Publications by authors named "Ningzheng Zhu"

Article Synopsis
  • Microplastics can gather microorganisms and form biofilms that boost the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and resistance genes (ARGs), making them a key area for research.
  • This study compared the transfer of ARGs between suspended bacteria and microplastic biofilms, finding that transfer rates were significantly higher (by 7.2-19.6 times) in biofilms, especially those on polyethylene microplastics.
  • Increased bacterial density in these biofilms leads to more interactions between bacteria, enhancing gene transfer capabilities and raising concerns about the spread of antibiotic resistance through microplastics in estuarine environments.
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Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large class of toxic contaminants. Nutrients are closely related to the ecological health of aquatic systems. Both have received widespread global attention.

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Phthalic acid esters (PAEs), a class of typical endocrine disruptors, have received considerable attention due to their widespread applications and adverse effects on biological health. In this study, 30 water samples, along the mainstream of the Yangtze River (YR), were collected from Chongqing (upper stream) to Shanghai (estuary) from May to June in 2019. The total concentrations of 16 targeted PAEs ranged from 0.

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In this study, Chlorella vulgaris, Ganoderma lucidum, and endophytic bacteria were co-cultivated with the stimulation of strigolactone analogs GR24 to prepare pellets. During the purification of biogas slurry and biogas, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were introduced to enhance the removal efficiencies of nutrients and CO. The results showed that both GR24 and MWCNTs affected the purification of biogas slurry and biogas.

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Organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) are among the most commonly used pesticides worldwide. However, these compounds pose a serious threat to aquatic environments. Here, thirty-seven pesticides and eight degradation products were determined in surface water samples from Tai Lake, East China, using a high-volume solid phase extraction technique (Hi-throat/Hi-volume SPE).

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The illegal disposal of industrial sewage sludge has caused serious environmental pollution. To develop identification technology of industrial sewage sludge based on the characteristic fingerprints is a promising method that is helpful to clarify the responsibility of illegal enterprises. In this study, heavy metal profiles of sewage sludge from industries (including printing and dyeing industry and other industries) and municipal sewage treatment plant located in eastern China were determined, and their performance of classification was evaluated by principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discrimination analysis (LDA).

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In this study, we reported the occurrence of eight organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) in the East China Sea. Forty samples were collected and analysed with a high volume solid phase extraction method (Hi-throat/Hi-volume SPE) in the early summer of 2020. All the target OPPs were detected in the surface water at one or more stations in the East China Sea, and the concentrations of ΣOPPs were in the range 0.

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Bisphenol A (BPA) is a well-known xenoestrogen, and UV/HO advanced oxidation process (AOP) is one of the most effective technologies to remove BPA from water. Using BPA spiked tap water, a batch-scale photochemical experiment was conducted to investigate whether BPA can pose a genotoxicity concern during the medium pressure (MP) UV/HO treatment and the post-chloramination. Samples at different UV exposure and post-chloramination durations were collected and analyzed by CALUX® gene reporter assays regarding estrogen receptor α (ERα) and p53 transcriptional activity.

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The logarithm of gas/particle (G/P) partition quotient (logK) has been found to have a linear relationship with logK (octanol-air partition coefficient) with slope m and intercept b and logP (subcooled liquid vapor pressure) with slope m and intercept b. In the sister paper of the present work, analytical equations to predict the slope m and intercept b based on logK and predict the slope m and intercept b based on logP are developed using steady state theory. In this work, the equations are evaluated using world-wide monitoring data (262 pairs for m and b values and 292 pairs for m and b values produced from more than 10,000 monitiring data worldwide) for selected seven groups of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polyclorinated biphenyl (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs), organochlorinated pesticides (OCPs), novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs), and other selected halogenated flame retardants.

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Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) raise public concern as emerging contaminants. The abundance and variation of 11 ARGs, intI1 and 16S rRNA gene were deciphered using quantitative PCR (qPCR) in two drinking water treatment systems that include river, wetland, drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) and tap water from the Yangtze River Delta. The influencing factors for ARG abundance in river water were also explored.

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Semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) are ubiquitous and toxic environmental pollutants, and have recently attracted much research attention. However, their occurrence in tapwater and the associated potential health risks have not been thoroughly studied. This work examined 26 household tapwater samples collected in 26 Chinese cities during August and September 2019.

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The gas/particle (G/P) partition of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) has been widely investigated and well documented, but rare at low temperature. In this study, seventy-four pairs of air samples in two sampling sites in northeastern China at a wide ambient temperature range of ~63 °C (-40 to +23 °C) were simultaneously collected in both gaseous and particulate phases and eighteen OCPs in these samples were measured and analyzed, among which, partition quotient (K) values for fifteen OCPs were determined. Seven models including those have never been used for OCPs were applied to predict the values of K, and the results were compared with the monitoring data for the fifteen OCPs.

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Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is considered to be an important medium for the transport and transformation of organic pollutants. This study attempted to comprehensively investigate polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) in a WWTP in Harbin, one of the main "Old Industrial Base" in China. The mean concentrations of the total PBDEs in the influent, effluent, and sludge were 152 ng/L, 16.

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The occurrence and fate of four cyclic (D3 to D6) and 10 linear (L5 to L14) siloxanes were investigated in influent and effluent wastewater, sludge from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), and surrounding air and soil within the WWTP in Harbin, Northeast China. The mean concentrations of total siloxanes in influent and effluent were 4780 and 997 ng/L and in excess sludge and aerobic sludge were 25.1 and 32.

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Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disrupting environmental chemical. Urinary concentrations of BPA were measured in samples collected nationwide from Chinese young adults. The geometric mean urinary concentration of BPA in Chinese young adults was 2.

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Phthalates are widely used in consumer products. People are frequently exposed to phthalates due to their applications in daily life. In this study, 14 phthalate metabolites were analyzed in 108 urine samples collected from Chinese young adults using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

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Levels of dechlorane plus (DP) and "DP-like" compounds were measured in indoor dust samples collected across China. The concentrations of ΣDP and "DP-like" compounds ranged from 0.35 to 1,000 ng g(-1) and<0.

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Benzophenone (BP)-type UV filters are commonly used in our daily life. 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy benzophenone (BP-3), 4-hydroxy benzophenone (4-HBP), 2,4-dihydroxy benzophenone (BP-1), 2,2',4,4'-tetrahydroxy benzophenone (BP-2) and 2,2'-dihydroxy-4-methoxy benzophenone (BP-8) were measured in urine samples from Chinese young adults. The results indicated that Chinese young adults were widely exposed to BP-3, BP-1, and 4-HBP, with the median concentrations of 0.

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Indoor environment is an important source of human exposure to several toxicants, such as brominated flame retardants. Indoor dust samples were collected in winter season in 2010, which covered 23 provinces across China, for the analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Concentrations of PBDEs (Σ14PBDEs) ranged from 8.

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Indoor environment is an important source of human exposure to several toxicants, such as brominated flame retardants. This study presents the concentrations of 22 Non-BDE brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) in 81 indoor dust samples from 23 provinces across China in the winter of 2010. The concentrations of ΣNBFRs ranged from 6.

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Indoor dust samples were collected across China in the winter of 2010 from 45 private domiciles and 36 public buildings. 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined by GC-MS. Total concentrations of PAHs ranged from 1.

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Fourteen indoor dust samples were collected in 2010 winter from four cities in Heilongjiang Province, China. Fourteen polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were identified and quantified. Concentration of the total 14 PBDEs ranged from 240 to 9,270 ng/g, with the median of 2,520 ng/g.

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Parabens are widely used as preservatives in foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. However, recent studies have indicated that high and systemic exposure to parabens can be harmful to human health. Although a few studies have reported urinary paraben levels in western countries, studies on paraben exposure in the Chinese population are limited.

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