with immunohistochemical analyses

Ephedra alata, known as a medicinal plant in China, was used in this study as aqueous extract from aerial parts, for diabetes mellitus treatment. This study was carried out on two parts, in vitro, we tested the effect of the studied extract on the inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities, and in vivo on Wistar male rats receiving alloxan intraperitoneally at a rate of 125 mg/kg. Extract (100, 200, and 300 mg/kg of body weight) was administrated for 28 days by oral gavage. Blood glucose, amylase, lipase, and lipid profile level were determined. Oxidative stress was evaluated by enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and by estimation of lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl (PC) level. Histopathological changes in pancreas were investigated under photonic microscopy using immunohistochemical procedure. Our findings showed that aqueous extract inhibited in vitro both α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities and its use in vivo at 300 mg/kg of body weight restored pancreas weight and weight gain, ameliorated significantly (p ? 0.05) biochemical parameters; it prevented the increase in lipid and protein oxidation and the decrease in enzymatic and non-enzymatic defense system. Histological study of treated animals showed a comparable healed regeneration of beta cells.

     

Influence of the presence of ruthenium on the activity and stability of Co–Mg–Al-based catalysts in CO2 reforming of methane for syngas production

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Hydrogen production by methane dry reforming is an important yet challenging process. A performing catalyst will favor the thermodynamic equilibrium...     

Effects of long-term exposure to PM2.5 on years of life lost and expected life remaining in Ahvaz city,Iran (2008–2017)

Ambient air pollution is one of the most significant environmental problems, and many individuals around the world die each year prematurely from diseases caused by this type of pollution. PM_2.5 can transpire deep to the lungs and induce some dangerous health effects in humans. In this study, the health effects of long-term PM_2.5 were estimated on expected life remaining (ELR) and years of life lost (YLL) indices in Ahvaz city during the years 2008–2017 using the AirQ+ software developed by WHO. Values obtained from the PM_2.5 averaging, ELR, and YLL data were processed for the whole population in the age range of 0–64 and over 64. These values were entered into AirQ+ software. The mean annual concentration of PM_2.5 was highly variable, with the highest concentration being 70.72 μg/m³ in 2010 and the lowest 41.97 μg/m³ in 2014. In all studied years, the concentration of PM_2.5 with the variations between 4.2 to 7.07 times was higher than the WHO standard (10 μg/m³). Ahvaz city also did not experience any clean day during the 10-year period, and in 2010, there were 47 very unhealthy days and 27 dangerous days, i.e., the highest number of very unhealthy and dangerous days during the period. The results estimated that the highest and lowest YLL in the next 10 years for all ages groups would be 137,760.49 (2010) and 5035.52 (2014), respectively. Also, the ELR index was lower than the Iranian standard and EPA which was significantly correlated with the concentration of PM_2.5.

     

Foliar use of TiO2-nanoparticles for okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) cultivation on sewage sludge–amended soils: biochemical response and heavy metal accumulation

Considering its richness in organic and inorganic mineral nutrients, the recycling of sewage sludge (SS) is highly considered as a soil supplement in agriculture. However, the fate of hazardous heavy metal accumulation in the crops cultivated in SS amended soils is always a source of concern. Since nanoparticles are widely recognized to reduce heavy metal uptake by crop plants; thus, the present experiment deals with okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) cultivation under the combined application of SS and TiO₂-nanoparticles (NPs). Triplicated pot experiments were conducted using different doses of SS and TiO₂-NPs such as 0 g/kg SS (control), 50 g/kg SS, 50 g/kg SS?+?TiO₂, 100 g/kg SS, and 100 g/kg SS?+?TiO₂, respectively. The findings of this study indicated that among the doses of treatment combinations investigated, 100 g/kg SS?+?TiO₂ showed a significant (p?<?0.05) increase in the okra plant yield (287.87?±?4.06 g/plant) and other biochemical parameters such as fruit length (13.97?±?0.54 cm), plant height (75.05?±?3.18 cm), superoxide dismutase (SOD: 110.68?±?3.11 μ/mg), catalase (CAT: 81.32?±?3.52 μ/mg), and chlorophyll content (3.12?±?0.05 mg/g fwt.). Also, the maximum contents of six heavy metals in the soil and cultivated okra plant tissues (fruit, stem, and root regions) followed the order of Fe?>?Mn?>?Cu?>?Zn?>?Cr?>?Cd using the same treatment. Bioaccumulation and health risk assessment indicated that foliar application of TiO₂-NPs significantly reduced the fate of heavy metal accumulation under higher doses of SS application. Therefore, the findings of this study suggested that the combined use of SS and TiO₂-NPs may be useful in ameliorating the negative consequences of heavy metal accumulation in cultivated okra crops.

     

Exploratory analysis of the association between pyrethroid exposure and rheumatoid arthritis among US adults: 2007–2014 data analysis from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Previous studies indicate that pesticide use may play an important role in the occurrence and development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA); however,...     

Screening for potential effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in peri-urban creeks and rivers in Melbourne, Australia using mosquitofish and recombinant receptor–reporter gene assays

Sexually mature male mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) were collected from various sites around Melbourne in 2009 to evaluate the performance of gonopodial indices as a biomarker for endocrine disruption in Melbourne's waterways. The mosquitofish indices assessed were body length (BL), gonopodial length (GL)/BL ratio, ray 4:6 ratio and the absence or presence of hooks and serrae, and these varied between sites. The study was complemented by measurements of estrogenic, retinoid, thyroid and aryl hydrocarbon (AhR) receptor activities of the water. Male mosquitofish were 16.3–21.5 mm in length, and although there was a statistically significant positive relationship showing that bigger fish had longer gonopodia than small fish (r2 = 0.52, p < 0.001), there were few significant differences in GL/BL ratio of fish between sites. Measured estrogenic activity was mostly in the range 0.1–1.7 ng/L EEQ, with one site having much higher levels (~12 ng/L EEQ). Aryl hydrocarbon (AhR) receptor activity was observed in all water samples (7–180 ng/L βNF EQ), although there was no consistent pattern in the level of AhR activity observed, i.e., ‘clean’ sites were as likely to return a high AhR activity response as urban or wastewater treatment plant (WWTP)-impacted sites. There was no correlation between measurements of receptor actvity and gonopodial length (GL):BL ratio and BL. We conclude that the mosquitofish gonopodia only fulfills part of the criteria for biomarker selection for screening. The mosquitofish indices assessed were cheap and easy-to-perform procedures; however, there is no baseline data from the selected sites to evaluate whether differences in the morpholical indices observed at a site were a result of natural selection in the population or due to estrogenic exposure.     

Serum klotho and its associations with blood and urine cadmium and lead across various stages of glomerular function: data for US adults aged 40–79 years

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Exposures to cadmium and lead can cause oxidative stress, leading to tissue damage resulting in kidney and cardiovascular diseases. The antiaging...     

Heavy metal–induced stress in eukaryotic algae—mechanisms of heavy metal toxicity and tolerance with particular emphasis on oxidative stress in exposed cells and the role of antioxidant response

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Heavy metals is a collective term describing metals and metalloids with a density higher than 5&nbsp;g/cm3. Some of them are essential...     

Environmental assessment,microstructural behaviour,stress–strain characteristics,and effect of exposure to extreme temperature on sustainable concrete made with dolomite mining residues

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Mining and extraction of stones and minerals play a significant role in many countries economic growth in the world. The production of dolomite...