甲状腺激素脱碘酶在孕哺期BDE 209暴露致子代小鼠神经发育毒性中的潜在作用

研究孕哺期BDE 209暴露对母鼠胎盘和子代脑组织甲状腺激素脱碘酶(deiodinase, DI)基因表达的影响,及其在子鼠神经发育毒性效应中的作用。将75只雌性昆明小鼠随机分为对照组、低剂量组和高剂量组,暴露BDE 209 10 d后,与雄鼠合笼,每组选取怀孕时间相近(相差不过2 d)的8只母鼠孕期持续染毒至子鼠断乳。采用实时荧光定量PCR检测孕17～18 d胎盘、出生后60 d子鼠脑组织三种类型脱碘酶基因相对表达;利用Morris水迷宫评价出生后60 d子鼠学习记忆能力;测量第2、16、30和60 d子鼠体重,观察孕哺期BDE 209暴露对子代生长发育的作用。结果显示,BDE 209对子鼠出生时体重未见明显影响;出生后30 d,高剂量BDE 209暴露组雌性子鼠体重显著低于对照组子鼠体重(p<0.05),而低、高剂量暴露组雄性子鼠体重均显著低于对照组子鼠体重(p<0.05,p<0.01);出生后60 d,BDE 209对体重影响不明显。BDE 209暴露能够显著延长出生后60 d雌、雄性子鼠逃避潜伏期(p<0.05或p<0.01)。BDE 209暴露显著降低母鼠胎盘中三种类型脱碘酶(主要是DI-3)基因表达(p<0.05或p<0.01);同时,BDE 209暴露可诱导出生60 d后雄性子鼠脑组织中DI-1基因表达(p<0.05或p<0.01),抑制雄性子鼠脑组织中DI-3基因表达(p<0.05);BDE209暴露对出生后60 d雌鼠脑组织脱碘酶未见明显影响(p>0.05)。研究结果表明,孕哺期BDE 209暴露可能通过影响母鼠胎盘组织脱碘酶(特别是DI-3)基因表达,导致子鼠神经发育毒性效应-学习记忆能力障碍。     

十溴联苯醚(BDE 209)孕哺期及出生后暴露对子代小鼠血液系统影响初探

本研究旨在探讨BDE 209长期暴露对出生后不同发育阶段子鼠血液系统的影响。将75只雌性昆明小鼠随机分为对照组、低剂量组(1.5 mg·kg-1·d-1)和高剂量组(225 mg·kg-1·d-1)。BDE 209暴露10 d后,将雌鼠与雄鼠合笼。选取怀孕时间相近(相差不过2 d)的10只孕鼠持续染毒直至自然分娩。出生后子鼠在哺乳期通过母乳染毒,断乳后则按照与母鼠相同的方式进行染毒,并在不同时间点进行外周血常规、外周血形态学、骨髓细胞形态学、骨髓细胞染色体组型和数目分析。血常规结果显示,低、高剂量BDE 209暴露对出生后不同发育阶段子鼠的白细胞计数没有影响,即白细胞、中性粒细胞、淋巴细胞及单核细胞的数量均无显著变化(P0.05);红细胞系统检查显示一定性别差异,即低剂量和高剂量BDE 209染毒的雄性小鼠在PND30出现红细胞(RBC)(P0.05)、血红蛋白(Hb)(P0.05或P0.01)及红细胞压积(P0.05或P0.01)的显著降低;而雌性小鼠只在PND 30出现红细胞压积的降低(P0.05);在PND 30,高剂量暴露组的雌性及雄性小鼠,低剂量暴露组的雌性小鼠均出现血小板计数的显著降低(P0.05或P0.01);而PND 60、PND 90的实验组血小板均未观察到显著改变(P0.05)。外周血形态学检查表明,低剂量组在PND 30、PND 60,及高剂量组在PND 90检测到典型异常结果多表现为白细胞数的增多。而低剂量组在PND 90检测到的典型异常结果多表现为异型深染淋巴细胞(P0.05)。骨髓形态学检测表明,低剂量组子代雄性及雌性小鼠在PND 60、PND 90骨髓涂片可检测到骨髓细胞的异常结果,表现为骨髓增生活跃,高剂量组雄性小鼠在PND 90观察到3例异常涂片,表现为骨髓增生异常(P0.05)。研究结果表明,BDE 209长期暴露可能导致出生子代外周血和骨髓的毒性,提示具有血液系统发育毒性。     

十溴联苯醚(BDE 209)暴露对孕期大鼠和胎鼠甲状腺激素干扰效应研究

为探讨孕期十溴联苯醚(BDE 209)暴露对孕期羊水和胎鼠循环甲状腺激素(TH)的影响及其对胎脑发育的损害作用,将24只Wistar雌性大鼠随机分为对照组、BDE 209低剂量组(100 mg·kg-1 bw)和高剂量组(300 mg·kg-1 bw),与雄鼠合笼,经阴道涂片确认受孕后,在孕1 d给予BDE 209经口持续灌胃染毒至孕15 d(GD15)和孕20 d(GD20).在GD15和GD20这2个时间点麻醉母鼠后剥离胎鼠称取体质量;应用酶联免疫吸附剂测定(ELISA)检测GD15、GD20羊水及GD20胎鼠循环TH水平,包括总三碘甲状腺原氨酸(TT3)、血清游离三碘甲腺原氨酸(FT3)、血清总甲状腺素(TT4)、游离甲状腺素(FT4)和促甲状腺激素(TSH)水平;应用实时荧光定量PCR(RT-qPCR)法检测胎脑促甲状激素释放激素(thyrotropin-releasing hormone,Trh)基因相对表达;应用苏木精-伊红染色(HE染色)观察GD20胎脑形态学改变.结果表明:(1)高剂量BDE 209可引起胎鼠体质量异常改变.(2)BDE 209可引起孕期羊水和孕后期胎鼠循环TH水平紊乱,表现为GD15时,BDE 209可引起羊水FT3下降、TT4和TSH增高,但未见统计学意义;低、高剂量BDE 209均可引起羊水FT4水平升高(P<0.05或P<0.01),且具有剂量依赖性.GD20时,与GD15相比,对照组羊水TH水平有所变化,FT3和TT4水平均明显增高,而TSH水平有所降低;低、高剂量BDE 209引起FT3显著降低(P<0.05),FT4在高剂量组升高(P<0.05);低、高剂量BDE 209引起TSH水平显著升高(P<0.05).GD20时,胎鼠血清TH变化与同时期羊水中的基本一致,BDE 209可致胎鼠血清FT3和TT4下降,虽然没有显著性差异,胎鼠血清TSH水平增高,尤其在高剂量组(P<0.05).(3)BDE 209可导致孕育中胎脑Trh基因表达下调(P<0.05),并随着孕期进程而加重.(4)病理学观察发现BDE 209可引起孕末期胎鼠脑细胞结构发生变化,使细胞数量减少,脑组织出现萎缩.综上,孕期BDE 209暴露可影响胚胎大鼠生长发育;引起羊水TH水平紊乱、胚胎大鼠循环TH水平紊乱以及胚胎脑组织Trh基因表达抑制,导致脑组织结构产生病理改变.这些可能是BDE 209致子代发育神经毒性的病理基础.     

围生期双酚A暴露对子代大鼠脾脏免疫功能的影响

为了研究围生期双酚A(BPA)暴露对子代脾脏免疫功能的影响,选择F344大鼠,按体重随机分为对照、低、中、高4个剂量组(BPA暴露剂量分别为0、4、40、400mg·kg-1·d-1),从雌鼠妊娠第0天开始至子鼠出生后30天,每天灌胃染毒1次,观察子鼠脾脏组织形态学的变化,并采用实时定量PCR检测IL-2、IL-12、IFN-γ、TNF-α4种细胞因子mRNA表达的改变.结果表明,1)与对照组相比,低剂量组子鼠脾重、脾脏指数均显著增加(p<0.05),体重无显著变化(p>0.05);中剂量组子鼠脾脏指数显著增加(p<0.05),体重和脾重无显著变化(p>0.05);高剂量组子鼠体重、脾重均显著降低(p<0.05),脾脏指数无显著变化(p>0.05).2)与对照组相比,各暴露组子鼠脾脏IL-2、IL-12、IFN-γ、TNF-α4种细胞因子mRNA表达均显著降低(p<0.01).以上结果提示,BPA可能能够透过胎盘屏障并通过乳汁传递给子代,降低子代的机体免疫功能.     

围生期毒死蜱暴露致子代8周雄鼠睾丸组织的氧化损伤

毒死蜱是目前全世界使用和销售量最大的有机磷杀虫剂之一。为探讨围生期毒死蜱暴露致8周雄性子鼠睾丸组织的氧化损伤,选择健康Wistar妊娠母鼠于妊娠期(gestation days,GD)第6天至子鼠出生后(postnatal days,PND)21天通过灌胃染毒0、0.75、1.35和2.70 mg·kg~(-1)剂量的毒死蜱,待雄性子鼠8周龄取左侧睾丸实施组织病理学检查,右侧睾丸用以检测丙二醛(maleic dialdehyde,MDA)的含量和谷胱甘肽S转移酶(glutathione S transferases,GST)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(glutathione peroxidase,GSH-Px)、总超氧化物歧化酶(total superoxide dismutase,T-SOD)的活力。结果表明,与对照组比较,随着染毒剂量的增加子鼠体重和睾丸、附睾脏器系数有下降的趋势(P0.05);而MDA呈升高趋势(P0.05)。各组T-SOD和1.35、2.70 mg·kg~(-1)剂量组GSH-Px活力的下降及2.70 mg·kg~(-1)剂量组GST活力的升高均有统计学意义(P0.05)。睾丸组织病理学检查结果可见2.70mg·kg~(-1)剂量组睾丸组织有明显的损伤,管腔中精液量减少,生精细胞脱落增多。上述研究结果提示母鼠于围生期暴露于毒死蜱,可通过氧化损伤诱导子代雄性大鼠睾丸的毒性作用。     

低剂量Aroclor 1254和BDE-209单一和复合暴露的甲状腺干扰作用

本文旨在探讨低剂量PCBs和PBDEs单一暴露和复合暴露的甲状腺干扰作用.非洲爪蟾46期蝌蚪单独或共暴露于100 ng·L-1Aroclor 1254和BDE-209至62期.暴露结束后检测变态时间、甲状腺组织学结构、甲状腺相关基因表达水平等指标.结果发现,Aroclor 1254和BDE-209单独暴露使蝌蚪变态发育呈现一定的延迟趋势,而复合暴露却显著抑制蝌蚪变态发育;所有的暴露处理均导致蝌蚪甲状腺组织代偿性改变,表现为胶质面积减少,甲状腺滤泡上皮细胞高度显著增加;Aroclor 1254单独暴露显著抑制甲状腺激素受体(TRA)、Ⅱ和Ⅲ型脱碘酶(DI-2,DI-3)的表达,BDE-209单独暴露仅抑制DI-2的表达,但BDE-209协同促进Aroclor1254对肝脏内TRA表达的抑制作用.综上,低剂量Aroclor 1254和BDE-209单独暴露和复合暴露对非洲爪蟾变态发育具有一定的甲状腺抑制作用,复合暴露的抑制作用明显高于单一暴露的作用.鉴于甲状腺系统在脊椎动物生长发育过程中的重要作用,低剂量PCBs和PBDEs复合暴露的甲状腺干扰效应应该受到格外关注.     

胚胎期及哺乳期全氟辛烷磺酸盐(PFOS)暴露对大鼠长时程突触可塑性影响的miRNA组学研究

为探讨PFOS胚胎期及哺乳期暴露对动物子代学习记忆能力影响的分子机理,采用微小RNA(miRNA)芯片技术检测PFOS胚胎期及哺乳期暴露对出生第1和7天大鼠脑组织miRNA表达的影响,分析突触可塑性相关miRNA表达的差异变化。结果显示,经PFOS暴露后出生第1和7天的大鼠脑组织中分别有24和17个miRNA发生显著性差异表达(p<0.05),其中与突触传递和神经递质转运等相关的miRNA的差异表达最为显著,主要包括miR-466b、miR-672、miR-297、miR-674-3p和miR-207。差异表达miRNA的路径分析显示出生后1和7d的大鼠的长时程增强效应(LTP)均受PFOS显著影响(p<0.05),这说明PFOS胚胎期及哺乳期暴露可能通过影响LTP的形成、发展和维持过程对大鼠子代大脑学习记忆能力造成威胁,并且miR-466b、miR-672、miR-297、miR-674-3p和miR-207可能参与了其中的调控过程。     

孕哺期全氟辛烷磺酸暴露对子代大鼠糖代谢的影响

探讨孕哺期全氟辛烷磺酸(PFOS)暴露对子代大鼠成年后糖代谢稳态的影响。Wistar孕鼠随机分组,自孕0天(GD0)起分别以0 mg·kg^-1(对照组)、4 mg·kg^-1(低剂量组)和8 mg·kg^-1 (高剂量组) PFOS(以饲料中PFOS计)经口染毒至仔鼠出生后21天(PND21)断乳为止。高效液相/质谱法检测PND1、PND21和PND42时仔鼠血清PFOS含量。检测仔鼠断乳后第8周和第18周时空腹血糖和胰岛素水平计算胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR);比较仔鼠口服糖耐量及肝脏糖代谢关键酶表达水平改变。结果显示：发育期PFOS暴露导致仔鼠出现血清中PFOS蓄积,以PND21时浓度最高,在低剂量组和高剂量组中分别为(7.77±1.45) μg·mL^-1和(5.09±0.57) μg·mL^-1。与对照组相比,不同剂量组仔鼠在断乳前后均出现明显体重降低,并在成年后出现高胰岛素血症,但PFOS仅在雄性仔鼠中引起了血糖升高。18周龄时口服糖耐量结果显示,PFOS暴露使雄性仔鼠在该阶段出现糖耐量受损,同时造成过氧化物酶体增殖物活化受体γ协同刺激因子(PGC-1)、磷酸烯醇丙酮酸羧激酶(PEPCK)表达水平的显著增高以及葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶(G6P)表达水平的显著降低。以上结果说明PFOS孕哺期暴露可引起子代成年后糖代谢失调,有增加糖尿病患病风险可能。     

孕鼠PFOS暴露对糖皮质激素水平及胎鼠生长发育的影响

为探究孕期全氟辛烷磺酸(PFOS)暴露与母源糖皮质激素(GC)水平、胎鼠生长发育之间的关系,将孕期为12 d(GD12)的24只SD雌性大鼠,随机分为4组给予不同剂量的PFOS(0,5,10,20 mg·kg-1),连续灌胃7 d,在GD19时对孕鼠和胎鼠的体重、胎鼠肝脏系数和肝脏生化指标、孕鼠血清的生化指标和GC水平、胎盘11β-羟基类固醇脱氢酶2(11β-HSD2)的酶学活性和胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-1)的mRNA表达水平分别进行检测。结果表明,与对照组相比:PFOS 20 mg·kg-1组,母鼠体重、胎鼠体重和体长显著下降(P0.001);PFOS 20 mg·kg-1组,胎鼠肝脏脏器系数低于对照组(P0.001);PFOS 10 mg·kg-1组,胎鼠肝脏中的酶活性(ALT、AST和ALP等)显著升高(P0.001);PFOS 20 mg·kg-1组,孕鼠血清GC水平升高(P0.05);胎盘IGF-1的mRNA表达水平随PFOS剂量升高而降低;胎盘11β-HSD2的活性随PFOS剂量升高而降低。研究表明,孕期暴露PFOS可以导致胎鼠肝脏毒性,降低胎盘11β-HSD2氧化活性导致GC浓度升高,进而影响胎鼠的生长发育。     

交通空气污染对大鼠子代发育及社交行为的影响

交通空气污染与儿童自闭症的关联时有报道,但其因果关系仍待进一步探索。为研究出生前后暴露于不同水平的交通空气污染环境对生长发育和自闭症相关社交行为的影响,将Wistar大鼠雌雄1∶1交配,受孕雌鼠根据子代接触交通污染的时间(出生后暴露或胚胎期暴露)及浓度(低、中和高3个水平)分为6组。在子代出生后21～27 d,测量子代的体重、身长及大脑脏器系数,并根据三箱实验评估社交行为,同时检测仔鼠脑组织组蛋白H3第4个赖氨酸(H3K4)的甲基化水平。结果显示,出生前后,尤其是胚胎发育阶段接触较高浓度的交通空气污染物可导致幼鼠体重及大脑湿重较低,身长较短、大脑脏器系数偏高等生长发育特征改变。同时,出生前后较高浓度的交通空气污染物暴露可导致幼鼠出现社交能力下降、社交记忆受损及社交新颖性减弱等典型自闭症样行为改变。虽然组蛋白H3K4甲基化水平与交通空气污染物浓度之间未见统计学关联,但出生后暴露组具有较高的H3K4甲基化水平,提示出生前后接触交通空气污染物可能与自闭症的发生发展有关,而不同暴露时期对脑组织H3K4甲基化水平的影响,为今后进一步探讨自闭症的表观遗传机制提供了线索。     

森林土壤固碳机理研究进展

全球碳平衡中,土壤有机碳储量为2000 Pg,植被碳储量500 Pg,大气碳储量785 Pg,土壤中有机碳变化是影响大气温室气体含量的重要因素。中国人工林总量世界第一,可以通过造林树种的选择,增加森林土壤的碳汇功能,它主要通过4种机理来实现,包括稳定性有机-矿物复合体的形成、持久性封存的深层碳的增加、耐分解有机物成份的积累、以及土壤团聚体结构中碳的物理性保护。中国近年来对木材的需求上升,导致大量短轮伐期人工林的种植,采伐、火烧炼山、施肥与整地等营林措施对土壤碳汇功能形成重大影响。因而,通过加强对中国人工林土壤固碳机理的研究,通过人为措施实现具有较强固碳能力的森林类型,从而提高人工森林生态系统的固碳能力,它对中国减排增汇战略具有重要意义,而加强对不同营林措施对碳汇功能影响的研究是中国当前面临的重大课题。     

Evaluating losses in ecosystem services in nature reserves in Sichuan,China

Nature reserves have developed rapidly over the decades in China and play a significant role in the function of ecosystem services. The function of ecosystem services in nature reserves, however, has tended to decline in recent years due to natural hazards and human activities. Based on land use, the variation of ecosystem services value (ESV) during 2000–2010 in national nature reserves in Sichuan was evaluated. We analyzed the comprehensive effects of natural disasters and human activities on the decline of ESVs. Total ESV in the national nature reserves in Sichuan was approximately 2741.35 million US$ in 2000, 2616.81 million US$ in 2005, and 2499.06 million US$ in 2010, representing a decrease of 242.29 million US$, or 8.84%, in the decade. Forestland, grassland, wetland, and water bodies played vital roles in the function of ecosystem services, with an aggregated ESV of 99% of the total. The largest proportion of the total ESV was the protection of biodiversity at 48.6%. ESV of all land use types and single ecosystem services continued to decline during 2000–2010. A mechanism of adaptable risk prevention should be established, and unreasonable human activities should be avoided to protect ecosystems and to improve the functions of ecosystem services.     

中国水稻土碳循环研究进展

文章首先分析了水稻土在碳循环研究中的地位和重要性，进而对我目水稻土碳循环的研究现状作了较为详尽的阐述，对其主要研究结论进行了深入的剖析。中国大而积的水稻土自1980年以来显示出有机碳库增加现象，说明水稻田对大气CO2可能产生汇效应。水耕熟化过程足有机碳的积累过程，水稻土的碳密度是早作土碳密度的2-3倍。水稻土的同碳能力与土壤的微团聚体的粒径有关。但对于水稻土中有机碳的分布和结合状态与农业管理措施、水稻土质量变化、农业生态环境变化的关系仍不清楚。因而建议就这一问题从土壤物理学、化学和生物学的相互作朋与土壤微团聚体中矿物质、有机质和微生物的相互结合关系的层面上进行多学科研究。同时提出了今后我困水稻土碳循环的重点研究方向和领域，即从整体和系统的角度来研究碳循环和平衡，从不同的时空区域来研究碳循环的过程和强度。     

Is the antipredatory response in behaviour reflected in stress measured in faecal corticosteroids in a small rodent?

Predation risk has been shown to alter various behaviours in prey. Risk alters activity, habitat use and foraging, and weight decrease might be a consequence of that. In mammals, studies on physiological measures affected by risk of predation, other than weight, are rare. We studied in two separate laboratory experiments foraging, hoarding behaviour and expression of stress measured non-invasively from the faeces in the bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus), a common boreal rodent. Voles were exposed to predation risk using odours of the least weasels (Mustela nivalis nivalis). Distilled water served as control. In the first experiment, we found that foraging effort, measured as sunflower seeds taken from seed trays filled with sand, was significantly lower in trays scented with weasel odour. Both immediate consumption of seeds and hoarding were affected negatively by the weasel odour. Females hoarded significantly more than males in autumn. In the second experiment, the negative effect of weasel odour on foraging was consistent over a 3-day experiment, but the strongest effect was observed in the first night. Foraging increased over the time of the experiment, which might reflect either energetic compensation during a longer period of risk, predicted in the predation risk allocation hypothesis, or habituation to the odour-simulated risk. Despite decreased foraging under predation risk, stress measured as corticosteroid metabolite concentration in vole faeces was not affected by the weasel odour treatment. In conclusion, we were able to verify predation-risk-mediated changes in the foraging effort of bank voles but no physiological stress response was measured non-invasively, probably due to great individual variation in secretion of stress hormones.     

中国公众参与环境管理的研究

回顾了中国公众参与环境管理的发展历程,分析了公众参与环境管理存在的问题。针对公众参与环境保护管理的有效性的影响因子,例如主观因素、传统背景、时效因素及执行技巧等进行一系列的探讨,并根据公众参与计划的设计构思、公众参与计划的关键两方面的讨论,提出增加公众参与环境保护管理有效性的一些建议。     

生物扰动在水层-底栖界面耦合中的作用

综合评述了生物扰动在水层-底栖界面耦合中的作用研究进展和热点问题,并进行了展望。国际上十分重视水层-底栖界面耦合过程的研究并已有一定基础,生物扰动作为海洋生态学的重要内容之一早在20世纪50—60年代就已开展了工作,但直到10余年前才真正开始定量研究,进入了实验模拟、现场观测与建立模型相结合的新阶段。国内的生物扰动研究尚处于起步阶段,加上技术方法落后,一直未能取得突破性进展。目前国内外关于水层-底栖界面生物扰动效应研究基本上都在海洋中开展,尤其在河口、近岸和浅海水域进行,湖泊和河流研究明显薄弱。作为水生态动力学的重要分支和前沿领域,生物扰动研究具有广阔前景。急需针对我国水域特点,引进先进的现场观测和室内测试手段,进一步揭示水层-底栖界面耦合过程中的生物扰动机制,更精准和更详细地掌握水域中各种物质的生物地球化学循环的全过程,为控制水体内源污染释放、富营养化治理和生态建模等提供科学依据。     

Lead in a residential environment in Jamaica

The background levels of lead in Jamaica in soils and sediments, estimated at 37 mg kg^–1, are relatively high compared with world averages. Several areas have values in excess of this due to mineralisation and pollution. One such is the residential Hope Flats/Kintyre area in which levels of lead up to 2.5% are found in the soils and up to 8 g kg^–1 in the water of the nearby Hope River. The blood lead levels of a sample of children were in the range 5.7–57 g dl^–1. The high lead levels suggest a potential health risk, particularly for the children. This can be minimised by programmes which include community education, case management and abatement to reduce the lead exposure.     

硝基芳香化合物的植物作用研究进展

硝基芳香化合物是环境中难以降解的污染物之一。因其用途广泛,大量残留于土壤,水体和大气中,造成的环境污染日趋严重。多种植物对该类污染物具有吸收、富集和代谢降解作用,利用植物对其环境污染进行治理是一种有效的方法。文章在总结国内外有关硝基芳香化合物的植物作用研究基础上,重点阐述了植物对硝基芳香化合物的吸收、转运和代谢过程,分析了吸收、代谢机理以及影响吸收的因素;硝基芳香化合物的理化特性、浓度和植物自身特性及其它外界条件都会影响植物对该类化合物的吸收,植物可以通过体内降解、体外联合代谢、根部释放酶催化的机制实现该类化合物的降解。目前,硝基芳香化合物进入植物细胞膜的机理认知不足,模拟模型缺乏有力数据验证;代谢机制中参与反应的酶、化合物等体系和反应产物环境特性仍不明确,植物修复可行性缺乏有力证据。未来将在模型预测构建、降解机理和修复工程的实际应用方面作进一步探究,以形成系统的认知,为硝基芳香化合物污染土壤和农产品的生态风险评价以及植物修复提供理论依据。     

Employment of passive sampling in monitoring indoor air quality in selected residences in a Tri-city area in Poland

Time-weighted average concentrations of selected volatile compounds were measured in chosen residences in a Tri-City area of Poland by means of passive sampling. The results were compared to those obtained by dynamic technique – sorption tubes filled with Tenax TA sorbent. Results obtained by employing the two techniques were similar. Total volatile organic compound (TVOC) parameters were also determined. An attempt was also made to evaluate the influence of outdoor air pollutants on indoor air quality.     

Bioavailability of trace metals in brownfield soils in an urban area in the UK

Thirty-two brownfield sites from the city of Wolverhampton were selected from those with a former industrial use, wasteland or areas adjacent to industrial processes. Samples (<2 mm powdered soil fraction) were analysed, using inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry (ICP–AES) for 20 elements. Loss on ignition and pH were also determined. A five-step chemical sequential extraction technique was carried out. Single leach extraction with 0.12 M hydrochloric acid of Pb, Cu and Zn in soil was determined as a first approximation of the bioavailability in the human stomach. Some of the sites were found to have high concentrations of the potentially toxic elements Pb, Zn, Cu and Ni. The partitioning of metals showed a high variability, however a number of trends were determined. The majority of Zn was partitioned into the least chemically stable phases (steps 1, 2 and 3). The majority of Cu was associated with the organic phase (step 4) and the majority of Ni was fractionated into the residue phase (step 5). The majority of Pb was associated with the residue fraction (step 5) followed by Fe–Mn oxide fraction (step 3). The variability reflects the heterogeneous and complex nature of metal speciation in urban soils with varied historic histories. There was a strong inverse linear relationship between the metals Ni, Zn and Pb in the readily exchangeable phase (step 1) and soil pH, significant at P < 0.01 level. There was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the partitioning of Cu, Ni and Zn into step 4 (the organic phase) in soils with a higher organic carbon content (estimated by loss on ignition). Copper was highly partitioned into step 4 as it has a strong association with organics in soil but this phase was not important for the partitioning of Ni or Zn. The fractionation of Ni, Cu and Zn increased significantly in step 3 when the total metal concentration increases (P < 0.01). The Fe–Mn oxide fraction becomes more important in soils elevated in these metals, possibly due to the scavenging of metals by oxides. Cu and Pb extracted by HCl was statistically similar to the sum of the metals in steps 1 to 4 (P < 0.01) and HCl available Zn was statistically similar to the sum of Zn in steps 1 to 3 (P < 0.01). Step 4 (the organic phase) was not an important phase for Zn, so it was concluded that any Cu, Zn and Pb present in soil in a nonresidue phase would be potentially available for uptake into the human system once soil has been ingested.