This study investigated the treatment in the constructed Wuluo wetland, Taiwan, of 13 veterinary antibiotics, including five classes (tetracyclines, sulfonimides, chloramphenicol, fluoroquinolone, and dyes), five alkylphenolic compounds (nonylphenol di-ethoxylates [NP₂EO], nonylphenol mono-ethoxylates [NP₁EO], nonylphenol [NP], octylphenol [OP], and bisphenol A [BPA]), and three estrogens (17β-estradiol [E₂], estriol [E₃], and 17α-ethynylestradiol [EE₂]). The veterinary antibiotics oxytetracycline (OTC), ciprofloxacin (CIP), chloramphenicol (CAP), oxolinic acid (OXO), sulfamonomethoxine (SMM), and sulfadimethoxine (SDM) were detected in 7.1–96.4% of samples with concentrations varying widely from not detected to 552 ng/L. Removal efficiencies within different units of the wetland system exceeded 87% for OTC, CAP, SMM, and SDM, excluding those for IP and OXO, which were 72.1% and 43%, respectively. The other seven antibiotics (tetracycline [TC], enrofloxacin [ENR], chlortetracycline [CTC], sulfamerazine [SMR], sulfamethazine [SMZ], malachite green [MG], and leucomalachite green [LMG]) were all below detection limits in all samples. Additionally, detection rates were as follows: NP₁EO, 70.0%; NP₂EO, 70.0%; 4-n-NP, 72.9%; 4-OP, 50.0%; BPA, 81.3%; E₂, 52.1%; E₃, 57.1%; and EE₂, 31.3%. Concentrations of the alkylphenolic compounds were as follows: NP₁EO, ND-1092.7; NP₂EO, ND-643.7; 4-n-NP, ND-6812.3; 4-OP, ND-10400.1; and BPA, ND-1733 ng/L. Natural and synthetic estrogens E₂, E₃, and EE₂ in samples were found in the ranges of ND–907.4, ND–749.5, and ND–226.0 ng/L, respectively. Analytical results show that with the exception of EE₂ throughout the wetland system, target compounds were largely removed.

Uncertainty remains over composting time and maturity degree for compost production. The objectives of this study were to establish maturity indicators for composting based on spectral and chemical components and to provide a reference for future composting management. Several indicators of composting were assessed for three commercial composts at 0, 7, 15, 30, 45, and 60 days during the germination of Chinese cabbage, including (1) central temperature, (2) moisture content, (3) pH, (4) electrical conductivity, (5) C/N ratio, (6) E4/E6 ratio, (7) fluorescence humification index (HIX), and (8) germination index (GI). We evaluated the optimal composting time using these indicators, reflecting the changes in hog manure, chicken manure, and agricultural by-product composts throughout their composting process to provide a basis for maturity time. The results showed that the E4/E6 ratio, C/N ratio, humic acid (HA), fulvic acid (FA), and germination rate, which reached a stable status after 30 days of composting, could be the indicators of “early-stage” maturity. In contrast, central temperature, electrical conductivity, HIX, and GI reached stable values after 45 days of composting and thus could be more suitable indicators of full maturity. Based on our results, we recommend a minimum composting time of 30 days to achieve primary maturity, while fully matured compost may be obtained after 45 days.

Background: Nonylphenol (NP), an environmental organic compound, has been demonstrated to enhance reactive-oxygen species (ROS) synthesis. Chronic exposure to low-dose adenine (AD) has been reported to induce chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: In this study, we tested the hypothesis that chronic exposure to NP will aggravate AD-induced CKD through increasing generations of inflammation, ROS, and apoptosis that could be attenuated by rosuvastatin. Fifty male Wistar rats were equally divided into group 1 (control), group 2 (AD in fodder at a concentration of 0.25%), group 3 (NP: 2 mg/kg/day), group 4 (combined AD & NP), and group 5 (AD-NP + rosuvastatin: 20 mg/kg/day). Treatment was continued for 24 weeks for all animals before being sacrificed. Results: By the end of 24 weeks, serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels were increased in group 4 than in groups 1–3, but significantly reduced in group 5 as compared with group 4 (all p < 0.05). Histopathology scorings of renal-parenchymal and tubular damages were significantly higher in group 4 than in groups 1–3, but remarkably lower in group 5 compared with group 4 (all p < 0.01). Both gene and protein levels of inflammation, oxidative stress, ROS, and cellular apoptosis were remarkably higher in group 4 compared with groups 1–3, but lowered in group 5 than in group 4 (all p < 0.001). Conversely, both gene and protein levels of anti-oxidants, anti-inflammation and anti-apoptosis were markedly increased in group 5 compared with group 4 (all p < 0.001). Conclusion: NP worsened AD-induced CKD that could be reversed by rosuvastatin therapy.