Mallingforsyth0020

Due to the characteristics of both rare earth elements (REEs) and nanoparticles (NPs), Y2O3 NPs have been widely used in the fields of medicine, military industry, and agriculture, especially in the areas of electricity, light, magnetism, and catalysis. Given this widespread use, it is inevitable that Y2O3 NPs and soluble Y3+ will enter bodies of water through the processes involved in their preparation, application, and disposal. We sought to investigate the toxicities of Y2O3 NPs and Y3+ ions on rice seedlings (Oryza sativa L.), as well as the uptake and distribution of Y2O3 NPs under hydroponic conditions. Our results indicated that Y2O3 NPs and released Y3+ had no significant effect on the germination rate of rice. However, high concentrations of Y2O3 NPs (50 and 100 mg/L) delayed seed germination. As for rice root elongation, low concentrations (1, 5, and 10 mg/L) of Y2O3 NPs had a positive effect. Notably, when Y2O3 NPs concentration reached 20 mg/L and higher, root elongation was significantly inhibited. According to the physiological and biochemical characteristics of rice seedlings under Y stress, Y2O3 NPs ranging from 20 to 100 mg/L significantly reduced chlorophyll contents and root activity. Using ICP-MS and TEM analyses, Y2O3 NPs and Y3+ were shown to be mainly absorbed and accumulated in the roots. With Y2O3 NPs exposure, the Y transport coefficient from the roots to the shoots of rice was 1.94-7.55%. Comparatively, Y3+ ions had an insignificant effect on plant growth, with the phytotoxicity of Y being mainly produced by Y2O3 NPs.Brazil is the largest producer of sugarcane, a crop largely dependent on chemical control for its maintenance. The insecticide fipronil and herbicide 2,4-D stand out among the most commonly used pesticides and, therefore, environmental consequences are a matter of concern. The present study aimed to investigate the toxicity mechanisms of Regent® 800 WG (a.i. fipronil) and DMA® 806 BR (a.i. 2,4-D) pesticides using forced and non-forced exposures through an integrative approach firstly, to assess whether contamination by fipronil and 2,4-D can trigger the avoidance behavior of the fish Danio rerio (zebrafish) and Hyphessobrycon eques (serpae tetra or mato-grosso). Additionally, the effects on fish were analyzed considering the swimming behavior together with a biomarker of neurotoxicity, the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). In avoidance tests with pesticide gradients, D. see more rerio avoided the highest concentrations of the two compounds and H. eques avoided only the highest concentration of 2,4-D. The swimming behavior (distance moved) was reduced and AChE was inhibited when D. rerio was exposed to fipronil. The 2,4-D affected the swimming (maximum speed) of H. eques, but AChE was not altered. Avoidance response seemed not to have been affected by possible effects of contaminants on swimming behavior and Ache activity. This study showed the importance of knowing the avoidance capacity, swimming behavior and neurotoxic effects of pesticides on fish in an integrated and realistic context of exposure in environments contaminated with pesticides and can be useful as ecologically relevant tools for ecological risk assessment.236U has attracted more attention as an environmental tracer in recent years. However, in-depth study of 236U in terrestrial environments is still rare in China. Data on 236U and 137Cs concentrations in soil and road dust samples collected from Beijing and Zhangjiakou, China were obtained to demonstrate the background and distinct characteristics of anthropogenic 236U and 137Cs. 236U and 137Cs were detected in the range of (1.10-7.90) × 107 atoms g-1 and below the method limits of detection to 5.30 Bq kg-1. A clear characteristic was observed in road dust, where 236U concentrations increased with decreasing of sample particle size. Soil samples showed an irregular characteristic, but the highest 236U concentrations were observed in particle size fraction of less then 0.053 mm in both samples. This phenomenon was caused by U chemical properties, higher specific surface areas and organic compounds in fine particles. Anthropogenic radionuclides fingerprint characteristics in less then 0.053 mm samples were specially discussed. 236U/238U atom ratios were detected in the range of (0.627-3.38) × 10-8. A weak correlation between anthropogenic 236U and natural U isotopes were observed. The intermediate correlation between 236U and 137Cs indicated somewhat distinct migration behavior of these two radionuclides in soil after release to the environment. The released amount of 236U from global fallout during the period of atmospheric nuclear weapons testing was roughly estimated to be 1300 ± 448 kg. These results could be used as fingerprint information for anthropogenic 236U migration behavior and tracer application in environment.Arsenic (As) and selenium (Se) pollution caused by coal combustion is receiving increasing concerns. The environmental impacts of As/Se are determined not only by stack emission but also by leaching process from combustion byproducts. For a better control of As/Se emission from As/Se-enriched coal combustion, this study investigated the migration and emission behavior of As/Se in a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) power plant equipped with fabric filter (FF) and wet flue gas desulfurization (WFGD) system. The results demonstrated that arsenic was both enriched in bottom ash (41.4-47.6%) and fly ash (52.4-58.6%), while selenium was mainly captured by fly ash (73.9-83.4%). Limestone injection into furnace promoted As/Se retention in ash residues. Arsenic was mainly converted into arsenate in high-temperature regions and partly trapped in bottom ash as arsenite. In contrast, selenium capture mainly occurred in low-temperature flue gas by the formation of selenite, because of the poor thermal stability of most selenite. Triplet-tank method can totally remove arsenic in WFGD wastewater. And 18.4-58.7% of selenium was removed, resulting from the precipitation of Se4+ anions with highly soluble Se6+ anions remaining in wastewater. The concentrations of As and Se in the stack emission were 0.25-1.02 and 0.96-2.24 μg/m3, receptively. The CFB boiler equipped with FF + WFGD was shown to provide good control of the As/Se emission into the atmosphere. Leaching tests suggested that more attention should be paid to As leachability from fly ash/gypsum, and Se leachability from gypsum/sludge.