A large amount of chemicals is annually applied at the agricultural soils as fertilizers and pesticides. Such applications may result in the increase of heavy metals particularly Cd, Pb, and As. The objective of this study was to investigate the variability of chemical applications on Cd, Pb, and As concentrations of wheat-cultivated soils. Consequently, a study area was designed and was divided into four subareas (A, B, C, and D). The soil sampling was carried out in 40 points of cultivated durum wheat during the 2006-2007 periods. The samples were taken to the laboratory to measure their heavy metal concentration, soil texture, pH, electrical conductivity, cationic exchange capacity, organic matter, and carbonate contents. The result indicated that Cd, Pb, and As concentrations were increased in the cultivated soils due to fertilizer application. Although the statistical analysis indicates that these heavy metals increased significantly (P value<0.05), the lead and arsenic concentrations were increased dramatically compared to Cd concentration. This can be related to overapplication of fertilizers as well as the pesticides that are used to replant plant pests, herbs, and rats.

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Diverse industries like detergents, resins and polymers, hair dyes, intravaginal spermicides, and pesticides produce endocrine disruptor (ED)-containing wastewaters that have hazardous effects on the environment and public health. Nonylphenol (NP) is a chemical substance that consists of a phenolic group and an attached lipophilic linear nonyl chain. NP has weak estrogenic activity and affects estrogen receptor (ER), as well as induces male infertility via a negative impact on spermatogenesis and sperm quality. The aim of this study was to comprehensively review all available literature about the side effects of NP on the male genital system. We systematically searched Scopus and PubMed using MeSH terms that include "Organic Chemicals," "Infertility," "Infertility, Male," "Nonylphenol", ("Infertility, Male"[Mesh]) OR "Nonylphenol" [Supplementary Concept]) OR "Prostate"[Mesh]) OR "Spermatozoa"[Mesh]) OR "Sertoli Cells"[Mesh]) OR "Leydig Cells"[Mesh] OR "Male accessory gland" OR "Epididym" OR "Reproductive toxicity"), and all other possible combinations from January 1, 1970, to September 15, 2016, with language limit. The initial search identified 117,742 potentially eligible studies, of which 33 met the established inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Thirty-three selected studies include animal model (n = 18), cell line (n = 15), human model (n = 1), morphology (n = 13), sperm quality (n = 17), and toxicity (n = 14). This review highlighted the evidence for the ED effect of NP that acts through interference with ER, discussing male reproductive tract perturbations. We critically discuss the available evidence on the effect of NP on sperm quality (such as motility, viability, sperm count, and sperm concentration), dramatic morphological changes (such as change of weights of testes and epididymis), and biochemical changes related to oxidative stress in testes. Finally, it is important to take caution with the continued use of NP that disrupts male reproductive health.

This literature research, although not exhaustive, gives perspective to solar-driven photocatalysis, such as solar photo-Fenton and TiO 2 solar photocatalysis, reported in the literature for the degradation of aqueous organic pollutants. Parameters that influence the degradation and mineralization of organics like catalyst preparation, type and load of catalyst, catalyst phase, pH, applied potential, and type of organic pollutant are addressed. Such parameters may also affect the photoactivity of the catalysts used in the studied solar processes. Solar irradiation is a renewable, abundant, and pollution-free energy source for low-cost commercial applications. Therefore, these solar processes represent an environmentally friendly alternative mainly because the use of electricity can be decreased/avoided.