Degradation and detoxification of acid orange 52 by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas putida</Emphasis> mt-2: a laboratory study

Introduction  

Acid orange 52 (AO52), extensively used in textile industries, was decolorized by Pseudomonas putida mt-2. AO52 azoreduction products such as N,N′-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine (DMPD) and 4-aminobenzenesulfonic acid (4-ABS), were identified in the static degradation mixture. These amines were identified only in media of static incubation, which is consistent with their biotransformation under shaken incubation (aerobic conditions).     

Brominated phenols,anisoles, and dioxins present in blue mussels from the Swedish coastline

Introduction  

Naturally occurring hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (OH-PBDEs), their methoxylated counterparts (MeO-PBDEs), and polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PBDDs), together with their potential precursors polybrominated phenols (PBPs) and polybrominated anisoles (PBAs), were analyzed in blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) gathered along the east coast (bordering the Baltic Sea) and west coast of Sweden (bordering the North Sea). Brown algae (Dictyosiphon foenicolaceus) and cyanobacteria (Nodularia spumigena) from the Baltic Sea, considered to be among the primary producers of these compounds, were also analyzed for comparison.     

Effects of acetaminophen in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica juncea</Emphasis> L. Czern.: investigation of uptake,translocation, detoxification,and the induced defense pathways

Purpose  

Besides classical organic pollutants and pesticides, pharmaceuticals and their residues have nowadays become recognized as relevant environmental contaminants. The risks of these chemicals for aquatic ecosystems are well known, but information about the pharmaca-plant interactions and metabolic pathways is scarce. Therefore, we investigate the process of uptake of acetaminophen (N-Acetyl-4-aminophenol) by Brassica juncea, drug-induced defense responses and detoxification mechanisms in different plant parts.     

Distribution pattern of PCBs,HCB and PeCB using passive air and soil sampling in Estonia

Background, aim, and scope  

Passive air sampling survey of the Central and Eastern Europe was initiated in 2006. This paper presents data on toxic organic compounds such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB 28, 52, 101, 118, 153, 138, and 180), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), pentachlorobenzene (PeCB), hexachlorocyclohexane compounds (α-HCH, β-HCH,γ-HCH, δ-HCH), and dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) compounds (p,p′DDE, p,p′DDD, p,p′DDT, o,p′DDE, o,p′DDD, and o,p′DDT) determined in ambient air and soil samples collected at Estonian monitoring stations.     

The bioaccumulation and translocation of Fe,Zn, and Cu in species of mushrooms from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Russula</Emphasis> genus

Introduction  

Many previous studies revealed a high ability of mushrooms to accumulate heavy metals from environment. This paper concerns the capacity of some wild macromycetes belonging to Russula genus to accumulate heavy metals in natural condition of pH (between 6.5 and 6.8) and the pattern of metal translocation in the fruiting body.     

Statistical analysis and isotherm study of uranium biosorption by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Padina</Emphasis> sp. algae biomass

Introduction  

The application of response surface methodology is presented for optimizing the removal of U ions from aqueous solutions using Padina sp., a brown marine algal biomass.     

Polychlorinated biphenyls in farmed and wild <Emphasis Type="Italic">Onchorhynchus kisutch</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Onchorhynchus mykiss</Emphasis> from the Chilean Patagonia

Purpose  

This paper analyses the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in escaped: farmed and wild salmons in southern Chile, analysing their concentrations and congener profiles in two species (Oncorhynchus kisutch and Oncorhynchus mykiss).     

Accumulation,biotransformation, and biochemical responses after exposure to arsenite and arsenate in the estuarine polychaete <Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">Laeonereis acuta</Emphasis> (Nereididae)

Introduction  

This study aimed to analyze antioxidant responses and oxidative damage induced by two inorganic forms of arsenic (As; As^III and As^V) in an estuarine polychaete species, Laeonereis acuta (Nereididae). The capacity of arsenic biotransformation was also evaluated through the methylation process considering the activity of a key enzyme involved in the metabolization process.     

Potential influence of confounding factors (size,salinity) on biomarkers in the sentinel species <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scrobicularia plana</Emphasis> used in programmes monitoring estuarine quality

Introduction  

To use biomarkers in monitoring programmes, potential confounding factors must be considered. In the clam Scrobicularia plana, the influence of size and salinity on biomarkers at different levels of biological organisation has been examined.     

An integrated approach for identification of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) pollutant sources based on human blood contents

Background, aim, and scope  

This study developed an integrated approach to identify pollutant sources of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) of workers based on their blood contents.     

Biomonitoring the genotoxic effects of pollutants on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tradescantia pallida</Emphasis> (Rose) D.R. Hunt in Dourados,Brazil

Purpose  

This study aimed to associate the intensity of vehicular traffic in the city of Dourados (Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil) with mutagenic effects and alterations in leaf physiology as measured by the quantity of micronuclei and the leaf surface parameters of Tradescantia pallida.     

Bacterial community composition characterization of a lead-contaminated <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microcoleus</Emphasis> sp. consortium

Introduction  

A Microcoleus sp. consortium, obtained from the Ebro delta microbial mat, was maintained under different conditions including uncontaminated, lead-contaminated, and acidic conditions.     

Uranium biosorption by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Padina</Emphasis> sp. algae biomass: kinetics and thermodynamics

Introduction  

Kinetic, thermodynamic, and equilibrium isotherms of the biosorption of uranium ions onto Padina sp., a brown algae biomass, in a batch system have been studied.     

An observational study on changes in biometry and generation time of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Odontophora villoti</Emphasis> (Nematoda,Axonolaimidae) related to petroleum pollution in Bizerte bay,Tunisia

Introduction  

We conducted a yearly polluted-reference sampling to assess the effects of petroleum pollution on life cycle characteristics of the meiobenthic nematode Odontophora villoti. Samples were taken every 15 days between 26 November 2004 and 25 November 2005 from two beaches of Bizerte bay (Tunisia), Rimel and Tunisian Refining Industries Company (TRIC). The latter site is located in front of the “Tunisian Refining Industries Company” runoff.     

Seasonality of PCDD/Fs in the ambient air of Malopolska Region,southern Poland

Background, aim, and scope  

The aim of the study was to identify the impact of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and furan (PCDD/F) emission sources on ambient air concentrations in the Malopolska Region, southern Poland. Three sites were selected: the city center of Krakow (Aleje), an industrial area (Nova Huta), and a rural site (Zakopane). In order to investigate the annual variations of PCDD/F sources, summer and winter time samples were taken.     

How life history contributes to stress response in the Manila clam <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ruditapes philippinarum</Emphasis>

Introduction  

Within the last decade, numerous studies have investigated the role of environmental history on tolerance to stress of many organisms. This study aims to assess if Manila clams Ruditapes philippinarum may react differently to cadmium exposure and trematode parasite infection (Himasthla elongata) depending on their origin and environmental history in Arcachon Bay (France).     

Enzymatic basis for fungicide removal by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Elodea canadensis</Emphasis>

Purpose  

Plants can absorb a diversity of natural and man-made toxic compounds for which they have developed diverse detoxification mechanisms. Plants are able to metabolize and detoxify a wide array of xenobiotics by oxidation, sugar conjugation, glutathione conjugation, and more complex reactions. In this study, detoxification mechanisms of dimethomorph, a fungicide currently found in aquatic media were investigated in Elodea canadensis.     

Some microbial characteristics of mussels (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Mytilus galloprovincialis</Emphasis>) in coastal city area

Purpose  

The aim of this work was to determine some microbial characteristics of Mytilus galloprovincialis harvested from four stations, located in Izmir coastal area (Eastern Aegean Sea, Turkey). The area along the Izmir coast is densely populated, and it includes extensive agricultural lands, industrial and domestic discharge. Shellfish contamination from sewage-polluted waters is very important for public health.     

Composition changes in the cuticular surface lipids of the helophytes <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phragmites australis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Juncus effusus</Emphasis> as result of pollutant exposure

Aim of the study  

Helophytes like rush and reed are increasingly used for phytoremediation of contaminated water. This study characterises the response of rush and reed plants to chemical stressors such as chlorobenzene, benzene and methyl-tert-butyl ether. The extractable wax layer of the cuticle was chosen for detailed investigations due to its multiple, particularly, protective functions for plants and its easy availability for analysis.     

Calcium invigorates the cadmium-stressed <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica napus</Emphasis> L. plants by strengthening their photosynthetic system

Introduction  

Cadmium (Cd) in plants interrupts numerous metabolic processes and reduces the water and nutrient uptake that cause chlorosis, growth retardation, and ultimately plant death. Response of Brassica napus L. to calcium (Ca) enrichment in growth medium for reducing Cd toxicity stress by strengthening the photosynthesis organelles and their functionality was explored in this study.