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Toxics
Special Issues
Occurrence and Environmental Risks of Organic Pollutants in Aquatic Environment
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Occurrence and Environmental Risks of Organic Pollutants in Aquatic Environment

A special issue of Toxics (ISSN 2305-6304). This special issue belongs to the section "Ecotoxicology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 May 2025 | Viewed by 5251

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Chenglian Feng

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
Interests: ecotoxicology; environmental chemistry; risk assessment
Dr. Bingli Lei

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, College of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
Interests: PPCP; emerging environmental endocrine disruptors; bisphenol compounds; screening of typical environmental endocrine disruptors in water environment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Weiying Feng

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
Interests: water pollution; environmental pollution and control
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the industrialization and urbanization, a large number of organic pollutants are discharged into the water environment, posing potential risks to both the water ecosystem and human health. There are significant differences in their environmental behaviors and the potential risks of different types of pollutants. To assess the environment risks of these organic pollutants well, we first need to evaluate their occurrence, migration, and transformation behaviors in different environmental matrices. Nevertheless, numerous organic pollutants have been detected in aquatic environments; only a few of them are toxicologically evaluated, and different types of organic pollutants exhibit different molecular mechanisms of toxic effects. Hence, it is necessary to study the toxicity of more organic pollutants to humans and organisms and any associated molecular mechanisms. Furthermore, for some organic pollutants, they can easily accumulate in aquatic organisms due to their persistence and refractory properties, thereby complicating their toxicological mechanisms. Hence, a better understanding of the effects of organic pollutants in the water environment is required to provide comprehensive information and to support environmental managers in making decisions.

For this Special Issue, we seek manuscripts that will contribute to our knowledge of the occurrence and environmental risks of organic pollutants in the aquatic environment. Papers may include—but are not limited to—the toxicological effects and mechanisms of organic pollutants, the bioavailability and bioaccumulation of typical pollutants (such as organometals and organic pollutants) in aquatic ecosystems, ecological risk assessments and human health impact evaluations on organic pollutants, distribution, and the migration and transformation behaviors of organic pollutants.

Authors are invited to submit original research papers, reviews, and short communications. We would also welcome the submission of commentaries, reviews, and meta-analyses.

Dr. Chenglian Feng
Dr. Bingli Lei
Dr. Weiying Feng
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Toxics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • organic pollutants
  • aquatic environment
  • risk assessment
  • toxicology
  • migration and transformation behaviors
  • toxic effects
  • environmental exposure

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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24 pages, 1210 KiB  
Article
Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances, and Organophosphate Flame Retardants in the Upper Yangtze River: Occurrence, Spatiotemporal Distribution, and Risk Assessment
by Wen Sun, Zhiyou Fu, Yueyue Liu, Yingchen Bai, Yuyan Zhao, Chen Wang and Fengchang Wu
Toxics 2025, 13(2), 116; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13020116 (registering DOI) - 1 Feb 2025
Viewed by 81
Abstract
Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs), including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs), have raised global concerns due to their persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and toxicity. This study presents a comprehensive investigation of the occurrence, spatiotemporal distribution, potential sources, and the [...] Read more.
Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs), including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs), have raised global concerns due to their persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and toxicity. This study presents a comprehensive investigation of the occurrence, spatiotemporal distribution, potential sources, and the ecological and human health risks associated with 18 PFASs and 9 OPFRs in the surface waters of the upper Yangtze River, China. The water samples were collected from the main stream and five major tributaries (Min, Jinsha, Tuo, Jialing, and Wu Rivers) in 2022 and 2023. The total concentration of PFASs and OPFRs ranged from 16.07 to 927.19 ng/L, and 17.36 to 190.42 ng/L, respectively, with a consistently higher concentration observed in the main stream compared to the tributaries. Ultra-short-chain PFASs (e.g., TFMS) and halogenated OPFRs (e.g., TCPP) were the predominant compounds, likely originating from industrial discharges, wastewater effluents, and other anthropogenic sources. Ecological risk assessments indicated low-to-moderate risks at most sampling sites, with higher risks near wastewater discharge points. Human health risk evaluations suggested negligible non-carcinogenic risks but identified potential carcinogenic risks from OPFR exposure for adults at specific locations, particularly in Leshan city. This study highlights the importance of understanding the fate and impacts of PFASs and OPFRs in the upper Yangtze River, and provides valuable insights for developing targeted pollution control strategies and risk management measures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occurrence and Environmental Risks of Organic Pollutants in Aquatic Environment)
17 pages, 26606 KiB  
Article
The Effects of Disinfection Byproduct 2,6-Dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone on the Cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa: From the Perspectives of Biochemistry and Non-Targeted Metabolomics
by Tianqi Zhang, Zhaoyang Wang, Liang Wu, Chaonan Liu, Liang Meng, Fuxiang Tian, Meifang Hou, Haizhuan Lin and Jing Ye
Toxics 2025, 13(1), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13010064 - 17 Jan 2025
Viewed by 760
Abstract
2,6-Dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone (2,6-DCBQ) is an emerging chlorinated disinfection byproduct (DBP) in bodies of water. However, this compound poses an unknown toxic effect on cyanobacteria. In this study, the toxicological mechanisms of 2,6-DCBQ in Microcystis aeruginosa (M. aeruginosa) were investigated through physiological and [...] Read more.
2,6-Dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone (2,6-DCBQ) is an emerging chlorinated disinfection byproduct (DBP) in bodies of water. However, this compound poses an unknown toxic effect on cyanobacteria. In this study, the toxicological mechanisms of 2,6-DCBQ in Microcystis aeruginosa (M. aeruginosa) were investigated through physiological and nontargeted metabolomic assessments. The results show that 2,6-DCBQ inhibited the growth of M. aeruginosa, reduced its photosynthetic pigment and protein contents, increased the levels of reactive oxygen species, damaged the antioxidant defense system, and aggravated the cytomembrane. Meanwhile, 2,6-DCBQ stimulated the production and release of microcystin-LR (MC-LR) and altered the transcripts of genes associated with its synthesis (mcyA, mcyD) and transport (mcyH). In addition, nontargeted metabolomics of M. aeruginosa cells exposed to 0.1 mg/L 2,6-DCBQ identified 208 differential metabolites belonging to 10 metabolic pathways and revealed the considerable interference caused by 2,6-DCBQ among ABC transporters, the two-component system, and folate biosynthesis. This study deepens the understanding of the physiological and nontargeted metabolomic responses of M. aeruginosa exposed to 2,6-DCBQ, offers insights into the toxic effect of 2,6-DCBQ on M. aeruginosa, and provides a theoretical basis for the ecological risk assessment of emerging DBPs in accordance with water quality criteria. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occurrence and Environmental Risks of Organic Pollutants in Aquatic Environment)
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18 pages, 1972 KiB  
Article
Distribution of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Pesticides in Danjiangkou Reservoir and Evaluation of Ecological Risk
by Ruiwen Li, Hao Pang, Yemin Guo, Xuan Zhou, Kaiyu Fu, Taotao Zhang, Jian Han, Lihua Yang, Bingsheng Zhou and Si Zhou
Toxics 2024, 12(12), 859; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12120859 - 27 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 628
Abstract
The Danjiangkou Reservoir is the largest artificial freshwater lake in Asia. This study investigated the spatiotemporal distribution of pesticides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Danjiangkou Reservoir to assess the ecological and human health risks associated with these pollutants. Twenty-three sampling sites [...] Read more.
The Danjiangkou Reservoir is the largest artificial freshwater lake in Asia. This study investigated the spatiotemporal distribution of pesticides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Danjiangkou Reservoir to assess the ecological and human health risks associated with these pollutants. Twenty-three sampling sites in the Danjiangkou Reservoir each collected 23 surface water samples and 23 sediment samples. These samples were analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), combined with risk quotient methods and health risk assessment models. The results indicated that the total concentration of PAHs (ΣPAHs) in the surface water ranged from 64.64 to 868.23 ng/L (average 217.97 ± 184.97 ng/L), and they primarily consisted of low molecular weight PAHs, with the compounds with the highest concentrations being naphthalene (10.43–116.97 ng/L), fluorene (22.74–87.61 ng/L), and phenanthrene (26.54–162.86 ng/L). The total concentration of pesticides in the surface water varied between 2.62 and 72.89 ng/L (average 22.99 ± 18.27 ng/L). In the sediment samples, the ΣPAH concentration ranged from 0.01 to 2.93 ng/g (average 0.69 ± 0.94 ng/g), and these predominantly consisted of high molecular weight PAHs, while pesticide concentrations ranged from non-detectable (nd) to 28.46 ng/g (average 7.99 ± 8.53 ng/g), with higher concentrations of malathion (0.62–9.16 ng/g) and chlorpyrifos (10.01–21.38 ng/g). Through risk assessment, it was found that although the risks posed by PAHs and pesticides to human health are very low, the ecological risk assessment indicated that certain PAHs (such as phenanthrene) and organophosphate pesticides (such as malathion and chlorpyrifos) may pose potential threats to aquatic organisms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occurrence and Environmental Risks of Organic Pollutants in Aquatic Environment)
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20 pages, 6000 KiB  
Article
DEHP-Induced Glioblastoma in Zebrafish Is Associated with Circadian Dysregulation of PER3
by Shuhui Men, Jiayun Xu, Zhanhong Yang and Zhenguang Yan
Toxics 2024, 12(12), 835; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12120835 - 21 Nov 2024
Viewed by 596
Abstract
DEHP is a plasticizer that is widely found in our water environment and poses a significant risk to the environment and human health. Long-term exposure to DEHP can cause endocrine disruption and interfere with the organism’s normal functioning. In order to explore the [...] Read more.
DEHP is a plasticizer that is widely found in our water environment and poses a significant risk to the environment and human health. Long-term exposure to DEHP can cause endocrine disruption and interfere with the organism’s normal functioning. In order to explore the potential effects of DEHP on the development of biological brain tissues, this study used bioinformatics analysis to confirm the diagnostic and prognostic value of PER3 in gliomas and further validated the neurotoxicity of DEHP using methods such as behavioral experiments and molecular biology in zebrafish. The experimental findings revealed that the expression level of PER3 in diseased tissues was significantly lower than that in the control group. In addition, the expression level of PER3 was significantly correlated with immune cell infiltration, immune checkpoint genes, and oncogenes. Moreover, the ROC curve analysis showed that PER3 could accurately differentiate between GBM tissues and adjacent normal tissues. To further validate the neurotoxicity of DEHP, we analyzed the effects of DEHP exposure on zebrafish development and PER3 expression by behavioral experiments and molecular biology. The results showed that exposure to DEHP substantially altered both the behavioral responses and the gene expression profiles within the brain tissues of zebrafish. PCR results indicate that the expression of circadian rhythm factor PER3 was significantly reduced in the brains of zebrafish in the exposed group, and circadian dysregulation had a certain promoting effect on the development of glioma. The aim of this work was to investigate the potential effects of DEHP contamination in a water environment on organism brain development. It was demonstrated that PER3 is an effective early diagnostic marker, which is of great significance in the diagnosis and clinical prognosis of glioma, and that DEHP exposure can lead to a significant reduction in PER3 expression in zebrafish brain tissue. This study further proved that DEHP has a potential carcinogenic effect, which adds scientific evidence to the carcinogenicity study of DEHP. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occurrence and Environmental Risks of Organic Pollutants in Aquatic Environment)
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Review

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15 pages, 3077 KiB  
Review
Progress and Prospects of Microplastic Biodegradation Processes and Mechanisms: A Bibliometric Analysis
by Yingnan Cao, Jing Bian, Yunping Han, Jianguo Liu, Yuping Ma, Weiying Feng, Yuxin Deng and Yaojiang Yu
Toxics 2024, 12(7), 463; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12070463 - 26 Jun 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2424
Abstract
In order to visualize the content and development patterns of microplastic biodegradation research, the American Chemical Society (ACS), Elsevier, Springer Link, and American Society for Microbiology (ASM) were searched for the years 2012–2022 using Citespace and VOSvivewer for bibliometrics and visual analysis. The [...] Read more.
In order to visualize the content and development patterns of microplastic biodegradation research, the American Chemical Society (ACS), Elsevier, Springer Link, and American Society for Microbiology (ASM) were searched for the years 2012–2022 using Citespace and VOSvivewer for bibliometrics and visual analysis. The biodegradation processes and mechanisms of microplastics were reviewed on this basis. The results showed a sharp increase in the number of publications between 2012 and 2022, peaking in 2020–2021, with 62 more publications than the previous decade. The University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Northwest A&F University (NWAFU), and Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) are the top three research institutions in this field. Researchers are mainly located in China, The United States of America (USA), and India. Furthermore, the research in this field is primarily concerned with the screening of functional microorganisms, the determination of functional enzymes, and the analysis of microplastic biodegradation processes and mechanisms. These studies have revealed that the existing functional microorganisms for microplastic biodegradation are bacteria, predominantly Proteobacteria and Firmicutes; fungi, mainly Ascomycota; and some intestinal microorganisms. The main enzymes secreted in the process are hydrolase, oxidative, and depolymerization enzymes. Microorganisms degrade microplastics through the processes of colonization, biofilm retention, and bioenzymatic degradation. These studies have elucidated the current status of and problems in the microbial degradation of microplastics, and provide a direction for further research on the degradation process and molecular mechanism of functional microorganisms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occurrence and Environmental Risks of Organic Pollutants in Aquatic Environment)
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