A study of diesel emissions on Drosophila

A sex-linked recessive lethal test was performed on male fruit flies of the species Drosophila melanogaster, (Oregon-R strain), exposed to an approximate five-fold dilution of exhaust from a diesel engine. The eight hour exposure was achieved by drawing diluted diesel exhaust from a three cubic meter stainless steel exposure chamber housing laboratory animals through a two liter reaction flask modified for use with Drosophila. A preconditioned sampling bag was used to collect the emissions after passing through the exposure chamber containing the flies. Results of analyses performed on the diesel exhaust mixture showed the following: carbon dioxide—0.17%, carbon monoxide—12.2 ppm, hydrocarbons—11.6 ppm, nitrogen oxide—3.8 ppm, nitrogen dioxide—2.9 ppm, sulphur dioxide—1.0 ppm, and particulates—2.18 mg/m³. Two broods of the F₂ generation were investigated for the occurrence of recessive lethal events. These broods approximated the developing gametogenic stages of mature sperm (P₁ matings on days 2 and 3 postexposure) and spermatocytes (P₁ matings on days 8 and 9). Additionally, the F₃ generation was evaluated for the occurrence of mosaic recessive lethal events which might escape detection in the F₂ generation. An equal number of F₂ and F₃ flies for both broods served as concurrent controls. Results indicate that, under the conditions tested, the diesel exhaust did not increase the mutation frequency of the exposed flies (F₂ rate = 0.30%, F₃ rate = 0%) when compared to the concurrent controls (F₂ rate = 0.37%, F₃ rate = 0.15%).     

A quantitative integrated assessment of pollution prevention achieved by Integrated Pollution Prevention Control licensing

This paper presents an innovative, quantitative assessment of pollution avoidance attributable to environmental regulation enforced through integrated licensing, using Ireland's pharmaceutical-manufacturing sector as a case study. Emissions data reported by pharmaceutical installations were aggregated into a pollution trend using an Environmental Emissions Index (EEI) based on Lifecycle Assessment methodologies. Complete sectoral emissions data from 2001 to 2007 were extrapolated back to 1995, based on available data. Production volume data were used to derive a sectoral production index, and determine ‘no-improvement’ emission trends, whilst questionnaire responses from 20 industry representatives were used to quantify the contribution of integrated licensing to emission avoidance relative to these trends. Between 2001 and 2007, there was a 40% absolute reduction in direct pollution from 27 core installations, and 45% pollution avoidance relative to hypothetical ‘no-improvement’ pollution. It was estimated that environmental regulation avoided 20% of ‘no-improvement’ pollution, in addition to 25% avoidance under business-as-usual. For specific emissions, avoidance ranged from 14% and 30 kt a^− 1 for CO₂ to 88% and 598 t a^− 1 for SO_x. Between 1995 and 2007, there was a 59% absolute reduction in direct pollution, and 76% pollution avoidance. Pollution avoidance was dominated by reductions in emissions of VOCs, SO_x and NO_x to air, and emissions of heavy metals to water. Pollution avoidance of 35% was attributed to integrated licensing, ranging from between 8% and 2.9 t a^− 1 for phosphorus emissions to water to 49% and 3143 t a^− 1 for SO_x emissions to air. Environmental regulation enforced through integrated licensing has been the major driver of substantial pollution avoidance achieved by Ireland's pharmaceutical sector — through emission limit values associated with Best Available Techniques, emissions monitoring and reporting requirements, and performance targets specified in environmental management plans. This compliant sector offers a positive, but not necessarily typical, case study of IPPC effectiveness.     

Effects of cadmium on forearm bone density after reduction of exposure for 10 years in a Chinese population

The main focus of this study was to evaluate long term effects of cadmium on forearm bone mineral density after stopping ingestion of cadmium-polluted rice for 10 years in a Chinese population. A total of 532 persons (338 women and 194 men), living in control, moderately and heavily polluted areas, were included in this study. The residents living in the polluted area ceased ingesting cadmium-polluted rice in 1996. All participants were require to answer a questionnaire and the bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at the proximal radius and ulna. Samples of urine and blood were collected for determination of cadmium in urine (UCd) and blood (BCd).The BMD of subjects living in the heavily polluted area was significantly lower than that of those living in control area in both men and women (p < 0.01). For the people living in the moderately polluted area, only the women's BMD was greatly lower compared to that in the control area (p < 0.05). The BMD declined with the increasing BCd and UCd in both sexes, especially in the highest level (BCd > 5 µg/L, UCd > 10 µg/g crea) groups (p < 0.01). It was found that there were significant differences in the prevalence of osteoporosis among the different areas (χ² = 13.046, p = 0.0003) and different UCd groups (χ² = 4.511, p = 0.0337) in women, but not in men (χ² = 0.962, p = 0.3268; χ² = 1.906, p = 0.1675). But a significant difference exists in the prevalence of osteoporosis among different BCd groups in both genders (χ² = 9.304, p = 0.00229, in women; χ² = 4603, p = 0.0319, in men). This study suggested that cadmium could play a long-term role on bone and more attention should be paid to cadmium effects on bone metabolism after reduction of exposure.     

Variability of the sorption of Cs, Zn, Sr, Co, Cd, Ce, Ru, Tc and I at trace concentrations by a forest soil along a transect

The variability of the sorption properties (characterized by the distribution coefficient K_d) of a forest soil for Cs, Zn, Sr, Co, Cd, Ce, Ru, Tc, and I were determined along a transect of 150 m in regular intervals of 3 m. Radioactive tracers were used to ensure trace concentrations of these elements. For comparison, for each soil sample the loss on ignition, as a measure of the soil organic matter content, and the pH were also determined. On average, the K_d values increase in the sequence Tc < I < Ru ≈ Co ≈ Zn ≈ Sr < Cd < Ce < Cs; the spatial variability in the sequence I < Zn ≈ Sr ≈ Co ≈ Cd ≈ Ru ≈ Tc < Cs, and I ≈ Ce < Tc. Correlation analysis revealed that, when moving along the transect, the K_d values for some elements changed in a similar, and for others in a dissimilar pattern. In a few cases a correlation between the pH or the loss on ignition and the K_d values was also present. The spatial structure of the data was examined by semivariograms. For the elements Co, Cd, Zn, and Sr, the K_d values showed an almost periodic behaviour along the transect, which is probably due to periodic changes of some soil properties in a forest with regularly spaced trees.     

Ecological Analysis of Spleen Hypertrophy in Cyclomorphic Rodents Taking into Account the Type of Ontogeny

The functional approach at the level of physiological functional groups (PFGs) reflecting two types of ontogeny was used to analyze spleen hypertrophy in five species of rodents. In addition to a wide variation of spleen weight, its hypertrophy was observed: in bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus), the spleen weight was as great as 3.5 g versus the normal value of 100–150 mg. The variation range of the relative spleen weight was estimated. For example, in the dominant species, C. glareolus, this range was considerable (from 2 to 125). A distinct relationship with the types of animal ontogeny was revealed. The genus specificity of the phenomenon—its occurrence in three species of Clethrionomys voles and absence in Microtus voles and mice—was determined in the study region. The animals with normal and hypertrophied spleens did not differ from each other significantly in their vital activity (at least, with respect to the parameters studied). The voles with hypertrophied spleens normally reproduced, and the hypertrophy was asymptomatic. These findings suggest that the populations have adapted to a damaging factor (or factors) in the course of a prolonged coevolution. This parameter is regarded as the indicator of the presence of a damaging factor in the population.     

Mercury in algae of the Canary Islands littoral

The concentrations of Hg in three groups of algae (Phaeophyta, Chlorophyta, and Rhodophyta) found in the Canary Islands littoral were determined. The mean concentrations found were, respectively: Phaeophyta: 0.13 mg kg⁻¹ (range 0.01 to 2.30 mg kg⁻¹); Chlorophyta: 0.13 (range 0.025 to 0.36 mg kg⁻¹); Rhodophyta: 0.11 mg kg⁻¹ (range 0.02 to 0.28 mg kg⁻¹). There are no relevant differences in the contents of Hg at group level and at species level, only a sample of Phaeophyta presents an abnormally high concentration (>1 mg kg⁻¹), corresponding to a sampling station nearby an urban drain.     

Effects of the Bacterial Component on the Viability of the Paramecium bursariaSymbiotic Complex (Infusorian–Zoochlorella)

A hypothesis is considered that the establishment and maintenance of mass exchange processes in the Paramecium bursariasymbiotic complex (infusorian–alga) depends on the presence of the third component—bacteria—whose role is underestimated but essential for completing the exchange cycle. The role of this component in the symbiotic cycle of Paramecium bursariais possible to reveal using special bactericidal preparations specifically inhibiting the bacteria involved in the metabolic cycle but having no effect on the functions of the host cell and the zoochlorella population. Experiments with various preparations of this type were performed, and the response to treatment was estimated from growth rates of the symbiotic complex and its components. This allowed identification of an antibiotic (rifampicin) that had no adverse influence on free-living zoochlorella and chlorella-free paramecia (the basic components of the symbiotic cycle) but drastically inhibited the growth of the P. bursariasymbiotic complex, which could be interpreted as evidence in favor of the hypothesis concerning the existence of the third symbiotic component.     

Dendrochronology of bristlecone pine, Pinus longaeva

Since 1953 the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research has conducted dendrochronological studies of bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva D.K. Bailey, sp. nov.) in the White Mountains of California. This research resulted in the establishment of a continuous tree-ring sequence of 8253 yr. The millennia-old pines have emerged as a unique source of chronological data and the precisely dated wood is essential to certain paleoenvironmental and geophysical investigations. Over 1000 dendrochronologically dated decade samples of bristlecone pine supplied to three C-14 laboratories have been used to calibrate the radiocarbon time scale for the past seven millennia, a development of far reaching consequences in the fields of archaeology and geology. In addition, recent advances in other methods of analyzing past climatic variability — techniques involving stable isotope ratios, amino acid racemization, remanent magnetism, and trace element abundances — have greatly increased the demand for wood of known age and, hence, for chronology development. Spanning the past 7500 yr, 1138 prepared decade samples, with a total weight of nearly 16 kg are available for study.     

Organochlorine and heavy metals in newborns: Results from the Flemish Environment and Health Survey (FLEHS 2002–2006)

To collect regional information on internal levels of pollutants in humans in Flanders, 1196 mother–child pairs were systematically recruited in 2002–2003 via 25 maternities across Flanders. Cd, Pb, PCB congeners 118, 170, 138, 153 and 180, p,p′-DDE — a key metabolite of DDT- and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) were measured in cord blood or plasma. Cd was detected in 64% of the samples (geometric mean 0.21 µg/L cord blood). p,p′-DDE (110 ng/g plasma lipids) and Pb (14.7 µg/L blood), were measurable in nearly all samples. The individual PCB congeners could be detected in 40 to 81% of the newborns (138 + 153 + 180 = 64.4 ng/g plasma lipids). HCB (18.9 ng/g plasma lipids) and dioxin-like compounds measured by DR-CALUX® (23 pg CALUX-TEQ/g lipids) were above detection limit in more than 75% of the samples. Age and smoking habits of the mothers, did not influence the cord blood Pb and Cd levels. The organochlorines increased 4 to 9% per year of the mother's age (partial R² = 0.05 to 0.22). Mothers had 2.6% less PCBs in cord blood (partial R² = 0.02) for each unit increase in pre-pregnancy BMI. Season of delivery, breastfeeding previous children or consumption of local dairy products, were minor determinants. Up to 20% of the variability in organochlorine concentrations was explained by residence area. It was concluded that the place of birth in Flanders is an important determinant of the load of pollutants measured at the start of life. This underlines the validity of human biomonitoring on (relatively) small geographical scale.     

Noise susceptibility: A comparison of two naval aviator populations

The identification of characteristics of noise-susceptible (S) or noise-resistant (R) individuals is necessary for the development of noise-susceptibility risk profiles. Fifty-six naval aviators, categorized as having either incurred a hearing loss, i.e., hearing threshold levels (HTLs) > 40 dB at 4–8 kHz or retained normal hearing, i.e., HTLs ≤ 25 dB at 125 Hz-8 kHz, after thousands of flight hours were compared along several auditory and non-auditory dimensions. A number of variables occurred differentially in the two groups: Minimal Auditory Intensity Differential (MAID) scores at 2 kHz (p < 0.01) and 4 kHz (p < 0.001); iris pigmentation (blue eyes were over-represented in the S group; p < 0.05); systolic blood pressure (sitting; S group was higher; p < 0.05); calcium, albumin, and LDH levels (higher in the R group; p < 0.05); and present tobacco usage (more S aviators were currently smokers; p < 0.05). The S population also tended (p < 0.10) to exhibit elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels as well as higher contralateral acoustic reflexes, and to have fewer individuals who had never smoked. Although no classic profile of the S or R individual definitely emerged, results suggested that at least one measurement device (MAID test) may serve as an “early warning” of imminent noise-induced damage. Further research, however, is required to test this possibility.     

Growth response of Scenedesmus to different concentrations of copper, cadmium, nickel, zinc, and lead

The fresh water alga Scenedesmus was cultured in graded concentration of Cu, Cd, Ni, Zn, and Pb to evaluate the effect of these cations on the growth response of Scenedesmus. The effective concentration of metal which depressed the Scenedesmus growth for Cu was 0.5 mg l⁻¹, for Cd 0.5 mg l⁻¹, for Ni 2 mg l⁻¹, and for Zn 2 mg l⁻¹. The alga exhibited tolerance for high Pb concentrations up to 30 mg l⁻¹. Exposure of a Scenedesmus cell to each metal revealed anatomical changes and chloroplast disruption especially at high metal concentrations.     

Bioaccumulation and biotransformation of brominated and chlorinated contaminants and their metabolites in ringed seals (Pusa hispida) and polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from East Greenland

We report on the comparative bioaccumulation, biotransformation and/or biomagnification from East Greenland ringed seal (Pusa hispida) blubber to polar bear (Ursus maritimus) tissues (adipose, liver and brain) of various classes and congeners of persistent chlorinated and brominated contaminants and metabolic by-products: polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chlordanes (CHLs), hydroxyl (OH-) and methylsulfonyl (MeSO₂-) PCBs, polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), OH-PBBs, polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) flame retardants and OH- and methoxyl (MeO-) PBDEs, 2,2-dichloro-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethene (p,p′-DDE), 3-MeSO₂-p,p′-DDE, pentachlorophenol (PCP) and 4-OH-heptachlorostyrene (4-OH-HpCS). We detected all of the investigated contaminants in ringed seal blubber with high frequency, the main diet of East Greenland bears, with the exception of OH-PCBs and 4-OH-HpCS, which indicated that these phenolic contaminants were likely of metabolic origin and formed in the bears from accumulated PCBs and octachlorostyrene (OCS), respectively, rather than being bioaccumulated from a seal blubber diet. For all of the detectable sum of classes or individual organohalogens, in general, the ringed seal to polar bear mean BMFs for ΣPCBs, p,p′-DDE, ΣCHLs, ΣMeSO₂-PCBs, 3-MeSO₂-p,p′-DDE, PCP, ΣPBDEs, total-(α)-HBCD, ΣOH-PBDEs, ΣMeO-PBDEs and ΣOH-PBBs indicated that these organohalogens bioaccumulate, and in some cases there was tissue-specific biomagnification, e.g., BMFs for bear adipose and liver ranged from 2 to 570. The blood-brain barrier appeared to be effective in minimizing brain accumulation as BMFs were ≤ 1 in the brain, with the exception of ΣOH-PBBs (mean BMF = 93 ± 54). Unlike OH-PCB metabolites, OH-PBDEs in the bear tissues appeared to be mainly accumulated from the seal blubber rather than being metabolic formed from PBDEs in the bears. In vitro PBDE depletion assays using polar bear hepatic microsomes, wherein the rate of oxidative metabolism of PBDE congeners was very slow, supported the probability that accumulation from seals is the main source of OH-PBDEs in the bear tissues. Our findings demonstrated from ringed seal to polar bears that organohalogen biotransformation, bioaccumulation and/or biomagnification varied widely and depended on the contaminant in question. Our results show the increasing complexity of bioaccumulated and in some cases biomagnified, chlorinated and brominated contaminants and/or metabolites from the diet may be a contributing stress factor in the health of East Greenland polar bears.     

Effects of acute γ-irradiation on the aquatic microbial microcosm in comparison with chemicals

Effects of acute γ-irradiation were investigated in the aquatic microcosm consisting of green algae (Chlorella sp. and Scenedesmus sp.) and a blue–green alga (Tolypothrix sp.) as producers; an oligochaete (Aeolosoma hemprichi), rotifers (Lecane sp. and Philodina sp.) and a ciliate protozoan (Cyclidium glaucoma) as consumers; and more than four species of bacteria as decomposers. At 100 Gy, populations were not affected in any taxa. At 500–5000 Gy, one or three taxa died out and populations of two or three taxa decreased over time, while that of Tolypothrix sp. increased. This Tolypothrix sp. increase was likely an indirect effect due to interspecies interactions. The principal response curve analysis revealed that the main trend of the effects was a dose-dependent population decrease. For a better understanding of radiation risks in aquatic microbial communities, effect doses of γ-rays compared with copper, herbicides and detergents were evaluated using the radiochemoecological conceptual model and the effect index for microcosm.     

Long-Term Changes in the State of Gonads in Sea Urchins Strongylocentrotus intermediusfrom Amur Bay,the Sea of Japan

The state of gonads was analyzed in sea urchins Strongylocentrotus intermediuscollected in Amur Bay (Peter the Great Bay, the Sea of Japan) in August 1984, 1985, 1989, and 1997 at five stations: Skrebtsov Island (1), Sportivnaya Harbor (2), Cape Tokarevskii (3), Alekseev Bay on Popov Island (4), and Verkhovskii Islands (5). The first three stations were in the polluted inshore zone of Vladivostok; stations 4 and 5 were in the open (insular) part of the bay, remote from the main sources of pollution. The state of gonads of sea urchins collected in different years and areas strongly varied with respect to gonad index (GI), gonad maturity index, and indices of pathological changes in gonads. As compared with the data obtained in 1984, 1985, and 1989, the values of GI increased in sea urchins from stations 1–3 and decreased in sea urchins from stations 4 and 5. Although GI values were high, the indices of gonad maturity in animals from the coastal zone were very low. In general gonad maturity in sea urchins from the Amur Bay was lower in 1997 than in the previous years. The correlation analysis of long-term data revealed no positive correlation between the values of GI and gonad maturity index in sea urchins from stations 1–4. Histopathological changes were more serious in sea urchins from stations 1–3. In 1997, the indices of pathological changes in the gonads of sea urchins from the insular zone (stations 4 and 5) were higher than in the previous period (1984–1989). The influence of various ecological factors—temperature, salinity, environmental pollution, and food supply—on gametogenesis in sea urchins is discussed.     

Modelling of water-ozone reaction system

Mass transfer and reaction kinetics of raw Nile water ozonation are examined. The contact system is a perfectly mixed reactor, and ozone is bubbled through a glass diffuser at different supply rates. The ozone residual is detected for different reaction time intervals. A simple mathematical model is proposed to describe the mechanism of the ozone reactions in the reactor. The proposed model quite accurately describes the mass transfer behaviour in the reactor and determines the ozone dissociation rate constant, together with the effect of the chemical reaction on the ozone transfer. A linear relationship is observed between the ozone feed rate and the ozone residual. First order reaction kinetics describes fairly well the autodecomposition and the global reaction rates of ozone in raw water. The mass transfer coefficient is about 0.18 min⁻¹. The dissociation and the reaction rate constants are evaluated to be 0.33 mg L⁻¹ and 0.19 mg L⁻¹min⁻¹.     

Levels and regional trends of persistent organochlorines and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in Asian breast milk demonstrate POPs signatures unique to individual countries

Human breast milk samples collected in 2007–2008 from four countries, Vietnam (Hanoi), China (Beijing), Korea (Seoul) and Japan (Sendai, Kyoto and Takayama), were analyzed for persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites (DDTs), chlordane-related compounds (CHLs), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Comparing with previous surveys, the present study indicates that the DDTs in breast milk from China and Vietnam had gradually decreased during the last decade, but were still 5–10 times higher than those in other nations. The ratios of p,p′-DDE/p,p′-DDT and o,p′-DDT/p,p′-DDT were higher in Beijing than in the other countries, suggesting that there is less fresh intake of commercial DDT products and a possible exposure to dicofol in China. CHL and PCB levels were relatively higher in mothers from Japan, whereas β-HCH and HCB were more common in Chinese women. In Japan, it is suspected that mothers in the urban/coastal area (Sendai) were more continuously exposed to organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) than mothers in the rural/inland area (Takayama). In addition, OCP levels in primiparae were significantly higher than those in multiparae from Japan and Korea. These indicate that both parity and regional factors are major determinants of the levels of OCPs and PCBs in human milk. On the other hand, higher concentrations of PBDEs were observed in mothers' milk from Korea. The congener was dominated by BDE-47 (43–54%), followed by BDE-153 (23–33%) in all regions except for Beijing where BDE-28 (23%) was relatively abundant. In Japanese breast milk, regional and parity-dependent distributions were not observed for PBDEs. Among PBDE congeners, age-dependency was observed for BDE-153, which was negatively correlated (p < 0.05) to the age of mothers in Kyoto (17 participants were housewives), while it increased with age in Sendai (10 participants were clerks). No such correlation was seen for BDE-47, indicating that BDE-47 was ingested and assimilated via different kinetics or routes from BDE-153 in Japan.     

Effects of radionuclide and rainfall characteristics on field loss parameters of grass

The decrease of foliar activity in vegetation after its initial contamination by foliar deposition is termed “field loss” (Chamberlain, 1970). This work investigated further laboratory data concerning field loss of ¹³⁴Cs, ¹³⁷Cs, ⁸⁵Sr, ¹³³Ba and ^123mTe deposited on grassland (Madoz-Escande et al., 2005). Treatments consisted in rainfall scenarios cumulating 14 mm per week, combining two levels of intensity (8 or 30 mm/h) and two levels of frequency/precocity (late once or early twice-a-week). The time course of field loss was monitored in the edible tissues which were sampled by mowing between the rainfalls. Data were analyzed with an offset exponential loss model which is applicable to chronic contamination and is consistent with approaches adopted in radiological assessment models. Its parameters were estimated by the maximum-likelihood method, and their accuracy was determined by nonparametric boostrap. Radionuclide and rainfall conditions significantly affected the estimated rate (λ₁) and extent (A₁) of field loss. Field loss rate (λ₁) and nonentrainable fraction (1 − A₁) varied by a factor 1.5–3. Cesium was very mobile but persistent. On the contrary Tellerium was found less labile, but eventually was almost completely eliminated. Strontium and Barium had intermediate behaviors. Field loss was more efficient for moderate late once-a-week rainfalls (8 mm/h). Higher rainfall intensity reduced more the radionuclides losses than higher rainfall frequency/precocity. This paper reports statistically relevant effects that should be considered for more realistic assessments.     

Population exposure to airborne thorium at the high natural radiation areas in India

High natural radiation areas in the coastal and peninsular India were studied for airborne thorium and resultant population exposure due to inhalation. Four locations covering three states viz., Ayiramthengu and Neendakara in Kerala, Kudiraimozhi in Tamil Nadu and Bhimilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh were investigated. External gamma radiation fields 1 m above the monazite ore bodies ranged from 200 to 3000 nGy h^-1. Soil samples showed ²³²Th specific activity varying from 0·1 to 1·5 Bq g^-1 with surface alpha activity in the range of 1·0–12·5 Bq cm^-2. Suspended particulates in the samples ranged from 60–140 μg m^-3 with ²³²Th showing a wider variation of <0·03–0·3 mBq m^-3. There was poor correlation between suspended particulates and long-lived alpha airborne activity . The resuspension factors for ²³²Th were in the range of 1·5×10^-8–7·9×10^-7 cm^-1. Higher resuspension was correlated with dry sand dunes. The upper limits for Committed Effective Dose (CED) due to inhalation of airborne ²³²Th at the respective high natural radiation areas were estimated to range from 50±30 to 300±130 μSv (5–30 mrem) per year per adult member of public assuming an activity median aerodynamic diameter of 1 μm for the airborne particulates.     

Microorganisms: Indicators of pollution in integrated livestock-fish farming systems

Twelve fishponds each measuring 1,000 m² stocked with 2,000 fish consisting of 85% Oreochromis niloticus, 14% Cyprinus carpio and 1% Ophicephalus striatus were used to determine the level of fecal coliforms in the pondwater and fish flesh and the presence of Salmonella in the pondwater. Water samples for coliforms were collected at weekly intervals while those for Salmonella were done biweekly from three pond sites. Fish were randomly sampled by seining the pond over a three-month period. Both water and fish samples were analyzed for coliforms with the multiple-tube fermentation technique and for Salmonella using the swab technique. Results showed coliform counts with mean concentrations varying from 29,700/L of water in the middle of the pond to 18,100/L farthest from the manure dumping site. Differences in concentration between collection sites were not significant (P > 0.05) but mean values obtained weekly differed significantly (P < 0.05). Tilapia had coliform counts of 1.7 while carp had 1.1/g flesh. Differences among fish samples of the same species were not significant (P > 0.05) but were significant between species (P < 0.05). Biochemical tests revealed the presence of E. coli and Klebsiella sp. and more commonly S. cholerasuis.     

Heterotrophic Nano- and Microplankton under Conditions of Anthropogenic Eutrophication of the Bay of Novorossiisk

Seasonal and long-term dynamics of heterotrophic plankton in the Bay of Novorossiisk are discussed. It is shown that specific variation in the biomass of nanoheterotrophs and infusoria is associated with the processes of anthropogenic water eutrophication. The biomass of infusoria has increased ten times and that of zooflagellates two times since 1985–1986. Infusoria of the genera Strombidium, Strobilidium, and Mesodiniumare dominant in the protozoan plankton. The annual average level of Oligotrichadevelopment in the bay is characteristic of eutrophic water bodies (112–417 mg/m³); in the spring–summer season, however, it may increase to 500–1034 mg/m³. In the part of the bay near the port, which is exposed to a strong anthropogenic impact, the biomass of ciliate protozoa can reach 2 g/m³.