The release of hazardous particulate organics is a consequence of the prevalent practice of burning incense in Asian cultures. The act of inhaling incense smoke can potentially cause adverse health effects, however, the exact molecular structures of intermediate and semi-volatile organic compounds in the smoke have not been sufficiently studied, hampered by limitations in the measurement techniques To provide a detailed characterization of the emission profile of incense smoke particles, we carried out a non-targeted measurement of organic emissions from incense combustion. Particles were captured by quartz filters, and a comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC×GC-MS) coupled with a thermal desorption system (TDS) facilitated the analysis of organics. Homologs within the intricate GC GC-MS data are primarily characterized through the synergistic utilization of selected ion chromatograms (SICs) and their corresponding retention indexes. Utilizing SIC values of 58, 60, 74, 91, and 97, respectively, allowed for the identification of 2-ketones, acids, fatty acid methyl esters, fatty acid phenylmethyl esters, and alcohols. A significant 65% (or 245%) portion of emission factors (EFs), specifically 961 g g-1, is attributed to phenolic compounds among various chemical classes. Heat-induced lignin decomposition largely accounts for the formation of these compounds. The smoke released during incense burning displays widespread detection of biomarkers, encompassing sugars (principally levoglucosan), hopanes, and sterols. The emission profiles are primarily shaped by the constituent materials of the incense, rather than the particular form of the incense. Across the entire volatility spectrum, our study meticulously details the emission profile of particulate organics released by burning incense, enabling its use in health risk assessments. Individuals new to non-target analysis, especially those working with GC-GC-MS data, may find the data processing methods described in this work particularly helpful.
Surface water, frequently contaminated by heavy metals, particularly mercury, is a global problem of growing importance. Developing nations' rivers and reservoirs are especially susceptible to this problem. The objective of this research was to examine the potential contamination effects of illegal gold mining operations on freshwater Potamonautid crabs, with the additional task of measuring mercury levels in 49 river sites differentiated across three land use categories: communal areas, national parks, and timber plantations. Field sampling, multivariate analysis, and geospatial tools were employed to quantify mercury concentrations relative to crab populations. Illegal mining activities were frequently observed in the three land use categories, resulting in the detection of mercury (Hg) at 35 locations (a notable 715%). Communal areas exhibited a mean Hg concentration range of 0-01 mg kg-1, while national parks and timber plantations exhibited ranges of 0-03 mg kg-1 and 0-006 mg kg-1, respectively, across all three land uses. In the national park, mercury (Hg) geo-accumulation index values indicated strong to extreme contamination. Correspondingly, communal areas and timber plantations displayed substantial contamination. Importantly, the enrichment factor for Hg in these regions showcased extremely high levels of enrichment. Amongst the crab species discovered in the Chimanimani region were Potamonautes mutareensis and Potamonautes unispinus; Potamonautes mutareensis displayed dominance in all three land use categories. Crab populations were significantly greater within national parks compared to communal and timber plantation areas. Total Potamonautid crab abundance exhibited a decline, negatively and significantly correlated with K, Fe, Cu, and B, but a surprising lack of influence was seen with other metals such as Hg, potentially due to their extensive contamination. The consequences of illegal mining were evident in the river system, causing a serious decline in crab numbers and a deterioration of their living environment. Ultimately, the research reveals the need for a decisive action to curb illegal mining in developing nations, as well as a unified effort from all stakeholders (such as governments, mining corporations, local communities, and civil society groups) to protect species that often receive little attention. Moreover, the pursuit of ending illegal mining and protecting understudied taxa corresponds with the ideals put forth in the SDGs (for example). Contributing to global efforts for sustainable development and biodiversity protection is SDG 14/15, encompassing life below water and life on land.
This research investigates the causal relationship between manufacturing servitization and the consumption-based carbon rebound effect, employing an empirical framework built upon value-added trade and the SBM-DEA model. By improving the servitization level, a significant decrease in the consumption-based carbon rebound effect of the global manufacturing industry can be anticipated. Beyond that, the principal means by which manufacturing servitization counters the consumption-based carbon rebound effect lie within human capital development and effective government management. Advanced manufacturing and developed economies exhibit a more substantial impact of manufacturing servitization, while the influence is less pronounced in manufacturing sectors possessing higher global value chain positions and lower export penetration. A key implication from these findings is that improvements in manufacturing servitization can effectively lessen the consumption-based carbon rebound and thereby contribute to meeting global carbon emission reduction targets.
Asian aquaculture often features the Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus), a cold-water species. Due to global warming's effect on the frequency of extreme weather events, Japanese flounder populations have experienced substantial adverse effects in recent years. Subsequently, a deep dive into the impact of increasing water temperatures on representative coastal economic fish stocks is vital. We investigated the histological and apoptotic response, oxidative stress, and transcriptomic profile of Japanese flounder livers, comparing gradual and abrupt temperature elevations. Protein Tyrosine Kinase inhibitor Histological analysis revealed the most severe damage in the ATR group liver cells compared to both other groups, encompassing vacuolar degeneration, inflammatory infiltration, and a higher apoptotic cell count determined by TUNEL staining, contrasting with the GTR group findings. YEP yeast extract-peptone medium ATR stress, as further indicated, resulted in more substantial damage than GTR stress. Biochemical analysis, performed on samples subjected to two types of heat stress compared to a control group, revealed substantial changes in serum indicators (GPT, GOT, and D-Glc) and liver markers (ATPase, Glycogen, TG, TC, ROS, SOD, and CAT). Japanese flounder liver's response to heat stress was investigated using RNA-Seq, with a focus on the underlying reaction mechanisms. The respective counts of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were 313 in the GTR group and 644 in the ATR group. Pathway enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) demonstrated that heat stress exerted a significant influence on cellular processes such as the cell cycle, protein processing and transport, DNA replication, and other biological functions. Analysis of KEGG and GSEA data revealed a strong enrichment of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein processing pathway. ATF4 and JNK expression increased significantly in both the GTR and ATR groups; in contrast, CHOP expression was elevated in the GTR group, whereas TRAF2 expression was notably upregulated in the ATR group. In summation, heat stress is implicated in the development of liver tissue damage, inflammation, oxidative stress, and endoplasmic reticulum stress in Japanese flounder. Hepatoblastoma (HB) This research endeavors to unravel the adaptive strategies employed by economically valuable fish populations in coping with the escalating water temperatures induced by global warming, offering insights into their reference points.
Water bodies often contain parabens, which may pose a potential risk to aquatic life and potentially human health. Despite significant progress in photocatalytic degradation of parabens, the considerable Coulombic interactions between electrons and holes continue to hinder photocatalytic performance. Therefore, a modified graphitic carbon nitride, designated as AcTCN, was created and deployed to eliminate parabens from a true water environment. AcTCN's effect encompasses not only an amplified specific surface area and enhanced light absorption, but also the selective production of 1O2 through an energy-transfer-mediated oxygen activation process. The yield of AcTCN, at 102%, was 118 times greater than that of g-C3N4. Parabens removal by AcTCN showed remarkable variability, which was directly tied to the alkyl group's length. The rate constants (k values) of parabens were elevated in ultrapure water, compared to tap and river water, due to the absence of organic and inorganic compounds typically found in natural water sources. Identification of intermediates and theoretical computations have led to the proposition of two possible pathways for the photocatalytic breakdown of parabens. Theoretically, this study supports enhancing g-C3N4's photocatalytic performance for removing parabens from real-world water environments, as summarized.
Atmospheric methylamines are a class of highly reactive, organic, alkaline gases. Currently, the atmospheric numerical model's gridded emission inventories for amines are mostly determined by the amine/ammonia ratio method, while ignoring the air-sea exchange of methylamines, an oversight that simplifies the emission model. Insufficient research has been conducted on marine biological emissions (MBE), a key source of methylamines. The limitations of existing inventories constrain the use of numerical models to simulate amine behavior during compound pollution events in China. To build a more comprehensive gridded inventory of amines (monomethylamine (MMA), dimethylamines (DMA), and trimethylamines (TMA)), a more logical MBE inventory was formulated, integrating multiple data sources including Sea Surface Temperature (SST), Chlorophyll-a (Chla), Sea Surface Salinity (SSS), NH3 column concentration (NH3), and Wind Speed (WS). This was further assimilated with the anthropogenic emissions inventory (AE), using the amine/ammonia ratio method and the Multi-resolution Emission Inventory for China (MEIC).