Chromium binding by calf thymus nuclei and effects on chromatin

1. No binding of chromium was detected after incubation of calf thymus nuclei with hexavalent chromium up to 0.5 mM.

2. Chromium was readily taken up and tightly bound after incubation with trivalent chromium.

3. In a DNA‐filter binding assay, increasing amounts of chromium and DNA were bound with increasing chromium trichloride concentrations incubated with the nuclei.

4. Treatment with proteinase K abolished the increase in DNA retention induced by trivalent chromium.

5. It is concluded that trivalent chromium is the ultimate genetoxic agent after chromate uptake by living cells.

     

Choice of chelating antidotes for acute cadmium intoxication∗

During acute oral intoxication by cadmium compounds, gastrointestinal epithelial damage contributes to immediate toxicity. However, secondary systemic toxicity may develop due to intestinal uptake of cadmium. This review presents an evaluation of the effects of chelators on the acute toxicity of cadmium after parenteral or oral exposure and on the intestinal uptake of cadmium. This review shows:

1. Chelating agents may affect the acute toxicity of cadmium in a variety of ways depending on the exposure route for cadmium and administration route for the chelator.

2. With regard to survival, systemic toxicity of absorbed cadmium is of major importance, as intraperitoneal administration of chelators could eliminate or reduce mortality due to orally administered cadmium chloride.

3. Lipophilicity of chelators and their cadmium complexes may result in extensively augmented intestinal uptake. However, hydrophilic chelators may efficiently reduce the intestinal cadmium uptake.

4. For hydrophilic chelators, the stability of the cadmium complex is an important determining factor of efficacy.

5. The optimal oral antidote towards orally administered cadmium are the BAL analogs, especially DMSA, while the optimal intraperitoneal antidotes towards orally or intraperitoneally administered cadmium are the higher members of the polyaminopolycarboxylate family, especially TTHA.

6. When administered simultaneously (DMSA orally and TTHA intraperitoneally), these chelators synergistically reduce the whole‐body retention of cadmium.

In conclusion, chelation treatment in acute oral cadmium intoxication should first prevent/reduce intestinal damage and uptake by rapid oral administration of a chelating antidote and then alleviate systemic toxicity due to absorbed cadmium and enhance renal/biliary cadmium excretion by parenteral administration of a chelating antidote.     

The ecotoxicology of titanium dioxide nanoparticles,an important engineering nanomaterial

Abstract

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nano-TiO₂) are useful because of their unique physicochemical properties. The wide application of nano-TiO₂ has raised concerns regarding its potential threat to organisms and the environment. Therefore, the production and application of nano-TiO₂ in the global market is summarized in this paper. This review presents the adverse effects of nano-TiO₂ in vivo, including potential exposure routes such as transdermal, oral and inhalative exposure, risk evaluation of nanotoxicity in vitro using bacteria, microorganisms, cells and biological molecules), physicochemical characterization of nano-TiO₂ regarding crystal structure, size, shape, surface characteristics and coatings, and the mechanisms of toxicity of nano-TiO₂ based on environmentally relevant test species and cells. This review aims to fill deficiencies in toxicological research and to facilitate the assessment of the environmental risks by nano-TiO₂ which is conducive to designing safer nanoproducts in our daily life.

• Highlights

• Presented the possible human health hazards related to nano-TiO2 exposure.

• Identified the current research deficiencies in this area.

• Summarized the underlying toxicity mechanisms.

• Summarized the compound toxicity of NPs.

     

A study of the kinetic in transition phase of the anaerobic fluidised bed reactor with immobilised cells in microsand

Anaerobic fluidised bed reactor is an instrument very much adapted in the experimental study of the kinetics of the complex biological process. In this experimental work the efficiency of the treatment of an anaerobic fluidised bed reactor with immobilised cells is examined in transition phase. The results of the experiments can be summarised as follows:

• a zero order elimination rate of the substrate is presented;

• the order of the reaction changes after a period of significant substrate elimination and follows a homographic equation

• the non‐dissociated part of the substrate ions is degradable.

     

Alkylation of metals and the activity of metal‐alkyls†

The biochemical basis for resistance to metal ion toxicity is emerging though it is complicated by the different resistance mechanisms. Several strategies for resistance to toxic metal ions have been identified:

1. The development of energy driven efflux pumps which keep toxic element levels low in the interior of the cell. Such mechanisms have been described for Cd(II) and As(V).

2. Oxidation (e.g. AsO^2‐ to AsO₄ ^3‐) or reduction (e.g. Hg²⁺ to Hg⁰) can enzymatically and intracellularly convert a more toxic form of an element to a less toxic form.

3. The biosynthesis of intracellular polymers which serve as traps for the removal of metal ions from solution such as traps have been described for cadmium, calcium, nickel and copper.

4. The binding of metal ions to cell surfaces.

5. The precipitation of insoluble metal complexes (e.g. metal sulfides and metal oxides) at cell surfaces.

6. Biomethylation and transport through cell‐membranes by diffusion controlled processes.

In this short review I shall discuss the implications of biomethylation as a detoxification mechanism for microorganisms as well as for certain higher organisms.     

Teil I: Das Osnabrücker Umweltmanagement-Modell für Hochschulen

Through their use of energy and materials, universities cause a great deal of environmental pollution which could be reduced considerably by an effective choice of organizational and technical measures. There are some examples for environmental protection measures at several universities, but a professional environmental management system (EMS) for universities with a systematic approach to reduce the consumption of resources is lacking. At the University of Osnabrück, the basis for an EMS applicable for a university has been developed for the first time in Germany and the use of this system can also be transferred to other universities. The EMS is composed of ten building blocks, for example, alteration of the administration’s organizational structure, adoption of environmental guidelines, analysis of the energy and material flows which result in an eco-balance, an environmental program or measures to inform the staff and to help to involve them in environmental management. Over the next months, these ten building blocks will gradually be implemented at the University of Osnabrück. Five articles will provide an overview about the EMS developed for the University of Osnabrück as a whole and will describe parts of the material and energy flow analysis, and the planned environmental information system.

Part I: An Environmental Management Model for Universities: From Environmental Guidelines to the Involvement of Employees

Part II: The Energy Balance of the University of Osnabrück: Analysis of the Energy Flows and Conclusions

Part III: The Traffic Balance of the University of Osnabrück: Calculation of the Environmental Pollution which is caused by the University’s Commuters and Business Trips

Part IV: A Concept of Waste Reduction for the University of Osnabrück: Constructing the Waste Balance and Measures to Inform and Involve the Staff

Part V: The Planned Environmental Information System of the University of Osnabrück: Concept and Integration into the Management Information System

     

Environmental problems of coal production in the United Kingdom with particular reference to the Yorkshire coalfield

This paper reviews the environmental problems associated with the coal-mining industry on the Yorkshire coalfield. The main environmental problems are identified as being caused by:

1. The need to dispose of large quantities of colliery waste or ‘spoil’, in an environmentally acceptable manner.
2. Derelict and despoiled land, including the problems caused by the re-working of old tips for their coal content.
3. Opencast coal mining.
4. Subsidence.
5. Transportation of coal and coal waste.

These problems are reviewed in the context of the role of coal in meeting the United Kingdom's energy needs and the framework of environmental control within which the coal-mining industry has to operate. Particular stress is laid on the fact that the Yorkshire coalfield, as with the majority of coalfields, is an old one with a legacy of inherited dereliction. Whilst modernisation of the mining industry is proceeding there have not been parallel developments put in hand to cope with the changing nature of the environmental problems resulting from the modernisation of the industry. Particular stress is placed on the need to dispose of the greatly increased quantities of spoil now being produced.     

Ökotoxikologische Wirkungen von Teeröl-imprägnierten Holzpfählen

Aim and Scope

This study was aimed at evaluating environmental effects of tar-oil impregnated (tanalized) tree stakes using simple and efficient biotests to obtain results of its ecological impacts during the tar-oil breakdown in the stake.

Results

1. Soil respiration was measured in-situ as an indication of soil microbial activity in two field trials. Soil respiration was measured in a 20 year-old apple orchard at various distances from the tar-oil impregnated tree stakes and also on soil mixed with chippings from pine stakes with tar-oil impregnation of different ages.
2. Cress germination tests were employed to evaluate tar-oil phytotoxicity in a field and laboratory trial. Cress was seeded close to tree stakes in the same 20 year-old apple orchard and germination rates related to tar oil-impregnation. Cress was also seeded in trays in sand mixed with pine chippings from stakes with tar-oil impregnation of different ages.
3. The portion of the carcinogenic benzoapyrene (BaP) ranged between 0.0015% in freshly tar-oil impregnated to 0.4% in tar-oil impregnated 20-year old trees stakes, i.e. irrespective of the overall PAK concentration and its degradation.
4. Kinetic analysis using DIXON plots showed a 50% breakdown of overall PAHs after ca. 2.7 years, i.e. km or Ki values of less than 3 years.

Conclusion

Germination tests of cress and endogenous seeds as well as soil respiration proved sensible indicators of the phytotoxicity and ecotoxicity of tar-oil impregnated tree stakes in fruit orchards. Soil respiration proved particularly sensitive to tar-oil ageing. Its combination with kinetic inhibition models resulted in parameters suitable for the interpretation of results.     

Overview of principles and implementations to deal with spatial issues in monitoring environmental effects of genetically modified organisms

Background

Sorting and disposal of waste are the last steps in the “lifetime” of a product. If products are contaminated with chemicals assessed to be hazardous for man or environment, waste management has the role of a vacuum cleaner in substance chain management working in two different ways: The hazardous compounds have to be properly separated from potential secondary resources in sorting processes. If this is not possible, those products have to be disposed safely. Starting from the experiences collected with some chemicals banned, the tools used for phasing out these chemicals from the technosphere are studied with respect to their influence on the contamination of the environment.

Results

Even if a dangerous substance has been banned, it is further used in a number of products. In the cases presented here, the substances were banned for further use. In the case of CFCs, the substitutes used have partially also been substituted because of adverse effects. Besides the prohibition of use of hazardous substances, numerous other regulations were issued to reduce unsafe handling and minimize emissions into the environment. It turned out that waste management cannot correct mistakes which already happened “upstream” in the product chain. The control of point sources works quite successfully, whereas today the overwhelming emissions stem from diffuse sources, partially caused by unsafe waste management procedures.

Conclusions

Though there are no complete balances for both groups of compounds serving as examples, some conclusions can be drawn based on the experiences collected. Hazardous compounds may be separated successfully from used products or waste,

• If they are mostly used in industry and not in households,
• if they can be identified as part of certain products,
• if their concentration in these products is rather high,
• if technical problems come up when they contaminate secondary raw materials,
• if there is international support for proper waste management.

     

Die Organisation der Früherkennung von Umweltproblemen im Rahmen der wissenschaftlichen Beratung der Umweltpolitik

This study is based on the theses that

1. early diagnosis is indispensable in the context of precautionary policy for the management of environmental problems which have the character of a “creeping disaster” and that
2. the public must play the active role that is adequate within a democratic society. In the context of the study, three existing advisory committees for environmental policy as well as two concepts which have not been put into effect are investigated.

In the fourth part the work of the oldest of the committees, the SRU, is examined with respect to the three most important environmental problems of the last 15 years. In part I, the concept of the Picht commission from 1972, which has never been realized in this form, was introduced. In part II, the concepts and the working method of the three existing advisory committees (SRU, WBGU, TAB) were presented. Part III deals with the critique of these committees and an alternative concept of early diagnosis which has not yet been put into effect.     

Metabolic adaptation of the intertidal worm Sipunculus nudus to functional and environmental hypoxia

The scope of anaerobic metabolism of Sipunculus nudus L. was assessed from the maximal activities of some enzymes of the intermediary metabolism and from the concentration of some metabolites accumulated during enhanced muscular activity and during prolonged experimental hypoxia.

1. Maximal enzyme activities demonstrate that the scope of anaerobic glycolysis, as indicated by maximal activities of glycogen phosphorylase (0.84 U g^-1 fresh wt), far exceeds the aerobic capacity, which is assumed not to surpass the activity of succinate dehydrogenase (0.09 U g^-1 fresh wt). Three pyruvate reductase activities (alanopine-, strombine- and octopine dehydrogenase) can possibly terminate anaerobic glycolysis.
2. During muscular activity, energy is provided by the degradation of phospho-L-arginine and by anaerobic glycolysis. Octopine is the major endproduct during functional anaerobiosis while the formation of strombine is less pronounced.
3. During exposure to a nitrogen atmosphere, several anaerobic endproducts are found to accumulate. Anaerobic glycolysis is terminated by strombine synthesis. This opine accumulates in concentrations much higher than octopine. In addition the concentrations of succinate, propionate and acetate are found to increase in tissues, and/or in the coelomic fluid and the incubation water.
4. The relative contribution of energy by the different anaerobic metabolic pathways are estimated during functional and environmental hypoxia.

     

Die Organisation der Früherkennung von Umweltproblemen im Rahmen der wissenschaftlichen Beratung der Umweltpolitik

This study is based on the theses that

1. early diagnosis is indispensable in the context of precautionary policy for the management of environmental problems, which have the character of a “creeping disaster”; and that
2. the public must play the active role that is adequate within a democratic society. In the context of the study, three existing advisory committees for environmental policy as well as two concepts which have not been put into effect are investigated.

In the first part presented here, the concept of the Picht commission from 1972, which has never been realized in this form is introduced. In part II, the concepts and the working method of the three existing advisory committees (SRU, WBGU, TAB) are presented. Part III deals with the critique of these committees and an alternative concept of early diagnosis which has not yet been put into effect. In part IV, the work of the oldest of the committees, the SRU, is examined with respect to the three most important environmental problems of the last 15 years.     

Die organisation der Früherkennung von Umweltproblemen im Rahmen der wissenschaftlichen Beratung der Umweltpolitik

This study is based on the theses that

1. early diagnosis is indispensable in the context of precautionary policy for the management of environmental problems which have the character of a “creeping disaster”, and that
2. the public must play the active role that is adequate within a democratic society.

In the context of the study, three existing advisory committees for environmental policy as well as two concepts which have not been put into effect are investigated. The third part deals with the critique of these committees and an alternative concept of early diagnosis “General Ecological Monitoring” which has not yet been put into effect. In part I, the concept of the Picht commission from 1972, which has never been realized in this form has been introduced. In part II, the concepts and the working method of the three existing advisory committees (SRU, WBGU, TAB) have been presented. In part IV, the work of the oldest of the committees, the SRU, is examined with respect to the three most important environmental problems of the last 15 years.     

Ökologische Kriterien der Technik- und Stoffbewertung: Integration des Vorsorgeprinzips

The development of criteria for the comparative assessment of technologies and substances beyond the toxicological approach and the development of an integrated pattern of criteria is still at the beginning. The criteria presented here for integrating the precautionary principle into the substance and technology assessment have to be further operationlised and completed, in the same way as the criteria which have been discussed and developed within the framework of

- the poisoning and pollutant paradigm

- the equilibrium paradigm

- the sustainability and “Mitwelt” paradigm

- the energy and the general technology assessment debate.

The resolution of the criteria has to be improved and their range (which is certainly limited) has to be explored more precisely. The application of the criteria should never occur mechanically. Technology assessment and substance assessment are not only scientific, but essentially social and, hence, discursive processes. It is not so much the assessment of individual substances which should be in the center of the debate, but rather the comparative assessment of competing techniques, substances and substancerelated development pathways (see vonGleich andRubik, 1966 as a first approach to assess the environmental effects of old and new materials). According to the example of the energy strategies, only the development of competing strategies in the substance field could create the necessary prerequisites for a broad public discourse and thus for a democratisation of the basic substancerelated policy decisions. This discourse is a duty which science and economy have toward society.     

Die Organisation der Früherkennung von Umweltproblemen im Rahmen der wissenschaftlichen Beratung der Umweltpolitik

This study is based on the theses that

1. early diagnosis is indispensable for the management of environmental problems in the context of precautionary policy, which have the character of a “creeping disaster” and that
2. the public must play the active role that is adequate within a democratic society.

In the context of the study, three existing advisory committees for environmental policy as well as two concepts which have not been put into effect are investigated. In the second part of the study the concepts and the working method of the three existing advisory committees are portrayed: the Council of Experts for Environmental Questions (SRU), the German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU), and the Office of Technology Assessment of the Federal Parliament (TAB). In part I, the concept of the Picht commission from 1972, which has never been implemented in this form was introduced. Part III deals with the critique of these committees and with an alternative concept of early diagnosis which has not yet been put into effect. In part IV, the work of the oldest of the committees, the SRU, is examined with respect to the three most important environmental problems of the last 15 years.     

Arsenic,antimony, and other trace element contamination in a mine tailings affected area and uptake by tolerant plant species

The study was conducted to characterize mineralogical and elemental composition of mine tailings in order to evaluate the environmental hazards, and identify the metal accumulation potential of native plant species from São Domingos mine, one of the long-term activity mines of the Iberian Pyrite Belt dating back to pre-Roman times. The mine tailings including soils and different plant species from São Domingos were analyzed for determination of tailings characteristics and chemical element contents in tailings and plants. The large amounts of mining wastes are causing significant adverse environment impacts due to acid mine drainage production and mobilization of potentially toxic metals and metalloids in residential areas, agricultural fields, downstreams, and rivers. The typical mineralogical composition is as follows: quartz, micas, K-feldspar, olivine-group minerals, magnetite, goethite, hematite, jarosite, and sulfides. The mine tailings were highly contaminated by As, Ag, Cr, Hg, Sn, Sb, Fe, and Zn; and among them, As and Sb, main contaminants, attained the highest concentrations except Fe. Arsenic has exhibited very good correlations with Au, Fe, Sb, Se, and W; and Sb with As, Au, Fe, Se, Sn, and W in tailings. Among the all plant species, the higher concentrations of all the metals were noted in Erica andevalensis, Erica australis, Echium plantagium, and Lavandula luisierra. Considering the tolerant behavior and abundant growth, the plant species Erica australis, Erica andevalensis, Lavandula luisierra, Daphne gnidium, Rumex induratus, Ulex eriocladus, Juncus, and Genista hirsutus are of major importance for the rehabilitation and recovery of degraded São Domingos mining area.     

Ökologische Kriterien der Technik- und Stoffbewertung: Integration des Vorsorgeprinzips

The development of criteria for the comparative assessment of technologies and substances beyond the toxicological approach and the development of an integrated pattern of criteria is still at the beginning. The criteria presented here for integrating the precautionary principle into the substance and technology assessment have to be further operationalised and completed, in the same way as the criteria which have been discussed and developed within the framework of

- the poisoning and pollutant paradigm

- the equilibrium paradigm

- the sustainability and “Mitwelt” paradigm

- the energy and the general technology assessment debate.

The resolution of the criteria has to be improved and their range (which is certainly limited) has to be explored more precisely. The application of the criteria should never occur mechanically. Technology assessment and substance assessment are not only scientific, but essentially social and, hence, discursive processes. It is not so much the assessment of individual substances which should be in the center of the debate, but rather the comparative assessment of competing techniques, substances and substancerelated development pathways (see vonGleich andRubik, 1966 as a first approach to assess the environmental effects of old and new materials). According to the example of the energy strategies, only the development of competing strategies in the substance field could create the necessary prerequisites for a broad public discourse and thus for a democratisation of the basic substancerelated policy decisions. This discourse is a duty which science and economy have toward society.     

Detektoren zur Kartierung des Redox-chemischen Gewässermilieus

For the time being, simple and reliable methods which permit the imaging of the complex topography of contaminant plumes in groundwater are missing. The conventional methods for the punctual determination of contaminant concentrations cannot fulfill this demand. To successfully implement and utilize. Natural Attenuation, these deficits have to be overwhelmed. The detectors described in the following represent only part of the probing device system the authors have developed; it shall enable their user to image different aspects of plume topography and its time dependent change by monitoring within the undisturbed groundwater aquifer in groundwater measuring levels:

? relative freights of contaminants and trace contaminants by passive samplers [4] and

? redox milieu parameters by detectors.

The detectors offer multi-purpose, tape-like probing devices of unlimited length. They are charged with a defined reserve of reactive substances. During monitoring actions, the derector tape hangs vertically stretched by a weight preferably covering from the top to the bottom of the whole water column. During the reaction period, the detector may be relaunched for repeated visual inspection. The colour changes of the detectors enable the identification of a row of parameters in the vertically (depth-) oriented profile by unbroken optical/visually perceivable imaging:

? Position of Redox potential thresholds for Mn-IV-Mn-II, Fe-III-Fe-II, Sulfate-Sulfide

? Position of ochre precipitation and iron-sulfide precipitation horizons

? Relative freights of the sum of substances effecting reduction (period until defined oxidant reserve has been reduced)

? Relative freights of the sum of substances effecting iron-sulfide oxidation (period until defined reductant reserve has been reduced)

? Position of dissolved iron-II ions containing horizons

? Position of dissolved hydrogen-sulfide ions/hydrogen-sulfide containing horizons

? Relative freights of iron-II ions (period until defined oxidant reserve has been reduced)

? Relative freights of hydrogen-sulfide ions/hydrogen-sulfide (period until defined oxidant reserve has been reduced). Furthermore, the detectors are also suitable for the examination of waters even of great depth, as for example artificial or natural lakes, sea and ocean basins.

     

Einsatz der Hasse-Diagrammtechnik zur vergleichenden Datenanalyse von Biomarkerantworten und ökotoxikologischen Tests

Ecotoxicological investigations focus on biological systems and their response to chemically induced stress. Experimental techniques are much more developed than deterministic dynamic modelling. In this methodological contribution a technique is presented, based on lattice theory. This technique, also calledHasse diagram technique, allows data analysis with respect to comparative evaluation. Hasse diagrams are used

? to suggest a possible measure of microbial diversity,

? to analyze dependencies between phospholipid fatty acids and simple geochemical parameters on an ordinal scale and

? to visualise complex results of interactions of humic substances with xenobiotics.