Wastewater-based Epidemiology for the Assessment of Human Exposure to Environmental Pollutants discusses wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) and its use in risk assessment and monitoring of human exposure to hazardous pollutants and pathogens. The book explores the health impacts of organic and inorganic pollutants from pesticides, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, phthalates, personal care products, and endocrine disruptors in the wastewater environment. The book examines the application of wastewater-based epidemiology in determining health risk and exposure to infectious diseases caused by viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, parasites, and bacteria. Other topics include detection techniques, sampling techniques, analytical methods, biomarkers, and the use of biosensors in wastewater-based epidemiology studies.
Contaminants of emerging concern in the marine environment: current challenges in marine pollution reviews the available data in relation to contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in the marine environment: main sources, transport pathways, distribution in seawater and sediments, bioaccumulation, and biological effects. Each chapter recaps the most relevant information about the main groups of CECs, describing the particularities and specificities of each group and focusing on the most relevant individual contaminants. CECs are not regulated substances, and therefore not considered in national and international monitoring programs, even though they may have a potential impact on the environment due to their continuous input, relative persistence, and/or toxicity. CECs are relevant not only in continental and coastal areas close to their main sources, but also in the open sea, because some of them are likely to be transported long distances through air deposition or absorbed into particulate material. The persistence of many degradable substances in the marine environment increases when they are absorbed into particulate material/sediments and/or when they are subjected to anaerobic conditions that slow down the degradation kinetic of many contaminants. Bioaccumulation of several CECs has been confirmed in different coastal organisms; however, in general, the information available (species and trophic levels considered) is very limited because most studies are mainly focused on specific coastal areas. This book offers useful information about not regulated contaminants that are not considered in international monitoring programs but have potential impacts in coastal and open-sea areas. Therefore reading the book will allow them to improve their view about the real impact of current-use contaminants in the marine environment.Â
Fiber Crop–Based Phytoremediation: Socio-economic and Environmental Sustainability provides an informative source of information on using fiber crops for phytoremediation. Phytoremediation is gaining attention globally due to ever-increasing numbers and areas of industrially polluted sites. The major challenge is to develop new and cost-effective solutions to decontaminate polluted sites. In this regard, plant-based remediation, especially using fiber crops, is a promising and cost-effective approach for environmental remediation on a large-scale due to its socio-economic and ecological sustainability. Furthermore, changing environmental conditions also cause various biotic and abiotic stresses in fiber crops and thereby negatively affect the fiber crop establishment, growth and yield.This book will be specifically important to these readers who need to be able to select specific fiber crop species according to site-specificity of the contaminated site.
Pesticides in the Natural Environment: Sources, Health Risks, and Remediation presents the direct and indirect impacts of the use of pesticides on the environment, human health, and agriculture. The book explores sustainable alternatives to pesticide use, along with policies for regulations and remediation techniques. Bridging the gap between regulations and the tangible environmental threat, the book proposes practical solutions while also providing important context on the hazards of pesticides. It highlights the influence on climate change, offering a holistic perspective for researchers in environmental science, policymakers, and land managers.The book introduces pesticides and their applications, then goes on to cover their impact on various ecosystems in the natural environment. Health risks are covered, followed by various remediation techniques, such as biological processes, phytoremediation, and chemical treatments.
The Exposome: A New Paradigm for the Environment and Health, Second Edition, is a thoroughly expanded and updated edition of The Exposome: A Primer, the first book dedicated to the topic. This new release outlines the purpose and scope of this emerging field of study, its practical applications, and how it complements a broad range of disciplines. The book contains sections on -omics-based technologies, newer detection methods, managing and integrating exposome data (including maps, models, computation and systems biology), and more. Both students and scientists in toxicology, environmental health, epidemiology and public health will benefit from this rigorous, yet readable, overview. This updated edition includes a more in-depth examination of the exposome, including full references, further reading and thought questions.
Environmental Metabolomics Applications in Field and Laboratory Studies: From the Exposome to the Metabolome presents an overview of the current state of aquatic environments and problems caused by human pressure and daily life. The presence of contaminants in nature and their effects are evaluated, along with recommendations for preservation. This book not only shows readers how to implement techniques, it also guides them through the process. As metabolomics becomes a more routine technique for environmental studies and future perspectives, a guide for validation and globalization of current approaches is needed.
Ecotoxicology, New Challenges and New Approaches provides the latest in new challenges for research in ecotoxicology. In six comprehensive chapters, the book deals with the long term effect of stressors on biological communities, the effect of pollutants on the chemical communication among organisms, the impact of multiple stressors and of emerging pollutants (microplastics), and at the use of new technologies (omics) in ecotoxicology.
Nanomaterials in Plants, Algae and Microorganisms: Concepts and Controversies: Volume 2 not only covers all the new technologies used in the synthesis of nanoparticles, it also tests their response on plants, algae and micro-organisms in aquatic ecosystems. Unlike most works in the field, the book doesn’t focus exclusively on the higher organisms. Instead, it explores the smaller life forms on which they feed. Topics include the impacts of plant development, how different nanoparticles are absorbed by biota, the impact different metals—including silver and rare earth metals—have on living organisms, and the effects nanoparticles have on aquatic ecosystems as a whole. As nanotechnology based products have become a trillion-dollar industry, there is a need to understand the implications to the health of our biota and ecosystems as the earth is increasingly inundated with these materials.
Multiple Stressors in River Ecosystems: Status, Impacts and Prospects for the Future provides a comprehensive and current overview on the topic as written by leading river scientists who discuss the relevance of co-occurring stressors for river ecosystems. River ecosystems are subject to multiple stressors that threaten their ecological status and the ecosystem services they provide. This book updates the reader’s knowledge on the response and management of river ecosystems to multi-stress situations occurring under global change. Detailing the risk for biodiversity and functioning in a case-study approach, it provides insight into methodological issues, also including the socioeconomic implications.
Nanomaterials in Plants, Algae and Microorganisms: Concepts and Controversies: Volume One discusses the vast amount of nanomaterials that have been released into the environment in a relatively short amount of time. There is a need to understand what the implications to the health of our biota and ecosystems are as the earth is increasingly inundated with these materials. Not all of the effects are negative, but their impacts are increasing exponentially due to their size, quantity and other factors.