Concentrations of cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel, lead, and zinc in agricultural soils at 32 sites in the Lihe River Watershed of the Taihu region, East China, and their potential ecological risks and possible sources were investigated. Enrichment factor analysis demonstrated enrichment in the order Cd > Pb > Zn > Cu > Ni > Cr. The potential ecological risk index and risk assessment code analyses indicated that, of the metals studied, Cd posed the most significant ecological risk in the study area. Statistical analyses, GIS mapping, and enrichment factor analysis suggested that Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn were derived mainly from anthropogenic sources, including agricultural, industrial, and vehicular emissions, while Cr and Ni were mainly from natural sources. Positive matrix factorization revealed that Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn were sourced from industrial and vehicular emissions (73.7%, 21.3%, 71.4%, 20.3%, 75.0%, and 62.2%, respectively), the agricultural sector (26.3%, 36.3%, 6.8%, 38.9%, 15.7%, and 6.9%, respectively), and parent materials (0%, 42.4%, 21.8%, 40.8%, 9.2%, and 30.9%, respectively). It was recommended that strategies be implemented to reduce industrial point-source pollution.

Background: Xyloglucan endotransglycosylase/hydrolases (XTH) can disrupt and reconnect the xyloglucan chains, modify the cellulose-xyloglucan complex structure in the cell wall to reconstruct the cell wall. Previous studies have reported that XTH plays a key role in the aluminum (Al) tolerance of tea plants (Camellia sinensis), which is a typical plant that accumulates Al and fluoride (F), but its role in F resistance has not been reported. Results: Here, 14 CsXTH genes were identified from C. sinensis and named as CsXTH1–14. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that CsXTH members were divided into 3 subclasses, and conserved motif analysis showed that all these members included catalytic active region. Furthermore, the expressions of all CsXTH genes showed tissue-specific and were regulated by Al³⁺ and F⁻ treatments. CsXTH1, CsXTH4, CsXTH6–8 and CsXTH11–14 were up-regulated under Al³⁺ treatments; CsXTH1–10 and CsXTH12–14 responded to different concentrations of F⁻ treatments. The content of xyloglucan oligosaccharide determined by immunofluorescence labeling increased to the highest level at low concentrations of Al³⁺ or F⁻ treatments (0.4 mM Al³⁺ or 8 mg/L F⁻), accompanying by the activity of XET (Xyloglucan endotransglucosylase) peaked. Conclusion: In conclusion, CsXTH activities were regulated by Al or F via controlling the expressions of CsXTH genes and the content of xyloglucan oligosaccharide in C. sinensis roots was affected by Al or F, which might finally influence the elongation of roots and the growth of plants.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a typical endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) used worldwide. Considering its adverse effects, BPA has been banned or strictly restricted in some nations, and many analogs have been introduced to the market. In this study, we selected three representative substitutes, BPS, BPF, and BPAF, along with BPA, to assess the developmental and reproductive effects on Daphnia magna. The F0 generation was exposed to bisphenols (BPs) at an environmentally relevant concentration (100 μg/L) for 21 d; then the embryo spawn at day 21 was collected. Behavior traits, the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and gene transcription were evaluated at three developmental stages (days 7, 14, and 21). Notably, body length, heart rate, and thoracic limb beating were significantly decreased, and D. magna behaved more sluggishly in the exposed group. Moreover, exposure to BPs significantly increased the antioxidant enzymatic activities, which indicated that BPs activated the antioxidant defense system. Additionally, gene expression indicated intergenerational effects in larvae, particularly in the BPAF group. In conclusion, BPA analogs such as BPF and BPAF showed similar or stronger reproductive and developmental toxicity than BPA in D. magna. These findings collectively deepen our understanding of the toxicity of BPA analogs and provide empirical evidence for screening safe alternatives to BPA.