Identification and Prioritization of Environmental Organic Pollutants: From an Analytical and Toxicological Perspective

Abstract

Exposure to environmental organic pollutants has triggered significant ecological impacts and adverse health outcomes, which have been received substantial and increasing attention. The contribution of unidentified chemical components is considered as the most significant knowledge gap in understanding the combined effects of pollutant mixtures. To address this issue, remarkable analytical breakthroughs have recently been made. In this review, the basic principles on recognition of environmental organic pollutants are overviewed. Complementary analytical methodologies (i.e., quantitative structure−activity relationship prediction, mass spectrometric nontarget screening, and effect-directed analysis) and experimental platforms are briefly described. The stages of technique development and/or essential parts of the analytical workflow for each of the methodologies are then reviewed. Finally, plausible technique paths and applications of the future nontarget screening methods, interdisciplinary techniques for achieving toxicant identification, and burgeoning strategies on risk assessment of chemical cocktails are discussed.

Multifunctional Manganese–Nucleotide Laccase-Mimicking Nanozyme for Degradation of Organic Pollutants and Visual Assay of Epinephrine via Smartphone

“…Phenolic compounds are regarded as toxic ecological pollutants. Thus, the oxidation and degradation of phenolic chemicals represent a crucial process that impacts environmental sustainability. , To assess the substrate universality of Mn–GMPNS nanozymes, Mn–GMPNS was incubated with various phenolic substances, including 2,4-DP, P, HQ, PIP, 2,4-DTP, O -NP, and the chromogenic reagent 4-AP. The oxidation degree of phenolic substrates was determined by monitoring the absorbance at 510 nm at various times.…”

“…Phenolic pollutants, such as chlorophenols and bisphenols, cause great harm to the ecological environment. , They are widely present in industries such as petrochemicals, printing and dyeing, textiles, and pesticides. , Furthermore, phenolic pollutants are typically organic compounds that exhibit high toxicity, persistence, and mobility. These pollutants can permeate into the bloodstream of human cells, posing a serious threat to the endocrine, reproductive, and nervous systems. , Therefore, the detection and degradation of phenolic pollutants have great significance.…”

Fragmentation Pattern-Based Screening Strategy Combining Diagnostic Ion and Neutral Loss Uncovered Novel para-Phenylenediamine Quinone Contaminants in the Environment

“…In nontargeted environmental sample analysis, identifying trace contaminants dispersed in complex matrices is a challenge akin to finding a needle in the proverbial haystack. , Characteristic fragment filtering is a practical approach that uses marker ions to identify several “needles” (i.e., three novel PPD-quinones) in the “haystack.” In this study, we proposed a comprehensive strategy combining Full MS/AIF/NL ddMS 2 scans to screen for both known and unknown PPD-quinone contaminants by integrating diagnostic fragmentation filtering and neutral loss scanning techniques. This strategy facilitated the detection of six known PPD-quinones and the identification of three novel PPD-quinones in multiple environmental matrices, including tire tissue, air particulates, and surface soil.…”

“…As PPD-quinones are undocumented transformation products (TPs) that are derived from the natural oxidation of PPDs, targeted identification with commercial standards is inaccessible. Nontargeted identification using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) enables the recognition of novel compounds without standards and is thus considered as a powerful tool for identifying novel environmental contaminants hitherto unattainable. , It possesses the capability to analyze complex samples, providing high-confidence identification of thousands of specific molecular components from a single analysis. , By coupling MS with separation means including gas/liquid chromatography (GC/LC) system, , applying nontargeted MS acquisitions such as full scan, data-dependent acquisition, and data-independent acquisition, , and leveraging multiple screening strategies based on the fragment and/or isotopic pattern, , a great range of emerging contaminants, accompanied by their congeners have been identified. − Recently, appreciable efforts have been made to leverage HRMS for screening PPD-quinones in various environments. Tian et al first isolated 6PPD-Q in tire wear particle leachate using multidimensional chromatography, inferred its parent compound, and accordingly confirmed its structure using GC/UPLC-HRMS and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses .…”

Sustainable B12-Dependent Dehalogenation of Organohalides in E. coli

“…Anthropogenic pollutants from agricultural and industrial runoffs harm wildlife and pose health risks for humans . Bioremediation leverages the vast repertoire of microbial chemistry to catabolize pollutants in diverse environments such as contaminated soil, groundwater, and wastewater treatment plants.…”