Simulation of the plant uptake of organophosphates and other emerging pollutants for greenhouse experiments and field conditions

The uptake of the organophosphates tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCPP), tributyl phosphate (TBP), the insect repellant N,N-diethyl toluamide (DEET), and the plasticizer n-butyl benzenesulfonamide (NBBS) into plants was studied in greenhouse experiments and simulated with a dynamic physiological plant uptake model. The calibrated model was coupled to a tipping buckets soil transport model and a field scenario with sewage sludge application was simulated. High uptake of the polar, low-volatile compounds TCEP, TCPP, and DEET into plants was found, with highest concentrations in straw (leaves and stem). Uptake into carrot roots was high for TCPP and TBP. NBBS showed no high uptake but was rapidly degraded. Uptake into barley seeds was small. The pattern and levels of uptake could be reproduced by the model simulations, which indicates mainly passive uptake and transport (i.e., by the transpiration stream, with the water) into and within the plants. Also the field simulations predicted a high uptake from soil into plants of TCEP, TCPP, and DEET, while TBP is more likely taken up from air. The BCF values measured and calculated in the greenhouse study are in most cases comparable to the calculated values of the field scenario, which demonstrates that greenhouse studies can be suitable for predicting the behavior of chemicals in the field. Organophosphates have a high potential for bioaccumulation in crops and reach agricultural fields both via sewage sludge and by atmospheric deposition.     

Uptake and translocation of organophosphates and other emerging contaminants in food and forage crops

Emerging contaminants in wastewater and sewage sludge spread on agricultural soil can be transferred to the human food web directly by uptake into food crops or indirectly following uptake into forage crops. This study determined uptake and translocation of the organophosphates tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCPP) (log K _ow 2.59), triethyl-chloro-phosphate (TCEP) (log K _ow 1.44), tributyl phosphate (TBP) (log K _ow 4.0), the insect repellent N,N-diethyl toluamide (DEET) (log K _ow 2.18) and the plasticiser N-butyl benzenesulfonamide (NBBS) (log K _ow 2.31) in barley, wheat, oilseed rape, meadow fescue and four cultivars of carrot. All species were grown in pots of agricultural soil, freshly amended contaminants in the range of 0.6–1.0 mg/kg dry weight, in the greenhouse. The bioconcentration factors for root (RCF), leaf (LCF) and seed (SCF) were calculated as plant concentration in root, leaf or seed over measured initial soil concentration, both in dry weight. The chlorinated flame retardants (TCEP and TCPP) displayed the highest bioconcentration factors for leaf and seed but did not show the same pattern for all crop species tested. For TCEP, which has been phased out due to toxicity but is still found in sewage sludge and wastewater, LCF was 3.9 in meadow fescue and 42.3 in carrot. For TCPP, which has replaced TCEP in many products and also occurs in higher residual levels in sewage sludge and wastewater, LCF was high for meadow fescue and carrot (25.9 and 17.5, respectively). For the four cultivars of carrot tested, the RCF range for TCPP and TCEP was 10–20 and 1.7–4.6, respectively. TCPP was detected in all three types of seeds tested (SCF, 0.015–0.110). Despite that DEET and NBBS have log K _ow in same range as TCPP and TCEP, generally lower bioconcentration factors were measured. Based on the high translocation of TCPP and TCEP to leaves, especially TCPP, into meadow fescue (a forage crop for livestock animals), ongoing risk assessments should be conducted to investigate the potential effects of these compounds in the food web.     

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.     

Uptake and elimination,and effect of estrogen-like contaminants in estuarine copepods: an experimental study

Background, aim, and scope  

In recent years, anthropogenic chemicals which can disrupt the hormonal systems of both humans and wildlife have been raised to a major cause of concern. The aim of the present work was to determine the bioconcentration factors of the two major alkylphenols (AP) of the Seine Estuary [4-nonylphenol (4 NP) and nonylphenol acetic acid (NP1EC)] and of the synthetic estrogen, estrogen ethinylestradiol (EE2), in Eurytemora affinis after exposure in a continuous flow-through system under environmental realistic conditions. Moreover, the elimination of these compounds in copepods from the Seine Estuary has been investigated by measuring concentrations after 1 week in clean water in comparison to background levels.     

Persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals in adipose tissues of patients with uterine leiomyomas and the association of these pollutants with seafood diet, BMI, and age

Background, aim, and scope  

Persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals can cause diseases in women, however, the relationships of these pollutants and uterine leiomyomas (UL), which are non-cancerous tumors of the uterus, are unclear. This study focused on the quantification of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and heavy metals in subcutaneous and visceral fat obtained from patients with UL and in subcutaneous fat of a control group of women without UL to determine if there were any correlations between concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals and the incidence of UL.     

Combined effect of diuron and simazine on photosystem II photochemistry in a sandy soil and soil amended with solid olive-mill waste

Diuron (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)- = 1,1-dimethylurea) and simazine (6-chloro-N ², N ⁴-diethyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine) are soil-applied herbicides used in olive crops. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of these herbicides on Photosystem II photochemistry of Olea europaea L., and whether the amendment of soil with an organic waste (OW) from olive oil production industry modifies this effect. For this purpose, herbicide soil adsorption studies, with unamended and OW-amended soil, and chlorophyll fluorescence measurements in adult olive leaves, after one, two and three weeks of soil herbicide treatment and/or OW amendment, were performed. Soil application of these herbicides reduced the efficiency of Photosystem II photochemistry of olive trees due to chronic photoinhibition, and this effect is counterbalanced by the addition of OW to the soil. OW reduces herbicide uptake by the plant due to an increase in herbicide adsorption.     

Evaluation of phenol detoxification by Brassica napus hairy roots, using Allium cepa test

Introduction  

Meristematic mitotic cells of Allium cepa constitute an adequate material for cytotoxicity and genotoxicity evaluation of environmental pollutants, such as phenol, which is a contaminant frequently found in several industrial effluents.     

Occurrence and removal of lidocaine,tramadol, venlafaxine,and their metabolites in German wastewater treatment plants

Purpose  

Some of the pharmaceuticals that are not extensively investigated in the aquatic environment are the anesthetic lidocaine (LDC), the analgesic tramadol (TRA), and the antidepressant venlafaxine (VEN). LDC metabolizes to 2,6-xylidine (2,6-DMA) and monoethylglycinexylidine (MEGX), TRA to O-desmethyltramadol (ODT), and VEN to O-desmethylvenlafaxine (ODV). Within this study, the distribution and behavior of these compounds in German wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) were investigated.     

Festuca arundinacea,glutathione S-transferase and herbicide safeners: A preliminary case study to reduce herbicidal pollution

The expression of glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity in Festuca arundinacea was investigated in response to the following herbicide safeners: benoxacor, cloquintocet-mexyl, fenchlorazol-ethyl, fenclorim, fluxofenim and oxabetrinil. All the above compounds enhanced the GST activity tested towards the “model” substrate 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB). Assays of GST activity towards the herbicides terbuthylazine (N ²-tert-butyl-6-chloro-N ⁴-ethyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine) and butachlor (N-butoxymethyl-2-chloro-2′,6′-diethylacetanilide) as substrates also showed the ability of the safeners to enhance the enzyme activity towards both these herbicides, with the exception of cloquintocet-mexyl for the enzyme activity towards butachlor. As a consequence of the above effects at a macro-scale level, decreased herbicide accumulation and persistence were ascertained in response to the addition of the safener benoxacor to both terbuthylazine and butachlor treatments. These results are discussed in terms of capacity of benoxacor to induce herbicide detoxification in Festuca arundinacea with a view to utilizing them in reducing herbicide pollution.     

Biochemical biomarkers in environmental studies—lessons learnt from enzymes catalase,glutathione <Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>-transferase and cholinesterase in two crustacean species

Background, aim and scope  

For reliable environmental risk assessment of pollutants, knowledge on the effects at different levels of biological organisation is needed. During the early days of biomarker research in environmental studies approximately two decades ago, biochemical biomarkers were considered as the most promising tool for such purposes. Among these, three enzymes have often been studied: catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and cholinesterase (ChE). However, despite their intensive research, their measurements in invertebrates have not been commonly applied in environmental risk assessment (ERA) or for regulatory purposes.     

Trace element concentrations from lichen transplants in Pretoria,South Africa

Purpose  

The purpose of this study was to assess the level and possible sources of trace elements in Tshwane metropolis using transplanted lichen thallus of Parmelia sulcata with a view to evaluating the ability of this lichen species to monitor air pollutants from a perceived polluted environment.     

Polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorinated pesticides in birds from a contaminated region in South China: association with trophic level,tissue distribution and risk assessment

Purpose  

Birds have been used successfully for biomonitoring of the levels and effects of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the environments; however, there is exceedingly little data on organochlorinated pesticide (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) residues in bird inhabiting in China. In the present study, we detected the concentrations of PCBs, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites (DDTs) and hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) in muscle, liver and kidney of birds that inhabit in an e-waste recycling site. Associated with the stable isotope ratio (δ ¹⁵N), we investigated the effect of trophic level on the body burdens of persistent contaminants in birds. The tissue distributions of contaminants in these birds were examined, and a preliminary risk assessment was also conducted.     

Chemical, biological, and ecotoxicological assessment of pesticides and persistent organic pollutants in the Bahlui River, Romania

Background, aim, and scope  

Current knowledge on environmental impacts of industrial activities in Romania, particularly persistent organic pollutants (POPs), indicates that environmental standards of the European Union are not systematically met. In our study area, additional sources of POPs are agriculture and domestic wastes. Very scarce information is available upon environmental contaminations and effects. In the present study, we investigated the chemical pollution and their eventual impact on the ecosystem by measuring POPs and by using biological indicators of pollution.     

Platinum,palladium, and rhodium deposition to the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus laurus cerasus</Emphasis> leaf surface as an indicator of the vehicular traffic pollution in the city of Varese area

Background, aim, and scope  

The widespread use of some platinum group elements as catalysts to minimize emission of pollutants from combustion engines produced a constantly growing increase of the concentration of these elements in the environment; their potential toxicological properties explain the increasing interest in routine easy monitoring. We have found that leaves of Prunus laurus cerasus are efficient collectors of particulate with a dimension <60–80 μm, and a simple and reliable procedure was developed to reveal traces of platinum, palladium, and rhodium released from automotive catalysts. The analysis of the dust deposited on the foliage is a direct indicator of traffic pollution.     

Predicting regional space–time variation of PM2.5 with land-use regression model and MODIS data

Purpose  

Existing land-use regression (LUR) models use land use/cover, population, and traffic information to predict long-term intra-urban variation of air pollution. These models are limited to explaining spatial variation of air pollutants, and few of them are capable of addressing temporal variability. This article proposes a space–time LUR model at a regional scale by incorporating aerosol optical depth (AOD) data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS).     

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers and their methoxylated metabolites in anchovy (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Coilia</Emphasis> sp.) from the Yangtze River Delta,China

Background, aim, and scope  

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and their metabolites are toxic to animals, and concentrations of the PBDEs metabolites can exceed those of the parent materials. But no information was available on concentrations of PBDEs metabolites in the lower Yangtze River in the region around Jiangsu Province of China, which is heavily urbanized and industrialized area. The aims of this study were to determine whether PBDEs and their methoxylated PBDEs (MeO-PBDEs) were accumulated in Coilia sp. in this area and to investigate the potential sources for these two kinds of brominated organic pollutants.     

Degradation of Metolachlor in Crude Extract of Aspergillus Flavus

Abstract

Crude enzyme from a soil fungus, Aspergillus flavus, was isolated from a field soil following repeated applications of metolachlor [2-Chloro-N-(methoxy-1-methylethyl)-2′-ethyl-6′-methyl acetanilide]. Metolachlor hydrolysis by the crude enzyme extract was determined by enzyme assay. The tests were performed in phosphate buffer, pH 7.5, and the reaction was carried out at two herbicide concentrations (20 and 100 μg mL^?1) and two crude extract volumes (0.2 and 0.5 mL of the homogenized crude extract mixture). The rate of metolachlor degradation was found faster in samples containing higher volume of crude extract, (T _1/2, 5.7 h) for both concentrations of the herbicide. The activities of enzymes responsible for dechlorination coupled with hydroxylation, N-dealkylation, and breaking of amide linkage were found responsible in the degradation.     

The effect of paraoxon on spermatogenesis in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dugesia gonocephala</Emphasis> from the Chilean Altiplano: proliferation and apoptosis

Introduction and aims  

The Chilean Altiplano ecosystem is conserved free from contaminants and pollutants because of the absence of major local human activities such as agriculture or other industries. We studied the effects of paraoxon on proliferation and apoptosis of testicular cells during active spermatogenesis in Dugesia gonocephala collected from a pristine river (Guacollo) in the Altiplano region nearby Visviri town, Chile.     

Assessment of organic contamination along the coast of Laizhou Bay,China: chemical analysis and integrated biomarker responses in the clam Ruditapes philippinarum

An investigative biomonitoring study was conducted along the coastal area of Laizhou Bay (China) to evaluate the impact of organic pollution on the clam Ruditapes philippinarum using bioaccumulation and multi-biomarker measurements. In addition, the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) and nonylphenol (NP) content in surface sediment at the study sites were also analyzed. Concentrations of PCBs, TPHs and NP in the sediments of the study area were 1.90 ± 0.10 μg kg^?1, 39.55 ± 2.42 mg kg^?1, 9.23 ± 0.41 μg kg^?1 dry weight, respectively, while the organic contaminants in the soft tissues of R. philippinarum were 14.81 ± 0.96 μg kg^?1 for PCBs, 165.87 ± 5.03 mg kg^?1 for TPHs and 86.16 ± 5.29 μg kg^?1 for NP. Linear regression analysis on the levels of organic pollutants accumulated in R. philippinarum and in sediments showed no significant correlation. Multi-biomarkers including superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, total glutathione and lipid peroxidation were assayed in gills and digestive glands of R. philippinarum. Finally, the biomarkers in gills were selected to calculate the Integrated Biomarker Response (IBR) index and to evaluate the impact of the three organic contaminants on R. philippinarum collected from different sites. According to IBR results, the western coast and eastern coast exhibited higher environmental stress than the sampling sites along the southern coast of Laizhou Bay. Significant correlation was found between the level of organic contaminants in the sediments and IBR whereas no dependence was found between pollutants’ concentrations in sediments and separate biomarker responses. The results showed that PCBs and NP were the main organic pollutants among the three studied which have caused pollution pressure on R. philippinarum in Laizhou Bay coastal area.

     

Effect of Pb toxicity on leaf growth, antioxidant enzyme activities, and photosynthesis in cuttings and seedlings of Jatropha curcas L

Background  

Cuttings and seedlings of Jatropha curcas L. were exposed to different regimes of lead (Pb) stress as Pb(NO₃)₂ at 0 (CK), 0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 4 mM kg⁻¹ soil.