Aging-independent and size-dependent genotoxic response induced by titanium dioxide nanoparticles in mammalian cells

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles(TiO_2 NPs) are subjected to various transformation processes(chemical, physical and biological processes) in the environment, potentially affecting their bioavailability and toxic properties. However, the size variation of TiO_2 NPs during aging process and subsequent effects in mammalian cells are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to illustrate the adverse effects of TiO_2 NPs in different sizes(5, 15 and 100 nm) during aging process on human-hamster hybrid(A_L) cells. There was an aging-time dependent enhancement of average hydrodynamic size in TiO_2 NPs stock suspensions. The cytotoxicity of fresh TiO_2 NPs increased in a size-dependent manner; in contrast, their genotoxicity decreased with the increasing sizes of NPs. No significant toxicity difference was observed in cells exposed to either fresh or 60 day-aged TiO_2 NPs. Both Fresh and aged TiO_2 NPs efficiently induced mitochondrial dysfunction and activated Caspase-3/7 in a size-dependent manner.Using mitochondrial-DNA deficient(ρ~0) ALcells, we further discovered that mitochondrial dysfunction made significant contribution to the size-dependent toxicity induced by TiO_2 NPs during the aging process. Taken together, our data indicated that TiO_2 NPs could significantly induced the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in an aging time-independent and size-dependent manner, which were triggered by mitochondrial dysfunction. Our study suggested the necessity to include size as an additional parameter for the cautious monitoring of TiO_2 NPs disposal before entering the environment.     

“十三五”时期哈尔滨空气质量变化特征及影响因素分析

对"十三五"期间哈尔滨市空气质量状况、变化特征及影响因素进行分析,为哈尔滨市打赢蓝天保卫战提供科学参考。以哈尔滨市为研究区域,基于哈尔滨市12个国控监测点位监测结果,对"十三五"期间哈尔滨市环境空气质量优良天数及6项污染物进行分析,总结了环境空气质量变化特征及影响因素。结果表明:"十三五"期间,哈尔滨市环境空气质量呈现波动向好趋势,较"十二五"期间大幅改善,除细颗粒物外,其他指标已稳定达二级标准,臭氧成为仅次于细颗粒物的首要污染物,冬季燃煤污染是环境空气最主要的污染来源,秋季秸秆焚烧及春季清除秸秆根茬也会产生一定影响。     

In search of a unifying criterion for meandering systems: examples from natural and built environments

Environmental Fluid Mechanics - Meandering of river systems has been attributed to erosion and deposition of sediments along river banks, yet a universal cause of the instability has not been...     

Activation of cadmium under simulated solar illumination and its impact on the mobility of Cd in flooded soils

In waterlogged paddy soils, cadmium (Cd) can be precipitated as cadmium sulfide (CdS) under reductive environment, thereby limiting the absorption of Cd by plants. Multiple environmental factors (such as water, pH, and Eh) played a role in the control of Cd mobility and bioavailability. In this study, we investigated the influence of the solar irradiation on the photodissolution of synthetic CdS-montmorillonite composites (CdS-M) in solution and the stability of Cd in natural soil. The release kinetic of Cd²⁺ showed that after the irradiation of simulated sunlight, CdS-M composites became less stable compared to the dark control. The solar irradiation seemed to enhance the release of Cd²⁺ from CdS significantly and continuously. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and quenching experiments confirmed that the photogenerated holes, ?O₂^? and ?OH, were possibly involved in the photo-induced release of Cd²⁺, while the holes was primarily responsible for the reaction. Irradiation under alkaline solution or the presence of DOM, PO₄^3?, CO₃^2?, and urea markedly inhibited the photodissolution process of CdS. The photo-mediated activation of Cd was further confirmed in paddy soil under natural sunlight, with a nearly threefold increase in concentration of extractable Cd during the 15 days of irradiation. This study highlights the importance of photochemical transformation of Cd in the environmental water and soil.

     

What attributes of mandatory waste management policy can enhance the separation intention of residents in China? A behaviour choice experiment

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - China is facing a severe waste siege. Notwithstanding the several years of mandatory policy implementation, the residents’ waste separation...