Ultra-structural observations on the lymphoid organs of the freshwater catfish, Clarias batrachus (Linnaeus)

Light microscopic and ultra-structural studies of the lymphoid tissues such as blood immunocytes, spleen and pronephros of the freshwater catfish, Clarias batrachus, were carried out. The peripheral blood showed nucleated erythrocytes, total leucocytic count (TLC) more than that observed in mammalian blood and leucocytes with morphological appearance similar to the mammalian white blood cells (WBCs). The spleen and pronephros showed presence of numerous lymphocytes, monocytes and nucleated red blood cells (RBCs) along with hemosiderin-containing macrophages. The morphology of lymphoid organs of the catfish has been discussed in light of the evolution of the immune system in this class of vertebrates.     

Combined toxic effect of airborne heavy metals on human lung cell line A549

Many studies have demonstrated that heavy metals existing as a mixture in the atmospheric environment cause adverse effects on human health and are important key factors of cytotoxicity; however, little investigation has been conducted on a toxicological study of a metal mixture from atmospheric fine particulate matter. The objective of this study was to predict the combined effects of heavy metals in aerosol by using in vitro human cells and obtain a suitable mixture toxicity model. Arsenic, nickel, and lead were selected for mixtures exposed to A549 human lung cancer cells. Cell proliferation (WST-1), glutathione (GSH), and interleukin (IL)-8 inhibition were observed and applied to the prediction models of mixture toxicity, concentration addition (CA) and independent action (IA). The total mixture concentrations were set by an IC₁₀-fixed ratio of individual toxicity to be more realistic for mortality and enzyme inhibition tests. The results showed that the IA model was statistically closer to the observed results than the CA model in mortality, indicating dissimilar modes of action. For the GSH inhibition, the results predicted by the IA and CA models were highly overestimated relative to mortality. Meanwhile, the IL-8 results were stable with no significant change in immune reaction related to inflammation. In conclusion, the IA model is a rapid prediction model in heavy metals mixtures; mortality, as a total outcome of cell response, is a good tool for demonstrating the combined toxicity rather than other biochemical responses.     

应用斜生栅藻生长抑制实验对重金属污染土壤的毒性进行诊断

应用斜生栅藻（Scenedesmus Obliquus）对重金属污染土壤的毒性进行诊断.结果表明，斜生栅藻的生长率与土壤中的重金属含量明显相关，并且随重金属投加量的增加而逐渐降低.对两种测试参数进行比较，发现采用细胞数生长率作为土壤毒性的检测指标要比采用光密度D(λ)增长率更为敏感.当采用细胞数生长率作为检测指标时，4种重金属的EC50顺序为Pb>Cu>Zn>Cd;采用光密度生长率作为检测指标时，4种重金属的EC     

应用概率物种敏感度分布法研究太湖重金属水生生物水质基准

目前广泛使用的水质基准推导方法—物种敏感度分布法存在曲线拟合模型不确定、曲线拟合效果不佳、种内差异欠考虑、基准值不准确等诸多问题,概率物种敏感度分布法可有效解决上述问题。应用概率物种敏感度分布法构建了太湖水体中5种重金属Ag、Pb、Cd、Hg和Zn的概率物种敏感度分布曲线,在此基础上得到了保护水生生物的急性水质基准分别为1.079μg·L~(-1)、637.973μg·L~(-1)、19.465μg·L~(-1)、8.729μg·L~(-1)和105.506μg·L~(-1),慢性水质基准分别为0.108μg·L~(-1)、63.797μg·L~(-1)、1.947μg·L~(-1)、2.340μg·L~(-1)和52.753μg·L~(-1);不同类群间生物对重金属的敏感度存在差异,不同重金属对同一类群生物的毒性也存在差异;通过与国内外已有的重金属水质基准值比较,发现水质基准具有明显的区域性,目前基于国外水质基准或我国整体水域特点来制定的太湖水质标准,往往造成对太湖水生生物欠保护或过保护的状况。     

环草隆与重金属复合污染对黄瓜及小麦的毒性效应评估

为探究草坪除草剂与重金属复合污染对高等植物的生态毒性效应,以小麦与黄瓜为敏感受试植物,采用滤纸发芽试验法,研究了典型草坪除草剂环草隆与4种重金属(Cu/Zn/Pb/Cd)单一及复合污染条件下,对2种植物种子萌发与幼苗生长的毒性效应并进行评估。在此基础上采用评估因子法外推环草隆在土壤中的预测无效应浓度(PNECsoil)。结果表明,2种植物的根长及小麦的芽长对环草隆与重金属非常敏感(P<0.01),且存在明显的剂量-效应关系。黄瓜根长对环草隆最敏感,根长半抑制浓度(RI50)为0.281 mg·L-1。小麦根长对Cu、Pb、Cd比黄瓜根长更敏感。环草隆与重金属复合污染时,黄瓜根长表现得最为敏感,可作为敏感生物标记物。环草隆与重金属复合污染对小麦及黄瓜根长抑制具有协同作用,并且随着重金属浓度的增大,黄瓜和小麦根生长对环草隆的敏感性增加。环草隆与重金属复合污染对小麦芽长的联合效应主要与重金属种类及其暴露浓度有关。以黄瓜的根伸长抑制率为急性毒性终点,利用外推法计算得环草隆在土壤中的PNECsoil为1.90μg·kg~(-1),远远低于环草隆田间推荐使用量1.5~9 mg·kg~(-1)。与重金属复合污染时,环草隆的PNECsoil明显降低,导致其生态风险提高。上述研究结果能够为草坪除草剂环草隆与重金属复合污染的生态风险评价提供数据支持。     

利用藻红外测试技术研究多种重金属溶液对滇池铜绿微囊藻的毒性作用

为考察多种重金属同时存在的混合溶液对藻类的生物毒性,选择Cr(Ⅲ)、Pb(Ⅱ)、Hg(Ⅱ)、Cd(Ⅱ)、Mn(Ⅱ)5种重金属,以按照国家饮用水卫生标准限值浓度配制的单一重金属溶液和多种重金属混合溶液为受试样品,并利用本实验室开发的藻红外测试技术,评价了低浓度下单一重金属溶液和多种重金属共存溶液对藻的生物毒性。实验结果显示:按照饮用水标准限值配制的5种单一重金属溶液均未观察到对藻有生物毒性,但在多种重金属共存的27个不同组合的混合溶液中,有73.1%的样品表现出明显的生物毒性;藻响应出现率与混合溶液中重金属的总浓度呈正相关关系(r=0.8942)。当多种重金属以二元至五元混合时,藻响应出现率分别为50%、80%、100%、100%,表明随着重金属组分的增加,混合溶液的毒性作用越来越显著。当不同混合溶液的重金属总浓度大于0.11 mg·L-1时,平均累积藻响应占比显著上升到93%,表明重金属混合溶液中藻的毒性与总浓度之间存在剂量响应关系。采用平均藻响应出现率分析,结果显示混合溶液中不同重金属的相对影响顺序为:Cr(Ⅲ)87.5%>Pb(Ⅱ)和Hg(Ⅱ)58.3%>Cd(Ⅱ)和Mn(Ⅱ)54.3%,表明Cr(Ⅲ)表现出的藻毒性远高出其他重金属。现行的水质标准通常采用单一指标和限值,本研究结果表明采用单一指标不能有效规避多种污染物共存体系的环境风险。     

What are heavy metals? Long-standing controversy over the scientific use of the term ‘heavy metals’ – proposal of a comprehensive definition

The term ‘heavy metals’ is commonly used in the environmental literature to refer to metals and metalloids associated with environmental pollution, toxicity and adverse effects on biota. The term has been diversely defined, mostly in terms of density, relative atomic mass and atomic number. This diversity of definitions has raised questions about the nomenclature of these elements. The inclusion of the metalloid As and the nonmetal Se with heavy metals is also an important issue. Some people have called the term as meaningless, imprecise and poorly defined and have suggested abandoning the use of the term. The term itself may not be problematic but the careless and inconsistent use of terminology has led to a confusion about the meaning of the term. The use of the term may be continued but it should be defined in a more comprehensive and scientific way. Here, a more comprehensive definition of the term ‘heavy metals’ is suggested as ‘naturally occurring metals having atomic number (Z) greater than 20 and an elemental density greater than 5 g cm^?3.’ A screening of the Periodic Table according to this definition yields 51 elements to be called ‘heavy metals.’ As and Se are excluded from heavy metals.     

2种水稻土中Cu(Ⅱ)和Pb(Ⅱ)的解吸动力学

用一次平衡法研究了2种水稻土表面吸附态Cu(Ⅱ)和Pb(Ⅱ)的解吸动力学行为及柠檬酸和酒石酸对2种重金属离子解吸的影响。结果表明,虽然2种土壤对Pb(Ⅱ)的吸附量比Cu(Ⅱ)高得多,但无论在单一重金属体系还是Cu(Ⅱ)和Pb(Ⅱ)共存体系中,Cu(Ⅱ)的解吸量均大于Pb(Ⅱ),湖州水稻土Cu(Ⅱ)的解吸量大于嘉兴水稻土,说明土壤对重金属离子的吸附亲和力越大,吸附的重金属离子越不易解吸。用E lovich方程拟合动力学数据可以获得比较满意的结果。解吸速率与时间的关系曲线表明,Cu(Ⅱ)和Pb(Ⅱ)的解吸速率随时间的增加迅速减小。Cu(Ⅱ)的解吸速率大于Pb(Ⅱ),柠檬酸和酒石酸不仅使重金属的解吸量增加,而且使Cu(Ⅱ)和Pb(Ⅱ)的解吸速率大大提高。2种有机酸对Cu(Ⅱ)解吸的促进作用大于Pb(Ⅱ),柠檬酸的促进作用大于酒石酸。     

南京近郊主要森林类型对土壤重金属的吸收与累积规律

研究了南京近郊针、阔叶树种杉木(Cunninghamia lanceolata)、麻栎(Quercus acutissima)对重金属元素铬、铜、镍、铅、锌的吸收和累积规律.研究结果表明,5种重金属元素在2种林分的枯落物层含量均高于灌草层和乔木层各部位,但由于乔木层生物量较大,重金属元索在2种森林生态系统中主要储存在乔...     

日本虎斑猛水蚤的重金属急性毒性及其作为标准测试生物的潜在意义

以静态实验法研究重金属Cu、Cd、Pb和Zn单独以及两两联合对日本虎斑猛水蚤(Tigriopus japonicus)的急性毒性效应,并分析其是否适宜作为我国海水重金属毒性测试的标准生物.结果显示,单独作用下,cu、Cd、Pb和Zn对受试生物的24 hLC50分别为0.26、0.14、0.40和0.65 mg·L-1,...     

澳门城市垃圾焚烧底灰的重金属淋溶及其遗传毒性评价

应用美国国家环境保护局推荐的毒性特性溶出程序(toxicitycharacteristicleachingprocedure,TCLP),以及ICP-MS和ICP-AES技术研究了澳门城市垃圾焚烧底灰中重金属的淋溶,并结合蚕豆根尖微核试验评价了其潜在的生态与健康风险.结果显示,该底灰淋溶出来的重金属元素:铝(Al)、锰(Mn)、钴(Co)和汞(Hg)的浓度低于0.01mg·L-1,铁(Fe)、铜(Cu)和钼(Mo)的浓度低于0.1mg·L-1,而铬(Cr)、锌(Zn)、硒(Se)、锶(Sr)、钡(Ba)和铯(Cs)的浓度在0.11mg·L-1￣2.19mg·L-1之间.需要注意的是淋溶液中铅(Pb)的浓度异常高,最高可达19.06mg·L-1,超过了美国相关标准的上限(5mg·L-1);对比不同条件下底灰中重金属的淋溶情况,表明溶解作用和淋溶液的pH值是影响其淋溶的2个重要因素.蚕豆根尖微核试验显示各淋溶液处理组根尖细胞微核率明显升高,与阴性对照组相比具有显著性差异(p<0.05),表明各淋溶液具有遗传毒性;随着淋溶液中重金属浓度的增加,蚕豆根尖细胞所表现出来的毒性效应增强,表明重金属是淋溶液具有遗传毒性的重要原因.     

羟基磷灰石对沉积物中重金属释放特性的影响

以羟基磷灰石掺杂前后模拟重金属污染沉积物为研究对象,利用混匀释放实验及化学连续萃取法分析沉积物中重金属的释放特征及形态分布特性,考察了羟基磷灰石对重会属污染沉积物中Cu、zn、Pb、Cd稳定性的影响.结果表明不同来源模拟污染沉积物中松花江沉积物中的重金属最易重新释放,而伊通河沉积物中的重金属释放量最小;同时伊通河沉积物中残渣态重金属的比例较其它沉积物高很多,而可交换态和碳酸盐结合态的重金属比例较其它沉积物低很多,说明同时进入沉积物中的重金属,伊通河沉积物中的重金属相对稳定一些.羟基磷灰石的掺杂不同程度降低了沉积物中重金属的释放能力,促使沉积物中的重金属由较不稳定结合态向较稳定结合态转化,减小了沉积物中重金属的生物可利用性,增强了重金属的稳定性.     

4种草对铅锌尾矿污染土壤重金属的抗性与吸收特性

盆栽试验的结果表明,高羊毛、早熟禾、黑麦草、紫花苜蓿在纯尾矿污染土壤或经处理的尾矿污染土壤上都能生长,但在处理的土壤上生长的植物长势明显优于对照,其中紫花苜蓿的生物量所受影响比其他几种草坪草更大,说明其重金属抗性低于其他几种植物。单位面积上 4 种植物体内重金属质量分数高低均为 w(Zn)>w(Pb)>w(Cu)>w(Cd),但每种植物对 Cd、Pb、Zn 和 Cu 的吸收质量分数和分布均不相同,一般为根系质量分数大于茎叶。加入改良剂(CaCO3)和有机肥(菜枯)使生长在铅锌尾矿污染土壤上的 4 种草坪草生物量显著增加,植物体中的 Cd、Pb、Zn 质量分数下降,但 Cu 质量分数反而上升,结果单位面积上草坪草吸收各重金属元素的量均有所增加,可见利用改良措施与草坪草相结合的方法来修复重金属污染土壤具有可行性。     

Metal associations in anoxic sediments and changes following upland disposal†

The ecological effects of heavy metals in contaminated sediments are more determined by the chemical form and reactivity than by the level of accumulation. Dredging of anoxic sediments and disposal on land is attended by changes of redox conditions. Under oxidizing conditions some controlling solid compounds may change gradually thus changing the solubility of certain metals.

Chemical extraction experiments for estimating characteristic association forms of heavy metals in anoxic sediments were carried out, both under presence and absence of air during the analytical procedure. Drying of the sediment decreases the proportion of the sulfidic metal fractions to a stronger degree, and oxidized Cd and Zn are found in the most available, exchangeable fraction.

With respect to long‐term effects acidification of poorly buffered sludges after disposal on land is probably the most important factor affecting metal associations and mobility. For many metal examples a linear relationship has been found between decreasing pH values and increasing dissolved metal concentrations. To quantify these relationships and for better comparison of samples a simple test procedure is proposed which is based on pH differences before and after addition of acid.     

Evaluation and sensitivity of cyanobacteria,Nostoc muscorum and Synechococcus PCC 7942 for heavy metals stress – a step toward biosensor

This study attempted to determine the effects of heavy metals on the photosynthetic blue-green algae for their potential to use as a biosensor. The bioaccumulation of metals and its effects on pigments of Nostoc muscorum and Synechococcus PCC 7942 were assessed. The culture was grown in BG 11 liquid medium supplied with different metals like mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) and incubated (µM 20 concentrations) for 10 days under optimal conditions. The accumulated amounts of metals were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The stress effects on photosynthetic pigment chlorophyll a (Chl a) were monitored by laser-induced fluorescence (LIF). Bio-concentration factor (BCF) reached a peak in cells on the 2nd day of incubation followed by a gradual reduction. The highest reduction in the pigment concentrations (Chl a and β carotene) was observed at 20?µM?L^?1 Hg treatment. The results indicate that, cyanobacteria may serve as both potential species to be used as a biosensor and used to clean up heavy metals from contaminated water. These changes were analyzed with the long-term goal of exploiting cyanobacterial cells as biosensors.     

Effect of air-borne heavy metals on the biochemical signature of tree species in an industrial region,with an emphasis on anticipated performance index

The present study demonstrates elevated concentrations of air-borne heavy metals (Fe, 4.791; Cr, 3.142; Pb, 1.718; Cd, 0.069 μg·m^?3) in an industrial region and their subsequent accumulation in tree species grown in that area. Lagerstomia speciosa showed the highest leaf metal concentrations, whereas the lowest metal concentration was observed in Acacia moniliformis. Air accumulation factors (AAF) for heavy metals were in the sequence Cd>Cr>Pb>Fe. Plants exposed to air-borne heavy metals showed a significant (p<0.01, p<0.05) decrease in total chlorophyll and soluble sugars content, with higher synthesis of cellular antioxidants compared with ascorbic acids, proline and thiols (NP-SH). Plants with higher air-borne metal accumulation factors (AAF) generally have a high air pollution tolerance index (APTI) value. Assessment of the anticipated performance index (API) gave Alstonia scholaris as the ‘best variety’ and A. moniliformis and Shorea robusta as ‘very good’ for plantation and greenbelt development in an industrial region.     

利用彗星实验检测丙烯酰胺对小鼠两种细胞的DNA损伤和修复

为了研究丙烯酰胺致小鼠睾丸细胞和外周血淋巴细胞DNA的损伤及修复情况,同时比较这两种细胞对丙烯酰胺的敏感性,将雄性昆明种小鼠一次性腹腔注射丙烯酰胺(50mg·kg-1(bw)),在暴露后第1、2、4、6、8、10、12d,分别对其睾丸组织细胞和外周血淋巴细胞DNA损伤进行彗星实验分析.结果表明,暴露结束后每个时间点小鼠睾丸组织细胞、外周血淋巴细胞DNA的迁移率均显著高于阴性对照组,随时间推移两种细胞DNA迁移距离逐渐降低,同一时间点睾丸组织细胞DNA损伤较外周血淋巴细胞DNA损伤更为严重,两者差异显著(p<0.05).以上结果表明,睾丸组织和外周血淋巴细胞可能是丙烯酰胺的作用位点;机体对丙烯酰胺造成的遗传损伤有一定的修复能力;与淋巴细胞相比,睾丸细胞对丙烯酰胺导致的遗传损伤更为敏感.     

Cd-Pb复合污染在土壤-水稻系统中生态效应的研究

采用盆栽试验研究了重金属复合污染物在土壤 -水稻系统中迁移、积累规律及生态效应。结果表明 :Cd、Pb复合污染使水稻株高比对照的下降了 5～ 7cm ,水稻减产 2 0 % ,2元素交互作用特别是 5元素复合作用影响了水稻的正常生长发育 ;不同处理中重金属在水稻籽实的分配比例依次为 5元素 >2元素 >单元素 ;Cd -Pb 2元素交互作用时 ,Pb元素的存在促进了水稻对Cd元素的吸收 ,而Cd元素却抑制了水稻对Pb元素的吸收 ;Cd比Pb元素易向地上部迁移 ,Pb元素大部分积累于水稻根部     

我国典型土壤上重金属污染对番茄根伸长的抑制毒性效应

采用盆栽试验观测了我国3种典型土壤——黄泥土、褐土、红壤上不同重金属(铜、锌、铅)作用下敏感植物番茄的根伸长,其中黄泥土和褐土上重金属添加量范围为Cu(0～2000mg·kg-1)、Zn(0～4000mg·kg-1)和Pb(0～5000mg·kg-1),红壤上为Cu(0～400mg·kg-1)、Zn(0～750mg·kg-1)和Pb(0～2000mg·kg-1).对不同土壤上Cu、Zn、Pb对番茄的根伸长抑制率进行了比较,以阐明不同土壤上重金属种类及用量对蔬菜根生长的抑制及毒性效应.结果表明,相同Cu、Zn、Pb污染水平(添加量)下,土壤中重金属对番茄的根伸长抑制率大小顺序基本表现为:红壤>黄泥土>褐土.番茄对红壤中的重金属最敏感,其次是黄泥土,再次是褐土.番茄对不同重金属的毒性响应不同,对Cu最敏感,Zn和Pb次之.土壤中有效态重金属含量与番茄根伸长呈显著(p<0.05)或极显著(p<0.01)负相关,表明有效态重金属含量是影响蔬菜根伸长的重要因素.     

Toxicological effects of mouse diet contaminated with tributyltin on the immune and neurological systems of C57BL/6 mice

Organotin compounds, widely used as antifouling agents, are known to bioaccumulate in the food chain. Among organotin compounds, tributyltin (TBT), a toxic and widespread contaminant, has become a serious factor in environmental pollution and is suspected of being immunotoxic in animals. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of 80 µg of TBT per kilogram of body weight (kg bw), provided in food, on the immune and neurological systems of C57Bl/6 mice. Data showed that TBT increased the proliferation of T and B lymphocytes in both adult and juvenile female and juvenile male mice, but that it decreased the proliferation of both T and B lymphocytes in adult male mice. The macrophages activity in female and male juvenile mice was higher than in adults of both sexes. The natural killer cytotoxic activity was also increased in juvenile and adult males and females compared to the control groups. In the brain, we observed the presence of TBT in the hippocampus, the striatum, the cortex, and the cerebellum in both the male and female groups. The highest levels were observed in the cortex of females and males, while the lowest levels were found in the cerebellum. TBT also induced an increase in the levels of the antioxidant glutathione (GSH) in the striatum, the hippocampus and in cortical structures but not in the cerebellum where the levels of TBT are lower. Our findings indicate that TBT modulated the immune and nervous systems causing endocrine and nervous perturbations.