Histological alternation and vitellogenin induction in adult rare minnow (Gobiocypris rarus) after exposure to ethynylestradiol and nonylphenol

Adult rare minnow (Gobiocypris rarus) were exposed to 0, 1, 5, and 25 ng/l (nominal concentrations) of 17alpha-ethynylestradiol (EE2) and 3, 10, and 30 microg/l (nominal concentrations) of 4-nonylphenol (NP) under flow-through conditions for a period of 28 d. Low mortality was observed at 5 and 25 ng/l EE2 and the growth of fish reduced significantly at 25 ng/l EE2 compared to controls. However, the gonadosomatic indices (GSI) of male fish were significantly higher in 1 ng/l EE(2) treatments and in 10 and 30 microg/l NP treatments (p<0.05). Renal somatic indices (RSI) of male fish in EE2 treatments were significantly higher than those in controls (p<0.05). In contrast, significantly decreased GSI and RSI of female fish could only be observed in 5 and 25 ng/l EE(2) treatments (p<0.05). Hepatosomatic indices (HSI) of male fish were significantly higher in 25 ng/l EE(2) treatments. However, significantly increased of HSI of female fish could only be observed in 1 ng/l EE(2) treatments. Plasma vitellogenin (VTG) induction could be observed in males after exposed to different concentrations of EE2 and NP, and plasma VTG concentrations in females exposed to 5 and 25 ng/l EE(2) were also significantly higher than in controls (p<0.05). At level higher than 5 ng/l EE2 or 30 microg/l NP, hepatic tissue and renal tissue impairment of males could be observed. The pathological male liver was associated with a hypertrophy of hepatocytes and damages to cellar structure and accumulated eosinophilic material. Renal tissue showed different pathological effects which was reflected by accumulated eosinophilic material, hemorrhages within the kidney tubules and hypertrophy of the tubular epithelia. Also at these levels of exposure, feminization of male fish could be noticed and parts of males manifested the testis-ova phenomenon. Ovaries of female rare minnow in 25 ng/l EE2 treatment group were degenerated. Therefore when exposed to EE2 and NP even at environmental observed concentrations, adverse effects could occur in the reproductive system of adult fishes. The observed hepatic tissue and renal tissue impairment should be due to the induction and accumulation of VTG in organs, especially in males.     

Biochemical responses in Salmo salar muscle following exposure to ethynylestradiol and tributyltin

This study investigated the effects of nominal concentrations of two endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on fish physiology. The effects of the synthetic pharmaceutical estrogen ethynylestradiol (EE(2)) and the antifoulant tributyltin (TBT) were investigated in exposure studies with immature Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar. Fish were exposed for 7 days to waterborne EE(2), TBT, or a combination of both. The activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), acetylcholinesterase (AchE) and glutathione S-transferase (GST), and lactate and glycogen content were determined in samples of fish muscle. Fish exposed to EE(2) for 3 days responded rapidly with increasing AchE and GST activities and increasing lactate content. These responses were limited to the first 3 days of exposure and had disappeared by day 7, indicating that the fish had adapted to EE(2) exposure. Compared to the controls, TBT increased AchE and LDH activity, inhibited GST activity and had no effect on lactate content. When mixed, the highest concentration of EE(2) increased the effect of TBT on lactate content. However, fish exposed to a lower concentration of EE(2) in combination with TBT had the lowest lactate content. Effects on AchE and LDH activities were smaller when TBT was combined with EE(2) compared to TBT alone. This suggests that TBT and EE(2) influence biochemical processes in fish muscle, acting on different organizational levels, by antagonistic and synergistic mechanisms.     

蜂窝陶瓷载体生物膜技术处理农药废水

以蜂窝陶瓷为载体进行生物挂膜,处理经化学预处理后的某农药厂有机磷和除虫菊酯类混合废水。对处理结果、蜂窝陶瓷载体及其生物挂膜法的特点进行了深入讨论。当废水的COD为1 600～1 700 mg/L,TP(总磷)为70～80mg/L,DMAC(二甲基乙酰胺)为0.8～1.2 mg/L,甲醇为8～12 mg/L,pH为6.8～7.2,水温为27～30℃,流量为0.1 m3/h,水力停留时间为15 h,进水容积负荷约为2.5 kg COD/(m3.d)时,发现15 d就完成生物挂膜,连续运行20 d COD去除率为73%～75%,TP去除率为53%～55%,DMAC去除率为54%～57%,甲醇去除率为91%～93%。与同样条件下的普通活性污泥处理相比,COD去除率提高85%,TP去除率提高83%,DMAC去除率提高119%,甲醇去除率提高27%,排出的剩余活性污泥量减少89%。测得的活性生物膜量为1.8 kg/m2,生物膜的厚度为1.5～2 mm,用偏光显微镜摄取了载体表面生物膜的图像。     

不同水温时底泥扰动对不同形态磷分布的影响

研究了江南地区典型水温条件下,底泥扰动对上覆水中不同形态磷迁移的影响.结果表明,不同水温条件下,底泥扰动均有利于上覆水中溶解态磷(即溶解性总磷酸盐(DTP),包括溶解性正磷酸盐(DIP)和溶解性有机磷(DOP))向底泥迁移.与对照试验相比,不同水温时的扰动均导致DIP/TP和DTP/TP明显降低.与初始状态(第0天时)相比,扰动导致DIP/TP分别降低了39.61百分点(冬季水温)和17.38百分点(夏季水温),而DTP/TP则分别降低了39.16百分点(冬季水温)和19.06百分点(夏季水温).相反,对照试验中,DTP/TP分别上升了24.90百分点(冬季水温)和23.37百分点(夏季水温).这说明底泥扰动促进了溶解态磷向颗粒态磷(PP)的转化.     

水力停留时间对膜生物反应器复合工艺污水处理特性的影响

开发了厌氧-多级好氧/缺氧-膜生物反应器复合工艺,在不同水力停留时间(HRT)下,考察了系统对污染物去除效果及其膜污染的特性.结果表明,在试验选定的HRT范围内,系统对TN和TP的去除率随着HRT的降低而升高,当HRT为8.70、6.96、4.97 h时,系统对TN和TP的平均去除率分别为73.15%、79.76%、81.98%和67.79%、80.99%、92.16%.但是,较低HRT条件下膜通量较高,会加剧膜污染进程.解决这一问题的措施是增加膜组件个数,从而在不提高膜通量的情况下使系统保持较低的HRT,保证系统高效稳定的污染物去除效果.     

A time-course study of immune response in Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus exposed to heavy oil

Purpose

The immunotoxicities of oil and its components on fish immunities have been investigated, but there is little literature on the recovery of the fish from the immune suppression. Therefore, the recovery of Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus from an immunosuppressive effect due to heavy oil (HO) exposure was investigated in this study.

Methods

Fish were exposed to HO at a concentration of 0.385?g/L for 2?days, while control fish received no exposure. Seven fish were sampled at 0, 3, 7, and 14?days post-exposure. The respiratory rate was measured everyday as an indicator of the acute effect of HO exposure. Fish serum was collected and used for antibacterial activity assay against Edwardsiella tarda. Expression changes of respiratory and immune-related genes were evaluated by real-time PCR.

Results and discussion

The respiratory rate was significantly increased in the HO-exposed group until 4?days post-exposure. A respiratory-related gene, ??-hemoglobin, was also significantly downregulated in the spleen both at 0 and 7?days post-exposure and kidney at 3?days post-exposure in HO-exposed fish. Immunotoxicity, including suppression of antibacterial activities and downregulation of the IgM gene, was observed in HO-exposed fish until 3?days post-exposure, but not after that time. From these results, we conclude that the fish likely return to normal status around 1?week.     

Effect of C/N ratios on the performance of earthworm eco-filter for treatment of synthetics domestic sewage

Purpose

The performances of filter systems that use earthworms and plants, combined with earthworm eco-filter (EE) systems in treating synthetic domestic sewage (SDS) with different C/N ratios, were investigated for a 9-month period.

Methods

The effects of the combination of filters, earthworms, plants, as well as the combination of earthworms and plants on SDS nutrient removal efficiency were separately investigated to select the optimum system for treating SDS. The results of the current study could be used to determine how treatment performance responds to different C/N ratios and to explain and predict the performance of an operating EE system.

Results

EE systems with earthworms and plants (EP groups) consistently performed better than the other types of systems (CK, E, and P; that is, without earthworms and without plants, with earthworms and without plants, and without earthworms and with plants, respectively) under all C/N ratios. The highest removal efficiencies of chemical oxygen demand, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total organic carbon were achieved under C/N ratios of 6:1, 6:1, 6:1, and 9:1, respectively. The optimum nutrient removal efficiency was achieved at C/N?=?6, and the contribution order for nutrient removal was EP > P > E > CK.

Conclusions

Influent C/N ratios, the time of year, and the synergetic effects of earthworm behavior and microorganisms significantly affected nutrient removal efficiencies. Considering the removal of all nutrients, EE systems with plants and earthworms achieved optimum removal effects in July when the influent C/N ratio was controlled at 6. Appropriate control of carbon and nitrogen source concentrations permitted the achievement of optimal nutrient removal effects.     

低曝气下PAC强化SBR工艺同步脱氮除磷

采用序批式反应器(SBR)处理模拟生活污水,研究不同曝气量(30、24、18和12 L/h)下活性污泥同步脱氮除磷规律,并在最佳曝气量下,比较了粉末活性炭-序批式反应器(PAC-SBR)和SBR的脱氮除磷效率,分析了低曝气下PAC-SBR的运行特性和优越性。实验结果表明,当曝气量为24 L/h时,SBR内出水效果较好,其COD、TN和TP的平均去除率分别可以达到90.02%、81.13%和88.12%。在这个最佳曝气量下,PAC-SBR具有明显的优势,其COD、TN和TP的平均去除率均高于SBR,并且PAC-SBR具有较好的污泥沉降性能和较高的活性污泥浓度。在PAC-SBR中,活性污泥以PAC作为微生物载体强化了生物降解效果,并改善了低曝气下污泥絮体的结构,促使反应器内先后形成缺氧-厌氧-微氧/缺氧-缺氧的环境,利于同步硝化反硝化和反硝化聚磷,提高了PAC-SBR的同步脱氮除磷效率。     

Modeling external carbon addition in biological nutrient removal processes with an extension of the international water association activated sludge model

The aim of this study was to expand the International Water Association Activated Sludge Model No. 2d (ASM2d) to account for a newly defined readily biodegradable substrate that can be consumed by polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs) under anoxic and aerobic conditions, but not under anaerobic conditions. The model change was to add a new substrate component and process terms for its use by PAOs and other heterotrophic bacteria under anoxic and aerobic conditions. The Gdansk (Poland) wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), which has a modified University of Cape Town (MUCT) process for nutrient removal, provided field data and mixed liquor for batch tests for model evaluation. The original ASM2d was first calibrated under dynamic conditions with the results of batch tests with settled wastewater and mixed liquor, in which nitrate-uptake rates, phosphorus-release rates, and anoxic phosphorus uptake rates were followed. Model validation was conducted with data from a 96-hour measurement campaign in the full-scale WWTP. The results of similar batch tests with ethanol and fusel oil as the external carbon sources were used to adjust kinetic and stoichiometric coefficients in the expanded ASM2d. Both models were compared based on their predictions of the effect of adding supplemental carbon to the anoxic zone of an MUCT process. In comparison with the ASM2d, the new model better predicted the anoxic behaviors of carbonaceous oxygen demand, nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N), and phosphorous (PO4-P) in batch experiments with ethanol and fusel oil. However, when simulating ethanol addition to the anoxic zone of a full-scale biological nutrient removal facility, both models predicted similar effluent NO3-N concentrations (6.6 to 6.9 g N/m3). For the particular application, effective enhanced biological phosphorus removal was predicted by both models with external carbon addition but, for the new model, the effluent PO4-P concentration was approximately one-half of that found from ASM2d. On a PO4-P removal percentage basis, the difference was small, that is, 94.1 vs. 97.1%, respectively, for the ASM2d and expanded ASM2d.     

Determining ecoregional numeric nutrient criteria by stressor-response models in Yungui ecoregion lakes,China

The importance of developing numeric nutrient criteria has been recognized to protect the designated uses of water bodies from nutrient enrichment that is associated with broadly occurring levels of nitrogen/phosphorus pollution. The identification and estimation of stressor-response models in aquatic ecosystems has been shown to be useful in the determination of nutrient criteria. In this study, three methods based on stressor-response relationships were applied to determine nutrient criteria for Yungui ecoregion lakes with respect to total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), and planktonic chlorophyll a (Chl a). Simple linear regression (SLR) models were established to provide an estimate of the relationship between a response variable and a stressor. Multiple linear regressions were used to simultaneously estimate the effect of TP and TN on Chl a. A morphoedaphic index (MEI) was applied to derive nutrient criteria using data from Yungui ecoregion lakes, which were considered as areas with less anthropogenic influences. Nutrient criteria, as determined by these three methods, showed broad agreement for all parameters. The ranges of numeric nutrient criteria for Yungui ecoregion lakes were determined as follows: TP 0.008–0.010 mg/L and TN 0.140–0.178 mg/L. The stressor-response analysis described will be of benefit to support countries in their numeric criteria development programs and to further the goal of reducing nitrogen/phosphorus pollution in China.     

不同组合垂直潜流式人工湿地对高碳或氮污水的净化效果

4种组合的垂直潜流式人工湿地在高C和高N污染物负荷条件下都可以得到很好的污染物降解效果.VDFVUF湿地组合被确定为最优的组合,它在夏末(7月和8月)和初秋(9月)可以得到较高的污染物去除率,且在8月份可以达到最大值.VDF-VUF湿地组合对于COD、TN和TP去除率的平均值在高C污染物负荷条件下分别为(96.97 ±6.32)％、(89.45 ±5.29)％和(83.12±6.03)％;在高N污染物负荷条件下分别为(93.21±7.84)％、(94.27±4.36)％和(82.36±5.52)％.各种人工湿地组合的COD和TN的去除率都受到了季节变化、湿地组合类型以及这两者的综合效应的显著影响;但是TP的去除率则不受任何因素的显著影响.     

Occurrence and photochemical degradation of 17alpha-ethinylestradiol in Acushnet River Estuary

17alpha-Ethinylestradiol (EE2), a major constituent of common contraceptive pills, and three other estrogenic hormones, estrone (E1), 17beta-estradiol (E2) and mestranol (MeEE2) have been determined in Acushnet River Estuary seawater using a GC-MS technique. Among three estrogenic compounds detected, EE2 has the highest concentration, up to 4.7 ng/l, at which EE2 may affect lobster and other fish abundance in the coastal seawater due to its high biological activity on fish feminization. Two natural estrogenic hormones, E1 and E2 have also been found in the estuary at concentrations up to 1.2 ng/l and 0.83 ng/l, respectively. Although EE2 is persistent to microbial degradation, it can undergo a rapid photodegradation in estuarine seawater under natural sunlight irradiation, with a half-life of less than 1.5 days in spring sunny days.     

Evaluation of quick tests for phosphorus determination in dairy manures

Nutrients in animal manure are valuable inputs in agronomic crop production. Rapid and timely information about manure nutrient content are needed to minimize the risks of phosphorus (P) over-application and losses of dissolved P (DP) in runoff from fields treated with manure. We evaluated the suitability of a commercial hand-held reflectometer, a hydrometer, and an electrical conductivity (EC) meter for determining DP and total P (TP) in dairy manures. Bulk samples (n = 107) collected from farms across CT, MD, NY, PA, and VA were highly variable in total solids (TS) concentration, ranging from 11 to 213gL(-1), in suspensions' pH (6.3-9.2), and EC (6.2-53.3 dS m(-1)). Manure DP concentrations measured using the RQFlex reflectometer (RQFlex-DP(s)) were related to molybdate-reactive P (MRP(s)) concentrations as follows: RQFlex-DP(s) = 0.471 x MRP(s) + 1102 (r2 = 0.29). Inclusion of pH and squared-pH terms improved the prediction of manure DP from RQFlex results (r2 = 0.66). Excluding five outlier samples that had pH < or = 6.9 the coefficient of determination (r2) for the MRP(s) and RQFlex-DP(s) relationship was 0.83 for 95% of the samples. Manure TS were related to hydrometer specific gravity readings (r2 = 0.53) that were in turn related to TP (r2 = 0.34), but not to either RQFlex-DP or MRP. Relationships between suspensions' EC and DP or TP were non-significant. Therefore, the RQFlex method is the only viable option for on-site quick estimates of DP that can be made more robust when complemented with TS and pH measurements. The DP quick test can provide near real-time information on soluble manure nutrient content across a wide range of handling and storage conditions on dairy farms and quick estimates of potential soluble P losses in runoff following land applications of manure.     

Variations in source apportionments of nutrient load among seasons and hydrological years in a semi-arid watershed: GWLF model results

Quantifying source apportionments of nutrient load and their variations among seasons and hydrological years can provide useful information for watershed nutrient load reduction programs. There are large seasonal and inter-annual variations in nutrient loads and their sources in semi-arid watersheds that have a monsoon climate. The Generalized Watershed Loading Function model was used to simulate monthly nutrient loads from 2004 to 2011 in the Liu River watershed, Northern China. Model results were used to investigate nutrient load contributions from different sources, temporal variations of source apportionments and the differences in the behavior of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP). Examination of source apportionments for different seasons showed that point sources were the main source of TN and TP in the non-flood season, whereas contributions from diffuse sources, such as rural runoff, soil erosion, and urban areas, were much higher in the flood season. Furthermore, results for three typical hydrological years showed that the contribution ratios of nutrient loads from point sources increased as streamflow decreased, while contribution ratios from rural runoff and urban area increased as streamflow increased. Further, there were significant differences between TN and TP sources on different time scales. Our findings suggest that priority actions and management measures should be changed for different time periods and hydrological conditions, and that different strategies should be used to reduce loads of nitrogen and phosphorus effectively.     

Nutrient retention in plant biomass and sediments from the salt marsh in Hangzhou Bay estuary, China

Nutrient load into the ocean can be retained during the process of plant uptake and sedimentation in marshes along the bay zone. Seasonal variations of biomass and nutrient concentration in three dominated plant assemblages and associated sediments were monitored in this study area to determine effects of salt marsh on nutrient retention. Results showed that plant aboveground biomass displayed a unimodal curve with nutrient concentration generally decreased from spring to winter. Belowground biomass was relatively low during the rapid growth period with nutrient concentration tending to decrease and then increase during this period. Plant total nitrogen (TN) pools are higher than total phosphorus (TP) pools, and both pools showed significant seasonal variations. Water purification coefficients (WPC) of nutrients by plant assimilation were 34.4/17.3, 19.3/24.0, and 5.14/6.04 t/(m² year) (TN/TP) for Phragmites australis, Spartina alterniflora, and Scirpus mariqueter, respectively. Overall, these results suggest that higher annual plant biomass and nutrient assimilation contribute to greater nutrient retention capacity and accumulation in sediments, thereby enabling reduced eutrophication in transitional waters.     

临江河回水区营养盐及富营养化特征分析

以2008年3～9月对库区次级河流临江河回水区水质的调查为依据，分析了临江河回水区氮、磷营养盐的污染分布及富营养化特征。结果表明，临江河回水区氨氮(NH₃-N)、总氮(TN)的浓度在7月中旬达到最小值，分别为1.963和5.128 mg/L, 之后在9月初出现峰值，而磷酸盐(PO^3-₄-P)和总磷(TP)的浓度却呈现出先增加后下降的变化规律；氮主要来自点源污染，而磷受面源污染影响较大；溶解性无机氮(DIN)和PO^3-₄-P是TN与TP的主要存在形态，平均分别占TN和TP的85.3%和77.8%,而DIN又以NH₃-N为主。营养盐浓度呈现出回水区中游最高，回水末端次之，河口处最低的空间分布特征。叶绿素a（Chl-a）的浓度在4月和9月出现峰值，其空间分布特征与营养盐的类似。研究表明，临江河回水区在重度污染的情况下，即便是河流型水体也可能发生富营养化；流速对Chl-a浓度的显著影响呈指数关系。     

Seasonal variations of nitrogen and phosphorus retention in an agricultural drainage river in East China

Background, aim, and scope  

Riverine retention decreases loads of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in running water. It is an important process in nutrient cycling in watersheds. However, temporal riverine nutrient retention capacity varies due to changes in hydrological, ecological, and nutrient inputs into the watershed. Quantitative information of seasonal riverine N and P retention is critical for developing strategies to combat diffuse source pollution and eutrophication in riverine and coastal systems. This study examined seasonal variation of riverine total N (TN) and total P (TP) retention in the ChangLe River, an agricultural drainage river in east China.     

Vitellogenin content in European eel (Anguilla anguilla) in Flanders, Belgium

As part of a large-scale monitoring program of bioaccumulating contaminants in the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) in Flanders (Belgium), we investigated potential effects of xenoestrogens in these fish. The present paper describes the results of the plasma vitellogenin (VTG) content, measured in 142 eels sampled at 20 different locations, in relation to the internal pollution levels. To validate the blood VTG assays, a small number of eels (n=8) was exposed to 10 microg ethinylestradiol/l (EE2) for 9 days. In this experiment, VTG was detected as a protein with a molecular weight of 214 kDa and confirmed by Western blotting. Compared with the solvent controls, significantly higher concentrations of VTG were measured in EE2 exposed eel. However, the VTG content was relatively low compared with other fish species exposed to high concentrations of estrogens. The plasma VTG content of eels from the field study was very low, despite a very high internal load of endocrine disrupters. These results, together with previously published studies, suggest that immature yellow European eel might not be the best sentinel species to study the effects of estrogenic compounds on VTG levels of wild fish populations.     

黑臭底泥土著微生物促生对磷的影响

土著微生物促生是一项低成本高效率的河湖黑臭底泥原位修复技术,然而向底泥中投加药剂可能会影响上覆水水质。为探讨该技术对水环境的不利影响,实验研究了城市湖泊黑臭底泥修复过程中上覆水中磷浓度和底泥中磷含量及形态的变化。结果表明,在投药深度为泥面以下15 cm,微生物营养剂（BE）和生物解毒剂（MT）的投加量分别低于60mL/m3和70 mL/m3的条件下,上覆水总磷（TP）浓度低于地表水环境质量Ⅲ类（湖库类）标准值。投加微生物促生剂（BE和MT）导致上覆水磷含量升高,并促进了上覆水中藻类的增长。复配投加硝酸钙能减少上覆水中磷含量及藻类生物量,从而抑制微生物促生剂对上覆水磷浓度的影响。另外,投加微生物促生剂及硝酸钙到底泥中后,底泥磷含量以及磷形态组成的变化均不明显。